JP2006235796A - Ordering/receiving system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To configure an ordering/receiving system by using a digital pen, and to solve any problem in a conventional ordering/receiving system. <P>SOLUTION: A merchandise catalog 21 is provided with a quantity entry column for the entry of the quantity of merchandise to be ordered by a customer for every carried merchandise, and the dot pattern of digital paper is printed in the quantity entry column, and ordering data stored in a digital pen 22 when the quantity of merchandise has been entered by using the digital pen 22 in the quantity entry column by a customer are transmitted to an application server 4 which receives an order so that the ordering of the merchandise can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ordering and ordering system, and more particularly to an ordering and ordering system for placing and ordering products described in a catalog using a digital pen.

  Conventionally, catalog sales in which consumers look at catalogs and place orders for products have become widespread.

  In such a catalog sales ordering system, consumers place an order by filling in the order form or postcard with the product number or quantity of the product that they want to purchase out of the products listed in the catalog and mailing it. A method and a method for placing an order by telling an operator a product number or the like by telephone are well known.

  However, in the case of such a conventional method, there is a problem that there is a high probability that an ordering error will occur due to an error in the transfer of the product number of a product to be purchased or an error in communication over the telephone.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital pen, and this digital pen makes it possible to digitize and use written contents.

JP 2004-94558 A

  However, although the digital pen described in Patent Document 1 can digitize written contents, detailed examination has not been made on how to use the pen, and use of the ordering system is completely disclosed. It wasn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. An object of the present invention is to constitute a receiving / ordering system using a digital pen, and to solve the problems in the conventional ordering / ordering system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a system for receiving and managing orders placed by a customer by referring to a product catalog using a computer, wherein the product catalog is ordered by a customer for each of the posted products. A quantity entry field for entering the quantity of products to be printed, a dot pattern of digital paper is printed in the quantity entry field, and the dot pattern is not printed in a part other than the quantity entry field in the product catalog When the customer fills in the quantity entry field using the digital pen, the order data stored in the digital pen is sent to the application server that receives the order, and the product is ordered. And

  In the invention according to claim 1, the application server includes a database for managing order status based on order data received from the digital pen.

  Further, the product catalog of the present invention has a quantity entry column for entering the quantity of products ordered by the customer for each of the posted products, and a dot pattern of digital paper is printed in the quantity entry column, The portion other than the quantity entry field includes a portion where the dot pattern is not printed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to configure an ordering / ordering system using a digital pen and solve problems in the conventional ordering / ordering system. That is, according to the present invention, it is only necessary to directly fill in the catalog, so that order mistakes can be greatly reduced.

  In other words, if you try to place an order, you can use the catalog directly as an order form, so there is no need to transfer it to an order form or postcard, and you can easily correct or cancel it. It is easy to place an order, so it is easy to repeat and confirm / cancel it. Ordering is easy, so the order can be handled in real time, and the order status, the order settlement speed, and the delivery time are fast. The effect that it is easy to use is obtained.

  In addition, since it is possible to use a catalog directly as an order form for a product provider that receives an order, it is possible to provide a simple and convenient shopping for the orderer and increase the number of users. It is possible to respond in real time, leading to speeding up of corrections and inquiries, and it is possible to increase the order cycle, leading to increased product cycle speed and business opportunities and sales. Order status, order settlement speed, and delivery time, etc. As a result, it is easy to use, and the lead time is shortened, stocks and orders from traders are dramatically improved, and the analysis and purchase of popular products can be performed quickly.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the ordering system according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ordering / order receiving system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an orderer-side device 2 provided in an orderer, a management server 3 that manages a digital pen, and an application server that receives and manages merchandise. 4 are connected by a network 5.

  The orderer side device 2 includes a catalog 21 that is a product catalog in which products to be ordered are posted, a digital pen 22, and a terminal device 23 having a function of performing communication via a network 5 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. Prepare.

  The catalog 21 is delivered from the merchandise provider to the orderer as necessary, for example, by mail.

  As will be described later, a dot pattern of the digital paper 24 (a fine pattern that is not noticeable to the human eye) is printed at a predetermined position of the catalog 21, and writing is performed with the digital pen 22 in this dot pattern printing area. Thus, the written content is stored in the digital pen 22. Moreover, the dot pattern is also read and stored in the digital pen 22 by writing in the dot pattern printing area. Since the digital pen 22 and the digital paper 24 are already known as anoto pen and anoto paper of Anoto, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The dot pattern in each part of the digital paper is unique in every part of the entire surface of the digital paper. That is, if a dot pattern is stored in the digital pen, which digital pen The position on the paper where the writing was made is stored as data.

  The digital pen 24 that stores the written content and the dot pattern (hereinafter referred to as “ordering data”) of the dot pattern printing area in which it is written is stored in the stored content (ordering) by, for example, being inserted into a cradle of the terminal device 23. Data) to the terminal device 23.

  The digital pen 24 has an ID for each pen, and the digital paper 24 has an ID for each paper. The management server 3 stores the pen ID and the paper ID for all pens and all papers. Management of applications provided according to combinations of pen IDs and paper IDs (management of application server network addresses (for example, URLs)) is performed.

  The application server 4 provides an application to the user. In the present embodiment, a system for ordering and placing cataloged products is provided.

  In FIG. 1, the network 5 may be a public line, a dedicated line, an analog line, a digital line, a LAN such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a token ring, the Internet, and the like, wired or wireless. Regardless of the communication protocol, any network can be used. Each device connected to the network 5 is set in advance with an address (for example, URL) on the network. Each device is identified by this address and communicates with other devices connected to the network 5. Do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device 23 shown in FIG.

  The terminal device 23 receives data from the network pen 28 that is an interface with the network 5 shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 25 such as a CPU or MPU that controls the operation of the entire terminal device 23, and the digital pen 22. The input unit 26 includes a cradle, and the storage unit 27 stores a program, parameters, and the like necessary for the operation of the terminal device 23.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the management server 3 shown in FIG.

  The management server 3 is necessary for the operation of the network connection unit 33 that is an interface with the network 5 shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 31 such as a CPU or MPU that controls the operation of the entire management server 3, and the management server 3. In addition to the program and parameters, the storage unit 32 stores the above-described pen ID, paper ID, application server network address, and their correspondence.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the application server 4 shown in FIG.

  The application server 4 includes a network connection unit 44 that is an interface with the network 5 shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 41 such as a CPU and MPU that controls the operation of the entire application server 4, and a catalog sales product provider, for example. Input / output means 42 for inputting operations and instructions to the application server 4 and for displaying and outputting various information to the product provider by the application server 4, and programs and parameters necessary for the operation of the application server 4 And a storage means 33 for storing a software program for the ordering system for merchandise and a database having various information on the ordering system in a table format. As the input / output means 32, for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used for input, and a display device or the like is used for output.

  Next, the catalog 21 in the ordering system according to the present embodiment will be further described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the catalog 21 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the digital paper 24 has the above-described dot pattern printed on the entire surface of the paper.

  Each of the plurality of quantity entry fields 21a of the catalog 21 is printed with a dot pattern of cells 24a obtained by dividing the digital paper 24 into a predetermined size (a necessary size as the quantity entry field 21a). There is a one-to-one correspondence between 21a and cell 24a. This may be done by cutting the digital paper 24 into the size of the cell 24a and pasting it directly on the quantity entry column 21a with glue or the like. A pattern may be printed.

  The dot pattern of the digital paper 24 is not printed or affixed to any part other than the plurality of quantity entry fields 21a of the catalog 21, thereby saving the dot pattern.

  That is, in the conventional method of using digital paper, the dot pattern is used in a state where it is printed even in an area where no entry is made with the digital pen, and the dot pattern is wasted. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the dot pattern of the digital paper can be used in detail, and the dot pattern is printed only in the area to be filled with the digital pen. There is no waste.

  The catalog 21 is created by, for example, a merchandise provider and sent to the orderer (consumer) by mail or the like.

  When a quantity is entered in the quantity entry field 21a of the catalog 21 obtained in this way by the digital pen 22, the entry content is stored in the digital pen 22 together with the dot pattern printed in the quantity entry field 21a. That is, what is written in which position of the digital paper 24 is stored in the digital pen 22. This is order data.

  In the storage means 43 of the application server 4, information on which part of the dot pattern of the digital paper 24 is printed in the quantity entry column 21 a of which product of the catalog 21 is stored in a table format database, for example. The application server 4 receives the order data from the digital pen 22 to know how many products have been ordered.

  An example of the database configuration of the storage means 43 of the application server 4 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the database configuration of the storage means 43 of the application server 4, and is a diagram showing item names for each table in the database.

  In this example, a database is configured by including a map table 51, a catalog table 52, a product table 53, a customer table 54, and an order table 55.

  The map table 51 associates a catalog number indicating which catalog is a plurality of catalogs depending on time and products with an area number indicating which cell of the digital paper.

  In the catalog table 52, detailed information about the catalog is defined for each catalog number.

  In the product table 53, for each product defined by the product number, which catalog number is listed in the catalog, and in the quantity entry column for that product in that catalog, which area number digital paper cell The dot pattern is printed or not.

  In the customer table 54, detailed information is defined for all customers, that is, orderers. Each of the digital pens has a pen ID as described above, and when the order data is transmitted from the digital pen 22, this pen ID can also be received. The customer table 44 stores the association between the pen ID and customer information, each digital pen is dedicated to that customer, and the order data transmitted by the digital pen X is from the customer Y. It can also be determined and processed. Then, the customer does not have to input information such as his / her name at the time of ordering.

  The order table 55 expands how many products in which catalog have been ordered from which customer (orderer) based on the ordering data transmitted from the digital pen.

  In other words, the dot pattern included in the order data from the customer indicates which cell of the digital paper the dot pattern is in, and each cell of the digital paper is pre-related to the catalog listed product on the application server, Therefore, the application server determines which product has been ordered according to the dot pattern included in the ordering data from the customer.

  Next, the operation of the ordering system according to this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ordering system shown in FIG.

  A customer (orderer) who has received a catalog 21 which is a product catalog from a product provider (ordering party) directly inputs the quantity of the product he / she wishes to purchase into the quantity entry column 21a of the product using the digital pen 22. (A-1). By this entry, order data is stored in the digital pen 22, and at this time, the digital pen 22 can also recognize the paper ID of the digital paper 24 that is the basis of the dot pattern in the quantity entry column 21 a of the catalog 21.

  After completing the entry, the customer connects the digital pen 22 to the terminal device 23 (A-2).

  Upon receiving this connection, the terminal device 23 transmits the pen ID stored in the digital pen 22 and the paper ID of the paper entered this time to the management server 3 via the network 5.

  The management server 3 that has received the pen ID and the paper ID notifies the terminal device 23 of the network address of the application server 4 associated with the management server 3 in advance.

  Upon receiving this notification, the terminal device 23 transmits the order data stored in the digital pen 22 to the application server 4 via the network 5 (A-3).

  Here, the digital pen 22 and the terminal device 23 are described as separate units, but the digital pen 22 may be an integrated type that also has the function of the terminal device 23.

  Upon receiving the order data from the terminal device 23, the application server 4 updates the order table 55 shown in FIG. 6 based on the order data (A-4).

  The merchandise provider refers to the order table 55 and arranges and ships the ordered merchandise with reference to other related tables (A-5). In order to arrange and ship the product, it may be confirmed to the orderer by e-mail or the like whether or not the order is correct.

  FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams for explaining an example of a digital paper cell usage method and a database update method in the ordering system shown in FIG.

  8A shows the catalog 21, FIG. 8B shows the digital paper 24, and FIG. 8C shows an example different from FIG. 6 of the database stored in the application server 4, It is an example of the database of a table format which has map information and merchandise information.

  In this example, it is assumed that the catalog 21 in FIG. 8A is a product catalog for purchasing vegetables and is a winter issue (2004 winter issue) in 2004. In the 04 winter issue, the dot pattern of the cell B at the position b2 among the plurality of cells of the digital paper 24 in FIG.

  The cell B at the position b2 has been used in the quantity entry column for the product celery in the catalog of the 04 autumn issue, and it is possible to keep such a history in the database of the application server 4, Generation management and generation management of digital paper cells can be performed. The item “generation” in FIG. 8C indicates how many times each of the plurality of cells of the digital paper 24 has been reused.

  What has not been considered for reuse in the past is that according to the present embodiment, the dot pattern used in the quantity entry column that has become unnecessary can be changed to another place or another by configuring as described above. The dot pattern, that is, digital paper can be used efficiently.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the ordering / ordering system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device 23 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management server 3 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the application server 4 shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure of the catalog 21 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the database structure of the memory | storage means 43 of the application server 4. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ordering / order receiving system shown in FIG. (A), (b), (c) is a figure explaining the example of the utilization method of the cell of a digital paper, and the update method of a database in the order placement system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ordering / ordering system 2 Orderer side device 3 Management server 4 Application server 5 Network 21 Catalog 21a Quantity entry column 22 Digital pen 23 Terminal device 24 Digital paper 24a Cell 25 Control means 26 Input means 27 Storage means 28 Network connection means 31 Control means 32 storage means 33 network connection means 41 control means 42 input / output means 43 storage means 44 network connection means 51 map table 52 catalog table 53 product table 54 customer table 55 order table

Claims (3)

In the ordering system that receives and manages orders placed by customers referring to the product catalog using a computer,
The product catalog has a quantity entry field for entering the quantity of products ordered by a customer for each of the listed products, and a dot pattern of digital paper is printed in the quantity entry field, and the quantity entry in the product catalog There is a portion where the dot pattern is not printed in a portion other than the column,
The ordering of the product is performed by sending the ordering data stored in the digital pen to the application server that receives the order when the customer enters the quantity entry field using the digital pen. system.   The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the application server includes a database that manages order status based on ordering data received from the digital pen.   For each of the listed products, there is a quantity entry field for entering the quantity of the product ordered by the customer, and the dot pattern of the digital paper is printed in the quantity entry field, and the part other than the quantity entry field in the product catalog Is a product catalog characterized in that there is a portion where the dot pattern is not printed.

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