JP2003228574A - Catalogue service system, and catalogue service method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make only a catalogue favorable for own company showed to an employee. <P>SOLUTION: Catalogue information requested from a client 50 of a catalogue insertion requesting person is accumulation-collected in a collective database 32. A manager in an each enterprise selects desired catalogue information out of the catalogue information in the collective database 32. The selected catalogue information is automatically transferred to a database 33 in the own company. The catalogue information stored in the database 33 in the own company is provided to a client 12 of the employee in the own company. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a catalog service system and method for providing a catalog to a plurality of clients (terminals) via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a WEB server provides a catalog to a client connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and the user views the catalog displayed on the display screen of the client to purchase the product from the client. The method of selling the product to which you apply is well known.

[0003]

[0006] A company allows a client such as a personal computer installed in the company to connect to the Internet for business purposes. However, for this reason, a personal computer may display a catalog that is not desirable for the company.

Therefore, the present invention is directed to a plurality of companies.
It is to provide a catalog service system and method capable of providing a suitable catalog for each.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, the invention of claim 1 corresponds to a plurality of companies, and a plurality of company databases (33) storing catalog information, A comprehensive database (32) for storing catalog information requested to be published, and a first control means (34) for receiving the catalog information sent from the client (50) of the publisher and registering it in the comprehensive database.
And permitting the client (11) of the company catalog manager to browse the catalog information on the comprehensive database, and displaying the catalog information on the comprehensive database selected by the client of the company catalog administrator on the comprehensive database. Second to re-register in the corporate database corresponding to
Control means (31) and third control means (31) for allowing the clients (12) belonging to the plurality of companies to browse only the catalog information on the corresponding corporate database. It is characterized by that.

The above-mentioned part () is provided with the corresponding parts in FIG. 1 for understanding the invention, but is not limited to the invention.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the catalog service system according to the first aspect, the third control means corresponds to a plurality of companies and is capable of communicating with a plurality of clients of the manager and the user. Is characterized in that the plurality of servers perform personal authentication processing to identify a person who is permitted to browse.

The invention of claim 3 corresponds to a plurality of companies, and has a catalog service system having a plurality of corporate databases storing catalog information and a comprehensive database storing catalog information requested to be posted. On the other hand, a plurality of clients used by users of a plurality of companies and a client of a catalog posting requester are connected, and the catalog service system accepts the catalog information sent from the posting requester client and receives the catalog information. The catalog information is registered in the comprehensive database, the client of the company catalog administrator is allowed to browse the catalog information on the integrated database, and the catalog information on the integrated database selected by the client of the company catalog administrator is selected. The company that responds to the catalog information Re-register the use database for Kurainto of users belonging to the plurality of companies, and corresponding features to allow viewing of only the catalog information on a corporate database.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the catalog service method according to the third aspect, the catalog service system corresponds to a plurality of companies and is capable of communicating with a plurality of clients of the manager and the user. Is characterized in that the plurality of servers perform personal authentication processing to identify a person who is permitted to browse.

The invention of claim 5 corresponds to a plurality of companies and stores a plurality of corporate databases for storing search keys for searching catalog information and a comprehensive database for storing catalog information requested to be posted. A first control means for receiving catalog information and a search key specific to the catalog information sent from the client of the posting requester and registering the catalog key in the comprehensive database; A second control that allows browsing of catalog information on the database and re-registers the search key of the catalog information on the comprehensive database selected by the client of the catalog administrator of the company in the corporate database corresponding to the company. And corresponding corporate data for clients of users belonging to the plurality of companies A search key on the user interface to display the search key on the client of the user, and on the client, the catalog information having the selected search key is extracted from the comprehensive database and displayed by the user for display. And a third control means provided to the client.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the catalog service system according to the fifth aspect, the first control means receives a search key indicating a category to which the catalog information belongs from the client of the posting requester, and The catalog information is registered in the general database together with the catalog information, the second control means receives a search key indicating a category from the client of the catalog administrator, and registers it in the corporate database, and the third control means registers the category. It is characterized in that a list of displayable catalog information is provided to a client of a company by searching a comprehensive database with the search key shown.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the catalog service system according to the fifth aspect, personal authentication based on login information is required for the catalog posting requester to log in to the system. The control means acquires the search key indicating the catalog publication requester based on the login information input from the client of the publication requester for personal authentication, and is sent from the client of the catalog publication requester. The catalog information is registered in the general database together with the catalog information, and the second control means receives a search key indicating the catalog publisher from the client of the catalog administrator and registers it in the corporate database.
The third control means provides the client of the company with a list of displayable catalog information by searching the comprehensive database with a search key indicating the catalog publisher.

The invention of claim 8 corresponds to a plurality of companies, and a catalog service system having a plurality of corporate databases for storing catalog information and a comprehensive database for storing catalog information requested to be posted. On the other hand, a plurality of clients used by users of a plurality of companies and a client of a catalog posting requester are connected, and the catalog service system uses the catalog information sent from the posting requester client and the catalog information unique to the catalog information. The search key is accepted and registered in the comprehensive database, the catalog information of the company is permitted to be browsed by the client of the corporate catalog administrator, and the comprehensive information selected by the client of the corporate catalog administrator of the corporation is selected. The search key for catalog information on the database Re-registering in the corporate database corresponding to the business, provide the search key on the corresponding corporate database to the clients of the users belonging to the plurality of companies, and display the search key on the client of the user, In the client, the catalog information having the selected search key is extracted from the comprehensive database and provided to the user's client for display.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the catalog service method according to the eighth aspect, the catalog service system receives a search key indicating a category to which the catalog information belongs from the client of the posting requester,
By registering in the comprehensive database together with the catalog information, accepting a search key indicating a category from the client of the catalog administrator, registering it in the corporate database, and searching the comprehensive database by the search key indicating the category, The client is provided with a list of displayable catalog information.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the catalog service method according to the eighth aspect, in order for the catalog posting requester to log in to the catalog service system, personal authentication based on login information is required. The catalog service system acquires a search key indicating the catalog publication requester based on the login information input from the client of the publication requester for personal authentication, and sends the search key indicating the catalog publication requester from the client of the catalog publication requester. Registering in the comprehensive database together with catalog information, accepting a search key indicating the catalog publisher from the client of the catalog administrator, registering in the corporate database, and searching the comprehensive database by the search key indicating the catalog publisher. Displayed to clients of the company by Characterized in that it provides a list of the performance catalog information.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, 10 is a computer system of each company (hereinafter simply referred to as a system). The computer system 10 has a plurality of clients 11 and 12. The plurality of clients may be LAN-connected or stand-alone. The administrator client 11 is used by a catalog administrator (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as an administrator) to select a catalog suitable for the company. The client 12 is used by an employee who browses a catalog provided to the client of the system 10.

Although the clients 11 and 12 are directly connected to the communication network 20 in the example of FIG. 1, a connecting device may be interposed between the system 10 and the communication network 20. For example, client 1
If 1 and 12 are connected, a communication server may be needed. If the clients 11 and 12 are stand-alone, a router and a communication server of the provider will be necessary. The above-mentioned device for connecting the computer system to the communication network is well known, and may be appropriately determined according to the configuration of the system 10.

Various information processing devices having a communication function can be used for the clients 11 and 12. In the present embodiment, a personal computer will be described as an example. In order to display an HTML document described later on the clients 11 and 12,
A well-known browser (also called a viewer) is installed. For the browser, for example, Internet Explorer (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation can be used.

To the communication network 20, clients 11 and 12 of a plurality of companies' systems 10 and a catalog service system 30 are connected. In this embodiment,
The communication network 20 is assumed to be the Internet, but well-known wired and wireless communication networks can be used as the communication network 20.

The catalog service system 30 has a plurality of Ws.
EB server 31, one comprehensive database 32, a plurality of corporate databases 33 and reception WEB server 34
Have. These devices are connected by a LAN.

The plurality of WEB servers 31 are provided for each company. A well-known communication program for providing catalog information to the clients 12 in each WEB server 31, for example, a communication program called IIS (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation and guide information for browsing the catalog, and product purchase. The guide information for is installed. This software has the function to access the information registered in the database. However, if the communication program does not have the function to access the database, it has this function and the information between the communication program and WEB server 3 which can send and receive gateway programs
It is good to install it in 1. As a gateway program, CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
ce) is well known.

The comprehensive database 32 is constructed on a server computer. The comprehensive database 32 is a database for storing the catalog requested by the catalog listing requester.

A plurality of enterprise databases (one in FIG. 1 due to drawing space) 33 are provided corresponding to each enterprise. The plurality of company databases 33 store catalog information provided to the clients 12 of the system 10 of each company and guidance information for purchasing products. In this embodiment, as the catalog information and the guidance information, an HTML document and image information, audio information, moving image information and the like used in this HTML document are used.

The reception WEB server 34 is connected to the clients 50 of a plurality of catalog information requesters via the communication network 40. In the reception WEB server 34,
Receives the catalog information sent from the client 50,
A communication program for transmitting guide information described below to the client 50, a gateway program for accessing the comprehensive database 32, and guide information for accepting a request for catalog information are installed. You may use the program which has a function of both a communication program and a gateway program. The guide information for receiving the catalog information is the HTML document and this H
It is composed of image information, audio information, moving image information, etc. used in the TML document.

The catalog service system further includes clients 11, 12, 5 that log in to this system.
It has a storage device (not shown) that stores a user ID and a password for permitting 0 login.

The communication network 40 may be a known wired or wireless communication network, or may be the same as the communication network 20.

The client 50 of the catalog publication requester is equipped with a well-known browser for transmitting the catalog of the publication request.

The operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a processing procedure for requesting the catalog registration of the client 50. FIG. 3 shows the client 11
The processing procedure for catalog selection and re-registration is shown below. Figure 4
Shows a processing procedure for the client 12 to purchase a product. FIG. 5 is a catalog service system 30 in FIG. 3, more specifically, a WEB server 31 and a reception WEB server 34.
The processing procedure of is shown. The catalog service system 30 of FIG. 1 is a system whose main purpose is to provide information services for each company, and employs a member system. Therefore, it is assumed that a user ID and a password (generically referred to as login information) for login are given in advance to the employees and managers of the company and the catalog listing requester.
Moreover, the WEB server 3 is provided to the employees and managers of each company.
Top page of the company's HTML document on 1 (top document)
It is assumed that the URL for accessing to has been notified. Further, it is assumed that the catalog publication requester is notified of the guide information of the catalog publication request, that is, the URL for accessing the HTML document for guidance.

(Catalog Information Registration Request) The catalog posting requester activates the browser of the client 50 and inputs the URL given to himself / herself into the client. The browser of the client communicates with the communication program of the reception WEB server 34, and the HTL specified by the above URL.
Request M documents.

In response to this, the reception WEB server 34 transmits the login information input screen to the client 50.
The client 50 displays the received login information input screen on the display screen and waits for the login information input from the catalog listing requester.

The catalog posting requester inputs login information (user ID and password) from the keyboard of the client 50 (step S10 in FIG. 2). The login information entered is W from the client 50 as is well known.
It is sent to the EB server 50.

The reception WEB server 34 uses the login information collation function of the communication program to make the client 5
The login information input from 0 is compared with the login information stored in the storage device (not shown) to perform personal authentication (steps S3010 → S3020 in FIG. 5). When the login information of both sides match and the login is permitted, the reception WEB server 34, based on the URL (request for the HTML document) received prior to the login information, the reception WEB server 34, in this case, the HTML document designated by this URL, An HTML document for guidance for registering catalog information to be published is read by the communication program and transmitted to the client 50 (steps S3040 → S3050 in FIG. 5).

The client 50 receives the guidance HT
Display the ML document on the display screen.

In this mode, the menu screen is displayed first (step S20 in FIG. 2).

On the menu screen, there are prepared a registration menu for the product providing catalog, a correction / deletion menu for the catalog, and a registered catalog reference menu.

The catalog publication requester uses a mouse or the like to instruct a selection menu, in this case a registration menu (step S30 in FIG. 2).

The client 50 requests the reception WEB server 34 for the HTML document corresponding to the selected menu item in accordance with the command specified in the guidance HTML document. In response to this request, the reception WEB server 34 transmits the registration HTML document to the client 50 (steps S3030 → S3040 in FIG. 5). H for registration sent
The TML document is displayed on the display screen of the client 50 (step S40 → S50 in FIG. 2). The catalog posting requester receives the catalog information to be posted according to the guide indicated by the displayed HTML document for registration and receives the WEB server 34 for reception.
(Input) to (step S60 of FIG. 2). At this time, additional information such as a write command for the comprehensive database 32, the name of the posting requester, and the product name is also sent from the client 50 to the reception WEB server 34.

Upon receiving the write command, the reception WEB server 34 registers the received auxiliary information and catalog information in the comprehensive database 32 (step S in FIG. 5).
3040 → S3050). Specifically, the catalog information is additionally stored in the catalog information storage area in the database 32, and the auxiliary information is additionally stored in the catalog list in the database 32.

When referring to (browsing) the registered catalog information, the catalog publication requester selects the catalog reference menu with the mouse in the menu display screen information (step 30 in FIG. 2).

By this selection, the client 50 follows the procedure of steps S40 → S100 → S200 → S21 in FIG.
The process proceeds to 0, and the reference screen display process described below is executed. More specifically, the request for the HTML document for displaying the catalog list is sent from the client 50 to the reception WE.
B is sent to the server 34. The reception WEB server 34 returns the requested HTML document to the client (steps S3030 → S3040 in FIG. 5).

HTML for displaying the catalog list
Based on the instruction described in the document, the posting requester requests the reception WEB server 34 for the auxiliary information of the catalog registered so far. The reception WEB server 34 responds to this request. Based on the login information of the posting requester, the catalog attached information of the posting requester is read from the list of the comprehensive database 32 and transmitted to the client 50 (steps S3030 → S3040 in FIG. 5).

The catalog attached information is displayed on the display screen of the client 50 according to the format specified by the HTML document for displaying the list. When the catalog publication requester selects a product name or the like he / she wants to refer to with the mouse, a request command for catalog information corresponding to the selected product name is sent from the client 50 to the reception WEB server 34.

The reception WEB server 34 takes out the requested catalog information from the general database 32 and transmits it to the client 50 (steps S3030 → S in FIG. 5).
3040).

The client 50 displays the sent catalog information on the display screen and ends the reference screen display process of step 210 of FIG.

When it is desired to modify or delete the registered catalog, the catalog publication requester selects the catalog modification / deletion menu on the menu display screen (step S in FIG. 2).
30).

In response to this selection, the client 50 advances the procedure to steps S40.fwdarw.S100.fwdarw.S110 in FIG. 2 to display the correction / deletion screen. Specifically, the HTML document of the correction / deletion screen is sent from the client 50 to the reception WEB server 34, and the reception WEB server 3
The HTML document of the correction / deletion screen returned from 4 is displayed.

The instruction for correction / deletion can be the same as the conventional one, but when an example of the correction is introduced, the corrected catalog information prepared in advance and the comprehensive database 3 will be described.
The replacement with the catalog information registered in 2 is given. When the catalog posting requester designates the corrected catalog information stored in the client 50 and instructs the correction with a mouse or the like, the client 50 sends the correction instruction and the catalog information to be replaced to the reception WEB server 34. The reception WEB server 34 corrects the catalog by overwriting and storing the received catalog information in the catalog information of the general database 32.

When the catalog information is a character string or the like, the catalog information is displayed on the display screen of the client, the content of the character string is changed by an operation from the keyboard in response to the catalog listing request, and the changed catalog information is stored in the comprehensive database. The catalog information of 32 may be overwritten and stored. Such a catalog correction process is conventionally the same as the correction of information on the database.

When deleting the catalog information of the comprehensive database 32, the catalog list of the catalog registered by the catalog posting requester is displayed on the display screen of the client 50, and then the supplementary information of the catalog information to be deleted is posted. The client may select it with the mouse. Identification information indicating the selected catalog information and a deletion command are sent from the client to the reception WEB server 34, and the WEB server 34 deletes the corresponding catalog information from the comprehensive database 34 (steps S3030 → S in FIG. 5).
3040).

Since the catalog information is registered in the comprehensive database 32 and the corporate database 33, the following options can be considered for correcting / deleting the catalog information in the comprehensive database 32.

The first option is the comprehensive database 3
When the catalog information of No. 2 is modified / deleted, the same catalog information of the corporate database 33 is also accepted for the WE.
Correction / deletion is performed by the B server 34. For the processing for this purpose, information processing technology well known in the art may be used.

The second option is the comprehensive database 3
Only in the case of No. 2, the correction / deletion process of the catalog posting requester is permitted, and the catalog information of the corporate database 33 is left as it is.

The system builder may decide in advance which option to use. The client 50 executes other processing in step S70 of FIG. 2, but since it is not related to the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Catalog selection by company catalog administrator)
For the catalog manager of the company, use H for the catalog selection screen in advance.
The URL indicating the storage location of the TML document is notified.
The catalog administrator of the company inputs the notified URL to the administrator client (hereinafter, simply client) 11. The client 11 uses the above URL by the browser.
Request the HTML document for catalog selection. The plurality of corporate WEB servers 31 that have received this request
Determines whether is the URL of the company to which it corresponds, and UR
The enterprise WEB server 31 that has obtained the determination result that the L-level corresponds to the client 11 responds to the client 11.

The corporate WEB server 3 sends the login information input screen to the client 11, and the login information input by the client 11 on this screen is transferred to the login information stored in the internal storage device (not shown). Collate and perform personal authentication. (Step S1010 in FIG. 3, step S3010 in FIG. 5).

When the personal authentication is completed, the corporate WEB server 31 sends the HTML document requested by the URL, that is, the HTML document for menu selection to the client 11.
Send to. As a menu, select the additional information (product name, etc.) of the catalog information in the list, a registration menu for instructing registration in its own corporate database, a deletion / correction menu for the registered menu, and a comprehensive database 32 There is a reference menu for catalog information.

Since the HTML document for menu selection is displayed on the display screen of the client 11, the catalog administrator selects a desired menu with the mouse (steps S20 → S30 in FIG. 2).

When the catalog administrator selects the catalog registration menu, the client 11 advances the procedure from step S1040 to step S1050 in FIG. 3 and executes the reference screen display processing. Specifically, the client 11 requests the catalog list HTML document from the corporate WEB server 31 and returns it from the corporate WEB server 31 (FIG. 5).
Step S3030 → S3050) The catalog list display HTML document is displayed.

The catalog administrator designates the catalog information he / she wants to refer to by pointing the attached information (product name, identification number, etc.) in the displayed list with the mouse.

The identification information of the instructed catalog information is sent from the client 11 to the corporate WEB server 31,
The corporate WEB server 31 takes out the requested catalog information from the comprehensive database 32 and sends it to the client 11 (steps S3030 → S3050 in FIG. 5).

The client 11 displays the transmitted catalog information on the display screen. Hereinafter, the catalog information displayed by the catalog administrator in the list is repeatedly displayed.

After referring to the catalog information, the catalog administrator operates the button displayed on the front screen to instruct the shift to the catalog registration processing. In response to this instruction (YES in the determination processing in step S1060 in FIG. 3), the client 11 obtains the registration HTML document from the corporate WEB server 31 and displays it (step S1070 in FIG. 3).

The catalog administrator inputs the catalog identification number from the keyboard and indicates the catalog information to be registered. As a method for this instruction, an instruction method suitable for the user such as an instruction for the attached information of the list may be appropriately determined.

The identification number and the registration command of the instructed catalog information are sent from the client 11 to the corporate WEB server 3
Sent to 1. The corporate WEB server 31 acquires the catalog information and the attached information on the comprehensive database 32 based on the instructed identification number, and additionally registers (re-registers) the catalog information in the corporate database 34.
Further, the attached information is additionally described in the list (steps S3030 → S3050 in FIG. 5).

When the catalog manager selects the catalog correction / deletion menu, the client 11 executes steps S1030 → S1040 S1100 → S111.
A process related to correction / deletion is executed in 0 → S1120.
That is, the correction / deletion screen is displayed, and the catalog manager follows the guidance informed on this screen.
Instruct to delete. This instruction is sent to the corporate WEB server 31 via the client 11, and the corporate WEB server 31 corrects / deletes the catalog information in the corporate database 34. In the case of deletion, the attached information is also deleted from the list.

When the catalog administrator wants to display the reference menu, a list of catalog information registered in the corporate database 34 is displayed on the client 11. The catalog information instructed by the catalog administrator is sent from the corporate WEB server 31 and displayed on the client 11 (steps S1040 → S1100 → in FIG. 3).
S1200 → S1210).

Regarding the request for the HTML document, the corporate server 31 transmits the HTML document stored in the internal storage device to the client 11 (step S3 in FIG. 5).
030 → S3040). On the other hand, reading the catalog information from the comprehensive database 32, the corporate database 3
When a command such as reading / writing of catalog information for 4 is received, the information processing instructed by the command is executed by the procedure of steps S3030 → S3050 in FIG.

(Purchase of goods) For viewing by people (general users) belonging to the company such as employees and officers of the company, a URL indicating the location where the HTML document for viewing is stored is previously set for each company. Be notified.

A general user sends U to the client 12.
Enter the RL. The browser of the client 12 accesses the corporate WEB server 31 corresponding to the company based on the input URL. A screen for inputting login information is displayed on the client 12 in the same manner as described above. A general user logs in by inputting login information into the client 11 (step S2010 in FIG. 4).

When the login is successful, the HTML document for menu display designated by the URL is sent from the corporate WEB server 31 to the client 12, and a so-called top page is displayed on the display screen of the client 12.

A catalog reference menu and a product purchase menu are prepared as menu items. When the general user selects the catalog reference menu with the mouse, the procedure proceeds from step S2040 to S2050 in FIG.
In this step, the catalog reference process is executed. Specifically, the catalog list is displayed on the display screen of the client 12, and the catalog information selected by the general user on this screen is sent from the corporate WEB server 31 and displayed on the display screen of the client 12. It

Thereafter, the above-mentioned processing is repeated until the general user finds the catalog of the desired product (loop processing of steps 2030 to S2060 of FIG. 4).

When the general user finds the desired product catalog, he or she operates the button on the display screen to instruct the shift to the product purchase process. When this instruction is confirmed by the client 12, the client 12 acquires the screen HTML document for product purchase from the corporate WEB server 31 and displays it on the front screen (step S2070 in FIG. 4).

In this embodiment, the general user requests the purchase of the product by the general user performing an operation of moving the icon assigned to each product to the basket-shaped icon on the display screen. Upon detecting that this operation has been performed, the client 12 sends an HTML document for inputting the name of the product purchaser and the payment method to the corporate WEB.
It is acquired from the server 31 and displayed on the display screen of the client 12. When the general user inputs the information necessary for purchasing the product using the keyboard or the mouse, the client 12 transfers the input information to the corporate server 31 (steps S2030 → S2040 → S210 in FIG. 4).
0 → S2110).

After other processing unrelated to the invention is executed in the client 12 in step S2120, the processing procedure of FIG. 4 ends.

In the above, the product purchase process has been described centering on the process of the client 12.
When the request for the TML document is received from the client 12, the requested HTML document is read from the internal storage device and delivered to the client 12 (S303 in FIG. 5).
0 → S3040). When receiving an instruction such as reading for browsing catalog information from the corporate database 34, the corporate database is accessed for the instructed information processing (step S30 in FIG. 5).
30 → S3050).

As described above, in this embodiment, the comprehensive database 32 stores the catalog information requested for publication, and the catalog manager selects the catalog information that he or she wants to publish in-house. Registration of the selected catalog information in the corporate database 34 is automatically performed by the corporate WEB server 31. In addition, the corporate WEB server 31
Authenticates the users (administrators and general users) belonging to the company with the login information, and permits only the users belonging to the company to browse the catalog information in the company database 34. Therefore, a catalog that is inconvenient for a company is not provided to users belonging to that company.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment is shown in FIG.
The hardware configuration can be the same as that of the first embodiment. In this form, the data structure of the company database 33 and the method of browsing the catalog information are different from those in the first embodiment.

Differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

In this embodiment, the concept of search key is introduced. The search key is the information used to search the database and is also known as queries and other expressions such as keywords. The catalog posting requester also registers the search key when registering the catalog information. The search key may be in the form of a character string or may be in the form of a predetermined identification code. In this form, the following three types of search keys are prepared. The first search key is the name of the publisher of the catalog, for example, the name of the product sales company, the name of the individual, the name of the advertising company, etc. may be used. The second search key is a category and can be, for example, various fields such as sports, business, men and women. The third search key is an identification code of a product handled by the catalog information. Multiple search keys are allowed for the second search key and the third search key. In principle, there is one first search key.

(Registration of Catalog Information) The catalog posting requester receives the catalog information from the client 50 through the reception WEB.
A second search key, such as "sports" and a third search key, such as "X
12345 ”is also input.

As a method of inputting, a character string or an identification code may be input from the keyboard, or a list of available search keys is displayed on the client, and the catalog posting user selects a desired search key with the mouse. You may enter the search key.

The catalog publisher is the reception WEB server 34.
Since the login information is entered when logging in to, the reception WEB server 34 refers to the list of the first search key and user ID prepared in advance, and corresponds to the catalog publisher who logged in. The first search key (name of the person who posted the catalog, for example, “AAA exercise equipment store”) is automatically acquired.

The first to third search keys thus obtained are registered in the comprehensive database 32 as the auxiliary information of the first embodiment. Also, association with the catalog information is performed. For associating the catalog information with the attached information, a known method such as adding a storage address of the other information to one of the pieces of information or adding a common data identification number to both pieces of information can be used. it can.

(Selection and re-registration of catalog information) When the catalog manager of a company refers to the catalog list of the comprehensive database, the client 11 is provided with a list having the above first to third search keys as one record. Is displayed.
The HTML document provided by the corporate WEB server 31 describes a format for displaying this list and a command for reading the search key described in the list from the general database 32.

The catalog administrator selects the desired record in the list with the mouse to select the catalog information that the company permits.

The third search key in the selected record is used by the corporate WEB server 31 as the corporate database 3
Registered in 3. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the catalog information is stored in the comprehensive database 32 and not in the corporate database 33.

The second embodiment further has a function of limiting browsing information by the first or second search key.

Client 1 based on HTML document
1st and 2nd in the catalog selection screen displayed in 1.
There are two input fields for individually inputting the search key of. The catalog administrator may, for example, enter a catalog posting requester name (or identification code) for the first search key in the first search key input field, for example, “AAA exercise equipment store”.
When is input from the keyboard, the input first search key “AAA exercise equipment store” is sent to the corporate WEB server 31.

The corporate WEB server 31 registers the input search key "AAA exercise equipment store" in the dedicated (second later-described) storage area in the corporate database 33. To avoid confusion, the corporate database 33 has a first storage area for storing only the third search key of the catalog information selected by the catalog administrator, and the catalog administrator can enter the first storage area. A second storage area is provided for storing the first and / or second search keys.

(Browsing Catalog Information) The point that the user of the company selects the catalog information to be displayed from the list is the same as in the first embodiment. However, when the first and / or second search key is described in the second storage area of the corporate database 33, the first search key and / or the second search key (category). Thus, the catalog information list of the comprehensive database 32 is searched. By this search, a record necessary for display on the client 12, that is, a record including the first to third search keys is obtained. The obtained search results are temporarily stored in the memory of the corporate WEB server. After that, the catalog information list of the company database is searched using the third search key registered in the company database 33.

With respect to the record obtained as a result of this search, the presence / absence of duplication determination with the record temporarily stored in the memory is determined, and the duplicate record is eliminated.

The record thus obtained is sent from the corporate WEB server 31 to the client 12 for displaying a list.

In the first embodiment, only a list of catalog information registered in the corporate database can be viewed. On the other hand, in the second embodiment,
In addition to the catalog information specified by the catalog administrator, all the ancillary information of the catalog information related to the company specified by the catalog administrator (the catalog posting requester indicated by the first search key) is included in the list.

By using this function, the company administrator does not have to individually select the catalog information registered in the comprehensive database 32, but only by designating the catalog publication requester, the catalog registered by the catalog publisher. All information can be selected. Further, this function allows the catalog publisher to select all the catalog information belonging to the category specified by the catalog administrator.

A further advantage of the second embodiment is that after the catalog administrator selects the catalog information, the new catalog information registered in the comprehensive database 32 can be easily added to the list displayed on the client 12. is there.

When the user of the company designates the record to be displayed from the list displayed on the display screen of the client 12 with the mouse, the third record in the designated record is displayed.
The search key (commodity identification information) and the read command are sent from the client 12 to the corporate WEB server 31. The corporate WEB server 31 searches the comprehensive database 32 with the sent third search key, and extracts the catalog information designated by the corporate user. The extracted catalog information is sent to the client 12 and displayed.

In addition to the above embodiments, the following modes can be implemented. 1) In the above embodiment, the catalog information is in the form of an HTML document, but it may be in the form of a markup language document other than the HTML document, various scripts, a word processing document, an image file, or the like. In such a case, an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) communication program may be used as an example of the communication program installed in the WEB servers 31 and 34. Also, client 1
An application program for displaying the received file may be installed in 0, 11, and 50. 2) In the above-described embodiment, the catalog information on the comprehensive database 32 is deleted according to an instruction from the client who requests the catalog from the client 50. However, when the predetermined determination condition is met, the reception WEB server 34 You may delete it automatically. The determination condition is, for example, when the storage period of the catalog information on the comprehensive database 32 exceeds a predetermined period. 3) A well-known method can be used as an input method for the user to input information in the clients 11, 12, 50. For example, keyboard input. Input methods such as mouse input with the assistance of a graphical user interface (GUI) can be used. 4) The company catalog manager and general user clients 11 and 12 can also be catalog posting requesters. In this case, the clients 11 and 12 are the clients 5
You can think of it as 0. In addition, as an improved form, corporate WE
The reception WEB server 34 may be accessed via the B server 31. 5) In the above-described embodiment, employees, officers, and the like are listed as users belonging to the company, but for retirees of the company, a retiree group and a catalog manager of the group are prepared, and WEB corresponding to this group is provided. The server 31 may be prepared. The employee in this case can be regarded as a user belonging to the company. 6) It is sufficient that the total database 32 is conceptually one, and from the viewpoint of hardware, the total database 3
The two accumulated data may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of storage devices. Further, a plurality of past devices may be arranged at a remote place by a communication network. 7) In the second embodiment, the third search key, that is, the identification number of the catalog information is used as the search key unique to the catalog information. A number or the like indicating the order of catalog registration for each requester can be used as a search key unique to the catalog information of the present invention.

Although the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment has been described above, the other processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Various improvements can be made in addition to the embodiment described above. As long as the improvement is based on the technical idea described in the claims, the improvement is within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, only the catalog desired by the catalog manager of the company is provided to the users belonging to the company without rejecting the catalog request of the catalog posting requester. .

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of servers authenticate users belonging to respective companies to a plurality of clients, the security is improved as compared with the case where a single server authenticates. It also has the advantage that the same login information can be accepted for users of different companies.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for catalog registration of a client 50.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for catalog selection and re-registration of the client 11.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for a product purchase of the client 12.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of WEB servers 31 and 34.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 12, 50 clients 30 Catalog service system 31, 34 WEB server 32 comprehensive database 33 Corporate Database

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 13/00 540 G06F 13/00 540A 17/60 306 17/60 306 314 314 328 328 ZEC ZEC

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of corporate databases that support a plurality of companies and store catalog information, a comprehensive database that stores catalog information requested to be posted, and catalog information sent from the client of the posting requester. First control means for accepting and registering in the comprehensive database, and permitting the catalog information on the comprehensive database to be browsed by the client of the corporate catalog administrator, and being selected by the client of the corporate catalog administrator of the enterprise. Second control means for re-registering the catalog information on the integrated database into a corporate database corresponding to the company; and for clients of users belonging to the plurality of companies,
A catalog service system comprising: a third control means for permitting browsing of only catalog information on a corresponding corporate database. 2. The catalog service system according to claim 1, wherein the third control means corresponds to a plurality of companies and has a plurality of servers capable of communicating with a plurality of clients of the administrator and the user. Then, the catalog service system is characterized in that the plurality of servers perform personal authentication processing to identify a person who is permitted to browse. 3. A plurality of companies for a catalog service system that is compatible with a plurality of companies and has a plurality of corporate databases that store catalog information and a comprehensive database that stores the catalog information requested to be posted. Is connected to a plurality of clients used by users of the catalog and the client of the catalog requester, the catalog service system accepts the catalog information sent from the client of the catalog requester, The catalog information is registered in the database, the catalog information of the company is permitted to be viewed by the client of the company catalog administrator, and the catalog information of the integrated database selected by the client of the company catalog administrator is selected by the company. Enterprise database supporting Respect to re-register, the user of Kurainto belonging to said plurality of businesses,
A catalog service method, which allows only browsing of catalog information on a corresponding corporate database. 4. The catalog service method according to claim 3, wherein the catalog service system has a plurality of servers corresponding to a plurality of companies and capable of communicating with a plurality of clients of the administrator and the user. A catalog service method characterized in that the plurality of servers perform personal authentication processing to identify persons who are permitted to browse. 5. A database for a plurality of companies, which stores search keys for searching catalog information, supports a plurality of companies, a comprehensive database for storing catalog information requested to be posted, and a posting requester. First control means for receiving catalog information and a search key unique to the catalog information sent from the client and registering the catalog information in the comprehensive database; and catalog information on the comprehensive database for a client of a company catalog manager. The second control means for permitting browsing of the catalog information and re-registering the search key of the catalog information on the comprehensive database selected by the client of the catalog administrator of the company in the corporate database corresponding to the company; For clients of users belonging to
Providing a search key on the corresponding corporate database,
Third control means for displaying a search key on the user's client, extracting catalog information having the selected search key from the comprehensive database on the client, and providing the catalog information to the user's client for display. A catalog service system characterized by having. 6. The catalog service system according to claim 5, wherein the first control means receives a search key indicating a category to which the catalog information belongs from the client of the posting requester, and the general information together with the catalog information. The second control means receives a search key indicating a category from the client of the catalog administrator and registers it in the corporate database, and the third control means uses the search key indicating the category. A catalog service system characterized by providing a list of catalog information that can be displayed to a client of a company by searching a database. 7. The catalog service system according to claim 5, wherein in order for the catalog posting requester to log in to the system, personal authentication based on login information is required, and the first control means is A search key indicating the catalog publication requester is acquired based on login information input from the client of the publication requester for personal authentication, and the search key indicating the catalog publication requester is acquired together with the catalog information sent from the client of the catalog requester. The second control means receives the search key indicating the catalog publisher from the client of the catalog administrator and registers it in the corporate database, and the third control means indicates the catalog publisher. Can be displayed on the client of the company by searching the comprehensive database with the search key A catalog service system characterized by providing a list of active catalog information. 8. A plurality of companies for a catalog service system that is compatible with a plurality of companies and has a plurality of corporate databases that store catalog information and a comprehensive database that stores the catalog information requested to be posted. Is connected to a plurality of clients used by users of the catalog and clients of catalog requesters, and the catalog service system accepts the catalog information sent from the client of the catalog requesters and the search key unique to the catalog information. , Catalog information on the comprehensive database selected by the client of the corporate catalog administrator, which allows the client of the corporate catalog administrator to browse the catalog information on the comprehensive database. The search key of Re-register the use database for Kurainto of users belonging to the plurality of companies,
Providing a search key on the corresponding corporate database,
A catalog, wherein a search key is displayed on the user's client, and catalog information having the selected search key is extracted from the comprehensive database in the client and provided to the user's client for display. Service method. 9. The catalog service method according to claim 8, wherein the catalog service system receives a search key indicating a category to which the catalog information belongs from the client of the posting requester, and stores it in the comprehensive database together with the catalog information. Catalog information that can be displayed on a client of a company by registering, receiving a search key indicating a category from the client of the catalog administrator, registering it in a corporate database, and searching a comprehensive database by using the search key indicating the category. A catalog service method characterized by providing a list of. 10. The catalog service method according to claim 8, wherein in order for the catalog posting requester to log in to the catalog service system, personal authentication based on login information is required, and the catalog service system is: A search key indicating the catalog publication requester is acquired based on login information input from the client of the publication requester for personal authentication, and the search key indicating the catalog publication requester is acquired together with the catalog information sent from the client of the catalog requester. By registering in the database, accepting a search key indicating the catalog publisher from the client of the catalog administrator, registering in the corporate database, and searching the comprehensive database by the search key indicating the catalog publisher, Catalog information that can be displayed on the client A catalog service method characterized by providing a list of.