JP2003108865A - Information processing method, information processor and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a customer in a system constituted to select the specifications of commodity on line, thereby supporting customer's commodity purchasing. SOLUTION: This information processing method includes a specifications select step of selecting the specifications of commodity according to the operation of a user terminal 5, a storage step of storing the information of the commodity whose specifications is selected in a server 1, and an information providing step of providing the stored information to the user terminal 5. The storage step is provided with a first storage mode of storing the information and estimated price of the commodity on the condition of transmitting the customer's identity information and a second storage mode of storing the information of the commodity without the above condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus for providing a customer terminal with information about a product online via a communication line in order to support the purchase of a product to be sold. Etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device relating to the provision of this kind of information, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-274326, catalog information of products to be sold is stored in a database in the form of multimedia information. There is known a system in which information on products that have been accumulated and specified on a computer system is read out from the database, and external output, quotation, delivery date inquiry, order processing, etc. can be performed.

In the field of automobile sales, for example, a user (customer) of a customer terminal connected to the Internet selects a desired specification in accordance with a predetermined option, and requests a quotation or a business negotiation regarding a vehicle having the selected specification. BT that made it possible to apply for online
There is a system called O (Build to Order) (for example, "Webtune Factory" http: //www.w-tune.
See com).

[0004]

By the way, in the latter BTO system, unlike the case of over-the-counter sales at a sales agency, information on products is received online,
One of the merits is that you can consider purchasing products at your own pace without revealing your identity, because you can select product specifications.

Further, in the above BTO system, when an estimate request is made for a vehicle whose specifications are selected online, the specification information and estimated price information of the vehicle are stored in the server. As a result, the customer who has made the quotation request can review the specification information and the estimated price information again and study the specifications before actually having a business negotiation with the vehicle. further,
Since the specification information and the estimated price information stored in the server are provided by the server by inputting a predetermined user ID, even if the customer who selects the specification and requests the estimate does not have to be the family member, By operating a customer terminal, a friend can obtain specification information and estimated price information and can study the information. That is, by storing the specification information and the estimated price information in the server, it becomes possible to share the information.

[0006] However, in the BTO system, it is necessary to disclose the identity information of the customer such as name and address when making the request for quotation. Therefore,
Unless you disclose your identity information, you will not be able to consider the specifications you have once selected or share the information with those specifications with your family and friends.

On the other hand, customers are hesitant to make an estimate request at the stage of considering whether or not to purchase a car. In addition, there is also a demand for taking sufficient time to discuss product specifications with family and friends before making a quotation request.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to support the purchase of a product by a customer by configuring the specification of the product so that it can be selected online. In the system configured in, to improve the convenience of the customer, in particular,
This is to configure the product specifications so that it can be easily examined, and to share information about the selected specifications among a plurality of customers.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a two-way communication between a server having information about products and each of a plurality of customer terminals operated by customers. Thus, the object is an information processing method for providing the information to the customer terminal from the server in response to a request from the customer terminal.

Then, in the server, the specification selection step of selecting the specification of the product according to the operation of any of the customer terminals and the information of the product selected in the specification selection step are selected. A storage step of storing in the server in response to a request from the customer terminal, and information stored in the storage step,
An information providing step of providing from the server to the customer terminal in response to a request from any one of the customer terminals, and in the storing step, from the customer terminal to the server, the identity information of the customer related to the customer terminal. The first storage mode for storing the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price of the product, and the condition of transmitting the identification information from the customer terminal to the server. The second, which stores the information of the product whose specifications are selected,
And a storage mode of.

Here, the customer terminal that requests the information provision in the information provision step is not limited to the customer terminal that selects the product specification in the specification selection step, and may be another customer terminal.

Thus, the information about the product of the specification selected by the customer in the specification selecting step is stored in the server in the storing step in response to the request from the customer terminal, and the information is sent from any of the customer terminals. Provided to its customers upon request.

At this time, in the storing step, the first
And a second storage mode. That is, when the customer provides the identity information to the server, the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the quotation information of the product are stored in the server in the first storage mode. On the other hand, when the customer has not provided the identity information to the server, the information of the product for which the specification is selected is stored in the server in the second storage mode.

As a result, even when the customer does not want to disclose his / her identity information, the information of the product for which the specification is selected by the second storage mode is stored in the server, and the customer can store the information of the product for which the specification is selected in the information providing step. You can get the information again. As a result, the customer can spend sufficient time to study the product specifications.

The request for information provision in the information provision step is not limited to the customer terminal whose specifications have been selected, but may be another customer terminal. Therefore, it becomes possible to share the product information stored in the second storage mode with a plurality of customers. As a result, it becomes possible to study the specifications of the product with family or friends, for example.

On the other hand, when the customer discloses his / her identity information, the information of the product whose specifications are selected in the first storage mode and the information of the estimated price of the product are stored in the server. Therefore, in the information providing step, the customer can again obtain the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price information of the product. In addition, the information stored in the first storage mode can also be shared with family members or friends. Thereby, the customer can study the specification of the product in consideration of the estimated price and the purchase of the product with sufficient time and with family and friends.

By providing the storage step with the two storage modes, the first storage mode and the second storage mode, the convenience of the customer can be improved.

The storing step is a step of storing the information in association with an ID number when storing the information of the product whose specification is selected by the second storage mode as described in claim 2. The step may be a step of providing the customer terminal with the information stored in the second storage mode in response to a request based on the ID number from the customer terminal.

By doing so, for example, if the above-mentioned ID number is shared between family members and friends, a request in the information providing step can be made by any of the customer terminals by the ID number and at any time. It is possible to share information on products for which specifications have been selected regardless of the specifications.

Further, when storing the product information in the second storage mode in the storing step, an ID providing step of providing an ID number attached to the information to the customer terminal is provided, and the ID providing step includes The step of providing the ID number to each of the customer terminal for which the specification is selected in the specification selecting step and the customer terminal different from the customer terminal specified by the customer terminal may be provided.

In this way, the server provides the ID number to not only the customer terminal whose specification is selected in the specification selecting step, but also the customer terminal designated by the customer terminal. Therefore, when sharing information, for example, even if the above-mentioned ID number is not exchanged between family and friends, the server can provide the ID number only by designating the customer terminal of the customer (family or friend) who wants to share. Then, it becomes possible to share the ID number. In this way, customer convenience can be improved.

Further, as described in claim 4, when the information is stored in the second storage mode in the storage step, the storage mode of the storage step is changed from the second storage mode to the first storage mode. And a storage mode switching step for switching to the second storage mode from the second storage mode to the first storage mode when the server receives the identity information from the customer terminal. The step of storing the information of the product stored in the storage mode together with the estimated price of the product may be adopted.

By doing so, if the estimated price for the product stored in the second storage mode becomes necessary, the customer terminal can simply provide the server with the identity information.
The first storage mode stores information about the product and the estimated price. That is, regarding the product information stored in the second storage mode, it is possible to receive the quotation information of the product without selecting the specification again in the specification selecting step. This can improve the convenience of the customer.

Further, as described in claim 5, it is preferable that the information stored in the second storage mode includes the information of the product for which the specification is selected, but does not include the information of the estimated price of the product.

That is, since the estimated price is important information for the side that provides it, it is preferable to provide it to only the customer who has disclosed his / her identity information.

Further, as described in claim 6, there may be provided an erasing step of erasing the information stored in the second storage mode after a lapse of a predetermined time.

Since the second storage mode is a mode in which the product information is stored without providing the identity information, the customer relatively easily requests the storage of the information in the second storage mode in the storing step. It is thought to be done. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that the storage capacity of the server becomes large. Therefore, by providing an erasing step of erasing the information stored in the second storage mode after a lapse of a predetermined time, unnecessary information can be erased and the storage capacity of the server can be saved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the server has the information about the product and provides the information to the customer terminal from the server in response to a request from each of a plurality of customer terminals connected via a communication line. The information processing apparatus configured as described above is targeted.

Then, the specification selecting means for selecting the specification of the product according to the operation of any of the customer terminals and the information of the product for which the specification is selected by the specification selecting means are sent from the customer terminal which selects the specification. In response to a request from any one of the customer terminals, a storage unit that stores the first or second storage region in response to a request and information stored in the first or second storage region by the storage unit And the information providing means for providing to the customer terminal, the storage means is configured to select the specification when the customer's identity information related to the customer terminal transmitted from the customer terminal having the specification is received. The product information and the estimated price of the product are stored in the first storage area. On the other hand, when the identification information of the customer is not received, the information of the product selected according to the specification is stored in the second storage area. It is an specific items to be configured to store in the area.

As a result, the same action and effect as the invention according to claim 1 can be obtained.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 has the information on the product and transmits the information from the server to the customer terminal in response to a request from each of a plurality of customer terminals connected via a communication line. An information processing program for controlling an information processing device configured to be provided.

Then, the information processing apparatus is caused to select the specification of the product in accordance with the operation of any of the customer terminals, and the customer relating to the customer terminal is requested in response to the request from the customer terminal that has selected the specification. When the identity information of the customer is received, the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price of the product are stored in the first storage area, while when the identity information of the customer is not received, the specification is selected. And storing the information of the merchandise in the second storage area and providing the customer terminal with the information stored in the first or second storage area in response to a request from any one of the customer terminals. This is a specific matter.

The information processing program according to the present invention may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0034]

As described above, according to the information processing method, the information processing apparatus, and the like of the present invention, when the information about the product for which the specification is selected is stored in the server in response to the request from the customer. In addition, when the customer provides the server with the identity information, the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the quotation information of the product are stored in the first storage mode, while the customer provides the server with the identity information. If not, information on the product for which the specification has been selected is stored in the second storage mode. Therefore, even when the customer does not want to disclose his / her identity information, the information of the product for which the specification has been selected by the second storage mode can be stored in the server, which allows sufficient time for studying the specification of the product. Can be done by

In the information providing step, the request for information provision is not limited to the customer terminal for which the specification has been selected, but may be another customer terminal. Therefore, it becomes possible to share the product information stored in the second storage mode with a plurality of customers. As a result, it becomes possible to study the specifications of the product with family or friends, for example.

Thus, by providing the two storage modes, the first storage mode and the second storage mode, the convenience for the customer can be improved.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a BTO system for an automobile will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the system of this embodiment, a user (hereinafter, also referred to as a customer) himself / herself selects desired specifications for a plurality of preset items, based on a standard specification vehicle (base specification vehicle) having predetermined specifications / equipment. This is a car quotation / ordering system that
A vehicle for which specifications are selected in this way is called an individual specification vehicle.

(Overall Configuration of Hardware) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a customized vehicle quotation / ordering system.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a server computer (server, information processing device) for an automobile manufacturer that produces an individualized vehicle for which specifications are selected and ordered by an individualized vehicle estimation / ordering system. In addition, it functions as an application server for the user terminal 5 or the sales agency terminal 4. This server computer may be present in the automobile manufacturer, or may be operated by another operator outside the automobile manufacturer (hereinafter, referred to as a vehicle manufacturer server in the present embodiment). Called).

The vehicle manufacturer side server 1 uses a general method as needed during the operation thereof by a manufacturer suggested retail price database (DB) 31, a progress management DB 32, a purchase support information DB 33, and a customer DB 34. , Estimated price DB
35 and the specification DB 36 can be accessed.

In the manufacturer's suggested retail price DB 31, the retail price desired by the automobile manufacturer (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturer's suggested retail price) is specified for each specification item that can be selected as an individual specification vehicle in this system. It is stored in advance in a state associated with the identification information.

In the progress management DB 32, the progress status from production to delivery, such as the assembling status of the individual specification vehicle ordered by this system and the transportation status of the individual specification vehicle, is stored for each specification number of each individual specification vehicle. Has been done. The progress management DB 32 also shows the progress from the provision of the estimated price in this system to the negotiation / contract, the actual sales price and actual status of each catalog specification vehicle and limited specification vehicle in the over-the-counter sales at the sales agency. Information such as an estimated price is stored for each sales agent. Furthermore, this progress management DB 32
Includes individual information of each sales agent (for example, discount source,
Sales results, etc.) are also stored for each sales agent. The contents of the progress management DB 32 are sequentially changed / updated manually or automatically.

In the purchase support information DB 33, information on various screens (FIGS. 14 to 29) displayed on the user terminal 5 in the personalized vehicle quotation / ordering system and, as will be described later in detail, the customer specifies the vehicle specifications. The constraint information and the like that are provided in advance regarding the options permitted to this customer at the time of selection are stored.

In the customer DB (first storage area) 34, information about the individualized vehicle which the user has already selected in the system, the estimated price of the individualized vehicle presented to each user, and each user The assessment of the trade-in vehicle and the credit examination information when the individualized vehicle is purchased by a loan are stored in a state associated with the user ID issued to each user. In addition, the identity information (name,
The address) is also stored in a state associated with the user ID.

The estimated price DB 35 stores, for each sales agency, an estimated price presented to each user when each specification item is sold by the sales agency.

In the present embodiment, the estimated price DB 35
The price quoted for each specification item set therein can be automatically changed / updated by the vehicle manufacturer server 1 according to a predetermined condition. That is, the estimated price DB35
The estimated price stored in is basically set by the sales agent, and the estimated price should be changed / updated by the sales agent according to a predetermined condition. The change / update is automatically performed by the vehicle manufacturer server 1 instead of the sales agent. Further, it is also possible to manually change / update via the server 1 on the vehicle manufacturer side by operating the sales agency terminal 4 described later.

When there are a plurality of sales agents,
One sales agent can access the data about himself in the estimated price DB 35 and refer to / change the contents registered therein, but the autonomy of the sales operation by each sales agent and To ensure independence,
Currently, due to the general security function, the estimated price D
In B35, it is configured so that it is not possible to access the data relating to other sales agents and refer to / change the contents thereof.

In the specification DB 36 (second storage area), information relating to the individual specification vehicle whose specifications have been selected by each user in this system is stored in a state associated with the shared ID (ID number). Unlike the customer DB 34, the specification DB 36 does not store the identity information (name, address, etc.) of each user, and does not store the estimated price of the individual specification vehicle.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a server computer (referred to as a sales agent side server in the present embodiment) that exists in a sales agent that sells the automobile of the automobile manufacturer. This is a LAN (Local Area Net) constructed by a sales agent.
work) server function. The function of this server also includes a function as a gateway that connects the LAN and the Internet 3 described later to each other.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a client computer (referred to as a sales agent terminal in this embodiment) existing in the sales agent, which is provided corresponding to each seller of the sales agent. The sales agency terminal 4 and the sales agency server 2
Is a so-called server on the LAN in the sales agency.
Form the client environment.

The sales agency terminal 4 can access the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 via the sales agency side server 2 and the Internet 3 as needed, during operation thereof. If the sales agency terminal 4 can access the vehicle manufacturer server 1 without going through the sales agency server 2, the sales agency server 2 may be omitted.

Reference numeral 3 is the Internet, which is a typical communication line. Reference numeral 5 denotes a user terminal (customer terminal) such as a personal computer, a mobile information terminal, or a mobile phone. This user terminal is operated by a user who uses this system, and may be installed in the user's home or the like, carried by the user, or installed in each sales agency.

In the above configuration, the user terminal 5, the vehicle maker side server 1, the sales agency side server 2 and the sales agency terminal 4 are connected to the Internet in order to send and receive information regarding quotation / ordering of individual vehicles, which will be described later. Two-way communication can be performed via the communication terminal 3 according to a general communication method. At this time, if the user terminal 5 is a personal computer, a telephone line or the like is also used via the provider (Internet provider) 6. Also,
When the user terminal 5 is a mobile information terminal or a mobile phone, a public wireless telephone line or the like is also used via the base station 8. A general configuration is adopted for these communication means themselves, and detailed description in this embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the vehicle manufacturer server 1, the sales agency server 2, the sales agency terminal 4 and the user terminal 5 in this embodiment.

In the figure, 22 is a display such as a liquid crystal display, and 23 is a keyboard as an input means. 24 is
The ROM stores a boot program and the like. 25
Is a RAM for temporarily storing various processing results. 26
Is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores programs and the like. Reference numeral 27 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device via a communication line 30 (Internet 3 or the like in this embodiment), and is a modem or TA when the user terminal 5 is a computer,
When the user terminal 5 is a mobile information terminal or a mobile phone, it is a wireless transceiver. 28 is a pointing device such as a mouse. These components are connected via an internal bus 29, and a CPU (central processing unit) 21 controls the entire device according to a program stored in a storage device 26. In the present embodiment, the display 22, the keyboard 23, and the pointing device 28 provide a so-called man-machine interface to the user on each display screen described later.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle manufacturer side server 1, the sales agency side server 2, the user terminal 5 and the sales agency terminal 4 are software (software) of a general communication protocol capable of performing Internet communication. Software program), an Internet browser function and a mailer function for transmitting / receiving data via the Internet 3 according to the software, and general software for drawing the browser.

Then, each of the above software is executed by the CPU 2
The vehicle manufacturer side server 1 and the user terminal 5 or the sales agency terminal 4 are connected to the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 via the Internet 3 by being appropriately executed by 1. A so-called server / client environment is formed in a state of being logged in.

(Functional System of Individual Specification Vehicle Estimating / Ordering System) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the basic functional system of the processing module executed in the individual specification vehicle estimating / ordering system. Each block shown in FIG. Is the server 1 of the vehicle manufacturer
The CPU 21 executes one unit of software (software program) roughly classified for each function to be described later. In the present embodiment, this functional unit is referred to as a processing module. These processing modules are stored in advance in the storage device 26 or the like of the vehicle manufacturer server 1.

Here, the function of each processing module will be outlined.

Initial processing (M1): While displaying the top screen (homepage) of the personalized vehicle quotation / ordering system on the user terminal 5, to another screen for selecting the specifications of the personalized vehicle, requesting a quotation, etc. Can be transitioned.

Vehicle specification selection processing (M2): The user (customer) of the user terminal 5 repeats the operation of selecting a desired specification from the options prepared in advance for the vehicle of the vehicle type being considered for purchase. This provides the user terminal 5 with an environment in which a desired individual vehicle can be selected.
Furthermore, when the specifications of the customized vehicle are confirmed, it is possible to transition to the estimation / assessment request processing (M3). This vehicle specification selection process (M2) corresponds to the specification selection step of selecting the specification of the vehicle according to the operation of the user terminal 5, and the vehicle specification selection process (M2) constitutes the specification selection means 71. .

Estimate / assessment request processing (M3): If the user who has confirmed the specifications of the individual specification vehicle desires, the sales agent estimates the sales price of the individual specification vehicle and requests the assessment of the trade-in vehicle. To provide an environment in which you can request

Quotation item confirmation processing (M4): When the user of the user terminal 5 is a customer who has already presented the estimated price to the individual specification vehicle for which the desired specifications have been fixed, the Other screens for providing information such as the estimated price history up to and specifications list, etc., as well as for credit examination when the user purchases the individual specification vehicle with a loan and business negotiation application for actually ordering Can be transitioned to. This estimate item confirmation process (M4) corresponds to the information providing step of providing the user terminal 5 with the information stored in the first storage mode in response to a request from the user terminal 5, and The confirmation processing (M4) constitutes the information providing unit 73.

Credit examination process (M5): When a user (customer) desires to purchase by a loan when purchasing an individual specification vehicle whose specifications have been finalized, credit examination based on the conditions input by the user is performed. Ask the company.

Business negotiation application process (M6): When the user (customer) desires a business negotiation for the actual purchase of the individual specification vehicle whose specifications have been fixed, the sales agent is notified of this.

Delivery date inquiry processing (M7): A user (customer) who has ordered an individualized vehicle is notified of the status and delivery date until the individualized vehicle can be actually delivered.

Instruction processing (M8): A user (customer) is provided with a method of using this personalized vehicle quotation / ordering system and an explanation of each function, and the user makes inquiries about this system. Can be transited to the inquiry processing (M9).

Inquiry processing (M9): With respect to this system, an inquiry or complaint is received from the user terminal 5, and the accepted inquiry or complaint is notified to the sales agency.

According to the individualized vehicle quotation / ordering system described in the present embodiment, the above processing module group (which will be described later with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 to 11) is executed by the vehicle manufacturer side server 1. As well as
By executing the browser program on the user terminal 5, the user terminal 5 is linked to the individual-specific vehicle estimation / ordering system as a client.
The display 22 is provided with a man-machine interface by displaying various screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 (FIGS. 16 to 29). Using the man-machine interface, the user (customer) of the user terminal 5 can perform specification selection, quotation, ordering, etc. for a desired individual specification vehicle.

Further, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 and the like, the vehicle price server 1 executes an estimated price providing process and an information sharing process separately from the above processing module.

(Software Executed by Vehicle Manufacturer Side Server 1) Next, the CPU 21 of the vehicle manufacturer side server 1
The software executed by will be described. In the following description, first, the state transition between the processing modules will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, and the transition of the display screen in each processing module will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. .
The information sharing process will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) State Transition Between Modules FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overall outline of the processing executed by the vehicle manufacturer server 1 in this embodiment.

M1 executed by the server 1 of the vehicle manufacturer
The processing module group of M9 to M9 has a function of displaying various window screens described later on the display 22 of the user terminal 5 and realizing an input operation to the displayed window. The transition of will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

In FIG. 9, step S11, step S12: Initial processing (M1) is executed by linking the user terminal 5 to the site of this system via the Internet 3 (step S11). Then, it is determined whether or not the activation request data for other processing has been received from the user terminal 5 (step S12), and when the data is received, step S13, step S16, step S21, or step depending on the data. When the data is not received, the process proceeds to step S24.

Steps S13 to S15: The vehicle specification selection process (M2) is executed (step S13), and during the execution, start request data for the estimate / assessment request process (M3) is received from the user terminal 5 concerned. It is determined whether or not (step S14), and when the data is received, the estimation / assessment request process (M3) is executed (step S15).

Steps S16 to S20: The quotation item confirmation process (M4) is executed (step S16), and during the execution, start request data for the credit examination process (M5) or the negotiation application process (M6) is executed. It is determined whether or not it is received from the user terminal 5 (step S1
7, step S19), when the data is received, the credit examination process (M
5) Alternatively, the negotiation application process (M6) is executed (steps S18 and S20).

Steps S22 and S23: Instruction processing (M8) is executed (step S2
2) Inquiry processing (M9) is executed (step S
23).

Step S24, Step S25: It is judged whether or not the data indicating the end of use of this system is received from the user terminal 5 during execution of each of the above processing modules (step S24), and when the data is received. The processing of the processing module being executed is stopped (step S25), and when the data is not received, the processing returns to step S12.

(2) Transition of display screen in each processing module Next, transition of display screen in each of the nine types of processing modules outlined above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. . Here, the relationship of the state transition between the processing modules shown by the broken line blocks in FIGS. 4 to 8 follows the functional system described above with reference to FIG.

-Initial Processing (M1), Vehicle Specification Selection Processing (M2)-FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transitions of display screens in the initial processing (M1) and vehicle specification selection processing (M2).

In the figure, initial processing (M1)
Is the top screen A which is the home page screen of this system.
-1 (FIG. 17) is displayed. In the top screen A-1 illustrated in FIG. 17, a user who wishes to use this system, which is capable of selecting specifications, quotations, orders, etc. of a customized vehicle (that is, linked to the vehicle manufacturer server 1 via the Internet 3 User of the user terminal 5 who is operating)
r "button is included. Initial processing (M1)
When this “Enter” button is operated, displays the home screen A-2 (FIG. 18) of the present system on the user terminal 5.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen A-2 displayed by the initial process (M1).

The display screen shown in the figure includes a plurality of operation buttons. When the operation button "About this site" or "Purchase procedure" is operated, the instruction processing (M8) described later is executed. Depending on the function, a predetermined explanation screen is displayed on the user terminal 5 concerned. Further, when the operation button of the “purchase consideration list” is operated, the function of the quotation item confirmation processing (M4) described later is provided to the user terminal 5. Then, when the operation button of “delivery date inquiry of purchased vehicle” is operated, the due date inquiry process (M
The function 7) is provided. Further, when the "information sharing" button is operated, the process can transit to the information sharing process described later.

Further, when the photograph portion of the sports type vehicle type A or the wagon type vehicle type B is clicked on the home screen A-2, the function of the vehicle specification selection process (M2) is performed on the user terminal 5 concerned. Provided.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle specification selection process (M2) is, for convenience of explanation, for example, for the sports type vehicle type A or the wagon type vehicle type B, the specification selection of the individual specification vehicle desired by the user is performed. You can

When the desired vehicle type is selected on the home screen A-2, the function of the vehicle specification selection process (M2) causes
Based on the standard specification vehicle (base specification vehicle) of the selected vehicle type, the user himself / herself can perform desired specification selection and confirmation for a plurality of predetermined items. In other words, the various specifications (equipment) preset as standard specification vehicles inside the system are
New equipment (optional equipment) that is replaced with other specifications (equipment) or is not set in standard specification vehicles
Is added.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the vehicle specification selection screen (B-1 to B-15) displayed by the vehicle specification selection process (M2). The basic format of the screen is engine Transmission selection screen B
-1 and B-8, tire / wheel selection screens B-2 and B-9, interior selection screens B-3 and B-10, audio selection screens B-4 and B-11, body color selection screen B-5 and B-12 and decoration parts selection screens B-6 and B-13 are basically common.

In these vehicle specification selection screens, in the upper half area, the vehicle type selected on the home screen A-2, its interior photo, and the "Z
"OOM" button, "Product information" button that can display various information related to the vehicle model, and standard specification display screen B-7 or B-14 that includes specifications and specifications regarding the standard specification vehicle of the vehicle model can be displayed. "Standard vehicle information" button,
Vehicle unit according to the specification selected by the user (individual specification vehicle 1
A manufacturer's suggested retail price (as a unit), a "details" button which can be displayed as shown in FIG. 20 for details of the manufacturer's suggested retail price, and details of each item of specifications selected by the user are displayed.

In the present embodiment, the manufacturer's suggested retail price can be displayed on a vehicle-by-vehicle or specification-item-by-vehicle basis on the vehicle specification selection screen. Can be presented,
The convenience is improved.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the manufacturer's suggested retail price detail screen displayed when the "detailed" button shown in FIG. 19 is operated. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for each vehicle and its basis are shown. The selected specification items and the manufacturer's suggested retail price for each item are displayed.

Further, the user selects the individual specification vehicle in the order of the selection screens B-1 to B-6 for the vehicle type A and the selection screens B-8 to B-13 for the vehicle type B. It is configured to be subject to restrictions such as selecting specification items in order from to, and in the lower half area of the vehicle specification selection screen,
Each selection process (step) corresponding to each of the screens B-1 to B-6 or B-8 to B-13 is displayed in a folder format in which a plurality of sheets are stacked, as an example.

In the example of FIG. 19, the state in which the folder of the third step is selected is displayed. In the selected folder (active state), the specification items to be selected by the user in that step are selected. Possible options are displayed along with images such as photographs, price differences from standard specification vehicles, and names (model numbers). In response to the user selecting a desired option (specification) from the displayed options, the selected specification information is stored in the vehicle manufacturer server 1 together with identification information (ID) that identifies the user. It

At this time, the vehicle manufacturer's server 1 acquires the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the specification item by referring to the manufacturer's suggested retail price DB 31 using the selected specification item information as a key, and the obtained specification. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the item is added to the specification items already selected in each step up to that point.

As a result, the manufacturer's suggested retail price for each vehicle displayed in the upper right of FIG. 19 is updated, and if the “details” button is selected thereafter, the current details are displayed in the details display screen illustrated in FIG. The specification items selected in the step and the columns for the manufacturer's suggested retail price are displayed with the columns added.

Further, in the lower half area of the vehicle specification selection screen, a "HOME" button capable of jumping to the home screen A-2 (FIG. 18), a "BACK" capable of transiting to the previous and next display screens, and The "NEXT" button is displayed.

It should be noted that a predetermined constraint is set in advance in the options allowed by the user in each step of the vehicle specification selection process (M2), and the basic idea is as follows.
As a first step of the specification selection work of the individual specification vehicle, there is a restriction so that the specification of the basic part that determines the power performance of the vehicle is selected, and also in the subsequent step, in the first step Constraints are set so that the selected specifications have the highest priority.

The option constraint information is information referred to as an option to be displayed on the screen corresponding to the next step, as the option is selected by the user in each step of the vehicle specification selection screen described above. Is preset in the purchase support information DB 33. Then, by selecting all the specification items, the identification information (specification number) for the individual specification vehicle of the user is selected.

Therefore, by sequentially performing the selection operation on the vehicle specification selection screen based on such restrictions, the user (customer) of the user terminal 5 can make the home screen A-2 (see FIG. 1).
The customized vehicle for the desired vehicle type selected in 8) can be easily selected by the user's own interactive game-like operation, and the user tunes the vehicle by the engineer of the automobile tuning shop. You can taste it.

When the selection of all the specification items necessary for the specification of the individual specification vehicle is completed in the vehicle specification selection process (M2), the selection specification display screen B-15 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed.

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of the selection specification display screen B-15 displayed by the vehicle specification selection processing (M2).
On the selection specification display screen B-15, as an example, a photograph image of the external appearance and interior of the individual specification vehicle for which the specification has been selected, the selected specification item and its price, the price of the standard specification vehicle, and the like are displayed.

On the selection specification display screen B-15, when the "sales company estimate request" button is operated in order to request an estimate of the actual sales price or an estimate request of the sales price to the sales agent, it is selected. The specification items of the customized vehicle are confirmed, and the process can be transited to the estimation / assessment request process (M3) described later. On the other hand, when the "return" button is operated, the specification item can be changed by sequentially returning to the vehicle specification selection screen corresponding to each step described above. That is, other options cannot be selected without returning to the previous option. Further, when the "information sharing" button is operated, the process can transit to the information sharing process described later.

-Quotation / Assessment Request Processing (M3) -FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen in the quotation / assessment request processing (M3) and the e-mail transmission function accompanying the quotation / assessment request. After the specification of the individual specification vehicle in the vehicle specification selection process (M2) is selected, it is activated in response to the operation of the above-mentioned "request for sales company estimate" button. From the estimate / assessment request process (M3), it is possible to transition to the vehicle specification selection process (M2) according to the user's operation.

As shown in the figure, the transition of the display screen in the estimation / assessment request process (M3) includes the estimation request top screen C-1 (FIG. 22) and the assessment application input screen C-2.
(FIG. 23), the sales agent search / selection screen C-3, the input content confirmation screen C-4, the quotation / assessment content transmission screen C-5, and the sales agency map browsing screen C-6 It can be displayed on the user terminal 5.

Quotation request top screen C-1 (FIG. 22): In this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 inputs items (name, etc., if already issued, user ID and password) related to the user. This makes it possible to request (request) a sales agent for an estimate or an evaluation of a trade-in vehicle for the individual specification vehicle previously determined in the vehicle specification selection process (M2). That is, after the information about the user is input on the display screen, if “Yes” is selected in the radio button related to the assessment application, the assessment application input screen C-2 is displayed,
If "No" is selected, the sales agent search / selection screen C-3 is displayed.

Assessment application input screen C-2 (FIG. 23): In this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 has predetermined specification items (vehicle maker name, vehicle name, Enter the displacement, mileage, etc.,
In response to the selection of the "Next" button, the sales agent search / selection screen C-3 is displayed.

Sales agent search / selection screen C-3 (not shown): In this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 is a sales agent who wishes to request an estimate of an individual specification vehicle or an evaluation of a trade-in vehicle. Can be selected by the user himself. As the selection procedure, for example, a quotation request top screen C
A method of automatically presenting a nearby sales agent based on the user's address previously input in -1, etc.,
A method of allowing the user to select a desired sales agent from among the displayed sales agents is assumed. In any case, by configuring the sales agent search / selection screen C-3 so that it can be expanded to the sales agent map browsing screen C-6 where the location of each sales agent can be confirmed on the map, It is good to consider the convenience of the user.

When a sales agent requesting a quotation of a customized vehicle or an evaluation of a trade-in vehicle is selected on the sales agent search / selection screen C-3, an input content confirmation screen is displayed on the user terminal 5 of the user. C-4 is displayed.

Input contents confirmation screen C-4 (not shown): This screen shows the contents of each specification item (including the manufacturer's suggested retail price) for the individual specification vehicle previously confirmed in the vehicle specification selection process (M2). , When selecting the assessment of a trade-in vehicle, the contents of each item input by the user on the assessment application input screen C-2, and a sales agent search / selection screen C-3 for requesting an estimate / assessment thereof. A list of information and the like regarding the sales agent selected in is displayed. When the user of the user terminal 5 confirms the content of the information displayed on the input content confirmation screen C-4 and then actually requests an estimate / assessment by a predetermined operation, the user terminal 5 displays the estimate / assessment content. The transmission screen C-5 is displayed.

Estimate / assessment content transmission screen C-5 (not shown): A quotation / assessment request is transmitted to this screen and accepted by the vehicle manufacturer server 1, and the sales agent selected by the user. Information such as that an e-mail about the request content from the store reaches the user is displayed.

For the estimate / assessment request processing (M3),
It includes a function of transmitting / receiving an e-mail in response to an estimate / assessment request transmitted from the user terminal 5 on the assessment content transmission screen C-5.

ID / password reply mail C-7: If the quote request from the user is the first time this time, an e-mail containing the ID / password issued to the mail address previously entered by the user. Will be sent.

Estimate / assessment request notification mail C-8: The vehicle manufacturer's server 1 notifies the target sales agent that the user has requested a quotation request for a customized vehicle and / or an assessment of a trade-in vehicle. An electronic mail for notifying the sales agency side server 2 is transmitted. In this email,
For example, the information (address, name, mail address, etc.) that can identify the user input on the quotation request top screen C-1 and the vehicle specification identification information (specification number) set in the vehicle specification selection process (M2). ), Assessment application input screen C-
The specification items of the trade-in vehicle input in 2 are included.

Quotation / Assessment Request Confirmation E-mail C-9: E-mail address previously input by the user from the sales agent who has been requested by the user to request a quotation for the customized vehicle and / or to assess the trade-in vehicle An e-mail is sent to confirm that the quotation request / assessment request has been made.

Assessment result reply mail C-10: For replying the assessment result to the email address previously input by the user from the sales agency requested by the user to assess the trade-in vehicle. An email is sent.

Estimate result reply mail C-11: For replying to the mail address previously input by the user from the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 with respect to the estimate result of the sales agency requested by the user for the quotation. Will be sent by e-mail.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the estimation / assessment request process (M3) performed in the vehicle manufacturer server 1.

In the figure, step S41: The estimate request top screen C-1 (FIG. 22) is displayed on the user terminal 5, and the validity of the user ID and password entered on the screen is checked.

Steps S42 and S43: It is judged whether or not there is a request for assessment (step S42). If there is no such request, the process proceeds to step S44, and if there is such a request, the user terminal 5 is judged. Assessment application input screen C-
2 (FIG. 23), the information of the trade-in vehicle desired to be evaluated is input to the user, and the sales agent search / selection screen C-3 is displayed on the user terminal 5 to sell the desired product. The user is made to select the agency, and the information input by the quotation / assessment request notification mail C-8 is transmitted to the selected sales agency (step S43).

Steps S44 and S45: It is judged whether or not there is a request for an estimate for the individual specification vehicle (step S44), and if there is no such request, the processing is terminated,
If there is the request, the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 gives the estimated price based on the identification information (specification number) of the vehicle specification set in the vehicle specification selection process (M2).
The estimated price providing process to be provided to the user is performed (step S4
5). That is, as will be described in detail later, an estimated price is automatically calculated based on the vehicle specification identification information (specification number) set in the vehicle specification selection process (M2), and the estimated price is calculated according to customer information or the like. After the correction, the email is sent to the email address previously entered by the user.

The sales agency which has received the assessment request assesses the trade-in vehicle according to the specification items of the trade-in vehicle acquired by the assessment request notification mail C-8. This assessment may be performed by the employee of the sales agent who actually checks the trade-in vehicle and performs it as usual, or automatically by referring to the database etc. in which the used car market price is set in advance. good.

-Quotation item confirmation process (M4) -FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transition of the display screen in the quotation item confirmation process (M4). In the home screen A-2 displayed by the initial process (M1), It starts up in response to the operation button on the “Purchase Review List”. From the estimate confirmation process (M4), the initial process (M1) and the credit examination process (M
5) or the negotiation application process (M6) can be performed.

As shown in the figure, the estimation item confirmation process (M
As the transition of the display screen in 4), the ID / password input screen D-1 (FIG. 24) and the purchase consideration information list screen D
-2 (Fig. 25), estimate confirmation screen D-3 (Fig. 26),
Each screen of the estimate specification image display screen D-4, the credit examination result display screen D-5, and the trade-in assessment result display screen D-6 can be displayed on the user terminal 5.

ID / password input screen D-1 (see FIG.
4): On this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 inputs the previously issued user ID (member ID) and password for the user and operates the "send" button to operate the system (vehicle). Log in to the manufacturer server 1). When the login is completed, the purchase consideration information list screen D-2 (FIG. 25) is displayed on the user terminal.

Purchase review information list screen D-2 (FIG. 25):
On this screen, the quote previously made for the user,
A list of assessments and credit examinations is displayed, and the user selects a desired display item by an operation such as clicking on the desired display item, whereby a screen showing detailed contents of the selected item is displayed on the user terminal 5 of the user. Is displayed.

Quotation item confirmation screen D-3 (FIG. 26): In this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 can confirm the detailed contents of the quotation previously performed for the user, When the "Apply" button is operated, it is possible to transition to the negotiation application process (M6), when the "Review credit" button is operated, it is possible to transition to the credit screening process (M5), and "Quotation specification image confirmation" When the button is operated, the image of the car corresponding to the quotation specification of the individual specification car currently displayed is displayed.
It can be confirmed on the estimated specification image display screen D-4 (not shown). Then, when the operation button of "return to the purchase consideration list" is operated, it is possible to transit to the purchase consideration information list screen D-2 (FIG. 25).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the estimate item confirmation processing (M4) performed in the vehicle manufacturer side server 1.

In the figure, step S51: The ID / password input screen D-1 (FIG. 24) is displayed on the user terminal 5, and the validity of the user ID and password input on that screen is checked.

Step S52: With reference to the customer DB 34, it is confirmed whether or not the quotation information regarding the user ID has been updated.

Step S53: Acquire the quotation information related to the user ID stored in the customer DB 34, and use the acquired quotation information as the purchase consideration information list screen D-2.
(FIG. 25) or in response to an operation on the screen, the quotation item confirmation screen D-3 (FIG. 26) is displayed on the user terminal 5 of the user.

Step S54: The updated quotation information relating to the user ID stored in the customer DB 34 is
In order for the user to be able to identify that the information has been updated, the purchase consideration information list screen D-2 (FIG. 25) or the operation on the screen, the quotation confirmation screen D-3 (FIG. 26) displays the user terminal 5 of the user. To display.

-Credit Screening Process (M5) / Business Negotiation Application Process (M6)-FIG. 7 shows the transition of the display screens in the credit screening process (M5) and the business negotiation application process (M6), and the electronic accompanying the credit screening and business negotiation application. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an e-mail transmission function. In the credit examination process (M5), in the quotation confirmation screen D-3 (FIG. 26) displayed by the quotation confirmation process (M4), the “credit review” button is displayed. It is activated in response to an operation, and the business negotiation application process (M6) is activated in response to the operation of the “business negotiation application” button on the quotation confirmation screen D-3 (FIG. 26). From the credit examination process (M5) and the negotiation application process (M6), it is possible to transit to the quotation item confirmation process (M4).

As shown in the figure, the transition of the display screen in the credit examination process (M5) is as follows: loan condition input screen E-1 (FIG. 27), repayment plan display screen E-2 (FIG. 28), credit examination. Each screen of the input screen E-3 and the credit application details transmission screen E-4 is changed to the user terminal 5 concerned.
Can be displayed on.

Borrowing condition input screen E-1 (FIG. 27): In this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 uses the installment loan of the individual specification vehicle presented in the quote item selected in the quote item confirmation process (M4). In the case of purchasing, various items regarding credits to be used can be input, and after the predetermined item is input, the “calculation execution” button is operated, and the repayment plan display screen E- appears on the user terminal 5. 2 (FIG. 28) is displayed.

Repayment plan display screen E-2 (FIG. 28): On this screen, a list of credit calculation results (repayment plan) based on the items set on the borrowing condition input screen E-1 is displayed. In response to the operation of the “credit examination application” button on this screen, the credit examination input screen E-3 is displayed on the user terminal 5.

Credit examination input screen E-3 (not shown): In this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 applies to the credit company for credit examination based on the repayment plan displayed on the repayment plan display screen E-2. You can

Credit application details transmission screen E-4 (not shown): On this screen, the credit examination is transmitted, and the e-mail regarding the acceptance and the examination result received by the vehicle maker server 1 arrives at the user. Information such as things is displayed.

In the estimate item confirmation processing (M4), in response to the credit examination application information transmitted from the user terminal 5 on the credit application content transmission screen E-4,
Includes the ability to send and receive email.

Credit examination request confirmation mail E-5: The credit examination request is made from the vehicle manufacturer server 1 requested by the user for the credit examination to the mail address previously input by the user. An email will be sent to confirm.

Credit examination request notification mail E-6: An electronic mail is sent from the vehicle manufacturer server 1 to the target credit sales company that the credit examination has been requested by the user. This e-mail contains the contents of the repayment plan displayed on the repayment plan display screen E-2, information about the user, and the like.

Credit examination result reply mail E-7: For replying the examination result to the mail address previously input by the user and the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 from the credit company that performed the credit examination. An email is sent.

Next, the negotiation application process (M
The transition of the display screen in 6) is as follows: Business negotiation application input screen F-1 (FIG. 29), Business negotiation application content transmission screen F
Each screen of -2 can be displayed on the user terminal 5.

Business negotiation application input screen F-1 (FIG. 29):
On this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 performs various negotiation-related applications to the sales agent who has presented the estimated price for the individual specification vehicle presented in the estimate item selected in the estimate item confirmation process (M4). You can enter items (whether you have a trade-in vehicle, whether you want to use credits, desired date for negotiations, etc.), and after the predetermined items are entered, the "negotiation application" button is operated, and the user terminal 5 displays Business negotiation application contents transmission screen F-
2 is displayed.

Business negotiation application content transmission screen F-2 (not shown): On this screen, the application content on the business negotiation application input screen F-1 is transmitted and accepted by the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 and the electronic data relating to the business negotiation. Information is displayed indicating that the corresponding sales agent will make contact by e-mail or telephone.

The business negotiation application process (M6) includes a function of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail in response to the business negotiation application information being transmitted from the user terminal 5 on the business negotiation application content transmission screen F-2.

Business negotiation request confirmation mail F-3: It is confirmed from the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 requested by the user for the business negotiation to the mail address previously input by the user for the business negotiation. An email will be sent to you to do so.

Business negotiation request notification mail F-4: An electronic mail is sent from the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 to the target sales agency that the business negotiation has been requested by the user. This e-mail includes the content displayed on the business negotiation application input screen F-1 and information about the user.

In the present embodiment, as a method of actually ordering an individualized vehicle to the automobile maker after negotiations at the sales agency, a method performed from the sales agency side server 2 to the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 or It is envisaged that a separate order will be placed using a dedicated line.

-Delivery Date Inquiry Process (M7), Instruction Process (M8), Inquiry Process (M9) -FIG. 8 shows transitions of display screens in the delivery date inquiry process (M7), instruction process (M8) and inquiry process (M9). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a function of sending an e-mail accompanying a delivery date inquiry.

The delivery date inquiry process (M7) is activated in response to the operation button of "delivery date inquiry of purchased vehicle" being operated on the home screen A-2 displayed by the initial process (M1). Further, the instruction process (M8) is activated in response to operation buttons such as "About this site", "Purchase procedure", and "Privacy policy" on the home screen A-2.
The inquiry process (M9) is activated in response to the operation of a predetermined operation button in the inquiry / FQ explanation H-3 of the instruction process (M8). From the delivery date inquiry process (M7), the instruction process (M8), and the inquiry process (M9), a transition can be made to the initial process (M1) according to the operation of the user.

In the delivery date inquiry processing (M7) shown in FIG.
Each screen of the D / password input screen G-1 (same as FIG. 24) and the delivery date status inquiry screen G-2 (FIG. 16) can be displayed on the user terminal 5 and the delivery date status report mail G-3. Is transmitted to the corresponding user terminal 5.

ID / password input screen D-1 (see FIG. 2)
4): On this screen, the user of the user terminal 5 inputs the previously issued user ID (member ID) and password for the user and operates the "send" button to operate the system (vehicle). Log in to the manufacturer server 1). When the login is completed, the delivery date status inquiry screen G-2 (FIG. 16) is displayed on the user terminal.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of the delivery date status inquiry screen G-2 displayed by the delivery date inquiry process (M7). In this display screen, the user is concerned with the individual specification vehicle waiting for delivery. You can know the progress status in multiple stages from production to delivery.

That is, on the delivery date status inquiry screen G-2, information for specifying the user, the individual specification vehicle, and the sales agent is displayed, and as shown in FIG. The progress status in a plurality of stages until the vehicle is delivered is presented by a graphic representing the current status and an image (captured image) representing each stage.
In addition, the completion date is displayed at the stage when it has been completed.

The information displayed on the delivery date status inquiry screen G-2 shown in FIG. 16 can be acquired by the vehicle manufacturer server 1 by referring to the progress management DB 32.

Further, in the instruction processing (M8), explanation H-1 of individual specification vehicle quotation / ordering system, explanation H-2 of purchase process, explanation H-3 of inquiry / FAQ,
Also, each screen of the explanation H-4 of the privacy policy is displayed on the user terminal 5. These explanations (explanation screens: not shown) may be registered in advance in the storage device 26 of the vehicle manufacturer side server 1, for example.

In the inquiry process (M9), the inquiry transmission screen I-1 (not shown) is displayed on the user terminal 5.

(3) Estimated Price Providing Process Next, the estimated price providing process executed by the CPU of the vehicle manufacturer server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the basic procedure of the estimated price providing process, which provides the estimated price automatically calculated based on the identification information (specification number) of the individual specification vehicle.

In the figure, step S31: referring to the data of the selected sales agency in the estimated price DB 35, and corresponding to the identification information (specification number) of the vehicle specification selected in the above-mentioned vehicle specification selection processing (M2). Read out the estimated price.

Step S32: An automatic correction process for automatically correcting the estimated price read in step S31 in consideration of predetermined information about the customer. Specifically, the current number of vehicles owned by the customer, the status of introduction of prospective customers by the customer, etc., the customer's access history to the BTO system site, for example, the "selling item" showing the ranking of popular specifications Depending on the number of times the "Ranking" page has been accessed, the access status to the "ZOOM" display, etc., the estimated price is corrected in the decreasing direction when there is a high possibility that a business negotiation or contract will be reached.

Step S33: The validity of the estimated price automatically corrected in step S32 is judged, and if it is not valid, a correction warning process is performed to give a warning to the sales agency side server 2. Basically, this correction alarm process provides the estimated price to the customer as it is if the automatically corrected estimated price is within the reference range set in advance by the sales agent, while the corrected automatic price is automatically corrected. If the estimated price is outside the preset standard range, the estimated price is a price against the intention of the sales agent, and therefore a predetermined alarm (contact) is issued to the sales agent server 2. To do. As a result, if the automatically corrected estimated price is not appropriate, you can set a new estimated price at the sales agent,
Alternatively, the sales agent can deal with such as providing the customer with an estimated price outside the standard range as it is.

In the correction alarm process, an electronic mail stating the estimated price is sent to the mail address previously input by the user.

Step S34: The sales agency side server 2 is notified by e-mail that the estimated price has been presented to the customer.

Step S35: The information regarding the specifications of the individual specification vehicle relating to the quotation request and the information regarding the estimated price are stored in the customer DB 34 in association with the user ID relating to the customer. This step S35 corresponds to the storage step in the first storage mode for storing the information of the individual specification vehicle and the estimated price of the individual specification vehicle on condition that the customer's identity information is disclosed. Further, the storage means 72 is configured by this step S35.

In the personalized vehicle quotation / ordering system, the quotation price stored in the quotation price DB 35 is automatically updated by the vehicle manufacturer server 1 on behalf of the sales agent according to predetermined conditions. In addition, the sales agency terminal 4 is connected to the server 1 on the vehicle manufacturer side.
It is also configured that the seller who operates the sales agency terminal 4 manually updates the connection by connecting to the.

For example, when the vehicle manufacturer server 1 automatically updates the estimated price DB 35, the elapsed time (the number of days) from the sales start time, the offline price (actual price) in the market of the specifications and similar specifications, etc. The estimated price may be changed / updated according to the information of.

(4) Information Sharing Process FIG. 13 shows a specific procedure of the information sharing process. In this information sharing process, the information of the customized vehicle and the estimation result are stored by the customer D.
The process is different from the estimate request process (M3) stored in B34 and the estimate item confirmation process (M4) that can confirm the information stored in the customer DB 34 again. This is a process for storing only the information in the specification DB 36 of the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 and providing the stored specification information again in response to a request from the user terminal 5. This information sharing process is different from the above estimate request process (M3) in that it does not require the customer's identity information (name, address).

This process is a screen displayed when the selection of all the specification items necessary for the specification of the individual specification vehicle is completed in the vehicle specification selection process (M2). 21) In response to the operation button of "information sharing" in the operation, or in the initial processing (M
On the home screen A-2 displayed by 1),
In the same figure, which is activated in response to the operation button of "information sharing", in the step S61: Selection specification display screen B-15 (FIG. 21), whether the operation button of "information sharing" is operated or not. If it is operated, the process proceeds to step S62, and if it is not operated, the process proceeds to step S67.

Step S62: Information sharing setting screen (Fig. 1
4) is displayed on the user terminal 5. This information sharing setting screen displays a sharing ID (an ID required to access the information stored in the specification DB 36) and that the information stored here will be erased after one month. It Also, if the customer wishes to contact for confirmation before erasing the information, the item to enter the contact (e-mail address, this contact is just contact, not identity information) When you want to send the shared ID to the item to enter the date and time (2 days before the date to be deleted in the example) you want to contact, and to other people (for example, family and friends) different from the customer, Items for inputting the destination are provided respectively. This step S63 is the specification DB3
The ID number attached to the information stored in the user terminal 6
It corresponds to the ID providing step provided to.

Step S63: In this information sharing setting screen, it is determined whether or not each item has been input and the "OK" operation has been performed. If the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S64, and if not, the step S
Proceed to 67.

Step S64: The information regarding the specifications of the individual specification vehicle is stored in the specification DB 36 in association with the shared ID, and the stored date and time is stored (for setting the date and time for deleting the information). In addition, if the user wishes to make contact before deletion, the contact information is also stored. In other words, in step S64, the information of the individual specification vehicle is stored without the condition that the customer's identity information is disclosed.
It corresponds to the storage step in the storage mode of. Further, the storage means 72 is configured by this step S64.

Step S65: On the information sharing setting screen, it is judged whether or not it is desired to transmit the shared ID to another person, and if so, step S65.
66, and if not desired, step S67
Proceed to.

Step S66: Share ID at the designated mail address and UR on the share ID input screen (FIG. 15)
Send an e-mail with L written. This shared ID
The input screen will be described later. This step S66
The ID number attached to the information stored in the specification DB 36 is
This corresponds to the ID providing step of providing the user terminal 5 different from the user terminal 5 for which the specification is selected.

Step S67: By referring to the specification DB 36, it is determined whether or not the information is desired to be contacted before the information is erased, and there is the information when the date and time of the communication is reached. When it exists, it progresses to step S68, and when it does not exist, it progresses to step S69.

Step S68: The electronic mail is transmitted to the mail address designated on the information sharing setting screen. In this email (not shown), the fact that the information will be erased and the URL for jumping to the screen (extension setting screen (not shown)) where the setting for extending the information sharing period (storage period) can be performed are described. ing. The customer who wants to extend is U
By specifying the RL, the extension of the information sharing period can be set on the extension setting screen.

Step S69: Share ID input screen (see FIG. 1
It is determined whether or not 5) is accessed. That is, the UR described in the email sent in step S66
It is determined whether L is designated or the operation button of "information sharing" is operated on the home screen A-2 displayed by the initial processing (M1). Then, when it is accessed, the process proceeds to step S610, and when it is not accessed, this process ends.

Step S610: The shared ID input screen (FIG. 15) is displayed on the user terminal 5. This shared ID input screen has an item for inputting a shared ID.

Step S611: It is determined whether or not the share ID is input and the "OK" button is operated on the share ID input screen. When the operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S612, while when the operation is not performed, the process ends.

Step S612: The selection specification display screen B-15 (FIG. 21) corresponding to the input shared ID is provided to the user terminal 5. This step S612 corresponds to the information providing step of providing the stored information in response to the request from the user terminal 5, and the information providing means 73 is configured by this step S612.

In addition, the selection specification display screen B-15
Is displayed, when the "return" button is operated on the selection specification display screen B-15, the specification items can be changed by sequentially returning to the vehicle specification selection screen. On the other hand, when the “Sales company estimate request” button is operated, the specification item of the selected individual specification vehicle is confirmed, and the process can be transited to the estimation / assessment request process (M3) described later. That is, by transitioning to the estimation / assessment request process (M3), the information regarding the specifications of the individual specification vehicle is stored in the customer DB 34 together with the information about the estimated price (storage mode switching step). It should be noted that when transitioning to the estimation / assessment request process (M3), it is necessary to input the identity information.

Step S613 (erasing step): When the information stored in the specification DB 36 contains information whose expiration date has passed, the information is erased.

As described above, in this embodiment, the information of the individual specification vehicle whose specifications are selected in the vehicle specification selection processing (M2) is stored in the specification DB 36 in the information sharing processing, and the estimation / assessment request processing (M3). There are two cases, that is, it is stored in the customer DB 34 together with the estimated price.

Of these, in the estimate / assessment request process (M3), the identity information such as name and address must be input on the estimate request top screen C-1 (FIG. 22), whereas in the information providing process, the identity You do not have to enter any information.

For this reason, since it is in the stage of considering whether or not to purchase a car, he / she is hesitant to make a quotation request, and he / she must input his / her identity information when making a quotation request. Even when there is some resistance, the information of the customized vehicle can be stored in the vehicle manufacturer server 1 by the information providing process.

Further, since the information stored in the information providing process can be accessed by the shared ID, for example, by sharing the shared ID among family members and friends,
It is possible to share the information of the above-mentioned customized vehicle between family and friends regardless of time and place.

As a result, the customer can take sufficient time to consider the specifications of the customized vehicle before making a request for quotation, in other words, before disclosing his / her identity information, and with family and friends. it can.

On the other hand, in the estimate / assessment request processing (M3),
The information is stored in the vehicle manufacturer server 1 together with the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price of the product.

The information stored in the estimate / assessment request process (M3) can be accessed by entering the user ID and password in the estimate item confirmation process (M4). Therefore, for example, if the user ID and the like are shared between family members and friends, it is possible to share the information about the customized vehicle and the estimated price information between the family members and friends.

In this way, the customer can consider the specification of the product in consideration of the estimated price and the purchase of the product with sufficient time and with family and friends. .

In this way, the estimate / assessment request process (M3)
In addition to this, by providing the information sharing process, the customer can arbitrarily select these processes and store the information of the customized vehicle on the vehicle manufacturer side, and as a result, the convenience for the customer is greatly increased. Can be improved.

In the information sharing process, the sharing ID can be transmitted from the vehicle manufacturer side server to another person (family or friend) designated on the information sharing setting screen (FIG. 14). As a result, when sharing information, the shared ID is provided to the designated contact without sharing the ID number with family members or friends, and the shared ID is shared.
It becomes possible to share D. Thereby, the convenience of the customer can be improved.

Also, in the information sharing process, the sharing ID
If the "OK" button is operated on the input screen (Fig. 15), the selection specification display screen B-15 (Fig. 21) is jumped to, and therefore the selection specification display screen B-15 is changed to the estimate / assessment request processing (M3). You can make transitions. As a result, in order to transit to the estimation / assessment request process (M3), that is, when the estimated price of the individual specification vehicle is required, the vehicle specification selection process (M2) is not performed again to select the specification. Well, it can improve the convenience of customers.

Since this information sharing process is a process of storing the information of the individual specification vehicle in the specification DB 36 without providing the identity information, the customer is relatively easy, unlike the estimation / assessment request processing (M3). It is considered that this process is used in the. However, since the information stored in the specification DB 36 is configured to be erased after a predetermined time elapses, the storage capacity of the specification DB 36 can be saved.

Even if the information is erased after the predetermined time elapses, the information sharing setting screen (FIG. 14)
In addition, since there is an item for inputting a contact address in the case where a confirmation contact is desired before erasing the information, it is possible to call the customer's attention. Further, since it is possible to set the information sharing period (storage period) to be extended, the convenience of the customer can be further improved.

<Other Embodiments> The BTO system described above is
The vehicle manufacturer does not force each sales agent to adopt it, but the vehicle manufacturer side server 1 corrects the estimated price provided to the customer and updates the estimated price DB 35 on behalf of each sales agent. In order to reduce the burden on sales agents, each sales agent voluntarily adopts it at its own request.

In the present embodiment, an automobile has been described as an example of a product for which specifications are selected and an order is placed, but the present invention is not limited to a vehicle such as an automobile, and mass production is possible and a plurality of types are available. It is suitable for wide application to industrial products (for example, electric products, prefabricated houses, etc.) whose specifications or optional equipment can be set.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a personalized vehicle quotation / ordering system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a vehicle manufacturer side server 1, a sales agency side server 2, a sales agency terminal 4, and a user terminal 5 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional system of a processing module executed in the personalized vehicle quotation / ordering system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a transition of a display screen in an initial process (M1) and a vehicle specification selection process (M2).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transition of a display screen in a quotation / assessment request process (M3) and a function of transmitting an e-mail accompanying a quotation / assessment request.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transition of a display screen in an estimate item confirmation process (M4).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a transition of display screens in a credit examination process (M5) and a negotiation application process (M6), and an e-mail transmission function associated with the credit examination and negotiation application.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transition of display screens in a delivery date inquiry process (M7), an instruction process (M8), and an inquiry process (M9), and an e-mail transmission function associated with the delivery date inquiry.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overall outline of processing executed by the vehicle manufacturer server 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an estimation / assessment request process (M3) performed in the vehicle manufacturer server 1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a quotation item confirmation process (M4) performed in the vehicle manufacturer server 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an estimated price providing process performed in the vehicle manufacturer server 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an information sharing process performed in the vehicle manufacturer server 1.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an information sharing setting screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a shared ID input screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram exemplifying a delivery date status inquiry screen G-2 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram exemplifying a top screen A-1 which is a home page screen in the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a home screen A-2 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram exemplifying a format of a vehicle specification selection screen (B-1 to B-15) displayed by a vehicle specification selection process (M2).

20 is a diagram exemplifying a maker's suggested retail price detail screen displayed when the "details" button shown in FIG. 25 is operated.

FIG. 21 is a diagram exemplifying a selection specification display screen B-15 displayed by a vehicle specification selection process (M2).

FIG. 22 is a quote request top screen C- in this embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates 1.

FIG. 23 is an assessment application input screen C-2 in the present embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates.

FIG. 24 is a diagram exemplifying an ID / password input screen D-1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a purchase consideration information list screen D according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates -2.

FIG. 26 is a quotation item confirmation screen D-3 in this embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates.

FIG. 27 is a borrowing condition input screen E-1 in the present embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates.

FIG. 28 is a repayment plan display screen E-2 in the present embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates.

FIG. 29 is a negotiation application input screen F in the present embodiment.
It is a figure which illustrates -1.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Vehicle manufacturer server (server, information processing device) 2: Sales agent side server 3: Internet (communication line) 5: User terminal 31: Manufacturer suggested retail price DB 32: Progress management DB 33: Purchase support information DB 34: Customer DB (first storage area) 35: Estimated price DB (database) 36: Specification DB (second storage area) 71: Specification selection means 72: storage means 73: Information providing means

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A two-way communication between a server having information about products and each of a plurality of customer terminals operated by a customer, whereby the server sends the customer terminal to the customer terminal in response to a request from each customer terminal. An information processing method for providing information, comprising: a specification selection step of selecting specifications of the product according to operation of any of the customer terminals in the server; and a specification selection step of the product selected in the specification selection step. A storage step of storing information in the server in response to a request from the customer terminal that has selected this specification, and the information stored in the storage step from the server in response to a request from one of the customer terminals. An information providing step of providing to the customer terminal, the storing step comprising: On condition that to send the identity information,
The first storage mode for storing the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price of the product, and the product for which the specification is selected without the condition that the identity information is transmitted from the customer terminal to the server. And a second storage mode for storing the information of 1. 2. The storage step according to claim 1, wherein the storing step is a step of storing the information in association with an ID number when storing the information of the product whose specifications are selected in the second storage mode. The step is a step of providing the customer terminal with the information stored in the second storage mode in response to a request from the customer terminal based on the ID number. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: an ID providing step of providing the customer terminal with an ID number attached to the information when the information of the product is stored in the second storing mode in the storing step. The providing step is a step of providing the ID number to each of the customer terminal selected in the specification selecting step and the customer terminal different from the customer terminal specified by the customer terminal. Information processing method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information is stored in the second storage mode in the storing step,
The storage mode switching step of switching the storage mode of the storage step from the second storage mode to the first storage mode is provided, and the storage mode switching step is performed when the server receives the identity information from the customer terminal. An information processing method comprising the step of switching from the second storage mode to the first storage mode and storing the information of the product stored in the second storage mode together with the estimated price of the product. 5. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the second storage mode includes information about a product for which specifications are selected, but does not include estimated price information about the product. Method. 6. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing step of erasing the information stored in the second storage mode after a lapse of a predetermined time. 7. Information having product information and configured to provide the information to the customer terminal from the server in response to a request from each of a plurality of customer terminals connected via a communication line. A processing device, the specification selecting means for selecting the specification of the product according to the operation of any of the customer terminals, and the information of the product selected by the specification selecting means,
The storage means for storing in the first or second storage area in response to a request from the customer terminal that has selected the specification, and the information stored in the first or second storage area by the storage means Information providing means for providing the customer terminal in response to a request from the customer terminal, wherein the storage means receives the identity information of the customer related to the customer terminal transmitted from the customer terminal that has selected the specifications. Information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price of the product are stored in the first storage area while the information of the identity of the customer is not received, the information for the product for which the specification is selected. Is configured to be stored in the second storage area. 8. Information having product information and configured to provide the customer terminal with the information in response to a request from each of a plurality of customer terminals connected via a communication line. An information processing program for controlling a processing device, which allows the information processing device to select the specification of the product according to the operation of any of the customer terminals, and to meet the request from the customer terminal that selects the specification. Accordingly, when the customer's identity information related to the customer terminal is received, the information of the product for which the specification is selected and the estimated price of the product are stored in the first storage area, while the customer's identity information is received. If not, the information of the product for which the specification is selected is stored in the second storage area, and the first or second storage is performed in response to a request from any one of the customer terminals. The information processing program characterized thereby providing the information stored in the band to the customer terminal.