JP7685448B2 - Ordering system and program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an ordering system and program.

A refrigerator has been proposed that outputs a message on the display when the number of remaining food items stored in the storage section is less than a preset minimum appropriate amount. Meanwhile, it is expected that the convenience of product ordering systems will be further improved.

JP 2003-50077 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an ordering system and program that can improve convenience.

The ordering system of the embodiment includes an identification unit and a processing unit. The identification unit identifies an order timing and order quantity of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item, a planned consumption of the item, and a user's available date for receipt . The processing unit orders the item based on the order timing and order quantity of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies the user's terminal device of a shortage state or an ordering plan for the item.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a foodstuff management server according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of inventory information according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of an inventory list according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a menu list according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an order management server according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the content of required amount information according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of an order schedule list according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a required amount list according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic processing flow of an embodiment.

The ordering system and program of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are given the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include cases where it is based on other elements in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but may also include cases where it is based on XX that has been calculated or processed. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies when there are three or more selective elements. XX and YY are any elements (for example, any information).

In this application, "food" broadly means any food item, and may include staple foods such as meat, vegetables, and fruit. Furthermore, "food" is not limited to food that is used as an ingredient in a dish, but may also include food and beverages that can be eaten as is. In the following explanation, the expression "ingredients" may be used for convenience, but in this application, "ingredients" has the same meaning as "food" and is not limited to food that is used as an ingredient in a dish, but may also include food and beverages that can be eaten as is. In this application, "acquire" is not limited to actively acquiring by sending a transmission request, but may also include acquiring by passively receiving information transmitted from another device.

(Embodiment)
<1. Overall configuration of information processing system>
1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator 100, a foodstuff management server 200, an order management server 300, and a terminal device 400. However, one or more of the refrigerator 100, the foodstuff management server 200, and the terminal device 400 may be provided as external components of the information processing system 1. The network NW described below may be, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or other public or dedicated lines, depending on the situation.

The refrigerator 100 is installed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 is connected to the network NW via a wireless router WR and a modem M installed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 can communicate with the foodstuff management server 200, the order management server 300, or the terminal device 400 via the network NW.

The refrigerator 100 has, for example, at least one of a camera 101 and a voice dialogue device 102. The camera 101 can capture images of the state inside the storage section of the refrigerator 100 (for example, when food is being stored or removed). The voice dialogue device 102 has a microphone and a speaker, and can accept information input and inquiries by the user U's voice. For example, the voice dialogue device 102 accepts the user U's voice indicating a change in the amount of food in stock held by the user U (an increase or decrease in the amount of stock). The information acquired by the camera 101 or the voice dialogue device 102 is transmitted to the food management server 200. Note that the voice dialogue device 102 may be a smart speaker or the like that is provided independently of the refrigerator 100, instead of a voice dialogue device provided as part of the refrigerator 100. Also, the camera 101 and the voice dialogue device 102 are not essential components of the refrigerator 100, and may be omitted.

The ingredient management server 200 is a management server that provides ingredient management services. The ingredient management server 200 is composed of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The ingredient management server 200 can communicate with the refrigerator 100, the order management server 300, or the terminal device 400 via the network NW.

The order management server 300 is a management server that provides a food ordering service (e.g., an automatic ordering service). The order management server 300 is composed of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The order management server 300 can communicate with the refrigerator 100, the food ingredient management server 200, or the terminal device 400 via the network NW.

In this embodiment, the order management server 300 can communicate with one or more external servers 800 via the network NW. The external server 800 is a management server that provides a food sales service. The external server 800 is, for example, a management server that provides an EC (Electronic Commerce) site such as an online supermarket or a retail store. The order management server 300 places an order for food with the external server 800, and the food is delivered to the home of the user U. The order management server 300 is an example of an "ordering system." Food is an example of an "item." Note that the "item" is not limited to food, and may be daily necessities such as laundry detergent and cosmetics, or other miscellaneous goods.

In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the ingredient management server 200 and the order management server 300 exist separately. Alternatively, the ingredient management server 200 and the order management server 300 may be integrated into one server. The ingredient management server 200 and the order management server 300 may be collectively referred to as the "server" or "management server." Note that each of the ingredient management server 200 and the order management server 300 is not limited to being a cloud server, and may be realized by a computer in the user U's residence or part of a home router.

The terminal device 400 is a terminal device used by a user U of the refrigerator 100. The terminal device 400 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. However, the terminal device 400 is not limited to a mobile terminal device, and may be a personal computer or a voice dialogue device. The terminal device 400 has, for example, a display device 401 including a display screen 401a capable of displaying various information, and an input device 402 capable of accepting input from the user U. The input device 402 is, for example, a touch panel provided on top of the display screen 401a of the display device 401. The input device 402 may include a camera, a microphone, and the like provided in the terminal device 400. For example, the input device 402 accepts an operation by the user U indicating a change in the inventory amount of food items held by the user U (an increase or decrease in the inventory amount).

An application program P is installed on the terminal device 400, and the functions described below are supported. Hereinafter, the application software that is started by executing the application program P is referred to as the "home appliance management app APP." The application program P is a program that can provide services in cooperation with the ingredient management server 200 and the order management server 300. The application program P is an example of a "program."

<2. Food Management Server>
Next, the ingredient management server 200 will be described in detail.
2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ingredient management server 200. The ingredient management server 200 has, for example, an information acquisition unit 210, an instruction receiving unit 220, an ingredient management unit 230, a recipe providing unit 240, an information output unit 250, and a storage unit 280.

The information acquisition unit 210, the instruction reception unit 220, the ingredient management unit 230, the recipe provision unit 240, and the information output unit 250 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) mounted on the ingredient management server 200, executing programs. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

(2.1 Information Acquisition Department)
The information acquisition unit 210 communicates with the refrigerator 100 and acquires information acquired by the camera 101 or the voice dialogue device 102 from the refrigerator 100. The information acquisition unit 210 detects a change in the food inventory (an increase or decrease in the inventory) by performing image processing on the image captured by the camera 101. The information acquisition unit 210 also detects a change in the food inventory (an increase or decrease in the inventory) based on voice data obtained from an utterance accepted by the voice dialogue device 102.

The information acquisition unit 210 also communicates with the terminal device 400 and acquires information indicating a change in food inventory (an increase or decrease in inventory) based on the user U's operation on the terminal device 400 (operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 420 described below). In other words, the information indicating a change in food inventory may be acquired based on manual input by the user U on the terminal device 400. The information detected or acquired by the information acquisition unit 210 is output to the food ingredient management unit 230.

(2.2 Instruction Reception Unit)
The instruction receiving unit 220 communicates with the terminal device 400 and receives instructions from the user U based on the user U's operation on the terminal device 400. For example, the instruction receiving unit 220 receives instructions from the user U requesting a recipe search or detailed information on a specific recipe based on the user U's operation on the terminal device 400. Information indicating the instructions from the user U received by the instruction receiving unit 220 is output to the recipe providing unit 240.

(2.3 Food Management Department)
The food ingredient management unit 230 manages inventory information 281 indicating the amount of food items in stock held by the user U. The inventory information 281 is, for example, information in which food items in stock at the residence of the user U are registered. The inventory information 281 is not limited to food items stored in the storage unit of the refrigerator 100, but may also include food items stored outside the refrigerator 100 (for example, stored at room temperature). The food ingredient management unit 230 updates the inventory information 281 based on the information received from the information acquisition unit 210. Updates to the inventory information 281 include addition, deletion, or quantity change of food items held in stock by the user U.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of inventory information 281. In inventory information 281, management ID, ingredient name, ingredient classification, storage location, purchase date, expiration date, quantity, unit, and history are associated and managed. The expiration date of each food item included in inventory information 281 may be input based on, for example, an operation by user U on terminal device 400, or a date calculated based on a period preset according to the type of food item may be input automatically.

(2.4 Recipe Suggestion Unit)
The recipe suggestion unit 240 can refer to multiple recipes included in the recipe information 282. A recipe is information including a cooking method for ingredients. Each recipe includes information indicating an image of the finished dish, the types of ingredients required for the dish, the amount of each ingredient required for the dish, the cooking procedure, and the like. Based on an operation of the user U performed on the terminal device 400, the recipe suggestion unit 240 selects one or more recipes to be suggested to the user U from among the multiple recipes included in the recipe information 282, and transmits information indicating a list of the selected recipes to the terminal device 400. In addition, based on an operation of the user U performed on the terminal device 400, the recipe suggestion unit 240 transmits detailed information of each recipe to the terminal device 400.

In this embodiment, the recipe suggestion unit 240 can manage (register) cooking plans by user U for dishes using recipes. For example, based on the user U's operation on the terminal device 400, the recipe suggestion unit 240 can register one or more recipes selected by user U in association with a future date specified by user U. For example, if user U plans to cook using a hamburger recipe next Sunday, the user U registers the selected hamburger recipe in association with the date of next Sunday. The recipe suggestion unit 240 manages the registration in which the recipe is associated with the date as cooking plan information 283. The user U's operation on the terminal device 400 to associate the recipe with the date is an example of "input of planned consumption date".

(2.5 Information Output Unit)
The information output unit 250 transmits the inventory information 281 to the terminal device 400 in response to a request from the terminal device 400. As a result, a display control unit 430 of the terminal device 400, which will be described later, generates an inventory list L1 based on the inventory information 281 received from the foodstuff management server 200, and displays the generated inventory list L1 on a display screen 401a of the terminal device 400.

Figure 4 shows an example of the contents of the inventory list L1 displayed on the terminal device 400. The inventory list L1 is a list showing a list of food items held in stock by the user U registered in the inventory information 281. In the inventory list L1, an icon showing the food classification, the food name, the purchase date, the expiration date, the quantity, and the unit are displayed in association with each other.

In this embodiment, the information output unit 250 transmits the cooking schedule information 283 to the terminal device 400 in response to a request from the terminal device 400. As a result, the display control unit 430 of the terminal device 400 (described later) generates a menu list L2 based on the cooking schedule information 283 received from the ingredient management server 200, and displays the generated menu list L2 on the display screen 401a of the terminal device 400.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the menu list L2 displayed on the terminal device 400. The menu list L2 is a list showing a list of recipes registered in association with dates. In the menu list L2, each recipe is displayed in a display form corresponding to a date of the week or month. For example, each recipe is displayed in a calendar format in a display form corresponding to a date of the week or month. In the example shown in Figure 5, a recipe for "sweet and spicy stir-fried beef and cabbage" is registered in association with January 10, a recipe for "yellowtail and radish" is registered in association with January 14, and a recipe for "pork soup" is registered in association with January 17.

(2.6 Storage)
The storage unit 280 is a functional unit that stores various information. The storage unit 280 is realized by a combination of a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 280 stores inventory information 281, recipe information 282, and cooking schedule information 283.

<3. Order Management Server>
Next, the order management server 300 will be described in detail.
6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the order management server 300. The order management server 300 has, for example, an information acquisition unit 310, a setting unit 320, an identification unit 330, a notification unit 340, a response reception unit 350, an order unit 360, a presentation unit 370, and a storage unit 380. In this embodiment, the notification unit 340, the response reception unit 350, and the order unit 360 are collectively referred to as a "processing unit SU."

The information acquisition unit 310, setting unit 320, identification unit 330, notification unit 340, response reception unit 350, ordering unit 360, and presentation unit 370 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, mounted on the order management server 300 executing programs. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

(3.1 Information Acquisition Department)
The information acquisition unit 310 communicates with the food ingredient management server 200 and acquires inventory information 281 from the food ingredient management server 200. For example, when the identification unit 330 starts a process for identifying the order time and order amount of a food ingredient, the information acquisition unit 310 acquires the latest inventory information 281 from the food ingredient management server 200. The information acquisition unit 310 stores the acquired latest inventory information 281 in the storage unit 380 as inventory information 381. The inventory information 381 is an example of information indicating the inventory amount of each food ingredient.

In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 310 communicates with the ingredient management server 200 and acquires the cooking schedule information 283 from the ingredient management server 200. For example, when the identification unit 330 starts the process of identifying the order time and order quantity of food items, the information acquisition unit 310 acquires the latest cooking schedule information 283 from the ingredient management server 200. The cooking schedule information 283 is an example of information indicating the required quantity and planned consumption date of each food item.

In addition, the information acquisition unit 310 may communicate with the terminal device 400 and acquire information indicating the required amount and the planned consumption date of each food item based on an input operation of the user U on the terminal device 400. In other words, the required amount and the planned consumption date of each food item may be acquired based on manual input by the user U on the terminal device 400.

The information acquisition unit 310 generates food item quantity information 382 based on the latest acquired cooking schedule information 283 and/or the required quantity and planned consumption date of each food item obtained based on the input operation of the user U. The required quantity information 382 is information including the required quantity and planned consumption date of each food item. The information acquisition unit 310 stores the generated required quantity information 382 in the memory unit 380.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of required quantity information 382. In required quantity information 382, the planned consumption date, ingredient name, required quantity, and expiration date are associated and managed for each food item. Note that the "required quantity" included in required quantity information 382 refers to, for example, the planned consumption amount, and is an index that does not take into account the inventory amount. Alternatively, the "required quantity" included in required quantity information 382 may be an index that takes into account the inventory amount. In other words, the "required quantity" may be the pure shortage amount obtained by subtracting the inventory amount from the planned consumption amount.

(3.2 Setting section)
The setting unit 320 includes an order target setting unit 321 and a receipt date setting unit 322 .
The order target setting unit 321 registers food items that the user desires to order (e.g., automatically order) by the ordering unit 360 as order targets in the order target information 383. The order target setting unit 321 registers food items specified by the user U as order targets, for example, based on the user U's operation on the terminal device 400.

The available receipt date setting unit 322 registers the date (or date and time) when the user U can receive the delivery of groceries as the available receipt date in the available receipt date information 384. The available receipt date setting unit 322 registers the date specified by the user U as the available receipt date, for example, based on the user U's operation on the terminal device 400.

(3.3 Specific part)
The identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order quantity of food items, for example, for food items registered in the order target information 383. In this embodiment, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order quantity of food items based on the stock quantity of food items, the required quantity of food items, and the planned consumption date of the food items. The stock quantity of food items is, for example, information included in the stock information 381. The required quantity and planned consumption date of food items is, for example, information included in the required quantity information 382. Here, the planned consumption date is an example of a "planned consumption". In this application, the "planned consumption" is not limited to a plan that includes a specific date, and may be a plan that corresponds to multiple dates, such as "this weekend".

"Determining the order timing" means determining the appropriate order date for ordering each food item. For example, the determination unit 330 determines the order date taking into consideration the necessary delivery period so that food items ordered for each food item are delivered to the home the day before the planned consumption date. "Determining the order quantity" means determining the order quantity to actually order for each food item. For example, if the required quantity for a dish is a fraction (e.g., 1,880 g of beef), an order quantity based on the orderable unit (e.g., 2,000 g of beef) is determined.

For example, the identification unit 330 identifies a shortage state (e.g., the date when a shortage will occur and the shortage amount) for each food item based on the inventory amount of the food item, the required amount of the food item, and the planned consumption date of the food item, and identifies the necessary order time and order amount of each food item based on the identified shortage state. The identification unit 330 generates an ordering plan for each food item based on the identified necessary order time and order amount of each food item. The ordering plan includes, for example, the order date, order amount, and supplier of each food item. In this application, the "ordering plan" may be an ordering schedule used for automatic ordering by the ordering unit 360, or may be an ordering proposal presented to the user U.

The identification unit 330 may identify the timing and amount of food orders based on the price and redemption points of the food items. For example, the identification unit 330 may identify the timing of ordering food items to coincide with a sale day for the food items to be ordered or a day on which redemption points are high (hereinafter referred to as a "special day").

In this embodiment, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order quantity of food items based on the above-mentioned elements (e.g., food item stock amount, required amount, and planned consumption date) as well as the food item's expiration date. For example, if a certain food item would expire before the planned consumption date if ordered on the special day, the identification unit 330 refrains from ordering the food item on the special day. For example, if a certain food item would expire before the planned consumption date if purchased in bulk as described below, the identification unit refrains from including the food item in the bulk purchase.

In this embodiment, the determination unit 330 determines the order timing and order quantity of food items based on the above-mentioned elements (e.g., food item stock amount, required amount, and planned consumption date) as well as the available receipt date of user U. The determination unit 330 determines the order date so that the ordered food items will be delivered on the available receipt date of user U included in the available receipt date information 384.

In this embodiment, when there are multiple different planned consumption dates for the same food item and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order amount of the food item to purchase the required amount corresponding to the multiple planned consumption dates at once (so-called bulk purchase). For example, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order amount of the food item to purchase the required amount corresponding to the multiple planned consumption dates in bulk so that delivery can be made in time for the earliest planned consumption date. "When a predetermined condition is satisfied" refers to a case where the expiration date of the food item will be the latest planned consumption date even if it is purchased in bulk, or an operation or setting indicating a desire to purchase in bulk is performed by the user U. The predetermined condition may be set based on an operation of the user U on the terminal device 400.

In this embodiment, the food products include a first food product and a second food product of a different type from the first food product. The first food product is an example of a "first item." The second food product is an example of a "second item." When the planned consumption date of the first food product is different from the planned consumption date of the second food product and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order amount of the first food product and the second food product for purchasing the first food product and the second food product at once (so-called bulk purchase). For example, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order amount for purchasing the required amount of multiple food products of different types and planned consumption dates in bulk so that delivery can be made in time for the earliest planned consumption date. "When a predetermined condition is satisfied" refers to a case where the expiration date of the food products will last until the latest planned consumption date even if bulk purchase is made, or an operation or setting indicating a desire to purchase in bulk is performed by the user U. The predetermined condition may be set based on an operation of the user U on the terminal device 400.

In this embodiment, the food items include a first group of food items that require refrigerated delivery (so-called cool delivery) and a second group of food items that do not require refrigerated delivery. The identification unit 330 determines whether the food items to be ordered are food items of the first group or food items of the second group based on classification information in which the food items of the first group and the second group are pre-classified according to the type of food item.

The identification unit 330 then identifies the order timing and order amount for bulk purchasing of the first group of food items, either the required amount of the same food item corresponding to multiple planned consumption dates, or the required amount of multiple food items of different types and planned consumption dates. The identification unit 330 also identifies the order timing and order amount for bulk purchasing of the second group of food items, separately from the first group of food items, either the required amount of the same food item corresponding to multiple planned consumption dates, or the required amount of multiple food items of different types and planned consumption dates. In other words, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order amount for bulk purchasing of food items that require delivery by refrigerated delivery, and separately identifies the order timing and order amount for bulk purchasing of food items that do not require delivery by refrigerated delivery.

(3.4 Notification Department)
The notification unit 340 can notify the terminal device 400 of the user U of the shortage state or ordering plan of the food items identified by the identification unit 330, instead of/in addition to an order by the ordering unit 360. For example, for food items that are not registered in the ordering target information 383 as items to be ordered, the notification unit 340 transmits a notification N1 indicating the shortage state of the food items to the terminal device 400, instead of an order by the ordering unit 360. As a result, the display control unit 430 of the terminal device 400, which will be described later, displays the notification N1 received from the food material management server 200 on the display screen 401a of the terminal device 400.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of notification N1. Notification N1 includes, for example, information showing a list of food items that will be in short supply on a future planned consumption date.

In addition to or in addition to the above notification N1, the notification unit 340 can notify the terminal device 400 of the user U of the shortage state or ordering plan of the food item identified by the identification unit 330. For example, the notification unit 340 transmits a notification N2 indicating the shortage state or ordering plan of the food item to the terminal device 400.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of notification N2. Notification N2 includes, for example, information indicating a list of food items that will be in short supply on a planned future consumption date. Notification N2 may include information about food items that are registered in the ordering target information 383 as items to be ordered. Notification N2 includes a display of an operation unit B1 (e.g., a button) for receiving a response from user U regarding whether or not to place an order through the ordering management server 300 for the food item shortage or ordering plan. Operation unit B1 includes, for example, an operation unit B1a for instructing the ordering management server 300 to place an order for the food items that are in short supply (or food items to be ordered), and an operation unit B1b for instructing the ordering management server 300 not to place an order (e.g., cancel the ordering plan included in the ordering plan).

(3.5 Response Reception Section)
The response receiving unit 350 can receive a response from the user U regarding whether or not to place an order through the order management server 300 in response to the food shortage or ordering plan notified by the notification unit 340. For example, the operation receiving unit 420 of the terminal device 400 described later receives an operation by the user U on the operation unit B1 included in the above-mentioned notification N2. The response receiving unit 350 receives a response from the user U regarding whether or not to place an order through the order management server 300 in response to the notified food shortage or ordering plan by acquiring an operation result indicating which of the operation units B1a and B1b was operated by the user U from the terminal device 400. The response receiving unit 350 outputs the received response from the user U to the ordering unit 360.

(3.6 Ordering Department)
The ordering unit 360 generates ordering plan information 385 indicating a confirmed ordering plan for food items, based on the ordering timing and order quantity of the food items identified by the identification unit 330 and the answer of user U accepted by the answer acceptance unit 350. The ordering unit 360 then places an order for the food items, based on the ordering plan information 385. Specifically, the ordering unit 360 transmits an order request, including the order quantity, the supplier, and the delivery destination, to the external server 800 on the order date identified by the identification unit 330.

In this embodiment, based on the answer of user U received from the answer receiving unit 350, the ordering unit 360 places an order for food items that user U wishes to have ordered by the ordering unit 360 (food items for which the answer receiving unit 350 has received an answer indicating that the order will be placed by the order management server 300) from among the food items identified by the identification unit 330 that need to be ordered. On the other hand, the ordering unit 360 does not place an order for food items for which user U has responded indicating that he or she will purchase them himself or herself.

In this embodiment, when the food to be ordered is an item of the first group, the ordering unit 360 specifies refrigerated delivery as the delivery method for the food in the order request. On the other hand, when the food to be ordered is an item of the second group, the ordering unit 360 specifies normal delivery as the delivery method for the food in the order request, or does not specify a delivery method.

(3.7 Presentation part)
The presentation unit 370 can present information indicating a list of the order timings and order quantities of the food items identified by the identification unit 330. In this embodiment, the presentation unit 370 can present the list of the order timings and order quantities of the food items in a display form associated with dates of one week or one month. For example, the presentation unit 370 transmits the order plan information 385 to the terminal device 400 in response to a request from the terminal device 400. As a result, a display control unit 430 of the terminal device 400, which will be described later, generates an order schedule list L3 based on the order plan information 385 received from the order management server 300, and displays the generated order schedule list L3 on a display screen 401a of the terminal device 400.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the order schedule list L3 displayed on the terminal device 400. The order schedule list L3 is a list showing a list of food order times and order quantities associated with dates. In the order schedule list L3, the list of food order times and order quantities is displayed in a display format that corresponds to the dates of a week or month. For example, the list of food order times and order quantities is displayed in a calendar format that corresponds to the dates of a week or month.

The presentation unit 370 may further be capable of presenting information showing a list of shortages (and/or planned consumption dates) of food items identified by the identification unit 330. In this embodiment, the presentation unit 370 can present a list of shortages and planned consumption dates of food items in a display format that associates them with dates for a week or a month. For example, the presentation unit 370 transmits the required quantity information 382 to the terminal device 400 in response to a request from the terminal device 400. As a result, the display control unit 430 of the terminal device 400, which will be described later, generates a required quantity list L4 based on the required quantity information 382 received from the order management server 300, and displays the generated required quantity list L4 on the display screen 401a of the terminal device 400.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the required amount list L4 displayed on the terminal device 400. The required amount list L4 is a list showing a list of food shortages and planned consumption dates associated with dates. In the required amount list L4, the list of food shortages and planned consumption dates is displayed in a display format that corresponds to the dates of a week or month. For example, the list of food shortages and planned consumption dates is displayed in a calendar format that corresponds to the dates of a week or month.

(3.8 Storage)
The storage unit 380 is a functional unit that stores various information. The storage unit 380 is realized by a combination of a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 380 stores inventory information 381, required amount information 382, order target information 383, receivable date information 384, and order plan information 385.

4. Terminal Device
Next, the terminal device 400 will be described in detail.
12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 410, an operation acceptance unit 420, a display control unit 430, and a storage unit 480.

The information acquisition unit 410, the operation acceptance unit 420, and the display control unit 430 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, mounted on the terminal device 400 executing the application program P. In other words, the information acquisition unit 410, the operation acceptance unit 420, and the display control unit 430 are software function units included in the home appliance management application APP.

(4.1 Information Acquisition Department)
The information acquisition unit 410 acquires various types of information to be displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 400 from the ingredient management server 200 or the order management server 300. For example, the information acquisition unit 410 acquires inventory information from the ingredient management server 200. The information acquisition unit 410 also acquires required quantity information 382, order plan information 385, and notifications N1 and N2 from the order management server 300.

(4.2 Operation Reception Unit)
The operation reception unit 420 receives operations of the user U performed on the input device 402 in relation to the home appliance management application APP. For example, the operation reception unit 420 receives an operation of the user U to input a change in the inventory amount of each food item, an operation of the user U to input an expiration date of each food item, or an operation of the user U to register a recipe in association with a specific date. The operation reception unit 420 transmits information indicating the content of the received operation of the user U to the foodstuff management server 200.

The operation reception unit 420 also receives user U's operations to input the required amount and planned consumption date of each food item, user U's operation to input the date when user U can receive the food items, and user U's operation to input a response to notification N2 (response regarding whether or not to place an order through the order management server 300). The operation reception unit 420 transmits information indicating the content of the received user U's operation to the order management server 300.

(4.3 Display Control Unit)
The display control unit 430 controls the display device 401 of the terminal device 400, thereby controlling the contents displayed on the display screen 401a of the display device 401. For example, the display control unit 430 displays an inventory list L1, a menu list L2, an order schedule list L3, a required amount list L4, and notifications N1 and N2 based on information acquired from the foodstuff management server 200 or the order management server 300.

<5. Processing flow>
Next, the basic process flow will be described. Here, it is assumed that the delivery period is four days including the order date. Also, it is assumed that all necessary information has been acquired by the information acquisition unit 310 of the order management server 300.

Figure 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the basic processing flow of the order management server 300. First, the identification unit 330 determines whether there is a food item (hereinafter referred to as the "first food item shortage") that will be in short supply five days from the current day (i.e., delivery period + 1 day, hereinafter referred to as the "specific day") based on the inventory information 381 and the required quantity information 382 (S101). If the identification unit 330 determines that there is no first food item shortage (S101: NO), it ends the processing of this flow. On the other hand, if the identification unit 330 determines that there is a first food item shortage (S101: YES), it identifies the order quantity of the first food item shortage based on the inventory information 381 and the required quantity information 382 (S102).

Next, the identification unit 330 determines whether there is a shortage of food items in a specified period following the specific date (e.g., one week immediately following the specific date) based on the inventory information 381 and the required quantity information 382 (S103). If the identification unit 330 determines that there is no shortage of food items in the specified period following the specific date (S103: NO), the process proceeds to S105. That is, the ordering unit 360 places an order for the first shortage food item based on the order quantity identified by the identification unit 330 (S105).

On the other hand, when the identifying unit 330 determines that there is a shortage of food items during the specified period following the specified date (S103: YES), it determines whether there is any food item (hereinafter referred to as a "second shortage food item") that can be purchased together with the first shortage food item among the shortage food items (S104). For example, based on the expiration date of the second shortage food item included in the required quantity information 382, the identifying unit 330 determines that the first shortage food item and the second shortage food item can be purchased together if the expiration date of the second shortage food item falls after the planned consumption date of the second shortage food item, even if the second shortage food item is ordered at the same time as the first shortage food item.

If there is no second shortage food item that can be purchased in bulk with the first shortage food item (S104: NO), the identification unit 330 proceeds to processing of S105. That is, the ordering unit 360 places an order for the first shortage food item based on the order amount identified by the identification unit 330 (S105).

On the other hand, if there is a second shortage food item that can be purchased in bulk with the first shortage food item (S104: YES), the identification unit 330 identifies the order quantity of the second shortage food item based on the inventory information 381 and the required quantity information 382 (S106). The ordering unit 360 then places an order for the first shortage food item and the second shortage food item based on the order quantity identified by the identification unit 330 (S105). Thereafter, the above-mentioned processes from S101 to S107 are repeated at a predetermined interval (e.g., every day).

6. Advantages
For example, when an item has a short expiration date or the amount needed varies from day to day, problems can occur where some of the purchased item goes to waste or there is a shortage of the item when needed. For example, consider the case of automatically ordering beef. Suppose that at a certain point, the amount of beef in stock falls below a set amount, so an automatic order is placed. However, if there is no plan to use the beef for a while and it is not actually used, the expiration date may pass and the purchased beef may go to waste. On the other hand, if you are planning a yakiniku party on your next holiday, simply ordering the set amount of beef will not be enough to meet the amount needed.

In this embodiment, the order management server 300 includes an identification unit 330 and an ordering unit 360. The identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order quantity of the item based on the inventory amount of the item, the required amount of the item, and the planned consumption date of the item. The ordering unit 360 orders the item based on the order timing and order quantity of the item identified by the identification unit 330. With this configuration, it becomes possible to secure the necessary amount when the item is needed, rather than replenishing the item when it falls below a certain amount. As a result, it is possible to prevent waste or shortages of items. This can improve convenience.

In this embodiment, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order quantity of the item based on the item's stock amount, required amount, and planned consumption date, as well as the item's expiration date. This configuration makes it possible to prevent items with short expiration dates from being wasted due to being ordered too early. This can further improve convenience.

In this embodiment, the identification unit 330 identifies the order timing and order quantity of the item based on the stock amount, required amount, and planned consumption date of the item, as well as the date on which the user U can receive the item. This configuration can prevent the item from arriving on a day when the user U is not present, requiring redelivery to be arranged. Furthermore, if the user U can reliably receive an item with a short expiration date, the item can be obtained in a fresh state. This can further improve convenience.

In this embodiment, when there are multiple planned consumption dates for the same item that are different dates, the identification unit 330 can identify the order time and order amount of the item to purchase the required amount corresponding to the multiple planned consumption dates at once. With this configuration, it is possible to purchase the required amount for a certain period of time, such as a three-day supply, in bulk. This makes it possible to reduce surplus orders for items that must be purchased in multiple units. In addition, it is possible to receive benefits such as discounts for bulk purchases, reduced burden on users when receiving the items, and reduced shipping costs.

In this embodiment, the items include a first item and a second item of a different type from the first item. When the planned consumption date of the first item and the planned consumption date of the second item are different, the identification unit 330 can identify the order timing and order quantity of the first item and the second item for purchasing the first item and the second item at once. With this configuration, it is possible to receive benefits such as discounts for bulk purchases, reduced burden on the user for receiving the items, and reduced shipping costs.

In this embodiment, the order management server 300 includes a notification unit 340 that can notify the terminal device 400 of the user U of the shortage of the item identified by the identification unit 330 instead of/in addition to the ordering by the ordering unit 360. With this configuration, instead of ordering, the required amount of the item that constitutes the ordering advice can be notified to the user U the day before, etc. This allows the user U to prevent forgetting to buy something.

In this embodiment, the order management server 300 includes a notification unit 340 that notifies the terminal device 400 of the user U of the shortage state or ordering plan of the item identified by the identification unit 330, and a response receiving unit 350 that can receive a response from the user U regarding whether or not to place an order through the order management server 300 in response to the shortage state or ordering plan of the item notified by the notification unit 340. With this configuration, the user U can flexibly select whether to place an automatic order for each item that is in short supply, or to purchase it himself/herself. This can further improve convenience.

In this embodiment, the order management server 300 includes a presentation unit 370 that presents information showing a list of order timings and order quantities of items identified by the identification unit 330 in response to a request from the terminal device 400. With this configuration, the user U can easily know the order schedule. This can further improve convenience.

In this embodiment, the presentation unit 370 presents a list of the order timing and order quantity of the goods in a display format that corresponds to the dates of the week or month. With this configuration, the user U can be notified of the order timing and order quantity of the goods with a more intuitive and easy-to-read display.

In this embodiment, the items include a first group of items that require refrigerated delivery and a second group of items that do not require refrigerated delivery. When the item is an item of the first group, the ordering unit 360 specifies refrigerated delivery as the delivery method for the item. With this configuration, it is not necessary for the user U to arrange for refrigerated delivery of items that require refrigeration. This can further improve convenience.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the ordering system has a determination unit that determines the order timing and order quantity of an item based on the inventory amount of the item, the required amount of the item, and the planned consumption date of the item. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve convenience.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, 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 gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

1... Information processing system, 100... Refrigerator, 200... Foodstuff management server, 300... Order management server (ordering system), 310... Information acquisition unit, 320... Setting unit, 330... Identification unit, 340... Notification unit, 350... Response reception unit, 360... Ordering unit, 370... Presentation unit, SU... Processing unit.

Claims (13)

A specification unit that specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item , a consumption schedule of the item , and a user 's available date for receipt;
a processing unit that places an order for the item based on the order timing and order amount of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies a terminal device of the user of a shortage state or an order plan for the item;
Equipped with an ordering system. A specification unit that specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item, and a consumption schedule of the item;
a processing unit that places an order for the item based on the order timing and order amount of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies a user's terminal device of a shortage state or an order plan for the item;
Equipped with
the specifying unit is capable of specifying, when there are multiple consumption plans for the same product on different dates, an order time and an order amount of the product for purchasing the required amount corresponding to the multiple consumption plans at one time;
Ordering system. A specification unit that specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item, and a consumption schedule of the item;
a processing unit that places an order for the item based on the order timing and order amount of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies a user's terminal device of a shortage state or an order plan for the item;
Equipped with
The article includes a first article and a second article of a different type from the first article,
the identification unit is capable of identifying an order time and an order amount of the first item and the second item for purchasing the first item and the second item at the same time when a date on which the first item is scheduled to be consumed and a date on which the second item is scheduled to be consumed are different.
Ordering system. A specification unit that specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item, and a consumption schedule of the item;
a processing unit that places an order for the item based on the order timing and order amount of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies a user's terminal device of a shortage state or an order plan for the item;
a presentation unit that presents information indicating a list of order timings and order quantities of the items identified by the identification unit in response to a request from the terminal device of the user;
Equipped with an ordering system. the presentation unit presents a list of the order timings and order quantities of the items in a display format associated with dates of a week or a month;
5. The ordering system according to claim 4 . A specification unit that specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item, and a consumption schedule of the item;
a processing unit that places an order for the item based on the order timing and order amount of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies a user's terminal device of a shortage state or an order plan for the item;
Equipped with
The article is a food product.
Ordering system. A specification unit that specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on an inventory amount of the item, a required amount of the item, and a consumption schedule of the item;
a processing unit that places an order for the item based on the order timing and order amount of the item identified by the identification unit, or notifies a user's terminal device of a shortage state or an order plan for the item;
Equipped with
The items include a first group of items that require refrigerated delivery and a second group of items that do not require refrigerated delivery;
The processing unit has an ordering unit that orders the item,
When the item is an item of the first group, the ordering unit designates the refrigerated delivery as a delivery method for the item.
Ordering system. the specifying unit specifies an order timing and an order amount of the item based on the inventory amount of the item, the required amount of the item, and the planned consumption of the item, as well as the expiration date of the item;
An ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The processing unit has a notification unit that notifies a terminal device of the user of a shortage state or an order plan of the item identified by the identification unit.
An ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The processing unit includes a response receiving unit capable of receiving a response from a user regarding whether or not to place an order through the ordering system in response to the shortage state or ordering plan of the item notified by the notification unit, and an ordering unit that places an order for the item for which a response to place an order through the ordering system has been received from the response receiving unit.
10. The ordering system according to claim 9. A program capable of providing a service in cooperation with an ordering system,
the ordering system specifies an order timing and order quantity of the item based on the inventory amount of the item, the required amount of the item, the planned consumption of the item , and the user's available receipt date, and places an order for the item based on the specified order timing and order quantity of the item, or notifies the user's terminal device of a shortage state or an ordering plan for the item;
The program is installed in a computer of a terminal device.
Accepting an input of the consumption plan and transmitting information indicating the accepted consumption plan to the ordering system;
Accepting an input of the available receipt date, and transmitting information indicating the accepted available receipt date to the ordering system;
program. A program capable of providing a service in cooperation with an ordering system,
the ordering system specifies an order timing and an order quantity for the item based on the inventory amount of the item, the required amount of the item, and the planned consumption of the item, and places an order for the item based on the specified order timing and order quantity for the item, or notifies a user's terminal device of a shortage state or an ordering plan for the item;
The program is installed in a computer of a terminal device.
Accepting an input of the consumption plan and transmitting information indicating the accepted consumption plan to the ordering system;
causing the ordering system to transmit a predetermined request;
displaying a list of order timings and order quantities of the items identified by the ordering system based on information acquired from the ordering system in response to the request;
program . The ordering system is capable of notifying the terminal device of a shortage state or an ordering plan for the item, and receiving a response from the user indicating that the user will purchase the item by himself/herself in response to the shortage state or the ordering plan for the item;
The program is installed in the computer of the terminal device.
Accepting an input of the user's response to the shortage status or ordering plan of the item, and transmitting information indicating the accepted user's response to an ordering system;
The program according to claim 11 or 12 .

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