Information Processing Apparatus and Program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and program configured to match a purchaser with a seller who is suitable for taking time to explain a commodity or a service.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit, a matching unit, a management unit, and an offering unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive a purchase request for a commodity or a service from a purchaser. The matching unit is configured to match multiple sellers who sell commodities or services corresponding to the purchase request. The management unit manages whether the purchaser has performed a predetermined action or not. The offering unit offers an incentive in accordance with the action, to the purchaser.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for matching a seller side and a buyer side have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, a seller who sells a product or service may want to sufficiently explain the product or service to be sold, etc. In this case, however, it takes time according to the explanation, etc.

[0005] On the other hand, a purchaser who purchases a product or service may also want to receive sufficient explanation and then consider the purchase.

[0006] However, sufficient explanation of a product or service may take time, and when the intentions of the seller and the purchaser do not match, for example, in combinations such as a seller who wants to perform mass sales with a simple advertisement and a purchaser who wants to receive sufficient explanation, a seller who wants to give sufficient explanation and a purchaser whose purchase target is vague, it may result in a waste of time.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an information processing apparatus and a program capable of matching a seller and a purchaser suitable for taking time for explanation of a product or service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided. This information processing apparatus includes a reception unit, a matching unit, a management unit, and a granting unit. The reception unit is configured to be able to receive a purchase request for a product or service from a purchaser. The matching unit is configured to be able to match a plurality of sellers who sell products or services corresponding to the purchase request. The management unit manages whether or not the purchaser has carried out a predetermined action. The granting unit grants an incentive corresponding to the execution of the action to the purchaser.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately match a seller who wants to provide sufficient explanation and a purchaser who wants to receive sufficient explanation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various characteristic matters shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0012] Incidentally, the program for realizing the software appearing in the present embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable medium that can be read by a computer, may be provided so as to be downloadable from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is launched on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0013] Also, in the present embodiment, the “section” may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in a broad sense and information processing of software that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. Also, in the present embodiment, various types of information are handled, and these types of information are represented, for example, by physical values of signal values representing voltage and current, the high and low of signal values as an aggregate of binary bits composed of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculation can be executed on a circuit in a broad sense.

[0014] Also, a circuit in a broad sense is a circuit realized by appropriately combining at least a circuit, circuitry, a processor, a memory, and the like. That is, it includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), and the like.

[0015] 1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of connection between the information processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and other apparatuses. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 1 is communicably connected to a network 2. The information processing terminals 3, 4, etc. are communicably connected to this network 2. The network 2 is, for example, the Internet.

[0016] The information processing apparatus 1 performs matching between sellers and purchasers of products or services.

[0017] The information processing terminal 3 is used by a seller of a product or service and is a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer.

[0018] The information processing terminal 4 is used by a purchaser of a product or service (including those considering purchase) and is a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer.

[0019] 2. Configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, a temporary storage unit 13, an external device connection unit 14, and a communication unit 15, and these components are electrically connected via a communication bus 16 inside the information processing apparatus 1.

[0020] The processing unit 11 is realized by, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and operates according to a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 12 to realize various functions.

[0021] The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores various information. This is realized by a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). Note that the storage unit 12 can also be arranged in another device that can communicate with the information processing device 1.

[0022] The temporary storage unit 13 is a volatile storage medium. This is realized by a memory such as a random access memory (RAM), and stores information (arguments, arrays, etc.) that is temporarily required when the processing unit 11 operates.

[0023] The external device connection unit 14 is a connection unit conforming to a standard such as the Universal Serial Bus (USB) or the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), and enables connection of input devices such as keyboards and display devices such as monitors.

[0024] The communication unit 15 is a communication means conforming to a local area network (LAN) standard, and realizes communication between the information processing device 1 and a network 2 such as a local area network or the Internet via the local area network.

[0025] Note that a general-purpose server-oriented computer, a personal computer, etc. can be used as the information processing device 1, and the information processing device 1 can also be configured using a plurality of computers.

[0026] Also, although detailed description is omitted, the information processing terminal 3 also has a basic configuration similar to that of the information processing device 1, and is different in that it is provided with an input device and a display device as a touch panel.

[0027] 3. Functions of the information processing device 1 Next, the functions of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. The information processing apparatus 1 realizes each functional unit described below by operating according to a program. This program is a program that causes a computer to operate or function as an information processing apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a reception unit 101, a matching unit 102, a management unit 103, and an assignment unit 104.

[0029] The reception unit 101 is configured to be able to receive a purchase request for a product or service from a purchaser. This reception unit 101 receives information for specifying a product or service that the purchaser wishes to purchase. When receiving this information, the product or service may be specified in an interactive manner, or may be specified using a search formula.

[0030] The matching unit 102 is configured to be able to match a plurality of sellers who sell products or services corresponding to the purchase request received by the reception unit 101. In this matching, the matching unit 102 needs to identify a seller corresponding to the purchase request. However, when the number of sellers corresponding to the purchase request is too large or too small, it is also possible to prompt the purchaser to input additional information. The additional information input by the purchaser is received by the reception unit 101. Also, the matching unit 102 identifies a predetermined number of sellers, but it is also possible to identify more sellers than that number and let the purchaser select.

[0031] The management unit 103 manages whether or not a purchaser has carried out a predetermined action. This action includes, for example, negotiations between the seller and the purchaser, the purchaser's participation in a seminar or seminar designated by the seller, the purchaser's viewing of a video designated by the seller, etc. The actions to be carried out by this purchaser may be determined by the administrator, that is, the operator of the information processing apparatus 1, or may include those set by each seller.

[0032] The granting unit 104 grants an incentive to the purchaser according to the implementation of actions. The incentive is granted to the purchaser according to the number of actions performed by the purchaser, and may be granted to the purchaser when the purchaser performs all of the actions. For example, if there are three sellers matched with the purchaser by the matching unit 102, when the purchaser performs all the actions specified by these three sellers, an incentive is granted to the purchaser. The incentive to be granted is based on the burden of all the sellers matched by the matching unit 102, in this case, the three aforementioned sellers, and is granted to the purchaser.

[0033] In principle, the incentive granted by the granting unit 104 can be used for the seller who the purchaser has determined to purchase goods or services from, and can be used for, for example, discounts on goods or services. However, it does not prevent the seller from granting general merchandise vouchers, etc. Also, when the time required for the actions specified by the seller varies, the incentive may vary according to the time required for the implementation of the actions. For example, if the basic time required for the implementation of an action is 1 hour, and the time required for the action specified by Company A, which is the seller, is 1.5 hours, an incentive (1.5 + 1 + 1) / 3 times as much is granted. In this case, the burden of Company A for the incentive also becomes 1.5 times. Of course, even if the seller who the purchaser has determined to purchase goods or services from is other than Company A, the burden of Company A remains 1.5 times according to the time.

[0034] 4. Actions of the Purchaser Here, the actions of the purchaser will be described. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the actions of the purchaser. The purchaser can receive the granting of an incentive by performing the specified actions, that is, the actions for the plurality of sellers matched by the matching unit 102. For example, the actions performed by the purchaser 41 are negotiation A with the seller 31, negotiation B with the seller 32, and negotiation C with the seller 33. Also, instead of negotiation C, it is also possible to participate in seminar D held by the seller 33.

[0035] Also, although it is a requirement for the purchaser to receive an incentive that the purchaser must perform all actions with respect to a plurality of sellers matched in the matching unit 102, for example, when the purchaser decides to purchase from seller 31 at a stage where negotiation A and negotiation B are conducted but negotiation C is not, it is also possible to receive an incentive without conducting negotiation C. In this case, the value of the incentive given to the purchaser may be set to 2 / 3, and it may be assumed that there is no burden on the incentive for seller 33. Alternatively, the value of the incentive given to the purchaser may be left as it is, and the burden on the incentives for seller 31 and seller 32 may be increased.

[0036] 5. Flow of Purchase of Goods or Services Next, the flow of purchase of goods or services by the purchaser will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of purchase of goods or services by the purchaser. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display of the matching result. Here, for the purpose of explanation, a case where there are three sellers matched with the purchaser in the matching unit 102 will be taken as an example, and the information processing terminals 3 used by each party will be described as information processing terminal 3-A, information processing terminal 3-B, and information processing terminal 3-C, respectively.

[0037] First, information on goods or services sold by the seller is registered in the information processing apparatus 1 from the information processing terminal 3-A (S201). Similarly, information on goods or services sold by the seller is registered in the information processing apparatus 1 from the information processing terminal 3-B (S202), and information on goods or services sold by the seller is registered in the information processing apparatus 1 from the information processing terminal 3-C (S203). Also, information on goods or services sold by other sellers is registered in the information processing apparatus 1.

[0038] Subsequently, when the reception unit 101 of the information processing apparatus 1 receives a request from the information processing terminal 4 (S204), the matching unit 102 performs matching and notifies the information processing terminal 4 of the result (S205). Here, it is assumed that the three parties are matched. The result of the matching is notified as a negotiation setting screen as shown in FIG. 7, for example. The purchaser can set a negotiation at a desired date and time from this screen. The negotiation set by the purchaser is notified from the information processing terminal 4 to the information processing apparatus 1 (S206). Here, participation in a seminar or viewing of a video is also described as a negotiation.

[0039] Also, the results of the matching and the negotiation setting are notified to the information processing terminal 3-A (S207), and are also notified to the information processing terminal 3-B (S208) and the information processing terminal 3-C (S209). Note that it is not necessary to directly notify the information processing terminals 3-A, 3-B, and 3-C. Instead, it may be possible to notify by email to the specified email address, or to perform the notification when there is access to the information processing apparatus 1 from each of the information processing terminals 3-A, 3-B, and 3-C.

[0040] After that, the purchaser holds a negotiation with the first seller, for example, a video conference between the information processing terminal 4 and the information processing terminal 3-A (S210). When the negotiation ends, the information processing terminal 3-A notifies the information processing apparatus 1 that the negotiation has ended (S211). Note that the negotiation may use any tool or something that does not use the information processing terminals 3-A and 4 such as a telephone, or may use a video conference or the like prepared by the operator of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0041] Subsequently, the purchaser holds a negotiation with the second seller, for example, a video conference between the information processing terminal 4 and the information processing terminal 3-B (S212). When the negotiation ends, the information processing terminal 3-B notifies the information processing apparatus 1 that the negotiation has ended (S213).

[0042] Furthermore, when the purchaser negotiates with the third seller, for example, holds a video conference between the information processing terminal 4 and the information processing terminal 3-C (S214), and upon completion of the negotiation, a notification indicating the end of the negotiation is sent from the information processing terminal 3-B to the information processing apparatus 1 (S215).

[0043] When the purchaser finishes negotiating with the three sellers, determines the product or service to be purchased, and notifies the information processing apparatus 1 to that effect from the information processing terminal 4 (S216), an incentive is given from the information processing apparatus 1 to the information processing terminal 4 in response to this notification (S217). Then, a contract is concluded between the information processing terminal 4 and the information processing terminal 3-B (S218). Of course, it is possible to conclude a contract without using the information processing terminal 4 and the information processing terminal 3-B.

[0044] 6. Operations of the information processing apparatus 1 Next, the operations of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0045] When the information processing apparatus 1 is requested to register a product or service to be sold from the information processing terminal 3 (YES in S301), it performs a registration process according to the request (S302).

[0046] Also, when there is a purchase request from the information processing terminal 4 (YES in S303), the reception unit 101 receives this, and the matching unit 102 performs a matching process (S304). Then, the result of the matching is notified to the information processing terminal 4, and the negotiation setting is received (S305). This negotiation setting is notified to the target information processing terminal 3.

[0047] Also, when the information processing apparatus 1 receives a notification that the negotiation has been completed from the information processing terminal 3 (YES in S306), the management unit 103 records and manages that fact (S307).

[0048] Furthermore, when the information processing apparatus 1 receives a notification of the determination of the purchase destination from the information processing terminal 4 (YES in S308), the management unit 103 determines whether it meets a predetermined condition from the recorded negotiations it manages. If it meets the predetermined condition (YES in S309), an incentive is given to the information processing terminal 4 (S310). The predetermined condition is the implementation of the designated negotiation.

[0049] 5. Others The present invention may be provided in each of the following aspects. In the information processing apparatus, the action includes information set by each of the sellers. In the information processing apparatus, the action includes a negotiation between the seller and the purchaser. In the information processing apparatus, the action includes participation in a training session or seminar designated by the seller. In the information processing apparatus, the action includes viewing a video designated by the seller. In the information processing apparatus, the incentive is given when the purchaser has performed all of the actions. In the information processing apparatus, the incentive varies according to the time required to perform the action. In the information processing apparatus, the incentive is given to the purchaser at the expense of all the sellers matched by the matching unit. A program for operating a computer as an information processing apparatus, the program causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus. Of course, this is not all-inclusive.

[0050] With such a configuration, in the present invention, when a purchaser determines a seller after conducting negotiations with a plurality of sellers, the purchaser can receive an incentive. Therefore, if the purchaser has no intention of purchasing a product or service, there is no meaning in conducting negotiations. As a result, the seller side can conduct negotiations with purchasers who have the will to purchase and obtain sales opportunities.

Explanation of Signs

[0051] 1: Information Processing Device 2: Network 3: Information Processing Terminal 3-A: Information Processing Terminal 3-B: Information Processing Terminal 3-C: Information Processing Terminal 4: Information Processing Terminal 11: Processing Unit 12: Storage Unit 13: Temporary Storage Unit 14: External Device Connection Unit 15: Communication Unit 16: Communication Bus 31: Seller 32: Seller 33: Seller 41: Purchaser 101: Reception Unit 102: Matching Unit 103: Management Unit 104: Granting Unit A: Negotiation B: Negotiation C: Negotiation D: Seminar

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising a reception unit, a matching unit, a management unit, and a granting unit, wherein the reception unit is configured to be able to receive a purchase request for a product or service from a purchaser, the matching unit is configured to be able to match a plurality of sellers who sell products or services corresponding to the purchase request, the management unit manages whether the purchaser has carried out a predetermined action, where the action is respectively associated with a plurality of the sellers, and includes at least any one of negotiation, participation in a training session or seminar, and viewing of a video, the seller can set a plurality of types of the actions for the product or service, the purchaser can select one of the plurality of types of the actions, and the granting unit grants an incentive corresponding to the implementation of the action to the purchaser Information processing apparatus.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incentive is granted when the purchaser has carried out all of the actions Information processing apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the incentive varies according to the time required for the implementation of the action Information processing apparatus.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the incentive is granted to the purchaser at the expense of all the sellers matched by the matching unit Information processing apparatus.

5. A program for operating a computer as an information processing apparatus, causing the computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 Program.

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