Periodic purchasing device, periodic purchasing method, and program

Abstract

To enable businesses to offer highly flexible subscription services. [Solution] According to one embodiment, a subscription device located outside the e-commerce system and comprising one or more control units, wherein the control unit receives order information for a subscription contract selected by the customer from a customer terminal, stores the order information in a storage unit, determines the timing of provision of the product subject to the subscription contract based on the order information, and if it determines that it is the timing of provision, requests payment for the product from a payment system located outside the e-commerce system.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, subscription services for goods and services have become widespread. Cited Document 1 describes a method of designing discounted products suitable for customers even for new customers in a subscription service.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a business operator provides a subscription service on an EC site, it is common for the business operator to use the subscription function prepared by default on the EC platform. However, the default subscription function has a problem of low freedom.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable a business operator to provide a highly flexible subscription service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one embodiment, a subscription device located outside the e-commerce system and comprising one or more control units, wherein the control unit receives order information for a subscription contract selected by the customer from a customer terminal, stores the order information in a storage unit, determines the timing of provision of the product covered by the subscription contract based on the order information, and if it determines that it is the timing of provision, requests payment for the product from a payment system located outside the e-commerce system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, businesses can provide highly flexible subscription services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the subscription system 1000. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the periodic purchasing device 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of customer terminal 2. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of how to create a recurring purchase agreement. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of the creation screen sc1. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of contract information. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of how to place an order. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the order screen sc2. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of the payment selection screen sc3. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of order information. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of a subscription method. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of how to revise a contract. [Figure 13]It is a flowchart showing an example of a response method when a payment fails.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the descriptions in the specification and drawings according to each embodiment, for components having substantially the same functional configuration, the same reference numerals are given to omit redundant descriptions.

[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 a business operator to provide a highly flexible subscription service on an EC site.

[0011] A business operator is an individual or a corporation that operates an EC site and provides a subscription service to customers. An EC site is a store on the Internet and may also be referred to as an online store, an Internet shop, etc.

[0012] A subscription service is a service in which a customer concludes a regular purchase contract (subscription contract) for a product with a business operator, and the business operator provides the product to the customer according to the regular purchase contract. Products include goods and services.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the regular purchase system 1000. As shown in FIG. 1, the regular purchase system 1000 includes a regular purchase device 1, a customer terminal 2, an EC system 3, a business operator terminal 4, and a payment system 5, which are communicably connected to each other via a network N.

[0014] The network N is, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, the Internet, a public switched telephone network, a mobile data communication network, or a combination thereof. In the example of FIG. 1, the recurring purchase system 1000 includes one recurring purchase device 1, one customer terminal 2, one EC system 3, one merchant terminal 4, and one payment system 5, respectively, but may include a plurality of each.

[0015] The recurring purchase device 1 is an information processing device that provides a subscription function to the merchant's EC site. The recurring purchase device 1 exists outside the EC system 4 and is connected to the EC system 4 via the network N. The recurring purchase device 1 is managed by a merchant different from the merchant who manages the EC system 4. By providing the subscription function to the merchant's EC site instead of the EC platform, the merchant can realize a highly flexible subscription service. The recurring purchase device 1 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a server device, or a microcomputer, but is not limited thereto. In the example of FIG. 1, the recurring purchase device 1 is one information processing device, but may be realized as a system composed of a plurality of information processing devices connected via the 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 thereto.

[0017] The merchant terminal 3 is an information processing device used by a merchant who operates an EC site on the EC platform and provides a subscription service to customers. The merchant terminal 4 is, for example, a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, but is not limited thereto.

[0018] EC System 4 is an information processing system that provides an e-commerce platform. The e-commerce platform provides businesses with functions for building and operating e-commerce sites. Businesses use these functions to operate e-commerce sites on the e-commerce platform. EC System 4 is operated by an e-commerce platform provider (for example, Shopfy®). EC System 4 consists of multiple servers connected via Network N.

[0019] The payment system 5 is located outside the e-commerce system 4 and is connected to the subscription device 1 via network N. The payment system 5 is managed by a payment service provider different from the business that manages the e-commerce system 4. The payment system 5 provides payment services using payment methods not supported by the e-commerce system 4. For example, the payment system 5 includes credit card payment systems, debit card payment systems, electronic money payment systems, bank transfer systems, remittance systems, ID payment systems, carrier payment systems, convenience store payment systems, cash on delivery systems, or deferred payment systems.

[0020] Here, assuming a situation where EC system 4 does not offer a deferred payment service, but payment system 5 does, and the customer selects deferred payment as their payment method, payment system 5 will be explained as an example of a deferred payment system. Payment system 5 is a payment system that enables customers to pay for products provided by a business at a later date by linking information between the business (seller), the customer (buyer), and the payment processing company. As an example, payment system 5 performs a credit check on the customer based on the payment request information and decides to approve or reject the payment accordingly. If the payment is approved, the payment processing company pays the business on their behalf and sends an invoice to the customer requesting payment by the specified payment due date. This allows the customer to complete the transaction without being required to make an immediate payment, and enables the business to collect payments quickly while avoiding the risk of non-payment.

[0021] <Hardware configuration of periodic purchasing device 1> Next, the hardware configuration of the periodic purchasing device 1 will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the periodic purchasing device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the periodic purchasing device 1 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, all of which are interconnected via a bus B1.

[0022] The control unit 11 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 12, controls the entire periodic purchasing device 1, and realizes the functions of the periodic purchasing device 1. The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a combination thereof.

[0023] The storage unit 12 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores various programs and data. The storage unit 12 is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), SCM (Storage Class Memories), or a combination thereof.

[0024] The communication unit 13 controls communication between the periodic purchasing device 1 and external devices via the network N. The communication unit 13 is, for example, a Bluetooth® module, a Wi-Fi® module, a ZigBee® module, an Ethernet® module, a mobile communication module, or a combination thereof.

[0025] In this embodiment, the program may be written to the storage unit 12 during the manufacturing stage of the subscription device 1, provided to the subscription device 1 via the network N, or provided to the subscription device 1 via a non-temporary, computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium. Examples of recording media include CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), FD (Floppy Disk), MO (Magneto-Optical disk), BD (Blu-ray® Disc), USB® memory, SD card, or a combination thereof.

[0026] <Hardware configuration of customer terminal 2> Next, the hardware configuration of customer terminal 2 will be described. Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of customer terminal 2. As shown in Figure 3, customer terminal 2 comprises a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25, all interconnected via bus B2.

[0027] The control unit 21 executes various programs stored in the memory 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, MPU, GPU, ASIC, DSP, or a combination thereof.

[0028] The storage unit 22 is a computer-readable recording medium that stores various programs and data. The storage unit 22 may be, for example, ROM, RAM, flash memory, HDD, SSD, SCM, or a combination thereof.

[0029] 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® module, a Wi-Fi® module, a ZigBee® module, an Ethernet® module, a mobile communication module, or a combination thereof.

[0030] The input unit 24 inputs information to 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] <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.

[0034] <Hardware configuration of the EC system 4> The EC system 4 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. Since the control unit, the storage unit, and the communication unit of the EC system 4 are the same as those of the regular purchase device 1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0035] <Hardware configuration of the payment system 5> The payment system 5 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. Since the control unit, the storage unit, and the communication unit of the payment system 5 are the same as those of the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13 of the regular purchase device 1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0036] <How to create a contract> Next, we will explain the method for creating recurring purchase contracts performed by the recurring purchase system 1000. The method for creating recurring purchase contracts is a method by which a business operator creates a desired recurring purchase contract. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the method for creating recurring purchase contracts.

[0037] (Step S101) First, the control unit 31 of the business terminal 3 requests the periodic purchasing device 1 to display the periodic purchasing contract creation screen sc1 in response to the business operator's operation. The creation screen sc1 is a screen for the business operator to create the desired periodic purchasing contract on the business terminal 3.

[0038] (Step S102) The control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 generates creation screen information for displaying creation screen sc1 in response to a request from the business terminal 3, and transmits the creation screen information to the business terminal 3.

[0039] (Step S103) The control unit 31 of the business terminal 3 displays the creation screen sc1 on the display device (output unit 35) based on the creation screen information received from the periodic purchase device 1.

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example of the creation screen sc1. The creation screen sc1 in Figure 5 includes multiple input fields sc11, a back button sc12, and a create button sc13.

[0041] Input field sc11 is for the business operator to enter the details of the subscription contract. In the example in Figure 5, input fields sc11 are shown for "Plan Name," "Product," "Price," "Delivery Interval," "Shipping Fee," and "Payment Method."

[0042] The "Plan Name" is the name of the recurring purchase plan corresponding to the recurring purchase contract. The plan name can be set arbitrarily by the business operator.

[0043] "Product" refers to the product (goods or services) that are the subject of a subscription contract, that is, the product provided to the customer upon the conclusion of the subscription contract. "Product" can be the name of the product or the product identifier (product ID). A business operator can select one or more products from the products registered on their e-commerce site to be subject to a subscription contract. In the example in Figure 5, it is assumed that the product subject to the subscription contract is the same each time, but the product subject to the subscription contract may differ depending on the number of deliveries, such as product A for the first delivery and product B for the second delivery, or it may differ depending on the time of delivery, such as product A in January and product B in February. If the product subject to the subscription contract differs depending on the number of deliveries or the time of delivery, an input field sc11 will be displayed for entering the product corresponding to the number of deliveries or the time of delivery.

[0044] The "amount" is the amount that the customer pays periodically (at each delivery interval) for the product. The payment interval can be the same as or different from the delivery interval. 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 (the "amount" will be monthly). If the payment interval is different from the delivery interval, for example, if the delivery interval is one week, the payment interval will be one month (the "amount" will be monthly).

[0045] The "delivery interval" is the interval at which a product is delivered to a customer. While the "delivery interval" might be, for example, one month, it is not limited to this.

[0046] "Shipping fee" is the cost incurred when a customer receives the product. In the example in Figure 5, the amount that the customer pays periodically (at each delivery interval) according to the subscription contract is the sum of the "product price" and the "shipping fee".

[0047] "Payment method" refers to the type of payment method a customer uses to pay for a product. Businesses offer customers multiple payment options (e.g., credit card, debit card, electronic money, bank transfer, direct debit, bank transfer, ID payment, carrier billing, convenience store payment, cash on delivery, deferred payment, etc.) as payment methods adopted for recurring purchase contracts.

[0048] The back button (sc12) is used to return to the previous screen. The create button (sc13) is used to create a recurring purchase contract (recurring purchase plan).

[0049] Note that the contents of a subscription contract are not limited to the example in Figure 5. The contents of a subscription contract may include, for example, the product name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, initial delivery date, discount rate, shipping fee, coupon application, handling of payment failures, minimum and maximum number of purchases.

[0050] (Step S104) The control unit 31 of the business terminal 3 transmits contract information indicating the contents of the recurring purchase contract entered by the business on the creation screen sc1 to the recurring purchase device 1 when the business enters the contents of the recurring purchase contract on the creation screen sc1 and selects the create button sc13. The contract information includes information indicating at least one of the following: product name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, discount rate, shipping fee, customer, coupon application, payment method, delivery address, action in case of payment failure, minimum purchase number, and maximum purchase number.

[0051] (Step S105) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 receives contract information from the business terminal 3, it stores the received contract information in the storage unit 12.

[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of contract information. The contract information in Figure 6 includes the following information items: "Contract ID," "Plan Name," "Product ID," "Product Name," "Amount," "Delivery Interval," "Shipping Fee," and "Payment Method."

[0053] The "Contract ID" is an identifier that uniquely identifies a recurring purchase contract. Hereinafter, a recurring purchase contract with a Contract ID of SXX may be referred to as Recurring Purchase Contract SXX. The same applies to other IDs. The "Contract ID" may be assigned by the control unit 11 or set by the business operator.

[0054] "Plan Name" is the name of the subscription plan corresponding to the subscription contract.

[0055] The "Product ID" is the identifier for the product covered by the subscription contract.

[0056] "Product Name" is the name of the product covered by the subscription contract.

[0057] "Amount" refers to the amount that customers pay periodically for the product.

[0058] "Delivery interval" refers to the interval at which customers receive the product.

[0059] "Shipping fee" refers to the cost incurred by the customer when receiving the product.

[0060] "Payment method" refers to the type of payment method a customer uses to pay for a product.

[0061] In the example in Figure 6, the "Contract ID" is "S01", the "Plan Name" is "A1 Plan", the "Product ID" is "P01", the "Product Name" is "A", the "Amount" is "5000", the "Delivery Interval" is "1 month", and the "Shipping Fee" is "500". This means that the recurring purchase contract S01 is named Plan A1, and according to this contract, product P01(A) will be sent to the customer every month, and the customer will pay 5500 yen each time. The payment method will be determined when the customer selects the payment method on screen sc3 in Figure 9, which will be described later.

[0062] As mentioned above, the contract information is not limited to the example in Figure 6. The contract information may include some of the above information items, or it may include other information items (such as the quantity of the product). Also, although the example in Figure 6 assumes that the delivery interval and payment interval are the same, the delivery interval and payment interval may be different.

[0063] Through the above process, businesses can create their desired recurring purchase agreements without relying on the subscription function of the EC system 4. The storage unit 12 of the recurring purchase device 1 stores contract information for one or more recurring purchase agreements created by each business.

[0064] <How to order> Next, we will explain the ordering method implemented by the subscription system 1000. The ordering method is how customers of a business's e-commerce site order their desired subscription plan. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the ordering method.

[0065] (Step S201) First, the control unit 21 of the customer terminal 2 requests the EC system 4 to display the order screen sc2 for the product selected by the customer. The order screen sc2 is the screen for the user to order the product they have selected.

[0066] (Step S202) When the control unit 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 the information necessary to display 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.

[0067] Product information refers to information about the product, including the product ID, name, price, shipping costs, manufacturer, distributor, manufacturing date, weight, model number, and other product details.

[0068] (Step S203) Furthermore, the EC system 4 sends the product ID of the product selected by the user to the subscription device 1. The EC system 4 may also send the product name to the subscription device 1 instead of the product ID.

[0069] (Step S204) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 receives a product ID from the EC system 4, it refers to the contract information to check if there is a subscription contract corresponding to the product ID. In other words, the control unit 11 checks if there is a subscription contract that covers the product selected by the user. If there is no subscription contract corresponding to the product ID, the control unit 11 terminates the process and proceeds to step S205. If there is a subscription contract corresponding to the product ID, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0070] (Step S205) The control unit 11 of the subscription device 1 transmits the contract information of the subscription contract corresponding to the product ID to the customer terminal 2. If the customer selects product P01, the control unit 11 transmits the contract information of subscription contract S01 (see Figure 6) to the customer terminal 2. At this point, the payment method in the contract information is not yet determined.

[0071] Customer terminal 2 displays the order screen sc2 of the product selected by the customer on the display device (output unit 25).

[0072] Figure 8 shows an example of the order screen sc2. Figure 8 is the order screen sc2 for product P01, and includes product information sc21, contract information sc22, a back button sc23, and a payment method button sc24.

[0073] Product information sc21 is the product information for product P01. In the example in Figure 8, product information sc21 displays the product name, price, and product details, but the product information is not limited to this.

[0074] Contract information sc22 is the contract information for a recurring purchase agreement (recurring purchase plan) for product P01. In the example in Figure 8, contract information sc22 for two recurring purchase agreements (Plan A1 and Plan A2) is displayed. Note that if no recurring purchase agreement for product P01 has been created, contract information sc22 will not be displayed.

[0075] The back button (sc23) is used to return to the previous screen.

[0076] The payment method button sc24 is a button that transitions to the payment selection screen sc3, where the customer can select their payment method.

[0077] (Step S206) When a customer selects their desired subscription contract on the order screen sc2 and then selects the payment method button sc24, the control unit 11 displays the payment selection screen sc3 on the display device (output unit 25) of the customer terminal 2.

[0078] Figure 9 shows an example of the payment selection screen sc3. As shown in Figure 9, the payment selection screen sc3 includes multiple payment method options sc31, a back button sc32, and an order button sc33. The payment method options sc31 present multiple payment method options. For example, the payment method options include multiple options from credit card payment, debit card payment, electronic money payment, bank transfer payment, remittance payment, ID payment payment, carrier payment payment, convenience store payment payment, cash on delivery payment, and deferred payment. When one of the multiple options is selected, the terminal device 2 displays a screen on the display device (output unit 25) for entering the necessary information about the selected payment method. After the customer enters the necessary information about the payment method, the screen returns to the screen shown in Figure 9.

[0079] (Step S207) The customer orders a recurring purchase contract by selecting their desired payment method on the payment selection screen sc3 and then selecting the order button sc33. When the customer selects a recurring purchase contract on the order screen sc2 and then selects the order button sc33 on the payment selection screen SC3, the control unit 21 transmits the order information to the recurring purchase 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 recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. This contract information includes information about the payment method selected by the customer. In other words, the order information includes information about the payment method.

[0080] (Step S208) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 receives order information from the customer terminal 2, it stores the received order information in the storage unit 12.

[0081] Figure 10 shows an example of order information. The order information in Figure 10 includes the following information items: "Order ID", "Customer ID", "Order Date and Time", "Contract ID", "Plan Name", "Product ID", "Product Name", "Amount", "Delivery Interval", "Shipping Fee", and "Payment Method".

[0082] 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 transmitted to the subscription device 1. Alternatively, the "Order ID" may be assigned to the received order information by the subscription device 1 when it receives the order information.

[0083] "Customer ID" is customer information and an identifier that uniquely identifies a customer. "Customer ID" may include, for example, the customer's telephone number, email address, name, or membership number. Customer information may also include information indicating customer attributes. Customer attributes may include, for example, the customer's age, gender, date of birth, occupation, address, membership rank, or purchase history.

[0084] "Order date and time" refers to the date and time the customer placed the order.

[0085] "Contract ID," "Plan Name," "Product ID," "Product Name," "Price," "Delivery Interval," and "Shipping Fee" are contract information for the recurring purchase contract ordered by the customer. The customer may also be able to select some of the contract information (for example, product variations (color, etc.)) on the order screen sc2. In this case, information indicating the customer's selections is also included in the contract information and transmitted to the recurring purchase device 1.

[0086] Furthermore, the order information may only include the "contract ID" of the subscription contract selected by the customer. In this case, the subscription device 1, upon receiving the order information, refers to the contract information stored in the storage unit 12, retrieves 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.

[0087] The "payment method" is the payment method selected by the customer. The customer selects the payment method as part of the contract information on the order screen (sc2). In this case, "post-payment" is selected as the "payment method."

[0088] In the example in Figure 10, the "Order ID" is "O01", the "Customer ID" is "C01", the "Order Date and Time" is "2025 / 1 / 10 12:30", the "Contract ID" is "S01", the "Plan Name" is "A1 Plan", the "Product ID" is "P01", the "Product Name" is "A", the "Amount" is "5000", the "Delivery Interval" is "1 month", the "Shipping Fee" is "500", and the "Payment Method" is "Post-payment". This indicates that order O01 is an order for recurring purchase contract S01 placed by customer C01 on 2025 / 1 / 10 12:30.

[0089] (Step S209) Subsequently, the control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 transmits the order information to the EC system 4.

[0090] (Step S210) When the control unit of the EC system 4 receives order information from the subscription purchasing device 1, it stores the received order information in the storage unit of the EC system 4.

[0091] (Step S211) Then, the control unit of the EC system 4 sends a notification to the subscription purchase device 1 indicating that the order information has been saved.

[0092] (Step S212) The control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 transmits payment request information, including customer information and payment amount necessary for payment, to the payment system 5 and requests payment from the payment system 5.

[0093] (Step S213) The payment system 5 executes the payment process for the order for which payment has been requested, based on the received payment request information. If the payment is successful, the process proceeds to step S214. If the payment fails, the process terminates. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that the payment process was successful.

[0094] (Step S214) If the payment is successful, the payment system 5 sends a payment success notification to the subscription purchase device 1 indicating that the payment has been successful (completed).

[0095] (Step S215) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 receives a payment success notification, it sends a payment success notification to the EC system 4.

[0096] (Steps S216 and S217) When the control unit of EC system 4 receives a payment success notification, it sends a payment success notification to customer terminal 2 and business terminal 3.

[0097] (Step S218) When the control unit 21 of the customer terminal 2 receives a payment success notification from the EC system 4, it displays a payment completion screen on the display device (output unit 25). The payment completion screen is a screen that informs the customer that the payment has been completed (a so-called thank you page).

[0098] The above process completes the customer's order (conclusion) of the recurring purchase agreement. Thereafter, the product will be delivered to the customer periodically in accordance with the recurring purchase agreement.

[0099] Furthermore, if the initial delivery date of the product is the order date, the control unit of EC system 4 may immediately execute product shipping processing, inventory update processing, etc., after successful payment. Also, if the initial delivery date of the product is set to a different date from the order date (for example, the end of the month in which the order was placed), the control unit of EC system 4 may terminate processing after successful payment without executing product shipping processing, inventory update processing, etc.

[0100] <Regular purchase method> Next, we will describe the recurring purchase method implemented by the recurring purchase system 1000. The recurring purchase method is a method by which a customer purchases products periodically in accordance with a recurring purchase agreement. In other words, it is a method of providing products to customers periodically in accordance with a recurring purchase agreement. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a recurring purchase method.

[0101] (Step S301) The control unit 11 of the subscription purchasing device 1 periodically refers to the order information stored in the storage unit 12 to determine whether the product delivery time has arrived. Specifically, the control unit 11 refers to the contract ID of the order information and obtains the delivery interval of the subscription purchase contract corresponding to the contract ID.

[0102] If the initial delivery date is the order date, the control unit 11 determines whether the current date is a 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 1 month, it is determined 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.

[0103] Furthermore, if the initial delivery date is set to be different 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 a delivery timing based on the initial delivery date, the delivery interval, and the 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 1 month, then 2025 / 1 / 31 is determined to be the first delivery timing, 2025 / 2 / 28 is the second delivery timing, and 2025 / 3 / 31 is the third delivery timing.

[0104] If the current date and time is a service provision time (Step S301: YES), the process proceeds to Step S302. If the current date and time is not a service provision time (Step S301: NO), the process terminates.

[0105] (Step S302) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 determines that the current date and time is the product delivery time, it sends order identification information to the EC system 4 to identify the order information for which the product delivery time has been determined, and requests confirmation that the order information indicated by the order identification information already exists in the EC system 4. The order identification information can be any information that can uniquely identify the order information, for example, it can be the order information itself or the order ID.

[0106] (Step S303) When the control unit of EC system 4 receives order identification information from the subscription purchase device 1, it checks whether order information corresponding to the order identification information received from the subscription purchase device 1 already exists in EC system 4. That is, the control unit of EC system 4 checks whether order information corresponding to the order identification information received from the subscription purchase device 1 is already stored in the storage unit of EC system 4. If the order information is not stored in EC system 4, the process ends. If the order information is not stored in the storage unit of EC system 4, this corresponds to the case where 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 storage unit of EC system 4, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0107] (Step S304) If the control unit of the EC system 4 has order information stored in the storage unit of the EC system 4, it sends a confirmation notice to the periodic purchase device 1 indicating that the existence of order information has been confirmed in the EC system 4.

[0108] (Step S305) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 receives a confirmation notice, it sends a payment request to the payment system 5. The payment request information included in the payment request includes the payment ID, payment amount, payment method, customer information, identification information of the e-commerce system 4 (e.g., name, e-commerce system ID, etc.), and product name. The control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 stores the payment ID in the storage unit 12, associating it with the order information. Here, the payment method included in the payment request information is deferred payment, but other payment methods may also be used.

[0109] (Step S306) When payment system 5 receives a payment request, it performs the prescribed payment processing. Specifically, payment system 5 performs a credit check on the customer based on the payment request information and determines whether to approve or reject the payment based on the result. If the payment is approved, payment system 5 completes the payment and proceeds to step S307. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that the payment processing was successful. The processing in the case of a failed payment will be described later.

[0110] (Step S307) When the payment process is successful, the payment system 5 sends a payment success notification to the subscription purchase device 1 indicating that the payment has been successful (completed). This payment success notification includes a payment ID.

[0111] (Step S308) When the subscription device 1 receives a payment success notification from the payment system 5, it refers to the storage unit 12 to identify the order information associated with the payment ID included in the payment success notification. The subscription device 1 then transmits the payment success notification, which includes the information regarding the identified order information, to the e-commerce system 4. That is, the payment success notification transmitted by the subscription device 1 includes information indicating payment success and information that can identify the order information subject to payment. The information that can identify the order information may be information included in the order information, such as the order ID and contract information.

[0112] (Steps S309 and S310) When EC system 4 receives a payment success notification, it identifies the corresponding order information based on the information contained in the payment success notification and sends the payment success notification to customer terminal 2 and business terminal 3. The payment success notification sent by EC system 4 includes, for example, information indicating payment success and information about the identified order information. The information about the order information may be information contained in the order information, such as order ID, contract information, etc. After payment is successful, EC system 4 may also perform processes such as product shipping and inventory updating.

[0113] (Step S311) When customer terminal 2 receives a payment success notification, it displays a payment completion screen. The payment completion screen may include information indicating payment success and information regarding the order subject to payment.

[0114] Through the above process, products are provided to the customer on a regular basis in accordance with the subscription contract. The subscription device 1 places orders with the EC system 4 on behalf of the customer, and the subscription device 1 makes payment requests on behalf of the EC system 4. This allows the business to provide products to the customer on a regular basis in accordance with the subscription contract created by the business, without relying on the subscription function of the EC system 4. In addition, by querying the order information (step S303), the EC system 4 can verify whether the order from the subscription device 1 is correct (whether it is an order received from the customer).

[0115] <How to amend the contract> Next, we will explain the contract modification method performed by the subscription system 1000. The contract modification method is a method for modifying the content of a subscription contract that has already been concluded by the customer. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a contract modification method.

[0116] (Step S401) First, the control unit 21 of the customer terminal 2 displays a modification screen on the display device (output device 25) in response to the customer's operation. The modification screen is for modifying the contents of the periodic purchase contract that the customer has already concluded. The customer modifies the contents of the periodic purchase contract that has already concluded on the modification screen.

[0117] (Step S402) The control unit 21 transmits modification information to the periodic purchase device 1 in response to customer operations. The modification information is information indicating the content of the periodic purchase contract that the customer has modified.

[0118] (Step S403) When the control unit 11 of the subscription contract device 1 receives correction information from the customer terminal, it corrects (updates) the contract information contained in the customer's order information stored in the storage unit 12 according to the correction information.

[0119] (Step S404) Subsequently, the control unit 11 transmits the correction information to the EC system 4. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may transmit the corrected order information (contract information) to the EC system 4 instead of the correction information.

[0120] (Step S405) When the control unit of the EC system 4 receives correction information from the subscription purchase device 1, it corrects (updates) the contract information contained in the customer order information stored in the storage unit 42 according to the correction information. When the control unit 41 receives corrected order information (contract information) from the subscription purchase device 1, it may update the stored order information with the received order information.

[0121] Through the above process, the terms of the subscription contract are modified, and thereafter, products are delivered to the customer on a regular basis according to the modified contract information. Generally, when changing a subscription contract, it is necessary to terminate the original subscription contract and conclude a new one. However, with this subscription system 1000, the terms of an existing subscription contract can be changed without terminating and renegotiating the contract. This simplifies the process for customers when changing their subscription contracts.

[0122] <How to handle payment failures> Next, we will explain how the subscription system 1000 handles payment failures. The payment failure handling method is how the subscription system 1000 responds when a payment made in accordance with the subscription contract fails. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment failure handling method.

[0123] (Step S501) The control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 transmits a payment request to the payment system 5 in accordance with the subscription purchase agreement. Step S501 corresponds to step S305 in Figure 11.

[0124] (Step S502) When the payment system 5 receives a payment request from the subscription device 1, it executes the payment process. Step S502 corresponds to step S306 in Figure 11. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that the payment has failed.

[0125] (Step S503) If the payment system 5 fails, it notifies the subscription purchase device 1 of that fact.

[0126] (Step S504) When the control unit 11 of the subscription purchase device 1 receives notification of a payment failure from the payment system 5, it determines whether a 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 amount of time instead of a predetermined number of times. If the payment request has not been made a predetermined number of times (or for a predetermined amount of time) (step S504: NO), the process returns to step S501. As a result, the control unit 11 will repeat the payment request to the payment system 5 a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined amount of time. On the other hand, if the payment request has been made a predetermined number of times (or for a predetermined amount of time) (step S504: NO), the process proceeds to step S505.

[0127] (Step S505) The control unit 11 executes the action to be taken in case of payment failure, as set in the contract information included in the order information corresponding to the payment request. The action to be taken in case of payment failure may, for example, be the suspension or termination of the recurring purchase contract, but is not limited to this.

[0128] (Steps S506, S507 and S508) Subsequently, the control unit 11 notifies the customer terminal 2, the business terminal 3, and the EC system 4 that the payment failed and that the necessary actions for handling the payment failure have been taken.

[0129] Through the above process, if payment fails for any reason, the subscription contract can be automatically suspended or terminated.

[0130] <Summary> As described above, according to this embodiment, a subscription purchase device 1 comprising one or more control units 11 can be realized, wherein the control unit 11 receives order information for a subscription purchase contract selected by the customer from the customer terminal 2, stores the order information in the storage unit 12, determines the timing of product delivery based on the order information, and, if it is determined that it is time to deliver, requests payment for the product from the payment system 5 outside the EC system 4.

[0131] As described above, when it is time to deliver the product according to the subscription contract, the subscription device 1 sends a payment request to the payment system 5, which is external to the e-commerce system 4. The payment system 5 then executes the payment process according to this payment request. In the subscription service realized in this way, the payment system 5 simply executes the payment process according to the payment request from the subscription device 1, and the subscription service is not realized by the subscription function of the e-commerce system 4. Therefore, the subscription device 1 allows businesses to provide highly flexible subscription services without relying on the subscription function of the e-commerce system 4. For example, businesses can provide subscription services using payment methods that the e-commerce system 4 does not support (e.g., deferred payment).

[0132] <Note> This embodiment includes the following disclosures.

[0133] (Note 1) A periodic purchasing device located outside the EC system and comprising one or more control units, The control unit, The customer's terminal receives order information for the recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. The aforementioned order information is stored in the storage unit. Based on the aforementioned order information, the timing of delivery of the product covered by the aforementioned subscription contract is determined. If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has arrived, the system requests payment for the product from a payment system located outside the e-commerce system. Subscription device.

[0134] (Note 2) The aforementioned order information includes information indicating that payment will be made using a payment method not supported by the aforementioned EC system. The control unit requests the payment system to process the payment for the product using a payment method not supported by the e-commerce system. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0135] (Note 3) The control unit, Upon receiving the order information from the customer terminal, the order information is transmitted to the EC system. If it is determined that the timing of delivery has arrived, the order identification information for identifying the order information is transmitted to the EC system. When the EC system receives a confirmation notice from the EC system indicating that the existence of the order information has been confirmed based on the order identification information, it requests the payment system to make the payment. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0136] (Note 4) When the control unit receives a payment success notification from the payment system, it transmits a payment success notification to the e-commerce system. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0137] (Note 5) The control unit receives modification information for the recurring purchase agreement from the customer terminal and modifies the contents of the recurring purchase agreement stored in the storage unit according to the modification information. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0138] (Note 6) The control unit receives information from the business terminal indicating the contents of the periodic purchase contract created by the business operator. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0139] (Note 7) If the EC system fails to complete the payment, the control unit will repeat the payment request to the EC system a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0140] (Note 8) The control unit shall notify the customer terminal if the EC system fails to process the payment. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0141] (Note 9) The control unit shall suspend or terminate the recurring purchase contract if the EC system fails to complete the payment. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

[0142] (Note 10) The aforementioned order information includes the contract information of the aforementioned subscription contract. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0143] (Note 11) The aforementioned contract information includes payment methods, as well as information indicating at least one of the following: product name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, initial delivery date, discount rate, shipping fee, customer, coupon application, shipping address, handling of payment failures, minimum purchase quantity, and maximum purchase quantity. The periodic purchasing device described in Appendix 1.

[0144] (Note 12) A recurring purchase method executed by a recurring purchase device located outside the EC system, The customer's terminal receives order information for the recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. The aforementioned order information is stored in the storage unit. Based on the aforementioned order information, the timing of delivery of the product covered by the aforementioned subscription contract is determined. If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has arrived, the system requests payment for the product from a payment system located outside the e-commerce system. How to purchase regularly.

[0145] (Note 13) A subscription device located outside the EC system, The customer's terminal receives order information for the recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. The aforementioned order information is stored in the storage unit. Based on the aforementioned order information, the timing of delivery of the product covered by the aforementioned subscription contract is determined. If it is determined that the timing for providing the product has arrived, the system requests payment for the product from a payment system located outside the e-commerce system. A program that implements a subscription service.

[0146] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and is intended to include all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, and 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]

[0147] 1:Regular purchase device 2: Customer terminal 3: Carrier terminal 4: Customer terminal 5: Payment System 11,21: Control Unit 12,22: Storage part 13,23: Communications Department 24: Input section 25: Output section

Claims

1. A subscription device located outside the EC system that requests the display of an order screen from a customer terminal, comprising one or more control units including a processor, and managed by a business operator different from the business operator that manages the EC system, The control unit, The customer terminal receives order information for the recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. The aforementioned order information is stored in the storage unit. Upon receiving the order information from the customer terminal, the system transmits the order information to the EC system for storage. Based on information indicating the current date, information indicating the initial delivery date, and order information indicating the delivery interval, the EC system determines the timing at which it will provide the product subject to the subscription contract to the customer. If it is determined that the timing of delivery has arrived, the order identification information for identifying the order information is transmitted to the EC system. If order information corresponding to the order identification information is stored in the EC system, and a confirmation notification is received from the EC system, the system will request payment for the product from a payment system located outside the EC system. Subscription device.

2. The order information includes information indicating that payment will be made using the selected payment method if a payment method not supported by the EC system is selected on the customer terminal. When the control unit receives a confirmation notification from the e-commerce system, it requests the payment system to settle the payment for the product using a payment method not supported by the e-commerce system. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

3. When the control unit receives a payment success notification from the payment system, it transmits a payment success notification to the e-commerce system. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

4. The control unit receives modification information for the recurring purchase agreement from the customer terminal and modifies the contents of the recurring purchase agreement stored in the storage unit according to the modification information. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

5. The control unit receives contract information from a business terminal indicating the contents of a recurring purchase agreement created by the business for the business to provide products to a customer, and transmits the contract information to the customer terminal, as described in claim 1.

6. If the control unit receives notification from the payment system that the payment has failed, it will repeat the payment request to the payment system a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

7. If the control unit receives a notification from the payment system indicating that the payment has failed, it shall notify the customer terminal of that fact. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

8. If the control unit receives notification from the payment system that payment has failed, it shall suspend or terminate the subscription contract. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned order information includes the contract information of the aforementioned subscription contract. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 1.

10. The aforementioned contract information includes payment methods, as well as information indicating at least one of the following: product name, quantity, price, delivery interval, payment interval, initial delivery date, discount rate, shipping fee, customer, coupon application, shipping address, handling of payment failures, minimum purchase quantity, and maximum purchase quantity. The periodic purchasing device according to claim 9.

11. A periodic purchasing method executed by a periodic purchasing device that exists outside the EC system that requests the display of an order screen from a customer terminal and includes a processor, and is managed by a different business operator than the business operator that manages the EC system, The customer terminal receives order information for the recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. The aforementioned order information is stored in the storage unit. Upon receiving the order information from the customer terminal, the system transmits the order information to the EC system for storage. Based on information indicating the current date, information indicating the initial delivery date, and order information indicating the delivery interval, the EC system determines the timing at which it will provide the product subject to the subscription contract to the customer. If it is determined that the timing of delivery has arrived, the order identification information for identifying the order information is transmitted to the EC system. If order information corresponding to the order identification information is stored in the EC system, and a confirmation notification is received from the EC system, the system will request payment for the product from a payment system located outside the EC system. How to purchase regularly.

12. A subscription purchasing device located outside the EC system that requests the display of an order screen from a customer terminal, and which includes a processor, is managed by a different business operator than the business operator that manages the EC system. The customer's terminal receives order information for the recurring purchase contract selected by the customer. The aforementioned order information is stored in the storage unit. Upon receiving the order information from the customer terminal, the system transmits the order information to the EC system for storage. Based on information indicating the current date, information indicating the initial delivery date, and order information indicating the delivery interval, the EC system determines the timing at which it will provide the product subject to the subscription contract to the customer. If it is determined that the timing of delivery has arrived, the order identification information for identifying the order information is transmitted to the EC system. If order information corresponding to the order identification information is stored in the EC system, and a confirmation notification is received from the EC system, the system will request payment for the product from a payment system located outside the EC system. A program that implements a subscription service.

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