WO2009148208A1

WO2009148208A1 - A method and system of personalized electronic direct sales and service linked with the printing and the publishing

Info

Publication number: WO2009148208A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/007843
Authority: WO
Inventors: June Ho Jeon
Original assignee: June Ho Jeon
Priority date: 2008-05-30
Filing date: 2008-12-31
Publication date: 2009-12-10
Also published as: KR100854096B1; CN102047280A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a service method and system, wherein digital codes having values unique to respective printed matter or publications are printed and distributed, pieces of digital content pertinent to the digital codes are produced and stored in a server on the basis of specific classification criteria. Accordingly, a user can recognize information based on information about a printed matter or publication, outputs or opens digital content linked with the contents of the printed matter or publication based on a digital code or digital content stored in an external storage device using a user terminal, and purchase merchandise or an electronic service, or access a customer center through a video conference system within the user terminal, and purchase merchandise or an electronic service through a video, voice, and electronic copy board service of a counselor or a service provider.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[Invention Title]

A method and system of personalized electronic direct sales and service linked with the printing and the publishing

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a method and system for personalized electronic direct sales and service associated with printed matter or publications using a communication network, such as mobile communications, wired or wireless Internet, cables, or telephone lines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a service method and system, wherein digital codes having values unique to respective printed matter or publications are printed and distributed, pieces of digital content pertinent to the digital codes are produced and stored in a server according to specific classification criteria, thereby helping a user to recognize information based on information about a printed matter or publication in a first step, to output or open digital content associated with the contents of the printed matter or the publication based on a digital code or digital content stored in an external storage device using a user terminal, and to purchase merchandise or an electronic service in a second step, or to access a customer center through a video conference system within the user terminal and to purchase merchandise or an electronic service through a video, voice, and electronic copy board service of a counselor or a service provider in a third step.

[Background Art]

Recently, with the development of wired or wireless Internet and mobile communication devices, various forms of electronic commerce and services are being provided. In particular, according to the functional development, small-size, and light-weight of mobile communication terminals, the mobile terminals have come to provide a complex function integrating the functions of a MP3 player, a camera, a navigator, etc. With the advent of a new type of wireless Internet service enabling the use of ultra-high speed Internet while moving, such as WiBro, various types of electronic commerce and services using not only the existing telephone lines and cable networks, but mobile communications, wired or wireless Internet, and cable networks have come true.

However, in spite of such development of computers, mobile communications, and wired or wireless Internet services, technologies for processing, handling, distributing, and practically using digital content based on the development, and endless development of a web, the greater part of people still prefer paper-based media unlike expected. The importance of the paper-based media as a tool for information transfer and recognition has neither decreased nor lost.

Today, a lot of users, irrespective of their computer skill, collect and recognize information through paper media, such as news papers, magazines, and books. Sometimes, they prefer to purchase products through paper media-based advertisements, such as daily news papers, journals, and catalogs.

Therefore, some efforts have recently been made to create new services and commercial added values by combining the conventional and user-friendly paper media and computers, Internet, and digital content. Technologies pertinent to the efforts have actually been confirmed, even though not so many.

For example, there is Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0081890 by KT Freetel (dated 23 September 2004), wherein web page address information is extracted by photographing and decoding a code pattern image attached in connection with a product posted on a printed matter, the extracted web page address information is transmitted to a service provider server, and the contents of a webpage connected to the web page address information are transmitted to a user terminal in order to induce the purchase of the contents. More recently, there is Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006- 0078769 (dated 5 July 2006) by VK Corporation, entitled "Electronic Commercial Trading Method for Mobile Telecommunication Terminal Using Bar Code," wherein a bar code printed on the surface of a product or an ad brochure is photographed using a camera and decoded, and a wireless Internet site is directly accessed through callback URL linked with the bar code.

However, the above prior arts disclose a systematic methodology of a type in which a code pattern, that is, a bar code printed on an insert is photographed using the camera of a mobile communication terminal and decoded. Accordingly, the prior arts are problematic in that a user may not scan a limited area on the paper.

Moreover, the prior arts have a beauty problem because a visible pattern of a bar code form should be displayed on the surface of the paper and a technological limit because the contents cannot be printed in various and accurate structures and cannot be accurately read. Furthermore, the prior arts have a methodological limit in that they cannot provide personalized information through the supply of various forms of direct and standardized digital content because they introduce a member to an Internet side through an URL associated with a code pattern or display only general electronic commerce in a level operating in conjunction with a webpage on the Internet, they cannot provide member-based specialized sales conditions and services, and they cannot instantly provide direct and detailed sales promotion and service providing efforts through a video conference function using an electronic copy board, if needed.

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for personalized electronic commerce and services in conjunction with a printed matter or publication, which is capable of maximizing the level of marketing and services by combining convenience in using printing media such as user-friendly paper, rapidness in communication based on electronic communication such as mobile communications, wired or wireless Internet, cables, and telephone lines, efficiency in information transfer of various forms of digital content such as letters, figures, photos, audio, and video, and effectiveness in electronic direct sales and services through video conference or electronic copy board.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a method of effectively managing, transmitting, and storing various forms of digital content through a forecast caching method and adaptive refresh in order to overcome a limited storage capacity of small-sized multimedia terminals and reduce the communication costs, to produce, classify, and save the digital content according to members' characteristics in a minimum output unit such as a clip, and to maximize user convenience by allowing the user to select the type of a language when using the digital content and providing various forms of output patterns, such as clip-unit output, connected output, repetitive output, streaming output, the adjustment of an output speed, voice modification, and voice recognition output.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide personalized commerce and services through specialized supply of a level, a field, a language, and a display method of provided content, and the composition and an adequate sales condition of a product according to member characteristics (e.g., a sex, an age, a language, a level, and a grade) stored in a server when subscribing to a member.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a systematic basis for increasing a success probability in transaction and the service quality by immediately satisfying the needs for various forms of informal information through a video conference service including an electronic copy board function when a member is not satisfied with standardized information.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital code recognition method having a diverse and accurate structure and capable of removing problems in the appearance and a code arrangement by concealing an area where a digital code is printed under a printed photo, picture, or text or overlappingly printing them using a digital code printed in the form of a dot matrix using ink that reacts on an invisible wavelength region, such as carbon ink or stealth ink. [Technical Solution]

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a method of an electronic commerce service provider server configured to include a digital content DB for storing pieces of digital content, a digital code DB for storing digital codes corresponding to the respective pieces of digital content, and a member DB for storing basic information about members, information about a user terminal, and information about content types designated by the respective members and connected to the user terminal over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of receiving a request to provide digital content corresponding to a digital code of a printed matter or publication attached with the digital code information from a user terminal who has scanned the digital code; determining whether the user is a registered member to an electronic commerce service provided by the electronic commerce service provider; and if, as a result of the determination, the user is determined to be a registered member, transmitting digital content processed according to the member's terminal and a content type designated by the member to the user terminal.

[Advantageous Effects]

According to the method and system of the present invention, members can be provided with a variety of digital content, such as letters, pictures, photos, multimedia video, and sound sources associated with the contents, according to their desired forms and methods without restriction to the space and time, while using the existing printed matter and publication media. Accordingly, the members can check more detailed information about merchandise and services, more accurately determine suitability and adequacy for purchase, and order desired merchandise and services rapidly and simply. Furthermore, the members can instantly purchase and use services to be purchased when the services are of a form, such as digital content, electronic copy board, video, or audio conference. Furthermore, the present invention can provide members with personalized service through a counselor or a service provider, if necessary.

Moreover, according to the present invention, a printed matter or publication-based service provider can recover the competitiveness of a service level, encroached by the up-to-date digital-based services, such as Internet websites, mobile communications, and home shopping, secure a stable customer basis, and increase sales through the new technologies and services of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention can have an advantage in that it can make additional profits by providing effective multimedia and digital-based advertisements associated with printed matter and publications and new value-added merchandise and services using the direct sales or service tool.

From a viewpoint of U-learning, the present invention allows a member to output or open only a necessary region of digital content, such as video and sound sources associated with the contents, through a personal multimedia terminal according to a desired method without restriction to the time and space or receive tele-education through a video conference device equipped with the electronic copy board.

Furthermore, the traditional paper-base media, such as news papers and journals, can secure new technology and service competitiveness against the technologically advancing broadcasting and communication-based media, such as digital ized terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, cable TV, IP TV, and DMB. Furthermore, a reader or member can instantly secure enlarged information recognition means because he can output and open digital-based content, such as video, through a multimedia terminal connected to a communication network, if needed, while using the traditional paper media. The present invention is advantageous in that it can provide means for preparing for a new turning point of a technology and service in the publishing culture because it can be used in the fields of not only hobby and liberal-related books, such as travel, golf, and fishing, but specialized books, such as medical science, electricity, and electronics. [Description of Drawings]

Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an information processing flowchart illustrating a method of providing digital content associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an information processing flowchart illustrating a method of accessing a customer center associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an apparatus and system for providing a personalized electronic direct sales and service function associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an information processing flowchart illustrating a detailed embodiment for providing the personalized electronic direct sales and service function associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an apparatus and system illustrating a detailed embodiment for providing the personalized electronic direct sales and service function associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a system for forecast caching;

FIG. 7 is an information processing flowchart illustrating adaptive refresh;

FIG. 8 is an information processing flowchart for providing personalized and customized digital content;

FIG. 9 is information processing flowchart for providing a personalized consultation service according to product and service types and member's characteristics; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a printed matter or publication on which digital codes are attached according to the method of the present invention. description of reference numerals of principal elements in the drawings>

21, 140: digital content service providing unit

34, 180: user terminal

39, 235: printed matter or publication attached with digital code

160: customer center

170: payment service provider

217: terminal operation system

701 to 711: areas where digital codes are attached on printed matter or publication according to a specific method.

[Mode for Invention]

The construction and operation method of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an information processing flowchart illustrating a method of providing digital content associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an information processing flowchart illustrating a method of accessing a customer center associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an apparatus and system for providing a personalized electronic direct sales and service function associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention includes a user terminal 34 and an electronic commerce service provider server 21. The user terminal 34 is equipped with a communication interface 35, a digital code recognition unit 37, and a digital code recognition sensor 38. The electronic commerce service provider server 21 is configured to include a digital content DB 22 for storing pieces of digital content, a digital code DB 23 for storing digital code information 40 corresponding to the respective pieces of digital content stored in the digital content DB 22, a member DB 24 for storing basic information about members 25, information about a user terminal 26, and information about content types designated by the respective members 27 and is connected to the user terminal 34 over a communication network 31.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the electronic commerce service provider server 21 is connected to a customer center 32 and a payment system 33 over the communication network 31 and is configured to separately include a printed matter or publication 39 attached with the digital code 40.

A method of providing digital content associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention is described below with reference to the information processing flow of FIG. 1. A user scans a digital code of the printed matter or publication 39 attached with the digital code 40 information at step 2. The scanned digital code information is transmitted to the service provider server over the communication network 31 at step 3. If the user requests digital content corresponding to the digital code, it is first determined whether the user is a registered member at step 4. If, as a result of the determination, the user is determined not to be a registered member, the user is requested to subscribe to a member at step 5 and then joins the member at step 6. However, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the user is determined to be a registered member, the corresponding digital content which has been processed based on the user terminal information 7 and the designated content type information 8 is extracted at steps 7, 8, and 9. The extracted digital content is transmitted to the user terminal at step 10.

In the case where a user has not acquired sufficient information or wants additional detailed information, a method of accessing the customer center associated with a printed matter or publication according to the present invention is described below with reference to the information processing flow of FIG. 2.

The user first scans the digital code of the printed matter or publication 39 attached with the digital code 40 information at step 13. The scanned digital code information is transmitted to the service provider server over the communication network 31 at step 14. If the user requests to access the customer center corresponding to the digital code at step 18, it is first determined whether the user is a registered member at step 15. If, as a result of the determination, the user is determined not to be a registered member, the user is requested to subscribe to a member at step 15 and then joins the member at step 17. However, if, as a result of the determination at step 14, the user is determined to be a registered member, the member is allowed to access a customer center designated by the corresponding digital code 40 at step 18. The member is provided with pertinent detailed information at step 19.

Furthermore, in the case where a user wants to purchase merchandise or service provided by an electronic commerce service provider in the process of providing digital content associated with the printed matter or publication, a step of receiving a cost regarding digital content purchased by the user according to the characteristic of provided merchandise or service is further added anterior or posterior to the step 6, 17 of subscribing to the member, the step 10 of transmitting the digital content to the user terminal, or the step 19 of providing pertinent detailed information after the step 18 of accessing the customer center. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A detailed embodiment of the configuration and operation method of the system according to the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

A user 50 joins a member to an electronic commerce service provider 60 according to standardized criteria and methods at step 101 and registers member information 205, composed of basic information 206, terminal information 207, and content type information 208, with a member DB 202 at step 102. The electronic commerce service provider 60 produces and distributes printed matter or publications 235 attached with respective digital codes 236 at step 103. The electronic commerce service provider 60 classifies and stores information about the digital codes 236 having respective unique values in a digital code DB 201 and digital content produced in a minimum output unit, such as a letter, a picture, a photo, and a video clip in a digital content DB 200 according to certain classification symbols at step 104. A user terminal 180 includes a digital code recognition device 224 configured to detect the digital codes 236 printed on the printed matter or publications 236 using a wired or wireless digital code recognition sensor 225. The digital code recognition sensor 225 may be built in the user terminal 180 or may be separately configured.

In the case where the printed matter or publications 235 separately produced in a form where invisible digital codes are additionally inserted into the printed matter or publications 235 are scanned using the digital code recognition device 224 of the user terminal 180 or the wired or wireless digital code recognition sensor 225 operating in conjunction with the digital code recognition device 224 at step 106, the system detects the unique digital code 236 and first checks whether the detected digital code corresponds to content stored in the user terminal at step 107. If, as a result of the determination, the detected digital code is determined to correspond to content stored in an external storage unit 233 of the user terminal 180, the system immediately decodes the corresponding content at step 118 and outputs the decoded content. However, if, as a result of the determination, the detected digital code is determined not to correspond to content stored in the external storage unit 233 of the user terminal 180, the system determines whether the storage capacity of the user terminal is sufficient at step 108. If, as a result of the determination, the storage capacity of the user terminal is determined not to be sufficient, the system deletes an existing content at step 110 or adds external memory at step 111. However, if, as a result of the determination at step 108, the storage capacity of the user terminal is determined to be sufficient, the system transmits the member information, the scanned digital code information, and the terminal information to a digital content service providing unit 140 over a communication network 150, such as mobile communications, a wired or wireless Internet, a cable, or telephone lines at step 112.

The digital content service providing unit 140 extracts the user terminal information at step 113, further extracts designated content type information at step 114, and then extracts the corresponding digital content at step 115. The digital content service providing unit 140 transmits the extracted digital content to the user terminal at step 116. The user terminal stores the digital content at step 117. The stored digital content is decoded at step 118 and output in the form of a letter, a picture, photo, video, or audio or both designated by the member, such as simple playback, connected playback, repetitive playback, streaming output, the adjustment of an output speed, voice modification, or voice recognition output at steps 119 and 120.

Furthermore, in the case where the member has not acquired sufficient information through the above process at step 121, if the member scans a digital code requesting connection to a customer center on the printed matter or publication 235 at step 122, the member connects to the customer center over the communication network 150. A counselor corresponding to the type of a product and service and the member characteristic 202 is searched for through the calculation processor 209 of the electronic commerce service provider scans at step 123. The corresponding counselor and the user terminal of the service provider are connected to a video conference connector 214 and an electronic copy board module 213 over the communication network 150 at step 124. The member is provided with pertinent detailed information through a video conference and electronic copy board service at step 125 and is induced to purchase the corresponding digital content. If the member wants to purchase the corresponding digital content at step 126, the purchase information and certification or payment information is transmitted to the member through a certification and payment confirmation module 231 of the user terminal 180 at step 127. The information is also transmitted to the payment system 215 of a payment service provider 170 at step 128 in order to obtain approval for the transaction and the payment at step 219. The corresponding product and service is provided to the member at step 130, and the transaction is finished through settlement between the electronic commerce service provider 60 and the payment service provider 70 at step 131.

In the above description, the term "forecast caching" 203 refers to a method (refer to FIG. 6) of providing a user with content even before the occurrence of a demand using some computational techniques. The term "adaptive refresh" 204 refers to an adaptive refresh process (refer to FIG. 7) of checking the frequency of objects requested by a user at step 403, determining the priorities of the objects in the sequence of content with a higher frequency at step 404, storing copies in a real-time DB caching server 210 at step 405, and dealing with the needs of transmission on a member basis in real time at step 407. This technique can increase the number of refreshing for a corresponding object when a number of users request the same object because the final request of a user and the object cache refreshing activity are separated from each other.

Furthermore, all the task areas of the function or role of the electronic commerce service provider 60 may be carried out by one service provider, or they may be divided and separately performed by a printed matter and publication supplier, a digital content producer and supplier, a manager which connects a member and a supplier and stores digital-based data in a server, and a service provider which provides products and services.

Furthermore, the above-described printed matter 39 or 235 attached with the digital code 40 or 236 may be a paper-based medium or one in which a digital code is printed on vinyl, plastic, or others.

Furthermore, the above-described terminal 34 or 180 may be associated with the functions of devices, such as an electronic dictionary, a game machine, an education machine, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a WiBro phone, an Internet phone, a PDA, UMPC, a tablet PC, a PMP, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a set-top box, a DMB terminal, TV, and an electronic copy.

Furthermore, the above-described video conference device 214 and the electronic copy board module 213 may provide only video and audio or may further provide the electronic copy board function.

Furthermore, the above-described digital code recognition sensor 38 or 225 may be simply connected to the digital code recognition device 37 or 224 in a wired or wireless way or may also have an electron pen function which operates in conjunction with the video conference device 214 added with the electronic copy board function.

FIG. 8 is an information process flowchart illustrating a method of providing digital content information specialized and personalized on a member basis and different transaction conditions according to member's grades. FIG. 9 is an information process flowchart illustrating a method of providing a personalized video conference and electronic copy board service configured to provide counseling services specialized according to products or services or member characteristics or both. FIG. 10 is an exemplary view showing a printed matter or publication added with a digital code according to the method of the present invention.

For reference, the most typical example of a printed digital code described in the present invention is the bar code, which is being used in various fields and areas for a long time.

The bar code should be printed in the form of codes composed of visible bars and spaces according to the bar code standards. Thus, the existing bar code has a limited printed space arrangement resulting from superposition with an existing printed portion. Further, the dot code (i.e., a two- dimensional bar code) having a similar form as the above bar code or a digital code having a code image created by encoding image information using color or color and patterns also has the same disadvantage as the existing bar code in that the codes are exposed, its display method is not refined, and printable media are limited.

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional digital codes in that it hides a digital code printing area under a printed photo, picture, or sentence or can superpose them using pattern codes printed in a dot matrix fashion created by digital codes through the use of ink (e.g., ink containing carbon components) which reacts on an invisible wavelength region not a visible ray wavelength region, such as infrared or ultraviolet rays, or invisible digital codes having a dot matrix form using stealth ink which does not include carbon, but reacts on infrared rays in terms of its molecular structure.

In the conventional technologies, a user has to photograph the bar codes or color dot codes using a cell phone equipped with a camera. However, the technology of the present invention is advantageous in that digital content can be simply displayed or a video conference or electronic copy board service can be provided through a multimedia terminal by only scanning a printed area displayed in various forms, such as a product photo, a picture, an icon, and a brochure, using the digital code recognition sensor.

In addition to the diversity of a method of creating and printing digital codes according to the arrangement of a dot matrix and the type of ink used, other types of sensor technologies for creating and recognizing invisible digital codes are possible according to application fields and , „

16

media. [Industrial Applicability]

From a viewpoint of IMearning, the present invention allows a member to output or open only a necessary region of digital content, such as video and sound sources associated with the contents, through a personal multimedia terminal according to a desired method without restriction to the time and space or receive tele-education through a video conference device equipped with the electronic copy board. Furthermore, the traditional paper-base media, such as news papers and journals, can secure new technology and service competitiveness against the technologically advancing broadcasting and communication-based media, such as digitalized terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, cable TV, IP TV, and DMB. Furthermore, a reader or member can instantly secure enlarged information recognition means because he can output and open digital-based content, such as video, through a multimedia terminal connected to a communication network, if needed, while using the traditional paper media. The present invention is advantageous in that it can provide means for preparing for a new turning point of a technology and service in the publishing culture because it can be used in the fields of not only hobby and liberal-related books, such as travel, golf, and fishing, but specialized books, such as medical science, electricity, and electronics.

Claims

Io

[CLAIMS] [Claim 1]

A method of an electronic commerce service provider server configured to include a digital content DB for storing pieces of digital content, a digital code DB for storing digital codes corresponding to the respective pieces of digital content, and a member DB for storing basic information about members, information about a user terminal, and information about content types designated by the respective members and connected to the user terminal over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request to provide digital content corresponding to a digital code of a printed matter or publication attached with the digital code information from a user terminal who has scanned the digital code; determining whether the user is a registered member to an electronic commerce service provided by the electronic commerce service provider; and if, as a result of the determination, the user is determined to be a registered member, transmitting digital content processed according to the member's terminal and a content type designated by the member to the user terminal .

[Claim 2]

A method of an electronic commerce service provider server configured to store digital content, digital code information corresponding to the digital content, basic information about members, information about a user terminal, and information about content types designated by the respective members and connected to the user terminal over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request to provide digital content corresponding to a digital code of a printed matter or publication attached with the digital code information from a user terminal who has scanned the digital code; determining whether the user is a registered member to an electronic commerce service provided by the electronic commerce service provider; and if, as a result of the determination, the user is determined to be a registered member, connecting the user terminal to a customer center, connected to the electronic commerce service provider server over the communication network, and providing the user terminal with detailed information about the digital content.

[Claim 3]

The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of receiving a cost for the digital content purchased by the user terminal.

[Claim 4]

The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the digital content includes selecting a language type and a level of contents and outputting the digital content using a method, such as clip unit output connected output, repetitive output, streaming output, an adjustment of an output speed, voice modification, and voice recognition output.