JPH11282927A - Merchandise sales system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sell a merchandise manufactured for only one item and the merchandise small in stock even to users on a communication network. SOLUTION: This merchandise sales system on a computer network is provided with a camera 51 for picking up the images of the products 2, 3 and 4 displayed inside a shop, a transmission part for transmitting video from the camera 51 to the user, notifying means 12-14 attached to the surfaces of the merchandises 2, 3 and 4 inside the shop purchasable by the user or arranged near the merchandises for reporting that 'the merchandise is already sold' to a customer or a shop clerk inside the shop and a control means for controlling the notifying means so as to report that 'the merchandise is already sold' to the customer or the shop clerk inside the shop when the user specifies a certain product (certain specified merchandise) in the video and transmits the message that he/she wants to purchase it and it is received. Also, not only video information inside the shop but also sound information such as audio and speech inside the shop is transmitted to the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an online shopping system using a computer communication network such as the Internet. And a product sales system for selling in real time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been an idea that an image of a product in a warehouse or a store is taken by a camera, the image is transmitted to a remote customer via a communication line, and the image is purchased on the screen while the user purchases the image. doing. For example, JP-A-58-2
Japanese Patent Publication No. 17095 (applicant: Shigeo Sakano) proposes the following system. That is, the product in the store is photographed with a camera, and the image is transmitted to the customer's home.
While watching the video on the TV, select the product you want to buy,
The product type number, the product quantity number, and the customer code number of the selected product are transmitted to the store. And
In response to this, the store takes out the selected merchandise by the designated quantity while the mobile robot moves in the store.
The mobile robot further exits the store while holding the picked-up goods, arrives at the customer's house through a public road, and receives the goods in the container for goods provided at the customer's house. Put in. A system as described above has been proposed.

[0003] However, such mobile robots that take out (pick up) a product selected by a customer have not yet been put to practical use. Also, in order to pick up with the mobile robot, it is necessary to arrange the products so that they can be easily picked up by the mobile robot, and it is necessary to keep this product arrangement as small as possible. For the sake of customer interest, merchandise display in the store is usually done in a manner that is artistic, fashionable and appeals to the store, and the content of the display is daily or Normally, it is usually changed one by one so that it is easy to sell depending on the time even on the same day.
Therefore, it is extremely difficult to use a mobile robot as described above in a store that displays products in a manner that enhances fashionability.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-143185 (applicant: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) discloses that a user who is remote from an information provider can provide video information (past video information that is not real-time) of a product photographed by a camera. Transmit to the terminal, the user terminal specifies the position of the desired product while viewing the transmitted video on the screen, and transmits the position information of the specified product from the user terminal to the information provider to provide the information. Originally, the product specified by the user is identified from the transmitted location information, and information based on this identification is transmitted to display on the user terminal the product specified to be distinguished from other products. There has been proposed a system for transmitting user confirmation information to an information provider based on the information. According to this system, the information provider can present to the user all of the “stock items” (not described as “display products”) that can be photographed by the camera,
On the user side, there is an advantage that the user can have a sense of realism in product selection and can select a desired product in real time.
It is described.

However, in this system,
The user's confirmation information can be obtained, but if the customer visiting the store wishes for the same product as this user, and if the product is the only product displayed without any other inventory, If two customers wish to purchase one product in duplicate, how to adjust the two becomes a problem.
If you think about avoiding such inconveniences,
This system can be said to be an effective method only for merchandise that has a large number of stocks (standard mass-produced products, that is, “unspecified products” in civil law) at wholesale stores and large retail stores.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-22498 (applicant: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) proposes the following system. In other words, a real shot video (past video that is not real-time) of an article display in the facility is recorded as a video, and the recorded real shot video is reproduced by a remote customer in the manner of video reproduction. The customer uses the operation during video playback (forward / backward, etc.) to look over each product in the facility, and if there is a favorite product, he / she looks at the product from a close distance as if he / she is close to the product. be able to. In other words, the article display video has a structure in which each article placed in the facility (in the store) is looked around (as a video image), and the operator (customer) can use the normal playback display to display the facility. While viewing the articles in the order, it is also possible to simultaneously see other articles in the facility in a distant view. When there is a product or the like for which the operator wants to view detailed information, the reproduction of the image is stopped, and one of the articles shown on the stop screen is designated. Then, the in-facility article display video processing unit extracts the ID information of the designated article. This ID information is a number for specifying each article. Upon receiving the ID information, the article image / voice / character information processing unit can extract detailed information (article image / voice / character information) of the corresponding article and display the same on the screen of the operator's terminal. .

[0007] This publication does not describe a method for the operator to place an order for a product. However, if the ID information of each article is known, it is possible to place an order by e-mail or the like. Would. Further, in this publication, in order to extract ID information for each article from the position information on the screen, an in-store space address is virtually assigned to the in-store space (see FIG. 13 of the present application) to form an in-store image. For each video frame, a correspondence table (see FIG. 14 of the present application) between the physical screen coordinates of the video and the in-store space address is created, and a table in which the in-store space address is associated with the product code (see FIG. 14). (See FIG. 15 of the present application). When the operator specifies a desired product on the article display screen (stop screen) displayed on the user terminal, the in-store space address is searched from the “screen coordinates / in-store space address correspondence table” and the store is searched. The product code (ID information) selected by the operator is extracted from the “store space address / product code correspondence table” using the internal space address as a key.

However, in such a system as well, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-143185, adjustment between a customer who has actually visited a store and the remote operator (user) (ie, inventory) The problem of coordination when a customer who visits the store and a remote operator wish to purchase the product almost simultaneously at the same time for a specific product without any product has not been solved at all. Therefore, this system can also be used for online shopping via a network that can be used only in large-scale retail stores and the like, where only a large number of stocks can be ordered and any number of items can be ordered (the above-mentioned mass-produced products, unspecified products). It can be said that it is a system.

[0009]

As described above, all of the online shopping systems using networks that have hitherto been proposed have products (standard mass-produced products, that is, "unspecified products") having a large number of stocks. Product). However, if (A) the displayed product is a "specified item" and only the displayed product can be sold, there is a great risk of becoming "contracted", or (B) the displayed product Is "unspecified," but there is a high risk of being "sold out" because the inventory is small and adding inventory is not easy,
However, the conventional online shopping system described above cannot be used.

[0010] That is, products sold in actual stores include "unspecified objects" and "specified objects". "Unspecified"
The term "specified object" is a concept in civil law that distinguishes the properties of an "object". According to civil law, if an individual product has a personality different from the others, it is a “specified item”, and if it does not have an individuality and can be substituted for other inventory products, it is called an “unspecified item”. Is defined. An “unspecified item” is a standard mass-produced item, which is exactly the same for the display item and the inventory item and has no change in value, and an item having no difference in personality between the display item and the inventory item. In other words, for "unspecified items", the products displayed in the store have only the same meaning as in the catalog. On the other hand, a “specific object” is an object that has a personality that cannot be replaced by another. "Specific objects" include antiques displayed at antique shops, artistic works (paintings and sculptures) displayed at galleries, used goods, houseplants, pets (animals), real estate, etc. .

[0011] Also, even in the strict sense of the term "unspecified object", there are products that are substantially similar to "specified object". For example, luxury clothing (luxury ties, etc.) designed by famous foreign designers are purchased by buyers abroad, so even if there are multiple (small) productions, they actually look for the same ones. Is extremely difficult, meaning that there is virtually no substitute (no stock) other than the "displayed product".
It can be said that it is close to. In addition, for example, only 50 copies of prints, pottery products such as tableware and vases, interior goods, etc., are available in stock only if they are produced in limited quantities by the manufacturer or displayed by the manufacturer. Even if there are no items (or low inventory), there is no inventory (or low inventory and it is difficult to replenish inventory) other than the products displayed at the store. "
It is something that needs to be treated as

Also, for example, a video game machine “PlayStation (P) manufactured and sold by Sony Corporation.
S)), when the product is shipped from the manufacturer and displayed at the store, the consumer immediately fights for the purchase and is sold out within a short period of time. I do not know when the shipment will be next time,
Therefore, products that cannot be "sold for sale" are legally "unspecified" (standard mass-produced products), but there is a risk of "sold out" at stores and inventory replenishment is easy. Not at all (because we don't know when the shipment will come from the manufacturer)
It can be said that the same treatment as "specific object" is necessary.

[0013] Figurines, dolls, stuffed animals, folk crafts,
Jewelry (necklaces, brooches, etc.), artificial flowers and other "products with handmade elements in the manufacturing process"
Even of the same kind, each has a subtle personality due to "handmade elements". Even when purchasing a doll or stuffed toy, even if it is the same type at the same price, the appearance of the doll etc. is slightly different from item to item, and there are subtle differences such as `` This face is more cute than the next one '' There are many experiences that exist. In such a case, even when there are many products of the same type, since each product exerts its individuality, it is appropriate to treat it in the same way as "specific product". In other words, if there are two or more customers at the same time who want dolls (instead of stock dolls) for products displayed in the store, the idea that "anything should be fine because there is a lot of stock in mass production" Instead, we should consider that "the product has a personality and cannot be replaced, so it is necessary to coordinate between the two customers to purchase it." Therefore, the doll of the product should be treated in the same way as the "specific object".

In addition, pottery products such as tableware and vases, interior goods, etc. can theoretically be in stock, but in practice, there are often only a small amount of stock items. Since it is often impossible to do so due to cancellation, etc., these must also be treated in the same way as "specific items" at the storefront. As described above, the products that are actually displayed at the storefront of the store include (a) “specific items”
(B) “It is an unspecified item, but there is no inventory item that can be replaced or there is little inventory item, and it is not always easy to replenish inventory because shipment from a manufacturer in a short period of time cannot be expected. For this reason, unspecified items that need to be treated in substantially the same manner as specified items "and (c)" Inventory is replenished because there are many in-stock items and they are shipped immediately after ordering from the manufacturer. Unspecified objects that are easy to
There are two types of products.

According to the present invention, among these three types of products displayed at the store, the above two types of products (a) and (b), in particular, are transmitted via a computer communication network. And a system that can be used when trying to sell to a remote customer. That is, as for the goods such as the above (a) or (b), when they are displayed in the store, in principle, only the goods exist. Is high). Therefore, when trying to shop such a product online via a communication network, coordination between a customer on the network and a customer who is actually in the store is indispensable. This is because, in principle, it is necessary to consider that the above-mentioned products (a) or (b) are only actually displayed products (although there may actually be only a small amount of stock), This is because a coordination when a visitor and a customer on the network wish to purchase at the same time in duplicate or a countermeasure to prevent such a situation from occurring is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and is intended to be used when selling goods which are difficult to substitute or which are difficult to replenish inventory through a communication network. An object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise sales system capable of effectively performing adjustment between a remote customer on a communication network and a customer who is actually visiting a store. That is, the present invention provides a product sales system using a computer communication network, which can avoid a situation in which a customer wishes to purchase one product redundantly between a visiting customer and a remote customer via the network. The purpose is to provide.

[0017]

In a conventional merchandise trading site, there is only one product displayed in the store (there is no stock or it is difficult to replenish the stock).
In such a case, the order of priority for purchasing the product is determined by the "first-come-first-served order" of selling the product to the customer who first desires the purchase. It seems reasonable to maintain this “way” as well for online shopping via telecommunications networks. If, at the same time or as soon as possible thereafter, a remote customer purchases or makes an offer through the communication network, the remote customer on the network must purchase or apply for the purchase. It is necessary to inform the customer and the clerk in the store of the fact that the customer has done this. In other words, if the displayed product is sold, the stock is basically not (or likely not) to be sold, so in principle the product is already "sold" or "sold out", Will not be able to make multiple purchases, but leaving the product on display without notifying that it has been “sold” or “sold out” will cause unnecessary confusion to customers and clerks visiting the store. (On the other hand, when a customer who visits the store actually purchases a displayed product, the customer occupies the product and takes it to the checkout center. "Or" sold out "can be clearly seen by observing the appearance of the fact state of" external occupancy "). The present invention proposes the following product sales system based on such an idea.

In the specification of the present application, "display"
(Display) refers to display or display at a store for sale of goods. Further, in the specification of the present application, the “product” includes both an unspecified product and an unspecified product. In the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 278678/1996 and Japanese Patent Application No. 352033/1996, which are prior applications of the present inventors and claim the priority of the present application, the term "in-kind" is used. The relationship between the “spot” and the “product” in the specification of the present application is as follows.
The term "in-kind" is used in the above-mentioned specification of the earlier application.
It is used to mean "products displayed and displayed in stores." In the present specification, "displayed products"
"A product displayed in a store (here, the term" displayed in a store "includes a case where the product is displayed at a store entrance so that it can be seen from a road)," Products displayed on the market. " This is used with almost the same meaning as "in-kind" in the specification of the prior application. It should be noted that “products” include “stock products” in addition to “products displayed in stores or at stores”.

(1) A merchandise selling system on a computer communication network, wherein a camera for imaging a merchandise displayed in a store or at a store in real time, and an image from the camera in real time via a communication network. A video providing means provided to a remote customer; and a notifying means attached to a surface of a displayed product in a store which can be purchased by the remote customer or disposed near the product, wherein the remote customer is provided. When the application for purchase of the product or the necessary procedure for the purchase (for example, transmission of own credit card number or transmission of electronic money) is performed, the customer or the clerk in the store or at the store is told that the product is Notification means for notifying that the product has been sold or sold out, and a remote customer designates a certain product in the video and applies for or purchases the product. Notification control means for controlling the notification means to notify a customer or a clerk in the store that the product has been sold or sold out when the necessary procedure has been taken. It is.

In the present invention, as a method of “providing” the video information by the video providing means, for example,
(A) Each store establishes a homepage on the Internet and plays the image in the store in real time on the homepage, and a remote customer loads the played image with a browser (browsing software). (B) a method in which each store transmits in-store video in real time to a member customer who has a membership contract through a communication network such as the Internet; There may be various methods such as a method of transmitting in-store images in real time by digital satellite broadcasting to contracted member customers.

(2) Further, in the above (1), the notifying means may use a light (including the presence or absence of lighting or blinking of light), a character, a symbol, or a mark to indicate that the product has been sold or sold out. It is desirable to include a display unit for notifying by displaying a graphic or the like. (3) Further, in the above (1), the notifying means:
It is desirable to include a sound generation unit for notifying that the product has been sold or sold out by sound generation (including the presence or absence of sound generation). (4) Further, in the above (1), (2) or (3), the notification control means transmits a control signal or data to the notification means by wireless communication such as optical communication or infrared communication. It is desirable that (5) Further, in the above (4), it is preferable that the notification control means transmits a control signal or data to the notification means by a laser beam which travels in a straight line. (6) Further, in any one of the above (1) to (5), the notifying means includes: a recording means for recording an identification code for distinguishing itself from other notifying means; And a transmission unit for transmitting the identification code by wireless communication such as optical communication or infrared communication in response to the request. (7) Further, the present invention provides a stock quantity recording means for recording the "current stock quantity" of a displayed product, and the above-described method when the product is sold or reserved for sale by a purchase application (order) from a customer. Subtraction means for subtracting one from the number of stocks recorded in the stock quantity recording means; and that the "current stock quantity" of the product recorded in the stock quantity recording means is "0" and that the product has been sold. Notification control means for controlling the notification means when it is determined that the product has been sold, to display an indication that the product has been sold or sold out.

For example, a notice panel incorporating a microcomputer is provided near each product, and a store clerk writes (in a portable controller) the stock quantity of the product in the memory of the microcomputer in advance.
In addition, the number of stocks of a specific product such as an art product or a second-hand product produced from one product is written as "0" from the beginning. Then, when a customer who is actually visiting the store or a user on the communication network purchases the product, the stock quantity recorded in the memory is decremented by 1 (subtracted by 1), and the stock quantity value in the memory is updated. When the stock quantity becomes -1 (minus 1) as a result of the update, the product is sold or sold out because the product has been sold. , "Sold" or "sold out". In fact, if a visiting customer purchases the displayed product, the product is immediately removed (the “external occupation” of the product is transferred from the display shelf to the customer's hand)
It is not necessary to display by the above-mentioned notification means. However, when selling to a user on a communication network, there is a time lag of several minutes or hours between the user's order (purchase application) and the shipment of the product. It is necessary to avoid a situation where a remote user (customer) on the network accidentally orders the same product. Therefore, it is necessary to display “sold” or “sold out” by the notification means.

In the present invention, the method of “providing” the video information by the video providing means includes, for example,
(A) Each store establishes a homepage on the Internet and plays the image in the store in real time on the homepage, and a remote customer loads the played image with a browser (browsing software). (B) a method in which each store transmits in-store video in real time to a member customer who has a membership contract through a communication network such as the Internet; There may be various methods such as a method of transmitting in-store images in real time by digital satellite broadcasting to contracted member customers.

(8) Further, according to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual commodities displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of video taken by the camera is used to indicate a sales target. A video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, a stock quantity recording means for recording a “current stock quantity” of each product, and the stock quantity provided on or near the surface of each product. And a stock quantity display means for displaying the "current stock quantity" recorded in the recording means to the customer or the clerk. Therefore, since the display means for displaying the current stock number is provided in the store or in the vicinity of the merchandise in the store, a remote customer accessing through the communication network, a customer visiting the store, the store The clerk
By looking at the display, it is possible to grasp the stock quantity of the product. In the present invention, as a method of “providing” video information by the video providing means, for example,
(A) Each store establishes a homepage on the Internet and plays the image in the store in real time on the homepage, and a remote customer loads the played image with a browser (browsing software). (B) a method in which each store transmits in-store video in real time to a member customer who has a membership contract through a communication network such as the Internet; There may be various methods such as a method of transmitting in-store images in real time by digital satellite broadcasting to contracted member customers.

(9) Further, according to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of video imaged by the camera as information indicating a sales target. , A video providing means for providing a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and the remote customer designates a certain product, and sends a message such as an impression, an inquiry, a request, or a purchase application (order) regarding the product, Message providing means provided via a communication network, provided on or near each of the products, a message recording means capable of recording a message from a customer, and a message provided from the message providing means, Message writing means that can be transmitted and written to the message recording means wirelessly. It is an.

In the present invention, the method of providing the message by the customer includes a method of transmitting the message as an e-mail, and a method of transmitting the message as an e-mail. There are various methods such as a method in which the customer writes and registers in an area where data entry (writing) is permitted by the accessing customer. In the present invention, when a remote customer provides a message, for example, the store server once records the message on its own recording device. Thereafter, the server wirelessly transmits the recorded message to a message recording unit near the product and writes the message. The clerk can read the message for each product from the message recording means in the vicinity of each product using an external display device or the like, so that the clerk can view the message related to each product and use it for marketing and the like.

(10) According to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera indicating an object to be sold, An image providing means for providing a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and the remote customer designates a certain product and transmits a message such as an impression, an inquiry, a request, or a purchase application (order) regarding the product. Message providing means provided via a network, message recording means capable of recording a message from the message providing means, and a message provided on or near each product and displaying the message from the message recording means Display means;
It is characterized by including. The method of providing a message by the customer is a method of providing a message by sending it in the form of an e-mail or the like. There is a variety of methods such as a method in which a customer user writes and registers in an area where data input (writing) is permitted by a customer user who is accessing the data.
In the present invention, a message provided by a customer is temporarily recorded on a server, for example. The server sends the recorded message to message display means provided near each of the above-mentioned products by wireless communication, and displays the message there. Therefore, the clerk can recognize the message about the product at the place where each product is placed and use it for marketing and the like.

(11) Further, according to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of video imaged by the camera as information indicating a sales target. Image providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and product identification data display means provided in or on the surface of each product in a store or at a store, and displaying product identification data of the product, Impressions about the product by remote customers,
Message providing means for associating a message such as inquiry, request, purchase application (order) with the product identification data displayed by the product identification data display means and providing the same via a communication network, and a message from the message providing means Is stored in association with the product identification data. In the present invention, the customer looks at the product and the product identification data of the product on the screen of the information terminal of the customer, and provides a message related to the product to the store in association with the product identification data of the product. At this time, as a method of providing the message by the customer, a method of providing the message by sending it in the form of e-mail or the like,
The customer server writes and registers in the "area where data entry (writing) is allowed by the customer user accessing the homepage" in the homepage opened by the store side server on the communication network such as the Internet There can be various methods, such as a method of providing. In the present invention, a message provided by a customer is temporarily recorded and stored in a server, for example. The store clerk can recognize the contents of the message recorded and accumulated by the server for each product using the product identification data as a key, and can utilize it for marketing and the like.

(12) Further, according to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video taken by the camera as information indicating a sales target. A video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and a product identification data recording means provided in or on the surface of each product in a store or at a store, and recording product identification data of the product, The product identification data recording means which records the product identification data recorded by the product identification data recording means via wireless communication and provides the customer with the product identification data providing means, and a remote customer is provided with impressions, inquiries, requests, purchase applications (orders) concerning the product. )
And the like are associated with the product identification data from the product identification data providing unit, and a message providing unit provided via a communication network, and the message from the message providing unit is stored in association with the product identification data. And a message storage means. In the present invention, for example, when a remote customer specifies a certain product and requests the product identification data, the server on the store side controls the product identification data recording means near the product to record the product identification data. Import product identification data and provide it to customers. The customer provides a message about the product in association with the provided product identification data. As described above, the message can be provided in two forms: an electronic mail form and a form of writing / registering in a user writable area of a homepage. The clerk can use the product identification data as a key to recognize the message for each product and use it for marketing and the like.

(13) According to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera as information indicating a sales target. A video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time through a communication network, and a product detailed data such as dimensions and materials of the product, which are provided at or near the surface of each product in a store or at a store. Product detail data recording means; and product detail data providing means for capturing product detail data recorded by the product detail data recording means via wireless communication and providing the same to remote customers via a communication network. It is a product sales system. In the present invention, when a remote customer wants to provide detailed product data (material, external dimensions, price, application, manufacturing company name, manufacturing location name, etc. of a product) on a terminal screen, Request the detailed product data by specifying the product. Then, for example, the store-side server controls the product detail data recording means in the vicinity of the designated product, wirelessly fetches the product detail data recorded there, and provides it to the customer.

(14) Further, the present invention provides a camera for real-time imaging of individual commodities displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of images taken by the camera as information indicating a sales target. Image providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and product identification data display means provided in or on the surface of each product in a store or at a store, and displaying product identification data of the product, A product detail data storage unit for storing product detail data such as dimensions and materials of each product in association with product identification data of each product; and a product displayed by the product identification data display unit by a remote customer. When specifying the identification data and requesting the product detail data of the product, the product detail data storage means is used with the product identification data as a key. And product details data providing means for selecting the al relevant Product detailed data provided to the remote client, a product sales system including a. In the present invention, for example, the merchandise detailed data of each merchandise is stored in advance in the store server in association with the merchandise identification data of each merchandise. The remote customer can recognize the outline of each product and the product identification data by viewing each product and the product identification data display means near the product on the terminal screen. Then, the remote customer can specify the recognized product identification data and request the product detail data of the product in order to obtain more detailed information for determining whether to purchase the product. Then, for example, the store-side server provides the product detail data of the product to the customer using the product identification data as a key.

(15) Further, according to the present invention, a camera for real-time imaging of individual commodities displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of images taken by the camera are used as information indicating a sales target. A video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and a product identification data recording means provided in or near the surface of each product in a store or at a store, and recording product identification data of the product, Product identification data providing means for taking in the product identification data recorded by the product identification data recording means via wireless communication and providing it to the customer, and merchandise detail data such as its dimensions and materials for each product, A product detail data storage unit that stores the product identification data in association with the data; and a remote customer specifies the product identification data from the product identification data providing unit. Then, when requesting the product detail data of the product, using the product identification data as a key, a product detail data providing means for selecting the corresponding product detail data from the product detail data storage means and providing the customer with the product detail data, Is a merchandise sales system. In the present invention, for example, the store-side server stores in advance the product detailed data of each product in the recording device in association with the product identification data of each product. The remote customer requests the product identification data of the product for which detailed product data is desired while viewing each product on the terminal screen. Then, the server controls the commodity identification data recording means near the commodity, takes in the commodity identification data recorded there, and provides it to the customer.
When the customer receives the product identification data, the customer can use the product identification data as a key to retrieve the product detailed data of the product identified by the product identification data from the recording device of the store-side server. (16) Further, the present invention can provide real-time sound, such as voice, sound, music, or the like, existing or generated in the vicinity of or around a product displayed in a store or a store, or in a store or the whole store. It includes sound capturing means such as a microphone to be collected, and sound information providing means for providing the sound information captured by the sound capturing means to a remote customer via a communication network in real time. By providing the remote customer with the sound that exists near or around the displayed product, the remote customer has the “realism” as if he / she were actually in the store, and the It is possible to carry out actions such as selection and purchase of products in the market.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a product sales system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a table for displaying goods in a store, reference numerals 2, 3 and 4 denote products which have almost no stock or are low in stock close to one-item production displayed on the table 1, and reference numeral 2 denotes a ceramic product ( (Arts), 3 is luxury clothing, 4 is pottery. In FIG. 1, 1
2, 13 and 14 are the displayed products 2, 3, 4
Is a customer (visiting the store) whether it is still "sold" or already "sold or sold out" (in the following description, "sold or sold out" may be abbreviated as "sold out"). A notification panel for notifying a customer and a remote customer user performing online shopping via a computer communication network) or a clerk. Among these notification panels 12, 13, and 14, the notification panel 12 is attached to the surface of the product 2 with a chain 12a or a string. Also notice panel 1
Reference numeral 3 is attached to a button hole at the bottom of the commodity (luxury clothing) 3 by a string or a chain 13a. The notification panel 14 is placed at a position near the product 4 on the table 1.

In the store, the price ($ 20,000) and the product identification code (A1101) for specifying the product 2 are indicated by a paper product price etc. bulletin board 32. Whether the product 2 is “still sold” or “already sold (non-sellable)” is indicated to the customer or the clerk by the notification panel 12. The price of the product 3 ($
35,000) and a barcode 33a (a barcode indicating the content of "A1102"), which is a product identification code for specifying a product, are indicated by a paper product price etc. bulletin board 33. Accordingly, whether the corresponding product 3 is “still sold” or “already sold (not sellable)” is indicated to the customer or the clerk by the notification panel 13. The price of the commodity 4 ($
30,000) and an identification code (A1
103) and whether the corresponding product 4 is “still sold” or “already sold (not sellable)” is indicated to the customer or the clerk by the notification panel 14.

The configuration of each of the notification panels 12, 13, 14 is as follows. First, the notification panel 12
And 13 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the notification panel 12, characters “on sale” and “contracted” are printed on the surface of a plastic panel 21 in a vertically parallel manner. Further, LEDs (light emitting diodes) 22 and 23 are attached to the left side of the characters “under sale” and “sold”, respectively. Further, a receiving section 24 for receiving a signal from an infrared signal transmitter 61 described later is formed on an upper portion of the panel 21. FIG.
As shown in (c), the signal received by the receiving unit 24 is analyzed by the microcomputer 25 built in the panel 21. Based on this analysis, the microcomputer 25 turns on or off one of the LEDs 22 or 23. A customer visiting the store or a customer on the network can know whether the product 12 or 13 is "on sale" or "contracted" by turning on or off one of the LEDs 22 or 23. I can do it.

The notification panel 14 is configured as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 15 is attached to a plastic frame 31. The LCD 15 displays the price of the product 4 ($ 30,000), the product identification code (A1103) for specifying the product 4, and whether the product 4 is “sold” or “sold”. Is displayed. Also, this frame 31
A receiving unit 34 for wirelessly receiving a signal transmitted from an infrared signal transmitter 61, which will be described later, is attached to an upper part of the receiver. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, a microcomputer 35 is provided inside the frame 13, and the signal received by the receiving unit 34 is
Analyzed at 5. Then, the microcomputer 35 controls the LCD 15 based on the analysis of the signal,
Either “sale” or “sold” of the product 4 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 15. This allows the customer visiting the store and the customer (user) on the network to know whether the product 4 is “sold” or “sold”.

Next, the overall configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 again. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 41 denotes an infrared signal transmitter carried by a clerk 40. The infrared signal transmitter 41 is operated by the clerk 40 to operate the notification panel 12.
And 13, a signal for turning on or off one of the LCDs 22 and 23 according to the situation. The infrared signal transmitter 41 is connected to a clerk 40.
By the operation described above, the price of the corresponding product 4 ($ 30,000) and the product code (A11
03) and a signal for displaying any of the characters “sold” and “sold” on the screen of the LCD 15 (see FIG. 3).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 51 denotes a video camera provided in the store. This video camera 51
It is for photographing products displayed in the store, and is provided at a plurality of locations in the store. The following correspondence is set between the plurality of video cameras 51 and the product display space in the store. That is, the product display space in the store is virtually allocated to a plurality of addresses (FIG. 6 of JP-A-8-22498, which is a conventional technique (FIG. 6 of this publication is directly referred to FIG. 13 of the present application)). See). Then, a correspondence table between the addresses and the identification numbers of the video cameras is created.
Then, this correspondence table is recorded in the recording device of the store-side server 52. FIG. 5 shows an example of the “correspondence table between the in-store space address and the video camera identification number” used in the first embodiment.

The user designates (clicks with a mouse or the like) a desired point (sales corner) in the sketch while viewing the sketch in the store on the screen of the communication terminal 54, so that the image of the space including the spot is designated. Can be viewed in real time. That is, when a user (remote customer) on the communication network designates (clicks with a mouse or the like) a predetermined point (point) in the sketch while looking at a screen on which a sketch or the like in the store is displayed, for example. The video camera identification number corresponding to the address of the space including the designated point is searched from the table (FIG. 5). Then, real-time photographed video data from the video camera 51 having the searched video camera identification number is provided to the user. The provision of this video data to the user side is made public on a homepage on the Internet and taken in by the user side by browsing software for browsing the homepage or transmitted to the user side by the server 52. By doing
Alternatively, this is performed by, for example, broadcasting the video from the communication satellite to the user.

That is, in the first embodiment, the video taken by the video camera 51 is made public on, for example, a homepage opened on the Internet by the store server 52 on the store side. According to the setting of the server 52, the store side may set the user who can access this homepage as a general customer user or a customer member user who has paid a predetermined membership fee to the store side and made a membership contract in advance. You may. The user who accesses this home page can capture video data from the video camera 51 using browsing software for browsing, or can transmit the video data from the store-side server 52 and capture the video data into his / her own computer. it can. Further, the video data can be broadcast from a communication satellite to a user's home. As will be described later, when a remote user sends an operation signal to the store-side server (computer) 52, the plurality of video cameras 51 can change the imaging direction and the zoom magnification of the imaging by the user's remote operation. It can be changed arbitrarily.
Therefore, the user can capture video data in an arbitrary direction and magnification by remote control of the video camera 51 (with the transmission or browsing software for browsing).

Also, as shown in FIG.
In the above, video cameras are not installed for all the in-store space addresses, but the video cameras 51 are installed for every other in-store space address. Therefore, the video camera 51 corresponding to each of the spatial addresses SA01 and SA03 is installed, but there is no corresponding video camera at the spatial addresses SA02 and SA04. Therefore, the actual video images of the spatial addresses SA02 and SA04 are respectively assigned to their address spaces (for example, S
A02), the respective images from the video cameras respectively corresponding to the two adjacent address spaces (for example, SA01 and SA03) adjacent to A02) are combined into one, and the combined image is transmitted to the user. .

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 61 denotes an infrared signal transmitter, which wirelessly transmits a signal indicating "sale" or "sold" to any of the notification panels 12, 13, and 14. For example, an identification code for each notification panel is added to a signal transmitted from the infrared transmitter 61 (in addition, a unique identification code is recorded for each notification panel, and its own unique identification code is recorded. Is programmed so as to accept and process only the information to which information is assigned).
Only the notification panel having the corresponding identification code in 4 selectively receives the signal and processes the information. The notification panels 12 and 13 which have received this signal,
The built-in microcomputer 25 turns on or blinks the LED 22 next to the character "sale" if "sold" (the state of FIG. 2A), and "sold" if "sold". The LED 23 next to the character "" is turned on or blinks (the state shown in FIG. 2B). The notification panel 14 that has received the signal controls the LCD 15 by the built-in microcomputer 35, and displays “sale” if “sale” (FIG. 3 (a)). )), And if it is "contracted", the characters "contracted" are displayed (state in FIG. 3B). As a result, it is possible to notify the visiting customer or the clerk 40 in real time whether the product is “sold” or “sold”.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 52 denotes whether a user who accesses a homepage on the Internet via a public telephone line 53 captures the image captured by the video camera 51 using browsing (browsing) software. Or a store-side server (computer) for providing digital data to the user by transmitting it to the user. In other words, the user
"Real-time video data captured by the video camera 51" provided in the form of a homepage or the like on the Internet from the store-side server 52 can be loaded into its own computer by browsing software. Can be transmitted from the store-side server 52 (further, can be broadcast from a communication satellite or the like). The store-side server 52 receives a signal from the user-side communication terminal 54 and controls the infrared signal communication device 61.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 54 denotes a remote user-side communication terminal (comprised of a personal computer or the like) which includes a display device 54a having an LCD or the like and an input device 54b having a keyboard and a mouse. Is provided. FIG. 4A shows an example of an operation controller of the video camera 51 provided in the input device 54b. The illustration of the controller for operation of the input device 54b is based on the controller drawing described in the use manual of a video game machine (product name "NINTENDO64") using a 64-bit MPU of Nintendo Co., Ltd., a video game maker. It is quoted. This controller is provided with a stick 151 called a “3D stick”. The 3D stick 151 reads a tilt angle and a direction (see FIGS. 4B and 4C) of the stick 151 that moves three-dimensionally by a user's operation, thereby performing a subtle three-dimensional operation on the screen. This is an analog stick that enables The remote user can move the 3D stick 151 three-dimensionally and freely move three-dimensionally in the store while watching the screen via the communication network. You can move freely within the store as if you were in the store). When the user moves the 3D stick 151, the in-store virtual space address is detected in accordance with the movement of the 3D stick 151, and the "in-store space address" is moved based on the detected address. / Video camera identification number table ", the corresponding identification number of the video camera 51 is searched, and the data of the real video (or a composite video of the real video from the two video cameras) from the video camera 51 is retrieved in real time. It is done by having you provide. The real-time provision of the live-action video data may be performed, for example, by allowing the user to access the homepage and capture it with his / her own browsing (for browsing) software, or to have the server 52 transmit the data.
Or, by having it broadcast from a communication satellite,
Done.

In the first embodiment, the capture or transmission of the real-time photographed image can be performed for 24 hours, both during the time when the store is open and during the time when the store is closed. Especially during the time when the store is open, the live-action video that is transmitted shows not only the displayed products but also the status of ordinary visitors and clerks, etc. Is displayed as a video (video), so the remote user can see through the screen as if he were in the shop and actually looking for the product at the site, just like the customer on the screen A great sense of reality. In addition, by adopting the merchandise sales system of the first embodiment, if the indoor lighting in the store is turned ON, the store can be operated online (on a communication network) for 24 hours or by satellite broadcasting. Can be shown to the user, and there is also a chance to accept access from users living in remote areas and sell products. Therefore, the store can obtain the same effect as extending the business hours of the store, and can obtain the same effect as newly opening a sister store in another remote area. In addition, in stores that operate alone or with a small number of people, it is difficult for shopkeepers to take long vacations because they cannot open the store (they cannot close the store). Was more
If the merchandise sales system of the first embodiment is adopted, a business form of “stores operating on the network with the entrance key locked (closed)” is also possible. There is an advantage that it is easier to take a vacation.

FIG. 6 shows the user-side communication terminal 5.
4 shows an example of a display screen by the display device 54a of FIG. FIG. 6A shows a paper product price or the like in which the user wants to purchase the product 3 in FIG. 1 and displays the price of the product 3 and its product identification code (for example, a barcode indicating “A1102”). The bulletin board 33 is magnified and imaged (the user transmits an operation signal to the store-side server 52 and remotely operates the zoom mechanism of the video camera 51 to magnify and photograph the bulletin board 33). In the center of the screen of the display device 54a, a reading unit 154 (FIG. 6)
(Parts indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 7A and 7B). When the user remotely operates the video camera 51 to put the image of the barcode 33a into the reading unit 154 surrounded by the broken line and input a reading command, the reading unit 154 reads the barcode 33a. (The bar code 33a is first taken in as image data, which is analyzed and recognized as an identification code.) For example, a product identification code of "A1102" is input. The product identification code “A1102” as a result of the reading is displayed in a small window screen 155 at the upper right of the display screen of FIG.
As described above, the product 3 is specified by the product identification code “A1102” between the user-side communication terminal 54 and the store-side server 52.

When the user wants to purchase the product 3, the purchase procedure is performed by, for example, the following operation. First, the user uses the input device 54b of the communication terminal 54 to enter his / her name, address, credit card number, etc. (In some cases, the store is a department store, and the member number for the department store's own customer is entered. If there is a need for “prepayment for the product price”, the electronic money corresponding to the product price is transmitted.) Then, the user transmits the input information, the product identification code of the product 3 input by the reading unit 154, and the message of “I want to purchase” input by a keyboard or the like by e-mail transmission or homepage writing. In the form of registration in the area, etc., via the communication line 53,
It is provided to the store side server 52. When the store server 52 receives these pieces of information, it controls the infrared transmitter 61 to output a product identification code of the product 3 and a signal instructing that the product 3 is "sales completed". The notification is sent to the notification panel 13.

Specifically, “A11 unique to the commodity 3”
A product identification code of "02" and information that "a remote customer has made a purchase request or purchase application" are transmitted as infrared signals. The microcomputer incorporated in the notification panel 13 receives a signal to which the notification panel 13 has previously assigned a product identification code “A1102” unique to the product 3 corresponding to the notification panel 13. Predetermined information processing (specifically, the notification panel 13
(A process of displaying "sold"). Therefore, in the notification panel 13 that has received the above-described signal, the LED 22 that has been lit up to that time (L is located at the position next to the character “sale”).
ED) is turned off, and the LED 23 (the LED next to the character "sales completed") is turned on or blinks.
That is, the infrared signals (the signal indicating the product identification code unique to the product 3 and the signal indicating the instruction of "display the contracted status") emitted from the infrared transmitter 61 are transmitted to the notification panels 12, 13, 14, and the like. The information is received once by a plurality of notification panels in the store. However, each notice panel 12,
13 and 14, etc., a product identification code unique to each of the corresponding products 2, 3 and 4 is recorded, and only when a command signal indicating "sales completed" is sent together with the product identification code, the "sales completed" is transmitted. Are pre-programmed to execute the instruction of "". Therefore, the signal from the infrared transmitter 61 is transmitted to a plurality of notification panels 12,
Even if it is radiated to 13, 14, etc., only the notification panel 13 in which the corresponding product identification code is recorded executes the instruction of “sales completed”. By the above-described lighting process of the LED 23 (display of "sales completed"), it is possible to notify a visiting customer or clerk that the displayed product 3 has been "sales completed" from that point. Further, since the lighting process of the LED 23 (display of “contracted”) is performed within a very short time from the time when the remote customer makes an application for purchase, the remote customer can also view the process on the screen to make a purchase. It is possible to confirm in real time that the application for is accepted by the store.

FIG. 6 (b) shows another example of the display screen of the display device 54a of the user-side communication terminal 54. This example shows an operation screen when the user wants to purchase the product 4 in FIG. In this case, the user remotely operates the video camera 51 to enlarge and image the notification panel 14 on which the product identification code “A1103” of the product 4 is displayed, and to display the product identification code “A1103”. The image of the portion is put in the reading section 154 (portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 6B) at the center of the screen, and a reading command is input.
Then, the reading unit 154 reads the alphanumeric characters of “A1103”. This reading is performed first by using the “A110
This is performed by capturing the alphanumeric characters of 3 "as image data and recognizing the captured image data as characters or numerical data (text data) by OCR software (character recognition program). Results read by this OCR software Product identification code "A
1103 ″ is displayed in the small window screen 155 at the upper right of the display screen in FIG. 6B. The product identification code of the product 4 is input in the manner described above. The method described is a method of reading the product identification code from the reading unit 154, but in the first embodiment, various other methods are possible.
As another method, for example, the user recognizes (visually) the product identification code of the product 4 to be purchased on the screen as “A1103”, and displays the product identification code input window screen 155 ( 6 (b) is displayed, and the recognized product identification code “A110
3 "is manually input with a keyboard or the like. When the user intends to apply for the purchase of the product 4, the product identification code" A1103 "of the product 4 thus input is separately input. Information such as the name, address, payment method, and a purchase application message is transmitted to the store server 52 via a communication line 53. The store server 52 performs the purchase application and the accompanying application. Upon receiving the information, the infrared transmitter 61 is controlled to change the display on the notification panel 14 of the product 4 from “sale” to “sold”. Also,
The store clerk looks at the purchase application record of the store-side server 52, removes the product 4 from the display table 1, and performs a procedure for delivering it to the user's home by courier.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the video cameras 51 are attached to a plurality of locations in a store. Further, the infrared transmitter 61 also includes:
In correspondence with each video camera 51 (so-called video camera 5
1) (in the form of a set with the video camera 51). Also, the video from each video camera 51 can be viewed simultaneously by a plurality of remote users via a computer network. However, operating the directional control and zoom control of one video camera 51 first establishes a "priority" (priority for operating that video camera) by accessing that video camera 51. Only the user can do it. Then, only the user who can operate the video camera 51 can operate the infrared transmitter 61. Other users who do not have the “priority” may browse and view the video from the video camera 51.
It can only be captured and viewed by software. The other user who does not have the “priority” is the first time when the user having the priority relinquishes the priority of the video camera 51 that has been established (acquired) in order to move to another video camera 51. , Its video camera 51
Operation priority can be obtained. When the priority of operation of the video camera 51 is transferred to another user, the priority of operation of the infrared transmitter 61 provided corresponding to the video camera is automatically transferred to another user.
In addition, the priority of the operation of the video camera 51 can be acquired in order from the user who accessed the video camera 51 earlier (first-come, first-served).

Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be modified not only in the first embodiment but also in the following various ways. For example, FIG.
As shown at 01, a sound collecting microphone 301 is provided adjacent to or near the video camera 51 so as to capture sound such as sound, music or voice of the whole store or around the product display place. The acquired sound information is sent to the remote customer in real time by the store server 52 together with the video information from the video camera 51 via a communication network (such as an Internet homepage) or a communication satellite. Provided. In this way, remote customers can receive not only real-time in-store video but also in-store sound in real time, making shopping on the network more "realistic". Is obtained.

Further, for example, in the first embodiment, the LEDs 22 and 2 are used as notification means for notifying the visiting customer or the clerk that the product has been “sales completed”.
The notification panels 12 and 13 provided with the LCD 3 and the notification panel 14 provided with the LCD 15 are used to visually notify customers and clerks who are visiting the store that "sales have been completed". The invention is not limited to this. For example, the following method may be used to notify that "sales have been completed". For example, the notification panels 12, 13, and 14 are LE
Instead of D or LCD, a buzzer or a speaker may be provided, and a predetermined sound or voice may be output to appeal to the hearing of customers or clerks who are visiting the store, thereby notifying that "sales have been completed". Further, in the present invention, a laser beam generating device controlled by the store server 52 is provided, and when a user designates a specific product and desires to purchase, controlling the laser beam generating device, By continuing to emit a colored laser beam for the item for which purchase has been reserved, and by continuing to emit the laser beam, the store clerk is told, "It is necessary to remove the item from the display table 1 and deliver it to the user. May be notified. In this case, even before the store clerk removes the product from the display table 1, the laser beam continues to be emitted, so that a visiting customer or store clerk can recognize that the product has already been "sales completed".

Embodiment 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, parts common to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, each of the products 2, 3, and 4 has a notification panel 72, 7 that is thin and has a small area and a shape similar to that of the “product tag”.
3, 74 are attached respectively. In this attachment method, the notification panel 72 is adhered to the surface of the product 2 by an adhesive tape (not shown) coated with an adhesive that can be attached and detached a plurality of times without leaving any trace. I have. Also, the notification panels 73 and 74 are:
They are attached to products 3 and 4 by strings 93 and 94, respectively.

The appearance of the notification panels 72, 73, 74 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).
The internal configuration of these notification panels 72, 73, 74 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. That is, in FIG.
2b is a CPU (central processing unit). 72a is
The LEDs 22 and 23 (FIG. 2) are controlled by the CPU 72b.
Or a display unit including an LCD, for indicating whether a certain product is “sold” or “sold”. A transmission unit 72e is controlled by the CPU 72b and wirelessly transmits a signal to an external device.
The receiving unit 72c for wirelessly receiving a signal from an external device (device) is controlled by the CPU 72b.
Is a memory that records data under the control of. The memory 72c is a memory in which recorded data can be rewritten, and is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile ferroelectric memory (FRAM). Note that the above description is based on the notification panel 72.
However, the same applies to the notification panels 73 and 74.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 81 denotes a clerk 40.
Is a portable infrared transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the notification panels 72, 73, 74 attached to the products 2, 3, and 4 by carrying. The internal configuration of the portable infrared transceiver 81 is as shown in FIG.
That is, in FIG. 8, 81a is a CPU, 81b is a C
A memory for recording data under the control of the PU 81a,
81c is an input unit such as a keyboard, and 81d is an LC.
A display unit including D and the like, 81e is a transmission unit that transmits data under the control of the CPU 81a, and 81f is a reception unit that receives data from an external device.

Next, the operation of the infrared transceiver 81 will be described. The clerk 40, for a product displayed for sale in the store, the product identification code and data indicating whether the product is currently “sold” or “sold”,
Each data such as product name data, product price data, product material data, and product data such as product size (dimension) data is input by the input unit 81c. Each of the input data is sent to the CPU 8
1a, the data is temporarily stored in the memory 81b. Next, when the clerk 40 inputs a transmission command from the input unit 81c, the CPU 81a controls the transmission unit 81e to wirelessly transmit the data recorded in the memory 81b to the notification panel 72. . Each of the transmitted data is received by the receiving unit 72d of the
The data is recorded in the memory 72c by the PU 72b. Also CP
U72b displays the display unit 72a based on the data “whether the product (product) is currently on sale or sold” received together with the identification data and the product data.
LED 22 and 23 (see FIG. 2) are displayed to indicate either “sold” or “sold”, and notify the customer or the clerk of “sold” or “sold”.

Next, in FIG. 7, reference numeral 82 denotes an infrared transmitter / receiver controlled by the store-side server 52 for wirelessly transmitting / receiving signals (data signals) to / from the notification panels 72, 73, 74. It is. The electrical configuration of the infrared transceiver 82 is as shown in FIG.
And a memory 82e for recording data, a transmitting unit 82b and a receiving unit 82c for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data between the notification panels 72, 73, and 74, and the store server 52. I / O for sending and receiving data
O port 82d. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 83 denotes a laser beam generator for emitting a laser beam to the light receiving section 72f (see FIG. 9) of the notification panels 72, 73, 74 under the control of the store server 52; A direction controller for controlling the emission direction of the laser beam emitted from the laser beam generator 83 under the control of the side server 52.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, these store-side server 52, infrared transceiver 82, laser beam generator 8
3. Direction control device 84 and notification panels 72, 73, 74
Will be described. The infrared transceiver 82, the laser beam generator 83, and the direction controller 84 described above.
Are the video cameras 51 provided at a plurality of locations in the store.
The video camera 51 is provided with each video camera 51 at a position near the video camera 51 so as to correspond to the video camera 51 respectively.

Now, as in the first embodiment, a remote customer user accesses a homepage on the Internet that publishes video data captured by the video camera 51 shown in FIG. The operation when the user wants to purchase the product 2 (as long as the product has no stock) shown in FIG.

First, the user needs to know the product identification code of the product 2. In addition, the user needs to know the price, size, and material of the product 2 before making an intention to purchase and to determine whether or not it is really good to purchase (the price and the price of the product 2 described above). The size and material may be known to some extent by looking at the product tag on which the price has been entered from the video from the video camera 51, or by enlarging the video of the product 2 and looking at its surface. The information from 51 alone may not be enough.) The operation for that will be described below. In this case, the user must first use his / her own communication terminal 54.
Then, a command signal for generating a laser beam from the laser beam generator 83 and a control signal for controlling the emission direction of the laser beam are transmitted to the store-side server 52. In this case, the emission direction of the laser beam is controlled by using a 3D (three-dimensional) operation stick or the like as shown in FIG. 4 while the user looks at the screen of the display device 54a. In the same manner as a laser beam is emitted by a pistol-type laser gun toward the center, the center of the target notification panel 72 (the light receiving unit 72f is located at the center) is displayed on the display device 5.
4a and brought to the center of the screen (light receiving section 7).
This is performed by inputting and transmitting a “firing” command so as to emit a laser beam toward (a portion where 2f exists).

The store-side server 52, which has received the above-mentioned laser beam emission command signal and its emission direction control signal,
First, the direction controller 84 is controlled based on the launch direction control signal to control the launch direction of the laser beam. Next, the store-side server 52 controls the laser beam generator 83 to emit the laser beam in the above-described controlled direction. The emission of the laser beam is continued for a predetermined time. The emitted laser beam (see reference numeral 85 in FIG. 7) is sent to the notification panel 72 linearly in one or more lines, and the light receiving portion (7 in FIG. 9) of the notification panel 72 is used.
2f). When the laser beam is received, a signal indicating the laser beam is sent from the light receiving unit 72f to the CPU.
72b. Next, the user operates the input device 54b while the laser beam is being emitted to receive product data such as product identification data recorded in the memory 72c incorporated in the notification panel 72. Remote control of. This operation is performed by the user inputting command data “transmit product data” from the input device 54b and transmitting the command data to the store-side server 52. When the store server 52 receives the command data, the store server 52 controls the infrared transceiver 82 to wirelessly transmit a command signal representing the command. Since the command signal based on the infrared rays is diffused without going straight in a straight line like a laser beam, the same command signal based on the infrared rays is transmitted to each of the notification panels 72 and 72 in FIG.
73 and 74 respectively.

However, the program executed by the CPU 72b (stored in the memory 72b in advance) includes
If the command signal is received while the laser beam is being received, it is analyzed and executed, but if the command signal is received while the laser beam is not received, it is ignored without analysis. I keep it. Therefore, the command signal from the infrared transceiver 82 is eventually transmitted to the three notification panels 72, 73, 7.
4 are received once, but the received command signal is read (analyzed) and executed by the notification panel 72 which receives the laser beam simultaneously among the three.
Only. Then, the notification panel 72 reads the command signal and transmits a signal indicating the product data and the product identification data recorded in its own memory 72c to the infrared transceiver 82 by wireless. The signal indicating the transmitted product data and product identification data is
It is provided to the user by the store server 52. The provision of the merchandise data and the merchandise identification data is performed by the user operating and reading the homepage on the store side or by having the server 52 transmit the data to the user side. When the merchandise data and the merchandise identification data are displayed on the screen of the display device 54a of the user's terminal 54, the user looks at this screen,
It is possible to check product data such as price, size, material and the like and product identification data to determine whether to purchase.

Next, the user checks the product identification data relating to the product 2 and the product data such as price, size, material, etc. on the screen of the display device 54a, makes a decision on the purchase, and applies for the purchase. The operation when trying to do is described. In this case, similarly to the case of requesting the product data described above, first, the user
To remotely control the direction control device 84 and the laser beam generator 83 to emit a laser beam toward the center of the notification panel 72 (the portion where the light receiving portion 72f is located), and emit the laser beam. For a predetermined time. This laser beam is received by the light receiving section 72f, and a signal indicating the reception is sent to the CPU 72b.
Sent to Next, the user may receive a purchase application message while the laser beam is continuously emitted,
Enter the necessary messages and data such as your name and address, e-mail address, product identification data of the product 2 to be purchased, price payment method, and credit card number, and send them to the store-side server 52. I do.

The store-side server 52 that has received these messages and data operates the infrared transceiver 82 to transmit the user's name and address, e-mail address, product identification data of the product 2, and price payment method. , And a signal indicating a credit card number, a signal indicating an instruction to “record these data in the memory 72c”, and a notification panel 7 indicating that the product 2 has been sold.
And the signal on the display unit 72a of the second display unit 72a is changed to indicate that sales have been completed. " Unlike the laser beam, the signal transmitted by the infrared communication does not travel in a straight line and diffuses to the surroundings. Therefore, these transmitted signals are transmitted not only to the notification panel 72 but also to the notification panel 73 around the panel. And 74 at the same time. However, each notice panel 72,7
The program for controlling the CPU built in the CPUs 3 and 74 includes, "Only when the signal from the infrared transceiver 82 is received and the laser beam 85 is received at the same time, analyze and execute the received signal ( If the laser beam is not received at the same time, receive the signal once and ignore it without analyzing it.) " Therefore, even if the signal transmitted from the store-side server 62 is once received by all of the three notification panels 72, 73, and 74, the received signal is analyzed and executed by the data And the notification panel 72 that is also receiving the laser beam 85 at the same time as receiving the command signal.

Thus, the CPU of the notification panel 72
72b records the received data (product identification data, user's name, address, e-mail address, credit card number, etc.) in the memory 72c, and controls the LED of the display unit 72a to indicate "sold". The display on the display unit 72a is changed so as to notify the visiting customer or the sales clerk that this is the case. And the notification panel 72
When these processes are completed, the CPU 72b transmits a signal to that effect to the store-side server 52 wirelessly.
The store-side server 52 transmits a signal indicating this (end of the process) to the user-side communication terminal 54, and notifies the user of the end of the purchase application process by e-mail or the like. This allows the user to confirm that the purchase procedure has been completed.

In this way, the product 2 by the remote user
When the purchase is completed, the information indicating that the product has been "sales completed" is displayed on the notification panel 72, so that the customer or the clerk 40 who is visiting the store can immediately know that the product is "sales completed", This prevents the customer 2 who visits the store from accidentally making a double purchase application. In addition, the clerk 40 can know the name and address of the remote user who purchased the product 2 via the store-side server 52, but also can use the portable infrared transceiver 81 at the same time. it can. That is, as described above, since the data such as the user's name and address is recorded in the memory 72c in the notification panel 72, the clerk 40 instructs the CPU 72b of the notification panel 72 to record the data in the memory 72c. The data is transmitted to the infrared transceiver 81 carried by the user, and these data are transmitted to the infrared transceiver 8.
The content of the data can also be known by displaying the data on the first display unit (LCD) 81d. Also, the store clerk 40 can know the information of the remote user who applied for the purchase by a method in which the display section 72a of the notification panel 72 is constituted by an LCD and the recorded contents of the memory 72c are displayed on the display section 72a by the CPU 72b. Can be.

Embodiment 3 In the above-described second embodiment, while the laser beam 85 from the laser beam generator 83 continues to be received by the light receiving unit 72f, the infrared transceiver 82 displays "Display that the product 2 is on sale." Or a signal indicating an instruction to "display that the product 2 has been sold" and a signal indicating data such as the name and address of the remote user who has made the purchase application are transmitted to the notification panel 72. I am trying to do it. On the other hand, the third embodiment is characterized in that the function of transmitting the signal indicating the respective data by the infrared transceiver 82 is also replaced by the laser beam generator 83.

That is, in the third embodiment, the laser beam 207 generated by the laser beam generator 206 shown in FIG. 10 includes a signal indicating a purchase application message of the remote user who has made the purchase application, And a signal indicating data such as an address (for example, “0” due to a blinking combination of the laser beam 207).
And a signal indicating these messages and data by the laser beam 207 to the light receiving section 202c (see FIG. 12) of the notification panel 202 in FIG. I try to send. In this case, the signal received by the light receiving unit 202c is sent to the CPU 202a (FIG. 12). Upon receiving this signal, the CPU 202a displays the display unit 202d (FIG.
2) is controlled to change the display from "sale" to "sold". Further, the CPU 202 a
Data such as the name and address of the user who made the purchase application is recorded in 2d (FIG. 12).

Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, parts common to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. First, in FIG. 10, a plurality of video cameras 51 are provided in a store, and a laser beam generator 206, a direction controller 84, and an infrared receiver The machine 209 is provided in a so-called one-set form, as in the second embodiment. Next, in FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, reference numerals 202, 203, and 204 denote notification panels attached to the products 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and reference numeral 205 denotes a product identification code, The portable controller 206 that transmits a signal indicating a price or the like by a laser beam, 206 transmits a signal indicating data such as the name and address of a customer who wants to purchase transmitted from the store-side server 52 on the laser beam 207. 209 receives a purchase reservation confirmation signal (infrared signal) from the notification panels 202, 203, and 204 and sends it to the store server 52. (The store server 52 further purchases the This is an infrared receiver for sending an application acceptance confirmation message to the user side communication terminal 54).

Next, based on FIG. 11, the store clerk 40 stores the product identification code of each of the products 2, 3, and 4 and the product data such as the price and material thereof on the respective notification panels 202, The operation at the time of transmission will be described in 203 and 204. The clerk 40 inputs data such as the product identification code of each of the products 2, 3, and 4 and the price thereof to the portable controller 205. Specifically, the code and data are input from the input unit 205b, and are recorded in the memory 205d by the CPU 205a. Next, the recorded code and data are transmitted on the laser beam from the laser beam generator 205e. In this case, the laser beam travels in a straight line, so if the laser beam is emitted aiming at the center of the notification panel corresponding to the target product, only the notification panel can reliably receive the laser beam. In addition, there is no possibility that the laser beam is erroneously received by a notification panel other than the target notification panel. Light receiving unit 2 of notification panel 203
02c receives the signal from the laser beam and sends the signal to the CPU 202a, which records the data indicated by the signal in the memory 202d. Also C
The PU 202a controls the LED (or LCD) of the display unit 202b based on the recorded data to display whether the product 2 is "sold" or "sold".

It should be noted that the clerk 40 sends the notice panels 202 and 20
When the user wants to see the data recorded in the memory of the 3,204, the portable controller 205 is operated,
A signal indicating an instruction to “transmit data recorded in the memory 202 d of the notification panel 202” is transmitted from the laser beam generation unit 205 e of the controller 205. Then, the laser beam carrying this signal is received by the light receiving section 202c of the notification panel 202, and the CPU 202
According to a, the data recorded in the memory 202d is transmitted from the transmission unit 202e, and is received by the reception unit 205f of the portable controller 205.

Next, an operation when a remote customer user accessing via a network desires to purchase the product 2 through the video camera 51 and makes a purchase application to the store. Will be described based on FIG. 10 and FIG. This operation is performed in the following (a) to (g)
Are performed in the order of (A) When a remote customer user finds a product that he / she wants to purchase while watching the video from the video camera 51 on the screen of the communication terminal 54, first, the material, dimensions, selling price, and price of the product It is necessary to know product data such as payment methods. There are various methods for the store to notify the remote customer of the product data.

For example, first, first, the store leans a sheet in advance near each product on which product data such as the material, dimensions, selling price, and price payment method of the product are described. The video camera 51
There is a method of visually recognizing the image from the camera. In the second method, the user remotely controls the laser beam generator 206 (refer to the following (b) for a specific method of remote control), and the information is recorded in the memory 202d in the notification panel 202. A signal for instructing to wirelessly return product data such as the material, dimensions, selling price, and price payment method of the product is sent to the notification panel 20 by a laser beam.
2 and the product data is wirelessly returned from the notification panel 202. As a third method, the user remotely controls the infrared transmitter (see 61 in FIG. 1) to store the information in the memory 202d in the notification panel 202.
, A signal instructing to wirelessly return product data such as the material, dimensions, selling price, price payment method, etc. of the product recorded in the notification panel 202, the product identification code of the corresponding product recorded in the notification panel 202 Is transmitted to the notification panel 202 by infrared rays together with a signal indicating that the product data is wirelessly returned from the notification panel 202. In the notification panel 202, the product identification code transmitted with the signal indicating the command is transmitted. It is determined whether or not it matches the product identification code recorded by itself, and the above-mentioned command is executed only when it matches.) As a fourth method, the user sends an image of the product and a message indicating that the user wants to transmit product data related to the product to the store server 52 by e-mail, and the store clerk sends the e-mail to the store server 52. On the other hand, the store-side server 52
To return the product data of this product to the user. Although not described here, there are various methods other than the above method. When the user confirms the product data of the product by any method and decides to purchase, the user applies for the purchase as follows.

(B) First, the user remotely controls the direction control device 84 via the store-side server 52, and the laser beam 207 from the laser beam generator 206 is turned on the notification panel 202 corresponding to the product 2 desired by the user. The direction of the laser beam is controlled so as to accurately hit the light receiving unit 202c at the center. This is similar to firing a pistol or a laser beam gun at a target on a TV screen in a fighting game of a video game. ) Controls the direction of the laser beam to be emitted from the laser beam generator 206, aiming at the central portion (light receiving portion 202c) of the notification panel 202.

(C) Then, after controlling the direction, the user stores his / her name, address,
How to pay for the item price, your credit card number,
The user transmits his / her own e-mail address and data such as a message of a purchase application for the product 2. The store-side server 52 transmits a signal indicating the transmitted data and a signal indicating an instruction to “change the LED of the display unit 202b from the display for sale to the display for sale” from the laser beam generator 206. It is transmitted to the notification panel 202 on the laser beam 207. The store-side server 52 records the data sent from the user in its own external recording device (hard disk) 52a.

(D) The laser beam 207 and the signal carried thereon are transmitted to the light receiving section 202 c of the notification panel 202.
And is sent to the CPU 202a. CPU2
No. 02a analyzes the transmitted signal and records data obtained by the analysis in the memory 202d. In addition, the CPU 202a, based on the instruction of “change the LED of the display unit 202b from the display for sale to the display for sale” in the data obtained by this analysis, based on the LEDs 22, 23 of the display unit 202b. (See FIG. 2)
The lighting or blinking display is changed from "sale" to "sold". As a result, the customer and the clerk who are visiting the store can immediately recognize (visually) that the product 2 has changed from “sold” to “sold” immediately after that point.
In addition, a user who has made a purchase application via the network can also see in real time that the display on the display unit 202b of the notification panel 202 has changed from "sale" to "sold" by the video from the video camera 51. The user can confirm on the spot that his / her own purchase application has been recorded and accepted in the memory 202d in the notification panel 202 (the user can further confirm receipt of a purchase application from the store server 52 described later). You can also confirm that you have been accepted.) Further, the CPU 202a includes the display unit 202.
Almost simultaneously with the control of b, the alarm buzzer 202f is controlled,
An alarm sound having a predetermined timbre is continuously generated for a predetermined time. The clerk 40 in the store hears the alarm sound, finds the product 2 for which the purchase has been applied, removes it from the display place, and prepares for delivery to the user who has applied for the purchase.

When the display unit 202d changes the display from "sold" to "sold" under the control of the CPU 202a, an LED (reference numeral 22 in FIG. To emit blue light,
If the LED corresponding to the character "sold" (see reference numeral 23 in FIG. 2B) is configured to emit red light,
For visiting customers, clerks, and remote users,
The confirmation becomes easier. In the example shown in FIG.
The LEDs 22 and 23 are located next to the characters “sold” and “sold”, respectively.
3 Form itself so that the plane is rectangular,
The characters “sold” and “sold” may be displayed on the plane.

In the operation (b), the store-side server 52 transmits the purchase application message signal transmitted from the user, a signal indicating data such as the name of the user, and the “LED of the display unit 202b”. Change the display from the display for sale to the display for sale '' and a signal indicating a command, on the laser beam 207 from the laser beam generator 206, and transmit it to the notification panel 202, Among the signals transmitted on the laser beam 207, the “display unit 202b”
It is not necessary to dare to transmit the laser beam generator 206 from the laser beam generator 206. The reason is that if the message signal of the purchase application transmitted from the user and the signal indicating the data such as the name of the user are transmitted from the laser beam generator 206, the CPU in the notification panel 202
202a, based on a program pre-installed in the main storage device (ROM read only memory), generates an instruction to "change the LED of the display unit 202b from the display for sale to the display for sale" on its own. This is because necessary control can be performed based on this.

(E) Further, the CPU 202a reads all of the data transmitted on the laser beam 207 as “the data was accurately received and recorded (the purchase request from the user is surely received). For confirmation of "accepted", the transmitting unit 202e converts the signal into an infrared signal and transmits it to the infrared receiver 209 as it is. At this time, the CPU 202a
The product identification code of the product 2 recorded in the memory 202d in advance (the portable controller 2 of the clerk 40 as described above)
05 is recorded by the store unit 52 from the transmission unit 202e to the infrared receiver 209 for checking and confirmation by the store server 52 described later.
Convert to infrared signal and transmit.

(F) In the infrared receiver 209, when the transmitted infrared signal is received by the receiver 209b, the infrared signal is analyzed by the CPU 209a. The data obtained by analyzing the infrared signal is recorded in the memory 209c and the I / O port 209
The data is transmitted to the store-side server 52 via d.

(G) The store-side server 52 checks the transmitted data against the data sent and recorded by the user at the time of the purchase application from the user, and if the two match. Then, a notification of “acceptance confirmation message” indicating that the purchase application from the user has been correctly received is transmitted to the user side. At this time, based on the identification code of the product 2 transmitted as an infrared signal from the notification panel 202, the store server 52 stores the product data such as the price, material, and size of the product 2 in the external recording device ( hard disk)
A search is made from the file in 52, and the searched product data is transmitted to the user side, thereby contributing to the user's confirmation of the quality of the product to be purchased. At this time, the store-side server 52 also transmits the video data of the product 2 transmitted by the user to the user together with the product data for checking the product 2. Also,
At this time, the store-side server 52 sends information on the delivery of the product 2 to the user, such as "I will deliver it immediately" or "Product from you" After confirming payment of the price, we will send the message to the user.

(H) If the two data do not match each other in the collation check in (g), the store-side server 52 puts the data from the user on the laser beam 207 again and sends it to the notification panel 202. Send and repeat the same action. Further, the store-side server 52 records the above collation result and the above progress (transaction history) in an external recording device (hard disk) 52a connected thereto. As described above, the third embodiment
In the second embodiment, the transmission function of the infrared transceiver 82 in the second embodiment (the function of transmitting a signal indicating data or the like from the user) is performed by the laser beam generator 206, so that the second embodiment is used in the second embodiment. The infrared transmitter / receiver 82 need only have a receiving function as the “infrared receiver 209”, and has an advantage that the configurations of devices and systems can be simplified. The configuration and operation of the third embodiment other than those described above are the same as those of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made. For example,
The following configuration can be added. (A) In the system of FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1), the video camera 51 can be shared (shared) with a security / security monitor camera in a store. (B) Embodiments of the inventions according to claims 7 and 8. In the system of FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1), the store server 52
Is to record in advance the product identification data and the stock quantity of each product (in the case of a specific product, the stock quantity is recorded as “0” from the beginning), and the customer or the customer who is actually visiting the store When an order (purchase application) is received from a user (remote customer) on the network, the stock quantity is read out using the product identification data as a key, and the stock quantity is set to minus one (subtract one). As a result, only when the stock quantity becomes “0” and the product displayed at the store is purchased or reserved for purchase, the notification means 12, 13, 14 is notified.
May be controlled to display “sold” or “sold out” on the display unit. In addition, as the content of the display by the above-mentioned notification means, the display of "sale completed" is displayed for a specific product (art work, antique, etc.), and the "sold out" is displayed for an unspecified product having stock items.
Is desirably displayed. In addition, when the number of unspecified products is “0” and the sales target is only the products displayed at the store, the above-mentioned notification panel indicates
The display may be “zero inventory” or “only over-the-counter products”.

Further, in the system shown in FIG. 7, the number of stocks of each product is changed to the notification panels 72, 73, 74 near each product.
If the recorded stock quantity is displayed on the display unit 72a, the display allows the store clerk, a remote customer, a visiting customer, and the like to easily grasp the stock quantity. In the system of FIG. 7 (Embodiment 2) or FIG. 10 (Embodiment 3), the notification panel 72, 73, 74 or 202, 203, 204 further stores the product in advance in its built-in memory 72c or 202d. The number (the stock number of a specific product manufactured as one item is “0” from the beginning) is recorded. When a customer who is actually visiting the store or a user on the communication network orders the product (purchase application), the notification panel 72,
The CPUs 72d and 202a of 202 decrement the inventory number recorded in the memory by 1 to update and record the inventory number in the memory. When the stock quantity after the subtraction processing becomes “0” and the merchandise on display at the store is sold, the notifying means panel is controlled to display “sold” or “sold out” on the display units 72a and 202d. So that
In addition, as the contents of the display by the notification panel, the display of "sales completed" is displayed for a specific product (arts, antiques, etc.), and the display of "sold out" is displayed for an unspecified product having an in-stock product. Is desirable. When the number of unspecified products is “0” and the sales target is only the products displayed at the store, the notification panel displays “zero inventory” or “only store products”. May be. Further, the CPU may control the notification panel to cause the display units 72a and 202d to display the current stock number of the product recorded in the memory.

(C) Embodiments of the Inventions of Claims 9 to 12
In the system shown in FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1), the user further specifies product identification data for each product and sends a message such as a question, an inquiry, a request, an impression, or an order regarding the product by e-mail or to a homepage. The information can be stored in the store-side server 52 in a form such as writing or registration. The store server 52 accumulates these messages for each product identification data. As a result, the store clerk can utilize the messages stored in the store server 52 as marketing data for each product. The product identification data of each product is stored in the memory 72c of the notification panels 72, 73, and 74.
(See FIG. 8). Therefore, the user (remote customer), for example, displays the recorded product identification data on the display unit 72a such as each of the notification panels 72, 73, 74 provided near each product, and displays the recorded product identification data from the display. The product identification data of each product can be known by reading the product identification data or by wirelessly transmitting the product identification data from the record of each of the notification panels 72, 73, and 74.

In the system shown in FIG. 7 (Embodiment 2) or FIG. 10 (Embodiment 3),
Remote control of the infrared transmitter 82 of FIG. 7 or the laser beam generator 206 of FIG. 10 not only of a message of application for purchase of the product but also of a self-question, inquiry, request, opinion / impression, order, etc. regarding the product. Wirelessly to send the notification panel 72, 73, 74 or 20
2, 203, 204 internal memory 72c or 202d
(See FIG. 12).
The clerk sends the message from the user recorded in the memory of the notification panel to the portable infrared transceiver 81,2.
05 and read it. Furthermore, each of these notification panels 202, 203, 204
The message from the user recorded in the memory may be displayed on the display unit 202b (see FIG. 12). In this way, the clerk can see the message from the user at the location where each product is located.

(D) Embodiments of the invention according to claims 13 to 15. In the system shown in FIGS. 11 to 12, the internal memory 202d of each of the notification panels 202, 203, and 204 is used.
In advance, detailed product data (materials, dimensions, etc.) for each product
May be recorded so that the user (remote customer) can extract the detailed product data of the product from each of the notification panels 202, 203, and 204. Specifically, for example, the user remotely operates the laser beam generator 206 in FIG. 12 to issue a command to wirelessly transmit the detailed product data of the product, and wirelessly transmit the detailed product data. Can be captured.

In the system shown in FIGS. 11 to 12, the product identification data of each product is recorded in advance in the internal memory 202d of each of the notification panels 202, 203, and 204, and the user (remote customer) The product identification data of the product may be extracted from each of the notification panels 202, 203, and 204. Specifically, for example, the user remotely operates the laser beam generator 206 shown in FIG. 12 to issue a command to wirelessly transmit the product identification data of the product, and the respective notification panels 202, 203, and 2
From 04, the product identification data recorded therein can be captured by wireless transmission. The storage device of the server on the store side stores in advance the product detail data of each product in association with each product identification data (as a product database). Each user (remote customer) communicates with each notification panel 20 by the method described above.
The merchandise identification data is fetched from 2, 203, and 204, and the fetched merchandise identification data is specified, and the merchandise database of the corresponding merchandise is provided from the merchandise database of the store-side server. This product detail data may be provided by browsing and retrieving a home page, but there may be various other methods such as a method of sending by e-mail.

[0089]

(1) As described above, according to the present invention, a product such as a specific product which is manufactured as a single item or an unspecified product having a small inventory is displayed in a store, and the product is displayed on a computer communication network (satellite broadcasting). And the same shall apply hereinafter) to a remote user via a network, it is actually in the store that the product that the user wishes to purchase is already "sold" or "sold out". The system is equipped with a notification means that can immediately notify customers and clerks who are present. You can avoid it.

(2) As described above, according to the present invention, a store displaying conventional products for sale is disclosed on a communication network, so that not only customers who actually visit the store but also Customers in remote areas who access via a communication network will be able to take in customers. Therefore, by adopting the present invention, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as opening a new sister store in a remote area at low cost, in a short period of time, and with low risk. In addition, when the inside of the store is opened to the public via a communication network (including satellite broadcasting), business can be performed for 24 hours without being restricted by the actual business hours of the store. Therefore, the same effect as extending the business hours of the actual store can be obtained at low cost (only by adding the cost of nighttime lighting and the operation cost of communication and computer systems) and with low risk. Become. That is, according to the present invention, the business hours can be extended (24 hours) and the business area can be expanded (communication network) simply by adding the system (camera, etc.) of the present invention to the conventional store equipment. Become. In addition, when only customers on the communication network are targeted, a clerk is unnecessary, so that an “unmanned store” is also possible. In particular, in small-scale stores, shopkeepers are always required, so shopkeepers have a hard time taking vacations. Since it can be disclosed to general customers through a communication network, it is easy to take a vacation. In other words, the present invention enables a new retail store called “locked store”.

(3) In particular, if a signal is transmitted from the store-side server by a laser beam to a notification panel arranged on or near the surface of a product that the user wants to purchase, the laser beam can be transmitted. Because it proceeds in a straight line without spreading, even if many products are displayed close to each other, the user can accurately aim at the notification panel corresponding to the product product that the user wants to purchase and send a signal, As a result, a remote user can accurately and easily apply for a display product.

(4) Further, if the merchandise identification code is wirelessly transmitted and received between the store server and the notification means, when a remote user makes an application for purchase, the purchase application is made. Since the product can be specified by the product identification code, it is possible to more reliably display the fact (that the purchase application has been made and the sale has been completed) by the notification means.

(5) According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, the number of items in stock is displayed (including the number of items "0") by displaying the number of items in the store. In the case of “0”, the display may be “No stock, only exhibits”
Can be easily known by a clerk or a remote customer, so in the case of purchasing or selling the product, for example, on the remote customer side, "Purchase now before it is sold out due to low stock. Or "Let's buy it now because only the products displayed with stock" 0 "are sold" or "There is a lot of stock, so consider it for a while Let's decide. "
More appropriate product guidance is possible for the clerk.

(6) According to the ninth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, the store side receives opinions and opinions on each product from a remote customer.
Since messages such as impressions can be received for each product, opinions and the like from remote customers can be used for marketing for each product. In addition, since the remote customer can also provide the store with messages such as their opinions and impressions, attachment to the store is increased, and an improvement in the repeat rate to the store can be expected. Also, bidirectional information exchange between the store and the remote customer is possible.

(7) Further, according to the inventions of claims 13 to 15, the remote customer determines whether or not to purchase a certain product in the store on the terminal screen. Since the user can easily know detailed product data such as the size and material of the product, the user can more appropriately purchase the product remotely via the communication network. In addition, the store does not need to provide the remote customer with detailed product data of each product in the form of e-mail or the like, so that sales activities are more efficient.
Further, even a remote customer can receive the detailed product data of each product in real time, so that the purchase behavior is more efficient. In addition, the store side can use the data as marketing data by ascertaining the number of customers who have requested the detailed product data for which product. Further, through exchange of the detailed product data, bidirectional information exchange between the store side and the remote customer side becomes more active.

(8) Further, according to the invention of claim 16, since the sound in the store can be provided to the remote customer in real time together with the image in the store, the remote customer can feel "realistic". Full shopping can be performed on the network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a notification panel used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a notification panel used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an input device of a user-side communication terminal used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a “correspondence table between a space address in a store and an identification number of a video camera” recorded in a recording device provided in the store server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen of a display device of the user-side communication terminal used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a notification panel 72 and an infrared transceiver 81 used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of a notification panel 72, an infrared transceiver 81, a laser beam generator 83, and the like used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a notification panel and a clerk portable controller used in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of a notification panel, an infrared receiver, a laser beam transmitter, and the like used in the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a prior art (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-22498).
2 is a configuration diagram of an in-store space address given in a store where products are displayed.

FIG. 14 is a prior art (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-22498).
3 is a table configuration diagram for associating screen physical coordinates of the display device of the user-side terminal with in-store space addresses.

FIG. 15 is a prior art (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-22498).
FIG. 3 is a table configuration diagram for specifying an in-store space address and a product.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Commodity display table 2, 3, 4 Commodities (commodities) displayed 12, 13, 14, 72, 73, 74, 202, 20
3,204 Notification panel 15 LCD (liquid crystal display) 22,23 LED (light emitting diode) 24,34 Receiving unit 25,35 Microcomputer 31 Frame 32,33 Bulletin board such as paper price 40 clerk 41,61 Infrared signal Transmitter 51 Video camera 52 Store-side server 53 Communication line 54 User-side communication terminal 54a Display 54b Input 81,82 Infrared transceiver 83,206 Laser beam generator 84 Direction controller 151 3D stick 154 Reading unit 155 Product identification code input Window 205 Sales staff controller 209 Infrared receiver

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A camera for real-time imaging of individual commodities displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera, which indicates an object to be sold, is transmitted in real time through a communication network. Means for providing video to a remote customer, and notification means provided at or near the surface of the product in a store or at a store, wherein the remote customer is provided with the product via a communication network. When the product is sold or sold out as a result of the purchase application or necessary procedures for the purchase, the customer or clerk in the store or at the store is told that the product has been sold or sold out.
Notification means that can inform the customer that the product has been sold or has been sold or designated as a result of applying for purchase or performing necessary procedures for purchase by specifying a certain product in the video via the communication network. When sold out, the notice means is controlled to notify the customer or clerk in the store or at the store that the product has been sold or sold out, and the notice control means includes: Product sales system using a computer network. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit includes:
"The item has been sold or sold out."
A merchandise sales system including a display unit for notifying the presence or absence of light or displaying characters, symbols, or graphics. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit includes:
"The item has been sold or sold out."
A merchandise sales system including a sound generator for notifying by sound generation. 4. The product sales method according to claim 1, wherein said notification control means transmits a control signal or data to said notification means by wireless communication such as optical communication or infrared communication. system. 5. The notification control unit according to claim 4, wherein the notification control unit transmits a control signal or data to the notification unit using a laser beam that travels in a straight line.
Product sales system. 6. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the notification device includes: a recording device that records an identification code for distinguishing itself from other notification devices; and a request from the notification control device. Transmission means for transmitting the identification code by wireless communication such as optical communication or infrared communication. 7. A camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera is indicated as a target of sale via a communication network in real time. A means for providing images to a remote customer, a means for notifying a customer or a clerk provided on or near each product to inform the customer or clerk whether the product has been sold or sold out, Inventory number recording means for recording "inventory number"; and when the product is sold or reserved for sale by a purchase application (order) from a customer, the inventory quantity recorded in the inventory quantity recording means is subtracted by one. And that the "current stock quantity" of the product recorded in the stock quantity recording means is "0" and that the displayed product has been sold. When in controls said notification means,
A notification control unit for performing a display indicating that "the product is sold or sold out". 8. A merchandise sales system according to claim 1 or 7, wherein a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of video imaged by the camera is used as a sales target. As an indication, a video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, a stock quantity recording means for recording a “current stock quantity” of each product, and a And a stock quantity display means for displaying the “current stock quantity” recorded in the stock quantity recording means to a customer or a clerk. 9. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, further comprising: a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in the store or at the store; As an indication of the sales target, a video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and a remote customer specifying a certain product and giving an impression, inquiry, request, purchase application (order ), A message providing means for providing a message via a communication network, a message recording means provided on or near each of the commodities and capable of recording a message from a customer, and a message providing means provided from the message providing means. The message
A message writing unit that can transmit and write to the message recording unit wirelessly. 10. The product sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, wherein a camera for real-time imaging of individual products displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera, As an indication of the sales target, a video providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network, and a remote customer specifying a certain product, impressions, inquiries, requests, purchase applications (orders) ), A message providing means for providing a message via a communication network, a message recording means capable of recording a message from the message providing means, and a message recording means provided on or near the surface of each product. And a message display means for displaying a message from the customer. 11. The commodity sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, wherein a camera for real-time imaging of individual commodities displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera, A video providing means for providing a remote customer in real time via a communication network as an indication of a sales target, and a product provided in a store or on or near each product in a store and displaying product identification data of the product Identification data display means and remote customers can provide feedback, inquiries, requests,
Message providing means for associating a message such as a purchase application (order) with the product identification data displayed by the product identification data display means via a communication network; and transmitting a message from the message providing means to the product A message storage means for storing the data in association with the identification data. 12. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, further comprising: a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store; and information of a video imaged by the camera. An image providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network as an indication of a sales target, and a product which is provided in a store or on the surface of or in the vicinity of each product at a store and records product identification data of the product Identification data recording means, product identification data providing means for taking in the product identification data recorded by the product identification data recording means via radio, and providing it to the customer; Request,
Message providing means for associating a message such as a purchase application (order) with the product identification data from the product identification data providing means via a communication network; and transmitting the message from the message providing means to the product identification data. And a message storage means for storing in association with the product sales system. 13. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, further comprising: a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed in the store or at the store for sale; and information of video captured by the camera. An image providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network as an indication of a sales target, and product details such as dimensions and materials of the product, which are provided in or on the surface of each product in a store or at a storefront Product detail data recording means for recording data; product detail data recorded by the product detail data recording means via wireless communication and provided to remote customers via a communication network And a providing unit. 14. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, wherein a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera, Image providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network as an indication of a sales target, and a product which is provided in a store or on or near each product in a store and displays product identification data of the product Identification data display means; product detail data storage means for storing product detail data such as dimensions and materials of each product in association with the product identification data of each product; and a remote customer displaying the product identification data. Specifying the product identification data displayed by the means and requesting the product detail data of the product, use the product identification data as a key Product sales system, which comprises a, and product details data providing means for providing to the remote customer to select the appropriate product details data from the product details data storage means. 15. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1, 7 or 8, wherein a camera for real-time imaging of individual merchandise displayed for sale in a store or at a store, and information of a video imaged by the camera, An image providing means for providing to a remote customer in real time via a communication network as an indication of a sales target, and a product which is provided in a store or on the surface of or in the vicinity of each product at a store and records product identification data of the product Identification data recording means; commodity identification data provision means for taking in the commodity identification data recorded by the commodity identification data recording means via radio, and providing the data to the customer; and merchandise detailed data such as dimensions and materials of each commodity. Means for storing detailed product data in association with the product identification data of each product, and a remote customer providing the product identification data When the product detail data of the product is requested by designating the product identification data from the means, the corresponding product detail data is selected from the product detail data storage means and provided to the customer by using the product identification data as a key. And a product detail data providing means. 16. The merchandise sales system according to claim 1, further comprising: sound, music, or voice generated near or around said displayed merchandise, in a store, or in a store. Sound capturing means such as a microphone for capturing sound in real time, and sound information providing means for providing the sound information from the sound capturing means to the remote customer in real time via a communication network. A product sales system characterized by the following.