Information processing system
The information processing system addresses the challenge of providing electronic information to clients by associating access information with specific information, enabling efficient selection and printing of identification codes, thereby reducing the workload of sales representatives and increasing their visit capacity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOKYO GAS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
Smart Images
Figure 0007865689000001 
Figure 0007865689000002 
Figure 0007865689000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes electronic pamphlet generation means for electronically converting content data related to pamphlets for lectures and seminars to generate and output an electronic pamphlet, selection support means for selecting at least one or more optimal electronic pamphlets for the various conditions presented by the pamphlet sender side and presenting them to the client terminal of the pamphlet sender side via the Internet, and electronic pamphlet viewing support means for automatically playing back the content of the selected electronic pamphlet to promote understanding.
Prior Art Document
Patent Document
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] Sales representatives often bring multiple types of catalogs and other materials to their clients in order to efficiently explain various products and services. As the types and number of materials carried increase, the weight increases, increasing the physical burden and limiting the number of clients they can visit. In response to this, technologies have existed for distributing materials as electronic documents so that those who wish to receive them can view them. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that provides electronic brochures to those who wish to receive brochures, according to various conditions they have set on a website. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot be used when a sales representative visits a client and provides electronic information to the client while communicating with them. Furthermore, when sales representatives provide electronic information, including electronic documents, to clients at their locations, they need to use communication tools such as email or social networking services (SNS). In this case, tasks such as confirming the client's address and extracting the electronic information to be provided to the client from a large amount of electronic information and attaching it to email or SNS are required, making it difficult to provide electronic information quickly. The present invention aims to reduce the workload of sales representatives who provide customers with information to assist in acquiring electronic information during visits. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is an information processing device characterized by storing access information for accessing electronic information to be provided to a customer in association with specific information which is information that identifies the electronic information; presenting the specific information associated with each of the plurality of access information to the user in an identifiable manner in which the user facing the customer can identify the user; acquiring specific information relating to the designation of one or more of the plurality of access information; generating or acquiring identification information which makes each of the one or more access information designated by the specific information readable; and providing the generated or acquired identification information to the user. The invention described in claim 2 is an information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific information is provider information indicating a provider of the electronic information. The invention described in claim 3 is an information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that it presents an image used by the user when selecting the access information as the provider information, so as to identify the provider. The invention described in claim 4 is an information processing device used by a user interacting with a customer, characterized in that it displays a list of specific information for identifying electronic information on a user interface, accepts an input operation to specify one or more of the specific information in the displayed list, performs control to transmit the information entered by the input operation as specified information, and acquires identification information that makes readable access information, which is generated or acquired based on the specified information, for accessing electronic information to be provided to the customer from among the electronic information. The invention described in claim 5 is an information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that it further accepts an input operation for forming a list of two-dimensional identification codes as acquired identification information on a printing medium, and in response to the input operation, it associates information for distinguishing each of the acquired two-dimensional identification codes with the information for distinguishing the two-dimensional identification code and performs control to form the list on the printing medium. The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing system comprising a server device and a user terminal, wherein the server device stores access information for accessing electronic information to be provided to a customer, associated with specific information which is information that identifies the electronic information, displays a list of the specific information associated with each of the plurality of access information on the display unit of the user terminal in a manner that allows the user facing the customer to identify, obtains specification information relating to one or more of the plurality of access information from the user terminal, generates or obtains identification information that makes each of the one or more of the access information specified by the specification information readable, transmits the generated or obtained identification information to the user terminal, the user terminal displays the list of specific information on a user interface, accepts an input operation to specify one or more of the specific information in the displayed list, controls the transmission of the information entered by the input operation to the server device as specification information, and obtains identification information that makes the access information generated or obtained based on the specification information readable. The invention described in claim 7 is a program that stores access information for accessing electronic information to be provided to a customer in association with specific information which is information that identifies the electronic information, presents the specific information associated with each of the plurality of access pieces of information to the user in an identifiable manner in relation to the user who is dealing with the customer, acquires designation information relating to one or more of the access pieces of information from the plurality of access pieces of information, generates or acquires identification information which makes each of the one or more access pieces of information designated by the designation information readable, and provides the generated or acquired identification information to the user. The invention described in claim 8 is a program that causes a computer to display a list of specific information for identifying electronic information on a user interface, accepts an input operation to specify one or more of the specific information in the displayed list, controls the transmission of the information entered by the input operation as specified information, and obtains identification information that makes readable access information, which is generated or acquired based on the specified information, for accessing electronic information that should be provided to the customer from among the electronic information. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] According to the present invention, the workload of sales representatives who provide customers with information to assist in acquiring electronic information at their destinations can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This figure shows the hardware configuration of the management server as an information processing device to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 3] This figure shows the hardware configuration of a sales terminal and an office terminal, which are information processing devices to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the management server according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the functional configuration of the sales terminal. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating an example of link information. [Figure 7] This chart shows an example of how sales representatives register favorites. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing an example of processing at a sales terminal. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the process by which the management server sends link information to be displayed on the user interface of a sales terminal. [Figure 10]This flowchart shows an example of the process by which the management server sends identification information that makes access information readable to the sales terminal. [Figure 11] This diagram shows an example of a screen displayed after a sales representative launches pre-installed application software on their sales terminal, performs a predetermined login procedure, and logs in. [Figure 12] This is an example of a user interface displaying a "catalog list." [Figure 13] This is an example of a user interface that displays a user's personal favorites. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of printing a 2D identification code for accessing electronic information onto paper using a portable printer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. (Overall configuration of the information processing system) Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 to which this embodiment is applied. The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a management server 10 that manages the entire information processing system 1, a sales terminal 30 used by sales representatives who visit customers' residences to conduct sales activities, and an office terminal 50 installed in the office of the corporation to which the sales representative belongs, and these are connected via a network 90. The network 90 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, etc. The management server 10, the sales terminal 30, and the office terminal 50 are each examples of information processing devices that constitute the information processing system 1.
[0009] In addition, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a portable printer 40 carried by a salesperson. The portable printer 40 is connected to the business terminal 30 by a wired connection using, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a wireless connection using Bluetooth (registered trademark). The portable printer 40 is a printing device carried by a salesperson. For example, a thermal printer that applies heat to a dedicated sheet for printing or an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a printing medium is used. If the salesperson does not bring the portable printer 40, for example, the image information to be printed may be transmitted externally and printed using a multifunction device such as a convenience store. A salesperson is an example of a user who uses the business terminal 30, which is one of the information processing devices. The salesperson in the present embodiment is, for example, a salesperson of a construction company that performs gas work or electrical work. The salesperson can introduce various products to customers. For example, the salesperson can introduce products of multiple manufacturers regarding various gas products and household appliances to customers.
[0010] (Hardware Configuration of Management Server) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 10 to which the present embodiment is applied. The management server 10 is composed of a computer device such as a desktop PC, for example. The management server 10 includes a control unit 11 which is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire device, a memory 12 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area during calculation, and a storage unit 13 which is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory used for storing programs and various setting data. In addition, it has a communication unit 14 that transmits and receives data via the network 90, an operation unit 15 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, and a touch panel that accepts input to the management server 10, and a display unit 16 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like that displays images, text information, and the like.
[0011] The storage unit 13 has at least a link information database 901 that stores link information and a favorite registration database 902 that stores favorite registrations. Here, the link information is information in which information identifying the electronic information to be provided to the customer and access information for accessing this electronic information are associated with each other. The link information will be described in detail later. Also, here, the favorite registration is to store link information in response to the request of the salesperson and enable easy acquisition of the stored link information. For example, the salesperson registers the link information of the electronic information that is expected to be provided to the customer in the future in the favorite registration. When the link information itself is stored in another database or the like, instead of storing the link information itself, it is also possible to store "information for identifying the link information" as the link information stored in the favorite registration. In this case, the link information stored in another database or the like is acquired using the "information for identifying the link information" stored in the favorite registration. In the present embodiment, in the favorite registration, an identification number is stored for each link information as information for identifying the link information, and the link information itself is stored in the link information database 901. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 13 of the management server 10 has the functions of various databases, but it is also possible to provide the functions of these various databases to an external database connected via the network 90.
[0012] (Hardware Configuration of Sales Terminal) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configurations of the sales terminal 30 and the office terminal 50 as information processing apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied. The sales terminal 30 is a terminal carried by a salesperson and is composed of, for example, a computer device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC. The sales terminal 30 has a control unit 31 that controls the entire device, a memory 32 used as a work area during calculation, and a storage unit 33 that stores various information. It also has a communication unit 34 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices, an operation unit 35 that receives operations from the salesperson, and a display unit 36 that displays various information to the salesperson.
[0013] (Office terminal hardware configuration) The office terminal 50 is a terminal installed in the office of a sales representative and consists of a computer device such as a desktop PC or a laptop computer. The office terminal 50 has a control unit 51 that controls the entire device, a memory 52 that is used as a work area for calculations, and a storage unit 53 that stores various information. It also has a communication unit 54 that sends and receives data with external devices, an operation unit 55 that receives operations from the sales representative, and a display unit 56 that displays various information to the sales representative.
[0014] (Functional configuration of management server 10) Next, the functional configuration of the management server 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 10 according to this embodiment. The management server 10 includes a link information acquisition unit 101 that acquires link information, which is information that associates access information for accessing electronic information with information that identifies the electronic information; a favorites management information acquisition unit 102 that acquires information for registering link information desired by a sales representative from among multiple pieces of link information; a link display request acquisition unit 103 that acquires a request from a sales representative to display information that identifies the electronic information on the display unit 36 of the sales terminal 30; and a print specification information acquisition unit 104 that acquires information for specifying access information to be provided to a customer. It also includes a link information management unit 105 that stores the information acquired by the link information acquisition unit 101; a favorites management unit 106 that registers the link information acquired by the favorites management information acquisition unit 102 to the sales representative's favorites registration; and a specific information presentation unit 107 that generates specific information to be displayed on the display unit 36 of the sales terminal 30 in response to a request to display information that identifies the electronic information. Furthermore, it includes a print information generation unit 108 that generates print information, a two-dimensional identification code generation unit 109 that generates a two-dimensional identification code from access information, and a transmission unit 110 that transmits the generated various information to a sales terminal 30 or an office terminal 50.
[0015] The link information acquisition unit 101 acquires link information, which is information that associates specific information that identifies electronic information to be provided to the customer with access information for accessing this electronic information. Here, the electronic information to be provided to the customer is information that is useful to the customer, such as the homepage of the company to which the sales representative belongs, a web page that contains a description of a specific product, an electronic catalog that contains descriptions of multiple products, advertisements, questionnaires, etc. The access information to the electronic information is information that indicates the location of a web page or file on the internet, such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
[0016] Here, the identifying information for electronic information is the information used by sales representatives to decide which of multiple electronic pieces of information to provide to a customer. Examples of identifying information for electronic information include the classification of the electronic information, the publisher of the electronic information, and a description of the content of the electronic information. For example, in the case of a product catalog, classification by product type such as "air conditioner," "oven," "gas stove," "toilet," and "bathroom" can be used. Furthermore, information about the publisher of the electronic information may include not only text information but also easily recognizable image information such as a logo mark that represents the publisher.
[0017] The link information acquisition unit 101 acquires link information transmitted from the sales terminal 30 and the office terminal 50 via the network 90. The link information management unit 105 associates the access information acquired by the link information acquisition unit 101 with specific information and stores it as link information in the link information database 901 (see Figure 2).
[0018] In this embodiment, the link information is classified into three categories according to the extent of its disclosure. The first is public link information, which can be used by all sales representatives. Because public link information can be used by all sales representatives, any errors in it would have a significant impact. Therefore, in this embodiment, only those authorized as administrators of this system are allowed to register or update public link information, and the operation unit 15 of the management server 10 accepts input of public link information. The second type is corporate link information, which is registered for each corporation and is only accessible to sales representatives belonging to that corporation. An example of electronic information corresponding to the access information registered in corporate link information is access information to electronic information specific to that corporation, such as flyers or questionnaire forms created by that corporation. In this embodiment, a person authorized to register and update corporate link information is set for each corporation. The third type is personal registration link information, which is link information that can only be used by registered sales representatives. It is registered at the request of the sales representative and may include, for example, access information to electronic information that the sales representative frequently provides to customers, or access information to a web page introducing the sales representative.
[0019] The Favorite Management Information Acquisition Unit 102 acquires Favorite Management Information transmitted from the sales terminal 30 or office terminal 50. Here, Favorite Management Information is information that specifies link information to be registered as a "Favorite" and link information to be deleted from "Favorite" registration. Furthermore, the Favorite Management Information Acquisition Unit 102 acquires information about the sales representative who sent the Favorite Management Information. Information about the sales representative who sent the Favorite Management Information is obtained, for example, from the login information when the sales representative logs into the system. Favorite Management Information is transmitted from the sales terminal 30 or office terminal 50 to the management server 10 by, for example, the sales representative specifying the link information they want to register as a "Favorite" from among the multiple link information displayed on the sales terminal 30 or office terminal 50. The favorites management unit 106 stores link information for each sales representative in the favorites registration database 902 (see Figure 2) based on the favorites management information acquired by the favorites management information acquisition unit 102.
[0020] The link display request acquisition unit 103 receives a request from the sales terminal 30 to display link information for sales representatives to select access information to provide to customers. In the information processing system 1 to which this embodiment is applied, the link information to be displayed is divided into three categories: "catalog list," "favorites (corporate)," and "favorites (individual)." The request to display link information includes information indicating one of the three categories. Hereinafter, the categories included in the request to display link information will be referred to as the display categories.
[0021] The specific information presentation unit 107 generates information for presenting specific information on the user interface of the sales terminal 30 based on the information acquired by the link display request acquisition unit 103. The specific information presentation unit 107 generates information for displaying specific information included in the link information using the display classification acquired by the link display request acquisition unit 103 and information identifying the company to which the sales representative belongs and the sales representative. Information identifying the company to which the sales representative belongs and the sales representative is obtained, for example, from the login information when the sales representative logs into the system.
[0022] The print information generation unit 108 generates print information based on the specified information acquired by the print specification information acquisition unit 104. If the specified information contains a QR code (registered trademark) for the specified access information, the unit acquires that information. If the QR code is not stored, the unit uses the 2D identification code generation unit 109 to convert the access information into a QR code and acquires the QR code. A QR code is an example of a 2D identification code.
[0023] Next, the functional configuration of the sales terminal 30 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the sales terminal 30. The sales terminal 30 includes a specific information acquisition unit 301 that acquires specific information, and a display control unit 302 that controls the display of the user interface of the sales terminal 30. It also includes a display classification specification unit 303 that specifies the display classification of link information for which specific information should be displayed, a favorite registration specification unit 304 that specifies link information for which favorite registration should be registered, a link information addition unit 305 for registering new link information, and a print request specification unit 306 that specifies access information to be provided to the customer. Furthermore, it includes an identification information acquisition unit 307 that acquires identification information sent from the management server 10, a print control unit 308 that uses the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 307 to control printing the identification information on a medium to be provided to the customer, and a transmission unit 309 that transmits various information to the management server 10.
[0024] The specific information acquisition unit 301 acquires a list of specific information transmitted from the management server 10. The display control unit 302 uses the list of specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 301 to display the list of specific information on the user interface of the sales terminal 30. The sales representative can use the displayed list of specific information to select the electronic information associated with the specific information. The display classification designation unit 303 accepts the display classification of link information specified by the sales representative. In other words, in this embodiment, when a sales representative requests the display of specific information, they specify the display classification of the link information they wish to display. As mentioned above, the display classifications of the link information to be displayed are classified into three categories: "Catalog List," "Favorites (Corporate)," and "Favorites (Individual)." In the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, when the display classification "Catalog List" is specified, the specific information registered as public link information is displayed on the display unit 36 of the sales terminal 30. When the display classification "Favorites (Corporate)" is specified, the specific information registered by the corporation to which the sales representative belongs, among the specific information registered as corporate link information, is displayed. And when the display classification "Favorites (Individual)" is specified, the specific information of the link information registered as favorites for each sales representative is displayed. The Favorite Registration Designation Unit 304 receives designation information from a sales representative who uses specific information displayed on the sales terminal 30 to specify the link information of the electronic information they wish to register as a favorite. Once the designation information specifying the link information of the electronic information to be registered as a favorite is obtained, the acquired designation information is sent to the management server 10 via the transmission unit 309 as favorite management information.
[0025] The link information addition unit 305 accepts requests from sales representatives to add new link information using the user interface of the sales terminal 30. It then sends the newly received link information to the management server 10. In addition, those authorized to register and update corporate link information can add or update corporate link information. The print request specification unit 306 accepts instructions from a sales representative to print one or more electronic items that they wish to provide to a customer, using specific information displayed on the user interface. The identification information acquisition unit 307 acquires print information transmitted from the management server 10. The print information includes identification information for accessing electronic information. The print control unit 308 controls the portable printer 40 based on the print information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 307 to print on the medium to be handed over to the customer. The transmission unit 309 transmits various information to the management server 10.
[0026] The office terminal 50 has the same functions as the sales terminal 30. Sales representatives can use the office terminal 50 to register "favorites" and "link information" in advance before visiting customers. Compared to the sales terminal 30, which needs to be carried around, the office terminal 50 can use devices such as a display unit 56 with high visibility and an operation unit 55 with a keyboard that provides easy text input. Sales representatives can easily perform registration operations using the office terminal 50.
[0027] (Specific example) Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of link information. Link information stored in the link information database 901 (see Figure 2) is managed collectively according to the classification of link information. Public link directories manage public link information, corporate link directories manage corporate link information, and individual registration link directories manage individual registration link information. Each piece of link information has the following fields: "Identification Number," "Update Date," "URL," "Registered by," "Provider," "Logo," "Classification," "Title," "Description," and "QR." The "Identification Number" is a number that identifies each piece of link information. The "Update Date" is the date the link information was registered or updated. The "URL" is the access information for the electronic information. The "Registered by" is the person who registered the link information. The "Provider" is the provider of the electronic information. The "Logo" is image information that indicates the provider, for example, a trademark indicating the provider. The "Classification" indicates the classification of the electronic information. The "Title" is the title of the electronic information. The "Description" is a description of the electronic information. The "QR" indicates whether or not information that has been converted from the URL, which is the access information for the electronic information, into a QR code is stored.
[0028] Figure 7 is a chart illustrating a specific example of how sales representatives register favorites. The "Personal Favorites" table in Figure 7 has the following columns: "User Number," "Password," "Name," "Affiliation (Corporate)," "Favorite Number," and "Link Identification Number." The "User Number" is a number assigned to each sales representative. The "Password" is the password that the sales representative uses to log in to the application. The "Name" is the name of the sales representative, and the "Affiliation (Corporate)" is the name of the company to which the sales representative belongs. The "Favorite Number" is a sequential number assigned to each link information that the sales representative has favorited, and the "Link Identification Number" is the identification number of the link information that the sales representative has favorited.
[0029] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the sales terminal 30. When an input operation to start the application software is performed on the sales terminal 30 (YES in step 911), the sales terminal 30 accepts the input operation and displays the user interface on the display unit 36 (see Figure 3) (step 912). Conversely, if no input operation to start the application software is performed (NO in step 911), the sales terminal 30 repeats step 911 until an input operation to start the application software is performed. If the sales terminal 30 receives a display classification as a request to display link information from a sales representative via the user interface (YES in step 913), it sends the received display classification to the management server 10 along with the request to display link information (step 914). If, however, the sales terminal 30 does not receive a request to display link information from a sales representative via the user interface (NO in step 913), the sales terminal 30 repeats step 913 until it receives a request to display link information.
[0030] In step 914, when the sales terminal 30 sends a request to display link information to the server, along with the display classification it received as the display classification for the link information to be displayed, the sales terminal 30 obtains the link information from the management server 10 (step 915). The sales terminal 30 then displays the link information obtained from the management server 10 on the user interface (step 916) and receives at least one specification of link information to be printed from the sales representative via the user interface (step 917). When the sales representative finishes selecting the link information, the sales terminal 30 receives a print command from the sales representative via the user interface (step 918). In step 918, upon receiving the print command, the sales terminal 30 sends the identification number of the link information specified as the link information to be printed to the management server 10 (step 919). The sales terminal 30 then obtains identification information from the management server 10 that makes the access information readable (step 920), performs print control to print the link information including the obtained identification information (step 921), and the process ends.
[0031] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process by which the management server 10 sends link information to be displayed on the user interface of the sales terminal 30. Figure 9 shows the processing performed by the management server 10 between step 914 in Figure 8, when the sales terminal 30 sends a request to the management server 10 to display link information, and step 915, when the sales terminal 30 obtains the link information from the management server 10. In step 931, if the management server 10 receives a request from the sales terminal 30 to display link information, it determines the display classification of the link information obtained along with the request to display link information (step 932). Conversely, if the management server 10 does not receive a request from the sales terminal 30 to display link information (NO in step 931), it repeats step 931 until it receives a request to display link information.
[0032] If the management server 10 determines in step 932 that the display category included in the acquired request is "Catalog List", it retrieves link information from the public link collection (step 933). If the management server 10 determines in step 932 that the display category included in the acquired request is "Favorites (Corporate)", it retrieves link information from the link collection of the corporation to which the sales representative belongs (step 934). If the management server 10 determines in step 932 that the display category included in the acquired request is "Favorites (Individual)", it retrieves link information from the sales representative's favorites registration (step 935). When the management server 10 obtains link information in step 933 or steps 934, 935, it sends the link information to the sales terminal 30 (step 936) and terminates the process.
[0033] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the process by which the management server 10 sends identification information that makes access information readable to the sales terminal 30. Figure 10 shows the processing performed by the management server 10 between step 919 in Figure 8, when the sales terminal 30 sends information to the management server 10 that identifies the link information selected as the link information to be printed to the management server 10, and step 920, when the sales terminal 30 obtains identification information from the management server that makes access information readable.
[0034] In step 941, the management server 10 determines whether it has obtained the identification number of the link information specified as the link information to be printed from the sales terminal 30. If it has obtained the identification number of the link information from the sales terminal 30 (YES in step 941), the management server 10 selects one of the link information specified as the link information to be printed (step 942). On the other hand, if it determines that it has not obtained the identification number of the link information from the sales terminal 30 (NO in step 941), it repeats step 941 until it obtains the identification number of the link information specified as the link information to be printed from the sales terminal 30.
[0035] When the management server 10 selects one of the link information in step 942, it determines whether a QR code is stored in the selected link information (step 943). This QR code is an example of identification information that makes access information readable. If a QR code is stored (YES in step 943), the QR code stored in the link information database 901 (see Figure 2) is retrieved as identification information that makes access information readable (step 945). If no QR code is stored in step 943, the 2D identification code generation unit 109 of the management server 10 generates a QR code from the access information (step 944), and the generated QR code is retrieved as identification information that makes access information readable (step 945).
[0036] When the QR code is obtained in step 945, the management server 10 determines whether there are any link information that has not yet been selected in step 942 among the link information specified as the link information to be printed (step 946). If there is still link information that has not yet been selected in step 942 (YES in step 946), the server returns to step 942 and selects one of the link information that has not yet been selected (step 942). If it is determined in step 946 that all link information has been selected in step 942 (NO in step 946), the management server 10 sends the obtained QR code as identification information to enable reading of access information to the sales terminal 30 (step 947), and the process ends.
[0037] Figure 11 shows an example of a screen displayed after a sales representative launches application software pre-installed on the sales terminal 30, performs a predetermined login operation, and logs in. In the example in Figure 11, three rectangular areas are shown: area 951 labeled "Catalog List," area 952 labeled "Favorites (Personal)," and area 953 labeled "Favorites (Corporate)." Tapping within area 951 labeled "Catalog List" takes you to a screen where you can view public link information. Tapping within area 952 labeled "Favorites (Personal)" takes you to a screen where you can view the link information registered in the favorites of the logged-in sales representative. Tapping within area 953 labeled "Favorites (Corporate)" takes you to a screen where you can view the corporate link information registered by the corporation to which the logged-in sales representative belongs.
[0038] Figure 12 shows an example of a user interface displaying the "Catalog List". As shown in Figure 12, the sort item field 961, labeled "Sort Item," displays a "Number" indicating the current sorting order of the catalog. Following the number, a dropdown button with a downward-pointing ">" is displayed. Selecting this dropdown button lowers the field labeled "Number," allowing you to select a sort item. In addition to "Number," other selectable sort items include "Update Date," "Category," and "Manufacturer Name," and selecting any of these changes the sort item. The sort order field 962, labeled "Sort Order," displays "Ascending Order," indicating the current sort order. Following "Ascending Order," a dropdown button is displayed. Selecting this button allows you to choose between "Ascending Order" and "Descending Order," and selecting either of these displays the list in that order.
[0039] Each link displays a logo mark 964, which is image information indicating the provider; catalog classification information 968, which indicates the catalog classification; provider information 969, which indicates the provider; URL information 965, which is access information; and a description 971, which is information describing the contents of the catalog. The logo mark 964, catalog classification information 968, provider information 969, and description 971 are examples of specific information. In addition, a button 970 labeled "Open in a new tab" is displayed corresponding to the URL information 965, and tapping this button 970 displays the page at the URL displayed in the URL information 965. The URL information 965 is an example of access information. Furthermore, a favorites registration button 967 labeled "Add to Favorites" is displayed corresponding to each link. Selecting this favorites registration button 967 registers the link information corresponding to the selected favorites registration button 967 to the favorites of the logged-in sales representative.
[0040] There is a print selection button 963 labeled "Print Target" along with a rectangular checkbox. When this print selection button 963 is tapped, the item is saved as a print target, and a mark indicating that it has been selected for printing appears in the rectangular checkbox. The sales representative then selects one or more electronic pieces of information they want to provide to the customer as print targets and taps the print button 966 labeled "Print". Tapping this print selection button 963 corresponds to accepting the selection of link information to print in step 917 of Figure 8. Then, tapping the print button 966 corresponds to accepting the print command in step 918 of Figure 8. Note that although only one link is displayed in Figure 12, scrolling will display other link information registered as public link information.
[0041] Figure 13 shows an example of a user interface displaying a user's favorites. This page displays a list of your favorited links. The following buttons are displayed: an add button (981) labeled "Add," a print button (982) labeled "Print," a register button (983) labeled "Register," and a delete button (984) labeled "Delete." Selecting the add button (981) displays a registration form for entering new link information. Selecting the print button (982) prints the selected link information. Tapping the register button (983) registers the newly created link information. Tapping the delete button (984) removes the favorited link information from the favorites list. Note that although only one link is displayed in Figure 13, scrolling will display other links registered as favorites.
[0042] Figure 14 shows an example of a paper document printed with a two-dimensional identification code for accessing electronic information using a portable printer. In this example, the date and time of printing are printed in the upper right corner. The words "Introduction Link" are printed in the upper center, and within a rectangular frame 991, information about one piece of electronic information and a QR code 993 for obtaining that information are printed. Within frame 991, "Company A" is printed as the provider information of the electronic information, and "http: / / www.···" is printed as the internet location information of the electronic information. Furthermore, corresponding to the QR code 993, distinction information 995 is printed to distinguish this QR code from other QR codes. The distinction information 995 is printed with a description of the electronic information content, stating, "Introduces Company A's product information, free consultations on purchase and renovation, estimate consultations, repairs, instruction manuals, and maintenance and usage of gas appliances." Below frame 991, frame 992 is printed, and within frame 992, information about one piece of electronic information and a QR code 994 for accessing that electronic information are printed. In addition, the distinguishing information 996 reads "B Company Product Online Catalog". In addition, in the example shown in the diagram, the sales representative's information is printed in the lower right corner, with "X Construction Company" printed as the sales representative's affiliation and "Responsible: XX XX" printed as the sales representative's name. Customers receive a piece of paper from a sales representative with a QR code printed on it to access electronic information. They then use their smartphone or other electronic device to scan the QR code and access the electronic information. Customers can refer to distinction information 995 and 996 to select which QR code to scan from a list of QR codes.
[0043] Although this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, a QR code was printed on a printable medium and provided to the customer as identification information that makes access information readable, but the configuration may also be such that the customer reads the QR code displayed on the display unit 36 of the sales terminal 30 with their smartphone or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0044] 1...Information processing system, 10...Management server, 11...Control unit, 30...Sales terminal, 31...Control unit, 40...Portable printer, 50...Office terminal, 51...Control unit, 90...Network, 101...Link information acquisition unit, 102...Favorites management information acquisition unit, 103...Link display request acquisition unit, 104...Print specification information acquisition unit, 105...Link information management unit, 106...Favorites management unit, 107...Specific information display unit, 108...Print information generation unit, 109...2D identification code generation unit, 110...Transmission unit, 301...Specific information acquisition unit, 302...Display control unit, 303...Display classification specification unit, 304...Favorites registration specification unit, 305...Link information addition unit, 306...Print request specification unit, 307...Identification information acquisition unit, 308...Print control unit, 309...Transmission unit
Claims
1. This is an information processing system comprising a server device and user terminals. The server device is Access information for accessing each of multiple electronic pieces of information is stored in association with identification information, which is information that allows the user to identify any particular electronic piece of information from among the multiple electronic pieces of information. For each of the multiple access pieces of information, a list of the specific information associated with each piece of information is sent to the user terminal. The user terminal is used to obtain one or more specified pieces of information from among the multiple pieces of specific information included in the list, which are specified by the user. Based on the specified information, generate or acquire two-dimensional identification information of the access information associated with one or more of the specified pieces of information designated by the user. The generated or acquired two-dimensional identification information is transmitted to the user terminal. The aforementioned user terminal is The list received from the server device is displayed on the user interface of the user terminal. The system accepts an input operation to specify one or more of the specified pieces of information from among the multiple specified pieces of information included in the displayed list. The specified information, which indicates the specific information specified by the input operation, is transmitted to the server device. The two-dimensional identification information is obtained from the server device. An information processing system characterized by the following:
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the specified information is issuer information indicating the issuer that issues the electronic information.
3. The information processing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the issuer information is the logo of the issuer.
4. Further comprising a portable printer carried together with the user terminal, The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the user terminal causes the two-dimensional identification information acquired from the server device to print on the portable printer.