JP2002133185A - Auction system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compensate the shortage of capacity of a server machine by combining an open system and a closed system in bidding, and to allow a user to enjoy participating in the auction. SOLUTION: In this auction system executed through a network, the bid by 'open system' is applied in a first half of the auction, and the bid by 'closed system' is applied in a second half of the auction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bidding format in an auction via a network (in particular, the Internet).

2. Description of the Related Art In auctions via a network, there are two forms of bidding. They are "open format" and "closed format". The "open format" is a format in which, among bid prices from the start of the auction to the present, bid price information including the highest price is sequentially announced. An auction is a process where each participant who wants a product offers a price,
It is essential to make a successful bid at a lower price. Therefore, it can be said that the "open format" in which the bid price of another person is announced is excellent as the bid format of the auction. This format is also desirable for a participant who wants to make a successful bid because he can confirm the bid price of another person and bid again for a price higher than that. However, as the time for the auction to end (at the time of auction) approaches,
A large number of bids are made in a short time by those who participate in this auction, so the burden on the server machine is large, and therefore the most important bid for the auction cannot be made before a successful bid (a situation where the server machine goes down). Had occurred. -If this server machine goes down, the bidding for that period will be invalid. This results in a successful bid at a price lower than the price actually bid, and the organizer loses the trust of the exhibitor. -In addition, the seller who wins a bid at a lower price loses the price difference. -Furthermore, for the participant who wished to purchase, it is a pity that it is not possible to make a successful bid even though he has bid more than the winning bid price. Participants will also lose credibility with the organizer. In order to solve this problem, the organizer had to prepare a large-capacity line and a server machine, which required a large facility cost. The “closed format” is a format in which a bid price is not disclosed until a successful bid is made. In this format, the participant only has to bid once for the desired price, and the procedure is easy without the need to bid many times. Further, there is no disadvantage that a load is imposed on the server machine before the successful bid. However, in the closed format, since the bid price of another person is not known, a participant who wants to do so has to bid a high price. In addition, unsuccessful products may be sold at an unreasonably low price because it is not known how much the price is appropriate.

As mentioned in the prior art, each of the two types of bidding in an auction has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the present invention aims to compensate for the shortage of the capacity of the server machine and provide the user with the pleasure of participating in the auction by combining the open format and the closed bid format.

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects (System Patent) The present invention relates to an auction system performed via a network, in which the first half of the auction is an "open type" bidding and the second half of the auction is a "closed bidding". It is characterized by being a "type" bid.
As a result, the user of this system can determine his or her own bid price by referring to the bid price of another person in the open format in the first half of the auction, and can enjoy bargaining in the auction. On the other hand, since the second half is closed, the participant will only need to bid once more during the closed period, referring to the highest bid price during the open period, and will not need to bid again. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where a bid is flooded immediately before a successful bid and the server machine goes down. Further, in this system, the user can enjoy the fun of each of the two auction systems. Here, as described in the related art, the "open format" bid refers to a bid format in which bid prices up to now are announced one after another, and has been conventionally used. The “first half of the auction” refers to a period from when the auction is started to when the bid format is switched to the closed format. Next, the “closed form” bid refers to a bid form that does not display the bid price. Note that closed in the present invention means not to publish the price bid during the closed period, and does not prohibit the publication of the above-mentioned bid price during the open period, particularly the highest bid price. Further, the present invention is preferably the auction system, wherein the auction system has means for switching to a “closed type” bid at least 10 minutes before a successful bid.
In this way, by switching the bid format at least 10 minutes ago, the first half demonstrates the goodness of the open format,
In the latter half, the effects of the present invention such as reducing the load on the server machine can be exhibited most effectively. That is, if the time of switching the bid format is too much before the time of the successful bid (for example, three days before), the goodness of the open format cannot be exhibited. On the other hand, if the switching time is too close to the successful bid (for example, one minute before), bids have already flooded and the load on the server machine cannot be reduced. Here, “at the time of successful bid” refers to the time at which the auction ends, and the setting is usually determined by the exhibitor or the organizer. Further, the present invention is preferably the auction system, wherein the auction system has means for changing a "switching time" for each product. The bidding style of the participant differs depending on the product. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to switch the bidding format appropriately according to the bidding style of the participant. Here, the "switching time" refers to the time required to change from the open bidding in the first half to the closed bidding, and the time is specified by a method such as switching minutes before the bidding. (Server Device Patent) The present invention is a server device that executes an auction of a product via a network, and provides a user terminal with:
The first half of the auction urges an "open type" bid, and the second half of the auction has a means of encouraging a "closed type" bid. Further, the present invention desirably includes the above-described server machine, which has a unit for switching to a “closed type” at least 10 minutes before a successful bid. Further, the present invention desirably includes the server machine described above, which has means for changing the "switching time" according to a product. According to the inventions (1) to (4), the auction system described above can be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an auction system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the present invention, a server machine and a participant terminal used for bidding are connected via a network so that information can be bidirectionally transmitted. This network only needs to be able to transmit and receive information, and can be implemented using the Internet in addition to a dedicated line such as a LAN or WAN. And
Considering the widespread use of communication equipment, the Internet is suitable for this network. (Configuration of Server Machine) Next, the configuration of the server machine will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. In FIG.
Is a control means, which comprises a CPU, a memory, and the like,
It controls each unit, distributes data, performs various calculations, and temporarily stores data. Reference numeral 22 denotes an input unit for controlling data input from a participant terminal connected via a network. Reference numeral 23 denotes output means, which controls data output to the participant terminals. Reference numerals 24 to 26 denote various storage units, which store the following programs and data, respectively. (Storage Means 24) The storage means 24 stores a main program. This main program is controlled by the control unit 2
1. A screen for prompting an open or closed bid is displayed on the display of the participant terminal. Further, the input bid price and participant data are stored in the storage unit 26 in association with the product.
Then, in the case where an open format auction is being conducted and the "switching time" comes, a program for switching the bid format to the closed format is stored. Further, a program for appropriately changing and setting the "switching time" according to the product is stored. This program is a means for changing the "switching time" for each product. (Storage means 25) The storage means 25 stores exhibition information. Here, the "exhibition information" is information relating to an item for sale in an auction, and specifically includes an exhibitor, a product name, a product number, a lowest bid price, and the like. If a “switching time” is defined for the product, the switching time data is also stored in the exhibition information. (Storage means 26) The storage means 26 stores bid information. Here, the “bid information” is information on the participant who has made a bid, and stores data (name, address, e-mail address, etc.) identifying the participant, a bid price, etc. in association with a desired product. . (Configuration of User Terminal) The configuration of the user terminal can be implemented using an input device, a control device, a communication device, and a display device, and can be implemented using a computer. (Flow of Auction) The point of the present invention is that the bidding format is switched from open to closed before a successful bid. Therefore, the first half of the auction is implemented as a normal open auction. When the user terminal accesses the server machine, the control means 21 reads out the exhibition information from the storage means 25 and transmits it to the user terminal. Further, the control means 21 is a storage means 2
4. The program is read out from 4 and a screen for prompting an open bidding is displayed on the screen of the user terminal. When a participant inputs bid information, this information is stored by the control means 21 in the storage means 26 corresponding to the exhibited commodity. The control means 21 reads the bid price from the bid information, and displays the bid price on the participant terminal in descending order. When the time elapses and the "switching time" comes, the control means 21 changes the bid format to the closed format according to the program. For the participant who has accessed the server machine after the closed format, of the bid prices bid in the open format, the highest bid price is displayed on the user terminal. As a result, even those who have participated in the auction after the closed format can know the market price of the bid price and can easily participate in the auction. The bid information that has been bid after this switching is stored in the storage unit 26 by the control unit 21. However, the bid price is not transmitted to the user terminal. After switching to the closed format, you will not be able to determine if your bid price is the highest. Therefore, even if another person has bid more than his or her bid price, it cannot be known. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where a participant who has exceeded his or her bid price makes a bid again, and it is possible to avoid a situation where a bid is flooded before a successful bid. (Switching of Bid Format) In the embodiment of the present invention, the switching of the bid from the open format to the closed format can be performed in the following modes. ★ Embodiment 1 This is a mode in which all products are switched a certain time before a successful bid. For example, when switching is set to 30 minutes. The bid format is switched to the closed format 30 minutes before the successful bid of all the products on the auction. The server of this embodiment is characterized in that all the products have the same switching time. In this mode, since the participant knows that the product switches to the closed format at the same timing, there is an advantage that it is easy to recognize when the bid format is switched. Switch this bid format, "switch time"
Is determined by the number of bids before the successful bid, the capacity of the server machine, and the like. However, if the switching time is too long (for example, about three days), the participant does not know at what price they are competing before a successful bid. Then,
The advantages of the auction format are lost. Therefore, this switching time is desirably at least within 24 hours. On the other hand, if the "switching time" is too short (for example, 1 minute), a bid may be flooded two to three minutes before, and the server machine may go down before the time of switching. . Therefore, this "switching time"
Desirably, it is at least longer than 10 minutes. That is,
It is desirable that the server in the present invention be switched to the closed format 10 minutes before the successful bid. The program stored in the storage means 24 in this embodiment is a means for switching the "open format" bid to the "closed format" bid at least 10 minutes before the successful bid. ★ Embodiment 2 At the time of switching the bidding format, it is also possible to implement the bidding format in a form that is determined by the exhibitor. For example, when the exhibitor of the product A determines that the "switching time" is 20 minutes before, the storage means stores the 20 minutes. Then, when it is 20 before the successful bid, a program for switching the bid format is started, and the bid format is switched. In this form, there is an advantage that the seller's intention can be met. If the degree of satisfaction with this auction system increases, this will lead to another listing. * Embodiment 3 In the present invention, a "switching time" may be set for each product. As one form, a "switching time" is set for each product category. For example, when the goods to be exhibited are watches, the switching time is one hour, and when the goods are cars, the time is 15 minutes. In general, in the case of a low-priced product such as a watch, more participants bid on their own ideas, so bids are concentrated immediately before a successful bid, and the burden on the server machine increases. Therefore,
In the case of a low-priced product, the switching time is shortened (switching at an early stage such as one hour or two hours). In particular,
It will be switched from 1 hour to 3 hours before. On the other hand, since the number of bids is not so large for a high-priced product such as a car, it is not necessary to consider the burden on the server machine. Rather, it is important to maintain the open format to increase prices. Therefore, in the case of expensive products, the “switching time” is delayed. Specifically, the switching is performed from 10 minutes to one hour before. This makes it possible to switch the bidding format according to the characteristics of the participant, thereby reducing the load on the server machine. In addition, with regard to expensive products, it is possible to respond to a seller's request that the open-form bidding period be as long as possible. This embodiment is
This is characterized in that the "switching time" is appropriately changed according to the category of the product. ★ Embodiment 3-2 The present invention can also be implemented in a form in which the “switching time” is appropriately changed in consideration of the popularity of each product. For example, a product having a large number of bids in the open format can be said to be popular, so the switching time is set earlier. On the other hand, it can be said that a product that does not have many bids in the open format is not popular, and in this case, it is not necessary to consider a situation where bids are concentrated at the time of a successful bid. Therefore, the switching time is set to be late for such a product. Specifically, the switching time is set to 1 to 3 hours for popular products. On the other hand, for non-popular products, the switching time is changed from 10 minutes to 1 hour. In this embodiment, the “switching time” is set according to the number of bids in the open format.
Is appropriately set. Judgment of popularity It is possible to judge the popularity based on the number of bids a certain time before the successful bid. For example, if there are 1000 bids 24 hours before a successful bid, the switching time is set to 2 hours as a popular product. On the other hand, the bid is 100
If the number is less than 0, the switching time is set to 10 minutes as an unpopular product. Therefore, this embodiment is characterized by having a means for appropriately setting the "switching time" according to the number of bids (the number of accesses) a fixed time before the successful bid. It should be noted that the popularity may be determined not only by the number of bids but also by the number of accesses to the file introducing the product. Then, the flow of the server machine in this embodiment will be described. The storage means 25 stores beforehand the time when the number of bids is to be retrieved when a product is awarded and how many hours before the auction is made. Then, when the search time for the number of bids comes, the control unit 21 searches the storage unit 26 for the number of bids of the target product. If the number of bids is larger than a value used as a measure of popularity, the “switching time” is set earlier as a popular product. On the other hand, when the number of bids is small, the “switching time” is set to be late. As described above, the server can determine the popularity of the product by using the number of bids and the number of accesses, and can set the switching time earlier for the popular product, thereby reducing the load on the server. is there. ★ Embodiment 4 In addition, after switching to the closed format,
The present invention can also be implemented by switching to the open format again. For example, after switching to the closed format, when it is determined that the bid price is low and it is determined that the bid price desired by the seller will not be reached as it is, the server machine changes the bid format to the open format again. This is a switching mode. As a result, the current highest bid price is clarified. If the highest bid price is too low, it is possible to expect a bid that slightly exceeds the highest bid price, thereby increasing the successful bid price. Even in this case, the load on the server machine is reduced by switching to the closed format 10 minutes before the successful bid. ★ Embodiment 5 The present invention is to set a longer “switching time” for popular products to reduce the load on the server machine. However, at the time of exhibition, the seller or the organizer may not know how popular the item is. Therefore, the present invention can also be implemented in a mode in which the bid format is switched to the closed format when the number of bids per unit time before the successful bid exceeds a certain number. For example, initially, it is considered that the product is not very popular, and the “switching time” is set to 30 minutes. However, in reality, it is becoming popular, and a considerable number of bids are made one hour before the successful bid. In such a case, the server checks the number of bids per 5 minutes, and switches the bid format when the number exceeds a certain number. This embodiment has the advantage that, even when bids are concentrated more than expected at the time of exhibition, the timing of switching can be expedited as appropriate, and the situation in which the server machine goes down can be avoided. Further, the organizer can set the switching time with a certain margin even for a product whose degree of popularity is unknown. This eliminates the need to set an unnecessarily long switching time in order to avoid a situation in which the server machine goes down. The invention in this embodiment is characterized by having means for appropriately setting the "switching time" according to the number of bids per unit time before the successful bid.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server machine.

Claims (6)

[Claims] (System patent) 1. An auction system performed via a network, wherein the first half of the auction is a bid in an “open format” and the second half of the auction is a bid in a “closed format”. 2. The auction system according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching to a “closed type” bid at least 10 minutes before a successful bid. 3. The auction system according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing a “switching time” for each product. (Server machine patent) 4. A server device for executing an auction of a product via a network, which prompts a user terminal to bid in an “open format” in the first half of the auction and to urge a bid in a “closed format” in the second half of the auction. Characterized by having means. 5. The server according to claim 4, further comprising means for switching to a “closed type” at least 10 minutes before the successful bid. 6. A server machine according to claim 4, further comprising means for changing a "switching time" according to a product.