JP2017059013A - Shopping support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shopping support system capable of solving shopping difficulty for a person having difficulty in shopping.SOLUTION: A shopping support system allows a user of the present invention to purchase a commodity from a store at a place distant from the store. The shopping support system comprises: an image receiver for accepting an input operation by the user; an imaging apparatus for photographing the user; a voice communication apparatus for allowing the user and the store to perform voice communication; and a server installed in the store and connected with at least one of the image receiver, the imaging apparatus, and the voice communication apparatus via an electric line. The image receiver transmits desired commodity information on a commodity desired by the user to the server on the basis of input operation by the user. The server makes a purchase contract with the user on the basis of the desired commodity information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a shopping support system that supports shopping for those who have difficulty shopping, which has become a problem in recent years.

  In advanced countries such as Japan, aging is rapidly progressing. In addition, there is an increase in depopulated areas due to population concentration in urban areas, and there is an imbalance in age and population areas such as the uneven distribution of local elderly people. In addition, the total population is decreasing.

  For this reason, there is a problem that the number of people who have difficulty shopping is increasing.

  For example, depopulation has reduced the number of places where shopping is possible, such as local stores and supermarkets. If the number of places where shopping is possible in a certain area is reduced, the residents who dislike the inconvenience of living will move, and the population in that area may further decrease. This further population decline will reduce the market power in this region, and the local stores and supermarkets will be closed and withdrawn, further reducing the number of places where shopping is possible.

  Thus, in various regions, a decrease in population and a decrease in shopping places occur as negative spirals. As a result, there is a problem that the number of people who are difficult to shop increases.

  Along with such a decrease in population, there will also be a decrease in public transportation. Many people use public transportation for shopping. Under such circumstances, if public transportation decreases, it will lead to a problem of increasing the number of people who have difficulty shopping, which makes it difficult to go shopping.

  On the other hand, in addition to the uneven distribution of population and population decline, advanced countries are also aging. In areas where public transportation is inadequate, people often live by car and shop by car. However, elderly people often have difficulty driving a car or are often forced to return their license. As described above, there is a problem that the number of people who have difficulty in shopping, which makes shopping more difficult, increases when the car cannot be used.

  In this way, due to the uneven distribution of population, population decrease, aging, etc., there is a tendency that the number of people who have difficulty in shopping increases in various regions due to a decrease in places where shopping is possible and a decrease in public transportation. This is not limited to rural and rural areas, but is also the same in central areas such as the prefectural office, and it is difficult to prevent the increase in the number of people who have difficulty shopping due to population decline or market size reduction. .

  Various systems and technologies have been proposed to cope with such an increase in the number of people who have difficulty shopping (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2014-74984 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-11627

  To deal with people who have difficulty shopping, the government and the private sector operate mobile sales cars and operate door-to-door sales. There are also services such as shopping for volunteers. When a seller approaches the residential area of a person with difficulty in shopping, or a substitute person acts as a substitute for shopping, a person with difficulty in shopping is dealt with.

  However, in mobile sales and door-to-door sales, there is a problem that what people who have difficulty shopping cannot always get. There is also a problem that shopping is not possible at the timing of shopping. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to maintain a budget for mobile sales and door-to-door sales.

  The shopping agency also has a problem that the cost burden of those who have difficulty in shopping increases when the agency expense is borne by the beneficiary. On the other hand, if the agency cost is a public burden, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure and maintain these budgets.

  In Patent Literature 1, the store PC 200 as an input device receives input of product information and transmits it to the server 100 (S2), and is stored in the server. The information terminal 300 accepts input of information specifying products to be purchased as a shopping list from a user who has made initial settings including setting of presentation conditions (S3), and transmits the information to the server (S4). The server extracts the corresponding product from the stored product information based on the shopping list (S5), and when a plurality of products are extracted for the same product, the server selects from the plurality of products based on the presentation condition. The product to be presented is specified (S6). A shopping support list for presenting product information is transmitted from the server to the information terminal and displayed on the information terminal (S8). The shopping support system is disclosed.

  Patent Document 1 aims at a purchaser who performs shopping specifies a product of a store and the store side optimizes the product.

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the purchaser to perform an operation such as inputting a product desired to be purchased into an input device installed in a store. Since it is difficult for those who have difficulty in shopping to focus on a store, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not solve the problem of people who have difficulty in shopping.

  Moreover, even if the input device of patent document 1 is near the hand of a shopping difficult person, the shopping difficult person needs to input a desired goods, a desired genre, etc. into an input device. This is an input operation through a so-called personal computer, which is difficult for elderly people who are difficult to shop. Feeling the difficulty may reduce the willingness of those who are difficult to shop through this system to provide support for those who are difficult to shop.

  Patent Document 2 is a local life support system for merchandise / service information or regional information provided by a store or group in the same area to a resident living in a specific area, and is used by the resident A user terminal, a provider terminal owned by the store or organization, and a management server that manages the product / service information or regional information are connected via a network, and the provider terminal is connected to the product / service. Information or area information is transmitted to the management server, and the management server delivers the transmitted product / service information or area information to the user terminal based on the request of the user terminal, and the user terminal Disclosed is a regional support system characterized by purchasing a product / service or reproducing the regional information based on the distributed product / service information or regional information.

  In Patent Document 2, unlike Patent Document 1, an order can be made through a user terminal of a resident who is difficult to shop.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 2, similarly to Patent Document 1, it is necessary to use a user terminal that is difficult (or thought to be difficult) for an elderly person such as a personal computer. By having to operate such a user terminal, there is a problem that those who have difficulty shopping, especially elderly people, cannot fully utilize this regional support system. This problem cannot solve the fundamental problem of people who have difficulty shopping.

  Further, both Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 and the sales side need to construct a complicated system. In order to organize purchaser's wishes and realize various options in shopping, the systems on the store side of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are also complicated. For this reason, the dealer side is not motivated to introduce and operate the system.

  Due to the low usability and low motivation of both shoppers and dealers, there is a problem that the operation and maintenance of these systems becomes insufficient.

  In addition, the systems of Patent Documents 1 and 2 automatically list products based on the purchaser's wishes on the server or automatically propose products. That is, automatic processing is performed in a place that is not visible to the purchaser. This is suitable for processing a large amount of sales and for the convenience of the purchaser based on general rules of thumb.

  However, many of those who have difficulty shopping want to shop through conversations with salespersons at traditional stores. The systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are poor in this dialogue and human communication, and in this respect as well, there is a problem that it is difficult to say that it corresponds to the characteristics of people who have difficulty shopping.

  That is, the conventional technique has the following problems.

  (Problem 1) It is difficult for a purchaser who is a purchaser to make a purchase.

  (Problem 2) The system installation and maintenance at the dealer side is complicated.

  (Problem 3) Anxiety of people with difficulty shopping due to shopping without dialogue or communication

  These are due to the fact that the actual situation and the nature of the problem of those who have difficulty shopping are not fully analyzed.

  In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a shopping support system that can solve shopping difficulties of those who have difficulty shopping.

In view of the above problems, the shopping support system of the present invention is
A shopping support system for shopping for products from a store at a place where a user is away from the store,
A receiver that accepts user input operations;
An imaging device for imaging a user;
A voice communication device that allows users and dealers to communicate,
A server installed in a store and connected to at least one of a receiver, an imaging device, and a voice communication device by an electrical line;
Based on the input operation of the user, the receiver sends the desired product information of the user to the server,
The server commits the purchase of the user based on the desired product information.

  The shopping support system of the present invention is suitable as support for people who are difficult to shop around, especially elderly people because the elderly people are used to the operation and the TV with a low threshold is used as an input terminal.

  Further, in the shopping support system of the present invention, the shop side and those who have difficulty in shopping proceed with shopping as necessary through dialogue and communication. For this reason, even those who are difficult to shop, who are often elderly, can shop with confidence using the system.

  Furthermore, since the shopping support system of the present invention has less complexity such as merchandise analysis at a store, introduction and maintenance motivation for the store is increased. Of course, the sales volume can be increased at a lower cost than door-to-door sales and mobile sales.

  As described above, the shopping support system of the present invention is a system suitable for the essence of those who have difficulty shopping. As a result, the use of the shopping support system of the present invention can be promoted because there are merits for both those who are difficult to shop and the dealers.

It is a graph which shows the change of the population pyramid of Japan. It is a table | surface which shows the actual condition of the content of the help and care for the separated parents and children who are elderly people etc. It is a list of shopping support services for those who have difficulty shopping. 1 is a block diagram of a shopping support system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display state of the television in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the television which displays the operation menu in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of shopping support system 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the television image on which the product in Embodiment 2 of the present invention is displayed. It is a schematic diagram of the process which images the image of the desired goods in Embodiment 2 of this invention, and transmits to a store. It is a schematic diagram of the television which displays the desired goods in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

A shopping support system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a shopping support system for shopping a product from a store at a place where a user is away from the store.
A receiver that accepts user input operations;
An imaging device for imaging a user;
A voice communication device that allows users and dealers to communicate,
A server installed in a store and connected to at least one of a receiver, an imaging device, and a voice communication device by an electrical line;
Based on the input operation of the user, the receiver sends the desired product information of the user to the server,
The server commits the purchase of the user based on the desired product information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform shopping in a remote state with only a simple operation while displaying an image and adding voice communication.

  In the shopping support system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the user is a person who has difficulty shopping.

  With this configuration, it is possible for those who have difficulty in shopping to shop at home.

  In the shopping support system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second aspect, the remote location is the home of the user.

  With this configuration, those who have difficulty in shopping can purchase necessary products while staying at home.

  In the shopping support system according to the fourth invention of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to third inventions, the receiver is capable of receiving terrestrial waves installed in the user's home, and has an electric line. The TV is connected to the server.

  With this configuration, it is possible to carry out remote shopping without a sense of resistance through a television that is familiar to us on a daily basis.

In the shopping support system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fourth aspect, the television displays a product sold by the store and an operation menu,
The user can select the operation menu through the button operation of the TV remote control.

  With this configuration, the shopping support system can be used only by operating a remote control of a television that is easy to use.

In the shopping support system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fifth aspect, the operation menu includes:
A voice call operation between a user and a dealer via a voice communication device;
End operation to end voice call operation,
Volume stop operation to stop the volume of voice call operation,
An imaging operation of imaging a user via an imaging device and transmitting the captured image to a store;
Product confirmation action to confirm the purchase of the product,
Having at least one operation.

  With this configuration, a person who has difficulty in shopping can perform shopping according to a simple operation.

In the shopping support system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the sixth aspect, each of the operations included in the operation menu corresponds to each of the existing buttons provided on the remote control,
The user can execute each operation by operating an existing button.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform shopping using the shopping support system by operating a remote control that is familiar to elderly people and the like.

  In the shopping support system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the fifth to seventh aspects, the store can switch the product to be displayed on the television.

  With this configuration, the display can be switched in order to search for a product that matches the user's wishes.

  In the shopping support system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the sixth to eighth aspects, the user sells product information and purchase information displayed on the television by voice call operation. You can confirm with the store.

  With this configuration, the user can confirm whether the displayed product is the product he / she wants while also using voice communication. You can communicate as if you were buying a product at a regular store.

  In the shopping support system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the sixth to ninth aspects, the user purchases a product displayed on the television by a voice call operation and a product confirmation operation. It can be confirmed.

  With this configuration, the user can complete the product purchase after confirming with the same visual check and telephone call as when purchasing at a normal store.

In the shopping support system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the sixth to tenth inventions, the user can obtain a desired product that is desired by the user through imaging with an imaging device. The image can be sent to the retailer,
The store assists the purchase of the user by displaying the transmitted requested product on the TV.

  With this configuration, a product can be determined by image transmission by the user. As a result, the product that the user wants can be reliably determined.

  In the shopping support system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any of the sixth to eleventh aspects, the store includes a portable terminal that outputs a voice call and an image from the user.

  With this configuration, the dealer can perform two-way image and voice communication with the user without introducing a new system.

  In addition to any of the first to twelfth inventions, the shopping support system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention further comprises a settlement means for settlement of merchandise sales based on the merchandise confirmation by the user.

  With this configuration, settlement by credit card or dedicated account is also processed, so that both the store and the user can perform shopping without any extra effort.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  (Embodiment 1)

(Analysis by the inventor)
The following is an overview of the background of people who have difficulty shopping.

(1) Changes in the population pyramid Japan's population pyramid has changed dramatically since the Second World War. In particular, the proportion of elderly people in the overall population is increasing. FIG. 1 is a graph showing changes in the Japanese population pyramid. As can be seen from FIG. 1, in 1960 after World War II, there were many young people under 15 years old, and they were in a beautiful pyramid shape. However, as the times progress in 2010 and 2060, it can be seen that the ratio of elderly people is increasing. According to the prediction in 2060, elderly people over 65 years old will occupy the largest proportion.

  In this way, in Japan, aging is progressing rapidly, and now there are many young people and middle-aged people. Such an elderly person can be difficult to shop in conjunction with the locality as described in the prior art. In other words, the current change in the population pyramid has the potential to increase the number of people who have difficulty shopping.

(2) Troubles of elderly people, etc. FIG. 2 is a table showing the actual situation of the contents of help and care for parents and children who are separated from elderly people. A case where a separated parent such as an elderly person helps a child and a case where a child helps a parent are shown.

  In addition to knowing that it is necessary, such as nursing and counseling, you can see that shopping assistance is in a high ranking. In addition, shopping assistance is in the third place whether the child helps the parent or the parent receives the child's help.

  That is, it can be seen that help for parents such as elderly people is necessary for both the child and the parent.

(3) Difficulties in shopping According to the results of a questionnaire survey on shopping in an autonomous region of a small community in a certain area, the proportion of residents who are having difficulty shopping in the autonomous region is surveyed as 79%. In addition, 74% of respondents said that there are no grocery / daily necessities in the autonomous region.

  As described above, in the small villages in the region, there are few shops where daily shopping can be performed and shopping difficulties caused by this are caused.

(4) Shopping support service for those who have difficulty shopping FIG. 3 is a list of shopping support services for those who have difficulty shopping.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the shopping support service provided to those who are difficult to shop is the mobile sales car, followed by the shopping agency.

  However, mobile sales vehicles may not have a complete selection. Or even if it is a mobile sales car, since it only reaches a predetermined place in the area, many people still feel inconvenience of shopping.

  The shopping agency service has problems such as a small number of workers who perform the agency service and cost. In areas where there are many elderly people, there are few young people and middle-aged people, including the surrounding area, and the number of people who can perform shopping is small.

  In addition, when the cost of the shopping agency service is the beneficiary's burden, the expense burden of the difficult shopping person is severe, and the shopping agency service cannot be frequently used. Or, even if the cost of the agency service is a burden on the government, etc., it is difficult because it depends on the financial situation.

  In this way, it is difficult to say that mobile sales vehicles and shopping agents, which are the most common services, have sufficiently solved the problem of people with difficulty shopping. In addition, the purchase frequency of products such as the Internet is low in use frequency. This is thought to be due to the difficulty of using personal computers and IT.

  The inventor has arrived at the present invention based on the above investigation and analysis.

(Overview)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the shopping support system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The shopping support system 1 includes a receiver 3, an imaging device 4, a voice communication device 5, and a server 7 of a store 6. In addition, the case where the user 2 performs shopping at a place separated from the store 6 is supported.

  The receiver 3 receives an input operation by the user 2. When the user 2 performs shopping using the shopping support system 1, the user 2 uses the receiver 3 as a terminal for ordering. For example, the user 2 performs an input operation to the receiver 3 using a function provided in the receiver 3.

  The imaging device 4 images a user. The imaging device 4 may capture the periphery of the user when imaging the user. The imaging device 4 can notify the store 6 with an image of the user itself or the usage status of the shopping support system 1 by the user. The user 2 can visually recognize the product of the store 6 through the receiver 3. The store 6 can visually recognize and grasp the user 2 and the situation thereof from the image captured by the imaging device 4.

  Further, many products displayed on the receiver 3 are similar to other products, and the user 2 may make a mistake. For example, it may be a seasoning of the same manufacturer, but the type may be different from what the user 2 normally purchases. In such a case, for example, the user 2 images the product he / she desires with the imaging device 4. The captured image is transmitted to the store 6 as described later. The dealer 6 sees this image and displays the product desired by the user 2 through the receiver 3. By this display, the user 2 can confirm and purchase a desired product.

  The voice communication device 5 performs voice communication between the user 2 and the store 6. The user 2 who is difficult to shop, such as an elderly person, is often worried about purchasing a product displayed on the receiver 3 only by an operation on the screen. At this time, the user 2 can talk with the store 6 through the voice communication device 5. By this conversation, the user 2 can surely convey or confirm his intention.

  The server 7 is installed in the store 6. Alternatively, the server 7 is installed at a location separated from the store 6 or used as a cloud server. The server 7 is connected to at least one of the receiver 3, the imaging device 4, and the voice communication device 5 through an electric line.

  For example, connection is made by a dedicated line, a telephone line, an Internet line, a satellite communication line, or the like. With this connection, the store 6 can display an image of a product, an image for ordering, and the like on the receiver 3. In addition, an image captured by the imaging device 4 can be transmitted from the user 2 to the store 6. Alternatively, an electric line can be realized for conversation between the user 2 and the store 6 via the voice communication device 5.

  The server 7 can store, for example, products and order information. Based on this storage, product images and order information required for the user 2 can be displayed on the receiver 3.

  As described above, since the device used by the user 2 and the device used by the store 6 are connected by an electric line, information can be exchanged between them.

  The shopping support system 1 supports the shopping of the user 2 by the following processing.

  The receiver 3 is a device that is familiar to elderly people, such as a television set installed in a home. Televisions, which are general household appliances, are used to operations such as channels and operation buttons even for people who have difficulty shopping.

  For this reason, the user 2 can shop using the shopping support system 1 with the operation of the level operated in order to watch television. Since the shopping gateway is a familiar television, the user 2 can operate and use without feeling uneasy or allergic.

  User 2 activates receiver 3. As described above, if the receiver 3 is a television, it can be activated only by a power switch. Difficult operations such as activation, activation confirmation, application confirmation like a personal computer are unnecessary.

  When the dedicated channel is entered after the receiver 3 is activated, the server 7 of the store 6 is connected. With this connection, communication with the store 6 is started. At the start, the product image is transmitted from the server 7 of the store 6 to the receiver 3. By this transmission, the product image is displayed on the receiver 3.

  For example, the user 2 operates the TV remote control 8 to determine a desired product. For example, a plurality of products are displayed on the receiver 3. By operating the remote controller 8, the user 2 transmits desired product information to the server 7 of the store 6. Alternatively, the user 2 transmits the desired product information to the store 6 through the voice communication device 5.

  For example, assume that a plurality of types of salad oil are displayed on the receiver 3. At this time, if there is no product desired by the user 2 in the displayed salad oil, the user 2 informs the store 6 by operating the receiver 3 or by voice communication. Alternatively, the desired product image can be transmitted to the store 6 by holding the desired product over the imaging device 4.

  Based on this transmission or the like, the store 6 (via the server 7) transmits an image of the product desired by the user 2 and displays it on the receiver 3. If the displayed product is a desired product, the user 2 executes an order for the product.

  The store 6 (server 7) displays on the receiver 3 a menu screen for confirming the purchase of the product based on the desired product information. The user 2 confirms the contract on the menu screen by operating the remote controller 8 or the like.

  Alternatively, the store 6 notifies the user 2 of purchase confirmation via the voice communication device 5 based on the desired product information. This communication is made by voice. In response to this voice, the user 2 communicates his / her wishes. In response to this request, the dealer 6 confirms the purchase by replying with an approval.

  As described above, based on the desired product information from the user 2, the server 7 promises to purchase the product of the user 2. At this time, it is possible to convey the desired product or to execute the purchase only by operating the familiar television. Alternatively, in addition to the operation of the television, it is also possible to convey a desired product or execute a purchase including voice communication.

  As described above, the shopping support system 1 according to the first embodiment can surely convey a desired product and execute a purchase of the desired product even if it is a difficult shopping person such as an elderly person. In particular, by using a familiar television as a gateway, it is possible to simplify the operation, eliminate allergies in the operation, and allow various users 2 to use it.

  Further, the user 2 can easily determine the desired product visually by transmitting the image of the desired product via the imaging device 4. Furthermore, desired products can be confirmed and purchases can be confirmed by voice communication via the voice communication device 5. That is, as in an actual store, the user 2 can search for a product, convey a desired product, and execute a purchase through an image, sound, or the like.

  Next, the detail of each part is demonstrated.

(user)
The user 2 is a so-called shopping difficult person. An elderly person, a person with a physical disability, etc., and a person who has difficulty in daily shopping because there are few shops in the neighborhood (or access is difficult).

  Such a shopping difficult person is the user 2. Of course, people other than those who have difficulty in shopping may use the shopping support system 1.

  The place where the user 2 is separated from the store 6 that uses the shopping support system 1 is the home of the user 2. The reason is that you can shop at home.

(Receiver)
The receiver 3 displays product information from the store 6 or displays menu information necessary for purchase. The receiver 3 is preferably a television set capable of receiving terrestrial broadcasting installed at the home of the user 2. In addition, this television is connected to the server 7 of the store 6 through an electric line. That is, it is connected to the server 7 of the store 6 through an electrical network. The connection may be wired or wireless. Further, it is not necessary to be directly connected to the television, and the television and the server 7 may be connected by an indirect electric line.

  Thus, since the receiver 3 is a general television set installed at home, the user 2 is less required to purchase new equipment. Moreover, since it is a television, the user 2 who is difficult to shop can also operate without allergy.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a display state of the television according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The television 31 is an example of the receiver 3. The television 31 can display the received image. Since the television 31 is connected to the server 7 through an electric line, the store 6 can transmit product information from the server 7. The transmitted product information is displayed on the television 31 as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, products A, B, and C are displayed on the television 31. The image of the product itself is displayed in the same way as when shopping at an actual store. By this display, the user 2 can search for and select a product with the same feeling as selecting a product at a store.

  In addition to the images of the products A to C, information such as prices is also displayed. By this display, the user 2 can select and determine a product desired to be purchased.

  The television 31 can also display products sold by the store 6 and an operation menu. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a television that displays an operation menu according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The television 31 displays an operation menu. For example, each of the determination of the desired product, the determination of the number of purchases, and the determination of purchase is displayed. The user 2 performs an input operation to the operation menu with the remote controller 8 attached to the television 31. For example, a normal remote control 8 attached to the television 31 is often provided with a blue button, a red button, a green button, and a yellow button.

  Even the user 2 who is difficult to shop uses these blue buttons, red buttons and the like when watching the television 31 on a daily basis. For this reason, when operating the operation menu, there is no resistance to using these blue buttons and the like. Naturally, it is possible to input the operation content displayed on the operation menu by using it easily.

  For example, when a purchase decision is input by pressing a blue button, the user 2 can reliably perform this operation.

  In this way, unlike Internet purchase using a personal computer, even a user 2 such as an elderly person can reliably purchase a product. Further, the image capturing operation in the image capturing device 4 and the sound communication operation in the sound communication device 5 can be operated using a blue button or the like provided in the remote controller 8.

  For example, the blue button corresponds to an operation for starting a video call using the imaging device 4 and the audio communication device 5. The red button corresponds to the operation for ending the video call, and the green button corresponds to the operation for starting and ending the imaging device 4. The yellow button corresponds to a pause or mute operation of the voice communication device 5.

  As described above, the blue button or the like provided on the remote control 8 attached to the television 31 corresponds to each operation of the shopping support system 1, so that the user 2 can watch the television 31 on a daily basis. The shopping support system 1 can be operated with the same feeling. That is, the user 2 can execute these operations by pressing the blue button or the like.

(Imaging equipment)
The imaging device 4 is provided together with the receiver 3. The imaging device 4 may be a separate device from the receiver 3 or may be a camera provided in advance in the receiver 3.

  The imaging device 4 is installed in a place where the user 2 performs shopping. Thereby, the imaging device 4 can image the user 2 and the periphery of the user 2. The imaging device 4 is connected to the server 7 of the store 6 by an electric line. For this reason, the image of the user 2 and the like captured by the imaging device 4 is transmitted to the store 6.

  The dealer 6 can make a video call with the user 2 by the voice communication device 5 while confirming the transmitted image. By this video call, it is possible to surely grasp the desire of the user 2 and reliably deliver the product information to the user 2.

  A television 31 as an example of the receiver 3 is a one-way communication device. In this situation, by adding the imaging device 4 and the voice communication device 5, the shopping support system 1 can realize bidirectional communication.

  The user 2 can put the imaging device 4 into an operating state by operating a button on the remote controller 8. Alternatively, the imaging device 4 can be put into an operating state by operating the imaging device 4 itself.

  Thus, the imaging device 4 can transmit the image on the user 2 side to the store 6. By transmitting this image, the store 6 can reliably grasp the desire of the user 2. With this reliable grasp, the store 6 can execute the sales operation with peace of mind. On the other hand, the user 2 can shop with a sense of security that the store 6 is looking at his / her own image.

(Operation menu)
The receiver 3 can display the operation menu as an image. The user 2 can select or purchase a product by performing an input operation on the operation menu displayed as an image. The input operation at this time may be performed by touching the screen of the receiver 3 or may be performed by operating a button provided on the remote controller 8 as described above.

  Here, the operation menu can include the following contents.

(1) A voice call operation in which a voice call between the user 2 and the store 6 is performed via the voice communication device 5.
(2) Volume stop operation for stopping the volume of voice call operation.
(3) An imaging operation in which the user 2 is imaged by the imaging device 4 and the captured image is transmitted to the store 6.
(4) Product confirmation operation for confirming purchase of a product.

  By displaying the operation menu including such contents on the receiver 3, the user 2 can select and purchase one of the products displayed on the receiver 3.

(Voice communication equipment)
The voice communication device 5 is connected to the server 7 by an electric line. That is, the voice communication device 5 is connected to the store 6 via an electric line. With this connection, the voice communication device 5 enables voice communication between the user 2 and the store 6.

  The user 2 can communicate with the store 6 by voice using the voice communication device 5 while checking the product image on the television 3. Through the exchange of voices, the user 2 can reliably convey his / her wishes to the store 6. Further, as described above, the voice communication device 5 can be used by the operation menu of the television 3 or the operation of the remote controller 31.

  The voice communication device 5 includes a microphone and a speaker, and can pick up the voice of the user 2 and transmit it to the store 6. Or the sound from the store 6 can be output. The store 6 side can also perform voice communication using a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile terminal, or the like.

  For example, the user 2 views an image of product information displayed on the television 31. At this time, it may be difficult to determine whether the product is what the user wants based on the image alone. This is because there are problems such as difficulty in visual recognition. In such a case, the user 2 can talk to the store 6 via the voice communication device 5. Of course, while viewing the product information image displayed on the television 31.

  By this voice call operation, the user 2 can confirm the product information displayed on the television 31 with the store 6. For example, it is possible to check whether the displayed product is really the product that you want. Alternatively, a voice call can be requested to display a product of another manufacturer. This is easier than using an application on a personal computer. In particular, since it is the same as when shopping in an actual store, even elderly people have no sense of resistance.

  In addition, the user 2 can perform a confirming operation for confirming the purchase of the product by a voice call operation. For example, when it is difficult to confirm the purchase of the product only with the operation menu displayed on the television 31, the user 2 can confirm the purchase of the product through the voice call operation.

  Thus, since the voice call is also possible, the user 2 who is difficult to shop can use the shopping support system 1 with peace of mind.

(Distributor / Server)
The store 6 sends merchandise information and the like through the receiver 3 to provide shopping to the user 2. Moreover, the server 7 is provided, The product information is transmitted by this server 7, and the contract of goods purchase is performed. Of course, the server 7 does not need to be installed in the store 6, and an external server such as a cloud server may be used.

  The store 6 displays the product on the receiver 3 (TV 31). At this time, the product to be displayed can be switched. For example, among the products held by the store 6, the store 6 displays a product that seems to be recommended to the user 2 while switching. Alternatively, the store 6 can display a product that meets the request from the user 2.

  In addition, the store 6 approves the product that the user 2 has executed. At this time, it is also preferable to further include an approval means 61 for settlement of merchandise sales. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the shopping support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A settlement means 61 is further provided.

  The decision making means 61 can settle the sale according to the purchase decision of the user 2 using a credit card, a debit card, a dedicated prepaid card or the like.

  The shopping support system 1 can reduce the burden on the user 2 by including such an approval unit 61.

  A server relating to settlement different from the store 6 is provided, and the settlement unit 61 performs settlement via this settlement server. The settlement server performs settlement using, for example, a credit card. For this reason, the server for approval should just be by the operator who performs payment with a credit card and a payment agency.

  It is also preferable that the store 6 includes a mobile terminal that outputs voice calls and images from the user 2. The shopping support system 1 includes an imaging device 4 and an image obtained by imaging the user 2 and the like is transmitted via an electric line. The place where the user 2 is located is away from the store 6.

  The store 6 needs to be able to visually recognize the image of the user 2 at this remote location. Even if it is transmitted through an electric line, if the store 6 must prepare a dedicated device, the introduction cost of the shopping support system 1 increases. Here, an image to be transmitted is displayed by a portable terminal such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone that is already owned. By displaying the image transmitted to the general-purpose portable terminal, the store 6 can support shopping while confirming the image transmitted from the user 2.

  In addition, the product information captured by the mobile terminal can be transmitted and displayed on the receiver 3. There is a merit that even commodity information that is not prepared in advance can be captured and transmitted on a mobile terminal in a flexible manner.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a mobile terminal such as the above-described smartphone is used also in a voice call through the voice communication device 5 at the location of the user 2. Voice output and voice input can be performed through such a portable terminal. That is, the user 2 makes a voice call using the voice communication device 5. On the other hand, the store 6 performs a voice call using a mobile terminal.

  As described above, the shopping support system 1 can perform image exchange and voice call with the user 2 by providing the mobile terminal at the store 6.

  Of course, it is also preferable for the user 2 to use a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

  The shopping support system 1 according to the present invention uses a television 31 with little resistance and difficulty as a gateway, assuming use by a difficult shopping person such as an elderly person. In addition, using the television 31 as a gateway has an advantage that a person who has difficulty in shopping does not need to newly purchase and install and does not need to learn operation of a new device. Furthermore, since the shopping support system 1 can be operated by operating the remote control 31 attached to the television 31, there is an advantage that it can be handled with the same feeling as the operation at the time of watching a familiar television.

  On the other hand, if only the image display and operation input on the television 31 are performed, one-way communication occurs, and those who have difficulty in shopping feel anxious about purchasing the product. Or you may be worried about whether you can buy the product you want.

  In order to cope with such a problem, bidirectional communication can be realized by providing the imaging device 4 and the voice communication device 5. With the assistance of this two-way communication, the user 2 who is difficult to shop can use the shopping support system 1 with peace of mind.

  (Embodiment 2)

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, a variation using the shopping support system 1 will be described.

(User communicates desired product using imaging device)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a television image on which a product according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is displayed. The television 31 displays three items, product A, product B, and product C. As described in the first embodiment, the user 2 selects a desired product among the displayed three products A to C, if any. At this time, there may be difficulty in the following two selections.

(1: If the desired product does not appear in the display)
Of course, there is no product desired by the user 2 among the products A to C shown in FIG. In this case, the user 2 can inform the store 6 that there is no desired product by voice call or menu operation. Alternatively, the store 6 may voluntarily display different product information on the television 31.

  In this way, product information images are displayed one after another on the television 31.

  However, even if the product information image is displayed on the television 31 one after another, the product desired by the user 2 may not be displayed easily. In this case, there is an inconvenience that it is difficult for the user 2 to select a desired product.

  In such a case, the user 2 may send an image of a desired product to the store 6 using the imaging device 4. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of processing for capturing an image of a desired product and transmitting it to a store in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The user 2 takes a picture of the product D desired by the user with the imaging device 4. In a state where the shopping support system 1 is activated, when the imaging device 4 is in an operating state, the user 2 only has to hold the desired product D in front of the imaging device 4. It is considered that the user 2 often uses the shopping support system 1 to purchase food and daily necessities. For this reason, for example, this system 1 is used in order to buy a seasoning which is about to disappear. In such a case, the user has the product he / she wants and has only to take an image with the imaging device 4.

  The captured image of the product D is transmitted to the store 6 via the electric line. FIG. 9 schematically shows a state in which an image of the product D is sent through the electric line.

  The dealer 6 can confirm the product desired by the user 2 by visually recognizing the transmitted image of the product D. In particular, it is possible to specify that the product desired by the user 2 is the product D from a plurality of products of the same manufacturer. For this reason, the store 6 can also grasp | ascertain the goods which the user 2 wants reliably.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the product image displayed on the television 31, the detailed product number may be difficult for the user 2 to understand, and the user 2 may be confused. Such a problem is unlikely to occur when the user 2 sends an image of the desired product to the store 6.

  Alternatively, the user 2 may communicate the desired product to the store 6 through a voice call. However, the user 2 often omits the product name and speaks with his own name. For example, low-salt soy sauce may be mixed with low-sodium soy sauce. Also in this case, the store 6 can confirm the desired product of the user 2 without being confused by transmitting the image.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a television that displays a desired product according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Based on the transmission of the image from the user 2 in FIG. 9, the store 6 displays the desired product D on the television 31. By looking at the product D displayed as shown in FIG. 10, the user 2 can select and purchase with peace of mind.

(2: When it is difficult to understand by display or voice)
Even when displayed as shown in FIG. 8, the user 2 is often an elderly person or the like and may not be able to select a product firmly and actively. In particular, there are many users 2 who do shopping in a stance that they want a product of “**” that they buy on a daily basis, rather than looking at the product image.

  For this reason, it may be difficult to select a product even if it is exchanged with the store 6 by display or voice. This is because the user 2 does not recognize the correct product name but may recognize “usually”.

  In the case of such recognition, the user 2 often does not reply as a product that desires it even if the store 6 displays the product or conveys it by voice. Even if it matches the product you want.

  On the other hand, when the user 2 has the product he / she wants as shown in FIG. 9, the user 2 only has to show it to the store 6, and details such as the product name Regardless of whether the desired product is determined. Thereby, the desired product of the user 2 can be immediately selected as a purchase target.

  Thus, there is an advantage that problems such as product selection mistakes in shopping are less likely to occur by imaging and transmitting the products that the user 2 wants with the imaging device 4.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shopping support system 2 User 3 Receiver 31 Television 4 Imaging equipment 5 Audio communication equipment 6 Dealer 7 Server 8 Remote control

Claims (13)

A shopping support system for shopping for products from a store at a place where a user is away from the store,
A receiver that accepts an input operation by the user;
An imaging device for imaging the user;
A voice communication device capable of voice communication between the user and the store;
A server installed in the store, connected to at least one of the receiver, the imaging device, and the voice communication device by an electrical line; and
The receiver transmits the desired product information of the user to the server based on the input operation of the user,
The server is a shopping support system for executing a purchase of the user based on the desired product information.   The shopping support system according to claim 1, wherein the user is a person who is difficult to shop.   The shopping support system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remote location is a home of the user.   The shopping support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiver is a television set installed at a home of the user and capable of receiving terrestrial waves and connected to the server via the electric line. system. The TV displays products and operation menus sold by the store,
The shopping support system according to claim 4, wherein the user can select the operation menu through a button operation on a remote controller of the television. The operation menu is
A voice call operation for performing a voice call between the user and the store via the voice communication device;
An end operation to end the voice call operation;
A volume stop operation for stopping the volume of the voice call operation;
An imaging operation for imaging the user via the imaging device and transmitting the captured image to the store;
A product confirmation operation for confirming the purchase of the product;
The shopping support system according to claim 5, comprising at least one operation of: Each of the operations included in the operation menu corresponds to each of the existing buttons existing on the remote control,
The shopping support system according to claim 6, wherein the user can execute each of the operations by operating the existing button.   The shopping support system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the store is capable of switching products to be displayed on the television.   The shopping support system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the user can confirm product information and purchase information displayed on the television with the store by the voice call operation.   The shopping support system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the user can confirm purchase of a product displayed on the television by the voice call operation and the product confirmation operation. The user can transmit an image of a desired product, which is a product desired by the user, through the imaging with the imaging device, to the store.
The shopping support system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the sales store displays the transmitted requested product on the television to assist the purchase of the user.   The shopping support system according to claim 6, wherein the store includes a mobile terminal that outputs a voice call and an image from the user.   The shopping support system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a settlement unit that settles merchandise sales based on merchandise confirmation by the user.