JP2004318791A - Electronic commerce support system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for easily creating an electronic catalog to be used in an electronic commerce. <P>SOLUTION: Electronic catalog creation software which registers, alters and deletes an electronic catalog on a screen for registration of an article and on a screen for alteration and deletion of an article respectively, and a device for photographing a 3-dimensional rotating image of an article controlled by the software, are created. An electronic commerce support system is established with the electronic catalog creation software, and the photographing device, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a system and method for supporting electronic commerce, and more particularly, to an electronic commerce support system and method for supporting creation of an electronic catalog performed by a seller who sells a product.
[0002]
[Conventional example]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when creating an electronic catalog for performing electronic commerce on the Internet, a seller describes components of the electronic catalog in a language such as HTML or XML and transmits the components to a host (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-240830 and JP-A-2002-31694). Further, there is disclosed a technology of dragging and dropping data and images of a Web page provided with an electronic commerce service onto an electronic catalog creation page (see JP-A-2002-133290). On the other hand, there has been disclosed a method and a system for allowing a user to stereoscopically display the appearance of a product (see JP-A-2001-167180).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-240830
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-31694
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2002-133290
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-167180 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional e-commerce support system, an electronic catalog must be created using a language such as HTML or XML, so that most e-shop sellers cannot create their own catalogs. Furthermore, when purchasing a product in an electronic catalog, there is a growing demand for displaying a three-dimensional rotated image to view the back of the product, but it is difficult for most sellers to incorporate the three-dimensional rotated image into the electronic catalog. I do. For these reasons, most electronic catalogs are currently commissioned and prepared by specialized companies.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic commerce support system and method including electronic catalog creation software that enables a seller to easily create an electronic catalog. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electronic commerce support system and method including electronic catalog creation software that enables a seller to easily create an electronic catalog incorporating a three-dimensional rotated image of a product.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the electronic commerce support system of the present invention registers an electronic catalog created by a seller using electronic catalog creation software provided by a system supplier in a host, and a purchaser connects the host to the Internet. An e-commerce support system that supports e-commerce that purchases products by accessing the e-commerce through a host, e-commerce support software provided by a system supplier, and a host connected to the Internet. Computer and an electronic camera connected to the computer via a serial bus. Electronic commerce support software consists of electronic catalog creation software consisting of image capture software and product registration / editing software, and paperwork creation software. The software has a function to display the product registration screen on the computer display screen. , The function of displaying product data on the product registration screen, the function of recording the image of the product taken by the electronic camera on the computer by clicking the shooting button on the product registration screen, and the function of clicking the registration button on the product registration screen Has a function of transmitting an electronic catalog on which product data and images are displayed to a host.
[0007]
With such an electronic commerce support system, a seller of an E-shop can create an electronic catalog and register the electronic catalog in a host without knowledge of languages such as HTML and XML. Even for sellers having knowledge of languages such as HTML and XML, the time required to create an electronic catalog is reduced to 1/3 or less, and registration of an electronic catalog is facilitated. For this reason, the shop can register the electronic catalog in the host without losing business opportunities.
[0008]
In the electronic commerce support system of the present invention, a seller registers an electronic catalog created using electronic catalog creation software provided by a system supplier in a host, and a buyer accesses the host via the Internet. An e-commerce support system that supports e-commerce for purchasing goods, the e-commerce support system includes a host, e-commerce support software provided by a system supplier, a computer connected to the host via the Internet, and a serial bus. The electronic commerce support software consists of electronic catalog creation software consisting of image capture software and product registration / editing software, and office processing software.The electronic catalog creation software consists of a computer display. A function to display the product change screen on the screen and product data Update screen, a function to record the image of the product taken by the electronic camera by clicking the shooting button on the product change screen to the computer, and a function to store the product data and image by clicking the register button on the product change screen Has a function of transmitting the displayed electronic catalog to the host.
[0009]
With such an electronic commerce support system, even if the seller of the E-shop has little knowledge of languages such as HTML and XML, the screen of the electronic catalog is displayed on the computer used by the seller, and the screen is displayed. To change the electronic catalog by itself and register the changed electronic catalog in the host. Even for sellers who have knowledge of languages such as HTML and XML, the time required to change an electronic catalog is reduced to half or less, making it easy to change an electronic catalog, and taking appropriate measures without losing business opportunities. Becomes possible.
[0010]
Further, in the electronic commerce support system of the present invention, the image of the product is 12 to 360 three-dimensional rotated images having different predetermined angles.
[0011]
With such an electronic commerce support system, a seller can easily create and register an electronic catalog containing a three-dimensional rotated image of a product. The time required for capturing a three-dimensional rotated image of a product is reduced to 1/10 or less.
[0012]
In the electronic commerce support method of the present invention, a seller registers an electronic catalog created using electronic catalog creation software provided by a system supplier in a host, and a purchaser accesses the host to purchase a product. In an e-commerce support method for supporting e-commerce, a step of activating electronic catalog creation software, a step of displaying an electronic catalog creation screen for creating an electronic catalog on a display, and inputting product data in a predetermined portion of the electronic catalog creation screen Step, setting the product on the camera stand, clicking the capture button on the electronic catalog creation screen, recording the image of the product on the computer, and clicking the register button on the electronic catalog creation screen, From the step of sending an electronic catalog with images and images to the host And wherein the Rukoto.
[0013]
With such an electronic commerce support method, a seller can easily create an electronic catalog.
[0014]
In the electronic commerce support method of the present invention, the photographing table is a photographing table that rotates in a horizontal plane, and when photographing a product, a menu is opened by instructing items of photographing conditions on an electronic catalog creation screen, and a plurality of photographing tables are opened. After selecting a shooting command, a shooting button is clicked.
[0015]
With such an electronic commerce support system, it becomes possible for a seller to easily create an electronic catalog containing a three-dimensional rotated image of a product.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an electronic commerce system. The electronic commerce system includes a host, a shop (hereinafter referred to as a shop) (a seller), and a customer (a purchaser).
The system supplier provides an e-commerce support system so that the seller can use a virtual store (a virtual store is a store that sells by electronic commerce established on a network). This system consists of e-commerce support software and hardware. The host 1 (abbreviation of host computer) can be used as hardware. The host 1 is a minicomputer with a storage 2 and is an Internet server. The minicomputer may be a general-purpose computer or a higher-level computer. A hard disk is used for storage.
[0017]
The shop (seller) is an E-shop that sells products in an electronic catalog, and the equipment used is a personal computer 3, an electronic camera 4, and an imaging stand 6 with a rotation control device 7. In addition, it is preferable that the barcode reader 5 can be used as a device that supports product code input. Since the electronic camera and the photographing table must be supported by electronic catalog creation software in order to automatically capture the image of the product into the electronic catalog, lending or purchasing from a system supplier is preferable. Image data photographed by the electronic camera 4 is sent to the personal computer 3 via a serial bus (USB or IEEE 1394 as a serial interface). Further, the electronic camera may use any of a CCD or a MOS type imaging device, and is not limited to a digital camera, but may be a video camera. The personal computer 3 may be any computer having a communication function, and may be a general-purpose computer or a minicomputer.
[0018]
The customer (buyer) side is a person who purchases goods via the Internet, and is constituted by a person who can use a device that can connect to a WAN (refers to a network using a communication line, including the Internet). Has become. A device for the purchaser to access the host is, for example, a personal computer or a mobile phone.
The e-commerce support system includes a host and a shop (seller). The system supplier provides the e-commerce support system to the shop. Specifically, the shop is permitted to use the electronic commerce support software and the host. The shop pays a usage fee, a down payment, and the like to the system supplier as the price.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the electronic commerce support software. The electronic commerce support software is composed of electronic catalog creation software and business processing software, both of which are programs described in HTML language. The electronic catalog creation software is a program for creating an electronic catalog and includes image capture software (Capture.EXE) and product registration / editing software (ProductEntry.EXE).
[0020]
The image capturing software is a program that can capture an image of the product 6a with the electronic camera 4 in synchronization with the rotation of the imaging table 6. The product is photographed at a position rotated by 15 degrees, and the image configuration of 24 images per rotation is one of the standard of three-dimensional rotation image photography. However, since it is not necessary to rotate and display the image of a flat product, the image is taken without rotating the imaging stand. In this case, the product is photographed from above with the electronic camera facing downward. This software incorporates a program for non-rotational photography and a program for rotational photography, and allows the user to select them on the screen of a personal computer. In the case of rotating photography, the rotation angle for each photography can also be set. When a product is rotated and displayed, the smoothness of the rotational movement of the product depends on the size of the image, but is approximately as follows. When the number of rotations is 12 or less (rotation angle: 20 degrees) or less, the movement of the image is undesirably jerky. On the other hand, when the number of rotations is 360 or more (rotation angle is 1 degree) or more, the movement is smooth, but the quality is somewhat excessive. The number of shots per rotation is suitably 18 to 360 (rotation angle 20 to 1 degree), more preferably 24 to 72 (rotation angle 15 to 5 degrees). However, there is a case where smooth rotation is not required depending on the application, and it is obvious that the rotation angle for photographing is not particularly limited in the present invention.
[0021]
The product registration / editing software includes a program for registering a product, changing product data and images, and deleting a product from an electronic catalog. The registration of a product is created by inputting product data and a product image. In the present invention, product data refers to a product name, a product code, a category, a price, an inventory, a comment, and the like. To change product data and images, display the product data registered in the target electronic catalog on the product change screen, change the part you want to change, and change the image, change the registered image to a new image It has become. The changed image is automatically deleted. The program for deleting a product from the electronic catalog includes a procedure of deleting the product code on the product change screen displaying the product data, leaving it blank, and transmitting the blank to the host.
[0022]
The business processing software (WorkOrder.EXE) is a program that defines procedures such as a procedure for using the electronic commerce system, a product ordering process, and a fee charging process. These use software conventionally used or similar software.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows a screen displayed when the electronic catalog creation software is started. This screen has a menu for new registration of a product and a menu for changing / deleting a product, and each menu can be selected. In this embodiment, the character strings displayed in the drawings represent menu contents, and other character strings may be used as long as the contents are the same. In FIG. 3, when a “new registration of product” menu is clicked, FIG. 4 is displayed.
[0024]
FIG. 4 shows a screen for new registration of a product. The left side of the screen is an area for inputting product data such as a product name and a product attribute. Specifically, the name of the product is entered in the product name column. The product code is a bar code that is a code of a product published in the electronic catalog. The barcode is input after the barcode is read by a barcode reader. When a barcode is not attached to a product, a product code (for example, A001 or the like) determined by the seller is input. If you do not sell many types of products, it is also a good idea to enter the product code by hand without entering the barcode. The category is a classification of a product, for example, a mascot, accessory case, key holder, or the like, which is set by the seller. Since each product has a data structure classified by category, it is more convenient for management and purchasers to assign a category. Clicking the ▲ mark on the right side of a category allows pull-down of other registered category names.
[0025]
The right side of the screen is an area for displaying a product image. When a product is set on the imaging stand 6, an image projected on the electronic camera 4 is displayed in the preview area. When the orientation and size of the product image are appropriate, clicking the shooting (P) button at the lower center of the screen causes the image displayed in the preview area to be stored in the computer as a registration image. After clicking the shooting (P) button, dragging the product rotation button 8 at the lower end of the preview area to the left or right rotates the image displayed in the preview area. Since the electronic camera is fixed, the image displayed by rotation is the product and the shooting stand, and the background is displayed without rotation. When the drag of the product rotation button 8 is stopped, the rotation of the image is stopped. Although a line obtained by dividing the rotation angle into four is described on the path where the product rotation button is dragged, the line may be displayed with the product rotation angle added thereto. Also, instead of the product rotation angle, a display such as left side, back, right side, etc. may be displayed. In the embodiment, when the product rotation button is dragged from the left end to the right end, the image is set to rotate counterclockwise. Conversely, when the product rotation button is dragged from the right end to the left end, the setting is made to turn clockwise. The rotation of the image and the coincidence of the drag direction match the human sensibility, but the settings may be reversed depending on the preference of each person.
[0026]
The registration button is used to rotate the image of the product, and when it is determined that the registration can be performed, the registration button is used. By clicking the registration button, the input product data and the captured image are transmitted to the server 1. be registered. The electronic catalog registered in the host has the screens shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. When the electronic catalog is registered, the registered electronic catalog can be accessed immediately on the Internet.
[0027]
FIG. 5 is a screen used for changing / deleting an electronic catalog, which can be opened by clicking a “change / delete product” menu in FIG. 3.
The left side of the screen is an area for displaying a list of products registered by the seller as an electronic catalog in the host. Clicking on the product name or product code will display the product details in the center. For example, if you want to lower the price because the sales are not good, you can change the price column, change the price, and then click the correction button to correct the price of the electronic catalog registered in the host. If you want to change multiple data, change the target data and click the Modify button. The product code cannot be changed on this screen.
[0028]
Clicking the "view photo" button displays the image shown on the electronic camera in the area for displaying a list of products on the left side of the screen. If you want to add a photo, click the Add Photo button. By clicking the correction button, the image of the electronic catalog registered in the host can be changed.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows a main processing procedure in which a seller registers a product in a host using electronic catalog support software. The shop's personal computer does not play the role of creating an electronic catalog using electronic catalog support software. Then, the host plays a role of automatically registering the electronic catalog transmitted from the personal computer of the shop according to a predetermined procedure. System suppliers do not take direct steps to register goods.
[0030]
The electronic catalog creation software provided by the system supplier is copied to a CD and distributed to the shop. An electronic commerce system may be constructed so that electronic catalog creation software can be downloaded from the Internet.
[0031]
In order to register product data and product images in the electronic catalog, first, electronic catalog creation software is started on the personal computer 3. When the electronic catalog creation software is activated, a screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. When the “new registration of product” menu on this screen is selected, FIG. 4 is displayed. FIG. 4 shows a product registration screen. An item that must be input in the electronic catalog is a product code. Inventory, comments, etc. can be registered as an electronic catalog without having to enter them. If the product code is not entered, registration of the electronic catalog is not accepted by the host. The product code can be determined by the shop. Entering with a barcode is preferable because barcodes can be used for ordering products. If the shop cannot use the barcode reader, all the numbers of the barcode may be manually input. If there are not many types of products, a barcode may not be used.
[0032]
Next, the product is placed on the shooting table. If the power of the electronic camera is ON, an image captured by the electronic camera is displayed in the preview of FIG. While watching the preview, move the product by hand to set the orientation and posture of the product in a preferable state, and then move the zoom of the electronic camera to adjust the size of the product. Since the background of the image greatly affects the product image, the background is set such that the background of the product has a preferable color tone and pattern. When the photographing (P) button at the lower center of FIG. 4 is clicked, the photographing table rotates, and images (24 sheets) of products having different angles by 15 degrees are automatically photographed. When the product makes one rotation, the rotation stops. Then, the shooting ends. When the product rotation button 8 at the lower end of the preview is moved right and left, the image is rotated. If the photographed image of the product is not preferable, the product or the like is set again and the product is photographed. If it is determined that the product image is suitable for the electronic catalog, the user clicks a registration button at the lower right corner of the registration screen. An electronic catalog containing the input product data and the captured image is transmitted to the host. The host receives the electronic catalog from the shop and registers it as the shop's electronic catalog. The registered electronic catalog can be immediately used by the customer. Since the shop is also a customer, the user can check the electronic catalog registered by himself.
Thus, by inputting the product data and the product image on the product registration screen and registering the product in the electronic catalog, even a skilled technician can greatly reduce the time for creating the electronic catalog. Although there are variations, the creation time can be reduced to approximately 1/3 when electronic data and one image are input, and the creation time can be reduced to 1/10 or less when 24 images are input.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for a seller to change or delete an electronic catalog. Used when the seller makes a mistake in registration, or when it is desired to change the items listed in the electronic catalog due to changes in the situation after registration.
When the electronic catalog support software is activated in the same manner as the registration, and the "change / delete product" menu is selected on the screen of FIG. 3, the change screen of FIG. 5 is displayed. On the change screen, registered product names and the like are displayed on the left side. If there are many categories, pull down from the category column at the center, select a category, and search for a product name to be changed. When a product name or a product code is selected on the left side of the screen, the product data is displayed on the product details orchid in the center of the screen. Next, the attribute of the product to be changed is changed. If there is no need to change the image, click the register button and send the changed product data to the host. By using such a method, the time required for changing the electronic catalog is reduced to １ ／ or less.
[0034]
If you want to change the product image at the same time as the product data, capture the image in the same procedure as registering the product and send it to the host. If you want to see a photo, click the "view photo" button in the upper right to see the product image. The product code cannot be changed because the electronic catalog is managed by the product code. If you want to change the product code, do so on the registration screen, and delete the unnecessary product code by deleting the electronic catalog described later.
[0034]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for deleting an electronic catalog of a product from a host. In the same way as the change, in FIG. 3, the "change / delete product" menu is selected, all the product codes are deleted and changed to blank on the screen of FIG. 5, and then the registration button is clicked. The catalog is deleted from the host.
[0035]
9 and 10 are examples of an electronic catalog. When the customer accesses the virtual store, FIG. 9 is displayed. This screen has a product search function, which allows you to search for and specify the product you are looking for. Clicking on the product name will display product data such as the product photo and price on the right. If you want to see a large number of products at once, specify a category and the photos and product data of the products registered in that category will be displayed on almost the entire screen, and click the “Forward” or “Back” button (not shown) By doing so, the screen can be moved to another page. In addition, the screen can be scrolled. If the user wants to see the details of the product, the user can click on the photograph or the product data in FIG. 9 to open FIG. 10 which is a detailed screen of the product. In FIG. 10, the arrow provided below the product photo indicates the rotation direction of the photo, and the center circle indicates a button for returning the photo to the initial position. By clicking a "purchase" button provided at the lower end, a product can be ordered.
[0036]
The office processing software includes software for registering customers in the shop, ordering and receiving products, charging products, and paying usage fees to system suppliers. Perform e-commerce on products listed in the catalog.
[0037]
The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the described contents. For example, in the present invention, a click is appropriately selected and used from either a single click or a double click. In addition, a seller creates an electronic catalog using the provided electronic catalog creation software, and the seller includes a person who is commissioned by a shop to create an electronic catalog. In FIG. 1, the host is described under the system provider. However, the host only needs to be available to the system provider and does not need to own it. Similarly, the same can be said for hardware on the shop (seller) side. In FIG. 1, the hardware is not limited to all possessed items, but may be used if it can be used.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects.
[0039]
With the electronic commerce support system in which the electronic catalog support software according to the present invention is one of the components of the system, a general E-shop seller can easily create an electronic catalog and easily register the electronic catalog in the host. . On the other hand, even a seller having knowledge of languages such as HTML and XML can greatly reduce the time required for creating and registering an electronic catalog. For this reason, the shop can register the electronic catalog in the host without losing the business opportunity, and can greatly contribute to the management of the E-shop.
[0040]
According to the electronic commerce support system and method in which the electronic catalog support software according to the present invention is one of the components of the system, it is possible to easily create an electronic catalog that captures a three-dimensional rotated image of a product. For this reason, a purchaser who purchases a product without looking at the actual product can recognize the product to be purchased more accurately than in the past. Therefore, the electronic commerce support system and method according to the present invention greatly contribute to the sound development of electronic transactions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an electronic commerce system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing components of electronic commerce support software.
FIG. 3 is a screen displayed when electronic catalog support software is started.
FIG. 4 is a product registration screen displayed using electronic catalog support software.
FIG. 5 is a product change screen displayed using electronic catalog support software.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for registering a product in an electronic catalog.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for changing product data and an image registered in an electronic catalog.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for deleting an electronic catalog registered in the host from the host.
FIG. 9 is an example of a general screen of an electronic catalog.
FIG. 10 is an electronic catalog screen of a specific product.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host computer
2 Storage
3 PC
3a display
4 Electronic camera
5 Barcode reader
6 Shooting stand
6a Product
7 Rotation control device for shooting table
8 Product rotation button

Claims (5)

An electronic catalog that supports an e-commerce in which a seller registers an electronic catalog created using electronic catalog creation software provided by a system supplier in a host, and a buyer accesses the host via the Internet to purchase an item. In a commercial transaction support system,
The e-commerce support system includes the host, e-commerce support software provided by the system supplier, the computer connected to the host via the Internet, and an electronic camera connected to the computer,
The e-commerce support software consists of electronic catalog creation software consisting of image capture software and product registration / editing software, and business processing software,
The electronic catalog creation software has a function of displaying a product registration screen on the display screen of the computer, a function of displaying input product data on the product registration screen, and a shooting button provided on the product registration screen. A function of recording the image of the product taken by the electronic camera on the computer, and the electronic catalog displaying the product data and the image by clicking a registration button provided on the product registration screen. An electronic commerce support system, which has a function of transmitting to the host. An electronic catalog that supports an e-commerce in which a seller registers an electronic catalog created using electronic catalog creation software provided by a system supplier in a host, and a buyer accesses the host via the Internet to purchase an item. In a commercial transaction support system,
The e-commerce support system includes the host, e-commerce support software provided by the system supplier, the computer connected to the host via the Internet, and an electronic camera connected to the computer,
The e-commerce support software consists of electronic catalog creation software consisting of image capture software and product registration / editing software, and business processing software,
The electronic catalog creation software has a function of displaying a product change screen on the display screen of the computer, a function of displaying and changing product data on the product change screen, and a photograph button provided on the product change screen. A function of recording the image of the product taken by the electronic camera on the computer, and the electronic catalog in which the product data and the image are displayed by clicking a registration button provided on the product change screen. An electronic commerce support system, which has a function of transmitting to the host. 3. The electronic commerce support system according to claim 1, wherein the images are 12 to 360 three-dimensional rotated images having different predetermined angles. An e-commerce business in which a seller registers an electronic catalog of a product created using electronic catalog creation software provided by a system supplier in a host, and a buyer accesses the host and purchases the product by accessing the host computer. In the support method,
Activating the electronic catalog creation software;
Displaying an electronic catalog creation screen for creating the electronic catalog on a display;
Inputting product data at a predetermined location on the electronic catalog creation screen;
Setting the product on a shooting stand;
Click the image capture button on the electronic catalog creation screen to record the image of the product on the computer, and click the registration button on the electronic catalog creation screen to display the product data and the image on the electronic catalog. And transmitting the electronic mail to the host. 5. The electronic commerce according to claim 4, wherein the photographing table is a photographing table that rotates in a horizontal plane, and when photographing the product, selects a photographing instruction for a plurality of images and then clicks the photographing button. How to help.

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