JP2006323708A - Method for retrieving merchandise information and server to execute it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for efficiently, carefully selecting merchandise, such as clothe or shoes, suitable for a customer's figure and favorable designs. <P>SOLUTION: A server 6 has a merchandise information database 35, which stores information on merchandise, a stock management database 36, which manages merchandise stock, and an interface part 32 which receives retrieval condition information, such as information that indicates a variety of merchandise and figure information on a customer corresponding to the variety of merchandise, from a terminal. In addition, the server 6 also has a controller 30, which refers the merchandise information database 35 that stores information on merchandise to retrieve merchandise that corresponds to the retrieval condition information received through the interface part 32, determines whether the retrieved merchandise is stocked from the stock management database 36 that manages merchandise stock, and transmits the retrieval result to the terminal if the retrieved merchandise is stocked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a product information retrieval system capable of efficiently and carefully examining products such as clothes and shoes suitable for body shape information stored in an IC card and a desired design.

  When choosing clothes and shoes, I often go around each store and look for a product that suits my body shape from the many products in the store. In order to improve this, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-32640 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-86662 (Patent Document 2), a service capable of virtual fitting on the Internet is known. Yes.

  Further, in order for the customer to know the inventory information of the exhibited products, the store clerk has to go to the warehouse to check, and it takes time. In order to improve this, a dedicated terminal and a personal digital assistant (PDA) are installed on the sales floor, and when an IC tag attached to the product is held over, the presence or absence of inventory by size or color desired by the customer is instantly displayed. An understandable inventory management system is known (Non-Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-32640 A JP 2004-86662 A NIKKEINET IT BUSINESS & NEWS, “(2/12) Mitsukoshi and Hankyu Hyaku, IC tag inventory management system”, [online], February 12, 2005 / Nihon Keizai Shimbun morning edition, [Search April 18, 2005] Internet <URL: http://it.nikkei.co.jp/it/newssp/ictag.cfm?i=2005021107203wf>

  There are many people who want to purchase after seeing the real thing instead of virtual try-on and confirming whether or not it really suits them. However, it is difficult to find out if it fits only with a short sense of fitting. In particular, shoes are painful if they do not fit in the shape of the foot, and after that they can no longer be worn.

  In addition, although the time for acquiring the inventory information by the IC tag is shortened, it is not solved that the customer searches for the display product that fits his / her body shape.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means by which a product such as clothes and shoes suitable for a customer's body shape and desired design can be efficiently taken and examined. To do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a server having means for searching for the presence / absence of a product that matches the customer's body shape information and the desired design according to the type of product, and means for determining whether the searched product is in stock Was provided.

  More specifically, the server according to the present invention includes a product information database storing information related to products, an inventory management database for managing product inventory, information indicating the types of products from the terminal, and the types of the products. And searching for a product corresponding to the search condition information received by the interface unit with reference to a product information database storing information related to the product, and an interface unit for receiving search condition information such as a customer's body type information according to A control unit that determines whether or not the retrieved product is in stock by referring to an inventory management database that manages the stock of the product, and transmits the search result to the terminal if the retrieved product is in stock It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, since the customer can find a product that suits his / her body shape and has a favorite design without walking around wastefully, it can be examined immediately by trying on, etc. And no time is wasted.

  Also, from the store side, the customer's purchase rate increases because the customer walks around and gets tired and gives up, and while walking around, the store closes and no longer comes home. As a result, store sales can be expected to improve.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a product information search system 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a product information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the product information search system 1 is a system that is provided in a department store or the like having a plurality of stores that sell products such as shoes and clothes, and searches and provides product information according to customer's body shape information. is there. The product information providing system 1 includes a body shape information registration terminal 3, a plurality of product information providing terminals 4, a plurality of store terminals 5, and a server 6. The plurality of product information providing terminals 4 and the plurality of store terminals 5 are connected to the server 6 by dedicated lines.

  The body type information registration terminal 3 is a terminal for reading the information of the IC card 2 and displaying the body type information input screen and registering the body type information input by the customer in the IC card 2.

  The merchandise information providing terminal 4 is a terminal for outputting merchandise information corresponding to the customer's body shape information.

  The store terminal 5 is a terminal for a store clerk to input or change information related to a product such as the number, size, color, image, and location of the product when the product is received.

  The server 6 has a function of determining whether or not the product information search system 1 is authorized to use, a function of searching for the presence / absence of a product that conforms to a customer's body shape information and a desired design according to the type of the product, It has a function to determine whether there is inventory. In relation to these functions, the server 6 stores product information in which product information such as product code, product type, body shape information, product price, manufacturer, image file, and placement location is associated with each other. A database, an inventory management database for managing product inventory information, and an authentication information database storing information necessary to determine whether or not the product information search system 1 is authorized to use.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the product information providing terminal 4. The product information providing terminal 4 includes a control unit (CPU) 20, a storage unit (memory) 21, a server interface unit 22, a read unit 23, a printing unit (printer) 24, and a display unit (display) 25. Prepare.

  The storage unit 21 stores a program 26 executed by the control unit 20 and an input screen file 27 for allowing a customer to input body shape information corresponding to the type of product. The server interface unit 22 transmits / receives information to / from the server 6. The display unit 24 displays product information transmitted from the server 6. The printing unit 25 prints the product information displayed on the display unit 24.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 6. The server 6 includes a control unit (CPU) 30, a storage unit (memory) 31, and a plurality of terminal interface units 32. The storage unit 31 stores a program for the control unit 30 to execute the above-described functions and product information such as a product code, a product type, a body shape information, a product price, a manufacturer, an image file, and an arrangement location. The product information database 35, the inventory management database 36 for managing product inventory information, and information (ID and password) necessary to determine whether or not the product information search system 1 is authorized to use are stored. An authentication information database 37 is stored.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the input screen file 27 stored in the storage unit 21 of the product information providing terminal 4. In the input screen file 27, a product type 40 and input screen data for allowing a customer to input body shape information 41 are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the product information database 35 stored in the storage unit 31 of the server 6. In the product information database 35, a product code 50 for identifying a product, a product type 51 representing the type of product, body shapes 52, 53,... Representing body type information, a price 54 representing the price of the product, and a product A manufacturer 55 representing the manufacturer name, an image file 56 representing an image of the product, and an arrangement location 57 representing the arrangement location of the product are stored in association with each other.

  Here, the arrangement location code is assigned to each shelf of each sales floor. For example, 1SA1 shown in FIG. 5 means the first floor (1), the shoe sales floor (S), and A1 (shelf number). The body shapes 52, 53,... Include, for example, heel-toe length, instep height, heel-waist length, waist size, bust size, underbust size, shoulder width, waist- Values representing the length of the neck, the size of the head, the width of the face, the length of the face, etc. are stored.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the inventory management database 36 stored in the storage unit 31 of the server 6. In the inventory management database 36, a product code 60 for identifying a product and a stock quantity 61 representing the stock quantity of the product are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the authentication information database 37 stored in the storage unit 31 of the server 6. In the authentication information database 37, an ID and a password are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a registration process of body type information to the IC card 2 in the body type information registration terminal 3. Although not shown, the body shape information registration terminal 3 determines whether there is a program for executing the following operation, a control unit (CPU) that executes the program, and the right to use the product information search system 1. A storage unit for storing information (ID and password) necessary for the operation, a display unit, and the like.

  When the body type information registration terminal 3 reads the IC card 2 (step S80), the ID and password input screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (S81). When the ID and password are input (S82), the body information registration terminal 3 collates the input ID and password with the ID and password stored in the storage unit (S83). If the verification result shows that the verification is OK, the body shape information registration terminal 3 displays the body shape information input screen shown in FIG. 13 (S84), and if the verification result is NG due to an invalid ID or password, an authentication error is displayed (S85). .

  Next, when system information is input (S86), the body type information registration terminal 3 writes the input body type information to the IC card 2 (S86) and displays a write completion screen shown in FIG. 14 (S87). )).

9 to 11 are sequence diagrams showing operations for searching for product information. First,
When the merchandise information providing terminal 4 reads the IC card 2 in which the body type information is stored (step S90), the ID and password input screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (S91). When the ID and password are input (S92), the product information providing terminal 4 transmits the input ID and password information to the server 6 (S93).

  The server 6 refers to the authentication information database 37, collates the ID and password transmitted from the merchandise information providing terminal 4 with the ID and password stored in the authentication information database 37 (S94), and compares the collation result with the merchandise information. The data is transmitted to the providing terminal 4 (S95).

  The merchandise information providing terminal 4 determines whether the collation result from the server 6 is OK or NG (S96). If the collation is OK, the merchandise information providing terminal 4 displays a screen for selecting the type of merchandise shown in FIG. If verification is NG due to the input of ID or password, an authentication error is displayed (S98). Next, when a product is selected (S99), as shown in FIG. 16, the product information providing terminal 4 inputs a search condition such as the body information read from the IC card 2 and the manufacturer name for the selected product. A screen for performing the operation is displayed (S100). The body type information can be edited. When the search condition information is input (S101), the product information providing terminal 4 transmits the input search condition information to the server 6 (S102).

  The server 6 searches the product information database 35 based on the search conditions from the product information providing terminal 4, and determines whether there is product information that meets the search conditions (S103). Next, if there is product information corresponding to the search condition, the server 6 refers to the inventory management database 36 and determines whether the product is in stock (S104). Next, if there is a stock of the product, the server 6 transmits a search result (a list of product information corresponding to the search condition and information indicating the location of the product) to the product information providing terminal 4 (S105).

  In the process of S103, if there is no product that satisfies the search condition, the server 6 notifies the product information providing terminal 4 that there is no product that satisfies the search condition (S106). The merchandise information providing terminal 4 displays the information notified from the server 6 on the display unit 24 (S107).

  In the process of S104, if there is no stock of the corresponding product, the product information providing terminal 4 is notified that there is no stock of the corresponding product (S108). The merchandise information providing terminal 4 displays the information notified from the server 6 on the display unit 24 (S109).

  The merchandise information provision terminal 4 displays a search result on the display part 24 as shown in FIG. 17 (S110). Next, when a desired product is selected from the product information list displayed on the display unit 24 by the customer, the product information providing terminal 4 displays the selected product information list as shown in FIG. (S111). Next, when one of the “print”, “email transmission”, “product collection”, and “reselect” selection buttons on this display screen is pressed, the product information providing terminal 4 is selected by pressing. Processing according to the content of the selected button is performed (S112).

  Specifically, when “print” is selected, the product information providing terminal 4 prints the product information list displayed on the display unit 24 and the layout of the corresponding product by the printing unit 25 as shown in FIG. At the same time, a screen indicating the completion of printing shown in FIG. 20 is displayed (S113).

  When “e-mail transmission” is selected, as shown in FIG. 19, the product information list displayed on the display unit 24 and the corresponding product are sent to the mobile terminal owned by the customer via a communication network (not shown). The layout diagram is transmitted, and a screen indicating completion of mail transmission shown in FIG. 21 is displayed (S114).

  The product layout diagram is created based on the location code stored in the location 57 of the product information database 35.

  When “product collection” is selected, a product collection instruction request is transmitted via the server 6 to the store terminal 5 in the store that handles the product (S115, S116). The shop terminal 5 displays a product collection instruction as shown in FIG. In this case, the store terminal 5 may be provided with a function for notifying product collection instructions such as lamp lighting and sound.

  In addition, for sending the product collection instruction request to each store terminal 5, for example, the server 6 may store the product and information indicating the destination of the terminal in the store that handles the product in association with each other.

  In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the “reselect” button in the screen shown in FIG. 18 is used when selecting again after selecting “print”, “email transmission”, or “product collection”. It is a button to do.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, according to embodiment of this invention, a customer can obtain the goods suitable for his / her body shape efficiently.

  In the above-described embodiment, the function of the product information registration terminal 3 and the function of the product information providing terminal 4 may be realized by a single terminal.

  The connection medium between the product information registration terminal 4 and the store terminal 5 may be other than a dedicated line.

  Further, any medium other than the IC card 2 may be used as long as it can record body type information.

  Further, the IC card 2 may be provided with an access right so that a plurality of IDs and passwords can be set so that it can be used not only by the user but also by a family, a friend, and the like. In this case, it is also possible to change the items to be displayed and the items not to be displayed according to the ID among the body shape information stored in the IC card 2.

  Further, the body information registration terminal 4 and the product information providing terminal 5 may be accessed using the Internet such as a portable terminal or a home PC.

  Further, in FIG. 19, instead of the layout diagram, the product layout location may be displayed in text.

  Moreover, in S11 of FIG. 11, the arrangement location of the product may be displayed together with the product information list.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the merchandise information search system 1 whole. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product information providing terminal 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server 6. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input screen file 27. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information database 35. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inventory management database 36. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an authentication information database 37. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the registration process to the IC card 2 of the body type information in the body type information registration terminal 3. It is a flowchart which shows the search process of merchandise information. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows the search process of merchandise information. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows the search process of merchandise information. It is a screen for inputting an ID and a password. It is a screen for inputting customer body information. 4 is a screen showing completion of writing of body shape information to the IC card 2. It is a screen which selects the kind of goods. This is a screen for entering search conditions. It is a screen showing a search result. It is a screen showing the merchandise information list selected by the customer. It is a screen showing the merchandise information list selected by the customer and the arrangement location of the merchandise. It is a screen showing completion of printing. It is a screen showing completion of mail transmission. It is a screen showing a product collection instruction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Product information search system, 2 ... IC card, 3 ... Body type information registration terminal, 4 ... Product information provision terminal, 5 ... Store terminal, 6 ... Server, 20 ... Control unit, 21 ... storage unit, 22 ... server interface unit, 23 ... lead unit, 24 ... display unit, 25 ... printing unit, 26 ... program, 27 ... Input screen file, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... storage unit, 32 ... terminal interface unit, 34 ... program, 35 ... product information database, 36 ... inventory management database, 37. ..Authentication information database.

Claims (4)

A product information search method in the server comprising a plurality of terminals and a server connected to the terminals, and searching for product information based on information input from the terminal,
Receiving search condition information such as information indicating the type of product from the terminal and body shape information of the customer according to the type of product;
Search for a product corresponding to the search condition information with reference to a product information database storing information about the product,
Refer to the inventory management database that manages the inventory of the product, determine whether the searched product is in stock,
If there is an inventory of the searched product, the search result is transmitted to the terminal.   The product information search method according to claim 1, wherein the search result includes a corresponding product information list and information indicating an arrangement location of the corresponding product. A server connected to a plurality of terminals and the terminal for searching for product information based on information input from the terminal,
A product information database for storing information about products;
An inventory management database for managing product inventory;
An interface unit for receiving search condition information such as information indicating the type of product from the terminal and customer's body type information according to the type of product;
A product corresponding to the search condition information received by the interface unit is searched with reference to a product information database storing information about the product, and the search is performed with reference to an inventory management database that manages the stock of the product. A control unit that determines whether or not the product is in stock, and controls to send the search result to the terminal if the searched product is in stock;
The server characterized by having. The server according to claim 3, wherein the search result includes a corresponding product information list and information indicating an arrangement location of the corresponding product.

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