JP5010325B2 - Network order system and network server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network ordering system for ordering photo prints using a communication network such as the Internet, and a network server constituting the network ordering system.

With the spread of communication networks such as the Internet, sales of products on the Internet, distribution of information for sales promotion, and the like are now widely performed.
As a form of sales using the Internet, one store or one company has opened a web site (homepage) as a store on the Internet (its contact), and its customer information management is also performed independently. In addition to the form of providing services, there is also known a form in which a plurality of stores share one web site by entrusting site management and management of customer information to a site operator.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of stores (store members) jointly use a web site established by a site operator, register information on each store in a database of the web site, and provide customers for each store. (Customer member) information, such as e-mail address, is registered, and by using the mail server of the web site, the advertising / advertising information entered by each store member from a mobile phone etc. A site management system that can send e-mails is disclosed.
By entrusting site management and customer information management to site operators in this way, each store does not need to have a server or other device, and there is no burden on the site operation. Customer information can be registered and managed, and advertisement / advertisement information can be distributed to customers.

  On the other hand, services are also provided on the Internet for photographic prints from image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera. Multiple photo print companies obtain images taken by customers with digital cameras and print order information using a communication network such as the Internet, and produce photo prints that reproduce the images according to the order information. We are developing a so-called net print service that provides customers with prints ordered by sending them to designated stores.

JP 2004-133874 A

  By the way, 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 the retail scale, and many prints are large-scale laboratories with high production capacity. (So-called large lab).

In Europe, there is often an intermediary called a retailer that mediates between a customer and a lab.
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. .

  Even in Europe, where such business forms are mainstream, with the widespread use of digital cameras and communication networks, consideration is being given to the provision of a print order receiving service (the above-mentioned net print service) using a communication network. Software and other systems are being developed by partnering laboratories and retailers, and net print services are starting to emerge in European countries.

In the above system that processes a plurality of retailed orders in a large lab, the lab is responsible for order information from all the retailers and its information in order to create prints according to the order and to provide the created prints. It is necessary to gather information about the customer who placed the order.
In addition, some retailers have managed retailers who use their own stores, while others have not managed them. It is assumed that different customer management needs exist.
However, a system that can satisfy all of the different requirements for each lab requirement and retailer regarding the management of customer information and order information has not yet been considered.

  For example, as described above with reference to Patent Document 1, a method of managing customer information of a plurality of stores on one web site is known. However, in the conventional technology such as Patent Document 1, a plurality of sales-independent stores use only one web site jointly, and customer information of each store is secured in the database of the web site. Since each store area is merely held separately, the above prior art cannot be applied to a form in which a plurality of retailer orders are aggregated and processed.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and in a system in which orders received from a plurality of stores (retailers) are collectively managed and processed by a processing company, information on all orders can be collectively managed, For stores that have been outsourced to customer management, the customer information can also be managed in a batch, and when there is a request from the store, information on orders received by the store and information about the customer are provided to the store. It is possible to provide a network ordering system capable of realizing a system capable of improving services to customers in both stores (retailers) and processors, and a network server constituting the network ordering system.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of order terminals that receive orders from customers and transmit the order information and customer information, and mediates the orders transmitted from the order terminals and the customers. A plurality of first retailers that do not manage information and a plurality of second retailers that mediate the order transmitted from the order terminal and perform authentication processing of the order terminal to manage the customer information The order information and the customer information of the order received from the order terminal via the first retailer are connected via a communication network, and received from the order terminal via the second retailer The order information of the order is managed, the order information of the order is transmitted to a product creation unit to create a product, and the first that mediates the order Retailer or the a network server that delivered the product to the second retailer,
A server database;
Means for determining whether the ordering terminal has already been authenticated by the second retailer;
Means for performing authentication processing of the order terminal,
Upon receiving an order screen request from the order terminal via the communication network, it is determined whether the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer,
If it is determined that it is not authenticated, the order terminal is authenticated, and then an order screen is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information received from the order terminal are updated with the order. Storing in the server database in association with the identification information of the intervening first retailer ,
If determined to be authenticated, an order screen is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal are used to identify the second retailer that mediates the order. There is provided a network server characterized by being stored in the server database in association with information .

Here, in response to a request from the first retailer , the network server extracts from the server database the customer information corresponding to the order information and the identification information of the requesting first retailer. And providing to the first retailer ,
In response to a request from the second retailer , the order information is preferably extracted from the server database and provided to the second retailer .

Further, the network server generates statistical information obtained based on one or both of the order information and the customer information when there is a request from the first retailer , and the generated statistical information Preferably, it is provided to the first retailer .
Alternatively, it is preferable that when there is a request from the second retailer, statistical information obtained based on the order information is generated, and the generated statistical information is provided to the second retailer .

The order is an order for a product including one or more of a photo print from an image data, an album, an article with an image based on the image data, and a recording medium on which the image data is recorded,
It is preferable that one or more lab systems that create the product according to the order information are connected to the network server as the product creation unit .
Alternatively, the network server preferably includes a storage unit that stores uploaded customer image data, and the order is an order related to storage of customer image data in the storage unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention includes a plurality of order terminals that accept orders from customers and transmit the order information and customer information;
A plurality of first retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and do not manage the customer information ;
A plurality of second retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and manage the customer information by performing authentication processing of the order terminal;
Managing the order information and customer information of the order received from the order terminal via the first retailer and managing the order information of the order received from the order terminal via the second retailer Network server to
A product is created based on the order information of the order connected to the network server and received by the network server, and the product is delivered to the first retailer or the second retailer that mediates the order Product creation department,
A communication network connecting the plurality of order terminals , the plurality of first retailers, the plurality of second retailers, and the network server;
The first retailer has means for transmitting identification information of the first retailer to the network server together with the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal to the network server,
The second retailer includes a retailer database, means for performing authentication processing of the ordering terminal, means for receiving the customer information from the ordering terminal when the ordering terminal passes authentication processing, and the customer information Means for storing the second retailer identification information together with the order information and the customer information transmitted from the ordering terminal to the network server, to the network server. ,
The network server includes a server database, means for determining whether or not the order terminal has already been authenticated by the second retailer, and means for performing authentication processing for the order terminal. When the order screen request is received from the order terminal, it is determined whether or not the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer. If it is determined that the order terminal is not authenticated, the order terminal authentication process is performed. The order information is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information received from the order terminal are associated with the identification information of the first retailer that mediates the order in the server database. accumulated, when it is determined to be authenticated, provides an order screen on the order terminal, the order information transmitted from the order terminal Preliminary the customer information and provides a network ordering system, characterized in that stored in the server database in association with the identification information of the brokered this order second retailer.

Here, before SL network server, the for the first request from the retailer, the customer information corresponding to the identification information of the first retailer that the said order information request, from the server database Preferably, it is extracted and provided to the first retailer, and for the request from the second retailer , the order information is extracted from the server database and provided to the second retailer. .

Further, it is preferable that the second retailer matches the order information provided from the network server upon request and the customer information held.
Further, the network server generates statistical information obtained based on one or both of the order information and the customer information when there is a request from the first retailer , and the generated statistical information Preferably, it is provided to the first retailer .
Alternatively, the network server generates statistical information obtained based on the order information when there is a request from the second retailer, and provides the generated statistical information to the second retailer . Is preferred.

In addition, the order terminal receives an order for a product including one or more of a photographic print from an image data, an album, an article with an image based on the image data, and a recording medium on which the image data is recorded.
The product creation unit preferably includes one or more lab systems that create the product according to the order information.

The network server has a storage unit for storing uploaded customer image data,
The order received by the order terminal is preferably an order related to storage of customer image data in the storage unit.

The present invention also includes a plurality of order terminals for receiving orders from customers and transmitting the order information and customer information;
A plurality of first retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and do not manage the customer information;
A plurality of second retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and manage the customer information by performing authentication processing of the order terminal;
The order received from the order terminal via the second retailer and having a server database and managing the order information and customer information of the order received from the order terminal via the first retailer A network server for managing the order information
Is a network ordering method that accepts orders from customers by connecting through a communication network,
When an order screen request is accepted by the network server from the order terminal via the communication network, it is determined whether the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer;
If it is determined that the order terminal is not authenticated by the second retailer, the order terminal is authenticated, and then the order screen is provided to the order terminal and the order received from the order terminal is received. Storing the information and the customer information in the server database in association with the identification information of the first retailer that mediates the order;
When it is determined that the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer, an order screen is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal are displayed on the order terminal. Is stored in the server database in association with the identification information of the second retailer mediated by
A product is created based on the order information of the order stored in the server database, and the product is delivered to the first retailer or the second retailer that mediates the order.
A network ordering method is provided.

  According to the present invention, the network server stores and manages the order information and customer information transmitted by the order from the customer together with the identification information of the retailer (agency store) that mediates the order, and requests from the retailer system. In the network server, all the order information can be managed at once by adopting a configuration that can provide customer information and order information corresponding to the identification information of the retailer system. Can obtain the information only when it is necessary without taking the trouble of managing customer information. Further, since the network server extracts and provides only the customer information of the retailer system to the retailer system, the customer information of a certain retailer system does not leak to other retailer systems, and security. Better customer management information can be viewed.

In one aspect of the present invention, the network server also manages the order history for each customer, and the retailer can refer to the order history. Therefore, even if the retailer does not manage the order information and the customer information, the customer preference Analysis and the like can be performed easily, which can be used to improve services.
Further, since the customer connected to the network server from the web screen of the retailer system performs an order operation such as a print order using the order screen provided in the network server, information relating to order processing, for example, print order information, It is stored in the network server without being stored in the system. Therefore, even when the retailer system manages customer information by itself, information relating to order processing cannot be managed by the retailer system itself. However, according to the present invention, the retailer system can obtain information related to order processing from the network server. Therefore, by combining with customer information managed by the retailer system itself, more accurate user preference analysis can be performed. It becomes possible.

  Further, when the present invention is applied to a network print ordering system, even a small photo agency (retailer) participates in the network print service compared to a conventional system in which a customer and an order receiving server are directly connected. The retailer system (retailer that manages the retailer system) can easily perform customer management.

  Hereinafter, the network ordering system and the network server of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows a schematic configuration of an image network system which is an embodiment of the network ordering system of the present invention.
The image network system 10 in the illustrated example (hereinafter referred to as the network system 10) accepts orders such as (photo) prints from customers using a communication network such as the Internet, and creates products according to the orders. This is a system for developing a so-called net print service (online print service). The network system 10 also provides a so-called electronic album service that allows images (image data) transferred from customers to be stored / managed and viewed.

Such a network system 10 basically includes a network center 12 that is a network server of the present invention that supervises / manages the network system 10, and an order receiving channel 14 (customer (user of the system) orders prints). 14a, 14b), a lab system 16 possessed by a printing company (hereinafter referred to as a lab), and a retailer system 18 (18a, 18b) functioning as a retailer acting as a mediator between the customer and the lab. It is configured.
In the illustrated network system 10, the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, and the retailer system 18 are connected to each other via a public communication network such as the Internet, and the lab system 16 is connected to the network center 12. Connected with a dedicated communication line. The lab system 16 may be connected not by a dedicated line but by a communication network such as the Internet.

  In the network system 10, the retailer system 18 can search for customer information (member information) stored in the network center 12, and the network center 12 can search from the retailer system 18. The customer information (member information) regarding the retailer system 18 can be downloaded in response to the request of the retailer. Therefore, the retailer system 18 and the network center 12 are generally You may connect by URL different from URL which a user can use.

  In FIG. 1, in order to simplify the drawing and clearly show the configuration of the network system 10, two order receiving channels 14 (14a, 14b), two retailer systems 18 (18a, 18b), and one Although the lab system 16 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. Usually, a large number of order channels 14 and retailer systems 18 are connected to a communication network, and a number of lab systems 16 corresponding to the order quantity and the type of goods to be ordered are provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the structure and function of each part of the network system 10 and the order processing in the network system 10 will be described.

The order receiving channel 14 (14a, 14b) receives a print order by a customer. Basically, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) that can be connected to the communication network of the customer, or a print order reception store. It is configured using a print ordering terminal or the like that is installed in and connected to the communication network.
The order channel 14 is a network center 12 (managed by the network center 12) using a known web browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer ^TM and Netscape Communicator ^TM. The web site (published on the communication network) is accessed (connected) and print order processing is performed.
The order receiving channel 14 is not connected to the network center 12 from the beginning, but first, a web screen (web screen serving as an entrance for accessing the network center 12) that the retailer system 18 discloses on the communication network (on the web). And access to the network center 12 (a front end described later) from this web screen.

In addition to this, the order receiving channel 14 may be provided using a general-purpose application (software) or a web site or using order software that is an ordering application dedicated to the network system 10. . The above web sites include "OPW (Online Printing Wizard)" of Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) XP ^TM , "FinePix viewer" of Fuji Photo Film, "PictureIt (PictureIt Express)" of Microsoft, Fuji Examples include “Foto Factory”, an image-related site managed and operated by a German corporation of photographic film, and “MSN (Europe)”, a web site managed and operated by Microsoft.
Further, one order receiving channel 14 may correspond to one of web browser, software such as OPW, and dedicated order software, or may correspond to two or more of these.

A customer who uses the order receiving channel 14 belongs to any one of a plurality of retailer systems 18 and is classified into a center member and a retailer member according to the type of the retailer system 18 to which the customer belongs. The members belonging to the retailer system 18a that does not manage the member information but entrusts the management to the network center 12 are center members (corresponding to the order receiving channel 14a), and the retailer system 18b that manages the member information The member to which the member belongs is a retailer member (corresponding to the order receiving channel 14b).
In the following description, for the sake of clarity, the center member order channel 14a is referred to as "center member 14a", and the retail member order channel 14b is referred to as "retailer member 14b".

  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 (hereinafter referred to as WS), a server device, and the like.

As described above, in the photographic print industry in Europe, there is an intermediary called a retailer that mediates between a customer and a laboratory. The retailer contracts with the lab, sets up a reception desk for print orders by requesting a cosmetic store or drug store, accepts print orders from customers, delivers the received print orders to the lab, and if necessary The finished print is received from the lab, sent to a store such as the designated reception desk, and sent to the customer's home.
That is, in this distribution system, the customer feels like ordering prints from the retailer without being conscious of the laboratory at all.

The retailer system 18 plays the role of this retailer in the network system 10, and is, for example, a system (apparatus) possessed by the retailer, which is the aforementioned broker.
In the present invention, the retailer system is not limited to a retailer called in Europe, that is, one operated / managed by an intermediary contracted with a laboratory. In the present invention, the retailer is apparently a service entity that provides services directly to customers, and the retailer system plays the role of the service entity, that is, the service entity. To carry out the work. Specifically, the retailer (service entity) can accept orders for photo prints from customers, deliver finished products to customers, and receive payment for products. It may take various business forms. Specific examples of the retailer (service entity) include stores that specialize in ordering / delivery work such as photo prints, stores that concurrently serve other businesses (private stores), and convenience stores. These contract with a laboratory that produces products such as photographic prints, and the business of ordering and delivering products is done as their own business. Also, a lab that produces products such as photographic prints at its own store, or a so-called mini-lab store, can also serve as a retailer (service entity) by performing product ordering and delivery operations.
As described above, the retailer system 18 is connected to the network center 12 and the order receiving channel 14 by a communication network such as the Internet (see FIG. 1). The retailer system 18 also publishes a web screen for the order receiving channel 14 to access the network center 12 on the communication network (on the web).

The web screen for accessing the network center 12 is, for example, a content linked to the network center 12 (web site managed by the network center 12) on the retailer's homepage or the like (for example, “order print”). Button) and the like may be displayed. Moreover, you may provide as a web screen (order web screen only for the store) in the homepage of an individual store, a convenience store, or a laboratory.
Alternatively, a dedicated web screen only for accessing the network center 12 may be provided without using a homepage or the like.

In the network system 10, the order receiving channel 14 using a web browser cannot directly access the network center 12 (a front end described later). When using the order receiving channel 14 using a web browser, the customer accesses the network center 12 from a web screen such as a home page that the retailer system 18 discloses on the communication network.
When using the order receiving channel 14 using OPW or the like, the customer basically accesses the network center 12 after selecting a retailer. Further, when using the order receiving channel 14 using order software, the retailer is uniquely determined, or similarly, after selecting the retailer, the network center 12 is accessed.
Therefore, also in the network system 10 of the present invention, the customer can place an order such as a print with the sense of ordering from the retailer without being aware of the network center 12 and the laboratory (lab system 16).

  As described above, the retailer system 18 includes a retailer system 18a that does not manage member information but entrusts the management to the network center 12, and a retailer system 18b that manages member information. Each retailer system 18 is pre-selected as to which type (whether or not to manage member information at its own store), and is registered in the network center 12 with its contents. The type is determined by selection of an administrator (retailer) of each retailer system 18.

  The retailer system 18a that does not manage member information does not perform authentication and does not acquire member information when a member registered there, that is, the center member 14a accesses the network center 12 for print ordering. Therefore, order information and member information from the center member 14a are transmitted to the network center 12 as they are.

On the other hand, the retailer system 18b for managing member information has the same function as the member registration / authentication of the network center 12 described later and a member information database 19. The retailer system 18 b registers members belonging to itself (retailer members) in the self system and registers the member information in the member information database 19. Further, when the own member accesses the network center 12, the member is authenticated in the own system.
That is, when the retailer member 14b accesses the network center 12 for ordering prints, the retailer system 18b obtains and stores the member information in the member information database 19 after authenticating the retailer system 18b. A unique order code that can be identified in the own system is assigned to the order information that the retailer member 14 b transmits to the network center 12.

  In the network system 10 of the present invention, the retailer system 18 and a lab system 16 described later may be configured as one system.

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. 2, 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 includes a store search site block, a member registration / authentication block, an album function block, a share box function block, an order web block, and a campaign provision block. These provide functions that can be used by the order receiving channel 14 using a web browser.
The customer uses the order receiving channel 14 to access the front end of the network center 12 from a web screen such as a home page published by the retailer system 18 on the communication network, and uses the following functions provided by the above blocks. can do.

  The store search site (block) provides a search web site for a customer who has not decided a store to receive a product such as a print to search for a store that can be used. For example, by accessing a store search site through the order receiving channel 14 and specifying a country, a list of stores available in that country, information on each store, and the like are displayed.

Member registration / authentication (block) provides functions such as member registration of a center member, 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. Member information is managed by back-end member management (block) described later.
The retailer system 18b also has a member registration / authentication function in accordance with this, and the retailer member 18 (retailer member order channel) 14b has a member registration and information management function. The authentication is performed as described above. Therefore, the access from the retailer member 14b is made to the network center 12 after authentication by the retailer system 18b, and the member is not authenticated at the front end.

The album function (block) 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 displaying an album image by the member on the web browser 14a Album browsing function), and 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 at the initial stage, for example, for each member at the time of member registration. 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.

  The request (application) for member registration through the order receiving channel 14 corresponds to ordering a system album service. The creation of my album by the order receiving channel 14 corresponds to ordering a service for my album. The network center 12 stores and manages the image data uploaded from the order receiving channel 14 as a system album or my album service by the album function in response to the order of the album service from the order receiving channel 14. As described above, an electronic album service including displaying and editing images in various forms is provided.

  The image uploaded by the order receiving channel 14 is an image including information such as an image code for specifying an image, a member ID, a retailer ID, a file format type, a storage file size, a storage file name, an upload date, and the latest order date. Managed by information. The image information will be described later.

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 example of the album operation, a new album can be created, the name of the album can be set / changed, the 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 possible), deleting images (multiple deletion and batch deletion possible), ordering products such as prints using images stored in albums, etc. it can.

  The share box function (block) 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. This share box function is also part of the album service described above.

The member can operate various share boxes by 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 It is possible to perform slide show display, enlargement display of images in the share box, saving / deleting / editing of the transmission mail address when the share box is opened.

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 Then, 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 share box, the front end of the network center 12 has been uploaded by non-members for ordering in order to accept orders for prints from non-members (non-members). It is also preferable to have a photo storage that provides a function of storing images 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 (block) provides an order receiving function for products such as prints, albums, goods (articles) such as mugs and T-shirts on which images are recorded, and CDs on which images are recorded.
In the order receiving channel 14, this order web is accessed to select a product (print, album, goods, CD, etc.), select an image for ordering the product, and input a print size or number of copies when ordering a print / Instruct. When ordering an album, the user inputs / instructs the size of the album, the design of the cover, the design and number of mounts, the size and layout of the image, and the like. In addition, input / instructions such as a recipient (recipient) of goods, a delivery destination, a payment method, and the like 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, that is, selection of an image for ordering a product includes an album method and a menu method.
The album method is a method for selecting an image to order from the images stored in the album. 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 and an image storage function. Alternatively, the order web may accept uploading of images that can be ordered for products such as prints by the album function via the order web and store them in the system album.
Further, in the network system 10, it is possible to select an image from the 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.

The campaign provision (block) is a function for providing the customer with various campaigns performed by the retailer or the lab. “Campaign” is a general term for specific services for orders such as discounts on order fees and gifts of various goods.
The campaign is provided by, for example, displaying information on the campaign when the retailer system 18 makes an announcement on the homepage published on the communication network or when the order receiving channel 14 using the order software accesses the campaign information. Announce information to customers.
Campaign provision can be applied / set for each retailer (retailer system 18) or lab (lab system 16) by back-end campaign management, which will be described later.

  Further, when the order receiving channel 14 using OPW is provided as the order receiving channel 14, a block for providing various functions necessary for receiving orders from the order receiving channel 14 is provided in the front end of the network center 12, and the order is received. When the order receiving channel 14 using order software is provided as the channel 14, a block for providing various functions necessary for receiving an order in the order software 14c is provided in the front end of the network center 12.

  On the other hand, in the net center 12, the back end is a site for managing the net system 10 and the net center 12, as described above, and includes a member management block, an album management block, a basic information management block, and a merchandise management block. , A site management block, an order management block, a workflow block, a campaign management block, a lab order receiving server, and a settlement block.

  Member management (block) is management of member information of center members (including management of new member registration, change / addition / update of various information, etc.), search of member information, download of member information Provide functionality.

Examples of the member information of the center member include information such as a member ID, a password, an E-mail address, an ID of a merchandise receiving store (selected store ID), a name, an address, a telephone number, and a delivery destination. In addition, the center member's member information is also assigned a retailer ID indicating a retailer to which the member belongs, such as a retailer (retailer system 18) that mediates member registration.
As described above, regarding the retailer member, the member information is managed by the retailer system 18. However, in the member management of the network center 12, the member ID (member ID attached to the network center 12) and member registration are also registered. The retailer ID of the retailer in charge and the member ID or order code (retailer unique ID) assigned by the retailer for each member are associated and managed.
The member information of the center member, the member ID of the retailer member, and the like are stored in the database / file server (DB / FS) 12a by member management.

  The member information search provides a function for the retailer system 18 to search for a center member that meets a certain arbitrary condition. Furthermore, downloading of member information provides the function that the retailer system 18 downloads information on the center member related to itself.

Album management (block) provides management functions such as storage capacity such as the above-described album, share box, and photo storage, storage period and display period of images, and the like.
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.
The above management information by album management, that is, management information such as storage capacity, image storage period, display period, etc. corresponds to order information for the album service, and this album management information is a member who is the owner of each album etc. Are stored in the database / file server (DB / FS) 12a in association with the member ID.

  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 (block) provides a management function for basic information of each of the laboratory 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 of the receiving store includes the store ID, name, telephone number, country of residence, postal code, affiliated retailer ID (affiliated retailer ID), lab ID to which the affiliated retailer belongs (affiliated lab ID), lab Examples include a unique management code (lab management store code) assigned to a receiving store, a unique management code (retailer management store code) assigned by a retailer to a receiving store, and the like. A retailer may also serve as a receiving store.

The merchandise management (block) 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 illustrated network system 10, as an example, a (photo) print or album that reproduces an image received from a customer (member), a CD that stores the image, and goods that reproduce the image, such as a mug cup, T-shirts are provided 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 product management, in response to an order for a product (order input instruction) by a customer using the order receiving channel 14, order setting information which is information related to an order, for example, an image, a type of product, a print size, a number The function to generate etc. is also provided.
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, the retailer and the laboratory can set the handling product and the price of the product.

The site management (block) 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.
Operation management by a center administrator (operator) managing the network center 12 is performed by, for example, a management system (management web) 24 for network center operation management connected to the network center 12 by a communication network. In addition, the center manager serves as a contact point with the laboratory operator.

Order management (block) provides order-related management functions such as order information generation, search and display.
As described above, when an order is placed by a customer, order setting information is generated by product 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 the order is completed (order confirmed), the order setting information etc. is used to calculate the fee. 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 (block) described later is also added to the order information.

The generated order information is sent to the laboratory order receiving server and stored.
In order management, the generated order information is stored and managed in the database / file server (DB / FS) 12a. Order information stored in the DB / FS 12a and converted into a database can be searched and displayed by the lab system 16 or the retailer system 18.

In addition, the order management (block) can retrieve only the order information of the customer of the retailer system 18 from the stored order information when there is a request from the retailer system 18, and can be extracted by the retrieval. The ordered information is downloaded to the retailer system 18.
If the customer of the retailer system 18 is a center member and the member management (block) of the network center 12 manages member information, the member information corresponding to the extracted order information is also included in the retailer system. 18 can be provided.

In the network system 10, the order information includes three pieces of associated information: “order”, “order details”, and “order details image”.
“Order” includes an order code specifying this order (order information), an order date and time, a terminal ID indicating an ID of an order receiving channel 14 (including a print order terminal dedicated to a print order operated by a customer), a retailer ID, and a member ID, lab ID, information on charges (basic charges, delivery charges, etc.), information on receiving methods, store ID, information on delivery destinations and delivery of goods, information on payment methods, and the like.
“Order details” includes information such as an order detail code that identifies the order details, product type, product ID, product name, total order price, price system type (pricing information set for each lab or retailer) Is included.
Further, the “order detail image” includes information such as an image code and an order quantity.

In the illustrated example, the image information of the ordered image is associated with the order information by the image code of the “order detail image”.
As described above, the image information includes information such as an image code for specifying an image, a member ID, a retailer ID, a file format type, a storage file size, a storage file name, an upload date, and the latest order date.

The workflow (block) provides a workflow function for changing a setting of a price, a product, and the like when operating and managing the network system 10.
The workflow is obtained from the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 by changing the retailer or lab information, for example, changing the basic information or detailed information, changing the fee, changing the information on the receiving store, registering or updating the campaign to be executed, and the web screen. When a change is submitted, it is determined whether or not this application is appropriate, and approval or rejection is determined. In the case of approval, the requested change is confirmed, and the contents of the change are Applies to system 10.

The campaign management (block) provides management functions such as registration / search for various campaigns, cancellation, and coupon issue.
In the network system 10 shown in the figure, the campaign is exemplified by price discounts and supplementary gifts as an example. Further, the price discount includes a direct price discount and a unique ID for providing the discount. There is a coupon issue. Further, the campaign can be performed by selecting the target order receiving channel 14. The retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 can arbitrarily set and register a campaign by using a campaign management function, and reflect it in the campaign provision of the front end.
Further, the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 uses the campaign management to search / display the campaign, change the campaign before the execution, cancel the campaign being executed or update the campaign, delete the campaign information, delete the coupon, Issuing can be performed.

The lab order receiving server provides an order receiving function for ordering in the lab system 16 such as order information and image transmission to the lab system 16 via a lab order receiving module to be 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 (block) provides a function of obtaining a settlement authorization (credit) from the settlement site 20 when the settlement method is a credit settlement or a 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) that includes a PC, WS, server equipment, and the like, and is connected to a digital photographic printer, a printing device for various goods, and the like. Or these are comprised 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.

  The network system 10 is basically configured as described above.

  Next, an order processing flow in the network system 10 when an order is placed by a member (a center member and a retailer member) will be described.

When the center member places an order for printing or the like, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the center member (its order receiving channel) 14a uses the network print ordering service, that is, the home page of a desired retailer, that is, The retailer system 18a registered as a member accesses the web screen published on the communication network (step S11 in FIG. 3, “homepage request” from the order receiving channel to the retailer system).
On the other hand, the retailer system 18a publishes the homepage without authenticating the accessed member (step S12, “Homepage (Presentation)” from the retailer system to the order receiving channel).
The center member 14a is connected to the web site of the network center 12 by clicking the order button arranged in the homepage of the retailer system 18a (step S13, “order screen request from the order receiving channel to the network center). ").

The network center 12 that has received the order screen request proceeds from step S31 to step S32 as shown in FIG. 5, and the order channel 14 that has requested the order screen, that is, the connected order channel 14 is authenticated by the retailer system 18. (Step S32), if it is determined that the retailer has not received authentication (No in step S32), a member authentication process is performed by the front end member registration / authentication function (step S33). Step S14 in FIG. That is, the net center 12 requests the center member 14a to input an ID and password, and collates with member information managed by the back-end member management block based on the input ID and password.
Only when authenticated by the member authentication, the user (center member 14a) is accepted by the network center 12, and the order screen is provided by the order web function of the front end (step S34 in FIG. 5, step S15 in FIG. 3). , "Order screen (presentation)" from the Internet center to the order receiving channel).

  The center member 14a whose member is authenticated by the network center 12 can select and use various services provided on the displayed order screen. That is, the center member 14a uploads an image to the system album through the order web of the network center 12 and selects an image from the image album (menu method), or calls an album of a previously uploaded image and displays the album. The user can receive a network print service by selecting an arbitrary image from (album method) and ordering a product reproduced from the image (step S16 in FIG. 3, “order operation” from the order receiving channel to the network center).

  As described above, in the case of the retailer system 18a that does not perform member management, all the member information and order information of the center member 14a who is a user of the network print service are managed in the network center 12, and the data is stored in the database. / File server (DB / FS) is stored in 12a and is managed by the back-end member management function.

On the other hand, when the retailer member places an order for printing or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the retailer member (its order receiving channel) 14b accesses the retailer system 18b registered as a member (step S21, “Homepage request” from the order channel to the retailer system).
The retailer system 18b authenticates the accessed member by the member registration / authentication function (step S22). That is, the retailer system 18b requests the retailer member 14b to input an ID and password, and collates with member information registered in the member information database 19 based on the input ID and password. Then, only when authenticated by member authentication, the homepage is disclosed to the user (retailer member 14b) (step S23, “homepage (presentation)” from the retailer system to the order receiving channel).

The retailer member 14b is connected to the web site of the network center 12 by clicking the order button arranged in the homepage of the retailer system 18b (step S24, “order screen request from the order receiving channel to the network center). ").
In the same manner as described above, the network center 12 determines whether there is retailer authentication of the connected order receiving channel 14, and determines that it has received authentication by the retailer (Yes in step S32 in FIG. 5, determination in FIG. 4). Step S25) provides an order screen (Step S34 in FIG. 5, Step S26 in FIG. 4, “Order screen (presentation)” from the network center to the order receiving channel).
Hereinafter, as with the center member 14a, the retailer member 14b can receive the network print service (step S27, “order operation” from the order receiving channel to the network center).

In the case of the retailer system 18b that performs member management, the member information of the retailer member 14b is acquired and stored in the member information database 19 when the member authentication is performed. Further, the retailer system 18b assigns a unique order code with respect to an order operation performed from the retailer member 14b to the network center 12.
Therefore, the net center 12 does not have the member information of the retailer member 14b, acquires the order code attached by the retailer system 18b and the order information input on the order screen, and acquires the order information on the network. It is managed by an order management block in the back end of the center 12. As described above, in the order management block, order information is generated from the acquired order information, and the generated order information is stored in the database / file server (DB / FS) 12a.

In the net 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 an order job (order information and corresponding image data). ) To the lab order 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, according to the network system 10, as in the case of conventional print commerce in Europe, the customer orders the retailer as if they were printing without regard to the lab or the network center 12, and then receives the product from the retailer. It becomes a sense to receive.
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.

Next, provision of member information to the retailer system 18 by the member management block of the net center 12 will be described.
As described above, the member management block manages the member information of the center member and does not manage the member information, that is, in response to a request from the retailer system 18a having the center member, Only member information can be provided.

  When the retailer system 18a makes an inquiry about the user information (member information) of the store to the network center 12, for example, a search or download request, the retailer system 18a is connected to the back end of the network center 12. Request connection (access) to member management (block). In communication with the retailer system 18a, the network center 12 authenticates the connection request from the retailer system 18a based on the retailer registration information. If the authentication is passed, the network center 12 starts communication with the retailer system 18a. To do.

When communication with the network center 12 is established, the retailer system 18a requests member information related to the store itself.
In response to the member information request of the retailer system 18a, the net center 12 transmits the member information database managed by the member management (block). At this time, the member information of other retailers is not included, and the request source In order to extract only information about a customer of a retailer, a mask is put on the field related to the retailer in the member information database.
The retailer system 18a can download the member information of the center member via the store in a file format.

  For example, when the search target period is input from the retailer system 18a on the center member information download request screen of the net center 12 as shown in FIG. 10A, the member management block of the net center 12 is DB / In the member information database stored in the FS 12a, data is searched on the condition that the authenticated retailer ID of the retailer system 18a and the designated period are specified, and the member information registered in the designated period is extracted. As shown in FIG. 10B, the search result and the number of search hits may be displayed on the download request screen before receiving the download execution instruction. In order to further ensure the protection of personal information, as shown in FIG. 10B, a password may be requested to the retailer system 18a before the download is executed.

  As a result, the retailer using the retailer system 18a can obtain only the information of the own store user, in other words, the information of the own store user does not leak to other stores, and thus acquires necessary information while maintaining security. be able to. In other words, the network center 12 can ensure safe management of member information of each retailer.

Next, provision of order information to the retailer system 18 by the order management block of the net center 12 will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a display example of order information. FIG. 6 is an example in which all orders received by the network center 12 are listed in the order received, and the items include the order codes attached at the network center 12 and the retailer management 18b which is a retailer system 18b that performs member management by itself. The order code, member type, member ID, retailer ID, lab ID, and order details are displayed.
The orders received by the network center 12 include those from center members and those from retailers. Also, the information sent at the time of ordering differs depending on the member type. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the order information from the center member includes member information such as the member ID entered by the member, whereas the order information from the retailer member is input by the member. Member information such as member ID is not included. Also, in the example in the figure, in order for the retailer to be able to identify the order from each retailer member, the order code from the retailer member includes the order code attached to the retailer (retailer management order code). It is. The retailer management order code may also be attached to the order information from the center member.

First, the case where the retailer system 18 is a retailer system 18a having center members without managing member information will be described.
When the retailer system 18a makes a connection request (access) to the order management (block) of the back end of the net center 12 in order to make an inquiry about the order information via its own store to the net center 12, the net center 12 The retailer system 18a is authenticated based on the retailer registration information, and if the authentication is passed, communication with the retailer system 18a is started.

When communication with the network center 12 is established, the retailer system 18a requests order information from a member of its own store. In response to this request, the order management block of the network center 12 searches for orders having the retailer ID of the retailer system 18a from the stored order information database and creates a list. This list is related to the retailers in the order information database so that only the order information from the requesting retailer is extracted without including the order information of other retailers, as in the case of providing the member information described above. Created by masking in the field. FIG. 7 is a table in which the retailer ID RC02 is extracted from the table of FIG.
The order management block preferably further edits the order details of the same member in the order list created for the same retailer, and creates an order history list for each member as shown in FIG.

  7 and 8, only the member ID is shown as the member information. The network center 12 searches the member information database using the above-described member management function based on the member ID. Thus, it is possible to create a list that also associates information (member information) of customers who have placed each order.

Thereby, the retailer system 18a can download the information corresponding to FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 from the network center 12 as information on orders made from the store and customer information.
The retailer system 18a can also search for necessary information from information on orders placed from its own store. For example, the retailer system 18a uses an order number, an order date, a member ID, a member name, a charge billing telephone number, etc. as search keys on the order information search screen of the network center 12 as shown in FIG. Any item can be entered and a search execution can be requested. Furthermore, an order status (order acceptance, laboratory transfer, print completion, cancellation, etc.) may be designated as a search key. The order management block of the net center 12 executes a search using the specified search key from the order information of the members belonging to the retailer system 18a, and displays the search result on the order information search screen. FIG. 11B is a display example of search results. The retailer system 18a can also download from the network center 12 after narrowing down desired information by such a search.
Therefore, the retailer of the retailer system 18a can obtain information on the customer of the own store and information on the order of the customer when necessary without taking time and effort to manage the customer information. And based on that, we can understand the user's preferences, etc., so that we can use that information to improve the service and perform accurate advertising to our own users, It can also be used to develop new customers.

Next, the case where the retailer system 18 manages the member information and has a retailer member 18b will be described.
Also in the case of the retailer system 18b, as described above, when communication is started after authentication by the network center 12, the retailer system 18b requests information on the order from its own store. For example, for a request by the retailer system 18b with the retailer ID RD12, the order management block of the network center 12 applies the order information from the retailer by masking the order information database with the retailer ID = RD12. Extract only. Thereby, a list as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained.
The retailer system 18b can download information corresponding to FIG.

Here, since the member information is not attached to the order information from the retailer member (retailer system 18b), the order information is obtained only as a list in order units, and the extracted order information includes the order information. Can be identified by code or retailer management order code.
Further, since the retailer system 18b manages the member information of the customer of the own store, each order information downloaded from the network center 12 is collated with the member information managed in the own store, and each of the order information is matched. Customer order history can be created. For this reason, the retailer of the retailer system 18b can grasp the user's preferences more accurately, so that the information can be used to improve the service and to accurately promote advertisements to the users of the store. It can also be used to develop new customers.

The net center 12 obtains the retailer system 18 by processing or editing not only the member information itself of the center member belonging to the retailer system 18 but also the order information of the center member and the retailer member itself. It is also possible to provide information obtained, that is, information obtained based on such information.
Information obtained by processing the order information related to the retailer system 18a or 18b with respect to the retailer system 18a having the center member and the retailer system 18b having the retailer member includes information on the retailer system 18a or 18b. The total data of the total number of orders, the image storage capacity distribution data, the image storage capacity top 10 list, and the total data of the number of campaigns used are exemplified.
Information obtained by processing the member information related to the retailer system 18a with respect to the retailer system 18a having a center member includes aggregated data on the number of members (number of customers) in the retailer 18a and image storage. Statistical data such as a member list in the capacity top 10 is illustrated.
For the retailer system 18a having a center member, the order information related to the retailer system 18a and information obtained by processing the member information include a list of order history for each member as shown in FIG. Examples include statistical data such as aggregate data of order information, age distribution and regional distribution of members by order items in the retailer system 18a, order items and order quantities by member generation or region.

Further, the net center 12 can provide the retailer system 18 with statistical information obtained based on one or both of order information and member information managed by the net center 12.
Examples of information obtained based on the order information include total data of order information of all customers in the network center 12, total data of the total number of orders, and total data of the number of campaigns used.
The information obtained based on the member information includes the aggregate data of the total number of members (number of customers), album management, including the number of center members managed by the net center 12 in the member management block and the number of retailer members. Examples include image storage capacity distribution data of all members managed in blocks and statistical data of generations or regions of members in the top 10 image storage capacity.
Examples of information obtained based on order information and member information include statistical data such as age distribution and regional distribution of all center members by order item, order items and order quantity by generation or region of all center members. The

  The above statistical information can be searched and displayed on the information search screen of the network center 12, and can be requested to be downloaded. For example, the retailer system 18 selects information to be acquired from a pull-down menu or a list display menu on the information search screen of the network center 12, inputs a target period of the statistical information, and requests execution of the search. The order management block of the network center 12 processes the order information and member information stored and managed in the DB / FS 12a, generates designated statistical information, and displays the generated information on the information search screen. Alternatively, a download request for the generated information is accepted.

Various types of data as described above may be processed and edited each time a request is made from the retailer system 18, or may be processed and edited in advance for information that is expected to be requested. Good.
For example, information used for inquiries from members (users) or error investigations when receiving orders is preferably retrieved with detailed conditions to extract more specific information, so requests or inquiries from the retailer system 18 It is suitable to process the data when there is. Further, if the processing is not heavy enough to require data processing in advance (processing load is high), data processing is performed when a request or inquiry is made from the retailer system 18 rather than holding the processed data further. Is suitable.

In the above example, the member information itself related to the requested retailer system 18 and the order information itself may be extracted when requested by the retailer system 18. As search keys for extracting these data, order date, customer name, customer phone number, order channel ID, and the like can be used.
It should be noted that the member information or order information of each retailer system 18 is extracted based on the retailer ID of the retailer system 18 and stored in the DB / FS 12a in advance, and when there is a request from the retailer system 18 The member information or order information of the corresponding retailer ID may be read from the DB / FS 12a and provided.

  On the other hand, if the network center 12 needs to extract and process a large amount of data into a necessary format, it is preferable to process data in advance assuming that there is an inquiry. Processing with a large amount of data after a request from the retailer system 18 increases the system load and may affect other processing. By extracting, processing and processing data, it is possible to prevent a decrease in system performance. Moreover, it is preferable to process the data accumulated every day at a predetermined timing such as a fixed time, a fixed date, and the like.

In the above examples, statistical information such as customer count data, image storage capacity distribution data, top 10 image storage capacity member data, order information for each customer, campaign usage count total data, etc. It is preferable to perform data processing in advance or periodically assuming a request from the system 18. These can be obtained by extracting and processing one or both of order information and member information under conditions such as period, member, and order.
Information obtained by processing is stored in the DB / FS 12a, and when there is a request from the retailer system 18, information corresponding to the request is read from the DB / FS 12a and provided to the retailer system 18 do it.

  In addition, the order information generated in the order management block can be used by the lab system 16. In this case, the lab system 16 can acquire a total of order information from one or a plurality of retailer systems 18 with which the store is contracted through authentication by the network center 12. Further, the lab system 16 can use the statistical information generated in the order management block. The lab system 16 can use such information for production planning and the like, and can also be used for improving services and improving production efficiency.

  As described above, the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 obtain order information, member information, or statistical information based on the order information, and then send the result obtained by analyzing the information to the network center 12. You may do it. For example, the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 analyze the hot selling product based on the order information acquired from the network center 12 and send the analysis result to the network center 12. In the net center 12, the analysis result sent from the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 can be reflected in the price setting of the product. In addition, for example, the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 analyze the album holding amount for each customer, and send the analysis result to the network center 12. In the net center 12, the analysis result can be used as a reference value for changing the storage upper limit.

  Although the network ordering system and the network server according to the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course it is good.

It is a schematic diagram which shows notionally the structure of one Embodiment of the network order system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual schematic diagram for explaining functions of the network system of FIG. 1. It is an order processing flow figure from a retailer system which has a center member. It is an order processing flow figure from a retailer system which has a retailer member. It is a determination processing flowchart of the presence or absence of member authentication. It is a display example of order information. It is the table | surface which extracted the information regarding a center member (retailer ID = RC02) from the table | surface of FIG. It is an example of the list of order history for every member. It is the table | surface which extracted the information regarding a retailer member (retailer ID = RD12) from the table | surface of FIG. (A) And (B) is an example of the screen layout of a center member information download request. (A) is an example of an order information search screen layout, and (B) is an example of a search result display.

Explanation of symbols

10 Net system (image network system)
12 Net Center 12a Database / File Server (DB / FS)
14 Order Channel 14a Center Member Order Channel 14b Retailer Member Order Channel 16 Lab System 18, 18a, 18b Retailer System 19 Member Information Database 20 Settlement Site 24 Management System

Claims (14)

A plurality of order terminals that receive orders from customers and transmit the order information and customer information, and a plurality of first retailers that mediate the orders transmitted from the order terminals and do not manage the customer information And a plurality of second retailers that mediate the order transmitted from the order terminal and perform authentication processing of the order terminal and manage the customer information via a communication network , Managing the order information and the customer information of the order received from the order terminal via the retailer and managing the order information of the order received from the order terminal via the second retailer; The order information is transmitted to the product creation unit to create a product and to the first retailer or the second retailer that mediates the order. A network server that delivered the serial goods,
A server database;
Means for determining whether the ordering terminal has already been authenticated by the second retailer;
Means for performing authentication processing of the order terminal,
Upon receiving an order screen request from the order terminal via the communication network, it is determined whether the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer,
If it is determined that it is not authenticated, the order terminal is authenticated, and then an order screen is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information received from the order terminal are updated with the order. Storing in the server database in association with the identification information of the intervening first retailer ,
If determined to be authenticated, an order screen is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal are used to identify the second retailer that mediates the order. A network server characterized by being stored in the server database in association with information . In response to a request from the first retailer, the customer information corresponding to the order information and the identification information of the requesting first retailer is extracted from the server database, and the first retailer is extracted. To provide
Wherein for the second request from the retailer, the network server of claim 1, the order information, the extracts from the server database, and providing to the second retailer. When there is a request from the first retailer, statistical information obtained based on one or both of the order information and the customer information is generated, and the generated statistical information is provided to the first retailer The network server according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The statistical information obtained based on the order information is generated when there is a request from the second retailer , and the generated statistical information is provided to the second retailer. The network server according to any one of 1 to 3. The order is an order for a product including one or more of a photo print from an image data, an album, an article with an image based on the image data, and a recording medium on which the image data is recorded,
The network according to claim 1, wherein the network server is connected with one or more lab systems that create the product according to the order information as the product creation unit. server. A storage unit for storing uploaded customer image data;
The network server according to claim 1, wherein the order is an order related to storage of customer image data in the storage unit. Multiple order terminals that accept orders from customers and send their order information and customer information;
A plurality of first retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and do not manage the customer information ;
A plurality of second retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and manage the customer information by performing authentication processing of the order terminal;
Managing the order information and customer information of the order received from the order terminal via the first retailer and managing the order information of the order received from the order terminal via the second retailer A network server to
A product is created based on the order information of the order connected to the network server and received by the network server, and the product is delivered to the first retailer or the second retailer that mediates the order Product creation department,
A communication network connecting the plurality of order terminals , the plurality of first retailers, the plurality of second retailers, and the network server;
The first retailer has means for transmitting identification information of the first retailer to the network server together with the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal to the network server,
The second retailer includes a retailer database, means for performing authentication processing of the ordering terminal, means for receiving the customer information from the ordering terminal when the ordering terminal passes authentication processing, and the customer information Means for storing the second retailer identification information together with the order information and the customer information transmitted from the ordering terminal to the network server, to the network server. ,
The network server includes a server database, means for determining whether or not the order terminal has already been authenticated by the second retailer, and means for performing authentication processing for the order terminal. When the order screen request is received from the order terminal, it is determined whether or not the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer. If it is determined that the order terminal is not authenticated, the order terminal authentication process is performed. The order information is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information received from the order terminal are associated with the identification information of the first retailer that mediates the order in the server database. accumulated, when it is determined to be authenticated, provides an order screen on the order terminal, the order information transmitted from the order terminal Preliminary the customer information, network ordering system, characterized in that stored in the server database in association with the identification information of the brokered this order second retailer. For the request from the first retailer , the network server extracts the customer information corresponding to the order information and the identification information of the first retailer that has made the request from the server database, The information is provided to the first retailer, and in response to a request from the second retailer , the order information is extracted from the server database and provided to the second retailer. 8. The network order system according to 7. 9. The network order system according to claim 8, wherein the second retailer matches the order information provided from the network server in response to a request with the customer information that is held. The network server generates statistical information obtained based on one or both of the order information and the customer information when there is a request from the first retailer , and the generated statistical information is the first statistical information . The network ordering system according to claim 7, wherein the network ordering system is provided to one retailer . The network server generates statistical information obtained based on the order information when there is a request from the second retailer, and provides the generated statistical information to the second retailer. The network ordering system according to claim 7, wherein the network ordering system is a network ordering system . The ordering terminal accepts an order for a product including one or more of a photo print from an image data, an album, an article with an image based on the image data, and a recording medium on which the image data is recorded;
The network order system according to claim 7, wherein the product creation unit includes one or more lab systems that create the product according to the order information. The network server has a storage unit for storing uploaded customer image data,
The network order system according to claim 7, wherein the order received by the order terminal is an order related to storage of customer image data in the storage unit. Multiple order terminals that accept orders from customers and send their order information and customer information;
A plurality of first retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and do not manage the customer information;
A plurality of second retailers that mediate the order by the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal and manage the customer information by performing authentication processing of the order terminal;
The order received from the order terminal via the second retailer and having a server database and managing the order information and customer information of the order received from the order terminal via the first retailer A network server for managing the order information
Is a network ordering method that accepts orders from customers by connecting through a communication network,
When an order screen request is accepted by the network server from the order terminal via the communication network, it is determined whether the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer;
If it is determined that the order terminal is not authenticated by the second retailer, the order terminal is authenticated, and then the order screen is provided to the order terminal and the order received from the order terminal is received. Storing the information and the customer information in the server database in association with the identification information of the first retailer that mediates the order;
When it is determined that the order terminal is authenticated by the second retailer, an order screen is provided to the order terminal, and the order information and the customer information transmitted from the order terminal are displayed on the order terminal. Is stored in the server database in association with the identification information of the second retailer mediated by
A product is created based on the order information of the order stored in the server database, and the product is delivered to the first retailer or the second retailer that mediates the order.
A network ordering method characterized by the above.

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