Frozen lunch box delivery system

Abstract

To provide a frozen lunch box delivery system capable of delivering a frozen lunch box unattended.SOLUTION: A frozen lunch box delivery system configured to connect a management server managing frozen lunch box delivery, customer terminals used by respective customers, and affiliated store terminals used by respective affiliated stores via a communication network, includes: order reception means for receiving an order of a frozen lunch box from the customer; temporary determination means that, when the customer's order of frozen lunch box includes order instructing unattended delivery, temporarily determines one in charge of unattended delivery, of the affiliated stores; means for informing the affiliated delivery store in charge determined by the temporary determination means, of the order; and final determination means that, when the affiliated delivery store in charge confirms the order, finally determines the affiliated delivery store in charge. The affiliated delivery store in charge finally determined by the final determination means delivers the order by unattended delivery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a frozen lunch delivery system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, meal delivery services that deliver nutritionally balanced frozen lunches to your home have become increasingly popular. These are excellent meal delivery services that fulfill the desire of people who cannot cook at home but still want to eat nutritionally balanced meals.

[0003] While frozen lunches have the advantage of being able to be thawed when needed and having a long shelf life, they also have problems specific to frozen lunches. For example, a frozen food delivery system is known that, in order to prevent an excess of frozen foods from being shipped from a shipping unit to a user unit, includes a shipping unit that ships the frozen foods, a user unit that includes a freezer and a detection unit for storing the frozen foods shipped from the shipping unit, and a management unit that manages the frozen foods shipped from the shipping unit, wherein the frozen foods include frozen food bodies, containers that store the frozen food bodies, and a detectable element that is configured to be detected by the detection unit before the container is opened and not to be detected by the detection unit after the container is opened, the management unit includes a processing unit that determines that the container has been opened when the detectable element is no longer detected, and the processing unit sets the number of frozen foods to be shipped from the shipping unit to the user unit based on the number of opened containers (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-116624 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, in order to prevent the waste of time and effort caused by redelivery, a method known as "drop-off delivery" has been gaining attention. This method involves leaving the item at a designated location rather than handing it over face-to-face. In addition, due to the impact of the recent spread of COVID-19, there is an increasing need for non-face-to-face delivery. However, due to the nature of the product, leaving bento boxes at the door is not feasible due to hygiene issues.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a frozen lunch delivery system that can deliver frozen lunches. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The frozen lunch delivery system according to the present invention is a frozen lunch delivery system in which a management server that manages frozen lunch delivery, a customer terminal used by a customer, and an affiliated store terminal used by an affiliated store are connected via a communication network, and is characterized in that it has an order acceptance means that accepts frozen lunch orders from the customer, a provisional determination means that, if the customer's order for a frozen lunch is an order instructing delivery by drop-off, provisionally determines the delivery affiliated store that will be responsible for the delivery by drop-off, a means for communicating the order to the delivery affiliated store determined by the provisional determination means, and a final determination means that, when the delivery affiliated store confirms the order, finally determines the delivery affiliated store, and the delivery affiliated store finally determined by the final determination means delivers the order by drop-off.

[0008] In the above-mentioned frozen lunch delivery system, if the delivery member store determined by the provisional determination means does not confirm the order, the provisional determination means may provisionally determine another member store as the delivery member store, and if the other member store confirms the order, the final determination means may finalize the other member store as the delivery member store.

[0009] In the above-mentioned frozen lunch delivery system, when the order is accepted by the order acceptance means, an order completion email may be sent to the customer, and when the member store responsible for delivery is finally decided by the decision means, an order confirmation email may be sent to the customer.

[0010] In the above-described frozen lunch delivery system, the frozen lunches may be delivered by the drop-off delivery method in a state where the frozen lunches are stored in an insulated box.

[0011] In the above-described frozen lunch delivery system, the customer's order for a frozen lunch may include instructions for a location to return the insulated box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an order receiving means for receiving an order for a frozen lunch box from a customer, a provisional determination means for provisionally determining a delivery member store that will be responsible for delivery by drop-off if the customer's order for a frozen lunch box is an order instructing delivery by drop-off, a means for communicating the order to the delivery member store determined by the provisional determination means, and a final determination means for finally determining a delivery member store when the delivery member store confirms the order, and the delivery member store determined by the final determination means delivers the order by drop-off, so that the frozen lunch box can be left at the door. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an address code table in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a store data table in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a customer data table in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of a delivery purchase in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of an order for delivery to a frozen lunch box in a frozen lunch box delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of delivery of products purchased for delivery to a designated location in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a delivery purchase in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a screen (part 1) of a customer's terminal (smartphone) when purchasing a frozen lunch delivery system with drop-off delivery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a screen (part 2) of a customer's terminal (smartphone) when purchasing a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a screen (part 3) of a customer's terminal (smartphone) when purchasing a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a screen (part 4) of a customer's terminal (smartphone) when purchasing a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a screen (part 5) of a customer's terminal (smartphone) when purchasing a frozen lunch delivery system for door-to-door delivery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of a delivery order completion email in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a confirmation screen showing details of an order for a delivery-to-door purchase in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows a screen (part 1) of a terminal (smartphone) of a member store / driver in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of a delivery order confirmation email in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an insulated box used for delivery by drop-off in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows a screen (part 2) of a terminal (smartphone) of a member store / driver in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 shows a screen (part 3) of the terminal (smartphone) of the affiliated store / driver in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a screen (part 4) of the terminal (smartphone) of the affiliated store / driver in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a screen (part 5) of the terminal (smartphone) of the affiliated store / driver in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a screen (part 6) of the terminal (smartphone) of the affiliated store / driver in the frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a screen (part 1) of a terminal (PC) at a franchise headquarters in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a screen (part 1) of a terminal (PC) at a franchise headquarters in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a screen (part 1) of a terminal (PC) at a franchise headquarters in a frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [One embodiment] A frozen lunch delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] The frozen lunch delivery system of this embodiment is a meal delivery service system that delivers frozen lunches with nutritionally balanced meals (lunch and dinner) to the homes of elderly people on a regular basis in order to help them maintain their health.

[0016] (Frozen lunch delivery system) The frozen lunch delivery system of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0017] The frozen lunch delivery system 10 of this embodiment comprises a management server 20 for managing the franchise, a terminal (PC) 30 at the franchise headquarters, a terminal (PC) 40a of an affiliated store that has joined the franchise and regularly delivers meals to the homes of elderly people, and an affiliated store terminal (smartphone) 40b, all of which are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via the Internet 50, a communication network.

[0018] A franchise is a system in which a store that joins a franchise receives the right to use the store's signboard, established services and products from the franchise headquarters, and pays a fee to the franchise headquarters in return.

[0019] Furthermore, the Internet 50 is connected to a terminal (smartphone) 60a, a terminal (mobile phone) 60b, and a terminal (PC) 60c) of customers who use the franchise's meal delivery service, and these terminals are able to communicate via the Internet 50, which is a communication network.

[0020] The management server 20 is provided with a memory (not shown) for storing data tables and the like required for various processes.

[0021] The terminal (PC) 30 at the franchise headquarters is provided with a memory (not shown) for storing data necessary for various processes.

[0022] The terminal (PC) 40a and the terminal (smartphone) 40b of the affiliated store are provided with a memory (not shown) for storing data necessary for various processes.

[0023] The customer terminal (smartphone) 60a, the terminal (mobile phone) 60b, and the terminal (PC) 60c are provided with a memory (not shown) for storing data necessary for various processes.

[0024] (Management Server Data Table) 2 to 4 show data tables of the management server in the store management system of this embodiment.

[0025] The memory (not shown) of the management server 20 stores, for example, an address code table 100 shown in FIG. 2, a store data table 200 shown in FIG. 3, and a customer data table 300 shown in FIG.

[0026] (Address code table) The address code table 100 assigns a code to each region in Japan and associates the address of each region with the address code. The address code is used to identify and manage the delivery area and business area of a store.

[0027] In this embodiment, address codes issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are used. As shown in Fig. 2, address codes corresponding to address notations are assigned to the address code table 100. The address code is composed of a prefecture code indicating the prefecture, a city / ward / county code indicating the city / ward / county, a town / village code indicating the town / village, and, if necessary, a small ward code indicating the small ward / village.

[0028] For example, the address "Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo" is assigned the address code "130010539" consisting of the prefecture code "13," city / ward / county code "001," and town / village code "0539."

[0029] (Store data table) The store data table 200 is configured from store information necessary for management in the store management system of this embodiment.

[0030] The store data table 200 includes, for example, a store basic information section 210 in which basic information about the store is stored, and a delivery area section 220 in which the delivery area of the store is stored.

[0031] (Store basic information) As shown in Figure 3, the store basic information section 210 is composed of a store ID column in which the store ID is stored, a store name column in which the store name is stored, an address column in which the store address is stored, a telephone number column in which the store telephone number is stored, a fax number column in which the store fax number is stored, a manager name column in which the name of the store manager is stored, a contract date column in which the date the franchise contract was concluded is stored, and a contract period column in which the contract period of the franchise contract is stored.

[0032] (Delivery area) The delivery area section 220 stores information about the delivery area of the store. A delivery area is an area where elderly people's homes are located to which the store delivers meals. The delivery area is determined by approval from the franchise headquarters. The process of application from the store to the franchise headquarters and approval by the franchise headquarters will be described later.

[0033] The delivery area section 220 stores the address code and status of each delivery area. The address code is the address code stored in the address code table 100. The status indicates whether the delivery area is currently being applied for or has been approved.

[0034] (Customer data table) The customer data table 300 is made up of information necessary for customer management in the frozen lunch delivery system of this embodiment.

[0035] The customer data table 300 includes, for example, a customer basic information section 310 in which basic information about the customer is stored, and an order history information section 320 in which order history information about the customer is stored.

[0036] (Basic customer information) As shown in Figure 4, the customer basic information section 310 is composed of a customer ID column in which the customer's ID is stored, a customer type column in which the customer's type is stored, a customer name column in which the customer's name is stored, an address column in which the customer's address is stored, a telephone number column in which the customer's telephone number is stored, and an email column in which the customer's email address is stored.

[0037] (Order history information) The order history information section 320 stores all order histories, each consisting of a date when a customer placed an order and the order details.

[0038] The types of frozen lunches include, for example, [Magokoro Regular Delivery 7 Meal Set], [Magokoro Regular Delivery 7 Meal Set (Leave at Door)], [Magokoro Regular Delivery 7 Meal Set (Leave at Door)], etc. For orders with leave at door delivery, (Leave at Door) will be displayed after the product name.

[0039] (Overview of delivery purchases) In the frozen lunch delivery system of this embodiment, a frozen lunch can be purchased with delivery to the customer's home.

[0040] An overview of the delivery-to-door purchase of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 shows an overview of the delivery-to-door purchase, Fig. 6 shows the flow of ordering, and Fig. 7 shows the flow of product delivery.

[0041] (Overview of delivery purchases) The overall outline of the delivery service will be explained using Figure 5.

[0042] First, the customer places an order for a Magokoro Care meal through the Magokoro Care Food System (management server). The Magokoro Care Food System (management server) then sends an order confirmation email to the affiliated store and delivery driver (affiliated store) that has been matched by postal code.

[0043] The affiliated store / delivery driver (affiliated store) receives the order through a dedicated app, and if it determines that the delivery can be made by leaving the food at the door, it contacts the Magokoro Care Food System (management server) to confirm. Upon receiving confirmation from the affiliated store / delivery driver (affiliated store), the Magokoro Care Food System (management server) sends the customer (client) a confirmation email that the delivery order has been accepted.

[0044] When the affiliated store or delivery driver (affiliated store) delivers the product, they contact the Magokoro Care Food System (management server) to notify them that the delivery has been completed, along with a photo of the delivered product. The Magokoro Care Food System (management server) then sends the customer (client) an email notifying them of the completion of delivery, along with a photo as proof. This email allows the customer (client) to check the delivery completion status and the status of the delivery, even if they are out and about, by viewing the photo.

[0045] (Ordering process) The ordering process will be explained using Figure 6.

[0046] First, a customer places an order for Magokoro Care Food through the Magokoro Care Food System. If the postal code of the customer's address is within the delivery area of the affiliated store / driver (affiliated store), they can choose to have the food left at their door. In the case of left at their door, a discount of, for example, 400 yen will be displayed.

[0047] When the Magokoro Care Food System (management server) receives an order, it sends an order confirmation email to the first-choice affiliated store / driver (affiliated store). The first-choice affiliated store / delivery driver (affiliated store) receives the order using a dedicated app, and if it determines that it can deliver the item by leaving it at the door, it contacts the Magokoro Care Food System (management server) to confirm. This officially selects the first-choice affiliated store / driver as the person responsible for the delivery.

[0048] The delivery days for drop-off delivery in this system are set to, for example, Saturday night to Sunday, so if the first-choice member store / driver (member store) has not confirmed the order by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, an order confirmation message will be sent to the second-choice member store / driver (member store).If there is no second-choice member store / driver (member store) or if the second-choice member store / driver (member store) has not confirmed the order, the order will be accepted at the reception center of the Magokoro Care Food System (management server).

[0049] (Product delivery process) The flow of product delivery will be explained using Figure 7.

[0050] The affiliated store and delivery driver (affiliated store) will confirm the delivery address using a dedicated app, and then deliver the product to the confirmed address.

[0051] A feature of the delivery service according to this embodiment is that the frozen lunches, which are the products, are stored in an insulated box and delivered. This makes it possible to deliver food items, such as lunches, in a hygienic manner. Even if the lunches are stored in an insulated box, leaving them for more than a certain period of time poses a hygiene problem, so the customer is reminded to collect the frozen lunches within a certain period of time.

[0052] In addition, the cooler box used for delivery will be collected on the next delivery day, so customers are reminded to place the empty cooler box in the same return location as the delivery location. If the empty cooler box used last time is left in the return location, the member store / delivery driver (member store) will collect it when delivering the product.

[0053] When the affiliated store / delivery driver (affiliated store) delivers the product, they contact the Magokoro Care Food System (management server) to notify them that the delivery has been completed, along with a photo of the delivered product. The Magokoro Care Food System (management server) then sends the customer (client) a delivery completion email with a photo as proof of delivery.

[0054] (Details on delivery purchases) Details of the delivery-to-door purchase of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 26. Steps S10 to S34 of the flowchart shown in Figure 8 will be described with reference to the screens of the terminals shown in Figures 9 to 26.

[0055] (Product selection / Login) The product selection / login process will be described with reference to steps S10 and S11 of the flowchart in FIG. 8 and FIGS.

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a case where a product is purchased from the product purchase top page.

[0057] The customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a to access the product purchase top page (FIG. 9(a)). Next, the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a to select products from the product list screen (FIG. 9(b)) and add them to the cart (step S10). The selected products are displayed on the cart screen (FIG. 9(c)).

[0058] Note that the product list screen (Figure 9(b)) and cart screen (Figure 9(c)) do not display "Leave at door" on the product. The "Leave at door" display will only appear on the product if "Leave at door" is available as a delivery method.

[0059] Next, the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps (clicks) the purchase button on the cart screen (Fig. 9(c)), which displays the login screen (Fig. 9(d)). The customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a, enters their ID and password on the login screen (Fig. 9(d)), and taps the login button, which logs them into the Magokoro Care Food System (step S11).

[0060] FIG. 10 shows the case where a product is purchased from a drop-off landing page.

[0061] A customer operates terminal (smartphone) 60a to access a drop-off delivery landing page (Fig. 10(a)) via search results, advertisements, etc. A drop-off delivery product button is displayed on this drop-off delivery landing page, which allows access to a list of drop-off delivery eligible products. When a customer operates terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps the drop-off delivery product button, a drop-off delivery eligible product list screen (Fig. 10(b)) is displayed. The drop-off delivery eligible product list screen (Fig. 10(b)) displays only drop-off delivery eligible products, along with an explanation of drop-off delivery.

[0062] Next, the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a to select products from the list screen of products that can be delivered to the door (FIG. 10(b)), and add them to the cart (Step S10). The selected products are displayed on the cart screen (FIG. 10(c)).

[0063] Next, when the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps the purchase button on the cart screen (Fig. 10(c)), a login screen (Fig. 10(d)) is displayed. When the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a, enters the ID and password on the login screen (Fig. 10(d)), and taps the login button, the customer is logged into the Magokoro Care Food System (step S11).

[0064] The cart screen (Figure 10(c)) displays items that can be delivered to your door, but the total price displayed is the price for a regular delivery method that does not include delivery to your door. The discount amount for delivery to your door will only be displayed as the total price after delivery to your door has been confirmed.

[0065] (Decision on leaving the room) The process of determining whether to leave a parcel will be described with reference to steps S20 and S21 in the flowchart of FIG.

[0066] When a customer selects a product and logs into the system, the management server 20 determines whether the selected product can be delivered.

[0067] First, it is determined whether the selected product is compatible with delivery to the store (step S20). If the selected product is compatible with delivery to the store, the process proceeds to the next step S21. If the selected product is not compatible with delivery to the store, the process proceeds to step S40 for product purchase processing using the normal delivery method.

[0068] If the customer accesses the delivery landing page (FIG. 10(a)) and selects a product, step S20 is skipped.

[0069] Next, it is determined whether the customer's address supports drop-off delivery (step S21). That is, it is determined whether there is an affiliated store (affiliated store / delivery driver) whose delivery area covers the customer's address. If such an affiliated store exists, the process proceeds to the next step S22. If no such affiliated store exists, the process proceeds to step S40 for product purchase processing using the regular delivery method.

[0070] The details of the product purchase process (step S40) using the normal delivery method will not be explained here.

[0071] (Delivery order completed) The process of completing a delivery order will be described with reference to steps S12 to S14 and steps S22 to S24 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 and FIGS. 11 to 15.

[0072] If it is determined that the product can be delivered by drop-off delivery, the management server 20 generates a confirmation screen for the order details for drop-off delivery (FIG. 11(a)) (step S22). The confirmation screen for the order details for drop-off delivery is displayed on the customer's terminal (smartphone) 60a (step S12). The order confirmation screen displays a message indicating that the area is available for drop-off delivery, as well as a drop-off button for selecting drop-off delivery.

[0073] When the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps the "Leave at door" button on the order confirmation screen (FIG. 11(a)), the terms of use for leave at door are displayed (FIG. 11(b)). When the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps the "Agree" button to agree to the terms of use for leave at door, the management server 20 generates a screen showing the details of the leave at door order. The customer can check the details of the leave at door order on the screen (FIG. 11(c)) showing the details of the leave at door order generated by the management server 20.

[0074] Next, when the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and scrolls down the screen of FIG. 11(c), the screen of FIG. 12(a) appears, allowing the customer to specify the delivery date, delivery location, and cooler box (refrigerated box) return location for the drop-off delivery. When the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps the delivery date on the screen of FIG. 12(a), a pull-down menu for selecting the delivery date appears. When the customer taps the delivery location, a pull-down menu for selecting the delivery location appears. When the customer taps the cooler box return location, a pull-down menu for selecting the return location appears (FIG. 12(b)). The pull-down menu for selecting the delivery date displays multiple delivery dates for drop-off delivery. The pull-down menu for selecting the delivery location displays multiple delivery locations (delivery locker, garage, storage shed, building reception / manager, etc.). The pull-down menu for selecting the return location displays multiple return locations (delivery locker, garage, storage shed, building reception / manager, etc.).

[0075] The customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a to tap the desired delivery date from a pull-down menu for selecting the delivery date, tap the desired drop-off location from a pull-down menu for selecting the drop-off location, and tap the desired return location from a pull-down menu for selecting the return location, thereby deciding on the delivery date, drop-off location, and return location.

[0076] Once the delivery date, drop-off location, and return location have been decided, a payment method selection screen (FIG. 12(c)) is displayed on the customer's terminal (smartphone) 60a. The customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a to select a payment method such as credit card payment or direct debit from the payment method selection screen, and selects the application of a coupon if desired.

[0077] Next, an order confirmation screen (FIG. 13(a)) is displayed on the customer's terminal (smartphone) 60a. The confirmation screen displays the final total amount, reflecting the coupon applied and the discount (400 yen) for delivery to the door. When the customer operates the terminal (smartphone) 60a and taps the button to proceed to the payment screen on the confirmation screen of FIG. 13(a), the order completion screen of FIG. 13(b) is displayed.

[0078] In this way, the customer places an order for delivery at the door (step S13), and the management server 20 confirms the contents of the order for delivery at the door (step S23).

[0079] When the delivery order is confirmed, the management server 20 generates a delivery order completion email and sends it to the customer (step S24). A specific example of the delivery order completion email is shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the delivery order completion email includes necessary information such as the delivery order details, such as the billing amount, details of the ordered items, and delivery information. The customer receives the delivery order completion email (FIG. 13(c)) on their terminal (smartphone) 60a (step S14).

[0080] Separately from the delivery order completion email, the customer can operate the terminal (smartphone) 60a to check the details of the order on the management server 20. Figure 15 shows a confirmation screen showing the details of the order on the management server 20. This confirmation screen includes all information about the delivery order.

[0081] (Delivery order confirmed) The process of finalizing a delivery order will be described with reference to step S15, steps S25 to S27, and steps S30 to S31 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and FIGS.

[0082] When the order for product delivery is completed, the management server 20 tentatively determines the affiliated store and driver who will make the delivery (step S25). From among multiple affiliated stores and drivers whose delivery area covers the customer's address, the first candidate affiliated store and driver to handle this delivery is selected. This is determined taking into consideration past track record of deliveries and delivery capabilities. In anticipation of the possibility that the first candidate affiliated store and driver may not be able to handle the delivery, second, third, etc. candidates may be selected in advance at this time.

[0083] Next, the management server 20 sends an order confirmation email to the provisionally selected member store / driver to notify them of the delivery order (step S25). When the management server 20 notifies them, a message is displayed on the screen of the member store / driver's terminal (smartphone) 40b indicating that there is an unconfirmed order (FIG. 16(a)).

[0084] Upon receiving the notification, the affiliated store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b and taps a button to confirm the order (step S31). When the button to confirm the order is tapped, the details of the delivery order are displayed on the affiliated store / driver's terminal (smartphone) 40b (Figure 16(b)). The order details include the order number, address, and product. By tapping the map display button on the screen, the user can view a map of the delivery destination.

[0085] If the member store / driver decides to deliver the current order, the member store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b and taps the button indicating that the order is accepted on the screen of Fig. 16(b) to accept the current order (step S31). When the member store / driver notifies the management server 20 that the current delivery member store will be determined and confirmed (step S26).

[0086] Furthermore, if the first candidate member store / driver does not contact the management server 20 to accept the delivery order within a predetermined time after the management server 20 notifies the first candidate member store / driver, for example, by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, the management server 20 notifies the second candidate member store / driver of the delivery order. After the second candidate member store / driver is notified of the delivery order, the management server 20 prevents the first candidate member store / driver from contacting the management server 20 to accept the delivery order. In this way, one of the member stores / drivers is assigned to be responsible for the delivery, and the member store responsible for the delivery is finally decided and confirmed (step S26).

[0087] If the second-choice franchisee / driver does not contact the customer by the specified time, for example, by 11:59 PM on Thursday, the final decision on the franchisee / driver responsible for the delivery will not be made in time for the scheduled delivery time. In this case, the delivery will be switched from delivery to regular mail. Since the payment has already been made by credit card, the frozen lunch will be delivered by regular mail at the delivery price for the first time.

[0088] Once the delivery-to-door affiliated store is determined, the management server 20 generates a delivery-to-door order confirmation email to inform the customer that the delivery-to-door order has been confirmed (step S27). The customer receives the delivery-to-door order confirmation email from the management server 20 (step S14).

[0089] A specific example of a delivery order confirmation email is shown in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 17, the delivery order confirmation email includes information about the product to be delivered, the delivery date, the name of the affiliated store in charge, telephone information, etc.

[0090] In addition to the delivery order confirmation email, the customer can operate the terminal (smartphone) 60a to check the details of the order confirmation on the management server 20.

[0091] (Delivery of left-behind delivery completed) The process of completing delivery for drop-off delivery will be described with reference to step S16, steps S28 to S29, and steps S32 to S34 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 and FIGS.

[0092] When delivering to a customer, the frozen lunches are placed in a special insulated box, as shown in Figure 18. The special insulated box contains special ice packs, which allows the quality of the frozen lunches to be maintained even if they are left at room temperature for a certain period of time, making it possible to deliver to a customer.

[0093] On the delivery date for the order, the affiliated store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b to log in to the system from the login screen shown in Figure 19. The affiliated store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b to enter an email address in the email address field on the login screen, enter a password in the password field, and tap the login button to log in to the system.

[0094] When a customer logs in to the system, the top screen shown in Figure 20(a) is displayed on the affiliated store / driver's terminal (smartphone) 40b. A list of destinations to be visited is displayed on the top screen. The list of destinations to be visited displays the delivery date, number of visits, and delivery information for each destination. Delivery information such as the order number, delivery destination, and product name is displayed. A map display button is displayed in the delivery information, and tapping the map display button displays a map screen of the delivery destination.

[0095] For items in the list of destinations for which delivery has been completed, a delivered icon will be displayed with a gray background, as shown in Figure 20(b), allowing you to confirm that delivery has been completed.

[0096] When the affiliated store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b and taps the map display button for the destination on the screen shown in Fig. 20(a), a map screen for the delivery destination is displayed as shown in Fig. 21(a). When the screen in Fig. 21(a) is scrolled, information such as the delivery destination and product name is displayed as shown in Fig. 21(b).

[0097] The affiliated store / driver actually visits the destination by referring to the map screen, etc., and delivers the frozen lunches by placing them in a special insulated box at the specified location (step S32). Upon completing the delivery, the affiliated store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b and taps the "take photo" button at the bottom right of the screen shown in Figure 21(a) to take a photo of the delivery. The camera app on the terminal (smartphone) 40b is launched.

[0098] When the camera app is launched, the affiliated store / driver operates the terminal (smartphone) 40b to frame the location where the product is placed, as shown in FIG. 22(a), and taps the shutter button to take a photo (step S33). The captured photo is displayed on the screen of the terminal (smartphone) 40b (FIG. 22(b)). The affiliated store / driver checks the photo, and if the photo is satisfactory, taps the complete button on the screen shown in FIG. 22(b). The captured photo is linked to delivery information and registered in the system, and a report that the delivery has been completed is sent to the management server 20 (step S34).

[0099] Once a photo has been registered, the Take Photo button at the bottom right of the delivery destination map screen will change to a View Photo button, as shown in Figure 23(a). By tapping this View Photo button, you can view the photo you have taken (Figure 23(b)).

[0100] The management server 20 receives a report from the affiliated store / driver that the delivery has been completed (step S28). The management server 20 generates a delivery completion email notifying the customer that the delivery has been completed and sends it to the customer (step S29). The customer receives the delivery completion email from the management server 20 (step S26) and is informed that the delivery has been completed.

[0101] Customers can pick up their ordered items from the delivery location at their convenience, such as after returning home. The ordered items are placed in an insulated box at the delivery location. The customer removes the frozen lunch from the box and stores it in their freezer or other storage space. The customer returns the unneeded insulated box to the return location specified when placing the order. At a later date, the member store driver will collect the unneeded insulated box from the return location.

[0102] (Checking delivery orders) The confirmation of a delivery order from the management server 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26. FIG.

[0103] Figure 24 shows the screen of the franchise headquarters terminal (PC) 30 displaying the order management screen of the management server 20. As shown in Figure 24, the order management screen displays a list of orders. For each order, the order date, order number, delivery address, payment method, purchase amount, purchase category, shipping date, handling status, etc. are displayed.

[0104] For orders where the delivery method of "Leave at door" is selected, "Leave at door" will be displayed in the recipient name field, as shown in Figure 24. This allows you to confirm that the order has been delivered as "Leave at door".

[0105] When the order number of each order in the order list shown in Figure 24 is clicked, the order details screen shown in Figure 25 is displayed on the terminal (PC) 30 of the franchise headquarters. The order details screen displays the details of the order. Regarding the delivery method, it displays whether it is a drop-off delivery, the delivery date, the affiliated store in charge of delivery, the drop-off location, etc.

[0106] Figure 26 shows the order details screen for a completed delivery order, displayed on the screen of the franchise headquarters terminal (PC) 30. In the upper right corner of the screen, the order date, payment date, shipping date, update date, and delivery completion date are displayed, along with a button to view delivery photos. Clicking the button to view delivery photos allows you to check the delivery photos.

[0107] (Registering and cancelling products that can be delivered to your door) The management server 20 can be used to register or cancel whether a product is eligible for drop-off delivery. On the product registration screen, for example, there are provided buttons for "yes" and "no" for drop-off delivery and a field for the discount amount for drop-off delivery. When registering a product, either "yes" or "no" for drop-off delivery is selected, and if "yes" for drop-off delivery is selected, a discount amount such as "400 yen" is registered in the field for the discount amount for drop-off delivery.

[0108] (Products sold at affiliated stores) The Magokoro Care Food System allows affiliated stores to purchase the insulated boxes used for deliveries. The insulated boxes are registered as products for affiliated stores. Affiliated stores purchase the insulated boxes from Magokoro Care Food System headquarters using the same procedures as customers. The insulated boxes are used for deliveries under the management of affiliated stores. As a general rule, customers cannot purchase them.

[0109] [Modified embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible.

[0110] The notations, expressions, modes, etc. in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10...Store management system 20...Administration Server 30...Franchise headquarters terminal (PC) 40a...Affiliated store terminal (PC) 40b...Member store terminal (smartphone) 50…Internet 60a...Device (smartphone) 60b...Terminal (mobile phone) 60c...Terminal (PC) 100...Address code table 200...Store data table 210...Store Basic Information Department 220...Delivery area 300...Customer data table 310…Customer Basic Information Department 320...Order History Information Department

Claims

1. A frozen lunch delivery system in which a management server that manages frozen lunch delivery, a customer terminal used by a customer, and a member store terminal used by a member store are connected via a communication network, an order receiving means for receiving an order for the frozen lunch box from the customer; a provisional determination means for provisionally determining a member store that will be responsible for the delivery by leaving the frozen lunch box at the door if the customer's order for the frozen lunch box is an order that instructs delivery by leaving the frozen lunch box at the door; a means for informing the delivery member store determined by the provisional determination means of the order; a final determination means for finalizing the delivery member store when the delivery member store confirms the order; The member store in charge of delivery determined by the determining means delivers the order by leaving it at the door. A frozen lunch delivery system.

2. 2. The frozen lunch delivery system according to claim 1, If the member store responsible for delivery determined by the provisional determination means does not confirm the order, the provisional determination means provisionally determines another member store as the member store responsible for delivery, and if the other member store confirms the order, the final determination means finalizes the other member store as the member store responsible for delivery. A frozen lunch delivery system.

3. 3. The frozen lunch delivery system according to claim 1, When the order is received by the order receiving means, an order completion email is sent to the customer; When the delivery member store is determined by the determination means, an order confirmation email is sent to the customer. A frozen lunch delivery system.

4. The frozen lunch delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The delivery of the frozen lunches by the delivery to the customer is carried out in a state where the frozen lunches are stored in an insulated box. A frozen lunch delivery system.

5. 5. The frozen lunch delivery system according to claim 4, The customer's frozen lunch order includes instructions on where to return the insulated box. A frozen lunch delivery system.

Images