JP2007310717A - Network server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network server for providing a network printing service or the like that can provide Web screen features for order receivers from which customers of agencies and the like order products, and that can provide a stable service. <P>SOLUTION: The network server manages Web screens for order destinations, and the network server provides the function of changing the Web screens for order destinations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network server that constitutes an image network system or the like for ordering photo prints using a communication network such as the Internet.

In recent years, digital cameras have rapidly become popular. Communication networks such as the Internet are also widely used.
Since the image photographed by the digital camera is handled as digital image data, it can be transmitted using a communication network. Therefore, using this, it accepts orders for image (image data) and (photo) prints via a communication network, creates prints according to orders, and provides them to customers (orderers). Services).

In a normal net print service, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 and the like, a customer accesses (connects) to a network server installed by a print business operator that operates the net print service through a communication network such as the Internet. The image is uploaded (transferred) to the network server, and the uploaded image is ordered.
Patent Document 2 discloses a server for managing and browsing images in a net print service that manages and uploads images uploaded from customers and also provides a so-called electronic album service. And a net print service system that can provide an efficient service by independently including an order receiving server.

JP 2003-150690 A JP 2001-256366 A

When a small print company with little financial power or a brokerage agency (a brokerage agent that relays a customer and a print company) that is affiliated with the print company has launched such a net print service, it is the area where the service is developed. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the uniqueness of each agency store by listing products other than the print service handled by the agency store, or by displaying regional colors for the agency stores that have taken root in the region.
However, the network print service requires cost and time to construct a network system, and is a network for developing the network print service such as storage of images uploaded from customers and operation / management of various sites such as order sites. Server operation and maintenance are also expensive. For this reason, it is actually difficult for a small-scale operator with little financial power to develop a service with a high degree of freedom and to develop a net print service with such uniqueness.

On the other hand, a large-scale printing company with abundant financial power has a large number of affiliated stores, so a large-scale network printing service can be launched and the service can be developed over a wide area. On the other hand, there is a feeling that it becomes a site specializing in print services, and even if accessed from any region, only a uniform screen is displayed, and again, it is not possible to display regional colors or agency store features.
Or, using a server system of a site operated by an administrator other than the administrator (server system) of the net print service, such as an Internet shopping street, a homepage etc. is opened on this site and the print service is provided. Although it is conceivable to expand, there is a limit to the allocated capacity, and there is a problem in the use for storing images arbitrarily uploaded from unspecified users.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and is a network server for developing a net print service or the like using a communication network, which relays a print trader, a print trader, and a customer. It is possible to ensure the uniqueness of the printing company or agency that participates in the service on the order screen for customers to order prints, etc., without placing a heavy burden on the agency, such as development, maintenance, and management. In addition, the present invention is to provide a network server that can stably operate a network system even though a dealership can provide uniqueness.

  In order to achieve the above object, a network server of the present invention is a network server that is connected to a user terminal and an order place where the user terminal places an order through a communication network, and receives an order from the user terminal to the order place. An order receiving function for receiving an order from the user terminal through a web screen published to the communication network, a management function for managing a web screen accessed by the user terminal for each order destination, and the order It has an editing function that first provides an editing means for a web screen corresponding to itself, and a display function that allows the user terminal to access the web screen corresponding to the order destination used by the user terminal. Provide a network server.

  In such a network server of the present invention, the user terminal is further connected to a retailer system as an ordering destination for ordering by the communication network, and the management function manages a web screen for each retailer system. It is preferable to have a function of providing an evaluation environment for the ordering party to confirm the web screen edited by the editing function, and access to the evaluation environment by the user terminal is not permitted. Preferably, the user terminal starts to access the web screen edited by the editing function with a date designated by the ordering party, and further supplies image data from the user terminal. It is preferable to accept an order regarding the supplied image.

The network server of the present invention having the above-described configuration is a network server for developing a net print service using a communication network, and an order screen for a customer to order (photo) prints, etc. The agent store that distributes the merchant and the customer can edit by himself using the function of the network server, and all the order screens are collectively managed by the network server.
As a result, the agency and the printing company can put out the originality on the order screen without imposing a heavy burden, and the ordering screen is edited and managed as a function of the network server. Even if the order screen is set, the network system can be operated stably.

  Hereinafter, the network server of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows the system configuration of an image network system using the network server of the present invention.
The image network system 10 shown in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the network system 10) receives orders for (photo) prints from customers using a communication network such as the Internet, and creates and provides products according to the orders. In addition to developing a so-called net print service (online print service), a so-called electronic album service that stores and manages images (image data) transferred from customers and enables browsing is also developed.

Such a network system 10 basically includes a network center 12 which is the network server of the present invention that supervises / manages the network system 10, an order receiving channel 14 in which a customer orders prints, and a printer (hereinafter referred to as a lab). And the lab system 16 and the retailer system 18 that plays the role of an agency that relays customers and labs.
In the illustrated network system 10, the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, the laboratory system 16, and the retailer system 18 are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet. In the image network system of the present invention, the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, and the retailer system 18 are connected to each other by a public communication network such as the Internet. Further, it may be connected to the net center 12 through a dedicated communication line without being connected to the retailer system 18.

In the illustrated example, in order to simplify the drawing and clearly show the configuration of the network system 10, only one each of the order receiving channel 14, the lab system 16, and the retailer 18 is illustrated. Is not limited to this.
Accordingly, a plurality of laboratory systems 16 may exist in the network system 10, and usually a plurality of retailer systems 18 exist. In the network system using the network server of the present invention, the retailer system 18 is not essential and may not exist.

The order receiving channel 14 is a user terminal where a customer orders a product such as a (photo) print or transfers an image (uploading an image) to the network center 12.
In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, customers include members registered in the network system 10 and non-members who are not registered. In the network system 10, members always belong to one of the retailer systems 18.

  The order receiving channel 14 basically includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) that can be connected to the communication network of a customer, a print ordering terminal that is installed at a print order reception store and connected to the communication network, and the like. Configured using.

In the network system 10 shown in the figure, there are three types of order receiving channels 14.
First, using a Web browser represented by Microsoft Internet Explorer ^TM or the like, the Net Center 12 (Web site managed by the Net Center 12 and published on the communication network) This is an order receiving channel 14 for accessing (connecting) to order printing.
The second is the print ordering function installed in the PC operating system such as “OPW (Online Printing Wizard)” of Windows XP ^{TM of} Microsoft Corporation, and general-purpose software such as “FinePix viewer” of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Print ordering function installed in the Internet, and the print ordering function set up in "MSN (Europe)" which is a web site managed and operated by Microsoft, etc. The order receiving channel 14 is used to access the network center 12 to place an order for printing by using a function or a print order function set on a web site published on a communication network.
The third is a PC or the like on which order software, which is a dedicated application (software) for ordering products on the network system 10, is installed. By using this order software, the network center 12 is accessed to order prints. This is the order receiving channel 14 for performing the above.

  In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, one (one) order channel 14 may have a function of only one type of order channel, or two or three types of order channels. It may have a function.

  The retailer system 18 is a system that acts as an intermediary between a customer and a lab, and includes, for example, a PC, a workstation (WS), a server device, and the like.

In Europe, there are a small number of printing companies (hereinafter referred to as labs) called so-called minilab stores that produce (photo) prints at retail scales, and many prints are large labs with high production capacity (so-called so-called labs). Created by a large lab).
Further, in Europe, in order to order prints by customers, there are often brokers (brokers) that mediate between customers and laboratories, called retailers. The retailer commissions a retail store such as a cosmetic store or a pharmacy to set up a print order reception window, and the customer orders the print from the reception window. The lab is typically affiliated with a number of retailers, receiving customer print orders from the retailers and creating prints. Also, in many cases, a print produced by a laboratory is provided to a customer via a retailer.
In other words, in this print ordering / creating / receiving system, the lab is a child who is not aware of the customer, and the customer orders only the retailer and receives the finished print. .

The retailer system 18 plays the role of this retailer in the network system 10, and is operated / managed by the retailer, for example, the aforementioned agency that has contracted with the lab.
As described above, the retailer system 18 is connected to the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, and the laboratory system 16 through a communication network such as the Internet. Further, the retailer system 18 publishes a web screen (web screen for transition to the net center 12) for the order receiving channel 14 to access the net center 12 on the communication network (on the web).

As an example, the transition web screen for accessing the network center 12 is displayed on the network center 12 (the network center 12) on the home page of the retailer (operator of the retailer system 18), as schematically shown in FIG. The content may be formed by displaying content (for example, buttons such as “order”, “member entrance”, “non-member entrance”), etc. linked to the web site managed by. Alternatively, a dedicated transition web screen only for accessing the network center 12 may be provided without using a homepage or the like.
When the order receiving channel 14 accesses the network center 12 via the retailer system 18, first, the transition web screen opened by the retailer system 18 is accessed. By clicking (pressing) content linked to the network center 12 such as a button, the network center 12 is accessed (see FIG. 2). This will be described in detail later.

In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, the order receiving channel 14 may access the network center 12 via the retailer system 18 (transition web screen) as described above, or may not pass through the retailer system 18. Alternatively, the network center 12 may be directly accessed.
Further, the order receiving channel 14 using the web browser can only access the network center 12 via the retailer system 18, and the other order receiving channels 14 using the OPW and the order software are the retailer. An access method (route) to the network center 12 may be defined depending on the type of the order receiving channel 14, such as direct access to the network center 12, which cannot be accessed via the system 18.

In the network system 10 shown in the figure, the members (member information and the like) are basically managed by the members of the network center 12. However, depending on the retailer system 18, the members belonging to itself can be managed. The retailer system 18 may be used.
In addition, when managing a member with the retailer system 18, the member is also registered with the retailer system 18, and predetermined information is sent from the retailer system 18 to the network center 12, thereby becoming a member of the network system 10. You may make it register. Therefore, in this case, the retailer system 18 has the same function as member registration / authentication of the front end of the network center 12 described later.

In the illustrated network system 10 using the center server 12 according to the present invention, the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 described later may be configured as one system. Even if the lab system 16 and the retailer system 18 are not configured as one system, the lab (printer) or the retailer may operate both the lab system 16 and the retailer system 18. .
Such a configuration in which one trader includes the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 is considered to be effective when a small-scale lab having a so-called minilab apparatus or the like participates in the network system 10. Usually, the lab system 16 (laboratory) and the retailer system 18 (retailer) have a form in which a large number of retailers belong to one lab. In this case, the lab and the retailer are basically the same. Therefore, it becomes 1: 1.

  In the image network system using the network server of the present invention, the retailer system 18 is not an essential component, and the network system 10 may be configured without the retailer system 18. In this case, the member belongs to one of the lab systems 16 (labs).

The network center 12 supervises the network system 10 and, as an example, is configured by combining a PC, WS, network device, server device, storage device, and the like.
The network center 12 stores / manages images and various information such as images sent from customers, order information such as member information, prints, and information for managing and operating the network system 10. It has a file server (DB / FS) 12a.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the net center 12 has a front end and a back end.
The front end is a site for receiving customer orders and can be accessed through the order receiving channel 14. That is, the front end provides a function such as a user interface for a customer to order a print, upload an image, and the like.

  On the other hand, the back end is a site for managing the network system 10 and the network center 12. Therefore, only the system that manages / operates the network system 10, such as the management system 24 that manages the network center 12, the retailer system 18, and the laboratory system 16, can access the back end, and cannot be accessed by the order receiving channel 14.

In the net center 12, the front end has a member registration / authentication, an album function, a share box function, and an order web.
The customer can access the front end using the order receiving channel 14 and use the following functions.

  Member registration / authentication provides functions such as member registration, change of registered member information, and member authentication (sign-in). In the illustrated network center 12, authentication is performed using a member ID (identification information, for example, an identification number) and a password set for each member. The member information is managed by back-end member management described later.

As described above, when a member accesses (signs in) the network center 12 via the retailer system 18 in the network system 10, as shown schematically on the left side of FIG. The transition web is accessed by accessing the member transition web screen published by the tailor system 18 and clicking the content linked to the network center 12 such as an “order” button on the transition web screen. From the screen, this member registration / authentication authentication web screen (member sign-in screen) is accessed (transitioned).
In this authentication web screen, by inputting the authentication ID and password for authentication, the order receiving channel 14 enters a signed-in state (authenticated state) (that is, each web screen (each web screen on the front end of the network center 12)). Get permission to access function)).
When the order receiving channel 14 is in the signed-in state, the network center 12 first selects a screen (main main screen) for selecting what the customer uses as shown in the right side of FIG. Screen), the order receiving channel 14 is accessed (the main screen is displayed on the order receiving channel 14). Photo upload means uploading an image using an album function, which will be described later, order means ordering a product using an order web, which will be described later, and album means various operations using an album function, which will be described later. It is to provide.

The access (sign-in) to the network center 12 by a non-member may be the same as that performed by a known network printing service, for example.
Further, as described above, regarding the members managed by the retailer system 18, when accessing (signing in) the network center through the order receiving channel 14, the retailer system 18 authenticates and accesses the network center 12. In the network center 12, when predetermined information is transferred from the retailer system 18, the network center 12 may enter a sign-in state without performing authentication.

The album function is a function of uploading an image through the order receiving channel 14, a function of storing an image as an album (electronic album) for each member, and a function of a member browsing an image of his / her own album through the order receiving channel 14 (an album image display function) ), And provides functions such as rotation and slide show of displayed album images. That is, the album function provides a function of an electronic album by a communication network.
In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, albums provided by the album function of the network center 12 include a system album and a my album. The system album stores images uploaded by members. The system album is an album automatically created by the network center 12 for each member at the initial stage (when a member is registered, etc.). All images uploaded by the members are stored in the system album. On the other hand, “My Album” is an album that is created arbitrarily by a member and stores images selected by the member. Members can arbitrarily select images from uploaded images and store them in the created My Album.

In the network system 10 of the illustrated example, the member can perform various album operations and album image editing by the album function.
As an album operation, for example, a new album can be created, the name of the album can be set / changed, an album list can be displayed, and the album can be deleted. System albums cannot be deleted by members.
On the other hand, as an example of album image editing, as an example, slide show display of all images in the album, thumbnail display of images, enlarged display of images, rotation display of images, addition of images, change of image display order, change of image names Copying and moving images to another album (multiple selection and batch selection are possible), deleting images (multiple deletion and batch deletion are possible), ordering products such as prints using images stored in the album, etc. it can.

  The share box function provides a function for a member to release an image of his / her album to a third party. Using this share box function, a member can select any number of images from the album and create a share box (or multiple images) for sharing the images with third parties. By providing a URL for browsing an image in the box to an acquaintance or the like, it can be disclosed to a third party.

Members can operate various share boxes using the share box function.
Specifically, as an example, to create a share box by selecting images in one album (multiple selection and batch selection are possible), and sharing the share box (for example, by sending an e-mail, etc.) URL provision), share box publishing password setting, share box name setting, share box publishing stop, share box list display, thumbnail image list display of images in share box, image in share box Slideshow display, enlargement display of images in the share box, saving / deleting / editing of the e-mail address when the share box is released can be performed.

In addition, a third party can perform various operations on the public share box using the share box function.
Specifically, as an example, display of images in a share box (browsing a share box), password authentication for browsing the share box, slide show display of images in the share box, and enlargement display of images in the share box It is possible to place an order for a product such as a print using an image selected from the share box.

  The images stored in the album and the share box can be displayed (viewed) only for a predetermined period, and the images stored in the album and the share box are also stored for a predetermined period. As will be described later, this period can be set by the retailer system 18 or the like.

  In addition to the album and the share box, the front end of the network center 12 also has a photo storage that provides a function of storing images uploaded by non-members for ordering prints for a predetermined period. The image stored in the photo storage can be displayed during the ordering operation, but cannot be displayed after the order is completed.

The order web provides an order receiving function for goods such as prints, goods such as mugs and T-shirts that record images, and CDs that record images.
The order channel 14 uses this order web function to select a service on the main screen (for example, upload a photo (image), order, album), select a product (print, goods, CD, etc.), and order a product. When selecting an image to be printed or ordering a print, the user inputs / instructs the print size, the number of sheets, etc. In addition, input / instructions such as a receiving destination (receiving store), a shipping destination, and a payment method of the product are also made by this order web as necessary.

In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, an order by a member using an order web (selection of an image for ordering a product) includes an album method and a menu method.
The album method is a method of selecting an image to order from images stored by the album function. On the other hand, the menu method is a method of selecting an image to order from images uploaded through the order receiving channel 14. Regardless of whether there is an order or not, images uploaded by members are stored in the system album. That is, the order web also provides an image upload function.
Orders by non-members using the order web are only in the same manner as the menu method, and uploaded images are stored in the photo storage as described above.
Further, in the network system 10, it is possible to select an image from images stored in the share box and order a product through the order receiving channel 14. However, as described above, the display of the image in the share box is based on the premise that the URL is provided as described above. Therefore, the order of the image is also premised on the provision of the URL.

In the network system 10 shown in the drawing, a web screen such as a print order screen provided by the order web is provided for each retailer system 18, and the order web manages the web screen for each retailer. It also provides functions.
When the order receiving channel 14 accesses the order web, the order receiving channel 14 includes the retailer system 18 through which the order receiving channel 14 passes, or the retailer selected by the order receiving channel 14 (retailer system 18 when directly accessing the net center 12). ) Is displayed. In other words, when the order receiving channel 14 accesses the order web, the order web is the URL of the web screen of the corresponding retailer system 18 according to the selection of the retailer system 18 via the order receiving channel 14 or the retailer selection by the order receiving channel 14. The order channel 14 is accessed (transitioned).
Accordingly, the customer feels like placing an order for a print against the retailer, similar to the previous European print ordering / creation / receipt system.

If the retailer system 18 does not exist in the network system 10, for example, when a web screen of an order web is created for each laboratory system 16 and the order receiving channel 14 accesses (signs in) the network center 12. The lab system 16 (lab) may be selected and a web screen corresponding to the selected lab system 16 may be displayed.
Further, the screen set for each retailer system 18 (lab system 16) is not limited to the screen provided by the order web, and the above-mentioned member sign-in screen, various web screens provided by the album function, etc. Other web screens that the front end publishes to the communication network, that is, each web screen that provides a user interface for the customer, may be set for each retailer system 18.

  The web screen of the order web can be changed for each retailer system 18 (retailer) by a back-end modification and customization function described later. This will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, in the network center 12, the back end is a site for managing the network system 10 and the network center 12, as described above, and the modification, customization, design confirmation server, member management, image management, and basic information. Management, product management, site management, order management, workflow, lab order server, and settlement.

Both modification and customization provide a function for changing the web screen provided by the order web described above, such as an order screen for goods.
As described above, the web screen provided by the order web is set for each retailer system 18, and can be changed for each retailer system 18 by the function of modification and customization. Thus, in the network system 10 using the center server 12 of the present invention, uniqueness can be obtained for each retailer.

The design confirmation server is for confirming the web screen changed by modification and customization by the retailer system 18 or the like.
More specifically, the design confirmation server uses an evaluation environment for confirming the changed web screen before moving the modified web screen to the production environment (the front-end order web). This is provided to the retailer system 18 or the like. That is, in the case where customization or modification is performed in the network center 12, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the retailer system 18 provides an evaluation in which the design confirmation server provides the changed web screen (changed web screen). Check in the environment, and after confirmation, move the changed web screen to the production environment.
This design confirmation server cannot be accessed by the order receiving channel 14 as with the back end.

In the network system 10 configured by the network server of the present invention, the changeable web screen is not limited to the web screen of the order web. For example, the member sign-in screen (authentication screen), the album browsing screen, etc. The other web screens disclosed by the front end to the communication network, that is, each web screen providing a user interface for the customer, may be set / changed for each retailer system 18 as described above. It is as follows.
In addition, it is not limited to a configuration in which all the web screens of the order web can be changed by customization and modification. Some screens can be customized, and other screens can be customized and modified. The adaptable functions may differ depending on the screen, and only a specific screen may be customized and / or modified such that this screen cannot be changed.

Modify provides a function for making a substantial web screen change, such as changing the layout of a web screen or changing to a completely new new web screen.
The web screen (design) is changed by the modification by the screen development system 22 connected to the network center 12 via a communication network (or a dedicated line) in response to a request from a retailer or the like.

When performing modification, the screen development system 22 creates a web screen in response to a request from a retailer or the like, and uploads the created web screen to the design confirmation server. The creation of the web screen is performed according to the design rule set in the network system 10. In addition, the design rule may be set as appropriate according to the protocol of the network system 10 or the like so that the network system 10 (the network center 12) can be operated appropriately and stably.
When the created web screen is uploaded to the design confirmation server, a notification to that effect is sent from the network center 12 to the retailer system 18.

Upon receiving this notification, the retailer system 18 accesses the evaluation environment provided by the design confirmation server and confirms (displays) the created web screen.
If the retailer system 18 determines that the web screen is appropriate, the workflow of the net center 12 to describe the transition date of the created web screen (reflection of the new web screen to the production environment and the start date of the reflection), which will be described later. Apply to.
In response to this, the network center 12 changes the web screen of the order web of the corresponding retailer system 18 to the created web screen on the designated date. That is, the new web screen created by modification is transferred to the production environment.

  On the other hand, customization is not a significant screen change like the previous modification, but a function that changes the web screen of the order web by selecting the font, color, etc. of the web screen from the options prepared in advance. In other words, it provides a function for changing the simple web screen.

In the present invention, the items to be changed on the web screen by customization are not particularly limited, and various items are possible. Examples include web screen design templates, logo images, screen background colors, fonts, character sizes, character colors, various link button designs and colors, navigation bar (toolbar) designs and colors, and the like. Examples of the design template include a plurality of types of templates that differ in the presence or absence of a header, the presence or absence of a footer, and the presence or absence of a sidebar (none, both sides, only one side, etc.).
In the functions provided by customization, these can be selected for each item by using, for example, a pull-down menu. In addition, for colors and the like, options such as color / density may be set and selectable in stages, or a hexadecimal display color or the like may be selected using a slide bar or the like.

In addition, in these selection items, the design such as the design template, characters, buttons, bars, and logo screens, the color background of each item, etc. are appropriately created by the screen development system 22 described above and added to customization, or , Change what is already set.
In other words, the options for changing the web screen in customization are appropriately changed by the screen development system 22, so that a sense of season, regional colors, etc. can be displayed on the order web screen.

In the case of customization, the retailer system 18 (system that can access the back end) accesses the customization and, as described above, using the pull-down menu etc., the design template, logo image, text, color, etc. Is selected / changed to change the web screen. Further, the retailer system 18 issues a screen confirmation instruction when the selection / setting of the web screen change is completed.
In the customization, the changed web screen is sent to the design confirmation server in accordance with the confirmation instruction from the retailer system 18. Here, in the customization, as a preferable mode for reducing the data amount, a file (customization information) describing information changed / selected by customization for each item is created and sent to the design confirmation server.

The retailer system 18 that has issued the confirmation instruction then accesses the evaluation environment provided by the design confirmation server, and confirms (displays) the web screen changed by customization.
When the retailer system 18 determines that the web screen is appropriate, the retailer system 18 similarly applies to the workflow described later of the network center 12 for the transition date of the changed web screen.
In response to this, customization sends this customization information to the order web, and the network center 12 customizes the web screen of the order web of the corresponding retailer system 18 on the designated date as before. A changed web screen is assumed. That is, the web screen changed by customization is transferred to the production environment.

In the network system 10 shown in the drawing, customization and modification may be performed according to access and request from the lab system 16 instead of access and request from the retailer system 18.
If the network system 10 does not have the retailer system 18, a similar order web screen is created for each lab system 16, and the web screen is changed / set using the customization and modification functions. You can make it possible.

As is clear from the above description, according to the network center 12 (network server) of the present invention, a web screen such as an order screen (a web screen accessible to the customer) for each retailer system 18 that is the customer's ordering product. ), And the web screen can be changed for each retailer system 18 by the customization and modification functions. Therefore, for each retailer system 18, characteristics, regionality, seasonal feeling, etc. can be given, and establishment commemoration etc. can be presented, that is, the uniqueness of the web screen can be given.
In addition, since the web screen for each retailer system 18 is managed by the network center 12 and the web screen can be changed by the function of the network center 12, the retailer system 18 can exhibit uniqueness. There is little burden on.

Further, the network center 12 provides a web screen changing function. That is, since the web screen is changed under the management of the network center 12, troubles due to inappropriate screen changes can be prevented more appropriately.
In addition, it has an evaluation environment (design confirmation server) that cannot be accessed by the order receiving channel 14 that is a customer's user terminal, and after confirming the screen here, the new web screen is shifted to the production environment, so it is more stable. In addition, the web screen can be changed safely.

  Member management provides member information management functions such as managing member information (including managing new member registration, changing / adding / updating various information, etc.), searching member information, and downloading member information. .

Examples of member information include member ID, password, ID of the retailer (retailer system 18) to which the member belongs, e-mail address, merchandise store ID, name, address, telephone number, delivery address, etc. The
The member information search provides a function in which the retailer system 18 searches for a member that meets a certain arbitrary condition. Furthermore, downloading of member information provides a function for the retailer system 18 to download member information related to itself.

Album management provides management functions such as the storage capacity of the above-mentioned album, share box, photo storage, etc., the storage period and display period of images.
Album management sets the album capacity, image storage period, and image display period for each member for each retailer system 18 or lab system 16 in response to requests from the retailer system 18 or lab system 16. To do. That is, the album capacity, the image display period, and the storage period can be set by the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 (that is, the retailer or lab). Note that the display period and the storage period may be the same or different.
Also, the album management stops displaying the images that have passed the display period, deletes the images that have passed the storage period, and informs the member of the album that has exceeded the capacity by a warning or the like. Furthermore, the member may be notified by e-mail or the like of the expiration of the display period.

  In the network system 10, the display period and / or storage period may be changed (for example, the period is extended depending on the order) between the ordered image and the unordered image. May be changed.

  Also, album management periodically deletes my albums, photo storages, and share boxes that do not store images. Furthermore, the album management forcibly stops sharing the share box that stores images that are offensive to public order and morals.

The basic information management provides a management function for basic information of the lab system 16, the retailer system 18, and the receiving store.
In the basic information management, a retailer system 18 (retailer having the retailer system 18) affiliated with each lab system 16 (lab having the lab system 16) and a receiving store affiliated with each retailer system 18 Are registered / managed in association with each other, manage basic information of each laboratory system 16, retailer system 18, and receiving store, and change / update basic information as required or necessary. To do.

The information of the lab system 16 includes a lab ID (lab ID), a name, a telephone number, a country where the lab is provided, a country where the service is provided, and a password required for the lab system 16 to access the network center 12 (lab authentication). Code) and the like.
Examples of the information of the retailer system 18 include the retailer ID, name, abbreviation, country where the service is deployed, the country where the service is deployed, the language to be supported, the lab ID (affiliated lab ID) of the affiliated lab.
The information on the receiving store includes the store ID, name, telephone number, country of residence, postal code, affiliated retailer ID (affiliated retailer ID), ID of the lab to which the retailer belongs, and the lab gives the receiving store. Examples include a unique management code, a unique management code assigned to a store by a retailer, and the like.

The merchandise management provides a management function for a lab having the lab system 16, a retailer having the retailer system 18, and a product handled by the receiving store.
In the network system 10 shown in the drawing, as an example, a (photo) print that reproduces an image received from a member or a non-member, a CD that stores the image, and goods that reproduce the image (for example, a mug or a T-shirt) Etc.) to customers. The merchandise management provides functions such as setting of merchandise (merchandise) handled by each retailer system 18 and lab system 16, setting of price of merchandise, display of merchandise in the order web, and the like. In addition, in the merchandise management, information (image, type of merchandise, print size, number, etc.) related to an order necessary for creating a merchandise according to a merchandise order (order input instruction) by a customer using the order receiving channel 14 ) Is also provided for generating order setting information.
The products to be handled and the prices of the products can be applied / set for each retailer system 18 or each lab system 16 by a product management function. In other words, retailers and laboratories can set the products handled and the prices of the products.

The site management provides various management functions for operating the network system 10 such as information for notifying customers, statistical information, and application download information.
Specifically, in the network system 10, in order to operate and manage the network system 10 corresponding to each of the retailer system 18, the lab system 16, and the network center 12, it is intended for an administrator who manages each system. Various management functions are set, and site management provides these management functions.

Order management provides order management functions such as order information generation, search and display.
As described above, when an order is made by a customer, order setting information indicating information such as an image and a print size is generated by merchandise management. In order management, when the order is confirmed by the customer, the customer selects the method for receiving the goods and the settlement method, and when the order is completed (order confirmed), it is necessary to calculate the charge using the order setting information. Calculation is performed to generate predetermined information, and order information is generated. When the payment method is credit payment or debit payment (cash card payment), the result of authorization (credit) by payment to be described later is also added to the order information.

The generated order information is sent to the laboratory order receiving server and stored. The order information stored in the lab order server can be searched and displayed by the lab system 16 or the retailer system 18.
Further, in order management, the generated order information is stored / managed for a predetermined period, and the order information that has passed the storage period is deleted.

The workflow provides a workflow function for changing a setting of a price, a product, etc. when performing operation management of the network system 10.
The workflow is changed from the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 to change of retailer or lab information (basic information, detailed information), change of charge, change to check the information of the receiving store, registration or update of the campaign to be executed, When a change of the web screen by customization / modification is applied, it is determined whether or not this application is appropriate, and approval or rejection is decided. In the case of approval, the applied change is confirmed, This change is applied to the network system 10 on a predetermined day.

Here, the application of the changed network system 10 includes “reflect the same day” and “designate application date”.
For example, lab and retailer information, except for pricing that affects contracts between retailers and labs, is basically reflected in the network system 10 immediately after confirmation (reflects on the same day).
On the other hand, a price change such as a price change of a product is reflected on the network system 10 on a specified application date after being approved by a lab or net center manager. In addition, the change of the web screen of the order web described above is basically reflected in the network system 10 (reflecting application date) on the transition date designated by the retailer system 18 (or the lab system 16).

The laboratory order receiving server provides an order receiving function for orders in the lab system 16 such as order information and image transmission to the lab system 16 via a lab order module described later.
As described above, the order information is sent to the lab order receiving server, and the image data corresponding to the order information is also sent to the lab order receiving server (hereinafter, one order information and the corresponding image data are collected. Order job). In response to a request from the lab system 16, the lab order receiving server transfers order list information to the lab system 16, and transfers an order job for one order requested from the lab system 16 to the lab system 16. To do.

The settlement provides a function of obtaining a settlement authorization (credit) from the settlement site 20 when the settlement method is credit settlement or debit settlement.
The payment site 20 is a web site for performing a known online payment connected to the network center 12 via a communication network. The net center 12 only obtains an authorization for this settlement site.

The lab system 16 is a system installed in a lab (printing company), which is composed of a PC, WS, server equipment, and the like, and is connected to a production device such as a digital photographic printer or a printing device for various goods. (Or they are configured integrally).
The lab system 16 is installed with order receiving software which is an application for taking in product orders from the network center 12. The order receiving software includes an order receiving module that provides an interface for the lab system 16 to acquire an order job from the network center 12 (lab order receiving server).
The lab system 16 acquires a list of order information using this order receiving module, requests transfer of an order job corresponding to itself, and acquires it. In the lab (lab system 16), a product corresponding to the order job is created, and the product is delivered to a delivery destination or a receiving store corresponding to the order information. Further, the lab system 16 determines credit settlement confirmation / cancellation and debit settlement cancellation according to the authorization information added to the order information, and sends the result to the settlement site 20.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation when a customer orders a product in such a network system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this example, the order receiving channel 14 operated by the member accesses the network center 12 via the retailer system 18.

As described above, the member accesses the transition web screen (the left side in FIG. 2) that is displayed on the communication network by the retailer system 18 such as the homepage (HP) of the retailer through the order receiving channel 14, and this web screen. By clicking the content linked to the network center 12 such as the “Order” button (Y), the network center 12 (front end) is accessed.
If an operation other than the click of this “order” button is performed (N) and other processing is selected in the retailer's HP (Y), the other processing is executed and the retailer's HP is selected. Return to. If no process is selected (N), the retailer's HP is still displayed.

When the order receiving channel 14 accesses the network center 12 and authenticates (signs in), the order receiving channel 14 accesses the order web (the net center 12 accesses (transitions) the order receiving channel to the order web), and the order is received. A main screen as shown on the right side of FIG. Further, for example, when “order” is selected by the order receiving channel 14, an order screen for ordering products is displayed on the order receiving channel 14.
Here, the web screen of the order web is a unique web screen of the retailer system 18 (retailer) accessed by the order receiving channel 14, and the retailer system 18 customizes or modifies the back end as necessary. This is a web screen that has been changed / set using the above function.

As described above, the network center 12 selects an arbitrary image from the images stored in the album and orders the product as an ordering method for the product, uploads the image, and selects an image from the album method. And a menu method for ordering a product is selected.
The customer selects one of the order methods and performs order processing. Note that images uploaded by members in the menu method are stored in the system album as described above.
When the order processing by the customer is completed and the order screen is closed (Y), it becomes a sign-out state (non-authentication state), and the order receiving channel 14 displays the HP of the retailer accessed at the time of sign-in again, for example. (The network center 12 accesses (transitions) the order receiving channel 14 to the retailer's HP). Alternatively, when the order screen is closed, the main screen may be displayed on the order receiving channel.

On the other hand, in the network center 12, order setting information is generated by merchandise management in response to an order from the order receiving channel 14, and when the order is confirmed, the order management generates order information and corresponds to the order job (order information). Image data) to the laboratory order receiving server.
The lab system 16 browses a list of order information in the lab order receiving server using the order receiving module, requests transfer of an order job related to itself, and prints or the like corresponding to the order information of the transferred order job. Create and deliver.

Therefore, in this operation, the customer feels as if he / she places an order such as a print from the retailer and receives the product from the retailer without being conscious of the lab or the net center 12 as in the case of the conventional print transaction in Europe. Become.
In addition, because it uses a communication network such as the Internet, it is possible to order products from anywhere without worrying about business hours. In addition, it provides electronic album services and public album services to third parties. Is also possible.
In addition, what can be shared by retailers and laboratories is shared, and the interface function for customers and the management function of the network system 10 are consolidated in the network center 12, so the collection and delivery operations, customer management, and payment processing are simplified. In addition, the system operation can be simplified and the operation cost can be reduced. Moreover, in many cases, troubles and version upgrades of the network system 10 can be dealt with intensively by the network center 12, so that operation can be stabilized and trouble shooting can be speeded up.

The network server of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course.
For example, the above example is an example in which the network server of the present invention is used in an image network system that provides a network print service. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the network system handles orders for various products. Is available.

It is a figure which shows notionally an example of the system configuration | structure of the image network system using the network server of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the web screen for the transition to a network center in the image network system shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the evaluation environment of the screen change in the image network system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the order in the image network system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image network system (net system)
12 Net Center 14 Order Channel 16 Lab System 18 Retailer System 20 Settlement Site 22 Screen Development System 24 Management System

Claims (5)

A network server that is connected via a communication network to a user terminal and an order destination where the user terminal places an order, and accepts an order from the user terminal to the order destination;
An order receiving function for receiving an order from the user terminal through a web screen published to the communication network, a management function for managing the web screen accessed by the user terminal for each order destination, and the order destination A network server comprising: an editing function that provides an editing means for a web screen corresponding to the; and a display function that allows the user terminal to access a web screen corresponding to an order destination used by the user terminal. In addition, the user terminal is connected by the communication network with a retailer system as an ordering destination for ordering,
The network server according to claim 1, wherein the management function manages a web screen for each retailer system.   3. The function according to claim 1, further comprising a function of providing an evaluation environment for the ordering party to confirm a web screen edited by the editing function, and not permitting the user terminal to access the evaluation environment. Network server.   The network server according to claim 1, wherein access of the user terminal to the web screen edited by the editing function is started on a date designated by the order destination.   The network server according to claim 1, wherein image data is supplied from the user terminal and an order related to the supplied image is received.

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