JP2002149998A - Method and device for managing vehicle information in client server computer environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage vehicle information in client server computer environment to which a vehicle owner gets accessible. SOLUTION: When the display of vehicle information is requested from a client computer operated by an owner, information for the owner's vehicle is acquired from a vehicle information database 116, a market price of an intended vehicle is acquired from a dealing market database 118 in accordance with the acquired information for the vehicle and the acquired dealing market information is displayed on the client computer together with the vehicle information. The vehicle owner can easily learn the information of his own vehicle as well as the current dealing market price.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing vehicle information in a client-server computer environment accessible to a vehicle owner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a client-server type computer network environment such as the Internet, the market for buying and selling used vehicles including auctions is rapidly spreading. Buying and selling used cars (including motorcycles, unless otherwise noted) in a networked environment facilitates trading between traders, especially individuals.

[0003] In the used car trading market, the supply of vehicles to the market is performed by the individual who owns the vehicle, unlike the supply of new vehicles by the manufacturer.
In order to stabilize the supply of used cars from individuals, it is important to facilitate owners' procedures for buying and selling and to promote replacement of cars.

[0004] On the other hand, owners of vehicles have a desire to easily manage their own vehicles and a desire to know at what market rate their vehicles are traded. If these needs can be met in the buying and selling market, the potential demand for buying and selling second-handers may be opened, and a stable supply of used cars may be met.

[0005]

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for managing information about a vehicle in a client-server computer environment accessible to the vehicle owner.

Another object of the present invention is to allow a vehicle owner to easily know the transaction price of his vehicle by accessing a server computer, thereby providing the vehicle supply to the used car market. Is to promote it.

It is yet another object of the present invention to enable vehicle owners to easily provide their vehicles to the trading market.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method for managing vehicle information in a client-server computer environment accessible to a vehicle owner. The method of the present invention includes a vehicle information database storing at least information on vehicles including a vehicle type and a vehicle body type together with an identifier of an owner of the vehicle, and a transaction storing transaction information on used vehicles for each vehicle type and vehicle body type. Providing a market price database on one or a plurality of server computers; and, when a client computer operated by the owner requests display of vehicle information, the vehicle information database based on the identifier of the owner. Acquiring information on the vehicle of the owner from the vehicle, and acquiring transaction price information including a market price or a price range for the target vehicle from the transaction market database based on the acquired information on the vehicle. Process and the obtained transaction market information,
Displaying the information on the client computer together with the acquired information on the vehicle. According to the above method, the vehicle owner can easily know the current market price together with information about his vehicle.

Here, the quoted price or quoted price range stored in the trading quoted database is the quoted price or quoted price range between the traders, and the method is based on the quoted price or quoted price range between the traders. Calculating a trade-in price or a trade-in price range based on the vehicle, and displaying the trade-in information on the client computer, wherein the trade-in price including the calculated trade-in price or the trade-in price range is included. It is preferable that information is displayed on the client computer together with the acquired information on the vehicle.

[0010] The step of obtaining the transaction price information may include, based on the type of the obtained vehicle, a market price or a vehicle price for each of a plurality of vehicle year types including the vehicle year type obtained from the transaction price database. A method for obtaining transaction price information including a market price range, wherein the method is based on the obtained market price or market price range for each of a plurality of vehicle years, and based on the past or future market price of the target vehicle. Or calculating the quoted price range, wherein displaying the transaction quote information on the client computer comprises a current quoted price or quoted price range, and the calculated past or future quoted price or quoted price range. Trading quote information, including
It is preferable that the information is displayed on the client computer together with the acquired information on the vehicle.

In this case, based on the current market price or market price range and the calculated past or future market price or market price range, a graph displaying the market price or market price range over time is generated. Displaying the transaction quote information on the client computer, wherein the transaction quote information including the generated graph is displayed on the client computer together with the information on the obtained vehicle. Preferably, there is.

[0012] The vehicle information database may include a vehicle score obtained by quantifying the value of the vehicle based on information on a vehicle other than a vehicle type and a vehicle body type, and the method may be arranged such that the acquired market price or market price range; Calculating the expected market price of the target vehicle based on the vehicle score, and displaying the transaction market information on the client computer, the transaction market information including the expected market price, Along with information about the acquired vehicle,
Preferably, it is displayed on the client computer.

Here, it is preferable that the information regarding the vehicle to be quantified includes the color of the vehicle body, the mileage, the timing of vehicle inspection, and the type of accessory equipment.

Further, it is preferable that the information regarding the vehicle to be quantified includes maintenance history information of the vehicle.

According to the present invention, when a client computer operated by another user requests display of information on a vehicle belonging to a specific owner, the information on the vehicle of the owner is permitted by the owner. Acquiring the information from the vehicle information database, and displaying the acquired information on the vehicle on a client computer operated by the other person, together with an input object for displaying an intention to purchase. The method may further include a step of receiving a purchase request for the vehicle from the other person based on an operation of the input object, and a step of notifying the owner of the vehicle of the purchase request.

Here, the step of notifying the owner of the vehicle of the request for purchase includes the step of displaying the transaction market information on the client computer of the owner.
It is preferable to realize this by including an indication that there is the purchase applicant.

Preferably, the indication that there is a purchase applicant includes the number of purchase applicants and the desired purchase price.

The present invention further provides a step of preparing an auction information database storing information on vehicles to be auctioned, and a request from a client computer operated by the owner of the vehicle to auction the own vehicle. And storing the information of the target vehicle stored in the vehicle information database in the auction information database.

Here, the step of displaying the transaction market information on the client computer of the owner includes the step of displaying an input object for making a request for auctioning the own vehicle, and the step of displaying the input object. Preferably, the step of storing the information in the auction information database is performed when the input object is operated.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for managing vehicle information in a client-server computer environment accessible by a vehicle owner. The apparatus of the present invention includes a vehicle information database storing at least information on a vehicle including a vehicle type and a vehicle body type together with an identifier of an owner of the vehicle, and a transaction storing transaction information on used vehicles for each vehicle type and vehicle body type. Market database, means for acquiring information on the vehicle of the owner from the vehicle information database based on the identifier of the owner, when there is a display request of the vehicle information from the client computer operated by the owner, Means for acquiring transaction price information including a market price or a price range for the target vehicle from the transaction market database based on the information on the acquired vehicle; and Means for displaying the information on the client computer together with the information on the vehicle.

The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to the present invention has each means for realizing each step in the method for managing vehicle information.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on one embodiment shown in the drawings. In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described according to a vehicle information management system implemented in an Internet auction site. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle information management server constituting a vehicle information management system according to one embodiment of the present invention and a client computer used by a user thereof. The vehicle information management server 100 according to the present invention is configured as a server system on a computer network such as the Internet, and can be accessed from a client computer 150 of a registered user who is a user of the site including a vehicle owner. .

The vehicle information management server 100 has a CPU 10
2, a data storage device 108 such as a RAM 104, a ROM 106, a hard disk, and a network interface 110. Also, the data storage device 108
Represents a plurality of web pages 11 accessible to the user.
2. It includes a user database 114, a vehicle information database 116, a transaction market database 118, and an auction information database 120. Vehicle information management server 1
00 is connected to the computer network 160 via the network interface 110 and provides a client computer 150 used by a registered user with a WWW (World Wide Web) service for realizing vehicle management and auction. Client computer 150
Is a network computer system including a browser 152. The user can use the browser 152
, The vehicle information management server 100 can be accessed, and the vehicle information management server 100 can be controlled by a command input by a user using a keyboard or a mouse. As will be described later, access to a specific service provided by the vehicle information management server 100 is performed only for a pre-registered user. When a registered user uses the service, a user ID and a password 154 are required, and when the authentication is completed, the service is provided.

In the vehicle information management server 100, the web page 112 is an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Langu).
age), XML (Extended Markup Language) and other page description languages.
A mechanism for user registration to allow the user to receive services provided by the system, a mechanism for registering vehicle information managed by the user, a mechanism for displaying vehicle information to the user along with the transaction market information, It includes a mechanism for auctioning vehicles on the server system, a mechanism for providing information on the buying and selling of vehicles and the use of this service, and the like. The web page 112 displays a top page including at least a mechanism for selecting various services, a page for registering information of a vehicle to be managed, and management information of the own vehicle that can be accessed only by the owner. A page for displaying information about a vehicle of another person (herein, a person other than the owner of the vehicle) accessible by another registered user,
A page for displaying summary information and detailed information on a vehicle registered as an auction target and a page for user registration are included.

The user database 114 contains various types of information on registered users who use services provided by the present system. A registered user may be a vehicle owner who wants to manage his or her vehicle using the present system, or a user who intends to purchase a used car through an auction provided by the present system. User database 114
May include, for example, user ID, user access password, name, address, contact information such as e-mail address, favorite vehicle, record of past transactions, and the like. By limiting the service provided by the present system to only the users registered in the system, it is possible to ensure communication between the system and the user and to prevent fraudulent trading such as fraud. As described later, the user completes the registration prior to using the present system. A user ID and a password are transmitted to the registered user, and when the service is used, the user ID and the password are transmitted to the vehicle information management server 100, so that the use, that is, the login can be performed.

The vehicle information database 116 includes information on the vehicle provided by a registered user who is the owner of the vehicle. The information on the vehicle includes, for example, a registration ID, a vehicle name, and a vehicle grade (in this specification,
Vehicle name and grade may be combined)
Body color, body year, mileage, vehicle inspection date, accident calendar,
Damage information, maintenance history information, various equipment information (stereo, car navigation system, air conditioner, sunroof, airbag, etc.), vehicle usage (commuting or leisure use, pets, smoking, storage, etc.) , And the image data of the form, appearance and introspection of the steering wheel and the mission. Further, the vehicle information database 116 includes the user ID of the vehicle owner, and the system identifies the vehicle owner using the ID as a key. Further, as described later, in the present system, it is possible to refer to information on a vehicle owned by another person and to present a purchase request for the vehicle together with the desired price based on the information. When this purchase request is made by another person, the vehicle information database 116 stores the information (the number of purchasers, the user ID of each purchaser, the purchase price, etc.).

Registration of a vehicle in the vehicle information database 116 is basically performed based on user input data from the client computer 150. The vehicle information in the vehicle information database 116 is stored in the web page 11
2 allows the vehicle owner to access the vehicle, so that the vehicle owner can manage his / her vehicle on the network. Also, of the vehicle information, predetermined information permitted by the owner can be accessed by another user, and by referring to the information, the other user can transmit a purchase request for the vehicle. it can. Specific methods for realizing these will be described later.

The market quote database 118 is a database that stores information on market quotes in the used car market. The information on the market price includes the market price range of the used car for each vehicle model and body type, and may include, for example, the following records.

[0029]

[Table 1]

The trade quote database 118 can store trade prices between traders or in the consumer market, and store trade prices in a normal trading or auction market (including those on a network). can do. In the present embodiment, a market price range of a transaction in an auction market between traders is stored. The quote market database 118 may be constructed by human input operations, or may be constructed automatically by a system in which trading is automated by a computer. Further, the transaction market database 118 may include information other than the transaction price, for example, indexes such as the number of transactions in a specific market, the transaction volume, and the popularity.

The auction information database 120 stores information on vehicles to be auctioned on this site and bidding information. That is, the auction information database 120 includes, as information about the vehicle, information equivalent to the information stored in the vehicle information database 116. Further, the bid information includes a bid start date, a bid end date, a lowest bid price, a current highest price, the number of bids, and the like. As will be described later, the registration of the vehicle information in the auction information database 120 is performed by directly inputting the vehicle information to the auction information database 120, and the registration of the vehicle information from the vehicle information database 116 based on an instruction from the vehicle owner. This is performed by acquiring and storing vehicle information. Vehicles registered in the auction information database 120
This site is subject to auction transactions.

Data operations on these databases, ie, data reading, writing, condition extraction,
Sorting, transfer to client computer, etc.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the operation is performed by the PU 102 and the program operated thereon. Further, the one or more databases may be constructed over a plurality of servers.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for user registration in the vehicle information management server 100. With reference to the figure, a procedure when an unregistered user registers to use the system will be described below. The web page 112 on the vehicle information management server 100 in FIG. 1 includes a page for user registration. The page for user registration includes, for example, name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender,
It may include a text box and a radio button for inputting a family structure, an occupation, a favorite vehicle, an opinion column, and the like, and a registration transmission button. Client computer 150
In, when the user inputs the various types of information and transmits the information by pressing a registration transmission button, the vehicle information management server 100 receives the information (step 202).
Next, it is determined whether or not all necessary items are described in the received user information (step 204). If the description is not sufficient (for example, there is no address description), this is notified to the user, and again (Step 206).

When all necessary items are described, a user ID and a password for identifying the user are generated on the server system (step 20).
8). Then, the information on the user and the generated user ID and password are registered in the user database 114 (step 210). After the registration, the user ID and password are notified to the user who performed the registration (step 212). The notification is transmitted to the e-mail address of the user registered in the user database 114. As described above, the registration of the user is completed, and the user can use the services (management of his / her vehicle, participation in auction, etc.) provided by this site.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a vehicle registration procedure for a registered user to manage his / her own vehicle on this site. The procedure when a registered user registers a vehicle in the present system will be described below with reference to FIG. Web page 112 on vehicle information management server 100 in FIG. 1 includes a page for a registered user to register information about his or her vehicle. The page for vehicle registration includes, for example, a user ID and a password for specifying a user, basic specifications of the vehicle (for example, a vehicle name, a body color, a year, a mileage, a vehicle inspection date, a steering wheel and a transmission type, and the like). , Information on vehicle equipment (eg, air conditioner, power window, audio, sunroof, aluminum wheels, car navigation, etc.), damage-related information (eg, accident calendar, scratch and dent status, maintenance history information, etc.), vehicle A text box and a radio button for inputting the usage status (commuting or leisure use, presence / absence of pets, presence / absence of smoking, storage status, etc.), and a registration transmission button can be included. It should be noted that the image data of the appearance and introspection of the vehicle can be attached to the transmission data and transmitted, or can be separately transmitted by e-mail.

In the client computer 150, when the various information is input by the user who is the owner of the vehicle and the transmission is performed by pressing the registration transmission button, the vehicle information management server 100 receives the information (step 302). . Next, it is determined whether or not all necessary items are described in the received user information (step 304). If the description is not sufficient (for example, there is no description of the car name), the user is notified of this, Encourage re-registration (Step 30
6). If all necessary items are described, a registration ID for identifying the vehicle on the server system
Is generated (step 308). Then, the information on the vehicle and the generated registration ID are registered in the vehicle information database 116 (Step 310). Thus, the registration of the vehicle to be auctioned is completed.

Next, control in the vehicle information management server for displaying vehicle information on the owner's client computer will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying vehicle information on the owner's client computer. Control begins by receiving a display request from the subject vehicle owner (step 402). This display request can be realized by the vehicle owner accessing the site and logging in to the target service using the user ID and password. When the system receives the user ID and the password from the vehicle owner by the login, the system accesses the vehicle information database 116. Then, based on the user ID, the information record of the target vehicle is specified and obtained, that is, the RAM 1
04 (step 404). Next, the vehicle type and vehicle year of the target vehicle are extracted from the acquired vehicle information (step 406).

The process then initiates a series of steps 508-514 that obtain the quoted market price of the subject vehicle and, based on this, generate a graph that displays the trade-in price.
That is, the system first accesses the trade market database 118 and acquires the target market price range (the lowest price and the highest price) based on the vehicle type information extracted in the previous process (step 408). If there are a plurality of vehicle year models for the vehicle type, the market price range is acquired for each model year.
Next, a trade-in price range of the vehicle is calculated from the obtained market price range (step 410). This calculation can be performed by multiplying each of the obtained market prices by a constant rate found empirically or statistically. For example, if the trade price between traders is empirically or statistically 120% of the trade-in price of a used vehicle, the trade-in price is calculated as follows.

(Trade-in price) = (acquired market price) × 100/120 (1)

The trade-in price is obtained for the lowest price and the highest price for each vehicle body model. For example, 9
Consider a case where a model of the year 0 to the year 94 is currently traded at the following market price.

[0041]

[Table 2]

In this case, from the equation (1), each trade-in price is as follows.

[0043]

[Table 3]

The calculation of the trade-in price shown here is only one mode for carrying out the present invention, and is performed by another calculation based on the quoted market price (for example, one taking into account the difference in the trading market). A more appropriate trade-in price could be sought.

Next, a trade-in price range for the target vehicle for a plurality of years is calculated based on the calculated trade-in price range for each year (step 412). This calculation is realized by using the calculated trade-in price range for each model year as the trade-in price range for the target vehicle in the past and in the future, centering on the vehicle body model for the target vehicle. Here, the body year of the target vehicle is 92
Consider the case of year. In this case, the current (2000) trade-in price range of the target vehicle is the highest price and lowest price obtained in 1992 (that is, 1.25 million yen and 10.83 million yen). With the current year as the center, the trade-in price range in the newer models (93 and 94) is taken as the trade-in price range in the past (ie, 98 and 1999) of the target vehicle. In addition, the trade-in price range in the old models (90 and 91 years) is changed to the future of the target vehicle (that is,
2002)). Therefore,
According to this calculation, the expected trade-in price range of the target vehicle at each time from 1998 to 2002 is as follows.

[0046]

[Table 4]

In the case where the quoted market price at the past time is stored in the quoted market database 118, the information is obtained in step 408, and based on this information, the past trade-in for the target vehicle is performed. The price range may be calculated. In the calculation of the trade-in price range in the future, the trade-in price range in consideration of the model change of the vehicle (because the market price of the old model falls due to the model change) is calculated separately, It can be a graph display target. This calculation is realized by, for example, multiplying the calculated trade-in price range by a constant rate that is empirically or statistically obtained. Further, if trade quotes are stored in the quote quote database 118 for shorter time periods (eg, monthly), as a result of step 514,
It will be appreciated that shorter period trade-in prices can be obtained.

In the next step 414, based on the calculated trade-in price range for the target vehicle, a trade-in price range graph for each sale year (ie, the horizontal axis represents the sale year and the vertical axis represents the trade-in price range) Is generated. In the present embodiment, in addition to this, a line graph connecting the center values of the respective price ranges is generated in an overlapping manner. And
A web page 112 including the vehicle information obtained in the previous step 404 and the generated trade-in price range graph is generated (step 416), and this is transmitted to the client computer 150 operated by the vehicle owner, and the display is displayed. This is displayed above (step 418). Through the above steps, it is possible to display a web page including a graph indicating the requested vehicle information and the trade-in price.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a web page generated according to the procedure shown in FIG. The vehicle information web page 500 displayed according to the owner's request includes an area 502 for displaying basic specifications of the vehicle, an area 504 for displaying information on equipment of the vehicle, and an area for displaying damage-related information including a maintenance history of the vehicle. 506, an area 508 for displaying the usage status of the vehicle, an area 51 for displaying a photograph of the vehicle
0 is included. By operating a switching button disposed above the region 510 for displaying a photograph of the vehicle, the display target can be switched to display a photograph of the vehicle taken from another angle or a photograph of the interior. .
In addition, the web page 500 includes an area 512 for displaying a trade-in price graph. As described above, this graph shows the expected trade-in price range for each sales year and its median, so that the user can consider when to sell the vehicle.

[0050] Web page 500 also includes an area 514 for displaying information about a purchase request from another registered user for the displayed vehicle. When a registered user desires to purchase the vehicle by a procedure described later, the information, that is, the number of purchasers, the highest price and the lowest price of the desired purchase price, and the like are displayed. Become.

The web page 500 also includes a sale request button 516. The sale request button 516 is pressed when the owner of this vehicle wants to sell the vehicle in an auction service provided on this site. The control when the sale request button 516 is pressed will be described later.

Next, control for displaying information about another person's vehicle on the client computer based on a request from a general registered user will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for displaying information about another person's vehicle on a client computer of a user who has requested the information. Control begins by receiving a display request from a registered user (step 602). This display request can be realized by a registered user accessing the site and logging in to the target service using the user ID and password. When the system receives the user ID and password from the registered user by the login,
A web page displaying summary information of the registered vehicle prepared in advance is transmitted to the client computer 150 of the user (step 604). Thus, the user can view the list display via the browser 152 of the client computer 150.

After this transmission, the vehicle information management server 100 waits for a control request from the target user (step 606). Here, when the user requests detailed information on a specific vehicle on the web page, an identifier specifying the selected vehicle (for example, vehicle registration ID)
And web page ID prepared for the target vehicle)
Is transmitted to the vehicle information management server 100 side. For example, a mouse clickable area is generated in a part of the summary information of each vehicle, and the web page is configured so that the identifier of the target vehicle is transmitted when the mouse clicks on the area.

When the server obtains the identifier, the system accesses the vehicle information database 116 and obtains detailed information on the target vehicle based on the identifier (step 608). Here, the acquired information is limited to information stored in the vehicle information database 116 that has been previously permitted to be disclosed to anyone other than the owner. In addition, information that each owner wants to avoid disclosure to others can be further excluded from acquisition by the owner's explicit request. For example, a secret flag for specific information may be stored in advance in the vehicle information database in accordance with an instruction of the owner, and this may be referred to when acquiring data.

In the next step 610, a web page of detailed vehicle information is created for the information permitted by the owner. At this time, the web page is configured to include an object such as a purchase request button in order to allow the user who has made the request to indicate a desire to purchase the vehicle. The generated web page is sent to the requesting user and will be displayed on the client computer (step 61).
2).

Next, a process in the case where the user who has confirmed the detailed information of the vehicle on the web page sends out a purchase request for the vehicle will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control on the server side when a request to purchase a vehicle is sent. The control is started when the user presses a purchase request button on the web page displaying the detailed information (step 702). When the purchase request button is pressed on the web page, the vehicle information management server 100 transmits an input web page for inputting purchase conditions (such as a desired purchase amount) to the user (step 704). .

The user's client computer 150
When a purchase condition is input at step S and the transmission is performed by pressing a transmission button on the web page (step 70).
6), the vehicle information management server 100 receives this information together with the registration ID of the target vehicle (and, if necessary, the ID of the user who has made a purchase request). Then
The vehicle information database 116 is accessed, and the purchase request information is written into the record specified by the vehicle registration ID (step 708). The vehicle information database 116 stores the desired number of purchases for each vehicle.
This can be recorded by a method such as incrementing the value of a field for storing the number of desired purchases every time there is a purchase request for a specific vehicle. Of course, the information regarding the purchase request may be stored independently in another database. As described above, the purchase request information stored in the vehicle information database 116 is displayed on the owner's client computer together with the vehicle information in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG.

Next, a description will be given of the processing on the server side when a vehicle managed by the owner of this vehicle is put up for auction provided at this site. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the owner of the vehicle puts up his / her vehicle in an auction provided on this site. The vehicle owner can consider whether or not to sell the vehicle at the auction while referring to the web page for the vehicle displayed according to the procedure shown in FIG. In other words, on this web page, as described above, a graph showing the trade-in market price of the vehicle and information on the purchase request are displayed, and by taking into account such information, the vehicle owner can sell the vehicle. Given time, you may decide to enter an auction offered on this site as needed.

The process shown in FIG. 8 is started when the owner presses the sale request button arranged on the web page (step 802). When the button is pressed, the registration ID of the target vehicle is displayed in the vehicle information management server 10.
Sent to 0. When this is received on the vehicle information management server 100 side, the system transmits the vehicle information database 116.
And obtains information on the target vehicle based on the received registration ID (step 804). Next, the obtained vehicle information is inserted into the target box of the input web page for requesting input of necessary information, and transmitted to the owner's client computer 150 (step 806).

The owner of the vehicle enters the remaining necessary items (for example, the lowest bid price, the date of the successful bid, the appeal point, etc.) in the blank portions of the input web page displayed on the client computer 150. Description), and then press the send button. It is preferable that the owner can correct the automatically input vehicle information at the time of this input. When the server receives the press of the send button (step 80)
8) Next, it is determined whether or not all necessary items are described in the received exhibition information of the vehicle (step 810).
If the description is not sufficient, this is notified to the user and the registration is prompted again (step 812). If all necessary items are described, an exhibition ID for identifying the vehicle is generated on an auction provided on the site (step 814). Then, the information on the vehicle and the generated exhibition ID are registered in the auction information database 120 (step 816). Thus, the registration of the vehicle to be auctioned is completed.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the matters described in the above embodiments, and that changes, improvements, and the like can be made based on the description in the claims. In the above embodiment, a graph showing the expected trade-in price range is displayed on the web page of the vehicle information provided to the vehicle owner. However, the market price between the traders or in the market may be displayed as a graph, or numerical data may be displayed instead of or together with the graph. Each database required in this system only needs to exist in a state where the information management server can access it, and it exists as a server remote from the server or owned by another service provider. May be used.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, information on a vehicle can be easily and permanently managed in a client-server computer environment accessible to the owner of the vehicle. In this case, the owner can know the market price of the vehicle on the screen, and can determine the market value, the timing of sale, and the like. As a result, the supply of vehicles to the used car market is promoted, and the market is activated.

In particular, when the owner of the vehicle makes a request to auction the own vehicle, the information of the target vehicle stored in the vehicle information database is stored in the auction information database. According to the present invention, the procedure for exhibiting the vehicle in the auction market is simplified, so that the supply of the vehicle to the market is further promoted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle information management server constituting a vehicle information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a client computer used by a user thereof.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for user registration in a vehicle information management server.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a vehicle registration procedure for a registered user to manage his / her vehicle on this site.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for displaying vehicle information on the owner's client computer.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of a web page generated according to the procedure shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for displaying information about another person's vehicle on a client computer of a user who has requested the information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control on the server side when a request to purchase a vehicle is transmitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the owner of the vehicle puts up his / her vehicle in an auction provided on this site.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 vehicle information management server 102 CPU 104 RAM 106 ROM 108 data storage device 110 network interface 112 web page 114 user database 116 vehicle information database 118 transaction market database 120 auction information database 150 client computer 152 browser 154 user ID / password 160 computer network 500 Vehicle information web page 502 Basic specification display area 504 Equipment information display area 506 Damage related information display area 508 Vehicle usage status display area 510 Vehicle photo display area 512 Graph display area 514 Purchase information display area 516 Sale request button

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A method for managing vehicle information in a client-server computer environment accessible to an owner of the vehicle, comprising: storing information about the vehicle, including at least the type and age of the vehicle, together with an identifier of the owner. A step of preparing, on one or a plurality of server computers, an information database and a transaction market database storing used car transaction information for each model and year of the vehicle, and from a client computer operated by the owner to the vehicle A step of acquiring information on the vehicle of the owner from the vehicle information database based on the identifier of the owner when there is a display request for information; and Retrieves market quotes or quotes, including quoted price ranges, for the subject vehicle from the database. A method for managing vehicle information, comprising: a step of obtaining; and a step of displaying, on the client computer, the obtained transaction price information together with the information on the obtained vehicle. 2. The quoted price or quoted price range stored in the trade quotes database is a quoted price or quoted price range between traders, and the method is based on the quoted price or quoted price price between the traders. Calculating the trade-in price or trade-in price range of the vehicle, wherein the step of displaying the trade-in price information on the client computer includes the trade-in price information including the calculated trade-in price or trade-in price range. 2. The method for managing vehicle information according to claim 1, wherein the information is displayed on the client computer together with the information on the obtained vehicle. 3. The step of obtaining the transaction market information,
Based on the vehicle type of the obtained vehicle, to obtain transaction price information including a market price or a price range for each of a plurality of vehicle body years including the obtained vehicle body year from the transaction market database, The method includes calculating a past or future market price or market price range of the target vehicle based on the obtained market price or market price range for each of the plurality of vehicle year models, and the transaction market information. Displaying on the client computer the current quoted price or quoted price range;
The vehicle information according to claim 1, wherein transaction price information including the calculated past or future market price or market price range is displayed on the client computer together with the obtained vehicle information. How to manage. 4. A step of generating a graph displaying a market price or a price range over time based on the current market price or the market price range and the calculated past or future market price or the market price range. The method further comprising the step of displaying the transaction quotation information on the client computer, wherein the transaction quotation information including the generated graph is displayed on the client computer together with the information on the obtained vehicle. Item 4. A method for managing vehicle information according to item 3. 5. The vehicle information database includes a vehicle score obtained by quantifying the value of the vehicle based on information on a vehicle other than a vehicle type and a vehicle body type, and the method includes: Calculating the expected market price of the target vehicle based on the vehicle score, displaying the transaction market information on the client computer, the transaction market information including the expected market price, 5. The method for managing vehicle information according to claim 1, wherein the information is displayed on the client computer together with the obtained information on the vehicle. 6. The information regarding the vehicle to be quantified,
6. The method for managing vehicle information according to claim 5, including a color of a vehicle body, a mileage, a time of vehicle inspection, and a type of accessory equipment. 7. The information regarding the vehicle to be quantified,
The method for managing vehicle information according to claim 5, further comprising vehicle maintenance history information. 8. When a client computer operated by another person requests display of information on a vehicle associated with a specific owner, information permitted by the owner among the information on the vehicle of the owner is displayed. Acquiring from the vehicle information database; displaying the acquired information on the vehicle on a client computer operated by the other person together with an input object for displaying an intention to purchase; and The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a step of receiving a purchase request for the vehicle from the other person based on an operation; and a step of notifying the owner of the vehicle of the purchase request. How to manage information. 9. The step of notifying the owner of the vehicle of the purchase request to the owner of the vehicle includes the step of displaying the transaction market information on the client computer of the owner, including an indication that the purchase applicant is present. The method for managing vehicle information according to claim 8, wherein the method is realized by: 10. The indication that there is a purchase applicant is as follows:
The method for managing vehicle information according to claim 9, including the number of purchasers and a desired purchase price. 11. A step of preparing an auction information database storing information on vehicles to be auctioned, and a request from a client computer operated by an owner of the vehicle to auction the own vehicle. 11. The method for managing vehicle information according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising the step of: storing information on a target vehicle stored in the vehicle information database in the auction information database. 12. Displaying the transaction quote information on the owner's client computer includes displaying an input object for requesting that the vehicle be subject to an auction, and The method of managing vehicle information according to claim 11, wherein storing information in an auction information database is performed when the input object is operated. 13. An apparatus for managing vehicle information in a client-server computer environment accessible to an owner of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle stores at least information about the vehicle including at least the type and age of the vehicle together with an identifier of the owner. An information database, a transaction market database storing transaction market information of used vehicles for each vehicle type and vehicle year, and a request for display of vehicle information from a client computer operated by the owner. Means for acquiring information about the owner's vehicle from the vehicle information database based on the identifier; and, based on the acquired information about the vehicle, a market price or a market price range for the target vehicle from the transaction market database. Means for acquiring transaction price information, including: With resulting information about the vehicle, apparatus for managing vehicle information and means for displaying on the client computer. 14. The market price or market price range stored in the trade market database is a market price or market price range between traders, and the apparatus is based on the market price or market price range between the traders. Means for calculating a trade-in price or a trade-in price range of the vehicle, and means for displaying the trade-in information on the client computer, wherein the trade-in information including the calculated trade-in price or the trade-in price range is included. 14. The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 13, wherein the information is displayed on the client computer together with the information on the obtained vehicle. 15. The system according to claim 15, wherein the means for acquiring the market price information comprises a market price or a market price for each of a plurality of vehicle year models including the vehicle body model model acquired from the transaction market database based on the vehicle type of the acquired vehicle. The apparatus acquires transaction price information including a market price range, and based on the obtained market price or market price range for each of the plurality of vehicle year models, the apparatus acquires the past or future market price of the target vehicle. Or means for calculating a market price range, wherein the means for displaying the transaction market information on the client computer includes a current market price or market price range,
The vehicle information according to claim 13 or 14, wherein transaction price information including the calculated past or future market price or market price range is displayed on the client computer together with the information on the obtained vehicle. A device that manages. 16. A means for generating a graph displaying a market price or a price range over time based on the current market price or the market price range and the calculated past or future market price or the market price range. Means for displaying the transaction price information on the client computer, wherein the transaction price information including the generated graph is displayed on the client computer together with the information on the obtained vehicle. Item 16. An apparatus for managing vehicle information according to Item 15. 17. The vehicle information database includes a vehicle score obtained by quantifying the value of the vehicle based on information on a vehicle other than a vehicle type and a vehicle body type, wherein the device obtains the market price or market price range, and Means for calculating an expected market price of the target vehicle based on the vehicle score, means for displaying the transaction market information on the client computer, the trade market information including the expected market price, The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the information is displayed on the client computer together with the acquired information on the vehicle. 18. The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 17, wherein the information on the vehicle to be quantified includes a color of a vehicle body, a mileage, a time of vehicle inspection, and a type of an accessory. 19. The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 17, wherein the information regarding the vehicle to be quantified includes maintenance history information of the vehicle. 20. When a client computer operated by another party requests display of information on a vehicle belonging to a specific owner, information permitted by the owner among the information on the vehicle of the owner is displayed. A means for acquiring from the vehicle information database, a means for displaying the acquired information on the vehicle together with an input object for displaying an intention to purchase on a client computer operated by the other person, 20. The vehicle according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising: means for receiving a purchase request from the other person for the vehicle based on an operation; and means for notifying the owner of the vehicle of the purchase request. A device that manages information. 21. The means for notifying the owner of the vehicle of the purchase request to the owner of the vehicle includes an indication of the presence of the purchase applicant in the means for displaying the transaction market information on the client computer of the owner. 21. The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 20, wherein the apparatus is implemented by: 22. An indication that there is a purchase applicant,
22. The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 21, including the number of purchasers and a desired purchase price. 23. An auction information database storing information on vehicles to be auctioned, and a client computer operated by the owner of the vehicle, when a request is made to auction its own vehicle. 23. The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 13, further comprising: means for storing information of a target vehicle stored in a vehicle information database in the auction information database. 24. The means for displaying the transaction quote information on the owner's client computer includes means for displaying an input object for requesting that the vehicle be subject to an auction, and The apparatus for managing vehicle information according to claim 23, wherein the means for storing information in the auction information database is executed when the input object is operated.