JP4334699B2 - Product database system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product information database system constructed for catalog production and electronic product information provision.
[0002]
[Prior art]
One field of commercial prints is the general catalog of manufacturers. Covering the products of a single company (manufacturer, wholesaler), issue a thick catalog of hundreds of pages for dealers and users once a year. In recent years, with the widespread use of computers, the use of product data to be placed in such catalogs as a database has begun.
[0003]
There are two purposes for creating a database. One is intended to provide users with electronic catalogs rather than paper catalogs, taking advantage of multimedia technology that has become readily available. Electronic catalogs are excellent in searchability and can insert sounds and moving images, providing convenience not found in paper catalogs.
[0004]
The other is to streamline and save paper catalog production by creating a database. Product information published in the general catalog has a large number of data items, and images and specifications used in the previous catalog are often used next time. There is a possibility of becoming.
[0005]
However, making catalog information into a database and streamlining and saving labor for catalog production are not necessarily simply linked. Creating a database changes the catalog production workflow, so it is not easy. Therefore, database creation so far often did not perfectly match the catalog production workflow. As a typical example, information on a new product is flowed in a conventional work flow, and after a catalog is completed, the operation of registering data of the new product in a database has been attempted.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-mentioned information about new products is flowed in the conventional work flow, and after the catalog is completed, the operation method of registering new product data in the database is complicated and the operation flow can be extracted from the database last time. Since it was only the data used in the catalog production up to now, there was a problem that it was not possible to take full advantage of the database.
[0007]
In addition, even if the database is created, the manufacturer side plans catalog production and gives instructions for inspection and correction of school products, and the production company or the prepress printing company side that orders the catalog production performs the actual production work and correction work. Since the sharing does not change, it is desired that the division of the database should be performed smoothly so that the manufacturer only gives correction instructions and the production company performs the actual maintenance work.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and a product database system in which maintenance work is smoothly performed on the manufacturer side and the production company, that is, the database management side, with respect to a database storing product information. The problem is to present the configuration of
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a database storing product information, a product information server for managing information in the database and providing a response to a search request, and a search request for the product information providing means In a product database system consisting of a plurality of product information clients that issue and present the results to the user,
The database includes product data such as product photographed images and mark figures, a product master table describing a link between product data and the product data for each product or product group, and the product data or product specifications. A correction history table that records a correction instruction as a record with the correction instruction date and the correction instruction person,
The merchandise information server and merchandise information client search and display a correction instruction creating means for creating one correction instruction, and a correction instruction that matches a search condition such as a specific product, a correction instruction date, and a correction instructor. By including a correction instruction search means for performing, and a correction update means for updating the database based on the correction instruction,
The gist of the invention is that the maintenance work for the product database can be carried out separately by the person who issues a correction instruction for the database contents and the person who performs the actual correction.
[0010]
For management purposes, the number of workers who actually update the database should be limited to a small number of people who are skilled in the work, while those who check product information are restricted depending on the convenience of the manufacturer. Have difficulty. However, such a contradiction is solved by providing a correction history table. That is, the manufacturer searches the contents of the database, and if there is something that needs to be corrected, it is only necessary to indicate the correction contents without directly correcting the contents. Later, the production side checks the correction history table and performs the actual correction work.
[0011]
Furthermore, the product database system presented in the present invention is:
One record of the correction history table includes a correction target record, an instruction issuer, an instruction date and time, one or more target items, a corrected value of the target item,
The correction instruction retrieval means should be realized so that the contents of one record in the correction history table are displayed for each target item together with the value before correction of the item.
[0012]
One record in the correction history table needs to have a data structure that rationally describes the correction instruction contents, and the correction contents should be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. The correction target record refers to one record (substantially a product specification) recorded in the product master table or one piece of component data. The target item refers to an item to be corrected among items (attributes) constituting a product specification such as a standard price, color, and size of the product. Since there are many items to be corrected for one product item number, one record should have a variable length configuration so that a plurality of items can be included as necessary. When the correction instruction search means displays one record, if the correction instruction content is displayed together with the current value (pre-correction value) of the target item of the product number by referring to the product master table, it is easy for the operator to understand.
[0013]
Further, one record of the correction history table includes a corresponding field for each target item, and the correction instruction retrieval unit allows the operator who performs the actual correction according to the instruction for each correction item of the correction instruction. By providing means for entering or selecting the attribute value of the corresponding field indicating whether to correct, ignore the instruction, or do not need to be corrected, the database correction operator can correct the instruction by the correction instructor or contradict the instruction. Thus, it is possible to perform database maintenance work appropriately corresponding to the duplication of instructions.
[0014]
Since it is assumed that the manufacturer checks the contents of the product database from various standpoints, it is highly possible that errors in the correction instructions or inconsistencies in the instructions will occur. Therefore, on the production company side, the correction instruction should be separated for each attribute item as described above, and the correction update should be performed for each item. Considering the case of overlapping instructions, the instructions can be “adopted” and corrected as instructed, the correction instructions can be “ignored”, or the correction instructions can be corrected in three ways: If there is a mechanism that can also record it as a part of the correction history record, it is possible to properly handle such correction instruction errors and inconsistencies.
[0015]
Further, the correction instruction creating means includes a method of creating a correction instruction record by specifying a correction instruction related to a specific product, specifying a target item, and selecting and entering a value after correction, and a correction content. It is easier to use and preferable to use two methods of filling in text without being bound by target items.
[0016]
In actual operation, there is a case where an appropriate correction instruction cannot be made by specifying the target item value (correction value) of the target product one by one. In such a case, it is reasonable to give a correction instruction flexibly with text.
[0017]
In addition, one record of the correction history table is configured to include a comment field corresponding to the corresponding field, and the correction instruction searching unit and the second correction instruction searching unit further change the value of the corresponding field. If a configuration is provided in which means for entering the reason and comments in the comment field when selected, a system that is even easier to use can be realized.
[0018]
By using the comment field, it is possible to tell the correction instructor why the correction worker did so in a sentence, and in the case where the correction operator waits for the reissue of the correction instruction, It is possible to reduce the possibility of the correction instructor not noticing, forgetting, or taking an inappropriate response.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on examples.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The product database system 1 includes equipment on the manufacturer side 2 and equipment on the database management production side 3. A product information server 10 stores a product database in an external storage device (not shown). 11 (11a, 11b,...) Is a product information client, which mainly registers and corrects product information in the product database. A network access server 12 accepts a dial-up connection from the manufacturer-side product information client 21 and assigns addresses necessary for communication over the network to the manufacturer-side product information client. Reference numeral 13 denotes an authentication server, which authenticates whether the user who has accessed remotely is a regular registered user.
[0021]
When the product information client 11 on the management production side 3 is connected to the product information server 10, it activates the database editing application. This database editing application calls the product information search means 16, the product information registration means 18, the correction instruction search means 17, and the correction update means 19 as needed in accordance with the operator's dialogue instruction input to perform necessary database editing work. The merchandise information server 10 incorporates a database management means 14, which responds appropriately to database search requests and update requests issued by the four means in response to interactive operations on the merchandise information client. Manage and maintain the product database.
[0022]
Equipment on the manufacturer side 2 is a product information client 21 (21a, 21b,...) And a dial-up router 22 for connecting the product information client 21 to the product information server 10 when necessary. The dial-up router 22 is connected to the access server 12 on the management production side 3 through a circuit switching network 4 provided by a communication carrier.
[0023]
When the product information client 21 on the manufacturer side 2 is connected to the product information server 10, it activates the database calibration application. This database proofreading application calls the product information search means 16, the correction instruction search means 17, and the correction instruction creation means 15 as needed in response to the dialogue instruction input of the person in charge, and performs the proofreading work of the database contents. The database management means 14 of the merchandise information server 10 manages and maintains the correction instruction history table of the merchandise database in response to database search requests and correction instruction record registration requests issued by the three means.
[0024]
In the configuration of FIG. 1, how to select the connection means on the manufacturer side and the database management company side in particular has no essential meaning in the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows only an appropriate configuration when a public circuit switching network provided by a communication carrier is used as 4. In addition, when the dedicated line provided by the communication carrier is used as 4, it is possible to adopt a TCP / IP protocol network, in which case the device configurations of 22 and 12 are set according to the respective cases. Choose appropriately.
[0025]
Next, the management maintenance process flow of the product database system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a database management / maintenance process flow of the product database system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, when the database proofreading application is started, the manufacturer searches for product information by product name, product number, etc. by a standard tree search (S20), and specifications for each single product number. Is displayed (S22), and the content is checked. If there is something to correct here, a dedicated correction instruction form is displayed and the attribute value of the product is entered (S24). If a link material is designated in step S20, a list of link materials is displayed (S26), and image and graphic data can be checked. In step 28, the correction instruction content is registered in the correction history table.
[0026]
On the other hand, on the database management side, new registration / content correction of database contents is performed by the function of the database editing application. A list of correction instructions for a specific product number is displayed by a standard tree search (S30) or correction instruction search (S32) (S34). Information is entered (S36), and the database is updated in step S38.
[0027]
In the above steps, S20, S22, S26, and S30 depend on the function of the product information search means 16. S 32 and S 34 depend on the function of the correction instruction retrieval means 17. S24 and S28 depend on the function of the correction instruction creating means 15. S <b> 36 depends on the function of the merchandise information registration means 18. S38 is due to the action of the correction update means 19.
[0028]
The fixed tree search in step S20 operates as follows. The manufacturer person in charge connects to the product information server 10 and inputs the user name password. Once authenticated and allowed to log in, the main menu screen is displayed. Here, by selecting “Search for products by product name / product number”, the screen for the standard tree search (FIG. 3) is displayed. In the merchandise information client of this embodiment, one user interaction screen is divided into four frames, a direct search window, a sub window, a menu window, and a main window, as shown in FIG. The direct search window is used for quick searches. The sub window displays the previous screen. The menu window is displayed as a menu. The main window is the original dialog input screen. A list of product name groups is displayed in the main window of FIG. 3, and a lower screen is displayed by designating one of these product names. When a specific product name is clicked in FIG. 3, the main window of the client screen becomes the screen of FIG. 4 displaying a product number list of the product name.
[0029]
The specification composition display step (S22) operates as follows. When the spec display of any product number is clicked in the main window of FIG. 4, a spec display screen of the product of that product number as shown in FIG. 5 appears (S22). In the screen of FIG. 5, the main window is divided into two upper and lower parts. The upper part is a window for displaying an image. Product specifications (text information describing product features and specifications) are displayed in the lower part.
[0030]
The correction instruction creation form step (S24) operates as follows. If there is a part to be corrected in the displayed product specifications, the correction instruction issue button at the bottom of FIG. 5 is clicked. There are two types of issuance of correction instructions, and when correction of product specifications is designated by the attribute value of the product, a correction instruction issuance (form) is clicked. To issue a correction instruction using text instead of the attribute value of the product, click “Issue correction instruction (general)”. In either case, a correction instruction creation form is displayed (S24).
[0031]
When a correction instruction issuance (form) is clicked, a form-format correction instruction issuance screen as shown in FIG. 8 appears on the client terminal screen. This is a form that allows you to specify all attributes of a product spec by value. On the other hand, when a correction instruction issue (general) is clicked, a correction instruction issue screen as shown in FIG. 11 appears. The person in charge writes a correction instruction in a memo format in the text input field in the center.
[0032]
The link material list display step (S26) operates as follows. In step S20, when one of the material links (images or figures / marks) of a specific product number is clicked from the main window in which the product number list is displayed, the corresponding material link list screen (FIG. 6 or FIG. 7) is displayed. Is done. FIG. 6 is a screen displaying a list of image data linked to a certain product number. Similarly, FIG. 7 is a screen displaying a list of linked graphic data. By clicking the correction instruction input (general) button at the bottom of the main window, correction instructions can be generated for these component material data.
[0033]
After specifying and filling in the necessary correction instructions on the correction instruction issue screen, clicking the issue button at the bottom of the window registers the correction instructions in the database. At this time, one correction instruction record in the correction instruction history table is registered corresponding to one correction instruction entry screen. This one record includes a correction target record, a correction instruction issuer, an instruction date and time, a target item, and a correction value of the item. In the case of issuing on the form format screen, one or more target items are provided as necessary. In the case of issuing in the sentence format, only one type of item that means the sentence format is created as the target item, and the memo text is set as the correction value.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the product information client 11 connects / logs in to the product information server 10 and starts up the database editing application, the management production side 3 selects whether to perform a fixed tree search or a correction instruction search on the main menu screen. . If the latter is selected, the correction instruction search (S32) is performed. The correction instruction search can be performed by the product name and the product number, or can be performed from the correction date or the correction instruction creator. FIG. 9 shows a screen for searching on the correction instruction date. In the main window, the number of correction instruction records is listed for each date when correction is instructed, according to what the correction instruction has already been handled (confirmation column) and uncorresponding (unpaired column). Yes.
[0035]
The correction instruction list display step of S34 operates as follows. When one of the lists in the main window of FIG. 9 is clicked, a screen for displaying a list of correction instruction record contents created on the date as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. There is a corresponding field for each target item (correction location) of one correction instruction record, and the person in charge selects either “adopted”, “confirmed”, or “completed” as the corrective action. Instruct by. (However, the correction instruction input (general) for which the correction instruction is given is selected from “confirmation” and “done”.) “Adopt” means that the data record is updated according to the value of the correction instruction. If there is a question about the contents of the correction instruction, it is resolved by contacting the correction instruction person. In this case, if it is determined that the correction instruction is incorrect, “confirm” is selected and the current correction instruction is ignored. In addition, although the correction instruction is not an error, if the data of the database has already been recorded with that value, “Done” is selected in the corresponding column of the correction instruction record.
[0036]
Regardless of which of the above three options is selected, a new screen corresponding to each selection is displayed and comments can be entered. FIG. 13 is a display screen when “Confirm” is selected in FIG. There is a text input screen in the center. The person in charge can enter the reason why “confirmation” is selected in this field, for example, “Ignored because the correction instruction is clearly wrong. Please issue the correct correction instruction again”. The correction instructor searches for the correction instruction later, and for the correction instruction issued by himself, the correction instruction record is displayed in detail for the corresponding value of “confirmation”, and the screen of FIG. 13 is displayed. Read the comments, and issue correct correction instructions again later if necessary. Even for a correction instruction record whose corresponding value is “Done”, it is possible to confirm a comment or the like of the manager in relation to the result of the correction instruction issued by himself / herself.
[0037]
FIG. 14 shows an editing form. When registering a new product specification, when manually inputting a correction instruction according to a correction instruction (general), an attribute value is input into the corresponding input field using this editing form.
[0038]
The database update step in step S38 operates as follows. After selecting “Adopt” on the correction instruction list display screen (FIG. 10), when the update button at the bottom of the screen of FIG. 15 is clicked, a database update request for changing the value of the attribute item is made by the function of the correction update means 19. Issued to the database management means 14 and the database contents are updated. Similarly, when the edit form is filled in manually and the registration button at the bottom of FIG. 14 is clicked, the correction update means 19 is similarly called to update the database contents.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, if the product database system is configured based on the embodiment of the present invention, the work can be performed with the same work sharing as before the digitization between the manufacturer side and the catalog production side. In addition, the manufacturer side can make a large number of persons in charge check the database, and the database management side can have a small number of specialized persons in charge of actual database update operations.
[0040]
In addition, it is possible to smoothly work on situations that are actually likely to occur, such as mistakes in correction instructions, misunderstandings, and duplication. Also, there are two ways of giving correction instructions: a method in which correction values are individually specified for each attribute item in a form format and a method in which a correction value is specified in a text format, which are suitable for actual operation. Such a merchandise database system is unprecedented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product database system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a process flow schematic diagram of the product database system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a fixed tree search screen (top layer).
FIG. 4 is a fixed tree search screen (part number list).
FIG. 5 is a specification display screen.
FIG. 6 is a link image display screen.
FIG. 7 is a link graphic display screen.
FIG. 8 is an entry screen for issuing a correction instruction (form form).
FIG. 9 is a correction instruction search screen.
FIG. 10 is a correction instruction display screen.
FIG. 11 is a correction instruction issue (memo format) screen.
FIG. 12 is a frame explanatory diagram of a dialog screen.
FIG. 13 is a screen that appears when “Confirm” is selected in the correction instruction.
FIG. 14 is a specification editing screen.
FIG. 15 is a screen that appears when “Adopt” is selected in the correction instruction.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Product database system 2 Manufacturer side 3 Database management production side 4 Communication path 10 Product information server 11 Product information client 12 Access server 13 Authentication server 14 Database management means 15 Correction instruction creation means 16 Product information search means 17 Correction instruction search means 18 Products Information registration means 19 Correction update means 21 Product information client 22 Router

Claims (5)

A database that stores product information, a product information server that manages information in the database and provides a response to a search request, and a plurality of products that issue search requests to the product information server and present the results to the user A product database system composed of information clients,
The database includes product data such as product photographed images and mark figures, a product master table describing a link between product data and the product data for each product or product group, and the product data or product specifications. Including a correction history table that records correction instructions as a record,
The product information server and the product information client are based on a correction instruction creating means for creating one correction instruction, a correction instruction searching means for searching and displaying a correction instruction that matches a specific search condition, and a correction instruction. By including a correction update means for updating the database,
A product database system characterized in that maintenance of a product database can be performed separately by a person who issues a database content correction instruction and a person who performs an actual correction. One record of the correction history table includes a correction target record, an instruction issuer, an instruction date and time, one or more target items, a corrected value of the target item,
The commodity database system according to claim 1, wherein the correction instruction retrieval unit displays the contents of one record in the correction history table together with a value before correction of the item for each target item. The product database system according to claim 2, wherein one record of the correction history table further includes a corresponding field for each target item,
The correction instruction retrieval means is an attribute value of the corresponding field that indicates whether the operator who performs the actual correction corrects each instruction target item according to the instruction, ignores the instruction, or does not need to be corrected. By providing a means to fill in or select the database, it is possible for the database correction operator to perform database maintenance work appropriately in response to incorrect instructions, inconsistencies in instructions, and duplication of instructions. Product database system. 4. The product database system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the correction instruction creating means selects a correction instruction related to a specific product by designating a target item and entering a value after the correction. The database correction instruction can be flexibly performed by making it possible to use two methods: a method of creating a correction instruction record of the above and a method of entering correction contents in text without being bound by the target item. Product database system. The product database system according to claim 3,
One record of the correction history table includes a comment field corresponding to the corresponding field, and
The correction instruction retrieval means is provided with means for entering the reason and comment in the comment column when the value of the corresponding field is selected, so that the correction operator is not so A merchandise database system characterized by telling whether the treatment has been performed and allowing the corrector to take an appropriate action as necessary.

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