JP3874602B2 - Sales system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product sales system such as an information processing apparatus, and in particular, provides a trial period before a user makes a purchase decision, and determines whether the user purchases the product after the trial period has elapsed. It can be related to product sales system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to purchase an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC), it is necessary for a user to make a purchase decision based on confirmation in a catalog or a store. Further, even in the case of rental, the user has to make a rental contract from the beginning and decide on a period to rent.
[0003]
On the other hand, as a software sales method, a technique of locking / destructing the software and making it impossible to try the software when the trial period expires is described in, for example, JP-A-8-6784 Has been known.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Like a PC General consumer In the introduction of products such as information processing devices used by the user, the user only has the option to purchase or rent. For this reason, according to the conventional sales method, whether a user purchases a high-priced product only by checking in a catalog or a store, or only by using information on a homepage for Internet sales, etc. Is something that must be determined.
[0005]
Therefore, the conventional sales method or rental method cannot be purchased or rented after the user has tried it out and confirmed its usability, etc. However, if the user wishes to rent, he / she has to continue to bear a fixed usage fee for a predetermined usage period.
[0006]
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, set a trial period of a product, provide the product to the user, and purchase or rent the product after the trial period elapses. It is to provide a sales system that can determine whether or not.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the object is to provide a sales system in which a server of a manufacturer that provides a product and a product used by a user are connected by a communication network, and the product used by the user is a user. Is a PC to be purchased, and when the product is shipped, the control program is set so that the operation is impossible after the trial period selected by the user is completed. When the trial management information storage means indicating the operation mode, the trial period information storage means, the trial period progress monitoring means, and the trial period progress monitoring means detects the end of the trial period after the PC is started, From the manufacturer's server as a result of inputting means for connecting to the manufacturer's server and the extension of the trial period according to the instructions from the manufacturer's server The extended trial period selected when the password to be distributed is entered Information from the manufacturer's server as a result of inputting the purchase of the PC in accordance with instructions from the manufacturer's server and means for updating the trial period information storage means When the password to be distributed is entered And means for setting the operation mode of the trial management information storage means to normal activation, and the manufacturer's server is connected from the PC with input / output means for transmitting / receiving information via a communication network, control means, and the PC A means for generating a screen for allowing the user to input the intention of extending the PC trial period or purchasing the PC and transmitting it to the PC; and extending the PC trial period from the user Is sent to the PC a password for extending the trial period, and when the purchase of the PC is sent from the user, the payment is made at the suggested retail price, This is achieved by providing a means for distributing a password for enabling the product permanently to the PC.
[0008]
In addition, the object is achieved by further comprising, in the above-described case, the manufacturer server further includes means for paying the borrowing fee corresponding to the usage period as the payment amount when the user decides to return the unpurchased product. .
[0009]
Products are programmed to run only during their trial period and provided to users. The user can switch to purchase when the trial period comes, and can receive the above-mentioned discount amount by using Internet shopping during the trial period.
[0010]
In the system according to the present invention, when the product is a PC, a program for monitoring the expiration date of the basic software related to the operation of the PC is incorporated in the PC, and when the expiration date comes, the user purchases the PC at that time. You can decide whether to return or return. In the case of a purchase decision, the PC can be used normally by exiting the monitoring routine of the monitoring program by entering the password.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sales system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments of the present invention, a PC is taken as an example of a product, and the PC as the product is sold.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining the processing operation of the entire system, and FIG. 4 is the first when a product arrives at a user. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for distributing information providing various services from the trial period. FIG. 6 is the end of the trial period. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the register used by the trial period monitoring program, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the program for monitoring the trial period, and FIG. 9 to 14 are diagrams showing examples of display screens displayed on the PC used by the user during the process. 1 and 5, 1 is a product such as a PC used by a user, 2 is a network, 3 is a maker server, 4 and 6 are storage devices, 5 is a service company server, 10 is a telephone, and 301 is information input. Means 302, control means, 303 a control program file, 304 a customer information file, 305 a shopping information database (DB), and 306 a customer information card.
[0013]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the sales system by embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the sales system according to the embodiment of the present invention supports the PC 1 used by the user who receives the service according to the present invention, the server 3 on the manufacturer side that sells the PC, and the service according to the present invention. A server 5 of a company that operates a network shop on a network such as the Internet is connected to a network 2 such as the Internet or a public line. The storage devices 4 and 6 are connected to the servers 3 and 5 of the manufacturer and the network shop, and the user has a telephone 10 connected to a general public line.
[0015]
Next, processing operations in the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Explanation To do.
[0016]
(1) First, the user orders a PC with a limited trial period from the manufacturer by telephone 10 or FAX (not shown) using an advertisement such as a catalog or an Internet homepage. This order may be placed on the manufacturer's server 3 from another PC already owned by the user (step 101).
[0017]
(2) When placing an order, the user selects a trial period determined in advance by the manufacturer. Here, as an example of the trial period, one is selected from one week, two weeks, and three weeks. It is assumed that the usage fee for the trial period is 10,000 yen for one week, 15,000 yen for two weeks, and 20000 yen for three weeks (step 102).
[0018]
(3) The manufacturer that has received the order registers the usage amount for the trial period selected by the user in the settlement system as a provisional settlement amount. The manufacturer programs the BIOS in the PC 1 so that it operates only during the trial period selected by the user when the order is received, and the PC is locked by software when the trial period expires. Further, the manufacturer makes a connection setting and an e-mail setting to the Internet service provider predetermined by the manufacturer or desired by the user so that the Internet can be used immediately, and sends the product to the user (step). 103-105).
[0019]
(4) A user who has received PC1 with a trial period as a product connects PC1 to the communication line and starts up PC1. As will be described in detail later, immediately after startup, the PC 1 connects to the server 3 on the manufacturer side and causes the user to input information requested from the server. When the registration of necessary information is completed, the PC 1 is released from the Internet dialup automatic execution program, and the OS is activated and can be used normally (step 106).
[0020]
(5) After that, the PC 1 allows the user to use the PC while monitoring the usage period internally (step 107).
[0021]
(6) When the PC 1 is started for the first time after the trial period set in step 102 has elapsed, the trial period monitoring program locks the PC 1 to start and automatically dials up and connects to the manufacturer's server 3 Then, the expiration of the trial period is notified (step 108).
[0022]
(7) The manufacturer's server 3 transmits a screen as shown in FIG. 11 to the PC 1 and causes the PC 1 to display a screen that prompts the user to decide whether or not to extend the trial period. It is assumed that the trial period can be extended only once and the previous trial period is set to one week or two weeks. Therefore, the display here is performed only when the trial period is selected in step 102 for one week or two weeks, and only “Extended trial period” 3002 and “No extended trial period” 3002 ′ can be selected. (Step 109).
[0023]
(8) The user clicks “Extend trial period” 3002 to extend the trial period. In response to this, the manufacturer's server 3 transmits a display screen for selecting the extension period as shown in FIG. 12 to the PC 1 to allow the user to select the extension period. In this case, the extension period is maximized by subtracting the initial trial period from the maximum trial period (here, 3 weeks). The example of the display screen shown in FIG. 12 is a screen when the user first selects one week, and since the contract was made in one week at the beginning of the contract, a maximum of three weeks minus one week minus one week and an extension Two weeks of options are displayed on the screen. If the user wishes to postpone the trial for one week, the user may select and click 4001 for the extension one week. When the extension period is selected and determined, the manufacturer's server 3 updates the temporary settlement and transmits the password for unlocking the PC activation to the PC 1 being used by the user for display (Step 110, 111).
[0024]
(9) The user inputs the transmitted password to the PC 1 to extend the trial period and continue the trial of the PC 1 (step 112).
[0025]
(11) When “Do not extend the trial period” 3002 ′ is selected in Step 109, or after the period extension, the final trial period is reached and automatic dial-up is performed again to connect to the server 3 of the manufacturer. A screen for determining purchase intention is displayed on the PC 1. In the example shown in FIG. 11, this display screen may be displayed so that only “Purchase PC” 3001 and “Return” 3003 can be selected (steps 113 and 114).
[0026]
(12) When the user selects “Purchase PC” 3001 on the purchase decision screen displayed in step 114, the manufacturer's server 3 sends the purchase settlement screen information as shown in FIG. Let In the example of this display screen, when there is a discount point described later, the point is converted into money and discounted from the desired retail price for settlement. In the case of purchase, it is assumed that the purchase was made at the start of the trial period, and no usage fee is charged for the trial period (steps 115 and 116).
[0027]
(13) When the user finishes the payment screen input and transmits to the server 3 in accordance with the instruction “next” in the display screen example shown in FIG. 13, the manufacturer server 3 uses the PC 1 forever. Is issued to the PC 1 at the user's site (step 117).
[0028]
(14) When the user inputs the PC password sent from the server 3 from the input screen, the PC 1 cancels the execution of the monitoring program of the basic software so that the PC 1 can be used permanently, and ends the processing ( Step 118, 119).
[0029]
(15) When the user selects “Return” 3002 on the purchase decision screen displayed in step 114, the manufacturer's server 3 sends the usage fee settlement screen information as shown in FIG. 14 to the PC 1 for display. . In the example of this display screen, when there is a discount point described later, the point is converted into money and discounted from the usage fee for settlement (steps 120 and 121).
[0030]
(16) Thereafter, the user returns the PC 1 whose trial period has expired to the manufacturer. In this case, the manufacturer can sell the returned PC as an outlet product (step 122).
[0031]
Next, the processing operation of the PC 1 from when the power is first turned on in the above-described step 106 until the PC becomes usable will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.
[0032]
(1) When the power is first turned on, the PC 1 starts a trial period monitoring program in the PC 1 and starts counting up for monitoring the trial period as will be described later with reference to FIG. 201, 202).
[0033]
(2) Next, the Internet dialup execution program is automatically started. By this activation, the PC 1 connects to the manufacturer's server 3. I couldn't dial up Case The Internet dialup automatic execution program displays the screen example shown in FIG. 9 urging to connect the modem to the telephone line (steps 203 and 204).
[0034]
(3) When the dial-up in step 203 is successful, the PC 1 is connected to the manufacturer's server 3. As a result, a Web screen that prompts input of personal information and personal preference information is transmitted from the server 3 to the PC 1, and the PC 1 displays this. As a Web screen, a screen as shown as an example of a display screen in FIG. 10 is displayed. The user inputs personal information and preference information according to this screen and transmits them to the server 3. These pieces of information are stored as customer information in the server 3 and used for the information distribution service described later with reference to FIG. 5 (step 205).
[0035]
(4) After registering the user's personal information and preference information, the manufacturer's server 3 activates the OS of the PC 1 so that it can be used as usual. As a result, the PC 1 can be used freely by the user during the trial period (step 206).
[0036]
In the above processing, the step 202 The trial period monitoring program may be activated after the dial-up in step 203 is successful or after the process of registering the user's personal information and preference information in step 205 is performed.
[0037]
The trial period monitoring program executes processing using three registers as shown in FIG. These registers are a register RTC Reg1 (601) whose initial value is “0” for writing the time when the power is turned on and then counting up the time, and a register whose initial value for writing the trial period is indefinite. RTC Reg2 (602) and a Power key register 603 which is a register used as a management key after power is turned on and whose initial value is “0”.
[0038]
Next, the processing operation of the trial period monitoring program will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.
[0039]
(1) When the power is turned on to the PC 1, the PC 1 starts this processing, and first confirms the contents of the Power key register 603 (Steps 701 and 702).
[0040]
(2) Since the value of the Power key register 603 is set to the initial value “0” when the PC 1 as a product is shipped to the user, the power-on time is written in the RTC Reg1, and the user displays the value in the RTC Reg2. A value obtained by adding the trial period selected in step 102 described in step 2 and the value of RTC Reg1 in which the power-on time is written is written, and the value of the power key register is rewritten to “1” (step 703).
[0041]
(3) Thereafter, the RTC Reg1 continues to count up as time elapses, and monitors the time elapse of the trial period until RTC Reg1> = RTC Reg2 (steps 704 and 705).
[0042]
(4) When the trial period expires, in step 705, it is informed that the above-mentioned formula has been established, so the permanent use password in step 117 from the dial-up connection to the server 3 of the manufacturer in step 108 described with reference to FIG. Along with the receipt of the password from the server 3 in the process up to issuance, input of the password input by the user is awaited (step 706).
[0043]
(5) When the password for extending the trial period in step 111 described with reference to FIG. 2 is input in the process of step 706, a value obtained by adding the extended trial period and the currently set value of RTC Reg2 is used as a new RTC. The value is reset to Reg2 and the process returns to step 704 to increment RTC Reg1, and monitoring is continued until the trial period termination condition RTC Reg1> = RTC Reg2 again (step 708).
[0044]
(6) When the password for purchasing the PC in step 117 described with reference to FIG. 3 is input in step 706, the value of the power key register 603 is rewritten to “2”, and the processing from step 702 is performed. Return (step 709).
[0045]
(7) After the password for purchasing the PC is input, the PC 1 enters the normal startup state, and when the power is turned on, the value “2” of the Power key register 603 is determined in the process of step 702. Thus, a normal activation state is entered (step 710).
[0046]
(8) Also, when the PC 1 is powered on during the trial period, the value “1” of the Power key register 603 is determined in the process of step 702, and the time elapse counts in steps 704 and 705 are counted. The process for determining the expiration of the trial period is continued.
[0047]
Note that the count-up process in steps 704 and 705 and the process for determining the expiration of the trial period in the process shown in FIG. 8 are performed in this part so that the operation can be continued even when the PC is turned off. Power is supplied to the process. Further, the processing shown in FIG. 8 has been described as being started each time the PC 1 is turned on. However, when connecting to the manufacturer's server 3 by the first dial-up, or personal information to the manufacturer's server 3 Or the like may be started after the end of registration.
[0048]
Next, the information distribution system shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The information distribution system is configured in the server 3 of the manufacturer, and distributes various types of information to PC users after the trial period and purchase. The illustrated distribution system includes an information input unit 301 and an information output unit 307 that are interfaces with a network, a control unit 302 that controls the entire system, a control program file 303 that stores a control program that controls the control unit, and the Internet. Consists of a shopping information DB 305 that categorizes and stores various types of information provided by a shopping service company, and a customer information file 304 that stores personal information and preference information sent from the user to the manufacturer's server 3 Is done.
[0049]
In the shopping information DB 305, serviceable Internet shopping information from sponsor companies is classified into, for example, new game information 305a, new sports information 305b, new movie information 305c, new music information d, new photo information e, etc. It is stored with a code indicating these pieces of information. The shopping information DB 305 does not need to be provided on the manufacturer's server, and may be distributed on the server of the service company that performs Internet shopping. Further, the customer information file 304 stores the user name, e-mail address, code of the user's preference information, etc. of the user who uses the PC in a format shown as a customer information card 306 for each user.
[0050]
In the information distribution system configured as described above, the preference information transmitted from the user in the process of step 205 already described with reference to FIG. 4 reaches the information control unit 302 via the information input unit 301. The information control means 302 encodes preference information and stores it in the customer information file 304. As an example here, the customer information file 304 is registered as a foreign film: code 101 and a baseball: code 201. When registering, the control means 302 arranges and registers as shown as a customer information card 306.
[0051]
The manufacturer's server builds a shopping information DB 305 of services (products) that can be provided by the sponsoring company from the sponsoring company, and extracts information from the shopping DB 305 that matches the product code and the preference code registered by the user. Then, the information is delivered to the user by e-mail via the information output means 307. The information control means 302 updates the shopping DB 305 so that only information within one week of registration is registered by visiting the shopping DB 305.
[0052]
In addition, when there is new arrival information from the sponsoring company via the information input unit 301, the information control unit 302 extracts a user in which a matching preference information code is registered, and reads the email address of the user. New information is distributed to the user. New arrival information is also accumulated in the shopping DB 305.
[0053]
As described above, the user can enjoy shopping by accessing the homepage of the sponsoring company that provides the service using the shopping information distributed by e-mail.
[0054]
Next, the settlement processing operation will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. The settlement here is performed in relation to the user 501, the manufacturer 502, and the sponsoring company 503.
[0055]
(1) When the user 501 orders a trial PC set as described in the flow shown in FIG. 2, the maker 502 stores the amount associated with the trial period as the provisional settlement amount through the maker server 3 in FIG. 4 and temporarily settled (steps 504 and 505).
[0056]
(2) After that, when the trial period expires, it is checked whether the user has extended the trial period. If the trial period has been extended, the settlement amount for extending the borrowing period is added to the provisional settlement amount. Then, a temporary settlement is made as a new temporary settlement amount (steps 506, 508, and 505).
[0057]
(3) When the user accesses the homepage of the sponsored Internet shop company 503 and performs Internet shopping, a percentage of the purchase amount is returned to the user as a discount point, and is accumulated and stored for each user in the storage device of the manufacturer. (Steps 507 and 509).
[0058]
(4) After the trial period is over, the user decides whether to purchase or return a PC with a trial time limit, so determine which is the case. In the case of purchase, a price obtained by subtracting an amount corresponding to a discount point when Internet shopping is performed from the desired retail price is charged to the user as a settlement amount (steps 510 and 511).
[0059]
(5) If it is determined in step 510 that the user has decided to return the product, the user is billed as the settlement amount by subtracting the amount corresponding to the discount point from the provisional settlement amount (step 512).
[0060]
According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the PC can be used for a certain period of time by providing a mechanism that locks the PC when the trial period expires. Before making a decision to purchase a PC, the PC can be used normally to determine the final purchase intention, and even during the trial period, a discount can be provided.
[0061]
The above-described embodiments of the present invention have been described on the assumption that the present invention is applied to the sale of PCs. However, the present invention is provided with a communication function, and the product function cannot be exhibited when a trial period expires. It can also be applied to the sale or rental of other products.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set a trial period before deciding the purchase intention of a product and to let the user determine the purchase intention after confirming usability etc. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method of receiving a discount during the trial use.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 1) for explaining the processing operation of the entire system;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 2) for explaining the processing operation of the entire system;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing operations from when a product arrives at a user until the product is first turned on and can be used;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system that distributes information for providing various services during a trial period.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a settlement processing operation including a period until a trial period ends.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a register used by a trial period monitoring program.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of a program for monitoring a trial period.
FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a PC used by a user during processing;
FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the PC used by the user during the process;
FIG. 11 is a diagram (No. 3) illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the PC used by the user during the process;
FIG. 12 is a diagram (No. 4) illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the PC used by the user during the process;
FIG. 13 is a diagram (No. 5) illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the PC used by the user during the process;
FIG. 14 is a diagram (No. 6) illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the PC used by the user during the process;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 PC and other products used by users
2 network
3 Manufacturer's server
4, 6 Storage device
5 Service company servers
10 Telephone
301 Information input means
302 Control means
303 Control program
304 Customer information file
305 Shopping information DB
306 Customer Information Card

Claims (3)

In a sales system configured by connecting a server of a manufacturer that provides a product and a product used by a user via a communication network,
The product used by the user is a PC that the user intends to purchase, and when the product is shipped, a control program is set so that the operation is impossible after the trial period selected by the user ends. The PC includes a trial management information storage means for indicating an operation mode at the time of activation of the PC body, a trial period information storage means, a trial period progress monitoring means, and a trial period progress monitoring means after the PC is started. When the end of the trial period is detected, the password distributed from the manufacturer's server is input as a result of inputting the means for connecting to the manufacturer's server and the extension of the trial period in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer's server . when, entering the extended trial information selected, and means for updating the storing means of the trial period information, the purchase of the PC in accordance with an instruction from the server of the manufacturer When a password is input as a result of being distributed from the server of the manufacturer, and means for setting an operation mode of the trial management information storage unit to the normal start,
The manufacturer's server, when connected from the PC with input / output means for transmitting / receiving information via a communication network, and the control means, intends to extend the trial period of the PC or purchase the PC. Means for generating a screen for allowing the user to input and transmitting to the PC; and means for transmitting to the PC a password for extending the trial period when an extension of the trial period of the PC is transmitted from the user. When a purchase of a PC is transmitted from a user, a means for making a settlement at a desired retail price and a means for distributing a password to the PC to permanently use the product after the settlement has been provided A sales system characterized by   2. The maker server according to claim 1, further comprising means for paying a borrowing fee corresponding to a trial period as a payment amount when an unpurchased return of a PC is transmitted from a user. Sales system.   A server of a network shopping management entity is connected to the communication network, and a user uses a PC during a trial period of the PC to perform shopping at a shopping mall provided by the server of the network shopping management entity. In such a case, the server of the network shopping management entity provides a discount point corresponding to the purchase amount to the manufacturer's server, and the manufacturer's server calculates the amount corresponding to the discount point from the settlement fee at the time of the settlement process. 3. The sales system according to claim 1, wherein the settlement is made by subtracting.

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