METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSACTION OF INFORMATION GOODS

USING ON-LINE

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to transactions of information goods, and more

particularly to method and system for transactions of information goods in an electronic

way on-line.

[Background Art]

The virtual space, called Internet, which is created based on development of

computers and information communication technologies, greatly changes the world and

leads 'the third wave' mentioned by Alvin Toffler. Alvin Toffler said that the

information society of the third wave would take knowledge and information as the

essential of power. In addition, he said that a system for creating new wealth would

depend on data, information and exchange of knowledge beyond tastes and a new value

added would not be created without exchange of knowledge. Here, the data means individual facts and records, the information means a processed data suitable for categories, classification systems or other formats, or purpose of a user, and the

knowledge means a high-level information refined and processed in a more strict and precise way.

In the information society, the information is the most essential factor for

creating wealth, and all society members should easily access useful information and may use it at reasonable prices. However, the current information is mostly not clear

on its property or proprietary right and cannot thus create wealth, and it just wanders in

the virtual space, called Internet, meaninglessly. Amount and range of such

information cannot be even judged. Most information is of little utility value, and information distorters, so called traders, deteriorate its reliability, so it is more difficult

to distinguish a valuable information due to anonymity.

That is to say, though a lot of information is in the virtual space, called Internet,

there is little information with value and utility. In addition, a lot of time and efforts are needed to find a necessary information, and quality of produced information is also

very bad. Furthermore, there is no mechanism capable of accumulating, using and

developing information in an efficient way.

Meanwhile, Kin-search (or, Knowledge search) service of each portal search site

is put on the spotlight as a popular service. The Kin-search is a service by which a netizen desiring a specific information asks a question and then other netizon(s) who

knows an answer to the question makes a reply. However, this service has no

substantial motivating factor that makes an answerer give a high-quality answer, so the

information provided through the Kin-search service is still lack of professional knowledge.

Furthermore, it is substantially impossible to obtain a knowledge requiring

high-level specialty through the current Kin-search service. Of course, there is a

system that compensates for an answer so as to attract high-quality knowledge. However, most systems just raise a level of an answerer as a knowledge provider.

Thus, there is still a limit in attracting a knowledge provider to give a professional, valuable and substantial knowledge.

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

The present invention is designed in consideration of the above problems, and

therefore it is an object of the invention to provide method and system, which endows a

proprietary right and a reliable price to each information and constructs a market system

in which the information may be easily and safely transacted so that any information

may be actively transacted as a kind of goods, and which drives out an information

distorter and allows high-quality information with good values to be gathered so that

such information may be used by many persons, thereby allowing to make good information and knowledge.

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a method

for transaction of information goods on-line, which includes the steps of: (a) receiving

an information goods to be transacted, to which an initial transaction price (or, a listing

price) is endowed by an information goods seller; (b) listing the information goods to an

on-line transaction center to initiate selling of the information goods at the listing price;

(c) selling the information goods to an information goods buyer at a current transaction price of the information goods and then paying a selling money to the information goods seller; (d) receiving an estimated reasonable price or a price reasonableness evaluation

based on an effective value of the information goods from the information goods buyer

and then reflecting the estimated reasonable price or the price reasonableness evaluation

to draw a feedback price; and (e) updating the feedback price as a transaction price of

the information goods. Here, the price range may be adjusted at any time by the

information goods seller, and the information goods to be transacted includes all kinds

of digitalized information and contents. The information goods seller and buyer access

the on-line transaction center through a wire/wireless Internet.

In the present invention, in the step (a), the information goods is uploaded from

the information goods seller; and, in the step (c), the information goods is downloaded

to the information goods buyer.

In one aspect of the present invention, the method may further include the steps

of: (f) receiving brief explanation or request about the information goods, considered to

be necessary or useful, from the information goods buyer; and (g) opening the

explanation and request, input from the information goods buyer, to information goods

sellers.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method may further include the step of: (h) providing a personal information goods storing place to a user of the on-line transaction center.

Hrer,, information goods sold by a user of the on-line transaction center as an

information goods seller and purchased by a user as an information goods buyer may be

recorded in the personal information goods storing place.

In one aspect of the present invention, in the step (d), the estimated reasonable price suggested by the information goods buyer may be reflected on a feedback price using the following equation 1 :

Equation 1

where OC is a compromising coefficient, which is greater than 0 and equal to or

smaller than 1 , p where t-\ is a former feedback price of the information goods, which is fed

back up to a time point t-1, and the time point t-1 is a point when a n-l ^th information p goods buyer suggests an estimated reasonable price (in case n=l, t-\ is a listing price),

where t is an estimated reasonable price suggested by a n information

goods buyer, and p where t is an information goods feedback price at a time point t, which is

compromised up to the estimated reasonable price ^l suggested by the n ^th information

goods buyer.

In the equation 1 , OC is increased as a time passing between the time point t and

the time point t-1 is increased, and a value of Ot becomes 1 after a certain period (or, an estimated value extinction prescription) assuming that an estimated value is completely extinct). p

Preferably, M is a price calculated based on the time point t in consideration of an inflation rate from the time point t-1 to the time point t.

The present invention may further include the step of updating the listed

information goods according to a request of the information goods seller, wherein, at a

feedback time point after the update, a value of the <^ is applied after being adjusted

upward rather than a value of the & when the update is not yet conducted.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the step (d), the estimated

reasonable price suggested by the information goods buyer may be reflected on a

feedback price according to the following equation 2:

Equation 2

where Pi '* is an estimated reasonable price suggested by a k th information

goods buyer at a time point t _k (in case of k=0, is a listing price),

EV where ^ is an estimated value at a feedback time point (or, a time point t _n )

for the estimated reasonable price suggested by the k ^th information goods buyer at the

time point tk,

where is a weight whose sum is 1 , and

P where ^tn is a feedback price at a time point t _n , obtained by weighting and

averaging estimated reasonable prices suggested up to the time point t _n with an estimated value for each estimated price at the feedback time point.

EV RV

In the equation 2, the ' ⁽ * or ^ has a relatively smaller value as the

estimated reasonable price is suggested older based on the feedback time point t _n , and

the ^tι - or ^{" f} f is gradually decreased from a specific criterion value as k or f is

decreased from n to 0 or gradually increased from a specific criterion value as k or f

increases from 0 to n.

Preferably, when the ^ or ^{J l} f changes a value thereof as k or f increases

from 0 to n or decreases from n to 0, based on a specific period belonging to each time

point (or, an estimated value changing period), the ⁴ * or ^" *' is kept constantly in

the same cycle of a specific period but changed in proportion to time (or, frequency of

cycle changes) if the cycle of a specific period is changed.

Preferably, an estimated reasonable price, which is passed over a predetermined period (or, an estimated price extinctive prescription) assuming that an estimated value

is entirely extinct, is excluded from the operation according to the equation 2.

P ^e Preferably, the ^tk is a price calculated based on the time point t _n in

consideration of an inflation rate between the time point t _k to the time point t _n .

The present invention may further include the step of updating the listed

information goods according to a request of the information goods seller, wherein, at a

feedback time point after the update time point, an estimated value for the estimated

reasonable price suggested before the update time point is adjusted relatively lower than

an estimated value for an estimated reasonable price suggested after the update time point, and then applied.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the price reasonableness

evaluation suggested by the information goods buyer may be reflected on a feedback

price according to the following equation 3:

Equation 3

P, = P,_,(l± α)

where CX is an adjustment coefficient, which is equal to or greater than 0 and

smaller than 1 ,

where a value of the CZ is determined according to an option by which the

information goods buyer at the time point t evaluates reasonableness of a former

feedback price (or, a purchase price in case it is within a price range), p where M is a former feedback price of the information goods, which is fed

back to the time point t-1, and the time point t-1 is a point when a n-l ^th buyer suggests a p price reasonableness evaluation (in case n=l, M is a listing price), and p where t is a feedback price of the information goods at the time point t, which

is adjusted according to a price reasonableness evaluation of the n ^th information goods buyer.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention also provides a

system for transaction of information goods on-line, which includes an information

goods receiving unit for receiving an information goods to be transacted, which is

endowed with an initial transaction price (or, a listing price) and a price range (or, an upper limit and a lower limit), from an information goods seller; an information goods listing unit for listing the information goods to an on-line transaction center so as to

initiate selling of the information goods at the listing price; a feedback price calculating

unit for receiving an estimated reasonable price or a price reasonableness evaluation

according to an effective value of the information goods from the information goods

buyer and then calculating a feedback price reflecting the estimated reasonable price or

the price reasonableness evaluation in a way of compromising a difference between a

former feedback price and the estimated reasonable price using a compromising

coefficient, endowing a weight as much as an estimated value possessed by the

estimated reasonable price at the feedback point and then averaging the estimated

reasonable price, or adjusting the feedback price according to a predetermined option for

the price reasonableness evaluation; and a transaction price updating unit for updating the feedback price as a transaction price of the information goods within a price range designated by the information goods seller, or updating the upper or lower limit of the

price range as a transaction price in case the feedback price is beyond the price range.

Preferably, the system may further include a personal information goods storing

place for recording information goods sold by a user of the on-line transaction center as

an information goods seller or purchased by a user as an information goods buyer.

Preferably, the system may further include a transaction center database for

recording and continuously managing information goods-related information including

ID of the information goods and the information goods seller, sales volume and accumulated sales amount of the information goods, a current transaction price, and

changing details of feedback price, price range and transaction price; and feedback price

calculation-related information including estimated reasonable prices or price reasonableness evaluations of each information goods suggested by information goods

buyers, suggestion time, an increase rate of prices in a predetermined period, and an update time.

[Description of Drawings]

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of

the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description,

taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system for transaction of information goods on-line according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs. 2 to 4 are graphs illustrating general principles for deciding a price of

goods or service according to a balance of a demand curve and a supply curve;

FIGs. 5 and 6 show a demand curve and a supply curve of each information

goods;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing that there is no balance for information goods; and

FIG. 8 is a graph schematically showing a dynamic change of an actual market

price while inquiries, prices, feedback price calculation, market price updating and price range adjustment are repeated according to the time flow after an information goods is

listed.

[Best Mode]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in

detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on

the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present invention

on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for

the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable

example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the

invention, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be

made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an on-line information goods transaction

system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, an information goods seller 10 accesses an on-line transaction center 30 through a communication network and then

registers an information goods to be transacted to an information goods receiving unit

31 with inputting an initial transaction price (or, a listing price) and a price range.

Here, the on-line transaction center 30 is a kind of cyber market prepared for transaction

of information goods, and it is implemented using a large-capacity server constructed on

a wire or wireless Internet.

An upper limit and a lower limit of the price range are determined by calculation

based on the initial transaction price (or, the listing price) at a predetermined rate, or

freely determined by the information goods seller 10. The upper and lower limits of

the price range may be adjusted again by the information goods seller 10 in the future.

The information goods to be transacted is defined to include all kinds of

digitalized information, knowledge and contents, which have utility for transaction. For example, the information goods includes knowledge information contents such as knowledge, information, theses, reports, technical documents, counseling documents,

know-how, secret processes, regional information, and various kinds of formats and

forms as well as cultural contents such as music, movies, animations, flash, moving

pictures, lectures, discourses, electronic books and electronic newspapers, but not

limitedly.

When the information goods is registered, the information goods seller 10 preferably adds a brief explanation for the information goods. This brief explanation

becomes a basic data with which an information goods buyer 20 may predict an

effective value of the information goods when the information goods is transacted.

The registration process of the information goods is preferably operated only for

members. Thus, the information goods seller 10 preferably accesses the on-line

transaction center 30 and then subscribes as a member prior to registration of the

information goods.

If the objective information goods is received and registered by the information goods seller 10, the on-line transaction center 30 initiates selling of the information

goods with the initial transaction price (or, the listing price) determined by the

information goods seller 10 in an information goods listing unit 32. In the present

invention, such initiation of information goods will be called 'listing'.

Such information goods receiving, registering and listing processes as mentioned above are accumulatively conducted for different information goods sellers 10. Thus,

as time goes, the number of information goods listed in the on-line transaction center 30

is continuously increased.

Meanwhile, in parallel to the information goods receiving, registering and listing

processes as mentioned above, an information goods buyer 20 who desires to purchase

an information goods accesses the on-line transaction center 30 and then searches an information goods to be purchased. The information goods buyer 20 is preferably

subscribed as a member of the on-line transaction center 30. The information goods

buyer 20 may search an information goods using a category, a keyword, member

information (ID) of information goods sellers 10, prices (from the highest price or from

the lowest price), sales volume, accumulated sales amount, registration date, update date

and so on. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

If finding a desired information goods in the information goods searching

process, the information goods buyer 20 pays for a current transaction price and then

purchases the corresponding information goods. Downloading the information goods

and paying for the transaction price may be conducted in an information goods

transaction intermediation unit 33 of the on-line transaction center 30, and the price may

be paid using a common payment means. For example, the buyer may use credit card

payment, cellular phone payment, ARS payment, cyber merchandise bond payment and so on for paying for the price. However, more preferably, the information goods buyer

20 purchases electronic money from the on-line transaction center 30 in advance and

then pays for the transaction price of the information goods using the purchased

electronic money. If electronic money is used as mentioned above, the on-line

transaction center 30 preferably allocates an electronic account to the information goods

buyer 20 and then continuously manages usage details (purchasing, using and so on) of the electronic money.

If the information goods buyer 20 pays for the price of the information goods,

the paid money is provided to the information goods seller 10 after deducting a

predetermined commission from it. The provided money is accumulatively recorded in

a sales account allocated to the information goods seller 10. If the money accumulated

in the sales account exceeds a predetermined criterion, the information goods seller 10

may exchange the money into cash. Meanwhile, in case the information goods buyer 20 does not find a desired information goods during the information goods searching process, the information

goods buyer 20 may input description and request about an information goods

considered to be necessary or useful, and the description and request about the necessary

information goods input by the information goods buyer 20 is open to the public so that

members of the on-line transaction center 30 may read it.

After purchasing the information goods, the information goods buyer 20

suggests an estimated reasonable price or evaluates reasonableness of the price.

Specifically, after the information goods buyer 20 purchases and uses an information

goods, the information goods buyer 20 accesses the on-line transaction center 30

through a communication network. And then, the information goods buyer 20 selects

the purchased information goods in a purchased goods evaluation menu, and then inputs

an estimated reasonable price about the corresponding information goods or selects an evaluation option about price reasonableness based on substantial usefulness of the

information goods and other available information. Preferably, in order to induce active estimation or evaluation of the information

goods buyer 20, the estimation or evaluation is compensated. The compensation is

preferably paid as electronic money used in the transaction of information goods, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, in case of the estimated reasonable price, it is preferred to limit its

range so as to prevent the information goods buyer 20 from purposely faking the price.

For example, it is possible that an estimated reasonable price is input within the range of

200% to 50% of the purchase price.

If the estimated reasonable price or the price reasonableness evaluation of the

information goods is input to the on-line transaction center 30 as mentioned above, a

feedback price calculating unit 34 of the on-line transaction unit 30 calculates a feedback price by reflecting the estimated reasonable price or the price reasonableness

evaluation. Then, a transaction price updating unit 35 updates the calculated feedback

price as a transaction price of the information goods within a price range designated by

the information goods seller 10. At this time, if the feedback price is greater than a

highest limit of the designated price range, the highest limit is updated as a transaction

price, while, if less than a lowest limit, the lowest limit is updated as a transaction price.

In following transactions, the updated transaction price is suggested to an information

goods buyer 20.

The feedback price is automatically operated whenever an estimated reasonable price or a price reasonableness evaluation is suggested by an information goods buyer

20, and then calculated in real time. At this time, if the feedback price is beyond the

price range designated by the information goods seller 10, the on-line transaction center

30 preferably informs the information goods seller 10 of the fact. At this time, the information goods seller 10 may comply with the feedback price with adjusting the price range of the information goods, or persist in the original price so that the transaction price is kept as he/she desires. The feedback price calculating process will be

explained later in more detail.

Since the information goods buyer 20 suggests an estimated reasonable price or

a price reasonableness evaluation and then a feedback price reflecting it is calculated to

update the transaction price, the transaction price of the information goods is

continuously changed after it is listed.

In general cases, if a current transaction price is underestimated rather than an

effective value of an information goods, the price of the information goods will tend to

increase, while, if a current transaction price is overestimated rather than an effective

value of an information goods, the price of the information goods will tend to decrease.

However, the degree of increasing or decreasing is dependent on a price deciding model

of the present invention.

Meanwhile, the on-line transaction center 30 allocates a personal information

goods storing place 40 to each member. The personal information goods storing place

40 includes a web hard or a web folder allocated in a mass-storage medium as well as a physical database.

The personal information goods storing place 40 records information goods sold

by a member of the on-line transaction center as an information goods seller 10 and information goods purchased by a member as an information goods buyer 20, and it may

preferably further record useful data or information accessed by web surfing.

The on-line transaction center 30 includes a mass-storage transaction center database 50, which may record and keep managing information goods-related information such as ID of an information goods and an information goods seller 10,

sales volume and accumulated sales amount of an information goods, a current

transaction price, and changing details of feedback price, price range and transaction

price; and feedback price calculation-related information such as an estimated

reasonable price or price reasonableness evaluation of each information goods suggested

by information goods buyers 20, suggestion time, an inflation rate in a certain period,

and an update time.

Hereinafter, the process of calculating a feedback price of an information goods

according to a price deciding model suggested by the present invention will be

explained in detail. Prior to this explanation, various attributes of information goods

will be described so as to understand necessity of the price deciding model suggested by

the present invention.

A production cost of an information goods is a cost having a tacit and non-monetary concept, namely time and efforts (except cultural contents such as music

and movie). In addition, a production cost is required only at the times of initially

producing and updating an information goods, and such an information goods may be

infinitely supplied at once without any further cost. Before the transaction of an information goods is successfully made, the information goods should not be completely open to the public. A purchased information goods may be used permanently. Thus,

there is no need to purchase the corresponding information goods again in the future.

A proper time of using the information goods is changed as time goes, and also an

effective value is also changed accordingly. An information goods A, an information goods B, an information goods C and an information goods D may be accumulated and

processed to create a new information goods E.

As mentioned above, an information goods has a different nature from general

commodities and service. Thus, a new price deciding model is required so that an

information goods may be actively transacted as a kind of economic goods.

For better understanding of the present invention, a principle of deciding a price

of general commodities and service is explained first.

A transaction price of general commodities and service is decided based on

demand and supply, and the demand and supply are automatically converged to find a balance by means of an invisible hand.

Demand is defined as a total amount of commodities and service to be purchased

by consumers at each price during a certain period, or an amount of money that

consumers intend to pay for each amount. A representative demand curve is shown in

FIG. 2.

Supply is defined as a total amount of commodities and service to be sold by sellers at each price during a certain period, or an amount of money that consumers

intend to pay in each amount. A representative supply curve is shown in FIG. 3.

A price of general commodities or service is determined at a balance point where

the demand curve and the supply curve meet as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, if a price

is away from the balance price, an excessive demand or an excessive supply is caused,

so a price is automatically converged to the balance price.

Here, what is important is that demand and supply, particularly demand, cannot

be exactly known in advance, and the curves themselves are continuously changed due to various external factors.

However, a supplier predicts an approximate demand and then fixes a price in consideration of a production cost per unit. Also, the supplier may understand position

and direction of the balance point in consideration of presence of an excessive demand

or and excessive supply or their magnitude as a result of business during a certain period,

and then the supplier may keep converging toward the balance that is continuously

changing but not seen by the eyes. That is to say, to the supplier who is the subjective

for deciding a price, the excessive demand and the excessive supply are a signal or a

criterion that allows the supplier to find a balance.

Meanwhile, demand and supply of information goods may be illustrated as graphs as shown in FIGs. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, a demand curve of information goods goes downward in a

right direction since the number of buyers is decreased as a price increases and the

number of buyers is increases as a price is lowered, like a demand curve of general

commodities.

The subject in question is a supply curve of information goods. The information goods causes a cost at its initial production point, but after that, it may be

supplied and sold infinitely without any further cost. In addition, the concept of supply

amount is not required for considering the cost per unit. Thus, a seller of an

information goods will wish to sell the information goods at a price not less than a

lowest desired price, and an amount of sales supplied at each price over the lowest

desired price is infinite, so the supply curve of information goods is expressed as an area

horizontal over a specific price level (or, the lowest desired price), not as a curve, as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a result of combining FIGs. 5 and 6. Referring to FIG. 7, it would be

understood that information goods have no balance point of demand and supply, and no

excessive demand or supply happens.

That is to say, in case of an information goods, there is no criterion or signal for

a price policy such as excessive supply or excessive demand like a general commodity.

In addition, a production cost of an information goods is not a clear and monetary

concept but a tacit and non-monetary concept, namely time and effort. Thus, though a

price is in a distorted state, the information goods seller cannot grasp it specifically, and

an economic factor for making the information goods seller actively find and converge a

reasonable price is insufficient. Thus, there is much possibility that a price of an

information goods is kept in a distorted state. If an information goods buyer can completely understand an information goods

to be purchased in advance, the buyer will intend to determine the purchase by

comparing a suggested price with an effective value of the information goods.

However, due to the nature of information goods, an information goods buyer cannot

completely understand about an information goods before purchasing it, so the buyer

may not trust the suggested price. Accordingly, the information good buyer cannot help but hesitating or abandoning the purchase, and, though purchasing the information

goods, the buyer will not participate in transaction if the buyer disappoints distorted

prices several times.

Thus, in order to activate transactions of information goods, a new price

deciding model suitable for the nature of information goods is required.

For this purpose, the present invention uses an estimated reasonable price and a price reasonableness evaluation provided by information goods buyers after transactions.

As mentioned above, due to the nature of information goods, after purchasing an

information goods, the buyer may read or use the corresponding information goods from

his/her personal information goods storing place at any time, so there is no need to

purchase the corresponding goods again. Thus, the information goods buyer may

suggest an estimated reasonable price and a price reasonableness evaluation about the corresponding information goods by means of reasonable expectation in an objective

state beyond his/her interest. In addition, since such estimation and evaluation are

made based on practical effective value felt by the buyers after substantially using the

information goods, they have better validity to potential buyers in the future who have

similar object and interest to the former buyers.

In addition, if estimated reasonable prices or price reasonableness evaluations

reflecting reasonable expectations of individual buyers are compromised or averaged to

draw a reasonable and collective expectation (or, a feedback price) of the entire buyer

group, estimation errors caused by individual expectations are offset to decrease an

estimation error. In addition, by feeding back a reasonable price in consideration of

difference of estimated values caused by estimation times of individual expectations,

currency value based on time, change of an estimated value caused by updating of an information goods, and so on, it is possible to further increase an accuracy of estimation.

Therefore, a potential information goods buyer may reasonably trust the feedback price and considers it as a reasonable one, and thus a transaction price of the

information goods may become reliable.

That is to say, the price deciding model according to the present invention not only gives reliability to a transaction price of an information goods but also provides an estimated value about an economic variable, namely a reasonable price of an

information goods whose actual value cannot be checked due to its nature, to an

information goods seller in a reasonable manner, though it is not practical, and thus the

present invention makes a criterion or signal for fixing a price.

In addition, the present invention updates a feedback price into a transaction

price only within a price range set by a seller and also allows the seller to adjust the

price range, thereby respecting right and intension of the seller.

Now, the process of calculating a feedback price using an estimated reasonable

price and a price reasonableness evaluation input from a buyer who purchased an

information goods, conducted by the on-line transaction center based on the price

deciding model suggested by the present invention, will be explained in more detail.

The present invention will provide three embodiments for the feedback price

calculating process, but not limitedly.

Embodiment 1 An estimated reasonable price suggested by an information goods buyer is

reflected on a feedback price using the following equation 1.

Equation 1

Here, OC is a compromising coefficient, which is greater than 0 and equal to or

smaller than 1. Cl is increased as a time passing between a time point t and a time

point t-1 is increased, and its value becomes 1 after a certain period (or, an estimated

value extinctive prescription) assuming that an estimated value is completely extinct).

Its specific value is designed and applied by an operating company of the on-line transaction center.

For example, assuming that CX starts from 0.1 and increases its value +0.01 per

one day, a is designed such that 0-1 day=0.10, 1-2 day=0.11, 2-3 day=0.12, 3-4

day=0.13, 4-5 day=0.14, ..., 89-90 day=0.99, and over 90 day=l, and a passed time

between the time point t and the time point t-1 is calculated and then a corresponding value in the above design is applied to the operation of the equation 1.

In addition, in order to increase OC in proportion to a passed time between the

time point t and the time point t-1, various operations capable of reasonably reflecting

the change of estimated value may be available in addition to the above adding

operation. p

M is a former feedback price of an information goods, which is fed back up to

the time point t-1, and the time point t-1 is a point when a n-l ^th buyer suggests an p estimated reasonable price (in case n=l, M is a listing price).

In f-i , estimated reasonable prices suggested by first to n-l ^th buyers are

compromised by means of a compromising coefficient based on a weight as much as an

estimated value. The estimated value of each estimated reasonable price is higher as

the point at which each estimated value is suggested is closer to the current time point based on the current feedback time point, and it is decreased by geometric progression as the time point of suggestion is farther to the past, and also it is assumed to be extinct after a certain time point.

^t is an estimated reasonable price suggested by a n information goods buyer, p and t is an information goods feedback price at the time point t, which is

compromised up to the estimated reasonable price * suggested by the n ^th information p goods buyer. In case this feedback price is within a price range, t is suggested as a

transaction price of the information goods from the time point t to the time point t+1. p

Preferably, t-\ is a price calculated based on the time point t in consideration p of an inflation rate from the time point t-1 to the time point t. In this case, M is

substituted with ^{l ~ l} . Here, i is an inflation rate between the time point t-1

to the time point t considering an inflation of the corresponding period. Meanwhile, if an information goods is updated, an effective value of the

information goods is generally changed. Thus, before or after the update, an estimated value suggested in the past is relatively reduced. Thus, at a feedback time point after

an update time point, it is preferred to adjust a compromising coefficient upward in

proportion to the passed time rather than a previously applied value so that the estimated

value suggested before the update is reflected on the feedback price with a less weight. For example, if an update is made, +0.1 may be added to the previously applied value

OC in proportion to the passed time so as to adjust the value upward.

In addition, it is also possible that an update extent is selected by an information

goods seller (among great, usual and little) when updating an information goods, and

then OC to be adjusted upward may be changed according to the update extent (as the

update extent is greater, the value is adjusted higher).

If estimated reasonable values are suggested predetermined times (for example,

10 times) after the information goods is updated, the upward adjustment of the

compromising coefficient caused by the update may be stopped since it is considered

that a relative drop of estimated values proposed before the update is mostly reflected on

the feedback price.

In addition, various operations capable of reasonably reflecting the change of an

estimated value caused by update may be applied to the upward adjustment of Ct

caused by the update in addition to the above addition operation.

Specific Example

- Design and application of CC follow the following embodiment (an increase of

cc along with a passed time is as follows: starting from 0-1 day=0.1, +0.01 per each

day, and an upward adjustment of cc caused by update is +0.1).

- an estimated reasonable price suggested by an information goods buyer and its suggestion time point are as follows.

- 2% inflation happened between January 11, 2000 and February 10, 2000

(between a time point t=l and a time point t=2).

- the information goods to be transacted was updated by an information goods

seller on March 10, 2000 (between the time point t=2 and the time point t=3).

- based on the above example, a feedback price at each time point is calculated

as follows (numerals after a decimal point are wasted).

At the time point t=0, the listing price, namely 500 won, is used as a feedback

price as it is.

At the time point t=l , feedback price = 500 + 0.2(600-500) = 520 won.

At the time point t=2, feedback price = 520(1+0.02) + 0.4[700-{520(l+0.02)}] =

598 won.

At the time point t=3, feedback price = 598 + (0.64+0. l)(400-598) = 451 won.

At the time point t=4, feedback price = 451 + 1(750-451) = 750 won.

Embodiment 2

An estimated reasonable price suggested by a buyer is reflected on a feedback price using the following equation 2. In this feedback method, a weight as much as an

estimated value of an individual estimation at a feedback time point is added to the estimated reasonable price suggested by each information goods buyer. At this time,

as a suggestion time point of individual estimated reasonable price is closer to the

feedback time point, a weight to be endowed is higher.

Equation 2

Here, ** is an estimated reasonable price suggested by a k ^th information goods

buyer at a time point t _k , and the case of k=0 shows a listing price.

EV ^fk is an estimated value at a feedback time point (or, a time point t _n ) for the

estimated reasonable price suggested by the k ^th information goods buyer at a time point

t _k .

is a weight whose sum is 1.

^{J f} « is a feedback price at a time point t _n , obtained by weighting and averaging

estimated reasonable prices suggested up to the time point t _n with an estimated value for

each estimated price at a feedback time point.

^ or ^/f has a relatively smaller value as the estimated reasonable price is

suggested older based on the feedback time point t _n , and it is gradually decreased from a

specific criterion value as k or f decreased from n to 0, and it is gradually increased from a specific criterion value as k or f increases from 0 to n.

/''T EV ₁

When * or changes its value as k or f increases from 0 to n or

decreases from n to 0, based on a specific period having each time point (or, an

estimated value changing period), it is kept constantly in the same cycle of a specific

period but it is changed in proportion to time (or, frequency of cycle changes) if a cycle

of a specific period is changed.

For example, it is possible to assume that one cycle of an estimated value

changing period is set to one day, determine ^k as a criterion value of 100 in case

k=n, and then increase the value as k decreases from n to 0 (a decrease method). Here,

when k decreases, '* is kept constantly though k decreases if the cycle of the

estimated value changing period of each point is not changed, and, if the cycle is

changed, -1 per each cycle change is operated to ^{J tι} - in proportion to time (or,

frequency of cycle changes).

To the contrary, it is possible to set ^{J f} * as a criterion value of 100 in case k=0,

and then increase the value as k is increased from 0 to n (an increase method). Here,

when k is increased, if the cycle of an estimated value changing period of each point is

//1/ not changed, ^ is kept constantly though k is increased, but, if the cycle is changed,

+1 per each cycle change is operated to '* in proportion to time (or, frequency of

cycle changes).

In addition, in the method of changing a value of ^J *> according to increase or

decrease of k, various operations capable of reasonably reflecting an estimated value

change along with time flow are also available in addition to the above addition or deduction operation.

If weights as much as estimated values at each feedback point are endowed and p then averaged, the estimated reasonable price is reflected on ^l ' with a smaller weight

as the estimated reasonable price is older based on the feedback time point t _n .

Furthermore, an estimated reasonable price passing over a certain period (or, an

estimated price extinctive prescription) assuming that an estimated value is all extinct

based on the feedback time point t _n may be excluded from the operation according to the

equation 2.

For example, assuming that an estimated value extinctive prescription is 100

days, if there are continuously transactions after an information goods is listed, and also

if a feedback price is calculated at the present, passing 150 days from the initial listing,

estimated values suggested up to 100 days before the current time point are included in

the feedback using the equation 2, and estimated values suggested between 100 days and

150 days before the current time point are excluded from the feedback (in case of the

decrease method, an estimated value is excluded if a numerator of the weight is 0 or

less).

P ^e Preferably, ^ik is calculated based on the time point t _n in consideration of an pe inflation rate from the time point tk to the time point t _n . In this case, ^tk is p ^e (l -\- i) substituted with ^ . Here, i is an inflation rate between the time point t _k and

the time point t _n considering inflation of the corresponding period.

Meanwhile, if an information goods is updated, an effective value of the

information goods is generally changed. Thus, before or after the update, an estimated value suggested before the update is relatively reduced. Thus, at a feedback time point

after an update time point, it is preferred to adjust a compromising coefficient

downward in proportion to the passed time rather than a previously applied value so that

the estimated value suggested before the update is reflected on the feedback price with a

less weight. For example, if an update is made, - 10 may be added to the value ^{J f} " ,

applied in proportion to the passed time, at a following feedback time point only for an

estimated value suggested before the update. In addition, it is also possible that an update extent is selected by an information

goods seller (among great, usual and little) when updating an information goods, and

then Cl used for downward adjustment may be changed according to the update extent

(as the update extent is greater, the value is adjusted higher).

The feedback method according to the equation 2 is a reasonable feedback

method capable of accurately reflecting a time value of currency and a difference of

estimated values depending on a difference of estimated time points, and a change of the

estimated value caused by update of an information goods.

Specific Example

- ^{J f} * is applied according to the decrease method of the above embodiment

(one cycle of an estimated value changing period is one day, and ^' ^ is determined as

a criterion value of 100 when k=n, and its value is decreased by means of -1 operation in proportion to time (or, cycle changing frequencies) as k is decreased from n to 0. However, if the cycle is not changed, the value is kept constantly though k is decreased.

EV An adjustment value of ^' ^ caused by update is - 10, and an estimated value

extinctive prescription is 100 days).

- an estimated reasonable price suggested by an information goods buyer and its

suggestion time point are as follows.

- for better understanding and simple example, inflation is not considered.

- the information goods to be transacted was updated by an information goods

seller on February 1, 2000 (between the time point t=3 and the time point t=4).

- based on the above example, a feedback price at each time point is calculated

as follows (numerals after a decimal point are wasted).

At the time point t=0, the listing price, namely 500 won, is used as a feedback price as it is.

At the time point t=l, feedback price = 500(90/(90+100)} + 600(100/(90+100)} = 552 won.

At the time point t=2, feedback price = 500(85/(85+95+100)} +

600(95/(85+95+100)} + 700(100/(85+95+100)} = 605 won.

At the time point t=3, feedback price = 500(85/(85+95+100+100)} +

600(95/(85+95+100+100)} + 700(100/(85+95+100+100)} +

400(100/(85+95+100+100)} = 551 won.

At the time point t=4, feedback price = 500(45/(45+55+60+60+100)}

+600(55/(45+55+60+60+100)} + 700(60/(45+55+60+60+100)} +

400(60/(45+55+60+60+100)} + 50(100/(45+55+60+60+100)} = 614 won.

At the time point t=5, feedback price = 750(20/(20+100)} + 660(100/(20+100)}

= 675 won.

Embodiment 3

A price reasonableness evaluation suggested by an information goods buyer is

reflected on a feedback price according to the following equation 3.

Equation 3

Here, ^ is an adjustment coefficient, which is equal to or greater than 0 and smaller than 1. A specific value is designed by an operating company of the on-line

transaction center. In case of 1+a, it means that a former feedback price (a purchase price in case it is within a price range) is lower than an effective value of the

information goods, while, in case of 1-a, it means that a former feedback price (a

purchase price in case it is within a price range) is higher than an effective value of the information goods. It is preferred that the on-line transaction center provides various

options for a specific value of ^, and an information goods buyer selects a specific

option.

Equation 3 is used not for suggesting an estimated reasonable price by an

information goods buyer but for only evaluating whether the former purchase price (a

purchase price in case it is within a price range) is reasonable or higher or lower than an

effective value of the information goods. This method is less reasonable than the

former two feedback methods, but it may be used when information goods buyers are

lack of estimation ability.

P M is a former feedback price of an information goods, which is fed back to the

time point t-1, and a purchase price of a n ^th buyer at the time point t. The time point

t-1 is a point when a n-l ^th buyer suggests a price reasonableness evaluation (in case n=l,

P M is a listing price). p t is a feedback price of an information goods at the time point t, which is

adjusted according to a price reasonableness evaluation of the n ^l information goods

buyer and its option.

Specific Example Evaluation is classified into various steps so that reasonableness of an

information goods may be evaluated in multi stages, and an adjustment coefficient is

endowed to each step as shown in the following table 1. At this time, each evaluation

step may be further divided rather than suggested in the table.

Table 1

- The listing price is 1000 won, and a price reasonableness evaluation selected

by the information goods buyer at each time point is as follows.

Table 2

- based on the above example, a feedback price at each time point is calculated as follows (numerals after a decimal point are wasted).

At the time point t=0, the listing price, namely 1000 won, is used as a feedback

price as it is.

At the time point t=l, feedback price = 1000(1-0.5) = 500 won.

At the time point t=2, feedback price = 500(1+0) = 500 won.

At the time point t=3 , feedback price = 500( 1 -0.2) = 400 won.

At the time point t=4, feedback price = 400(1+0.2) = 480won.

As described in the above three embodiments, an estimated reasonable price or a

price reasonableness evaluation suggested by an information goods buyer is reflected to

calculate a feedback, a transaction price is repeatedly updated utilizing the feedback

price and a price range, and also the price range is repeatedly adjusted by an information

goods seller. Thus, a transaction price of the information goods is converged toward

an actual reasonable price, and accordingly the information goods may be transacted

more actively. In addition, FIG. 8 is a schematic view dynamically showing that an actual

transaction price of an information goods is changed while inquiries, transactions,

feedback price calculation and price range adjustment are repeated as time goes after the

information goods is listed.

According to FIG. 8, if a transaction price of an information goods is on or

below the lowest limit, transaction of the information goods is not induced, while, if a transaction price of an information goods is on or above the highest limit, the information goods is actively transacted. The present invention has been described in

detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific

examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of

illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of

the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed

description.

[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]

In the present invention, the on-line transaction center allows a useful and

valuable information goods to be transacted as a kind of economic commodity at a

reliable price according to a price deciding model agreeable to its feature, thereby

activating transactions of the information goods and acting as a place where higher-level

information goods may be produced and gathered.

The present invention allows an information goods seller to create wealth by

means of transaction of information goods, and also allows an information goods buyer

to easily access a useful information goods and thus use a necessary information goods

at a reasonable price.

By means of commercial transactions of information goods, the information

goods may be produced not based on producers but based on consumers, and

accumulation of information goods and easy access to information goods allow great

improvement of levels of information goods and enlargement of a range of information

goods.

The price deciding method considering features of an information goods gives reliability to the information goods that may be kept at a distorted price due to its nature,

and also acts as signal and criterion for an information goods seller to decide a price,

thereby preventing a price of an information goods from being kept at a distorted price.

It also helps the seller to actively and instantly cope with a change of environments in a

more accurate way.

The above effects may give reliability to a price of an information goods,

activate transactions of the information goods, maximize surpluses of information goods

sellers and buyers as well as a social surplus, and finally further promote information

innovation.