JP2001283074A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To purchase a merchandise by inputting a condition and recognizing the merchandise by a simple operation. SOLUTION: A user inputs a money amount range to an input area 21, inputs a merchandise number range to an input area 22, displays a merchandise combination which agrees with a condition by a merchandise combination display button 23, resets the inputted condition by a reset button 24, displays a desired merchandise classification input screen by a merchandise classification register button 25, displays the next merchandise combination by a next merchandise combination display button 36 and applies for the purchase of the merchandise by a purchase button 37. A display area 26 is constituted of a picture area 32 for displaying a merchandise picture, a text area 33 for displaying merchandise explanation, a display area 31 constituted of a radio button area 34 for designating that the corresponding merchandise is 'fixed' to the combination, made to be 'unnecessary' or adopted as 'no designation' and a price display area 35 for displaying a purchase price, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a method of combining products that meet the requirements of a product purchaser under the conditions desired by the product purchaser and presenting them to the product purchaser. By enabling the product purchaser to select the most desired product combination from the presented product combinations and to apply for the purchase with simple operations, the product purchaser can It relates to an information processing apparatus that enables easy purchase of desired products in a lump at a time when desired, and enables a seller to promote product sales and to efficiently dispose of inventory. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a department store or the like, one or more (usually plural) products are sold collectively at a fixed amount of money such as 10,000 yen or 30,000 yen. . Usually, lucky bags are designed to provide an overview of the product, for example, classified by product type, such as clothing, toys, accessories, for adults or children, or for men. Or for women.
Alternatively, a transparent window may be attached to the bag or the like so that the purchaser can check a part of the contents of the lucky bag.

[0003] In the field of electronic commerce using the Internet and the like, products are sold together in a format similar to that of lucky bags and for a fixed amount of money.

[0004]

However, the contents of lucky bags sold in stores are previously combined, and it is difficult for the purchaser to individually select a combination of products included in the lucky bags. Can not. In addition, we make lucky bags by combining the fields of products according to the various demands of buyers, that is, lucky bags of 30,000 yen including digital cameras, accessories and sweaters for men, and VCRs To create a variety of different types of lucky bags in advance, such as 50,000 yen lucky bags containing children's toys and women's blouses, and sell them at stores,
Very difficult.

[0005] Also, in the electronic commerce using the Internet or the like, the sale of goods in the form of lucky bags is also in accordance with the form of lucky bags sold in stores, so that the purchaser can purchase goods contained in the lucky bags. To select individual combinations, or to meet the diverse needs of buyers,
There is no way to create lucky bags by combining product areas.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and combines products that meet the needs of a wide variety of merchandise purchasers under the conditions desired by the merchandise purchaser to provide the merchandise purchaser with a desired product. It is possible to present the product, and the product purchaser can select the product combination that best meets the wishes from the presented product combinations and apply for the purchase with a simple operation. , So that you can easily and inexpensively purchase products that meet your needs when you want them, so that sellers can promote product sales or dispose of inventory efficiently. It is.

[0007]

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, a product information storage means for storing first information on products composing a product combination, and a user inputs conditions relating to products included in the combination. From the condition input means for the product and the product stored in the product information storage means,
Searching for a product that satisfies the condition input by the condition inputting means, displaying a combination creating means for creating a combination of goods, and displaying first information on the goods included in the combination of goods created by the combination creating means. And display means for displaying the information.

[0008] In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, information on commodities constituting a commodity combination is stored, and a user inputs conditions relating to commodities included in the combination. Matching items are searched to create a product combination, and information about the products included in the created product combination is displayed. It can be presented to purchase applicants.

Further, the first information is, for example, information described in an all-commodity list in FIG. 8, and the condition is, for example, an amount of money, the number of commodities, a commodity classification, and the like.

The merchandise information storage means is, for example, the hard disk 14 of FIG. 2, the condition input means is, for example, the input section 2 of FIG. 1, and the combination creating means is, for example, the combination creating section 15 of FIG. Accordingly, the display means can be constituted by, for example, the display unit 3 of FIG.

[0011] Further, the display means can display a part of the first information relating to the product in a hidden manner.

[0012] Thus, since only the outline of the product can be understood, for example, it is possible to give an effect to the user who purchases the product that the product arrives and the enjoyment of actually confirming the product increases. it can.

[0013] The condition input by the condition input means can include a condition for designating whether or not an individual product is included in a combination of products. A combination of products can be created based on the designation of whether or not to include the product in the product combination.

[0014] Thus, it is possible to combine the products in the unit of the product desired by the product purchaser and to present a more desired product combination to the product purchaser.

[0015] Further, it is possible to further comprise a calculating means for calculating a discount price corresponding to the product combination created by the combination creating means.

[0016] Thus, a discount price corresponding to the combination of products can be automatically calculated for the created various product combinations.

The calculating means can be constituted by, for example, the combination creating section 15 shown in FIG.

[0018] Further, the user may select a second payment related to the payment.
The user can purchase a product by a combination of products created by the combination creating device based on the payment information inputting means for inputting the information of the payment information and the second information input by the payment information inputting means. A first information creating means for creating third information for confirming whether or not the first information is created.

Thus, when the product purchaser selects the most desired product combination from the presented product combinations, a payment means such as a credit card automatically input by the product purchaser is automatically input. This makes it possible to inquire, for example, a financial institution as to whether settlement is possible.

The second information is, for example, a card number and a card expiration date entered on the personal information entry screen shown in FIG. 32, and the third information is, for example,
This is the signal transmitted in step S103 of FIG.

The payment information input means is, for example, the input unit 2 of FIG. 1, and the first information creation means is, for example, the input section 2 of FIG.
, Respectively.

Further, the user may enter a fourth
Based on the fourth information input by the order information input means, and the fifth information necessary for ordering the goods in the combination of the goods created by the combination creating means, based on the fourth information input by the order information input means. And second information creating means for creating the above information.

Thus, when the product purchase applicant selects the most desired product combination from the presented product combinations, it is possible to apply for purchase by a simple operation.

The fourth information is, for example, a name and an address entered on the personal information entry screen in FIG. 32, and the fifth information is, for example, a signal transmitted in step S106 in FIG. It is.

The order information input means may be, for example, the input unit 2 of FIG. 1, and the second information creating means may be, for example, of FIG.
, Respectively.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention may be connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a wide area network such as the Internet, for example. This allows
For example, the terminal device can be installed on each floor of a large store, for example, so that the user can widely use the terminal device. In addition, by using the terminal device as, for example, a personal computer owned by the user, the user can use the terminal device at home. , It is possible to search for a desired product combination and apply for a purchase.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention issues a user ID to a desired user, for example, assuming that the information processing apparatus is used by a plurality of users, and holds a user-specific condition defined by the user ID. Means (for example, FIG. 1
No. 1 unnecessary product list, fixed product list in FIG. 15, FIG.
A condition storing means which is configured by the hard disk 14 shown in FIG. 2 for storing the desired product classification list Z or the like is prepared in advance, and the user inputs his / her own user ID. The setting may be made automatically. This can save the user from having to register various conditions.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection between a purchase merchandise combination creating apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a financial institution such as a credit company, and a personal computer of a merchandise seller.

The purchase merchandise combination creating apparatus 1 is installed in, for example, a department store or a retail store.
An input unit 2 including a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like, and a display unit 3 including, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) are connected.

The purchase merchandise combination creating apparatus 1 allows a user to follow a display screen displayed on the display unit 3 and described later.
Receiving a signal indicating the operation content input using the input unit 2;
By a process described later, a combination of products desired by the user is created and output to the display unit 3 to be displayed, or the user inputs a number such as a credit card used for payment at the time of product purchase and a shipping destination of the product. Is output to the display unit 3 for display.

Further, the purchased product combination creating apparatus 1
The personal computer 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution and the personal computer 6-1 to 6-n of the merchandise seller are interconnected via the network 4 and, if necessary, via the network 4. Based on the card number input by the user, a signal is sent to the personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution to inquire whether the desired product can be settled, and a reply is received or the product is sold. To the personal computers 6-1 to 6-n.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the purchased commodity combination creating apparatus 1.

The input / output interface 11 includes the input unit 2, the display unit 3, and the network 4 described with reference to FIG.
And receives signals indicating various operations input by the user using the input unit 2 and signals transmitted from the personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution via the network 4, Signals output to the control unit 13 via the internal bus 12 or generated by the processing of the order processing unit 17 are transmitted via the network 4 to personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of financial institutions or product sellers. To the personal computers 6-1 to 6-n.

The control unit 13 includes a combination creation unit 15 and an image display processing unit 1 based on a signal input from the input unit 2.
6, and a control signal for controlling the order processing unit 17 is generated and output. In the hard disk 14, for example,
In addition to storing image data of a display screen including an initial screen described later with reference to FIG. 4, a list of all products and image data of those products described later with reference to FIG. Temporarily save various lists created during the process.

The combination creating section 15 has a register indicating the serial number of the record being processed in the desired goods classification list Z described later with reference to FIG. 10, receives a control signal from the control section 13, and receives a user input. Create a combination of products that match the conditions. The image display processing unit 16 includes the control unit 1
3 and receives, for example, the combination creation unit 1
The display unit 3 displays the combination of the products generated by the processing of Step 5
The display image data to be displayed on the display unit 3 is generated, output to the display unit 3 via the internal bus 12 and the input / output interface 11, and displayed.

The order processing unit 17 receives a control signal from the control unit 13 and generates a signal for inquiring whether or not the user can settle a product combination determined by the user, and generates an internal bus 12 , Input / output interface 1
1. When the user is able to settle by transmitting to the personal computer of the corresponding financial institution among the personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution via the network 4 and receiving the reply, , Generates a signal including information necessary for ordering a product, and outputs the signal via the internal bus 12, the input / output interface 11, and the network 4 to the personal computer 6 of the product seller.
It transmits to the personal computer of the corresponding merchandise seller among 1 to 6-n.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing of the purchased product combination creating apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In step S 1, the control unit 13 generates a control signal for outputting the initial screen shown in FIG. 4, and outputs the control signal to the image display processing unit 16. Image display processing unit 1
6 reads the data of the initial screen shown in FIG. 4 from the hard disk 14 via the internal bus 12 in accordance with the input control signal, performs predetermined processing for displaying the data on the display unit 3, and The data is output to the display unit 3 via the input / output interface 11 and displayed.

The initial screen shown in FIG. 4 includes an input area 21 for inputting a range of a desired amount of money by a user, an input area 22 for inputting a range of a desired number of products, and a product combination matching the input conditions. , A product combination display button 23 for instructing display of a product, a reset button 24 for resetting various conditions input by the user, a product category registration button 25 for displaying a screen for registering a desired product category, and a product Combination display button 2
When 3 is selected, the display area 26 is configured to display products that match the conditions input by the user. In the input area 21 and the input area 22, only one or more numbers can be input.

In step S2, the control unit 13 performs a product combination display button 23 on the basis of a signal input through the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12.
It is determined whether or not has been selected. If it is determined in step S2 that the product combination display button 23 has been selected, in step S3, a product display process 1 described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 is executed.
A display screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the process returns to step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

The display screen shown in FIG. 5 includes, in addition to the input area 21 to the display area 26 described with reference to FIG.
Next product combination display button 36 and purchase button 3
7 are provided, the display area 26 includes display areas 31-1 to 31-3 for displaying products included in the combination of products matching the condition input by the user, and purchase by the displayed combination of products. It comprises a price display area 35 for displaying prices and the like.

The display areas 31-1 to 31-3 are image areas 32-1 to 32-3 for displaying image data of a product, and a text area 33 for displaying a description of the product such as a maker and a list price of the product. -1 to 33-3,
And "fixed" to specify that the displayed product is always included in the combination of products to be purchased, "unnecessary" to specify that the displayed product is to be removed from the combination of products to be purchased, It is composed of radio button areas 34-1 to 34-3 each including three types of radio buttons of "unspecified" selected when not specified. In FIG. 5, the display areas 31-1 to 31-1
Although three display areas 31 of 1-3 are displayed, the display area 31 is displayed by the number of products included in the combination of products matching the condition input by the user.

If it is determined in step S2 that the product combination display button 23 has not been selected, in step S4, the control unit 13 executes the process based on the signals input through the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. It is determined whether or not the product classification registration button 25 has been selected. If it is determined in step S4 that the product category registration button 25 has been selected, in step S5, a product category registration process described later with reference to FIG. 20 or FIG. 23 is executed, and the process returns to step S2. Is repeated.

If it is determined in step S4 that the commodity classification registration button 25 has not been selected, in step S6, the control unit 13 performs a process based on the signals input through the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. Radio button areas 34-1 to 3-3 shown in FIG.
It is determined whether any of the radio buttons in 4-3 has been selected. If it is determined in step S6 that any one of the radio buttons in the radio button areas 34-1 to 34-3 has been selected, the process proceeds to step S7.
6, the unnecessary / fixed product list change process described later is executed, the process returns to step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S6 that none of the radio buttons has been selected, the process proceeds to step S6.
8, the control unit 13 controls the input / output interface 1
1 and a signal input via the internal bus 12
It is determined whether or not the next product combination display button 36 shown in FIG. 5 has been selected. If it is determined in step S8 that the next product combination display button 36 has been selected, in step S9, a product display process 2 described later with reference to FIG. 27 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S2.
And the subsequent processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S8 that the next product combination display button 36 has not been selected, in step S10, the control unit 13 outputs a signal input through the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the purchase button 37 shown in FIG. 5 has been selected. If it is determined in step S10 that the purchase button 37 has been selected, in step S11, a product ordering process described later with reference to FIG. 31 is performed, the process returns to step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

In step S10, purchase button 37
If it is determined that is not selected, step S12
In the control unit 13, the input / output interface 11
Then, it is determined whether or not the reset button 24 has been selected based on the signal input via the internal bus 12. If it is determined in step S12 that the reset button 24 has been selected, then in step S13, the control unit 1
3 is an unnecessary product list described later with reference to FIG.
, And a product combination list Q described later with reference to FIG. 19 is deleted, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S12 that the reset button 24 has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S12.
In 14, the control unit 13 determines whether or not an operation end is instructed based on a signal input via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. If it is determined in step S14 that the operation end has not been instructed, the process returns to step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S14 that the operation end has been instructed, the process ends.

Next, the merchandise display processing 1 executed in step S3 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In step S21, the control unit 13
The amount range input in the input area 21 described with reference to FIG. 4 is read and supplied to the combination creating unit 15. The combination creating unit 15 acquires the price range information X1 and X2. Here, as the money amount range information X1 and X2, of the numerical data input to the input area 21, the smaller value is defined as X1, and the larger value is defined as X2. When only one numerical value is input to the input area 21, the numerical values are acquired as X1 and X2. When no numerical value is input to the input area 21, a default value (for example, X1 = 20) is obtained. , X2 = 30,000) as X1 and X2. For example, input area 2
1, if 40,000 and 70,000 are entered as shown in FIG. 5, X1 = 40,000 and X2 = 70,000
000 are obtained.

In step S22, the control unit 13
The merchandise number range input to the input area 22 described with reference to FIG. 4 is read and supplied to the combination creating unit 15.
The combination creating unit 15 determines the number-of-items range information Y1 and Y
Acquire 2. Here, the product number range information Y1 and Y2
In the numerical data input to the input area 22, the smaller value is Y1 and the larger value is Y2. Also,
If only one numerical value is input to the input area 22, the numerical values are acquired as Y1 and Y2. If no numerical value is input to the input area 22, default values (for example, Y1 = 2, Y2 = 20) as Y1 and Y2. For example, if 2 and 5 are entered in the input area 22 as shown in FIG. 5, Y1 = 2 and Y2 = 5 are acquired.

In step S23, the combination creating unit 15 reads the entire product list, the desired product classification list Z, and the unnecessary product list recorded on the hard disk 14. FIG. 8 shows an example of the entire product list, FIG. 9 shows an example of the product classification list, and FIG. 10 shows an example of the desired product classification list Z.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the unnecessary product list.

The list of all products shown in FIG. 8 includes the product ID, the product name, the maker name, the product classification, the list price, and the like of all the products that can be ordered from the product seller described with reference to FIG.
Regular price, minimum price, stock quantity and shipping fee are registered. The product category of each product is specified by one of the category names in the product category list in FIG. The normal price is the price of each product when not sold in combination, and the minimum price is the lowest price of each product when sold in combination.

The desired product classification list Z shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it is a list generated by a product classification registration process described later with reference to FIG. 23 and configured by a user's desired product classification and its serial number.
All the product classifications described in the product classification list are described. The unnecessary product list in FIG. 11 is a list that is changed in the unnecessary / fixed product list change process described later with reference to FIG. 26, and nothing is described by default.

In step S24, the combination creating unit 15 sets the register value i representing the serial number of the desired product classification list Z to i = 1.

In step S25, the combination creating section 15 determines whether or not the value i of the register is i = S + 1 with respect to the number of product categories S described in the desired product category list Z. In step S25, i =
If it is determined that S + 1, the process proceeds to step S29 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S25 that i is not equal to S + 1, in step S26, the combination creating unit 15 specifies the product by the product classification described in the serial number i of the desired product classification list Z shown in FIG. 8 is read in step S23.
And a product list A (i) described later with reference to FIG. 12 is generated.

In step S27, the combination creating unit 15 deletes from the product list A (i) the products listed in the unnecessary product list shown in FIG. 11 and the products with no stock number 0 in the entire product list in FIG. Then, a product list D (i) described later with reference to FIG. 12 is generated.

In step S28, the combination creating section 15 sets the register value i to i = i + 1, the process returns to step S25, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

In the desired product classification list Z shown in FIG. 10, since S = 3, the processes of steps S25 to S28 are repeated three times, and the product list A (1) to the product list shown in FIG. A (3) and product lists D (1) to D (3) are created.

That is, in the entire product list in FIG.
The product with the stock number 0 is the product with the product ID 0002,
The unnecessary product list in FIG.
50 and 0043 are registered. In the process at S = 1, the serial number 1 of the desired product classification list Z in FIG.
Since the products classified into the video deck shown in FIG. 12 are searched from the entire product list, a product list A (1) shown in FIG. 12A is generated, and the product list A (1) contains:
The product list D (1) is the same as the product list A (1) because neither the product having the stock number 0 nor the product described in the unnecessary product list is included.

Then, in the processing at S = 2, FIG.
Since the products classified into the digital camera indicated by the serial number 2 in the desired product classification list Z are searched from the entire product list, the product list A (2) shown in FIG.
Is generated. Here, the product list A (2) does not include the product with the stock number 0, but includes the product with the product ID 0004 described in the unnecessary product list. , Is generated by deleting the product ID 0004 from the product list A (2).

Finally, in the process at S = 3, FIG.
The products classified into the bag indicated by the serial number 3 in the desired product classification list Z are searched from the entire product list, so that a product list A (3) shown in FIG. Since (3) does not include a product with zero inventory and a product described in the unnecessary product list, the product list D (3) is the same as the product list A (3).

In step S25, the value of the register i
Is determined to be i = S + 1, step S2
9, the combination creating unit 15 determines in step S27
, The product list D (i) [i = 1, 2,...
[S], a product combination list E shown in FIG. 13 is created from all combinations of the products. The product combination list E shown in FIG. 13 is such that the n-th product is selected from the product list D (1) and nothing is selected from the product list D (2) and the product list D (3). Product list D in order from the combination consisting of only one product
It is generated by combining the products of (1) to product list D (3) and combining the products of all product lists D (i). In the product combination list E of FIG. 13, the product lists D (1) to D
Of (3), the combination of the products described in the same product list is not made, but the product combination list E including the combination of the products described in the same product list is included. It may be created.

In step S30, the combination creating unit 15 searches the product combination list E created in step S29 for a combination corresponding to the product number range Y1 to Y2 acquired in step S22, and is shown in FIG. A product combination list F is created. That is, the product combination list E described with reference to FIG. 13 is created with the number of product combinations 1 to 3, whereas the product number range information acquired in step S22 includes Y1 = 2 and Y2 = 5. , The combination of the product combination number 2 to 5 is
Are searched from the product combination list E shown in FIG.
Are listed in the product combination list F in FIG.

In step S31, the combination creating unit 15 reads, for example, a fixed product list as shown in FIG. 15 from the hard disk 14, and determines whether or not a product is registered in the fixed product list. The fixed product list is a list in which nothing is described by default, and is changed by an unnecessary / fixed product list change process described later with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step S31 that the product is not registered in the fixed product list, the process proceeds to step S33.

If it is determined in step S31 that the product is registered in the fixed product list, the process proceeds to step S31.
At 32, the combination creating unit 15 deletes, from the product combination list F, a combination that does not include a product registered in the fixed product list. That is, when the fixed product list describing the product ID 003 shown in FIG. 15 is stored in the hard disk 14, a product combination that does not include the product ID 003 is deleted from the product combination list F in FIG. Is generated.

In step S33, the combination creating section 15 refers to the entire product list described with reference to FIG. 8 and, based on the product combination list F, calculates the total of the normal price and the minimum price, for example, the number of product combinations. A predetermined discount rate to be determined and a total of discount prices (normal price × (1-discount rate)) based on the discount rate are calculated. FIG. 17 shows a product combination list F to which these calculation results are added. As the discount rate, a fixed value that is not changed by the number of product combinations may be used, or a value determined based on another criterion may be used.

The combination creating section 15 determines in step S34
In the product combination list F in FIG. 17, the higher price of the total of the lowest price and the total of the discount prices in each product combination shown in the product combination list F is set as the offer price W, and in step S35, the product combination list F
, A combination that satisfies X1 ≦ W + total shipping cost ≦ X2 is retrieved, and a product combination list Q is created. In FIG.
The product combination list Q is shown. Also, the total shipping cost is added to the product combination list Q in FIG. For example, the total shipping cost may be obtained by calculating the sum of the shipping costs of the products included in the product combination with reference to the entire product list, or by determining the total shipping cost based on the number of products and the like. Is also good.

In step S36, the combination creating unit 15 sorts the product combination list Q in descending order of the product discount. FIG. 19 shows the product combination list Q after sorting. Then, the combination creating unit 15
Outputs a signal indicating that the combination list Q has been generated and sorted to the control unit 13, outputs the product combination list Q of FIG. 19 to the hard disk 14 via the internal bus 12, and stores the same.

In step S37, the control unit 13
For example, a control signal for outputting a display screen as described with reference to FIG. 5 is generated as a display product using the first product combination in the product combination list, and is output to the image display processing unit 16. The image display processing unit 16 sends the first product combination of the product combination list Q and the image data and product data of the product included in the combination from the hard disk 14 via the internal bus 12 according to the input control signal. Read.

In step S38, the image display processing section 16 selects one of the display products read in step S37 and displays the selected product in the text area 33 described with reference to FIG. One or more pieces of information such as a product name, a maker name, and a price of the product are hidden, and a part or the whole of the product image displayed in the image area 32 is mosaiced.

For example, in FIG.
The product name and maker name of the digital camera displayed in -2 are hidden, and the product image is mosaiced. In this way, by abstracting and displaying one of the displayed products, only the outline of the product can be known, for example, like a lucky bag, and the product arrives at the user who purchases the product. An effect such as an increase in pleasure for actually confirming the product can be provided.

In this case, an arbitrary product is selected from the displayed product combinations and abstracted. However, for example, a selection criterion such as a product having the highest price is set in advance. Alternatively, a specific product may be abstracted. The content to be hidden may be another item described in the text area 33 other than the manufacturer name and the price, or only a part of the text may be hidden. In addition to the mosaic, the display image may be displayed by, for example, hiding a part of the product.

In step S39, the image display processing section 16 internally displays a display screen (for example, the display screen described with reference to FIG. 5) showing the product combination including the abstracted product processed in step S38. Bus 12
The data is output to the display unit 3 via the input / output interface 11 and displayed, and the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

Next, the merchandise category registration processing executed in step S5 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S51, the control unit 13
A control signal for outputting the desired product classification input screen shown in FIG. 21 is generated and output to the image display processing unit 16. The image display processing unit 16 reads the data of the desired product classification input screen shown in FIG. 21 from the hard disk 14 via the internal bus 12 and displays the data on the display unit 3 according to the input control signal. Is output to the display unit 3 via the internal bus 12 and the input / output interface 11 for display. The desired product category input screen of FIG. 21 displays the category name of the product category described in the product category list described with reference to FIG. 9, and a check box 41-1 for the user to select the desired product category. To 41-n and an end button 42 for the user to instruct the end of the input. Control unit 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a signal corresponding to an operation performed by the user using the input unit 2 by the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12.
Is entered via

In step S52, the control unit 13
An end button 42 based on a signal input from the input unit 2 via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12
It is determined whether or not has been selected. If it is determined in step S52 that the end button 42 has not been selected, the process returns to step S51, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

At step S52, the end button 42
If it is determined that is selected, in step S53, the control unit 13 determines, for example, a diagram based on the product classification checked by the user among the check boxes 41-1 to 41-n on the desired product classification input screen, for example. A desired product category list Z composed of a serial number and a product category name as shown in FIG. 10 is created, and the number of categories (that is, the last value of the serial number) is set to S.

In step S54, the control unit 13
After ending the desired product classification input screen, a control signal for displaying the immediately preceding display screen (for example, the initial screen described with reference to FIG. 4) is generated and output to the display screen processing unit. The display screen processing unit receives the control signal from the control unit 13, terminates the desired product classification input screen, displays the immediately preceding display screen, and the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

In addition to the product classification list shown in FIG. 9, for example, a related classification data list shown in FIG. Adds a product category related to the selected product category (for example, if the user selects a personal computer as the desired product category, the desired product category list Z
And a computer desk).

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23, a description will be given of the merchandise category registration processing when the related category data list is used.

In steps S61 and S62, the same processing as in steps S51 and S52 of FIG. 20 is executed. In step S63, the control unit 13 selects the product category selected by the user from the related category data list based on the product category checked by the user among the check boxes 41-1 to 41-n on the desired product category input screen. Read the product category associated with.

In step S64, the control unit 13
Of the check boxes 41-1 to 41-n of the desired product category input screen, the product category checked by the user and read from the related category data list,
A desired product category list Z is created from the product categories related to the product category selected by the user, and the number of the categories is set to S.

Then, in step S65, FIG.
The same processing as in step S54 is performed, and the processing returns to step S2 in FIG.

In addition, in the registration of the desired product category using the desired product category input screen shown in FIG. 21, only the distinction as to whether or not the desired product category can be made.
The desired product classification input screen shown in 4 is displayed, and for each product, 4 is displayed for large, medium, small, and no desired.
The radio buttons 43-1 to 43-n may be prepared.

Here, when the user selects the desired size,
A desired degree for the product is set as a desired degree 100, and similarly, a desired degree is set as a desired degree 60, and a desired small degree is set as a desired degree 30. For example, if the user
In the desired product classification input screen described using, the desired VCR is a desired small (degree of hope 30), a digital camera is a desired large (degree of hope 100), and a bag is desired (degree of hope 60).
25A, by adding a desired degree column to the desired product classification list Z created in step S53 of FIG. 20 as shown in FIG.
, A product combination list E to which the average value of the desired degree of the combination products is added can be created.

Further, by using the product combination list E to which the average value of the desired degree of the combination product is added as shown in FIG. 25B, the product is processed in the same manner as in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above. A combination list Q is generated, and FIG.
The product combination list Q as shown in FIG. 25C is obtained by sorting the product combination list Q executed in step S36 in accordance with the order of the degree of user's desire. Is also good.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26, the unnecessary / fixed product list change processing executed in step S7 of FIG. 3 will be described.

At step S71, the control unit 13
The product ID of the product corresponding to the operated radio button is read from the radio button areas 34-1 to 34-3 described with reference to FIG.

In step S72, the control unit 13
Based on a signal input via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12, it is determined whether the selected radio button is a "fixed" button. If it is determined in step S72 that the selected radio button is the “fixed” button, then in step S73, the control unit 1
Step 3 reads the fixed commodity list and the unnecessary commodity list recorded on the hard disk 14, and executes step S71.
Is added to the fixed product list, and if the product ID is described in the unnecessary product list, it is deleted, and the fixed product list and the unnecessary product list are stored in the hard disk 14 again. Processing is
It returns to step S2 of FIG.

If it is determined in step S72 that the selected radio button is not a "fixed" button,
In step S74, the control unit 13 determines whether the selected radio button is an “unnecessary” button based on the signal input via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. If it is determined in step S74 that the selected radio button is an “unnecessary” button, in step S75, the control unit 13 reads the fixed product list and the unnecessary product list recorded on the hard disk 14, and proceeds to step S71. Is added to the unnecessary product list, and the product I
If D is described in the fixed product list, it is deleted, and the fixed product list and the unnecessary product list are stored again in the hard disk 14, and the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S74 that the selected radio button is not an “unnecessary” button,
In step S76, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the selected radio button is an “unspecified” button based on a signal input via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. If it is determined in step S76 that the selected radio button is the “unspecified” button, in step S77, the control unit 13
The fixed product list and the unnecessary product list recorded on the hard disk 14 are read. If the product ID read in step S71 is described in the fixed product list or the unnecessary product list, delete them.
The fixed product list and the unnecessary product list are stored in the hard disk 14 again, and the process returns to step S2 in FIG. If it is determined in step S76 that the selected radio button is not the “non-designated” button, the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

Next, the merchandise display processing 2 executed in step S9 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S81, the combination creating unit 15 deletes the first product combination in the product combination list Q. For example, the product combination list Q is
In the case of the product combination list of FIG. 19, the first product combination is deleted by the processing of step S81, and thus the number of combinations in the product combination list Q is reduced by one as shown in FIG.

Here, if the product combination display button 23 is selected on the initial screen of FIG. 4 and the screen showing the first product combination of the product combination list Q shown in FIG. 5 is not displayed, The next combination display button 36 is not displayed. That is, in step S81, the top product combination of the product combination list Q is the combination of the currently displayed products.

In step S82, the combination creating unit 15 reads the unnecessary product list described with reference to FIG. 11 from the hard disk 14, and determines whether or not the product included in the product combination list Q is registered in the unnecessary product list. Judge. If it is determined in step S82 that the corresponding product is not registered in the unnecessary product list, the process proceeds to step S84.

If it is determined in step S82 that the corresponding product is registered in the unnecessary product list,
The combination creating unit 15 deletes, from the product combination list Q, a combination including a product registered in the unnecessary product list. For example, the product IDs 0004, 0050, 0043 are added to the unnecessary product list shown in FIG.
And 0008 are registered, the product I among the products registered in the product combination list Q of FIG.
Since it is determined that D0008 is registered in the unnecessary item list, the combination including the item is deleted, and the item combination list Q becomes as shown in FIG. 29 (B).

In step S84, the combination creating unit 15 reads the fixed product list described with reference to FIG. 15 from the hard disk 14, and determines whether or not a product is registered in the fixed product list. Step S84
In, when it is determined that the product is not registered in the fixed product list, the process proceeds to step S86.

If it is determined in step S84 that the product is registered in the fixed product list, the process proceeds to step S84.
At 85, the combination creating unit 15 deletes, from the product combination list Q, a combination that does not include a product registered in the fixed product list. For example, FIG.
The product ID 0007 is added to the fixed product list shown in FIG.
Has been registered, among the products registered in the product combination list Q of FIG.
Since it is determined that 7 is registered in the fixed product list, the combinations that do not include this are deleted, and the product combination list Q becomes as shown in FIG.

Then, steps S86 to S8
8, steps S37 to S39 in FIG.
Is performed, and the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

Next, the product ordering process executed in step S11 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S101, the control unit 13
Generates a control signal for outputting the personal information entry screen shown in FIG. 32 and outputs the control signal to the image display processing unit 16. The image display processing unit 16 reads the data of the personal information entry screen shown in FIG. 32 from the hard disk 14 via the internal bus 12 according to the input control signal,
A predetermined process for displaying on the display unit 3 is performed, and via the internal bus 12 and the input / output interface 11,
It is output to the display unit 3 and displayed. The personal information entry screen shown in FIG. 32 includes the name, address,
The card number and the card expiration date can be entered, and an OK button 51 for the user to input these pieces of personal information to the purchased product combination creating apparatus 1.
It has.

In step S102, the control unit 13
Determines whether or not the user has selected the OK button 51 on the personal information entry screen in FIG. 32 based on a signal input via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12. Until it is determined in step S102 that the OK button 51 has been selected, step S1 is performed.
02 is repeated.

In step S102, OK button 5
If it is determined that No. 1 has been selected, in step S103, the control unit 13 determines whether the card input by the user can settle the offer price and the total shipping cost of the first product combination in the product combination list Q A control signal for causing the financial institution to make an inquiry is generated and output to the order processing unit 17 via the internal bus 12. Order processing part 1
Numeral 7 reads the information entered in the personal information entry screen of FIG. 32 via the input / output interface 11 and the internal bus 12 in accordance with the input control signal, and reads the first product in the product combination list Q from the hard disk 14. Read the combined offer price and shipping cost.

Then, the order processing unit 17 inputs the user's input to the financial institution based on the information entered on the personal information entry screen of FIG. 32 and the offer price and the total shipping cost of the first product combination in the product combination list Q. A signal for inquiring whether or not settlement is possible by the card that has been made is generated, and via the internal bus 12, the input / output interface 11, and the network 4, of the personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution, The card sent by the user is transmitted to a personal computer corresponding to a financial institution that performs settlement. The personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution that have received the inquiry signal allow the corresponding user to settle the offer price and the total shipping cost of the first product combination in the product combination list Q by using the entered card. Then, a reply indicating whether or not is possible is created and transmitted to the purchased product combination creating apparatus 1.

In step S104, order processing section 1
7 is a network 4, an input / output interface 11,
Based on the reply to the inquiry sent from the corresponding personal computer among the personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of the financial institution, which is input via the internal bus 12, the corresponding user can enter the entered card. To determine whether settlement is possible. Step S1
If it is determined in 04 that payment is not possible,
In step S105, the order processing unit 17 generates a control signal for causing the display unit 3 to display an error message indicating that the product ordering process cannot be performed because settlement with the entered card is impossible, and Display processing unit 1
6 is output. The image display processing unit 16 generates data of the display screen displaying the error message according to the input control signal, and outputs the data to the display unit 3 via the internal bus 12 and the input / output interface 11 for display. The process returns to step S2 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S104 that the settlement is possible, in step S106, the order processing unit 17 determines, based on the contents entered in the personal information entry screen, the first product combination in the combination list Q. A signal for ordering the included product is generated, and the corresponding personal computer among the personal computers 6-1 to 6-n of the product seller is transmitted via the internal bus 12, the input / output interface 11, and the network 4. Output to computer.

In step S107, order processing section 1
7 generates a control signal for causing the display unit 3 to display a message indicating that the product ordering process has been completed,
Output to the image display processing unit 16. Image display processing unit 16
Generates data of a display screen displaying a message indicating that the product ordering process has been completed in accordance with the input control signal, and outputs the data to the display unit 3 via the internal bus 12 and the input / output interface 11 for display. Let the process
It returns to step S2 of FIG.

In the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, when the reset button 24 is selected,
All data created up to that point will be erased and return to a completely initial state. That is, depending on various settings input after the reset, the once displayed product combination may be displayed again. However,
In many cases, when there is no combination desired by the user among the displayed combinations, the reset button 2
4 would be selected.

Here, as a second embodiment of the present invention, by selecting the reset button 24, the contents of the unnecessary product list described with reference to FIG. 11 and the content of the fixed product list described with reference to FIG. 15 are deleted. Even in this case, a case will be described below in which control is performed so that the product combination displayed before the selection of the reset button 24 is not displayed again.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 33, the processing of the purchased product combination creating apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Step S111 and step S112
, The same processing as in steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 3 is performed. If it is determined in step S112 that the product combination display button 23 has been selected, a product display process 3 described below with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35 is executed, and the process returns to step S112.
Subsequent processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S112 that the product combination display button 23 has not been selected, then in steps S114 to S118,
The same processing as steps S4 to S8 is executed, and in step S115, FIG.
26, or after the unnecessary / fixed product list change process described with reference to FIG. 26 is performed in step S117,
The process returns to step S112, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S118 that the next product combination display button 36 has been selected,
In step S119, a description will be given later with reference to FIG.
The product display process 4 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S112.
And the subsequent processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S118 that the next product combination display button 36 has not been selected, the same processing as steps S10 to S14 in FIG. 3 is executed in steps S120 to S124. In step S121, FIG.
After the commodity ordering process described with reference to, or when it is determined in step S124 that the operation end has not been instructed, the process returns to step S112, and the subsequent processes are repeated. After the processing in step S123 ends, the processing proceeds to step S11.
1, the subsequent processing is repeated, and step S1
If it is determined in 24 that the operation end has been instructed, the processing is ended.

Next, the merchandise display processing 3 executed in step S113 in FIG. 33 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 34 and 35.

In steps S131 to S142, the same processing as steps S21 to S32 in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed.

In step S143, the combination creating unit 15 refers to a displayed product combination list as shown in FIG. 36A in which the product combinations displayed in the previous processing are recorded, for example.
The product combinations described in the displayed product combination list are deleted from the product combination list F generated by the processes of steps S131 to S142. That is, as shown in FIG. 36A, the product ID [00] is displayed in the currently displayed product combination list.
3,005] and [003,005,007] are registered. Step S131 to step S1
Product combination list F generated by the process of 42
Is the product combination list F shown in FIG. 16, the product combination shown in the displayed product combination list in FIG. 36A is deleted from the product combination list F. 36
It is changed as shown in FIG.

In this displayed product combination list,
By default, nothing is registered, and the product combination displayed in step S150 described later is added to the displayed product combination list by the processing in step S151, and further, a product display process 4 described later with reference to FIG. The product combination displayed in step S168 is added to the displayed product combination list by the processing in step S169.

Then, from step S144 to step S
In step 150, steps S33 to S33 in FIG.
The same processing as in step 39 is performed.

In step S151, the combination creating unit 15 adds the product combination displayed in step S150 to the displayed product combination list described with reference to FIG. 36.
Return to 112.

By the above-described processing, the displayed product combination is deleted from the product combination list F, so that the product combination list Q generated in the subsequent processing does not include the displayed product combination. . The product combination displayed in step S150 is added to the displayed product combination list. After that, even if the reset button 24 is selected, the contents described in the displayed combination list are not deleted, so that the already displayed product combination is not displayed even after the reset button is selected.

Next, the merchandise display process 4 executed in step S119 in FIG. 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In steps S161 to S168, the same processing as in steps S81 to S88 in FIG. 27 is performed. Then, in step S169, the combination creating unit 15 adds the product combination displayed in step S168 to the displayed product combination list described with reference to FIG. 36A, and the process proceeds to step S112 in FIG. Return.

According to the processing described above, step S16
The product combination displayed in 8 is added to the displayed product combination list. After that, even if the reset button 24 is selected, the contents described in the displayed combination list are not deleted, and thus the already displayed product combination is not displayed even after the reset button is selected.

In the first and second embodiments described above, it has been described that the user operates at the installation location of the purchased product combination creating apparatus 1. For example, FIG. As shown in
Purchased product combination creating apparatus 1, personal computers 5-1 to 5-n of financial institution, personal computers 6-1 to 6-n of product seller, and input unit 2 and display unit described at least with reference to FIG. Terminal device 6 such as a personal computer, for example, including the functions of
By connecting 2-1 to 62-n to each other by a network 61 such as the Internet, for example, the same processing as the processing in the above-described first embodiment and the second embodiment can be performed. It is possible.

With the configuration described with reference to FIG. 38, for example, the terminal devices 62-1 to 62-n can be installed on each floor of a large store. Further, by using the terminal devices 62-1 to 62-n as personal computers owned by the user, the user can search for a desired product combination and apply for purchase while staying at home.

Also, on the premise that a plurality of users will be used, a user ID is issued to a desired user,
A user-specific unnecessary product list, fixed product list, and desired product classification list Z specified by the user ID are prepared, and the contents of these lists are automatically set when the user inputs his / her own user ID. May be set. This can save the user from having to register various conditions.

[0131]

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, information on commodities constituting a product combination is stored, a condition regarding a product included in the combination is input, and the input condition is input from the stored products. The product combination is created by searching for items that match the criteria, and information about the products included in the created product combination is displayed. Thus, it is possible to present the product combination to the purchaser, and the purchaser can select the product combination that best meets the desire from the presented product combinations, and apply for purchase by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an installation state of a purchased product combination creating apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a purchased product combination creating apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a purchased product combination creating apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an initial display screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of a product combination.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining product combination display processing 1 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining product combination display processing 1 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an entire product list.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a product classification list.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a desired product classification list Z.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an unnecessary product list.

FIG. 12: Product list A (i) and product list D
It is a figure for explaining (i).

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list E;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list F;

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a fixed product list.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list F;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list F;

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list Q.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list Q.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a merchandise category registration process in FIG. 3;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a desired product classification input screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a related classification data list.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the merchandise category registration processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining a desired product classification input screen.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a desired product classification list Z, a product combination list E, and a product combination list Q when the desired product classification input screen of FIG. 24 is used.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the unnecessary / fixed product list change processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining product display processing 2 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a product combination list Q.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining an unnecessary product list and a product combination list Q.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a fixed product list and a product combination list Q.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating the product ordering process of FIG. 3;

FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a personal information entry screen.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a purchased product combination creating apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining product display processing 3 in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining product display processing 3 in FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining a displayed product combination list and a product combination list F.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining product display processing 4 of FIG. 33.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining different installation modes of the purchased product combination creating apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Purchased product combination creation device 2 Input unit 3 Display unit 13 Control unit 14 Hard disk 15 Combination creation unit 16 Image display processing unit 17 Order processing unit 21, 22 Input area 23 Combination display button 24 Reset button 25 Product classification registration button 26 Display Area 32 image area 33 text area 34 radio button area 36 next product combination display button 37 purchase button

Claims (6)

[Claims] A product information storage unit configured to store first information related to a product constituting a product combination; a condition input unit configured to allow a user to input a condition related to the product included in the combination; From the product stored in the means,
Searching for a product that matches the condition input by the condition input unit, and creating a combination of the products, a combination creating unit; and a product included in the combination of the products created by the combination creating unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to display the first information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit hides and displays a part of the first information on the product. 3. The condition input by the condition input unit includes a condition for specifying whether or not each of the products is included in the combination of the products, and the combination creating unit includes: , For the individual product,
Based on the designation of whether or not to include in the product combination,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combination of the products is created. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a calculating unit that calculates a discount price corresponding to the combination of the products created by the combination creating unit. 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein the user is provided with a second payment related to payment.
Payment information input means for inputting the information of the above, and the user, based on the second information input by the payment information input means, the user in the combination of the goods created by the combination creating means The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: first information creating means for creating third information for confirming whether or not it is possible to purchase the information. . 6. An order information input unit for the user to input fourth information necessary for ordering the product, and the fourth information input by the order information input unit, 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: second information creating means for creating fifth information necessary for ordering the product with the combination of the products created by the combination creating means. An information processing device according to any one of the above.