JP2005284467A - Application reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently realizing application reception in a base system using an electronic form by enabling an end user to input an application form and to convert it into the electronic form. <P>SOLUTION: This application reception system is configured to generate a spread sheet type filled-in application form based on filled-in data in the fill-in column of a downloaded spread sheet type application form in a customer computer system, and to convert the spread sheet type filled-in application form into an electronic form type filled-in application form in a store computer system, and to register the application information in a database based on the electronic form type filled-in application form in the store computer system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of electronic forms. In particular, the present invention relates to an application reception system that enables an end user to input an application form such as a gift, converts the application form into an electronic form, and improves the efficiency of application reception in a basic system that uses the electronic form.

  Conventionally, as a form for ordering gifts, there are forms such as a) a customer visiting a store, b) handing a handwritten application slip by mail, and c) ordering by online shopping. In the form in which the customer visits the store, the customer and the store clerk cooperate to enter application information such as the name of the gift, the delivery destination, etc. in the application slip. In a form in which a handwritten application slip is delivered by mail, the customer enters application information in the application slip. However, in any case, the store needs to input again in order to register in the database of the core system. In the form of online shopping, a customer inputs application information in a computer system. However, the customer who orders in that form is limited to a part except for the specialized site. Therefore, in many general stores, the data input time in the stores is long and the work is heavy.

There is a proposal to reduce the input work of the application information. An IC card that can hold application history information is distributed to customers. The customer can bring the IC card to the store and use the IC card reader-equipped terminal installed in the store, so that the customer can refer to the application history information held by the IC card. Based on the application history information, new application information can be easily input by adding, deleting, or changing the item name, delivery destination, etc. of the gift (Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-53438

  However, this system is premised on the distribution of an IC card and the preparation of an operation system including the IC card. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and cost before the preparation system in the store is completed. In addition, it may be difficult to select customers in order to increase sales. Therefore, if IC card issuance to customers with low usage frequency increases, not only will it be difficult to predict sales, but investment costs will not be recovered.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to enable an end user to input an application form for a gift or the like and to convert it into an electronic form. It is to provide an application reception system that improves the efficiency of application reception in a backbone system that uses forms.

An application reception system according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a download unit that downloads an application form in a spreadsheet format to a customer computer system from an application form distribution site having an application form in a spreadsheet format that can be accessed externally through a network. A completed application form generating means for generating the completed application form in the spreadsheet format based on data entered in the entry field of the downloaded spreadsheet format application form in the customer computer system; Form conversion means for converting a completed application form in a spreadsheet format into a completed application form in an electronic form, and registration for registering application information in the database based on the completed application form in the electronic form format in the store computer system Is obtained so as to have a stage.
The application reception system according to claim 2 of the present invention is the application reception system according to claim 1, wherein when the application form in the spreadsheet format is downloaded from the application distribution site, user authentication for a new customer is performed. There are two types of downloads: downloads that do not require authentication and downloads that require user authentication for existing customers.
The application reception system according to claim 3 of the present invention performs the user authentication when the application form in the spreadsheet format is downloaded from the application distribution site in the application reception system according to claim 1 or 2. For existing customers, the performance data for each customer is added to the spreadsheet form application form and downloaded.
The application reception system according to claim 4 of the present invention is the application reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the completed application form in the electronic form format is displayed on the store computer system to confirm the entry contents. Display means for enabling, and editing means for performing edit by addition, deletion, change, etc., regarding the entry contents in the completed application form in the electronic form format displayed in the store computer system. is there.
An application reception system according to claim 5 of the present invention is the application reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the application form is completed in the spreadsheet format and / or the electronic form format in the store computer system. Has a printing means for printing.
Moreover, the application reception system according to claim 6 of the present invention is the application reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conversion is performed after rewriting the completed application form in the spreadsheet format in XML, The structure and description of the XML data in the spreadsheet form application form are analyzed based on the tag structure, and the XML data in the spreadsheet form application form is converted into the electronic form form application form based on the analysis result. The conversion is performed so as to generate a standardized structure corresponding to the XML data, and the XML data is generated in the electronic form application form.
The application reception system according to claim 7 of the present invention is the application reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein both the spreadsheet-form application form and the electronic form-form application form are described in XML. In the application form, the conversion is performed by analyzing the structure and description of the XML data in the application form in the spreadsheet format based on the tag structure, and the XML data in the application form in the spreadsheet format based on the analysis result. Are converted so as to have a standardized structure corresponding to the XML data in the application form in the electronic form format, and the XML data in the application form in the electronic form format is generated.

According to the application reception system of claim 1 of the present invention, the spreadsheet application is downloaded to the customer computer system from the application distribution site including the application in the spreadsheet format accessible externally through the network by the download means. A completed application form in the form of a spreadsheet is generated based on the data entered in the entry field of the application form in the spreadsheet format downloaded in the customer computer system by the completed application form generation means, and the store computer system is generated by the format conversion means. The completed application form in spreadsheet format is converted to a completed application form in electronic form, and the registration information is registered in the database based on the completed application form in electronic form format in the store computer system by the registration means . That is, the application form for the customer to fill in the entry field is in the form of a spreadsheet. The completed application form in spreadsheet format is converted to an electronic form. Therefore, it is possible to input application forms for gifts, etc. by customers who are end users, and to convert them into electronic forms, making application reception more efficient in systems that use electronic forms (core systems) A system is provided.
Further, according to the application acceptance system according to claim 2 of the present invention, new customers can download without requiring user authentication, and existing customers can obtain convenience as existing customers by downloading that requires user authentication. It becomes.
Further, according to the application reception system according to claim 3 of the present invention, for existing customers who have been subjected to user authentication, performance data for each customer is added to the downloaded spreadsheet application.
Further, according to the application acceptance system of claim 4 of the present invention, the application form in the electronic form format is displayed on the store computer system by the display means, and the contents of the entry can be confirmed. In addition, it is possible to edit the added contents in the completed application form in the electronic form format displayed in the store computer system by the editing means by addition, deletion, change or the like.
In addition, according to the application reception system of claim 5 of the present invention, the completed application form in the spreadsheet format and / or the electronic form format can be printed in the store computer system by the printing means.
According to the application receiving system of claim 6 of the present invention, after rewriting the completed application form in the spreadsheet format in XML, the structure and description of the XML data in the application form in the spreadsheet format is the tag structure. Is converted based on the analysis result so that the XML data in the spreadsheet application form has a standardized structure corresponding to the XML data in the electronic form application form.
According to the application reception system of claim 7 of the present invention, both the spreadsheet form application form and the electronic form form application form are written in XML, and the XML in the spreadsheet form application form. The data structure and description are analyzed based on the tag structure, and the XML data in the spreadsheet form application form becomes a standardized structure corresponding to the XML data in the electronic form form application form based on the analysis result. Is converted to

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram showing the overall configuration of the application receiving system of the present invention. First, the configuration of the system will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is a store, 2 is a store HP server (WEB), 3 is a gift application form (spread sheet), 4 is a customer, 5 is a portable storage medium, 6 is an in-store network, and 7 is a customer. 8 is a structure conversion program, 9 is a gift application form (electronic form), 10 is a gift application information storage database, 11 is a store terminal, and 12 is a backbone system.

  The store 1 is a store like a department store that handles gift items. The store 1 has an in-store network 6 for performing sales management in the store. The store 1 also has a store HP server 2 for online shopping and the like through the Internet.

  The store HP server 2 is a WEB server connected to the Internet, and the store location may be the store 1, but is generally placed in an IDC (internet data center) of an IDC provider. IDC is a hosting base for e-commerce and ASP business. The store HP server 2 is a server that establishes a homepage of the store 1 on the Internet and introduces products handled on the homepage. The store HP server 2 includes an electronic gift application form 3 as an application form, and downloads the gift application form 3 to the computer system of the customer 4 through the Internet.

  The gift application form 3 is a spreadsheet form application form. Spread sheet software, for example, Excel 2003 (R) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation is a spreadsheet application software widely used not only in offices but also in general homes. Therefore, if the application form is in the form of a spreadsheet, the customer 4 can easily fill in the entry field using the spreadsheet software.

  The customer 4 is a customer of the store 1 and has a computer system that can be connected to the Internet. The customer 4 downloads the gift application form 3 from the store HP server 2 in order to purchase gift items. There are two types of downloads: downloads that do not require user authentication for new customers and downloads that require user authentication for existing customers. For existing customers who have undergone user authentication, the performance data for each customer is added to the gift application form 3 as an application form, that is, filled in the entry field of the gift application form 3 and downloaded.

  The gift application form 3 downloaded to the computer system of the customer 4 is a spreadsheet form application form. Therefore, the customer 4 fills in the entry field of the gift application slip 3 using spreadsheet software and creates an application form. At this time, if record data is added, an application form is created by editing the record data by adding, giving, changing, etc. In many cases, data such as the delivery destination of the gift is almost fixed each time, and if performance data is added, an application form can be easily created.

  The portable storage medium 5 is a storage medium for storing the data of the completed gift application form 3. As the portable storage medium 5, a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a USB connection type flash memory, a memory card, and a portable hard disk can be used. The portable storage medium 5 stores the data of the gift application form 3 in a computer system installed by the customer 4 at home or the like. The customer 4 carries the portable storage medium 5 to the customer terminal 7 in the in-store network 6 of the store 1.

  The in-store network 6 is a local area network (LAN) of the store 1. Connected to the in-store network 6 are a server of a basic system 12 that operates an application that uses an electronic form, an SQL server that operates a database including a gift application information storage database 10, and the like. Further, a customer terminal 7, a store terminal 11, and the like are connected.

  The customer terminal 7 is a computer system connected to the in-store network 6 for operation by the customer 1 who has visited the store 1. Applications such as spreadsheet software and a structure conversion program 8 are installed in the customer terminal 7. The customer 1 who carries the portable storage medium 5 and visits the store 1 causes the customer terminal 7 to read the data of the gift application form 3 stored in the portable storage medium 5. The gift application form 3 is displayed on the display by the spreadsheet software of the customer terminal 7, and re-editing can be performed if confirmation is necessary, and printing can be performed if printed matter is necessary.

  After that, the customer terminal 7 converts the spreadsheet-type gift application form 3 into an XML-type gift application form (electronic form) 9. If the spreadsheet software has a function for converting to XML, such as Microsoft Excel 2003 (R), the conversion function can be used for conversion to XML data. Also, other application software having a function of converting to XML data can be used. However, even XML data is generally structurally different from the XML data of the electronic form as it is. Therefore, XML structure conversion is performed using the structure conversion program 8 and converted into XML data that matches the electronic form to generate a gift application form 9. The generated gift application form 9 of the customer terminal 7 is stored in the gift application information storage database 10 using an SQL server.

  The structure conversion program 8 is a program that converts the structure of XML that generates second XML data that has a structure or description different from the first XML data, based on the first XML data. The structure conversion program 8 can be realized as a servlet of a server / client system using the customer terminal 7 as a client. It can also be realized as an applet or application of the customer terminal 7. As a series of means for manipulating such XML data, for example, JAXP (Java (R) API for XML Parsing Optional Package) can be used.

For example, the structure conversion program 8 analyzes the structure and description of the first XML data based on the tag structure, and standardizes the first XML data corresponding to the specified type based on the analysis result. The second XML data is generated by performing conversion so that the tag structure is obtained.
Further, the structure conversion program 8 automatically saves the second XML data as an XML file in a directory specified by the type. That is, when the structure conversion program 8 is operated on the customer terminal 7, the gift application slip 9 in the XML format, which is the second XML data, is stored in the gift application information storage database 10.

  An XML gift application form 9 is one of electronic forms used as a standard in the backbone system 12 of the store 1. In a system that uses an electronic form, the appearance of application forms, application forms, and other forms (entry fields, ruled lines, etc.) is an electronic form, and input data is used for the contents to be entered in the entry field using a writing instrument. As electronic. In the present invention, XML (Extensible Markup Language) derived from HTML Hypertext Markup Language is used as a description language (application) in the digitization. XML is increasingly used as a standard for data exchange between different platforms and software in the Internet environment.

  The gift information storage database 10 is a database for storing the gift application information entered in the gift application slip 9. This gift information storage database 10 can be used from a computer system connected to the in-store network 6 via an SQ server (not shown). For example, the gift information storage database 10 can be used from the customer terminal 7 and the store terminal 11. The actual data added when the customer 4 who has received user authentication downloads the gift application form 3 in the form of a spreadsheet is data obtained from the gift information storage database 10.

The store terminal 11 is a computer system connected to the in-store network 6 for operation by the store clerk in the store 1. The store terminal 11 is a terminal for inputting gift application information entered in a handwritten gift application form created by a store clerk in cooperation with a customer at the store 1 to the backbone system 12.
The basic system 12 is a computer system that performs basic information processing in the store 1 and includes information processing related to electronic forms. Here, the backbone system 12 registers the gift application information input from the store terminal 11 in the gift information storage database 10.

  The configuration has been described above. Next, the operation of the application receiving system of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in which the customer uses the customer computer system in the application reception system of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the customer and the store clerk use the store computer system in the application receiving system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a product purchase application form (electronic form). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a product purchase application form (deduction) (electronic form).

  In the process using the customer computer system shown in FIG. 2, the following is done as a preliminary preparation in the store 1. 1) A gift application slip 3 (spreadsheet) is placed on the store HP server 2 which is a company (store) WEB server. 2) Two gift application forms 3 (spreadsheets), one with empty data (for new customers) and one with existing data (actual data) (for existing customers) are prepared. 3) Prepare sites (pages) for new customers and existing customers, and assign and distribute user IDs and passwords for accessing gift application forms 3 for existing customers. 4) Place the authentication program.

  First, in step S1 of FIG. 2, the customer 4 accesses the download site (page) of the gift application form 3 (spreadsheet) in the store HP server 2 from the customer computer system. The customer 4 inputs data identifying the customer himself / herself, such as name, address, ID, and password. The spreadsheet is preferably a spreadsheet that is available on many customer computer systems. That is, a spreadsheet that can be used by (a version of) spreadsheet software that is generally widely used.

  Next, in step S2, the store HP server 2 determines whether the customer 4 is a new customer or an existing customer based on the input data. If there is no input of ID and password, or ID and password are not registered, it is a new customer. On the other hand, if the ID and password are registered, the customer is an existing customer. Whether or not it is registered is verified from the registration data in the gift application information storage database 10. The store HP server 2 can directly or indirectly acquire data held by a computer system connected to the in-store network 6 of the store 1 via a communication line or the like. When the customer is a new customer, the store HP server 2 acquires a response indicating that the customer is a new customer. When the customer is an existing customer, along with a response indicating that the customer is an existing customer, the actual data of the existing customer specified by the ID and password is acquired.

When it is determined that the customer is a new customer, the store HP server 2 downloads the gift application slip 3 (spreadsheet) for the new customer to the customer computer system in step S3. All the entry fields in the gift application form 3 (spreadsheet) for new customers are blank (not filled in).
When it is determined that the customer is an existing customer, the store HP server 2 downloads the gift application slip 3 (spreadsheet) for the existing customer to the customer computer system in step S4. Actual data is synthesized by the store HP server 2 in the entry field in the gift application slip 3 (spreadsheet) for existing customers. In other words, in a part of the entry field in the gift application slip 3 (spreadsheet) for existing customers, the actual data of the existing customers has been entered in letters and numbers.

  Next, in step S5, the customer 4 edits the gift application slip 3 (spreadsheet) downloaded by using the widely used spreadsheet software in the customer computer system. At this time, if the customer 4 is an existing customer, only the difference between the data in the present gift application and the actual data may be rewritten. For example, if the party to whom the gift is given each time is generally fixed and the change is small, it is possible to greatly simplify the process of inputting the name, address, etc. of the delivery destination. The customer 4 records the completed gift application form 3 (spreadsheet) on the portable recording medium 5 and brings it to the store 1.

  In the processing using the store computer system shown in FIG. 3, the following items are installed as advance preparations in the customer terminal 7 connected to the in-store network 6. That is, 1) spreadsheet software, for example, Excel2003 (R) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, 2) a structure conversion program 8, and 3) an electronic form 9 are installed.

  Next, in step S6 of FIG. 3, the customer 4 attaches the portable recording medium 5 brought to the store 1 to the customer terminal 7 which is a store computer system, and gifts using spreadsheet software such as Excel 2003 (R). Open application form 3 (spreadsheet). Then, the file is converted into an XML data file, and the XML-converted gift application form 3 (spreadsheet) is stored in a predetermined holder. Note that not only Excel 2003 (R) but also an application having an XML conversion function can be used. Further, if the customer application form 3 (spreadsheet) filled in by the customer 4 is converted into an XML data file, recorded in the portable recording medium 5 and carried in the store 1, it may be stored in a predetermined holder as it is. .

  Next, in step S7, input data (data entered in the entry field) in the XML converted gift application form 3 (spreadsheet) stored in a predetermined holder is input in the data format of the electronic form 9 (gift application form). Convert structure to data. The structure conversion program 8 is used for this conversion.

  Next, in step S8, the electronic form 9 (gift application form) prepared in advance is combined with input data whose structure has been converted into a format for that purpose. On the display of the customer terminal 7, an electronic form 9 (gift application form) that has been completed in the entry field is displayed. The customer 4 in the store 1 can edit the added contents by adding, deleting or changing the contents as necessary while monitoring the display screen. When the display screen is monitored and the confirmation is completed, the customer 4 transmits (orders) the electronic form 9 (gift application slip) by clicking a transmission button (order button) on the display screen. At that time, a copy of the electronic form 9 (gift application form) for the customer 4 in the store 1 to take home is printed by the printing means.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an electronic form 9 (gift application form). As shown in FIG. 4, the title is “product purchase application form”, and an entry field for “application date (month / day)” and an entry field for “client ID” are provided immediately below. In addition, fields for "Place" and "Name" are provided for "Purchaser". Subsequently, for “Destination 1”, there are provided columns for “Place”, “Name”, “Product Name”, “Quantity”, “Product Code”, and “Price”. Subsequent to “Destination 1”, “Destination 2”, “Destination 3”,...

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a copy of the electronic form 9 (gift application form). As shown in FIG. 5, the title is “Product Purchase Application Form (Deduction)”, and immediately below that, there are a column for “Application Date (Monday)” and a column for “Client ID”. The contents are described. In addition, “Place” and “Name” are provided for “Purchaser” and the contents are described. Subsequently, with regard to “Destination 1”, description columns of “place”, “name”, “product name”, “quantity”, “product code”, and “amount” are provided and their contents are described. Subsequent to “Destination 1”, “Destination 2”, “Destination 3”,... Are provided in the same manner, and the contents are described in each description column.

On the other hand, in step S <b> 9 of FIG. 3, in the store terminal 11, the store clerk of the store 1 transmits the gift application form data created by the face-to-face system to the backbone system 12. The store terminal 11 is an input terminal for application information provided in a normal store 1. According to the present invention, the store 1 is provided with a store terminal 11 and the customer terminal 7 described above. Thereby, congestion of the application counter can be eliminated or reduced.
Next, in step S10, the application information input from the customer terminal 7 and the shop terminal 11 is registered and accumulated in the gift application information database 10 which is a common database.

  As described above, according to the application reception system of the present invention as described in the embodiment, since the customer uses a dedicated terminal (computer system) installed in the store, provision of a clear rule and an easy-to-use user interface for the customer Is possible. Since the customer uses the dedicated terminal to send the gift application data to the in-store system, the customer does not have to wait until the store clerk can respond. In addition, congestion at the application counter is also eliminated at the store. Furthermore, since it is possible to store data in the same database, it is not necessary to apply batch processing or the like to perform concatenation (concatenation operation) later. From the above, customer service is enhanced and customer satisfaction can be increased.

It is a pictorial diagram which shows the whole structure in the application reception system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in which a customer uses a customer computer system in the application reception system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in which a customer uses a customer computer system in the application reception system of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a goods purchase application form (electronic form). It is a figure which shows an example of merchandise purchase application form (deduction) (electronic form).

Explanation of symbols

1 store 2 store HP server (WEB)
3 Gift application form (spreadsheet)
4 Customer 5 Portable storage media 6 In-store network 7 Customer terminal 8 Structure conversion program 9 Gift application form (electronic form)
10 Gift Application Information Storage Database 11 Store Terminal 12 Core System

Claims (7)

Downloading means for downloading the spreadsheet form application form to a customer computer system from an application form distribution site comprising a spreadsheet form application form accessible externally through the network;
A completed application form generating means for generating a completed application form in the spreadsheet format based on data entered in the entry field of the downloaded spreadsheet format application form in the customer computer system;
Format conversion means for converting the completed application form in the spreadsheet format into the completed application form in the electronic form format in the store computer system;
Registration means for registering application information in a database based on the completed application form in the electronic form in the store computer system;
A system for accepting applications.   2. The application reception system according to claim 1, wherein when the application form in the spreadsheet format is downloaded from the application form distribution site, download that does not require user authentication for a new customer and user authentication for an existing customer An application reception system characterized in that there are two types of downloads that require a download.   3. The application reception system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the spreadsheet form application form is downloaded from the application form distribution site, the actual data for each customer is obtained as the spread for the existing customer who has performed the user authentication. An application reception system characterized by downloading a sheet form application form.   In the application reception system in any one of Claims 1-3, In the said store computer system, the display means which displays the completed application form of the said electronic form format in the said store computer system, and can confirm the contents of entry An application accepting system, comprising: editing means for performing editing by adding, deleting, changing, etc., about the contents entered in the displayed application form in the electronic form format.   5. The application receiving system according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that prints the completed application form in the spreadsheet format and / or the electronic form format in the store computer system. Reception system.   6. The application reception system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion is performed by rewriting the completed application form in the spreadsheet format in XML, and then the structure of the XML data in the application in the spreadsheet format and The description is analyzed based on the tag structure, and the XML data in the spreadsheet form application form is converted to a standardized structure corresponding to the XML data in the electronic form application form based on the analysis result. The application receiving system, wherein the conversion is performed to generate XML data in the electronic form application form. 6. The application reception system according to claim 1, wherein both the spreadsheet form application form and the electronic form application form are application forms written in XML. In the conversion, the structure and description of the XML data in the spreadsheet form application form are analyzed based on the tag structure, and the XML data in the spreadsheet form application form is analyzed based on the analysis result. An application receiving system, characterized in that the conversion is performed so that a standardized structure corresponding to XML data in an electronic form application form is generated, and XML data in the electronic form application form is generated.

Images