KR100985949B1

KR100985949B1 - System and method for providing product information service by mobile network system

Info

Publication number: KR100985949B1
Application number: KR1020080043011A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 모성욱; 황영헌
Original assignee: 주식회사 케이티
Priority date: 2008-05-08
Filing date: 2008-05-08
Publication date: 2010-10-06
Also published as: KR20090117108A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing a product information service through a mobile communication network. The method for providing a product information service based on a product image in a mobile communication system according to the present invention includes product image and category information from a wireless communication terminal. Receiving an included product information request; Classifying images of products corresponding to the category in a database; Calculating a similarity between the image of each classified product and a product image received from the wireless communication terminal to determine a product image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value; Extracting a model list corresponding to the determined product image from the database and transmitting the extracted model list to the wireless communication terminal; And receiving a model name from the wireless communication terminal, extracting product information of the model name, and transmitting the product information to the wireless communication terminal.

Category, product image, product information, product information server, price comparison information, store information

Description

Product information service provision method and system through mobile communication network {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PRODUCT INFORMATION SERVICE BY MOBILE NETWORK SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a method for providing product information in a mobile communication system, and more particularly, to a method and system for providing product information such as price comparison information, store information, etc. based on a product image in a mobile communication network.

With the development of computing systems and network systems, users can purchase products that were available only in conventional off-line stores in on-line stores. In addition, the online shopping mall that collects the information of the offline / online stores to provide the price information of the product is being established exponentially. Through these online shopping malls, users can compare the prices of particular products and apply for the products more cheaply and receive them.

However, such an online shopping mall store has a problem in that the user does not check the real thing and only purchases the image and the product information uploaded to the web site. For this reason, users may take the hassle of visiting the store in person to check the quality of the product they want to purchase.

On the other hand, users can check the price comparison information for a specific product displayed in the offline store through the mobile Internet. However, even if users access the online shopping mall through the mobile Internet, they have to go through various steps to check the price information of the corresponding product. Especially. When accessing an online shopping mall with a mobile terminal input through a keypad, users may feel more uncomfortable due to difficulty of operation.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for providing a product information service for transmitting information on a product checked by the user to the user's wireless communication terminal through a simple procedure. .

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

Method for providing a product information service based on the product image in the mobile communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, (a) product information request including the product image and category information from the wireless communication terminal Receiving; (b) classifying images of products corresponding to the category in a database; (c) calculating a similarity between the image of each classified product and the product image received from the wireless communication terminal to determine a product image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value; (d) extracting a model list corresponding to the determined product image from the database and transmitting the extracted model list to the wireless communication terminal; And (e) receiving a model name from the wireless communication terminal, extracting the product information of the model name, and transmitting the product information to the wireless communication terminal.

Method for providing a product information service based on the product image in the mobile communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, (a) receiving a product information request containing a category image from the wireless communication terminal step; (b) analyzing the category image to determine a category and classifying images of products corresponding to the determined category in a database; (c) after receiving a product image from the wireless communication terminal, calculating a similarity between the image of each classified product and the received product image to determine a product image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value; (d) extracting a model list corresponding to the determined product image from the database and transmitting the extracted model list to the wireless communication terminal; And (e) receiving a model name from the wireless communication terminal, extracting product information of the model name, and transmitting the product information to the wireless communication terminal.

In order to achieve the above object, a system for providing a product information service through a mobile communication network based on a product image according to a third aspect of the present invention includes storing product information including a product image, price information, and store information for each category. Database; And receiving commodity image and category information from a wireless communication terminal, extracting commodity information of a commodity image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value from the commodity image received from the wireless communication terminal from the commodity information of the database classified into the category. And a product information server for transmitting to the wireless communication terminal.

Users can check whether a product sold offline is an appropriate price through the product information service according to the present invention.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage of providing the user with faster and more accurate product information through the category classification.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: There will be. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a product information service in a mobile communication network using a product image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a system for providing a product information service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication terminal 110, a message center 120, a product information server 130, and a web server 150. These components are connected to each other via the mobile communication network 170 and the Internet 180. Herein, the mobile communication network 170 includes a base station (BTS / NodeB), a base station controller (BSC / RNC), a switch, a device for packet data service (PDSN, SGSN, IWF, etc.), and the present invention. Since it is a well-known technical element in the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The wireless communication terminal 110 transmits the category information and the product image to the product information server 130 and receives product information such as price comparison information and store information of the corresponding product. At this time, the wireless communication terminal 110 may transmit the category information based on the image or text to the product information server 130. In addition, the wireless communication terminal 110 may determine the purchase of a specific product online by checking the product information received from the product information server 130. In addition, the wireless communication terminal 110 may request to transmit a message to any one of the received store information, and store the message.

On the other hand, the wireless communication terminal 110 is equipped with a product search application, it is possible to access the product information server 130 using the application. For example, the wireless communication terminal 110 may receive a product information of a corresponding product by selecting a “search by image” menu and transmitting the photographed product image and category information to the product information server 130. The wireless communication terminal 110 includes a PDA, a cellular phone, a PCS phone, a GSM phone, a W-CDMA phone, a DMB phone, a Wibro phone, a Wifi phone, a 3G video phone, and the like.

The message center 120 is a short message service center (SMSC) or a multimedia messaging service center (MMSC). The message center 120 transmits and receives a message between wireless communication terminals 110, and in particular, receives a message transmission request from the product information server 130. Transmission to the wireless communication terminal (110).

The commodity information server 130 receives commodity information such as a commodity image, a commodity model name, a selling price, a store address, a telephone number, a business number, etc. from a web server 150 and a provider terminal 160 of an online shopping mall. 140). Preferably, when the product information server 130 receives the product model name first stored in the product DB 140, the product information server 130 analyzes an image of the product, extracts image feature data, and stores the image feature data in the product DB 140.

In addition, when the product information server 130 is requested information about a specific product from the wireless communication terminal 110, the product DB 140, such as price comparison information and store information based on the category information and product image The product information is retrieved and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110. In this case, the product information server 130 analyzes the image to extract image feature data, and from the model list of the product DB 140 classified into the category, having a plurality of image feature data similar to the analyzed image feature data Search the model list of the transmission to the wireless communication terminal 110 and receives any model name, the product information of the model name is retrieved from the product DB (140). Preferably, the product information server 130 calculates the similarity between the analyzed image feature data and the product image feature data stored in the product DB 140, and then selects the product images having a similarity or higher than a predetermined value, The model list for the selected product images is searched and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110.

As the image analysis technique, an image analysis technique such as color based, texture based, shape based, or pattern based may be used. Preferably, the product information server 130 extracts only the product object excluding the background screen from the product image, and extracts the feature data by analyzing the product object image. Meanwhile, the product information server 130 may write the requested specific store information as a message and transmit the message to the wireless communication terminal 110.

The product DB 140 stores product information such as a store location, a store telephone number, a store name, a product image, a product model name, a selling price, a business number, and the like. In particular, the database 140 stores the feature data of the product image, and classifies the product information by category.

The web server 150 is an internet shopping mall server, and provides the product information and the store information on sale to the product information server 130.

The supplier terminal 160 is a terminal capable of a general purpose computer or a wireless Internet, and accesses the product information server 130 and transmits the product information received from the product supplier to the product information server 130.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a product information service using a product image in a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless communication terminal 110 captures an offline product by an operation of a user who wants a product information service and receives a "search by image" menu (S201). Then, the wireless communication terminal 110 requests the product information by transmitting the product image to the product information server 130 (S203).

The product information server 130 receiving the product image transmits a category list to the wireless communication terminal 110 and receives the selected category information from the wireless communication terminal 110 (S205 and S207). The category list may include a company name (eg, KTF, Samsung, etc.), product service information (eg, digital, fashion, infant), product line information (eg, mobile phone, electronic dictionary, monitor), and the like. The server 130 receives any category information listed in the list from the wireless communication terminal 110.

Then, the product information server 130 analyzes the product image received in step S203, and extracts the feature data of the image (S209). Subsequently, the product information server 130 has a model having image feature data similar to (or matching) the analyzed image feature data in the model list of the product DB 140 classified into categories received from the wireless communication terminal 110. The list and the image is extracted (S211). That is, the product information server 130 calculates the similarity between the feature data of the image received from the wireless communication terminal 110 and the image of the product classified into the category, and the model list of the product having the similarity more than a predetermined value and the image. Is extracted from the product DB (140). The commodity information server 130 transmits the extracted model list and the image to the wireless communication terminal 110, and receives the response message (S213 and S215).

When the product information server 130 includes information on selecting a specific model name in the received response message, the product DB 140 searches for product information such as all the price information and the store information corresponding to the model name by using a wireless communication terminal ( 110) (S217, S219, S221). In this case, the product information server 130 may arrange the product information in order of low price and transmit the product information to the wireless communication terminal 110.

On the other hand, if the product information server 130 does not include the model name selection information in the response message received in step S217, the wireless communication terminal 110 further requests and receives a product image and proceeds to step S209 again (S223). ). For example, the product information server 130 wirelessly transmits the message "You have not selected the model name. If the model name of the product image does not exist in the list, please send a different image from the previous image." It transmits to the communication terminal 110, and accordingly re-progressed after step S209 based on the received image.

In addition, the product information server 130 may receive a purchase request for a product sold in a specific store from the wireless communication terminal 110 that receives product information such as price information and store information. Then, the product information server 130 completes the procedure required for the purchase decision, such as cost processing, address verification, etc., and then requests product delivery to the store selling the product.

In addition, the product information server 130 may receive a message transmission request for specific store information from the wireless communication terminal 110 that receives the product information. Then, the product information server 130 writes the store information such as the store phone number, the store location, the store name, and transmits the message to the wireless communication terminal 110 through the message center 120. At this time, the product information server 130, it is preferable to create and send a message to which the callback URL is added, so that the call directly to the store when the call button is pressed.

Meanwhile, the product information server 130 may receive a product information request in which a shortcut number and text-based category information are combined from the wireless communication terminal 110. The shortcut number is a number assigned to allow the wireless communication terminal 110 to directly access the product information server 130. The category information is input as text before or after the shortcut number. For example, if the speed dial number is ** 11 and the category is a mobile phone, the wireless communication terminal 110 may request the product information server 130 through the input of “** 11 mobile phone + internet connection”. have. Then, the product information server 130 may request and receive a product image to the wireless communication terminal 110, and proceed from step S209 of FIG.

3 and 4 are different from FIG. 2 because only a procedure for receiving product information and category information from the wireless communication terminal 110 is different from FIG. 2, the description with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 focuses on differences from FIG. 2. It will be described, but overlapping parts will be described by compression.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a product information service using a product image in a mobile communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the "product information service" included in the wireless Internet menu is selected according to a user's operation, the wireless communication terminal 110 displays a directory indicating a category and receives one of these items (S301). The directory information is formed in a tree form, and the category of the corresponding product is classified through the selected directory. For example, if a directory of IT products, telecommunications, computers, cosmetics, furniture, etc. may exist in the top layer, and a subdirectory of electronic dictionary, mobile phone, PMP, etc. may exist in the IT product directory, the mobile phone subdirectory may exist. There may be another sub-directory such as DMB phone, video call phone.

In addition, when the "search by image" is input in the selected directory, the wireless communication terminal 110 displays a message requesting the selection of the product image and captures the product of the offline product or stores the product image according to the user's operation. It receives an input (S303). Then, the wireless communication terminal 110 transmits the product image and the selected directory (ie, category) to the product information server 130 and requests the information of the corresponding product (S305).

The commodity information server 130 which has requested the commodity information analyzes the received commodity image to extract image feature data and, from the model list of the commodity DB 140 classified into categories, is similar to (or matches) the analyzed image feature data. The model list having the image feature data and the image are extracted and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110 (S307, S309, and S311).

Subsequently, the product information server 130 receives a response message including specific model name selection information, and extracts product information such as price information and store information corresponding to the model name from the product DB 140, and wireless communication terminal 110. (S313, S315, S317, S319). On the other hand, if the product information server 130 does not have the model name selection information in the response message received, the wireless communication terminal 110 requests an additional image (S321).

As a specific example, assume that the product information server 130 receives the image of the category information is the mobile phone from the wireless communication terminal 110 and the EV-W350 product of KTF. Then, the product information server 130 extracts the feature data by analyzing the image, and then EV-W350 having the image feature data that matches or is similar to the image feature data in the model list of the product DB 140 classified into the mobile phone category. The model list of the EV-K160, the EV-W250, the EV-W300, and the EV-K160 and the image thereof may be extracted and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110. The product information server 130 receives the EV-W350 model name from the model list transmitted from the wireless communication terminal 110, and the product information of the EV-W350 in the product DB 140 (ie, price information and store information). Etc.) may be extracted and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a product information service using a product image in a mobile communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the wireless communication terminal 110 receives an image for categorizing a category from a user and transmits the image to the product information server 130 to request corresponding product information (S401 and S403). Then, the product information server 130 analyzes the received category image to extract image feature data, and selects a category based on the feature data (S405). The category image may be a manufacturer's CI (Corporation Identity, for example, KTF, Daewoo, etc.), a BI (Brand Identity, EVER, KTF, EVER, Samsung's PAVV, etc.) of a product sold by a specific company, or an exterior image of the product itself. The product information server 130 selects a category based on the feature data of the image. Subsequently, the product information server 130 requests a product image from the wireless communication terminal 110 and receives a product image for searching for a product selected by the user from the wireless communication terminal 110 (S407, S409, and S411).

Next, the product information server 130 analyzes the received product image to extract image feature data, and from the model list of the product DB 140 classified into categories, similar to (or matching) the analyzed image feature data The model list having the image data and the image are extracted and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110 (S413, S415, S417). Subsequently, the product information server 130 receives a response message including specific model name selection information, and extracts product information (ie, price information, store information, etc.) corresponding to the model name from the product DB 140 and performs wireless communication. Transmission to the terminal 110 (S419, S421, S423, S425). On the other hand, if the product information server 130 does not have the model name selection information in the response message received, the wireless communication terminal 110 requests an additional image (S427).

Meanwhile, if the category image analyzed in step S405 is not suitable for category selection, the product information server 130 may transmit a category list to the wireless communication terminal 110 and request the selection of any one of these categories. That is, if the analyzed CI, BI image is not classified into categories, or if the received category image is not suitable due to the user's immature shooting (that is, a shaken image or an afterimage) The category list based on the text may be transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110 of the user to receive any category information from the category list.

As another embodiment, the product information server 130 may receive a product image taken with the category identification image. The category identification image is an image printed (or attached) to the product appearance at distribution or an image printed (or attached) to each product photograph in the product catalog, and is displayed as a specific number or code. For example, if the category identifier is the image # 131 means a mobile phone category, if the # 132 image may mean an electronic dictionary category.

The product information server 130 which receives the product image photographed together with the category identification image classifies the category identification image from the product image and analyzes the identification image. The product information server 130 selects a category based on the analyzed identification image. Subsequently, the product information server 130 analyzes the product image from which the category identification image is excluded, extracts the image feature data, and proceeds from step S415 of FIG. 4. Accordingly, the user may transmit the category information and the product image to the product information server 130 through one image without separately inputting the category information.

5 is a view showing the configuration of a product information server, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the product information server 130 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver 131, an image analyzer 132, a model list extractor 133, and a product information provider 134. , A purchase processing unit 135, and a web linking unit 136.

The receiver 131 receives a product information request from the wireless communication terminal 110. In this case, the receiver 131 may receive a product image or category information. In addition, the receiver 131 receives a message transmission request for specific store information from the wireless communication terminal 110. On the other hand, the receiver 131 receives the price information and product information from the supplier terminal 160 and stores in the product DB (140).

The image analyzer 132 analyzes the product image or the category image and extracts feature data of the image. In addition, the image analyzer 132 selects a category based on the analyzed feature data of the category image. On the other hand, the image analysis unit 132 checks whether a category identification image is included in the product image, and if included, classifies the category identification image from the product image, and analyzes the category identification image to select a category.

The model list extracting unit 133 is based on the feature data of the product image extracted by the image analysis unit 132, in the product list of the product DB 140 classified into the corresponding category, the image analysis unit 132 A model list having image feature data similar or identical to the analyzed image feature data is extracted and transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 110. Preferably, a model list having image feature data having a similarity level equal to or greater than a predetermined value is extracted.

When the specific model name is responded to from the wireless communication terminal 110, the product information providing unit 134 searches for product information such as price information and store information corresponding to the model name in the product DB 140, and then wireless communication terminal 110. To send. Preferably, the product information providing unit 134 arranges the product information in order of low price and transmits the product information to the wireless communication terminal 110. In addition, when the receiving unit 131 receives a message transmission request for specific store information, the product information providing unit 134 writes the store name, the location of the store, a phone number, etc. as a message and the wireless communication terminal 110. To send.

The purchase processing unit 135 receives a purchase decision request for a specific product from the wireless communication terminal 110, proceeds with a procedure required for a purchase decision such as processing the cost of the product, confirming a delivery address, and then sells the product to a store in sale. Request delivery of goods.

The web interlocking unit 136 interworks with a plurality of online shopping malls, and receives product information such as price information, product model names, store addresses, store phone numbers, and business numbers of the products sold in the shopping mall at regular intervals or in real time. Stored in the DB (140).

Through the above-described embodiment, the user can immediately check the information on the product directly confirmed in the offline store with the wireless communication terminal 110, to determine whether the product sold in the store is the lowest or the nearest product. have. In addition, users can be provided with more accurate product information through the category input, you can also visit the store directly by receiving the store information sold at a message as a message.

The method of the present invention as described above may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

110: wireless communication terminal 120: message center

130: product information server 140: product DB

150: web server 160: provider terminal

Claims

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A method of providing a product information service based on a product image in a product information server of a mobile communication system,

(a) receiving a product information request including a product image from a wireless communication terminal;

(b) transmitting a category list to the wireless communication terminal and receiving selection information of any one category accordingly;

(c) classifying images of products corresponding to the category in a database;

(d) calculating a similarity between the image of each classified product and a product image received from the wireless communication terminal to determine a product image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value;

(e) extracting a model list corresponding to the determined product image from the database and transmitting the extracted model list to the wireless communication terminal; And

(f) receiving a model name from the wireless communication terminal, extracting the product information of the model name of the response, and transmitting the product information to the wireless communication terminal.

(a) receiving a product information request in which a service short number and category information are combined from a wireless communication terminal;

(b) requesting and receiving a product image from the wireless communication terminal;

(c) classifying images of products corresponding to the category in a database;

delete

The method according to claim 2 or 3,

After step (f),

Receiving a message transmission request for specific store information included in the product information transmitted in the step (f) from the wireless communication terminal; And

Composing the store information as a message and transmitting to the wireless communication terminal; Product information service providing method further comprising.

delete

(a) receiving a product information request including a category image from a wireless communication terminal;

(b) analyzing the category image to determine a category and classifying images of products corresponding to the determined category in a database (if the analyzed category image is not suitable for category determination, a category list is sent to the wireless communication terminal; Transmits a category to receive a response and decides it);

(c) after receiving a product image from the wireless communication terminal, calculating a similarity between the image of each classified product and the received product image to determine a product image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value;

(d) extracting a model list corresponding to the determined product image from the database and transmitting the extracted model list to the wireless communication terminal; And

(e) receiving a model name from the wireless communication terminal, extracting product information of the model name and transmitting it to the wireless communication terminal; product information service providing method comprising a.

A system for providing a product information service through a mobile communication network based on a product image,

A database for storing product information, including product images, price information, and store information, by category; And

Receiving product image and category information from a wireless communication terminal, extracting product information of a product image having a similarity or more than a predetermined value from the product image received from the wireless communication terminal, from the product information of the database classified into the category; Includes; product information server for transmitting to a wireless communication terminal,

The product information server transmits a category list to the wireless communication terminal to receive any category information selected from the list from the wireless communication terminal, or to receive category information combined with a service shortcut number from the wireless communication terminal. Product information service providing system.

delete

The method of claim 9,

The product information server,

Product information service, characterized in that for receiving a message transmission for the specific store information included in the product information transmitted to the wireless communication terminal from the wireless communication terminal, to write the store information as a message and to transmit to the wireless communication terminal Provide system.

The method of claim 9,

The product information server,

Commodity information service providing system, characterized in that to receive the product information from the web server in conjunction with a shopping mall web server of the Internet and to store in the database.