Product provision device, terminal, product provision system, computer program product, product provision method, and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a product providing apparatus, a terminal, a product providing system, a computer program product, a product providing method, and a computer-readable recording medium. The product providing apparatus includes: a first type option presentation unit that presents a purchase screen including a first type option associated with a product group composed of a plurality of products and an inventory status of the product group associated with the first type option to a terminal of a user; an inventory management unit that manages the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; and an inventory condition transmission / reception unit that, when the inventory condition of the product is updated, transmits the inventory condition of the product to the terminal by means of the first communication method so that the terminal updates the inventory condition of the purchase screen, and, when a request for querying the inventory condition of the product from the terminal is received by means of the second communication method, transmits the inventory condition of the product to the terminal by means of the first communication method. And sending the inventory condition of the commodity to the terminal, and enabling the terminal to update the inventory condition of the purchase picture. According to the invention, the accuracy of the inventory information prompted to the user can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a commodity providing device, a terminal, a commodity providing system, a program and a commodity providing method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a commodity providing system in the form of online lottery (for example, Patent Document 1). In the case of such an online lottery, unlike the options of a lottery box or lottery ticket of a tangible object, the user cannot possess the option.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-070937 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Therefore, the problem is the inventory status of lottery tickets or products in the lottery box, and it is particularly important to accurately inform users of the inventory status of products in a certain degree of time.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise providing device, a terminal, a merchandise providing system, a program, and a merchandise providing method that improve the accuracy of inventory information presented to a user.

[0009] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a product providing device that is capable of communicating with a user's terminal, wherein the device comprises: a first category option prompting unit, which prompts the user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a product group consisting of multiple products and the inventory status of the product group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, which manages the inventory status of products in the product group; and an inventory status transceiver unit, which, when the inventory status of a product is updated, sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal via a first communication method so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product is received from the terminal via a second communication method, sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention is a terminal that is capable of communicating with a product providing device that provides products, wherein the terminal comprises: a first category option prompting unit that prompts a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a product group consisting of multiple products and the inventory status of the product group associated with the first category option; and an inventory status updating unit that receives the inventory status of the product from the product providing device via a first communication method, updates the inventory status on the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the inventory status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the inventory status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention is a commodity providing system, wherein the system comprises a user terminal and a commodity providing device capable of communicating with the terminal, the commodity providing device comprising: a first category option prompting unit, the first category option prompting unit prompting the terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and the inventory status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of commodities in the commodity group; and an inventory status transceiver unit, when the inventory status of the commodity is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sending the inventory status of the commodity to the terminal via a first communication method, so that The terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when receiving a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal through the second communication method, sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen. The terminal includes: a display unit, which displays the purchase screen; and an inventory status updating unit, which receives the inventory status of the product from the product providing device through the first communication method, updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the inventory status of the product to the product providing device through the second communication method, receives the inventory status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a program, wherein a computer is caused to function as the following units: a first category option prompting unit, which prompts a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a product group consisting of a plurality of products and the inventory status of the product group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, which manages the inventory status of products in the product group; and an inventory status transceiver unit, which, when the inventory status of a product is updated, sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal via a first communication method so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and, when a request for querying the inventory status of the product is received from the terminal via a second communication method, sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a program, wherein a computer is caused to function as: a first category option prompting unit, which prompts a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a product group consisting of a plurality of products and the inventory status of the product group associated with the first category option; and an inventory status updating unit, which receives the inventory status of a product from a product providing device via a first communication method, updates the inventory status on a purchase screen, sends a request for querying the inventory status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the inventory status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen.

[0015] One aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a product, which includes: a product providing device prompts a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a product group consisting of multiple products and the inventory status of the product group associated with the first category option; the terminal displays the purchase screen; the product providing device manages the inventory status of the products in the product group; when the inventory status of the products is updated, the product providing device sends the inventory status of the products to the terminal via a first communication method; the terminal receives the inventory status of the products from the product providing device via the first communication method and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen; the terminal sends a request for querying the inventory status of the products to the product providing device via a second communication method; the product providing device, when receiving the request for querying the inventory status of the products from the terminal via the second communication method, sends the inventory status of the products to the terminal; and the terminal receives the inventory status of the products from the product providing device via the second communication method and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, the accuracy of the inventory information presented to the user can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining a method for providing a commodity to which the present embodiment is applied;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the commodity providing system of the present embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device configuration of a tablet computer as an example of the terminal 2;

[0021] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the merchandise providing device 1;

[0022] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the inventory database D1;

[0023] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of terminal 2;

[0024] Figure 7 is an action flow chart of the first category option prompt processing of the commodity providing device 1;

[0025] Figure 8 This is an example of a screen showing a list of purchasable titles presented to the terminal 2;

[0026] Fig. 9 This is an example of a lottery box list screen presented to terminal 2;

[0027] Fig.10 This is an example of a product information screen of the lottery box 1 presented to the terminal 2 when the user selects the lottery box 1;

[0028] Fig.11 is an action flow chart of the standby process (step 118);

[0029] Fig.12 This is an example of product information of lottery box 1 presented to the user who has selected standby;

[0030] Fig.13 is an action flow chart of the second category option prompt processing of the commodity providing device 1;

[0031] Fig.14 This is an example of a lottery ticket purchase screen displayed on terminal 2;

[0032] Fig.15 This is an example of a lottery ticket list screen displayed on the terminal 2 for the selected lottery box;

[0033] Fig.16 This is an example of the settlement processing completion screen.

[0034] Fig.17 This is an example of the lottery ticket opening screen displayed on the terminal 2;

[0035] Fig.18 This is a sequence diagram between the commodity providing device 1 and the terminal 2 for explaining the operation of reflecting the inventory status using the first communication method and the second communication method;

[0036] Fig.19 is an operation flow chart of the transmission process of the inventory status in the commodity providing device 1; and

[0037] Fig. 20 This is an operational flowchart of the update process of the inventory status in the terminal 2.

[0038] Explanation of symbols

[0039] 1: Commodity providing device; 2: Terminal; 10: Processing unit; 11: Communication unit; 12: Storage unit; 50: Display control unit; 51: Commodity purchase processing unit; 111: User information management unit; 112: First category option prompting unit; 113: Second category option prompting unit; 114: Inventory status sending and receiving unit; 115: Settlement processing unit; 116: Commodity providing unit; 117: Inventory management unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] <Embodiments of the present invention>

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0042] First, in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the present embodiment, a method of providing a product to which the present embodiment is applied will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining a method of providing a commodity to which the present embodiment is applied.

[0043] The method for providing commodities used in the present embodiment provides commodities by randomly selecting a plurality of commodities belonging to a title selected by a user. The title is a topic of a certain character or event, etc. The commodities provided may be electronic data such as images and music, or may be physical objects such as toys, stationery, models, clothing, and daily necessities. In addition, physical objects may also be a combination of items of different categories such as toys, stationery, models, clothing, and daily necessities. In the following description, the case of providing physical objects by delivery is used for description.

[0044] In addition, the provided goods may be goods of different categories as long as they are of the same title (series). For example, as long as the provided goods belong to works with the same world view in animation, movies, comics, games, etc., or are pre-grouped into series based on the common points between the goods, they may be provided in different ways, just like electronic data and physical objects. In the following description, the case where the provided goods are physical objects of multiple categories is used for explanation.

[0045] A title is associated with a plurality of first category options, and each of the plurality of first category options is associated with a plurality of second category options. Each of the first category options is associated with a commodity group including N P types of commodities associated with the title. Furthermore, each of the plurality of second category options associated with each first category option is associated with any one of the commodities in the commodity group associated with the first category option.

[0046] use Figure 1To be specific, the first category option is a lottery box, and the second category option is a lottery ticket stored in the lottery box. In addition, there is a title "XXX Series", and each of the multiple lottery boxes 1 to M associated with the title "XXX Series" is associated with a commodity group. The types of commodities belonging to each commodity group are P, and each commodity group consists of a total of N P types of commodities, and the types and numbers of commodities in each commodity group are the same. The ratio of the number of commodities belonging to a commodity group is determined according to the awards set for the categories of each commodity. That is, the higher the ranking of the award, the fewer the number of commodities, and the lower the ranking of the award, the more the number of commodities. For example, in the case where "Commodity X-1" of the commodity group set as "XXX Series" is the first prize, "Commodity X-2" is the second prize, ..., and "Commodity XP" is the P prize, the probability of being selected increases in the order of "Commodity X-1", "Commodity X-2", ..., and "Commodity XP". That is, "Product X-1" has the lowest probability of being selected and the least number of items. "Product XP" has the highest probability of being selected and the most number of items.

[0047] Here, in Figure 1 In the description, a case where M=10, N=100, and P=5 is described.

[0048] The title "XXX series" is associated with 10 lottery boxes 1 to 10, and each of the lottery boxes 1 to 10 is associated with 100 lottery tickets 1 to 100. The types of commodities in one commodity group associated with each lottery box 1 to 10 are five types, "commodity X-1" to "commodity X-5", the first prize is "commodity X-1", the second prize is "commodity X-2", the third prize is "commodity X-3", the fourth prize is "commodity X-4", and the fifth prize is "commodity X-5", and the details of the number are: "commodity X-1" is 2, "commodity X-2" is 8, "commodity X-3" is 20, "commodity X-4" is 30, and "commodity X-5" is 40, and the total number is 100. That is, each of the commodity groups of 5 types and 100 commodities is associated with each of the lottery boxes 1 to 10.

[0049] In addition, each lottery ticket 1 to 100 of each lottery box 1 to 10 is associated with any one of the 100 commodities in the commodity group associated with the lottery box. The association between the lottery tickets 1 to 100 and the commodity is associated one-to-one in a non-repeating manner. At this time, it is preferred that the association between the lottery tickets 1 to 100 and the commodity in each lottery box 1 to 10 is not the same but different for each lottery box. The purpose is to prevent the user from noticing the correspondence between the lottery ticket and the commodity in the process of repeatedly selecting the lottery ticket.

[0050] Next, provision of merchandise to users will be described.

[0051] The user selects a title that he wants to purchase, and selects a lottery box from a plurality of lottery boxes 1 to 10 associated with the title. Here, it is assumed that the user has selected lottery box 5. The user selects a desired number of lottery tickets from lottery tickets 5-1 to 5-100 associated with lottery box 5. Then, the product associated with the lottery ticket selected by the user is provided. The lottery ticket selected by the user and provided with a product cannot be selected by other users. Moreover, the inventory of the product associated with the selected lottery ticket becomes zero.

[0052] In this way, the provision of commodities associated with the title is achieved through a lottery method selected by the user himself.

[0053] Here, the problem is the inventory status of the products in the product group associated with the lottery box. In order to increase the possibility of obtaining the desired product, the user wants to select a lottery box with more inventory of the desired product, so the inventory status of the products in each lottery box needs to be accurately communicated to the user.

[0054] Therefore, this embodiment uses the first communication method and the second communication method to notify the user of the inventory status of the products in each lottery box.

[0055] The first communication method is a communication method in which the product providing device (Web server) sends the inventory status of each lottery box to the user's terminal (Web browser) every time the inventory status of the product changes (is updated). The first communication method includes, for example, a push-type WebSocket. WebSocket is a communication method that enables two-way communication between the product providing device (Web server) and the terminal (Web browser). It can be sent from the product providing device (Web server) at any time, and push-type information release can be achieved. The first communication method sends the inventory status to the terminal (Web browser) in real time every time the inventory status of the product managed by the product providing device (Web server) changes.

[0056] The second communication method is a communication method in which a request (request) for the inventory status of a product is periodically sent from the user's terminal (web browser) to the product providing device (web server), and the inventory status of the product is sent from the product providing device (web server) to the terminal (web browser) as a response (answer). The second communication method is, for example, a pull-type REST API applied to a Web API. In a REST API, all resources are uniquely identified by a URL / URI, and when a user terminal (terminal) sends a request (request) using HTTP (or HTTPS), a response (answer) is returned in XML or HTML, JSON, CSV, plain text, etc. The second communication method is a communication method in which a request for the inventory status of a product is sent from the user's terminal (web browser) to the product providing device (web server) at a preset time interval (for example, 1 minute), and the product providing device (web server) receives the request and sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal (web browser).

[0057] The first communication method and the second communication method each have advantages and disadvantages. The first communication method has the advantage of being able to send the inventory status of the product to the user's terminal in real time, but has the following disadvantages: the inventory status cannot be guaranteed to reach all user terminals, and there may be a situation where it cannot be communicated to all members when access is concentrated. On the other hand, the second communication method has the disadvantage of not being able to reflect the inventory status of the product to the user's terminal in real time, but because the communication is guaranteed to arrive, it has the advantage of being able to prompt the user's terminal with a higher accuracy than the first communication method.

[0058] Therefore, the present embodiment is characterized in that the inventory status of the goods is sent in real time via the first communication method, thereby providing a prompt for the latest inventory status of the goods, and the current inventory status of the goods is sent via the second communication method, thereby making up for the omission of reflecting the inventory status of the goods based on the first communication method.

[0059] Next, a commodity providing device system according to the present embodiment that solves such problems will be described.

[0060] [Overall structure]

[0061] The merchandise providing device system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the commodity providing system according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 In the figure, 1 is a commodity providing device, and 2-1 and 2-2 are user terminals.

[0063] The commodity providing device 1 and the user's terminal 2 can be connected to a communication line N and can communicate with each other. The communication line N refers to a channel that can perform data communication. That is, the communication line N includes a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks in addition to a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection and a LAN based on Ethernet (registered trademark) and the like, and the communication method may be either wired or wireless.

[0064] The commodity providing device 1 is a server system composed of a single or multiple server devices, storage devices, etc. The commodity providing device 1 implements various services for providing commodities to users, obtains the inventory status of commodities, etc., and performs procedures for providing commodities to users. In this embodiment, commodities are commodities provided to users in exchange for the payment of money by users. Commodities are specifically manifested as physical commodities, etc. For example, they are figurines such as dolls with the appearance of a certain character, clothes, plastic models, accessories, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0065] The terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like. Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device configuration of a tablet computer as an example of the terminal 2. Figure 3 As shown, the terminal 2 includes a display 21, a touch operation panel 22 integrally formed with the display 21, and a built-in speaker 23. The terminal 2 is also provided with a control substrate (not shown), a built-in storage battery, a power button, a volume adjustment button, and the like.

[0066] The control substrate is equipped with various microprocessors such as CPU, GPU, DSP, ASIC, VRAM or RAM, ROM and other IC memories, wireless communication modules for wireless communication with base stations, etc. In addition, the control substrate is equipped with so-called I / F circuits (interface circuits) such as a drive circuit of the touch operation panel 22. These elements mounted on the control substrate are electrically connected to each other via a bus circuit, etc., and are connected in a manner that enables data reading and writing or signal transmission and reception.

[0067] [Functional structure]

[0068] The structure of each device is described.

[0069] First, the structure of the commodity providing device 1 will be described. Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the commodity providing device 1 .

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, the commodity providing device 1 includes a processing unit 10 , a communication unit 11 , and a storage unit 12 .

[0071] The processing unit 10 controls the operation of the commodity providing device 1 based on the program or data stored in the storage unit 12. The functions of the processing unit 10 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or a GPU, an ASIC, and an IC memory. The processing unit 10 includes a user information management unit 111, a first category option presentation unit 112, a second category option presentation unit 113, an inventory status transmission and reception unit 114, a settlement processing unit 115, a commodity providing unit 116, and an inventory management unit 117 as main functional units.

[0072] The user information management unit 111 manages user information using a user information database. The user information includes user identification information (user ID) and password in the purchase service, personal information such as user name and address, and user product purchase history information.

[0073] The first category option prompting unit 112 refers to the inventory database D1 and prompts the terminal 2 with a list of titles that can be purchased and a list of lottery boxes. In this embodiment, a title is associated with multiple first category options, and each of the multiple first category options is respectively associated with multiple second category options. Each of the first category options is respectively associated with a commodity group including N P types of commodities associated with the title. Moreover, each of the multiple second category options associated with each first category option is respectively associated with any one of the commodities in the commodity group associated with the first category option. In this embodiment, the first category option is a lottery box, and the second category option is a lottery ticket.

[0074] The first category option presenting unit 112 refers to the stock database D1 to confirm the remaining number of lottery tickets associated with the lottery box and the current stock status of products associated with the lottery box and the lottery ticket, and presents the lottery box list screen including the current stock status to the terminal 2.

[0075] Here, the inventory database D1 will be described. Figure 5 2 is a diagram showing an example of the inventory database D1. The inventory database D1 is prepared for each title. Figure 5 The inventory database D1 is an example of the inventory database D1 in the title XXX series. The inventory database D1 includes a lottery box database D2 and a lottery ticket database D3.

[0076] The lottery box database D2 prepares a record for each lottery box, and a record includes the lottery box ID (identification information) of the lottery box, the commodity category ID (identification information) of the commodity category contained in the lottery box, the remaining number of lottery tickets of the lottery box, the selection state information of the lottery box, and the selection standby user. In the selection state information of the lottery box, any one of the selectable state, the selected state, and the non-selectable state is recorded. The selectable state refers to the state in which the user can select the lottery box prompted. The selected state refers to that other users are selecting the lottery box, and when the user's selection (maintaining) is released, the state of the lottery box can be selected. The non-selectable state refers to the state (all selected (opened)) in which the remaining number of lottery tickets associated with the lottery box is zero, and refers to the state of the lottery ticket that cannot be selected for the lottery box. As described later, the selection standby user is the user waiting for the release of the selection of the lottery box in the selection.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, a lottery ticket database D3 is associated with a lottery box. A lottery ticket database D3 prepares a record for each lottery ticket, and a record includes the lottery ticket ID (identification information) of the lottery ticket, the commodity ID (identification information) of the commodity associated with the lottery ticket ID, and the unsealing information of the lottery ticket. The unsealing information of the lottery ticket includes an unsealed state in which the lottery ticket is opened by the user and the commodity associated with the lottery ticket is provided, and an unopened state in which the commodity associated with the lottery ticket is not opened by the user and the commodity associated with the lottery ticket is not provided. The unsealed state is marked with "1", and the unopened state is marked with "0". That is, in the case of the unsealed state, the commodity associated with the lottery ticket is out of stock, and in the case of the unopened state, the commodity associated with the lottery ticket is in stock.

[0078] In addition, in the following records, the inventory status of the goods includes at least one of the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of goods in each product category, the selection status information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, and the opening information of the lottery tickets.

[0079] The first category option prompt unit 112 accepts the user's selection of a title, refers to the lottery box database D2 associated with the title, obtains the lottery box information including the lottery box ID and the number of remaining lottery tickets in the lottery box (lottery ticket inventory information), generates a lottery box overview screen including an image of each lottery box and the number of remaining lottery tickets in each lottery box, and prompts the lottery box overview screen to the terminal 2.

[0080] Whenever the user selects any of the lottery boxes in the lottery box list screen, the first category option prompting unit 112 refers to the lottery ticket database D3, obtains the current inventory status of the selected lottery box, and prompts the product information screen of the selected lottery box. The product information on the product information screen is the category of the product in the lottery box and the number of remaining lottery tickets for each product category. In addition, as described above, in this embodiment, because the lottery ticket and the product are associated one-to-one, the number of remaining lottery tickets for each product category is the same as the number of remaining products (inventory) for each product category.

[0081] In addition, whenever a user selects any one of the lottery boxes in the lottery box list screen, the first category option prompting unit 112 updates the selection state of the lottery box database D2 to "selected". The reason for doing so is that if multiple users can repeatedly select the lottery box, the lottery ticket of the lottery box can also be repeatedly selected by the user, and the inventory of the goods associated with the lottery ticket cannot be accurately managed. On the other hand, if the user is allowed to select the lottery box for a long time, other users cannot select the lottery box. Therefore, the first category option prompting unit 112 measures the time T1 from the user selecting the lottery box to the lottery ticket for the lottery box being determined to be purchased. When the time T1 exceeds the pre-set TX, the selection of the lottery box is forcibly released, so that the lottery box is migrated to a selectable state, and the selection state of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 is updated to "selectable".

[0082] In addition, the first category option prompting unit 112 can control the user to a standby state, so that when the selection of the lottery box whose selection state is "selected" is released, the user can give priority to the lottery box. In this case, the first category option prompting unit 112 records the user ID of the user in the selection standby user of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2. Then, when the selection state of the lottery box becomes "selectable", the first category option prompting unit 112 refers to the lottery ticket database D3, obtains the current inventory status of the lottery box that becomes "selectable", and prompts the current commodity information of the lottery box to the user's terminal 2. In addition, when there are multiple standby users, the current commodity information can be prompted only to the first user, or the current commodity information can be prompted to all standby users.

[0083] Thus, whenever an event related to the first category option (lottery box) occurs, the first category option prompting unit 112 checks the inventory database D1 (lottery box database D2 or lottery ticket database D3) and prompts the user of the latest inventory status of the goods of the first category option (lottery box). As described above, the event related to the first category option (lottery box) includes at least a prompt of the lottery box list screen, a prompt of the goods information when the lottery box is selected, and a prompt of the goods information of the lottery box to the waiting user whose lottery box has become selectable from the selection.

[0084] In addition, in the present embodiment, the selection of the lottery box (first category option) is made by the user, but it can also be configured so that the user can select manual selection and automatic selection. In the case of selecting automatic selection, the first category option prompting unit 112 can automatically select a lottery box (first category option) in a selectable state by drawing. In this case, the product information of the automatically selected lottery box obtains the latest product information in the same way as the manual selection described above.

[0085] The second category option prompting unit 113 controls the prompting of multiple second category options to the terminal 2. In the present embodiment, the second category option is a lottery ticket. The second category option prompting unit 113 first prompts a lottery ticket purchase screen for reserving the number of lottery tickets to be purchased, and allows the user to determine the number of lottery tickets to be purchased. Thereafter, the second category option prompting unit 113 prompts the terminal 2 with a lottery ticket list screen including multiple lottery tickets. When prompting the lottery ticket purchase screen, the second category option prompting unit 113 counts the number of lottery tickets whose opening information is "0" in the lottery ticket database D3, and includes the remaining number of selectable lottery tickets in the lottery ticket purchase screen.

[0086] Furthermore, when the second category option prompting unit 113 generates a lottery ticket list screen after the number of lottery tickets purchased is determined, it refers to the lottery ticket database D3 to obtain the latest lottery ticket information of the selected lottery box. The obtained lottery ticket information includes the lottery ticket ID and the opening information of the lottery ticket. The second category option prompting unit 113 generates a lottery ticket list screen in a manner that can identify whether it is opened or unopened based on the lottery ticket information, and sets the opened lottery ticket to be unselectable by the user.

[0087] In addition, similar to the lottery box, if the user is allowed to select the lottery ticket for a long time, other users cannot select the lottery box. Therefore, the second category option prompting unit 113 measures the time T2 from the prompt of the lottery ticket purchase screen to the completion of the settlement of the purchase of the lottery ticket. When the time T2 exceeds the preset TY, the lottery ticket selection is forcibly canceled, and the lottery box is also canceled. Then, the second category option prompting unit 113 updates the selection state of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 to selectable.

[0088] Furthermore, regarding the relationship between the time TX and the time TY, it is preferable that the time TY is longer than the time TX, considering that the time for selecting a lottery ticket is longer.

[0089] In addition, in the present embodiment, the selection of the lottery ticket (second category option) is made by the user, but it may also be configured so that the user can choose between manual selection and automatic selection. When automatic selection is selected, the second category option prompting unit 113 may automatically select the lottery ticket by drawing an unopened lottery ticket (second category option).

[0090] When the inventory database D1 is updated by the first category option prompting unit 112, the second category option prompting unit 113, and the inventory management unit 117, the inventory status transceiver unit 114 reads the inventory status of the goods (the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of goods in each commodity category, the selection status information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, the opening information of the lottery ticket, etc.) from the inventory database D1, and sends it to the terminal 2 in real time as the current inventory status. The communication method used when the inventory database D1 is updated is the first communication method. In this embodiment, the first communication method is a push-type WebSocket. In WebSocket, once a connection is established between the commodity providing device 1 (Web server) and the terminal 2 (Web browser), a message can be actively sent from the commodity providing device 1 (Web server).

[0091] In addition, the inventory status transceiver 114 receives the inventory status request from the terminal 2, reads the inventory status of the goods (the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of goods in each commodity category, the selection status information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, the opening information of the lottery ticket, etc.) from the inventory database D1, and sends the current inventory status as a response to the terminal 2. The communication method used for the request and response from the terminal 2 is the second communication method. In this embodiment, the second communication method is a pull-type REST API applied to the Web API.

[0092] The settlement processing unit 115 performs settlement processing on the lottery ticket for which purchase reservation has been made. The settlement processing is performed after the user confirms the selection of the lottery ticket on the lottery ticket list screen.

[0093] Here, when the settlement processing performed by the settlement processing unit 115 is completed, the second category option prompting unit 113 updates the selection state of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 from selected to selectable. In this way, settlement is performed after the category of the product associated with the selected lottery ticket and the category of the product provided to the user are determined, thereby, the lottery box can be transferred from the selected state to the selectable state without waiting for the time taken for the provision of the product such as the opening performance of the lottery ticket to be performed later.

[0094] The product providing unit 116 displays the lottery ticket opening screen. According to the selection of the lottery ticket to be opened by the user, product information such as product images of the product associated with the opened lottery ticket is displayed. In addition, the product providing unit 116 performs the delivery procedure of the product provided to the user. The address of the delivery destination is selected from the address registered in the user information database.

[0095] After the settlement processing by the settlement processing unit 115 is completed, the inventory management unit 117 receives the lottery ticket ID of the selected lottery ticket from the second category option prompting unit 113, and updates the opening information in the lottery ticket database D3 of the received lottery ticket ID from "0" to "1". Furthermore, the inventory management unit 117 counts the number of lottery tickets with the opening information of "0" in the lottery ticket database D3, and updates the number of remaining lottery tickets in the lottery box database D2 of the lottery box. As a result, the inventory database D1 becomes a database that reflects the latest commodity status.

[0096] The communication unit 11 is connected to the communication line N to implement communication.

[0097] The storage unit 12 stores system programs and functional programs. The system program is a program for realizing the basic functions of the commodity providing device 1 as a computer. The functional program is a program for causing the processing unit 10 to function as a main functional unit, namely, as a user information management unit 111, a first category option prompting unit 112, a second category option prompting unit 113, a stock status transceiver unit 114, a settlement processing unit 115, a commodity providing unit 116, and a stock management unit 117. In addition, the storage unit 12 also stores a stock database D1 (lottery box database D2 and lottery ticket database D3) of each title.

[0098] Next, the configuration of the terminal 2 will be described. Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 2.

[0099] like Figure 6 As shown, the terminal 2 includes an operation input unit 30 , a processing unit 31 , an image display unit 32 , a sound output unit 33 , a communication unit 34 , and a storage unit 35 .

[0100] The operation input unit 30 is used to input various operations of the user, and outputs operation input signals corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 31. The functions of the operation input unit 30 can be realized by elements that the user directly operates with fingers, such as a touch operation panel, a main button, a button switch, a joystick, and a trackball, or by elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a tilt sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the touch operation panel 22 corresponds to this.

[0101] The processing unit 31 controls the operation of the terminal 2 based on the program or data stored in the storage unit 35, the operation input signal from the operation input unit 30, etc. The functions of the processing unit 31 can be realized by electronic components such as microprocessors such as CPUs and GPUs, ASICs, and IC memories. The processing unit 31 includes a calculation unit 40, an image generation unit 41, a sound generation unit 42, and a communication control unit 43 as main functional units.

[0102] The calculation unit 40 executes various processes for purchasing products and outputs the results to the image generation unit 41, the sound generation unit 42, and the communication control unit 43. The calculation unit 40 includes a display control unit 50 and a product purchase processing unit 51.

[0103] The display control unit 50 performs display and performance of a product purchase screen for a product using information provided from the product providing apparatus 1 and user operation information.

[0104] The commodity purchase processing unit 51 converts the HTML etc. obtained from the commodity providing device 1 into an interactive document through the layout engine of the web browser and displays it on the image display unit 32. If plug-ins corresponding to Flash applications and Java applets are prepared, they can be displayed and executed. The commodity purchase processing unit 51 and the commodity providing device 1 use the screen displayed by the commodity providing device 1 to perform the commodity purchase process.

[0105] In addition, the commodity purchase processing unit 51 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the commodity providing device 1 via the communication control unit 43. Specifically, the commodity purchase processing unit 51 receives the inventory status sent via WebSocket (first communication method), updates the remaining number and selection status of the lottery tickets in the lottery box overview screen, or the inventory number and the number of standby users for each commodity category in the commodity information screen, etc. In addition, through the pull-type REST API (second communication method), a request for the inventory status of the commodity is sent to the commodity providing device 1 every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the inventory status is received from the commodity providing device 1, and the remaining number and selection status of the lottery tickets in the lottery box overview screen, or the inventory number and the number of standby users for each commodity category in the commodity information screen, etc. are updated.

[0106] The image generation unit 41 generates one image in one frame time (e.g., 1 / 60 second) based on the processing result of the operation unit 40, and outputs the generated image signal to the image display unit 32. The function of the image generation unit 41 can be realized by a processor such as a GPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a video codec, etc., an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, an IC memory for expanding texture data, etc.

[0107] The sound generation unit 42 generates sound signals such as effect sounds and various operation sounds based on the processing results of the operation unit 40, and outputs them to the sound output unit 33. The function of the sound generation unit 42 can be realized by a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a speech synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of playing a voice file, etc.

[0108] The communication control unit 43 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the commodity providing device 1 .

[0109] The image display unit 32 displays a screen based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 41. The function of the image display unit 32 can be realized by a display device such as a flat-panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the image display unit 32 corresponds to the display 21 .

[0110] The sound output unit 33 is used to output sound effects and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 42. Figure 2 In FIG. 2 , the sound output unit 33 corresponds to the speaker 23 .

[0111] The communication unit 34 is connected to the communication line N to realize communication. The function of the communication unit 34 can be realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like.

[0112] In the storage unit 35, programs for causing the terminal 2 to operate to realize various functions of the terminal 2, data used in the execution of the programs, etc. are stored in advance or temporarily stored each time processing is performed. The storage unit 35 can be implemented by, for example, a RAM or ROM, an IC memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, etc. Specifically, the storage unit 35 stores a system program and a control program for controlling the purchase processing of the article (commodity) 3 of the terminal 2. The system program is a program for realizing the basic functions of the terminal 2 as a computer. The control program is a program for causing the operation unit 40 to function as a display control unit 50 and a commodity purchase processing unit 51.

[0113] [Description of the action]

[0114] The operation of the commodity providing system according to the present embodiment will be described with a focus on the operation of the commodity providing device 1 .

[0115] For easy understanding, first, the operation from presentation of a lottery box to provision of a commodity performed by the commodity provision device 1 will be described. Figure 7 This is an operation flow chart of the first category option presentation process of the commodity providing device 1 .

[0116] First, the user uses the terminal 2 to access the commodity providing device 1 and makes a request for the commodity purchasing screen.

[0117] The first category option presenting unit 112 of the merchandise providing device 1 which receives the merchandise purchase screen request presents the terminal 2 with a purchasable title list screen (step 100 ). Figure 8 This is an example of a screen showing a list of titles available for purchase that is presented to the terminal 2. In the screen showing a list of titles available for purchase, descriptions of the categories of products belonging to the product group associated with the title are also displayed for each title. The user selects the title he wants to purchase. In this example, it is assumed that the user has selected the title "XXX Series".

[0118] The first category option prompting unit 112 determines the selection of a purchase title (step 101), and when a purchase title is selected (step 102), the lottery box information is read from the lottery box database D2 of the inventory database D1 of the selected title (step 103). That is, the first category option prompting unit 112 confirms the inventory status of the product. The lottery box information is the lottery box ID, the number of remaining lottery tickets, and the selection status information of the lottery box.

[0119] The first category option prompting unit 112 uses the read lottery box information to present a lottery box list screen to the terminal 2 (step 104). The first category option prompting unit 112 also presents the state of each lottery box (selectable state, unselectable state, selected state) and the number of lottery tickets remaining in the lottery box. Fig. 9 This is an example of a lottery box list screen presented to the terminal 2. Fig. 9 The example is an example of lottery boxes 1 to 4 in lottery boxes 1 to 10 with the title "XXX Series". When browsing lottery boxes after lottery box 5, you can browse by selecting the next page. In addition, lottery box information can also be obtained at once for all lottery boxes associated with the title, but it is preferred to obtain the lottery box information of the lottery box on the page each time the page is migrated. This is because the inventory status of the product may change before migrating to a different page.

[0120] Each of the lottery boxes 1 to 4 is prompted with the state of the lottery box (selectable state, non-selectable state, selected state) and the number of lottery tickets remaining in the lottery box. For example, lottery box 1 is in a selectable state, and the number of lottery tickets remaining is 55. Lottery box 2 is in a non-selectable state, and the number of lottery tickets remaining is 0. Lottery box 3 is in a selected state, and the number of lottery tickets remaining is 5. Lottery box 4 is in a selectable state, and the number of lottery tickets remaining is 15. In addition, in the selected state where lottery box 3 is selected, the user can wait for the selection of the lottery box by selecting the selection standby button 90. In addition, as described later, the inventory status of the goods on the lottery box overview screen is updated by the first category option prompting unit 112 through the first communication method or the second communication method each time the inventory status is received.

[0121] The user selects a desired lottery box from the lottery box displayed on the terminal 2. The first category option prompting unit 112 determines the selection of the lottery box (step 105). The first category option prompting unit 112 determines whether it is the standby for selecting the lottery box (step 117) when the selected lottery box is in a non-selectable state or a selected state (step 106), and performs a standby process (step 118) when it is the standby for selecting the lottery box. For the standby process (step 118), it is described later. The first category option prompting unit 112 returns to step 104 when it is not the standby for selecting the lottery box, and waits for the selection of a new lottery box. On the other hand, when the selected lottery box is in a selectable state (step 106), the first category option prompting unit 112 updates the selection state information of the lottery box ID of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 to a selected state (step 107).

[0122] The first category option prompting unit 112 refers to the lottery ticket database D3 associated with the selected lottery box to obtain product information (step 108). That is, the first category option prompting unit 112 confirms the inventory status of the product. The obtained product information is the category of the product and the number of remaining lottery tickets for each product category. The first category option prompting unit 112 counts the lottery tickets with the opening information of "0" for each product ID, thereby obtaining the number of remaining lottery tickets for each product category.

[0123] The first category option presenting unit 112 presents the commodity information of the selected lottery box to the terminal 2 (step 109 ). Fig.10 This is an example of a product information screen of the lottery box 1 presented to the terminal 2 when the user selects the lottery box 1. Fig.10In the example shown in FIG. 1 , there are 2 lottery tickets for the first prize "Turning Panda Doll", 8 lottery tickets for the second prize "Robot X Doll", 15 lottery tickets for the third prize "Warrior X Doll", and 30 lottery tickets for the fourth prize "X Ghost Sticker". In addition, a lottery ticket purchase confirmation button is also displayed on the product information screen, which is used to purchase lottery tickets for the lottery box of the displayed product information.

[0124] When the first category option presenting unit 112 presents the product information of the lottery box to the terminal 2, it starts measuring the time T1 (step 110). Here, the time T1 is the time from the presentation of the product information of the lottery box to the determination of the purchase reservation number of the lottery tickets of the lottery box.

[0125] The first category option prompting unit 112 determines whether the time T1 exceeds the preset time TX (step 111). If the time T1 exceeds the time TX, the first category option prompting unit 112 updates the selected lottery box (lottery box displaying product information) from the selected state to the selectable state (step 112), reads the lottery box information from the lottery box database D2 (step 103), and returns the screen of the terminal 2 to the lottery box list screen (step 104).

[0126] If the time T1 does not exceed the time TX, the first category option presenting unit 112 determines whether the lottery ticket of the selected lottery box has been purchased (step 113). If the lottery ticket of the selected lottery box has been purchased (step 114), the first category option presenting unit 112 notifies the second category option presenting unit 113 of the purchase (step 115), and ends the measurement of the time T1 (step 116).

[0127] Next, the standby process (step 118) will be described. Fig.11 This is an action flow chart of the standby process (step 118).

[0128] The first category option presenting unit 112 adds the user ID of the user who has selected the standby function to the user who has selected the standby function of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 (step 200 ). Fig.12 This is an example of product information of the lottery box 1 presented to the user who has selected the standby mode. Fig.12 As shown, the current lottery box selection is displayed in standby. In addition, as described later, these product information (including the number of standby users) is updated by the first category option presentation unit 112 through the first communication method or the second communication method every time the stock status is updated.

[0129] The first category option presenting unit 112 determines the selection state of the lottery box (step 201). When the lottery box is in the selected state (selected) (step 202), the first category option presenting unit 112 continues to determine the selection state of the lottery box (step 201).

[0130] On the other hand, when the selection state of the lottery box is updated to selectable (step 202), the first category option prompting unit 112 proceeds to step 108 for the user whose user ID is ranked first among the user IDs of the lottery box selection standby users registered in the lottery box database D2, and continues processing (step 203). Then, the first category option prompting unit 112 deletes the user ID ranked first from the lottery box selection standby users in the lottery box database D2, and updates the lottery box database D2 (step 204).

[0131] Next, the first category option prompting unit 112 determines the user who is waiting for the selection of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 (step 205). If the user ID exists in the user who is waiting for the selection of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 (step 206), the first category option prompting unit 112 returns to step 201 and continues the process. On the other hand, if the user ID does not exist in the user who is waiting for the selection of the lottery box in the lottery box database D2 (step 206), the first category option prompting unit 112 ends the standby process.

[0132] Next, the second category option presentation process will be described. Fig.13 This is an operation flow chart of the second category option presentation process of the commodity providing device 1 .

[0133] First, the second category option prompting unit 113 reads the lottery ticket information of the selected lottery box from the lottery ticket database D3 (step 300). That is, the second category option prompting unit 113 confirms the inventory status of the product. The lottery ticket information read is the remaining number of unopened lottery tickets. The second category option prompting unit 113 prompts the terminal 2 with a lottery ticket purchase screen including the remaining number of lottery tickets (step 301). Fig.14 This is an example of a lottery ticket purchase screen displayed on the terminal 2. The user inputs the number of lottery tickets to be purchased on the lottery ticket purchase screen.

[0134] When the second category option prompting unit 113 prompts the terminal 2 with the lottery ticket purchase screen, it starts measuring the time T2 (step 302). Here, the time T2 is the time from the prompt of the lottery ticket purchase screen to the completion of the settlement of the purchase of the lottery ticket. The second category option prompting unit 113 reads the lottery ticket information of the selected lottery box from the lottery ticket database D3 (step 303). That is, the second category option prompting unit 113 confirms the inventory status of the product. The lottery ticket information read is the lottery ticket ID and the opening information.

[0135] The second category option presenting unit 113 determines whether the number of lottery tickets to be purchased is determined (step 304). If the number of lottery tickets to be purchased is determined (step 305), the second category option presenting unit 113 presents the lottery ticket list screen of the selected lottery box to the terminal 2 (step 306). Fig.15 This is an example of a lottery ticket list screen of the selected lottery box displayed on the terminal 2. Fig.15 In the lottery ticket list screen, the image of the lottery ticket of the already opened lottery ticket ID is displayed by a dotted line, and the selectable lottery ticket is displayed by a solid line. The user can select the lottery ticket with the number of purchase reservations from the selectable lottery tickets. On the other hand, when the number of purchase reservations for lottery tickets is not determined, the second category option prompting unit 113 determines whether the time T2 exceeds the preset time TY (step 315). When time T2 exceeds time TY, the second category option prompting unit 113 updates the selected lottery box from the selected state to the selectable state (step 318) and terminates the processing. When time T2 does not exceed time TY, the second category option prompting unit 113 returns to step 304 and continues processing.

[0136] Next, the second category option prompting unit 113 determines whether the selection of the lottery ticket in the lottery ticket list screen is completed (step 307). If the selection of the lottery ticket is not completed (step 308), the second category option prompting unit 113 determines whether the time T2 exceeds the preset time TY (step 316). If the time T2 exceeds the time TY, the second category option prompting unit 113 updates the selected lottery box from the selected state to the selectable state (step 318) and terminates the processing. If the time T2 does not exceed the time TY, the second category option prompting unit 113 returns to step 307 and continues the processing.

[0137] On the other hand, when the selection of the lottery ticket by the user is completed (step 308 ), the settlement processing unit 115 performs a settlement process for the purchase of the lottery ticket (step 309 ). Fig.16 This is an example of the settlement processing completion screen.

[0138] Upon completion of the settlement process (step 310), the inventory management unit 117 records a "1" flag in the unsealing information of the lottery ticket ID for the lottery ticket that has been selected, and updates the lottery ticket database D3 (step 311). In addition, the second category option prompting unit 113 changes the selection status information of the selected lottery box from selected to selectable, and updates the lottery box database D2 (step 312).

[0139] Thus, the lottery box selected by the user becomes selectable and can be selected by other users, and other users can select the lottery box. In addition, the selected lottery ticket is determined at the time of settlement, and the product associated with the lottery ticket is also determined, so that the information about the remaining lottery tickets and the inventory status of the product can be accurately conveyed to the next user who selects the lottery box, and the lottery ticket that has been opened will not be selected by other users.

[0140] On the other hand, when the settlement processing of the settlement processing unit 115 is not completed (step 310), the second category option prompting unit 113 determines whether the time T2 exceeds the preset time TY (step 316). When the time T2 exceeds the time TY, the second category option prompting unit 113 updates the selection state information of the selected lottery box from selected to selectable (step 318) and terminates the processing. When the time T2 does not exceed the time TY, the second category option prompting unit 113 returns to step 309 and continues the processing.

[0141] When the settlement processing of the settlement processing unit 115 is completed (step 310) and the update of the lottery ticket database D3 performed by the inventory management unit 117 is completed (steps 311, 312), the product providing unit 116 prompts the lottery ticket opening screen (step 313) and prompts the product information of the product associated with the opened lottery ticket (step 314). Fig.17 This is an example of a lottery ticket opening screen displayed on the terminal 2. The user can browse the commodity information of the commodity associated with the lottery ticket by selecting the opened lottery ticket.

[0142] Next, in addition to the confirmation of the stock status by the user's operation or the like described above, an operation of reflecting the stock status using the first communication method and the second communication method will be described. Fig.18 This is a sequence diagram between the merchandise providing device 1 and the terminal 2 for explaining the operation of reflecting the inventory status using the first communication method and the second communication method. In the following description, it is assumed that the merchandise providing device 1 and the terminals 2-1 and 2-2 are connected.

[0143] The terminal 2 - 1 and the terminal 2 - 2 send a request for the stock status to the merchandise providing device 1 via the REST API (second communication method) every time T (for example, 1 minute) after the connection is started (step 1 ).

[0144] When receiving a request for inventory status, the commodity providing device 1 obtains the latest inventory status (the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of commodities in each commodity category, the selection status information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, the opening information of lottery tickets, etc.) from the inventory database D1, and sends the obtained inventory status to the terminal 2-1 and the terminal 2-2 as a response to the request via the REST API (the second communication method) (step 2).

[0145] Terminal 2-1 and terminal 2-2 receive the inventory status through REST API (second communication method), and update the inventory status in the lottery box list screen (selection status of each lottery box and the remaining number of lottery tickets) and the inventory status in the product information screen (product information and number of standby users) (step 3).

[0146] On the other hand, when the inventory status of the inventory database D1 is updated, the commodity providing device 1 sends the latest inventory status (the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of commodities in each commodity category, the selection status information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, the opening information of the lottery ticket, etc.) to the terminal 2-1 and the terminal 2-2 through WebSocket (the first communication method) (step 4).

[0147] When terminals 2-1 and 2-2 receive the latest inventory status via WebSocket (first communication method), they update the inventory status on the lottery box list screen (the selection status of each lottery box and the remaining number of lottery tickets) and the inventory status on the product information screen (product information and the number of standby users) (step 3).

[0148] Next, the transmission process of the stock status in the merchandise providing device 1 will be described. Fig.19 This is an operational flowchart of the stock status transmission process in the merchandise providing device 1.

[0149] The inventory status transceiver 114 of the commodity providing device 1 determines whether the inventory database D1 is updated (step 400). When the update of the inventory database D1 is detected (step 401), the inventory status transceiver 114 obtains the inventory status of the commodity (the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of commodities of each commodity category, the selection state information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, the opening information of the lottery ticket, etc.) from the inventory database D1 (step 402), and uses it as the current inventory status, and sends the current inventory status to the terminal 2 via WebSocket (first communication method) (step 403).

[0150] Next, the inventory status transceiver 114 determines whether a request for inventory status is received from the terminal 2 (step 404). When a request for inventory status is received (step 405), the inventory status transceiver 114 obtains the inventory status of the product (the remaining number of lottery tickets, the inventory number of products of each product category, the selection status information of each lottery box (selectable state, selected state, unselectable state), the number of standby users, the opening information of the lottery ticket, etc.) from the inventory database D1 (step 406), and uses it as the current inventory status, and sends the current inventory status to the terminal 2 through the REST API (second communication method) (step 407).

[0151] The inventory status transmitting and receiving unit 114 repeats the above processing.

[0152] Next, the update process of the stock status in the terminal 2 will be described. Fig. 20 This is an operational flowchart of the update process of the inventory status in the terminal 2.

[0153] The commodity purchase processing unit 51 of the terminal 2 sets the transmission interval time T of the request of the REST API (second communication method) to 0 (step 500 ), and starts measuring the time T (step 501 ).

[0154] Next, the commodity purchase processing unit 51 determines the receipt of the inventory status sent via WebSocket (first communication method) (step 502). When the inventory status is received via WebSocket (first communication method) (step 503), the commodity purchase processing unit 51 updates the remaining number and selection status of the lottery tickets in the lottery box list screen, or the inventory number and the number of standby users for each commodity category in the commodity information screen (step 510). Then, the process proceeds to step 504.

[0155] In the case where the inventory status based on WebSocket (first communication method) is not received (step 503), the time T is determined (step 504). In the case where the time T exceeds the time T1 (for example, 1 minute) or is equal to the time T1 (step 505), the commodity purchase processing unit 51 sends a request for the inventory status of the commodity to the commodity providing device 1 through the REST API (second communication method) (step 506). Then, the commodity purchase processing unit 51 determines the receipt of the inventory status sent through the REST API (second communication method) (step 507). In the case where the inventory status is received through the REST API (second communication method) (step 508), the commodity purchase processing unit 51 updates the remaining number and selection status of the lottery tickets in the lottery box list screen, or the inventory number and the number of standby users for each commodity category in the commodity information screen (step 509). Then, enter step 500.

[0156] The commodity purchase processing unit 51 repeatedly performs the above-mentioned processing.

[0157] The method for providing goods used in the present embodiment is based on the provision of goods in the form of a lottery box. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately convey the current inventory status of goods to the user. The present embodiment uses both a push-type first communication method and a pull-type second communication method as the communication method for sending the inventory status of goods. Moreover, by sending the updated inventory status to the terminal in real time through the first communication method, the terminal reflects the latest inventory status. In addition, in order to ensure that the terminal will not be unable to receive the inventory status through the first communication method, an opportunity is given to obtain the inventory status from the terminal through the pull-type second communication method to ensure that the reflection of the inventory status caused by the inability to receive the inventory status through the first communication method will not be omitted. Thus, it is possible to accurately convey to the user information such as the number of remaining lottery tickets in the lottery box or the inventory number of goods, the number of users on standby, etc.

[0158] Furthermore, the present embodiment is configured to confirm the inventory status of products every time an event caused by a user's action (operation) occurs, so that information on the number of remaining lottery tickets in the lottery box or the inventory number of products can be accurately conveyed to the user.

[0159] Furthermore, since the configuration is such that even when the selection of the lottery box in standby is cancelled, the current stock status of the product is confirmed, the user can know the stock status of the product after the standby.

[0160] In addition, since the lottery ticket is associated with one product and the stock status is updated when the lottery ticket is opened, information about the remaining lottery tickets and products can be accurately conveyed to the next user who selects the lottery box, and provision of duplicate products can be prevented.

[0161] In addition, when providing goods in the form of a lottery box, the lottery box must be selectable by only one user. On the other hand, it is not appropriate for one user to monopolize the selection of the lottery box. In this embodiment, the lottery box can be selected by only one user, and the purchase of the lottery ticket is settled after the user completes the selection of the lottery ticket, and then the lottery ticket is opened, so that the time required to maintain the selection of the lottery box for one user can be shortened.

[0162] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the screen generation based on the browser is described, but a dedicated application may be installed in the terminal 2 and the screen generation may be performed based on the application.

[0163] As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described by taking the preferred embodiment as an example, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the technical idea.

[0164] In addition, part or all of the above-mentioned embodiments may be described as the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following descriptions.

[0165] [Note 1]

[0166] A commodity providing device, which can communicate with a user's terminal, comprises:

[0167] a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option;

[0168] an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; and

[0169] An inventory status transceiver unit, when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

[0170] [Note 2]

[0171] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0172] The first communication mode is a push-type real-time communication mode,

[0173] The second communication mode is a pull-type non-real-time communication mode.

[0174] [Note 3]

[0175] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein:

[0176] A request for inquiry of the inventory status of the merchandise is transmitted from the terminal at predetermined intervals.

[0177] [Note 4]

[0178] The commodity providing device according to Supplement 1 or Supplement 2, wherein:

[0179] The inventory status of the product is the inventory quantity of the product that can be provided among the products of the product group associated with each first category option.

[0180] [Note 5]

[0181] The merchandise providing device according to Supplement 4, wherein:

[0182] The first category option prompting unit enables only one user to select a first category option, prompts each first category option in any of a selectable state, a selected state, and a non-selectable state, and prompts the selected first category option in a selected state until the selection of the first category option is released.

[0183] The stock status transmitting and receiving unit includes the mode of the first category option in the stock status of the product and transmits the mode, so that the terminal updates the stock status on the purchase screen.

[0184] [Note 6]

[0185] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein:

[0186] The first category option prompting unit prompts a standby screen for the user to wait for the selection of the first category option for the first category option to be prompted in a selected state, so that the user can preferentially select the first category option after the selection of the first category option is released.

[0187] The inventory status transceiver includes and transmits the number of users waiting for the first category option, and updates the number of users waiting on the standby screen.

[0188] [Note 7]

[0189] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein:

[0190] A second category option prompting unit is provided, which prompts the terminal with a plurality of second category options associated with a first category option selected by the user from among the plurality of first category options in a manner that the user can select.

[0191] The first category option prompting unit prompts the first category option in a selectable state or a selected state on the condition that at least one of the multiple second category options associated with the first category option is a selectable option, and prompts the first category option in a non-selectable state on the condition that all of the multiple second category options associated with the first category option are non-selectable options.

[0192] [Note 8]

[0193] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein:

[0194] The second category option presenting unit cancels the selection of the first category option on the condition that the settlement corresponding to the number of selections of the second category options in the selection screen is completed.

[0195] [Note 9]

[0196] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein:

[0197] The stock management unit updates the stock of products associated with the second category options for which payment has been completed, on the condition that payment corresponding to the number of selections of the second category options on the selection screen has been completed.

[0198] [Note 10]

[0199] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0200] The first category of options is an image simulating a lottery box.

[0201] [Note 11]

[0202] The commodity providing device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein:

[0203] The second category of options are images that simulate lottery tickets.

[0204] [Note 12]

[0205] A terminal capable of communicating with a commodity providing device for providing commodities, wherein:

[0206] a first category option presenting unit configured to present a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; and

[0207] A stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via a first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

[0208] [Note 13]

[0209] A terminal according to Supplement 12, wherein:

[0210] The first communication mode is a push-type real-time communication mode,

[0211] The second communication mode is a pull-type non-real-time communication mode.

[0212] [Note 14]

[0213] The terminal according to Supplement 12 or Supplement 13, wherein:

[0214] The stock status updating unit transmits a request for inquiry of the stock status of the product to the product providing device at predetermined intervals through the second communication method.

[0215] [Note 15]

[0216] A commodity providing system, wherein:

[0217] A user terminal and a commodity providing device capable of communicating with the terminal are provided.

[0218] The commodity providing device comprises:

[0219] a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt the terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option;

[0220] an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; and

[0221] an inventory status transceiver unit, wherein when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method so that the terminal updates the inventory status on the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal so that the terminal updates the inventory status on the purchase screen,

[0222] The terminal has:

[0223] A display unit that displays the purchase screen; and

[0224] A stock status updating unit, wherein the stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via the first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via the second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

[0225] [Note 16]

[0226] A procedure in which

[0227] Make the computer function as the following unit:

[0228] a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option;

[0229] an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; and

[0230] An inventory status transceiver unit, when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

[0231] [Note 17]

[0232] A procedure in which

[0233] Make the computer function as the following unit:

[0234] a first category option presenting unit configured to present a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; and

[0235] A stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via a first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

[0236] [Note 18]

[0237] A method for providing a commodity, comprising:

[0238] The commodity providing device presents a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option to a user terminal;

[0239] The terminal displays the purchase screen;

[0240] The commodity providing device manages the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group;

[0241] When the inventory status of the commodity is updated, the commodity providing device sends the inventory status of the commodity to the terminal via a first communication method;

[0242] The terminal receives the inventory status of the commodity from the commodity providing device through the first communication method, and updates the inventory status of the purchase screen;

[0243] The terminal sends a request for querying the inventory status of the commodity to the commodity providing device through a second communication method;

[0244] The commodity providing device, when receiving a request for querying the inventory status of the commodity from the terminal through the second communication method, sends the inventory status of the commodity to the terminal; and

[0245] The terminal receives the inventory status of the commodity from the commodity providing device through the second communication method, and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen.

Claims

1. A commodity providing device capable of communicating with a user's terminal, characterized in that: have: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; as well as An inventory status transceiver unit, when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

2. The commodity providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first communication mode is a push-type real-time communication mode, The second communication mode is a pull-type non-real-time communication mode.

3. The commodity providing device according to claim 2, wherein: A request for inquiry of the inventory status of the merchandise is transmitted from the terminal at predetermined intervals.

4. The commodity providing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inventory status of the product is the inventory quantity of the product that can be provided among the products of the product group associated with each first category option.

5. The commodity providing device according to claim 4, wherein: The first category option prompting unit enables only one user to select a first category option, prompts each first category option in any of a selectable state, a selected state, and a non-selectable state, and prompts the selected first category option in a selected state until the selection of the first category option is released. The stock status transmitting and receiving unit includes the mode of the first category option in the stock status of the product and transmits the mode, so that the terminal updates the stock status on the purchase screen.

6. The commodity providing device according to claim 5, wherein: The first category option prompting unit prompts a standby screen for the user to wait for the selection of the first category option for the first category option to be prompted in a selected state, so that the user can preferentially select the first category option after the selection of the first category option is released. The inventory status transceiver includes and transmits the number of users waiting for the first category option, and updates the number of users waiting on the standby screen.

7. The commodity providing device according to claim 5, wherein: A second category option prompting unit is provided, which prompts the terminal with a plurality of second category options associated with a first category option selected by the user from among the plurality of first category options in a manner that the user can select. The first category option prompting unit prompts the first category option in a selectable state or a selected state on the condition that at least one of the multiple second category options associated with the first category option is a selectable option, and prompts the first category option in a non-selectable state on the condition that all of the multiple second category options associated with the first category option are non-selectable options.

8. The commodity providing device according to claim 7, wherein: The second category option presenting unit cancels the selection of the first category option on the condition that the settlement corresponding to the number of selections of the second category options in the selection screen is completed.

9. The commodity providing device according to claim 7, wherein: The stock management unit updates the stock of products associated with the second category options for which payment has been completed, on the condition that payment corresponding to the number of selections of the second category options on the selection screen has been completed.

10. The commodity providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first category of options is an image simulating a lottery box.

11. The commodity providing device according to claim 7, wherein: The second category of options are images that simulate lottery tickets.

12. A terminal capable of communicating with a commodity providing device for providing commodities, characterized in that: have: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; as well as A stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via a first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

13. The terminal according to claim 12, wherein: The first communication mode is a push-type real-time communication mode, The second communication mode is a pull-type non-real-time communication mode.

14. The terminal according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The stock status updating unit transmits a request for inquiry of the stock status of the product to the product providing device at predetermined intervals through the second communication method.

15. A commodity providing system, characterized in that: A user terminal and a commodity providing device capable of communicating with the terminal are provided. The commodity providing device comprises: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt the terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; as well as an inventory status transceiver unit, wherein when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method so that the terminal updates the inventory status on the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal so that the terminal updates the inventory status on the purchase screen, The terminal has: a display unit, the display unit displaying the purchase screen; as well as A stock status updating unit, wherein the stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via the first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via the second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes the computer to function as the following unit: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; as well as An inventory status transceiver unit, when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that The computer program causes the computer to function as the following unit: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; as well as A stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via a first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

18. A method for providing commodities, characterized in that: The commodity providing device presents a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option to a user terminal. The terminal displays the purchase screen, The commodity providing device manages the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group, When the inventory status of the commodity is updated, the commodity providing device sends the inventory status of the commodity to the terminal via the first communication method. The terminal receives the inventory status of the commodity from the commodity providing device through the first communication method, and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen. The terminal sends a request for querying the inventory status of the commodity to the commodity providing device through a second communication method. When the commodity providing device receives a request for querying the inventory status of the commodity from the terminal through the second communication method, the commodity providing device sends the inventory status of the commodity to the terminal. The terminal receives the inventory status of the commodity from the commodity providing device through the second communication method, and updates the inventory status on the purchase screen.

19. A computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon, characterized in that: The computer program causes the computer to function as the following unit: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a user's terminal with a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; an inventory management unit, the inventory management unit managing the inventory status of the commodities in the commodity group; as well as An inventory status transceiver unit, when the inventory status of the product is updated, the inventory status transceiver unit sends the inventory status of the product to the terminal through a first communication method, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen, and when a request for querying the inventory status of the product from the terminal is received through a second communication method, the inventory status of the product is sent to the terminal, so that the terminal updates the inventory status of the purchase screen.

20. A computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon, characterized in that: The computer program causes the computer to function as the following unit: a first category option prompting unit configured to prompt a purchase screen including a first category option associated with a commodity group consisting of a plurality of commodities and a stock status of the commodity group associated with the first category option; as well as A stock status updating unit receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device via a first communication method, updates the stock status of the purchase screen, sends a request for querying the stock status of the product to the product providing device via a second communication method, receives the stock status of the product from the product providing device, and updates the stock status of the purchase screen.

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