JP4724675B2 - Auction system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an auction system, and more particularly to an auction system that can transmit auction information for auction auction using a mail transmission function of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

  In recent years, auctions using the Internet have been actively conducted (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In such an auction, an auction exhibitor registers auction information for listing or the like in the server device, and a bidder browses a web screen generated from the registered auction information and performs a bid. .

  More specifically, a computer functioning as a web server using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is used as the server device. The exhibitor browses a web page provided by the server device using the terminal device and registers his / her personal information. For registration, CGI (Common Gateway Interface) supported by HTTP is used. After that, the exhibitor must select the category to which the goods / services to be listed in the auction belong, the name / quantity of the goods / services, the starting price of the auction, the amount of the bid unit, the description of the goods / services, the photographic images of the goods and related images. The auction information consisting of the above is input to the web page screen, and the auction information is registered in the server device using CGI or the like. Then, the bidder browses the web page provided by the server device and makes a bid.

As described above, in the auction using the Internet, only HTTP is used for communication between the server device and the terminal device used by the exhibitor or the bidder, and the personal computer on which the web browser operates as the terminal device. If it is used, HTTP was considered sufficient.
JP 2002-83170 A JP 2003-132245 A

  On the other hand, mobile phones have become usable as terminal devices for accessing the Internet. That is, a browser program for enabling browsing of a web page with a mobile phone has been developed, and a web page provided by a computer (server device) connected to the Internet can be browsed with a mobile phone. With such a mobile phone, it is possible to access the Internet anytime and anywhere, and in particular, it is now possible to go freely without any restrictions on the time and place of listings and bidding in Internet auctions. .

  However, in the conventional technology, when trying to register auction information using a mobile phone, the user of the mobile phone has to face some difficulties. For example, in order to input characters with a mobile phone, input is mainly from a numeric keypad instead of a general keyboard, and therefore it takes time to input auction information. For example, it takes a considerable amount of time to input the description of the article / service to be exhibited. For this reason, when viewed from the server device, there is no input for a long time, so a session timeout must be generated in the middle of text input, and the user of the mobile phone presses the submit button etc. An attempt to send auction information to the server device results in an error. Also, depending on the browser program of the mobile phone, not all the functions of the browser program that operates on the personal computer are implemented, so for example, it is not possible to upload photographic images of articles, etc. There is a problem such as having to upload and double labor.

  Therefore, as an auction system for solving such a problem, in the following, an auction system including a terminal device and an auction server that communicates with the terminal device via a communication network, the terminal device includes auction information. Is received and sent as an e-mail addressed to the auction server. The auction server receives the e-mail and extracts the value of a predetermined item if the received e-mail is auction information described in a predetermined format. Then, the auction screen information is configured by using the extracted value, and an auction system for performing an auction using the configured auction screen information is disclosed.

  According to such an auction system, since auction information is transmitted from the terminal device to the auction server using e-mail, a session timeout or the like occurs when inputting auction information, that is, when inputting e-mail text. The problem is solved because there is nothing to do.

  The terminal device may be configured to acquire video information and attach the video information to an e-mail.

  For example, a cellular phone equipped with a camera that can send and receive e-mails has a standard function of attaching image data captured by the camera to e-mails. The auction information including the photographic images can be easily registered in the auction server, and the problem is solved.

  In addition, the auction server may acquire sender identification information of the received electronic mail and determine post-reception processing of the electronic mail based on the sender identification information.

  Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to set a default value of the item of the auction information for each exhibitor who has transmitted the auction information, and the labor for inputting the auction information can be reduced.

  Further, the auction server may determine post-reception processing of the e-mail based on the destination of the received e-mail. For example, the starting price of the auction may be set by an e-mail destination.

  This makes it possible to include auction information in the e-mail transmission address for the auction server. Among the auction information, the explanation of goods and services is the body of the e-mail, and other typical information is It can be included in the destination e-mail address, allowing natural input.

  In addition, when an e-mail is transmitted from the auction server to the terminal device and an e-mail including auction information is received as a reply to the e-mail, the value of a predetermined item may be extracted.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to distribute the model of auction information to the terminal device, and the auction information can be input smoothly. Further, it is possible to prevent an email address from being camouflaged.

  Further, when an e-mail is transmitted from the auction server to the terminal device, an e-mail address is generated, and when a reply is made to the e-mail address, a value of a predetermined item is extracted. Also good.

  Thereby, the existence of the sender of the e-mail can be confirmed more reliably, and false listings due to impersonation of the sender of the e-mail can be prevented.

  In addition, the auction server can accept access from the terminal device and can correct the auction screen information, or include a password for access in the reply of the e-mail including the auction information. May be.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent auction information from being altered by a person other than the seller.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the auction information is transmitted from the terminal device to the auction server using the electronic mail, and when the auction information is input, that is, when the text of the electronic mail is input, there is a problem such as a session timeout. Thus, the auction exhibitor can smoothly perform the process for listing.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below as an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment at all, and can be implemented with a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 is an auction system including a terminal device and an auction server that communicates with the terminal device via a communication network. The terminal device acquires auction information and transmits it as an e-mail addressed to the auction server. The auction server receives the e-mail, and if the received e-mail is auction information described in a predetermined format, extracts the value of the predetermined item and uses the extracted value to display the auction screen An auction system that configures information and executes an auction using the configured auction screen information will be described.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an auction system according to the first embodiment. The auction system 100 includes a plurality of terminal devices 101 and 102, and an auction server 104 that communicates with the terminal devices via a communication network 103 represented by the Internet. The terminal device is a device having a function of performing communication via the communication network 103, such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a mobile phone. In particular, in the present embodiment, if the terminal device is used for auction auction processing, it is sufficient if it can transmit an e-mail, and a browser for browsing a web page is not essential. Therefore, the terminal device may be a home appliance having a telephone, a facsimile transmitter, a television receiver, a game device, and other communication devices. The auction server is generally a computer, and is a computer that can perform communication using HTTP, and in this embodiment, communication using electronic mail using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or the like. The auction server does not need to be implemented by a single computer, and is composed of a plurality of computers for each function, for example, for performing HTTP processing and for performing SMTP processing. Also good.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the first embodiment. As described above, the auction system 200 includes the terminal device 201 and the auction server 202. In FIG. 2, the communication network is not shown. Also, only one representative terminal device is shown.

  The terminal device 201 includes an acquisition unit 203 and an e-mail transmission unit 204.

  The auction server 202 includes an e-mail receiving unit 205, an item extracting unit 206, an auction screen information configuring unit 207, and an auction executing unit 208. Moreover, you may further have an exhibition reception completion notification part.

  The “acquisition unit” 203 is a unit that acquires auction information that is information to be transmitted to the auction server 202. The “auction information” constitutes information necessary for starting and executing an auction at the auction server 202. For example, it includes the name of an article / service to be exhibited in an auction, an explanation, a starting price of an auction, and the like. In addition, for convenience such as searching for auction bidders, an article / service category and subcategory may be included. In addition, the auction period and deadline, the price at which this auction is processed immediately after reaching this price, the price at which the auction is terminated, the bid price increase unit, the conditions for canceling the auction (for example, bidding even after 2 days have passed since the listing) Such as canceling the auction listing). Moreover, it is not necessary that the acquisition part 203 can acquire only specific information called auction information, and for example, general text information may also be acquired. For example, when the program for creating an e-mail is started on a mobile phone, the e-mail text is written, and after the writing is completed, the e-mail is sent when the button for sending the e-mail is pressed. The program module that acquires the mail text can correspond to the acquisition unit.

  The “e-mail transmission unit” 204 is a unit that transmits the acquired auction information as an e-mail addressed to the auction server 202. “Acquired auction information” is information acquired by the acquisition unit 203. The e-mail transmission unit 204 need not be able to handle only information such as auction information, but may be able to handle arbitrary information. “To the auction server 202” means to the auction server 202, and “E-mail to the auction server 202” means an e-mail transmitted to the auction server 202. For example, the e-mail has an e-mail address in which the value of the MX (Mail Exchange) record in the domain on the right side of “@” of the e-mail is the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) or IP address of the auction server 202.

  Also, “send as an e-mail” does not require the form of information to be sent to be in the form of e-mail. When the information arrives at the auction server 202, the information is in the form of e-mail. It means that it only has to be done. For example, a browser may operate in the terminal device 201, and auction information may be transmitted by web mail via the browser. In this case, the module of the browser that reads the body of the mail from the text area displayed on the browser is the acquisition unit, and the module that transmits the read body and the like to the web server that receives the web mail by HTTP transmission Can be a part.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen in which auction information is input to the mobile terminal using the e-mail creation function of the mobile terminal. As a destination when sending auction information as an e-mail, entry @ action. foo. co. jp is used, and “exhibition” indicating that the item is to be auctioned is used as the subject. Below that, text information constituting the auction information is input, and “French” is input as a category and “Dictionary” is input as a subcategory. These may be used for classifying goods and services when an auction is executed on an auction server, and are not essential elements. The name of the goods / services to be listed is "Aozorasha Buddha Dictionary 5th Edition", and the auction start price is 100 yen and the bid unit is 10 yen. In addition to this, there may be explanatory texts such as “There are some writings” and “Please make a no claim no return”. In addition, there may be a description such as a payment method and who bears the postage of goods.

  FIG. 4 shows an example when the auction information input on the screen illustrated in FIG. 3 is transmitted as an e-mail. The e-mail transmission unit 204 includes, for example, a Message-ID indicating information for uniquely identifying an e-mail, a Date indicating the e-mail transmission date, a From indicating an e-mail sender, and a To indicating an e-mail destination. , MIME-Version indicating the version number of MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) to be used, Subject indicating the subject, Content-type indicating the body part of the e-mail, Content-Transfer-Encoding indicating the body part encoding method, etc. Next to the header part consisting of the header information, the information in which the body is arranged in the body part is generated, and the information obtained using SMTP or the like is sent to the mail server or the like that relays the email. Transmitted using any predetermined protocol.

  An “e-mail receiving unit” 205 is a unit that receives an e-mail. For example, the TCP / IP port 25 is monitored and waits until a connection request is received from a mail server or the like. If there is a request, it communicates with the mail server or the like and receives a sent electronic mail. If the received e-mail address is an e-mail address for auction auction, a predetermined temporary storage unit of the auction server 202 or the like is used so that the item extracting unit 206 described below performs processing. Accumulated in.

  When the content of the received e-mail is auction information described in a predetermined format, the “item extraction unit” 206 obtains the value of a predetermined item necessary for the configuration of the auction screen information from the received e-mail. Extract. “Predetermined format” means a predetermined format. As an example of the format, for example, there is a format described as a collection of lines separated by “:” like the body of the e-mail shown in FIG. Further, in this case, whether or not the format is a predetermined format is determined by determining whether or not the items shown on the left side of “:” are omissible or can be interpolated even if there is omission. Also good. For this determination, the item extraction unit 206 performs syntax analysis on the e-mail and determines whether it conforms to a predetermined grammar or the like.

  “Auction screen information” means information necessary to display a screen viewed by a bidder of an auction. What exists as a predetermined item depends on the specifications of the auction server. For example, information specifying an auction exhibitor (for example, an e-mail address), the name of an article / service, a description, and an auction start price. Etc.

  FIG. 5 is an example in which the value of the extracted item is indicated in XML (extensible Markup Language) when the item extraction unit 206 receives the e-mail of FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, the value of the received date tag is extracted from the value of the Date header of the email, and the value of the sender tag is extracted from the value of the From header. When the sender's email address and the auction user ID are associated in the auction server, the value of the sender tag may be replaced with the associated user ID. The received mail address tag is extracted from the value of the To header, and the category tag, subcategory tag, product name tag, start price tag, bid unit tag, and the like are extracted from the body of the e-mail. The extracted result is input to, for example, a database management system managed by the auction server, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is generated and associated with the extracted result. In addition, the database management system manages the auction history (current price, user ID of the highest bidder at that price, past price and user ID of the user who bid at that price, etc.) These fields are set to initial values at the start of the auction.

  Further, the value of the sender tag need not be extracted only from the value of the From header. For example, when an individual identification number for identifying an individual such as a mobile phone is assigned to the terminal device that transmitted the electronic mail, this individual identification number or the like may be used as the value of the sender tag. In addition, when the user ID of the auction is associated with the individual identification number or the like, it may be replaced with the user ID associated with the individual identification number or the like. The individual identification number or the like may be acquired by a mobile phone carrier company and transmitted to the auction server, for example. In addition, it is included in the header of the email sent from the mobile phone as a result of plain text or encryption, etc. The auction server obtains the decryption key from the carrier company if necessary, and the email header etc. The individual identification number may be obtained from

  The “auction screen information configuration unit” 207 configures auction screen information using the extracted item values. For example, when there is access to the URL associated with the extracted result, the extracted result input to the database management system or the like is read, and the description of the auction screen by HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is described. Generate and return the URL to the terminal that requested the URL.

  The “auction execution unit” 208 is a unit that executes an auction using the configured auction screen information. For example, if there is a request for bidding, the current price entered into the database management system, etc. is checked by checking whether the bid price is higher than the current price and separated by a multiple of the bid unit. And the highest bidder name.

  The “exhibition acceptance completion unit” is a unit that notifies that predetermined items are extracted and auction screen information is configured. That is, the e-mail is received by the e-mail receiving unit 205, and the item extracting unit 206 determines that the content of the e-mail is auction information described in a predetermined format, and the value of the predetermined item is extracted and extracted. By using the value of the predetermined item, the auction screen information is configured, and the fact that the acceptance of the auction is completed is notified by a reply mail of the e-mail or the like. The reply mail or the like may include a URL, and the configured auction screen information may be acquired by accessing the URL. Since the listing acceptance completion unit is provided, the listing acceptance is notified as a reply e-mail to the terminal device 201 and the like, so the sender of the e-mail does not include a syntax error or the like in the auction information described in the e-mail, As a result of processing performed by the auction server 202, it is possible to know that the auction can be executed. The fact that the acceptance of the exhibition has been completed may be displayed on a portal page dedicated to the owner of the terminal device 210, such as a web page provided by the auction server 202 or the like.

  However, the exhibition acceptance completion unit is not an essential component. For example, when creating an e-mail with a terminal device, Java (registered trademark) or the like is operated so that a warning or the like is issued if an error is included in the described auction information. In an environment where the reachability is guaranteed, the exhibition reception completion section is not always essential. In addition, the e-mail sender is registered as a user in an auction server, and the auction screen information can be confirmed using a My Page that provides information about the registered user for each user. Even in this case, the exhibition reception completion unit is not always essential.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of auction screen information configured from the results extracted as shown in FIG. The auction screen information is HTML that describes the screen exemplified here. In the product name tag of FIG. 5, “Aozorasha French-Japanese Dictionary 5th Edition” is stored in a database or the like, so this character is displayed at the top of the screen. The left side of the screen is a display for sellers and bidders of the auction, and the seller's email address and user ID are displayed at the top. In the case of an email address, it is desirable to display only a part of the email address for privacy protection. Alternatively, when the user ID is associated with the mail address, the user ID may be displayed. On the right side of the screen, information such as the items that have been displayed is displayed. The current price, remaining time of the auction, user ID of the highest bidder, auction listing quantity, number of bids, auction start price, bid unit Is displayed. The bidder who sees these pieces of information inputs the user ID, password and bid amount in the bid field at the lower left, and presses a bid button. If the user ID and password are matched, authentication is successful, and a bid condition such as the bid price is larger than the current price is satisfied, the database or the like is updated.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for explaining the processing of the terminal device. In step S701, the acquisition unit 203 acquires auction information. In step S702, the e-mail transmission unit 204 transmits the auction information as an e-mail addressed to the auction server.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart for explaining the processing of the auction server. In step S801, the e-mail receiving unit 205 receives an e-mail. In step S802, the item extraction unit 206 determines whether the content of the received e-mail is described in a predetermined format by performing syntax analysis or the like. If so, the predetermined item necessary for the configuration of the auction screen is determined. Extract the value of. If the content of the received electronic mail is not described in a predetermined format, a reply to that effect may be sent. The extraction result is input to the database as described above, or associated with the URL. Alternatively, a URL describing an auction screen may be generated from the value of a predetermined item and stored in association with the URL.

  If there is access to the URL, the value entered in the database is read, or the stored HTML description is read and the auction screen is sent back. If so, the database is updated, or the stored HTML description is changed. If the conditions for bidding are not satisfied, a reply to that effect may be sent.

  In addition to the above-described operation, after step S802, an e-mail indicating that the auction information has been received may be returned to the terminal device that has transmitted the e-mail. The reply includes a URL generated based on a random number or the like. When the URL is accessed from the terminal device, the browser of the terminal device displays a screen as shown in FIG. It may be possible to confirm whether or not is registered from the terminal device. In addition, a button indicating whether or not the confirmation has been made is displayed on the screen, and if the button is pressed, the auction may be started. By adding such processing, it can be confirmed that the auction information for executing the auction is registered from the terminal device of the sender of the e-mail.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the auction information can be transmitted by e-mail, there is a session timeout error or the like as compared with the case of registering the auction information using the conventional HTTP or the like. Without the occurrence, an auction exhibitor can spend a sufficient amount of time on the description of the article / service to be exhibited. In addition, even if the terminal device has limited input means such as a mobile phone, it can be input over a sufficient amount of time, so errors in the auction information can be reduced, correction after transmission of the auction information, etc. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication performed between the terminal device and the auction server.

(Embodiment 2)
As an embodiment 2, an auction system in which a terminal device can acquire video information and can transmit the video information as part of auction information will be described.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the second embodiment. Similar to the auction system according to the first embodiment, the auction system 900 includes a terminal device 901 and an auction server 902. The terminal device 901 includes an acquisition unit 903 and an e-mail transmission unit 904. The auction server 902 includes an e-mail reception unit 905, an item extraction unit 906, an auction screen information configuration unit 907, and an auction execution unit 908. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 901 further includes a video information acquisition unit 909, and the acquisition unit 903 further includes a video information acquisition unit 910.

  The “video information acquisition unit” 909 acquires video information. “Video information” is information that can be appealed to human senses, particularly visual perception, during reproduction. For example, information on still images and moving images. Moreover, the audio | voice information appealing to senses other than vision, for example, hearing, may be contained. The video information is mainly related to the goods and services related to the exhibition, and if it is an article, it is video information obtained by photographing itself, and if it is a service, the service provider is photographed. It is video information obtained in this way. The acquisition may be performed by reading the video information existing outside into the terminal device, or an imaging unit such as a camera is provided in the terminal device, and the video information is obtained from the imaging unit. It may come to be.

  The “video information acquisition unit” 910 is a unit that can acquire the video information as the value of the predetermined item. “The video information” is video information acquired by the video information acquisition unit 909, and “the predetermined item” is an item whose value is extracted by the item extraction unit 906 of the auction server 902. “Acquireable” means that it is not essential that the video information exists as a value of the item, and means that the video information can be added (attached) if necessary.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of an email sent by the email sending unit 904 when the video information is acquired and the video information is added to the auction information. In this example, ----------- 040708050907000309060605 divides the body part of the email into multiple sections, and the terminal section user scans the numeric keypad etc. in the first section. A part of the auction information described by the text information input in the above manner is arranged, and in the second section, a character string obtained by encoding a still image with base64 or the like is arranged. In this example, it is mainly assumed that the still image is an image of the appearance of Aozorasha French-Japanese Dictionary 5th edition.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of item values extracted by the item extraction unit 906 when the e-mail exemplified in FIG. 10 is transmitted to the auction server 902. The difference from FIG. 5 is that in FIG. 11, a video information tag is added, and the file name in which the video information is stored is a value.

  This embodiment is a preferred form when, for example, a mobile phone with a camera is used as a terminal device, and auction information including photographic images of articles / services can be easily registered in an auction server.

(Embodiment 3)
As an embodiment 3, an auction system in which an auction server acquires sender identification information of received electronic mail and determines post-reception processing of the electronic mail based on the sender identification information will be described.

  FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the third embodiment. Similar to the auction system according to the first or second embodiment, the auction system 1200 includes a terminal device 1201 and an auction server 1202, and the terminal device 1201 includes an acquisition unit 1203 and an e-mail transmission unit 1204. The auction server 1202 includes an e-mail receiving unit 1205, an item extraction unit 1206, an auction screen information configuration unit 1207, and an auction execution unit 1208. In this embodiment, a sender identification information acquisition unit 1209 A first post-reception processing determination unit 1210.

  The “sender identification information acquisition unit” 1209 acquires sender identification information for identifying the sender from the received electronic mail. For example, the e-mail address of the e-mail sender is acquired from the To header of the e-mail. Further, when the e-mail address and the auction user ID are associated with each other, the user ID associated with the e-mail address may be acquired. Moreover, when the user ID is described in the body part or header part of the e-mail, the user ID may be acquired. In the case of a mobile phone, the mobile phone carrier company can also acquire information (for example, an individual identification number) for identifying the mobile phone, and specify the contractor of the mobile phone from the information. When the auction system according to this embodiment is operated by the carrier company itself or a related company, information identifying the contractor may be acquired by the sender identification information acquisition unit 1209. Further, the sender identification information may be acquired from the value of the item extracted by the item extraction unit 1206.

  The “first post-reception processing determination unit” 1210 is a unit that determines post-reception processing of the email transmitted by the sender based on the acquired sender identification information. “Acquired sender identification information” is sender identification information acquired by the sender identification information acquisition unit 1209. “Post-reception processing of transmitted email” means processing performed by the item extraction unit 1206 after the email is received by the email receiving unit 1205, processing performed by the auction screen information configuration unit 1207, and auction execution unit Any one or more of the processes performed in 1208 are included. “Based on” means that a certain correlation is established between the acquired sender identification information and the post-reception processing of the e-mail. For example, if the sender identification information acquired by the sender identification information acquisition unit 1209 is the email address of the sender of the email, this means that post-reception processing is determined by the email address.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a table for determining post-reception processing for the e-mail address of the e-mail sender. For example, ume @ example. ne. When the e-mail address jp is acquired as the sender identification information, the process 1024 is determined as the post-reception process. “Processing 1024” is, for example, the name of a function or procedure in a program module that implements the first post-reception processing determination unit 1210, or identification information that identifies a processing circuit that performs post-reception processing. In FIG. 13, post-reception processing is defined for each specific e-mail address. However, instead of a specific e-mail address, a plurality of e-mail addresses are matched by wild cards or regular expressions. Post-reception processing may be determined for the resulting expression. For example, * @ example. ne. jp, example. ne. All e-mail addresses having jp as a domain part are expressed. Also, master @ *. By jp, all e-mail addresses of the jp domain whose user name is master are expressed.

  There are various post-reception processes. For example, when the value of an item to be extracted by the item extraction unit is not included in the e-mail, there is a process of using a default value according to the sender identification information. For example: If the e-mail sent by the sender identification information A does not include a bid unit item value, the default value of the bid unit item set for the sender identification information A is, for example, 10 yen. If 10 representing 10 is set, it is assumed that 10 is designated, the bid unit is set to 10 yen, and the value of the item of bid unit is not included in the email transmitted by the sender identification information B For example, 20 representing 20 yen, which is the default value set for the sender identification information B, is considered to be designated. Further, when a category that cannot be exhibited is determined depending on the sender identification information, the category may be checked. For example, if a minor wants to place an entry in the so-called Brucella category, he or she will reply with an error email or ask the parent for confirmation.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the auction server of the auction system according to the third embodiment. In step S1401, the e-mail receiving unit 1205 receives an e-mail. In step S1402, the item extraction unit 1206 extracts values of predetermined items necessary for the configuration of the auction screen. In step S1403, the sender identification information acquisition unit 1209 acquires the sender identification information. Step S1403 and step S1404 may be performed simultaneously or in parallel, or before and after in time. In step S1404, post-reception processing determined by the first post-reception processing determination unit 1201 is obtained. In step S1405, post-reception processing is executed. The post-reception process can affect the operation of one or more of the item extraction unit 1206, the auction screen information configuration unit 1207, and the auction execution unit 1208.

  In this way, post-reception processing of e-mails is defined based on sender identification information, so that default values for predetermined items can be set for each sender, and the rights of minors can be protected. It is possible to perform protection processing against being involved in a crime or crime.

(Embodiment 4)
As an embodiment 4, an auction system in which an auction server determines post-reception processing of an e-mail based on a destination of the received e-mail will be described.

  FIG. 15 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the fourth embodiment. The auction system 1500 includes a terminal device 1501 and an auction server 1502 as in the auction system according to any one of the first to third embodiments. The terminal device includes an acquisition unit 1503 and an e-mail transmission unit 1504. The auction server 1502 includes an e-mail receiving unit 1505, an item extraction unit 1506, an auction screen information configuration unit 1507, and an auction execution unit 1508. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the auction server can use a plurality of e-mail addresses as e-mail addresses addressed to itself. For example, it is assumed that MX records for a plurality of domains are set for the auction server 1502, and mail addresses of a plurality of user names are assigned to the auction server 1502. The e-mail receiving unit 1505 of the auction server 1502 receives such a plurality of e-mail addresses as e-mail addresses addressed to itself. In this embodiment, the auction server 1502 further includes a recipient identification information acquisition unit 1509 and a second post-reception processing determination unit 1510.

  A “recipient identification information acquisition unit” 1509 acquires a destination e-mail address from the received e-mail. For example, if the e-mail address of the e-mail destination is entry1000 @ foo. co. jp, entry1000 @ foo. co. jp is acquired. In addition, it is not necessary to acquire all of the e-mail addresses, and some of them may be a part. More specifically, entry 1000 representing the user name on the left side of “@” is acquired. May be.

  The “second post-reception processing determination unit” 1510 is a unit that determines post-reception processing of the received e-mail based on the acquired e-mail address of the destination. For example, entry1000 @ foo. co. Based on jp, post-reception processing that is processing that affects processing in any one or more of the item extraction unit 1206, the auction screen information configuration unit 1207, and the auction execution unit 1208 is determined. For example, entry1000 @ foo. co. The entry 1000 of jp affects the processing in the item extraction unit 1206 and the like so that 1000 is regarded as designated as the value of the item of the starting price of the auction. In addition, categoryFrench-subcatDictionary-entry1000-step50 @ foo. co. The destination e-mail address is separated by a separator such as “-” like jp, and further divided by character types such as numbers, alphabets, lowercase letters, uppercase letters, etc., and categoryFrench of entry1000 The item extraction unit 1506 assumes that the value is French, the value of the subcategory item is a dictionary, the value of the item of the start price is 1000 yen by entry1000, and the value of the item of the bid unit is 50 by step50. Then, the auction screen information configuration unit 1507, the auction execution unit 1508, and the like may perform processing.

  Instead of delimiting the user name part of the e-mail address, the domain name part is delimited using characters such as “%”, and entry% subcat = dictionary% category = french% step = 50 @ foo. co. jp or the like, the destination e-mail address is designated, or the item is expressed as a subdomain, and entry @ subcat = dictionary. category = french. step = 50. foo. co. or jp.

  In the above description, the order of appearance of the parts representing the auction information delimited by “−”, “%”, and “.” Is not limited, and, for example, duplicated such as step = 50 and step = 70. If specified, there are processes such as selecting the one that appears first, selecting the one that appears later, and making an error. Which process is selected may be determined, for example, as a post-reception process associated with the sender identification information.

  As described above, since the post-reception processing of the e-mail is determined based on the e-mail address of the e-mail destination, the value of the item that is regularly specified among the predetermined items is determined by the e-mail address. The name and description of the article / service described in a free form can be specified and described in the main text, and an auction exhibition process unique to electronic mail can be performed.

(Embodiment 5)
As an embodiment 5, an auction system that transmits an e-mail from an auction server to a terminal device and extracts a value of a predetermined item when an e-mail including auction information is received as a reply to the e-mail will be described.

  FIG. 16 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the fifth embodiment. The auction system 1600 includes a terminal device 1601 and an auction server 1602 as in the auction system according to the third embodiment, and the terminal device 1601 includes an acquisition unit 1603 and an e-mail transmission unit 1604. The auction server 1602 includes an e-mail reception unit 1605, an item extraction unit 1506, an auction screen information configuration unit 1607, an auction execution unit 1608, a sender identification information acquisition unit 1609, a first post-reception processing determination unit 1610, In the present embodiment, the first post-reception processing determination unit 1610 includes a reply unit 1611 and a response determination unit 1612.

  “Reply means” 1611 is means for replying to the transmission source of the received electronic mail by electronic mail. For example, if the e-mail address of the sender of the received e-mail is sakura @ example. ne. If it is jp, this sakura @ example. ne. Send an email to the email address jp. As described above, the “received e-mail” is an e-mail received by the e-mail receiving unit 1605. In particular, in this embodiment, the e-mail may not include auction information. Further, the e-mail transmitted by the reply means 1611 does not need to be sent from the e-mail address of the received e-mail. For example, as described in Embodiment 6 or the like, an e-mail address may be generated and the e-mail address may be used as a transmission source.

  The “response determination unit” 1612 determines whether the response is to the electronic mail returned by the reply unit 1611. The “response” refers to an e-mail generated by performing a reply operation on the e-mail replied by the reply means 1611 by the e-mail recipient. There are various methods for determining whether or not the response. For example, it is determined whether or not an e-mail whose destination e-mail address is the e-mail address to which the e-mail is sent as a reply by the reply means 1611 is an e-mail to be judged by the response judging means. Alternatively, the determination is made based on whether the Message-ID of the e-mail returned by the e-mail address reply unit 1611 is the value of the In-Reply-To header of the e-mail to be determined by the response determination unit or the value of the Reference header. There is a way to do it. Further, the reply means 1611 generates a random number, includes a character string obtained from the random number in the body of the reply, and quotes or the like are included in the body part of the e-mail for which the character string is determined by the response determination means. There is a method for determining whether or not the information is included.

  In this embodiment, the item extraction unit 1606 performs item extraction if the determination by the response determination unit is affirmative. For example, when mail A including auction information is first received by the electronic mail receiving unit 1605, the reply unit 1611 transmits electronic mail B which is a reply to the mail A, and then the electronic mail C is transmitted to the electronic mail receiving unit 1605. When the e-mail C is determined to be a response to the e-mail B, the item extraction unit 1606 extracts the value of a predetermined item from the auction information included in the e-mail A. Alternatively, when the e-mail receiving unit 1605 receives an e-mail indicating the intention to apply for an auction listing, the reply unit 1611 replies with the e-mail D, and then the e-mail E is sent to the e-mail receiving unit. If the e-mail E received by 1605 is determined to be a response to the e-mail D, the item extraction unit 1606 extracts the value of a predetermined item from the auction information included in the e-mail E.

  FIG. 17 exemplifies a sequence diagram showing an electronic mail exchange sequence in the auction system according to the fifth embodiment. In step S1701, when an e-mail is displayed from the terminal device to the auction server, the e-mail indicating the intention to apply for an auction listing, etc. is sent back in step S1702. In response to this reply, in step S1703, if an e-mail including auction information is returned in response from the terminal device, the value of a predetermined item is extracted, auction screen information is configured, and the auction is executed. Is done.

  In step S1701, the e-mail that displays the intention to apply for an auction listing or the like may be a so-called empty mail that does not have a body part or that has a body part made up of characters such as blanks. Further, the mail returned in step S1702 may consist of a character string in which only the name of a predetermined item is enumerated, for example, a model of auction information.

  By judging the response to the reply in this way and extracting the items, it is possible to input the auction information smoothly by filling in the reply template, and that the e-mail of the auction exhibitor actually exists. It has the effect of being able to confirm.

(Embodiment 6)
As Embodiment 6, when an e-mail is transmitted from the auction server to the terminal device, a new e-mail address is generated, and when a reply is made to the e-mail address, a value of a predetermined item is extracted. The auction system will be described.

  FIG. 18 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the sixth embodiment. Similar to the auction system according to the fifth embodiment, the auction system 1800 includes a terminal device 1801 and an auction server 1802. The terminal device 1801 includes an acquisition unit 1803 and an e-mail transmission unit 1804. The auction server 1802 includes an email receiving unit 1805, an item extracting unit 1806, an auction screen information configuration unit 1807, an auction execution unit 1808, a sender identification information acquisition unit 1809, a first post-reception processing determination unit 1810, The first post-reception processing determination unit 1810 includes a reply unit 1811 and a response determination unit 1812, and further includes an e-mail address generation unit 1813.

  The “e-mail address generation unit” 1813 generates an e-mail address in association with the reply by e-mail by the reply unit 1811. For example, when a reply is made in step S1702 of FIG. 17, a random number is generated, and an email address obtained from the random number according to a predetermined rule is registered as an email address of an email addressed to the auction server. It is desirable that the registered e-mail address be the e-mail address of the transmission source of the reply in step S1702. Also, several e-mail addresses are prepared in advance, and one of the e-mail addresses is selected at random, so that the e-mail address becomes the e-mail address of the reply sender in step S1702. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the response determination means determines whether or not an e-mail address as a response has been returned to the e-mail address generated in association with the e-mail by the e-mail address generation means 1813.

  For example, in FIG. 17, in step S1702, e1h5e6f1a @ foo. co. If the reply is jp as the transmission source, in step S1703, the destination of the e-mail including the auction information is e1h5e6f1a @ foo. co. If so, it is determined that there is a response to the reply in step S1702.

  If the e-mail address generated by the e-mail address generation means 1813 is generated based on a random number or the like, and the e-mail address to be generated or used next is difficult to predict, the e-mail address is transmitted. By confirming whether or not the response to the original email reply is used, it is possible to know whether or not the sender of the email containing the auction information has been spoofed, and it is possible to prevent an unsubstantial auction from being exhibited. can do.

(Embodiment 7)
As an embodiment 7, an auction system configured to allow an auction server to accept access from a terminal device and to correct auction screen information will be described.

  FIG. 19 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the seventh embodiment. Similar to the auction system according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, the auction system 1900 includes a terminal device 1901 and an auction server 1902. The terminal device 1901 includes an acquisition unit 1903, an e-mail transmission unit 1904, and the like. The auction server 1902 includes an e-mail receiving unit 1905, an item extraction unit 1906, an auction screen information configuration unit 1907, and an auction execution unit 1908, and further includes a correction reception unit 1911. It has become. FIG. 19 exemplifies a case where the auction system 1900 is based on the auction system according to the third embodiment. The auction server includes a sender identification information acquisition unit 1909 and a first post-reception processing determination unit. Although shown as having 1910, these parts are not essential in this embodiment.

  The “correction receiving unit” 1911 is a unit that corrects the auction screen information configured by the auction screen information configuration unit 1907 by access from the terminal device 1901. For example, the IP address or the individual identification number of the terminal device that has transmitted the e-mail from which the value of the predetermined item has been extracted by the item extraction unit 1906 is stored, and the terminal device having the IP address or the individual identification number is stored. If there is access, the auction screen information configured by the auction screen information configuration unit 1907 is modified. The correction is mainly assumed to be correction of the start price of the auction displayed on the screen information and the description of the article / service, for example, but the layout of the screen using a technique such as Ajax (Asynchronous javascript + xml), for example. You may be able to make changes. Further, a user identified by the sender identification information acquired by the sender identification information acquisition unit 1909 may be allowed to access a web page for correcting the auction screen information. .

  FIG. 20 shows ume @ example. ne. When an e-mail including auction information is transmitted from a user having an e-mail address of jp, a predetermined item is extracted from the e-mail, and the auction screen information is configured, the auction screen information is corrected. An e-mail including the URL is illustrated. This e-mail is sent to ume@example.com that sent the e-mail containing the auction information. ne. The user who has received this reply can correct the auction screen information by accessing the URL exemplified in the bottom line. This URL is generated using random numbers every time the auction screen information is configured, and may be difficult to predict except for those who have sent the auction information as an e-mail. Further, in order to correct the auction screen information, it may be after the user ID and password are further entered and authentication for login or the like is performed. In addition, the auction execution unit 1908 may be used on condition that access for correcting the auction screen information ends (for example, logout) under a predetermined condition (for example, a check is input to a predetermined check box). An auction may be executed.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to impersonate an auction exhibitor and confirm the intention of the exhibitor to start an auction.

(Embodiment 8)
As an eighth embodiment, a description will be given of an auction system in which an auction server includes a password for access in a reply to an e-mail including auction information.

  FIG. 21 illustrates a functional block diagram of the auction system according to the eighth embodiment. As in the seventh embodiment, the auction system 2100 includes a terminal device 2101 and an auction server 2102. The terminal device 2101 includes an acquisition unit 2103 and an e-mail transmission unit 2104. The auction server 2102 An e-mail receiving unit 2105, an item extracting unit 2106, an auction screen information configuring unit 2107, an auction executing unit 2108, a sender identification information acquiring unit 2109, a first post-reception processing determination unit 2110, and a correction receiving unit In this embodiment, the first post-reception process determination unit 2110 includes a permission information transmission unit 2112.

  The “permission information transmitting unit” 2112 transmits information for permitting the access to the terminal device 2101. The “access” is an access performed by the correction reception unit 2111 to correct the auction screen information. For example, when a predetermined item is extracted from an e-mail and the auction screen information is configured, access to the e-mail sender, such as a password for logging in at the correction reception unit 2111, is permitted. Reply as e-mail as information.

  FIG. 22 exemplifies an e-mail to be replied, and xx6x5yz in the e-mail is a password for accessing the correction receiving unit 2111 such as login. This password is ume @ example. ne. For example, a user having a jp email address may be the same as or different from a password for logging in to a My Page that is a portal page provided to each user by the auction server 2102. Also good. If they are different, this password may only be valid for a single login. By making it valid only for one login in this way, it is possible to confirm that the person who can update the auction screen information is the person who sent the e-mail containing the auction information, and conduct the auction securely. Can do.

(Example 1)
FIG. 23 is an example of the implementation of the present invention. The auctioneer sends an e-mail 2301 including auction information from the terminal device to a predetermined e-mail address of the auction server. For example, the destination e-mail address may be a common e-mail address regardless of the auction exhibitor's distinction. Of course, a destination e-mail address may be determined for each auction exhibitor. The e-mail 2301 may be attached with video information such as auction items.

  When the auction server receives the e-mail 2301, the value of a predetermined item is extracted from the e-mail, and the auction information is registered by storing those values. If video information or the like is attached to the e-mail 2301, the video information or the like is also registered as one of predetermined item values. Then, as a reply to the received electronic mail, an exhibition acceptance mail 2302 may be transmitted from the auction server to the terminal device. In the exhibition acceptance mail 2302, for example, a unique URL or the like is described, and by accessing the URL or the like, predetermined screen information is configured from the registered auction information, and auction information can be viewed or modified. Confirmation may be made. Further, if a user name or password is required when accessing the URL or the like, the user name or password may also be described.

  The seller of the auction who has received the exhibition acceptance mail 2302 at the terminal device accesses the auction server or the auction site with reference to the URL described in the exhibition acceptance mail 2302 or accesses a predetermined address or the like. The auction information registered by the auction server can be browsed. If necessary, add video information, correct errors such as typographical errors, and make corrections by selecting a style sheet that is referenced when browsing the auction screen information. You can also. If the exhibitor confirms the registered auction information and determines that “this is all right”, the seller completes the exhibition by operating a button or the like.

  In the case where the auction server acquires the individual identification information of the terminal device that transmitted the e-mail 2301, the registration of the auction exhibitor after receiving the e-mail 2301, preferably after receiving the exhibition acceptance e-mail When access to view, modify, or confirm the auction information that has been accessed is made to an auction server, etc., the accessed auction server or the like acquires the individual identification information of the terminal device that made the access, and identifies the individual It is determined whether the information and the like and the individual identification information of the terminal device acquired when the e-mail 2301 is received are the same. If they are the same, the auction information registered without authentication by a user name, a password, etc. You may be allowed access to view, modify and verify . If they are not the same, access may be denied unconditionally, or a user name, password, etc. may be required. Moreover, even if they are the same, when an item whose assignment to a terminal device changes as time passes, such as an IP address, is used as individual identification information, a predetermined length of time may have elapsed. For example, access may be denied (including requesting a user name and password). In addition, when the operator of the auction server is an Internet service provider or the like and the IP address allocation status and the connection status of the terminal device can be acquired from a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server or the like Access from an IP address that has been released once the process is completed may be rejected.

  FIG. 24 shows another embodiment. In FIG. 24, before sending an e-mail 2401 including auction information, an auction exhibitor sends an empty e-mail to an auction server or accesses a predetermined URL to send an e-mail of the terminal device. Notify e-mail address and individual identification information. An auction server or the like that has been notified issues a different e-mail address each time it is notified, sends a reply to the notified terminal device by e-mail or the like, and transmits the issued e-mail address. . The issued e-mail address is associated with the e-mail address of the terminal device, individual identification information, and the like. When the e-mail 2401 is received by the auction server, whether or not the e-mail address of the e-mail 2401 is associated with the e-mail address or individual identification information of the terminal device that transmitted the e-mail Judging. If the e-mail address of the e-mail 2401 is associated with the e-mail address or individual identification information of the terminal device that sent the e-mail, the auction information is registered, and the exhibition acceptance mail 2402 is registered. Thereafter, the same processing as in FIG. 23 is performed. Note that when the listing is completed, the above-described association is not necessary, and the association may be canceled.

Overview of the auction system according to the first embodiment Functional block diagram of the auction system according to the first embodiment An example of a screen for entering auction information into a mobile device An example of when auction information is sent as an email FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of item values extracted from the e-mail illustrated in FIG. An example of an auction screen Flowchart explaining processing of terminal device Flow chart explaining processing of auction server Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 2 An example of an email sent by the email sending unit FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of item values extracted from the e-mail illustrated in FIG. Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 3 An example of a table for determining post-reception processing Flow chart explaining processing in auction server Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 4 Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 5 FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an e-mail exchange process in an auction system according to the fifth embodiment Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 6 Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 7 Example of e-mail including URL for correcting auction screen information Functional block diagram of an auction system according to Embodiment 8 An example of an email containing information to allow login access An example of an embodiment of the present invention An example of an embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Auction system 201 Terminal device 202 Auction server 203 Acquisition part 204 E-mail transmission part 205 E-mail reception part 206 Item extraction part 207 Auction screen information structure part 208 Auction execution part

Claims (11)

An auction system comprising a terminal device and an auction server that communicates with the terminal device via a communication network and can use a plurality of e-mail addresses as e-mail addresses addressed to the terminal device,
The terminal device
An acquisition unit that acquires auction information which is information to be transmitted to the auction server,
An e-mail transmitting unit that transmits the auction information acquired by the acquiring unit as an e-mail addressed to one of a plurality of e-mail addresses addressed to the auction server;
Have
The auction server
An email receiver for receiving emails;
Item extraction that extracts the value of an item related to auction listing or bidding from the received e-mail when the content of the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving unit is auction information described in a predetermined format And
An auction screen information configuration unit that configures auction screen information using the value of the item extracted by the item extraction unit ;
An auction execution unit that executes an auction on the web using the auction screen information configured in the auction screen information configuration unit ;
A recipient identification information acquisition unit that acquires an email address of a destination from the email received by the email reception unit ;
Based on the e-mail address of the destination acquired by the receiver identification information acquisition unit , the post-reception process determination that determines the process for executing the auction to be executed by the e-mail with predetermined exhibition / bid conditions And
An auction system. The post-reception process determination unit determines a process for executing an auction to be executed by the e-mail from a predetermined start price based on the acquired e-mail address of the destination. The auction system according to 1. The post-reception process determination unit determines a process for executing an auction to be executed by the e-mail in a predetermined bid unit based on the acquired e-mail address of the destination. The auction system according to 1. The post-reception process determining unit determines a process for executing an auction to be executed by the e-mail with predetermined exhibition / bid conditions based on the domain name portion of the acquired e-mail address of the destination The auction system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The auction server further includes a sender identification information acquisition unit that acquires sender identification information for identifying a sender from the email received by the email receiver .
The post-reception process determining unit further executes an auction to be executed by the e-mail based on the sender identification information acquired by the sender identification information acquiring unit under predetermined exhibition / bid conditions. The auction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the auction system is characterized in that: The auction server according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An auction method by an auction system comprising a terminal device and an auction server that communicates with the terminal device via a communication network and can use a plurality of e-mail addresses as e-mail addresses addressed to the terminal device,
In the terminal device,
An acquisition step of acquiring auction information which is information to be transmitted to the auction server,
An e-mail transmission step of transmitting the auction information acquired in the acquisition step as an e-mail addressed to one of a plurality of e-mail addresses addressed to the auction server;
Run
In the auction server,
An email receiving step for receiving email; and
Item extraction for extracting the value of an item related to auction listing or bidding from the received e-mail when the content of the e-mail received in the e-mail receiving step is auction information described in a predetermined format Steps,
Auction screen information configuration step for configuring auction screen information using the value of the item extracted in the item extraction step ;
An auction execution step for executing an auction on the web using the auction screen information configured in the auction screen information configuration step ;
A recipient identification information obtaining step for obtaining a destination email address from the email received in the email receiving step;
Based on the e-mail address of the destination acquired in the receiver identification information acquisition step, the post-reception process determination that determines the process for executing the auction to be executed by the e-mail with predetermined exhibition / bid conditions An auction method that performs steps and . The post-reception process determining step determines a process for executing an auction to be executed by the e-mail from a predetermined starting price based on the acquired e-mail address of the destination. 8. The auction method according to 7. The post-reception process determining step determines a process for executing an auction to be executed by the e-mail in a predetermined bid unit based on the acquired e-mail address of the destination. 8. The auction method according to 7. The post-reception process determining step determines a process for executing an auction to be executed by the e-mail with predetermined exhibition / bid conditions based on the domain name portion of the acquired e-mail address of the destination The auction method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein An email receiving step for receiving email; and
Item extraction for extracting the value of an item related to auction listing or bidding from the received e-mail when the content of the e-mail received in the e-mail receiving step is auction information described in a predetermined format Steps,
Auction screen information configuration step for configuring auction screen information using the value of the item extracted in the item extraction step ;
An auction execution step for executing an auction on the web using the auction screen information configured in the auction screen information configuration step ;
A recipient identification information obtaining step for obtaining a destination email address from the email received in the email receiving step;
Based on the e-mail address of the destination acquired in the receiver identification information acquisition step, the post-reception process determination that determines the process for executing the auction to be executed by the e-mail with predetermined exhibition / bid conditions A program for causing a computer to execute steps and <br/>.

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