JP4598070B2 - Electronic shopping mall system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic shopping mall system, a management device, a management method, a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method in which each store in the electronic shopping mall can customize a category for managing products handled by the store.

  Currently, a shopping mall system for operating an electronic shopping mall on the Internet has become widespread. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a user can easily order a product purchase via the Internet.

  The database of the shopping mall system stores product information related to products handled by each store opening in the electronic shopping mall. Based on the information stored in this database, the shopping mall system uses HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), etc. to introduce each store, and explain and purchase the products handled by each store. Is displayed on the user's computer. The shopping mall system can centrally manage many stores and products.

When the user accesses the shopping mall system using a WWW (World Wide Web) browser installed on the computer, the shopping mall system displays a guide screen of the electronic shopping mall on the screen of the computer. This guidance screen includes an introduction text of an electronic shopping mall, a list of product categories, and the like. When a user selects a category from the category list, the shopping mall system displays a subcategory belonging to the selected category, a product belonging to the category, a store name selling the product, and the like on the computer screen. For example, when a product is selected by a user using a WWW browser, the shopping mall system displays an explanation screen or a purchase screen for the selected product.
JP 2000-179100 A

  The conventional shopping mall system classifies products according to categories and subcategories set by the shopping mall system operator. For this reason, there is a problem that each store cannot classify the handled products according to its own category / subcategory.

  For example, when a store handles whiskey, the “whiskey” category, “malt whiskey”, “grain whiskey”, and “blended whiskey” subcategories are prepared in order to provide uniqueness. However, if the shopping mall system accepts only the “whiskey” category, they are all treated as products in the same category. This makes it impossible to express the difference between the products as intended by the store, and makes the store unique.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible electronic shopping mall system that allows each store to show its uniqueness while belonging to one shopping mall.

An electronic shopping mall system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
An electronic shopping mall system that uses a server device that manages an electronic shopping mall and a client device that connects to the electronic shopping mall via a network,
The server device
Information indicating a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall and a store category based on a product category set for each store handling the product in association with the product handled by the electronic shopping mall A storage unit for storing
A first transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods to the client device is obtained from the storage portion,
A second transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit,
With
The client device is
A first acquisition unit that acquires the information indicating the pre-Symbol common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods from the server apparatus,
A display unit for displaying on the monitor information indicating the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the common category;
In the case where the displayed item is selected by the user, to the effect that the displayed item is selected notification to the server apparatus, indicating the quotient and store information indicating the category are classified in the store category goods a second acquisition unit for acquiring the information from the server apparatus,
Equipped with a,
When the client device is notified that the displayed product has been selected, the second transmission unit receives information indicating the store category and information indicating the product classified into the store category. Obtained from the storage unit and sent to the client,
The display unit further displays on the monitor information indicating the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the store category.
It is characterized by that.

The common category and the store category include a category for further classifying products classified into the common category and the store category,
When the first transmission unit obtains information indicating the lowest category (hereinafter simply referred to as the lowest) in terms of client use according to the common category of the electronic shopping mall, the product belonging to the lowest category Is acquired in accordance with the order previously associated with the common category to obtain the information and transmitted to the client device,
When the second transmission unit acquires information indicating the lowest category according to the store category, the product classified into the lowest category and handled by the store corresponds to the store category in advance. Information arranged according to the assigned order may be acquired and transmitted to the client device.

The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit are:
A search condition for searching for information stored in the storage unit is acquired from the client device, information on the product stored in the storage unit is searched based on the search condition, and a result of the search When the number of the obtained products is a predetermined number, information for purchasing the product and information regarding a store that sells the product may be acquired and transmitted to the client device.

A management device according to another aspect of the present invention is:
A management device for managing an electronic shopping mall using a client device connected via a line network,
Information indicating a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall and a store category based on a product category set for each store handling the product in association with the product handled by the electronic shopping mall A storage unit for storing
A first transmission unit that transmits information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods to the client device is obtained from the storage portion,
The information indicating the common category transmitted by the first transmission unit and the information indicating the product classified into the common category are displayed by the client device, and then the displayed product is selected by the user. and but when it is notified from the client device, a second transmission unit that transmits information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit,
It is characterized by providing.

The common category and the store category include a category for further classifying products belonging to the common category and the store category,
When the first transmission unit obtains information indicating the lowest category (hereinafter simply referred to as the lowest) in terms of client use according to the common category of the electronic shopping mall, the product belonging to the lowest category Is acquired in accordance with the order previously associated with the common category to obtain the information and transmitted to the client device,
When the second transmission unit acquires information indicating the lowest category according to the store category, the product classified into the lowest category and handled by the store corresponds to the store category in advance. Information arranged according to the assigned order may be acquired and transmitted to the client device.

The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit are:
A search condition for searching for information stored in the storage unit is acquired from the client device, information on the product stored in the storage unit is searched based on the search condition, and a result of the search When the number of the obtained products is a predetermined number, information for purchasing the product and information regarding a store that sells the product may be acquired and transmitted to the client device.

A management method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
A management method for managing an electronic shopping mall using a client device connected via a line network and executed by a management device having a storage unit,
The storage unit is associated with a product handled by the electronic shopping mall, a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall, and a store based on a product category set for each store handling the product Stores information indicating the category,
A first transmission step of transmitting to the client device and information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods is obtained from the storage portion,
The information indicating the common category transmitted in the first transmission step and the information indicating the product classified into the common category are displayed by the client device, and then the displayed product is selected by the user. If There notified from the client device, and a second transmitting step of transmitting the information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit ,
It is characterized by providing.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention is:
A computer for managing an electronic shopping mall using a client device connected via a network;
Information indicating a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall and a store category based on a product category set for each store handling the product in association with the product handled by the electronic shopping mall A storage unit for storing,
First transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods to the client device is obtained from the storage portion,
The information indicating the common category transmitted by the first transmission unit and the information indicating the product classified into the common category are displayed by the client device, and then the displayed product is selected by the user. There wherein when notified from the client device, a second transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit,
It is made to function as.

An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
An information processing apparatus for connecting to an electronic shopping mall via a network,
Acquired from the management apparatus for managing the electronic shopping mall, a first for acquiring said information indicating instruments classified as electronic shopping information and the common category indicating a common category entirety based on the set the commodity classification of the mall And
A display unit for displaying on the monitor information indicating the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the common category;
When the displayed product is selected by the user, the store notifies the management device that the displayed product has been selected, and stores based on the product classification set for each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall a second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating instruments classified information and the shop category indicating a category from the management device,
Based on the classification instruction input, accepting a selection instruction input of the commodity exhibited in the electronic shopping mall and a classification instruction input indicating whether the commodity is classified according to the common category or the store category, Control to classify information about the product indicated by the selection instruction input in either the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit or the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and a control unit which,
The display unit further displays on the monitor information indicating the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the store category.
It is characterized by that.

An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus connected to an electronic shopping mall via a network,
Acquired from the management apparatus for managing the electronic shopping mall, a first for acquiring said information indicating instruments classified as electronic shopping information and the common category indicating a common category entirety based on the set the commodity classification of the mall Steps,
A display step of displaying on a monitor information indicating the common category acquired in the first acquisition step and information indicating products classified into the common category;
When the displayed product is selected by the user, the store notifies the management device that the displayed product has been selected, and stores based on the product classification set for each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall a second acquisition step of acquiring information indicating instruments classified information and the shop category indicating a category from the management device,
Based on the classification instruction input, accepting a selection instruction input of the commodity exhibited in the electronic shopping mall and a classification instruction input indicating whether the commodity is classified according to the common category or the store category, Control to classify the information about the product indicated by the selection instruction input into either the common category acquired in the first acquisition step or the store category acquired in the second acquisition step. A control step to
Equipped with a,
In the display step, information indicating the store category acquired in the second acquisition step and information indicating products classified in the store category are further displayed on the monitor.
It is characterized by that.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention is:
A computer that connects to an electronic shopping mall via a network
Acquired from the management apparatus for managing the electronic shopping mall, a first for acquiring said information indicating instruments classified as electronic shopping information and the common category indicating a common category entirety based on the set the commodity classification of the mall Part,
A display unit for displaying on the monitor information indicating the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the common category;
When the displayed product is selected by the user, the store notifies the management device that the displayed product has been selected, and stores based on the product classification set for each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating instruments classified information and the shop category indicating a category from the management device,
Based on the classification instruction input, accepting a selection instruction input of the commodity exhibited in the electronic shopping mall and a classification instruction input indicating whether the commodity is classified according to the common category or the store category, Control to classify information about the product indicated by the selection instruction input in either the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit or the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit Control unit,
To function as,
The display unit further displays on the monitor information indicating the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the store category.
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the user can browse, select, purchase, and the like based on not only a common category of the entire electronic shopping mall but also a category uniquely set by each store. Can be reflected.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a shopping mall system. It is a figure which shows the structure of a management server apparatus. (A) It is a figure which shows the example of the classification | category by the common category set to the whole shopping mall. (B) It is a figure which shows the example of the store category classification | category which the store which participates in a shopping mall set uniquely. It is an example of the data which shows the display order at the time of rearranging and displaying goods. It is a figure which shows the example of the structure of the merchandise information table preserve | saved at a merchandise information storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the structure of the shop information table preserve | saved at a shop information preservation | save part. It is a figure which shows the structure of a client apparatus. (A)-(e) is an example of the screen which displays goods and a category based on the classification | category by the common category of the whole shopping mall. It is a flowchart of merchandise / store display processing. It is a continuation of the flowchart of merchandise / store display processing. It is an example of the screen which displays goods and a category based on classification by the store category uniquely set by the store.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shopping mall system 100 Management server apparatus 110 Control part 120 Storage part 130 Communication control part 140 Goods information storage part 141 Goods information table 150 Store information storage part 151 Store information table 190 Bus 200 Client apparatus 210 Goods ID
220 Product name 230 Price 240 Shopping mall category name 250 Store category name 260 Store keyword 270 Product introduction 280 Product image 290 Registration date 300 Network

  An electronic shopping mall system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shopping mall system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation server device 100 and a client device 200 (200A to 200C in the drawing) connected to the operation server device 100 via a network 300. Is done. Although only three client devices 200 are shown in the figure, the number is not limited. The network 300 is typically the Internet, but may be another network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a dedicated line.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the management server device 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a communication control unit 130, a product information storage unit 140, a store information storage unit 150, and a bus 190. . The control unit 110, the storage unit 120, the communication control unit 130, the product information storage unit 140, and the store storage information unit 150 are connected to each other via a bus 190.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), performs arithmetic processing based on an operation program stored in the storage unit 120, and controls each unit.

  The storage unit 120 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a hard disk as work areas, and an OS (Operating System) for controlling the operation of the control unit 110, Stores application programs and the like. As an application program stored in the storage unit 120, for example, a program that writes, changes, and deletes data in the product information storage unit 140, and a data that is written, changed, and deleted in the store information storage unit 150 The program searches the product information storage unit 140 and the store information control unit 150 according to the conditions specified by the user, generates a search program that extracts products and stores that match the conditions, a store introduction screen, and a WWW page that includes the search results. A WWW server program to be transmitted to the client device 200.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the storage unit 120 arbitrarily selects a product category (hereinafter referred to as “common category”) used for classifying products by a common classification method in the entire electronic shopping mall. The data format is stored. This common category has a plurality of hierarchical structures such as a first hierarchy and a second hierarchy. The number of hierarchies can be set arbitrarily.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage unit 120 stores display order data that defines the order in which products are displayed when a plurality of products is searched in the search process. For example, data for setting product registration order (new order / old order), product number order (ascending order / descending order), price order (ascending order / descending order), delivery date order (ascending order / descending order) is stored. Yes. The storage unit 120 may store a flag indicating whether the data is valid or invalid in association with one display order data.

  The communication control unit 130 includes, for example, a communication device such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), and transmits and receives data between the management server device 100 and the client device 200 under the control of the control unit 110.

  The merchandise information storage unit 140 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device, and stores information on the merchandise handled by the store for each store opening in the electronic shopping mall. For example, the product information storage unit 140 stores a product information table 141 as shown in FIG. Each entry of the product information table 141 includes a product ID 210, product name 220, price 230, shopping mall category name 240, store category name 250, store keyword 260, product introduction 270, product image 280, registration date 290, and other information. Saved.

  The product ID 210 is identification information unique to all stores and all products that open in an electronic shopping mall. Therefore, when the store is the same but the product is different, or when the product is the same but the store is different, each product ID 210 is different. A store and a product can be identified from the product ID 210.

  The product name 220 is the name of the product. The price 230 is the unit price of the product. The shopping mall category name 240 is the category name of the product classified in the common category used in the entire electronic shopping mall. If the categories are hierarchized, the lowest subcategory name is set. The store category name 250 is the category name of the product classified by the category (hereinafter referred to as “store category”) uniquely set by each store. If the categories are hierarchized, the lowest subcategory name is set. The store keyword 260 is a keyword arbitrarily set to represent the product, and is, for example, one or a plurality of words that express the feature of the product.

  The product introduction sentence 270 is a sentence such as a catch phrase that is introduced in order to increase the willingness to purchase the product. The image 280 is an arbitrary image such as a photograph of a product. The registration date 290 is information indicating the date when the product is registered in the electronic shopping mall, and the date is automatically added by the control unit 110. Note that the time registered in the electronic shopping mall may be stored instead of or in addition to the date.

  The store information storage unit 150 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device, and stores information about stores that are open in an electronic shopping mall. Specifically, the store information storage unit 150 stores a store information table 151 that stores information on each store that opens in an electronic shopping mall. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the store information table 151 stores store specifying data 310, store introduction screen data 320, category definition information 330, and display information 340.

The store specifying data 310 is data for identifying a store such as a store name and a store ID.
The store introduction screen data 320 is data for introducing a store. For example, the store introduction screen data 320 is composed of an HTML document for introduction of each store and the like, and includes a copy, a logo mark, and the like showing the individuality of the store.
The category definition information 330 defines the store category structure unique to the store as illustrated in FIG. 3B in an arbitrary data format. The category definition information 330 can be arbitrarily modified by each store using a predetermined editor or the like.
Further, the display information 340 is information that defines in what order the searched products are displayed in the same manner as the contents shown in FIG.

  The client device 200 is composed of, for example, a general personal computer. The client device 200 is a device on which a predetermined software application such as a WWW browser for browsing or purchasing a product in an electronic shopping mall operates. The client device 200 may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants). The client device 200 has a function of instructing the operation server device 100 via a WWW browser and displaying data received from the operation server device 100. In this embodiment, a commonly used WWW browser is used, but a software application having other similar functions may be used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the client device 200. The client device 200 includes an input unit 410, an output unit 420, a storage unit 430, a control unit 440, a communication control unit 450, and a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory) drive 460.
The input unit 410 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, receives data inputs and instruction inputs from these input devices, and inputs control signals corresponding to these to the control unit 440. The input unit 410 may include a removable external memory such as a flash memory.
The output unit 420 includes an output device such as a monitor and a speaker. Under the control of the control unit 440, the output unit 420 outputs a video such as a still image / moving image to the monitor and outputs sound to the speaker.
The storage unit 430 includes a hard disk, a RAM, and a ROM, and stores an OS executed by the control unit 440, a control program, various data, and the like.
The control unit 440 has a CPU and executes the OS and control program stored in the storage unit 430 to control the entire client device 200.
The communication control unit 450 includes a NIC or the like, and connects the client device 200 and the network 300.
The DVD-ROM drive 460 reads data from a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM and inputs the read data to the control unit 440. Note that the client device 200 may include a device that reads data from another recording medium.

Next, operation | movement of the shopping mall system 1 of the said structure is demonstrated.
(Advance preparation in the management server device 100)
The management server device 100 prepares Web pages of each category in advance based on the common categories of the entire electronic shopping mall registered in the storage unit 120 and stores them in the storage unit 120.

  For example, the management server device 100 stores web page data for displaying a web page based on the common category shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 8A shows a product selection Web page that is first displayed on the monitor when the shopping mall system 1 is accessed. When “food” is selected in this common category, a subcategory is displayed as shown in FIG. When “beverage” is selected in this subcategory, the subcategory is further displayed as shown in FIG. When “alcohol” is selected in this subcategory, a further subcategory is displayed as shown in FIG. When “whiskey” is selected in this subcategory, the details of the product are displayed as shown in FIG. When the lowest category is selected, the products classified in the category are extracted, and the products are displayed in the display order as shown in FIG. Each Web page is preferably provided with an input area for inputting a search keyword and a search button for instructing start of search. Note that these display screens are merely an example and can be arbitrarily changed.

(Product / store display processing)
Next, processing performed by the operation server device 100 when the user accesses the operation server device 100 from the client device 200 to browse / purchase a product will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10.

The client device 200 accesses the operation server device 100 in accordance with a user operation instruction on the WWW browser.
The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 accepts this access via the communication control unit 130, and uses the prepared electronic shopping mall top page data (for example, the one shown in FIG. 8A) as the client. To device 200. The control unit 440 of the client device 200 receives the top page data via the communication control unit 450 and controls the output unit 420 to display the top page on the monitor.

  When the user operates an input device included in the input unit 410 of the client device 200 and any common category on the top page is selected, the control unit 440 displays the selected shopping mall category name 240 and its category name. Controls the communication control unit 450 to notify the operation server device 100 of information indicating that the information is based on the common category.

The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 determines whether or not the shopping mall category name 240 has been selected (step S101). The control unit 110 determines based on whether information such as the selected shopping mall category name 240 is received from the client device 200.
When it is determined that the shopping mall category name 240 is not selected (step S101; NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S103.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the shopping mall category name 240 has been selected (step S101; YES), the control unit 110 controls the communication control unit 130 for Web page data corresponding to the selected shopping mall category name 240. It transmits to the client apparatus 200 (step S102). The control unit 440 of the client device 200 displays a web page on a monitor based on the web page data.

  Based on the common category of the electronic shopping mall, the user can further select an arbitrary subcategory when there is a subcategory. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a user who wants to purchase “malt whiskey” selects “food” on the top page, selects “beverage” on the next page, and then “alcohol” on the next page. Select. Further, since the “malt whiskey” category does not exist on the next page, the user selects the “whiskey” category that seems to be the closest.

If the shopping mall category name 240 received in step S101 is the lowest-level category, the operation server device 100 selects the Web page data for the selected lowest-level category (that is, the category and its category). The product information table 141 is extracted by searching for the product classified into the category and the store that provides the product), and the Web page data rearranged in a predetermined display order is transmitted. Note that this page may be generated on the spot by, for example, CGI (Common Gateway Interface).
Here, the data transmitted from the management server 100 is data generated without using a store category uniquely determined by each store.

  The user selects the product ID or product name of the desired product. The control unit 440 of the client device 200 controls the communication control unit 450 to transmit information indicating the selected product to the operation server device 100.

The control unit 110 determines whether or not a product has been selected by the client device 200 (step S103). The control unit 110 makes a determination based on whether information indicating the selected product has been received.
If it is determined that the product is not selected (step S103; NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S105.
On the other hand, when it determines with the goods having been selected (step S103; YES), the control part 110 searches the goods information table 141 of the store which sells the selected goods. Then, the control unit 110 reads the product name 220, the price 230, the shopping mall category name 240, the store category name 250, the product introduction 270, and the product image 280 associated with the notified product. In addition, the control unit 110 accesses the store information storage unit 150 and stores the store introduction screen data 320 (such as a copy or logo mark indicating the store personality) stored in the store information table 151 and the category definition information for each store. 330 is read. Furthermore, the control part 110 produces | generates the web page data of the store introduction containing the information regarding the selected goods, and information unique to the store, and transmits it to the client device 200 (step S104). The control unit 440 of the client device 200 displays a store introduction Web page based on the received Web page data.

  For example, FIG. 11A is an example of a store introduction Web page displayed on the monitor based on the Web page data transmitted in step S104. As shown in the figure, the Web page includes a store introduction display area 710, a store category display area 720 corresponding to the product, a store-specific category system display area 730, a product photo display area 740, and a product introduction display. An area 750, a product purchase button 760, and a search button 770 are displayed. The data displayed on this web page is not limited to these.

  Next, when the store category display area 720 is selected on the store introduction Web page (FIG. 11A), the control unit 440 of the client device 200 notifies the management server that the store category display area 720 has been selected. Notify the device 100.

The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 determines whether or not the store category display area 720 has been selected (step S105).
When it is determined that the store category display area 720 is not selected (step S105; NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S107.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the store category display area 720 has been selected (step S105; YES), the control unit 110 generates Web page data based on the store category definition information 340 stored in the store information table 151, It transmits to the client apparatus 200 (step S106). For example, the control unit 440 of the client device 200 receives the Web page data and displays a category selection Web page as shown in FIG. 11B on the monitor. When the category displayed in the selected store category display area 720 is the lowest category, the control unit 110 accesses the product information storage unit 141, searches for product information of the store, and searches for the category. A product classified into the category is extracted and Web page data is generated and transmitted.
The Web page data transmitted here is data for displaying the product information using a store category uniquely set by the store.

  When receiving the web page data, the control unit 440 of the client device 200 displays a product selection web page on the monitor based on the web page data. For example, the control unit 440 displays a product selection Web page as shown in FIG. The user can select an arbitrary category on the category selection Web page, and can select an arbitrary product classified into the category on the product selection Web page.

  Next, when the user selects a store on the product selection Web page illustrated in FIG. 8E, the control unit 440 of the client device 200 notifies the operation server 100 that the store has been selected.

The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 determines whether or not a store has been selected (step S107).
When it is determined that the store is not selected (step S107; NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S109.
On the other hand, if it is determined that a store has been selected (step S107; YES), the control unit 110 creates store introduction Web page data for the selected store and transmits it to the client device 200 (step S108). This store introduction Web page includes store introductions, store-specific store categories, and the like. For example, the content is the same as the store introduction Web page as shown in FIG. However, in this case, since a specific product is not selected, the product photo display area 740 and the product introduction display area 750 may be omitted.

  Next, when the user inputs a keyword in the search keyword input field on each Web page and presses the search button 770, the control unit 440 of the client device 200 displays information specifying the type of the Web page, the search keyword, The search instruction is transmitted to the management server device 100.

The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 receives these pieces of information and determines whether or not the search instruction uses a common page used in the entire electronic shopping mall as shown in FIGS. (Step S109).
When it is determined that the search instruction uses the common page of the electronic shopping mall (step S109; YES), the control unit 110 is based on the keyword stored in the product information storage unit 140 and the received search keyword. To extract products. Further, the control unit 110 generates data for displaying the product selection Web page as illustrated in FIG. 8E by rearranging in a predetermined display order, and transmits the data to the client device 200 (step S110). The subsequent processing is the same as described above.

If it is determined that the search instruction does not use the common page of the electronic shopping mall (step S109; NO), is the control unit 110 using a store page as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c)? It is determined whether or not (step S111).
When it is determined that the search instruction does not use the store page (step S111; NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S113.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the search instruction uses a store page (step S111; YES), the control unit 110, based on the keyword stored in the product information storage unit 140 and the received search keyword, Extract products. Further, the control unit 110 rearranges them in a predetermined display order, and displays a store introduction Web page as illustrated in FIG. 11A, a category selection Web page as illustrated in FIG. 11B, or FIG. Data for displaying the product selection Web page as exemplified in c) is generated and transmitted to the client device 200 (step S112). The subsequent processing is the same as described above.

  Here, if the number of the extracted products is only one as a result of the search in steps S110 and S112, FIG. 11 (a) including the product data related to the product and the introduction of the store that sells the product. It is desirable to generate Web page data for displaying a page as shown in FIG. Further, even when the number of extracted products is a predetermined number of 2 or more, Web page data including the product and an introduction of a store that sells the product may be generated.

  Next, when the user presses the purchase button 760 on the store introduction Web page as shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 440 of the client device 200 presses the information specifying the product to be purchased and the purchase button 760. A notification to the effect is transmitted to the operation server 100.

The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 receives these pieces of information and determines whether or not to perform a product purchase process (step S113).
When it is determined that the product purchase process is not performed (step S113; NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to the process of step S115.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the product purchase process is to be performed (step S113; YES), the control unit 110 executes the purchase process for the selected product (step S114). The purchase processing method and the billing method are arbitrary. For example, known techniques such as so-called shopping cart display processing, user authentication processing, payment processing using a credit card, and payment processing using electronic money are executed in combination.

  Next, when the user makes another instruction input such as cancellation of a product, the control unit 440 of the client apparatus 200 transmits an instruction signal corresponding to the instruction input to the management server apparatus 100.

The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 receives this instruction signal and determines whether there is any other instruction input (step S115).
When it is determined that there is no other instruction input (step S115; NO), the control unit 110 ends the product / store display process.
On the other hand, when it is determined that there is another instruction input (step 115; YES), the control unit 110 performs a process according to the instruction input (step 116), and ends the product / store display process.

(Product / Category update process)
The operator of the shopping mall system can change and change the products and categories as appropriate. The operator operates an input / output device (not shown) connected to the operation server device 100, and acquires information necessary for access such as an ID (identification information) and a password in advance. The storage unit 120 stores these IDs and passwords in association with each other. The control unit 110 determines whether the input ID or password matches the ID or password stored in the storage unit 120. If they match, the product or common category is allowed to be updated. That is, the control unit 110 permits the change of the common category of FIG. 3A, the display order data of FIG. 4, the product information table 141 of FIG. 5, and the store information table 151 of FIG. To do. The operator modifies each content using the input device as necessary. The control unit 110 stores the corrected data in the storage unit 120.

Further, the store manager / employee can change or delete the product or category of the store.
The manager / employee of the store operates using a store terminal (not shown) and acquires information necessary for access such as an ID and a password in advance. The storage unit 120 stores these IDs and passwords in association with each other. The control unit 110 determines whether the input ID or password matches the ID or password stored in the storage unit 120. If they match, the product or store category is allowed to be updated. That is, the control unit 110 permits the change of the store category in FIG. 3B, the portion related to the own store in the product information table 141 in FIG. 5, and the portion related to the own store in the store information table 151 in FIG. The manager / employee of the store edits / updates / deletes these data using a predetermined editing program or the like. The control unit 110 stores the corrected data in the storage unit 120.
Similarly, store managers / employees can add products to be handled. The administrator / employee associates the product name 220, the price 230, the shopping mall category name 240, the store category name 250, the store keyword 260, the product introduction 270, and the product image 280 of the product to be added. To be transmitted to the management server apparatus 100 together with an additional instruction. The control unit 110 of the management server device 100 stores these data in the product information table 141. In addition, the control unit 110 generates a unique product ID, acquires a registration date from an internal timer or the like, and stores it together.

  As described above, in the shopping mall system of this embodiment, the user can narrow down and purchase products according to the common rules of the electronic shopping mall when starting use. On the other hand, after selecting a product, the product can be narrowed down and purchased according to a rule uniquely determined by the store. Therefore, the individuality of the store can be demonstrated and differentiation from other stores can be achieved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible.

  In the above embodiment, a store that opens a store in an electronic shopping mall sells products, but what is sold need not be limited to products. For example, it is possible to sell services such as “Futon Washing Cleaning Service”.

  The data structures of various data shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the data stored in the store information storage unit 150 may be text data, moving image data, still image data, audio data, or the like, or a combination thereof.

The web pages shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 are examples, and the actual display form is arbitrary.
For example, in FIG. 11A, the store category 730 and the search button 770 need not be displayed. In this case, in the process of step S104, the control unit 110 may generate Web page data that does not display the unique store category 730 or the search button 770 for this store. Further, in FIG. 11A, the keyword of the product may also be displayed. In this case, in the process of step S104, the control unit 110 further reads the store keyword 260 from the product information table 141 to generate Web page data, and places the store keyword 260 in an appropriate place on the screen of FIG. Display it.

Further, each store in the electronic shopping mall may have its own domain name, and the page of each store may be operated using the domain name.
For example, the operation server device 100 sets a DNS (Domain Name Service) server so that the domain name of each store is an alias of the domain name of the operation server device 100. With this setting, the user can use either domain name, which increases the convenience of the system.

It is also possible to change the browser URL display method.
For example, when the user clicks a product ID or a product name on the screen of FIG. 7D, the CGI for displaying product information and the CGI for displaying store information have a common URL (for example, “http : //www.shoppingmall.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi ”).
When this CGI is used, the control unit 440 displays the screen shown in FIG. Here, for example, when the URL “http://www.shoppingmall.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi” is displayed on the browser, there is no atmosphere for entering the store from the electronic shopping mall.
Therefore, when the product ID is clicked on the common page of the entire electronic shopping mall as shown in FIG. 7E, for example, “http://www.store.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?id=112233” The URL is displayed on the browser. Here,? Id = 112233 is an argument representing the meaning of displaying the product with the product ID “112233”. CGI indicated by the URL “http://www.store.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?id=112233” and “http://www.shoppingmall.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi? Although it is actually the same as the CGI indicated by the URL “id = 112233”, the URL is displayed differently on the browser. Thereby, the atmosphere which enters into a store from this shopping mall can be taken out. Then, by changing the URL displayed on the browser, it is possible to produce an effect of entering another store from the shopping mall and to appeal the uniqueness of the store.

However, if the same address can be accessed with a different URL using an alias as described above, the following inconvenience occurs. For example, when a user inputs “http://www.store.com/” into a browser to directly access the top page of the store, a shopping mall system screen is displayed.
Therefore, a dedicated folder for each store is created at a predetermined location in the storage unit 120 of the management server device 100, and store-specific data is stored there. . For example, a folder “/ store / store-x” for storing data unique to the store is prepared under the folder “/ store”. In addition, the control unit 110 of the management server device 100 displays the case where the browser accesses store-specific data (data existing in the folder “/ store / store-x”) and the browser in FIGS. In the case of using CGI for searching for in-store merchandise on the store page shown in c), store-specific data and a CGI output result are transmitted to the client device 200. In other cases, the client device 200 is controlled to return HTML that jumps to a URL including the domain name of the shopping mall system.

For example, when the user accesses the URL “http://www.store.com/” using a browser, the DNS server returns an address indicating the management server device 100. Subsequently, the control unit 110 of the management server device 100 accesses the folder “/ store / store-x /” stored in the storage unit 120. The control unit 110 reads out a necessary file and sends Web page data on which a store page is displayed to the client device 200.
Through the above processing, the user can browse and purchase products using the store's unique store category in a state where the URL unique to the store is written in the browser. And a store can further aim at differentiation from other stores which have a store in an electronic shopping mall.

In the present embodiment, the management server device 100 classifies the products using the common category or the store category based on the information stored in the product information storage unit 140 and the store information storage unit 150, and the classification result is displayed on the client device 200. Is sending to. However, the management server device 100 may transmit information related to the common category or store category of the product to the client device 200, and the product may be classified and displayed based on the common category or store category received by the client device 200. .
That is, when the control unit 110 of the management server device 100 receives information specifying a product from the client device 200, the control unit 110 receives information on the product and information on a store selling the product as a product information storage unit 140 and a store information storage unit. 150 acquired from 150 and transmitted to the client device 200. At this point, the product is not classified by any category. On the other hand, when a product is selected by the user, the control unit 440 of the client device 200 displays information on the store category uniquely set by the store that sells the product and the overall common category of the electronic shopping mall. Get from 100. In addition, the control unit 440 acquires information on the selected product and information on a store that sells the product. And the control part 440 classify | categorizes the information regarding the goods selected by the user and the store which sells the goods using a common category or a store category, and displays it on a monitor. Thereby, while being able to reflect the uniqueness of the store currently opened in an electronic shopping mall, the load of the process which the management server apparatus 100 performs can be reduced.

  The operation server device 100 and the client device 200 according to the present invention can be realized using a normal computer system, not a dedicated system. For example, by storing a program for performing the above-described operation on a computer-readable recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) and installing the program on the computer, You may comprise so that the above-mentioned process may be performed. Alternatively, the operation server device 100 and the client device 200 may be configured by storing this program in a storage included in a server device on a communication network such as the Internet and downloading the program by a normal computer system.

  Further, when the above-described function is realized by sharing of the OS and the application or by cooperation between the OS and the application, only the application part may be stored in a recording medium or storage. It is also possible to superimpose a program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, this program may be posted on a bulletin board system (Bulletin Board System) on a communication network, and this program may be distributed via the network. The program may be started and executed in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, so that the above-described processing can be executed.

  This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-117601 filed on Apr. 14, 2005. The specification, claims, and entire drawing of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-117601 are incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention can be applied to various systems in which a plurality of category classification methods are properly used to provide contents such as goods and services via a telecommunication line.

Claims (11)

An electronic shopping mall system that uses a server device that manages an electronic shopping mall and a client device that connects to the electronic shopping mall via a network,
The server device
Information indicating a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall and a store category based on a product category set for each store handling the product in association with the product handled by the electronic shopping mall A storage unit for storing
A first transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods to the client device is obtained from the storage portion,
A second transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit,
With
The client device is
A first acquisition unit that acquires the information indicating the pre-Symbol common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods from the server apparatus,
A display unit for displaying on the monitor information indicating the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the common category;
In the case where the displayed item is selected by the user, to the effect that the displayed item is selected notification to the server apparatus, indicating the quotient and store information indicating the category are classified in the store category goods a second acquisition unit for acquiring the information from the server apparatus,
Equipped with a,
When the client device is notified that the displayed product has been selected, the second transmission unit receives information indicating the store category and information indicating the product classified into the store category. Obtained from the storage unit and sent to the client,
The display unit further displays on the monitor information indicating the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the store category.
An electronic shopping mall system characterized by this. The common category and the store category include a category for further classifying products classified into the common category and the store category,
When the first transmission unit acquires information indicating the lowest category (hereinafter simply referred to as the lowest) in terms of client use according to the common category of the electronic shopping mall, the product belonging to the lowest category Is acquired in accordance with the order in advance associated with the common category, and is transmitted to the client device,
When the second transmission unit acquires information indicating the lowest category according to the store category, the product that is classified into the lowest category and handled by the store corresponds to the store category in advance. Acquiring information arranged according to the assigned order and transmitting it to the client device;
The electronic shopping mall system according to claim 1, wherein: The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit are:
From the client device, wherein to obtain the search condition for searching the information stored in the storage unit, based on the search condition, to search for information about the product stored in the storage unit, of the search When the number of the products obtained as a result is a predetermined number, information for purchasing the product and information regarding a store selling the product are acquired and transmitted to the client device.
The electronic shopping mall system according to claim 1, wherein: A management device for managing an electronic shopping mall using a client device connected via a line network,
Information indicating a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall and a store category based on a product category set for each store handling the product in association with the product handled by the electronic shopping mall A storage unit for storing
A first transmission unit that transmits information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods to the client device is obtained from the storage portion,
The information indicating the common category transmitted by the first transmission unit and the information indicating the product classified into the common category are displayed by the client device, and then the displayed product is selected by the user. and but when it is notified from the client device, a second transmission unit that transmits information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit,
A management apparatus comprising: The common category and the store category include a category for further classifying products belonging to the common category and the store category,
When the first transmission unit obtains information indicating the lowest category (hereinafter simply referred to as the lowest) in terms of client use according to the common category of the electronic shopping mall, the product belonging to the lowest category Is acquired in accordance with the order previously associated with the common category to obtain the information and transmitted to the client device,
When the second transmission unit acquires information indicating the lowest category according to the store category, the product classified into the lowest category and handled by the store corresponds to the store category in advance. Acquiring information arranged according to the assigned order and transmitting it to the client device;
The management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit are:
From the client device, wherein to obtain the search condition for searching the information stored in the storage unit, based on the search condition, to search for information about the product stored in the storage unit, of the search When the number of the products obtained as a result is a predetermined number, information for purchasing the product and information regarding a store selling the product are acquired and transmitted to the client device.
The management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: A management method for managing an electronic shopping mall using a client device connected via a line network and executed by a management device having a storage unit,
The storage unit is associated with a product handled by the electronic shopping mall, a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall, and a store based on a product category set for each store handling the product Stores information indicating the category,
A first transmission step of transmitting to the client device and information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods is obtained from the storage portion,
The information indicating the common category transmitted in the first transmission step and the information indicating the product classified into the common category are displayed by the client device, and then the displayed product is selected by the user. If There notified from the client device, and a second transmitting step of transmitting the information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit ,
A management method comprising: A computer for managing an electronic shopping mall using a client device connected via a network;
Information indicating a common category based on a product category set for the entire electronic shopping mall and a store category based on a product category set for each store handling the product in association with the product handled by the electronic shopping mall Storage unit for storing,
First transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the common category information indicating the common category classified Ru goods to the client device is obtained from the storage portion,
The information indicating the common category transmitted by the first transmission unit and the information indicating the product classified into the common category are displayed by the client device, and then the displayed product is selected by the user. There wherein when notified from the client device, a second transmission unit that transmits the information indicating the goods to the information indicating the store categories are classified into the store category to the client obtains from the storage unit,
A program characterized by functioning as An information processing apparatus for connecting to an electronic shopping mall via a network,
Acquired from the management apparatus for managing the electronic shopping mall, a first for acquiring said information indicating instruments classified as electronic shopping information and the common category indicating a common category entirety based on the set the commodity classification of the mall And
A display unit for displaying on the monitor information indicating the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the common category;
When the displayed product is selected by the user, the store notifies the management device that the displayed product has been selected, and stores based on the product classification set for each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall a second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating instruments classified information and the shop category indicating a category from the management device,
Based on the classification instruction input, accepting a selection instruction input of the commodity exhibited in the electronic shopping mall and a classification instruction input indicating whether the commodity is classified according to the common category or the store category, Control to classify information about the product indicated by the selection instruction input in either the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit or the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and a control unit which,
The display unit further displays on the monitor information indicating the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the store category.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus connected to an electronic shopping mall via a network,
Acquired from the management apparatus for managing the electronic shopping mall, a first for acquiring said information indicating instruments classified as electronic shopping information and the common category indicating a common category entirety based on the set the commodity classification of the mall Steps,
A display step of displaying on a monitor information indicating the common category acquired in the first acquisition step and information indicating products classified into the common category;
When the displayed product is selected by the user, the store notifies the management device that the displayed product has been selected, and stores based on the product classification set for each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall a second acquisition step of acquiring information indicating instruments classified information and the shop category indicating a category from the management device,
Based on the classification instruction input, accepting a selection instruction input of the commodity exhibited in the electronic shopping mall and a classification instruction input indicating whether the commodity is classified according to the common category or the store category, Control to classify the information about the product indicated by the selection instruction input into either the common category acquired in the first acquisition step or the store category acquired in the second acquisition step. A control step to
Equipped with a,
In the display step, information indicating the store category acquired in the second acquisition step and information indicating products classified in the store category are further displayed on the monitor.
An information processing method characterized by the above. A computer that connects to an electronic shopping mall via a network
Acquired from the management apparatus for managing the electronic shopping mall, a first for acquiring said information indicating instruments classified as electronic shopping information and the common category indicating a common category entirety based on the set the commodity classification of the mall Part,
A display unit for displaying on the monitor information indicating the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the common category;
When the displayed product is selected by the user, the store notifies the management device that the displayed product has been selected, and stores based on the product classification set for each store that opens in the electronic shopping mall second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating instruments classified information and the shop category indicating a category from the management device,
Based on the classification instruction input, accepting a selection instruction input of the commodity exhibited in the electronic shopping mall and a classification instruction input indicating whether the commodity is classified according to the common category or the store category, Control to classify information about the product indicated by the selection instruction input in either the common category acquired by the first acquisition unit or the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit Control unit,
To function as,
The display unit further displays on the monitor information indicating the store category acquired by the second acquisition unit and information indicating products classified into the store category.
A program characterized by that.