KR20010090654A - a system for providing lowest price information and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system for providing the lowest price information and a method thereof are provided to enable a user to select a company offering a product at the lowest cost by obtaining products and price information not only on-line companies but also off-line companies. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of clients(11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n) buy a product on a cyber space. The Internet(12) provides a computer communication unit to the clients(11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n). The lowest cost providing server(13) receives products and price information of on-line companies(14-1, 14-2, ..., 14-n) and off-line companies(15-1, 15-2, ..., 15-n) and stores the products and price information, and searches and provides a product to be bought by the client and the cost thereof. The lowest cost providing server(13) detects received data. If the data are bid data, the data are stored in a bid database(17). If the data are general price data, the data are stored in a price information database(16).

Description

System for providing lowest price information and method therefor}

The present invention relates to a lowest price providing system and a method thereof, and in particular, to provide product information and price information of not only an on-line company but also an off-line company so that a buyer can purchase goods from a company that provides a desired product at the lowest price. It relates to a lowest price providing system and a method thereof.

The conventional price information service on the Internet consists of only information on the Internet. However, most product vendors still do not benefit from the Internet. The Internet is a means of communication that should benefit not only those with infrastructure but also those who do not. Therefore, it is necessary to induce the internet marginalized to the Internet and take advantage of the Internet. In addition, a consumer who obtains product information through the Internet needs to obtain price information of an off-line company that is much larger than online as well as existing online data. In addition, it is necessary to obtain a plurality of product price information at once through a do-it-yourself (DIY) reverse auction or a DIY price information search.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for providing the lowest price, which enables the selection of a company that provides a product at the lowest price by obtaining products and price information of not only an online company but also an offline company.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low price providing system and method for realizing reverse auction in cyberspace by providing products and price information provided by a plurality of sellers to one buyer.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a lowest price information providing system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the lowest price information server of the system of FIG. 1 obtains product information and price information from an online company and an offline company;

3 is a flowchart showing a member registration method;

4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating a method of obtaining price information by reverse auction;

5A and 5B are flowcharts illustrating a method of obtaining price information with a single product reverse auction;

6a and 6b is a flow chart showing a DIY price information inquiry method,

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of querying a single product price information.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n: Client 12: Internet

13: Lowest price server 14-1, 14-2, ..., 14-n: Online company

15-1, 15-2, ..., 15-n

In order to achieve the above object, the lowest price providing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of clients who purchase a product in cyberspace; Internet means for providing computer communication means to the plurality of clients; The lowest price information server that receives the product and price information of the online company and offline company and stores in the database, the client to search for the product and the price to purchase.

According to the present invention, a method of providing a lowest price for a collective purchase includes providing information about a product to be purchased and selecting the product; Providing and selecting a company information for selling the selected product group; Listing and selecting a kind of products sold by the selected company; Listing and selecting a model of the selected product type; If one of the models listed above is selected, registering and storing personal information of the purchaser; When the selection of the product is completed, the step of registering the bid to receive the lowest price available for sale from the partner; And delivering the optimal purchase information to the client.

According to the present invention, a method for providing a lowest price for a single item purchase includes selecting and listing product line information; Listing and selecting product types belonging to the selected product group; Listing and selling companies selling selected product types; Listing product models produced by the selected company; If one of the models listed above is selected, registering and storing personal information of the purchaser; Registering the lowest price available for sale from a supplier; And delivering the bidder and the bidder information of the bidder to the client.

A single product inquiry method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: inputting a key value to a client performing a key value search; Listing companies selling products of the input key value; Listing product models sold by the selected company; When one of the models listed above is selected, delivering the lowest purchase price and lowest price retailer information of the product.

In the single product inquiry method, listing and selecting a list so that information can be inquired through product selection; Listing product models included in the product line designated by the client; When the client selects a product model, the list selection may consist of a step of moving to listing / displaying companies selling the model.

An embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a system of providing lowest price information according to the present invention.

Many clients 11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n are connected to the Internet 12 to receive products and the lowest price information from the lowest price information server 13 to purchase products on the cyberspace. do. The Internet 12 provides computer communication means to the plurality of clients 11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n. The lowest price information server 13 includes a number of online companies (14-1, 14-2, ..., 14-n) and a number of offline companies (15-1, 15-2, ..., 15-n The product information and price information thereof are obtained and stored in a database, and the information is provided to the plurality of clients 11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n.

The lowest price information providing system according to the present invention includes a number of online companies (14-1, 14-2, ..., 14-n) and a plurality of offline companies (15-1, 15-2, ..., 15 -n) obtains the product information and its price information in the database (16). 2 shows a process in which the lowest price information server 13 obtains product information and price information from an online company and an offline company. The reverse auction and new product information are requested to the partner company via telephone, fax, direct visit, and the Internet (step G1). On-line and off-line suppliers (14-1, 14-2, ..., 14-n, 15-1, 15-2, ..., 15-n) requested for product information generate data (step G2). ). The cooperative company that generates the data transmits the generated data to the lowest price information server 13 using communication means such as telephone, fax, and the Internet. The lowest price information server 13 classifies the data provided from the supplier and stores it in the bidding database 17 if it is bidding information and stores it in the price information database 16 if it is general price information.

Many clients 11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n must register as members in order to obtain price information from the lowest price information server 13. At the time of registration of members, identification information and secret information are registered to distinguish them from other members. 3 is a flowchart showing a member registration method. When an arbitrary client (for example, 11-2) accesses the lowest price information server 13, the identification information and a password are inputted to confirm that the user is a member (step S31). Information (for example, address, name, gender, social security number, etc.) is received (step S32) and registered in the member database (step S33). It is determined whether the client (eg, 11-2) whose member has been confirmed obtains price information by reverse auction or price information by registered data (step S34).

4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating a method of obtaining price information for reverse auction.

When the price information for the reverse auction is obtained, it is determined whether it is the DIY collective reverse auction (step S41). If it is not a DIY batch auction, go to the single product reverse auction process. In the case of the DIY batch reverse auction, product information (for example, a wedding hall, outdoor photography, furniture, electronics, precious metals, household goods, etc.) is listed and displayed for reverse auction (step S42). When a product family is selected (step S43), a company that produces and imports the selected product family (for example, the "furniture" product family in the product family) (e.g., Ace bed, Borneo furniture, Ribat furniture, Sunwood furniture) And the like) are displayed (step S44). If the client (e.g. 11-2) selects one of the companies listed above (e.g. 14-1 ace bed) (step S45), the type of product produced by the selected company (e.g. bed, dresser) , A dining table, a dressing table, a chest of drawers, a small item, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S46). If the client (e.g. 11-2) selects one of the product types listed above (e.g. bed) (step S47), the product model (e.g. BRA-1101, BRA- 1102, BRA-1108, BRA-1111, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S48). When the client (for example, 11-2) selects one of the models listed above (for example, BRA-1101) (step S49), the member's registration information is input and stored (step S50). If it is confirmed that the product selection is completed (S51), the process proceeds to the partner contact step (S52), and if it is desired to select another product, the process returns to the step S42. The partner company (ie, 14-1) that has been contacted in the above step registers the lowest price that can be sold by the company (step S53). The lowest price information server 13 determines, extracts, and transmits the optimal DIY reverse auction information to the client 11-2 (step S54).

5A and 5B are flow charts illustrating how to obtain price information for a single product reverse auction.

In step S41 of FIG. 4A, when the price information for the single product reverse auction is not obtained from the DIY batch reverse auction, the flow proceeds to D to obtain product information (for example, a wedding hall, outdoor photography, furniture, electronic products, precious metals, household goods, etc.). Listed and displayed (step S55). If the client (eg 11-2) selects a product line (step S56), a product type (eg, bed, chest) belonging to the selected product line (eg, the "Furniture" product line is selected from the product line). , A dining table, a dressing table, a chest of drawers, a small item, and the like) are listed and displayed (step S57). If the client (eg 11-2) selects one of the above listed product types (e.g., bed) (step S58), the company producing or importing the selected product type (e.g., ace bed, Borneo furniture, Ribat furniture, Sunwood furniture, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S59). If the client (e.g. 11-2) selects one of the companies listed above (e.g. 14-1 ace bed) (step S60), the product model (e.g. BRA-1101) produced by the selected company , BRA-1102, BRA-1108, BRA-1111, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S61). When the client (for example, 11-2) selects one of the models listed above (for example, BRA-1101) (step S62), the member's registration information is input and stored (step S63). The lowest price information server 13 contacts the selected supplier (i.e. 14-1) via the communication means (e.g., telephone, fax, Internet, etc.) with the selected product model for bidding (step S64). The partner company (for example, 14-1) that has been contacted registers a bid for the lowest price that can be sold by the company (step S65). The lowest price information server 13 transmits the bidder's bid and participating company information to the client 11-2 (step S66).

6A and 6B are flowcharts illustrating a DIY price information inquiry method.

When the lowest price information is to be obtained using the registered data in the determination of step S34 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether it is a single product price information inquiry or a DIY collective inquiry (step S67). For example, in the case of DIY collective inquiry for calculating the marriage cost, the product information (for example, wedding hall, outdoor photography, furniture, electronics, precious metal, household goods, etc.) is listed and displayed (step S68). If the client (eg, 11-2) selects a product family (step S69), a company producing and importing the selected product family (for example, the "furniture" product family selected from the product family) (for example, Ace) Beds, Borneo furniture, Ribat furniture, Sunwood furniture, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S70). If the client (e.g. 11-2) selects one of the companies listed above (e.g. ace bed) (step S71), the product type (e.g. bed, dresser, dining table, A dressing table, a chest of drawers, a small item, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S72). If the client (e.g. 11-2) selects one of the product types listed above (e.g. bed) (step S73), the product model (e.g. BRA-1101, BRA- 1102, BRA-1108, BRA-1111, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S74). When the client (for example, 11-2) selects one of the models listed above (for example, BRA-1101) (step S75), the buyer's personal information is input and stored (step S76). If it is determined that the product selection is completed (step S77), the process goes to step S78 to determine whether to select a member, and if it is desired to select another product, the process returns to step S68. It determines whether it is a member or nonmember (step S78), and if it is a member, delivers the optimal DIY price information (step S79), and if it is a nonmember, general price information is delivered (step S80).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for querying a single product price information.

In the determination of step S67 of FIG. 6A, it is determined that the single product price information inquiry is not a DIY batch inquiry, and it is determined whether it is a key value search or a list selection (step S81). In the case of key value retrieval, the client 11-2 inputs the key value in order to inquire information using the key value (step S85). An example of key value input is (bed) ← key input. When the client (eg, 11-2) inputs a key value, a company that produces and imports a bed corresponding to the input key value (eg, ace bed, Borneo furniture, Ribat furniture, sunwood furniture, etc.) Are listed and displayed (step S86). If the client (eg 11-2) selects one of the companies listed above (eg ace bed) (step S87), the product model of the bed produced by the selected company (eg BRA-1101, BRA-1102, BRA-1108, BRA-1111, etc.) are listed and displayed (step S88). If the client (e.g., 11-2) selects one of the models listed above (e.g., BRA-1101) (step S89), it is determined whether to register a member (step S90), and if it is a member, the lowest purchase of the product. The price and the lowest priced retailer information are delivered to the member (step S91), and if it is a non-member, the product information and the consumer price are delivered (step S92). In the case of the selection of the list in the step S81, the list (for example, furniture, electronics, precious metals, maternity and childcare, clothing, sundries, computers, household goods, etc.) is listed so that the information can be searched through the product selection. To make a selection (step S82). The product types included in the product line designated by the client 11-2 (for example, when a furniture group is selected, a bed, a chest, a dining table, a dressing table, a chest of drawers, a small item, etc.) are listed (step S83). If the client 11-2 selects a product type (e.g., bed) (step S84), it proceeds to step S86 for judging the same as inputting the key value and listing / displaying companies producing and importing the product.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to broadly select not only an online company but also a company that provides product information and price information of an offline company at the lowest price. You can search by inquiry.

Claims (6)

A plurality of clients 11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n purchasing products on the cyberspace; An Internet (12) for providing computer communication means to the plurality of clients (11-1, 11-2, ..., 11-n); Enter the product and price information of online companies (14-1, 14-2, ..., 14-n) and offline companies (15-1, 15-2, ..., 15-n) Lowest price information providing system, characterized in that consisting of; the server, the lowest price providing server to search for and provide the product and the price to be purchased by the client. The method of claim 1, wherein the lowest price providing server 13 The lowest price information providing system, characterized in that the received data is stored in the bidding database (17) if the bidding information, and stored in the price information database (16) if the general price information. If it is a batch inquiry by determining whether it is a single purchase price inquiry or a bulk purchase price inquiry, Listing and selecting a product family; Listing and selling companies selling selected product lines; Listing and selecting a kind of products sold by the selected company; Listing models of the selected product type; Inputting and storing the member's registration information when selecting one of the models listed above; And delivering the best price information to the client according to the completion of the product selection. The method of claim 3, wherein the item is not a batch inquiry but a single item inquiry. Listing product types belonging to the selected product group; If a product type is selected, listing and selling a company selling the selected product type; Listing product models handled by the selected company; Inputting and storing registration information of a member when selecting one of the product models listed above; And delivering the best price information to the client according to the completion of the selection of the product. The method according to claim 3 or 4, Lowest price information providing method characterized in that the best product price is provided in the bidding information or general price information. The method according to claim 3 or 4, Determining whether it is a key value search or a list selection; In the case of a key value retrieval, causing the client to input a key value of a desired product; Inputting a key value, listing companies selling products of the input key value; Listing product models produced by the selected company; If one of the models listed above is selected, determining whether a member is registered and delivering the lowest purchase price and lowest price retailer information of the product to the member, and delivering the product information and the consumer price to the non-member; ; Listing and selecting a list so that information can be inquired through product selection; Listing the product types included in the product line designated by the client; And when the client selects a product type, moving to a step of listing / displaying companies selling the product. All or one of a list selection is provided.