JP7714241B2 - Food product sales system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a food product sales system. More specifically, it relates to a food product sales system that can reduce food waste.

Consumers have traditionally focused on product safety, particularly food, and when choosing a product, they are increasingly interested in the product itself and the ingredients that make up it.

For this reason, product providers provide their products by listing information about the ingredients, origin, and manufacturing date of the products and their raw materials on labels affixed to the product packaging or by recording it on an IC tag.

However, simply providing written or recorded information attached to products makes it easy to falsify or counterfeit that information, and in fact, information has been falsified or counterfeited in some cases, leading to low consumer trust and making it difficult for consumers to select products with confidence.

The inventors of the present invention have therefore proposed a technology in which food is provided with a sample of raw material powder made from powdered ingredients, rather than simply attaching written or recorded information to the food (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-5656

By the way, while making food quality visible will allow consumers to choose foods with peace of mind, it is difficult to directly link this to reducing food waste, which has become a problem in recent years.

The present invention was devised in light of the above points, and aims to provide a food product sales system that can reduce food waste.

To achieve the above objective, the food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products having a specified food and price information that is information about the price of the food, and is equipped with: an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information about the number of items in stock of the food and information about a specified deadline, which is either a shipping date, a best-before date, or a use-by date for the food; a price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer's terminal to output information about the food, checking the information about the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the food is in stock, calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is information about the specified deadline selected by the consumer from the information about the specified deadlines recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means for outputting the price information of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products having predetermined foods and price information that is information about the prices of the foods, and includes: an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information about the number of items in stock of the food and information about a predetermined deadline, which is either a shipping date, a best-before date, or a use-by date for the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is information about the predetermined deadline selected by a consumer from the information about the predetermined deadlines recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means for, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the food, checking the information about the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the food is in stock, outputting the information about the predetermined deadline recorded in the inventory information recording means to the consumer's terminal to allow the consumer to select the selected deadline information, and outputting information about the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

Furthermore, the food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing predetermined foods, and comprises: inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the number of items in stock of the food and information on a predetermined deadline, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before date, or a use-by date of the food; price calculation means for, upon receiving a request from a consumer's terminal to output information on the food, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the food is in stock, calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is information on the predetermined deadline selected by the consumer from the information on the predetermined deadlines recorded in the inventory information recording means; and information output means for outputting the price information of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing predetermined foods, and comprises: an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the number of items in stock of the food and information on a predetermined deadline, which is either a shipping date, a best-before date, or a use-by date for the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is information on the predetermined deadline selected by a consumer from the information on the predetermined deadlines recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means for, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information on the food, checking the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the food is in stock, outputting the information on the predetermined deadline recorded in the inventory information recording means to the consumer's terminal to allow the consumer to select the selected deadline information, and outputting information on the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having: a first food, which is a predetermined food and has not yet reached a predetermined deadline, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before deadline, or a reference deadline, which is a day on which the number of days remaining until the expiration date is a predetermined number of days; a second food, which is provided together with the first food and has passed the predetermined deadline; first price information, which is information about the price of the first food; and second price information, which is information about the price of the second food, and the system also includes information about the inventory quantity of the second food and the predetermined deadline of the second food. the first food item; a price calculation means that, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the first food item, checks the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food item is in stock, calculates the price of the second food item based on selected deadline information, which is information about the predetermined deadline selected by the consumer from the predetermined deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs to the consumer's terminal the price information of the first food item and the price information of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having: a first food, which is a specified food and has not yet reached a specified deadline, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before deadline, or a reference deadline, which is a day when the number of days remaining until the expiration date is a specified number of days; a second food, which is provided together with the first food and is a food that has passed the specified deadline; first price information, which is information regarding the price of the first food; and second price information, which is information regarding the price of the second food; and the system includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information regarding the inventory quantity of the second food and information regarding the specified deadline of the second food; The system comprises a price calculation means that calculates the price of the second food product based on selected expiration date information, which is information on the predetermined expiration date selected by the consumer from the information on the predetermined expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information on the first food product, checks the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food product is in stock, outputs the predetermined expiration date information recorded in the inventory information recording means to the consumer's terminal to allow the consumer to select the selected expiration date information, and outputs information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having: a first food, which is a specified food and has not yet reached a specified expiration date, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before date, or a reference deadline, which is a date on which the number of days remaining until the expiration date is a specified number of days; and a second food, which is provided together with the first food and has passed the specified expiration date, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food and information on the specified expiration date of the second food; The system includes a price calculation means that, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the first food item, checks the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the second food item is in stock, calculates the price of the second food item based on selected deadline information, which is information about the specified deadline selected by the consumer from the specified deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means that outputs to the consumer's terminal the price information of the first food item and the price information of the second food item calculated by the price calculation means.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling a food product having: a first food, which is a specified food and has not yet reached a specified expiration date, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before date, or a reference deadline, which is a date on which the number of days remaining until the expiration date is a specified number of days; and a second food, which is provided together with the first food and has passed the specified expiration date; and the system includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the inventory quantity of the second food and information on the specified expiration date of the second food; and a system for recording the quantity of the second food in stock and the specified expiration date of the second food from the information on the specified expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means. The system comprises a price calculation means that calculates the price of the second food product based on selected deadline information, which is information on the specified deadline selected by the consumer; and an information output means that, upon receiving a request from the consumer's terminal to output information on the first food product, checks the inventory quantity information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and, if the second food product is in stock, outputs the specified deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means to the consumer's terminal to allow the consumer to select the selected deadline information, and outputs information on the price of the first food product and information on the price of the second food product calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the number of items in stock of the food, a price calculation means for checking the inventory number information recorded in the inventory information recording means upon receiving a request from a consumer's terminal to output information on the food, and calculating the price of the food if the food is in stock, and an information output means for outputting the price information of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a specified deadline, which is either the shipping deadline, best-before date, or use-by date of the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on the specified deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the food is received from a consumer's terminal; and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes: an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a specified deadline, which is either the shipping deadline, best-before date, or use-by date of the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is information on the specified deadline selected by the consumer from the information on the specified deadlines recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request for output of information on the food is received from the consumer's terminal; and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes: an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a specified deadline, which is either the shipping deadline, best-before date, or use-by date of the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is the specified deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means and corresponds to the food selected by the consumer, on the condition that a request for output of the food information is received from the consumer's terminal; and an information output means for outputting the food price information calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

Here, the inventory information recording means records information on the number of food items in stock, and the information output means, on the condition that it receives a request from the consumer's terminal to output food information, checks the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the food item is in stock, outputs information on the price of the food item calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on the number of items in stock of the food, a price calculation means for checking the inventory number information recorded in the inventory information recording means and, if the food is in stock, calculating the price of the food, and an information output means for outputting the food price information calculated by the price calculation means to a consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a specified deadline, which is either the shipping deadline, best-before date, or use-by date of the food, a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on the specified deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means, and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to a consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a specified deadline, which is either the shipping deadline, best-before date, or use-by date of the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is information on the specified deadline selected by the consumer from the information on the specified deadlines recorded in the inventory information recording means; and an information output means for outputting information on the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

The food product sales system of the present invention is a food product sales system for selling food products containing specified foods, and includes: an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a specified deadline, which is either the shipping deadline, best-before date, or use-by date of the food; a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food based on selected deadline information, which is the specified deadline information recorded in the inventory information recording means and corresponds to the food selected by the consumer; and an information output means for outputting the price information of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

Here, the inventory information recording means may record information on the number of food items in stock, and the information output means may check the information on the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the food item is in stock, output information on the price of the food item calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.

Here, when the price calculation means calculates the price of a food item based on selected expiration date information, which is information about a predetermined expiration date selected by a consumer, it is possible to calculate a price according to the selected expiration date information of the food item. Similarly, when the price calculation means calculates the price of a second food item based on selected expiration date information, which is information about a predetermined expiration date selected by a consumer, it is possible to calculate a price according to the selected expiration date information of the second food item.

For example, when the price calculation means calculates the price of a food product or a second food product based on information about the "shipping deadline (an example of a specified deadline)," the price can be calculated according to the information about the shipping deadline of the food product or the second food product.
In addition, the "calculated price of the food" and the "calculated price of the second food" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the shipping deadline, or (2) a price that becomes cheaper the more days past the shipping deadline.

For example, if the price calculation means calculates the price of a food product or a second food product based on information about the "best before date (an example of a specified date)", the price can be calculated according to the best before date information of the food product or the second food product.
In addition, the "calculated price of the food product" and the "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the expiration date, or (2) a price that becomes cheaper the more days past the expiration date.

Furthermore, for example, when the price calculation means calculates the price of a food product based on information about the "use-by date (an example of a predetermined date)", the price can be calculated according to the information about the use-by date of the food product.
It should be noted that the "calculated food price" here may be cheaper the fewer days until the expiration date.

For example, if the price calculation means calculates the price of the second food based on information about the "reference expiration date (an example of a specified expiration date)", the price can be calculated according to the information about the reference expiration date of the second food.
The "calculated price of the second food product" here may be (1) a fixed amount (flat price) regardless of the number of days past the reference expiration date, or (2) a price that becomes cheaper the more days past the reference expiration date.

Furthermore, "based on selection deadline information" does not necessarily mean that the calculation is based on "selection deadline information only," but may also be based on "selection deadline information" and "other information."
For example, the price calculation means calculates the price of food based on the "best before" information and "use by" information recorded in the inventory information recording means. In this case, the price can be calculated according to the best before and use by" information of the food.

In addition, by the information output means outputting information on the food price calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal, the consumer can be informed of the food price, which is expected to lead to the purchase of the food.
Similarly, by the information output means outputting information on the price of the second food to the terminal of the consumer (including the consumer who wishes to have information on the first food output), the consumer can be informed of the price of the second food, which is expected to lead to the purchase of the second food.

By the way, "food" here includes both "primary products" and "secondary products," and naturally includes food and drink intended for nutrient intake or enjoyment (fresh foods, animal foods, plant foods, processed foods, frozen foods, luxury foods, seasoning ingredients, health foods, supplements, beverages, processed ingredients, etc.), as well as pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs. For example, herbal medicines are included. It also includes feed, aquaculture feed, dog food, and other products intended for fish and animals.

In this context, "primary products" refers to unprocessed fresh foods, animal foods, and plant foods themselves, such as vegetables like radishes and cabbage, or raw meat like chicken and beef. Other examples include fruits, beans, shellfish, and fish.

In addition, "secondary products" here refer to products made from unprocessed fresh foods, unprocessed animal foods, or unprocessed plant foods, and include mochi, buns, pickles, stir-fried vegetables, steaks, hamburgers, ramen, bento boxes, bread, milk, cheese, beer, wine, sake, whiskey, frozen foods, canned goods, bottled tea and juice, coffee, and soft drinks.

Furthermore, "secondary products" here not only include secondary products processed using primary products as raw materials, but also include secondary products processed using secondary products as raw materials. For example, it includes tamagoyaki (rolled omelet) made by purchasing seasoned eggs as raw materials and frying them. Furthermore, "secondary products" here also includes secondary products purchased using secondary products as raw materials. For example, it includes boxed lunches filled with purchased tamagoyaki (rolled omelet).

Furthermore, the "first food" here may be singular or plural, and the "second food" may also be singular or plural.
That is, the food product may be any of the following: (1) a combination of a "single first food" and a "single second food," (2) a combination of a "single first food" and a "multiple second foods," (3) a combination of a "multiple first foods" and a "single second food," or (4) a combination of a "multiple first foods" and a "multiple second foods."

Also, the "best before" here means "the date by which the product can be eaten deliciously without any change in quality," and does not mean that the product becomes immediately inedible even after the best before date.

Also, the "expiration date" here means "the date by which it can be safely eaten," meaning that the food is no longer edible after the expiration date.

Furthermore, the "shipping deadline" here means the "deadline by which wholesalers and manufacturers can deliver to retailers," and if the shipping deadline is exceeded, commercial practices mean that the product will be returned by the retailer to the wholesaler or manufacturer.
In commercial practice, the "shipping by date" is often set to "one-third of the food's expiration date" (for example, if the expiration date of a food product is six months from the date of manufacture, the shipping by date is two months from the date of manufacture), but the "shipping by date" here can also be "one-quarter of the food product's expiration date." It can also be "two months before the food product's expiration date" or "one year before the food product's use-by date."

The food product sales system of the present invention makes it possible to reduce food waste by reducing unsold food and secondary food products.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram (1) illustrating an example of a food product for sale. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (2) illustrating an example of a food product for sale. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram (1) for explaining the contents written on the sticker. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a configuration example of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram (1) illustrating another example of food products for sale. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (2) illustrating another example of food products for sale. Schematic diagram (2) for explaining the contents written on the sticker. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") will be described.
Here, in this embodiment, the explanation will be given based on April 21, 2022. Therefore, if the expiration date is before April 20, 2022, the expiration date has passed, and if the expiration date is after April 21, 2022, the expiration date has not yet arrived. The explanation will be given in the following order.
1. First embodiment 2. Second embodiment

1. First embodiment
[Description of food products sold]
1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a food product sold by a food product sales system to which the present invention is applied, and food product A shown here is configured to include food 1. Food product A is made by packaging food 1 in plastic 2, and a sticker 3 is affixed to plastic 2.

Here, food 1 is a secondary product and there are three types, food 1a, food 1b, and food 1c, each with a different manufacturing date (and therefore different best-before dates and expiry dates), and food 1a, food 1b, and food 1c are collectively referred to as "food 1."
Furthermore, food products containing food 1a are referred to as food product Aa, food products containing food 1b as food product Ab, and food products containing food 1c as food product Ac, and food products Aa, food product Ab, and food product Ac are collectively referred to as "food product A."

Food 1a is priced at the regular price of 1,100 yen (1,000 yen excluding tax), has a best-before date of May 20, 2022, and a best-by date of August 20, 2022.

Food 1b is priced at 220 yen (200 yen excluding tax), 80% off the list price, and has a best-before date of February 20, 2022 and a best-by date of May 20, 2022.

Food 1c is priced at 11 yen (10 yen excluding tax), 99% off the list price, has a best-before date of January 28, 2022, and a best-by date of April 28, 2022.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, sticker 3 lists the price of food product A (specifically, "Price: 1,100 yen (excluding tax: 1,000 yen)", "Price: 220 yen (excluding tax: 200 yen)", and "Price: 11 yen (excluding tax: 10 yen)"), as well as "Details of Food 1".
2(a) shows the case of food 1a, FIG. 2(b) shows the case of food 1b, and FIG. 2(c) shows the case of food 1c.

Here, the "Details of Food 1a" include the list price of Food 1a (specifically, the indication "List price: 1,000 yen"), production date information of Food 1a (specifically, the indication "Production date: August 20, 2021"), expiration date information of Food 1a (specifically, the indication "Best before date: May 20, 2022"), and expiration date information of Food 1a (specifically, the indication "Expiration date: August 20, 2022").

Furthermore, the "Details of Food 1b" include the list price of Food 1b (specifically, the indication "List price: 1,000 yen"), production date information for Food 1b (specifically, the indication "Production date: May 20, 2021"), expiration date information for Food 1b (specifically, the indication "Best before date: February 20, 2022"), and expiration date information for Food 1b (specifically, the indication "Expiration date: May 20, 2022").

Furthermore, the "Details of Food 1c" includes the list price of Food 1c (specifically, the indication "List price: 1,000 yen"), production date information of Food 1c (specifically, the indication "Production date: April 28, 2021"), expiration date information of Food 1c (specifically, the indication "Best before date: January 28, 2022"), and expiration date information of Food 1c (specifically, the indication "Expiration date: April 28, 2022").

In this embodiment, the explanation is given using an example in which only the date is written as the expiration date for food product 1, but the time may also be written if necessary (for example, in the case of food product 1a, the display would be "Expiration date: May 20, 2022, 10:00 AM").

[Configuration of the present invention]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a food product sales system to which the present invention is applied, which is an example of a system configuration for providing (selling) food product A shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b).

The food product sales system 11 shown in Figure 3 is configured to be able to exchange various information with consumer terminals 13 used by those (consumers) who wish to purchase food products via the Internet 12.

The food product sales system 11 also has an inventory information recording means 14, an inventory information confirmation means 15, a price calculation means 16, and an information output means 17.

Here, the inventory information recording means 14 is configured to be able to record information 14a on the name of food 1, information 14b on the inventory quantity of each of foods 1a to 1c, information 14c on the expiration dates of each of foods 1a to 1c, information 14d on the expiration dates of each of foods 1a to 1c, and information 14e on the price (list price) of food 1.
Specifically, for each of the foods 1a to 1c, the name, number in stock, best-before date, expiry date, and price (list price) are recorded.

Furthermore, the inventory information checking means 15 is configured to be able to check the inventory quantity recorded in the inventory information recording means 14 when a consumer requests information on food product A.
Specifically, when information requesting output of information on food product A is received from consumer terminal 13, information 14b on the stock quantities of food products 1a to 1c is accessed to confirm the stock quantities.

In addition to "information 14b on the stock quantity of foods 1a to 1c," the inventory information confirmation means 15 also checks "information 14d on the expiration dates of foods 1a to 1c." If information 14d on the expiration date of food 1a has passed, it determines that food 1a is out of stock; if information 14d on the expiration date of food 1b has passed, it determines that food 1b is out of stock; and if information 14d on the expiration date of food 1c has passed, it determines that food 1c is out of stock.

In addition, the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of the food selected by the consumer based on the "best before date information 14c," "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 14d," and "price (list price) information 14e."

Specifically, when a consumer selects food 1a, the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of food 1a (price of food product Aa) based on "best before information 14c of food 1a,""number of days remaining until expiration date information 14d of food 1a," and "price (list price) information 14e of food 1."
Similarly, if the consumer selects food 1b, the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of food 1b (price of food product Ab) based on the "best before date information 14c of food 1b," the "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 14d of food 1b," and the "price (list price) information 14e of food 1."
Similarly, when a consumer selects food 1c, the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of food 1c (price of food product Ac) based on "best before information 14c of food 1c,""number of days remaining until expiration date information 14d of food 1c," and "price (list price) information 14e of food 1c."

For example, if the price (list price) of food 1 is 1,000 yen,
(1) If the expiration date has not passed, 1,000 yen (list price),
(2) If there are 25 days or more remaining until the expiration date, the price is 200 yen (80% off).
(3) If there are 15 to 25 days left until the expiration date, the price is 100 yen (90% off).
(4) If there are more than 10 days but less than 15 days left until the expiration date, the price is 50 yen (95% off).
(5) If there are less than 10 days left until the expiration date, the price is 10 yen (99% off).
Here, (2) to (5) are based on the assumption that the expiration date has passed.

Note that the "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 14d of food product 1" is calculated by comparing the expiration date information 14d of food product 1 with the date on which the consumer requested the information (in other words, the date on which the price calculation means 16 calculates the price).

Furthermore, the information output means 17 is configured to be able to output the information recorded in the inventory information recording means 14 to the consumer terminal 13 when the consumer requests information on food product A.
Specifically, it is configured to be able to output the "best before date and expiration date of food 1a,""best before date and expiration date of food 1b," and "best before date and expiration date of food 1c."

Furthermore, the information output means 17 is configured to be able to output the calculation results of the price calculation means 16 to the consumer terminal 13.

[Price information output]
The following description will be given taking as an example a case where information on a food product Ab is output from the food product sales system 11 configured as described above.

First, a consumer seeking information on food product A accesses the food product sales system 11 via the Internet 12 using a consumer terminal 13.

When the consumer accesses the food product sales system 11, a list of foods for which information can be provided is displayed on the consumer terminal 13, and the consumer selects the desired food from the displayed list.
Specifically, the consumer terminal 13 includes:
(1) The best-before date and expiration date of food 1a, (2) the best-before date and expiration date of food 1b, and (3) the best-before date and expiration date of food 1c are displayed, and the consumer selects "food 1b."

When "food 1b" is selected from the consumer terminal 13, the inventory information confirmation means 15 confirms the inventory quantity of "food 1b".
If the result of checking by the inventory information checking means 15 is that the food product 1b is out of stock, a message stating that "food product Ab is not available for sale" is output (displayed on the consumer terminal 13).

On the other hand, if food product 1b is in stock, the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of food product Ab based on "best-before date information 14c of food product 1b," "number of days remaining until expiration date information 14d of food product 1b," and "price (list price) information 14e of food product 1b."

Once the price of food product Ab is calculated, the information output means 17 outputs "information that food product Ab is available for sale" and "information on the price of food product Ab" (displayed on the consumer terminal 13).

[effect]
In the food product sales system 11 to which the present invention is applied as described above, when a consumer requests information on food product A, not only food 1a (food whose expiration date has not yet arrived), but also food 1b (food whose expiration date has passed) and food 1c (food whose expiration date has passed) are displayed as output options on the consumer terminal 13, and the consumer can select food 1b or food 1c, thereby promoting the sales of foods whose expiration date has passed (food 1b and food 1c) and reducing food waste by preventing the disposal of foods whose expiration date has passed (food 1b and food 1c).

Furthermore, the food product sales system 11 to which the present invention is applied outputs information on the prices of food products Ab and Ac, and can inform consumers that the prices of food products Ab and Ac are set low, thereby stimulating consumer purchasing motivation.

[Modification 1]
In the first embodiment described above, the food 1 is explained as a secondary product, but the food 1 does not necessarily have to be a secondary product and may be a primary product.

[Modification 2]
In addition, in the first embodiment described above, the explanation is given using an example in which the price calculation means 16 calculates the price of food products Ab and Ac that have passed their expiration date based on the "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 14d," but the calculation may also be based on the "number of days elapsed since the expiration date information 14c," or may be based on both the "number of days elapsed since the expiration date information 14c" and the "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 14d."

[Modification 3]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an example is given in which food products that have passed their expiration date are sold at a discount, based on the expiration date. However, food products that have passed their shipping date may also be sold at a discount, based on the shipping date.

Second Embodiment
[Description of food product A to be sold]
4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating another example of a food product sold by a food product sales system to which the present invention is applied, and food product B shown here is composed of food 1A and food 1B. Food product B is made by packaging food 1A and food 1B in plastic 2, and sticker 3 is affixed to plastic 2.

Food 1A and Food 1B are both secondary products and are the same food. However, Food 1B was produced on an earlier date than Food 1A (in other words, Food 1B was produced before Food 1A).

Here, food 1A is a food that is traded as a stand-alone product, and is distributed at a price (list price) of 1,100 yen (1,000 yen excluding tax). That is, in this embodiment, an example is given in which food 1A is provided together with food 1B, but food 1A is also provided on the market on its own.
Furthermore, food product 1A is a food product whose best-before date has not yet arrived (and therefore whose expiration date has not yet arrived either). Specifically, food product 1A is a food product whose best-before date is May 20, 2022.

In addition, food 1B is available in two varieties, food 1Bb and food 1Bc, each with a different manufacturing date (and therefore different best-before dates and expiry dates), and food 1Bb and food 1Bc are collectively referred to as "food 1B."
Furthermore, a product containing food 1Bb will be referred to as food product Bb, and a product containing food 1Bc will be referred to as food product Bc, and food product Bb and food product Bc will be collectively referred to as "food product B."

Food 1Bb is priced at 220 yen (200 yen excluding tax), 80% off the regular price, and has a best-before date of February 20, 2022 and a best-by date of May 20, 2022.

Food 1Bc is priced at 11 yen (10 yen excluding tax), 99% off the list price, and has a best-before date of January 28, 2022, and a best-by date of April 28, 2022.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, sticker 3 displays the price of food product B (specifically, "Price: 1,320 yen (excluding tax: 1,200 yen)" and "Price: 1,111 yen (excluding tax: 1,010 yen)"), as well as "Details of Food 1A" and "Details of Food 1B."
FIG. 5(a) shows the case of food product Bb, and FIG. 5(b) shows the case of food product Bc.

Here, "Details of Food 1A" includes the price of Food 1A (specifically, "Price: 1,000 yen"), production date information for Food 1A (specifically, "Production date: August 20, 2021"), best-before date information for Food 1A (specifically, "Best-before date: May 20, 2022"), and expiration date information for Food 1A (specifically, "Expiration date: August 20, 2022").

In this embodiment, the explanation is given using an example in which only the date is written as the best-before date or expiration date of food product 1A, but the time may also be written if necessary (for example, "Best-before date: May 20, 2022, 10:00 AM" or "Expiration date: August 20, 2022, 7:00 PM").

In addition, the "Details of Food 1Bb" includes the price of Food 1Bb (specifically, the indication "Price: 200 yen"), the list price of Food 1Bb (specifically, the indication "List price: 1,000 yen"), information about the production date of Food 1Bb (specifically, the indication "Production date: May 20, 2021"), information about the expiration date of Food 1Bb (specifically, the indication "Best before date: February 20, 2022"), and information about the expiration date of Food 1Bb (specifically, the indication "Expiration date: May 20, 2022").

Furthermore, the "Details of Food 1Bc" includes the price of Food 1Bc (specifically, "Price: 10 yen"), the list price of Food 1Bc (specifically, "List price: 1,000 yen"), production date information for Food 1Bc (specifically, "Production date: April 28, 2021"), best-before date information for Food 1Bc (specifically, "Best-before date: January 28, 2022"), and expiration date information for Food 1Bc (specifically, "Best-before date: April 28, 2022").

In this embodiment, the best-before date or expiration date of food product 1B is described as an example in which only the date is written, but the time may also be written if necessary (for example, "Best-before date: February 20, 2021, 10:00 AM" or "Expiration date: February 20, 2022, 7:00 PM").

[Configuration of the present invention]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of a food product sales system to which the present invention is applied, and is a system configuration diagram for providing (selling) food product B shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b).

The food product sales system 21 shown in Figure 6 is configured to be able to exchange various information with consumer terminals 23 used by those (consumers) who wish to purchase food products via the Internet 22.

The food product sales system 21 also has inventory information recording means 24A, 24B, inventory information confirmation means 25, price calculation means 26, and information output means 27.

Here, the inventory information recording means 24A is configured to be able to record information 24Aa on the name of food 1A, information 24Ab on the inventory quantity of food 1A, information 24Ac on the expiration date of food 1A, information 24Ad on the expiration date of food 1A, and information 24Ae on the price of food 1A.
Specifically, for food 1A, the name, quantity in stock, best before date, expiry date, and price (list price) are recorded.

In addition, the inventory information recording means 24B is configured to be able to record information 24Ba on the name of food 1B, information 24Bb on the inventory quantities of each of food 1Bb and food 1Bc, information 24Bc on the expiration dates of each of food 1Bb and food 1Bc, information 24Bd on the expiration dates of each of food 1Bb and food 1Bc, and information 24Be on the price (list price) of food 1B.
Specifically, for food 1Bb and food 1Bc, the name, stock quantity, expiration date, best before date, and price (list price) are recorded.

Furthermore, the inventory information checking means 25 is configured to be able to check the inventory quantity recorded in the inventory information recording means 24A, 24B when a consumer requests information on the food product 1A.
Specifically, when information requesting output of information on food 1A is received from consumer terminal 23, information 24Ab and 24Bb on the stock quantities of food 1A and 1B is accessed to confirm the stock quantities.

In addition to "information 24Ab, 24Bb on the stock quantities of food products 1A and 1B," the inventory information confirmation means 25 also checks "information 24Ad on the expiration date of food product 1A" and "information 24Bd on the expiration date of food product 1B." If information 24Ad on the expiration date of food product 1A has passed, it is determined that food product 1A is out of stock, and if information 24Bd on the expiration date of food product 1B has passed, it is determined that food product 1B is out of stock.

In addition, the price calculation means 26 calculates the price of the food selected by the consumer based on the "best before date information 24Bc," "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 24Bd," and "price (list price) information 24Be."

Specifically, when a consumer selects food 1Bb, the price calculation means 26 calculates the price of food 1Bb based on "best before information 24Bc of food 1Bb,""number of days remaining until expiration date information 24Bd of food 1Bb," and "price (list price) information 24Be of food 1Bb."
Similarly, when a consumer selects food 1Bc, the price calculation means 26 calculates the price of food 1Bc based on "best before information 24Bc of food 1Bc,""number of days remaining until expiration date information 24Bd of food 1Bc," and "price (list price) information 24Be of food 1Bc."

For example, if the price (list price) of food 1B is 1,000 yen,
(1) If the expiration date has not passed, 1,000 yen (list price),
(2) If there are 25 days or more remaining until the expiration date, the price is 200 yen (80% off).
(3) If there are 15 to 25 days left until the expiration date, the price is 100 yen (90% off).
(4) If there are more than 10 days but less than 15 days left until the expiration date, the price is 50 yen (95% off).
(5) If there are less than 10 days left until the expiration date, the price is 10 yen (99% off).
Here, (2) to (5) are based on the assumption that the expiration date has passed.

Note that the "number of days remaining until the expiration date information 24Bd of food product 1B" is calculated by comparing the expiration date information 24Bd of food product 1B with the date on which the consumer requested the information (in other words, the date on which the price calculation means 26 calculates the price).

Furthermore, the information output means 27 is configured to be able to output the information recorded in the inventory information recording means 24A, 24B to the consumer terminal 23 when the consumer requests information about the food product 1A.
Specifically, it is configured to be able to output the "best before date and expiration date of food 1Bb" and the "best before date and expiration date of food 1Bc."

Furthermore, the information output means 27 is configured to be able to output the calculation results of the price calculation means 26 to the consumer terminal 23.

[Price information output]
The following description will be given taking as an example a case where information on food product Bb is output from food product sales system 21 configured as described above.

First, a consumer seeking information on food product 1A accesses the food product sales system 21 via the Internet 22 using a consumer terminal 23.

When the consumer accesses the food product sales system 21, a list of foods for which information can be provided is displayed on the consumer terminal 23, and the consumer selects the desired food from the displayed list.
Specifically, the consumer terminal 23 includes:
(1) The expiration date and best-before date of food 1Bb (2) the expiration date and best-before date of food 1Bc are displayed, and the consumer selects "food 1Bb."

When "Food 1Bb" is selected from the consumer terminal 23, the inventory information confirmation means 25 confirms the inventory quantity of "Food 1Bb".
If the result of checking by the inventory information checking means 25 is that the food product 1Bb is out of stock, a message stating that "food product Bb is not available for sale" is output (displayed on the consumer terminal 23).

On the other hand, if food 1Bb is in stock, the price calculation means 26 calculates the price of food 1Bb based on "best before information 24Bc of food 1Bb," "number of days remaining until expiration date information 24Bd of food 1Bb," and "price (list price) information 24Be of food 1B."

Then, once the price of food product 1Bb is calculated, the information output means 27 outputs "information that food product Bb is available for sale" and "information on the price of food product Bb" (displayed on the consumer terminal 23).

[effect]
In the food product sales system 21 to which the present invention is applied as described above, even if a consumer desires information on food product 1A (in other words, does not desire information on food product 1B), information on food product B is output on the condition that food product 1B is in stock, thereby promoting sales of food product 1B and reducing food waste by preventing the disposal of food product 1B.

Furthermore, the food product sales system 21 to which the present invention is applied outputs information about the price of food 1B, and can inform consumers that the price of food 1B is set low, thereby stimulating consumers' desire to purchase.

[Modification 4]
In the second embodiment described above, the example is given in which food 1Bb is charged (200 yen), but it is sufficient to be able to reduce food waste by providing food 1Bb together with food 1A, and food 1Bb does not necessarily have to be charged for, and may be free (0 yen).

[Modification 5]
Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the example is given in which foods 1A and 1B are secondary products, but foods 1A and 1B do not necessarily have to be secondary products and may be primary products.

[Modification 6]
Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the price calculation means 26 has been explained as an example of calculating based on the "number of days remaining until expiration date information 24Bd," but the calculation may also be based on the "number of days elapsed since best before date information 24Bc," or may be based on both the "number of days elapsed since best before date information 24Bc" and the "number of days remaining until expiration date information 24Bd."

[Modification 7]
Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, an example is given in which food products that have passed their expiration date are sold at a discount, based on the expiration date. However, food products that have passed their shipping date may also be sold at a discount, based on the shipping date.

[Modification 8]
Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the example is given in which food 1A and food 1B are the same food, but it is sufficient if the food is one that can stimulate the consumer's desire to purchase food 1A by making them feel that they are getting a good deal, and food 1B does not necessarily have to be the same food as food 1A, but can be a ``food of the same type'' or a ``different food.''

Here, "foods of the same kind" means that the foods can be "identified as foods." For example, cream buns and jam buns have in common the fact that they are sweet buns, but because they are different types of sweet buns, they are not foods of the same kind. Furthermore, even if two cream buns have different cream colors, they are not foods of the same kind. In other words, foods with different external colors are not foods of the same kind. Similarly, red wine and white wine cannot be said to be of the same kind, because they are not related in a way that allows them to be "identified as foods," even if they are grown using the same farming methods and on the same farm.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Food 1A Food 1B Food 2 Vinyl 3 Sticker 11 Food product sales system 12 Internet 13 Consumer terminal 14 Stock information recording means 15 Stock information confirmation means 16 Price calculation means 17 Information output means 21 Food product sales system 22 Internet 23 Consumer terminal 24A Stock information recording means 24B Stock information recording means 25 Stock information confirmation means 26 Price calculation means 27 Information output means

Claims (4)

1. A food product vending system for selling food products having predetermined food items, comprising:
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a predetermined deadline, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before date, or a use-by date of the food;
a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food product based on selected deadline information, which is information on the predetermined deadline selected by the consumer from the information on the predetermined deadline recorded in the inventory information recording means, on the condition that a request to output information on the food product is received from the consumer's terminal;
and an information output means for outputting information on the food price calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.
Food product sales system. the inventory information recording means records information about the number of items in stock of the food;
The information output means, on the condition that it has received a request from the consumer's terminal to output information about the food product, checks the information about the number of items in stock recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the food product is in stock, outputs information about the price of the food product calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.
The food product sales system of claim 1. 1. A food product vending system for selling food products having predetermined food items, comprising:
an inventory information recording means for recording inventory information including information on a predetermined deadline, which is either a shipping deadline, a best-before date, or a use-by date of the food;
a price calculation means for calculating the price of the food product based on selected expiration date information, which is information on the predetermined expiration date selected by the consumer from the information on the predetermined expiration date recorded in the inventory information recording means;
and an information output means for outputting information on the food price calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.
Food product sales system. the inventory information recording means records information about the number of items in stock of the food;
The information output means checks the information on the number of stocks recorded in the inventory information recording means, and if the food is in stock, outputs information on the price of the food calculated by the price calculation means to the consumer's terminal.
The food product sales system according to claim 3.