WO2003085572A1

WO2003085572A1 - The method of electronic commerce about information, payment, choosing school, using virtual city map

Info

Publication number: WO2003085572A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Duhyurk Park
Original assignee: Duhyurk Park
Priority date: 2002-04-04
Filing date: 2003-02-15
Publication date: 2003-10-16
Also published as: AU2003207391A1; KR20030079635A

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic commerce method in which local information is acquired, an application form is applied, proceedings are taken and payment is made over the Internet based on two-dimensional virtual city information similar to an actual topography. The electronic commerce method is based on applications of computers and rules on world wide web and related technologies. The method includes constructing a virtual city and then positioning buildings corresponding to the city, so that information on the building can be obtained, information is indirectly verified and the cost is checked. A quiz is selected and a problem is solved. Corresponding information is sent to a server computer. After confirmation of the information, the cost for the total results is paid.

Description

THE METHOD OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ABOUT INFORMATION, PAYMENT, CHOOSING SCHOOL, USING VIRTUAL CITY MAP

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electronic commerce system which comprises a main computer for producing a two-dimensional virtual city based on a real city on the Internet using flash program and image program in such a manner as to design local cities and buildings in two dimensions, arrange corresponding buildings and shapes thereof at actual positions, and process, collect and edit information so that the designed buildings match information on the corresponding buildings; a server computer for receiving the processed information from the main computer to provide necessary information to a user over the Internet network and receiving input information from the user to store it in a server; and a user computer that is connected to the server computer by the user if necessary, for allowing the user to search, request, purchase and settle information on a two-dimensional virtual city map. (FIG. 1) In order to minimize the speed and capacity in implementing actual city topography, the shape of the buildings and information, all information on the city is implemented on a single screen without using an existing geographical information system. Further, in order to maximize the capacity, the flash program is_. used. The earnings of this model may include an outlay on advertisement for the buildings and a marginal profit occurring when the customers use this model actually. Background Art

Generally, in electronic commerce, a series of processes such as information providing, request, purchase, etc . have been provided in a text and image format . In other words, it does not matter at shopping mall or at a place where text information is required. However, if a geographical factor is required, for example in electronic commerce in which worldwide information search and purchase or topography, necessary for a trip abroad, studying abroad, studying and training, or the like, are required, it is required to consider the geographical factor.

Currently, there are several methods of delivering information over the Internet. However, these methods have some limitations in implementing graphics and providing information using the geographical information system due to a limitation in the computer capacity and a problem in the transfer speed of a computer. Therefore, there is a need for implementation of electronic commerce and a method of providing information over the computer considering the geographical factor.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems . 1. After exploring a real city, a sketch, various materials and information on the city are collected. Based on the collected information, a two-dimensional virtual city similar to the real city is produced on the main computer using flash program, image program and database program. Constitution elements of buildings and city are positioned and stored in such a manner as to be equal to the construction of the real ^' city. An outlay for advertisement and an additional service fee are added to the buildings from which a profit may be realized. (FIG. 2, FIGS. 6 - 10)

2. Information on corresponding buildings and constitution elements is processed using the database program and is then stored at the database program of the main computer.

3. Thus produced program is transmitted to and stored in the server computer. Then, the server computer provides information to a user by request. 4. The user uses his/her computer to access the Internet network and also accesses the server computer through the Internet network. Thus, the user can find and search desired information.

5. A two-dimensional virtual worldwide map is located at the main screen of the user computer . A representative city of each of the countries is displayed on the sub page (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) .

6. The user can become a member through a membership registration procedure on the main screen. The main screen includes recommended items that were previously processed so that the user can easily find desired information (FIG. 2) .

7. One of the menus in the main screen is a My Page through which the user can view his/her information. The My Page have automatically recorded data inputted by the user himself/herself and all the activity data performed by the user on the web site after becoming the member, through the server computer. Through this page, the user can see these data on the screen and settle accounts . 8. If the user places a mouse cursor on a desired city on the screen, the name of a corresponding city is displayed. Then, if the city matches one for which the user are looking, the user clicks on the city. Otherwise, if not, the user drags the mouse cursor to another city. If the user clicks on the city, a sub virtual city pops up. Menu bars are classified in detail at the upper end of the virtual city in the main computer so that the user can easily find information in advance. (FIG. 3)

9. The virtual city is located at the middle portion of the sub page. Buildings and constitution elements of the city equal to those of the real city are located at the virtual city. (FIG. 3) 10. Banners through which advertising can be made and a counter through which the user can know his/her points regarding the virtual city are located at the lower end of the sub page .

11. If the user clicks on a desired item for which the user are looking in the sub menu bar, a plurality of or one corresponding building is displayed. If the cursor is placed on the building, the name of the corresponding building and summary information thereof is displayed. (FIG. 3) 12. If information on the corresponding building matches one for which the user are looking by some degree, the corresponding building is clicked on. If not, the cursor may move to another building.

13. If that other building is clicked on, detailed information on the building is displayed on a flash window and three buttons are also displayed at the bottom of the window. The user can obtain detailed information. (FIG. 4)

14. The first button of the three buttons is a window regarding the expense of a corresponding building. The second button thereof is a bulletin where personal questions and opinions of the users regarding the corresponding building, and questions and answers of the information provider are inserted. The third button includes a quiz regarding the local city and buildings, through which the user can take a test. If the user answers the quiz correctly, a point is provided to the user. With this point, the user can get discount when accounts are settled.

15. The above processes may be repeated until the user obtains desired information. The repeated processes performed by the user are transmitted to the server computer and then is stored at the database. 16. The user's data stored at the database of the server computer can be occasionally viewed from the My Page item of the main menu in the user computer.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a structure of computer hardware and its entire program process flows;

FIG. 2 illustrates constitution elements of a main screen;

FIG. 3 illustrates constitution elements of a sub screen; FIG. 4 illustrates detailed items of the constitution elements of the sub screen;

FIG. 5 illustrates an item through which a school expense may be selected; and FIGS. 6 ~ 10 illustrate the sub screens in which respective major cities and their peripheral buildings are graphically processed.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout several views .

[Embodiment 1 - Electronic Commerce for Studying Abroad and Linguistic Studying and Training Proceedings]

First, a user may access a main page to become a member and then to input the user's ID. If the user places a mouse cursor on a desired country or city in the main page, the name of a corresponding country or city is displayed. For example, if the cursor is placed on a Furce area, a character Furce' is displayed. (see FIG. 2) Through this function, the user can click on a city for which the user wants to find. At this time, all the building holders in the city have paid an outlay for advertisement to a sponsor. Thus, if a customer uses their buildings through this web site, the building holders can receive a given profit that was prescribed in advance through the contract with the sponsor.

If the user clicks on ^λFurce', a Furce virtual city is displayed on the screen along with the sub menu. If the user clicks on a desired item among the sub menu, one or a plurality of corresponding buildings are displayed. If the cursor is sequentially placed on the displayed buildings, the names of corresponding schools and some information on the schools are displayed. If the user clicks on a school for which he/she is looking, detailed information on a corresponding school can be obtained. Further, if the user is interested in some information, the user can search the menu at the bottom. (see FIG. 3) In other words, there are three items at the bottom. The first one of the three items represents an expense. This item represents detailed expenses of the corresponding school. Each of the expenses depending on the number of the months is written. If the expense is selected using a radio button, it is stored at the user's database in the server computer, so that the user can calculate the expense .

The second one of them represents questions and answers. Questions about detailed expenses on a corresponding school, information on the school and other information are included in this item. Through this item, the user can view real-time information in detail, (see FIG. 5)

The third one of them represents a quiz. In the above, the user clicked on one school building to obtain detailed information on the school. Therefore, a quiz is presented as a common sense problem about the corresponding school and the corresponding city. The quiz corresponds to all the peoples who became a member. If someone gets a correct answer to the quiz, he/she gets a point to the answer. With this point, the user can get a discount when settling accounts . The user can get information on the school and local circumstances by repeating the above processes. If necessary, the user can take studying abroad proceedings.

(see FIG. 4) In a certain time period after the above processes have been performed, the server computer provides information on admission to the school and other proceedings to the user. Next the user enters the My Page to view his/her record. If it is determined that there is no problem in the record, the user pays the expenses . A customer service team reviews the expenses on-line and then sends a notice of success in examination and a notice of admission to the school to the user. The user applies to the embassy for a visa along with the notice of admission. Fourth, a student studying abroad may select several school buildings. Also, the student can attend school in line with the number of the months as many as the schools that the student selected locally.

[Embodiment 2 - Travel Proceeding Method]

First, after travel goods and information for a corresponding city are obtained from a plurality of travel agencies, they are positioned at the buildings and important locations of the corresponding city. Main revenues include advertising costs from the travel agencies or other shopping sellers who place advertisement on the virtual map, and some margins of the expense sold when the customer takes proceedings. Information on the seller who paid the advertising costs is first positioned on the virtual map.

Second, a given city that will be visited before a trip abroad is accessed over the Internet. If a corresponding city is clicked on, the name of the city pops up. If the city is clicked on, the screen is changed to the sub screen and the two-dimensional virtual city then pops up. If a desired search item in the displayed city is clicked on, information on the trip pops up from the building. A summary schedule and expenses pop up by dragging the cursor. Third, with one click again, detailed expenses and schedule pop up. Also, three select buttons are given at the bottom. The user can write his/her opinion of the trip into a corresponding bulletin board and also can read other's opinion of the trip. If a user gets a correct answer to the quiz after clicking on the quiz item, a point is given to the user. With this point, the user can get a reduction in the travel expenses. If the user clicks on an expense sample item and then thinks that the expense is reasonable, the user selects the expense to decide necessary items. The user then pays the expense on-line on the My Page and takes proceedings for the trip. After the proceedings, the service provider transports the airline ticket and others to the user in a door-to-door system. Also the service provider on-line manages a travel schedule, a departure schedule, negotiations, questions, before and after management of the departure, and the like.

Fourth, the user can write down his/her travel activities after the trip, which will serve as a good reference later.

Industrial Applicability

Most of the studying abroad agencies and travel agencies provide information in text, which degrades the sense of the real. For example, if a user tells a travel agent that he/she wants to study abroad in New York or travel Hawaii, the agent tells the expenses and location to the user. However, there is no map of an animation format similar to the actual place of New York in a graphic image and information thereon.

Therefore, the present invention has a new effect in that the present system allows companies, i.e. studying abroad agencies, travel agencies, etc. to provide users with information on the actual places in real-time over the

Internet .

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims . It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

What Is Claimed Are:

1. An electronic commerce method comprising the steps of: collecting and processing information on local cities and buildings thereof to produce a two-dimensional main city and peripheral cities similar to the actual places using graphics and a data program, and then inputting the produced information, in a server computer; and allowing data thereof to be displayed so that a user can search, wherein if a cursor is placed on a menu, the name of a city is displayed and if the building is clicked on, the screen is moved to a corresponding sub city.

2. An electronic commerce method comprising the steps of: after a mouse cursor is moved to a corresponding city, clicking on a menu at the top to display a building and then placing the mouse cursor on the building to display the name of the building and some information; and if a user is interested in the corresponding building, clicking on the building to display detailed information thereon on a window, wherein three buttons are placed at the bottom of a window displaying detailed information, and wherein the first button of the three buttons represents detailed expenses, the second button thereof represents questions and answers capable of representing the past history and the third button thereof represents a quiz through which points are added when the user takes a correct answer to perform settlement upon calculating the expense.

3. An electronic commerce method comprising the steps of: inputting a point system and a quiz to other buildings so that points can be automatically accumulated and then used as cash, point or mileage when purchasing products; attracting advertisement agencies to make payment, use and discount for the user's accumulated points; and based on information transmitted from the user, allowing an information provider and information processing entities to get permission from the building holders and the users and to perform cost payment, authentication and security of the users .

4. An electronic commerce method comprising the steps of: allowing a user to select information on several buildings over the Internet as many as the buildings that were previously given; and allowing the user to select several buildings over the Internet and to continuously use the buildings depending on corresponding conditions.