JP2010198168A - Connection management system, management server, customer terminal, connection management method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection management system including a mechanism wherein a salesclerk of an actual store performs a business negotiation related to purchase or the like of a commodity or a service with a customer in real time via a network and wherein a lot of information about the commodity or the like is provided to the customer. <P>SOLUTION: In this connection management system, a management server 30 receives a connection request to a store terminal 20 from a customer terminal 10, the management server 30 checks whether or not the store terminal 20 is presently in the middle of connection with another customer terminal 10, for example, and decides whether or not the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 can be connected. When they can be connected, the management server 30 connects the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20, and performs control such that voice data and image data can be transmitted/received in both sides. When they cannot be connected, the management server 30 manages the customer terminal 10 as a standby state, and achieves the connection with the store terminal 20 at a time point allowing the connection. In the standby state, the voice/image data exchanged between the store terminal 20 and the other customer terminal 10 during the present connection are transmitted to the customer terminal 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection management system that supports transmission / reception of audio / image data between a store terminal of a real store and a customer terminal of a customer, and supports business negotiations between the store clerk and the customer.

  In recent years, most homes have personal computers connected to the Internet, most of which are broadbandized, and can send and receive large amounts of image data and audio data in a short time. As personal computers connected by broadband to many households have spread in this way, online shopping using EC sites and auction sites has been actively performed.

  In a typical EC site, the user selects a product or service listed on the site using a WEB browser, and clicks the “Add to basket” button with an ordering operation (for example, specifying the number of products to be purchased). Then, by pressing the “order confirmation” button, the ordered product is delivered to the user's home, while the price of the product is deducted from the user's financial institution account (by card payment or the like). .

  However, such an EC site usually provides a small amount of uniform information unilaterally due to the convenience of posting space for the product or service. For example, only one photograph taken from a predetermined angle is often posted, and explanations and explanations regarding products and services are limited to the minimum necessary.

  For this reason, several problems have arisen when the user purchases such products and services. The first problem is related to inventory / safety. For example, on an EC site, products are often posted together with images that have been taken, and most are not real-time displays. For this reason, it is often difficult to immediately determine whether an item is out of stock unless the order process is advanced. In addition, it is impossible to immediately confirm the presence or absence of other size types and the inventory of the size of the desired product. Furthermore, since there is no human intervention during the order processing, the user cannot confirm who is operating the EC site, and the trouble that the ordered product does not arrive actually occurs. ing.

  The second problem is related to quality. In many EC sites, the shape and color of each product is represented by a single photographic image, but when the product that should have been confirmed in this way actually arrives, it differs from the product imaged by the user. I often get an impression. This is likely to occur when, for example, the impression of the color of the product differs depending on the shooting conditions such as the background color and lighting and the settings at the time of shooting, or the entire image cannot be captured by a photographic image in only one direction. In addition, there may be cases where a product other than the photographed product is delivered due to the lot or version of the product.

  The third problem is related to the above two problems, but is the lack of information provided by the EC site, and the EC site usually gives only a small amount of uniform information. For example, when purchasing a product, it is not possible to appropriately inquire about the characteristics of the product, competing products, selling products, etc., and use it as a reference for product selection.

  In order to cope with such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes a product sales system in which an in-store product can be ordered from a customer terminal using a camera in the store.

The merchandise sales system disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a monitoring camera used in a store, captures an actual image of the store, and provides this to a customer terminal. On the customer terminal side, the camera is operated (in a remote environment), and a still image obtained from the captured actual image of the purchase desired product is transmitted to the store side together with the customer information, and the order of the product is established.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-18752

  In the product sales system such as Patent Document 1, since an order is made based on a still image obtained from a real-time real image about the product, it is possible that the product may not be delivered due to out-of-stock or exhibitor unknown. The nature becomes low. However, it is not possible to ask the store for a flexible response such as checking the size of the product or the presence or absence of inventory.

  Furthermore, it is difficult to accurately grasp the color of a product using only the surveillance camera in the store. Even if the camera can be operated on the customer terminal side, it is difficult to photograph the product from a desired angle, and eventually it may not be possible to clearly grasp what shape it is. is there.

  Furthermore, it is not possible to inquire about the characteristics of the product, the competitive product, and the best-selling product as appropriate. If it is an actual store, the product may be narrowed down or reached to the product of your choice in the exchange with the store clerk, but in this system there is no information other than the image of the product, a lot of extensive information However, it is not structured to be provided interactively.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is that a store clerk working in an actual store communicates with a customer about the selection and purchase of products and services via a network (using a store terminal and a customer terminal) (business negotiation). Is to provide a connection management system having a mechanism in which a wide range of information about products and services is interactively provided to customers by customers in real time.

  Another object of the present invention is to manage a customer connection waiting order (corresponding order) when a plurality of customers wish to negotiate with one store / clerk, and to manage the corresponding store clerk and call the customer. It is to provide a connection management system that performs management effectively.

  Still further, an object of the present invention is to manage a one-to-one connection between a store-side terminal equipped with a camera and a microphone and a customer-side terminal equipped with a camera and a microphone. It is to provide a connection management system that realizes negotiations between customers or controls waiting for a customer to connect.

  In addition, the object of the present invention is to manage connection with a plurality of actual stores via a network so that the plurality of actual stores are associated with each other and configured as a virtual shopping mall to receive access from customers. Is to provide a system.

  A first embodiment of the present invention is a connection management system including a store terminal used in an actual store, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a management server connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal via a network. . Here, the management server receives a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal, and a connection for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal according to the connection request. Control means, and the connection control means connects the terminals in a one-to-one relationship when it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are connected, and the voice and image input at one terminal are the other. Controls transmission / reception of audio data and image data between both terminals so that they are output to the terminal, and if it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that sent the connection request is connected to the connection queue And is configured to be managed as a waiting state.

  In a second embodiment of the present invention, in the first embodiment, the connection control means is connected to other customer terminals and stores that are connected to the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as a waiting state. It is configured to transmit at least part of audio data and image data transmitted / received to / from the terminal.

  According to a third embodiment of the present invention, in the first embodiment, when the connection control means ends the connection between the customer terminal and the store terminal, the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as a waiting state is In some cases, one of the waiting terminals is selected as the next connection target based on a predetermined criterion, and the selected waiting terminal and the connected store terminal are connected one-to-one. Composed.

  According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the third embodiment, when the connection control unit interrupts the session with the management server, the connection control unit automatically or based on the registration information or from the store terminal In response to the request, the waiting terminal is called.

  According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the fourth embodiment, when the connection control means does not respond to the call for a predetermined period from the waiting terminal, the waiting terminal is moved to the end of the queue. Configured to register with.

  The sixth embodiment of the present invention is a management server connected to a store terminal used in an actual store and a customer terminal used by a customer via a network. Here, the management server receives a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal, and a connection for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal according to the connection request. Control means, and the connection control means connects the terminals in a one-to-one relationship when it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are connected, and the voice and image input at one terminal are the other. Controls transmission / reception of audio data and image data between both terminals so that they are output to the terminal, and if it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that sent the connection request is connected to the connection queue And is configured to be managed as a waiting state.

  According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the sixth embodiment, the connection control means is connected to a customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as a waiting state with respect to another customer terminal connected to the store. It is configured to transmit at least part of audio data and image data transmitted / received to / from the terminal.

  An eighth embodiment of the present invention is a customer terminal connected in a one-to-one relationship with a store terminal used in an actual store, and is connected to the store terminal in accordance with an operation by a user of the customer terminal. When connected to a store terminal and a connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request for performing transmission and reception of audio data and image data between the connected store terminal and waiting for connection with the store terminal A data transmission / reception control unit configured to receive at least a part of audio data and image data transmitted / received between another connected customer terminal and the store terminal when the state is reached; .

  The ninth embodiment of the present invention realizes a connection management system including a store terminal used in an actual store, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a management server connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal via a network. This is a connection management method. Here, in the management server, in the management server, a connection request receiving step for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal, and whether the customer terminal and the store terminal are connected according to the connection request. A connection control step for determining whether or not the connection control step determines that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, and connects the two terminals in a one-to-one relationship, When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected so that transmission and reception of audio data and image data between the two terminals are controlled so that the image is output to the other terminal, the customer terminal that has transmitted the connection request is It is configured to be registered in a connection queue and managed as a waiting state.

  In a tenth embodiment of the present invention, in the ninth embodiment, the connection control step is connected to a customer terminal (standby terminal) that is managed as a waiting state, and other customer terminals and stores that are connected It is configured to transmit at least part of audio data and image data transmitted / received to / from the terminal.

  The eleventh embodiment of the present invention is a connection management method executed by a management server connected to a store terminal used in an actual store and a customer terminal used by a customer via a network. Here, the management server receives a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal, and a connection request for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal according to the connection request. A control step, and when the connection control step determines that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, the two terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and the voice and image input at one terminal are the other. Controls transmission / reception of audio data and image data between both terminals so that they are output to the terminal, and if it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that sent the connection request is connected to the connection queue And is configured to be managed as a waiting state.

  In a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, in the eleventh embodiment, the connection control step is connected to other customer terminals and stores that are connected to the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as a waiting state. It is configured to transmit at least part of audio data and image data transmitted / received to / from the terminal.

  A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is a connection management method executed at a customer terminal connected in a one-to-one relationship with a store terminal used in an actual store. Here, in the customer terminal, when connected to the store terminal, a connection request transmitting step for transmitting a connection request for connecting to the store terminal in response to an operation by the user of the customer terminal, Audio data and image data are sent to and received from the connected store terminal, and when the connection with the store terminal is in a waiting state, it is sent and received between the other connected customer terminal and the store terminal. And a data transmission / reception control step for receiving at least part of the audio data and the image data.

  A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention realizes a connection management system including a store terminal used in an actual store, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a management server connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal via a network. It is a program to let you. Here, the program connects to the management server a connection request receiving means for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal, and connects the customer terminal and the store terminal in response to the connection request. Functioning as a connection control means for determining whether or not the connection control means determines that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, and the two terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and the voice input at one terminal The customer terminal that transmitted the connection request when it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected by controlling transmission / reception of audio data and image data between the two terminals so that the image is output to the other terminal. Is registered in the connection queue and managed as a waiting state.

  With the connection management system according to the present invention, a store clerk working in an actual store conducts a real-time dialogue (business negotiation) regarding selection and purchase of products and services with a customer via a network. A wide range of information is provided interactively to the customer by the store clerk.

  In addition, when a plurality of customers wish to negotiate with one store / store clerk by the connection management system according to the present invention, the customer connection waiting order (corresponding order) is managed, and the corresponding store clerk management and customer Call management is effectively performed.

  Still further, the connection management system according to the present invention manages a one-to-one connection between a store-side terminal equipped with a camera and a microphone and a customer-side terminal equipped with a camera and a microphone, Business negotiations between the store clerk and the customer are realized, or waiting for the customer to connect is controlled.

  Further, when the connection management system according to the present invention can conduct business negotiations with a plurality of actual stores via a network, the plurality of actual stores are associated with each other and configured as a virtual shopping mall, and access from customers is made. It is to provide a connection management system to accept.

  Furthermore, with the connection management system according to the present invention, the store clerk can flexibly deal with various information such as the type of size and the presence / absence of stock, for example, according to the customer's request. In addition, the store clerk explains the color and shape of the product, and the image of the product whose shooting position has been adjusted by the clerk is provided to the customer terminal via the camera and microphone of the store side terminal. The customer can accurately grasp the color and shape of the product.

  Still further, the connection management system according to the present invention allows the clerk and the customer to negotiate face-to-face even though they are via the network, so there is a possibility that a trust relationship may arise between the two. Can remove concerns about transaction reliability. In addition, each store and store clerk can gain customers' trust and earn customers.

  First, the outline of the connection management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The connection management system 1 according to the present invention includes a customer terminal 10, a store terminal 20, a management server 30, and a network 60 that interconnects them.

  The customer terminal 10 is connected to the store terminal 20 via the management server 30 in accordance with the operation of the customer who is the user, and conducts business negotiations with the store clerk working at the actual store through the network. The voice of the store clerk is output to the audio output device (speaker) of the customer terminal 10, and the video of the camera installed in the actual store is displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 connected to the store terminal 20.

  The customer terminal 10 is a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer or the like equipped with a display device and a camera. In the example of FIG. 1, the customer terminal 10-1 used by the user A and the customer terminal 10-3 used by the user C are mobile phones, and the customer terminal 10-2 used by the user B is a desktop personal computer. It is.

  The store terminal 20 is connected to the customer terminal 10 via the management server 30 according to the operation of the store clerk who is the user, and conducts business negotiations with the customer of the connected customer terminal 10 via the network. The customer's voice is output to the audio output device (speaker) of the store terminal 20, and the video of the camera of the customer terminal 10 is displayed on the display device of the store terminal 20.

  The store terminal 20 is a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer or the like provided with a display device and a camera. Here, the store terminal 20 is a computer in a store (actual store) where goods are actually placed or services are provided or received. In the example of FIG. 1, the personal computer is a stationary personal computer disposed in a real store, but it may be a mobile phone of a store clerk operated by a store clerk.

  There may be a plurality of store terminals 20 in one store. For each of them, a plurality of customer terminals 10 can make connection requests.

  The management server 30 controls the connection between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20. When a connection request to the store terminal 20 is received from the customer terminal 10, a response to the connection request is received from the store terminal 20, and when the store terminal 20 instructs the connection request, between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 Realize the connection. By the connection between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20, as described above, the audio data / image data acquired by one terminal is output to the speaker / display device of the other terminal.

  In this example, such data transmission / reception between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 is performed via the management server 30, but is directly transmitted / received between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 under the control of the management server 30. It can also be configured to be.

  In addition, when a plurality of customer terminals 10 make a connection request to one store terminal 20, the management server 30 notifies the customer terminal 10 that has made a subsequent connection request that the connection is waiting, When the connection (business negotiation) with the store terminal 20 of the customer terminal 10 that has made the connection request is completed, control is performed so that the next customer terminal 10 is connected to the store terminal 20.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the customer terminal 10-1 of the user A is the terminal that first made a connection request, and is currently connected to the store terminal 20, and a business negotiation is being performed between the customer and the store clerk. The customer terminal 10-2 of the user B and the customer terminal 10-3 of the user C are terminals that have made a connection request after the customer terminal 10-1, and are currently managed in a waiting state (standby state) and are queued. It is a registered waiting terminal. In this state, the management server transmits / receives the negotiation data (voice data / image data) 70 between the customer terminal 10-1 and the store terminal 20 that are in negotiation, and the voice and image of the clerk are sent to the customer. On the contrary, the voice and image of the customer (user A) are provided to the store clerk. In this way, since the voice and image of each other can be confirmed during the negotiation, flexible information exchange is possible through dialogue, and the user A can obtain as much information as desired regarding the product or service.

  Here, the management server 30 provides the negotiation-in-progress data 70 to the customer terminal 10-2 and the customer terminal 10-3 that are managed as waiting states. As described above, the negotiation data 70 is an exchange between the store clerk and the user A, and the user B and the user C can observe such an exchange of others. That is, for the user B and the user C at this time, the negotiation data 70 is so-called snoop data.

  The customer terminal 10-2 and the customer terminal 10-3 managed as a waiting state only receive the negotiation data 70, and the voices and images generated by the user B and the user C are provided to the user A and the store clerk. Will never be done. This relationship is exactly the same as the situation where other customers are seeing and listening to the exchange between the customer and the store clerk at the store. It becomes a reference for confirming various points.

  The network 60 is generally a broadband public communication network such as the Internet, but may be any network as long as the customer terminal 10, the store terminal 20, and the management server 30 can be connected over a wide area. Further, the customer terminal 10-1 and the customer terminal 10-3, which are mobile phones, are connected to the Internet via a predetermined gateway from a public mobile phone network or a public wireless network, for example.

  In the connection management system 1 shown in FIG. 1, three customer terminals 10 (customer terminal 10-1, customer terminal 10-2, customer terminal 10-3) make connection requests to one store terminal 20 at the same time. However, there may be a plurality of store terminals 20 for connection requests. In addition, a plurality of customer terminals 10 can make connection requests to the respective store terminals 20.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail the exchange of data between the customer terminal 10 (for example, the customer terminal 10-1 in FIG. 1) and the store terminal 20 in a business negotiation (connected) state. The customer's voice is transmitted from the microphone 10b of the customer terminal 10 to the speaker 20d of the store terminal 20. This voice is a voice collected by the microphone 10b of the customer terminal 10 by a customer operation, and may include various other voices in addition to the customer voice.

  A customer image is transmitted from the camera 10a of the customer terminal 10 to the display 20c of the store terminal 20. This image is an image captured by the camera 10a of the customer terminal 10 by the operation of the customer, and does not need to include the customer's face and body. You can also take clothes that customers have in their hands and shoes they are wearing now and send them to the store clerk. Note that the image is usually a substantially real-time moving image, but it may be a still image or a frame-feeding moving image with a greatly reduced number of frames.

  The sound collected by the microphone 10b of the customer terminal 10 and the image taken by the camera 10a of the customer terminal 10 are provided to the store terminal 20 via the management server 30, and in FIG. 71.

  A store clerk's voice is transmitted from the microphone 20b of the store terminal 20 to the speaker 10d of the customer terminal 10. This sound is a sound collected by the microphone 20b of the store terminal 20 by the operation of the store clerk, and may include various other sounds in addition to the store clerk's voice.

  The store image is transmitted from the camera 20a of the store terminal 20 to the display 10c of the customer terminal 10. This image is an image captured by the camera 20a of the store terminal 20 by the operation of the store clerk, and does not need to include the face or body of the store clerk. You can also take a picture of a product that the store clerk has in hand or a catalog and send it to the customer. Note that the image is usually a substantially real-time moving image, but it may be a still image or a frame-feeding moving image with a greatly reduced number of frames.

  The sound collected by the microphone 20b of the store terminal 20 and the image taken by the camera 20a of the store terminal 20 are provided to the customer terminal 10 via the management server 30, and in FIG. 72.

  In addition, the data input from the push button of the customer terminal 10 or the keyboard of the store terminal 20, or the operation of the application by these inputs is provided to the other party's terminal via the management server 30. Such information is represented as other information 73 in FIG. For example, text information (memo, URL, etc.) or graphic information input to a chat application or drawing application activated on the customer terminal 10 is transmitted to the store terminal 20, and the data is activated on the store terminal 20. Output and displayed in the same kind of application.

  In FIG. 2, each of the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 has a camera, a microphone, a display, and a speaker, but the two terminals to be connected do not have to have all of them. For example, if the customer terminal 10 does not have a camera, there is no customer information to be displayed on the display 20c of the store terminal 20, and if the business negotiation is sufficiently established by other information, a combination of terminals having such a configuration Thus, the connection management system 1 according to the present invention can be used.

  Next, functions of the connection management system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  The customer terminal 10 includes a voice input unit 11, a voice output unit 12, an image input unit 13, a display unit 14, an input unit 15, a connection request transmission unit 16, a data transmission / reception control unit 17, and a network control unit 18.

  The voice input unit 11 includes the microphone 10b of the customer terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2, collects the voice of the customer or the like by the microphone 10b, and converts it into digital data. In this example, the customer terminal 10 is a mobile phone. In such a case, the voice input unit 11 is also a part of a function used in a telephone call, and the microphone 10b is integrated into the mobile phone. Microphone. The audio output unit 12 includes the speaker 10d of the customer terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2, converts the audio data transmitted from the store terminal 20 into predetermined analog data, and outputs the analog data to the speaker 10d. In this example, the customer terminal 10 is a mobile phone, but in such a case, the audio output unit 12 is also a part of a function used in a telephone call.

  The image input unit 13 includes the camera 10a of the customer terminal 10, receives still image data or moving image data captured by the camera 10a, and converts it into image data of a predetermined format. In this example, the customer terminal 10 is a mobile phone, and the camera 10a is generally composed of a built-in camera module integrated into the mobile phone. The display unit 14 includes the display 10c of the customer terminal 10, and outputs the image data transmitted from the store terminal 20 to the display 10c. The display 10c is a display device such as an LCD.

  The input unit 15 is a device for inputting an instruction of a customer who is a user. In the case of a mobile phone, a push button or the like corresponds to this device.

  The connection request transmission unit 16 transmits a connection request for connection to a desired store terminal 20 to the management server 30 in accordance with the operation of the user (ie, customer) of the customer terminal 10. The data transmission / reception control unit 17 accesses the management server 30 as necessary, transmits the customer-side audio / image data 71 of FIG. 2 and receives the store-side audio / image data 72 of FIG. .

  More specifically, when the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 are connected in response to the connection request, the data transmission / reception control unit 17 receives the audio data and image data from the store terminal 20 and receives the customer's own customer. The audio data and image data of the terminal 10 are transmitted to the store terminal 20. In addition, the customer terminal 10 that is in a waiting state because the store terminal 20 is already connected to another customer terminal 10 or the like, transmits and receives between the store terminal 20 and the other customer terminal 10. The received audio data and image data are received. Such data transmission / reception is normally performed via the management server 30, but may be performed directly between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20.

  The network control unit 18 implements an interface to the network 60, accesses the network, and performs control for data transmission / reception.

  The store terminal 20 includes a voice input unit 21, a voice output unit 22, an image input unit 23, a display unit 24, an input unit 25, a connection instruction unit 26, a data transmission / reception control unit 27, and a network control unit 28. Since the functions other than the connection instruction unit 26 are basically the same functions as the customer terminal 10, the description thereof is omitted. The connection instructing unit 26 determines whether to respond to the connection request transmitted from the customer terminal 10 or which terminal when a plurality of connection requests are made and a plurality of customer terminals 10 that are waiting are displayed. The user of the store terminal 20 (that is, the store clerk) receives an input as to whether or not to select, and notifies the management server 30 of the input.

  In this example, since the store terminal 20 is a stationary personal computer, for example, the camera 20a is an external WEB camera or the like connected to the personal computer with a USB cable, and the microphone 20b is a personal computer. It is an external microphone that is connected to the microphone terminal with a cable. The display 20c is a display device such as a CRT or LCD, and the input unit 25 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

  The management server 30 includes a user management unit 31, a connection request reception unit 32, a terminal connection control unit 33, a payment management unit 34, a virtual shopping mall management unit 35, and a network control unit 36. The terminal connection control unit 33 further includes It includes a connection management unit 33a, a call management unit 33b, a clerk management unit 33c, a terminal control unit 33d for negotiation, and a terminal control unit 33e on standby. Further, the storage device 40 of the management server 30 stores user management information 41, clerk management information 42, and connection management information 43.

  The user management unit 31 manages information on users who use the connection management system 1 of the present invention, and performs control to allow login of only legitimate users. Here, the users are customers and stores. Moreover, the store clerk of each store can also be managed as a user, and in that case, the connection waiting order can be managed for each store clerk.

  In the example of the user management information 41 illustrated in FIG. 7A, items such as a user ID, a user type, a password, a name, and card information are stored for each customer / store. The user type stores data for identifying whether the record is a customer or a store, and the password stores a password for logging in to the connection management system 1. The card information stores credit card information for use by the payment management unit 34. This information is stored only when the user type is a customer.

  In the example of the clerk management information 42 illustrated in FIG. 7B, items such as a user ID, a user ID (store), a password, and a name are stored. The user ID is an ID assigned to each clerk, and the user ID (store) is a user ID of a store managed by the user management information 41. The correspondence between the user ID and the user ID (store) indicates which store clerk belongs to which store. In addition to this, it is also possible to record the connection history, sales amount, etc. of the negotiations related to the store clerk.

  The connection request receiving unit 32 receives a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal 10. This connection request is transmitted in accordance with an instruction from the user (customer) of the customer terminal 10 in order to establish a connection with the store terminal 20, and includes a desired store name and a store clerk name for conducting a business negotiation. In this example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, not only the store name but also the store clerk name is designated, but only the store name may be specified.

  The terminal connection control unit 33 controls connection between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20. When there is a connection request from the customer terminal 10, the connection management unit 33 a determines whether to connect the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20. This determination is made, for example, by whether or not another customer terminal 10 has made a connection request to the store terminal 20 (that is, whether or not the customer terminal 10 is in the queue), and whether or not the connection is made by the store terminal 20. This is based on criteria such as permission or selection.

  If it is determined that the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 are to be connected, the terminal control unit 33d during the negotiation is called, the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and input is performed at one terminal. The voice and the image are output to the other terminal so that a business negotiation (two-way communication) is possible between users of both terminals. When it is determined that the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 are not connected (for example, when the store terminal 20 that has requested connection is already connected to another customer terminal 10 or a store clerk using the store terminal 20 When the connection is rejected), the customer terminal 10 that has transmitted the connection request is registered in a queue, and this terminal is managed as a waiting state, and the connection waiting order with other waiting customer terminals 10 is managed. . Further, the waiting terminal control unit 33e is called, and the voice data and image data exchanged between the customer terminal 10 currently connected and the store terminal 20 are transmitted to the customer terminal 10 in the waiting state. So that

  For example, for the customer terminal 10 that requested the connection first, the connection with the store terminal 20 is permitted, and if there is a connection request from another customer terminal 10 during the period in which this connection is maintained, the customer The terminal 10 is set in a waiting state. Further, when there is no instruction for permitting a connection request from the store terminal 20, the connection management unit 33a puts the customer terminal 10 in a waiting state even if the connection is not made during that period.

  Further, the connection management unit 33a detects when the connected customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 finish the connection, and transmits the connection request to the customer terminal 10 in the queue (the store terminal 20). Later, one customer terminal 10 is selected from the customer terminals 10) managed as a waiting state, and the selected customer terminal 10 and store terminal 20 are controlled to be connected one-to-one. Here, as a criterion for selecting the customer terminal 10 from among a plurality, for example, the order in which the customer terminal 10 in a waiting state makes a connection request in ascending order (the order in which the connection request is transmitted by the customer terminal 10 or the management server 30). The order in which the connection request is received) and the order instructed by the store clerk using the store terminal 20 at the store terminal 20 can be set.

  The call management unit 33b can make a call for connection to the customer terminal 10 whose session has been interrupted (logged out from the connection management system 1) after entering the waiting state. This call can be made based on registration information such as calling automatically after a predetermined time when the session is interrupted, or in response to a request from a store clerk who uses the store terminal 20. In addition, for example, an application that resides in the customer terminal 10 may be called directly by checking a message from the management server 30 at a predetermined interval, or indirectly by sending a mail. Also good. If there is no response even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the customer terminal 10 was called, the customer terminal 10 is controlled to turn to the end of the queue (the end of the waiting order).

  The clerk management unit 33c manages the store terminal 20 for each clerk in the store, and manages connection control and a queue for each clerk. Although it is ideal to use a different store terminal 20 for each store clerk, a single store terminal 20 can be shared by a plurality of store clerk. In this case, when using the store terminal 20, the user ID assigned to each store clerk is logged in. Thereby, the connection management system 1 can grasp which store clerk is using the store terminal 20. If the store clerk subject to the connection request from the customer terminal 10 does not use the store terminal 20 at the time of the connection request, the customer terminal 10 (or connection request) that requested the connection is added to the queue as it is. Is done.

  The terminal control unit 33d during negotiations performs two-way communication (real-time) of data (customer side audio / image data 71, store side voice / image data 72, etc.) between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 that are in a connected state for the negotiation. Data transmission / reception), and the content displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 and the content displayed on the display device of the store terminal 20 are edited and controlled.

  The waiting terminal control unit 33e controls the customer terminal 10 in a waiting state to transmit data (data transmitted / received between the customer terminal 10 in negotiation (connected) and the store terminal 20) in real time. At the same time, the contents displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 are edited and controlled. Here, the audio data and image data input at the customer terminal 10 in the waiting state are basically not provided to the outside. Further, when the provision of voice / image data is rejected from the customer terminal 10 or the store terminal 20 in the negotiation, the waiting terminal control unit 33e sends data to the waiting customer terminal 10 accordingly. Cancel.

  The settlement management unit 34 registers in advance as user information of the customer on the store side when a business negotiation is established between the customer of the customer terminal 10 and the store clerk of the store terminal 20 and the product / service is paid. Make a payment using the card information.

  The virtual shopping mall management unit 35 relates to a connection management system 1 'according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which will be described later. The virtual shopping mall management unit 35 manages the location, business hours, category, and the like for each store, and configures a group of stores obtained as a search result under the search conditions specified by the customer as a virtual shopping mall, To be provided as a plurality of store groups.

  The network control unit 36 implements an interface to the network 60, accesses the network, and performs control for data transmission / reception.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, a screen (connection request screen 100) displayed on the display device when the customer terminal 10 makes a connection request, and then displayed when it is managed as a waiting state. A screen (connection standby information display screen 120) displayed on the apparatus will be described. In this example, as in the case of FIG. 1, the customer terminal 10 is a mobile phone.

  The connection request screen 100 in FIG. 4A includes a login designation area 101 and a connection designation area 105. The login designation area 101 is provided with an area for inputting a user ID and password designated by the customer for login, a user ID input area 102, and a password input area 103.

  The connection designation area 105 includes a store name designation area 106 for designating a store name of a shop where a user (customer) of the customer terminal 10 desires a business negotiation, a clerk name designation area 107 for designating a clerk name of a clerk who wants to respond, And a connect button 108 is included. The store name designation area 106 is provided as, for example, a pull-down menu, and a list of store names registered in the user management information 41 is displayed by pull-down, and the customer designates a desired store from among these by using a push button or the like. To do. The clerk name designation area 107 can also be provided as a pull-down menu. When a store is designated in the store name designation area 106, the store clerk belonging to the store is obtained from the store clerk management information 42, and the store clerk name of the store clerk is displayed in a list. The customer selects a desired store clerk from among them using a push button or the like.

  In this example, the store clerk is selected by the name of the store clerk. However, the store clerk is not specified, and only the store name can be specified. When the customer finishes specifying the store name and the store clerk, the customer presses the connection button 108 and transmits a connection request to the management server 30.

  The connection standby information display screen 120 in FIG. 4B includes a connection information display area 121 and a standby information display area 126. At the top of these areas, the user ID of the logged-in customer and the designated store name and store clerk name are displayed.

  The connection information display area 121 is provided with a guidance information display area 122, a waiting number display area 123, a detail display button 124, and a negotiation display button 125. In this example, the customer connection request is registered as a waiting state by the connection management unit 33 a of the terminal connection control unit 33, and displays “Waiting for connection now” in the guidance information display area 122. In addition, the waiting number display area 123 indicates how many customers are currently waiting (in this example, “two people”).

  Here, when displaying the details of the waiting state, the customer presses the detail display button 124 with a push button or the like. On the other hand, when viewing the audio / video between another customer who is currently engaged in business negotiations and the store clerk, the business negotiation display button 125 is pressed with a push button or the like.

  When the detail display button 124 is pressed, the waiting state of each customer is displayed in the standby information display area 126. In the example of FIG. 4B, the items of user ID, connection request date and time, and waiting time (minutes) are displayed for each customer in order from the earliest connection request date and time. For example, a customer with user ID = “U0044” makes a connection request at 18:00 on February 10 and starts a business negotiation at 18:30, and 240 minutes have passed since the business negotiation with the store started. is doing. The customer with the user ID = “U0021” makes a connection request at 18:10 on February 10, and 260 minutes have passed since the customer entered the waiting state. However, this user has logged off from the connection management system 1 and is in a session suspended state. For example, when the customer negotiation with the user ID = “U0044” is terminated, the call management unit 33b calls the user whose session is suspended = “U0021” and controls to connect to the store terminal 20. In addition, when the user does not respond to the call within a predetermined time, the call management unit 33b controls the user to turn to the end of the queue.

  In addition, the call management unit 33b refers to information registered in advance and does not call a user who has interrupted the session, and unconditionally turns to the end of the queue or deletes it from the queue. You can also. The customer can also interrupt the session in a mode in which no call is made when the negotiation is completed.

  The customer with the user ID = “U0208” makes a connection request at 18:20 on February 10, and 250 minutes have passed since the customer entered the waiting state. This user has not interrupted the session. From this standby information, it is found that the customer with the user ID = “U0010” who has connected this time has two customers in a waiting state before that, and the first user (user ID = “U0044”). However, it can also be seen that this is a long business talk.

  The connection management information 43 in FIG. 7C stores the past connection history and the current connection / waiting status for the store terminal 20 and the customer terminal 10, for example, a user ID (store clerk), store terminal ID, user ID ( Customer), customer terminal ID, connection request date and time, connection start time, connection end time, status, and the like are stored. Here, the store terminal ID and the customer terminal ID are symbols that can identify these terminals. For example, a unique symbol managed by the connection management system 1, a MAC address, an IP address, or the like is used.

  The status includes “finished”, “business negotiations”, “suspended”, “waiting”, and the like. In the example of FIG. 7C, the connection history or connection request between the store terminal 20 of the store clerk with the user ID = “C0010” and 6 customers (six customer terminals 10) is recorded. It can be seen that three customers including the customer whose ID = “U0044” is in a business talk and including the customer whose session is interrupted are waiting for connection with the store clerk.

  In the example of FIG. 7C, it is assumed that one store clerk uses one fixed store terminal 20 and one customer uses one fixed customer terminal 10. Thus, if there is a configuration in which the user ID of the store clerk and the ID of the store terminal 20 and the user ID of the customer and the ID of the customer terminal 10 are recorded, there is one store terminal 20 in the store, Even when a plurality of shop assistants use or a plurality of shop terminals 20 are fluidly used by a plurality of shop assistants, it is possible to grasp the connection status with customers. The customer side can also use one or a plurality of customer terminals 10 in a plurality.

  Although the contents of the user management information 41, the clerk management information 42, and the connection management information 43 are illustrated with reference to FIG. 7, this is only an example, and data storage is performed in various configurations and formats depending on the system design. These data may be managed under any access method. For example, it can be stored as a database (table), or can be stored as data of a simple text file or a predetermined spreadsheet application.

  Returning to the connection standby information display screen 120 of FIG. 4B again, when the negotiation display button 125 is pressed here, it is possible to view the exchanges between the other customers in the negotiation and the store clerk. The display screen displayed at this time is the same screen as the real-time negotiation screen 140 in FIG. This screen is a screen displayed on the customer terminal 10 of another customer in the negotiation, but in the screen displayed when the negotiation display button 125 is pressed, the voice / image relating to the customer in the waiting state is displayed. Is not reflected, you can only see the interaction between the store and the other customers in the negotiation.

  Further, for example, in the connection request screen 100 of FIG. 4A, a field for specifying whether or not to disclose the negotiation contents is provided, and if the customer designates non-disclosure in this field, the negotiation can be performed even if the negotiation display button 125 is pressed. The content is controlled so that it cannot be viewed by other customers. Further, in the connection management screen 200 of FIG. 5 operated by the store clerk of the store, a column for specifying whether or not to display the negotiation details is provided. Can be controlled not to be disclosed to the public. In addition, if the customer specifies private, and the store clerk specifies open, only the customer's negotiation details are disclosed to a third party, and vice versa. can do.

  The connection management screen 200 in FIG. 5 is a screen displayed on the store terminal 20 for which a connection request has been made from the customer terminal 10 by a customer operation. Decide whether to accept.

  The connection management screen 200 includes a standby status display area 201 and a guidance information display area 202, and the user ID (“C0010”), the store name, and the store clerk name of the logged-in store clerk are displayed above these areas. In the standby status display area 201, items of user ID, connection request date and time, and waiting time (minutes) are displayed for the customer who has requested connection to the store clerk. In this example, only the customers that are not yet connected are listed in order of old connection request date and time.

  When the connection (business negotiation) with the customer is completed, the store clerk operates the store terminal 20 to select one from the customer terminals 10 that are transmitting connection requests, and permits the connection with the store terminal 20. . In this example, the store clerk can permit connection with the customer terminal 10 in an order different from the order in which the connection requests are made. For example, in the standby status display area 201 of FIG. 5, the store clerk selects the customer terminal 10 that is permitted to connect by checking the corresponding check box. After that, by pressing the connection button 203, the customer terminal 10 of the selected customer and the store terminal 20 of the store clerk are connected via the management server 30, and a business negotiation can be performed.

  In the guidance information display area 202, guidance information such as “Check the connected user and then press the connection button” is displayed. When the connection management system 1 controls to automatically connect to the customer terminal 10 of the customer in the next queue when the connection (negotiation) with the customer ends, the operation of the store clerk as described above is unnecessary. When the store clerk presses the connection button 203, the connection management system 1 automatically selects the customer terminal 10 to be connected next (for example, in the order in which the management server 30 receives the connection request), and establishes the connection. You may make it perform.

  The real-time negotiation screen 140 in FIG. 6 is a customer terminal when the customer presses the connection button 108 on the connection request screen 100 in FIG. 4A and there is no customer in negotiation for the target store and the store clerk. The customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 are connected at this time, and a business talk between the customer and the store clerk is started.

  The real-time negotiation screen 140 includes a store image display area 142, a customer image display area 144, and a store camera arrangement display area 146. Above these areas, the user ID of the logged-in customer (“U0010”), connection The name of the store that made the request and the name of the store clerk are displayed. In the lower part of the area, a settlement button 148 and a connection end button 150 are arranged.

  In the store image display area 142, an in-store image captured by the camera is displayed. In the example of FIG. 6, four images A to D are provided by four cameras. The position of each camera will be described later in connection with the description of the store camera arrangement display area 146. For example, in the image A, the upper half of the store clerk is displayed, and the customer holds the facial expression of the store clerk and the store clerk in hand. You can see products.

  The customer image display area 144 is an image in which the customer (that is, the viewing side) is reflected by the camera of the customer terminal 10, and is a kind of feedback image. With this image, it is possible to grasp what image is transmitted from the customer side to the store clerk.

  The store camera arrangement display area 146 indicates where in the store each camera that provided an image to the store image display area 142 is arranged. With this image, the customer can grasp the positional relationship of the cameras. Although omitted in FIG. 6, the customer can remotely control to change the position of the camera in the store, the shooting direction, the zoom, and the like. In such a case, the display is displayed in the store camera arrangement display area 146. The image is helpful. Thereby, it is possible to easily grasp which camera should be directed in which direction in order to show a specific place in the store.

  In the example of FIG. 6, as shown in the store camera arrangement display area 146, the camera that captures the image A is a camera that is installed on the display device (monitor) portion of the store terminal 20 and mainly displays the store clerk and its surroundings. In addition, the images B to D are each captured by a corresponding camera, that is, a camera that displays a product that is arranged toward the wall surface of the store.

  When the customer specifies a product in a business negotiation with the store clerk and decides to purchase, the customer presses the settlement button 148 and proceeds to the settlement process. Here, for example, when the settlement button 148 is pressed, the customer terminal 10 is instructed to perform settlement using the card information stored in the user management information 41 in advance, and is transmitted to the store terminal 20.

  Further, the customer presses the connection end button 150 when ending the business negotiation with the store clerk. The management server 30 terminates the connection between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 by detecting this. Such a connection termination instruction can be transmitted from the store terminal 20 to the management server 30, for example.

  The real-time negotiation screen 140 in FIG. 6 is a screen displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 connected to the store terminal 20, and the store used by one party of the connection (that is, the store clerk). Information similar to this screen is also displayed on the display device of the terminal 20.

  Next, a connection control method between the customer terminal 10 and the store terminal 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9. 8 and 9, the management terminal 30, the store terminal 20, the customer terminal 10 (1) that makes a connection request to the store terminal 20 for the first time, and the customer terminal that makes a connection request while the customer terminal 10 (1) is connected. For 10 (2), the processing flow is shown in time series.

  First, when the customer terminal 10 (1) makes a connection request by pressing the connection button 108 on the connection request screen 100 in FIG. 4A (step S10), this request is transmitted to the management server 30, where the user ID And whether the password is correct is checked (step S12). Whether the user ID and password are correct is determined with reference to the user management information 41. If these are not correct (NO in step S12), an error is displayed on the customer terminal 10 (1) (step S14).

  If it is determined that the user ID and password are correct (YES in step S12), the management server 30 refers to the connection management information 43 to determine whether or not the target store terminal 20 or the store clerk is currently connected (in negotiation). (Step S16), and if connected (YES in step S16), the customer terminal 10 (1) is set in a waiting state and registered in the connection management information 43 in step S18. Thereafter, when this is notified to the customer terminal 10 (1), the fact that the current connection request is registered as a waiting state is displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 (1) (step S20). This is, for example, shown in the standby information display area 126 of the connection standby information display screen 120 shown in FIG. 4B.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the connection is not being made (NO in step S16), the store terminal 20 is notified that there is a connection request from the customer terminal 10 (1) (step S22). This is shown, for example, in the standby status display area 201 of the connection management screen 200 shown in FIG. Here, the store terminal 20 determines whether or not to respond to this connection request in accordance with the operation of the store clerk (step S24), and if not (NO in step S24), the store terminal 20 proceeds to the above-described step S18, and this connection The requesting customer terminal 10 (1) is determined to be waiting and registered. The operation of the store clerk here is, for example, an operation of checking a target connection request and pressing the connection button 203 on the connection management screen 200 shown in FIG. When responding to the connection request (YES in step S24), the management server 30 is notified accordingly.

  When the management server 30 receives a notification from the store terminal 20 that it can respond, the management server 30 determines that the customer terminal 10 (1) that has made the connection request can be connected, and the customer terminal 10 (1) and the store terminal 20 Connection control for real-time negotiations between the two is started (step S26). Through this process, the customer terminal 10 (1) transmits voice / image data such as a clerk from the store terminal 20 by accessing the management server 30 (step S28), and the store terminal 20 accesses the management server 30. Thus, voice / image data of the customer or the like is transmitted from the customer terminal 10 (1) (step S30), and real-time business negotiation is realized between the store clerk and the customer. Further, as described above, transmission / reception of audio / image data between each other can be performed directly without the intervention of the management server 30.

  In this situation, that is, when there is a connection request from another customer terminal 10 (2) to the store terminal 20 while the customer terminal 10 (1) and the store terminal 20 are connected (step S32), the management server 30 With reference to the connection management information 43, it is understood that the store terminal 20 is being connected, and as a result, the customer terminal 10 (2) is registered in the connection management information 43 in a waiting state in step S34. Thereafter, when this is notified to the customer terminal 10 (2), the fact that the current connection request is registered as a waiting state is displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 (2) (step S36).

  The connection between the customer terminal 10 (1) and the store terminal 20 ends when one of them ends the connection. When the management server 30 receives a connection termination signal from either of them, the management server 30 controls to terminate the connection between the customer terminal 10 (1) and the store terminal 20 (step S38). For example, the customer of the customer terminal 10 (1) instructs the management server 30 to end the connection by pressing the connection end button 150 on the real-time negotiation screen 140 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the management server 30 refers to the connection management information 43 in order to confirm whether there is a customer terminal 10 waiting for the next connection (step S40), and when such a customer terminal 10 does not exist (NO in step S42), the process is terminated, and if it exists (YES in step S42), the process proceeds to step S44, where the store terminal 20 is notified of a connection request from the customer terminal 10 (2) (step S44). The customer terminal 10 (user) in such a waiting state is already shown in the standby status display area 201 on the connection management screen 200 shown in FIG.

  Here, the store terminal 20 determines whether or not to respond to this connection request in accordance with the operation of the store clerk (step S46), and if not (NO in step S46), executes step S48 to execute this connection. Keep the request waiting. Since the customer terminal 10 (2) displays the waiting state in step S36, this state is maintained as it is. When the store clerk responds to this connection request (YES in step S46), the store clerk notifies the management server 30 to that effect.

  When the management server 30 receives a notification from the store terminal 20 that it can respond, the management server 30 determines that the customer terminal 10 (2) that has requested this connection is connectable, and the customer terminal 10 (2) and the store terminal 20 The connection control of the real-time negotiation between the two is started (step S52). Through this process, the customer terminal 10 (2) transmits voice / image data such as a store clerk from the store terminal 20 by accessing the management server 30 (step S54), and the store terminal 20 accesses the management server 30. Thus, voice / image data of the customer etc. is transmitted from the customer terminal 10 (2) (step S56), and real-time negotiations are realized between the store clerk and the customer.

  The connection between the customer terminal 10 (2) and the store terminal 20 ends when one of them ends the connection. When the management server 30 receives a connection termination signal from either of them, the management server 30 controls to terminate the connection between the customer terminal 10 (2) and the store terminal 20 (step S58).

  Next, the configuration of the connection management system 1 'according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, a case is considered in which store terminals 20 are arranged in a plurality of stores, and for each store terminal 20, a plurality of customer terminals 10 make connection requests. For example, the store terminal 20A is arranged in the store A, and three customer terminals 10A (customer terminal 10A-1, customer terminal 10A-2, customer terminal 10A-3) make connection requests to the store terminal 20A. One of them (customer terminal 10A-1) is connected to the store terminal 20A (in a business negotiation). Further, the store B also has a store terminal 20B, and a plurality of customer terminals 10B make connection requests. The situation is similar for store C. This situation is the same for the connection management system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In such a situation, the connection management system 1 ′ accepts registration information such as an address and a product category from the store terminal 20 of each store in the management server 30 ′ and stores it in the user management information 41. Here, the virtual shopping mall management part 35 (refer FIG. 3) of management server 30 'will search the store information memorize | stored in the user management information 41, if the search request of a store is received from the customer terminal 10, The search result is provided to the customer terminal 10 as one “virtual shopping mall”. This virtual shopping mall is provided graphically, for example, on a WEB page, and the customer views this with a WEB browser or the like that operates on the customer terminal 10.

  The customer is guided to, for example, the connection request screen 100 in FIG. 4A by selecting a desired store from the virtual shopping mall displayed on the WEB browser.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of a store registration screen 220 displayed on the display device of the store terminal 20 in the connection management system 1 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When information is input from the store terminal 20 via this screen, this information is stored in the user management information 41 of the management server 30 ′, and becomes a search target by the customer terminal 10.

  The store registration screen 220 includes a login information display area 221 and a store information display area 222, and a registration button 223 and a store clerk registration button 224 are arranged below these areas. In the login information display area 221, a user ID and a password are input, and user authentication is performed. In the store information display area 222, information related to stores such as store name, address, business hours, category, and affiliated mall is input. Here, the category is a genre of products or services handled by the store, for example, a corresponding category is selected from a predetermined classification by a pull-down menu. The affiliated mall is a virtual mall or an actual shopping street to which the store belongs, and this is also selected from the pull-down menu. In the case of an unprecedented mall or shopping street, a new entry can be made.

  When the registration button 223 is pressed, items input to the store information display area 222 are stored in the user management information 41. However, only records related to the store are stored at this time. When the store clerk registration button 224 is pressed, a screen (not shown) for individually registering the store clerk is displayed, where information such as the name of the store clerk is input.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of a store search screen 160 displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10 in the connection management system 1 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The customer can display a desired store group by designating a search condition and instructing a search on this screen displayed on the display device of the customer terminal 10.

  The store search screen 160 includes an area condition specifying area 161 and another condition specifying area 162, and a search button 163 is arranged below these areas. In the area condition designation area 161, search conditions regarding the location of the store, for example, conditions such as prefectures, municipalities, and detailed addresses are designated. Further, as shown on the right side of the area condition designation area 161, the location area can be narrowed down from the map of Japan. Moreover, the example of such a search is only an example, and various other search items can be set.

  In the other condition designation area 162, other search conditions such as business hours, categories, belonging malls, and the like are designated. After all the search conditions are designated, the customer presses the search button 163 to display the search result on the display device of the same customer terminal 10. The search result display screen is displayed, for example, in a form in which stores satisfying the search condition are displayed as a list (list display) or in a form used in virtual reality in which buildings of a plurality of stores are arranged. When the customer selects a desired store from these (for example, by operating a push button), a connection request is made to the store, and then a business talk with the store is started.

  In the connection management system 1 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with such a mechanism, a real-time business negotiation (a store clerk in a store where a customer actually exists) from a virtual shopping mall is very close to the real world. Real-time business negotiations). The virtual shopping mall can be configured according to the customer's conditions. For example, if a shop for children's clothing that is open after 21:00 is searched and registered as a virtual shopping mall, the store where the children's clothing is purchased when the customer returns late, this shopping mall store You can choose from.

  In addition, if each store registers the shopping street that actually belongs as the belonging mall, the shopping street can be reproduced on the customer terminal 10 of the customer (in this case, the stores in the virtual shopping mall are It can be configured in the same way as a store in an actual shopping street).

  The store search result display screen 180 in FIG. 12 is an example of a screen that displays a result of executing the search specified by the store search screen 160 described above. The store search result display screen 180 includes a search condition display area 181 and a search result display area 182. In the search condition display area 181, search conditions such as prefectures, business hours, and categories designated by the customer on the store search screen 160 are displayed.

  In the search result display area 182, stores that satisfy the search condition are displayed in an arcade image of the shopping street. For example, the store W, the store X, the store Y, and the store Z obtained as a search result are arranged so as to link the eaves to the shopping street. The customer confirms each store by looking at the image of the shopping street displayed in the search result display area 182, and connects to the store by selecting a desired store with the arrow cursor 183 displayed on the screen. Make a request.

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration of a computer used as the management server 30 of the connection management system 1 and the management server 30 'of the connection management system 1' according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, the computer 300 in FIG. 13 merely illustrates a typical configuration of a computer that functions as a management server. Moreover, each computer of the customer terminal 10 and the shop terminal 20 can also be comprised by the same component.

  The computer 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a memory 302, an audio output device 303, an audio input device 312, a network interface 304, a display controller 305, a display 306, a camera 313, an input device interface 307, a keyboard 308, a mouse 309, An external storage device 310, an external recording medium drive device 311 and a bus 314 for connecting these components to each other are included.

  The CPU 301 controls the operation of each component of the computer 300 and, under the control of the OS, functions of the connection management system 1 and the connection management system 1 ′ according to the present invention (for example, the terminal connection control unit 33, the terminal under negotiation) The function of the control unit 33d and the standby terminal control unit 33e) is executed.

  The memory 302 is generally composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a nonvolatile memory and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a volatile memory. The ROM stores a program executed when the computer 300 is started up. The RAM temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and data used during the execution of these programs.

  The audio output device 303 is, for example, a device such as a speaker, and receives audio data from a video player or the like and outputs audio. The audio output device 303 corresponds to the speaker 10d shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the speaker 20d shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the store terminal 20.

  The voice input device 312 is a device such as a microphone, for example, and inputs voice. In many cases, the external device is connected to the computer 300 via a USB cable or the like. The voice input device 312 corresponds to the microphone 10b shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the microphone 20b shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the store terminal 20.

  The network interface 304 is an interface for connecting to the network 320. The network 320 corresponds to, for example, the network 60 shown in FIGS.

  The display controller 305 is a dedicated controller for actually processing a drawing command issued by the CPU 301. The drawing data processed by the display controller 305 is once written in the graphic memory and then output to the display 306. The display 306 is a display device configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The display 306 corresponds to the display 10c shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the display 20c shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the store terminal 20.

  The camera 313 is, for example, a small imaging device, and there is a type in which the imaging element is a CCD or a CMOS. The camera 403 captures a still image or a moving image. When the camera 313 is a WEB camera, it is often an external device. In this case, the camera 313 is connected to the computer 300 by a USB cable or the like. The camera 313 corresponds to the camera 10a shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the camera 20a shown in FIG. 2 when the computer 300 is the store terminal 20.

  The input device interface 307 receives a signal input from the keyboard 308 or the mouse 309 and transmits a predetermined command to the CPU 301 according to the signal pattern. The keyboard 308 and the mouse 309 are used, for example, for each user of a customer using the customer terminal 10 or a store clerk using the store terminal 20 to input or instruct the computer.

  The external storage device 310 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), in which the above-described programs and data are recorded, and loaded from there to the RAM of the memory 302 as necessary at the time of execution. Is done. The storage device 40 shown in FIG. 3 includes such a device.

  The external recording medium driving device 311 accesses the recording surface of a portable external recording medium 330 such as a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and is recorded there. It is a device that reads data. The external recording medium 330 can also record a program for realizing the connection management system 1 and the connection management system 1 ′ according to the present invention. Data recorded in the external recording medium 330 is stored in the external storage device 310 via the external recording medium driving device 311. If it is a program, it is loaded into the RAM of the memory 302 at the time of execution.

  Further, as another distribution form of the program for realizing the connection management system 1 and the connection management system 1 ′, it is stored in the external storage device 310 from a predetermined server on the network via the network 320 and the network interface 304. The route is considered. The program stored in this manner is loaded into the RAM of the memory 302 at the time of execution and executed in the same manner as described above.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 14, an example of a hardware configuration of a portable device that can be used in the connection management system 1 and the connection management system 1 'of the present invention will be described. This mobile device is, for example, a mobile phone, and can be used as the customer terminal 10 or the store terminal 20. However, the mobile device 400 illustrated in FIG. 14 merely exemplifies a typical configuration of a mobile phone.

  The portable device 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a memory 402, a camera 403, a GPS control unit 404, a GPS antenna 405, a wireless signal processing unit 406, a wireless communication antenna 407, an audio control unit 408, a microphone 409, a speaker. 410, a display control unit 411, a display 412, an input device interface 413, a push button 414, an external recording medium interface 415, and a bus 416 for connecting these components to each other.

  The CPU 401 controls the operation of each component of the mobile device 400 and executes each function under the control of the OS. For example, when functioning as the customer terminal 10, execution of functions such as the connection request transmission unit 16 and the data transmission / reception control unit 17 is controlled. Moreover, when functioning as the shop terminal 20, execution of functions, such as the connection instruction | indication part 26 and the data transmission / reception control part 27, is controlled.

  The memory 402 is normally composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a nonvolatile memory or a semiconductor memory called a flash memory. The ROM stores a program executed when the portable device 400 is activated. The flash memory stores programs, data, and the like that are executed by the CPU 401 to realize each function.

  The camera 403 is a small imaging device built in the portable device 400, and there is a type in which the imaging element is a CCD or a CMOS. The camera 403 captures a still image or a moving image. The photographed data is stored in a flash memory or the like, and then sent to the management server 30 via the network 60 as necessary. The camera 403 corresponds to the camera 10a shown in FIG. 2 when the portable device 400 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the camera 20a shown in FIG. 2 when the portable device 400 is the store terminal 20.

  The GPS control unit 404 receives signals from a plurality of GPSs via the GPS antenna 405 and checks the position of the mobile device 400. The position information thus obtained is stored in a flash memory or the like and used in a program as necessary. The wireless signal processing unit 406 communicates with the base station via the wireless communication antenna 407, transmits / receives call data to / from other devices, and performs web communication with other terminals (via the Internet). Control the sending and receiving of page and email data. The portable device 400 is connected to the network 60 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 via the wireless signal processing unit 406 and the wireless communication antenna 407.

  The audio control unit 408 controls the microphone 409 and the speaker 410 to realize a call by wireless communication, and controls to receive sound data from a music player or a video player and output sound. The microphone 409 corresponds to the microphone 10b shown in FIG. 2 when the portable device 400 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the microphone 20b shown in FIG. 2 when the portable device 400 is the store terminal 20. The speaker 410 corresponds to the speaker 10d shown in FIG. 2 when the portable device 400 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the speaker 20d shown in FIG. 2 when the portable device 400 is the store terminal 20.

  The display control unit 411 processes drawing data issued by the CPU 401 and outputs the processed drawing data to the display 412. The display 412 is a display device configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display 412 corresponds to the display 10c shown in FIG. 2 when the mobile device 400 is the customer terminal 10, and corresponds to the display 20c shown in FIG. 2 when the mobile device 400 is the store terminal 20.

  The input device interface 413 receives a signal that the push button 414 of the portable device has been pressed, and transmits a predetermined command to the CPU 301 in accordance with the signal. The push button 414 of the portable device includes various function buttons such as a movement button in addition to a numeric button capable of inputting text such as numerals and characters.

  The external recording medium interface 415 is a device that accesses the external recording medium 420 and reads data recorded therein. The external recording medium 420 is, for example, a portable flash memory.

  Since the management server 30 and the management server 30 'of the present invention are servers that control the operations of the connection management system 1 and the connection management system 1', respectively, the above-described audio output device 303 is basically unnecessary. In some cases, the display controller 305, the display 306, the input device interface 307, the keyboard 308, the mouse 309, and the like are not essential components.

  So far, the connection management system of the present invention has been described in terms of two embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the functions of the present invention can be implemented in many other different embodiments, for example, different computer configurations, screen configurations, data configurations.

1 is a system schematic diagram of a connection management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary of the data transmission / reception between the customer terminal and shop terminal in the connection management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the connection management system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. In the connection management system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is an approximate line figure showing an example of a screen displayed on a display of a customer terminal. In the connection management system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is an approximate line figure showing an example of a screen displayed on a display device of a store terminal. In the connection management system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is an approximate line figure showing an example of a screen displayed on a display of a customer terminal. It is an approximate line figure showing an example of data used in a connection management system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the connection control in the connection management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the connection control in the connection management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a system schematic diagram of the connection management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the connection management system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention, it is an approximate line figure showing an example of a screen displayed on a display of a customer terminal or a store terminal. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of the screen displayed on the display apparatus of a customer terminal in the connection management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the computer which comprises the management server etc. of the connection management system of this invention. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the computer which comprises the customer terminal, shop terminal, etc. of the connection management system of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1 '... Connection management system, 10 ... Customer terminal, 20 ... Store terminal, 30, 30' ... Management server, 40 ... Storage device, 60 ... Network, 300 ..Computer, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... Memory, 303 ... Audio output device, 304 ... Network interface, 305 ... Display controller, 306 ... Display, 307 ... Input device Interface, 308... Keyboard, 309... Mouse, 310... External storage device, 311... External recording medium drive device, 312. Bus 320 ... Network 330 ... External recording medium

Claims (14)

A connection management system including a store terminal used in an actual store, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a management server connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal via a network,
The management server
A connection request receiving means for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal;
Connection control means for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal in response to the connection request,
The connection control means includes
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, both terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and both voice and image input at one terminal are output to the other terminal. Control transmission and reception of audio data and image data between terminals,
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that has transmitted the connection request is registered in a connection queue and managed as a waiting state. The connection management system according to claim 1,
The connection control means includes
At least a part of the audio data and the image data transmitted / received between another customer terminal connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as the waiting state Connection management system, characterized in that control is performed to transmit a message. The connection management system according to claim 1,
The connection control means includes
When there is a customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as a waiting state when the connection between the customer terminal and the store terminal is terminated, one of the waiting terminals is routed based on a predetermined criterion. The connection management system, wherein the connection management system is selected so as to connect the selected waiting terminal and the shop terminal that has completed the connection one-to-one. In the connection management system according to claim 3,
The connection control means includes
When the standby terminal interrupts the session with the management server, control is performed to call the standby terminal automatically based on registration information or in response to a request from the store terminal. A featured connection management system. The connection management system according to claim 4,
The connection control means includes
In response to the call, if there is no response from the standby terminal for a predetermined period, the connection management system controls the standby terminal to be registered at the end of the queue. A management server connected to a store terminal used in an actual store and a customer terminal used by a customer via a network,
The management server
A connection request receiving means for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal;
Connection control means for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal in response to the connection request,
The connection control means includes
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, both terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and both voice and image input at one terminal are output to the other terminal. Control transmission and reception of audio data and image data between terminals,
When it determines with not connecting the said customer terminal and the said shop terminal, the customer terminal which transmitted the said connection request is registered into the connection queue, and is managed as a waiting state. In the management server according to claim 6,
The connection control means includes
At least a part of the audio data and the image data transmitted / received between another customer terminal connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as the waiting state Management server characterized by controlling to transmit. A customer terminal connected in a one-to-one relationship with a store terminal used in an actual store,
In response to an operation by the user of the customer terminal, a connection request transmitting means for transmitting a connection request for connecting to the store terminal,
When connected to the store terminal, audio data and image data are transmitted / received to / from the connected store terminal, and connected when the connection with the store terminal is in a waiting state. A customer terminal comprising: a data transmission / reception control means for receiving at least a part of the audio data and the image data transmitted / received between another customer terminal and the store terminal. A connection management method for realizing a connection management system including a store terminal used in an actual store, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a management server connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal via a network. And
In the management server,
A connection request receiving step for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal;
A connection control step for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal in response to the connection request;
The connection control step includes
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, both terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and both voice and image input at one terminal are output to the other terminal. Control transmission and reception of audio data and image data between terminals,
If it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that has transmitted the connection request is registered in a connection queue and managed as a waiting state. The connection management method according to claim 9, wherein
The connection control step includes
At least a part of the audio data and the image data transmitted / received between another customer terminal connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as the waiting state A connection management method characterized in that control is performed so as to transmit. A connection management method executed by a management server connected to a store terminal used in an actual store and a customer terminal used by a customer via a network,
In the management server,
A connection request receiving step for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal;
A connection control step for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal in response to the connection request;
The connection control step includes
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, both terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and both voice and image input at one terminal are output to the other terminal. Control transmission and reception of audio data and image data between terminals,
If it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that has transmitted the connection request is registered in a connection queue and managed as a waiting state. The connection management method according to claim 11,
The connection control step includes
At least a part of the audio data and the image data transmitted / received between another customer terminal connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal (standby terminal) managed as the waiting state A connection management method characterized in that control is performed so as to transmit. A connection management method executed at a customer terminal connected in a one-to-one relationship with a store terminal used in an actual store,
In the customer terminal,
A connection request transmitting step for transmitting a connection request for connecting to the store terminal in response to an operation by a user of the customer terminal;
When connected to the store terminal, audio data and image data are transmitted / received to / from the connected store terminal, and connected when the connection with the store terminal is in a waiting state. A connection management method comprising: a data transmission / reception control step of receiving at least a part of the audio data and the image data transmitted / received between another customer terminal and the store terminal. A program for realizing a connection management system including a store terminal used in an actual store, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a management server connected to the store terminal and the customer terminal via a network,
In the management server,
A connection request receiving means for receiving a connection request transmitted from the customer terminal to the store terminal; and
In response to the connection request, a program that functions as a connection control means for determining whether to connect the customer terminal and the store terminal,
The connection control means includes
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are to be connected, both terminals are connected in a one-to-one relationship, and both voice and image input at one terminal are output to the other terminal. Control transmission and reception of audio data and image data between terminals,
When it is determined that the customer terminal and the store terminal are not connected, the customer terminal that has transmitted the connection request is registered in a connection queue and managed as a waiting state.