KR20030013915A - Method and system for comparative shopping by using hand held devices equipped with input function of digital image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and system for a comparison shopping are provided to receive comparison shopping data and perform a payment promptly through a wireless communication device on an on-line and an off-line during a shopping by inputting a wanted commodity as an image and transmitting the image to a web server in an actual off-line shopping without an additional Internet connection device. CONSTITUTION: A client who wishes to receive information or selected a commodity during an off-line shopping(300) inputs the selected commodity on one's wireless communication device as an image(305) and transmits the inputted commodity to a web server(310). If the transmission is completed(315), the web server recognizes the image information and checks a corresponding commodity(320). The web server searches information of the same commodity as the selected commodity and extracts the information. A comparison list is prepared based on information with respect to the extracted many commodities(325) and transmitted to the wireless communication device of the client. The client checks the data such as the comparison list(330). If the client decides a commodity purchase(335), the client selects a wanted commodity out of the comparison list and transmits the decision to the web server(340). The web server performs a transaction and transmits the details to the wireless communication device of the client(345).

Description

Method and system for comparative shopping by using hand held devices equipped with input function of digital image}

The present invention provides a function of inputting image information of a product selected by a client while shopping offline, transmitting the input image information data to a web server that provides product comparison information through a mobile communication company, and from the web server to the product. A wireless communication device having a function of receiving product comparison information data for a product, a function of receiving and reading the product image data transmitted from the wireless communication device, and recognizing product information including a product name of the product, the recognized A web server having a function of searching for and extracting the product and products of the same kind with reference to the product information data, and transmitting information data (information data including price information) of the extracted products to the wireless communication device; Wireless with a built-in image input function characterized in that it comprises a It relates to a method and system for comparison shopping using a new device.

The rapid development of the Internet and the widespread deployment of Internet-enabled infrastructure have increased the opportunity for Internet users to interact with the Internet for a relatively long time. In addition, e-commerce using the Internet is increasing in number due to its convenience and inexpensiveness compared to the existing offline. Internet shopping, a means of electronic commerce, has been developed in various ways in close association with Internet users, and comparative shopping is one of them.

In comparison shopping using the Internet, a client who accesses a corresponding web site searches for the product by inputting a search word for an arbitrary product that he / she wants to purchase or wants to know information, and makes a payment on the Internet. However, in order to execute the above method, since the client must be able to access the Internet through a terminal (usually a PC), there is a problem in that the online shopping service is not directly received in the field while shopping offline.

An object of the present invention to solve the above problems is the function of inputting the image information of the product selected by the client during the offline shopping, and transmits the input image information data to the web server for providing the product comparison information through the mobile carrier And a product for receiving product comparison information about the product from the web server, and receiving and reading the product image data transmitted from the wireless communication device, the product including the brand name of the product. A function of recognizing product information, a function of retrieving and extracting goods of the same type as the product with reference to the recognized product information data, and wireless communication of information data (information data including price information) of the extracted products A web server having a function of transmitting to a device is mutually connected via a wireless communication network. It provides a method and system for results to allow a comparison shopping using a wireless communication device in the off-line to provide.

1 is a main configuration of the present invention in which the image recognition comparison shopping system is connected to the corresponding components by sharing the Internet.

Fig. 2 is a simple flowchart showing the data processing of each part in the image recognition comparison shopping system.

Figure 3 is a simplified overall flow diagram illustrating the implementation of the present invention.

4 is a simple exemplary diagram in which image information about a specific product is input to a wireless communication device of a client.

Fig. 5 is a simple exemplary view in which information about a product having an image input to a wireless communication device of a client is retrieved.

6 is a simple exemplary diagram in which a client switches to a payment mode in order to purchase a corresponding product through his wireless communication device.

Fig. 7 is a simple exemplary diagram in which a client inputs an actual product using his wireless communication device during offline shopping.

8 is a simple illustration of a catalog (or other handout including image information) that can be provided off-line in a web server or the like that hosts the present invention.

<Description of main parts of drawing>

100: image recognition comparison shopping system 105: receiving unit

110: transmission unit 115: image information recognition unit

120: search unit 125: extraction unit

130: price information processing unit 135: trading unit

140: product information database 145: customer information database

150: transaction information database 155: affiliate website

160: mobile communication company 165: image information providing means

170: wireless communication device (including image input function)

The present invention provides a function of inputting image information of a product selected by a client while shopping offline, a function of transmitting the input image information data to a web server providing product comparison information through a mobile communication company, and from the web server to the product. A wireless communication device having a function of receiving product comparison information data for a product, a function of receiving and reading the product image data transmitted from the wireless communication device, and recognizing product information including a product name of the product, the recognized A web server having a function of searching for and extracting the product and products of the same kind with reference to the product information data, and transmitting information data (information data including price information) of the extracted products to the wireless communication device; No built-in image input function characterized in that it comprises a A comparative shopping method and system using a line communication device.

The system configuration of the present invention attracts the present invention and provides a web server for providing product comparison information to a wireless communication device in which the image input function of the client is embedded, and inputs the selected product to the user's wireless communication device during offline shopping. And at least one client to transmit information about a desired product to the wireless communication device by transmitting to a server, wherein the image of the product selected by the wireless communication device having the image input function carried by the client A receiving unit for receiving information, an image information recognizing unit for recognizing the received image information as a corresponding product, a product retrieving unit for retrieving the plurality of products of the same type through the product information database, and A product extraction unit for extracting a plurality of searched products, and the extraction Price information processing unit that compares and edits the price information of the merchandise advantageously to the client and transmits the price information to the wireless communication device of the client and the product information comparison data transmitted by the client to the wireless communication device of the client, It is characterized in that it comprises a transaction that is responsible for the transaction from the purchase intention generated by selecting the best product).

In addition, the present invention provides the information on the product to the wireless communication device of the client with the image input function through the steps as described below using the system as described above.

That is, a first step of image input of the selected product by a wireless communication device having an image input function of the client selected by an arbitrary client during offline shopping, and product comparison of the image input image data A second step of transmitting the information to a web server providing information, a third step of receiving the image image data and reading the image data to recognize product information including a brand name of the product, and the recognized product A fourth step of searching for a plurality of products of the same type and extracting a plurality of products of the same type through an information database; and comparing and editing price information of the extracted products in favor of the client to wirelessly communicate with the client. And a fifth step of transmitting to the device.

In addition, in the image input step, in addition to the method described above, a method of inputting a catalog including image information of a corresponding product or another handout including an image image, and a corresponding product provided by the web server. Note that a method of inputting image information contained in an electronic catalog or electronic handout including image information is also possible.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, in adding reference numerals to the elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, in the following description, in order to explain the embodiments of the present invention, specific details such as specific elements are illustrated, which are provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in order to be more faithful to the present invention, it is noted that changes or modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is an image recognition comparison shopping system having a receiver and a transmitter, an image information recognizer, a product searcher, a product extractor, a price information processor, a trader, and a useful database. It is the main block diagram of this invention.

The image recognition comparison shopping system includes a receiver 105, a transmitter 110, an image information recognizer 115, a product searcher 120, a product extractor 125, a price information processor 130, and a trader 135. ), The product information database 140, the customer information database 145, and the transaction information database 150 are advantageously combined with the present invention in the system 100, and share necessary information.

The receiver 105 and the transmitter 110 serve as a gateway to the system 100, are responsible for transmitting and receiving various data, and serve as interfaces with a client.

The image information recognizing unit 115 restores the image information received by the receiving unit 105 to the original image, and the client inputs the image through the catalog (or other handout including image information) 165. It recognizes the product.

The commodity searching unit 120 searches for a plurality of commodities identical to commodities input by the client identified by the image information recognizing unit 115 from the commodity information database 140.

The commodity extractor 125 selects and extracts a plurality of commodities searched by the commodity search unit 120 and transmits the extracted commodities to the price information processing unit 130.

The price information processor 130 compares, edits, and lists each information (sales agency, price, etc.) included in the plurality of products extracted by the extractor 125 in an advantageous manner to the client.

The transaction unit 135 checks the comparison list of the corresponding product transmitted to the wireless communication device 170 of the client, and selects a certain product (the best product for the user) to purchase the transaction. Responsible for

The product information database 140 is a database that includes price information and sales information about arbitrary products, and the system 100 can be periodically updated.

The customer information database 145 stores personal information (name, mobile communication number, social security number, credit card or bank account number, etc.) for members who subscribe to the website including the system 100. . The personal information may be utilized when purchasing a product of a client.

The transaction information database 150 is a database for storing a corresponding transaction history when analyzing a transaction with a client so as to analyze the purchase taste of the client.

Affiliate website 155 refers to websites that are strategically affiliated with each other in order to attract the present invention smoothly, and through the system 100 can provide product information owned by each website, the transaction I can do it.

The mobile communication company 160 serves as an intermediate step in transmitting the image information input through the image input device of the client to the system 100, and may include the authentication and payment function of the client.

In addition, the authentication and payment for the purchase of the product occurring during the transaction of the client reveals that it is possible through the VAN operator and PG.

The image information providing means 165 means a physical product selected by the client during offline shopping, and a production (catalog, image information, etc.) that can be provided offline by a website (or affiliated website) that attracts the present invention. Handouts, electronic catalogs, and the like.

The wireless communication device 170 described above and the wireless communication device 170 described below include an image input function, and the client can search for and purchase a desired product through the wireless communication device 170.

2 is a simple flowchart showing a data processing process of each part in the image recognition comparison shopping system 100.

The receiving unit 105 of the system 100 transmits the image information data received from the wireless communication device 170 of the client to the image information recognizing unit 115 (200). The image information recognizing unit 115 recognizes the corresponding product by reconstructing the received image information to the original image, and confirms which product the client has selected (205). When the product selected by the client is confirmed, the product search unit 120 in the system 100 searches for a plurality of products of the same type as the product through the product information database 140 and retrieves the search details from the product extraction unit ( 125).

The product extracting unit 125 extracts a plurality of the same kind of products by referring to the searched product information and transmits the same kind of product to the price information processing unit 130 (215). The price information processing unit 130 compares, edits and lists each piece of information (sales agency, price, etc.) included in the extracted plurality of product information in a form advantageous to the client to make a list to the client's wireless communication device 170. Transmit (220). If there is a transaction request from the client, the transaction unit 135 in the system 100 executes a transaction for the purchase of the product selected by the client (225).

Figure 3 is a simplified overall flow diagram illustrating the implementation of the present invention.

During the offline shopping process, the client who selects the item 165 that wants to purchase or purchases the information 165 obtains specific information (price, vendor, etc.) through the wireless communication device 170 having a built-in image input function. After inputting the selected product for the purpose of purchasing or purchasing the image (305), the inputted product is transmitted to the web server (310).

The product selected by the client 165 means an actual product that can be directly purchased through offline, and the product is a product (catalog, image information) that can be provided offline by a website (or affiliated website) that attracts the present invention. Other handouts, etc.) and electronic catalogs are also available for replacement.

If the transmission is not performed, retry and if the transmission is completed (315), the web server recognizes the image information received from the wireless communication device 170 of the client to identify the corresponding product (320). When the selected product is confirmed, information about the same product as the product is searched and extracted. When extraction of the corresponding information is completed, information about the extracted plurality of products is prepared as a comparison list (325). It transmits to the wireless communication device 170 of the client.

The client checks the data of the comparison list and the like transmitted to the wireless communication device 170 of the client and determines whether to purchase a product. If a user wants to purchase a product (335), the client selects a desired product (optimal price) from the comparison list data, and then transmits the product to the web server by simple key operation (340). The web server confirms the purchase intention of the client, executes a transaction, and transmits the details to the wireless communication device 170 (345).

In the purchase of the product, the client selects a desired product and purchases the corresponding product through a simple key operation. If the client is previously subscribed to the web server, the client's personal information (name, social security number, payment for Credit card numbers or bank account numbers, etc.) are stored in a database in the web server, and if the client is not an existing subscriber, the mobile carrier 160 may guarantee the authentication and billing of the client. Say.

In addition, it is noted that a procedure for inputting a password or the like that can be recognized only by the user for security reasons may be included before a transaction caused by the wireless communication device occurs.

4 is a simple exemplary diagram in which image information about a specific product is input to a wireless communication device of a client.

The wireless communication device 170 has a built-in image input function, and the client may use the product in order to know more information about the actual product (image information providing means) 165 that can be selected during offline shopping. Image input is performed by the image input function of the wireless communication device. The image input product information (image) is transmitted to the corresponding web server or affiliated website.

Fig. 5 is a simple exemplary view in which information about a product having an image input to a wireless communication device of a client is retrieved.

When the client recognizes the image information transmitted through his wireless communication device, the web server searches for products corresponding to the transmitted image information and extracts a plurality of identical products. The extracted products present their respective prices, and the web server may generate a simple list by integrating the prices offered by the respective products to the client and transmit it to the client's wireless communication device.

In addition, the list reveals that it is possible to add simple information such as a seller or a URL for the corresponding product.

6 is a simple exemplary diagram in which a client switches to a payment mode in order to purchase a corresponding product through his wireless communication device.

By performing a simple key operation, the client can make a payment for a desired product with his wireless communication device 170. If the user decides to purchase the most suitable product from the list of products transmitted to the wireless communication device 170, the user switches to the payment mode. When the payment mode is switched, a security element for payment can be added by including an input procedure such as a password that only the user can recognize in order to prohibit the use of others.

Fig. 7 is a simple exemplary diagram in which a client inputs an actual product using his wireless communication device during offline shopping.

8 is a simple illustration of a catalog (or other handout including image information) that can be provided off-line in a web server or the like that hosts the present invention.

The catalog (or other handout including image information, etc.) includes image information of products that can be handled by the web server, and the client selects a desired product through the information and inputs the image to his wireless communication device. You can receive information about the product by sending it to a web server.

In addition, the catalog (or other handouts including image information) may be distributed to each affiliated store or retailer through the web server or affiliated website offline, and the client may use a wireless communication device having an image input function. The product information can be searched and purchased regardless of the place.

According to the present invention, a client having a wireless communication device with a built-in image input function can be used for actual offline shopping (or from image information providing means such as catalog and electronic catalog) without input via a separate Internet access equipment (PC). ) By inputting a product of your choice and sending it to a web server, you have the advantage of being able to receive the comparative shopping data directly from the wireless communication device at the same time as shopping at the same time as well as online and offline. In addition, there is an advantage that it is possible to obtain and purchase information about the product more easily regardless of time and place.

Claims (7)

Inputting image information of a product selected by the client while shopping offline; Transmitting the input image information data to a web server providing product comparison information through a mobile communication company; And And a function for receiving product comparison information data on the product from the web server. A function of receiving and reading the product image data transmitted from the wireless communication device to recognize product information including a product name of the product; Searching for and extracting goods of the same type as the goods by referring to the recognized goods information data; And Wireless communication with a built-in image input function, characterized in that the web server having a function for transmitting the extracted information data (information data including price information) to the wireless communication device is connected through a wireless communication network Comparative shopping system using the device. The method of claim 1, wherein the web server, A receiving unit which receives the product image data transmitted from the wireless communication device; An image information recognizing unit which reads the product image data received through the receiving unit and recognizes product information including a brand name of the product; A commodity searching unit searching for commodities of the same type and commodities in a commodity information database by referring to commodity information data recognized through the image information recognizing unit; A product extraction unit which selects and extracts one or more products searched by the product search unit and transmits the selected product to a price information processing unit; A price information processing unit for compiling and listing information (sales information, information on the singular goods including price) of one or more products extracted by the product extraction unit; And And a transmitting unit which transmits the information data of the goods generated by the price information processing unit to the wireless communication device. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the web server, When the client selects a product to purchase through the wireless communication device with reference to the comparison product information data transmitted to the wireless communication device, And a transaction unit for managing and performing payment approval and processing according to the product purchase. The method according to claim 1 or 3, When approving and processing payment for the purchase of the product And a VAN operator and a payment gateway (PG) that perform client authentication and payment processing according to the product purchase. A first step of inputting an image image of the product selected by the client during a shopping offline by using a wireless communication device having an image input function; A second step of transmitting the product image data input in the wireless communication device to a web server providing product comparison information through a wireless network; A third step of reading commodity image data received by the web server to recognize commodity information including a brand name of the commodity; A fourth step of searching for and extracting goods of the same type as the goods through the goods information database in the web server by referring to the recognized goods information data; And And a fifth step of transmitting the extracted information data (information data including price information) to the client-owned wireless communication device. The comparison using the wireless communication device with the image input function is included. How to shop. The method of claim 5, wherein the first step, At the time of image image input of the product, In the case of inputting the actual offline on the product, Inputting image information contained in a catalog or other handout including image information of the product; Comparative shopping using a wireless communication device with a built-in image input function comprising the step of inputting the image information contained in the electronic catalog or electronic handouts containing the image information on the product provided by the web server Way. The method of claim 1, When the client selects a product to purchase through the wireless communication device with reference to the comparison product information data transmitted to the wireless communication device, And managing and performing payment approval and processing according to the product purchase.