JP2006039955A - Auction system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an auction system which can promote auction efficiently through the Internet. <P>SOLUTION: In an auction system 10, a server 11 which is operated by a sponsor is connected with; an exhibitor's terminal 12 which is operated by an exhibitor who performs exhibition of auction objects, and a participant's terminal 13 which is operated by a participant who participates in the auction through the Internet 14. The server 11 has a bidding function which performs price guidance so that the auction list price is raised from the start price with a constant bidding up price width and updated automatically, and determines a tenderer who maintains for a constant period of time, the ceiling price determined based on tender input from a participant each time as a successful bidder after the auction market list price reaches a suggested retail price set up beforehand or after sold out input is made by an exhibitor even if before reach to this suggested retail price. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an auction system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an auction system capable of participating in an auction of a used car (used car) through a communication line such as the Internet without going to an auction site.

  Conventionally, for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1 is known as this type of auction system. In the auction system described in Patent Document 1, a participant's terminal that inputs bidding information for product information and seri information input in advance by the organizer and exhibitor terminals is installed at the auction site. It is connected to a device (automatic bidder, etc.) via the Internet. In this system, one auction transaction (session) is performed by repeating this cycle with four consecutive periods of a bid (bid information) input period, a total notification period, a buying and selling determination period, and a result notification period as one cycle. Done.

  Specifically, when the auction is started, first, in the bid introduction period, a bid price (bid price) is input for a product desired by a participant in the Internet auction. Next, in the total notice period, the total price of the input bid price is processed by the center device, and the result is transmitted and displayed on the organizer, exhibitor, and participant terminals. Next, in the buying and selling decision period, based on the previous counting results, the highest price put in the bid throwing period exceeds the desired price set by the seller in advance (the price to sell if this price is exceeded) It is determined whether or not there is. Based on the determination result, whether or not the product has been successfully bid is transmitted and displayed on each terminal of the organizer, exhibitor, and participant during the result notification period.

In such an auction system, if a product is not won in one session, the next bid insertion period starts again, the bidder becomes the last one, and the item is awarded. Or the above cycle is repeated until the auction transaction becomes a flow (tender).
JP 2001-265960 A

  By the way, in the conventional auction system as described above, processing is performed in a cycle unit in which a bidder is determined by making a buying / selling decision based on a result of totaling all bid inputs received from participants during the bid input period ( Auction), the auction progress is inefficient compared to a general auction method that is actually performed at an auction site or the like. That is, the exhibitor cannot immediately respond to the bid from the participant during the bid insertion period, and must wait for the end of the bid insertion period in order to make a buying / selling decision. Therefore, such systems tend not to be able to advance auctions efficiently.

  In particular, in this system, when there are a plurality of persons who put in the highest price during the bid entry period, the bid is executed again in the next cycle with the price as the lowest price. Therefore, even in this respect, it cannot be said that the system is efficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auction system capable of efficiently proceeding with an auction through the Internet.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a server operated by an organizer, an exhibitor terminal operated by an exhibitor who sells an auction object, and an operation of a participant participating in an auction. In the auction system in which a participant terminal is connected via the Internet, the server performs price guidance for automatically increasing and updating the bid display price within a certain bid price range from the start price, and the bid display After the price reaches the preset desired price or before the desired price is reached and sold out by the seller, it is determined each time based on the bid input from the participant The gist is to provide a bidding function for determining a bidder who maintains the highest price for a certain time as a successful bidder.

  According to this configuration, the bid display price is automatically increased and updated by price guidance until the exhibitor sells out or until the bid display price reaches the seller's desired price. After the sell-off by the exhibitor or after the desired price of the auction display price is reached, the auction is proceeded in such a way that the highest price is determined each time based on the bid entry from the participant, and the highest The bidder who maintains the price for a certain time is determined as the successful bidder. This makes it possible to efficiently advance auctions via the Internet.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the auction system according to the first aspect, the server increases the bid display price at a certain timing from the start price to a slowdown price set in advance by the seller. A first period for updating, and a second period for increasing and updating the auction display price from the slowdown price to the desired price at a timing slower than the price increase speed in the first period. The gist is to control the price guidance, and it is possible to accept the bid insertion from the participant and the sell-out insertion from the exhibitor in the second period.

  According to this configuration, at the time of price guidance in the first period, the bid insertion from the participant is invalidated, and accordingly, the bid display price is rapidly increased to the slowdown price. On the other hand, at the time of price induction in the second period, it is possible to insert bids from participants and sell-outs from exhibitors at any time. With such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently advance an auction that is highly convenient for exhibitors and participants through the Internet.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the auction system according to the second aspect, when the server accepts a bid insertion from the participant before the selling out is made in the second period, Calculate the difference between the bid display price at the time of processing to input the bid information received from the participant's participant terminal and the bid display price at the time of bid entry by the participant, and the difference is set in advance If the difference is less than or equal to the difference, the auction display price at the time of the processing is determined as the highest price and the participant is determined as the highest price bidder. If the difference is greater than the allowable difference, the bid price is determined. The gist is that information is not adopted as valid information.

  According to this configuration, when the server determines the maximum price based on the bid insertion received from the participant before the seller sells out, the server can execute the process in consideration of the line delay. it can.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the auction system according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, the server is configured after the sold-out insertion in the second period or after the auction display price reaches the desired price. When accepting bid entry from the participant, the difference between the bid display price at the time of processing to input the bid information received from the participant's participant terminal and the bid display price at the time of bid entry by the participant When the difference is equal to or less than a preset allowable difference, the price obtained by adding the amount of the bid price range to the bid display price at the time of the processing is determined as the highest price. The participant is determined as the highest bidder, and if the difference is larger than the allowable difference, the bid information is not adopted as valid information. The the gist.

  According to this configuration, when the server determines the maximum price based on the bid insertion received from the participant after the selling out by the exhibitor or after the auction display price reaches the desired price, The processing can be executed considering the line delay.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the auction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the exhibitor terminal and the participant terminal are based on an HTTP communication protocol with the server. The gist of the invention is to function as each client that transmits and receives data, and upon receiving a response corresponding to one request from the server, transmits the next request to the server.

  According to this configuration, by using the HTTP communication protocol for data communication between the server and the client, an auction system having high versatility and excellent operation can be realized. Further, in such data communication based on HTTP, as soon as a response is received from the server, the client transmits a next request and waits for reception of corresponding information (response). With such a communication mode, the client can receive information from the server in the same manner as in the push type communication method. Therefore, an auction system with a high real-time property can be realized.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the auction system according to the fifth aspect, in response to the one request received from the client, the server receives one or a plurality of bid information managed for each client. The gist is to send it as a response.

  According to this configuration, the server transmits one or a plurality of bid information managed for each client in response to a request from the client. With such a configuration, the data communication time between the server and the client can be minimized as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to realize an auction system with higher real-time characteristics.

  The gist of the invention described in claim 7 is the auction system according to claim 6, wherein the server has a function of compressing and transmitting the bid information transmitted to the client.

  According to this configuration, the bid information from the server is transmitted to the client in a compressed form. In such a configuration, the data communication time between the server and the client can be further minimized. Therefore, it is possible to realize an auction system with higher real-time characteristics.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the auction system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the server divides a product information packet related to the auction object to be transmitted to the client into a plurality of packets. The gist is to transmit each packet transmitted through the transmission gap of the bid information.

  According to this configuration, the merchandise information from the server is divided into a plurality of packets and transmitted to the client through the bid information transmission gap. Since the product information includes image information and the like, the amount of information is large. However, in such a configuration, the product information can be suitably transmitted without hindering the transmission of bid information.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the auction system according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the client receives new bid information from the server during reproduction of the bid information received from the server. Is received, the waiting time required until the reproduction of the bid information to be reproduced first among the received new bid information is changed to a time for maintaining the minimum display interval that can ensure display smoothness. This is the gist.

  According to this configuration, when the client receives new auction information from the server during the reproduction of the auction information, the client maintains the minimum display interval for ensuring the display smoothness of the received new auction information. Play immediately. In such a configuration, since the latest information received by the client can be reproduced and displayed quickly, an auction system with higher real-time property can be realized.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the auction system according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the client is a new one from the server in a state where the bid information received from the server is not reproduced. When auction information is received, the gist is to perform a thinning process in which the unreproduced auction information is deleted unless the unreproduced auction information is pre-specified important auction information.

  According to this configuration, when the client receives new bid information from the server in a state where there is unplayed bid information, the client deletes the unplayed information unless the unplayed bid information is specific important bid information. The new bid information is immediately played back. In such a configuration, since the latest information received by the client can be reproduced and displayed quickly, an auction system with higher real-time property can be realized.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the auction system according to the tenth aspect, when the important bid information is included in the unreproduced bid information, the client optimally displays the important bid information. The playback time required for the above-mentioned is compared with the playback time to such an extent that the exhibitor and the participant can recognize the important bid information, and the shorter playback time among the respective playback times is compared with the important bid time. The gist is that it is set as a waiting time required until the reproduction of the auction information to be reproduced following the information.

  According to this configuration, when there is unreproduced important bid information when receiving new bid information, the client can display the important bid information at least by the user (exhibitor and participant). After playing at, play the next bid information. With such a configuration, it is possible to allow the user to recognize important bid information and to perform the thinning process suitably.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the auction system according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein a waiting time set in the bid information matches a resolution of a system timer set in the client. The gist is that it is set in units.

According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently reproduce and display the auction information on the client side by setting the waiting time of the auction information in accordance with the resolution of the system timer.
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the auction system according to any one of the fifth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the client is capable of discriminating the bid-insertion status of the participants for each participant. The gist is to have a display function.

According to this configuration, the exhibitor can make a sell-out while grasping the bidding situation, such as how many participants are bidding.
A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the auction system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein an auction machine having the bidding function is installed in an auction hall, and the bidding machine and the server are connected. The gist of this is

  According to this configuration, it is possible to proceed with the auction through the Internet while interlocking with the local auction held at the auction site.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an auction system that can efficiently advance an auction through the Internet.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an auction of a used car (used car) (hereinafter referred to as “the auction”) will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an auction system according to the present embodiment. The auction system 10 includes a server 11 operated by an organizer that hosts the auction, a terminal (hereinafter referred to as an “exhibitor terminal”) 12 operated by an exhibitor who sells auction objects (used cars), and the auction. A terminal (hereinafter referred to as “participant terminal”) 13 operated by a participant who participates is connected via the Internet 14. In general, there are a plurality of exhibitors and participants, and accordingly, a plurality of exhibitor terminals 12 and a plurality of participant terminals 13 are connected to the Internet 14. In the present embodiment, each of these exhibitor terminals 12 and each participant terminal 13 transmits and receives data to and from the server 11 (server computer) using a protocol based on HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). For example, a personal computer (PC) can be used as such a terminal.

  The auction system 10 can participate in an auction using the Internet 14 in conjunction with a local auction performed at an auction site, and is provided as an auction device 21 and a display device in the auction site. Two large screen screens 22a and 22b and a plurality of bid terminals 23 are provided.

  The server 11 operated by the organizer is connected to the auction apparatus 21 so that data communication is possible. The server 11 receives various data such as product information and bid information from the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 through the Internet 14 and transmits the received data to the auction apparatus 21. The auction apparatus 21 performs processing necessary to advance the auction based on the data received from the server 11, and the server 11 receives the result processed by the auction apparatus 21 as bid information. Then, the server 11 transmits the bid information to the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 through the Internet 14. Thus, participants and exhibitors can participate in the auction through the Internet 14 without visiting the auction hall. It should be noted that this auction can be held only on the Internet 14 by providing the server 11 with the bidding function of the auction apparatus 21 described below without being linked to the auction hall (auction apparatus 21) as described above. Is possible.

  The auction apparatus 21 includes a bidder 24 and an image processor 25. The auction machine 24 incorporates programs and data necessary for realizing the auction function for the auction, and the auction machine 24 controls the progress of the auction according to these programs and data. The bidding machine 24 executes processing such as whether to make a successful bid for a product, or to make a successful bid for a transaction, or to make a successful bid at which price (successful bid price) to which participant.

  The image processor 25 takes in the merchandise information from the exhibitor and the auction information related to the merchandise from the auction machine 24, performs necessary image processing on them, and displays them on the large screen screens 22a and 22b. As will be described later, the contents displayed on the screens 22a and 22b are also displayed on the display screens of the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13.

  Here, “product information” refers to the image of the vehicle that will be exhibited in the auction and the so-called vehicle state diagram that explains the state of the vehicle (the result of inspecting the vehicle name, grade, mileage, scratches, equipment, etc.) In addition to image information such as a figure), it is information including bid price information about the product (vehicle) such as a start price, a slow price and a desired price, which will be described later. The “bid information” includes auction result information such as successful bid / bidding in addition to bid information input from the participant for the product information.

  The plurality of bid terminals 23 are operation terminals configured with bid buttons and the like, and are connected to the auction apparatus 21 (the bidder 24 and the image processor 25), respectively. Each of these auction terminals 23 is prepared for participants who have visited the auction site to participate in the auction. That is, the participant participates in the auction by operating the auction terminal 23 based on the merchandise information and the auction information of the auction object (used car) displayed on the large screen screens 22a and 22b at the auction hall. You can also.

Next, an auction bidding method employed in the auction system 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
This auction is a price guidance type auction in which the auction is advanced based on three types of price settings (auction price information): a start price, a slowdown price, and a desired price. Here, “start price” is the price at the start of the auction, “slow down price” is the price at which participants can bid, and “desired price” is the seller's desire to sell if this price is exceeded The price to do. Prior to the start of the auction, these bid price information is registered in advance on the seller terminal 12 operated by the seller, and is sent to the server 11 through the Internet 14 as product information together with image information of the auction target (used car). Is done. The bid price information may be registered on the server 11 based on the exhibition information transmitted from the exhibitor terminal 12.

  This product information (image information, bid price information) is transmitted from the server 11 to the auction machine 24 and also to the participant terminal 13 operated by the participant. Thereby, the participant can browse the product information on the terminal 13 through the Internet 14 before starting the auction for the product to be exhibited in the auction, which can be used as a reference when participating in the auction. Of course, the registered content of the product information is also transmitted from the server 11 to the exhibitor terminal 12, and the exhibitor can confirm the registered content on his / her terminal.

  The auction is started with the start price as the bid display price. Here, the “auction display price” means that the participant or the exhibitor recognizes the highest price or the successful bid price at the time of bid insertion (entering bid information) using his / her terminal. This is the price used as the judgment criterion above, and this bid display price is displayed together with the product information on each screen 22a, 22b, exhibitor terminal 12 and participant terminal 13 of the auction site.

  In the present embodiment, the auction apparatus 21 can execute two different auctions in parallel by using the two screens 22a and 22b installed in the venue. These two auctions are going on in parallel.

  When the auction is started based on the start price, the bid display price is automatically increased and updated at predetermined timing intervals within a certain bid price range from the start price to the slowdown price. Here, the “auction price range” is a price set in advance for the bidder 24 on the organizer side (on the server 11) prior to the start of the auction.

  Thus, when the bid display price is between the start price and the slowdown price, it is not adopted as effective information even if a bid is entered by the participant. In other words, until the bid display price reaches the slowdown price, the bid display price increases non-stop within a predetermined bid price range determined in advance.

  When the bid display price reaches the slowdown price, the price increase speed of the bid display price (the timing at which the price is updated) is changed to be slower than before. The bid display price is then automatically increased and updated at a certain bid price range up to the desired price. After this slowdown price, participants can bid.

  After the slowdown price, if there is a bid entry from a participant (specifically, a bid entry button to be described later is pressed), the bid information is handled as valid information by the server 11, and the participant terminal 13 to the server 11 Is transmitted to the bidding machine 24 via. When the bidder 24 receives the bid information, it temporarily stops the price guidance (increase in bid price) of the bid price, and based on the received bid information, the highest price (highest bid price) at that time is obtained. Determine the highest bidder. The highest price and the highest bidder are determined in consideration of the line delay caused by the Internet 14 (details will be described later).

  In addition, when price induction is stopped by bidding from a participant, an increase in the bid display price displayed on the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 is also stopped accordingly. Each terminal 12 and 13 displays the highest price at that time as a bid display price. Thus, the exhibitor and the participants can check the bidding status (how many participants have bids) through the Internet 14 at any time.

  After that, if the next bid entry is not received from another participant within a certain time from the previous bid entry, price guidance is automatically resumed. That is, the auction display price is also automatically increased and updated to the desired price within a certain bid price range. If bids are inserted before the desired price is reached, the price guidance is stopped each time, and the highest price and highest bidder are updated sequentially.

  Here, when the auction display price is between the slow-down price and the desired price, the exhibitor can make a sell-out (specifically, a press-down of a sell-out button described later). “Selling out” is to replace the desired price set in advance with the current auction display price, satisfy the sales criteria and inform the participants of the will to sell at or above that price. In other words, the exhibitor originally intended to sell at a price higher than the desired price set in advance, but by selling it with reference to the bidding situation by the participant, it will be sold even before the desired price is reached. Will be able to. It should be noted that such a sold-out insertion may be performed at a timing corresponding to a bid insertion from a participant.

If a sell-out is made, the subsequent price guidance is stopped. In other words, after selling out, the auction display price is increased and updated only by bidding from the participants.
Specifically, when a bid is entered by a participant within a certain period of time after being sold out, the bid information is transmitted from the participant terminal 13 to the bidder 24 via the server 11, and the bidder 24 responds accordingly. Then, based on the bid information, a price obtained by adding the amount of the bid price range to the bid display price at that time is determined as the highest price. Also, the participant who put the highest price is determined as the highest bidder. The highest price and the highest bidder are determined in consideration of the line delay caused by the Internet 14 (details will be described later).

  After that, if there is another bidder from another participant within a certain time from the previous bidder, the highest price (bid price + bid price range) and highest bidder will be updated each time. The On the other hand, if there is no next bid entry from another participant within a certain time from the previous bid entry, the highest price at that time will be determined as the winning bid, and the highest price bidder at that time will be Determined as the winning bidder. If there is no bidder from any participant within a certain period of time after the soldout (that is, there is no bidder), the person who bids at the bid price at the time of the soldout will be the winning bidder. .

  In addition, after the slowdown price, when the auction display price reaches the desired price without being sold out by the exhibitor, the subsequent price induction is stopped. That is, after reaching the desired price, the auction display price is raised and updated only by the bid insertion from the participant, as in the case of the above-mentioned selling out insertion. Note that the processing after reaching the desired price (the highest price, the determination of the highest bidder, the determination of the winning bidder, etc.) is the same as the processing after the sold-out, so the description is omitted here.

Next, a method for determining the highest price and the highest bidder considering the line delay will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a process for determining the highest price and the highest price bidder from the bid information during price guidance after the slowdown price.

  When the bidding machine 24 receives the bidding information from the participant terminal 13, first, based on the bidding information, the bidding machine 24 inputs the bid display price and the bid display price at the time when the bidding is entered. Information input processing is performed (step 100). Next, a difference A between the auction display price at the time when the bidding information input process is executed and the auction display price at the time when the participant enters the bidding is calculated (step 110), and the difference A is set in advance. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than the allowable difference B (step 120).

  If it is determined that the difference A is equal to or less than the allowable difference B at this time, the bid display price at the time of the processing is determined as the highest price, and the bidder is determined as the highest price bidder (step 130). On the other hand, when it is determined that the difference A is larger than the allowable difference B, the received bidding information is not treated as valid information.

  That is, the bid display price at the time when the bid is entered by the participant and the bid display price at the time of processing when the bidder 24 inputs the bid information until the bid information reaches the bidder 24 from the participant terminal 13. May be different due to the time lag due to the line delay. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the highest price and the highest price bidder are regarded as valid information only when the difference A in the auction display price caused by such a time lag is equal to or less than the preset allowable difference B. To decide.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process for determining the highest price and the highest bidder from the bid information after selling out or after the bid display price reaches the desired price. In the figure, steps 200 to 220 are the same processes as steps 100 to 120 described above.

  That is, as in the case of FIG. 2 described above, when the bidder 24 inputs the bid information (step 200), the bidder displays the bid display price at the time of processing and the bid display price at the time when the participant enters the bid. The difference A is calculated (step 210), and it is determined whether or not the difference A is equal to or smaller than a preset allowable difference B (step 220). If it is determined that the difference A is equal to or less than the allowable difference B at this time, the price obtained by adding the amount of the bid price range to the auction display price at the time of the above processing is determined as the maximum price, and the bidder is determined as The highest bidder is determined (step 230). On the other hand, when it is determined that the difference A is larger than the allowable difference B, the received bidding information is not treated as valid information.

Next, a server-client data communication method in the auction system 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, data transmission / reception between the server 11 and the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) is performed using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).

  That is, the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 which are clients transmit a request (HTTP request) when requesting transfer of information. In response to this request, the server 11 returns a corresponding response (HTTP response).

FIG. 4 shows an example in which auction information Sa is requested from the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) to the server 11 using such a communication protocol.
When the server 11 receives from the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) a request comprising a predetermined protocol statement describing a transfer request for the bid information Sa, the server 11 authenticates the client and responds to the request. It waits for bid information Sa to be transmitted from bidder 24. When the bid information Sa is received from the bidder 24, the bid information Sa is transferred (response transmitted) to the client that has received the request in advance. Based on the received bid information Sa, the client displays the bid information Sa corresponding to the display screen on its own terminal.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the client transmits a request for the bid information Sa desired to be transferred to the server 11 in advance, and the transfer is performed as soon as the bid information Sa corresponding to the request is received from the server 11. The system is configured to send a request for information that is desired and wait.

  In such a mechanism, the client can receive the bid information Sa from the server 11 almost simultaneously with the server 11 receiving the bid information Sa from the bidder 24. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to adopt a communication mode substantially similar to communication using a push-type protocol (method for automatically distributing data necessary for the client from the server 11). Thereby, the auction display price displayed on each screen 22a, 22b in an auction hall can be reflected and displayed on the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 in real time.

  In general, in order to pursue real-time performance, it is generally easier to communicate using a push-type protocol. However, with such a push-type, it is possible to connect with a personal computer that is connected to a firewall or a LAN (Local Area Network). Realization of communication becomes difficult. For this reason, there is a problem that versatility is poor and inconvenience in operation is increased. In this embodiment, the use of HTTP can solve the operational problem caused by using such a push-type protocol.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, when data (auction information Sa here) is transmitted from the server 11 to the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13), the auction information Sa Is compressed (Sb) and transmitted.

  That is, since the server 11 receives the auction information Sa from the auction machine 24 one after another as the auction progresses, a line delay is caused in communication between the server 11 and the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13). When this occurs, the server 11 accumulates bid information Sa to be transmitted to the client.

  In the present embodiment, the server 11 stores the bid information Sa received from the bidder 24 for each client, and then receives the request from the client and compresses the bid information Sa corresponding to the request (Sa ) And send. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, when there are a plurality of pieces of bid information Sa to be transmitted to the same client, all of them are compressed and transmitted (Sa).

  In this way, the communication time between the server 11 and the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) can be minimized, so that the influence of line delay or the like can be minimized. Therefore, more real-time performance can be pursued.

Next, the reproduction process of the data (the bid information Sa here) on the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) side will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a process for compressing the reproduction time of the bid information Sa will be described with reference to FIG.

  Auction information Sa received by the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) includes various information. For example, bidding information generated by bidding, bidding display price update information, sold-out information, successful bid / bidding information, and the like correspond thereto.

  When such various information (auction information Sa) is sequentially reproduced and displayed on the client side, the reproduction time for optimally displaying each of the information varies for each piece of information. The reproduction time compression processing described below is for effectively reproducing the influence of the line delay as much as possible while maintaining the display interval that can ensure the display smoothness of the auction information Sa.

  Now, at time t1, the client receives the bid information Sa from the server 11 (here, for example, two pieces of bid information Sa are received together). As described above, when the client receives the bid information Sa, the client makes a next request to the server 11.

  The bid information Sa includes information describing the waiting time Tw and the unique number Np, respectively. Here, the waiting time Tw is the reproduction waiting time (in other words, the reproduction time of the immediately preceding auction information Sa) necessary for optimally displaying the immediately preceding auction information Sa, and the unique number Np is the auction information Sa. Is a number indicating the order of playback. 6 and 7, the left value of the auction information Sa indicates the waiting time Tw, and the right value indicates the unique number Np.

  By the way, the value of the waiting time Tw is expressed by the time ratio where the unit time obtained in accordance with the resolution of the system timer of the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 as clients is “1” (1 unit). Is. In this embodiment, one unit is set to a time of 1/64 seconds (15.625 ms). Therefore, for example, in the case of the auction information Sa in which the waiting time Tw “2” is set, the waiting time required for the reproduction of the auction information Sa is 2 units, that is, 31.25 ms. Thus, by setting the waiting time Tw of the auction information Sa in units according to the resolution of the system timer, it is possible to efficiently reproduce and display the auction information Sa on the client side.

  The client sequentially reproduces the auction information Sa based on the waiting time Tw and the unique number Np, and after starting the reproduction of the auction information Sa having the unique number Np “2”, then at the time t2, new auction information Sa (Here, for example, three pieces of bid information Sa are received together). Although not shown in the figure, as described above, when the client receives the bid information Sa, the client makes a next request to the server 11.

  Here, the client secures the display smoothness of the waiting time Tw “5” of the head bid information Sa (the bid information Sa of the unique number Np “3”) among the three newly received bid information Sa. The time is changed to a time (in this example, “2”) at which the information can be reproduced at the minimum possible display interval. If the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the previously received auction information Sa with the unique number Np “2” exceeds the newly set waiting time Tw “2”, the auction information Sa with the unique number Np “3” is stored. Is immediately reproduced (displayed), and thereafter, the auction information Sa is sequentially reproduced based on the waiting time Tw and the unique number Np.

  In this way, since the latest information received on the client side can be displayed promptly, even when a line delay or the like occurs, it is possible to realize a more real-time auction while suppressing the influence as much as possible. . In this case, since the minimum display interval that can ensure display smoothness is maintained, the user (exhibitor and participant) does not feel uncomfortable with the display.

Next, the thinning-out process of the bid information Sa will be described with reference to FIG. The thinning process is a process of deleting the bid information Sa under a predetermined condition.
Now, at time t11, the client receives the bid information Sa from the server 11 (here, for example, five pieces of bid information Sa are received together). As described above, when receiving the bid information Sa, the client makes a next request to the server 11.

  The client sequentially reproduces these auction information Sa based on the waiting time Tw and the unique number Np, and after starting reproduction of the auction information Sa having the unique number Np “2”, at time t12, new auction information Sa (Here, for example, three pieces of bid information Sa are received together). Although not shown in the figure, as described above, when the client receives the bid information Sa, the client makes a next request to the server 11.

  Here, the client has previously determined unreplayed auction information Sa (here, the unique numbers Np “3”, “4”, “5”) among the five auction information Sa received earlier. Thinning (deletion) is performed on the condition that it is not important bid information Sa. The important auction information Sa is information that informs a change in the auction progress status, and includes, for example, information that informs that the product has been successfully bid or information that informs that the auction has become a bid. . In other words, there is no problem even if the previously received bid information Sa is not displayed by the newly received bid information Sa (for example, information indicating the bid display price is information that is updated one after another, so it can be deleted. Can be deleted.

  In the present embodiment, the auction information Sa with the unique number Np “3” is defined as the important auction information Sa, and the other auction information Sa with the unique numbers Np “4” and “5” is deleted. It has become so. Therefore, after reproducing the important bid information Sa with the unique number Np “3”, the client plays the newly received bid information Sa with the unique numbers Np “6”, “7”, and “8”.

  At this time, the client sets the waiting time Tw “5” of the auction information Sa (unique number Np “6”) to be reproduced following the important auction information Sa (unique number Np “3”) to the optimum of the important auction information Sa. The playback time required for display (here, the standby time Tw “30” set to the unique number Np “4”) is compared with the playback time that can be recognized by the user, Change to the shorter time. Note that the reproduction time that allows the user to recognize information is generally about 0.3 seconds (in other words, Tw “20” is required as the standby time for reproduction of the next information). Accordingly, in this case, the waiting time Tw “5” of the auction information Sa (unique number Np “6”) following the important auction information Sa is changed to the waiting time Tw “20”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when there is unreproduced auction information Sa received before the auction information Sa is received, the important auction information that informs the change of the auction progress status. As long as it is not Sa, thinning is performed. As a result, the latest auction information Sa received on the client side can be quickly displayed, and even when a line delay or the like occurs, it is possible to realize a more real-time auction while suppressing the influence as much as possible.

Next, an aspect when product information is transmitted from the server 11 to the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, since the product information is information including image information such as a vehicle image and a vehicle state diagram, such product information with a large amount of information (packet size) is transmitted to the client at one time. There is a concern that the problem that the bid information Sa cannot be transmitted from 11 will occur.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, when sending the product information Se, the server 11 divides the product information Se into a plurality of packets P1 to P3, which are then bid information Sa (compressed). The auction information Sb) is transmitted through a gap. By dividing and transmitting in such a small packet size, it is possible to suitably suppress the transmission of the bid information Sa.

Next, screen configuration examples of the exhibitor terminal 12 and the participant terminal 13 related to the auction will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 shows a screen configuration example of the participant terminal 13 in the watching mode. The watching mode is a mode for watching an auction in which other participants are participating. Here, the participant terminal 13 will be described as an example, but the watching mode screen can also be displayed on the exhibitor terminal 12.

  The watching mode is started (displayed) by pressing the watching button 31 arranged (displayed) on the screen 13a of the participant terminal 13. In addition, a bid button 32, a slow price input button 33, and an exhibition adjustment button 34, which will be described later, are also arranged near the watching button 31.

  A member code (for example, “0001”) is displayed next to the exhibition adjustment button 34. The membership code is a code obtained when the participant registers in advance (user information is registered on the server 11), and the user (participant) accesses the server 11 based on the membership code. It becomes possible to participate in the auction.

  Below each button 31-34, the exhibition number (for example, “813”) of the auction object (used car) related to this auction, the year of the vehicle (for example, “06”), and the evaluation point (for example, “8.0”). ")" Is displayed as product information, and below these displays, an auction display price 35 (here, "1460.0 thousand yen" as the current price, for example) is displayed. In this auction, the bid display price is displayed in units of thousand yen.

  Next to the bid display price 35, a bid lamp 36 is arranged. The bidding lamp 36 is composed of, for example, three types (three colors) of lamps, and the participant can know the bidding situation of the auction by the lighting / extinguishing state of each lamp.

  Next to the bidding lamp 36, a progress display column 37 for notifying participants of the progress of the auction is arranged. In the progress display column 37, “Start” is displayed at the start of the auction, and thereafter “Uri-Kiri” is displayed when the seller sells out based on the auction information Sa transmitted from the server 11. “Successful bid” is displayed when the auction target (used car) is awarded, and “Auction” is displayed when the auction becomes a bid.

  A vehicle state diagram 38 is displayed below the progress display column 37. A vehicle image 39 (photograph) is displayed at the lower left of the vehicle state diagram 38. Next to the vehicle image 39, a part of the product information for the currently held auction (present) and the next auction (next) is displayed.

  When a participant participates in an auction, he / she can see the state of the auction in such a watching mode and confirm the exhibits, which can be used as a reference when he / she participates in the auction.

  10 and 11 show examples of the screen configuration of the participant terminal 13 in the bid mode. The bidding mode is a mode for the participant to participate in the auction, and the bidding mode screen is not necessarily displayed on the participant terminal 13 but can also be displayed on the exhibitor terminal 12.

  The bidding mode is started (displayed) by pressing the bidding button 32 on the screen 13a. In this bidding mode, first, a bidding password input screen 41 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. The bidding password input screen 41 displays an input field 42 for inputting a member code and an input field 43 for inputting a bidding password necessary for participating in the auction. The participant can participate in the auction by inputting the member code and the bid password in these input fields 42 and 43 and pressing the registration button 44, respectively.

  If the member code and the bidding password entered on the bidding password input screen 41 are appropriate, a bidding insertion button 45 is displayed on the screen 13a of the participant terminal 13, as shown in FIG. (Specifically, a display including the bid insertion button 45 on the screen in the watching mode (FIG. 9)).

  In such a bidding mode, when the auction display price 35 reaches the desired price, the participant can inform the exhibitor of his / her intention to purchase the exhibit by pressing the bidding insertion button 45. (Specifically, bidding information is transmitted to the server 11 based on this button operation).

  FIG. 12 shows a screen configuration example of the exhibitor terminal 12 in the slow price input mode. The slow price input mode is a mode for an exhibitor who has registered a start price and a desired price in advance to input a slowdown price prior to the start of an auction.

  The slow price input mode is started (displayed) by pressing the slow price input button 33 on the screen 12a. In this slow price input mode, a slow price input screen 51 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The slow price input screen 51 displays an input field 52 for inputting an exhibition number of an auction object (used car) exhibited by the exhibitor, and the exhibitor enters the exhibition number in the input field 52. After that, by pressing the input button 53, it becomes possible to input the slowdown price into the input field 54 (however, within the range of the desired price from the start price).

  Then, after inputting the desired slowdown price, if the registration button 55 is pressed, the server 11 is notified to that effect and the registration is completed. If the clear content button 56 is pressed after inputting the slowdown price, the previously input price can be cleared and the slowdown price can be input again.

  Incidentally, the input (registration) of the slowdown price in such a slow price input mode can be changed at any time even after it is registered but before the start of the auction. Although illustration is omitted here, not only the slow-down price but also other product information such as a start price and a desired price can be changed at any time before the start of the auction. When the product information once registered is changed or corrected as described above, a notification (correction notification) 57 indicating the fact and the correction content 57a are displayed on the screen 12a.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen configuration example of the exhibitor terminal 12 in the exhibition adjustment mode. The exhibition adjustment mode is a mode for the exhibitor to adjust the progress of the auction.

  The exhibition adjustment mode is started (displayed) by pressing the exhibition adjustment button 34 on the screen 12a. In this exhibition adjustment mode, an exhibition adjustment screen 61 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. The exhibition adjustment screen 61 displays a bid lamp 62 in which a plurality of lamps are arranged in a matrix. The bidding lamp 62 visually notifies the exhibitor of the bidding status from the participant. Based on the bidding information transmitted from the server 11, the bidding lamp 62 assigns the lamp of the corresponding location assigned to the matrix for each participant. Each time bid information is transmitted, it is displayed (for example, blinking). Thus, the exhibitor can know how many participants are bidding on the basis of the display of the bidding lamp 62.

  Further, three types of adjustment buttons 63 to 65 are arranged (displayed) on the exhibition adjustment screen 61. The adjustment button 63 (“slow”) allows the participant to insert a bid by raising the bid display price 35 to the slowdown price when the bid display price 35 is between the start price and the slowdown price. It is a button for. That is, the exhibitor can speed up the auction by operating the adjustment button 63.

  The adjustment button 64 (“urikiri”) is a sold-out input button, and is a button for the exhibitor to input the sold-out. When the auction display price 35 is after the slow-down price, the exhibitor can notify the sales intention to the participant by operating the adjustment button 64. That is, the exhibitor can change the desired price by using the adjustment button 64.

  The adjustment button 65 (“not established”) is not intended to be sold by the exhibitor at the bidding price when a bid is entered by a participant when the bid display price 35 is priced after the slowdown price. It is a button to operate in case. That is, when there is no intention to sell, the exhibitor can start price guidance again by operating the adjustment button 65 without waiting for a certain time.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present auction system 10, the bid display price is automatically increased and updated by price guidance until the seller sells out or until the bid display price reaches the seller's desired price. . After the sell-off by the exhibitor or after the desired price of the auction display price is reached, the auction is proceeded in such a way that the highest price is determined each time based on the bid entry from the participant, and the highest The bidder who maintains the price for a certain time is determined as the successful bidder. Therefore, the system 10 can efficiently advance an auction through the Internet 14.

  (2) In the auction system 10, after the bid display price reaches the slowdown price, the participant can insert a bid at an arbitrary timing, and the exhibitor sells out at an arbitrary timing. It is possible. Therefore, a system that is highly convenient for exhibitors and participants can be realized.

  (3) In this auction system 10, when the exhibitor puts out a sellout, the exhibitor displays the bidding status such as how many participants are bidding on his terminal (exhibitor terminal 12). This can be done while checking from time to time based on the bid lamps 62 displayed in a matrix. Therefore, a more convenient system can be realized.

  (4) In the present auction system 10, the highest price and the highest bidder at that time may be determined in consideration of the influence of line delay between the server 11 and the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13). it can.

  (5) In this auction system 10, since the HTTP communication protocol is used for data communication between the server 11 and the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13), it is highly versatile and excellent in operation. A system can be realized.

  (6) In this auction system 10, as soon as the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) receives a response from the server 11, it transmits the next request and waits for reception of the corresponding information (response). It was a mechanism to do. Therefore, the client can receive information from the server 11 as in the almost push-type communication method. Thereby, a system with high real-time property can be realized.

  (7) In the auction system 10, the auction information Sa transmitted from the server 11 to the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) is managed for each client, and one or more are responded to one request from each client. A plurality of bid information Sa is transmitted. With such a configuration, the data communication time between the server 11 and the client can be minimized. Thereby, a system with higher real-time property can be realized.

  (8) In the auction system 10, the bid information from the server 11 is transmitted to the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) in a compressed form. Thereby, the data communication time between the server 11 and the client can be further minimized, and a system with higher real-time property can be realized.

  (9) In the present auction system 10, the product information Se from the server 11 is divided into a plurality of packets and transmitted to the clients (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) through the transmission gap of the auction information Sa. With such a configuration, it is possible to suitably transmit the product information Se without hindering the transmission of the bid information Sa.

  (10) In the auction system 10, when the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) receives new auction information Sa from the server 11 during reproduction of the auction information Sa, it ensures display smoothness. The minimum display interval that can be played is maintained and playback is immediately started. With such a configuration, a system with higher real-time characteristics can be realized.

  (11) In this auction system 10, when the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) receives new auction information Sa from the server 11 in a state where there is unreplayed auction information Sa, the unreproduced auction information Sa As long as the bid information Sa is not the specific important bid information Sa, it is deleted and the new bid information Sa is immediately reproduced. With such a configuration, a system with higher real-time characteristics can be realized.

  (12) In the present auction system 10, the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13), when there is unreproduced important bid information Sa when receiving new bid information Sa, the important bid information Sa Is reproduced at a display time at which the user (exhibitor and participant) can recognize at least, and then the next auction information Sa is reproduced. In such a configuration, the user can recognize the important bid information Sa, and the thinning process can be suitably performed.

  (13) In the auction system 10, since the waiting time of the bid information Sa is set in accordance with the resolution of the system timer, the bid information Sa is efficiently reproduced and displayed on the client (exhibitor terminal 12, participant terminal 13) side. be able to.

  (14) In the present embodiment, an exhibitor can participate as a “participant” in another auction that proceeds in parallel while adjusting the listing on his / her exhibitor terminal 12. Similarly, a participant can participate as an “exhibitor” in another auction proceeding in parallel while participating in the auction on his / her participant terminal 13. In other words, by combining the function of the exhibitor terminal 12 and the function of the participant terminal 13 on one personal computer, the exhibitor further participates in a plurality of (two in this example) sessions held simultaneously. It is possible to participate as an exhibitor or to participate as an exhibitor. For this reason, a user's convenience can be improved.

In addition, you may implement the said embodiment, changing into the following aspects (modifications).
(Modification 1) The server 11 may be provided in an auction hall. In other words, the server 11 is configured integrally with the auction apparatus 21 (auction machine 24, image processing machine 25) provided in the auction hall. In other words, the auction machine 24 may have the function of the server 11.

  (Modification 2) The configuration at the auction site is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate (for example, screens 22a and 22b as display devices provided at the auction site). May be one or more than three).

  (Modification 3) The bid information Sa described in the above embodiment is mainly text information, but such bid information Sa may be voice information. In this case, in consideration of the influence of the line delay, it is preferable to select a participant who uses a line having a certain communication bandwidth or more and perform voice transmission.

  (Modification 4) In addition, as described in Modification 3 above, when voice information is transmitted as auction information Sa, the bandwidth is divided into a band for transmitting text information and a band for transmitting voice information. It is more preferable to do so. By so doing, it is possible to avoid the influence of delay as much as possible by securing the communication band of voice information.

  (Variation 5) As described in the variation 3 above, as a specific mode for transmitting audio information, for example, a mode in which an announcement being broadcast at an auction site is used is adopted. Can do. In this case, the text information is transmitted as the bid information Sa, and an announcement (for example, information indicating the progress status of the bid, information on the next bid, etc.) may be played as voice information supplementing the text information. In this way, a more realistic auction can be conducted on the Internet as in the local auction site.

The schematic block diagram which shows the auction system of one Embodiment. The processing flowchart for determining the highest price and the highest bidder at the time of price guidance. The processing flowchart for determining the highest price and the highest price bidder after the sell-out by the exhibitor or after the bid display price reaches the desired price. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data communication system between a server and a client. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the compression process at the time of data communication. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data reproduction | regeneration compression process by the client side. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data reproduction thinning-out process by the client side. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the gap | interval transmission of merchandise information. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen of watching mode. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen of a bid mode. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen of a bid mode. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen of slow price input mode. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a screen of exhibition adjustment mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Auction system, 11 ... Server (server computer), 12 ... Exhibitor terminal (client computer), 13 ... Participant terminal (client computer), 14 ... Internet as a network, 21 ... Auction apparatus, 22a, 22b ... Screen , 23 ... Auction terminal, 24 ... Auction machine, 25 ... Image processor, 31 ... Watch button, 32 ... Bidding button, 33 ... Slow price input button, 34 ... Exhibition adjustment button, 45 ... Bidding insertion button, 64 ... Sold out Adjustment button as insertion button, A: Difference between bid display price at the time of bidding information input processing and bid display price at bid entry by participant, B: Permissible difference, P1 to P3: Multiple divided packets, Sa ... Auction information, Se ... Product information, Tw ... Standby time.

Claims (14)

In an auction system in which a server operated by an organizer, an exhibitor terminal operated by an exhibitor who sells an auction object, and a participant terminal operated by a participant participating in an auction are connected via the Internet,
The server performs price induction for automatically increasing and updating the bid display price within a certain bid price range from the start price, and after the bid display price reaches a preset desired price, or the desired price An auction in which a bidder who maintains the highest price for a certain period of time is determined as a successful bidder based on the bid insertion from the participant before the price is reached and sold out by the exhibitor. An auction system characterized by having a function. The server includes a first period for increasing and updating the auction display price at a certain timing from the start price to a slowdown price set in advance by the seller, and the bid from the slowdown price to the desired price. The price induction is controlled by a second period in which the displayed price is increased and updated at a timing slower than the price increase speed during the first period. It is possible to accept the selling out from the seller in the second period,
The auction system according to claim 1. When the server accepts a bid entry from the participant before the selling out is made in the second period, the server inputs the bid information received from the participant terminal of the participant. When the difference between the bid display price and the bid display price at the time of bidding by the participant is calculated and the difference is less than or equal to the preset allowable difference, the bid display price at the time of processing is set to the highest price. And the participant is determined as the highest bidder, and when the difference is larger than the allowable difference, the bidding information is not adopted as valid information.
The auction system according to claim 2. The server receives from the participant terminal of the participant after accepting bid entry from the participant after the sold-out insertion in the second period or after the bid display price reaches the desired price. If the difference between the bid display price at the time of processing to input the bid information and the bid display price at the time of bidding by the participant is calculated, and the difference is equal to or less than a preset allowable difference, The price obtained by adding the amount of the bid price range to the bid display price at the time of processing is determined as the highest price and the participant is determined as the highest bidder, and the difference is larger than the allowable difference In this case, the bidding information is not adopted as valid information.
The auction system according to claim 2 or 3. The exhibitor terminal and the participant terminal function as clients that transmit and receive data to and from the server based on an HTTP communication protocol, and upon receiving a response corresponding to one request from the server, Send the next request to the server,
The auction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In response to one request received from the client, the server transmits one or more bid information managed for each client as the response.
The auction system according to claim 5. The server has a function of compressing and transmitting the bid information transmitted to the client.
The auction system according to claim 6. The server divides a packet of product information related to the auction object to be transmitted to the client into a plurality of packets, and transmits each of the divided packets through a transmission gap of the auction information.
The auction system according to claim 6 or 7. When the client receives new bid information from the server while the bid information received from the server is being played, the client needs to play the bid information to be played first among the received new bid information. Changing the standby time to a time that maintains the minimum display interval that can ensure smooth display,
The auction system according to any one of claims 6 to 8. When the client receives new bid information from the server in a state in which the bid information received from the server includes unplayed information, unless the unplayed bid information is pre-designated important bid information. Perform a thinning process to delete the unplayed bid information.
The auction system according to any one of claims 6 to 9. When the important bid information is included in the unreplayed bid information, the client determines the playback time necessary for optimal display of the important bid information, the seller and the participant Compare the playback time to the extent that the bid information can be recognized, and set the shorter playback time of each playback time as the waiting time required until the playback of the bid information to be played following the important bid information. ,
The auction system according to claim 10. The waiting time set in the bid information is set in units of time according to the resolution of the system timer set in the client.
The auction system according to any one of claims 9 to 11. The client has a function of displaying a matrix so that the state of the bidding by the participant can be identified for each participant.
The auction system according to any one of claims 5 to 12. A bidder having the bid function is installed at an auction site, and the bidder and the server are connected;
The auction system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images