JP2000155725A - Transaction mediation system, transaction mediation managing method, terminal device, and information transmission and reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable transaction mediation complying with a variety of requests from individual terminals by generating a network address that a terminal can refer to individual when the terminal provides information and providing the characteristic information. SOLUTION: A user and a provider enter their request contents first by using registration forms, etc. A server 503 registers them in a user property data base 403 and a provider property data base 404 according to the registration forms. Then the user property data base 403 and provider property data base 404 are compared with each other and a file in hypertext form including provider's information that each user is considered to request is registered on the user's web site. The user accesses this file to retrieve the information that the user requests. A history of access and polling information are stored in an access history data base 405. This access history is retrieved and evaluated by the server 503.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transaction mediation system for performing product transactions using a network such as the Internet. In particular, this system relates to a system that is convenient for both a user who is an individual member and a provider who is a manufacturer or the like who provides a property when dealing with highly specialized and expensive products such as computer equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid spread of the Internet, users have become aware of the World Wide Web.
de Web: abbreviated as WWW), using any system on the Internet,
Character information, image information, and audio information from Recently, the Internet business is active in which products are advertised on a website established independently by a manufacturer via the Internet, and the products are sold to users who have viewed the products via the Internet.

When providing information on a product via a network, a maker generates a hypertext format file containing the product information and stores it in a predetermined website allocated on a server. Then, the user is notified of the URL (Universal Resource Locator), which is a network address on the Internet, via a medium, or the URL is registered in a search service on the Internet.

[0004] In order to connect to a website of a specific maker, a user uses a terminal device such as a computer connected to the Internet (hereinafter referred to as "user terminal") to open a website established by the maker. Is specified. When a user terminal connects to this website,
A hypertext format file is provided to the user terminal. Using a WWW browser which is software for browsing a file in a hypertext format, a user terminal can display a web page as a display screen on a display (hereinafter, these processes are "linked"). ). This website is viewed from multiple user terminals.

[0005] In conventional product sales, one-sided mass marketing from manufacturers to consumers has been performed. Mass marketing was primarily about gaining product share, with unilateral advertising and product supply from manufacturers to consumers.

[0006] However, products in the computer-related field are highly specialized and expensive among many merchandise groups. In these expensive and highly specialized product areas,
Manufacturers, providers, need to know exactly which prospects are the users to be sold. In addition, one-on-one continuous communication with prospects is also required in order to sufficiently absorb the potential demands of the prospects.

However, manufacturers have not had an effective marketing method to replace mass marketing.

[0008] On the other hand, it is necessary for a user to examine whether or not his / her request matches a product provided by a manufacturer in more detail than other products. In computer-related fields, it has been difficult for users to efficiently and thoroughly review information on all properties in a limited amount of time (hereinafter, products and systems to be purchased are referred to as "properties"). ).

[0009] In recent years, as the Internet business has become popular, commodity trading via the Internet has also been carried out, but the above-mentioned problems have not been solved.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention enables a provider to accurately grasp a prospective user in a transaction of a highly specialized property such as computer-related equipment. Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient transaction mediation system for both the provider and the user by enabling one-to-one communication with the user.

[0011] That is, a first object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which, when information is provided from a terminal, a network address that can be individually referred to from the terminal to provide unique information can be provided. The purpose of the present invention is to enable the mediation of transactions that meets various requests from terminals.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a system in which when one terminal provides new information, the other terminal is notified by a message so that new information such as new product information is provided. The purpose is to enable the mediation of transactions to quickly transmit information.

[0013] A third object of the present invention is to compare various requests from users with information on properties provided by a provider using a database or the like, and to find a case in which both are matched. By intermediating transactions, it is possible to achieve satisfactory transaction mediation for both the user and the provider.

[0014] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a system which can provide access information from a plurality of users and other providers to a provider, so that the provider can easily perform market research and the like. Is to be possible.

A fifth object of the present invention is to allow a user to search for a provider who can respond to his / her own request and to make the user anonymous and obtain information from the provider. Is to enable transaction brokerage that can be considered until the customer is satisfied.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a system in which, when a provider has its own database, a database in which abundant information provided in the system is stored can be used, the provider can use the system. The purpose is to make available resources available effectively.

[0017] A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a system in which, when a provider has its own database, it is possible to present information including dedicated information that the provider wants to provide. Is to be able to provide the user with the information created independently.

An eighth object of the present invention is to make it possible to quickly obtain information from a network by notifying a user of incoming information even when the user terminal is not connected to the network. It is.

A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a system in which, when a connection is changed from one server to another server on a network, user attribute information can be taken over. When linking from a managed web page to a web page of another system, it is not necessary to input attribute information again.

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a server connected to one or more user terminals operated by a user via a network.
A user database for storing user information transmitted from the user terminal in a readable and writable manner from the server. Then, when the user information is transmitted from the user terminal, the server stores the user information in the user database, assigns a unique network address to the user terminal that transmitted the user information, By specifying the network address, a file to be referred to by the user terminal is generated and stored in a storage area referred to by the user terminal.

Further, in the present invention, the server is connected via a network to one or more provider terminals operated by the provider, and the transaction mediation system further includes a provider transmitted from the provider terminal. A provider database is provided for storing information readable and writable from a server. Then, when the provider information is transmitted from the provider terminal, the server stores the provider information in the provider database, assigns a unique network address to the provider terminal that transmitted the provider information, By specifying the network address, a file to be referred to by the provider terminal is generated and stored in a storage area referred to by the provider terminal.

Here, the time when the file is generated and stored in the storage area is preferably when information is transmitted from the terminal. That is, when new information is supplied, a file is generated and stored in accordance with the content.

Further, the timing may be a predetermined timing. This timing is set in the server in advance by a batch file or the like, for example, once a day. At this time, the server searches the database and updates the contents of the file with the new information stored.

Further, the present invention further comprises an interface device for transmitting information from the server to the terminal. Then, the server holds the information transmission destination address specified when transmitting the predetermined information, and refers to the information transmission destination address when generating a new file to be referred to the terminal, and transmits the information to the terminal. On the other hand, information including a message indicating that the new file has been generated is transmitted.

The interface device includes a modem, a terminal adapter, a router, a fax device,
A device such as a fax network that can connect a network to a computer device, a fax device or fax network service that automatically sends faxes to a specified fax number or member number, and a mail to a specified address or member number. Various devices such as a mail device that can be automatically sent can be applied. The information destination address is, for example, an electronic mail address.

Further, the present invention further provides a user attribute database for storing user request information for a transaction together with the attribute information of the request in a readable and writable manner from a server, and a providing property indicating a property that can be provided to the user. A provider attribute database that accumulates property information together with attribute information of the provided property so as to be readable and writable from a server. Then, when the request information is provided from the user terminal, the server generates attribute information indicating the attribute of each request for each item of the request, stores the attribute information in the user attribute database,
When provided property information is supplied from the provider terminal, attribute information indicating the attribute of each provided property is generated for each provided property and stored in the provider attribute database.

When the server creates a file to be referred to the user terminal, the server compares the attribute information stored in the user attribute database with the attribute information stored in the provider attribute database. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the provided property information corresponding to the matching attribute information is included in the file.

Still further, according to the present invention, the file to be referred to the user terminal is configured so that reply information from the user can be input, and the transaction mediation system further includes a user terminal for referring to the file. And an access history database for accumulating reply information indicating the contents of the reply transmitted from the server in a readable and writable manner from the server. Then, when reply information is transmitted from the user terminal referring to the file, the server stores the reply information in the access history database, and determines whether or not the reply information also satisfies the predetermined condition. to decide.

Further, the file to be referred to by the user terminal is constituted by including a network address to which the user terminal can connect from the file to another file, and the transaction mediation system further comprises: Is provided with an access history database that stores access history information indicating the history of the connection each time the server connects to another file by using a network address so as to be readable and writable from the server. Then, each time the user terminal connects to another file, the server stores the access history information in the access history database, and also determines whether or not the access history information satisfies a predetermined condition.

Further, in the present invention, when creating a file to be referred to the provider terminal, the server refers to the access history database, and the attribute information relating to the provider terminal satisfies a predetermined condition. The information on the user terminal determined to be included is included in the file.

When the server creates a file to be referred to the provider terminal, the server refers to the access history database, and determines the attribute from another provider terminal regarding the provided property determined to meet the predetermined condition. Include information in the file.

Further, the present invention further provides a procurement database for storing procurement information transmitted from a user terminal, which indicates procurement properties, procurement providers, etc. for transactions, from a server in a readable / writable manner from a server, and to a user. A provider attribute database that stores provided property information indicating possible provided properties together with attribute information of the provided property so as to be readable and writable from a server. Then, the server compares the procurement information stored in the procurement database with the attribute information stored in the provider attribute database when creating a file to be referred to the user terminal. For the determined provider terminal, anonymous inquiry information indicating that there is an inquiry for a property provided by the provider is included in a file referred to the provider terminal.

[0033] Further, when response information that is a response to the inquiry information is transmitted from the provider terminal that referred to the file containing the anonymous inquiry information, the server is connected to the user terminal corresponding to the response information. Then, a file for referring to the response information is generated by including information on the provider terminal that transmitted the response information.

According to the present invention, a first server connected to one or more user terminals operated by a user via a network, and a first database storing predetermined information in a readable / writable manner from the server. And a second server managed by a provider configured to be connectable to the first database via a network, and a second database that stores the provider's unique information in a readable and writable manner from the second server. Then, the second server assigns a unique network address to the user terminal that has transmitted the user information. Further, by specifying the network address, the storage area referred to by the user terminal refers to a file to be referred to by the user terminal together with the information stored in the first database and the second database. Generate while storing.

According to the present invention, there is provided a first server connected to one or more user terminals operated by a user via a network, and a first database for storing predetermined information in a readable / writable manner from the server. And a second server managed by a provider configured to be connectable to the first database via a network, and a second database that stores the provider's unique information in a readable and writable manner from the second server. Then, the first server assigns a unique network address to the user terminal that transmitted the user information. Furthermore, by specifying the network address, the storage area referred to by the user terminal
A file to be referred to by the user terminal is generated and stored while referring to both the information read from the first database and the information read from the second database via the second server.

Here, the second server refers to the second database and generates a dedicated file for the user terminal to refer to, and the first server creates a file for the user terminal to refer to. At this time, a configuration may be adopted in which a dedicated file generated by the second server is taken in as part of the file.

Further, according to the present invention, in a terminal device connected via a network to a server capable of transmitting and receiving electronic mail, the terminal device is configured to be able to transmit and receive electronic mail to and from the network at a predetermined timing. Interface control means for controlling the interface device connected to the server, receiving the e-mail stored in the server, and then disconnecting from the server; storing the contents of the e-mail received from the server in a memory; And e-mail display means for reading the contents of the e-mail from the memory and displaying the contents when the above operation is performed.

Here, when the e-mail display means receives the e-mail from the server, it further displays that the e-mail has arrived.

The electronic mail display means, when the user gives answer information to the displayed electronic mail,
The answer information is temporarily stored in a memory, and the interface control means is configured to be able to transmit the answer information stored in the memory to the server when the answer information is connected to the server after the answer information is stored in the memory.

Further, according to the present invention, a server is connected via a network to one or more user terminals operated by a user, and a predetermined network address is transmitted from the user terminal, whereby the network address is used. In the information transmitting and receiving system configured to be connectable to the identified server, the server detects a predetermined identifier included in the network address when connected by a network address from the user terminal,
A specific character string in the network address distinguished from the address information character string by the identifier is processed as attribute information of the user terminal that transmitted the network address.

Further, the present invention is a transaction intermediary management method in which one or more user terminals operated by a user and a server are mutually connected via a network, and user information is transmitted from the user terminals. Storing the user information transmitted from the user terminal in the user database when transmitted, allocating a unique network address to the user terminal that transmitted the user information, and And generating and storing a file to be referred to by the user terminal in a storage area referred to by the user terminal by designating the user terminal.

A transaction management method in which the server is further connected to one or more provider terminals operated by the provider via a network, wherein the server information is transmitted from the provider terminal Storing the provider information transmitted from the provider terminal in the provider database, assigning a unique network address to the provider terminal that transmitted the provider information, and specifying the network address. Generating and storing a file to be referred to by the provider terminal in a storage area referred to by the provider terminal;
Is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, when a new file to be referred to by a terminal is generated, the new destination file is referred to the terminal by referring to an information transmission destination address specified when transmitting information to the terminal. And transmitting information including a message indicating that a new file has been generated.

Further, according to the present invention, when creating a file to be referred to the user terminal, the attribute information stored in the user attribute database is compared with the attribute information stored in the provider attribute database. Step and when it is determined that the comparison result meets a predetermined condition,
Causing the file to include provided property information corresponding to the matching attribute information.

Further, according to the present invention, the file to be referred to by the user terminal is configured so that the user terminal can be connected from the file to another file, and each time the user terminal connects to another file. Further comprising the step of storing access history information in an access history database,
The step of comparing also determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, together with the access history information stored in the access history database.

Further, according to the present invention, when a file to be referred to by a user terminal is created, the procurement information stored in the procurement database and the attribute information stored in the provider attribute database satisfy predetermined conditions. A step of comparing whether or not anonymous inquiry information indicating that there is an inquiry for a property provided by the provider is provided to the provider terminal determined to meet predetermined conditions. To include in a file to be referred to.

[0047]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 of the present invention relates to a system in which a user terminal operated by a customer and a provider terminal operated by a manufacturer or the like are connected to a server managed by an administrator. (Network Configuration) FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a transaction mediation system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the transaction mediation system according to the present embodiment includes a user terminal 21 to 2 m (m is an arbitrary natural number), a provider terminal 31 to
3n (n is an arbitrary natural number), a database group 4 and a manager system 5 are interconnected. Here, a user who wants to purchase a property such as a product or a system uses a user terminal 2x (x is an arbitrary number from 1 to m), and a maker who wants to sell the property to this user is provided. User terminal 3y (y is an arbitrary number from 1 to n).

The Internet 1 is configured so that the user terminal 2x, the provider terminal 3y, and the manager system 5 can be connected to each other via a public line by using facilities of a connection company called a provider or facilities of a personal computer communication company. Have been. The communication protocol is TCP / IP
Depends on technology. The public line may be a subscriber line or a dedicated line. User terminal 2x and provider terminal 3y
From, using the WWW system, by specifying a URL that specifies an arbitrary website on the WWW,
It is configured so that any terminal can refer to a web page provided by the website. For example, each user terminal 2x can be connected to a user website assigned to each user, and each providing terminal 3y is connected to a provider web assigned to a maker that provides a property such as a product or a system. It is configured to be able to connect to the site.

The user web site and the provider web site are set in a fixed disk managed by the server 503 of the administrator system 5. It is also possible to store it on the fixed disk of the server to be managed.

The network connecting the terminals to each other may be a network such as a dedicated line network of another standard or a WAN as long as it has a function similar to the Internet. Further, a network such as an intranet constituted by a LAN that does not use a public line may be used.

The user terminal 2x and the provider terminal 3y
A personal computer system, each comprising a computer device 201 and a display device 202
It is provided with. The computer device 201
A general-purpose computer device, which internally includes a CPU, a communication interface circuit, a modem circuit, a drawing circuit, a RAM, a ROM, a fixed disk, etc. (not shown), and uses a modem circuit or DSU and TA to provide a subscriber line. Alternatively, it can be connected to the Internet 1 via a dedicated line. The display device 202
The video signal output from the computer device 201 can be displayed on its display surface. The computer device 201 has a hypertext format, for example, HTML (Hy
A so-called WWW browser, which is a program for browsing a file in a pertext markup language format, can be started. The user designates an arbitrary URL using this WWW browser, and the Internet 1
It is configured to be able to connect to the web site of the above server computer and display the web page.

The administrator system 5 includes a computer device 5
01, a display device 502 and a server 503. The computer device 501 and the display device 502 are the same as the computer device 201 and the display device 202 in the user terminal.

The server 503 has a CP (not shown) therein.
U, RAM, ROM, fixed disk and the like. In particular,
The program data stored on the fixed disk etc.
Is executed, thereby functioning as the transaction mediation system of the present invention. That is, an arbitrary hypertext file is generated, and this file can be stored in a personal website or a provider website. A unique URL is assigned to the storage location of these files. Therefore, the user terminal 2x and the provider terminal 3y specify the unique URL and
3 is able to refer to the website managed by it.

The database group 4 includes a user database 401, a provider database 402, a user attribute database 403, a provider attribute database 404, an access history database 405, and a procurement database 40.
6. Each database may be used by dividing one storage device into a plurality of areas, or may be provided in separate storage devices. The database group 4 may be arranged on a storage device that the server 503 can directly access through the internal bus, or may be arranged on a storage device different from the server 503. Further, as long as it can be directly managed via the Internet, it may be located in any server on the network. The management of each database may be performed by a centralized management method by one server or by a distributed processing method by a plurality of computer devices.

The e-mail interface 6 is connected to the server 503 and is configured to function as an interface for transmitting an e-mail from the server to the user terminal 2x or the provider terminal 3y via the Internet 1.

The fax interface 7 is connected to the server 503, and is configured to function as an interface for facsimile transmission from the server via a subscriber line or a dedicated line.

The fax interface 7 is
It may be configured to be connectable to a fax network service configured to provide a comprehensive service related to fax transmission. This fax network service is connected to a database storing a plurality of fax destination addresses, and is configured to be able to transmit the same information to fax machines of a plurality of customers at one time.

The mail device 8 is a device capable of automatically sending a mail to a specified address by packaging a document of the specified content. The server 503 refers to the database group 4 and specifies a destination user address and a print content, so that mail can be sent automatically.

It should be noted that a hyperlink is set on the web page described below, and when one of the icons on the web page is selected, the next web page is displayed according to the URL set for the icon. You. A hyperlink is a URL of a link described in a special specification on a web page. When a URL to which a hyperlink is set is selected with a mouse or the like, the URL is read by a WWW browser, and the web page of the URL is read. Is set to be linkable. A group of files in the hypertext format for displaying the plurality of web pages is stored in a hierarchical structure including directories on a fixed disk managed by the server 503. (Database Configuration) FIG. 2 shows a relation diagram of each database in the present transaction mediation system.

[0060] The user database 401 stores basic information on users (such as purchasers of companies) who use the transaction mediation system. Using the user management number as a key, user ID, password, user name, furigana, date of birth, gender, office, base name, affiliation, post, address, URL, e-mail address, telephone number, fax number, Records composed of fields such as desired communication means are stored for each user.

The user management number is a unique number assigned to one user. If users are different even in the same office, different user management numbers are assigned. The user ID and password are data used for user authentication. The user ID is assigned by the server for each user, and the password is specified by the user in principle. The user name, furigana, date of birth and gender are the user's personal information. The place of employment is the name of the company to which the user belongs, the name of the base is branch office, branch office, sales office, factory, laboratory, etc., the department is the department name to which the user belongs, and the title is the title of the user. The URL is a network address that specifies a user website individually assigned to the user. The e-mail address is an address for the server 503 to transmit information to the user terminal via the e-mail interface 6. The desired communication means is for specifying the type of communication to the user, such as whether to contact the user via electronic mail, fax, or mail via a mail device.

The provider database 402 stores basic information on a maker who wants to sell a property via the transaction mediation system. Record composed of fields such as provider ID, password, company name, department in charge, post, person in charge, furigana, address, telephone number, fax number, URL, e-mail address, etc. using the provider management number as a key Is stored for each provider.

The provider management number is a unique number assigned to one provider. If the same maker has a different department or person in charge, a different provider management number is assigned. The provider ID and password are data used for authentication of the person in charge, and the provider ID
Is assigned by the server for each provider, and the password is specified by the provider. The person in charge is the name of the person in charge who operates the provider terminal. The company name is the name of the maker serving as the providing entity, and the department to which the provider belongs is the name of the department to which the person in charge belongs. The position and the name of the person in charge are the position and name of the person in charge of the system processing at the provider. The URL is
A network address that identifies a provider website specifically allocated for the provider. The e-mail address is determined by the server 503 by the e-mail interface 6
Is an address for transmitting information to the provider terminal via the.

The user attribute database 403 stores attribute information including a user's request for a property, and stores, for example, a record composed of a field group such as a product request group, a solution request group, and a profile information group. It is configured to be stored for each user.

The provider attribute database 404 stores attribute information on properties that can be provided by the provider, and uses the provider management number as a key for each field such as a property management number, a product information group, and an attribute information group. Is stored for each provider.

The property management number is a number given to one product or system. The product information group includes fields such as a product name, a title, a product specification, a provision price, an advantage, questionnaire information, a delivery date, and link information to image information of the product. The attribute information group records the attribute of the property of the record, and includes hardware, software, Internet /
Items such as intranet and solution are recorded.

The access history database 405 is a database that records a history of how the user has used the user website. Using the user management number as a key, the link date and time, the attribute of the linked web page (etc.) are recorded.

The link date / time is a field for recording the date linked to the web page. The attribute group of the web page records the URL of the linked web page, response information to the questionnaire, the property management number of the property posted on the web page, the provider management number of the relying party who provided the web page, and the like. Field group. Each time the user links to a new web page, a new record is created, and when the user responds to the questionnaire for that web page, the response information is recorded.

The procurement database 406 is a database for registering the contents of a product when the user desires to procure the product. Using the registration number as a key, from the fields such as user management number, registration date, registration details, procurement details, desired budget, desired delivery date, provider control number, procurement flag, deletion flag, anonymous flag, reply flag, reply information, etc. The configured record is stored for each procurement act.

The registration number is a number for specifying the procurement, and the registration date is the due date. The registered content is a technical field related to procurement, for example, a type such as LAN intranet related, system development request, electronic sales tool, and the like. The content number is a number for specifying each provided property, the desired budget is a user's desired budget, and the desired delivery date is a desired delivery date of the product. The procurement flag is a flag indicating whether or not the user has made a procurement request to the provider. The delete flag is
This flag indicates whether or not the record has been deleted. The anonymous flag is a flag for determining whether the user keeps the procurement information anonymous or public. The response flag is a flag indicating whether or not the provider has responded to the procurement request. The response information is a group of fields in which the contents of the response input by the provider are stored.

The content database 407 is a database for storing information on products (provided properties) provided by the provider. Using the content number as a key, a record composed of fields such as content content and questionnaire information is stored.

The content number is the specific number of the provided article as described above. The content content is a group of fields for storing specific contents of the provided property, that is, a title, a description, a specification, a planned price, a release date, a guarantee content, a registration date, options, photograph information, a URL for linking to the content information, and the like. It is. The URL is a network address that specifies a hypertext format file created based on the content stored in the database. When the user or the provider designates the URL from the terminal, the content information can be displayed in a WWW browser so as to be browsed. The questionnaire information is information for a questionnaire that the provider wants to provide to the user. (Processing Procedure) Next, the processing of the transaction mediation system having the above-mentioned database will be described. In the following description, one user terminal and one provider terminal are described as being connected to the Internet for easy understanding of the description, but even if a plurality of terminals are simultaneously connected, The processing for each terminal can be considered in the same way as when one terminal is connected.

First, an outline of the processing in the transaction mediation system will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user and the provider fill in the contents requested by themselves using the registration form as described above (S1). The server 503 performs registration in the user attribute database 403 and the provider attribute database 404 based on the registration sheet (S
2). The server 503 stores the user attribute database 403
And the provider attribute database 404, and registers a hypertext format file including the information of the provider considered to be required by each user on the user website. The user accesses this file and searches for information requested by the user (S3). The access history and questionnaire information are stored in the access history database 405. This access history is searched by the server 503, and evaluations such as provision of information more in response to the user's request, publication of the user's access status to the provider, and response to the user's procurement request are performed (S4). .

Next, these processes will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Registration Processing Registration processing refers to an operation in which an administrator collects necessary information from both a user and a provider and registers the information in a database.

Step ST1 (member registration): First, a method of registering using a registration sheet will be described. First, the user fills out a registration form distributed by the administrator with necessary information and sends it to the administrator by facsimile or the like. The administrator registers in the database group 4 managed by the administrator system 5 based on the registration sheet.

For example, the user's personal information is entered in an entry field as shown in FIG. 4, and the contents are stored in the user database 401 together with the newly generated user management number.

FIG. 5 shows the product request group.
Is filled in by the user in the entry fields as shown in (1). In this entry column, the user checks the column corresponding to the field for which information is desired. The administrator codes the content recorded in this entry column and registers it in the user attribute database 403.

Similarly, the solution request group is:
The technical content that the user wants to solve the problem is entered in an entry column as shown in FIG. The profile information group is entered by the user in an entry column as shown in FIG. The data format entered in each field is
A YES / NO type, a text type, or the like is appropriately selected according to the properties of the field.

Next, a procedure for registering a user from a web page will be described. First, the user starts the WWW browser using the user terminal 2x, and inputs a URL to be linked to a website for registering a member of the transaction mediation system in the URL specification field of the WWW browser. The URL connects the server 503 to the user terminal 2x. Then, from the website for member registration managed by the server 503, the WW of the user terminal 2x is obtained.
The file in the hypertext format is read by the W browser.

A web page for member registration as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the user terminal 2x. The user
Fill in the item column 8a for new member registration, check the company type column 8b, the assigned work column 8c, etc., and enter the desired password in the predetermined column 8d. After confirming the entered contents, the user selects the "register" icon 8e.

The server 503 stores the content transmitted from the user terminal 2x in the user database 401,
If there is no password that matches the password of another user, a user ID is generated and stored together with the password. Then, a link is made to a web page for allowing the user to confirm the user ID and the password as shown in FIG.

Step ST2 (user-specific URL issuance): When the user information and the user attribute information are registered by the above-described method, a URL of a user-specific web page is generated for the user. The provider communicates this to the user. For example, the user who has registered by facsimile is notified of the URL by e-mail or by mail. The user who has registered from the web page displays the URL on the registered web page. A hyperlink is set to this URL, and the user
By selecting, a link to the user's website may be set as it is.

Step ST3 (provider member registration): In the same procedure as the user member registration, the person in charge of the manufacturer is also registered as a provider member.

In the case of registration using a registration form, the provider fills in the required fields in the entry fields of the registration form and faxes the completed registration form to the administrator. The administrator registers in the database group 4 managed by the administrator system 5 based on the registration sheet.

For example, the provider checks the corresponding items in advance in the entry column as shown in FIG. 10 for hardware and in the entry column as shown in FIG. 11 for software. The corresponding items are checked in advance in the entry column as shown in FIG. 12 for the Internet / intranet, and in the entry column as shown in FIG. 13 for the solution. The administrator collects the registration form checked in the entry field by fax, etc.,
Code the checked content and register it in the database.

When the provider registers similar fields from the provider web page, the provider is required to input the above items in accordance with the registration method of the user.

Step ST4 (Issue of URL dedicated to provider): In the same manner as the issuance of dedicated URL by the user,
A dedicated URL is also issued to the provider. Information Search Process After the registration process, information is provided to the user and information is fed back to the provider based on the information registered in the database as follows.

Step ST10 (New Information): When the provider adds new information about a new provided property to the system, the new information is added to the system, for example, as shown in FIGS.
The attribute information indicating which of the items corresponds to the item is also specified. Providing new information, via the Internet, or by media such as fax. When the information about the newly provided property is added by the provider, the server 503 registers the information on the newly provided property and the content of the provided property in the content database 407. The attribute information specified by the provider for the provided property is registered in the provider attribute database 404 together with the provision conditions. Then, the attribute information registered in the provider attribute database 404 and the attribute information registered in the user attribute database 403 are searched according to predetermined conditions. This condition can be set arbitrarily, and is set in the server 503 in advance by the administrator.
For example, when a certain number or more items of attribute information match, it is determined that both attribute information correspond, and when a certain item matches, it is determined that both attribute information correspond. Or Through this procedure, the server 503 extracts a user who seems to desire this new information. Even when the user newly registers as a member, the server 503 compares the attribute information at that time, and extracts property information that seems to meet the user's wishes.

For example, when the user selects “off-computer” as the product request information (see FIG. 5), the “server-related equipment” is set in hardware (see FIG. 10).
Is selected as a property corresponding to “off-con”.

When the server 503 extracts the property information that meets the user's request in accordance with the above conditions, the server 503 extracts the property management number and the user management number of the property.

Step ST11 (File Generation): When the property management number is extracted, the server 503 further reads a product information group from the provider attribute database 404 or the content database 407, and generates a hypertext format file group. The URL of the user website assigned to the user is read from the user database 401 based on the user management number, and the generated file group is stored in the directory indicated by the URL.

The file group may be generated in real time or by a conventional batch process. In the case of performing the processing in real time, the server immediately generates a hypertext format file group when the new information in step ST10 is supplied. In the case of performing a batch process, a database is searched at a predetermined time (for example, once a day) according to a procedure of a specified process described in a batch file for controlling the server. Generate a hypertext format file group for the corresponding website when there is new information.

Step ST12 (e-mail transmission):
After storing the file, the server 503 refers to the access history database 405 and extracts the record of the user management number of the user corresponding to the file. Then, the property management number is read, and it is determined whether or not the property information included in the file has been read from the user terminal 2x in the past.

If it is determined that among the property information included in the file, there is information that has not been read from the user terminal 2x, an e-mail indicating that new information has been delivered to the user is sent to the e-mail interface. Send from 6. The e-mail includes the title of the property read from the provider attribute database 404. The e-mail address is read from the user database 401 based on the user management number of the user.

FIG. 14 is a display example when the electronic mail transmitted from the server 503 to the user terminal or the provider terminal is displayed by electronic mail viewing software.

[0096] In the user display field 14a, the name and e-mail address of the user extracted from the user database 401 and the title of the property extracted from the provider attribute database 404 are displayed.

[0097] In the user website display field 14b, a U for linking to the homepage of the user website is displayed.
The RL 14c and the like are displayed. A hyperlink is set in the URL 14c. If the user uses this URL14
When c is selected, a WWW browser is activated, and a direct link to a homepage as shown in FIG. 15 is configured.

[0098] In the property information display column 14d, property information extracted from the provider attribute database 404 is displayed. In this column, the title of the property and the URL 14e for directly linking to the property information are displayed for each property. When the user selects the URL 14e, the user directly links to a website (see FIG. 18) created based on the content database 407. A link similar to this is also set on the user website browsed by the URL 14c (see column 17a in FIG. 17,
17b and 17c), by selecting the URL 14e, the user can directly refer to the content information without connecting to the user website.

[0099] The bulletin board column 17f is a column in which the server 503 displays common information sent to any user's e-mail. In this column, a URL for directly linking to the website of the content information is set.

[0100] The above e-mail is sent to the user terminal 2x.
The user can recognize that the new information requested by the user has been prepared. If the user wants to contact by fax or mail, the server 503 controls the fax interface device 7 and the mail device 8.
The fax text sent and the text mailed are shown in FIG.
The information equivalent to the e-mail displayed in the above is printed out.

Step ST13 (Web site browsing):
When the above-mentioned e-mail is received at the user terminal 2x, the user inputs the URL of the dedicated user website using a WWW browser and connects to this website. The directory generated in step ST11 is stored in the directory of the administrator system 5 specified by the URL.

When the WWW browser reads this file in the user terminal 2x, a home page as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. This home page includes a user name field 15 read from the user database 401.
a and an icon group 15b for linking to a web page for performing various services.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, an input field 16a for authenticating the user is displayed. When the user inputs the same user (user) ID and password as those displayed on the registration screen (see FIG. 9), the server 503 authenticates whether or not these are the same as those registered in the user database 401. I do. If the authentication is successful, a link is made to a web page as shown in FIG.

This web page has a direct information column 17
a, an indirect information column 17b, an icon group 17c, and the like are displayed. In this, the direct information column 17a is stored in step ST1.
0, and the titles of the property information according to the user's request included in the file in step ST11 are listed. If the users are different, different titles will be listed in this section of the same type of web page. The new property information notified by e-mail is included in the property information. The indirect information column 17b is information commonly provided to all users, and the same content is displayed on any user's web page. In this, it is also possible to set a link so that it can be connected not only to the transaction mediation system but also to a website provided independently by the manufacturer.

Here, when a title relating to the property desired by the user, such as new information, is selected from the direct information field 17a, more detailed information about the property represented by the title is obtained by the hyperlink set in the title. Is linked to a web page as shown in FIG. This web page has been generated based on the registered contents of the content database 407 as described above.

[0106] This web page includes a title 18a, a product name 18b, and a product specification 18 as property information read from the provider attribute database 404 by the server 503.
c, a questionnaire column 18d, an image 18e, and the like are displayed.
The questionnaire information 18d is a column for requesting a questionnaire input for information that the provider wants to collect from the user. The image 18e is displayed by an image file stored in the same directory as this web page.

Step ST14 (information search):
The user can perform a desired information search on the user website. When the user successively links to each web page of the user website, the server 50
Reference numeral 3 stores, in the access history database 405, the linked date and time and the like together with the property management number related to the linked web page. When a user inputs predetermined items in the questionnaire column 18d in FIG. 18 on the linked web page, the questionnaire information is also stored in the same database. Further, when the user searches for information on the user website based on the company name of the provider, the history is similarly stored in the access history database 405.

For example, in the initial web page as shown in FIG. 19, the user is referred to as “see supplier (provider)”.
Selecting an icon links to a provider selection web page as shown in FIG. User "Search by company name"
Is selected, and the first sound of the provider to be searched is selected from the alphabetical order list, and the server 503 refers to the provider database 402. Then, the company name of the corresponding provider is extracted, and a file for displaying a web page as shown in FIG. 22 is generated.

When a tab "Search by service contents" is selected from the web page of FIG. 20, a file for displaying a web page as shown in FIG. 21 is generated. When the user selects a desired service on this web page, the server 503 refers to the product attribute information in the provider attribute database 404. Then, a provider management number capable of providing the service content is extracted, and a company name corresponding to the number is displayed as shown in FIG.

In the web page shown in FIG. 22, when the detail column 22b is selected in the company name column 22a of each provider, the web page is further linked to the web page shown in FIG. This web page is generated by the server 503 referring to the provider database 402 and the like.

On the other hand, the user can search for information from the product. In the web page shown in FIG.
When the user selects the “product list” icon, a link to a file for displaying a web page as shown in FIG. 24 is provided. Further, when the user selects a specific product, the server 503 generates a web page for displaying a registered product list by referring to the product information in the provider attribute database 404. For example, when "PC" is selected in FIG. 24, a product list for the product "PC" is displayed as shown in FIG. The histories related to these product searches are all stored in the access history database 405.

Step ST15 (Search Status Analysis): When a new provider has registered, the server 503 generates a file for displaying a web page for this provider. Also, the server 503 constantly searches the access history database 405 and, even when a response to the questionnaire as shown in FIG. 18 is received from the user, a file for displaying a web page for the provider who requested the questionnaire. Generate

At this time, for each of the properties provided by the provider, a search condition analysis is performed on the number of users to be publicized. That is, the server 503 refers to the access history database 405 and extracts a record in which the management number of the provider is recorded. Then, for each property management number, the number of users linked to the web page provided by the provider is counted without duplication. Then, this total information is included in the information to be displayed on the web page.

The provider can also perform search condition analysis on what kind of property is provided by another provider or how many users can be sold by the other provider. That is, the server 503 searches the provider database 402 and reads the provider management number of another provider. Then, referring to the access history database 405 in the same manner as described above, using the provider management number as a key, a corresponding record is extracted. Then, for each provider management number, the number of users and what property is to be publicized is totaled, and the totaled result is included in information to be displayed on a web page.

Further, the server 503 compares the access history of the user stored in the access history database 405 with the request information stored in the user attribute database 403 and registered by the user. If there is, the registered contents of the user attribute database 403 are updated. For example, in the access history database 405, the property management number of the web page browsed by the specific user is extracted, and based on this, the property information of the property in the provider attribute database 404 is read. At the same time, a product registered by the user himself is read from the product request group from the user attribute database 403. When the property of the product indicated by the property information of the property is different from the property of the product registered by the user, the server 503 updates the contents of the user attribute database 403 so as to match the property of the product indicated by the property information of the property. Update.

However, since it is conceivable that the user may accidentally browse product information unrelated to the user, the user may not be able to access product information close to the attribute of the property, such as the attribute information of the same type of property is recorded a predetermined number of times. The user attribute database 403 may be configured to be updated only when it is possible to infer that the user has clearly requested.

Step S16 (e-mail transmission): Once the file for the provider has been generated, the server 503 transmits an e-mail to the effect that new information has been generated to the provider in the same manner as in step ST12.

Step ST17 (Web site browsing):
When the provider inputs the dedicated URL issued in step ST4 on the provider terminal 3y, the provider terminal 3y
Is connected to this provider's dedicated website. Since the web site stores the file generated in step ST15, a web page based on this file is displayed.

FIG. 26 is a display example of this web page. This web page includes the content read by the server 503 from the provider database 402. That is, the provider's company name column 26a, the department in charge column 26b,
Information read from the database is input to the post title column 26c and the person in charge column 26d, respectively.

Here, when the person in charge selects the "display of current number of persons" field 26d, a link is provided to a web page for displaying the information retrieved in step ST15.
This web page includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the name column 27a of the provider (person in charge) and the date column 2
7b, total user display column 27c, search result display column 27
d, a promotion information column 27e, an inquiry column 27f, and the like are displayed.

The provider name column 27a is displayed when the server 503 refers to the provider database 402. The user total number display column 27c is the user database 4
01 is displayed. Search result display column 27
d is the result of the search in step ST15, and the number of applicable users is displayed for each product.
In the sales promotion information column 27e, a call from a manager to a provider for participation in a questionnaire or the like is displayed.

A hyperlink to another web page is set from each item in the sales promotion information section 27e. For example, when the provider selects participation in the questionnaire, a link is provided to a web page displaying contents as shown in FIG.
From this web page, when the provider fills in each input field,
The input information is transmitted to the administrator and used for system improvement and the like. Procurement process The procurement process refers to a process in which a user who has determined a desired product outline by the information search process actually procures a product through a network. This procurement process will be described with reference to FIGS.

Step ST20 (Registration of Property Information): As a premise of the procurement process, the provider must register the property to be provided in the provider attribute database 404 from the provider terminal 3y. This registration is performed in the same manner as in step ST3.

Step ST21 (Registration of Procurement Information): Using the user terminal 2x, the user registers the property to be procured in the procurement database 406 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the user uses the user terminal 2x to set an initial web page as shown in FIG.
When the "procure" icon is selected (S10), a link is made to a web page displaying a list of procurement information registered by the user (S11). For example, as shown in FIG. 32, a new registration information column 32a, a list of registration contents 32b to 32g of procurement information, and the like are displayed.

A new registration information column 32a is provided in S18 to be described later.
Displayed when the procurement information is registered in. The registered content list is generated based on a record in which the server 503 extracts the procurement database 406 using the user registration number of the user as a key. At the time of extraction, a record within a certain period (for example, four weeks) from the registration date and for which the deletion flag is not valid is extracted. In this list, the procurement column 32b includes a response column 3 based on the procurement flag.
2c is displayed based on the reply flag. Then, a registration number column 32d, a registration content column 32e, a registration date column 32f, a deletion column 32g, and the like are displayed.

Here, if there is procurement information for which the user is no longer needed because the situation has changed, the deletion column 32 of the list is used.
In b, check the check box of the record, and select the "delete" icon. Based on this, the deletion flag of this record in the procurement database 406 is made valid, and this record is deleted from the list (S1).
9).

If you want to check the details of past procurement information,
The user selects the registration date column 32d of the record for which the details of the list are to be confirmed (S12). In this column, a link to a web page for displaying detailed information is set. For example, a link to a web page for displaying details of procurement information as shown in FIG. 33 is provided. The server 503 searches the procurement database 406 using the registration number as a key, and generates a file for displaying the web page.

When the user selects the “select and procure a supplier (provider)” icon on this web page (S13: Yes), the user is linked to a web page for selecting a provider (S14). On this web page, for example, as shown in FIG. 34, a list 34a of providers is displayed. This web page is generated by the server 503 referring to the provider database 402. If a provider with a specific name is to be selected, the company name is entered in the company name input field 34b, and if a "search" icon is selected, the server 503 searches the provider database 402 and finds the corresponding provider. Display in the list. The search can select “beginning with” or “all including words”. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, a corresponding provider list 35a is displayed.

When the user wants to see more detailed information, he / she selects the details column 35b of this list, and the server 503 reads other information of the provider database 403, and as shown in FIG. 36, for example. Display detailed information. When the user selects the “add to list” icon on this screen, a new record is created in the procurement database 406 for the provider whose details have been displayed. When the user selects the “return” icon, a link to the web page in FIG. 35 is provided.

On the other hand, when the user selects the “procure without selecting a supplier (provider)” icon on the web page of FIG. 33 (S13; No), the provision of the procurement information to all the providers is performed. Perform (S15). That is, server 503 creates a record in procurement database 406 for registering all providers.

When the user wants to newly register procurement information, he selects the "new / additional registration" icon in FIG. Thereby, for example, a link to a web page for selecting the registered content as shown in FIG. 37 is provided. The user selects, from the type list 37a, a detailed column 37b of the type desired to be procured (S16). This allows, for example,
A link to a web page for inputting details of the procurement content as shown in FIG. 38 is provided. The user selects the procurement item group 38a
Check box 38b for a desired item from
Is checked and the “Next” icon is selected (S1
7) For example, a link is made to a web page that displays a procurement registration screen as shown in FIG.

In the confirmation column 39a of this web page, the procurement information selected by the user is displayed collectively. If this information is sufficient, the user enters the desired budget in the budget column 39b and enters the desired delivery date in the delivery date column 39c.
Finally, when the “registration” icon is selected, a link is made to a web page for confirming the procurement contents as shown in FIG. 40, for example. If all the procurement information is satisfactory, the user selects the "register" icon. Thereby, the procurement content is registered (S18). That is, the server 503 stores the procurement information in each field of the procurement database 406, and validates the procurement flag.

If the user is not satisfied with the procurement information, the user selects the “return (re-enter)” icon, and
Return to the web page and re-enter.

In registering the procurement, the user specifies whether to provide his / her name or the like to the provider or to keep the provider anonymous. In response to this designation, the procurement database 40
The anonymous flag of No. 6 is not enabled or is enabled.

Step ST22 (FIG. 2: Procurement Information Inquiry File Generation): When the user registers the procurement information in the procurement database 406, the server 503 is executed.
Generates a hypertext format file for procurement information inquiry in response to this. At this time, the server 503 refers to the anonymous flag of the procurement database 406, and if this flag is valid, hides the name of the user who wants to procure. If this flag is not valid, the server 503 requests the procurement. A file for displaying a list of procurement applicants including the user name is generated (see FIG. 42).

Step ST23 (e-mail transmission):
When the file is created, the server 503 reads, from the procurement database 406, the provider management number of the provider designated by the user who wants to purchase, and reads the e-mail address of this provider from the provider database 402. The procurement database 4 then sends a message notifying the date by which the anonymous procurement requester has requested a response.
06, and send it to the provider by e-mail.

Step ST24 (Web site browsing):
The person in charge of receiving the e-mail at the provider terminal 3y links to a dedicated provider website using a WWW browser so as to refer to the information of the procurement applicant.

Step ST25 (Response Information): The person connected to the provider website browses the procurement information according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 41, and inputs the response information to the user.

First, when linking to the provider website, an initial web page similar to FIG. 19 is displayed.
Here, when the person in charge selects the “procure” icon (S2
0), a link to a web page displaying a list 42a of procurement information sent to the provider as shown in FIG. 42 (S21). In the list 42a, the response column 42b indicates whether or not the provider has responded to the procurement request, and corresponds to the response flag of the procurement database 406. Registration number column 42c, registration content column 42
d, the registration date column 42f corresponds to each field of the procurement database 406. The registered company column 42e is displayed with reference to the provider database 402.

Here, when the person in charge selects the registration number column 42c of an arbitrary record, a link is made to a web page as shown in FIG. 43, for example (S22). This web page is displayed by the server 503 referring to the contents of the procurement database 406, and all the procurement information of the user is displayed.

When the “return to list” icon is selected on this web page, a link is made to the web page shown in FIG.
On the other hand, if the "Respond" icon is selected, for example, FIG.
A link to a web page for inputting a response content as shown in FIG. 4 (S23).

[0143] The person in charge checks the procurement information of the user and enters an approximate estimate for the property into the estimated price column 44a.
Then, the approximate delivery date is entered in the delivery date column 44b. Further, if there is a question regarding the procurement information or if there is a selling point of the provided property, a comment field 44
Enter them in c. Then, when the person in charge selects the “send” icon, the server 503 stores the response information input by the person in charge in the procurement database 406. When the person in charge selects the “Return to previous screen” icon,
Link to the web page of FIG.

FIG. 2: Step ST26 (Response File Generation): When the response information is stored in the procurement database 406 as described above, the server 503 stores the response information in the procurement database 406 in order to register that the response has been made. Enable the corresponding reply flag. Next, a file in a hypertext format for displaying a web page for notifying the response information is generated and stored in a corresponding user web site.

Step ST27 (e-mail transmission):
Next, the server 503 obtains information indicating that a response to the procurement request has been received from the provider, that is, a registration number for procurement,
Generate text to notify by registration date, provider name, etc.
Then, the electronic mail address of the user is read from the user database 401, and the electronic mail is transmitted to the user.

Step ST28 (Web site browsing):
At the user terminal 2x that has received the e-mail, the user links to a dedicated user website in order to confirm the response information. Thereby, for example, a web page as shown in FIG. 45 is displayed.

This web page has a new reply column 45
a, list 45b, selling point 45c, detail column 4
5d and a sales point display field 45e are displayed. In the new reply column 45a, a message indicating that the new reply is correct is displayed. The server 405 is included in the list 45b.
Is displayed by searching the procurement database based on the user management number and the response flag, and a list of providers to whom the response information has been transmitted to the user is displayed.

Here, the user enters the sales point column 45
When c is selected, the message input on the provider side in the comment column 44c of FIG. 44 is displayed in the sales point display column 44e. The user is in the detail column 45d
Is selected, the response information from the provider is read from the procurement database 406, and a link is provided to a web page displaying the response information. On this web page, the contents of the reply input by the person in charge at the provider terminal 3y are displayed.

Step ST29 (material request inquiry): If the user is satisfied with the response information,
Request materials or make specific inquiries through web pages. In addition, it enters into direct negotiations with the provider side for purchase through direct telephone or fax. Only after the user performs these actions, the provider will know the specific profile of the user.

On the other hand, if the user is not satisfied with the reply information, the user seeks another provider and continues the information search processing. In this case, since the provider does not know the profile of the user, the user is not bothered by the subsequent solicitation or the like. (E-mail receiving program) Now, in the present invention, when new information is transmitted from one of the user and the provider,
The server sends an e-mail to the other to inform the arrival of the latest information. By the way, the conventional e-mail software cannot recognize that the e-mail has arrived unless the operator executes the e-mail software. Except for the case where e-mail is frequently used, a situation occurs in which the user or the provider operating the terminal cannot recognize the arrival of new information even if the e-mail has arrived. For this reason, the user or provider who uses the transaction mediation system must always execute the e-mail software to confirm the presence or absence of the e-mail, and then start the WWW browser.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, an electronic mail receiving program for solving the above-mentioned inconvenience is provided. This e-mail receiving program is transmitted from the administrator system 5 by an FTP (File Transfer
r Protocol) and the like, and are resident in the terminal.

The operation of the terminal by the downloaded and resident electronic mail receiving program will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Hereinafter, the term “operator” refers to both the user and the provider.

First, the terminal initializes the modem (S3
0), with reference to the system timer, it is determined whether or not a certain inspection timing has been reached. The inspection timing is arbitrarily set, for example, every one hour, every three hours, or the like. If it is not the inspection timing (S31; NO), the operation of the program ends once, and waits for the next execution.

If it is the inspection timing (S31;
YES), the terminal connects to the server via the modem (S
33). This server is a server of a provider contracted by the operator of the terminal. When a dial-up network is used, an access point is transmitted at each inspection timing to connect to a provider.

If any communication failure occurs at this time (S34; YES), a message to that effect is displayed (S32) to call attention to the operator.

If there is no communication failure (S34; N
O), it is checked whether an e-mail has arrived at the mail address of the operator (S35). If the e-mail has not arrived (S35; NO), the program is temporarily terminated.

When the e-mail has arrived (S3
5; YES), read the e-mail from the server (S3
6) Display an e-mail display window on the terminal display and display an e-mail message (S).
37). At this time, if the terminal has a sound generation function, a sound such as a chime may be generated.

The operator can know the arrival of the e-mail by displaying this window regardless of what application software is running. This window is displayed until the operator selects the content confirmation icon (S38; NO).

It is preferable to set a hyperlink to the WWW browser in this window. That is, the operator looks at the content of the e-mail and, when judging that the information is new information in the present transaction mediation system, selects a predetermined icon or URL display. The terminal automatically launches a WWW browser on this occasion,
You can link to a dedicated website.

When the file stored in the server 503 is read, the file is displayed even after the WWW browser is terminated, that is, even if the line is disconnected, and the history of the operation performed by the operator on this file is recorded. You may comprise so that it is possible. By configuring the e-mail receiving program in this manner, when the WWW browser is started next time and connected to the line, information such as a series of selections and questionnaire inputs is collectively stored in the server according to the history of operations performed by the operator. 5
03. Therefore, even if the operator is a user of the dial-up network, he / she can use the transaction mediation system without recognizing the presence / absence of connection of the line.
In addition, the time for connecting to the line can be reduced, and the line usage fee can be reduced. (Program for taking over attribute information between a plurality of systems) In this embodiment, a link to related information can be set on any of a user website and a provider website provided by the transaction mediation system. By the way, providers often open their own websites, and in many cases, their own websites conduct surveys and provide questioning services, similar to the Transaction Mediation System. .

In the case of a questionnaire or a question in the transaction mediation system, the system can always recognize the attribute information of the questionnaire responder or the questioner by the user management number or the provider management number. There is no need to enter attribute information such as the name and address of the user.

By the way, when a system normally managed by one server is linked to a system managed by another server, the information registered in the system before the link cannot be inherited. For this reason, if a user or a provider tries to answer a questionnaire or ask a question, it is necessary to input attribute information again in the linked system. Especially WW
When a system such as a W browser is used, there is an advantage that a link to another server can be freely provided, but a restriction that personal information cannot be inherited is imposed.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned inconvenience by providing a system that may be linked to the transaction mediation system with a program for inheriting attribute information. As a result, even if a link is provided to a website of a related provider in the transaction mediation system, a user of the system can answer a questionnaire without inputting attribute information again. However, if this processing is performed on a plurality of servers, the attribute information can be inherited between all systems that may mutually use the attribute information, without being limited to the transaction mediation system.

Hereinafter, a program for taking over the attribute information will be described as follows.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. As a condition under which this program can operate, the network needs to have a protocol that allows a specific server to be specified by a network address. In the present transaction mediation system, the network address is specified by the URL using the http protocol on the Internet, and thus this condition is satisfied. Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that the URL is used as a network address.

First, in a system in which attribute information such as personal information is registered, when a link to another system is selected, the server of the system reads the attribute information from the database. Then, after the URL character string indicating the link destination, attribute information is added with a predetermined identifier interposed therebetween, and the attribute information is transmitted to the Internet. The URL links to a system managed by any server on the network.

Here, the predetermined identifier refers to a character or a character string that is assumed not to be used for a network address. In the case of a URL, it is important that the identifier does not use characters commonly used in URLs such as alphabets, "/", and ":". For example, “#” or “＄” can be considered. Characters and character strings used as identifiers must be unified among multiple servers.

When the server is linked to another system by the new URL (S40; YES), the server of the system stores the transmitted URL in the buffer URL (S41). Here, the URL [x] means the (x + 1) -th character counted from the first character. Then, the variable n is reset (S42), and it is determined whether or not ULR [n], that is, a predetermined number of character strings starting from the (n + 1) th character or the (n + 1) th character of the URL matches a predetermined identifier (S43). .

If ULR [n] does not match the identifier (S
43; NO), increment the variable n by one (S44), and this is the maximum number allowed for the network address (for example, 25
It is determined whether it is equal to or more than (5 characters) MAX (S45). If the variable n is equal to or greater than MAX (S45; YES), this U
Since the RL does not include an identifier, normal address connection processing is performed. If the variable n is smaller than MAX (S
45; NO), it is determined whether or not the next character or character string matches a predetermined identifier (S43).

When ULR [n] matches the identifier (S4
3; YES), the variable m is reset (S46), and the (n + 1) th URL is transferred to another buffer char (S47). Next, both variables m and n are incremented by one (S48).

Then, it is determined whether or not the character of the next URL is NULL, that is, the end of the URL (S49). If the character of the next URL is not NULL (S49; N
O), this character is stored in the next buffer char, and the same processing is repeated (S47 to S49). Next character is NULL
If it is L (S49; YES), the buffer cha
In r, an identifier and subsequent attribute information are stored. Therefore, the server of the system registers the character string of this buffer in the database managed by itself. Furthermore, even when linking from this system to another system, it is possible to carry over the attribute information such as personal information by executing the above procedure.

Thereafter, when the terminal operator requests the server to send a questionnaire response or a question, the character string is read from the database and the attribute information stored therein is added thereto. And send questionnaire information and question information to the destination.

According to this program, the attribute information is inherited even when linking to a new system.
Without the user or provider entering new attribute information,
It is convenient because it can process questionnaire responses and questions. (Advantages of the present embodiment) As described above, the transaction mediation system of the present embodiment has the following advantages. (1) According to the above embodiment, a user website that can be individually referred to from a user terminal is allocated, and a provider website that can be individually referred to from a provider is allocated. Therefore, the user can access only the information necessary for himself from the flooded information. In addition, the provider can transmit information about his or her provided property to a specific partner, and can easily obtain a response to the information. In addition, since advertisement can be performed only by generating a file, a high publicity effect can be obtained inexpensively in a short time. For example, where two months are required for preparation of an advertisement in a normal magazine, an advertisement can be made in about three days according to the present system. In addition, although advertisements by magazines and advertisements by direct mail require about one hundred thousand to two million yen, less than one million yen is sufficient according to the present system.

Further, since the network address to the individual website is only individually notified, there is little possibility that the information of the website is known to a third party. Further, by performing an authentication process using an ID or a password, security can be improved. (2) According to the present embodiment, when new information is generated, the fact is notified to the user terminal or the provider terminal by a message by e-mail, so that new information such as new product information can be promptly transmitted. Can be used. (3) According to the present embodiment, the request from the user and the information on the property provided by the provider are registered in the database, compared with each other, and if both match, the transaction is mediated. With such a configuration, the user can reliably obtain the information desired by the user, and the provider can directly access the user who has a high possibility of selling. (4) According to the present embodiment, access information from a plurality of users and other providers can be provided to the provider, so that the provider can research market trends and research competitors' movements. Can be easily performed. (5) According to the present embodiment, when a user searches for a provider who can respond to his own request, the user is made anonymous and information is available from the provider.
It is possible to conduct a transaction brokerage that allows the user to study until the user is satisfied. (6) According to the present embodiment, the e-mail receiving program is configured to notify the user of incoming information even when the user terminal is not connected to the network, so that quick information acquisition from the network is possible. It is. (7) According to the present embodiment, when a connection is changed from one server to another server on a network, the user's attribute information is taken over, so that the web managed by one system When linking from a page to a web page of another system, there is no need to input attribute information again. (8) Since networks such as the Internet operate 24 hours, users and providers can conduct transactions without worrying about time. (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to a system in which a server managed by a provider provides a service to a user terminal while referring to a database managed by an administrator. (Network Configuration) FIG. 48 shows a configuration diagram of the transaction mediation system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the transaction mediation system of the present embodiment includes, on the Internet 1, user terminals 21 to 2 m (m is an arbitrary natural number), a provider system 3, a database group 4, a manager system 5, and a dedicated database. 6 are connected to each other.

The provider system 3 is a system mainly composed of a specific terminal among the provider terminals 3n in FIG.

The Internet 1 is configured such that the user terminal 2x, the provider system 3 and the manager system 5 can be connected to each other via a public line by using facilities of a connection company called a provider or facilities of a personal computer communication company. Have been. The details are the same as in the first embodiment. In particular, the user terminal 2x is configured to be able to refer to the user website from any terminal by specifying a URL for specifying an arbitrary user website on the WWW using the WWW system. I have. The user website is set in a fixed disk managed by the server 300 of the provider system 3. If the user website can be directly managed by the provider system 3, the user website is stored in a fixed disk of a server managed by an arbitrary provider. It is also possible to store.

The network connecting the terminals to each other may be a dedicated line network of another standard or a network such as a WAN, as long as it has a function similar to the Internet. Further, a network such as an intranet constituted by a LAN that does not use a public line may be used.

The user terminal 2x is described in the first embodiment.
Is the same as

The provider system 3 includes the computer device 2
1, a display device 202, a server 300, an e-mail interface 6, a facsimile interface 7, and a mail device 8. The server 300 is a general-purpose computer device, and internally,
Equipped with a CPU, communication interface circuit, modem circuit, drawing circuit, RAM, ROM, fixed disk, etc., not shown, and can be connected to the Internet 1 via a subscriber line or a dedicated line by using a modem circuit or DSU and TA. Is configured. The server 300
In particular, when the CPU executes program data stored in a fixed disk or the like, it is configured to function as the transaction mediation system of the present invention.

The dedicated database 6 stores the provider system 3
Is a database managed by a dedicated member database 601, a dedicated attribute database 602, and a dedicated content database 603.

The exclusive member database 601 is a database for managing exclusive members that are independently managed by the provider, and has a configuration similar to the user database 401. The dedicated attribute database 602 is a database configured according to the content of the service that the provider wants to provide independently, and is configured by one or more databases. For example, it has a configuration similar to the user attribute database 403, the access history database 405, and the like. The dedicated content database 603 is a database that stores information on properties that can be provided by the provider, and has a configuration similar to the content database 407 described above.

Each database may be used by dividing one storage device into a plurality of areas, or may be provided in separate storage devices. The dedicated database 6 may be arranged on a storage device that the server 300 can directly access through the internal bus, or may be arranged in a storage device different from the server 300. Further, as long as it can be directly managed via the Internet, it may be located in any server on the network. The management of each database may be performed by a centralized management method by one server or by a distributed processing method by a plurality of computer devices.

The components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. (Operation) In the above configuration, the provider system 3 has a function similar to the administrator system 5 described in the first embodiment, and generates and uses a hypertext format file independently of the administrator system 5. Can be stored on a website. Further, it is assumed that the provider system 3 is set so that part or all of the data managed by the manager system 5 can be used arbitrarily.

Conventionally, when one provider opens a website, a file is created with reference to only a database that can be referred to by a provider system managed by the provider, that is, only the dedicated database 6. Was.

However, in the present embodiment, the server 300 of the provider system 3 is configured to be able to access all or a part of the database group 4 managed by the manager system 5 via the Internet 1.

Therefore, the server 300 arbitrarily converts data that does not exist in the dedicated database 6 but exists in the database group 4 managed by the administrator system 5 when generating a file independently of the administrator system 5. Extract and use to generate hypertext format files.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, by causing the server 300 to execute the same program data as that executed by the server 503, the database of the administrator system 5 can be set to be accessible via the network. Even if the website is opened by a single provider, services using abundant data provided by the administrator system can be provided.

In particular, in the present embodiment, a provider who can independently manage and maintain a website or the like can greatly enjoy the advantage of using abundant data. (Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of the present invention relates to a system in which a server managed by an administrator acquires information from a server managed by a provider and provides services to user terminals. (Structure) FIG. 49 shows the database structure of this embodiment. This figure schematically shows the interrelationship between the databases in the second embodiment, and the specific configuration is the same as that in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

However, as in the second embodiment, the provider system 3 can refer to the database group 4 of the manager system 5, and the server 503 of the manager system 5 uses the dedicated database 6 managed by the provider system 3. It is assumed that the setting that can refer to is set. That is, the administrator system 5
Server 503 is configured to be able to arbitrarily refer to data stored in each database of the dedicated database 6. Further, it is configured to be able to read the file in the hypertext format generated by the server 300 of the provider system 3 as it is. (Operation) As a premise of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a contract has been made between the provider and the administrator to provide a dedicated screen of the provider on a web page provided by the administrator.

First, the server 503 of the administrator system 5
Refers to the dedicated member database 601 of the provider system 3 at a predetermined timing. Then, if a new member is registered in the exclusive member database 601, the information is read and registered in the user database 401. By this processing, the dedicated member of the provider is always registered by the administrator, so that sharing of the member information is achieved.

On the other hand, the server 300 of the provider system 3
Refers to the database group 4 (for example, the user attribute database 403) of the administrator system 5 at a predetermined timing, reads the data, and
Copy to 02. In addition, the field that the provider wants to add independently is added to the copied record. With this process, unique matching information can be created.

Now, in this state, it is assumed that the server 503 of the administrator system 5 generates a hypertext format file to be stored on the user website.

The server 503 generates a file for the user website by referring to the user attribute database 403, the provider attribute database 404, and the like according to the procedure described in step ST11 of the first embodiment. To go. At this time, the server 503 requests the dedicated screen file of the provider who has made the contract from the provider system 3. In response to this request, the server 300 of the provider system 3 refers to the dedicated database 6 and
In a procedure similar to T11, a file for displaying a web page for the provider is created. Then, the file is transferred to the manager system 5.

When this file is transferred from the provider system 3, based on this file, the administrator system 5
Server 503 configures a file in a hypertext format so that information dedicated to the provider is displayed in a predetermined area of the user web page. As a result, FIG.
As shown in the screen display example at the bottom of FIG. 9, a screen display based on the file generated in the provider system 3 is displayed on the provider dedicated screen portion of the user web page.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the provider can automatically register a newly registered member of the company as a member of the administrator system.

Further, it is possible to construct a database to which a unique information is added by referring to the database provided by the manager system.

Further, even if the provider cannot manage the operation of the system, the information to be provided to the user can be disclosed to the user via the manager system. (Other Modifications) The above embodiment can be provided in various modifications. For example, the display screen described in the above embodiment is merely an example of display, and the design, the name of the icon, the arrangement thereof, and the relationship of linking each screen can be variously changed.

In the above embodiment, the database is composed of a user database, a provider database, a user attribute database, a provider attribute database, an access history database, and a procurement database. Is also good. That is, a plurality of databases may be integrated into one, further classified, or the field configuration may be changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transaction mediation system of the present invention is applied to purchase a property. However, if the purpose is a transaction in which a user and a provider exchange information and establish a contract, The invention can be applied to other transactions.

[0199]

According to the present invention, when information is provided from the provider side, a network address which can be individually referred to from the terminal is generated so that unique information can be provided. It is possible to mediate transactions that meet various requirements from Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible for a high-specialty property such as a computer-related device to enable a provider to accurately grasp a prospective user, and to provide a one-to-one relationship with a user. Communication can be enabled, and a convenient transaction mediation system can be provided to both the provider and the user.

According to the present invention, when new information is provided from one terminal, a message is sent to the other terminal by e-mail or the like so that the new information is provided. It is possible to mediate transactions that quickly transmit important information to users. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible for a user to quickly obtain new information and to conclude a transaction without losing timing.

According to the present invention, various requests from users and information on properties provided by the provider are compared with each other using a database or the like. Since it is configured to mediate, it is possible to achieve satisfactory transaction mediation for both the user and the provider. Therefore, the user can easily obtain a desired property without spending time searching for unnecessary information or making unnecessary inquiries. For the provider, the transaction can be completed without sending a direct mail to an unpurchased user or performing inefficient public relations, so that costs such as labor costs can be reduced.

According to the present invention, since access information from a plurality of users and other providers can be provided to the provider, market research and the like can be easily performed at the provider. Therefore, the provider can accurately and promptly grasp the needs for the provided property, and can obtain useful information for a future sales promotion plan and a product development plan.

According to the present invention, when a user searches for a provider who can respond to his own request, the user is made anonymous and information can be obtained from the provider.
It is possible to conduct a transaction brokerage that allows the user to study until the user is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the trouble such that the user is solicited from the provider even though the intention of purchase is weakened.

According to the present invention, when the provider has its own database, a database in which abundant information of the system is stored can be used.
The provider can effectively use the resources provided by the system. Therefore, even a provider who cannot sufficiently disclose attractive information to the user by using only the company information can effectively use the system resources without new expenditure.

According to the present invention, when a provider has its own database, it is possible to present information including dedicated information that the provider wants to provide. The provided information can be effectively provided to the user. Therefore, it is possible to let the user disclose the advertisement information and the like that the user wants to provide without leaving the heavy burden of operating the system to the manager.

According to the present invention, the information reception is notified to the user even when the user terminal is not connected to the network by the electronic mail receiving program or the like, so that the information can be quickly obtained from the network. It is. Therefore, the user does not have to start the application software and consciously check whether or not the e-mail has been delivered, and can further reduce the communication line usage fee.

According to the present invention, when a connection is changed from one server to another server on a network, the attribute information of the user can be taken over, so that a web page managed by one system When linking to a web page of another system from, there is no need to input the attribute information again. Therefore, once a user registers attribute information, regardless of what system they are connected to and what kind of web page they link to, they can respond to questionnaires and questions without entering new attribute information. It can be done and saves a lot of trouble.

[0208]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transaction mediation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a database structure of the transaction mediation system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the transaction mediation system.

FIG. 4 is an example of a user's personal information entry column.

FIG. 5 is an example of a request information entry column.

FIG. 6 is an example of an entry column for a request for each solution.

FIG. 7 is an example of an entry column for profile information.

FIG. 8 is a web page display example of new user registration.

FIG. 9 is a display example of a registration confirmation web page.

FIG. 10 is an example of a hardware entry column of a provider.

FIG. 11 is an example of a software entry field of a provider.

FIG. 12 is an example of an Internet / Intranet entry field of a provider.

FIG. 13 is an example of a solution entry column of a provider.

FIG. 14 is a text example of an e-mail sent to a user.

FIG. 15 is a display example of a dedicated user homepage.

FIG. 16 is a display example of a user authentication web page.

FIG. 17 is an example of a desktop display of a user.

FIG. 18 is a display example of detailed information of a property.

FIG. 19 is a display example of an initial screen of a user.

FIG. 20 is a display example in the case of searching from a company name.

FIG. 21 is a display example in the case of searching from service contents.

FIG. 22 is a display example of a search result.

FIG. 23 is a display example of a web page displaying details of a provider.

FIG. 24 is a display example of a product search web page.

FIG. 25 is a display example of a specific product web page.

FIG. 26 is a display example of a dedicated provider web page.

FIG. 27 is a display example of a search result display web page of a person to be publicized.

FIG. 28 is a display example of a search result display web page of a person to be publicized.

FIG. 29 is an example of a questionnaire from a manager to a provider.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an information search process.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a procurement process on the user side.

FIG. 32 is a display example of a procurement web page.

FIG. 33 is a display example of a procurement details display web page.

FIG. 34 is a display example of a company name search web page.

FIG. 35 is a display example of a web page showing a company name search result.

FIG. 36 is a display example of a web page displaying details of a provider.

FIG. 37 is a display example of a web page for selecting registration contents.

FIG. 38 is a display example of a web page for registering procurement detailed information.

FIG. 39 is a display example of a web page for registering procurement detailed information.

FIG. 40 is a display example of a confirmation web page of procurement information.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating a procurement process on the provider side.

FIG. 42 is a display example of a web page for displaying a procurement content list.

FIG. 43 is a display example of a web page for displaying procurement details.

FIG. 44 is a display example of a response input web page.

FIG. 45 is a display example of a response list web page on the user side.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an electronic mail receiving program.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a takeover program for attribute information.

FIG. 48 is a block diagram of a transaction mediation system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a data block diagram of the transaction mediation system of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Internet 21, 22, ..., 2m, 2x ... User terminal on user side 31, 32 ... 3n, 3y ... Provider terminal on provider side 4 ... Database group 5 ... Administrator system 6 ... E-mail Interface 7: Fax interface 201, 501 ... Computer device 202, 502 ... Display device 503 ... Server computer 401 ... User database 402 ... Provider database 403 ... User attribute database 404 ... Provider attribute database 405 ... Access history database 406 ... Procurement database

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device connected via a network to a server configured to be able to transmit and receive e-mail, wherein an interface device configured to be able to transmit and receive e-mail to and from the network at a predetermined timing. Interface control means for controlling the connection to the server, disconnecting the connection with the server after receiving the e-mail stored in the server, storing the contents of the e-mail received from the server in a memory, An electronic mail display means for reading the contents of the electronic mail from the memory and displaying the read electronic mail when a predetermined operation is performed. 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic mail display means, when receiving the electronic mail from said server, further performs a display indicating that the electronic mail has arrived. 3. The electronic mail display means according to claim 1, wherein when the user gives answer information to the displayed electronic mail,
The response information is temporarily stored in a memory, and the interface control means is configured to be able to transmit the response information stored in the memory to the server when the server is connected to the server after the response information is stored in the memory. The terminal device according to claim 1. 4. A server is connected to one or more user terminals operated by a user via a network,
In an information transmitting and receiving system configured to be connectable to a server specified by the network address by transmitting a predetermined network address from the user terminal, the server is connected by a network address from the user terminal. In this case, a predetermined identifier included in the network address is detected, and a specific character string in the network address distinguished from the address information character string by the identifier is processed as attribute information of the user terminal that transmitted the network address. Information transmission and reception system.