Display control method, program, and display control device

Abstract

To allow for displaying a screen for customizing a target object composed of multiple components in a manner that makes it easier to select the components.SOLUTION: A display control method disclosed herein involves causing a computer to acknowledge customization processing on a target object composed of multiple components, each having multiple variations, and modify the display order of the components on a screen for customizing the target object on the basis of an action history and purchase history of a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control method, a program, and a display control device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to meet various customer needs for products, product sales systems that allow users to customize product specifications and place orders have been emerging. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sales system that allows users to select parts to configure a customized product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-195761 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The sales system disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays a parts selection list on an estimate screen, and enables a user to configure a customized product by selecting desired parts from the parts selection list. However, conventional systems such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 do not provide a UI (User Interface) that makes it easy for users to select desired parts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a display control method, program, and display control device that can display components in a way that makes them easy to select on a screen for customizing an object composed of multiple components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of a display control method according to the present invention comprises: The computer displaying, on a screen for customizing each of a plurality of components constituting an object, a list of the components that can be customized and a plurality of selectable variations for a component selected from the list of components; When any one of the plurality of variations for the component selected by the user is selected in the list of components, an identification display indicating that the selection of the variation has been completed is displayed on the screen in association with the selected component. The display order of the selected component in the list is adjusted so that the selected component is displayed at the last position in the list. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, on a screen for customizing an object constituted by a plurality of components, the components can be displayed in a manner that makes them easy to select. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a product customization system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a component of the wristwatch according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an EC site device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for internet shopping for customizable products on an EC site in accordance with embodiment 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying detailed information of a product selected on the EC site in accordance with the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for customizing a product on the EC site in accordance with the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a screen for customizing a product on the EC site in accordance with embodiment 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for customizing a three-link play ring on the EC site according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a screen for customizing a three-link play ring on the EC site according to embodiment 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of component image information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of action history information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of purchase record information in accordance with the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of selection count information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display order information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart of a customized display process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is a first portion of a flowchart of a customized display process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is a second part of the flowchart of the customized display process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of memory contents in the customized display process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of memory contents in the customized display process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third example of memory contents in the customized display process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting priority conditions on an EC site according to embodiment 3. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of user information according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A display control method and the like according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) For ease of understanding, the display control method and the like according to the first embodiment will be described below taking as an example a case where the display control method and the like according to the first embodiment are applied to a product customization system 1000 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the product customization system 1000 includes an EC site device 100 and an inventory management device 200.

[0011] The EC site device 100 is a server that provides an EC site that sells customizable products. This customizable product is composed of multiple components, and each component can be customized by selecting it from multiple options (variations). Specifically, a user can customize and purchase a product by accessing the EC site device 100 from a user terminal 300 such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, and selecting a desired one from multiple variations for each component.

[0012] Customizable products, components, and variations will be described using the wristwatch 500 shown in FIG. 2 as an example.

[0013] This wristwatch 500 is constructed by combining multiple components such as a short band component 510, a long band component 520, a buckle component 530, a ring component 540, a bezel component 550, and a glass component 560.

[0014] For example, the short band component 510 is available in a variety of colors, such as a short band component 510A, a short band component 510B, and a short band component 510C. The short band component 510 is composed of two parts, a short band 511 and a band spring bar 512, and multiple variations are provided by combining the short bands 511 of different colors with the band spring bar 512.

[0015] That is, a variation (selectable specification) refers to, for example, a change in color, material, number, etc. of the parts (components) that make up the short band component 510. Specifically, the short band component 510A has an orange band color and is made of resin, while the short band component 510B has a black band color and is made of metal, and so on. Depending on the variation, the properties (attributes) of the parts, such as color, material, number, etc., are changed arbitrarily. The number of variations is also arbitrary and does not have to be the same for each component.

[0016] Although not shown, other components are similarly composed of one or more parts, and multiple variations can be provided by changing the color, material, number, etc. of the parts.

[0017] Returning to Figure 1, the EC site device 100 accumulates information on the user's behavioral history (history of the user's viewing, selection, ordering, etc. of products and components on the EC site) and purchase history received from the user terminal 300, and transmits this information to the inventory management device 200 as necessary.

[0018] The inventory management device 200 grasps the correspondence between components and parts (components) and the inventory status of each part, calculates the inventory (available quantity) of components from the inventory of parts, and transmits this inventory information to the EC site device 100.

[0019] The following describes the functional configuration of the EC site device 100. The EC site device 100 includes, as its functional configuration, a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130, as shown in FIG.

[0020] The control unit 110 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 110 executes a program stored in the storage unit 120, and causes the EC site device 100 to function as a web server of the EC site.

[0021] The storage unit 120 stores programs executed by the control unit 110 and necessary data. The storage unit 120 may include, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like.

[0022] The communication unit 130 is a communication interface for the EC site device 100 to transmit and receive data to and from the inventory management device 200, the user terminal 300, and the like.

[0023] With the above-described functional configuration, when the EC site device 100 is connected to the user terminal 300, it provides the functions of an EC site and displays a list of watches that can be shopped online on the screen 310, which is the display unit of the user terminal 300, as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

[0024] In FIG. 4, a "default model" that has not been customized and a "customized model by designer A" that has been customized by designer A are displayed on screen 310 as a watch with model number "Watch #1" (watch with base model #1), and a "default model" that has not been customized is displayed on screen 310 as a watch with model number "Watch #2" (watch with base model #2). Note that this is merely one example of the display. For example, the EC site device 100 may display only watches with the same model number on screen 310. Furthermore, the EC site device 100 may display only the default models of watches of each model number on the first page of the EC site, and display customized models on a separate dedicated page.

[0025] When the user selects, for example, "Watch #1 Designer A Customized Model" on the screen 310 shown in Fig. 4 (for example, by clicking or tapping on the watch to be selected on the screen), the EC site device 100 causes the screen 310 of the user terminal 300 to display a page displaying detailed information about the selected product, as shown in Fig. 5. It is up to the user to decide what information to display as detailed product information, but Fig. 5 displays multiple angle images 312, which are images of the selected watch viewed from various angles (multiple viewing directions).

[0026] 5 shows only three angle images 312, an angle image that allows the user to effectively view each component that can be selected by the user may be prepared. Also, angle images for checking the overall design of the product (for example, an overall bird's-eye view from the front, an overall bird's-eye view from the back, an image from the side, a roll-cut image, etc.) may be prepared. It is arbitrary how many types of angle images 312 are prepared and what angle images are used as the angle images 312.

[0027] When a user presses (e.g., clicks, taps, etc.) a customization button 311 in the upper right corner on the screen 310 shown in Fig. 5, the EC site device 100 displays a customization screen for customizing each component of the product as shown in Fig. 6 on the screen 310 of the user terminal 300 and accepts the customization process. Fig. 6 is an example of the customization screen, and in this example, a default angle image 312 (e.g., an angle image seen from the front) of the product to be customized is displayed relatively large on the left center of the screen, below which a list of selectable angle images 312 is displayed as thumbnail images 314, and to the right of the angle image 312, a list of selectable components 313 and a list of customization items (selectable variations) 315 for the selected component 313 are displayed.

[0028] In FIG. 6, Bezel, Face, Short Band, Long Band, Buckle, and Band Loop are displayed as components 313 in the component selection area, which correspond to the bezel component 550, glass component 560, short band component 510, long band component 520, buckle component 530, and ring component 540, respectively. In FIG. 6, the bezel component 550 is selected, and colors can be selected as selectable variations of the bezel component 550. These colors are displayed in order of the number of selections from the colors selected in the past as a list of customization items 315. In addition, a check mark 316 is displayed for the selected color, and a sold-out mark 317 is displayed for colors that cannot be provided due to a lack of parts (i.e., out of stock).

[0029] When the user selects a color different from the currently selected color as the customization item 315 for the bezel component 550, the color of the watch bezel component 550 in the angle image 312 (available angle image) on the screen 310 is changed to the selected color.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 6, a done button 318 and a share button 319 are displayed at the top of the screen. On this customization screen, the user can select a variation for the component they wish to customize and customize the wristwatch. Once the customization is complete, the user can end the customization by pressing the done button 318. After completing the customization, the user can order the customized product. Furthermore, the user can post information related to the image of the customized model to a social networking service (SNS) or the like by pressing the share button 319.

[0031] Furthermore, when the user selects another component 313 that the user wishes to customize from the list of components 313, the EC site device 100, as shown in FIG. 7, assumes that the selection of the variation of the previously selected component 313 (bezel component 550 in this example) is complete, displays a check mark 327, selects an angle image 312 that allows the selected component 313 (short band component 510 in FIG. 7) to be effectively viewed, and displays the selected angle image 312 large on the screen 310.

[0032] Then, the EC site device 100 displays on the screen 310 a list of customization items 315 for the selected component 313. Here, a color can be selected as a selectable variation of the short band component 510. The EC site device 100 displays on the screen 310, through a customization display process described later, a list of the customization items 315 from among colors selected in the past in descending order of the number of times they have been selected.

[0033] Among the components, the free-floating ring component 540 differs from the other components in that the user can select not only color variations but also a single type (normal free-floating ring) and a triple type (three-ring free-floating ring). The triple-type free-floating ring component 540 is composed of three free-floating rings, and the user can select the color of each of the three free-floating rings. Therefore, when the user selects the Band Loop (free-floating ring component 540) as the component 313 in the component selection, the EC site device 100 displays a screen 310 for selecting a variation of the free-floating ring component 540, as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

[0034] This screen provides, as the ring component 540, a single button 320 for selecting the single type and a triple button 321 for selecting the triple type. When the triple button 321 is pressed, a top button 323, a middle button 324, and a bottom button 325 are further displayed to select each of the three rings.

[0035] The top button 323 is a button for selecting a variation for the topmost free ring of the three free rings. The middle button 324 is a button for selecting a variation for the middle free ring of the three free rings. The bottom button 325 is a button for selecting a variation for the bottommost free ring of the three free rings.

[0036] In this way, for the triple-type free-ring component 540, the user needs to select a variation for each of the three free-rings, which makes the operation complicated. For this reason, the EC site device 100 may provide a function for displaying triple-type color combinations selected in the past in order of frequency of selection. An example of providing this function is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. When the user presses the triple history button 322 on the screen shown in Fig. 8, the EC site device 100 displays the triple-type three-color combinations from Rank 1 in order of frequency of selection as shown in Fig. 9, and the user can select a variation of the triple-type free-ring component 540 from among them.

[0037] Returning now to Fig. 3, various types of information stored in storage unit 120 will be described. Component image information 121 is information on image material (variation image) of each variation for each angle of each component. For example, as component image information 121 for a bezel component, image material for each angle image is stored for each variation of the bezel component, as shown in Fig. 10. Similar component image information 121 for other components is also stored in storage unit 120.

[0038] The behavior history information 122 is information on the operation history of which products or components (variations) the user viewed on the EC site (how many times they viewed them and how long they viewed them), which they selected (how many times they selected them), and whether they placed an order, etc. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the behavior history information 122 includes a list of behaviors (viewing behaviors and selection behaviors) associated with dates and times, along with a "behavior history number" that is a number for uniquely identifying the behavior history information and a "user ID (Identification)" that indicates which user's behavior history it is.

[0039] 11, the selection action in which the base model or each component was last selected is written in parentheses as "(Base model determined)" or "(XX component determined)" to indicate that the base model or each component was determined by that selection action. However, since the control unit 110 can extract the last selection of the base model or each component by tracing the action history information 122 backward from the time of "Pressing the Complete button", this information in parentheses does not need to be included in the action history information 122.

[0040] The purchase history information 123 is information indicating how a customized product was actually purchased. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the purchase history information 123 includes a purchase history number (a number for uniquely identifying the purchase history information), a base model of the purchased product, and information on a variation selected for each component. Note that the purchase history information 123 may be stored as being included in the behavior history information 122.

[0041] The selection count information 124 is information that counts how many times each component and each variation of each component are selected by a user during customization. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, for each base model, the number of times each component is selected during customization of the base model and the number of times each variation of each component is selected are stored. The EC site device 100 may update the selection count information 124 every time a component or a variation is selected on the customization screen, or may acquire the selection count information 124 by referring to the action history information 122 and calculating the number of times each component or each variation is selected when the selection count information 124 becomes necessary.

[0042] The display order information 125 is information on the order in which the customization items 315 (variations) are displayed in the variation selection area for each component on the customization screen. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, the customization items 315 (variations) for each component are listed in the order in which they are displayed. Initially, they are listed in the default display order, but this is updated based on the selection count information 124 in the customization display process described later.

[0043] In the display order information 125 shown in FIG. 14, the floating ring component 540 includes a mixture of single type and triple type, and the triple type includes a mixture of three combinations (triple) and variations by position (top, middle, bottom). When the variations of the floating ring component 540 were decided, the number of times each was selected was counted, and the variations were sorted in order of the number of times they were selected.

[0044] In this case, for example, when the single button 320 is pressed on the customization screen shown in FIG. 8, only single types are extracted from the display order information 125 and displayed in order as customization items 315; when the triple button 321 is pressed, only items corresponding to the selected position in the display order information 125 (top, middle, bottom) are extracted and displayed in order as customization items 315; and when the triple history button 322 is pressed, only triple types are extracted from the display order information 125 and displayed in order as customization items 315, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0045] However, the display order information 125 shown in Fig. 14 is merely an example, and the information may be stored separately for the single type and the triple type. The triple type may be further stored separately for the top, middle, and bottom.

[0046] Next, the customization display process executed by the control unit 110 of the EC site device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. This process is executed when a customization screen is displayed on a user terminal 300 that has accessed an EC site provided by the EC site device 100. For example, when a customize button 311 is pressed on the screen shown in Fig. 5, the customization display process is executed and the customization screen shown in Fig. 6 is displayed. The display order (display order information 125) of customization items 315 for selecting variations of each component on the customization screen is determined (updated) by this customization display process.

[0047] First, the control unit 110 acquires the number of selections of each variation of each component of the base model displayed (selected) on the screen 310 when the customize button 311 is pressed (step S101). Specifically, the control unit 110 acquires the number of selections of each variation from the behavior history information 122 of the selected base model. For example, when the customize button 311 is pressed with the base model #2 selected, the control unit 110 extracts the behavior history information 122 that determines the base model to be the base model #2, and acquires the number of selections by counting the selection behavior of the variation of each component included in the extracted behavior history information 122. However, if an updated value is always stored in the selection count information 124, the control unit 110 may acquire the selection count information 124 directly from the storage unit 120 in step S101.

[0048] Next, the control unit 110 updates the display order information 125 based on the number of selections acquired in step S101 (step S102). For example, the control unit 110 causes the storage unit 120 to store, as the display order information 125, the variations for each component sorted in descending order of the number of selections.

[0049] Then, the control unit 110 causes a customization screen as shown in Fig. 6 to be displayed on the screen 310 of the user terminal 300 (step S103). Next, the control unit 110 judges whether or not any component has been selected by the user (step S104). However, when the customization item 315 of the initial component (bezel component 550 in Fig. 6) is displayed from the beginning on the customization screen as shown in Fig. 6, after the customization screen is displayed in step S103, the control unit 110 considers that the initial component (e.g., bezel component 550) has been selected (the judgment in step S104 is Yes).

[0050] If no component is selected (step S104; No), the control unit 110 returns to step S104. If a component is selected (step S104; Yes), the control unit 110 displays the variations (customization items 315) of the selected component on the screen 310 of the user terminal 300 in the order stored in the display order information 125 updated in step S102 (step S105).

[0051] Next, the control unit 110 determines whether or not any variation (customization item 315) has been selected by the user (step S106). If no variation has been selected (step S106; No), the control unit 110 returns to step S106. If a variation has been selected (step S106; Yes), the control unit 110 displays the angle image 312 etc. according to the selected variation (step S107).

[0052] Then, the control unit 110 judges whether or not the user has instructed to complete the customization (i.e., whether or not the completion button 318 has been pressed) (step S108). If completion has been instructed (step S108; Yes), the control unit 110 ends the customization display process. If completion has not been instructed (step S108; No), the control unit 110 returns to step S104.

[0053] By the above-described customization display process, the customization items 315 (variations) of each component displayed on the customization screen are displayed in order of the number of times they have been selected, so that the items are displayed in order of the likelihood that the user will select them. Therefore, the EC site device 100 can display the variations of each component in a way that makes it easy for the user to select them.

[0054] When the free ring component 540 is selected on the customization screen, the single button 320 or triple button 321 is displayed as shown in Fig. 8, but the control unit 110 may display the single type free ring customization items 315 (variations) in descending order of the number of selections as the initial screen for selecting the free ring component 540, assuming that the single button 320 is pressed first. Also, when the triple type has been selected more times than the single type (for example, when the triple type is ranked higher than the single type in the display order of the free ring component 540 in the display order information 125 shown in Fig. 14), the triple type selection screen may be displayed from the beginning as shown in Fig. 8.

[0055] In the above-described customization display process, the control unit 110 acquires the selection frequency information 124 by counting the selection behavior of the behavior history information 122, and displays the customization items 315 (variations) in descending order of the number of selections, but this is merely one example of how to determine the display order. For example, instead of counting all the selection frequencies, the control unit 110 may count the number of selections only for the customization item 315 (variation) selected first in each component, and display the customization items 315 (variations) in descending order of the number of selections.

[0056] In addition, the control unit 110 may, for example, count the number of times each customization item 315 (variation) is selected for each component in the purchase history information 123, and display the customization items 315 (variations) in order of the number of times each customization item 315 (variation) is selected for each component at the time of purchase.

[0057] (Embodiment 2) In the embodiment described above, the display order of the customization items 315 (variations) of each component is determined based on the selected base model. However, a second embodiment will be described in which the display order of the customization items 315 (variations) of each component is determined taking into consideration not only the selected base model but also the subsequent selection of components.

[0058] The EC site device 101 according to the second embodiment has the same functional configuration as the EC site device 100 according to the first embodiment, but the customization display process according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment, and therefore the customization display process according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. This process is also executed when a customization screen is displayed on the user terminal 300 that has accessed the EC site provided by the EC site device 100. That is, also in the second embodiment, when the customize button 311 is pressed on the screen shown in Fig. 5, for example, the customization display process described below is executed and the customization screen shown in Fig. 6 is displayed.

[0059] First, the control unit 110 sets a variable n to 1 (step S201). This variable n is a variable that specifies an address (a memory address in the storage unit 120) at which the content selected by the user is to be stored. However, this address is a virtual one for the purpose of explanation, and does not necessarily correspond to a physical address, and may be considered as a subscript of an array variable that stores the names of the base model, component, and customization item 315 (variation).

[0060] Then, the control unit 110 stores the name of the base model displayed (selected) on the screen 310 when the customize button 311 was pressed in address n of the memory (step S202). Next, the control unit 110 adds 1 to the value of the variable n (step S203).

[0061] The processing in steps S204 to S207 is similar to that in steps S101 to S104 in the customized display processing (FIG. 15) in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] If a component is selected in step S207 (step S207; Yes), control unit 110 stores the name of the selected component in address n of the memory (step S208). Then, control unit 110 adds 1 to the value of variable n (step S209). For example, if base model #1 is selected and customized display processing is executed, and then a bezel component is selected, "base model #1" is written to address 1 in step S202, and "bezel component" is written to address 2 in step S208, resulting in memory contents as shown in FIG.

[0063] Then, the control unit 110 displays the variations (customization items 315) of the selected component in the order stored in the display order information 125 updated in step S205 (step S210).

[0064] Next, the control unit 110 determines whether any variation (customization item 315) has been selected by the user (step S211). If no variation has been selected (step S211; No), the control unit 110 proceeds to step S218 (FIG. 17). If a variation has been selected (step S211; Yes), the control unit 110 stores the selected variation in address n of the memory (step S212). For example, in the case of the memory contents of FIG. 18, if the orange bezel component 550 is selected as a variation, "orange" is written to address 3 in step S212, and the memory contents become as shown in FIG. 19.

[0065] Then, the control unit 110 acquires the number of times each customization item 315 (variation) is selected from the behavior history information 122 that matches the contents of addresses 1 to n of the memory (step S213). For example, in the case of the memory contents shown in Fig. 19, the control unit 110 extracts, from the behavior history information 122, behavior history information 122 in which the base model is determined to be the base model #1 and the bezel component 550 is determined to be an orange variation, and acquires the number of times each customization item 315 (variation) of each component is selected in the selection behavior included in the extracted behavior history information 122.

[0066] Next, the control unit 110 updates the display order information 125 based on the selection count acquired in step S213 (step S214), and adds 1 to the value of the variable n (step S215). Then, the control unit 110 displays the angle image 312 etc. according to the selected variation (step S216).

[0067] Then, the control unit 110 judges whether or not the user has instructed to complete the customization (step S217). If the user has instructed to complete the customization (step S217; Yes), the control unit 110 ends the customization display process. If the user has not instructed to complete the customization (step S217; No), the control unit 110 returns to step S207.

[0068] Furthermore, in step S218 (FIG. 17), the control unit 110 determines whether or not another component has been selected by the user. If another component has not been selected (step S218; No), the control unit 110 returns to step S211 (FIG. 16).

[0069] If another component is selected (step S218; Yes), the control unit 110 judges whether the variable n is 3 or not (step S219). If the variable n is 3 (step S219; Yes), the control unit 110 rewrites the name of the component stored at address n-1 of the memory to the name of the currently selected component (step S220) and returns to step S210 (FIG. 16). For example, when the memory contents are as shown in FIG. 19, if the shortband component 510 is selected as the other component, the contents of address 2 are rewritten from "bezel component" to "shortband component" in step S220, resulting in the memory contents as shown in FIG. 20.

[0070] On the other hand, if the variable n is not 3 (step S219; No), the control unit 110 rewrites the name of the component stored in the memory address n-1 to the name of the currently selected component (step S221).Then, the control unit 110 obtains the number of selections of each variation from the action history information 122 that matches the contents of the memory addresses 1 to n-2 (step S222).

[0071] The reason why the process is divided depending on whether the value of the variable n is 3 or not is that when the variable is other than 3 (an odd number equal to or greater than 5), it is necessary to change the display order information of the variations of the component selected this time (in step S218), whereas when the variable n is 3, the component is selected immediately after the base model is selected, so there is no need to change the display order information (the display order information updated in step S205 can be used as is). When the variable n is other than 3, variations have been selected for one or more components up to that point, and these have been stored in memory up to address n-2. Therefore, steps S222 and S223 are the processes for updating the display order information of the variations of the component selected this time based on that information (selection sequence).

[0072] Then, the control unit 110 updates the display order information 125 based on the number of selections acquired in step S222 (step S223), and returns to step S210 (FIG. 16).

[0073] Through the above-described customization display process, a selection sequence indicating the order in which each component is selected is recorded in the memory at addresses 1 to n (or n-2), and the display order information 125 is updated based on the behavior history information 122 that matches the selection sequence. That is, the variations of each component displayed on the customization screen are displayed in order of the number of times they have been selected, taking into consideration not only the base model but also subsequent variation selections, and are therefore displayed starting from the one that is most likely to be selected by the user. Therefore, the EC site device 101 can display the variations of each component in a way that makes it easy for the user to select.

[0074] In the above-described customization display process, the control unit 110 extracts the behavior history information 122 that matches the memory contents, obtains the number of selections by counting the selection behavior, and displays the customization items 315 (variations) in descending order of the number of selections, but this is merely one example of how to determine the display order. For example, instead of counting the number of selections of all the behavior history information 122 that matches the memory contents, the control unit 110 may count the number of selections only for the customization items 315 (variations) that are selected first in each component, and display the customization items 315 (variations) in descending order of the number of selections.

[0075] (Embodiment 3) In the above-described embodiment, the display order of the customization items 315 (variations) of each component is determined based on the behavioral history and purchase records of all users who have accessed the EC site devices 100, 101. However, it is also possible that the customization method differs depending on the characteristics of the user (gender, age, occupation, hobbies, features of the product to be purchased, etc.). Therefore, a third embodiment will be described in which the display order is determined using a behavioral history that matches the characteristics of the user.

[0076] 21, a priority condition setting button 328 is displayed on the customization screen of the EC site device 102 according to the third embodiment. When the priority condition setting button 328 is pressed, a priority condition setting window 329 is displayed, and the user can input priority conditions for customization.

[0077] In the example of the priority condition setting window 329 shown in FIG. 21, the user can set the gender, age, occupation, and hobbies as characteristics of the person performing the customization, and can also set the main time display format (digital or analog) and optional services as characteristics of the product to be customized.

[0078] 21 shows back cover engraving as an optional service, which is a service for engraving a message, symbol, etc. on the back cover of a watch. As other optional services, the EC site device 102 can provide the user with any service (for example, band printing (a service for printing letters or marks on the short or long band of a watch), a watch stand (a service for shipping a stand printed with a motif of a design or color customized by the user together with the watch), a package design (a service for shipping an exterior box printed with a motif of a design or color customized by the user together with the watch), etc.).

[0079] The EC site device 102 according to the third embodiment has the functional configuration of the EC site devices 100, 101 according to the first or second embodiment, and in addition, the storage unit 120 stores user information 126 as shown in FIG. 22. That is, a user who accesses the EC site device 102 according to the third embodiment registers his / her characteristic data (data on gender, age, occupation, hobbies, features of a product to be purchased, etc.) at the start of use. Then, the control unit 110 stores the characteristic data of each user as the user information 126 in the storage unit 120, and thereafter, the behavior history information 122 and purchase record information 123 are also stored in association with the user information 126.

[0080] In the customized display process according to the third embodiment, the control unit 110 updates the display order information 125 based on the behavior history and purchase record of users who meet the conditions input by the user in the priority condition setting window 329, i.e., users whose characteristic data meet the conditions. The control unit 110 also preferentially displays (raises the display order of) products and variations that meet the product priority conditions input by the user in the priority condition setting window 329.

[0081] Specifically, the control unit 110 extracts the user's behavior history number and purchase record number that match the conditions input in the priority condition setting window 329 from the user information 126, calculates the number of times the customizing items 315 (variations) have been selected based on the behavior history information 122 indicated by the extracted behavior history number and the purchase record information 123 indicated by the extracted purchase record number, and updates the display order information 125 so that the customizing items 315 (variations) are displayed in descending order of the number of times they have been selected. Then, the control unit 110 updates the display order information 125 so that, among the customizing items 315 (variations) listed in the display order information 125, the customizing items 315 (variations) for products that match the product priority conditions input by the user in the priority condition setting window 329 are displayed higher than those that do not match.

[0082] As described above, by updating the display order information 125, customization items 315 (variations) that meet the conditions set by the user in the priority condition setting window 329 are displayed preferentially (raised in the display order).

[0083] In this way, in the customization display process according to the third embodiment, the customization items 315 (variations) of each component are displayed taking into consideration the priority conditions set by the user, so that the items are displayed starting from those that are more likely to be selected by the user. Therefore, the EC site device 102 can display the variations of each component in a way that makes it easy for the user to select.

[0084] (Embodiment 4) As a method of displaying the candidates for customization items 315 (variations) for each component, it is preferable to arrange similar colors close to each other, so that the user can select a customization item 315 (variation) while comparing subtle differences in color. A fourth embodiment in which the customization items 315 are displayed in such a manner that similar colors are arranged will be described.

[0085] The EC site device 103 according to the fourth embodiment has the same functional configuration as the EC site devices 100, 101, and 102 according to the above-mentioned embodiments. However, in the customization display process according to the fourth embodiment, the control unit 110 displays the first variation (first in the display order) of each component stored in the display order information 125 as the first customization item 315, and thereafter, the variations are displayed in order of hue starting from that variation.

[0086] More specifically, the control unit 110 calculates the hue value of each color of the customization items 315 (variations) selectable for the selected component, and sorts them by the hue value (however, the hue value is considered to be the maximum value (e.g., 1) followed by the minimum value (e.g., 0)).The customization items 315 (variations) with the most frequently selected color are displayed first, and thereafter the customization items 315 are displayed in order of closest hue value (sorted order).

[0087] By displaying in this manner, customization items 315 (variations) of similar colors are displayed close together, making it easier for the user to compare subtle color differences and select a customization item 315 (variation).

[0088] (Embodiment 5) It is desirable for vendors selling customizable products on the EC site device 100 to prevent the customizing items 315 (variations) of each component from running out of stock as much as possible. Therefore, a fifth embodiment will be described in which the customizing items 315 are displayed in an order that takes into account the stock number of variations.

[0089] The EC site device 104 according to the fifth embodiment has the same functional configuration as the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, and 103 according to the above-mentioned embodiments. However, in the customized display process according to the fifth embodiment, the control unit 110 acquires the stock quantity of each variation from the inventory management device 200, and updates the display order information 125 so that the stock quantities are arranged in descending order. However, when there are variations with the same stock quantity, the control unit 110 updates the display order information 125 so that the variations with the same stock quantity are arranged in descending order of the number of selections.

[0090] Note that instead of updating the display order information 125 to sort by the number of stocks, the control unit 110 basically updates the display order information 125 to sort by the number of selections (as in the above-described embodiment), but may move the display order of customization items 315 (variations) whose stock amount is 0 or a low threshold value (e.g., 3) or less to the bottom.

[0091] By displaying the customization items 315 (variations) in this manner while taking into consideration the number of items in stock, the EC site device 100 according to embodiment 5 can display the customization items 315 in a way that makes it easy for the user to select a variation while preventing the variation from running out of stock as much as possible.

[0092] (Embodiment 6) In the above-described embodiment, the display order of the customization items 315 (variations) of each component on the customization screen is basically changed to make it easier for the user to select the customization items 315 (variations). However, the display order change does not need to be limited to the customization items 315 (variations). Here, a sixth embodiment will be described in which the display order of selectable components 313 on the customization screen is also changed.

[0093] The EC site device 105 of embodiment 6 has the same functional configuration as the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the above-mentioned embodiments, but the display order information 125 stores not only the display order of the customization items 315 (variations) in each component, but also the display order of the components.

[0094] In the customization display process according to the sixth embodiment, the control unit 110 acquires the number of selections of each component by counting the selection behavior of the component included in the action history information 122 when updating the display order information 125, and updates the display order of the components based on the number of selections of the component. When displaying selectable components 313 on the customization screen, the names of the components are displayed in the display order according to the updated display order information 125.

[0095] The display order of the components may be determined by prioritizing the order of selection (for example, first determining the variation of the bezel component 550, and then determining the variation of the long band component 520, etc.) rather than the number of times selected. In this case, the control unit 110 counts the information on the selection order of each component based on the action history information 122, and updates the information on the components in the display order information 125 so that the component that has been selected the nth most times is displayed nth.

[0096] 7 and 8, a check mark 327 is added to a component for which a variation has been determined, and when the control unit 110 adds the check mark 327 to the component, the control unit 110 may move the component so that the component is displayed last. For example, if the initial order is "Bezel, Face, Short Band, Long Band, Buckle, Band Loop," when adding the check mark 327 to "Bezel," the order is changed to "Face, Short Band, Long Band, Buckle, Band Loop, Bezel."

[0097] By changing the order in which the selectable components 313 are displayed in this manner, it becomes easier for the user to select not only the customization items 315 (variations) but also the components.

[0098] (Modification) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the customization process is performed by a user accessing the EC site provided by the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 from the user terminal 300 using a web browser. However, the customization process is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated application program for accessing the EC site without using a web browser may be installed in the user terminal 300, and the customization process may be performed by accessing the EC site using this dedicated application program.

[0099] In the above embodiment, a digital clock is used as an example of a product model that can be customized by a user on an EC site, but the object to be customized is not limited to a digital clock. For example, instead of or in addition to a digital clock, an analog clock or an analog-digital combination clock (a clock that displays the time on the clock face in a large analog display using hour and minute hands, and has an opening of any size at any position on the clock face through which the time is displayed in digital display using a liquid crystal or the like) may be used as a customizable product model. In addition, on an EC site, not only a clock but also any object having multiple arbitrary components may be customized.

[0100] The object of the customization process is not limited to a tangible object. For example, it may be a digital file such as painting data, music data, or video data identified by an NFT (Non-Fungible Token). The object of the customization process may be any data having any customizable component, not limited to data identified by an NFT.

[0101] (Effects, etc.) The control unit 110 changes the display order of the components 313 and the customization items 315 on the customization screen based on the user's behavior history or purchase history and displays them on the screen 310, making it easier for the user to select a component.

[0102] In addition, the control unit 110 acquires characteristic data indicating the characteristics of the user, and changes the display order of the components 313 and the customization items 315 on the customization screen based on the user's behavioral history or purchase history that matches the characteristic data, and displays them on the screen 310, making it even easier for the user to select components.

[0103] Furthermore, the control unit 110 causes the customization items 315 to be displayed on the screen 310 in order of their hue values, making it easier for the user to compare differences in the colors of the customization items 315 (variations).

[0104] Furthermore, the control unit 110 lowers the display order of customization items 315 with low stock on the screen 310, thereby improving the probability that the user will select a customization item 315 with abundant stock.

[0105] The EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 can also be realized by a computer such as a normal PC. Specifically, in the above embodiment, the program executed by the control unit 110 of the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 has been described as being stored in advance in the storage unit 120. However, the program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a memory card, a USB memory, or the like, and distributed, and the program may be read and installed in a computer to configure a computer capable of executing each of the above-mentioned processes.

[0106] Therefore, the user terminal 300 may function as the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 (display control device) by storing in the user terminal 300 programs and data similar to those of the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105. In addition, the user terminal 300 and the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 may share and store necessary data, and the above-mentioned customized display process may be executed by a control unit of the user terminal 300 and a control unit 110 of the EC site devices 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 in cooperation with each other.

[0107] Furthermore, the program may be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program may be distributed by posting it on a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication network. The program may then be started and executed under the control of an OS (Operating System) in the same manner as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processes to be performed.

[0108] In addition, the control unit 110 may be configured by any processor alone, such as a single processor, a multiprocessor, or a multi-core processor, or may be configured by combining any of these processors with a processing circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0109] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present invention includes the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. The inventions described in the original claims of this application are listed below.

[0110] (Appendix 1) The computer accepting a customization process for an object that is composed of a plurality of components, each of the components having a plurality of variations; changing a display order of the components on a screen for customizing the object based on a behavior history or purchase history of the user; Display control method.

[0111] (Appendix 2) The display order of the components is the display order of the variations on a screen for selecting the variations for each component. 2. A display control method as described in appended claim 1.

[0112] (Appendix 3) The user's behavior history is a history of the user's selection of the variations. 3. A display control method according to claim 1 or 2.

[0113] (Appendix 4) The computer includes: Raising the display ranking of the variation with a high number of selections based on the behavior history; 4. A display control method as described in appended claim 3.

[0114] (Appendix 5) The computer includes: raising the display ranking of the variation that is selected more frequently in a behavior history in which a selection sequence indicating the order in which the components are selected matches the selection sequence of the user; 5. A display control method as described in appended claim 4.

[0115] (Appendix 6) The computer includes: Acquire characteristic data indicative of a characteristic of the user; changing a display order of the components on a screen for customizing the object based on a behavior history or purchase history of the user that matches the characteristic data; 6. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0116] (Appendix 7) The computer includes: If the variation is a color variation, the variations are displayed in order of hue value starting from the color variation having the highest display rank. 7. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0117] (Appendix 8) The computer includes: Lower the ranking of the variants that have fewer stocks, 8. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0118] (Appendix 9) The object is a watch. 9. A display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0119] (Appendix 10) On the computer, accepting a customization process for an object that is composed of a plurality of components, each of the components having a plurality of variations; changing a display order of the components on a screen for customizing the object based on a behavior history or purchase history of the user; A program that executes a process.

[0120] (Appendix 11) accepting a customization process for an object that is composed of a plurality of components, each of the components having a plurality of variations; changing a display order of the components on a screen for customizing the object based on a behavior history or purchase history of the user; A control unit is provided. Display control device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105...EC site device, 110...control unit, 120...storage unit, 121...component image information, 122...behavior history information, 123...purchase record information, 124...selection count information, 125...display order information, 126...user information, 130...communication unit, 200...inventory management device, 300...user terminal, 310...screen, 311...customization button, 312...angle image, 313...component, 314...thumbnail image, 315...customization item, 316, 327...check mark, 317...sold out mark, 318...complete button, 319... wear button, 320... single button, 321... triple button, 322... triple history button, 323... top button, 324... middle button, 325... bottom button, 328... priority condition setting button, 329... priority condition setting window, 500... wristwatch, 510, 510A, 510B, 510C... short band component, 511... short band, 512... band spring bar, 520... long band component, 530... buckle component, 540... ring component, 550... bezel component, 560... glass component, 1000... product customization system

Claims

1. The computer displaying, on a screen for customizing each of a plurality of components constituting an object, a list of the components that can be customized and a plurality of selectable variations for a component selected from the list of components; when any one of the plurality of variations for the component selected by the user is selected in the list of components, an identification display indicating that the selection of the variation has been completed is displayed on the screen in association with the selected component, and the display order of the selected component in the list is changed so that the component is displayed at the last position in the list. Display control method.

2. The computer includes: When the user selects any one of the plurality of variations, the display order of the list of components is changed and the list is displayed. The display control method according to claim 1 .

3. The computer includes: displaying the identification indication on the screen when the user selects a component from the list different from the selected component after the user selects any one of the plurality of variations; The display control method according to claim 1 .

4. the computer displays the variation in a higher display order as the variation is selected more frequently in the user's behavior history; The display control method according to claim 1 .

5. The computer includes: Displaying a check mark as the identification display; The display control method according to claim 1 .

6. The computer includes: displaying a first check mark as the check mark in a position adjacent to the selected component in the list; The display control method according to claim 5 .

7. The computer includes: displaying a second check mark as the check mark adjacent to the selected variation among the plurality of variations; The display control method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The object is a watch. The display control method according to claim 1 .

9. On the computer, displaying, on a screen for customizing each of a plurality of components constituting an object, a list of the components that can be customized and a plurality of selectable variations for a component selected from the list of components; when any one of the plurality of variations for the component selected by the user is selected in the list of components, an identification display indicating that the selection of the variation has been completed is displayed on the screen in association with the selected component, and the display order of the selected component in the list is changed so that the component is displayed at the last position in the list. A program that executes a process.

10. displaying, on a screen for customizing each of a plurality of components constituting an object, a list of the components that can be customized and a plurality of selectable variations for a component selected from the list of components; when any one of the plurality of variations for the component selected by the user is selected in the list of components, an identification display indicating that the selection of the variation has been completed is displayed on the screen in association with the selected component, and the display order of the selected component in the list is changed so that the component is displayed at the last position in the list. A control unit is provided. Display control device.

Images