JP2010039592A - Merchandise purchasing/selling system and merchandise selling server configuring same system and operation control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relatively easily find out and purchase merchandise. <P>SOLUTION: A virtual store space 21 in which merchandise 23 flows on a channel 22 is defined. A partial region on the channel is assigned for every user of a client computer. A region 31 is assigned to a user α, and a region 32 is assigned to a user β. The appearance of merchandise flowing in the region 31 is displayed on the display screen of the client computer of the user α, and the appearance of merchandise flowing in the region 32 is displayed on the display screen of the client computer of the user β. The user purchases his or her desired merchandise while viewing the merchandise image displayed on the display screen of his or her own computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a product purchase / sales system, a product sales server constituting the system, an operation control method thereof, and an operation control program thereof.

With the development and popularization of the Internet, electronic commerce that sells products by allowing consumers to select products using the Internet is expanding. It is important for consumers to find products efficiently. On the other hand, it is important for operators of sites that sell products to increase consumers' willingness to purchase and sell more products. For this reason, various devices have been made at sites where electronic commerce is conducted. For example, by displaying a virtual shop in three dimensions on the site, it is possible to shop with the same feeling as shopping in the real world (Patent Document 1), virtually trying on a virtual shop on the site What makes it possible (Patent Document 2), makes it possible to make a real shopping with friends and acquaintances on a web page by sharing a web page among a plurality of consumers (Patent Document 3) )and so on. In addition, there is one that manages a plurality of consumers in a virtual space (Patent Documents 4 and 5).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-183525 JP 2004-86803 JP JP 2005-56163 A JP 2001-243495 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-154966

  However, those using a virtual shop like this need to virtually enter the store or change the viewpoint, which may increase the number of consumer operations.

  An object of the present invention is to find a product relatively easily and enjoy shopping.

  The first invention relates to a product purchase / sales system composed of a product sales server and a plurality of client computers.

  The merchandise sales server defines image data representing an image of a merchandise flowing in an annular channel and flowing in a part of the channel defined for each client computer. Image data transmission means for transmitting to the client computer.

  The client computer controls the display device to display an image of the product flowing in a part of the flow path represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmission means of the product sales server. A purchase command input means for inputting a purchase command for a product represented by an image of the product displayed under the control of the display control means, and a purchase command input from the purchase command input means. Product specifying data transmitting means for transmitting product specifying data for specifying a product to be purchased to the product sales server is provided.

  The product sales server transmits the product purchase data indicating that the product specified by the product specification data transmitted from the product specification data transmission means of the client computer has been purchased, and the client that has transmitted the product specification data. A product purchase data transmitting means for transmitting to a client computer other than the computer is further provided.

  According to the first invention, image data representing an image of a product flowing in a part of an annular flow path defined for each client computer is transmitted from the product sales server to the client computer. When this image data is received by the client computer, an image of the product flowing in a part of the annular flow path represented by the image data is displayed. When a command for purchasing a product is input from the displayed product image on the client computer, product specifying data for specifying the purchased product is transmitted to the product sales server. When the product identification data is transmitted to the product sales server, product purchase data indicating that the product identified by the product identification data has been purchased is transmitted to a client computer other than the client computer that transmitted the product identification data. The

  According to the first aspect of the invention, when the user of the client computer purchases the product, it is only necessary to select an image of the product to be purchased from among the images of the product flowing in a part of the annular channel. You can easily purchase products. Further, since the product purchase data indicating the purchased product is transmitted to the client computer of the user other than the user who purchased the product, it is understood that another user has purchased the product. Since purchase trends of other users can be understood, the user's willingness to purchase can be increased.

  For example, the product purchase data transmitting means of the product sales server may remove an image representing a product specified by the product specifying data transmitted from the product specifying data transmitting means of the client computer from a part of the channel. Data (product purchase data) representing a state of progress is transmitted to client computers other than the client computer that transmitted the product specifying data.

  When the priority order is determined for each client computer, a part of the flow path is determined so that the client computer having a higher priority order is closer to a part where an image of a new product is displayed. Preferably it is.

  The client computer may further include display condition input means for inputting a condition for displaying the product image. In this case, the display control unit of the client computer is configured to display the display of the product image flowing in a part of the flow path represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmission unit of the product sales server. The display device will be controlled so as to display an image of a product that matches the condition input from the condition input means.

  The second invention is a product sales server in a product purchase / sales system comprising a product sales server and a plurality of client computers. The merchandise sales server defines image data representing an image of merchandise flowing in an annular channel and flowing in a part of the channel defined for each client computer. Image data transmitting means to be transmitted to the client computer being purchased, purchasing from among images of the product flowing in a part of the dew represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means in the client computer The product specification data receiving means for receiving the product specification data for selecting the product to be purchased and transmitted from the client computer, and the product specification data received by the product specification data receiving means. The product purchase data indicating that the product Is equipped with a product purchase data transmitting means for transmitting to the client computer with the exception of the client computer that sent the goods specific data.

  The second invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the merchandise sales server. In other words, this method is an operation control method of a product sales server in a product purchase / sales system composed of a product sales server and a plurality of client computers, and the image data transmission means flows through an annular channel. Image data representing an image of a product that is in the product and is flowing in a part of the flow path defined for each of the client computers is transmitted to the defined client computer, and product identification data A receiving unit is selected as an image of a product to be purchased from images of products flowing in a part of the dew represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting unit in the client computer, and the client computer -Product identification data that identifies products to be purchased sent from computers The client computer which has received the product specifying data and received the product specifying data indicating that the product specified by the product specifying data received by the product specifying data receiving unit has been purchased. Is sent to the client computer excluding.

  The second invention also provides a program for implementing the operation control method of the merchandise sales server.

  Also according to the second invention, when the user of the client computer purchases the product, the user only has to select the image of the product to be purchased from the images of the product flowing in a part of the annular flow path. You can easily purchase products. Further, since the product purchase data indicating the purchased product is transmitted to the client computer of the user other than the user who purchased the product, it is understood that another user has purchased the product. Since purchase trends of other users can be understood, the user's willingness to purchase can be increased.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and shows an outline of a product purchase / sales system.

  The product purchase / sales system includes a product sales server 10. This merchandise sales server 10 can communicate with a plurality of client computers 1 to 3 via the Internet. Although three client computers 1 to 3 are shown in FIG. 1, it goes without saying that the number is not limited to three.

  The merchandise sales server 10 includes a plurality of communication control devices 11 for communicating with a plurality of client computers 1-3, a virtual store space control device 12 for controlling a virtual store space described later, and display devices for the client computers 1-3. Display update control device 13 that controls display update in the product, product database 14 that stores a large number of product data, product purchase management device 15 that manages products purchased by users of client computers 1 to 3, and user information Contains the stored user database 16.

  FIG. 2 shows a virtual store space 21. In this embodiment, a virtual store space 21 is defined.

  An annular channel 22 is defined in the virtual store space 21. A virtual store space 21 is a virtual representation of what the product 23 flows on the flow path 22. A product arrival port 30 is defined, and a product 23 is placed in the flow path 22 from the product arrival port 30.

  A part of the flow path 22 is determined for each user. For example, a portion 31 of the flow path 22 is a space for the user α, and a portion 32 of the flow path 22 is a space for the user β. Part or all of the space defined for each user may or may not overlap. Image data representing an image of a product flowing in a space defined for each user is transmitted to the user's client computer. Then, an image of the product flowing in the space is displayed on the display device of the client computer.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a display screen of the display device of the client computer.

  A product display window 41 is formed in almost the entire area of the display screen 40. In the product display window 41, images 42 to 45 of products flowing in a part of the flow path 22 assigned to the user of the client computer are displayed as flowing. These product images 42 to 45 are images superimposed so that the amount of the product can be easily understood. The product images 42 to 45 do not necessarily have to be superimposed images, and the state in which the images are superimposed also corresponds to the remaining state of the product, and the number of superimposed images increases as the remaining product amount increases. It is also possible to reduce the number of stacked items as the number of remaining products decreases.

  The product images 42 to 45 are not the same in size, but may be the same size. But you may make it enlarge the image of the goods which wants to focus on sales. For example, an image of a product that is sold, a popular product, or a new product may be enlarged or displayed at the top of the product display window 41. Further, the remaining amount of the product is displayed above (near) the product image 42, the arrival schedule of the product of the chopsticks is displayed on the right side of the product image 43, and the new product is displayed on the product image 44. Is displayed.

  On the left side of the product display window 41, a search condition setting window 50 for setting display of products displayed in the product display window 41 and a detailed condition setting window 60 are displayed. The search condition setting window 50 narrows down the search conditions for products displayed in the product display window 41.

  The search condition setting window 50 includes a brand check box 51, a price check box 52, a category check box 53, and an OK area 54. When the OK area 54 is clicked after any one of the check boxes 51 to 53 is checked, a new window corresponding to the checked box is displayed on the display screen 40. The brand, price, or category of the product displayed on the product display window 41 is determined using the new window. An image of the product corresponding to the determined brand, price or category is displayed in the product display window 41.

  The detailed condition setting window 60 includes a price check box 61, a brand name check box 62, a remaining number check box 63, and an OK area 64. When the OK area 64 is clicked after any of the check boxes 61 to 63 is checked, a new window corresponding to the checked box is displayed on the display screen 40. Using the new window, the price, brand name, or remaining number of products displayed in the product display window 41 is determined. An image of a product corresponding to the determined price, brand name or remaining number is displayed in the product display window 41.

  A cart area 70 is displayed below the product display window 41.

  The cart area 70 is an area for displaying an image of a product purchased by the user. On the left side of the cart area 70, an area 71 for displaying a cart image is formed. On the right side of the cart area 70, an area 72 for displaying an image of a product purchased by the user is formed. The user purchases a product by dragging and dropping the product image displayed in the product display window 41 to the area 72.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C show the state of images displayed on the display screen of the display device of the client computer of another user when a product is purchased by one user.

  As described above, when the product image 42 is dragged and dropped by one user, the display screen of the display device of the client computer of the other user is displayed in accordance with the drag and drop in FIG. As shown in A), an icon 81 of a hand approaching the product image 42 is displayed. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, one product image 42A in the product image 42 is grasped by the hand icon 81. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, one product image 42A grasped by the hand icon 81 is displayed on the display screen of the display device of another user's client computer while gradually becoming smaller. It disappears from the product display window.

  In order to display on the display screen in this way, the portion where the purchased product is located in the flow path 22 in the virtual store space 21 will need to be assigned to the user of the client computer to be displayed. . For example, the space allocated to the user of one client computer and the space allocated to the user of another client computer are common. However, even if the space is not common, it is notified to other users as product purchase data that one user has purchased a specific product, or the images shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to (C) are generated. Can be sent to other users.

  Other users can see the purchase of a product by one user, so that they are stimulated and motivated to purchase the product.

  5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the product purchase / sales system. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the merchandise sales server 10, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the client computer 1, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the client computer 2.

  In this processing, the user of the client computer 1 can purchase the product, and the user of the client computer 1 can see the purchase of the product by the user of the client computer 1. It is assumed that the client computers 1 and 2 and the product sales server 10 are connected to be communicable with each other.

  As described above, image data representing a state in which a product flows in a space defined for each user is transmitted from the plurality of communication control devices 11 of the product sales server 10 to each corresponding client computer (see FIG. 5 Step 81). Here, it is assumed that the space allocated to the client computer 1 and the space allocated to the client computer 2 are the same. In addition, when search conditions or detailed conditions are set by the user, data representing these conditions is transmitted from the client computer to the merchandise sales server 10, and image data representing merchandise that matches those conditions is obtained. Needless to say, it is transmitted from the product sales server 10 to the client computer.

  When the image data transmitted from the merchandise sales server 10 is received by the client computers 1 and 2 (step 91 in FIG. 6, step 101 in FIG. 7), the above-described images are displayed on the display screens of the client computers 1 and 2, respectively. A product display window 41 and the like are displayed (step 92 in FIG. 6, step 102 in FIG. 7).

  When a product image in the product display window is dragged and dropped into the cart area 70 by a user of one client computer 1 (step 93 in FIG. 6), the product image is represented by the dragged and dropped product image. The product specifying data for specifying the product to be sent is transmitted from the client computer 1 to the product sales server 10 (step 94 in FIG. 6).

  When the product specifying data transmitted from the client computer 1 is received by the product sales server 10 (step 82 in FIG. 5), the received product specifying data is given to the virtual store space control device 12 (step 83 in FIG. 5). . Then, the data representing the virtual store space is updated by the virtual store space control device 12 (step 84 in FIG. 5). Data representing the update content is given from the virtual store exchange control device 12 to the display update control device 13 (step 85 in FIG. 5). Then, the display update control device 13 generates update image data (image data representing products flowing in the space allocated for each user) for each client computer according to the update contents (step 86 in FIG. 5). . The generated update image data is given to the plurality of communication control devices 11 (step 87 in FIG. 5). Update image data corresponding to each client computer is transmitted from the plurality of communication control devices 11 to each client computer (step 88 in FIG. 5).

  Product purchase data indicating that the product specified by the product specification data has been purchased is also transmitted to the client computer 2 other than the client computer 1 that purchased the product. When the product purchase data is received at the client computer 2, the name of the product purchased by the user of the client computer 1 is displayed on the display screen of the client computer 2. However, even if the product purchase data does not display the name of the purchased product, as the product purchase data is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the state in which the product is purchased by another user is displayed. It may be a thing. The user of the client computer 2 knows that the product has been purchased by the user of the client computer 1.

  In response to the purchase of the product, the remaining amount of the product stored in the product database 14 is updated by the product purchase management device 15. The updated data such as the remaining amount of the product is transmitted to the management server (not shown) by the plurality of communication control devices 11. Further, the product purchase history for each user stored in the user database 16 is also updated in accordance with the purchase of the product.

  When the client computer 2 receives the updated image data transmitted from the product sales server 10 (step 103 in FIG. 7), the product image represented by the updated image data is displayed in the product display window 41. (Step 104 in FIG. 7). It goes without saying that the product image represented by the updated image data is also displayed on the product display window in the client computer 1.

  Since the product is purchased at the client computer 1, the received update image data (including data indicating that the image representing the product specified by the product specifying data is removed) is displayed on the display screen of the client computer 2. In the displayed product display window, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a state in which the product is bought by another user is displayed.

  8 and 9 show another embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the priority order is determined for each user (client computer) in accordance with the use situation of this virtual store space, and the higher the priority order, the closer the allocated space is to the product arrival port 30. Is. The higher the priority, the more the new product is displayed in the product display window, and the product can be preferentially purchased.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a priority table that defines user priorities. This priority table is stored in the user database 16.

  The priority table includes items of user, point, rank, and virtual store space area (part assigned to the user). The more products are purchased, the higher the points given to the user. The higher the point is, the higher the rank of the user is, and the position of the virtual space area assigned to the user is closer to the product arrival port 30. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the user u1 has the highest point and the highest rank (platinum member). Next, the user u2 has a high point and a high rank (gold member). The user u3 has 0 points and a low rank (general member).

  FIG. 9 shows a virtual store space. In FIG. 9, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  The user u1 has the highest rank as described above. For this reason, the virtual store space area s1 closest to the product arrival port 30 is assigned to the user u1. A new product is first displayed on the display screen of the user computer of the user u1.

  The user u2 has a relatively high rank. For this reason, a virtual store space area s2 that is relatively close to the product arrival port 30 is assigned to the user u2. A new product is displayed relatively quickly on the display screen of the user computer of the user u2.

The user u3 has a low rank. For this reason, a virtual store space area s3 far from the product arrival port 30 is assigned to the user u3. User u3 client
On the display screen, new products are displayed slowly.

  FIG. 10 shows a modification and is an example of an image displayed on the display screen of the client computer. In FIG. 10, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, when a product is purchased, an image of the product disappearing from the product display window 41 is displayed. , Each time a purchase is made (for example, during the past 10 minutes), the hand icon 81 increases (displayed for a certain period of time). The display is as if many shoppers are competing for the product, which encourages customers to purchase the product. Such a hand icon 81 may be generated based on product purchase data transmitted from the product sales server 10. Each time a product is purchased, product purchase data is transmitted from the product sales server 10, and as the number of purchasers increases, a hand icon 81 is displayed.

  A recommendation area 120 is displayed below the product display area 41. In the recommendation area 120, an image 121 of a product purchased by another user is displayed. It turns out that other users are purchasing, and willingness to purchase. In addition, a sentence 122 for notifying that another user has purchased is also displayed.

  A detailed information area 110 is formed at the lower left of the product display area 41. The detailed information area 110 is an area for displaying information about the product image displayed in the product display window 41. When the product image displayed in the product display window 41 is clicked, details about the clicked product image are displayed in the detailed information area 110.

  The detailed information area 110 includes a product image display area 110 and an information display area 112. In the product image display area 110, the clicked product image is displayed. In the information display area 112, information (manufacturer name, price, color) about the image displayed in the product image display area 110 is displayed. Below the product image display area 110, hot text 113 that is clicked when viewing other colors and hot text 114 that is clicked when purchasing the product are also displayed.

An overview of the product purchase / sales system is shown. It is an example of a virtual store space. It is an example of the display screen of a client computer. (A) to (C) show how merchandise is purchased. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a goods sales server. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a client computer. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a client computer. It is an example of a priority table. It is an example of a virtual store space. It is an example of the display screen of a client computer.

Explanation of symbols

1-3 Client computer
10 Product sales server
11 Multiple communication controller
12 Virtual store space controller
13 Display update controller
14 Product database
15 Product purchase management device
16 user databases

Claims (7)

In a product purchase / sale system consisting of a product sales server and multiple client computers,
The product sales server
Image data representing an image of a product flowing in an annular flow path and flowing in a part of the flow path defined for each client computer is stored in the defined client computer. Image data transmission means for transmitting to
The client computer is
Display control means for controlling the display device to display an image of the product flowing in a part of the flow path represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmission means of the product sales server;
Purchase command input means for inputting a purchase command for a product represented by an image of a product displayed under the control of the display control means, and purchase represented by a purchase command input from the purchase command input means Product specifying data transmitting means for transmitting product specifying data for specifying a product to the product sales server is provided,
The product sales server
Product purchase data indicating that the product specified by the product specification data transmitted from the product specification data transmission means of the client computer has been purchased is the client except the client computer that transmitted the product specification data. Means for sending product purchase data to be sent to a computer;
Product purchase / sales system further equipped with The product purchase data transmission means of the product sales server is
The product specifying data is transmitted as data indicating that an image representing the product specified by the product specifying data transmitted from the product specifying data transmitting means of the client computer is removed from a part of the channel. Sent to client computers other than the above client computers,
The product purchase / sales system according to claim 1. The priority order is determined for each client computer, and the higher priority client computer is such that a part of the flow path is closer to a part where an image of a new product is displayed.
The product purchase / sales system according to claim 1 or 2. The client computer is
A display condition input means for inputting a condition for displaying the product image;
The display control means of the client computer is
An image of a product that matches the condition input from the display condition input unit among the images of the product flowing in a part of the flow path represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmission unit of the product sales server Control the display device to display
The product purchase / sales system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A product sales server in a product purchase / sales system comprising a product sales server and a plurality of client computers,
Image data representing an image of a product flowing in an annular flow path and flowing in a part of the flow path defined for each client computer is stored in the defined client computer. Image data transmission means for transmitting to
In the client computer, an image of the product to be purchased is selected from the images of the product flowing in a part of the dew represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmission means, and transmitted from the client computer. Product specifying data receiving means for receiving product specifying data for specifying a product to be purchased, and product purchase data indicating that the product specified by the product specifying data received by the product specifying data receiving means has been purchased, Product purchase data sending means for sending to client computers other than the client computer that sent the product specifying data;
Product sales server with An operation control method for a product sales server in a product purchase / sales system comprising a product sales server and a plurality of client computers,
The image data transmitting means determines image data representing an image of the product flowing in the annular channel and flowing in a part of the channel defined for each client computer. To the specified client computer,
The product specifying data receiving means is selected as an image of the product to be purchased from the images of the products flowing in the part of the dew represented by the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means in the client computer. , Receiving product specifying data specifying the product to be purchased transmitted from the client computer,
Clients other than the client computer that has sent the product specifying data to the product purchase data sending means indicating that the product specified by the product specifying data received by the product specifying data receiving means has been purchased.・ Send to computer
Operation control method of merchandise sales server. An operation control program for a product sales server in a product purchase / sales system comprising a product sales server and a plurality of client computers,
Image data representing an image of a product flowing in an annular flow path and flowing in a part of the flow path defined for each client computer is stored in the defined client computer. Send to
A product to be purchased that is selected as an image of a product to be purchased from images of products flowing in a part of the dew represented by the image data transmitted from the client computer and is transmitted from the client computer. Receive product identification data to be identified,
Controls the operation of the product sales server so that product purchase data indicating that the product specified by the received product specification data has been purchased is sent to a client computer other than the client computer that sent the product specification data. A computer readable program.

Images