Information management system, information management program, and information management method

Abstract

To provide a novel technique that enables a proper management of a list of loaned goods.SOLUTION: An information management system for managing information related to a merchandise list to be lent to a chief mourner, includes a merchandise list management unit. The merchandise list management unit registers rented merchandise list information including a rental status of the merchandise list, accepts designation of the merchandise list to be rented, registers the rented merchandise list information in which the rental status is updated to a first status in association with the chief mourner, accepts designation of the merchandise list to be returned, and updates the rental status of the merchandise list to a second status. The first status indicates a status in which the chief mourner lends the merchandise list, and the second status indicates a status in which the chief mourner has already returned the merchandise list.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information management system, an information management program, and an information management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the funeral industry is seeing a trend toward family funerals due to the global spread of a new infectious disease. This inevitably leads to a decrease in the number of attendees, and an increase in the number of people visiting the deceased's home to pay their respects at a later date. However, at this time, there is a problem in that condolence gifts (return gifts) are not available, so people have to go to a store or other location to buy them in person and deliver them to each mourner. An example of a system that solves this problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 states: In step S21, the guest terminal 300 requests the operation server 100 to register attendance information by specifying the ceremony ID. In step S31, the management server 100 requests the guest terminal 300 to transmit personal information of the guest, including attendance at the ceremony. In steps S22 to S23, the guest terminal 300 displays an input screen for the guest personal information, and transmits the guest personal information input on the input screen to the operation server 100. In steps S32 to S33, the management server 100 registers the guest personal information, including attendance at the ceremony, in the guest database 112 in association with the ceremony ID, and requests the guest terminal 300 to transmit information about congratulatory and condolence money. In steps S24 to S25, the guest terminal 300 displays an input screen for congratulations / condolences money information, and transmits the congratulations / condolences money information input on the input screen to the operation server 100. In steps S34 to S37, the management server 100 registers the congratulatory / condolence money information in the guest database 112 in association with the ceremony ID, sets a return gift according to the amount of the congratulatory / condolence money based on the congratulatory / condolence money information and the return gift selection criteria, registers the setting result in the guest database 112, requests a financial institution server or the like to perform payment processing to transfer the congratulatory / condolence money from the guest's account to the company's account, and arranges for delivery of the return gift based on the guest's personal information so that the set return gift will be delivered to the guest after the ceremony is completed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-98425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not anticipate mourners visiting the home of the chief mourner. It is also known to prepare a product list (gift catalog) instead of a return gift, provide the product list to mourners, and mail the return gift at a later date. However, this method poses a problem in that it is not known how many mourners will be visiting, and it is not known how many product lists should be prepared. To address these problems, a system for lending out product lists was needed.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel system that enables appropriate management of a list of rented products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an information management system that manages information regarding a product list to be loaned to the chief mourner, the information management system having a product list management unit that registers loaned product list information including the loan status of the product list, accepts a designation of the product list to be loaned, and registers the loaned product list information with the loan status updated to a first status and linked to the chief mourner, accepts a designation of the product list to be returned, and updates the loan status of the product list to a second status, the first status indicating that the product list has been loaned to the chief mourner, and the second status indicating that the product list has been returned by the chief mourner.

[0008] By using this configuration, the status of the product list loaned to the chief mourner can be managed, and the loan status of the product list can be easily understood.

[0009] In a more preferred embodiment, the information management system further includes a payment unit, which, after receiving the specification of the product list to be returned, creates billing information for the chief mourner based on the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner, the rental product list information of which the rental status is the first status.

[0010] With this configuration, after the product list is returned, billing information for the chief mourner can be created based on the product list information showing that the product list is in a state of being loaned to the chief mourner. This makes it possible to manage the return status of the product list and make payments to the chief mourner according to the return status.

[0011] In a more preferred form, the information management system further includes an order management unit, wherein the rental product list information includes a product list ID that uniquely identifies the product list, and the order management unit accepts and registers a combination of the product list ID, product information, and mourners who have ordered the products, and identifies the combination of the chief mourner, the product information, and the mourners based on the rental product list information after a predetermined period has passed since the rental status became the second status.

[0012] With this configuration, it is possible to identify the combination of the chief mourner, product information, and mourners who ordered products using product list information that is a predetermined period of time after the product list was returned by the chief mourner, making it easy to understand which mourners the chief mourner gave the product list to and what products those mourners ordered.

[0013] In a more preferred form, the information management system further includes a display processing unit, which displays preferentially and / or in a different manner, among one or more chief mourners, a chief mourner linked to the rental product list information for which a predetermined period has passed since the rental status became the first status, and after accepting the designation of the chief mourner, the product list management unit accepts the designation of the product list to be returned and updates the rental status of the product list linked to the chief mourner to the second status.

[0014] With this configuration, the chief mourner is displayed in a different manner based on the product list information for which a predetermined period of time has passed since the product list was loaned, and by accepting the designation of the chief mourner, the status of the product list to be returned can be updated. This makes it easy to designate the chief mourner who will return the product list, and makes the process of returning the product list loaned to the chief mourner more efficient. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present invention has the effect of providing a novel technique that enables appropriate management of a list of rented products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a business model according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an example of a sequence diagram relating to information management according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an example of a sequence diagram relating to information management according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a business model according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information to be registered in another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a process flowchart according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a product list according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] (Embodiment 1) The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown, but which may be embodied in many different forms and are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0018] For example, while the configuration, operation, etc. of an information management system are described in this embodiment, methods, devices, computer programs, etc. with similar configurations can also achieve similar effects. The program may also be stored on a recording medium. Using this recording medium, the program can be installed on a computer, for example, thereby configuring an information management device and information management system. Here, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium, such as a CD-ROM.

[0019] <1. Overview of First Embodiment> The present invention relates to a system for managing information on a product list to be loaned to the chief mourner. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of this system that realizes a business model in a first embodiment. In this embodiment, a product manager registers rental product list information for the product list to be loaned to the chief mourner (1). The manager then ships the product list, along with the registered rental product list information, to the funeral home (user) that conducted the funeral (2). The user who received the product list updates the rental status of the product list (described below) by scanning a barcode on the product list to be loaned to the chief mourner with a terminal when or before providing the product list to the chief mourner (3). The user then provides the product list with the updated rental status to the chief mourner (4). The chief mourner who received the product list provides the product list as a condolence gift (return gift) to mourners or mourners who visit his / her home (hereinafter, mourners or mourners will be referred to as "mourners" unless otherwise specified) (5). Upon receiving the product list, the mourner selects the product he or she desires from the multiple products on the product list, and orders the product by writing his or her address, name, and desired product on a product order postcard containing the product list ID (6). The administrator who receives the product order registers the mourner's name, address, and product list ID written on the product order postcard as the ordered product information (7). The administrator then requests a delivery company to deliver the products for which the ordered product information has been registered (8). The delivery company that received the delivery request then delivers the products to the mourner based on the address written on the product order postcard (9).

[0020] Meanwhile, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the product list was provided—49 days in this embodiment, i.e., after the end of the mourning period—the chief mourner returns any remaining product lists that he or she was unable to give to mourners to the user (10). The user who receives the returned product list uses a terminal to scan the barcode on the returned product list and updates the product list's loan status, thereby registering the remaining number of items on the product list (11). The chief mourner then receives an invoice from the user, either electronically or on paper, for the product list that he or she provided to mourners (12). Furthermore, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the product list was returned—six months in this embodiment—the chief mourner receives an electronic or paper report from the administrator stating that the delivery of the products ordered by the mourners has been completed (13).

[0021] In the present invention, the product list is a catalog, but it may also be a pamphlet, leaflet, flyer, or flier. Instead of a product list, the return gift may be a funeral gift such as a towel or tea. The specified period from when the chief mourner borrows the product list until when it is returned to the user may be a period similar to that of an annual memorial service, such as the first or third anniversary of a death. The specified period from when the product list is returned may be an expiration date set for each catalog, and may be set to any period during which mourners can order products. The returned product list may also be provided to other chief mourners.

[0022] <2. System Configuration> Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information management system 0 includes an information management device 1, a user terminal device 3, and an administrator terminal device 4, and is configured to be able to communicate via a communication network NW. In this embodiment, the communication network NW is an IP (Internet Protocol) network, but there is no restriction on the type of communication protocol, and there is also no restriction on the type or scale of the network.

[0023] A general-purpose server computer or a personal computer can be used as the information management device 1, and may be configured with multiple computers that are capable of sending and receiving information via a communication network NW or another network. Also, a personal computer, smartphone, tablet terminal, wearable device, etc. can be used as the user terminal device 3 and the administrator terminal device 4.

[0024] 2.1. Hardware configuration of the present invention 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a hardware configuration of the server 10 (information management device 1). As shown in FIG.

[0025] The processing unit 101 has a processor such as a CPU that can execute an instruction set, and controls the overall operation and processing of the information management device 1 by executing the information management program according to the present invention, the OS, and other applications. The storage unit 102 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS, an information management program, and the like. The communication unit 103 has a communication interface device for connecting to a network, and controls communication with the communication network NW to input and output information.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the terminal device 9 (user terminal device 3 and administrator terminal device 4) includes a processing unit 91, a storage unit 92, a communication unit 93, an input unit 94, and an output unit 95.

[0027] The processing unit 91 has a processor such as a CPU that can execute an instruction set, and controls the overall operation and processing of the information management device 1 by executing an OS and other applications. The storage unit 92 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS and the like. The communication unit 93 has a communication interface device for connecting to a network, and controls communication with the communication network NW to input and output information. The input unit 94 has an input device capable of input processing, such as a keyboard or a touch panel. The output unit 95 has a display device capable of display processing, such as a display.

[0028] In this embodiment, a code reading device external to the user terminal device 3 serves as the input unit 94 and reads the ID (barcode or two-dimensional code) of the product list, and the communication unit 93 acquires the ID of the product list wirelessly or via a wired connection. Alternatively, a camera or a barcode scanner of the user terminal device 3 may serve as the input unit 94 and read the ID of the product list, and the input unit 94 may acquire the ID of the product list.

[0029] <2.2. System Functional Configuration of First Embodiment> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information management system 0 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the information management device 1 includes a product list management unit 11, a payment unit 12, an order management unit 13, a display processing unit 14, and a database 2. This is information processing executed by software stored in the memory unit 102 or the memory unit 92, which is specifically realized by hardware (the processing unit 101 or the processing unit 91, etc.).

[0030] In this embodiment, the information management device 1 (server) is a so-called web application in which the client receives the processing results performed by the information management device 1 (server) in response to a request from the user terminal device 3 (client). Alternatively, the information management device 1 may be a so-called standalone type in which an information management program is launched on the client terminal. In this case, the user terminal device 3 may include some or all of the functional components (units) included in the information management device 1. For example, the user terminal device 3 may include a product list management unit 11, a payment unit 12, an order management unit 13, a display processing unit 14, etc., and the information management device 1 may be a cloud storage that records and manages rental product list information, etc.

[0031] <2.3.Database 2> Database 2 stores product list master, rental product list information, and ordered product information.

[0032] <2.3.1. Product List Master> The product list master is master information for a product list that is stored in advance. The product list master contains a product list ID that uniquely identifies the product list, a product list name, a product list category, a product list price, and product information. Here, the product list category is set to a different category depending on the product information included in the product list. The product information is information about the products included in the product list, and the product information includes a product ID that uniquely identifies the product, the product name, the product category, the price, and the like.

[0033] <2.3.2. Rental product list information> The loaned product list information is information about the loaned product list. The loaned product list information includes a product list ID, loan status, loan date, and return date, and is registered in association with the chief mourner's information and user information. In this embodiment, the loaned status is set as a first status and a second status. Here, for example, the first status can be a status indicating that the product list has been loaned to the chief mourner, and the second status can be a status indicating that the product list has been returned by the chief mourner.

[0034] The chief mourner information is information about the chief mourner who will borrow the product list. The chief mourner information includes a chief mourner ID that uniquely identifies the chief mourner, the chief mourner's name, the name of the deceased, contact information, and address, and is registered in association with the billing information. The user information is information about the funeral home (user) that lends the product list to the chief mourner. The user information includes a user ID that uniquely identifies the user, a user name, contact information, and login information (password, etc.) for logging in to the app of the present invention. The login information may also include the user ID, contact information, etc.

[0035] <2.3.3. Order Product Information> The order product information is information about the order placed by the mourner, and includes the product list ID, product ID, product name, and the name and address of the mourner.

[0036] <2.4. Product List Management Unit 11> The product list management unit 11 manages information related to product lists. The product list management unit 11 receives the product list ID of the product list to be rented from the manager and registers the rented product list information.

[0037] The product list management unit 11 also registers the rental product list information of the product list to be rented and the chief mourner who will rent the product list, linking them together. The product list management unit 11 accepts the designation of the product list to be rented, and registers the rental product list information with the updated rental status of the product list, linking it together with the chief mourner. The product list management unit 11 also accepts the designation of the product list to be returned, and updates the rental status of the product list to a second status.

[0038] In this embodiment, the product list management unit 11 receives the specification of the product list to be loaned or returned by acquiring the product list ID. Alternatively, the product list management unit 11 may receive the specification of the product list to be loaned or returned by receiving a selection input of the product list to be loaned or returned from the displayed loan product list information.

[0039] <2.5. Payment Department 12> The settlement unit 12 creates billing information for the chief mourner based on the rental status of the product list information. The settlement unit 12 creates billing information for the chief mourner based on the rental product list information in which the rental status of the rental product list information is the first status.

[0040] <2.6. Order Management Department 13> The order management unit 13 registers the ordered product information. The order management unit 13 registers the product list ID, the product information of the products ordered by the mourners, and the combination of the mourners as the ordered product information from the manager.

[0041] The order management unit 13 also creates an order completion report that includes the product list ID, product information of the products ordered by the mourners, and the combination of the mourners.

[0042] <2.7. Display Processing Unit 14> The display processing unit 14 displays a screen relating to updating the rental status of the rental product list information, etc. Specific display screens will be described later.

[0043] <3. Processing flow> Next, the information management method of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figures 5 and 6 are sequence diagrams showing the process in which a product list registered as a list of products to be rented is linked to the chief mourner, billing data for the chief mourner is created according to the rental status of the product list information, and information regarding orders made by mourners is sent to the administrator. The process related to the information management method in this embodiment can be broadly divided into rental product list registration process (A), take-out process (B), ordered product registration process (C), payment process (D), and post-processing (E).

[0044] <3.1. Rental product list registration process (A)> In the rental product list registration process (A), the manager who ships the product list uses the manager terminal device 4 to register rental product list information for the product list to be rented out.

[0045] <3.1.1. Obtaining product list ID> First, in step SA01 (hereinafter, "step SXXX" will be referred to as "SXXX"), the administrator terminal device 4 acquires a product list ID. In this embodiment, the administrator terminal device 4 acquires the product list ID from an external code reading device that reads a barcode or two-dimensional code provided on the product list. Note that the administrator terminal device 4 may also acquire the product list ID by reading a barcode or two-dimensional code provided on the product list.

[0046] <3.1.2. Registering rental product list information> In SA02, the product list management unit 11 accepts the product list ID acquired by the administrator terminal device 4 in SA01. Then, in SA03, the product list management unit 11 registers rental product list information for the product list to be rented out based on the product list ID. In this embodiment, the product list management unit 11 registers a rental product list that includes the product list ID acquired in SA01 and the second status as the rental status.

[0047] <3.2. Take-out Processing (B)> In the take-out process (B), the administrator hands over the product list containing the rental product list information to the user, and on the day of the funeral or before or after the funeral, a process is executed to link the rental product list with the chief mourner.

[0048] <3.2.1. Linking rental product list information with the chief mourner> In SB01, the display processing unit 14 accepts input of login information from the user terminal device 3. Then, in SB02, the display processing unit 14 performs display processing of a product list linkage management screen for managing linkage of product lists, and causes the user terminal device 3 to display it.

[0049] 7(a) is an example of a product list linking management screen displayed on the user terminal device 3. The product list linking management screen displays a button ("Take Out" in the illustrated example) for linking the list of loaned products to the chief mourner, a button ("Remaining Quantity Upon Return" in the illustrated example) for updating the loan status of the list of returned loaned products, and a button ("User List" in the illustrated example) for displaying billing information linked to the chief mourner.

[0050] In the take-out process (B), when "take-out" in FIG. 7(a) is selected and input, the following processes SB03 to SB08 are executed. In SB03, the display processing unit 14 accepts the selection and input of "take-out". Then, in SB04, the display processing unit 14 performs display processing of the take-out screen and displays it on the user terminal device 3. FIG. 7(b) is an example of the take-out screen displayed on the user terminal device 3. The take-out screen includes a screen for registering chief mourner information and a screen for displaying rental product list information linked to the chief mourner information.

[0051] In SB05, the user terminal device 3 accepts the chief mourner information of the chief mourner to whom the product list is to be loaned. In this embodiment, the user terminal device 3 accepts input of at least the name of the deceased from the user as the chief mourner information of the chief mourner to whom the product list is to be loaned on the screen for registering the chief mourner information. More preferably, if there are multiple funeral homes linked to the logged-in user, the user terminal device 3 accepts input of the names of the funeral homes from the user.

[0052] In SB06, the user terminal device 3 acquires a product list ID. In this embodiment, the user terminal device 3 acquires the product list ID from an external code reader that reads a barcode or two-dimensional code on the product list. Alternatively, the user terminal device 3 may acquire the product list ID by reading the barcode or two-dimensional code on the product list.

[0053] In SB07, the user terminal device 3 transmits the chief mourner information received in SB05 and the product list ID acquired in SB06 to the product list management unit 11. Then, in SB08, the product list management unit 11 registers the received chief mourner information in association with the rental product list information that includes the received product list ID and has updated rental status.

[0054] In this embodiment, the product list management unit 11 identifies the rental product list information whose rental status is to be updated based on the acquired product list ID, and updates the rental status of the identified rental product list information to the first status. Then, the product list management unit 11 links and registers the rental product list information whose rental status has been updated from the second status to the first status and the received chief mourner information.

[0055] In SB09, the display processing unit 14 performs display processing of the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner and displays it on the user terminal device 3. In the example screen shown on the right in FIG. 8(a), the product list name, product list price, and the quantity of the read product list are displayed based on the product list ID of the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner.

[0056] <3.3. Order Item Registration Process (C)> In the order product registration process (C), the mourner who receives the product list from the chief mourner sends the product order postcard attached to the product list to the administrator, and then the process of registering the ordered product information is executed.

[0057] <3.3.1. Registering order product information> In SC01, the administrator terminal device 4 accepts input of ordered product information based on a product order postcard received from a mourner. In this embodiment, the product order postcard contains a product list ID, the product ID of the product ordered by the mourner, and the name and address of the mourner, and the administrator terminal device 4 accepts input of the product list ID, the product ID, and the name and address of the mourner from the administrator as ordered product information.

[0058] In SC02, the administrator terminal device 4 transmits the ordered product information received in SC01 to the order management unit 13. Then, in SC03, the order management unit 13 registers the received combination of product list ID, product ID, and condolence recipient as ordered product information.

[0059] In this embodiment, the order management unit 13 accepts input of ordered product information from the manager terminal device 4 of the manager who received the product order postcard, but it may also accept ordered product information entered on the website via the mourner's terminal.

[0060] <3.4. Payment Processing (D)> In the payment process (D), the administrator updates the rental status of the product list returned by the chief mourner, and a process is executed to create billing information for the chief mourner based on the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner (see Figure 6).

[0061] <3.4.1. Loan status update process> In SD01, the display processing unit 14 accepts input of login information from the user terminal device 3, and in SD02 performs display processing of the product list linking management screen, causing it to be displayed on the user terminal device 3. Then, in the payment processing (D), by accepting the selection input of "remaining quantity at time of return" in FIG. 7(a), the following processing of SD03 to SD12 is executed.

[0062] In SD03, the display processing unit 14 accepts the selection input of "remaining quantity at time of return." Then, in SD04, the display processing unit 14 performs display processing of the return screen and displays it on the user terminal device 3. FIG. 8(a) is an example of the return screen displayed on the user terminal device 3. The return screen includes a screen that displays the chief mourner's information and rental date, and a screen that displays the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner.

[0063] In SD05, the display processing unit 14 accepts the designation of the chief mourner for updating the rental status of the returned product list on a screen (left diagram of Figure 8(a)) that displays the chief mourner information (in the illustrated example, the name of the deceased) and rental date (in the illustrated example, the funeral date) linked to the user. Then, in SD06, the display processing unit 14 processes the display of the rental product list information linked to the designated chief mourner, and displays a list of the rental product list information on the user terminal device 3.

[0064] In SD07, the user terminal device 3 acquires the product list ID of the returned product list. Note that the process of acquiring the product list ID is the same as that in SB06, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0065] In SD08, the user terminal device 3 transmits the product list ID acquired in SD07 to the product list management unit 11. Then, in SD09, the product list management unit 11 updates the lending status based on the product list ID. In this embodiment, the product list management unit 11 identifies the lending product list information whose lending status is to be updated based on the acquired product list ID, and updates the lending status of the identified lending product list information from the first status to the second status. Then, the product list management unit 11 registers the return date of the lending product list information whose lending status has been updated.

[0066] In SD10, the display processing unit 14 displays the product list name, product list price, and product list quantity of the product list whose rental status is the first status based on the rental product list information whose rental status is the first status on the screen displaying the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner (right diagram of Figure 8(a)).

[0067] <3.4.2. Registering billing information> In SD11, the settlement unit 12 registers billing information based on the rental product list information. In this embodiment, the settlement unit 12 creates and registers billing information for the chief mourner based on the quantity and product list price of rental product list information that has the first rental status among the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner.

[0068] Fig. 8(b) is an example of a billing display screen that displays registered billing information and is displayed on the user terminal device 3. In this embodiment, the display processing unit 14 processes the display of the product list's rental date (funeral date in the illustrated example), chief mourner information (name of the deceased in the illustrated example), and rental status on the billing display screen (left diagram of Fig. 8(b)). Then, when the display processing unit 14 receives the designation of the chief mourner, it processes the display of billing information linked to the chief mourner (right diagram of Fig. 8(b)).

[0069] In SD12, the product list management unit 11 releases the link between the chief mourner for whom the billing information was created and the rental product list information. In this embodiment, when the billing information is created in SD11, the product list management unit 11 releases the link between the chief mourner information for which the billing information was created and the rental product list information whose rental status is the second status.

[0070] <3.5. Post-processing (E)> In the post-processing (E), a process is executed to display a report summarizing the products ordered by one or more mourners on the manager terminal device 4 after a predetermined period has elapsed since the return date of the product list.

[0071] <3.5.1. Display processing of ordered items> In SE01, the order management unit 13 identifies a combination of the chief mourner, mourners, and product information based on the return date of the rental product list information. In this embodiment, the order management unit 13 identifies the product information and mourners of the ordered product information based on the product list ID of the rental product list information, and the chief mourner linked to the rental product list information, based on the rental product list information for which a predetermined period (6 months) has passed since the date on which the rental status of the returned product list was updated from the first status to the second status (return date) and the ordered product information. Specifically, the order management unit 13 identifies the product information and mourners of the ordered product information including the product list ID of the rental product list information, and the chief mourner linked to the rental product list information, based on the rental product list information of the unreturned product list, which has the rental product status of the first status when a predetermined period has passed since the date on which the rental status was updated from the second status to the first status (rental date), and the ordered product information. Here, the specified period is the sum of the specified period from the date of lending the lent product list to the date of return (for example, 49 days) and the specified period from the date of return of the product list (for example, 6 months), but can be set arbitrarily.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the date on which the chief mourner provides the product list to the mourner is immediately (for example, one week before) the return date (49 days after the rental date), the timing for identifying the product information, mourner, and chief mourner can be set to start from the return date. Specifically, if the chief mourner provides the product list to the mourner immediately before the return date, the chief mourner will contact the user to inform them that the date on which the chief mourner provided the product list is immediately before the return date, and to provide information for identifying the chief mourner. The order management unit 13 accepts designation of chief mourner information from the user who has received the contact based on the information for identifying the chief mourner, and sets a flag for the specified chief mourner information that changes the timing for identifying the product information, mourner, and chief mourner from "when a predetermined period has elapsed since the rental date" to "when a predetermined period has elapsed since the return date."

[0073] In SE02, the order management unit 13 creates an order completion report based on the identified chief mourner, mourners, and product information. In this embodiment, the order management unit 13 creates an order completion report including the chief mourner, mourners, and product information identified in SE01. Specifically, if the number of product list IDs in the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner and having a rental status of first status matches the number of such product list IDs included in the ordered product information, the order management unit 13 creates an order completion report. On the other hand, if the number of product list IDs in the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner and having a rental status of first status differs from the number of such product list IDs included in the ordered product information, the order management unit 13 notifies the chief mourner linked to the rental product list information to request the mourners to order a gift.

[0074] The order management unit 13 may notify the chief mourner to ask mourners to order gifts before a predetermined period (six months) has elapsed since the date the rental status was updated, based on rental product list information for which a predetermined period (e.g., three months) has elapsed since the date the rental status was updated. Here, the predetermined period for notifying the chief mourner can be changed as desired.

[0075] Then, in SE03, the display processing unit 14 performs display processing on the created order completion report and causes the manager terminal device 4 to display it.

[0076] As described above, by processing SA01 to SE03, the administrator can manage the rental status of the product list. If the rental status of the product list lent to the chief mourner cannot be managed, product orders from mourners can only be fulfilled when the rental sales for the product list are entered. In contrast, with the present invention, the rental status of the product list is managed, so product orders from mourners can be fulfilled even before the rental sales for the product list are entered.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a product list is returned, it is easy to know which chief mourner has returned the product list. Specifically, the display processing unit 14 displays, among one or more chief mourners, a chief mourner associated with rental product list information for which a predetermined period of time has passed since the rental status became the first status, in a priority and / or different manner. Here, the predetermined period is 49 days from the date the rental status was updated to the first status (the rental date of the rental product list information).

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the order management unit 13 accepts input of ordered product information based on the rental status and registers the received combination of product list ID, product ID, and mourner. Specifically, the order management unit 13 determines whether the rental status is the first status, and if the rental status is the first status, registers the received combination of product list ID, product ID, and mourner.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display processing refers to a process in which the display processing unit 14 executes a process of generating information necessary for display, and transmits the generated information to the terminal device 9, thereby causing the terminal device 9 to display the generated information. On the other hand, the display processing may also be a process in which the display processing unit 14 transmits a processing command to the terminal device 9 to generate information necessary for display, thereby causing the terminal device 9 to generate information necessary for display, and display the generated information. Furthermore, in the case where the display processing unit 14 is provided in the terminal device 9 (in the case of a stand-alone type), the display processing may also be a process in which the display processing unit 14 executes a process of generating necessary information, and transmits the generated information to the output unit 95 of the terminal device 9, thereby causing the output unit 95 to display the generated information.

[0080] (Embodiment 2) Next, in the second embodiment, a case where the chief mourner directly presents a return gift to a mourner who has visited the funeral will be described. In the first embodiment, the mourner submits a condolence gift to the chief mourner when visiting the mourner's home, and the chief mourner provides the mourner with a list of products as a return gift for the condolence gift. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the mourner submits a condolence gift to the funeral home or a relative of the chief mourner when visiting the funeral, and the chief mourner provides the mourner with a list of products as a return gift for the condolence gift. In the following description, the system according to this embodiment operates each functional configuration, and parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0081] <4.1. Overview of Embodiment 2> 9 is a schematic diagram of the system that realizes the business model in embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the steps from registering a product list (1) to updating the rental status of the product list (3) are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore will be omitted.

[0082] After (3), mourners who attend the funeral submit condolence money to the funeral home (user) or the chief mourner's relatives (4). The user who receives the condolence money attaches the mourner's name tag to a product list based on the condolence money while the funeral is being held, and provides the product list to the chief mourner after the funeral (5). The chief mourner, who has received the product list, provides the product list to the mourners who have attended the funeral (6). The user then scans the two-dimensional codes on the product list that were not provided to mourners with their terminal, updates the rental status of the product list, and registers the remaining number of items on the product list (7).

[0083] In this embodiment, the product list has product list categories, and the product list provided to mourners based on the contents of the condolence money is a product list having a product list category equivalent to half the amount of the condolence money. Note that the product list provided based on the contents of the condolence money does not have to be equivalent to half the amount of the condolence money, and may be equivalent to, for example, one-third of the amount of the condolence money.

[0084] After (7), the process from ordering the product (8) to delivering the product (11), and from sending the invoice (12) to notifying the product delivery status (13) are the same as (6) to (9) and (12) to (13) in the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore will be omitted.

[0085] <4.2. System Functional Configuration of Second Embodiment> Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram of the information management device 1 in embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 10, the information management device 1 in embodiment 2 includes an inventory management unit 15 in addition to the functional components in embodiment 1.

[0086] <4.3. Inventory Management Department 15> The inventory management unit 15 registers product list inventory information relating to the inventory of the product list that the user provides to the chief mourner. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information registered as product list inventory information.

[0087] The product list inventory information includes a product list inventory ID that uniquely identifies the product list inventory information, detailed inventory information indicating the inventory quantity of the product list at a certain point in time, and a minimum inventory quantity for each product list category, and is registered in association with a user ID. The detailed inventory information includes the inventory quantity up to a certain point in time in the past, the inventory quantity replenished at a certain point in time in the past, the total number of product lists whose lending status is first, the total number of product lists whose lending status is second, and the current inventory quantity. The current inventory quantity is the sum of the inventory quantity up to a certain point in time in the past, the inventory quantity replenished since a certain point in time in the past, and the total number of product lists whose lending status is second, minus the total number of product lists whose lending status is first.

[0088] In this embodiment, the detailed inventory information is information indicating the inventory quantity of a product list in a certain month, where the inventory quantity up to a certain point in the past is set as the inventory quantity up to the month before that month, and the inventory quantity replenished at a certain point in the past is set as the inventory quantity replenished in that month. On the other hand, the detailed inventory information may also be information indicating the inventory quantity of a product list on a certain date, where the inventory quantity up to a certain point in the past is set as the inventory quantity up to the day before that date, and the inventory quantity replenished at a certain point in the past is set as the inventory quantity replenished on that date.

[0089] In addition, the inventory management unit 15 updates the product list inventory information. The inventory management unit 15 updates the detailed inventory information of the product list inventory information based on the rental product list information.

[0090] Furthermore, the inventory management unit 15 notifies the manager who will ship the product list based on the detailed inventory information and the minimum inventory quantity of the product list. The inventory management unit 15 notifies the manager based on the current inventory quantity and the minimum inventory quantity. Note that although the notification in this embodiment is by fax, it may also be by email or the app of the present invention.

[0091] <5. Inventory Management Flow> FIG. 12 shows a flowchart illustrating the inventory management process when a product list is provided to multiple chief mourners after the user has registered the products shipped from the manager in inventory.

[0092] <5.1. Registering product list inventory information> First, in S21, the inventory management unit 15 accepts input of login information from the user terminal device 3. Then, in S22, the inventory management unit 15 registers product list inventory information. In this embodiment, the inventory management unit 15 acquires the shipped product ID via the user terminal device 3, and based on the user ID acquired in S21, registers the replenished stock quantity for each product list category in the inventory detail information, linking it to the user ID.

[0093] <5.2. Updating product list inventory information> In S23, the product list management unit 11 registers the rental product list information. Note that the process for registering the rental product list information is the same as that in SB01 to SB08, and therefore will not be repeated.

[0094] Next, in S24, the inventory management unit 15 updates the product list inventory information based on the rental product list information. In this embodiment, the inventory management unit 15 updates the total number of product lists whose rental status is the first status in the inventory detail information based on the number of product lists whose rental status is the first status in the rental product list information.

[0095] In S25, the product list management unit 11 updates the status of the rental product list information. Note that the process for registering the rental product list information is the same as SD01 to SD09, and therefore will not be described here.

[0096] Next, in S26, the inventory management unit 15 updates the product list inventory information based on the rental product list information. In this embodiment, the inventory management unit 15 updates the total number of product lists whose rental status is the second status in the inventory detail information based on the number of product lists whose rental status is the second status in the rental product list information.

[0097] <5.3. Shipping request notification processing> Then, in S27, the inventory management unit 15 determines whether the current inventory quantity in the inventory detail information exceeds the minimum inventory quantity. In this embodiment, the inventory management unit 15 determines whether the current inventory quantity exceeds the minimum inventory quantity for each product list category, and if the current inventory quantity exceeds the minimum inventory quantity (YES in S27), the process returns to S22. On the other hand, if the current inventory quantity does not exceed the minimum inventory quantity (NO in S27), the process proceeds to S28.

[0098] In S28, the inventory management unit 15 notifies the manager who will ship the product list of a shipping request for the product list based on the current inventory and the minimum inventory quantity. In this embodiment, the inventory management unit 15 identifies and notifies the manager of the product list category and shipping quantity to be shipped based on the current inventory and the minimum inventory quantity for each product list category. Note that the shipping quantity may be a predetermined number registered in advance, or the inventory management unit 15 may identify the shipping quantity using a learning model trained using shipping quantity history information, including combinations of past shipping quantities and shipping times, as training data.

[0099] As described above, by executing the processes of S21 to S28, the user can manage the inventory of the product list provided to the chief mourner, thereby preventing a situation in which the product list cannot be provided to mourners who visit to pay their respects.

[0100] <6. List of products according to the present invention> The product list of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 13. There are multiple product lists in the present invention, and the multiple product lists are rectangular catalogs of the same size. In addition, the catalog of the present invention has a product list ID and information for identifying the product list category (catalog type) affixed to one or both opposing faces of the rectangular parallelepiped.

[0101] Fig. 13(a) is an example of a side view of a catalog GL of the present invention packed in a cardboard box CB. Fig. 13(b) is an example of a top view of a catalog GL of the present invention removed from the cardboard box CB and arranged before being taken out. As shown in the figure, a two-dimensional code and an identification number are attached to the side of the catalog GL as a product list ID, and the name of the catalog type (e.g., "Strawberry" in the illustrated example) is attached as information for identifying the catalog type.

[0102] In this embodiment, the catalogs are rectangular parallelepipeds of the same size so that the surfaces on which the product list IDs and catalog type names are pasted are on the same plane for multiple catalogs arranged in parallel. However, the shape of the catalogs is not limited to this as long as the surfaces on which the product list IDs and catalog type names are pasted are arranged on the same plane. Furthermore, a catalog type ID may be pasted as information for identifying the catalog type.

[0103] This allows users performing the take-out process to read the 2D code while visually checking the product category, preventing mistakes in the list of products to be taken out. Also, by affixing 2D codes to opposing faces of rectangular parallelepipeds of the same size, it is possible to arrange the 2D codes on the same plane, and users can read the 2D code by simply moving the barcode scanner in parallel to register the rental product list information. This effect minimizes the effort required for users to read 2D codes.

[0104] In this embodiment, for any product list that was not provided to mourners at the funeral home, the rental status of the rental product list information is updated and the product is returned on the day of the funeral. Alternatively, the user may provide the chief mourner with a product list of products that were not provided to mourners at the funeral home as a product list to be provided to mourners visiting at home. Furthermore, a new product list may be provided to the chief mourner in addition to or instead of the product list that was not provided to mourners. When the chief mourner wants to take home a new product list for mourners visiting at home, the user can read the product list ID of the product list for home mourning with a barcode scanner, allowing the chief mourner to take home the product list. The rental status of the product list being taken home is updated to the first status, thereby updating the detailed inventory information.

[0105] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the inventory management unit 15 notifies the administrator based on the current inventory quantity and the minimum inventory quantity. On the other hand, the inventory management unit 15 may notify the administrator based on the minimum inventory quantity and the value obtained by subtracting the total number of product lists whose lending status is the first status from the total value of the inventory quantity up to the previous month and the replenished inventory quantity, assuming that the product list will not be returned.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the chief mourner provides a product list to mourners at home, the number of items on the product list to be returned by the chief mourner may be predicted, and a product shipping request may be made to the manager taking into consideration the predicted number of items on the product list to be returned and the return date. In this case, the information management system in embodiment 1 may also include an inventory management unit 15. In this embodiment, the inventory management unit 15 predicts the total number of product lists whose loan status will be the second status (product lists to be returned by the chief mourner), calculates a provisional current inventory quantity, and notifies the manager based on the provisional current inventory quantity and the minimum inventory quantity.

[0107] Specifically, the inventory management unit 15 calculates the total number of product lists to be returned by the bereaved family members (hereinafter, the total number of product lists to be returned) for the bereaved family members who have borrowed the product lists and are scheduled to return the product lists within a predetermined period (for example, one week) using a return number prediction means that predicts the number of product lists to be returned by the bereaved family members.The inventory management unit 15 then calculates the provisional current stock quantity, which is the value obtained by subtracting the total number of product lists whose lending status is the first status from the sum of the stock quantity up to the previous month, the replenished stock quantity, and the total number of product lists to be returned, and notifies the manager depending on whether the provisional current stock quantity exceeds the minimum stock quantity.

[0108] Specifically, in this embodiment, the return number prediction means is a return number prediction model that uses training data including the family structure information of the chief mourner and return history information, including a combination of the total number of product lists to be returned by the chief mourner, as training data. The model accepts input of the family structure information of the chief mourner and outputs the number of product lists to be returned by the chief mourner. Based on the loaned product list information, the inventory management unit 15 identifies one or more chief mourners who have borrowed the product lists and plan to return them within a specified period. The inventory management unit 15 then inputs the family structure information of the one or more chief mourners into the return number prediction model to calculate the number of product lists to be returned by each chief mourner. The inventory management unit 15 then calculates the total number of product lists to be returned by adding up the product lists to be returned by each chief mourner.

[0109] The return number prediction means may be a correspondence table containing combinations of the family structure information of the chief mourner and the total number of items on the product list to be returned by the chief mourner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 0: Information Management System 1: Information management device 2: Database 3: User terminal device 4: Administrator terminal device 10: Server 101: Processing section 102: Storage section 103: Communications Department 9: Terminal device 91: Processing section 92: Storage section 93: Communications Department 94: Input section 95: Output section 11: Product List Management Department 12: Payment Department 13: Order Management Department 14: Display processing section 15: Inventory Management Department CB: Cardboard GL: Catalog

Claims

1. An information management system that manages information on a product list to be loaned to a chief mourner, The information management system includes a product list management unit, the product list management unit registers rental product list information including the rental status of the product list; Accepting the designation of the product list to be rented, and updating the rental status to a first status, and registering the rental product list information and the chief mourner in association with each other; Accepting a designation of the product list to be returned and updating the rental status of the product list to a second status; The first status indicates a status in which the product list has been loaned to the chief mourner, and the second status indicates a status in which the product list has been returned by the chief mourner. Information management system.

2. The information management system further includes a payment unit, After receiving the designation of the product list to be returned, the settlement unit creates billing information for the chief mourner based on the rental product list information linked to the chief mourner, the rental product list information having the first rental status. The information management system according to claim 1 .

3. The information management system further includes an order management unit, The rental product list information includes a product list ID that uniquely identifies the product list, The order management unit receives and registers a combination of the product list ID, product information, and the mourner who ordered the product; Identifying a combination of the chief mourner, the product information, and the mourner based on the rental product list information for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the rental status became the second status. The information management system according to claim 1 .

4. The information management system further includes a display processing unit, The display processing unit displays, among the one or more chief mourners, a chief mourner associated with the rental product list information for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the rental status became the first status, preferentially and / or in a different manner; After accepting the designation of the chief mourner, the product list management unit accepts the designation of the product list to be returned and updates the lending status of the product list linked to the chief mourner to the second status. The information management system according to claim 1 .

5. The information management system further includes an inventory management unit, A minimum inventory quantity of the product list is set for each user who provides the product list to the chief mourner; The inventory management unit notifies the administrator who will ship the product list to the user and / or the user based on the product list inventory information for each user and the minimum inventory quantity. The information management system according to claim 1 .

6. The product list is a catalog having a rectangular parallelepiped shape of the same size, A product list ID that uniquely identifies the catalog is affixed to one or both opposing sides of the catalog. The information management system according to claim 1 .

7. The catalog has a plurality of catalog types, Information specifying the catalog type is attached to the same side as the product list ID. The information management system according to claim 6 .

8. An information management program for managing information on a list of products to be loaned to a mourner, the information management program causes a computer to function as a product list management unit, the product list management unit registers rental product list information including the rental status of the product list; Accepting the designation of the product list to be rented, and updating the rental status to a first status, and registering the rental product list information and the chief mourner in association with each other; Accepting a designation of the product list to be returned and updating the rental status of the product list to a second status; The first status indicates a status in which the product list has been loaned to the chief mourner, and the second status indicates a status in which the product list has been returned by the chief mourner. Information Management Program.

9. An information management method for managing information on a product list loaned to a chief mourner, The computer A process of registering rental product list information including the rental status of the product list; A process of accepting a designation of the product list to be rented, and linking and registering the rental product list information in which the rental status has been updated to the first status and the chief mourner; receiving a designation of the product list to be returned and updating the rental status of the product list to a second status; The first status indicates a status in which the product list has been loaned to the chief mourner, and the second status indicates a status in which the product list has been returned by the chief mourner. Information management method.

Images