JP2002009876A - Data communicating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communicating method with which cost and labor, which are required for introduction and operation of EDI, are reduced and data can highly efficiently be communicated by EDI. SOLUTION: In the data communicating method, standard data of EDI is set to electronic data which can be converted from data including a two-dimensional code by a computer system, communication is performed between the computer systems where a network and the like are constructed by EDI including the rule of standard data and communication is performed by EDI where data are filled by XML. Thus, introduction and operation of EDI become possible in medium and small companies which cannot afford a large amount of funds and human resources, and communication of a picture and the like by EDI is facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication method which enables two-dimensional codes or data including two-dimensional codes to be communicated by EDI at low cost and high efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A group of companies that share data (for example, the manufacturing industry of steel, automobiles, construction materials, etc., and the distribution industry of chain stores, etc.) are using EDI (Electronic Data).
(Interchange: electronic data exchange system)
By standardizing the communication protocol, data format (data representation method) and others, the vast amount of data relating to business such as business, settlement and inventory management can be efficiently used in a computer network. Has been replaced. However, in the conventional EDI, a basic contract for data online, a system operation contract, a protocol relating to a communication protocol between computer systems, and a protocol relating to a method of expressing data (format) are provided. In detail, E
The introduction and operation of DI are extremely complicated and require a huge amount of information investment.

[0003] For this reason, EDI-introduced companies are limited to companies capable of investing a huge amount of information (substantially, companies between or close to large companies, and some high-profit companies). The rate of introduction of EDI in Japan is only about 28% (refer to the Japan Information Processing Association Development Association, edited by "Domestic EDI Survey," published in May 1999).

[0004] Since the EDI significantly improves the efficiency of the business such as business, settlement and inventory management of the introducing company, EDI for various domestic businesses of industry standard and EDI for international business (UN / UN / EDIFACT) has been proposed. For UN / EDIFACT, 42 standard messages have been developed in the areas of ordering, billing, payment, physical distribution and merchandise information.

On the other hand, an open type computer network
(Typically, the Internet) uses HTML (HTM) even when computer systems are different.
L: hyper Text Markup Langua
ge) to provide a readable and writable environment. However, HTML has many restrictions on tags, a document structure and a document structure, and also has many restrictions on a browser display method. For that purpose, it is a language for the same purpose as HTML, and is an XML in which the structure and display of sentences are free.
(EXtensible Markup Language)
e) has been proposed.

[0006]

It is known that data communication by the conventional EDI has many problems including information investment which can be enormous in terms of introduction and operation. For example, there are the following problems (i) to (v).

(I) The conventional EDI is a merchandise management system and an online ordering / ordering system (Elect) in the distribution industry.
sonic Ordering System (EOS)
Is used in combination with a bar code. However, in these systems, a JAN symbol (a bar code system for automatically reading JAN codes) is attached to commodities (for example, foods, pharmaceuticals, magazines, cosmetics, toys, etc.), and the JAN symbols are added. Bar codes are only used to improve the efficiency of reading symbols by bar code readers. The data read by the bar code reader is transmitted to the terminal computer by radio or the like. In the terminal computer, the operation staff inputs the transmitted data into a unified slip of the EDI protocol (generally, it is determined in detail). Therefore, the conventional E
Even if DI is used in combination with a bar code, the work in the company becomes more complicated, and special operation personnel are required.

[0008] (ii) Many small and medium-sized enterprises in which it is difficult to bear information investment are in a state where EDI has not been introduced.
There is a new economic disparity between EDI-operated companies (often large companies) due to information disparities.

(Iii) It is difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to introduce a conventional EDI that requires complicated work from the viewpoint of human resources.

(Iv) In industries where information investment is difficult (for example,
The textile and apparel industry) becomes inefficient as the industry as a whole does not introduce EDI.

(V) At present, many small and medium-sized enterprises manually input a voucher of a trading partner and send it to the partner by facsimile or the like. However, in an input operation to a counterpart slip having a different format, the probability of an input error and an input error is increased, and a check and correction operation is constantly performed.

The first aspect of the present invention solves these problems, and enables a low-cost new business that can be introduced and operated even by a company (typically, a small and medium-sized company) that cannot afford it. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple EDI data communication method. In the first aspect of the present invention, a two-dimensional code
Providing a data communication method capable of communicating by DI;
Also aim. The first aspect of the present invention is to convert an image or the like into a two-dimensional code.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a data communication method which can be converted into a data and communicated by EDI. A first object of the present invention is to provide a data communication method which enables communication by EDI without requiring special knowledge of a computer.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a data communication method which makes the first invention easier to use in an open network.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems The first invention (claim 1)
In the data communication method according to the present invention described in (1), the data communication method is established between computer systems that are communicably connected.
A method of communicating data by DI, wherein standard data of EDI can be converted from two-dimensional code or data including two-dimensional code by conversion means provided in the computer system. The electronic computer is set to the electronic data, and the transmitting computer system communicates by converting the two-dimensional code or data including the two-dimensional code into standard data and communicating with the receiving computer system. Method,
It is characterized by.

Second invention (the invention according to claim 2)
Is a method of communicating data by EDI determined between computer systems that communicably connect the data, and the standard EDI data is provided in the computer system. The conversion means converts the two-dimensional code or data including the two-dimensional code into electronic data which can be described by XML, and the transmission-side computer system sets the two-dimensional code. Alternatively, it is a method of converting data including a two-dimensional code into standard data described in XML and communicating with the receiving computer system.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First and second embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below. [First invention] In the first invention, a two-dimensional code on which an image or the like is also displayed or data including a two-dimensional code is directly read into a transmitting-side computer system and EDI is transmitted.
This is a method of communicating with the receiving computer system after being processed by the standard data. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of computer systems include:
It is connected to a network and can communicate. The computer system includes, for example, a CPU, a memory, and an I / O.
It has a computer main body such as an O interface, hardware such as a peripheral device such as a display and a printer, and software such as a software program and an OS for executing the object of the present invention. The hardware of the computer system is arbitrary in size and form, and can be used from a desktop type to a small portable type.

The computer system is connected to another computer system in any form so as to be communicable with a public or dedicated wired or wireless communication line. The connection form between the computer systems is, for example, a closed-type or open-type (typically, Internet) network, a client / server method, and a VAN.
And so on. If the open network is the Internet, general-purpose Internet technologies (standard protocol TCP / IP, Web browser) can be used, and the database can be shared. In addition, the operation of the computer by the business executor can be facilitated, and the capital investment and operation costs can be reduced. However, in the case of using an open network, security is ensured by devising an ID and password, encrypting data, and the like.

The computer systems that are communicably connected are operated based on EDI concluded by their communicators (for example, companies, organizations, and individuals). EDI
The contract is, for example, a basic contract for online data,
The system includes a contract for system operation, a contract for a communication protocol, and a contract for a representation format of standard data (standardized electronic data).

In the present invention, the representation format of the standard data (standardized electronic data) is such that the computer system can convert the two-dimensional code or the electronic data that can be converted from the data including the two-dimensional code. -Data range. That is, the expression format of the standard data is set in accordance with the level of the conversion technology of the computer system. In addition, the representation format of the standard data is set within a range of electronic data that enables smooth communication (exchange) between the computer systems.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a system for setting the expression format of standard data in the present invention.

The EDI standard data is, for example, a flexible expression format using a free format (a description format in which line breaks and the like are free except for the description of a range designated by a symbol) or a format similar thereto. It is desirable that the advantages of the two-dimensional code be used for EDI. A two-dimensional code is a code having information in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and has an information amount of about several tens to several hundred times the bar code (for example, about several hundred bytes). (Recording capacity) is possible. In addition, the two-dimensional code has an error correction function and an omnidirectional reading function. When the number of digits is the same as that of the one-dimensional code, it is about 1/10 to 1/45. It is possible to print even large size prints.

The communication method according to the present invention makes it possible to easily and inexpensively perform communication of data which has conventionally been complicated by utilizing the performance of the two-dimensional code. For example, even if there is a large amount of product information, a two-dimensional
The data can be read into a computer system, converted into standard data, and communicated. The communication method of the present invention provides a transaction for exchanging a large amount of commodity information and a transaction for exchanging commodity information including images (for example, a transaction relating to apparel commodities), or a transaction for judging the value of commodities by looking at commodities information alone ( For example, the virtual commerce of e-commerce
) Can be performed accurately and easily.

According to the communication method of the present invention, since the data of the two-dimensionally coded image is read into the computer system and exchanged between the computer systems by EDI, the business data includes the image. Even if there is, communication becomes possible easily and at low cost. An image is converted from a graphic mode to a text mode by decomposing it into pixels (pixels) and adding addresses, and is converted into standard data. By performing an operation of performing the reverse conversion from the text mode to the graphic mode on the receiving computer system, it becomes possible to view the image on a computer monitor or as a printed image. The two-dimensional code can be composed only of an image, or can be composed of a combination of an image and one or more of numerals, characters, or symbols.

The two-dimensional code may be a stack-type two-dimensional code (a code in which bar codes are stacked in multiple stages (ie, a stack)) or a matrix-type two-dimensional code.
C (a cell in a form in which cells (that is, cells) are filled)
Either type can be used. The two-dimensional code is typically a QR code, PDF417, data code and maxi-code, but other two-dimensional codes are used.
Codes, such as array code, code block, code one, peri code, maxi code, code 16K, color code, CP code, box figure code, code 49
Also, a soft strip or the like can be used. Two-dimensional core
The data is read by a laser method or a CCD line sensor method, transmitted to a computer, and converted into standard data. Also, the two-dimensional code shown in the document is
It can also be read directly by a computer and converted to standard data.

Data communicated between computer systems
The data can be arbitrary in type, quantity, etc., but are, for example, commercial and industrial data communicated between companies. Commercial and industrial data include, for example, data relating to negotiations, ordering, distribution, settlement, advertising, and information collection.
And so on. The communication operators of the computer system are not limited in terms of the size of the company, can belong to any type of company, and have no margin for investing in investment and companies with limited human resources. Is also possible.
The industries to which the company belongs include, for example, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining, construction, manufacturing, electricity / gas / heat supply / water supply, transportation / communications, wholesale / retail, eating and drinking, finance, insurance Business, service, advertising, publishing, education, medical, or waste disposal.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is an example of an embodiment that is variously included in the present invention. A slip (two-dimensional code) with numbers, letters, and two-dimensional code
The slip 30) is read by the sending computer system, converted into standard electronic data, and
After confirmation on the monitor, it is stored in the database of the memory and printed if necessary. The two-dimensional code represented on the slip 30 with the two-dimensional code may be located at a location other than shown (for example, upper left, center, lower right, lower left) or at a size other than shown (for example, (The size that occupies the entire slip, and is extremely small). In addition, the slip 30 may be provided with a plurality of two-dimensional codes, or may be composed of only two-dimensional codes.

The standard electronic data of the slip 30 is communicated from the transmitting computer system to the receiving computer system by EDI. The communication executor of the receiving computer system can analyze the received data according to the purpose and use it. When a transaction (e.g., e-commerce virtual mall) is performed between computer systems, the data (e.g., various data on apparel products) is transmitted to the receiving computer. In the data system, the data is edited and analyzed to be suitable for the judgment of the transaction. The communication executor of the receiving computer system can convert the received data into a two-dimensional code (for example, a two-dimensional code including an image) and use the converted data for a transaction decision.

In the present invention, since the data including the two-dimensional code is read into the computer system and communicated by EDI, the operation of the computer system requires special technical training on the computer. It is possible even if not.

[Second invention] The second invention is a communication method according to the first invention which utilizes a two-dimensional code. And the characteristics of the two-dimensional code are synergistically utilized on the Internet.

The free text structure of XML can be defined by an XML text creator, and DTD (D
document type definition). In addition, the free text display is defined by the XML creator or the browser.
Can be defined by the XCL (eXten
It is also defined by using a simple style language. For this reason, it becomes possible to determine EDI standard data with flexibility, and the range of standard data conversion (standard electronic data conversion) of two-dimensional codes is expanded.
Electronic data changed from the two-dimensional code can be used for communication over the Internet.

When converting a two-dimensional code and converting it into data described by XML, the data is converted into standard data for EDI which negotiates between computer systems. Also, by describing in XML, UN / EDI
FACT (International Standard EDI) or JDICOS
It becomes possible to convert the data into standard data defined in (EDI of distribution standard), and enjoy the benefits derived from those EDI. Since the conversion software program has a database of EDI standard dictionaries (repositories), conversion to EDI can be easily performed.

The transmitting computer system converts the data including the two-dimensional code into EDI standard data described in XML and receives the standard data described in XML via the Internet. Communicate to the local computer system. XML is used for various programs (for example, XSL,
Using a Java program, a perl program, or the like), it is possible to expand the use environment by converting to HTML.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data of the description can be converted into the HTML description by the XML and the communication can be performed at a low cost by utilizing the general means derived from the HTML of the Internet. . Therefore, even enterprises (typically, small and medium-sized enterprises) with no financial and human resources can introduce EDI to efficiently communicate conversion data from two-dimensional code using the Internet. be able to.

[0033]

According to the first data communication system of the present invention, various effects represented by the following (1) to (5) can be obtained. (1) Even small and medium-sized enterprises can introduce EDI without financial or human resources. (2) Two-dimensional code information can be directly communicated by EDI. (3) By converting an image or the like into a two-dimensional code and converting it into standard data, the communication of the image by EDI is significantly improved in quality and quantity. (4) Since the data including the two-dimensional code can be read and converted into EDI standard data, the EDI introducing company does not need special operation personnel. (5) The expression format of EDI standard data is determined according to the technical level of conversion of the computer system of the EDI introducing company. According to the data communication system of the second invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, the following (i) to (ii)
Various unique effects such as i) can be obtained. (I) In XML, a free text structure can be freely defined and a free text display can be defined. Therefore, there is a margin and flexibility in the conversion of two-dimensional codes into standard data on the Internet.
Two-dimensional code information can be easily used on the Internet. (Ii) Since XML can be easily converted to HTML, general means of the Internet can be used to acquire a high level of computer technology without financial and human resources. Even small and medium-sized companies can easily communicate two-dimensional code information through the Internet. (Iii) By writing in XML, UN /
Conversion to EDIFACT or JDICOS standard data is facilitated, and the advantages of those EDIs are enjoyed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system for performing a data communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a data expression format according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 slip with two-dimensional code

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for communicating data between computer systems communicably connected by EDI, wherein the standard data of the EDI is converted to a two-dimensional code by conversion means provided in the computer system. Is set to electronic data that can be converted from the data including the two-dimensional code or the two-dimensional code, and the transmitting computer system converts the two-dimensional code or the data including the two-dimensional code into standard data. −
A data communication method for converting data into data and communicating with a receiving computer system. 2. A method of communicating data by EDI determined between computer systems which communicably connect the data, wherein the standard data of the EDI is determined by conversion means provided in the computer system. The transmission-side computer system is set to two-dimensional code or electronic data that can be converted from data including two-dimensional code and can be described by XML, and the two-dimensional code or two-dimensional code is used. A data communication method for converting data including a code into standard data described in XML and communicating with a receiving computer system. 3. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein:
3. The data communication method according to claim 1, further comprising a means described in (2). (1) A two-dimensional code consisting of an image is read and an electronic data is read.
Means for converting the data into data. (2) There is provided a means for reading a two-dimensional code composed of a combination of an image and one or more of numbers, characters and symbols and converting it into electronic data. 4. The two-dimensional code is a QR code, a PDF.
417, data code and maxicode, but other two-dimensional codes such as array duck, codablock, code one, pericode, maxicode, code1
6K, color code, CP code, box graphic code
4. The data according to claim 1, wherein the data is a code, a code 49 or a soft strip.
Communication method. 5. The EDI standard data is UN / EDI.
5. The data communication method according to claim 2, wherein the data communication is standard data defined by FACT or JDICOS.