Product sales method and selling system

Abstract

To provide a product sales method capable of reducing delivery costs and product prices.SOLUTION: A sales method includes: (1) reading package information regarding individual delivery items addressed to users permitted to enter facilities, the individual delivery items to be delivered to spaces set up within a plurality of facilities where security against intrusion by unspecified persons is ensured, with a reading device disposed in each of the spaces; (2) causing the reading devices to transmit the package information to a server communicably connected to the reading devices; (3) causing the server to calculate an available capacity of each of the spaces in the plurality of facilities on the basis of the package information; (4) causing the server to determine products and quantities to be delivered to the spaces of each of the plurality of facilities by using facility information regarding the facilities and user information regarding the users, and select one or more facilities to which the products are to be delivered from the plurality of facilities, as delivery destination facilities; and (5) placing the products in the spaces of the delivery destination facilities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for selling products and a system for implementing this method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the development of e-commerce (e-commerce) has led to a dramatic increase in the volume of parcel deliveries, and this volume is expected to continue to grow in the future due to the increasing number of aging households. Under these circumstances, concerns are growing about increased delivery costs and a decline in delivery services due to the tightening of regulations on overtime work hours for drivers, known as the "2024 problem." For this reason, not only are more efficient parcel delivery methods required, but product manufacturers and providers are also being asked to establish more efficient business models.

[0003] One method of achieving efficient delivery is the increasing use of a delivery method known as "drop-off delivery" (see Patent Document 1). With drop-off delivery, the parcel to be delivered is not brought into a lockable locker or the like, but rather the recipient, the user, specifies a location that is freely accessible to third parties, including the parcel deliverer (for example, a front door, a garage, an unlocked storage room, or a delivery box), and the parcel is delivered to that location. This not only relieves the user from the stress of being required to be at home, but also reduces the burden on the delivery person of having to redeliver the parcel (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-133219 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-149692 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-64606 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-35373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a new method for selling and delivering merchandise, or to provide a merchandise sales method that can reduce delivery costs and merchandise prices, and a system for realizing this method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for selling products, which includes: (1) reading, by a reading device disposed in each of a plurality of facilities where security against intrusion by unspecified persons is ensured, package information regarding individual deliveries addressed to users who are permitted to access the facilities and which are to be delivered to designated spaces within the facilities; (2) transmitting the package information from the reading device to a server connected to and communicating with the reading device; (3) calculating, in the server, the available capacity of each of the spaces within the plurality of facilities based on the package information; (4) using, in the server, facility information regarding the facilities and user information regarding the users, determining the products and quantities to be delivered to the spaces within the plurality of facilities and selecting, from the plurality of facilities, one or more facilities to which the products are to be delivered as delivery destination facilities; and (5) placing the products in the spaces within the delivery destination facilities.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a system for selling products. The system includes a server and a reading device. The reading device is placed in a designated space within a plurality of facilities where security against intrusion by unspecified individuals is ensured. The reading device is configured to be communicatively connected to the server. The reading device is further configured to read package information regarding individual delivery items addressed to users who are permitted access to the facilities and transmit the package information to the server. The server is configured to use facility information regarding the facilities and user information regarding the users to determine the products and quantities to be delivered to the spaces of the plurality of facilities and to select one or more facilities from the plurality of facilities as delivery destination facilities to which the products will be delivered. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional product sales method. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a product sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a delivery box that can be used in a product sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dedicated container that can be used in a product sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a delivery space used in a product sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an example of a flowchart of a product sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram of a product sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a reading device included in the product sales system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is an example of a flowchart of a product sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, etc. However, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below.

[0010] In order to clarify the description, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention. In this specification and each drawing, elements having the same functions as those explained in the previous drawings may be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

[0011] Hereinafter, items sold using a sales method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be referred to as "products." On the other hand, items that users order and request delivery of separately without using this sales method will be referred to as "individual delivery items." Products and individual delivery items will be collectively referred to as "packages."

[0012] First Embodiment Below, we will explain a product sales method (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as this sales method) related to one embodiment of the present invention and a system for realizing it (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as this sales system).

[0013] 1. Overview of product sales methods In the traditional method of selling products on Ecomus, users, who are the buyers of products, select and order each product, and the seller delivers the product to the user according to the user's order, either directly or through a logistics company (Figure 1). This requires the seller to respond to each user's order and deliver products to users who are widely dispersed. This business model is one of the major causes of increased delivery costs.

[0014] In contrast, as will be described later, in the present sales method, as shown in FIG. 2, the seller predicts user demand, determines one or more products, and delivers them in bulk to facilities used by many users, i.e., facilities with a high user density. At this time, the seller may also conduct promotions to encourage users to purchase the products. Here, the facility refers to a facility used or lived in by many users and that has a certain level of security, such as an apartment complex, a business building, or a factory. Alternatively, the facility may be a commercial facility such as an amusement center, a department store, a shopping mall, or a sports facility, an educational facility such as a university or vocational school, or a medical institution or nursing home. In this case, the user may be a servant, employee, student, teacher, patient, or medical professional, including a doctor, of the facility.

[0015] Furthermore, in this sales method, products are not delivered individually to users, but are delivered en bloc to a specific space (delivery space) set up within the facility. Access to the facility is limited to users who use or reside in the facility, or specific delivery personnel who deliver the products, ensuring security for the products and the facility. Furthermore, in this sales method, product demand is predicted and the products and quantities are determined by taking into account and / or predicting the available capacity of the delivery space. Furthermore, only one or more facilities that are expected to sell a larger volume of products are selected as delivery destination facilities, and the products are shipped to the delivery space of the delivery destination facility. The user decides whether to purchase the products, and if so, the user completes the purchase and payment procedures using a reading device located corresponding to the delivery space.

[0016] 2.Delivery space As mentioned above, the delivery destination of the product is not the user's individual home or residence, but a delivery space set up within a facility with a certain level of security. This delivery space is used to deliver not only products but also individual delivery items addressed to users not via this sales method. In other words, the delivery space contains a mixture of products and individual delivery items.

[0017] An example of a delivery space is a locker inside a lockable delivery box. In this case, the delivery box is accessible to the general public, but the interior of the delivery box, i.e., the locker installed in the delivery box, is accessible only by those permitted to access the facility, specifically, users permitted to enter or reside in the facility, and specific delivery personnel. When a delivery box is used as the delivery space, an existing delivery box can be used, allowing this sales method to be applied at low cost. Furthermore, by providing the delivery box with a temperature control function, the temperature of the product can be maintained for a long period of time, making it possible to sell, for example, fresh foods or products that are best served heated.

[0018] The delivery box may be a delivery box having a plurality of lockers configured to store dedicated containers for packaging goods or individual delivery items. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the delivery box 120 may include a plurality of lockers 122 each equipped with a lockable door 124, and each of the plurality of lockers 122 may be configured to store one or more dedicated containers 130, all of which have the same shape and size. In such a delivery box 120, each locker 122 operates in two operating modes. In one operating mode (first operating mode), the dedicated container 130 can be pulled out of the locker 122 but cannot be removed. In the other operating mode (second operating mode), the dedicated container 130 can be removed from the locker 122 and stored in an empty locker 122.

[0019] A schematic perspective view of the dedicated container 130 is shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the dedicated container 130 basically comprises a main body 132 and a lid 134 attached to the main body 132 via a hinge 136, and may further have a handle 140, a mirror 142, a lock 138, one or more protrusions 144, one or more trenches 146, etc. Although not shown, the dedicated container 130 is provided with a mechanism for preventing the dedicated container 130 from being removed from the locker 122 in the first operating mode described above, and for allowing the dedicated container 130 to be removed from the locker 122 in the second operating mode.

[0020] The main body 132 is a container for storing products sold using this sales method or individual delivery items that a user has individually requested to be shipped, and is preferably cuboid in shape. The main body 132 may be entirely or partially transparent. For example, the surface on which the handle is provided may be transparent so that the interior can be observed. By configuring the delivery box 120 and the dedicated container 130 so that the door 124 is entirely or partially transparent and the surface on which the handle is provided is also transparent, the inside of the dedicated container 130 can be visually checked even when the door 124 is closed.

[0021] While there are no restrictions on the size of the dedicated container 130, for example, the internal depth may be 150 mm to 600 mm, 200 mm to 500 mm, or 200 mm to 400 mm, typically corresponding to A4 size (297 mm). The internal width may be 100 mm to 500 mm, 150 mm to 400 mm, or 200 mm to 300 mm, typically corresponding to A4 size (210 mm). The internal height may be 50 mm to 20 mm, 75 mm to 150 mm, or 90 mm to 125 mm, typically 100 mm. Since the size of most users' individual delivery items falls within the above-mentioned ranges, configuring the dedicated container 130 to satisfy the above parameters allows the majority of individual delivery items to be delivered using dedicated containers 130 of the same size and shape. When loading items of different shapes and sizes onto a delivery vehicle such as a truck, gaps often occur between the items, making loading efficient. However, by using the above-mentioned special container 130, a large number of special containers can be loaded onto a delivery vehicle without any gaps, enabling more efficient delivery.

[0022] The lid 134 has a function of closing the main body 132, thereby preventing packages from falling out of the dedicated container 130 during delivery of the dedicated container 130. The lid 134 can be configured so that one part is fixed to the main body 132 and another part rotates around a hinge 136. This allows the lid 134 to be opened to remove goods or individual deliveries even when the dedicated container 130 is partially pulled out of the locker 122.

[0023] Providing the handle 140 on the main body 132 makes it easy to transport the dedicated container 130 and also makes it easy to pull out, remove, and store the dedicated container 130 from the locker 122. The lock 138 is a mechanism for preventing the lid 134 from opening unintentionally, and its configuration is determined appropriately. It is preferable that the lock 138 has a structure that allows it to be locked and unlocked without a key. For example, it may be a rotating pin or plate that engages with the main body 132. Configuring the lock 138 so that it can be locked and unlocked without a key eliminates the need for the user to have a key, making it easier to remove luggage.

[0024] The trench 146 is provided to engage with a guide (not shown) provided on the locker 122 when the dedicated container 130 is placed in the locker 122. This not only fixes the position of the dedicated container 130 within the locker 122, but also reduces friction between the locker 122 and the dedicated container 130, making it easier to pull out, insert, and remove the dedicated container 130. The protrusion 144 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 134 and is configured to overlap and be parallel to the trench 146 when multiple dedicated containers 130 are stacked one on top of the other. By providing both the trench 146 and the protrusion 144 in this way, the dedicated containers 130 are prevented from shifting when multiple dedicated containers 130 are stacked, preventing the load from falling over. This contributes to ensuring the safety of delivery personnel.

[0025] Mirror 142 is disposed inside lid 134. By providing mirror 142, even if the inside of main body 132 cannot be directly seen, the inside of main body 132 can be seen reflected on mirror 142, making it possible to check whether any baggage has been left behind.

[0026] Alternatively, the delivery space may be a shelf 150 without partitions or lockable doors ( FIG. 5 ). Because the shelf 150 is installed in a secure facility, only users permitted to enter the facility and specific delivery personnel, i.e., delivery personnel temporarily or permanently permitted to enter the facility, can access packages placed on the shelf 150. This effectively deters package theft. Many existing parcel lockers have partitions and lockable doors, which significantly limit the number of packages they can store. For example, depending on the size of a package, even if a vacant locker is available, the package cannot be stored because a matching locker is unavailable, forcing the package to be re-delivered. However, using the shelf 150 without partitions or lockable doors as the delivery space provides greater flexibility in package placement, thereby solving this problem.

[0027] 3. How to sell products An example of a flowchart of a product sales method according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 6. The sales method will be described in detail below according to this flowchart, but this flowchart is merely an example, and for example, the order of the steps shown in this flowchart may be changed as appropriate.

[0028] (1) Identifying available space for delivery As described above, products are delivered in bulk to a delivery space, and individual delivery items for users are also delivered to this delivery space. Therefore, the amount of products that can be placed in the delivery space may be limited by the amount of individual delivery items. If the delivery space does not have sufficient capacity, the products cannot be placed in the delivery space, forcing redelivery, which results in increased delivery costs. Therefore, this delivery method obtains information about individual delivery items.

[0029] Specifically, a reading device 160 is provided corresponding to each delivery space (see FIG. 5). The configuration of the reading device 160 will be described later. The reading device 160 reads tags or slips attached to individual delivery items, or identifiers such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes attached thereto, to acquire information about the individual delivery items (package information). The package information may include the size of the individual delivery item, the deliverer and / or delivery company of the individual delivery item, the contents of the individual delivery item, the order destination of the individual delivery item (e.g., the name of the ECOMAS website), and the destination of the individual delivery item (i.e., the user). The reading device 160 is also configured to record the date and time when the package information is acquired. If the delivery space is a delivery box, the reading device 160 may be configured to input the number (or identifier) ​​of the locker in which the individual delivery item is stored. Furthermore, if the delivery space is a shelf 150 without a partition or lockable door, an image of the shelf 150 may be acquired using an imaging unit provided in the reading device 160. Alternatively, multiple sensors connected to the reading device 160 may be placed on the shelves of the shelf 150, and the signals obtained from the sensors may be used to determine the quantity of individual delivery items, the storage status of the individual delivery items on the shelf 150, etc. on a server (described below).

[0030] All or part of the acquired package information, the locker number, an image of the shelf 150, a signal from the sensor, and the like are transmitted to a server (described later) and stored in a database (described later) connected to the server for communication. The database also stores information regarding the specifications of the delivery space (i.e., the parcel lockers 120 and the shelves 150) provided in each facility. The server periodically or as needed calculates the available capacity of the delivery space in each facility based on the package information and the specifications of the delivery space stored in the database. If the delivery space is a shelf 150, the available capacity of the delivery space can be calculated using the image transmitted from the reading device 160 or the signal acquired by the sensor. This allows the available capacity of the delivery space in each facility to be grasped on the server. In this sales method, the user may perform a receiving procedure when receiving an individual delivery item. For example, the user may have the reading device 160 read an identifier such as a tag or slip attached to the individual delivery item, or a barcode or two-dimensional code attached thereto. The read information and the date and time of reading are transmitted from the reading device 160 to the server. This allows the server to track the incoming and outgoing shipments in the delivery space, making it possible to more accurately calculate the available capacity of the delivery space.

[0031] (2) Determining the product and its quantity As mentioned above, in this sales method, users do not order products individually, but the entity that manages or operates the server or the business that implements this delivery method decides which products to deliver. In other words, the server decides which products to deliver based on information stored in a database.

[0032] More specifically, a database connected to the server stores various information that influences the demand trends of products (demand trend information). The demand trend information includes at least external factor information, facility information, and user information.

[0033] External information is information independent of users and facilities that affects overall consumer demand. Examples include weather, climate, calendars and related events, changes in product production and harvest yields (seasonal seasons), the presence or absence of large-scale sporting or cultural events, and if so, their type and timing, information about campaigns on the Ecomas website (such as the timing, content, and scale of campaigns), the presence or absence of epidemic outbreaks and their predicted end date, and legal amendments. Facility information is information related to facilities, such as the facility's name, site area, number of floors, layout, advertised price, sales price, rent, common area fees, shared facilities, the number of users or households using or residing in the facility, number of parking spaces, nearby traffic, the type and number of tenants, services provided within the facility, and facility rules (e.g., whether delivery is available, whether carts are allowed, etc.). Generally, different facility information influences user preferences and the grade and quantity of products purchased, allowing for the determination of products that best fit the user's lifestyle. User information is information about users who use or reside in a facility, and examples include the user's age, gender, and household composition. Since the products a user desires are influenced not only by the user but also by their household composition, by using user information in product selection, it is possible to determine products that better suit the user's preferences. Note that the user information may be, for example, information provided by the user at the time of registration.

[0034] The database stores product sales records along with past demand trend information, and the server uses this information to determine products. For example, a supervised learning model is constructed using past demand trend information and product sales records as input data (feature data). The algorithm used in the supervised learning model can be selected arbitrarily, such as a linear regression model, random forest, decision tree, gradient boosting, or deep learning, with deep learning being particularly preferred. When using deep learning, algorithms such as neural networks, deep neural networks, and convolutional neural networks can be used as appropriate. Product demand forecasting using a supervised algorithm allows for timely determination of products that meet user desires. The difference between the determined product and the training data, which is past sales records, is the objective function, and the learning model can be trained and updated by minimizing this objective function.

[0035] There are no particular restrictions on the type of product to be delivered, and it can be selected from a wide range of categories, including food, medical supplies, cosmetics, clothing, sports goods, disaster prevention supplies, etc. Furthermore, food is not limited to food produced in factories, but can also include harvested products such as seafood and agricultural products.

[0036] The quantity of a product can also be determined using the above-mentioned past demand trend information and product sales record. For example, the quantity of a product can be determined using a supervised learning model that uses the past demand trend information and product sales record as feature data.

[0037] However, the available capacity of the delivery space is taken into consideration at this time. As mentioned above, the available capacity of the delivery space at each facility can be monitored on the server at any time. Therefore, if the determined quantity of products does not exceed the available capacity of the delivery space, the entire amount of the determined products can be delivered. Conversely, if the determined quantity of products exceeds the available capacity of the delivery space, the amount of products that is equal to or less than the available capacity can be delivered. This prevents re-delivery due to insufficient delivery space and reduces delivery costs.

[0038] Furthermore, this sales method may not only consider the available capacity of the delivery space when shipping products, but may also predict the available capacity and determine the quantity and timing of delivery based on this. As described above, this sales method tracks individual delivery items to be delivered to the delivery space on a server. Therefore, using past demand trend information (especially external factor information) stored in a database and past performance data of individual delivery items, the delivery volume of individual delivery items can be predicted using a supervised learning model that uses these as feature data. Since the predicted delivery volume of individual delivery items and the specifications of the delivery space can be used to calculate the amount of product that can be placed in the delivery space, it is sufficient to deliver an amount of product that is less than the available capacity. Alternatively, delivery may be performed when there is enough available capacity to accommodate the entire amount of determined product. In this way, increasing or decreasing the delivery volume based on the available capacity of the delivery space and its prediction enables more flexible product sales. Furthermore, since delivery space can be used efficiently and orderly, each facility does not require an unnecessarily large delivery space and does not detract from the aesthetics of the facility.

[0039] (3) Determining the delivery destination facility This sales method further selects a facility to deliver the product to as a delivery destination facility from among multiple facilities. Specifically, the delivery destination facility is selected from among multiple facilities that are expected to sell more products, i.e., facilities that are predicted to have a larger number of users willing to purchase the product. Therefore, the product is delivered to one or more of the multiple facilities with delivery spaces, rather than to all of them. The delivery destination facilities may be prioritized based on factors such as the expected sales volume of the product, the cost and delivery time of the product, the cost of replenishing the product in the facility's delivery space, and the cost required for promotions at the facility. The selection of delivery destination facilities and the determination of their priorities can also be performed using a supervised learning model that uses past demand trend information and product sales performance as feature data. This allows products to be delivered preferentially to facilities where more product purchases are expected, thereby enabling efficient product sales. Furthermore, the method allows delivery personnel's working hours to be appropriately managed, thereby making it possible to appropriately address the 2024 problem.

[0040] (4) Delivery of products After the products to be delivered and their quantities are determined and the destination facility is selected, the products are delivered to the destination facility. Delivery may be performed by the business operator managing or operating the system, or may be outsourced to a separate delivery company. For example, agricultural produce or seafood may be delivered directly from the production area to each facility by a delivery company. When the delivery of the products is completed at each facility, a signal notifying the server that the product delivery has been completed may be sent using the reading device 160. This allows the server to track the completion of product delivery and the date and time of delivery. Note that the products may be delivered to all selected destination facilities, or may be delivered to some of the destination facilities in order of priority. In this case, as described below, the delivered products may be delivered to some destination facilities and then, after a certain period of time has passed, the delivered products may be delivered to other destination facilities.

[0041] When delivering products, the products and quantities to be delivered to each facility are determined, and the necessary free space in the delivery space is secured. Therefore, there is no need to burden users with the burden of redelivery due to a lack of delivery space. Furthermore, products do not need to be delivered individually to users; they can simply be placed together in a delivery space set up within the facility. This also does not impose a heavy burden on delivery personnel. With these features, using this sales method can reduce delivery costs. Furthermore, since the delivery volume of products can be determined in advance, bulk purchases and delivery are possible depending on the type of product. This allows the unit price of products to be reduced, allowing users to purchase products more cheaply.

[0042] (5) Purchase of goods The products delivered to the delivery space can then be purchased by registered users. For example, the user transmits information required for registration (e.g., name, age, gender, household composition, address, telephone number, email address, address and name of facility used or resided in, payment method, etc.) to the server via a platform built by a business operator managing or operating this sales system or a business operator implementing this delivery method. The server acquires the necessary information, stores it in a database, and registers the user. Upon registration, the server transmits an authentication code to the user's communication terminal. When the user wishes to purchase a product delivered to the delivery space, the user has the reader 160 read the authentication code to verify the user's identity, and then reads an identifier containing product information (product information), such as a two-dimensional code or barcode attached to the product or product packaging, with the reader 160 to complete payment. The read authentication code and product information are transmitted from the reader 160 to the server 110, where the user is authenticated. If the user is successfully authenticated, payment is made according to the pre-registered payment method, and the user's purchase of the product is completed.

[0043] (6) Other Even with this sales method, it is not guaranteed that all products delivered to each facility will be purchased by users. For this reason, after a certain period of time has passed, unsold products may be transferred to other destination facilities according to the priority of the destination facility. Even in this case, the destination facility and the amount of products to be transferred can be determined on the server by taking into account or predicting the available space in the delivery space of the destination where the unsold products will be transferred. By transferring products in this way, it is possible to prevent product waste (such as food loss).

[0044] To promote more efficient product sales, after the products to be delivered have been decided, product information (product name, estimated delivery date and time, price, etc.) and advertisements may be sent from the server to the registered user's communication terminal to promote the user. This allows the user to know which products are scheduled for delivery, avoids duplicate purchases, and provides an opportunity to select from a variety of options where to purchase the products.

[0045] As described above, this sales method does not sell products individually based on each user's order. Instead, it predicts which products users will want and delivers them in bulk to a delivery space with a high user density and extremely convenient for users. Users only purchase the delivered products through this sales method if they wish to purchase them. Therefore, this sales method allows for a pseudo-mass joint purchase, allowing users to save on product purchase costs. Furthermore, the quantity and / or delivery time of products are determined based on the available capacity of the delivery space and its forecast results, and the delivery destination is a delivery space installed at each facility. This allows for extremely high delivery efficiency compared to individual deliveries to individual users. These features contribute to saving human resources in delivery operations and reducing delivery costs, as well as reducing the unit price of products.

[0046] 4.Sales System An example of a sales system for implementing the above-described sales method will be described below. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this sales system 100. This sales system 100 includes a server 110 and multiple reading devices 160. Each of the multiple reading devices 160 is configured to be communicatively connected to the server 110 via a wide area network 102, such as the Internet. The wide area network 102 is communicatively connected to a user terminal 180 of a user who uses this sales method, thereby establishing communication between the server 110 and the user terminal 180. A database 112 is connected to the server 110. The database 112 may be communicatively connected to the server 110 directly or via a local area network (not shown), or may be communicatively connected to the server 110 via the wide area network 102. Alternatively, the server 110 and the database 112 may be integrated into a single device.

[0047] (1) Servers, databases, and user terminals The server 110 is a device equipped with computing and communication functions, and may be a personal computer, but is preferably an application server with greater computing capabilities. The database 112 is a device that stores data for implementing the present sales method, and various types of databases, such as a hierarchical database, a network database, or a relational database, may be employed. The database stores the above-mentioned past product sales records as well as various information transmitted to the server 110 via the user terminal 180 for user registration. The database 112 also stores various types of demand trend information input via the server 110. The user terminal 180 is a communication terminal managed by the user who uses the present sales method, and examples of the user terminal 180 include a smartphone, a tablet, and a personal computer.

[0048] (2) Reading device The reading devices 160 are arranged to correspond to the delivery spaces to which the products are delivered. Therefore, the number of reading devices 160 is equal to or greater than the number of delivery spaces. FIG. 8 shows a functional block diagram of the reading device 160. The reading device 160 is a device that combines calculation functions, display functions, and communication functions, and includes a control unit 162, a memory unit 164, an input unit 166, a display unit 168, an audio output unit 170, a reader 172, and a transmission / reception unit 174. The reading device 160 may further include an imaging unit 176 and a light source 178.

[0049] The control unit 162 has a central processing unit and controls the entire reading device 160. The storage unit 164 is a device configured to store basic application software for operating the reading device 160 and applications that define the operation of the control unit 162, as well as the results of calculations by the control unit 162, information acquired by the reader 172, and images acquired by the imaging unit 176. The storage unit 164 includes, for example, a main storage device such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM), and an external storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory.

[0050] The input unit 166 is a component for inputting information to the reading device 160, and can be configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a pointer, a numeric keypad, etc. Alternatively, the input unit 166 may be configured with a touch sensor module mounted on the display unit 168. By providing the input unit 166, it is possible to accept input from a delivery person or a user.

[0051] The display unit 168 functions as an auxiliary device for inputting information into the reading device 160 or as an information providing device for providing various types of information to the delivery person or the user. For example, a liquid crystal display module or an organic electroluminescent display module can be used as the display unit 168. As described above, the display unit 168 and the input unit 166 may be integrated by mounting a touch sensor module on the display unit 168. The display unit 168 is configured to display various types of information and warnings in response to input via the input unit 166 or the reader 172, in accordance with commands from the control unit 162.

[0052] The audio output unit 170 is a speaker, and can be configured to output various warning sounds and voice messages stored in the memory unit 164 in accordance with commands from the control unit 162. This can assist the delivery person in performing delivery work, and the user in receiving individual delivery items and purchasing products. For example, the audio output unit 170 can be configured to issue a warning sound or message when the delivery person or the user erroneously operates the reading device 160.

[0053] The imaging unit 176 is configured to acquire images and includes, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) element. The imaging unit 176 is configured to periodically acquire images of the individual delivery items or products to be delivered and / or the space in which the individual delivery items or products are placed, in accordance with commands from the control unit 162. The image acquisition interval can be appropriately selected, for example, from a range of 1 / 120 seconds to 1 second, thereby enabling still images and moving images of the delivery space to be acquired. The imaging unit 176 may also be configured to acquire biometric information of the delivery person or user who enters the delivery space.

[0054] The transmitting / receiving unit 174 is configured to communicate with at least the server 110 via the wide area network 102, and can be configured by appropriately combining known transmitting and receiving modules.

[0055] The reader 172 is used to read identifiers such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes written on tags or slips attached to individual delivery items, identifiers such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes attached to products or their packaging, and authentication codes presented by users. A well-known barcode reader or two-dimensional code reader may be used as the reader. Alternatively, the reader 172 may be an RFID reader.

[0056] The light source 178 is configured to irradiate light onto a part or the entire delivery space in accordance with commands from the control unit 162. An example of a light source is a combination of an inorganic electroluminescent element and a lens. By appropriately adjusting the focal length of the lens, the light irradiation range can be controlled as desired. By irradiating light using the light source 178 when capturing an image with the imaging unit 176, a clear image can be obtained even if the delivery space is dark.

[0057] In the sales system 100, the delivery person uses the reader 172 to read the identifier of the product or individual delivery item, checks the product or individual delivery item on the display unit 168, and then performs an operation on the input unit 166 to send a signal to the server notifying the server that delivery of the product or individual delivery item has been completed. This allows the server 110 to know that delivery of the product or individual delivery item has been completed. The server 110 can also calculate the available delivery space. Meanwhile, the user uses the reader 172 to read the authentication code and the product or individual delivery item, confirms their identity on the display unit 168, and performs an operation on the input unit 166 to send a signal to the server 110 notifying the server that the individual delivery item has been received or a signal to pay for the product. This allows the server to know the quantity of the product purchased, the date and time of purchase, and the user who purchased the product. It also allows the payment for the product to be received according to a pre-registered payment method.

[0058] As described above, by utilizing the sales method and sales system according to one embodiment of the present invention, a new type of sales method can be provided. This sales method significantly reduces the burden on delivery operations and can reduce delivery costs. Furthermore, users can easily purchase products that fit their lifestyles at lower prices.

[0059] Second Embodiment In the product sales method described in the first embodiment, products are not sold based on the orders of each user, but rather products desired by the user are predicted and delivered in bulk to a delivery space that is extremely convenient for the user. The sales method according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this mode, and various modifications are possible. In this embodiment, as a modification of the product sales method described in the first embodiment, a mode in which products are sold based on active product orders by users is described.

[0060] A flowchart showing a product sales method according to this modified example is shown in Figure 9. In this modified example, as in the sales method described in the first embodiment, package information for individual delivery items is acquired by reading device 160 and transmitted to server 110, and the package information is stored in database 112. Therefore, the available capacity of the delivery space is calculated on server 110. In addition, one or more products to be delivered and their delivery destination facilities are also determined and selected on server 110 using demand trend information.

[0061] One difference between the sales method of this modified example and the sales method described in the first embodiment is that the sales method of this modified example receives an order for a product determined on the server 110 from a user. Therefore, in this modified example, a promotion is performed to encourage users who use or reside in the selected delivery destination facility to purchase the product for which delivery has been determined. Specifically, the server 110 transmits information about the product for which delivery has been determined and advertisements to the user terminals 180. At this time, the information about the product and advertisements are not transmitted to the user terminals 180 of all users who reside in or reside in the facility where the delivery space is provided, but are selectively transmitted to the user terminals 180 of users who reside in or reside in the selected delivery destination facility. By selectively transmitting product information and the like to some of the user terminals 180 in this way, more product sales can be expected, and the cost performance of product delivery can be improved.

[0062] A user who receives information about a product or advertisement can consider purchasing the product based on his or her own will. When purchasing a product, the user simply uses the user terminal 180 to send a command to the server 110 to carry out the product purchase procedure.

[0063] After this, the products are delivered in bulk to the delivery space of the delivery destination facility according to the user's purchase quantity. The subsequent process is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. The products to be delivered may be ordered from the product manufacturer or provider after the user's order quantity is determined, or the products may be ordered from the product manufacturer or provider in advance, and then the delivery destination facility may be determined or the products may be promoted to the user.

[0064] In this modification, too, the delivery destination of the products is preselected as a delivery destination facility, and the products are delivered in bulk to the delivery space of the delivery destination facility. This allows for extremely high delivery efficiency compared to individual deliveries to individual users. This feature contributes to saving human resources in delivery operations and reducing delivery costs, as well as reducing the unit price of the products. Furthermore, facilities where a large number of product purchases are expected are preferentially selected as delivery destination facilities. This makes it possible to sell a larger volume of products and provide products to users at lower prices.

[0065] The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, even if the operator appropriately adds or deletes components or modifies the design of the display device of each embodiment, or adds or omits processes or modifies conditions, the resulting product is included in the scope of the present invention as long as it contains the gist of the present invention.

[0066] Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the aspects of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, if they are clear from the description in this specification or can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art, they will naturally be understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 100: Sales system, 102: Wide area network, 110: Server, 112: Database, 120: Delivery box, 122: Locker, 124: Door, 130: Dedicated container, 132: Main body, 134: Lid, 136: Hinge, 138: Lock, 140: Handle, 142: Mirror, 144: Convex portion, 146: Trench, 150: Shelf, 160: Reading device, 162: Control unit, 164: Memory unit, 166: Input unit, 168: Display unit, 170: Audio output unit, 172: Reader, 174: Transmitting / receiving unit, 176: Imaging unit, 178: Light source, 180: User terminal

Claims

1. Reading package information on individual deliveries addressed to users who are permitted to access a plurality of facilities, which are delivered to spaces respectively set up within a plurality of facilities where security against intrusion by unspecified persons is ensured, by a reading device provided corresponding to each of the spaces; transmitting the package information from the reading device to a server connected to the reading device for communication; calculating, in the server, an available capacity of each of the spaces based on the luggage information; In the server, using facility information about the facility and user information about the user, determining the product and quantity to be delivered to the space of the plurality of facilities, and selecting one or more facilities from the plurality of facilities to deliver the product as delivery destination facilities; A method of selling merchandise, comprising placing the merchandise in the space at the destination facility.

2. The sales method according to claim 1 , further comprising transmitting an authentication code from the server to the communication terminal of the user.

3. The sales method according to claim 2 , further comprising reading the product information and the authentication code attached to the product with the reading device and transmitting the information and the authentication code to the server.

4. In the server, Predicting the available capacity of each space based on the performance of the individual delivery items delivered in the past; and The method of claim 1 , further comprising utilizing results of the available capacity forecast in determining the quantity of the product and selecting the delivery facility.

5. 2. The sales method according to claim 1, wherein the package information includes at least one of a deliverer of the individual delivery item, the contents of the individual delivery item, the size of the individual delivery item, and the destination of the individual delivery item.

6. The sales method of claim 1, wherein the facility information includes at least one of the facility's site area, name, number of floors, layout, advertised price, selling price, rent, common area charges, shared facilities, and the number of users permitted to access the facility.

7. The sales method according to claim 1 , wherein the user information includes at least one of the user's age, sex, and household composition.

8. The sales method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the calendar, weather, the presence or absence of sporting events, and campaign information on an Ecomass website is further utilized in the determination of the product.

9. The sales method according to claim 1 , further comprising prioritizing the delivery destination facilities using the facility information and the user information.

10. It is a system for selling products, Server, and The system comprises a reader provided in each of a plurality of spaces in a facility where security against intrusion by unspecified persons is ensured, the reading device is configured to be communicably connected to the server, The reading device is further configured to read package information regarding individual deliveries addressed to users who are permitted to enter the facility and transmit the package information to the server; The server uses facility information about the facility and user information about the user to determine the product and quantity to be delivered to the space of the plurality of facilities, and selects one or more facilities to deliver the product as delivery destination facilities. The system is configured to select from the plurality of facilities.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the server is configured to calculate an available capacity of each of the spaces within the plurality of facilities based on the cargo information.

12. the server is further configured to send an authentication code to the user's communication terminal; The system according to claim 10 , wherein the reading device is further configured to read the product information and the authentication code attached to the product and transmit them to the server.

13. The server Predicting the available capacity of each space based on the performance of the individual delivery items delivered in the past; and The system of claim 11 , further configured to utilize results of the available capacity forecast in the determination of the quantity of the commodity and the selection of the destination facility.

14. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the package information includes at least one of a deliverer of the individual delivery item, contents of the individual delivery item, size of the individual delivery item, and a destination of the individual delivery item.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the facility information includes at least one of the facility's site area, name, number of floors, layout, advertised price, selling price, rent, common area charges, shared facilities, and the number of users permitted to enter the facility.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the user information includes at least one of the user's age, gender, and household composition.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the server is further configured to utilize at least one of the calendar, weather, availability of sporting events, and campaign information on an Ecomass site in the determination of the product.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the server is further configured to prioritize the destination facilities using the facility information and the user information.

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