Bidding support method

Abstract

To provide a bidding support method that enables flexible selection of pricing methods according to bidding items for product sales. [Solution] A method of supporting bidding for product sales in a system including a server terminal, a organizer terminal, and a bidder terminal includes a control unit of the server terminal receiving input data regarding the bidding period of a bidding item from the organizer terminal of the organizer who plans the bidding item, receiving input data from the organizer terminal regarding a specific pricing method among multiple pricing methods for the bidding item and at least one of various parameters that define the specific pricing method, registering the pricing method by associating the received data regarding the bidding period and pricing method with data regarding the bidding item and storing it in the memory unit of the server terminal, and making the contents of the bidding item public by transmitting the registered data regarding the bidding item, including information regarding the bidding period and pricing method, to multiple bidder terminals.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assisting in bidding. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, an example of an auction for homogeneous multiple goods is a government bond auction. Although the word "auction" is often used instead of "bid," the word "bid" used here means both "bid" and "auction."

[0003] In government bond auctions, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, the successful bidder is determined based on the amount bid by the bidder, starting with the highest bidder, and in particular, under the conventional method, the bid price of the successful bidder is determined as the amount to be paid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Introduction to Japanese Government Bonds - Introduction to the bidding (auction) system and academic research, focusing on the Dutch and conventional methods - (Ministry of Finance) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a document related to bidding for government bonds, but in addition to government bonds, various financial products such as newly listed stocks sold in IPOs, security tokens, and crypto assets, as well as greenhouse gas emission allowances and credits, are suitable for bidding for multiple homogeneous goods, and it is expected that demand for online services that support bidding for multiple homogeneous goods will increase in the future.In addition, it is expected that organizers (managers) who plan bidding cases for product sales will want to flexibly select and set pricing methods depending on the product and / or time when selling various products or the same product at different times.

[0006] In view of the above problems and needs, the present invention provides a bidding support method that allows flexible selection of a pricing method depending on a bidding item for product sales. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for supporting bidding for product sales comprises a control unit of a server terminal receiving input data regarding a bidding period of a bidding item from a sponsor terminal of a sponsor planning the bidding item, receiving input data regarding one of a plurality of pricing methods for the bidding item and at least one of various parameters defining a specific pricing method from the sponsor terminal, and storing the received data regarding the bidding period and the pricing method in a memory unit of the server terminal in association with data regarding the bidding item. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bidding support method that allows a pricing method to be flexibly selected or set depending on a bidding item for product sales. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system for supporting bidding for product sales according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 100 of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a functional block diagram showing a promoter terminal 200 of the bidding campaign of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of bid data stored in the server terminal 100. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of bid data stored in the server terminal 100 and received from a bidder. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing an example of a bid support method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining an example of evaluation data. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the bid support method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a bid support method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of a bid support method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a system for executing a method for supporting bidding for product sales according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 is composed of, for example, a server terminal 100 that manages one or more bidding items and supports bidding processing for each bidding item, a host terminal 200 of a planner that plans the bidding items, and a bidder terminal 300 of a bidder that submits a bid for the bidding item. For ease of explanation, each terminal is described as being a single terminal or a specific number of terminals, but the number of each terminal is not limited.

[0012] The server terminal 100, the organizer terminal 200, and the bidder terminal 300 are connected to each other via a network NW1. The network NW is configured by the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0013] The server terminal 100 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0014] The host terminal 200 and the bidder terminal 300 are, for example, information processing devices such as personal computers and tablet terminals, but may also be configured as smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs, and the like.

[0015] In this embodiment, the system 1 is described as comprising a server terminal 100, a organizer 200, and a bidder terminal 300, with users of each terminal using their respective terminals to operate the server terminal 100; however, the server terminal 100 may be configured as a stand-alone terminal, and the server terminal itself may be provided with a function for each organizer to directly operate it.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 of Fig. 1. The server terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit .

[0017] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the host terminal 200 and the bidder terminals 300 via the network NW1, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0018] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 120 also has a bid data storage unit 121 that stores various data related to the bidding item. A database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0019] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing the programs stored in the memory unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives instructions and information from each terminal, and an information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various data related to the bidding item. The information receiving unit 131 and the information processing unit 132 are activated by the programs stored in the memory unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0020] The information receiving unit 131 receives information from the organizer terminal 200, the bidder terminal 300, etc. via the communication unit 110. For example, from the organizer terminal 200, information on the conditions related to the bidding item input by the organizer is received.

[0021] The information processing unit 132 refers to various data related to the bidding item (for example, bidding data 1000, which will be described later) and performs a predetermined process.

[0022] The control unit 130 may also have a screen generation unit (not shown) and generates screen information to be displayed via the user interface of the organizer terminal 200 or the bidder terminal 300 upon request. For example, using image and text data (not shown) stored in the memory unit 120 as material, the control unit 130 generates a user interface by arranging various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface based on predetermined layout rules. Processing related to the image generation unit may also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0023] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the host terminal 200 of Fig. 1. The host terminal 200 includes a communication unit 210, a display operation unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0024] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0025] The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used for allowing a user to input instructions and for displaying text, images, etc. according to input data from the control unit 240, and is composed of a display, keyboard, and mouse when the organizer terminal 200 is configured as a personal computer, and is composed of a touch panel, etc. when the organizer terminal 200 is configured as a smartphone or tablet terminal. This display operation unit 220 is started up by a control program stored in the storage unit 230 and executed by the organizer terminal 200, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0026] The storage unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 240, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 230 also temporarily stores the contents of communication with the server terminal 100.

[0027] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the host terminal 200 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like.

[0028] The bidder terminal 300 may also have substantially the same configuration as the host terminal 200, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the bid data stored in the server terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0030] The bid data 1000 shown in FIG. 4 stores various data related to the bid. For the sake of convenience, FIG. 4 shows an example of one bid item (e.g., a bid item identified by a bid ID "10001" corresponding to a financial product sold by Company X), but information on a plurality of items can be stored. The various data related to the bid includes, for example, basic data on the bid item (e.g., item name, organizer data (organizer ID, organizer name, industry, etc.), product data (product name, product category, product description, etc.), bid setting data (bidding method (open / sealed bidding), bidding period, pricing method (bid payment method, flat rate method, Spanish method, etc.), various parameters that define a specific pricing method (variables that define an equation that determines a price depending on information on the bid item and bids, etc.), parameters that define the range of the number of bids, etc.), and the like. , upper payment limit, lower payment limit, target revenue amount, etc.) and bidding transaction data (bidder, bid amount, number of bids, bidding date and time, successful bidder bid amount, successful bidder, payment amount, etc.). Furthermore, the bid data 1000 can also include analysis data (sponsor data, highest successful bid price, lowest successful bid price, highest non-successful bid price, nature of the successful bid amount, nature of the successful bidder's bid timing, nature of all bids, target revenue achievement rate, etc.) analyzed based on bidding item data for each item, each organizer, each industry, each product category, etc.

[0031] <Processing flow> A process flow of a bidding support method executed by the system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for supporting bidding according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] First, a sponsor planning a bidding item accesses the server terminal 100 via a browser or application installed in the sponsor terminal 200 and logs in to the service. Then, in order to create a bidding item, the sponsor inputs necessary information among basic data on the bidding item, bidding transaction data, and related data via a predetermined screen displayed on the sponsor terminal 200, and the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the input information. The information input by the sponsor includes information regarding the determination of a pricing method, such as a specific pricing method selected from multiple candidates and at least one of various parameters that define the specific pricing method. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 executes item registration by storing the received basic information in the bidding data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as a part of the bidding data 1000.

[0033] Then, as the process of step S101, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the bidding method input by the organizer for the bidding item from the organizer terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. Bidding methods include open bidding and sealed bidding. In sealed bidding, once a bidder submits a bid, the bidder cannot change the bid contents such as the bid amount and the bid quantity in principle, whereas in open bidding, the bidder can update the bid contents within the bidding period. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 executes the registration of the bidding method by storing the received input data on the bidding method in the bidding data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 as a part of the bidding data 1000. In the following, in this example, it is assumed that multiple homogeneous goods (multiple identical items) are sold by sealed bidding. However, this embodiment includes a special case in which the item to be sold is one item, not multiple items.

[0034] Next, in the process of step S102, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the bidding period input by the organizer for the bidding item from the organizer terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the received input data on the bidding period in the bidding data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as part of the bidding data 1000, thereby registering the bidding period.

[0035] Next, in the process of step S103, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the pricing method input by the organizer for the bidding item from the organizer terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 executes registration of the pricing method by storing the received input data on the pricing method in the bid data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as part of the bid data 1000. Here, the pricing method refers to a method of setting the payment amount to be paid by a bidder after the bidding results are finalized.

[0036] The goods to be sold are allocated in descending order of the bid amounts in the bid vector. Here, a bid vector is, for example, a combination of bid contents (b_i,q_i) such as the bid amount b_i and the bid quantity q_i of each bidder i, (b,q)=((b_1,q_1),(b_2,q_2),...,(b_n,q_n)). A bidder who has been allocated goods will be the successful bidder for the allocated quantity. As an example, consider a situation where five units of the same good are on sale and there are four bidders. Let's assume that the bidding situation is as follows. That is, 1) Bidder A bids "2 units for 20 yen each" (b_A=20,q_A=2). *"20 yen" is the bid amount per unit. 2) Bidder B bids "1 item for 13 yen" (b_B=13, q_B=1). 3) Bidder C bids "2 units for 11 yen" (b_C=11,q_c=2). *"11 yen" is the bid amount per unit. 4) Bidder D bids "1 item for 9 yen" (b_D=9,q_D=1). From the above, the bid vector is (b,q) = ((20,2),(13,1),(11,2),(9,1)). By the way, it is possible that "Bidder A and Bidder B are the same person." A person who bids both "2 items for 20 yen" and "1 item for 13 yen" will be represented here as two bidders. The top five bids are "Bidder A's 2 items for 20 yen," "Bidder B's 1 item for 13 yen," and "Bidder C's 2 items for 11 yen." These are the "winning bids," and as successful bidders, the goods are allocated to them. Note that if there are multiple bidders who have placed the same bid amount, and the number of items to be allocated is less than the total number of items desired at that bid amount, the winning bid is determined by information other than the bid amount, or a lottery, or a combination of both.

[0037] The amount paid by the successful bidder can be determined in several ways, depending on the pricing method. Below are some examples. 1) Bid payment method: The bid amount is the price for each person. In other words, "Bidder A's 2 units for 20 yen" is 20 yen for both units, "Bidder B's 1 unit for 13 yen" is 13 yen, and "Bidder C's 2 units for 11 yen" is 11 yen for both units. The organizer gets a total of (20+20)+13+(11+11)=75 yen. 2) Flat price method: The lowest winning bid is the price for each bidder. In other words, "Bidder A's 2 items for 20 yen" and "Bidder B's 1 item for 13 yen" are all bidders, and "Bidder C's 2 items for 11 yen each earn 1+(11+11)=55 yen." 3) Spanish Method: The average of the winning bids is (20+20+13+11+11) / 5=75 / 5=15 yen. The amount each person pays per unit is capped at the average of the winning bids. In other words, for "Bidder A's 20 yen," which exceeds the average of 15 yen, the price per unit is capped at 15 yen. On the other hand, "Bidder B's 1 unit for 14 yen," which is below the average, is priced at 14 yen, and "Bidder C's 2 units for 11 yen," which is also below the average, is priced at 11 yen per unit. The organizer receives a total of (15+15)+13+(11+11)=65 yen.

[0038] In this step, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 sets the following function F using the information regarding the determination of the pricing method input by the organizer. That is, the function F gives the payment amount vector F(b,q)=(F_1(b,q), F_2(b,q), ..., F_n(b,q)) of the bidder i=1,2, ..., n according to the bid vector (b,q). Here, F_i(b,q) represents the payment amount of the bidder i. In other words, the information regarding the determination of the pricing method determines the shape of the function F, and the function F determines the payment amount of each bidder according to the given bid vector.

[0039] Next, in step S104, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 transmits data regarding the registered bidding item, including information regarding the bidding period and pricing method, to multiple bidder terminals 300, thereby making the contents of the bidding item public.

[0040] 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the method for supporting bidding according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the following description will be given assuming that bids are accepted from a plurality of bidders for the published bidding item.

[0041] In the process of step S201, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the bid amount and bid quantity input by the bidders for the bidding item from the multiple bidder terminals 300 via the communication unit 110. Here, when each bidder i inputs his / her bid amount and bid quantity (b_i, q_i) as the bid contents in each bidder terminal 300, the bid vector is expressed as (b, q) = ((b_1, q_1), (b_2, q_2), ..., (b_n, q_n)). However, depending on various parameters set in advance by the organizer, the range of numbers that a bidder can input for p_i and q_i may be limited or the numbers may be fixed, and when the numbers are fixed, the setting is usually such that the bidder does not have to bother inputting the numbers. 5, for example, assume that Bidder A has bid "2 units for 20 yen," Bidder B has bid "1 unit for 13 yen," Bidder C has bid "2 units for 11 yen," and Bid D has bid "1 unit for 9 yen." The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the received input data regarding the bid amounts and quantities in the bid data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as bid data 1000.

[0042] Next, in the process of step S202, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 determines the successful bidder (winning bid) in descending order of bid amount based on the data on the bid amount and the bid quantity input by the multiple bidders via the communication unit 110. For example, the top five bid amounts are "2 units for 20 yen from bidder A," "1 unit for 13 yen from bidder B," and "2 units for 11 yen from bidder C," which are determined as "winning bids," and the goods are allocated to bidders A, B, and C. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the determined successful bidder (winning bid) in the bid data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 as bid data 1000. When there are multiple bidders with the same bid amount, the winning bid is determined based on information other than the bid amount, or is determined by random drawing, or is determined by a combination of these two methods.

[0043] Next, in the process of step S203, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to information related to the determination of the pricing method, which is stored in the bid data 1000 of the bid data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 121.

[0044] Next, in the process of step S204, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 determines the payment amount of each bidder based on the information on the determination of the pricing method and the bid vector. Here, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 gives the payment amount vector F(b,q)=(F_1(b,q), F_2(b,q), ..., F_n(b,q)) to the bid vector (b,q). Here, F_i(b,q) represents the payment amount of bidder i, and the value can be zero (if i is the loser of the bid, this value is usually zero. Usually, the organizer sets F to be this). As explained above, for example, if F corresponds to the bid payment method, bidder A pays 20 yen for both pieces, bidder B pays 13 yen, and bidder C pays 11 yen for both pieces, and the organizer receives a total of 75 yen. Also, if F corresponds to the flat price method, bidder A, bidder B, and bidder C will all pay 11 yen per unit, and the organizer will receive a total of 55 yen. Thus, according to this embodiment, the organizer can flexibly set the pricing method according to the bidding case for the product sale. This selection can also increase the organizer's sales. For example, the bid payment method may seem to maximize the organizer's sales at first glance, but this is not always the case. This is because bidders change their bid amount and number of bids depending on the pricing method. For example, under the flat price method, the minimum bid price is the amount paid per unit, so bidders can easily bid high with confidence. And if many bidders behave in this way, the minimum bid price will rise, and the organizer's sales may increase. What is important is that the organizer can flexibly select and set the pricing method according to his or her own purpose.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a bidding support method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] First, in the process of step S301, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the bidding method input by the organizer for the bidding item from the organizer terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. Bidding methods include open bidding and sealed bidding. In sealed bidding, once a bidder has placed a bid, the bidder cannot change the bid contents such as the bid amount and the bid quantity in principle, whereas in open bidding, the bidder can update the bid contents within the bidding period. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 executes the registration of the bidding method by storing the received input data on the bidding method in the bidding data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 as bidding data 1000. In the following, in this example, the explanation is given on the premise that homogeneous multiple goods (multiple items of the same thing) are sold by sealed bidding.

[0047] Next, in the process of step S302, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the bidding period input by the organizer for the bidding item from the organizer terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the received input data on the bidding period in the bidding data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as bidding data 1000, thereby registering the bidding period.

[0048] Next, in the process of step S303, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the upper limit of the payment amount entered by the organizer for the bidding item from the organizer terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the received input data on the upper limit of the payment amount in the bid data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as bid data 1000, thereby registering the upper limit of the payment amount. In this step, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 sets the following function G. That is, the function G gives the "upper limit of the price that a bidder will pay", and the payment amount vector F is defined by G.

[0049] Next, in step S304, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 transmits data regarding the registered bidding item, including information regarding the setting of the upper limit of the payment amount, to multiple bidder terminals 300, thereby making the contents of the bidding item public.

[0050] 9 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for supporting bidding according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the following description will be given assuming that bids are accepted from a plurality of bidders for the published bidding item.

[0051] In the process of step S401, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives data on the bid amount and the bid quantity for the bidding item, which are input by the bidders or determined by various parameters set in advance by the organizer, from the multiple bidder terminals 300 via the communication unit 110. Here, when each bidder i inputs his / her bid amount and bid quantity (b_i, q_i) at each bidder terminal 300, the bid vector can be expressed as (b, q) = ((b_1, q_1), (b_2, q_2), ..., (b_n, q_n)). Here, the bid amount and bid quantity input by each bidder are, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, bidder A's bid of "2 units at 20 yen", bidder B's bid of "1 unit at 13 yen", bidder C's bid of "2 units at 11 yen", and bidder D's bid of "1 unit at 9 yen". The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the received input data regarding the bid amount and quantity in the bid data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as bid data 1000 .

[0052] Next, in the process of step S402, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 determines a successful bidder (winning bid) based on data on the bid amount and the number of bids via the communication unit 110. For example, the top five bid amounts are "2 units by bidder A for 20 yen," "1 unit by bidder B for 13 yen," and "2 units by bidder C for 11 yen," which are determined as "winning bids," and the goods are allocated to bidders A, B, and C. The information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 stores the determined successful bidder (winning bid) in the bid data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 as a part of the bid data 1000.

[0053] Next, in the processing of step S403, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to information regarding the determination of the above-mentioned pricing method stored in the bidding data 1000 of the bidding data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 121, and also refers to the upper limit of the payment amount set above.

[0054] Next, in step S404, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 determines the payment amount of the successful bidder based on the information on the determination of the pricing method and the information on the bid contents such as the bid amount and the number of bids. Here, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 gives the upper limit vector G(b,q)=(G_1(b,q),G_2(b,q),...,G_n(b,q)) to the bid vector (b,q). Then, the information processing unit 132 determines that the amount to be paid for a winning bid where b_i>G_i(b,q) is limited to G_i(b,q), and that the amount to be paid for a winning bid where b_i≦G_i(b,q) is b_i. In other words, the bidder who makes the winning bid pays F_i(b,q)=min{G_i(b,q),b_i} yen per unit to the organizer and receives the goods. Here, for example, G is a set of G_i(b,q) for each possible (b,q). a) If we use a function that matches the "average" of winning bids, then this bidding method is consistent with the Spanish method. b) If the function is such that the "maximum" of winning bids is matched, then this bidding scheme is consistent with the bid-and-pay scheme. C) If we use a function that matches the "minimum" of the winning bid, then this bidding method is identical to the flat price method. G can set upper limits based on information such as the age of the bidder, rather than just the bid amount or number of items. For example, a relatively low upper limit can be set for younger bidders so that they pay less. In other words, by equipping an online bidding system with this function, organizers can easily create various pricing methods.

[0055] Here, in relation to the functions disclosed in the first and second embodiments, the information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 can a) calculate the statistical analysis results of the bids after the end of the bidding period, and display them on the management screen of the organizer terminal 200. Examples of the statistical analysis results include the following. 1) Highest successful bid (highest winning bid), lowest successful bid (lowest winning bid), highest non-successful bid (highest losing bid) 2) The nature of the winning bid amount (average, variance, etc.) 3) The nature of the bidding period of the winning bid (date, time, etc.) 4) The nature of all bids (average, variance, etc.) 5) The nature of all bids (date, time, etc.)

[0056] In addition, the information processing unit 132 can calculate and display the results of statistical analysis of bidding for multiple bidding events specified by the user among a large number of bidding events held in the past. Examples of the statistical analysis results include the following: 1) Let's say product X is sold using the bid payment method in bidding event A, and using the flat price method in bidding event B. In this case, if you use this function, the results of 1) above for A and the results of 1) above for B will be calculated and displayed side by side for easy comparison. Easy to compare means, for example, that if "A has a higher reserve price than B," only A will be displayed in red. 2) Calculate and display statistical analysis results for bidding events that have been conducted using common methods (e.g., bid payment method). For example, in the bid payment method, the variance of bid amounts and the achievement rate of target revenue amounts are displayed. Furthermore, the information processing unit 132 can simultaneously calculate and display the above (a) for a plurality of methods. This makes it possible to quantitatively compare which of the bid payment method and the flat price method has a higher achievement rate of the target profit amount. This embodiment not only allows the organizer to flexibly select and set the pricing method, but also allows the organizer to determine the selection and setting of the pricing method based on statistics.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they can be embodied in various other forms and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments and modifications, as well as omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are included in the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 System 100 Server terminal, 110 Communication unit, 120 Storage unit, 130 Control unit, 200 Organizer terminal, 300 Bidder terminal, NW1 Network

Claims

1. 1. A method for supporting bidding for a sale of a product, comprising: The control unit of the server terminal receiving input data on the bidding item from a promoter terminal of a promoter who plans the bidding item; receiving input data regarding a setting of a pricing method from the organizer terminal; storing the received data on the setting of the pricing method in a storage unit of the server terminal in association with data on the bidding item; setting a function for determining a payment amount according to bid contents including a bid amount and a bid quantity of a bidder based on the data regarding the setting of the pricing method; receiving input data on the bid contents from bidder terminals of a plurality of bidders for the bid item, and determining a successful bidder from among the plurality of bidders based on the received input data on the bid contents; The method further comprising: applying the successful bidder's bid to the function to determine the successful bidder's payment.

2. 2. The method of claim 1 , The control unit receives input data related to a bidding method for the bidding item from the organizer terminal.

3. 2. The method of claim 1 , The control unit receives input data regarding an upper payment limit for the bidding item from the organizer terminal, and sets the function based on the data regarding the pricing method setting and the upper payment limit so that the payment amount is less than or equal to the upper payment limit.

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