Patent Publication Number: US-2004054599-A1

Title: Network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods, and more particularly to network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games wherein plural on-line users jointly pay for goods to purchase the goods and pick recipients to finally receive the jointly purchased goods through games.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Prior Art  
       [0004] The internet is generally an open-type network any one in anywhere in the world can freely connect, for use, to his intended counterpart computers with an application of the common protocol of TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which can be used to transfer basic text information as well as multimedia information together with developments of compression technologies, and used for a variety of services such as electronic mails, file transfers, World Wide Web(WWW), and so on.  
       [0005] Together with the rapid increase of such internet uses in domestic and worldwide, the internet rapidly adds its importance thereto as a strategic tool for reconsidering efficiency and productivity over all sectors of existing industries, continuously creating new business opportunities therethrough, and the trend expanding the areas to which the internet is applied gradually increases businessmen using the internet.  
       [0006] That is, in line of businesses through the internet, sites are being rapidly increased that provide a variety of contents such as internet ads, internet broadcasts, on-line games, internet newspapers/journals, search services, portal services, electronic commerce, and so on.  
       [0007] Of the sites as above, sites related to electronic commerce are largely increased together with active on-line goods trades in recent, and it is the trend that users use the electronic commerce sites more due to the advantages that they can conveniently and comfortably purchase desired goods on-line instead of directly dropping by market places.  
       [0008] Together with the gradual increase of electronic commerce scale as such, electronic commerce sites are exerting effort to develop differentiated services that are not provided by other counterpart sites in order for users to visit their sites more than others.  
       [0009] That is, differentiated sales methods are introduced such as joint-purchase services lowering goods prices through massive purchases which enables users in electronic commerce to buy goods at low prices, lowest price services selling the same goods at lowest prices than other counterpart electronic commerce sites, or the like.  
       [0010] However, the joint-purchase or lowest price services as stated above, which are used in most electronic commerce sites, make sales profits of sites worse as lowering sales prices, so there exists a problem that big difficulties are brought about in running sites due to excessive competitions among electronic commerce sites.  
       [0011] Accordingly, in order to overcome the above problems, electronic commerce sites offer certain premiums to users making a purchase of over a certain amount, breaking the convention of trading goods simply, or make funs and interest for users in electronic commerce by providing extra services such as games and the like, so that they can improve profits and increase site recognitions of users through electronic commerce activations.  
       [0012] However, the premiums offerings or extra services such as games as stated above have limitations in providing funs and interest to users who use the electronic commerce as well as a problem that profits are not greatly improved.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] Accordingly, in order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games wherein plural on-line users jointly pay for, purchase specified goods, and pick final recipients of the joint-purchase goods through games.  
       [0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games wherein users collectively play games for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods at times designated in advance.  
       [0015] It is yet anther object of the present invention to provide network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games wherein users play games for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods in a one-to-one tournament fashion.  
       [0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games wherein site operators can adjust the participation number and payments of users who jointly pay for specified goods to increase and lower the odds in picking final recipients of the goods.  
       [0017] In order to achieve the above objects, a network-based system for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games according to the present invention comprises a communication network for connecting plural unspecified communication lines to communicate data therebetween; plural user computers for inputting information on plural joint-purchase goods from a server computer connected through the communication network wherein the information further includes participation periods of time, the number of participants, joint-purchase amounts, and participants status, outputting to the server computer joint-purchase request data of specified goods selected by users who have identified the information on the plural joint-purchase goods, outputting to the server computer payment data of corresponding joint-purchase goods inputted by the users based on payment requests of the server computer, and connecting for communications to the server computer according to users&#39; manipulations and participating in games for picking final recipients of the corresponding joint-purchase goods after participation periods of time for specified joint-purchase goods expire or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached; plural goods provider computers for outputting to the server computer detailed information on various goods in stock for goods sales requests and controlling deliveries of corresponding joint-purchase goods based on information on final recipients inputted from the server computer; and the server computer for registering joint-purchase goods in order for users to jointly pay for purchases based on information on various goods requested for sales from the plural goods provider computers, outputting plural joint-purchase goods to the plural user computers connected for communications through the communication network wherein the information further includes participation periods of time, joint-purchase amounts, and participants status, requesting for payments for joint purchases of goods if joint-purchase request data for corresponding goods is inputted from the user computers, paying for joint-purchase goods based on payment data inputted from corresponding user computers, automatically generating game matches for picking final recipients from all users participating in joint-purchase goods if participation periods of time expire or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached, proceeding with games for selecting winners of the respective user computers connected through the communication network till final recipients are picked based on the automatically generated game matches, and, if final recipients are selected according to game progresses, outputting information on corresponding final recipients to goods provider computers and ordering deliveries of corresponding joint-purchase goods.  
       [0018] Further, a network-based method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games comprises steps of (1) registering, in a server computer, joint-purchase goods for which plural users jointly pay for purchases and select final recipients through games, based on information on various goods inputted from plural goods provider computers connected for communications through a communication network; (2) carrying out, in the server computer, new member registrations or members logs-in of user computers connected for communications through the communication network, and outputting to corresponding user computers information on plural joint-purchase goods wherein the information further includes participation periods of time, the number of participants, joint-purchase amounts, and participants status which are registered in a database at is present; (3) paying for joint-purchases of corresponding goods according to joint-purchase request data of specified goods inputted from the user computers which have identified information on plural joint-purchase goods, and updating and storing joint-purchase participants status of corresponding goods; (4) automatically generating, in the server computer, game matches for selecting final recipients from all users participating in joint purchases of corresponding goods if participation periods of time for specified joint-purchase goods expire or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached, and proceeding with games for picking final recipients of the respective user computers connected for communications through the communication network based on the automatically generated game matches; and (5) outputting information on final recipients selected based on game progresses from the server computer to the goods provider computers and controlling deliveries of corresponding joint-purchase goods to final recipients.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0019] The above objects and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:  
     [0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram for schematically showing a structure of a network-based system for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for showing in detail a structure of the server computer of FIG. 1;  
     [0022]FIG. 3 is a flow chart for showing in detail an operation process for a network-based method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games; and  
     [0023]FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 are flow charts for showing in detail operation procedures for the respective subroutines of FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0024] Hereinafter, a description is made in detail on network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     [0025]FIG. 1 is a block diagram for schematically showing a structure of a network-based system for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network  100  is a communication network such as wire/wireless internet, and connects communication lines among plural user computers  200 , plural goods provider computers  300 , and a server computer  400  to communicate across the computers data related to joint purchases for goods to be jointly purchased.  
     [0027] The plural user computers  200  each log in new members for registration or members on request of a server computer  400  communication-connected through the communication network  100 , outputs to the server computer  400  request data related to information on various goods registered at present for joint purchases and inputted by users logged in as the new members for registrations or the existing members, input from the server computer  400  information on plural goods for joint purchases including participation periods of time, the number of participants, joint-purchase payments, and participants status, and output to the server computer  400  joint-purchase request data on particular joint-purchase goods chosen by users who check information on plural goods for joint purchases.  
     [0028] Further, the plural user computers  200  input from the server computer  400  request data on payments according to joint purchases of specified goods, output to the server computer  400  data on payments according to joint purchases of corresponding goods inputted by users, communication-connect to the server computer  400  based on the manipulations of users participating in the joint purchases after the participation periods of time for joint purchases of goods expire or the number of participants established in advance is reached so as to participate in games for picking final recipients for joint-purchase goods.  
     [0029] The plural goods provider computers  300  output to the server computer  400  detailed information on various goods in stock and request goods sales, control the deliveries of joint-purchase goods based on final recipients inputted from the server computers  400 , and output delivery result data to the server computer  400  and simultaneously bill and receive the cost based on the sales of specified goods.  
     [0030] The server computer  400  carries out the logs-in for new member registrations and members in the plural goods provider computers  300  communication-connected through the communication network  100 , purchases goods with users&#39; joint payments based on information on various goods requested for sales from the goods provider computers  300  and registers joint-purchase goods for which final recipients are picked through games, logs in new member registrations or members for the plural user computers  200  connected to the communication network  100 , and outputs to the corresponding user computers  200  information on plural goods for joint purchases including participation periods of time, the number of participants, payments for joint purchases, participants status which are registered at present, according to the requests of the user computers  200 .  
     [0031] Further, the server computer  400 , if joint-purchase request data on particular joint-purchase goods is inputted from the user computers  200 , requests payments for joint purchases of goods, processes the payments for corresponding joint purchases of goods based on the payment data, produces game matches for picking final recipients from all users participating in the joint purchases of corresponding goods if the participation periods of time expire or the number of participants established in advance is reached, processes games for winners of the user computers  200  connected through the communication network  100  until final recipients are picked based on the automatically produced game matches, outputs information on final recipients to the goods provider computers  300  if final recipients are picked with the game progresses, and orders deliveries of corresponding joint-purchase goods.  
     [0032] Further, if the server computer  400  identifies deliveries of joint-purchase goods to final recipients through particular goods provider computers  300 , the server computer  400  deducts a certain amount of service charges from the payments of users participated in the joint purchases, provides the remaining amounts to the corresponding goods provider computers  300 , and wraps up its services.  
     [0033] At this time, the server computer  400  provides game schedules(dates and times) for picking final recipients from all the user computers  200  participating in joint purchases of particular goods, and proceeds with games for choosing final recipients of particular joint-purchase goods collectively with the respective user computers  200  connected at designated times and dates. That is, the server computer  400  proceeds with games for picking final recipients only with the users connected at designated times and dates, and automatically eliminates users not connected at the designated times and dates to carry out smooth game progresses.  
     [0034] Further, the server computer  400  continuously proceeds with games for picking final recipients of particular joint-purchase goods in a one-to-one tournament fashion till the final recipients are selected.  
     [0035] Further, the server computer  400  can arbitrarily adjust the number of participants and joint payments of participants who want joint purchases of particular goods to raise or lower the possibilities for choosing final recipients.  
     [0036] For example, the server computer  400  registers a joint-purchase goods of as much as $1,280 in order that 128 users can jointly pay for and buy the joint-purchase goods, and, if 128 users apply for joint purchases of the corresponding goods with $10 each within a participation period of time, automatically produces game matches for picking a final recipient from the 128 users, proceeds with a tournament game for picking a final recipient with respect to the user computers  200  connected to the server computer  400  at designated time and date, and orders a delivery of the joint-purchase goods of the 128 users to a user if the corresponding user is finally selected.  
     [0037] Further, the server computer  400 , if a game for selecting a final recipient is impossible with the insufficient participation number of users noticed in advance till the expiry of a participation period of time for the particular joint-purchase goods, determines either the extension of the participation period of time, the raise of the individual payments for the joint purchase, the cancellation of the joint purchase through the agreements of all the users participating in the particular joint-purchase goods.  
     [0038] In the meantime, in addition to the method wherein the server computer  400  registers as a joint-purchase goods a goods requested from the plural goods providers as described above in order for plural users to jointly buy the goods and controls a goods provider to deliver the joint-purchase goods to a final recipient if the final recipient is selected through a game, a method can be employed in which the server computer  400  directly secures and registers a goods as a joint-purchase goods in order for plural users to jointly buy the goods and delivers the joint-purchase goods to a final recipient selected through a game. That is, the server computer  400  can directly sell goods instead of selling goods provided by plural goods providers in the method presented by the present invention.  
     [0039]FIG. 2 is a block diagram for showing in detail a structure of the above server computer  400  of FIG. 1.  
     [0040] As shown in FIG. 2, a data communication unit  410  performs, together with plural goods provider computers  300  connected through the communication network  100 , data inputs and outputs for new member registrations or members logs-in, inputs of information on a variety of goods to be requested for sales, and outputs of information on final recipients to receive goods, and carries out inputs and outputs for new member registrations or members logs-in together with plural user computers  200  connected through the communication network  100 , outputs of information on plural joint-purchase goods registered at present, inputs of data on requests for joint purchases of particular goods, outputs of payment request data for joint purchases of corresponding goods, and inputs of payment data and outputs of game data for picking final recipients.  
     [0041] A control unit  420  performs connections for new member registrations or members based on data of new member registrations or members inputted from the goods provider computers  300  connected through the data communication unit  410 , controls registrations for joint-purchase goods based on information on goods inputted from the goods provider computers  300 , carries out connections for new member registrations or members based on new member registration or member logs-in data inputted from the connected user computers  200 , and controls the corresponding user computers  200  to output information on plural joint-purchase goods registered in a database  430  at present based on requests of the user computers  200 .  
     [0042] Further, the control unit  420  controls the outputs of payment request data for joint purchases of corresponding goods if data on joint-purchase requests of corresponding goods is inputted, outputs to a payment unit  440  payment data inputted from the user computers  200  through the data communication unit  410  and controls the payments for particular joint-purchase goods, controls game match generations for selecting final recipients from all users participating in joint purchases of particular goods through a game progress unit  450  if participation periods of time expire or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached, controls game progresses of all the user computers  200  participating in joint purchases of particular goods until final recipients are picked based on game schedules generated in the game progress unit  450 , and controls outputting to the corresponding goods provider computers  300  information on final recipients of particular joint-purchase goods who are selected through game progresses of the game progress unit  450 .  
     [0043] The database  430  includes a member management database  432  for storing logs-in information and personal information for users and goods providers registering members based on controls of the control unit  420 , a goods database  434  for storing data on registrations of joint-purchase goods requested from the plural goods provider computers  300  based on controls of the control unit  420 , and a game database  436  for storing information on users requested for joint-purchase goods item by item and information on final recipients based on game matches and game progresses for selecting final recipients.  
     [0044] The payment unit  440  generates and outputs to the control unit  420  information on payments of particular joint-purchase goods requested for purchases by users based on controls of the control unit  420 , and settles payments of particular joint-purchase goods based on data on payments inputted from the control unit  420 .  
     [0045] The game progress unit  450  stores predetermined game programs, for example, a rock paper scissor game and the like, for selecting final recipients, game matches are automatically generated based on controls of the control unit  420  to pick final recipients from all the users participating in joint purchases of particular goods, automatically generates game matches for picking final recipients from all users participating in joint purchases of particular goods based on controls of the control unit  420 , proceeds with games by inputting and outputting game data together with all the user computers  200  participating in joint purchases of particular goods until final recipients are picked according to the automatically generated game matches, and outputs to the control unit  420  information on final recipients depending on game progresses.  
     [0046] Next, a network-based method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games according to the present invention is described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8.  
     [0047]FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 are flow charts for showing in detail operation procedures for a network-based method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0048] First of all, the server computer  400  purchases goods, with joint payments of users, based on information on a variety of goods inputted from the plural goods provider computers  300  connected through the communication network  100  and registers joint-purchase goods for a final recipient to be picked through a game(S 100 ).  
     [0049] In detailed descriptions on the above, the server computer  400  carries out new member registrations or members logs-in of the plural goods provider computers  300  connected through the communication network  100 (S 110 ), and decides whether data requested for sales of particular goods in stock is inputted from the goods provider computers  300  which have carried out the new member registrations and member logs-in(S 120 ).  
     [0050] As a result of the decision, if data requested for sales of particular goods is inputted from the goods provider computers  300 , the server computer  400  requests an input of detailed information, for example, sale goods characteristics, price, delivery method, and so on, on corresponding goods requested for sales to the corresponding goods provider computers  300 (S 130 ), and decides whether the detailed information on the particular goods requested for sales is inputted from the corresponding goods provider computers  300 (S 140 ).  
     [0051] As a result of the decision, if the detailed information on the particular goods requested for sales from the corresponding goods provider computers  300  is inputted, the server computer  400  decides a participation period of time, the number of participants, payments for the registration of a joint-purchase goods according to a reference set in advance based on the detailed information on the corresponding item(S 150 ).  
     [0052] Further, the server computer  400  registers and stores in the database  430  as a joint-purchase goods the particular goods requested from the goods provider computers  300  based on data on the participation period of time, the number of participants, and payments decided in the above step S 150 , and starts services(S 160 ).  
     [0053] At this time, when, in the above step S 100 , the server computer  400  registers a joint-purchase goods based on the detailed information the goods provider offers, the operator of the server computer  400  adjusts the number of participants and payments of the users who jointly purchase the particular goods to raise or lower the odds for selecting a final recipient.  
     [0054] After registering the joint-purchase goods based on the requests of the respective goods providers through the above step S 100 , the server computer  400  logs in new members for registrations or members of the user computers  200  connected through the communication network  100 , and outputs to the corresponding user computers  200  information on plural joint-purchase goods including participation periods of time, the number of participants, payments, and participants status which are registered in the database  430  at present(S 200 ).  
     [0055] Describing it in detail, the server computer  400  logs in new member registration and members of the user computers  200  connected through the communication network  100 (S 210 ), and decides whether information on various joint-purchase goods is requested which is registered in the database  430  at present from the user computers  200  which have logged in the new member registrations or members(S 220 ).  
     [0056] As a result of the decision, if information on the various joint-purchase goods which is registered at present is requested from the corresponding user computers  200 , the server computer  400  extracts information on plural joint-purchase goods including participation periods of time, the number of participants, payments, and participants status which are stored in the goods database  434 (S 230 ), and outputs to the corresponding user computer  200  the information on the plural joint-purchase goods extracted from the goods database  434 (S 240 ).  
     [0057] As stated above, after providing the information on the various joint-purchase goods registered at present according to the requests of the respective users connected through the above step S 200 , the server computer  400  pays for the corresponding joint-purchase goods according to data on joint-purchase requests of the particular goods which are inputted from the user computers  200  that have identified the information on the plural joint-purchase goods, and updates and stores the participants status for the corresponding joint-purchase goods(S 300 ).  
     [0058] Describing it in detail, the server computer  400  decides whether data on requests for the particular-joint purchase goods is inputted from the user computers  200  that have identified the information on the plural joint-purchase goods(S 310 ).  
     [0059] As a result of the decision, if the data on requests for the particular joint-purchase goods is inputted from the corresponding user computers  200 , the server computer  400  verifies whether it is available for the corresponding users to participate in the particular joint-purchase goods(S 320 ), and generates and outputs to the corresponding user computers  200  payment request data based on the particular joint-purchase goods(S 330 ).  
     [0060] Thereafter, the server computer  400  decides whether payments data based on the joint purchase of the particular goods is inputted from the corresponding user computers  200 (S 340 ), and, if payments data according to the joint purchase of the particular goods is inputted from the corresponding user computers  200 , processes the payments according to the joint purchase of the particular goods based on the corresponding payment data(S 350 ).  
     [0061] Further, after the server computer  400  pays for the particular joint-purchase item for the corresponding users, and updates and stores participants status for the corresponding joint-purchase goods(S 360 ).  
     [0062] Now, the above step(S 300 ) pays for the joint purchase for the users based on the joint-purchase requests of the particular goods, updates and stores participants status for the joint-purchase goods, and, if the participation period of time for the particular joint-purchase goods expires or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached, the server computer  400  automatically generates game matches for picking a final recipient from all the users participating in the joint purchase of the corresponding goods, and proceeds with a game for picking a final recipient of the respective user computers  200  connected through the communication network  100  based on the automatically generated game matches(S 400 ).  
     [0063] Describing it in detail, the server computer  400  decides whether the ongoing participation period of time for a particular joint-purchase goods expires or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached(S 410 ).  
     [0064] As a result of the decision, if the ongoing participation period of time for a particular joint-purchase goods expires or the number of participants noticed in advance is reached, the server computer  400  automatically generates game matches for picking a final recipient from all the users participating in the joint purchase of the corresponding goods(S 420 ).  
     [0065] Thereafter, the server computer  400  verifies whether the respective user computers are connected which participate in the joint purchase of the particular is goods through the communication network  100  at a designated time and date(S 430 ).  
     [0066] Further, the server computer  400  proceeds with a game for selecting a final recipient from the respective user computers  200  connected to the communication network  100  based on the game matches automatically generated through the above step S 420 (S 440 ).  
     [0067] Further, as a result of the decision of the above step S 410 , if the number of participants noticed in advance is not reached till the ongoing participation period of time for the particular joint-purchase goods expires, the server computer  400  decides any one of the extension of the participation period of time, payment raises, and joint-purchase cancellations through the agreements of all the users participating in the joint purchase of the corresponding goods(S 450 ).  
     [0068] At this time, the game running in the above step S 400  to select a final recipient is collectively played with respect to all the user computers  200  which is connected at a designated time and date and participate in the joint purchase of a particular joint-purchase goods, and eliminates users who are not connected at the designated time and date, and the respective users play in a one-to-one tournament fashion the game for picking a final recipient.  
     [0069] As described above, after automatically generating game matches for picking a final recipient through the above step S 400  and proceeding with a game for picking the final recipient from the respective users based on the automatically generated game matches, the server computer  400  outputs to the goods provider computers  300  the information on the final recipient picked with the progress of the game and controls delivering the corresponding joint-purchase goods to the final recipient(S 500 ).  
     [0070] Describing it in detail, if the final recipient is decided as a result of the game run to select the final recipient of the respective user computers  200  participating in the particular joint-purchase goods through the above step S 400 , the server computer  400  outputs the information on the corresponding user selected as the final recipient to the goods provider computers  300 (S 510 ).  
     [0071] Thereafter, the corresponding goods provider computer  300  controls the delivery of the corresponding joint-purchase goods based on the information on the user selected as the final recipient of the particular joint-purchase goods inputted from the server computer  400 (S 520 ), and outputs to the server computer  400  data on the a delivery result of the particular joint-purchase goods delivered to the final recipient and payments data based on the sale of the corresponding goods(S 530 ).  
     [0072] Thereafter, the server computer  400  verifies the data on the delivery result of the particular joint-purchase goods inputted from the corresponding goods provider computers  300 , transfers to the corresponding goods provider computer  300  an amount deducted by a predetermined service charge from the joint-purchase amount paid by the respective users according to payments requests based on the sale of the particular joint-purchase goods, and ends the service(S 540 ).  
     [0073] In the meantime, as in the description on the network-based method or above system for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games according to the present invention, in addition to a method that registers as a joint-purchase goods the goods requested from plural goods providers in order for plural users to jointly pay the price for purchase and controls a goods provider to deliver the corresponding joint-purchase goods to a final recipient if the final recipient is picked through a game, a method can be use which the server computer  400  directly secures and registers goods as a joint-purchase goods in order for plural users to jointly pay the price for purchase and delivers the corresponding joint-purchase goods to a final recipient selected through a game.  
     [0074] As stated above, the network-based system and method for picking final recipients of joint-purchase goods through games can obtain opportunities acquiring at low prices goods purchased through joint payments of plural on-line users to greatly increase funs and interest in electronic commerce, and there is an effect in that goods retailers or service operators can greatly improve profits through electronic commerce activations due to inducing funs and interest of users.  
     [0075] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiment, but various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.