TWI908492B - Method and apparatus for providing item information - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for providing item information performed by at least one processor. The method includes extracting an item list associated with a user account registered in an application provided on a user device, determining whether a first item included in the item list satisfies at least one condition for being displayed on a main page of the application, in response to determining that the first item satisfies the at least one condition, generating a first widget corresponding to the first item, and providing, the generated first widget on the main page of the application through the user device.

Description

Methods and devices for providing item information

This invention relates to methods, devices, and computer programs for providing information about articles and storing it in a computer-readable recording medium.

With the recent development of smartphone technology, the number of users utilizing online shopping platforms is increasing daily. For example, users can easily check various products and purchase the items they need through shopping apps installed on their smartphones. Users can access the shopping app to search for products, add or save items they are interested in to the list, and then confirm their purchase.

On the other hand, in order to increase users' purchase rate, it is extremely important to properly configure the products that users are interested in on the homepage of shopping applications. To this end, technologies are being used to identify the products that users are interested in based on user behavior such as past search history, but it is difficult to induce users to make an immediate purchase based on simply filtering related products from search history.

This invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer program for providing article information and storing it in a computer-readable recording medium to solve the aforementioned problem.

This invention can be implemented in a variety of ways, including methods, devices (systems) and/or computer programs stored in readable storage media.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing item information executed by at least one processor includes the following steps: retrieving a list of items associated with a user account registered on an application provided to a user terminal; determining whether a first item included in the item list satisfies at least one condition for display on the application's homepage; in response to the determination that the first item satisfies at least one condition, generating a first widget corresponding to the first item; and providing the generated first widget to the application's homepage via the user terminal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the item list includes a first item list, which contains at least one item selected by a user's first action related to the shopping cart. The step of determining whether at least one condition is met includes the following steps: determining whether the first item is a discounted item; when the first item is determined to be a discounted item, calculating the remaining discount period for the first item; and when the calculated remaining discount period is below a first threshold, determining that the first item meets at least one condition.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of generating a first micro-part corresponding to a first article includes the following steps: generating a timer representing the remaining period of the calculated discount; and associating the generated timer with the first article to generate the first micro-part corresponding to the first article.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the item list includes a first item list, which contains at least one item selected by a user's first action. The step of determining whether at least one condition is met includes the following steps: calculating the remaining quantity of the first item; and determining that the first item meets at least one condition when the calculated remaining quantity is below a second threshold.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of generating a first micro-part corresponding to a first article includes the following steps: generating text data representing the remaining quantity of the first article; and associating the generated text data with the first article to generate a first micro-part corresponding to the first article.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the invention further includes the following steps: determining whether a second item included in the item list satisfies at least one condition; in response to the determination that the second item satisfies at least one condition, generating a second widget corresponding to the second item; determining a priority between the first widget and the second widget; and generating carousel data containing the first widget and the second widget based on the determined priority. The step of providing the generated first widget to the application's homepage includes the following steps: providing the generated carousel data to the homepage.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining priority includes the following steps: calculating the remaining discount period of the first item and the remaining discount period of the second item; and assigning a higher priority to the item with the shorter calculated remaining discount period among the first item and the second item.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining priority includes the following steps: calculating the remaining quantity of the first item and the remaining quantity of the second item; and assigning a higher priority to the item with the smaller calculated remaining quantity among the first item and the second item.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining priority includes assigning a higher priority to the item that is included in the item list in a slower order among the first item and the second item.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of generating a first widget corresponding to a first item includes the following steps: such that a first button for moving to an item list page containing the first item is associated with the first item to generate the first widget; the method further includes the following steps: when user input related to the first button is received, generating the first widget and displaying it on the topmost item list page; and providing the generated item list page through a user terminal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of generating a first widget corresponding to a first article includes the following steps, such that a second button for moving to a purchase page associated with the first article is associated with the first article to generate the first widget.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the item list includes a second item list, which contains at least one item selected by a user through a second action related to the wish list. The step of determining whether at least one condition is met includes the following steps: determining whether the first item is a discounted item; and when the first item is determined to be a discounted item, determining that at least one condition is met.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention includes the following steps: associating a third button for moving to a discount item page containing a first item with a first widget; when receiving user input related to the third button, extracting at least one discounted item from a plurality of items contained in a second item list; generating a discount item page using the extracted at least one discounted item; and providing the generated discount item page via a user terminal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the item list includes a first item list, which contains at least one item selected by a user's first action related to a shopping cart. The step of generating a first widget corresponding to the first item includes the following steps, such that a fourth button for adding the first item to the first item list is associated with the first item to generate the first widget.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer program can be stored in a computer-readable record medium so that an item information provision method can be executed on a computer.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for providing item information includes: a communication module; a memory storing at least one computer-readable program; and at least one processor connected to the memory for running the at least one program. The at least one program includes instructions to perform the following steps: retrieve a list of items associated with a user account registered on an application provided to a user terminal; determine whether a first item included in the item list meets at least one condition for display on the application's homepage; in response to the determination that the first item meets at least one condition, generate a first widget corresponding to the first item; and provide the generated first widget to the application's homepage via the user terminal.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, users can easily identify items that are close to a discount or close to being out of stock among the items they directly add to their item list, thereby increasing the user's purchase rate.

According to a portion of the embodiments of the present invention, the information processing system can effectively induce users to make purchases by displaying a portion of the items a user is interested in on the homepage of a shopping application.

The effects of this invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains (referred to as "skilled persons") can clearly understand other effects not mentioned from the description in the scope of the invention application.

The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, details the specific contents used to implement this invention. However, in the following description, specific descriptions of well-known functions or structures will be omitted where there is a risk of unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of this invention.

In the accompanying figures, identical or corresponding structural elements are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in explaining the following embodiments, repeated descriptions of identical or corresponding structural elements may be omitted. However, even if a description of a structural element is omitted, it does not mean that such a structural element is not included in any embodiment.

The advantages, features, and implementation methods of the disclosed embodiments become clear with reference to the embodiments described in conjunction with Figure 1. However, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments below and can be implemented through different embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments are provided to ensure the completeness of the disclosure, and are provided only to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the present invention.

This specification provides a brief explanation of the terminology used and specific examples of the disclosed embodiments. While this specification uses widely used common terms to the extent possible to meet the functional requirements of the invention, the terms used herein may vary depending on the intent or practice of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms arbitrarily chosen by the applicant may exist; in such cases, their meanings are detailed in the corresponding sections of this specification. Therefore, the terms used in this specification should be defined based on their inherent meanings and the full text of this specification, and not merely on their names.

In this specification, unless expressly specified in the context as singular, singular expressions include plural expressions. Furthermore, unless expressly specified in the context as plural, plural expressions include singular expressions. Throughout this specification, when a structural element is stated to include any structural element, it implies that other structural elements may be included, rather than excluded, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Furthermore, in this specification, the terms "module" or "section" as used refer to a software structural element or a hardware structural element that performs a certain function. However, "module" or "section" is not limited to software or hardware. A "module" or "section" may reside in accessible storage media, or may be generated from one or more processors. Thus, as an example, a "module" or "section" may include structural elements such as software structural elements, object-oriented software structural elements, class structural elements, and task structural elements, processes, functions, properties, programs, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, lists, arrays, or variables. The functionality provided internally by structural elements and "modules" or "sections" can be formed by combining a smaller number of structural elements and "modules" or "sections" or further separated into additional structural elements and "modules" or "sections".

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a "module" or "section" may be implemented by a processor and memory. "Processor" is broadly interpreted to include general-purpose processors, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), controllers, microcontrollers, state machines, etc. In many environments, "processor" may also refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. For example, "processor" may also refer to a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processing chip, or any other combination of the aforementioned structures. Furthermore, "memory" is broadly interpreted to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. "Memory" can refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or tagged data storage devices, and caches. When the processor reads information from or records information to memory, the memory and processor are in electronic communication. The memory integrated into the processor is in a state of electronic communication with the processor.

In this invention, "user" can refer to a user who uses or receives online shopping services through a shopping application. Furthermore, "user account" can refer to an account or related data generated and used by a user in a shopping application.

In this invention, "item" and/or item information can refer to goods offered or sold through a shopping application and/or data relating to the corresponding goods.

In this invention, an "item list" can refer to a list of multiple items provided in a shopping application, which the user can directly select by performing a first action and/or a second action. The first action can refer to the user's action of adding any item to a first item list, and the second action can refer to the user's action of adding any item to a second item list. Furthermore, in this invention, the user's action can be performed through touch input or other methods to select item-related buttons, icons, etc.

In this invention, a "widget" can refer to an interface element used for interaction between a user and a computing device (e.g., a user terminal). For example, in a shopping application, a widget is generated corresponding to each item and can contain information such as the item's name, image, and price. Users can easily confirm detailed information about the item corresponding to the selected widget or purchase the corresponding item by selecting the widget through touch input or other means.

In this invention, "carousel data" can refer to data that is sequentially connected to multiple widgets.

In this invention, a “gateway page” can refer to the homepage or homepage screen displayed when the shopping application is run for the first time.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user 100 confirming items on a shopping application through a user terminal 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the user 100 can run the shopping application using the user terminal 110. In this case, the gateway page 112 (or homepage) of the shopping application can be displayed on the display of the user terminal 110. The user 100 can directly search for the name, brand, etc. of the item to be purchased to confirm or purchase the required item by viewing the gateway page 112 displayed on the user terminal 110.

In one embodiment, a widget containing information corresponding to an item can be directly displayed on the gateway page 112. The widget, as a graphical interface element, can contain information related to the item. In the example shown, a first widget 114 corresponding to the item "mineral water" and a second widget 116 corresponding to the item "milk" can be displayed on the gateway page 112. In this case, the user can select the first widget 114 and/or the second widget 116 via touch input and navigate to the purchase page for the selected item.

In one embodiment, the first widget 114 and the second widget 116 can be combined with each other and displayed or provided in the form of carousel data. The carousel data can refer to data composed of multiple widgets combined sequentially. For example, user 100 can easily confirm information about various items composed of widgets by moving the carousel data displayed on the gateway page 112 through methods such as dragging input.

In one embodiment, the items generated from widget and/or carousel data may consist of at least a portion of a variety of items sold on a shopping application. For example, widget and/or carousel data can be generated based on items nearing the end of a discount and/or nearing stockout among items added by user 100 to a first item list (e.g., a shopping cart list, etc.). In another example, widget and/or carousel data can also be generated based on items nearing the end of a discount among items added by user 100 to a second item list (e.g., a wish list, etc.).

As described above, when user 100 accesses the shopping application through user terminal 110, the user's favorite items can be displayed on the gateway page 112 in the form of widgets and/or carousel data. With this structure, user 100 can easily check items that are close to discounts or close to being out of stock among the items they have directly added to the item list (e.g., the first item list and/or the second item list, etc.), thereby increasing the user's purchase rate.

Figure 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating the structure of an information processing system 230 of an embodiment of the present invention, which is communicatively connected to multiple user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3. As shown in the figure, the multiple user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 can be connected to the information processing system 230, which generates, processes, and/or manages widgets and/or carousel data on a shopping application, via a network 220. The multiple user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 may include user terminals that receive shopping applications or related services. In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 may include at least one server device and/or at least one distributed computing device and/or distributed database based on a database or cloud computing service capable of storing, providing and running computer-executable programs and data related to the method of providing information about articles.

The method of providing item information through the information processing system 230 can be to provide it to users through applications or web browsers set on multiple user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3. For example, the information processing system 230 can provide widgets and/or carousel data related to items of interest to user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 through applications.

Multiple user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 can communicate with the information processing system 230 through network 220. Network 220 enables communication between multiple user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 and the information processing system 230. Depending on the configuration environment, network 220 can be composed of wired networks such as Ethernet, power line communication, telephone line communication devices, and RS-serial communication, mobile communication networks, wireless local area networks (WLAN, Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee, or combinations thereof. The communication method is not limited and may include communication methods using the communication network that network 220 may include (for example, mobile communication network, wired network, wireless network, broadcast network, satellite network, etc.) and short-range wireless communication between user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3.

Figure 2 shows examples of mobile phone terminal 210_1, tablet computer terminal 210_2 and personal computer terminal 210_3 as user terminals, but is not limited to these. User terminals 210_1, 210_2 and 210_3 can be any computing device capable of wired and/or wireless communication and configured to run applications or web browsers. For example, user terminals may include AI speakers, smartphones, mobile phones, navigation devices, computers, laptops, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), tablets, game consoles, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, set-top boxes, etc. Furthermore, Figure 2 shows three user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 communicating with the information processing system 230 via network 220, but it is not limited to this; different numbers of user terminals can also communicate with the information processing system 230 via network 220.

Figure 2 shows that the information processing system 230 is an independent device separate from the user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3, but it is not limited to this. The information processing system 230 can be implemented in conjunction with the user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3.

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a user terminal 210 and an information processing system 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 210 can refer to any computing device capable of running applications or web browsers and performing wired or wireless communication, such as the mobile phone terminal 210_1, tablet computer terminal 210_2, personal computer terminal 210_3, etc., as shown in Figure 2. As shown, the user terminal 210 may include a memory 312, a processor 314, a communication module 316, and an input/output interface 318. Similarly, the information processing system 230 may include a memory 332, a processor 334, a communication module 336, and an input/output interface 338. As shown in Figure 3, the user terminal 210 and the information processing system 230 communicate with each other via the network 220 using the communication modules 316 and 336. Furthermore, the input/output device 320 can input information and/or data to the user terminal 210 through the input/output interface 318, or output information and/or data generated from the user terminal 210.

Memory 312 and 332 may include non-transitory arbitrary computer-readable recording media. According to one embodiment, memory 312 and 332 may include non-volatile mass storage devices such as read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and flash memory. As another example, non-volatile mass storage devices such as read-only memory, solid-state drives, flash memory, and hard disk drives, as separate permanent storage devices distinct from memory, may be included in user terminal 210 or information processing system 230. Furthermore, the storage devices 312 and 332 may store the operating system and at least one program code (e.g., code for an application set on the user terminal 210).

These software structural elements can be loaded from a separate computer-readable recordable medium (CMR) independent of the storage devices 312 and 332. This separate CMR may include a recordable medium capable of being directly connected to the user terminal 210 and the information processing system 230, such as a floppy disk drive, disk, tape, DVD/CD-ROM drive, memory card, etc. Alternatively, the software structural elements may be loaded to the storage devices 312 and 332 via a communication module, rather than via a CMR. For example, at least one program may be loaded into storage 312, 332 based on a computer program with file settings provided by the developer or through a file allocation system that allocates application settings files via network 220.

Processors 314 and 334 can perform basic arithmetic, logical, and input/output operations to process computer program instructions. Instructions can be provided to processors 314 and 334 via memory 312 and 332 or communication modules 316 and 336. For example, processors 314 and 334 can execute instructions received based on program code stored in recording devices such as memory 312 and 332.

Communication modules 316 and 336 can provide a structure or function through network 220 that enables user terminal 210 and information processing system 230 to communicate with each other, and can provide a structure or function that enables user terminal 210 and/or information processing system 230 to communicate with other user terminals or other systems (for example, a standalone cloud system, etc.). For example, requests or data generated by processor 314 of user terminal 210 based on program code stored in recording devices such as memory 312 (e.g., requests to generate item list pages, requests to generate discount item pages, etc.) can be transmitted to information processing system 230 through network 220 under the control of communication module 316. Conversely, control signals or instructions provided under the control of the processor 334 of the information processing system 230 can be transmitted to the user terminal 210 via the communication module 316 of the user terminal 210 through the communication module 336 and the network 220. For example, the user terminal 210 can receive widgets and/or carousel data corresponding to items from the information processing system 230 through the communication module 316.

The input/output interface 318 can be a unit for interfacing with the input/output device 320. As an example, the input device may include a camera with an audio sensor and/or an image sensor, a keyboard, a microphone, a mouse, etc., and the output device may include a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback device, etc. As another example, the input/output interface 318 can be a unit for interfacing with a device that integrates a structure or function for performing input and output, such as a touchscreen. For example, during the processing of computer program instructions loaded into memory, the processor 314 of user terminal 210 may display service screens or other data constructed using information and/or data provided by information processing system 230 or other user terminals on a display via input/output interface 318. The input/output device 320 shown in Figure 3 is not included in user terminal 210, but is not limited thereto, and may form a device with user terminal 210. Furthermore, the input/output interface 338 of information processing system 230 may be a unit for connecting to or including input/output devices (not shown) of information processing system 230. Figure 3 shows that input/output interfaces 318 and 338 are elements that are separately constituted with processors 314 and 334, but are not limited thereto. Input/output interfaces 318 and 338 may be included in processors 314 and 334.

User terminal 210 and information processing system 230 may include more structural elements than those shown in FIG. 3. However, it is not necessary to explicitly show most of the structural elements of the prior art. According to one embodiment, user terminal 210 may include at least a portion of the input/output devices 320. Furthermore, user terminal 210 may also include other structural elements such as a wireless transceiver, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, a camera, various sensors, and a database. For example, when the user terminal 210 is a smartphone, it can typically include structural elements typically found in smartphones, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphone modules, various physical buttons, touchpad buttons, input/output ports, vibration meters, and many other structural elements. According to one embodiment, the processor 314 of the user terminal 210 can run applications. In this case, code related to the corresponding application and/or program can be loaded into the memory 312 of the user terminal 210.

During operation of programs such as shopping applications, processor 314 can receive or select text, images, videos, voice, and/or actions via input devices such as touchscreens, keyboards, cameras including audio sensors and/or image sensors, and microphones connected to input/output interface 318. It can store the received text, images, videos, voice, and/or actions in memory 312 or provide them to information processing system 230 via communication module 316 and network 220. For example, processor 314 can receive user input selecting any button included in the widget and can provide requests corresponding to the received user input to information processing system 230 via communication module 316 and network 220.

The processor 314 of user terminal 210 can manage, process, and/or store information and/or data received from input device 320, other user terminals, information processing system 230, and/or multiple external systems. The information and/or data processed by processor 314 can be provided to information processing system 230 via communication module 316 and network 220. The processor 314 of user terminal 210 can transmit and output information and/or data to input/output device 320 via input/output interface 318.

The processor 334 of the information processing system 230 can manage, process, and/or store information and/or data received from multiple user terminals 210 and/or multiple external systems. The information and/or data processed by the processor 334 can be provided to the user terminals 210 through the communication module 336 and the network 220.

The processor 334 of the information processing system 230 can output information and/or data processed by the output device 320, such as a display output device (e.g., a touch screen, a display, etc.) or a voice output device (e.g., a speaker).

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which an information processing system 230 of an embodiment of the present invention generates a widget related to items and provides it to a user terminal 210. In one embodiment, in order to provide a user using a shopping application with a widget containing information related to optimized items, the information processing system 230 (e.g., at least one processor of the information processing system) may first extract a list of items related to the user's account (step 402). The list of items (e.g., a first item list and/or a second item list) may refer to a list of multiple items that the user directly selects by performing a first action and/or a second action from among a variety of items offered on the shopping application. The first action may be user input related to a shopping cart, and the second action may be user input related to a wish list. For example, the first action can be adding to the shopping cart, and the second action can be adding to the wish list.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can extract the item list of a specific user account to identify multiple items of interest to the corresponding user account, and generate a subset of these items as widgets. For example, the information processing system 230 can generate widgets corresponding to a subset of items included in a first item list, or it can generate widgets corresponding to a subset of items included in a second item list. The first item list can be a list related to items included on a shopping cart page, and the second item list can be a list related to items included on a wishlist page.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 may determine whether each item included in the retrieved item list meets at least one condition for display on a gateway page in a shopping application (step 404). For example, the information processing system 230 may determine whether each item included in the item list meets at least one condition based on whether the item is currently on sale, whether the discount is nearing its end, or whether it is nearing stockout.

In one embodiment, when it is determined that any item included in the item list meets at least one condition, the information processing system 230 can generate a widget corresponding to the corresponding item (step 406). For example, the information processing system 230 can extract information such as the name, price, remaining discount period, and remaining quantity of the corresponding item, and generate a widget corresponding to the corresponding item based on the extracted information.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can transmit the generated widget 408 to a user terminal 210 associated with a user's account. In this case, the user terminal 210 can display or output the received widget 408 on the gateway page of the shopping application. With this structure, the information processing system 230 can effectively entice the user to make a purchase by presenting a portion of the items the user is interested in on the homepage of the shopping application.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed process by which an information processing system 230 of an embodiment of the present invention determines the remaining discount period condition to generate a widget. As described above, the information processing system 230 can determine whether the conditions for generating a widget are met based on whether any item included in the item list is a discounted item that is discounted within a specified period. In this case, the item list may be a first item list containing at least one item selected by the user's first action (e.g., selecting a shopping cart icon and/or button, etc.).

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can determine whether the first item included in the item list meets at least one condition (step 404). First, the information processing system 230 can determine whether the first item included in the item list is a discounted item (step 502). For example, the information processing system 230 can obtain relevant information from any database storing information about multiple items being sold on the shopping application to determine whether the first item is a discounted item.

When the first item is determined to be a discounted item, the information processing system 230 can calculate the remaining discount period for the first item (step 504). Information related to the discount period for each discounted item can be stored in the database. In this case, the information processing system 230 can retrieve information related to the discount period for the first item from the database and calculate the remaining discount period based on the remaining period from the current time to the end of the discount.

Subsequently, the information processing system 230 can determine whether the remaining discount period is below a preset first threshold (step 506). The first threshold can be a value predetermined or set by the user and/or the administrator of the shopping application, for example, it can be set to a value equivalent to 7 days. That is, the information processing system 230 can compare the remaining discount period of the first item with the first threshold to determine whether the first item meets the conditions for generating a widget.

In one embodiment, when it is determined that the first item meets the remaining discount period condition, the information processing system 230 can generate a first widget corresponding to the first item (step 406). In this case, the information processing system 230 can generate a timer representing the remaining discount period of the first item, and associate the generated timer with information related to the first item to generate the first widget corresponding to the first item (step 508).

Figure 5 illustrates that the item list is a first item list containing at least one item selected by the user's first action, but it is not limited to this; the item list can also be a second item list containing at least one item selected by the user's second action. Furthermore, in Figure 5, the information processing system 230 determines whether the first item is discounted and whether the remaining discount period is below a first threshold, but it is not limited to this; the information processing system 230 can determine whether the conditions are met simply by considering whether the first item is a discounted item.

Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed process by which an information processing system 230 of an embodiment of the present invention determines a near-out-of-stock condition to generate a widget. As described above, the information processing system 230 may determine whether the conditions for generating a widget are met based on whether any item included in the item list is a near-out-of-stock item. In this case, the item list may be a first item list containing at least one item selected by the user's first action (e.g., selecting a shopping cart icon and/or button, etc.), but is not limited to this.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can determine whether the first item included in the item list meets at least one condition (step 404). First, the information processing system 230 can calculate the remaining quantity of the first item included in the item list (step 602). For example, when multiple users on a shopping application purchase the first item, the remaining quantity of the first item can decrease in real time, and the information processing system 230 can obtain relevant information (e.g., quantity information of each item) from any database to calculate the remaining quantity of the first item.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can determine whether the calculated remaining quantity is below a second threshold (step 604). The second threshold is a value pre-determined or set by the user and/or the administrator of the shopping application; for example, it can be set to a value equivalent to 10 items. That is, the information processing system 230 can compare the remaining quantity of the first item with the second threshold to determine whether the first item meets the conditions for generating a widget.

In one embodiment, when it is determined that the first item meets the near-out-of-stock condition, the information processing system 230 can generate a first component corresponding to the first item (step 406). In this case, the information processing system 230 can generate text data representing the remaining quantity of the first item, and associate the generated text data with the first item to generate the first component corresponding to the first item (step 606).

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which an information processing system 230 of an embodiment of the present invention generates carousel data containing multiple widgets and provides it to a user terminal 210. In one embodiment, when multiple items that meet certain conditions exist in an item list associated with a user's account, the information processing system 230 can generate carousel data, each containing widgets corresponding to the multiple items, and provide it to the user terminal 210.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can determine whether a first item and a second item included in the item list meet at least one condition for display on the gateway page. Furthermore, when it is determined that the first item and the second item meet at least one condition, the information processing system 230 can generate a first widget corresponding to the first item and a second widget corresponding to the second item (step 702).

As described above, when multiple widgets are generated, the information processing system 230 can determine the priority between each widget (step 704). That is, the information processing system 230 can determine the priority between the first widget and the second widget. This priority can be used to determine the order in which the widgets are displayed or displayed on the gateway page of the shopping application. For example, when the priority of the first widget is set higher than that of the second widget, the first widget can be displayed or displayed before the second widget.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 can determine priorities based on the remaining discount period for each item. For example, the information processing system 230 can calculate the remaining discount period for a first item and the remaining discount period for a second item, assigning a higher priority to the item with the shorter calculated remaining discount period among the first and second items. That is, among multiple items, the item with the shorter remaining discount period can be displayed or output first on the gateway page.

Additionally or alternatively, the information processing system 230 may determine priorities based on the remaining quantity of each item. For example, the information processing system 230 may calculate the remaining quantity of a first item and a second item, assigning a higher priority to the item with a smaller calculated remaining quantity among the first and second items. That is, among multiple items, the item with a smaller remaining quantity may be displayed or output first on the gateway page.

Additionally or alternatively, the information processing system 230 may determine priority based on the order in which items are included in the item list. For example, the information processing system 230 may assign a higher priority to the item selected later by the user's first action among the first and second items. That is, the item most recently included in the first item list may be displayed or output with priority on the gateway page.

After determining the priority among each widget, the information processing system 230 can generate carousel data including the first widget and the second widget based on the determined priority (step 706). Furthermore, the information processing system 230 can transmit the generated carousel data 708 to the user terminal 210. In this case, the user terminal 210 can display or output the received carousel data 708 on the gateway page of the shopping application.

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of accessing an item list page via carousel data according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the first page 810 and the second page 830 can be pages displayed on an application on a user terminal. The first page 810 can be a gateway page, and the second page 830 can be an item list page. The user can switch from the first page 810 to the second page 830 and access the item list page by inputting user information. The item list page can be a page that represents a list of multiple items that are currently discounted or expected to be out of stock among the multiple items included by the user in the first item list.

Page 810 shows carousel data displayed on the gateway page of a shopping application. In the example shown, the carousel data may include a first widget 812 corresponding to a first item and a second widget 814 corresponding to a second item. Furthermore, the first widget 812 may include a timer 816 indicating the remaining discount period (e.g., "Discount time remaining 10:59:59"), text data 818 displaying the remaining quantity (e.g., "Nearly out of stock, 4 remaining"), a first button 820 for moving to the item list page (e.g., "Add to cart" button), etc.

In one embodiment, when providing carousel data including first widget 812 and second widget 814, the display order can be determined based on the priority of each widget. For example, a higher priority can be calculated for shorter discount remaining periods, fewer remaining items, and more recent inclusion of the item in the user's item list. In the example shown, the discount remaining period for the first item corresponding to first widget 812 is shorter than that for the second item corresponding to second widget 814, and the remaining quantity of the first item is less than that of the second item; therefore, first widget 812 can be configured to appear first in the carousel data.

The second page 830 can be an item list page displayed when the user selects the first button 820 via touch input or the like. When the user selects the first button 820 contained in the first widget 812 via touch input or the like, the first item 832 corresponding to the first widget 812 can be displayed on the top item list page.

For this action, the information processing system can associate a first button 820, used to move to an item list page containing the first item 832, with the first item 832 to generate a first widget 812, and provide the generated first widget 812 to the user terminal. Furthermore, when user input is received in relation to the first button 820, the user terminal can transmit an item list page generation request to the information processing system. In response to the received request, the information processing system can generate an item list page with the first item 832 displayed at the top and transmit it to the user terminal. With this structure, by selecting the first button 820, the user can easily view multiple items contained in the carousel data in list form.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of accessing a purchase page via a first widget 912 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a user can access the purchase page via a first page 910 displayed on the user's terminal application. The purchase page may be a page displaying information about a first item related to the first widget 912 to be purchased, as well as information for performing a settlement, etc.

The first page 910 represents a carousel displaying data containing the first widget 912 on the gateway page of the shopping application. In one embodiment, the first widget 912 may include a second button 914 (e.g., a "Buy Now" button) for moving to a purchase page related to the first item. For example, when a user selects the second button 914 by touch input, the screen on the shopping application may switch to the purchase page for the first item corresponding to the first widget 912.

To enable this action, the information processing system can associate a second button used to move to the purchase page of the first item with the first item to generate a first widget 912 and provide the generated first widget 912 to the user terminal. Furthermore, when user input related to the second button 914 is received, the user terminal can display the purchase page of the first item on the display. With this structure, the user can move to the purchase page of a specific item and perform the checkout simply by performing a touch action on the gateway page of the shopping application.

Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating access to a discounted items page via carousel data according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a user can access the discounted items page through a first page 1010 and a second page 1020 of an application displayed on a user's terminal. The discounted items page can be a page representing a list of multiple items that are currently discounted among multiple items included in the user's second item list.

Page 1010 represents a carousel displaying data on the gateway page of a shopping application. In the example shown, the carousel data may include a first widget 1012 corresponding to a first item and a second widget 1014 corresponding to a second item. Furthermore, each widget included in the carousel data may include a fourth button 1018 (e.g., a shopping cart icon, etc.) that allows the user to store any item in the first item list. That is, when the user performs a first action such as selecting the fourth button 1018 via touch input, a specific item may be included or stored in the first item list.

The second page 1020 can be a discounted items page displayed when the user selects the third button 1016 via touch input, etc. For example, the third button 1016 for moving to the discounted items page (e.g., a "More" button) can be displayed in relation to carousel data. In this case, the user can confirm the discounted items page by selecting the third button 1016 via touch input, etc.

For this action, the information processing system can associate a third button 1016 for moving to a discounted item page containing the first item and/or a fourth button 1018 for performing the user's first action with the first item to generate a first widget 1012. The first widget 1012 generated as described above can be provided to the user terminal.

Furthermore, when receiving user input related to the third button 1016, the user terminal can send a request to the information processing system to generate a discount item page. Upon receiving the request, the information processing system can extract at least one discounted item from the multiple items included in the second item list. The information processing system can then use the extracted discounted item to generate a discount item page. The generated discount item page can then be sent to the user terminal.

Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for providing items in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, method 1100 can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., processor 334) of the information processing system. Method 1100 can begin by the processor retrieving a list of items related to a user account (step S1110). The list of items may include a first list of items and/or a second list of items, the first list containing at least one item selected by a first action of the user, and the second list containing at least one item selected by a second action of the user.

In one embodiment, the processor may determine whether a first item included in the item list meets at least one condition for display on the gateway page (step S1120). For example, the processor may determine whether the first item is a discounted item. When the first item is determined to be a discounted item, the processor may calculate the remaining discount period for the first item. When the calculated remaining discount period is below a first threshold, the processor may determine that the first item meets at least one condition.

Additionally or alternatively, the processor may calculate the remaining quantity of the first item. When the calculated remaining quantity is below a second threshold, the processor may determine that the first item meets at least one condition. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may determine whether the first item is a discounted item; if it is determined to be a discounted item, it may also determine that the first item meets at least one condition.

When it is determined that the first item meets at least one condition, the processor can generate a first widget corresponding to the first item (step S1130). For example, the processor can generate a timer representing the remaining period of the calculated discount, and associate the generated timer with the first item to generate the first widget corresponding to the first item. In another example, the processor can generate text data representing the remaining quantity of the first item, and associate the generated text data with the first item to generate the first widget corresponding to the first item.

In one embodiment, the processor can associate a first button for moving to an item list page containing the first item with the first item to generate a first widget. Alternatively or additionally, the processor can associate a second button for moving to a purchase page containing the first item with the first item to generate the first widget. Alternatively or additionally, the processor can associate a third button for moving to a discount item page containing the first item with the first item. Furthermore, the processor can provide the first widget generated above to the application's homepage via a user terminal (step S1140).

The processor can determine whether a second item included in the item list meets at least one condition. Furthermore, when the processor determines that the second item meets at least one condition, it can generate a second widget corresponding to the second item. Moreover, the processor can determine the priority between the first and second widgets and generate carousel data containing both widgets based on the determined priority. The carousel data generated above can then be provided to the user terminal.

Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 for providing items to a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, method 1200 can be executed by at least one processor (e.g., processor 314) of the user terminal. Method 1200 can begin by the processor receiving carousel data from an information processing system, including a first widget corresponding to a first item and a second widget corresponding to a second item (step S1210). When the carousel data is received, the processor can display the received carousel data on the gateway page of a shopping application (step S1220).

In one embodiment, the first and/or second widgets contained in the carousel data may include a first button for moving to an item list page containing the first and/or second items. When user input is received in relation to such a first button, the processor may transmit an item list page generation request to the information processing system.

Additionally or alternatively, the first and/or second widgets included in the carousel data may include a second button for moving to a purchase page for purchasing the first and/or second item. When user input is received in relation to such a second button, the processor may display the purchase page for the first item on the display.

Additionally or alternatively, the first and/or second widgets included in the carousel data may include a third button for moving to a discount item page containing the first and/or second items. When user input is received in relation to such a third button, the processor may transmit a discount item page generation request to the information processing system.

To enable computer execution, the method can be provided by a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The medium can also be temporary storage for continuously storing, executing, or downloading the computer-executable program. Furthermore, the medium can be various recording or storage units comprised of one or more hardware components, and is not limited to media that directly access any computer system; it can also exist distributed across a network. As examples, media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floppy disks; and structures storing program instructions such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Furthermore, as another example, the medium can be a recording or storage medium managed by an application store that sells applications or a website or server that provides and sells various other software.

The methods, work, or techniques of this invention can be implemented by various units. For example, the techniques can also be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In connection with the invention, it should be understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described can also be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchange between hardware and software, various exemplary structural elements, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been briefly described above from a functional perspective. However, whether such functionality is implemented by hardware or software depends on the design requirements of the specific application and the overall system. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may also implement the described functions in various ways for specific applications; therefore, such implementation should not be construed as outside the scope of this invention.

In hardware examples, the processing unit for performing the technology may also be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the multiple functions of the present invention, computers, or combinations thereof.

Therefore, the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits incorporating the present invention can also be implemented or performed by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a special-purpose integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete logic gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination designed to perform the various functions of the present invention. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, the processor can also be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Furthermore, the processor can also be implemented by a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor (DSP) chip, or any other combination of architectures.

In firmware and/or software examples, the technology can also be implemented by multiple instructions stored on computer-readable media such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD), magnetic or optical data storage devices. Multiple instructions can be executed by more than one processor, or multiple processors can be made to perform the functions described in this invention in a specific implementation manner.

When implemented in software, the technique can be used to store or transmit one or more instructions or code on or through a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. The storage medium can also be any available medium that a computer can access. As a non-limiting example, such computer-readable media may include random access memory, read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other computer-accessible medium used for transferring or storing prescribed program code in the form of instructions or data structures. Furthermore, any access may be appropriately referred to as computer-readable media.

For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, twisted cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, wireless, and microwave, then coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, twisted cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, wireless, and microwave are included within the definition of medium. In this application, the terms "disk" and "disc" include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically reproduce magnetic data, while discs utilize lasers to reproduce optical data. The combination also includes computer-readable media.

The software module can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, cache, hard disk, portable disk, CD-ROM, or any known form of storage medium. An exemplary storage medium is connected to a processor so that the processor reads information from or records information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can also reside within a dedicated integrated circuit. The dedicated integrated circuit can also reside within a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can also exist as separate structural elements within the user terminal.

In the embodiments described above, although the present invention can be implemented using one or more independent computer systems, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be implemented in any computing environment such as a network or a distributed computing environment. Furthermore, the present invention can also be implemented by multiple processing chips or devices, and storage can be similarly affected by multiple devices. Such devices can also include personal computers, network servers, and portable devices.

While this specification describes content related to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the scope of this invention. Furthermore, such modifications and alterations should also be considered within the scope of the invention claims attached to this invention.

100: User 110: User Terminal 112: Gateway Page 114: First Widget 116: Second Widget

Several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following figures, and the same or corresponding structural elements may be assigned the same figures labels in connection with the description of the figures.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user confirming items on a shopping application through a user terminal in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating the structure of an information processing system of an embodiment of the present invention that is connected to multiple user terminals in a communicative manner.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a user terminal and information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which an information processing system of an embodiment of the present invention generates an item-related widget and provides it to a user terminal.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed process of an information processing system of an embodiment of the present invention determining the remaining discount period and generating a widget.

Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the detailed process of an information processing system of an embodiment of the present invention determining near-out-of-stock conditions and generating micro-parts.

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which an information processing system of an embodiment of the present invention generates carousel data containing multiple widgets and provides it to a user terminal.

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of accessing an item list page through carousel data in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of accessing the purchase page via a first widget of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of accessing a discounted items page through carousel data in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing articles by an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing items to a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

100: Users

110: User Terminal

112: Gateway Page

114: First Micro-part

116: Second Micro-part

Claims (15)

A method for providing item information, executed by at least one processor, includes the following steps: retrieving an item list associated with a user account registered on an application provided to a user terminal; determining whether a first item included in the item list satisfies at least one condition for display on the homepage of the application; generating a first widget corresponding to the first item in response to the determination that the first item satisfies the at least one condition; and providing the generated first widget to the homepage of the application via the user terminal, wherein the item list includes a first item list containing at least one item selected by a user through a first action related to a shopping cart, and the step of determining whether the at least one condition is satisfied includes the following step: determining whether the first item is a discounted item; When the first item is determined to be a discounted item, the remaining discount period for the first item is calculated; and when the calculated remaining discount period is below a first threshold, it is determined that the first item satisfies at least one of the conditions. As in the method for providing item information in claim 1, the step of generating a first widget corresponding to the first item includes the following steps: generating a timer representing the calculated remaining period of the discount; and associating the generated timer with the first item to generate a first widget corresponding to the first item. As in the method for providing item information in claim 1, wherein the item list includes a first item list, the first item list including at least one item selected by a user's first action, and the step of determining whether the at least one condition is met includes the following steps: calculating the remaining quantity of the first item; and determining that the first item meets the at least one condition when the calculated remaining quantity is below a second threshold. As in the method for providing item information in claim 3, the step of generating a first widget corresponding to the first item includes the following steps: generating text data representing the remaining quantity of the first item; and associating the generated text data with the first item to generate a first widget corresponding to the first item. The method for providing item information as described in claim 1 further includes the following steps: determining whether a second item included in the item list satisfies the at least one condition; generating a second widget corresponding to the second item in response to the determination that the second item satisfies the at least one condition; determining a priority between the first widget and the second widget; and generating carousel data containing the first widget and the second widget based on the determined priority, and providing the generated first widget to the homepage of the application. As in the method for providing item information in claim 5, the step of determining the priority includes the following steps: calculating the remaining discount period for the first item and the remaining discount period for the second item; and assigning a higher priority to the item with the shorter calculated remaining discount period among the first item and the second item. As in the method for providing item information in claim 5, the step of determining the priority includes the following steps: calculating the remaining quantity of the first item and the remaining quantity of the second item; and assigning a higher priority to the item with the smaller calculated remaining quantity among the first item and the second item. As in the method for providing item information in claim 5, the step of determining the priority includes the following step: among the first item and the second item, assigning a higher priority to the item that is included in the item list in a slower order. As in the method for providing item information in claim 1, the step of generating a first widget corresponding to the first item includes the following steps: such that a first button for moving to an item list page containing the first item is associated with the first item to generate the first widget; the method further includes the following steps: when receiving user input related to the first button, generating an item list page at the top of which the first widget is displayed; and providing the generated item list page through the user terminal. As in the method for providing item information in claim 1, the step of generating a first widget corresponding to the first item includes the following steps, such that a second button for moving to a purchase page related to the first item is associated with the first item to generate the first widget. As in the method for providing item information in claim 1, wherein the item list includes a second item list, the second item list including at least one item selected by a user through a second action related to a wish list, the step of determining whether the at least one condition is met includes the following steps: determining whether the first item is a discounted item; and when it is determined that the first item is a discounted item, determining that the at least one condition is met. The method for providing item information as claimed in claim 11 includes the following steps: associating a third button for moving to a discounted item page containing the first item with the first widget; upon receiving user input related to the third button, extracting at least one discounted item from a plurality of items contained in a second item list; generating a discounted item page using the extracted at least one discounted item; and providing the generated discounted item page through the user terminal. As in the method for providing item information in claim 11, wherein the item list includes a first item list containing at least one item selected by a first action of a user related to a shopping cart, and the step of generating a first widget corresponding to the first item includes the following steps, such that a fourth button for adding the first item to the first item list is associated with the first item to generate the first widget. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, wherein a computer program is stored for performing the methods described in any of claims 1 to 13. An item information providing device includes: a communication module; a storage unit storing at least one computer-readable program; and at least one processor connected to the storage unit for running the at least one program, the at least one program including instructions to perform the following steps: retrieving a list of items associated with a user account registered on an application provided to a user terminal; determining whether a first item included in the item list meets at least one condition for display on the homepage of the application; generating a first widget corresponding to the first item in response to the determination that the first item meets the at least one condition; and providing the generated first widget to the homepage of the application via the user terminal. The item list includes a first item list, which contains at least one item selected by a user's first action related to the shopping cart. The step of determining whether the at least one condition is met includes the following steps: determining whether the first item is a discounted item; when the first item is determined to be a discounted item, calculating the remaining discount period of the first item; and when the calculated remaining discount period is below a first threshold, determining that the first item meets the at least one condition.