JP2002259401A - Commodity search system, commodity search method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a commodity search system, a commodity search method and a recording medium which provide a user with the commodity information, during online shopping, that is detailed, accurate and standardized between the shops to such an extent as to permit retrieval by attribute. SOLUTION: The commodity search system in which a server (109), as the feature of this system, receives the commodity information from a maker to collect it, and converts the collected information into the information of a common type independent of the maker, the server (109) has a commodity database (110) that stores the converted commodity information, the server (109) receives the search formula that designates the attribute of a commodity from a client, and the server (109) searches the commodity database using the received search formula and transmits the answer to the client is used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a product information providing system, and more particularly to a product search service in online shopping.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the purchase of articles using the Internet has become popular. In an online shopping system that makes this possible, first, an online shopping operator sets up a website that provides product information such as product images, features, and prices. This website has a GUI that allows you to purchase products online.

[0003] The exchange of goods purchased here is, for example, as follows. The user checks this website to see if there is a product to be purchased, and if so, gives an intention of purchase to the operator by clicking an image of the product. Then, a form for inputting the user's settlement method and information necessary for the settlement (credit card number, etc.) and the product delivery destination appears. Enter the necessary information and press the button. The entered information is transmitted to the website operator and the order is recorded.

[0004]

As described above, this is an online shopping in which a product can be easily purchased, but does not yet have a sufficient function in terms of product search. Most online shopping websites have only a long list of product images and descriptions such as prices, and the search function can specify product categories. As a result, you may have to visit a number of online shops before you reach your favorite product. In particular, searching including the attribute of a product (for example, a yellow leather bag) has been difficult in conventional online shopping. Also, in online shopping, sample images and accompanying information of products are very important as purchase criteria, but the color of the sample images is different from the real product, and product information is unified even for the same product in multiple online shops. Or not.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a product search system, a product search method and a record in which merchandise information provided to a user at the time of online shopping is detailed and accurate so as to enable retrieval by attribute, and is unified among shops. Is to provide a medium.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a product search system, a product search method, and a recording medium in a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, wherein the server receives product information from a manufacturer. Product information collecting means for collecting, converting means for converting the collected product information into a common format independent of the manufacturer, the server, a product database storing the converted product information, and the server, A search input unit that receives a search formula that specifies a product attribute from a client; and the server, for the received search formula,
Search means for searching the product database and transmitting an answer to the client.

In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server receives merchandise information from a maker and collects the merchandise information, and does not depend on the maker for the collected merchandise information. Conversion means for converting to a common format, the server, a product database storing the converted product information, and a search input means, wherein the server receives a search formula specifying a product attribute from the client, Said server,
Search means for searching the product database and transmitting an answer to the client for the received search formula,
The server includes a search evaluation unit that collects client evaluations for the answers, and a search improvement unit that improves a search method of a product database and a search unit according to the evaluation of the search evaluation unit.

[0008] In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server is a shop registration unit for registering an online shop, and the server is a server for registering a product handled by the registered online shop. Product information collecting means for collecting the product information, a converting means for converting the collected product information into a common format independent of the manufacturer, and a product database wherein the server stores the converted product information A search input unit for receiving, by the server, a client of a registered online shop, from a terminal of the client, a search formula specifying an attribute of a product, via the network, and the server Search the product database for the search formula and return to the client And search means for transmitting said server, based on the answers, and purchases recording means for receiving a record of purchases made at the client, the server,
Search evaluation means for collecting the evaluation of the client with respect to the answer, and the server has a search improvement means for improving a search method of a commodity database and a search means according to the evaluation of the search evaluation means. .

[0009] In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server is a shop registration unit for registering an online shop, and the server is a server for registering a product handled by the registered online shop. Product information collecting means for collecting the product information, a converting means for converting the collected product information into a common format independent of the manufacturer, and a product database wherein the server stores the converted product information A search input unit for receiving, by the server, a client of a registered online shop via a network, a search formula specifying a product attribute from a terminal of the client; and the server comprising: Local searcher to search for products using unique search keys for each shop A search unit that searches the product database for the received search formula and sends an answer to the client; and the server receives a record of a product purchase made by the client based on the answer. Purchase recording means, search evaluation means in which the server collects the evaluation of the client for the answer, and search in which the server improves a search method of the commodity database and the search means according to the evaluation of the search evaluation means. And improving means.

[0010] Further, a server and a client are connected to a network, and the server receives and collects product information from a maker, and a common format that does not depend on the maker. And the server, the server builds a product database that stores the converted product information, the server, the server receives a search formula that specifies the attribute of the product from the client, a search input step, And a search step in which the server searches the product database for the received search formula and transmits an answer to the client.

[0011] Further, a server and a client are connected to a network, and the server receives merchandise information from a maker and collects the merchandise information, and a common format that does not depend on the maker. And the server, the server builds a product database that stores the converted product information, and the server, a search input process that receives a search formula specifying the attribute of the product from the client A computer-readable recording medium storing a program including an instruction for causing a computer to execute a search process in which the server searches the product database and transmits an answer to a client in response to the received search formula; It is.

[0012]

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

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the online shop sites (sites 101, 111, and 121) provides information to a plurality of online shop sites (sites 101, 111, and 121) via a communication network 108. , 111, 121), the search server 10 and the search program 10
2. Search GUI (Gr.) Stored in the local database 103 and the HTTP server in the online shop site
apical user interface) script 104.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the exchange when the user performs a product search is as follows. When the user blouses (browses) the top page (not shown) of the online shop 101 from the user site 106,
The product category is presented on this top page. Next, when the user selects a product category, the page becomes a page for the corresponding product category, and a search page 500 as shown in FIG. 5 is presented. On the search page 500, there are a standard search field 501, which is a field for specifying product attributes predetermined for each product category, and a unique search field 502, which is a field for specifying product attributes that can be set for each shop. The attributes for each shop include, for example, price information and sensibility words of the product image.

Then, the user specifies the attributes shown in each column by using a GUI. Many of the attributes are selected from among several types, but the continuous amount such as color and size can be designated by operating the slider 505 or the like. When an attribute is specified, a CG (Computer Graphics) image of a product having the attribute is presented in the product image 503. In addition, when a user wants to search using a favorite pattern such as a pattern or when an attribute such as a shape is difficult to determine using a sample on a CRT (display),
A user data designating unit 506 is provided so that a user can select a desired image file and set it as a pattern attribute, and can also receive a sample symbol of a real sample collection provided by a search service company. The actual sample collection is a book-like one in which pattern diagrams of actual fragments or shapes of various materials are arranged as samples on each page, and are marked with symbols.

In the embodiment of the present invention, each sample is registered as a product in the product database, and its attribute value is grasped. The user can purchase the actual sample collection through the shop by clicking the sample request button 507 on the search page. In this case, the sample collection is treated as a paid product of the search service company, and settlement and delivery are performed in the same manner as normal products handled by the shop. The shop can provide a free service by taking charge of the sample collection as a service when a general product purchase is established with the user.

The user presses the search button 504 when satisfied with the product image specified by the attribute. Then, the system performs a search based on the product attribute, and a page on which a search result list is posted together with the product information is presented. Such a GUI is JavaScript
Existing browser scripting languages such as languages and Java
This is realized by the search GUI script 104 described in the app1et language. The search operation after the search button is pressed is performed by the search program 102.

Next, the operation of the search program 102 will be described. The search program 102 is a shop server having a local database 103 and the search server 100
And performs processing according to the flow of FIG. The local database 103 stores the online shop site 10
1 manages merchandise information of all merchandise handled, and mainly includes a unique search column 502, a shop server 109 (hereinafter, see FIG. 1) located on each online shop site, a search program 102, a local database 103, an online It consists of a search GUI script 104 stored in an HTTP server in the shop site.

This system provides an online shop visitor with a product search function based on accurate product attributes independent of the shop.

The exchange when the user performs a product search is as follows. When the user browses the top page (not shown) of the online shop 101 from the user site 106, the product category is presented on the top page. When the user selects a product category, a corresponding product category page is displayed, and a search page 500 as shown in FIG. 5 is presented. On the search page 500, there are a standard search field 501, which is a field for specifying product attributes predetermined for each product category, and a unique search field 502, which is a field for specifying product attributes that can be set for each shop. The attributes for each shop include, for example, price information and sensibility words of the product image.

The user sets the attribute shown in each column to G
Specify by UI. Many of the attributes are selected from among several types, but the continuous amount such as color and size can be designated by operating the slider 505 or the like. When an attribute is specified, a CG image of a product having the attribute is presented in the product image 503. In addition, if the user wants to search using a favorite pattern such as a pattern,
A user data designating unit 506 is provided for an attribute that is difficult to judge using a sample on T. The user can select a desired image file and set it as a pattern attribute. We can accept sample symbols from the sample collection. The actual sample collection is a book-like one in which pattern diagrams of actual fragments or shapes of various materials are arranged on each page as samples, and are marked with symbols.

In the embodiment of the present invention, each sample is registered as a product in the product database, and its attribute value is grasped. The user can purchase the actual sample collection through the shop by clicking a sample request button 507 on the search page. In this case, the sample collection is treated as a paid product of the search service company, and settlement and delivery are performed in the same manner as normal products handled by the shop. The shop may provide a free service by paying for the sample collection as a service when a general product purchase is established with the user. Users may also:
When the user is satisfied with the product image by the attribute designation, the user presses the search button 504. Then, the system performs a search based on the product attribute, and a page on which a search result list is posted together with the product information is presented. Such a GUI is
Existing browser scripting languages such as JavaScript
This is realized by a search GUI script 104 described in JavaScript. Search work after the search button is pressed,
This is performed by the search program 102.

Next, the operation of the search program 102 will be described. The search program 102 is a shop server having a local database 103 and the search server 100
And performs processing according to the flow of FIG. The local database 103 stores the online shop site 10
The product information of all the products handled by No. 1 is managed, and a product search can be performed using the product attributes shown in the unique search column 502.

The product information database 110 in the search server 100 includes attribute information of products distributed to a plurality of online shops, and the products are managed by a unique number for each database. . In the embodiment of the present invention, the search program 102 of the shop 101
Transmits a search key to the search server 100, and picks up products handled in the shop 101 from search results of all products of the search server 100. However, search server 1
There is a search result of 00, but the shop 101
As a countermeasure against cases where products are not handled by, two options, an order option and an introduction option, can be specified. In addition, for the corresponding product that is not handled in the shop 101 but is registered in the search server 100, the rough information is answered in the order option, and the information of other shops handled in the introduction option is answered. . Shops can also use this option to improve user service.

The operation of each step in FIG. 6 is as follows.

As shown in FIG. 6, in S0, the attribute designation selected on the search page is converted into a search command. The search command is a command in which basic character strings in the form of “attribute = character string” are combined by a logical operator, and is often used in database search. For example, when skin is specified as the material, a database search character string of MATERIAL = “1ether” is generated. As for colors, OSS (Operat) which manages the color expression characteristic data (profile) of the presentation device of the user site 106.
ing System) command, the color specification (for example, RGB specification) depending on the presentation device is changed to the color specification by a color system independent of the device, for example, “COLOR =” LA
B (30, 10, 10) "" is generated.
In the search server 100, designation using such device-independent colors is possible. For an amount that cannot be represented by a character string such as a texture, a texture vector (such as a co-occurrence matrix) of an image is calculated to calculate a numerical vector representing a characteristic amount, and then the value is converted to a character string.

After the character strings corresponding to the individual designated items are generated, they are connected to form a query.
For example, when a material and a color are specified in the standard search field 501, (MATERI) is used by using a character “&” representing a logical product.
AL = "leather") & (COLOR = "LAB"
(30, 10, 10) ") is finally generated. The final search command is hereinafter referred to as a query. The search program 102 generates two queries corresponding to two types of search columns. A command corresponding to the specification in the standard search field 501 is called a standard query, and a command corresponding to the specification in the unique search field 502 is called a local query.

Next, in S1, the local database 1
03, and determines a product set R as a search result of the local database 103 by a local query. The substance of the product set R is a list of shop-specific product management numbers.

Next, in S2, the communication with the search server 100 is performed and a standard query is transmitted. The search server 100 performs a search on the product information database 110 after numbering the queries in the order of reception, called a query ID. If the query includes a symbol that specifies a sample of the actual sample collection, an attribute value corresponding to the sample is extracted from the product information database 110, and a search is performed assuming that the attribute value is specified by the query. As a result of the search, first, a list of product management numbers is generated as an intermediate result R '. This management number is unique to the product information database 110. A serial number is also assigned to the intermediate result, and held in the search server 100 as a set together with the query ID. As a result, the search server 100
Only by receiving D, a search result corresponding to the attribute designation in the corresponding query can be returned. next,
The search server 100 associates the merchandise management number of each shop with the management number unique to the merchandise information database 110, and converts the associated intermediate result into a list R ″ of merchandise management numbers unique to the shop. Then, R ″ and the query ID are returned to the search program 102.

Next, in S3, the intersection of the returned product set R '' and R is taken, and R '''is made the final result. When R ″ is an empty set and the introduction option or the order option is specified, the process proceeds to S4. Otherwise, end the search.

Subsequently, in S4, a search option and a query ID are transmitted to the search server. The search server 1
00 reads out a corresponding intermediate search result based on the query ID. When the introduction option is specified, another shop that handles the product corresponding to the intermediate result is searched from the product information database 110, and the shop name and a list of URL (Uniform Resource Locator) are returned as additional information A. . When the order option is specified, a small sample image of the product and a comment or link describing the product are retrieved from the product information database 110 and returned as additional information A. Then, the search program 102 receives A and makes it the final result. When the processing of the search program 102 is completed,
The shop server 109 reads out the product description such as the image and the price of the product corresponding to the search result R ″ ′ from the local database 105 and reads out the HTML (HyperText Markup Lan).
guage) Generate a document and present it to the user through the browser 107. On this screen, the user can perform the same purchase operation as in the current online shop. When a purchase contract is concluded based on this search result, the shop manages a query ID corresponding to the purchased product on the local database 105. This is a process for processing a complaint response to the search service as described later. In addition, even when there is no corresponding product to be handled, it is possible to receive an order for a product which is not handled by using the search option or to carry out an alliance with another shop.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the additional information A is obtained by specifying both options of order and introduction, the shop server 109 determines whether or not the product included in A is orderable, and sets the order reception list. Generate. At the same time, a pre-affiliated shop is selected from the shop name list included in A, and an introduction shop list is created. And
An HTML screen as shown in FIG. 8 for prompting an order or introduction of another store is generated and presented. In addition, the user presses the order button 80
When 1 is clicked, the product information of the order reception list is presented, and the GUI becomes the same as when displaying the normal search result. However, the interaction with the user at the time of purchase is different from usual in that it is an order.

On the other hand, if the affiliated shop link 802 is clicked, the user jumps to the search page of the corresponding shop and performs a search using the query ID used to obtain the additional information A. A screen having such a function can be realized by the current browser function and its control language.

Next, the product information database 110 and its construction method will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the product information database 110 includes an order database 201, an attribute database 203, a product database 204, a query analysis unit 205, and a search unit 208. The search server 100 further includes a query database 202, an attribute analysis unit 207, a product information input form generation unit 206, a defect diagnosis unit 212, a report generation unit 213, and a communication unit 209.

Hereinafter, the construction of the product information database will be described. The search service operating company first makes a contract with a plurality of online shop groups 210. The contracted online shop registers, via the communication network 108, the product to be searched on the search server. This registration information is stored in the order database 30 in the order table 30 of FIG.
2 is recorded. At this time, four pieces of information necessary for registration are the shop number (or name), the product maker, the model number, and the management number of the product in the shop.
The shop number is assigned by the operating company at the time of contract, and the shop name and URL are recorded in the corresponding columns of the shop table 305 in the order database 201. Then, when registration from the shop is made, the operating company collects accurate information on the attributes of the product.

In the operating company, the attributes used for the search are set for each product category, and the attribute database 20 is set in advance.
3 in the attribute database 203.
As shown in the attribute table 300, a number is assigned to each attribute, and the name, unit, dimension, and the like of the attribute are recorded.

Then, the operating company collects information on the registered commodities with respect to these attributes, for example, by the following method. The operating company makes a contract with the registered product manufacturer and asks them to report the attributes of the product. In reporting, a product information input form is created for each product category based on the attribute database 203, and the form is transmitted to the manufacturer via a communication network. The contract manufacturer group 211 fills in a predetermined column of the transmitted form and returns it to the search server 100. In the transmission form, the same category (for example, leather, cloth, vinyl, etc., for a material) is described for the item attribute in the standard search column in FIG. 5, and the classification of the item attribute is answered. I will have it. It also requests transmission of a sample image of the product. Further, in order to obtain accurate information of the product, for example, a device as shown in FIG. 4 is devised.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a method for accurately collecting the color and texture of the product 400. The operating company leases a color chart 401 composed of various colors, a texture sample 402 composed of various materials and texture patterns, and a digital camera 403 having known characteristics to a contract manufacturer, and uses them to provide specific lighting to the manufacturer. A product sample is photographed below, and the product image 404 is returned together with the form of the previous term. The color chart 401 and the texture sample 402 are appropriately created for each product category.

The returned product information is analyzed by the attribute analyzer 207 and recorded in the product database 204. The attribute analysis unit 207 converts the returned information into a code suitable for storing in the database,
Information on the texture is extracted from the product image 404. In the product image 404, a mark 405 is specified at a portion of the product image from which information is desired to be read from the manufacturer. The attribute analysis unit 207 compares the color of this part with the color of the color chart in the same image and determines the color chart having the closest RGB value. The texture of this portion is analyzed and coded by a known texture analysis algorithm, and a texture sample having the closest texture code from the texture sample 402 is determined. Also, since the exact color in the color chart 401 and the accurate texture in the texture sample 402 are known, accurate information on the product can be extracted by this method.

Another preferred method of collecting merchandise information is through a website. The operating company operates a product registration page, and allows any party on the website to register a product in the search service. When a product provider who wants to perform product registration on the product registration top page selects a product category, a product information input form generation unit 2
06 generates an HTML page of the merchandise category sea as shown in FIG. 7 and prompts for input. The attribute designation portion on this page is the same as that presented to the shop user during the search service. When a provider who wants to register a product makes an input in the attribute designation portion and presses a registration button 701, the display shifts to a page for inputting information of the provider itself. When this input is completed, the input product attribute information is stored in the search server 1
00, and is processed by the attribute analysis unit 207. When the product registration is completed, a management number is assigned to each product, and the product information is recorded in the product database 204.

The product database 204 comprises a product table 301 and a data table 303 shown in FIG. For the product management number, the manufacturer, product category, and model number are stored in the product table 301 in the data table 30.
In No. 3, a product attribute and its value are held. In response to the completion of the registration of the new product, the search server 100 notifies the online shop group 210 that has requested the product registration of the completion.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as a recommended image for presenting a search result, a product sample image transmitted from the maker to the search server 100 and a partially enlarged image used particularly for attribute extraction such as texture are provided. ,
Sent to the shop. The search of the product information database 110 is executed in exactly the same way as a normal relational database. The query is decomposed into an attribute specification and a logical operation by the query analysis unit 205, a list of product management numbers corresponding to the specified product attribute is determined from the data table 303 by the search unit 208, and further, using the order database 201. After the merchandise management number in the search server 100 and the merchandise management number unique to the shop are made,
A list of shop-specific control numbers is sent as search results.

In the embodiment of the present invention, information feedback to a contract manufacturer or a shop is also performed. The query analysis unit 205 records the analysis result of the query in the query database 202. The query database 202 holds a list of attributes included in each query, as shown in the query table 304 in FIG. This information is periodically sent to the contract manufacturer after being organized by the report generation unit 213, and can be used for market research such as what kind of merchandise the shop user expects. Each time the search service is executed, the search server 100 determines from which shop the search service has been executed, and
Update the access number field of.

Further, when a purchase contract is made at the shop based on the search result of the search service, the shop informs the search server 100 which product has been purchased. The search server 100 updates the number of contracts in the shop table 305 and the number of hits in the product table 301 corresponding to the product. From the information collected in this way, the report generation unit 213 generates a report processing statistics such as which products are sold to both manufacturers and shops, which shops are popular, and which shops have more buyers. Send it.

In order to further improve the accuracy of the product search,
The search service operating company according to the embodiment of the present invention is also involved in handling complaints in shops. If a user receives a complaint from a shop that a search result purchases a product but does not match the expected impression, the search service has a large responsibility. In that case, the shop transmits the query ID managed with the purchase record to the search server 100 using the search program 102 together with the product name. The search server 100 uses the query ID to
A query table 304 is used to check what attribute is specified for the search request, and a complaint response script is presented to the user in such a manner that the content can be compared with the attribute of the product in question. When the script is executed in the shop server 109, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 9 is presented. Attributes that are difficult to understand unless they are compared directly, such as colors and textures, are presented in a row, and product images corresponding to the search attributes presented at the time of search and sample images of the product in question that were presented at the time of purchase are also presented. Is done. In addition, the shop checks this screen to determine whether there is any obvious defect in the search, such as the color being too different or the sample image not having the registered attribute. The screen has a check box 901 for each attribute. When the shop checks the check box for a problematic part and clicks a button indicating whether or not there is a defect, the search server 100 displays Information about whether the attribute was checked is sent. In addition, the search server 100
Analyzes the cause of the defect in the search by the defect judging unit based on the point pointed out. If there is a problem with attribute extraction in the attribute analysis unit, ask the maker to take an image for attribute extraction again and send it. If so, a countermeasure such as updating the evaluation function for comparison is determined. Then, the search service operating company corrects the deficiencies of the search server 100 based on the information, and compensates the shop for the return cost.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, another preferred embodiment is not limited to the above description. For example, in the case of providing product information from a manufacturer, if a standard is determined using XML or the like, it is also desirable to use a method in which human intervention is eased in information collection. The products to be handled are not limited to articles, but may be intangible products such as computer software and services. In this case, the product attribute is a type of function that can be provided, and therefore, it can be handled by classifying and standardizing the function that can be provided by software in the attribute database. Although the present invention provides a product search function that does not depend on shops, the same function can be applied to an online auction. The search service contracts with multiple auctions, and the auction item provider first registers with the search service of the present invention, rather than an individual auction. Then, since the article search can be performed without depending on a specific auction, the merits and the number of purchasers increase. In addition, the article provider can register a specific auction in consideration of a bidding method, a fee, a user class, and the like.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a visitor of the online shop with a product search function based on accurate product attributes independent of the shop.

[Appendix] [Appendix 1] In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server receives merchandise information from a manufacturer and collects the merchandise information; Converting means for converting a product into a common format independent of a manufacturer, the server receiving a product database storing the converted product information, and the server receiving a search formula specifying an attribute of a product from the client. A product search system comprising: a search input unit; and a search unit, wherein the server searches the product database for the received search formula and transmits an answer to a client.

[Supplementary Note 2] In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server receives merchandise information from a maker and collects the merchandise information, and sends the collected merchandise information to the maker. Conversion means for converting into a common format that does not depend on the server; a product database in which the server stores the converted product information; and search input means in which the server receives a search formula specifying a product attribute from the client. A search unit for the server, for the received search formula, searching the product database and transmitting an answer to a client; a search evaluation unit for the server to collect client evaluations for the answer; Search improvement for improving the search method of the product database and the search means according to the evaluation of the search evaluation means And a means for searching for a product.

[Supplementary Note 3] In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server is a shop registration unit for registering an online shop, and the server is a server for registering a product handled by the registered online shop. Merchandise information collecting means for collecting merchandise information from a maker, the server converting the collected merchandise information into a common format independent of the maker, and the server storing the converted merchandise information A product database, the server, the search input means for receiving a search formula specifying the attribute of the product from the terminal of the client to the registered online shop client via the network, the server, the server, The client searches the product database for the received search formula and Search means to send the answer to
The server, based on the answer, purchase record means for receiving a record of the purchase of goods made by the client, the server, search evaluation means for collecting the client's evaluation of the answer, the server, the server A product search system comprising: a product database and search improvement means for improving a search method of the search means according to the evaluation of the search evaluation means.

[Supplementary Note 4] In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server is a shop registration unit for registering an online shop, and the server is a server for registering products handled by the registered online shop. Merchandise information collecting means for collecting merchandise information from a maker, the server converting the collected merchandise information into a common format independent of the maker, and the server storing the converted merchandise information A product database, the server, the search input means for receiving a search formula specifying the attribute of the product from the terminal of the client to the registered online shop client via the network, the server, the server, Local search that performs a product search with a unique search key for each registered shop Searching means, the server, the search means for searching the product database for the received search formula and transmitting an answer to the client, and the server, based on the answer, a record of a product purchase made by the client. And a server, wherein the server improves the search method of the commodity database and the search means according to the evaluation of the search evaluation means. A product search system comprising:

[Supplementary Note 5] The supplementary note 1 to 4, wherein the merchandise information collecting means receives a response from a maker through an input form including a list of standardized merchandise attributes. Product search system.

[Supplementary Note 6] The merchandise information collecting means collects an image of the merchandise imaged by the designated imaging means, and the converting means converts the characteristic amount extracted from the collected images into a common merchandise information format. The product search system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, characterized in that:

[Supplementary Note 7] The product information collecting means collects product information in a unique format, and the conversion means converts the information in the unique format into information in a common format. The merchandise search system according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 4.

[Supplementary Note 8] The search input means includes a candidate presenting means for presenting a plurality of examples as candidates for an item which cannot be verbalized among the product attributes specified in the product search, and a selection from the presented candidates. 1 to 4 characterized by having candidate selection means for accepting from the client
Item search system according to any one of the above.

[Supplementary Note 9] The candidate presenting means has a product image presenting means for generating an external view of a product corresponding to the product information selected by the candidate selecting means and presenting the appearance to a terminal of the client. Item retrieval system according to attachment 8.

[Supplementary Note 10] The candidate presenting means transmits to the client a sample collection of candidates to be selected for each product attribute, and the candidate selection means inputs a symbol for specifying a sample in the sample collection. Item 9. The product search system according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the item search is performed.

[Supplementary Note 11] The merchandise information collecting means includes:
9. The commodity search system according to claim 8, wherein the same as the commodity attribute candidate presented to the client by the candidate presentation means is presented to the maker, and the commodity information is collected by selecting the maker candidate.

[Supplementary Note 12] The merchandise information collecting means includes:
The attribute value is sent to the maker with a known product attribute sample, and the image of the sent product attribute sample and the product taken under the same environment is collected, and the conversion unit converts the product attribute sample in the collected image into a part of the product attribute sample. 7. The product search system according to claim 6, wherein the attribute value of the product is determined based on the product.

[Supplementary Note 13] The product search system according to supplementary note 10 or 12, wherein the sample product attribute to be sent to the maker and the candidate product attribute to be sent to the client are made of the same material.

[Supplementary Note 14] The candidate presenting means reads out a profile describing output characteristics of the client terminal, and converts information on a product attribute candidate into an output value of the client terminal based on the profile. Item retrieval system according to attachment 8.

[Supplementary Note 15] When a purchase is made, the purchase recording means records the purchased goods and shops, and stores the number of completed purchases for each shop and the statistical value relating to the number of completed purchases for each registered shop. And a purchase report generating means for sending the purchase report to the maker.

[Supplementary Note 16] The search means is characterized in that the search means collects a designated frequency of a specific attribute value in each attribute of a product from a search formula and sends it to a maker that provided the product information. The product search system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, further comprising:

[Supplementary Note 17] The commodity search system according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein when a product is purchased from among the answers of the search means, a search formula giving the answer is recorded.

[Supplementary Note 18] For each product included in the answer corresponding to the specified search formula, the search evaluation means presents the attributes recorded in the product database to the client, and provides the presented content and the actual content. Generates a defect indication form that can be specified by the client for product attributes that differ from each other, and evaluates the product attribute pointed out in the defect indication form from the client.
A product search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[Supplementary Note 19] When the search result of the product database includes the corresponding item but the search result of the local search device does not include the corresponding item, the search unit may determine whether the registered product or the corresponding item is handled by another registered shop handling the corresponding item. The product search system according to claim 8, wherein a product name or a link to product information on a maker site is used as a response to the client.

[0068]

By using the present invention, it is possible to provide a visitor of an online shop with a product search function based on accurate product attributes independent of the shop.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a search server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of data in a search server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing product information registration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a search service page according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the search program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a product information registration page according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a page for ordering goods and introducing a shop according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a page for investigating a search defect according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 3, 4, 5 ... product search method, 100 ... search server,
101: Online shop site, 102: Search program, 103: Local database, 105: Local database, 106: User site, 107:
Browser, 108: communication network, 109: shop server,
110: product information database, 201: order database, 202: query database, 203: attribute database, 204: product database, 205: query analysis unit, 206: product information input form generation unit, 2
07: attribute analysis unit, 212: defect diagnosis unit, 300: attribute database, 301: product table, 302: order table, 303: data table, 304: query table, 305: shop table, 400: product, 4
01: color chart, 402: texture sample

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, wherein the server receives merchandise information from a maker and collects the merchandise information, and does not depend on the maker for the collected merchandise information. Conversion means for converting to a common format; the server, a product database storing the converted product information; and a search input means, wherein the server receives a search formula specifying a product attribute from the client. A product search system, wherein the server has a search unit that searches the product database for the received search formula and transmits an answer to a client. 2. In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server receives merchandise information from a maker and collects the merchandise information, and does not depend on the maker for the collected merchandise information. Conversion means for converting to a common format; the server, a product database storing the converted product information; and a search input means, wherein the server receives a search formula specifying a product attribute from the client. A search unit configured to search the product database for the received search formula and transmit an answer to the client, a search evaluation unit configured to collect evaluations of the client for the answer, and the search; Search improvement means for improving the search method of the product database and the search means according to the evaluation of the evaluation means Product search system characterized by having. 3. A system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, wherein the server is a shop registration unit for registering an online shop, and the server is a server for registering a product handled by the registered online shop from a manufacturer. Product information collecting means for collecting the product information of the above, conversion means for converting the collected product information into a common format independent of the manufacturer, and a product database in which the server stores the converted product information A search input unit for receiving, by the server, a client of a registered online shop, from a terminal of the client, a search formula specifying an attribute of a product, for the client of the registered online shop; and Search the product database for the search formula and reply to the client Search server that transmits a record of the purchase of goods made by the client based on the answer; and search evaluator that the server collects the evaluation of the client for the answer. And a search improvement unit for improving the search method of the product database and the search unit according to the evaluation of the search evaluation unit. 4. In a system in which a server and a client are connected to a network, the server is a shop registration unit for registering an online shop, and the server is a server for a product handled by the registered online shop. Product information collecting means for collecting the product information of the above, conversion means for converting the collected product information into a common format independent of the manufacturer, and a product database in which the server stores the converted product information And a search input unit for receiving, by the server, a client of the registered online shop, from a terminal of the client via the network, a search formula specifying an attribute of a product; and Local search means to search for products with unique search keys for each shop A search unit that searches the product database for the received search formula and sends an answer to the client; and the server receives a record of a product purchase made by the client based on the answer. Purchase recording means; search evaluation means in which the server collects the evaluation of the client for the answer; and search in which the server improves a search method of the commodity database and the search means according to the evaluation of the search evaluation means. A product search system comprising an improvement means. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the merchandise information collecting means receives a reply from a maker by an input form including a list of standardized merchandise attributes. Product search system. 6. The merchandise information collecting means collects images of the merchandise imaged by the designated imaging means, and the converting means converts a feature amount extracted from the collected images into a common merchandise information format. The product search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 7. The product information collecting means collects product information in a unique format, and the conversion means converts the information in the unique format into information in a common format. The product search system according to claim 1. 8. The search input unit includes: a candidate presenting unit that presents, as candidates, a plurality of examples of an item that cannot be converted into a language, out of product attributes specified in a product search; and a client that performs selection from the presented candidates. The product search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a candidate selection unit that receives a request from a product. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said candidate presenting means includes a product image presenting means for generating an external view of a product corresponding to the product information selected by said candidate selecting means and presenting the appearance to a terminal of said client. A product search system according to claim 8. 10. The candidate presenting unit transmits a sample collection of candidates to be selected for each attribute of a product to a client, and the candidate selection unit receives an input of a symbol specifying a sample in the sample collection. The product search system according to claim 8, wherein: 11. The merchandise information collecting means presents to a maker the same thing as a merchandise attribute candidate presented to a client by the candidate presenting means, and collects merchandise information by selecting a maker candidate. The product search system according to claim 8, wherein 12. The merchandise information collecting means sends a merchandise attribute sample having a known attribute value to a maker, and collects an image of the merchandise attribute sample and the sent product in the same environment, and the conversion means 7. The product search system according to claim 6, wherein the product attribute value is determined based on a product attribute sample portion in the collected image. 13. A product attribute sample to be sent to the maker and a product attribute candidate to be sent to a client are made of the same material.
Product search system described in. 14. The candidate presenting means reads a profile describing output characteristics of the client terminal,
9. The product search system according to claim 8, wherein the information of the product attribute candidate is converted into an output value of a terminal of the client based on the profile. 15. The purchase recording means, when a product is purchased, records the purchased product and shop, and stores the number of completed purchases for each shop and the statistical value regarding the number of completed purchases for each product in the registered shop and maker. 5. The commodity search system according to claim 4, further comprising a purchase report generating means for sending the purchase report to the product. 16. The search report generation means, wherein the search means collects a designated frequency of a specific attribute value in each attribute of a product from a search formula and sends the frequency to a maker that provided the product information. The product search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 17. A server, wherein a server and a client are connected to a network, wherein the server receives and collects product information from a maker, and a common format independent of the maker for the collected product information. A conversion step of converting the information into: a step in which the server constructs a product database that stores the converted product information; and a search input step in which the server receives a search formula specifying a product attribute from the client. A search step in which the server searches the product database for the received search formula and transmits an answer to a client. 18. A server in which a server and a client are connected to a network, wherein the server receives and collects product information from a maker, and a common format independent of the maker for the collected product information. Conversion processing, the server constructs a product database that stores the converted product information, and a search input process in which the server receives a search formula that specifies a product attribute from the client. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program including an instruction for causing a computer to execute a search process of searching the product database and transmitting an answer to a client with respect to the received search formula in the server; .