Commodity information providing device, commodity information providing method and commodity information providing program

Abstract

To provide a commodity information providing device that displays information on a commodity in a manner in accordance with the searched commodities.SOLUTION: In a communication system S, a shopping server obtains the percentage of a commodity in a predetermined category among a plurality of commodities searched in response to a search request. Page information is transmitted which causes a terminal device to display a page which contains pieces of information on two or more commodities among the plurality of commodities and which includes an image for the information on each commodity. When the obtained percentage is less than a predetermined percentage, the page information for displaying the information on the commodity in a first display manner is transmitted. When the obtained percentage is greater than or equal to the predetermined percentage, the page information for displaying the information on the commodity in a second display manner is transmitted. The information on the commodity is displayed in a display region within the page, and the display manner of the information on the commodity includes the occupying percentage of the image relative to the display region. The occupying percentage in the second display manner is set to be higher than the occupying percentage in the first display manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for displaying information on searched products. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for searching for products based on search criteria specified by a user and providing a page containing information about the searched products to the user's terminal device. It is also known that there are several display formats for product information on this page. Examples of display formats include a list format and a grid format. The list format displays product information in a single column and multiple rows. The grid format displays product information in multiple columns and multiple rows. In general, the list format tends to display more information about each product than the grid format. Furthermore, when product information includes images, the image tends to account for a larger proportion of the overall product information in the grid format than in the list format.

[0003] In relation to the display format of product information, Patent Document 1 discloses that the intent of the search query is determined based on whether or not the lowest level categories can be narrowed down in a search query for a trading object from a terminal device and the number of lowest level categories narrowed down, and that the perspective and display format of the ranking information for the trading object to be provided to the user is determined based on the intent of the search query. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-121108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if product information is displayed in the same format regardless of the product, the ease with which the user can view the information may vary depending on the product category. Conventional technologies have not been able to switch the display format of product information depending on the category of the product that was actually searched for.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one example of its objective is to provide a product information providing device, a product information providing method, and a product information providing program that enable product information to be displayed in a manner corresponding to the searched product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a product information providing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring the proportion of products in a predetermined category among multiple products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; and a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device page information for causing the terminal device to display a page containing information on two or more of the searched multiple products, wherein the information on each product includes an image; wherein, if the acquired proportion is less than a predetermined proportion, the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode; and, if the acquired proportion is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode, wherein the product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information including an occupancy rate of the image relative to the display area, and the transmission means makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

[0008] According to this aspect, page information for displaying a page including information on two or more products among the searched products on the terminal device that issued the search request is transmitted to the terminal device. The product information includes images. The product information is displayed in a display area within the page. The display mode of the products on the page varies depending on the proportion of products in a predetermined category. For example, the occupancy rate of images relative to the display area varies. When the proportion of products in the predetermined category is less than a predetermined proportion, the product information is displayed in a first display mode. When the proportion of products in the predetermined category is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, the product information is displayed in a second display mode. The occupancy rate in the second display mode is higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode. In other words, the occupancy rate of images relative to the display area on a page displayed when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion is higher than the occupancy rate of images relative to the display area on a page displayed when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is less than the predetermined proportion. Therefore, the product information can be displayed in a mode according to the searched products.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a product information providing device characterized in that information on the searched plurality of products may be divided into two or more pages in units of a predetermined number of products, the transmitting means transmitting the page information for a first page of the two or more pages in response to the search request, and transmitting the page information for a second page of the two or more pages different from the first page in response to a further request from the terminal device after the page information for the first page has been transmitted, the acquiring means acquiring, in response to the search request from the terminal device, a proportion of products in the predetermined category among the plurality of products whose information is displayed on the first page, and, in response to the further request from the terminal device, acquiring a proportion of products in the predetermined category among the plurality of products whose information is displayed on the second page, the transmitting means, when transmitting the page information for the first page, transmitting the page information for displaying the product information in a display manner corresponding to the proportion acquired for the first page, and when transmitting the page information for the second page, transmitting the page information for displaying the product information in a display manner corresponding to the proportion acquired for the second page.

[0010] According to this aspect, information on a plurality of searched products may be displayed in two or more pages, each page consisting of a predetermined number of products. The display mode of product information on a first page displayed in response to a search request from a terminal device is determined based on whether or not the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the first page is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion. The display mode of product information on a second page displayed in response to a further request from the terminal device after the first page is displayed is determined based on whether or not the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the second page is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion. Therefore, product information can be displayed in a mode that corresponds to the products whose information is actually displayed on each page.

[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a product information providing device in which information on the searched plurality of products may be divided into two or more pages in units of a predetermined number of products, the transmitting means transmits the page information for a first page of the two or more pages in response to the search request, and transmits the page information for a second page of the two or more pages different from the first page in response to a further request from the terminal device after the page information for the first page has been transmitted, the acquiring means acquires the proportion of products in the predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the first page among the plurality of products, and the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display manner corresponding to the proportion acquired for the first page, regardless of whether the page to which the page information is transmitted is the first page or the second page.

[0012] According to this aspect, information on multiple searched products may be displayed across two or more pages, each containing a predetermined number of products. The display mode of product information on a first page displayed in response to a search request from a terminal device is determined based on whether or not the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the first page is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion. The display mode of product information on a second page displayed in response to a further request from the terminal device after the first page is displayed is also determined based on whether or not the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the first page is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion. When a product search is performed, the first page is always displayed, while the second page is not displayed unless a further request is made. Therefore, by adjusting the display mode to suit the products whose information is displayed on the page that is always displayed, it is possible to create a sense of unity in the display mode of product information across multiple pages.

[0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a product information providing device characterized in that a ranking is assigned to each of the searched products, the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the page including information on the two or more products in an order of the multiple products according to the assigned ranking, and the acquiring means, when the number of the searched products exceeds a predetermined number, acquires the proportion of products in the predetermined category among the predetermined number of products that are ranked highest among the multiple products.

[0014] According to this aspect, a ranking is assigned to each of the searched products. Information on at least two or more of the searched products is displayed on the page in accordance with the order of the searched products according to the display ranking. If the number of searched products exceeds a predetermined number, the display mode of the product information is determined according to whether or not the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the predetermined number of products with the highest assigned rankings is less than a predetermined proportion. The higher the product, the higher the possibility that the product information will be viewed by users. Therefore, the product information can be displayed in a mode corresponding to the product with the highest possibility of its information being viewed.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a product information providing device characterized in that the display mode includes a display format of the product information, the display format in the first display mode being a list format and the display format in the second display mode being a grid format, and the device further includes a receiving means for receiving a setting of the display format from the terminal device, and the transmitting means, when a search request is made after the receiving means has accepted setting the display format to the list format, transmits the page information for displaying the product information in the first display mode, even if the proportion of products in the specified category among the multiple products searched in response to the search request is equal to or greater than the specified proportion.

[0016] According to this aspect, when product information is displayed in a first display mode, the product information is displayed in a list format. When product information is displayed in a second display mode, the product information is displayed in a grid format. A user can set the display format of product information. Even if the proportion of products in a predetermined category among multiple products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device after the display format is set to list format is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, the product information is displayed in the first display mode on the page. That is, the product information is displayed in list format, and the occupancy rate of images in the display area is lower. Therefore, the display mode of product information when the proportion of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion can be set to a display mode corresponding to the display format set by the user.

[0017] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a product information providing method executed by a computer, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a proportion of products in a predetermined category among a plurality of products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; and a transmission step of transmitting to the terminal device page information for causing the terminal device to display a page containing information on two or more products among the plurality of searched products, the page containing an image in the information on each product; wherein the transmission step, if the acquired proportion is less than a predetermined proportion, transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode; and, if the acquired proportion is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode, the product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information includes an occupancy rate of the image relative to the display area, and the transmission step makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

[0018] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a product information providing program that causes a computer to function as: an acquisition means that acquires the proportion of products in a predetermined category among multiple products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; and a transmission means that transmits to the terminal device page information that causes the terminal device to display a page containing information on two or more of the searched multiple products, where the information on each product includes an image; wherein, if the acquired proportion is less than a predetermined proportion, the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode; and, if the acquired proportion is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode, the product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information includes an occupancy rate of the image relative to the display area, and the transmission means makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, product information can be displayed in a format that corresponds to the searched product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the shopping server 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 in the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of determining the display mode of product information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search result page in which the proportion of fashion products among the searched products is less than a threshold proportion. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a search result page in which the proportion of fashion products among the searched products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a search result page when the proportion of fashion products among the searched products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example of the occupancy rate of a product image. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search result page in which the proportion of fashion products among the products searched for after the display format has been changed to list format is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search result page in which the proportion of fashion products among the products searched for after the display format has been changed to a grid format is less than a threshold proportion. [Figure 12] 1A is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between a search result page and a display format when the proportion of fashion products is less than a threshold proportion, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between a search result page and a display format when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a search process executed by a system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fashion product ratio calculation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a search result page generation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of another search result page transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a display format change process executed by a system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing an example of how a display format is determined. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fashion product ratio calculation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of another search result page transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing an example of how a display format is determined. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fashion product ratio calculation process executed by a system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [1. First embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, the present invention is applied to an online shopping mall where multiple businesses sell products. However, the present invention may also be applied to an online shopping site where only a single business sells products.

[0022] [1-1. Communication System Configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system S includes a shopping server 1 and a plurality of user terminals 2. The shopping server 1 and the user terminals 2 are connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is constructed, for example, by the Internet, a dedicated communication line (e.g., a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), a gateway, etc.

[0024] The shopping server 1 may be a server device that manages a predetermined online shopping mall. The online shopping mall may be a website where multiple stores sell products. The shopping server 1 may transmit various types of web pages included in the online shopping mall to the user terminal 2. One of these web pages is a search result page. The search result page may be a web page that contains information on two or more products found as a result of a product search. The information on each product displayed on the search result page may include a product image. The product image may be an image related to the product. Examples of product images include an image of the product itself and some image related to the product. The shopping server 1 may search for products that satisfy search criteria entered by the user. Examples of search criteria include keywords, product categories, product attributes, etc.

[0025] Each user terminal 2 is a terminal device used by a user who uses the online shopping mall as a buyer of goods. Examples of the user terminal 2 include a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, and a set-top box. The user terminal 2 sends a request to the shopping server 1 based on a user's operation, and displays a web page sent from the shopping server 1 in response to the request. A web browser may be installed in each user terminal 2. If the user terminal 2 is a portable terminal device, an application dedicated to the online shopping mall may be installed in the user terminal 2. In this case, the user terminal 2 may display the web page of the online shopping mall in accordance with the application.

[0026] [1-2. Shopping Server Configuration] Next, the configuration of the shopping server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the shopping server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0027] The system control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, and the like.

[0028] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11 .

[0029] The storage unit 14 is configured with, for example, a hard disk drive or the like. Databases such as a product DB 14a and a display format setting DB 14b may be stored in the storage unit 14. "DB" is an abbreviation for database. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the shopping server 1.

[0030] The product DB 14a may store product information about products sold by each store in the online shopping mall. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the product DB 14a may store product information, such as a product ID, a store ID, category information, product name, product description, product image ID, price, shipping information, product condition, and attribute information, all associated with one another. The product ID may be identification information assigned to a product by a store to identify the product. The store ID may be identification information identifying the store selling the product. A combination of the product ID and the store ID may identify a product sold by a store in the online shopping mall. Alternatively, a product sold by a store may be identified by the product ID alone. The category information may be information indicating the category of the product. Examples of categories include "sports and golf," "fashion and underwear," "fashion accessories," "kids, baby, and toys," "home appliances, TV, and cameras," "PC, smartphone, and communications," and "food and sweets." The product name indicates the name of the product. The product description is a sentence that describes the product. The point multiplier indicates what percentage of the product price will be awarded to the purchaser of that product. These points are managed in a specified point program. Users can use the awarded points to purchase products and services. For example, 1 point may be equivalent to 1 yen. The product image ID is identification information that identifies a product image related to the product. Examples of product image IDs include the URL, file name, and path name of the product image. Multiple product image IDs may be stored for one product. The shipping information may be information indicating the shipping fee for that product by region. The product condition may indicate whether the product is new or used. If the product is used, the product condition may further indicate the condition of the product. The attribute information is an attribute of the product, and may indicate the attributes of items defined by the category to which the product belongs.

[0031] The display format setting DB 14b may store a display format set for each user as a display format for the search result page. The display format of the search result page may include a method for arranging information on the product search results on the search result page. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the display format setting DB 14b may store a user ID, a normal display format, a fashion display format, and the like, in association with one another. The user ID may be identification information for identifying a user. The normal display format may indicate a normal display format applied to the user. The normal display format may be set to either a list format or a grid format. The list format may be a format in which product search results are displayed in a list. That is, the product search results are displayed in one column and multiple rows. The list format is also referred to as a list view. The grid format may be a format in which product search results are displayed in a grid. That is, the product search results are displayed in multiple columns and multiple rows. The grid format is also referred to as a grid view. The list format is the default for the normal display format. The default display format may be a display format applied to a user when the user has not previously changed or set the display format. The fashion display format is a display format applied to the user and may indicate a display format for fashion products. The fashion display format may be set to either a list format or a grid format. The default fashion display format is the grid format. The normal display format and the fashion display format may be stored for each type of user terminal 2. That is, a display format may be managed for each type of user terminal 2 that displays product search results. The type of user terminal 2 owned by a user may vary from user to user. Also, one user may own multiple types of user terminals 2. For example, a normal display format and a fashion display format for a personal computer, and a normal display format and a fashion display format for a mobile information terminal may be stored. Mobile information terminals may include, for example, smartphones and tablet computers. The combination of the default normal display format and the default fashion display format may vary depending on the type of user terminal 2.For example, both the default normal display format and the default fashion display format for a certain type of user terminal 2 may be in grid format. Also, both the default normal display format and the default fashion display format for a certain type of user terminal 2 may be in list format.

[0032] The storage unit 14 may further store product image data 14c for each product. The product image data 14c is data of a product image. Examples of product image data formats include JPEG, TIFF, PNG, and GIF. Each product image data 14c may be associated with the product image ID or URL of the product image data 14c. The storage unit 14 may further store a template for an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document of a search result page and a style sheet for the search result page for each display format.

[0033] Furthermore, the storage unit 14 may store various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a server program. The server program is a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute processes related to the online shopping mall. The server program may be obtained from another device via the network NW, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0034] The communication unit 15 is configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 15 connects to the user terminal 2 via the network NW and controls the state of communication with the connected device.

[0035] [1-3. Functional overview of the system control unit] Next, an overview of the functions of the system control unit 11 in the shopping server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 12. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the system control unit 11 in the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the system control unit 11 may function as a search unit 1101, a ratio acquisition unit 1102, an information transmission unit 1103, a setting reception unit 1104, etc., by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the server program.

[0036] The search unit 1101 may search for products in response to a request from the user terminal 2. For example, a user may be able to input search criteria on the top page and search result page of an online shopping mall. The top page may be a web page corresponding to the entrance of the online shopping mall. The user terminal 2 may send a search request to the shopping server 1 in response to the input of search criteria by the user. The search request may include, for example, the input search criteria and the user ID of the user. The search unit 1101 may search for products that satisfy the search criteria included in the search request based on the product DB 14a and other product-related databases.

[0037] The search unit 1101 may assign a display rank to each of the searched products. The display rank may correspond to, for example, the priority of displaying product information as a search result. For example, the higher the display rank, the higher the product information may be displayed on the search result page. Furthermore, the information of the searched products may be displayed across multiple search result pages. For example, there may be a limit to the number of products whose information can be displayed on a single search result page. This limit is referred to as the maximum number of items to display. Each search result page may be assigned a page number. The higher the display rank, the higher the product information may be displayed on a search result page with a higher page number. Examples of information that determines the display rank include a score determined by a predetermined algorithm or a predetermined formula, the sum of the price and shipping fee, the price, the product registration date, the number of reviews for the product, and the product rating.

[0038] The percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the multiple products searched by the search unit 1101. This category may be predetermined, for example, by the operator of the online shopping mall. Aspects that may influence a user's product selection include product appearance and information other than product appearance. Product appearance is mainly obtained from product images. For example, a category in which product appearance has a greater impact on product selection than other categories may be determined as a predetermined category. An example of such a product category is fashion. Acquiring the percentage of products in a predetermined category may include calculating the percentage. Acquiring the percentage of products in a predetermined category may also include acquiring a percentage calculated by the percentage acquisition unit 1102 or by some other means. The percentage acquisition unit 1102 may determine whether each selected product belongs to a predetermined category based on category information included in the product information of the product. For example, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may determine that a product with category information of "fashion underwear" is a fashion product. Alternatively, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may determine that a product whose category information is either "fashion innerwear" or "fashion accessories" is a fashion product. The percentage acquisition unit 1102 may calculate or count the number of products in a predetermined category. The percentage acquisition unit 1102 may also calculate or count the number of searches. The number of searches may indicate the total number of searched products. The percentage acquisition unit 1102 may calculate the percentage of products in a predetermined category by dividing the number of products in the predetermined category by the number of searches. The percentage acquisition unit 1102 may also calculate the percentage of products in a predetermined category among all searched products that satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0039] The information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit, to the user terminal 2 that issued the search request, page information for displaying a search result page including information on two or more products among the multiple products searched for by the search unit 1101 on the user terminal 2. The transmitted page information may include, for example, at least an HTML document among an HTML document and a style sheet. The information transmitting unit 1103 may generate page information based on information about each product stored in the product DB 14a. For example, the information transmitting unit 1103 may include a URL of a product image of the product in the page information based on a product image ID. As a result, the user terminal 2 displaying the search result page transmits the URL of the product image to the shopping server 1. The information transmitting unit 1103 transmits product image data 14c associated with the URL to the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 may display the product image on the search result page based on the product image data 14c. The information transmitting unit 1103 may also include, in the page information, information about the product to be displayed on the search result page.

[0040] As described above, information on multiple products searched by the search unit 1101 may be displayed in two or more search result pages. For example, the product information may be divided into units of products with a maximum number of items to be displayed. In response to a search request from the user terminal 2, the information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information on a first search result page among the two or more search result pages. The first search result page is the first search result page. Furthermore, in response to a further request from the user terminal 2 after transmitting the page information on the first search result page, the information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information on a second search result page different from the first search result page among the two or more search result pages. The further request from the user terminal 2 may be a request transmitted by the user terminal in response to a user operation on the first search result page. In this case, the second search result page may be the second search result page. If the search result page is configured to allow the user to directly specify the page number of the search result page to be displayed, the second search result page is the search result page to which the specified page number is assigned.

[0041] If the percentage acquired by the percentage acquisition unit 1102 as the percentage of products in a predetermined category is less than a predetermined threshold percentage, the information transmission unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying information about the searched products in a normal display mode. Furthermore, if the percentage acquired by the percentage acquisition unit 1102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold percentage, the information transmission unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying information about the searched products in a display mode for a predetermined category. The display mode of the product information may include the appearance of the information. For example, the search result page may include a product information display area for each product. Product information may be displayed in the product information display area. Product images may also be displayed in the product information display area as at least part of the product information. The display mode may include the occupancy rate of the product image relative to the product information display area. This occupancy rate can be calculated by dividing the area of ​​the product image on the search result page by the area of ​​the product information display area. The display mode of the product information may be defined in at least one of the HTML document and the style sheet of the search result page. The occupancy rate of the product image does not need to be directly defined in the HTML document or the style sheet. For example, the vertical and horizontal sizes of the product image and the product information display area may be defined in an HTML document or style sheet. For example, the storage unit 14 of the shopping server 1 may store HTML document templates and style sheets for the search result page for at least a normal display mode and a display mode for a predetermined category. The information sending unit 1103 may generate the HTML document for the search result page using a template corresponding to the display mode. The display mode of product information may or may not include a display format for information on multiple products. Examples of display formats include a list format and a grid format. As described below, types of grid formats may include a normal grid format and a fashion grid format.

[0042] The information transmitting unit 1103 may increase the occupancy rate of product images in the display mode for a predetermined category compared to the occupancy rate of product images in the normal display mode. That is, the information transmitting unit 1103 may increase the occupancy rate of product images when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion compared to the occupancy rate of product images when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is less than the threshold proportion. Increasing the occupancy rate of product images makes it easier for users to make product selection decisions for products whose appearance has a relatively large impact on product selection decisions. When the occupancy rate of product images is higher, the area of ​​the product images may or may not be larger. Increasing the area of ​​the product images makes it easier to recognize the appearance of each product. Even if the area of ​​the product images is not increased, the number of product images displayed on the screen of the user terminal 2 at one time increases. This makes it easier to compare the appearances of products. The threshold proportion may be set in advance. Examples of threshold proportions include 30%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 100%, etc. When there are a relatively large number of products in a predetermined category among the searched products, and it is desired to apply a display mode for the predetermined category, the threshold percentage may be set to, for example, a range of 50 percent or more.

[0043] The area of ​​the product image in the display mode for a predetermined category may be larger or smaller than the area of ​​the product image in the normal display mode. Alternatively, the areas of the product images may be the same. As described above, it is sufficient that the occupancy rate of the product image in the display mode for a predetermined category is higher than the occupancy rate of the product image in the normal display mode. The information sending unit 1103 may reduce the number of information items displayed in the product information display area in the display mode for a predetermined category compared to the number of information items displayed in the product information display area in the normal display mode. This may increase the occupancy rate of the product image. The size of each piece of product information other than the product image may be the same or different between the normal display mode and the display mode for a predetermined category.

[0044] The information transmitting unit 1103 may set the display format in the normal display mode to a list format. The information transmitting unit 1103 may also set the display format in the display mode for a predetermined category to a grid format. The grid format is easier to increase the occupancy rate of product images than the list format. Alternatively, the information transmitting unit 1103 may make the display format in the normal display mode and the display format for the predetermined category the same. The information transmitting unit 1103 may increase the occupancy rate of product images in the display mode for the predetermined category compared to the occupancy rate of product images in the normal display mode, while the display formats are the same. In this case, the display format may be either a list format or a grid format. The display format may also be a format different from either the list format or the grid format.

[0045] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing examples of determining the display mode of product information. In the examples shown in FIG. 5 and subsequent figures, it is assumed that the predetermined category is fashion. Furthermore, it is assumed that the threshold percentage is 90 percent. As shown in FIG. 5(a), 100 products are found to satisfy the search criteria. Of these products, 15 are fashion products. Therefore, the percentage of fashion products is 15 percent. Since this percentage is below the threshold percentage, the information transmitting unit 1103 may select the normal display mode. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(b), 150 products are found to satisfy the search criteria. Of these products, 147 are fashion products. Therefore, the percentage of fashion products is 98 percent. Since this percentage is above the threshold percentage, the information transmitting unit 1103 may select the display mode for fashion.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a search result page when the proportion of fashion items among the searched items is less than a threshold proportion. The example of the search result page illustrated in FIG. 6 is an example in which search results are displayed in list format. The example of the search result page illustrated in FIG. 6 also illustrates an example in which the keyword "smartphone" is specified as a search criterion. Products searched using this search criterion may include smartphones and smartphone-related products. These products do not belong to the fashion category. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the search result page 100 may include multiple product information display areas 110. The product information display areas 110 are arranged in list format. Each product information display area 110 may include, for example, a product image 111, a product name 112, a product condition 113, a price 114, a shipping fee 115, a point number 116, a point multiplier 117, a rating 118, a shipping schedule 119, a store name 120, a related product search button 121, and a menu icon 122. Here, the point number 116 indicates the number of points awarded to a user who purchases the product corresponding to the product information display area 110. The rating 118 indicates the rating value given by the purchaser for the product and the number of registered ratings. The shipping schedule indicates the date by which the product will be shipped if purchased. The related product search button 121 is a button for searching for products related to the product. For example, a search may be performed for products identical to the product but cheaper. Alternatively, for example, an image search may be performed to search for products with a similar appearance to the product. The menu icon 122 is a button for displaying a menu for performing operations related to the product. The search result page 100 may further include a keyword input field 130, a refine button 140, an attribute icon group 150, a display format change icon 160, a sort icon 170, and a next page button 180. The keyword input field 130 may display keywords entered by the user on the web page displayed immediately before the search result page 100. The user can change the keywords in the keyword input field 130. The refine button 140 may be a button operable to add additional conditions to the current search criteria.The attribute icon group 150 includes multiple icons indicating the names of product attributes. Each icon in the attribute icon group 150 is an element operable to search for products using the attribute indicated by that icon. The user can change the search conditions and search for products by operating the keyword input field 130, the narrow down button 140, and the attribute icon group 150. The display format change icon 160 is an element operable to change the display format of the search results to a grid format. The sorting icon 170 is an element operable to change the conditions for determining the display order of searched products. The next page button 180 is an element operable to display a search result page assigned a page number one greater than the page number assigned to the currently displayed search result page. If the page number assigned to the currently displayed search result page is two or greater, a previous page button (not shown) may be displayed on the search result page in addition to the next page button 180. The previous page button is an element operable to display a search result page assigned a page number one less than the page number assigned to the currently displayed search result page. In addition, one or more page number links may be displayed on the search result page. The page number link is an element that can be operated by the user to directly specify a page number, thereby displaying the search result page to which that page number is assigned.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first example of a search result page when the proportion of fashion items among the searched items is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. In FIG. 7, the same elements as in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The example of the search result page shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which search results are displayed in a grid format. The example of the search result page shown in FIG. 7 also shows an example in which the keyword "sneakers" is specified as a search criterion. Products searched for using this search criterion may include sneakers and sneaker-related products. Of these products, at least sneakers belong to the fashion category. As shown in FIG. 7, the search result page 300-1 may include multiple product information display areas 310-1. The product information display areas 310-1 are arranged in two columns and multiple rows. Each product information display area 310-1 may include, for example, a product image 111, a price 114, a shipping fee 115, points 116, a rating 118, and a menu icon 122. 6, the product name 112, product status 113, point multiplier 117, shipping schedule 119, store name 120, and related product search button 121 are not displayed. The search results page 300-1 may further include a keyword input field 130, a narrow down button 140, an attribute icon group 150, a display format change icon 190, a sorting icon 170, and a next page button 180. The display format change icon 190 is an element that can be operated to change the display format of the search results to a list format.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second example of a search result page when the proportion of fashion items among the searched items is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. In FIG. 8, the same elements as in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 8, the search result page 300-2 may include multiple product information display areas 310-2. The product information display areas 310-2 are arranged in three columns and multiple rows. Each product information display area 310-2 may include, for example, a product image 111, a price 114, a shipping fee 115, points 116, and a menu icon 122. Compared to the product information display area 310-1 shown in FIG. 7, the rating 118 is not displayed. The search result page 300-2 may further include a keyword input field 130, a narrowing down button 140, an attribute icon group 150, a display format change icon 190, a sorting icon 170, and a next page button 180.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a comparative example of the occupancy rate of a product image. As shown in FIG. 9, product information display areas 110, 310-1, and 310-2 are shown. Also shown is a product image 111 included in each product information display area. For convenience, the size of the product information display area has been changed so that the size of the product image 111 matches between the product information display areas. As shown in FIG. 9, the occupancy rate of the product image 111 in the product information display area 310-1 and the occupancy rate of the product image 111 in the product information display area 310-2 are both higher than the occupancy rate of the product image 111 in the product information display area 100.

[0050] The setting receiving unit 1104 may receive a setting for the display format of product information on the search result page from the user terminal 2. For example, the user may be able to set the display format by operating a display format change icon 160 or 190 included on the search result page. The display formats that can be set may include a list format and a grid format.

[0051] The setting receiving unit 1104 may separately manage the display format settings for when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is less than a threshold percentage and the display format for when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than the threshold percentage. For example, the display format setting DB 14b stores a normal display format and a fashion display format for each user. The normal display format indicates the display format in the normal display mode. The fashion display format indicates the display format in the fashion display mode. For example, the setting receiving unit 1104 may change the normal display format in response to an operation on a display format change icon included in a search result page that is displayed when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than the threshold percentage. The setting receiving unit 1104 may also change the fashion display format in response to an operation on a display format change icon included in a search result page that is displayed when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is less than the threshold percentage.

[0052] The setting receiving unit 1104 may match the display format set by the user when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is less than a threshold percentage with the display format set by the user when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than a threshold percentage. Here, the default display format when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is less than the threshold percentage is a list format. Also, the default display format when the percentage of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than a threshold percentage is a grid format. Therefore, for convenience, each display format may be managed separately. The setting receiving unit 1104 may change both the normal display format and the fashion display format to the same display format in response to an operation of the display format change icon.

[0053] When a search request is received from the user terminal 2 after the setting receiving unit 1104 has accepted that the display format be set to list format, the information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying product information in a normal display format even if the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the multiple products searched by the search unit 1101 in response to the search request is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. Here, when the display format is set to list format when the proportion of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion, the information transmitting unit 1103 may display product information in a normal display format. For example, as described above, assume that the display format setting is indicated by the fashion display format. In this case, the information transmitting unit 1103 can realize this by generating an HTML document for the search result page according to the display format indicated by the fashion display format.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search result page in which the proportion of fashion products among the products searched for after the display format has been changed to a list format is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. In FIG. 10, the same elements as in FIG. 6 are assigned the same reference numerals. The example search result page shown in FIG. 10 shows an example in which the keyword "sneakers" is specified as a search criterion. Note that the search result page shown in FIG. 10 can also be displayed in response to a user operating a display format change icon 190 included in the search result page shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 10, the elements, display format, and occupancy rate of product images 111 included in the search result page 100 are the same as those in the search result page 100 shown in FIG. 6.

[0055] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a search result page in which the proportion of fashion items among the searched items after the display format has been changed to a grid format is less than a threshold percentage. In FIG. 11, the same elements as in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The example search result page illustrated in FIG. 11 illustrates a case in which the keyword "smartphone" is specified as a search criterion. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the search result page 200 may include multiple product information display areas 210. The product information display areas 210 are arranged in a grid format. The product information display areas 210 are arranged in two columns and multiple rows. Each product information display area 210 may include, for example, a product image 111, a product name 112, a product condition 113, a price 114, a shipping fee 115, a number of points 116, a point multiplier 117, a rating 118, a related product search button 121, and a menu icon 122. Compared to the product information display area 110 illustrated in FIG. 6, the shipping schedule 119 and the store name 120 are not displayed. The search result page 200 may further include a keyword input field 130, a narrow down button 140, an attribute icon group 150, a display format change icon 190, a sorting icon 170, and a next page button 180. The display format change icon 190 is an element that can be operated to change the display format of the search results to a list format.

[0056] There may be at least two display formats for the search result page when the proportion of fashion products, as an example of a predetermined category, is below a threshold proportion, and at least two display formats for the search result page when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. FIG. 12(a) is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the search result page and the display format when the proportion of fashion products is below a threshold proportion. As shown in FIG. 12(a), the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is below a threshold proportion is list format. The user can change the display format to grid format. This grid format is referred to as a normal grid format. FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the search result page and the display format when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion is grid format. This grid format is referred to as a fashion grid format. The user can change the display format to list format. When multiple display formats are available, the occupancy rate of product images in the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than the threshold percentage may be higher than the occupancy rate of product images in the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is less than the threshold percentage. That is, the occupancy rate of product images in the fashion grid format may be higher than the occupancy rate of product images in the list format. The occupancy rate of product images in the fashion grid format may or may not be higher than the occupancy rate of product images in the normal grid format. The occupancy rate of product images 111 in each of the search result pages 300-1 shown in FIG. 7 and 300-2 shown in FIG. 8 is higher than the occupancy rate of product images 111 in the search result page 200 shown in FIG. 12. For example, each product display area 210 in the search result page 200 shown in FIG. 12 includes a product name 112, a product status 113, a point multiplier 117, and a related product search button 121. On the other hand, the search result page 300-1 shown in FIG. 7 does not include information on these items. As described above, the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is less than the threshold proportion may be the same as the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than the threshold proportion.Even in this case, it is sufficient that the occupancy rate of product images in the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than the threshold proportion is higher than the occupancy rate of product images in the default display format when the proportion of fashion products is less than the threshold proportion.

[0057] [1-4. Shopping Server Operation] Next, the operation of the shopping server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 17. The system control unit 11 may execute the processes shown in Figs. 13 to 17 in accordance with various program codes included in the server program. The order of the processes is not limited to the order shown in Figs. 13 to 17. Furthermore, at least one of the steps shown in Figs. 13 to 17 may not be executed.

[0058] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a search process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may execute the search process in response to the shopping server 1 receiving a search request from any of the user terminals 2.

[0059] 13, first, the search unit 1101 searches for products that satisfy the search criteria included in the search request (step S101). Next, the search unit 1101 determines the display order to be assigned to each of the searched products. Next, the information sending unit 1103 sets the page number N of the search result page to 1 (step S103). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 executes a fashion product ratio calculation process (step S104).

[0060] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a fashion product ratio calculation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 counts the number of products searched for by the search unit 1101 as the number of search results (step S201). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 identifies products belonging to the fashion category from the searched products based on category information stored in the product DB 14a in association with the product IDs of the searched products (step S202). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 counts the number of identified products (step S203). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 calculates the ratio of fashion products by dividing the number of products belonging to the fashion category by the number of search results (step S204). When step S204 is completed, the fashion product ratio calculation process ends.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 13, when the fashion product proportion calculation process is completed, the information transmission unit 1103 executes a search result page generation process (step S105). FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the search result page generation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, first, the information transmission unit 1103 determines whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion (step S301). If the proportion of fashion products is less than the threshold proportion (step S301: NO), the information transmission unit 1103 determines whether the normal display format stored in the display format setting DB 14b in association with the user ID included in the request transmitted from the user terminal 2 is a "list format" (step S302). If the normal display format is a "list format" (step S303: YES), the information transmission unit 1103 generates an HTML document of the Nth page of search results in a list format (step S303). If the normal display format is "grid format" (step S303: NO), the information transmitting unit 1103 generates an HTML document of the Nth search result page in normal grid format (step S304).

[0062] If the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than the threshold proportion (step S301: YES), the information transmitting unit 1103 determines whether the fashion display format stored in the display format setting DB 14b in association with the user ID included in the request transmitted from the user terminal 2 is "grid format" (step S305). If the fashion display format is "grid format" (step S305: YES), the information transmitting unit 1103 generates an HTML document for the Nth page of search results in fashion grid format (step S306). If the fashion display format is "list format" (step S305: NO), the information transmitting unit 1103 generates an HTML document for the Nth page of search results in list format (step S307).

[0063] In steps S303, S304, S306, and S307, the information transmitting unit 1103 may acquire an HTML document template and style sheet for the search result page corresponding to the display format from the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 may store HTML document templates and style sheets corresponding to the list format, the normal grid format, and the fashion grid format. The information transmitting unit 1103 may generate an HTML document for the search result page based on the acquired template. At this time, the information transmitting unit 1103 may identify products whose information is to be displayed on the Nth page of the search result page based on the page number N, the maximum number of items to be displayed, and the display order of each searched product. For each identified product, the information transmitting unit 1103 may acquire information on items to be displayed in the product display area according to the display format from the product DB 14a or other databases. The information transmitting unit 1103 may add each acquired piece of information to the HTML document. The information transmitting unit 1103 may also add a product image URL to the HTML document based on the product image ID. The information transmitting unit 1103 may also generate an HTML document so that a request transmitted from the user terminal to the shopping server 1 in response to an operation of a display format change icon included in the search result page includes the page number N, information indicating whether the changed display format is a list format or a grid format, and information indicating whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold percentage. The information transmitting unit 1103 may also generate an HTML document based on the number of search results and the page number N so that the search result page includes at least one of a next page button and a previous page button. In this case, the information transmitting unit 1103 may also generate an HTML document so that a request transmitted from the user terminal to the shopping server 1 in response to an operation of the next page button or the previous page button includes the page number of the search result page corresponding to the button and information indicating whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold percentage. When step S303, S304, S306, or S307 is completed, the search result page generation process ends.

[0064] 13, when the search result page generation process is completed, the information transmission unit 1103 transmits the HTML document of the generated search result page to the user terminal 2 that sent the search request (step S106). When step S106 is completed, the search process ends.

[0065] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of another search result page transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, a user operates a next page button or a previous page button on a search result page displayed on the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2, upon detecting this operation, may transmit an another search result page request to the shopping server 1. The other search result page request may include, for example, the user ID of the user, the page number of the search result page corresponding to the operated button, and information indicating whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. The system control unit 11 may execute the other search result page transmission process in response to receiving the other search result page request from the user terminal 2.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 16, first, the information sending unit 1103 sets the page number N to the page number included in the other search result page request (step S401). Next, the information sending unit 1103 executes a search result page generation process (step S402). In the search result page generation process, the HTML document of the search result page may be generated based on information included in the other search result page request, which information indicates whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. In other words, the HTML document of the search result page to be transmitted this time is generated in the same display format as the HTML document of the search result page currently displayed on the user terminal 2. Next, the information sending unit 1103 transmits the generated HTML document to the user terminal 2 that transmitted the other search result page request (step S403). When step S403 is completed, the other search result page transmission process ends.

[0067] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a display format change process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, a user operates a display format change button on a search result page displayed on the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2, upon detecting this operation, may transmit a display format change request to the shopping server 1. The display format change request may include, for example, the user ID of the user, the page number of the search result page currently being displayed, information indicating whether the changed display format is a list format or a grid format, and information indicating whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. The system control unit 11 may execute the display format change process in response to receiving the display format change request from the user terminal 2.

[0068] 17, the setting receiving unit 1104 first determines whether the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion based on information included in the display format change request (step S501). If the proportion of fashion products is less than the threshold proportion (step S501: NO), the setting receiving unit 1104 changes the normal display format stored in the display format setting DB 14b in association with the user ID included in the display format change request to the display format included in the display format change request (step S502). If the proportion of fashion products is equal to or greater than the threshold proportion (step S501: YES), the setting receiving unit 1104 changes the fashion display format stored in the display format setting DB 14b in association with the user ID included in the display format change request to the display format included in the display format change request (step S503). After step S502 or step S503, the information sending unit 1103 sets the page number N to the current page number included in the display format change request (step S504). Next, the information transmitting unit 1103 executes a search result page generation process (step S505). Next, the information transmitting unit 1103 transmits the generated HTML document to the user terminal 2 that sent the display format change request (step S506). When step S506 ends, the display format change process ends.

[0069] As described above, according to this embodiment, the shopping server 1 may obtain the proportion of products in a predetermined category among multiple products searched in response to a search request from the user terminal 2. The shopping server 1 may also transmit to the user terminal 2 page information for displaying a search result page on the user terminal 2 that includes information on two or more products among the multiple searched products. The shopping server 1 may also transmit page information for displaying product information in a normal display mode when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is less than a threshold proportion. The shopping server 1 may also transmit page information for displaying product information in a display mode for the predetermined category when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. The shopping server 1 may also increase the occupancy rate of product images in the display mode for the predetermined category compared to the occupancy rate of product images in the normal display mode. In this case, the occupancy rate of product images in the product information display area on a search result page displayed when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is equal to or greater than the threshold proportion is higher than the occupancy rate of product images in the product information display area on a search result page displayed when the proportion of products in the predetermined category is less than the threshold proportion. Therefore, product information can be displayed in a mode appropriate for the searched products.

[0070] Here, the shopping server 1 may accept a display format setting from the user terminal 2. Furthermore, if a search request is made after the shopping server 1 has accepted the setting of the display format to list format, it may transmit page information for displaying product information in a normal display format even if the proportion of products in a predetermined category among the multiple products searched in response to the search request is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion. In this case, the product information is displayed in list format, and the occupancy rate of product images in the product information display area is lower. Therefore, the display format of product information when the proportion of products in a predetermined category is equal to or greater than a threshold proportion can be set to a display format according to the display format set by the user.

[0071] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 20. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the number of products searched by the search unit 1101 exceeds a predetermined number, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among a predetermined number of products that are ranked high in the display order among the multiple products. The predetermined number may be, for example, the maximum number of items to be displayed on a search result page.

[0073] Here, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on a search result page corresponding to the page information transmitted by the information transmission unit 1103. For example, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the products searched by the search unit 1101 and whose information is displayed on a first search result page in response to a search request from the user terminal 2. Furthermore, for example, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the products searched by the search unit 1101 and whose information is displayed on a second search result page in response to a further request from the user terminal 2 after transmitting the page information of the first search result page. The further request from the user terminal 2 may be, for example, a request for another search result page. In this embodiment, the products satisfying a predetermined condition may be products whose information is displayed on a displayed search result page.

[0074] When transmitting page information, the information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying product information in a display mode corresponding to the ratio acquired by the ratio acquiring unit 1102 for the search result page to which the page information corresponds. For example, when transmitting page information for a first search result page, the information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying product information in a display mode corresponding to the ratio acquired for the first search result page. When transmitting page information for the second search result page, the information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying product information in a display mode corresponding to the ratio acquired for the second page. As a result, the display mode of product information may change as the page number of the search result page displayed on the user terminal 2 changes.

[0075] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a display format is determined. In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, it is assumed that the user has not changed the display format in the past. The threshold percentage is 90 percent. For example, in response to a search request from the user terminal 2, the search unit 1101 searches for 120 products. The maximum number of search results per page is 50. As illustrated in FIG. 18(a), the information transmitting unit 1103 first generates an HTML document for the first search result page. The first search result page displays information about products ranked 1 to 50. Of the products ranked 1 to 50, 100% are fashion products. Therefore, the display format for the first search result page is a fashion grid format. As illustrated in FIG. 18(b), in response to a further request from the user terminal 2 based on the operation of the next page button, the information transmitting unit 1103 generates an HTML document for the second search result page. The second search result page displays information about products ranked 51 to 100. Of the products ranked 51st to 100th, fashion products account for 60%. Therefore, the display format of the second page of search results is a list format. As shown in FIG. 18(c), in response to a further request from user terminal 2 based on the operation of the next page button, information sending unit 1103 generates an HTML document for the third page of search results. The third page of search results displays information about products ranked 101st to 120th. Of the products ranked 101st to 120th, fashion products account for 20%. Therefore, the display format of the third page of search results is a list format.

[0076] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fashion product ratio calculation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 identifies products whose information will be displayed on the Nth page of search results based on the page number N, the maximum number of items displayed, and the display order of each searched product (step S221). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 calculates the number of products whose information will be displayed on the Nth page of search results based on the page number N and the maximum number of items displayed (step S222). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 identifies products belonging to the fashion category from among the products whose information will be displayed on the Nth page of search results based on the category information (step S223). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 counts the number of products belonging to the fashion category (step S224). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 calculates the ratio of fashion products by dividing the number of products belonging to the fashion category by the number of products whose information will be displayed on the Nth page of search results (step S225). When step S225 is completed, the fashion product ratio calculation process ends.

[0077] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of another search result page transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 20, the same processes as those in FIG. 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 20, first, the information transmission unit 1103 sets the page number N to the page number included in the other search result page request (step S401). Next, the information transmission unit 1103 executes a fashion product ratio calculation process (step S421). Next, the information transmission unit 1103 executes a search result page generation process (step S422). In the search result page generation process, an HTML document of the search result page may be generated based on the ratio calculated in step S421. Next, the information transmission unit 1103 transmits the generated HTML document to the user terminal 2 that sent the other search result page request (step S403). When step S403 ends, the other search result page transmission process ends.

[0078] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to display product information in a format that corresponds to the product whose information is actually displayed on each search result page.

[0079] 3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments shown so far.

[0080] In this embodiment, too, when the number of products searched by the search unit 1101 exceeds a predetermined number, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the ratio of products in a predetermined category among a predetermined number of products that are ranked higher in display order among the multiple products.

[0081] In this embodiment, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the products searched for by the search unit 1101 and whose information is displayed on the first search result page. Here, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the first search result page in response to a search request. In this embodiment, the products that satisfy a predetermined condition may be products whose information is displayed on the first search result page.

[0082] The information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying product information in a display mode corresponding to the ratio acquired for the first search result page by the ratio acquiring unit 1102 as the ratio of products in a predetermined category. Here, the information transmitting unit 1103 may display product information in a display mode corresponding to the ratio acquired for the first search result page, regardless of whether the search result page corresponding to the transmitted page information is the first search result page or the second search result page. As a result, the display modes of the search result pages for all page numbers are determined by the products whose information is displayed on the first search result page.

[0083] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of how a display format is determined. As in FIG. 18, it is assumed that the user has not changed the display format in the past. The threshold percentage is 90 percent. The number of search results is 120. The maximum number of search results per page is 50. As shown in FIG. 21(a), the information sending unit 1103 first generates an HTML document for the first search result page. The first search result page displays information about products ranked 1 to 50. Of the products ranked 1 to 50, 100% are fashion products. Therefore, the display format for the first search result page is a fashion grid format. As shown in FIG. 21(b), in response to a further request from the user terminal 2, the information sending unit 1103 generates an HTML document for the second search result page. The second search result page displays information about products ranked 51 to 100. Of the products ranked 51 to 100, 60% are fashion products. However, like the first page of search results, the second page of search results is displayed in a fashion grid format. As shown in FIG. 21(c), in response to a further request from user terminal 2, information sending unit 1103 generates an HTML document for the third page of search results. The third page of search results displays information about products ranked 101 to 120. Of the products ranked 101 to 120, fashion products account for 20 percent. In this case, like the first page of search results, the third page of search results is displayed in a fashion grid format.

[0084] When a product is searched in response to a search request, the first search result page is always displayed. However, the second and subsequent search result pages are not necessarily displayed. These search result pages are displayed only when there is a further request from the user terminal 2. Therefore, the display mode of all search result pages from the first page to the final page is unified in accordance with the product whose information is displayed on the first search result page, which is always displayed. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a sense of unity in the display mode among multiple search result pages while placing emphasis on products that are more likely to be viewed by the user.

[0085] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a fashion product ratio calculation process executed by the system control unit 11 of the shopping server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 identifies products whose information will be displayed on the first search result page based on the maximum number of items displayed and the display order of each searched product (step S241). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 calculates the number of products whose information will be displayed on the first search result page based on the number of search results and the maximum number of items displayed (step S242). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 identifies products belonging to the fashion category from among the products whose information will be displayed on the first search result page based on the category information (step S243). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 counts the number of products belonging to the fashion category (step S244). Next, the ratio acquisition unit 1102 calculates the ratio of fashion products by dividing the number of products belonging to the fashion category by the number of products whose information will be displayed on the first search result page (step S245). When step S245 is completed, the fashion product ratio calculation process ends.

[0086] The system control unit 11 may execute the same process as the other search result page sending process shown in Fig. 16. As a result, regardless of the page number of the search result page to be displayed, the display mode of the search result page may be a display mode according to the ratio calculated in the fashion product ratio calculation process for the first search result page.

[0087] As described above, according to this embodiment, by adjusting the display style according to the product for which information is displayed on the search result page that is always displayed, it is possible to create a sense of unity in the display style of product information across multiple search result pages.

[0088] [4. Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments shown so far.

[0089] In this embodiment, when the number of products searched by the search unit 1101 exceeds a predetermined number, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among a predetermined number of products ranked high in the display order among the multiple products. This embodiment differs from the second and third embodiments in that information on all products searched by the search unit 1101 is displayed on a single search result page regardless of the number of search results. Therefore, search result pages beyond the second page may not exist. The predetermined number may be predetermined, for example, by the operator of the reservation service. For example, assume that the predetermined number is set to 100. When the number of search results is 100 or less, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among all searched products. When the number of search results exceeds 100, the percentage acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the percentage of products in a predetermined category among the searched products ranked from 1st to 100th. In this embodiment, the products satisfying the predetermined condition may be a predetermined number of products ranked high in the display order.

[0090] The information transmitting unit 1103 may transmit page information for displaying a search result page including information on all of the searched products.

[0091] If there is product information on the search result page that cannot be displayed on the screen of the user terminal 2, the user will scroll the search result page or the screen to display the product information. Therefore, the higher a product is displayed, the higher the possibility that the product information will be viewed by the user. Therefore, product information can be displayed in a manner appropriate for products that are more likely to be viewed.

[0092] (Supplementary Note 1) A product information providing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring the proportion of products in a predetermined category among a plurality of products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; and a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device page information for causing the terminal device to display a page containing information on two or more products from the plurality of searched products, the page containing an image in the information on each product; wherein, if the acquired proportion is less than a predetermined proportion, the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the information on the products in a predetermined first display mode; and, if the acquired proportion is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the information on the products in a predetermined second display mode, the information on the products is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the information on the products including an occupancy rate of the image relative to the display area, and the transmission means sets the occupancy rate in the second display mode to be higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

[0093] (Supplementary Note 2) The product information providing device according to Supplementary Note 1, characterized in that the information on the searched multiple products may be divided into two or more pages in units of a predetermined number of products, the transmitting means, in response to the search request, transmits the page information on a first page of the two or more pages, and in response to a further request from the terminal device after the page information on the first page has been transmitted, transmits the page information on a second page of the two or more pages that is different from the first page, the acquiring means, in response to the search request from the terminal device, acquires a proportion of products in the predetermined category among the multiple products whose information is displayed on the first page, and in response to the further request from the terminal device, acquires a proportion of products in the predetermined category among the multiple products whose information is displayed on the second page, and when transmitting the page information on the first page, the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display mode corresponding to the proportion acquired for the first page, and when transmitting the page information on the second page, transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display mode corresponding to the proportion acquired for the second page.

[0094] (Supplementary Note 3) The product information providing device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the information on the searched multiple products may be divided into two or more pages in units of a predetermined number of products, the transmitting means transmits the page information for a first page of the two or more pages in response to the search request, and transmits the page information for a second page of the two or more pages different from the first page in response to a further request from the terminal device after the page information for the first page has been transmitted, the obtaining means obtains the proportion of products in the predetermined category among the multiple products whose information is displayed on the first page, and the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display manner corresponding to the proportion obtained for the first page, regardless of whether the page to which the page information is transmitted is the first page or the second page.

[0095] (Appendix 4) A product information providing device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that a ranking is assigned to each of the searched multiple products, the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the page including information on the two or more products in accordance with the order of the multiple products according to the assigned ranking, and the acquiring means, when the number of the searched multiple products exceeds a predetermined number, acquires the proportion of products in the predetermined category among the predetermined number of products that are ranked higher among the multiple products.

[0096] (Appendix 5) The product information providing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that the display mode includes a display format for the product information, the display format in the first display mode being a list format, and the display format in the second display mode being a grid format, and further comprising a receiving means for receiving a setting of the display format from the terminal device, and the transmitting means, when the search request is made after the receiving means has accepted setting the display format to the list format, transmits the page information for displaying the product information in the first display mode even if the proportion of products in the specified category among the multiple products searched in response to the search request is equal to or greater than the specified proportion.

[0097] (Appendix 6) A product information providing method executed by a computer, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a proportion of products in a predetermined category among a plurality of products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; and a transmission step of transmitting to the terminal device page information for causing the terminal device to display a page including information on two or more products among the plurality of searched products, the page including an image in the information on each product; wherein the transmission step transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode if the acquired proportion is less than a predetermined proportion; and transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode if the acquired proportion is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion; the product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information including an occupancy rate of the image relative to the display area; and wherein the transmission step makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

[0098] (Appendix 7) A product information providing program that causes a computer to function as an acquisition means that acquires the proportion of products in a predetermined category among multiple products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device, and a transmission means that transmits to the terminal device page information that causes the terminal device to display a page containing information on two or more products from the multiple searched products, where the information on each product includes an image, wherein the transmission means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode if the acquired proportion is less than a predetermined proportion, and transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode if the acquired proportion is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion, the product information being displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information including an occupancy rate of the image relative to the display area, and the transmission means makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Shopping Server 2. User terminal 11 System control section 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interface 14 Storage section 14a Product DB 14b Display format setting DB 14c Product image data 1101 Search Department 1102 Percentage Acquisition Department 1103 Information Transmission Unit 1104 Settings Reception Section NW Network

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring a ratio of products in a predetermined category among a plurality of products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; a transmitting means for transmitting, to the terminal device, page information for displaying on the terminal device a page including information on two or more products among the plurality of products found by the search, the page including an image in the information on each product; Equipped with the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode when the acquired ratio is less than a predetermined ratio, and transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode when the acquired ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio; The product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information includes an occupancy rate of the image in the display area; The product information providing device, wherein the transmitting means makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

2. The information on the searched products may be divided into two or more pages for each predetermined number of products, the transmitting means transmits the page information for a first page of the two or more pages in response to the search request, and transmits the page information for a second page of the two or more pages different from the first page in response to a further request from the terminal device after the page information for the first page has been transmitted; the acquiring means acquires, in response to the search request from the terminal device, a proportion of products in the predetermined category among the plurality of products whose information is displayed on the first page, and, in response to the further request from the terminal device, acquires a proportion of products in the predetermined category among the plurality of products whose information is displayed on the second page; The product information providing device described in claim 1, characterized in that when transmitting the page information for the first page, the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display format corresponding to the ratio obtained for the first page, and when transmitting the page information for the second page, the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display format corresponding to the ratio obtained for the second page.

3. The information on the searched products may be divided into two or more pages for each predetermined number of products, the transmitting means transmits the page information for a first page of the two or more pages in response to the search request, and transmits the page information for a second page of the two or more pages different from the first page in response to a further request from the terminal device after the page information for the first page has been transmitted; the acquiring means acquires a ratio of products in the predetermined category among the products whose information is displayed on the first page among the plurality of products; The product information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a display mode corresponding to the ratio obtained for the first page, regardless of whether the page to which the page information is transmitted is the first page or the second page.

4. A ranking is assigned to each of the searched products; the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the page including information on the two or more products in accordance with the order of the plurality of products according to the assigned ranking; The product information providing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the number of the searched products exceeds a predetermined number, the obtaining means obtains the proportion of products in the predetermined category among the predetermined number of products that are ranked higher among the plurality of products.

5. the display mode includes a display format of the product information, the display format in the first display mode is a list format, the display format in the second display mode is a grid format, further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a setting of the display format from the terminal device; The product information providing device of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when a search request is made after the receiving means has accepted setting the display format to the list format, the sending means sends the page information for displaying information about the product in the first display mode, even if the proportion of products in the specified category among the multiple products searched in response to the search request is equal to or greater than the specified proportion.

6. A computer-implemented product information providing method, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a ratio of products in a predetermined category among a plurality of products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; a transmitting step of transmitting, to the terminal device, page information for displaying on the terminal device a page including information on two or more products among the plurality of products found by the search, the page including an image in the information on each product; Including, the transmitting step transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode when the acquired ratio is less than a predetermined ratio, and transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode when the acquired ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio; The product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information includes an occupancy rate of the image in the display area; The product information providing method, wherein the transmitting step makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

7. Computer, an acquisition means for acquiring a ratio of products in a predetermined category among a plurality of products searched in response to a search request from a terminal device; a transmitting means for transmitting, to the terminal device, page information for displaying on the terminal device a page including information on two or more products among the plurality of products found in the search, the page including an image in the information on each product; It functions as the transmitting means transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined first display mode when the acquired ratio is less than a predetermined ratio, and transmits the page information for displaying the product information in a predetermined second display mode when the acquired ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio; The product information is displayed in a display area within the page, the display mode of the product information includes an occupancy rate of the image in the display area; The product information providing program is characterized in that the transmission means makes the occupancy rate in the second display mode higher than the occupancy rate in the first display mode.

Images