JP2001325501A - On-line gift method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-line gift method which enables even users who are actually at a distance from each other to select and send a gift commodity as if they actually met each other and found the commodity while having a conversation, and to demand payment devided equally from the users. SOLUTION: This is a method for presenting a gift commodity by using a communication network and uses who present the gift commodity share a virtual space using the communication network and symbols defined by the users in the virtual space and exchange messages in the virtual space to select and present the gift commodity to a presented person (step 200), and the payment demanding person demands the payment devided equally from each of the users (step 420).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an online gift method, an online purchase method and an online payment method using a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of gift givers collectively receive gift products (hereinafter, referred to as gift products).
Sometimes abbreviated as product. When giving gifts, gift givers gathered to decide on a product. When there was no chance to get together, they contacted them by telephone or other means to decide on a product. In addition, one of the gift givers paid for the goods, and the remaining gift givers paid for the goods. Therefore, the reimbursement was collected at a later date. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the giftee to struggle to find a product that he or she likes.

[0003]

It is often difficult to get the opportunity to get together to decide on a product. In telephone communication and the like, it takes time to determine a product. In addition, if the reimbursement price is collected at a later date, the financial burden of the person who reimbursed it is temporary, but the collection of the reimbursement price is troublesome.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, as a result of intensive studies, a gift-giving system using a communication network is provided. The space and a symbol defined for each user in the virtual space are shared, and a plurality of users exchange messages in the virtual space, so that a plurality of givers can The online gift method of selecting and giving gift items was adopted.

[0005] Therefore, in the present invention, a user who gives a gift selects a gift item and gives a gift while giving a conversation as if he or she is meeting, without actually meeting each other. Can be given to the recipient. That is, in the virtual space, the avatar relating to the gift presenter selects the virtual commodity as if he / she is actually shopping and purchases the commodity, whereby the commodity can be actually sent to the gift recipient.

[0006] In particular, since a communication network is used, users can use a device that can be connected to the communication network (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "net connection device") while staying at home. , Or anywhere, it is possible to select and send gift items as if the users were actually meeting and talking. Therefore, there is no need to visit a store that handles gift items. There is no limit to the time for ordering, and the order can be made 24 hours a day.

[0007] In the present invention, it is preferable to use an online gift method in which at least a virtual shop is provided in the virtual space, and the presenter uses the virtual shop to select and give a gift item to the giftee. As described above, if a virtual store is provided on a screen on a network device such as a computer, a gift product can be selected in an atmosphere in which all users who are presenters are shopping. , You can even more enjoyably select gift items.

Of course, the online gift method according to the present invention can be employed not only for selection of gift items, but also for a case where a plurality of buyers select a joint purchase item.

In particular, in the online payment method of the present invention,
A bill claimant (including a gift merchandise handling company or a credit company acting on behalf of the bill) is configured to automatically and equally divide a bill for a gift commodity into a plurality of gift givers. Is preferred. In such a case, even if the number of the givers is plural, the price is automatically divided into equal amounts and charged to each giver, so that the giver calculates the price per giver. It is not necessary. Also, there is no need for the giver's representative to collect and pay for each giver.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a method according to the present invention. The numbers attached in FIG. 1 indicate each step.

In the present invention, a so-called "chat" for exchanging messages between a plurality of users.
A message communication system called "system" or the like is used. In such a message communication system, a virtual space can be provided. Therefore, by using the message communication system, users can exchange messages in a virtual space and have a conversation as if they were meeting. Of course, a conventional chat in which only character information is exchanged may be used. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a chat system. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a communication network, preferably the Internet or an intranet. 2 is a chat server, 3A-3D
Is a network connection device (such as a personal computer) of the users A to D.

Note that chat in a virtual space via a communication network is performed, for example, by using VRML (Virtual Reality M
software (eg, Communit manufactured by Sony Corporation)
y Place (trademark)) can be installed in the chat server 2, the network connection device 3A, or the like.

In step 100, a plurality of gift givers (users) are connected to the chat server 2 through the communication network 1. At this time, each user is preferably authenticated, and the authentication method is preferably a method using an ID and a password. In step 110, it is confirmed that a plurality of users having the same group ID exist. The group ID is an ID given to close friends or a group of circles.
Therefore, if the user of the same group ID determines the date and time in advance by e-mail, telephone, or the like, it is possible to participate in the chat at that date and time and determine a gift product. Of course, if the giftee is a user with the same group ID, he or she can participate in the giftholder's chat and watch the product selection process,
You can even give your opinion along the way. Then, in step 120, either the chat in the virtual space or the conventional chat is selected. Hereinafter, an example using chat in a virtual space will be described.

In the online settlement method of the present invention, a plurality of users share a virtual space using a communication network. This virtual space can be configured as a plane or three-dimensionally from the viewpoint of the user.

The virtual space is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a virtual space expressing any place in Japan or any place in any foreign country. Of course, since it is a virtual space, it may be a virtual space that does not actually exist. For example, the virtual space may be a virtual town (virtual town). In such a virtual town, it is preferable that a virtual store or store (sometimes simply referred to as “virtual store”) is provided.

A plurality of users share a symbol defined for each user in the virtual space, that is, each user's own incarnation (symbol) called a so-called “avatar”.

Each user can operate an avatar corresponding to each user with his / her own network connection device. For example, an avatar can be moved to a desired place in a virtual space. In addition, the avatar of the user can be made to speak by characters or voice. The user can make the avatar speak by transmitting character information or voice information.

As described above, in the virtual space, the avatars of the respective users move and can speak with characters or voices, and the users can talk with each other using the avatars. That is, the users can have a conversation as if they were meeting.

In the online payment method of the present invention, it is preferable that the user has previously registered. At the time of this registration, the type of the avatar can also be registered. By registering in advance, an avatar suitable for each user can be used. For example, when the user is a woman, a female avatar can be used, and when the user is a male, a male avatar can be used. If the person has long hair, the avatar of long hair can be operated. Of course, avatars are incarnations,
It is possible to use an avatar that looks or looks completely different from the user himself. That is, it is possible to use an avatar that matches the taste of each user.

For example, when three female friends use the online payment method of the present invention to give a gift item to another female friend, the virtual space includes a long-haired female avatar, The user can be distinguished by using a short-haired female avatar and a face-gross female avatar. In addition, it is also possible to discriminate by the color of the clothes worn by the female avatar. As described above, even users of the same gender can select and use avatars according to the preferences of each user.

Therefore, the three female-like avatars select gift items by discussing the gift items to the gift recipient while talking in the virtual town as the virtual space in step 200. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to experience the feeling that the actual user is meeting and talking even though he has not actually met.

As described above, it is preferable that a virtual store (virtual store) is provided in this virtual space. The type of the virtual store is not particularly limited, and may be a store that handles various products. That is, it is preferable that a plurality of virtual shops are provided in the virtual town and various forms of goods are sold.

As described above, when the virtual shop is provided in the virtual space, when three avatars enter the virtual shop, the screen is changed to the screen in the virtual shop and is installed in the virtual shop. The virtual product can be in a form that can be viewed by the user. The avatars of the three users move in the virtual store, and the user can select an actual product while holding a virtual product and talking about which virtual product is better.

At this time, when the avatar picks up the virtual commodity, a specific display of the virtual commodity appears.

More specifically, if a candidate for a product is found, it is determined in step 210 by majority decision. A majority vote can be taken by avatar actions (for example, raising hands). Of course, it is also possible to take a majority vote by chatting. If one product candidate is rejected, the process returns to step 200 and the conversation is performed again.

FIG. 3 shows a state where a product is determined by chat in the virtual space. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 10 denotes a virtual space screen, 11 denotes a chat screen, and 4 denotes an avatar of the user in the virtual space. The avatar 4 and the like are displayed on the virtual space screen 10, and the conversation contents of the users A to D are displayed on the chat screen 11.
Will be displayed. In FIG. 3, the display of five avatars means that the avatars are four gifters and one giftee.

In step 220, the display of the final purchase intention of the commodity is performed by the operation of the avatar. For example, an operation of putting out a wallet is preferable. If there is no complaint with the product determined by majority vote, if such an operation is not performed, it is determined that there is no intention to purchase the product, and the product is excluded from the giver. Therefore, they do not have to pay.

Then, for example, the avatar of one user puts the virtual product in the shopping basket and places the virtual product on the cashier (payment table) of the virtual store (step 40).
0). The gift giver tells the clerk where to send the goods. The clerk can specify the wrapping or add a message by asking about the wrapping or the message.

That is, in step 410, a plurality of gift givers can also select wrapping for the product. In particular, if the recipient is registered and the recipient's registration items include a favorite color or pattern, the wrapping of the product will be a color or pattern suitable for the recipient. Can be adopted. The method of determining the wrapping may be a majority decision, or may be determined by one of the gift givers.

In step 420, a plurality of gift givers can apply for the addition of a message when purchasing a product. The message may be written by all the gift givers or may be created for each gift giver. Finally, buying and selling is completed when the gift giver receives the product from the clerk (step 430).

When the purchase and sale are completed, the price claimant requests the user for the price of the gift product by dividing the price equally (step 510). If the user registers in advance information relating to settlement (information relating to account numbers, credit numbers, electronic money, etc.), billing or debiting can be automatically performed. It is needless to say that, instead of the equal division, each user may be charged for a prorated amount.

At the same time, the gift can be given from the gift giver to the gift giver by sending the goods to the gift giver indicated as the destination (step 50).
0).

Of course, the merchandise sent by the gift merchandise handling company to the gift recipient is not a virtual merchandise but a real merchandise.

In step 200, various methods for actively recommending virtual shops and merchandise to the user can be adopted. In the present invention, as described above, it is preferable that the user has registered. By registering, a home page dedicated to the user may be created. As described above, when the home page dedicated to the user is provided, the virtual space can be effectively used.

As user registration items, for example, hobbies,
If user-preferred information, such as what you want, what you like and what you are interested in, is registered, stores that are suitable or recommended for that user will be displayed preferentially, and users will want to enter. It can be in a form where the store that is located can be found immediately.

Also, in the present invention, a gift merchandise handling company recognizes the contents of a plurality of users exchanging messages on the chat system, and preferentially displays a store suitable for the users. , Or recommend products.

When a plurality of users answer questions on the homepage prepared by a gift merchandise handling company, a store suitable for the users is displayed preferentially or recommended products are notified. Is also good.

When the gift merchandise dealer preferentially displays shops suitable for users or notifies recommended merchandise, a database of gift merchandise dealers (a database relating to merchandise and a database relating to psychological testing) is used. Etc.) can be used.

In step 200, by adopting such a configuration, a store suitable for a plurality of users or a recommended store is displayed, and a store to which the users want to enter can be immediately found. It can be in the form.

The product and wrapping can be determined not only in a chat in a virtual space but also in a conventional chat. That is, in step 300, the user has a conversation about the product. In step 310,
The merchandise is determined by majority vote. And step 32
At 0, a final purchase intention is displayed. Since it is not a virtual space, there is no operation to bring goods to the cash register.

At step 610, a conversation is held regarding the wrapping and the wrapping is determined. The decision of wrapping may be a majority decision, or may be made on behalf of one of the gift givers. In step 620, a message from the giver to be attached to the item is created. The message may be written by all the gift givers or may be created for each gift giver. In step 630, since there is no virtual space, there is no operation of receiving a product, but a method of completing a transaction by a confirmation message or the like may be adopted. After the sale is completed, the gift is evenly charged to the gift giver (step 510), and the actual product is sent out (step 500).

FIG. 4 shows an example of a chat screen in which a product is determined. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 12 denotes a chat screen on which users A to D are deciding products. GRPDCD001 in parentheses is a group ID for the users A to D.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to gifts of merchandise, the present invention can be applied to joint purchase of merchandise shared by a plurality of joint purchasers. In this case, the destination of the product is one of the joint purchasers, and the destination may be specified when placing an order.

[0044]

According to the online gift method of the present invention, even if the users are away from each other, it is possible for a plurality of people to visually search for desired items together and decide products while talking. . Communication and sales are integrated, so you can select products while having fun.

In the online payment method of the present invention,
Since the price claimant bills each user for the equally divided price, the trouble of paying the purchase price and collecting it is eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an online gift method and a settlement method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a chat system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a screen for determining a product by chat in a virtual space in the online gift method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a chat screen for determining a product in the online gift method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication network 2 Chat server 3A-3D Network connection equipment 4 Avatar 10 Virtual space 11, 12 Chat screen A-D user (gift giver, joint purchaser)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 7, 2001 (2001.3.7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A method of giving a gift item using a communication network, wherein a plurality of gifters are provided with a virtual space using the communication network and each user in the virtual space. An online gift method that shares a defined symbol and allows a plurality of givers to select and give gift items to a given person by exchanging messages in the virtual space. 2. The online gift method according to claim 1, wherein at least a virtual shop is provided in the virtual space, and the giver selects and gives a gift to the giftee using the virtual shop. 3. The online gift method according to claim 1, wherein the price relating to the gift item is automatically divided equally between a plurality of givers and charged. 4. A method of purchasing a joint purchase product using a communication network, wherein a plurality of users who are joint purchasers are provided with a virtual space using the communication network and each user in the virtual space. An online product purchasing method in which a plurality of joint buyers select and purchase a jointly purchased product by sharing a symbol defined for each of them, and a plurality of users exchange messages in this virtual space. 5. The online product purchasing method according to claim 4, wherein at least a virtual store is provided in the virtual space, and the joint purchaser selects and purchases a joint purchase product using the virtual store. 6. The online product purchasing method according to claim 4, wherein a price for the jointly purchased product is automatically divided into a plurality of buyers in equal parts and charged. 7. An online payment method having a form in which a price for a joint purchase product or a gift product is automatically divided equally between a plurality of joint purchasers or a plurality of gift givers.