JP2003099629A - Remote selling system and method for merchandise - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote selling system and method for merchandise, which permits a customer to purchase merchandise while viewing an image of the merchandise in real time from a terminal, and can eliminate need for the installation of a number of cameras in a shop. SOLUTION: A communication server 1 for seller with an in-shop traveling robot 2 mounted with a Web camera 2a wire- or wireless-connected, and a communication terminal 3 for purchaser having an operation means 3c are connected to each other through a communication network L. A communication server 1, if the transmission of the real time image of the on-display merchandise which the Web camera 2a picks up is requested from the communication terminal 3, merchandise guide information data including the real-time image is transmitted to be displayed by the communication terminal 3. The communication terminal 3, when the image of the specific merchandise is selected from the displayed real time images using the operation means 3c, the order information data of the merchandise is generated and is transmitted to the communication server 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote product sales system and method using a communication network, and in particular, allows a customer to make a purchase decision while visiting a real-time image of a displayed product, and to visit a store. System and method capable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic commerce using a communication network such as the Internet has come into widespread use. Particularly, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-99612, a real-time image of an actual store is transmitted to a customer's terminal. A method and system for creating an electronic catalog, which enables the user to select a product, is described.

According to this method, a large number of cameras are installed in a store, and in-store situation images taken by the individual cameras are transmitted from a server on the store side in response to a request from a customer terminal. .

Since the customer can select a product while viewing such a real-time image, more realistic virtual shopping can be performed. There is also an advantage for the store side that there is no need to create and update the electronic merchandise catalog.

[0005]

However, it is not preferable to install a large number of cameras in an actual store where visitors come, because it is not preferable in terms of product display space and aesthetics, and it is difficult for humans to naturally view the products. Installing a camera is also impractical, as it makes the visiting customer uncomfortable.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-163519, one camera is used for each product, but it has the same problem as described above, and it also has a problem that it cannot respond promptly to the layout change of the product. is there.

The present invention has been proposed to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to allow a customer to purchase a product while viewing a real-time image of the product on a terminal, and to store a large number of cameras in a store. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote product sales system and method that do not require installation of a remote product.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the remote product sales system according to claim 1 connects an in-store mobile robot equipped with a Web camera for imaging in-store displayed products wirelessly or by wire. A remote product sales system in which a communication server for sellers and a communication terminal for purchasers having operating means are connected via a communication network so that commercial transactions can be performed between the seller and the purchaser. It has the following features.

That is, when the buyer communication terminal requests the real-time image of the displayed product imaged by the Web camera, the seller communication server sends product guide information data including the real-time image. To be displayed on the purchaser's communication terminal. On the other hand, the purchaser communication terminal uses the operating means to generate order information data for a particular product when the image portion of the particular product is selected from the displayed real-time image, and the purchaser communication terminal Send to communication server.

As a result, the purchaser can use the communication terminal device such as a personal computer to browse the products in the store while shopping, and can also remotely control the robot. Also,
Since the camera is attached to the robot, it is easy to move, there is no need to install a large number of cameras for taking images of all products, and it is possible to quickly respond to changes in the layout of the sales floor.

Here, the product guide information data includes all information to be provided to the purchaser, such as floor guide information, product catalog information, and advertisement information, which will be described later, in addition to the real-time image. When a browser for web browsing is used in, it is provided as screen information.
Further, the order information data includes, in addition to the data designating the image of the product, order supplementary information such as the size and color designation of the product.

Further, the control of the in-store mobile robot includes manual control by operating means such as a combination of an instruction pad on the screen and a mouse, automatic control by designating a target area of interest, and a program programmed by a predetermined route. Control etc. are included.

In the second aspect, the order information data includes coordinate position data indicating the selected product selected and operated by the purchaser in the real-time image.

Therefore, not only one product can be specified even in the image in which a plurality of products are displayed, but detailed information of the product is reduced as much as possible, and information centering on a real-time image is provided to the customer. be able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the operating means includes hardware operating means externally connected to the purchaser communication terminal.

In claim 4, the purchaser is registered in the communication server for seller in advance, and the communication server for seller prompts the purchaser to input the identification ID before transmitting the product guide information data. The feature is that the user is confirmed by the user.

According to the present invention, the product guide information data includes screen data for selecting order incidental information such as size, color and number of items, and the purchaser communication terminal device includes the order incidental information selected and input by the purchaser. The information is included in the order information data and transmitted to the seller's communication server.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the product guide information data includes floor guide information divided for each area in the store.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the purchaser communication terminal sends a remote control command to the in-store mobile robot when the purchaser operates the operating means.

The purchaser can operate the robot by using an operation means combining an instruction pad on the screen and a mouse or a hardware operation means such as a joystick.

According to the present invention, in the communication terminal for purchaser, when the purchaser selects and operates a specific area from the floor guide information, the in-store mobile robot transmits the communication information to the in-store robot via the communication server for seller. While outputting the remote control command accompanied by the target area designation, the in-store mobile robot is automatically moved to the selected specific area based on the remote control command.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the seller communication server transmits a movement completion notification to the purchaser communication terminal when the in-store mobile robot has moved to the selected specific area. .

In claim 10, the seller communication server is:
It is characterized in that the advertisement information of the product group displayed in the area where the in-store mobile robot is located is transmitted to the communication terminal for purchaser.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a remote control command for rotating the in-store mobile robot or tilting / zooming the Web camera is transmitted to the seller's communication server by a purchaser's operation. .

In claim 12, the seller communication server is:
It is characterized in that a program for changing the color tone of the product image included in the real-time image is added to the product guide information data and transmitted to the purchaser communication terminal.

In the thirteenth aspect, the in-store mobile robot is
It is characterized by further mounting a wide-angle camera for capturing images of products displayed in the store.

In claim 14, the communication server for sellers is
A product catalog database is further provided, and the product catalog information of the specific product extracted from the product catalog database is included in the product guide information data and transmitted to the purchaser communication terminal.

In the fifteenth aspect, the seller communication server is
When the product ID mark attached to the product is detected in the real-time image captured by the Web camera, the product catalog database is searched based on the read product ID, and the searched product catalog information is included in the product guide information data. Then, it is transmitted to the purchaser communication terminal.

In the sixteenth aspect, the in-store mobile robot is
It is further provided with a display device for displaying face photograph data for purchaser identification prepared in advance in the communication server for seller or image data for purchaser identification transmitted from the communication terminal for purchaser. To do.

In claim 17, the seller communication server is
Measures the robot usage time for capturing the real-time image provided by the purchaser via the communication network,
At the end of use, the measured robot usage time and usage fee are notified.

According to a eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a communication server for a seller, in which a mobile robot in a store equipped with a Web camera for displaying an image of a product displayed in a store is connected wirelessly or by wire, and a communication terminal for a purchaser, A method for selling a remote product which enables a business transaction between a seller and a purchaser by connecting through a communication network, and has the following steps.

That is, according to the method of the present invention, when the seller's communication server requests from the buyer's communication terminal to send a real-time image of a displayed commodity imaged by the Web camera, the real-time image is transmitted. The step of transmitting the product guide information data including the information for display on the purchaser communication terminal, and the purchaser communication terminal, in real time when the purchaser communication terminal selects and operates a specific product image from the displayed real time images. Generating order information data including position data of the selected product in the image and transmitting the order information data to the seller communication server.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the system of the present invention.

In this system, a store server 1 constituting a seller communication server and a customer terminal 3 such as a personal computer or a portable terminal constituting a buyer communication terminal are connected to a communication network L such as the Internet. The store server 1 is wirelessly connected to the in-store mobile robot 2 equipped with the Web camera 2a for picking up images of displayed products in the store.

As shown in FIG. 1, the store server 1 may be capable of directly communicating with the in-store mobile robot 2 (store A in the figure), or the in-store mobile robot via the wireless LAN master station 4. 2 and the portable terminal 3 may be allowed to communicate (store B in the figure).

The store server 1 may be mounted on the in-store mobile robot 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the in-store mobile robot 2 when a wireless LAN is used.

The in-store mobile robot 2 comprises a web camera 2a provided at the top and a robot body 2b. Inside the robot body 2b, the web camera 2a is provided.
The camera server 2c for transferring the image picked up in 1., the wireless LAN slave station 2e, the tilt / zoom control means 2k of the Web camera, the drive wheel control means 2d, the attitude control gyro sensor (not shown), and the storage device (not shown). ), A battery (not shown), etc. are mounted, and a laser sensor (shown in FIG. 10), an ultrasonic sensor (shown in FIG. 10), and a drive wheel 2f for recognizing the traveling environment of an object or a person are externally mounted. An auxiliary wheel 2g having no driving force is provided.

The drive wheel 2f is ideally attached to the center of the bottom of the body 2b so that the robot 2 can turn on the spot, but the drive wheel 2f is not limited to this.

The image picked up by the Web camera 2a is transmitted to the store server 1 via the wireless LAN slave station 2e and the wireless LAN master station 4, and further transmitted to the customer's portable terminal 3 or the like via the Internet L. Further, the mobile terminal 3 is configured to be able to transmit remote control command data of the robot 2 and the Web camera 2a and order information data of products to the store server 1 and the in-store mobile robot 2.

In addition, the wireless LA is used without going through the store server.
The N master station and the Internet L may be connected.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the customer terminal 3 which is composed of a personal computer or the like.

The customer terminal 3 includes a main body portion 3a and a screen display portion 3
b, operating means 3c such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, and a voice input / output device 3d such as a microphone and a speaker
It is configured to include. The main body 3a has a CPU, a communication unit (not shown), and the like, and is connected to the Internet L via the communication unit.

Web browsing software is installed in the customer terminal 3 so that the store server 1 is accessed to display the home page for the remote product sales system created on the store side.

It is desirable that the users of the remote merchandise sales system are limited to those who have registered as users by online sign-up. This is because it is more appropriate for the operation of the system to limit the users due to the number of robots placed in the store. Therefore, the customer can be provided with the product guide information including the real-time image after inputting the identification code such as the member number and the password. Further, when the number of robots is small, a reservation system may be used.

Of course, the membership system is not the only option, and it is possible to freely visit the site on the store side for online shopping.

Next, an example of a basic embodiment of the system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The various information screens described here are displayed on the customer terminal 3
Is displayed on the screen display unit 3b, and is transmitted from the store server 1 as product guidance information data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a product sales screen A displayed on the customer terminal side of the system of the present invention.

On the product sales screen A, the Web on the store side is displayed.
A product display image a1 that displays the in-store situation imaged by a camera in real time, a map of the entire floor divided into areas in the store, and a sub-window a2 that displays floor guide information such as the current position of the robot on the map. An instruction pad a3 for giving a direction of movement of the robot, a sub-window a4 for displaying incidental information, and a sub-window a5 for inputting incidental information of the customer such as color, number and size are displayed.

First, a real-time image of a product is transmitted from the Web camera 2a to the store server 1, and the store server 1 communicates product guide information data in which supplementary information such as inventory information and a simple message is added to the product image data. It is transmitted to the customer terminal 3 via the network L. Customer terminal 3
Then, the product guidance information data received by the operation of the customer is displayed on the screen A.

While looking at the robot position shown on the floor map a2, the customer moves the robot 2 by operating the instruction pad a3 by using the operating means 3c such as a mouse, and searches for the product to be purchased. When the desired product is found, the robot is stopped, and the tilt operation switch a6 and the zoom operation switch a7 are operated to observe the product image in detail while remotely controlling the Web camera 2a. Further, if the mouse is pointed to an arbitrary position on the product display image a1, the pan / tilt is automatically controlled so that the designated point becomes the center in the sub window. In addition, with the mouse, the instruction pad a3 on the screen
Instead of operating, the hardware operating means 3c such as a joystick may be used.

By using real-time images from the Web camera 2a in this manner, it is possible to save the storage medium for storing the images of the merchandise and save them as an electronic catalog, which is efficient in all aspects for the store side. Can be realized. In particular, since the camera 2a is mounted on the mobile robot 2 so that it can be freely moved inside the store, it is possible to realize a remote product sales system with a smaller number of cameras as compared with the case where the camera is installed at a predetermined position. .

When the customer likes the displayed product, he / she indicates the purchase intention by clicking the product in the real-time image with a mouse to mark the product. The coordinate position data of the marking in the image subwindow a1 is the store server 1
The store server 1 specifies the product desired by the customer from the coordinate position data, retrieves detailed information of the product from the product catalog database 1a, and sends it to the customer terminal 3.

The store server 1 compares the transmitted image with the received coordinate position data to determine the product designated by the customer.

By transmitting the coordinate position data in this way, not only can one product be specified even in the image in which a plurality of products are displayed, but detailed information of the product can be minimized and a real-time image can be displayed. It is possible to provide the customer with the central product sales screen A.

In other words, the customer can experience the reality of freely walking around in the actual store while operating the in-store mobile robot 2 rather than simply displaying the products in the virtual store on the screen. You can enjoy shopping. Then, by operating the favorite product found by chance, more detailed information can be obtained.

The movement control of the robot 2 includes, in addition to such manual control, program control programmed by a predetermined route and automatic control by designating a target area described later.

Further, the store server 1 may provide a program for changing the color of an image according to the designation when the customer designates a color or a color tone in the order supplementary information subwindow a5. By doing so, it is possible to virtually see products that are not displayed but have different color tones.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the purchase confirmation detailed information screen of the stamped product transmitted from the store server.

On the purchase confirmation detailed information screen B, the image of the product selected by the customer on the product sales screen A is displayed with markings, and further, the specified color, size, number, other detailed information, etc. are displayed. When the customer operates the purchase confirmation button b1 attached to the screen, order information data of the product is generated and transmitted to the store server 1.

The store server 1 adds the price, the manufacturer, the purchase decision time, etc. retrieved from the product catalog database 1a to the received order information data and stores it.

When the customer finishes all the orders for the products and sends a purchase completion notice to the store server 1, the store server 1
Sends a list of products for which purchase has been decided to the customer terminal 3 together with product images.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a purchase product list screen.

On the purchased product list screen C, a list of products for which purchase has been decided is displayed together with images, and the total price of all products is also displayed at the same time. Also, a cancel box is displayed, and by dragging and moving the product image to the box, the purchase of the product can be canceled, and the total amount is recalculated and displayed.

In the store server 1, the robot usage time for real-time image capturing is measured at the stage when all purchases are decided, the usage fee is calculated, and the customer is notified. The usage fee is calculated based on the operating time of the robot by the following formula: Usage fee = (use time x hourly unit price)-(total purchase amount x reduction rate).

For example, if the hourly unit price is 300 yen, the reduction rate is 0.5%, and 1 hour and 30 minutes are used and 22,000 yen is purchased, the usage fee is (300 yen × 1.5) − (22000). Yen x 0.005)
= 340 yen.

In this way, by charging a fee for using the robot, the customer can shorten the use time and prevent the monopoly of using the robot.

The basic operation of each of the store server and the customer terminal until the above purchase decision is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart shows the operation after the customer terminal 3 makes a transmission request to the store server 1,
In the figure, steps 101 and 102 indicated by A are operations on the product sale screen A, step 103 indicated by B is an operation on the purchase confirmation detailed information screen B, and step 105 indicated by C is a purchased product list screen C. The operation of each is shown.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a floor map dedicated screen.

As shown in FIG. 8, the floor map sub-window a2 is enlarged and displayed on this screen, and a graphic showing the position and orientation of the robot is displayed in real time. Further, the advertisement information of the product group displayed in the area where the robot is located is also displayed at the same time.

As a result, the customer can understand the position of the robot and the information of the products sold in the area at a glance, which leads to sales promotion.

The position and orientation of the robot may be determined by the dead reckoning method in which the rotation speed of the wheels is calculated from the traveling start position of the robot. Further, the position may be confirmed by detecting an LED or the like attached to the robot with a camera attached to the ceiling of the store or the like.

In addition to the robot figure displayed on this screen, a target position is set on the floor map with a mouse or the like, and a remote control command accompanied by this target area designation is transmitted to direct the robot 2 to the target position. The movement may be controlled as described above. With such a method, when the target product position is known, the robot 2 can be automatically moved to the target product area. In this case, the movement completion notification may be transmitted to the customer terminal 3 when the movement is completed. Although it takes a long time to move at a large-scale store, if the notification of movement completion is sent, it is possible to effectively use the time such as browsing other home pages until receiving a notification by e-mail or the like.

9 and 10 show an embodiment in which a wide-angle camera is used.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an in-store mobile robot equipped with a wide-angle camera 2h in addition to the Web camera 2a.

The wide-angle camera 2h is installed at a position different from that of the Web camera 2a for picking up an image so that a horizontal field of view can be picked up. The camera 2h is fixed in a specific direction of the robot 2 and does not perform imaging using rotation, tilt, zoom, etc., and constantly images in a fixed direction in real time.
The captured wide-angle image is continuously sent to the customer terminal 3.

For example, even when the Web camera 2a is rotated and imaged on a specific product side, the wide-angle camera 2h images a product display landscape in a direction different from that of the product.

In this way, the wide field of view of the wide-angle camera 2h allows the customer to easily move the robot 2.

FIG. 10 shows a display example of a product sales screen D including a wide-angle camera image. In the figure, reference numeral d1 indicates a wide-angle camera image.

Next, details of the control of the in-store mobile robot 2 will be described.

From the customer terminal 3, by operating the instruction pad a3 of the product sales screen A (FIG. 4) with a mouse, the in-store mobile robot 2 can be moved forward, backward, turn right, turn left, A remote control command for the robot 2 is transmitted via the communication network L and the store server 1.

FIG. 11A is a plan view showing an example of an obstacle detection mechanism of the in-store mobile robot. When a plurality of ultrasonic sensors S1 are attached to the outer periphery of the mobile robot 2 and an obstacle enters the ultrasonic sensing range, the robot 2 stops by detecting this and the collision can be prevented.

FIG. 11B is a plan view showing another example of the obstacle detection mechanism of the in-store mobile robot. A laser sensor S2 is installed in the front-back direction of the mobile robot 2 to detect an obstacle.

As described above, the mobile robot 2 can move to a specific product position while avoiding an obstacle by installing various sensors, but the obstacle is out of the field of view on the customer terminal 3 side. In some cases, a message indicating that there is an obstacle may be displayed on the screen, or the instruction pad a3 in the direction in which the obstacle cannot be advanced may be displayed in a different color so that it cannot be operated.

12 and 13 are views for explaining an embodiment of the remote product sales system when a predetermined product ID mark is attached to a product.

FIG. 12A is a simplified diagram showing an example of the product ID mark. The product ID mark i has a rectangular shape with one side of several centimeters, the upper half is black, the lower half is white, and the product code and the price for identifying the product are written on a white background. The characteristics of the ID mark i in which the upper half is black and the lower half is white are registered in advance, and the ID mark i is identified by collation with the actually read image, and the product ID and price are also recognized by image processing. A barcode may be used instead of the product ID.

The ID mark is not limited to this, and may have any shape, pattern, or color as long as it can be recognized by image processing such as pattern matching and feature matching.

FIG. 12 (b) shows the display state of the product with the product ID mark i, and FIG. 12 (c) shows an example of the product sales screen of the customer terminal 3 including the product display image. ing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of product recognition by the product ID mark i.

On the side of the store server 1, a program for identifying and extracting the product ID mark operates, the product ID mark in the image is recognized, and it is identified on the display, for example, by blinking the outline of the customer terminal. Notify 3. Multiple I
When the D mark i is displayed, the largest displayed mark is selected.

The customer can select the product I by blinking the mark on the screen.
When the product mark request is transmitted by operating the product description button (see FIG. 12C) after knowing that the D mark i has been recognized, the product ID mark is displayed on the store server 1 side. The product ID or the like stored therein is read, product information is retrieved from the product catalog, and the product information is transmitted to the customer terminal 3.

As described above, by attaching the product ID mark i to the product and automatically identifying the product by the mark,
It is not necessary for the customer to select and input the product name, and the purchase decision can be made quickly.

In the present embodiment, the product ID mark identification and extraction program is executed in the store server 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The customer terminal 3 downloads the program from the store server 1 to perform the same image recognition processing. May be executed.

Also, instead of the product ID mark, an electromagnetic type I
You may use D tag. In this case, the in-store mobile robot 2 may be equipped with an ID tag reader.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an in-store mobile robot equipped with a liquid crystal display device.

In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device 2j is installed on the head of the in-store mobile robot 2, and when it is operating by remote control, a facial photograph of the customer who is operating it is displayed and the surroundings are displayed. It is intended to inform who is shopping.

As a result, when a real customer visiting a store encounters a robot, it is possible to recognize who is operating the robot remotely, and it is possible to reduce the discomfort for the robot. Further, by displaying the facial photograph, it can be expected that the virtual customer who operates remotely will be conscious of performing an appropriate operation.

Alternatively, a real-time image of the customer may be transmitted from the customer terminal 3 and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 2j.

Further, a voice input / output device 3d such as a microphone and a speaker connected to the customer terminal 3 may be used so that a conversation with the clerk can be made, or a videophone call can be made in combination with the above face photograph or real-time image. You may use like.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a store guide information screen in the case of a large-scale store having sales floors on a plurality of floors.

In the case of a plurality of floors, the customer can select and operate a specific floor on the shop guide information screen, and the remote operation of the in-store mobile robot and the product sale screen display are performed for each selected floor. That is, the control of the robot and the transmission of merchandise guidance information including image data to the customer terminal are modularized for each floor and built in the store server 1.

By modularizing in this way, even if the robot on one floor breaks down, the system on that floor only needs to be stopped, and the other floors are not affected.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the use of the system in the store for the purpose of selling the products is described. However, not only the store for the purpose of selling the products, but also a plurality of stores are not provided in the store. It may be used for things such as a robot moving in a store outside a huge mall, or for a tour inside the model house.

[0105]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention as set forth in claims 1 to 18, a web camera for capturing a real-time image of a product is mounted on a mobile robot in a store. Therefore, the customer can remotely operate the robot using a personal computer or the like, and can shop while viewing the products in the store. In addition, since the camera is attached to the robot, it is easy to move, it is not necessary to install a large number of cameras to take images of all products, and it is possible to quickly respond to a change in the layout of the sales floor.

In claim 2, since the product designated by the customer is determined by the coordinate position of the real-time image, not only one product can be specified even in the image in which a plurality of products are displayed, Minimize the detailed information of the product,
Information centered on real-time images can be provided to customers.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the hardware operating means such as a joystick is provided, it is easier to use than the software operating means displayed on the screen, and an accurate remote control command can be output to the robot.

In claim 4, since only the user who has registered as the user can use the system of the present invention, the utilization rate of the system can be predicted. As a result, it is possible to easily change the scale of the system such as adding or reducing robots.

In claim 5, from the communication terminal for purchaser,
Since the incidental order information such as the size, color, and number of products is transmitted to the seller's communication server, the store can be informed of the accurate designation of the product.

In claim 6, since the seller communication server provides floor guide information such as a floor map, the customer can grasp the position of the robot based on the floor information.

In claim 7, the customer sends a remote control command from the buyer's communication terminal to move the robot, so that the customer can enjoy virtual shopping at the actual store at his will.

According to the eighth aspect, since the remote control command with the target area designation can be output, when the target product position is known, the robot is automatically moved without giving an instruction until the target product is reached. Can be made.

In claim 9, when the movement by the automatic movement control of claim 8 is completed, the movement completion notice is transmitted to the communication terminal for purchaser, so in a large-scale store where it takes time to move. , You can use your time effectively by browsing other websites until you receive a notification of completion of movement by e-mail.

According to the tenth aspect, since the advertisement information of the product group displayed in the area where the robot is currently located is displayed on the screen, the customer is informed of the position of the robot and the product sold in that area. Information can be understood at a glance, which in turn leads to sales promotion.

In the eleventh aspect, since the remote control command for rotating the in-store mobile robot or tilting / zooming the Web camera is transmitted to the communication server for the seller, the product image taken at any angle. Alternatively, it is possible to provide the customer with an image of the product details.

In claim 12, since the color tone of the real-time image can be changed on the customer terminal side, the merchandise of different color tones that are not displayed can be virtually viewed and the purchase decision can be promoted. .

According to the thirteenth aspect, since the mobile robot in the store is further provided with the wide-angle camera, the customer can easily perform the moving operation of the robot due to the wide field of view.

According to the fourteenth aspect, since the seller communication server further includes a product catalog database, it is possible to provide more detailed information on the product selected by the customer.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the product is recognized by reading the product ID mark attached to the product.
The customer does not need to select and enter the product name, and the purchase decision can be made quickly.

In the sixteenth aspect, a display device is installed in the in-store mobile robot to display a face photograph for identifying the purchaser or an image for identifying the purchaser transmitted from the purchaser communication terminal. Therefore, when a customer visiting the store encounters the robot, it is possible to recognize who is remotely controlling the robot, and it is possible to reduce the discomfort for the robot. Further, by displaying the face photograph and the like, it can be expected that the customer who remotely operates will be conscious of performing an appropriate operation.

According to the seventeenth aspect, since the real-time image to be provided is charged, the customer can shorten the use time and, as a result, can prevent the monopoly of the robot use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a main configuration of an in-store mobile robot.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of a customer terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a product sales screen displayed on a customer terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a purchase confirmation detailed information screen displayed on the customer terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a purchased product list screen displayed on a customer terminal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of each of the store server and the customer terminal until the purchase decision in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a floor map dedicated screen displayed on a customer terminal.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an in-store mobile robot equipped with a wide-angle camera.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product sales screen including a wide-angle camera image.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of an obstacle detection mechanism of the in-store mobile robot.

12A is a simplified diagram showing an example of a product ID mark, FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a display situation of products with a product ID mark, and FIG. 12C is a product sale including a product display image. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic operation of product recognition using a product ID mark.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an in-store mobile robot equipped with a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a store guide information screen in the case of a large-scale store having sales floors on a plurality of floors.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 store server (communication server for sellers) 1a Electronic Catalog Database 2 In-store mobile robots 2a Web camera 2h wide-angle camera 2j display device 3 Customer terminals (communication terminals for purchasers) 3c operating means L communication network i Product ID mark

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Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A communication network for a seller, which wirelessly or wiredly connects an in-store mobile robot equipped with a Web camera for imaging a product displayed in a store, and a communication terminal for a purchaser having an operating means, to a communication network A remote product sales system that enables a commercial transaction between a seller and a purchaser by connecting via the above. The communication server for the seller is the communication terminal for the purchaser, When there is a request to send a real-time image of the displayed product being imaged, product guide information data including the real-time image is sent for display on the purchaser communication terminal, while the purchaser communication is sent. The terminal device generates the order information data of a specific product when the image portion of the specific product is selected from the displayed real-time image using the operation means. , Remote product sales system and transmits to the communication server for the seller. 2. The remote product sales system according to claim 1, wherein the order information data includes coordinate position data indicating a selected product selected and operated by the purchaser in the real-time image. 3. The remote product sales system according to claim 1, wherein said operation means includes hardware operation means externally connected to said purchaser communication terminal. 4. The purchaser is registered in the communication server for sellers in advance, and the communication server for sellers allows the purchaser to input an identification ID before transmitting the product guide information data. The remote product sales system according to claim 1, wherein the user confirmation is performed. 5. The product guide information data includes size,
The purchaser communication terminal includes screen data for selecting order incidental information such as color and the number of products, and the purchaser communication terminal includes the order incidental information selected and input by the purchaser in the order information data and The remote product sales system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remote product sales system transmits the remote product sales server. 6. The remote product sales system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the product guide information data includes floor guide information divided for each area in the store. 7. The purchaser communication terminal, wherein the purchaser operates the operation means to cause the in-store mobile robot to
The remote product sales system according to claim 6, wherein the remote control command is transmitted. 8. The purchaser communication terminal device, when the purchaser selects and operates a specific area from the floor guide information, causes the in-store mobile robot to include the seller communication server. The remote control command accompanied by the target area designation is output via the mobile robot, while the in-store mobile robot automatically moves to the selected specific area based on the remote control command. Remote product sales system. 9. The seller's communication server transmits a move completion notification to the purchaser's communication terminal when the in-store mobile robot has completed moving to a selected specific area. The remote product sales system according to claim 8. 10. The communication server for sellers transmits advertisement information of product groups displayed in an area where the in-store mobile robot is located to the communication terminal for purchasers. The remote product sales system according to any one of claims 7 to 9. 11. The communication terminal for a purchaser is configured to rotate the mobile robot in the store or to operate the W in the store by a purchaser's operation.
The remote product sales system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein a remote control command for performing tilt / zoom operation of the eb camera is transmitted to the seller communication server. 12. The seller communication server adds a program for changing a color tone of a product image included in the real-time image to the product guide information data and transmits the product guide information data to the buyer communication terminal. Claims 1 to 1 characterized
11. The remote product sales system according to any one of 11. 13. The remote product sales system according to claim 1, wherein the in-store mobile robot further includes a wide-angle camera for capturing images of products displayed in the store. 14. The seller communication server further comprises a product catalog database, and the product catalog information of a specific product retrieved from the product catalog database is included in the product guide information data to provide the product for the purchaser. It transmits to a communication terminal, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
The remote product sales system described in any one of 1. 15. The communication server for seller is the Web server.
When the product ID mark attached to the product is detected in the real-time image captured by the camera, the product catalog database is searched based on the read product ID, and the searched product catalog information is included in the product guide information data. 15. The remote commodity sales system according to claim 1, wherein the remote commodity sales system transmits the purchaser communication terminal to the purchaser communication terminal. 16. The in-store mobile robot has face image data for purchaser identification prepared in advance by the communication server for seller, or image data for purchaser identification transmitted from the communication terminal for purchaser. 16. The remote product selling system according to claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying. 17. The seller communication server measures a robot use time for capturing a real-time image provided by the purchaser via a communication network, and at the end of use, the measured robot use time and the use time. The remote product sales system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a charge is notified. 18. A communication server for a seller, in which an in-store mobile robot equipped with a Web camera for imaging a product displayed in a store is connected wirelessly or by wire, and a communication terminal for a purchaser are connected via a communication network. Is a method for selling a remote product that enables a commercial transaction between a seller and a purchaser, wherein the communication server for the seller displays the image captured by the Web camera from the communication terminal for the buyer. When there is a request to transmit a real-time image of a product, a step of transmitting product guide information data including the real-time image for display on the purchaser communication terminal, and the purchaser communication terminal, When a specific product image is selected from the displayed real-time image, order information data including position data of the selected product in the real-time image is generated. , Remote product sales method and a step of transmitting to the communication server for the seller.