JP2001331723A - System and device for providing commodity information and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a commodity information providing service which provides users with commodity information which meets the characters of individual users and delights them. SOLUTION: A server computer 102 retrieves commodity information from groups of commodity information stored in a database 204a on the basis of character information inputted from a user terminal 103 and information of a range (trip destination) which is set in order to make a character defined by character information virtually make a trip, and provides the user terminal 103 with this commodity information by electronic mail.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise information providing system, a merchandise information providing device, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium suitable for providing a merchandise information providing service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent spread of networks such as the Internet, merchandise information providing services have been provided on networks.

[0003]

In the product information providing service as described above, product information is not provided unilaterally to users, but is finely-tuned in accordance with characteristics such as tastes and needs of individual users. It is required to take appropriate measures.

In addition, it is difficult to satisfy users simply by being able to provide necessary information. In providing various services on a network, what added value is very important. Become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a product information providing system and a product information providing system that can provide product information according to the characteristics of each user and that the user can enjoy. It is an object to provide an apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0006]

A product information providing system according to the present invention comprises a product information providing device for providing product information and a user terminal for receiving the product information provided via a network. Product information providing system, product information storage means for storing a product information group,
Character information registration means for registering character information input via the user terminal; range setting means for setting a range in which a character characterized by the character information is virtually moved; and the character information and the range And a merchandise information search means for searching merchandise information from the merchandise information group stored in the merchandise information storage means based on the above information.

A product information providing device of the present invention is a product information providing device for providing product information, and includes product information storage means for storing a product information group, and a product information input from a user who is provided with product information. Character information registering means for registering the character information, a range setting means for setting a range for virtually moving a character characterized by the character information, and the product based on the character information and the information on the range. It is characterized in that it comprises a product information search means for searching for product information from a product information group stored in the information storage means.

Another feature of the product information providing apparatus of the present invention is that the product information providing device includes a notifying unit for notifying the user of the product information searched by the product information searching unit.

[0009] Another feature of the product information providing apparatus of the present invention is that the notifying means notifies by e-mail.

Another feature of the product information providing apparatus of the present invention is that the character information is information including at least one of a personality, a hobby, and a preference.

Another feature of the merchandise information providing apparatus of the present invention is that the merchandise information providing apparatus further includes desired range information registering means for registering desired range information input by a user who receives the merchandise information. The means lies in setting the range based on the desired range information.

Another feature of the product information providing device of the present invention resides in that the range is a travel destination where the character travels virtually.

Another feature of the product information providing apparatus of the present invention is that the range is a store where the character virtually searches for a product.

Another feature of the merchandise information providing apparatus of the present invention resides in that it is possible to set the character to have a money.

[0015] A product information providing method according to the present invention is a product information providing method for selecting and providing predetermined product information from a product information storage means for storing a product information group. Registering the obtained character information, setting a range for virtually moving the character characterized by the character information, and storing the character information and the range information in the product information storage means. And a step of retrieving product information from the stored product information group.

A computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of selecting and providing predetermined product information from a product information storage unit that stores a product information group. Processing for registering character information input from a user who is provided with product information, processing for setting a range in which a character characterized by the character information is virtually moved, It is characterized in that a program for executing a process of searching for product information from a product information group stored in the product information storage means based on the information of the range is stored.

In the present invention described above, from the user's point of view, it is possible for a character that he / she has characterized to virtually travel and search for a product, or to virtually search for a product in a store. You can enjoy what kind of product the other character chooses.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an information providing system, a product information providing apparatus, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a virtual travel is made to the character that is the alter ego of the user, and in the process, product information according to the characteristics of the user can be provided.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a product information providing system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network such as the Internet. Reference numeral 102 denotes a server computer provided with a database for providing product information. Reference numeral 103 denotes a user terminal for receiving provision of product information provided by the server computer 102. 104 is an exhibitor terminal,
The seller of the product introduced in the product information service,
For example, it is for use by shops and manufacturers.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the server computer 102. In the present embodiment, the server computer 102 corresponds to the product information providing device according to the present invention.

A CPU 201 transmits and receives data.
Various components are controlled via a bus 206 to combine data and the like. Through this bus 206,
Address signals, control signals, and various data are transferred between various components (devices).

Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM (read only memory) which stores a control procedure (computer program) of the CPU 201. When the CPU 201 executes this control procedure, it becomes possible to execute processes such as data transfer and data combination. Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work memory for transmitting and receiving data, combining data, and the like, and as a temporary storage unit for controlling various components.

In this embodiment, the CPU 201, R
The functions of the character information registration unit, range setting unit, product information search unit, notification unit, desired range information registration unit, and the like according to the present invention are implemented by the OM 202, the RAM 203, and the like.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a storage external storage device such as a hard disk storage device, which stores a database 204a storing a group of product information. Reference numeral 205 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 101 such as the Internet.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the user terminal 103. Reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which controls various components via a bus 308 to transmit / receive data, combine data, and the like. Via this bus 308, mutual address signals between various components (devices),
Control signals and various data are transferred.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a ROM (read only memory) which stores a control procedure (computer program) of the CPU 301. When the CPU 301 executes this control procedure, it becomes possible to execute processes such as data transfer and data combination. Reference numeral 303 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work memory for transmitting and receiving data, combining data, and the like, and as a temporary storage unit for controlling various components.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a storage external storage device such as a hard disk storage device. Reference numeral 305 denotes a network interface for connecting a network.

Reference numeral 306 denotes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, which is used for inputting an electronic document, a request thereof, and the like. An output device 307 such as a display is used to display an input screen for various data.

The seller terminal 104 is described in FIG.
Has the same configuration as the hardware configuration of the user terminal 103 shown in FIG.

Next, the merchandise information providing service according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows user information, character information,
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for setting desired range information and the like.

When a user accesses the Web site from the user terminal 103, the server computer 102 inputs the user's name, address, gender, date of birth, mail address, password, etc., via the input screen of the user terminal 103. Request input setting of information (step S4
01). The user operates an input device 3 such as a keyboard or a mouse.
Use 06 to enter user information.

Further, the server computer 102 requests input setting of character information via the input screen of the user terminal 103 (step S402). The character information is information such as a character, a hobby, and a preference (like / dislike) for characterizing the character. The user uses the input device 306 such as a keyboard and a mouse to input character information so that the character can be his / her own. The character information may be freely input by the user, or may be selected from information prepared in advance on the server computer 102 side.

In addition to the character information, a character image may be created. The character image may be freely created by, for example, taking in a photograph of the user, or the user may select a desired character image from a plurality of character images prepared in advance on the server computer 102 side. You may make it select. When a character image is prepared, its name and the like may be freely determined.

The server computer 102 requests input setting of desired range information via the input screen of the user terminal 103 (step S403). In the present embodiment, as the desired range information, the user is requested to input information on what kind of travel the character wants to make.

For example, when setting the desired range information, the server computer 102 displays “overseas”, “domestic”, and “free” on the input screen of the user terminal 103 as shown in FIG. Perform the display to be selected. "free"
Is a setting that allows a character to make a casual journey regardless of whether it is in or outside of Japan, without specifying where to travel.

When the user selects "Overseas" by clicking or the like, the screen display is switched and FIG.
As shown in (b), region names ("Europe", "North America"
…) Is displayed. Also on this screen, "free" can be selected. "Free" here means
It is a setting that allows the character to make a casual trip in the range of "overseas".

Further, when the display of "Europe" is selected by clicking or the like by the user, the screen display is switched, and as shown in FIG. 5C, the country names of Europe ("UK", "Italy". ) Is displayed.
Also on this screen, "free" can be selected. Here, “free” is a setting that allows the character to make a casual journey in the range of “Europe”.

Similarly, if the display of "Domestic" is selected by clicking or the like, the screen display is switched and the name of the region ("Tohoku region", "Kansai region" ...) and the prefecture ("Osaka") are changed. , "Kyoto" ...).

The screen display shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the user may freely input a desired travel destination instead of the above-mentioned selection type. Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the country is the narrowest in overseas and the prefecture is the narrowest in Japan. However, it is also possible to set even a city or a municipal.

Returning to FIG. 4, next, the server computer 102 inputs the
A selection is made as to whether or not the character has the money (step S404). This is a process for setting whether or not to allow the character to carry out shopping freely with the possession of money.

If the user selects the setting to have the money, the flow shifts to step S405, and the user terminal 1
Through the input screen 03, an input setting of the amount of money is requested. If the user is willing to let the character freely shop for, for example, about 3000 yen,
Enter an amount such as 3000 yen. In addition, in the case of giving the money, since shopping is performed separately from the direct intention of the user, measures such as setting an upper limit on the amount are taken.

Next, the server computer 102 proceeds to step S406 and performs a settlement process. Specifically, the server computer 102 requests input of credit card information or the like via the input screen of the user terminal 103. Then, if there is an input of credit card information or the like, a credit inquiry is made to the financial institution, and a response is made to determine whether or not to make a payment, and the result is transmitted to the user terminal 103. It goes without saying that sufficient security measures should be taken when performing electronic credit settlement. Further, the payment processing in step S406 is not limited to electronic credit card payment, and may be other payment processing.

When the user information, character information, desired range information, and the like are set as described above, the information is registered in the server computer 102. In addition to the information described above, for example, the classification (such as clothes, foods, and furniture) and the price (such as within 10,000 yen) of a product for which information is desired to be provided.
May be input and set. In addition, the character may input and set schedule information such as how many days to travel.

When the above-described processing is completed, the virtual trip of the character starts. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for causing a character to perform a virtual trip.

The server computer 102 first sets a range (step S601). The range in the present embodiment refers to a travel destination where the character travels virtually. In the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above,
For example, when input setting of desired range information for making a character travel freely in the range of Europe is performed, the server computer 102 appropriately selects a country from Europe and sets the country as a target of range setting. Further, when the input setting of desired range information limited to a range such as Italy is performed, Italy is set as a range setting target as it is.

Next, the server computer 102, based on the range information set in step S601 and the character information input and set by the user in the above-described flowchart of FIG.
(Step S602). If the target of the range setting is Italian as described above, first, product information is searched using Italy as a keyword, and character information (information such as personality, hobbies, and preferences) is searched from the searched product information.
Search for product information based on. When information such as the classification and price of a product is input and set, the product information is further searched based on the information.

If the product information is retrieved in step S602 (step S603), it is determined whether to set the information providing mode for providing the product information only or the purchase mode for purchasing the product (step S604). That is, in the above-described flowchart of FIG. 4, if the setting is made so that the character does not have the money, or if the money has already run out, the information provision mode for providing the product information is set and the money is held. If there is, a purchase mode for purchasing a product is set.

If it is determined in step S604 that the mode is the information providing mode only for providing the product information, a mail document is created and registered as user information in order to provide the searched product information. The e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail address (step S60)
5). It should be noted that the number of pieces of product information to be provided at one time is limited, and when the number of pieces of searched product information is large, some of them are further selected and provided.

The mail document of the e-mail has a character as a sender and has a content such as, for example, "If you arrived in Italy, did you have a 商品 product at a price of 〇〇? If the user wishes to make a purchase, a notice to the effect that the user accesses a predetermined Web site is included.
It should be noted that when creating an e-mail, a document rich in style and content should be created. In addition, if not only the document providing the product information as described above but also a document about what happened at the travel destination, the weather of the travel destination, and the like are included, the reality is further increased.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the mode is the purchase mode for purchasing a product, the product information within the range of the money is selected from the searched product information, and the product to be purchased is determined. (Step S6
06). Then, an instruction to send the product to the user is sent to the seller terminal 104 such as a shop or a manufacturer that sells the product (step S607).

In this case, from the user's point of view, when the product arrives, the character knows for the first time what kind of product the character has selected, and the user can feel as if a souvenir arrived from the character. . Of course, even in the purchase mode, when a product to be purchased is determined (step S606), an email may be transmitted to the user to confirm whether or not the product can be purchased. .

If the product information is not found in step S602 (step S603), the program is terminated once, but an e-mail is also created (not including the product information) at this time, and the It may be transmitted to the terminal 103 (step S60).
8).

When the user who has received the e-mail transmitted in step S605 accesses the notified Web site, the user can see a detailed description and a photograph of the product provided with the information, and can view the photograph of the product. If you wish to purchase, you can proceed with the purchase there.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
If there is an access from, an explanation and a photograph of the product are displayed (step S701), and a selection is made as to whether or not to purchase the product (step S702). When the purchase of the product is selected, a payment process is performed (step S70).
3). This payment processing is the same as that described in step S406 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In addition, if there is a desire to present the product to another person instead of the user, a destination of the product (a destination other than the name and address of the user information) can be designated. Then, after the settlement processing and the like are completed, an instruction to ship the product is sent to the seller terminal 104 such as a shop or a maker that sells the product (step S704).

The server computer 102 appropriately determines whether or not to end the virtual trip of the character. The virtual trip of the character sometimes ends in a short time, and sometimes extends for a long time. As a result, from the user's point of view, it is possible to obtain a feeling as if the other character is traveling freely. If the user has set input of schedule information such as how many days the character will travel, the virtual travel is terminated according to the schedule information.

The program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed at appropriate intervals until the server computer 102 determines that the virtual trip is to be ended. The execution interval of this program is
In order to provide the reality that the character is traveling, it is desirable to provide different intervals instead of fixed intervals.

In the present embodiment, step S60
In FIG. 1, when the range is set for the country or prefecture and the free setting is made, the range is reset every time the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed (for example,
If the previous time was "Italy", the next time it would be set as "France"). When the free setting is made, a travel route may be determined in advance in step S601.

As described above, in the present embodiment, product information can be provided based on the character information set by the user, so that product sales can be promoted. From the user's point of view, you can make your own character travel and enjoy what kind of product you are searching for.
Because it is based on the character information that you set,
You can get useful information according to your tastes and needs.

Other various services may be added to the commodity information providing service described above. For example, in addition to the creation and transmission of the e-mail in the flowchart of FIG. 6 described above, a service of appropriately creating and transmitting an e-mail may be provided. This e-mail may be of such a content that the character is the sender and that the travel status report and the birthday of the user are celebrated.

In addition, a situation where a user encounters another user's character at a travel destination is set, and triggered by the situation,
A service that allows users to exchange mails may be provided.

Further, a service for creating a diary or album while traveling may be provided. As a diary, create an email document that describes events that occurred virtually during the travel process,
E-mail during and after travel. Also,
As an album, photos of sightseeing spots and the like are prepared on the server computer 102 side, image data is created by combining a character image with a photo corresponding to the travel destination, and transmitted to the user terminal 103 or transmitted to the user terminal 103. 103 allows the user to browse freely. Further, in these diaries and albums, advertisements such as shops and manufacturers, which are sellers of products provided with information during travel, URLs (uniform resource locator), and the like may be placed so that repeaters can be acquired.

Next, the merchandise information group stored in the database 204a will be described. In the database 204, product information is classified by range, and in this embodiment, "Italy"
Etc. are stored separately in different directories for different travel destinations.
These merchandise information may be simply accumulated by the person who manages the server computer 102, or may be such that a shop, a maker, or the like can exhibit via their own exhibitor terminal 104.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when a shop, a maker, or the like puts up a product. When accessed from the seller terminal 104, the server computer 102 displays seller information such as the seller name (shop name, maker name, etc.), address, responsible person, password, etc. via the input screen of the seller terminal 104. Is requested (step S801). If the customer has been registered once, the input setting from the next time is unnecessary.

Further, the server computer 102 requests input setting of exhibition information via the input screen of the seller terminal 104 (step S802). The exhibition information is, specifically, information such as the name of a product to be exhibited, a description and an image of the product, and a selling price of the product.

At the time of inputting the exhibition information, the user is asked to input information as to what range the product is to be associated with and what kind of travel destination in this embodiment. Further, the user is asked to input information on what kind of character information the user wants to provide, such as what kind of character, hobbies, preferences, etc., to which character information the product is related to the character information.

If there is an input setting of the exhibition information associated with the seller information, the range information, and the character information, the content is examined (step S803), and if there is no problem, the product information is stored in the database 204a. It accumulates (step S804), and notifies the exhibitor terminal 104 of the fact (step S805).

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a travel is imagined and the target of range setting is a travel destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, imagine shopping, not travel,
The target of the range setting may be a store name.

In this case, in step S403 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the user first selects "Shibuya", "Shinjuku", "Akihabara", and selects "Shibuya". Is selected, the screen display is switched to display such that a store name in Shibuya (“Department store A”, “Shop B”, etc.) is selected as shown in FIG. 9B. In step S601 of the flowchart of FIG. 6 described above, the shop name is set as a target of range setting. In step S602, the store name is stored in the database 204a based on the range information and character information input and set by the user. Search for product information from the product information group that is present.

In the present invention, the term “goods” is not limited to a tangible entity, but is a broad concept including an intangible entity such as a service (eg, a music distribution service).

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, only one server computer 102 is shown in FIG. 1, but the above-described various processes may be distributed by a plurality of server computers. Absent.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in a system so that various devices are operated to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. The present invention also includes a program that is provided by supplying software program code for operating the various devices in accordance with a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.

In this case, the program code of the software implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer are provided.
For example, a recording medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system in which the program code runs on the computer. It goes without saying that such program codes are also included in the embodiments of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with the application software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like provided for performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples for embodying the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is thereby reduced. It should not be interpreted restrictively. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, merchandise information based on character information set by the user can be provided to the user, and sales of merchandise can be promoted. From the user's point of view, you can enjoy what kind of product you find by letting your other character make a virtual trip or let the store search for products. Since the product information is based on the character information set by the user, useful information can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information providing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server computer 102.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a user terminal 103.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for setting user information, character information, desired range information, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display for inputting and setting desired range information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for causing a character to perform a virtual trip.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for a user to purchase a product.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation when a shop, a maker, or the like puts up a product.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a screen display for inputting and setting desired range information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Network 102 Server Computer 103 User Terminal 104 Seller Terminal 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 External Storage Device 204a Database 205 Network Interface 206 Bus 301 CPU 302 ROM 303 RAM 304 External Storage Device 305 Network Interface 306 Input Device 307 Output Device 308 Bus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masako Nara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masae Shibukawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Yasuko Hashimoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Chizuru Uchida 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F Terms (reference) 5B049 BB11 BB49 CC10 EE05 FF01 GG02 5B075 PR06 PR08 QM07 QM08

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise information providing system in which a merchandise information providing device for providing merchandise information and a user terminal for receiving the merchandise information are connected via a network. Product information storage means for storing; character information registration means for registering character information input via the user terminal; and range setting means for setting a range in which a character characterized by the character information is virtually moved. And, based on the character information and the range information,
A product information providing system comprising: a product information search unit configured to search for product information from a product information group stored in the product information storage unit. 2. A merchandise information providing apparatus for providing merchandise information, comprising: merchandise information storage means for storing a merchandise information group; and a character for registering character information input from a user who receives the merchandise information. Information registration means, range setting means for setting a range in which a character characterized by the character information is virtually moved, based on the character information and the information on the range,
A product information providing device comprising: a product information search unit configured to search for product information from a product information group stored in the product information storage unit. 3. The product information providing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit for notifying the user of the product information searched by the product information search unit. 4. The merchandise information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said notifying means performs notification by e-mail. 5. The character information includes personality, hobbies,
The merchandise information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information includes at least one of preferences. 6. A desired range information registering means for registering desired range information input from a user who receives provision of product information, wherein the range setting means sets the range based on the desired range information. The product information providing device according to claim 2, wherein: 7. The merchandise information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the range is a travel destination where the character travels virtually. 8. The shop according to claim 2, wherein the range is a store where the character virtually searches for a product.
The product information providing device according to 1. 9. The merchandise information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a setting for giving the money to the character is enabled. 10. A product information providing method for selecting and providing predetermined product information from a product information storage means for storing a product information group, wherein character information input from a user receiving the product information is registered. A procedure, a procedure of setting a range in which a character characterized by the character information is virtually moved, and, based on the character information and the information of the range,
Searching for product information from a product information group stored in the product information storage means. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of selecting and providing predetermined product information from a product information storage means for storing a group of product information, the program providing the product information. A process of registering character information input from a receiving user side, a process of setting a range in which a character characterized by the character information is virtually moved, and, based on the character information and the information of the range,
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of searching for product information from a product information group stored in the product information storage means.