JP2001357313A - Server for commodity sale, commodity sale system, and its saling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for commodity same which pro mote consumers' will to purchase and realize spread of commodities by provid ing commodities or services through a network and setting a discount in accor dance with the number of commodities to be purchased by groups. SOLUTION: A consumer who will purchase commodities provided by a provider uses a user home terminal 200 or a user portable terminal 300 to access an order management device 150 of a provider server, and the order management device authenticates the user by a customer recognition number and a password and confirms ordered commodities of the user, the number of ordered commodities, a payment method, etc., and recognizes a group, which the user belongs to, by a customer recognition number of a group representative inputted by the user. The order management device 150 accepts orders from users till a preliminarily set closing date and applies a discount according with the number of ordered commodities by groups to calculate the price for purchase of each user after the closing date.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sales system for selling goods through a network and a sales method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the retail sales of goods and the provision of services to customers, in order to increase the consumer's willingness to consume and expand the business, the goods and services provided by the customer are provided under predetermined conditions. And provide consumers with goods and services. For example,
It is common practice to provide discounts according to the number of customers purchased, and to set a discount rate according to conditions such as the number of times a service is provided and when it is received.

[0003] In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, auction sites for performing auctions on a network have begun to spread, thereby facilitating the distribution of goods and services between individuals without going through a retailer.

[0004]

However, as in the above-mentioned conventional retail sales and service providing business, there is a limitation in a method of setting a discount rate and providing the discount rate to customers.
For example, setting discount prices for products and services for customers is often difficult to predict the number of customers in advance,
Setting the discount rate was difficult.

[0005] In addition, when purchasing goods or services through an auction site on a network, the auction site provides the goods or services to the individual who provided the highest bid price, so that the winning individual also has an unexpectedly high charge. And the inconvenience of not getting what you want because the winning bid is soaring.

[0006] Further, a company that provides goods and services can also provide goods or services through an auction site on the network, but it is difficult for the provider to secure profits unless the number of goods or services sold increases. . In addition, if the product or service is not widely spread, there is little merit for the provider.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide goods or services through a network so that consumers are divided into groups and the number of goods or services to be purchased for each group is determined. Provided are a product sales server, a product sales system, and a method of selling the same, which can promote a consumer's willingness to purchase and realize the spread of products and services by setting an appropriate discount rate.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a commodity sales server according to a first aspect of the present invention sells a commodity to a plurality of groups of consumers by using a network. A product sales server that receives an application for purchase of the product from the consumer, authenticates the consumer based on identification information input by the consumer, and confirms a method of paying the purchase to the authenticated consumer. According to the order management means to be performed and the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs, the number of product purchasers is totaled for each group, and a price calculation for setting a discount rate according to the number of purchasers for each group is performed. Means.

[0009] A product sales server according to a second aspect of the present invention is a product sales server that sells products to consumers divided into a plurality of groups using a network. Accepts an application for purchase of the product from, authenticates the consumer with the identification information input by the consumer, and provides the authenticated consumer with the number of purchases of the product,
The order management means for confirming the payment method of the purchase price and the number of products purchased for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs, and a discount corresponding to the number of products purchased for each group. Charge calculating means for setting a rate.

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, a product information storage means for storing information on a product provided by a provider of the product, and the product information is managed. Merchandise information management means for transmitting the merchandise information to the consumer via the network.

In the present invention, preferably, customer information storage means for storing customer information including at least a customer identification number and a password associated with each of the consumers, managing the customer information, and Customer information management means for providing the customer information as requested by the management means.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, the order management means, when accepting an application for purchase from the consumer, includes the customer identification number and the password input by the consumer, among the customer identification number and the password. In accordance with the identification number, the customer information storage means is searched for a password associated with the customer identification number, and the searched password is compared with the password input from the consumer, and the consumer is identified. It has customer authentication means for authentication.

[0013] In the present invention, preferably, the order management means accepts an application for purchase of the product by a preset deadline.

[0014] In the present invention, preferably, the price calculation means totalizes the number of purchased commodities in each of the groups as needed, and publishes the totalized result on the network.

In the present invention, preferably, the price calculation means calculates a delivery price according to a delivery method of the product specified by each of the consumers.

In the present invention, preferably, the price calculation means applies a higher discount rate to the representative of each group than to a group member other than the representative.

A server for selling goods according to a third aspect of the present invention is a server for selling goods using a network, wherein at least the first selling method and the second selling method are used. Of the products to be determined and sold, the first
Sales method management means for allocating a first sales quantity to be sold by the second sales method and a second sales quantity to be sold by the second sales method, and accepting an application for a product from a user, The purchase price is obtained from the user who purchases the product by the sales method, the purchaser of the product is determined according to the purchase price of each user, and the user who purchases by the first sales method is provided with the above Order management means for delivering the product earlier than a user who purchases the product by the second selling method.

In the present invention, preferably, the first selling method is an auction sale, and the order management means is provided for each of the users who order goods by selling the auction. When the total number of orders reaches the first sales quantity allocated by the sales method management means, the sales are terminated by the first sales method.

In the present invention, preferably, the second sales method is group discount sales, and the order management means is provided to a user who orders a product by the second sales method. The order quantity of the product is totaled for each group to which the user belongs, and the discount rate for each group is set according to the totaling result.

Further, a product sales server according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a product sales server that sells products using a network, and is an order management means for receiving an application for purchase of the product from a user. And payout management means for paying a user based on a predetermined amount of money when the gross profit obtained by selling the product reaches a preset target value.

In the present invention, preferably, the payout management means pays out the payout to the user who has purchased the first shipment of the product.

In the present invention, preferably, the payout management means pays out the payout to the user who has purchased the product through auction sales.

In the present invention, preferably, the payout means provides a discount service corresponding to the payout amount to a purchaser of the product.

In the present invention, preferably, when the total profit from the sale of the product reaches a first target value set in advance, the payout means preferably gives one to the purchaser of the product.
A second payout is made to the purchaser of the product when the total profit reaches the second target value set in advance.

A product sales system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a product sales system that sells products to a plurality of consumers by using a network, and is connected to the network and purchases the products. A consumer terminal that makes an application for purchase by the consumer and an application for purchase of the product from the consumer, and authenticates the consumer by identification information input by the consumer; Order management means for confirming the payment method of the purchase price to the purchaser, and the number of product purchasers for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs. Price calculating means for setting a corresponding discount rate.

A product sales system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a product sales system that sells products to a plurality of consumers by using a network, and is connected to the network and purchases the products. A consumer terminal that makes an application for purchase by the consumer and an application for purchase of the product from the consumer, and authenticates the consumer by identification information input by the consumer; The order management means for confirming the number of purchases of the above-mentioned products and the payment method of the purchase price to the user, and the number of purchases of the products for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the above-mentioned consumer belongs. Price calculating means for setting a discount rate according to the number of purchased products.

A product sales system according to a third aspect of the present invention is a product sales system that sells products using a network, and includes at least a first sales method and a second sales method.
And the first sales quantity to be sold by the first sales method, and the second sales method
Sales method management means for allocating a second sales quantity to be sold according to the sales method described above, and accepting an application from the user, obtaining a purchase price from a user who purchases the product by the first sales method, and The purchaser of the product is determined in accordance with the purchase price of the user, and the user who purchases the product by the first sales method is provided with the product at an earlier time than the user who purchases the product by the second sales method. Order management means for performing delivery.

A product sales system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a product sales system that sells a product by using a network, and includes order management means for receiving an application for purchase of the product from a user; And a payout management means for paying a user based on a predetermined amount when the gross profit obtained by selling the product reaches a preset target value.

[0029] In addition, a product selling method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a product selling method in which a product selling server sells a product to a plurality of consumers using a network. A server receiving, via the network, an application for purchase of the product from the consumer; authenticating the consumer with identification information input by the consumer; According to the step of confirming the payment method of the purchase price and the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs,
Counting the number of purchasers of the product for each group, and setting a discount rate according to the number of purchasers of the product for each group.

[0030] A product sales method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a product sales method in which a product sales server sells a product to a plurality of consumers using a network. A server receiving, via the network, an application for purchase of the product from the consumer; authenticating the consumer with identification information input by the consumer; Checking the number of purchases and how to pay for the purchase,
Collecting the number of purchases of the product for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs, and setting a discount rate according to the number of purchases of the product for each group.

A product sales method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a product sales method in which a product sales server sells a product using a network, wherein at least the first sales method and the second sales method are provided. A step of deciding a sales method and allocating a first sales quantity to be sold by the first sales method and a second sales quantity to be sold by the second sales method among the products to be sold; From the user who purchases the product by the first sales method, obtains a purchase price, determines a purchaser of the product according to the purchase price of each user, Delivering the merchandise to a user who purchases by the first sales method earlier than a user who purchases the merchandise by the second sales method.

Further, a product sales method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a product sales method in which a product sales server sells a product using a network, and accepts an application for purchase of the product from a user. And a step of, when the total profit obtained by selling the product reaches a preset target value, paying a payout based on a predetermined amount to a user who has purchased the product.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a sales system according to the present invention. As illustrated, the sales system of the present embodiment includes a provider server 100, a user home terminal (home terminal) 200, a user portable terminal 300, and a network 400. Although FIG. 1 shows only one user home terminal 200 and one user mobile terminal 300, a plurality of user home terminals 200 and a plurality of user mobile terminals 300 may be provided.

The provider server 100 is a network server managed and operated by a product or service provider, provides product or service information to users, manages customer information, and further receives information from users. Manage orders. For example, a provider of goods or services (hereafter referred to as goods) (hereinafter referred to as a goods provider or simply a provider) may provide a new product or an existing product through a network or other media or advertising means. Is announced, and consumers are recruited for buyers of products with a predetermined deadline date and time. Receives inquiries made via a network from a person who wishes to purchase a product (hereinafter referred to as a user), and when the user applies for the purchase of a product, the user is informed accordingly. Provide the goods or services of
Mediate the provision of services.

The user home terminal 200 is a home terminal owned by a consumer who uses a product provided by the provider. The user home terminal 200 has a user interface and a control device having a necessary data processing function. It has a communication function to connect to the provider server through and to transmit and receive necessary information. The user home terminal 200 is connected to, for example, a telephone line network, a mobile telephone line network, and a dedicated line via a modem or the like, and is capable of communicating with another terminal or a server. , And other terminal devices.
The consumer can access the provider server 100 through the user home terminal 200, obtain necessary information on the product, find the desired product, and apply for purchase.

The user portable terminal 300 is, for example, a portable terminal device having a function of accessing another information terminal, an information server, or the like via the network 400, for example, a portable telephone. The consumer using the product provided by the provider uses the mobile terminal 300 to access the provider server 100 through the network 400, and uses the mobile terminal 300 to authenticate the customer and read information, for example, , Information about the products offered,
The user can browse his / her own customer information registered in the customer database, and can write information, for example, input new information into the customer database, and order a product.

The network 400 is connected to the provider server 10
0 and user home terminal 200 or user portable terminal 3
00 is a communication line connected to the network. In the present embodiment, the type of the network 400 is not particularly limited, and includes a normal telephone line, a mobile telephone line for performing wireless communication,
Further, any of the Internet connected via a dedicated line or the like may be used.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the provider server 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the provider server 100
It comprises a customer management device 110, a customer information storage device 120, a product management device 130, a product information storage device 140, an order management device 150, and an order information storage device 160.

The customer management device 110 manages customer information of a user who receives a product. Customer management device 110
Receives a registration application from a user via the network 400, registers personal information of the user, and issues a customer identification number (customer ID) to a user who satisfies certain conditions. The customer's personal information includes, for example, the user's password, name, address, telephone number, the serial number of the user's home terminal, and, if the user has applied for the purchase of the product, the price of the purchased product , For example, a bank account number, a credit card number, and information indicating payment by proxy collection. Customer management device 110
Receives an application for customer registration from the user, creates a customer database based on the information input by the user, and stores the database in the customer information storage device 120.

The customer information storage device 120 stores the customer database created by the customer management device 110. In the customer database, in addition to the above-mentioned customer personal information, the user has used the provided product by then, for example, purchased product item, purchase date and time, purchase quantity, agency collection record (payment by telephone company or convenience store) ) Is also included. The customer information stored by the customer information storage device 120 is created, updated, or deleted according to an instruction from the customer management device 110. In addition, the customer management device 1
According to the instruction of 10, the information of the predetermined customer is searched from the customer database, the information of the customer corresponding to the search condition is read and transferred to the customer management device 110, the order management device 150, or the other via the network 400. It is also possible to transfer to a terminal or server.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a customer database stored in the customer information storage device 120. Less than,
The contents of the customer database will be described. Customer ID
Is an identification number or symbol assigned to each registered customer to identify each customer. The registration of the customer is set by the provider, such as an automatic registration method for unconditionally registering the user who has applied and an examination method for registering users who meet certain conditions by performing a certain examination. can do. In the automatic registration method, registration is automatically performed for a registration application from a user, and a customer ID is assigned. On the other hand, in the examination method, when a user applies for customer registration, the customer management device 110
Conducts customer reviews based on personal information provided by customers or information collected from other channels that provide information,
Only users who meet certain conditions are allowed to register,
Assign a customer ID.

When a large number of consumers are divided into a plurality of groups, registration is performed by a screening method with respect to a user who has applied for registration as a representative of each group. Register only users who meet the specified conditions as representatives of the group. On the other hand, a user who has applied for product purchase as a member of the group can be registered by the automatic registration method.

The user home terminal serial number is a manufacturing serial number of the user home terminal owned by the user, and is used to recognize whether or not the customer has purchased the user home terminal. The name is the name of the user having the customer ID. The address is an address registered by the user having the customer ID, registered as a delivery destination of the product,
It is memorized. The telephone number is the telephone number of the user having the customer ID.

The bank account number and the bank account number at which the user having the customer ID makes a transfer to pay for the product. The credit card number is a credit card number for a user having a customer ID to pay for a product.

The purchase item is the name of a product, which is the purchase result of the user having the associated customer ID. The purchase date and time is the date and time when the purchase application for the associated product was made.

The merchandise management device 130 manages information on merchandise provided by the provider. Product management device 13
0, a product database is created by collecting information such as the item, price, stock quantity, stock period, and purchase application acceptance period of the provided product, and the product information storage device 140
To memorize. The product management device is a product storage device 1.
It controls updating, addition and deletion of the product database stored in the storage 40. Further, when there is a request from the user to obtain information on a product, predetermined product information is read from the product information storage device 140 and transmitted to the user.

The product information storage device 140 stores a product database created by the product management device 130. The content of the product database is updated, added, or deleted according to an instruction from the product management device 130. Further, according to a user's request, predetermined product information can be searched, and information on the corresponding product can be transmitted to the product management device 130, or can be directly transmitted to the user terminal via the network 400. .

FIG. 3 shows an example of a product database stored in the product information storage device 140. Less than,
The contents of the product database will be described. Item ID
Is an identification number or symbol attached to each product to identify the product to be provided. The item is information indicating the name of a product to be provided and the like.

[0049] The stock quantity is information indicating a standard of how much a product to be provided can be provided. The stock period is information indicating a time when a product to be provided is actually scheduled to be provided. The stock location is information indicating a location where a product can be provided. The unit price is information serving as a guide for the selling price of the product. The purchase recruitment deadline is information indicating the date and time of the final deadline for recruiting purchasers of the product.

The order management device 150 manages an order for a product purchase from a user. The order management device 150 receives an order for a product from a user via the network 400, creates an order list database according to the order content of the user, and stores the order list database in the order information storage device 160. Further, the order management device 150 can control the update, addition and deletion of the order list database with respect to the order information storage device 160, read the contents of the order list database from the order information storage device 160, and store the information in a predetermined order. And output to the network 400. Further, the order management device 150 is provided for the customer management device 11.
0, it is possible to connect to the customer information storage device 120, the product management device 130, and the product information storage device 140, respectively, to obtain necessary information.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an order list database stored in the order information storage device 160.
Hereinafter, the contents of the order list will be described. As shown in the figure, the order list database includes an order group representative ID, a purchased item ID, the number of purchase applicants, the order closing date and time, and a price discount rate corresponding to the number of applicants in association with each other.

The order group representative ID is a customer ID of a user who is a representative of a purchase candidate group of a certain product. The purchase item ID is an ID number of a product ordered by a user having the group representative ID. The ID
The number is the same as the item ID of the product to be provided included in the product database stored by the product information storage device 140.

The number of purchase applicants is the number of purchase applicants of the entire group consisting of a plurality of users who gather under the user having the representative ID. The order deadline is the date and time of the final deadline that presents the number of orderers in the group together. The price discount rate is a price discount rate corresponding to the number of orderers in the group.

Next, the operation of the merchandise sales system shown in FIG. 1 at the time of merchandise sales will be described. The provider of the merchandise, through the network 400 or other media,
Advertise the products to be offered, set a purchase deadline for consumers, and recruit buyers.

Each user is divided into a plurality of groups, and each group is formed under a representative of the group. For example, a user who has purchased the user home terminal 200 is registered as a representative of each group. The formation and maintenance of the group are performed by the representatives of each group by their own efforts. For example, the group representative advertises the participation in the group through the network 400 and recruits the members. Further, when the number of people in the group is large, it is possible to explain to consumers the merits such as being able to purchase products at a more advantageous discount rate, to promote participation in the group, and to increase the number of groups.

The representative of each group puts together purchase applicants for a certain item, accesses the provider server 100 via the network 400, and applies for purchase. In this case, the representative of the group uses the user home terminal 200 owned by the
0, the server 100 is accessed, and the identity of the customer is confirmed by the serial number, customer ID, and password of the user's home terminal. This confirmation
For example, the representative of the group uses his or her home terminal 200 to enter a customer ID and password, and in the provider server 100, the customer management device 110 reads the customer information from the customer database stored in the customer information storage device 120. Based on information such as a password associated with the ID, it is confirmed whether or not the customer is the principal. Further, the confirmation of the customer can be performed by checking the document on the provider side upon receipt of the document.

Also, a representative of the group or a user other than the representative can apply for a product using the portable terminal 300 possessed by each. In this case, a user who wants to purchase a certain product uses the mobile terminal 300 to
The user accesses the order management device 150 of the provider server 100 via the network 400 to apply for a product.
At the time of application, the customer ID of the representative of the group to which the user belongs is registered with the mobile terminal 300 and the network 40.
By transmitting the request to the order management device 150 through the “0”, the order management device 150 can count the purchase application into the group indicated by the customer ID of the input group representative.

The order management device 150 counts the purchase quantity for each product in each group in real time, summarizes the number of purchasers or the number of purchases in the group in descending order, and ranks the number of purchasers or the number of purchases in each group. Create a table and publish it through network 400. In addition, the contact information of the representative can be disclosed if desired by the representative of the group.

Then, at the recruitment deadline, the discount rate of the group is calculated according to the number of purchasers or the number of products purchased for each item in each group, and the calculated discount rate is calculated from the standard price of the product. The product is provided to each purchaser at the applied discount price. The discount rate is set higher as the number of purchasers increases and as the number of purchased products increases, and the representative of the group is provided with the product at the highest discount rate. Further, a privilege may be added to the user who ordered the product via the user home terminal 200, such as delivering the product prior to the retail release date of the retail store.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a discount rate and a group representative premium discount rate set according to the number of purchased products for each group. As shown in the figure, the discount rate is set to be different depending on the number of product purchases of the group, and the discount rate is set higher as the number of product purchases of the group increases. Also, a premium discount rate is applied to the representative of each group from other group members.

A method of applying for registration to a consumer who does not own the user home terminal 200, for example,
You can tell them how to apply by phone, mobile phone, sending documents, or the Internet. In addition, new product information and notice of buyer recruitment can be distributed by means such as mobile phone distribution, direct mail, e-mail, homepage, etc. Motivation can be promoted.

In the merchandise sales system described above, the customer management device 110 and the customer information storage device 120, the product management device 130 and the product information storage device 140, and the order management device 150 and the order information storage device 160 serially respectively. Although described as being connected, the configuration of the product sales system of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration, and each component of the system is connected to the network 400 in parallel. The customer management device 110, the customer information storage device 120, the product management device 130, the product information storage device 140, the order management device 150, and the order information storage device 160 are each implemented on the same computer. You may.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the flow of information during operation in the merchandise sales system of this embodiment in chronological order. Hereinafter, the operation of the merchandise sales system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, it is assumed that the customer database and the product database are created in advance by the customer management device 110 and the product management device 130 and stored in the customer information storage device 120 and the product information storage device 140, respectively.

First, the merchandise provider publishes information on the merchandise to be provided, distributes the discount date and time of the application for order reservation and the discount rate of the merchandise corresponding to the number of persons by the advertisement or the network 400, and registers the information. The product information is widely distributed by directly distributing the product information to the user's home terminal 200.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of processing when a user who owns the user home terminal 200, that is, a representative of each group, applies for a purchase of a product using his own home terminal 200. FIG.

Step S1: First, the user home terminal 2
00 is a user home terminal 200
, The order management device 1 via the network 400
Access to 50 to make an application for product purchase.

Step S2: The user home terminal 200 transmits an instruction to purchase the product to the order management device 150. Then, the order management device 150 accesses the product management device 130.

Step S3: The product management device 130 transmits a request to the product information storage device 140 to obtain the product information stored in the product database.

Step S4: Commodity information storage device 140
Returns product data, for example, product list information, to the product management device 130.

Step S 5: The merchandise management device 130 transmits the list information of the merchandise transmitted from the merchandise information storage device 140 to the order management device 150.

Step S 6: The order management device 150 transmits the provided product list information obtained from the product management device 130 to the user home terminal 200 via the network 400. The item list information transmitted to the user home terminal 200 includes at least the item ID of the item and the item name corresponding to the item ID. It is most desirable that a simple explanation about each product is added.

Step S7: The owner of the user home terminal 200 looks at the transmitted list of provided products,
Select the product to purchase. Then, when applying for the purchase of a product, the user purchases the product I via the user home terminal 200.
D, the customer ID and the serial number of the user home terminal are transmitted to the order management device 150.

Step S8: The order management device 150 transmits the input customer ID to the customer management device 110, and requests provision of personal information corresponding to the customer ID. here,
In the information transmitted from the order management device 150 to the customer management device 110, at least as information for identifying the customer,
Includes customer ID and password.

Step S9: In response to a request from the order management device 150, the customer management device 110 searches the customer database for a password corresponding to the customer ID based on the customer ID input to the customer information storage device 120. Ask for.

Step S10: Customer information storage device 120
Searches a customer database with a designated customer ID in response to a request from the customer management device 110, extracts a password corresponding to the customer ID concerned,
Return to 0.

Step S11: The customer management device 110
The user compares the password detected by the customer information storage device 120 with the password input from the user home terminal 200, and authenticates whether the user is a customer having a customer ID. If the user is confirmed to be the owner of the customer ID, the result is transmitted to the order management device 150.

Step S12: The order management device 150
When the user is confirmed by the customer management device 110, the order data from the user is transferred to the product management device 130.

Step S13: The product management device 130
It accesses the product information storage device 140 and searches for product information based on the item ID of the ordered product.

Step S14: Commodity information storage device 140
Updates the content of the product database representing the information of the product to be provided, if necessary, and
The retrieved product information is stored in the product management device 130 based on the
Return to.

Step S15: The product management device 130
It is determined whether or not the number of items ordered by the user exceeds the number of orders, and accordingly, the order management device 1
A signal is sent to 50 as to whether or not the order is completed.

Step S16: The order management device 150
When the order is completed, the customer ID of the user who placed the order,
The item ID of the ordered product is transmitted to the order information storage device 160.

Step S17: Order information storage device 160
Updates the order list database according to the customer ID and the item ID of the product input from the order management device 150. Here, information on the ordered product, for example, information on the ordered product item, the number of orders for the item, etc. is added to the order list database, and the order result of the group represented by the customer having the customer ID is calculated. Update group order information. When the order information storage device 160 finishes updating the order list database, it notifies the order management device 150 that the database has been updated.

Step S18: The order management device 150
When an order is completed, information on the completion of the order is sent to the network 4
00 to the user terminal 200.

The user who has been notified of the completion of the order uses the existing infrastructure such as a forum on the Internet, a homepage, an e-mail or the like, or the home terminal forum provided in the user home terminal 200 to search for a product purchaser. Recruit. The purchaser is always informed of his or her customer ID as a representative. Group representatives will strive to recruit as many buyers as possible, as the greater the number of group members gathered under themselves, the greater the discount rate will be applied.

Next, a general consumer who is not registered in the provider server 100, that is, a purchaser who does not own the user home terminal 200 and does not have a customer ID, is provided with a portable telephone and a network communication function. A process for placing an order for a product using a portable computer equipped with the above or another portable terminal will be described. Here, the consumer who orders the product obtains the customer ID from a user who already has the customer ID, for example, a representative of the group, and requests that the customer order the product as a group member of the representative. An example is described. Since this user is not registered in the provider server 100, the customer information storage device 120 of the provider server 100 does not store personal information regarding the user. For this reason, the provider server 10
When 0 receives an order from this user, first, the customer management device 110 registers personal information of this user.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing in the case where a user who does not own the user home terminal 200 uses the user portable terminal 300 to apply for a purchase of a product. Hereinafter, this processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Step # 1: First, the user accesses the customer management device 110 using the user portable terminal 300 and registers personal information. In addition, a consumer who does not have a user portable terminal can have the provider register personal information in a customer database by sending a document.

Step # 2: The customer management device 110 issues a customer ID and a password to the user, and the customer's name, address, telephone number, settlement method for the price of the purchased product, and bank account number for settlement. Then, the information including the credit card number and the like is input to the customer database. In addition, the method of settling the product price may specify that the business operator of the mobile phone or a convenience store collect the agency.

Step # 3: Customer information storage device 120
Adds personal information of a customer newly registered in the customer database, for example, information including a customer ID and a password, to the database in accordance with an instruction from the customer management device 110, and returns the personal information of the customer to the customer management device 110. .

Step # 4: The customer management device 110 transmits information such as the customer ID and the password to the user portable terminal 300.
Send to

Step # 5: When the user who has completed customer registration places an order for a product, the user accesses the order management device 150 using the user portable terminal 300. The customer ID acquired by registration, the customer ID of the group representative, and information on the ordered product are transmitted to the order management device 150.

Step # 6: The order management device 150 accesses the order information storage device 160 based on the ordered product and the customer ID of the group representative.

Step # 7: order information storage device 160
Extracts the purchase product list information of the corresponding group based on the customer ID of the group representative input from the order management device 150 and returns it to the order management device 150.

Step # 8: When the list information of the corresponding group is returned from the order information storage device 160, the order management device 150 accesses the product management device 130 to check the product.

Step # 9: The merchandise management device 130 requests the merchandise information storage device 140 to provide merchandise information based on the information on the merchandise input from the order management device 150, for example, the merchandise ID.

Step # 10: Commodity information storage device 140
Returns a list of products to be provided to the product management apparatus 130.

Step # 11: The product management device 130
The product list received from the product information storage device 140 is transmitted to the order management device 150.

Step # 12: The order management device 150
The provided product list information is transmitted to the user portable terminal 300.

Step # 13: The purchaser of the product looks at the product list information displayed on the user portable terminal 300 and selects a purchased product. Then, when a purchase product is determined, a product purchase application is performed using the user portable terminal 300. In this case, the purchase applicant inputs his / her customer ID and password into the user portable terminal 300 and transmits the same to the order management device 150.

Step # 14: The order management device 150
The customer management device 110 is accessed, and the customer ID and password input by the purchaser via the user portable terminal 300 are transmitted to the customer management device 110.

Step # 15: The customer management device 110
The customer information storage device 120 is accessed, and a password stored in the customer database is searched based on the customer ID.

Step # 16: Customer information storage device 120
Returns the customer password extracted from the customer database to the customer management device 110.

Step # 17: The customer management device 110
The returned customer password is compared with the password transmitted from the order management device 150, and if the passwords match, the user who has applied for the order is confirmed as the user having the customer ID, and the order management device 150 The confirmed signal is transmitted to 150.

Step # 18: The order management device 150
When the customer is confirmed, the data of the product ordered by the user is transmitted to the product management device 130.

Step # 19: The product management device 130
It accesses the product information storage device 140 and requests a search for predetermined product information based on the item ID of the ordered product.

Step # 20: Commodity information storage device 140
Updates the corresponding column of the product database provided as needed. Further, the merchandise information searched for in the merchandise database is returned to the merchandise management device 130.

Step # 21: The product management device 130
The presence or absence of stock according to the number of ordered items is confirmed, and if the order is completed according to the result of the confirmation, a signal indicating that the order has been completed is transmitted to the order management device 150.

Step # 22: The order management device 150
In the order information storage device 160, the number of persons stored in the item column of the number of participants in the group list associated with the customer ID of the representative in the order list database is increased by one.

Step # 23: Order information storage device 160
Informs the order management device 150 that the order list database has been updated.

Step # 24: The order management device 150
The information of the order completion is transmitted to the user portable terminal 300 of the purchase applicant. Notification of the completion of the order can also be made by sending documents.

The order management device 150 totals the number of participants in the product purchase application for each group, and calculates the order based on the number of participants in real time. Then, the number of participants in each group, the discount rate of the product price according to the number of participants, and the customer ID of the representative of the group are disclosed through the network 400. Also, the contact information can be made public through the network 400 as desired by the representative of the group. The tallying is performed at any time until a preset product closing date and time, and the tallying result is constantly updated.

At the date and time of the deadline for recruitment, the order management device 150 gives a discount to a participant of the group according to the totaling result of the ranking of the number of persons in each group in advance according to the number of group participants. The product purchase price after the discount is applied is calculated based on the rate, and the product is provided to the consumer with the calculated price. The representative of each group receives the highest discount rate in the group.

In the above description, an example is shown in which the discount rate applied to each group is calculated according to the number of participants in each group. It is also possible to set a discount rate according to the number of products actually applied for purchase. In this case, the highest discount rate is applied to the group that ordered the most items regardless of the number of participants in the group.

The participants in each group are notified of the purchase price of the discounted product, and the product is delivered to the address included in the personal information registered by the user. The price of the product is collected by a payment method designated by the user, for example, any payment method such as debit of a bank account, credit card settlement, payment by a telephone company, or payment to a convenience store. In addition, the delivery method of goods can be specified by the user as a method of collective delivery destination, for example, delivery to a convenience store and delivery to home, and a different fee can be set for each delivery method. it can. For example, when the convenience store delivery is specified, a discount can be set from the ordinary home delivery. In addition, the delivery date of the merchandise can be set as a privilege before the merchandise release date of the retail store.

[0115] The product provider provides the consumer registered in the customer database with information distribution using the network 400, for example, distribution to a mobile phone, transmission of an e-mail, and further direct mail. By notifying future product release schedules and product information, it is possible to enhance the advertising effect of the product, spread the product, and expand the market.

Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the product sales system according to the present invention. As illustrated, the product sales system according to the present embodiment includes a provider server 100a, a user home terminal 200, a user portable terminal 300, and a network 400. FIG. 8 shows only one user home terminal 200 and one user mobile terminal 300. However, when there are many users,
These terminals are also connected to a large number of networks.

The provider server 100a is a network server managed and operated by a provider of goods or services, provides information on goods or services to users, manages customer information, and further receives information from users. Manage orders. Further, the provider server 100a determines the sales method of the product to be sold, for example, auction sales, sales through a normal sales channel, or a network as described in the first embodiment. In the case of selling by a group discount sales method or a combination of these methods, the quantity to be sold is determined by each sales method. Provider server 10
0a presents sales information such as the determined sales method and the number of products to be sold by the method to the user through the network, and promotes the user's willingness to purchase through such activities.

The user home terminal 200 and the user portable terminal 300 are substantially the same as those disclosed in the above-described first embodiment of the present invention. That is, the user home terminal 200 is a home terminal device owned by the user. The user home terminal 200 has a user interface and necessary data processing functions, is connected to a network, and transmits necessary information via the network. A network communication function for transmitting and receiving is provided. The user who uses the product provided by the provider is the user home terminal 2
By using 00, it is possible to access the provider server 100a, obtain necessary information on the product, search for a desired product, and apply for purchase.

Further, the user portable terminal 300 is, for example,
It is configured by a portable terminal device having a function of accessing another information providing terminal or an information providing server via the network 400, for example, a mobile phone. The user uses the user portable terminal 300 to connect to the provider server 100a through the network 400.
, The user can obtain product information, authenticate a customer, further input customer information, and order a product through the mobile terminal 300.

The network 400 is connected to the provider server 10
0 and user home terminal 200 or user portable terminal 3
00 is a communication line connected to the network. In the present embodiment, the type of the network 400 is not particularly limited, and may be any of a normal telephone line, a mobile telephone line for performing wireless communication, and the Internet connected via a dedicated line or the like.

The configuration of the provider server 100a will be described below. As shown in FIG. 8, the provider server 100a
Is composed of a sales method management device 80, a customer management device 110, a customer information storage device 120, a product management device 130a, a product information storage device 140, an order management device 150a, and an order information storage device 160.

The sales method management device 80 determines how to sell the product to be sold. The sales method is
For example, an auction method in which a minimum purchase price is set in advance and a user places an order for a product at a purchase price higher than the minimum purchase price, or a normal network for receiving an order from a user through a network at a predetermined sales price. The selling method, and any one of the selling methods such as the group discount sale disclosed in the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, or a selling method by a combination of these methods is determined. Further, when the sales method of the combination is determined, the quantity of the commodities allocated to each method is also determined. For example, among the planned sales quantities S, the sales quantity by auction can be A, the sales quantity by normal network sales can be B, and the sales quantity by group discount sales can be C. Of course, S = A + B +
Sales quantities A, B, and C assigned to each sales method so as to satisfy C are determined.

The customer management device 110 manages customer information including personal information of a user who receives a product. The customer's personal information includes, for example, the user's password, name, address, telephone number, the serial number of the user's home terminal, and, if the user has applied for the purchase of the product, the price of the purchased product , For example, a bank account number, a credit card number, and information indicating payment by proxy collection. The customer management device 110 accepts an application for customer registration from a user, registers personal information of the user based on the information input by the user, and provides a customer ID to the registered user. Issue. Further, the customer management device 110 creates a customer database based on the registration information and stores the customer database in the customer information storage device 120.

The customer information storage device 120 stores the customer database created by the customer management device 110. In addition, the customer information storage device 120 stores the customer management device 1
The customer information is added, updated, or deleted in the customer database according to the instruction from the customer management device 11.
In accordance with the instruction 0, information of a predetermined customer is searched from the customer database, and the information of the customer corresponding to the search condition is transferred to the customer management device 110, the order management device 150a, or another terminal or It is also possible to transfer to a server.

[0125] The product management device 130a manages information on products provided by the provider. Product management device 1
30a is the item, price, stock quantity,
A merchandise database is created by collecting information such as a stock period and a purchase application receiving period, and the merchandise information storage device 1
40. The product management device 130a controls updating, addition, and deletion of the product database stored in the product storage device 140. When there is a request from a user to obtain information on a product, predetermined product information is read from the product information storage device 140 and transmitted to the user. Further, in the present embodiment, the merchandise management apparatus 130a manages information such as the quantity of the merchandise allocated to each sales method by the sales method management apparatus 80, and provides this information to the user as required.

The product information storage device 140 stores a product database created by the product management device 130a. The content of the product database is updated, added, or deleted according to the instruction of the product management device 130a. Further, in response to a request of the user, predetermined product information is searched, and information of the corresponding product is transmitted to the product management device 130a, or
It can also be transmitted directly to the user terminal via the network 400.

The order management device 150a manages an order for purchasing a product from a user. The order management device 150a receives an order from a user via the network 400, creates an order list database according to the order content of the user, and stores the order list database in the order information storage device 160. Further, the order management device 150a includes an order information storage device 160
, Update, addition and deletion of the order list database can be controlled. Further, in the present embodiment, the order management device 150a obtains the sales quantity of each sales method determined by the sales method management device 80 from the sales method management device 80 or the product management device 130a, and places an order from the user. , The total quantity of orders according to the purchase method specified by the user is calculated according to the purchase method specified by the user, and as a result of the calculation, the total number of orders from the user is assigned to each sales method. When it reaches, inform the user of the sales deadline.

The order information storage device 160 stores an order list database managed by the order management device 150a, reads out stored information in accordance with an access request from the order management device 150a, and reads out the stored information.
Or provide it to another device.

In the merchandise sales system described above, the sales method management device 80, the customer management device 110 and the customer information storage device 120, the product management device 130a and the product information storage device 140, and the order management device 150a and the order information storage device Although the devices 160 are described as being serially connected to each other, the configuration of the merchandise sales system according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. They may be connected in parallel. In addition, the sales method management device 80,
The customer management device 110, the customer information storage device 120, the product management device 130a, the product information storage device 140, the order management device 150a, and the order information storage device 160 may be realized by separate computers, or all may be the same. Computer.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing sales prices and sales quantities when different sales methods are used in combination. Here, three types of sales methods are used: sales by auction, sales through a normal network or sales through a normal over-the-counter sales route, and group discount sales. Here, C is the total quantity of the products to be sold, A is the sales quantity by the auction, B-A is the sales quantity by the normal sales method, and C is the sales quantity by the group discount sales.
-B. In each sales method, the sales amount is determined by the sales quantity and the sales price.

As shown in the figure, in the sales quantity A by auction, a fixed price P determined in advance by the product provider is set as a minimum bid price of the auction. A user who purchases a product through an auction can use a provider server 100 using a user terminal or a user mobile terminal.
a, and confirms customer authentication and the like, and inputs his / her bid price into the order management device 150a. on the other hand,
A user who wishes to purchase a product by a normal sales method accesses the provider server 100a and receives the order management device 150a.
Apply for purchase in the usual way. In addition, a user who purchases a product using a group discount determines a group to participate in, and applies for purchase by group discount sales using group identification information such as a customer ID of a representative of the group.

The merchandise provider provides the merchandise to the user who has applied for the purchase in accordance with each sales method. For example, a customer who orders an item at a price higher than the list price through auction sales will deliver the ordered item earlier than other sales methods, and a user who purchases at a group discount will use the normal sales method to purchase. Delivery of the goods later than the person.

As described above, a user who purchases at an auction purchases a product at a bid price higher than a fixed price, but can obtain an ordered product earlier than using another selling method. In addition, users who purchase a group discount, can purchase goods further in cheap group discount price P _S than the list price, compared to the user using the other marketing methods, it takes a long time until the goods arrive.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of product sales in the product sales system of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, FIG.
The process flow of the product sales system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Step SA1: First, the selling method management device 80 determines the list price of the product, that is, the minimum bid price of the auction sale, the selling method, and the sales quantity allocated to each selling method. Here, for example, it is assumed that it is decided to sell the goods by three selling methods, for example, auction sale, sale by a normal network order, and group discount sale.

Step SA2: Accept an order by auction sale. The customer management device 110 authenticates the applied user, and registers necessary customer information and issues a customer ID for a new customer. Then, the bidding price input by the user through the terminal is acquired by the order management device 150a.

Step SA3: The order management device 150a determines the order according to the bid price of each user who has applied for a purchase at auction sales at a preset deadline date and time, and allocates the order to the auction sales from a higher order user. The buyers are determined up to the sales quantity A, and the results of the auction are notified to the respective users. Then, the product is delivered to the purchaser at a predetermined date and time.

Step SA4: An order from a user is accepted in normal network sales or in-store sales. The customer management device 110 authenticates the applied user, and registers necessary customer information and issues a customer ID for a new customer. Then, the order management device 150a
To obtain the purchase quantity of the user. Normal network sales or over-the-counter sales end when the order quantity from the user reaches the assigned sales quantity B. After the reception is completed, for customers who have applied for products by regular network order or store order,
The ordered item is delivered later than the buyer of the auction sale. For example, after the delivery of goods to all buyers of auction sales is completed, or at a later time, the goods are delivered to users who have applied for a normal network order or store order.

Step SA5: An order from a user is accepted for group discount sales. In this case, the customer management device 1
Authenticates the user who applied in step 10;
Register necessary customer information and issue customer ID for new customers. Further, group identification information for identifying a group to which the user belongs, for example, a customer ID of a representative of the group is obtained from the user. Order management device 1
50a, the purchase quantity of the user is obtained, and further, for each group based on the group identification information input by the user, the total number of applications for each group,
Alternatively, a discount rate for each group is determined according to the number of product orders.

Then, the purchase price calculated by the discount rate of each group is determined for the purchasers of each group,
Collection of the price and delivery of the product are performed. It should be noted that, for a user who has ordered a product through group discount sales, the delivery of the product is performed at the latest compared to a purchaser using another sales method.

In the merchandise sales system of this embodiment,
The processing of steps SA2, SA4, and SA6 described above can be performed simultaneously, or after the sales by one sales method are completed, the acceptance of the application by the next sales method can be started. For example, after auction sales are completed, sales by regular network order or reception of normal store sales are started, and after sales by this method are completed, reception of group discount sales is started. It can be developed sequentially. In any case, the delivery of the product is performed earliest to the purchaser by the auction sale, and the delivery of the product is performed latest to the purchaser by the group discount sale.

As described above, according to the merchandise sales system of the present embodiment, the same merchandise is sold to the user using different sales methods, so that the user can purchase the merchandise in a desired sales method. Further, different services can be provided depending on each sales method. That is, a user who purchases a product at a bid price higher than the list price through auction sales can obtain the product earlier than other users, and conversely, a user who purchases a product through group discount sales has a lower price. The product can be purchased at a discount price to which the group discount rate is applied, but the time to obtain the product is later than that of users of other sales methods. This allows the product provider to secure higher profits through auction sales than with traditional sales methods, especially when bringing new products to the market, and through regular network order sales or over-the-counter sales, as well as through group discount sales , We can offer products to users at low prices and expand the market, so we can secure sufficient profit especially in the early stage of release,
The effect is to promote new product development on the provider side and to encourage consumers to purchase.

Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the product sales system according to the present invention. As illustrated, the product sales system according to the present embodiment includes a provider server 100b, a user home terminal 200, a user portable terminal 300, and a network 400. In FIG. 11, the user home terminal 200 and the user portable terminal 300
Shows only one each, but when there are many users, each of these terminals is also connected to the network.

The provider server 100b is a network server managed and operated by a provider of goods or services, provides information on goods or services to users, manages customer information, and further receives information from users. Manage orders. In addition, the provider server 100b determines a sales method and a sales quantity of a product to be sold, and presents the determined sales method and sales information such as a quantity of a product to be sold by the method to a user through a network. Encourage users to purchase through activities.

The user home terminal 200 and the user portable terminal 300 are substantially the same as those disclosed in the above-described first and second embodiments of the present invention, respectively. Using these terminal devices, the user can access the provider service 100b, obtain necessary information on products, search for desired products, and apply for purchase.

The network 400 is connected to the provider server 10
0 and user home terminal 200 or user portable terminal 3
00 is a communication line connected to the network. In the present embodiment, the type of the network 400 is not particularly limited, and may be any of a normal telephone line, a mobile telephone line for performing wireless communication, and the Internet connected via a dedicated line or the like.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the provider server 100b will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the provider server 100b
Is composed of a payout management device 90, a customer management device 110, a customer information storage device 120, a product management device 130b, a product information storage device 140, an order management device 150b, and an order information storage device 160.

The payout management device 90 manages payout to the purchaser in accordance with the profit obtained by selling the product. For example, when the gross profit of a product reaches a preset amount for a purchaser who purchased the product for the initial shipment,
The payout of each predetermined amount is made. Here, the buyer who is a target of the dividend can be a purchaser of the product for the initial shipment, or a purchaser who purchased the product until the preset initial sales volume is achieved, or Of the products, the auction product buyers who purchased the product at a bid price higher than the fixed price through auction sales can be limited. By purchasing products shipped in the early stage of commercialization, these buyers may think that the performance will be inferior to the later shipment due to subsequent improvements, etc. If you make a purchase, you will get the privilege of getting the product over other buyers, but you will purchase the product at a price higher than the list price, so the purchase price above the list price will be invested in initial market development and Conceivably, the merchandise provider can improve the quality of service by returning a portion of the profit to these buyers in the form of dividends.

There are various forms of payout, such as a cash payout, gift certificate, discount service, free upgrade of merchandise, provision of peripheral equipment for free or at a discounted price. Further, the timing of the payout is set by the user side, for example, as described above, when the total profit of the product reaches a preset amount, or when the number of sold products reaches a preset value. it can. Furthermore, the payout is not limited to once,
For example, when the gross profit reaches the first target value, the first payout is performed, and when the receipt increases steadily and the gross profit reaches the second target value, the second payout is performed. Can also. Such payout management is performed by the payout management device 90. The payout management device 90 discloses payout information, such as a payout method, a payout amount, and a target value of a profit to be paid out, set in advance by the provider side to the user, thereby promoting purchase will.

[0149] Information necessary for making a payout, for example, a list of purchasers to be paid out, identification information of commodities purchased by each purchaser, for example, information such as a product serial number, is stored in a payout management apparatus. 90 is stored in a storage device managed by the storage device 90. Also, such information can be created and managed by the order management device 150b. In this case, the payout target list and the identification information of the product purchased by each purchaser can be stored in the order information storage device 160.

In the provider server 100b of the present embodiment, the customer management device 110, customer information storage device 120, product management device 130b, product information storage device 140, order management device 150b, and order information storage device 160 are each described above. Provider server 10 of the second embodiment of the present invention
Oa has substantially the same configuration and function as each portion of Oa. However,
In the present embodiment, the payout management device 90 stores payout information for paying out a payout, and also creates and manages the payout information.
b provides necessary information. For example, the product management device 130b manages identification information of a product to be sold, such as a product serial number and a product ID. When an order for a product is received from a user, the order management device 150b manages not only information such as a purchase method and a payment method of the purchaser but also identification information of the product delivered to each buyer when the product is delivered. I do. In the order management device 150b, payout information is created for each purchaser by associating the purchaser identification information, for example, the customer ID with the identification information of the product purchased by the purchaser, and the created information is placed in the order information. Stored by the storage device 160.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the total gross profit and the payout time. Here, for example, a case is shown in which the first payout is performed when the total profit reaches a preset target value A, and the second payout is performed when the total profit reaches a preset target value B. As shown, after the product launch,
Over time, sales increase and gross profit increases. Time T
_{At 1} , the total profit reaches the target value A, and at this time, the first payout is made. After that, sales increased further, and time T ₂
Since the target value B is reached, the second payout is made.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of the payout management device 90 for managing the above-mentioned payout. Hereinafter, the payout management device 9 will be described with reference to this flowchart.
The operation of 0 will be described. Step SB1: First, information such as the profit target value at which the payout management device 90 pays out, the number of products to be paid out, and the payout amount is presented to the user via the network 400, for example.

Step SB2: An application for purchase is accepted from the purchaser. The customer management device 110 authenticates the applied user, and registers necessary customer information and issues a customer ID for a new customer. Then, the order management device 150b obtains information on the purchase method and the like from the user. For example, if the user wants to purchase at an auction sale, the bid price of the user is acquired, and if the user desires to purchase by another method, necessary information is acquired accordingly.

Step SB3: The product is delivered to the user who ordered the product. Here, payout information is generated in such a manner that identification information such as a serial number of a product delivered to each user is associated with identification information of the user, for example, a customer ID. The generation of the payout information is performed, for example, by the order management device 150b, and the generated payout information is stored in the order information storage device 160.

Step SB4: The payout management device 90 determines whether or not the total profit of the product has reached a preset target value.

Step SB5: When the total profit of the product reaches the target value, payout is made to each payout target person according to a predetermined payout method and payout amount. When a payout is performed a plurality of times in accordance with a plurality of preset target values, the processing shown in steps SB4 and SB5 is performed for each target value.

In the merchandise sales system of this embodiment, the payout management device 90 monitors the total profit of the merchandise by the above-described processing, and pays out when the total profit reaches a predetermined target value. Further, instead of the total profit of the product, for example, a payout target can be set in advance according to the sales and the number of products sold, and the payout can be performed according to the target value. For this reason, in the initial stage after the sale of the product, the sales growth rate can be realized higher than in the conventional sales method, and the market can be expanded in a short period of time.

[0158] Each selling method of the above-mentioned merchandise selling system of the present invention can be carried out independently, but it is also possible to carry out a combination of a plurality of selling methods.
For example, the auction sales disclosed in the second embodiment,
It is also possible to execute the combination of the network order sales and the group discount sales in combination, and to pay the purchaser who has purchased the product through the auction sales according to the gross profit disclosed in the third embodiment. In addition, the payout target is not limited to auction sales, but may be applied to all initial shipment products.

[0159]

As described above, according to the product sales server, the product sales system and the sales method of the present invention, the product provider can use the network to spread the product and expand the market. Can be measured. Consumers can make a variety of efforts, such as trying to represent a group or increasing the number of participants in a group, in order to purchase products at more favorable conditions, for example, at a higher discount rate.
Contribute to product sales promotion and can obtain products more economically. As a result of competing for discounts on products by forming a group between consumers, consumers themselves can contribute to the spread of products and the expansion of the market. Further, the merchandise provider can acquire repeat customers by setting a discount rate according to the number of sales in advance and publishing it. Further, according to the present invention, the same product can be sold by a plurality of different sales methods, the consumer can purchase the product by a desired sales method, and can receive different services by the respective sales methods. For example, when purchasing merchandise at auction sales, products can be obtained earlier than other users, and when purchasing products at group discount sales, products can be purchased at a discount price lower than the regular price. Further, by paying dividends to purchasers of the initially sold products according to the gross profit based on a preset payout condition, sales of the products are promoted and the market is expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a product sales system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer database.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product database generated according to product information provided by a provider;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an order list database.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a discount rate set according to the number of product purchases in each group.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the merchandise selling system when a group representative applies for merchandise purchase.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the merchandise selling system when a group participant applies for merchandise purchase.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the product sales system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing sales prices and sales quantities.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the product sales system of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of a product sales system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the total gross profit and the payout time.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the product sales system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100, 100a, 100b: Provider server, 80: Sales method management device, 90: Dividend management device, 110: Customer management device, 120: Customer information storage device, 130, 130a, 130b: Product management device, 140: Product information Storage device, 150, 150a, 150b: Order management device 160: Order information storage device, 200: User home terminal, 300: User portable terminal, 400: Network.

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise sales server for selling merchandise to a plurality of groups of consumers by using a network, wherein the merchandise sales server receives an application for purchase of the merchandise from the consumer and inputs the application from the consumer. Order management means for authenticating the consumer with the identified identification information and confirming the method of paying the purchase price to the authenticated consumer; and goods for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs. A merchandise selling server having a price calculating means for counting the number of purchasers and setting a discount rate in each group according to the number of purchasers. 2. A merchandise information storage means for storing information on merchandise provided by a merchandise provider; managing the merchandise information; and storing the merchandise information via the network in response to a request from the consumer. 2. The product sales server according to claim 1, further comprising: a product information management means for transmitting the product information to the consumer. 3. A customer information storage means associated with each of the consumers and storing customer information including at least a customer identification number and a personal identification number; and managing the customer information; 2. The product sales server according to claim 1, further comprising customer information management means for providing customer information. 4. The order management means, when receiving an application for purchase from the consumer, receives the customer's identification number and the password entered by the consumer, and in accordance with the customer identification number, Requesting the information storage means to search for a personal identification number associated with the customer identification number, collating the searched personal identification number with a personal identification number input by the consumer, and having customer authentication means for authenticating the consumer; Item 3. A merchandise sales server according to item 3. 5. The merchandise selling server according to claim 1, wherein said order management means receives an application for purchase of said merchandise by a preset deadline date and time. 6. The product sales server according to claim 1, wherein said price calculation means totalizes the number of purchasers in each of said groups as needed, and publishes the totalized result on said network. 7. The merchandise selling server according to claim 1, wherein said price calculating means calculates a delivery price in accordance with a method of delivering said product specified by each of said consumers. 8. The merchandise selling server according to claim 1, wherein said price calculating means applies a higher discount rate to a representative of each group than a group member other than said representative. 9. A merchandise selling server that sells merchandise to a plurality of groups of consumers using a network, wherein the merchandise purchase application is received from the consumer, and is input from the consumer. An order management unit that authenticates the consumer with the identified identification information and confirms the number of purchases of the product and a payment method of the purchase price to the authenticated consumer, and according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs. A merchandise sales server having a price calculating means for totalizing the number of purchased products for each group and setting a discount rate according to the number of purchased products for each group. 10. A merchandise information storage means for storing information on merchandise provided by a merchandise provider, managing the merchandise information, and storing the merchandise information via the network in response to a request from the consumer. 10. The merchandise sales server according to claim 9, further comprising: merchandise information management means for transmitting the merchandise information to the consumer. 11. A customer information storage means associated with each consumer and storing customer information including at least a customer identification number and a personal identification number; and managing the customer information; 10. The commodity sales server according to claim 9, further comprising customer information management means for providing customer information. 12. The order management means, when accepting an application for purchase from the consumer, receives the customer's identification number and password entered by the consumer and responds to the customer's identification number in accordance with the customer's identification number. Causing the information storage means to search for a password associated with the customer identification number, collating the searched password with a password entered by the consumer,
12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising customer authentication means for authenticating the consumer.
Product sales server described. 13. The merchandise selling server according to claim 9, wherein said order management means receives an application for purchase of said merchandise by a preset deadline date and time. 14. The server for selling goods according to claim 9, wherein said price calculation means totalizes said number of purchased goods in each of said groups as needed, and publishes the totalized result on said network. 15. The merchandise selling server according to claim 9, wherein said price calculating means calculates a delivery price in accordance with a delivery method of said product specified by each of said consumers. 16. The merchandise selling server according to claim 9, wherein said price calculating means applies a higher discount rate to a representative of each group than a group member other than said representative. 17. A merchandise sales server for selling merchandise using a network, wherein at least a first sales method and a second sales method are determined,
Sales method management means for assigning a first sales quantity to be sold by the first sales method and a second sales quantity to be sold by the second sales method; , And obtains a purchase price from a user who purchases a product using the first sales method,
A purchaser of the product is determined in accordance with the purchase price of each user, and a user who purchases the product by the first sales method is earlier than a user who purchases the product by the second sales method. A product sales server having an order management means for delivering a product. 18. The first sales method is auction sales, and the order management means orders users ordering goods for sale through the auction with a purchase price presented by each user. 18. The server for selling goods according to claim 17, wherein when determined, when the total number of orders reaches the first sales quantity allocated by the sales method management means, the sales by the first sales method are terminated. 19. The second sales method is group discount sales, and the order management means provides a user who orders goods by the second sales method with respect to each group to which each user belongs. 18. The product sales server according to claim 17, wherein the order quantities of the products are totaled, and a discount rate for each group is set according to the totaling result. 20. A merchandise sales server for selling merchandise using a network, comprising: an order management means for receiving an application for purchase of the merchandise from a user; and a total profit obtained by selling the merchandise in advance. A merchandise selling server comprising: a payout managing unit configured to pay a payout based on a predetermined amount to a user who has purchased the product when the set target value is achieved. 21. The merchandise selling server according to claim 20, wherein said payout management means pays said payout to said user who purchased the first shipment of said merchandise. 22. The merchandise selling server according to claim 20, wherein said payout management means pays said payout to said user who purchased said merchandise by auction sales. 23. The product sales server according to claim 20, wherein said payout means provides a discount service corresponding to said payout amount to a purchaser of said product. 24. When the total profit from the sale of the product reaches a first target value set in advance, the payout means makes a first payout to a purchaser of the product, 21. The product sales server according to claim 20, wherein a second payout is made to a purchaser of the product when the value reaches a second target value set in advance. 25. A merchandise sales system for selling merchandise to a plurality of consumers using a network, wherein the consumer connected to the network and wishing to purchase the merchandise makes an application for purchase. Order management means for accepting an application for purchase of the product from the consumer, authenticating the consumer according to identification information input from the consumer, and confirming a method of paying the purchase to the authenticated consumer. And a price calculating means for totalizing the number of product purchasers for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs, and setting a discount rate according to the number of purchasers for each group. Product sales system. 26. A merchandise sales system for selling merchandise to a plurality of consumers using a network, wherein the consumer connected to the network and wishing to purchase the merchandise makes an application for purchase. A consumer terminal and an application for purchase of the product from the consumer, authenticate the consumer with identification information input from the consumer, and pay the authenticated consumer the number of purchases of the product and the payment method for the purchase price. And an order management means for checking the number of products purchased for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs, and setting a discount rate according to the number of products purchased for each group. A merchandise sales system having a calculating unit. 27. A merchandise sales system for selling merchandise using a network, wherein at least a first sales method and a second sales method are determined.
Sales method management means for allocating a first sales quantity to be sold by the first sales method and a second sales quantity to be sold by the second sales method, among products to be sold, and an application from a user And obtains a purchase price from a user who purchases a product using the first sales method, determines a purchaser of the product according to the purchase price of each user, and purchases the product using the first sales method. A product sales system having order management means for delivering a product to a user earlier than a user who purchases a product by the second sales method. 28. A merchandise sales system for selling merchandise using a network, comprising: an order management means for receiving an application for purchase of the merchandise from a user; and a total profit obtained by selling the merchandise set in advance. And a payout management means for paying out a payout based on a predetermined amount to a user who has purchased the product when the target value is achieved. 29. A merchandise selling method, wherein the merchandise selling server sells merchandise to a plurality of consumers by using a network, wherein the merchandise selling server transmits the merchandise from the consumer via the network. Accepting an application for purchase of the product; authenticating the consumer based on identification information input from the consumer; and confirming a method of paying the purchase price of the product to the authenticated consumer; Totalizing the number of purchasers of the product for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the purchaser belongs, and setting a discount rate according to the number of purchasers of the product for each group. How to sell. 30. A method for selling goods, wherein the server for selling goods sells goods to a plurality of consumers using a network, wherein the server for selling goods is provided from the consumer via the network. Accepting an application for purchase of the product; authenticating the consumer according to the identification information input from the consumer; and confirming the number of purchases of the product and a method of paying the purchase price to the authenticated consumer. Collecting the number of purchases of the product for each group according to the group identification information indicating the group to which the consumer belongs, and setting a discount rate corresponding to the number of purchases of the product for each group. . 31. A merchandise selling server, which is a merchandise selling method for selling merchandise using a network, wherein at least a first selling method and a second selling method are determined,
Allocating a first sales quantity to be sold by the first sales method and a second sales quantity to be sold by the second sales method, among the goods to be sold; The application is accepted, a purchase price is obtained from the user who purchases the product by the first sales method, the purchaser of the product is determined according to the purchase price of each user, and the purchase is performed by the first sales method. A step of delivering the product to the user who does the purchase earlier than the user who purchases the product by the second sales method. 32. A server for selling goods, wherein the server for selling goods is a method for selling goods using a network, comprising: a step of receiving an application for purchase of the goods from a user; and a total profit obtained by selling the goods. Paying a payout based on a predetermined amount to a user who has purchased the product when the target has reached a preset target value.