Abstract: A computer system for retrieving a product that meets characteristics of a customer. The system comprises a main agent and a supplier agent connected to the main agent through a network. The main agent comprises a customer table for storing customer characteristic codes. Each of the customer characteristic codes represents characteristics of each of customer. The supplier agent comprises a product database for storing products provided by the supplier. Each of the products is assigned a customer characteristic code in accordance with characteristics of the product. The main agent writes the product search request received from a customer and the customer characteristic code of the customer in a parameter table. The supplier agent reads the parameter table and retrieves a product that meets the product search request and that is assigned the customer characteristic code. The main agent edits the search result into a search result screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer system which is related with a Web server for providing a Web site over the Internet. The computer system is configured to comprise customer type determining means for determining a customer type of a user based on a transition of the user's content requests when the user is accessing the Web site and Web page providing means for providing an appropriate Web page for the user based on the determined customer type. According to the invention, it is possible to determine a customer type of a user while the user is accessing a Web site and present a Web page appropriate to that user based on the determined customer type of the user.

Abstract: A cashback system is composed of an IC card storing point data representative an amount of points used for a point system and electronic money data representative of an amount of electronic money, a terminal including a reader/writer accessible to the IC card, a point management server, and an electronic money server. The terminal is programmed to provide a prompt to input a customer ID identifying a customer, and a password in response to establishment of an access between the IC card and the terminal, to provide another prompt to input customer-specific information in response to the identifier and the password being inputted, and to transmit the customer ID, the password, and the customer-specific information to the point management server. The point management server is programmed to issue a conversion allowance when the customer is successfully authenticated with the customer ID, the password, and the customer-specific information.

Abstract: A customer management system is composed of: an IC card, terminals respectively provided for branch offices, and a management server including a customer management database. The IC card includes a region for storing favorite office information indicating a favorite branch office(s). The terminals are each designed to program the IC card using a reader/writer to register a desired favorite branch office as one of the favorite branch office(s) within the favorite office information, and to transmit registration information representative of the desired favorite branch office to the management server. The management server is programmed to update the customer management database in response to the registration information so that the customer management database contains an association of a customer owning the IC card and the favorite branch office(s) indicated by the favorite office information.

Abstract: A computer system for retrieving a product that meets characteristics of a customer. The system comprises a main agent and a supplier agent connected to the main agent through a network. The main agent comprises a customer table for storing customer characteristic codes. Each of the customer characteristic codes represents characteristics of each of customer. The supplier agent comprises a product database for storing products provided by the supplier. Each of the products is assigned a customer characteristic code in accordance with characteristics of the product. The main agent writes the product search request received from a customer and the customer characteristic code of the customer in a parameter table. The supplier agent reads the parameter table and retrieves a product that meets the product search request and that is assigned the customer characteristic code. The main agent edits the search result into a search result screen.

Abstract: A computer system for optimizing a specification of a vehicle to meet the needs of customers is provided. The system comprises a customer database for storing one or more factors associated with the needs of customers for the vehicle and a specification optimizing engine. The specification optimizing engine analyzes the factors in the customer database to determine whether the vehicle meets the needs of customers. The specification optimizing engine extracts the needs of customers from the customer database if it is determined that the vehicle does not meet the needs of customers and determines a specification optimized to meet the extracted needs of customers. The needs of customers may include a desired specification item that customers desire for the vehicle and an undesired specification item that customers do not desire. The determined specification may be adjusted to meet the requirement of a vehicle supplier. Thus, the optimized specification of the vehicle is automatically generated.

Abstract: The convenience of a car chart provided on a Web site on the Internet is improved. A computer system is provided that generates a customer-specific car chart in order to provide a customer-specific car chart page on a Web site on the Internet and includes a data editor for editing data about each customer based on information obtained from an electronic control unit in a car and information obtained when sales is done to generate the car chart and a car chart database for storing the edited customer-specific car chart, wherein a car chart page personalized for each customer is generated. The car chart is generated based on the information obtained from the electronic control unit of the car and the information obtained when sales are made.

Abstract: There is provided a sales support system capable of being operated without substantially degrading reliability even if basic attribute data required for identifying needs property of the customers is insufficient.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer system which is related with a Web server for providing a Web site over the Internet. The computer system is configured to comprise customer type determining means for determining a customer type of a user based on a transition of the user's content requests when the user is accessing the Web site and Web page providing means for providing an appropriate Web page for the user based on the determined customer type. According to the invention, it is possible to determine a customer type of a user while the user is accessing a Web site and present a Web page appropriate to that user based on the determined customer type of the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system capable of analyzing each user during the user's access to a Web site without load to a server.

Abstract: A probe unit 4 which contains therein an A/D converter 41 is arranged to be connected to, and disconnected from, that connector 23 of a vehicle diagnosing unit 2 which is provided in order to connect the vehicle diagnosing unit 2 to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. In this manner, it is so arranged that the diagnosing of electrical components of the vehicle can be performed by a probe 42.

Abstract: A portable diagnosing unit is connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) which is mounted on a vehicle. The diagnosing of the vehicle is performed by the portable diagnosing unit via the ECU according to the diagnosing program corresponding to the kind of ECU. The diagnosing data are transmitted to the host computer for processing. In this vehicle diagnosing apparatus, a diagnosing program for each kind of ECU is stored in the host computer. A diagnosing program corresponding to that kind of ECU which is read out by the portable diagnosing unit is transmitted from the host computer to the portable diagnosing unit. When the kind of ECU of the preceding vehicle is the same as the kind of ECU of the succeeding vehicle, the diagnosing program that was earlier received by the portable diagnosing unit which is connected to the ECU of the preceding vehicle is transmitted from that portable diagnosing unit to the portable diagnosing unit which is connected to the ECU of the succeeding vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnosing apparatus diagnoses a vehicle by being connected to an electronic control unit which is mounted on the vehicle and by receiving data, via the electronic control unit, from various sensors mounted on the vehicle. The judging result of each judging step of the diagnosing program can be arbitrarily set. The diagnosing program is then performed according to the judging result set for each of the judging steps. While the diagnosing is being performed, there is indicated the screen under performance in which the setting conditions such as judging result, etc. is displayed (S1). With the progress of the performance of the diagnosing program, the order of performance N of the steps is indicated (S7).

Abstract: In a vehicle diagnosing apparatus having a function of incorporating data from sensors which are disposed in a vehicle, the data from the sensors are continuously incorporated before diagnosing. The state of changes in the data are displayed as a graph. Then, the timings of incorporating the data used for diagnosing are set on the graph.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a vehicle diagnosing program which diagnoses a vehicle via an electronic control unit mounted on the vehicle automatically prepares diagnosing function programs. Each of the diagnosing function programs is made up of a plurality of diagnosing steps arranged in an appropriate order and is prepared by setting a parameter in each of the diagnosing steps. The vehicle diagnosing program is prepared by selecting and combining the diagnosing function programs in an order of performing the vehicle diagnosing function programs for each kind of electronic control unit.

Abstract: The cause for prolonged diagnosing time can be recognized on a real time basis. A vehicle diagnosing apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle is connected to an electronic control unit mounted on the vehicle. The diagnosing is performed by incorporating data, via the electronic control unit, from various sensors mounted on the vehicle. The apparatus has a timer for measuring the diagnosing time, and a display for indicating measured diagnosing time and judgement results of each of judging items. The judging time for each of the judging items is measured by the timer and the judgement results and the judging time are indicated on a real time basis by the display.

Abstract: When operating preference settings are selected on a setting image on a CRT through a touch panel, an operating preference setting unit controls the CRT to display a menu for establishing settings for connection of inspecting devices in respective processes of a production line and names with respect to data delivered from the inspecting devices, in coaction with the touch panel. After the settings have been made, the CRT displays an image based on which the generation of a server image is indicated. Under the control of a server image generating unit, it is determined whether items related by the operating preference setting unit are to be displayed or not, generating a displayed image. When a server operation is indicated on an image next displayed on the CRT, data delivered from the inspecting devices are processed according to conditions indicated by the operating preference setting unit and a server operating unit, and displayed on the CRT under the control of the server operating unit.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for inspecting a workpiece, a measuring unit measures basic data for producing an inspection program from each of the workpieces to be inspected, based on measuring conditions and a measuring method both set on a display by a conditions setting unit. Next, a determining method producing unit analyzes the basic data and produces a determining method for determining whether or not each workpiece is faulty. An inspection program producing unit then generates an inspection program based on the set measuring conditions and measuring method and the produced determining method. The inspecting apparatus subsequently automatically inspects each of the workpieces to be inspected as conveyed in a lot based on the inspection program.

Abstract: An inner member of a constant-velocity joint is continuously tilted with respect to an outer member thereof up to a maximum tilt angle while the inner member is rotating. From data including tilt angles and torques which are measured when the inner member is tilted, and also from maximum and minimum torque values at the maximum tilt angle which are detected from the measured data, there is calculated a pair of curves indicative of the maximum and minimum torque values of the inner member at the respective tilt angles. Maximum and minimum torque values at a given tilt angle of the inner member are then calculated from the calculated curves, and then compared with the predetermined reference values, thereby determining whether the constant-velocity joint is good or not.