JP2013171559A - Mediation system, mediation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an individual user to purchase a volume-discounted commodity or service at a timing needed by himself without requiring complicated business processing for ensuring payment therefor.SOLUTION: A mediation system includes a right management server apparatus 0110 and discount mediation server apparatus 0120; either one of these apparatuses outputs, to an electronic device 0150 used by a purchaser, coupon information including information specifying a commodity or a service and information required for accounting processing to the purchaser; and the right management server apparatus acquires arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser, and assesses whether the coupon information is authentic and usable; whereby an individual user can purchase a volume-discounted commodity or service by way of simple processing. Further, a mediation system having the above configuration includes a providing-source server apparatus, a providing-source terminal device, a primary mediation server apparatus, a secondary mediation server apparatus, and the like.

Description

  The present invention relates to an intermediary system intermediary system that mediates buying and selling of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, a settlement processing method using the system, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method .

  Volume discount (large order discount) is a transaction form in which a price is discounted for a large order for a product / service (hereinafter referred to as “product, etc.”). As an example of volume discount, there is a large discount system for Yu-Pack (registered trademark), postcards / letters, periodicals (type 3 postal items) delivery and stamp sales etc. conducted by Japan Post Co., Ltd. (Refer nonpatent literature 1).

  Volume discounts have the advantage that those who place orders for large items at a time or in a short period of time can receive the products at a discounted price. There is an advantage that large orders can be secured. Moreover, there is an advantage that billing / payment processing can be simplified for both the provider and the orderer by combining with a system for processing large transactions collectively.

  However, on the other hand, the amount of transactions is often large due to large orders, so a mechanism for ensuring that the provider receives payment of the price becomes more important than normal transactions. For this reason, payments are often secured by requiring the orderer to provide substantial collateral in advance, and even in the above-mentioned large discount system of the Japan Post Group, a certain amount of cash or the like is preliminarily provided. The duty to provide as collateral may be imposed on the orderer. Due to these restrictions, volume discount transaction orderers are usually limited to large companies that purchase large quantities of the same products and services for employees, and specialists that purchase large quantities of the same products for resale purposes. Therefore, volume discount transactions are difficult to use for individuals such as general consumers.

  However, the ability to purchase products etc. at a price discounted by volume discount trading is also attractive for individual purchasers. In view of this, a device has been devised to overcome the above-mentioned factors restricting the use by individuals so that individuals can purchase products at a volume discounted price. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an order for a company to purchase a product at a discounted price by collecting orders of employees through an in-house web page and placing a large order with a product provider (store). An intermediary method is disclosed. The method includes a first stage of receiving item order information from a user, a second stage of calculating a provision price of the item, and an agent identifier added to the order information and transmitted to the item provider. A third stage and a fourth stage in which the intermediary pays the item provider based on the provision price are provided. In this way, company employees can benefit from volume discounts for large orders, and product providers do not deal with individual employees of the company. You can respond to transactions without worrying. In addition, companies can reliably collect payments from employees by checking the use limit based on employee salary information and product prices to determine whether orders can be accepted. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-063397 A

"Calculation of charges for large-sized companies / corporations" in the Japan Post site (URL: http://www.post.Japanpost.jp/fee/business/index.html)

  However, in the conventional intermediary method as described in Patent Document 1, an order from an intermediary cannot be ordered from an intermediary unless the order from the individual reaches a certain number. In other cases, it is possible to wait in an unordered state until the order reaches a certain number due to an order from another person, or in some cases, the order has not reached a certain number, so the order cannot be made and cannot be completed. Can occur. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is not always possible to purchase a product or the like at the timing that the user desires. As for securing payments, for example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, an intermediary is an individual who performs a paperwork for checking a usage limit based on employee salary information and a product price. There is also a problem that a special mechanism and processing are required to secure the resources of the company, which is complicated for both the mediator and the individual.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the solution is to purchase products / services that are volume discounted at the timing that an individual desires without performing complicated paperwork for ensuring payment. It is to provide a mechanism for making it possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, among the present inventions, the first invention is an intermediary system that mediates the buying and selling of goods and the like of a provider using a volume discount, and the provider is Coupon request information including a range information holding unit that holds range information that is information indicating a range in which a mediating authority such as a discounted product is permitted, and hope information that is information indicating a product that the purchaser wishes to purchase from a provider. Coupon request information acquisition unit to acquire and coupon information transmission unit to transmit coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product etc. when the product indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information A coupon information acquisition unit that acquires arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser, and a determination unit that determines whether the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable. An authority management server device having a desired information input receiving unit for receiving input of purchaser's desired information, a coupon request information output unit for outputting coupon request information including the desired information to the authority management server device, and coupon request information A coupon information receiving unit that receives coupon information transmitted from the authority management server device in response to the request, a billing information processing unit that processes billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information, and the purchaser's use of the received coupon information Provided is a mediation system including a discount mediation server device having a coupon information transfer unit for transferring to an electronic device.

  The second invention is an intermediary system that mediates the purchase and sale of goods and the like of the provider using the volume discount, and mediates the goods and the like that the provider discounts the volume to the mediator. The first range information holding unit that holds the first range information that is information indicating the range for which authority is recognized, the coupon information acquisition unit that acquires arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser, and the acquired arbitrary coupon information are authentic Authority management server device having a determination unit for determining whether it can be used, a desired information input receiving unit that receives an input of purchaser's desired information, and an intermediary authority such as a product for which a provider discounts a volume for an intermediary A second range information holding unit for holding second range information which is information indicating a range in which coupon information can be output based on a range where A coupon information output unit that outputs coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product etc. to the electronic device used by the purchaser when the desired information attached is within the range of the second range information, and according to the desired information A mediation system comprising a discount mediation server device having a billing information processing unit for processing billing information for a purchaser.

  Further, the third invention is based on the second invention, the discount mediation server device acquires the first range information, and a range to be held as the second range information is a range indicated by the first range information. A second determination unit that determines whether or not the second range information holding unit does not exceed a range indicated by the first range information. Provided is a mediation system configured to hold the second range information when it is determined.

  In addition, the fourth invention is based on the first invention, and the authority management server device determines that the product indicated by the desired information exceeds the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. Providing a mediation system having a first changing unit for making a change that expands and determining whether any coupon information acquired by the judging unit based on the changed range is available To do.

  Further, the fifth invention is based on the first or fourth invention, and the authority management server device determines that the product indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. An intermediary system having a first warning message output unit for outputting a warning message is provided.

  Further, the sixth invention is based on the second or third invention, and the authority management server device is likely to exceed the range in which the product indicated by the desired information is allowed to be mediated based on the first range information. A second changing unit that performs a change to expand the range, and the determination unit is configured to determine whether any coupon information acquired based on the changed range is available. Provide an intermediary system.

  The seventh invention is based on any one of the second, third and sixth inventions, and the authority management server device allows the product indicated by the desired information to be brokered based on the first range information. Provided is a mediation system having a second warning message output unit for outputting a warning message when it is likely to exceed the range to be set.

  The eighth invention provides an authority management server device in the mediation system according to any one of the first to seventh inventions.

  A ninth invention provides a discount mediation server device in the mediation system according to any one of the first to seventh inventions.

  The tenth invention is an intermediary system that mediates buying and selling of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, and comprises an authority management server device and a discount mediation server device A range information holding step in which the authority management server device holds range information that is information indicating a range in which the provider approves mediating authority such as a product whose volume is discounted to the mediator; Desired information input receiving step in which discount mediation server device accepts input of purchaser's desired information, and coupon request information output step in which discount mediation server device outputs coupon request information including desired information to authority management server device And the authority management server device indicates information indicating the product etc. that the purchaser wishes to purchase from the provider. This corresponds to a coupon request information acquisition step for acquiring coupon request information including desired information, and a case where the authority management server device has a range in which the product indicated by the desired information is allowed to be brokered based on the range information. A coupon information transmission step for transmitting coupon information indicating a receipt authority for goods or the like to the discount mediation server device, and the discount mediation server device receives the coupon information output from the authority management server device according to the coupon request information. A coupon information reception step, a coupon information transfer step in which the discount mediation server device transfers the received coupon information to an electronic device used by the purchaser, and an authority management server device acquires arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser. The coupon information acquisition step and the authority management server device A determining step of any of the coupon information is determined whether it is available authentic, discount mediation server provides a mediation method and a billing information processing step of processing the charging information for the purchaser as desired information.

  The eleventh aspect of the invention is an intermediary system that mediates purchase / purchase of goods or the like of a provider to a purchaser using a volume discount, comprising an authority management server device and a discount mediation server device. A mediation method using the system, wherein the authority management server device holds first range information, which is information indicating a range in which the mediator authorizes the mediator authority such as a product discounted by the provider to the mediator The information holding step and the information indicating a range in which the discount mediation server device can output coupon information based on a range in which the provider recognizes the mediation authority such as a product whose volume is discounted to the mediator The second range information holding step for holding the range information and the discount mediation server device input the purchaser's desired information. The coupon information output for outputting the coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product, etc., when the desired information input accepting step is within the range of the second range information. And a coupon information acquisition step in which the authority management server device acquires arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser, and a determination step in which the authority management server device determines whether the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable. And a billing information processing step in which the discount mediation server device processes billing information for the purchaser in accordance with the desired information.

  The twelfth invention provides a program for causing a computer to execute the mediation method according to the tenth or eleventh invention.

  The thirteenth invention is an intermediary system that mediates the buying and selling of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, the provider server device, the provider terminal device, the primary mediation server device, It consists of a next mediation server device, a settlement server device, and a purchaser terminal device, and the providing source server device receives a used coupon information to be described later from the providing source terminal device, and receives First used coupon information transmitting unit for transmitting used coupon information to the primary intermediary server device, coupon use result information receiving unit for receiving coupon use result information to be described later from the provider terminal device, used coupon information, A comparison unit that performs comparison with the coupon usage record information, and the provider terminal device is a used coupon that is information of a coupon used for buying and selling products, etc. Used coupon information acquisition unit that acquires information on used coupon information, an inspection unit that checks the authenticity of used coupon information, and information indicating the results of buying and selling products etc. made by using coupons Coupon usage record information acquisition unit, coupon usage record information transmission unit for transmitting coupon use record information to the providing server device, and second use for transmitting the acquired used coupon information to the providing server device A primary coupon server, a primary brokerage server device that receives a billing inquiry from the secondary brokerage server device, and a reply acquisition unit that obtains a reply to the received billing query. A reply sending unit for sending the obtained reply to the secondary mediation server device, and a coupon issuance request for receiving coupon issuance request information from the secondary mediation server device A report information receiving unit, a coupon information acquiring unit that acquires coupon information corresponding to a coupon issuing request indicated by the coupon issuing request information, a first coupon information transmitting unit that transmits the acquired coupon information to the secondary mediation server device, , A recording unit that records issued coupon information that has been transmitted or transmitted, a second used coupon information receiving unit that receives used coupon information from the provider server device, and received used coupon information and issued A collation unit that collates with the coupon information, and the secondary mediation server device receives the desired coupon content information indicating the desired coupon content from the purchaser terminal device, and the primary mediation server device. Inquiry transmission unit that sends an inquiry of the amount charged according to the desired coupon content, and a request according to the desired coupon content from the primary mediation server device An answer receiving unit that receives an answer of the amount, a billing amount information transmitting unit that transmits billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device, and a first payment processing information reception that receives payment processing information from the purchaser terminal device A first payment processing information transmitting unit that transmits the received payment processing information to the settlement server device, an assessment result receiving unit that receives an assessment result from the settlement server device, and a response according to the received assessment result A coupon issuance request information transmitting unit for transmitting coupon issuance request information, which is information indicating a coupon issuance request including the desired coupon content, to the primary mediation server device, and first coupon information reception for receiving coupon information from the primary mediation server device And a second coupon information transmission unit that transmits coupon information to the purchaser terminal device, and the settlement server device receives payment processing information from the secondary mediation server device. A second payment processing information receiving unit, an assessment result acquiring unit for acquiring an assessment result of payment processing information, and an assessment result transmitting unit for transmitting the assessment result to the secondary mediation server device, The purchaser terminal device includes a desired coupon content information transmitting unit that transmits desired coupon content information to the secondary mediation server device, a billed amount information receiving unit that receives billed amount information from the secondary mediation server device, and a secondary Provided is a mediation system having a second payment processing information transmission unit that transmits billing payment processing information to a mediation server and a second coupon information reception unit that receives coupon information from a secondary mediation server device. .

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a mediation system that mediates the buying and selling of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, the provider server device, the provider terminal device, the primary mediation server device, It consists of a next intermediary server device and a purchaser terminal device, and the providing source server device receives a used coupon information receiving unit that receives used coupon information to be described later from the providing source terminal device, and the received used coupon information. A first used coupon information transmitting unit for transmitting the information to the primary mediation server device, a coupon usage result information receiving unit for receiving coupon usage result information to be described later from the providing terminal device, used coupon information and coupon usage result information, A comparison unit that performs a comparison of the use, and the provider terminal device is used to acquire used coupon information that is information of a coupon used for buying and selling products, etc. A coupon information acquisition unit, a test unit that checks the authenticity of used coupon information, and a coupon usage result that acquires coupon usage result information, which is information indicating the result of buying and selling products and the like performed by using the coupon. An information acquisition unit, a coupon use result information transmitting unit that transmits coupon use result information to the providing server device, a second used coupon information sending unit that transmits the acquired used coupon information to the providing server device, and The primary mediation server device has an inquiry reception unit that receives a charge amount inquiry from the secondary mediation server device, a response acquisition unit that acquires a response to the received charge amount inquiry, and a received response A reply sending unit for sending to the next mediation server device, a coupon issuance request information receiving unit for receiving coupon issuance request information from the secondary mediation server device, The coupon information acquisition unit that acquires coupon information corresponding to the coupon issue request indicated by the transaction request request information, the first coupon information transmission unit that transmits the acquired coupon information to the secondary mediation server device, or , A recording unit for recording issued coupon information to be transmitted, a second used coupon information receiving unit for receiving used coupon information from the providing server device, and a comparison between the received used coupon information and the issued coupon information The secondary intermediary server device has a desired coupon content information receiving unit for receiving desired coupon content information indicating the desired coupon content from the purchaser terminal device, and a desired coupon for the primary intermediary server device. An inquiry transmission unit that transmits an inquiry of an invoice amount according to the content and an answer of the invoice amount according to the desired coupon content from the primary mediation server device Response receiving unit, billing amount information transmitting unit for transmitting billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device, first payment processing information receiving unit for receiving payment processing information from the purchaser terminal device, and desired coupon content A coupon issuance request information transmitting unit that transmits coupon issuance request information that is information indicating a coupon issuance request to the primary mediation server device, a first coupon information receiving unit that receives coupon information from the primary mediation server device, A second coupon information transmitting unit that transmits coupon information to the purchaser terminal device, and the purchaser terminal device transmits desired coupon content information to the secondary mediation server device. And a billing amount information receiving unit for receiving billing amount information from the secondary mediation server device; and for a second payment processing for transmitting billing payment processing information to the secondary mediation server Providing a multi-address transmission unit, an intermediary system and a second coupon information receiving unit for receiving the coupon information from the secondary intermediate server device.

The fifteenth invention provides a providing server device in the mediation system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth invention.
The sixteenth invention provides a providing terminal device in the mediation system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth invention.

  The seventeenth invention provides a primary mediation server device in the mediation system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth invention.

  The eighteenth invention provides a secondary mediation server device in the mediation system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth invention.

  The nineteenth invention provides a settlement server device in the mediation system according to the thirteenth invention.

  The twentieth invention provides a purchaser terminal device in the mediation system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for enabling an individual to purchase a volume / discounted product / service at the timing he / she desires without performing complicated paperwork for ensuring payment. .

The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary of the mediation system which concerns on this invention The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 1. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the authority management server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 1. FIG. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the discount mediation server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 1. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 2. Schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the authority management server apparatus authority management server apparatus in the mediation system of the second embodiment Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the discount mediation server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 2. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 2. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 3. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the discount mediation server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 3. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 3. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 4. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the authority management server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 4. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 4. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 5. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the authority management server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 5. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 5. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 6. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the authority management server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 6. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 6. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 7. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the authority management server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 7. The figure which shows an example of the flow of a process in the mediation system of Example 7. Conceptual diagram for explaining the outline of the mediation system according to the eighth embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the functional block of the mediation system of Example 8. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the provider terminal device in the mediation system of Example 8. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the provision source server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 8. FIG. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the primary mediation server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 8. FIG. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the secondary mediation server apparatus in the mediation system of Example 8. FIG. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the payment terminal device in the mediation system of Example 8. FIG. Schematic which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the purchaser terminal device in the mediation system of Example 8. Sequence diagram in mediation system according to embodiment 8 The figure which shows an example of the coupon in Example 1.

0100, 0200 Mediation system 0110, 0210 Authority management server device 0120, 0220 Discount mediation server device 0150, 0250 Electronic equipment used by purchaser 0212 Range information holding unit 0212 Coupon request information acquisition unit 0213 Coupon information transmission unit 0214 Coupon information acquisition unit 0215 Judgment unit 0221 Desired information input reception unit 0222 Coupon request information output unit 0223 Coupon information reception unit 0224 Billing information processing unit 0225 Coupon information transfer unit

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. The relationship between the embodiments and the claims is as follows. Example 1 mainly relates to claims 1, 8, 9, 10, 12, etc., Example 2 mainly relates to claims 2, 11, etc., Example 3 mainly relates to claim 3, etc., Example 4 Example 5 mainly relates to claim 5 etc. Example 5 mainly relates to claim 5 etc. Example 6 mainly relates to claim 6 etc. Example 7 mainly relates to claim 7 etc. Example 8 mainly The present invention relates to claims 13-20. In addition, this invention is not limited to this Example at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.

<Overview>
The mediation system of the present embodiment is a mediation system that mediates the purchase and sale of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, and includes an authority management server device and a discount mediation server device.

  Prior to describing the invention of the present embodiment, for the convenience of understanding the invention, the flow of brokerage transactions performed using the brokerage system according to the present invention will be briefly described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an intermediary system according to the present invention. Here, we will explain the flow of transactions, so we will explain it with human actions, but the system according to the invention itself does not include any processing performed based on human mental activity, exclusively software and hardware resources. Needless to say, it is built through collaboration. The configuration of the system will be described later in the “Configuration” section (the same applies to the description using FIG. 23 in Example 8 described later).

  The mediation system shown in this figure includes an authority management server device 0110 and a discount mediation server device 0120, and these server devices and an electronic device 0150 used by the purchaser are connected via a network. The authority management server device is a server device managed by a product or service provider. The discount mediation server device is a server device managed by a mediator. Note that this figure shows an example in which only one electronic device used by the purchaser is connected in order to avoid complications, but a plurality of such devices may be connected, and usually there are a plurality. Conceivable. Also, a plurality of discount mediation server devices may be provided.

  If an individual wants to purchase a product or service provided by the provider using this brokerage system (for example, a mail delivery service using a large discount system at a post office), (1) An individual who intends to purchase this service (hereinafter referred to as a “purchaser”) places an order for the product with an intermediary. Specifically, for example, based on an input operation performed by the purchaser on the electronic device 0150 used by the purchaser, a product order is issued from the device to a discount mediation server managed by a mediator connected via the Internet or the like. The information concerning is transmitted. The information transmitted here is information necessary for the purchase of the product / service. Specifically, the product information (for example, the product number, the quantity for the product, the shipping service for the mail) Mail type, size, quantity, shipping address) and credit card number used for payment.

  Next, (2) the mediator who manages the discount mediation server device that has received the order information requests the provider to issue a coupon. Specifically, coupon request information is transmitted from the discount mediation server device to the authority management server device based on an input operation by the mediator. This coupon embodies that the purchaser is entitled to purchase the product / service at a price discounted by a volume discount using the mediation system. Further, the purchaser uses the coupon to purchase the product / service. Accordingly, the information (coupon information) indicating the contents of the coupon includes information for specifying the product / service (for example, the product number, quantity, type of postal item to be shipped, size, quantity, shipping address, etc.) ) And information for specifying the mediator (an identifier for uniquely identifying the mediation server).

  As will be described in detail later, in the present invention, it is desirable that the price of goods / services that are volume discounted is determined so as to gradually decrease. “Decrease in stages” means, for example, that the price of products from the first to the 1000th item is 10,000 yen per order, 9800 yen per item from the 1001st to the 2000th, The number from 2001 to 3000 is 9600 yen per item. In such a case, in order to know the price of the product ordered by the purchaser, it is necessary to know what order the product is related to. Accordingly, in response to such needs, the information for specifying the product included in the coupon information is preferably a serial number.

  Furthermore, as will be described later, the provider who has received the order from the purchaser must determine whether the coupon sent from the purchaser is within the allowable range of issuance before shipping the product or providing the service. Therefore, the coupon information needs to include information necessary for the determination at that time. However, in this case, this determination can be made if the information for identifying the product or service (for example, the product number / quantity or serial number for the product) is known, so that the coupon that was used is allowed to be issued. No specific information is needed to determine whether it is within range.

  By the way, in order to issue such a coupon, it is premised that an agreement regarding a coupon issuance allowable range has been made in advance between a provider and an intermediary. The issuance allowable range of the coupon to be agreed includes the range of products that can be purchased using the coupon (specified by the product number or the like). For example, among home appliances handled by a certain vendor, products with product numbers A, B, and C are included in the range of products that can be purchased using coupons, but products with other product numbers are not included. Moreover, you may be defined about the quantitative range which can issue a coupon.

  This quantitative allowable range is usually set to a lower limit in the conventional volume discount, whereas in this embodiment, an upper limit is assumed. For example, the number of goods must be 10,000 or less, and the mail delivery service must be 10,000 or less. This is based on the assumption that the mediator purchases 10,000 products with the mediation authority from the provider in advance as the volume discount target, and mediation is allowed only within that range. It is what. The reason for setting the upper limit of such a quantitative range is, for example, although volume discounts are made for the promotion of products, but the profit is so thin that the provider sets the quantitative range to the minimum necessary range for the promotion. This may be due to reasons such as limiting the volume discount volume in the form of discounts for first-come-first-served customers, or if the purchaser is likely to be encouraged to purchase.

  In addition, like the conventional volume discount, it is possible that a lower limit value of the handling amount is set in the contract between the provider and the broker (for example, if it is a product, it is necessary to sell 10,000 or more), In the present invention, it is not necessary to consider whether or not the transaction is below the lower limit as a consideration factor in issuing a coupon. Because, in this case, even if the order from the purchaser is less than 10,000 as a result, the risk is only borne by the mediator, and such total amount is considered for the purchaser. This is because the coupon is issued without any problems. By such a mechanism, in the present invention, the purchaser always has the desired quantity of the product / item without worrying about whether the order quantity reaches the lower limit defined in the contract between the provider and the broker. Services can be purchased with certainty.

  Alternatively, an allowable range may be set for a range of products that can be purchased using one coupon. For example, out of household appliances handled by a certain vendor, the number of products that can be purchased using one coupon is limited to two types (two product numbers), or the number of products that can be purchased using one coupon is 100 It can be considered to be within.

  Whether or not coupon information can be transmitted from the authority management server device to the discount mediation server device is determined based on information (desired information) on the product that the purchaser wishes to purchase. This request information is included in the coupon request information transmitted from the apparatus to the authority management server apparatus. As a result, the authority management server device can know the product number and the like of the product desired by the purchaser from the desired information included in the received coupon request information, and the product can be issued within the range for which the coupon is issued. Whether it is a product can be determined. In addition, the authority management server device can know the quantity of the product desired by this purchaser from the desired information included in the received coupon request information, and whether it is within the quantitative range where the coupon can be issued Can be judged.

  The coupon issuance allowable range is held in advance in the authority management server device managed by the provider as range information. Therefore, (3) the provider determines whether or not the requested coupon issuance is within the issuance allowable range as compared with this issuance allowable range. Send coupon information. In accordance with the configuration of the present invention, the authority management server device that has received the desired information including coupon request information determines whether it does not exceed the range information stored in advance, and determines that it does not exceed Transmits coupon information to the discount mediation server device.

  (5) The broker who has received the issue of the coupon transfers the coupon to the purchaser. According to the configuration of the present invention, when coupon information is transmitted from the authority management server device to the discount mediation server device, the discount mediation server device transfers the coupon information to the electronic device managed by the purchaser. To do.

  Through the flow described above, a coupon for purchasing the desired product arrives at the purchaser's hand.

  Next, (6) the purchaser uses the coupon to purchase the product / service (for example, to order the shipment of the mail indicated by the order information above), the coupon information is provided to the provider. Send. Specifically, for example, based on an input to the electronic device used by the purchaser, coupon information is transmitted from the electronic device to the authority management server device connected via the Internet or the like.

  (7) The provider (authority management server device) that has received the coupon information determines whether the coupon information is authentic and usable. “Authenticity” means that the coupon information is not counterfeited, and means that the coupon information is issued by an authority management server device having a valid authority to issue coupons. Whether or not it is “authentic” can be determined by associating an identifier for uniquely identifying that it is issued by the authority management server device with coupon information. “Available” means that the receiving authority indicated by the coupon information is within the range in which the product / service desired by the purchaser is allowed to be brokered based on the range information. Judgment whether or not “available” can be made by comparing with the range information.

  If it is determined as a result of the above that the coupon information is authentic and usable, (8) the product is shipped from the provider to the purchaser.

<Configuration>
(Intermediary system)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the mediation system of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “mediation system” 0200 includes an “authority management server device” 0210 and a “discount mediation server device” 0220.

(Authority management server device)
Next, the configuration of each device will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the authority management server device will be described. The authority management server device includes a “range information holding unit” 0211, a “coupon request information acquisition unit” 0212, a “coupon information transmission unit” 0213, a “coupon information acquisition unit” 0214, and a “determination unit” 0215. Have.

(Range information holding part)
The range information holding unit is configured to hold range information. The “range information” is information indicating a range in which the provider recognizes the mediating authority of products / services whose volume is discounted to the mediator. Specifically, information on a range of products that can be purchased using a coupon (specified by a product number or the like) is included. In addition, the range information may be information defined for a quantitative range in which coupons can be issued. Specific examples of these are as described above.

  Furthermore, as already mentioned, the price of volume discount is, for example, 10,000 yen for the first 1000 pieces, 9800 yen for the 1001st piece to the 2000th piece, and from the 2001th piece to the 3000th piece. It is desirable that the number is set to be gradually decreased, such as 9600 yen per unit. In this case, the range information includes information related to the price of the product together with the serial number of the product.

  Here, the reason why it is desirable to set the volume discount price in stages according to the order quantity of the product will be described. As described above, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that it is possible to purchase a product / service whose volume is discounted at a timing that an individual user desires without performing complicated paperwork for ensuring payment. If we look at this from the other side, we will sell products at a discounted price regardless of the number of items ordered. Risk can arise. The present invention is supposed to solve this problem by bearing this risk by the administrator (broker) of the discount mediation server device. In this case, in order to further reduce the burden of the broker, It is assumed that the products and services that are subject to volume discounts have universal needs (necessities for daily life, etc.). And secondly, in addition to this, it is desirable that pricing is set so as to encourage purchasers to purchase. A typical example of such pricing is the above-mentioned stepwise pricing. Therefore, it is desirable to adopt such gradual pricing. Thereby, it can be expected that the product will continue to be sold even after the sales amount of the product reaches a considerable number. Alternatively, the retail price may be kept constant without returning the gradual price setting to the purchaser, and the difference may be returned to the broker to reduce the burden on the broker.

  In the case of providing the above gradual price setting, the method of gradual reduction may be combined with a time factor called sales pace. For example, if it takes more than 6 months to sell the first 1000 pieces, the price from the 1001st piece to the 2000th piece is discounted by 2%, but if the first 1000 pieces are sold in less than 6 months Is a 4% discount on the price from the 1001st to the 2000th.

  Further, the range information may include a time limit for mediating the product / service. For example, a time limit may be established so that goods and services can be brokered for only one year from the start of sales. In addition, this time limit may be combined with quantitative restrictions on sales.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible not only to improve convenience for an individual user, but also to provide an attractive business that can be expected to have a high return even though it is a high risk for an intermediary. Become.

(Coupon request information acquisition unit)
The coupon request information acquisition unit is configured to acquire coupon request information. “Coupon request information” is information for requesting transmission of coupon information from the authority management server device to the discount mediation server device, and includes desired information. The “desired information” is information indicating a product / service that the purchaser wishes to purchase from the provider. Specifically, information indicating the purchase intention of the purchaser and information related to the product related to the purchase request (information regarding the product number, quantity, etc. of the product) are included. The desired information may be a serial number of the product.

  As will be described later, the coupon request information output unit of the discount mediation server device is configured to output coupon request information to the authority management server device, and the coupon request information acquisition unit is configured to output the coupon request. Get information.

(Coupon information transmitter)
The coupon information transmission unit sends coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product / service to the discount mediation server device when the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. Configured to send. “Coupon information” indicates that you have the authority to receive the applicable product / service at a price discounted by volume discount when the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where brokerage is allowed based on the range information. Information. The coupon information includes information (such as the product number / quantity or serial number of the product, an identifier uniquely assigned to the discount mediation server device) for specifying the contents of the product / service and the mediator. The contents of the product / service can be obtained by including the desired information extracted from the coupon request information in the coupon information. However, since the purchaser usually does not know the serial number, the coupon information transmission unit may refer to the range information to generate the serial number and include it in the coupon information. The information for specifying these products and purchasers is information required when processing for purchasing products / services by the purchaser is performed later using this coupon information.

  In order to determine whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, the coupon information transmission unit preferably has the determination means. Alternatively, the determination unit may be a unit provided directly under the authority management server device, separately from the coupon information transmission unit. Judgment as to whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information can be qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative judgment is a judgment as to whether the product / service indicated in the desired information is a product subject to volume discount. For example, only products with a specific product number among the products sold by the provider are subject to volume discount. Is the case where it is determined whether or not the product indicated by the desired information is a product having the specific product number. In this case, for example, it is possible to determine whether the product indicated by the desired information is a target product by holding a list of products having a specific product number and referring to the list. The quantitative judgment is made in addition to the qualitative judgment when there is a quantitative limitation on the volume discount target. For example, when it is determined that the number of products that can be purchased with one coupon is 100 or less in the range information, it is determined whether the number of products indicated by the desired information does not exceed 100. Alternatively, if there is an upper limit such as a volume discount target product within 100,000 items A, it is determined whether or not the product A is a target product. This is a case where it is judged whether or not it will exceed. In this case, it is necessary to change the range information for each order (subtract the quantity related to the order from the quantity allowed in the previous range information), and the product / service indicated by the desired information The determination as to whether or not the brokerage is allowed is made based on the latest range information.

  Each of the above units is a means for issuing a coupon to the purchaser. On the other hand, the following coupon information acquisition part and below are means for purchasing goods / services using the coupon issued by the purchaser.

(Coupon information acquisition unit)
The coupon information acquisition unit is configured to acquire arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser. The coupon information transmission unit “acquires arbitrary coupon information” means that a specific product desired by the purchaser within the range where mediation is allowed for the product / service indicated by the desired information based on the range information. Means to obtain coupon information including information (desired information) indicating that a certain quantity is purchased. For this acquisition, for example, the coupon information received by the purchaser is printed on paper and brought to the provider, and the provider reads it with a scanner connected to the terminal device connected to the authority management server device or writes it on paper. What is necessary is just to acquire it by inputting the character currently put using a mouse | mouth or a keyboard. Or you may acquire what was electronically transmitted with respect to the terminal device of a provider from a purchaser's terminal device.

(Judgment part)
The determination unit is configured to determine whether the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable. “Authenticity” means that the coupon information is not forged, and means that the coupon information is transmitted by the coupon information transmission unit. “Available” means that the receiving authority indicated by the coupon information is within the range in which the product / service desired by the purchaser is allowed to be brokered based on the range information. In this regard, the coupon information transmission unit outputs coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product / service only when the product / service indicated by the desired information is within a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. Therefore, if the coupon information is authentic, it should be guaranteed that it can be used in principle. Therefore, the determination of whether or not it is “authentic and usable” usually means that it is determined whether or not the coupon information is output by the coupon information transmission unit. For example, this determination is performed by associating an identifier for uniquely identifying the coupon information with the coupon information when outputting the coupon information, storing the identifier in the authority management server device, and acquiring the coupon information. This can be done by comparing the stored identifier with the associated identifier. At that time, when a coupon printed out on paper is brought in, the identifier may be made readable with a barcode or the like, and the read identifier may be compared with the identifier stored in advance.

(Discount mediation server device)
Next, the configuration of the discount mediation server device will be described. The discount mediation server device includes a “desired information input receiving unit” 0221, a “coupon request information output unit” 0222, a “coupon information receiving unit” 0223, a “billing information processing unit” 0224, and a “coupon information transfer unit”. 0225.

(Request information input department)
The desired information input receiving unit is configured to receive an input of purchaser's desired information. For example, the input is accepted by the purchaser via an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard with respect to an electronic device (computer terminal) managed by the purchaser connected to the discount mediation server device via a communication network. This is performed by receiving an input signal accompanying the operation.

(Coupon request information output part)
The coupon request information output unit is configured to output coupon request information including desired information to the authority management server device. “Coupon request information” is information for requesting the authority management server device to transmit coupon information.

  The coupon request information includes desired information. This desired information is information necessary for the authority management server apparatus that has received the coupon request information to determine whether or not the coupon information may be transmitted to the discount mediation server apparatus accordingly.

(Coupon information receiver)
The coupon information receiving unit is configured to receive coupon information transmitted from the authority management server device in response to the coupon request information.

(Billing Information Processing Department)
The billing information processing unit is configured to process billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information. “Billing information” is information for charging the purchase price of the product / service purchased by the purchaser. Specifically, for example, in the case of credit settlement, processing such as generating billing information for transmission to the purchaser based on the product information included in the coupon information, the purchaser's credit card number, or the like can be considered. . When the sales price is set in stages, the price of the product is determined based on the serial number of the product included in the coupon information, and the billing information is processed.

(Coupon information transfer part)
The coupon information transfer unit is configured to transfer the coupon information received by the coupon information receiving unit to an electronic device used by the purchaser. The transferred coupon information can be acquired by the authority management server device by printing it out or transmitting it from the electronic device used by the purchaser to the authority management server device. For coupon information transfer, the coupon information received by the coupon information receiving unit may be transferred as it is, or for example, the product number / quantity or serial number of the product included in the coupon information acquired by the coupon information receiving unit, for payment A credit card number to be used may be associated with a specific identification number and transmitted to the authority management server device, and only the specific identification number may be sent to the purchaser's terminal as a “slip number” or the like (or Such association may be performed when the authority management server device outputs the coupon information. In this case, it is not necessary to notify the authority management server device of the slip number from the discount mediation server device). In this way, the purchaser can thereafter obtain the coupon information from the authority management server device by indicating only the slip number, and have the subsequent processing executed.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coupon in the present embodiment, in which the purchaser prints out the contents including the contents of the coupon information on paper in order to present the contents to the administrator of the authority management server device. A coupon 3201 in this figure is an example of a coupon for purchasing a volume discount service related to mail delivery using a postpaid postage system. The coupon describes the quantity, weight, delivery destination, and fee of mail, which are the contents of the delivery service. Moreover, the expiration date of the coupon may be described. In order to check the authenticity of a coupon, for example, as described above, when an identifier for uniquely identifying coupon information is used, the identifier may be readable by a bar code 3202, for example. The purchaser of the delivery service presents the coupon to the post office window where the provider terminal device is placed together with the mail to be delivered. If the post office checks the authenticity of the coupon and there is no problem, the post office will provide the service described in the coupon. In other embodiments, it is conceivable to print out the contents of the coupon information on paper as well, but an example of a coupon in this case is the same as that shown in FIG.

(Characteristics of the mediation system of this embodiment)
The mediation system of the present embodiment configured as described above has a feature that a product with a volume discount can be purchased at a timing that the purchaser desires. That is, according to the present invention, when an input of desired information from a purchaser is accepted by the discount mediation server device, shipping of goods or billing processing based on coupon information is triggered only by the input of desired information by the single purchaser. Output / reception of coupon request information, which is all the processing necessary for the comparison, comparison with range information, output / reception / transfer of coupon information, acquisition of arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser, the coupon information is authentic The determination of whether or not it can be used and the processing of the billing information are performed completely. With this configuration, the purchaser can determine whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where brokerage is permitted based on the range information, and the coupon information that has been sent is authentic and usable. As long as the judgment is made, whether or not the order has reached a certain number due to an order from another person can be surely purchased at a discounted price. Also, it takes only the time required for the above processing from entering the desired information to receiving the product (this also occurs in the normal product purchase procedure), and you get the product at the timing you want It becomes possible.

  In addition, as a method of billing processing when a purchaser purchases goods etc. using the brokerage system of this embodiment, in addition to credit card payment, normal goods such as electronic money payment, convenience store over-the-counter payment, point payment, etc. The methods used in the purchase procedure are widely available. In this way, the use of a normal settlement method has the advantage that it is not necessary to provide a complicated paperwork mechanism for ensuring the purchaser's payment in the mediation method using the conventional volume discount.

(Hardware configuration)
Next, the hardware configuration of the mediation system of the present embodiment will be described. First, the hardware configuration of the authority management server device will be described. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the authority management server device in the mediation system of the present embodiment. The range information holding unit, the coupon request information acquiring unit, the coupon information transmitting unit, and the coupon information acquiring unit of the authority management server device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 0301, “main memory” 0302, “CPU” 0303 and “I / O” 0304 are included. The determination unit includes a “storage device (recording medium)”, a “main memory”, and a “CPU”.

  These are connected to each other through a data communication path such as a “system bus” 0305, and perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The storage device stores various programs executed by the CPU. The main memory provides a work area which is a work area when the program is executed by the CPU. A plurality of memory addresses are assigned to the main memory and the storage device, respectively, and a program executed by the CPU performs processing by exchanging data with each other by specifying and accessing the memory address. It is possible. In this example, a range information holding program, a coupon request information acquisition program, a coupon information transmission program, a coupon information acquisition program, and a determination program are stored in the storage device. Read from the storage device and resides in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the range information holding unit will be described. The range information holding program performs processing for holding the range information in the storage device. Specifically, the range information holding program accepts range information input by an administrator of the authority management server using an interface such as a mouse and a keyboard via the I / O and stores the range information in the main memory. The range information stored in the main memory is further stored in a nonvolatile storage device.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon request information acquisition unit will be described. The coupon request information acquisition program acquires coupon request information output from the discount mediation server device via the I / O, and extracts desired information included in the coupon request information and stores it in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon information transmission unit will be described. The coupon information transmission program reads the desired information stored in the main memory, and determines whether the product / service indicated by the information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. This determination is made by comparing with the range information read from the storage device to the main memory. As a result of this determination, if the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, the coupon information transmission program displays the coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product / service. It transmits to the discount mediation server device via I / O. At that time, the coupon information transmission program outputs, for example, an identifier for uniquely identifying the coupon information in association with the coupon information. This is for use in determining whether or not coupon information described later is authentic. In this case, the information indicating the identifier is also stored in the storage device of the authority management server device, and is used for later determination. In addition, the coupon information transmission program does not determine whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is within a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, but receives a determination result made by another program. The coupon information may be transmitted based on the determination result.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon information acquisition unit will be described. The coupon information acquisition program accepts arbitrary coupon information output from the electronic device managed by the purchaser via the I / O and stores it in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the determination unit will be described. The determination program determines whether any acquired coupon information is authentic and usable. For this reason, the determination program reads the coupon information stored in the main memory by the processing of the coupon information acquisition program, and for determining whether it is “authentic”, for example, uniquely identifies the information associated with the coupon information. This is done by comparing the identifier for identifying the target and the identifier stored in the storage device. Whether or not it is “available” may be included in the determination of “authentic” as described above, but in light of the range information stored in the storage device itself by the authority management server device. You may go.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the discount mediation server device will be described. FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a discount mediation server device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. The desired information input receiving unit, coupon request information output unit, coupon information receiving unit, billing information processing unit, and coupon information transfer unit of the discount mediation server device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 0301 , “Main memory” 0302, “CPU” 0303, and “I / O” 0304.

  These are also connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” 0305 to perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The other points are the same as those described for the hardware configuration of the authority management server device. In this example, a desired information input reception program, a coupon request information output program, a coupon information reception program, a billing information processing program, and a coupon information transfer unit are stored in the storage device, and these programs are also turned on, for example, At the same time, it is automatically read from the storage device and resides in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the desired information input receiving unit will be described. The desired information input reception program is based on, for example, an input operation performed by the purchaser via an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard with respect to an electronic device managed by the purchaser connected to the discount mediation server device via a communication network. The desired information to be output is received via the I / O and stored in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon request information output unit will be described. The coupon request information output program outputs coupon request information including desired information to the authority management server device via the I / O.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon information receiving unit will be described. The coupon information reception program receives coupon information output from the authority management server device according to the coupon request information via the I / O and stores it in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the billing information processing unit will be described. As the billing information processing program processes the billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information, the billing information processing program reads, for example, the desired information stored in the main memory, and the product information included in the information and the purchaser The credit card number information is extracted, billing information to be transmitted to the purchaser's account is generated based on this information, and stored in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon information transfer unit will be described. The coupon information transfer program reads the coupon information received and stored in the main memory, and outputs the information via I / O to transfer it to the electronic device used by the purchaser connected via the network. To do.

<Process flow>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the process flow in the authority management server apparatus shown on the left side of the figure and the process flow in the discount mediation server apparatus shown on the right side of the figure will be described separately.

  First, the flow of processing in the authority management server device will be described. First, in step S0401 for holding range information, the authority management server device holds range information. Next, in the coupon request information receiving step S0402, the authority management server device receives the coupon request information output from the discount mediation server device. Next, in step S0403 for determining whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, the authority management server device adds the coupon request information received in step S0402 to the coupon request information received in step S0402. After extracting the desired information included and comparing it with the range information held in step S0401, the product / service indicated by the desired information is within the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. Judge whether or not. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the product / service indicated by the desired information is within a range where mediation is permitted based on the range information, the authority management server device, in the coupon information output step S0404, Coupon information is output to the server device. The coupon information output in step S0404 is transferred to the electronic device used by the purchaser by the discount mediation server device that has received the coupon information. Thus, the purchaser can send arbitrary coupon information to the authority management server device in order to purchase the desired product from the transferred coupon information.

  When arbitrary coupon information is sent from the purchaser in such a state, in step S0405 for acquiring arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser, the authority management server device acquires the coupon information. Next, in step S0406 for determining whether or not the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable, the authority management server device can authentically use the arbitrary coupon information acquired in step S0405. Judge whether or not. As a result, if it is determined that the coupon information is authentic and usable, the product can be shipped from the product provider (such as an administrator of the authority management server device) to the purchaser. .

  Next, the flow of processing in the discount mediation server device will be described. First, in step S0411 for accepting input of desired information, the discount mediation server device accepts input of purchaser's desired information. Next, in the coupon request information output step S0412, the discount mediation server device outputs the coupon request information to the authority management server device. The processing in the coupon request information receiving step S0402 in the authority management server apparatus described above receives this output. Thereafter, the processing in step S0403 and step S0404 is performed in the authority management server device as described above. Then, upon receiving the output in step S0404, in the coupon information receiving step S0413, the discount mediation server device receives the coupon information. Next, in the coupon information transfer step S0414, the discount mediation server device transfers the coupon information received in step S0413 to the electronic device used by the purchaser. Further, in the billing information processing step S0415, the discount mediation server device processes the billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a product / service to which a volume discount is applied at the timing that the purchaser desires without performing complicated paperwork for securing payment. It is possible to provide a mechanism.

<Overview>
The brokerage system of the present embodiment is basically the same as the brokerage system of the first embodiment, but the process of determining whether the desired information is within the range where the brokerage authority is recognized and transmitting the coupon information is a discount brokerage. This is different from the intermediary system of the first embodiment in which the authority management server device performs this processing in that it is performed in light of the range information held by the server device itself. With this configuration, the brokerage system of this embodiment outputs coupon information at its own discretion without going through the authority management server, as long as it is within the range authorized in advance by the authority management server apparatus. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to make it possible for a purchaser to receive a product / service with a simpler process than in the first embodiment.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “mediation system” 0500 includes an “authority management server device” 0530 and a “discount mediation server device” 0540. This is the same as the mediation system of the first embodiment.

(Authority management server device)
The authority management server device includes a “first range information holding unit” 0531, a “coupon information acquisition unit” 0532, and a “determination unit” 0533.

(First range information holding unit)
The first range information holding unit is configured to hold first range information. The “first range information” is information indicating a range in which the provider recognizes the mediation authority of the product / service for which the volume discount is given to the mediator, and is basically synonymous with the “range information” in the first embodiment. . The specific contents are basically the same as those described in the range information in the first embodiment.

(Coupon information acquisition unit, judgment unit)
The coupon information acquisition unit is configured to acquire arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser. The determination unit is configured to determine whether the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable. These are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Discount mediation server device)
Next, the discount mediation server device includes a “desired information input receiving unit” 0541, a “second range information holding unit” 0542, a “coupon information transmitting unit” 0543, and a “billing information processing unit” 0544.

(Request information input department)
The desired information input receiving unit is configured to receive an input of purchaser's desired information. This is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

(Second range information holding unit)
The second range information holding unit is configured to hold the second range information. The “second range information” is information indicating a range in which coupon information can be output based on a range in which the provider recognizes the mediating authority of goods / services that are volume discounted to the mediator. The difference from the first range information is that the first range information is information related to the “range of brokerage authority”, whereas the second range information is “output coupon information on the premise of the brokerage authority indicated by the first range information. It is a point which shows "the range which can be done". Put simply, the second range information is “information indicating the range of coupon issue authority based on intermediary authority”.

  In principle, the first range information and the second range information are the same if there is no restriction on the quantitative range in which coupons can be issued. On the other hand, for example, when there are restrictions on the quantitative range in which coupons can be issued, a plurality of discount mediation server devices are provided, and an upper limit is provided for the quantitative range in which coupons can be issued for each discount mediation server device. The “range in which coupon information can be output” indicated by the second range information held by each discount mediation server device is narrower than the “range of mediation authority” indicated by the first range information.

(Coupon information output unit)
The coupon information output unit is configured to output coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product / service when the desired information received as input is within the range of the second range information. Unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the subject of coupon information output (transmission) is not the authority management server device but the discount mediation server device. Further, the range information referred to when determining whether to output (transmit) the coupon information is information indicating the range of the mediation authority in the first embodiment, whereas the coupon information based on the mediation authority in the present embodiment. This is information indicating the range in which the output can be performed.

  That is, the mediation system of the present embodiment is characterized in that, when the discount mediation server device accepts input of desired information, the mediation authority without the discount mediation server device requesting the authority management server device to output coupon information. It is in the point which judged whether it was possible to output coupon information within the range, and output coupon information itself. According to such a configuration, as a process after the discount mediation server apparatus receives input of purchaser's desired information, a process for outputting coupon request information to the authority management server apparatus and a coupon transmitted from the authority management server apparatus Since the process of receiving information is no longer necessary, it is possible to further reduce the time required for paperwork related to intermediation, and to make it possible for individual users to purchase volume discounted products / services at the timing they desire. The achievement of the object of the invention can further contribute.

(Billing Information Processing Department)
The billing information processing unit is configured to process billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information. This is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

(Hardware configuration)
Next, the hardware configuration of the mediation system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the authority management server device in the mediation system according to the present exemplary embodiment. The first range information holding unit and the coupon information acquisition unit of the authority management server device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 0601, “main memory” 0602, “CPU” 0603, and “I / O”. 0604. The determination unit includes a “storage device (recording medium)”, a “main memory”, and a “CPU”. These are connected to each other through a data communication path such as “system bus” 0605, and perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The storage device stores various programs executed by the CPU. The main memory provides a work area which is a work area when the program is executed by the CPU. A plurality of memory addresses are assigned to the main memory and the storage device, respectively, and a program executed by the CPU performs processing by exchanging data with each other by specifying and accessing the memory address. It is possible. In this example, the first range information holding program, the coupon information acquisition program, and the determination program are stored in the storage device. These programs are automatically read from the storage device when the power is turned on, for example, and stored in the main memory. Resident.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the first range information holding unit will be described. The first range information holding program performs processing for holding the first range information in the storage device. The specific configuration is the same as that described for the processing performed by the range information holding program in the first embodiment.

  Next, the hardware configuration related to the coupon information acquisition unit is the same as that described for the processing performed by the coupon information acquisition program in the first embodiment.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the determination unit will be described. The determination program reads the desired information stored in the main memory, and determines whether the product / service indicated by the information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. The specific configuration for making this determination is the same as that described for the determination made by the coupon information transmission program in the first embodiment.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the discount mediation server device will be described. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a discount mediation server device in the mediation system of the present embodiment. The desired information input receiving unit, the second range information holding unit, the coupon information output unit, and the billing information processing unit of the discount mediation server device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 0601 and “main memory”. 0602, “CPU” 0603, and “I / O” 0604. These are also connected to each other via a data communication path such as “system bus” 0605, and perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The other points are the same as those described for the hardware configuration of the authority management server device. In this example, a desired information input receiving program, a second range information holding program, a coupon information output program, a billing information processing program, and a coupon information transfer unit are stored in a storage device, and these programs are also, for example, a power source When it is loaded, it is automatically read from the storage device and resides in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. Among these, the hardware configuration relating to the desired information input receiving unit and the billing information processing unit is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  The hardware configuration relating to the second range information holding unit will be described. The second range information holding program, for example, stores the second range information input by the administrator of the discount mediation server device using an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. Received via / O and stored in main memory. The range information stored in the main memory is further stored in a nonvolatile storage device. In addition, as a configuration related to the coupon information output unit, the coupon information output program is configured such that the purchaser receives coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product / service when the desired information that has been input is within the range of the second range information. Is output to the electronic equipment used by I / O via I / O.

<Process flow>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the process flow in the authority management server apparatus shown on the left side of the figure and the process flow in the discount mediation server apparatus shown on the right side of the figure will be described separately.

  First, the flow of processing in the authority management server device will be described. First, in the first range information holding step S0701, the authority management server device holds the first range information. Next, when any coupon information is sent from the purchaser, in step S0702 for obtaining any coupon information from the purchaser, the authority management server device acquires the coupon information. Here, as described in the first embodiment, there is an optional coupon information sent from the purchaser in order to purchase the desired product from the coupon information transferred by the purchaser. This is after the information can be sent to the authority management server device. That is, it is premised that the processing up to the coupon information transfer step S0715 in the discount mediation server device described later is performed before the processing in this step S0703 is performed. Next, in step S0703 for determining whether or not the obtained arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable, the authority management server device can authenticate and use the arbitrary coupon information acquired in step S0702. Judge whether or not. As a result, if it is determined that the coupon information is authentic and usable, the product can be shipped from the product provider (such as an administrator of the authority management server device) to the purchaser. .

  Next, the flow of processing in the discount mediation server device will be described. First, in the second range information holding step S0711, the discount mediation server device holds the second range information. Next, in step S0712 for accepting input of desired information, the discount mediation server device accepts input of purchaser's desired information. Next, in step S0713 for determining whether or not the product / service indicated by the desired information is within a range in which coupon information can be output based on the second range information, the authority management server device in step S0712 Whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is within a range in which coupon information can be output based on the range information by comparing the received desired information with the second range information held in step S0711 Judge whether. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the product / service indicated by the desired information is within a range in which coupon information can be output based on the range information, in the coupon information output step S0714, the discount mediation server device Outputs coupon information to the electronic device used by the purchaser. As a result, the purchaser can send arbitrary coupon information to the authority management server device in order to purchase the desired product from the output coupon information.

  When arbitrary coupon information is sent from the purchaser to the authority management server apparatus in such a state, the process from step S <b> 0702 is performed in the authority management server apparatus as described above.

  Further, in the billing information processing step S0715, the discount mediation server device processes the billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a product / service to which a volume discount is applied at the timing that the purchaser desires without performing complicated paperwork for securing payment. It is possible to provide a mechanism. At that time, if it is within the range authorized in advance by the authority management server device, it becomes possible for the discount mediation server device to output coupon information by its own judgment without going through the authority management server. In addition, it becomes possible for the purchaser to receive the goods and services by an even simpler process.

<Overview>
The brokerage system of the present embodiment is basically the same as the brokerage system of the first embodiment, but the discount brokerage server device acquires the first range information and the range to be held as the second range information is the first range information. The second range information holding unit has a means for determining whether the range indicated by the one range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information. It is characterized in that the second range information is held when it is determined that there is no such information. The purpose is to ensure that the discount mediation server device is within the range authorized by the authority management server device when the coupon information is output.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “discount mediation server device” 0820 of the “mediation system” 0800 has a “second determination unit” 0846. Hereinafter, the configuration of the second determination unit and the second range information holding unit related thereto will be described. Since the rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the mediation system of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

(Second judgment part)
The second determination unit is configured to acquire the first range information and determine whether the range to be held as the second range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information. Specifically, the first range information and the range to be held as the second range information are compared, and it is determined whether the latter does not exceed the former range. This determination can include a determination regarding a qualitative range and a determination regarding a quantitative range. Among these, regarding the determination of the qualitative range, for example, it is determined whether or not the product / service indicated in the desired information deviates from the range set as the product targeted for volume discount. In addition, regarding the judgment about the qualitative range, when the quantitative limitation is applied to the volume discount target in the first range information, it is determined whether the second range information deviates from the quantitative limitation. To do.

  In the previous embodiment, the determination to acquire the first range information and compare it with the range to be retained as the second range information was configured not to be indispensable. This is to further ensure that what is held as the second range information does not exceed the first range information. Further, according to such a configuration, it is possible to cope with the case where the first range information changes from moment to moment. For example, when there is a limit on the amount of coupons that can be issued, the initial coupon issuance tolerance was set at 10,000, but other discounts are available It is assumed that the maximum number of coupons that can be currently issued is 8,000 because 2,000 pieces of coupon information has been output by the mediation server device. In this case, there is no change in the agreement itself made in advance between the provider and the intermediary, but there is a change in the range of coupons that can be currently issued based on the agreement. In other words, the range in which the provider, which is the first range information, recognizes the mediating authority of the product / service for which volume discount is given to the mediator has changed. If the range is changed by the processing of another discount mediation server device as in the above example, the discount mediation server device usually does not know the change of the first range information. The first range information is acquired from the server device to know this. According to the above example, the mediation server device needs to output coupon information within the range of 8,000, but according to this embodiment, the coupon server that can be currently issued by acquiring the first range information. Since it can be known that the upper limit is 8,000, it is possible to determine whether or not the range to be held as the second range information has deviated from this.

(Second range information holding unit)
The second range information holding unit is configured to hold the second range information when the second determination unit determines that the range to be held as the second range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information. Has been.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a discount mediation server device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. Since the hardware configuration of the authority management server device is the same as that described in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The second determination unit of the discount mediation server device of this example includes “storage device (recording medium)” 0901, “main memory” 0902, “CPU” 0903, and “I / O” 0904. The overall hardware configuration of the other discount mediation server device is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

  A second determination program is held in the storage device. The second determination program determines whether or not the range to be held as the second range information exceeds the range indicated by the first range information. Specifically, the first range information and the range to be held as the second range information are compared, and it is determined whether the latter does not exceed the former in terms of quality or quantity. This determination is made by comparing the first range information read from the storage device into the main memory and the range to be held as the second range information.

  Next, if it is determined that the range to be stored as the second range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information as a result of the determination, the second range information holding program The range information is held in the storage device. Since the configuration of each other part is the same as that described in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Process flow>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of processing in the mediation system of the present embodiment.

  First, in the first range information acquisition step S01011, the discount mediation server device acquires the first range information from the authority management server device.

  Next, in determination step S01012 of whether the range to be held as the second range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information, the discount mediation server device makes the determination and holds it as the second range information. If it is determined that the range to be tried does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information, in the second range information holding step S1013, the discount mediation server device holds the second range information. The remaining processing flow is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

<Effect>
According to the invention of this embodiment, when the discount mediation server device outputs the coupon information, it can be ensured that it is within the range authorized by the authority management server device.

<Overview>
The brokerage system of the present embodiment is basically the same as the brokerage system of the first embodiment, but the authority management server device exceeds the range where the product / service indicated by the desired information is allowed to be brokered based on the range information. In such a case, it has means for making a change to expand the range, and the determination unit is configured to determine whether any coupon information acquired based on the range after the change is available There is a feature.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “authority management server device” 1110 of the “mediation system” 1100 has a “first change unit” 1116. Hereinafter, the configuration of the first changing unit will be described. Since the rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the mediation system of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

(First change part)
The first changing unit is configured to make a change to expand the range when the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. “Let's go over” means a case that has not been exceeded yet, but is likely to be exceeded in the near future. The purpose of the present configuration is to allow additional issuance of an amount exceeding the range when the range in which the coupon can be issued is limited. For this purpose, it is possible to purchase goods / services related to the desired information that triggered the change without changing the scope information, but when making changes to prepare for similar transactions in the near future, There is a possibility that the purchase of the product / service related to the desired information as a trigger may be out of the allowable range. In the latter case, for example, the coupon information was transmitted because it was within the allowable range at the time when the input of the desired information was accepted, but then the other coupon information was transmitted to another purchaser, and the purchase was made first. The coupon information from the buyer has been acquired, so to speak, the order is changed and the coupon information from the previous purchaser is out of the range. In this case, such a situation can be avoided if a serial number is given throughout when coupon information is transmitted, but if this is not the case, such a situation may occur.

  “Change to expand the range” means that, for example, when the allowable issuance range of coupons is set to 10,000 items, a certain amount is added as an allowable range when it is likely to exceed 10,000 items. It is. In this case, it is necessary to determine in advance in some cases a reference value for determining whether “exceeds” and how much is added when it is likely to exceed. For this reason, for example, the first changing unit corresponds to this reference value (for example, in the above example, if the number of coupons issued exceeds 9800, it corresponds to “Looks to exceed” and in that case, 100 reference values are added. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a table that defines () is held and a determination is made in light of this table. In this case, it is necessary to obtain and determine data on how many pieces of coupon information have already been output.

  The limitation of the range in which coupons can be issued assumed in the present embodiment is mainly a quantitative limitation as in the above example. However, the limitation of the range may be a qualitative limitation. For example, record the fact that the desired information was entered for a product that is not eligible for volume discount, and if that fact exceeds a certain number, change the product to be included in the discount. Can be considered. In this case, a product that may be included in the addition target and a product that is not included may be distinguished in advance, and the above processing may be performed only for the former. In that case, the quantitative range may be limited together with the additional product.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mediation system in the present embodiment. The first change unit of the authority management server device of the mediation system according to the present example includes a “storage device (recording medium)” 1201, a “main memory” 1202, and a “CPU” 1203. These are also connected to each other through a data communication path such as a “system bus” 1205 to transmit / receive information and process information. In the present embodiment, the first change program is also held in the storage device, and is read from the storage device automatically when the power is turned on, for example, and resides in the main memory, as with other programs. The hardware configuration of the remaining authority management server device is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  The first change program performs a change to expand the range when the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. In this case, for example, data for defining a reference value stored in the storage device (for example, data for defining a reference value such that if the number of issued coupons exceeds 9800, it corresponds to “probably exceeding”, and in that case, 100 is added) ) Is read into the main memory, and the product / service indicated by the desired information is compared with this to determine whether it is likely to exceed the allowable range of mediation. Is added to the original range information as the new range information. Since the configuration of the remaining portions is the same as that described in any one of the first to third embodiments with reference to FIG. 3A and the like, description thereof will be omitted.

<Process flow>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the mediation system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the authority management server device makes a determination in step S1303 to determine whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. In step S1304, it is determined whether or not the goods / services indicated by are applicable when mediation is likely to exceed the allowable range based on the range information. As a result, if it is determined that the range is to be exceeded, the authority management server device changes to expand the range (step S1305). The remaining processing flow is the same as that described in any one of the first to third embodiments with reference to FIG.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, in response to the case where the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, an additional coupon is issued for the excess. Since the permission can be granted, it is possible to further increase the convenience of purchase by the customer.

<Overview>
The brokerage system of the present embodiment is basically the same as the brokerage system described in the first embodiment or the like, but the authority management server device allows the merchandise / service indicated by the desired information to be brokered based on the range information. It has a feature in that it has means for outputting a warning message when the range is likely to be exceeded.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “authority management server device” 1410 of the “mediation system” 1400 includes a “first warning message output unit” 1417. Hereinafter, the configuration of the first warning message output unit will be described. Since the rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the mediation system of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

(First warning message output part)
The first warning message output unit is configured to output a warning message when the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. “Warning message” is a message to warn the administrator of the authority management server device when the goods / services indicated by the desired information are likely to exceed the range where mediation is permitted based on the range information. is there. There is no particular limitation on the form of output. For example, a sound such as “It seems that the coupon issuance limit is exceeded” or a buzzer sound may be output from a speaker provided in the authority management server device. Characters such as “coupon issuance limit is likely to be exceeded” may be displayed on the display provided in the management server device, or an icon may be blinked.

  This warning message can be a trigger for expanding the range by the administrator of the authority management server device. Alternatively, when this warning message is output, the subsequent processing may be automatically performed. For example, the authority management server device has a determination unit for determining whether or not a warning message has been output, and when the warning message is output, the authority management server device performs a process of expanding the range indicated by the range information May be. In this case, a table that defines a reference value for how much to expand may be stored in advance, and the authority management server device may perform processing to expand the range based on this reference value.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the authority management server device of the mediation system in the present embodiment. The first warning message output unit of the authority management server device of this example includes “storage device (recording medium)” 1501, “main memory” 1502, “CPU” 1503, and “I / O” 1504. The Although illustration is omitted, the I / O of the authority management server device of this example includes a speaker and a display for outputting a warning message.

  These are also connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” 1505 to perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The other points are the same as those described for the hardware configuration of the card reader and portable terminal of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first warning message output program is also stored in the storage device, and is read from the storage device automatically when the power is turned on, for example, and resides in the main memory as with other programs.

  Next, of the hardware configuration related to each unit, the hardware configuration related to the first warning message output unit will be described. The first warning message output program determines that the product / service indicated by the desired information performed by the judgment program is likely to exceed the allowable range of mediation based on the range information. If it is obtained, a warning message is output using a speaker or display connected via I / O. The hardware configuration relating to the remaining portions is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

<Process flow>
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. In step S1603 for determining whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is permitted based on the range information, the authority management server device makes the determination. This determination itself is the same as that described in the first embodiment. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the product / service indicated by the desired information is within the allowable range based on the range information, then the product / service indicated by the desired information is based on the range information. In step S1604, whether the mediation is likely to exceed the allowable range, the authority management server device makes the determination. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the product / service indicated by the desired information exceeds the allowable range based on the range information, the authority management server device outputs a warning message (step S1605). The processing in the remaining steps is the same as the processing in the corresponding steps in the processing flow described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, it is possible to know whether the goods / services indicated by the desired information are likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. Thus, it is possible to connect to a required process such as permitting coupons to be issued, and it is possible to further enhance the convenience of customer purchase.

<Overview>
The brokerage system of the present embodiment is basically the same as the brokerage system described in the second embodiment or the like, but the authority management server device allows brokering of products / services indicated by desired information based on range information. It has means for making a change to expand the range when it is likely to exceed the range, and the determination unit is configured to determine whether any coupon information acquired based on the changed range is available There is a feature in that. That is, the mediation system according to the present embodiment is similar to the means for performing the change to expand the range when mediation is likely to exceed the allowable range as described in the fourth embodiment based on the mediation system according to the first embodiment. This means is also provided for the mediation system as in the second embodiment.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “authority management server device” 1730 of the “mediation system” 1700 has a “second changing unit” 1734. Hereinafter, the configuration of the second changing unit will be described. Since the rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the mediation system of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The second changing unit is configured to make a change to expand the range when the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the first range information. The determination unit is configured to determine whether any coupon information acquired based on the changed range is available. The specific configurations of the second change unit and the determination unit for this purpose are basically the same as the configurations of the first change unit and the determination unit described in the fourth embodiment. Since the configuration of the other parts is the same as that described in the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mediation system in the present embodiment. The second changing unit of the authority management server device of the mediation system according to the present example includes “storage device (recording medium)” 1801, “main memory” 1802, and “CPU” 1803. In the present embodiment, the second change program is also held in the storage device, and is automatically read from the storage device when the power is turned on, for example, and resides in the main memory in the same manner as other programs. The hardware configuration of the remaining authority management server device is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

  The second change program performs a change to expand the range when the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. In this case, for example, data for defining a reference value stored in the storage device (for example, data for defining a reference value such that if the number of issued coupons exceeds 9800, it corresponds to “probably exceeding”, and in that case, 100 is added) ) Is read into the main memory, and the product / service indicated by the desired information is compared with this to determine whether it is likely to exceed the allowable range of mediation. Is added to the original range information as new range information.

<Process flow>
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the authority management server apparatus determines whether or not the product / service indicated by the desired information falls under a case where mediation is likely to exceed the allowable range based on the first range information. This determination is made at As a result, if it is determined that the range is to be exceeded, the authority management server device performs a change to expand the range (step S1905). Next, the authority management server device determines whether or not the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is permitted based on the range information. In step S1904, the determination is made in step S1904. This is performed based on the changed range information.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, even if the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, additional coupons are permitted for the excess. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the convenience of the customer purchase.

<Overview>
The brokerage system of the present embodiment is basically the same as the brokerage system described in the second embodiment or the like, but the authority management server device allows brokering of products / services indicated by desired information based on range information. It has a feature in that it has means for outputting a warning message when the range is likely to be exceeded.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “authority management server device” 2030 of the “mediation system” 2000 has a “second warning message output unit” 2035. Hereinafter, the configuration of the second warning message output unit will be described. Since the rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the mediation system of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

(First warning message output part)
The second warning message output unit is configured to output a warning message when the product / service indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the first range information. The specific configuration for outputting the warning message is the same as that described in the fifth embodiment.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the authority management server device of the mediation system in the present embodiment. The second warning message output unit of the authority management server device of this example includes “storage device (recording medium)” 2101, “main memory” 2102, “CPU” 2103, and “I / O” 2104. The In the present embodiment, the second warning message output program is also stored in the storage device, and is automatically read from the storage device when the power is turned on, for example, and resides in the main memory in the same manner as other programs. Although illustration is omitted, the I / O of the authority management server device of this example includes a speaker and a display for outputting a warning message. The hardware configuration of the remaining authority management server device is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

  The second warning message output program determines that the product / service indicated by the desired information performed by the determination program is likely to exceed the allowable range of mediation based on the range information. If it is obtained, a warning message is output using a speaker or display connected via I / O. The hardware configuration relating to the remaining portions is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

<Process flow>
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. In step S2204 for determining whether the product / service indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is allowed based on the first range information, the authority management server device makes the determination. This determination itself is the same as that described in the second embodiment. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the product / service indicated by the desired information is within the range where mediation is allowed based on the first range information, then the product / service indicated by the desired information is the first In step S2205 for determining whether mediation is likely to exceed the allowable range based on the range information, the authority management server device makes the determination. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the product / service indicated by the desired information exceeds the allowable range based on the first range information, the authority management server device outputs a warning message (step S2206). ). The processing in the remaining steps is the same as the processing in the corresponding steps in the processing flow described in the second embodiment with reference to FIG.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, it is possible to know whether the goods / services indicated by the desired information are likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. Thus, it is possible to connect to a required process such as permitting coupons to be issued, and it is possible to further enhance the convenience of customer purchase.

<Overview>
The mediation system according to the present embodiment is a mediation system that mediates the purchase and sale of goods and services of a provider to a purchaser using a volume discount, and includes a provider server device, a provider terminal device, and a primary broker A server device, a secondary mediation server device, a settlement server device, and a purchaser terminal device are included. The difference from the mediation system of the first embodiment is that, in particular, two mediation server devices are provided. Variations in the mechanism for achieving the object of the present invention can be increased by the mediation system of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the mediation system according to the present invention. First, the flow of an intermediary transaction performed using the intermediary system according to the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Here, an example of a service, specifically, an example of a mail delivery service will be described, but the same applies to other services and products.

  The mediation system shown in this figure includes a provider server device 2310, a provider terminal device 2320, a primary mediation server device 2330, a secondary mediation server device 2340, a settlement server device 2350, and a purchaser terminal device 2360. These server devices and terminal devices are connected via a network. The provider server device is a server device managed by the provider of the product or service. The provider terminal device is a terminal device used by the administrator of the provider server device. The primary mediation server device is a server device managed by a mediator between the administrator of the providing server device and the administrator of the secondary mediation server device. The secondary mediation server device is a server device managed by a mediator between the administrator of the primary mediation server device and the user. The settlement server device is a server device for settlement, and the manager thereof may be the manager of the secondary mediation server device or another person. The purchaser terminal device purchaser is a terminal device used by the purchaser. The administrator of each intermediary server device is assumed to be a person in charge of the primary intermediary server device, which is mainly responsible for receiving a coupon issued from the provider and transferring it to the administrator of the secondary intermediary server. In the next mediation server device, the person who is in charge of the business of mainly transferring the coupon transferred from the administrator of the primary mediation server to the user and making a settlement with the user. In terms of business, the mediation system according to the first to seventh embodiments is assumed to be applied to a business in which one mediator mediates between a provider and a user. The mediation system of the embodiment is different in that it is assumed to be applied to a business in a form in which two mediators mediate between a provider and a user.

  In accordance with FIG. 23, an example in which the invention of this embodiment is used for providing goods and services will be described using an example of a mail delivery service using a large discount system of a post office as appropriate. If an individual purchaser wants to purchase goods / services provided by the provider using this brokerage system (mail delivery service using the post office large discount system), (1) A purchaser who intends to purchase this service places an order for that service with a secondary broker. This service can be provided by issuing coupons. Therefore, the order of the service is performed in the form of transmission of the desired coupon content (the content of the coupon corresponding to the content of the service to be received). For example, information indicating the desired coupon content from the device to the secondary mediation server device managed by the secondary mediator based on the input operation by the purchaser on the purchaser terminal device used by the purchaser (desired coupon content information) Is sent. The desired coupon content information includes information necessary for receiving provision of services. More specifically, information regarding the contents of goods / services (in the case of a mail delivery service, the type, size, and quantity of mail to be sent) and a credit card number used for payment can be considered.

  (2) The secondary mediator who has received the desired coupon content information inquires the primary broker for the amount charged according to the desired coupon content. “Amount charged according to the contents of the desired coupon” means the amount charged to the purchaser as the consideration for the service included in the contents of the desired coupon, and in this case, charged as the consideration for the service related to the type and quantity of the delivered mail The amount to be paid. In addition, the reason for making the inquiry here is that the secondary broker does not know the billing amount and needs to be informed from the primary broker. In other words, in this embodiment, the provider (for example, Japan Post Co., Ltd. that implements a large discount system for Yu-Pack (registered trademark)) and the primary broker (a person who acts as an intermediary directly entrusted by Japan Post Co., Ltd.) ), A contract for mediation is concluded, and the volume discount target services and discounts that can be handled by the mediator are defined. For this reason, it is assumed that the secondary broker who mediates between the primary broker and the purchaser does not know the contents of the contract. Therefore, since the secondary broker who does not know the billing amount cannot directly acquire it from the service provider (Japan Post Co., Ltd.), he or she makes an inquiry to the primary broker.

  (3) The primary intermediary who has received this inquiry can calculate the amount charged according to the contents of the contract, and acquires this amount charged. After that, (4) the primary broker returns the acquired bill amount to the secondary broker. Further, (5) based on the billed amount answer, information indicating the billed amount (billed amount information) is transmitted from the secondary mediator server to the purchaser's terminal device. As a result, the purchaser can know how much he / she should pay for the service he / she intends to receive.

  Therefore, next, (6) the purchaser performs processing for making this payment. Specifically, the purchaser sends information necessary for payment processing (information for payment processing) to the secondary broker. The information for payment processing is information necessary for performing payment processing. Specifically, the charge amount, payee, credit card number, and the like are applicable. (7) Upon receiving the payment processing information, the secondary mediator transfers this information from the secondary mediation server device to the settlement server device. The administrator of the payment server device may be the same person as the administrator of the secondary mediation server, or may be a different person (such as a person who has been entrusted with payment processing). (8) The administrator of the payment server apparatus that has received the information for payment processing acquires an assessment result as to whether payment processing according to this information is possible. The assessment here is, for example, examination / determination of approval / disapproval for a credit inquiry to a credit card issuer which is usually performed in the case of credit card settlement. Specifically, for example, the administrator of the secondary mediation server device may pass the information for payment processing to the credit card issuing company, make an assessment, and acquire the result. Next, (9) the administrator of the settlement server device sends the acquired assessment result to the secondary mediator. In response to this, (10) the secondary broker has already issued the coupon according to the content of the desired coupon received in (1), and requests the coupon to be issued (coupon issue request information). To the primary broker. Therefore, (11) the primary broker obtains coupon information corresponding to the received coupon issue request, and (12) transmits it to the secondary broker. Put simply, the primary broker issues a coupon. Coupons can be issued by the primary intermediary by giving a predetermined range of coupon issuance authority to the primary intermediary through a contract between the provider and the primary intermediary in advance. (13) The primary mediator records information on the coupon issued to the secondary mediator, that is, issued coupon information in a storage device or the like provided in the primary mediation server device. This is for the purpose of collating with used coupon information to be described later. (14) The secondary broker who has received the coupon information from the primary broker transfers the coupon information to the purchaser's terminal device. This means that the coupon necessary to receive the desired service has been delivered to the purchaser. The above is the process from when the purchaser wants to receive the mail delivery service using the coupon to send the desired coupon content to the secondary broker until the coupon is delivered to the purchaser. .

  Then, the process for a purchaser to actually purchase goods and services using the issued coupon is started. First, (15) the provider acquires used coupon information. Here, the “used coupon information” is information on coupons used for buying and selling products and the like by the purchaser. For this acquisition, for example, the purchaser prints out the coupon information received in (14) on paper and brings it to a store (such as a post office) where the providing terminal device is placed or mails it. This is done by the former staff or purchaser directly inputting the contents of the coupon information to the providing source terminal device using a scanner, mouse, keyboard, or the like. Or you may make it a purchaser transmit with respect to a provider terminal device from an own terminal device. By this action, the purchaser uses the coupon to follow the contents of the coupon information (type, size, quantity, destination of mail in the mail shipping service). An application for purchasing a new service has been made. On the other hand, (16) The provider first checks whether the used coupon information is authentic. The procedure for this inspection is the same as that described in the first embodiment. Next, (17) the provider terminal device transmits used coupon information whose authenticity has been checked to the provider server device, and (18) the provider server device acquires the transmitted used coupon information. To do. Further, (19) the providing server device transmits the used coupon information to the server device of the primary mediator, (20) the primary mediator receives the used coupon information received and the issued coupon recorded in (13). Check coupon information. This verification is for the availability of coupon information. If the verification shows that the coupon information can be used as a result of the verification, the purchaser is the user of the used coupon. According to the contents, it becomes possible to provide goods and services desired by the purchaser. Therefore, it is desirable that the verification result is sent from the primary broker to the provider.

  After the goods / services are provided according to the contents of the coupon, the providing terminal device (post office) obtains coupon use result information. This coupon use result information is information indicating the result of buying and selling products and the like performed by using the coupon. And (22) this coupon utilization result information is transmitted with respect to a provision source server apparatus from a provision origin terminal device, (23) a provision origin terminal device acquires this coupon utilization result information. For example, the provider terminal device is placed at post offices nationwide, and the provider server device collects the coupon usage record information by counting the shipping records transmitted from the post offices nationwide as coupon use record information. It is possible to obtain. Then, (24) the providing server device compares the acquired coupon usage record information with the used coupon information already acquired in (18).

<Configuration>
Next, the configuration of the mediation system of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “mediation system” 2400 of this embodiment includes a “provider server device” 2410, a “provider terminal device” 2420, a “primary mediation server device” 2430, and a “secondary mediation server”. Device "2440," Payment server device "2450, and" Purchaser terminal device "2460.

    (Provider server device)

  Next, the configuration of each device will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the providing server device will be described. The providing server apparatus includes a “first used coupon information receiving unit” 2411, a “first used coupon information transmitting unit” 2412, a “coupon usage record information receiving unit” 2413, and a “comparing unit” 2414. Have.

(First Used Coupon Information Receiving Unit)
The “first used coupon information receiving unit” is configured to receive used coupon information from the provider terminal device. “Used coupon information” refers to information on coupons used for buying and selling products and the like. Here, “used” means a state in which a coupon that has already been issued (the meaning of which will be described later) is presented to a provider in order to purchase a product / service desired by the purchaser. Therefore, “used” is a concept that is not directly related to whether or not actual goods / services have been provided (such as sending mail). Can be used as “used coupon information” even before actual goods / services are provided.

(First Used Coupon Information Transmitter)
The “first used coupon information transmission unit” is configured to transmit the received used coupon information to the primary mediation server device. The transmission is performed in such a manner that the used coupon information received from the provider terminal device by the provider server device is transferred as it is. The purpose of transmitting the used coupon information to the primary mediation server device is to enable the primary mediation server device to collate the used coupon information with the issued coupon information.

(Coupon usage record information receiver)
The “coupon usage record information receiving unit” is configured to receive coupon use record information from the provider terminal device. “Coupon usage record information” refers to information indicating the track record of buying and selling products and the like made by using coupons. The purpose of use of the “coupon usage record information” is to perform a comparison with the used coupon information in the comparison unit described below.

(Comparison part)
The “comparison unit” is configured to compare the used coupon information and the coupon usage record information. The purpose of the comparison is to use for future transactions. For example, even though the content of the service indicated by the used coupon information used by the purchaser is “shipping 5000 pieces of mail”, there are 6000 pieces of mail actually sent using the coupon. If so, it may be used in the form of imposing some sanctions on the purchaser.

(Provider terminal device)
Next, the configuration of the provider terminal device will be described. The provider terminal device includes a “used coupon information acquisition unit” 2421, an “inspection unit” 2422, a “coupon usage result information acquisition unit” 2423, a “coupon usage result information transmission unit” 2424, and a “second usage” A completed coupon information transmission unit ”. There may be a plurality of provider terminal devices. For example, according to the example of the delivery service for the above-mentioned mail, the provider server is installed at each of many post offices nationwide, and these are provided at the head office of Japan Post Co., Ltd. Each may be connected to a device.

(Used coupon information acquisition unit)
The “used coupon information acquisition unit” is configured to acquire used coupon information. The determination as to “used coupon information” is made by, for example, bringing a coupon printed out on paper by a purchaser to a store, and the staff of the store or the like providing the content of the coupon information described therein to the providing terminal device If the input is accepted using a mouse, keyboard, etc., a rule has been established that when such input is accepted, it is determined as used coupon information. Should be obtained. Or when coupon information is transmitted from a purchaser terminal device, you may define the rule that this is acquired as used coupon information. An example of a coupon printed out on paper is the same as that shown in FIG.

(Inspection unit)
The “inspection unit” is configured to inspect the authenticity of the used coupon information. The meaning of “authenticity” means that the coupon information is not forged, as in “authenticity” in the first embodiment and the like. Here, the coupon information is issued by a primary mediation server device having a valid authority to issue coupons. It means to be a thing. A method similar to that described in the first embodiment may be used to determine whether or not it is “authentic”.

(Coupon usage record information acquisition unit)
The “coupon usage record information acquisition unit” is configured to acquire coupon use record information. The purpose of acquiring the “coupon usage record information” is to transmit the information to the providing server device so that it can be compared with the used coupon information.

(Coupon use result information sending part)
The “coupon usage record information transmitting unit” is configured to transmit coupon use record information to the providing server device.

(Second used coupon information transmitter)
The “second used coupon information transmitting unit” is configured to transmit the acquired used coupon information to the providing server device.

(Primary mediation server device)
Next, the configuration of the primary mediation server device will be described. The primary intermediary server device includes an “inquiry reception unit” 2431, an “answer acquisition unit” 2432, an “answer transmission unit” 2433, a “coupon issue request information reception unit” 2434, and a “coupon information acquisition unit” 2435. , “First coupon information transmission unit” 2436, “recording unit” 2437, “second used coupon information reception unit” 2438, and “collation unit” 2439.

(Inquiry receiving part, answer obtaining part, answer sending part)
The “inquiry receiving unit” is configured to receive an inquiry about the amount charged from the secondary mediation server device. The “answer acquisition unit” is configured to acquire an answer to the received billing inquiry. The “answer sending unit” is configured to send the obtained answer to the secondary mediation server device. With the above configuration, it is possible to perform a process of returning a response to the inquiry about the amount charged from the secondary mediation server device.

(Coupon issue request information receiver)
The “coupon issue request information receiving unit” is configured to receive coupon issue request information from the secondary mediation server device.

(Coupon information acquisition unit)
The “coupon information acquisition unit” is configured to acquire coupon information corresponding to the coupon issue request indicated by the coupon issue request information. Specific information included in the coupon information is the same as that described in the first embodiment. In this case, the identifier of the mediation server may include the identifier of the secondary mediation server in addition to the identifier of the primary mediation server. The identifier of the primary mediation server may be transmitted by associating its own identifier held by the primary mediation server with the coupon information when the primary mediation server transmits coupon information to the secondary mediation server. As described above, a contract for the issue authority of coupons is usually concluded between the provider and the primary mediator who is the administrator of the primary mediation server device. Therefore, the primary mediation server device stores information (issueable coupon information) indicating the content of coupon information that can be issued based on a contract in a storage device based on an input operation by a primary mediator. Therefore, the coupon information acquisition unit reads the issueable coupon information from the storage device, determines whether or not the content of the coupon indicated by the coupon issue request information can be issued in light of this, and if it is possible to issue the coupon information You can generate and acquire it yourself.

(First coupon information transmission unit, recording unit)
The “first coupon information transmission unit” is configured to transmit the acquired coupon information to the secondary mediation server device. Further, the “recording unit” is configured to record issued coupon information that has been transmitted or transmitted. The purpose of the recording is to enable the primary mediation server device to collate the issued coupon information with the used coupon information later as described later.

(Second used coupon information receiving unit, verification unit)
The “second used coupon information receiving unit” is configured to receive used coupon information from the providing server device. The “collation unit” is configured to collate the received used coupon information with the issued coupon information. The purpose of collation is to check whether the coupons for which the used coupon information has been issued are used by checking whether the contents are the same. In this respect, the authenticity of the used coupon information is checked in the provider terminal device as described above, and this is to check whether the coupon is issued by an authorized issuer. On the other hand, the collation here checks whether the issued coupon and the used coupon have the same content.

(Secondary mediation server device)
Next, the configuration of the secondary mediation server device will be described. The secondary mediation server device includes a “desired coupon content information receiving unit” 2431, an “inquiry transmitting unit” 2432, an “answer receiving unit” 2433, a “billed amount information transmitting unit” 2434, and a “first payment process” Information receiving unit "2435," first payment processing information transmitting unit "2436," assessment result receiving unit "2437," coupon issue request information transmitting unit "2438, and" first coupon information receiving unit "2439 And a “second coupon information transmission unit” 2439b.

(Request coupon information receiver)
The “desired coupon content information receiving unit” is configured to receive desired coupon content information indicating the desired coupon content from the purchaser terminal device. The specific content of “desired coupon content information” will be described later in the configuration of the purchaser terminal device.

(Inquiry transmitter, answer receiver, billing information transmitter)
The “inquiry transmission unit” is configured to transmit an inquiry about the amount charged according to the desired coupon content to the primary mediation server device. The “answer receiving unit” is configured to receive a billed answer corresponding to the desired coupon content from the primary mediation server device. The “billing amount information transmitting unit” is configured to transmit billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device.

(First payment processing information receiver, first payment processing information transmitter, assessment result receiver)
The “first payment processing information receiving unit” is configured to receive payment processing information from the purchaser terminal device. The “first payment processing information transmission unit” is configured to transmit the received payment processing information to the settlement server device. The “assessment result receiving unit” is configured to receive an assessment result from the settlement server device. Between the transmission of the first payment processing information and the reception of the assessment result, as will be described later, the assessment result of the payment processing information is acquired in the settlement server device. The reception of the assessment result is performed on the premise that the assessment server obtains the assessment result.

(Coupon issue request information sending part)
The “coupon issue request information transmission unit” is configured to transmit coupon issue request information, which is information indicating a coupon issue request including the desired coupon content according to the received assessment result, to the primary mediation server device. .

(First coupon information receiving unit, second coupon information transmitting unit)
The “first coupon information receiving unit” is configured to receive coupon information from the primary mediation server device. The “second coupon information transmission unit” is configured to transmit coupon information to the purchaser terminal device.

(Payment server device)
Next, the configuration of the settlement server device will be described. The settlement server device includes a “second payment processing information reception unit” 2451, an “assessment result acquisition unit” 2452, and an “assessment result transmission unit” 2453.

(Second payment processing information receiver)
The “second payment processing information receiving unit” is configured to receive payment processing information from the secondary mediation server device.

(Assessment result acquisition department, assessment result transmission department)
The “assessment result acquisition unit” is configured to acquire an assessment result of payment processing information. “Assessment result” means a result of examination / determination performed to determine whether or not settlement processing may be performed in accordance with the information for payment processing. For example, a credit card issuing company commonly used in the case of credit card settlement This is a review / judgment related to approval / disapproval of credit inquiries. The “assessment result transmission unit” is configured to transmit the assessment result to the secondary mediation server device. Thereby, since the secondary mediator can know the assessment result, it is possible to determine whether or not the processing for subsequent coupon issuance can be proceeded.

(Purchaser terminal device)
Next, the configuration of the purchaser terminal device will be described. The purchaser terminal device includes a “desired coupon content information transmission unit” 2461, a “billed amount information reception unit” 2462, a “second payment processing information transmission unit” 2463, and a “second coupon information reception unit” 2464. Have

(Request coupon information transmission part)
The “desired coupon content information transmission unit” is configured to transmit the desired coupon content information to the secondary mediation server device. The “desired coupon content information” is information indicating the content of a coupon that the purchaser wishes to issue. Specifically, it is almost synonymous with the “desired information” described in the first embodiment, etc., and information indicating the purchase intention of the purchaser and information on the product / service related to the purchase request (product number, quantity, etc. of the product) Information). The desired coupon content information is transmitted, for example, by receiving an input operation of the desired coupon content information performed by the purchaser via an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard to the purchaser terminal device, and the information is transferred to the secondary mediation server device. Configured to send to.

(Billing amount information receiving part)
The “billing amount information receiving unit” is configured to receive billing amount information from the secondary mediation server device. As described above, when the desired coupon content information is transmitted to the secondary mediation server device, the secondary mediation server device inquires the primary mediation server device for the billing amount corresponding to this, and returns a response from the primary mediation server device. Since the billing amount information is obtained, it can be transmitted to the purchaser terminal device. The billing amount information receiving unit receives the billing amount information transmitted in this way.

(Second payment processing information transmitter)
The “second payment processing information transmission unit” is configured to transmit the billing payment processing information to the secondary mediation server. Since the purchaser can see how much the billing amount according to the desired content is, by looking at the received billing amount information, the purchase processing is performed based on this. This configuration is for connecting to subsequent settlement processing by transmitting payment processing information to the secondary mediation server device with the purchaser's input operation as a trigger.

(Second coupon information receiver)
The “second coupon information receiving unit” is configured to receive coupon information from the secondary mediation server device. When the information for payment processing is transmitted from the customer terminal device to the secondary mediation server device, as described above, after the exchange necessary for settlement is made between the secondary mediation server device and the settlement server device, the secondary A coupon issuance request is made from the mediation server device to the primary mediation server device, and coupon information is transmitted to the return secondary mediation server device. Therefore, the coupon information is transferred from the secondary mediation server device to the customer terminal device. The second coupon information receiving unit receives the coupon information transmitted in this way. Now that the coupon has been issued to the purchaser, the purchaser can subsequently apply for the purchase of the desired product / service to the provider using this coupon.
Although different from the configuration of the mediation system of the present embodiment, the secondary mediation server device performs the same billing information processing as the discount mediation server device of the mediation system described in the first embodiment without providing a settlement server device. It may be configured as described above. In this case, payment methods such as electronic money payment, convenience store over-the-counter payment, point payment, etc. other than credit card payment can be widely used.
As an example of a specific configuration in this case, when the billing amount information transmission unit of the secondary mediation server device transmits the billing amount information to the billing amount information reception unit of the purchaser terminal device, the purchaser based on the billing amount information (For example, in the case of electronic money settlement, an operation for causing a terminal such as a store connected to a computer such as a financial institution to read payment processing information such as a value on an IC card) As a trigger, a configuration in which payment processing information is transmitted from the purchaser terminal device to the secondary mediation server device is conceivable. In addition, as an example of the configuration related to the subsequent processing in this case, for example, a configuration in which the coupon issue request information transmission unit of the secondary mediation server device acquires information indicating that when the billing information processing ends is considered. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing in this embodiment.

(Hardware configuration)
Next, the hardware configuration of the mediation system of the present embodiment will be described. First, the hardware configuration of the providing server device will be described. FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a providing server device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. The first used coupon information receiving unit, the first used coupon information transmitting unit, and the coupon usage record information receiving unit of the providing source server device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 2501 and “main memory” "2502", "CPU" 2503, and "I / O" 2504. The comparison unit includes a “storage device (recording medium)”, a “main memory”, and a “CPU”.

  These are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” 2505 to perform transmission / reception and processing of information. The storage device stores various programs executed by the CPU. The main memory provides a work area which is a work area when the program is executed by the CPU. A plurality of memory addresses are assigned to the main memory and the storage device, respectively, and a program executed by the CPU performs processing by exchanging data with each other by specifying and accessing the memory address. It is possible. In this example, the first used coupon information receiving program, the first used coupon information transmitting program, the coupon usage record information receiving program, and the comparison program are stored in the storage device. At the same time, it is automatically read from the storage device and resides in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the first used coupon information receiving unit will be described. The first used coupon information receiving program receives used coupon information transmitted from the provider terminal device via the I / O.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the first used coupon information transmission unit will be described. A 1st used coupon information transmission program transmits the used coupon information received above with respect to a primary mediation server apparatus via I / O.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the coupon usage record information receiving unit will be described. The coupon usage record information receiving program receives coupon usage record information transmitted from the provider terminal device via the I / O.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the comparison unit will be described. The comparison program compares the used coupon information received above with the coupon usage record information. The comparison result may be output based on some criterion.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the provider terminal device will be described. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a provider terminal device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. The used coupon information acquisition unit, the coupon usage result information acquisition unit, the coupon usage result information transmission unit, and the second used coupon information transmission unit of the providing terminal device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)”. 2601, “main memory” 2602, “CPU” 2603, and “I / O” 2604. The inspection unit includes a “storage device (recording medium)”, a “main memory”, and a “CPU”. Moreover, in this example, the used coupon information acquisition program, the inspection program, the coupon use result information acquisition program, the coupon use result information transmission program, and the second used coupon information transmission program are stored in the storage device. These programs are also automatically read from the storage device when the power is turned on, for example, and reside in the main memory.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, the hardware configuration related to the used coupon information acquisition unit will be described. The used coupon information acquisition program is, for example, by accepting the input by using, as a trigger, the input operation of the content of the used coupon information performed by the providing staff for the providing terminal device that is the company's computer terminal device, The provider terminal device acquires used coupon information.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the inspection unit will be described. The inspection program inspects the authenticity of the acquired used coupon information. For this reason, the inspection program reads the used coupon information stored in the main memory by the processing of the used coupon information acquisition program, and determines whether or not it is “authentic” by, for example, associating with the used coupon information. The identifier for uniquely identifying the received information is compared with the identifier stored in the storage device for authentic coupon information.

  Next, the hardware configuration according to the coupon usage record information acquisition unit and the coupon usage record information transmission unit will be described. For example, coupon usage record information is stored in an external storage device or the like for each purchaser, and the coupon use record information acquisition program acquires the information via I / O. The coupon usage record information transmission program transmits the acquired coupon use record information to the provider server device via the I / O.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to the second used coupon information transmission unit will be described. A 2nd used coupon information transmission program transmits the used coupon information which acquired and finished the test | inspection of authenticity to a provision source server apparatus via I / O.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the primary mediation server device will be described. FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a primary mediation server device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. Inquiry reception unit, answer acquisition unit, answer transmission unit, coupon issue request information reception unit, coupon information acquisition unit, first coupon information transmission unit, and second used of the primary mediation server device of this example The coupon information receiving unit includes a “storage device (recording medium)” 2701, a “main memory” 2702, a “CPU” 2703, and an “I / O” 2704. The recording unit and the collation unit are composed of “storage device (recording medium)”, “main memory”, and “CPU”.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, the hardware configuration related to the inquiry reception unit, the answer acquisition unit, and the answer transmission unit will be described. The inquiry reception program receives an inquiry of the billing amount transmitted from the secondary mediation server device via the I / O. Next, the response acquisition program acquires the response of the billed amount. This answer is acquired as follows, for example. In the contract between the provider and the primary broker, the price corresponding to the type and quantity of goods / services is usually set. Therefore, the primary mediation server device holds a price corresponding to the type and quantity of goods / services included in the contract content in advance in the storage device. Therefore, when an inquiry about the amount charged is received, the type and quantity of goods / services included in the desired coupon content included therein are extracted, the above consideration is read into the main memory, and the desired coupon content is referred to Since it is possible to specify the price corresponding to the type and quantity of goods / services included in the product, this is acquired. The reply transmission program transmits the billed reply to the secondary mediation server device via the I / O.

  Next, the structure which concerns on a coupon issue request information receiving part and a coupon information acquisition part is demonstrated. The coupon issue request information reception program receives the coupon issue request information transmitted from the secondary mediation server device via the I / O. Next, the coupon information acquisition program reads the issueable coupon information stored in advance in the storage device into the main memory, determines whether the coupon content indicated by the coupon issue request information can be issued in light of this, If it can be issued, coupon information is generated and acquired by itself.

  Next, the structure which concerns on a 1st coupon information transmission part and a recording part is demonstrated. A 1st coupon information transmission program transmits coupon information with respect to a secondary mediation server apparatus via I / O. Next, the recording program creates a copy before storing the transmitted coupon information and stores it in the storage device.

  Next, the structure which concerns on a 2nd used coupon information receiving part and a collation part is demonstrated. The second used coupon information receiving program receives the used coupon information transmitted from the providing server device via the I / O. Next, the collation program reads the issued coupon information stored in the storage device into the main memory, and collates the issued coupon information with the received used coupon information.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the secondary mediation server device will be described. FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a secondary mediation server device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. Desired coupon content information transmission unit, inquiry transmission unit, answer reception unit, billing amount information transmission unit, first payment processing information reception unit, and first payment processing for the secondary mediation server device of this example The information transmission unit, the assessment result reception unit, the coupon issue request information transmission unit, the first coupon information reception unit, and the second coupon information transmission unit are “storage device (recording medium)” 2801 and “main memory”. 2802, “CPU” 2803, and “I / O” 2804.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the desired coupon content information transmission unit will be described. The desired coupon content information transmission program transmits the desired coupon content information to the primary mediation server device via the I / O.

  Next, the structure which concerns on an inquiry transmission part, an answer receiving part, and an invoice amount information transmission part is demonstrated. The inquiry transmission program transmits an inquiry about the amount charged to the primary mediation server device via the I / O. Next, the answer receiving program receives the billed answer sent from the primary mediation server apparatus via the I / O. Next, the billing amount information transmission program transmits the billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device via the I / O.

  Next, the structure which concerns on the information receiving part for 1st payment processing, the information transmission part for 1st payment processing, and an assessment result receiving part is demonstrated. The first payment processing information reception program receives payment processing information from the purchaser terminal device via the I / O. Next, the first payment processing information transmission program transmits the received payment processing information to the settlement server device via the I / O. Next, the assessment result receiving program receives the assessment result transmitted from the settlement server device via the I / O.

  Next, the structure which concerns on a coupon issue request information transmission part is demonstrated. The coupon issue request information transmission program transmits coupon issue request information to the primary mediation server device via the I / O. This transmission is performed according to the received assessment result. For this reason, for example, the storage device stores a table in which the assessment result is associated with the availability of transmission, and the coupon issue request information transmission program reads this table into the main memory and receives the assessment result received with reference to the table. If it is associated with transmission possible, coupon issue request information may be transmitted.

  Next, the structure which concerns on a 1st coupon information receiving part and a 2nd coupon information transmission part is demonstrated. The first coupon information receiving program receives coupon information transmitted from the primary mediation server device via the I / O. Next, the second coupon information transmission program transmits coupon information to the purchaser terminal device via I / O.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the settlement server device will be described. FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the settlement server device in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. The second payment processing information receiving unit, the assessment result transmitting unit, and the assessment result acquiring unit of the settlement server device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 2901, “main memory” 2902, and “CPU”. 2903 and “I / O” 2904.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the second payment processing information receiving unit will be described. The second payment processing information reception program receives the payment processing information transmitted from the secondary mediation server device via the I / O.

  Next, the structure which concerns on an assessment result acquisition part and an assessment result transmission part is demonstrated. The assessment result acquisition program acquires the assessment result. This assessment result is acquired, for example, in the form of obtaining a review / judgment result related to approval / disapproval for a credit inquiry to a credit card issuer. For this reason, the assessment result acquisition program sends the information for payment processing and the assessment result transmission request information to the server device of the credit card issuing company connected to the secondary mediation server device via the network. The assessment result received and returned from the server device of the credit card issuing company may be acquired. Next, the assessment result transmission program transmits the assessment result to the secondary mediation server device via the I / O.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the purchaser terminal device will be described. FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the purchaser terminal device in the mediation system in the present embodiment. The desired coupon content information transmission unit, the bill amount information reception unit, the second payment processing information transmission unit, and the second coupon information reception unit of the purchaser terminal device of this example are “storage device (recording medium)” 3001. “Main memory” 3002, “CPU” 3003, and “I / O” 3004.

  Next, a hardware configuration related to each unit will be specifically described. First, a hardware configuration related to the desired coupon content information transmission unit will be described. The desired coupon content information transmission program transmits the desired coupon content information to the secondary mediation server device via the I / O. The “desired coupon content information” is input by the purchaser to the purchaser terminal device via an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard. Therefore, in this case, the transmission program is configured to transmit the information when receiving this input.

  Next, the configuration of the billing amount information receiving unit will be described. The billing amount information receiving program receives billing amount information transmitted from the secondary server device via the I / O.

  Next, the structure which concerns on the information transmission part for 2nd payment processes is demonstrated. The second payment processing information transmission program transmits the payment processing information to the secondary mediation server device via the I / O. This transmission is performed, for example, by receiving an input of information for payment processing performed by the purchaser via an interface such as a mouse or a keyboard to the purchaser terminal device.

  Next, the structure which concerns on a 2nd coupon information receiving part is demonstrated. The second coupon information receiving program receives coupon information transmitted from the secondary mediation server device via the I / O.

<Process flow>
FIG. 31 shows a sequence diagram in the mediation system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, first, the purchaser terminal device of the mediation system transmits the desired coupon content to the secondary mediation server device, and the secondary mediation server device receives it (step S3101). Next, the secondary mediation server device transmits a charge amount inquiry to the primary mediation server measure, and the primary mediation server device receives this (step S3102). Next, the primary mediation server device acquires an answer to the inquiry about the amount charged (step S3103). Next, the primary mediation server device transmits a charge amount reply to the secondary mediation server device, and the secondary mediation server device receives this (step S3104). Next, the secondary mediation server device transmits billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device, and the purchaser terminal device receives it (step S3105). Next, the purchaser terminal device transmits payment processing information to the secondary mediation server device, and the secondary mediation server device receives it (step S3106). Next, the secondary mediation server device transmits payment processing information to the payment server device, and the payment server device receives the information (step S3107). Next, the settlement server device acquires the assessment result (step S3108). Next, the settlement server device transmits the assessment result to the secondary mediation server device, and the secondary mediation server device receives it (step S3109). Next, the secondary mediation server device transmits coupon issue request information to the primary mediation server device, and the primary mediation server device receives it (step S3110). Next, the primary mediation server device acquires coupon information (step S3111). Next, the primary mediation server device transmits coupon information to the secondary mediation server device, and the secondary mediation server device receives it (step S3112). Next, the primary mediation server mediation apparatus records issued coupon information (step S3113). Next, the secondary mediation server device transmits coupon information to the purchaser terminal device, and the purchaser terminal device receives this (step S3114).

  Next, the providing terminal device acquires used coupon information (step S3115). Next, the provider terminal device checks the authenticity of the used coupon information (step S3116). Next, the provider terminal device transmits used coupon information to the provider server device, and the provider server device receives the coupon information (step S3117). Next, the providing server device transmits used coupon information to the primary mediation server device, and the primary mediation server device receives this (step S3118). Next, the primary mediation server device collates the used coupon information with the issued coupon information (step S3119). The verification result may be returned to the providing server device. Next, the provider terminal device acquires coupon usage record information (step S3120). Next, the provider terminal device transmits coupon use result information to the provider server device, and the provider server device receives this (step S3121). Next, the providing server device compares the used coupon information with the coupon use result information (step S3122).

    (Others: Example of adding a means to perform proxy printing and delivery services)

  When the present invention is applied to a volume discount related to a mail delivery service, the following letter and other proxy printing / delivery services may be combined as a related service. Hereinafter, although an example in which means for performing such a service is added to the mediation system of the present embodiment will be described, it is also possible to add to the mediation system of the first embodiment by a similar method.

  Specifically, for example, a template such as a postcard, stationery, or envelope can be displayed on the display of the purchaser terminal device. This template is in line with the format of an actual postcard. The purchaser uses the template to input (fill in) the contents to be written on a postcard or the like using a mouse or keyboard. When the input is completed, an appearance that can be used as a postcard is printed on the display. Next, data such as a postcard that has been filled in is included in the desired coupon content information from the purchaser terminal device to the secondary mediation server device. In this case, in the desired coupon content information, in addition to the number of postcards to be sent and the destination, information on the paper quality of the postcard to be printed and information on the print quality (print information) may be included.

  Thereafter, according to the configuration of the system described above, this print information is reflected in the coupon issue request information, coupon information, and used coupon information. For example, the provider holding the actual postcard is the provider terminal device, etc. Therefore, it is only necessary to print out a postcard with a predetermined paper quality or printing quality according to the printing information and deliver it. In the case of postcards, the post office is designed to deliver mail regardless of who posted or sent it to the post office. In the case of holding it, the primary mediation server device may print out the postcard, and the primary mediator may send it to a post or post office for delivery.

  According to such a configuration, the purchaser can purchase the mail delivery service whose volume is discounted at the timing he or she desires, which is very convenient for the purchaser. That is, there is no need to prepare a postcard or the like, so that when a user wishes to post a postcard or letter, it can be executed at any time by performing necessary input at home. The provider (Japan Post Co., Ltd.) can also expect an increase in the number of users such as postcards. Furthermore, for such intermediaries, by adding such a convenient service, it is expected that the number of users of the intermediary system according to the present invention will increase further. It is possible to reduce the risks that must be taken.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, a product / service to which a volume discount is applied at the timing that the purchaser desires without performing complicated paperwork for securing payment, similar to the first embodiment. A mechanism for enabling provision can be provided by a configuration using another device, and thus variations of the mechanism for realizing the object can be increased.

Claims (20)

An intermediary system that uses volume discounts to mediate the buying and selling of products from the provider,
A range information holding unit for holding range information, which is information indicating a range in which the provider grants mediation authority such as products for which volume discount is given to the mediator;
A coupon request information acquisition unit that acquires coupon request information including desired information that is information indicating a product or the like that the purchaser wishes to purchase from the provider;
A coupon information transmitting unit that transmits coupon information indicating a right to receive a product or the like when the product or the like indicated by the desired information is in a range where mediation is permitted based on the range information;
A coupon information acquisition unit for acquiring arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser;
A determination unit for determining whether the obtained arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable;
An authority management server device having
A wish information input accepting section for accepting input of buyer's desired information;
A coupon request information output unit that outputs coupon request information including desired information to the authority management server device;
A coupon information receiving unit for receiving coupon information transmitted from the authority management server device according to the coupon request information;
A billing information processing unit for processing billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information;
A coupon information transfer unit that transfers the received coupon information to an electronic device used by the purchaser;
A discount mediation server device comprising:
An intermediary system consisting of An intermediary system that uses volume discounts to mediate the purchase and sale of goods from the provider to buyers,
A first range information holding unit for holding first range information, which is information indicating a range in which the provider grants mediation authority such as products for which volume discounts are given to the mediator;
A coupon information acquisition unit for acquiring arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser;
A determination unit for determining whether the obtained arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable;
An authority management server device having
A wish information input accepting section for accepting input of buyer's desired information;
A second range information holding unit that holds second range information that is information indicating a range in which coupon information can be output based on a range in which the provider accepts the right to mediate such as a product discounted to the mediator. When,
A coupon information output unit that outputs coupon information indicating the receipt authority of the corresponding product or the like to the electronic device used by the purchaser when the desired information that has received the input is within the range of the second range information;
A billing information processing unit for processing billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information;
A discount mediation server device comprising:
An intermediary system consisting of Discount mediation server device
The second determination unit that acquires the first range information and determines whether the range to be retained as the second range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information,
The second range information holding unit is configured to hold the second range information when the second determination unit determines that the range to be held as the second range information does not exceed the range indicated by the first range information. The intermediary system according to claim 2. The authority management server device
When the product or the like indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the range information, the first change unit that performs a change to expand the range,
The mediation system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine whether any coupon information acquired based on the changed range is usable. The authority management server device
5. The mediation system according to claim 1, further comprising a first warning message output unit that outputs a warning message when a product or the like indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed a range where mediation is allowed based on the range information. The authority management server device
When the product or the like indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed the range where mediation is allowed based on the first range information, the product has a second change unit that performs a change to expand the range,
The mediation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine whether any coupon information acquired based on the changed range is usable. The authority management server device
7. A second warning message output unit for outputting a warning message when a product or the like indicated by the desired information is likely to exceed a range where mediation is allowed based on the first range information. The brokerage system according to one.   The authority management server apparatus in the mediation system as described in any one of Claim 1 to 7.   The discount mediation server device in the mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A mediation system that mediates the purchase and sale of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, and a mediation method using a mediation system that includes an authority management server device and a discount mediation server device ,
A range information holding step in which the authority management server device holds range information that is information indicating a range in which the provider grants the authority to mediate such as a product whose volume is discounted to the mediator;
A discount mediation server device for accepting input of purchaser's desired information;
Discount mediation server device, coupon request information output step for outputting coupon request information including desired information to the authority management server device,
A coupon request information acquisition step in which the authority management server device acquires coupon request information including desired information, which is information indicating a product or the like that the purchaser wishes to purchase from the provider,
The authority management server device transmits, to the discount mediation server device, coupon information indicating the right to receive the corresponding product or the like when the product or the like indicated by the desired information is within a range where mediation is permitted based on the range information. A coupon information transmission step;
A coupon information receiving step in which the discount mediation server device receives coupon information output from the authority management server device according to the coupon request information;
A coupon information transfer step in which the discount mediation server device transfers the received coupon information to the electronic device used by the purchaser;
The authority management server device acquires a coupon information acquisition step for acquiring arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser,
A determination step in which the authority management server device determines whether the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable;
A billing information processing step in which the discount mediation server device processes billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information;
Mediating method having. A mediation system that mediates the purchase and sale of goods or the like of a provider using a volume discount, and a mediation method using a mediation system that includes an authority management server device and a discount mediation server device ,
A first range information holding step in which the right management server device holds first range information, which is information indicating a range in which the provider grants the right to mediate such as a product whose volume is discounted to the mediator;
The discount mediation server device holds second range information, which is information indicating a range in which coupon information can be output based on a range in which the provider approves mediation authority such as a product whose volume is discounted to the mediator. A second range information holding step;
A discount mediation server device for accepting input of purchaser's desired information;
A coupon information output step for outputting coupon information indicating a right to receive a product or the like when the discount mediation server device receives the desired information within the range of the second range information;
The authority management server device acquires a coupon information acquisition step for acquiring arbitrary coupon information from the purchaser,
A determination step in which the authority management server device determines whether the acquired arbitrary coupon information is authentic and usable;
A billing information processing step in which the discount mediation server device processes billing information for the purchaser according to the desired information;
Mediating method having.   The program for making a computer perform the mediation method of Claim 10 or 11. An intermediary system that uses volume discounts to mediate the buying and selling of products from the provider,
A provider server device, a provider terminal device, a primary mediation server device, a secondary mediation server device, a settlement server device, and a purchaser terminal device,
The provider server device
A first used coupon information receiving unit for receiving used coupon information to be described later from the provider terminal device;
A first used coupon information transmitting unit for transmitting the received used coupon information to the primary mediation server device;
A coupon use result information receiving unit for receiving coupon use result information to be described later from the provider terminal device;
A comparison unit for comparing the used coupon information and the coupon usage record information;
Have
The provider terminal device
A used coupon information acquisition unit for acquiring used coupon information, which is information on coupons used for buying and selling products, etc .;
An inspection unit for inspecting the authenticity of the used coupon information;
A coupon usage record information acquisition unit for acquiring coupon use record information, which is information indicating a record of sales of products and the like made by using a coupon;
A coupon usage record information transmitting unit for transmitting coupon use record information to the providing server device;
A second used coupon information transmission unit for transmitting the acquired used coupon information to the providing server device;
Have
The primary mediation server device
An inquiry receiving unit for receiving an inquiry about the amount charged from the secondary mediation server device;
An answer obtaining unit for obtaining an answer to the inquiry of the received bill amount;
An answer sending unit for sending the obtained answer to the secondary mediation server device;
A coupon issue request information receiving unit for receiving coupon issue request information from the secondary mediation server device;
A coupon information acquisition unit for acquiring coupon information corresponding to the coupon issue request indicated by the coupon issue request information;
A first coupon information transmitter that transmits the acquired coupon information to the secondary mediation server device;
A recording unit for recording issued coupon information that has been transmitted or transmitted;
A second used coupon information receiving unit that receives used coupon information from the provider server device;
A matching unit for matching received received coupon information with issued coupon information;
Have
The secondary mediation server device
A desired coupon content information receiving unit for receiving desired coupon content information indicating the desired coupon content from the purchaser terminal device; and
An inquiry transmission unit that transmits an inquiry of the billing amount according to the desired coupon content to the primary mediation server device;
An answer receiving unit for receiving an answer of the billing amount according to the desired coupon content from the primary mediation server device;
A billing amount information transmitting unit for transmitting billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device;
A first payment processing information receiving unit for receiving payment processing information from the purchaser terminal device;
A first payment processing information transmitter for transmitting the received payment processing information to the settlement server device;
An assessment result receiving unit for receiving the assessment result from the settlement server device;
A coupon issuance request information transmitting unit for transmitting coupon issuance request information, which is information indicating a coupon issuance request including the desired coupon content according to the received assessment result, to the primary mediation server device;
A first coupon information receiving unit for receiving coupon information from the primary mediation server device;
A second coupon information transmission unit that transmits coupon information to the purchaser terminal device;
Have
The payment server device
A second payment processing information receiving unit for receiving payment processing information from the secondary mediation server device;
An assessment result acquisition unit for obtaining an assessment result of payment processing information;
An assessment result transmitting unit for transmitting the assessment result to the secondary mediation server device;
Have
Purchaser terminal device
A desired coupon content information transmission unit for transmitting the desired coupon content information to the secondary mediation server device;
A billing amount information receiving unit for receiving billing amount information from the secondary mediation server device;
A second payment processing information transmitting unit that transmits the billing payment processing information to the secondary mediation server;
A second coupon information receiving unit for receiving coupon information from the secondary mediation server device;
Having an intermediary system. An intermediary system that uses volume discounts to mediate the buying and selling of products from the provider,
A provider server device, a provider terminal device, a primary mediation server device, a secondary mediation server device, and a purchaser terminal device,
The provider server device
A first used coupon information receiving unit for receiving used coupon information to be described later from the provider terminal device;
A first used coupon information transmitting unit for transmitting the received used coupon information to the primary mediation server device;
A coupon use result information receiving unit for receiving coupon use result information to be described later from the provider terminal device;
A comparison unit for comparing the used coupon information and the coupon usage record information;
Have
The provider terminal device
A used coupon information acquisition unit for acquiring used coupon information, which is information on coupons used for buying and selling products, etc .;
An inspection unit for inspecting the authenticity of the used coupon information;
A coupon usage record information acquisition unit for acquiring coupon use record information, which is information indicating a record of sales of products and the like made by using a coupon;
A coupon usage record information transmitting unit for transmitting coupon use record information to the providing server device;
A second used coupon information transmission unit for transmitting the acquired used coupon information to the providing server device;
Have
The primary mediation server device
An inquiry receiving unit for receiving an inquiry about the amount charged from the secondary mediation server device;
An answer obtaining unit for obtaining an answer to the inquiry of the received bill amount;
An answer sending unit for sending the obtained answer to the secondary mediation server device;
A coupon issue request information receiving unit for receiving coupon issue request information from the secondary mediation server device;
A coupon information acquisition unit for acquiring coupon information corresponding to the coupon issue request indicated by the coupon issue request information;
A first coupon information transmitter that transmits the acquired coupon information to the secondary mediation server device;
A recording unit for recording issued coupon information that has been transmitted or transmitted;
A second used coupon information receiving unit that receives used coupon information from the provider server device;
A matching unit for matching received received coupon information with issued coupon information;
Have
The secondary mediation server device
A desired coupon content information receiving unit for receiving desired coupon content information indicating the desired coupon content from the purchaser terminal device; and
An inquiry transmission unit that transmits an inquiry of the billing amount according to the desired coupon content to the primary mediation server device;
An answer receiving unit for receiving an answer of the billing amount according to the desired coupon content from the primary mediation server device;
A billing amount information transmitting unit for transmitting billing amount information to the purchaser terminal device;
A first payment processing information receiving unit for receiving payment processing information from the purchaser terminal device;
A coupon issuance request information transmitting unit for transmitting coupon issuance request information, which is information indicating a coupon issuance request including the desired coupon content, to the primary mediation server device;
A first coupon information receiving unit for receiving coupon information from the primary mediation server device;
A second coupon information transmission unit that transmits coupon information to the purchaser terminal device;
Have
Purchaser terminal device
A desired coupon content information transmission unit for transmitting the desired coupon content information to the secondary mediation server device;
A billing amount information receiving unit for receiving billing amount information from the secondary mediation server device;
A second payment processing information transmitting unit that transmits the billing payment processing information to the secondary mediation server;
A second coupon information receiving unit for receiving coupon information from the secondary mediation server device;
Having an intermediary system.   The provider server device in the mediation system according to claim 13 or 14.   The provider terminal device in the mediation system according to claim 13 or 14.   The primary mediation server device in the mediation system according to claim 13 or 14.   The secondary mediation server device in the mediation system according to claim 13 or 14.   The settlement server device in the mediation system according to claim 13.   The purchaser terminal device in the mediation system according to claim 13 or 14.

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