JP5477734B2 - Item search system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for searching for a favorite item from a large number of items registered in a database.

  Depending on the category, there are many items on the online auction. With the spread of network infrastructure and the increase in Internet users, the use of Internet auctions will continue to expand.

  In addition, as the performance of mobile terminals increases, the number of users who enjoy online auctions using mobile terminals is also increasing. It is possible to participate in an online auction using a small amount of time, such as the time spent on a train or the time to meet.

JP 2001-209472 A

  If you enjoy a net auction using a desktop PC (personal computer), you can use the high performance of the PC, so there will be no major problems with operability. Furthermore, since a high-speed communication line can be used, it is less likely to feel great stress in operation.

  However, the situation is different when using a mobile terminal. Even if the performance of the mobile terminal is improved, there is a limit, and the processing speed is inferior to that of a desktop PC. In addition, since wireless communication is used, it is difficult to say that a comfortable communication speed without stress can be obtained. In order to support users who enjoy online auctions on mobile terminals, it is necessary to improve operability.

  In addition, there are many cases where time restrictions are imposed on users who use mobile terminals. As described above, there may be a case where the user uses the net auction during the time of getting on the train, waiting time, and the like. In order to achieve the user's purpose of finding a target item in this short time, improvement in operability is desired.

  For example, in the case of a fashion genre, the number of items on display is enormous. As a result of setting the search condition by the user, if the number of items that match the search result becomes enormous, it is difficult to achieve the purpose in a given time. Furthermore, if the user narrows down the search condition, every time the search condition is changed, processing such as access to the server, search processing, and display is repeated, which also stresses the user.

  Patent Document 1 is an invention of a user interface for searching a database. By using the user interface of Patent Document 1, there is an advantage that condition setting for a plurality of attributes can be easily performed.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a user with an environment in which item search can be performed comfortably even when a high-speed communication infrastructure cannot be obtained or sufficient performance cannot be obtained as a device specification. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an item search system, a server holding a database of items having a plurality of attributes, a search terminal connected to the server via a network, The search terminal includes a monitor that displays information, a selection menu display unit that displays a selection menu of a plurality of search items corresponding to the plurality of attributes on the monitor, and the selection menu is operated by a user, When one combination of a plurality of search items is selected, a total registration number display unit that displays the registration number of items in which data is registered for all attributes corresponding to the one combination in the database on the monitor If, with the selection menu is operated one selected combination of the plurality of search items is determined by a user Characterized by having a setting unit display unit for displaying the search condition setting unit for setting a search condition for the search item selected on the monitor, the.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to the first aspect, the search terminal further includes a histogram acquisition unit that downloads from the server histogram information of the number of registered attributes for the database. The selection menu display section includes a histogram display section that displays a histogram of each attribute.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to the first or second aspect , the search terminal further includes a registered number table storage unit that downloads a registered number table from the server and stores it in a memory. The registration number table is an item in which data is registered in all the attributes of each combination corresponding to any combination of the plurality of attributes of the database and the registration number information of the items in each attribute of the database. The registered number information, and the total registered number display unit refers to the registered number table stored in the registered number table storage unit, so that data on all attributes corresponding to the one combination is stored. The number of registered items is registered on the monitor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to the third aspect , the server includes a table holding unit that holds the registered number table, and a table update unit that updates the registered number table at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the selected attribute of an item whose data is registered in all the selected attributes is downloaded from the database. The search condition setting unit further includes a slide axis having a length corresponding to a range from a minimum value condition to a maximum value condition of each attribute, and each slide axis. Each slide element is variable in width and position in the slide axis direction in response to a user operation, and a search condition width for each attribute is determined by the width and position of the slide element. A condition specifying unit to be specified, and the setting unit display unit refers to the extracted data stored in the extracted data storage unit so that each slide element is Characterized in that it comprises a specified condition registration number display unit for displaying the number of registrations of each attribute corresponding to the specified search condition width by.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the item search system according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the designated condition registration number display unit displays the condition specified by all slide elements from the search condition width specified by each slide element. A search result registration number display unit for determining an AND condition and displaying the registered number of items corresponding to the determined AND condition by referring to the extracted data stored in the extracted data storage unit. Features.

The invention according to claim 7 is the item search system according to claim 6 , wherein the search terminal further includes a detailed information display unit that displays detailed information of the item, and the detailed information display unit includes the detailed information display unit, Detailed information is displayed by reading the extracted data stored in the extracted data storage unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the registered number information for each level of the selected attribute is downloaded from the database and stored in the memory as level-specific data. further comprising a level-specific data storage unit for storing the search condition setting unit moves the slide shaft, on each slide shaft having a range length corresponding to the minimum value condition of each attribute to a maximum condition slide Each slide element is variable in width and position in the direction of each slide axis in response to a user operation, and a condition designating unit for designating a search condition width for each attribute according to the width and position of each slide element The setting unit display unit is designated by each slide element by referring to the level-specific data stored in the level-specific data storage unit. Specify condition registration number display unit for displaying the number of registrations of each attribute corresponding to the search condition width, characterized in that it comprises a.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to the eighth aspect , the designated condition registration number display unit is stored in the level-specific data storage unit while one slide element is being operated. By referring to the data by level, the number of registrations corresponding to the search condition width specified in the one slide element is displayed in the vicinity of the one slide element, and the operation of the one slide element is completed. At the time, the AND condition of the condition specified by all the slide elements is determined from the search condition width specified by each slide element, and the number of registrations corresponding to the determined AND condition is determined by accessing the database. It includes a search result registration number display section to be displayed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to the eighth or ninth aspect , an attribute that has been determined to be frequently used by a user for a search operation in the past is assigned to the level of the level-specific data. It is characterized by fine ticks.

The invention according to claim 11 is the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search condition setting unit is a length corresponding to a range from a minimum value condition to a maximum value condition of each attribute. And a slide element that moves on each slide axis. Each slide element is variable in width and position in the direction of each slide axis in response to a user operation. And a condition specifying section for specifying a search condition width for each attribute by position, and the setting section display section is a specified condition registration for displaying the number of registered attributes corresponding to the search condition width specified by each slide element A number display section.

The invention according to claim 12 is the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search condition setting unit is a length corresponding to a range from a minimum value condition to a maximum value condition of each attribute. And a slide element that moves on each slide axis. Each slide element is variable in width and position in the direction of each slide axis in response to a user operation. And a condition designating unit that designates a search condition width for each attribute according to the position, and the setting unit display unit includes a histogram display unit that displays a histogram of the number of registrations of each attribute.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the search condition setting unit has a length corresponding to a range from a minimum value condition to a maximum value condition of each attribute. And a slide element that moves on each slide axis. Each slide element is variable in width and position in the direction of each slide axis in response to a user operation. A condition designating unit that designates a search condition width for each attribute according to the position, and the setting unit display unit includes a range variable unit that zooms a range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each slide axis. It is characterized by.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the item search system according to the thirteenth aspect , the setting unit display unit includes a relative range display unit that displays relative positions with respect to the entire range zoomed by the range variable unit. It is characterized by including.

  In the item search system of the present invention, when a selection menu is operated by a user and one combination of a plurality of search items is selected, items of which data are registered for all attributes corresponding to the one combination in the database. Display the number of registrations on the monitor. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the combination of selections is optimal in selecting a search item.

  Also, the mobile terminal downloads a registration number table from the server and stores it in the memory. Then, the mobile terminal refers to the registration number table in the memory, and displays the registration number of items in which data is registered for all attributes corresponding to one combination on the monitor. Thereby, even when the selection of the search item is changed, the number of registrations can be displayed immediately.

  The item search system of the present invention displays a search condition setting unit for setting a search condition for a selected search item on a monitor when a combination of a plurality of search items is selected by the user. The selected attributes of the items whose data are registered in all attributes are downloaded from the database and stored in the memory as extracted data. The width and position in the slide axis direction are variable in response to a user operation, and it is possible to specify a search condition width for each attribute by the width and position of the slide element, which is stored in the extracted data storage unit By referring to the extracted data, the registered number of each attribute corresponding to the search condition width designated by each slide element is displayed. Thereby, even when the search condition width designated by the slide element is changed, the number of registrations can be displayed immediately.

  The item search system of the present invention can specify a search condition width by sliding each slide element corresponding to each attribute, and the number of registered attributes corresponding to the search condition width specified by each slide element is monitored. Displayed above. Thereby, the user can judge the validity of the conditions set by each attribute, and the operability is improved.

  In addition, a histogram of the number of registered attributes is displayed corresponding to each slide element. Thereby, the user can grasp the distribution of the number of registrations of each attribute, and can serve as a guide for a search condition designation operation.

  Furthermore, a function for zooming the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each slide axis is provided. This makes it possible to make detailed settings for important search items, further improving the search operability.

{First embodiment}
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view of a net auction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The net auction system includes a net auction site 1 and a mobile terminal 3 connected to the net auction site 1 via the Internet 2.

  The net auction site 1 is connected to the Internet 2 via a dedicated line or the like, and is equipped with sufficient communication infrastructure and processing capability so that it can respond to accesses from a large number of users nationwide. The net auction site 1 is provided with a server 11 that manages the net auction. An exhibition item database 12 is connected to the server 11. The exhibition item database 12 is registered with data of a huge number of items that have been exhibited in the online auction.

  The mobile terminal 3 is a terminal used by users participating in the net auction, and is connected to the Internet 2 using wireless communication. By using the mobile terminal 3, the user can participate in the online auction even when the user is away from home.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 includes a communication unit 31, a search processing unit 32, a memory 33, and a touch panel display 34. The communication unit 31 has a wireless communication function and can be connected to the Internet 2. In the present embodiment, a wireless LAN defined in IEEE 802.11 is used as wireless communication. The search processing unit 32 has a function of executing an exhibition item search process for the exhibition item database 12 and a function of displaying various search menus on the touch panel display 34.

  The touch panel display 34 has various functions for improving user operability. For example, the user can select an object by touching the object displayed on the touch panel display 34 with a finger, or can instruct execution of the object by continuously touching the object. Further, the user can perform a drag operation by sliding while touching an object, and can scroll the screen by sliding a finger on the screen. In addition, an operation for enlarging or reducing an object can be performed by touching the screen using two fingers and performing a movement that widens or narrows the interval between the two fingers.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of exhibition item data registered in the exhibition item database 12. The product item database 12 includes, as attributes, “Item No.”, “Item Name”, “Price”, “Purchase Time”, “Remaining Time”, “Size”, “Color”, “Material”, “Evaluation”, “Number of bids”, “Weight”, etc. In addition, although not shown, it has attributes such as “product description”. In addition, the exhibition item database 12 is registered with thumbnail image data of the exhibition items.

  “Item No.” is a number for uniquely identifying an exhibition item and serves as a main key of the exhibition item database 12. “Item name” is the name of the exhibition item. “Price” is the highest price among the current bid prices. The value set in “price” is automatically updated as the bid amount increases. “Purchase time” is the time when the exhibition item is purchased. “Remaining time” is the time until the deadline of the auction. The value set in “remaining time” is automatically updated with the update of time. In “Size”, “Color”, “Material”, and “Weight”, information on the size, color, material, and weight of the exhibition item is input. In “evaluation”, an evaluation value of an exhibition item based on the seller's confidence is input. In “Bid”, the current number of bids is set. The value set in “Number of bids” is automatically updated as the number of bidders increases. In the figure, “-” written in the attribute column indicates a state where the attribute is not registered.

  A user participates in an online auction at any time, such as on the train or on the road. The user operates the touch panel display 34 to access the net auction site 1. When the mobile terminal 3 accesses the net auction site 1, the search processing unit 32 downloads the content of the auction page from the server 11 and displays the auction site top screen on the touch panel display 34. Furthermore, when the user performs an operation on the touch panel display 34, the category selection menu 51 is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a category selection menu screen 51 displayed on the touch panel display 34. The category selection menu screen 51 is a screen that displays a list of categories of items that are exhibited in the online auction. The user touches the screen and scrolls the screen to refer to the category list and select a category to be checked.

  When the user selects a category of an item to be searched on the category selection menu screen 51, a search item selection menu screen 52 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The example of FIG. 5 shows a search item selection menu screen 52 that is displayed when a female coat is selected as a category.

  The search item selection menu screen 52 is a menu screen for selecting search items for setting search conditions. In the figure, selections corresponding to nine search items: "Price", "Purchase time", "Remaining time", "Size", "Color", "Material", "Evaluation", "Number of bids", and "Weight" Buttons 521, 521... Are displayed. These nine search items correspond to the attributes of the exhibition item database 12 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the following description, “search item” and “attribute” are often used as synonymous terms.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the exhibition item database 12 includes a large number of attributes, but the combination of attributes registered differs depending on the category. Alternatively, important attributes differ depending on the category. The search item selection menu screen 52 displays attributes (search items) corresponding to the selected category. Alternatively, important attributes (search items) regarding the selected category are displayed from among the attributes corresponding to the selected category.

  Moreover, you may select an attribute (search item) based on a user's past operation history. For example, if the top five search items with the highest frequency for which the user has set search conditions in the past are displayed on the search item selection menu screen 52, the user interface is easy to use for the user.

  On the search item selection menu screen 52, the user can select search items for setting search conditions in any combination. For example, if you want to search for items on women's coats by setting three search conditions: “Price”, “Size”, and “Color”, you can use “Price”, “Size”, and “Color”. Select button 521, 521... The figure shows a state where these three selection buttons 521, 521,... Are highlighted and selected.

  On the upper side of the search item selection menu screen 52, a corresponding item number display field 522 is arranged. In the corresponding item number display field 522, the number of items whose data is registered in all the selected attributes (search items) is displayed. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, three search items “price”, “size”, and “color” are selected. Therefore, in the corresponding item number display field 522, among the items of women's coats, the exhibition items whose data are registered in all the attributes of “price”, “size”, and “color” in the exhibition item database 12. The number of items is displayed.

  Thereby, the user can immediately know the population of the number of search items for the exhibition item to be searched. If several search items are selected and the number of corresponding items is enormous, it can be determined that the search items should be further increased. Conversely, if the number of corresponding items is too small, it can be determined that the number of search items should be reduced. Alternatively, if the number of applicable items is extremely reduced by selecting a specific search item, it can be determined that the number of registered search items is small. can do.

  Here, the search processing unit 32 downloads the attribute registration table 61 shown in FIG. 6 from the server 11 in order to display the number of corresponding items in the corresponding item number display field 522. The search processing unit 32 downloads the attribute registration table 61 from the server 11 when the category is selected by the user and the search item selection menu screen 52 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The downloaded attribute registration table 61 is stored in the memory 33.

  In the attribute registration table 61, information on the number of registered items in each attribute of the exhibition item database 12 is recorded. Further, in the attribute registration table 61, the registration number information of items whose data is registered in all the attributes of each combination is recorded corresponding to an arbitrary combination of a plurality of attributes in the exhibition item database 12. The attribute registration table 61 is a table downloaded when a category is selected, and is a table relating to items belonging to the category. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a category relating to a female coat is selected, the attribute registration table 61 is also data relating to a female coat.

  When the user selects various combinations of selection buttons 521, 521,... On the search item selection menu screen 52 of FIG. 5, the search processing unit 32 is stored in the memory 33 in response to the selection operation. The registered number corresponding to the selected attribute combination is acquired with reference to the registered attribute registration table 61, and the registered number is displayed in the corresponding item number display field 522.

  Thereby, the mobile terminal 3 can display the number of registrations immediately in response to the search item selection operation by the user. If the concept of a general database search system is used, access to the server 11 occurs every time a search item selection operation by the user occurs, processing for calculating the registration number occurs in the server 11, and the registration number information is stored. A download process will occur. For this reason, a waiting time occurs until the number of registrations is displayed every time a selection operation occurs. When the processing to the server 11 is concentrated or when the line is congested, the waiting time becomes longer and it becomes a stress for the user.

  In the present embodiment, since the mobile terminal 3 downloads the attribute registration table 61 and stores it in the memory 33 when a category is selected, the mobile terminal 3 instantly even if search item selection operations are frequently performed. The number of registrations can be displayed on the screen, and the operability is greatly improved. In particular, when participating in an online auction using the mobile terminal 3, it is necessary to obtain a result within a limited time, and the merit of obtaining an operation result quickly is great.

  Further, the server 11 creates an attribute registration table 61 corresponding to each category in advance and holds it in the server 11. Therefore, when the server 11 receives a download request for the attribute registration table 61 from the mobile terminal 3, the server 11 can immediately transmit the attribute registration table 61 corresponding to the designated category. Also by this, the mobile terminal 3 can improve the response of the search operation.

  The server 11 can create the attribute registration table 61 by referring to the exhibition item database 12. The exhibition item database 12 is a database that is updated every time a request for an online auction from a user occurs. The server 11 updates the attribute registration table 61 every time an exhibition item database 12 is newly added. Alternatively, the attribute registration table 61 may be updated periodically. Since the registration number information is reference information provided to the user when performing the search operation, a slight deviation in numerical values will not be a problem.

  If the user has been logged on to the net auction for a long time, the attribute registration table 61 may be periodically downloaded again.

  In the search item selection menu screen 52 shown in FIG. 5, the attribute names are displayed as labels on the selection buttons 521, respectively. On the other hand, in FIG. 7, a registration number histogram is displayed on the selection button 521. For example, the selection button 521 relating to the attribute “price” displays a histogram so that the left side indicates a low price distribution and the right side indicates a high price distribution. Thereby, the user can be used as a material for determining whether or not to select a search item for each attribute. For example, if the number of registrations is small in most ranges when looking at the histogram, it can be determined that there is not much merit in selecting the attribute as a search item. Alternatively, it can be determined that the merit of selecting as a search item is low even when the number of registrations is concentrated in a part of the range. On the other hand, it can be determined that there are many merits to select an attribute for which there is a sufficient number of registrations and the number of registrations is distributed over a wide range as a search item.

  Whether or not to display the histogram on the search item selection menu screen 52 may be set to ON / OFF operation by the user. In this embodiment, the distribution of registered numbers is displayed as a histogram. However, for example, the registered number distribution may be expressed by color shading.

  On the search item selection menu screen 52, the user selects a combination of search items by performing the above operation. The user refers to the corresponding item number display field 522 and makes an approximate determination as to whether or not the selection of the search item is appropriate from the registered number of the selected combination. Then, when the user finally determines the search item, the user selects the display button 523. Thereby, a search condition setting screen 53 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  The search condition setting screen 53 displays a plurality of slide shafts 531, 531... And slide bars 532, 532. A plurality of slide axes 531, 531... Are displayed corresponding to the plurality of search items selected on the search item selection menu screen 52. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, on the search item selection menu screen 52, six search items of “purchase time”, “price”, “remaining time”, “size”, “color”, and “material” are selected. It corresponds to the case.

  The length direction of the slide shaft 531 represents the width from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of the search item. For example, the search item corresponding to the attribute “price” in the figure indicates that there is registered data having a minimum value of 100 yen and a maximum value of 12000 yen. For the search item corresponding to the attribute “color”, the color distribution from the cold color system to the warm color system is quantified. For the search item corresponding to the attribute “material”, the arrangement of materials ranging from cotton to polyester is uniquely determined and digitized.

  The width of the slide bar 532 in the slide axis direction indicates the search condition width. The user can move the slide bar 532 up and down on the slide shaft 531 by touching the slide bar 532 with a finger and sliding it up and down. As a result, the search condition width is translated.

  For example, in FIG. 9, the slide bar 532 can be moved upward by touching the slide bar 532 corresponding to “price” with a finger and sliding it in the direction of arrow A in the figure. Conversely, the slide bar 532 can be moved downward by touching the slide bar 532 corresponding to the “material” with a finger and sliding it in the direction of the arrow B in the figure.

  Further, the user can change the search condition width by enlarging or reducing the slide bar 532 using two fingers. In FIG. 9, by touching the slide bar 532 corresponding to the “remaining time” with two fingers and operating the two bars in the direction of arrows C and C in the figure, the slide bar 532 is moved. The width can be expanded in the vertical direction.

  For example, with respect to “price”, it is assumed that the slide bar 532 initially specifies a search condition range from 500 yen to 700 yen. The user can translate the search condition width to 600 yen to 800 yen or the like by sliding the slide bar 532 upward. Further, after the translation, the search condition width can be changed to 500 to 900 yen by performing an enlargement operation of the slide bar 532 with two fingers.

  Each slide bar 532 displays the number of registrations in the designated search condition width. For example, the attribute “price” indicates that there are 30 items registered in the search condition width designated by the slide bar 532. If the attribute is “size”, it is indicated that the number of registered items is 245 in the search condition width designated by the slide bar 532. Similarly, for other search items, the number of items registered in the search condition width specified by the slide bar 532 is shown.

  Although not shown, regarding the items for which data is registered for all the selected attributes, the total number of registration of each attribute may be displayed on the lower part of the slide shaft 531 or the like. Thereby, it is possible to compare the total number of registrations and the number of registrations of the search designation width for each attribute.

  In the initial state where the search condition setting screen 53 is displayed, the slide bar 532 is displayed with a predetermined width centered on the median value of the data registered in each attribute. For example, if “price” is set, the initial setting width is set to 200 yen or the like. If the median is 1000 yen, the slide bar 532 is displayed so as to specify 900 to 1100 yen in the initial state. The The initial setting width may be changed by the user. Alternatively, in the initial state, the slide bar 532 may be displayed with an initial setting width centering on an average value of data registered in each attribute, or may be displayed with an initial setting width centering on a peak value. Good.

  In the lower part of the search condition setting screen 53, a search number display field 533, a list display instruction button 534, and an initialization button 535 are arranged.

  When the user performs a slide operation or enlargement / reduction operation of the slide bar 532 and the search condition is set for each search item, the search processing unit 32 determines the AND condition of all the search conditions and matches the AND condition. The number of items being displayed is displayed in the search number display field 533. In the example of FIG. 8, there are 23 items that match the search conditions set for all search items of “purchase time”, “price”, “remaining time”, “size”, “color”, and “material”. Is shown to exist.

  The search processing unit 32 downloads the extracted data 62 from the server 11 and stores it in the memory 33 in order to display the number of registrations to be displayed on each slide bar 532 or to display the number of searches in the search number display field 533. doing.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the extracted data 62. The extracted data 62 is a part of records extracted from the exhibition item database 12. The extracted data 62 is data obtained by extracting records belonging to the selected category. Further, in the search item selection menu screen 52 shown in FIG. 5, only the records in which all the attributes corresponding to the search item selected by the user are registered are extracted. For example, when the display button 523 is selected in the state shown in FIG. 5, the server 11 registers data for all three attributes of “price”, “size”, and “color” from the exhibition item database 12. Extract records of women's court items. The extracted extracted data 62 is downloaded from the server 11 to the mobile terminal 3 and stored in the memory 33.

  The extracted data 62 basically only needs to have an attribute corresponding to the selected search item. However, as will be described later, if it is also used for displaying the detailed screen, other attributes necessary for displaying the detailed screen may be added.

  In this way, the mobile terminal 3 downloads the extracted data 62 and stores it in the memory 33 when the search condition setting screen 53 is displayed. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the search processing unit 32 does not need to access the server 11 even when the position or size of the slide bar 532 is changed. The search processing unit 32 may refer to the extracted data 62 stored in the memory 33 and calculate the number of registrations displayed on the slide bar 532 and the number displayed on the search number display column 533. As described above, since the extracted data 62 is downloaded at the stage of displaying the search condition setting screen 53, even when the user changes the search condition, communication processing and processing in the server 11 do not occur. Can display the number of searches. Each time the slide bar 532 is adjusted, the number of searches changes almost in real time, so that it is possible to provide the user with a sense of fun. In addition, the user can obtain a sensual understanding of the exhibition tendency and the like.

  In the search condition setting screen 53 shown in FIG. 8, the number of registrations corresponding to the search condition width is displayed on the slide bar 532. On the other hand, in FIG. 12, a histogram of the number of registrations is displayed on the slide shaft 531. Here, in order to make the histogram easier to see, the vertical and horizontal directions change compared to FIG. For example, on the slide axis 531 relating to the attribute “price”, a histogram is displayed so that the left side shows a low price distribution and the right side shows a high price distribution. Thereby, the user can be a material for determining how to set the search condition width of each attribute. For example, looking at the histogram, if almost no items are registered in a certain range, it can be determined that setting a search condition width for that range is not very meaningful. Alternatively, if the number of registered items is concentrated in a certain range, it can be determined that the number of hits will be excessive if a wide search condition width is set in that range.

  Whether or not to display the histogram on the search condition setting screen 53 may be set to ON / OFF operation by the user. In the present embodiment, the distribution of the number of registrations of each attribute is displayed as a histogram, but the distribution of the number of registrations may be expressed by, for example, color shading.

  In the search condition setting screen 53, the minimum value condition and the maximum value condition set by the slide shaft 531 can be changed. In FIG. 13A, the slide shaft 531 corresponding to the attribute “price” can designate a minimum value of 100 yen to a maximum value of 12000 yen. In the state of FIG. 13A, the user uses two fingers to touch the upper position and the lower position (the area circled in the figure) of the slide shaft 531, and puts the finger in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Move it closer. That is, the operation is performed as if the interval between the maximum value condition and the minimum value condition is narrowed. By this operation, as shown in FIG. 13B, the slide shaft 531 is changed to a range from a minimum value of 2000 yen to a maximum value of 6000 yen. As described above, when the maximum value condition and the minimum value condition of the slide shaft 531 are changed, the user can finely operate the slide bar 532 in the range from 2000 yen to 6000 yen.

  On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 13B, the user touches the upper position and the lower position (area circled in the figure) of the slide shaft 531 using two fingers, and the direction of the arrow in the figure. Move your finger to release. That is, the operation is performed as if the interval between the maximum value condition and the minimum value condition is widened. By this operation, the maximum value condition and the minimum value condition of the slide shaft 531 are expanded again. By repeating this operation, as shown in FIG. 13A, the slide shaft 531 is changed to a range from a minimum value of 100 yen to a maximum value of 12000 yen.

  As described above, by making the range of the slide shaft 531 variable, the condition setting operation by the slide bar 532 can be performed sometimes in detail, sometimes roughly, and further operability is improved.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the range of the slide shaft 531 is changed, it may be difficult to understand the current display range state for all ranges. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, a function of displaying the current range position of the slide shaft 531 as a relative position with respect to the entire range is provided.

  FIG. 14A shows the slide shaft 531 in an initial state, that is, a state in which the entire range is displayed. FIG. 14B shows a state in which the range of the slide shaft 531 has been reduced by the operation of the finger from this state. In FIG. 14B, a guide bar 533 is displayed on the side of the slide shaft 531, and a relative position mark 534 indicating the current range position is displayed on the guide bar 533. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain which range is currently designated as a search condition in the whole range.

  Note that the display of the guide bar 533 and the relative position mark 534 may be turned ON / OFF by the user.

  The user looks at the number of cases displayed in the search number display field 533 and determines whether to refer to the item in consideration of the time given to him. If the number of searches is large, the search condition may be narrowed down for any one of the search items. If the number of searches is small, the reverse operation can be performed. If it is desired to return the moved slide bar 532 to the initial state, the initialization button 535 may be selected.

  If the user determines that the search number is just the right number, the user selects the list display button 534. By selecting the list display button 534, the search result list screen 54 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the search result list screen 54 displays item names and thumbnail images of exhibition items that match the search conditions. In addition, information such as price and remaining time is displayed. The user refers to the thumbnail image and other information while scrolling the screen, and searches for a favorite exhibition item. Then, if a favorite exhibition item is found, a thumbnail image or item name of the item is clicked, and an exhibition item detail screen 55 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed.

  The exhibition item detail screen 55 displays detailed information on the exhibition item such as item name, price, remaining time, color, size, material, thumbnail image, and the like. When the exhibition item detail screen 55 is displayed, for data not included in the extracted data 62, the search processing unit 32 may access the server 11 and acquire the information.

  As described above, if the extracted data 62 is also used for displaying the exhibition item detail screen 55, attribute data such as a product description and a thumbnail image may be included in the extracted data 62. In this case, since the extracted data 62 is downloaded in the memory 33, the search processing unit 32 can display the detailed information of the exhibition item without accessing the server 11. As a result, when displaying the final detail screen, the item information can be displayed immediately without causing a processing delay.

  However, if the extraction data 62 is used to display the number of registrations to be displayed on each slide bar 532 or to display the number of searches in the search number display column 533, such information is included. It does not have to be.

  The user refers to various types of information related to the exhibition item on the exhibition item detail screen 55. When it is determined to participate in the online auction, the bid button 551 is selected. Thereafter, the user determines a bid price and performs a bid operation on a screen (not shown).

  Thus, according to the net auction system of the present embodiment, it is easy for the user to perform a search condition setting operation. The user can find the target exhibition item efficiently even in a short time. Further, by downloading the attribute registration table 61 and the extracted data 62 and storing them in the memory 33, no processing delay occurs even when the selection of the search item is changed or the search condition is changed. The user can find a target item using a short time without feeling stressed.

{Second Embodiment}
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, when the search condition setting screen 53 is displayed, the mobile terminal 3 downloads the extracted data 62 so that it can quickly respond to a search condition changing operation. In the second embodiment, the level-specific data 63 is used instead of the extracted data 62 in order to quickly respond to the search condition changing operation.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the level-specific data 63. In this example, a price table 631, a color table 632, and a size table 633 are shown as the level-specific data 63.

  Each level data 63 is data indicating the number of registrations of each attribute for each level with respect to items in which data is registered for all the attributes selected on the search item selection menu screen 52 shown in FIG. For example, in the price table 631, the number of items registered in each price range is recorded. However, the target item is an item in which data is registered in all the selected attributes.

  The search processing unit 32 downloads each level-specific data 63 and stores it in the memory 33. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 18, even when the slide bar 532 is operated and the search condition is changed, the search processing unit 32 can immediately update the number of registrations displayed on the slide bar 532. . That is, since the communication time by accessing the server 11 and the processing time in the server can be omitted, it is possible to immediately respond to the change of the search condition.

  However, since the level-specific data 63 is individual data related to each attribute, even if the level-specific data is referred to, the number of items to be displayed in the search number display column 533 is not known. The user refers to the registered number of each search condition width displayed on the slide bar 532 and touches the number display button 536 after assuming the number of matches of the AND condition as an approximate sense. As a result, the search processing unit 32 accesses the exhibition item database 12 and executes the search process, whereby the number of items that match the AND condition is displayed in the search number display field 533. A waiting time is generated until the number of items that match the AND condition is displayed, but access to the server 11 does not occur each time the slide bar 532 is moved.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, the net auction system can enhance the response of the search result to the user, and becomes a highly convenient system. The user can efficiently perform a search process using a short time to find a target exhibition item.

  The level increment of the level-specific data 63 may be different for each attribute. For example, with respect to the attribute “price”, the level increments may be made finer than other attributes on the assumption that detailed search conditions are generally set.

  Or you may determine the step of a level based on a user's operation history. The search items frequently set by the user are set in finer increments.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the range of the slide shaft 531 can be changed on the search condition setting screen 53. When the state is changed from the state in which the wide range width is specified in the intended state to the state in which the narrow range is specified, the level-specific data 63 in fine increments may be recaptured at that timing. .

  Alternatively, in the initial state, the level-specific data 63 with default level increments may be downloaded, and the level-specific data 63 with fine increments may be downloaded during the search operation.

  When the finger is touching the slide bar 532, the number of registrations corresponding to the search condition width displayed on the slide bar 532 may be difficult to see. Therefore, while the finger is touching the slide bar 532, the registered number may pop up on the upper portion of the slide bar 532 or the like.

  If the pop-up display is applied, the following modification of the second embodiment is possible. While the finger touches the slide bar 532 and operates the slide bar 532, the registration number corresponding to the search condition width that changes every moment is displayed in a pop-up manner with reference to the level-specific data 63. Then, when the finger leaves the slide bar 532, the server 11 is accessed, the number of items that match the AND condition is acquired, and displayed in the search number display field 533. In this way, comfortable operability can be provided to the user.

1 is an overall view of a net auction system. It is a block diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a figure which shows an exhibition item database. It is a figure which shows a category selection menu screen. It is a figure which shows a search item selection menu screen. It is a figure which shows an attribute registration table. It is a figure which shows the search item selection menu screen of the state in which the display of a histogram is turned ON. It is a figure which shows a search condition setting screen. It is a figure which shows the operation image in a search condition setting screen. It is a figure which shows extraction data. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process corresponding to search condition change operation. It is a figure which shows the search condition setting screen of the state in which the display of a histogram is turned ON. It is a figure which shows the change aspect of the range width | variety of a slide axis | shaft. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the relative position with respect to the whole range of a slide axis | shaft. It is a figure which shows a search result list screen. It is a figure which shows an exhibition item detail screen. It is a figure which shows the data classified by level. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process corresponding to search condition change operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Net auction site 2 Internet 3 Mobile terminal 11 Server 12 Exhibit item database 32 Search processing part 33 Memory 34 Touch panel type display 51 Category selection menu screen 52 Search item selection menu screen 53 Search condition setting screen 54 Search result list screen 55 Exhibit item details Screen 531 Slide axis 532 Slide bar 533 Search number display column

Claims (14)

An item search system,
A server holding a database of items having multiple attributes;
A search terminal connected to the server via a network;
With
The search terminal
A monitor that displays information;
A selection menu display unit for displaying a selection menu of a plurality of search items corresponding to the plurality of attributes on the monitor;
When the selection menu is operated by the user and one combination of the plurality of search items is selected, the registration number of items in which data is registered for all attributes corresponding to the one combination in the database is A total registration number display section to be displayed on the monitor;
A setting unit display unit that displays a search condition setting unit that sets a search condition for the selected search item on the monitor when the selection menu is selected by the user by operating the selection menu. When,
An item search system comprising:   The item search system according to claim 1,
  The search terminal further includes:
  A histogram acquisition unit that downloads histogram information of the number of registrations of each attribute with respect to the database from the server;
Have
  The selection menu display section
  A histogram display for displaying the histogram of each attribute,
The item search system characterized by including. In the item search system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The search terminal further includes:
A registration number table storage unit that downloads a registration number table from the server and stores it in a memory;
Have
The registration number table is
Registration number information of items in each attribute of the database,
Corresponding to any combination of the plurality of attributes of the database, registration number information of items whose data is registered in all the attributes of each combination,
Including
The total registration number display unit refers to the registration number table stored in the registration number table storage unit, so that the registration number of items in which data is registered for all attributes corresponding to the one combination. Is displayed on the monitor. In the item search system according to claim 3 ,
The server
A table holding unit for holding the registration number table;
A table updating unit for updating the registered number table at a predetermined timing;
An item search system comprising: In the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An extracted data storage unit that downloads selected attributes of items whose data are registered in all selected attributes from the database and stores them in a memory as extracted data;
In addition ,
The search condition setting unit
A slide axis having a length corresponding to the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each attribute;
A slide element that moves on each slide axis;
Including
Each slide element
A condition designating unit for varying a width and position in the slide axis direction in response to a user operation, and designating a search condition width for each attribute according to the width and position of the slide element;
Including
The setting section display section
A designated condition registration number display unit that displays the registered number of each attribute corresponding to the search condition width designated by each slide element by referring to the extracted data stored in the extracted data storage unit,
The item search system characterized by including. The item search system according to claim 5 , wherein
The designated condition registration number display section
The AND condition determined by determining the AND condition of the condition specified by all the slide elements from the search condition width specified by each slide element, and referring to the extracted data stored in the extracted data storage unit Search result registration number display section that displays the number of registered items corresponding to the condition,
The item search system characterized by including. The item search system according to claim 6 ,
The search terminal further includes:
Detailed information display section that displays the detailed information of the item,
Have
The detailed information display unit displays detailed information by reading the extracted data stored in the extracted data storage unit. In the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The number-specific registration number information of the selected attribute is downloaded from the database and stored in the memory as level-specific data in a memory;
Further comprising
The search condition setting unit
A slide axis having a length corresponding to the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each attribute;
A slide element that moves on each slide axis;
Including
Each slide element
A condition designating unit for specifying the search condition width for each attribute according to the width and position of each slide element, wherein the width and position in each slide axis direction are variable in response to a user operation,
Including
The setting section display section
A designated condition registration number display unit that displays the number of registrations of each attribute corresponding to the search condition width designated by each slide element by referring to the level data stored in the level data storage unit,
The item search system characterized by including. The item search system according to claim 8 ,
The designated condition registration number display section
While one slide element is being operated, the number of registrations corresponding to the search condition width specified in the one slide element by referring to the level-specific data stored in the level-specific data storage unit Is displayed in the vicinity of the one slide element, and when the operation of the one slide element is completed, the AND condition of the condition specified by all the slide elements is obtained from the search condition width specified by each slide element. A search result registration number display unit that displays the number of registrations corresponding to the determined AND condition by determining and accessing the database,
The item search system characterized by including. In the item search system according to claim 8 or 9 ,
An item search system, wherein an attribute determined to be frequently used for a search operation in the past by the user is finely divided in the level of the level-specific data. In the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The search condition setting unit
A slide axis having a length corresponding to the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each attribute;
A slide element that moves on each slide axis;
Including
Each slide element
A condition designating unit for specifying the search condition width for each attribute according to the width and position of each slide element, wherein the width and position in each slide axis direction are variable in response to a user operation,
Including
The setting section display section
A designated condition registration number display section that displays the number of registrations of each attribute corresponding to the search condition width designated by each slide element,
The item search system characterized by including. In the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The search condition setting unit
A slide axis having a length corresponding to the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each attribute;
A slide element that moves on each slide axis;
Including
Each slide element
A condition designating unit for specifying the search condition width for each attribute according to the width and position of each slide element, wherein the width and position in each slide axis direction are variable in response to a user operation,
Including
The setting section display section
A histogram display for displaying a histogram of the number of registrations for each attribute;
The item search system characterized by including. In the item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The search condition setting unit
A slide axis having a length corresponding to the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each attribute;
A slide element that moves on each slide axis;
Including
Each slide element
A condition designating unit for specifying the search condition width for each attribute according to the width and position of each slide element, wherein the width and position in each slide axis direction are variable in response to a user operation,
Including
The setting section display section
Range variable part that zooms the range from the minimum value condition to the maximum value condition of each slide axis,
The item search system characterized by including. The item search system according to claim 13 ,
The setting section display section
A relative range display unit for displaying a relative position with respect to the entire range of the zoomed range in the range variable unit;
The item search system characterized by including.

Images