JP2022148549A - Transaction support device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a transaction support device and a control program that automatically search a commodity in which a selling condition of a seller matches a purchase condition of a purchaser in a transaction of mail order selling.SOLUTION: A transaction support server 10 comprises: selling condition acquisition means 1101 that acquires information associated with a selling condition of a commodity which is set by a seller; purchase condition acquisition means 1102 that acquires information associated with a purchase condition of a commodity which is set by a purchaser; determination means 1103 that determines the selling condition and the purchase condition which match each other by collating between the information associated with the selling condition acquired by the selling condition acquisition means and the information associated with the purchase condition acquired by the purchase condition acquisition means; seller notification means 1104 that notifies a seller terminal used by the seller who sets the selling condition determined to match the purchase condition by the determination means, of being available for sale; and purchaser notification means 1105 that notifies a purchaser terminal used by the purchaser who sets the purchase condition determined to match the selling condition by the determination means, of being available for purchase.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a transaction support device that supports mail-order transactions and a control program for causing a computer to function as the transaction support device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, EC (electronic commerce) sites have become widespread, in which producers such as farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen use the Internet to sell products such as foodstuffs and fresh flowers by mail order. In this type of conventional EC site, information such as product name, image, product type, price, size, and quality is displayed on the EC site Web page. A consumer who accesses a web page using a web browser on a terminal finds a product that he/she wishes to purchase based on the displayed information and performs an order operation. When the consumer enters the information necessary for payment, the order is confirmed. When the order is confirmed, the producer carries out procedures for delivering the product to the consumer who is the purchaser.

However, in the EC site as described above, the consumer must access the web page and search for the product that the consumer wishes to purchase. In general, a web page displays a large number of products. For this reason, it may be difficult for the consumer to reach the product that the consumer desires to purchase, and the purchase may be stopped in the middle.

Such a problem can be solved if it is possible to automatically search for products whose sales conditions of the producer, who is the seller, and the purchase conditions of the consumer, who are the purchaser, match each other.

JP 2019-144935 A JP 2020-194530 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to automatically search for products that match the sales conditions of the producer, who is the seller, and the purchase conditions of the consumer, who is the purchaser, in relation to mail-order transactions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transaction support device capable of

In one embodiment, the transaction support device includes sales condition acquisition means, purchase condition acquisition means, determination means, seller notification means, and purchaser notification means. The sales condition acquisition means acquires information on the sales conditions of the product set by the seller. The purchase condition acquisition means acquires information on the purchase condition of the product set by the purchaser. The determination means collates the information on the sales conditions acquired by the sales conditions acquisition means with the information on the purchase conditions acquired by the purchase conditions acquisition means, and determines matching sales conditions and purchase conditions. The seller notification means notifies the seller terminal used by the seller who has set the sales conditions determined by the determination means to match the purchase conditions that the product can be sold. The purchaser notification means notifies the purchaser terminal used by the purchaser who has set the purchase conditions determined by the determination means to match the sales conditions that the purchase is possible.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transaction support system according to one embodiment; FIG. Schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a purchaser record. Schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a seller record. Schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a purchase condition record. Schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a sales condition record. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the transaction support server; Schematic diagram showing the data structure of a match table. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor of the transaction support server; FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of first condition matching processing in FIG. 8; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of second condition matching processing in FIG. 9; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor of the transaction support server; FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of purchaser processing in FIG. 11; FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of seller processing in FIG. 11; FIG.

An embodiment of a transaction support device will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, the present embodiment is a case where producers such as farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen use a network to sell foodstuffs, fresh flowers, and the like, which are their products, by mail order. In other words, the producer becomes the seller. Purchasers are consumers.

[Overview of transaction support system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transaction support system 100 according to this embodiment. Transaction support system 100 includes transaction support server 10 , seller terminal 20 , purchaser terminal 30 , and network 40 . Transaction support system 100 connects transaction support server 10 , seller terminal 20 , and purchaser terminal 30 to network 40 . Network 40 is typically a wide area network such as the Internet. The network 40 may be a dedicated communication network, a mobile phone communication network, or the like. Also, these communication networks may be mixed. The network may be a wireless line or a wired line. Also, a wireless line and a wired line may coexist.

The seller terminal 20 is a terminal used by a producer who can be a seller. The seller terminal 20 includes an input device 21, a display device 22, and an imaging device 23. The input device 21 is used for inputting information on products to be commodities, information on sales conditions of commodities, information on transactions with purchasers who purchase commodities, and the like. The input device 21 is a keyboard, pointing device, touch panel, or the like. The display device 22 is used to display information input via the input device 21, information transmitted from the transaction support server 10, and the like. The display device 22 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The imaging device 23 is used for taking in an image of a product to be a commercial product. The imaging device 23 is a digital camera having an imaging device such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The imaging device 23 may be a digital video camera. As the seller terminal 20, a well-known information communication terminal such as a personal computer, smart phone, or tablet terminal can be used. It is also possible to use information terminals such as kiosk terminals installed in stores such as convenience stores, carriers, or facilities such as stations, government offices, and agricultural cooperatives as the seller terminal 20 .

The purchaser terminal 30 is a terminal used by a consumer who can be a purchaser. Purchaser terminal 30 includes an input device 31 and a display device 32 . The input device 31 is used for inputting information on purchase conditions of products, information on transactions with sellers who sell products as products by mail order, and the like. The input device 31 is a keyboard, pointing device, touch panel, or the like. The display device 32 is used to display information input via the input device 31, information transmitted from the transaction support server 10, and the like. The display device 32 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. As the purchaser terminal 30, a well-known information communication terminal such as a personal computer, smart phone, or tablet terminal can be used. It is also possible to use an information terminal such as a kiosk terminal as the purchaser terminal 30 .

The transaction support server 10 is a computer for supporting mail-order transactions in which products such as foodstuffs and fresh flowers produced by producers are used as commodities. The transaction support server 10 provides the seller terminal 20 and the purchaser terminal 30 with services for supporting mail-order transactions. The transaction support server 10 is an example of a transaction support device.

The transaction support server 10 has a function of accessing the purchaser database 50 , the seller database 60 , the purchase condition database 70 and the sales condition database 80 . Each database 50 , 60 , 70 and 80 may be owned by a storage device built into the transaction support server 10 or may be owned by a storage device externally attached to the transaction support server 10 . Alternatively, a database server on the cloud owns each database 50, 60, 70 and 80, and the transaction support server 10 uses cloud computing technology to access each database 50, 60, 70 and 80. good too. In this case, the database server owns some of the databases, for example, the purchaser database 50 and the seller database 60, and the transaction support server 10 owns the remaining databases, for example, the purchase condition database 70 and the sales condition database 80. may

The purchaser database 50 is a collection of data records describing information related to consumers registered as purchasers. This data record is hereinafter referred to as the purchaser record 51 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the purchaser record 51. As shown in FIG. The purchaser record 51 is a data record including at least items such as purchaser ID, name, area of residence, purchaser terminal address, and desired payment method.

The purchaser ID is a unique identification code set for each purchaser. A consumer can become a purchaser by registering as a purchaser with the business entity operating the transaction support system 100 . The registration method as a purchaser is not particularly limited. When a consumer is registered as a purchaser, a purchaser ID unique to that consumer is issued. The purchaser ID is stored in the memory of the purchaser terminal 30 used by the consumer.

The name is the name of the consumer identified by the purchaser ID, that is, the name of the purchaser. The area of residence is the code of the area where the purchaser resides. A region is, for example, a division of the country based on municipalities. A region may be, for example, a country segmented based on a postal code. The method of dividing regions is not limited to this.

The purchaser terminal address is the communication address of the purchaser terminal 30 used by the purchaser. By designating the purchaser terminal address, the transaction support server 10 can perform data communication with the purchaser terminal 30 to which the purchaser terminal address is set via the network 40 .

The desired payment method is a method of payment for commercial transactions desired by the purchaser. Payment methods include, for example, credit card payment, cash-on-delivery payment (cash-on-delivery payment), electronic money payment, and code payment. At least one payment method is described in the purchaser record 51 as a desired payment method. Two or more payment methods may be described in the purchaser record 51 as desired payment methods.

The seller database 60 is a collection of data records describing information about producers registered as sellers. Hereinafter, this data record will be referred to as merchant record 61 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the seller record 61. As shown in FIG. The seller record 61 is a data record including at least items such as seller ID, name, delivery area, seller terminal address, and possible settlement methods.

A seller ID is a unique identification code set for each seller. Producers such as farmers, livestock farmers, fishermen, etc. can become sellers by registering as sellers with the business entity operating the transaction support system 100 . The registration method as a seller is not particularly limited. When a producer is registered as a seller, a seller ID unique to that producer is issued. The seller ID is stored in the memory of the seller terminal 20 used by the producer.

The name is the name of the producer identified by the seller ID, that is, the name of the seller. The delivery area is a code indicating the delivery possible area of the product produced by the seller. A region is, for example, a division of the country based on municipalities. A region may be, for example, a country segmented based on a postal code. The method of dividing regions is not limited to this. However, the same classification method as that of the residential area of the purchaser record 51 is adopted.

The seller terminal address is the communication address of the seller terminal 20 used by the seller. By designating a seller terminal address, the transaction support server 10 can perform data communication with the seller terminal 20 to which the seller terminal address is set via the network 40 .

Available payment methods are payment methods for commercial transactions that can be performed by the seller. Payment methods include, for example, credit card payment, cash-on-delivery payment (cash-on-delivery payment), electronic money payment, and code payment. In the seller record 61, at least one payment settlement method is described as a possible settlement method. Two or more payment methods may be described in the seller record 61 as possible payment methods.

The purchase condition database 70 is a collection of data records describing information regarding the purchase condition of the product set by the purchaser. Hereinafter, this data record will be referred to as purchase condition record 71 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the purchase condition record 71. As shown in FIG. The purchase condition record 71 is a data record including at least items such as purchase product number, purchaser ID, item, product type, purchase period, desired purchase price Pa, desired purchase quantity Na, size conditions, quality conditions, transaction status, and the like.

The purchase item number is a series of numbers set for each record to individually identify the purchase condition record 71 .

The purchaser ID is purchaser identification information related to the purchase condition record 71 . The item name and variety are the item name and variety of the product that the purchaser wishes to purchase, that is, the product name. The purchase period is the period during which the purchaser wishes to purchase the product. The purchase period may be the period start date and the period end date, or may be the period start date and the number of days of the period. The desired purchase price Pa is the desired price that the purchaser will pay for the product. The desired purchase quantity Na is the quantity of the product that the purchaser wishes to purchase at the desired purchase price.

A size requirement is a purchaser's purchase requirement regarding the size of the product. For example, items such as whether you want a unified standard size of "large", "medium" or "small", whether it is acceptable to have irregular sizes, whether items with non-standard sizes are allowed, etc. exist.

Quality conditions are the purchaser's purchase conditions regarding the quality of the product. For example, there are quality conditions such as whether the surface may be scratched, whether the shape may be irregular, and whether the color may be uneven.

The transaction status is information for identifying whether or not a commercial transaction has been established with the product of the item under the purchase conditions of the purchase condition record 71 . The transaction status defaults to information indicating "transaction uncompleted". When the transaction is concluded, the transaction status is updated to information indicating "transaction completed".

A consumer who wishes to purchase a product, a so-called purchaser, provides information on the purchase conditions of the product, including the purchaser ID, item, product type, purchase period, desired purchase price Pa, desired purchase quantity Na, size conditions and quality. Set conditions, etc. A method of setting the transaction support server 10 using the purchaser terminal 30 is conceivable. It is also possible for the purchaser to set the information regarding the purchase conditions of the product by filling in the required items on a predetermined form and submitting it to the business entity operating the transaction support server 10 . In this case, the person in charge of the operating company operates a personal computer, for example, and inputs the items entered in the form to the transaction support server 10 .

The transaction support server 10 that has received the setting of the purchase conditions creates a purchase condition record 71 based on the setting contents and adds it to the purchase condition database 70 . Purchase condition records 71 are accumulated in the purchase condition database 70 in ascending order of purchase item numbers, for example. Then, the purchase condition record 71 whose purchase period has passed is appropriately deleted. At this time, the purchase item numbers of the purchase condition records 71 remaining in the purchase condition database 70 may be reassigned so as to be a series of numbers.

The sales condition database 80 is a collection of data records describing information on sales conditions of products by sellers. Hereinafter, this data record will be referred to as sales condition record 81 (see FIG. 5).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the sales condition record 81. As shown in FIG. The sales conditions record 81 is a data record containing at least items such as sales item number, seller ID, item, product type, item image, sales period, suggested selling price Pb, size condition, quality condition, stock quantity Nb, transaction status, and the like. be.

The sales item number is a series of numbers set for each record to individually identify the sales condition record 81 .

The seller ID is identification information of the seller related to the sales condition record 81 . The item name and variety are the item name and variety of the product sold by the seller, that is, the product name. The sales period is the period during which the seller sells the product by mail order. The sales period may be the period start date and the period end date, or may be the period start date and the number of days of the period. The desired selling price Pb is the price set by the seller for the product.

The size condition is information regarding the size condition of the product. For example, size conditions include items such as whether the size is standardized as “large,” “medium,” or “small,” whether the size is irregular, or whether an item with a non-standard size is included.

A quality condition is information about the quality condition of a product. For example, there are items such as whether or not the surface is scratched, whether or not the shape is regular, and whether or not the colors are uniform.

The number of items in stock Nb is the remaining amount of products that can be sold as merchandise.

The transaction status is information for identifying whether or not a product transaction has been concluded under the sales conditions of the sales conditions record 81 . The transaction status defaults to information indicating "transaction uncompleted". When the transaction is concluded, the transaction status is updated to information indicating "transaction completed".

Producers who wish to sell their products, so-called sellers, need to provide information on sales conditions for their products such as seller ID, item, product type, item image, sales period, suggested selling price Pb, size conditions, quality conditions, Set the number of items in stock Nb and the like. A method of setting for the transaction support server 10 using the seller terminal 20 is conceivable. It is also possible for the seller to set the information on the sales conditions of the product by filling in the necessary items on a predetermined form and submitting it to the business entity operating the transaction support server 10 . In this case, the person in charge of the operating company operates a personal computer, for example, and inputs the items entered in the form to the transaction support server 10 .

The transaction support server 10 that receives the setting of the sales conditions creates a sales conditions record 81 based on the setting contents and adds it to the sales conditions database 80 . In the sales condition database 80, sales condition records 81 are accumulated, for example, in ascending order of product number. Then, the sales condition record 81 whose sales period has passed is appropriately deleted. At this time, the sales product numbers of the sales condition records 81 remaining in the sales condition database 80 may be reassigned so as to be a series of numbers.

[Description of the structure of the transaction support server]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configuration of the transaction support server 10. As shown in FIG. The transaction support server 10 has a processor 11 , a main memory 12 , an auxiliary storage device 13 , a clock section 14 and a communication interface 15 . Transaction support server 10 connects processor 11 , main memory 12 , auxiliary storage device 13 , clock section 14 and communication interface 15 via system bus 16 . System bus 16 includes an address bus, a data bus, and the like. Transaction support server 10 constitutes a computer by connecting processor 11 , main memory 12 , auxiliary storage device 13 , clock unit 14 and communication interface 15 via system bus 16 .

The processor 11 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to implement various functions of the transaction support server 10 according to an operating system or application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores, in a volatile memory area, data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each unit. Also, the main memory 12 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device 13, for example, known storage devices such as EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) are used singly or in combination. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used when the processor 11 performs various types of processing, data generated by processing in the processor 11, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store application programs.

The main memory 12 and auxiliary storage device 13 are storage devices built into the transaction support server 10 . The auxiliary storage device 13 may be a storage device externally attached to the transaction support server 10 .

The application programs stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 include control programs, which will be described later. The method of installing the control program in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 is not particularly limited. The control program can be recorded on a removable recording medium or distributed via network communication and installed in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 . The recording medium may be of any form, such as a CD-ROM, memory card, etc., as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device.

The clock unit 14 functions as a time information source for the transaction support server 10 . The processor 11 acquires the current date and time based on the time information kept by the clock unit 14 .

Communication interface 15 connects network 40 . The transaction support server 10 performs data communication with the seller terminal 20 or the purchaser terminal 30 connected to the network 40 via the communication interface 15 .

In the transaction support server 10 having such a configuration, the processor 11 includes sales condition acquisition means 1101, purchase condition acquisition means 1102, determination means 1103, seller notification means 1104, purchaser notification means 1105, purchase condition confirmation means 1106, purchase list notification. It has functions as means 1107 , sales condition confirmation means 1108 , sales list notification means 1109 and processing means 1110 . Sales condition acquisition means 1101, purchase condition acquisition means 1102, determination means 1103, seller notification means 1104, purchaser notification means 1105, purchase condition confirmation means 1106, purchase list notification means 1107, sales condition confirmation means 1108, sales list notification means 1109 and processing means 1110 are functions realized by the control program described above.

The sales condition acquisition means 1101 has a function of acquiring information on the sales conditions of the product set by the seller, that is, the sales conditions record 81 of the product from the sales conditions database 80 .

The purchase condition acquisition means 1102 is a function for acquiring information on the purchase condition of the product set by the purchaser, that is, the purchase condition record 71 of the product from the purchase condition database 70 .

The determination means 1103 has a function of comparing the information on the sales conditions acquired by the sales conditions acquisition means 1101 and the information on the purchase conditions acquired by the purchase conditions acquisition means 1102, and determining the matching sales conditions and purchase conditions. be.

The seller notification means 1104 is a function of notifying the seller terminal 20 used by the seller who has set the sales conditions determined by the determination means 1103 to match the purchase conditions that the product is available for sale.

The purchaser notification means 1105 is a function of notifying the purchaser terminal 30 used by the purchaser who has set the purchase conditions determined by the determination means 1103 that match the sales conditions that the purchase is possible.

Purchasing condition confirmation means 1106 confirms the presence or absence of purchase conditions decided by the deciding means 1103 to match the sales conditions set by the seller using the seller terminal 20 in response to an inquiry from the seller terminal 20. is.

The purchase list notification means 1107 has a function of notifying the seller terminal 20 of a list related to the purchase conditions when the purchase condition confirmation means 1106 confirms that there are purchase conditions.

In response to an inquiry from the purchaser terminal 30, the sales conditions confirmation means 1108 confirms whether there is a sales condition determined by the determination means 1103 to match the purchase conditions set by the purchaser using the purchaser terminal 30. is.

The sales list notifying means 1109 has a function of notifying the purchaser terminal 30 of a list related to the sales conditions when the sales condition confirmation means 1108 confirms that there are sales conditions.

The processing means 1110 performs processing related to the establishment of a transaction when a purchase request is input from the purchaser terminal 30 used by the purchaser who has set the purchase conditions and the sale permission has been input at the seller terminal 20 notified of the list. It is a function that executes In addition, the processing means 1110, when the purchase request is input at the purchaser terminal 30 to which the list is notified and the purchase permission is input from the seller terminal 20 used by the seller who sets the sales conditions, the transaction is completed. It is a function that executes processing. Further, the processing means 1110 determines that the purchase request is not input from the purchaser terminal 30 used by the purchaser who has set the purchase conditions for which the sale permission is input at the seller terminal 20 notified of the list, and the transaction is not completed. Execute the process. In addition, if the purchaser terminal 30 notified of the list does not input the sale permission from the seller terminal 20 used by the seller who sets the sales conditions in which the purchase request is input, the processing relating to the failure of the transaction is executed. .

The transaction support server 10 uses part of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 13 as the area of the match table 131 so that the processor 11 can implement the functions described above.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the match table 131. As shown in FIG. As shown, the match table 131 comprises nine columns Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd, Ce, Cf, Cg, Ch and Ci from the first column Ca to the ninth column Ci. The first column Ca is a column of purchased product numbers. The second column Cb is a column of product numbers. The third column Cc is a column of price condition flags Fa. A fourth column Cd is a column of product type condition flags Fb. The fifth column Ce is a column of size condition flags Fc. A sixth column Cf is a column of quality condition flags Fd. The seventh column Cg is a column of purchaser IDs. The eighth column Ch is a seller ID column. The ninth column Ci is a row of cancellation flags Fe. Price condition flag Fa, product type condition flag Fb, size condition flag Fc, quality condition flag Fd, and cancellation flag Fe will be clarified in the explanation of the operation described later.

[Explanation of the operation of the transaction support server]
8 to 13 are flow charts showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor 11 of the transaction support server 10 according to the control program. Main operations of the transaction support server 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the information processing procedure shown by the flowchart is not limited to this. Any suitable change can be made as long as the same action and effect can be obtained.

When the time clocked by the clock unit 14 reaches the set time, the processor 11 starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. Note that the set time is not limited to one type. A plurality of times may be determined as the set time. For example, the set time may be determined at regular time intervals in a limited time zone, such as every three hours from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

As ACT1, the processor 11 acquires the purchase condition records 71 from the purchase condition database 70 in the order of the purchased product number. Processor 11 then checks the transaction status of purchase condition record 71 as ACT2. If the transaction status indicates "transaction completed", the processor 11 determines NO in ACT2 and proceeds to ACT18.

As ACT 18, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the purchase condition record 71 of the next purchase item number exists in the purchase condition database 70. FIG. If there is a purchase condition record 71 for the next purchase item number, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT18 and returns to ACT1. That is, the processor 11 obtains the purchase condition record 71 for the next purchase item number and checks the transaction status. Then, when the transaction status indicates "completed transaction", the processor 11 confirms whether or not the purchase condition record 71 of the next purchased item number exists in the purchase condition database 70. FIG.

In this manner, the processor 11 repeats the process of acquiring the purchase condition records 71 from the purchase condition database 70 in the order of the purchased product numbers until the purchase condition records 71 whose transaction status indicates "transaction unsuccessful" are acquired.

When the processor 11 acquires the purchase condition record 71 indicating that the transaction status indicates "transaction unsuccessful", the processor 11 determines YES in ACT2, and proceeds to ACT3. The processor 11 stores the item of the purchase condition record 71 in the work area of the main memory 12 as ACT3. In the following, the purchase condition record 71 whose transaction status indicates “transaction unsuccessful” is referred to as a target purchase condition record 711 .

Next, the processor 11 acquires the sales condition record 81 from the sales condition database 80 in the order of the sales product number as ACT4. As ACT5, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the item in the sales condition record 81 matches the item in the work area, that is, the item in the target purchase condition record 711 .

If the items do not match, processor 11 determines NO in ACT5 and proceeds to ACT6. As ACT6, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the sales condition record 81 for the next product number exists in the sales conditions database 80 . If the sales condition record 81 for the next sales item number exists, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT6 and returns to ACT4. That is, the processor 11 acquires the sales condition record 81 of the next sales item number and checks whether the target purchase condition record 711 matches the item. If the items do not match, the processor 11 checks whether the terms of sale record 81 for the next sales item number exists in the terms of sale database 80 .

When the processor 11 acquires the sales condition record 81 whose item matches the target purchase condition record 711, it determines YES in ACT5 and proceeds to ACT7. Processor 11 examines the transaction status of sales terms record 81 as ACT7. If the transaction status indicates "transaction completed", the processor 11 determines NO in ACT7 and proceeds to ACT6 described above.

In this way, the processor 11 sequentially sells items from the sales condition database 80 in the order of sales item numbers until it acquires the sales condition record 81 whose item matches the target purchase condition record 711 and whose transaction status indicates "completed transaction". The process of acquiring the condition record 81 is repeated.

When the processor 11 acquires the sales condition record 81 whose item matches the target purchase condition record 711 and whose transaction status indicates "transaction completed", the processor 11 determines YES in ACT7, and proceeds to ACT8. The processor 11 executes the first condition matching process as ACT8. Hereinafter, the sales condition record 81 that matches the item with the target purchase condition record 711 and whose transaction status indicates “transaction completed” is referred to as the target sales condition record 811 . The first condition matching process is a process of comparing the purchase conditions of the target purchase condition record 711 and the sales conditions of the target sale condition record 811 and determining whether or not the purchase conditions match the sales conditions.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a specific procedure of the first condition matching process. When entering the first condition matching process, the processor 11 first resets the match flag Fx to "0" as ACT21. The match flag Fx is 1-bit data for identifying whether or not the purchase conditions and sales conditions match. In this embodiment, the match flag Fx is "1" when the purchase conditions and the sales conditions match, and "0" when they do not match. The match flag Fx is provided in the volatile memory area of the main memory 12 .

After completing the processing of ACT21, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the period condition is satisfied in ACT22. When the purchase period of the target purchase condition record 711 and the sales period of the target sale condition record 811 overlap, the period condition is satisfied. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT22 and proceeds to ACT23.

The processor 11 confirms in ACT23 whether or not the regional condition is established. The processor 11 acquires the purchaser record 51 in which the purchaser ID of the target purchase condition record 711 is set from the purchaser database 50 . The processor 11 also acquires from the seller database 60 the seller record 61 in which the seller ID of the target sales condition record 811 is set. Processor 11 then confirms whether or not the residential area of purchaser record 51 is included in the delivery area of seller record 61 . If the residential area is included in the delivery area, the regional condition is satisfied. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT23 and proceeds to ACT24.

The processor 11 confirms whether or not the quantity condition is satisfied in ACT24. When the desired purchase quantity Na of the target purchase condition record 711 is equal to or less than the inventory quantity Nb of the target sales condition record 811, the quantity condition is satisfied. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT24 and proceeds to ACT25.

The processor 11 confirms in ACT25 whether or not the settlement conditions are satisfied. If the desired payment method of the purchaser record 51 set with the purchaser ID of the target purchase condition record 711 is included in the available payment methods of the seller record 61 set with the seller ID of the target sale condition record 811, the payment is made. Condition is met. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT25 and proceeds to ACT26.

As ACT26, the processor 11 resets the price condition flag Fa, the product type condition flag Fb, the size condition flag Fc, and the quality condition flag Fd to "0". The price condition flag Fa is 1-bit data that is set to "1" when a price condition, which will be described later, is satisfied. The product type condition flag Fb is 1-bit data that is set to "1" when the product type condition described later is satisfied. The size condition flag Fc is 1-bit data that is set to "1" when a size condition, which will be described later, is satisfied. The quality condition flag Fd is 1-bit data that is set to "1" when a quality condition, which will be described later, is satisfied. The price condition flag Fa, product type condition flag Fb, size condition flag Fc and quality condition flag Fd are all provided in the volatile memory area of the main memory 12 .

After finishing the processing of ACT26, the processor 11 executes the second condition matching processing as ACT27. In the second condition matching process, among the purchase conditions of the target purchase condition record 711 and the sales conditions of the target sales condition record 811, the purchase conditions and sales conditions that were not matched in the first condition match process are further matched, This is the process of determining whether or not the purchase conditions and sales conditions match.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a specific procedure of the second condition matching process. When the processor 11 enters the second condition matching process, first, in ACT 41, it confirms whether or not the price condition is satisfied. When the desired purchase price Pa of the target purchase condition record 711 is equal to or higher than the desired sales price Pb of the target sale condition record 811, the price condition is established. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT41 and proceeds to ACT42. The processor 11 sets the price condition flag Fa to "1" as ACT42. Processor 11 then proceeds to ACT 43 . On the other hand, if the price condition is not satisfied, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT41 and proceeds to ACT43. That is, the price condition flag Fa remains reset to "0".

The processor 11 confirms in ACT 43 whether or not the product type condition is satisfied. When the product type of the target purchase condition record 711 matches the product type of the target sales condition record 811, the product type condition is established. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT43 and proceeds to ACT44. The processor 11 sets the product type condition flag Fb to "1" as ACT44. Processor 11 then proceeds to ACT 45 . On the other hand, if the product type condition is not satisfied, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT43 and proceeds to ACT45. That is, the product type condition flag Fb remains reset to "0".

The processor 11 confirms whether or not the size condition is satisfied in ACT45. When the size condition of the target purchase condition record 711 satisfies the size condition of the target sales condition record 811, the size condition is established. Specifically, if the size condition of the target purchase condition record 711 is a uniform size of “Large”, “Medium” or “Small”, if the size condition of the target sale condition record 811 is also the same size, the size condition satisfy. However, if the size condition of the target sales condition record 811 is irregular or includes non-standard size items, the size condition is not satisfied. On the other hand, if the size conditions of the target purchase condition record 711 may be irregular, the size condition of the target sales condition record 811 satisfies the size condition except for the case where an item with a non-standard size is included. Also, if the size condition of the target purchase condition record 711 indicates that non-standard size products may be included, all size conditions are satisfied regardless of the size condition of the target sale condition record 811. .

If the size condition is satisfied, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT45 and proceeds to ACT46. The processor 11 sets the size condition flag Fc to "1" as ACT46. Processor 11 then proceeds to ACT 47 . On the other hand, if the size condition is not satisfied, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT45 and proceeds to ACT47. That is, the size condition flag Fc remains reset to "0".

The processor 11 confirms in ACT 47 whether or not the quality condition is satisfied. When the quality condition of the target purchase condition record 711 satisfies the quality condition of the target sales condition record 811, the quality condition is satisfied. Specifically, if the quality conditions of the target purchase condition record 711 are "no scratches on the surface", "the shape is in order", and "the color is uniform", the quality conditions of the target sale condition record 811 are also , "There are no scratches on the surface," "The shape is regular," and "The color is uniform." If at least one of the quality conditions of the target sale condition record 811 is ``there is a scratch on the surface'', ``the shape is not uniform'', and ``the color is not consistent'', the quality condition is not satisfied. On the other hand, if the quality condition of the target purchase condition record 711 is "the surface may be scratched", even if the quality condition of the target sales condition record 811 includes "the surface is scratched", other quality The quality condition is satisfied when the condition is "the shape is in order" and "the color is uniform". Quality conditions are not satisfied when "the shape is not uniform" or "the color is not uniform". The same is true for quality shapes and shades.

If the quality condition is satisfied, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT47 and proceeds to ACT48. The processor 11 sets the quality condition flag Fd to "1" as ACT48. After that, the processor 11 exits the second condition matching process. On the other hand, if the quality condition is not satisfied, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 47 and exits the second condition matching process. That is, the quality condition flag Fc remains reset to "0".

Returning to the description of FIG.
After exiting the second condition matching process, the processor 11 examines the price condition flag Fa, the product type condition flag Fb, the size condition flag Fc and the quality condition flag Fd as ACT 28, and the condition flag Fn (Fa . . Fd) count the number k. The processor 11 confirms whether or not the number k is equal to or greater than the set value S as ACT29.

The set value S is any natural number from "1" to "4". The set value S becomes "4" when it is not determined that the purchase condition and the sales condition match unless all of the price condition, product type condition, size condition and quality condition collated in the second condition collating process are satisfied. When it is determined that the purchase condition and the sales condition match if any three conditions are satisfied, the set value S becomes "3". When it is determined that the purchase condition and the sales condition match if any two conditions are satisfied, the set value S becomes "2". When it is determined that the purchase condition and the sale condition match if any one of the conditions is satisfied, the set value S becomes "1".

If the number k is not equal to or greater than the set value S, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 29 and exits the first condition matching process. If the number k is greater than or equal to the set value S, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT29 and proceeds to ACT30. The processor 11 sets the match flag Fx to "1" as ACT 30, and exits the first condition matching process.

If the period condition is not satisfied in ACT22, if the regional condition is not satisfied in ACT23, if the quantity condition is not satisfied in ACT24, or if the follow-up payment condition is not satisfied in ACT25, the processor 11 will answer NO. Then, the first condition matching process is exited without executing the process after ACT26.

In this way, when the period condition, area condition, quantity condition, and settlement condition are all satisfied, and the price condition, product type condition, size condition, and quality condition are satisfied by the set value S or more, the processor 11 The flag Fx is set to "1" and the first condition matching process is exited. Otherwise, the processor 11 leaves the first condition matching process without setting the match flag Fx to "1". Here, term conditions, area conditions, quantity conditions, and settlement conditions are essential items when collating multiple items of information on sales conditions and multiple items of information on purchase conditions for each item.

Returning to the description of FIG.
After exiting the first condition matching process, the processor 11 checks the match flag Fx as ACT9. If the match flag Fx is reset to "0", the processor 11 determines NO in ACT9 and proceeds to ACT6 described above.

If the match flag Fx is set to "1", the processor 11 determines YES in ACT9 and proceeds to ACT10. The processor 11 writes the purchase item number of the target purchase condition record 711 and the sale item number of the target sale condition record 811 in the column Ca and the column Cb of the match table 131 as ACT10. The purchased item number and the sold item number are described on the same line in column Ca and column Cb. The processor 11 also writes the values of the price condition flag Fa, the product type condition flag Fb, the size condition flag Fc and the quality condition flag Fd in columns Cc, Cd, Ce and Cf of the match table 131 as ACT11. The values of the respective flags Fa to Fd are described on the same line as the purchased item number and the sold item number described in column Ca and column Cb. After completing the processing of ACT10 and ACT11, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT6 described above.

In this way, the processor 11 executes the first condition matching process, and after selectively executing the processes of ACT10 and ACT11 according to the match flag Fx determined by the first condition matching process, proceeds to ACT6. . If the sales conditions database 80 contains the sales conditions record 81 for the next sales product number, the processor 11 returns from ACT6 to ACT4, and executes the processes after ACT4 in the same manner as described above.

Therefore, the target purchase condition record 711 and the target sales condition record 811 satisfy all of the period condition, area condition, quantity condition and settlement condition, and satisfy the price condition, product type condition, size condition and quality condition equal to or greater than the set value S. is obtained from the sales condition database 80, the purchased product number of the target purchase condition record 711 and the sales product number of the target sales condition record 811 are described in the same row of the matching table 131. FIG. Values of a price condition flag Fa, a product condition flag Fb, a size condition flag Fc, and a quality condition flag Fd, which indicate whether the price condition, product type condition, size condition, and quality condition match or do not match, are also described on the same line.

After completing the processing of ACT4 to ACT11 for the number of sales condition records 81 registered in the sales condition database 80, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT6 and proceeds to ACT12. As ACT12, the processor 11 confirms whether or not there is a sales condition record 81 in which a sales condition satisfying the purchase condition of the target purchase condition record 711 is set. If the purchase item number of the target purchase condition record 711 is not described in the column Ca of the match table 131, there is no sales condition record 81 in which the sales condition that satisfies the purchase condition is set. The processor 11 determines NO in ACT12 and proceeds to ACT18.

On the other hand, if the column Ca of the matching table 131 describes the purchase item number of the target purchase condition record 711, there exists a sales condition record 81 in which the sales condition that satisfies the purchase condition is set. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT12 and proceeds to ACT13.

The processor 11 acquires the purchaser record 51 in which the purchaser ID of the target purchase condition record 711 is set as ACT 13 from the purchaser database 50 and acquires the purchaser terminal address from the purchaser record 51 . Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying that the purchase is possible to the purchaser terminal 30, that is, a so-called purchase availability notification signal, to the purchaser terminal address as a destination as ACT14.

Also, the processor 11 acquires the sales product number described in the same row as the purchase product number of the target purchase condition record 711 in the column Cb of the matching table 131 as ACT15. The processor 11 obtains from the seller database 60 the seller record 61 in which the seller ID of the sales condition record 81 including the sales product number is set as ACT 16, and obtains the seller terminal address from the seller record 61. . Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying the seller terminal 20 that the product can be sold, that is, a so-called sales availability notification signal, to the seller terminal address as a destination as ACT 17 .

By the way, in the purchaser terminal 30 that has received the purchase availability notification signal, for example, a message "The product for which the purchase conditions are set is now available for purchase" is displayed on the display device 32 . Therefore, the consumer who is the user of the purchaser terminal 30 can know that the product can be purchased under the purchase conditions set by the consumer. Similarly, at the seller terminal 20 that has received the sale-possible notification signal, for example, the display device 22 displays a message such as "The product for which the sales conditions have been set is now available for sale." Therefore, the seller, who is the user of the seller terminal 20, can know that the product can be sold under the sales conditions set by him/herself.

After completing the processing of ACT13 to ACT17, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT18. Then, the processor 11 returns from ACT18 to ACT1 if there is a purchase condition record 71 for the next purchase item number. The processor 11 executes the processing after ACT1 in the same manner as described above.

Thus, when the processing of ACT1 to ACT17 is completed for the number of purchase condition records 71 registered in the purchase condition database 70, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT18, and terminates the information processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. do.

As is clear from the above description, transaction support server 10 functions as purchase condition acquisition means 1102 by processor 11 executing the process of ACT1. The transaction support server 10 functions as the sales condition acquisition means 1101 by the processor 11 executing the process of ACT4. The transaction support server 10 functions as the decision means 1103 by the processor 11 executing the process of ACT8 (ACT21 to ACT30, ACT41 to ACT48). The transaction support server 10 functions as the purchaser notification means 1105 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT13 and ACT14. The transaction support server 10 functions as the seller notification means 1104 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT15 to ACT17.

The transaction support server 10, which has the functions of purchase condition acquisition means 1102, sales condition acquisition means 1101, and determination means 1103, selects the purchaser's It is possible to automatically search for sellers who have set sales conditions that satisfy purchase conditions. More specifically, the transaction support server 10 satisfies all of the purchaser's conditions regarding the period, area, quantity, and settlement conditions, and also satisfies the four conditions of the price condition, the product type condition, the size condition, and the quality condition. can search for sellers satisfying the set value S (1≤S≤4).

Moreover, the transaction support server 10 can notify the purchaser that a product that satisfies the purchase conditions is being sold by mail order by functioning as the purchaser notification means 1105 . Therefore, the purchaser can reach the mail-order product that satisfies the purchase conditions without browsing the Web page of the EC site and searching.

In addition, the transaction support server 10 functions as a seller notifying means 1104, and there is a purchaser who wishes to purchase the product under a purchase condition that satisfies the sales condition for the seller who sells products by mail order. can be notified. Therefore, the seller can carry out mail-order sales with peace of mind because the buyer who wishes to purchase the product satisfies the sales conditions.

Now, the purchaser, who has learned from the notification delivered from the transaction support server 10 to the purchaser terminal 30 that the product satisfying the purchase conditions is being sold by mail order, confirms the kind, size, quality, etc. of the product. Therefore, the purchaser operates the input device 31 of the purchaser terminal 30 to send an inquiry command to the transaction support server 10 .

Similarly, the seller who knows that there is a purchaser who wishes to purchase the product from the notification delivered from the transaction support server 10 to the seller terminal 20 confirms the purchaser's desired purchase quantity, residential area, and the like. Therefore, the seller operates the input device 21 of the seller terminal 20 to send an inquiry command to the transaction support server 10 .

When the processor 11 of the transaction support server 10 receives a command from the purchaser terminal 30 or the seller terminal 20 via the communication interface 15, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processor 11 confirms in ACT 51 whether or not the command is an inquiry command. If the command is not an inquiry command, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT51 and executes other processing according to the command.

If the inquiry command is received from the purchaser terminal 30 or the seller terminal 20, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT51 and proceeds to ACT52. The processor 11 confirms in ACT 52 whether the sender of the inquiry command is the purchaser terminal 30 or the seller terminal 20 . When the sender of the inquiry command is the purchaser terminal 30, the inquiry command includes the purchaser ID. When the sender of the inquiry command is the seller terminal 20, the inquiry command includes the seller ID. The processor 11 identifies the sender of the inquiry command by the ID included in the inquiry command.

If the sender of the inquiry command is the purchaser terminal 30, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT52 and proceeds to ACT53. The processor 11 accesses the purchase condition database 70 as ACT 53, and acquires the purchase item number from the purchase condition record 71 in which the purchaser ID included in the inquiry command is set and the transaction status is "transaction uncompleted." Note that it is possible for one purchaser to set purchase conditions for a plurality of products. Therefore, the purchase condition database 70 may have a plurality of purchase condition records 71 with the same purchaser ID set and the transaction status of "unconfirmed". In that case, the processor 11 obtains the purchase item number from each purchase condition record 71 . Hereinafter, the purchase item number obtained from the purchase condition record 71 is referred to as the target purchase item number.

The processor 11 confirms whether or not the target purchase product number is described in the column Ca of the matching table 131 as ACT54. When a plurality of target purchase product numbers are obtained in ACT 53 , the processor 11 confirms whether or not each target purchase product number is described in column Ca of match table 131 . If the target purchase product number is not described in column Ca of match table 131, there is no product that can be purchased under the purchase conditions set by the purchaser who is the user of purchaser terminal 30. FIG. The processor 11 determines NO in ACT54 and proceeds to ACT63. The processing of ACT63 will be described later.

If the target purchase product number is described in column Ca of match table 131, there is a product that can be purchased under the purchase conditions set by the purchaser who is the user of purchaser terminal 30. FIG. Incidentally, when there are multiple sellers who sell products that can be purchased under the purchase conditions, multiple identical target purchase product numbers are described in the column Ca of the matching table 131 . If the target purchase item number is described in column Ca, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT54 and proceeds to ACT55. As ACT 55, the processor 11 checks the cancellation flag Fe described in the column Ci on the same line as the target purchase product number in the match table 131. FIG. In ACT 54, when a plurality of target purchase product numbers are described in column Ca of match table 131, cancel flag Fe described in column Ci on the same line as each target purchase product number is checked.

The cancel flag Fe is 1-bit data for identifying whether or not to cancel the data in the same row, and is "0" if not canceled, and "1" if canceled. If all of the cancellation flags Fe to be checked are "1", the processor 11 determines NO in ACT55 and proceeds to ACT63.

If at least one cancel flag Fe is "0", the processor 11 determines YES in ACT55 and proceeds to ACT56. As ACT 56, the processor 11 acquires from the match table 131 the sales product number described in the column Cb of the same row as the target purchased product number with the cancellation flag Fe of "0". If there are a plurality of target purchase item numbers with the cancellation flag Fe of "0", the sales item number described in column Cb on the same line as each target purchase item number is obtained. Hereinafter, the sales product number obtained from the match table 131, that is, the sales product number corresponding to the target purchased product number will be referred to as the corresponding sales product number.

After obtaining the corresponding sales product number, the processor 11 executes purchaser processing as ACT 57 based on the purchased product number corresponding to the corresponding sales product number. In ACT 56, when a plurality of corresponding sales product numbers are acquired, the processor 11 confirms the purchased product number corresponding to the corresponding sales product number. If there is only one purchase item number, the processor 11 executes purchaser processing based on the purchase item number. If there are multiple types of purchased item numbers, the processor 11 executes purchaser processing for each type of purchased item number. Purchaser processing will be described later.

On the other hand, if the sender of the inquiry command is the seller terminal 20, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT52 and proceeds to ACT58. The processor 11 accesses the sales condition database 80 as ACT 58, and acquires the sales product number from the sales condition record 81 in which the seller ID included in the inquiry command is set and the transaction status is "unconfirmed". It should be noted that it is possible for one seller to set sales conditions for a plurality of products. For this reason, there may be a case where the sales condition database 80 has a plurality of sales condition records 81 with the same seller ID set and the transaction status of "transaction uncompleted". In that case, the processor 11 acquires the sales product number from each sales condition record 81 respectively. Hereinafter, the sales product number obtained from the sales condition record 81 is referred to as the target sales product number.

The processor 11 confirms whether or not the target product number is described in the column Cb of the matching table 131 as ACT59. When a plurality of target product numbers are obtained in ACT 58 , the processor 11 confirms whether or not each target product number is described in the column Cb of the matching table 131 . If the target sales product number is not described in column Cb of the match table 131, there is no purchaser who satisfies the sales conditions set by the seller who is the user of the seller terminal 20. FIG. The processor 11 determines NO in ACT59 and proceeds to ACT63.

If the target sale item number is described in column Cb of the match table 131, there is a purchaser who satisfies the sale conditions set by the seller who is the user of the seller terminal 20. FIG. By the way, if there are multiple purchasers who satisfy the sales conditions, the same target product number is described in column Cb of the match table 131 . If the target product number is described in column Cb, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT59 and proceeds to ACT60. As ACT 60 , processor 11 checks cancellation flag Fe described in column Ci on the same line as the target product number in match table 131 . In ACT 59, when a plurality of target sales product numbers are described in column Cb of the match table 131, the cancellation flag Fe described in column Ci on the same line as each target purchase product number is checked. If all of the cancellation flags Fe to be checked are "1", the processor 11 determines NO in ACT60 and proceeds to ACT63.

If at least one cancel flag Fe is "0", the processor 11 determines YES in ACT60 and proceeds to ACT61. As ACT 61, the processor 11 acquires from the match table 131 the purchased product number described in the column Ca of the same row as the target sales product number with the cancellation flag Fe of "0". If there are a plurality of target sales product numbers with the cancellation flag Fe of "0", the purchase product number described in column Cb on the same line as each target sales product number is obtained. Hereinafter, the purchased product number acquired from the match table 131, that is, the purchased product number corresponding to the target sales product number will be referred to as the corresponding purchased product number.

After obtaining the corresponding purchase item number, the processor 11 performs seller processing as ACT 62 based on the sales item number corresponding to the corresponding purchase item number. In ACT 61, when a plurality of corresponding purchase item numbers are acquired, the processor 11 confirms the sales item number corresponding to the corresponding purchase item number. If there is only one product number, the processor 11 executes seller processing based on the product number. If there are multiple types of product numbers, the processor 11 executes seller processing for each type of product number. Seller processing will be described later.

Here, the processing of ACT63 will be described.
In the case where the sender of the inquiry command is the purchaser terminal 30, if the process proceeds to ACT 63, that is, if NO is determined in ACT 54 or ACT 55, the processor 11 sends the inquiry command to the purchaser who is the sender of the inquiry command. A response signal is output to the terminal 30 to respond that there is no match. The response signal is transmitted from communication interface 15 to purchaser terminal 30 via network 40 . At the purchaser terminal 30 that has received the response signal, for example, a message is displayed on the display device 32 notifying that the product that satisfies the purchase conditions is not being sold by mail order.

On the other hand, if the sender of the inquiry command is the seller terminal 20 and the process proceeds to ACT 63, that is, if NO is determined in ACT 59 or ACT 60, the processor 11 is the sender of the inquiry command. A response signal is output to the seller terminal 20 to respond that there is no match. The response signal is transmitted from communication interface 15 to seller terminal 20 via network 40 . At the seller terminal 20 that has received the response signal, for example, a message is displayed on the display device 22 notifying that there is no consumer who wishes to purchase the product under the purchase conditions that satisfy the sales conditions.
After finishing the processing of ACT 63, the processor 11 ends the information processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG.

Next, the procedure of purchaser processing will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of purchaser processing. Upon entering purchaser processing, processor 11 creates a sales list as ACT71. Then, the processor 11 outputs the data of the sales list as ACT72 to the purchaser terminal 30 that sent the inquiry command. As a result, the sales list data is transmitted from the communication interface 15 to the purchaser terminal 30 via the network 40 . Then, the sales list is displayed on the display device 32 .

The sales list displays information on products sold under the sales conditions of the corresponding sales product number acquired in the processing of ACT56. Specifically, the sales item number, item, product type, image, sales period, suggested sales price, size condition, quality condition, etc. of the sales conditions record 81 including the corresponding sales product number are displayed in the sales list. In addition, the name of the seller record 61 to which the seller ID of the sales condition record 81 is set, the possible settlement method, and the like are also displayed in the sales list. Further, in the sales list, if the price condition flag Fa described in the column Cc of the same row as the corresponding sales item number in the match table 131 is "0", the purchaser is notified that the price condition is not established. A notification message is displayed. If the product type condition flag Fb described in column Cd in the same row as the target sales product number of match table 131 is "0", a message is displayed to notify the purchaser that the product type condition is not satisfied. be. If the size condition flag Fc described in column Cd in the same row as the target sales product number in match table 131 is "0", a message is displayed to notify the purchaser that the size condition is not satisfied. be. If the quality condition flag Fd described in column Ce in the same row as the target sales product number in match table 131 is "0", a message notifying the purchaser that the quality condition is not satisfied is displayed in the sales list. to be displayed.

In ACT 56, when a plurality of corresponding sales product numbers are acquired for one target purchase product number, information on products sold under the sales conditions of each corresponding sales product number is stored in one sales list. Is displayed. On the other hand, if there are multiple types of target purchase item numbers corresponding to the corresponding sales item number, a sales list is displayed for each type of target purchase item number. That is, the sales list is associated with the target purchase product number.

After confirming the sales list, the purchaser decides which product he/she wishes to purchase based on the information on the sales list. For example, when the price condition, product type condition, size condition and quality condition are all satisfied, the product is determined as a purchase request. For example, if the price condition is higher than the purchase condition but is permissible, the product is determined as the desired purchase. The same applies to the product type condition, size condition, and quality condition.

The purchaser operates the input device 31 of the purchaser terminal 30 to select the product number of the product that the purchaser wishes to purchase. When the sales product number is selected, a response signal indicating that the product has been purchased is transmitted from the purchaser terminal 30 to the transaction support server 10 . This response signal includes the selected sale item number and the purchase item number associated with the sales list displaying the seller number. It should be noted that if there is no product that the purchaser wishes to purchase, the purchaser selects not to purchase. If no purchase is selected, a no-purchase response signal is transmitted from the purchaser terminal 30 to the transaction support server 10 .

As ACT73, the processor 11 waits for a response signal from the purchaser terminal 30, which is the output destination of the sales list. If there is a response signal, processor 11 determines YES in ACT73 and proceeds to ACT74. The processor 11 confirms whether the ACT 74 is a response signal with purchase or a response signal with no purchase. If the response signal indicates no purchase, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 74 and ends the purchaser processing.

If the response signal indicates that there is a purchase, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT74 and proceeds to ACT75. As ACT 75, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the seller ID is described in the column Ch of the match table 131 where the sales item number and the purchase item number included in the response signal are described on the same line.

If the seller ID is not described in column Ch, the seller who has set the sales conditions for the product number has not given permission to purchase. The processor 11 determines NO in ACT75 and proceeds to ACT76. The processor 11 writes the purchaser ID of the purchase condition record 71 including the purchase item number in the column Cg of the match table 131 where the sale item number and the purchase item number included in the response signal are described in the same row as ACT76. do. Processor 11 then terminates the purchaser processing. In this way, the column Cg describes the purchaser ID of the purchaser who wishes to purchase the product sold under the sales conditions of the product number.

When the seller ID is described in the column Ch, the purchase permission is input from the seller who has set the sales conditions for the product number. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT75 and proceeds to ACT77. The processor 11 sets the transaction status of the sales condition record 81 in which the sale item number included in the response signal as ACT 77 and the purchase condition record 71 in which the purchase item number also included in the response signal is set to "transaction Update to "Established". Hereinafter, the sales condition record 81 in which the sales item number included in the response signal is set is referred to as the established sales condition record 812 . Also, the purchase condition record 71 in which the purchase item number included in the response signal is set is referred to as the satisfied purchase condition record 712 .

The processor 11 acquires the purchaser terminal address from the purchaser record 51 in which the purchaser ID of the satisfied purchase condition record 712 is set as ACT78. Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying the completion of the transaction to the purchaser terminal 30 with the purchaser terminal address as the destination, a so-called transaction completion notification signal.

The processor 11 also acquires the seller terminal address from the seller record 61 in which the seller ID of the established sales condition record 812 is set as ACT79. Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying the completion of the transaction to the seller terminal 20 using the seller terminal address as a destination, a so-called transaction completion notification signal.

Further, the processor 11 updates the number of stock items in the satisfied sales condition record 812 to a value obtained by subtracting the desired purchase number in the satisfied purchase condition record 712 as ACT80.

By the way, in the purchaser terminal 30 that has received the transaction successful notification signal, for example, a message "the transaction of the product for which the purchase conditions have been set has been completed" is displayed on the display device 32. FIG. Therefore, the purchaser who is the user of the purchaser terminal 30 pays the price by a predetermined settlement method. The settlement method is one of the possible settlement methods of the seller record 61 in which the seller ID of the established sales condition record 812 is set. Similarly, when the seller terminal 20 receives the signal indicating that the transaction has been completed, the display device 22 displays a message such as "The transaction for the product for which the sales conditions have been set has been completed." Therefore, the seller, who is the user of the seller terminal 20, uses home delivery or the like to carry out product delivery procedures.

After completing the processing of ACT80, the processor 11 sets to "1" the cancellation flag Fe described in the column Ci on the same line as the purchased item number included in the response signal of the match table 131 as ACT81. Next, the processor 11 checks in ACT82 whether or not another seller ID other than the seller ID confirmed in ACT75 is described in the column Ch on the same line as the purchased product number included in the response signal of the matching table 131. do. If no other seller ID is described, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT82 and exits the purchaser processing.

If another seller ID is described, processor 11 determines YES in ACT82 and proceeds to ACT83. Processor 11 acquires seller record 61 in which another seller ID is set as ACT 83 from seller database 60 and acquires the seller terminal address from seller record 61 . Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying that the transaction is unsuccessful, that is, a so-called failure notification signal, to the seller terminal 20 with the seller terminal address as the destination. After that, the processor 11 leaves the purchaser processing.

By the way, in the seller terminal 20 that has received the failure notification signal, for example, the display device 22 displays a message "The transaction with the purchaser who was permitted to purchase has not been completed."

Next, a procedure for seller processing will be described.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a specific procedure of seller processing. Upon entering seller processing, processor 11 creates a purchase list as ACT 91 . The processor 11 then outputs the data of the purchase list as ACT 92 to the seller terminal 20 that sent the inquiry command. As a result, the purchase list data is transmitted from the communication interface 15 to the seller terminal 20 via the network 40 . Then, the purchase list is displayed on the display device 22 .

The purchase list displays the information of the purchaser who set the purchase conditions for the corresponding purchase product number acquired in the processing of ACT61. Specifically, the purchase item number of the purchase condition record 71 including the corresponding purchase item number, the desired purchase item number Na, and the name, residential area, and address of the purchaser record 51 in which the purchaser ID of the purchase condition record 71 is set. The desired payment method is displayed in the purchase list. Further, in the purchase list, if the price condition flag Fa described in the column Cc of the same row as the corresponding purchase item number in the match table 131 is "0", the seller is notified that the price condition is not established. A notification message is displayed. If the product type condition flag Fb described in column Cd in the same row as the target purchase product number in match table 131 is "0", a message is displayed to notify the seller that the product type condition is not satisfied. be. If the size condition flag Fc described in column Cd in the same row as the target purchase item number in match table 131 is "0", a message is displayed to notify the seller that the size condition is not satisfied. be. When the quality condition flag Fd described in the column Ce of the same row as the target purchase product number in the matching table 131 is "0", a message notifying the seller that the quality condition is not satisfied is displayed in the sales list. to be displayed.

In ACT 61, when a plurality of corresponding purchase item numbers are acquired for one target sales item number, the information of the purchaser who set the purchase conditions for each corresponding purchase item number is displayed in one purchase list. be done. On the other hand, if there are multiple types of target sales product numbers corresponding to the corresponding purchase product number, a purchase list is displayed for each type of target sales product number. That is, the purchase list is associated with the target product number.

After confirming the purchase list, the seller decides which purchaser is allowed to sell based on the information in the purchase list. For example, if the price condition, product type condition, size condition and quality condition are all satisfied, the purchaser is determined to be permitted to purchase. For example, if the price terms are lower than the sales terms but acceptable, the purchaser is determined to be the purchaser. The same applies to the product type condition, size condition, and quality condition.

The seller operates the input device 21 of the seller terminal 20 and selects the purchase item number of the purchaser whose purchase is permitted. When the purchase item number is selected, a response signal indicating that there is a sale is sent from the seller terminal 20 to the transaction support server 10 . This response signal includes the selected purchase item number and the sales item number associated with the purchase list displaying the purchase item number. If there is no purchaser who permits the sale, the seller selects not to sell. If no sale is selected, a no-sale response signal is sent from the seller terminal 20 to the transaction support server 10 .

As ACT 93, the processor 11 waits for a response signal from the seller terminal 20, which is the output destination of the purchase list. If there is a response signal, processor 11 determines YES in ACT 93 and proceeds to ACT 94 . The processor 11 confirms whether the ACT 94 is a response signal of sale or a response signal of no sale. If the response signal indicates no sale, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 94 and exits the seller processing.

If the response signal indicates that there is a sale, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT94 and proceeds to ACT95. As ACT 95, the processor 11 checks whether or not the purchaser ID is described in the column Cg of the match table 131 in which the purchased item number and the sold item number included in the response signal are described in the same row.

If the purchaser ID is not described in the column Cg, the purchaser who has set the purchase conditions for the purchased item number has not been notified that he or she wishes to purchase the item. The processor 11 determines NO in ACT95 and proceeds to ACT96. The processor 11 writes the seller ID of the sales condition record 81 including the sales product number in the column Ch of the matching table 131 where the purchase product number and the sales product number included in the response signal are described in the same row as ACT 96. do. Processor 11 then terminates the seller process. In this way, the column Ch describes the seller ID of the seller who permitted the purchase to the purchaser who wishes to purchase the product under the purchase condition of the purchase product number.

When the purchaser ID is described in the column Cg, the purchase request is input from the purchaser who set the purchase condition of the purchaser number. The processor 11 determines YES in ACT95 and proceeds to ACT97. The processor 11 sets the transaction status of the purchase condition record 71 in which the purchase item number included in the response signal as ACT 97 and the sale condition record 81 in which the sale item number also included in the response signal is set to "transaction Update to "Established". The purchase condition record 71 in which the purchase item number included in the response signal is set is hereinafter referred to as the satisfied purchase condition record 713 . Also, the sales condition record 81 in which the sales item number included in the response signal is set is referred to as the established sales condition record 813 .

The processor 11 acquires the seller terminal address from the seller record 61 in which the seller ID of the established sales condition record 813 is set as ACT98. Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying the completion of the transaction to the seller terminal 20 using the seller terminal address as a destination, a so-called transaction completion notification signal.

The processor 11 also acquires the purchaser terminal address from the purchaser record 51 in which the purchaser ID of the satisfied purchase condition record 712 is set as ACT99. Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying the completion of the transaction to the purchaser terminal 30 with the purchaser terminal address as the destination, a so-called transaction completion notification signal.

Further, the processor 11 updates the number of stock items in the satisfied sales condition record 813 to a value obtained by subtracting the desired purchase number in the satisfied purchase condition record 713 as ACT 100 .

The operations of the seller terminal 20 and the purchaser terminal 30 that have received the transaction completion notification signal, and the accompanying operations of the seller and the purchaser are as described above, so descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

After completing the processing of ACT100, the processor 11 sets the cancellation flag Fe described in the column Ci on the same line as the product number included in the response signal of the match table 131 as ACT101 to "1". Next, the processor 11 confirms whether or not another purchaser ID other than the purchaser ID confirmed in ACT95 is described in column Ch on the same line as the sales product number included in the response signal of match table 131 in ACT102. do. If no other purchaser ID is described, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT 102 and exits the purchaser processing.

If another purchaser ID is described, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT102 and proceeds to ACT103. The processor 11 obtains the purchaser record 51 in which another purchaser ID is set as the ACT 103 from the purchaser database 50 and obtains the purchaser terminal address from the purchaser record 51 . Then, the processor 11 transmits a signal for notifying the purchaser terminal 30 that the transaction has not been completed, a so-called failure notification signal, with the purchaser terminal address as the destination. After that, the processor 11 leaves the purchaser processing.

Incidentally, in the purchaser terminal 30 that has received the failure notification signal, for example, a message "The transaction with the seller who desired to purchase has not been completed" is displayed on the display device 32 .

As is clear from the above description, the transaction support server 10 functions as the sales condition confirmation means 1108 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT53 to ACT55. The transaction support server 10 functions as sales list notification means 1109 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT71 and ACT72. The transaction support server 10 functions as the purchase condition confirmation means 1106 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT58 to ACT60. The transaction support server 10 functions as the purchase list notification means 1107 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT91 and ACT92. The transaction support server 10 functions as a processing means 1110 by the processor 11 executing the processes of ACT74 to ACT83 and further the processes of ACT94 to ACT103.

The transaction support server 10, which has the functions of purchase condition confirmation means 1106, purchase list notification means 1107, sales condition confirmation means 1108, sales list notification means 1109, and processing means 1110, is used by a purchaser who has confirmed the sales conditions to make a purchase request. In this case, if the seller permits the purchaser to sell, the transaction between the purchaser and the seller can be automatically established. Similarly, when the seller who has confirmed the purchase conditions approves the purchase, if the purchaser wishes to purchase the product of the seller, the transaction support server 10 agrees with the seller to make the purchase. You can automatically conclude a transaction with a person. On the other hand, if the purchaser wishes to purchase but the seller does not permit the purchaser to sell, or if the seller permits purchase but the purchaser does not wish to purchase, the sale The transaction between the person and the purchaser can be automatically rejected.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, regarding mail-order transactions, the transaction support server can automatically search for products whose sales conditions of the producer, who is the seller, and the purchase conditions of the consumer, who is the purchaser, match. 10 can be provided.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the term condition, area condition, quantity condition, and settlement condition are the essential items when collating the information of multiple items regarding the sales conditions and the information of multiple items regarding the purchase conditions for each item. The types and number of mandatory items are not limited to this. For example, at least one of the price condition, product type condition, size condition, and quality condition collated in the second condition collation process may be added to the essential items. Alternatively, at least one of term conditions, area conditions, quantity conditions, and settlement conditions may be excluded from the required items. It goes without saying that the items to be collated are not limited to the items of the above conditions.

FIG. 8 illustrates an information processing procedure for searching for sales conditions that match the purchase conditions. In another embodiment, the procedure may be modified to search for purchase conditions that match the sales conditions. Specifically, the processor 11 acquires the sales condition record 81 in ACT1, and acquires the purchase condition record 71 in ACT4.

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Transaction support server 11... Processor 12... Main memory 13... Auxiliary storage device 14... Clock part 15... Communication interface 20... Seller terminal 20... Buyer terminal 40... Network 50... Buyer Database 60 Seller database 70 Purchase condition database 80 Sales condition database 100 Transaction support system 1101 Sales condition acquisition means 1102 Purchase condition acquisition means 1103 Decision means 1104 Seller notification Means 1105 Purchaser notification means 1106 Purchase condition confirmation means 1107 Purchase list notification means 1108 Sales condition confirmation means 1109 Sales list notification means 1110 Processing means.

Claims (5)

sales condition acquisition means for acquiring information on the sales conditions of the product set by the seller;
purchase condition acquisition means for acquiring information on the purchase conditions of the product set by the purchaser;
determining means for comparing the information on the sales conditions acquired by the sales conditions acquisition means and the information on the purchase conditions acquired by the purchase conditions acquisition means to determine matching sales conditions and purchase conditions;
a seller notifying means for notifying a seller terminal used by the seller who set the sales conditions determined by the determining means to match the purchase conditions that the sale is possible;
a purchaser notification means for notifying a purchaser terminal used by a purchaser who has set purchase conditions determined by the determination means to match the sales conditions that the purchase is possible;
A transaction support device comprising The determination means compares the information of the plurality of items regarding the sales conditions and the information of the plurality of items regarding the purchase conditions for each item, and among the plurality of items, the required items satisfy all the matching conditions, and the other items satisfy the conditions. 2. The transaction support device according to claim 1, which determines said sales conditions and said purchase conditions that satisfy at least partially matching conditions. purchase condition confirmation means for confirming, in response to an inquiry from the seller terminal, whether or not there is a purchase condition determined by the determination means to match the sales conditions set by the seller using the seller terminal;
purchase list notification means for notifying the seller terminal of a list related to the purchase condition when the purchase condition confirmation means confirms that the purchase condition exists;
sales condition confirmation means for confirming the presence or absence of sales conditions determined by the determination means to match the purchase conditions set by the purchaser using the purchaser terminal in response to an inquiry from the purchaser terminal;
sales list notification means for notifying the purchaser terminal of a list related to the sales conditions when the sales condition confirmation means confirms that the sales conditions exist;
When a purchase request is input from the purchaser terminal used by the purchaser who has set the purchase conditions in which sales permission is input at the seller terminal notified of the list, or when the purchase request is input from the purchaser terminal notified of the list a processing means for executing a process for establishing a transaction when a sale permission is input from a seller terminal used by a seller who has set sales conditions in which a purchase request is input at the purchaser terminal;
The transaction support device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The processing means determines whether a purchase request is not input from the purchaser terminal used by the purchaser who has set purchase conditions for which sales permission has been input at the seller terminal to which the list has been notified, or when the list is Claim 3, wherein if the purchaser's terminal used by the seller who has set the sales conditions in which the purchase request is entered on the notified purchaser's terminal does not enter the sale permission, the process for unsuccessful transaction is executed. transaction support device. A computer as a transaction support device,
sales conditions acquisition means for acquiring information on the sales conditions of the product set by the seller;
purchase condition acquisition means for acquiring information on the purchase conditions of the product set by the purchaser;
determining means for comparing the information on the sales conditions acquired by the sales conditions acquisition means and the information on the purchase conditions acquired by the purchase conditions acquisition means to determine matching sales conditions and purchase conditions;
a seller notification means for notifying the seller terminal used by the seller who set the sales conditions determined by the determination means to match the purchase conditions that the sale is possible; and
purchaser notification means for notifying the purchaser terminal used by the purchaser who set the purchase conditions determined to match the sales conditions by the determination means that the purchase is possible;
A control program for functioning as

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