WO2001069472A1

WO2001069472A1 - Purchasing terminal, recording medium, purchasing method, sales server and selling method

Info

Publication number: WO2001069472A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/001209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenichi Ohmae
Original assignee: Kenichi Ohmae
Priority date: 2000-03-13
Filing date: 2001-02-20
Publication date: 2001-09-20
Also published as: JP2001256364A; AU3235301A

Abstract

A purchasing terminal, a purchasing method, a recording medium, a sales server and a selling method, which allow buyers to enjoy a real and quick shopping. The purchasing terminal comprises a control unit (203) for running a program for forming a 3-D-screen virtual shopping mall, a storage unit (206) for retaining a virtual shopping mall program, a database storage unit (207) for retaining data used on the virtual shopping mall program, an input unit (201) for inputting purchasing information to the control unit (203), an output unit (202) for outputting commodities information based on input purchasing information from the control unit (203) as a 3-D screen image, and a communication interface (209) for receiving/sending information necessary to run the virtual shopping mall program.

Description

Description Purchasing terminal, recording medium, purchasing method, sales server and sales method

The present invention relates to a purchasing terminal by communication, a purchasing method, a recording medium, a sales server, and a selling method, and particularly to a purchasing terminal using a virtual shopping mall having a three-dimensional screen. Background art

Until now, the simplest way to purchase and sell products when you actually go to a store and purchase them has been home delivery, mail-order sales, or online shopping.

According to the conventional purchasing and sales methods described above, when using home delivery or mail-order sales, there was a time lag between when the consumer decided on the order and when it was transmitted to the retailer. In addition, consumers need to write out what they order on paper and calculate the amount of money.There is no information such as out-of-stock at the time of ordering, and they have to wait for a long time to place an order. However, there was a problem that the product could not be obtained after all. Even when using the Internet, accessing the shopping system requires a huge amount of time, placing a heavy burden on consumers in terms of time and money. It was not easy to reach and it took a long time. Also, even if it is not necessary to go to the store, the buyer simply discloses the product in a two-dimensional manner and simply specifies and receives it.The fun of actually going to the store to see the product and examine it for the hand Was lacking.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a purchasing terminal, a purchasing method, a recording medium, a sales server, and a selling method that not only save labor but also allow a buyer to easily enjoy real and quick shopping. Disclosure of the invention An object of the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a control unit 203 for operating a virtual shopping mall program for forming a virtual shopping mall of a three-dimensional screen; connected to the control unit 203; A system storage unit 206 for storing the virtual shopping mall program; a database storage unit 206 connected to the control unit 203 for storing data used in the virtual shopping mall program; An input unit 201 for a purchaser of a product to input purchase information to the control unit 203; and product information corresponding to the input purchase information as a three-dimensional screen from the control unit 203. A communication interface for transmitting and receiving information required to operate the virtual shopping mall program to and from an external server 12 connected to an output unit 202 and a control unit 203; 9 and To provide a purchase terminal.

The purchasing terminal is typically a computer such as a personal computer.

With this configuration, since the control unit 203 that operates the virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall of a three-dimensional screen is provided, a three-dimensional virtual shopping mall can be formed. You can enjoy simple virtual shopping.

Further, the virtual shopping mall program may include a look-up function for enlarging and displaying a predetermined screen according to a purchaser's specification. The purchaser typically specifies enlarged display of the screen via the input unit. The predetermined screen is, for example, a screen that displays a product that the user actually wants to purchase. The specification may specify a lookup function, or may simply reach out to a virtual product. , As the designation.

With this configuration, it is possible to obtain detailed information of each product by enlarging the display (zoom up) as if the buyer actually picked up the product. Further, in the purchasing terminal 10, the virtual shopping mall program may be capable of forming a two-dimensional screen. Typically, it is configured so that buyers can freely move between a three-dimensional (3D) screen and a two-dimensional (2D) screen. With this configuration, the virtual shopping mall can be represented by a combination of 3D and 2D. For example, catalog-type information including tables, figures, and photos is represented in 2D, and the sales floor is 3D. Expressed in D, the memory capacity is small, and You can choose between 2D, which handles information that is easier to view when viewed in two dimensions, and 3D, which can provide buyers with a real and fun screen that requires a lot of memory.

Further, in the purchasing terminal, when the purchaser inputs predetermined information in the input unit 201, the purchaser moves from one place to another place in the virtual shopping mall according to the predetermined information. It is good to constitute so that it can move instantaneously. The predetermined information is, for example, the name of a product to be purchased or the name of a sales floor. This function is called a warp function.

Further, in the purchasing terminal 10, the data stored in the database storage unit 207 is first downloaded from the external server 12 when the virtual shopping mall program is started, and the virtual storage mall program is downloaded from the next time. When the shopping mall program is started, only the data updated since the previous download may be downloaded from the external server 12.

Here, not only the data but also the virtual shopping mall program stored in the system storage unit 206 is updated, when the program is launched, only the updated program portion is downloaded. You can do it. Further, the purchasing terminal 10 is formed using data already stored in the purchasing terminal 10 while the necessary information is transmitted and received between the purchasing terminal 10 and the external server 12. You may comprise so that a three-dimensional screen may be displayed on the said output part. Typically, the above functions are incorporated in the virtual shopping mall program.

With this configuration, for example, while the buyer is using the system and waiting for access to the server, the tertiary data is stored using the data already stored in the storage device of the purchasing terminal 10. By displaying the virtual shopping mall on the original screen, buyers can stroll through the mall, so that they do not get bored.

Further, the purchase terminal 10 described above may be configured so that purchase data such as the purchase history of the purchaser can be stored in, for example, a database storage unit. With this configuration, the shopping history can be analyzed with various parameters, for example, and materials that can be used as reference for future purchases by the buyer can be provided. This analysis includes, for example, classification of purchased items at certain time periods, total purchase price, nutrition analysis, calorie calculation, and the like.

In addition, the virtual shopping mall program has a household account book management function, which automatically converts purchase data into data for the household account book of the purchaser, It may be configured to input the input dynamically.

In addition, the out-of-stock information of the product detected by the external server 12 may be configured to be displayed on the output unit 202 in real time, or the purchaser may correspond to the product processing method and the processing method. The registered product specifications can be registered in advance, and when a processing method is input from the input unit, a product to be purchased may be selected according to the registered product specifications. Les ,.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal-readable recording medium that stores the virtual shopping mall program, which is installed in the purchasing terminal. The terminal is typically a computer, and the recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM, MO, DVD, FD, magnetic tape, or the like that can read a program stored in the computer.

Still another object of the present invention is to receive a virtual shopping mall program for forming a virtual shopping mall of a three-dimensional screen in the purchasing terminal 10 from the external server 12 at the purchasing terminal 10; Storing the received virtual shopping mall program in a purchasing terminal 10; storing data used in the virtual shopping mall program in a purchasing terminal 10; Operating the virtual shopping mall program in the terminal 10; inputting purchasing information to the purchasing terminal 10; and displaying product information corresponding to the input purchasing information as a three-dimensional screen. Providing a purchasing method comprising: a step of outputting; and a step of transmitting and receiving information necessary for operating the virtual shopping mall program in response to an external server 12. It is.

The above purchasing method may include a step of enlarging and displaying a predetermined screen or a step of forming a two-dimensional screen. Further, the method may include a step of inputting predetermined information and instantaneously moving from one place to another place in the virtual shopping mall in accordance with the predetermined information.

A step of first downloading data used by the virtual shopping mall program stored in the purchase terminal 10 from the external server 12 when the virtual shopping mall program is started; After closing the virtual shopping mall program and re-launching it, And a step of downloading only data updated after the download from the external server 12.

Also, while transmitting / receiving information in the transmitting / receiving step, a step of displaying a three-dimensional screen formed using data already stored in the purchasing terminal on the output unit is provided. Or a step of storing purchase data, or a step of displaying out-of-stock information of a product detected by the external server 12 on the purchasing terminal 10 in real time. Yeah.

A step of pre-registering a product processing method and a product specification corresponding to the processing method; and a method of selecting a product to be purchased in accordance with the registered product specification. And a step of inputting a processing method to the purchasing terminal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a communication interface 300 for transmitting and receiving information necessary for operating the shopping mall program to and from the purchasing terminal 10. Is to provide the sales server 12 provided. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual shopping mall program for forming a virtual shopping mall with a three-dimensional screen in a purchase terminal 10 used by a purchaser of a product as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Actuating a purchaser server control unit 304; storing a data used in the virtual shopping mall program; a server system storage unit 310; connecting to the control unit 304; A communication interface 308 for transmitting / receiving information necessary for operating the virtual shopping mall program to / from the terminal 10; according to the purchase information input at the purchasing terminal 10; Another object of the present invention is to provide a sales server 12 configured to output the product information from the server control unit 304 as a three-dimensional screen to the purchasing terminal 10.

Here, the program operated by the server control unit 303 may be accessed from the purchasing terminal 10 or may be downloaded to the purchasing terminal 10 as needed. In this way, if the main part of the program is downloaded to the purchase terminal 10, the access time of the purchaser to the server 12 can be reduced.

Further, the sales server 12 operates an administrator virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall for an administrator that provides the product. An administrator server control unit 305 may be provided.

The virtual shopping mall program may include a lookup function for enlarging and displaying a predetermined screen according to a purchaser's specification. Further, the virtual shopping mall program may be configured to be able to form a two-dimensional screen. At this time, it is recommended that the system be configured so that the buyer can freely move between the three-dimensional (3D) screen and the two-dimensional (2D) screen. Further, when a purchaser inputs predetermined information in the input section, the buyer can instantly move from one place to another place in the virtual shopping mall in accordance with the predetermined information. May be.

Further, the data stored in the database storage unit 207 is first downloaded from the purchaser server control unit 304 to the purchase terminal when the virtual shopping mall program is started at the purchase terminal 10. When the above-mentioned virtual shopping mall program is started on the purchasing terminal 10 from the next time, only the data updated since the previous down-loading is downloaded from the buyer server control unit 304 to the down-loading. It is good to be constituted so that. Further, it is preferable that the out-of-stock information of the product is transmitted to the purchasing terminal 10.

Still another object of the present invention is to operate a virtual shopping mall program for forming a virtual shopping mall having a three-dimensional screen in a purchasing terminal 10 used by a purchaser of a product; A step of storing data used by the terminal; a step of transmitting / receiving information necessary for operating the virtual shopping mall program to / from the purchasing terminal 10; An object of the present invention is to provide a sales method including a step of outputting product information corresponding to purchase information as a three-dimensional screen to a purchase terminal 10.

Further, the selling method may include a step of operating a manager virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall for the manager who provides the product.

Further, in the selling method, when the virtual shopping mall program is started on the purchasing terminal 10, the data stored in the storing step is first downloaded to the purchasing terminal 10; After the step of downloading to the purchasing terminal 10 first, the virtual shopping mall program is executed on the purchasing terminal 10 from the next time on. At the time of startup, a step of downloading only data updated since the previous download to the purchasing terminal 10 may be provided. Further, a step of transmitting out-of-stock information of the product to the purchasing terminal 10 may be provided.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-0-0609106 filed in Japan on March 13, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Form a part. Also, the present invention may be more completely understood by the following detailed description. Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. However, the detailed description and specific examples are preferred embodiments of the present invention and are described for illustrative purposes only. From this detailed description, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Applicant does not intend to dedicate any of the described embodiments to the public and discloses any of the disclosed modifications and alternatives that may not be literally included within the scope of the claims. It shall be part of the invention under the doctrine of equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a virtual shopping mall system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a purchase terminal used by a purchaser in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when a purchaser activates a virtual shopping mall system for the first time in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the purchaser activates the virtual shopping mall system for the second time or later in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the purchaser sets the download time in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow continued from FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, using an example of a screen, processing in a case where a purchaser uses the virtual shopping mall system to make a purchase in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the warp function.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a case where a product to be purchased is selected by inputting a dish name desired by a buyer in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for displaying out-of-stock information of a product at the time when a buyer selects a product to be purchased in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a process when the layout of a sales floor is changed using an example of a screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in which purchase data is converted into data for a household account book and input to an electronic household account book system according to the embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a three-dimensional (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as 3D) virtual (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as virtual) shopping mall system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each user (which may be called a purchaser or a consumer) who wants to shop in the virtual shopping mall system operates the purchase terminal 10. The purchasing terminal 10 is connected to a virtual shopping mall system 12 provided on the server side via a network 11. Here, the purchasing terminal 10 is typically a computer, but in addition to a personal computer, a Web TV incorporating an IC (including an integrated circuit and an LSI), an information appliance incorporating the IC, and a mobile phone incorporating the IC. Includes telephones, etc. When viewed from the purchasing terminal 10, the user can use the purchasing terminal 10 to connect to the virtual storage system of the server 12 installed outside via the network 11 and view the screen. Shopping. There are as many purchasing terminals 10 as the number of virtual shopping mall system users, that is, a plurality of purchasing terminals. Network (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “net”) 1 1 is not limited to computer networks such as the Internet and telephone lines, but can be implemented in various forms such as TV radio waves, satellite Internet, cable lines, and TV gap radio waves. Can be taken. The virtual shopping mall system can be implemented on various computers such as a personal computer or a workstation as the server 12 or a main frame.

The purchasing terminal 10 and the server 12 may be directly connected via a line constituting the network 11 or may be connected via a provider on the network. There may be a plurality of providers.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the purchasing terminal 10 used by each user. The user operates the device 200 to use the virtual shopping mall system. The device 200 is, for example, a personal computer, a Web TV, a normal television, an information home appliance, a game machine, or the like.

The user uses the input device 201 connected to the device 200 to issue an operation command to the device 200 or input information for ordering or purchasing. The input device 201 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone (for voice input), a remote control, a touch screen, or the like.

In addition, in order to display the screen of the virtual shopping mall system, product information, a purchase order, and the like, the output device 202 connected to the device 200 is used. The output device 202 is, for example, a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device or a printer. Although the input / output devices 201 and 202 are shown as being separate from the device 200, they may be integrated. The device 200 is provided with an IZO interface unit 208, which controls the input / output devices 201 and 202. The control unit 203 in the device 200 and the input / output devices 201, 202 are connected via the I / O interface unit 208. In the control unit 203, there is a virtual shopper damper system that activates the virtual shopping system program. A system operating section 204 is provided.

Also, a communication interface 209 is connected to the control unit 203 to receive the contents and database of a virtual storage system from an external server, and to provide information on the user's purchasing activities. Send and receive The storage unit 205 is connected to the control unit 203, and is used for virtual shopping for users downloaded from an external server to the purchasing terminal 100 of each user and eventually to the device 200. The mall system is stored.

The storage device 205 is provided with a system storage unit 206, in which a virtual shopping mall system body for the user is stored (stored). In the embodiment shown here, the virtual shopping mall system for the user includes a front-end module, an in-store layout management module, a warp processing module, a download processing module, a menu processing module, a product management module, and an order management module. It consists of a processing module, shopping history management module, system usage history management module, and household account data conversion module. These modules can be selected as needed to form an optimal virtual shopping mall system. Further, the component modules are not limited to the modules listed here.

The system storage unit 205 further includes a database storage unit 2007. Here, various databases (hereinafter referred to as DB as appropriate) used in the virtual shopping mall system for users, in this embodiment, a product database and a store layout DB (virtual stores are represented in 3D) DB), shopping history DB, system usage history DB, and menu DB are stored.

When the user activates the virtual shopping mall system, the virtual shopping mall system for the user stored in the system storage unit 206 stores the virtual shop mall in the control unit 203. The data is read into and operated by the shoving motor drive system operation section 204, and the database in the database storage section 2007 is referred to as necessary.

The purchase terminal 10 allows the user to not only use the virtual shopping mall system on the external server 12 via the network 11 but also You can save the program for the system directly in the device 200 and start it. The data may be stored in the device 200, the program may use the data in the server 12, and only the data may be stored.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the server 12 connected to the purchase terminal 10 via the network 11. The server 12 operates the server side shopping mall system.

This system is implemented in the main body 300 of the device. This system can be implemented on a variety of computers, such as computers, workstations, and mainframes. The main body 300 of the device is provided with a control unit 303 that controls the entire virtual shopping mall system. The device main body 300 has an input device 301 for inputting information for operating the device main body 300, and an output device 3 for outputting a result processed by the device main body 300. 0 2 is connected. The input / output devices 301 and 302 are connected to the control unit 303 by an IZO interface 307. The I_ / 〇 interface 307 controls the input device (such as a keyboard) 301 and the output device (such as a display) 302.

A communication interface unit 308 is connected to the control unit 303, and through this, a virtual terminal 10 is connected to a purchasing terminal 10 used by each user via the network 11. It downloads various information about the shopping mall system and accepts order information for each user.

The control section 304 is composed of a section 304 that controls a system operated by the user (virtual shopping mall system for users) and a system that is operated by a manager (retailer) (virtual shopping for administrators). Mall system) control part is divided into three and five.

The virtual shopping mall system for users in the system controller for users 304 is accessed by the user via the network 11, and if necessary or only necessary parts are provided. Is downloaded to the user's device. It is this virtual shopping mall system for users that users use when shopping on the Internet. In this embodiment, the system includes a front end module, an in-store late management module, a warp processing module, a download processing module, a menu processing module, a product management module, an order processing module, a shopping history management module, a system usage history. It includes a management module and a household account data conversion module. These modules may be selected as necessary to configure the system, and are not limited to the modules listed here.

The virtual shopping mall system for administrators (retailers) in the system control section for administrators is a system used by retailers who sell goods through the virtual shopping mall system. It is for operating the gamole system. In this embodiment, the system includes a front-end module, a product management module, a customer management module, a sales management module, an accounting module, a delivery management module, an advertisement management module, a download processing module, and an inventory management module. include. These modules may be configured by appropriately selecting necessary modules to configure the system, and are not limited to the modules listed here.

In the main body 300 of the device, the control unit 303 is connected to a storage device 360 for storing information and data necessary for the virtual shopping mall system. In this embodiment, the storage device 306 includes a product DB, a store layout DB (a DB of images used to represent a virtual store in 3D), an order DB, a sales DB, a customer DB, and a menu DB. .

Although a hard disk having a larger capacity than the purchasing terminal 10 is generally used as the server 12, the same hardware may be used, and the software to be installed is installed in the server 12 for the server and the purchasing terminal. 10 may be for a purchasing terminal. The processing when the user activates the virtual shopping mall system differs between the first use of the virtual shopping mall system and the second and subsequent times.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process when the user activates the virtual shopping mall system for the first time. First, the user connects to the network 11 (FIG. 1) (step 400). Via this network 11 Then, the user accesses the virtual shopping mall system on the server 12 (step 401).

The user decides whether to download the virtual shopping mall system to his / her own purchasing terminal 10 and ultimately to the device 200, depending on the ability to try the virtual shopping mall system for the time being and whether to use it in earnest. It is determined whether or not (step 402).

If the user decides not to download, the user continues to use the virtual shopping mall system on the server 12 side via the network 11 (step 4003). If the user decides to download, first, the user sends his / her information (name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) and information on the purchasing terminal 10 used by the user to the server 12 ( Step 4 0 4).

The server 12 receives the transmitted customer information (step 405), assigns a customer number (step 406), and registers it in the customer DB (step 407). Also, the customer number is transmitted to the user (step 408). Continue downloading. The virtual shopping mall system for the user in the server 12 virtual shopping mall system is downloaded to the device 200 in the purchase terminal 10 of the user (step 409).

When the download is completed, the information that this user has downloaded is registered in the server customer DB (step 410). This information includes the download flag, the download date (date of the day), and the system use date (date of the day).

The downloaded virtual shopping mall system is stored in the storage device 205 of the device 200 held by the user (step 412). Then, the virtual shopping mall system in the storage device 205 is activated (step 413).

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, an example of processing when a user who has once downloaded the virtual shopping mall system starts the virtual shopping mall system for the second time or later will be described.

First, users who want to use the virtual shopping mall system will The virtual shopping mall system stored in the storage device 205 (see FIG. 2) of the client (user side) is activated (step 500). The virtual shopping mall system is connected to the network 11 (step 501). Next, the virtual shopping mall system in the storage device 205 of the client transmits information (customer number, name, etc.) for identifying the user (step 502). The virtual shopping mall system of the server 12 receives the user identification information (Step 503), and searches for the last system use date of this user while referring to the customer DB (Step 503). Four ) .

The date registered on the customer DB's system use date is the user's previous system use date. Here, the system use date of the customer DB is updated to the date of the day (step 505). Next, while referring to the product DB, update information of the product DB since the previous system use date is detected (step 506). Update information here includes price changes and product additions. Further, the latest information (new release information, bargain information, sale information, etc.) and advertisements on the day of this processing are detected while referring to the product DB (step 507). The update information, the latest information, and the advertisement detected in steps 506 and 507 are transmitted to the client device (step 508).

Subsequently, the user device 200 receives the updated information, the latest information, and the advertisement (step 509). Then, the new product DB is created by adding and rewriting the information of the product DB so far in the storage device 205 and the updated information and the latest information that have just been received and stored in the storage device 205 (step 5 10). As described above, according to the present embodiment, since only the update information is downloaded from the second time on, the processing is performed quickly.

During the processing from step 501 to step 501, there is a waiting time for the user, but after step 501, the user is stored in the storage device 205 of the client. Using the virtual shopping mall system, processing other than product purchase processing (walking through the virtual shopping mall store, browsing the latest information and advertisements received in step 509, etc.) can be performed (step 511) ). In this way, users will not get bored during the waiting time and expect an advertising effect can do.

After step 5 10, when the new product DB is completed, the user starts the product purchase processing in the virtual shopping mall system (step 5 12). The daily update information and advertisement information generated by the virtual shopping mall system can be efficiently downloaded using the time zone such as midnight when the user does not use the virtual shopping mall system. The user can set the downtime period in advance by himself / herself, or the server grasps the trend of each user's use of the virtual shopping mall system (use time, communication media type, route). The above may be determined automatically for each client (user's device).

With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7, an example of a process when the user himself sets the download time will be described. The processing shown in FIG. 6 and the processing shown in FIG. 7 are a series of processing. Here is an example of the process for downloading update information every day.

First, the user himself / herself sets the download time of the update information and the advertisement information, and inputs the information using the input device 201 at the purchase terminal 10 (step 600). The input download time is received by the download processing module (update information reception processing module) of the purchase terminal 10 and transmitted to the server 12 as download time information (step 601).

The download time information includes the customer number of the user and the download time. This information is received by the download processing module of the server 12 (step 602) and registered in the customer DB (step 603). In addition, the communication medium type (telephone line, CATV, satellite Internet, TV gap radio wave, etc.) of the communication to the user, which has been registered in advance, is extracted from the customer DB (step 604). When the registered download time comes (step 605), the download process is started. The download process is started by the client usage status management module determining whether the purchase terminal 10 as a client device is in a state where download is currently accepted.

First, the client usage management module It is determined whether or not the power of .0 is turned on (step 606). If the power is on, it is next determined whether or not the user is currently using the virtual shopping mall system (step 607). If the client device 10 is not in use, the client device 10 is determined to be in a state where it can accept the download at present, and sends a download processing instruction to the download processing module (step 608).

The download processing instruction includes the customer number, download time, and download medium type. If the power of the client device 10 is not turned on in step 606 or if the user is currently using the virtual shopping mall system in step 607, it is determined that the download process cannot be performed. Then, the download processing module sends an error message stating "Could not be downloaded at this time" to the client (step 709), and the client receives (step 718).

Upon receiving the download processing instruction in step 608, the down processing module first searches for the previous download date of this user while referring to the customer DB using the customer number as a key. (Step 710). The date registered on the download date of customer DB is the user's last download date. Here, the download date of the customer DB is updated to the current date (step 7 1

1)

Next, while referring to the product DB, the update information of the product DB since the previous download date is detected (step 712). Update information here includes price changes and product additions. Furthermore, the latest information (new release information, bargain information, sale information, etc.) and advertisements on the day of this processing are detected while referring to the product DB (step 7 13). Then, the update information, the latest information, and the advertisement detected in steps 7 12 and 7 13 are transmitted to the user's purchase terminal 10 using the communication medium determined for each user. Send (step 7 1 4).

The purchase terminal 10 of the user receives the update information, the latest information, and the advertisement (step 715). Then, the new product DB is created by adding and rewriting the information of the product DB so far in the storage device 205 and the update information and the latest information that have just been received, and creating a new product DB. And store it in the location 205 (step 7 16).

The download process so far is performed automatically during the time when the user is not using the virtual shopping mall system. Later, when the user activates the virtual shopping mall system (step 717), the latest information of the day is stored in the system already in the storage device 205 of the user's device. Will be. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can immediately enjoy shopping based on the latest information as soon as the user starts using purchasing terminal 10.

An example of a process in which a purchaser as a user performs shopping using the virtual shopping mall system will be described with reference to the example screen of FIG. In the initial screen 8001, the user is at the entrance of a store (mall) in a 3D screen. Using an input device 201 such as a keyboard, mouse, remote control, or lever, the user moves himself (or the user's eyes) on the screen and enters the store. The figure shows itself in the shadow shown in the center. Here, the user is given the impression that he or she is actually walking and moving into the store (inside the mall). A user entering a descending store (in a partial mall) can freely walk around.

The interior of the virtual shopping mall consists of multiple sales floors or specialty stores. Screen 8002 shows where the user has come to a sales floor (here a vegetable sales floor). On the screen, you can see an overview of the products displayed at the sales floor. Also, by using the input device 201, the user can always change his / her eyes and view the store from various angles.

The screen 8003 is a case where the line of sight of the screen 802 is changed to show a state viewed from above. In addition, users can enlarge the screen of each sales floor where they are. Enlarging this screen is called the lookup function. By using this function, by operating the input device 201, it is possible to perform on the screen an operation of seeing the shelves of the displayed products up close or actually viewing the products at hand. The look-up function may be activated by pressing the function key of the input device 201, or by operating the input device 201 to direct the product so that it is close to the user with the hand, and the look-up function is activated. You may make it do. Screen 804 is, for example, a screen in which a user approaches a shelf in a vegetable section and looks at each product to see what products are on the shelf. In screen 800, the user is trying to pick a radish at the vegetable counter and pick it up, and screen 806 is watching the radish in his hand.

It is also possible to provide detailed product information using a two-dimensional (hereinafter referred to as 2D) screen. Screen 807 displays the detailed information of the products at the vegetable section in a 2D catalog format. Detailed information includes product name, unit quantity, price, price per unit, product image, expiration date, production area, producer, raw materials, and the like. Such information can be displayed on a 2D screen without any problem, and the 2D screen is often easier to read. In addition, the 2D screen requires less memory capacity than the 3D screen, so it is economical and has an advantage in screen display speed.

The user selects a product to buy on the 3D screen or the 2D screen and puts it in the shopping basket. No matter where the user goes to any other sales floor, the process of selecting a product and placing it in the shopping basket is the same as that shown in screen examples 801 to 807. The user can switch between the 3D screen and the 2D screen by operating the input device 201. In this way, both speed and shopping pleasure can be provided to the user.

When completing shopping and checking out, the user goes to the cash register in the store. Screen 808 shows the state of the reg. At the cash register, as shown in a screen example 809, a list of information on the contents of the shopping basket of the user and the calculated total amount are displayed. The user can use this display to check whether they have made unnecessary purchases, have forgotten to buy necessary items, have not exceeded their budget, etc., and if there are, return to the sales floor and make changes. When everything is in a good state, send it to the server's virtual retrieving system via the network.

In this way, when you shop, you can store them in a shopping basket and check the contents at the end of the shopping basket, so you can prevent mistakes such as overbuying. After the checkout, go out of the store (screen example 8 10) and the shopping is over. At a later date, the ordered item is delivered by courier, etc., and the user pays. As described above, according to the present embodiment, shopping can be performed while moving in the 3D virtual space. Mosquitoes can also provide users with the same enjoyment as going to a mall and shopping. Also, the access time to the mall is short, and the time burden on users can be significantly reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, a method for a user to move from one sales floor to another sales floor in search of a product to be purchased or as window shopping is performed in 3D by operating the input device 201. Although the description has been made assuming that the user moves within the represented store, the present invention is not limited to this.

When a user moves from one sales floor to another sales floor, the user may directly enter the name of the product he wants to purchase or the name of the sales floor (voice input, keyboard input, etc.). By using this method, the user can find the product on the screen as soon as the product name or sales floor name is entered, regardless of where in the store (separate sales floor, cash register, etc.) You will be taken to the sales floor where the product is sold or detailed information about the product will be displayed. This is called the warp function. With such a configuration, the dead time can be further reduced.

An example of the processing of the warp function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, a user inputs a command name of the warping process (voice input, keyboard input, etc.) from the input device 201 (step 900). The command name is the product name or the product type name (a more generalized product name than the product name, for example, the product name is A company-free natto 4-pack, the product type name is natto), or the sales floor name That is.

Upon receiving the input command name (step 901), the front-end module transmits a warp processing instruction to the warp processing module 205 (step 902). The warp processing command at this time also includes the command name input in step 900. The warp processing module receives the warp processing instruction (Step 903) and refers to information from the product DB to determine whether the command name is a product name, a product type, or a sales floor name (Step 9). 0 4).

In the case of the product name, the sales floor number of the product is searched with reference to the product DB (Step 905). In the case of the product type name, the sales floor number where the product type is located is searched with reference to the product DB (step 906). In the case of a sales floor name, the sales floor number of the sales floor is searched (step 907). Next, the sales floor number searched in any of Steps 905 to 907 is transmitted to the store layout management module (Step 909). The store layout management module refers to the store layout DB, elicits an image of the store corresponding to the store number (step 910), and transmits it to the front-end module (step 910). The front-end module causes the output device 202 to display the sales floor image (step 911).

If the input command name is not a product name, a product type name, or a sales floor name, the warp processing module sends an error message to the frontend module (step 908), and the front end module sends the output device 202 An error message is displayed on the screen (step 912).

In addition, as a method for users to put the products they want to buy in a shopping basket or the like in a virtual shopping mall system store, they select products while looking at sales floors and shelves, as in actual shopping. In addition to the method, there is a method in which the user inputs the name of the dish he wants to make and the product to be purchased (the ingredients of the dish he wants to make) is selected and automatically placed in the shopping basket. The product processing method of the present invention corresponds to a dish name.

An example of the latter process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, the user inputs a dish name from the input device 201 (step 1000). The name of the transaction to be entered may be selected by the user from options or may be directly entered by the user. Next, enter the amount of the dish you want to make (for two, four, etc.) (step 1001). When the front end module receives the name of the dish and the number of people (step 1002), it sends a menu processing instruction to the menu module (step 1003). At this time, the menu processing instruction includes the dish name input in steps 1001 and 1002 and the amount thereof.

The menu processing module receives the menu processing instruction (step 1004), and refers to the information of the menu DB in which the name of the dish, its ingredients and the quantity are registered in advance, and stores the name of the dish input in step 1001 in the menu DB. It is determined whether there is (step 1005). If it does not exist in the menu DB, an error message is sent to the front end module (step 1006), and the The end module displays an error message on output device 202 (step 1007).

If the input dish name exists in the menu DB, the user refers to the menu DB to search for the ingredients of the input dish name and the amount thereof (step 1008). In addition, the required quantity of the user is calculated by multiplying the quantity of each material by the number of persons input by the user (for 2 persons, 4 persons, etc.) (step 1009). Next, referring to the product DB, the unit to be purchased by the user for each material is calculated (step 1010). The unit to be purchased by the user is the sales unit that is larger than the required amount calculated in step 1009, (more), and the smallest sales unit. For example, in step 1009, if the required quantity of the potato is three, and if the sales unit of the potato is six, the unit to be purchased in step 1010 is one bag. Then, all the materials and the units to be purchased are transmitted to the front-end module (Step 101), and the front-end module displays the output device 202 (Step 1012).

Next, the user determines whether or not to put (purchase) the displayed material and its purchase unit as it is in the shopping basket (step 1013). If the user wants to purchase the product as it is, a command for the “add to shopping basket” processing is sent (step 1016-1). The order includes the name of the product, which is the material, and the unit of purchase. If the purchase is made in a different amount (determined in step 1014), if the purchase unit is re-entered (step 1015), a command for the “add to shopping basket” processing is transmitted (step 1106). ). If the purchase is not made, the order of the processing of “put into shopping basket” is not sent (step 1017).

In the virtual shopping mall system, there are several processing methods for displaying out-of-stock information on products. First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the server 12 sends the purchase terminal 10 of the client to the updated data of the day (as of the day when the user started the partial shopping mall system). When downloading the latest information and advertisement, there is a method of searching the latest out-of-stock information at that time from the inventory DB in the server 12 and downloading it together. In this case, out-of-stock information is displayed on the sales floor screen and the product information screen in the knocking mall. Is shown.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, a flow of another method of displaying out-of-stock information of a product when a user selects a product to be purchased will be described. First, a user selects a product he / she wants to purchase and puts it in a shopping basket or the like (step 110). Then, an inventory check request is transmitted to the server via the Internet or a radio wave (Step 111). This request includes the product name and purchase quantity.

The server's inventory management module receives this inventory confirmation request (step 1102), and determines whether or not the purchase amount of the product is less than the inventory balance while referring to the information in the inventory DB (step 1102). 1 103). If the purchase amount of the product is less than the stock balance, the out-of-stock display processing ends here because the product is not out of stock (step 1104).

On the other hand, if the purchase amount of the product is larger than the stock balance, the product is out of stock, so the out-of-stock message is sent to the purchase terminal 10 of the client user (purchaser) via the net 11 (step 1). 105). The out-of-stock message includes the product name, the scheduled arrival date, and the like. The client receives the out-of-stock message (step 1106) and displays it on the output device 202 (step 1107). With this process, when a user puts an item in the shopping basket, the out-of-stock information is displayed only when the item is out of stock. According to this embodiment, the out-of-stock information is immediately notified to the user, so that it is easy to change to another item, and it is difficult to wait for a long time after placing an order, or that the product cannot be obtained after all. Such a situation can be prevented.

In the virtual shopping mall system, the shopping history, which is the purchasing data of each user, can be stored and analyzed in the shopping history DB, and the results can be used. All of this series of processing is performed only on the client side (purchasing terminal side). First, at the data collection stage, every time a user makes a purchase at the virtual shopping mall, the data (date, product name, purchase quantity, purchase price, etc.) is automatically stored in the shopping history DB. To go. The shopping history DB is owned by the purchase terminal 10 used by each user. Then, the data collected in the DB are analyzed at regular intervals (every time the system is used, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.).

There are several ways to analyze and use the results of the analysis. First, purchase for each product This is a method that calculates the entry frequency and the in-store layout management module converts the product arrangement based on it. At the time when the user downloads the virtual shopping model from the server 12, the layout of the products in the 3D mall, the layout of the sales floor and the screen layout of the 2D screen showing detailed information of the products are managed by the administrator ( (Retailer), but the store layout management module can transform the store into a layout that is more adapted to the shopping habits of users.

An example of rebuilding in a store will be described with reference to the screen example of FIG. Screens 1200 and 1200 are examples in which the layout of the sales floor itself has been changed. Here, the example screen 1200 is a view from above of the sales floor in the 3D mall at the time of downloading from the server.

As a result of analyzing the purchase frequency for each product, for example, if this user is found to purchase vegetables less frequently and purchase sweets more frequently, after changing the layout using the store layout management module The state inside the store is shown in a screen example 1221. At this time, a confectionery section is placed on the user's flow line, and a vegetable section is removed. Screen examples 1202 and 1203 are examples in which the display location of the commodities in the counter is changed. Screen example 1222 shows the state of the confectionery counter in the 3D mall at the time of downloading from the server. An analysis of the purchase frequency of each product indicates that, for example, this user is found to purchase potato chips frequently. Screen example 1203 shows a state of the sales floor after the store layout management module rearranges the potato chips to the center of the display shelf.

Screen examples 1204 and 125 are examples in which the screen of the detailed product information in the form of a tag expressed in 2D is changed. Screen example 124 shows the product information screen of the confectionery counter at the time of downloading from the server. As in the previous example, suppose that this user was found to purchase potato chips frequently. In the standard screen example 124, users cannot see potato chips information without scrolling the screen. Screen example 125 shows the screen after the store layout management module rearranges frequently purchased products (potato chips) to the top of the catalog. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a shopping environment that is easy for the user to use, and the seller can promote sales. In addition, by collecting shopping history data for each product and analyzing it with various parameters (classification of purchased products at a certain period of time, counting, nutrition analysis, calorie calculation, etc.), it will be a reference for users' future shopping. There is a way to create materials. For example, in the screen example 1 206, total purchase amount, total purchase amount, purchase amount per family, purchase amount calculation, purchase amount per day, purchase amount calculation for each product In this case, the result is provided to the user.

Screen example 1207 shows an example in which the purchase amount of each purchased product is represented by a common unit (such as dham and calories) and provided to the user in comparison with the ideal intake balance. ing.

Referring to the flowchart in Fig. 13, the purchase data of the user generated in the virtual shopping mall system is automatically converted into data for the household account book, and the electronic household account held by (or attached to) the system. The flow of processing automatically input to the system will be described. First, when purchase data (purchase date, product name, quantity, price, etc.) is generated by the user shopping (step 1300), a data conversion command is sent to the household account book data conversion module (step 130). Step 1301).

The order includes the date of purchase, product name and price. The household account book data conversion module accepts the conversion command (step 1302), and searches or sets the cost item name, breakdown name, and in-translation name of the product using the product name as a key while referring to the product DB. Yes (step 1303). The cost item name, breakdown name, and in-translation name are registered in the product DB, or the sales floor name or product type name of the product (a product that is more generalized than the product name, for example, the product name does not include A Natto 4-tier pack, product type name is Natto), and the cost items registered in the household account system are set by matching according to a certain rule.

For the method of handling the amount of household account data to be created, the payment method (card, bank account withdrawal, cash payment, etc.) set in advance in the virtual shopping mall system is set as it is (step 13304). The completed household account data (date, expense, breakdown, breakdown, product name, amount, handling (card, direct debit, cash, etc.)) is sent to the household account system (step 135). The electronic household account book system receives the household account book data (step 1306) and inputs it (step 1307). Book According to the embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to separately prepare a household account book, and the household account book is automatically formed on the computer, so that the person who protects the household account can be saved significantly. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, since the control unit 203 that operates the virtual shopping mall program for forming a virtual shopping mall with a three-dimensional screen is provided, a three-dimensional virtual shopping mall can be formed. Purchasers can provide purchasing terminals that allow them to enjoy realistic virtual shopping.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A control unit that runs a virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall on a three-dimensional screen;

A system storage unit connected to the control unit and storing the virtual shopping mall program;

A database storage unit connected to the control unit and storing data used in the virtual shopping mall program;

An input unit for a purchaser of goods to input purchase information to the control unit;

An output unit configured to output product information corresponding to the input purchase information from the control unit as a three-dimensional screen;

A communication interface connected to the control unit for transmitting and receiving information required to operate the virtual shopping mall program to and from an external server;

Purchasing terminal.

2. The purchasing terminal according to claim 1, wherein the virtual shopping mall program has a lookup function for enlarging and displaying a predetermined screen according to a purchaser's specification.

3. The purchasing terminal according to claim 1, wherein the virtual shopping mall program is capable of forming a two-dimensional screen.

4. When the buyer inputs predetermined information in the input unit, the buyer can instantly move from one place to another place in the virtual shopping mall according to the predetermined information. The purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The data stored in the database storage unit is first downloaded from the external server when the virtual shopping mall program is launched, and when the virtual shopping mall program is launched next time, Download only data that has been updated since the external server was downloaded from the external server. The purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the purchasing terminal is configured to execute the purchase.

6. While transmitting and receiving the necessary information between the purchasing terminal and the external server, a three-dimensional screen formed using data already stored in the purchasing terminal is displayed on the output unit. The purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the purchasing terminal is configured to perform the following.

7. The purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the purchasing terminal is configured to store purchase data of the purchaser.

8. The purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein out-of-stock information of a product detected by the external server is displayed in real time on the output unit.

9. The purchaser can register the processing method of the product and the specification of the product corresponding to the processing method in advance, and when the processing method is input from the input unit, the purchaser can register the specification of the registered product. The purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, configured to select a product to be purchased according to the request.

10. A terminal-readable recording medium that is installed on the purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and stores the virtual shopping mall program.

Receiving a virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall of a three-dimensional screen in a purchasing terminal from an external server to the purchasing terminal; and transmitting the received virtual shopping mall program to the purchasing terminal. Storing in the;

Storing data used in the virtual shopping mall program in the purchasing terminal;

Activating the virtual shopping mall program in the purchasing terminal;

Inputting purchasing information to the purchasing terminal; Outputting the product information according to the input purchase information as a three-dimensional screen;

Transmitting and receiving information required to operate the virtual shopping mall program to and from an external server;

Purchase method.

12. The purchasing method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of enlarging and displaying a predetermined screen.

13. The purchasing method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of forming a two-dimensional screen.

14. A method comprising the steps of: inputting predetermined information and, according to the predetermined information, instantaneously moving from one place to another place in the virtual shopping mall. 13. The purchasing method described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 3.

15. a step of first downloading data used by the virtual shopping mall program stored in the purchasing terminal from the external server when the virtual shopping mall program is started;

Closing the virtual shopping mall program after the download and re-starting the virtual shopping mall program, downloading only data updated since the previous download from the external server;

The purchasing method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. While transmitting / receiving information in the transmitting / receiving step, a step of displaying a three-dimensional screen formed using data already stored in the purchasing terminal on the output unit is provided. The purchasing method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

17. The purchasing method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising a step of storing purchase data.

18. The purchasing method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, further comprising a step of displaying out-of-stock information of a product detected by the external server on the purchasing terminal in real time.

1 9. Pre-register product processing methods and product specifications corresponding to the processing methods Performing the steps;

Inputting the processing method to the purchase terminal in order to select a product to be purchased according to the specification of the registered product;

The purchasing method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

20. A communication interface for transmitting / receiving information necessary for operating the shopping mall program to / from the purchasing terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9. , Sales server.

2 1. A purchaser server control unit that operates a virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall with a three-dimensional screen in a purchase terminal used by a product purchaser;

A server system storage unit for storing data used in the virtual shopping mall program;

A communication interface connected to the control unit for transmitting and receiving information required to operate the virtual shopping mall program to and from the purchasing terminal;

Product information corresponding to the purchase information input at the purchase terminal is output from the server control unit to the purchase terminal as a three-dimensional screen;

Sales server.

22. The sales server according to claim 21, further comprising an administrator server control unit that operates an administrator virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall for an administrator that provides the product.

23. Activating a virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall with a three-dimensional screen in a purchasing terminal used by a product purchaser; data used in the virtual shopping mall program Storing a and

Transmitting and receiving information required to operate the virtual shopping mall program to and from the purchasing terminal; Outputting the commodity information corresponding to the purchase information input at the purchasing terminal to the purchasing terminal as a three-dimensional screen;

How to sell.

24. The sales method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of operating a manager virtual shopping mall program that forms a virtual shopping mall for an administrator that provides the product.

25. When the virtual shopping mall program is started at the buyer terminal, the data saved in the saving step is first downloaded to the buyer terminal;

After the step of first downloading to the buyer terminal, when the virtual shopping mall program is started on the buyer terminal at the next and subsequent times, only the data updated since the previous down-loading is executed. Downloading to a user terminal;

The sales method according to claim 23 or claim 24.