Abstract:
A system and a method for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests are proposed in which at least a product flow processing workstation, an order database and a database server are provided, for allowing an authorized user to edit and forward a manifest in an online and real-time manner via Internet. The product flow processing workstation is adapted to establish and store detailed data relevant to product orders in the order database. When the user is linked to the product flow processing workstation, the user can edit the manifest according to practical conditions of product manufacture and demand, and forward the edited manifest via Internet to a buyer who makes a product order in association with the manifest. This facilitates the ease of data inquiry and reduction in repetition of data input from users of the buyer and supplier.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to methods and systems for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests, and more particularly, to a method and system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests, allowing a supplier to respond to orders from a buyer via Internet for product deliveries.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    With the rapid changing modern techniques, different kinds of multi-functional products have become daily necessities of human life, such as desk-top personal computers or cellular phones. The above-mentioned high-tech products are composed of electronic components of many different fields and functions, and the so-called production manufacturers in fact merely act as an assembling role, for its relative components are mostly manufactured in an out-sourcing way by other middle-and-down streams suppliers and its satellite factories so as to reduce the production costs and thereby minimize the operation risks.  
           [0003]    In proceeding production of the relevant components by out-sourcing, there is required to purchase and order the relevant components from the suppliers; after placing corresponding orders the suppliers then proceed to deliver the goods as specifically ordered.  
           [0004]    Generally the delivery operating process is to prepare and deliver the ordered goods to the buyer along with a manifest or even with an invoice.  
           [0005]    The foregoing delivery process generally are manually operated, that is, the buyer may inform the seller of its requirements of the goods descriptions and required quantity by means of telephone calls, facsimile transmissions and mails, and after receiving an order from the buyer, in return most sellers will make confirmation of said orders by means of the foregoing methods. However, this accustomed way of doing business is not only time-consuming, but also may result in data changing inadvertently or even loss of data due to different transmission methods adopted therebetween. It is inefficient and impractical to implement in practical operation, and fails to meet the demands of modem trend of speedy, economical and quality services.  
           [0006]    Moreover, even there is no faults and defects during data transmissions exchanged between both sides, in the case that a buyer occasionally needs to add or change the sorts and quantities of ordered goods; or at times when a seller is in short of the supplies for the ordered quantity and thus intends to reduce its exportation volume, or even attempts to substitute it with other similar or identical goods in order to satisfy the buyer&#39;s demands, all of these changes may affect the whole order and procedures such that the foregoing complicated data transmission process has to be redone again. Therefore, how to foresee the business trend in the changing market often is a crucial element to survive and succeed in keen business competitions. However, even a highly advantageous information can be inadvertently wasted if one cannot be responsive promptly and flexibly to a situation at its first opportunity. It is practically useless to obtain more useful information if one cannot take advantage of the available information promptly and properly. And the foregoing conventional method has this serious drawback, that is, time-ineffective and laborious to implement in practical use.  
           [0007]    Moreover, due to convenience and speedy of the modern transportation and the widely accessible of information communication, many large-scale enterprises or manufacturing companies have chosen to establish their own branches and warehouses in different countries in order to integrate and combine the most competitive advantages and factors of each location offered to produce the products; in addition they may directly look for distributed suppliers around the world to seek out the required materials or components at the lowest cost and offer as possible, to thereby achieve an ultimate goal of economical production by reducing costs in every possible way. However, the foregoing conventional methods of proceeding business dealings will more or less be affected by different office hours therebetween if the companies are located in different time zones, it is unlikely to be accomplished in real-time and thus the competitiveness of enterprise-globalization is comparatively diminished as a result.  
           [0008]    To address to the foregoing drawbacks of wasting resources and lacking simultaneous responsiveness by conventional manual operation for information communication, the prior art inventions disclosed a method of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), in short, it is a set of computerized commercial documents (such as purchase order, manifest and invoice) to be used as a standard transmission. Said system is established for the purposes of minimizing paper works and thereby facilitating responding time and process. To enable electronic data interchange system to operate more efficiency, the user needs to follow certain formatted procedures and data-exchanging standards such as X.400 protocol. Although the use of electronic data interchanging system for transmitting commercial documents can save time compared to conventional communication equipment or traditional postal mails, however, as pointed out above, there is certain standardized format procedures for transmitting information to follow, for that purpose a corresponding operational system has to be completed and set up before implementing, thus cannot be widely used by all internet users. Further, although the data sending and receiving procedure is electronized, the actions of sending and receiving electronic data between the buyer and the seller still needs to be carried out and that may lead to further wasting of time and money, as well as more induced errors caused by complicated manual actions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests over Internet, for allowing the buyers to place purchase orders with detailed descriptions over the internet, and the sellers to check the contents of the purchase order and respond to the requirements of said order in real-time, so as to simplify the process and facilitate handling of commercial shipping documents.  
           [0010]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests over Internet, which enable the seller to alter in due time the shipping relevant data such as quantity, packaging method, invoice date and number in response to such modifications made by buyers. Furthermore, in the case of lacking stock of materials or defective goods, sellers can alter the contents of manifest and invoice in real time, to thereby considerably reduce repetition of data-inputting and transmitting time for correcting and delivering said documents to both sides.  
           [0011]    Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests over Internet, which enable both the buyer and the seller to deliver directly the shipping manifest without having to employ means of Electronic Data Exchange for delivering commercial documents, thereby eliminating complexity of mutual protocol set-up on both sides and facilitating documents correction and transmission by connecting to the internet.  
           [0012]    In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives, the present invention proposes a system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests over Internet, at least including: a product flow processing workstation, an order database, and a database server.  
           [0013]    The product flow processing workstation is provided for the delivery controlling staff to establish an order data file describing the ordered products, in which each data file is provided with an exclusive identification code made according to the suppliers of each order and the delivery site; an order database is provided to store the orders data files established by the product flow processing workstation; and a database server is provided to receive the inquiry information items transmitted from a terminal device, in which the inquiry items include the allocated suppliers&#39; number and delivery site, according to the transmitted information the corresponding data file with detailed information can be obtained through a data searching module preset in the database server to be used by a user at a terminal device. Moreover, the database server further comprises an information correcting module, for allowing the seller to correct the content of its order, and a shipping manifest transmission module enabling the seller to transmit said document to the buyer.  
           [0014]    A method for using the system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests includes the following steps. First, when said system receives information of a manufacturer number and delivery site inputted by a user of a network terminal device, it prompts an information searching module of the database server to search the database therein for a corresponding data file; subsequently it prompts the database server to display the searched information obtained from the preceding step; and next, the user of a network terminal device can correct the manifest or respond in real-time according to the content of order; lastly, after confirming the details of said order the user can then deliver the shipping manifest to a terminal device on the buyer side over the internet via the shipping manifest delivering module.  
           [0015]    By using the method and the system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests over Internet, the seller is allowed to be connected to the buyer&#39;s web site via the internet for prompt responding or correcting the details of an order, and after confirming the corresponding manifest can be delivered to the buyer instantly, thereby avoiding repetition of data-inputting and reducing cost of transmitting documents back and forth; the proposed method and system further provide a useful functionality for making inquiries of the order in real-time, for allowing the seller to respond immediately to the buyer&#39;s demands or inform the seller of the irregular and unexpected situation by means of manifest transmission over the internet.  
           [0016]    In summary, the present invention of the method and system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests over the Internet enables both the buyer and seller to achieve the objectives of reducing transaction costs and controlling market situation in a real-time manner. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The present invention may best be understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic architecture of the method and system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests according to the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the establishing steps of the orders data base according to the invention;  
         [0020]    FIGS.  3 (A) to  3 (C) are flow charts showing the operational steps involved in using the system and method for online and real-time editing, forwarding and printing manifests according to the invention;  
         [0021]    FIGS.  4 (A) to  4 (C) are schematic diagrams showing the operational steps of an embodiment in practical use, in which a user inquiries the order data and adds a manifest of the system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests according to the invention;  
         [0022]    FIGS.  5 (A) to  5 (D) are schematic diagrams showing the operational steps of an embodiment in practical use where a user corrects and duplicates the manifest of the system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests according to the present invention; and  
         [0023]    FIGS.  6 (A) to  6 (C) are schematic diagrams showing the operational steps of an embodiment in practical use where a user delivers and prints out a manifest of the system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a basic configuration of the system and method for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests of the invention. As shown, the system  1  is provided for allowing a user&#39;s computer device  2  through the network communication system  3  to link to the system via a browser  10  to inquiry the required data of an order over the Internet. Said online and real-time manifest correcting and delivering system  1  can be such as a large-scale commercial computer system, and said network communication system  3  can be Internet, an intranet or an extranet for linking to the system  1  for online and real-time manifest correcting and delivering and to its terminal device  2 . The said system  1  includes at least a product flow processing workstation  20 , an order database  30  and a database server  40 .  
         [0025]    The product flow processing workstation  20  is provided for allowing the delivery procedural controlling staff to establish an order data file  32  according to each purchased product, and makes an exclusive identification code for each data file at least including information of the supplier of each order and its delivery site, and store the established data file  32  in an order database  30 . The product flow processing workstation  20  can be a large-scale commercial computer system capable of interconnecting or integrating with other backstage mainframe systems (not shown, such as an Enterprise Resource Planning; ERP and Material Requirements Planning; MRP).  
         [0026]    The order database  30  is provided to store the orders data files  32  established by the product flow processing workstation  20 .  
         [0027]    The database server  40  is provided for allowing a user of a terminal device  2  to browse and read orders data files  32  stored in the order database  30 . When the database server  40  receives an exclusive identification code inputted by a user at a terminal device  2 , the database server  40  searches and retrieves a corresponding order data file  32  from the order database  30  therein and delivers the retrieved order data file  32  to the terminal device  2 . Moreover, the database sever  40  at least includes a data searching module  42 , a data correcting module  44  and a manifest delivering module  46 .  
         [0028]    The data searching module is used to search a corresponding order data file  32  from the order database  30  therein to provide information for a user at a terminal device.  
         [0029]    The data correcting module  44  is provided for the seller to correct the contents of the manifest.  
         [0030]    The manifest delivering module  46  is provided for the seller to deliver the manifest to the buyer over the Internet.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram showing the establishing procedural steps of the order database  30 . As shown in Step S 50 , when the product flow processing workstation  20  receives an order data processing work, it then proceeds to S 51 ; in S 51  the product flow processing workstation  20  uses an identification code established by the order data file  32  including at least the supplier&#39;s number and its delivery site to store an order data file  32  in the order database  30 .  
         [0032]    By performing the foregoing steps, the product flow processing workstation  20  accomplishes the order database  32  to enable a user at a terminal device  2  through the network communication system  3  to browse relative information of an order in real time by a browser  10 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3(A) illustrates the method steps involved in using the system of the invention for the seller to deliver the manifest in an on-line and real-time manner. As shown, first, a browser  10  of the user&#39;s computer device  2  is linked to a web site server  3  of the system  1  for on-line real-time manifest correcting and delivering over the internet, and subsequently it proceeds to step S 100 , in which the user needs to check and see if the goods is not delivered and the manifest not issued. If yes, it then proceeds to step S 101 ; if not, proceeds to step S 108 ;  
         [0034]    In step S 101 , the system  1  is initiated to receive the inquiry data input by the user, and accordingly search from the orders data files  32  of the order database  30  therein for a corresponding order data file, it then proceeds to S 102 ;  
         [0035]    In step S 102 , the system  1  is commanded to automatically screen and search the remaining quantity and the maximum delivery volume. Then it moves on to step S 103 ;  
         [0036]    In step S 1103 , the user will select the items of delivery and fill the information in the manifest according to the order. It then proceeds to step S 104 .  
         [0037]    In step S 104 , the user clicks “add” on the web page to complete the manifest. It proceeds next to step S 105 .  
         [0038]    In step S 1105 , the user decides if the manifest should be delivered to the buyer online and in real-time over the Internet. If yes, it then proceeds to step S 1106 ; or it ends operation if otherwise.  
         [0039]    In step S 106 , the user clicks “transmit” on the webpage to command the system  1  to print out the manifest. Then it proceeds to S 107 ;  
         [0040]    In step S 107 , the user inputs its exclusive identification code and private key to command the system  1  for identifying the user. If correct, it delivers the manifest online via the Internet and ends the operational steps.  
         [0041]    In step S 108 , the user needs to click the “supplement order” on the webpage and then proceeds to step S 101 .  
         [0042]    By using the foregoing method and steps the supplier can deliver the manifest in an online and real-time manner. FIG. 3(B) illustrates the procedural steps involved in using the system for the user to correct and duplicate the manifest over the Internet. As shown, first, a browser  10  of the user&#39;s computer device  2  is linked to a web site server  3  of the system  1  for online and real-time manifest correcting and delivering through the internet, and subsequently it proceeds to step S 200 .  
         [0043]    In step S 201 , the system  1  enters into a main screen of the manifest for allowing the user to check the manifest, and then it proceeds to step S 202 ;  
         [0044]    In step S 202 , the system  1  is prompted to display detailed information of the manifest, and it proceeds to S 203 ;  
         [0045]    In step S 203 , the system  1  inquires the user if modification of the manifest is required, if yes it proceeds to step S 204 ; if not, it then moves on to step S 210 ;  
         [0046]    In step S 204 , the user select the number of manifest to be altered and clicks “change” item on the webpage, it then proceeds to step S 205 ;  
         [0047]    In step S 205 , the user fills in the information he wishes to change and clicks “add” or “delete” item on the webpage to proceed with modification of manifest, then it proceeds to step S 206 ;  
         [0048]    In step S 206 , the system  1  inquires the user if he wishes to deliver the revised and duplicated manifest to the buyer online and in real-time over the internet, if yes it proceeds to step S 207 ; if not it ends the operation procedure;  
         [0049]    In step  207 , the user selects and clicks “send” item to prompt the system  1  to display the manifest to be delivered, then it proceeds to S 208 ;  
         [0050]    In step S 208 , the user inputs its identification code and private key to prompt the system  1  to identify the user, then it proceeds to step S 209 ;  
         [0051]    In step S 209 , the system  1  confirms the users&#39; identification and then delivers the manifest to the seller, then it ends said procedural step.  
         [0052]    In step S 210 , the system  1  inquires the user if he wishes to duplicate the content of the manifest, if yes it proceeds to step S 211 ; if not it ends said procedural step.  
         [0053]    In step S 211 , the user chooses the data to be duplicated, then it skips to step S 206 .  
         [0054]    By using the foregoing procedural steps the user can proceed to complete manifest modification and duplication over the Internet in an online and real-time manner.  
         [0055]    Illustrated in FIG. 3(C), it shows the procedural steps of a user prints out the manifest online through the Internet. First, a user&#39;s browser  10  of a terminal device  2  is linked to the system  1  via the network communication system  3 , then it proceeds to S 300 ; in which the user selects the transmitted but not voided manifest on the main web page, then it proceeds to step S 301 ;  
         [0056]    In step  301 , it prompts the system  1  to display the manifest data selected by the user, then it proceeds to S 302 ;  
         [0057]    In step S 302 , the user confirms accuracy of the displayed manifest and clicks “print” item on the web page, then it proceeds to step S 303 ;  
         [0058]    In step S 303 , the user uses the terminal device  2  to print out the manifest data and ends said procedural step.  
         [0059]    By using the foregoing procedural steps the user can proceed to print out the added or revised manifest.  
         [0060]    In operation as illustrated in FIG. 4(A), which is a schematic drawing showing the present invention applied to a web page, when a user on the seller side wishes to inquire for detailed content of an order placed by the buyer through the internet, after being connected through the network communication system to enter buyer&#39;s established system, subsequently it enters into a web page for selecting orders while at the same time said system will request the user to input an identification code at least including the supplier number column  401  and its delivery site column  402  (as shown in the drawing, it may also include mode of delivery, purchasing staff code number, order number, buyer part number, seller part number, invoice date, invoice number., etc.), which enable the system to search for the requested order data corresponding to inputted identification code as well as other requirements from orders data file  32  of order database  30 . In the case that the goods was delivered and a corresponding manifest is not issued, the user may select a supplement order column  403  to restrict automatically its searching range.  
         [0061]    After inputting an identification code correctly, as illustrated in FIG. 4(B), user may select a required order by clicking on “select” column  404 , in which a delivery volume column  405  and a packaging mode column  406  are compulsory to fill in; while the invoice date column  407  and invoice number column  408  are of selective information to input.  
         [0062]    After adding a manifest as illustrated in FIG. 4(C), the system will display detailed contents of the requested manifest for allowing the user to browse online, in which the “send” mode column  409  “N” indicates that said manifest is not sent yet; if it indicates “Y” which means said manifest was delivered.  
         [0063]    As illustrated in FIG. 5(A), when a user wishes to proceed modifications of a manifest, it first enters into an enquiry web page of the manifest, in which the “send” mode column  410 , a manifest condition column  411  and a supplement manifest column  412  are provided for allowing the user to limit the inquiring range. In addition said system further displays including supplier number, manifest delivery number, order number, date of transmission, date of delivery and order sequence waiting code columns for allowing the user to make inquiry accordingly.  
         [0064]    As illustrated in FIG. 5(B), said system displays a main file screen of the manifest, in which a select column  413  is provided for allowing the user to select required manifest for correcting, and after the manifest being selected the user then clicks on “change” column  414  to proceed with correction of the manifest.  
         [0065]    As illustrated in FIG. 5(C), which shows detailed contents of the manifest being selected by the user, in which items such as a supplement column  415 , delete column  416 , date of delivery column  417 , date of invoice column  418 , invoice number column  419 , a delete column  420 , delivery volume column  421  and packaging mode column  422  are provided for allowing user to proceed with corrections if necessary.  
         [0066]    As illustrated in FIG. 5(D), in which it displays when a user enters into a web page for duplication, user may proceed to add items into the manifest such as a date of delivery column  423 , an invoice date column  424 , an invoice number column  425 , a selecting column  426 , a delivery volume column  427  and a packaging mode column  428 ., etc., after confirming the items details the user may click a “copy” column for duplication of the manifest.  
         [0067]    When a user intends to deliver a manifest online and in real-time, as illustrated in FIG. 5(B), user needs only to choose a “select” column  413  from a main screen of manifest to send out the manifest by clicking “send” column  450 ; next, as illustrated in FIG. 6(A), the system will display a list of manifests to be sent, user may choose to confirm or to cancel the action, and then the system will request the user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) on a name column  415  and input a personal identification number (PIN) password column  452  for identifying the user, as illustrated in FIG. 6(B). Lastly, as illustrated in FIG. 6(C), the system will display a private key selecting screen for the user to select the content of the private key and confirm the item in order to send the selected manifest to the buyer.  
         [0068]    When a user wishes to print out a manifest online, as illustrated in FIG. 5(B), user needs only to choose a select column  413  from main screen of the manifest to print out the selected manifest, subsequently clicks a print item column  453  to proceed.  
         [0069]    In summary, the method and system for online and real-time editing and forwarding manifests for use in manifest operation enable the user to operate in simply steps to add, inquiry, change, transmit and print out the manifest online and in real-time via the network communication system. The proposed method and system are not only capable of eliminating repetition of data-inputting and waste of time and human source in delivering commercial documents between both sides; it also can be responsive to clients&#39; requirements in an online and real-time manner to grasp the first business opportunity.  
         [0070]    The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.