JP2002117038A - Maintenance material retrieval system and its server, user terminal, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a maintenance material retrieval system using a network and its server, a user terminal, and a recording medium, with which a general user can easily obtain maintenance information. SOLUTION: This maintenance material retrieval system includes the server and user terminal which can communicate with each other via the network; and the server is equipped with a product and component database wherein product and component data including maintenance materials regarding maintenance methods are recorded so that they can be retrieved, a retrieval means which retrieves from the mentioned product and component database component data corresponding to component specifying information specifying a component sent from the user terminal and maintenance data regarding the component, and a server-side transmitting means which sends the maintenance data retrieved by the retrieval means to the user terminal and the user terminal is equipped with a display means which displays the maintenance data sent from the server- side transmitting means on a display screen and a user-side transmitting means which sends the component specifying information to the server.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for searching for maintenance materials using a network, a server as a component of the system, a user terminal, and a medium recording a program for controlling the server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to accurately and accurately remove, attach, and replace parts during maintenance and inspection of products,
There are many products that need to work according to the maintenance manual.

[0003] For example, in the case of parts of vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles and general-purpose machines, there are service manuals provided by manufacturers for maintenance and the like. Depending on the formula, you need to identify the exact service manual and find the page you need.

[0004]

However, in order to search for appropriate maintenance data of a model owned by a user, a certain degree of search is required based on the vehicle model, model type, year, frame number, and vehicle verification items. Expert knowledge and manual reading are required.

[0005] Further, the service manual available to general users is in the form of bookbinding, and it is not easy to obtain an appropriate service manual. In some cases, a search is performed using a book that does not reflect revision information such as a change in parts after the purchase of a vehicle, and there is a great possibility that a wrong part or mounting method is used.

[0006] Therefore, it is difficult for a general user himself to obtain appropriate maintenance data, and it is normal that the labor is eventually paid and left to a maintenance specialty store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to provide a simple maintenance material search system using a network through which a general user can easily obtain maintenance information, and a server thereof. , A user terminal and a recording medium.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a server and a user terminal which can communicate with each other via a network. Product / part data recorded in a searchable format
A parts database, search means for searching the product / parts database for part data corresponding to parts specification information specifying parts transmitted from the user terminal, and maintenance data relating to the parts, and maintenance searched by the search means Server-side transmitting means for transmitting data to a user terminal, wherein the user terminal displays the maintenance data transmitted by the server-side transmitting means on a display screen, and the component specifying information to the server. A maintenance material search system including a user-side transmitting means for transmitting is provided.

[0009] The server has a complete product / parts database including maintenance data relating to the maintenance method, and based on the part identification information transmitted from the user terminal, the corresponding parts data and parts data from the product / parts database are provided. The maintenance data related to the part is searched and transmitted to the user terminal. On the user terminal side, the maintenance data transmitted from the server is displayed on the display means. Therefore, the maintenance data accurately retrieved from the complete product / part database. Can be easily and quickly obtained by a user using a network.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 specifies a product / part database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to the maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form, and a part transmitted from a user terminal through a network. Search means for searching the product / part database for part data corresponding to the part identification information to be performed and maintenance data related to the part, and server-side transmission means for transmitting the maintenance data searched by the search means to the user terminal. Server.

The server includes a product / parts database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials are recorded, and based on the part identification information transmitted from the user terminal, the corresponding part data and part data from the product / parts database are provided. Since the maintenance data related to the part is retrieved and transmitted to the user terminal, the user can easily and quickly obtain the maintenance data accurately retrieved from the complete product / part database using the network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product / parts database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to a maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form, and a search history in which a user previously searched for parts. Storage means for storing;
Search means for searching the product / parts database for maintenance data relating to parts corresponding to parts selection information for selecting parts from the search history transmitted from the user terminal through the network, and maintenance searched by the search means A server that transmits data to the user terminal.

The server has a product / parts database composed of complete product and part data including image data, and storage means for storing a search history in which the user has searched for parts in the past, and transmitted from the user terminal through the network. Since the maintenance data related to the part corresponding to the part selection information for selecting the part from the search history to be searched is searched from the product / part database, the user can easily and quickly select the part from the search history. Since the parts are quickly identified, the maintenance data related to the parts can be searched earlier, and the user can quickly obtain the necessary maintenance data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an access means for accessing, through a network, a server having a product / part database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to a maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form, A user terminal comprising: transmitting means for transmitting the component specifying information for specifying to the server; and display means for displaying the maintenance data transmitted from the server on a display screen.

When the user accesses the server through the network and transmits the part specifying information, the user can easily and quickly obtain the exact maintenance data retrieved from the complete product and part data by displaying it on the display means. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the user terminal according to the fourth aspect, further comprising printing means for printing an image of the maintenance data displayed by the display means.

By printing the retrieved maintenance data on paper, it is easy to refer to the data during maintenance work.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a complete product including maintenance information relating to a maintenance method, receiving component identification information for identifying a component transmitted from a user terminal through a network, based on the received component identification information. A computer is controlled to search for corresponding part data and maintenance data related to the part from a product / parts database in which the part data is recorded in a searchable form, and to transmit the searched maintenance data to the user terminal through a network. Recording medium on which a program for storing is stored.

Since the recording medium stores a program for controlling a computer to search and transmit maintenance data from a complete product / parts database based on part identification information from the user terminal, the complete product and The server can be controlled so that accurate maintenance data can be easily searched for using a network based on a database in which part data is recorded.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the maintenance data search system according to the first aspect, the maintenance data includes a difficulty level of the operation, and the server according to any one of the second to fourth aspects. The user terminal according to claim 5, or claim 6.
It is a recording medium of the description.

Since the maintenance data includes the difficulty level of the work, the difficulty level of the work is displayed at the same time as the maintenance data is displayed on the display means of the user terminal. It is convenient because it can be easily determined from the difficulty of the work whether or not the work can be performed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the maintenance data search system according to the first aspect, the server according to the second or third aspect, the fourth aspect, or the third aspect, the maintenance data includes maintenance shop information. A user terminal according to claim 5, or a recording medium according to claim 6.

Since the maintenance data includes maintenance shop information,
Since the maintenance data is displayed on the display means of the user terminal and the maintenance shop information is also displayed, the user sees the displayed maintenance method and judges that the work cannot be performed in light of his / her own skill, and the maintenance shop is notified. When you try to leave it, you can immediately know the nearest maintenance shop from the maintenance shop information, which saves you the trouble of searching for a maintenance shop again and is convenient.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a maintenance material search system according to the first aspect, wherein the product / parts database records complete product and part data including a parts list and a service manual. A server according to claim 2 or claim 3, a user terminal according to claim 4 or claim 5, or a recording medium according to claim 6.

The product / parts database is composed of a complete product list consisting of a parts list in which application information of parts, part numbers, etc. are described, and a service manual in which information on parts mounting, maintenance methods, special tools, etc. are described. If the part data is recorded, it is possible to easily search for accurate maintenance data required by the user.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment relates to a system for searching and ordering parts and maintenance manuals for vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles or general-purpose machines. FIG. 1 shows an entire system for searching for parts, searching for maintenance materials, and performing electronic commerce using the network. The network is an existing network such as the Internet.

The server and each user terminal can communicate with each other via the network. The server is the customer
D (including password), name, address, contact information, etc., as well as a customer database containing a combination of the model, model, year, etc. of the vehicle you own, and a parts list and service manual for each model It has a product / parts database recorded in a searchable form, including all image data. The latest parts list and service manual are always added.

Further, the server is a homepage (web site) in addition to the location and contact information of the maintenance shop and the sales shop.
When the is opened, a database such as a maintenance shop that records data such as the URL is provided.

The server has a function (program) for extracting and outputting appropriate data from the above customer database, product / parts database, maintenance shop database, etc. in response to a request.

On the other hand, the user terminal is generally a personal computer, a mobile phone, or the like at the user's home or the like. Sometimes it is a computer installed in a convenience store or the like.

The server and the user terminal each have a communication function, and can communicate through a network. A web server program runs on the server, and a web browser program runs on the user terminal.

In the search of the maintenance data, first, after a part is specified, the search is performed from a service manual based on the part. Therefore, an operation in which a user communicates with a server via a network and searches for a required component from a database provided in the server will be described according to an operation procedure shown in FIG. Here, the term “parts” also includes articles such as accessories attached to the product.

First, the user operates the UR of the server from the user terminal.
Enter L to access the server (step S1).
The server transmits a page having an ID input field and a model input field to the user terminal (step S2).

It is to be noted that the top page of the server is transmitted immediately after accessing the server, and if the user selects the part search of the top page, a page having an ID input field and a model input field may be transmitted. Good.

The user terminal displays this input field on the display screen (step S3). The user inputs an ID or a model name on the input screen (step S3). When purchasing a vehicle and registering the user in advance to obtain an ID,
Since the purchased vehicle data is recorded in the customer database together with the personal data such as the address of the user, the vehicle related to the search request component can be quickly and accurately specified only by inputting the ID.

A user who has not registered as a user enters a model name here. If there is information for specifying the vehicle other than the model name, it is easy to specify the vehicle if this information can also be input. When the information of the ID or the model name is transmitted to the server, the server searches the customer database or the product / parts database based on the information and searches for the image of the model corresponding to the input ID or the model corresponding to the input model name. Is extracted and transmitted to the user terminal (step S4).

The user terminal displays the model image transmitted from the server (step S5). FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen on which a model image of a motorcycle is displayed. There are three types of the same model, such as fuel tanks, which have different colors. When a vehicle indicating the characteristics of the type relating to the search request component is pointed with the mouse pointer and clicked to select the type (step S5), the selection information is received. A large image of only the vehicle selected on the server side is transmitted (step S6).

The "search history" button shown on the screen in FIG. 6 displays the data of the parts searched in the past when this button is clicked if the same model has been previously searched. The trouble of searching can be saved. The operation procedure during this time will be described later.

When the server transmits a large image of only the selected vehicle at step S6, the user terminal displays the selected vehicle image (step S7). FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displaying the selected vehicle image. Although the enlarged screen is shown here, a perspective image of the vehicle viewed from obliquely above may be used to make it easier to capture features of the vehicle and the like.
Further, a plurality of images viewed from a plurality of viewpoints may be displayed.

When the user points and clicks on a portion of the vehicle image on the display screen where a search request component is attached (a portion that is not accurate and is considered to be generally attached) with the mouse pointer and clicks, (Step S
7) The server receiving the instruction information transmits an enlarged image of the instruction part and a block table of the instruction part (step S).
8).

The user terminal displays the enlarged image and the block table transmitted from the server (step S9). FIG.
Shows an example of a screen on which an enlarged image and a block table are displayed. The user selects a large block by pointing the portion related to the search request component of the enlarged image on the same screen with the mouse pointer or pointing the large block portion related to the search request component of the block table with the mouse pointer (step S1). S
9). When the mouse pointer is located at any of the large blocks in the block table, the color of the corresponding portion may be changed.

On the server side receiving the selection information, the product /
The parts list of the parts database is searched to find the illustration index corresponding to the selection information of the large block, and transmitted to the user terminal (step S10). The user terminal displays the illustration index transmitted from the server (step S11). FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen on which the illustration index is displayed.

The user looks at the illustration index, points to the block containing the search request component with the mouse pointer, clicks on the block, and selects the required block (step S11). The image of the selected block page is transmitted (step S12).

The user terminal displays a required block page of the parts list transmitted from the server (step S).
13). FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen on which the required block page is displayed. An image of a required component group is displayed in an exploded perspective view, and a component column is displayed.

If the user can specify the part to be searched on the same screen by specifying the part number or the corresponding part on the screen with a mouse pointer, the user can specify the search request part with an enlarged image accurately. Then, the user specifies and clicks on a portion of the screen illustration image where the search request component is present with the mouse pointer (step S13).

The server receiving the instruction information transmits an illustration image in which the instruction part is enlarged (step S14).
The user terminal displays the enlarged illustration image transmitted from the server (step S15). FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen on which the enlarged illustration image is displayed.

If several parts are displayed in the size shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to specify the necessary parts accurately. In the same screen, the required parts are indicated by the mouse pointer and clicked to specify them. (Step S15). The server that has received the component instruction information transmits component data of the specified component (step S16).

The user terminal displays the component data transmitted from the server (step S17). FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen on which the component data is displayed. Since the illustration image of the part is displayed together with the part name, the part number, and the like, the part can be surely confirmed. The screen also displays the price, delivery date, standard wage, etc.

As described above, the user confirms the product while viewing the appropriate image based on the appropriate parts list and the service manual transmitted from the server via the network, and checks the part where the search request part of the product image exists. , While narrowing down while pointing with a mouse pointer to specify necessary parts, it is possible to easily specify accurate necessary parts and quickly obtain accurate part data.

On the screen on which the component data shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, a “refer to service manual” button and an “order” button are provided. When the “refer to service manual” button is clicked, a service manual relating to the searched component is displayed. You can browse and click the "Order" button to order the searched parts.

FIG. 3 shows the operation procedure when referring to the service manual. When the user clicks the "refer to service manual" button on the screen on which the component data is displayed (step S21), the instruction information is transmitted to the server. Is sent to the server, the server searches the product / parts database based on the parts data, selects the appropriate service manual,
A page related to the component data in the service manual is extracted and transmitted to the user terminal (step S22).

The user terminal displays a required page of the service manual transmitted from the server (step S2).
3). FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen on which a required page of the service manual is displayed. In this example, the search component is a headlight bulb, and a page describing a bulb replacement method for the headlight related to the bulb is displayed.

An explanatory note is described together with an image of a required portion. You will need to replace the bulb you ordered while looking at this page. Therefore, it is convenient to print this page.

On the screen of this service manual, the degree of difficulty of the work is displayed, and the difficulty of the work when the general user performs the work can be understood at a glance. Therefore, the user can easily determine from the work difficulty whether the work can be performed by himself in light of his / her skill.

If the user determines that it is difficult to work, it is useless to order parts, and it is left to a maintenance shop or a sales shop. Therefore, the screen (FIG. 13) is provided with an "Introduction of maintenance shop" button. By clicking the button, the database of the maintenance shop or the like is searched and the data of the nearest maintenance shop is displayed. Has become. The URL of the maintenance shop that opens the homepage is also displayed and linked, so the maintenance shop URL can be accessed directly from the screen.
You can access the web server.

If a special tool, a jig, an auxiliary material such as an adhesive, or a protective tool is required when performing the work and it is desired to order it together with the parts, the name of the tool or the like in the description or the image Since there is a portion where an image is displayed, when the portion is clicked, the tools are displayed together with the required number and price in an insertion column at the bottom of the screen. The display of the tool insertion column may also be provided on the screen of FIG. 12 where the component data has been searched, so that the user can enter the data.

Then, an order can be made by clicking an "order" button on the screen shown in FIG. If you just click the "Back" button when you just refer to the same screen,
You can return to the previous page.

When a part is searched in this way, an accurate page of the service manual relating to the searched part is searched for and referred to by a simple operation of clicking the "refer to service manual" button on the screen displaying the part data. Since it is possible, it is possible to know the method of mounting the part without requiring time and labor.

Since the work difficulty is displayed on the page screen of the service manual, it is easy to judge whether or not the user can work himself, and the information of the nearest maintenance shop can be easily obtained when leaving it to the maintenance shop. Obtainable.

Next, an operation procedure for ordering parts and the like will be described with reference to FIG. When the "order" button is clicked on the screen (FIG. 12) on which the component data of step S17 is displayed (step S31), or when step S23 is clicked.
When the "Order" button is clicked on the screen (FIG. 13) on which the required page of the service manual is displayed (step S31), the order request information is transmitted to the server, and the server transmits the order slip page to the user terminal. (Step S32).

The user terminal displays the order slip page transmitted from the server (step S33). FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen on which an order slip page is displayed. In the order form screen, the data of the parts and tools specified in the previous step have already been entered in the order item description column, and deletion or correction of the number or the like can be freely performed. In particular, since a part number or the like which is apt to be wrong is automatically entered at the time of transcription, there is no transcription error.

If the orderer has registered as a user, data such as the name and address of the orderer is retrieved from the customer database and automatically entered. An orderer who has not registered as a user inputs an address or the like.

Although not shown on the order form page, there are columns for selecting a payment method and a delivery method.
If there is no mistake in the contents of the order slip, click the "order" button to send the order data to the server (step S
33).

If it is desired to add another part before placing an order, by clicking the "Add" button, for example, the display returns to the page displaying the selected car image in step 7 and searches for another part. Can be ordered.

When the server receives the transmission of the order data,
An order confirmation page is transmitted to the user terminal (step S34). The user terminal displays the order confirmation page transmitted from the server (Step S35).

The order confirmation screen displays the contents of the previous order slip. The user confirms that there is no mistake in the contents, and if there is no mistake, clicks the "confirm" button (step S35). ), Correct any mistakes and confirm
Click the button. To cancel the order, click the "Cancel" button. Upon receiving the confirmation or cancellation information, the server confirms the order and accepts or cancels the order (step S36).

After the necessary parts are quickly and accurately searched as described above, it is possible to easily order the parts and necessary tools through the network by clicking a button. On the server side receiving the order, the ordered item is delivered by the designated delivery method.

When the registered user performs a part search operation as described above, the search history is recorded in the customer database together with the search part data. The operation procedure when referring to the service manual in order to know the mounting method and the like of the previously searched parts will be described with reference to FIG.

When the user accesses the server from the user terminal (step S41), the server transmits a page having an ID input field and a model input field to the user terminal (step S41).
42), the user terminal displays this input field on the display screen, and inputs the ID here (step S43). Then, the server transmits an image of the model corresponding to the input ID to the user terminal (step S44), and the user terminal displays the same model image (step S45).

The above is from the above-mentioned steps S1 to S5
Up to the same procedure. A model image as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the user terminal, and a “search history” button is displayed on the screen.
Click the button (step S45).

Then, the server transmits a screen of the history of parts search performed by the user on the server side (step S46), and a search history listing the parts data searched in the past is displayed on the user terminal (step S47). Is selected by clicking on the search component, the server that has received the selection information transmits the component data of the required component (step S48).

This step S48 corresponds to the step S16, and the user terminal displays a parts data screen as shown in FIG. 12 (step S49), so that the user confirms the parts and clicks the "see service manual" button. If so (step S49), the server selects an appropriate service manual as described above, and transmits a page related to the component data in the service manual to the user terminal (step S50). The required page of the transmitted service manual is displayed (step S51).

When the registered user refers to the service manual for the parts retrieved in the past to check the mounting method, etc., the user simply clicks the "search history" button without retrieving the parts. The required parts are quickly identified by simple operations, and the page containing the necessary information of the appropriate service manual can be displayed quickly by clicking the “Refer to service manual” button, which is extremely convenient. is there.

When a necessary part can be specified in advance, for example, a part number or the like is known, there is a field for inputting a part number or the like when the input field is displayed in step 3 above. The screen can be displayed. Therefore, it is possible to promptly order necessary parts or refer to a related service manual without searching for parts.

The present invention is applied not only to the parts of the vehicle of the above embodiment, but also to general parts of other products.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system for component search and electronic commerce using a network.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a component search according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when referring to a service manual.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when ordering parts and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another operation procedure when referring to a service manual.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a model image is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displaying a selected car image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which an enlarged image and a block table are displayed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which an illustration index is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a required block page is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which an enlarged illustration image is displayed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which component data is displayed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a required page of a service manual is displayed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which an order slip page is displayed.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A server which includes a server and a user terminal which can communicate with each other via a network, wherein the server includes a product and a part in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to a maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form. Database, search means for searching the product / part database for part data corresponding to the part specifying information specifying the part transmitted from the user terminal and maintenance data related to the part, and maintenance data searched by the search means Server-side transmitting means for transmitting the maintenance data transmitted by the server-side transmitting means on a display screen, and transmitting the component specifying information to the server. And a user-side transmitting means for performing the maintenance. 2. A product / parts database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to a maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form, and parts specification information for specifying parts transmitted from a user terminal through a network. Search means for searching the product / part database for part data to be performed and maintenance data related to the part, and server-side transmission means for transmitting the maintenance data searched by the search means to a user terminal. Server to do. 3. A product / parts database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to the maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form; storage means for storing a search history of a user's search for parts in the past; Search means for searching the product / parts database for maintenance data related to parts corresponding to parts selection information for selecting parts from the search history transmitted from the user terminal through the network; and maintenance performed by the search means. A server-side transmission unit that transmits data to a user terminal. 4. Access means for accessing, through a network, a server having a product / parts database in which complete product and part data including maintenance materials relating to a maintenance method are recorded in a searchable form, and part specifying information for specifying parts And a display means for displaying the maintenance data transmitted from the server on a display screen. 5. The user terminal according to claim 4, further comprising printing means for printing an image of the maintenance data displayed by said display means. 6. A part specifying information for specifying a part transmitted from a user terminal through a network is received, and based on the received part specifying information, a complete product and part data including a maintenance material relating to a maintenance method can be searched. A program for controlling a computer to search for corresponding part data and maintenance data related to the part from a product / parts database recorded in a form and transmit the searched maintenance data to a user terminal through a network is stored. Recording medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The maintenance data retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance data includes a difficulty level of the operation, the server according to any one of claims 2 to 4, A user terminal according to claim 5, or a recording medium according to claim 6. 8. The maintenance data retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance data includes maintenance shop information, the server according to claim 2 or 3, and the server according to claim 2 or 3. The user terminal according to claim 6, or the recording medium according to claim 6. 9. The maintenance material search system according to claim 1, wherein the product / parts database records complete product and part data including a parts list and a service manual. The server according to claim 2 or claim 3, the user terminal according to claim 4 or claim 5, or the recording medium according to claim 6.