Commerce System

Abstract

The goal is to provide a commerce system that allows participation without the need to create a dedicated shop page. [Solution] The commerce system comprises a trading platform that conducts transactions on a computer network, and an integrated operation platform that receives transaction requests from users on the computer network and generates order information for products. The trading platform acquires customer information and issues identification information for each customer. The integrated operation platform stores the user's customer information, transmits the user's customer information to the trading platform, and acquires and stores identification information about the user from the trading platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a commerce system that conducts sales via an integrated operation platform on a computer network.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an e - shopping mall operation device for operating an e - shopping mall on a computer network has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1). An e - shopping mall is a website where a plurality of e - shops are lined up. The e - shopping mall operation device receives an order from a purchaser and makes an inquiry as to whether to arrange for the shipment of the ordered goods to the communication terminal of the shop handling the goods. The shop handling the goods answers the e - shopping mall operation device that it will arrange for the shipment, and the e - shopping mall operation device conducts communication to request the collection from the corresponding shop and the delivery to the designated destination based on the answer. The e - shopping mall operation device can receive orders for a plurality of goods handling shops and can give delivery instructions to the store owners of each shop for the goods for which orders have been received. The e - shopping mall operation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows a purchaser to select goods from various shops by accessing it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the electronic shopping mall operating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to allow buyers to view shop pages in their browsers after registering various information about the shops. Those who wish to open a shop must create a shop page for the electronic shopping mall and register it with the electronic shopping mall operating device. Therefore, even if a person who wishes to open a shop already has a shop page selling products on a computer network, they must create a new shop page for the electronic shopping mall if they wish to participate in the electronic shopping mall.

[0005] This disclosure aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a commerce system that can be used without having to create a new, dedicated shop page. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The commerce system relating to this disclosure comprises a trading platform for conducting transactions on a computer network, and an integrated operation platform that receives transaction requests from users on the computer network and generates order information relating to the transaction requests. The trading platform acquires customer information and issues identification information for each customer. The integrated operation platform stores the customer information of the user, transmits the customer information of the user to the trading platform, and acquires and stores the identification information relating to the user from the trading platform. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, an integrated operations platform that accepts orders from users can automatically acquire user identification information, and therefore the integrated operations platform can connect to a trading platform that handles goods on behalf of the buyer and place orders on behalf of the trading platform. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram showing a commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the information processing overview of the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram of the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the operation of each terminal when a user places an order for goods, etc., in the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating an example of information processing in the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is an example of customer information required by the trading platform 20 to issue identification information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the commerce system of this disclosure are described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred examples and are subject to various technically preferred limitations; however, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specifically stated in the following description.

[0010] Embodiment 1. <Configuration of Commerce System 100> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the information processing overview of the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The commerce system 100 shown in Figure 1 generates order information including information indicating the content of actions performed by users involving monetary expenditure (e.g., purchase of goods and services, donations and contributions). After the order information is confirmed, the integrated operation platform 10 transmits the order information to the transaction platform 20, and the transaction platform 20 receives the order information and performs order processing such as payment or delivery.

[0011] Actions performed by users that involve the expenditure of money include, for example, ordering the purchase of goods or services, ordering the reservation of goods or services, making donations, and making contributions. In Embodiment 1, these are collectively referred to as "transactions."

[0012] When a user confirms an order, other means may be used, such as the user pressing a button to confirm the order information on a web browser, or receiving confirmation of the order information via email. Alternatively, the commerce system 100 may be a system in which the integrated operation platform 10 receives a call from the user to a telephone number associated with the generated order information (a telephone number managed by the commerce system 100 and issued in response to the order information; also called an order telephone number) and confirms the order information. In other words, the commerce system 100 may use voice calls from the user terminal 30 when confirming orders for goods, etc.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the commerce system 100 comprises an integrated operations platform 10 connected by a network 90, a user terminal 30 operated by the user to connect to the integrated operations platform 10 and create order information, and a transaction platform 20 connected to the integrated operations platform 10 and receiving order information created in response to the user's transaction request via the integrated operations platform 10.

[0014] Network 90 plays a role in connecting the integrated operations platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminals 30. Network 90 is a communication network that establishes a connection path to connect the integrated operations platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminals 30, enabling data transmission and reception. The specific form of Network 90 is not particularly limited. For example, Network 90 may be either a wired network or a wireless network, or it may be a combination of a wired network and a wireless network. Specifically, network 90 includes any or a combination of intranets, extranets, virtual private networks (VPNs), local area networks (LANs), wireless LANs (WLANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless WANs (WWANs), ad hoc networks, metropolitan area networks (MANs), parts of the internet, parts of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), IP (Internet Protocol) networks, mobile phone networks, ISDN (integrated service digital networks), wireless LANs, LTE (long term evolution), CDMA (code division multiple access), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and satellite communications, enabling communication between each terminal.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the integrated operation platform 10 is a device to which the user terminal 30 connects and which receives order information confirmed by the user. Furthermore, after the order information is confirmed, the integrated operation platform 10 connects to the trading platform 20 and places orders for goods handled by the trading platform 20. The integrated operation platform 10 also obtains user-specific identification information from the trading platform 20 on behalf of the user, which is necessary for connecting to the trading platform 20 and for placing orders for goods handled by the trading platform 20 from the order information. The integrated operation platform 10 may also generate the user's order information through communication with the user terminal 30. As will be described in detail later, the integrated operation platform 10 can be any information processing device capable of realizing the above functions. Specifically, the integrated operation platform 10 can be a server computer, a personal computer (desktop, laptop, and tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (cable, satellite set-top box, and digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (PDA, and email client, etc.), or other types of computers. It may also be a distributed system utilizing cloud computing technology or incorporate virtualization technology. In the following, the integrated operations platform 10 may be referred to as an information processing device. An information processing device does not refer to a single physical device, but also includes a system configuration in which multiple physical devices work together to achieve functionality. For example, the integrated operations platform 10 may have separate devices for data processing and devices for providing the user interface.

[0016] Furthermore, the commerce system 100, as part of its shared functionality with the integrated operation platform 10, may simply use a medium that displays a contact number. For example, the contact number may be displayed on paper. In this case, the act of calling the contact number may include the creation of order information. In other words, the creation of order information can include any form as long as the details of what the user will spend are created.

[0017] The transaction platform 20 is operated by sellers of goods or services, etc. It receives order information from the integrated operation platform 10 and performs processes such as shipping and settlement of goods handled by the transaction platform 20 as necessary. Also, when receiving order information from the integrated operation platform 10, the transaction platform 20 can issue identification information for each user who generated the order information to the integrated operation platform 10. Note that the transaction platform 20 can also receive orders without going through the integrated operation platform 10. For example, a certain user may be able to directly place an order for goods, etc. on the transaction platform 20. That is, the transaction platform 20 can issue identification information for each user other than the integrated operation platform 10. However, the transaction platform 20 may receive order information only from the integrated operation platform 10, or may issue identification information only to the integrated operation platform 10. Although details will be described later, the transaction platform 20 may be any device as long as it is an information processing device that can realize the above functions. Specifically, for the transaction platform 20, a server computer, a personal computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, and tablet, etc.), a media computer platform (cable, satellite set-top box, and digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (PDA, and email client, etc.), smart glasses, a wearable terminal such as a smartwatch, a digital signage terminal, various display devices, or other types of computers can be used. Note that hereinafter, the transaction platform 20 may sometimes be expressed as an information processing device.

[0018] The user terminal 30 is a device connected to the integrated operation platform 10 for the user to confirm order information. For example, the user terminal 30 may be a telephone terminal or mobile communication terminal that can communicate to a telephone number notified by the integrated operation platform 10. Communication here refers to communication from the user terminal 30 that has a telephone number, and communication that the integrated operation platform 10 receiving the communication can recognize as the telephone number of the user terminal 30. Specifically, this includes telephone calls with voice calls made by the user, communication using only text information such as fax or SMS, and communication of the operation content of the keypad of the user terminal 30 in response to voice guidance from the integrated operation platform 10. The user terminal 30 can be any terminal capable of communication by any of these methods, and for example, a mobile terminal 30a such as a smartphone, a personal computer 30b configured to enable telephone communication, or an information processing device such as smart glasses or a smartwatch, or a terminal 30c dedicated to calls using a telephone line such as a fixed telephone installed in a general household can be used.

[0019] Further, the user terminal 30 may communicate with the integrated operation platform 10 to generate order information. The user terminal 30 is, for example, a terminal used by a user who utilizes the commerce system 100, and may be capable of generating order information at least via communication with the integrated operation platform 10 and performing an operation to confirm the order information. The generation of order information includes, for example, an act in which a user connects to the integrated operation platform 10 using the user terminal 30, selects products or the like on the website displayed by the integrated operation platform 10, and generates a list of products or the like that the user wishes to purchase, such as in a so-called shopping cart. The operation to confirm the order information is, for example, an operation to confirm the purchase of products or the like placed in the shopping cart generated by the user using the user terminal 30, or a communication from the user terminal 30 having a telephone number by the user, and the integrated operation platform 10 that receives the communication may be capable of recognizing the telephone number of the user terminal 30. When the user terminal 30 communicates with the integrated operation platform 10 to generate order information, the user terminal is preferably an information processing device such as a mobile terminal 30a such as a smartphone, a personal computer 30b configured to enable communication by telephone, or a wearable terminal such as smart glasses or a smart watch.

[0020] <Hardware Configuration of Commerce System 100> Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to Embodiment 1. For example, the integrated operation platform 10 as an information processing device has the hardware configuration shown in Figure 3(a). The trading platform 20 as an information processing device has the hardware configuration shown in Figure 3(b). The user terminal 30 as an information processing device has the hardware configuration shown in Figure 3(c). As shown in Figure 3, the integrated operation platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminal 30 as information processing devices are equipped with a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a communication unit 53 as hardware common to them. Therefore, below, we will first describe the control unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the communication unit 53, which are common hardware, and then provide individual descriptions for each information processing device terminal.

[0021] The control unit 51 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU reads programs and data stored in ROM and uses RAM as a work area to comprehensively control the functions of each information processing device. The CPU also controls communication between information processing devices by the communication unit 53 based on the information stored in ROM and RAM. Note that the control unit 51 may implement each process not only with a CPU having a control circuit, but also with logic circuits (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit chip (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, LSI (Large Scale Integration)), etc., or with dedicated circuits.

[0022] The storage unit 52 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or HDD (Hard disk drive), and plays the role of a so-called secondary storage device. In Embodiment 1, the storage unit 52 may be installed in the terminal or it may be a server connected via the network 90. ​​Note that the storage unit 52 is not necessarily installed in the terminal, but also includes those installed on the network 90 in a communicable manner, and the network 90 may also be referred to as the storage unit 52. In other words, the control unit 51 can retrieve information from a communicable storage device, including the storage unit 52 installed in the terminal or the storage unit 52 connected to the network 90. ​​The storage unit 52 also stores user response information, etc., via the input unit 54 of the trading platform 20.

[0023] The communication unit 53 is the part that transmits and receives various data via the network 90, and any communication protocol can be used as long as communication between each information processing device can be performed, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. The communication unit 53 has the function of performing communication between each information processing device via the network 90. ​​The communication unit 53 transmits various data to other information processing devices based on instructions from the control unit 51. The communication unit 53 also receives various data from other information processing devices and sends it to the control unit 51.

[0024] <Integrated Operations Platform 10> As shown in Figure 3(a), the integrated operation platform 10 has at least the control unit 51, storage unit 52, and communication unit 53 described above. The control unit 51 of the integrated operation platform 10 provides overall control over the information processing performed on the integrated operation platform 10. The storage unit 52 stores the output results of the information processing performed by the control unit 51, or stores information acquired via the communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 connects to and communicates with the trading platform 20 or the user terminal 30. The control unit 51, storage unit 52, and communication unit 53 of the integrated operation platform 10 may be configured in any way. For example, if the integrated operation platform 10 is formed as a network computer system consisting of multiple server computers, each function may be distributed and installed on multiple server computers. Furthermore, these server computers may be installed across computer systems owned by multiple vendors or server administrators (for example, computer systems owned or managed by other information providers, ISPs, or hosting system providers). The server computers may be formed as a so-called cloud computer system. Furthermore, at least some of the components of the control unit 51, storage unit 52, and communication unit 53 may be provided in the client terminals that constitute the commerce system 100. The integrated operation platform 10 may also further include an input unit 54, an output unit 55, and an imaging unit 56.

[0025] <Trading Platform 20> As shown in Figure 3(b), the trading platform 20 includes at least the control unit 51, storage unit 52, and communication unit 53 described above. The control unit 51 of the trading platform 20 provides overall control over the information processing performed on the integrated operation platform 10. The storage unit 52 stores the output results of the information processing performed on the control unit 51, or stores information acquired via the communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 mainly connects to and communicates with the integrated operation platform 10. In addition, it may also include an input unit 54 for operation by the seller and an output unit 55 for the seller to confirm order information.

[0026] <User terminal 30> As shown in Figure 3(c), the user terminal 30 includes, in addition to the control unit 51, storage unit 52, and communication unit 53 described above, an input unit 54 for the user to perform operations such as making a call, and an output unit 55 for displaying the screen the user is operating. The control unit 51 of the user terminal 30 performs the necessary processing for generating and confirming order information based on the user's operation of the input unit 54. The storage unit 52 stores the output results of the information processing performed by the control unit 51, or stores information acquired via the communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 connects to and communicates with the integrated operation platform 10. The user terminal 30 may be a terminal that only allows calls via a telephone line, such as a landline telephone set up in a general household, which communicates to a telephone number notified from the integrated operation platform 10, without the control unit 51, etc. Alternatively, the user terminal 30 may be composed of an information processing device equipped with a control unit 51, storage unit 52, communication unit 53, input unit 54, and output unit 55, and a terminal that only allows calls via a telephone line.

[0027] The input unit 54 and output unit 55 of the user terminal 30 are connected to the control unit 51, etc. The input unit 54 of the user terminal 30 may be, for example, a keyboard, mouse, controller, other keypad, touch panel, microphone for voice input, etc. The output unit 55 may be an independent display device such as an LCD, an LCD on a touch panel, or an audio device such as a speaker.

[0028] The integrated operation platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminal 30, which are information processing devices, can realize the functions of the multiple functional units shown in the embodiment by reading programs stored in the storage unit 52 and executing the read programs.

[0029] The program disclosed herein may or may not be provided to the integrated operation platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminal 30 via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). The integrated operation platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminal 30 realize their respective functions by executing the program downloaded, for example, via the Internet.

[0030] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure may also be realized in the form of data signals embedded in a carrier wave, where the program is embodied by electronic transmission. At least a portion of the processing in the integrated operation platform 10, the trading platform 20, and the user terminal 30 may or may not be implemented by cloud computing consisting of one or more computers.

[0031] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the configuration of the determination in the embodiments of this disclosure is not mandatory, and a predetermined process may be performed if the determination condition is met, or if the determination condition is not met, or not.

[0032] The programs disclosed herein are implemented using, for example, scripting languages ​​such as JavaScript® and Python®, object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java®, markup languages ​​such as HTML5, or functional programming languages ​​such as Erlang.

[0033] <Overview of Commerce System 100's Functions> Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 51 of the integrated operation platform 10 has, as functional units, a product display unit 111, an order information generation unit 112, an order placement unit 113, a login unit 115, and an identification information acquisition unit 114. The integrated operation platform 10 also has a customer information DB 121 and a product DB 122 as functions of the storage unit 52.

[0034] The product display unit 111 has the function of presenting products to users of the commerce system 100. For example, a user connects to the integrated operation platform 10 using a user terminal 30 and views information on multiple products displayed on the web browser of the user terminal 30. The product display unit 111 displays data on products handled by the trading platform 20, for example, which is registered in the product database 122. The product display unit 111 may also display products handled by each of the multiple trading platforms 20. In other words, the integrated operation platform 10 may have information on products handled by multiple trading platforms 20 operated by various companies registered, and can display all of these products to the user in one place. The integrated operation platform 10 can improve user convenience by displaying a variety of products to the user.

[0035] The order information generation unit 112 has a function for users of the commerce system 100 to generate order information P (see Figure 5). For example, a user connects to the integrated operation platform 10 using a user terminal 30, selects the products they wish to purchase from among multiple products displayed on the web browser of the user terminal 30, and specifies the quantity to be purchased. The generated order information P may include products handled by multiple trading platforms 20. As shown in Figure 5, the user operates the user terminal 30 to generate order information P, and confirms the generated order information P to make it confirmed order information Q. The order information generation unit 112 of the integrated operation platform 10 generates and confirms order information P in response to user operations.

[0036] The order placement unit 113 has the function of converting the order information P generated by the order information generation unit 112 into confirmed order information Q after it has been confirmed by the user, and sending the goods, etc. included in the confirmed order information Q as order information R to the corresponding trading platform 20. Since a user may create order information P by selecting goods, etc. that are handled by multiple different trading platforms 20, the integrated operation platform 10 generates order information R separately for each product, etc., for each trading platform 20 and sends it to each trading platform 20. On the other hand, the trading platform 20 will receive order information R that includes only the goods, etc. handled by that trading platform 20.

[0037] The login unit 115 has the function of receiving authentication for the integrated operation platform 10 to connect to each trading platform 20 when transmitting order information R. The integrated operation platform 10 accesses the trading platform 20 on behalf of the user and transmits order information R related to the user. Therefore, the integrated operation platform 10 authenticates and connects to the trading platform 20 using identification information associated with the user. Identification information is, for example, the ID and password information (login information) used to authenticate connection to the trading platform 20. Identification information is stored in the customer information DB 121 as part of the customer information in the integrated operation platform 10. In addition, since identification information is issued for each trading platform 20, the customer information DB 121 also stores information of the trading platform 20 corresponding to the identification information.

[0038] The identification information acquisition unit 114 has the function of enabling the integrated operation platform 10 to acquire identification information about users from the trading platform 20. If the order information P created by the user includes products related to the trading platform 20, and the trading platform 20 does not have information about that user, the integrated operation platform 10 needs identification information about that user in order to connect to the trading platform 20 and send order information R. The identification information acquisition unit 114 of the integrated operation platform 10 requests the trading platform 20 to issue identification information, and the identification information issuing unit 214 of the trading platform 20 requests customer information about the user from the identification information acquisition unit 114 of the integrated operation platform 10. The identification information acquisition unit 114 of the integrated operation platform 10 acquires customer information about the user from the customer information DB 121 and transmits it to the identification information issuing unit 214 of the trading platform 20. The customer information entered into the identification information issuing unit 214 of the trading platform 20 will be described later. Communication between the identification information acquisition unit 114 and the identification information issuance unit 214 may be conducted after authentication between the integrated operation platform 10 and the trading platform 20, as it involves handling the user's personal information. For example, the trading platform 20 may issue an access token to the integrated operation platform 10 using an authentication API or the like.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 51 of the trading platform 20 has, as functional units, an order processing unit 211, an order processing unit 212, an authentication unit 213, and an identification information issuance unit 214. The trading platform 20 also has, as functional units of the storage unit 52, a customer information DB 221 and a product handling DB 222.

[0040] The order processing unit 212 has the function of acquiring information on products, etc., that a user wishes to purchase from the integrated operation platform 10 as order information R. The order processing unit 212 acquires customer information about the user related to the order information R from 221 and sends it to the order processing unit 211 as order information R. The order processing unit 211 has the function of arranging the shipment of products, etc., contacting the user about the order, and processing payment. The authentication unit 213 has the function of performing authentication when the integrated operation platform 10 connects on behalf of the user. The identification information issuance unit 214 has the function of requesting, acquiring, and issuing identification information about the user when the integrated operation platform 10 acquires identification information on behalf of the user. "Issuing identification information" includes, for example, setting and issuing an ID on the transaction platform 20 side, or verifying whether the ID set on the integrated operation platform 10 side can be registered.

[0041] On the trading platform 20, customer information about users, associated with their identification information, is stored in the customer information database 221. The product database 222 stores information about the products handled on the trading platform 20.

[0042] An example of information processing according to Embodiment 1 will be described below. In the following description, Figures 1 to 5 will be referenced as appropriate for each component of the commerce system 100.

[0043] <Information processing in Commerce System 100> Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation of each terminal when a user places an order for goods, etc. in the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. In Figure 5, the commerce system 100 shows the flow of information from when the user creates order information P until the order processing is confirmed on the transaction platform 20 based on the order information P.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the user creates order information P on the integrated operation platform 10 or in a local environment by operating the user terminal 30. The created order information P is transmitted from the integrated operation platform 10 to the trading platform 20. The trading platform 20 processes orders for the goods handled by the trading platform 20 and, based on customer information about the user, arranges for the shipment of goods, processes payments, and communicates orders.

[0045] When the trading platform 20 processes orders as described above, it obtains customer information about the user from the integrated operations platform 10 and issues user identification information to the integrated operations platform 10. This identification information is used for order processing and login authentication.

[0046] The integrated operations platform 10 authenticates with the trading platform 20 using user identification information before sending order information R to the trading platform 20 (it logs in). Therefore, the order information R sent by the integrated operations platform 10 is associated with customer information about the user in the trading platform 20 and processed as an order.

[0047] If user identification information is not registered in the trading platform 20, that is, if the user's customer information managed in the integrated operations platform 10 does not contain identification information corresponding to the trading platform 20, the integrated operations platform 10 requests the trading platform 20 to issue the identification information. In this case, the trading platform 20 requests the user's customer information from the integrated operations platform 10, and issues the identification information as soon as the necessary information is provided.

[0048] The issued identification information is managed by the integrated operations platform 10 and used for sending subsequent order information R.

[0049] <Details of information processing in Commerce System 100> Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing in the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1. First, in step S1, the user operates the user terminal 30 to create order information. The user connects to the integrated operation platform 10 using the user terminal 30 and refers to the products, etc., presented by the integrated operation platform 10. The integrated operation platform 10 presents the products, etc. (step S2), and the user edits the order information P while selecting the products, etc. (step S3). Once the user has finished editing the order information P and decided to purchase, they operate the user terminal 30 to confirm the order information P, making it confirmed order information Q (step S4).

[0050] After the user confirms the order information P, the integrated operation platform 10 checks for the existence of identification information for the user who confirmed the confirmed order information Q (step S5). The identification information is used so that the trading platform 20, which handles the goods etc. included in the confirmed order information Q (goods etc. included in the order information R), can recognize who placed the order for the goods etc. included in the confirmed order information Q (goods etc. included in the order information R), and is used for the integrated operation platform 10 to log in to the trading platform 20.

[0051] If the customer information of a user who has confirmed a confirmed order Q does not contain any identification information related to the trading platform 20 (i.e., "None" in step S5), the integrated operation platform 10 requests the trading platform 20 to obtain identification information about the user (step S6).

[0052] Upon receiving a request from the integrated operations platform 10 to obtain identification information, the trading platform 20 requests the integrated operations platform 10 to obtain customer information about the user (step S7).

[0053] The integrated operations platform 10 receives a request from the trading platform 20 and transmits customer information about the user (step S8).

[0054] Figure 7 shows an example of customer information required by the trading platform 20 to issue identification information. Figure 7 shows a web page screen used by the trading platform 20 to directly obtain customer information from users. This screen is used to register customer information when users directly use the trading platform 20 to purchase goods, etc. The integrated operation platform 10 holds customer information about users who have confirmed a confirmed order information Q. Therefore, the integrated operation platform 10 fills in the customer information requested by the trading platform 20, as shown in Figure 7. For example, the user's name, postal code, address, and telephone number are entered using customer information held by the integrated operation platform 10. Furthermore, identification information necessary for authentication, such as the user ID and password for logging into the trading platform 20, is automatically set and entered by the integrated operation platform 10. Regarding email addresses, they may be automatically issued and entered by the integrated operation platform 10, or email address information registered with the integrated operation platform 10 may be entered.

[0055] When customer information about a user is entered into the trading platform 20, the trading platform 20 generates identification information (step S9). The generation of identification information is a process that verifies that the user ID and password entered into the trading platform 20 are registrable and then registers them. However, the generation of identification information may also be a process in which the trading platform 20 automatically sets a registrable user ID and password.

[0056] Once identification information is generated, the trading platform 20 stores this identification information in association with customer information (step S10). The registered identification information is then sent to the integrated operations platform 10 (step S11). This process is sometimes referred to as "issuance of identification information." The issuance of identification information may also be a confirmation transmission from the trading platform 20 to the integrated operations platform 10 of the identification information and registered customer information.

[0057] After confirming that the identification information has been registered on the trading platform 20, the integrated operations platform 10 associates the identification information with customer information about the user and stores it. The stored identification information is used repeatedly when the user purchases products handled by the trading platform 20. In other words, if the integrated operations platform 10 has the identification information to log in to the trading platform 20 in step S5 (if the answer is "yes" in step S5), the integrated operations platform 10 will not perform steps S6 to S12 and will proceed to the next step 13. However, the integrated operations platform 10 may perform steps S6 to S12 each time a user places an order.

[0058] After the user's identification information is registered in the trading platform 20, the integrated operations platform 10 inputs the user's identification information into the trading platform 20 (step S13). The trading platform 20 receives the input identification information, performs the login process (step S14), and sends the authentication information to the integrated operations platform 10 (step S15).

[0059] After authentication is performed on the trading platform 20 using user identification information, the integrated operation platform 10 transmits information regarding the products handled by the trading platform 20 from the confirmed order information Q (step S16). This information is treated as order information R on the trading platform 20.

[0060] The trading platform 20 processes the order using the order information R and customer information associated with the identification information (step S17). Since the integrated operation platform 10 logs into the trading platform 20 using the user's identification information, the order information R is associated with the user's customer information and processed as an order.

[0061] <Effects of Embodiment 1> The commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a trading platform 20 that sells goods on a computer network, and an integrated operation platform 10 that receives orders for goods from users on the computer network and generates order information P related to the goods. The trading platform 20 acquires customer information and issues identification information for each customer, while the integrated operation platform 10 stores the customer information of users, transmits the customer information of users to the trading platform 20, and acquires and stores identification information related to users from the trading platform 20. With this configuration, the commerce system 100 can provide consumers with goods from various trading platforms 20 via the integrated operation platform 10.

[0062] Furthermore, the integrated operation platform 10 connects to the trading platform using user identification information and transmits order information P from the user to the trading platform 20. This allows the integrated operation platform 10 to obtain identification information related to the trading platform 20 on behalf of the user and place orders. In other words, a user can place orders to multiple trading platforms 20 by placing an order with just one integrated operation platform 10. In this way, the commerce system 100 can improve user convenience.

[0063] Furthermore, the integrated operation platform 10 automatically sets login information from the user's identification information, transmits it to the trading platform 20, and stores the login information. As a result, even if a user places a repeat order for products handled by a particular trading platform 20, the commerce system 100 can place the order without obtaining identification information from the trading platform 20.

[0064] Furthermore, the integrated operation platform 10 displays information (transaction-related information) about the products sold by the trading platform 20 on the computer network. With this configuration, the operator of the trading platform 20 can sell the products handled by its trading platform 20 through alternative channels without having to set up new shop pages or the like.

[0065] <Example 1> In the description of the information processing of the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1 above, the user connects to the integrated operation platform 10 using a user terminal 30 to generate order information P (step S3) and confirm it (step S4) to place an order with the trading platform 20, but the system is not limited to this form. Confirmation of order information P may also be performed, for example, by the user making valid communication with the integrated operation platform 10 using a telephone terminal. In this case, the integrated operation platform 10 issues a telephone number (order telephone number) for confirming order information P after it has been generated. The order telephone number is associated with the order information at the time of issuance. The user makes a call to this order telephone number using a telephone terminal, and the integrated operation platform 10 receives this call and confirms the order information P. The integrated operation platform 10 also has the telephone number registered as customer information for the user. Therefore, if the integrated operation platform 10 receives valid communication from a telephone terminal with that telephone number, it considers the order from the user to be confirmed, and the order information P and the user's customer information are associated to generate confirmed order information Q.

[0066] In other words, according to the commerce system 100 of Modification 1, after generating order information P, the integrated operation platform 10 associates the order information P with an order telephone number, which is one of the telephone numbers managed by the integrated operation platform 10. The order telephone number is notified to the user, and after receiving a valid call to the order telephone number, the order information from the user is sent to the transaction platform 20. With this configuration, the commerce system 100 can confirm the order information P by telephone, improving user convenience.

[0067] <Modification 2> In the description of the information processing of the commerce system 100 according to Embodiment 1 above, the integrated operation platform 10 presents the products handled by the trading platform 20 to the user via the network 90, but is not limited to this. For example, the user may see the products and order telephone number displayed in paper media such as an advertisement, and then make a call to the order telephone number from the user's telephone terminal to generate order information P (step S3) and confirm the order information P (step S4).

[0068] "Generating order information for a product" includes generating order information by calling the order phone number as described above, as well as any action that generates order information P between the integrated operation platform 10 and the user. Furthermore, when a user provides services, orders goods or services, makes donations, etc., as part of a transaction, "generating order information for a product" can be rephrased as "generating order information for a transaction request."

[0069] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on various embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described above. In each of the embodiments described above, the commerce system 100 was implemented using a system including a client-server system of a network computer system, but the same functions as the commerce system 100 can also be implemented in various computers such as personal computers that do not constitute a client-server system, or in various communication terminals and mobile information terminals such as mobile terminals and tablets. Furthermore, it is also possible to implement at least a part of the functions of the commerce system 100 by implementing computer programs in various computers and various communication terminals and mobile information terminals. In other words, programs for making various computers function as at least a part of the commerce system 100 are also included in this disclosure. In addition, the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in combination as appropriate. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the scope of various modifications, applications, and uses that a person skilled in the art may make as needed is also included in the gist (technical scope) of this disclosure.

[0070] Furthermore, the commerce system 100 described above may also include combinations of the features shown in the following appendices 1 to 5. These combinations are shown below.

[0071] [Note 1] A trading platform for conducting transactions on a computer network, It comprises an integrated operational platform that receives transaction requests from users on a computer network and generates order information related to those transaction requests, The aforementioned trading platform is We acquire customer information and issue identification information for each customer. The aforementioned integrated operations platform is The customer information of the aforementioned user is stored, The user's customer information is transmitted to the aforementioned trading platform. The system obtains and stores the user's identification information from the trading platform. Commerce system. [Note 2] The commerce system described in Appendix 1, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is Using the identification information relating to the user, connect to the trading platform and transmit at least a portion of the order information from the user to the trading platform. Commerce system. [Note 3] A commerce system as described in Appendix 1 or 2, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is After generating the aforementioned order information, the order information is associated with one of the telephone numbers managed by the integrated operation platform, The aforementioned order telephone number is notified to the user, After receiving a valid call to the aforementioned order telephone number, the system transmits the order information from the user to the trading platform. Commerce system. [Note 4] A commerce system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is The system automatically sets login information from the user's identification information, transmits it to the trading platform, and stores the login information. Commerce system. [Note 5] A commerce system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is The trading platform presents information regarding transactions it handles on the computer network. Commerce system. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 10: Integrated Operations Platform 20: Trading platform 30: User terminal 30a: Mobile device 30b: Personal computer 30c: Terminal 51: Control Unit 52: Storage section 53: Communications Department 54: Input section 55: Output section 56: Imaging Department 90: Network 100: Commerce System 111:Product display section 112: Order Information Generation Unit 113: Ordering Department 114: Identification Information Acquisition Unit 115: Login Section 211: Order Processing Department 212: Order Department 213: Authentication Department 214: Identification Information Issuance Department 121: Customer information DB 122:Product DB 221: Customer information DB 222: Product Database P: Order Information Q: Confirmed order information R: Order Information

Claims

1. A trading platform for conducting transactions on a computer network, It comprises an integrated operational platform that receives transaction requests from users on a computer network and generates order information related to those transaction requests, The aforementioned trading platform is We acquire customer information and issue identification information for each customer. The aforementioned integrated operations platform is The customer information of the aforementioned user is stored, The user's customer information is transmitted to the aforementioned trading platform. The system obtains and stores the user's identification information from the trading platform. Commerce system.

2. A commerce system according to claim 1, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is Using the identification information relating to the user, connect to the trading platform and transmit at least a portion of the order information from the user to the trading platform. Commerce system.

3. A commerce system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is After generating the aforementioned order information, the order information is associated with one of the telephone numbers managed by the integrated operation platform, The aforementioned order telephone number is notified to the user, After receiving a valid call to the aforementioned order telephone number, the system transmits the order information from the user to the trading platform. Commerce system.

4. A commerce system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is The system automatically sets the login information from the user's identification information, transmits it to the trading platform, and stores the login information. Commerce system.

5. A commerce system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned integrated operations platform is The trading platform presents information regarding transactions it handles on the computer network. Commerce system.

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