Product information presentation control apparatus and terminal program

Abstract

To provide a product information presentation control apparatus and a terminal program for making a customer recognize what product is provided in response to an operation of a side giving an explanation of the product that requires the explanation before purchase during a call for the explanation.SOLUTION: In a communication system S in which a sales management server 1, a consultation terminal 2, a shipping terminal 3, and each customer terminal 4 are connected to each other via a network NW, the customer terminal 4 used by a customer as a buyer of a product that can use a pharmaceutical sales site receives and displays content such as web pages included in the pharmaceutical sales site from the sales management server or the like based on operations by the customer. The sales management server executes processes for accepting product orders from customers and processes for accepting online consultations or reservations at medical institutions in order for customers to order medical drugs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for explaining to a customer, via online telephone, about a product offered to the customer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, mail order systems using the Internet have been known. In such systems, a purchaser can generally purchase a product without meeting a seller face-to-face. On the other hand, some products sold require the customer to receive an explanation from the seller or the like when purchasing the product. For example, when purchasing medicines, the customer may need to be examined by a medical institution or receive medication instructions from a pharmacist. Also, for example, when purchasing certain cosmetics, the customer may need to receive counseling from a medical institution or the like. Systems that enable explanations about such products through online telephone calls are also known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sales processing system for selling medicines that require medication instructions from a pharmacist. In this sales system, when a customer specifies mail order sales as the sales method and remote medication instructions as the method for receiving medication instructions in a purchase request sent from the customer to the seller, the customer's terminal and the pharmacist's terminal as the seller are connected for communication, and the customer and the pharmacist communicate with each other in a manner similar to a video conference to realize remote medication instructions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-135278 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology, it is not possible to allow the customer to properly understand what product he or she will be purchasing during the explanation given over the phone.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one example of the objective of the present invention is to provide a product information presentation control device and a terminal program that enable a customer to recognize what product will be provided depending on the operations of the person giving the explanation during a call to explain a product that requires an explanation before purchase. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (Application Example 1) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that it comprises a connection means for connecting a customer terminal device used by a customer and an explainer terminal device used by an explainer who provides the customer with an explanation about products that require explanation before purchase to enable a call for the explanation, an input information acquisition means for acquiring, from the explainer terminal device, input information inputted into the explainer terminal device about the product to be provided to the customer when the image from the explainer terminal device is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device due to the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device being connected, and a customer screen display control means for displaying on the screen provided product information indicating the product to be provided to the customer based on the acquired input information when the image from the explainer terminal device is displayed on the screen.

[0008] According to this application example, by connecting the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device, the presenter can provide an online explanation of the product to be provided to the customer. When the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device are connected, an image from the presenter terminal device is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device. Input information about the product to be provided to the customer is input to the presenter terminal device. When the image from the presenter terminal device is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal, provided product information based on the input information is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device. The provided product information is information indicating the product to be provided to the customer. Therefore, during a call to explain a product that requires an explanation before purchase, the customer can be made aware of what product will be provided depending on the operation of the person giving the explanation.

[0009] (Application Example 2) The product information presentation control device of this application example further includes a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies the product selected by the customer to order, and the customer screen display control means displays the provided product information on the screen indicating the order contents including the product indicated by the acquired product identification information, and when the input information for changing the order contents is acquired by the input information acquisition means, the customer screen display control means updates the display of the provided product information to show the changed order contents.

[0010] According to this application example, the screen of the customer terminal device first displays the provided product information indicating the order contents including the product selected by the customer to place the order. When input information for changing the order contents is input to the presenter terminal device, the display of the provided product information on the screen of the customer terminal device is updated to indicate the changed order contents. Therefore, in response to the presenter changing the order contents desired by the customer, the customer can recognize the changed order contents.

[0011] (Application Example 3) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that the customer screen display control means displays, on the screen, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product with the order contents, together with the provided product information indicating the order contents, and when the input information for changing the order contents is acquired by the input information acquisition means, the customer screen display control means updates the display of the amount information to indicate the amount required to purchase the product with the changed order contents.

[0012] According to this application example, the screen of the customer terminal device displays provided product information indicating the order details including the product selected by the customer to place the order, as well as amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product with the order details. When input information for changing the order details is input to the explainer terminal device, the display of provided product information on the screen of the customer terminal device is updated to indicate the changed order details, and the display of amount information on the screen of the customer terminal device is also updated to indicate the amount required to purchase the product with the changed order details. Therefore, in response to the explanation person changing the order details desired by the customer, the customer can be made aware of the amount required to purchase the product with the changed order details, as well as the changed order details.

[0013] (Application Example 4) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that the customer screen display control means updates the display of the provided product information when the customer terminal device receives an operation to update the display of the provided product information on the screen.

[0014] According to this application example, the display of the provided product information on the screen of the customer terminal device is updated by the customer's operation, so that the customer can more reliably recognize whether the order details have been changed.

[0015] (Application Example 5) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that, when the input information for changing the order contents is acquired by the input information acquisition means, the customer screen display control means displays on the screen, together with the provided product information indicating the changed order contents, deleted product information indicating products that have been deleted from the order contents due to the change in the order contents.

[0016] According to this application example, when the order details are changed by the explainer through the customer's operation, the provided product information indicating the products included in the changed order details and the deleted product information indicating the products deleted from the changed order details are displayed, so that the customer can recognize how the order details have been changed.

[0017] (Application Example 6) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that the customer screen display control means displays, together with the provided product information, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product indicated by the provided product information on the screen.

[0018] According to this application example, the screen of the customer terminal device displays the amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product indicated by the provided product information together with the provided product information, so that the customer can recognize the amount required to purchase the product presented to the customer based on the input by the presenter.

[0019] (Application Example 7) The product information presentation control device of this application example further includes a determination means for determining whether or not the selected product is a product requiring explanation before purchase based on the acquired product identification information, and the connection means is characterized in that when it is determined that the selected product is a product requiring explanation, it connects the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device.

[0020] According to this application example, when a product selected by a customer is a product that requires explanation before purchase, the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device are connected. While the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device are connected, the customer can receive an explanation from an explainer. By receiving the explanation, the customer can order the product. Therefore, it is possible to provide a procedure for properly ordering a product while considering the convenience of the customer.

[0021] (Application Example 8) The product information presentation control device of this application example further includes an order confirmation screen display control means for causing the customer terminal device to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the product indicated by the provided product information displayed on the screen after the connection between the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device is disconnected, and when it is determined that the selected product is not a product requiring explanation, the connection means does not connect the customer terminal device to the presenter terminal device, and the order confirmation screen display control means causes the customer terminal device to display the order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the selected product.

[0022] According to this application example, if the product selected by the customer is a product that requires explanation before purchase, the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device are connected, and the explanation is given. When the explanation is finished and the connection between the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device is cut off, the customer terminal device displays an order confirmation screen. The order confirmation screen at this time indicates that the order is confirmed with the order contents indicated by the provided product information displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device. On the other hand, if the product selected by the customer is not a product that requires explanation before purchase, the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device are not connected, and the customer terminal device displays an order confirmation screen. The order confirmation screen at this time indicates that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the product selected by the customer. Therefore, the customer can purchase a product that does not require explanation without going through the procedure for receiving an explanation.

[0023] (Application Example 9) The product information presentation control device of this application example further includes an explanation request screen display control means for displaying, on the customer terminal device, an explanation request screen which enables an explanation request operation to be performed to request the explanation when it is determined that the selected product is a product requiring an explanation, and the connection means is characterized in that it connects the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device after the explanation request operation is accepted on the explanation request screen displayed by the customer terminal device.

[0024] According to this application example, if the product selected by the customer is a product that requires explanation before purchase, the customer terminal device displays an explanation request screen. When the customer performs an explanation request operation on this explanation request screen, the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected, and the explainer can explain the product. Therefore, it is possible to provide a procedure for properly ordering products while considering the convenience of the customer.

[0025] (Application Example 10) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that the connection means connects the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device before confirming the order content including the selected product.

[0026] According to this application example, by connecting the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device, it is possible for the explainer to explain the product selected by the customer before the order is confirmed with the order contents including the product. Therefore, when the product selected by the customer is a product that requires explanation before purchase, a procedure for properly ordering the product can be provided.

[0027] (Application Example 11) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that it further includes an order confirmation screen display control means for causing the customer terminal device to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents indicated by the provided product information displayed on the screen after the connection between the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device is disconnected.

[0028] According to this application example, the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device are connected to provide an explanation on the product to be provided to the customer. When the explanation is finished and the connection between the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device is cut off, the customer terminal device displays an order confirmation screen. The order confirmation screen indicates that the order is confirmed with the order contents indicated by the provided product information displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device. Therefore, when the product to be provided to the customer is a product that requires explanation before purchase, a procedure for properly ordering the product can be provided.

[0029] (Application Example 12) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that the order confirmation screen is a screen on which a confirmation operation can be performed to confirm the order, and further includes a payment means that executes a payment process to settle the purchase price of the product included in the order contents after the confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen displayed by the customer terminal device.

[0030] According to this application example, the purchase price of the ordered product is settled after the customer performs an operation to confirm the order on the order confirmation screen. Therefore, the customer can pay the purchase price when the product selected by the customer becomes available for sale after the explanation is given.

[0031] (Application Example 13) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that the provided product includes a medical drug, the presenter is a medical institution, and the connection means connects the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device to enable the medical institution to make a call to examine the customer.

[0032] According to this application example, by connecting the customer terminal device and the explanation terminal device, the medical institution can explain the medical drug to be provided to the customer during the online consultation. When the video of the explainer terminal device is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal, the provided product information of the medical drug to be provided to the customer is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device. Therefore, during the call to explain the medical drug, the customer can be made aware of what kind of medical drug will be provided according to the operation of the medical institution.

[0033] (Application Example 14) The product information presentation control device of this application example is characterized in that it functions as: an image display control means for displaying an image from the explainer terminal device on a screen when the customer terminal device and an explainer terminal device used by an explainer who provides the customer with an explanation about a product that needs to be explained before purchase are connected so as to be able to make a call for the explanation; a provided product display information acquisition means for acquiring provided product display information corresponding to input information, which is provided product information indicating the product to be provided to the customer after input information about the product to be provided to the customer is input into the explainer terminal device; and a provided product information display control means for displaying the provided product information on the screen based on the acquired provided product display information when the image from the explainer terminal device is displayed on the screen. Effect of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, during a call to explain a product that requires explanation before purchase, the customer can be made aware of what product will be provided depending on the operation of the person giving the explanation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition of a customer terminal 4. FIG. [Diagram 3]1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a sales management server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the sales management server 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the sales management server 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 in a sales management server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing a display example of a product screen 1200. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a display example of a cart screen 1300. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a display example of an order application content confirmation screen 1400. [Figure 8] 15A is a diagram showing a display example of a consultation appointment screen 1500. FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a display example of a consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600. [Figure 9] 2A is a diagram showing a display example of a customer examination screen 2000. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a display example of an order confirmation screen 2100. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a medical institution examination screen 3000. [Figure 11] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a sales management server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an order application DB 14g. [Figure 16] FIG. 31 shows an example of a medical institution examination screen 3100. [Figure 17] FIG. 32 shows an example of an order details editing screen 3200. [Figure 18] FIG. 31 shows an example of a medical institution examination screen 3100. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an update of a customer examination screen 2000. [Figure 20] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a customer terminal 4 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block of a system control unit 41 in a customer terminal 4 according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 23] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of a communication system S according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In at least one embodiment, a business sells products to customers. The products sold may include explanation-required products that require a customer to receive an explanation from a specific explainer before purchasing the product, and explanation-unnecessary products that do not require such explanation. The explanation-required products may or may not be products that may have some risk to the customer, compared to when the customer uses the explanation-unnecessary product. The risk may be, for example, a risk related to the customer's health. The explainer may be, for example, a person who has a qualification prescribed by law, a person who has specialized knowledge about the explanation-required product, or a specific staff member of the business selling the product. The explainer may be the same as the business selling the explanation-required product, belong to the business, or may be different from the business.

[0037] Examples of products that require explanation include medical drugs or prescription drugs. Examples of products that do not require explanation in this case include over-the-counter drugs and other products. Examples of businesses that sell medical drugs include medical institutions and pharmacies. A medical institution may be a facility or organization where a doctor examines or treats a patient. Examples of medical institutions include clinics and hospitals. In order to purchase a medical drug, a prescription from a doctor is required beforehand. To obtain the prescription, the customer needs to be examined by a doctor at the medical institution. During the examination, the doctor will provide an explanation about the medical drug. Furthermore, the customer needs to receive a prescription from the medical institution. In addition, in order for a customer to purchase a medical drug at a pharmacy, the customer needs to submit the prescription to the pharmacy and receive medication instructions from a pharmacist at the pharmacy. During the medication instructions, the pharmacist will provide an explanation about the medical drug.

[0038] Another example of a product that requires explanation is a specific cosmetic. Cosmetics that are not medical drugs and require explanation are called explanation-requiring cosmetics. Cosmetics that are products that do not require explanation are called explanation-requiring cosmetics. For example, there is a cosmetic called doctor's cosmetics. Medical institutions are involved in the development of doctor's cosmetics. Cosmetics that legally require a doctor's prescription are classified as medical drugs. Cosmetics that are not medical drugs but require customers to receive explanation before purchasing are called explanation-requiring cosmetics. Which cosmetics are explanation-requiring cosmetics may be determined in advance by a business that sells the cosmetics, for example. Examples of business that sells cosmetics include medical institutions and cosmetics stores. Examples of explainers include doctors, cosmetics consultants, and other designated staff of the business. The explainer explains the explanation-requiring cosmetics while examining, counseling, or consulting the customer. In at least one embodiment, one medical institution may sell both medical drugs and explanation-requiring cosmetics.

[0039] Another example of a product that requires an explanation is a Class 1 drug. In this case, examples of products that do not require an explanation include Class 2 drugs, Class 3 drugs, and other products that do not require an explanation. An example of an explainer is a pharmacist. Before a customer can purchase a Class 1 drug, the customer must receive information from a pharmacist at the pharmacy. In providing information, the pharmacist will provide an explanation about Class 1 drugs.

[0040] In at least one embodiment, the explanation-requiring product and the explanation-unnecessary product may be sold online. For example, the products may be sold on a website. On the website, a customer may be able to select a product to order. The selected product may be a product that the customer wishes to order. The product order support device (or the product information presentation control device) according to at least one embodiment may determine whether or not the product selected by the customer is an explanation-requiring product. When the selected product is an explanation-requiring product, the product order support device may display, on a customer terminal device used by the customer, an explanation request screen that allows an explanation request operation to request an explanation from a predetermined explainer about the selected product. Here, the product order support device may display the explanation request screen before confirming an order with order contents including the product selected by the customer. If an order for the explanation-requiring product is confirmed and the explanation-requiring product is shipped to the customer despite there being no explanation about the explanation-requiring product, a problem occurs. Therefore, by displaying the explanation request screen before confirming the order, the customer can perform an explanation request operation to receive an explanation. Then, when the order is confirmed after the explanation by the explainer, the business operator can sell the product to the customer. According to at least one embodiment, a procedure for properly ordering products can be provided while taking into consideration customer convenience.

[0041] The explanation regarding the explanation-requiring product is given, for example, in the course of medical examination, counseling, consulting, medication instruction, provision of information, etc. Therefore, the request for explanation can be interpreted as a request for medical examination, counseling, consulting, medication instruction, provision of information, etc., depending on the type of the explanation-requiring product. The explanation request screen may be a screen on which an operation for reserving the explanation can be performed as an operation for requesting the explanation.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, the explanation of the product requiring explanation may be performed online. For example, a customer terminal device used by the customer and an explainer terminal device used by the explainer may be connected to enable a telephone call for the explanation. For example, the explainer may talk to the customer and provide an explanation through communication between the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device.

[0043] The product order support device according to at least one embodiment may allow the customer to select a product as information indicating a product to be ordered before the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected for explanation, as described above. Then, when the product selected by the customer is a product requiring explanation, the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device may be connected. The product order support device according to at least one embodiment may allow the explainer to acquire information on a prescription created by a medical institution as information indicating a product to be ordered before the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected, when the product requiring explanation is a medical drug. Then, the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device may be connected to each other for explanation on the medical drug indicated by the prescription. In this case, the explainer may be a pharmacist. In at least one embodiment, the product to be ordered may not be selected before the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected. Then, when the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected, the product order support device may allow the explainer to present the product requiring explanation to the customer as a product to be provided to the customer.

[0044] A product order support device according to at least one embodiment may enable an explainer to input input information into the explainer terminal device regarding a product to be provided to a customer when the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected for online explanation. The product to be provided to the customer may include, for example, a product selected by the customer for ordering and the order is not yet confirmed. The product to be provided to the customer may include, for example, a product that the explainer suggests the customer to order. The input information may indicate the product to be provided itself. Alternatively, the input information may indicate addition, deletion, or change of the product to be provided, or the quantity of the product to be provided itself or a change in the quantity.

[0045] The customer terminal device according to at least one embodiment may display an image captured by the presenter terminal device when the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device are connected for explanation. The product order support device may display provided product information indicating a product to be provided to the customer on the screen of the customer terminal device based on input information when the image captured by the presenter terminal device is displayed by the customer terminal device. According to at least one embodiment, during a call to explain a product that requires explanation before purchase, the customer can be made aware of what product will be provided depending on the operation of the person giving the explanation.

[0046] In the following, an embodiment will be described in which the product requiring explanation is a medical drug, the business entity selling the product and the person providing the explanation are medical institutions, and the customer selects the product in advance before the explanation. However, as described above, the present application is also applicable to cases in which the product requiring explanation is other than a medical drug, or the business entity is other than a medical institution.

[0047] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Communication system configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system S may be configured to include a sales management server 1, at least one examination terminal 2, at least one shipping terminal 3, and multiple customer terminals 4. The sales management server 1, the examination terminal 2, the shipping terminal 3, and each customer terminal 4 are connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is constructed, for example, by the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), and a gateway, etc.

[0049] The sales management server 1 may be a server device that performs various processes related to a predetermined pharmaceutical sales site. The pharmaceutical sales site may be a website that allows customers to purchase pharmaceuticals and the like online from a predetermined medical institution. The main products sold on the pharmaceutical sales site may be pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals sold may be medical drugs and over-the-counter drugs. Medical drugs are provided based on a prescription by a doctor. Over-the-counter drugs are pharmaceuticals that do not require a prescription by a doctor. Products other than pharmaceuticals may also be sold on the pharmaceutical sales site. Examples of such products include cosmetics and health foods. The sales management server 1 may transmit content such as a webpage included in the pharmaceutical sales site to the customer terminal 4 in response to a request from the customer terminal 4, for example. The transmission of the webpage by the sales management server 1 may correspond to transmitting an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document of the webpage. The sales management server 1 may also execute a process for accepting an order for a product from a customer. Furthermore, the sales management server 1 may execute a process for accepting a reservation for a medical examination (or medical treatment) at a medical institution in order for a customer to order a medical drug. This medical examination may be an online examination or an offline examination. Furthermore, when an online consultation is booked, the sales management server 1 may execute a process for realizing the online consultation. In the online consultation, audio and video communication may be performed between the examination terminal 2 and the customer terminal 4.

[0050] The examination terminal 2 may be a terminal device that is used mainly by medical institutions during examinations. This examination terminal 2 may be a terminal device that is mainly used by doctors. For example, the examination terminal 2 may be used to display and input electronic medical records, input prescriptions, etc. The examination terminal 2 may also be used for online examinations. Examples of the examination terminal 2 include personal computers and tablet computers. The examination terminal 2 may be equipped with a video camera for capturing images, or may be connectable to a video camera. The examination terminal 2 may be equipped with a microphone for inputting voice, or may be connectable to a microphone. The examination terminal 2 may be equipped with software such as a web browser and an email client.

[0051] The shipping terminal 3 may be a terminal device that is used mainly by a medical institution when shipping products. This shipping terminal 3 may be a terminal device used by a pharmacist or other employees. For example, the shipping terminal 3 may display information about the product to be shipped and information about the delivery destination. Employees may perform the shipping of ordered products based on the information displayed on the shipping terminal 3. Examples of the shipping terminal 3 include a personal computer and a tablet computer. The shipping terminal 3 may be equipped with software such as a web browser and an email client.

[0052] Each customer terminal 4 may be a terminal device used by a customer who is a buyer of a product that can use a pharmaceutical sales site. Each customer terminal 4 may receive and display content such as a web page from the sales management server 1 or the like based on an operation by the customer. Examples of the customer terminal 4 include a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a set-top box, and the like. Each customer terminal 4 may be equipped with a video camera for taking images, or may be connectable to a video camera. Each customer terminal 4 may also be equipped with a microphone for inputting voice, or may be connectable to a microphone. Each customer terminal 4 may have software such as a web browser or an email client built in. A dedicated app may be installed in the portable customer terminal 4. The dedicated app is an application for using the pharmaceutical sales site. The customer terminal 4 may transmit various requests to the sales management server 1 according to the dedicated app, and may receive and display content from the sales management server 1.

[0053] [1-2. Screen transition] Next, an example of screen transitions on the customer terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions on the customer terminal 4. As described above, medical drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and products are sold on the pharmaceutical sales site. A prescription by a doctor is required to sell medical drugs. To issue a prescription, the doctor needs to examine the customer. Therefore, the screen transitions for ordering products differ between medical drugs and other products. Each screen may be provided to the customer terminal 4 from the sales management server 1 as a web page, for example.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, when the customer terminal 4 accesses the pharmaceutical sales site, a product selection screen 1100 may be displayed first. The product selection screen 1100 may be a screen for the customer to select a product for which detailed information is desired. The product selection screen 1100 may include multiple types of screens. For example, the product selection screen 1100 may include a search condition input screen, a search result screen, etc. The search condition input screen may be a screen for inputting or selecting search conditions for products. Examples of search conditions include product categories, keywords, etc. The search result screen is a screen that displays a list of products that satisfy the input search conditions as search results.

[0055] When the customer selects any product from the search results, a product screen 1200 may be displayed. The product screen 1200 is a screen on which detailed information on the selected product is displayed. On the product screen 1200, the customer can select the product in order to order it. For example, the customer may be able to add the product to a cart. The cart may be a virtual shopping container or list that each customer has on the pharmaceutical sales site. The customer can order the products in the cart.

[0056] Thereafter, a cart screen 1300 may be displayed based on an operation by the customer. The cart screen 1300 is a screen that shows a list of products currently in the cart. On the cart screen 1300, the customer can delete products to be ordered or change the quantity.

[0057] If there are no medical drugs among the products in the cart, an order confirmation screen 2100 may be displayed next. The order confirmation screen 2100 may be a screen that shows the order details and indicates that the order is to be confirmed with the order details. The order details shown on the order confirmation screen 2100 include the products in the cart. The customer confirms the order details on the order confirmation screen 2100 and performs an operation to confirm the order. In response to this operation, an order completion screen 2200 may be displayed. The order completion screen 2200 may be a screen that indicates that the order has been confirmed.

[0058] On the other hand, if the products in the cart include medical drugs, an order application content confirmation screen 1400 may be displayed next to the cart screen 1300. The order application content confirmation screen 1400 may be a screen for placing an order (or requesting acceptance of an order) for the products in the cart. The order application content confirmation screen 1400 may include the products in the cart as order contents.

[0059] Once the customer has placed an order, a consultation appointment screen 1500 may be displayed. The consultation appointment screen 1500 is a screen for selecting a date and time for a consultation to receive a prescription for the medical drug that the customer has placed an order for. At this point, the customer's order may not yet have been officially accepted.

[0060] When the customer selects the appointment date and time, a consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600 may be displayed. The consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600 is a screen for confirming the details of the appointment.

[0061] A consultation reservation acceptance completion screen 1700 may be displayed when the customer confirms the consultation reservation with the reservation details displayed on the consultation reservation confirmation screen 1600. The consultation reservation acceptance completion screen 1700 is a screen indicating that the consultation reservation has been completed.

[0062] Next, a medical questionnaire screen 1800 may be displayed. The medical questionnaire screen 1800 is a screen for the customer to fill out a medical questionnaire prior to a medical examination.

[0063] After the appointment is confirmed, a consultation notification email may be sent to the customer. The consultation notification email may be an email notifying information about the scheduled appointment. The consultation notification email may include the date and time of the appointment as well as a URL for an online consultation. When the customer selects this URL from the consultation notification email on the day of the appointment, the customer terminal 4 may access the sales management server 1 and a consultation waiting screen 1900 may be displayed. Alternatively, when the customer selects online consultation from a predetermined menu on the pharmaceutical sales site, the consultation waiting screen 1900 may be displayed. The consultation waiting screen 1900 is a screen indicating that the system is on standby until the start of the consultation.

[0064] Thereafter, when the consultation start time arrives, the customer consultation screen 2000 may be displayed. The customer consultation screen 2000 may be a screen for the customer to talk with the doctor at the medical institution during the online consultation. On the customer consultation screen 2000, the customer can receive an explanation about medical drugs from the doctor. Furthermore, the customer consultation screen 2000 may display information about a product selected by the customer as a product to be ordered. The contents of the order may be changed by the doctor performing the consultation.

[0065] When the online consultation is completed and the doctor issues a prescription, an order confirmation screen 2100 may be displayed. The order confirmation screen 2100 may be a screen that shows the final order details and accepts an operation to confirm the order with the order details.

[0066] When the customer confirms the order, the sales server 1 may accept the order and process a payment for the purchase price of the ordered product. When the payment is completed, an order completion screen 2200 may be displayed. The order completion screen 2200 may be a screen indicating the completion of the order and the completion of the payment. When the payment is completed, the ordered product may be shipped from the medical institution to the customer.

[0067] In addition, when the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug, the sales management server 1 may be configured to provide a prescription to the customer instead of the medical institution shipping the drug. For example, when a prescription is issued by a doctor, the sales management server 1 or the examination terminal 2 may print the prescription. An employee of the medical institution may mail the prescription to the customer. Alternatively, the sales management server 1 may generate an electronic prescription. The sales management server 1 may send the electronic prescription by email to the customer. Alternatively, the sales management server 1 may make the electronic prescription available for download from a predetermined web page of the medical institution's sales site.

[0068] In addition, if the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug, the sales management server 1 may be configured so that the pharmacy will ship the drug. For example, when the doctor has examined the customer, the medical institution may send a prescription to the pharmacy. For example, the medical institution may mail the prescription to the pharmacy. Alternatively, the sales management server 1 may send the electronic prescription to a pharmacy terminal (not shown), which is a terminal device used by the pharmacy. A pharmacist at the pharmacy who receives the prescription may provide medication instructions to the customer. The medication instructions may be provided online, for example. As in the case of an online consultation, audio and video communication may be performed between the pharmacy terminal and the customer terminal 4 in the online medication instructions. After the medication instructions are completed, the pharmacy may ship the medical drug to the customer.

[0069] [1-3. Sales management server configuration] Next, the configuration of the sales management server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the sales management server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the sales management server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0070] The system control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11a, a read only memory (ROM) 11b, a random access memory (RAM) 11c, and the like.

[0071] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the system control unit 11, and between the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11.

[0072] The storage unit 14 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive or the like. This storage unit 14 may store databases such as a member DB 14a, a product DB 14b, a cart DB 14c, a consultation appointment DB 14d, a prescription history DB 14e, and an order DB 14f. "DB" is an abbreviation for database. At least one database may be stored in a server device different from the sales management server 1. The sales management server 1 may be able to access the databases via the server device.

[0073] 4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of information stored in the database of the sales management server 1. The member DB 14a may store member information on each customer who can use the pharmaceutical sales site. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the member DB 14a may store, as member information, a customer ID, name, sex, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address, credit card information, and the like, in association with one another. The customer ID is identification information for identifying a customer. The credit card information is information on a credit card that can be used by the customer. For example, the credit card information may include a card number, expiration date, the name of the credit card owner, and the like.

[0074] The product DB 14b may store product information on each product sold at the pharmaceutical sales site. For example, the product DB 14b may store product IDs, category information, medical drug flags, product names, generic names, prices, units of quantity, product descriptions, and product image URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) as product information in association with one another. The product ID is identification information for identifying a product. The category information is information indicating a category to which the product belongs. Examples of product categories include cosmetic internal medicines, cosmetic external medicines, cosmetics, diet medicines, pills, AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia) treatment drugs, and ED (Erectile Dysfunction) treatment drugs. The medical drug flag indicates whether the product is a medical drug or not. A medical drug flag set to TRUE indicates that the product is a medical drug. A medical drug flag set to FALSE indicates that the product is not a medical drug. The product name indicates the name of the product. The generic name indicates the name of the main ingredient of the product when the product is a drug. The quantity unit indicates how much of the product can be purchased. Examples of quantity units include one box, one tablet, one week's supply, one month's supply, etc. The product image URL is the URL of the image data of the product.

[0075] The cart DB 14c may store cart information related to products currently in the cart of each customer. For example, the cart DB 14c may store, as cart information, a customer ID, an order pending flag, the number of products, cart product information, and the like, in association with one another. The customer ID indicates the customer who owns the card. The order pending flag indicates whether or not the customer is currently placing an order for a product in the cart. If the customer is currently placing an order for a product, the system control unit 11 may function so that the product cannot be added to or deleted from the cart. The number of products indicates the number of products in the cart. The cart product information is information related to individual products in the cart. For one cart, the number of cart product information indicated by the number of products may be stored. Each cart product information may include a product ID, a quantity, and a medical drug flag. The product ID indicates the product in the cart. The medical drug flag indicates whether or not the product is a medical drug. The combination of the product ID and the medical drug flag stored in the product DB 14b matches the combination of the product ID and the medical drug flag included in the cart product information. Note that the sales management server 1 may store the cart information in each customer terminal 4, for example, as an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) cookie, instead of storing it in the storage unit 14.

[0076] The consultation appointment DB 14d may store appointment information regarding each appointment for an online consultation. For example, the consultation appointment DB 14d may store appointment information such as a reservation number, consultation date, consultation start time, consultation end time, customer ID, and order number, all associated with one another. The appointment number is a number that identifies the appointment. The consultation date indicates the date on which the scheduled consultation will take place. The consultation start time and consultation end time indicate the start and end times, respectively, of the time period scheduled for the consultation. The consultation start time indicates the time when the consultation begins. The customer ID indicates the customer who has scheduled the consultation.

[0077] The prescription history DB14e stores the history of prescriptions by doctors at medical institutions. The prescription history DB14e may store only the history of prescriptions made during online consultations, or may also store the history of prescriptions made during offline consultations. For example, the prescription history DB14e may store, as a prescription log, the prescription number, prescription date and time, reservation number, customer ID, number of medicines, prescribed medicine information, prescription type, expiration date, and number of times that can be used, each time a prescription is made, in association with each other. The prescription number is a number that identifies the prescription. The prescription date and time indicates the date and time when the prescription was made. The reservation number is a number that identifies the reservation for the consultation in which the prescription was made. The customer ID indicates the customer to whom the prescribed medicine is provided. In other words, the customer ID indicates the customer examined by the doctor. The number of medicines indicates the number of prescribed medicines. The prescribed medicine information is information on individual prescribed medicines. For one prescription, the number of prescription medicine information indicated in the number of medicines may be stored. Each prescribed medicine information may include a product ID and a quantity. The product ID indicates the prescribed medicine. The prescription type indicates the type of the prescription. There may be a normal prescription and a multiple-use prescription as prescription types. A normal prescription may be a prescription in which a drug can be provided only once using the prescription. The expiration date of a normal prescription may be, for example, within 4 days from the date of prescription including the date. A multiple-use prescription may be a prescription in which a drug can be provided repeatedly using the prescription up to a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period from the prescription. This period is called a usable period. The usable period may be a period during which a drug can be provided from the second time onwards using a multiple-use prescription. The second and subsequent times of providing a drug using a multiple-use prescription can be provided even if it exceeds the expiration date (e.g., 4 days) of the normal prescription. The first provision of a drug using a multiple-use prescription may be required to be performed within the same period as the expiration date of the normal prescription, or may be provided within the same usable period as the second and subsequent times of providing a drug. The length of the usable period may be, for example, between 1 month and 12 months, and may be a predetermined period or a period determined by a doctor. The number of times a prescription can be used may be two or more times, and may be a predetermined number of times or a number determined by a doctor.Prescriptions by medical institutions using the medical drug sales site may be limited to either normal prescriptions or multiple-use prescriptions. In this case, the prescription type does not need to be stored in the prescription history DB14e. The expiration date indicates the last day of the period during which the multiple-use prescription can be used. The number of times it can be used indicates the number of times the multiple-use prescription can be used. If it is determined that the length of the period during which the prescription can be used and the number of times it can be used are common to all multiple-use prescriptions, the expiration date and the number of times it can be used do not need to be stored in the prescription history DB14e.

[0078] The order DB 14f may store order information related to an order accepted at the pharmaceutical sales site each time the order is confirmed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the order DB 14f may store order information such as an order number, order date and time, customer ID, number of items, ordered item information, order status, prescription number, payment amount, delivery destination information, payment method information, and delivery method information in association with one another. The order number is a number for identifying an order. The order date and time indicates the date and time when the order was confirmed. The customer ID indicates the customer who placed the order. The number of items indicates the number of items ordered. The ordered item information indicates information on each ordered item. For one order, the ordered item information may be stored as many times as indicated by the number of items. Each ordered item information may include a product ID, a quantity, and a medical drug flag. The product ID indicates the ordered item or the item for which an order has been submitted. The medical drug flag indicates whether the item is a medical drug or not. The combination of the product ID and medical drug flag stored in the product DB 14b matches the combination of the product ID and medical drug flag included in the ordered item information. The order status indicates the current state of the order. Order status may include order confirmed, payment completed, shipping completed, etc. Order confirmed indicates that the order has been confirmed. Payment completed indicates that payment for a confirmed order has been completed. Shipping completed indicates that the ordered product has been shipped to the orderer. The prescription number is a number that identifies the prescription when the ordered product includes medical drugs. The payment amount is the sum of the price of the ordered product and shipping fee. Delivery destination information is information that indicates the delivery destination of the ordered product. Payment method information is information that indicates the method of payment for the purchase price of the ordered product. Delivery method information is information that indicates the delivery method of the ordered product.

[0079] The storage unit 14 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a server program. The server program is a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute processes related to the pharmaceutical sales site. The server program may be obtained from another device via a network NW, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and read via a drive device.

[0080] The communication unit 15 is configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 15 is connected to the examination terminal 2, the shipping terminal 3, or the customer terminal 4 via the network NW, and controls the communication state with the connected devices.

[0081] [1-4. Functional overview of the system control unit of the sales management server] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 11 in the sales management server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 9. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 in the sales management server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the system control unit 11 may function as a drug identification information acquisition unit 111, a medical drug judgment unit 112, a customer screen display control unit 113, a reservation information generation unit 114, a communication connection unit 115, a medical institution screen display control unit 116, a prescription information reception unit 117, a prescription history recording unit 118, a cart information management unit 119, an order information generation unit 120, a settlement unit 121, a customer identification information acquisition unit 122, a prescription judgment unit 123, and the like, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the server program.

[0082] [1-4-1. Consultation appointment when prescription drugs are selected] The drug identification information acquisition unit 111 may acquire a product ID that identifies a drug selected by a customer to order from the customer terminal 4 used by the customer. For example, the drug identification information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the product ID in response to an operation of the customer selecting a product when the product screen 1200 is displayed. The selection of a drug to order may be, for example, adding the drug to a cart. Alternatively, the selection of a drug to order may be submitting an order for the drug.

[0083] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing a display example of a product screen 1200. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the product screen 1200 may display information about the product, such as the product name, product category, product image, product description, price, etc. In addition, the product screen 1200 may display an add to cart button 1210 and a cart icon 1220. The add to cart button 1210 is a button for adding the product whose information is displayed on the product screen 1200 to the cart. The cart icon 1220 is an icon that can be operated to display the cart screen 1300. Furthermore, the product screen 1200 may display caution information 1230. When the product whose information is displayed on the product screen 1200 is a medical drug, the caution information 1230 may be displayed. The caution information 1230 may indicate that the product is a medical drug, that an appointment for online medical treatment is required, etc. When the customer performs an operation of pressing the add to cart button 1210, the customer terminal 4 may transmit the product ID of the product to the sales management server 1. The drug identifying information acquiring unit 111 may acquire the transmitted product ID.

[0084] The cart information management unit 119 may manage cart information for each customer. The cart information management unit 119 may also execute a process of adding a medicine selected by a customer to a cart based on the product ID acquired by the medicine identification information acquisition unit 111. For example, the cart information management unit 119 may search for a medical drug flag associated with the acquired product ID from the product DB 14b. The medical drug determination unit 112 may make a determination based on the medical drug flag. The cart information management unit 119 may generate cart product information including the product ID, the medical drug flag, and the quantity set to 1. The cart information management unit 119 may add the generated cart product information to the cart information of the customer stored in the cart DB 14c.

[0085] The medical drug determination unit 112 may determine whether or not the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug based on the product ID acquired by the drug identification information acquisition unit 111. For example, the medical drug determination unit 112 may make the determination by referring to information indicating whether or not each product is a medical drug. This information may be, for example, the medical drug flag of the drug included in the cart information of the customer, or the medical drug flag of the drug stored in the product DB 14b.

[0086] The customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display various screens. For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display a screen by transmitting a web page to the customer terminal 4. Alternatively, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display the screen by transmitting information to be displayed on the screen to the customer terminal 4. Alternatively, the customer screen display control unit 113 may only transmit an instruction to display a specific screen to the customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 may display a screen according to an instruction from the sales management server 1 based on information previously stored in the customer terminal 4. In addition, when the medical drug determination unit 112 determines that the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display a medical examination request screen that accepts a medical examination request operation to request a medical examination by a medical institution to receive a prescription for the drug before confirming the order with the order contents including the drug. The medical examination request screen may include, for example, at least one of a medical examination appointment screen 1500 and a medical examination appointment confirmation screen 1600. When the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display a consultation request screen before causing the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the drug. The order confirmation screen may be, for example, an order contents confirmation screen 2100 or an order completion screen 2200. It is legally required that a prescription by a doctor is required to sell a medical drug to a customer. Therefore, a problem occurs when an order for a medical drug is confirmed without a prescription and the medical drug is shipped to the customer. Therefore, by displaying the consultation request screen before the order is confirmed, the customer can perform a consultation request operation to receive a consultation from a medical institution. Then, when the drug selected by the customer is prescribed in the consultation, the medical institution can sell the drug to the customer.

[0087] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing a display example of the cart screen 1300. For example, when a customer performs an operation of selecting the cart icon 1220 on the product screen 1200, the cart screen 1300 may be displayed. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the cart screen 1300 may include cart product information 1310 and a next button 1320. The cart product information 1310 is information about the products in the cart. For example, the cart product information 1310 may include product names, product images, quantities, prices, and the like. The next button 1320 is a button for transitioning the displayed screen from the cart screen 1300 to another screen. In addition, the cart product information 1310 may display the total amount of the product prices, the shipping fee, and the total amount to be paid. Furthermore, the cart product information 1310 may display the notice information 1330. If the products in the cart include medical drugs, the notice information 1330 may be displayed. The notice information 1330 may be the same information as the notice information 1230.

[0088] For example, when the next button 1320 is pressed, the medical drug determination unit 112 may determine whether or not the selected drug is a medical drug. If the selected drug is a medical drug, the customer screen display control unit 113 may send a web page of the order application details confirmation screen 1400 to the customer terminal 4. On the other hand, if the selected drug is not a medical drug, the customer screen display control unit 113 may send a web page of the order details confirmation screen 2100 to the customer terminal 4.

[0089] FIG. 7(c) is a diagram showing a display example of an order application content confirmation screen 1400. As shown in FIG. 7(c), the order application content confirmation screen 1400 may include an order application product 1410 and an order application button 1420. The order application product 1410 is information about the product for which an order is applied by operating this screen. For example, the order application product 1410 may include the product name, product image, quantity, price, etc. The product for which an order is applied is the same as the product added to the cart. The order application button 1420 is a button for applying for an order. The order application content confirmation screen 1400 may also display the total product price, shipping fee, and total amount to be paid.

[0090] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a display example of a consultation appointment screen 1500. When a customer presses the order application button 1420 on the order application details confirmation screen 1400, the consultation appointment screen 1500 is displayed as shown in FIG. 8(a). The consultation appointment screen 1500 may include an appointment table 1510. The appointment table 1510 is a table showing whether or not a consultation appointment can be made for each combination of date and consultation start time. The consultation start time may be set at a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.). The customer can select the consultation date and time to be reserved from the dates and times when consultation appointments are available by operating the appointment table 1510.

[0091] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a display example of a consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600. When a customer selects a consultation date and time in the appointment table 1510, the consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600 is displayed as shown in FIG. 8(b). The consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600 may include appointment details 1610 and a reservation confirmation button 1620. The appointment details 1610 indicate the selected consultation date and time. The reservation confirmation button 1620 is a button for confirming the appointment of the consultation. When the customer performs an operation of pressing the customer appointment confirmation button 1620, the appointment of the consultation is completed, and a consultation appointment completion screen 1700 is displayed. The consultation request operation may include at least one of an operation of selecting a consultation date and time on the consultation appointment screen 1500 and an operation of the confirmation button 1620 on the consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600.

[0092] The appointment information generating unit 114 may generate appointment information when a consultation request operation is accepted on the consultation request screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. For example, the appointment information generating unit 114 may generate appointment information including the customer ID of the customer, the consultation date and consultation start time selected by the customer, in response to the customer selecting the appointment confirmation button 1620 on the consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600. The appointment information generating unit 114 may store the generated appointment information in the consultation appointment DB 14d.

[0093] [1-4-2. Online medical examination] When a consultation request operation is accepted on the consultation request screen displayed by the customer terminal 4, the communication connection unit 115 may connect the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 to enable communication for consultation. That is, the communication connection unit 115 may enable online consultation between the customer and the medical institution. For example, the communication connection unit 115 may use a protocol used for video calls, video conferences, web conferences, etc. Examples of such protocols include H.323 and WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). During online consultation, media data (or media streams) are transmitted and received between the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2. The media data may include at least audio data of audio data indicating audio and video data indicating video. The video may be either a still image or a video. The media data may be directly transmitted and received between the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 in a peer-to-peer manner. Alternatively, the media data may be transmitted and received via a server device such as the sales management server 1 in a client-server manner. Protocols for transmitting and receiving media data may include, for example, RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol), HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP), RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol), etc. Examples of audio data formats include AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3), etc. Examples of video data container formats include MPEG2-TS, MP4, FLV (Flash Video), etc. Examples of video formats include H.264, MPEG-2, etc.

[0094] As described above, the sales management server 1 may send a consultation notification email to the customer terminal 4 of the customer who has made a consultation appointment. In addition, a link for receiving an online consultation may be embedded in the menu of the pharmaceutical sales site. When the customer selects the URL or link for online consultation described in the consultation notification email, the customer terminal 4 may send a consultation request including the URL to the sales management server 1. In response to receiving the consultation request, the communication connection unit 115 may search the appointment information including the customer ID of the customer from the consultation appointment DB 14d. The communication connection unit 115 may obtain the consultation date, consultation start time, and consultation end time from the searched appointment information. If today is the consultation date and the consultation start time has not yet passed, the communication connection unit 115 may send a web page of a consultation waiting screen 1900 (not shown) to the customer terminal 4 when the consultation waiting screen 1900 is displayed. The customer terminal 4 may be capable of receiving a notification from the sales management server 1 while the consultation waiting screen 1900 is displayed. Meanwhile, the consultation terminal 2 may display a screen indicating that it is waiting for the customer to enter, for example, on a web browser.

[0095] When the consultation start time arrives, the communication connection unit 115 may transmit a web page of the customer consultation screen 2000 to the customer terminal 4. This web page may include information for realizing an online consultation. For example, it may include tags and scripts for connecting to the consultation terminal 2, inputting and outputting video and audio, and transmitting and receiving media data. The communication connection unit 115 may also transmit a web page of the medical institution consultation screen to the consultation terminal 2. The medical institution consultation screen may be a screen for a doctor to talk with a customer in an online consultation. The web page of the medical institution consultation screen may include tags and scripts for connecting to the customer terminal 4 and transmitting and receiving media data. If a consultation request is transmitted from the customer terminal 4 after the consultation start time and before the consultation end time, the communication connection unit 115 may transmit the web page of the customer consultation screen 2000 without transmitting the web page of the consultation waiting screen 1900. The customer terminal 4 that receives the web page of the customer consultation screen 2000 may transmit session information of the customer terminal 4 to the consultation terminal 2 via the sales management server 1 according to the script included in this web page. The session information may include, for example, the IP address and port number of the customer terminal 4, information on available media, and information on a path available for transmitting and receiving media data. Similarly, the examination terminal 2 may also transmit its session information to the customer terminal 4 via the sales management server 1. The customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 that have received the session information may connect to each other based on the session information. Each connected terminal device may capture video using a video camera of the terminal device to generate video data, and collect sound using a microphone of the terminal device to generate audio data. Then, each terminal device transmits the video data and audio data to the connected terminal device. Each terminal device may also display video on a display according to the video data transmitted from the connected terminal device. Each terminal device may also output audio from a speaker according to the audio data transmitted from the connected terminal device.

[0096] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a display example of a customer consultation screen 2000. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the customer consultation screen 2000 may include a doctor image area 2010, a customer image area 2020, a call end button 2030, an order schedule display area 2040, and a price display area 2050. The doctor image area 2010 displays an image of the doctor taken by the examination terminal 2. The customer image area 2020 displays an image of the customer taken by the customer terminal 4. The call end button 2030 is a button for ending a call between the customer and the doctor. That is, the call end button 2030 is a button for ending the consultation. The order schedule display area 2040 may display the order contents scheduled at the present time. The order schedule display area 2040 may include, for example, an update button 2041. The update button 2041 is a button for updating the information displayed in the order schedule display area 2040 to the latest information. The order schedule display area 2040 may further include at least one order schedule product information 2042. Each order schedule product information 2042 is information about a product that is currently scheduled to be ordered. At the start of an online consultation, order schedule product information 2042 indicating a product that is currently scheduled to be ordered by the customer may be displayed. If the doctor changes the order during the consultation, order schedule product information 2042 corresponding to the changed order may be displayed. Each order schedule product information 2042 may include, for example, a product name, a product image, a quantity, a price, and the like. The amount display area 2050 may display amount information 2051. The amount information 2051 may be information indicating an amount required to purchase the product indicated by the order schedule product information 2042 displayed in the order schedule display area 2040. For example, the amount information 2051 may display at least the currently scheduled payment amount among the current total product price, shipping fee, currently scheduled payment amount, and scheduled payment amount at the time of order application. The total product price is the sum of the product prices calculated for each product. The product price for each product is calculated by multiplying the price of that product by the quantity. The current payment amount is the sum of the current total product price and shipping fee. The payment amount at the time of order submission is the sum of the total product price and shipping fee at the time the customer submits the order.

[0097] When a consultation request operation is accepted on the consultation request screen displayed on the customer terminal 4, the medical institution screen display control unit 116 may cause the consultation terminal 2 to display a prescription editing screen. The prescription editing screen may be a screen showing medical drugs included in the order details. The prescription editing screen may also be a screen that accepts a change operation for changing the order details in a consultation performed for the customer in response to the acceptance of the consultation request operation. Changes to the order details may include, for example, deleting medical drugs from the order details, adding medical drugs to the order details, and changing the quantity of medical drugs. By having the medical institution change the order details based on the consultation, the customer can order medical drugs that are more appropriate for the customer.

[0098] When the consultation for the customer is an online consultation, the prescription editing screen may be, for example, the medical institution consultation screen described above. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the medical institution consultation screen 3000. As shown in FIG. 10, the medical institution consultation screen 3000 may include a customer image area 3010, a doctor image area 3020, at least one medical drug information 3030, an add button 3040, and an end consultation button 3050. The customer image area 3010 displays an image of the customer taken by the customer terminal 4. The doctor image area 3020 displays an image of the doctor taken by the examination terminal 2. Each medical drug information 3030 is information about a drug that is currently scheduled to be prescribed. At the start of the online consultation, the medical drug information 3030 may be displayed for each medical drug among the products for which an order has been placed. For example, when transmitting the web page of the medical institution consultation screen 3000, the medical institution screen display control unit 116 may generate a tag for displaying the medical drug information 3030 for the medical drug among the products for which an order has been placed, and generate a web page including the tag. Each medical drug information 3030 may include, for example, the generic name and the trade name of the medical drug. Each medical drug information 3030 may also include a quantity menu 3031 and a delete button 3032. The quantity menu 3031 indicates the quantity of the medicine scheduled to be prescribed at the present time, and is a pull-down menu for changing the quantity. The quantity at the start of the online consultation is the quantity designated by the customer. The delete button 3032 is a button for removing the medicine corresponding to the delete button 3032 from the prescription. That is, the medicine is deleted from the order details. When the doctor performs an operation of pressing the delete button 3032, the medical drug information 3030 including the delete button 3032 is erased from the medical institution examination screen 3000. The add button 3040 is a button for adding the medicine to be prescribed. That is, a new medicine is added to the order details. For example, when the doctor performs an operation of pressing the add button 3040, the examination terminal 2 may display a window for searching for medicines. In this window, the physician may be able to enter or select search criteria, such as category, generic name, product name, etc.The medical examination terminal 2 may transmit the input search conditions to the sales management server 1. The sales management server 1 may search for medical drugs that satisfy the search conditions, for example, from the product DB 14b, and transmit the search results to the medical examination terminal 2. The medical examination terminal 2 may display the search results in a window. When the doctor selects any medical drug from the search results, the medical examination terminal 2 may add medical drug information 3030 corresponding to the selected medical drug to the medical institution examination screen 3000. In response to a change in the order contents on the medical institution examination screen 3000, the order schedule display area 2040 of the customer examination screen 2000 of the customer terminal 4 may display the order application product 1410 reflecting the changed order contents, and the amount display area 2050 may display amount information 2051 according to the changed order contents. The display in the order schedule display area 2040 and the amount display area 2050 may be updated only when, for example, the customer operates the update button 2041. The end examination button 3050 is a button for ending the online examination. Furthermore, the consultation end button 3050 may be a button for finalizing the prescription for the customer. When the doctor presses the end button 3050, communication between the consultation terminal 2 and the customer terminal 4 ends, and the prescription may be finalized with the contents shown in the medical drug information 3030 currently displayed on the medical institution consultation screen 3000. Furthermore, the medical drug portion of the order contents submitted by the customer may also be confirmed or changed to the contents shown in the displayed medical drug information 3030.

[0099] [1-4-3. Confirming your order] The prescription information receiving unit 117 may receive from the examination terminal 2 prescription information indicating a prescription based on an examination performed for a customer in response to an examination request operation being accepted on an examination request screen (e.g., examination reservation screen 1500) displayed by the customer terminal 4. For example, in the case of an online examination, when a doctor presses the examination end button 3050 on the medical institution examination screen 3000, the examination terminal 2 may transmit an examination end notice to the sales management server 1 as an example of prescription information. The examination end notice may include, for example, an online examination reservation number. The examination end notice may also include the customer ID of the customer who has been examined. It may also include the product ID and quantity of each prescribed medicine. The examination end notice may or may not include the product ID and quantity of each prescribed medicine. If the examination end notice does not include information on the prescribed medicine, the cart information stored in the cart DB 14c at the time when the prescription information receiving unit 117 receives the examination end notice may be used as information indicating the prescribed medicine.

[0100] The prescription history recording unit 118 may generate a log of the prescription indicated by the prescription information based on the prescription information received by the prescription information receiving unit 117. For example, the prescription history recording unit 118 may acquire cart information associated with a customer ID included in the consultation end notification. The prescription history recording unit 118 may generate a prescription log based on information included in at least one of the consultation end notification and the cart information. In addition, the prescription history recording unit 118 may include, for example, the date and time when the prescription information is received in the prescription log as the prescription date and time. The prescription history recording unit 118 may store the generated prescription log in the prescription history DB 14e.

[0101] When the prescription information receiving unit 117 receives prescription information, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order details including the medicine selected by the customer. This order details may be shown in the cart information. If the doctor has not changed the order details after the consultation, the order details include the medical drug selected by the customer. Therefore, the customer can officially order the medical drug selected by the customer by receiving the prescription. The order confirmation screen may be, for example, an order details confirmation screen 2100 or an order completion screen 2200 (not shown).

[0102] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing a display example of the order content confirmation screen 2100. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the order content confirmation screen 2100 may include at least one piece of ordered product information 2110 and an order confirmation button 2120. Each piece of ordered product information 2110 is information about a product to be ordered. For example, the ordered product information 2110 may include a product name, a product image, a quantity, a price, and the like. If the doctor has not changed the order content during the examination, the ordered product information 2110 showing the same content as the application content displayed on the order application content confirmation screen 1400 is displayed. That is, the order content including the medical drug selected by the customer is displayed. If the medical drug is not included in the products selected by the customer, the ordered product information 2110 showing the same content as the cart content displayed on the cart screen 1300 is displayed. The customer screen display control unit 113 may generate a tag for displaying the ordered product information 2110 based on each cart product information included in the cart information, for example, and generate a web page of the order content confirmation screen 2100 including the tag. The order confirmation button 2120 is a button for confirming an order. The customer examination screen 2000 may further display information indicating the product delivery destination, information indicating the payment method for the product purchase price, and information indicating the product delivery method. On the order confirmation screen 2100, the customer may be able to operate to change the delivery destination, payment method, and delivery method. Furthermore, the order confirmation screen 2100 may display the total product price, shipping fee, and total amount to be paid.

[0103] When the medical drug determination unit 112 determines that the drug selected by the customer is not a medical drug, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display an order confirmation screen without displaying an examination request screen on the customer terminal 4. When the drug selected by the customer is not a medical drug, the drug can be sold without a prescription from a doctor. Therefore, there is no need to display the examination request screen, and the customer can directly confirm the order.

[0104] When an operation to change the order contents is accepted on a prescription editing screen (e.g., medical institution examination screen 3000) displayed by the examination terminal 2, the cart information management unit 119 may change the cart information indicating the order contents. For example, it is assumed that the order contents are changed by an online examination. For example, each time a doctor changes the order contents on the medical institution examination screen 3000, the examination terminal 2 may transmit change information indicating the change contents to the sales management server 1. The cart information management unit 119 may change the cart information stored in the cart DB 14c based on the change information. For example, the cart information management unit 119 may add, delete, or change the quantity of cart product information. Alternatively, when a consultation end notice transmitted by the examination terminal 2 to the sales management server 1 in response to the end of an online examination includes information on prescribed medicines, the cart information management unit 119 may compare the cart information stored in the cart DB 14c with the consultation end notice. When there is a difference between the cart information and the consultation end notice for medical medicines, the cart information management unit 119 may change the cart information to eliminate the difference.

[0105] When the prescription information receiving unit 117 receives prescription information and an operation to change the order contents is accepted on the prescription editing screen displayed on the examination terminal 2, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the changed order contents. In this case, the order contents confirmation screen 2100 displays ordered product information 2110 indicating the same contents as the changed order contents. For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate a tag for displaying the ordered product information 2110 based on the cart information changed by the cart information management unit 119, and generate a web page of the order contents confirmation screen 2100 including the tag.

[0106] When an order confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen displayed by the customer terminal 4, the order information generating unit 120 may generate order information indicating the confirmed order. For example, the order information generating unit 120 may generate order information based on the customer ID, the number of items, and the cart item information included in the cart information. In this case, the order information generating unit 120 may include the cart item information as the order item information in the order information. The order information generating unit 120 may calculate the payment amount based on the order item information and the item information stored in the item DB 14b, and include the payment amount in the order information. The order information generating unit 120 may include the date and time when the order confirmation operation is accepted as the order date and time in the order information. The order information generating unit 120 may include the prescription number of the prescription log generated by the prescription history recording unit 118 in the order information. The order information generating unit 120 may include the delivery address information, the payment method information, and the delivery method information approved by the customer on the order content confirmation screen 2100 in the order information. The order information generating unit 120 may store the generated order information in the order DB 14f.

[0107] When the order confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen displayed by the customer terminal 4, the settlement unit 121 may execute a settlement process to settle the purchase price of the medicine included in the order details. For example, the settlement unit 121 may execute a settlement process based on the payment method information included in the order information generated by the order information generating unit 120. For example, when the payment method is credit card payment, the payment method information may include a card number, an expiration date, and the name of the credit card owner. The settlement unit 121 may transmit a settlement request to a settlement server managed by a credit card company. The settlement server may be a server device that approves and controls payments using credit cards. The settlement request may include information indicating the card number, the expiration date, the name of the credit card owner, the payment amount, and the payee. The payee may be, for example, a medical institution or a business that manages a medical institution's medical sales site. When the payee is a business that manages a medical institution's medical sales site, the business may later pay the medical institution the sales proceeds equal to the payment amount minus a commission fee. The settlement server may check the credit card information, the expiration date, the credit limit, and the like based on the settlement request. When the payment server determines that the customer can pay the price, it may approve the payment and send a successful payment to the sales management server 1. The payment unit 121 of the sales management server 1 that receives the successful payment may change the order status included in the order information to "payment completed." When the payment process is completed, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display the order completion screen 2200. In this embodiment, when a medical institution prescribes a medicine after a medical examination, the order details confirmation screen 2100 is displayed first, and then the order completion screen 2200 is displayed when the payment process is completed. However, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display the order completion screen 2200 after the payment process is completed without displaying the order details confirmation screen 2100. In this case, the delivery address information, payment method information, and delivery method information added to the order information may be information designated in advance by the customer, for example.

[0108] After the payment process is completed, the order information generating unit 120 may transmit the order information in which the purchase price has been paid to the shipping terminal 3. For example, the order information generating unit 120 may transmit a web page of a screen showing a list of order information in which the order status is set to "payment completed" in response to a request from the shipping terminal 3. Alternatively, the shipping terminal 3 may be capable of downloading a file of the list of order information from a sales management server in, for example, a CSV (comma separated values) format. When an employee of the medical institution finishes the task of shipping the ordered product to the purchaser, the employee may input to the shipping terminal 3 that the shipping of the order has been completed. In response to this input, the order information generating unit 120 may change the order status of the corresponding order information to "shipping completed."

[0109] [1-4-4. Multiple use prescription] Even if the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug, if the drug has been prescribed in the past and the customer has purchased the drug at least once in the past based on that prescription, a new prescription may not be required when the customer orders the drug this time. For example, if the previous prescription was a multiple-use prescription, a prescription may not be required this time. An example of how to handle multiple-use prescriptions is described below.

[0110] The medical institution consultation screen 3000 displayed on the examination terminal 2 during online consultation may be configured to allow the selection of the prescription type, the length of the usable period of the multiple-use prescription, and the number of times it can be used. The examination end notice sent by the examination terminal 2 to the sales management server 1 in response to the doctor pressing the examination end button 3050 on the medical institution examination screen 3000 may include the prescription type, the length of the usable period, and the number of times it can be used selected by the doctor. When generating a prescription log, the prescription history recording unit 118 may add the prescription type and the usable period included in the examination end notice to the prescription log. The prescription history recording unit 118 may also calculate the expiration date of the multiple-use prescription based on the length of the usable period and the prescription date and time. The prescription history recording unit 118 may then add the expiration date to the prescription log.

[0111] The customer identification information acquisition unit 122 may acquire customer identification information for identifying a customer from the customer terminal 4 used by the customer. This customer identification information may be, for example, a customer ID, or may be other information for identifying a customer. For example, when the customer terminal 4 accesses the pharmaceutical sales site for the first time, the sales management server 1 may transmit an HTTP cookie including a terminal ID to the customer terminal 4. The terminal ID is identification information for identifying the customer terminal 4, and may be identification information automatically generated by the sales management server 1. The customer terminal 4 stores the cookie. Thereafter, a request transmitted from the customer terminal 4 to the sales management server 1 will include the terminal ID. When logging in to the pharmaceutical sales site, the customer inputs the customer ID of the customer. The customer terminal 4 transmits the input customer ID to the sales management server 1. The sales management server 1 may associate the transmitted customer ID with the terminal ID of the customer terminal 4 and store them in the storage unit 14. Since the terminal ID is associated with the customer ID, the terminal ID may correspond to information for identifying the customer. Therefore, the customer identification information acquisition unit 122 may acquire the terminal ID as the customer identification information.

[0112] The prescription determination unit 123 may determine whether or not a drug selected by a customer has been prescribed to the customer and purchased by the customer within a predetermined period from the present time based on prescription history information indicating a history of prescriptions for the customer at a medical institution and purchase history information indicating a history of product purchases by the customer. For example, the prescription determination unit 123 may perform the above determination when the medical drug determination unit 112 determines that the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug. The prescription history information may be, for example, a collection of prescription logs of the customer stored in the prescription history DB 14e. The purchase history information may be, for example, a collection of order information of the customer stored in the order DB 14f. The prescription log and order information of a specific customer can be specified from the customer identification information of the customer acquired by the customer identification information acquisition unit 122. For example, the prescription determination unit 123 may acquire a customer ID associated with the terminal ID acquired as customer identification information by the customer identification information acquisition unit 122. The prescription determination unit 123 may search for a prescription log including the customer ID from the prescription history DB 14e. The prescription determination unit 123 may also search for order information including the customer ID from the order DB 14f. The predetermined period may be, for example, a period during which the multiple-use prescription can be used. For example, the prescription determination unit 123 may identify a prescription log from the searched prescription log in which the prescription type is set to multiple-use prescription and includes a product ID that is the same as the product ID of the medical drug included in the cart information of the customer. If there is no corresponding prescription log, the prescription determination unit 123 may determine that the medical drug selected by the customer has not been prescribed to the customer. If there is a corresponding prescription log, the prescription determination unit 123 may determine whether or not the expiration date included in the prescription log has passed. If the expiration date has passed, the prescription determination unit 123 may determine that the medical drug selected by the customer has not been prescribed within a predetermined period from the current time. If the expiration date has not passed, the prescription determination unit 123 may identify, from the searched product information, product information that includes the same product ID as the product ID of the medical drug included in the specified prescription log and includes an order date and time that is later than the prescription date and time of the prescription log. At this time, the prescription determination unit 123 may identify only the product information including the prescription number of the identified prescription log.If there is no corresponding product information, the prescription determination unit 123 may determine that the customer has not purchased the medicine prescribed for the customer. If there is corresponding product information, the prescription determination unit 123 may determine that the medicine selected by the customer has been prescribed to the customer within a predetermined period from the current time and purchased by the customer.

[0113] The prescription determination unit 123 may further determine whether the number of times the drug selected by the customer has been sold to the customer since the drug was prescribed is less than a predetermined number of times based on the customer identification information, prescription history information, and purchase history information. This predetermined number may be, for example, the number of times the drug can be used in a multiple-use prescription. For example, the prescription determination unit 123 may obtain the number of times the drug can be used from the prescription log identified as described above. Furthermore, the prescription determination unit 123 may calculate the number of product information identified by the method described above as the number of times the drug has been sold to the customer. Then, the prescription determination unit 123 may make the above-mentioned determination by comparing the number of times the drug can be used with the number of product information.

[0114] When the medical drug determination unit 112 determines that the drug selected by the customer is a medical drug, and the prescription determination unit 123 determines that the drug selected by the customer has been prescribed to the customer and purchased by the customer within a predetermined period from the current time, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen without displaying a consultation request screen. This allows the customer to order a drug that has been prescribed and purchased in the past without undergoing a consultation again. Here, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen without displaying a consultation request screen only when the prescription determination unit 123 determines that the number of times the drug selected by the customer has been sold to the customer since it was prescribed is less than a predetermined number. On the other hand, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display a consultation request screen when the prescription determination unit 123 determines that the drug selected by the customer has not been prescribed to the customer within a predetermined period from the current time. In addition, the customer screen display control unit 113 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display a consultation request screen if the prescription determination unit 123 determines that the drug has not been purchased by the customer after prescription, even if the drug has been prescribed in the past.

[0115] [1-5. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. Fig. 11 to Fig. 13 are sequence diagrams showing a processing example of the communication system S according to this embodiment. The order of processing is not limited to the order shown in Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. In addition, at least one of the steps shown in Fig. 11 to Fig. 13 may not be executed.

[0116] For example, the customer terminal 4 displays the product screen 1200 in response to the customer selecting any product from the product selection screen 1100. The customer presses the add to cart button 1210 on the product screen 1200 (step S101). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and transmits a cart addition request to the sales management server 1 (step S102). The cart addition request may include the product ID of the product whose information is displayed on the product screen 1200. The cart information management unit 119 of the sales management server 1 that receives the cart addition request updates the cart information stored in the cart DB 14c in association with the customer ID of the customer (step S103). For example, the sales management server 1 may obtain the medical drug flag associated with the product ID included in the cart addition request from the product DB 14b. The cart information management unit 119 may generate cart product information including the product ID, the medical drug flag, and the quantity set to 1. The cart information management unit 119 may add the generated cart product information to the cart information.

[0117] After that, the customer selects, for example, the cart icon 1220 on the product screen 1200 (step S104). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and sends a cart screen request to the sales management server 1 (step S105). The customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1 that receives the cart screen request sends a web page of the cart screen 1300 to the customer terminal 4 (step S106). At this time, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate a tag for the cart product information 1310 based on the cart information of the customer, and generate a web page including the ordered product 1410.

[0118] The customer presses the next button 1320 on the cart screen 1300 displayed by the customer terminal 4 (step S107). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and transmits a request to proceed with the order procedure to the sales management server 1 (step S108). The medical drug determination unit 112 of the sales management server 1 that receives the request to proceed with the order procedure determines whether the products in the cart of the customer include medical drugs (step S109). For example, the medical drug determination unit 112 may determine that the products in the cart include medical drugs when the medical drug flag of at least one cart product information included in the cart information of the customer is set to TRUE. When the products in the cart include medical drugs (step S109: YES), the prescription determination unit 123 determines whether the medical drug in the cart has been prescribed to the customer within a predetermined period from the current time and purchased by the customer (step S110). For example, the determination may be performed by the method described above. If the medical drug in the cart is prescribed and purchased within a predetermined period (step S110: YES), the customer screen display control unit 113 transmits a web page of an order application content confirmation screen 1400 to the customer terminal 4. At this time, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate a tag for the ordered product 1410 based on the cart information of the customer, and generate a web page including the ordered product 1410.

[0119] The customer presses the order application button 1420 on the order application content confirmation screen 1400 displayed by the customer terminal 4 (step S112). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and sends the order application to the sales management server 1 (step S113). The customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1 that has received the order application sends the web page of the examination appointment screen 1500 to the customer terminal 4 (step S114). At this time, the cart information management unit 119 may change the order application flag included in the cart information to TRUE. The customer terminal 4 displays the examination appointment screen 1500 (step S115).

[0120] As shown in Fig. 12, the customer selects the consultation date and consultation start time from the consultation appointment screen 1500 (step S201). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and sends a reservation confirmation screen request to the sales management server 1 (step S202). The reservation confirmation screen request may include the selected consultation date and consultation start time. The customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1 that has received the reservation confirmation screen request sends a web page of the consultation appointment confirmation screen 1600 to the customer terminal 4 (step S203).

[0121] The customer presses the appointment confirmation button 1620 on the appointment confirmation screen 1600 displayed by the customer terminal 4 (step S204). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and sends an appointment confirmation request to the sales management server 1 (step S205). The appointment information generation unit 114 of the sales management server 1 that receives the appointment confirmation request generates appointment information and stores it in the appointment DB 14d (step S206). Next, the customer screen display control unit 113 sends a web page of the appointment acceptance completion screen 1700 to the customer terminal 4 (step S207).

[0122] On the day of the consultation, the customer terminal 4 accesses the sales management server 1 based on the operation by the customer, and displays the consultation waiting screen 1900. The sales management server 1 determines that the consultation start time of the customer has arrived, for example, based on the reservation information. Then, the customer screen display control unit 113 transmits the web page of the customer consultation screen 2000 to the customer terminal 4 (step S301). At this time, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate a tag of the order schedule product information 2042 based on the cart information, and generate a web page including the order schedule product information 2042. In addition, the medical institution screen display control unit 116 transmits the web page of the medical institution consultation screen 3000 to the consultation terminal 2 (step S302). At this time, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate a tag of the medical drug information 3030 based on the cart product information included in the cart information, in which the medical drug flag is set to TRUE, and generate a web page including the medical drug information 3030.

[0123] When the customer terminal 4 displays the customer consultation screen 2000, it transmits session information to the examination terminal 2 via the sales management server 1 based on a script included in the web page. When the examination terminal 2 displays the medical institution consultation screen 3000, it also transmits session information to the customer terminal 4 via the sales management server 1 based on a script included in the web page (step S303). The customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 connect to each other based on the exchanged session information (step S304). When the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected, media data is transmitted and received between these terminal devices, and an online examination is started (step S305).

[0124] During the online consultation, the examination terminal 2 determines whether an operation to change the order contents has been performed on the medical institution examination screen 3000 (step S306). If the order contents have been changed (step S306: YES), the examination terminal 2 transmits change information indicating the change contents to the sales management server 1 (step S307). The cart information management unit 119 of the sales management server 1 changes the cart information stored in the cart DB 14c based on the change information (step S308).

[0125] After changing the order contents, or without changing the order contents (step S306: NO), the doctor presses the consultation end button 3050 (step S:309). The examination terminal 2 detects this operation and disconnects communication with the customer terminal 4. The examination terminal 2 also transmits a consultation end notification to the sales management server 1 (step S310). The prescription history recording unit 118 of the sales management server 1 that has received the consultation end notification generates a prescription log and stores it in the prescription history DB 14e (step S311).

[0126] When a prescription log is generated, when the products in the cart do not include medical drugs (step S109), or when the medical drugs in the cart have not been prescribed or purchased within a predetermined period (step S110: NO), the customer screen display control unit 113 sends a web page of the order confirmation screen 2100 to the customer terminal 4 (step S312). The customer terminal 4 displays the order confirmation screen 2100 (step S313).

[0127] The customer presses the order confirmation button on the order details confirmation screen 2100 (step SS314). The customer terminal 4 detects this operation and sends an order confirmation request to the sales management server 1 (step S315). The order information generation unit 120 of the sales management server 1 that receives the order confirmation request generates order information and stores it in the order DB 14f (step S316). When the order information is generated, the cart information management unit 119 may delete all cart product information from the cart information of the customer and change the order application flag to FALSE. Next, the settlement unit 121 executes settlement processing (step S317). Next, the customer screen display control unit 113 sends the web page of the order completion screen 2200 to the customer terminal 4 (step S318).

[0128] As described above, in this embodiment, the sales management server 1 may obtain drug identification information for identifying a drug selected by a customer to order from the customer terminal 4. The sales management server 1 may also determine whether or not the selected drug is a medical drug based on the drug identification information. If the selected drug is a medical drug, the sales management server 1 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display a consultation request screen before confirming the order with the order details including the selected drug. In this case, a procedure for properly ordering drugs can be provided while taking into consideration the convenience of the customer.

[0129] Here, the sales management server 1 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen after the consultation request operation is accepted by the customer on the consultation request screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. In this case, the customer can purchase the medicine by receiving an explanation about the medicine. Here, the sales management server 1 may cause the order confirmation screen to be displayed when it acquires prescription information from the examination terminal 2. In this case, the medicine selected by the customer is prescribed, and the customer can purchase the medicine.

[0130] At this time, when the sales management server 1 accepts the examination request operation on the examination request screen, the examination terminal 2 may display a medical institution screen where the order contents can be changed. In this case, the customer can order a more appropriate medicine than the one selected by the customer.

[0131] Furthermore, when a change operation is accepted on the medical institution screen displayed on the examination terminal 2, the sales management server 1 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order will be confirmed with the changed order contents. In this case, the customer can purchase a more appropriate medicine than the medicine selected by the customer.

[0132] Furthermore, if the selected medicine is not a medical drug, the sales management server 1 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display the order confirmation screen without displaying the examination request screen. In this case, the customer can purchase medicines that do not require a prescription without going through the procedure for receiving a medical examination. Also, products that require a prescription and products that do not can be sold together. And, it is possible to provide an appropriate ordering procedure according to the product selected by the customer.

[0133] In addition, the sales management server 1 may execute a payment process to settle the purchase price of the medicine included in the order after the order confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen. In this case, the customer can pay the purchase price when the medicine selected by the customer becomes available for sale by prescription.

[0134] The sales management server 1 may also determine whether the selected drug has been prescribed to the customer and purchased by the customer within a predetermined period from the current time based on the prescription history information and purchase history information of the customer. If the selected drug is a medical drug and has been prescribed to the customer and purchased by the customer within a predetermined period from the current time, the sales management server 1 may cause the customer terminal 4 to display an order confirmation screen without displaying a consultation request screen. In this case, the customer can purchase a drug that has been prescribed and purchased in the past without going through the procedure of receiving a consultation for a new prescription.

[0135] Furthermore, when the sales management server 1 receives a consultation request operation on the consultation request screen, the customer terminal 4 and the consultation terminal 2 used by the medical institution may be connected to enable communication for consultation. In this case, the customer can receive a consultation from the medical institution online. Therefore, the customer can have the medical institution write the prescription required for purchasing medicines without going to the medical institution.

[0136] [2. Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the screen and processing related to the online medical examination may differ from those in the first embodiment. Except for the points described below, the second embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment.

[0137] [2-1. Sales management server configuration] Next, the configuration of the sales management server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the sales management server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 14, the same elements as in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals. Fig. 14 differs from Fig. 3 in that in Fig. 14, an order application DB 14g is further stored in the memory unit 14.

[0138] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the order application DB 14g. The order application DB 14g may store order application information related to an order submitted by a customer each time an order is submitted. For example, the order application DB 14g may store, as the order application information, an order application number, an order application date and time, a customer ID, the number of products, order application product information, the total product price, shipping fee, and the planned payment amount at the time of the order application, in association with each other. The order application number is a number for identifying an order application. The order application date and time indicates the date and time when the order was submitted. The customer ID indicates the customer who submitted the order. The number of products indicates the number of products that the customer has submitted an order for. The order application product information is information about individual products for which an order has been submitted. For one order application information, the number of order application product information indicated by the number of products may be stored. Each order application product information may include a product ID, a quantity, and a medical drug flag. The product ID indicates the product for which an order has been submitted. The medical drug flag indicates whether the product is a medical drug or not.

[0139] For example, when a customer operates the order application button 1420 on the order application content confirmation screen 1400, the sales management server 1 may generate order application information based on the cart information of the customer. For example, the sales management server 1 may acquire each cart product information included in the cart information as the order application product information. The sales management server 1 may calculate the product price of each product based on the order application product information. The sales management server 1 may calculate the total product price and calculate the planned payment amount at the time of order application based on the total product price and the shipping fee. The sales management server 1 may generate order application information including the customer ID of the customer, each acquired order application product information, the number of products according to the number of order application product information, the total product price, the shipping fee, the planned payment amount at the time of order application, etc. The sales management server 1 may store the generated order application information in the order application DB 14g. After storing the order application information, the sales management server 1 may delete all cart product information from the cart information of the customer stored in the cart DB 14c and change the number of products to zero. That is, the sales management server 1 may empty the cart of that customer.

[0140] [2-2. Functions of the system control unit of the sales management server] Next, the outline of the functions of the system control unit 11 in the sales management server 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0141] The communication connection unit 115 may connect the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 to enable communication for explanations regarding medical drugs. The connection process by the communication connection unit 115 may be basically the same as that in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected to enable online consultation. When the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected, an image on the examination terminal 2 side may be displayed on the screen of the customer terminal 4. The image on the examination terminal 2 side may be, for example, an image taken by a camera provided in the examination terminal 2 or a camera connected to the examination terminal 2. While the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected, data of the image taken by this camera may be transmitted from the examination terminal 2 to the customer terminal 4. The communication connection unit 115 may connect the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 when the medical drug determination unit 112 determines that the product selected by the customer is a medical drug. For example, the communication connection unit 115 may perform the connection on the condition that a medical examination request operation is accepted on the examination request screen and then the operation is performed. The communication connection unit 115 may establish a connection before confirming the order with the order contents including the product selected by the customer. The communication connection unit 115 may not need to establish a connection if the product selected by the customer is not a medical drug.

[0142] When the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected under the control of the communication connection unit 115 and an image from the examination terminal 2 is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal 4, the cart information management unit 119 may acquire, from the examination terminal 2, input information that has been input to the examination terminal 2 regarding a product to be provided to a customer. The acquired input information may be, for example, information indicating the product itself to be provided to the customer. Alternatively, the input information may be information indicating any of addition or deletion of a product to be provided to the customer, or a change in the quantity of a product to be provided to the customer. The product to be provided to the customer may be, for example, a product that is currently scheduled to be ordered or purchased by the customer.

[0143] The medical institution screen display control unit 116 may cause the examination terminal 2 to display a screen for a doctor at the medical institution to input information. One of the differences between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that a medical institution examination screen 3100 and an order content editing screen 3200, which will be described below, are displayed during an online examination in this embodiment.

[0144] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a medical institution consultation screen 3100. The medical institution consultation screen 3100 may be a screen for displaying information about a client to be examined, displaying information related to the consultation, or for a doctor to input information related to the consultation. For example, when a doctor selects a client to be examined or a consultation appointment, the examination terminal 2 may display the medical institution consultation screen 3100 corresponding to the selected client or appointment. As shown in FIG. 16, the medical institution consultation screen 3100 may include, for example, a client information display area 3110, an order application content display area 3120, a prescription content display area 3130, a scheduled order content display area 3140, a call control button 3150, a prescription content confirmation button 3160, and the like.

[0145] The customer information display area 3110 may display information about the customer. For example, the name, sex, date of birth, etc. may be displayed. The order application content display area 3120 may display the contents of the order submitted by the customer. For example, the order application content display area 3120 may display the product name and quantity of each product for which an order has been submitted. The order application content display area 3120 may display the contents of the order application information of the customer stored in the order application DB 14g. The prescription content display area 3130 may display information about medical drugs that are currently scheduled to be prescribed. For example, the prescription content display area 3130 may display the product name and quantity of each medical drug that is currently scheduled to be prescribed. The prescription content display area 3130 may further display an edit button 3131. The edit button 3131 is a button for displaying an order content edit screen 3200. The planned order content display area 3140 may display information about products that are currently scheduled to be ordered by the customer. For example, the planned order content display area 3140 may display the product name and quantity of each product that is scheduled to be ordered. The difference between the prescription content display area 3130 and the planned order content display area 3140 may be that the prescription content display area 3130 displays information only about medical drugs, while the planned order content display area 3140 may display information about medical drugs and products other than medical drugs. The prescription content display area 3130 and the planned order content display area 3140 may reflect the contents of the cart information of the customer stored in the cart DB 14c. As described above, when the cart of a customer who has applied for an order is emptied, no information about products is displayed in the prescription content display area 3130 and the planned order content display area 3140 at the start of the online consultation, as shown in FIG. 16. That is, there are no products that are scheduled to be ordered. In order to increase the number of products that are scheduled to be ordered, the doctor needs to operate the order content editing screen 3200. The call control button 3150 is a button for starting and ending a call with the customer for the consultation. The prescription content confirmation button 3160 is a button for confirming the prescription based on the content displayed in the prescription content display area 3130.When the prescription content confirmation button 3160 is pressed, the examination terminal 2 may erase the edit button 3131 from the prescription content display area 3130. This makes it impossible to change the prescription content and the order content. The examination terminal 2 may display the video captured by the customer terminal 4 together with the medical institution examination screen 3100.

[0146] When a doctor performs an operation of pressing an edit button 3131 on the medical institution examination screen 3100, the examination terminal 2 may erase the medical institution examination screen 3100 and display an order content edit screen 3200. The order content edit screen 3200 may be a screen for registering or changing the planned order content. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the order content edit screen 3200. As shown in FIG. 17, the order content edit screen 3200 may include a customer information display area 3210, an order application content display area 3220, a prescription content display area 3230, a planned order content display area 3240, a search area 3250, and a selected product display area 3260.

[0147] The display contents of the customer information display area 3210, the order application content display area 3220, the prescription content display area 3230, and the planned order content display area 3240 may be the same as those of the customer information display area 3110, the order application content display area 3120, the prescription content display area 3130, and the planned order content display area 3140, respectively. Note that the edit button is not displayed in the prescription content display area 3230. The search area 3250 is an area that allows an operation to search for a product selected by a doctor as a product to be ordered. For example, the search area 3251 may include a category menu 3251, a keyword input field 3252, a search button 3253, and a search result display area 3254. The category menu 3250 is a pull-down menu for selecting a product category as a product search condition. The keyword input run 3261 is an area for inputting a product name as a search condition. The search button 3253 is a button for causing the sales management server 1 to search for products that satisfy the search conditions specified in the category menu 3251 and the keyword input field 3252. The search result display area 3254 displays the search results for products by the sales management server 1. For example, the search result display area 3254 may display a list of products that satisfy the search conditions. The doctor can select a product that is planned to be ordered from the list displayed in the search result display area 3254. Also, for example, the doctor can select multiple products by repeating search and selection.

[0148] The selected product display area 3260 may display information about a product selected from the search result display area 3254. For example, the selected product display area 3260 may include selected product information 3261 for each selected product. The selected product information 3261 is information about the selected product. For example, the selected product information 3261 may include a product name, a quantity, and a product price. The selected product information 3261 may further include a delete button 3261a and a quantity menu 3261b. The delete button 3261a is a button for removing a product indicated by the selected product information 3261 from the selection. When the delete button 3261a is pressed, the selected product information 3261 including the delete button 3261a is erased from the selected product display area 3260. The quantity menu 3261b is a pull-down menu for changing the quantity of the product indicated by the selected product information 3261. The selected product display area 3260 may further display a shipping fee and a planned payment amount. Furthermore, the selected product display area 3260 may include a cancel button 3262 and a save button 3253. The cancel button 3262 is a button for returning the display on the examination terminal 2 to the display of the medical institution examination screen 3100 without saving the product indicated by the selected product information 3261 as a product to be ordered. The save button 3253 is a button for saving the product indicated by the selected product information 3261 as a product to be ordered.

[0149] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the medical institution examination screen 3100. When the doctor presses the save button 3253 on the order content editing screen 3200, the examination terminal 2 may erase the order content editing screen 3200 and display the medical institution examination screen 3100 again. In this case, as shown in Fig. 18, the planned order content display area 3140 of the medical institution examination screen 3100 may display information about the product selected by the doctor on the order content editing screen 3200, and the prescription content display area 3130 may display information about medical drugs among the products selected by the doctor.

[0150] If the doctor judges that there is no problem with the order contents submitted by the customer, the doctor can select the products to be ordered according to the contents. If necessary, the doctor can select products with contents that are completely or partially different from the contents of the order submitted by the customer.

[0151] The cart information management unit 119 may acquire input information from the examination terminal 2 in response to, for example, the operation of the save button 3253 on the order content editing screen 3200. In this case, the input information may include, for example, selected product information for each product selected by the doctor. The selected product information may include, for example, a product ID, a quantity, a medical drug flag, and the like. The cart information management unit 119 that has acquired the input information may update the cart information stored in the card DB 14c based on the input information. For example, the cart information management unit 119 may delete all cart product information from the current cart information of the customer. Then, the cart information management unit 119 may add each piece of selected product information included in the input information to the card information as cart product information.

[0152] When the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected and an image of the examination terminal 2 is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal 4, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display provided product information indicating a product to be provided to the customer on the screen of the customer screen display control unit 113 based on the input information acquired by the cart information management unit 119. The provided product information may include, for example, at least one of a product name and a product image. The provided product information may further include a quantity. The provided product information may further include at least one of a price and a product fee of the product. The screen of the customer terminal 4 at this time may be a customer examination screen 2000. In the example shown in FIG. 9(a), the provided product information may be planned order product information 2042 included in a planned order display area 2040 of the customer examination screen 2000.

[0153] As described above, when the cart information of the customer is updated based on the input information, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display the provided product information based on the updated cart information. The customer screen display control unit 113 may display the planned order product information 2042 by, for example, transmitting product display information to the customer terminal 4 for displaying the planned order product information 2042 by the customer terminal 4. When the input information is information indicating the product itself provided to the customer, the product display information may be the same information as the input information. Alternatively, the product display information may be the same information as the cart information. Alternatively, the product display information may include HTML tag information for displaying the planned order product information 2042. The product display information may include, for example, the product name, the URL of the product image, the quantity, the product price, etc. The customer screen display control unit 113 may generate the product display information based on the input information or the card information. The customer terminal 4 may display the planned order product information 2042 in the planned order display area 2040 based on the product display information.

[0154] The customer screen display control unit 113 may display, together with the provided product information, amount information 2051 indicating the amount required to purchase the product indicated by the provided product information on the screen of the customer terminal 4. The amount information 2051 may include at least the current scheduled payment amount. The amount information 2051 may further include at least one of the total product price, shipping fee, and the scheduled payment amount at the time of order submission. The customer screen display control unit 113 may display the amount information 2051, for example, by transmitting amount information display information for displaying the amount information 2051 on the customer terminal 4 to the customer terminal 4. The amount information display information may similarly include HTML tag information.

[0155] The customer screen display control unit 113 may display, as provided information, on the screen, planned order product information 2042 indicating order details including the product indicated by the product ID acquired by the medicine identification information acquisition unit 111. For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display the planned order product information 2042 immediately after the connection between the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2, that is, at the start of the online examination. The order details including the product selected by the customer are indicated by the order application information stored in the order application DB 14g. The customer screen display control unit 113 may generate product display information based on this order application information and transmit the product display information to the customer terminal 4.

[0156] Thereafter, the cart information management unit 119 may acquire input information for changing the order contents from the examination terminal 2. In this case, the customer screen display control unit 113 may update the display of the order schedule product information 2042 on the screen of the customer terminal 4 so as to show the order contents after the doctor's change. The customer screen display control unit 113 may also update the display of the amount information 2051 on the screen of the customer terminal 4 so as to show the amount required to purchase the product included in the changed order contents. As described above, when the cart information management unit 119 updates the cart information based on the input information, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate product display information and amount display information based on the updated cart information and transmit this information to the customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 may update the display of this information by displaying the order schedule product information 2042 and amount information 2051 based on this information.

[0157] As described above, the doctor may select the product to be ordered according to the order content submitted by the customer, or may select the product with content different from the content of the order submitted. When the doctor selects the product according to the order content submitted by the customer, the operation of updating the display of the scheduled order product information 2042 is executed, but the content of the displayed scheduled order product information 2042 itself may not change.

[0158] When the customer terminal 4 receives an update operation for updating the display of the planned order product information 2042 on the customer consultation screen 2000, the customer screen display control unit 113 may update the display of the planned order product information 2042. As a result, the planned order product information 2042 in the planned order display area 2040 may be updated to the latest information only at the timing when the update operation is performed. For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may realize the update of the display at the above-mentioned timing by executing the generation of product display information based on the latest cart information and the transmission of this product display information to the customer terminal 4 in response to the reception of the update operation. The customer consultation screen 2000 may be a screen that can receive the update operation. In the example shown in FIG. 9(a), the operation for updating may be the operation of the update button 2041. By adding the procedure of the update operation by the customer, the customer can appropriately recognize that the order contents have been changed. Also, for example, when the doctor performs an operation for changing the order contents, the doctor may prompt the customer to update the display of the planned order product information 2042. In response to this prompting, the customer may perform the update operation. This allows the customer to confirm the changed order details while checking with the doctor.

[0159] The customer screen display control unit 113 may update the display of the planned order product information 2042 on the screen of the customer terminal 4 at the timing when the cart information management unit 119 acquires the input information from the examination terminal 2. This allows the changed order contents to be reflected in the display in the planned order display area 2040 in real time every time the doctor performs an operation to change the order contents.

[0160] When the cart information management unit 119 acquires input information for changing the order content submitted by the customer, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display, on the screen of the customer terminal 4, deletion information indicating a product deleted from the order content due to the change in the order content together with the order-scheduled product information 2042 indicating the changed order content. This allows the customer to recognize the product excluded from the products to be ordered among the products included in the order content submitted by the customer. The deletion information may include at least one of a product name and a product image. The deletion information may also include information similar to the order-scheduled product information 2042. Here, the order-scheduled product information 2042 and the deletion information may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. The ability to distinguish the order-scheduled product information 2042 and the deletion information may mean that the information is visually distinguishable. For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may distinguish the information by differentiating the display mode of the order-scheduled product information 2042 from the deletion information. The display mode may indicate how the information appears. Examples of the display mode include the size, color, transparency, font style, etc. of the information. The customer screen display control unit 113 may display the deletion information, for example, by transmitting deletion information display information to the customer terminal 4 for displaying the deletion information on the customer terminal 4. The deletion display information may similarly include HTML tag information. Furthermore, each of the product display information and the deletion display information may include information indicating the display mode. This information may be, for example, a style sheet. The customer screen display control unit 113 may make it possible to distinguish between the planned order product information 2042 and the deletion information, for example, by displaying them in different areas.

[0161] A doctor may change the quantity of a product. In such a case, the product is included in both the order contents before and after the change, but the quantity of the product has changed. In this case, the customer screen display control unit 113 may or may not display deletion information for the product whose quantity has been changed. When displaying deletion information, the customer screen display control unit 113 may display both deletion information including the quantity before the change and planned order product information 2042 including the quantity after the change for the product.

[0162] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an update of the customer consultation screen 2000. FIG. 19(a) is a diagram showing an example of the customer consultation screen 2000 at the start of an online consultation. As shown in FIG. 19(a), in the order schedule display area 2040, order schedule product information 2042-1 and 2042-2 are displayed as order schedule product information 2042. The order schedule product information 2042-1 indicates that a one-month order of product A with the product name "ABCD 123" is scheduled. The order schedule product information 2042-2 indicates that a one-month order of product B with the product name "XYZ 99" is scheduled. Both products A and B are medical drugs. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, products A and B are displayed in the order application content display area 3120 of the medical institution consultation screen 3100. After that, when the doctor presses the edit button 3131, the examination terminal 2 displays the order content edit screen 3200. Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the doctor selects one month's worth of product A. At this time, the doctor does not select product B. After that, the doctor presses the save button 3253, and the medical examination terminal 2 displays the order content editing screen 3200. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, product A is added to each of the prescription content display area 3130 and the planned order content display area 3140 of the order content editing screen 3200. Therefore, the order content is changed. At this time, the order plan display area 2040 and the amount display area 2050 of the customer examination screen 2000 may not change. FIG. 19(b) is a diagram showing an example of the customer examination screen 2000 after the display in the planned order display area 2040 is updated. After the order content is changed, when the customer presses the update button 2041 of the customer examination screen 2000, the customer terminal 4 updates the customer examination screen 2000. For example, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the display of planned order product information 2042-1 in the planned order display area 2040 is maintained, while the planned order product information 2042-1 is changed to deletion information 2043. The deletion information 2043 indicates product B. For example, the color density of the deletion information 2043 is lower than that of the planned order product information 2042-1. Furthermore, in response to the change in the order details, the amount information 2051 in the amount display area 2050 is also updated. For example, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the total product price and the current planned payment amount are updated.

[0163] [2-3. Configuration of customer terminal] Next, the configuration of the customer terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the customer terminal 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the customer terminal 4 includes a system control unit 41, a system bus 42, an input / output interface 43, a storage unit 44, a communication unit 45, an operation input unit 46, a display unit 47, an image capture unit 48, an audio input unit 49, and an audio output unit 50. The system control unit 41 and the input / output interface 43 are connected via the system bus 42. The customer terminal 4 may not include at least one of the operation input unit 46, the display unit 47, the image capture unit 48, the audio input unit 49, and the audio output unit 50. Instead of including the device, the customer terminal 4 may be connectable to the device via a wired or wireless connection.

[0164] The system control unit 41 includes a CPU 41a, a ROM 41b, a RAM 41c, and the like.

[0165] The input / output interface 43 performs interface processing between the system control unit 41 and the storage unit 44 , communication unit 45 , operation input unit 46 , display unit 47 , imaging unit 48 , audio input unit 49 , and audio output unit 50 .

[0166] The storage unit 44 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive. For example, an operating system, a web browser, a dedicated application for a drug sales site, etc. may be stored in this storage unit 44. The dedicated application may be acquired from a server device such as a predetermined application platform or a sales management server 1 via a network NW, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a memory card, etc. and read via a drive device.

[0167] The communication unit 45 is configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 45 is connected to the sales management server 1 or the examination terminal 2, etc. via the network NW, and controls the communication state with the connected devices.

[0168] The operation input unit 46 may be configured with at least one of, for example, a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, a controller, etc. The operation input unit 46 accepts an operation by a customer and outputs a signal indicating the content of the operation to the system control unit 41.

[0169] The display unit 47 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal panel, an organic panel, etc. The display unit 47 displays information such as characters and images based on the control of the system control unit 41.

[0170] The photographing unit 48 is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor), a lens, etc. The photographing unit 48 captures images such as still images and videos, and outputs a signal of the images to the system control unit 41 or the display unit 47.

[0171] The voice input unit 49 is configured by, for example, a microphone, etc. The voice input unit 49 converts the input voice into a voice signal, and outputs the voice signal to the system control unit 41.

[0172] The audio output unit 50 is configured with, for example, a speaker, etc. The audio output unit 50 converts the audio signal transmitted from the system control unit 41 into audio and outputs the audio.

[0173] [2-4. Functional overview of the system control unit of the customer terminal] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 41 in the customer terminal 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 41 in the customer terminal 4 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 41 may function as a video display control unit 411, an information acquisition unit 412, an information display control unit 413, and the like, as shown in Fig. 21, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in at least one of, for example, a web browser, a dedicated application, and an HTML document transmitted from the sales management server 1.

[0174] When the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, the video display control unit 411 may display the video of the examination terminal 2 on the screen of the display unit 47. For example, the examination terminal 2 may display the video of the examination terminal 2 on the screen while the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected to each other. As described above, the customer terminal 4 may receive video data from the examination terminal 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the video display control unit 411 may display the video in the doctor video area 2010 of the customer examination screen 2000 based on the video data. In addition, the video display control unit 411 may display the video of the customer terminal 4 on the screen of the display unit 47 when the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. For example, the video display control unit 411 may display the video captured by the capture unit 48 in the customer video area 2020.

[0175] The information acquisition unit 412 may acquire product display information for displaying the provided product information. For example, the information acquisition unit 412 may acquire product display information corresponding to the order application information stored in the order application DB 14g from the sales management server 1. For example, the information acquisition unit 412 may acquire product display information corresponding to the input information after input information is input to the examination terminal 2. The information acquisition unit 412 may also acquire price display information corresponding to the input information. When input information for changing the order content is input to the examination terminal 2, the information acquisition unit 412 may further acquire deletion display information corresponding to the input information. For example, the information acquisition unit 412 may acquire information such as product display information from the sales management server 1 that has acquired input information from the examination terminal 2. The information acquisition unit 412 may acquire information such as product display information at the timing when an update operation is accepted on the customer examination screen 2000. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 412 may acquire information such as product display information at the timing when input information is input to the examination terminal 2.

[0176] When the image of the examination terminal 2 side is displayed on the screen of the display unit 47, the information display control unit 413 may display the provided product information on the screen based on the product display information acquired by the information acquisition unit 412. For example, the information display control unit 413 may display the provided product information in an area different from the area where the image of the examination terminal 2 side is displayed. After displaying the provided product information based on the product display information corresponding to the order application information, the information display control unit 413 may update the display of the provided product information on the screen when the product display information corresponding to the input information for changing the order content is acquired by the information acquisition unit 412. The displayed provided product information may be the order target product information 2042 indicating the product ordered by the customer or the product to be ordered. The information display control unit 413 may display the price information 2051 together with the order target product information 2042 based on the price display information acquired by the information acquisition unit 412. The information display control unit 413 may display the price information 2051 in an area different from both the area where the image of the examination terminal 2 side is displayed and the area where the order target product information 2042 is displayed. When the deletion display information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 412, the information display control unit 413 may display the deletion information 2043 together with the intended order product information 2042 based on this deletion display information.

[0177] [2-5. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 are sequence diagrams showing a processing example of the communication system S according to this embodiment. The order of processing is not limited to the order shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. In addition, at least one of the steps shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 may not be executed.

[0178] For example, the process shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is executed as in the first embodiment, and the appointment is completed. The customer causes the customer terminal 4 to display the appointment waiting screen 1900 on the appointment date. In response to the doctor of the medical institution operating the examination terminal 2, the examination terminal 2 acquires the web page of the medical institution examination screen 3100 for the customer who has booked the appointment from the sales management server 1, and displays the medical institution examination screen 3100 as shown in FIG. 22 (step S401). The order application content display area 3120 of the medical institution examination screen 3100 displays the order content indicated by the order application information of the customer who will be examined. Next, in response to the doctor operating the call control button 3150 from the medical institution examination screen 3100. The examination terminal 2 transmits a call connection request to the sales management server 1 (step S402). The call connection request may include, for example, the appointment number of the appointment or the customer ID of the customer who has booked the appointment. The customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1 that has received the call connection request transmits a web page of the customer consultation screen 2000 to the customer terminal 4 of the customer indicated by the customer ID (step S403). The customer terminal 4 displays the customer consultation screen 2000 based on this web page (step S404). Next, as in the first embodiment, session information is transmitted and received between the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 (step S405), and the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected (step S406). Then, transmission and reception of media data between the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 is started (step S407). The video display control unit 411 of the customer terminal 4 starts displaying the video of the examination terminal 2 in the doctor video area 2010 based on the video data included in the media data received from the examination terminal 2 (step S408).

[0179] When the customer terminal 4 and the medical examination terminal 2 are connected, the customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1 acquires the order application information of the customer who will be examined from the order application DB 14g. Then, the customer screen display control unit 113 generates the product display information and the amount display information based on the order application information (step S409). For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate the product display information based on each order application information included in the order application information. Also, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate the amount display information based on the total amount of the product, the shipping fee, and the amount paid at the time of the order application included in the order application information. Next, the customer screen display control unit 113 transmits the generated product display information and amount display information to the customer terminal 4 (step S410). The information display control unit 413 of the customer terminal 4 that has received the product display information and the amount display information displays the order planned product information 2042 in the order planned display area 2040 based on the product display information, and displays the amount information 2051 in the amount display area 2050 based on the amount display information (step S411). When transmitting the web page of the customer examination screen 2000 in step S403, the sales management server 1 may generate a web page of the customer examination screen 2000 that includes the order target product information 2042 and the price information 2051 in advance.

[0180] After that, in response to the doctor operating the edit button 3131 on the medical institution consultation screen 3100, the customer terminal 4 acquires the web page of the order content edit screen 3200 from the sales management server 1 and displays the order content edit screen 3200 (step S412). The selected product display area 3260 of the order content edit screen 3200 may display selected product information 3261 corresponding to each cart product information included in the current cart information of the customer who will be examined. Since the cart product information is deleted from the cart information at the start of the online consultation, the selected product information 3261 is not displayed in the selected product display area 3260. Next, the doctor operates the order content edit screen 3200 to add or delete products to be ordered, or change the quantity (step S413). Then, in response to the doctor pressing the save button 3253, the examination terminal 2 transmits the input information to the sales management server 1 (step S414). The cart information management unit 119 of the sales management server 1 that has received the input information updates the cart information stored in the cart DB 14c for the client who has been examined based on the input information (step S415). Next, the medical institution screen display control unit 116 transmits the web page of the medical institution examination screen 3100 to the examination terminal 2, so that the examination terminal 2 displays the medical institution examination screen 3100 (step S416). At this time, the prescription content display area 3130 and the order schedule content display area 3140 of the medical institution examination screen 3100 each display content corresponding to the latest cart information. Note that steps S412 to S416 are executed as appropriate in response to the operation by the doctor.

[0181] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 23, the customer performs an operation of pressing the update button 2041 of the customer consultation screen 2000 (step S501). The information acquisition unit 412 of the customer terminal 4, which detects this operation, transmits an update request to the sales management server 1 (step S502). The customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1, which receives the update request, generates product display information, deletion information, and price display information based on the cart information and order application information of the customer undergoing the consultation (step S503). For example, the customer screen display control unit 113 may generate product display information based on each cart product information included in the cart information. In addition, the customer screen display control unit 113 may compare each cart product information included in the cart information with each order application information included in the order application information, and extract order application information that does not match any cart product information from the order application information. The customer screen display control unit 113 may generate deletion display information based on each extracted order application information. The customer screen display control unit 113 may also calculate the total product price and determine the shipping fee based on each cart product information included in the cart information, and calculate the current total payment amount. The customer screen display control unit 113 may generate amount display information based on the total product price, shipping fee, current scheduled payment amount, and the scheduled payment amount at the time of order application included in the order application information. Next, the customer screen display control unit 113 transmits the generated product display information, deletion display information, and amount display information to the customer terminal 4 (step S504). The information display control unit 413 of the customer terminal 4 that has received the product display information, deletion display information, and amount display information displays the order-scheduled product information 2042, deletion information 2043, and amount information 2051 based on this information (step S505). As a result, the information display control unit 413 updates the display in the order-scheduled display area 2040 and the display in the amount display area 2050. Note that steps S501 to S505 are executed as appropriate in response to the operation by the customer.

[0182] Finally, the doctor presses the prescription content confirmation button 3160 on the medical institution examination screen 3100 (step S506). The examination terminal 2 detects this operation and transmits a prescription content confirmation request to the sales management server 1 as an example of prescription information (step S507). The prescription history recording unit 118 of the sales management server 1 that receives the prescription content confirmation request generates a prescription log based on the cart information of the customer undergoing examination, and stores the generated prescription log in the prescription history DB 14e (step S508).

[0183] After that, for example, the customer performs an operation of pressing the call end button 2030 on the customer consultation screen 2000 (step S510). In response to this operation, the connection between the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 is cut off, and the transmission and reception of media data is also stopped. In addition, the customer terminal 4 stops displaying the video on the examination terminal 2 side. Furthermore, the customer terminal 4 transmits an order confirmation screen request to the sales management server 1 (step S511). The customer screen display control unit 113 of the sales management server 1 that has received the order confirmation screen request transmits the web page of the order confirmation screen 2100 to the customer terminal 4 (step S512). The customer terminal 4 displays the order confirmation screen 2100 based on this web page. Thereafter, for example, steps S314 to S318 shown in FIG. 13 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0184] As described above, in this embodiment, the sales management server 1 may connect the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2. Furthermore, when the customer terminal 4 and the examination terminal 2 are connected and an image from the examination terminal 2 is displayed on the customer examination screen, the sales management server 1 may acquire input information input to the examination terminal 2 from the examination terminal 2. Furthermore, when an image from the examination terminal 2 is displayed on the customer examination screen, the sales management server 1 may display information on a product to be ordered on the screen of the customer terminal 4 based on the input information. In this case, during a call for a consultation about a medical drug, the customer can be made aware of what product will be provided in accordance with the operation of the medical institution.

[0185] Here, the sales management server 1 may display on the customer consultation screen information on the planned order item, which indicates the order contents including the item selected by the customer to order. Also, when the sales management server 1 acquires input information for changing the order contents, it may update the display of the planned order item information to indicate the changed order contents. In this case, when the order contents desired by the customer are changed by the medical institution, the changed order contents can be made known to the customer.

[0186] At this time, the sales management server 1 may display on the customer consultation screen amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the products with the order contents, together with order item information indicating the order contents including the product selected by the customer. Also, when the sales management server 1 acquires input information for changing the order contents, it may update the display of the amount information to indicate the amount required to purchase the products with the changed order contents. In this case, when the order contents desired by the customer are changed by the medical institution, the customer can be made aware of the amount required to purchase the products with the changed order contents, together with the changed order contents.

[0187] In addition, the sales management server 1 may update the display of the order target product information when the customer terminal 4 receives an operation to update the display of the order target product information on the customer consultation screen. In this case, it is possible to increase the degree of certainty that the customer recognizes whether the order contents have been changed or not.

[0188] In addition, when the sales management server 1 acquires input information for changing the order contents, it may display on the customer consultation screen information indicating the products that have been deleted from the order contents due to the change in the order contents, together with information on the products to be ordered that indicates the changed order contents. In this case, the customer can recognize how the order contents have been changed.

[0189] The sales management server 1 may also display, on the customer consultation screen, together with the order-scheduled product information, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product indicated by the order-scheduled product information. In this case, the customer can be made aware of the amount required to purchase the product presented to the customer based on the input by the medical institution.

[0190] (Appendix 1-1) A product ordering support device comprising: a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information identifying a product selected by a customer to order from a customer terminal device used by the customer; a determination means for determining whether the selected product is an explanation-requiring product that requires explanation before purchase based on the acquired product identification information; and an explanation request screen display control means for causing the customer terminal device to display, before the order is confirmed with order details including the selected product, an explanation request screen on which an explanation request operation can be performed to request an explanation from a specified person about the selected product if the selected product is determined to be an explanation-requiring product.

[0191] (Appendix 1-2) The product ordering support device described in Appendix 1-1 is further characterized in that it comprises an order confirmation screen display control means for causing the customer terminal device to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the selected product after the explanation from the person giving the explanation to the customer in response to the explanation request operation being accepted on the explanation request screen displayed by the customer terminal device.

[0192] (Appendix 1-3) The product order support device described in Appendix 1-2 is characterized in that, when the explanation request operation is accepted on the explanation request screen displayed by the customer terminal device, the product order support device further comprises an explainer screen display control means for causing an explainer terminal device used by the explainer to display an explainer screen showing the selected product included in the order details, the explainer screen allowing modification operations to be performed to change the order details in the explanation given to the customer.

[0193] (Appendix 1-4) The product order support device described in Appendix 1-3 is characterized in that, when the change operation is accepted on the presenter screen displayed by the presenter terminal device, the order confirmation screen indicating that the order will be confirmed with the changed order contents is displayed on the customer terminal device.

[0194] (Appendix 1-5) A product order support device as described in any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-4, characterized in that when it is determined that the selected product is not a product requiring explanation, the explanation request screen display control means does not cause the explanation request screen to be displayed on the customer terminal device, and the order confirmation screen display control means causes the order confirmation screen to be displayed on the customer terminal device.

[0195] (Appendix 1-6) The product order support device described in any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-5 is characterized in that the order confirmation screen is a screen on which a confirmation operation can be performed to confirm the order, and further comprises a payment means for executing a payment process to settle the purchase price of the product included in the order details after the confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen displayed by the customer terminal device.

[0196] (Appendix 1-7) The product order support device according to any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-6, characterized in that the product requiring explanation is a medical drug, the person giving the explanation is a medical institution, and the device further comprises a prescription determination means for determining whether the selected product has been prescribed for the customer within a predetermined period from the current time and purchased by the customer based on prescription history information indicating a history of prescriptions made by the medical institution to the customer and purchase history information indicating a history of product purchases by the customer, the prescription determined to have been made within the predetermined period from the current time can be used to provide the selected product to the customer multiple times, the predetermined period being a period during which the prescription can be used for the second or subsequent times, and when it is determined that the selected product is the medical drug and that the selected product has been prescribed for the customer within the predetermined period from the current time and purchased by the customer, the explanation request screen display control means does not display the explanation request screen on the customer terminal device, and the order confirmation screen display control means displays the order confirmation screen on the customer terminal device.

[0197] (Appendix 1-8) A product order support device as described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-7, further comprising a connection means for connecting the customer terminal device and an explainer terminal device used by the explainer to enable communication for the explanation when the explanation request operation is accepted on the explanation request screen displayed by the customer terminal device.

[0198] (Appendix 1-9) A product ordering support device as described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-8, characterized in that the product requiring explanation is a medical drug, the person giving the explanation is a medical institution, and the explanation request screen is a screen on which an operation can be performed to request an examination by the medical institution for the prescription of the selected product as the explanation request operation.

[0199] (Supplementary Note 1-10) The product order support device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1-1 to 1-8, wherein the presenter is a seller who sells the product requiring explanation.

[0200] (Appendix 1-11) A product ordering support method executed by a computer, comprising: a product identification information acquisition step of acquiring product identification information identifying a product selected by a customer to order from a customer terminal device used by the customer; a determination step of judging whether the selected product is an explanation-requiring product that requires an explanation from a specified explainer before purchase based on the acquired product identification information; and a consultation request screen display control step of causing the customer terminal device to display an explanation request screen on which an explanation request operation can be performed to request an explanation about the selected product from the explainer if it is determined that the selected product is an explanation-requiring product before the order is confirmed with order details including the selected product.

[0201] (Appendix 2-1) A product information presentation control device characterized by comprising: a connection means for connecting a customer terminal device used by a customer and an explainer terminal device used by an explainer who provides the customer with an explanation about a product that requires explanation before purchase so as to enable a call for the explanation; an input information acquisition means for acquiring, from the explainer terminal device, input information entered into the explainer terminal device about a product to be provided to the customer when the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device are connected so that an image from the explainer terminal device is displayed on the screen of the customer terminal device; and a customer screen display control means for displaying on the screen provided product information indicating the product to be provided to the customer based on the acquired input information when an image from the explainer terminal device is displayed on the screen.

[0202] (Appendix 2-2) The product information presentation control device described in Appendix 2-1 is characterized in that it further comprises a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies a product selected by the customer to order, the customer screen display control means displays the provided product information on the screen indicating the order contents including the product indicated by the acquired product identification information, and when the input information for changing the order contents is acquired by the input information acquisition means, the customer screen display control means updates the display of the provided product information to indicate the changed order contents.

[0203] (Appendix 2-3) The product information presentation control device described in Appendix 2-2 is characterized in that the customer screen display control means displays on the screen, together with the provided product information indicating the order details, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product with the order details, and when the input information for changing the order details is acquired by the input information acquisition means, the customer screen display control means updates the display of the amount information to indicate the amount required to purchase the product with the changed order details.

[0204] (Appendix 2-4) The product information presentation control device described in Appendix 2-2 or 2-3, characterized in that the customer screen display control means updates the display of the provided product information when the customer terminal device receives an operation to update the display of the provided product information on the screen.

[0205] (Appendix 2-5) The product information presentation control device described in any one of Appendices 2-2 to 2-4, characterized in that when the input information for changing the order contents is acquired by the input information acquisition means, the customer screen display control means displays on the screen the provided product information indicating the changed order contents, together with deleted product information indicating products that have been deleted from the order contents due to the change in the order contents.

[0206] (Appendix 2-6) The product information presentation control device described in any one of Appendices 2-1 to 2-5, characterized in that the customer screen display control means displays, together with the provided product information, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product indicated by the provided product information on the screen.

[0207] (Appendix 2-7) A product information presentation control device as described in any one of Appendices 2-2 to 2-5, further comprising a determination means for determining whether the selected product is a product that requires explanation before purchase based on the acquired product identification information, and the connection means connects the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device when it is determined that the selected product is a product that requires explanation.

[0208] (Appendix 2-8) The product information presentation control device described in Appendix 2-7 further comprises an order confirmation screen display control means for causing the customer terminal device to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the product indicated by the provided product information displayed on the screen after the connection between the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device is disconnected, and when it is determined that the selected product is not a product requiring explanation, the connection means does not connect the customer terminal device to the presenter terminal device, and the order confirmation screen display control means causes the customer terminal device to display the order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the selected product.

[0209] (Appendix 2-9) The product information presentation control device described in Appendix 2-7 or 2-8 further comprises an explanation request screen display control means for displaying on the customer terminal device an explanation request screen on which an explanation request operation can be performed to request the explanation when it is determined that the selected product is a product requiring explanation, and the connection means connects the customer terminal device and the explainer terminal device after the explanation request operation is accepted on the explanation request screen displayed by the customer terminal device.

[0210] (Appendix 2-10) A product information presentation control device described in any one of Appendices 2-2 to 2-5, characterized in that the connection means connects the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device before confirming the order content including the selected product.

[0211] (Appendix 2-11) A product information presentation control device as described in any one of Appendices 2-1 to 2-10, further comprising an order confirmation screen display control means for causing the customer terminal device to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with order details including the product indicated by the provided product information displayed on the screen after the connection between the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device is disconnected.

[0212] (Appendix 2-12) The order confirmation screen is a screen on which a confirmation operation can be performed to confirm the order, and the communication control device described in Appendix 2-11 is further characterized in that after the confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen displayed by the customer terminal device, the communication control device further comprises a payment means for executing a payment process to settle the purchase price of the product included in the order details.

[0213] (Appendix 2-13) A product information presentation control device described in any one of Appendices 2-1 to 2-12, characterized in that the provided product includes a medical drug, the presenter is a medical institution, and the connection means connects the customer terminal device and the presenter terminal device to enable the medical institution to make a telephone call to examine the customer.

[0214] (Appendix 2-14) A terminal program characterized by causing a computer of a customer terminal device used by a customer to function as: an image display control means for displaying an image from the presenter terminal device on a screen when the customer terminal device and an explainer terminal device used by an explainer who provides the customer with an explanation about a product that needs to be explained before purchase are connected so as to be capable of a telephone conversation for the explanation; a provided product display information acquisition means for acquiring provided product display information corresponding to input information, which is provided product information indicating the product to be provided to the customer after input information about the product to be provided to the customer is input into the explainer terminal device; and a provided product information display control means for displaying the provided product information on the screen based on the acquired provided product display information when the image from the presenter terminal device is displayed on the screen. [Explanation of symbols]

[0215] 1. Sales management server 2. Examination terminal 3. Shipping terminal 4. Customer terminal 11 System control section 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interface 14 Storage section 14a Member DB 14b Product DB 14c Cart DB 14d Medical appointment database 14e Prescription history DB 14f Order DB 111 Drug Identification Information Acquisition Department 112 Medical Drugs Evaluation Department 113 Customer screen display control unit 114 Reservation information generation unit 115 Communication connection part 116 Medical institution screen display control unit 117 Prescription Information Receiving Unit 118 Prescription History Record Section 119 Cart Information Management Department 120 Order information generation unit 121 Payment Department 122 Customer Identification Information Acquisition Department 123 Prescription Judgment Department 41 System control section 42 System Bus 43 Input / Output Interface 44 Memory section 45 Communications Department 46 Operation input section 47 Display section 48 Photography Department 49 Audio input section 50 Audio output section 411 Video display control unit 412 Information Acquisition Department 413 Information display control unit NW Network

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring order details information relating to an order, including items added to the cart by the user, A connection means for connecting a user terminal used by the user and an explainer terminal used by the explainer who explains the product to the user, for the purpose of the explanation, Once the connection for the above explanation is established, the user terminal display control means displays the order details information on the screen of the user terminal, While the connection for the above explanation is in operation, a change acceptance means for accepting changes to the order details information from the presenter's terminal, While the connection for the above explanation is in operation, an update request receiving means receives a request from the user terminal to update the display of the order details information, If the request is accepted, the user terminal display update control means displays the order information reflecting the accepted changes on the user terminal screen while the connection for the explanation is in operation, and until the request is accepted, displays the order information before the changes are reflected on the user terminal screen. A product information display control device equipped with the following features.

2. The change acceptance means is capable of accepting changes to the order details information multiple times while the connection for the explanation is in operation, The product information display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the user terminal display update control means displays the order details information on the screen that reflects the latest change among the changes received by the change reception means at the time the update request reception means receives the request.

3. The product information display control device according to claim 2, further comprising a confirmation means for confirming an order with order details that reflect the last change received by the change acceptance means while the connection for the above explanation is in progress.

4. The user terminal display control means displays on the screen, along with the order details information, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the goods according to the order details. The product information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the user terminal display update control means displays the amount information reflecting the received changes on the screen.

5. The product information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when a change in the order contents is accepted by the change acceptance means, the user terminal display update control means displays the order contents information reflecting the change, along with deleted product information indicating the products that have been removed from the order contents due to the change in the order contents, on the screen.

6. The product information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the user terminal display control means displays on the screen, along with the order details, amount information indicating the amount required to purchase the product according to the order details.

7. The cart is further comprising a determination means for determining whether the product indicated by the acquired order information is a product that requires explanation before purchase, The product information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection means connects the user terminal and the presenter terminal when it is determined that the product placed in the cart is a product requiring explanation.

8. The order confirmation screen display control means further causes the user terminal to display an order confirmation screen on the user terminal indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the products shown by the order contents information displayed on the screen, after the connection between the user terminal and the presenter terminal has been disconnected. If it is determined that the items placed in the cart are not items requiring explanation, the connection means will not connect the user terminal and the presenter terminal, and the order confirmation screen display control means will cause the user terminal to display the order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the items placed in the cart, as described in claim 7.

9. If it is determined that the product placed in the cart is the product requiring explanation, the cart further comprises an explanation request screen display control means that displays an explanation request screen on the user terminal, which allows the user to perform an explanation request operation to request the explanation. The product information presentation control device according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection means connects the user terminal and the presenter terminal after the explanation request operation is accepted on the explanation request screen displayed by the user terminal.

10. The product information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting means connects the user terminal and the presenter terminal before confirming the order with the order contents including the products placed in the cart.

11. The product information presentation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an order confirmation screen display control means that causes the user terminal to display an order confirmation screen indicating that the order is confirmed with the order contents including the products shown by the order contents information displayed on the screen, after the connection between the user terminal and the presenter terminal has been disconnected.

12. The order confirmation screen is a screen on which a confirmation operation can be performed to confirm the order, The product information display control device according to claim 11, further comprising a payment means that performs a payment process to settle the purchase price of the products included in the order after the confirmation operation is accepted on the order confirmation screen displayed by the user terminal.

13. The items placed in the cart include a prescription drug, The person who provided the explanation is a medical institution. The product information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection means connects the user terminal and the presenter terminal for the medical institution to examine the user.

14. A computer in a user terminal used by a user, When the user terminal and the presenter's terminal, used by the presenter who provides explanations about the products to the user, are connected for the purpose of the explanation, a display control means is provided to display order information on the screen, including the products added to the cart by the user. After the change to the order details information is received by the presenter's terminal while the connection for the above explanation is in effect, an acquisition means for acquiring the order details information that reflects the change, While the connection for the above explanation is in operation, an operation receiving means for receiving an operation to update the display of the order details information, If the operation is accepted, a display update means displays the order details information on the screen that reflects the accepted changes while the connection for the explanation is still active, and displays the order details information on the screen before the changes are reflected until the operation is accepted. A terminal program characterized by its ability to function as such.

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