DM document generation system

Abstract

To provide a DM document generation system which is easily transferred, from a system of uniform DM (direct mail) issue using a Cheshire Label, to the system of the DM issue in which a medium and a content are changed for each customer.SOLUTION: A DM document generation system 10 comprises a template storage unit 16, a raw material data storage unit 18 which stores a plurality of pieces of image data, an extraction unit 12, and a content generation unit 14. The extraction unit 12 executes processing which extracts each mailing label included in a mailing PDF file, based on mailing label location information. The content generation unit 14 executes the processing which specifies a medium and a plan of the DM to be applied to each mailing label, based on a control code included in the mailing PDF file, the processing which disposes the mailing label on a template corresponding to the medium and the plan, and the processing which disposes the required image data on the template, to generate the DM document for each mailing label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a direct mail document generating system, and more particularly to a technology for generating a direct mail document used when printing direct mail with different contents for each destination. [Background technology]

[0002] Mail order businesses regularly issue large amounts of direct mail (DM) as part of their sales promotion activities for customers. In the address section of the DM, an address label 60 with the customer's postal code, address, name, etc. printed on it is affixed, as shown in Figure 8(a). There are many different types of address labels, one of which is the Cheshire Label System. This is a system in which, as shown in FIG. 8(b), multiple address labels 60 are printed on each page of a continuous form (stock form) 62 using a dedicated machine, and then the processes of gluing, cutting, and pasting are automatically performed. [Non-Patent Document 1] Japan Direct Mail Association / DM Glossary / Cheshire Label Internet URL: https: / / www.jdma.or.jp / data / term.php Search date: June 19, 2023

[0003] By using the Cheshire Label System, mail order businesses are freed from the manual task of printing address labels on individual tag stickers and attaching them to direct mail, making it possible to mail large volumes of printed materials to a huge number of customers. However, this means that the content and medium of the direct mail (envelopes, postcards, etc.) must be standardized.

[0004] On the other hand, by using variable printing technology, it is now possible to issue personalized direct mail with different contents for each customer. This is a technology that uses transaction data containing attribute information such as customer address, name, gender, date of birth, etc., as well as purchase history and applicable plans, to place optimal text and image data on a specified template, thereby generating direct mail documents with different content and media for each customer, including the addressee, and printing them all at once on a high-speed digital printer. [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2019-067244

[0005] With the advent of this variable printing technology, it is only natural that even mail order businesses that have previously used the Cheshire Label System to issue standardized direct mail would want to switch to a system in which they can issue personalized direct mail using variable printing technology. DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in order to link the customer list data that had previously been managed in-house to the direct mail document generation process using variable printing technology, there was a problem in that a new program would have to be developed to specify the layout and design of the addresses. In other words, printing companies that undertake variable printing are generally provided with customer list data in a general-purpose file format such as CSV, which requires coding to define the font, size, color, character spacing, line spacing, arrangement, etc. (layout and design) for each printing item such as postal code, address, name, title, customer number, etc., and naturally this requires debugging work.

[0007] In addition, when issuing personalized direct mail using variable printing technology, it is necessary to generate transaction data that specifies how the content and media of the direct mail should be changed for each customer, which was also a major obstacle for mail order businesses planning to transition to a new system.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to realize technology that eliminates the unnecessary hassle that occurs when transitioning from a uniform system of issuing direct mail to a system of issuing direct mail with different content for each customer, making it easier for traditional mail order businesses to reap the benefits of variable printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the DM document generation system described in claim 1 is characterized by comprising: an address PDF file in which multiple address labels are arranged on each page of the PDF file, with at least the customer's address and name displayed in a unique layout and design; address label position information specifying the position of the address labels arranged on each page of the address PDF file; a memory means for storing a template that forms the framework of the DM; a memory means for storing multiple image data to be arranged in frames set on the template; a means for extracting individual address labels included in the address PDF file based on the address label position information; a means for identifying at least one of the DM medium and plan to be applied to each address label based on a control code included in the address PDF file; a means for placing an address label in an address display frame set on a template corresponding to at least one of the medium and plan; and a means for generating a DM document by placing the necessary image data on the template.

[0010] The DM document generation system described in claim 2 is characterized by comprising: an address PDF file in which a plurality of address labels are arranged on each page of the PDF file, with at least the customer's address and name displayed in a unique layout and design; a memory means for storing address label position information specifying the position of the address labels arranged on each page of the address PDF file; and page data in which predetermined image data is arranged in each frame on a template that forms the framework of the DM, for at least one of the medium and plan of the DM; a means for extracting individual address labels included in the address PDF file based on the address label position information; a means for identifying at least one of the medium and plan of the DM to be applied to each address label included in the address PDF file based on a control code included in the address PDF file; and a means for generating a DM document by arranging the address labels in the address display frames set on the page data corresponding to at least one of the medium and plan.

[0011] The DM document generation system recited in claim 3 is the system recited in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control code is described in each address label of the address PDF file.

[0012] The DM document generation system recited in claim 4 is the system recited in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control code is described in each page of the address PDF file.

[0013] The DM document generation system recited in claim 5 is the system recited in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control code is described in the file name of the address PDF file. Effect of the Invention

[0014] In the case of the DM document generation system of this invention, address labels with unique layouts and designs are extracted from address PDF files and placed directly in the address display frame in the DM document. Therefore, simply by converting existing Cheshire label data into an address PDF file, it is possible to place address labels with completed layouts and designs in the DM document, making it possible to issue personalized DMs using variable printing technology without the need for new coding or debugging work. Moreover, by simply adding control codes to the address PDF file, it is possible to vary the direct mail medium and plan for each address label. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a DM document generation system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a preparation stage of this system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of an address PDF file. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control code. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the stage of generating a DM document. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a DM. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of control code written in the footer section of each page constituting an address PDF file. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a conventional Cheshire label. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the DM document generation system 10 of the present invention consists of a computer managed by, for example, a printing company, and has an extraction unit 12, a content generation unit 14, a template memory unit 16, a material data memory unit 18, a layout data memory unit 19, and a DM document memory unit 20.

[0017] The extraction unit 12 and the content generation unit 14 are realized by the CPU of a computer operating in accordance with a dedicated application program. Furthermore, the template storage unit 16, the material data storage unit 18, the layout data storage unit 19, and the DM document storage unit 20 are stored in a storage device of the computer.

[0018] The template storage unit 16 stores a plurality of templates that serve as the basis for a DM. Here, "template" refers to definition information that specifies the paper size and page structure of a DM, the size and position of the frame (area) included on each page, etc., and is stored for each DM medium and project.

[0019] Furthermore, the material data storage unit 18 stores a large number of image data (PDF files) to be placed in the DM. Each image data is prepared in advance for each DM medium and project, and the medium, project, and application frame (position) within the medium to which it is applicable are specified by the file name of each image data. For example, if there is image data with the file name "01-02-01-03.pdf", the first two digits (01) represent the medium on which the image data will be placed, the next two digits (02) represent the project related to the image data, the next two digits (01) represent the page within the medium on which the image data will be placed, and the last two digits (03) represent the frame (position) within the page.

[0020] In the layout data storage unit 19, image data required for the above templates is arranged in advance, and layout data (PDF files) completed as DM content is stored for each medium and project.

[0021] The extraction unit 12 is connected to a DB server 22 via a communication network. The DB server 22 is, for example, a computer managed by a mail-order business operator, and includes an address label data storage unit 26, an address PDF file storage unit 28, and an extraction setting information storage unit 30.

[0022] The address label data storage unit 26 stores existing address label data such as Cheshire labels that have been generated in accordance with a customer list of a mail-order business. This address label data has a format in which multiple customer address labels are arranged on each page for a continuous form (see Figure 8(b)), and each address label has a unique design and layout created by the mail order business.

[0023] The extraction setting information memory unit 30 stores the paper size of each page included in the address PDF file, information on the number of address labels included on one page (imposition information), and position information of each address label (e.g., the coordinates of two diagonal points).

[0024] The processing procedure in the preparation stage of this system 10 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the staff member 32 of the mail-order business starts an application program for editing Cheshire labels on the PC terminal 34, and reads the existing address label data (Cheshire label data) stored in the address label data storage unit 26 (S10).

[0025] Next, the staff member 32 uses a PDF printer driver to convert the address label data into a multi-page address PDF file (S12). FIG. 3 shows an image of this address PDF file, with multiple address labels 42 arranged on each page 40. Each address label 42 inherits the layout and design of the address label data on which it is based, and also holds the text data of the characters displayed.

[0026] Next, the staff member 32 starts up an application program for editing PDF files on the PC terminal 34, and adds the necessary control codes to the address PDF file (S14). Here, the control code refers to a code that is referenced when a DM document is generated and that exerts a function of controlling the medium, design, etc. of the DM.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the types of control codes. For example, the "medium distribution code" in No. 1 is a two-letter code that specifies the medium for the direct mail. Additionally, the "Plan Code" in No. 2 is a two-letter code that specifies the plan that applies to the DM. No. 3 "Issue Flag" is a one-character code that controls whether a DM will be issued for this project (1: Issue) or whether the issuance of a DM will be postponed this time (2: Delete).

[0028] No. 4 "Delivery requirement code" is a two-letter code that determines whether the printed direct mail is to be taken directly to the post office and dropped off (01: mailed) or taken to the sender's company (02: direct delivery). No. 5 "Sender Code" allows you to change the sender's name and address information written in the direct mail by entering a two-letter code. No. 6 "Delivery destination code" is a two-letter code that is used to assign the company to which the created DM is delivered. NO.7 "Postal Code" describes the seven-digit postal code and is used for mail sorting when the text data of the postal code is not embedded in the address label (details will be described later).

[0029] By describing the numerical values ​​of these control codes in a specific order, the corresponding processing is executed when the DM document is generated. It is not necessary to use all of these control codes, and there are no limitations on the place or method of description. Furthermore, the control codes are not limited to numerical values, but may be alphabets, symbols, katakana, hiragana, kanji, and the like.

[0030] In the example of FIG. 3, "01-01-1" or "01-02-1" that specifies the medium allocation code, project code, and issue flag is written in the upper right corner of each address label 42. These control codes are actually written in white text, so when printed on an address label, they are not visible to the naked eye. However, since the text data certainly exists in the relevant locations, it is possible for the data to be read by a computer.

[0031] After completing the addition of the necessary control codes, the staff member 32 stores the address PDF file in the address PDF file storage unit 28 (S16).

[0032] Next, the staff member 32 registers the extracted setting information in the extracted setting information storage unit 30 (S18). The extraction setting information here is composed of the size of the pages included in the address PDF file, the number of address labels included on each page, position information of each address label, and the like, as described above. The symbols α and β in FIG. 3 indicate diagonal points of each address label 42, and the respective coordinates are stored as position information of the address label. The method of identifying the address label position is not limited to this, and the address label position can also be identified by, for example, the coordinates of the center point of each address label and the label size (length and width dimensions).

[0033] Next, the processing steps at the stage of generating a DM document will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, the extraction unit 12 of the DM document generation system 10 reads the address PDF file stored in the address PDF file storage unit 28 (S30).

[0034] Next, the extraction unit 12 refers to the extraction setting information stored in the extraction setting information storage unit 30, and extracts individual address labels from each page in the address PDF file (S32).

[0035] Next, the content generating unit 14 distributes each address label to a medium according to the medium distribution code described in each address label (S34). For example, if two types of media, "four-sided V-bonded postcards" or "six-sided Z-bonded postcards", are used by customers in the current campaign, the content generating unit 14 divides the address labels into two, one for four-sided V-bonded postcards and one for six-sided Z-bonded postcards.

[0036] For address labels with the issue flag set to "2 (delete)", this indicates that they are not included in the current campaign, and so the content generating unit 14 deletes them (S36).

[0037] Next, the content generating unit 14 retrieves from the template storage unit 16 a template that matches the medium sorting code and project code of each address label, and retrieves the corresponding image data from the material data storage unit 18 (S38).

[0038] Next, the content generating unit 14 generates a DM document for one address label by placing each image data in a corresponding location on the template (S40). At this time, the address label is also placed in the address area of ​​the template. This DM document consists of a multi-page PDF file with two consecutive pages.

[0039] The content generation unit 14 repeats the processes of S38 and S40 for each extracted address label (S42 / N), and when processing for all address labels is completed (S42 / Y), sorts each DM document by medium based on the addressee's postal code (S44). This sorting based on zip codes is done in order to receive discounts on postage as classified mail.

[0040] Next, content generation unit 14 combines the sorted DM documents into one PDF file for each medium to generate a DM document (PDF file) for each medium (S46), and stores this in DM document storage unit 20 (S48).

[0041] The DM document (PDF file) for each medium stored in the DM document storage unit 20 is output to a large digital printer 44 and printed on paper that corresponds to the medium. For example, if a "6-sided Z-laminated postcard" is specified as the medium, the DM document is printed on specially laminated postcard paper, folded to normal postcard size, and then the contacting surfaces are peelably glued together to complete the DM50. The address section of this DM 50 has a corresponding address label 42 printed thereon.

[0042] 6(a) and (b) show specific examples of DM 50, each of which has an address label 42 printed in the left column on the front side. This address label 42 has the same layout and design as the address label data (Cheshire label data) on which it is based.

[0043] In addition, in the right column on the front side, image data with different contents is displayed according to the project code set on the address label. For example, for "Tanaka Jiro" shown in Figure 1(a), the planning code of the control code was set to "01: PD Multi-Card (Card Loan)," so advertisement 52 for "PD Multi-Card Card Loan" is displayed in the lower right column. In contrast, for "Saito Keiko" shown in the same figure (b), "02: PD Multi Card (preferential service)" was set as the planning code of the control code, so advertisement 54 for the "PD Multi Card preferential service" is displayed in the lower right column.

[0044] In the above, an example was shown in which a control code is written on each address label 42, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same control code can also be assigned to multiple address labels 42. FIG. 7 shows an example, in which a control code is written in the footer of each page 40 included in the address PDF file. In this case, the 10 address labels contained on each page are under common control.

[0045] For example, the footer of the first page contains the control code "01-01-1-01-01-01-1010044", so the following control is applied to all 10 address labels. · Media sorting code: 01··· 4-sided V-pressed postcard ·Project code: 01···PD Multi Card (Card Loan) ·Issue flag: 1···Issue · Mailing requirement code: 01··· Mailing ·Sender code: 01···Company A ·Delivery code: 01···Company D Zip Code: 1010044

[0046] In contrast, the footer of the fourth page contains the control code "03-02-1-02-02-01-2350019", so the following control is applied to the address labels contained on that page: · Media sorting code: 03··· 6-sided postcard ·Plan code: 02···PD Multi Card (preferential service) ·Issue flag: 1···Issue ·Shipping requirement code: 02···Direct shipping ·Sender code: 02···Company B ·Delivery code: 01···Company D Zip Code: 2350019

[0047] Incidentally, if "mail" is specified as the mailing requirement code, the DM50 for the address label will be transported by the printing company to the nearest post office and then dropped in the mailbox. On the other hand, if "direct delivery" is specified as the shipping requirement code, the DM50 relating to the address label in question will be transported to the mail order business's office, etc., and will be posted by the mail order business at the nearest post office.

[0048] When the control code contains this sending requirement code, the address labels 42 extracted by the extraction unit 12 are sorted into "mail" and "direct delivery" by the content generation unit 14, and after a DM document is generated for each sending requirement, they are printed as separate lots by the digital printer 44.

[0049] Furthermore, if a sender code is included in the control code, the content generating unit 14 writes the name, address, telephone number, etc. associated with the specified sender code in the DM content as the sender of the DM 50.

[0050] When a delivery destination code is included in the control code, the address labels 42 cut out by the extraction section 12 are distributed to each designated delivery destination by a content generation section 14, and after a DM document is generated for each delivery destination, the labels are printed as separate lots by a digital printer 44.

[0051] Instead of writing the control code in the address label 42 or page 40, it is also possible to add it to the file name of the address PDF file as follows: 01-01-1-01-01-01-1010044.pdf 02-02-1-01-02-01-1050001.pdf 03-02-1-01-01-03-1050005.pdf 03-02-1-02-02-01-2350019.pdf In this case, common control is applied to all address labels 42 contained in the same address PDF file.

[0052] As described above, the content generation unit 14 obtains a template that matches the media allocation code and project code in the control code from the template storage unit 16, and places image data and address data corresponding to the template, thereby making it possible to flexibly generate a variety of DM documents, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0053] In other words, the content generation unit 14 can easily generate a DM document by extracting layout data that matches the media allocation code and planning code in the control code from the layout data storage unit 19 and placing the address data in the address display frame set in the layout data. In this case, simpler control is possible by including a control code that specifies the layout data in the file name of the address PDF file and operating it so that common layout data is applied to each address label included in the same address PDF file.

[0054] In the above, an example has been shown in which the extraction unit 12 of the DM document generation system 10 directly references the address PDF file storage unit 28 and the extraction setting information storage unit 30 of the DB server 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the address PDF file and extraction setting information created by the staff 32 of the mail-order business can be provided to the printing business by attaching it to an e-mail or storing it in a USB memory. In this case, the address PDF file and extraction setting information copied to an appropriate storage device will be referenced by the extraction unit 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 DM Document Generation System 12 Extraction part 14 Content Generation Division 16 Template storage section 18 Material data storage unit 19 Print data storage section 20 DM Document Storage Unit 22 Database Server 26 Address label data storage unit 28 Address PDF file storage section 30 Extraction setting information storage unit 34 PC terminals 40 Pages of Address PDF File 42 Address Labels 44 Digital Printer 50 DM

Claims

1. An address PDF file in which a plurality of address labels are arranged on each page of the PDF file, each of which displays at least the address and name of a customer in a unique layout and design; Address label position information that specifies the position of the address label arranged on each page of the address PDF file; A storage means for storing templates that serve as frameworks for direct mail; A storage means for storing a plurality of image data to be arranged in frames set on a template; A means for extracting individual address labels included in the address PDF file based on the address label position information; A means for identifying at least one of a DM medium and a plan to be applied to each address label based on a control code included in the address PDF file; A means for arranging an address label in an address display frame set on a template corresponding to at least one of the medium and the project; A means for generating a DM document by arranging necessary image data on the template; A DM document generation system comprising:

2. An address PDF file in which a plurality of address labels are arranged on each page of the PDF file, each of which displays at least the address and name of a customer in a unique layout and design; Address label position information that specifies the position of the address label arranged on each page of the address PDF file; a storage means for storing layout data in which predetermined image data is arranged in each frame of a template that forms the framework of the DM, for at least one of the medium and plan of the DM; A means for extracting individual address labels included in the address PDF file based on the address label position information; A means for identifying at least one of a DM medium and a plan to be applied to each address label included in the address PDF file based on a control code included in the address PDF file; a means for generating a DM document by placing the address label in an address display frame set on layout data corresponding to at least one of the medium and the project; A DM document generation system comprising:

3. 3. The DM document generating system according to claim 1, wherein the control code is written in each address label of the address PDF file.

4. 3. The DM document generating system according to claim 1, wherein the control code is written in each page of the address PDF file.

5. 3. The DM document generating system according to claim 1, wherein the control code is written in the file name of the address PDF file.

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