JP2003108747A - Method for registering customer, and information processor, program and storage medium for executing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a customer registering method capable of easily registering a customer of information equipment and an information processor for executing the method. SOLUTION: The information processor 20 is connected to information equipment 10 through an external connection means 30. The processor 20 is connected also to a data management center 50 through a communication network 40 such as a telephone line. The processor 20 registers a customer of the information equipment 10 in the center 50 through the network 40 on the basis of the inherent manufacturing number of the equipment 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a customer registration method for an information device capable of transferring information as electronic information to another device and an apparatus for executing this method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Registration of a purchased product with a manufacturer or a service center is beneficial not only to the manufacturer but also to the customer.

The procedure for customer registration to obtain this benefit is
A common method is to fill out the necessary information on a postcard for customer registration attached to the product and post it. This method is also a common method for customer registration of digital cameras, scanners, printers, etc., which can transfer information as electronic information to other devices.

[0004]

However, it is troublesome for a customer to fill in necessary information on a postcard or the like and post it, and the actual customer registration is not always necessary. For this reason, there are few opportunities for a manufacturer or the like to provide information on services for products to customers, and therefore customers often miss opportunities to receive services.

Further, the manufacturer rarely actively launches a business based on customer registration.

In addition, if the customer loses the warranty for the product, he / she will not be able to receive the repair without charge even if a failure occurs within the warranty period because he / she has not registered the customer.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a customer registration method that facilitates customer registration of information equipment and an information processing apparatus that executes this method.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a customer registration method according to a first aspect of the present invention uses a data processing device having a communication function, which is connected to an information device having a unique serial number. A customer registration method of registering a customer of the information device at a registration destination, the software introducing step of introducing customer registration software for executing a customer registration procedure into the information processing device, and the serial number of the information device. A serial number step for obtaining the information processing device with the information processing device, an information requesting process for requesting procedure information necessary for the customer registration procedure by executing the customer registration software through the information processing device, the serial number and the A transmission step of transmitting procedure information to the registration destination by the communication function.

The customer registration method according to claim 2 is the method according to claim 1.
In the customer registration method described above, a software introduction date storing step of storing the first introduction date when the customer registration software is first introduced in the information processing apparatus, the transmitting step, the storing first introduction date is stored. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to the registration destination together with the manufacturing number and the procedure information.

The customer registration method according to claim 3 is the method according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in the customer registration method described in 2, the information device is a printer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the customer registration method according to the first aspect.
Alternatively, in the customer registration method described in 2, the information device is a scanner.

The customer registration method according to claim 5 is the method according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in the customer registration method described in 2, the information device is a digital camera.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 6 is an information processing apparatus having a communication function, which is connected to an information device having a unique serial number,
The customer registration method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is executed.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 7 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 6.
In the described information processing apparatus, the information device includes a rewritable storage unit.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 8 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 6.
The described information processing apparatus is characterized by comprising a rewritable storage means for storing a first-introduction date when the customer registration software is first introduced.

An information processing device according to claim 9 is the information processing device according to claim 7.
Alternatively, in the information processing apparatus described in 8, the rewritable storage unit is an EEPROM.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the rewritable storage means is a Flash ROM.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 11 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it has means for recognizing that it has been repaired.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention registers a customer registration of an information device via an information processing device having a communication function, which is connected to the information device having a unique serial number. A program for executing a customer registration method performed first, the software introduction module for introducing customer registration software for executing a customer registration procedure into the information processing device, and the information processing of the serial number of the information device. A serial number acquisition module to be acquired by the device, an information request module for requesting procedure information necessary for a customer registration procedure by executing the customer registration software via the information processing device, the serial number and the procedure information. And a transmission module that transmits to the registration destination by the communication function.

The program for executing the customer registration method according to claim 13 is characterized in that the program for executing the customer registration method according to claim 12 is a driver attached to the information device.

To achieve the above object, a storage medium according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention registers a customer of the information device via an information processing device having a communication function, which is connected to the information device having a unique serial number. The program according to claim 12 is stored in a computer-readable storage medium that executes a customer registration method performed at a registration destination.

A storage medium according to claim 15 is the storage medium according to claim 14.
The storage medium described in 1. is a floppy (registered trademark) desk.

A storage medium according to claim 16 is the storage medium according to claim 14.
The storage medium described in 1. is a compact desk ROM.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A customer registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention and an information processing apparatus for executing this method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of the connection configuration between an information processing apparatus for executing the customer registration method according to the embodiment of the present invention and another device.

In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 20 is connected to the information equipment 10 by the external connection means 30. The information processing device 20 is further connected to the data management center 50 by a communication network 40 such as a telephone line.

The information device 10 is an electronic product capable of transferring information of, for example, a printer, a scanner, a digital camera, etc. as electronic information to another device. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the information device 10 is a printer, and FIG. 9 shows an example in the case of a digital camera. These will be described later.

The information device 10 has a storage area 11 that cannot be rewritten without special software. The storage area 11 stores a manufacturing number unique to each information device 10, and also stores an index and a repair execution index described later. In addition, a date and time information storage area for storing date and time information described later is provided. The serial number information is sent to the information processing apparatus 20 via the external connection unit 30 when the information processing apparatus 20 makes a request.

The information processing device 20 is a personal computer (PC), and the data management center 50 is connected to the information device 1.
Software (driver) to register 0 customers
21 has been introduced. With this software 21,
A request for the serial number of the information device 10 described above is issued.

The information processing apparatus 20 is a data management center 50 that manages customer information of the information equipment 10 via the communication network 40.
Can be connected to. In the data management center 50, the information device 10
The manufacturing number, customer name, customer contact information, etc. are registered in the storage device 51 of the data management center 50 as customer registration information.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for registering a customer of the information device 10 in the data management center 50.

First, it is determined whether or not the software 21 (driver) for controlling the information equipment 10 has been installed in the information processing apparatus 20 (step S101), and the software 21 is installed in the information processing apparatus 20. If so, the software 21 is activated and processed (step S10
2) This process ends.

When the software 21 is not installed in the information processing device 20 as a result of the determination in step S101, it is determined whether or not the information device 10 is connected to the information processing device 20 (step S103). Information equipment 10
Is connected to the information processing device 20, the serial number is acquired from the information device 10 (step S104). As a result of the determination in step S103, when the information device 10 is not connected to the information processing device 20, the user is requested to connect the information device 10, and the information device 10 causes the information processing device 20 to connect.
It waits until it is connected to (step S105). Here, when requesting the connection of the information device 10 in step S105, a message having the content as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the information processing device 20. In addition, "information device 10
When the information device 10 is not connected to the information processing device 20 ”includes a case where the information device 10 is not actually connected to the information device 20 and a case where the information device 10 is not powered. After the information device 10 is connected to the information processing device 20, the process proceeds to step S104.

After receiving the manufacturing number information in step S104, the date and time information 7 at the time of reception is transferred to the information device 10. The information device 10 stores the date / time information 7 in the date / time information storage area, and sets an index indicating that the date / time information storage processing has been performed. The index 9 is for notifying the information processing device 20 that the first introduction date is already stored even if the software 21 is deleted from the information processing device 20 and is introduced again at a new date and time. Is.

It is determined whether or not this index is set in the information device 10 (step S106), and if it is not set, the current date and time is notified to the information device 10 (step S107) and the software 21 Installation is performed (step S108).

Next, it is determined whether or not the user desires customer registration (step S109). In order to make this determination, the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the information processing device 20. On this screen, various new input sections for inputting the serial number information of the information device 10 and the items required for online customer registration are displayed. Whether or not the user desires customer registration can be determined by the user's input to the new input unit and other inputs.

As a result of the determination in step S109, if the user desires customer registration, customer registration is performed (step S112), and the process proceeds to step S102 to perform this processing.

The customer registration is performed by the software 21 when the user inputs an instruction to execute customer registration after the user finishes inputting predetermined information on the registration information screen shown in FIG.
Input customer registration information via the communication network 11,
The data is transmitted to the data management center 50 which performs customer registration. After accepting the transmitted information, the data management center 50 contacts the user to notify that the customer registration has been accepted. Upon notification, the customer registration number of the user, confirmation of the warranty period of the product, and the like may be notified at the same time.

On the customer registration screen, when the customer is registered, it is notified that the warranty period of the product is one year after the software 21 is first introduced. In addition, even if you perform customer registration at a later date, you will be told that the guarantee is the same.

As a result of the determination in step S106, if the index is not set in the information device 10, the driver is re-installed (step S110) and it is determined whether or not the customer is registered (step S110). S11
1). If the customer is not registered, step S10
Proceed to 9. As a result of the determination in step S111, if the customer is not registered, the process proceeds to step S102.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing when the information equipment 10 of FIG. 1 is repaired.

When the information device 10 is repaired due to a failure or the like, a repair execution index (see FIG. 1) is set in the storage area of the information device 10. The driver software is activated (step S120), and then it is determined whether or not the information device 10 is connected to the information processing device 20 (step S121). When the information device 10 is connected to the information processing device 20, the manufacturing number is acquired from the information device 10 (step S122). As a result of the determination in step S121, when the information device 10 is not connected to the information processing device 20, the user is requested to connect the information device 10 and waits until the information device 10 is connected to the information processing device 20 ( Step S123). The information device 10 is the information processing device 2
After being connected to 0, the process proceeds to step S122. When the information device 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected, the software 21 retrieves the repair execution index from the information device 10, and the connected date is registered in the information device 10 again as date and time information.

It is determined whether or not the repair performance index is set in the information device 10 (step S124), and if it is not set, the normal operation of the driver is performed (step S125), and this processing ends.

As a result of the determination in step S124, if the repair execution index is set in the information device 10, the current date and time is notified to the information device 10 (step S126).
After that, the date / time information is transmitted to the data management center 50 in order to add the date / time information to the already registered customer information (step S127). Although it depends on the quality assurance system of the manufacturer, for example, the warranty period is 6 months after the repair at the repaired part. According to the above processing, the user returns to the information device 1 after the repaired information device 10 is returned to the user.
It becomes possible to activate it from the day when the operation check of 0 is performed.

The user makes a customer registration with the manufacturer for the information device 10, and, for example, a fixed-amount warranty contract (1 year 10
(00 yen, free repair, etc.), based on the date and time information in the information device 10, the software 21 on the information processing device 20 notifies the user of the contract renewal, and the user requests it. If you do, the data management center 50
Send contract renewal information to. After receiving this request, the data management center 50 returns the information necessary for extending the warranty contract period to the user, and the software 21 uses the information for extension to inform the information device. The date and time information in 10 is changed to the latest date and time, and the contract extension process ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing in the case where the above occurs in the information device 10 of FIG.

A function failure may occur during use of the information equipment 10, and the information equipment 10 may notify the information processing apparatus 20 of an abnormality. When the abnormality is notified, the software 21 on the information processing device 20 determines whether or not the generated abnormality requires contact with the manufacturer (step S130). If the information does not need to contact the manufacturer, the information processing apparatus 20 displays the content of the abnormality to notify the user of the above content and request processing (abnormality processing) for eliminating the abnormality (step). S131).

If the abnormality is resolved (step S13)
2) Perform the driver's normal operation (step S13)
3) Then, this process ends.

As a result of the determination in step S130, when the generated abnormality requires contact with the manufacturer, the manufacturing number is acquired from the information device 10 (step S134). Next, it is determined whether or not the customer is registered (step S
135) If the customer is registered, the data management center 50 is notified of the occurrence of the failure (step S13).
6). At this time, the information processing device 20 displays that the manufacturer is notified of the failure on the failure occurrence screen illustrated in FIG. 7. This allows the user to know that the manufacturer will be notified of the failure.

The data management center 50 that received the contact
Based on the registered customer information, the information regarding the repair of the failure that occurred in the information device 10 is transmitted to the user (step S137).

If the result of determination in step S135 is that customer registration has not been carried out, a screen (not shown) for requesting the user to determine whether or not to perform customer registration is displayed, and whether or not to perform customer registration is displayed. It is determined whether or not (step S139).
If customer registration is not to be performed, the driver is terminated (step S138) and this processing is terminated.

When the customer is to be registered as a result of the determination in step S139, the customer registration screen is displayed together with the notification to the maker and the registration work is performed by the user (step S
140). Then, it progresses to step S136.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection configuration example of a personal computer and a printer for executing the customer registration method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, the information device 1 shown in FIG.
0 corresponds to a printer 60 which is an image input / output device.
The personal computer 70 corresponds to the information processing device 20. The printer 60 and the personal computer 70 are connected by the USB 80 of the peripheral device I / F.

The printer 60 has a storage area 1 in FIG.
1, a storage area 61 corresponding to 1, a printer engine 61, and a printer control unit 62 that controls the entire printer 60.

The personal computer 70 includes a monitor (CRT display or LCD) 72 for displaying information,
It is provided with information input means such as a keyboard 73 and a mouse 74 for inputting information, and has a modem 90 for transmitting and receiving data via a telephone line. The personal computer 70 and the printer 60 can exchange information with each other.

When the printer 60 is purchased and used by connecting to the personal computer 70, the printer 60 has a printer driver 71 corresponding to the operating system (OS) of the personal computer 70 to be connected.
(Software) is CD-ROM or Floppy Di
It is recorded and attached to sk. Printer driver 7
1 is installed in the personal computer 70 when using the printer 70. When the installation of the printer driver 71 is started in the personal computer 70, the required software is installed in the personal computer 70 by the attached software installer.

The memory used in the storage area 61 is a non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM or a FlashROM. The reading and rewriting from the storage area 61 can be performed by an instruction from the driver software 71 or by a test program used when confirming the device during production of the product.

When importing the manufacturing number information from the printer 60 into the personal computer 70, the connection of the printer 60 can be confirmed, and if not connected, the installation can be stopped. Therefore, it is desirable to check the connection when the installation is started.

When the installation process shown in FIG. 2 is performed and the user wishes to register a customer, the customer information is transferred to the data management center 50 via a communication means such as a modem 90 connected to the personal computer 70. Is
Customer registration is done.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the connection configuration between a personal computer that executes the customer registration method according to the embodiment of the present invention and a digital camera.

In FIG. 9, the printer 60 shown in FIG.
Instead, the digital camera 160 is connected to the personal computer 170 by the USB 180.

The personal computer 170 is similar to the personal computer 70 of FIG. 8, but in this example, the installed software is not the printer driver 71 but the digital camera driver.

The digital camera 160 includes a storage area 161 corresponding to the storage area 11 in FIG. 1, a digital camera control section 162 for controlling the entire digital camera 160,
It has a built-in printer engine 163 and a clock function 164 for recording the date when the image was taken. Clock function 16
In addition to the main power source, a backup battery for performing the clock function even when the main power source is not connected is used as a power source for operating the power supply 4. This backup battery is available to the user for the first time. If the backup battery is used before that, the capacity of the battery may be reduced or exhausted when it reaches the user's hand.

The user uses this backup battery when using the digital camera 160.
Attach it to the main body of 0 and enter the date and time at the start of use. By this operation, the clock function 164 starts a predetermined operation. After that, it becomes possible to record the date and time when the image was taken together with the image.

Using this clock function 164, a nonvolatile date and time information storage area for storing the use start date and time in the storage area 161 in the main body of the digital camera 160, and storage of an index indicating that the use start date and time has been stored The area is defined. EEPR as having a storage area for this information
OM, Flash ROM, etc. are used.

As described above, according to the customer registration method of the present invention, the information processing apparatus for executing the method, the program, and the storage medium, customer registration can be performed very easily, so that the customer registration rate of the user increases. Therefore, the manufacturer or seller of the product can provide a new service to the customer based on the customer registration expanded in size.

On the other hand, by registering the customer, the user can receive the same service as having the warranty, depending on the service contents provided.

Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a storage medium storing a program module of software for realizing the above-described embodiment to an information processing device. In this case, the program module itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program module, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM,
Various devices such as a MO, a CD-R, a DVD, a magnetic tape, and a non-volatile memory card are conceivable.

[0071]

As described above in detail, the first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
According to the customer registration method described above, the information processing apparatus according to claim 6, the program according to claim 12, and the storage medium according to claim 14, the information device performs customer registration through the information processing apparatus having a communication function. Because it can be done, the procedure is easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a connection configuration example of an information processing apparatus that executes a customer registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention and another device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for registering a customer of the information device 10 in the data management center 50.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a message screen displayed on the information processing apparatus 20 when requesting connection of the information device 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an input screen for inputting items required for customer registration.

5 is a flowchart showing a process when the information device 10 of FIG. 1 is repaired.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the case where the above occurs in the information device 10 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a failure occurrence screen.

FIG. 8 is a block configuration diagram showing a connection configuration example of a personal computer and a printer for executing the customer registration method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram showing a connection configuration example of a digital camera and a personal computer that executes the customer registration method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Information equipment 11 storage areas 20 Information processing equipment 21 software 30 External connection means 40 communication network 50 Data management center 8 Date and time information storage area 9 Indicator indicating that date and time information 7 has been stored 10 Data management center for registering and managing customer information 11 communication network 12 Repair implementation index 51 storage device

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A customer registration method for performing customer registration of an information device to a registration destination via an information processing device having a communication function, which is connected to an information device having a unique serial number, and a customer registration procedure. A software introduction step of introducing customer registration software to the information processing apparatus, a manufacturing number step of acquiring the manufacturing number of the information device in the information processing apparatus, and a customer by executing the customer registration software. An information requesting step of requesting procedure information necessary for registration procedure via the information processing device, and a transmitting step of transmitting the manufacturing number and the procedure information to the registration destination by the communication function. How to register customers. 2. A software introduction date storing step of storing the first introduction date of the customer registration software first introduced in the information processing device, wherein the transmitting step includes the stored first introduction date of the serial number. The customer registration method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting the registration information together with the procedure information to the registration destination. 3. The customer registration method according to claim 1, wherein the information device is a printer. 4. The customer registration method according to claim 1, wherein the information device is a scanner. 5. The customer registration method according to claim 1, wherein the information device is a digital camera. 6. An information processing apparatus having a communication function, which is connected to an information device having a unique serial number, wherein the customer registration method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is executed. Information processing device. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information equipment includes rewritable storage means. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a rewritable storage unit that stores a first introduction date when the customer registration software is first introduced. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rewritable storage means is an EEPROM. 10. The rewritable storage means is Flash
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, which is a ROM. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for recognizing that it has been repaired. 12. A program for executing a customer registration method of registering a customer of an information device with a registration destination via an information processing device having a communication function, which is connected to the information device having a unique serial number, A software introduction module that introduces customer registration software that executes a customer registration procedure into the information processing apparatus, a manufacturing number acquisition module that acquires the manufacturing number of the information device into the information processing apparatus, and the customer registration software. An information request module for requesting procedure information necessary for customer registration procedure by executing the software through the information processing device, and a transmission module for transmitting the manufacturing number and the procedure information to the registration destination by the communication function. A program for executing a customer registration method, which comprises: 13. The program for executing the customer registration method according to claim 12, wherein the program for executing the customer registration method is a driver attached to the information device. 14. A computer-readable memory for executing a customer registration method of registering a customer of an information device with a registration destination via an information processing device having a communication function, which is connected to the information device having a unique serial number. A storage medium on which the program according to claim 12 is stored. 15. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the storage medium is a floppy desk. 16. The storage medium is a compact desk RO.
15. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the storage medium is M.