JP2002318981A - Transaction method and transaction management center - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an electronic commerce method and the like that can realize secure international commerce. SOLUTION: A transaction management center 5 accepts a transaction mediation request from a user terminal 1, mediates transaction conditions exchanged between the user terminal 1 and a store terminal 3, and makes the transaction conditions agree. After the agreement of the transaction conditions, the transaction management center 5
Receives the payment from the purchaser, performs the settlement of the transaction, and requests the store terminal 3 to send out the product related to the transaction to the purchaser. When the transaction management center 5 receives the receipt of the product related to the transaction from the buyer, if the seller is located in another country, the transaction management center 5 sells the price of the product related to the transaction to the transaction management center 5 in another country. Require the person to pay. Also,
When a payment request to the seller in the home country is received from the transaction management center 5 in another country, the seller is paid for the product.
Then, with the transaction management center 5 in another country, a plurality of transactions are collectively settled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a simple and secure electronic commerce method and a transaction management center using a network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional electronic commerce systems for purchasing individuals using the Internet include, for example, various types of systems performed through online auctions, virtual malls, guided advertisement websites, banner advertisements on web pages, and the like. There is. In order to facilitate transactions between trading parties regarding such electronic commerce on the Internet, instead of directly performing settlement of payment and delivery of goods between the trading parties, a third party other than the trading parties (trade brokers) ) Mediates the coordination of trading terms between the buying and selling parties,
There is a service (generally referred to as an escrow service) that performs settlement of transaction price and delivery of goods.

[0003] When using this service, the purchaser of the product deposits the price of the product with a trading intermediary, checks the product delivered to a location designated by the customer, and then deposits the deposit from the trading intermediary. The price paid is paid to the seller of the product. On the other hand, the merchandise seller, for example, confirms the deposit of the merchandise price with the buyer's transaction broker, and then delivers the merchandise to a location designated by the buyer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent troubles such as unpaid payment or undelivered goods between the parties who buy and sell the goods.

[0004]

[0006] Since the trading of goods using the Internet is not limited to the home country, and international commerce is becoming commonplace, it is desired to realize safe trade in international commerce. In response to such a request, it is conceivable to apply the above-mentioned escrow service to international commerce. However, in international commerce, since international remittance fees are charged for each transaction, the burden on the user increases, and it is practically impossible to provide an international escrow service for Internet transactions, etc., where many small payments are made. It was difficult.

[0005] Further, when purchasing a product from a seller in another country, the buyer needs to adjust the transaction conditions of the product (negotiation, order, etc.) and confirm the product shipping information in a language other than the home country. . These actions are burdensome and complicated for the buyer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electronic commerce method and the like that can realize safe international commerce. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic commerce method and the like that can reduce the burden on the user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient e-commerce method and the like.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a transaction method according to a first aspect of the present invention uses a transaction management center located in each country to mediate transactions between a buyer and a seller. In a transaction method performed through a network,
The transaction management center accepts a transaction intermediation request from the purchaser and causes both the purchaser and the seller to agree on the transaction conditions. A settlement step of accepting and settingtle the transaction, requesting the seller to send out the product related to the transaction to the purchaser after the settlement in the settlement step, A receiving step of receiving a receipt notice indicating that the product has been received, and responding to the receipt of the receipt notice by the receiving step, and when the seller is located in another country, a transaction management center in the other country; A control step of requesting the seller to pay for the product related to the transaction; and, when a payment request to the seller in the home country is received from the transaction management center in another country, A method to pay for the item to have, between the transaction management center of other countries, characterized in that it comprises a step of performing collectively settlement for a plurality of transactions, the.

[0008] According to such a configuration, the escrow service is applied to international electronic commerce, and safe international commerce can be realized. Also, the transaction management center
By transferring the transaction amount of multiple transactions together without remittance to other countries for each transaction, international remittance fees can be greatly reduced, so the fee collected from the user can be reduced and used Economic burden on the elderly.

[0009] In response to the receipt notification in the accepting step, the method may further include the step of paying the seller for the product when the seller is in their own country.

[0010] The method may further include the step of crediting the purchaser. As a result, secure transactions can be realized.

If the seller is located in another country, the information from the buyer is translated into the language of the other country and supplied to the seller, and the information from the seller is translated into the language of the home country and is transmitted to the buyer. May be supplied. Thereby, the burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience can be improved. In addition, it is possible to form agreements quickly and without misunderstanding of transaction conditions.

A transaction management center according to a second aspect of the present invention is a transaction management center for a system for mediating transactions between a buyer and a seller, and receives a transaction mediation request from a purchaser terminal. Means for mediating the transaction conditions exchanged between the buyer terminal and the seller terminal, and a means for agreeing the transaction conditions; and accepting the payment from the buyer after the agreement of the transaction conditions, and Settlement means for performing settlement, means for supplying, after settlement by the settlement means, a shipping request for requesting shipment of a product related to the transaction to a purchaser to the seller terminal, Receiving means for receiving a receipt notification indicating that the product has been received, and responding to the reception of the receipt notification by the receiving means,
When the seller is located in another country, control means for requesting the transaction management center in the other country to pay the seller for the product related to the transaction, and requesting payment to the seller in the home country. Received from a transaction management center in another country,
It is characterized by comprising a means for performing a payment process for paying the seller for the price of the product, and a means for collectively adjusting a plurality of transactions with a transaction management center in another country.

According to such a configuration, the escrow service is applied to international electronic commerce, and secure international commerce can be realized. Also, the transaction management center
By remittance of multiple transactions at once without remittance to other countries for each transaction, international remittance fees can be greatly reduced, so the fee collected from users can be reduced and used Economic burden on the elderly.

[0014] In response to the notice of receipt by the accepting means, if the seller is located in its own country, the seller may further comprise means for paying the seller for the product.

[0015] Further, means for crediting the purchaser may be further provided. As a result, secure transactions can be realized.

If the seller is in another country, the information from the buyer terminal is translated into another language and supplied to the seller terminal, and the information from the seller terminal is translated into its own language. It may be supplied to the buyer terminal. Thereby, the burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience can be improved. In addition, it is possible to form agreements quickly and without misunderstanding of transaction conditions.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electronic commerce system using the Internet according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the user of this system shall be a member who has issued a membership card by performing the prescribed enrollment procedure (including credit), and the store shall be a member who has performed the prescribed membership procedure (including credit). I do.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of an electronic commerce system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present system includes a user terminal 1, a store terminal 3, and a transaction management center 5 for each country, and these are connected by a network such as the Internet.

The user terminal 1 is a terminal that can be connected to a network such as the Internet, and accesses the domestic transaction management center 5 to perform a process for purchasing a product or service.

The store terminal 3 is, for example, a terminal of a member store that sells goods or services, etc., by exhibiting at the transaction management center 5 in each country, and has a function of connecting to a network such as the Internet. The franchise stores include those that form an organization such as an individual or a store or a company that sells products. Also,
The member store may be a real store or, for example, an auction participant on the Internet or a virtual store that does not have an actual store such as a virtual mall or virtual shop. The shop terminal 3 adjusts transaction mediation conditions with the purchaser (member) via the transaction management center 5 in the country of the purchaser.

The transaction management center 5 includes a sales management section 51,
It has a transaction mediation unit 52 and a member database 53.

The sales management unit 51 provides a site that accepts exhibitions from affiliated stores and accepts purchase requests for products such as auctions and electronic malls.

The transaction broker 52 responds to the member's application for a transaction brokerage service related to the purchase of a product by authenticating the member,
After the credit is given to the member, a transaction mediation process for mediating the transaction of the product between the member and the member store that sells the product is performed.

In this transaction intermediation processing, the fact that an application for the transaction intermediation service has been made from the user terminal 1 of the member (purchaser) is sent to the store terminal 3 of the member store (seller), and the use of this service is performed. After the consent of both traders has been obtained for the conditions (transaction mediation conditions), etc., payment from the user terminal 1 of the member is accepted. The payment amount includes, for example, the price of a product, a commission, and the like, and the payment method includes, for example, credit settlement, cash, a check, and the like. Although this fee includes a fee for international remittance, as will be described later, in the present invention,
The commission collected from members will be lower than the conventional amount because multiple transactions will be consolidated and international remittance will be performed.

After the payment from the member is confirmed, the transaction mediation section 52 supplies a merchandise shipping request to the store terminal 3 of the member store. Then, in response to the product receipt notification from the member user terminal 1, the transaction management center 5 of the member store country is
Send a request for payment of merchandise to the member store.

Further, the transaction mediation unit 52 stores information such as the amount to be paid to the other transaction management center 5 and the amount to be received from the other transaction management center 5 for a transaction made with another country. And store it. Then, at a predetermined timing, the difference between the amount of payment and the amount of receipt is calculated for other countries, and if the amount of payment is larger, the difference is remitted to the transaction management center 5 in another country. Receives the difference from the transaction management center 5 in another country.

The transaction intermediary unit 52 translates the information received from the domestic user terminal 1 into the language of the country of the business partner of the business partner and supplies it to the store terminal 3. The information received from the store terminal 3 is translated into the language of the home country and supplied to the user terminal 1 to facilitate the exchange of information between traders. The translation function may be realized using, for example, existing translation software.

Further, the transaction mediation section 52 generates member transaction information indicating the transaction contents (member information, customer information, payment date, purchase price, etc.) for each member, and registers it in the member database 53. In addition, the search, update, extraction, etc. of the member database 53 are performed as necessary, for example, during card settlement.

In addition, the transaction management center 5 performs a process of paying the merchandise price and the like to domestic member stores in response to a predetermined payment request from the transaction management center 5 in another country.

The member database 53 stores transaction information and the like.

Next, in the electronic commerce system according to the present embodiment, a flow of processing when a member X in Country A transacts with a member store Y in Country B will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, in an auction site provided by the transaction management center 5 on the Internet, a member store Y
The member X who has made a sale with the (exhibitor) accesses the home page of the transaction mediation service in the transaction management center 5 from the user terminal 1. Then, member X
Is a self-identification number (for example, a card number) and a password (for example, a password assigned to each card) on the log-in screen of the merchandise intermediation service on the screen of the transaction intermediation service page displayed on the user terminal 1. The user terminal 1 transmits the input data to the transaction management center 5 (step S1).

The transaction management center 5 authenticates the member X using the identification number and the password received from the user terminal 1. Further, the member database is accessed using the identification number of the member X as a key, and the past transaction information of the member X is extracted and stored. Next, the transaction management center 5 supplies an input screen for transaction intermediation conditions and the like to the user terminal 1, and causes the member X to input the transaction intermediation conditions for the product. The user terminal 1 transmits the input data to the transaction management center 5 (Step S2). The input information includes, for example, purchaser information, member store information, merchandise information, payment information, delivery information, information on transaction brokerage fees, and the like.

The transaction management center 5 refers to the transaction mediation conditions and the like entered by the member X and the stored card transaction information of the member X, and sets the credit limit frame of the member X. The transaction management center 5 automatically converts the information such as the desired conditions for transaction intermediation presented by the member X into the language of the country B, and supplies the data of the display screen to the store terminal 3 of the member store Y in the country B (step S3). ).

The member store Y refers to the transaction mediation conditions and the like displayed on the screen of the store terminal 3 and, when agreeing to the contents, clicks a confirmation button on the screen, for example. In response, the store terminal 3 notifies the transaction management center 5 in Country A that the member store Y has agreed to the conditions for the current transaction (step S4).

If the member store Y does not agree with the displayed content, the member store Y enters the transaction mediation condition of the product in the input field of the screen, and the shop terminal 3 displays the transaction mediation condition entered by the member store Y. And the like to the transaction management center 5 in Country A. The transaction management center 5 automatically converts the information received from the store terminal 3 in country B into the language of country A and supplies the information to the user terminal 1 of the member X. When the member X has input that the member X agrees to the desired conditions for transaction intermediation presented by the member store Y in the country B, the user terminal 1 notifies the transaction management center 5 of that and inputs that the user does not agree. In such a case, the transaction mediation condition of the product re-entered by the member X is supplied to the transaction management center 5. Thereafter, until the member X and the member store Y agree on the current transaction mediation condition, the transaction mediation condition presented by both parties is exchanged.

When the member X and the member store Y agree on the transaction mediation conditions for the product, the transaction management center 5 in Country A executes the payment for the product transaction this time, for example, by card payment. And receive payment from the member X. Specifically, the transfer of funds from the account of the member X to the account of the transaction management center 5 is performed via a predetermined settlement institution, financial institution, or the like. Then, a request for shipping the product is supplied to the store terminal 3 of the member store Y in the country B (step S5).

The member store Y in the country B receives the request for shipping the product and ships the product to the location designated by the member X in the country A. Further, the member store Y uses the store terminal 3 to access the transaction management center 5 in country A, inputs shipping information of the product, and transmits the input data to the transaction management center 5 in country A (step). S6).

The transaction management center 5 in Country A automatically converts the shipping information received from the store terminal 3 into the language of Country A and supplies it to the user terminal 1 of the member X (Step S7). Member X
Thus, for example, it is possible to confirm the shipment of the product and obtain information such as the arrival schedule and the package number.

When the product arrives from the member store Y in Country B, the member X confirms the product, accesses the transaction management center 5 using the user terminal 1, and sends the receipt confirmation information on the receipt of the product. Then, the received receipt confirmation information is notified to the transaction management center 5 (step S8).

The transaction management center 5, which has received the notification from the user terminal 1, automatically converts the received receipt confirmation information into the language of the country B and transmits it to the transaction management center 5 in the country B (step S9).

The transaction management center 5 in the country B performs a payment process to the member store Y for the price relating to the transaction of the product in accordance with the receipt confirmation information from the transaction management center 5 in the country A. Specifically, for example, a predetermined financial institution is requested to transfer funds corresponding to the price from the account of the transaction management center 5 to the account of the member store Y. Thus, the transaction between the member X in the country A and the member store Y in the country B is completed.

Further, the transaction management center 5 in Country A receives payment information (for a user in Country A from the country B) regarding the amount to be paid to the transaction management center 5 in Country B for the transaction made between Country A and Country B. The transaction amount (including the product price, commission, etc.) for the purchase of goods from the member store of the country B) and the receiving information on the amount to be received from the transaction management center 5 of the country B (the user of the country B joins the country A A transaction amount (including a product price, a commission, and the like) relating to the purchase of a product from the store is accumulated and stored.

Then, the transaction management center 5 in Country A calculates, at a predetermined timing, the difference between the amount paid to the transaction management center 5 in Country B and the amount received from the transaction management center 5 in Country B. If the payment amount to the transaction management center 5 is larger, the difference is remitted to the transaction management center 5 in Country B. If the amount received from the transaction management center 5 in Country B is larger, the difference is
Receive from The international remittance fee associated with the remittance may be borne by the transaction management center 5 of the country of the payer, or may be borne by each person at a predetermined rate. In the case of paying at a predetermined rate, the remittance source may reduce the payment amount by the burden on the remittance destination and remit.

The above settlement process may be performed by the transaction management center 5 in Country A, and the settlement result may be notified to the transaction management center 5 in Country B. May be performed, and the person who pays more money to the other party may perform the remittance processing.

The system can mediate not only international transactions but also domestic transactions. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the case of the above-described international transaction (FIG. 2) except that the transaction management center 5 that has received the application for the transaction intermediation service from the user terminal 1 also performs payment processing for the member store. (S1 to S8). Further, in this case, since both the traders are located in Japan, the translation process for the information exchanged between the member and the member store may not be performed.

The transaction mediation service may be made available to users other than members. In this case, the credit is executed at an arbitrary timing (for example, when accepting cash payment from the user).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to apply the escrow service to international electronic commerce and realize safe international commerce. In addition, since the transaction management centers 5 in each country can collectively transfer the transaction amounts of a plurality of transactions without performing remittances for each transaction, international remittance fees can be greatly reduced, so that fees collected from users are reduced. The cost can be reduced, and the economic burden on the user can be reduced. In addition, the purchaser of the product can use the user terminal 1 to operate the transaction management center 5 in the same country.
By simply contacting, even if it is an international transaction, simple commodity trading is possible and convenient. On the other hand, the merchant, which is the seller, is also convenient because it receives the price for the transaction of the product from the transaction management center 5 in the same country.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications and modifications are possible. For example, the means for adjusting the transaction mediation condition of the product and the notification of the shipping information of the product are optional, and a dedicated web page may be used or an e-mail may be used.

It has been described that when a member applies for the use of the transaction mediation service of the product of the transaction management center 5, the card number is used as the identification number required to be input, and the password is used as the password. However, the identification number and the password serving as the card member ID are not limited to these, and are arbitrary. For example, if the card member has previously applied for a merchandise intermediary service with the transaction management center 5 and previously determined an identification number and password dedicated to the intermediary service, the identification number and password can be used. .

In the embodiment of the present invention, it has been described that the merchant ships the merchandise and provides the merchandise shipping information. However, even if the transaction management center 5 performs the merchandise delivery service as a part of the transaction mediation service. Good.

[0052]

According to the present invention, it is possible to apply the escrow service to international electronic commerce and realize safe international commerce. In addition, since the transaction management center collectively remits the transaction amounts of multiple transactions without remittance to other countries for each transaction, international remittance fees can be greatly reduced, so that fees collected from users are reduced. And the economic burden on the user can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic commerce system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining processing when an international transaction is performed in the electronic commerce system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process when a domestic transaction is performed in the electronic commerce system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 user terminal 3 store terminal 5 transaction management center 51 trading management section 52 transaction intermediation section 53 member database

Claims (8)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A transaction method for mediating a transaction between a buyer and a seller through a network using a transaction management center located in each country, wherein the transaction management center receives a transaction mediation request from the buyer. Accepting and allowing both the purchaser and the seller to agree on the transaction conditions; after the agreement on the transaction conditions, accepting payment from the purchaser and performing settlement of the transaction; After the settlement by the step, a step of requesting the seller to send out the product related to the transaction to the purchaser, and a receiving step of receiving a receipt notification indicating that the product related to the transaction has been received from the purchaser. Responding to the receipt of the receipt notification by the receiving step,
If the seller is in another country, a control step of requesting a transaction management center in the other country to pay the seller for the product related to the transaction; and requesting payment to the seller in the home country. When receiving from a transaction management center in another country, the step of paying the seller for the product, and a step of collectively adjusting a plurality of transactions with the transaction management center in another country are provided. And trading method. 2. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of paying the seller for the product if the seller is in his / her home country in response to the receipt notification in the receiving step. The transaction method according to 1. 3. The transaction method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of crediting the purchaser. 4. If the seller is in another country, the information from the buyer is translated into another language and supplied to the seller, and the information from the seller is translated into its own language and purchased. The transaction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transaction method is supplied to a party. 5. A transaction management center for a system for mediating transactions between a buyer and a seller, which receives a transaction mediation request from a buyer terminal and exchanges data between the buyer terminal and the seller terminal. Means for mediating the transaction conditions to be agreed upon, and after agreeing on the transaction conditions, settlement means for accepting payment from the buyer and performing settlement of the transaction; after settlement by the settlement means Means for supplying, to the seller terminal, a shipping request for requesting shipping of the product related to the transaction to the purchaser; and receiving means for receiving a receipt notification indicating that the product related to the transaction has been received from the buyer. Responding to the receipt of the receipt notice by the accepting means, and, if the seller is located in another country, pays the seller for a product related to the transaction to a transaction management center in the other country. thing Control means for requesting, when receiving a payment request for a seller in the home country from a transaction management center in another country, means for performing payment processing for paying the seller for the goods, and between the transaction management center in another country. A transaction management center, comprising: means for performing a settlement for a plurality of transactions at once. 6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for paying a price for the merchandise to said seller when said seller is in a home country in response to said notification of receipt by said receiving means. 5. The transaction management center according to 5. 7. The transaction management center according to claim 5, further comprising means for giving credit to said purchaser. 8. When the seller is in another country, the information from the buyer terminal is translated into another language and supplied to the seller terminal, and the information from the seller terminal is translated into the language of the home country. The transaction management center according to claim 5, wherein the transaction management center is supplied to a purchaser terminal.