Gift ordering system, gift ordering method, and program

Abstract

To provide a gift ordering system, gift ordering method, and program that enable the recipient to receive a gift of the appropriate size in a service that can send a gift of a product that takes the recipient's body size into account when purchasing while keeping the information that reveals the recipient's body size secret from the person who ordered the gift.SOLUTION: The gift ordering system includes an order reception unit that accepts an order for a product that takes a body size into account and is selected to be sent as a gift to a recipient who is a different person to a person placing the order, an acquisition unit that acquires the physical information of the recipient who receives the product for which the order has been accepted, a matching unit that processes the matching of the size of the product for which the order has been received with the physical information of the recipient that has been acquired, and a shipping processing unit that processes shipments to ship the product, which is the same size as the recipient's physical information, to the recipient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gift ordering system, a gift ordering method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in some cases, online services require users to register personal information in order to use the service. For example, in a service that allows users to purchase products, users must register their address, name, telephone number, email address, credit card number, etc. In such cases, the user's personal information becomes known to the seller, and there is a problem that the seller may send unnecessary solicitations via direct mail or telephone, etc.

[0003] In response to this, various techniques have been proposed for concealing personal information of users in online services. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that enables a person who orders a product to make a request for product purchase to a product seller using an anonymous ID, thereby making it possible to purchase the product while concealing personal information from the seller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-296637 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some online services allow users to give gifts to others. When giving a gift that takes into account body size when purchasing (such as apparel), the person ordering the gift needs to select a product of an appropriate size by considering the body size of the recipient. To do this, the person ordering the gift needs to receive information from the recipient (such as the size of each body part or the size of the product) that allows the person ordering the gift to select a product of an appropriate size. On the other hand, some recipients do not want the person ordering the gift to know information that reveals their own body size, such as the size of each body part or the size of an apparel product. However, the technology of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can conceal the personal information of the recipient from the orderer, but cannot conceal information that reveals the recipient's body size. Therefore, in a service that allows the gift of a product that takes body size into consideration when purchasing as a gift, it is desirable for the gift recipient to be able to receive a gift of an appropriate size while concealing information that reveals their own body size from the gift orderer.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gift ordering system, a gift ordering method, and a program that enable a gift recipient to receive an appropriately sized gift while keeping information revealing the recipient's own body size secret from the gift orderer, in a service that allows the gift recipient to give a product that takes body size into consideration when purchasing as a gift. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one embodiment of the gift ordering system of the present invention is a gift ordering system that includes an order receiving unit that receives an order to give to a recipient, the recipient being a different person from the orderer, a product that takes body size into consideration when purchasing, the product having been selected by the orderer as a gift for the recipient; an acquisition unit that acquires physical information of the recipient who will receive the product for which an order has been accepted; a matching unit that performs a matching process between the size of the product for which an order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient; and a shipping processing unit that performs a shipping process to ship the product, the size of which matches the physical information of the recipient, to the recipient.

[0008] A gift ordering method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a computer-executed gift ordering method including an order receiving process for receiving an order for a product selected by an orderer as a gift for a recipient who is different from the orderer, the product taking into consideration body size when purchasing the product, to be given to the recipient; an acquisition process for acquiring physical information of the recipient who will receive the product for which the order has been accepted; a matching process for performing a matching process between the size of the product for which the order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient; and a shipping process for performing a shipping process to ship the product, the size of which matches the physical information of the recipient, to the recipient.

[0009] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as an order receiving means for receiving an order to give to a recipient, who is a different person from the orderer, a product that takes body size into consideration when purchasing, which product has been selected by the orderer as a gift for the recipient; an acquisition means for acquiring physical information of the recipient who will receive the product for which an order has been accepted; a matching means for performing a matching process between the size of the product for which an order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient; and a shipping processing means for performing a shipping process to ship to the recipient the product whose size matches the physical information of the recipient. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, in a service that allows a product that takes body size into consideration when purchasing to be given as a gift, the gift recipient can receive a gift of an appropriate size while keeping information that reveals the recipient's own body size secret from the gift orderer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a gift ordering service according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a gift ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an orderer terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a recipient terminal according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a gift ordering server according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a usage permission screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a public / private information screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an EC site server according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process flow relating to creation, registration, and updating of various information according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow regarding a gift item determination by an orderer in this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] A sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow regarding gift receipt approval in this embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow related to a gift order according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process flow relating to gift delivery and feedback according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <1. Gift ordering service overview> An overview of the gift ordering service according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the gift ordering service according to this embodiment.

[0014] The gift ordering service is a service that allows users to give gifts to others. Users can order products sold on EC (electronic commerce) sites affiliated with the gift ordering service as gifts on a platform that provides the gift ordering service. The gift item is a product for which body size is taken into consideration when purchasing, such as an apparel product. Apparel products include, for example, clothing, bags, and accessories. Clothing items specifically include clothing, headgear, gloves, and footwear. The sizes of the gift item may be multiple different sizes for one product, or only one size may be available. If multiple different sizes are available, it is considered that an appropriate size is selected taking into consideration body size. If the product is only available in one size, it is considered that the product or another product is selected taking into consideration body size. In addition, the gift target is not limited to apparel products, so long as the product is one that takes into consideration body size when purchasing. For example, the gift target may be sporting goods, medical supplies, electronic equipment, etc. An example of sporting goods is gloves, the size of which is selected in consideration of the size of the hand. An example of medical supplies is a mask, the size of which is selected in consideration of the size of the face. An example of electronic equipment is a wearable device, the size of which is selected in consideration of the size of the part of the body to be worn. In the following, this embodiment will be described by taking an example in which the gift object is an apparel product.

[0015] In this embodiment, the user who orders the gift (hereinafter also referred to as the "orderer") and the user who receives the gift (hereinafter also referred to as the "recipient") are different people. Conventionally, in order for a user to give an apparel product as a gift to another person, the user had to know the other person's size in order to give the other person an apparel product of an appropriate size. In the gift ordering service according to this embodiment, an orderer can order an apparel product of an appropriate size as a gift for a recipient even if he or she does not know the recipient's size.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the gift ordering service according to this embodiment is affiliated with multiple EC sites 1 (1-1 to 1-N (N: natural number)) that handle apparel products. When there are multiple EC sites 1, the gift ordering service prepares a product catalog 2 that consolidates the product information managed by each EC site 1 into one (step S1). The product information is information that indicates apparel products handled by the EC site. The orderer and the recipient can view the product catalog 2 on the platform of the gift ordering service, and can view products from multiple EC sites 1 at the same time. In the product catalog, each product information can be sorted by type (for example, by category such as shirts, bottoms, shoes, etc.), by brand, etc. This eliminates the need for the orderer and the recipient to directly access each EC site 1 depending on the type or brand of the product they wish to view, reducing the effort required for product searches.

[0017] The recipient registers to use the gift ordering service (step S2). In this registration, the recipient inputs and registers personal data. Personal data is information about the individual recipient, and includes, for example, personal information and physical information. Personal information is information that can identify the recipient (a specific individual). Personal information is, for example, name, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address, etc. Physical information is information that indicates the recipient's body size. Specific examples of physical information include height, weight, head circumference, neck circumference, shoulder width, chest circumference, abdominal circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, thigh circumference, knee circumference, calf circumference, ankle circumference, arm length, inseam length, and hand and foot size. The personal data entered by the recipient is registered in a personal data store 3 (PDS). Neither the orderer nor the recipient can access the personal data store 3.

[0018] If the recipient has any preferences for the apparel products they are receiving, they register a wish list 4 indicating the desired contents (step S3). For example, the recipient can register preferences such as jackets in general, product B of brand A, and shoes of brand C. The wish list 4 is accessible and viewable by both the orderer and the recipient. The recipient cannot register a desired size in wish list 4. This is to prevent the recipient's physical information from being known (or inferred) from the orderer. For this reason, wish list 4 contains information about the apparel products the recipient desires, but does not contain any information related to the recipient's physical information.

[0019] The orderer views the recipient's wish list 4 and considers apparel items to be gifted (step S4). The orderer browses the product catalog 2 based on the results of his / her consideration, decides on a gift item, and places an order (step S5). For example, since wish list 4 states "all jackets," the orderer searches the product catalog for a jacket that would look good on the recipient and decides on it as a gift item. Also, since wish list 4 states "product B of brand A," the orderer may search for "product B of brand A" in the product catalog and decide on it as a gift item. Also, since wish list 4 states "shoes of brand C," the orderer may search for "shoes of brand C" in the product catalog, find shoes that would look good on the recipient from the search results, and decide on it as a gift item. When placing an order, the customer selects the apparel product to be ordered, but does not need to select the size.

[0020] When the gift ordering service receives an order from an orderer, it performs a matching (size matching) between the sizes available for the ordered apparel product and the physical information of the recipient registered in the personal data store 3 (step S6). Through this matching, the gift ordering service identifies a size appropriate for the recipient from among the sizes available for the ordered apparel product. After the size is specified, shipping processing and arrangements are made, and the gift is sent from the EC site 1 to the recipient (step S7).

[0021] As described above, the gift ordering service according to this embodiment identifies and ships an apparel product of an appropriate size for the recipient by size matching based on the size of the apparel product and the physical information registered in advance by the recipient. This allows the orderer to give an apparel product of an appropriate size as a gift to the recipient even if the orderer does not know the appropriate size for the recipient. In addition, the physical information registered by the recipient is not disclosed to the orderer, so the recipient can receive an apparel product of an appropriate size as a gift without the orderer knowing his or her own physical information.

[0022] <2. Gift ordering system configuration> The outline of the gift ordering service according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the configuration of the gift ordering system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the gift ordering system according to this embodiment.

[0023] The gift ordering system 1000 shown in Fig. 2 is a system for operating the gift ordering service described with reference to Fig. 1. The gift ordering system 1000 functions as a platform for operating the gift ordering service. 2, the gift ordering system 1000 includes an orderer terminal 10, a recipient terminal 20, a gift ordering server 30, and an EC site server 40. The network NW may be configured to transmit and receive information using, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network (mobile phone network, landline telephone network, etc.), a regional Internet Protocol (IP) network, the Internet, etc.

[0024] (1) Orderer terminal 10 The orderer terminal 10 is a terminal used by an orderer. The orderer terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). The orderer terminal 10 is communicably connected to the gift ordering server 30 via a network NW.

[0025] A screen for an orderer to use the gift ordering service is displayed on the orderer terminal 10 by an application for using the gift ordering service (hereinafter also referred to as a "gift ordering application") The orderer can view a wish list, view a product catalog, order a gift, etc. based on the screen displayed on the orderer terminal 10 by the gift ordering application.

[0026] (2) Recipient terminal 20 The recipient terminal 20 is a terminal used by the recipient. The recipient terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or other terminal. The recipient terminal 20 is communicably connected to the gift ordering server 30 via the network NW.

[0027] The gift ordering application displays a screen for the recipient to use the gift ordering service on the recipient terminal 20. The recipient can register personal data, register a wish list, view a product catalog, and so on, based on the screen displayed on the recipient terminal 20 by the gift ordering application.

[0028] The functions of the gift ordering app may be provided by installing the gift ordering app on the orderer terminal 10 and the recipient terminal 20 (i.e., a native app), or may be provided by a Web system (i.e., a Web app). In the case of a Web system, the functions of the gift ordering app are provided via a Web browser.

[0029] (3) Gift Order Server 30 The gift ordering server 30 is a server for managing the gift ordering service, and is an example of a gift ordering device. The gift ordering server 30 is composed of one or more servers (e.g., cloud servers). The gift ordering server 30 is connected to the orderer terminal 10, the recipient terminal 20, and the EC site server 40 via the network NW so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0030] (4)EC site server 40 The EC site server 40 is a server for managing the EC site. The EC site server 40 is configured with one or more servers (for example, cloud servers). The EC site server 40 is communicatively connected to the gift ordering server 30 via the network NW. The number of EC site servers 40 is not particularly limited, and there can be any number N (N is a natural number) of EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N. For example, there can be as many EC site servers 40 as there are EC sites affiliated with the gift ordering service.

[0031] <3. Functional configuration of the orderer terminal> The configuration of the gift ordering system 1000 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the orderer terminal 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the orderer terminal 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the orderer terminal 10 includes a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a storage unit 130, a control unit 140, and an output unit 150.

[0032] (1) Communications Department 110 The communication unit 110 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 110 communicates with the gift ordering server 30 to transmit and receive various information.

[0033] (2) Input unit 120 The input unit 120 has a function of receiving input from an orderer. The input unit 120 is configured with an input device that the orderer terminal 10 has as hardware, such as a button, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, and the like.

[0034] (3) Storage section 130 The storage unit 130 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 130 is configured by a storage medium provided in the orderer terminal 10 as hardware, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or any combination of these storage media.

[0035] (4) Control unit 140 The control unit 140 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the orderer terminal 10. The control unit 140 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the orderer terminal 10 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 140 includes an operation receiving unit 1401 , a request unit 1402 , and an output control unit 1403 .

[0036] (4-1) Operation reception unit 1401 The operation receiving unit 1401 has a function of receiving operations of an orderer inputted to the input unit 120. The operation receiving unit 1401 receives operations such as a wish list viewing operation, a product catalog viewing operation, a gift selection operation, and an order operation from the orderer. The wish list viewing operation is an operation for viewing a wish list. By using the wish list viewing operation, the orderer can view the wish lists registered in advance by the recipients and consider gift items. The product catalog browsing operation is an operation for browsing a product catalog. By using the product catalog browsing operation, the orderer can browse a product catalog created in advance by the gift ordering server 30 and determine a gift object. The gift selection operation is an operation for selecting a gift to be ordered. The orderer can select a product determined as a gift by the gift selection operation and ask the recipient for acceptance of the gift. The acceptance of the gift is an approval for the recipient to receive the apparel product selected by the orderer as a gift. The ordering operation is an operation for ordering a selected gift. The orderer can use the ordering operation to order a gift object that has been accepted for receipt by the recipient.

[0037] (4-2) Request section 1402 The request unit 1402 has a function of issuing various requests, such as a request to view a wish list, a request to view a product catalog, a request to acknowledge receipt, an order request, etc. When the operation receiving unit 1401 receives an operation to view a wish list by an orderer, the request unit 1402 transmits a wish list viewing request from the communication unit 110 to the gift ordering server 30. In response to the wish list viewing request, the communication unit 110 receives the wish list from the gift ordering server 30. Furthermore, when the operation receiving unit 1401 receives a product catalog browsing operation by an orderer, the request unit 1402 transmits a product catalog browsing request from the communication unit 110 to the gift ordering server 30. The communication unit 110 receives the product catalog from the gift ordering server 30 in response to the product catalog browsing request. Furthermore, when the operation receiving unit 1401 receives a gift selection operation by the orderer, the request unit 1402 transmits a receipt approval request from the communication unit 110 to the gift ordering server 30. In response to the receipt approval request, the communication unit 110 receives an approval result from the gift ordering server 30. Furthermore, when the operation receiving unit 1401 receives an order operation by an orderer, the request unit 1402 transmits an order request from the communication unit 110 to the gift ordering server 30. In response to the order request, the communication unit 110 receives from the gift ordering server 30 a stock confirmation result.

[0038] (4-3) Output control unit 1403 The output control unit 1403 has a function of controlling the output of various screens and information. For example, the output control unit 1403 causes the output unit 150 to display a screen of a gift ordering application. As an example, the output control unit 1403 causes the output unit 150 to display a screen for an orderer to input various operations such as a wish list viewing operation, a product catalog viewing operation, a gift selection operation, and an order operation. In addition, the output control unit 1403 causes the output unit 150 to display a wish list, a product catalog, an approval result, an inventory check result, and the like, which the communication unit 110 receives from the gift ordering server 30 in response to various requests by the request unit 1402.

[0039] (5) Output unit 150 The output unit 150 has a function of outputting various information. The output unit 150 is configured by an output device provided in the orderer terminal 10 as hardware, for example, a display device such as a display device or a touch screen (touch panel), or an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0040] <4. Functional configuration of the recipient terminal> The functional configuration of the orderer terminal 10 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the recipient terminal 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the recipient terminal 20 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the recipient terminal 20 includes a communication unit 210, an input unit 220, a storage unit 230, a control unit 240, and an output unit 250.

[0041] (1) Communications unit 210 The communication unit 210 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 210 communicates with the gift ordering server 30 to transmit and receive various information.

[0042] (2) Input unit 220 The input unit 220 has a function of receiving input from a recipient. The input unit 220 is configured with an input device that the recipient terminal 20 has as hardware, such as a button, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, and the like.

[0043] (3) Storage section 230 The storage unit 230 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 230 is configured by a storage medium provided in the receiver terminal 20 as hardware, such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, an EEPROM, a RAM, a ROM, or any combination of these storage media.

[0044] (4) Control unit 240 The control unit 240 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the recipient terminal 20. The control unit 240 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the recipient terminal 20 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 240 includes an operation receiving unit 2401 , a request unit 2402 , and an output control unit 2403 .

[0045] (4-1) Operation reception unit 2401 The operation receiving unit 2401 has a function of receiving operations of the recipient inputted to the input unit 220. The operation receiving unit 2401 receives operations such as a personal data registration operation, a wish list registration operation, a receipt acknowledgement operation, and a feedback operation from the recipient. The personal data registration operation is an operation for registering personal data. The recipient can register personal data including personal information and physical information by performing the registration operation. Note that there is no particular restriction on the timing of registration of the recipient's personal data, so long as it is registered before the orderer places the order. The wish list registration operation is an operation for registering a wish list. A recipient can register a wish list by using the wish list registration operation. The receipt acknowledgement operation is an operation for acknowledging receipt. The recipient can approve or deny receipt of the apparel item selected by the orderer through the receipt acknowledgement operation. For example, if the recipient has already received a similar or identical apparel item to the apparel item for which the recipient has requested receipt acknowledgement, the recipient can refuse receipt by denying the receipt acknowledgement. This allows the orderer to prevent receiving duplicate desired apparel items. The feedback operation is an operation for providing feedback on a received gift. The recipient can use the feedback operation to register feedback on the size of the received apparel item. Examples of feedback on the size of the apparel item include "the size was just right," "I wish the sleeves were a little shorter," "the waist was a little tight," etc.

[0046] (4-2) Request section 2402 The request unit 2402 has a function of making various requests. For example, the request unit 2402 makes a personal data registration request, a wish list registration request, an approval processing request, a feedback request, etc. When the operation receiving unit 2401 receives a personal data registration operation by the recipient, the request unit 2402 transmits a personal data registration request from the communication unit 210 to the gift ordering server 30. When transmitting the personal data registration request, the request unit 2402 also transmits the personal data input by the recipient in the personal data registration operation to the gift ordering server 30. Furthermore, when the operation receiving unit 2401 receives a wish list registration operation by the recipient, the request unit 2402 transmits a wish list registration request from the communication unit 210 to the gift ordering server 30. When transmitting the wish list registration request, the request unit 2402 also transmits to the gift ordering server 30 the registration contents for the wish list input by the recipient in the wish list registration operation. Furthermore, when the operation receiving unit 2401 receives a receipt approval operation by the recipient, the request unit 2402 transmits an approval processing request from the communication unit 210 to the gift ordering server 30. When transmitting the approval processing request, the request unit 2402 also transmits the approval result input by the recipient in the receipt approval operation to the gift ordering server 30. Furthermore, when the operation receiving unit 2401 receives a feedback operation by the recipient, the request unit 2402 transmits a feedback request from the communication unit 210 to the gift ordering server 30. When transmitting the feedback request, the request unit 2402 also transmits feedback information indicating the content of the feedback input by the recipient in the feedback operation to the gift ordering server 30.

[0047] (4-3) Output control unit 2403 The output control unit 2403 has a function of controlling the output of various screens and information. For example, the output control unit 2403 causes the output unit 250 to display a screen of a gift ordering application. As one example, the output control unit 2403 causes the output unit 250 to display a screen for the recipient to input various operations such as a personal data registration operation, a wish list registration operation, a receipt acknowledgement operation, and a feedback operation.

[0048] (5) Output section 250 The output unit 250 has a function of outputting various information. The output unit 250 is configured by an output device that the receiver terminal 20 has as hardware, for example, a display device such as a display device or a touch screen (touch panel), or an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0049] <5. Functional configuration of gift order server> The functional configuration of the recipient terminal 20 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the gift ordering server 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the gift ordering server 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the gift ordering server 30 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0050] (1) Communications Unit 310 The communication unit 310 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 310 communicates with the orderer terminal 10, the recipient terminal 20, and the EC site server 40 to transmit and receive various information.

[0051] (2) Storage section 320 The storage unit 320 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 320 is configured by a storage medium provided as hardware in the gift ordering server 30, such as a HDD, SSD, flash memory, EEPROM, RAM, ROM, or any combination of these storage media. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 320 includes a product catalog storage unit 3201, a personal data storage unit 3202, a wish list storage unit 3203, an inventory information storage unit 3204, and a feedback information storage unit 3205.

[0052] (2-1) Product catalog storage unit 3201 The product catalog storage unit 3201 has a function of storing a product catalog The product catalog storage unit 3201 stores a product catalog created by a product catalog processing unit 3302, which will be described later.

[0053] (2-2) Personal data storage unit 3202 The personal data storage unit 3202 has a function of storing personal data, and stores therein personal data whose registration has been accepted by the personal data processing unit 3303 described later. The personal data storage unit 3202 functions as a personal data store (PDS) that stores the recipient's personal data, and when a request is made to use the personal data, it outputs only the personal data that the recipient has previously authorized for use.

[0054] (2-3) Wish List Storage Unit 3203 The wish list storage unit 3203 has a function of storing a wish list. The wish list storage unit 3203 stores a wish list created by a wish list processing unit 3304, which will be described later.

[0055] (2-4) Inventory information storage unit 3204 The inventory information storage unit 3204 has a function of storing inventory information. The inventory information storage unit 3204 stores the inventory information that the communication unit 310 receives from the EC site server 40. The inventory information is information that indicates whether or not an apparel item is in stock. Specifically, the inventory information is information that indicates whether each item is in stock or not. For example, when an item listed in a product catalog is out of stock, the inventory information managed by the EC site server 40 is updated and communicated from the EC site server 40 to the gift order server 30.

[0056] (2-5) Feedback information storage unit 3205 The feedback information storage unit 3205 has a function of storing feedback information. The feedback information storage unit 3205 stores the feedback information that the communication unit 310 receives from the receiver terminal 20 and that is accepted by a feedback unit 3310, which will be described later.

[0057] (3) Control unit 330 The control unit 330 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the gift ordering server 30. The control unit 330 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the gift ordering server 30 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 330 includes an acquisition unit 3301, a product catalog processing unit 3302, a personal data processing unit 3303, a wish list processing unit 3304, an approval unit 3305, an order receiving unit 3306, a matching unit 3307, an inventory confirmation unit 3308, a shipping processing unit 3309, a feedback unit 3310, and a display processing unit 3311.

[0058] (3-1) Acquisition part 3301 The acquisition unit 3301 has a function of acquiring various information. For example, when the communication unit 310 receives various requests from the orderer terminal 10 or the recipient terminal 20, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires information according to the contents of the request.

[0059] When the communication unit 310 receives a wish list viewing request from the orderer terminal 10, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires the wish list from the wish list storage unit 3203. When the communication unit 310 receives a product catalog viewing request from the orderer terminal 10, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires the product catalog from the product catalog storage unit 3201. When the communication unit 310 receives an order request from the orderer terminal 10, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires physical information from the personal data storage unit 3202.

[0060] In acquiring physical information, the acquiring unit 3301 acquires physical information of the recipient who will receive the apparel product for which an order has been accepted. The physical information acquired by the acquiring unit 3301 here is the physical information of the recipient that has been registered in advance by the recipient in the personal data storage unit 3202 (personal data store). The acquiring unit 3301 may acquire only the physical information that is permitted to be used from among the physical information registered in the personal data storage unit 3202. For example, the acquiring unit 3301 acquires the physical information of the recipient that is permitted to be used according to the type of apparel product for which an order has been accepted from among the physical information of the recipient registered in the personal data storage unit 3202. When registering the physical information, the recipient may grant permission to use the physical information necessary to specify the size of the apparel product, such as only head circumference for a hat, and only shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, and waist circumference for a top. In this case, if the apparel product for which an order has been accepted is a hat, the acquiring unit 3301 acquires only head circumference from the physical information of the recipient registered in the personal data storage unit 3202. In this way, the acquiring unit 3301 acquires only the physical information (physical information permitted for use) necessary to identify the size of the apparel product for which an order has been accepted, from the physical information of the recipient stored in the personal data storage unit 3202. This allows the recipient to provide only the minimum amount of physical information required.

[0061] When the communication unit 310 receives a personal data registration request from the recipient terminal 20, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires the personal data received by the communication unit 310 together with the personal data registration request. When the communication unit 310 receives a wish list registration request from the recipient terminal 20, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires information indicating the contents of the wish list received by the communication unit 310 together with the wish list registration request. When the communication unit 310 receives an approval processing request from the recipient terminal 20, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires information indicating the approval result received by the communication unit 310 together with the approval processing request. When the communication unit 310 receives a feedback request from the recipient terminal 20, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires feedback information received by the communication unit 310 together with the feedback request.

[0062] (3-2) Product catalog processing unit 3302 The product catalog processing unit 3302 has a function of executing processing related to the product catalog. For example, the product catalog processing unit 3302 performs a process of creating a product catalog. In the process of creating a product catalog, first, the product catalog processing unit 3302 transmits a product information request from the communication unit 310 to the EC site servers 40 (40-1 to 40-N). After transmitting the product information request, the product catalog processing unit 3302 acquires product information for a plurality of EC sites, which the communication unit 310 receives from each EC site server 40. Note that the product information may be acquired by the acquisition unit 3301. After acquisition, the product catalog processing unit 3302 creates a product catalog showing apparel products that can be selected as gifts, based on the plurality of pieces of acquired product information. After the creation, the product catalog processing unit 3302 stores the created product catalog in the product catalog storage unit 3201 .

[0063] (3-3) Personal data processing unit 3303 The personal data processing unit 3303 has a function of executing processing related to personal data. The personal data processing unit 3303 performs, for example, a registration process of personal data. When the communication unit 310 receives a personal data registration request from the recipient terminal 20, the personal data processing unit 3303 performs the registration process of personal data. In the personal data registration process, first, the personal data processing unit 3303 acquires the personal data received by the communication unit 310 together with the personal data registration request. Note that the personal data may be acquired by the acquisition unit 3301. After acquisition, the personal data processing unit 3303 stores the acquired personal data in the personal data storage unit 3202 .

[0064] Furthermore, the personal data processing unit 3303 performs a license process for the personal data. When the communication unit 310 receives a license request from the recipient terminal 20, the personal data processing unit 3303 performs the license process for the personal data. In the license process for the personal data, the personal data processing unit 3303 permits the use of physical information designated by the recipient from among the physical information included in the personal data, for example, in a matching process described below.

[0065] Here, the usage permission screen according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the usage permission screen according to this embodiment. The usage permission screen is a screen displayed on the receiver terminal 20 when the receiver gives usage permission.

[0066] In area R1 of the license screen G1 shown in FIG. 6, "T-shirt" is shown as an apparel product for which physical information will be used, in the sentence "We will refer to the physical information below to determine your T-shirt size. Do you allow this?". Area R1 also shows "height" and "chest circumference" as items of physical information that are subject to the license. If there is no problem with the content displayed in area R1, the recipient can request permission by pressing the "Allow" button B1. On the other hand, if there is a problem with the content displayed in area R1, the recipient can reselect the apparel product for which physical information will be used and the items of physical information that are subject to the license by pressing the "Reject" button B2.

[0067] (3-4) Wish list processing unit 3304 The wish list processing unit 3304 has a function of executing processing related to the wish list. For example, the wish list processing unit 3304 performs a process of creating a wish list. When the communication unit 310 receives a wish list registration request from the recipient terminal 20, the wish list processing unit 3304 performs a process of creating a wish list. In the wish list creation process, first, the wish list processing unit 3304 acquires information indicating the contents of the wish list received by the communication unit 310 together with the wish list registration request. The information may be acquired by the acquisition unit 3301. After acquisition, the wish list processing unit 3304 creates a wish list based on the acquired information indicating the contents of the wish list. After creation, the wish list processor 3304 stores the created wish list in the wish list memory 3203 . The wish list created by the wish list processing unit 3304 is based on input from the recipient (information indicating the contents of the wish list) and includes information regarding the apparel products desired by the recipient, but does not include information related to the recipient's physical information.

[0068] Here, the public / private information screen according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the public / private information screen according to this embodiment. The public / private information screen is a screen that is displayed on the recipient terminal 20 when the recipient registers a wish list.

[0069] Area R2 of the public / private information screen G2 shown in Fig. 7 shows information about apparel items registered in the wish list that will be made public to the orderer. For example, area R2 shows that the "item name" and "color" will be communicated (disclosed) to the orderer. Area R3 of the public / private information screen shows information about the apparel items registered in the wish list that will not be disclosed to the customer. For example, area R3 shows that the "physical information (height, chest size)," "address," and "name" will be kept secret (private) from the customer.

[0070] (3-5) Approval Department 3305 The approval unit 3305 has a function of performing processes related to approval. For example, the approval unit 3305 performs approval processing. In the approval processing, the approval unit 3305 receives approval from the recipient that the recipient will receive the apparel product selected by the orderer as a gift. In the approval process, first, when the communication unit 310 receives a receipt approval request from the orderer terminal 10, the approval unit 3305 transmits a receipt approval request from the communication unit 310 to the recipient terminal 20 to notify the recipient that a receipt approval request has been made by the orderer. After the receipt acknowledgement request is transmitted, the recipient performs a receipt acknowledgement operation at the recipient terminal 20, and an acknowledgement processing request is transmitted from the recipient terminal 20 to the gift ordering server 30. The approval unit 3305 performs approval processing when the communication unit 310 receives an approval processing request from the recipient terminal 20. In the approval processing, first, the approval unit 3305 acquires information indicating the approval result received by the communication unit 310 together with the approval processing request. Note that the information may be acquired by the acquisition unit 3301. After obtaining the result, the approval unit 3305 approves or denies the receipt approval request from the orderer based on the obtained information indicating the approval result. After the approval process, the approval unit 3305 transmits the approval result from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 .

[0071] (3-6) Order Reception Department 3306 The order receiving unit 3306 has a function of performing order receiving processing. The order receiving unit 3306 receives an order for an apparel product selected by an orderer as a gift for the recipient, to be given to the recipient. When the approval unit 3305 approves the recipient to receive the apparel product through the approval process, the order receiving unit 3306 allows the order to be received for the approved apparel product.

[0072] (3-7) Matching section 3307 The matching unit 3307 has a function of performing a matching process. The matching unit 3307 performs a matching process between the size of the apparel product for which an order has been accepted by the order accepting unit 3306 and the physical information of the recipient acquired by the acquiring unit 3301. In the matching process, the matching unit 3307 matches the physical information corresponding to the various sizes available for the apparel product for which the order has been accepted with the physical information of the recipient, and identifies the most appropriate size for the recipient. For example, suppose that the apparel product for which an order has been accepted is a hat, and the body information required to specify the size is the head circumference. In this case, the matching unit 3307 compares the head circumference set for various sizes available for the hat with the head circumference acquired as the recipient's body information, and specifies the size for which the head circumference is set more appropriate for the recipient. Also, suppose that the apparel product for which an order has been accepted is a top, and the body information required to specify the size is the shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, and waist circumference. In this case, the matching unit 3307 compares the shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, and waist circumference set for various sizes available for the top with the shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, and waist circumference acquired as the recipient's body information, and specifies the size for which the shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, and waist circumference are set more appropriate for the recipient. In this way, the matching unit 3307 identifies, as a gift item, an apparel item whose size matches the physical information of the recipient in the matching process.

[0073] The matching unit 3307 may also use feedback information to perform the matching process. For example, when performing the matching process, if feedback information is stored in the feedback information storage unit 3205 for an apparel product similar to an apparel product to be matched, the matching unit 3307 performs the matching process using the feedback information. As an example, it is assumed that the feedback information indicates that the size of the feedback target was small. In this case, the matching unit 3307 specifies a size larger than the size matched in the matching process (e.g., one size larger) as a size appropriate for the recipient. On the other hand, it is assumed that the feedback information indicates that the size of the feedback target was large. In this case, the matching unit 3307 specifies a size smaller than the size matched in the matching process (e.g., one size smaller) as a size appropriate for the recipient.

[0074] (3-8) Inventory Check Department 3308 The inventory confirmation unit 3308 has a function of performing inventory confirmation processing. The inventory confirmation unit 3308 confirms the inventory of apparel products of the size matched in the matching processing by the matching unit 3307. In the inventory confirmation processing, the inventory confirmation unit 3308 refers to the inventory information stored in the inventory information storage unit 3204, and confirms the presence or absence of inventory of the apparel product to be confirmed depending on whether the inventory information indicates "available" or "not available." After the stock confirmation process, the stock confirmation unit 3308 transmits the stock confirmation result from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10. Furthermore, if the stock confirmation process confirms that there is stock, the stock confirmation unit 3308 causes the shipping processing unit 3309 to execute shipping processing.

[0075] (3-9) Shipping Processing Unit 3309 The shipping processing unit 3309 has a function of performing shipping processing. The shipping processing unit 3309 performs shipping processing to ship to the recipient apparel products of a size that matches the recipient's physical information in the matching process by the matching unit 3307. In the shipping processing, the shipping processing unit 3309 acquires delivery destination information for the apparel products to be gifted, and transmits the acquired delivery destination information from the communication unit 310 to the EC site server 40. The delivery destination information is the address, name, etc. of the recipient stored in the personal data storage unit 3202. If the inventory confirmation process by the inventory confirmation unit 3308 confirms that the apparel product of the size matched by the matching process by the matching unit 3307 is in stock, the shipping processing unit 3309 performs shipping processing.

[0076] (3-10) Feedback section 3310 The feedback unit 3310 has a function of performing feedback processing. In the feedback processing, the feedback unit 3310 accepts feedback from the recipient regarding the size of the apparel product received by the recipient. The feedback unit 3310 performs the feedback processing when the communication unit 310 receives a feedback request from the recipient terminal 20. In the feedback processing, the feedback unit 3310 acquires feedback information received by the communication unit 310 together with the feedback request. The feedback information may be acquired by the acquisition unit 3301. After obtaining the feedback information, the feedback unit 3310 stores the obtained feedback information in the feedback information storage unit 3205 .

[0077] (3-11) Display processing unit 3311 The display processing unit 3311 has a function of controlling the display of various information. The display processing unit 3311 causes the orderer terminal 10 to display a wish list, a product catalog, approval results, inventory confirmation results, and the like. For example, when a wish list viewing operation is performed on the orderer terminal 10, the communication unit 310 receives a wish list viewing request from the orderer terminal 10, and the display processing unit 3311 transmits the wish list obtained by the acquisition unit 3301 from the wish list memory unit 3203 from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 and displays it. In addition, when a product catalog viewing operation is performed on the orderer terminal 10, the communication unit 310 receives a product catalog viewing request from the orderer terminal 10, and the display processing unit 3311 transmits the product catalog obtained by the acquisition unit 3301 from the product catalog storage unit 3201 from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 and displays it. In addition, when a gift selection operation is performed on the orderer terminal 10, the display processing unit 3311 transmits the approval result, which the communication unit 310 receives from the recipient terminal 20 together with the approval processing request, from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 and displays it. In addition, when an order operation is performed on the orderer terminal 10, the communication unit 310 receives an order request from the orderer terminal 10, and the display processing unit 3311 transmits the inventory confirmation result output from the inventory confirmation unit 3308 from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 and displays it.

[0078] The display processing unit 3311 may cause the orderer terminal 10 to display a gift selection screen, a gift order screen, etc. The display processing unit 3311 may also cause the recipient terminal 20 to display a personal data registration screen, a wish list registration screen, a receipt acknowledgement registration screen, a feedback registration screen, etc.

[0079] <6. Functional configuration of EC site server> The functional configuration of the gift ordering server 30 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the EC site server 40 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the EC site server 40 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the EC site server 40 includes a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, and a control unit 430.

[0080] (1) Communications Department 410 The communication unit 410 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 410 communicates with the gift ordering server 30 to transmit and receive various information.

[0081] (2) Storage section 420 The storage unit 420 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 420 is configured by a storage medium provided as hardware in the EC site server 40, such as a HDD, SSD, flash memory, EEPROM, RAM, ROM, or any combination of these storage media. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 420 includes a product information storage unit 4201 .

[0082] (2-1) Product information storage section 4201 The product information storage unit 4201 has a function of storing product information. The product information is prepared in advance by an administrator of the EC site, and is stored in the product information storage unit 4201.

[0083] (3) Control unit 430 The control unit 430 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the EC site server 40. The control unit 430 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the EC site server 40 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 430 includes a product information processing unit 4301, an inventory information processing unit 4302, and a shipping arrangement unit 4303.

[0084] (3-1) Product information processing unit 4301 The product information processing unit 4301 has a function of performing processing related to product information. When the communication unit 410 receives a product information request from the gift ordering server 30, the product information processing unit 4301 acquires the product information from the product information storage unit 4201. After acquisition, the product information processing unit 4301 transmits the product information from the communication unit 410 to the gift ordering server 30.

[0085] (3-2) Inventory information processing unit 4302 The inventory information processing unit 4302 has a function of processing inventory information. The inventory information processing unit 4302 updates inventory information of apparel products handled on the EC site at a predetermined timing. For example, the inventory information processing unit 4302 updates the inventory information when there is a change in the inventory quantity, such as when an apparel product arrives or is sold. In this embodiment, when the inventory information is updated to change from "in stock" to "out of stock," the inventory information processing unit 4302 transmits the latest inventory information from the communication unit 410 to the gift ordering server 30. In this case, the inventory information transmitted to the gift ordering server 30 indicates that the inventory of each product is "in stock" or "out of stock."

[0086] (3-3) Shipping Arrangements Department 4303 The delivery arrangement unit 4303 has a function of making delivery arrangements. The delivery arrangement unit 4303 makes arrangements for sending the apparel product to be the gift to the recipient based on the delivery address information received by the communication unit 410 from the gift order server 30.

[0087] <7. Processing flow> The functional configuration of the EC site server 40 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the flow of processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0088] (1) Process flow for creating, registering, and updating various information The process flow relating to the creation, registration, and update of various information according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow relating to the creation, registration, and update of various information according to this embodiment.

[0089] 9, first, the product catalogue processing unit 3302 of the gift ordering server 30 transmits a product information request to the EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N via the communication unit 310 (step S101). At this time, the product catalogue processing unit 3302 transmits the product information request to the EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N of all EC sites affiliated with the gift ordering service.

[0090] When the communication unit 410 of the product information processing unit 4301 of the EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N receives a product information request from the gift ordering server 30, the product information processing unit 4301 acquires the product information from the product information storage unit 4201 and transmits the product information from the communication unit 410 to the gift ordering server 30 (step S102).

[0091] The product catalog processing unit 3302 of the gift ordering server 30 acquires the product information received by the communication unit 310 from the EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N, and creates a product catalog based on the acquired product information (step S103). After creating the product catalog, the product catalog processing unit 3302 stores the created product catalog in the product catalog storage unit 3201 (step S104).

[0092] When the recipient starts using the gift ordering service, the recipient performs a personal data registration operation on the recipient terminal 20 (step S105). When the operation receiving unit 2401 of the recipient terminal 20 receives a personal data registration operation from the recipient, the request unit 2402 of the recipient terminal 20 transmits the personal data entered by the recipient together with a personal data registration request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 210 (step S106).

[0093] When the communication unit 310 of the personal data processing unit 3303 of the gift ordering server 30 receives a personal data registration request from the recipient terminal 20, the personal data processing unit 3303 stores and registers the personal data received by the communication unit 310 together with the personal data registration request in the personal data storage unit 3202 (step S107).

[0094] If the recipient has a preference regarding the gift to be received, the recipient performs a wish list registration operation on the recipient terminal 20 (step S108). When the operation receiving unit 2401 of the recipient terminal 20 receives a wish list registration operation from the recipient, the request unit 2402 of the recipient terminal 20 transmits information indicating the contents of the wish list entered by the recipient along with the wish list registration request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 210 (step S109).

[0095] When the communication unit 310 receives a wish list registration request from the recipient terminal 20, the wish list processing unit 3304 of the gift ordering server 30 creates a wish list based on the information indicating the contents of the wish list received by the communication unit 310 together with the wish list registration request (step S110). After creating the wish list, the wish list processor 3304 stores and registers the created wish list in the wish list storage unit 3203 (step S111).

[0096] The inventory information processing unit 4302 of each of the EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N updates inventory information of apparel products handled by the EC site at a predetermined timing (step S112). After updating the inventory information, the inventory information processing unit 4302 checks whether the inventory has changed from "in stock" to "out of stock" (step S113). If the inventory has changed from "in stock" to "out of stock" (step S113 / YES), the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the inventory has not changed from "in stock" to "out of stock" (step S113 / NO), the process ends. When the process proceeds to step S114, the inventory information processing unit 4302 transmits the latest inventory information from the communication unit 410 to the gift ordering server 30 (step S114).

[0097] When the communication unit 310 receives the inventory information from each of the EC site servers 40-1 to 40-N, the inventory information storage unit 3204 of the gift ordering server 30 updates the inventory information stored in the inventory information storage unit 3204 with the received inventory information (step S115).

[0098] (2) Process flow for determining gift recipient by customer The flow of a process related to the determination of a gift target by an orderer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a process related to the determination of a gift target by an orderer according to this embodiment.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 10, first, an orderer performs a wish list viewing operation on the orderer terminal 10 when sending a gift to a recipient (step S201). When the operation reception unit 1401 of the orderer terminal 10 receives a wish list viewing operation from the orderer, the request unit 1402 of the orderer terminal 10 transmits a wish list viewing request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 110 (step S202).

[0100] When the communication unit 310 receives a wish list viewing request from the orderer terminal 10, the display processing unit 3311 of the gift ordering server 30 retrieves the wish list from the wish list memory unit 3203 and transmits the wish list from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 (step S203).

[0101] The output control unit 1403 of the orderer terminal 10 causes the output unit 150 to display the wish list received by the communication unit 110 from the gift ordering server 30 (step S204). The orderer views the wish list displayed on the output unit 150 of the orderer terminal 10 (step S205). The orderer views the wish list to consider gifts to be given to the recipient (step S206).

[0102] After considering the gift object, the orderer performs a product catalog browsing operation on the orderer terminal 10 (step S207). When the operation reception unit 1401 of the orderer terminal 10 receives a product catalog viewing operation from the orderer, the request unit 1402 of the orderer terminal 10 transmits a product catalog viewing request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 110 (step S208).

[0103] When the communication unit 310 receives a product catalog viewing request from the orderer terminal 10, the display processing unit 3311 of the gift ordering server 30 acquires the product catalog from the product catalog storage unit 3201 and transmits the product catalog from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 (step S209).

[0104] The output control unit 1403 of the orderer terminal 10 causes the output unit 150 to display the product catalog received by the communication unit 110 from the gift ordering server 30 (step S210). The orderer views the product catalog displayed on the output unit 150 of the orderer terminal 10 (step S211). The orderer browses the product catalog to determine the gift to be given to the recipient (step S212).

[0105] (3) Gift acceptance process The flow of processing related to the acceptance of a gift by an orderer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing related to the acceptance of a gift according to this embodiment. It should be noted that the process shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 11 is performed immediately after the process of step S212 shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 11, first, the orderer performs a gift selection operation on the orderer terminal 10 (step S301). When the operation reception unit 1401 of the orderer terminal 10 receives a gift selection operation from the orderer, the request unit 1402 of the orderer terminal 10 transmits a receipt acknowledgement request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 110 (step S302).

[0107] When the communication unit 310 of the gift ordering server 30 receives a receipt acknowledgment request from the orderer terminal 10, the approval unit 3305 transmits a receipt acknowledgment request from the communication unit 310 to the recipient terminal 20 to notify the recipient that the orderer has requested a receipt acknowledgment (step S303). When the communication unit 210 of the recipient terminal 20 receives the receipt acknowledgment request from the gift ordering server 30, the recipient is notified that a receipt acknowledgment request has been made by the orderer (step S304).

[0108] When the recipient confirms that there has been a receipt acknowledgment request from the orderer, the recipient performs a receipt acknowledgment operation on the recipient terminal 20 (step S305). When the operation accepting unit 2401 of the recipient terminal 20 accepts the receipt acknowledgment operation from the recipient, the request unit 2402 of the recipient terminal 20 transmits an approval processing request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 210 (step S306).

[0109] When the communication unit 310 receives the approval process request from the recipient terminal 20, the approval unit 3305 of the gift ordering server 30 performs the approval process (step S307). After the approval process, the approval unit 3305 transmits the approval result from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 (step S308).

[0110] The output control unit 1403 of the orderer terminal 10 causes the output unit 150 to display the approval result received by the communication unit 110 from the gift ordering server 30 (step S309). The orderer checks the approval result displayed on the output unit 150 of the orderer terminal 10 (step S310). The orderer checks whether the receipt has been approved based on the approval result (step S311). If the approval result indicates that the receipt has been rejected (step S311 / NO), the process ends. On the other hand, if the approval result indicates that the receipt has been rejected (step S311 / YES), the process proceeds to step S401 (connector A) shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later.

[0111] (4) Gift order processing flow The flow of processing related to a gift order by an orderer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing related to a gift order according to this embodiment. It should be noted that the process shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 12 is performed continuously when the result of the process in step S311 shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 11 is YES.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 12, first, an orderer performs an ordering operation on the orderer terminal 10 (step S401). When the operation reception unit 1401 of the orderer terminal 10 receives an order operation from an orderer, the request unit 1402 of the orderer terminal 10 transmits an order request to the gift order server 30 via the communication unit 110 (step S402).

[0113] When the communication unit 310 receives an order request from the orderer terminal 10, the order receiving unit 3306 of the gift order server 30 performs an order receiving process (step S403). In the order receiving process, the order receiving unit 3306 receives an order for presenting the apparel product selected by the orderer as a gift for the recipient to the recipient.

[0114] After the order acceptance process, the acquisition unit 3301 acquires the recipient's physical information from the personal data storage unit 3202 (step S404). The acquisition unit 3301 acquires only the physical information (physical information permitted to be used) necessary to identify the size of the apparel product for which the order has been accepted, from the recipient's physical information stored in the personal data storage unit 3202.

[0115] After acquiring the physical information, the matching unit 3307 performs a matching process (step S405). In the matching process, the matching unit 3307 matches various sizes available for the ordered apparel product with the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 3301, and identifies a size appropriate for the recipient. If feedback information for an item similar to the ordered apparel product is stored in the feedback information storage unit 3205, the matching unit 3307 performs matching taking into consideration the contents indicated by the feedback information.

[0116] After the matching process, the inventory confirmation unit 3308 performs an inventory confirmation process (step S406). In the inventory confirmation process, the inventory confirmation unit 3308 refers to the inventory information stored in the inventory information storage unit 3204 and confirms whether or not the apparel product for which the order has been accepted is in stock. After the stock confirmation process, the display processing unit 3311 transmits the stock confirmation result from the communication unit 310 to the orderer terminal 10 (step S407).

[0117] The output control unit 1403 of the orderer terminal 10 causes the output unit 150 to display the stock confirmation result received by the communication unit 110 from the gift ordering server 30 (step S408). The orderer checks the stock confirmation result displayed on the output unit 150 of the orderer terminal 10 (step S409).

[0118] The gift order server 30 checks whether the gift item is in stock based on the stock confirmation result (step S410). If the gift item is out of stock (step S410 / NO), the process ends. On the other hand, if the gift item is in stock (step S410 / YES), the process proceeds to step S501 (connector B) shown in FIG. 13, which will be described later.

[0119] (5) Gift delivery and feedback process The flow of processing related to gift delivery and feedback by an orderer according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing related to gift delivery and feedback according to this embodiment. The process shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 13 is performed successively when the result of the process in step S410 shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 12 is YES.

[0120] 13, first, the shipping processing unit 3309 of the gift ordering server 30 performs shipping processing (step S501). In the shipping processing, the shipping processing unit 3309 acquires delivery address information of the apparel product to be given as a gift. Next, the shipping processing unit 3309 transmits the delivery address information acquired in the shipping process from the communication unit 310 to the EC site server 40 of the EC site that handles the apparel product to be gifted (step S502).

[0121] The shipping arrangement unit 4303 of the EC site server 40 arranges for the apparel product to be the gift to be sent to the recipient based on the delivery address information received by the communication unit 410 from the gift order server 30 (step S503). As a result, the gift is sent to the recipient.

[0122] The recipient receives the gift (step S504). After receiving the gift, the recipient performs a feedback operation on the recipient terminal 20 (step S505). When the operation accepting unit 2401 of the recipient terminal 20 accepts a feedback operation from the recipient, the request unit 2402 of the recipient terminal 20 transmits a feedback request to the gift ordering server 30 via the communication unit 210 (step S506).

[0123] When the communication unit 310 of the gift ordering server 30 receives a feedback request from the recipient terminal 20, the feedback unit 3310 performs a feedback process (step S507). In the feedback process, the feedback unit 3310 accepts feedback from the recipient and stores the feedback information received by the communication unit 310 from the recipient terminal 20 together with the feedback request in the feedback information storage unit 3205.

[0124] As described above, the gift ordering system 1000 of this embodiment includes an order receiving unit 3306 that receives an order for a product (apparel product) that takes body size into consideration when purchasing and that is selected by an orderer as a gift for a recipient who is different from the orderer, an acquisition unit 3301 that acquires physical information of the recipient who will receive the apparel product for which the order has been accepted, a matching unit 3307 that performs a matching process between the size of the apparel product for which the order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient, and a shipping processing unit 3309 that performs a shipping process to ship to the recipient an apparel product of a size that matches the recipient's physical information.

[0125] With this configuration, even if the orderer does not specify a size when ordering an apparel product as a gift, the gift ordering system 1000 matches the available sizes of the apparel product with the recipient's physical information registered in advance by the recipient, and identifies the appropriate size. This allows the orderer to order an apparel product as a gift without knowing the appropriate size for the recipient. Also, the recipient can receive an appropriate size apparel product as a gift without the orderer knowing information that would reveal the recipient's own physical size, such as the size of each body part or the product size. Therefore, the gift ordering system 1000 of this embodiment, in a service that allows products that take body size into consideration when purchasing to be given as gifts, enables the gift recipient to receive an appropriately sized gift while keeping information that reveals the gift recipient's own body size confidential from the gift orderer.

[0126] In addition, purchasing apparel products as gifts on EC sites can be difficult for the purchaser to choose the right size, and if the purchaser does not know the exact size of the recipient, there is a high possibility that the purchaser will make a mistake in choosing the right size. On the other hand, there are cases where the recipient does not want the purchaser to know their size. For this reason, there have been few opportunities to purchase apparel products as gifts on EC sites. In contrast, the gift ordering system 1000 according to this embodiment allows an orderer to order an apparel product as a gift without knowing the size of the recipient, and allows the recipient to receive the apparel product as a gift without the orderer knowing their own size or physical information. As a result, the gift ordering system 1000 according to this embodiment allows apparel products that were not purchased as gifts on an EC site to be purchased as gifts, thereby contributing to the expansion of the apparel market.

[0127] <8. Variations> The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Next, modified examples of the above-mentioned embodiments will be described. Each modified example described below may be applied to each embodiment alone, or may be applied to each embodiment in combination. Furthermore, each modified example may be applied in place of the configuration described in each embodiment, or may be applied in addition to the configuration described in each embodiment.

[0128] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which, when a recipient has a preference for a gift, the recipient can communicate the preference to the orderer by registering the preference other than the size in a wish list that is made public to the orderer. Some recipients may want apparel products of a size that deviates from the size specified from the body information, rather than apparel products of a size specified from the body information. For example, some recipients may want to wear an item that is oversized rather than a normal size, or tighter than a normal size. However, because the wish list is made public to the orderer, the desired size cannot be registered in the wish list.

[0129] Therefore, it may be possible to register the recipient's desired size when registering personal data, and by registering information indicating the desired size in the personal data storage unit 3202 (personal data store), the recipient may receive an apparel product of the desired size as a gift. In this case, the matching unit 3307 performs matching processing using information indicating the recipient's desired size stored in the personal data storage unit 3202. Specifically, when the recipient's desired size is available for the apparel product for which an order has been accepted, the matching unit 3307 performs matching processing between the size of the apparel product for which an order has been accepted and the size desired by the recipient. After the matching process, the inventory confirmation unit 3308 performs inventory confirmation process in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. If there is inventory, the shipping processing unit 3309 performs shipping process to ship the apparel product of the size that matches the size desired by the recipient to the recipient. This allows the recipient to receive an apparel item in the size they desire as a gift without the orderer knowing their size or body information.

[0130] In the above-described embodiment, if the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 3301 from the personal data storage unit 3202 contains an insufficient information for identifying the size of an apparel item, the gift ordering server 30 may request the recipient to input information to resolve the insufficiency. For example, physical information defects include information necessary for identifying a size not being entered and being insufficient, or information necessary for identifying a size being entered but differing from the information required. One example of an insufficiency is when the apparel product for which an order has been accepted is shoes, and the foot length size is entered but the foot width size is not. One example of a difference is when the apparel product for which an order has been accepted is a ring, and the information required to be entered is the ring size (e.g., size 10), but the finger circumference (e.g., 50 mm) is entered. The confirmation of whether there is any defect in the physical information acquired by acquisition unit 3301 from personal data storage unit 3202 may be performed by acquisition unit 3301 at the timing when acquisition unit 3301 acquires the physical information in step S404 shown in FIG. 12, or may be performed by matching unit 3307 at the timing when matching unit 3307 performs matching processing in step S405. If there is an error in the physical information, the gift ordering server 30 transmits a notification to the recipient terminal 20 requesting the recipient to input information to resolve the error. This notification may be transmitted from the communication unit 310 to the recipient terminal 20 by the acquisition unit 3301 in step S404 shown in Fig. 12, or may be transmitted from the communication unit 310 to the recipient terminal 20 by the matching unit 3307 in step S405.

[0131] In the above embodiment, an example where matching is performed based on physical information has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, personal information such as the recipient's age, sex, build, and preferences, the recipient's past matching results, and other people's past matching results may be used to suggest apparel products that are not only the right size but also suit the recipient.

[0132] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the inventory information processing unit 4302 of the EC site server 40 transmits inventory information indicating that the inventory of each product is "in stock" or "out of stock" from the communication unit 410 to the gift ordering server 30 when the inventory information is updated to change from "in stock" to "out of stock," but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the inventory information processing unit 4302 may transmit information indicating the latest inventory quantity of each product. In this case, the stock confirmation unit 3308 of the gift ordering server 30 confirms whether the ordered apparel item is in stock or not, based on the latest stock amount indicated by the stock information.

[0133] In the above embodiment, an example in which the stock check process is performed by the gift order server 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the gift order server 30 may request the EC site server 40 to check the stock, and the stock check process may be performed by the EC site server 40. In this case, the gift order server 30 transmits information on apparel products to be checked for stock to the EC site server 40, and the EC site server 40 transmits the stock check result to the gift order server 30.

[0134] In the above embodiment, an example in which matching may be performed based on feedback information from a recipient has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the content of the feedback information may be not only the size of the apparel product when actually worn by the recipient, but also the recipient's evaluation of and satisfaction with the apparel product, return information for the apparel product, etc.

[0135] In the above-described embodiment, the orderer may be able to request gift wrapping or the attachment of a message card when ordering a gift. The orderer may, for example, request gift wrapping or the attachment of a message card by placing an order, and may input a message by placing an order. Using gift wrapping or a message card can also facilitate communication.

[0136] The above describes the modified embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the gift ordering system 1000, the orderer terminal 10, the recipient terminal 20, the gift ordering server 30, and the EC site server 40 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be partly or entirely realized by a computer. In this case, a program for realizing the functions may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Note that the "computer system" referred to here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include devices that dynamically hold a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and devices that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that is the server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be for realizing part of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system, or may be realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0137] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1...EC site, 2...product catalogue, 3...personal data store, 4...wish list, 10...orderer terminal, 20...recipient terminal, 30...gift ordering server, 40 (40-1 to 40-N)...EC site server, 110...communication unit, 120...input unit, 130...storage unit, 140...control unit, 150...output unit, 210...communication unit, 220...input unit, 230...storage unit, 240...control unit, 250...output unit, 310...communication unit, 320...storage unit, 330...control unit, 410...communication unit, 420...storage unit, 430...control unit, 1000...gift ordering system, 1401...operation acceptance unit, 1402...request unit, 1403...output control unit, 2401...operation acceptance unit, 2402...request request unit, 2403...output control unit, 3201...product catalog storage unit, 3202...personal data storage unit, 3203...wish list storage unit, 3204...inventory information storage unit, 3205...feedback information storage unit, 3301...acquisition unit, 3302...product catalog processing unit, 3303...personal data processing unit, 3304...wish list processing unit, 3305...approval unit, 3306...order acceptance unit, 3307...matching unit, 3308...inventory confirmation unit, 3309...shipping processing unit, 3310...feedback unit, 3311...display processing unit, 4201...product information storage unit, 4301...product information processing unit, 4302...inventory information processing unit, 4303...shipping arrangement unit, NW...network

Claims

1. an order receiving unit that receives an order for a product selected by an orderer as a gift for a recipient who is a person different from the orderer, the product being selected for purchase with consideration given to body size; An acquisition unit that acquires physical information of the recipient who will receive the product whose order has been accepted; A matching unit that performs a matching process between the size of the product for which an order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient; A shipping processing unit that performs a shipping process to ship the product, the size of which matches the physical information of the recipient, to the recipient; A gift ordering system comprising:

2. The acquisition unit acquires physical information of the recipient that has been registered in advance in a personal data store by the recipient. The gift ordering system of claim 1.

3. the acquiring unit acquires physical information of the recipient registered in the personal data store, the physical information being permitted to be used according to the type of the product for which an order has been accepted; The gift ordering system of claim 2.

4. a wish list processor that creates a wish list based on the input from the recipient, the wish list including information about products desired by the recipient, but not including information related to the recipient's physical information; a display processing unit that displays the wish list on a terminal of the orderer; The gift ordering system of claim 1 further comprising:

5. an approval unit that receives approval from the recipient that the recipient will receive the product selected by the orderer as a gift; Further equipped with the order receiving unit, when the recipient is approved to receive the product, enables the order for the approved product to be accepted; The gift ordering system of claim 1.

6. the matching unit, when there is a size desired by the recipient for the product for which an order has been accepted, performs a matching process between the size of the product for which an order has been accepted and the size desired by the recipient; The shipping processing unit performs the shipping process so as to ship the product to the recipient in a size that matches the size desired by the recipient. The gift ordering system of claim 1.

7. an inventory confirmation unit for confirming inventory of the product having the size matched in the matching process; Further equipped with The shipping processing unit performs the shipping process when the product having the size matched in the matching process is in stock. A gift ordering system according to claim 1 or claim 6.

8. a feedback unit that receives feedback from the recipient regarding the size of the product received by the recipient; Further equipped with The matching unit performs the matching process by using feedback information indicating the content of the feedback. A gift ordering system according to claim 1 or claim 6.

9. a product catalog processing unit that acquires product information indicating the product handled at a plurality of EC sites, and creates a product catalog indicating the product selectable as the gift based on the acquired plurality of product information; a display processing unit that displays the product catalog on a terminal of the orderer; The gift ordering system of claim 1 further comprising:

10. an order receiving process for receiving an order for a product selected by an orderer as a gift for a recipient who is a person different from the orderer, the product being selected as a gift for the recipient and which takes into consideration body size when purchasing the product; An acquisition step of acquiring physical information of the recipient who will receive the product whose order has been accepted; a matching process for performing a matching process between the size of the product for which an order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient; A shipping process for performing a shipping process to ship the product to the recipient, the product being a size that matches the recipient's physical information; 23. A computer implemented gift ordering method comprising:

11. Computer, an order receiving means for receiving an order for a product selected by an orderer as a gift for a recipient who is a person different from the orderer and which takes body size into consideration when purchasing the product, to be given to the recipient; An acquisition means for acquiring physical information of the recipient who will receive the product for which an order has been accepted; A matching means for performing a matching process between the size of the product for which an order has been accepted and the acquired physical information of the recipient; A shipping processing means for performing a shipping process so as to ship the product, the size of which matches the physical information of the recipient, to the recipient; A program to function as a

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