WO2009051332A1

WO2009051332A1 - Method and server for displaying result by searching goods

Info

Publication number: WO2009051332A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/004086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daejoong Yeon; Mina Kim; Woonduk Lee
Original assignee: Sk Telecom Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2008-07-11
Publication date: 2009-04-23
Also published as: KR20090039234A

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for displaying a result of goods-search and a goods-search server for the same, the server including: a communication unit for communicating with the user terminal; a database unit for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N-level category, and sorting/storing one or more goods sorted by the N- level keyword by at least one (N-1)-level keyword included in an (N-1)-level category; and a control unit for displaying the N-level keyword when the specific keyword is input via the communication unit, controlling images of the goods sorted by the N-level keyword to be spirally displayed around the N-level keyword, displaying the (N-1)-level keyword when the N-level keyword is selected via the communication unit, and controlling images of goods sorted by the (N-1)-Ie vel keyword to be displayed in a spiral shape around the (N- 1)-Ie vel keyword.

Description

METHOD AND SERVER FOR DISPLAYING RESULT BY

SEARCHING GOODS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method for displaying a result of goods-search and a goods-search server for the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for displaying a result of goods-search, which is effective for providing convenience in checking goods-search result information and thereby selecting/ purchasing a goods, by using a combination of a concept of hierarchical categories and a function of arraying and displaying goods images in a spiral shape in each classified category, and thereby displaying information on even numerous goods-search results on one display, and providing a correlation between goods-search result information and a keyword entered by a user, and a goods-search server for the same. Background Art

[2] With a rapid increase of users purchasing goods from online shopping malls, businesses of such online shopping malls have recently been widened at a very high rate. Under such circumstance, competition among a large number of online shopping malls for inducement of more users has become intense with the lapse of time.

[3] Accordingly, an online shopping mall administrator has made efforts on his own online shopping mall site from various angles, so that users using online shopping mall sites can be interested in his own site than in other online shopping mall sites, and thus more users can connect to his own site and purchase goods. As a part of such efforts, there has been an effort to facilitate user's search for goods available on an online shopping mall site.

[4] However, in such a conventional goods-search method, when goods-search results are numerous, goods-search result information is not displayed on one display, thereby causing inconvenience that a user has to perform an additional operation, such as scroll down of a scroll-bar or page movement, in order to check all the goods-search result information. This inconvenience also causes difficulty in selecting goods.

[5] Also, a conventional goods-search method cannot provide a correlation between goods-search result information and a keyword entered by a user, and thus causes inconvenience in checking the goods-search result information and thereby selecting/ purchasing a goods. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in that a user has had to perform an additional operation, such as scroll-down of a scroll bar or page movement so as to check all goods-search result information, the present invention has been made to provide a method and server capable of displaying information on even numerous goods-search results on one display by using a combination of a concept of hierarchical categories and a function of arraying and displaying goods images in a spiral shape in each classified category.

[7] Also, the present invention provides a method and server for providing convenience in checking goods-search result information and thereby selecting/purchasing a goods, which uses a hierarchical category concept, and thus provides a correlation between the goods-search result information and a keyword entered by a user. Technical Solution

[8] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goods- search server for providing a goods-search function to a user terminal via a wire/ wireless communication network, the goods-search server including: a communication unit for communicating with the user terminal; a database unit for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N- level category, and sorting/storing one or more goods sorted by the N-level keyword by at least one (N-I) -level keyword included in an (N-I) -level category; and a control unit for displaying the N-level keyword when the specific keyword is input via the communication unit, controlling images of the goods sorted by the displayed N-level keyword to be displayed in a spiral shape around the displayed N-level keyword, displaying the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword when the N-level keyword is selected via the communication unit, and controlling images of goods sorted by the displayed (N-l)-level keyword to be displayed in a spiral shape around the displayed (N-I) -level keyword.

[9] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a goods-search result provided to a user terminal by a goods- search server via a wire/wireless communication network, the method including the steps of: (a) a database building step for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N-level category and sorting/storing one or more goods related to the N-level keyword by at least one (N-l)-level keyword included in an (N- I)-Ie vel category; (b) a top-level search result providing step, when the specific keyword is received, for providing N-level search result information in which images of the goods related to the N-level keyword are displayed in a spiral shape around the N-level keyword; and (c) a second level search result providing step, when the N-level keyword is selected by the user terminal, for providing (N-l)-level search result information in which images of goods related to the (N-l)-level keyword are displayed in a spiral shape around the (N-l)-level keyword. Advantageous Effects

[10] As described above, according to the present invention, since a combination of a c oncept of hierarchical categories and a function of arraying and displaying goods images in a spiral shape in each classified category is used, information on even numerous goods-search results can be displayed on one display, thereby solving inconvenience in that a user has to perform an additional operation such as scroll-down of a scroll bar or page movement in order to check all goods-search result information.

[11] Also, according to the present invention, a concept of hierarchical categories is used and thus a correlation between goods-search result information and a keyword entered by a user is provided, thereby providing convenience in checking goods-search result information, and thereby selecting/purchasing a goods.

Brief Description of Drawings

[12] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [13] FIG. 1 illustrates a goods-search server according to the present invention, which provides a function of displaying a result of goods-search; [14] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention; [15] FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface in a top level search result providing step in the goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention; [16] FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface in a second level search result providing step in the goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention; and [17] FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface after a second level search result providing step is performed twice in the goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention.

Mode for the Invention [18] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing to refer to the same or like parts. Here, for the convenience of the explanation, the same reference numerals are allotted the corresponding components to those shown in the figures in the above embodiment, and thus a repeated explanation will be omitted. [19] FIG. 1 illustrates a goods-search server according to the present invention, which provides a function of displaying a result of goods-search. [20] Referring to FIG. 1, a system for providing a goods-search result displaying function for providing goods-search results on one display of a user terminal screen includes: a user terminal 150 for receiving a specific keyword input by a user and requesting goods-search; and a goods-search server 100 for performing goods-search on the specific keyword input to the user terminal 150 and providing its result. The user terminal 150 and the goods-search server 100 are connected to each other via a wire/ wireless communication network 140 including internet, a mobile communication network, etc.

[21] Referring to FIG. 1, the goods-search server 100 providing a goods-search function to the user terminal 150 via the wire/wireless communication network includes: a communication unit 110 for communicating with the user terminal; a database unit 120 for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N-level category and sorting/storing one or more goods related to the N-level keyword by at least one (N-l)-level keyword included in an (N-l)-level category; and a control unit 130 for displaying the N-level keyword when the specific keyword is input via the communication unit 110, controlling images of goods related to the displayed N-level keyword to be displayed in a spiral shape around the displayed N-level keyword, displaying the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword when the N-level keyword is selected via the communication unit 110, and controlling images of goods related to the displayed (N-l)-level keyword to be displayed in a spiral shape around the displayed (N- I)-Ie vel keyword.

[22] The above mentioned specific keyword is input to the user terminal 150 by a user, and transmitted to the communication unit 110 within the goods-search server 100, and then whether the specific keyword is input or not is recognized by the control unit 130.

[23] The database unit 120 sorts and stores images and information of goods by categories including corresponding goods, and such categories are sorted by and related to other upper categories. For example, when a top-level category includes 'women's wear' and a keyword of 'women's wear' included in the top-level category is related to a casual T- shirt, casual pants, a blouse, etc., 'casual T-shirt' 'casual pants', 'blouse' etc. are keywords included in a second-level category. Also, 'casual T-shirt' may include a goods item A, a goods item B, and a goods item C, etc., and the goods items A, B, C, etc. are categorized into a lowest level category. In the present invention, the above mentioned 'top-level category' denotes an 'N-level category' and the 'second-level category' denotes an '(N-l)-level category'. Herein, as the value of N increases, a corresponding category is categorized into an upper category, and as the value of N decreases, a corresponding category is categorized into a lower category. Also, when N is 1, a corresponding category corresponds to a goods. In the above mentioned example, N is 3. A (3-2) level category (that is, a 1-level category) corresponding to a goods is included in a (3-1) level category (that is, a 2-level category), and the (3-1) level category (that is, the 2-level category) is included in a 3-level category. Also, the keyword of 'women's wear' included in the 3-level category denotes a '3-level keyword', and the keyword included in the 2-level category, such as 'casual T-shirt', 'casual pants', and 'blouse', denotes a '2-level keyword'.

[24] Meanwhile, when the control unit 130 controls images of goods related the N-Ie vel keyword to be displayed in a spiral shape around the N-level keyword, it is possible to display images of all searchable goods in a spiral shape around the N-level keyword, or to display only some images in a spiral shape around the N-level keyword. When only some images are displayed in a spiral shape around the N-level keyword, other images may be displayed in a spiral shape in order by sensing mouse wheel operation of a user terminal.

[25] When the communication unit 110 within the goods-search server 100 receives a filtering request message including filtering condition information from the user terminal 150, the above mentioned control unit 130 controls images on one or more goods satisfying the filtering condition information, from among images of goods related to the N-level keyword or the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword, to be extracted and displayed.

[26] The above mentioned filtering condition information may correspond to one of orders, such as popularity order, newer product order, lower price order, higher price order, price order, purchase review order, random order, color order, etc.

[27] When the communication unit 110 within the goods-search server 100 receives a re- search-within-results request message including a re-search keyword from the user terminal 150, the above mentioned control unit 130 controls images on one or more goods related to the re-search keyword, from among images of goods related to the N- Ie vel keyword or the (N-I) -level keyword, to be extracted and displayed.

[28] When the communication unit 110 within the goods-search server 100 receives a goods information request message corresponding to a certain image from among images of goods related to the N-level keyword or the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword from the user terminal 150, the above mentioned control unit 130 controls goods information corresponding to the certain image to be provided.

[29] In brief, since the present invention uses a concept of hierarchical categories and a function of displaying plural separate images in a spiral shape in each category, it is possible to solve a problem caused by a conventional goods result displaying method, that is, a problem of impossibility of displaying plural goods-search results on one display.

[30] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention.

[31] Referring to FIG. 2, a method of displaying a goods-search result provided to a user terminal by a goods-search server via a wire/wireless communication network is performed by: a database building step S200 for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N-level category and sorting/storing one or more goods related to the N-level keyword by at least one (N-l)-level keyword included in an (N- I)-Ie vel category; a top-level search result providing step S202, when the specific keyword is received, for providing N-level search result information in which images of the goods related to the N-level keyword are displayed in a spiral shape around the N-level keyword; and a second level search result providing step S204, when the N-level keyword is selected by the user terminal, for providing (N-l)-level search result information in which images of the goods related to the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword are displayed in a spiral shape around the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword.

[32] The above mentioned second level search result providing step S204 may be repeatedly performed so as to provide (N-2)-level search result information, (N-3)-level search result information, etc.

[33] After the above described top-level search result providing step S202, when a goods information request message corresponding to a certain image from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword is received, a goods information providing step for providing goods information corresponding to the certain image is performed.

[34] Meanwhile, after the above described top-level search result providing step S202, when a filtering request message including filtering condition information is received, a goods filtering step for providing images on one or more certain goods satisfying the filtering condition information, from among the images of the goods related to the N- level keyword is performed. Such filtering condition information may correspond to one of orders, such as popularity order, newer product order, lower price order, higher price order, price order, purchase review order, random order, color order, etc.

[35] Meanwhile, after the above described top-level search result providing step S202, when a re-search-within-results request message including a re-search keyword is received, a re-search-within-results step for providing images on one or more certain goods related to the re- search keyword, from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword, is performed.

[36] After the second level search result providing step S204, when a goods information request message corresponding to a certain image from among the images of the goods related to the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword is received, a goods information providing step for providing goods information corresponding to the certain image is performed.

[37] Meanwhile, after the second level search result providing step S204, when a filtering request message including filtering condition information is received, a goods filtering step for providing images on one or more goods satisfying the filtering condition information, from among the images of the goods related to the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword, is performed.

[38] Meanwhile, after the second level search result providing step S204, when a re- search-within-results request message including a re-search keyword is received, a research- within-results step for providing images on one or more certain goods related to the re-search keyword, from among the images of the goods related to the (N-l)-level keyword is performed.

[39] In other words, the goods filtering step and the re-search-within-results step may be performed by user selection after the top-level search result providing step S202 or the second level search result providing step S204.

[40] FIGs. 3, 4, and 5 are drawings for exemplarily illustrating the above described goods- search result displaying method as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, and show step-by-step displays according to the goods-search result displaying method on a user terminal screen display.

[41] FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface in a top level search result providing step in the goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention.

[42] Referring to FIG. 3, when a user inputs a specific keyword 'stylish' (3) in a user terminal, a goods-search server receives the specific keyword 'stylish' (3). By using such a received specific keyword, the goods-search server extracts a top level category (a N-level category) including keywords related to 'stylish' such as 'women's wear'(31), 'fashion luxury/miscellaneous goods', 'men's wear', 'cosmetics/perfume/beauty care', 'watch/jewelry' and 'others', from a database unit.

[43] Referring to FIG. 3, around top level keywords (N-level keywords), such as 'women's wear'(31), 'fashion luxury/miscellaneous goods', 'men's wear', 'cosmetics/ perfume/beauty care', 'watch/jewelry' and 'others', images of respective corresponding goods are displayed in a spiral shape. The displayed images may be a part or whole of searchable goods. FIG. 3 is based on assumption that only some images of all searchable goods are displayed. In other words, although women's wear (31) included in the N-level category includes 535 goods, only 5 goods are displayed. Then, images of undisplayed other goods may be displayed in order by mouse wheel operation.

[44] FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface in a second level search result providing step in the goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention.

[45] FIG. 4 is for illustrating a method following the display as shown in FIG. 3 and exemplarily shows a display if a user selects a women's wear (31) from among N-level keywords included in the N-level category.

[46] Referring to FIG. 4, when an N-level keyword of 'women's wear'(31) is selected in the N-level category (a top level category) with respect to a specific keyword 'stylish' (3), (N-l)-level keywords included in an (N-I) category, such as 'casual T-shirt'(311), 'casual pants', 'big size', 'blouse/shirt', 'cardigan /vest' and 'others', are displayed, and images of goods related to the (N- I)-Ie vel keywords are displayed in a spiral shape around the (N- I)-Ie vel keywords.

[47] FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface after a second level search result providing step is performed twice in the goods-search result displaying method according to the present invention.

[48] FIG. 5 is for illustrating a method following the display as shown in FIG. 4 and ex- emplarily shows a display if a user selects 'casual T-shirt' (311) from among (N- I)-Ie vel keywords included in the (N- I)-Ie vel category.

[49] Referring to FIG. 5, since an (N-2)-level keyword for displaying (N-2)-level keywords included in an (N-2)-level category, the (N-2)-level keyword being related to the (N-l)-level keyword of 'casual T-shirt' (311) included in the (N-l)-level category, is about goods items, there is not an (N-3)-level category.

[50] Referring to FIG. 5, when a user terminal selects a displayed image, a goods-search server provides goods information (3111) corresponding to the image selected by the user terminal. Industrial Applicability

[51] As described above, a goods-search service technology according to the present invention uses a combination of a concept of hierarchical categories and a function of arraying and displaying goods images in a spiral shape in classified each category, and thus displays information on even numerous goods-search results on one display, and provides a correlation between goods-search result information and a keyword entered by a user. Thus, the present invention is very effective in providing convenience in checking goods-search result information and thereby selecting/purchasing a goods.

[52] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Thus, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention.

Claims

[1] A goods-search server for providing a goods-search function to a user terminal via a wire/wireless communication network, the goods-search server comprising: a communication unit for communicating with the user terminal; a database unit for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N-level category, and sorting/storing one or more goods sorted by the N-level keyword by at least one (N-l)-level keyword included in an (N-l)-level category; and a control unit for displaying the N-level keyword when the specific keyword is input via the communication unit, controlling images of the goods sorted by the displayed N-level keyword to be spirally displayed around the displayed N-level keyword, displaying the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword when the N-level keyword is selected via the communication unit, and controlling images of goods sorted by the displayed (N-I) -level keyword to be spirally displayed around the displayed (N- I)-Ie vel keyword.

[2] The goods-search server as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when a filtering request message comprising filtering condition information is received via the communication unit, the control unit controls images on one or more goods satisfying the filtering condition information, from among the images of the goods sorted by the N-level keyword or the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword, to be extracted and displayed.

[3] The goods-search server as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filtering condition information corresponds to one of orders, such as popularity order, newer product order, lower price order, higher price order, price order, purchase review order, random order, and color order.

[4] The goods-search server as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when a research- within-results request message comprising a re-search keyword is received via the communication unit, the control unit controls images on one or more goods related to the re-search keyword, from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword or the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword, to be extracted and displayed.

[5] The goods-search server as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when a goods information request message corresponding to a certain image from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword or the (N-l)-level keyword is received, the control unit controls goods information corresponding to the certain image to be provided.

[6] The goods-search server as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when controlling the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword or the (N-l)-level keyword to be spirally displayed around the N-level keyword or the (N-l)-level keyword, the control unit controls images of all searchable goods to be spirally displayed around the N-level keyword or the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword or controls images of only some goods to be spirally displayed around the N-level keyword or the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword.

[7] The goods-search server as claimed in claim 6, wherein, when controlling the images of the some goods to be spirally displayed around the N-level keyword or the (N-l)-level keyword, the control unit controls images of other goods, besides the some goods, to be spirally displayed in order by sensing mouse wheel operation of the user terminal.

[8] A method of displaying a goods-search result provided to a user terminal by a goods-search server via a wire/wireless communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) a database building step for sorting/storing plural goods related to a specific keyword by at least one N-level keyword included in an N-level category and sorting/storing one or more goods related to the N-level keyword by at least one (N-l)-level keyword included in an (N-l)-level category;

(b) a top-level search result providing step, when the specific keyword is received, for providing N-level search result information in which images of the goods related to the N-level keyword are spirally displayed around the N-level keyword; and

(c) a second level search result providing step, when the N-level keyword is selected by the user terminal, for providing (N- I)-Ie vel search result information in which images of goods related to the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword are spirally displayed around the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword.

[9] The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, when a goods information request message corresponding to a certain image from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword is received, a goods information providing step for providing goods information corresponding to the certain image, after step (b).

[10] The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, when a filtering request message comprising filtering condition information is received, a goods filtering step for providing images on one or more certain goods satisfying the filtering condition information, from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword, after step (b).

[11] The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the filtering condition information corresponds to one of orders, such as popularity order, newer product order, lower price order, higher price order, price order, purchase review order, random order, and color order.

[12] The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, when a research- within-results request message comprising a re-search keyword is received, a re-search- within-results step for providing images on one or more certain goods related to the re-search keyword, from among the images of the goods related to the N-level keyword, after step (b).

[13] The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, when a goods information request message corresponding to a certain image from among the images of the goods related to the (N- I)-Ie vel keyword is received, a goods information providing step for providing goods information corresponding to the certain image, after step (c).

[14] The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, when a filtering request message comprising filtering condition information is received, a goods filtering step for providing images on one or more certain goods satisfying the filtering condition information, from among the images of the goods related to the (N-l)-level keyword, after step (c).

[15] The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, when a research- within-results request message comprising a re-search keyword is received, a re-search- within-results step for providing images on one or more certain goods related to the re-search keyword, from among the images of the goods related to the (N-l)-level keyword, after step (c).