Subscription purchase device, subscription purchase method, and program

Abstract

This will enable businesses to offer subscription services with a high degree of freedom. [Solution] According to one embodiment, a subscription device is provided, comprising one or more control units, the control units comprising: The system receives order information for a subscription contract selected by a customer from the customer terminal, stores the order information in a storage unit, determines the timing for providing the product that is the subject of the subscription contract based on the order information, and if it determines that the timing has come, requests the EC system to settle the payment for the product.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a subscription purchase device, a subscription purchase method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, subscription services for products and services have become common. Cited Document 1 describes a method for designing discounted products suitable for new customers in subscription services. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-179510 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When businesses offer subscription services on their e-commerce sites, they typically use the subscription functionality provided by default in their e-commerce platforms. However, this default subscription functionality has the drawback of being limited in its flexibility.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable businesses to provide subscription services with a high degree of freedom. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment, a subscription device is provided, comprising one or more control units, the control units comprising: The system receives order information for a subscription contract selected by a customer from the customer terminal, stores the order information in a storage unit, determines the timing for providing the product that is the subject of the subscription contract based on the order information, and if it determines that the timing has come, requests the EC system to settle the payment for the product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, businesses can provide subscription services with a high degree of freedom. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a regular purchase system 1000. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a subscription purchase device 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a customer terminal 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subscription contract creation method. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a creation screen sc1. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of contract information. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an ordering method. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an order screen sc2. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of order information. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subscription purchasing method. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a contract modification method. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for dealing with a payment failure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the description of the specification and drawings relating to each embodiment, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] <System configuration> First, an overview of the regular purchase system 1000 according to this embodiment will be described. The regular purchase system 1000 is an information processing system that enables businesses to provide highly flexible subscription services on their e-commerce sites.

[0011] A business operator is an individual or corporation that operates an e-commerce website and provides subscription services to customers. An e-commerce website is an online store, sometimes called an online store or online shop.

[0012] A subscription service is a service in which a customer enters into a subscription contract with a business to purchase a product on a regular basis, and the business provides the product to the customer in accordance with the subscription contract. Products include both goods and services.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a subscription purchasing system 1000. As shown in Fig. 1, the subscription purchasing system 1000 includes a subscription purchasing device 1, a customer terminal 2, an EC system 3, and a business operator terminal 4, which are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N.

[0014] The network N may be, for example, a wired local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN, the Internet, a public line network, a mobile data communication network, or a combination of these. In the example of Fig. 1, the subscription system 1000 includes one subscription device 1, one customer terminal 2, one EC system 3, and one business operator terminal 4, but may include multiple of each.

[0015] The subscription device 1 is an information processing device that provides a subscription function to a business's e-commerce site. By having the subscription device 1 provide the subscription function to the business's e-commerce site instead of an e-commerce platform, the business can realize a subscription service with a high degree of freedom. The subscription device 1 is, for example, but is not limited to, a PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, tablet terminal, server device, or microcomputer. In the example of FIG. 1, the subscription device 1 is a single information processing device, but it may also be realized as a system consisting of multiple information processing devices connected via a network N.

[0016] The customer terminal 2 is an information processing device used by a customer who receives the subscription service. The customer terminal 2 is, for example, a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, but is not limited to these.

[0017] The business operator terminal 4 is an information processing device used by a business operator that operates an e-commerce site on an e-commerce platform and provides subscription services to customers. The business operator terminal 4 is, for example, but is not limited to, a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0018] The EC system 4 is an information processing system that provides an EC platform. The EC platform provides businesses with functions for building and operating EC sites. Businesses use these functions to operate their EC sites on the EC platform. The EC system 4 is operated by an EC platform business (e.g., Shopify (registered trademark)). The EC system 4 is composed of multiple servers connected via a network N.

[0019] <Hardware configuration of subscription device 1> Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the subscription device 1. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the subscription device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the subscription device 1 comprises a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, and a communication unit 13, which are interconnected via a bus B1.

[0020] The control unit 11 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 12, controls the entire subscription purchase device 1, and realizes the functions of the subscription purchase device 1. The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a combination of these.

[0021] The storage unit 12 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores various programs and data. The storage unit 12 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a storage class memory (SCM), or a combination thereof.

[0022] The communication unit 13 controls communication between the regular purchasing device 1 and external devices via the network N. The communication unit 13 is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) module, a ZigBee (registered trademark) module, an Ethernet (registered trademark) module, a mobile communication module, or a combination thereof.

[0023] In this embodiment, the program may be written to the storage unit 12 during the manufacturing stage of the subscription device 1, may be provided to the subscription device 1 via the network N, or may be provided to the subscription device 1 via a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium. Examples of recording media include a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a FD (Floppy Disk), an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a USB (registered trademark) memory, an SD card, or a combination thereof.

[0024] <Customer terminal 2 hardware configuration> Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the customer terminal 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the customer terminal 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the customer terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25, which are interconnected via a bus B2.

[0025] The control unit 21 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 22, controls the entire customer terminal 2, and realizes the functions of the customer terminal 2. The control unit 21 is, for example, a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, an ASIC, a DSP, or a combination thereof.

[0026] The storage unit 22 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores various programs and data, and is, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a HDD, an SSD, an SCM, or a combination thereof.

[0027] The communication unit 23 controls communication between the customer terminal 2 and external devices via the network N. The communication unit 23 is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) module, a ZigBee (registered trademark) module, an Ethernet (registered trademark) module, a mobile communication module, or a combination thereof.

[0028] The input unit 24 inputs information into the customer terminal 2. The input unit 24 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a microphone, a scanner, a photographing device (camera), various sensors, operation buttons, or a combination thereof.

[0029] The output unit 25 outputs information from the customer terminal 2. The output unit 25 is, for example, a display device (display), a projector, a printer, a speaker, a vibrator, or a combination thereof.

[0030] In this embodiment, the program may be written in the storage unit 22 at the manufacturing stage of the customer terminal 2, may be provided to the customer terminal 2 via the network N, or may be provided to the customer terminal 2 via a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, a CD, a DVD, a FD, a MO, a BD, a USB (registered trademark) memory, an SD card, or a combination thereof.

[0031] <Hardware Configuration of the Business Operator Terminal 3> The business operator terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 34, and an output unit 35. Since the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the communication unit 33, the input unit 34, and the output unit 35 of the business operator terminal 3 are the same as those of the customer terminal 2, the description thereof is omitted.

[0032] <Hardware Configuration of the EC System 4> The EC system 4 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 43. Since the control unit 41, the storage unit 42, and the communication unit 43 of the EC system 4 are the same as those of the regular purchase device 1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0033] <Contract Creation Method> Next, a method for creating a regular purchase contract executed by the regular purchase system 1000 will be described. The method for creating a regular purchase contract is a method by which a business operator creates a desired regular purchase contract. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the method for creating a regular purchase contract.

[0034] (Step S101) First, in response to an operation by the business operator, the control unit 31 of the business operator terminal 3 requests the subscription device 1 to display a subscription contract creation screen sc1. The creation screen sc1 is a screen on which the business operator creates a desired subscription contract on the business operator terminal 3.

[0035] (Step S102) In response to a request from the business operator terminal 3, the control unit 11 of the regular purchasing device 1 generates creation screen information for displaying the creation screen sc1, and transmits the creation screen information to the business operator terminal 3.

[0036] (Step S103) Based on the creation screen information received from the regular purchasing device 1, the control unit 31 of the business operator terminal 3 displays the creation screen sc1 on the display device (output unit 35).

[0037] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the creation screen sc1. The creation screen sc1 in Fig. 5 includes a plurality of input fields sc11, a back button sc12, and a create button sc13.

[0038] The input field sc11 is an input field for the business operator to input the details of the subscription purchase contract. In the example of Figure 5, the input fields sc11 for "Plan name," "Product," "Amount," "Provision interval," and "Shipping fee" are shown.

[0039] "Plan Name" is the name of the subscription plan corresponding to the subscription contract. The plan name can be set arbitrarily by the business operator.

[0040] "Product" is information that indicates the product (goods or service) that is the subject of the subscription contract, i.e., the product that is provided to the customer upon the conclusion of the subscription contract. "Product" may be the product name (product name) or the product identifier (product ID). A business can select one or more products from the products registered on its e-commerce site as the subject of the subscription contract. In the example of Figure 5, it is assumed that the product that is the subject of the subscription contract is the same every time. However, the product that is the subject of the subscription contract may vary depending on the number of times it is provided, such as product A the first time and product B the second time, or may vary depending on the time of provision, such as product A in January and product B in February. If the product that is the subject of the subscription contract varies depending on the number of times it is provided or the time of provision, an input field sc11 is displayed for entering the product that corresponds to the number of times it is provided or the time of provision.

[0041] "Amount" is the amount that the customer pays for the product periodically (every delivery interval). The payment interval may be the same as the delivery interval, or it may be different. If the payment interval is the same as the delivery interval, for example, if the delivery interval is one month, the payment interval will also be one month ("Amount" is monthly). If the payment interval is different from the delivery interval, for example, if the delivery interval is one week, the payment interval will also be one month ("Amount" is monthly).

[0042] The "delivery interval" is the interval at which the product is provided to the customer. The "delivery interval" is, for example, one month, but is not limited to this.

[0043] "Shipping fee" is the fee incurred when a customer receives a product. In the example of Figure 5, the amount that the customer pays periodically (at each delivery interval) according to the subscription contract is the sum of the "price" of the product and "shipping fee."

[0044] The back button sc12 is a button for returning to the previous screen.

[0045] The create button sc13 is a button for creating a subscription contract (subscription plan).

[0046] The content of the subscription contract is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 5. The content of the subscription contract may include, for example, the product name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, first delivery date, discount rate, shipping fee, coupon application, handling of payment failures, minimum and maximum number of purchases, etc.

[0047] (Step S104) When the business operator inputs the details of the subscription contract on the creation screen sc1 and selects the create button sc13, the control unit 31 of the business operator terminal 3 transmits contract information indicating the details of the subscription contract input by the business operator on the creation screen sc1 to the subscription purchasing device 1. The contract information includes information indicating at least one of the product name, quantity, amount, supply interval, payment interval, discount rate, shipping fee, customer, coupon application, payment method, delivery address, response to payment failure, minimum purchase count, and maximum purchase count.

[0048] (Step S105) When the control unit 11 of the regular purchasing device 1 receives the contract information from the business terminal 3, it stores the received contract information in the storage unit 12.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of contract information. The contract information in Fig. 6 includes information items such as "contract ID," "plan name," "product ID," "product name," "price," "delivery interval," and "shipping fee."

[0050] "Contract ID" is an identifier that uniquely identifies a subscription contract. Hereinafter, a subscription contract with contract ID SXX may be referred to as subscription contract SXX. The same applies to other IDs. "Contract ID" may be assigned by the control unit 11 or may be set by the business operator.

[0051] "Plan Name" is the name of the subscription plan corresponding to the subscription contract.

[0052] "Product ID" is the identifier of the product that is the subject of the subscription contract.

[0053] "Product Name" is the name of the product that is the subject of the subscription contract.

[0054] "Amount" is the amount a customer pays periodically for a product.

[0055] The "delivery interval" is the interval at which the customer receives the product.

[0056] "Shipping fee" is the shipping fee incurred when a customer receives a product.

[0057] In the example of Figure 6, the "Contract ID" is "S01," "Plan Name" is "A1 Plan," "Product ID" is "P01," "Product Name" is "A," "Amount" is "5000," "Delivery Interval" is "1 month," and "Shipping Fee" is "500." This means that the subscription contract S01 is called the A1 Plan, and according to this contract, product P01 (A) will be delivered to the customer every month, and the customer will pay 5,500 yen each time.

[0058] As mentioned above, the contract information is not limited to the example in Fig. 6. The contract information may include some of the above information items, or may include information items other than those listed above (such as the quantity of the product). In addition, although the example in Fig. 6 assumes that the supply interval and the payment interval are the same, the supply interval and the payment interval may be different.

[0059] Through the above process, businesses can create desired subscription contracts without relying on the subscription function of the EC system 4. The storage unit 12 of the subscription purchasing device 1 stores contract information for one or more subscription contracts created by each business.

[0060] <How to order> Next, we will explain the ordering method executed by the regular purchase system 1000. The ordering method is a method by which customers on a business's e-commerce site order a desired regular purchase plan. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the ordering method.

[0061] (Step S201) First, the control unit 21 of the customer terminal 2 requests the EC system 4 to display an order screen sc2 for the product selected by the customer. The order screen sc2 is a screen for ordering the product selected by the user.

[0062] (Step S202) When the control unit 41 of the EC system 4 receives a request from the customer terminal 2 to display the order screen sc2, it generates order screen information and sends it to the customer terminal 2. The order screen information is information for displaying the order screen sc2 for the product selected by the user. The order screen information includes product information for the product selected by the user.

[0063] Product information is information about a product, and includes information indicating the product ID, name, price, shipping fee, manufacturer, distributor, manufacturing date, weight, model number, and product details.

[0064] (Step S203) Furthermore, the control unit 41 transmits the product ID of the product selected by the user to the subscription purchasing device 1. The control unit 41 may transmit the product name to the subscription purchasing device 1 instead of the product ID.

[0065] (Step S204) When the control unit 11 of the subscription device 1 receives the product ID from the EC system 4, it references the contract information and checks whether there is a subscription contract corresponding to the product ID. That is, the control unit 11 checks whether there is a subscription contract for the product selected by the user. If there is no subscription contract corresponding to the product ID, the control unit 11 ends the process and the process proceeds to step S205. If there is a subscription contract corresponding to the product ID, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0066] (Step S205) The control unit 11 transmits contract information of the subscription contract corresponding to the product ID to the customer terminal 2. When the customer selects product P01, the control unit 11 transmits contract information of the subscription contract S01 (see FIG. 6) to the customer terminal 2.

[0067] The customer terminal 2 displays an order screen sc2 for the product selected by the customer on the display device (output unit 25).

[0068] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the order screen sc2, which is the order screen sc2 for the product P01 and includes product information sc21, contract information sc22, a back button sc23, and an order button sc24.

[0069] Product information sc21 is product information for product P01. In the example of Fig. 8, the product name, price, and product details are displayed as product information sc21, but the product information is not limited to this.

[0070] Contract information sc22 is contract information for a subscription contract (subscription plan) for product P01. In the example of Figure 8, contract information sc22 for two subscription contracts (A1 plan and A2 plan) is displayed. Note that if a subscription contract for product P01 has not been created, contract information sc22 is not displayed.

[0071] The back button sc23 is a button for returning to the previous screen.

[0072] The order button sc24 is a button for ordering a product.

[0073] In the example of Figure 7, a subscription contract is displayed as an option on the product order screen sc2, but a dedicated order screen sc2 for ordering a subscription contract may also be displayed.

[0074] (Step S206) A customer places an order for a subscription contract by selecting the desired subscription contract on the order screen sc2 and selecting the order button sc24. When the customer selects a subscription contract on the order screen sc2 and selects the order button sc24, the control unit 21 transmits order information to the subscription purchasing device 1. The order information includes the order date and time, customer information about the customer who placed the order, and contract information for the subscription contract selected by the customer.

[0075] (Step S207) When the control unit 11 of the regular purchasing device 1 receives the order information from the customer terminal 2, it stores the received order information in the storage unit 12.

[0076] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of order information. The order information in Fig. 9 includes the following information items: "Order ID," "Customer ID," "Order Date and Time," "Contract ID," "Plan Name," "Product ID," "Product Name," "Price," "Provision Interval," and "Shipping Fee."

[0077] The "order ID" is an identifier that uniquely identifies an order. The "order ID" may be assigned by the customer terminal 2 and included in the order information when it is sent to the regular purchasing device 1. The "order ID" may also be assigned to the received order information by the regular purchasing device 1 that has received the order information.

[0078] "Customer ID" is customer information and an identifier that uniquely identifies a customer. "Customer ID" may be, for example, but is not limited to, a customer's telephone number, email address, name, or membership number. Customer information may also include information indicating customer attributes. Customer attributes may be, for example, but are not limited to, a customer's age, gender, date of birth, occupation, address, membership rank, or purchase history.

[0079] "Order date and time" is the date and time when the customer placed the order.

[0080] The "contract ID," "plan name," "product ID," "product name," "price," "delivery interval," and "shipping fee" are the contract information of the subscription contract ordered by the customer. The customer may be able to select part of the contract information (for example, product variations (color, etc.)) on the order screen sc2. In this case, information indicating the content selected by the customer is also included in the contract information and sent to the subscription purchasing device 1.

[0081] Alternatively, the order information may include only the "contract ID" of the subscription contract selected by the customer. In this case, the subscription device 1, which has received the order information, refers to the contract information stored in the storage unit 12, acquires the contract information corresponding to the "contract ID" included in the order information, and stores it in the storage unit 12 in association with the order information.

[0082] In the example of Figure 9, the "Order ID" is "O01," "Customer ID" is "C01," "Order Date and Time" is "2025 / 1 / 10 12:30," "Contract ID" is "S01," "Plan Name" is "A1 Plan," "Product ID" is "P01," "Product Name" is "A," "Amount" is "5000," "Delivery Interval" is "1 month," and "Shipping Fee" is "500." This indicates that order O01 is an order for subscription contract S01 placed by customer C01 at 2025 / 1 / 10 12:30.

[0083] (Step S208) Thereafter, the control unit 11 transmits the order information to the EC system 4 and requests the EC system 4 to settle the order.

[0084] (Step S209) When the control unit 41 of the EC system 4 receives the order information from the regular purchasing device 1, it stores the received order information in the storage unit .

[0085] (Step S210) Then, the control unit 41 executes the payment process for the order for which payment has been requested. If the payment is successful, the process proceeds to step S211. If the payment is unsuccessful, the process ends. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the payment process is successful.

[0086] (Step S211) If the payment process is successful, the control unit 41 notifies the regular purchasing device 1, the customer terminal 2, and the business operator terminal 3 that the payment has been successful (completed).

[0087] (Step S212) When the control unit 21 of the customer terminal 2 is notified by the EC system 4 that the payment has been successful, the control unit 21 displays a payment completion screen on the display device (output unit 25). The payment completion screen is a screen (a so-called thank you page) that notifies the customer that the payment has been completed.

[0088] The above process completes the customer's order (conclusion) of the subscription contract. From then on, the product will be provided to the customer on a regular basis in accordance with the subscription contract.

[0089] If the initial supply date of the product is the order date, the control unit 41 may immediately execute the product shipping process, inventory update process, etc. after successful payment. Also, if the initial supply date of the product is set to a date other than the order date (for example, the end of the month in which the order is placed), the control unit 41 may end the process after successful payment without executing the product shipping process, inventory update process, etc.

[0090] <Regular purchase method> Next, a subscription method executed by the subscription system 1000 will be described. The subscription method is a method in which a customer periodically purchases a product in accordance with a subscription contract. In other words, it is a method in which a product is periodically provided to a customer in accordance with a subscription contract. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the subscription method.

[0091] (Step S301) The control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 periodically references the order information stored in the storage unit 12 to determine whether the timing for providing the product has arrived. Specifically, the control unit 11 references the contract ID in the order information and acquires the provision interval of the contract information for the subscription purchasing contract corresponding to the contract ID.

[0092] If the initial delivery date is the order date, the control unit 11 determines whether the current date and time is the delivery timing based on the order date and time, the delivery interval, and the current date and time. For example, if the order date and time is 2025 / 1 / 10 12:30 and the delivery interval is one month, it determines that 2025 / 1 / 10 is the first delivery timing, 2025 / 2 / 10 is the second delivery timing, and 2025 / 3 / 10 is the third delivery timing.

[0093] Furthermore, if the initial delivery date is set differently from the order date (for example, the end of the month in which the order was placed), the control unit 11 determines whether the current date and time is the delivery timing based on the initial delivery date, delivery interval, and current date and time. For example, if the order date and time is 2025 / 1 / 10 12:30, the initial delivery date is the end of the month in which the order was placed, and the delivery interval is one month, it is determined that 2025 / 1 / 31 is the first delivery timing, 2025 / 2 / 28 is the second delivery timing, and 2025 / 3 / 31 is the third delivery timing.

[0094] If the current date and time is the timing for providing the information (step S301: YES), the process proceeds to step S302. If the current date and time is not the timing for providing the information (step S301: NO), the process ends.

[0095] (Step S302) When the control unit 11 determines that the current date and time is the timing for providing the product, it transmits the order information of the order determined to be the timing for providing the product to the EC system 4 and requests the EC system 4 to settle the order.

[0096] (Step S303) When payment is requested from the regular purchasing device 1, the control unit 41 of the EC system 4 refers to the memory unit 42 to check whether the order information received from the regular purchasing device 1 is stored in the memory unit 42. If the order information is not stored in the memory unit 41, the process ends. If the order information is not stored in the memory unit 41, this corresponds to the case where the EC system 4 has not accepted the order for some reason (step S209 has not been performed). If the order information is stored in the memory unit 41, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0097] (Step S304) If the order information is stored in the storage unit 41, the control unit 41 executes payment processing for this order. If the payment is successful, the process proceeds to step S305. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that the payment processing is successful. Note that the process to be performed if the payment fails will be described later.

[0098] (Step S305) If the payment process is successful, the control unit 41 notifies the regular purchasing device 1, the customer terminal 2, and the business terminal 3 that the payment has been successful (completed). After the payment is successful, the control unit 41 may also execute processes such as product shipping and inventory update.

[0099] Through the above processing, products are provided to customers periodically in accordance with the subscription contract. By having the subscription purchasing device 1 place an order (payment request) on behalf of the customer to the EC system 4, products can be provided to customers periodically in accordance with the subscription contract created by the business operator without relying on the subscription function of the EC system 4. Furthermore, by having the EC system 4 inquire about the order information (step S303), the EC system 4 can confirm whether the order (payment request) from the subscription purchasing device 1 is correct (whether the order from the customer has been accepted).

[0100] <How to amend the contract> Next, a description will be given of a contract modification method executed by the regular purchase system 1000. The contract modification method is a method for modifying the content of a regular purchase contract that has already been concluded by a customer. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the contract modification method.

[0101] (Step S401) First, the control unit 21 of the customer terminal 2 displays a correction screen on the display device (output device 25) in response to an operation by the customer. The correction screen is a screen for correcting the contents of the subscription contract that the customer has already concluded. The customer corrects the contents of the subscription contract that they have already concluded on the correction screen.

[0102] (Step S402) In response to an operation by the customer, the control unit 21 transmits the correction information to the subscription purchase device 1. The correction information is information indicating the content of the subscription purchase contract that has been corrected by the customer.

[0103] (Step S403) When the control unit 11 of the subscription contract device 1 receives the correction information from the customer terminal, it corrects (updates) the contract information included in the customer order information stored in the storage unit 12 in accordance with the correction information.

[0104] (Step S404) Thereafter, the control unit 11 transmits the correction information to the EC system 4. The control unit 11 may transmit the corrected order information (contract information) to the EC system 4 instead of the correction information.

[0105] (Step S405) When the control unit 41 of the EC system 4 receives the correction information from the regular purchasing device 1, it corrects (updates) the contract information included in the customer's order information stored in the storage unit 42 in accordance with the correction information. When the control unit 41 receives corrected order information (contract information) from the regular purchasing device 1, it may update the stored order information to the received order information.

[0106] The above process amends the contents of the subscription contract, and thereafter, products are provided to the customer on a regular basis in accordance with the amended contract information. Generally, when changing a subscription contract, the original subscription contract must be canceled and a new subscription contract must be concluded. However, with subscription system 1000, the contents of an already concluded subscription contract can be changed without canceling and re-concluding the contract. This simplifies the process for customers when changing their subscription contracts.

[0107] <What to do if payment fails> Next, a description will be given of a method for dealing with a payment failure executed by the subscription purchasing system 1000. The method for dealing with a payment failure is a method for the subscription purchasing system 1000 when a payment executed in accordance with a subscription purchasing contract fails. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for dealing with a payment failure.

[0108] (Step S501) The control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 requests payment for the product in accordance with the subscription purchasing contract from the EC system 4. Step S501 corresponds to step S302 in FIG.

[0109] (Step S502) The control unit 41 of the EC system 4 executes payment processing when payment is requested from the regular purchasing device 1. Step S502 corresponds to step S303 in Fig. 10. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that payment has failed.

[0110] (Step S503) If the payment fails, the control unit 41 notifies the regular purchasing device 1 of this fact.

[0111] (Step S504) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 is notified by the EC system 4 that the payment has failed, it determines whether the payment request has been made a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number of times may be one, or two or more. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may determine whether the payment request has been made for a predetermined time instead of the predetermined number of times. If the payment request has not been made the predetermined number of times (or for the predetermined time) (step S505: NO), the process returns to step S501. This causes the control unit 11 to repeat the payment request to the EC system 1 the predetermined number of times or for the predetermined time. On the other hand, if the payment request has been made the predetermined number of times (or for the predetermined time) (step S505: NO), the process proceeds to step S505.

[0112] (Step S505) The control unit 11 executes the response to the payment failure set in the contract information included in the order information corresponding to the payment request. The response to the payment failure is, for example, but not limited to, the suspension or termination of the subscription contract.

[0113] (Step S506) Thereafter, the control unit 11 notifies the customer terminal 2 and the business operator terminal 3 that the payment has failed and that a countermeasure for the payment failure has been implemented.

[0114] By the above process, if payment fails for some reason, the subscription contract can be automatically suspended or terminated.

[0115] <Summary> As described above, according to this embodiment, a subscription purchase device 1 equipped with one or more control units 11 can be realized, in which the control unit 11 receives order information for a subscription contract selected by a customer from the customer terminal 2, stores the order information in the memory unit 12, determines the timing for providing the product that is the subject of the subscription contract based on the order information, and, if it is determined that the timing for provision has arrived, requests payment for the product from the EC system 4.

[0116] As described above, the subscription device 1 makes a payment request to the EC system 4 when it is time to provide the product in accordance with the subscription contract. The EC system 4 then executes payment processing in accordance with this payment request. In the subscription service thus realized, the EC system 4 simply executes payment processing in accordance with the payment request from the subscription device 1, and the subscription service is not realized by the subscription function of the EC system 4. Therefore, the subscription device 1 allows businesses to provide a highly flexible subscription service without relying on the subscription function of the EC system 4.

[0117] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment includes the following disclosure.

[0118] (Appendix 1) A subscription device having one or more control units, The control unit Receive order information for the subscription contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal, The order information is stored in a storage unit. determining the timing of providing the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information; If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has come, a payment for the product is requested to the EC system. Subscription device.

[0119] (Appendix 2) The control unit receives modification information for the subscription contract from the customer terminal, and modifies the content of the subscription contract stored in the storage unit in accordance with the modification information. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0120] (Appendix 3) The control unit receives information indicating the content of the subscription contract created by the business from the business terminal. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0121] (Appendix 4) The control unit repeats a payment request to the EC system a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time when the EC system fails to complete the payment. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0122] (Appendix 5) The control unit notifies the customer terminal of a failure in settlement in the EC system. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0123] (Appendix 6) The control unit suspends or terminates the subscription contract when the EC system fails to settle the payment. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0124] (Appendix 7) The order information includes contract information of the subscription contract. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0125] (Appendix 8) The contract information includes information indicating at least one of the product name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, first delivery date, discount rate, shipping fee, customer, coupon application, payment method, delivery address, response to payment failure, minimum purchase count, and maximum purchase count. A subscription device as described in Appendix 1.

[0126] (Appendix 9) A subscription method executed by a subscription device, Receive order information for the subscription contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal, The order information is stored in a storage unit. determining the timing of providing the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information; If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has come, a payment for the product is requested to the EC system. How to purchase regularly.

[0127] (Appendix 10) For regular purchase devices, Receive order information for the subscription contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal, The order information is stored in a storage unit. determining the timing of providing the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information; If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has come, a payment for the product is requested to the EC system. A program that implements a subscription method.

[0128] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1:Regular purchase device 2: Customer terminal 3: Operator terminal 4: Customer terminal 11, 21, 31, 41: Control unit 12,22,32,42: Storage section 13, 23, 33, 43: Communications Department 24,34: Input section 25,35: Output section

Claims

1. A subscription system including a subscription device and an EC system, The subscription purchase device Receive order information for the subscription contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal, The order information is stored in a storage unit. Sending the order information to the EC system; determining the timing of providing the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information; If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has come, a payment for the product is requested from the EC system; The EC system includes: The order information received from the subscription purchase device is stored in a storage unit; When a payment is requested from the subscription purchase device, it is confirmed whether order information corresponding to the requested payment is stored in the storage unit, If saved, execute the payment process Subscription system.

2. The subscription purchase device receives modification information for the subscription purchase contract from the customer terminal, and modifies the content of the subscription purchase contract stored in the storage unit in accordance with the modification information. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 1 .

3. The subscription purchase device receives information indicating the content of the subscription purchase contract created by the business from the business terminal. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 1 .

4. If the EC system fails to settle the transaction, the subscription purchase device repeats a settlement request to the EC system a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 1 .

5. If the EC system fails to settle the transaction, the subscription purchase device notifies the customer terminal of that fact. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 1 .

6. The subscription device suspends or terminates the subscription contract if the EC system fails to settle the transaction. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 1 .

7. The order information includes contract information of the subscription contract. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 1 .

8. The contract information includes information indicating at least one of the name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, first delivery date, discount rate, shipping fee, customer, coupon application, payment method, delivery address, response to payment failure, minimum purchase count, and maximum purchase count of the product. The subscription purchasing system according to claim 7.

9. A subscription purchase method executed by a subscription purchase system including a subscription purchase device and an EC system, The subscription purchase device Receive order information for the subscription contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal, The order information is stored in a storage unit. Sending the order information to the EC system; determining the timing of providing the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information; If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has come, a payment for the product is requested from the EC system; The EC system includes: The order information received from the subscription purchase device is stored in a storage unit; When a payment is requested from the subscription purchase device, it is confirmed whether order information corresponding to the requested payment is stored in the storage unit, If saved, execute the payment process How to purchase regularly.

10. A subscription system including a subscription device and an EC system, The subscription purchase device Receive order information for the subscription contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal, The order information is stored in a storage unit. Sending the order information to the EC system; determining the timing of providing the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information; If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has come, a payment for the product is requested from the EC system; The EC system includes: The order information received from the subscription purchase device is stored in a storage unit; When a payment is requested from the subscription purchase device, it is confirmed whether order information corresponding to the requested payment is stored in the storage unit, If saved, execute the payment process A program that implements a subscription method.

Images