WO2001050365A1

WO2001050365A1 - Goods delivery service system and method via electronic commerce

Info

Publication number: WO2001050365A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/001545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong-Jin Park
Original assignee: Happy Morning Inc.
Priority date: 1999-12-30
Filing date: 2000-12-28
Publication date: 2001-07-12
Also published as: KR100301618B1; KR20000053700A; AU2408301A; JP2001195488A

Abstract

Disclosed is a goods delivery system and method using electronic commerce. When a user terminal accesses the goods delivery system via a network, the goods delivery system provides goods informat ion to the user terminal, and when the user orders desired goods, the goods delivery system provides the user with information on a plurality of outlets at which the user can receive the goods. When the user selects an outlet, the goods delivery system provides a delivery number corresponding to the goods-buying, and provides the selected outlet with the delivery number and buying information including a list of the goods purchased by the user so that the user can receive the goods at the outlet using the delivery number. Therefore, the present invention reduces goods delivery time and cost.

Description

Goods Delivery Service System and Method via Electronic Commerce

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic commerce (EC). More specifically, the present invention relates to a goods delivery system and method via electronic commerce.

(b) Description of the Related Art

The Arpanet was launched to share information on military research of the U.S. Pentagon. The Internet that originated from the Arpanet is now becoming a huge and effective information accumulation and providing medium to which computer networks all over the world are connected. The Internet is used in the various fields of electronic mail, news groups, file transfer, information transmission and information search, and as networks connected to t he Internet and the number of Internet users are greatly increasing, commercial use of the Internet, that is, electronic commerce, is rapidly spreading.

In electronic commerce, transactions of commodities or services are totally or partially processed via electronic methods, such as exchanges of electronic documents. All transaction performers concerned can participate in electronic commerce in a similar manner to real-world transactions. In the case of simple electronic commerce, a cyber-mall that provides commodities or services, a consumer who buys a commodity or a service at the cyber- mall, and a cyber-bank or a credit card company that performs a billing process can be the above-noted transaction performers.

In detail, the consumer uses a terminal such as a computer connected to the Internet, accesses the cyber-mall, shops, and when the consumer finds a desired commodity, transmits a buy request together with billing information such as a credit card number and a password to the cyber- mall. The cyber-mall refers the credit card number and the password provided by the customer to the cyber-bank or the credit card company and requests payment authentication. When the cyber-bank or the credit card company authenticates the payment, the cyber-mall delivers the corresponding commodity to the consumer. In conventional electronic commerce, the consumer frequently pays the delivery cost, and since it takes from a couple of days to a week to deliver the commodity to the consumer via the delivery system, the consumer cannot directly receive the commodity.

Therefore, the consumer tends to use off-line transactions so as to instantly receive the desired commodity, and accordingly, the electronic commerce is not activated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for quickly delivering commodities purchased by a consumer via electronic commerce to the corresponding consumer.

In one aspect of the present invention, in a goods delivery system connected to a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of outlets and a cyber- mall for performing electronic commerce with users on a network, a goods delivery system comprises a processing server for providing a user, when receiving buying information corresponding to a purchase of goods from the cyber-mall and receiving information on selecting an outlet from the user terminal, with a delivery number corresponding to the purchase of goods, and providing the selected outlet with the delivery number and buying information including a list of goods bought by the user so that the user receives the goods from the outlet using the delivery number; and a delivery database for storing information on the outlets, buying information and the delivery numbers, the buying information and the delivery numbers being provided to the respective outlets. In another aspect of the present invention, in a goods delivery system connected to a plurality of user terminals and outlets via a network, a goods delivery system comprises a goods database for storing information on various goods; a sale server for performing electronic transactions with a buyer including goods-buying via the user terminal based on the information on the various goods; a processing server for providing the user, when information for selecting an outlet is provided by the user terminal after goods are bought, with a delivery number corresponding to the goods being bought, and providing a selected outlet with buying information including the delivery number and a list of the goods purchased by the user so that the user can receive the desired goods at the outlet using the delivery number; and a delivery database for storing information on the outlets, buying information and the delivery numbers, the buying information and delivery numbers being provided to the respective outlets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows a comprehensive schematic diagram of a goods delivery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a goods delivery system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a goods delivery method according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a goods delivery system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a goods delivery method according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, only the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by the inventor(s) of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention.

Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows a comprehensive schematic diagram of a goods delivery system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the goods delivery system 10 is connected to a buyer terminal 30, a plurality of outlets 40 and a plurality of cyber-malls 50 via a network 20 (including wire and wireless networks such as the Internet, a wireless communication network and a future network.) The goods delivery system 10 can also be connected to a payment system 60.

The buyer terminal 30 is a communication device that supports the buyer to access the goods delivery system 10 via the network 20 and buy desired goods. The buyer terminal 30 may be a wire terminal such as a computer for accessing the network 20 and an Internet TV, or a wireless terminal such as a portable phone and a PDA for wirelessly accessing the network 20.

The outlet 40 delivers the goods to the buyer who bought the goods via the goods delivery system 10 according to buy information and a delivery number transmitted by the goods delivery system 10 only when the delivery number provided by the buyer is matched with the delivery number provided by the goods delivery system 10.

The outlet 40 comprises a communication unit 41 for receiving buy information including a list of goods to be delivered to the buyer and the delivery number via a network or an additional proprietary line, a storage unit

42 for storing the delivery numbers, an input unit 44, a processor 43 for determining matching states of the delivery numbers, and a display 45 for displaying processing results. In the preferred embodiment, a communication device is used for the outlet 40 so as to receive information from the goods delivery system 10, but without being restricted to this, information such as the delivery numbers can be transmitted from the goods delivery system 10 by telephone or a person.

The outlet 40 is installed at places where many people come and go and buyers can easily access such as post offices, banks, district offices, convenience stores, bus stops, subway stations, railway stations, etc. Also, the outlet 40 supports a buyer who does not pay for the goods on the network but pays using cash or gift certificates, and supports returns of the goods.

The cyber-mall 50 performs electronic transactions based on a goods database that is provided to the cyber-mall 50. The cyber-mall 50 is linked via the goods delivery system 10, or transmits and receives information via an additional proprietary line.

Particularly, when a transaction with a buyer is executed and a corresponding payment is completed, the cyber-mall 50 transmits payment completion information to the goods delivery system 10 so as to perform a corresponding delivery process, or when the corresponding payment is completed, the cyber-mall 50 generates a delivery number and buy information according to the buyer's selection of an outlet, and provides the same to the goods delivery system 10 so as to perform a delivery process.

The payment system 60 is a bank's or a credit card company's database that determines whether the payment information (e.g., a credit card number or a bank account number) provided by the buyer is true or false, and it pays the corresponding price.

The goods delivery system 10 that transmits and receives information to/from the above-described devices 30 to 60 and performs a goods delivery process comprises an interface server 11 , a mail server 12, a database server 13 and a processing server 14. The interface server 1 1 enables a plurality of terminals 30 and outlets and 40 to be connected via the network 20, converts various kinds of information provided via the processing server 14 and a sale server 15 so as to fit the communication standards, and provides the same to the terminal; or receives information provided via the network 20 and provides the same to the processing server 14 and the sale server 15; and the interface server 11 can comprise a database cooperating device (such as a common gateway interface: CGI) for transmitting and receiving information to/from a web server or another system. The mail server 12 performs electronic mail transmission and receipt to/from the devices 30 to 60.

The database server 13 stores information for performing goods delivery, and comprises a user database 131 and a delivery database 132.

The user database 131 stores information on network users who are registered as members for buying and receiving goods via the goods delivery system 10. For example, the user database 131 stores user information such as log passwords for a log-in process, resident registration numbers, names, electronic mail addresses and telephone numbers (wire or wireless telephone numbers) corresponding to user identifications (ID).

The delivery database 132 stores information on goods bought and delivered via the goods delivery system 10. In detail, the delivery database 132 stores outlet information, buying information (including goods names, prices, quantities as well as information on states of payment completion) provided for outlets, and delivery numbers.

The processing server 14 that delivers goods according to the information stored in the database server 13 comprises a user authenticator 141 for authenticating a user who accesses via the network 20 using the information stored in the user database 131 , and a delivery processor 142 for providing a delivery number and buying information to an outlet that will provide corresponding goods according to an authenticated user's goods- buying process, and it enables the outlet to deliver the corresponding goods to the buyer. In addition, the goods delivery system 10 can further comprise a sale server 15 so as to perform transactions, and in this instance, the database server 13 further comprises a goods database for storing information on the selling goods. The sale server 15 comprises a goods seller 151 for selling goods to the network users according to the goods information stored in the goods database 133, and a payment processor 152 for paying for the sold goods. Here, the payment processor 152 is connected to a payment system 60 such as a credit card company, a bank or a cyber-payment company that receives a payment authentication on the buyer's payment information (such as a credit card number, a bank account number, or a cyber-account number and a payment password) provided by the terminal 30, or performs the above- noted payment authentication for itself.

In the preferred embodiment, the respective units 141 , 142, 151 and 152 are operated within the processing server 14 and the sale server 15, but the units can also be implemented as individual servers for processing corresponding functions. Further, for ease of explanation, the functions of the respective units are separately described, but the functions are not restricted to the above-noted descriptions. Also, the units of the processing server 14 and the sale server 15 receive various kinds of information stored in the databases 131 to 133 via a common gateway interface (CGI).

In the preferred embodiment, the data stored in the database server 13 are separated and stored in the plural databases 131 to 133, but the data stored in the databases 131 to 133 can also be stored in a single database and the system is not limited to the above-noted description.

Based on the above-mentioned system, a goods delivery method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

First, a first preferred embodiment for a goods delivery system to sell goods and deliver the same will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a goods delivery system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a goods delivery method according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a buyer activates an Internet accessing program (such as a web browser) at a terminal in which the web browser is installed and inputs a uniform resource location (URL) for accessing the goods delivery system, the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) converts the URL at the web browser, makes the converted URL into packets, and transmits the packets to the goods delivery system 10 via an Internet service provider (ISP) 21 .

Accordingly, the interface server 1 1 of the goods delivery system 10 transmits a web page corresponding to the URL to the buyer terminal 30, and the transmitted web page is displayed on the web browser in window form. Therefore, the buyer checks various kinds of information provided by the goods delivery system 10 via the web page displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 3 in step S100.

When the interface server 1 1 provides a user authentication screen to the user terminal 30 and receives a user identification (ID) and a password from the user terminal 30, the user authenticator 141 of the processing server 14 performs an authentication process according to whether the transmitted user ID and the password are stored in the user database 131 in step S1 10.

When the user ID and the password are not stored in the user database 131 , the user authenticator 141 provides an authentication prohibition message to the buyer terminal so as to notify that the user authentication process has failed in steps S120 and S130, and when user ID and the password are stored in the user database 131 , the user authenticator 141 provides a corresponding web page to the buyer according to the buyer's clicking manipulations in step S140. When the buyer selects a shopping banner, the goods seller 151 of the sale server 15 provides goods information stored in the goods database 133 to the buyer. Particularly, the goods seller 151 searches the goods database 133 based on search words input at the buyer terminal 30, finds corresponding goods information, and provides the same, and also the goods seller 151 can search goods information of other cooperating cyber- malls 50 and provide the same as well as the goods information stored in the goods database 133 in steps S140 and S150.

When the buyer selects desired goods and requests purchase of the goods, the payment processor 152 of the sale server 15 requests selection of payment method and input of payment information, and when the buyer accordingly selects a payment method and inputs payment information, the payment processor 152 performs a payment authentication on the input information and transmits payment authentication results to the buyer terminal 30 in steps S160 to S200. For example, the payment processor 152 provides a credit card number and a goods price to the payment system 60 of a credit card company and asks whether it is possible to pay for the goods according to the corresponding number, and when the payment system 60 notifies of a payment authentication to the sale server 15, the sale server 15 notifies the buyer terminal of payment completion. Various kinds of other payment methods that can be applied to electronic commerce can also be used in addition to the above-noted payment method.

When the payment is completed, the delivery processor 142 of the processing server 14 provides information on a plurality of outlets to the buyer terminal 30 in step S210, and when the buyer selects an outlet such as an outlet installed at a subway station nearest the location of the buyer, the processing server 14 assigns a delivery number, provides information on the goods that the buyer bought together with the delivery number so as to deliver the goods. Here, the delivery number used for distinguishing the buyers at time of goods delivery can be the buyer's residence registration number or a separately assigned number. The delivery processor 142 of the processing server 14 stores the delivery number and buying information transmitted by the outlet 40 in the delivery database 132 so as to manage information on the transactions performed via the goods delivery system 10 such as goods-buying and delivery requests.

The outlet 40 stores the buying information and the delivery number in the storage unit 42, and when the buyer inputs the delivery number of the corresponding goods via the input unit 44, the processor 43 determines whether the delivery number stored in the storage unit 42 is matched with the input delivery number, and displays process results to the display 45.

Therefore, after a manager of the outlet 40 checks whether the buyer is an appropriate buyer via the display 45, the manager delivers the goods to the buyer.

Next, a second preferred embodiment for a goods delivery system 10 that only delivers goods bought by a buyer from another cyber-mall will be described, and it differs from the first preferred embodiment for the goods delivery system 10 in both selling and delivering of the goods. Operations identical with those of the first preferred embodiment will not be described.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a goods delivery system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a goods delivery method according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the goods delivery system 10 according to the second preferred embodiment connects a buyer who accesses the goods delivery system 10 via the network 20 to a predetermined cyber-mall 50 according to the buyer's selection so as to buy goods, and delivers the goods bought by the buyer.

First, as shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, when a buyer accesses the goods delivery system 10 via the network 20, is authenticated, and selects predetermined goods in steps S300 to S350, the delivery processor 142 of the processing server 14 connects the buyer terminal 30 to a corresponding cyber-mall 50. This connection process can be performed via an interface server. Next, when the buyer places an order to buy goods, the cyber-mall 50 cooperates with the payment system 60 to pay for the goods ordered by the buyer, and when the buyer selects a delivery function, the cyber-mall 50 again connects the buyer terminal to the goods delivery system 10, and in this instance, the cyber-mall 50 transmits payment completion information to the goods delivery system 10 in steps S370 to S420.

The delivery processor 142 provides the buyer with information on a plurality of outlets at which the buyer can receive the desired goods according to the information stored in the delivery database 132 in step S430, and when the buyer selects a desired outlet, the delivery processor 142 assigns a delivery number and transmits the delivery number and buying information on the goods purchased by the buyer to the selected outlet so that the buyer receives the goods at the outlet 40 in steps S440 to S470 in the same manner as the above-described first preferred embodiment. In the second preferred embodiment, the cyber-mall 50 provides goods information and pays for the goods, and the goods delivery system 10 provides outlet information and delivers the goods. The goods delivery system 10 can only deliver the goods.

That is, when the payment on the bought goods is completed and a delivery method is selected, the cyber-mall 50 provides the buyer terminal with outlet information transmitted by the goods delivery system 10, and when the buyer selects a predetermined outlet, the cyber-mall 50 assigns a delivery number to the buyer and transmits the delivery number and buying information to the goods delivery system 10 so as to deliver the goods. In this instance, the cyber-mall 50 also transmits distinction information on the outlet selected by the buyer to the goods delivery system 10 in order for the goods delivery system 10 to distinguish the selected outlet.

Accordingly, the delivery processor 142 of the goods delivery system 10 transmits the delivery number and buying information transmitted by the cyber-mall 50 to the selected outlet 40 in order for the buyer to receive the goods at the buyer's selected outlet 40.

π According to the above-described preferred embodiments, after buying desired goods, the buyer goes to the nearest outlet and directly receives the goods.

In the above embodiments, the buyer can pay for the goods at the time of receiving them at the outlet 40 instead of previously paying. In this case, the payment processor 152 of the goods delivery system 10 provides the outlet with the delivery number, buying information and payment information that shows that no payment for the corresponding goods has been performed, and accordingly, when the buyer desires to receive the goods, the outlet 40 delivers the corresponding goods to the buyer after the buyer pays for the goods with cash or gift certificates. In this instance, the outlet 40 again transmits the states of payment completion to the goods delivery system 10 so that the goods delivery system can wholly manage the sold goods. As described above, since a buyer visits the outlet that the buyer selects and receives the desired goods, the present invention reduces delivery time and cost.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. In a goods delivery system connected to a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of outlets and a cyber-mall for performing electronic commerce with users on a network, a goods delivery system comprising: a processing server for providing a user, when receiving buying information corresponding to a purchase of goods from the cyber-mall and receiving information on selecting an outlet from the user terminal, with a delivery number corresponding to the purchase of goods, and providing the selected outlet with the delivery number and buying information including a list of goods bought by the user so that the user receives the goods from the outlet using the delivery number; and a delivery database for storing information on the outlets, buying information and the delivery numbers, the buying information and the delivery numbers being provided to the respective outlets.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet provides the user with the goods corresponding to the goods list in the case the delivery number and the goods list transmitted by the cyber-mall are matched with those input by the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the outlet comprises: an input unit; a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to/from the goods delivery system via the network; a storage unit for storing the delivery number and the buying information transmitted by the goods delivery system; a processor for determining whether the delivery number input via the input unit is matched with the delivery number stored in the storage unit; and a display for displaying determination results of the processor.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processing server further comprises a user authenticator for checking whether the corresponding user is a registered user according to an ID and a password provided by the user terminal.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is installed at a location such as a subway station, a railway station and an expressway station.

6. In a goods delivery system connected to a plurality of user terminals and outlets via a network, a goods delivery system comprising: a goods database for storing information on various goods; a sale server for performing electronic transactions with a buyer including goods-buying via the user terminal based on the information on the various goods; a processing server for providing the user, when information for selecting an outlet is provided by the user terminal after goods are bought, with a delivery number corresponding to the goods being bought, and providing a selected outlet with buying information including the delivery number and list of the goods purchased by the user so that the user can receive the desired goods at the outlet using the delivery number; and a delivery database for storing information on the outlets, buying information and the delivery numbers, the buying information and the delivery numbers being provided to the respective outlets.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the sale server comprises a payment processor that is activated by the user during the user's ordering session and which transacts payment for the goods bought by the user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sale server transmits information that represents states of the payment together with the delivery number and the buying information to the selected outlet, and when payment has not been performed, the outlet transacts payment for the corresponding goods and provides the goods to the user.

9. In a goods delivery system connected to a cyber-mall for performing electronic transactions with users via a network including goods- buying, enabling the user to select an outlet among a plurality of outlets at which the user receives bought goods, and accordingly providing a delivery number and information on the bought goods, a goods delivery system comprising: a processor server for providing the outlet, when the delivery number and buying information including a list of goods bought by the user is provided by the cyber-mall according to the user's selection of the outlet, with the delivery number and the buying information so that the user receives the goods at the outlet using the delivery number; and a delivery database for storing information on the outlets, the buying information and delivery numbers, the buying information and delivery numbers being provided to the respective outlets.

10. In a goods delivery method of a system connected to a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of outlets and a cyber-mall for performing electronic commerce with users on a network, a goods delivery method comprising: providing the user terminal, when buying information according to the goods-buying is provided by the cyber-mall, with information on a plurality of outlets at which the user can receives the bought goods; providing the user, when the user selects an outlet, with a delivery number according to the goods-buying; and providing the selected outlet with the delivery number and the buying information including a list of the goods bought by the user so that the user can receive the goods at the outlet using the delivery number.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: the outlet providing the user with goods corresponding to the list of goods when the delivery number and the list of goods transmitted by the cyber-mall are matched with the delivery number and the list of goods input by the user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the outlet is installed at a location such as a subway station, a railway station and an expressway station.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: checking whether the corresponding user is a registered user based on an identification (ID) and a password provided by the user terminal; and connecting the user terminal to the cyber-mall so as to enable goods-buying when the user is a registered user.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the outlet transacts payment for the corresponding goods and provides the goods to the user when the payment for the goods transacted at the cyber-mall has not been executed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the outlet transacts payment for the goods with cash or gift certificates.

16. In a goods delivery method of a system connected to a plurality of user terminals and outlets via a network, a goods delivery method comprising: providing the user terminal with information on the goods when the user terminal accesses via the network; providing the user with information on the outlets at which the user can receive the ordered goods, when the user orders desired goods; providing the user with a delivery number corresponding to the goods- buying when the user selects a desired outlet; and providing the selected outlet with the delivery number and the buying information including a list of goods purchased by the user so that the user receives the desired goods at the outlet using the delivery number.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: paying for the ordered goods.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein paying for the ordered goods further comprises: providing the selected outlet with the delivery number and information that represents payment states of the corresponding goods; and the outlet transacting payment for the corresponding goods and providing the goods to the user when the payment on the goods has not been performed.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: the outlet providing the user with the goods corresponding to the list of goods when the delivery number and the list of goods transmitted by the cyber-mall are matched with the delivery number and the list of goods input by the user.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the outlet is installed at a location such as a subway station, a railway station and an expressway station.