Auction control device, auction control method, and auction control program

Abstract

To efficiently hold an auction.SOLUTION: An auction control device 10 puts a larger weight than the price of an exhibited vehicle not knocked down in the past auction on the price of an exhibited vehicle knocked down in the past auction to combine the prices of the exhibited vehicle into total, thereby calculating the lowest price at which the exhibited vehicle can be knocked down.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an auction control device, an auction control method, and an auction control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Used cars are sometimes traded through bidding or auctions. In a used car auction, the price of the vehicle increases with each bid, and when there are no more bids, the vehicle is sold at the price of the last bid.

[0003] As a technology related to used car auctions, for example, a used car price assessment system that uniquely assesses the price of a used car in real time has been proposed. Also, for example, a product price range detection method has been proposed that allows users to know the latest and most appropriate prices of used cars and used parts at any time while reducing wasteful spending. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-79314 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-115006 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a used car auction, if there is a bid on the vehicle, the price goes up. If there is a bid above the adjusted price set by the seller and there is no bid at the increased price, the vehicle is sold. If the seller inputs the adjusted price, the auction cannot be executed automatically, which is inefficient.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention aims to efficiently conduct auctions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one proposal, an auction control device is provided that has a processing unit. The processing unit calculates the lowest price at which the auctioned vehicle can be sold by aggregating the prices of the auctioned vehicles while weighting the prices of the auctioned vehicles that have been sold in past auctions more heavily than the prices of the auctioned vehicles that have not been sold in past auctions. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect, the auction can be carried out efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an auction control device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an auction system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an auction control server. [Figure 4] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of an auction control server and a DB server. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of listing information. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of weight information. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of registration of commodity information. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of calculation of an adjusted price. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for an auction control process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for an adjusted price calculation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment can be implemented in combination with a plurality of other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. First Embodiment First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an auction control device according to a first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an auction control device 10 automatically calculates the minimum successful bid price for an auctioned vehicle. The minimum successful bid price is the lowest price at which an auctioned vehicle can be sold. For example, in an auction or auction, if there is a bid at or above the adjusted price, which is the minimum successful bid price, and there is no bid for the price raised by the bid, the auctioned vehicle is sold.

[0012] The auction control device 10 is a computer that automatically calculates the lowest bid price for vehicles put up for auction in a used car auction or auction. The auction control device 10 is, for example, a server computer that controls the execution of a used car auction. The auction control device 10 has a processing unit 11. The processing unit 11 controls the auction control device 10 and is capable of executing required processing. The processing unit 11 is, for example, a processor or an arithmetic circuit included in the auction control device 10.

[0013] The processing unit 11 calculates the lowest successful bid price for the put-upon vehicle based on the exhibition information 1 which records the prices of vehicles that were sold or rejected in past auctions. The exhibition information 1 records the characteristics of vehicles put up for auction in past auctions, the result indicating whether the vehicle was sold or rejected, and the successful or rejected bid price in association with each other. Vehicle characteristics include, for example, the year, manufacturer name, model, grade, mileage, etc. The exhibition information 1 may be stored in the auction control device 10, or may be stored in another device connected to the auction control device 10.

[0014] The processing unit 11 aggregates the prices of the exhibited vehicles by weighting the prices of the exhibited vehicles that were sold in past auctions more heavily than the prices of the exhibited vehicles that were rejected in past auctions. Here, the processing unit 11 aggregates the prices of vehicles that have the same characteristics as the exhibited vehicles that were auctioned in past auctions. Then, the processing unit 11 calculates the lowest successful bid price based on the aggregated vehicle prices.

[0015] For example, the processing unit 11 extracts information on vehicles whose characteristics, such as model year, manufacturer name, model, grade, mileage, etc., match those of the exhibited vehicle from the exhibition information 1. For example, when the mileage is divided into sections at regular intervals, the processing unit 11 determines that a vehicle included in a section whose mileage is the same as that of the exhibited vehicle has a mileage that matches that of the exhibited vehicle. From the extracted vehicle information, the processing unit 11 calculates the average price of successful vehicles (average successful bid price) and the average price of unsuccessful vehicles (average unsuccessful bid price). Then, the processing unit 11 adds the average successful bid price with a weight A and the average unsuccessful bid price with a weight B (A>B), divides the result by the sum of the weights, and calculates the lowest successful bid price=(A×average successful bid price+B×average unsuccessful bid price) / (A+B).

[0016] According to the first embodiment, the processing unit 11 calculates the lowest price at which the auction for the exhibited vehicles can be won by aggregating the prices of the exhibited vehicles by weighting the prices of the exhibited vehicles that were won in past auctions more heavily than the prices of the exhibited vehicles that were rejected in past auctions. This allows the auction control device 10 to automatically calculate the lowest price at which the auction for the exhibited vehicles can be won. Therefore, the auction control device 10 can efficiently execute the auction.

[0017] In addition, the processing unit 11 tally up the prices of vehicles having the same characteristics as the vehicle put up for auction in the past. This allows the auction control device 10 to appropriately calculate the minimum bid price, since vehicles with the same characteristics are often traded at similar prices.

[0018] The processing unit 11 may aggregate the prices of vehicles exhibited in a first period in past auctions by weighting them more heavily than the prices of vehicles exhibited in a second period preceding the first period. This allows the auction control device 10 to appropriately calculate the minimum bid price, since vehicles traded in the same period are often traded at roughly the same price.

[0019] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described below. In the second embodiment, an auction for used cars is automatically carried out.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an auction system according to the second embodiment. The auction system according to the second embodiment is installed, for example, at a venue where used car auctions are held. The auction system according to the second embodiment has bidding terminals 21a, 21b,..., adjuster terminals 22a, 22b,..., an auction control server 100, and a database (DB) server 200. The bidding terminals 21a, 21b,..., adjuster terminals 22a, 22b,..., the auction control server 100, and the DB server 200 are connected to a network 30. The network 30 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) at the venue where used car auctions are held.

[0021] The bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... are computers operated by bidders who purchase used cars in the auction. The adjuster terminals 22a, 22b,... are computers operated by adjusters who put up used cars in the auction. The auction control server 100 is a server computer that controls the auction of used cars. The DB server 200 is a server computer that stores information on used cars put up in past auctions and information on used cars to be put up in future auctions.

[0022] In a used car auction, the auction control server 100 refers to the information stored in the DB server 200 and identifies the vehicles to be auctioned in the current auction. The auction control server 100 calculates the adjusted prices of the auctioned vehicles based on the information of used cars auctioned in past auctions stored in the DB server 200. The auction control server 100 starts the auction in response to instructions from the adjuster terminals 22a, 22b, ....

[0023] When the auction begins, the auction control server 100 accepts bids for the auction vehicle from the bidding terminals 21a, 21b, .... When the auction control server 100 accepts bids for the auction vehicle, it raises the price of the auction vehicle by a predetermined amount and accepts bids for the auction vehicle again. If there is a bid at or above the adjusted price and there is no bid for the increased price due to the bid, the auction control server 100 determines that the auction vehicle has been sold. Furthermore, if there is no bid at or above the adjusted price, the auction control server 100 determines that the auction vehicle has been sold.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the auction control server. The auction control server 100 is entirely controlled by a processor 101. A memory 102 and a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 109. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). At least a part of the functions realized by the processor 101 executing a program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD).

[0025] The memory 102 is used as a main storage device of the auction control server 100. The memory 102 temporarily stores at least a part of the OS (Operating System) program and application programs to be executed by the processor 101. The memory 102 also stores various data used for processing by the processor 101. As the memory 102, for example, a volatile semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used.

[0026] The peripheral devices connected to the bus 109 include a storage device 103, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 104, an input interface 105, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 108.

[0027] The storage device 103 electrically or magnetically writes and reads data to and from a built-in recording medium. The storage device 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for a computer. The storage device 103 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) can be used as the storage device 103.

[0028] The GPU 104 is connected to a monitor 31. The GPU 104 displays an image on the screen of the monitor 31 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 101. The monitor 31 may be a display device using an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

[0029] The input interface 105 is connected to the keyboard 32 and the mouse 33. The input interface 105 transmits signals sent from the keyboard 32 and the mouse 33 to the processor 101. Note that the mouse 33 is an example of a pointing device, and other pointing devices can also be used. Examples of other pointing devices include a touch panel, a tablet, a touch pad, a trackball, etc.

[0030] The optical drive device 106 uses a laser beam or the like to read data recorded on the optical disc 34. The optical disc 34 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded so that it can be read by reflection of light. The optical disc 34 includes a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable), etc.

[0031] The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the auction control server 100. For example, a memory device 35 or a memory reader / writer 36 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 35 is a recording medium equipped with a function for communicating with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader / writer 36 is a device for writing data to the memory card 37 or reading data from the memory card 37. The memory card 37 is a card-type recording medium.

[0032] The network interface 108 is connected to the network 30. The network interface 108 transmits and receives data via the network 30 to and from other computers or communication devices.

[0033] The auction control server 100 can realize the processing functions of the second embodiment with the above hardware configuration. The bidding terminals 21a, 21b,..., the adjuster terminals 22a, 22b,..., the DB server 200, and the auction control device 10 shown in the first embodiment can also be realized with the same hardware as the auction control server 100 shown in Fig. 3. The processor 101 is an example of the processing unit 11 shown in the first embodiment.

[0034] The auction control server 100 realizes the processing function of the second embodiment by executing a program recorded in, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The program describing the processing contents to be executed by the auction control server 100 can be recorded in various recording media. For example, the program to be executed by the auction control server 100 can be stored in a storage device 103. The processor 101 loads at least a part of the program in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. The program to be executed by the auction control server 100 can also be recorded in a portable recording medium such as the optical disk 34, the memory device 35, or the memory card 37. The program stored in the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed in the storage device 103 under the control of, for example, the processor 101. The processor 101 can also read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium. Next, the functions of the auction control server 100 will be described in detail.

[0035] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the auction control server and the DB server. The DB server 200 has a storage unit 220. The storage unit 220 is realized using the memory of the DB server 200 or a storage area of ​​a storage device. The storage unit 220 stores listing information 221. The listing information 221 is information on used cars that have been auctioned in past auctions and used cars that will be auctioned in future auctions.

[0036] The auction control server 100 has a memory unit 120, an auction control unit 130, and an adjusted price calculation unit 140. The memory unit 120 is realized using a memory area of ​​the memory 102 or the storage device 103. The auction control unit 130 and the adjusted price calculation unit 140 are realized by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the memory 102. The memory unit 120 stores weight information 121. The weight information 121 is information indicating the weight to be applied to the average successful bid price or the average unsuccessful bid price when calculating the adjusted price.

[0037] The auction control unit 130 controls the auction so that it is executed automatically. The auction control unit 130 refers to the bid information 221 stored in the DB server 200 and specifies the vehicles to be put up for auction this time. The auction control unit 130 starts the auction in response to an instruction from the adjuster terminal of the seller of the put-upon vehicle among the adjuster terminals 22a, 22b, . . .

[0038] When the auction begins, the auction control unit 130 accepts bids from the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... For example, at the first bid acceptance, the auction control unit 130 identifies the starting price set for the put up vehicle by referring to the bid information 221, and notifies the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... of the identified price. Furthermore, at the second or subsequent bid acceptance, the auction control unit 130 notifies the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... of a price that is a predetermined amount higher than the price previously notified to the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... Then, the auction control unit 130 accepts bids at the price notified from the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,.... The auction control unit 130 repeats the bid acceptance until the auction is finalized.

[0039] The auction control unit 130 determines that the auction has been confirmed by a successful bid if a bid at or above the adjusted price for the exhibited vehicle calculated by the adjusted price calculation unit 140 was previously accepted, and a bid at the current price was not accepted. In addition, if a bid at or above the adjusted price was not previously accepted, and a bid at or above the adjusted price was not accepted this time, the auction control unit 130 determines that the auction has been confirmed by a failed bid. When the auction has been confirmed, the auction control unit 130 stores the auction result data for the exhibited vehicle in the exhibition information 221.

[0040] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 automatically calculates the adjusted price of the put-up vehicle before the auction control unit 130 starts the auction for the put-up vehicle. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 extracts data of previously put-up vehicles whose characteristics match those of the put-up vehicle from the exhibition information 221. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 calculates the average price of the successful or unsuccessful bid prices from the extracted data for each pattern of whether the bid was successful or unsuccessful and the time of putting up for auction. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 assigns a weight for each pattern indicated in the weight information 121 to each of the calculated average prices. Here, the adjusted price calculation unit 140 assigns a weight greater than the average price of unsuccessful vehicles to the average price of the successful vehicles. In addition, the adjusted price calculation unit 140 assigns a weight greater than the average price of the unsuccessful vehicles to the average price of the recently put-up vehicles and tally them up. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 calculates the adjusted price by summing up the weighted average prices and dividing by the sum of the weights.

[0041] 4 indicates a part of the communication path, and it is possible to set a communication path other than the communication path shown in the figure. Next, the information stored in the storage unit 120 and the storage unit 220 will be described in detail.

[0042] 5 is a diagram showing an example of listing information. The listing information 221 is information on used cars that have been auctioned in past auctions and used cars that will be auctioned in future auctions. Records corresponding to used cars that have been auctioned in past auctions and used cars that will be auctioned in future auctions are registered in the listing information 221. Each record registered in the listing information 221 has fields for the auction number, auction number, model year, manufacturer, model, grade, mileage (thousand km), starting price (thousand yen), desired price (thousand yen), adjusted price (thousand yen), result, resulting price (thousand yen), and auction date.

[0043] The auction number field sets the auction number of the corresponding vehicle at which it will be auctioned. The auction number field sets the auction number of the corresponding vehicle. The model year field sets the model year of the corresponding vehicle. The manufacturer field sets the manufacturer of the corresponding vehicle. The vehicle model field sets the vehicle model of the corresponding vehicle. The grade field registers the grade of the corresponding vehicle. The mileage (thousand km) field sets the mileage of the corresponding vehicle divided by 1000, in km. The starting price (thousand yen) field sets the starting price at the auction of the corresponding vehicle divided by 1000. The desired price (thousand yen) field sets the price desired by the seller of the corresponding vehicle divided by 1000.

[0044] The adjusted price (thousand yen) field is set to the adjusted price of the corresponding vehicle divided by 1000. The result field is set to information indicating whether the corresponding vehicle was sold or not sold. The result price (thousand yen) field is set to the sold or not sold price of the corresponding vehicle divided by 1000. The auction date field is set to the date of the auction in which the corresponding vehicle was put up for auction. Note that the adjusted price (thousand yen), result, result price (thousand yen), and auction date fields of records corresponding to used cars to be put up for auction in future will be left blank.

[0045] 6 is a diagram showing an example of weight information. Weight information 121 is information indicating a weight to be applied to the average successful bid price or the average unsuccessful bid price when calculating an adjusted price. Weight information 121 registers weights according to whether an item was unsuccessful or successful and the pattern of when the item was put up for auction.

[0046] Weight information 121 has fields for number, result, time, and weight. The number field is set to a pattern number. The result field is set to information indicating whether the auction was successful or unsuccessful. The time field is set to the time when the auction was put up for auction. The weight field is set to a weight value.

[0047] As an example, weighting information 121 indicates that, as pattern (1), a weight of 4 is applied to the average price of vehicles sold within the last month. Furthermore, weighting information 121 indicates that, as pattern (2), a weight of 2 is applied to the average price of vehicles sold more than a month ago. Furthermore, weighting information 121 indicates that, as pattern (3), a weight of 3 is applied to the average price of vehicles unsuccessfully bid within the last month. Furthermore, weighting information 121 indicates that, as pattern (4), a weight of 1 is applied to the average price of vehicles unsuccessfully bid more than a month ago. Next, registration to bid information 221 will be described.

[0048] 7 is a diagram showing an example of registration of the bid information. Items related to the vehicle characteristics of the bid information 221 are set before the auction, and items related to the auction results are set after the auction. Items such as the number of times the auction is held, bid number, model year, manufacturer, model, grade, mileage (thousand km), starting price (thousand yen), and desired price (thousand yen) are set, for example, when it is decided to put up for auction the corresponding vehicle. Items such as the result, resulting price (thousand yen), and auction date are set, for example, when the corresponding vehicle is sold or not bid at the auction.

[0049] The item of the adjusted price (thousand yen) is set to, for example, an adjusted price automatically calculated by the adjusted price calculation unit 140 when the corresponding vehicle is put up for auction. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 automatically calculates the adjusted price based on the price of the vehicle put up for auction in the past. Next, the calculation of the adjusted price will be described.

[0050] 8 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of an adjusted price. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 extracts vehicles whose characteristics match those of the vehicle for which the adjusted price is to be calculated from the listing information 221 for each pattern indicated in the weighting information 121, and calculates the adjusted price by weighting and aggregating the prices of the extracted vehicles. Extraction information 41 shows a specific example of the prices of vehicles extracted from the listing information 221.

[0051] The extraction information 41 indicates that vehicles of 1300 (thousand yen), 1350 (thousand yen), and 1250 (thousand yen) have been extracted as vehicles that fit into pattern (1). The extraction information 41 also indicates that vehicles of 1400 (thousand yen), 1450 (thousand yen), and 1350 (thousand yen) have been extracted as vehicles that fit into pattern (2). The extraction information 41 also indicates that vehicles of 1200 (thousand yen), 1250 (thousand yen), and 1150 (thousand yen) have been extracted as vehicles that fit into pattern (3). The extraction information 41 also indicates that vehicles of 1300 (thousand yen), 1350 (thousand yen), and 1250 (thousand yen) have been extracted as vehicles that fit into pattern (4).

[0052] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 calculates the average price of the vehicles extracted for each pattern. In the example shown in the extraction information 41, the adjusted price calculation unit 140 calculates the average price A of pattern (1) as (1300+1350+1250) / 3=1300 (thousand yen). The adjusted price calculation unit 140 also calculates the average price B of pattern (2) as (1400+1450+1350) / 3=1400 (thousand yen). The adjusted price calculation unit 140 also calculates the average price C of pattern (3) as (1200+1250+1150) / 3=1200 (thousand yen). The adjusted price calculation unit 140 also calculates the average price D of pattern (4) as (1300+1350+1250) / 3=1300 (thousand yen).

[0053] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 assigns a weight corresponding to the pattern shown in the weight information 121 to each of the calculated average prices, sums them up, and divides the sum by the sum of the weights to calculate the adjusted price. In the example shown in the extracted information 41, the adjusted price calculation unit 140 assigns a weight corresponding to pattern (1) to the average price A, and a weight corresponding to pattern (2) to the average price B. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 also assigns a weight corresponding to pattern (3) to the average price C, and a weight corresponding to pattern (4) to the average price D. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 then divides the sum of the weighted average prices A, B, C, and D by the sum of the weights to calculate the adjusted price. Therefore, the adjusted price calculation unit 140 calculates the adjusted price as follows: adjusted price = (1300 x 4 + 1400 x 2 + 1200 x 3 + 1300 x 1) / (4 + 2 + 3 + 1) = 1290 (thousand yen).

[0054] In this way, the adjustment price calculation unit 140 automatically calculates the adjustment price by tallying up the prices of vehicles exhibited in past auctions, weighting the prices of vehicles that have been sold more heavily than the prices of vehicles that have not been sold. The adjustment price calculation unit 140 can make it easier for the exhibited vehicle to be sold by calculating the adjustment price based on the prices at which past bids have been made. In addition, since the failed bid price is the price at which there have been past bids, a vehicle that has been set at an adjustment price close to the failed bid price is more likely to be sold. Therefore, the adjustment price calculation unit 140 can calculate an appropriate adjustment price by calculating an adjustment price that takes into account the failed bid price at a low rate relative to the successful bid price. In this way, the adjustment price calculation unit 140 can efficiently execute the auction by automatically calculating the adjustment price. Next, the procedure of the auction control process by the auction control server 100 will be described.

[0055] 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for auction control processing. The processing shown in FIG. 9 will be explained below in order of step number. [Step S11] The auction control unit 130 calls up the auction information 221 from the DB server 200.

[0056] [Step S12] The auction control unit 130 refers to the auction information 221 and selects one vehicle to be put up for auction this time. [Step S13] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 executes an adjusted price calculation process for the vehicle selected in step S 12. The adjusted price calculation process will be described later in detail (see FIG. 10).

[0057] [Step S14] The auction control unit 130 starts the auction in response to an instruction from the adjuster terminal of the seller of the vehicle selected in step S12, among the adjuster terminals 22a, 22b, . . . [Step S15] The auction control unit 130 accepts bids from the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... For example, in the first processing, the auction control unit 130 identifies the starting price set for the vehicle selected in step S12 by referring to the commodity information 221, and notifies the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... of the identified price. In addition, in the second and subsequent processing, the auction control unit 130 notifies the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... of a price that is a predetermined amount higher than the price previously notified to the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,... Then, the auction control unit 130 accepts bids at the price notified from the bidding terminals 21a, 21b,...

[0058] [Step S16] The auction control unit 130 judges whether the auction has been finalized. For example, if a bid at or above the adjusted price calculated in step S13 was accepted in the previous step S15, but no bid was accepted in the current step S15, the auction control unit 130 judges that the auction has been finalized by a successful bid. If a bid at or above the adjusted price was not accepted in the previous step S15, and no bid was accepted in the current step S15 in which a price at or above the adjusted price was notified, the auction control unit 130 judges that the auction has been finalized by a failed bid. If the auction control unit 130 judges that the auction has been finalized, it advances the process to step S17. If the auction control unit 130 judges that the auction has not been finalized, it advances the process to step S15.

[0059] [Step S17] The auction control unit 130 stores the auction result data in the listing information 221. For example, if the auction is finalized by a successful bid, the auction control unit 130 stores information indicating that the bid was successful, the highest price among the bidders (successful bid price), and the auction date in the record corresponding to the vehicle selected in step S12 of the listing information 221. In addition, if the auction is finalized by a failed bid, the auction control unit 130 stores information indicating that the bid was failed, the highest price among the bidders (failed bid price), and the auction date in the record corresponding to the vehicle selected in step S12 of the listing information 221.

[0060] [Step S18] The auction control unit 130 judges whether or not all the vehicles to be put up for auction have been selected. If the auction control unit 130 judges that all the vehicles have been selected, it ends the process. If the auction control unit 130 judges that all the vehicles have not been selected, it advances the process to step S12.

[0061] In this manner, the auction control server 100 controls the auction for used cars. The instruction to start the auction may be automatically executed from the adjuster terminals 22a, 22b, .... The auction control server 100 can automatically calculate the adjusted prices of the exhibited vehicles and automatically proceed with the auction for the exhibited vehicles based on the calculated adjusted prices. This allows the auction control server 100 to automate the entire auction control process. Therefore, the auction control server 100 can efficiently execute the auction.

[0062] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the adjusted price calculation process. The process shown in FIG. 10 will be described below in order of step number. [Step S21] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 extracts data of previously put-upon vehicles whose model year, manufacturer, model type, grade, and mileage match those of the vehicle (exhibit vehicle) that is the subject of the adjusted price calculation from the listing information 221. For example, when the mileage is divided into sections with regular intervals (e.g., 0-5000km, 5001-10000km, ...), the adjusted price calculation unit 140 determines that a vehicle included in a section whose mileage is the same as that of the exhibit vehicle has a mileage that matches that of the exhibit vehicle. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 may extract data whose model year, manufacturer, model type, grade, and mileage all match, or may extract data whose model year, manufacturer, model type, grade, and mileage only match in part.

[0063] [Step S22] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 refers to the data extracted in step S21 and calculates the average price of the successful bid prices of the data whose auction date was within the past month and whose result was a successful bid. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 then assigns a weight corresponding to the vehicles that were sold within the past month, as indicated in the weight information 121, to the calculated average price.

[0064] [Step S23] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 refers to the data extracted in step S21 and calculates the average price of the successful bid prices of the data that had an auction date more than one month ago and resulted in a successful bid. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 then assigns a weight corresponding to the vehicles that were sold more than one month ago, as shown in the weight information 121, to the calculated average price.

[0065] [Step S24] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 refers to the data extracted in step S21 and calculates the average price of the unsuccessful bid prices of the data whose auction date was within the past month and whose results were unsuccessful. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 then assigns a weight corresponding to the vehicles that were unsuccessful within the past month, as indicated in the weight information 121, to the calculated average price.

[0066] [Step S25] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 refers to the data extracted in step S21 and calculates the average price of the unsuccessful bid prices of the data that had an auction date more than one month ago and resulted in unsuccessful bids. The adjusted price calculation unit 140 then assigns a weight, which corresponds to vehicles that were unsuccessful more than one month ago and is indicated in the weight information 121, to the calculated average price.

[0067] [Step S26] The adjusted price calculation unit 140 sums up the weighted average prices calculated in steps S22 to S25. Then, the adjusted price calculation unit 140 divides the sum of the weighted average prices by the sum of the weights to calculate the adjusted price.

[0068] In this way, the auction control server 100 automatically calculates the adjusted price by extracting vehicles with the same characteristics as the auctioned vehicle put up for auction in the past, and aggregating the vehicles with weights according to whether the vehicles were sold or not and the time of auction. In an auction, vehicles with the same characteristics are often traded at roughly the same price. Therefore, the auction control server 100 can appropriately calculate the adjusted price by aggregating the prices of vehicles with the same characteristics as the auctioned vehicle and calculating the adjusted price.

[0069] The auction control server 100 automatically calculates an adjusted price by weighting the average price of successful vehicles more heavily than the average price of unsuccessful vehicles. In this way, the auction control server 100 can calculate an appropriate adjusted price by calculating the adjusted price by factoring in the unsuccessful bid price at a low rate relative to the successful bid price. Vehicles traded during the same period are often sold at similar prices. Therefore, the auction control server 100 weights the average price of vehicles put up for auction in the most recent month more heavily than the prices of vehicles put up for auction more than one month ago. In this way, the auction control server 100 can appropriately calculate an adjusted price that is likely to be sold. In this way, the auction control server 100 can efficiently carry out the auction by automatically calculating the adjusted price.

[0070] Although the embodiments have been described above, the configurations of the parts shown in the embodiments can be replaced with other parts having similar functions. Any other components or steps may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Listing information 10 Auction control device 11 Processing section

Claims

1. a processing unit that calculates the lowest price at which the auction for the auctioned vehicles can be sold by aggregating the prices of the auctioned vehicles with a weighting greater than that of the auctioned vehicles that were unsuccessful in the past auctions; An auction control device having the same.

2. the processing unit aggregates the prices of the exhibited vehicles in a first period in past auctions by weighting them more heavily than the prices of the exhibited vehicles in a second period preceding the first period; The auction control device according to claim 1.

3. The processing unit tally up prices of vehicles having the same characteristics as the auctioned vehicle that have been auctioned in past auctions. The auction control device according to claim 1.

4. The computer calculating the lowest price at which the auction for the auctioned vehicles can be sold by weighting the prices of the auctioned vehicles that have been sold in past auctions more heavily than the prices of the auctioned vehicles that have not been sold in past auctions; Auction control method.

5. On the computer, calculating the lowest price at which the auction for the auctioned vehicles can be sold by weighting the prices of the auctioned vehicles that have been sold in past auctions more heavily than the prices of the auctioned vehicles that have not been sold in past auctions; An auction control program that executes the process.

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