Consumables map creation system

Abstract

To provide a computer system capable of efficiently searching for favorite kinds of consumer goods.SOLUTION: A consumer goods map creation system 1 comprises: a storage unit 120 which stores at least one characteristic information in association with type information of consumer goods; an information display unit 130 which displays information; and an information processing unit 110 which generates a consumer goods map by mapping the type information into one or more dimensions on the basis of the characteristic information and displays the consumer goods map in the information display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a consumable goods map creation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, there are many different brands and types of consumer goods (for example, rice, miso, tofu, etc.), but when selecting a brand or type, most people rely on reputation or word of mouth, and ultimately, the reality is that they have no choice but to go through a huge number of trial and error processes before they can find a consumer good that suits their taste (it should be noted that the inventors of this application are not aware of any other methods for finding a consumer good that suits their taste other than those described above). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, repeating a huge number of trial and error processes is not only expensive but also time-consuming, making it unrealistic. For this reason, the development of a method that can efficiently find consumer goods that suit users' preferences is desired. The object of the present invention is to provide a computer system that can efficiently find consumer goods of users' preferences. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The consumable goods map creation system according to the present invention comprises: For information on the type of consumables, Index value a storage unit that stores at least one piece of information in association with the other; an information display unit that displays information; The aforementioned Index value Based on the information, the type information , an axis corresponding to the index value is set One or more dimensions On the coordinates of Mapping to do Generate a consumption map a map generation step for generating the map; The consumer goods map is displayed on the information display unit. Execute the map display step An information processing unit. The consumable goods map creation system also has a first setting function that allows a user to set one of the type information as reference type information and a second setting function that allows a user to set one of the type information as target type information. When the user sets the reference type information using the first setting function and the target type information using the second setting function, the information processing unit displays on the information display unit the coordinates corresponding to the type information connected by a line so that the distance of the path from the coordinate corresponding to the reference type information, through the coordinates corresponding to the type information other than the reference type information and the target type information, to the coordinate corresponding to the target type information is the shortest.

[0005] According to the above configuration, for example, if the consumable product is rice and the type information is a rice brand, multiple types of characteristic information for each brand (for example, an index value for the softness of the rice when cooked, an index value for the chewiness, etc.) can be plotted on multidimensional coordinates to generate a multidimensional consumable product map, and this consumable product map can be displayed on the information display unit. Therefore, this consumable product map creation system can efficiently find the type of consumable product that suits you. Furthermore, the type information can be displayed in a way that gradually approaches the target type information (for example, "Yumepirika," a "soft" and "sticky" rice desired by the consumer) from the reference type information (for example, "Akita Komachi," the rice currently eaten by the consumer). Therefore, with this consumer goods map creation system, the user can enjoy searching for various types of consumer goods while targeting the type of consumer goods that has the characteristics they prefer.

[0006] In addition, in the consumable goods map creation system of the present invention, when a user sets reference type information using the first setting function and sets target type information using the second setting function, the information processing unit preferably derives a first range, which is a range in which all index values ​​corresponding to the reference type information move away from the index values ​​corresponding to the target type information, and a second range, which is a range in which all index values ​​corresponding to the target type information move away from the index values ​​corresponding to the reference type information, and generates a route that passes through the coordinates of type information that exist in the range excluding the first range and the second range.

[0007] In the consumer goods map creation system according to the present invention, The information processing unit is configured to: , by the user Preferably, at least one selected type of information can be highlighted.

[0008] According to the above configuration, selected type information can be clearly distinguished from unselected type information, which in turn makes it easier for users of the consumer goods map creation system to find selected type information.

[0009] In the consumer goods map creation system according to the present invention, stored in the storage unit the type information includes information on a mixed consumer product obtained by mixing at least two types of the consumer products; stored in the storage unit The aforementioned Index value The information includes the information corresponding to the type information of the consumer goods constituting the mixed consumer goods. Index value Based on the information and the information on the mixing ratio of the consumer goods Decided mixture Index value Preferably, information is included.

[0010] According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain mixing characteristic information of mixed consumable products. Therefore, this consumable product map creation system can provide the fun and value of mixing various types of consumable products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a consumable goods map creation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server and a consumer terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a consumable goods map table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing consumable goods map information according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing consumable goods map information according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which part of the mapped consumable goods type information is highlighted. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a consumable goods related information table according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are conceptual diagrams showing screen transitions when narrowing down consumable products on a consumer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are image diagrams showing screen transitions when information related to type information is displayed on a consumer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are image diagrams showing screen transitions when selecting type information to be displayed on a consumer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an image diagram showing the screen transition when a route from the reference type information through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information to the target type information is displayed on a consumer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in this diagram, all type information from the reference type information to the target type information is displayed in a continuous manner on each route. [Figure 11] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the screen transition when a route from the reference type information to the target type information, passing through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information, is displayed on a consumer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in this diagram, only the type information one step ahead from the reference type information to the target type information is displayed on each route. [Figure 12] 10 is an image diagram showing a route derivation method when reference type information and target type information are set in consumable goods map information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Configuration of a consumable goods map creation system according to an embodiment of the present invention> As shown in Fig. 1, a consumer goods map creation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mainly composed of a server 100 and a plurality of consumer terminals 300. Each of these components will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, these components are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a communication network 50. The communication network 50 may be composed of any communication network (e.g., the Internet, a carrier network, etc.), and may be wired or wireless.

[0013] 1. Server First, the configuration of the server 100 will be described. The server 100 stores a consumable goods map table 121 (see FIG. 3) in which at least one piece of characteristic information is associated with type information of consumable goods, and a consumable goods related information table 123 (see FIG. 3) in which at least one piece of consumable goods related information is associated with type information of consumable goods. 6 see reference), and for example, generates consumer product map information 122 based on a consumer product map table 121, displays the consumer product map information 122 on the consumer terminal 300 via the communication network 50, and registers input information transmitted from the consumer terminal 300 in the consumer product map table 121 and the consumer product related information table 123. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 100 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, memory 120, display unit 130, operation unit 140, and communication interface 150. These components will be described in detail below.

[0014] (1)CPU CPU 110 controls each unit of server 100 by executing programs stored in memory 120, and performs calculations (such as arithmetic calculations and logical calculations) by obtaining necessary data from memory 120. For example, CPU 110 executes programs stored in memory 120 and performs various processes, which will be described later, by referring to various data.

[0015] (2) Memory The memory 120 may be any of various RAMs (Random Access Memory), various ROMs (Read Only Memory), etc., and may be included in the server 100, may be detachable from any of various interfaces of the server 100, or may be a storage medium of another device (such as a data management server not shown) accessible from the server 100. The memory 120 stores programs executed by the CPU 110, data generated by the execution of the programs by the CPU 110, data input via the operation unit 140, data received from the consumer terminal 300 or the like via the communication network 50, a consumer product map table 121, consumer product map information 122, a consumer product related information table 123, etc.

[0016] In the consumable goods map table 121, as shown in FIG. 3, type information (e.g., "Akita Komachi," "Yumepirika," "Nanatsuboshi," etc.) of consumable goods (e.g., rice) is associated with characteristic information (e.g., numerical information in indices such as "soft-firm" or "chewy-light") For example, referring to FIG. 3, "Akita Komachi" is associated with "-2" in the index for "soft-firm" and "-2" in the index for "chewy-light." This shows that "Akita Komachi" has characteristics that lean toward "firm" and "light." In the consumable goods map creation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, each characteristic information is represented by numerical information in the range of "-4" to "4."

[0017] It is also possible to newly register type information of a consumable product and characteristic information corresponding to the type information of the consumable product in the consumable product map table 121. In such a case, the CPU 110 newly registers the type information of the consumable product and characteristic information corresponding to the type information of the consumable product in the consumable product map table 121 based on input from the administrator of the server 100. It is also possible for the CPU 310 (described later) of the consumer terminal 300 to accept input of the type information of the consumable product and characteristic information corresponding to the type information of the consumable product from the user of the consumer terminal 300, transmit this information to the server 100 via the communication network 50, and have the server 100 register this information in the consumable product map table 121.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the type information of consumable goods includes type information of mixed consumable goods obtained by mixing at least two types of consumable goods (for example, "Akita Komachi" + "Nanatsuboshi"). Mixing characteristic information is associated with the type information of this mixed consumable goods. The mixing characteristic information is determined based on characteristic information corresponding to the type information of the consumable goods that make up the mixed consumable goods and information on the mixing ratio of the types of consumable goods. Referring to FIG. 4, "Akita Komachi" + "Nanatsuboshi" is associated with "-1.2" in the index for "soft-firm" and "-2" in the index for "soft-firm". More specifically, "-1.2" in the index for "soft-firm" is calculated using the formula -2 x 0.6 + 0 x 0.4, and "-2" in the index for "soft-light" is calculated using the formula -2 x 0.6 + (-2) x 0.4. That is, the mixture characteristic information for each index is calculated by the sum of "characteristic information corresponding to type information of each consumable product" x "mixing ratio of each consumable product."

[0019] Note that newly registered characteristic information in the consumer goods map table 121, such as the mixed characteristic information calculated from the formula, may be appropriately changed to numerical information by inputting numerical information from the CPU 110 of the server 100 or the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300. For example, for the mixed characteristic information "-1.2" in the index of "soft-firm" for the above-mentioned "Akita Komachi" + "Nanatsuboshi," inputting numerical information "-2" may change the mixed characteristic information in the index of "soft-firm" to "-2."

[0020] 4, in the consumable goods map information 122, type information of consumable goods (for example, "Akita Komachi," "Yumepirika," "Nanatsuboshi," etc.) is mapped two-dimensionally based on the consumable goods map table 121. In FIG. 4, an index of "soft-firm" is set on the X axis, and an index of "chewy-light" is set on the Y axis.

[0021] In the consumer goods related information table 123, as shown in FIG. 6, type information (e.g., "Akita Komachi," "Yumepirika," "Nanatsuboshi," etc.) of a consumer goods (e.g., rice) is associated with related information (e.g., information such as place of origin information, price information, price fluctuation information, and explanation information). Place of origin information is information indicating the place of origin corresponding to the type information of the consumer goods. Price information is information indicating the price corresponding to the type information of the consumer goods for each store. Price fluctuation information is information indicating that the price corresponding to the type information of the consumer goods has changed for each store. Explanation information is information indicating the characteristics of the type information of the consumer goods. For example, referring to FIG. 7, it is shown that for "Akita Komachi," the place of origin is "Akita Prefecture" and "Iwate Prefecture," the price at store A is a yen per x kg, and this price is the price after a y% discount.

[0022] (3)Display section The display unit 130 displays text, images, videos, etc. based on signals from the CPU 110. For example, the display unit 130 displays a consumable goods map table 121 (see FIG. 3), consumable goods map information 122 (see FIG. 4), a consumable goods related information table 123 (see FIG. 6), etc. The display unit 130 may have a touch panel function.

[0023] (4)Operation section The operation unit 140 includes a mouse, a keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and inputs various commands from the administrator of the server 100 to the CPU 110 .

[0024] (5) Communication interface The communication interface 150 transmits data (e.g., consumable product map information 122) from the CPU 110 to other devices such as the consumer terminal 300 via the communication network 50. Conversely, the communication interface 150 receives data from the consumer terminal 300 via the communication network 50 and passes it to the CPU 110.

[0025] 2. Consumer Devices Next, the configuration of the consumer terminal 300 will be described. The consumer terminal 300 is used by consumers of consumer goods, and is realized by, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The consumer terminal 300 can display consumer goods map information 122 stored in the memory 120 of the server 100 on a display unit 330 via a communication network 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the consumer terminal 300 is mainly composed of a CPU 310, a memory 320, a display unit 330, an operation unit 340, and a communication interface 350. These components will be described in detail below.

[0026] (1)CPU CPU 310 controls each unit of consumer terminal 300 by executing programs stored in memory 320, and performs calculations (e.g., arithmetic calculations, logical calculations, etc.) by obtaining necessary data from memory 320. For example, CPU 310 executes programs stored in memory 320 and performs various processes described below by referring to various data.

[0027] (2) Memory The memory 320 is various types of RAM, various types of ROM, etc. The memory 320 stores programs executed by the CPU 310, data generated by the execution of the programs by the CPU 310, data input via the operation unit 340, data received from the server 100 or the like via the communication network 50 (e.g., consumable goods map information 122, etc.), etc.

[0028] (3)Display section The display unit 330 displays text, images, videos, etc. based on signals from the CPU 310. For example, the display unit 330 displays consumable goods map information 122 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), a narrowing-down page 331 (described later), a selection page 332 (described later), a target type information setting page 333 (described later), etc. based on signals from the CPU 310. The display unit 330 may have a touch panel function.

[0029] (4)Operation section The operation unit 340 is a mouse, keyboard, buttons, touch panel, etc., and inputs various commands from the user of the consumer terminal 300 to the CPU 310.

[0030] (5) Communication interface The communication interface 350 transmits data from the CPU 310 to other devices such as the server 100 via the communication network 50. Conversely, the communication interface 350 receives data (e.g., consumable product map information 122) from other devices such as the server 100 via the communication network 50 and passes the data to the CPU 310.

[0031] <Summary of how to use a consumer terminal and information processing in a consumer goods map creation system according to an embodiment of the present invention> In the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user of the consumer terminal 300 can use the consumer terminal 300 to change the display format of type information on the consumer goods map information 122, narrow down type information on the consumer goods map information 122, obtain information related to each type information on the consumer goods map information 122, select type information to be displayed on the consumer goods map information 122, and obtain type information corresponding to characteristic information sandwiched between characteristic information corresponding to the selected type information and preferred characteristic information. Below, a description will be given of a method of using the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and an overview of information processing.

[0032] A user of the consumer terminal 300 can input, for example, type information of a consumable product he or she owns, or can freely select symbol information (e.g., a circle symbol) corresponding to the type information on the consumable product map information 122 displayed on the display unit 330, via the operation unit 340. The CPU 310 can then highlight the symbol information corresponding to the type information input (selected) by the user of the consumer terminal 300 in the consumable product map information 122 stored in the memory 120 of the server 100. For example, when the user of the consumer terminal 300 inputs (selects) "Akita Komachi" via the operation unit 340, the CPU 310 highlights the symbol information corresponding to "Akita Komachi" on the consumable product map information 122 with a black circle, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0033] 7, the user of the consumer terminal 300 can input information into items (e.g., a consumer goods origin item, a price range item, an item for sale items, etc.) in the narrowing-down page 331 displayed on the display unit 330 via the operation unit 340. When information is input into each item, the CPU 310 displays only the type information of the consumer goods that corresponds to the input information on the consumer goods map information 122, based on the consumer goods related information table 123 stored in the memory 120 of the server 100, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, in FIG. 7, the user of the consumer terminal 300 inputs "Akita Prefecture" into the origin item, "1,500 yen - 3,000 yen" into the price range item, and checks the item for sale items via the operation unit 340. When the user of the consumer terminal 300 selects the narrowed search execution button 331a via the operation unit 340, the CPU 310 displays only the "Akita Komachi" that corresponds to the input information on the consumer goods map information 122 based on the consumer goods related information table 123.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the user of the consumer terminal 300 can obtain information related to each type information on the consumer product map information 122 displayed on the display unit 330. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the user of the consumer terminal 300 selects type information on the consumer product map information 122 displayed on the display unit 330 via the operation unit 340. Note that the selection referred to here is preferably distinguished from the selection for highlighting symbol information corresponding to type information on the consumer product map information 122 described above. For example, the selection referred to here may be a long press or continuous selection (such as a double click or double tap) of type information on the consumer product map information 122. Then, when type information on the consumer product map information 122 is selected, information related to the selected type information is displayed on the display unit 330 based on the consumer product-related information table 123. For example, in FIG. 8, the user of the consumer terminal 300 selects "Akita Komachi" on the consumer product map information 122 via the operation unit 340. Then, CPU 310 displays information related to "Akita Komachi" (such as information on place of origin, price, price fluctuation, and description information) on display unit 330 based on consumer goods related information table 123 (see FIG. 8). If the store included in the price information supports online purchases, the URL information of the store's online purchase site is also displayed on display unit 330, as shown in FIG. 8. This allows the user of consumer terminal 300 to open the online purchase site linked to the URL information via operation unit 340.

[0035] 9, the user of the consumer terminal 300 can select type information to be displayed on the consumer product map information 122 via the operation unit 340. As shown in FIG. 9, a selection page 332 is displayed on the display unit 330, and the selection page 332 includes the consumer product map information 122, a property information slide bar 332a, a search window 332b, and a search execution button 332c. As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 310 accepts operation of the property information slide bar 332a from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Then, the CPU 310 compares the numerical information of the property information slide bar 332a with the property information in the consumer product map table 121 stored in the memory 120 of the server 100, and displays type information corresponding to property information that matches (or is similar to) this numerical information on the consumer product map information 122, based on the consumer product map table 121. For example, in FIG. 9, the numerical information of the bar of the characteristic information slide bar 332a is "-2" for the indicator of "soft-firm" and "-2" for the indicator of "chewy-light." Then, the CPU 310 displays "Akita Komachi" corresponding to characteristic information that matches this numerical information on the consumer goods map information 122. Alternatively, the CPU 310 displays type information corresponding to characteristic information that is similar to this numerical information on the consumer goods map information 122. Note that the type information corresponding to characteristic information that is similar to this numerical information is, for example, the information that is closest to the coordinate point when the numerical information is plotted on the consumer goods map information 122. Furthermore, the user of the consumer terminal 300 inputs type information into the search window 332b via the operation unit 340 and selects the search execution button 332c. Then, the CPU 310 compares the input type information with the consumer goods map table 121 stored in the memory 120 of the server 100. If the matching is successful, the CPU 310 plots the characteristic information corresponding to the input type information on the consumable goods map information 122 and displays the input type information on the consumable goods map information 122 .

[0036] 10, the user of the consumer terminal 300 can set one type information as the reference type information and one type information as the target type information, thereby obtaining a route (path) from the reference type information to the target type information, passing through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information. Here, the reference type information is, for example, type information of a consumer product currently owned or consumed by the user of the consumer terminal 300 (e.g., "Akita Komachi"), and the target type information is type information corresponding to the target characteristic information idealized by the user of the consumer terminal 300 (e.g., "Yumepirika"). As shown in FIG. 10, the display unit 330 displays a target type information setting page 333, which includes consumer product map information 122, characteristic information slide bar 332a, setting button 333b, route selection button 333c, and route decision button 333d. First, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the CPU 310 sets one type of information (e.g., "Akita Komachi") as the reference type of information based on a selection (input) made by the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Next, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the CPU 310 accepts operation of the characteristic information slide bar 332a (i.e., input of target characteristic information) and selection of the setting button 333b from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. For example, in FIG. 10(a), the target characteristic information is "2" for the indicator of "soft-firm" and "2" for the indicator of "soft-light." Next, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the CPU 310 displays type information for each route from the reference type information through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information to the target type information on the consumable goods map information 122. The method of deriving each route will be described later. In FIG. 10(b), when the user of the consumer terminal 300 selects the setting button 333b, all of the type information from the reference type information to the target type information is displayed in succession for each route.Furthermore, if target type information that completely corresponds to the target characteristic information is not stored in the consumable goods map table 121, type information corresponding to the characteristic information that is closest to the coordinate point when the target characteristic information is plotted on the consumable goods map information 122 is displayed as the target type information on the consumable goods map information 122. Then, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the CPU 310 accepts selection of one of the route selection buttons 333c (e.g., the button for route 2) and selection of the route decision button 333d from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10(b), when one of the route selection buttons 333c is selected, the CPU 310 displays the route corresponding to the selected route selection button 333c (e.g., route 2) in a solid line, and displays the routes corresponding to the unselected route selection buttons 333c (e.g., route 1 and route 3) in a manner other than a solid line (e.g., dotted line). When the route determination button 333d is selected, the CPU 310 displays only the route selected by the user of the consumer terminal 300 on the consumable goods map information 122, as shown in FIG. 10(c).

[0037] 10(b), as described above, when the user of the consumer terminal 300 selects the setting button 333b, all of the type information from the reference type information to the target type information is displayed in a continuous manner for each route. However, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), when the user of the consumer terminal 300 selects the setting button 333b, the CPU 310 can also display only the next type information from the reference type information to the target type information for each route. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the CPU 310 accepts the user of the consumer terminal 300 select one of the route selection buttons 333c (e.g., the button for route 2) and the route decision button 333d via the operation unit 340. 11(b), when one of the route selection buttons 333c is selected, the CPU 310 displays the route corresponding to the selected route selection button 333c (e.g., route 2) in a solid line, and displays the routes corresponding to the unselected route selection buttons 333c (e.g., route 1 and route 3) in a manner other than a solid line (e.g., dotted lines). When the route determination button 333d is selected, the CPU 310 displays only the route selected by the user of the consumer terminal 300 on the consumable goods map information 122, as shown in FIG. 11(c). Next, the CPU 310 sets the next type information (e.g., "Seven Star") indicated on the route selected by the user of the consumer terminal 300 as new reference type information, as shown in FIG. 11(d). 11(d), the CPU 310 displays type information for each route from the new reference type information through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information to the target type information on the consumable product map information 122 based on the consumable product map table 121. Note that at this time, too, the CPU 310 displays only the type information one step ahead from the new reference type information to the target type information for each route. The CPU 310 repeats this process until the target type information is set as the new reference type information.

[0038] Here, a method for deriving each route in Figures 10 and 11 will be described. Once the reference type information and the target type information are set, the CPU 310 derives a first hatched range DR1 and a second hatched range DR2 as shown in Figure 12. The first hatched range DR1 is a range on the consumable goods map information 122 in which all of the index values ​​of the characteristic information corresponding to the reference type information are separated from the index values ​​of the characteristic information corresponding to the target type information. The second hatched range DR2 is a range on the consumable goods map information 122 in which all of the index values ​​of the characteristic information corresponding to the target type information are separated from the index values ​​of the characteristic information corresponding to the reference type information. The first hatched range DR1 and the second hatched range DR2 will be specifically described with reference to Figure 12, assuming that the reference type information is "Akita Komachi" and the target type information is "Yumepirika." The first diagonal line range DR1 is the range where all of the index values ​​of "-2" for "soft-firm" and "-2" for "chewy-light" for "Akita Komachi" are away from the index value of "2" for "soft-firm" and the index value of "2" for "chewy-light" for "Yumepirika." In other words, the index value for "soft-firm" is "-2 or less" and the index value for "chewy-light" is "-2 or less." The second shaded range DR2 is a range where all of the index values ​​"2" for "soft-firm" and "chewy-light" of "Yumepirika" are away from the index values ​​"-2" for "soft-firm" and "chewy-light" of "Akitakomachi." That is, the index for "soft-firm" is "2 or more" and the index for "chewy-light" is "2 or more." After deriving the first shaded range DR1 and the second shaded range DR2, the CPU 310 derives each route for type information present in the non-shaded range NDR excluding the first shaded range DR1 and the second shaded range DR2. First, the CPU 310 derives route 1 as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. Route 1 is always the shortest route from the reference type information to the target type information. In FIGS. 11 to 13, the type information "A" is included in the route 1.Next, the CPU 310 derives routes other than route 1 from type information present in both ranges (within the non-shaded range NDR) centered around route 1 and that is the shortest type information from the reference type information in the both ranges. In FIG. 12, the both ranges centered around route 1 are the ranges above or below the virtual line extending from the reference type information "Akita Komachi" to the type information "A" on route 1. In FIG. 12, route 3 is derived in the upper range centered around route 1, and route 3 includes type information "B," which is the shortest distance from the reference type information "Akita Komachi." Route 2 is derived in the lower range centered around route 1, and route 2 includes type information "Nanatsuboshi," which is the shortest distance from the reference type information "Akita Komachi." Note that, although not shown, if type information does not exist in one of the two ranges centered around route 1, no route is derived in that range. Furthermore, although not shown, if there are multiple types of information that are the shortest distance from the reference type information in one of the two ranges centered around Route 1, multiple routes are derived in that range. Next, as shown in FIG. 12 , a case will be described in which Route 1 is selected from the reference type information “Akitakomachi” to the type information “A,” a new Route 1 is derived from the new reference type information “A” to the type information “C,” and “Seven Star,” which was once displayed as the type information of the route destination, exists as the shortest distance from the reference type information “A” in the lower range centered around New Route 1. According to the route derivation method described above, since “Seven Star” exists as the shortest distance from the reference type information “A” in the lower range centered around New Route 1, a route from the reference type information “A” to “Seven Star” should be derived. However, CPU 310 does not derive a route from the new reference type information “A” to “Seven Star,” which was once displayed as the route destination, even though “Seven Star” is the shortest distance from the reference type information “A.” Instead, the CPU 310 derives a route in the lower range centered on the new route 1, targeting type information "D" that is the shortest distance from the new reference type information "A" among type information other than "Nanatsuboshi" that was once displayed as the route destination.

[0039] <Features of the consumer goods map creation system according to the embodiment of the present invention> (1) In the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, consumer goods map information 122 in which consumer goods type information is two-dimensionally mapped is generated based on the consumer goods map table 121. The consumer goods map information 122 is then displayed on the display unit 130 of the server 100 or the display unit 330 of the consumer terminal 300. Therefore, in this consumer goods map creation system 1, it is possible to efficiently find preferred types of consumer goods.

[0040] (2) In the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can highlight symbol information corresponding to type information input (selected) by the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340 on the consumer goods map information 122. In this consumer goods map creation system 1, type information input (selected) by the user of the consumer terminal 300 can be clearly distinguished from type information not input (selected).

[0041] (3) In the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the type information in the consumer goods map table 121 includes type information of a mixed consumer goods obtained by mixing at least two types of consumer goods. The type information of the mixed consumer goods is associated with characteristic information corresponding to the type information of the consumer goods that make up the mixed consumer goods, and mixing characteristic information determined based on mixing ratio information of the types of those consumer goods. Therefore, the consumer goods map creation system 1 can provide the fun and value of mixing various types of consumer goods.

[0042] (4) In the consumer product map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can receive reference type information and target type information from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Then, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 displays on the display unit 330 of the consumer terminal 300 a route from the reference type information, through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information, to the target type information. Therefore, in this consumer product map creation system 1, a consumer can enjoy searching for various types of consumer products while targeting a type of consumer product that has a preferred characteristic.

[0043] (5) In the consumer product map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can accept information input for items in the narrowing-down page 331 from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Then, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can display only the type information of the consumer product that corresponds to the input information on the consumer product map information 122, based on the consumer product related information table 123. Therefore, the consumer product map creation system 1 can efficiently find a preferred type of consumer product.

[0044] (6) In the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can display information related to type information selected by the user of the consumer terminal 300 on the display unit 330 based on the consumer goods related information table 123. Therefore, in this consumer goods map creation system 1, the consumer can easily know information related to the selected type information.

[0045] (7) In the consumer product map creation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can accept an operation of the characteristic information slide bar 332a from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Then, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can compare the numerical information of the characteristic information slide bar 332a with the characteristic information in the consumer product map table 121, and display type information corresponding to the characteristic information that matches (or is similar to) this numerical information on the consumer product map information 122 based on the consumer product map table 121. Furthermore, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can accept an input of type information into the search window 332b from the user of the consumer terminal 300 via the operation unit 340. Then, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 can compare the input type information with the consumer product map table 121, and display the input type information on the consumer product map information 122 based on the consumer product map table 121. Therefore, in this consumer goods map creation system 1, consumers can easily grasp type information and characteristic information of consumer goods that are candidates for purchase next.

[0046] <Modification> (A) In the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the previous embodiment, the consumer goods map information 122 maps the type information of the consumer goods two-dimensionally using the indexes "soft-firm" and "chewy-light" as axes. However, the indexes are not limited to "soft-firm" and "chewy-light." For example, an index such as "sweet bean-bitter" may be adopted. In addition, in the consumer goods map information 122, the type information of the consumer goods may be mapped one-dimensionally using one index as an axis, or may be mapped three or more dimensions using three or more indexes as axes. In addition, in the consumer goods map information 122, the type information of the consumer goods may be represented by a method such as a bubble chart or a heat map based on the consumer goods map table 121.

[0047] (B) In the consumer product map creation system 1 according to the previous embodiment, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 highlights, with a black circle, symbol information corresponding to the type information input (selected) by the user of the consumer terminal 300 in the consumer product map information 122. However, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 may highlight, in the consumer product map information 122, symbol information corresponding to this type information by a method other than a black circle (for example, blinking, changing color, etc.). Alternatively, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 may highlight this type information by changing the display mode of this type information in the consumer product map information 122 (for example, blinking, changing color, making it bold, italicizing, changing font, etc.).

[0048] (C) Although not mentioned in the consumer goods map creation system 1 according to the previous embodiment, the CPU 310 of the consumer terminal 300 may display at least one type information on the consumer goods map information 122 for each route from the reference type information, through type information other than the reference type information and the target type information, to the target type information, based on the consumer goods map table 121.

[0049] (D) Although not mentioned in the consumable goods map creation system 1 according to the previous embodiment, the consumer terminal 300 may be a consumable goods processing device 200 such as a rice cooker, a coffee machine, or a rotating machine such as a juicer or a food processor. In such a case, the consumer goods processing device 200 is equipped with a computer with a display unit having a communication interface that enables connection to the communication network 50, and is equipped with the same functions as the consumer terminal 300.

[0050] (E) Some or all of the roles of the devices such as the server 100 and the consumer terminal 300 of the consumer product map creation system 1 according to the previous embodiment may be performed by other devices. For example, the consumer terminal 300 may hold the consumer product map table 121, generate consumer product map information 122 from the consumer product map table 121 received from the server 100 or the consumer product map table 121 held by the consumer terminal 300, and generate the consumer product related information table 123.

[0051] The above modified examples may be applied individually or in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Consumables map creation system 110 CPU (information processing unit) 120 Memory (storage section) 130 Display section (information display section)

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores at least one piece of index value information in association with information on the type of consumable goods; an information display unit that displays information; an information processing unit that executes a map generating step of generating a consumable goods map by mapping the type information on one or more coordinate dimensions in which an axis corresponding to the index value is set based on the information of the index value, and a map display step of displaying the consumable goods map on the information display unit, a first setting function for allowing a user to set one of the type information items as reference type information, and a second setting function for allowing the user to set one of the type information items as target type information, When the user sets the reference type information by the first setting function and sets the target type information by the second setting function, the information processing unit displays on the information display unit the coordinates corresponding to the type information connected by a line such that a path distance from a coordinate corresponding to the reference type information through a coordinate corresponding to the type information other than the reference type information and the target type information to a coordinate corresponding to the target type information is shortest. Consumables map creation system.

2. The consumer goods map creation system of claim 1, wherein, when the user sets the reference type information by the first setting function and the target type information by the second setting function, the information processing unit derives a first range in which all of the index values ​​corresponding to the reference type information are in a range away from the index value corresponding to the target type information, and a second range in which all of the index values ​​corresponding to the target type information are in a range away from the index value corresponding to the reference type information, and generates the path so as to pass through the coordinates of the type information present in the range excluding the first range and the second range.

3. The consumer product map creation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information processing unit is capable of highlighting at least one type information selected by a user from among the type information mapped on the consumer product map.

4. The type information stored in the memory unit includes information on a mixed consumer product obtained by mixing at least two types of the consumer product, A consumer product map creation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the index value information stored in the memory unit includes mixed index value information determined based on the index value information corresponding to the type information of the consumer products that constitute the mixed consumer product and information on the mixing ratio of the consumer products.

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