JP2001265801A - System and method for retrieval, and device and method for input - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately store article information, etc., found in a town and to securely retrieve article information based on the stored information. SOLUTION: A DB1 is stored with bar code information and article information so that they are related to each other. Further, store information is stored while related to the article information. Bar codes 100 are given to paper media such as magazines and posters. A user uses a book marker 4 which is constituted as a portable one for advertisement of a desired article to read the bar code 100 given to a paper medium and store its bar code information. Then the stored bar code information is transferred to a retrieval engine 3 through a gateway device 11 to retrieve article information and store information. According to the retrieval result, the user can apply to a store for a purchase of the desired article. When the store has a Web site on the Internet, the article can directly be ordered through the network by accessing the Web site from the gateway device 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a search system and a search method, and an input device and an input method capable of easily obtaining barcode information in a city or the like and searching for information based on the obtained barcode information. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a database system for retrieving data stored in a computer system and stored in a database. The user has obtained necessary information directly by operating the database system or by operating a terminal device connected via a network. For example, the user inputs a keyword deemed appropriate from the terminal device. In the database system, a search is performed based on the input keyword, and the search result is provided to the user via the terminal device. If the provided information is large, the user can further set a keyword for the provided information and perform a narrowed search.

Here, consider a case where a user searches a database in which merchandise information is stored, for example, for reference when purchasing merchandise. The user obtains product information by using an advertisement medium such as a magazine or a train hanging in a car, inputs a category, a maker name, and a product name of the product into a database as a search condition, and searches for a desired product. As a search result, a name of a store where the product can be purchased, a price, and the like are obtained.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional product information database, when a user sees a favorite product or advertisement in a city, for example, the user stores the information in a memo, for example, and sets a search condition based on the storage. I needed to fill in the database. There is a problem that the storage by the memo is very troublesome depending on the situation. For example, it is often difficult to write down the contents of a hanging advertisement of a train.

Further, even when information is stored in a memo, if the stored information is not accurate as a search condition, an expected result may not be obtained even if a search is subsequently performed based on the stored information. was there.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a search system and a search method capable of accurately storing product information and the like found in a city and performing a search for product information based on the stored information. , An input device and an input method.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a retrieval system for retrieving merchandise information, comprising: reading means for reading a figure in which identification information is patterned; An input device including storage means for extracting and storing identification information from the drawn figure, and communication means for transferring the identification information stored in the storage means to the outside, and associating the product information with the identification information corresponding to the product information. A search device comprising: storage means for storing, and a search means for receiving the identification information transferred by the communication means and searching for the product information stored in the storage means based on the received identification information. Search system.

According to the present invention, in a retrieval method for retrieving merchandise information, a reading step of reading a pattern in which the identification information is patterned, and extracting the identification information from the figure read in the reading step to a storage means. A step of storing, a step of communicating the identification information stored in the storage unit to the outside, a step of storing the product information and the identification information corresponding to the product information in the storage unit in association with each other, and a step of communicating. Receiving the received identification information and searching for the product information stored in the storage means based on the received identification information.

Further, the present invention comprises a storage means for storing product information and identification information corresponding to the product information in association with each other. An input device for inputting identification information extracted from a read figure, a reading means for reading a figure in which the identification information is patterned, a storage means for extracting and storing the identification information from the figure read by the reading means, and a storage means And a communication unit for transferring the identification information stored in the input device to the outside.

Further, the present invention comprises a storage means for storing product information and identification information corresponding to the product information in association with each other. In an input method for inputting identification information extracted from a figure read out, a step of reading a figure in which the identification information is patterned, and a step of extracting the identification information from the figure read in the reading step and storing it in a storage means And a communication step of transferring the identification information stored in the storage means to the outside.

As described above, according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, the input device reads a figure in which the identification information is patterned, extracts the identification information, and transfers the extracted identification information to the outside. Since the product information and the identification information corresponding to the product information are associated with each other by the transferred identification information and the storage means in which the product information is stored is searched to obtain the product information, the identification information is patterned. The corresponding product information can be obtained from the graphic.

According to the present invention, the identification information is read out by reading a figure in which the identification information is patterned, and the extracted identification information is used as the product information and the identification information corresponding to the product information. Since the information is stored in association with a search device that searches for product information based on the identification information and is input, a pattern in which the identification information is patterned is read, and information based on the read graphic is transferred. Thus, it is possible to search for product information corresponding to a figure in which the identification information is patterned.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below. First, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an example of an information search system according to the present invention. The information search system according to the present invention comprises, in principle, a database 1, a search engine 3 for searching the database 1, and an auxiliary terminal 4 for providing a user with auxiliary means for inputting search conditions.

The database 1 stores product information and identification information of the product in association with each other. As the product identification information, for example, a barcode 100 attached to a paper medium such as a magazine review article, an advertisement, or a poster advertisement and indicating the product transmitted by the medium is used.

The information stored in the database 1 is not limited to product information. Information that is not directly reflected in profits, such as service information and public information, can be stored in the database 1 in association with identification information of the information. In the following, description will be given with these pieces of information being represented by the above-described product information.

The auxiliary terminal 4 is configured to be portable and capable of reading a bar code. For example, when a user finds information attached with a predetermined barcode 100 in a city and wants to know the details of the information, the user uses the auxiliary terminal 4 to attach the barcode 1 attached to the information.
Read 00. The information of the read barcode 100 is stored in the auxiliary terminal 4. The user can later know the detailed information of the product by searching the database 1 by the search engine 3 based on the barcode information stored in the auxiliary terminal 4.

As an example, the database 1 stores a URL (U.S.) which is an address of a homepage on the Internet that sells corresponding products in association with barcode information.
If the search engine 3 is connected to the Internet, for example, the user may directly apply for the purchase of the product by referring to the homepage based on the search results. it can.

As the barcode information, information whose specifications are uniquely defined for this information retrieval system can be used. Also, for example, an existing barcode system managed by the Distribution System Development Center can be used. In this case, database 1 is
It can be constructed based on JICFS (JAN Item Code File Service) data.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of an information retrieval system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Database 1, Database 2
And search engine 3, bookmark search engine 1
0 is configured. The bookmark search engine 10 is a communication line such as the Internet, and is connected to another Web (not shown).
Connected to site b.

A Web site is a place where information published to the network is placed, and the bookmark search engine 10 and the above-mentioned homepage are also one of the Web sites. For example, the bookmark search engine 10 is connected to a database (not shown) as another Web site. The location of the Web site is described by the URL described above.

The barcode 100 is created by the barcode creation / distribution unit 12 and is attached to a product. The barcode creation / distribution unit 12 is, for example, a maker or an advertiser of a corresponding product. The information of the barcode 100 attached to the product is
It is registered and stored in the database 1. Database 1
As described above, the barcode 100 attached to the paper medium and indicating the product conveyed by the medium, and the product information corresponding to the barcode 100 are stored.

For example, the database 1 stores, in association with bar code information, attribute information of the product, for example,
Image data indicating the appearance of the product, specifications, fixed price, and the like are stored. In addition, the information of the dealer handling the product and the selling price at the dealer are stored in the database 1 by
It is more preferable to store the information in association with the product information or the barcode information. If the store has a homepage on the Internet, for example, a URL that is address information of the homepage can be stored as the store information in addition to the location of the store. In recent years, an example of selling goods only on a homepage on the Internet without having a store has increased, and in this case, only a URL is stored.

The customer database 2 stores identification information of users who can receive services provided by the bookmark search engine 10. As the identification information, ID information uniquely assigned to each of the auxiliary terminals 4 described later is used. The customer database 2 stores user attribute information in association with identification information.
The attribute information of the user is, for example, the user's name, address, telephone number, and the like.

The bookmark search engine 10 and the gateway device 11 are bidirectionally connected via a communication line such as the Internet. Although details will be described later, the gateway device 11 is, for example, a personal computer, and can communicate bidirectionally with the bookmark search engine 10 and can communicate with the auxiliary terminal 4 owned by the user.

The gateway device 11 is not limited to a personal computer. For example, a set-top box provided for connecting a television receiver and a digital network is connected to the gateway device 1.
1 can be used. In another example, a digital broadcast receiver, IRD (Integrated Reciever Deck) is used.
oder) can be used as the gateway device 11. In addition, the gateway device 11 is not limited to an individual device as described above. For example, an information terminal device installed in a retail store or the like and made available to a user can be used as the gateway device 11.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the appearance of the auxiliary terminal 4 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the auxiliary terminal 4 is referred to as a book marker 4. The book marker 4 has a barcode sensor 20 that reads the barcode 100 and a display unit 21 that performs a predetermined display. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a button for controlling reading of the barcode 100 by the barcode sensor 20 may be provided. Further, the book marker 4 is an electrical connection point when communicating with the gateway device 11 described above.
A connector 22 is provided.

The book marker 4 has a simple configuration as described later, and can be housed in a small housing that can be used as a key holder, for example. Not limited to this example, the book marker 4 can be incorporated in various other electronic devices. Of course, the target into which the book marker 4 is incorporated is not limited to an electronic device. It is more preferable that the book marker 4 is incorporated in a device that is used when the user moves or carries the book marker.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the book marker 4 according to the first embodiment. Although not shown in the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25 has a configuration such as a memory, a bus, and a predetermined interface. The CPU 25 has a barcode sensor 20, a display unit 2
1, the memory 26 and the interface 29 are connected.

As shown in an example in FIG. 5, the bar code 100 expresses a number or a number sequence by the thickness and interval of a plurality of black lines (bars). A 13-digit number (decimal number) including a digit country code and a last one-digit check digit is expressed. Barcode sensor 20
Is a laser irradiation type sensor consisting of a laser beam irradiation section and a reflected laser light sensor section, and a CCD (Charge Coup
It can be configured using an image sensor composed of led devices). The barcode sensor 20 identifies the thickness and interval of the bar of the barcode 100 and reads the barcode information.

As described above, the barcode 100 can express information according to a unique standard. In this case,
In addition to expressing product identification information with several digits,
For example, the category of the product can be expressed.

The display unit 21 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crys).
tal Display), and the display is controlled by the CPU 25. The display unit 21 displays, for example, the number of pieces of barcode information read and stored in the memory 26. The display unit 21 can be omitted.

The barcode sensor 20 is attached to the barcode 100.
When the book marker 4 is traced along the bar code 100 together with the button operation, the bar code 100 is read by the sensor 20, and the read bar code information is stored in the memory 26 via the CPU 25. A plurality of barcode information can be stored in the memory 26 as shown in an example in FIG. Each of the barcode information is given a code such as a serial number so that the barcode information can be identified from each other. The terminal ID 27 stored in a predetermined area of the memory 26 is a unique ID that can identify each individual book marker 4.

The interface 29 controls communication with the outside, that is, with the gateway device 11 via the connector 22. The interface standard by the interface 29 when communicating with the gateway device 11 is not particularly limited. For example, USB (Universal S
(Erial Bus) can be used as an interface standard for communication between the book marker 4 and the gateway device 11. Also, an interface standard defined by IEEE-1394 can be used. Furthermore, RS
-232C can be used as the interface standard for this communication.

Further, the communication is not limited to the wired communication as described above. For example, IrDA (Infrared Data Associa)
), the book marker 4 and the gateway device 1 using infrared signals.
1 may be communicated with. In this case, the connector 22 and the interface 29 have a function of transmitting and receiving an infrared signal.

Further, the book marker 4 may be replaced with an IC card in which an integrated circuit and communication means are embedded in the card, a PCM
CIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association) and JEIDA (Japan Electronic In
It can be configured as a PC card according to the regulations of the Dustry Development Association). When the book marker 4 is configured as an IC card, the interface 2
As 9, an interface standard suitable for the IC card is used. When the book marker 4 is configured as a PC card, for example, the PC
Provide a connector corresponding to the card. By directly attaching the book marker 4 as a PC card to a connector corresponding to the PC card, communication between the book marker 4 and the gateway device 11 can be performed.

The terminal ID 27 and the barcode information stored in the memory 26 can be read out from the memory 26 and output to the outside via the interface 29 according to a command from the CPU 25.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the gateway device 11. As described above, the gateway device 1
As 1, a general personal computer can be used. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a general personal computer is used as the gateway device 11. A CPU 31 and a ROM (Read Only Memor
y) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a display control circuit 34, and a storage medium such as a hard disk 36 are connected. Further, input means 91 for outputting a control signal based on a user's operation, such as a keyboard and a predetermined type of pointing device, is connected to the bus 30. The CPU 25 operates based on a program stored in, for example, the ROM 32 or the hard disk 36,
A predetermined process is performed by the operation of the input unit 91 by the user. The RAM 33 is used, for example, as a work memory of the CPU 31. The display control signal output from the CPU 25 is supplied to the display control circuit 34, and the display based on the display control signal is displayed on the display 35.

Further, an interface 37 for communicating with the book marker 4 is connected to the bus 30. The interface 37 is an interface standard corresponding to the interface 29 of the book marker 4, for example, US
B, IEEE-1394, RS-232C and IrD
A suitable for A or the like is used.

Further, a communication means 38 for communicating with the bookmark search engine 10 via the communication line 8 is connected to the bus 30. The communication means 38 is, for example, a modem and is connected to a public telephone line as the communication line 8. The gateway device 11 can be connected to the Internet via a public telephone line using a modem, for example, and can perform bidirectional communication with the bookmark search engine 10 via the Internet.

The audio processing means 39 connected to the bus 30 converts digital audio data supplied via the bus 30 into an analog audio signal. Voice processing means 39
The analog audio signal output from the
0 is played.

As described above, the user needs to register his / her own information in the customer database 2 of the bookmark search engine 10 in advance. This registration can be performed using the gateway device 11. First,
The user connects his / her own book marker 4 to the gateway device 11 through a predetermined interface.
The user operates the gateway device 11 to register the user and the book marker 4 owned by the user.

FIG. 8 shows a registration screen 4 on the display 35 when the user and the book marker 4 owned by the user are registered by the gateway device 11.
An example of the display of 0 is shown. In the “Name” column 41, the name of the user is input. In the “Bookmark ID” column 42,
The terminal ID 27 of the book marker 4 owned by the user is input.

The input of the terminal ID 27 is performed by communication between the gateway device 11 and the book marker 4. That is, a request for reading the terminal ID 27 is transmitted from the gateway device 11 to the book marker 4. Under the control of the CPU 25 based on this request, the book marker 4 stores the terminal ID 27
Is read. The read terminal ID 27 is transmitted to the gateway device 11. The gateway device 11 displays the received terminal ID 27 on the display 3
5, and is stored in the RAM 33, for example.

The "zip code" column 43 and the "area code" column 44 are input with, for example, the postal code of the area where the user resides and the area code of the public telephone line.
The postal code and the area code are used as auxiliary in connection with information indicating the location of the user. "Card No."
In the column 46, the user's credit card or cash card number or the like is input. "Address" column 47
Means that the user's address is correctly entered. These are information used when, for example, a service using the book marker 4 involves a billing process.

As described above, columns 41 to 44, 46 and 47
Are respectively stored in the RAM 33. Then, the bookmark search engine 1 is read from the RAM 33 based on a predetermined operation, and is read by the communication unit 38.
Sent to 0. At this time, it is more preferable that the transmitted information be encrypted by a predetermined method.

Next, the merchandise information search processing by the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in the first step S10, the terminal ID 27 of the book marker 4 owned by the user is registered in the bookmark search engine 10 according to the procedure described above.

Using the book marker 4 in which the terminal ID 27 is registered, the user can read a review article of a magazine, an advertisement,
The bar code 100 attached to a poster advertisement, a hanging advertisement in a train or the like is read, and the read bar code information can be stored. For example, a book marker 4 is attached to a bar code 100 attached to a poster advertisement or the like.
Is pressed, the book marker button is pressed, and the book marker 4 is moved so that the sensor 20 traces the bar code 100. With this operation, the barcode 100 is read, and the barcode information is stored in the memory 26 of the book marker 4 (step S).
11). A plurality of barcode information can be stored in the range of the storage capacity of the memory 26 built in the book marker 4 (step S12).

In step S13, the book marker 4 is connected to the gateway device 11 (abbreviated as "GD" in FIG. 9). In the next step S14, the book marker 4
The bar code information stored in the memory 26 of the terminal ID 2
7 and transferred to the gateway device 11 via the above-described predetermined interface. The processing in step S14 can be automatically started when the book marker 4 and the gateway device 11 are connected in step S13 described above. Then, in the next step S15, the barcode information and the terminal ID 27 transferred from the book marker 4 to the gateway device 11 are transferred from the gateway device 11 to the bookmark search engine 10 via the communication line 8.

In step S16, the bookmark search engine 10 searches for product information based on the barcode information and the terminal ID 27 transferred from the gateway device 11, using the barcode information as a search condition.
When the search is performed according to the search condition, the search result is returned to the user. That is, the search result of the bookmark search engine 10 is transferred to the gateway device 11.
The gateway device 11 displays the transferred search result on a display screen, an example of which will be described later, and confirms whether the information required by the user has been searched (step S17).

If the search result does not include the information required by the user, the gateway device 11 transfers the information to the bookmark search engine 10 to that effect.
In step S18, the search is performed again by changing the search conditions. For example, a list of dealers handling products retrieved from the barcode information and the selling prices of the products at the respective stores are displayed in a list. The user can search again from the list whether or not there is a store satisfying his / her purchase conditions. The new search condition is input to the gateway device 11 by the user, and is transferred from the gateway device 11 to the bookmark search engine 10.

When the information required by the user is retrieved, the retrieved information is transmitted from the bookmark search engine 10 to the gateway device 11 in step S19.
Is forwarded to For example, when searching for information on a certain product, a store that sells the product at the lowest price is searched from stores that sell the searched product. The data is transferred to the gateway device 11. The user can actually go to the store and purchase the product based on the transferred store information.

If the searched store supports the sale of goods through the Internet, for example, the store's home page is referred to in accordance with the store's URL included in the search result, and the store is displayed on the home page. Thus, it is possible to directly apply for the purchase of the product to the store.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the database 1 stores the merchandise information in association with the shop information which sells the merchandise. Therefore, the bar code 100 attached to the advertisement etc.
Can be read and stored using the book marker 4, the purchase of the advertised product can be applied to the store later through, for example, a network.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the display screen 50 of the gateway device 11 after step S17 described above. At the top of the screen, the user name 51 of the user registration information is displayed.
And the terminal ID 27 are displayed. On the display screen 50,
A plurality of product information retrieved based on a plurality of barcode information stored in the book marker 4 can be displayed. In the mark display 53, numbers corresponding to each of the plurality of barcode information are displayed. Product information retrieved based on the barcode information is displayed 54, 55, 56 and 5.
7 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 10, the display 54 displays an image of the appearance of the product. The display 55 displays the product name of the product, and the display 56 displays the list price.

[0055] The display 57 displays information on a store that sells the product. The store information includes, for example, the name of the store, the selling price of the product at the store, the location information of the store, and the like. When the store publishes a homepage on the Internet, the URL of the homepage is displayed. It is more preferable that the store information be set so that information to be displayed can be set on the store side.

There is a possibility that a plurality of dealer information may be searched, and in that case, it is possible to display the searched plurality of dealer information. As a method of displaying a plurality of dealer information, as shown in an example in FIG. 10, by displaying buttons 58 and 60 and performing a predetermined operation on these buttons 58 and 60, a plurality of dealers can be displayed. A method of switching and displaying the store information one after another can be considered.
The store displayed on the display 57 becomes the currently selected store. The display method of the store is not limited to this,
For example, a plurality of store information may be displayed in a list.

Further, when the store information is displayed on the display 57, a priority order can be set for a plurality of store information. For example, the shop information is rearranged using “sales price” as a key, and is displayed preferentially. Display 5
In the example of FIG. 10, as the display method for No. 7, a plurality of store information in which the store information in which the lowest price is set for the same product is set as the first store information on the display 57. May be displayed in a list at the top of the list.

The button 59 is a button for applying for the purchase of a product. The process of purchasing a product using the button 59 is, for example, as follows. That is, when the button 59 is operated in a predetermined manner, the product displayed on the corresponding display 54 is thrown into a virtual “shopping basket”. The purchase destination is the store selected in the display 57.
Actually, order information including ID information and store information indicating the product and user information (user name and terminal ID 27) is transmitted from the gateway device 11 to a predetermined URL of the store.

The store searches the customer database 2 of the bookmark search engine 10 based on the received order information, obtains credit card and cash card information of the user who ordered the product, deducts the price, and gives the user Ship the ordered items. on the other hand,
The store that ordered the product pays the bookmark search engine 10 a predetermined amount as a commission. Since the terminal ID 27 is included in the transmitted order information,
The store that receives this order information can determine that the order information has been made using the bookmark search engine 10.

In a similar manner, it is also possible to apply for the purchase of a product to a plurality of different stores.

The method of ordering a product is not limited to the method described above. For example, the order information may be transmitted from the gateway device 11 to the bookmark search engine 10 once. Bookmark search engine 10
Transmits the transmitted order information to the URL of the corresponding store.

Further, the order is not limited to a method of making an order through a network. For example, by operating the button 59, a form of an order form for the corresponding store may be output. The user creates an order form based on the form, prints it on paper, and mails it to the store.

In the above description, the purchase target is a product, but the product in this case does not need to be a specific product. For example, movie and concert tickets can be purchased with this system. In this case, as shown in the display 61 of FIG. 10, the product display on the display screen 50 displays one scene of the movie in the case of a movie. Further, the content displayed on the display 54 is image data indicating the appearance of the product in the above description, but this is not limited to this example. For example, a moving image may be displayed on the display 54, or simple text data may be displayed on the display 54. Further, a presentation image in which the layout and the expression method are considered can be displayed on the display 54. Furthermore, it is possible to output audio.

In the above description, the book marker 4 is described as a dedicated device for storing barcode information, but this is not limited to this example. For example, mobile phones and PHS (P
A portable communication device, such as a personal handy phone system, may have the function of the book marker 4. In this case, the telephone number registered in the device can be used as the terminal ID 27.

Further, as the gateway device 11, a mobile phone that can support the Internet connection service can be used. For example, the book marker 4 and a strap for suspending and holding the mobile phone are integrally formed, and one end of the strap is used as the connector 22 and the other end is attached to the mobile phone. Generally, for example, a connector is provided at a lower portion of a mobile phone that can support a connection service to the Internet so that data to be transferred to the Internet can be input. When transferring the barcode information stored in the book marker 4 to the mobile phone as the gateway device 11, the connector 22 at one end of the strap is connected to the lower connector of the mobile phone for use. The transfer of the barcode information from the gateway device 11 to the bookmark search engine 10 can be easily performed by connecting to the Internet with a mobile phone.

When a search is performed by the bookmark search engine 10, a unique terminal ID 27 is supplied to each book marker 4 from each book marker 4. By using this terminal ID 27, for example, it is possible to know which product information has been referred to by how many people, and it can be used for market research and the like.

Next, a more specific example of the book marker 4 will be described. FIG. 11 shows an example of the form of the book marker 4. As shown in FIG. 11A, in this example, the notch 10
1 is provided. For example, by passing a string or a chain through the notch 101, the book marker 4 can be carried, for example, as a pendant. The display unit 21 is provided substantially at the center, and a button is provided below the display unit 21. A bar code sensor 20 is provided at one end of the book marker 4 facing the notch 101.

The notch 101 has a cap 103 on which a connector 22 for connecting to the gateway device 11 is housed. When the cap 103 is pulled out to the upper part, as shown in an example in FIG.
The connector 22 is detached from the main body, and the connector 22 is exposed. That is,
The connector 22 is structured so as to directly protrude from the book marker 4 main body. In this example, book marker 4
Interface 29 supports USB, and the connector 22 is a male connector of USB.

Since the connector 22 is directly projected from the book marker 4 main body, the connector 22 of the book marker 4 main body is inserted into the connector (female side) of the corresponding interface 37 of the gateway device 11 so that the book marker 4 is inserted. 4 and the gateway device 11 can be connected. It is preferable that the USB connector be an A-type connector because compatibility can be easily obtained when a personal computer is used for the gateway device 11.

Note that, depending on the structure around the connector of the gateway device 11, for example, mechanically, as described above, the bookmark 4 main body and the gateway device 11 are connected.
May not be directly connected. Therefore, in this embodiment, a repeater called a cradle provided with a USB female connector and a connection line to the gateway device 11 is used. FIG. 12 shows an external appearance of an example of the cradle 110, and shows how the bookmark 4 is attached to the cradle 110.

The cradle 110 of this example has a hemispherical appearance, and the connector 22 of the book marker 4 is provided at the top.
The female connector 111 corresponding to the (male side) is provided. Of course, the appearance of cradle 110
The shape is not limited to a hemisphere, and may be an arbitrary shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a quadrangular pyramid, or another complicated shape. A connection line 112 for connecting to the gateway device 11 is drawn out of the connector 111.

The connection line 112 is connected to the gateway device 11
, The connector 22 of the book marker 4 is inserted into the connector 111 of the cradle 110,
By attaching the book marker 4 to the cradle 110,
The barcode information stored in the memory 26 of the book marker 4 can be transferred to the gateway device 11.

The display section 21 displays the book marker 4
The number of pieces of barcode information stored in the
Control, the ball-shaped displays 150, 150, 15
.. And 150 '. Depending on the type of the product represented by the bar code information, one item can be displayed in black circle display and white circle display. For example, when the barcode information indicates a specific product, information such as a black circle and a ticket for a movie or a concert can be expressed with a white circle.

The barcode information is not limited to the black circle display and the white circle display, but may be displayed by other display methods. For example, not only the black circle display and the white circle display but also various displays can be mixed. As mentioned above,
When the product category is indicated by the barcode 100, it is more preferable to display the category corresponding to each of the stored book marker information. Further, for example, the display unit 21 includes
The number of bookmark information items actually stored in the book marker 4 may be represented by a number. Further, the number of items already stored can be subtracted from the number of items that can be stored in the book marker 4 and displayed.

The shape of the book marker 4 is not limited to the above, and various shapes can be used as long as it is portable and can be provided with the barcode sensor 20.

The display on the display unit 21 can be changed when the barcode information stored in the memory 26 of the book marker 4 is transferred to the gateway device 11. FIG. 13 shows an example of display on the display unit 21 at the time of transfer.
FIG. 13 shows the cap 103 in FIG.
Is shown facing down. 13A and FIG.
The time elapses in the order of B and FIG. 13C. In FIG. 13A, seven ball-shaped displays 150 and 15 are displayed.
0 'is displayed so that the number of display is gradually reduced as time elapses and the display is changed so as to be sucked in the direction of the connector 22. This allows
A state where the data stored in the memory 26 is downloaded to the gateway device 11 via the connector 22 and the data is transferred is virtually represented.

The display at the time of the transfer can be similarly displayed on the gateway device 11. By providing the gateway device 11 with an audio reproducing unit, it is possible to output audio with a change in display or with the passage of time during transfer. Furthermore, the actual data transfer is performed in an extremely short time as compared with the speed at which the number of displays on the display unit 21 decreases, and there is no need to make the actual transfer speed correspond to the change speed of the display on the display unit 21. As described above, when transferring the barcode information stored in the memory 26,
The user can intuitively understand that the barcode information is being transferred to the gateway device 11 by changing the display or outputting a sound as time passes.

The display at the time of transfer can be considered variously in addition to the above. For example, the gateway device 11 can display some character. In addition, the display of the display unit 21 of the book marker 4 and the display of the gateway device 11 are linked with each other, so that the transfer of data from the book marker 4 to the gateway device 11 can be continuously displayed.

Note that an upper limit can be set for the number of pieces of barcode information that can be stored in the book marker 4. For example, considering the trouble of later search, the upper limit that can be stored is set to several to ten or more. At this time, when the number of stored barcode information reaches the upper limit or approaches the upper limit, the user may be notified by any method. For example, it is conceivable to provide a sound generator such as a beep sound in the book marker 4. When the barcode information is stored and the number of storable items becomes one by using this sound generating means, a warning sound is generated. If the number of storable cases is 0, a warning sound is generated when a button is pressed to read the barcode 100.

The sound generated by the sound generating means is not limited to the above-mentioned warning sound. For example, each time the user reads the barcode 100 using the book marker 4, a predetermined sound can be generated.
By doing so, the user can confirm that the reading of the barcode 100 has been performed normally,
You can know without looking at 1. Further, the type of the read barcode 100 can be determined by the CPU 25, and different sounds can be generated depending on the type of the barcode. For example, if it is determined that the read barcode is of a type that is not compatible with this system, a warning sound indicating that may be generated.

It is also possible to provide a cancel button on the book marker 4 so that the stored barcode information can be deleted in order, for example, from oldest to newest. It is also possible to select and delete the stored barcode information.

The operation section of the book marker 4 for storing the bar code information is not limited to the push button.
For example, the barcode sensor 20 may be provided with a pressure sensing means, and the reading of the barcode information may be controlled by pressing the sensor 20 against the barcode 100 with a predetermined pressure or more.

Further, in the above description, the connection between the book marker 4 and the gateway device 11 uses an interface such as a USB or the like which is designed to transfer data in a computer system, but this is not limited to this example. . That is, since the amount of data transferred from the book marker 4 to the gateway device is extremely small, an interface having a lower data transfer speed can be used. For example, it is also possible to transfer data using a normal shield line such as used for headphones.

Further, in the above description, the program for controlling the operation of the book marker 4 has been described as being stored in the memory 26 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. A program for controlling the operation of the book marker 4 is
It can be installed externally via the interface 29. In this case, the control program of the interface 29 and the program data supplied through the interface 29 are stored in the memory 26.
And only the program to be loaded into the CPU 25 is stored in advance. With this configuration,
It is possible to easily cope with an upgrade of the control program of the book marker 4 and the like, and it is possible to use the book marker 4 for more various purposes.

Next, an application example of this embodiment will be described. In an application example of this embodiment, as the gateway device 11, in addition to a personal computer or the like owned by a user, an information terminal device installed in a retail store or the like and made available to the user is used.

This information terminal device is installed in, for example, a so-called convenience store and is connected to a predetermined network. The network connectable to the information terminal device includes a network dedicated to the information terminal device, which is introduced by a provider of the information terminal device, for example, in addition to a publicly used network such as the Internet.
The user can obtain the selected information by operating according to the menu displayed on the screen of the information terminal device.

The obtained information is, for example, confirmed on a screen,
It can be obtained as a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD-ROM. Further, it is possible to apply for purchase of a product from the information terminal device. Further, a predetermined interface is provided in the information terminal device,
It is also possible to directly transfer the obtained information as data to an information device having a corresponding interface brought by the user. Hereinafter, this information terminal device is referred to as a “kiosk terminal”.

Since the kiosk terminal can be realized by a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of a general computer as shown in FIG. 7, for example, a detailed description of the configuration is omitted.
For example, a kiosk terminal has a bus and C
A PU and a memory are connected. In addition, GU
A display and an input interface for realizing I are connected, and further, a large-capacity storage medium such as an HDD, a data output unit, and a connection unit to a network are provided.

Although not shown, the kiosk terminal is connected to the bookmark search engine 10 described above. Further, the kiosk terminal is provided with an interface corresponding to the connector 22 provided on the book marker 4 so that data can be transferred between the book marker 4 and the kiosk terminal. By using the kiosk terminal, the user can use the above-described search service using the book marker 4 even if the user does not own or possess the gateway device 11.

Connect the book marker 4 to the kiosk terminal,
The barcode information stored in the book marker 4 is transferred from the book marker 4 to the kiosk terminal together with the terminal ID 27 of the book marker 4 by a predetermined operation. In the kiosk terminal, the transferred barcode information and terminal ID 27
Is further transferred to the bookmark search engine 10. The bookmark search engine 10 searches for merchandise information based on the transferred barcode information and terminal ID 27, and returns a search result to the kiosk terminal. In the kiosk terminal to which the search result has been transferred, the display screen as shown in FIG. 10 described above is displayed on the display unit. As in the case where the gateway device 11 is a personal computer, the user can browse product information, apply for product purchase, and the like according to the display screen of the display unit.

[0091] It is also possible to register the book marker 4 from the kiosk terminal in the same manner as described above.

The kiosk terminal can always be connected to a communication line having a higher data transfer rate than a network used in a general home. Also,
It is also possible to mount a storage medium such as a memory or an HDD having a larger capacity. Therefore, the user can use the kiosk terminal to set the gateway device 11
The service can be different from the case where a personal computer is used.

For example, a memory having a relatively large storage capacity is mounted on the book marker 4. The book marker 4 is connected to the kiosk terminal, and music data is searched using the kiosk terminal based on the barcode information stored in the memory 26. On the display of the kiosk terminal, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 10 described above is made. When the kiosk terminal is provided with a sound reproducing means, the music data of the search result can be reproduced and listened to by the sound reproducing means of the kiosk terminal by a predetermined operation. Similarly, music data of a search result can be downloaded to the book marker 4 via the connector 22 by a predetermined operation on the kiosk terminal. The downloaded music data is later transferred by the user to, for example, a personal computer or a dedicated music data playback device. It is preferable that the music data to be downloaded is compression-encoded by a predetermined compression-encoding method because the memory capacity and the download time can be saved.

As a compression encoding method for music data, for example, MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group 1 Audio La
yer 3) and ATRAC (Adaptive Tranform Acoustic Codi
ng), ATRAC2 which further improved ATRAC method,
ATRAC3 can be used. In addition, the compression encoding method is not limited to these, and PASC (precision adaptation)
ve sub-band coding), TwinVQ ™, Rea
lAudio (trademark), LiquidAudio (trademark), or the like can also be used.

At this time, by installing a decoder and a sound reproducing means corresponding to a predetermined music data compression encoding method in the book marker 4, the music data downloaded and stored in the memory can be decoded and reproduced. Thereby, the user can play and enjoy the downloaded music data using only the book marker 4. As the sound reproducing means, a sound reproducing system using headphones or the like can be considered.

[0096] When music data is directly downloaded to the bookmark 4, there may be a problem of copyright of the downloaded music data. this is,
The problem can be solved by encrypting the downloaded music data in advance by a predetermined encryption method, and incorporating a mechanism in the book marker 4 for decrypting the encrypted music data. For example, the encrypted music data is decrypted only when the music data is reproduced by the book marker 4. Even if the music data downloaded to the book marker 4 is transferred to a personal computer or the like, it cannot be decrypted unless the user has a key for decrypting the encrypted data in a form usable by the personal computer. .

FIG. 14 schematically shows an operation mode of an example of the information search system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same parts as those in the above-described configuration of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. The barcode 100 is attached to a magazine or the like by a product advertiser 500. Similarly, poster advertisements and advertisements hanging inside cars such as trains are attached to the paper medium by the advertisement source 500 of the product. The advertiser 500 may be a manufacturer that manufactures the product or the like, or may be an advertising agency 502 that undertakes advertising of the product.

On the other hand, the store 504 sells the product advertised by the advertiser 500. The products that the dealer 504 handles are
Generally, it is a product by a plurality of advertisers 500. The store 504 has a Web site 501 in order to promote sales of products handled by the store.

The advertiser 500 (or the advertising agency 502 receiving the request of the advertiser 500) needs to update the product information registered in the barcode database 1 when an existing product is changed. Further, with respect to a new product, it is necessary to additionally register new product information in the barcode database 1. Interface 50 provided in bookmark search engine 10
Reference numeral 3 denotes an interface which enables the advertiser 500 and the advertising agency 502 to safely and easily update the barcode database 1 from outside.

The interface 503 can be constituted by, for example, a database management system that restricts access to the barcode database 1 from outside through a predetermined filter. In addition, it is more preferable that the interface 503 includes a GUI that allows an external client permitted to access the barcode database 1 to easily update the contents of the barcode database 1.

In the barcode database 1, as described above, information on the store 504 that handles the product is registered along with the product information. Therefore, it is necessary to enable the store 504 to update the contents of the barcode database 1. The store 504 accesses the barcode database 1 via the interface 503,
A predetermined filter is applied to access, and only necessary items can be updated safely. Similarly, store 5
It is also possible to positively register barcode information in the barcode database 1 from the 04 side.

FIG. 15 schematically shows the flow of money that can occur in the information retrieval system according to FIG. For example, an advertiser 50 such as a product maker or a box office
0 (supposed to be a maker) puts the fund S in order to attach the barcode 100 to a paper medium. In FIG. 15, the advertiser 500 and the store 504 shown in FIG.
Are conceptually summarized and shown as “advertiser / seller 500”. In addition, the advertiser / seller 500 has a website 5
01 on the Internet. Web site 50
1 is capable of introducing and promoting products handled by the advertiser / seller 500 and applying for purchase of the products.

The user reads the barcode 100 attached to the paper medium with the book marker 4, and obtains merchandise information and information of a store by the bookmark search engine 10 based on the read barcode information. If the obtained information satisfies the conditions, the user refers to, for example, the Web site 501 of the advertiser / seller 500 via the Internet, makes a purchase application for the product on the Web site 501, and obtains the price M2 of the product. Advertiser / Reseller 5
Pay at 00 and buy the goods.

Since the price M2 paid by the user to the advertiser / seller 500 is generated by using the bookmark search engine 10, the advertiser / seller 500
Is a bookmark search engine 1 according to the amount of money M2
Pay reward M1 for 0.

According to this system, the advertiser / seller 5
In the case of 00, by investing the investment S and attaching the barcode 100 to more paper media, more users can be notified of the product information. As a result, more users make purchases based on the product information, and the advertiser / seller 500 can make more profit. Along with that, bookmark search engine 1
At 0, more rewards M1 can be received.
Further, the advertiser / seller 500 can increase the sales of the product to which the barcode 100 is attached by opening the Web site 501 in cooperation with the bookmark search engine 10.

In the above description, the information search system according to the present invention has been described as being applied to the purchase of a product, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As an example, based on information read by the barcode 100, a related article or the like can be searched. For example, book reviews and music C
Barcode 10 for review articles of D (Compact Disc)
0 is attached. In the barcode database 1, product information for purchasing the product introduced in the book review or CD review article is registered, and the book review or the review article itself or, if it is a book review, the book review. In the case of an excerpt of a book or a review article of a music CD, a sample of music data that can be auditioned is registered in association with the barcode 100. Or, if such information is placed on the Internet, the UR
L may be registered.

With this configuration, the user can read the bar code 100 attached to a book review or a CD review article.
By reading the information and searching the information with the bookmark search engine 10 based on the read barcode information, the user can read an excerpt of the book introduced by the book review, or listen to the music introduced in the review article on the CD. it can. The user can examine the product more reliably.

When the barcode 100 represents a television broadcast program (hereinafter simply referred to as a "program"), another example is conceivable. In this case, the barcode database 1 registers the barcode information indicating the program and the information of the program, for example, the broadcast start and end times in association with each other. Thus, the user can obtain the broadcast start and end times of the program by data by performing a search with the bookmark search engine 10 based on the barcode information obtained by reading the barcode 100 representing the program. On the other hand, a video tape recorder that records a television broadcast is configured to be able to make a recording reservation using the obtained data.

In this way, the user reads the barcode 100 attached to, for example, a publicity poster of a new program posted in the city with the book marker 4, and uses the bookmark search engine based on the read barcode information. By retrieving the information at 10, the recording reservation of the new program can be reliably performed. Of course, the user can also manually set the broadcast start and end time information of the program obtained as a search result by the bookmark search engine 10 on the video tape recorder.

In the above description, the bar code 100 is attached to the paper medium, and the book marker 4 reads the bar code 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Instead of a barcode, a pattern that can be read reliably with a simple configuration may be attached to a paper medium and read using a book marker. That is, the pattern attached to the paper medium and read by the book marker 4 is not limited to a linear pattern such as a barcode, but may be configured by various shapes such as a circle, a square, a triangle, or a combination thereof. Good. Further, not only a planar pattern but also a combination of protrusions and perforations may be used. A pattern using a holograph may be used. Further, not only a one-dimensional pattern as illustrated in FIG. 5 but also a two-dimensional pattern can be used.

[0111]

As described above, according to the present invention, a book marker whose form is easily configured reads a bar code and stores the read information. The database stores the barcode information and the product information in association with each other, and the search engine can obtain the product information as a search result based on the barcode information. Therefore, the barcode attached to the advertisement etc. is read and stored using the book marker,
Later, the stored barcode information is transferred to the search engine, and there is an effect that the information of the advertised product can be obtained in detail.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an example of an information search system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of an information search system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an auxiliary terminal 4;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a book marker.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a barcode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of barcode information stored in a memory of a book marker.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a gateway device 11.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen displayed by a gateway device when a user and a book marker 4 owned by the user are registered.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a product information search process.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a gateway device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a book marker more specifically;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of an example of a cradle and a state in which a book marker is attached to the cradle.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display on a display unit at the time of transfer in a book marker.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing an operation mode of an example of the information search system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a flow of money generated in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... barcode database, 2 ... customer database, 3 ... search engine, 4 ... book marker, 10 ... bookmark search engine, 11 ...
Gateway device, 20 ... barcode sensor,
21: display unit, 22: connector, 25: C
PU, 26: memory, 27: terminal ID, 29
..Interface, 31 ... CPU, 37 ...
Interface, 38 Communication means, 40 Registration screen, 150 Barcode, 500 Advertiser, 501 Web site, 502 Advertising agency, 503 Interface , 504 ... dealer

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Naotaka Ando 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 5B072 BB00 BB03 CC24 MM11 5B075 ND20 PP02 PP03 PP05 PQ02 PQ22 PQ46

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A retrieval system for retrieving merchandise information, comprising: reading means for reading a graphic in which identification information is patterned; storage means for extracting and storing the identification information from the graphic read by the reading means; An input device including communication means for transferring the identification information stored in the storage means to the outside; storage means for storing product information and identification information corresponding to the product information in association with each other; And a search unit for receiving the identification information received and searching for the product information stored in the storage unit based on the received identification information. 2. The search system according to claim 1, wherein the graphic is a barcode. 3. The search system according to claim 1, wherein said input device further comprises identification information storage means for storing input device identification information for identifying each of said input devices. . 4. The retrieval system according to claim 3, wherein the commodity indicated by the commodity information retrieved by the retrieval means can be purchased by specifying a purchase source by the input device identification information. And search system. 5. The search system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further stores vendor information for selling a product indicated by the product information in association with the product information. And search system. 6. A retrieval method for retrieving merchandise information, comprising: a reading step of reading a pattern in which identification information is patterned; and extracting the identification information from the pattern read in the reading step and storing the identification information in storage means. A step of communicating the identification information stored in the storage means to the outside; a step of storing the product information and the identification information corresponding to the product information in a storage means in association with each other; Receiving the identification information transferred by the step, and searching for the product information stored in the storage unit based on the received identification information. 7. A search device for storing merchandise information and identification information corresponding to the merchandise information in association with each other, wherein a search device for searching for merchandise information based on the identification information is provided with a pattern in which the identification information is patterned. An input device for inputting the identification information extracted from the storage device, comprising: reading means for reading a graphic in which the identification information is patterned; storage means for extracting and storing the identification information from the graphic read by the reading means; Communication means for transferring the identification information stored in the means to the outside. 8. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the graphic is a barcode. 9. The input device according to claim 7, further comprising identification information storage means for storing input device identification information for identifying each of the input devices. 10. A search device for storing merchandise information and identification information corresponding to the merchandise information in association with each other, and for searching for merchandise information based on the identification information, a pattern in which the identification information is patterned. An input method for inputting the identification information extracted from the step (a), wherein: a step of reading a figure in which the identification information is patterned; and a step of extracting the identification information from the figure read in the reading step and storing the identification information in storage means. And a communication step of transferring the identification information stored in the storage means to the outside.