JP2006260070A - Automobile auction system, provision method for automobile auction service, and automobile auction program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To economically and efficiently secure simultaneity or certainty of bids. <P>SOLUTION: As shown in Figure 2, this system comprises a delay-time calculating part 110 receiving a packet for an arrival possibility check from each bid terminal, calculating the lapsed time spent for packet arrival, and storing the lapsed time in a storage device as a response delay time; a correction time specifying part 111 integrating the response delay time in each the bid terminal, indicating intention of bidding to the same bid target, specifying a maximum response delay time between the respective bid terminals as correction time, and storing the correction time in the storage device associatively to the bid target; a final bid deadline notifying part 112 notifying each the bid terminal about the deadline, obtained by adding the correction time to a prescribed bid deadline as a final bid deadline related to the bid target, and receiving bid information related to the bid target to the final bid deadline from each the bid terminal; and a successful bidder determining part 113 specifying the bid information of the bid of the highest bid value within the final bid deadline, on the basis of the bid information received from each the bid terminal to determine the successful bidder, and transmitting successful bid notification to the bid terminal corresponding to the successful bidder. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automobile auction system, an automobile auction service providing method, and an automobile auction program.

  In addition to antique auctions that have been held at actual venues, auction services on the Internet are becoming popular these days. The used car market is no exception, and there is a trend to systematize transactions such as bidding and bidding at existing auction venues. As a technology related to such an automobile auction, for example, it is an auction target under the problem of providing a used car auction system that provides used cars to be auctioned to not only still images but also video images to auction participants. In a used car auction system for displaying an image display screen including a video of a used car to an auction participant and performing an auction, a moving picture image storing means for storing a moving picture of the used car taken for each used car And video display control means for controlling the video display screens of each used car to be displayed in a predetermined order, and the video display control means corresponds to at least a part of the video display screen. Controlling the video display screen to display the video image of Such as used car auction system to the symptoms (see Patent Document 1) has been proposed.

  It also compares the appraisal price of the self-owned vehicle that is the subject of sale with the selling price of the used vehicle that is the subject of purchase, and can inform the customer of the best time to purchase the used vehicle. Under the objective of obtaining a trading timing support system, the server (4) of the management company (3) that operates the entire system, the server (6) of the car insurance company (5) that manages accident history, and the used car The server (8) of the car auction company (7) that determines the appraisal price is connected to the customer terminal (2) via the Internet (1), and the appraisal price of the vehicle to be sold and the vehicle to be purchased from the customer terminal (2) Information for calculating the sales price of the vehicle, and based on the information, the price of the vehicle to be sold and the vehicle to be purchased in the application program incorporated in the server (4) of the management company (3) It is characterized in that it can calculate the price by quantifying the constant factor, determine the buying and selling timing from the price, and send information such as the buying and selling timing advantageous to the customer side by e-mail to the customer side terminal (2), A used car buying and selling timing support system via the Internet (see Patent Document 2) has also been proposed.

In addition, under the problem of providing an automobile auction system having a function of allowing an experience search of an auction system through an open high-speed communication network system typified by the Internet, etc. A web server having a function of transmitting an input form is connected to the Internet via a firewall, and the web server is a vehicle information database according to a search item based on the vehicle search input form input from the terminal. A search instruction, a search result received through an output result creation processor and output to the user side terminal, and a function of automatically creating a request for quotation based on the search result Car auction system (see Patent Document 3) It has been proposed Domo.
JP 2003-162653 A JP 2002-133160 A JP 2002-236817 A

  However, the various conventional methods have not solved technical problems related to an auction system using a wide range of networks such as the Internet that crosses countries. In general, in a used car auction, a large number of buyers bid on a used car in real time by operating a predetermined information terminal at auction venues distributed in a plurality of regions. The bid data derived from these many buyers are collected on the server, and the highest price within the time limit is determined as the successful bid price.

  Although the distribution range and scale of such buyers can be expanded not only in Japan but also overseas by using the Internet, etc., the communication status of the network connecting the auction server and buyers, and each of the networks included in the network There is a possibility that the simultaneousness and certainty of the bidding operation may be impaired due to the specifications of the communication device.

  On the other hand, if dedicated high-speed lines that occupy a large communication band are installed and used all over the world, the operating cost of the auction system will increase significantly, making it an economically appropriate option. I could n’t.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides an automobile auction system, an automobile auction service providing method, and an automobile auction program that enable economical and efficient securing of simultaneity and certainty of bidding. The main purpose is to provide

  The automobile auction system of the present invention that solves the above problems is an automobile auction system connected to a bid terminal via a network, and a packet for reachability check in the network protocol is sent to each bid terminal before the bid is executed. A delay time calculating unit that calculates an elapsed time required for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal and stores the elapsed time in a storage device as a response delay time for the corresponding bid terminal; The response delay time stored in the apparatus is aggregated for each bid terminal indicating a bid intention for the same bid object, and the maximum response delay time among the respective bid terminals is specified as a correction time for bid reception related to the bid object. A correction time specifying unit for storing the correction time in association with a bid target in the storage device, and before the predetermined bid deadline A final bid deadline notifying unit for notifying each bid terminal of a deadline to which a correction time is added as a final bid deadline for the bid target and receiving bid information regarding the bid target up to the final bid deadline from each bid terminal. Based on the bid information received from each bid terminal, the bid information having the highest bid value within the final bid deadline is identified and the winning bidder is determined, and the bid terminal corresponding to the winning bidder is awarded. A successful bidder determination unit for transmitting the notification.

  In addition, the automobile auction system of the present invention receives a connection request from each bidding terminal before bidding execution, and is busy in communication that has already been established or reserved between the connection request receiving unit and another bidding terminal. The communication port identifying unit that monitors the degree of communication for each communication port and identifies an available communication port in an operating state equal to or less than a predetermined standard, and the available communication port to the corresponding bid terminal in response to the connection request Allocate and notify the corresponding bid terminal of the content of the allocation. The connection allocation notifying unit and the connection establishment with the bid terminal are executed only when the bid terminal makes a connection request based on the content of the allocation. It is suitable if it is provided with a part.

  In addition, the automobile auction system of the present invention includes a subsystem distributed and arranged for each predetermined area, and the subsystem sends bid information transmitted from the bid terminal to each area attribute associated with the bid information. The highest bid price among the bid information collected here is selected for each bid target, and the highest bid price by region for the bid target is specified. The highest bid price for each region is acquired from the subsystem, the bid information that is the highest bid value across the regions within the final bid deadline is specified, the winning bidder is determined, and the winning bidder is dealt with. It is preferable to send a successful bid notification to the bidding terminal.

  The method for providing an automobile auction service according to the present invention is a method for providing an automobile auction service by a computer, and receives a packet for reachability check in the network protocol from each bid terminal before execution of a bid. And calculating the elapsed time required for the arrival of the packet from each bid terminal, storing the elapsed time as a response delay time for the corresponding bid terminal in a storage device, and storing the response delay time stored in the storage device. , Aggregating each bid terminal indicating the bid intention for the same bid object, specifying the maximum response delay time between the respective bid terminals as a correction time of bid acceptance related to the bid object, and this correction time is a bid object in the storage device The deadline obtained by adding the correction time to the predetermined bid deadline is related to the bid object. Notifying each bid terminal as a final bid deadline, receiving bid information related to the bid target up to the final bid deadline from each bid terminal, and within the final bid deadline based on the bid information received from each bid terminal The highest bidder is identified and the winning bidder is determined, and a successful bid notification is transmitted to the bid terminal corresponding to the winning bidder.

  The car auction program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a service providing method of car auction, and transmits a packet for reachability check in the network protocol from each bid terminal before bid execution. Receiving and calculating an elapsed time taken for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal, storing the elapsed time in a storage device as a response delay time for the corresponding bid terminal, and a response stored in the storage device The delay time is aggregated for each bid terminal indicating a bid intention with respect to the same bid object, and the maximum response delay time among the respective bid terminals is specified as the correction time of the bid reception related to the bid object, and this correction time is stored in the storage device. In the step of linking to the bid object and storing it at a predetermined bid deadline A period of adding the bid information regarding the bid object as a final bid deadline for the bid object, and receiving bid information regarding the bid object up to the final bid deadline from each bid terminal; Identifying bid information based on the received bid information and determining the highest bidder within the final bid deadline, determining a successful bidder, and sending a successful bid notification to a bid terminal corresponding to the successful bidder; including.

  In addition, the problems disclosed by the present application and the solutions thereof will be clarified by the embodiments of the present invention and the drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to economically and efficiently ensure the simultaneousness and certainty of bidding in an automobile auction.

--- Network configuration example ---
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram including an automobile auction system 100 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as an example, the automobile auction system 100 of the present invention is arranged in an auction headquarters area having a used car auction site, and on the other hand, a plurality of overseas areas A connected to the automobile auction system 100 by a network 140. A situation is assumed in which a bid terminal 200 used by a used automobile buyer for auction bidding is arranged in ~ D (auction bidding area). In each of the areas A to D, a subsystem 300 according to the present invention is arranged to collect bid information from the bid terminals 200 in the corresponding area. Of course, the application range of the present invention is not limited to this assumption example, and can be applied to any situation in which an automobile auction service is provided through a network.

  In addition, the automobile auction system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a server group as an example in order to efficiently realize and execute the automobile auction service providing method of the present invention. This server group includes a login server 130 mainly responsible for connection processing with the bid terminal 200, content information on the auction site, information on used cars to be bid, and the like, and these contents in response to a request from the bid terminal 200 Etc. and at least a database server 132 storing a database group used by the system 100 (minimum configuration of the system 100).

  Alternatively, in addition to the above server group, the system 100 also includes a billing server 133 that is in charge of a settlement process for collecting the usage fee of the auction service from the used car buyer, and a live-action video of the used car at the auction site. And a live server 134 that performs live distribution to the bid terminal 200 using a streaming technique or the like.

  Furthermore, the system 100 may include a subsystem 300 connected via the network 140 in addition to the server group (maximum configuration of the system 100).

  In any case, the provider of the auction service may construct the system in consideration of the service contents appropriate for the actual state of the car auction service, the scale and range of the system configuration, and the like.

--- Functional structure ---
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of (a) an automobile auction system, (b) a bid terminal, and (c) an automobile auction subsystem in the present embodiment. The vehicle auction system 100 of the present invention as described above reads the program 102 stored in the program database 101 such as a rewritable memory to the memory 103 in order to realize the function of executing the method for providing the vehicle auction service of the present invention, It is executed by the CPU 104 as an arithmetic unit.

  In addition, the system 100 is a communication that is responsible for data exchange with the input / output interface 105 such as buttons, display, LED (Light Emitting Diode), etc. that are generally provided in a computer device, and the bidding terminal 200 and the subsystem 300. Means 106 and the like are included.

  The system 100 is connected to the bidding terminal 200 and the subsystem 300 via the network 140 such as the Internet, a LAN, or a serial interface communication line by the communication means 106, and the screen data of the auction site and the second-hand used for bidding. Various data such as attribute information and bid information related to automobiles are exchanged. Between the various functional units of the system 100 and the communication means 106, the I / O unit 107 executes data buffering and various mediation processes.

  Next, functional units that are configured and held by the system 100 based on the program 102 will be described. The system 100 is an automotive auction system connected to the bid terminal 200 and the network 140, and receives a reachability check packet in the protocol of the network 140 from each bid terminal 200 before the bid is executed. A delay time calculating unit 110 is provided that calculates an elapsed time required for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal 200 and stores the elapsed time in a storage device as a response delay time for the corresponding bid terminal 200.

  The reachability check packet is called ping (packet internet group), and an IP packet in the most basic method for checking network connectivity in a TCP / IP network can be assumed. When using ping, a command used to check whether the IP packet has reached the communication destination, that is, the system 100, from the bid terminal 200 or not is executed by the bid terminal 200, and ICMP (Internet) Processing using the echo command of Control Message Protocol) is performed. In this case, the bidding terminal 200 transmits an ICMP echo request as a diagnostic packet to a specific node on the network 140: the system 100 (which may include the subsystem 300), and determines whether the packet has arrived at the destination. You can force notification.

  In addition, the system 100 aggregates the response delay times stored in the storage device for each bid terminal indicating a bid intention for the same bid target, and sets the maximum response delay time between the bid terminals as a bid acceptance for the bid target. And a correction time specifying unit 111 that stores the correction time in association with a bid target in the storage device.

  In addition, the system 100 notifies each bid terminal 200 of a deadline obtained by adding the correction time to a predetermined bid deadline as a final bid deadline for the bid object, and bid information related to the bid object up to the final bid deadline. A final bid deadline notification unit 112 received from each bid terminal 200 is provided.

  In addition, the system 100 determines the highest bidder by specifying the highest bid price within the final bid deadline based on the bid information received from each of the bid terminals 200, and the bid corresponding to the highest bidder. A successful bidder determination unit 113 that transmits a successful bid notification to the terminal 200 is provided.

  In addition, the system 100 is preferably provided with a connection request receiving unit 114 that receives a connection request from each bid terminal 200 before execution of a bid.

  In addition, the system 100 monitors for each communication port the degree of busyness of communication that has already been established or reserved with other bid terminals, and determines available communication ports that are in an operating condition below a predetermined standard. It is preferable that the communication port specifying unit 115 to be specified is provided.

  Note that the communication port can be specified by a port number. This port number is a sub (auxiliary) address provided under the IP address for simultaneous connection with a plurality of parties in communication on the Internet. The system 100 that performs communication using TCP / IP has an IP address corresponding to an address in the network 140, but has a plurality of ports as auxiliary addresses in order to communicate simultaneously with the plurality of bid terminals 200. A number from 0 to 65535 is used to specify the port. A network address combining an IP address and a port is called a “socket”, and data transmission / reception between the system 100 and the bidding terminal 200 is actually performed in units of sockets.

  In addition, the system 100 may include a connection allocation notification unit 116 that allocates the available communication port to the corresponding bid terminal 200 in response to the connection request and notifies the corresponding bid terminal 200 of the allocation content. Is preferred.

  In addition, it is preferable that the system 100 includes a connection establishment unit 117 that executes a process for establishing a connection with the bid terminal 200 only when the bid terminal 200 makes a connection request based on the assigned content.

  Further, it is preferable that the system 100 includes the subsystems 300 that are distributed and arranged for each predetermined area. This subsystem 300 aggregates the bid information transmitted from the bid terminal 200 for each regional attribute linked to the bid information, and bids the bid information with the highest bid value among the aggregated bid information. By selecting each item, the highest bid value by region for the bid target is specified. Further, in this case, the successful bidder determination unit 113 in the system 100 obtains the regional highest bid price from the subsystem 300, and the bid that has become the highest bid price across the regions within the final bid deadline. It is preferable to determine the successful bidder by specifying the information and transmit a successful bid notification to the bid terminal 200 corresponding to the successful bidder.

  On the other hand, the bidding terminal 200 reads out the program 202 in the program database 201 to the memory 203 and executes it by the arithmetic unit 204, similarly to the server 100. In addition, the bidding terminal 200 includes an input / output interface 205 such as various keyboards, buttons, and a display, and executes data exchange by connecting to an external device such as the system 100 via a network 140 such as a LAN or the Internet. Communication means 206 is provided. Further, the bid terminal 200 is connected to the system 100 and the like via the network 140 such as the Internet, a LAN, or a serial interface communication line by the communication means 206, and executes data exchange such as bid information. The I / O unit 207 executes data buffering and various mediation processes between the various functional units of the bid terminal 200 and the communication means.

  Subsequently, functional units that are configured and held by the bid terminal 200 based on the program 202 will be described. The bidding terminal 200 includes a check packet transmitting unit 210 that transmits a reachability check packet in the protocol of the network 140 to the system 100 side before bidding. In addition, the bid terminal 200 includes a connection request processing unit 211 that transmits a connection request to the system 100.

  The bid terminal 200 may include an auction use application 212 that is executed on an auction site provided by the system 100 in the network 140. For example, the auction use application 212 receives instructions for browsing used car information to be auctioned and inputs bid information, and performs processing for transmitting the instructions to the system 100 side. Also, processing is performed such that the reply data received from the system 100 side is displayed on the output interface. It can be assumed that the input interface is a customized Web browser for auction use.

  In addition, it is preferable that the bid terminal 200 includes a keyboard 230 specialized for bidding in an auction. The keyboard 230 can be assumed to include an input interface for a lane of an auction site where a bid object is to be entered / exhibited, and an advanced bid amount. As long as the input interface function similar to that of the keyboard 230 is realized, for example, an interface that the auction use application 212 displays on the display of the bid terminal 200 may be used.

  In addition, it is preferable that the bid terminal 200 includes a biometric authentication device 235 that reads biometric information for personal authentication from an operator. The biometric authentication device 235 includes various sensors such as a finger or palm vein sensor, a fingerprint reader, and an iris photographing device. Here, biometrics authentication is to authenticate the person by using different parts of the body and behavioral features of individual human beings. This system is embodied and systemized is biometrics authentication (human cryptography). It is called an authentication system. Examples of biometric authentication technologies that have been put into practical use and researched include biometric information such as fingerprints, signs, veins, palm prints, retinas, irises, facial expressions, and voices.

  As the bid terminal 200, a personal computer (including a laptop type) owned by an end user, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone that can be connected to a network, and the like can be assumed. When the bid terminal 200 is a mobile phone, the mobile phone is connected to the mobile phone network server 237 via the mobile phone network repeater 236 and further connected to the subsystem 300 or the system 100 via the mobile phone network server 237. Is done. Alternatively, when the bidding terminal 200 is a terminal existing in a company or the like, this terminal is connected to the LAN server 239 via the bidding terminal LAN 238, and further the subsystem 300 or the system 100 via the LAN server 239. Connected to. In addition, as the bidding terminal 200, for example, information communication terminals installed in various public buildings such as stores such as convenience stores and stations, ATM (Automatic) installed in various financial institutions, etc. Teller Machine), various terminals installed in a company can be assumed as examples.

  Next, the functional configuration of the subsystem 300 will be described. Similar to the system 100 and the like, the subsystem 300 reads the program 302 in the program database 301 into the memory 303 and executes it by the arithmetic unit 304. The subsystem 300 includes input / output interfaces 305 such as various keyboards, buttons, and displays, and is connected to external devices such as the system 100 and the bidding terminal 200 via a network 140 such as a LAN or the Internet. Communication means 306 is provided for executing data exchange. Further, the subsystem 300 is connected to the system 100 and the bid terminal 200 via the network 140 such as the Internet, a LAN, and a serial interface communication line by the communication means 306, to the bid terminal 200 derived from the system 100. Data transfer such as transfer information and information on the highest bid price specified for each region is executed. The I / O unit 307 performs data buffering and various mediation processes between the various functional units of the subsystem 300 and the communication means.

  Next, functional units that are configured and held by the subsystem 300 based on the program 302 will be described. The subsystem 300 includes a regional bid aggregation unit 310 that aggregates the bid information transmitted from the bid terminal 200 for each regional attribute associated with the bid information. In addition, the subsystem 300 includes a highest bid price selection unit 311 that identifies the highest bid price by region for the bid target by selecting the highest bid price among the aggregated bid information for each bid target. In addition, the subsystem 300 includes a maximum bid price notification unit 312 that notifies the system 100 of the regional maximum bid price.

  The function units 110 to 117 in the system 100 shown so far (or the function units 310 to 312 in the subsystem 300) may be realized as hardware, or may be a memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. It may be realized as a program stored in an appropriate storage device. In this case, the CPU reads the corresponding program from the storage device into the memory in accordance with the execution of the program and executes it.

  In addition to the Internet and LAN, the network 140 includes various types such as an ATM line, a dedicated line, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a power line network, a wireless network, a public line network, a mobile phone network, and a serial interface communication line. A network can also be adopted. If a virtual private network technology such as VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used, communication with improved security is established when the Internet is adopted. The serial interface refers to an interface for connecting to an external device by serial transmission that sequentially transmits data bit by bit using a single signal line, and RS-232C, RS-422, IrDA, USB, IEEE 1394, fiber channel, etc. can be assumed.

--- Example structure of authentication database ---
Next, the structure of the database used by the system 100 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows data structures of (a) auction database 125, (b) time database 126, (c) connection allocation database 127, (d) regional management database 128, and (e) highest bid price database 129 in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example.

  The auction database 125 is a database that stores information on used cars to be bid in an auction and bid information for the bid target. The auction database 125 includes, for example, a collection of records in which information such as a vehicle type ID, a chassis color, a travel distance, an auction start price, a current highest bid price, and a successful bidder ID is associated with an article ID that specifies a bid object as a key. It has become.

  Further, the time database 126 includes an elapsed time required for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal 200: a response delay time, and a correction time for a bid reception in which a maximum response delay time is specified for each bid target between the bid terminals. Is a database that stores for each bid target. Such a time database 126 is a collection of records in which information such as response delay time and correction time is associated with the item ID as a key.

  Further, the connection allocation database 127 is a database that stores the allocation contents such as the available communication port determined by the system 100 in response to a connection request from the bid terminal 200 for each corresponding bid terminal. Such a connection allocation database 127 is a collection of records in which information such as ID of the subsystem 300 that mediates connection to the system 100: subsystem ID and communication port number of the system 100 is associated with the bid terminal ID as a key, for example. ing.

  The regional management database 128 is a database that stores information on subsystems distributed and arranged in predetermined regions. The region management database 128 is a collection of records in which, for example, region names are used as keys, and information such as inclusion countries and responsible subsystems are associated.

  The highest bid price database 129 is a database for storing information on the highest bid price for each bid terminal. The highest bid price database 129 is a collection of records in which information such as the highest bid price and the bid terminal ID is associated with, for example, the article ID as a key.

--- Processing flow 1 ---
Hereinafter, the actual procedure of the method for providing an automobile auction service in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Of the various operations corresponding to the method for providing a car auction service described below, those related to the car auction system are realized by the program 102 that the system 100 reads out to the memory 103 and executes. The subsystem 300 is realized by a program 302 that the subsystem 300 reads into the memory 303 and executes. These programs 102 and 302 are composed of codes for performing various operations described below.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an actual procedure example 1 of the method for providing an automobile auction service in the present embodiment. It is assumed that the used car buyer in this embodiment has a contract for using the auction service with the system 100 in advance. Further, it is assumed as an example that a subsystem 300 is arranged for each area and the bid terminal 200 can access the system 100 via the subsystem 300 to which the bid terminal 200 belongs.

The bidding terminal 200 transmits a reachability check packet in the protocol of the network 140 to the system 100 via the subsystem 300 before bidding (400). On the other hand, the subsystem 300 receives this packet and transfers it to the system 100 (401). The system 100 receives the packet from the bidding terminal 200 transferred from the subsystem 300 (402). Then, the elapsed time required for arrival of the packet from the bid terminal 200 is calculated, and the elapsed time is stored in the time database 126 (storage device) as a response delay time for the corresponding bid terminal 200 (403).
Here, the system 100 aggregates the response delay time stored in the time database 126 for each bid terminal indicating the bid intention for the same bid object based on the associated article ID, and the maximum response delay between the bid terminals. The time is specified as a correction time for accepting a bid for the bid object (404). Further, the system 100 stores the correction time in association with the bid object in the time database 126 (405).
Further, the system 100 notifies the bidding terminal 200 via the subsystem 300 of a time limit obtained by adding the correction time to a predetermined bidding time set in advance for each bidding target as the final bidding time for the bidding target. (406), the process is terminated.
On the other hand, the subsystem 300 receives the notification of the final bid deadline from the system 100, transfers it to the corresponding bid terminal 200 (407), and ends the processing.
On the other hand, the bid terminal 200 receives the final bid deadline notification from the subsystem 300 (408), outputs it to the output interface (409), and ends the processing.

  By the processing of these steps 400 to 409, the system 100 determines the final bid deadline for each bid target and notifies the bid terminal 200 of this.

--- Processing flow 2 ---
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an actual procedure example 2 of the method for providing an automobile auction service in the present embodiment. Next, communication port allocation processing for each bid terminal 200 will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the bidding terminal 200 first transmits a connection request to the system 100 via the subsystem 300 before bidding is executed (500). The subsystem 300 receives this connection request and transfers it to the system 100 (501).
On the other hand, the system 100 receives the connection request from the subsystem 300 (502). On the other hand, the degree of busyness of communication that has already been established or reserved with other bid terminals is monitored for each communication port (503), and an available communication port that is in an operating condition below a predetermined standard. Is identified (504). For example, when there are a plurality of the auction servers 131, if a representative communication port is determined for each server, it is possible to perform load sharing: port allocation according to the operation status of the plurality of servers.
The system 100 thus identifies an available communication port according to the connection request and assigns it to the corresponding bid terminal. This allocation content is set for each bid terminal 200 in the connection allocation database 127. In addition, the system 100 notifies the corresponding bid terminal of the assigned content via the subsystem 300 (505), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, the subsystem 300 receives the content of the assignment, transfers it to the corresponding bidding terminal 200 (506), and ends the process.
On the other hand, the bid terminal 200 receives the allocation content from the subsystem 300, stores it in the memory 203 (507), and ends the process.

  Through the processing of these steps 500 to 507, the system 100 determines the allocation contents of the communication port for each bid terminal 200 and notifies the bid terminal 200 of this.

--- Processing flow 3 ---
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an actual procedure example 3 of the method for providing an automobile auction service in the present embodiment. Next, processing from bid information reception processing to successful bidder determination will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the bid terminal 200 first transmits a connection request to the system 100 via the subsystem 300 before executing the bid (600). The subsystem 300 receives this connection request and transfers it to the system 100 (601).

  On the other hand, the system 100 receives the connection request from the subsystem 300 (602). On the other hand, it is determined whether the connection request by the bid terminal 200 is based on the allocation contents (for example, subsystem to be used, communication port number) set for the bid terminal 200 in the connection allocation database 127 (603). . In this determination, if the connection request is not based on the allocation content predetermined in the connection allocation database 127 (604: NG), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination that the connection request is based on the allocation content predetermined in the connection allocation database 127 (604: YES), the system 100 allocates an available communication port to the bid terminal 200. A connection establishment process is executed (605).

  This connection establishment processing event is notified to the bidding terminal 200 via the subsystem 300 (606). When the bid terminal 200 receives this connection establishment notification (607), it starts transmission of bid information. At this time, the bid terminal 200 receives input of bid information from the used car buyer from the input interface, applies it to an appropriate transmission form by the auction application 212, and enters the system 100 via the subsystem 300. Transmit (608).

  The subsystem 300 receives the bid information (609) and aggregates it for each area attribute (for example, the area “A” in charge of the subsystem to which the bid terminal 200 belongs) linked to the bid information. Of the bid information collected here, the highest bid value is selected for each bid target (610). In this way, the subsystem 300 specifies the regional highest bid value for the bid object and transmits it to the system 100 (611).

  The system 100 receives the bid information of the regional highest bid price from the subsystem 300 (612), and determines whether this bid information is until the final bid deadline (613). In this determination, if the bid information is not within the final bid deadline predetermined in the time database 126 (613: NO), the process is terminated. On the other hand, in the determination, if the bid information is within the final bid deadline predetermined in the time database 126 (613: YES), the system 100 stores the bid information in the memory 103 (614). . The reception and storage processing of the bid information of the highest bid price is repeated until the final bid deadline has come.

  The system 100 determines the highest bidder by identifying the bid information having the highest bid price across the regions (FIG. 1 example: regions “A” to “D”) within the final bid deadline (615). . Further, the system 100 transmits a successful bid notification to the bidding terminal 200 corresponding to the successful bidder via the subsystem 300 (616), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, the subsystem 300 receives the successful bid notification and transfers it to the corresponding bidding terminal 200 (617), and ends the process. On the other hand, the bidding terminal 200 receives the successful bid notification from the subsystem 300 and mainly uses it as an output interface (618), and ends the processing.

  Through the processing of these steps 600 to 618, the system 100 receives the highest bid price specified as the highest price for each region from the subsystems 300 among the bid information up to the final bid deadline. The winning bidder across the area in charge of the system 300 is determined.

  According to the present invention, even in a situation where the distribution range and scale of bidding terminals expand overseas, depending on the communication status of the network connecting the auction system and the buyer, the specifications of each communication device included in the network, etc. It is possible to suppress the fear that the simultaneity and certainty of the bidding operation will be impaired. In addition, it is not necessary to install and use a dedicated high-speed line or the like that occupies a large communication band for the provision of an automobile auction service, and the concern about an increase in the operating cost of the auction system can be solved.

  Therefore, it becomes very important also in terms of establishing business opportunity equality, and it is possible to ensure the synchronization of bids between bid terminals regardless of the distance between the car auction system and the bid terminals. This greatly contributes to improving the reliability of the car auction service itself. In addition, load balancing processing in the auction system and processing of summarizing the highest bid value for each region will enable efficient system operation. Can be performed.

  In other words, it is possible to ensure economically and efficiently the simultaneousness and certainty of bidding in an automobile auction.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described concretely based on the embodiment, it is not limited to this and can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

It is a network block diagram including the car auction system in this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of (a) car auction system, (b) bid terminal, and (c) car auction subsystem in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of (a) auction database, (b) time database, (c) connection allocation database, (d) area management database, (e) highest bid price database in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the actual procedure example 1 of the provision method of the motor vehicle auction service in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the actual procedure example 2 of the provision method of the car auction service in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the actual procedure example 3 of the provision method of the motor vehicle auction service in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Automobile auction system, server 101 Program database 102 Program 103 Memory 104 CPU 105 Input / output interface 106 Communication means 107 I / O part 110 Delay time calculation part 111 Correction time specification part 112 Final bid deadline notification part 113 Successful bidder determination part 114 Connection Request receiving unit 115 Communication port specifying unit 116 Connection allocation notifying unit 117 Connection establishing unit 125 Auction database 126 Time database 127 Connection allocation database 128 Regional management database 129 Maximum bid database 130 Login server 131 Auction server 132 Database server 133 Billing server 134 Live Server 140 Network 200 Bid terminal 210 Check packet transmitter 211 Connection request processing Part 212 Auction utilization application 230 bid terminal keyboard 235 biometric authentication device 236 the mobile telephone network repeater 237 mobile phone network server 238 bid terminal for LAN
239 LAN server 300 Automotive auction subsystem, subsystem 310 Regional bid aggregation unit 311 Highest bid price selection unit 312 Highest bid price notification unit

Claims (5)

A car auction system connected to a bid terminal via a network,
The packet for reachability check in the protocol of the network is received from each bid terminal before bidding execution, the elapsed time taken for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal is calculated, and the elapsed time is determined as appropriate A delay time calculation unit that stores the response delay time for the bid terminal in a storage device;
The response delay times stored in the storage device are aggregated for each bid terminal indicating a bid intention for the same bid target, and the maximum response delay time between the respective bid terminals is specified as a correction time for bid acceptance related to the bid target. A correction time specifying unit for storing the correction time in association with a bid object in the storage device;
Notifying each bid terminal of a deadline obtained by adding the correction time to a predetermined bid deadline as a final bid deadline for the bid object, and receiving bid information related to the bid object up to the final bid deadline from each bid terminal. The final bid deadline notification section,
Based on the bid information received from each of the bid terminals, the bid information having the highest bid value within the final bid deadline is specified to determine the winning bidder, and a successful bid notification is sent to the bid terminal corresponding to the winning bidder. The successful bidder determination unit to send,
A car auction system comprising In claim 1,
A connection request receiving unit that receives a connection request from each bid terminal before bidding,
Monitors the busyness of communications that have already been established or reserved with other bid terminals for each communication port, and identifies available communication ports that are operating below the specified standard. And
In response to the connection request, the available communication port is allocated to the corresponding bid terminal, and the allocation content is notified to the corresponding bid terminal; a connection allocation notification unit;
A connection establishment unit that executes a connection establishment process with a bid terminal only when the bid terminal makes a connection request based on the allocated content;
A car auction system comprising: In claim 1 or 2,
Bids that have a sub-system distributed in each predetermined area, and the sub-system aggregates the bid information transmitted from the bid terminal for each region attribute linked to the bid information, and then aggregates the bids By selecting the highest bid value of the information for each bid target, the highest bid value by region for the bid target is specified,
The winning bidder determination unit obtains the highest bid value for each region from the subsystem, and determines the highest bidder by specifying the bid information that has become the highest bid value across regions within the final bid deadline. An automobile auction system that transmits a successful bid notification to a bid terminal corresponding to the successful bidder. A method of providing a car auction service on a computer,
The packet for reachability check in the protocol of the network is received from each bid terminal before bidding execution, the elapsed time taken for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal is calculated, and the elapsed time is determined as appropriate Store in the storage device as the response delay time for the bid terminal,
The response delay times stored in the storage device are aggregated for each bid terminal indicating a bid intention for the same bid target, and the maximum response delay time between the respective bid terminals is specified as a correction time for bid acceptance related to the bid target. , Store this correction time in the storage device in association with the bid object,
Notifying each bid terminal of a deadline obtained by adding the correction time to a predetermined bid deadline as a final bid deadline for the bid object, and receiving bid information regarding the bid object up to the final bid deadline from each bid terminal,
Based on the bid information received from each of the bid terminals, the bid information having the highest bid value within the final bid deadline is specified to determine the winning bidder, and a successful bid notification is sent to the bid terminal corresponding to the winning bidder. A method of providing an automobile auction service to be transmitted. A program for causing a computer to execute a service providing method of an automobile auction,
The packet for reachability check in the protocol of the network is received from each bid terminal before bidding execution, the elapsed time taken for arrival of the packet from each bid terminal is calculated, and the elapsed time is determined as appropriate Storing the response delay time for the bid terminal in the storage device;
The response delay times stored in the storage device are aggregated for each bid terminal indicating a bid intention for the same bid target, and the maximum response delay time between the respective bid terminals is specified as a correction time for bid acceptance related to the bid target. Storing the correction time in a storage device in association with a bid object;
A step of notifying each bid terminal of a deadline obtained by adding the correction time to a predetermined bid deadline as a final bid deadline for the bid object, and receiving bid information related to the bid object up to the final bid deadline from each bid terminal When,
Based on the bid information received from each of the bid terminals, the bid information having the highest bid value within the final bid deadline is specified to determine the winning bidder, and a successful bid notification is sent to the bid terminal corresponding to the winning bidder. Sending, and
Including car auction program.

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