JP2005018267A - Auction system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an auction system that can contribute to increase in bidders' motivation to participate by keeping motivation to purchase items intact. <P>SOLUTION: A host server 13 sends a homepage showing information on bidding details of an item, and a minimum sales quantity and a minimum bid price to a communication terminal of a bidder, receives a bidder ID and a plurality of different bid prices from the communication terminal of the bidder, registers the bidder ID and plurality of different bid prices received from the communication terminal of the bidder and the bid date/time in a database, and according to such bidder IDs, pluralities of different bid prices and bid dates/times registered in the database, decides on upper bid prices matching the minimum sales quantity preferentially as successful bids. The awarding processing is such that if successful bidders have the same bidder ID, only the lower bid is a successful bid, and that if successful bid prices are the same, the one of the earlier bid date/time is a successful bit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an auction system, and more particularly, to an auction system for auctioning commodities via an information network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the development of information communication, for example, auctions for commodities have been conducted via the Internet.
[0003]
In this conventional auction system, the WWW server presents a bid screen including information on product information, the number of items of the product, the current highest bid price, the number of bidders, etc. Prompts the user to enter the bid price of the product. When a bid price related to the product is input from the bidder, it is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and a higher bid price is selected as the successful bid price among the bid prices input within a predetermined period. To do.
[0004]
Then, the WWW server presents information indicating that it has made a successful bid to the successful bidder, confirms the purchase intention of the successful bidder, and enters the predetermined account of the auction organizer from the financial institution to which the successful bidder with the intention to purchase joins. He requested payment of the winning bid.
[0005]
An example of such a conventional auction system is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2003-150822 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional auction method, despite the large number of bidders, only the sales for the winning bid and the winning commission of only a few percent for one product contribute to the profit, ensuring sufficient sales. There was a problem that it was difficult.
[0008]
Further, in the conventional auction method, there is a problem that the exhibitor must bear the difference when the winning bid price is lower than the purchase price of the product and the cost is reduced.
[0009]
Furthermore, in the conventional auction method, the current highest bid price is presented on the auction screen, so some people confirm the highest bid price that rises every moment and give up bidding, and as a result, in the auction There was a problem of lowering sales.
[0010]
For this reason, there is a demand for a service that can be purchased at a price lower than the actual selling price of the product in the store without reducing the desire to purchase the product.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auction system that can contribute to an increase in the willingness of a bidder to participate without reducing the willingness to purchase a product.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is connected to a communication terminal of a bidder through an information network, and transmits a homepage including information on bid contents related to products to the communication terminal to provide a product bidding service. An auction system comprising a server for providing a bid information, a transmission means for transmitting a homepage indicating a minimum sales point and a minimum bid price to a bidder's communication terminal together with information indicating bid contents related to a product; Receiving means for receiving a bidder ID and a plurality of different bid prices from the communication terminal of the bidder, and data registration means for registering the bidder ID received from the bidder's communication terminal, the plurality of different bid prices and the bid date and time in a database, Based on the bidder ID registered in the database, a plurality of different bid prices and bid dates, If the bidder's ID is the same as the highest bidder, the lower bidder will determine the highest bid, and if the bidder ID is the same, the lower bid will be decided. And having a successful bid processing means for performing a successful bid process so as to determine a successful bid.
[0013]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 2 has a counting means for subtracting 1 from the remaining bidder possible number and counting it as a new remaining bidder possible number when the registration is completed by the data registration means. The gist of the transmission means is to present a new number of remaining bidders counted by the counting means on the homepage.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an auction system applicable to an auction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the system configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the Internet 11 can be connected to an auction hosting server 13 that hosts an auction and user terminals 15 provided in, for example, a plurality of user homes.
[0017]
The auction hosting server (hereinafter referred to as hosting server) 13 includes product information that can be provided from a supplier company of the product, the number of products, the current price, and information such as the minimum bid price set in advance by the auction company. Data is stored in advance in a database described later.
[0018]
The user terminal 15 is composed of a personal computer having a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a hard disk unit for storing a control program and data, a CPU unit for controlling the whole in accordance with the control program, a modem and a DSU for controlling Internet communication, and the like. ing. The user terminal 15 may be a mobile communication terminal capable of communicating via the Internet or a communication terminal using a cable / satellite.
[0019]
Next, the configuration of the sponsor server 13 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the hosting server 13 includes a communication processing unit 21 that performs information communication with a plurality of user terminals via the Internet 11, an OS program for controlling the server, and a control for controlling the auction. Hard disk HD 23 for storing programs, control data, management database DB, individual URL table and home page, display 25 for displaying input contents and control status, keyboard 27 for inputting character information, timer for measuring date and time inside And a control unit 29 that controls each unit provided in the server.
[0021]
Next, the configuration of the management database DB shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
[0022]
The management database DB includes a member database DB, a product database DB, a product-specific bid management database, and the like.
[0023]
The member database DB is composed of a unique member number ID, a password, a member name, an e-mail address, etc., which are serial numbers assigned to identify the member.
[0024]
The product database DB includes the product code, product photo data, specification data, start date and time of the product, date and time of bidding, minimum number of products sold, manufacturer's suggested retail price, general storefront It consists of the price, the minimum bid price of the product, the number of possible bids, the cash-on-delivery fee at the time of home delivery, and the delivery fee.
[0025]
The product-specific bid management database is composed of bidder IDs, bid prices when bids are made, bid date and time, credit card number, etc. for each product code.
[0026]
The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the bid information input screen shown in FIG. 5, the bid price table shown in FIG. 7, the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 8, and the product detail page shown in FIG. The operation of the sponsor server 13 will be mainly described with reference to the above. Each flowchart is operated by the control unit 29 in accordance with a control program stored in the hard disk HD 23 provided in the hosting server 13.
[0027]
(1) Start of Auction First, in step S10, in accordance with a control program stored in the hard disk HD 23 provided in the sponsor server 13, the minimum sales number N of products is read from the product database DB, and N is set as the remaining bidable number na. Set. The remaining bidable number na is the number of people who can currently bid on the product detail page displayed during the auction, and the initial value is the minimum number N of items for sale.
[0028]
Next, in step S20, the sponsor server 13 reads the auction start date and time of the product from the product database DB described above, further reads the current date and time from the timer, and determines whether the current date and time has become the auction start date and time. To do. If the auction start date / time is reached, the process proceeds to step S30.
[0029]
(2) Login processing Now, for example, power is turned on to the user terminal 15 such as a personal computer or a mobile communication terminal provided in the user's home, the WWW browser is activated, and URL information for requesting the homepage of the auction company Is input to the WWW browser and transmission to the Internet 11 is started, a line is first connected to the telephone number of the provider with which the connection is contracted, and the communication processing unit 21 of the hosting server 13 is connected via the provider. Connected. Further, the user terminal 15 transmits a home page request to the communication processing unit 21.
[0030]
Here, in step S30, the hosting server 13 connected to the user terminal 15 via the Internet 11 reads out information on a homepage stored in advance in response to a homepage request from the user terminal 15 and passes through the Internet 11. It transmits to the user terminal 15. As a result, the top screen of the home page is displayed on the user terminal 15.
[0031]
Accordingly, it is assumed that, on the user terminal 15 side, when the user wants to make a successful bid for “notebook”, for example, an icon for designating “notebook” is clicked. At this time, a product detail page request (not shown) for requesting a product detail page related to, for example, “notebook” is transmitted from the user terminal 15 to the sponsor server 13.
[0032]
In step S40, the sponsor server 13 that has received the product detail page request from the user terminal 15 searches and reads product information related to “notebook” from the product database stored in the hard disk 23, and bid contents related to “notebook”. A page for presenting is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 15.
[0033]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, in addition to information on the “notebook”, product description, product introduction, after-sales service of the dealer, etc., the user terminal 15 displays the manufacturer's suggested retail price and the lowest bid for the product. Information such as price, minimum sales points, and auction period is displayed.
[0034]
Furthermore, it is assumed that when the user wants to make a successful bid for the “notebook” on the user terminal 15 side, the icon displayed as the “bid” button 33 is clicked. At this time, a login page request is transmitted from the user terminal 15 to the sponsor server 13 in order to shift to the bidding procedure.
[0035]
Next, in step S50, the sponsor server 13 determines whether a login page request indicating acceptance of a bid has been received. If a login page request is received from the user terminal 15, the process proceeds to step S60, where it is determined whether the remaining bidder possible number na = 0. If there is the remaining number of bidders na, the process proceeds to step S70, where the current date and time are read from the timer, and it is determined whether or not the current date and time has reached the expiration date (deadline) of the bid. If the number of remaining bidders na = 0, or if the deadline is reached, the process proceeds to step S210.
[0036]
In step S70, if the deadline is not reached, the process proceeds to step S80, and a login page composed of an ID input field and a password field and prompting the input is transmitted to the user terminal 15.
[0037]
As a result, a login page is displayed on the user terminal 15. Here, when the user inputs the bidder ID and password in the ID input field and password field via the keyboard and clicks the “Send” button, the bidder ID and password are transmitted from the user terminal 15 to the sponsor server 13. .
[0038]
Next, in step S90, the sponsor server 13 receives the bidder ID and password. In step S100, the sponsor server 13 authenticates whether or not the bidder ID and password pair recorded in the member database match the received bidder ID and password. When it is confirmed that the bidder ID and the password are correct, the process proceeds to step S110, and a bid procedure page is transmitted to the user terminal 15.
[0039]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the display screen of the user terminal 15, for example, the minimum sales score of the product related to “notebook”, the manufacturer's suggested retail price, the general store price, the minimum bid price of the product, the remaining number of bidders A bidding procedure page is displayed in which na, the number of possible bids, a cash-on-delivery fee at home delivery, a delivery fee, a credit card number, an expiration date of the credit card, a bid price of 1 to 3 times, and the like are displayed.
[0040]
(3) Bid procedure Here, when the user inputs the credit card number, the expiration date of the credit card, the bid price of 1 to 3 times, etc. via the keyboard and clicks “Send” 31, the user terminal 15 A credit card number indicating a settlement method, an expiration date of the credit card, a bid price of 1 to 3 times, and the like are transmitted to the hosting server 13.
[0041]
Next, in step S120, the sponsor server 13 receives the credit card number indicating the settlement method, the expiration date of the credit card, and one to three bid prices.
[0042]
In step S130, the organizer server 13 sends a credit card number and a credit card expiration date as credit reference request information to a credit company server (not shown) provided in the credit company in order to request a credit reference of the user. Send to. At this time, based on the credit inquiry request information received from the organizer server 13, the credit company server refers to the expiration date and the availability information for the credit card number stored in the user database provided in the server. Then, the availability information is transmitted to the trader server 15 as a result of inquiring the user's credit information. As a result, the sponsor server 13 can receive the availability information indicating whether or not the user can use the credit card from the credit company server.
[0043]
Furthermore, in step S130, the organizer server 13 proceeds to step S140 if the credit card can be used based on the availability information received from the credit company server. On the other hand, if the credit card cannot be used based on the availability information, the process returns to step S40.
[0044]
Next, in step S140, the organizer server 13 registers the one to three bid prices received from the user terminal 15, the settlement method, the bidder ID, and the bid date and time read from the timer in the bid management database for each product.
[0045]
Next, in step S150, the organizer server 13 completes the registration process for one user, and substitutes the number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of remaining bidders na as na. Here, in step S160, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining bidders na becomes 0. If the number of remaining bidders na becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the number of remaining bidders na is not 0, the process proceeds to step S170.
[0046]
Next, in step S <b> 170, the organizer server 13 transmits to the user terminal 15 a reception completion page indicating that reception of the user's bid has been completed. Further, in step S180, the organizer server 13 generates a bid acceptance completion email and transmits it to the email address of the user registered in advance.
[0047]
Next, in step S190, the sponsor server 13 reads the auction holding period date / time T of the product from the above-described product database DB, reads the current date / time from the timer, and determines whether the current date / time is during the auction holding period. to decide. If it is during the auction start period, the process returns to step S40 and the above-described processing is repeated.
[0048]
On the other hand, if the auction start period has passed, the process proceeds to step S200, where the organizer server 13 generates an error page and transmits it to the user, and the process ends.
[0049]
(4) Successful bidder determination process When the remaining number of bidders na = 0 or when the deadline is reached, the process advances to step S210, and the organizer server 13 displays a bid deadline page indicating that the bid has been closed. Is generated and transmitted to the user.
[0050]
Next, the process proceeds to a successful bidder determination routine shown in step S220. In step S310, the organizer server 13 creates a bid price table as shown in FIG. 7 based on the bid price and bid date and time for each bidder ID registered in the product-specific bid management database. Generate. At this time, the bid price table is sorted in descending order of bid price, and “0” indicating unprocessed is set in the processing flag. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8A, the bid price table is rearranged in order from the highest price to the lowest price.
[0051]
Next, in step S320, the organizer server 13 refers to the bid date and time and sorts the bids in order from the earliest in the bid price table, when different bidder IDs have the same price. Next, in step S330, the minimum sales number N of the product is set as the processing range number Nx. The processing range number Nx is a variable that is stored in the RAM and represents the number of bids to be processed in the bid price table, and the bid price tends to be lower each time the processes of steps S340 to S370 to be described later are executed. This means that the scope of application is expanded.
[0052]
Next, in step S340, if there are two or more bidder IDs with the same Nx within the range Nx, the organizer server 13 sets the processing flag with the lowest bid price to “2” indicating a successful bid, Although the price is not the minimum, the processing flag is set to “1” indicating a loss.
[0053]
Next, in step S350, the organizer server 13 counts the number of successful bids Ny by counting the number of processing flags set in the bid price table set to “2” indicating successful bids within the range Nx.
[0054]
Next, in step S360, the organizer server 13 compares the minimum sales number N of the product with the successful bid number Ny, and if a relationship of N> Ny is established, the product remains for the successful bid number Ny. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S370. On the other hand, if the relationship N> Ny is not established, the number of successful bids Ny has reached the minimum number N of sales points, and the routine returns to the main routine.
[0055]
Next, in step S370, the organizer server 13 adds the processing range number Nx to the number (Nx−Ny) obtained by subtracting the successful bid number Ny from the current processing range number Nx, and sets this as a new Nx. Return to S340. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, the number of processing ranges is expanded by the number (Nx−Ny).
[0056]
By repeating the processing shown in steps S340 to S370 in this way, the processing flag provided on the bid price table can be set to successful bid “2” and unsuccessful “1”.
[0057]
(5) In the successful bid result mail step S360, if the relationship N> Ny is not established, the successful bid number Ny has reached the minimum sales point N, and the process returns to step S230 of the main routine.
[0058]
In step S230, the organizer server 13 reads the user's e-mail address stored in the member database DB based on the bidder ID set on the bid price table, and is further set on the bid price table. When the processing flag corresponding to the bidder ID is a successful bid “2”, a successful bid mail text is generated, and when the processing flag is “1”, a lost mail text is generated and transmitted to the mail address.
[0059]
As a result, the successful bid mail text is transmitted to the user terminal 15 of the winning bidder and the lost mail text is transmitted to the user terminal 15 of the winning bidder, so that the user can confirm his / her success.
[0060]
Here, the effect in this Embodiment is demonstrated.
[0061]
Based on the bidder ID registered in the database, a plurality of different bid prices, and the date and time of bidding, the organizer server 13 prioritizes the highest bid price corresponding to the lowest sales point and decides to win the bidder. If the bidder ID is the same, only the lower one is determined as a successful bid, and if the bid price is the same, the bid process is performed so that the earlier bid date is determined as the successful bid.
[0062]
For example, if you bid for the first bid at the lowest price, bid for the second bid at the lowest price, and bid for the third bid at the higher price, multiple bids from the same bidder are within the winning bid. The lowest bid price is the winning bid. In the case of the same bid price, the bid with the earlier bid date is the successful bid.
[0063]
At this time, since the minimum bid price can be set higher than the purchase price of the product, the winning bid price does not break down.
[0064]
In addition, there is no auction screen as in the past, and the current highest bid amount is not presented, so the highest bid price that increases every moment is not confirmed and the bid is not abandoned. Auction sales can be increased.
[0065]
Therefore, it is possible to provide a service that can be purchased at a price lower than the actual selling price of the product in the store without reducing the purchase intention of the product, which contributes to the improvement of the bidder's willingness to participate.
[0066]
In addition, when registration in the database is completed, 1 is subtracted from the number of remaining bidders and counted as a new number of remaining bidders, and the new number of remaining bidders is displayed on the homepage. Can improve the willingness to purchase and contribute to the increased willingness of bidders to participate.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the server gives priority to the higher bid price corresponding to the lowest sales point based on the bidder ID registered in the database, a plurality of different bid prices, and the bid date and time. If the bidder ID of the winning bidder is the same, only the lower one is determined as the winning bid, and if the bid price is the same, the winning bid is processed so that the earlier bid date is determined as the winning bid. As a result, it is possible to provide a service that can be purchased at a price lower than the actual sales price of the product in the store without reducing the willingness to purchase the product, which can contribute to the increase in the willingness of the bidders to participate. .
[0068]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when registration in the database is completed, 1 is subtracted from the number of remaining bidders and counted as a new number of remaining bidders. Since the number of people is presented on the homepage, it is possible to improve the willingness to purchase products and contribute to the improvement of bidders' willingness to participate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an auction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a sponsor server 13;
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the sponsor server 13;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart (No. 1) for explaining the operation of the sponsor server 13;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a bid information input screen.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) for explaining the operation of the sponsor server 13;
FIG. 7 is a bid price table in which bid prices, bid dates and times, and bidder IDs are stored.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing that the bid price table is rearranged in order from the highest price to the lower price, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the processing range on the bid price table.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a product detail page related to “computer”.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Internet 13 Auction Organizing Server 15 User Terminal 21 Communication Processing Unit 23 Hard Disk HD
25 Display 27 Keyboard 29 Control unit

Claims (2)

An auction system comprising a server that connects to a communication terminal of a bidder through an information network and transmits a homepage including information on bid contents related to products to the communication terminal to provide a product bidding service,
The server
A transmission means for transmitting a homepage indicating a minimum sales point and a minimum bid price to at least a bidder's communication terminal together with information indicating a bid content related to a product;
Receiving means for receiving a bidder ID and a plurality of different bid prices from the bidder's communication terminal;
A data registration means for registering a bidder ID received from a bidder's communication terminal, a plurality of different bid prices, and a bid date and time in a database;
Based on the bidder ID registered in the database, a plurality of different bid prices and bid dates, the highest bid price corresponding to the lowest sales point is determined to be a winning bid, and the bidder ID of the winning bidder is the same In the case of the auction, only the lower one is determined as a successful bid, and when the bid price is the same, it has a successful bid processing means for performing a successful bid processing so as to determine the earlier bid date and time as a successful bid. system. When the registration is completed by the data registration means, the counter has a counting means for subtracting 1 from the number of remaining bidders and counting it as a new number of remaining bidders.
2. The auction system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit presents a new remaining bidder possible number counted by the counting unit on a homepage.

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