JP2001307219A - Internet connection method by information vending machine and virtual store OS system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To develop a service system (equipment) with information disclosure and sales functions that can be used as a portable site surrounding middle-aged and elderly people who are distant from the information society. SOLUTION: An information selling device 10 has a display 12.
A slot unit 14 for inserting an ID card or a debit card, a mouse 1 or a handle 16 for selecting images and characters appearing on the display 12, an operation unit 18 having buttons, and a slit for supplying a downloaded information recording medium. 20; and a control unit 30 including a built-in information recording unit 34, a telephone line 40 for receiving necessary information from the outside such as the Internet, a necessary information storage unit 36, and a CPU 32. Information gathering and commercial transactions can be performed while eating desired sushi (information) at a virtual store such as a conveyor belt sushi.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a promotion means for downloading information from an information terminal installed at a store such as a convenience store, if necessary, and a network capable of supporting multimedia communication. It relates to an operating system (OS).

More specifically, internal information stored in an internal information recording unit of a computer or necessary information obtained from the outside is stored in an information storage device, and the internal information or the Disclose the necessary information, which can be downloaded to a large-capacity storable information recording medium represented by a digital disk,
The present invention relates to an information providing service system capable of copying information.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As the direction of business in the future, electronic commerce using a stationary information terminal (hereinafter, abbreviated as "information disclosure / information vending machine" or "information vending machine") will rapidly expand. As expected, services and interfaces for middle-aged and elderly people are not well-equipped. The current problem is that despite the convenience of the Internet, it cannot create a market.

[0004] In order to spread commercial transactions on the Internet to middle-aged and elderly people, people who dislike personal computers,
Or it may be necessary to take in those who are not satisfied with the current services provided on the Internet, as well as those who are not good at such commercial transactions (middle and old age groups), as well as those who do not use them. In particular, the operation of the keyboard has become a major obstacle (barrier) for elderly people.

[0005] The current Internet has immature infrastructure problems such as high communication fees and low-capacity information communication speeds. Therefore, the Internet makes full use of video and audio from information sources mainly including text and still images. It is difficult to provide sophisticated advanced information sources. Therefore, it is impossible for a wide range of consumers to efficiently and speedily use the service.

[0006] For example, with the advent of an aging society, there is a concern that the number of middle-aged and elderly people and the number of consumers who are distant from the Internet world will increase. It is preferable to introduce the middle-aged and elderly to the world of the Internet so that they can enjoy the cultural activities and consumer life of the information-oriented society, as when television spread.

[0007] In a layer distant from the world of the Internet, it is necessary to construct a virtual store as if it were an actual store. For them, a good service is a "reachable service" and an interface that "waits for you ... healthy" just by waiting. In addition, it is indispensable to make the operation simple as with a remote controller of a television receiver.
In other words, the first step is to provide sophisticated information using images and sounds, and to invite the middle-aged and elderly consumers to a virtual space where they can purchase products and receive services.

This is not possible with the current infrastructure due to the problem of communication speed. In addition, there is a problem that information retrieval on the Internet cannot reach desired information or know how to reduce the time required to find the information. In any case, for those who are new to computer operation, commerce on the Internet will be unacceptable.

[0009] The above-mentioned adverse effects of collecting information are as follows.
This is seen as one of the major factors that does not evolve from the use of conventional mass media to the use of the Internet, as has been adopted in media such as television, magazines and newspapers. Not only is it difficult to connect to actual business transactions,
It is thought that the current deficits of online sellers are due to imbalance between information and logistics, and cost and sales volume.

However, on the corporate side, the provision of information using the Internet is limited in efficiency and cost burden due to the limitation of advertising expenses through mass media and the limitation of providing means for explaining products. I have to say that it is in the stage. In particular, it is necessary to appeal to the middle-aged and elderly people, who are economic opinion, and reach the potential consumer class, and there is a need for a system that solves this.

On the other hand, information terminals provided in convenience stores are marketed mainly to young people, and there is no situation where middle-aged and elderly people are focused. None of the information provided is content or interface conscious of the middle-aged or elderly, and the fact is that economic volume zones are ignored.

[0012] Looking at the situation of advertisements, information providers (enterprises) have made some progress in gazette activities by utilizing the Internet, but have not obtained satisfactory results as an advertising means. In particular, at present, product information for the elderly cannot be promoted because its target does not exist on the Internet market.

On the other hand, since the number of hits on the homepage is enormous, it is difficult for the consumer to search and reach the provided information, or it is time-consuming and troublesome. In other words, information providers must advertise with advertising costs as a solution, but it is a tedious task for consumers who want the necessary products and services to recognize the address of the information provider and reach the homepage It is.

Therefore, the information is searched while the telephone line is connected, and the communication fee at this time becomes a problem. Increased communication costs are another factor that has hindered the flow of customers to the Internet. In other words, consumers are not fully satisfied with their potential information gathering, which means that there is a huge sales opportunity in providing goods and services.

[0015]

From the above, the present inventor has devised an apparatus and an information providing service system of the present invention which are means for disclosing information and automatically selling information. In addition, this means can be used as a portable site surrounding middle-aged and elderly people, and is an effective service system as a device having a function of disclosing and selling information.

[0016]

First, the outline of the present invention will be described.

Overview of System Configuration According to the present invention, a "consumer" who is engaged in a consumer life can, for example, obtain information on desired products,
Obtained from a predetermined information providing means (for example, an "information vending machine" installed at a convenience store), order the product from a product seller, and the product seller sends the product to a consumer, This is a system by which a person obtains the product. Here, the information vending machine interacts with the consumer on the information display section (on the display) (from multiple options,
The transaction can be made by operating the steering wheel back and forth and left and right as in the case of a game machine or by selecting with a cursor or the like), the product can be selected, and bank settlement can be performed by using a card or the like. System. You can pay for the information provision service using a card. Here, it should be noted that the information vending machine of the present invention is a device capable of not only displaying information and downloading the information but also conducting business transactions if consumers desire.

Overview of the Apparatus The information selling apparatus provided in the system of the present invention includes a memory card insertion section, an image display section, an input / output operation section, a recording medium storage section, and a printing section. This information vending machine is provided with a control unit including a CPU occupying a main part of the electronic computer either inside or outside the machine itself. Further, the information selling device and the computer are connected to an external information storage device (for example, the Internet) via a public line or the like, and are provided with “necessary information” from the external information storage device. The information can be used in the sales device.

Terms and Definitions In the present invention, the following terms are specifically defined and used.

The "consumer" is a person who receives information, particularly a person who intends to acquire information using the information vending machine of the present invention.

The "information vending machine" is a device which can obtain necessary information based on information displayed by visual, auditory or tactile sense provided by the "information providing means" of the present invention. Say what you have.

"Built-in information" refers to information stored in an internal information recording unit of a computer. This includes the consumer's personal information.

The "necessary information" refers to information obtained from the outside which does not exist in the internal information recording unit of the computer.

The "external information storage means" is information temporarily stored in a recording unit of the computer, and temporarily stores external information (necessary information) represented by the Internet. . External information is stored until downloaded to an information recording medium.

Overview of Operations and Operation Procedures (Flowchart) A person who uses the information selling apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a “consumer”) is required to pay a usage fee and, if necessary, an information purchase fee (hereinafter simply referred to as a “usage fee”). ).

First, the "consumer" inserts a memory card (ID card) for identification and a prepaid card, a debit card or a credit card including a case where the usage fee is paid in advance or a case where the usage fee is paid later, into the card of the information vending machine. Part. This operation starts the information vending machine. If personal information has been input in advance, the information vending machine can be activated by confirming the identity of the user with a thumbprint or the like at the handle portion, which is an operating tool of the information vending machine. The payment of the fee and the stored personal information are immediately displayed on the screen of the information vending machine. Therefore, a consumer who uses an information vending machine for the first time purchases a prepaid card and delivers predetermined personal information (name, address, date of birth, occupation, bank account number, pension number, etc.) (input the personal information). Then) ID
(Consumer ID) and password to get a memory card. The registration of the personal information at that time can also be performed by voice. It's a live conversation, and a speech recognizer enables voice-based information entry.

Next, the consumer can obtain and collect information in front of the activated information vending machine. Select the desired category of information.

An information vending machine in which a virtual shop (here, for example, a conveyor belt sushi bar) is displayed on a screen by a game terminal or a home electric appliance connectable to the Internet is set to be easily accepted by the public. The fact that the virtual store and the convenience store are jointed will allow consumers to feel familiar with the invention and understand its contents. At the same time, the screen moves to increase speed.

Here, comprehensive game software is developed on an information vending machine in a store (convenience store) to develop a site to meet the tastes of all customers.
The basic computer software is just an operating system (OS) that is suitable for the image processing that turns around.
The application software can imagine a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (canteen).

The consumer selects the desired category of information, but the first step is to select "entertainment, sports, health,
…… ”is a rough thing to choose from. Second
At the stage, the genre is narrowed down a little. Further, specific information is selected in the third stage. New information is disclosed one after another within a specific genre.

As an example of a site that changes one after another, the relation between the “plate” of conveyor belt sushi and the “seed” on the plate is expressed by “information” and “detailed information” of the relation called category or genre. By using modules (basic units), the mutual relationship is specifically configured, so that it is easy to reach desired “information” and to easily hit “detailed information”.

In this case, new information is presented until the desired information is hit from the developed information. Assuming that the consumer selects one or more information from the presented information and pays a prescribed fee or commission,
The information can be obtained.

The information can be obtained by a hard copy sent from a printing unit provided in the information vending machine, a digital disk as an information recording medium, a compact disk, or the like. The consumer can take the acquired information home and enjoy the acquired information using a game machine such as the PlayStation 2 at home.

When the information requested by the consumer is the above-mentioned “product”, the commercial transaction (order, order, etc.) is displayed on the display screen.
Dispatch request, settlement) is possible.

Description of Claims Next, each claim of the present invention will be described.

The first aspect of the present invention is a service system that can use an interface means when downloading data stored in a stationary large-capacity information terminal to a large-capacity storage medium such as a digital disk. Here, a typical interface means includes the Internet through which a public line can be used.

Starting from “images with large amounts of information”, which was not a conventional Internet site, and when finally reaching the desired end information, switching from the game-like DVD to the Internet site is automatically performed. Done. We have invented a system in which the elderly can easily operate the interface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus including a memory card insertion section, an image display section, an input / output operation section, a recording medium storage section, and a printing section, and the information providing apparatus is provided inside or outside the information providing apparatus itself. A computer provided with a control unit including a CPU, a timer, a RAM and a ROM, and a built-in information storage unit is provided, and the computer is connected to an external information storage device via a public line. Information sale that obtains “necessary information” that is not in the internal information record of the computer from the external information storage device and causes either the internal information or the necessary information to be displayed on an image display unit of the information providing device. Machine. The memory card could be replaced with a DVD. Similarly, a video memory that is about ten times as large as the recording capacity of a DVD has been developed, and can be substituted for a memory card.

This information vending machine has an advantage that, for example, product information on the Internet can be used as it is. This is a tool for enjoying information in one's own room at home. In particular, a personal space is desired for information and the like utilizing virtual reality, and the device satisfies this demand.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the computer includes a network operating system capable of multimedia communication, and quickly displays a screen including characters, voices, and images on an image display unit of the information providing apparatus. An information providing service system that displays a virtual store by an application program that can be developed, obtains the necessary information represented by the Internet using the computer in the virtual store, and uses the required information. The internal information existing in the internal information recording unit of the computer or the necessary information obtained from the outside is stored in the information storage device, and the internal information or the necessary information stored in the stationary large-capacity information terminal is stored on a digital disk. Etc., which can be downloaded to a large-capacity storable information recording medium, An information providing service system that discloses information and duplicates the information.

The invention of claim 4 is unique in that a conveyor belt sushi restaurant is selected as an example of the store described in claim 3. Other features that cannot be recognized besides this conveyor belt sushi OS are speeding up, no keyboard required, pleasure of visuals, easy loading of contents, easy operation of stored information before and after, and so on. There is an advantage that it is possible to realize a site that could not be performed and a lively site.

[0042]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the entire system. This shows how a consumer contacts a built-in information or necessary information as a role-playing site (RPS) in advance at a convenience store with an information selling device. In order to obtain information and execute commercial transactions, it is essential to access a business partner, a seller (product seller), and a homepage that the product seller develops via the Internet for the purpose of advertising and business. It is necessary to support financial institutions such as banks for commercial transactions pertaining to commodities themselves, as well as for the use of information sales equipment including the provision of information of the present invention, the use of information provision service systems, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a flowchart of the present system.

The first step is that the consumer first sets his or her own I
By inserting the D card into a predetermined card insertion slot of the information vending machine, the information vending machine enters an operating state. The first customer (consumer) who does not have an ID card may complete a predetermined procedure separately.

In the second step, a screen 1 desired by the user is selected from a group of images on the information display section of the information vending machine (also referred to as an information vending device). This image 1 is a rough choice,
It is a general category. For example,
"Music", "Sports" ...
In the step, a little detailed content is displayed, and the consumer makes the following selection. Further, in the fourth step, a display for making a detailed selection appears on the information display section, and the one that hits the user's request is selected from the display.

When desired information can be selected, this information can be copied. As a means of copying,
Hard copy using paper is of course, but when the amount of information is large, it is downloaded to a large-capacity recording medium, for example, DVD, video disk (VD), magneto-optical disk (MO), etc. The downloaded information can be enjoyed by a high-end game machine, for example, a model such as PlayStation 2 or “X Box” (tentative name) to be released in the future. The fifth step is the necessity of copying information. In addition to copying as described above, if the desired information is a product, it is also possible to make a sales contract with the seller regarding the product, and in addition to the information on the product, `` a sales contract and its detailed contents, for example, There is an advantage that information such as "product type, color, quantity, shipping date and time, etc." is obtained from the information sales device and used as a proof of contract.

The next sixth step is to pay a fee.
The fee is settled at the same time as the ID card or by another card. After the payment, the downloaded information and the sales contract documents are received from the information vending machine, and a series of operations are completed.

In the case of expensive transactions, it may not be possible to guarantee or trust simply by presenting an ID card.
As this security, it is preferable to use registration of “fingerprint” or “voiceprint”, or use of “password” which is difficult to decipher or a complex “recite number”.

FIG. 3 shows an information selling apparatus 10 constituting a main part of the present invention. This device selects a relatively large display (information display section) 12, slots 14 and 14A and 14B for inserting an ID card, a prepaid card, and / or a debit card, and images / characters appearing on the information display section. A mouse 16 or a handle 16A to be operated, an operation unit (input / output unit) 18 having other operation buttons,
Slit 2 for delivering downloaded information recording media
0, (20A, 20B), a recording unit 34 for recording built-in information, a telephone line 40 for receiving necessary information from the outside, and a storage unit 3 for temporarily recording acquired necessary information.
6. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32.

<Embodiment 1> On the screen (interface) of a terminal of an information vending machine, a virtual revolving sushi dining room is used, and "information" is browsed like sushi (plates and seeds) to be rotated.
provide. This is shown in FIG. This virtual interface develops a role-playing information providing service system that makes full use of video, audio, and stories.

In this image, the information consumer becomes the main character, browses and purchases the favorite or desired information in a virtual revolving sushi restaurant, as if eating a sushi. In other words, by deploying a human interface, the hero (information potential manifesting consumer) in a virtual world as if he were actually in a sushi bar
Lead. In order to give the middle-aged and older people a sense of realism and familiarity, and not to make the convenience store a place occupied only by young people, if you dive in a noren at a virtual store, you will hear loud voices saying, "Hello!" Imagine a situation in which the voice of the "consumer" itself is mixed in the voice of the present invention, it can be said that the present invention has an effect of revitalizing society and economy in addition to a mere technical effect. .

The consumer touches the information vending machine located in the convenience store and presses a switch to enter a virtual revolving sushi restaurant. As exemplified in FIG.
Various conveyor belt sushi restaurants appear on the screen, and you can select a cafeteria of your favorite category and enter the restaurant.

For example, as shown in FIG.
If you choose the category, the clerk will appear as a nurse.
She says, "Welcome, take your favorite plate," and consumers will pick their favorite "dish." Here, a favorite genre is a genre in which the dish is subdivided a little. The virtual clerk can also provide game features such as changing costumes and styles for each category. For example, a girl in a leotard for sports, a reporter style for news, an aloha shirt for entertainment, etc. There, a clerk can appear and serve customers.

As shown in FIG. 8, the consumer can operate the dish as if picking up an actual dish, and pick up the dish appearing on the screen by using a castanet mouse (shaking device). Can be operated.

For example, when a dish in the information category of "healthy food" is taken, the dish on which the seeds are placed is placed in front of its own counter. Here, the seed is more detailed information. That is, the information is different for each seed. The consumer can select a material of the health food of interest or a material of "exercise" as illustrated in FIG.

The mechanism for consumers to purchase this seed is to insert a prepaid card or debit card issued at the store into the slot of the information vending machine and press the "take-out button" on the virtual register that appears on the screen. It becomes possible. If consumers want to collect information in a large category, they can take each dish home. In this case, the information may be sold under different purchase conditions. It is possible to divide the price of the information according to the color and shape of the plate, as in an actual dining room or store, so a dedicated register is displayed at hand as shown in FIG. 9, and the information purchase price is displayed in real time. Be presented.

The merits of the shop where the apparatus is installed include, in addition to the conventional sale of articles, small articles having no profit before installation, such as DVD cards, prepaid cards, etc., which are small articles around information vending machines. The information itself can be sold to increase sales volume. For example, a bingo game, a soccer lottery, and the like can be taken home and enjoyed using this device. It is possible to make exclusive information (exclusive) of information only at convenience stores, and it is not necessary to frequently visit convenience stores. Information vending machines will be the first tool for providing information, and for convenience stores Information vending machines will be a major root of attracting customers.

The take-out method is to use a medium such as a DVD or a video desk (VD) capable of storing multiple times the information capacity of the DVD, insert these media into a predetermined output unit of the information vending machine, and download. This can be achieved by:

In the virtual sushi bar, consumers (main characters) can be registered. Name, date of birth,
You can freely enter your password, and you can also register information such as occupation, hobbies, favorite dishes, hometown, family structure, annual income, and so on. At the time of this registration, voice input becomes possible. Not only is there no need for a keyboard, but it is also possible to use a touch panel system in addition to voice.

The information is set and registered in the information vending machine and stored (recorded). Disclosure of personal information is difficult in terms of privacy protection, but if you set a hero instead of the consumer himself, you can add a sense of game and reduce the resistance to information disclosure by half. For example, a virtual clerk says, "Welcome.
"Is it profitable? Do you have new information in the job category?" It can be said that we can also provide human services as familiar customers. In other words, the present invention is an information providing service that progresses and evolves like a role playing game.

As a result, the consumer will experience a warmer response than a real shop. Actually, in a real store like a convenience store, there is no response to such customers at all. In other words, here is the base where middle-aged and older people can receive information vending machines using conveyor belt sushi as an interface.

On the other hand, the information brought back is obtained through an Internet-accessible home appliance including a game machine terminal such as the PlayStation 2 and a DVD player.
It will be fun. You can browse information that makes full use of video and audio without worrying about telephone charges or communication speed. Therefore, demand for purchasing and downloading information can be expected.

Further, for each content of the information brought back,
A bulletin board function and a mail communication function are built in, and it is possible to receive services using the Internet. For example, in order to purchase merchandise, an order is placed via the Internet, and at a store where information vending machines are installed,
It is possible to receive the goods.

Some information is automatically transmitted from the information management server to the information vending machine through a dedicated line. This makes it possible to immediately provide the latest information and the like.

Further, the contents provided by each company in the information contents can be realized by making the information on the homepage of each company an automatic address transmission system.
In this case, it is possible to cope with the situation by connecting to a provider or the like to which the consumer has individually contracted. According to the present invention, not only can a company provide detailed merchandise information, but also can acquire an unprecedented customer segment by having sales means via the Internet.

To reiterate, consumers including middle-aged and elderly can obtain (purchase) an information source utilizing video and audio in a short time without using a personal computer and without incurring telephone charges. Furthermore, there is a great merit that the Internet can be easily connected to a company that adopts automatic address transmission.

<Embodiment 2> In the present invention, the virtual store is not limited to the conveyor belt sushi bar. In the case of mainly purchasing goods, the store is a department store. If the desired goods are accessories and cosmetics, a virtual screen is developed from a show window on the first floor.

<Embodiment 3> If unique information is targeted,
It is more appropriate to imagine a library than a store such as a conveyor belt sushi bar or a department store. A large number of books and catalogs are arranged on the bookshelf, from which one or two books or catalogs are taken out, and image development to receive information copied from a librarian or a copy service clerk will be applied.

[0070]

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, for example, the interface means using virtual conveyor belt sushi is used.
By downloading (purchasing) large-capacity information incorporating video and the like in conjunction with effective information browsing in the store, consumers can realize advanced information collection that cannot be performed on the Internet. On the other hand, there is a new business opportunity for the store to sell information. In addition, new advertising effects and customer segments can be obtained for participating companies such as content.

[0071]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a flowchart of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a screen of an information display unit (display) as an embodiment showing the operation of the information vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen of a virtual store (conveyor belt sushi bar) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an interface screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an interface screen according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a castanet mouse that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a screen showing a checkout image in the virtual store of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information sales apparatus 12 Display (information display part) 12 14 Slot part for ID card, prepaid card, debit card 16 Mouse or handle for selecting images, characters, etc. 18 Operation part (input / output part) 20 Information supply medium Slit 30 control section 32 CPU 32 34 built-in information recording section 36 storage section for temporarily recording necessary information 40 telephone line for receiving necessary information from outside

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information providing service system which can use an interface means when downloading data stored in a stationary large-capacity information terminal to a large-capacity storage medium such as a digital disk. 2. An information providing apparatus including a memory card insertion section, a character / voice / image display section, an input / output operation section, a recording medium storage section and a printing section, and a CPU provided inside or outside the information providing apparatus itself. A computer including a control unit including a timer, a RAM, and a ROM, and a built-in information storage unit. The computer is connected to an external information storage device via a public line. An information vending machine that obtains necessary information that is not in the internal information record of the computer from an external information storage device and displays either the internal information or the necessary information on an image display unit of the information providing apparatus . 3. An application program according to claim 2, wherein said computer has a network operating system capable of multimedia communication, and is capable of rapidly developing a screen including characters, voices, and images on an image display section of said information providing apparatus. By displaying a virtual store by, in the virtual store, using the computer to obtain the necessary information represented by the Internet,
An information providing service system that utilizes the information stored in an information storage device for storing internal information in an internal information recording unit of a computer or necessary information obtained from an external device, and storing the information in an installed large-capacity information terminal. An information providing service system capable of disclosing information and duplicating the information, wherein the built-in information or the necessary information can be downloaded to an information recording medium capable of storing a large capacity represented by a digital disk. 4. The information providing service system according to claim 3, wherein the virtual shop is a conveyor belt sushi bar, and the information is disclosed and the information is duplicated.