JP2003099665A - Information acquisition method about foreign vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a general user to relatively simply use even a foreign vehicle technique that has been available only to a dedicated dealer of foreign vehicles. SOLUTION: A foreign vehicle information acquisition method using a computer has a step S102 for searching a server side database in which foreign vehicle information is registered for foreign vehicle information via a searching means when the database is accessed via a network from a terminal device of a user, a step S105 for displaying the retrieved foreign vehicle information on a displaying means of the user side terminal device via the network, and a step S106 for downloading detailed information selected from a foreign vehicle information index displayed on the user side terminal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for acquiring information on foreign vehicles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The amount of information on foreign vehicles and their parts, which have a high rarity value, is insufficient compared to domestic vehicles and their parts. Above all, the amount of information about used parts of foreign vehicles is small. For this reason, general mechanics and enthusiasts often cannot handle the replacement, maintenance, and repair of foreign vehicles. Therefore, in this case, only the foreign car parts specialist or the foreign car dealer who has the special knowledge and technology about them had to be entrusted.

On the other hand, when obtaining technical information from a country of origin, a large amount of information fee must be paid. Even if manuals such as manuals were available, most were written in English, German, or French, and translation into Japanese was often required. Therefore, in that case, a separate translation is required, and a translation fee is required, which increases the financial burden on the user and prevents the foreign vehicle from being distributed in the domestic market.

[0004]

Therefore, it is desired to propose a technology for collecting foreign vehicle information, which enables not only easy acquisition of various information about foreign vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "foreign vehicle information") but also effective use of the acquired foreign vehicle information. Was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to acquire, repair, install and maintain foreign vehicle information, for example, used parts, and maintain and repair foreign vehicles. By making it possible for anyone with some experience or knowledge to view detailed information from the terminal device via the network on the home page of the server or download it, anyone can easily use foreign vehicles. It is to be able to acquire the technology regarding.

Further, when the foreign vehicle information is in a foreign language, it is provided to the user in a state translated into Japanese so that the information can be used more effectively.

[0007]

The present invention has been made as follows in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

That is, according to the present invention, the foreign vehicle information is managed by the host computer of the server. Then, these pieces of information can be accessed and acquired from the terminal device of the user to the database of the host computer via the network.

In the database of the host computer, various foreign vehicle information, for example, a method for acquiring a used part of a foreign vehicle, a method for repairing the used part and a repair procedure, a method for repairing a foreign vehicle and a repair procedure, and a special part required for the repair are described. And information regarding special tools, various data related to foreign vehicles collected on the server side, and information released by used parts suppliers (for example, used parts supplier contact information and used parts inventory information) are registered.

When the user accesses the database of the server from the terminal device via the network, the foreign vehicle information is retrieved through the retrieval means. Then, the retrieved foreign vehicle information is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device via the network. If necessary, the foreign car information is downloaded. In addition, if the foreign car information is not in Japanese, the foreign car technology can be translated into Japanese by using a translation server.

In the present invention, even if it is possible to handle only a specialty store until now, for example, when wanting to know how to obtain used parts of a foreign vehicle or when repairing a foreign vehicle,
General mechanics and enthusiasts can browse the information from the terminal device via the network and download it as needed, so if you have some experience or knowledge about the vehicle, it is relatively easy to get outside vehicle information. The application by oneself becomes effective based on. As a result, the used parts of foreign vehicles and the maintenance and repair technology for foreign vehicles will spread. In addition, foreign languages can be translated into Japanese if necessary, so that understanding will be deepened.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a method for acquiring information about foreign vehicles according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a used parts supplier 1, an individual foreign vehicle user who owns a foreign vehicle (including a general foreign vehicle magazine publisher) 3, and a server 7 which registers and manages foreign vehicle information, stores the foreign vehicle information. Data is collected from each other by being provided via a network (not shown). The server 7 may collect the data by purchasing the data from the used parts dealer 1 or the user 3 of the non-personal vehicle.

The foreign vehicle information includes a used part acquisition method for a foreign vehicle, a repair method and a repair procedure for the used part, a foreign vehicle repair method and a repair procedure, information on special parts and special tools required for the repair, Costs, specified numerical values and specifications, contact information of used parts suppliers, inventory information of used parts, information about parts that are prone to malfunction, and other public information can be exemplified.
In addition, general users who do not have enough information to participate in the collection of the above data (general maintenance factories, individual non-residential vehicle users, etc.) enter into a membership contract with the server and enter the server side database in which the foreign vehicle information is registered. The foreign vehicle information is acquired by accessing the computer, which is a terminal device of the user, through the network.

The server 7 side has a database in which various foreign vehicle information is registered. In this specification, this database is referred to as the server-side foreign vehicle technology database 8.

When a general user 9 having a membership contract with the server 7 wants to acquire foreign vehicle information, he / she accesses the server side external vehicle technical database 8 from the computer of the general user 9 via a network to search engine etc. The desired foreign vehicle information is searched for via the search means.

Then, the retrieved foreign vehicle information is sent to the general user 9
Computer display means such as CRT (Cathode-
Display on a monitor such as ray tube). Further, when detailed explanation is required, it may be downloaded by using a charging system. If necessary, the displayed information can be printed.

The foreign vehicle technology can also be translated into Japanese by using a translation server.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a hardware configuration of a computer 10, which is an operation terminal on a general user side, will be described.

A central processing unit (CPU) 5, a main memory 36, an image memory (VRA) centering on a bus (BUS) 31.
M) 38. Further, in the figure, a keyboard 42 as an external input device, a display means CRT 43 for displaying the outside vehicle information arranged via a network as an external output device, and a printer 45 are shown, but in addition to these, an image scanner, a mouse (not shown) , And other peripheral equipment. Further, the bus 31 has an interface (I / F) 2 that connects the host computer on the server side that provides the foreign vehicle information and the computer 10 on the user side.
9 are connected.

Further, a hard disk 40 is connected to the bus 31, and the hard disk 40 stores the foreign vehicle information downloaded and acquired from the server as a database. In this specification, this database is referred to as an individual foreign vehicle technical database by using the reference numeral 39.

Between the main memory 36 and the CPU 5,
Data is constantly exchanged.

That is, in the hardware configuration, CP
Based on various data stored in the main memory 36, the U5 repeats the operation of sending back to the main memory 36 the results obtained by the operation and processing of the CPU 5 according to the instructions of the program 41 stored in the hard disk 40. Then, the foreign car information is displayed on the CRT 43.

Next, a more detailed description will be given with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, the computer 10 of a general user is shown.
By operating the keyboard 42, the server-side foreign vehicle technology database 8 is accessed through a network (not shown), and the foreign vehicle information is searched from the server-side foreign vehicle technology database 8 through a well-known search means 51 such as a search engine. . If the detailed information indexed from the index of the retrieved foreign vehicle information is required, the detailed information is downloaded, displayed on the CRT 43 for monitoring, and printed. In FIG. 3, necessary information is illustrated as "steering for foreign vehicle A ○○○ ...". The information about the steering is a technology about the steering that is registered in advance in the server-side foreign vehicle technology database 8.

Further, when the foreign vehicle technology already downloaded in the individual foreign vehicle technology database 39 of the general user computer 10 is searched from the individual foreign vehicle technology database 39, the search means equipped in the computer 10 is used.

Next, a series of processes according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step 101 (hereinafter referred to as "S101"; the same applies to other steps), the user side computer 10 accesses the server side foreign vehicle technology database via the network.

In step S102, the foreign vehicle information desired by the user is retrieved from the server-side foreign vehicle technical database through the retrieval means.

In S103, the foreign vehicle information is displayed on the CRT 43. The displayed contents are indexed. Therefore, when it is desired to know the details of the foreign vehicle information, the necessary information is indexed from the index to display or download the detailed information.

In S104, it is determined whether or not the foreign vehicle information is displayed in Japanese, and if the content is displayed in a language other than Japanese, the translation server 70 is automatically translated in S105. .

In step S106, an index (foreign vehicle information index) for foreign vehicle information is indexed, and detailed foreign vehicle information related to the index is indexed and downloaded. In S107, since it is downloaded, it is charged.
A well-known charging system is used for charging.

At S106, necessary information among the information displayed on the CRT 43 is printed, and then the process is ended.

Next, the function and effect of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

In this embodiment, the foreign vehicle information database on the server side manages information about foreign vehicles. And when a user such as a mechanic of a maintenance shop or a maniac who is a general user needs information on foreign vehicles, the server-side foreign vehicle information database is accessed from the user's computer via the network and the required information is displayed. get.

After accessing the server-side foreign vehicle technology database 8 from the computer 10 of the general user via the network, the foreign vehicle information is retrieved through the searching means 51. The searched information is registered in the individual foreign vehicle technology database 39 of the computer 10 of the general user, and the CR
Displayed at T43 and printed as needed.

Therefore, even in the case of repairing foreign vehicle parts and foreign vehicles which until now could have been handled only by a specialty store, it is necessary for mechanics and foreign vehicle manufacturers in general factories who have some experience and knowledge regarding automobile maintenance. Since such foreign vehicle information can be easily provided, general users can also perform repairs and the like, which until now could only be done by a specialist who has specialized knowledge about foreign vehicles.

In addition, even if the foreign technology is displayed in a language other than Japanese, it can be translated into Japanese by using the translation server 70, so that it can be more effectively executed. Even if the foreign car information is in a foreign language, general users 9
With the use of the translation server 70, the server 7 can centrally perform the translation process, and thus the burden of the translation fee can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above illustrated examples, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, a person who has some experience and knowledge about automobile maintenance can download the necessary information about the foreign vehicle technology from the terminal device via the network and obtain the necessary information. Therefore, even a special repair technique for a foreign vehicle, which until now could only be performed by a specialty store, can be relatively easily processed. By using the translation server, the server side that manages and manages the foreign vehicle information can be centrally processed, so that the general user can reduce the burden of the translation fee.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a method for acquiring information about a foreign vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computer according to the foreign vehicle information acquisition method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram when a computer is used to carry out the information acquisition method for foreign vehicles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a method for acquiring information about a foreign vehicle of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Used parts supplier 3 Private car users 7 servers 8 Server-side foreign vehicle technology database 9 General users 10 General user computer 36 Main memory 39 Individual Foreign Vehicle Technology Database 40 hard disk 41 programs 42 keyboard 43 CRT 45 printer 51 Search method 70 Translation server

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for acquiring information about a foreign vehicle using a computer, wherein when a server side database in which the information is registered is accessed from a user's terminal device via a network, a search means is retrieved from the database. Searching the information via the network, displaying the retrieved information on the display means of the user side terminal device via the network, and indexing from the foreign vehicle information index displayed on the display means of the user side terminal device. And a step of downloading the detailed information described above, the method for acquiring information on foreign vehicles. 2. The method for acquiring information on a foreign vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising the step of translating the foreign language into a native language when the foreign vehicle information is a foreign language. 3. The information acquisition method for a foreign vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a charging step for charging when the display of the foreign vehicle information is displayed by the display means or when execution of download is detected. Method. 4. The information relating to the foreign vehicle relates to a method of acquiring a used part of a foreign vehicle, a method of repairing the used part and a repair procedure, a method of repairing a foreign vehicle and a repair procedure, and a special part and a special tool necessary for the repair. The method for acquiring information on foreign vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that the information acquisition method includes various information related to foreign vehicles and public information. 5. The method for acquiring information on foreign vehicles according to claim 4, wherein the destinations to which the information on foreign vehicles are provided include general maintenance plants handling domestic vehicles and users of non-individual vehicles.