U.S. patent application number 09/909902 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-24 for component management system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD.. Invention is credited to Endo, Koichi, Takahashi, Susumu, Yanagimoto, Takashi.
Application Number | 20020010662 09/909902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18715933 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020010662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Endo, Koichi ; et
al. |
January 24, 2002 |
Component management system and method
Abstract
A component management system includes: a component database for
registering component data regarding a plurality of components,
which have been admitted to be purchased based on predetermined
criteria; an e-mail server for receiving information regarding
components from a component provider and for sending the received
information to a person in charge of component admission. The
component database is updated based on a result of selection
performed based on the sent information.
Inventors: |
Endo, Koichi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yanagimoto, Takashi; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Takahashi, Susumu; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome Tokyo
Ohta-ku
JP
143-8555
|
Family ID: |
18715933 |
Appl. No.: |
09/909902 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0633 20130101;
G06Q 30/0621 20130101; G06Q 30/0641 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0623 20130101; G06Q 30/0631 20130101; G06Q 10/087
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/28 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2000 |
JP |
2000-221549 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A component management system comprising: a component database
which registers component data regarding a plurality of components
which have been examined based on a predetermined criterion and
including their examination results; a receiver which receives
information regarding components; an updating section which updates
the component data registered in the component database, in
accordance with the examination based on the information received
by said receiver; and a selector which selects an arbitrary
component from the plurality of components registered in the
component database.
2. The component management system according to claim 1, wherein:
said component data includes data representing whether each of the
plurality of components is a component admitted to be purchased
based on the examination results; and said selector selects an
arbitrary component from the plurality of components to be
purchased, based on the component data.
3. The component management system according to claim 1, wherein
the component data includes data representing whether each of the
plurality of components is a component admitted to be purchased
based on the examination results, and said selector warns that a
component which is not admitted to be purchased is selected, based
on the component data.
4. The component management system according to claim 1, wherein
the component data includes a recommendation to use a component
based on the examination results.
5. The component management system according to claim 1, wherein
the component data includes a rating of a component determined by
examination.
6. The component management system according to claim 5, wherein:
the component is examined based on the component data received by
said receiver; and said updating section includes a register which
registers, in the component database, the component data regarding
the plurality of components, which has been examined, and an
adjuster which adjusts a rating of each of the plurality of
components in accordance with results of re-examination based on
the information received by said receiver.
7. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising a system which provides a predetermined criterion based
on which each of the plurality of components is examined, and
wherein the component database registers the component data
regarding at least one component which satisfies the predetermined
criterion.
8. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising a system which provides a criterion based on which each
of the plurality of components is examined, and wherein the
component data includes data representing whether each of the
plurality of components satisfies the criterion.
9. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising: an input unit which inputs information for specifying a
component; and a retriever for retrieving a component which
satisfies the input information from the component database.
10. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising a catalogue database which stores an electronic
catalogue specifically reporting information representing the
plurality of components stored in. the component database, and
wherein the component data registered in the component database is
linked to information representing the electronic catalogue, so
that the electronic catalogue can be accessed through the component
data.
11. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising: an index-information storage which stores index
information which can be an index for selecting a component; and a
reader which reads and provides, in response to a request, index
information corresponding to the request from said
index-information storage.
12. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising an improvement/cessation database storing
improvement/cessation information representing if any of the
plurality of components represented by the information retrieved by
said retriever is improved, to be improved or not to be
manufactured any more, and wherein said updating section updates
the component data registered in the component database, based on
the improvement/cessation information registered in the
improvement/cessation database.
13. The component management system according to claim 1, wherein
said receiver is prepared commonly for a predetermined range of
organizations.
14. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising terminal which requests for examination of a
component.
15. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising terminal which selects a component for use in
manufacturing a product, of the plurality of components registered
in the component database.
16. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising: an application terminal which applies for purchasing a
component registered in the component database; and a purchase
terminal which executes a process for purchasing the component in
response to the applying for purchasing the component.
17. The component management system according to claim 1, further
comprising a second database which stores a part of or entire copy
of the information stored in the component database; and a terminal
which updates said second database in accordance with a
predetermined examination criterion.
18. A component management method comprising: settling an admission
criterion for admitting a component; examining a component based on
the admission criterion, and registering the component admitted by
the examination in a component database; receiving information
regarding components; updating the component data registered in the
component database, in accordance with an examination based on the
received information; and selecting an arbitrary component from the
plurality of components registered in the component database based
on the component data.
19. A component management method, comprising the steps of:
settling an admission criterion for admitting a component;
examining a component based on the admission criterion, and
registering the component admitted by the examination in a
component database; receiving improvement/cessation information
about a component through a network; updating the component
database based on the received improvement/cessation information,
thereby updating contents of the component database based on the
improvement/cessation information; and selecting a component which
is to practically be used, from a plurality of components
registered in the component database.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps
of: determining whether a component, included in the
improvement/cessation information after being updated, can be a
component to be purchased; registering, in a case where it is
determined that the component can be purchased, component
information representing the determined component in the component
database; and lowering, in a case where it is determined that the
component can not be purchased, a rating of the component which has
been determined as a component not to be purchased.
21. The method according to claim 19, farther comprising: preparing
electronic information which can serve as an index for selecting a
component; and showing the electronic information, in response to a
request for the information.
22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: receiving
the improvement/cessation information of components, and storing
the received information in an improvement/cessation database; and
updating component information stored in the component database,
based on the improvement/cessation information registered in the
improvement/cessation database.
23. A component management system comprising: a component database
which registers component data regarding a plurality of components
which have been examined based on a predetermined criterion and
including their examination results; a receiver which receives
information regarding the plurality of components; a component-data
updating section which updates the component data registered in the
component database, in accordance with predetermined examination
based on the information received by said receiver; and selection
means which selects an arbitrary component from the plurality of
components registered in the component database.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1 . Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for
managing components for use in manufacturing various products.
[0003] 2 . Description of the Related Art
[0004] In processes for developing and manufacturing various
products (units), many kinds of components are necessary.
[0005] Generally, selection and purchasing of components are done
under the control of a development section and/or design section in
corporations, based on their determination. Various components are
selected and ordered by various sections of a single corporation,
based on their own determination, under the consideration the
quality, function, price, etc. of those components. Information
regarding such components are managed individually by each group or
section of the corporation.
[0006] Conventionally, clear criteria based on which components are
selected have not been established. Hence, the components can
rarely be selected objectively, and low quality components which
are so expensive for the quality might have been purchased.
Further, in many cases, many kinds of components which kind of
which is very few in number are ordered, resulting in high cost for
ordering and purchasing those components.
[0007] The quality and price of components change from time to
time. The information regarding the components are separately
managed by the sections of the corporation. Hence, updating of such
information may repeatedly be done, and such updated information
may be leaked. In such structure, the management of the component
information can not efficiently be performed. Thus, some components
which have been considered as those not to be purchased any more
may be selected and purchased by someone in the corporation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the
above. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to
provide a system for collectively managing information regarding
components and for selecting high quality components with ease.
[0009] Another object thereof is to provide a system which enables
to lower the cost of ordering and purchasing components.
[0010] In order to accomplish the above object, according to the
first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
component management system comprising:
[0011] a component database which registers component data
regarding a plurality of components which have been examined based
on a predetermined criterion and including their examination
results;
[0012] a receiver which receives information regarding the
plurality of components;
[0013] a component-data updating section which updates the
component data registered in the component database, in accordance
with predetermined examination based on the information received by
the receiver; and
[0014] a selector which selects an arbitrary component from the
plurality of components registered in the component database.
[0015] According to this structure, component data representing
admitted components are registered in the component database. Of
the registered components, some components can be selected, thereby
a designer of a company can select high quality components with
ease. The component data is updated based on information sent from
the component provider. Thus, in the case where the components are
improved or the manufacture of the components are ceased, some
components can preferably be selected in accordance with the
information regarding the improvement or cessation, without
concerning the individual component.
[0016] The component data may include data representing whether
each of the plurality of components is a component admitted to be
purchased based on the examination results; and the selector may
select an arbitrary component from the plurality of components to
be purchased, based on the component data.
[0017] The component data may include data representing whether
each of the plurality of components is a component admitted to be
purchased based on the examination results, and the system may
further comprise a selector for warning that a component which is
not admitted to be purchased is selected by the selector, based on
the component data.
[0018] The component data may include a recommendation to use a
component based on the examination results.
[0019] The component data includes a rating of a component
determined by examination.
[0020] The component may be examined based on the component data
received by the receiver; and
[0021] the component data updating section may include
[0022] registration means which registers, in the component
database, the component data regarding the plurality of components,
which has been examined, and
[0023] means which adjusts a rating of each of the plurality of
components in accordance with re-examination results based on the
information received by the receiver.
[0024] The component management system may further comprise means
which provides a predetermined criterion based on which each of the
plurality of components is examined. In this case, the component
database registers the component data regarding at least one
component which satisfies the predetermined criterion.
[0025] The component management system may further comprises means
which provides a criterion based on which each of the plurality of
components is examined. The component data may include data
representing whether each of the plurality of components satisfies
the criterion.
[0026] The component management system may further comprises: input
means which inputs information for specifying a component; and
retriever for retrieving information representing a component which
satisfies the input information from, the component database.
[0027] The component management system may comprise a catalogue
database which stores an electronic catalogue specifically
reporting information representing the plurality of components
stored in the component database. In this case, the component data
registered in the component database is linked to information
representing the electronic catalogue, so that the electronic
catalogue can be accessed through the component data.
[0028] The component management system may further comprise: an
index-information storage which stores index information which can
be an index for selecting a component; and means which reads and
provides, in response to a request, index information corresponding
to the request from the index-information storage.
[0029] The component management system further comprises an
improvement/cessation database which stores improvement/cessation
information representing if any of the plurality of components
represented by the information obtained by the retriever is
improved, to be improved or not to be manufactured any more. In
this case, the component-data updating section updates the
component data registered in the component database, based on the
improvement/cessation information registered in the
improvement/cessation database.
[0030] The receiver may be prepared commonly for a predetermined
range of organizations.
[0031] The component management system may further comprises means
which requests for examination of a component.
[0032] The component management system may further comprising a
selector which selects a component for use in manufacturing a
product, of the plurality of components registered in the component
database.
[0033] The component management system may further comprise: an
application terminal which applies for purchasing a component
registered in the component database; and a purchase terminal which
executes a process for purchasing the component in response to the
applying for purchasing the component.
[0034] The component management system may further comprise: a
second database which stores a part of or entire copy of the
information stored in the component database; and means which
updates the second database in accordance with a predetermined
examination criterion.
[0035] In order to accomplish the above object, according to the
second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
component management method comprising:
[0036] settling an admission criterion for admitting a
component;
[0037] examining a component based on the admission criterion, and
registering the component admitted by the examining in a component
database;
[0038] receiving information regarding a plurality of
components;
[0039] updating the component data registered in the component
database, in accordance with an examination based on the received
information; and
[0040] selecting an arbitrary component from the plurality of
components registered in the component database based on the
component data.
[0041] In order to accomplish the above object, according to the
third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
component management method comprising the steps of:
[0042] settling an admission criterion for admitting a
component;
[0043] examining a component based on the admission criterion, and
registering the component admitted by the examining in a component
database;
[0044] receiving improvement/cessation information about a
component through a network;
[0045] updating the component database based on the received
improvement/cessation information, thereby updating contents of the
component database based on the improvement/cessation information;
and
[0046] selecting a component which is to practically be used, from
a plurality of components registered in the component database.
[0047] The method may further comprising the steps of:
[0048] determining whether a component, included in the
improvement/cessation information after being updated, can be a
component to be purchased;
[0049] registering, in a case where it is determined that the
component can be purchased, component information representing the
determined component in the component database; and
[0050] lowering, in a case where it is determined that the
component can not be purchased, a rating of the component which has
been determined as a component not to be purchased.
[0051] The method may further comprise the steps of:
[0052] preparing electronic information which can serve as an index
for selecting a component; and
[0053] showing the electronic information, in response to a request
for the information.
[0054] The method may further comprise the steps of:
[0055] receiving the improvement/cessation information about
components, and storing the received information in an
improvement/cessation database; and
[0056] updating component information stored in the component
database, based on the improvement/cessation information registered
in the improvement/cessation database.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] These objects and other objects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0058] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a component
management system according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of
an admission section system included in the component management
system;
[0060] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a Web page showing
some criteria for use in determining whether to admit
components;
[0061] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a Web page showing
index information for selecting components;
[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Web page
showing recommendation information for selecting components;
[0063] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an electronic catalogue (a
Web page) reporting various components;
[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a search page (a Web page)
for searching for information regarding components;
[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an examination request page
(a Web page) for requesting examination of components;
[0066] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a table of a
component database;
[0067] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a table of an
improvement/cessation database;
[0068] FIG. 11 is a diagram exemplifying the structure of a
design-section system;
[0069] FIG. 12 is a diagram exemplifying the structure of a
manufacture-section system;
[0070] FIG. 13 is a diagram exemplifying the structure of a
purchase-section system included in the management component system
of FIG. 1;
[0071] FIG. 14 is a diagram exemplifying a table of an ordering
database;
[0072] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a process for
managing/controlling components;
[0073] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a process for
selecting a component(s);
[0074] FIG. 17 is a flow-diagram for explaining a process for
requesting trend information;
[0075] FIG. 18A is a diagram briefly showing a component list,
and
[0076] FIG. 18B is a diagram specifically showing the component
list of FIG. 18A;
[0077] FIG. 19 is a flow-diagram for explaining a process for
retrieving component information from a component list;
[0078] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the structure of a component
management system according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0079] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a component management system
according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0080] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an ID conversion table showing
component ID numbers employed both in companies CS and CC;
[0081] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an evaluation information file
storing component information in association with each component
number and evaluation information; and
[0082] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the structure of a component
management system according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0083] A component management system according to preferred
embodiments of the present invention will now be explained.
First Embodiment
[0084] A component management system according to the first
embodiment is installed in a corporation, company, organization,
etc. (hereinafter, referred to as a company), and manages ordering
of those components (parts) which are used in the company.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 1, the component management system includes
an admission section system 11, a design-section system 12, a
manufacture-section system 13, a purchase-section system 14, and an
e-mail server 15, which are all connected with each other through a
local (company) LAN (Local Area Network) 10. This system is
connected to the Internet 30 through an Internet Gateway (IGW)
20.
[0086] The admission section system (examining section system) 11
includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a WWW server 112, a database
server 113, and a group of admission section terminals 114, which
are connected with one another on an internal LAN 111.
[0087] The WWW server 112 includes an admission (examining)
criteria file 115, a trend information file 116, a catalogue file
117, and a search-page file 118. The WWW server 112 provides a
corresponding terminal having a WWW browser with a document (a Web
page) written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), through a
network (LAN10, Internet 30, etc).
[0088] The admission (examination) criteria file 115 stores a Web
page for showing the criteria for admitting (selecting) those
necessary components which are used in this company, like that
shown in FIG. 3.
[0089] The trend information file 116 stores a set of Web pages
showing indexes for selecting components and made based on the
trend in technology, the trend in market, the vision in the "supply
and demand" of a product (e.g. an oscillator in this embodiment),
the estimated fluctuation in price, etc., as shown in FIG. 4. The
trend information file 116 stores also a set of Web pages showing
recommendation information regarding some components recommended by
the admission section of the company, together with the fluctuation
in price, etc., as that shown in FIG. 5.
[0090] The catalogue file 117 stores an electronic catalogue (Web
pages showing catalogue information) reporting various components
(parts), as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0091] The search-page file 118 stores, for example, a search
(retrieve) page (a Web page for searching) for searching for
information regarding components, as illustrated in FIG. 7, or an
examination request page (a determination request Web page) for
requesting for examining a particular component, as illustrated in
FIG. 8. Note that the information to be searched includes
information representing a corresponding component manufacture,
information representing a kind of a corresponding component, and
trend information of the corresponding component. Note also that
the examination of the particular component is done, based on its
delivery behavior, quality, cost, and improvement/cessation
information. In the case where there is a new component better than
an already-admitted component, the new component can be
suggested.
[0092] The WWW server 112 includes, with relevance to a search
function, an SQL generator and an HTML converter. The SQL generator
produces SQL statements for querying, updating, and managing
relational databases, based on a keyword (or a set of keywords) or
logical expression for retrieval which is input in the search page.
The HTML converter converts the data retrieved from databases into
a Web page in the form of HTML.
[0093] The database server 113 includes an admitted component
database 119 and an improvement/cessation database 120. In response
to an externally-transmitted SQL statement, the database server 113
searches the above databases 119 and 129 for information stored
therein, and provides the searched information. The database server
113 also updates the information stored in the databases, based on
external information.
[0094] The admitted-component DB 119 registers information
regarding components which are to be used in the company and
admitted by the admission section. As shown in FIG. 9, the
admitted-component DB 119 stores information which is classified
into data items of, "Component ID (company)" which is employed in
the company, "Component ID (provider; supplier)" which is used by
the component provider or supplier, "Manufacturer", "Price",
"Admission Information (including recommended component, allowable
component, etc.)", "Status (status information)", "Specification ",
"Catalogue Address" of a catalogue reporting a corresponding
component and included in the catalogue file 114, "URL Address of
Relevant Information" which can be linked to the corresponding Web
page, "Address of Corresponding Data" which may be included in the
improvement/cessation database if there is any, and "Additional
Information", according to component.
[0095] The improvement/cessation DB 120 is to temporarily store
improvement/cessation information, which is sent from the component
provider (manufacturers, firms, etc.) and represent if a
corresponding component is improved or will not be manufactured any
more, related to components and provided in the form of an e-mail.
As shown in FIG. 10, the improvement/cessation DB 120 stores
information which is classified into data items of "Component ID
(company)" employed in the company, "Component ID (provider)"
employed in the component provider, "Manufacturer",
"Improvement/Cessation", "Improvement/Substitute", "Address of
Corresponding Data" which may be included in the admitted component
database 119, and "URL (Address) of Catalogue Information on
Internet 30".
[0096] The group of admission section terminals 114 refer to and
update information which are stored in the admission criteria file
115, trend information file 116, catalogue file 117, search-page
file 118, admitted component database 119, and
improvement/cessation database 120.
[0097] The design-section system 12 shown in FIG. 11 includes a
design-database server 122 and a plurality of terminals 123 for
designing which are connected with one another on an internal LAN
121.
[0098] The design-database server 122 includes a design-library
database 124 including libraries for designing.
[0099] Each of the terminals 123 includes a CAD system, and is for
use in designing engineering, architectural, and scientific models,
using a library stored in the design-library database 124 through
the design-database server 122.
[0100] A browser program and a mailer program are installed in each
of the terminals 123, so that each of the terminals 123 can access
the WEB server 112 and the DB server 113 through the local LAN
10.
[0101] The manufacture-section system 13, as shown in FIG. 12,
includes a plurality of manufacture-control terminals 133 which are
connected with each other through the internal LAN 131. Each of the
plurality of manufacture-control terminals 133 is used by a person
in charge in the manufacture section for controlling manufacture
processes, ordering components, and checking the stock. Note that
the manufacture-section system 13 is prepared, for example, in each
factory of the company.
[0102] The purchase-section system 14 serves as a purchase section
for purchasing things sold outside of the company. The
purchase-section system 14 includes, as shown in FIG. 13, an
ordering server 142 and a plurality of purchase-section terminals
143 which are connected with one another through an internal LAN
141.
[0103] The ordering server 142 includes an ordering database 144
which stores ordering information. As illustrated in FIG. 14, this
ordering DB 144 stores information regarding components ordered by
the company, and includes data items of "Order Date", "Component ID
(company)" employed in this company, "Component ID (provider)"
employed in the component provider, "Number of Ordered Components",
"Price", "Place to Deliver", "Delivery Date", and "Inspector
Name".
[0104] The purchase-section terminals 143 has a function for
updating the ordering B144 and a function for sending e-mails for
ordering components to component provider.
[0105] The e-mail server 15 shown in FIG. 1 controls transmission
of emails to be transmitted between persons in charge in each
section of the company and any other persons inside or outside of
the company.
[0106] The local LAN 10 is connected to the Internet 30 through the
Internet gateway 20. Connected onto the Internet 30 are computer
systems 31 to 34 of manufacturers which manufacture and provide
components to the company.
[0107] Explanations will now be made to an process, for
managing/controlling components with the utilization of the
component management system having the above-described structure,
with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 15. The admission section
admits (selects) those components allowable to be used in the
company. That is, the admission section performs a process for
admitting some components, in accordance with some preset criteria,
which had conventionally been selected freely by each of the design
section or manufacture section according to their own determination
and needs.
[0108] Specifically, the admission section settles admission
criteria (criteria for admitting components allowable to be used in
the company), and clarifies the settled criteria (index
information) (Step S11 ).
[0109] The admission section choose a few manufacturers based on
the cooperativeness of manufacturers toward the company, quality
and price of components to be provided therefrom, delivery timing
of ordered components, and the like (Step S12).
[0110] The admission section settles admission criteria for
admitting components, based on the specification, quality,
stability in delivery behavior, price, simplicity of disposal or
recycle process, etc. (Step S13) Otherwise, the admission section
examines component specification given from the manufacturers and
request information from the design section and/or manufacture
section, in association with the quality and delivery timing of
ordered components, and sets the admission criteria (Step S13).
[0111] Once the admission criteria are completed, the admission
section creates the admission criteria in the form of an HTML
document, and registers this HTML document in the admission
criteria file 115, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 3.
[0112] The admission section admits (selects) those components
which satisfy the completed admission criteria, affixes
predetermined numbers to the admitted components which are commonly
acknowledged inside the company, and registers the admitted
components with the numbers affixed thereto, in the
admitted-component DB 119 (FIG. 9) (Step S14).
[0113] At this time, if a plurality of components have similar
specifications to each other so as to satisfy the admission
criteria, the admission section chooses two to four components from
the plurality of components.
[0114] The admission section sets admission (status) information
for the admitted component(s) (Step S15).
[0115] This admission (status) information includes information
representing whether each admitted component can be employed or
whether each admitted component can be employed on some conditions.
The admission information can, therefore, be used when selecting
desired component(s) from the plurality of registered
components.
[0116] The status information includes the status of the
components: such as "Recommended" representing that a corresponding
component is positively recommended; "Admitted" representing that
the component is simply admitted to be employed; "Under
Examination" representing that the component is now under
examination; "Non-Recommended" representing that the component is
recommended to be employed; "Conditioned" representing that the
component may be employed under such a condition that the component
may not easily be acquired; "Prohibited" representing that the
component can not be employed; "Ceased" representing that the
component will no longer be manufactured; and "Rejected"
representing that the component is rejected to be registered in the
admitted component database.
[0117] To safely prepare for any trouble which may occur in any one
of component manufacturers or providers, the admission section
admits components provided from a plurality of manufacturers or
providers.
[0118] The admission section registers catalogue information
(electronic catalogue) showing the admitted components, in the
catalogue file 117, and sets information of the admitted components
to be linked to the information stored in the admitted-component DB
119 (Step S16).
[0119] The admission section researches into the trend in
technology, the trend in quality, and the estimated fluctuation in
price in several year span, according to the field of components.
Then, the admission section creates information like that shown in
FIG. 4 in the HTML form, based on results of the research, and
registers the created information in the trend-information file
116, so that the registered information can be viewed (Step
S17).
[0120] The admission section creates recommendation information
regarding those components admitted by the admission section, as
shown in FIG. 5. The admission section forms the created
recommendation information in the HTML form, and registers the
recommendation information in the trend information file 116, so
that the registered information can be viewed by members of the
company (Step S18).
[0121] According to the above processes, the plurality of
components are examined by the admission section, and the
information representing the examination can be viewed by the
employees of the company.
[0122] The designer in the design section designs some models using
the library, etc. which is registered in the design-library
database 124, with the utilization of his/her own terminal 123 for
designing. In the process of designing, the terminal 123 refers to
the admitted-component DB 119, and chooses one or more components
having desired characteristics from a plurality of admitted
components. Explanations will now be made to a process for
selecting the component(s) with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
16.
[0123] In the case where to select a desired component, the
designer in the design section accesses the WWW server 112 using
the terminal 123. A predetermined log-in process is carried out
between the design-section terminal 123 and the WWW server 112
(Step S21). If log-in is established, the designer displays an
search page, shown in FIG. 7, stored in the search-page file 118
(Steps S22 and S23). Subsequently, the designer inputs a
predetermined keyword, a conditional expression, for inputting an
instruction for searching some kind of component and an instruction
for searching some component, in accordance with the format of the
search page (Step S24). In response to the input instruction, the
terminal 123 sends the conditional expression necessary for the
searching to the WWW server 112 (Step S25). The SQL generator of
the WWW server 112 forms SQL statements for finding a desired
component based on the input keyword and conditional expression,
from the admitted-component DB 119 (Step S26), and sends the formed
SQL statements to the database server 113 through the internal LAN
111 (Step S27).
[0124] The database server 113 searches the admitted-component DB
119 for desired information, based on the received SQL statements
(Step S28), and sends the searched information to the WWW server
112 (Step S29).
[0125] In the WWW server 112, the HTML converter converts the sent
information into text data in the HTML format (Step S30), and sends
the converted HTML data to the terminal 123 (Step S31). The
terminal 123 displays the received HTML data on the WWW browser
(Step S32). Having performed the above, the designer can extract
the component(s) having the desired specification, from the
plurality of components which have in advance been admitted based
on the admission criteria by the admission section.
[0126] In the case where to select a component, the designer can
refer to the trend information stored in the trend-information file
116.
[0127] In this case, the designer accesses the WWW server 112 from
the terminal 123 (e.g. a CAD system), and requests for the trend
information, as shown in FIG. 17 (Step S31). In response to this
request, the WWW server 112 reads out corresponding trend
information from the trend-information file 116 (Step S32), and
sends the read information to the design-section terminal 123 (Step
S33). The design-section terminal 123 displays the received trend
information (Step S34). The designer can refer to the future trend
in the technology of a component and analysis of the trend in the
market of the component, based on the displayed trend information.
By referring to the analysis of the trend of the component in the
market, it is possible to select a component under the
consideration of the future trend of the component. Further, by
referring to the recommendation information set by the admission
section, it is possible to focus on some components to a certain
extent, of the plurality of admitted components.
[0128] The designer of the design section may refer to the
information registered in the admitted-component DB 119, so as to
use the referred information for designing.
[0129] For example, in the case where the designer is to create a
list of components on a design drawing, specification information
specifically representing components may automatically be created
using the contents of the DB 119.
[0130] At this time, the designer registers only components IDs in
the list, as shown in FIG. 18A. At the end of the designing, the
designer inputs an instruction for creating the list of the
components to be used.
[0131] In response to this instruction, the design-section terminal
123, reads out the list of the components from the design drawing
(Step S41), and informs the WWW server 112 about the listed
components (Step S42). The WWW server 112 generates an SQL
statement for obtaining information regarding the informed
components (Step S43), and sends the generated SQL to the DB server
119. The DB server 113 searches the admitted-component DB 119 and
improvement/cessation DB 120 for searched information in accordance
with the generated SQL statement, so as to obtain the information
regarding the components (Step S45). If there is components which
is not admitted to be used or purchased in the list, the DB server
119 adds warning information to the searched information. The DB
server 113 sends the obtained information to the WWW server 112
(Step S46), and the WWW server 112 sends the this information to
the design-section terminal 123 (Step S47). The design-section
terminal 123 stores the received component information on a
recording medium, in association with the components included in
the component list (Step S48).
[0132] As a result of this, the rough component list shown in FIG.
18A can automatically be formed into a specific component list
specifically including information regarding the components
included in the list, as shown in FIG. 18B. Further, even if the
designer selects components which is not admitted to use, he or she
can fine it with the warning information.
[0133] If the terminal 123 specifies (by, for example, clicking on)
a name of a component stored in the admitted-component DB 119, it
may automatically acquire its corresponding component ID and
additional information of the component, and may put the acquired
information on the design drawing.
[0134] When the design section intends to order components for use
in the designing or experiment, it sends an e-mail in a
predetermined format to a predetermined address of the purchase
section. This e-mail contains the following data items of: (1)
section code/section name; (2) name of sender/ID code; (3)
component ID employed in the company; (4) number of ordered
components; (5) delivery date; (6) place to deliver; (7) reason(s)
to purchase; and (8) sanctioner.
[0135] The procedures of dealing with this e-mail will be explained
in the description of the purchase section.
[0136] The manufacture section manufactures products to be sold,
while managing the stock with using its terminals. When to order
components employed for manufacturing the products, the manufacture
section orders the components generally based on the design specs.
When to select components, the manufacture section refers to the
admitted-component DB 119 or trend information file 116, and
selects any components with the desired specifications from a
plurality of admitted components, likewise the case of the design
section. It is prohibited to use or select any of those components
which have not been admitted to be employed.
[0137] When the manufacture section requests for purchasing
predetermined components, it sends an e-mail of a predetermined
format to a predetermined address of the purchase section. The
format of this e-mail is the same as that of the e-mail sent from
the design section to request for purchasing components. The e-mail
contains the following data items of: 1. section code/section name;
2. name of sender/ID code; 3. component ID employed in the company;
4. number of ordered components; 5. delivery date; 6. place to
deliver; 7. reason(s) to purchase; and 8. sanctioner.
[0138] The ordering server 142 of the purchase-section system 14
periodically accesses the e-mail server 15, and reads out e-mails,
which are addressed to the predetermined e-mail address for
applying for purchasing components, from an e-mail box of the
e-mail server 15.
[0139] A purchaser of the purchase section authenticates whether
the contents (application for purchasing components) of the e-mail
read by the ordering server 142 are appropriate information, or
not. In this case, the purchaser may ask the applicant or
sanctioner so as to make sure that the contents of the read e-mail
are adequate information, if necessary. In the case where it is
determined that the contents of the read e-mail are appropriate
information, the purchaser prepares an order sheet for ordering
components, and sends the order sheet, in the form of an e-mail, to
an e-mail address of the component provider. Thus prepared order
sheet includes the following data items of: 1. addressee (component
provider name, name of person in charge); 2. order number; 3.
ordering company name; 4. section name; 5. purchaser name; 6.
component number used in component provider; 7. component number
employed in the company; 8. number of ordered components; 9.
delivery date; and 10. place to deliver.
[0140] The purchaser registers contents of this ordering sheet in
the ordering DB 144.
[0141] Upon reception of the e-mail sent from the purchase section
of the company, the component provider sends a confirmation e-mail
to the purchase section and prepares to deliver the ordered
components. Upon reception of the confirmation e-mail, the
purchaser of the purchase section sets a flag representing that the
confirmation e-mail has been received, in a corresponding column of
the ordering DB 144.
[0142] Once the ordered components are delivered to a specified
place, the inspector inspects the delivered components, and sends
an e-mail representing that the ordered components which are
successfully delivered, to a predetermined address of the purchase
section. Upon reception of the e-mail sent from the inspector, the
purchaser of the purchase section registers the information
included in the received e-mail in the ordering database 144.
Specifically, the purchaser registers the delivery date, inspector
(name or ID), etc. in a corresponding entry of the ordering DB 144,
so that the information corresponding to the delivered components
is excluded from a list of un-delivered components.
[0143] By repeatedly performing such operations, high quality
products can be manufactured with using only those components which
meet a predetermined level of admission criteria. In contrast to
the case where components are arbitrarily selected and ordered,
there is an increase in the number of each kind of components to be
ordered. In such circumstances, the purchaser in the purchase
section can easily go bargaining with the component provider on
good grounds. Further, in contrast to the case where components are
provided from a plurality of component providers, there is an
increase in the total number of components to be provided from each
component provider In such circumstances, the purchaser can easily
go bargaining with the component provider with the good
argument.
[0144] Every time improvement is made in a kind of component and
the new version thereof is on sale, the old version of the kind of
component will not be manufactured. If a kind of component is
improved or will not be manufactured any more, the manufacture or
component provider gives the admission section
improvement/cessation information (update) in the form of an e-mail
addressed to an e-mail address prepared mainly for receiving such
information.
[0145] In the case where to inform the company that a corresponding
component is not to be manufactured any more, the
improvement/cessation information includes a component number, the
date from which manufacture of a corresponding component is ceased,
reason(s) for the cessation of manufacture of the component, a
substitute, and the like. On the contrary, in the case where to
inform the company that improvement is to be made in a
corresponding component, the improvement/cessation information
includes a component number, an improvement made in the component,
a URL specifying a Web site showing the component catalogue
including the improved component.
[0146] Upon reception of an e-mail including the
improvement/cessation information, the person in charge in the
admission section registers the received information in the
improvement/cessation DB 120 (shown in FIG. 11). The person in
charge in the admission section registers status information
representing that the corresponding component is under examination,
in the corresponding field of "Improvement/Cessation" of the
admitted-component DB 119. For example, the person may change the
status information of the component from "Admitted" into "Under
Examination". After this, the person sets the component information
of the admitted-component DB 119 to be linked to the
improvement/cessation information of the improvement/cessation
information.
[0147] At this time, the designer of the design section and the
person in charge in the admission section can be informed that the
corresponding component will be improved or the manufacture of the
corresponding component will be ceased. Hence, the person in charge
in the admission section can perform the selection based on the
registered information.
[0148] Based on information representing a substitute and included
in the improvement/cessation DB, the admission section considers
what to do with those improved components or those components not
be manufactured any more.
[0149] If the manufacture of a component ceased, the admission
section lowers the rating of the status information of the
component which is registered in the admitted-component DB 119, so
as to set the component as one not to be employed in the company.
For example, the admission section changes the status information
of the component from "Admitted" into "Cessation". After this, the
admission section determines whether to admit a substitute for the
component not to be manufactured. When determined to admit a
substitute, the admission section newly admits a component based on
the admission criteria including the improvement/cessation
information representing the substitute. Upon admission of a new
component, the admission section obtains a new component ID, and
registers the obtained ID in the admitted-component DB 119.
[0150] On the contrary, if a component is to be improved, the
admission section determines whether to admit the component after
being improved based on the admission criteria, at a right timing
before the improvement is made in the component. When determined to
admit the component after being improved, the admission section
registers a comment to continuously employ the component. After
this, the admission section updates the information registered in
the admitted-component DB 119 so as to include the component
information of the improved component. The admission section also
updates the status information of the improvement/cessation DB 120,
i.e. changes from "Non-Recommended" to "Admitted", for example.
[0151] When determined not to admit an improved component, the
admission section registers a comment to cease the ordering of the
component, in the improvement/cessation DB 120. After this, the
admission section updates the status information registered in the
admitted-component DB 119 at a desired timing. Likewise in the case
where the manufacture of the component is ceased, the admission
section admits a substitute for the component, as needed.
[0152] Further, if a kind of component is to be improved or not to
be manufactured any more, the admission section sends an e-mail for
informing about a selected substitute for the kind of
component.
[0153] The design section or the manufacture section may demand to
use a component which is not included in the admitted components.
In this case, the demander sends an e-mail of a predetermined
format to the admission section. Upon reception of the e-mail, the
admission section determines whether to admit the demanded
component, based on the admission criteria. When determined to
admit the demanded component, the admission section registers
information regarding the demanded component in the
admitted-component DB.
[0154] As explained above, only desired components are admitted and
registered in the DB. According to this embodiment, there is
provided a system for maintaining thus formed DB, thereby to
securely obtain high quality components at a low cost.
[0155] Since only desired components are admitted, some components
are desirably selected from the admitted components.
Second Embodiment
[0156] In the first embodiment, the explanations have been made to
the component management system for use in one single company by
way of example. However, the component management system may be
operated to manage the ordering of components for a plurality of
companies.
[0157] FIG. 20 shows an example of the structure of such a system
which can manage the ordering of components for a plurality of
companies.
[0158] In this embodiment, suppose that the component management
system is commonly used by a company CA and manufacturers CB and
CC.
[0159] The company CA and manufactures CB and CC include Local LANs
10A, 10B, and 10C, respectively.
[0160] The local LANs 10A, 10B, and 10C are connected with each
other through gateways 21, etc.
[0161] The company CA, having the function as a head office of the
manufactures CB and CC, has a component admission section, a design
section, a purchase section, a manufacture section, likewise the
case of the first embodiment.
[0162] On the other hand, the manufacturers CB and CC do not have
the component admission section or purchase section, and have the
design section and the manufacture section.
[0163] In all of the company and manufactures, the same component
codes for specifying components are used.
[0164] Information regarding components are collectively acquired
by the company CA. The company CA admits components, and maintain
and update information regarding the admitted components, based on
the acquired information.
[0165] The admission section, likewise the first embodiment,
establishes a predetermined level of admission criteria, and admits
components based on the criteria. Then, the admission section
registers information regarding the admitted components in the
admitted-component DB. The admission section collectively receives
information representing whether a kind of component is improved or
will not be manufactured, so as to update the improvement/cessation
DB. Further, the admission section updates the admitted-component
DB, in accordance with the improvement(cessation DB.
[0166] The company CA and the manufacturers CB and CC have a
database for storing copies of the information contents of the
admitted-component DB. The design section and the manufactured
section of the company CA and the manufacturers CB and CC refer to
the copies, and selects desired components.
[0167] In each of the company CA and manufacturers CB and CC is to
purchase components, when a person wants to purchase a component,
he/she sends a request for purchasing the component to the purchase
section of the company CA, in the form of an e-mail.
[0168] The purchase section of the company CA sends an order sheet
specifying the requested component and the company or manufacturer
to which the ordered component should be delivered, to the
component provider. Payment for the delivered component is made to
the component provider by the company CA on behalf of the
manufacturers CB and CC. Then, the company CA charges either of the
manufactures CB and CC for the component, and the settlement is
made on the account book.
[0169] Alternatively, the component provider may issue a bill for
the delivered component, so that either of the manufacturers CB and
CC which has ordered component directly pays for the charged
bill.
[0170] In the second embodiment, likewise the first embodiment,
only the desired components can be selected from a plurality of
components.
[0171] According to the second embodiment, the components can be
provided to and ordered collectively from the company CA and
manufactures CB and CC. Hence, in contrast to the case where the
components are ordered individually from the company CA and
manufacturers CB and CC, there is an increase in the number of
components to be ordered. Therefore, the company CA and
manufacturers CB and CC can easily go bargaining with the component
provider.
Third Embodiment
[0172] In the above-described second embodiment, the explanations
have been made to the case where the plurality of companies
collectively admit, select and purchase components to be used in
the companies. If it is difficult to achieve such admission,
selection and purchasing of the components between the plurality of
companies, it is preferable that component admission information be
used effectively between the plurality of companies, at least.
[0173] Explanations will now be made to the third embodiment of the
present invention, wherein the component admission information is
effectively shared between a plurality of companies.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 21, the component management system
according to this embodiment includes a company CS having the
component management system of the first and second embodiments and
another company CC which uses component information provided from
the company CS.
[0175] The company CS includes, an admission section system, a
design section system, a manufacture section system, and a purchase
section system, likewise the system according to the first
embodiment.
[0176] The another company CC is an organization which is
independent from the company CS, and includes also the admission
section system 11, the design section system 12, the manufacture
section system, the purchase section system 14 and the e-mail
server 15, on their own.
[0177] The admission section system 11 includes an ID conversion
table, and an evaluation information file.
[0178] The ID conversion table stores component numbers employed in
the company CS and components number employed in the another
company CC, in association with each other, as illustrated in FIG.
22.
[0179] The evaluation information file stores component information
in association with each component number and evaluation
information, as shown in FIG. 23.
[0180] Operations of the component management system having the
structure of FIGS. 21 to 23 will now be described.
[0181] For example, as shown in FIG. 22, in the company CS, in
terms of quartz oscillator, there is employed a code type which is
composed of a symbol "CZ" identifying a quartz oscillator and
five-digit numbers. On the other hand, in the another company CC,
there is employed a code type which is composed of a symbol "E"
identifying an electronic component and seven-digit numbers.
[0182] The company CS evaluates components, likewise the admission
sections included in the systems of the first and second
embodiments, and supplies the admission section system 11 of the
another company CC with results of the evaluations through the
Internet.
[0183] The admission section system 11 of the another company CC
searches the ID conversion table for component numbers which are
employed in the another company CC and included in the supplied
information. The admission section system 11 converts the component
numbers into component numbers employed in the company CS with
reference to the ID conversion table, and creates a
admitted-component DB, an improvement/cessation DB, an admission
criterion file, a trend information file, a catalogue file, and
search page file.
[0184] For information regarding any new components, an e-mail
describing the new components is sent to a person in charge in the
another company CC, instead of a person in charge in the company
CS. Upon reception of this e-mail, the person in charge in the
company CC employs new component numbers, and stores those numbers
in conversion table.
[0185] Accordingly, almost the same component information as that
stored in the company CS is created in the another company CC,
using the component numbers employed in the another company CC.
[0186] The designer, manufacturer, purchaser of the another company
CC refer to the admitted-component DB, so as to select some desired
components.
[0187] In this structure, the company CC can advantageously use the
system for admitting the preferable components, almost without
paying for it.
[0188] Let it be assumed the design section of the company CC makes
a request for employing a new component in the company. A person in
charge of this in the design section sends a request for examining
the new component through an e-mail or BBS (Bulletin Board System)
to a component management section of the company CC.
[0189] The e-mail server 15 affixes a request number to thus sent
request and stores the request, and forwards this request to the
admission section of the company CS. Upon reception of this
request, a person in charge of this in the company CS reviews the
contents of the request, and examines the requested new component
in accordance with the request.
[0190] Then, the person in charge of this in the company CS sends a
result of the examination with the specified request number affixed
to the result, to a particular e-mail address of the company CC.
Upon reception of the e-mail addressed to the particular email
address, the e-mail server 15 determines the request number and the
requester, and forwards the reply e-mail to the requester.
Fourth Embodiment
[0191] In the third embodiment, the explanations have exemplarily
been made to the case where the company CC uses the component
information as is, which is provided from the company CS. However,
based on the information sent from the company CS, the company CC
may build its own database regarding the components. Such a system
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will
now be described.
[0192] The structure of the system according to the fourth
embodiment is substantially the same as the structure of the third
embodiment which is shown in FIG. 12.
[0193] The company CS obtains component information in accordance
with the company's own determination, creates recommendation
information, uses such information in the company, and sends those
information to the company CC, likewise the case in the first and
second embodiments.
[0194] The company CC includes an admission section, and has the
company's own admission criteria, etc. The admission section system
11 of the company CC has the same structure as that (FIG. 2) of the
admission section system included in the component management
system of the first embodiment.
[0195] A person in charge of the admission in the admission section
of the company CC stores the admission criteria in the admission
criteria file 115. The person also stores the trend information
provided from the company CS in the trend information file 116, and
the catalogue information in the catalogue file 117.
[0196] Upon reception of admission information from the company CS,
the company CC once stores this information in a buffer file.
[0197] The person in the admission section of the company CC
reviews the information stored in the buffer file, and stores
required information and updated information in the
admitted-component DB 119 or improvement/cessation DB 120).
[0198] If the designer of the company CC makes a request for
examination (about the manufacturer, type of component, trend
information, etc.) of the component information, this request is
sent to the person in charge of the admission in the admission
section. The person in charge of the admission handles the request
for examination of a corresponding component, creates a written
request for examination, and sends the created request to the
company CS. Upon reception of the request, the company CS examines
the corresponding component based on the request, and sends a
result of the examination to the person in charge of this request
of the company CC. The person in charge of this request in the
company CC analyzes the sent result, and updates the databases 119
and 120 so as to appropriately include the information of the
analyzed result.
[0199] Similarly, if the designer of the company CC makes a request
for determination of whether to admit a corresponding component,
this request is sent to a person in charge of component management.
The person in charge of component management handles the request
for determination, creates a written request for determination, and
sends this request to the company CS so as to request for the
determination. Upon reception of this request, the company CS
creates information representing the delivery behavior of its
component provider (manufacturer), quality, price,
improvement/cessation information of the corresponding component,
and sends the created information to the person in charge of this
request in the company CC. The person in charge of this request in
the company CC analyzes the sent information, and updates the
databases 119 and 120 so as to adequately include the analyzed
information.
[0200] According to the above structure, while using the
information provided from the company CS, the company CC can build
the system for admitting the components on its own.
[0201] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments, and various embodiments and changes may be made
thereonto without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0202] For example, in the above-described embodiments, the
improvement/cessation information or an order for components is
transmitted in the form of an e-mail. However, such information or
order may be sent using any other electronic medium.
[0203] For example, various types of BBSs may be set in the
admission section, and the component manufacture or component
provider inputs the improvement/cessation information in the set
BBS, so as to inform the ordering company about the
information.
[0204] For the ordering of components, to clarify a settlement
system of the company, an order application form with the
sanctioner's consent may be sent to the purchase section using,
what is so-called a work flow system. As this work flow system,
Notes (registered trademark) provided by Novell, Inc. may be
employed.
[0205] In the above-described embodiments, those components
admitted by the component admission section are registered in the
admitted-component DB 119. However, all the obtained information
regarding components may be registered in the admitted-component DB
119. Then, based on the entire information registered therein, the
components included in the information may be determined whether to
be used or purchased.
[0206] The structure of the database, the table structure of the
database, and the structure of a Web page are all arbitrary. For
example, the admitted-component DB 119 may directly be updated
based on the improvement/cessation information without using the
improvement/cessation DB. In those databases, data items can
arbitrarily be added in or deleted from the table.
[0207] As explained above, according to the component management
system of the present invention, components can adequately be
controlled and management.
[0208] As illustrated in FIG. 24, the admission section system 11
may be an ASP (Application Service Provider). In this case, various
companies can build their own component management system on the
common hardware. The ASP has the system shown in FIG. 2 for each of
the companies or each predetermined group of companies. In this
case, the component provider (supplier) provides the ASP with the
component information, instead of each individual company. The ASP
specifies a user having accessed the system, using admission
information, and provides the user with information corresponding
to the user. The company including the admission section maintains
the admitted-component DB or groups of the company's files, based
on the component information stored in the ASP. In addition, in the
company, the designer or those who having ordered components refer
to the company's admitted-component DB, to select and order desired
components. For those companies which do not have the admission
section, the administrator of the ASP is a proxy for executing
necessary processes corresponding to the admission section, so as
to maintain the admitted-component DB.
[0209] The above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate
the present invention, not to limit the scope of the present
invention. The scope of the present invention is shown by the
attached claims rather than the embodiments. Various modifications
made within the meaning of an equivalent of the claims of the
invention and within the claims are to be regarded to be in the
scope of the present invention.
[0210] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2000-221549 filed on Jul. 21, 2000, and including specification,
claims, drawings and summary. The disclosure of the above Japanese
Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
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