JP7577480B2 - Freshness information management device and program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a freshness information management device and a program.

In recent years, for example, services that provide restaurant evaluation information by restaurant customers on the Internet have become popular. Ordinary consumers can refer to restaurant evaluation information when selecting a restaurant to use. Also, regarding the trading of fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables and fresh fish, a system is known that provides producer evaluation information to wholesalers when the wholesalers purchase fresh produce from producers (for example, Patent Document 1).

Fresh produce is usually distributed through businesses such as producers, wholesalers, and retailers (hereinafter referred to as businesses that handle fresh produce) before being provided to consumers, but the freshness of the fresh produce purchased by consumers often varies depending on the retailer. Since freshness is an important commercial value of fresh produce, it is important for businesses that handle fresh produce to know what factors are causing the good or bad freshness in order to operate their business. Since the freshness of fresh produce changes during the distribution process, it is desirable to be able to analyze problems in the distribution process, such as which business in the distribution process is causing the decrease in freshness of fresh produce sold at retailers.

However, the conventional systems that provide evaluation information mentioned above only provide access to evaluations from restaurants and producers, and are not able to analyze issues with regard to the freshness specific to fresh produce, including problems in the distribution process from the time fresh produce reaches the consumer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a freshness information management device and program that are capable of analyzing problems in the distribution process regarding the freshness of fresh products.

The freshness information management device of an embodiment comprises an acquisition means for acquiring from an information terminal operated by a consumer the fresh product code of a fresh product purchased by the consumer, evaluation information regarding the freshness of the fresh product identified by the fresh product code , a store code capable of identifying the store from which the consumer purchased the fresh product, and the arrival date on which the fresh product was received at the store; an identification means for identifying a business operator code corresponding to the fresh product code, the store code, and the arrival date acquired by the acquisition means based on traceability information stored in association with the arrival date on which the fresh product was received at the store, the store code indicating the store where the fresh product was received, the fresh product code of the fresh product, and a business operator code identifying a business operator involved in the distribution process of the fresh product corresponding to the fresh product code to the store; and an output means for outputting the business operator code identified by the identification means in association with the evaluation information of the fresh product.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the entire system including the freshness information management system of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the freshness information management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a traceability information section stored in a memory section of the freshness information management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a user information section stored in the memory section of the freshness information management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an evaluation information DB section stored in the memory section of the freshness information management device of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the freshness information management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the electronic receipt management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an electronic receipt management section stored in the memory section of the electronic receipt management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a fresh product list section stored in the memory section of the electronic receipt management device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an electronic receipt management device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operations of the entire system including the freshness information management system of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a display data generation process performed by the control unit in the electronic receipt management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the information terminal of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an evaluation information storage process of the control unit in the freshness information management device of the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an output process of the control unit in the freshness information management device of the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output processing result of the control unit in the freshness information management device of the embodiment.

The freshness information management system according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire system including the freshness information management system according to the embodiment. The freshness information management system 1 includes a freshness information management server (freshness information management device) 2 and an electronic receipt server (electronic receipt management device) 3. The freshness information management server 2 and the electronic receipt server 3 are connected via a network Na. The network Na is a dedicated line using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or the Internet, etc.

The freshness information management server 2 and the electronic receipt server 3 are connected to company servers Sa to Sn owned by multiple companies Ca to Cn, respectively, via a network Nb. The network Nb is a dedicated line using a VPN, the Internet, or the like. In this embodiment, these companies Ca to Cn are in the distribution industry, operating stores such as supermarkets. Each of the companies Ca to Cn has multiple stores. Receipt data for each store of company Ca is sent to the company server Sa via the company's internal network. Similarly, receipt data for each store of company Cn is sent to the company server Sn via the company's internal network. Receipt data is data that shows the transaction information for one transaction.

The freshness information management server 2 and the electronic receipt server 3 are connected to an information terminal 4, such as a consumer's smartphone, via a network Nc. The network Nc is a public line network such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the consumer's information terminal 4 is an information terminal of an electronic receipt member who can receive the electronic receipt service. In addition, the freshness information management server 2 and the electronic receipt server 3 are connected to a member terminal 5 via the network Nc. The member terminal 5 is an information terminal managed by a freshness information service member (hereinafter also referred to as a user) who can receive the freshness information management service.

The freshness information management server 2 is managed by a service management company that operates a service that provides freshness information to users. The freshness information management server 2 manages evaluation information of fresh products received from the consumer's information terminal 4. The freshness information management server 2 also outputs evaluation data in response to a request from the member terminal 5. Details of the evaluation data will be described later.

The electronic receipt server 3 is managed by an electronic receipt center of a service operating company that operates a service that provides electronic receipts to customers. The freshness information providing service and the electronic receipt providing service may be performed by the same company. The electronic receipt server 3 collectively manages the purchase data of each company Ca to Cn that operates a store. The purchase data is a collection of receipt data categorized for each transaction.

The electronic receipt server 3 receives and manages receipt data sent from each company Ca to Cn via the network Nb. In addition to the transaction details (product sales data), the receipt data includes information that is normally printed on paper receipts, such as information about the store where the transaction took place, and also includes an electronic receipt member ID. Electronic receipt members can view electronic receipts.

Next, the hardware configuration of the freshness information management server 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the freshness information management server 2. The freshness information management server 2 includes a control unit 20, a memory unit 21, and communication I/Fs (Interfaces) 22 to 24. The control unit 20, the memory unit 21, and the communication I/Fs 22 to 24 are connected to each other via a bus 25.

The control unit 20 is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 25.

The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the freshness information management server 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 201, and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and expands the various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21. The control unit 20 executes various control processes of the freshness information management server 2 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 210 and expanded in the RAM 203.

The memory unit 21 is a storage device equipped with a rewritable non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state memory (SSD), or flash memory. The memory unit 21 includes a control program unit 211, a traceability information unit 212, a user information unit 213, and an evaluation information DB unit 214.

The control program unit 211 stores various programs, such as a control program for functioning as a freshness information management device.

The traceability information section 212 is an area that stores traceability information received from each company server. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the traceability information section 212. The traceability information section 212 stores information indicating the arrival date, store code, fresh product code, type name, wholesaler code, and producer code in association with each other.

The arrival date indicates the date on which the fresh product arrived at the store. The store code is a code indicating the store where the fresh product arrived, and can also be said to indicate the retailer if the retailer operates only one store. The fresh product code is a code that identifies the type of fresh product. The type name is the name of the type identified by the fresh product code. Note that the fresh product code can be set in any manner, and can be set in even more detail than the settings shown in Figure 3. For example, fresh product codes can be set for each type of beef or each place of origin.

The wholesaler code is a code that identifies the wholesaler who delivered the fresh product identified by the fresh product code to the store. The producer code is a code that identifies the producer of the fresh product. Producers include farmers, fishermen, and livestock farmers. The store code, wholesaler code, and producer code are examples of business code that identify businesses involved in the distribution process from fresh products to consumers. The business code can be set arbitrarily; for example, the company code of the company that operates the store can be set as the business code. The freshness information management server 2 obtains traceability information for each store from the business servers Sa to Sn every day.

The user information section 213 is an area that stores user information received from the information terminal 4 of the user (consumer). The user information includes ratings of fresh produce input by the user (hereinafter also referred to as rating information). Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the user information section 213. The user information section 213 stores information indicating a fresh produce code, store code, rating, and arrival date in association with each other for each user code.

The user code is a code for identifying a consumer. In this embodiment, since fresh products are evaluated by electronic receipt members, the user code also serves as the electronic receipt member ID. The fresh product code, store code, and arrival date are as described in the traceability information section 212. The evaluation is information on the freshness of fresh products purchased by consumers themselves. The freshness evaluation is input on a five-level scale, for example, 1: very bad, 2: bad, 3: normal, 4: good, and 5: very good. However, the method of inputting the evaluation is not limited to this. In addition, the user information section 213 stores the user information every time the freshness information management server 2 receives user information from the information terminal 4. The freshness information management server 2 does not necessarily need to have the user information section 213, but by storing the user information, it is possible to check that the same evaluation information is not stored in the evaluation information database in duplicate when it is received multiple times, and there are also advantages such as being able to extract evaluations by user.

The evaluation information DB section 214 is an area that stores an evaluation information database. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the evaluation information DB section 214. The evaluation information DB section 214 stores information indicating the producer code, wholesaler code, store code, fresh product code, store code, evaluation, and arrival date in association with each other. Each of these codes is as explained in the traceability information section 212 and the user information section 213. The evaluation information DB section 214 is an example of an evaluation information storage section that stores fresh product codes, evaluation information, and multiple business codes that identify businesses involved in the distribution process from fresh products to consumers in association with each other.

The evaluation information DB section 214 is rewritten in principle every time the freshness information management server 2 receives user information from the information terminal 4. Specifically, when the freshness information management server 2 receives user information from the information terminal 4, it refers to the user information section 213 to check whether the same user information has been received in the past. On the condition that the same user information has not been received in the past, the freshness information management server 2 refers to the traceability information section 212, extracts the necessary information, and updates the evaluation information database.

Returning to FIG. 2, communication I/Fs 22-24 are interfaces for communicating with external devices. Communication I/F 22 is connected to the electronic receipt server 3 via network Na. Communication I/F 23 is connected to each of the corporate servers Sa-Sn via network Nb. Communication I/F 24 is connected to the consumer's information terminal 4 and member terminal 5 via network Nc. This allows the control unit 20 to send and receive information (data) with the electronic receipt server 3, each of the corporate servers Sa-Sn, the information terminal 4, and the member terminal 5 via the communication I/Fs 22-24. The freshness information management server 2 may be composed of multiple computers.

Next, the functional configuration of the freshness information management server 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the freshness information management server 2. The control unit 20 functions as an input means 2001, an acquisition means 2002, a storage means 2003, a reception means 2004, an extraction means 2005, and an output means 2006 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the control program section 211 of the memory section 21. Each of these functions may be configured as hardware.

The input means 2001 receives traceability information from each of the company servers Sa to Sn. The input means 2001 receives traceability information for each store of each of the companies Ca to Cn from the company servers Sa to Sn every day. The input means 2001 also accepts input of a fresh product code indicating the fresh product to be evaluated for freshness. Specifically, when the operating company of the freshness information management service decides on the fresh product to be evaluated for freshness, the fresh product code indicating the fresh product is input from an input device (such as a keyboard) of the freshness information management server 2 or an external device, and the input means 2001 accepts the fresh product code. The input means 2001 is an example of an evaluation target input means for inputting a fresh product code that specifies the type of fresh product to be evaluated for freshness.

The acquisition means 2002 acquires a fresh product code and consumer evaluation information regarding the freshness of the type of fresh product identified by the fresh product code. Specifically, the acquisition means 2002 receives user information including the fresh product code, store code, fresh product evaluation information, and arrival date from the consumer's information terminal 4. The control unit 20 can identify the producer and wholesaler of the fresh product by searching the traceability information unit 212 using the fresh product code, store code, and arrival date included in the user information as keys. Therefore, the user information acquired by the acquisition means 2002 can be said to be an example of specific information that can identify multiple businesses involved in the distribution process of the fresh product up to the consumer. The acquisition means 2002 may also acquire a producer code and wholesaler code from the consumer's information terminal 4. In other words, the acquisition means 2002 may acquire business codes of multiple businesses involved in the distribution process of the fresh product up to the consumer.

The storage means 2003 stores the evaluation information acquired by the acquisition means 2002 in an evaluation information storage section that associates and stores fresh produce codes, evaluation information, and multiple business codes that identify businesses involved in the distribution process from fresh produce to consumers. Specifically, the storage means 2003 first searches the traceability information section 212 based on the fresh produce code, store code, and arrival date included in the user information acquired by the acquisition means 2002 from the information terminal 4. As a result, the storage means 2003 acquires the producer code and wholesaler code associated with the fresh produce code included in the user information, and stores information including these producer codes and wholesaler codes in the evaluation information DB section 214. The storage means 2003 also stores the traceability information input to the input means 2001 in the traceability information section 212.

The reception means 2004 receives a business code. Specifically, the reception means 2004 receives from the member terminal 5 a business code that identifies a business involved in the distribution process from fresh produce to the consumer, together with an output request. In other words, the reception means 2004 can be said to receive an output request for evaluation information related to a specific business.

The extraction means 2005 extracts evaluation data from the evaluation information storage unit, including the business code, fresh product code, and evaluation information of other businesses that are stored in association with the business code accepted by the acceptance means 2004. Specifically, the extraction means 2005 extracts evaluation data related to the business code accepted by the acceptance means 2004 together with the output request from the evaluation information DB unit 214.

The output means 2006 outputs the evaluation data extracted by the extraction means 2005. Specifically, the output means 2006 transmits the evaluation data extracted by the extraction means 2005 to the member terminal 5 from which the reception means 2004 has received an output request. The output means 2006 also outputs the fresh product code of the evaluation target input by the input means 2001 to the electronic receipt management device. Specifically, the output means 2006 transmits the fresh product code input by the input means 2001 after the operating company of the freshness information management service has decided to evaluate the freshness to the electronic receipt server 3. The output means 2006 is an example of an evaluation target output means that outputs the fresh product code input by the evaluation target input means to the electronic receipt management device.

Next, the hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server 3. The electronic receipt server 3 includes a control unit 30, a memory unit 31, and communication I/Fs 32 to 34. The control unit 30, the memory unit 31, and the communication I/Fs 32 to 34 are connected to each other via a bus 35.

The control unit 30 is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 are connected to each other via a bus 35.

The CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the electronic receipt server 3. The ROM 302 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 301, and various data. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301, and expands the various programs and data stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 31. The control unit 30 executes various control processes of the electronic receipt server 3 by the CPU 301 operating according to the control programs stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 31 and expanded in the RAM 303.

The memory unit 31 is a storage device equipped with a rewritable non-volatile storage medium such as a HDD, SSD, or flash memory. The memory unit 31 includes a control program unit 311, an electronic receipt management unit 312, and a fresh product list unit 313.

The control program unit 311 stores various programs such as a control program for functioning as an electronic receipt management device.

The electronic receipt management unit 312 is an area for storing receipt data and the like received from each company server. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the electronic receipt management unit 312. The electronic receipt management unit 312 stores a user code and receipt data for each transaction in association with each other. The receipt data is information shown on the electronic receipt displayed on the consumer's information terminal 4. In this embodiment, the receipt data is a receipt number, a store code, product information, amount information, and transaction date and time, and information showing these is stored in association with each other in the electronic receipt management unit 312. Note that the items constituting the receipt data are not limited to these and can be set as appropriate. The electronic receipt management unit 312 is an example of a receipt data storage unit that stores receipt data related to a transaction.

The user code is a code for identifying the consumer, and in this embodiment, an electronic receipt member ID is used. The receipt number is a number set for each paper receipt issued or each electronic receipt displayed on the information terminal 4, and identifies one transaction. The store code is a code that indicates the store where the consumer purchased a product, such as a fresh product.

Product information includes a product code that identifies the product, a fresh product code that identifies the type of fresh product, the product name, and the arrival date of the fresh product identified by the fresh product code. Amount information includes the unit price of the product and the total amount of one transaction. The transaction date and time is the date and time when the consumer purchased the product and completed the payment.

The fresh product list section 313 is an area that stores fresh product codes and the like that indicate fresh products to be evaluated for freshness, received from the freshness information management server 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the fresh product list section 313. The fresh product list section 313 stores information indicating fresh product classifications, fresh product codes, and fresh product type names in association with each other. The fresh product list section 313 is an example of a fresh product storage section that stores fresh product codes obtained from the freshness information management server 2.

The category is the category of fresh produce, such as meat, seafood, or fruit and vegetables. The fresh produce code is a code that indicates the type of fresh produce. As mentioned above, the fresh produce code may be further categorized, such as by sorting type or place of origin. The category name is the name of the type of fresh produce indicated by the fresh produce code.

Returning to FIG. 7, communication I/Fs 32-34 are interfaces for communicating with external devices. Communication I/F 32 is connected to the freshness information management server 2 via network Na. Communication I/F 33 is connected to each of the corporate servers Sa-Sn via network Nb. Communication I/F 34 is connected to the consumer's information terminal 4 and member terminal 5 via network Nc. This allows the control unit 30 to send and receive information (data) with the freshness information management server 2, each of the corporate servers Sa-Sn, the information terminal 4, and the member terminal 5 via communication I/Fs 32-34. The electronic receipt server 3 may be composed of multiple computers.

Next, the functional configuration of the electronic receipt server 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic receipt server 3. The control unit 30 functions as an evaluation target acquisition means 3001, an evaluation target storage means 3002, a receipt data acquisition means 3003, a receipt data storage means 3004, an issuance request acceptance means 3005, a selection means 3006, a generation means 3007, and an output means 3008, as the CPU 301 operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302 or the control program section 311 of the memory section 31. Each of these functions may be configured as hardware.

The evaluation target acquisition means 3001 acquires a fresh product code or the like that identifies the type of fresh product to be the subject of freshness evaluation from the freshness information management server 2. Specifically, the evaluation target acquisition means 3001 receives information indicating the classification of the fresh product to be the subject of freshness evaluation, the fresh product code of the fresh product, and information indicating the type name of the fresh product from the freshness information management server 2.

The evaluation target storage means 3002 stores the fresh product code and the like acquired by the evaluation target acquisition means 3001 in the fresh product storage section. Specifically, the evaluation target storage means 3002 stores information indicating the classification of the fresh product received by the evaluation target acquisition means 3001, the fresh product code of the fresh product, and information indicating the type name of the fresh product in the fresh product list section 313.

The receipt data acquisition means 3003 acquires receipt data relating to transactions at each store from the company servers Sa to Sn of each company Ca to Cn. Specifically, the receipt data acquisition means 3003 receives receipt data relating to a transaction each time a transaction is executed at each store.

The receipt data storage means 3004 stores the receipt data acquired by the receipt data acquisition means 3003 in the electronic receipt management unit 312. As a result, receipt data related to transactions at the stores of each of the companies Ca to Cn is accumulated in the electronic receipt management unit 312.

The issuance request receiving means 3005 receives a request to issue receipt data. Specifically, when the receipt data acquisition means 3003 receives receipt data from the corporate servers Sa to Sn, the issuance request receiving means 3005 also receives a request to issue the receipt data. The issuance request received by the issuance request receiving means 3005 is a request to output display data for displaying an electronic receipt on the consumer's information terminal 4, and also includes information specifying the target transaction. The issuance request receiving means 3005 can also receive an issuance request from the consumer's information terminal 4.

The selection means 3006 selects from the receipt data storage unit receipt data corresponding to the issuance request accepted by the issuance request acceptance means 3005. Specifically, the selection means 3006 searches the electronic receipt management unit 312 based on information identifying the transaction included in the issuance request accepted by the issuance request acceptance means 3005, such as the receipt number and transaction date and time, and selects receipt information for the relevant transaction.

When the receipt data selected by the selection means 3006 includes transaction data related to a type of fresh product stored in the fresh product storage unit, the generation means 3007 generates display data for displaying the receipt data on the information terminal 4 to which the receipt data is output and displaying a display that allows input of evaluation information related to the freshness of the fresh product. Specifically, when the product information included in the receipt data selected by the selection means 3006 includes a fresh product code or a type name of the fresh product stored in the fresh product list unit 313, the generation means 3007 generates display data for displaying the receipt data on the consumer's information terminal 4 and displaying a display that allows input of evaluation information on freshness. For example, the generation means 3007 generates display data for displaying a freshness evaluation input icon corresponding to the product information of the fresh product on the electronic receipt screen displayed on the information terminal 4.

The output means 3008 outputs the display data and receipt data generated by the generation means 3007 to the information terminal 4 that received the issuance request. The information terminal 4 can display an electronic receipt based on the display data using an electronic receipt-related program stored in the information terminal 4.

The flow of operation of the freshness information management system 1 based on the configuration of each of the above devices will be described. Figure 11 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operation of the entire system including the freshness information management system 1. This sequence chart consists of a traceability information collection process (hereinafter also referred to as the first process), an evaluation target list creation process (hereinafter also referred to as the second process), an evaluation information collection process (hereinafter also referred to as the third process), and an evaluation information output process (hereinafter also referred to as the fourth process).

In the first process, traceability information is input to each corporate server Sa-Sn each time a store receives fresh produce (S1). The input traceability information includes information indicating the type of fresh produce and the distribution route of that type of fresh produce. Examples of traceability information include information indicating the arrival date, fresh produce code, and name of the type of fresh produce, a store code indicating the store that received the fresh produce, a wholesaler code indicating the wholesaler that delivered the fresh produce to the store, and a producer code indicating the producer of the fresh produce. The store code, wholesaler code, and producer code are examples of business operator codes that identify businesses involved in the distribution process from fresh produce to the consumer.

Each time a fresh product arrives at a store, each corporate server Sa to Sn transmits traceability information to the freshness information management server 2 (S2). The freshness information management server 2 stores the received traceability information in the traceability information section 212 (S3). As a result, the traceability information of fresh products arriving at each store is managed centrally by the freshness information management server 2.

In the second process, evaluation target type information (hereinafter also referred to as evaluation target fresh product code) is input to the freshness information management server 2 (S4). Specifically, a fresh product code indicating the type of fresh product to be evaluated, as determined by the company operating the freshness information provision service, is input to the freshness information management server 2.

The freshness information management server 2 transmits the input fresh product code to be evaluated to the electronic receipt server 3 (S5). The electronic receipt server 3 adds the received fresh product code to be evaluated to the fresh product list section 313 and stores it (S6). This allows the electronic receipt server 3 to recognize the type of fresh product for which the freshness evaluation information is managed by the freshness information management server 2.

The third process is a process for collecting evaluation information on the freshness of fresh products after the fresh product is traded at a store. Note that here, a case will be described where the products traded at the store include fresh products. Each time a transaction is made at each store, each corporate server Sa to Sn acquires transaction-related information, including receipt data, from the POS terminal of each store (S7). Each corporate server Sa to Sn transmits receipt data contained in the acquired transaction-related information and an issuance request for this receipt data to the electronic receipt server 3 (S8). The receipt data includes information stored in the electronic receipt management unit 312 of FIG. 8. The issuance request requests that the electronic receipt server 3 transmit receipt data to the information terminal 4 of the consumer who conducted the transaction related to the receipt data transmitted by the corporate servers Sa to Sn.

In response to a receipt data issuance request, the electronic receipt server 3 executes a display data generation process based on the receipt data received together with the issuance request (S9). The display data generation process is a process for generating display data that allows the consumer's information terminal 4 to display the receipt data and input freshness information for fresh products. The display data generation process will be described in detail later. The electronic receipt server 3 transmits the generated display data to the consumer's information terminal 4 (S10).

In this embodiment, receipt data is sent to the consumer's information terminal 4 immediately after the consumer makes a transaction at a store, but it is also possible to output receipt data to the information terminal 4 at any time based on an issuance request from the consumer. In this case, the electronic receipt server 3 accepts a receipt data issuance request from the information terminal 4.

The information terminal 4 displays an electronic receipt screen based on the received display data (S11). The electronic receipt screen that is displayed displays receipt data, a freshness evaluation input icon, and the like. When the consumer operates the freshness evaluation input icon, the information terminal 4 displays a freshness evaluation information input screen and accepts the input of evaluation information (S12). The information terminal 4 transmits user information including the input evaluation information to the freshness information management server 2 (S13).

The freshness information management server 2 executes an evaluation information storage process based on the user information received from the information terminal 4 (S14). The details of the evaluation information storage process will be described later, but the freshness information management server 2 updates the evaluation information database by executing the evaluation information storage process. This allows the freshness information management server 2 to collectively manage consumer evaluation information regarding the freshness of fresh products sold at each store.

The fourth process is a process in which the freshness information management server 2 outputs freshness evaluation data in response to a request from a user who receives the freshness information provision service. An output request is input to the freshness information management server 2 (S15). Specifically, the freshness information management server 2 accepts a request to output evaluation data and a specific business code from the member terminal 5 of the user who receives the freshness information provision service.

The freshness information management server 2 executes an output process of the evaluation data in response to the input output request (S16). The freshness information management server 2 outputs the evaluation data related to the business identified by the received business code to the member terminal 5. Details of the output process will be described later. The member who has acquired the evaluation data on the member terminal 5 can perform various analyses based on the evaluation data.

Next, the display data generation process executed in S9 of the sequence chart in FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the display data generation process executed by the control unit 30 of the electronic receipt server 3.

The control unit 30 determines whether the issuance request receiving means 3005 has received a request to issue receipt data (S21). If the issuance request receiving means 3005 has not received an issuance request (N in S21), the control unit 30 returns to the process of S21 and waits.

When the issuance request receiving means 3005 receives an issuance request from the company servers Sa-Sn or the consumer's information terminal 4 (Y in S21), the selection means 3006 selects the receipt data for which issuance has been requested from the electronic receipt management unit 312 (S22). The selection means 3006 selects receipt data based on information included in the issuance request that identifies the receipt data for one transaction, such as a receipt number.

Next, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the product information included in the receipt data selected by the selection means 3006 includes a fresh product code to be evaluated (S23). In other words, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the transaction related to the receipt data for which issuance has been requested includes a fresh product to be evaluated for freshness.

If the receipt data includes the fresh product code to be evaluated (Y in S23), the generating means 3007 generates display data with an evaluation icon (S24). That is, the generating means 3007 generates display data for displaying the receipt data and the freshness evaluation input icon on the electronic receipt screen displayed on the information terminal 4. Next, the outputting means 3008 outputs the display data generated by the generating means to the information terminal 4 (S25), and the control unit 30 returns to the processing of S21.

If the receipt data does not include the fresh product code to be evaluated (N in S23), the generating means 3007 generates display data without an evaluation icon (S26), and the control unit 30 proceeds to processing in S25. That is, the generating means 3007 generates display data for displaying the receipt data on the electronic receipt screen displayed on the information terminal 4, and the output means 3008 outputs the display data to the information terminal 4.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an electronic receipt screen displayed by the information terminal 4 based on display data with a rating icon. The electronic receipt screen 41 has a receipt data display section 42 and a rating input icon 43.

The receipt data display section 42 is composed of a company information display section 421, a product information display section 422, and a total information display section 423. The company information display section 421 displays the name of the company that operates the retail store and the store name. The product information display section 422 displays the product name, product code (including fresh product code), unit price, etc. The total information display section 423 displays the number of items traded, the total amount, etc.

The rating input icon 43 is displayed adjacent to the area displaying the product information of the fresh product to be rated for freshness. This allows a consumer viewing the electronic receipt screen 41 to recognize that they can input an evaluation of the freshness of the fresh product. When the consumer touches the rating input icon 43, an evaluation input screen on a web page is displayed. The consumer uses this evaluation input screen to input an evaluation of the freshness of the fresh product they purchased. As mentioned above, the freshness is evaluated by selecting one of five levels, for example.

When the information terminal 4 receives display data without an evaluation icon generated by the generating means 3007, it displays only the receipt data display section 42 on the electronic receipt screen. In this case, the electronic receipt screen does not have the evaluation input icon 43 in FIG. 13.

Next, we will explain the evaluation information storage process executed in S14 of the sequence chart in Figure 11. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the evaluation information storage process executed by the control unit 20 of the freshness information management server 2.

The control unit 20 determines whether the acquisition means 2002 has acquired evaluation information, etc., regarding the freshness of the fresh product (S31). In detail, the control unit 20 determines whether the acquisition means 2002 has received user information including evaluation information from the consumer's information terminal 4.

If the acquisition means 2002 has not acquired user information (N in S31), the control unit 30 returns to the process of S31 and waits. When the control unit 30 acquires user information (Y in S31), it determines whether the acquired user information has been acquired in the past (S32). This determination is made by referring to the user information unit 213 that stores input information such as evaluations for each user (each consumer).

If the acquiring means 2002 has not acquired the acquired user information in the past (Y in S32), the storage means 2003 acquires information to be stored in the evaluation information DB section 214 from the information contained in the user information and the information contained in the traceability information section 212 as described above, updates the evaluation information database (S33), and the control section 20 returns to the process of S31. If the acquiring means 2002 has acquired the acquired evaluation information in the past (N in S32), the control section 20 skips the process of S33. As a result of the evaluation information storage process, evaluation information on the freshness of fresh products input from the information terminal 4 is accumulated in the evaluation information database.

Next, we will explain the output process executed in S16 of the sequence chart in Figure 11. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the output process executed by the control unit 20 of the freshness information management server 2.

The control unit 20 judges whether the reception means 2004 has received an output request for evaluation data from the member terminal 5 (S41). If the reception means 2004 has not received an output request for evaluation data (N in S41), the control unit 20 returns to the process of S41 and waits, and if an output request is received (Y in S41), the control unit 20 judges whether the reception means 2004 has received a specific producer code together with the output request (S42).

When the receiving means 2004 receives a specific producer code (Y in S42), the extracting means 2005 searches the evaluation information database using the producer code as a key and extracts evaluation data related to the producer (S43). The evaluation data related to the specific producer includes the business codes of other businesses (wholesalers, stores), fresh produce codes, and evaluation information. Next, the outputting means 2006 outputs the evaluation data extracted by the extracting means 2005 to the member terminal 5 that is the source of the output request (S44), and the control unit 20 returns to the processing of S41.

If the reception means 2004 does not receive a specific producer code in the process of S42 (N in S42), the control unit 20 determines whether the reception means 2004 has received a specific wholesaler code together with the output request (S45).

When the receiving means 2004 receives a specific wholesaler code (Y in S45), the extraction means 2005 searches the evaluation information database using the wholesaler code as a key and extracts evaluation data related to the wholesaler (S46). The evaluation data related to the specific wholesaler includes the business codes of other businesses (producers, stores), fresh food codes, and evaluation information. Next, the control unit 20 proceeds to processing of S44.

If the reception means 2004 does not receive a specific wholesaler code in the processing of S45 (N in S45), the control unit 20 determines whether the reception means 2004 has received a specific store code together with the output request (S47).

When the reception means 2004 receives a specific store code (Y in S47), the extraction means 2005 searches the evaluation information database using the store code as a key and extracts evaluation data related to the store (S48). The evaluation data related to the specific store includes the business codes of other businesses (producers, wholesalers), fresh produce codes, and evaluation information. The control unit 20 then proceeds to processing of S44. If the reception means 2004 does not receive a specific store code in the processing of S47 (N in S47), the control unit 20 returns to processing of S42. Through the above output processing, users of the freshness information management service can obtain evaluation data related to a specific business.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the output result from the output process. In this example, "XXX" is specified as a specific producer code and extracted. The output result associates the producer code of the specified producer, the wholesaler code of the wholesaler to which the producer sold the fresh product, the store code of the store where the fresh product was sold, the fresh product code of the fresh product, the evaluation number, the average evaluation, the individual evaluations, and the arrival date. Here, the evaluation data output by the output process does not have to be the same as the extracted evaluation data. In this embodiment, in order to make it easier for users to analyze, the evaluation number and average evaluation are added in addition to the evaluation data extracted from the evaluation information database.

In this example, for example, when comparing the evaluation data for Evaluation No. 1 and Evaluation No. 2, for fresh produce with the same fresh produce code "Meat 1", the producer "XXX", wholesaler "aaa", and arrival date "○/○" are the same, but there is a difference in the evaluation. Specifically, the average freshness evaluation of fresh produce at store "AAA" is 3.75, while the average freshness evaluation of fresh produce at store "BBB" is 2.5. From this, it can be inferred that there is a problem with the management of fresh produce at store "BBB". If store "AAA" and store "BBB" are operated by the same company, the company operating both stores can improve the operations of store "BBB" based on the results of analyzing this evaluation data.

For example, when comparing the evaluation data for evaluation No. 1 and evaluation No. 3, there is a difference in the evaluation of fresh produce with the same fresh produce code "Meat 1", but with different arrival dates and the same producer "XXX" and store "AAA". Specifically, the freshness evaluation of fresh produce from wholesaler "aaa" is an average of 3.75, while the freshness evaluation of fresh produce from wholesaler "bbb" is an average of 2.5. This suggests that there may be problems with the management and delivery methods of fresh produce from wholesaler "bbb". Stores that receive products from wholesalers can evaluate the wholesaler based on the results of analyzing this evaluation data. The above analysis is merely one example, and evaluation information can be widely used to analyze problems in the distribution process of fresh produce.

In the output process of this embodiment, evaluation data for a specific business is output, but this is not limited to this. For example, a business type code indicating the type of business, such as producer, wholesaler, store, etc., may be set, and evaluation data for each business type may be output by specifying this business type code. In this way, the freshness information management server 2 of the embodiment can extract any evaluation data according to the purpose of using the evaluation data accumulated in the evaluation information database by appropriately setting the method for extracting evaluation information data. In addition, the freshness information management server 2 may input consumer evaluations regarding freshness without using an electronic receipt service.

As described above, the freshness information management server 2 of this embodiment includes an acquisition means 2002 that acquires from an information terminal 4 operated by a consumer the fresh product code of a fresh product purchased by a consumer, evaluation information regarding the freshness of the fresh product identified by the fresh product code, and specific information that can identify multiple businesses involved in the distribution process from the fresh product to the consumer, a storage means 2003 that associates the fresh product code and evaluation information acquired by the acquisition means 2002 with a business code that identifies the business identified based on the specific information and stores them in the evaluation information DB unit 214, and an output means 2006 that associates and outputs the business code of the business involved in the distribution process of the fresh product with the evaluation information of the fresh product. Therefore, the freshness information management server 2 can provide a user with evaluation information that associates multiple businesses involved in the distribution process with evaluation information regarding the freshness of the fresh product for fresh products whose freshness changes during the distribution process. Therefore, the freshness information management server 2 can provide evaluation data that can be used to analyze problems in the distribution process regarding the freshness of fresh produce.

In addition, the freshness information management server 2 of this embodiment sets producers, wholesalers, and retailers of fresh produce as businesses involved in the distribution process of fresh produce. Therefore, the freshness information management server 2 can provide evaluation data that can be used to evaluate which of these businesses has a problem.

Furthermore, the freshness information management server 2 of this embodiment includes a reception means 2004 for receiving a business code, an extraction means 2005 for extracting evaluation data including the business codes, fresh product codes, and evaluation information of other businesses stored in association with the business code received by the reception means 2004 from the evaluation information DB section 214, and an output means 2006 for outputting the evaluation data extracted by the extraction means 2005. Therefore, the freshness information management server 2 can extract evaluation data in response to a request from a user of the freshness information management service, for example, and provide this evaluation data to the user. Therefore, it is possible to provide only the necessary data with unnecessary noise removed for the user.

The electronic receipt server 3 of this embodiment also includes an electronic receipt management unit 312 that stores receipt data related to a transaction, a fresh product list unit 313 that stores a fresh product code that identifies the type of fresh product to be evaluated for freshness, an issuance request receiving means 3005 that receives a request to issue receipt data, a selection means 3006 that selects receipt data corresponding to the issuance request received by the issuance request receiving means 3005 from the electronic receipt management unit 312, a generation means 3007 that generates display data for displaying the receipt data and displaying a display that allows evaluation information regarding the freshness of the fresh product to be input on the information terminal 4 to which the receipt data is output when the receipt data selected by the selection means 3006 includes transaction data related to the type of fresh product stored in the fresh product list unit 313, and an output means 3008 that outputs the display data generated by the generation means 3007. Therefore, the electronic receipt server 3 can display a display for inputting evaluation information about the fresh product on the electronic receipt screen viewed by the consumer. Therefore, the electronic receipt server 3 that provides the electronic receipt service can be used to collect freshness evaluation information from consumers, which not only simplifies the configuration of the freshness information management system, but also makes it easier to collect evaluation information.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the above embodiment, the control programs executed by the freshness information management server 2 and the electronic receipt server 3 may be configured to be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The control programs executed by the freshness information management server 2 and the electronic receipt server 3 may also be configured to be provided by storing them on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloading them via the network, or may even be configured to be provided via a network such as the Internet.

1 Freshness information management system 2 Freshness information management server (freshness information management device)
3. Electronic receipt server (electronic receipt management device)
214 Evaluation information DB unit (evaluation information storage unit)
312 Electronic receipt management unit (receipt data storage unit)
313 Perishable goods list section (perishable goods storage section)
2001 input means 2002 acquisition means 2003 storage means 2004 reception means 2005 extraction means 2006 output means 3001 evaluation target acquisition means 3002 evaluation target storage means 3005 issuance request reception means 3006 selection means 3007 generation means 3008 output means

JP 2004-70526 A

Claims (4)

an acquisition means for acquiring, from an information terminal operated by a consumer, a fresh product code of a fresh product purchased by the consumer, evaluation information on the freshness of the fresh product identified by the fresh product code, a store code capable of identifying the store from which the consumer purchased the fresh product, and an arrival date on which the fresh product arrived at the store;
an identification means for identifying a business operator code corresponding to the fresh product code, the store code, and the arrival date acquired by the acquisition means, based on traceability information that associates and stores a date when the fresh product was received at a store, a store code indicating the store where the fresh product was received, a fresh product code of the fresh product, and a business operator code that identifies a business operator involved in the distribution process of the fresh product corresponding to the fresh product code until it reached the store;
an output means for outputting the business code identified by the identification means and the evaluation information of the fresh product in association with each other;
A freshness information management device comprising: The freshness information management device according to claim 1 , wherein the business entity is a producer or wholesaler of fresh produce. A receiving means for receiving the business code;
a storage means for storing the fresh product code and the evaluation information acquired by the acquisition means in an evaluation information storage unit in association with the business code identified by the identification means;
and an extraction means for extracting evaluation data including a business code, a fresh product code, and evaluation information of other businesses stored in association with the business code accepted by the acceptance means from the evaluation information storage unit,
The output means outputs the evaluation data extracted by the extraction means.
The freshness information management device according to claim 1 or 2. A program for controlling a freshness information management device by a computer,
The computer,
an acquisition means for acquiring, from an information terminal operated by a consumer, a fresh product code of a fresh product purchased by the consumer, evaluation information on the freshness of the fresh product identified by the fresh product code, a store code capable of identifying the store from which the consumer purchased the fresh product, and an arrival date on which the fresh product arrived at the store;
an identification means for identifying a business operator code corresponding to the fresh product code, the store code, and the arrival date acquired by the acquisition means, based on traceability information that associates and stores a date when the fresh product was received at a store, a store code indicating the store where the fresh product was received, a fresh product code of the fresh product, and a business operator code that identifies a business operator involved in the distribution process of the fresh product corresponding to the fresh product code until it reached the store;
an output means for outputting the business code identified by the identification means and the evaluation information of the fresh product in association with each other;
A program that makes it work.

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