JP7641010B2 - Electronic flyer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electronic flyers.

Even in today's world where the Internet is widespread, inserts are still used in newspaper distribution, where flyers are inserted into newspapers, and in posting, where flyers are dropped directly into household mailboxes. Inserts are used as advertising media in supermarkets, drugstores, etc., and are printed on paper. Inserts are printed materials containing product advertisements and promotions, and contain information on daily special sales and events, which have the effect of encouraging customers to purchase. Inserts are laid out for each product, with the product name, price, product image, etc., and the layout is usually decided and printed on the assumption that it will be printed on paper.

On the other hand, a service has been put into practical use in which inserts are digitized and distributed as electronic flyers over a network. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electronic flyer system in which the distributed electronic flyer is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device that receives it, allowing the user to view it.

JP 2013-109771 A

However, even if large flyers such as inserts are simply digitized and displayed in the same way as printed media so that the entire page can be viewed on the small screens of mobile phones (including smartphones), tablets, personal computers, etc., there is a problem in that it is not easy to clearly enlarge the product part you want to see and read the detailed descriptions.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide an electronic flyer that allows users to easily view product information about products listed in the electronic flyer.

An electronic flyer according to one aspect of the present invention is an electronic flyer displayed on a terminal, in which product information for a plurality of products is displayed as a card image, the plurality of card images are aligned in a predetermined size and in a predetermined number to fit the screen of the terminal, and the size of the plurality of card images and the number of the card images aligned and displayed to fit the screen are changed in response to a predetermined operation performed by the user on the screen of the terminal or a predetermined operation performed on a pointing device provided on or connected to the terminal.

With this configuration, by displaying electronic flyers on devices such as smartphones, tablet devices, and personal computers, it is possible to deliver the same product information as newspaper inserts to people who do not subscribe to newspapers and are not interested in paper media, without incurring printing and distribution costs.

In addition, the card image showing the product information of the product is resized to fit the device screen.
Since a predetermined number of cards are aligned and displayed, the visibility of the card images displaying product information of the products is improved.

In addition, by simply performing a specific operation on the screen of the user's terminal or a specific operation on a pointing device provided on or connected to the terminal, such as a simple operation such as a tap operation, the size of multiple card images and the number of card images aligned and displayed on the screen can be changed, and product information displayed on the card images can be displayed to the user appropriately and effectively, further increasing the user's purchasing desire.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the amount of product information changes depending on the size of the card image. With this configuration, the amount of product information changes depending on the size of the card image, so that when the card image size is large, the amount of product information is large, and when the card image size is small, the amount of product information is small, making it easier for users to visually recognize the product information.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the size and number of card images displayed can be smoothly changed by a specific operation on the screen or pointing device of the user's terminal without going through a loading screen or blackout screen. With this configuration, the size and number of card images can be smoothly changed without going through a loading screen or blackout screen, which improves operability and UX and increases user satisfaction.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the card images can be generated by dividing each product from the original data of a flyer or electronic flyer containing multiple products provided by the administrator. With this configuration, the card images are generated by dividing each product from the original data of a flyer or electronic flyer containing multiple products provided by the administrator, making it easier for users to understand the products.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the product information viewed by the user can be stored or managed as data. With this configuration, the product information viewed by the user can be stored or managed as data, allowing the administrator to collect data on the product information viewed by the user. The administrator can also analyze the access log to understand what the user is interested in within the flyer and obtain marketing information, allowing the administrator to create an appropriate product sales strategy.

The electronic flyer is also characterized by having a means for classifying and displaying the multiple card images into one of a plurality of categories. With this configuration, since the electronic flyer has a means for classifying and displaying the card images into one of a plurality of categories, it becomes easier for users to find products that meet their needs.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the categories can be set by the user or the administrator. With this configuration, the categories can be set by the user or the administrator, so the user or the administrator can set the categories taking into account the attribute information of the products listed in the electronic flyer, allowing for more optimal category classification.

The electronic flyer also includes a means for sharing the card image on a social networking service. With this configuration, product information can be shared with many people using social networking services.

This electronic flyer is also characterized by having a means for the user to register the card image as a bookmark. With this configuration, since the means for registering as a bookmark is provided, it is possible to facilitate re-access to the product that the user has bookmarked. It can also be used as a memorandum for the product that the user wants to purchase.

This electronic flyer is also characterized by having a means for changing the background of the screen. With this configuration, it is possible to improve image recognition of products by changing the background to one that is suitable for the image. In addition, the background of the screen can be changed each time the size and number of card images change due to a specific operation on the screen of the user's terminal, allowing the user to recognize this.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the product photos displayed on the card images can be product images taken by the administrator. With this configuration, by using product images taken by the administrator for the product photos displayed on the card images, users can check the product images of the products that are actually being sold, allowing them to make product purchase decisions with peace of mind.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the product information of the card image can be generated based on voice data from the manager's speech. With this configuration, the manager only needs to speak about the product information of the product, and the product information of the card image can be automatically generated in response to this speech. In other words, the burden on the manager in creating product information for the product can be reduced.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the predetermined operation on the screen or pointing device of the user's terminal is a tap operation on the screen or pointing device of the terminal. With this configuration, the predetermined operation on the screen or pointing device of the user's terminal is a tap operation on the screen or pointing device of the terminal, which simplifies the user's operation.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that the terminal is a smartphone or tablet terminal, and the predetermined operation on the screen of the terminal is a tap operation on the screen with one finger or a pen-type device, or a pinch-in or pinch-out operation on the screen with two fingers or a pen-type device. This configuration simplifies the predetermined operation on the screen of the terminal when the terminal is a smartphone or tablet terminal.

This electronic flyer is also characterized in that, when the terminal is a personal computer, the predetermined operation on the pointing device provided on or connected to the terminal is, if the pointing device is a trackpad, a tapping operation on the trackpad with one finger or a pen-type device, or a pinching-in or pinching-out operation on the trackpad with two fingers or a pen-type device, and, when the pointing device is a mouse, a click operation by placing a cursor on the card screen or a predetermined position displayed on a monitor provided on or connected to the personal computer. This configuration simplifies the predetermined operation on the pointing device provided on or connected to the terminal when the terminal is a personal computer.

The present invention provides an electronic flyer that allows users to easily view product information about products listed in the electronic flyer.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic flyer distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of the form of an electronic flyer screen that is first displayed on a user terminal according to the present embodiment. 11A to 11C are diagrams showing an example of an electronic flyer screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the size and number of card images displayed change. 11A to 11C are diagrams showing an example of an electronic flyer screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the size and number of card images displayed change. 11A to 11C are diagrams showing an example of an electronic flyer screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the size and number of card images displayed change.

Below, an electronic flyer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(Electronic flyer configuration)
1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic flyer distribution system for distributing electronic flyers according to the present embodiment. The electronic flyer distribution system includes an electronic flyer distribution server 10, a user terminal 20, an administrator terminal 30, and an Internet line 40 connecting these together, and is configured so that electronic flyer distribution server 10, user terminal 20, and administrator terminal 30 can communicate with each other via Internet line 40.

The electronic flyer distribution server 10 stores the original data of electronic flyers and the electronic flyers provided by the administrator, who is the advertiser. The original data of the electronic flyers is, for example, a PDF file or an image file in a specified format that is an electronic version of a flyer distributed as an insert in a newspaper, etc.

In response to a request from a user terminal 20, the electronic flyer distribution server 10 distributes each of the stored electronic flyers to the user terminal 20. In response to a request from the administrator terminal 30, the electronic flyer distribution server 10 also distributes an electronic flyer specified by the administrator terminal 30 and user usage information related to the electronic flyer.

The electronic flyer distribution server 10 has, as its functional configuration, a storage unit 11 that stores electronic flyer data, etc., and a transmission unit 12 that transmits the electronic data, etc. to a user terminal 20 and causes the user terminal 20 to display the electronic flyer. Each of these functions is realized by a CPU that processes programs, a ROM that stores programs and data in advance, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data when the programs are executed, and a HDD that stores programs and a large amount of data. The electronic flyer distribution server 10 also has an interface to which the CPU and HDD are connected, and a display, keyboard, mouse, etc. are connected via the interface.

The HDD may be any type capable of storing data, and may be a non-volatile SSD or the like. The interface includes those for connecting displays and keyboards as described above, as well as those for connecting devices capable of communication. Specifically, it includes those for HDMI (registered trademark) connection, USB connection, LAN connection, SCSI connection, IEEE connection, etc. The CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, interface, etc. are interconnected via a motherboard, etc.

The memory unit 11 also stores data related to electronic flyers operated by the electronic flyer distribution server 10. The data related to electronic flyers includes data on electronic flyers from multiple managers, data sent from the manager terminal 30, product information on products sold at each manager's store, and user usage information.

Product information includes the product name, price (unit price), place of origin, sales format and image information. User usage information also includes the number of views by the user, the number of shares on social networking services, the number of bookmarks, etc.

The user terminal 20 receives the electronic flyer sent from the electronic flyer distribution server 10 and displays the received electronic flyer. The user terminal 20 in this embodiment is a portable terminal that is integrated with a display and an operation unit having a network communication function, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but may also be a personal computer, etc.

The administrator terminal 30 receives and displays the electronic flyers sent from the electronic flyer server 10 and the user's usage information related to the electronic flyers. Like the user terminal 20, the administrator terminal 30 is a portable terminal that is an integrated unit of a display and an operation unit with network communication capabilities, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, but it may also be a personal computer.

(flow)
Next, the flow of the electronic flyer distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG.

In order for a user to use this electronic flyer distribution system, the user must first install an electronic flyer application for viewing electronic flyers on the user terminal 20. By operating the user terminal 20 on which the electronic flyer application has been started, the user can display the electronic flyer distributed from the electronic flyer distribution server 10 on the electronic flyer application and view the displayed electronic flyer.

In addition, in this embodiment, the screen of the user terminal 20 is configured as a touch panel, and this is an example assuming operations are performed by tapping an operating object such as a finger or a pen-type device on the screen of the user terminal 20.

When a user launches the electronic flyer application, the screen shown in Figure 2 is displayed. This is an example of the screen that is first displayed on the screen of the user terminal 20 after the electronic flyer application is launched. When the electronic flyer application is launched, the first screen displayed on the user terminal 20 is an image of an electronic flyer in which card images of multiple products are displayed in thumbnail format.

The multiple card images are aligned and displayed in a predetermined size and number to fit the terminal screen. The card images display product information about the product, and as shown in Figure 2, for example, the product image and price are displayed.

The image on the electronic flyer can also be enlarged or reduced by pinching in or out on the screen with two fingers or a pen-type device.

The card images are generated by dividing each product into individual items through image analysis using artificial intelligence from the original data of a flyer or electronic flyer listing multiple products provided by the administrator. Since the card images are generated by dividing each product into individual items through image analysis using artificial intelligence, the time required to divide each product can be reduced and can be performed with high accuracy.

Next, the user taps on the screen to select one of the card images of multiple products listed in the electronic flyer, causing each card image to enlarge and changing the number of card images displayed on the screen (see Figure 3).

At this time, when the user taps on the device screen, the size of the card images and the number displayed transition smoothly without a loading screen or blackout screen. This improves operability and UX, and increases user satisfaction and convenience.

When the user taps the terminal screen again, the size of each card image is enlarged and the number of card images aligned and displayed on the screen is further reduced. In addition, in this embodiment, if the user wishes to reduce the size of the card images and increase the number of card images displayed, the user performs a pinch out operation on the LCD screen, for example.

In addition, in this embodiment, the amount of product information increases as the size of the card image increases. When the screen of FIG. 2 is switched to the screen of FIG. 3, the product information displayed on this card image includes the product name in addition to the product image and price, as shown in FIG. 3.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, multiple card images are displayed classified into one of multiple categories, such as "fruit and vegetables," "meat," "fresh fish," and "luxury items/drinks." This makes it easy to view and understand multiple pieces of product information associated with each product.

In addition, categories can be set by users or administrators. This allows users or administrators to set categories taking into account the attribute information of products listed in electronic flyers, allowing for more optimal category classification.

Then, when the user taps again on the terminal screen from the display screen of FIG. 3, the size of each card image is enlarged further, and the number of card images aligned and displayed on the screen is further reduced. Note that, in this embodiment, if it is desired to reduce the size of the card images and increase the number of displayed card images, a pinch-out operation is performed on the LCD screen, for example.

In this case too, when the user taps on the device screen, the size of the card images and the number displayed transition smoothly without a loading screen or blackout screen. This improves operability and UX, and can increase user satisfaction and convenience.

In addition, in this embodiment, the amount of product information increases as the size of the card image increases. When the screen of FIG. 3 is switched to the screen of FIG. 4, the product information displayed on this card image includes the product image, price, product name, and also country of origin information, as shown in FIG. 4.

When the user further taps on the card image of the desired product on the display screen of FIG. 4, the size of the card image is further enlarged and only one card image is displayed on the screen (see FIG. 5). Note that in this embodiment, if the user wishes to reduce the size of the card image and increase the number of displayed card images, the user performs, for example, a pinch-out operation on the LCD screen.

In this case too, when the user taps on the device screen, the size of the card images and the number displayed transition smoothly without a loading screen or blackout screen. This improves operability and UX, and can increase user satisfaction.

Specifically, in response to a tap operation on the screen of the user's device, the specified card image is enlarged and displayed using a large area, for example, filling the entire screen. In addition, as the size of the card image is enlarged, the amount of product information increases further. As shown in FIG. 5, the product information displayed on this card image includes the product image, price, product name, place of origin, as well as the sales format of the product, and all of the product information listed in the original data of the flyer or electronic flyer provided by the administrator is displayed.

In this way, depending on the user's tap operation on the screen of the device, the size of multiple card images can be enlarged and the number of card images aligned and displayed on the screen can be reduced, or vice versa. Also, the displayed product information can change depending on the size of the card images.

It is also possible to store or manage product information viewed by users as data. This allows users to identify which products in the electronic flyers they viewed in detail and collect data on the viewed products. In addition, the administrator can analyze the access logs to understand what in the flyers users are interested in and obtain marketing information, allowing the administrator to create appropriate product sales strategies.

The data of the product information viewed by the user is stored in the memory unit 11 of the electronic flyer distribution server 10. The administrator can check the results of the viewed product information on his/her own administrator terminal 30.

There may be a means for sharing the card image on a social networking service. This allows product information to be shared with many people using the social networking service.

The system may also be provided with a means for users to register card images as bookmarks. This makes it easier for users to access products that they have bookmarked again. The card images can also be used as a memo for products that users want to purchase.

When a user shares the information on a social networking service or registers it as a bookmark, the information is stored in the memory unit 11 of the electronic flyer distribution server 10. This allows the administrator to check the number of shares on the social networking service, the number of bookmarks, etc., using his or her own administrator terminal 30.

A means for changing the background of the screen may also be provided. This allows for better image recognition of products by changing the background to one that is more suitable for the image. Also, by changing the background of the screen, the user can be made aware that the size and number of card images displayed have changed due to a specified operation on the screen or pointing device of the user's terminal.

The background may be suitable for an electronic flyer image (for example, the background image may use the advertiser's corporate logo and the background color may be the advertiser's corporate color), the background may be changed each time the size and number of card images displayed change (for example, the background color may be changed from red or yellow to green, or the background pattern may be changed), or the background image may be changed to one related to the product finally selected by the user (for example, if the product is bananas, the background image may show a jungle image).

(Modification)
Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described. The difference from the above electronic flyer is that the card image is not generated for each product from the original data of a flyer or electronic flyer containing multiple products provided by the administrator, but the product photo displayed on the card image is a product image taken by the administrator, and the product information is generated based on the voice data of the administrator's speech. The following mainly describes the differences, and omits the description of the same parts as the above electronic flyer.

The product photos displayed on the card image are product images taken by the administrator. This allows the administrator to take photos of the products that are actually for sale and display them on the card image, allowing users to check the product images of the products that are actually for sale, and allowing users to make decisions about purchasing products with peace of mind.

When the administrator takes a photograph, the photograph is taken using, for example, a camera mounted on a smartphone or tablet terminal that is capable of communication. The administrator sends the photographed product image data to the electronic flyer distribution server 10, which displays the product photo on the card image.

The product information for the card image is generated based on the voice data generated by the administrator's speech. This means that the administrator only needs to speak about the product information for a product, and the product information for the card image can be generated automatically in response to this speech. This reduces the burden on the administrator in creating product information for products.

When the administrator speaks into a terminal device capable of voice input, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, the spoken voice data is sent to the electronic flyer distribution server 10 via the terminal device capable of voice input. The electronic flyer distribution server 10 performs voice recognition processing on the voice data received to identify the content of the utterance. A character string indicating the identified content of the utterance is displayed on the card image as product information for the product.

As described above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, but various additions, modifications, or deletions are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, a smartphone or tablet terminal is used as the user's terminal, but a personal computer may also be used.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the user terminal 20 is a smartphone or tablet terminal, and the specified operation for changing the size, etc., of the card image is a tap operation on the screen of the smartphone or tablet terminal with one finger or a pen-type device, but it may also be a pinch-in or pinch-out operation on the screen with two fingers or a pen-type device.

In addition, when the user terminal 20 is a personal computer, the operation may be a tap operation using one finger or a pen-type device on a track pad provided on or connected to the terminal, or a pinch-in or pinch-out operation using two fingers or a pen-type device, or a click operation using a mouse provided on or connected to the terminal by positioning a cursor on a card screen or a specified position displayed on a monitor provided on or connected to the personal computer.

In the above embodiment, a case was described in which the card image changes size in three stages: from the initially displayed card image, to a card image enlarged by one size step, to a card image enlarged by two sizes step, to the largest card image. However, the card image size may change in stages other than three as long as the size is changed from the initially displayed card image to the largest card image.

In addition, in the above embodiment, one electronic flyer is displayed on one application, but multiple electronic flyers may be displayed on one application, making it possible to compare the product information for each.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the card image is generated from flyer data, but the card image may also be generated from data of printed materials such as product catalogs, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Electronic flyer distribution server 11 Storage unit 12 Transmission unit 20 User terminal 30 Administrator terminal 40 Internet line

Claims (12)

An electronic flyer distribution system including a terminal and an electronic flyer distribution server, wherein electronic flyer data is transmitted from the electronic flyer distribution server to the terminal, and the electronic flyer is displayed on a screen of the terminal,
The electronic flyer data includes card image data including product images and text information for each of a plurality of products,
In response to a request from the terminal, electronic flyer data is transmitted from the electronic flyer distribution server to the terminal, and the electronic flyer displays product images and text information of a plurality of products as card images, and the plurality of card images are aligned and displayed on the terminal in a predetermined number and a predetermined size in accordance with the screen of the terminal;
the terminal is a smartphone or tablet terminal, and in response to a predetermined operation such as a tap operation on the screen with one finger or a pen-type device, or a pinch-in/pinch-out operation on the screen with two fingers or a pen-type device, the sizes of the multiple card images aligned and displayed on the screen are changed stepwise by one size to match the screen, the number of columns of the multiple card images aligned and displayed on the screen is changed stepwise to match the screen, and the size of the product image and text information displayed on each card image are changed stepwise to display the card images;
The transition of the electronic flyer displayed on the terminal by the predetermined operation is smoothly changed without going through a loading screen or a blackout screen, by changing the size and number of the card images, and the display of the product image and text information on each card image, etc.
Electronic flyer distribution system . An electronic flyer distribution system including a terminal and an electronic flyer distribution server, wherein electronic flyer data is transmitted from the electronic flyer distribution server to the terminal, and the electronic flyer is displayed on a screen of the terminal,
The electronic flyer data includes card image data including product images and text information for each of a plurality of products,
In response to a request from the terminal, electronic flyer data is transmitted from the electronic flyer distribution server to the terminal, and the electronic flyer displays product images and text information of a plurality of products as card images, and the plurality of card images are aligned and displayed on the terminal in a predetermined number and a predetermined size in accordance with the screen of the terminal;
the terminal is a smartphone or tablet terminal, and in response to a predetermined operation such as a tap operation on the terminal screen or a pointing device, the size of the multiple card images aligned and displayed on the screen is changed stepwise by one size to fit the screen, the number of columns of the multiple card images aligned and displayed on the screen is changed stepwise to fit the screen, and the size of the product image and text information displayed on each card image are changed stepwise to display the card images;
The transition of the electronic flyer displayed on the terminal by the predetermined operation is smoothly changed without going through a loading screen or a blackout screen, by changing the size and number of the card images, and the display of the product image and text information on each card image, etc.
Electronic flyer distribution system . The terminal is a personal computer equipped with or connected to a pointing device instead of a smartphone or a tablet terminal ,
The predetermined operation is, if the pointing device is a track pad, a tap operation on the track pad with one finger or a pen-type device, or a pinch-in or pinch-out operation on the track pad with two fingers or a pen-type device, and, if the pointing device is a mouse, a click operation by placing a cursor on the card screen or a predetermined position displayed on a monitor provided on or connected to the personal computer.
2. The electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. The card images of each product displayed on the terminal are displayed based on the card image data transmitted from the electronic flyer distribution server to the terminal, and the card image data is generated by dividing the original image data of a paper flyer or electronic flyer containing multiple products provided by an administrator by image analysis using artificial intelligence .
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. storing card image data of the card image including the product image and character information viewed by the user in a storage unit of the electronic flyer distribution server as user usage information;
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. The card image data includes category information of any one of a plurality of categories,
means for classifying the card image data into categories based on the card image data transmitted to the terminal and displaying the same on the terminal ;
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. The category information of the card image data can be set by a user or an administrator,
The card image data including the set category information is stored in a storage unit of the electronic flyer distribution server.
7. The electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 6. means for sharing the card image on a social networking service;
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. A means for allowing a user to register the card image as a bookmark ,
The bookmark information is stored as user information in a storage unit of the electronic flyer distribution server.
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. A means for changing the background of the screen is provided.
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. Image data of a product photograph taken by an administrator can be used for the product image of the card image data .
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1. The character information of the card image data can be generated by an administrator speaking into a terminal capable of voice input , and the voice data generated by the administrator's speech is transmitted to the electronic flyer distribution server via the terminal capable of voice input, and the voice data received by the electronic flyer distribution server is subjected to voice recognition processing, thereby storing the character information of the card image data in a memory unit.
4. An electronic flyer distribution system according to claim 1.

Images