JP2002297932A - Electronic commerce system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the communication rate for downloading required information to the terminal of a user. SOLUTION: This electronic commerce system is composed of an integral center 2 having a database for storing various information on electronic commerce, and a host computer for controlling the electronic commerce, and a multimedia terminal 1 having an information input-output means for inputting and outputting information for executing the electronic commerce, a settling means for settling the electronic commerce, a communication means connected to the integral center via a communication network, and transmitting and receiving the various information, and a storage means for temporarily storing information in the same as the database. The multimedia terminal 1 normally outputs the information preserved in the storage means to the information input-output means, and is connected to the integral center via the communication means when the user of the multimedia terminal settles the electronic commerce, and downloads renewed information when renewing the information of the database corresponding to prescribed information held in the storage part, and outputs the information to an information input-output part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic commerce system using a multimedia terminal installed in a convenience store or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a multimedia terminal installed in a convenience store or the like purchases a product,
A so-called e-commerce service for making reservations for hotels, concert tickets, and the like is provided. These electronic commerce services are realized, for example, by a system including an integration center and each multimedia terminal.

[0002] The integrated center provides electronic commerce services and has various contents (electronic malls and the like). In addition, it is affiliated with credit card companies and manages online shopping.

[0003] Multimedia terminals are installed in convenience stores, stations, gas stations, and the like, and are connected to the integrated center via a communication network.

Here, a multimedia terminal will be further described.

[0005] Multimedia terminals are mainly touch panels,
It comprises communication means and settlement means. The touch panel is
This is for displaying (outputting) information to a user of the multimedia terminal and inputting information from the user. The communication means is connected to the integration center via a communication network, and transmits and receives various contents for performing electronic commerce. The settlement means is used to deposit and withdraw bills and coins.

For example, when online shopping is performed using a multimedia terminal, a user operates a touch panel to search for a product. Then, when actually purchasing a product, the user selects the product, and then inputs the purchase quantity and product delivery address information (name, address, telephone number, etc.).
Next, the user selects a payment method from a card or cash. When a card is selected, a card number is entered, and in the case of cash settlement, cash is put into the settlement means. The purchased product can be delivered to home at a later date, or can be received at a convenience store or the like.

[0007] In the case of card payment, the card may be passed through a card reader instead of entering a number.

[0008]

By the way, in the above-mentioned electronic commerce system, various contents (product information etc.) are stored in the host computer of the integration center. Each time the user operates the touch panel, the multimedia terminal connects to the host computer, downloads the content, and displays the content.

[0009] For example, when performing online shopping, a user searches and browses contents (products) in an electronic mall, and if there is a desired product, pays and purchases it on the spot.

[0010] However, not all users purchase products. For example, there is a case where a desired product cannot be found or a case where only a product is browsed. On the contrary, there are overwhelmingly many cases that do not lead to product purchase. Even in such a case, the multimedia terminal connects to the integration center and downloads the content every time the user operates. At this time, that is, every time the content is downloaded, a communication fee (a call fee or a packet fee) is charged, and there is a problem that the profit of the service company operating the integrated center is squeezed.

[0011] Further, since the content is downloaded from the remote integrated center every time the user operates the touch panel, there is a problem that the display takes time.

In order to solve this problem, there is a technique in which the same contents as those of the integration center are all held on the multimedia terminal side and the contents are displayed offline.
However, in this method, even if the information is updated in the integration center, the terminal cannot recognize it, and thus there is a problem that the content of the terminal and the content of the integration center are different. However, there was no effective means to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide an electronic commerce system capable of reducing communication charges and ensuring the integrity of contents between a terminal and a center. I do.

Another object is to display contents at a high speed to a terminal user.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic commerce system for performing an electronic commerce with a database for storing various information of the electronic commerce, an integrated center having a host computer for managing the electronic commerce. An information input / output unit for inputting / outputting information for payment, a payment unit for performing settlement of electronic commerce, a communication unit connected to the integrated center via a communication network, and a communication unit for transmitting / receiving the various information, and the database; is composed of a multimedia terminal having a storage means for storing part of the same information, the multimedia terminal may input the payment signal for settlement of electronic commerce by a user of the multimeter di a terminal Until the above, the information stored in the storage means is output to the information input / output means, and when a payment signal is input, the integration via the communication means is performed. Characterized in that connected to the printer, if the information of the database corresponding to the predetermined information stored in said storage means has been updated by downloading the information the update, and outputs the information input and output portion And

The electronic commerce system according to the second aspect of the present invention
A database for storing various information of electronic commerce, an integrated center having a host computer for managing the electronic commerce, an information input / output unit for inputting / outputting information for conducting electronic commerce, and a settlement for settlement of electronic commerce A multimedia terminal comprising: a communication unit connected to the integration center via a communication network for transmitting and receiving the various types of information; and a storage unit for partially storing information similar to the database. Assigning an expiration date to each piece of information in the storage unit, and connecting the expired information to the integration center and downloading the information from the database at the time of the output request of the information to the information input / output unit. Then, the information is output to the information input / output means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first or second aspect.
In the electronic commerce system according to the second aspect, the information downloaded from the database is overwritten and stored in the information stored in the storage means.

An electronic commerce system according to claim 4, wherein a database for storing various information of the electronic commerce separately into fixed information that does not change over time and change information that changes over time, and a host computer that manages the electronic commerce. And an information input / output unit for inputting / outputting information for performing electronic commerce, a settlement unit for performing settlement of e-commerce, and a connection with the integration center via a communication network, A multimedia terminal having communication means for transmitting and receiving, and storage means for storing the fixed information of the database, wherein the multimedia terminal requests the change information by a user of the multimedia terminal. Until a signal is input, the fixed information stored in the storage means is output to the information input / output means, and a signal requesting the change information is output. When an input of is connected to the integrated center via the communication means, to download the change information stored in the storage unit, and outputs the information input and output unit.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the present invention, wherein 1 is a multimedia terminal, 2 is an integrated center, and 3 is a communication network.

Next, regarding the multimedia terminal 1, FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The multimedia terminal 1 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 101, a communication unit 102, a cash deposit / withdrawal unit 103, a card reader 104, a receipt output unit 105, and a storage unit 1.
06 and control means 107.

The liquid crystal touch panel 101 is for displaying (outputting) information to a user of the multimedia terminal 1 and for inputting information from the user. Further, in response to an input to the effect that the user performs settlement, the control means 1
07 and outputs a settlement signal.

The communication means 102 is an integrated center 2 to be described later.
Is connected via the communication network 3 to enable transmission and reception of information (contents) to and from the host computer.

The cash depositing / dispensing means 103 is for depositing / dispensing bills or coins, and performing settlement in electronic commerce.

The card reader 104 reads information on a magnetic card or an IC card inserted by a terminal user and performs settlement of electronic commerce.

The receipt output means 105 prints and outputs receipts and various tickets generated as a result of electronic commerce.

The storage means 106 stores various contents necessary for electronic commerce, which will be described in detail later.

The control means 107 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned units, that is, the entire multimedia terminal. Further, the control means 107 controls the liquid crystal touch panel 1
When a settlement signal is input from the step 01, the contents of the merchandise to be settled and stored in the storage means 106 are compared with the contents of the database 202 described later. Then, as a result of the comparison, if the two are different information, the communication unit 102 is controlled to download the contents of the database 202 to the storage unit 106.

Next, the integration center 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The integration center 2 manages the entire e-commerce service and comprises a host computer 201 and a database 202. Further, it is connected to a financial institution such as a credit card company (not shown) and manages online shopping and the like.

The host computer 101 is a server for managing the entire electronic commerce. For example, in this embodiment,
Configure as a WWW (World Wide Web) server.

The database 202 stores various contents related to electronic commerce, which will be described later in detail, and the contents are updated as appropriate with the latest information. In the present embodiment, the various contents are, for example, HTML (Hyper Text M
akeup language) file and stored in the database 202.

Next, the database 202 of the integration center 2
And various contents stored in the storage means 106 of the multimedia terminal 1 will be described.

The contents of the database 202 are, for example, various commodities for online shopping and their stock information, various ticket information, hotel and their vacancy information, and the like. Further, the stock information, the number of remaining tickets, and the vacancy information of the hotel are appropriately updated to the latest information.
Therefore, the contents of the database 202 are managed separately in fixed information that is not expected to be updated for a long time and change information that is always expected to change.

The contents of the storage means 106 store a part of the contents held by the database 202. For example, the information is fixed information such as the product, various tickets, and hotel information, and these contents are expected to be not updated in the database 102 for a long time. This prediction is arbitrarily selected by the service company that provides this system. (First Operation Example) Next, a first operation example of the electronic commerce system of the present invention will be described by taking online shopping as an example.

An initial screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 101 of the multimedia terminal 1. Therefore, the user selects shopping from this screen and searches for a desired product. The product information at this time is stored in the storage unit 106 of the multimedia terminal 1. When the user finds a desired product as a result of the search, the user selects the product (presses the touch panel). Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, a screen for inputting the quantity of the product to be purchased appears. Then, when the user inputs the quantity (for example, three pieces), the fee is calculated by the CGI (Common Gateway Interface) inside the multimedia terminal, and a screen as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. At this time, the liquid crystal touch panel 101 also displays a payment button indicating that the user makes payment. Here, when the user presses the settlement button, the liquid crystal touch panel 101 outputs a settlement signal to the control unit 107. The control unit 107 that has input the settlement signal
Connects to the integration center 2 via the communication unit 102 and checks whether the selected merchandise content is the latest one.
At this time, if the contents of the storage means 106 are the latest contents, that is, if the contents are the same as the contents of the integration center 2, the process proceeds to the settlement processing described later. However, if the product content is not the latest, that is, if the product content has been updated in the integration center 2, the latest content is downloaded and displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 101. In addition, an OK button and a cancel button (not shown) are displayed together with the latest content.
When the latest content is downloaded from the integration center 2, the old content set in the storage means 106 of the multimedia terminal 1 is overwritten and stored. The user checks the latest content displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 101, and presses the OK button if it is good, and presses the Cancel button otherwise. That is, even if there is a difference between the content of the multimedia terminal 1 and the content of the integration center 2 and a new one is not desired, the user can check before the payment.

Next, the user inputs destination information (address, name, telephone number, etc.) from the liquid crystal touch panel 101.
Then, a “payment screen” as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Here, a button for selecting a card or cash settlement is displayed. When cash settlement is selected, cash is put into the cash depositing / dispensing means 103. When the card payment is selected, the user inserts a card into the card reader 104 or inputs a card number into the liquid crystal touch panel 101. When the settlement is completed, the receipt output means 105 outputs a receipt certifying that the product has been purchased. Then, at the time of receiving the goods, the goods are exchanged by the receipt.

The storage means 106 and the database 20
The comparison between the two contents may be made based on the time stamp given to each content. The time stamp is information indicating the creation date and time (update date and time) of the content, which is given for each content.

There are cases where an image file (image data) is linked to an HTML file. At this time, even if only the image file is changed (updated), the time stamp of the linked HTML file is not changed. Therefore, when changing the image file linked to the main unit,
The time stamp of the HTML file is also updated.

Here, the procedure for comparing contents will be described for the case where the integration center compares time stamps and the case where the multimedia terminal compares time stamps.

A. When the integration center 2 compares the time stamps The multimedia terminal 1 transmits, for example, a signal requesting the content A and the time stamp of A to the integration center 2. The integration center 2 stores A in its own database 202
And the time stamp input from the multimedia terminal 1 are compared. As a result, when A of the integration center 2 is newer, the A is transmitted to the multimedia terminal 1. Also, if the time stamps of A are equal, they are not transmitted to the multimedia terminal 1. That is, the multimedia terminal 1 stores the A
Is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 101.

B. The multimedia terminal 1 compares the time stamp. The multimedia terminal 1 requests the time stamp of A from the integration center 2. When the multimedia terminal 1 inputs the time stamp of A from the integration center 2, it compares the time stamp of A with the time stamp of A set in its own storage means 106. As a result, if the time stamp of A set in its storage means 106 and the time stamp of A input from the integration center 2 are equal, the multimedia terminal 1 displays its own A, A does not download. However, if the time stamp input from the integration center 2 is newer,
Download A more.

As described above, the multimedia terminal 1 normally displays the content that does not change in the content stored in its own storage means 106, but downloads the latest content when actually purchasing a product. Display, it is possible to ensure the consistency of the content between the terminal and the center, and it is possible to reduce the communication fee. In addition, since the latest content downloaded to the multimedia terminal 1 is overwritten with the old content,
The contents of the multimedia terminal 1 are updated as needed at any time. Further, since the contents in the multimedia terminal are used except at the time of settlement, that is, there is no need to download the contents from a remote place, so that the display speed of the contents is increased. (Second Operation Example) Next, a second operation example of the electronic commerce system of the present invention will be described with reference to a limited number of products such as hotel reservations.

The user operates the liquid crystal touch panel 101 to search for a desired hotel. At this time, the contents such as the appearance of the hotel and the service are contents stored as fixed information in the storage means 106 in the multimedia terminal. Here, if the desired hotel can be searched, the user presses the vacancy confirmation button. Then, the communication unit 102 of the multimedia terminal 1 connects to the integration center 2 and downloads the vacancy information that is the change information of the hotel. Further, at this time, if the service information of the hotel is updated, the information is also downloaded together with the vacancy information. Here, the user can check the vacancy information and the latest hotel information (only when there is a change). At this time, similarly to the operation example 1 described above, the liquid crystal touch panel 101
Displays an OK or Cancel button. Here, if the OK button is selected, a “payment screen” is displayed. Thereafter, settlement is performed in the same manner as in Operation Example 1.

As described above, in this embodiment, contents such as the appearance of a hotel and basic services that are unlikely to change are stored and displayed in the multimedia terminal. On the other hand, for contents that change every moment, such as vacancy information, the latest information is downloaded by connecting to the integration center 2 only when necessary. As described above, since the content is downloaded from the integration center 2 only when necessary information is obtained, communication costs can be reduced.
In addition, since the latest information is also checked for the above-mentioned appearance and services before settlement, consistency of the contents between the multimedia terminal 1 and the integrated center 2 can be ensured. Further, since the contents in the multimedia terminal are used except at the time of settlement, that is, there is no need to download the contents from a remote place, and the display speed of the contents is increased. (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment, each content in the multimedia terminal according to the first embodiment is provided with an expiration date as attribute information. Therefore, the multimedia terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. However, the control unit 107 according to the second embodiment allows the user to
The expiration date of the requested file is monitored, and for the file whose expiration date has passed, the information of the integration center 2 is downloaded.

Here, an operation example of the second embodiment will be described using an example of online shopping.

The user operates the liquid crystal touch panel 101 to search for a product. The product content in this case is displayed in the multimedia terminal. At this time, the control unit 107 monitors the expiration date of each file.

Here, it is assumed that the user selects a content (file) whose expiration date has passed from the liquid crystal touch panel 101. Then, the control unit 107 causes the communication unit 10 to download the latest content from the integration center 2.
2 is controlled. At this time, the latest content is overwritten on the old content.

The subsequent processing up to settlement is the same as that of the first embodiment, and will not be described.

As described above, as the file to which the expiration date is assigned, it is preferable that the information is not changed every moment, but is updated in advance every predetermined period.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
An expiration date is assigned to each content, and for the content whose expiration date has passed, the latest content is downloaded when the user selects it, other than at the time of settlement. For this reason, the latest content is appropriately stored in the multimedia terminal, and consistency with the integrated center can be obtained.

According to the electronic commerce system of the present invention, the contents which are not changed usually are displayed in the storage means of the multimedia terminal, but the latest contents are downloaded at the time of payment for actually purchasing the goods. Since the content is displayed, the consistency of the content between the terminal and the center can be ensured, and the communication fee can be reduced. In addition, since the latest content downloaded to the multimedia terminal is overwritten on the old content, the content of the multimedia terminal is updated to the latest content at any time. Further, since the contents in the multimedia terminal are used except at the time of settlement, that is, there is no need to download the contents from a remote place, so that the display speed of the contents is increased. In addition, each content is provided with an expiration date as attribute information, and the expired content is downloaded from the integration center every output request of the operator, so that the content of the multimedia terminal can be updated as appropriate. .

If it is necessary to know more information before making a payment, such as a hotel reservation or ticket purchase other than product purchase, it can be downloaded as change information at the request of the user. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic commerce system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a multimedia terminal.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an integration center.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an initial screen of a liquid crystal touch panel.

5A and 5B show display examples of a liquid crystal touch panel, wherein a is a purchase product input screen, and b is a payment signal input screen.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a settlement means selection screen of the liquid crystal touch panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multimedia terminal 101 Liquid crystal touch panel 102 Communication means 103 Cash deposit / withdrawal means 104 Card reader 105 Receipt output means 106 Storage means 107 Control unit 2 Integration center 201 Computer 202 Database

Claims (4)

[Claims] An integration center having a host computer for managing the electronic commerce; an information input / output unit for inputting and outputting information for performing the electronic commerce; Multimedia, comprising: a settlement unit that performs settlement of the above, a communication unit that is connected to the integration center via a communication network, and that transmits and receives the various types of information, and a storage unit that partially stores information similar to the database. A multimedia terminal, comprising:
Until a user of the multimedia terminal inputs a payment signal for performing electronic commerce payment, the information stored in the storage means is output to the information input / output means, and the payment signal is input. Is connected to the integration center via the communication means, and downloads the updated information if the information of the database corresponding to the predetermined information held in the storage means has been updated, An electronic commerce system for outputting to an input / output means . 2. An integrated center having a database for storing various information of electronic commerce, a host computer for managing the electronic commerce, information input / output means for inputting / outputting information for performing electronic commerce, and electronic commerce. Multimedia, comprising: a settlement unit that performs settlement of the above, a communication unit that is connected to the integration center via a communication network, and that transmits and receives the various types of information, and a storage unit that partially stores information similar to the database. And a terminal, and assigns an expiration date to each piece of information in the storage means, and the information whose expiration date has passed is connected to the integration center when the information output request is sent to the information input / output means. An electronic commerce system wherein information is downloaded from the database and output to the information input / output means. 3. The electronic commerce system according to claim 1, wherein the information downloaded from the database is overwritten on information stored in the storage unit. 4. An integrated center having a database for storing various types of electronic commerce information as fixed information that does not change over time and change information that changes over time, an integrated center having a host computer that manages the electronic commerce, Information input / output means for inputting / outputting information for performing commercial transactions, a payment means for performing settlement of electronic commerce, a communication means for connecting to the integrated center via a communication network, and transmitting / receiving the various information, A multimedia terminal having storage means for storing the fixed information of the database, wherein the multimedia terminal is configured to input a signal requesting the change information by a user of the multimedia terminal. The fixed information stored in the storage means is output to the information input / output means, and when a signal requesting the change information is input, the communication is performed. Electronic commerce system via a step connected to the integrated center, download changes information held in the storage unit, and outputs the information input and output unit.