JP2003030288A - Travel commodity transaction system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a travel commodity transaction system where B to B transaction and B to C transaction on a travel commodity, which are performed among a plurality of travel agencies, a plurality of facility supply agents and a consumer are performed collectively on a network. SOLUTION: The travel commodity transaction system is provided with the terminals (1) of a plurality of the travel agencies, the terminal machines (2) of facility supply agents, the terminal machines (3 and 4) of general consumers and an information managing device (5) supplying the electronic commerce space of the travel commodity to the travel agents, facility supply companies and the consumers. The system is provided with a function for mediating B to B transaction between the travel agency and the facility supply agent through the electronic commerce space to the information managing device (5), and a function for mediating B to C transaction between the travel agency and the consumer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a travel product transaction system using a network, and more particularly to BtoB transaction and BtoC transaction performed with a plurality of travel agencies, a plurality of facility providers, and consumers. The present invention relates to a travel product trading system that is carried out centrally on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent widespread use of the Internet, websites mainly for dealing (sale, reservation, etc.) of travel products such as sponsored trips, arranged trips, and airline tickets have also become popular.

By using these travel product sales sites,
Consumers can browse travel products planned by each travel company like brochures, and also purchase and make reservations for travel products from their homes via the Internet without going directly to the sales counter. be able to.

[0004]

However, since these travel product sales sites are usually operated or provided for each travel company, for example, after comparing travel products of a plurality of travel companies. Consumers who want to purchase products either search for multiple travel product sales sites each time and walk (surfing the net), or go to sales counters as usual to obtain brochures of multiple companies and compare and browse. There was nothing better than doing.

As described above, the conventional travel product selling site is still inconvenient for consumers who want to compare travel products of a plurality of companies.

[0006] On the other hand, there are facility providers that sell products (materials) such as accommodation facilities and airline tickets to travel agencies. These facility providers separately notify inventory information (for example, vacant rooms) to some specific travel agencies, and the travel agency side purchases product materials based on the inventory information obtained from those facility providers. Also, make reservations, etc., and plan and create travel products accordingly.

However, in the distribution of such merchandise materials, the facility provider side is limited to a few specified destinations for the travel agency, so that the goods are held in inventory without the buyer. It is not uncommon to lose it. Therefore, there has been a demand for a new travel product distribution method that enables product transactions with more travel companies. In addition, for the travel agency side, in order to plan a wide variety of travel products, it is an issue to acquire inventory information of product materials from more facility providers.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow consumers to restrict travel products of a plurality of travel agencies to the framework of each travel agency. It provides a travel product transaction system that facilitates sales of travel products by making it easily viewable.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to appropriately disclose product material (stock) information of a plurality of facility providers to a plurality of travel companies via a network so that travel products of the facility providers can be displayed. It provides a travel product transaction system that promotes material sales and enhances the amount of travel product materials provided to travel agencies.

Still another object of the present invention is to:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a travel product transaction system that realizes BtoBtoC transaction of travel products between a facility provider, a travel agency, and a consumer on a network.

Other objects and effects of the present invention will be easily understood by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the travel product transaction system of the present invention performs a predetermined operation by an operator based on travel product material information input via a keyboard, a communication line or the like. Computer terminals of a plurality of travel companies having a function of creating travel product information such as package tours via the Internet, computer terminals of a plurality of facility providers to which travel product material information such as accommodation facilities is input, and consumers An information management device for providing an electronic commerce space for travel products to a travel agency, a facility provider and a consumer through data communication between the computer terminal on the side and the computer terminals via a predetermined network, The information management device appropriately discloses product material information collected from a plurality of facility providers to a plurality of travel agencies via a computer terminal. Rutotomoni, the transaction between the travel company and facilities provider of travel products material based on the public information,
A BtoB transaction intermediary function to be realized on the network and travel product information collected from a plurality of travel companies via a computer terminal are appropriately disclosed to consumers, and a travel company of travel products based on the public information. Bt for realizing transactions between customers and consumers on the network
It has an oC transaction intermediary function.

[0013] Here, the term "travel agency" refers to not only wholesalers called wholesalers in the travel industry, but also various travel agencies or travel agencies that plan or create travel products such as package tours. Includes vendors. For example, when a travel product sales agency plans or creates a travel product, the travel agent can be included in the travel agency here.

The "facility provider" may be, for example, an inn, a hotel, a pension, a leisure / tourist facility, an airline company, or a railway company. That is,
Examples of "travel product materials" include accommodation tickets, air tickets,
Examples include JR tickets. Further, as the “travel product material information”, for example, information relating to travel product materials such as the name of the accommodation facility, the accommodation charge, the air ticket price, etc. can be mentioned.

The "travel product information" includes, for example, information on travel products such as destination (travel destination), departure date, number of days, and price.

The term "consumer-side computer terminal" is used. The computer terminal includes personal computers, mobile terminals, home-use game machines, and television receivers (including cable television, satellite digital broadcasting, etc.). , Car navigation systems, convenience store terminals (kiosk terminals), mobile phones, projectors, home telephones for internet connection, internet home appliances (eg home appliances such as refrigerators with internet connection function), and so on. You can also

Although there is an "electronic commerce space", this can be provided as a Web site on the Internet, for example.

Although "publish appropriately", various modes are conceivable as a publishing method. In one example, the collected information is voluntarily used by all travel agencies or consumers who access the information management device via the network (or access to the information management device via the network) or specific travel companies or consumers (members, etc.). Can be viewed.

In another example, information that is appropriately extracted from the collected information (random extraction, extraction based on predetermined conditions, etc.) is attached to an electronic mail and registered in advance on the information management device side via the electronic commerce space. It is automatically transmitted to the selected consumer (may be a customer, a member, etc.) or a travel agency. In addition to this, various disclosure modes will be envisioned by those skilled in the art.

The "transaction" is a travel product material between the travel agency and the facility provider, and the travel agency and the consumer.
Alternatively, various transactions such as buying and selling, reservation, cancellation, and settlement relating to travel products can be cited.

According to the present invention, B to B transactions between a plurality of facility providers and a plurality of travel agencies, and B to C transactions between a plurality of travel agencies and consumers, that is, B
A toBtoC transaction is realized on the network.

According to the present invention, the facility provider can simultaneously publish its own travel product material information to a plurality of travel agencies via the network. Promotion of sales of travel product materials by business operators.

Further, according to the present invention, the travel company can simultaneously know the travel product material information (inventory information) of a plurality of facility providers via the network, and the amount of product material provided can be enhanced. Planned. In addition, it is possible to plan a wide variety of travel products based on these abundant travel product materials. At the same time, since the travel product information can be disclosed to many consumers via the network, sales of travel products can be promoted.

Further, according to the present invention, a general consumer can browse the travel products of a plurality of travel companies published through the network almost at the same time. As a result, it becomes possible to purchase desired travel products after comparing travel products of a plurality of travel companies. Therefore, it is expected that the number of users will increase as compared with conventional travel product sales sites. .

In the travel product transaction system of the present invention,
Preferably, in the BtoC transaction function of the information processing apparatus, travel product material information collected from a plurality of facility providers via a computer terminal is appropriately disclosed to the consumer side, and facility provision based on the disclosed information is provided. Bt for realizing transactions between vendors and consumers on the network
Further included is the oC transaction intermediary function.

[0026] According to this aspect, the consumer can reserve and purchase the desired travel ticket material such as an airline ticket or accommodation facility directly on the network without going through a travel agency. It is also possible to arrange the travel requested by the travel sales office (arranged travel) by yourself.

Further, the travel product transaction system of the present invention preferably further includes a computer terminal of a travel product sales agency that sells travel products of a travel agency through dialogue with visitors, and the computer terminal is a computer terminal. The travel product information collected from a plurality of travel companies is appropriately disclosed to the travel product sales agency, and the transaction between the travel company and the travel product sales agency based on the published information is realized on the network. Further included is a BtoB transaction intermediary function for performing.

[0028] According to this aspect, even a travel product sales agent that sells travel products of a travel company through a dialogue with a visitor can carry out product transactions with the travel company through a network. Is possible.

Further, in the travel product transaction system of the present invention, preferably, the information processing device is a CtoC transaction intermediary function for realizing, on a network, a sale transaction between consumers of travel products owned by consumers. Further has.

Here, the term "sales transaction" is used, but this may include, for example, an auction transaction between consumers.

According to such an aspect, it becomes possible to conduct CtoC transactions in addition to BtoBtoC transactions using the system of the present invention.

In the travel product transaction system of the present invention,
Preferably, the electronic commerce space is provided as a travel product trading website on the Internet, and the travel product trading website is provided on another specific site on the Internet.
Hyperlink information including the URL of the site is prepared.

Here, "Website for trading travel products"
However, this is not a description for limiting the website to a dedicated site that handles only travel product transactions.

There is "another specific site on the Internet", but this includes information sites provided by major companies,
Various sites can be applied without being limited to the site type, scale, etc. of a personal homepage.

Although there is "hyperlink information", it is possible to include predetermined icon information, character information and the like in addition to URL information.

According to this aspect, the consumer who operates a terminal such as a personal computer immediately links to the travel commodity trading website according to the present invention from another specific site,
It becomes possible to participate in travel product transactions. This is expected to increase the number of users of this system.

In the travel product transaction system of the present invention,
Preferably, for data communication between the information management device and the computer terminal of the travel agency, a dedicated line and / or IP / V is used.
Try to use PN.

According to such a mode, not only security-protected data communication but also voice communication can be transmitted through the same line, so that the total communication cost can be reduced.

In the present invention, preferably, the computer terminal of each travel agency is a travel business backbone system terminal in which travel business software of a common standard including a program for creating travel product information is installed.

[Computer terminal of each travel agency]
However, in this case, the computer terminals of all travel agencies do not necessarily have to be the computer terminals in which the software is installed. For example, when the "electronic commerce space" is provided as a website,
It is also possible to use the existing PC by using the existing PC as it is.

According to this aspect, the travel agency can add the travel product information creating function corresponding to the system of the present invention by installing the dedicated software. That is, by predefining the data communication format between the terminal of the travel agency and the information management device, the information created through the travel product information creation function can be directly displayed on the website without performing format conversion processing or the like. You can also publish it at. In addition, in response to the published travel product information, the W etc.
For example, the application content information written on the eb site can be taken into the terminal of the travel agency as it is.

The computer terminal of the travel agency has
In addition to this, various functions corresponding to the system of the present invention can be added based on the program configuration of the travel business software. )

For example, the functions realized by the travel business software include CRS (Computerized Reservation System).
stem (air ticket seat reservation system)), and reservation and purchase of an air ticket can be performed via the CRS connection communication function.

According to such a mode, it becomes possible to collectively make an airline ticket arrangement at the time of creating travel product information through the terminal machine.

Further, for example, the function realized by the travel business software includes a farm banking function, and the settlement related to the travel product transaction generated between the facility provider, the travel agent, and the consumer is performed by the network. Can be made via electronic payment between bank accounts connected to.

According to this aspect, the travel agency side
Services such as transfer and deposit / withdrawal confirmation can be used through the computer terminal without going to a bank branch or the like. That is, it is possible to collectively perform the settlement processing related to the travel product transaction via the terminal device.

Further, for example, the function realized by the travel business software is capable of displaying customer data based on the caller number notification function on a display or the like immediately in response to an incoming call from a consumer. Features can also be included.

The term "immediately display on a display or the like" is used here, but this can be realized, for example, by registering the telephone number information for each customer in a customer database in advance.

According to such a mode, for example, when the operator is permanently stationed at the computer terminal and the question or the like from the consumer concerning the travel product transaction is received orally by telephone, the CTI function is used. Thus, the operator can know the customer information in advance.

As described above, by adding various functions to the computer terminal through the software of the common standard, the travel agency collectively performs various processes relating to the travel commodity transaction through the computer terminal. It becomes possible to do it. Therefore, personnel expenses related to travel product transactions can be significantly reduced.

Next, the travel product transaction system of the present invention is
Various services can be realized through the information management device.

In a preferred example, the information management apparatus according to the present invention uses the travel product information collected through the computer terminal of the travel agency to purchase the product each time through the computer terminal of the consumer. Has a function to search for travel product information based on a keyword for each predetermined item specified by, so that the searched travel product information can be displayed as a list through the computer terminal on the consumer side. .

Here, the term "keyword for each predetermined item" is used, but examples of the "item" include a desired travel destination, budget, desired staying days, leisure and the like. Further, the “keyword” includes, for example, “Hokkaido (destination)”, “50,000 yen (budget)”, “3 nights (days)”, “snow festival (leisure)”, etc. corresponding to the above items. .

Although there is a "list display", the travel product information displayed at this time includes destination information, price information, number of days information, and the like. It is needless to say that all the retrieved information does not necessarily have to be displayed at once on the same screen, though it is referred to as a “list”.

According to such a mode, the purchaser (consumer) of the product purchase automatically narrows down the travel product information that suits his or her own preference and convenience, from the travel product information collected in large numbers. Further, it is possible to compare the narrowed down information with each other easily via a display or the like.

In another preferred example, the information management apparatus according to the present invention provides the quotation request information for each purchase applicant including the desired travel destination, budget, etc., obtained through the consumer's computer terminal to the network. Bto, which is appropriately disclosed to the travel agency via the travel agency, and the travel product information including the estimate for each travel agency obtained from the computer terminal of the travel agency in response to the public information is disclosed to the corresponding purchase applicant.
It also has a C-auction feature, which allows reverse auction travel product transactions between travel agencies and consumers to occur over the network.

Here, the word "publish" is used, but various methods can be used as the method of publication. In one example, the quotation request information acquired on the information management device side can be arbitrarily browsed by all travel companies that have accessed the information management device via the network, while travel product information including a quotation from the travel company can be obtained. When you are asked, the travel product information is attached to an e-mail and the corresponding purchase applicant (quotation requester)
The aspect of transmitting to is mentioned. In addition to this, various disclosure modes will be envisioned by those skilled in the art.

According to such a mode, a travel product purchaser (consumer) can simultaneously request a plurality of travel companies through the network to create a travel plan suitable for his / her wishes and financial situation. Become. Further, the quotation request information thus obtained can be reflected as the needs of the consumer side, for example, in the travel product creation at a normal time of a travel agency.

[0059] In still another preferred example, the information management device transmits specific travel product information or travel product material information including auction start value information obtained through a computer terminal of a travel agency or facility provider to a network. It further has an auction function for making it public to the consumer via the public information and determining the buyer of the specific travel product or travel product material information based on the desired bid price information obtained from the consumer's computer terminal in response to the public information.

According to such an aspect, the travel company or facility provider side can sell its own product or product material at a higher price.

In still another preferred example, the information management device has a function of accepting a product transaction cancellation from a product purchaser (reserver) via a consumer-side computer terminal and a transaction cancellation. Sometimes
Attach the relevant travel product information to the email,
By sending to multiple destinations registered in advance,
It further has a function of recruiting applicants for reservation / purchase of the travel product.

Here, the term "send to a plurality of pre-registered destinations" is used, but the destination may include, for example, a mobile phone address or the like. By doing so, the registered customer or the like can know the cancellation information earlier.

It should be noted that the "transmission" can be limited to only the destinations appropriately extracted from the plurality of registered destinations. For example, destinations, days, prices, and other desired conditions of desired travel products are registered in advance for each registrant, and if cancellation occurs, those travel products that match the desired conditions are registered. The information may be transmitted only to the user.

According to such a mode, not only cancellation of reservation / purchase of a travel product can be accepted via the network, but also when such a cancellation occurs, immediately the corresponding travel product is canceled. Reservation and purchase applicants can be recruited. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the deficit on the seller side such as a travel company or a facility provider due to the cancellation which naturally occurs in the past. Further, since the consumer can know the cancellation by the electronic mail, the trouble of repeatedly connecting to the information management device and confirming the cancellation information is eliminated.

In still another preferred example, the information management device pre-stores travel product information satisfying a predetermined condition among the travel product information collected through the computer terminal of the travel agency together with the travel product information. It further has a specific target information transmission function of transmitting by e-mail to a specific customer extracted based on the customer information registered on the information management device side.

Here, it is said that "a predetermined condition is satisfied",
The conditions may include, for example, “things requested by a travel agency”, “products that have not been bought by a buyer for a certain period of time”, and the like.

The "customer information" mentioned here can include, for example, age, sex, travel destination desired by the customer, in addition to the mail address.

According to such a mode, for example, age,
Travel product information from a travel agency can be transmitted to an appropriate target based on customer information such as gender, address, and desired travel destination.

[0069]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The overall configuration of the travel product trading system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this travel commodity trading system includes a computer terminal 1 installed in each travel agency, a computer terminal 2 installed in each facility provider, and a computer on the general consumer side. A terminal 3 and a computer terminal 4 of a travel product sales agency, and a website as an electronic commerce space for travel companies, facility providers, general consumers, and travel product sales agents via these computer terminals , A travel product transaction site), and a dedicated communication line (in this example, IP / VPN is used) 6 interposed between the information management device 5 and the computer terminal 1, It has a public communication network 7 such as the Internet interposed between the information management device 5 and the consumer-side computer terminal 3.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 is AXESS, INFINI, WOR
CRS (air ticket reservation system) connecting LDSPAN, APPOLO, etc.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a communication network, and an interbank network connecting a plurality of banks. Reference numeral 6 is IP / V
PN (Internet Protocol / Virtual Private Network) is shown, and the information management device 5 and each computer terminal 1, 2, 4 are the IP
/ VPN is used for connection.

In this example, the computer terminal 1 of each travel agency is a travel business core system terminal in which travel business software of a common plan including a program for creating travel product information is installed. The functions realized by the travel business software include a travel product information creation function and a CRS connection function, and travel information created by each travel company via the functions is collected by the information management device 5, It will be disclosed to general consumers and travel product sales agents through the travel product trading site. As a result, each travel product is reserved and purchased. The travel business software also includes a farm banking function and a CTI function. These functions will be described later.

As facility providers, "inn", "hotel", and "tourist facility" are shown in the figure. Facility information (vacancy information, tourist facility information) as travel product material information is input to the computer terminal 2 of each facility provider. The facility information input here is disclosed to the travel agency, the sales agent, the general consumer, etc. through the information management device 5 (travel product transaction site), and thereby each facility use is reserved and purchased. .

As the computer terminal 3 for general consumers, as shown in the figure, various terminals capable of connecting to the Internet, specifically, a "home personal computer",
"Convenience store (kiosk) terminal", "mobile phone", "mobile terminal", "TV", "car navigation", and "home game machine" are applicable. In addition to this, it is also possible to apply an internet-connected home telephone, an internet home appliance, or the like. That is, in the present embodiment, the consumer accesses the information management device 5 (travel product transaction site), browses travel product information, makes reservations / purchases, and consumers through these various terminals. It is possible to trade travel products between the two.

In this example, a travel product sales agent (hereinafter referred to as a sales agent) searches, reserves, purchases, etc., travel products of the travel agency collected by the information management device 5 on behalf of the visitor. In this example, the software of the common project described above is also installed in the computer terminal 4 of the sales agency, so that the sales agency can create an arranged trip.

The information management device 5 is configured as a Web server in this example, and as described above, the IP / VP is used.
Providing a travel product transaction site to a travel company, facility provider, general consumer and travel product sales agency via N6 or public communication network 7, and via the travel product transaction site, BtoB transaction, BtoC transaction, Mediates CtoC transactions.

In this example, as a BtoB transaction, a transaction related to travel product material between a facility provider or an airline company (CRS) and a travel agency or a sales agency, and a travel agency and a sales agency. Transactions related to travel products between (at the time of agent sales) are included. Also, for BtoC transactions,
Transactions related to travel products between travel agencies and general consumers,
Includes travel product material transactions between facility providers or airlines (CRS) and consumers.

Details of the BtoB transaction intermediary function of the information processing apparatus 5 (travel product transaction site) are shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3. In this example, BtoB
As a transaction, a transaction related to travel product material between a facility provider and a travel agency is shown as an example.

FIG. 2 shows a travel commodity material information registration process performed between the computer terminal 2 of the facility provider and the information management device 5 in the BtoB transaction performed between the travel agency and the facility provider. The contents are shown by a flowchart.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information management device 5
In the (travel product transaction site), when there is access from (the computer terminal 2 of) the facility provider via the public line network 7 (step 201), first, a predetermined password input screen is displayed on the side of the facility provider. To prompt the user to enter a password registered in advance in the information management device 5 for each facility provider.

When the registration password (for example, the number of n) is input by the facility provider side via this secret code input screen (step 202), the password is transmitted to the information management device 5 side via the public line network 7. The password for each facility provider that has been read in step S4 and stored in advance in the database of the information management device 5 (see FIG. 5) is checked (step 203).
(Authentication)). Although not shown in the figure, here,
When the authentication (verification) is not normally performed, an error display or the like is displayed on the terminal 2 of the facility provider, and the password is prompted again.

When the authentication process is normally performed, then, the product material presence registration screen is presented on the terminal 2 of the facility provider (step 204). On the screen, for example,
Input items of various information (location, number of vacant days, specified number of people, price for one night, room number, etc.) of product materials (vacant room here) are prepared.

On the same screen, on the side of the facility provider,
When a predetermined item is input (step 205), the vacancy information specified by the item is used as product material (stock) information.
It is stored in a predetermined memory area of the database of the information management device 5 together with the name of the facility provider (step 2).
06 (update)). Next, a registration completion notification is sent from the information management device 5 to the terminal 2 of the facility provider via a predetermined screen (step 207). In response to this, the computer terminal 2 of the facility provider updates the data based on the registration of the material inventory information in the information management device 5 (step 208), and the process ends. As a result, the product material information (vacancy information) of the facility provider is registered in the information management device 5. It should be noted that this registration information can be freely viewed by a travel company registered in advance on the travel product transaction site through the site.

In the above description, when registering product material information, after connecting the terminal 2 of the facility provider to the travel product transaction site (information management device 5), the product material is registered in the terminal 2 of the facility provider. It is assumed that the information is input, but the product material information is input in advance according to a predetermined form on the terminal 2 side (before connection) using dedicated software or the like, and the information is stored after the authentication process is completed. It may be automatically transmitted to the information management device 5.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of the process of disclosing the travel product material information between the computer terminal 1 of the travel agency and the information management device 5 in the B to B transaction performed between the travel agency and the facility provider. Is shown by a flowchart.

As shown in the figure, the information management device 5
In (Travel goods trading site), when there is access from (the computer terminal 1 of) the travel agency via IP / VPN 6 (step 301), first, a predetermined personal identification input screen is presented to the side of the travel agency. In advance, the information management device 5
Prompt for a password for each travel agency registered in.

When the registration password is entered on the travel agency side via this password input screen (step 302), the password is sent to the information management device 5 via the IP / VPN 6.
The password of each travel agency that has been read in advance and stored in the database (see FIG. 5) of the information management device 5 is collated (authentication process, step 303). Although not shown in the figure, if the authentication (verification) is not normally performed, an error message is displayed on the terminal 1 of the travel agency and the password is prompted again. Is being done.

When the authentication process is normally carried out, then, the product material information search screen is presented on the terminal 1 of the travel agency (step 304). On the screen, for example, an input field for a predetermined keyword is prepared. Say here,
Examples of the predetermined keyword include a keyword relating to the location of the vacant room desired by the travel agency, the number of vacant days, the specified number of people, the price of one night, the room number, the name of the facility provider (hotel name), and the like. That is, in this example, it is possible to search for a vacancy desired by the travel agency from the product material information stored in the database in step 206 shown in FIG. The product material information retrieved based on the keyword is appropriately displayed as a list on the computer terminal 1 of the travel agency.

On the same screen, when the material to be purchased is decided by the travel agency from the product material information displayed in a list (for example, the product material name column in the list display screen is clicked) (step 305), After a confirmation process (not shown), the information management device 5 performs data processing (including database update) based on the fact that the corresponding product material is reserved by the travel agency. Specifically, in this example, the reservation by the other travel agency of the product material information is prohibited (step 3).
06).

Next, a predetermined screen for notifying the completion of the reservation acceptance is displayed on the computer terminal 1 of the travel agency, and the travel agency updates the data based on the reservation of the material inventory information ( Step 308).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the product materials of the plurality of facility providers registered in the information management device 5 through the travel product transaction site can be appropriately viewed and reserved by a plurality of travel companies. There is.

Next, as shown in step 309 in FIG. 3, the terminal 1 of the travel company uses the purchased (reserved) travel product material information to travel through various operations by the operator or the like. A product (information) is created (step 309). The travel products created here are IP / V
The data is transmitted to the information management device 5 via the PN 6, and is stored in a predetermined memory area of the database (temporarily stored in the figure (step 311).

The state in which travel product information is created using the computer terminal 1 of the travel agency is shown in the business flow of FIG.

As shown in the flowchart, when the travel product information is created, the travel destination (direction) is specified (step 501), the date and time of the event is specified (step 502),
Identification of optional use of tourist facilities (Step 50
3), reservation / specification of transportation (step 504), reservation / specification of accommodation facility (step 505), price setting (step 506), course group naming (step 50)
7), and processing such as input of special notes to the consumer (step 508) is performed.

When creating the travel product information, the operation based on the travel product information creating function that can be used by installing the common software for travel business described above on the display of the terminal 1. The guidance screen is displayed.

In the present embodiment, the travel product information created (planned) can be viewed as it is by the consumer through the travel product transaction site. Further, necessary information such as personal information input via the computer terminal 3 of the consumer (product purchaser) at the time of booking the travel product after browsing is directly displayed on this screen via the information management device 5. It is designed to be entered in a predetermined field (indicated by the destination name, TEL, etc.).

The computer terminal 1 of the travel agency is provided with various functions corresponding to the system of the present invention by the travel business software in addition to the travel product information creating function. These additional functions will be described in order below.

The functions realized by the travel business software include the CRS (Computerized) indicated by reference numeral 8 in FIG.
A connection communication function with a Resavation System (air ticket seat reservation system) is included, and reservation of an air ticket as a travel product material is made through the CRS connection communication function. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (window) displayed on the terminal 1 when the CRS connection communication function is used. An operator or the like on the side of the travel company can make an inquiry and make a reservation through this screen.

Further, the functions realized by the travel business software include a farm banking function,
Settlement transactions related to travel product transactions that occur among facility providers, travel product sales agents, and consumers are made via electronic payment between banks connected to the interbank network indicated by reference numeral 9 in FIG. It is designed to be carried out. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (window) displayed on the terminal device 1 when the farm banking function is used. In this example, the transfer data can be transmitted from the terminal 1 to the bank using the farm banking. In addition, the payment data and the like from the consumer regarding the purchase of products by the travel agency are automatically stored in the terminal device 1 by the farm banking function.

Further, the function realized by the travel business software includes a CTI function capable of instantly displaying customer data based on a caller number notification function on a display or the like in response to an incoming call from a consumer. include. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of customer information displayed on the display by the CTI function. As shown in the figure, in this example, as the customer information, the customer's name, nationality,
Personal information of the customer, such as contact information (telephone number) and address, is displayed in detail. This information is stored in advance in the database of the terminal 1 of the travel agency.

The details of the BtoC transaction intermediary function of the information processing apparatus 5 (travel product transaction site) are shown in the flowchart of FIG. In addition, in this example, as the BtoC transaction, a transaction related to travel product material between a travel company and a general consumer is shown as an example.

As shown in the figure, in the information management device 5, when there is an access from the consumer (the computer terminal 3 of the consumer) (step 401), first, the predetermined password input screen data of the travel agency is displayed. The information is transmitted to the user and prompted to enter a password for each travel agency registered in advance in the information management device 5. Since the travel product transaction site shown in this example has a membership system, consumers are required to enter their passwords in this way, but anyone can use the site. In case of setting, password authentication or the like may not be performed.

When the consumer inputs the registration password through this password input screen (step 402), the password is read by the information management device 5 through the public communication network 7 and the information management is performed in advance. The password for each consumer (for each member) stored in the database of the device 5 (see FIG. 5) is collated (authentication process, step 403). Although not shown in the figure, when the authentication (verification) is not normally performed, an error message is displayed on the terminal 3 on the consumer side, and the password is prompted again. Is being done.

[0103] When the authentication process is normally performed, then a travel product search screen is presented on the terminal 3 on the consumer side (step 404). An input field for a predetermined keyword is prepared on the screen. Examples of the predetermined keyword here include words and phrases relating to "Hokkaido (destination)", "200,000 yen (budget)", "5 nights and 6 days (days)" (arbitrary word), and the like. That is, in this example, the consumer uses the information processing device 5 based on the travel product information for each travel company previously stored in the database in step 311.
Consumers can search for desired travel products via (travel product trading site). In this example, the travel product information retrieved based on the keyword is appropriately displayed as a list on the computer terminal 3 on the consumer side.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a travel product list display screen displayed on the computer terminal 3 on the consumer side at this time. As shown in the figure, the retrieved travel product information is displayed in detail (in this example, product name, price, special notes, etc.) for each product, regardless of the travel agency. As a result, the consumer can purchase the desired travel product after comparing the travel products of a plurality of travel companies.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the purchase material is decided by the consumer from the product information displayed in a list on the screen shown in FIG. 9 (for example, the product name is clicked) ( Step 405), after a confirmation process (not shown), the information management device 5 performs data processing (reservation application processing) based on the fact that the corresponding product has been reserved by the consumer. Specifically, processing for acquiring personal information and the like from the applicant and transmitting the information to the computer terminal 1 of the travel agency in question is performed. The reservation application process includes deletion of the product information from the database (update of the database).

Next, the information management device 5 is displayed via a predetermined screen.
From this, the reservation transaction number is notified to the consumer side (step 407). This reservation number is automatically assigned by the information processing device 5 every time a travel product is reserved and purchased.

Next, through the item selection on the predetermined screen,
Consumers will specify the payment method for travel product purchases. Here, the selection items specifically include credit card payment, direct debit, and the like. Information management device 5
According to this payment method, the electronic payment processing (data transmission / reception) according to this payment method is executed with the travel company or facility provider who sells the travel product via the computer terminals 1 and 2. It is performed (step 409).

When the electronic payment procedure is completed, the notification of the completion of the transaction related to the reservation purchase is sent from the information management device 5 to the terminal 3 on the consumer side through a predetermined screen (step 4).
10). In this example, the purchaser of the travel product receives the travel ticket such as an airline ticket at the sales agency or the like on condition that the reservation transaction number shown above is presented (step 411).

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible for a plurality of consumers (members) to appropriately browse and make reservations for the product information of a plurality of travel agencies registered in the information management device 5 through the travel product trading site. Has been done.

According to the travel product transaction system of the present embodiment, B to B transactions between a plurality of facility providers and a plurality of travel companies, and between a plurality of travel companies and consumers. A BtoC transaction, that is, a BtoBtoC transaction is realized on the network.

Next, in this embodiment, the following various services can be provided at the travel product transaction site (information management device 5).

First, the travel product transaction site shown in the present embodiment allows reverse auctions concerning travel products between travel companies and consumers. Therefore, the information management device 5 has a function of appropriately disclosing quotation request information for each purchase applicant including the desired travel destination and budget obtained from the consumer computer terminal 3 to the travel agency via the network. In addition to the public information, a BtoC auction function is added in which travel product information including a quotation for each travel company obtained from a computer terminal of the travel company is disclosed to corresponding purchase applicants.

With such a configuration, a travel product purchase applicant (consumer) can simultaneously request a plurality of travel companies through the network to create a travel plan that matches his or her wishes or financial situation. In addition, the request for quotation information obtained in this way is
For example, it can be reflected in the travel product creation of a travel agency at normal times.

Secondly, in the travel product transaction system of the present invention, it is possible to realize, on the network, trading transactions (including auction between consumers) between travel products owned by consumers. It Therefore, the information management device 5 is provided with a CtoC transaction intermediary function.

Due to such a configuration, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the BtoBtoC transaction using the system, the Ct
oC transactions can be performed.

Thirdly, in the travel product transaction site shown in this embodiment, when a travel product is cancelled, it is possible to recruit new applicants for reservation / purchase of the product via electronic mail. ing. Therefore, the information management device 5 has a function of accepting a product transaction cancellation from the consumer-side computer terminal 3 and, when the transaction cancellation is accepted, attaches information on the corresponding travel product to an e-mail. , And a function of recruiting applicants for reservation / purchase of the travel product by transmitting to a plurality of destinations registered in advance.

With this structure, reservations for travel products can be made.
Not only can cancellations relating to purchases be accepted via the network, but also when such cancellations occur, it is possible to immediately recruit those who wish to reserve and purchase the corresponding travel products.

Fourthly, the travel product transaction site shown in the present embodiment promotes sales by transmitting information related to travel products of a travel agency to a specific member via electronic mail. . Therefore, the information management device 5
Of the travel product information collected through the computer terminal 1 of the travel agency, extracts travel product information satisfying a predetermined condition based on the travel product information and customer information registered in advance in the information management device 5. A specific target information sending function for sending by e-mail to a specified customer is provided.

With such a configuration, for example, based on customer information such as age, gender, address, and desired travel destination, travel product information from a travel agency is targeted accurately (predicts the purchase of the product). You can make a call.

Note that FIG. 10 shows an example of information stored in the database of the information management device 5 in order to realize the various additional services described above. As shown in the figure, the information stored in the database of the information management device 5 includes the identification ID information of each member (consumer), travel agency, sales agency, and facility provider, and the computer of the travel agency. Public travel product information collected via the terminal 1 and information related to other travel products (cancellation information, product information targeted for specific target transmission), and collected via the computer terminal 2 of the facility provider. Open travel material information (accommodation facilities, airline / railways, leisure facilities), reverse auction information (request information, quotation response information), consumer auction information (personal product information, response information (presentation value, etc.))
It is included.

In the above embodiment, the facility providers are mainly accommodation facilities, but the facility providers may include railway companies, bus companies, lands, etc. Can be

In the above-described embodiment, the information management measure 5 and each computer terminal 1, 2, 4 are connected by IP / VP.
Although the connection is made via N6, they may be connected by the public communication network 7 or another public communication network independent of the public communication network 7.

[0123]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, B to B transactions between a plurality of facility providers and a plurality of travel agencies, and between a plurality of travel agencies and consumers. BtoC transaction in, that is, BtoBtoC transaction is realized on the network.

Further, according to the present invention, the facility provider is
Since it becomes possible to simultaneously publish the travel product material information of one's own to a plurality of travel companies via the network, the promotion of the travel product material of the facility provider can be promoted.

Further, according to the present invention, the travel company can simultaneously know the travel product material information (inventory information) of a plurality of facility providers via the network, and the amount of product material provided can be enhanced. Planned. In addition, it is possible to plan a wide variety of travel products based on these abundant travel product materials. At the same time, since the travel product information can be disclosed to many consumers via the network, sales of travel products can be promoted.

Further, according to the present invention, a general consumer can browse the travel products of a plurality of travel companies, which are made public through the network, almost at the same time. As a result, it becomes possible to purchase desired travel products after comparing travel products of a plurality of travel companies. Therefore, it is expected that the number of users will increase as compared with conventional travel product sales sites. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a travel product transaction system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a business flow (No. 1) showing the contents of a BtoB transaction between a travel agency and a facility provider.

FIG. 3 is a business flow (No. 2) showing the contents of BtoB transaction between a travel agency and a facility provider.

FIG. 4 is a business flow showing the contents of a BtoC transaction between a travel agency and a consumer.

FIG. 5 is a business flow showing a state of creating travel product information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed when the CRS connection function is used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display display when the firm banking function is used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the content of customer information displayed on the display by the CTI function.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display display showing a travel product search result.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing data contents stored in a database of the information management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer terminal of travel agency 2 Computer terminals of facility providers 3 General consumer computer terminals 4 Computer terminals of product distributors 5 Information management device 6 IP / VPN (dedicated communication line) 7 public communication network 8 CRS communication network 9 Inter-bank network

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 17/60 316 G06F 17/60 316 ZEC ZEC

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. Computer terminals of a plurality of travel companies having a function of creating travel product information such as a package tour through a predetermined operation of an operator based on travel product material information input via a keyboard, a communication line or the like. Machine, computer terminals of a plurality of facility providers to which travel product material information such as accommodation facilities is input, computer terminals of consumers, and through data communication with those computer terminals through a predetermined network, An information management device including a travel agency, a facility provider, and an information management device that provides consumers with an electronic commerce space for travel products, and the information management device is a product material collected from a plurality of facility providers via a computer terminal. Information is appropriately disclosed to a plurality of travel agencies, and between travel agencies and facility providers of travel product materials based on the published information. BtoB transaction intermediary function to realize the above-mentioned transactions on the network and the travel product information collected from a plurality of travel agencies via a computer terminal is appropriately disclosed to the consumer side, and the travel based on the disclosed information is performed. A travel product transaction system, comprising: a BtoC transaction intermediary function for realizing a transaction of a product between a travel agency and a consumer on a network. 2. The BtoC transaction function of the information processing device appropriately publishes travel product material information collected from a plurality of facility providers via a computer terminal to the consumer side, and based on the published information. B for realizing transactions between facility providers and consumers on the network
The travel product transaction system according to claim 1, further comprising a toC transaction intermediary function. 3. A travel terminal further comprising a computer terminal of a travel product sales agency that sells travel products of a travel company through dialogue with visitors, and travel collected from a plurality of travel companies via the computer terminal. A BtoB transaction intermediary function for appropriately publishing the product information to the travel product sales agency and realizing a transaction between the travel company and the travel product sales agency on the network based on the published information is further included. The travel product transaction system according to claim 1. 4. The information processing apparatus further comprises a CtoC transaction intermediary function for realizing a sales transaction between consumers of travel products owned by consumers on a network. Travel product trading system described. 5. The electronic commerce space is provided as a travel product transaction website on the Internet, and the travel product transaction We is provided on another specified site on the Internet.
The travel product trading system according to claim 1, wherein hyperlink information including the URL of the b site is prepared. 6. The travel business backbone system terminal in which the travel business software of a common standard including a program for creating travel product information is installed as the computer terminal of each travel agency. Travel product trading system. 7. The function realized by the travel business software includes a connection communication function with a CRS, and reservation and purchase of an airline ticket are performed via the CRS connection communication function. Travel product trading system. 8. The functions realized by the travel business software include a farm banking function, and settlement of travel product transactions with facility providers or consumers is performed by a bank account connected to a network. The travel commodity trading system according to claim 6, wherein the travel commodity trading system is performed through electronic payment between the customers. 9. The function realized by the travel business software includes a CTI function capable of instantly displaying customer data based on a caller ID notification function on a display or the like in response to an incoming call from a consumer. 7. The travel product trading system of claim 6 included. 10. Travel business software installed in a computer terminal of a travel agency in order to realize the travel business core system terminal according to any one of claims 6 to 9. 11. A dedicated line and / or IP is used for data communication between the information management device and a computer terminal of a travel agency.
The travel product trading system of claim 1, wherein / VPN is used. 12. The consumer-side computer terminal is any one of a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a home-use game machine, a television receiver, a car navigation system, a convenience store terminal, a mobile phone, an Internet-connected home phone, and an Internet home appliance. The travel product trading system of claim 1, including one or more. 13. The information management device, from the travel product information collected via a computer terminal of a travel agency,
It has a function to retrieve travel product information based on the keyword for each predetermined item specified by the person who wants to purchase the product each time via the computer terminal on the consumer side. The travel commodity trading system according to claim 1, wherein the list is displayed via a computer terminal on the person side. 14. The information management device appropriately publishes quotation request information for each purchase applicant including a desired travel destination, budget, etc. obtained via a computer terminal on the consumer side to a travel agency via a network. , Further having a BtoC reverse auction function for disclosing travel product information including a quotation for each travel agency obtained from a computer terminal of the travel agency to the corresponding purchase applicant in response to the public information, thereby enabling travel The travel product transaction system according to claim 1, wherein a reverse auction travel product transaction between a company and a consumer is conducted via a network. 15. The information management device discloses specific travel product information or travel product material information including auction start value information obtained through a computer terminal of a travel agency or facility provider to consumers via a network. At the same time, it further has an auction function for determining a buyer of the specific travel product or travel product material information based on desired bid price information obtained from a consumer's computer terminal in response to the public information. The travel product trading system according to 1. 16. The information management device has a function of accepting a product transaction cancellation from a product purchaser, and when the transaction cancellation is accepted, information related to the corresponding travel product is attached to an e-mail and registered in advance. The travel product transaction system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of recruiting those who desire to reserve and purchase the travel product by transmitting the travel product to a plurality of destinations. 17. The information management device registers travel product information satisfying a predetermined condition among travel product information collected via a computer terminal of a travel agency in advance with the travel product information and the information management device. The travel product transaction system according to claim 1, further comprising a specific target information transmitting function of transmitting an electronic mail to a specific customer extracted based on the customer information. 18. A computer terminal of a plurality of travel companies having a function of creating travel product information such as a package tour through a predetermined operation of an operator based on travel product material information input via a keyboard, a communication line or the like. Machine, a computer terminal of a plurality of facility providers to which travel product material information such as accommodation facilities is input, a computer terminal of a consumer side, and a travel agency by performing data communication via a predetermined network. An information management device that provides facility providers and consumers with an electronic commerce space for travel products, and appropriately discloses product material information collected from multiple facility providers to multiple travel companies via a computer terminal. In addition, realize the transaction between the travel company and the facility provider of the travel product material based on the public information on the network. BtoB transaction intermediary function for the purpose of, and the travel product information collected from a plurality of travel companies via a computer terminal is appropriately disclosed to the consumer side, and the travel company and the consumer of the travel product based on the public information. An information management device having a BtoC transaction intermediary function for realizing transactions between networks on a network. 19. A recording medium on which a program for realizing the information management apparatus according to claim 18 by a computer is recorded. 20. Computer terminals of a plurality of travel agencies having a function of creating travel product information such as a package tour through a predetermined operation of an operator based on travel product material information input via a keyboard, a communication line or the like. A travel product transaction website that can be linked from a machine, a computer terminal of a plurality of facility providers to which travel product material information such as accommodation facilities is input, and a computer terminal of a consumer, By appropriately disclosing the product material information collected from a plurality of facility providers via a computer terminal to a plurality of travel companies, the travel product material of the travel product material and the facility provider based on the disclosed information are disclosed. Consume BtoB transaction intermediary service, which mediates transactions, and travel product information collected from multiple travel agencies via computer terminals. By and appropriately publish on the side, travel commodity trading Web site, characterized in that to provide, and BtoC brokerage services to mediate a deal between the travel agency and the consumer of travel products based on the public information.