Order system, order reception method, and program

Abstract

To provide an order system capable of reducing time and effort of a salesclerk to lay away commodities to be sold at a store.SOLUTION: An order system comprises: work information acquisition means for acquiring work information including commodity information for identifying commodities to be displayed and sold at a store and scheduled work time of work of a salesclerk to display or remove the commodities; customer information acquisition means for acquiring a scheduled visit time of a customer; commodity identification means for identifying a target commodity to which the work is performed before the customer visits on the basis of the work information and the scheduled visit time; display control means for displaying, on a customer terminal of the customer, an order screen capable of ordering lay-away of the target commodity before the scheduled work time; and output means for outputting an instruction to lay away the target commodity for which the order has been accepted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an order system and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Goods sold in a store are displayed on display shelves by store clerks. The store clerks display goods delivered to the store or goods cooked in the store. Goods with an expiration date are removed from the display shelves by store clerks before the expiration date. For example, foods approaching their expiration dates are removed from the display shelves.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a store support method having a process of determining whether there are outlet products that meet the outlet conditions among the products sold in the store and a process of disclosing outlet information regarding the outlet products.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] It is highly convenient for customers if they can order the goods displayed and sold in the store before coming to the store and pick up the ordered goods at the store. However, it is troublesome for store clerks to set aside the ordered goods for customers.

[0006] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide an order system and the like that can reduce the labor of store clerks who set aside goods sold in the store.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An order system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: work information acquisition means for acquiring work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and scheduled work times of work of a store clerk for displaying or removing the products; customer information acquisition means for acquiring a scheduled arrival time of a customer; product identification means for identifying target products for which the work is to be performed before the customer arrives based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time; display control means for causing a customer terminal of the customer to display an order screen on which placement of the target products can be ordered; order reception means for receiving, from the customer terminal, an order for placement of the target products before the scheduled work time; and instruction output means for outputting an instruction for placement of the target products for which the order has been received.

[0008] An order reception method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: acquiring work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and scheduled work times of work of a store clerk for displaying or removing the products; acquiring a scheduled arrival time of a customer; identifying target products for which the work is to be performed before the customer arrives based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time; causing a customer terminal of the customer to display an order screen on which placement of the target products can be ordered; receiving, from the customer terminal, an order for placement of the target products before the scheduled work time; and outputting an instruction for placement of the target products for which the order has been received.

[0009] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of: acquiring work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and scheduled work times of work of a store clerk for displaying or removing the products; acquiring a scheduled arrival time of a customer; identifying target products for which the work is to be performed before the customer arrives based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time; causing a customer terminal of the customer to display an order screen on which placement of the target products can be ordered; receiving, from the customer terminal, an order for placement of the target products before the scheduled work time; and outputting an instruction for placement of the target products for which the order has been received. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] One example of the effect according to the present disclosure is that it can reduce the labor of store clerks who arrange the products sold in the store.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] An order system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used to receive orders for products displayed and sold in stores such as convenience stores or supermarkets. The products displayed and sold include not only foods delivered to the store but also foods cooked in the store. In the store where the order system 100 is used, the time to display the product or the time to remove the product is managed by the system in advance. The ordered products are arranged by the store clerk for the customer. Hereinafter, mainly, the case where the product is arranged before display and the case where the product is arranged instead of removing the displayed product will be described.

[0013] An example of the configuration of the order system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0014] The order system 100 is communicably connected, either wired or wirelessly, via a communication network to the customer terminal 20, the store clerk terminal 30, and the store management system 40.

[0015] The customer terminal 20 is a terminal used by a customer to order the placement of products sold in the store. The customer terminal 20 may have an ordering application installed. The customer terminal 20 may hold information for identifying the customer. The customer terminal 20 may display a code such as a barcode indicating information for identifying the customer. By reading the code at the store terminal, the customer in the store can be identified. For example, when a customer purchases a product in the store or receives a product for which a placement has been ordered, the store's sales registration terminal reads the code presented. Then, the store terminal transmits the information of the read code to the customer management system. In the customer management system, the customer is identified by matching the pre-registered customer information.

[0016] The customer terminal 20 may register the scheduled arrival time of the customer at the store according to the customer's operation. The customer receives the ordered product at the scheduled arrival time. Further, the customer terminal 20 may transmit the location information of the customer terminal 20 to the order system 100.

[0017] The store clerk terminal 30 is a terminal used by the store clerk of the store. The store clerk terminal 30 is equipped with a display. Then, the store clerk terminal 30 receives and displays an instruction for the placement of the product for which an order has been received from the order system 100. A code reader may be connected to the store clerk terminal 30. When the store clerk terminal 30 is equipped with a camera, the camera may function as a code reader. The store clerk terminal 30 may communicate with the store management system 40 and may be a terminal used by the store clerk for any of product inspection, waste registration, ordering, or sales registration. Also, the store clerk terminal 30 may display the cooking instruction for the store clerk received from the store management system 40. The store clerk terminal 30 may have a part of the functions of the next store management system 40.

[0018] The store management system 40 is a system used for managing the products sold in the store. The store management system 40 may be realized by a combination of multiple servers. For example, the store management system 40 communicates with the store clerk terminal 30 and is used for at least one of registration of product sales, inventory management, order management, or delivery management. The store management system 40 may manage the inventory of the products delivered and received at the store. Also, the store management system 40 may manage the inventory of the products cooked at the store.

[0019] For example, the store management system 40 associates product information with times such as the scheduled delivery time of the product to the store, the scheduled cooking time or cooking time of the product cooked at the store, the end time of product display, or the expiration time of the product, and stores them in the storage unit. The product information identifies the type of the product. The product information is, for example, the product name or the number indicated by the barcode attached to the product. The number indicated by the barcode is, for example, a PLU (Price Look Up) code.

[0020] The scheduled delivery time is, for example, the time when the product is delivered from the food factory to the store. The scheduled cooking time is, for example, the time when the product scheduled to be cooked is expected to be completed. The number of products cooked at the store in a day may be predetermined. In this case, the store management system 40 manages the scheduled cooking quantity and the scheduled cooking time. Then, the store management system 40 outputs an instruction for cooking the product to the store clerk terminal 30 according to the scheduled cooking time. Also, the store management system 40 may manage the information of the product for which the cooking is completed. For example, a label printed with the cooking time, which is the time when the cooking is completed, is printed after the cooking of the product. The label is pasted on the container containing the product. By registering the information of the label in the store management system 40, the store management system 40 manages the cooking time and the inventory quantity of the completed product.

[0021] The display end time is the time when the display at the storefront ends. The display end time is determined by the store considering the expiration date of the product. The display end time is determined, for example, to be 12 hours after the cooking time, or 2 hours before the expiration time. The expiration time indicates, for example, the period for guaranteeing the taste or safety of the product. The expiration time may be the time of the best-before date.

[0022] The scheduled delivery time, cooking time, display end time, or expiration time may be represented by any digit of the barcode attached to the product. In this case, the store management system 40 can manage the time information by managing the barcode number. Therefore, the store management system 40 may, if necessary, associate and store the product information with the time.

[0023] Also, the store management system 40 may have the function of a customer management system that manages customer information. For example, the store management system 40 may manage the store visit history for each customer. For example, when the code presented by the customer is read by the store's sales registration terminal, the store management system 40 receives information for identifying the customer from the sales registration terminal. Then, the store management system 40 associates and stores the store visit time indicated by, for example, the time when the code was read, with the information for identifying the customer. The store visit history may indicate the receipt history of the products ordered by the customer. In this case, the store management system 40 may be configured to receive the order details from the order system 100 and receive information indicating that the delivery of the product has been completed from the sales registration terminal. Also, the store management system 40 may receive the products purchased by the customer from the sales registration terminal and store the products purchased by the customer in association with the information for identifying the customer.

[0024] Each functional block of the order system 100 will be described below. The order system 100 includes a work information acquisition unit 101, a customer information acquisition unit 102, a product identification unit 103, a display control unit 104, an order reception unit 105, and an instruction output unit 106.

[0025] The work information acquisition unit 101 of the order system 100 acquires work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and the scheduled work time of the work of store employees for displaying or removing products. The scheduled work time includes at least one of the scheduled display time of the work for displaying products or the scheduled removal time of the work for removing products.

[0026] For example, the work information acquisition unit 101 acquires work information from the store management system 40. Alternatively, the work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire work information by calculating the scheduled work time of each product based on the time information acquired from the store management system 40.

[0027] First, the acquisition of work information including the scheduled display time will be described. The work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the scheduled delivery time of products to the store from the store management system 40 or the scheduled cooking time of products cooked in the store as the scheduled display time. Alternatively, the work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the information of the scheduled delivery time or the scheduled cooking time from the store management system 40 and acquire the time after a predetermined time has elapsed from these times as the scheduled display time. Here, the predetermined time is set in consideration of the time required to start the display work, such as 10 minutes.

[0028] Next, the acquisition of work information including the scheduled removal time will be described. The work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the end display time as the scheduled removal time. Also, the work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the information of the expiration time and acquire the time before a predetermined time, such as 2 hours before the expiration time, as the scheduled removal time. How many hours before the expiration time is set as the scheduled removal time is predetermined for each store. Alternatively, the work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the time after a predetermined time has elapsed, such as 12 hours after the cooking time of products cooked in the store, as the scheduled removal time.

[0029] The customer information acquisition unit 102 acquires the planned arrival time of the customer. For example, the customer information acquisition unit 102 acquires information for identifying the customer and the planned arrival time of the customer registered in the customer terminal 20 by the customer. At this time, the customer information acquisition unit 102 may display a registration screen for the planned arrival time on the customer terminal 20. In addition, if the store management system 40 has a customer management function, the customer information acquisition unit 102 may acquire the customer's store visit history from the store management system 40 and acquire the customer's predicted planned arrival time from the store visit history. For example, when the number of times that a customer has visited the store at a specific time on a specific day of the week within a predetermined period exceeds a threshold, the customer information acquisition unit 102 predicts that the customer will visit the store at the same time on the same day of the week. In addition, the customer information acquisition unit 102 may acquire the customer's planned arrival time using the location information of the customer terminal 20. For example, assume that the store is located in an office building, and the location information of the customer terminal 20 indicates that the customer is near the office building in the morning. At this time, the customer information acquisition unit 102 predicts that the customer will visit the store at noon on that day based on the customer's location information and visit history. The customer information acquisition unit 102 may display the predicted scheduled visit time on the customer terminal 20. The customer information acquisition unit 102 may also accept a correction to the scheduled visit time from the customer terminal 20.

[0030] The product identification unit 103 identifies target products for which work to put on display or remove them will be performed before the customer arrives, based on the work information acquired by the work information acquisition unit 101 and the customer's scheduled arrival time acquired by the customer information acquisition unit 102. The target products are targets for which customers can place reservations orders in the order receiving unit 105, which will be described later. The product identification unit 103 identifies, as target products, products for which work to put on display or remove them has not yet been performed and for which work will be performed before the customer's scheduled arrival time.

[0031] The target products include the products scheduled for display before being placed in the store before the customer visits the store. The products prepared in the store refer to the products that exist in the store in a state where they can be displayed. The products are prepared in the store by being delivered to the store or cooked in the store. As shown in Figure 2, when an order for the target product before display is received, the store clerk can set aside the product before displaying it. Therefore, the store clerk can save the effort of taking out the product once displayed on the shelf and setting it aside.

[0032] In addition, the target products include the products scheduled for disposal that are removed from the display shelf before the customer visits the store. As shown in Figure 3, when an order for the target product to be removed from the display shelf before the customer visits the store is received, the store clerk can perform the operation of setting aside the product instead of the operation of removing the product. Therefore, the store clerk can save the effort of going to the display shelf only for setting aside. The products scheduled for disposal to be identified mainly assume the products that are being displayed. However, if there is a possibility that the products before display remain unsold until the customer visits, the products before display may be identified as the target products.

[0033] Whether the product identification unit 103 identifies either the products scheduled for display or the products scheduled for disposal as the target products, or both the products scheduled for display and the products scheduled for disposal as the target products, can be appropriately set for each store. When both the products scheduled for display and the products scheduled for disposal are identified as the target products, after display, when a predetermined time has elapsed and the expiration date is approaching, the products scheduled for disposal may be identified as the target products.

[0034] The product identification unit 103 may identify the products with the work scheduled time being a predetermined time before the customer visit scheduled time as the target products. The operation of setting aside may take time. If an order can be placed immediately before the customer visit scheduled time, the customer may come to the store for pickup even though the operation of setting aside is not completed. Therefore, taking the operation time of setting aside or more as the predetermined time, the product identification unit 103 identifies the products with the work scheduled time being a predetermined time before the customer visit scheduled time.

[0035] A plurality of products with different work scheduled times are prepared in the store. Therefore, the product identification unit 103 may identify the product for which work is to be performed at a time closer to the scheduled arrival time of the customer as the target product. For example, in a convenience store, deliveries may be made multiple times a day, such as three times. Assume that product A1 is delivered in the first delivery and product A2 is delivered in the second delivery. The types of products A1 and A2 may be the same or different. After each product is delivered, work is performed to display it. When the customer's scheduled arrival time is after the work scheduled time of product A2, the product identification unit 103 may identify product A2 as the target product. For example, when the customer's scheduled arrival time is 12:00 noon, the product delivered at 11:00 am instead of the product delivered at 5:00 am is the target product. By the product identification unit 103 identifying the product for which work is to be performed at a time closer to the scheduled arrival time of the customer as the target product, the customer can order a fresher product.

[0036] In addition to identifying the target product, the product identification unit 103 may also identify orderable products other than the target product. Specifically, as orderable products other than the target product, the product identification unit 103 may identify products that are prepared in the store by the time the customer arrives and for which work is to be performed after the customer's scheduled arrival time. For example, the product identification unit 103 may identify products that are scheduled to be removed after the customer arrives in addition to the target product that is scheduled to be removed before the customer arrives. Also, as orderable products other than the target product, the product identification unit 103 may identify products that are prepared in the store by the time the customer arrives and for which work has already been performed. For example, in addition to identifying the target product before display, the product identification unit 103 may identify products that are already on display.

[0037] When the target product receives an order for pick-up from the customer terminal 20, it may be sold at a discounted price compared to the price at which it is sold in the store. Also, when the target product receives an order for pick-up from the customer terminal 20, it may be sold at a more discounted price compared to when an order for pick-up of a product other than the target product is received. The price of the target product is managed, for example, in the store management system 40.

[0038] When an order for a product for which work is scheduled to be performed after the customer's scheduled arrival time at the store is received, the store clerk needs to perform the placement work of the product before the scheduled work time. For example, the store clerk performs the placement work before the scheduled removal time. Therefore, the store clerk needs to go to the display shelf before the scheduled removal time for placement. Also, when an order for a product for which the display work has already been performed is received, the store clerk needs to go to the display shelf to pick up the product that has been displayed once. By selling the target product at a discounted price, the customer will consider purchasing the target product preferentially.

[0039] The display control unit 104 causes the customer terminal 20 of the customer to display an order screen on which the placement of the target product specified by the product specifying unit 103 can be ordered. After receiving the product information of the target product specified from the product specifying unit 103, the display control unit 104 starts displaying an order screen on which the specified target product can be ordered. The display control unit 104 may acquire a product image, a product name, and a price from the store management system 40 based on the product information and display them on the order screen.

[0040] After the scheduled work time of the target product, the display control unit 104 may make it impossible to order the placement of the target product on the order screen. The display control unit 104 makes the target product impossible to order, for example, by deleting the display of the target product from the order screen or by graying it out.

[0041] Also, after the time of the order deadline of the target product, the display control unit 104 may make it impossible to order the placement of the target product on the order screen. For example, the display control unit 104 sets the time of the order deadline of the target product to a time earlier than the scheduled work time of the target product. Thereby, the store clerk can complete the placement work of the product before the customer arrives at the store. For example, when the customer's scheduled arrival time is 12:00 and the scheduled work time is 11:00, the display control unit 104 may set 10:30 as the time of the order deadline.

[0042] The display control unit 104 may cause the order screen including the scheduled delivery time or expiration time of the product acquired by the work information acquisition unit 101 to be displayed. By displaying the scheduled delivery time, the customer can grasp at what time or later they can pick up the product by coming to the store. By displaying the expiration time, the customer can determine whether to purchase the product or not. Also, the display control unit 104 may display the customer's scheduled arrival time at the store and the order deadline on the order screen.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an order screen displayed on the customer terminal 20. The order screen in FIG. 4 displays product images, product names, and prices of a plurality of target products that can be ordered. Also, the order screen displays a scheduled pick-up time of 12:00 as the customer's scheduled arrival time at the store. Furthermore, the order screen displays that the remaining time until the order deadline is 30 minutes as the order deadline. When the customer taps on product genres such as new products, bento boxes, noodles / pasta, and onigiri, the customer terminal 20 switches the genre of the target product to be displayed.

[0044] When the target product is sold in the store, the display control unit 104 may make the target product in an impossible-to-order state on the order screen. The displayed products scheduled for disposal may be sold in the store before an order is received. For example, the display control unit 104 receives product information of products sold in the store from the store management system 40. Then, the display control unit 104 makes the sold products unable to be selected on the order screen, thereby making it in an impossible-to-order state.

[0045] The product specifying unit 103 may specify, as orderable products, products other than the target products that are prepared in the store before the customer visits and for which removal work is performed after the scheduled arrival time of the customer. Further, the product specifying unit 103 may specify, as orderable products, products that are prepared in the store before the customer visits and for which display or removal work has already been performed. The display control unit 104 causes the orderable products other than these target products to be displayed on the order screen. The display control unit 104 may set the priority for displaying the target products on the order screen higher than that for products other than the target products. The priority for display includes, for example, the order regarding the position where the product is displayed and the order regarding the way of emphasizing. As an example, the product with the highest priority is displayed at the position where the customer first browses. Also, as an example, products with a high priority are emphasized by displaying a frame or changing the background color, and products with a low priority are not emphasized. For example, the display control unit 104 causes the target products to be displayed at the top and emphasized. By preferentially displaying the target products, the likelihood that the customer will purchase the target products increases. Therefore, products that are less labor-intensive for the store staff are promoted to the customer. When the product to be displayed is a target product, the display control unit 104 may obtain the discounted price from the store management system 40 and display it. When the product is not a target product, the normal price is obtained and displayed.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of an order screen displayed on the customer terminal 20. In the order screen of FIG. 5, it is displayed that the expiration time of Bento A is 21:00. The scheduled removal time of Bento A can be set, for example, at 17:00. Since the scheduled removal time of Bento A is before the customer's scheduled arrival time of 19:00, Bento A is specified as a target product by the product identification unit 103. Therefore, the display control unit 104 displays Bento A as orderable as shown in FIG. 5. The display control unit 104 displays Bento A on the order screen until a predetermined order deadline before 17:00. Further, the display control unit 104 displays the price before and after the discount of the target product. Since Bento A is a target product, it is preferentially displayed at the upper left of the order screen compared to other products. Bento B and Bento C are examples of products not specified as target products. Therefore, the display control unit 104 displays the normal prices of ordering Bento B and Bento C. Bento D is an example of a sold-out product. The display control unit 104 may display a sold-out product that cannot be ordered in a grayed-out manner on the order screen.

[0047] The display control unit 104 may set a higher priority for displaying on the order screen for products that the customer is likely to purchase compared to other products. For example, the display control unit 104 refers to the purchase history of the customer managed by the store management system 40 and identifies products that the customer is likely to purchase. Products that the customer has purchased in the past or products similar to the products purchased in the past can be identified as products that the customer is likely to purchase.

[0048] The display control unit 104 may display an order deadline for each product on the order screen. For example, the display control unit 104 may display the order deadline of the target product in the area where the target product is displayed.

[0049] The display control unit 104 may cause the customer terminal 20 to display a screen for registering in advance whether the customer will purchase the waste-scheduled products that are scheduled to be removed from the display shelves before the customer visits the store. The customer may not wish to purchase products with an approaching expiration date. If the customer selects to purchase the waste-scheduled products and registers them on the customer terminal 20, the display control unit 104 causes the target products, which are the waste-scheduled products, to be displayed on the order screen. This enables the customer to set whether to display products with an approaching expiration date.

[0050] The order reception unit 105 receives an order for placing the target products from the customer's customer terminal 20 before the scheduled working time of the target products. If the display control unit 104 ends the display of the target product on the order screen before the scheduled working time, no order will be transmitted from the customer terminal 20 after the scheduled working time. Therefore, the order reception unit 105 can receive the order before the scheduled working time. Also, if the order reception unit 105 receives an order after the order deadline, it may output an error. This enables the order reception unit 105 to receive the order before the scheduled working time.

[0051] On the order screen in FIG. 4, when the customer taps the "Select" button for the target product, the customer terminal 20 displays a confirmation screen for the order. Then, when the order is confirmed on the confirmation screen, the customer terminal 20 transmits the product information of the ordered product to the order reception unit 105. The order reception unit 105 accepts the order by registering the received product information as the product information of the product for which the customer has placed an order for storage.

[0052] The instruction output unit 106 outputs an instruction to set aside the target product for which an order has been received. For example, the instruction output unit 106 refers to the product information registered by the order reception unit 105, generates an instruction to set aside the product, and outputs it. The instruction output unit 106 may output an instruction to set aside the product to the store clerk terminal 30 used by the store clerk. The instruction output unit 106 may also output an instruction to set aside the product to a printer installed in the store. The printer receives the instruction and prints the content of the instruction on paper. The instruction to set aside the product includes, for example, the product name of the product for which the order has been received. The instruction to set aside the product may further include a product image, the scheduled arrival time of the customer, and information for identifying the customer. The store clerk checks the output information and performs the operation of setting aside the product.

[0053] The operation of setting aside the product is, for example, to place the product in a state different from that of the normal displayed products. By setting aside the product before display, it is possible to prevent the product from being displayed in the same way as the normal products. Also, by setting aside the product after display, it is possible to prevent the product from being discarded. For example, the operation of setting aside the product may include the operation of placing the product in a location different from that of the normal displayed products. Also, the operation of setting aside the product may include the operation of packing the product in a bag. Furthermore, the operation of setting aside the product may include the operation of attaching the paper on which the instruction to set aside the product is printed to the product, or the operation of collating the content displayed on the store clerk terminal 30 with the content printed by the printer.

[0054] The ordered product may be displayed on the store's display shelf so that the customer can pick it up by themselves. When the product is placed on the display shelf near the sales registration terminal or near the entrance of the store, it is highly convenient for the customer. The product may be placed in the product receiving locker so that the customer can take out the product by themselves. When the product is placed on the counter behind the sales registration terminal, the store clerk delivers the product to the customer.

[0055] The store employee terminal 30 may be connected to a code reader. The instruction output unit 106 may output a placement instruction when the code attached to the target product for which an order has been received is read by the code reader. The code attached to the target product can be read during the inspection, waste registration, or sales registration work of the product. For example, the instruction output unit 106 receives information on the code attached to the target product for which an order has been received from the order reception unit 105. The instruction output unit 106 receives the code read by the store employee from the store employee terminal 30. When the instruction output unit 106 determines that the received code matches the code attached to the target product for which an order has been received, the instruction output unit 106 outputs a placement instruction to the store employee terminal 30.

[0056] The inspection work is a task for the store employee to confirm whether the number of products received in the store management system 40 matches the actual number of received products. For example, the store employee uses the store employee terminal 30 to scan the code attached to the products contained in the container delivered to the store. The store employee terminal 30 displays the number of received products corresponding to the scanned code received from the store management system 40. The store employee checks the displayed number of received products and the actual number of received products. When the check is completed, the store employee displays the products. When the instruction output unit 106 determines that the product for which the code has been read is the product for which an order has been received, the instruction output unit 106 outputs a placement instruction to the store employee terminal 30. The store employee places the product according to the instruction output to the store employee terminal 30 without displaying it.

[0057] Also, in some cases, a container containing multiple products may be attached with an inspection code. When the store employee scans the code attached to the container, the store employee terminal 30 displays the multiple products to be contained in the container received from the store management system 40. Then, the store employee checks the number of received products contained in the container. When the instruction output unit 106 determines that the container for which the code has been read contains the product for which an order has been received, the instruction output unit 106 outputs a placement instruction to the store employee terminal 30. The store employee places the product according to the instruction output to the store employee terminal 30.

[0058] The inspection work may include the work of checking the inventory of the actually cooked products. The store clerk terminal 30 scans the code of the label attached to the product after cooking and transmits the code information to the store management system 40. The store management system 40 registers the inventory quantity based on the received information. The store clerk can compare the registered inventory quantity with the planned cooking quantity on the store clerk terminal 30. After checking the inventory quantity, the store clerk displays the product in the store. When the instruction output unit 106 determines that the product whose code has been read is the product that has received an order, the instruction output unit 106 outputs an instruction to place the product on the store clerk terminal 30. The store clerk places the product.

[0059] The work of waste registration is the work of registering in the store management system 40 as a product to be discarded the product whose display has ended. For example, the store clerk takes out the displayed product and scans the code attached to the product. The store clerk terminal 30 transmits a waste registration request including the code information read by the store management system 40. The store management system 40 receives the waste registration request and registers the product. When the product whose code has been read is the product that has received an order, the store clerk terminal 30 may be configured not to transmit a waste registration request. Alternatively, the store management system 40 does not register the product that has received the waste registration request when the product whose code has been read is the product that has received an order.

[0060] The above inspection and waste registration work may be carried out in the backroom or in the aisle in front of the display shelves in the store.

[0061] The above has described that it is determined that the code of the product to be placed by the instruction output unit 106 has been read, and the instruction output unit 106 outputs a placement instruction at the timing when the code is read. However, the timing of outputting the placement instruction by the instruction output unit 106 is not limited to the above. The instruction output unit 106 may output a placement instruction and the code attached to the target product in advance before the code is read, to the store clerk terminal 30. The store clerk terminal 30 may determine that the code attached to the target product for which an order has been received has been read. In this way, the store clerk terminal 30 may display a placement instruction when it determines that the code of the target product for which an order has been received has been read.

[0062] Also, the instruction output unit 106 may output a placement instruction at the timing when the label to be pasted on the product cooked in the store is printed. For example, the store clerk terminal 30 may be connected to a label printer. When the product is completed, the store clerk presses the label issuance button for the completed product on the store clerk terminal 30. The store clerk terminal 30 transmits the information of the completed product to the order system 100, the label printer, and the store management system 40. The label printer prints the label, and the store management system 40 registers the information of the completed product. When the completed product is the product for which an order has been received, the instruction output unit 106 outputs a placement instruction.

[0063] The instruction output unit 106 may output an instruction to restrict the sales registration of the target product for which an order has been received in the store. The order reception unit 105 may receive an order for a product displayed and sold in the store. Therefore, there is a possibility that a customer in the store may pick up the displayed product. By restricting the sales registration, it is possible to prevent customers other than the customer who ordered the product from purchasing the product. An example of a method for restricting sales registration will be described below.

[0064] For example, the instruction output unit 106 transmits a restriction instruction for sales registration by transmitting the number indicated by the barcode of the target product for which an order has been received to the store management system 40. The store management system 40 determines whether the same barcode as the barcode attached to the target product for which an order has been received has been read at the sales registration terminal. Then, the store management system 40 determines whether there is inventory of products with the same barcode in addition to the target product for which an order has been received. Products with the same barcode are, for example, products of the same type as the target product and having the same expiration date as the target product. If there is no inventory other than the product for which the barcode has been read, the store management system 40 suspends the sales registration of the target product. For example, when suspending the sales registration, the store management system 40 causes an error display or an alarm sound to be output to the sales registration terminal. If there is inventory, the store management system 40 registers the product for which the barcode has been read for sales.

[0065] Also, the instruction output unit 106 may output a restriction instruction for sales registration by transmitting the product information of the target product for which an order has been received and the expiration date information to the store management system 40. The store management system 40 determines whether the same barcode as the barcode attached to the target product for which an order has been received has been read at the sales registration terminal. Then, the store management system 40 causes a screen for confirming whether the read product is the product for which an order has been received to be displayed on the sales registration terminal. The screen for confirmation displays, for example, the expiration date of the target product for which an order has been received. The sales registration terminal may output an alarm sound when the screen is displayed. The store clerk compares the expiration date printed on the product for which the barcode has been read with the expiration date displayed on the screen. If the expiration dates match, the store clerk suspends the sales registration of the product.

[0066] The above describes each component of the order system 100.

[0067] Accounting for the ordered products may be processed using the customer terminal 20 before the customer visits the store. In this case, the customer does not need to perform accounting at the store, and the stay time at the store can be reduced. Also, the congestion in the store can be alleviated. Alternatively, accounting for the ordered products may be performed at the store. For example, the customer simultaneously performs accounting for the pre-ordered products and the products obtained at the store. Therefore, the customer can perform accounting collectively, which is highly convenient for the customer.

[0068] Using FIG. 6, an operation example of the order system 100 according to an embodiment will be described. First, in step S1, the work information acquisition unit 101 acquires work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold at the store and the scheduled work time of the work of the store clerk for displaying or removing the products. In step S2, the customer information acquisition unit 102 acquires the scheduled arrival time of the customer at the store.

[0069] In step S3, the product identification unit 103 identifies the target products for which work will be performed before the customer arrives at the store based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time. In step S4, the display control unit 104 causes the customer terminal 20 of the customer to display an order screen on which the placement of the target products can be ordered. In step S5, the order reception unit 105 receives, from the customer terminal 20 of the customer, an order for the placement of the identified target products before the scheduled work time. In step S6, the instruction output unit 106 outputs an instruction for the placement of the target products for which the order has been received. Thus, the order system 100 ends the operation of FIG. 6.

[0070] The order system 100 repeats the operations from step S1 to step S6 for each customer. The order of step S1 and step S2 may be swapped. In this case, the work information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the work information of the products for which work will be performed before the arrival time of the customer.

[0071] According to the order system 100 according to an embodiment, a product identification unit 103 identifies target products on which work will be performed before a customer arrives at the store based on work information and the scheduled arrival time. Then, an order reception unit 105 receives an order for placing the identified target products from a customer terminal 20 of the customer before the scheduled work time. Therefore, an order for a product can be received before a store clerk performs work such as displaying or removing the product. For example, a product before display delivered to the store or a product whose expiration date is approaching and is scheduled to be removed is placed by the store clerk. Therefore, the store clerk does not need to go to the product display location only for the placing work. Thus, the order system 100 can reduce the labor of the store clerk who places products sold in the store.

[0072] The order system 100 according to the present disclosure may be used for placing an order for storing products sold in a store in an office building. Many customers who use such a store are employees of an office building with a fixed arrival time. By introducing the order system 100 into such a store, it is possible to reduce the burden on the store clerk and improve the convenience for the customer.

[0073] [Hardware Configuration] In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of the order system 100 represents a block of functional units. Some or all of the components of the order system 100 may be realized by any combination of a computer 500 and a program.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 500. Referring to FIG. 7, the computer 500 includes, for example, a processor 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a program 504, a storage device 505, a drive device 507, a communication interface 508, an input device 509, an output device 510, an input / output interface 511, and a bus 512.

[0075] The processor 501 controls the entire computer 500. The processor 501 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The number of processors 501 is not particularly limited, and the processor 501 may be one or more.

[0076] The program 504 includes instructions for realizing each function of the order system 100. The program 504 is stored in advance in the ROM 502, the RAM 503, or the storage device 505. The processor 501 realizes each function of the order system 100 by executing the instructions included in the program 504. Further, the RAM 503 may store data processed in each function of the order system 100.

[0077] The drive device 507 reads and writes the recording medium 506. The communication interface 508 provides an interface with the communication network. The input device 509 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and receives input of information from an administrator or the like. The output device 510 is, for example, a display, and outputs (displays) information to an administrator or the like. The input / output interface 511 provides an interface with peripheral devices. The bus 512 connects these hardware components. Note that the program 504 may be supplied to the processor 501 via the communication network, or may be stored in advance in the recording medium 506, read by the drive device 507, and supplied to the processor 501.

[0078] Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0079] There are various modifications to the method of realizing the order system 100. For example, the order system 100 may be realized by any combination of different computers and programs for each component. Further, a plurality of components included in the order system 100 may be realized by any combination of one computer and program.

[0080] Further, at least a part of the order system 100 may be provided in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service). That is, at least a part of the functions for realizing the order system 100 may be executed by software executed via a network.

[0081] As described above, the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure. Also, the configurations in each embodiment can be combined with each other as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0082] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited thereto.

[0083] [Appendix 1] Work information acquisition means for acquiring work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and the scheduled work time of the work of a store clerk for displaying or removing the products, Customer information acquisition means for acquiring the scheduled arrival time of a customer, Product identification means for identifying target products for which the work is to be performed before the customer arrives based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time, Display control means for displaying an order screen on the customer terminal of the customer that enables ordering the placement of the target product, Order reception means for receiving an order for the placement of the target product from the customer terminal before the scheduled work time, Instruction output means for outputting an instruction for placing the target product for which the order has been received An order system comprising

[0084] [Appendix 2] The display control means displays an order screen including the time of the order deadline of the target product on the customer terminal The order system according to Appendix 1.

[0085] [Appendix 3] The display control means makes the priority regarding the display of the target product on the order screen higher than that of the products other than the target product. The order system according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0086] [Appendix 4] When the code attached to the target product for which an order has been received is read by the code reader, the instruction output means outputs the placement instruction to the store clerk terminal connected to the code reader. The order system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0087] [Appendix 5] The instruction output means outputs an instruction to restrict the sales registration of the target product received for order in the store. The order system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0088] [Appendix 6] When the target product is sold at the storefront, the display control means makes the target product in a state where it cannot be ordered on the order screen. The order system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5.

[0089] [Appendix 7] The display control means displays a discounted price when the target product is not specified as the target product. The order system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6.

[0090] [Appendix 8] The target product is a product scheduled to be displayed before display prepared in the store until the customer visits the store, or a product scheduled to be discarded removed from the display shelf until the customer visits the store. The order system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7.

[0091] [Appendix 9] Obtain work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and the scheduled working time of the work of a store employee for displaying or removing the products, Obtain the scheduled arrival time of a customer at the store, Based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time, identify the target products for which the work will be performed before the customer arrives at the store, Cause an order screen that enables ordering the placement of the target products to be displayed on the customer terminal of the customer, Receive an order for the placement of the target products from the customer terminal before the scheduled working time, Output an instruction for the placement of the target products for which the order has been received Order receiving method.

[0092] [Appendix 10] Obtain work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and the scheduled working time of the work of a store employee for displaying or removing the products, Obtain the scheduled arrival time of a customer at the store, Based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time, identify the target products for which the work will be performed before the customer arrives at the store, Cause an order screen that enables ordering the placement of the target products to be displayed on the customer terminal of the customer, Receive an order for the placement of the target products from the customer terminal before the scheduled working time, Output an instruction for the placement of the target products for which the order has been received Program for causing a computer to execute processing.

[0093] Part or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 - 8 that are subordinate to Appendix 1 described above may be subordinate to Appendices 9 - 10 in the same subordinate relationship as Appendices 2 - 8. Not limited to Appendices 1, 9 - 10, within the scope not departing from the above-described respective embodiments, similarly for various hardware, software, various storage devices for recording software, or systems, part or all of the configurations described as appendices may be made subordinate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 100 Ordering System 101 Work Information Acquisition Unit 102 Customer Information Acquisition Unit 103 Product Identification Unit 104 Display Control Unit 105 Order Reception Unit 106 Instruction Output Unit 20 Customer Terminal 30 Store Clerk Terminal 40 Store Management System

Claims

1. Work information acquisition means for acquiring work information including product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and the scheduled work time of the work of a store employee for displaying or removing the products; Customer information acquisition means for acquiring the scheduled arrival time of a customer; Product identification means for identifying target products for which the work will be performed before the customer arrives based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time; Display control means for displaying an order screen on the customer terminal of the customer that enables ordering of the target products; Order reception means for receiving an order for placing the target products from the customer terminal before the scheduled work time; Instruction output means for outputting an instruction for placing the target products for which an order has been received An order system comprising.

2. The display control means causes the customer terminal to display an order screen including the time of the order deadline for the target products The order system according to claim 1.

3. The display control means sets a higher priority for display of the target products on the order screen than for the products other than the target products The order system according to claim 2.

4. When the code attached to the target product for which an order has been received is read by a code reader, the instruction output means outputs an instruction for placing the product to a store employee terminal connected to the code reader The order system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The instruction output means outputs an instruction for restricting the sales registration of the target product for which an order has been received in the store The order system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. When the target product is sold at the storefront, the display control means makes the target product in a state where it cannot be ordered on the order screen The order system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The display control means displays a discounted price when the target product is not identified as a target product The order system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The target product is a product scheduled for display before being prepared in the store or a product scheduled for disposal to be removed from the display shelf before the customer arrives The order system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. Acquire product information for identifying products displayed and sold in a store and work information including the scheduled work time of the work of a store employee for displaying or removing the products, Acquire the scheduled arrival time of a customer, Based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time, identify the target product for which the work is to be performed before the customer arrives at the store. Display an order screen on the customer's customer terminal that allows ordering the placement of the target product. Receive an order for the placement of the target product from the customer terminal before the scheduled work time. Output an instruction for the placement of the target product for which the order has been received. Order reception method.

10. Obtain work information including product information for identifying products sold by display in the store and the scheduled work time of the work of the store clerk for displaying or removing the products. Obtain the scheduled arrival time of the customer. Based on the work information and the scheduled arrival time, identify the target product for which the work is to be performed before the customer arrives at the store. Display an order screen on the customer's customer terminal that allows ordering the placement of the target product. Receive an order for the placement of the target product from the customer terminal before the scheduled work time. Output an instruction for the placement of the target product for which the order has been received. A program that causes a computer to execute the process.

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