JP3617030B2 - Central device - Google Patents

Description

【００２９】
式１においてＰｘはユーザｘの提示価格、Ｒ_１．ｎ は図５の交渉成功確率データにおいて値上げ率が１．ｎである場合の交渉成功確率を示す。Ｓｘ_１．ｎ はユーザｘ（各端末装置２）に送信するための補助交渉価格である。なお、Ｃは商品提供者の意志により任意に設定することのできる補正係数である。ＭＰＵ１１は成功確率ファイル１５ｂを参照して値上げ率１．ｎを変えて、補助交渉価格Ｓｘ_１．ｎ を算出しＲＡＭ１２に記憶する。そして補助交渉価格Ｓｘ_１．１ ，Ｓｘ_１．２ ，…，Ｓｘ_１．９ のうち最も高い値をユーザｘに対する交渉価格Ｓｘ_ｍａｘ として決定する。つまり、値上げ率１．ｎを上昇させた場合であっても、その分交渉成功確率Ｒ_１．ｎ が低下することになるので、商品提供者は利益と、商品の販売成功確率とのバランスが取れた交渉価格Ｓｘ_ｍａｘ を提示することが可能となる。
【００３０】
以上のようにして交渉価格Ｓｘ_max をそれぞれのユーザに対して同じように算出する。図６の交渉価格欄は上述の算出方法により各ユーザの交渉価格を求めたものを示してある。ＭＰＵ１１はそれぞれの交渉価格をユーザｘに対応する端末装置２へ送信する。ユーザがその提示された交渉価格に納得し、該ユーザに係る端末装置２から購入を希望する旨の許可信号が送信された場合は、その交渉価格により、さらに交渉価格を受信したユーザが再度価格を検討し該ユーザの端末装置２から再提示価格が送信された場合は、その送信された再提示価格により、２度目のオークションが行われる。ＭＰＵ１１は、送信された許可信号に基づく交渉価格及び送信された再提示価格をＲＡＭ１２に格納し、価格の高いものから順にソート処理を行い、価格順に残りの商品を付与する処理を行い、最終的な提供価格を決定しオークションが終了する。この例では残りのホテル部屋数が４つであるから、上位４人のユーザに販売が行われる。なお、交渉価格が送信されたが、ユーザはそれに応じない場合はキャンセルすることが可能であり、その場合ＭＰＵ１１は、そのユーザに係る端末装置２をオークションの対象から除外する。
【００３１】
図７乃至図９は基本システムにおける提供価格決定方法の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。まず、中央装置１の入力部１３よりオークションの対象となるべき商品の情報及び該商品の提供可能数等が入力された場合、記憶部１５の商品情報ファイル１５ａにその内容が登録される（ステップＳ７１）。端末装置２から中央装置１へこれらの情報を要求する旨の受信要求があった場合（ステップＳ７２）、商品情報ファイルの内容はＭＰＵ１１の指示により端末装置２へ送信される（ステップＳ７３）。これにより、端末装置２の図示しないブラウザ上で提供商品の情報及び提供商品の提供可能数等を閲覧することが可能となる。
【００３２】
ユーザが商品の購入を希望しオークションに参加する場合は、希望する提示価格を入力して（ステップＳ７４）、その入力した提示価格を中央装置１へ送信する（ステップＳ７５）。中央装置１は、各端末装置２、２，２…から送信される提示価格を記憶部１５に記憶する（ステップＳ７６）。そして、所定時間（例えば３時間）が経過しているかどうかを判断し（ステップＳ７７）、所定時間経過していない場合は（ステップＳ７７でＮｏ）、引き続き端末装置２から送信される提示価格を記憶する（ステップＳ７６）。所定時間経過した場合は（ステップＳ７７でＹｅｓ）、ＭＰＵ１１は記憶部１５に記憶した提示価格のうち最も高額なものを商品の提供価格の１つとして決定する（ステップＳ７８，Ａ）。
【００３３】
決定された提供価格の１つは端末装置２へ送信され（ステップＳ８１）、その内容は図示しない端末装置２のハードディスク等の記憶部に記憶される（ステップＳ８２）。中央装置１は後述する方法により、既に商品の購入が決定した最高提示価格を送信した端末装置２以外の端末装置２毎の交渉価格を算出する（ステップＳ８３）。そして、算出したそれぞれの交渉価格を端末装置２へ送信する（ステップＳ８４）。
【００３４】
交渉価格が送信された場合、ユーザはその交渉価格に納得できない場合は、図１にしめすキャンセルボタンをクリックして入札をキャンセルする（ステップＳ８５）。また、交渉価格に納得できる場合は、ＯＫボタンをクリックする（ステップＳ８５）。さらに、交渉価格に納得できるが、ホテルの部屋の残数が残り少なく、この提示された交渉価格では他人に競り負けると判断した場合または交渉価格よりもさらに低い値段で交渉したいと判断した場合は、ユーザは入力ボックスに再度提示価格（以下、再提示価格という）を入力する（ステップＳ８５）。
【００３５】
端末装置２はキャンセルボタンがクリックされたか否かを判断し（ステップＳ８６）、キャンセルボタンがクリックされた場合は（ステップＳ８６でＹｅｓ）、商品を購入する意図がないものとして処理を終了する。なお、端末装置２は中央装置１へキャンセルボタンが押され取引が終了したことを示す信号を送信するようにしても良い。一方、キャンセルボタンがクリックされなかった場合は（ステップＳ８６でＮｏ、Ｂ）、オークションを続行すべく中央装置１へ許可信号または入力された再提示価格を送信する（ステップＳ９１）。
【００３６】
中央装置１は各端末装置２から送信された許可信号及び再提示価格に基づいて残りの商品の価格を決定する（ステップＳ９２）。具体的には、許可信号を得た交渉価格及び再提示価格を基に、価格の高いものから優先的に残りの商品の提供価格を決定する。残りの提供商品の提供価格が決定した場合は、その結果を端末装置２へ送信し（ステップＳ９３）、オークションは終了する。
【００３７】
図１０は、交渉価格算出処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。まずカウンタｎの値を初期値１に設定する（ステップＳ１０１）。そして、ユーザｘが提示した（端末装置２から送信された）提示価格Ｐｘに値上げ率１．ｎを乗ずる（ステップＳ１０２）。本実施の形態では説明を容易にするために値上げ率を０．１単位刻みで１．１から１．９まで変化させることとしたが、これに限らずさらに細かく（例えば０．０１刻みで値上げ率２．０まで）計算させるようにしても良い。そしてこの値に商品提供者が任意に設定する補正係数Ｃを減じまたは乗ずる（ステップＳ１０３）。なお、この補正係数は商品提供者の利益を考慮して付与されるものである。
【００３８】
そして、ステップＳ１０３で求めた補正後の値に、値上げ率１．ｎの場合の交渉成功確率Ｒ_１．ｎ を乗じ、さらに１００で除すことにより補助交渉価格Ｓｘ_１．ｎ を算出する（ステップＳ１０４）。そして、ＭＰＵ１１は記憶部に補助交渉価格Ｓｘ_１．ｎ を記憶する（ステップＳ１０５）。続いて、ＭＰＵ１１はカウンタｎが９であるかどうかを判断する（ステップＳ１０６）。カウンタｎが９でない場合は（ステップＳ１０９でＮｏ）、ＭＰＵ１１はカウンタｎをインクリメント（ｎ＋１）し（ステップＳ１０７）、ステップＳ１０２へ移行し、補助交渉価格Ｓｘ_{１．（ｎ＋１）} を算出する。
【００３９】
一方、カウンタｎが９に達した場合は（ステップＳ１０６でＹｅｓ）、ＭＰＵ１１は記憶部１５に記憶した補助交渉価格Ｓｘ_１．１ ，Ｓｘ_１．２ ，…Ｓｘ_１．９ を比較して、最も高い値を交渉価格Ｓｘ_ｍａｘ として決定する（ステップＳ１０８）。以上のようにして、各端末装置２，２，２…から送信された提示価格Ｐ１，Ｐ２，Ｐ３…に基づいてそれぞれの交渉価格Ｓ_{１ ｍａｘ} ， Ｓ_{２ ｍａｘ} ，…Ｓｘ_ｍａｘ … を算出し、該交渉価格に対応する端末装置２へそれぞれ算出した交渉価格を送信する。
【００４０】
図１１は本発明に係る中央装置１のハードウェア構成を示すブロック図であり、基本システムで示した図２のものと記憶部１５が相違している。即ち、図１１の記憶部１５には提供価格に準ずる価格増減率に対する提供成功確率が登録された提供成功確率ファイル１５ｃが設けられている。図１２は提供成功確率ファイル１５ｃのデータベース構造を示す説明図であり、図１３は提供成功確率ファイル１５ｃのデータに基づくグラフである。
【００４１】
図１２に示す、価格増減率とは端末装置２、２…から送信されたそれぞれの提示価格を中央装置１が提供する提供価格（最低提供価格に所定の値上げ率を乗じた値）で除したものである。また、提供成功確率とは上述の価格増減率に対する商品販売の成功確率を示したものである。例えば、ユーザＡは提示価格７０００円、ユーザＢは提示価格４０００円であるとする。ここで、中央装置１から全ての入札のあった端末装置２へ提供価格５０００円（最低提供価格に値上げ率１．０を除した値）を提示した場合、ユーザＡの価格増減率は１．４、提供成功確率は９５％であり、ユーザＢの価格増減率は０．８、提供成功確率は１５％となる。すなわち、提供価格５０００円を提示した場合、ユーザＡは相当高い確率で商品を購入するがユーザＢは商品を購入する可能性が低いことがわかる。なお、これらのデータは過去の販売実績等に基づいて適宜商品提供者が入力部１３から入力する。
【００４２】
そして、この提供価格５０００円を値上げした場合、例えば最低提供価格に値上げ率１．１を乗じた場合（提供価格は５５００円）、商品提供者の利益は増加するが、ユーザは購入を手控えるため提供成功確率が減少する。図１３は、値上げ率を上昇させて提供成功確率がどのように変化するかグラフ化したものである。図１３に示すとおり、提供価格の値上げ率の上昇に反比例して、提供成功確率が低下していることが分かる。
【００４３】
提供価格の算出式は式２に示すとおりである。
【００４４】
【数２】

【００４５】
式２において、Ｆ_ｍｉｎ は最低提供価格を、１．ｎは値上げ率を示す。
Ｃｘ_１．ｎ は値上げ率１．ｎにおける端末装置２のユーザｘの提供成功確率を示し、
【００４６】
【数３】

【００４７】
は入札のあった端末装置２に係る総ユーザｉの、提供成功確率の合計値である
。
最低提供価格に値上げ率及び提供成功確率を乗ずることにより補助提供価格Ｆ1.n を算出する。そして、補助提供価格Ｆ_1.1 からＦ_1.9 のうち最大値である補助提供価格Ｆ_1.max に係る値上げ率１．ｍａｘに最低提供価格Ｆ_min を乗じた値を提供価格Ｆとして算出する。なお、本実施の形態では理解を容易にするため値上げ率を１．９までとしているが、もちろんそれ以上であっても良い。ＭＰＵ１１は算出した提供価格Ｆを各端末装置２へ送信する。さらに基本システムと同様に、補正係数Ｃにより提供価格を適宜補正するようにしても良い。
【００４８】
図１４は本発明の中央装置に係るオークションの状況を示す説明図である。図は残りのホテル部屋数が４である場合のオークションを結果示しており、最低提供価格１００００円に対して提供価格１２０００円（値上げ率１．２）となっている。ホテルの分配はキャンセルしたものを除いて、提示価格が高いユーザに優先して行われ、提示価格が低かったユーザは競り負けてホテルの部屋を購入することができない。
【００４９】
図１５は本発明の中央装置に係る商品販売処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。ステップＳ７５までの処理は基本システムと同様であるので省略する。ステップＳ７５により端末装置２から提示価格が送信された場合は、ＭＰＵ１１は提供成功確率ファイル１５ｃを参照して提供価格を算出する（ステップＳ１５１）。算出された提供価格は端末装置２へ送信される（ステップＳ１５２）。端末装置２のユーザは提供価格に納得する場合は図示しない入力部から許可信号を入力し、納得できない場合はキャンセル信号を入力する（ステップＳ１５３）。
【００５０】
端末装置２はキャンセルボタンがクリックされたか否かを判断し（ステップＳ１５４）、キャンセルボタンがクリックされた場合は（ステップＳ１５４でＹｅｓ）、商品を購入する意図がないものとして処理を終了する。なお、端末装置２は中央装置１へキャンセルボタンが押され取引が終了したことを示す信号を送信するようにしても良い。一方、キャンセルボタンがクリックされなかった場合は（ステップＳ１５４でＮｏ）、オークションを続行すべく中央装置１へ許可信号を送信する（ステップＳ１５５）。
【００５１】
許可信号が送信された場合は、ＭＰＵ１１は提示価格が高いユーザから優先して残りの商品を分配する（ステップＳ１５６）。そして、その販売結果を端末装置２へ送信し（ステップＳ１５７）オークションが終了する。
【００５２】
図１６は提供価格を算出する処理手順を示すフローチャートである。まず、ＲＡＭ１２のカウンタｎに初期値０を記憶させる（ステップＳ１６１）。ついで、提示価格、及び最低提供価格並びに提供成功確率ファイル１５ｃを参照して、提供成功確率の合計値
【００５３】
【数４】

【００５４】
を算出する（ステップＳ１６２）。そして、最低提供価格Ｆ_ｍｉｎ に値上げ率１．ｎ及び提供成功確率の合計値
【００５５】
【数５】

【００５６】
を乗じて補助提供価格Ｆ_１．ｎ を算出する（ステップＳ１６３）。そしてＭＰＵ１１は記憶部１５に算出した補助提供価格Ｆ_１．ｎ を記憶する（ステップＳ１６４）。続いて、ＭＰＵ１１はカウンタｎが９であるかどうかを判断する（ステップＳ１６５）。カウンタｎが９でない場合は（ステップＳ１６５でＮｏ）、ＭＰＵ１１はカウンタｎをインクリメント（ｎ＋１）し（ステップＳ１６６）、ステップＳ１６２へ移行し、補助提供価格Ｆ_{１．（ｎ＋１）} を算出する。
【００５７】
一方、カウンタｎが９に達した場合は（ステップＳ１６５でＹｅｓ）、ＭＰＵ１１は記憶部１５に記憶した補助提供価格Ｆ_１．０ ，Ｆ_１．１ ，…，Ｆ_１．９ のうち最大値を示す最大補助提供価格Ｆ_{１．ｍａｘ} を選択する（ステップＳ１６７）。そして、値上げ率１．ｍａｘに最低提供価格Ｆ_ｍｉｎ を乗じて提供価格Ｆを算出する（ステップＳ１６８）。
【００５８】
本発明の中央装置は以上の如き構成としてあり、その他の構成及び作用は基本システムと同様であるので、対応する部分には同一の参照番号を付してその詳細な説明を省略する。
【００６２】
図１７は本発明の中央装置１を含むハードウェア構成を示す模式図である。中央装置１を実現するためのコンピュータプログラムは、中央装置１にプレインストールして提供することも、またＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＭＯ等の可搬型の記録媒体１ｂで提供することも可能である。さらに、コンピュータプログラムを回線経由で搬送波として伝搬させて提供することも可能である。以下に、その内容を説明する。
【００６３】
図１７に示す中央装置１に商品の情報及び販売可能個数を端末装置２，２，２…へ送信させ、提示価格及び予め用意される最低提供価格に基づいて、提供商品の提供価格を算出させ、提供価格を端末装置２へ送信させるプログラムが記憶された記録媒体１ｂ（ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＭＯ又はＤＶＤ−ＲＯＭ等）が中央装置１の図示しない記憶部１５にインストールされている。かかるプログラムは中央装置１のＲＡＭ１２にロードして実行される。これにより、上述のような本発明の中央装置１として機能する。
【００６５】
以上において、提供商品をホテルの部屋として説明したが、本発明はこれに限定するものではなく自動車、貴金属、マンション、各種チケット等であっても良い。
【００６６】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述した如く本発明にあっては、オークションの対象となる商品の情報及びその商品を提供することが可能な数を端末装置へ提供する。商品の購入を希望するユーザは端末装置に提示価格を入力して中央装置へ送信する。中央装置には、予め最低限の利益を確保することが可能な価格である最低提供価格が設定されており、この最低提供価格及び端末装置から送信される提示価格に基づいて、全ての端末装置に共通に提示する提供価格を算出する。そして、この算出した、提供価格を端末装置に送信するようにしたので、少なくとも商品提供者は最低限の利益を確保することが可能となると共に、複数の商品を全て効率よく販売することが可能となる。
【００６９】
そして、端末装置から提示価格が送信された後に商品提供者側からユーザへ提供価格を提示した場合、その提供価格が提示価格よりも低い場合は当該ユーザが商品を購入する確率は高くなり、一方、その最低提供価格が提示価格よりも高い場合は、当該ユーザが商品を購入する確率は低くなる傾向があることから、提供価格に準ずる価格増減率に対する提供成功確率を登録した提供成功確率ファイルを予め設けておく。そして、このファイルを参照して、最低提供価格に所定の値上げ率を乗じた値を提供価格とした場合の、各端末装置から送信された提示価格に基づいて交渉成功確率を求める。これを全ての端末装置の提示価格について行い交渉成功確率の合計値を求める。そしてこの合計値に前述の最低提供価格及び所定の値上げ率を乗じて補助提供価格を算出する。以上の計算を、値上げ率を上昇させて補助提供価格を算出し、求めた補助提供価格群のうち最も高い値をとる補助提供価格に係る値上げ率に最低提供価格を乗じたものを提供価格とする。つまり、商品購入者（ユーザ）の購入確率を考慮して、最低提供価格から所定の値上げ率を乗じた提供価格を算出するようにしたので、商品提供者は少なくとも最低限の利益は確保することが可能となると共に、商品の販売の促進を図ることが可能となる。また、ユーザにとってはより低廉な価格で商品を購入することが可能となる等、本発明は優れた効果を奏し得る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る基本システムのハードウェア構成を示す模式図である。
【図２】基本システムの中央装置のハードウェア構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３】商品情報ファイルのデータベース構造を示す説明図である。
【図４】オークション実行中の画面を示す説明図である。
【図５】記憶部の成功確率ファイルのデータベース構造を示す説明図である。
【図６】表示部に表示される価格交渉状況を示した説明図である。
【図７】提供価格決定方法の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図８】提供価格決定方法の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図９】提供価格決定方法の処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１０】交渉価格算出処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１１】本発明に係る中央装置のハードウェア構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１２】提供成功確率ファイルのデータベース構造を示す説明図である。
【図１３】提供成功確率ファイルのデータに基づくグラフである。
【図１４】本発明の中央装置に係るオークションの状況を示す説明図である。
【図１５】本発明の中央装置に係る商品販売処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１６】提供価格を算出する処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１７】本発明の中央装置を含むシステムのハードウェア構成を示す模式図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 中央装置
１５ａ 商品情報ファイル
１５ｂ 成功確率ファイル
１５ｃ 提供成功確率ファイル
１ａ 記録媒体
１ｂ 記録媒体
２ 端末装置
Ｎ ネットワーク[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a price for a product to be exhibited in an auction held on a network.DecideCentral deviceRelatedIn particular, offer prices for multiple products of the same type in an auction formatdecideCentral deviceRelatedTo do.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method of selling a product to a third party, there is a so-called auction sales method in which a product is offered at the price for a bid offered and the highest price presented. In addition, with recent advances in communication infrastructure, auction sales on networks such as the Internet have become active.
[0003]
When performing auction sales, a central device of a product provider and a terminal device of a customer who purchases a product are connected on a network. Then, the merchandise provider posts information such as the image of the merchandise to be sold on the central device on the home page, and the merchandise purchase applicant accesses the home page and inputs and transmits the desired amount. Then, the central device bids for a predetermined period, and determines the highest price among the presented prices as the selling price for the product. Further, the central device transmits information indicating that the offered product has been bid off to the terminal device of the user who has presented the highest price.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional auction sales on the network are based on the premise that a single product is bid, and there is a problem that it is impossible to deal with when there are a plurality of identical products. Conventionally, when there are a plurality of identical products, it is necessary to bid for each item individually and determine the price of each item, which is very troublesome. In particular, if the number of commodities increases, the adverse effect becomes significant.
[0005]
In addition, if there are multiple products, the first one will be tendered by a large number of purchasers, so the product can be expected to have a higher bid price. The buyer's desire to purchase decreases, and the bid price of the product inevitably decreases. Therefore, there is a problem that the more the merchandise provider provides a number of merchandise, the lower the price and the more difficult it is to secure the sales profit.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to ensure the profit of the product provider even when selling a plurality of identical products in auction sales on a network. And can sell all products efficiently.InsideCentral deviceOfferThere is to serve.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
BookInventionThe central device is a central device that determines the offer price of multiple products of the same type with the terminal device in the form of an auction on the network, and stores the information of the same type of multiple products and the number available for sale. An information file, product information transmitting means for transmitting product information registered in the product information file and the number available for sale to the terminal device, and a minimum price obtained by multiplying the offer price transmitted from the terminal device by a predetermined rate of increase. When the offer success probability file indicating the probability of successful sale of the product with respect to the price increase / decrease rate that is the value divided by the offer price, the processor, and the terminal device, when the offer price is sent, the transmission Based on the offered offer price and the minimum offer price prepared in advance, the processor makes a reference to the offer success probability file, and Provided price calculating means for calculating the provided price from the probability by the processor; provided price calculating means for transmitting the provided price calculated by the provided price calculating means to each terminal device; and the provided price calculating means, The minimum offer is added to all the offered prices transmitted from the terminal device, the value obtained by multiplying the minimum offer price by a predetermined rate of increase, and the total value of the offer success probabilities obtained by the processor with reference to the offer success probability file. A supplementary offer price obtained by multiplying a price by a predetermined price increase rate is stored in the storage unit, and a supplementary offer price that is the maximum value is selected from the storage unit by the processor, and one offer price is calculated. ConfiguredIt is characterized by that.
[0017]
BookIn the invention, the terminal device is provided with information on the product to be auctioned and the number of products that can be provided. A user who wishes to purchase a product inputs a presentation price to the terminal device and transmits it to the central device. In the central device, a minimum offer price, which is a price that can secure a minimum profit, is set in advance, and all terminal devices are based on the minimum offer price and the offer price transmitted from the terminal device. The offer price that is commonly presented to is calculated. Since the calculated offer price is transmitted to the terminal device, at least the product provider can secure the minimum profit and can efficiently sell all the products. It becomes.
[0018]
AndWhen the offer price is presented to the user from the product provider side after the offer price is transmitted from the terminal device, if the offer price is lower than the offer price, the probability that the user purchases the product is high. If the minimum offer price is higher than the suggested price, the probability that the user will purchase the product tends to be low, so a provision success probability file that registers the provision success probability with respect to the price increase / decrease rate according to the offer price is provided in advance. Keep it. Then, with reference to this file, the provision success probability is obtained based on the presentation price transmitted from each terminal device when the value obtained by multiplying the minimum offer price by a predetermined rate of increase is used as the offer price. This is performed for the presentation price of all the terminal devices, and the total value of the provision success probability is obtained. Then, the auxiliary provision price is calculated by multiplying the total value by the above-mentioned minimum provision price and a predetermined price increase rate. In the above calculation, the subsidy price is calculated by increasing the price increase rate, and the price obtained by multiplying the price increase rate related to the subsidy price taking the highest value among the subsidy price groups obtained by the minimum service price is referred to as the service price. To do. In other words, considering the purchase probability of the product purchaser (user), the offer price is calculated by multiplying the minimum offer price by the predetermined price increase rate, so the product provider must ensure at least the minimum profit. And sales of products can be promoted. Moreover, it becomes possible for a user to purchase a product at a lower price.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present inventionBasic systemWhen the offered product is applied to a hotel roomFigure ofDetailed based on aspect. Figure1 isBasic systemIt is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware constitutions. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a central device installed at a travel agency or the like on the merchandise seller side. The central device 1 is connected via a network N such as the Internet to terminal devices 2, 2, 2,... Such as mobile phones or personal computers possessed by users who wish to make hotel reservations, in a wired or wireless manner.
[0020]
When the user's terminal device 2 accesses the home page of the central device 1, a sales screen shown in the terminal device 2 of FIG. 1 is displayed. The sales screen displays the hotel information, reservation date, number of remaining rooms, current bid price, suggested price input field and available bid time, etc., and the user enters the desired suggested price by looking at the contents of the product. Transmit to the central device 1. On the other hand, the central apparatus 1 performs provision price determination, negotiation price calculation, and the like based on the transmitted offer price.
[0021]
FIG.Is inside3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the central device 1. FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes a communication unit that transmits and receives necessary information to and from the terminal device 2 in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The merchandise provider inputs various information about the hotel, which is information to be provided to the user's terminal device 2, using the input unit 13 such as a keyboard. The input information is registered in the product information file 15a of the storage unit 15 such as a hard disk. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the database structure of the product information file 15a.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the product information file 15a, the hotel name, the type of the room such as single / twin, and the equipment, service, or characteristics of the room are registered. As equipment, services, etc., for example, there is a FAX in the room, the time required from the nearest station, the presence of breakfast, etc. are registered. In addition, the number of products, that is, the remaining number of rooms in the hotel, the staying date of the room, and the remaining days until the staying date are registered. In addition, a sales performance price indicating how much the room of the hotel has been sold in the past is registered. Since this price fluctuates depending on weekdays, weekends and holidays, the sales price range corresponding to this is registered. When there is a reception request from each of the terminal devices 2, 2, 2,..., The MPU 1 transmits information on a product to be auctioned, that is, information on a hotel room, with reference to the product information file 15a.
[0023]
The terminal device 2 transmits a suggested price that the user desires to purchase, and an auction is started. The auction status is displayed in real time on the display unit 14 such as a display of the central device 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen during execution of an auction. Similar to auction sales using a conventional network, a product code, a product name, a bid status, a remaining time, and the like to be auctioned are displayed. In the bid status box, the bid time, the user ID for identifying the user participating in the auction, and the offer price transmitted from the terminal device 2 are displayed. This bidding status is also displayed on the user's terminal device 2, and it is possible to bid multiple times within the remaining time. Information such as the user's name, contact information, and email address is registered in the storage unit 15 in association with the user ID.
[0024]
The remaining number box displays the remaining number of products. And when predetermined time passes, MPU11 compares the presentation price temporarily stored in RAM12, respectively, and selects the user ID which presented the highest price. Then, the MPU 11 displays the user ID of the first user on the display unit 14 and transmits information indicating that one of the products has been auctioned and sales price information thereof to each terminal device 2, 2, 2. As a result, in the present embodiment, the remaining number of products is reduced by one to “4”. Subsequently, in order to sell the remaining four rooms, price negotiations are conducted with users other than those who have already bid. When the auction manager clicks the “price negotiation” button on the display unit, the process proceeds to the next process. Alternatively, when the first offer price is determined, the process may be automatically shifted to the next process.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the database structure of the success probability file 15b in the storage unit 15. The negotiation success probability data shown in the figure is satisfied when the user presents the price increase rate with respect to the price presented by the user and the price obtained by multiplying the price presented by the user by the price increase rate (hereinafter referred to as the negotiation price). This shows the probability of successful negotiation as to whether or not to complete the purchase. Although the price increase rate has been described in the present embodiment, the negotiation success probability for the price increase may be displayed. As shown in the figure, the negotiation success probability is high when the price increase rate is low from the offered price, but as the price increase rate increases, the user refrains from purchasing and the negotiation success probability decreases.
[0026]
Further, since the negotiation success probability shown in the figure varies depending on the characteristics of the products, negotiation success probability data corresponding to the characteristics of the products is registered in advance. For example, as shown in the figure, if the reservation date is Obon's high season, even if the price is raised slightly, the purchase needs are predicted to be high, so the probability of successful negotiation will not decrease much as the price increase rate increases. . On the other hand, if the reservation date is a weekday and the Obon high season has passed, the purchase needs are predicted to be low, so the probability of successful negotiations immediately decreases as the price increase rate increases. In addition, since the negotiation success probability depends on the number of days remaining until the reservation date, the popularity of the hotel, the price, etc., the negotiation success probability data is registered accordingly. The above-described success probability file may be input by the product provider using the input unit 13 and the negotiation success probability data may be corrected according to the sales performance.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the price negotiation status displayed on the display unit 14. As shown in the figure, the presented prices presented by the user are sorted and displayed in order of price. In addition, the offer price etc. of the user who has already decided to purchase are not displayed. Subsequently, the MPU 11 performs a process of calculating a negotiation price for negotiating with each user. The negotiation price is calculated for each user (for each terminal device 2) as follows.
[0028]
[Expression 1]

[0029]
In Equation 1, Px is a user x offer price, R_{1. n}In the negotiation success probability data of FIG. The probability of successful negotiation when n is indicated. Sx_{1. n}Is an auxiliary negotiation price for transmission to the user x (each terminal device 2). C is a correction coefficient that can be arbitrarily set according to the will of the product provider. The MPU 11 refers to the success probability file 15b and increases the rate of increase 1. Substituting negotiation price Sx by changing n_{1. n}Is calculated and stored in the RAM 12. And auxiliary negotiation price Sx_1.1, Sx_1.2, ..., Sx_1.9The highest value among these is the negotiated price Sx for user x_maxDetermine as. That is, the price increase rate is 1. Even if n is increased, the negotiation success probability R_{1. n}As a result, the product provider will negotiate price Sx that balances profit with the probability of successful sales of the product._maxCan be presented.
[0030]
Negotiated price Sx as above_max Is calculated in the same way for each user. The bargain price column in FIG. 6 shows the bargain price for each user obtained by the above-described calculation method. The MPU 11 transmits each negotiation price to the terminal device 2 corresponding to the user x. When the user is satisfied with the presented negotiation price and a permission signal indicating that the user wishes to purchase is transmitted from the terminal device 2 related to the user, the user who has received the negotiation price again uses the negotiation price. When the re-presentation price is transmitted from the terminal device 2 of the user, a second auction is performed based on the transmitted re-presentation price. The MPU 11 stores the negotiation price based on the transmitted permission signal and the transmitted re-presentation price in the RAM 12, performs a sort process in descending order of price, performs a process of assigning the remaining products in order of price, and finally The offer price is determined and the auction ends.thisIn the example, since the number of remaining hotel rooms is four, sales are performed to the top four users. If the negotiated price has been transmitted, the user can cancel the negotiation price. In this case, the MPU 11 excludes the terminal device 2 related to the user from the auction target.
[0031]
7 to 9 areIn the basic systemIt is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the offer price determination method. First, when information on a product to be auctioned and the number of products that can be provided are input from the input unit 13 of the central apparatus 1, the contents are registered in the product information file 15a of the storage unit 15 (step S71). When there is a reception request for requesting such information from the terminal device 2 to the central device 1 (step S72), the contents of the product information file are transmitted to the terminal device 2 in accordance with an instruction from the MPU 11 (step S73). Thereby, it becomes possible to browse the information on the provided product, the number of available products that can be provided, and the like on a browser (not shown) of the terminal device 2.
[0032]
When the user wishes to purchase the product and participates in the auction, the desired offer price is input (step S74), and the entered offer price is transmitted to the central apparatus 1 (step S75). The central device 1 stores the suggested price transmitted from each terminal device 2, 2, 2,... In the storage unit 15 (step S76). Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed (step S77). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S77), the presentation price transmitted from the terminal device 2 is continuously stored. (Step S76). When the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S77), the MPU 11 determines the highest price among the offered prices stored in the storage unit 15 as one of the offer prices of the products (step S78, A).
[0033]
One of the determined offer prices is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S81), and the content is stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk of the terminal device 2 (not shown) (step S82). The central device 1 calculates a negotiated price for each terminal device 2 other than the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the highest offer price that has already been determined to be purchased by the method described later (step S83). And each calculated negotiation price is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S84).
[0034]
When the negotiated price is transmitted and the user is not satisfied with the negotiated price, the user clicks the cancel button shown in FIG. 1 to cancel the bid (step S85). If the negotiation price is acceptable, the OK button is clicked (step S85). In addition, if you are satisfied with the negotiated price, but the remaining room in the hotel is low, and you decide that you want to negotiate with someone else at this suggested negotiated price, or if you want to negotiate at a price lower than the negotiated price, The user again inputs a presentation price (hereinafter referred to as a re-presentation price) into the input box (step S85).
[0035]
The terminal device 2 determines whether or not the cancel button has been clicked (step S86). If the cancel button has been clicked (Yes in step S86), the terminal device 2 ends the processing assuming that there is no intention to purchase the product. The terminal device 2 may transmit a signal indicating that the cancel button has been pressed and the transaction has ended to the central device 1. On the other hand, if the cancel button has not been clicked (No in step S86, B), a permission signal or the inputted re-presentation price is transmitted to the central apparatus 1 to continue the auction (step S91).
[0036]
The central device 1 determines the price of the remaining product based on the permission signal and the re-presentation price transmitted from each terminal device 2 (step S92). Specifically, based on the negotiated price and the re-presentation price obtained from the permission signal, the provision price of the remaining product is determined preferentially from the highest price. When the offer price of the remaining offer product is determined, the result is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S93), and the auction is ended.
[0037]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the negotiation price calculation process. First, the value of the counter n is set to an initial value 1 (step S101). Then, the price increase rate 1. is added to the suggested price Px presented by the user x (transmitted from the terminal device 2). Multiply by n (step S102). In this embodiment, the price increase rate is changed from 1.1 to 1.9 in increments of 0.1 to simplify the explanation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the price increase is performed more finely (for example, in increments of 0.01). (Up to a rate of 2.0) may be calculated. Then, this value is reduced or multiplied by a correction coefficient C arbitrarily set by the product provider (step S103). This correction coefficient is given in consideration of the profit of the product provider.
[0038]
Then, the price increase rate of 1. is added to the corrected value obtained in step S103. Probability of negotiation success R for n_{1. n}Multiply by and divide by 100 and subnegotiation price Sx_{1. n}Is calculated (step S104). Then, the MPU 11 stores the auxiliary negotiation price Sx in the storage unit._{1. n}Is stored (step S105). Subsequently, the MPU 11 determines whether or not the counter n is 9 (step S106). If the counter n is not 9 (No in step S109), the MPU 11 increments the counter n (n + 1) (step S107), proceeds to step S102, and enters the auxiliary negotiation price Sx._{1. (N + 1)}Is calculated.
[0039]
On the other hand, when the counter n reaches 9 (Yes in Step S106), the MPU 11 stores the auxiliary negotiation price Sx stored in the storage unit 15._1.1, Sx_1.2, ... Sx_1.9Compare the highest value to the negotiated price Sx_max(Step S108). As described above, each negotiation price S is based on the suggested prices P1, P2, P3,... Transmitted from the terminal devices 2, 2, 2,._{1 max}  , S_{2 max}  , ... Sx_max  ... And the calculated negotiation price is transmitted to the terminal device 2 corresponding to the negotiation price.
[0040]
Figure11The present inventionIt is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the central apparatus 1 which concerns onThus, the storage unit 15 is different from that shown in FIG. That is,The storage unit 15 in FIG. 11 is provided with a provision success probability file 15c in which a provision success probability with respect to a price increase / decrease rate corresponding to the provision price is registered. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the database structure of the provision success probability file 15c, and FIG. 13 is a graph based on the data of the provision success probability file 15c.
[0041]
The price increase / decrease rate shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by dividing each suggested price transmitted from the terminal device 2, 2... By the offer price (the value obtained by multiplying the minimum offer price by a predetermined rate of increase) provided by the central device 1. Is. Further, the provision success probability indicates the success probability of the product sale with respect to the price increase / decrease rate described above. For example, it is assumed that user A has a suggested price of 7000 yen and user B has a suggested price of 4000 yen. Here, when the offer price 5000 yen (the value obtained by dividing the price increase rate 1.0 by the minimum offer price) is presented from the central device 1 to the terminal device 2 for which all bids have been placed, the price increase / decrease rate of the user A is 1. 4. The provision success probability is 95%, the price increase / decrease rate of the user B is 0.8, and the provision success probability is 15%. That is, when the offer price of 5000 yen is presented, it can be seen that user A purchases a product with a fairly high probability, but user B is less likely to purchase the product. Note that these data are appropriately input from the input unit 13 by the merchandise provider based on past sales records and the like.
[0042]
Then, when the offer price is increased to 5000 yen, for example, when the minimum offer price is multiplied by the rate of increase 1.1 (provided price is 5500 yen), the profit of the product provider increases, but the user refrains from purchasing. Therefore, the probability of providing success decreases. FIG. 13 is a graph showing how the provision success probability changes as the price increase rate is increased. As shown in FIG. 13, it can be seen that the probability of successful provision is decreasing in inverse proportion to the increase in the price increase rate of the provided price.
[0043]
The formula for calculating the offer price is as shown in Formula 2.
[0044]
[Expression 2]

[0045]
In Formula 2, F_minIs the minimum offer price. n indicates the rate of price increase.
Cx_{1. n}Is the price increase rate. the probability of successful provision of the user x of the terminal device 2 at n,
[0046]
[Equation 3]

[0047]
Is the total value of the success probabilities of the total user i related to the terminal device 2 for which the bid has been placed
.
The supplementary offer price F1.n is calculated by multiplying the minimum offer price by the price increase rate and the probability of successful delivery. And subsidized offer price F_1.1To F_1.9 Subsidy offer price F which is the maximum value_1.maxPrice increase rate according to 1. Minimum offer price F at max_min The value multiplied by is calculated as the provision price F. In the present embodiment, the rate of price increase is set to 1.9 for easy understanding, but it may be higher than that. The MPU 11 transmits the calculated provided price F to each terminal device 2. furtherBasic systemSimilarly to the above, the provided price may be appropriately corrected by the correction coefficient C.
[0048]
FIG.In the central device of the present inventionIt is explanatory drawing which shows the condition of the auction which concerns. The figure shows the result of an auction when the number of remaining hotel rooms is 4. The offer price is 12000 yen (the rate of increase is 1.2) against the minimum offer price of 10,000 yen. The hotel distribution is performed in preference to the user with the high offer price except for the canceled one, and the user with the low offer price cannot compete and purchase the hotel room.
[0049]
FIG.In the central device of the present inventionIt is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the goods sales process which concerns. The process up to step S75 isBasic systemSince it is the same as that, it is omitted. When the presentation price is transmitted from the terminal device 2 in step S75, the MPU 11 calculates the provision price with reference to the provision success probability file 15c (step S151). The calculated provided price is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S152). The user of the terminal device 2 inputs a permission signal from an input unit (not shown) when the provided price is satisfied, and inputs a cancel signal when the user is not satisfied (step S153).
[0050]
The terminal device 2 determines whether or not the cancel button has been clicked (step S154). If the cancel button has been clicked (Yes in step S154), the terminal device 2 ends the processing assuming that there is no intention to purchase the product. The terminal device 2 may transmit a signal indicating that the cancel button has been pressed and the transaction has ended to the central device 1. On the other hand, if the cancel button has not been clicked (No in step S154), a permission signal is transmitted to the central apparatus 1 to continue the auction (step S155).
[0051]
When the permission signal is transmitted, the MPU 11 distributes the remaining products with priority from the user with the high offer price (step S156). Then, the sales result is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S157), and the auction is ended.
[0052]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for calculating the provided price. First, the initial value 0 is stored in the counter n of the RAM 12 (step S161). Next, referring to the offer price, the minimum offer price, and the offer success probability file 15c, the total value of the offer success probabilities
[0053]
[Expression 4]

[0054]
Is calculated (step S162). And the minimum offer price F_minPrice increase rate n and the total value of the delivery success probability
[0055]
[Equation 5]

[0056]
Subsidized offer price F_{1. n}Is calculated (step S163). Then, the MPU 11 calculates the auxiliary offer price F calculated in the storage unit 15._{1. n}Is stored (step S164). Subsequently, the MPU 11 determines whether or not the counter n is 9 (step S165). If the counter n is not 9 (No in step S165), the MPU 11 increments the counter n (n + 1) (step S166), proceeds to step S162, and provides the auxiliary offer price F._{1. (N + 1)}Is calculated.
[0057]
On the other hand, when the counter n reaches 9 (Yes in step S165), the MPU 11 stores the auxiliary offer price F stored in the storage unit 15._1.0, F_1.1, ..., F_1.9The maximum subsidized price F showing the maximum value_{1. max}Is selected (step S167). And the price increase rate is 1. Minimum offer price F at max_minIs multiplied by the provision price F (step S168).
[0058]
Central device of the present inventionIs configured as above, and other configurations and functions areBasic systemTherefore, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0062]
FIG. 17 includes the central device 1 of the present invention.It is a schematic diagram which shows a hardware configuration. During ~Central device 1RealizeComputer program for,DuringIt can be provided by being preinstalled in the central apparatus 1, or can be provided by a portable recording medium 1b such as a CD-ROM or MO. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a computer program as a carrier wave via a line. The contents will be described below.
[0063]
Figure17The central device 1 shown in FIG. 5 transmits the product information and the available number of sales to the terminal devices 2, 2, 2,..., Calculates the offer price of the offered product based on the offered price and the minimum offer price prepared beforehand A recording medium 1b (CD-ROM, MO, DVD-ROM or the like) that stores a program for transmitting the price to the terminal device 2 is installed in a storage unit 15 (not shown) of the central device 1. Such a program is loaded into the RAM 12 of the central apparatus 1 and executed. Thereby, it functions as the central device 1 of the present invention as described above.
[0065]
In the above,Although the provided product has been described as a hotel room, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an automobile, a precious metal, a condominium, various tickets, or the like.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
Less thanDetailsAs statedBookIn the invention, the terminal device is provided with information on the product to be auctioned and the number of products that can be provided. A user who wishes to purchase a product inputs a presentation price to the terminal device and transmits it to the central device. Central deviceIs set in advance with a minimum offer price, which is a price at which a minimum profit can be secured, and is common to all terminal devices based on the minimum offer price and the offer price transmitted from the terminal device. The offer price to be presented is calculated. Since the calculated offer price is transmitted to the terminal device, at least the product provider can secure the minimum profit and efficiently sell all the products.It becomes possible.
[0069]
AndWhen the offer price is presented to the user from the product provider side after the offer price is transmitted from the terminal device, if the offer price is lower than the offer price, the probability that the user purchases the product is high. If the minimum offer price is higher than the suggested price, the probability that the user will purchase the product tends to be low, so a provision success probability file that registers the provision success probability with respect to the price increase / decrease rate according to the offer price is provided in advance. Keep it. Then, referring to this file, the negotiation success probability is obtained based on the offer price transmitted from each terminal device when the value obtained by multiplying the minimum offer price by a predetermined price increase rate is used as the offer price. This is performed for the presentation price of all the terminal devices, and the total value of the negotiation success probability is obtained. Then, the auxiliary provision price is calculated by multiplying the total value by the above-mentioned minimum provision price and a predetermined price increase rate. In the above calculation, the subsidy price is calculated by increasing the price increase rate, and the price obtained by multiplying the price increase rate related to the subsidy price taking the highest value among the subsidy price groups obtained by the minimum service price is referred to as the service price. To do. In other words, considering the purchase probability of the product purchaser (user), the offer price is calculated by multiplying the minimum offer price by the predetermined price increase rate, so the product provider must ensure at least the minimum profit. And sales of products can be promoted. In addition, the present invention can provide excellent effects such as being able to purchase products at a lower price for the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 relates to the present invention.Basic systemIt is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware constitutions.
[Figure 2]Basic systemIt is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a central apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a database structure of a product information file.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen during execution of an auction.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a database structure of a success probability file in a storage unit.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a price negotiation status displayed on the display unit.
[Fig. 7]OfferIt is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a price determination method.
[Fig. 8]OfferIt is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a price determination method.
FIG. 9OfferIt is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a price determination method.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a negotiation price calculation process.
FIG. 11According to the present inventionIt is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a central apparatus.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a database structure of a provision success probability file.
FIG. 13 is a graph based on data of a provision success probability file.
FIG. 14Central device of the present inventionIt is explanatory drawing which shows the condition of the auction which concerns on.
FIG. 15Central device of the present inventionIt is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the goods sales process which concerns on.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for calculating a provided price.
FIG. 17System comprising the central device of the present inventionIt is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware constitutions.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Central device
15a Product information file
15b Success probability file
15c Provision success probability file
1a Recording medium
1b Recording medium
2 Terminal equipment
N network

Claims (1)

A central device that determines the offer price of a plurality of products of the same type with the terminal device by auction format on the network,
A product information file in which information of multiple products of the same type and the number of items that can be sold are registered;
Product information transmitting means for transmitting the information of products registered in the product information file and the number available for sale to the terminal device;
An offer success probability file that registers the offer success probability indicating the probability that the sale of the product will be successful with respect to the price increase / decrease rate, which is a value obtained by dividing the presented price transmitted from the terminal device by the minimum offer price multiplied by a predetermined price increase rate When,
A processor;
When a presentation price is transmitted from the terminal device, the processor refers to the provision success probability file based on the transmitted presentation price and a minimum provision price prepared in advance, and the reference is based on the reference provision success probability. An offer price calculation means for calculating an offer price by a processor;
A provision price transmitting means for transmitting the provision price calculated by the provision price calculating means to each terminal device ;
The provided price calculation means includes:
All the offer prices transmitted from the terminal device, the value obtained by multiplying the minimum offer price by a predetermined price increase rate, and the total value of the offer success probabilities obtained by the processor with reference to the offer success probability file, The auxiliary offer price obtained by multiplying the offer price by a predetermined price increase rate is stored in the storage unit, and the auxiliary offer price that is the maximum value is selected from the storage unit by the processor, and one offer price is calculated. A central device characterized by being configured as follows .

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