WO2009113886A1

WO2009113886A1 - Virtual 3d shop management method and virtual 3d shop management system

Info

Publication number: WO2009113886A1
Application number: PCT/PL2008/050009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stanislaw Kocanda
Original assignee: Ctm Galicja Spolka Z O. O.
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2008-06-06
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: PL384693A1

Abstract

Abstract The system has a separate administration server (ADS) for system management, furnished with web interface (IW) and a separate virtual reality generation server (VRS) connected to the reality description module (D1), communication module (D2) andcommodity module (D3), and also interface generator (GI) comprising the 3D interface generator (I1), 2D interface generator (I2) and text interface generator (I3). The administration server (ADS) is linked to the virtual reality description module (D1), communication module (D2) and commodity module (D3).

Description

Virtual 3D shop management method and virtual 3D shop management system

The invention involves the management method of a 3D virtual shop and a management system for the 3D shop, designed for the system of remote interactive sales with stationary Internet access or access via mobile communication devices. The method and system according to the invention may be both for management of the sales of goods and services, for performing financial operations, and for charged access to information resources, including texts and images.

Systems for remote use of 3D virtual reality are known and used mainly for purposes of games and for simulation of virtual world where the user may create fictitious characters and action.

The system comprising many linked computers is known from patent application US 2005/0256877. The first computer may connect to the other computer and access point of the virtual building with many points. Each of them has a specific location within the building. The user is capable of moving about inside the building, buying items. The user is also capable of seeing and talking to other users inside the virtual building.

The method of shopping by the user in a 3D virtual reality is known from patent application US 2007/0179867, said method comprising reception by the shop's server of a request to indicate the place of purchase, featuring at least one warehouse point, and displaying the place of purchase on the user's computer in a 3D interactive simulation via a browser. The server than receives the next shop entry request and displays to the user a page in the same browser. The shop's site features one or more 3D properties. Next, the server receives a request to display at least one product in a 3D interactive reality, and the product is presented in such a simulation. Patent application AU 2007101170 presents the concept of a 3D interactive shop, where the buyer is also a virtual interactive character. Shopping comprises a simulation of entry to the shop, moving about it, viewing and selecting products, and ordering them. Product delivery, after ordering, is made to the customer's home.

The purpose of the invention is to separate the system's administrative functions from user support function, and separation of the shop's 3D virtual reality generation module from the communication module.

The virtual 3D shop management system according to the invention comprises virtual reality generation and establishment of customer connection with the shop's system, customer's moving about in the virtual shop, product selection, order acceptance and payment, as well as communication with other users. The essence of the invention is characterized in that in the system, shop administration is separate from communication with the user, and at the same time there is a separate generation of the communication channel with the user for 3D reality and the virtual shopping function, separate generation of a communication channel for 2D reality for the shopping function according to the shopping card, and separate generation for text reality for the shopping function from a mobile device, whereas the image of shopping reality is generated together with establishment of communication with the user.

Information is generated about user position in the 3D reality image and sent back via the communication channel to the user.

Moreover, users using different communication channel are allowed to mutually communicate and use the same information resources stored in the system. Communicating users may comprise customers, customers and manufacturers, or manufacturers.

In the system, it is possible to generate virtual characters who are allowed to communicate with system users.

Anonymous users are also allowed to access the system without the necessity of logging in.

Furthermore, two-way communication is allowed between the users the and system administrator. Information concerning the user's purchase is sent to the manufacturer. Moreover, information is generated to control a sense stimulating device, installed on the user's computer.

The virtual 3D shop management system, in a system involving virtual reality generation and establishment of customer connection with the shop's system, customer's moving about in the virtual shop, product selection, order acceptance and payment, as well as communication with other users, comprises system server and the communicating user interfaces.

The essence of the system according to the invention is characterized in that the system features a separate administration server for system management, containing a web interface, and a separate server for virtual reality generation linked to the virtual reality description module, communication module and commodity module, as well as interface generator comprising 3D interface generator, 2D interface generator and text interface generator. The administration server is connected to the virtual reality description module, communication module and commodity module.

The virtual reality description module contains the shop map database, the communication module contains user information database and user communication system, while the commodity module contains product information database.

The administration server comprises the promotion management module, payment management module, and deliveries management module. The system features a mobile device server linked to the communication module and commodity module.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is the opportunity of making the customer independent of the type of software used. Owing to creation of a separate communication standard and separation of the communication module from the shop's virtual reality generation module, a new functionality is achieved of connecting mobile customers with home-based ones. Solutions according to the invention are explained with reference to figures, where Fig. 1 presents the virtual shop management system diagram, Fig. 2 presents the diagram of shopping activities at the virtual shop.

The virtual 3D shop management system comprises the administration server ADS and a virtual reality generation server VRS.

The administration server communicates with the user via web interface IW. The administration server ADS contains promotion management module Z1 , payment management module Z2 and deliveries management module Z3.

The administration server ADS is linked to the virtual reality description module D1 , communication module D2 and commodity module D3.

The administration server ADS allows for managing information contained in D1 , D2 and D3.

The virtual reality generation server VRS is linked to the virtual reality description module D1 , communication module D2 and commodity module D3, as well as with interface generator Gl comprising 3D interface generator 11 , 2D interface generator I2 and text interface generator I3.

The virtual reality description module D1 contains the shop map database, the communication module D2 contains user information database and user communication system, while the commodity module D3 contains product information database.

Mobile device server MDS is linked to the communication module D2 and commodity module D3.

Interface generators 11 , I2, I3 serve for creation of relevant formats for presenting information on the customer's computer. In the system, there is a separate generation of the user communication channel for 3D reality and virtual shopping function, separate generation of the communication channel for 2D reality for shopping function with shopping card, and separate generation of the communication channel for text reality for shopping function from a mobile device, whereas shopping reality image is generated upon the establishment of communication with the user.

User - customer therefore connects to the selected interface generator 11 , I2 or I3.

Communication between interface generators 11 , I2 or I3 and virtual reality generation server VRS occurs in the XML format.

Gl generator sends an inquiry about the description of the entry scene to the VRS server. VRS server downloads information from module D1 about input position. The information may also contain data on other users in such location or products presented. If so, then VRS server sends requests for data supplementation to D2 module (users) and D3 module (goods). After completion, whole information is sent back to the Gl generator.

Based on the information from VRS server, Gl generator generates information displayed at the customer's device. The information generated is sent to the customer's computer.

Customer changes his/her position within the shop.

Information related is sent from the customer's computer to the Gl generator. Gl generator sends the request to VRS server for description of the new position, and on this basis sends new information to the customer.

Customer logs into the service.

Information received by the Gl generator from the customer's computer about user name and password is sent to the VRS server together with customer's position. The VRS server receives a user verification request. For this purpose, it sends information to D2 module. D2 module compares user name and password with the data saved in its database. If the verification is successful, user name is sent back to the VRS server.

After reception of information about successful logging in, VRS server sends user status change to D1 module from anonymous to logged user.

D1 module updates information in the database. After the information has been updated in the database, D1 module sends to VRS server the list of users at the same location, who should be informed about the change, together with the information on what Gl generator they use.

For each user, the VRS server generates information to relevant Gl generators on the necessity to refresh the scene at the user's.

Customer selects a product.

Customer's computer sends a request to the Gl generator to provide information about the product. Gl generator transfers the inquiry to the VRS server, VRS server sends product request to D3 module.

D3 module sends back the information containing product data to the VRS server, while the latter sends it back to the Gl generator.

Gl generator generates information displayed at the customer's computer.

Customer puts a product into the basket.

Information about this is sent to the Gl generator, Gl generator transfers information about putting a product into the basket to the VRS server. VRS server transfers information to D2 module about the customer's putting a product into the basket. D2 module confirms increase in the basket's stastus. VRS server transfers information to D3 module about blocking the goods quantities in the basket. D3 module confirms decrease in the stock. VRS server sends back the information to the Gl generator. Gl generator refreshes the data at the customer's.

Product in the basket expires and is removed from the basket. The event is generated by D2 module for all customers. D2 module sends information to the VRS server about decrease in the customer's basket status. VRS server sends information to D3 module about return of the product to the warehouse. D3 module removes the lock from the product and confirms increase in stock to the VRS server. VRS server sends information to the customer's Gl generator about the necessity to refresh the basket status. Gl generator sends new basket status to the customer's computer.

Customer decides to make the payment.

Customer's computer sends a request to the Gl generator for transfer to the cash desk. Gl generator sends a request to the VRS server to change the position that is further transferred to D1 module. D1 module sends back the description of the new position to the VRS server, and the latter, after completing it with the data on customers and products, sends it to the Gl generator. Gl generator sends the description of the 'cash desk' scene to the customer's computer.

Customer decides on the form of payment and the time and place of delivery. If the payment is successfully approved, or if deferred payment is accepted, VRS sends information to the ADS server about approving the order for delivery. Otherwise, the order is marked as awaiting payment.

Information about payments from customers are input by the shop operator to the ADS server. ADS server allows for matching customer orders and payments.

After order approval as paid, D2 module sends the relevant information to the

ADS server. ADS server generates information about the necessity to ship the product to the customer.

The system is capable of communicating with various types of user interfaces, and therefore a customer at the 3D shop may talk to a user using a text interface.

Messages are sent to the VRS server. Each message contains sender coordinates and voice level. VRS server sends it back to all users in the range of the message.

A message may also contain a defined recipient. In such case, it is only sent to the indicated user, if logged in.

Special recipient is the system as such. A message sent to such recipient is transferred to the shop administrator. A reply to such a message has the status of a system message and is displayed in a separate window or after the customer's logging in.

For the purpose of reaching the greatest possible number of customers, the system offers several types of user interfaces.

3D interface provides digital mapping of the shop's space. Owing to the modular structure of the interface, the shop's space may be easily expanded by new elements. Basic components of scenes serving to present goods are cases, coolers, walls, and POS. Within the shop's space, there may also be inactive elements, not directly used for goods presentation.

Presentation of goods may include basic photo, media presentation - without opportunity of user interference in the presented material, and a 3D presentation - user will be able to actively turn the presented product.

The shop is to reflect a real shopping centre, hence it may also include locations not directly related to sales. Basic types of such locations may include cafeterias, music clubs, cinema theatres and toilets.

2D interface is a standard form of the shop designed for users wishing to do their shopping quickly. In this case, there is no 3D presentation of the surrounding, but it is possible to use some functionalities of additional locations.

Text interface is a special interface adjusted for mobile devices. The quantity of information sent to the customer is optimized as regards data size and transmission speed. Using such interface, the customer cannot use added services (e.g. games), but may correct his/her shopping list at any time or compare prices while at the shop.

On first entry into the shop, the customer may set up own profile or move about in the shop as an anonymous user. User profile will be unique and identifiable by the 'user name' and 'password' paid. It will also contain - apart from basic data - information about user preferences and interests. On the next visit at the shop, the customer may use his/her profile by logging in. Having own profile allows for offer customization for a particular customer. During a visit at the shop, one can view the currently available trade offer and products only available under special order. Presentation of the trade offer depends on the type of interface used by the customer. Customer may define paths to the product groups or special points in which he/she is most interested.

Apart from viewing the products, customer may also talk to other users. By setting the voice level, customer may talk to other persons viewing the same product, product group, department or shop sector.

Anonymous users cannot actively participate in the discussion, but may hear conversations in his/her area.

Another type of the user is the manufacturer. Each manufacturer has an assigned list of goods under his/her charge. The goods may have many manufacturer accounts defined. Manufacturer accounts are established by the system operator.

Manufacturer - apart from normal customer functions, such as conversation or viewing the trade offer - can also participate in conversations held around all his/her products. If a product has the price negotiation option on, manufacturer may negotiate the price with the customer. Moreover, information on the goods under the manufacturer's charge can be edited.

Apart from service users, at the shop one may meet virtual characters generated by the system. They may talk to the customers, propose games, provide information about promotions planned, and communicate with the customer on other topics.

A logged customer can select any product and put it into the basket. Each product features a separate expiry date - time during which it may stay in the basket. Before the expiry of such time, the customer is informed about the necessity to purchase or remove the product from the basket.

For each product, one may also view comments of users who have bought the product earlier. Prices of goods may be set dynamically. Each product may be covered with promotion. During the promotion, information appears next to the product about the promotional price and duration of the promotion. Duration of the promotion may define the time in which a product must be purchased or just placed in the basket. If the promotion of a product depends on the moment of purchase and the promotional period ended earlier, the customer is informed that a product in the basket has changed its price.

The customer may check the contents of his/her basket at any time. The information viewed include the quantity and price of goods, total value of the purchase, information on the goods with the nearest expiry dates, and information about goods the promotion of which may end.

The customer may decide to purchase the selected products at any time. The purchase is made by coming to a virtual cash desk. At the cash desk one may select payment method, as well as time and place of delivery. After making the payment for the goods, one may also use promotional offers.

When returning to the shop, the customer may add his/her comment to each previously purchased products, check the points on his/her loyalty card and exchange them for promotional goods, or define a cyclical order. The customer may view the history of purchases at any time. A request sent by the customer's computer to the Gl generator is then transferred to the VRS server, which generates the purchase. On this basis, the Gl generator prepares visualization. The "purchase history" option allows the customer to add comments to particular products. The comments are stored in D3 module and visible to others when viewing the product.

System operators input information on promotion to the ADS server. The information comprises the data on beginning and end of promotion, products or product group involved, and promotion type. VRS server periodically checks for promotion occurrence. During the promotion, system messages to users are generated. The logged on customer may define a cyclical order. It is a special type of order, comprising a list of goods and frequency of deliveries. Such an order shall be delivered automatically, without the necessity of user interference each time. A cyclical order may be suspended at any time, products ordered may be changed for the next delivery or permanently.

The user using a mobile phone may have a continuous access to the commercial offer off-line, without connecting to the Internet. The application installed connects to the Internet, and downloads information about the commercial offer (products, prices). At any time, the user can view the price list, and prepare the order. At a convenient time, the user connects to the Internet and sends the order pack to the MDS server. At the same time, the user may update information about the commercial offer. The information downloaded may be limited to a group(s) of products, or the whole resource may be downloaded. Within the entire structure, MDS server only cooperates with D2 module (for user authorization) and D3 module (for downloading commercial information). I do not envisage the opportunity of using additional services.

In the system, one may generate information for controlling the sense stimulating device, installed on a user computer, such as the sense of touch, hearing or smell.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Management method of 3D shop in a system comprising virtual reality generation and establishment of customer's connection to the shop's system, customer moving about in the virtual shop, product selection, acceptance of the order and payment, as well as communication with other users characterized in that in the system, the shop is administered separately from communication with the user, at the same time generating a separate user communication channel for 3D reality and the virtual shopping function, separate communication channel for 2D reality for the shopping function according to the shopping card, and a separate communication channel for text reality for the shopping function from a mobile device, whereas the shopping reality image is generated upon establishment of communication with the user.

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that information is generated on user position in the 3D reality image, and the information is than sent back via communication channel to the user.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that users using different communication channels can mutually communicate and use the same information resources stored in the system.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that communicating users may be customers, customers and manufacturers, or manufacturers.

5. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that virtual characters are generated in the system, who are allowed to communicate with system users.

6. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that anonymous user is allowed to access the system without the need to log in.

7. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that two-way communication is allowed between the users and the system administrator.

8. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 7, characterized in that information concerning the user's purchase is sent to the manufacturers.

9. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 8, characterized in that information is generated to control the sense stimulating device installed on a user's computer.

10. System of 3D virtual shop management, comprising virtual reality generation and establishment customer's connection with the shop's system, the customer's moving about in the virtual shop, product selection, order acceptance and payment, as well as communication with other users, comprising the system server and the communicating user interfaces, characterized in that it features a separate administration server (ADS) for system management, comprising a web interface (IW) and a separate virtual reality server (VRS) connected to the virtual reality description module (D1 ), communication module (D2) and commodity module (D3), as well as interface generator (Gl) comprising 3D interface generator (11 ), 2D interface generator (I2) and text interface generator (I3).

11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the administration server (ADS) is linked to the virtual reality description module (D1 ), communication module (D2) and commodity module (D3).

12. System according to claim 11 , characterized in that virtual reality description module (D1 ) contains the shop's map database, communication module (D2) contains user information database and user communication database, while the commodity module (D3) contains product information database.

13. System according to one of the claims from 10 to 12, characterized in that administration server (ADS) contains promotion management module (Z1 ).

14. System according to one of the claims from 10 to 13, characterized in that administration server (ADS) contains payment management module (72).

15. System according to one of the claims from 10 to 14, characterized in that administration server (ADS) contains deliveries management module (73).

6. System according to one of the claims from 10 to 15, characterized in that it features mobile device server (MDS) linked to communication module (D2) and commodity module (D3).