JP4379838B2 - Virtual trial system and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
  The present invention provides a television shopping service for television broadcasting (especially interactive television broadcasting) by CATV, terrestrial or communication satellite when a user purchases a product in a virtual shop established on a network such as the Internet. When a user uses the product to shop for a product or uses a catalog mail order, the tactile sensation of the product (especially clothes, furniture such as sofas, accessories such as stuffed toys) = Whether a product with a relatively high touch weight) matches the user ’s taste (whether the product ’s tactile feel is compatible with the user ’s tactile preference) before placing an order for the purchase of the product. Virtual trial system that can be confirmed by the sideAnd methodsAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a virtual shop established on the Internet, a user places an order for purchase while visually checking a product image on a personal computer at home, and shopping. Also, in television shopping by broadcasting, a user places an order for purchase while viewing a product on a television screen.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, products that have a relatively high tactile feel, such as clothes, furniture such as sofas, and accessories such as stuffed toys, can be obtained by just visually recognizing their appearance. = Since I don't know the touch, I often regret after purchasing that "I didn't know this kind of tactile feeling = a touched product (if I didn't buy it like this)". In addition, this is one of the reasons why the sale of products in virtual shops such as the Internet and TV shopping is not widely spread.
  Therefore, the present invention is a determination element when selecting a product online (such as clothes, furniture such as a sofa, accessories such as a stuffed toy) online via a network such as the Internet or a telephone network. When trying to purchase a product that has a relatively high touch on the outer surface = a product with a relatively high touch weight), when trying to purchase a product through a TV shopping service through TV broadcasting, or using catalog mail order In some cases, not only visually confirming the appearance of the product, but also confirming whether or not the tactile sensation of the product matches one's preference or preference tendency, and then considering or determining an application for purchase of the product Virtual touch system that canAnd methodsThe purpose is to provide.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(Glossary, etc.) The application target of the present invention is typically a case where a user accesses a virtual shop on a network such as the Internet and purchases a product online via the network. When a user who uses a TV shopping service provided by TV broadcasting) purchases a product via a public telephone network or the Internet, or orders a product in a product catalog sent by mail or the like As in the case of "If the product is not near or close to the user and is remote (if the user cannot see the surface of the product for his / her hand)Can be applied. That is,The present invention can be applied not only to online shopping via a network such as the Internet, but also to TV shopping and catalog mail order using a mailed product catalog.
[0005]
  The invention described in the claims of the present application is as follows.
1. The user says, “The remote shop side (including the center side that performs predetermined information processing for the remote shop etc.) indicates the object of sale to the user via a medium such as a display, television, catalog, etc. , A virtual touch method for selecting a product from among a plurality of products to be presented to the user and purchasing the selected product or ordering or examining them. Selection of receiving, inputting, or transmitting to the shop side information indicating "individual products" selected by the user for purchasing or ordering or reviewing them from "multiple products presented" For the product reception step and the received “individual product selected by the user”, for each tactile sensation of the plurality of products provided by the shop side Based on the tactile data related to the “selected individual product” from the product tactile data recording means in which the data to be recorded is recorded in advance, and the data related to the user's preference, the “selected individual product” A determination step for determining whether or not the tactile sensation of the user matches a user's preference or a tendency of preference, and a result obtained by the determination is transmitted to the user side, output to the user, or from the shop side A virtual touch method characterized by comprising: a determination result transmission step for receiving, and the like.
2. “From remote shops (including the center that conducts predetermined information processing for remote shops), it was presented to the user as an indication of the sales target via a medium such as a display, television, or catalog. Product tactile sensation data recording means for pre-recording data related to the tactile sensation of “plural products”, and the user purchases or orders from “a plurality of products presented by the shop”, or reviews thereof Information indicating the “individual product” selected for the user side, means for receiving the selected product for receiving, inputting, or transmitting to the shop side, etc., and the received “individual product selected by the user” For “commodity”, based on the tactile sensation data relating to the individual merchandise from the merchandise tactile sensation data recording means and the data relating to user preferences The determination means for determining whether or not the tactile sensation of the “selected individual product” matches the user's preference or the tendency of preference, and the result obtained by the determination are sent to the user side. A virtual trial system comprising: a means for transmitting, outputting to a user, or transmitting a determination result for receiving from the shop side.
3. Product image providing means for providing an image of “a plurality of products that can be purchased or ordered by the user” to the user side via a network, and a plurality of products for which images are provided by the product image providing means A product tactile sensation data recording means for recording data relating to each tactile sensation of the product, and a user purchasing or ordering or examining them from the "plurality of products" provided with images by the product image providing means The selected product receiving means for receiving from the user the information indicating the “individual product” selected for the user and the received “individual product selected by the user” from the product tactile data recording means Based on the tactile sensation data and the user preference data, the tactile sensation of the selected product is the user's preference or the tendency of the preference. A virtual touch system comprising: determination means for determining whether or not to match, and determination result transmission means for outputting or transmitting a determination result by the determination means for the user .
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a virtual touch system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a display provided on the user side, 2 is a speaker, 3 is an IC card that records information about electronic money and user's tactile sensation, and 4 is for reading data recorded on the IC card 3 A card reader 55, an input unit 55 such as a keyboard, and a personal computer (personal computer) 6 having a communication function. The above 1 to 6 are devices provided at the home of the user (customer). Reference numeral 7 denotes the Internet as a public network.
The IC card 3 includes a tactile sensation preference data storage unit 3a that records user's tactile preference data or preference tendency data, and an electronic money storage unit 3b that records electronic money converted from monetary values into digital data. (For example, specifically, in the recording device in the IC card 3, an area for storing data related to the user's tactile sensation and a file indicating electronic money data are stored. Area to be formed).
The tactile sensation preference data storage unit 3a in the IC card 3 stores, for example, favorite tactile sensation data (for example, clothes, furniture such as sofas, room wallpaper, stuffed products, etc.) , The coat of the clothes feels fluffy, the jacket of the clothes feels gritty, the sofa and wallpaper feels crisp, etc.) and specific names and examples of manufacturers that have a tactile sensation (e.g. , If it is a coat of clothing, the name of Durban is XX, and if it is a sofa, the name of XX of Taiyo Furniture Co., Ltd.) is recorded. The tactile sensation taste data storage unit 3a is a predetermined “tactile sensation preference data entry list” provided by a garment manufacturer or the like (for example, a questionnaire sheet that the garment maker fills in on a new product monitor). The contents of the entry that describe your own tactile taste are stored. In the tactile sensation preference data storage unit 3a, a tactile sensation component that the user likes and a tactile sensation component that the user dislikes are recorded together.
[0007]
Next, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes a network management computer (server) for establishing a virtual shop on a home page on the Internet 7. 9 is a product database that records detailed information (product name, product identification data, product material / size / price data) provided by the virtual shop, and 10 is a product image from the product database 9 and A product image providing unit that provides image data to allow a user to browse product detailed information via a network, 11 is a product tactile database that stores data relating to the tactile sensation of each product recorded in the product database 9, and 12 is a sale. A determination unit 13 for determining whether or not the tactile sensation of the target product suits the user's tactile preference (whether or not the compatibility is good), 13 accepts the purchase order from the user and the electronic money from the user An order reception and settlement server (computer) for settlement of sales price. The above-mentioned parts from 8 to 13 indicate devices on the virtual shop side.
In the product tactile sensation database 11, various data relating to the tactile sensation of the product are recorded. For example, “persons who like the touch of Durban's XX coat tend to like the touch of the coat provided by our company (the virtual shop in question) =” Record the data (rule of thumb) such as “The feel of the sofa of the name is many people who like the feel of the wallpaper provided by our company = many people like it.” Furthermore, more specifically, an empirical rule (rule for reasoning) such as “a person who likes the suit of Onward Kashiyama generally has a preference characteristic about the tactile sensation” is recorded.
Further, in the product tactile sensation database 11, data relating to the tactile sensation of each product (detailed data for specifying the tactile sensation. For example, the length of hair protruding on the surface of a coat, the outer surface of a sofa. In case of wallpaper, data such as the height dimension of the uneven part on the surface) should also be recorded. Then, based on the “tactile data that the user likes and the tactile data that the user dislikes” recorded in the tactile preference data storage unit 3a of the IC card 3, and the tactile data of each product. Thus, it can be determined whether or not the tactile sensation of the product matches the tactile taste of the user. For example, if the user's favorite tactile data (height dimension of the uneven portion of the wallpaper) is also common to a certain product (wallpaper sold at this virtual shop), the product It can be judged that there is a high possibility that it matches the taste of the tactile sensation. On the other hand, when tactile data disliked by the user is also present in a certain product, it can be determined that there is a high possibility that the product does not meet the user's tactile taste.
[0008]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, a user uses a personal computer 6 to access a virtual shop from the Internet 7 and captures an image of a product (for example, a coat of clothing) that provides a product image for sale. It is displayed on the display 1 connected to the personal computer 6. Suppose that after displaying a plurality of products, an attempt is made to consider purchasing one product among the plurality of products. At this time, the user first inserts the IC card 3 into the card reader 4 in order to know whether or not the tactile sensation of this product is suitable for his own tactile sensation or preference tendency. The data of the tactile sensation preference data storage unit 3 a is read into the personal computer 6. Then, the read tactile sensation preference data and the product data (product identification data such as a product number) of the product under consideration for purchase are transmitted from the personal computer 6 to the virtual shop side. The above-described operation of the personal computer 6 is performed using the input unit 5 such as a keyboard.
When the management server 8 on the virtual shop side receives the tactile sensation preference data and the product data of the product transmitted from the user, the tactile sensation preference data and the product data are transmitted to the determination unit 12. The determination unit 12 takes in the tactile sensation data related to the product specified by the sent product data from the product tactile sense database 11. Then, the determination unit 12 compares the tactile sensation preference data from the user with the tactile sensation data related to the product from the product tactile sensation database 11 to determine that the tactile sensation of the product is “the user's tactile preference or tactile sensation”. It is judged whether or not it suits the tendency of preference. The determination unit 12 transmits the determination result to the user side via the server 8 and the Internet 7. The determination unit 12 is configured by the management server (computer) 8 or a computer connected to the server 8.
On the user side, the transmitted determination result is displayed on the display 1. The displayed determination result is, for example, a point (point,%), such as “the tactile sensation of the product is 80% likely to match the tactile taste of the user and the tactile sensibility is 80 points”. ), Or in the form of evaluation items such as A, B, C and above, middle, and bottom, such as “The level / rank where the tactile feel of this product matches the user's tactile taste is B” Evaluation results (determination results) are indicated. In the present embodiment, the determination result is output from the speaker 2 as a predetermined sound or sound (for example, a predetermined music or melody is played when it is determined that “tactile taste suits”). You can also.
Next, when the determination result is “the tactile sensation of the product seems to match the user's tactile taste”, the user decides to purchase the product. Then, the user inputs order data of the product to the personal computer 6 using the input unit 5, and electronic money corresponding to the price of the product is transferred from the IC card 3 to the personal computer 6 via the card reader 4. input. Then, these order data and electronic money are transmitted to the virtual shop side by the personal computer 6 (having a communication function). On the virtual shop side, when this purchase order and electronic money are received, the settlement server 13 receives the price data of the product from the product database 9 and compares it with the amount of electronic money transmitted from the user side. If the price of the product matches the electronic money, the settlement is completed and a procedure for delivering the product to the user side is taken. In this embodiment, the tactile sensation data and electronic money of the user are recorded on the IC card 3, but these or one of them is an external recording device (hard disk) connected to the personal computer 6. ) It may be recorded in 6a.
[0009]
As described above, in this embodiment, when considering whether or not to purchase a certain product (such as a coat of clothes) from the virtual shop, the user visually recognizes the appearance of the product with an image, You can also make a purchase decision after confirming (whether the tactile sensation matches your own tactile taste), so when you actually eat it after purchasing it as before, You won't regret having purchased it with the "feel of the day", and you can make decisions with peace of mind when making a purchase. In general, in the department store and supermarket product departments, for various products, you can feel the touch (feel) of the actual product for your own hands and match your feeling (feeling). However, in the conventional virtual shop on the Internet, such a “trial” was physically impossible. This embodiment corrects the drawbacks of shopping in the virtual shop as described above by enabling "virtual touch" even when shopping for products in such a conventional virtual shop. is there.
[0010]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIG. 1, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the tactile sensation preference data related to the user's tactile sensation preference is stored not in the user side but in the virtual shop side in the user tactile preference database 21 connected to the determination unit 12. . In this, the virtual shop side (for example, a product manufacturer or a product retailer) constructs a database that records user's tactile tastes for users of repeat customers (customers). . The user's tactile sensation preference database 21 is connected to, for example, the network management server 8 or a computer that constitutes the determination unit 12 connected to the server 8, and based on data exchange with the user as needed. Update the contents. In addition, the user answers the “question about tactile sensation” and inputs the data to the tactile sensation preference database 21 of the user.
Also in the second embodiment, in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment, the user can determine whether the tactile sensation of the product being purchased matches his / her preference (whether the compatibility is good) before the purchase order. It can be confirmed. In the second embodiment, since the virtual shop side creates a database of user's tactile sensation preference as a part of “customer service”, the user side himself / herself own tactile sensation database. It is convenient because it is not necessary to build
[0011]
Embodiment 3. FIG.
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to FIG. In this embodiment, the tactile preference data regarding the tactile preference of the user is not a user side or a virtual shop side, but a network of a “virtual shopping optimization center” which is a third party neutral organization (public organization). It is stored in the tactile sensation preference database 22 of the user connected to the management computer (server) 23. In this embodiment, based on the idea that the user's tactile taste is also "one of user's privacy", such a privacy information is not constructed by the virtual shop side which is only one private company, for example, An independent database is constructed on the network in view of the fact that it is appropriate to be managed by a neutral and public center such as the above-mentioned center operated by a trade association of a product manufacturer.
In the present embodiment, the user creates a request message “Please send your own tactile sensation preference data to the corresponding virtual shop” by the input unit 5, and sends this request message from the personal computer 6 to the server 23 of the center. To do. Upon receiving this request, the center server 23 transmits the user's tactile sensation preference data to the virtual shop side. In addition, the user transmits a message for requesting determination as to whether or not a certain product matches his / her tactile preference from the personal computer 6 to the virtual shop side together with the product number data of the product to be purchased. The determination unit 12 on the virtual shop side performs determination based on the determination request message from the user, the item number of the determination target product, and the user's tactile preference data from the server 23 of the center.
Also in this third embodiment, almost the same as in the first embodiment, the user can confirm whether or not the tactile sensation of the merchandise being considered for purchase matches his / her preference before ordering the purchase. . Further, in the third embodiment, the database of the user's tactile sensation preference is created on the third party side, so that “user tactile preference data” is one of the user's privacy. Can reduce the possibility of leakage.
[0012]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a determination unit for determining whether or not the product meets the tactile taste of the user from the tactile sensation data of the product to be sold (such as cosmetics) and the tactile preference data of the user is implemented. The third party (public) “center” described in the third embodiment is provided. That is, first, when the user wishes to determine whether or not a certain product meets his / her tactile taste preference, the user's computer 6 determines whether or not the tactile feel of a certain product matches his / her tactile preference. Request message ", the product number of the product for which determination is requested and the user's own tactile taste data (data recorded in the tactile taste data storage unit 3a in the IC card 3 held by the user). At the same time, the data is transmitted to the server 23 on the center side. When the server 23 receives these messages and data, the server 23 transfers the messages and data to a determination unit (determination computer) 25 connected to the server 23. Further, the server 23 requests the virtual shop side server 8 to transmit the tactile sensation data of the product to be determined. The server 8 on the virtual shop side requests the product tactile database 11 to transmit the tactile data of the product to be determined, and receives the product tactile data from the product tactile database 11 (in FIG. 4). The signal lines for transferring the product tactile data from the product tactile database 11 to the server 8 are not shown in the figure (this is the same in FIGS. 5 and 6). When the tactile sensation data is transmitted from the virtual shop side server 8 to the center side server 23, the server 23 transfers the tactile sensation data to the determination unit 25. The determination unit 25 determines whether the product matches the user's tactile taste based on the transferred user's tactile taste data and the product's tactile feeling data, and the determination result is sent via the server 23. To the personal computer 6 on the user side. Since the configuration and operation other than the above are substantially the same as those of the first or third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. According to the fourth embodiment, since the above determination is performed not on the virtual shop side but on the center side, which is a third party neutral institution, for the user, “reliable by the neutral institution” Judgment "is obtained.
[0013]
Embodiment 5. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, a determination unit for determining whether or not the product matches the tactile taste of the user from the tactile sensation data of the product to be sold and the tactile taste preference data of the user is provided. (Or a personal computer 6). That is, first, when the user wishes to determine whether a certain product meets his / her tactile taste preference, the user's personal computer 6 “sends tactile data of a certain product to his / her personal computer 6”. Is sent to the server 8 on the virtual shop side. When the server 8 receives this message, the server 8 extracts the tactile data of the corresponding product from the product tactile database 11 (in FIG. 5, the product tactile data is sent from the product tactile database 11 to the server 8. Is transmitted to the user-side personal computer 6. The personal computer 6 transfers the transmitted tactile data to the determination unit 26. In addition, the determination unit 26 has the user's tactile preference data storage unit 3a of the IC card 3 transfer the user's tactile preference data to the user. Then, the determination unit 26 determines whether the product matches the user's tactile taste based on the transferred user's tactile taste data and the tactile data of the product, and the determination result is displayed on the user side. To the personal computer 6. Since the configuration and operation other than those described above are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0014]
Embodiment 6. FIG.
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6, parts common to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, tactile sensation preference data relating to the user's tactile sensation preference is recorded on the IC card 3 as in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the user himself / herself operates the personal computer 6 with the input unit 5 to access the homepage where the virtual shop is located, and displays the products for sale on the display 1. Select a product that you want to purchase from the displayed products or beverages, and determine whether the tactile sensation of the product matches your own tactile taste (trend) Send a decision request message to the virtual shop side, ask the virtual shop side to make a decision, have the decision result returned, decide whether to purchase, and purchase procedure Had to do. That is, in the first embodiment, the user performs the troublesome procedure / procedure as described above by himself / herself.
On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the “shopping agent (agent)” is caused to perform some of the procedures / procedures and actions that the user has performed in the first embodiment. . That is, in this embodiment, the user uses the input unit 5 to the agent 27 to input the type of product he / she wants to purchase (for example, chocolate confectionery, beer) and the purchase price range (for example, 1,000 to 2). After entering the purchase conditions such as purchasing if the result of the tactile sensation of the product or beverage (determination of whether the tactile sensation of the product meets the user's tactile preference) is 80 points or more Instruct the purchase review and purchase procedure. Then, on behalf of the user, the agent 27 performs the “part” of the action performed by the user in the first embodiment on behalf of the agent 27 (that is, when purchasing using the agent 27, The act of displaying the product image on the display 1 for visual recognition is omitted, and even when the agent 27 is used, for the sake of safety, only the electronic payment act of sending electronic money is performed by the user himself / herself. Thus, the agent 27 is not substituted for the agent 27. Of course, the agent 27 can substitute the agent 27 for sending electronic money for the electronic payment.
The “shopping agent” technology as described above has already been put into practical use. For example, according to an article in the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun dated December 11, 1998, “The Super Major Age has arrived. “This is the largest bookstore in the world, Amazon.com.” This summer, Jungry, the acquired “shopping agent (agent)” venture company, made use of Amazon's website, clothing, computers, travel, and other e-commerce transactions. Launched a service that allows you to search for sites. "
[0015]
In the present embodiment, the agent 27 communicates with the server 8 on the virtual shop side based on an instruction from the user, and selects the type and price range of the product instructed by the user from a plurality of products to be sold. Pick up things that meet your requirements. Then, for the picked-up product, a determination request message stating that “I want to determine whether the tactile sensation of the product matches the tactile taste of the user” is sent to the user's tactile preference data (data extracted from the IC card 3). At the same time, it is transmitted to the server 8 on the virtual shop side. The server 8 instructs the determination unit 12 to make a determination. The determination unit 12 performs determination based on the user's tactile sensation preference data transmitted from the agent 27 and the tactile sensation data of the corresponding product from the product tactile sensation database 11, and returns the result to the server 8. The server 8 transmits this determination result to the agent 27 on the user side. The agent 27 determines whether or not to purchase the product while referring to the determination result, and if so, makes an order and reports it to the user. In response to this report, the user transmits electronic money.
[0016]
Embodiment 7. FIG.
FIG. 7 shows the “user's tactile taste data storage unit” described in the first to sixth embodiments (for example, in the example of FIG. 1, the tactile taste data storage unit 3a in the IC card 3). It is a figure which shows an example of the method when a user inputs the preference data regarding the tactile sense of his goods. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the data input method to the tactile sensation preference data storage unit 3a of the IC card 3 according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described. In FIG. 7A, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to FIG. In FIG. 7A, reference numeral 4a denotes a card reader / writer capable of writing data to the IC card 3 and reading data from the IC card 3. Reference numeral 31 denotes a tactile sensation sample section including a plurality of tactile sensation samples 31a relating to the tactile sensation of each product and each tactile sensation identification data display unit 31b for specifying the tactile sensation regarding each tactile sensation sample 31a. That is, the tactile sensation sample portion 31 in this embodiment is pasted on a cardboard mount 31c after a number of tactile sensation samples 31a are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Each of the tactile sensation samples 31a is, for example, a sample (specimen) cut out of a part of the fabric on the outside of the coat of clothes, a part of the wallpaper, a part of the fabric on the outside of the sofa for the living room, and the like. Things. A tactile sensation identification data display unit 31b for displaying tactile sensation identification data for specifying (identifying) the tactile sensation of each tactile sensation sample 31a is displayed on each tactile sensation sample 31a of the tactile sensation sample unit 31 ( Printing).
Next, an operation when the user inputs tactile sensation preference data to the tactile sensation preference data storage unit 3a of the IC card 3 will be described. The user causes the personal computer 6 to execute a predetermined tactile sensation preference data input program and performs predetermined input from the input unit 5 in accordance with an instruction that the program presents on the screen of the display 1 of the personal computer 6. In this embodiment, first, the program inputs tactile sensation (preference) data for “clothing coat” on the display screen. Therefore, for each of the tactile sensation samples 31 a of the tactile sensation sample unit 31, Please enter either “I like, dislike, I do n’t like or dislike”. Therefore, the user inputs data that indicates whether he / she likes, dislikes, or neither, while actually touching each tactile swatch 31a of the tactile sensation sample section 31 with his / her hand. For example, the user inputs data such as “dislike” for the 001 tactile swatch 31a, “like” for the 002 tactile swatch 31a, and “neither” for the 003 tactile swatch 31a. Then, the input result is as shown in the uppermost row of FIG. 7B, for example. In the same manner as described above, while following the instructions of the program, the user can select the touch data of the outer surface of the “clothing jacket”, the touch data of the outer surface of the “clothing polo shirt”, the “room” Input data of the external tactile sensation data of “no wallpaper”, preference data of the external tactile sensation of “Livigroom sofa”, and so on. Then, a “tactile preference database for each product of the user” as shown in FIG. 7B is created, and these data are recorded in the tactile preference data storage unit 3 a of the IC card 3.
[0017]
Embodiment 8. FIG.
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the eighth embodiment will be described assuming that a part of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 is changed. That is, in the eighth embodiment, the hardware configuration on the virtual shop side is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, and the hardware configuration on the user side is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The eighth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in terms of hardware in that a tactile sensation sample section 32 as shown in FIG. 8 is provided. In FIG. 8, the tactile sensation sample section 32 is, for example, on a plurality of cardboards 32c (each board 32c may be bound to a binder or may be bound like a book). A large number of tactile swatches 32a (parts of actual goods such as clothes cut out) are arranged, and a tactile sensation code for specifying the tactile sensation of each tactile swatch 32a is placed on each tactile swatch 32a. 32b (codes such as 001, 002, and 003 shown in FIG. 8) are displayed.
Further, in the virtual shop side apparatus shown in FIG. 8, the product database 9 includes, for each product, an image of the product and detailed information of the product (trade name, material, price, size of the product). And the tactile sensation identification code for specifying the tactile sensation on the outer surface of the product. Then, the product image providing unit 10 stores, from the product database 9, product images and product details for a plurality of products corresponding to the types of products for which the user requested transmission of data such as product images in order to consider purchase. Information and a tactile sensation identification code are extracted and transmitted to the user side via the server 8. On the display 1 on the user side, as shown in FIG. 8, a product image 33a is displayed, and a tactile sensation identification code 33b for specifying the tactile sensation of the outer surface of the product is displayed on the product image 33a. . While viewing the tactile sensation identification code 33 b displayed on the display 1, the user transmits the same tactile sensation identification code as the tactile sensation identification code 33 b (for example, “003”) from the tactile sensation sample section 32. Look for and touch the tactile sensation sample 32a under the tactile sensation identification code display 32b "003" with your own hands. As a result, the user can feel the actual tactile sensation on the outer surface of the sale target product image 33a displayed on the display 1 with his / her hand. Then, the user determines whether or not the user feels that the touch of the touch sample 32a pasted on the touch identification code display 32b of “003” matches his / her taste preference. One is to decide whether to apply for the purchase of the product.
As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the user views the tactile sensation sample 32a corresponding to the tactile sensation on the outer surface of the product while viewing the product image 33a presented from the virtual shop on the display 1 of his / her personal computer 6. By actually touching with your hand, you can check whether the tactile feel of the product meets your tactile taste and make a decision on whether or not to purchase. Can do.
[0018]
Embodiment 9. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing Embodiment 9 of the present invention. The ninth embodiment is an improvement of the eighth embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to those common to FIG. 8. In FIG. 9, the tactile sensation sample section 34 has a large number of tactile sensation samples 34a (parts of a real product such as clothes cut out) arranged on a plurality of cardboards 34c. On the upper side of the sample 34a, a tactile sensation identification code display 34b (display of codes such as 001, 002, and 003 shown in FIG. 9) indicating a tactile sensation identification code for specifying the tactile sensation of each tactile sensation sample 34a is printed. An LED (light emitting diode, indicating unit) 34d for indicating each tactile sensation sample 34a (or each tactile sensation identification code) is provided next to each tactile sensation identification code display 34b. .
In the virtual shop side apparatus shown in FIG. 9, the product database 9 includes, for each product, an image of the product and detailed information of the product (trade name, material, price, size of the product). And the tactile sensation identification code for specifying the tactile sensation on the outer surface of the product. Then, the product image providing unit 10 extracts product images, product detailed information, and tactile sensation identification codes for a plurality of products corresponding to the types of products requested by the user from the product database 9, and passes through the server 8. To the user. In the display 1 on the user side, as shown in FIG. 9, a product image 33a is displayed, and a tactile sensation code 33b for specifying the tactile sensation of the outer surface of the product is displayed on the product image 33a. .
In the ninth embodiment, the personal computer 6 transmits an infrared signal indicating the tactile sensation identification code (for example, “003”) of the product currently displayed on the display 1 from the infrared generation unit 35. This infrared signal is received by a receiving unit (not shown) of the tactile sensation sample unit 34. Further, the tactile sensation sample unit 34 incorporates a microcomputer (not shown), and a tactile sensation identification code (“003”) indicated by an infrared signal received by the receiving unit (not shown) is: Sent to this microcomputer. Based on the sent tactile sensation identification code ("003"), the microcomputer turns on the LED 34d arranged beside the tactile sensation identification code display 34b indicating the tactile sensation identification code ("003"). If the user touches the tactile sensation sample 34a corresponding to the LED 34d below the lit LED 34d, the tactile sensation on the outer surface of the product currently displayed on the display can be recognized. That is, in the eighth embodiment, the user can visually check the tactile sensation identification code displayed on the display 1 and visually display the tactile sensation identification code display 32b indicating the same tactile sensation identification code from the tactile sensation sample section 32. However, in the ninth embodiment, the LED 34d corresponding to the corresponding tactile sensation identification code is automatically turned on. Therefore, the user needs to search for the corresponding tactile sensation identification code display 34b with his / her own eyes. There is an advantage that there is no.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, a user applies for a purchase for a product (especially a product with a relatively large tactile feel) that is sold by a virtual shop on a network (for example, the Internet). The product exists in a remote location, such as when trying to apply for purchase through the network for a product that was sold for TV shopping, or when trying to use catalog mail order. Even if you can't check the tactile sensation of the product by touching it directly with your hand, the tactile sensation of the product matches your taste (trend) In particular, after confirming that the tactile sensation of the product is compatible with your own tactile taste (ie, virtually On which the 試触 "), it becomes possible to consider or decide whether or not to apply for purchase.
[0020]
In the present invention, a plurality of tactile swatches indicating the tactile sensation of a product are placed at the user's hand, and the user responds to the tactile sensation on the outer surface of the product while viewing the image of the product to be sold displayed on the screen. If the tactile swatch can be checked by hand, even when selecting a product to be purchased via the network, the user can determine whether or not to purchase after checking the tactile sensation of the product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 7 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining Embodiment 9 of the present invention.

Claims (3)

“From the remote shop side (including the center side that performs predetermined information processing for the remote shop), the user side through media such as a display, television, catalog, etc. A virtual trial method in which a user selects a certain product from among a plurality of products presented in, and purchases or orders the selected product or reviews them,
Information indicating "individual products" selected by the user for purchasing or ordering or examining them from "a plurality of products presented by the shop" from the user side, input, or the shop A step of receiving the selected product to be transmitted to the side,
With respect to the received “individual product selected by the user”, “the selected individual product” from the product tactile data recording means that records in advance data relating to the tactile sensation of each of the plurality of products provided by the shop side. Based on the data related to the tactile sensation of the “product” and the data related to the user's preference, whether or not the tactile sensation of the “selected individual product” matches the user's preference or the tendency of the preference is determined. A determination step to:
The result obtained by the determination is transmitted to the user side, output toward the user, or a determination result transmission step received from the shop side, etc.
A virtual trial method characterized by including: “From the remote shop side (including the center side that performs predetermined information processing for the remote shop), it is presented to the user side as an indication of the sales target through a medium such as a display, television, catalog, etc. Product tactile sensation data recording means for pre-recording data relating to the tactile sensation of each of the “multiple products”;
Information indicating "individual product" selected by the user for purchasing or ordering or examining them from "a plurality of products presented by the shop side" from the user side, input, or Means for receiving selected goods for transmission to the shop,
For the received “individual product selected by the user”, based on the data on the tactile sensation of the “selected individual product” from the product tactile sensation data recording unit and the data on the user's preference, Determining means for determining whether or not the tactile sensation of the selected individual product matches the user's preference or preference tendency, or the degree of adaptation thereof;
The result obtained by the determination is transmitted to the user side, output to the user, or a determination result transmission means for receiving from the shop side, and the like,
A virtual touch system characterized by comprising Product image providing means for providing an image of “a plurality of products that can be purchased or ordered by the user” to the user side via a network;
Commodity tactile sensation data recording means for recording data relating to the tactile sensation of each of a plurality of commodities for which images are provided by the commodity image providing means;
In order to receive information indicating “individual products” selected by the user for purchasing or ordering or examining them from “plural products” provided with images by the product image providing means from the user side Selected product receiving means,
For the received “individual product selected by the user”, based on the data on the tactile sensation of the “selected individual product” from the product tactile data recording means and the data on the user's preference, A determination means for determining whether or not the tactile sensation of the “selected individual product” matches the user's preference or preference tendency, or the degree of adaptation thereof;
A determination result transmitting means for outputting or transmitting a determination result by the determination means for the user;
A virtual touch system characterized by comprising

Images