JP2002216042A - Transaction supporting device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the reliability of commercial transaction without generating useless confusing and excessive competition in an already existing transaction system since an intermediate supplier exists among the commercial transaction formally secures reliability of a commercial transaction. SOLUTION: It is possible to maintain quickness by making arrangements for directly delivering merchandise ordered from a customer to the customer without the interruption of any mediating agent, and to command procedures required for the money payment and reception of the mediating agent or the customer whose intervene is assumed at that time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transaction support apparatus and a transaction support method that are preferably used when a customer orders a product or the like online using a communication network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, online shopping and the like represented by electronic malls and the like have become popular due to the development of the Internet. Such online shopping has the advantage that it is possible to reduce intermediate costs and promptly deliver goods by direct commercial transactions between the goods provider and the customer.

[0003]

However, many of these types of online shopping and the like are planned in a form completely independent of the conventional transaction system. There are many companies that ignore the existence of intermediaries such as sales headquarters or that compete with the activities of these intermediaries. As a result, there is a risk that the existing trading system will be confused.

[0004] From the viewpoint of both the customer and the product provider,
Whether or not the other party is reliable is unknown, and in many cases, it is necessary to take a certain amount of risk as compared with the conventional business transaction through an intermediate company such as a reliable dealer.

Accordingly, the present invention secures promptness in electronic commerce using a communication network such as the Internet by arranging that products ordered from customers are delivered directly to customers without the intervention of an intermediate company. In addition to reducing unnecessary costs, at the same time, it is assumed that commercial transactions have been performed through intermediate companies, and various processes are performed on intermediate companies, etc., and unnecessary confusion and excessive competition are caused in these existing trading systems. Its main purpose is to be able to ensure the reliability of commercial transactions without inviting.

[0006]

That is, a transaction support apparatus according to the present invention supports a commercial transaction performed between a customer and a provider of goods or services through one or more intermediaries. An order receiving unit that receives an order for a product or service from a customer; a providing processing unit that performs processing for providing the received product or service to the ordering customer without passing through the intermediate company; If it is assumed that the goods or services have been provided to the customer via the responsible intermediary responsible for the customer, the customer and the intermediary will receive monetary information, which is information on the amount to withdraw or deposit, etc. And a money-related information output unit for outputting to a middleman.

Here, "accept" means not only receiving information through a communication network, but also receiving an FA entered by an apparatus operator or the like using input means such as a keyboard.
This also includes accepting information on the contents described, such as X and mail. Also, “accept” may be direct or indirect.

[0008] "Providing process" means, for example, outputting information for shipping ordered products to a provider of the products, selecting a delivery organization, and searching stock information. And does not include processing related to money transfer such as sending a bill.

[0009] The term "intermediary agent" includes not only dealers and retailers who directly deal with customers, but also wholesalers and sales supervising stores.

The term "output" includes displaying the content of information on a screen, dropping it into a file, printing, or transmitting information. The “output” may be direct or indirect.

[0011] In such a case, since the intermediate transaction is formally involved in the commercial transaction, the use of the existing transaction system can be avoided without causing unnecessary confusion or excessive competition, and the reliability of the commercial transaction can be ensured. Arrangements can be made to deliver the products ordered from the company directly to the customer without the intervention of an intermediary company, ensuring promptness. Since the procedure is instructed, wasteful costs can be reduced as compared with the related art.

[0012] As a specific mode for specifying an intermediate company in charge of a customer, a customer identifier assigned to each customer is stored in a pair with an intermediate company identifier for identifying a predetermined intermediate company. An information storage unit, and, when an order is received from the customer, a responsible company specifying unit that identifies a responsible intermediate company to be in charge of the customer based on the intermediate company identifier accumulated in pair with the customer identifier. Can be mentioned.

In order to improve the convenience, it is preferable that the system further comprises a settlement agency which performs settlement for payment and withdrawal of customers and intermediate companies.

[0014] As a specific embodiment of the settlement agency, the middleman is composed of a higher middleman and a lower middleman under the jurisdiction of the upper middleman, and has a multi-stage hierarchical structure. It is desirable that the settlement agency acts as an agency for settlement performed between the customer and the lowest intermediary directly in charge of the customer.

[0015] As a preferred mode for an intermediary company that keeps the conventional transaction mode with the customer as it is or attaches importance to the point of contact with the customer, the money-related information is the billing information that is information on the billing amount. And a change unit for changing the billing information generated for the customer to an intermediate company in charge of the customer as required.

In order to facilitate money processing in the event of a return, it is preferable that the apparatus further include an offset processing section for performing an offset processing relating to the refund.

In particular, as in the present invention, as a mode in which the structure is premised on the assumption that an intermediary company intervenes, the feature is taken advantage of when the canceling processing unit cannot execute the canceling process on the customer. There are those that perform offset processing for the intermediate trader in charge of the customer, and those that execute offset processing for the upper intermediate trader who has jurisdiction over the intermediate trader when the offset processing cannot be performed for the intermediate trader. .

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

First, as shown in FIG. 18, this business model includes one or more stages of intermediaries (in this embodiment, lower intermediates which are directly in charge of customers) between a customer who conducts business and a product provider. There is a trader and a higher-ranking trader who controls one or more lower-order traders, and these intermediate traders are built on the assumption that they are involved in the commercial transaction. 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an entire system in this embodiment. In FIG. 1, P1 is a center computer that functions as a transaction support device, P2 is a terminal device used by a customer, and these are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet so as to be capable of two-way communication. .

The center computer P1 is, for example, a web
It has a server function and a database function, etc.
As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 101, the internal memory 102, the HD
It has an external storage device 103 such as D, a communication interface 104 such as a modem, a display means 105 such as a display, and an input means 106 such as a mouse and a keyboard. This center computer may be constituted by a group of devices in appearance, or a plurality of devices may be provided at separate locations and connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The terminal device P2 is, for example, a personal computer having a Web browser function. As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 201, an internal memory 202, an external storage device 203 such as an HDD, a communication interface 204 such as a modem, a display, etc. And the like, and input means 206 such as a mouse and a keyboard. In addition, a mobile phone, a television having a web browser function, or the like may be used. 2. Overview of Function The center computer P1 according to the present embodiment operates the CPU 101 and peripheral devices in accordance with a program or the like stored in the external storage device 103 or the like, as shown in FIG. Part 2,
It functions at least as the money-related information output unit 3, charge information storage unit 4, charge company specifying unit 5, settlement agent unit 6, change unit 7, and offset processing unit 8. The program is
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium K1 such as a CD-ROM and installed, or the program may be downloaded via an electric communication line such as the Internet. You may. The center computer P
1 may be displayed as a cownet or a wellnet in the figure. 3. Description of Operation Next, an example of the operation of the center computer will be described below. (1) Intermediary Contractor-Specific Processing Related Operation in Charge The intermediate contractor in charge of the customer is determined when the customer is registered.
In the present embodiment, for example, if the customer is a customer cultivated by a lower middleman, the direct charge of the customer is set to the lower middleman. The upper intermediate company is automatically set based on the customer's address, etc., and after accepting the acceptance of the upper intermediate company, the responsible lower intermediate company is set by agreement between the upper intermediate company and the lower intermediate company. Like that. The contents of this setting are stored in the assigned information storage unit in the form of a pair of the customer identifier and the identifier of the lower intermediate company in charge. Similarly, the lower intermediate company and the upper intermediate company that has jurisdiction over the lower intermediate company are also stored in the jurisdiction information storage unit in the form of their identifiers being paired.

Then, the responsible trader specifying section specifies the responsible intermediate trader to be in charge of the customer based on the intermediate trader identifier accumulated in pair with the customer identifier. (2) Order Processing-Related Operations As shown in FIG. 5, when an order is received from a customer (step S11), the order information generation unit generates order information on the ordered product, price, and the like, and associates it with the customer identifier. And store it in the order information storage unit (step S12). Thereafter, the order information is sent to the provision processing unit, and various processes required until the product is delivered are performed (step S).
13). The processing here refers to, for example, processing for outputting information for shipping ordered products to a provider of the products, selecting a delivery organization, and searching for inventory information. This does not include money related processing. By this provision processing unit, the ordered product is directly provided to the customer without any intermediary. (3) Operations Related to Money Information Processing and Settlement Agency Processing When processed and shipped by the provision processing unit, the information is stored as shipping result information in the shipping result storage unit in combination with the customer identifier (step). S14).

Then, the sales accounting processing unit accumulates the sales amount for a certain period in a pair with the customer identifier in the sales result accumulation unit from the shipment result information accumulated in the shipment result accumulation unit (step S15). In the present embodiment, the sales record storage unit stores both a monthly sales amount, which is a monthly sales amount, and a daily sales amount, which is a daily sales amount.

Based on these sales amounts, billing information, which is information relating to billing amounts, and detailed information, which is information relating to billing, etc., are related to monetary information which is information relating to amounts to be paid out or deposited by customers and intermediaries. The information is generated by the money related information generating unit (step S16).

Thereafter, the money-related information output unit sends the money-related information to the customer and the middleman, assuming that the goods are provided to the customer via the middleman in charge of the customer who ordered the product. Output (Step S17).
The output destination and the contents of the monetary information to be output (contents of bills, specifications, etc.) are as shown in FIGS.

Further, in this embodiment, when the billing information destination change receiving unit receives a request from a lower intermediate company, the changing unit transmits the billing information generated for the customer to the lower intermediate company. Change and output.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the settlement agency acts as an agent for settlement performed between the customer and the lowest intermediary directly in charge of the customer.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, an account number on the center computer side is set for each customer, and the account number and the customer identifier are paired and stored in the transfer destination storage unit. Then, after a bill (shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) created from the billing information output to the customer is mailed to the customer, if there is a payment from the customer to the account number (step S21), Identify the customer identifier from the account number,
The responsible intermediate company is specified from the customer identifier (step S22). And for this middleman in charge,
An amount obtained by subtracting various expenses (specification, billing fee, etc.) from the amount paid by the customer is paid to the account of the intermediate company (step S23). At this time, as described above, based on the money-related information generated by the money-related information generation unit, the money-related information output unit faxes the information corresponding to the receipt details table and the settlement statement shown in FIGS. Alternatively, the information is transmitted to the lower intermediate trader as an e-mail.

If, for example, the amount of payment from the customer is less than the amount of the invoice issued to the customer, a notice is sent to the responsible intermediate company. Therefore, the lower middleman needs to collect the receivable from the customer.

Further, in order to maintain the conventional manner of dealing with the customer as it is or to attach importance to the point of contact with the customer, when there is a request from the responsible middleman, the changing unit generates the request for the customer. The requested billing information is changed for the intermediary responsible for the customer. This is the same for sending a catalog.

It should be noted that the settlement agency process is not performed between the lower intermediate company and the upper intermediate company. In response to this, based on the money-related information generated by the money-related information generation unit, the money-related information output unit prints out the bill or the information corresponding to the billing statement, or sends the information as an e-mail to the lower intermediate trader. And send it to the upper middleman. This is because the degree of freedom such as the arrangement between the lower intermediate company and the upper intermediate company is not hindered. (4) Return / Refund Process Related Operations When a return occurs, the offset processing unit performs an offset process related to the refund, as shown in FIG.

The specific contents of the offset processing differ depending on the time of return (step S31). Here, "return" refers to a point in time when the inspection processing is completed on the side of the center computer.

First, in the case where the time of ordering a product or the like related to a return from the customer and the time of the return are within the same processing period (the same month in the present embodiment), offset processing is performed on the billing amount to the customer ( Step S33).

In the case where the order of the product or the like related to the return from the customer and the time of the return are within different processing periods (another month in this embodiment), and the customer can perform the offset processing alone. In other words, if the total order amount of the customer in the month at the time of return is equal to or greater than the amount related to the returned product, the offset processing is performed on the billing amount to the customer in the month at the time of return (step S3).
4).

Further, the ordering and returning of the product etc. related to the return of goods from the customer are within a different processing period (another month in this embodiment), and the offset processing cannot be performed by the customer alone. In that case, that is, if the total order amount of the customer in the month at the time of return is less than the amount related to the returned product, the billing information addressed to the customer in the month at the time of return is sent to the responsible lower intermediate company. And
The responsible lower middleman prompts the customer to perform a refund process directly, and a refund by offsetting is performed in the request to the lower middleman in charge (step S36).

Further, in the case where the offsetting process cannot be performed in the request for the lower intermediate company in charge, the upper intermediate company that controls the intermediate company from the upper intermediate company that controls the intermediate company to the lower intermediate company in the same procedure. In addition to prompting the refund process to be performed directly, the offset process is performed for the upper intermediate company (step S38).

If the offset processing cannot be performed in the request for the highest-level intermediate agent, a refund processing is performed on the center computer side (step S39).

[0038]

According to the present invention described in detail above, an intermediary company is formally involved in a commercial transaction, so that there is no unnecessary confusion or excessive competition in an existing transaction system, and the reliability of the commercial transaction is improved. In addition, it is possible to secure promptness by arranging for direct delivery of products ordered from customers to customers without the intervention of intermediaries, and to ensure promptness. Since instructions for procedures relating to deposits and withdrawals are issued, wasteful costs can be reduced as compared with the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal device configuration diagram of a center computer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an internal device configuration diagram of the terminal device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a center computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing the processing procedure of the center computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the processing procedure of a center computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a processing outline diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a processing time series outline diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a customer invoice output in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a customer invoice output in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a storage statement for lower intermediate traders output in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a settlement report for lower intermediate companies output in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a bill for a lower intermediate company output in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a billing statement for a lower intermediate company output in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a bill output to the upper intermediate trader in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a billing statement for an upper intermediate trader output in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a business model in the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 P1: Transaction support device (center computer) P2: Terminal device 1: Order receiving unit 2: Provision processing unit 3: Money related information output unit 4: Charged information storage unit 5. ..Responsible agent specifying unit 6 ... Transfer agent unit 7 ... Change unit 8 ... Offset processing unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 426 G06F 17/60 426 430 430 (72) Inventor Takeshi Dehara 3-Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 17-12 5th Floor of Azuma Building Inside Kaunet Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Enomoto 3-17-12 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 5th Floor of Azuma Building Kaunet Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] Claims: 1. An order receiving unit for supporting a commercial transaction between a customer and a provider of goods or services through one or more intermediaries, and receiving an order for goods or services from the customer. And the received goods or services, without going through the intermediary,
If it is assumed that the provision processing unit that performs processing for providing to the ordering customer and the received product or service has been provided to the customer via the intermediary responsible for the customer, the customer and the intermediate A transaction support device comprising: a money-related information output unit that outputs money-related information, which is information relating to money or the amount to be deposited, to the customer and the intermediate company. 2. A charge information storage unit for storing a customer identifier assigned to each customer in combination with an intermediate trader identifier for identifying a predetermined intermediate trader, and a charge middle trader to be in charge of the customer. 2. The transaction support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a responsible company specifying unit for specifying based on the intermediate company identifier accumulated in pair with the customer identifier. 3. The transaction support device according to claim 1, further comprising a settlement agent section for executing settlement regarding payment and withdrawal of a customer and an intermediary agent. 4. The middleman comprises a middleman and a middleman under the jurisdiction of the middleman and has a hierarchical structure of a plurality of stages. The settlement agency connects the customer and the customer. 4. The transaction support device according to claim 3, wherein the transaction is performed on behalf of a settlement performed with the lowest intermediary directly in charge. 5. The money-related information includes billing information, which is information relating to a billing amount, and the billing information generated for a customer is changed to an intermediary responsible for the customer upon request. The transaction support device according to claim 1, further comprising a change unit that performs the change. 6. The transaction support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an offset processing unit that performs an offset process for a refund when a return occurs. 7. The transaction support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the offset processing unit is configured to execute an offset process for an intermediate contractor in charge of the customer when the offset process for the customer cannot be performed. 8. The offset processing unit according to claim 6, wherein, when the offset processing cannot be performed on the intermediate trader, the offset processing unit performs the offset processing on the upper intermediate trader having jurisdiction over the intermediate trader. Transaction support device. 9. A step for supporting a commercial transaction between a customer and a provider of goods or services through one or more intermediaries, and receiving an order for goods or services from the customer. And the received goods or services, without going through the intermediary,
Performing the process of providing the order to the customer; and assuming that the received product or service has been provided to the customer through the intermediary responsible for the customer, the customer or the intermediary withdraws or Outputting money-related information, which is information on the amount of money to be paid, to the customer and the intermediary trader.