DE102021108147A1 - computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer system (1) with a central computer system and customer computer units (5) which are connected to the central computer system via a computer network (4), the customer computer units (5) having input/output units (6) via which Ordering processes for products can be carried out. At least one editor (7) of the central computer system can be called up from a customer computer unit (5). Product designs of a product can be edited in the editor (7) by entering input variables into the input/output unit (6) of this customer computer unit (5). At least one search engine (8) is provided in the central computer system, by means of which products suitable for the edited product designs are researched in a database of the central computer system and transmitted to this customer computer unit (5) and presented there.

Description

The invention relates to a computer system according to the preamble of claim 1.

With such a computer system, online ordering processes can be carried out. In general, such a computer system comprises a central computer system which is connected to customer computer units via a computer network, in particular the Internet.

The central computer system is typically located at a product provider who offers his products via a platform, in particular an internet platform. The products are presented there in the manner of a catalogue, ie the products are marked with article numbers and provided with prices. In principle, a product can still be provided with a photo. This is particularly useful for products that are bought at sight, such as clothing or furniture.

A customer accesses the platform with his customer computer unit, which can be formed by a personal computer, smartphone, tablet computer or the like, and can select a product of his choice there and then initiate an ordering process for it.

With broad product portfolios such as clothing or furniture, there is a variety of different products. The search for a specific product is then often time-consuming, and with the large number of products it can happen that suitable products are overlooked.

The object of the invention is to provide a computer system of the type mentioned at the outset, which has expanded functionality.

To solve this problem, the features of claim 1 are provided. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a computer system with a central computer system and customer computer units which are connected to the central computer system via a computer network. The customer computer units have input/output units via which ordering processes for products can be carried out. At least one editor of the central computer system can be called from a customer computer unit. Product designs of a product can be edited in the editor by entering input variables into the input/output unit of this customer computer unit. At least one search engine is provided in the central computer system, by means of which products matching the edited product designs are researched in a database of the central computer system and transmitted to this customer computer unit and presented there.

With the computer system according to the invention, an online ordering process is implemented, the functionality of which is considerably expanded compared to known online ordering processes.

The computer system according to the invention is constructed in such a way that a number of customer computer units are connected via a computer network to a central computer system, which is advantageously formed by the Internet.

The customer computer units can be formed in a known manner by personal computers, laptops, tablet computers or by smartphones.

In the simplest case, the central computer system is formed by one or more computers that are installed in the company of a supplier or manufacturer of products. In general, the central computer system can also form a cloud-based system.

According to the invention, an editor, ie a processing program, is provided as part of the central computer system and can be called up by a customer via the customer computer unit. This editor is used by the customer to find a product of their choice.

For this purpose, the customer can define and specify the product design of the product he wants by means of an editing process via the input/output unit of his customer computer unit. A significant advantage is that the customer can freely specify the product design of the product he wants by making entries on the input/output unit in accordance with his wishes.

Once the customer has completed the product design of his product, he enables a search for the desired product, preferably by making an entry on the customer computer unit.

A search engine is provided in the central computer system for carrying out the search. The search engine can be formed by one or more computer units with suitable software with which, in a search, the desired product design with product design of products stored on the central computer system is compared. Typically, the entire product portfolio of a supplier or manufacturer is stored in the central computer system, with data such as article number and price also being stored for each product, as well as a visual representation. The search engine uses the images to search for suitable products. A suitable product is not only a product whose representation is identical to the desired product design entered via the customer computer unit, but also similar to it.

As a result of the search, the central computer system outputs the products that match the entered product design to the customer computer unit. The customer can then select and order one or more products from the suitable products presented to him. If none of the suitable products presented meets with the customer's approval, he can change the product design in the editor and start the search again.

The computer system according to the invention enables customers to search for products in a significantly improved and more convenient manner and thus to have increased functionality when carrying out online ordering processes. The advantage of the computer system according to the invention comes into play in particular when the supplier or manufacturer provides a large product portfolio on the central computer system, which is the case, for example, with products such as clothing or furniture.

With conventional online ordering processes, a customer has to browse through the entire product portfolio to find out whether there is a product that meets their expectations. With the computer system according to the invention, on the other hand, the customer can freely specify the product design he wants in the editor, with the search engine then looking for suitable products that match the product design or are similar to it. The customer can thus find the products he wants considerably more quickly, and in particular when he cannot specify the desired product precisely in advance or even when the customer can only specify the desired product vaguely or imprecisely.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the central computer system has a central computer unit and an arrangement of supplier computer units. The editor or editors and search engines are provided in the central processing unit.

The supplier computer units and the central computer unit are expediently connected via the computer network.

Each of the supplier computer units, which can be formed by one or more computers, preferably belongs to a different manufacturer or supplier of products. The individual supplier computer units are networked via the computer network with the central computer unit, which can be formed by one or more computers. The product portfolios of several manufacturers or suppliers can thus be researched using the search engine, which increases the functionality of the computer system.

Products to be researched are advantageously stored in the central computer unit and in the supplier computer units.

In general, the products can also be stored in a cloud.

The searches carried out with the search engine are advantageously carried out in the delivery stocks of manufacturers or suppliers, with automated ordering processes being able to be triggered via the customer computer units for suitable products.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one editor is a graphic editor.

A user, that is to say a customer using a customer computer unit, can thus use the editor in such a way that he graphically specifies the product design of the desired product.

Typically, a product design is determined by the shape, color and/or surface design of a product.

Appropriate editor functions make it easier for the user to create the product design. For example, input fields can be provided for selecting different colors or surface textures. The editor's software can also display a pen on the graphic surface, which can be moved by the user in order to generate or change graphic representations. The movement and actuation of the pen can be done with the mouse in personal computers. In the case of mobile end devices with touch panels, the user can move or press the pen with one finger.

Graphic input means are advantageously provided in the editor, by means of which a product design can be designed freely.

A user can then freely specify the product design without using a template.

Alternatively or additionally, input means for verbal inputs can be provided for the editor, with product designs being able to be specified or changed with verbal inputs.

A user can thus define the product design of a product via verbal input. Suitable products for this are then presented via the search engine in the database of the central computer system or the supplier computer units and the central computer unit.

In general, it is also possible for the user to change an already existing graphical representation of a product design through verbal input, with the search engine then carrying out the search using the product design that has been changed in this way.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, an image representation or a photographic representation of a product is loaded into the editor, the product design of which can be changed using the input means.

For example, the user can load an image of a product into the editor via the customer computer unit. The image can then be changed in the editor in order to obtain the desired product design to be researched. Of course, the image can also be used without changes as the product design to be researched.

This embodiment can be further expanded in that an image representation or a photographic representation with several products is loaded into the editor, one of the products being able to be selected in the editor.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a product is researched in the search engine for a product design selected in the editor and classified as suitable or not suitable based on features of the product.

For this purpose, the search engine is advantageously assigned an image processing system in which the classification is carried out.

Based on the number and the degree of correspondence between features of the product design on the one hand and products to be researched on the other hand, their degree of correspondence or similarity can be determined.

A minimum degree of similarity can be specified in the central computer system, in particular in the search engine. Then researched products are only classified as suitable and presented if their degree of similarity with the product design exceeds the minimum degree of similarity.

• 1: Schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Rechnersystems.
• 2: Darstellung von Komponenten der zentralen Rechnereinheit des Rechnersystems gemäß 1.
• 3 - 6: Unterschiedliche Darstellungen auf der graphischen Oberfläche des Editors der zentralen Rechnereinheit gemäß 1 während der Erstellung einer Produktgestaltung.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 : Schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the computer system according to the invention.
• 2 : Representation of components of the central processing unit of the computer system according to 1 .
• 3 - 6 : Different representations on the graphical interface of the editor according to the central processing unit 1 during the creation of a product design.

1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of the computer system 1 according to the invention.

The computer system 1 has a central computer unit 2 and an arrangement of supplier computer units 3 which are connected via a computer network 4 and thus form a central computer system. In the present case, the computer network 4 is formed by the Internet. Both the central computer unit 2 and the supplier computer units 3 can consist of a server and other computers assigned to it.

Both the central computer unit 2 and the supplier computer units 3 are each installed at a manufacturer or supplier of products, with the products being furniture in the present case.

Customer computer units 5 can be connected to the central computer system formed in this way via the computer network 4, so that users, ie customers who operate the customer computer units 5, can carry out online ordering processes. The customer computer units 5 can be formed by personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smartphones or the like. In general, the customer computer units 5 have an input/output unit 6 for inputting or outputting data.

2 shows components of the central computer unit 2. The central computer unit 2 includes an editor 7, ie a processing program, a search engine 8 and an image processing system 9. The editor 7 is designed as a graphic editor. These components form Soft ware modules that can be installed on one or more computers of the central processing unit 2. In general, multiple arrangements of these components can also be provided.

The products of the product portfolios of the individual manufacturers or providers are stored in the supplier computer units 3 and in the central computer unit 2 .

With the components of the central computer unit 2, a user can specify a product design of a product desired by him via a customer computer unit 5. For this product design, 8 suitable products are researched in the search engine and presented to the user, i.e. displayed. Suitable products are defined in such a way that they are identical to the product design or at least are similar to it. The user can then select one, several or all of the suitable products and start an online ordering process for them.

The user-specific specification of a product design of a product, which is formed by a wing chair in the present case, is in the 3 until 6 illustrated. The show 3 until 6 the graphical user interface of the editor 7 in different steps of the specification of the product design.

In 3 a starting point for the specification of the product design is shown. In the "Image search" window, the user is given the opportunity to load an image for the desired product into Editor 7. The user can use an image that is stored in his customer computer unit 5 and is transmitted to the central computer unit 2 and loaded into the editor 7 . The user can also select a product representation from representations of products in the product portfolios in the supplier computer units 3 or the central computer unit 2 .

This can be done using known mechanisms such as drag and drop. In principle, this can also be done through verbal input.

4 shows the result of this action in such a way that a wing chair is loaded into the editor 7 as the product and displayed in its graphical user interface.

If this representation does not yet correspond to the wishes of the user, it can be changed using suitable graphic input means, possibly also using verbal input.

In the present case, how 4 shows input fields "color" or "material" provided, by means of which the color or the material properties and thus the surface properties of the product (wing chair) can be changed.

At the in 5 In the case shown, the user clicks on the "Color" input field and is presented with a color palette where he can select a color for the wing chair or parts of it.

In 6 a graphic input option is shown with which the shape design can be changed. For this purpose, an interactive pen 10 is displayed on the graphic surface, by moving it the shape of the wing chair can be changed graphically. With a personal computer, the interactive pen 10 can be operated with the mouse. In the case of mobile terminals with touch panels, the interactive pen 10 can be moved with one finger.

This graphic input option can also be used in such a way that the user draws the desired product completely freely, ie without an image template.

As soon as the user has completed the product design, a search in the databases of the supplier computer units 3 and the central computer unit 2 is carried out for this in the search engine 8 with the support of the image processing system 9 .

With the help of the image processing system 9, features of the products can be identified and compared with features of the product design. In this way, a classification of products can be carried out, with the degree of similarity of the products with the product design being determined in particular.

Advantageously, as a result of the research, only those products are presented to the user as suitable products for which there is a degree of similarity with the product design that is greater than a predetermined minimum degree of similarity.

The user can then trigger an automated ordering process for one, several or all of the products presented.

Reference List

(1)

computer system

(2)

Central processing unit

(3)

Vendor Computer Unit

(4)

computer network

(5)

customer computer unit

(6)

input/output unit

(7)

editor

(8th)

search engine

(9)

image processing system

(10)

Interactive pen

Claims (14)

Computer system (1) with a central computer system and with customer computer units (5) which are connected to the central computer system via a computer network (4), the customer computer units (5) having input/output units (6) via which ordering processes for products can be carried out are characterized in that at least one editor (7) of the central computer system can be called up from a customer computer unit (5), that product designs of a product can be created in the editor (7 ) can be edited, and that at least one search engine (8) is provided in the central computer system, by means of which products matching the edited product designs are researched in a database of the central computer system and transmitted to this customer computer unit (5) and presented there. Computer system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the central computer system has a central computer unit (2) and an arrangement of supplier computer units (3), the editor or editors (7) and the search engine (8) being provided in the central computer unit (2). Computer system (1) according to claim 2 , characterized in that products to be researched are stored in the central computer unit (2) and in the supplier computer units (3). Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the supplier computer units (3) and the central computer unit (2) are connected via the computer network (4). Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the computer network (4) is formed by the Internet. Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the at least one editor (7) is a graphical editor. Computer system (1) according to claim 6 , characterized in that graphic input means are provided in the editor (7), by means of which a product design can be designed freely. Computer system (1) according to claim 7 , characterized in that input means for verbal inputs are provided for the editor (7), with verbal inputs being able to specify or change product designs. Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 6 until 8th , characterized in that an image representation or a photographic representation of a product is loaded into the editor (7), the product design of which can be changed with the input means. Computer system (1) according to claim 9 , characterized in that an image representation or a photographic representation with several products is loaded into the editor (7), one of the products being able to be selected in the editor (7). Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that a product design is determined by the shape, color and/or surface design of a product. Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that a product design selected in the editor (7) is researched in the search engine (8) and classified as suitable or not suitable based on characteristics of the product. Computer system (1) according to claim 12 , characterized in that the search engine (8) is assigned an image processing system (9) in which the classification is carried out. Computer system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 13 , characterized in that the searches carried out with the search engine (8) are carried out in the stocks supplied by manufacturers or suppliers, with automated ordering processes being able to be triggered for suitable products via the customer computer units (5).

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