Sales management device and sales management method

Abstract

This encourages unrelated users to jointly purchase products from a specific retail store. [Solution] The present invention is a sales management device that proposes the joint purchase of products to each user. The device comprises: a driving information acquisition unit that acquires driving information including the driving route of the user's vehicle from an information and communication terminal device associated with each user; a joint purchase information acquisition unit that acquires joint purchase information relating to products that are the subject of joint purchase, which includes information about the sales store that sells the products; a joint purchase candidate user extraction unit that extracts users who are candidates for joint purchase of the products as candidate users based on the driving information including the driving route related to the location of the sales store indicated by the sales store information in the joint purchase information; and a joint purchase proposal unit that displays the joint purchase information and the driving route on the information and communication terminal device of the candidate user and proposes the joint purchase of the products to the candidate user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sales management device and a sales management method.

Background Art

[0002] When multiple people jointly purchase goods at a store or the like, the trust relationship among the co-purchasers is important. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to joint purchasing using a group in which a credit and trust relationship is constructed.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If there is no relationship between the users riding in each vehicle, it is difficult to construct a trust relationship that leads to jointly purchasing a specific product at a specific store in a short time.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of constructing a trust relationship that leads to jointly purchasing a specific product at a specific store in a short time even when there is no relationship between the users riding in each vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention for solving the above problems is configured to include the following invention-specific matters or technical features.

[0007] The present invention, in accordance with a certain perspective, is a sales management device that proposes the joint purchase of a product to multiple users. The sales management device comprises: a driving information acquisition unit that acquires driving information, including the driving route of a user's vehicle, from an information and communication terminal device associated with each of the multiple users; a joint purchase information acquisition unit that acquires joint purchase information relating to a specific product that is the subject of joint purchase by the user, which includes information about a sales store that sells the specific product; a joint purchase candidate user extraction unit that extracts users who are candidates for joint purchase of the specific product as candidate users based on the driving information, which includes a driving route related to the location of the sales store indicated by the sales store information in the joint purchase information; and a joint purchase proposal unit that displays the joint purchase information and the driving route on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device of the extracted candidate user and proposes the joint purchase of the specific product to the candidate user.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention also constitutes a sales management method using a sales management device that manages vehicle dispatch in response to dispatch requests, a computer program for executing the method, and a recording medium that non-temporarily stores the same. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, even if users riding in different vehicles have no prior relationship with each other, it becomes possible to quickly build a relationship of trust that leads to the joint purchase of a specific product at a specific retail store.

[0010] Other technical features, objectives, and effects or advantages of the present invention will be illustrated by the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The effects described herein are illustrative and not limiting, and other effects may also occur. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a sales management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration model of a sales management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing related to vehicle dispatch requests in a sales management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly stated below. The present invention can be implemented by various modifications (for example, by combining each embodiment) without departing from its spirit. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions or proportions. There may be parts in the drawings where the dimensional relationships and proportions differ from those of other parts.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a sales management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the sales management system 1 includes a sales management device 10, an information and communication terminal device 20, and a vehicle V, which are interconnected via a communication network N so as to be able to communicate with each other. The sales management system 1 also includes a sales store 30 that sells goods.

[0014] The sales management device 10 is a computing device that manages the sale of goods to users by sales stores 30 in a predetermined target area. The predetermined target area may be divided into several areas (sub-areas). The sales management device 10 implements, for example, a sales management server program and realizes a vehicle dispatch service by executing the sales management server program under the control of a processor. In particular, the sales management server program of this disclosure includes a subprogram or module for acquiring driving information including the driving route of a user's vehicle V from an information and communication terminal device 20, acquiring joint purchase information from sales stores 30, etc., extracting users who are candidates for joint purchase of a specific product as candidate users based on the driving information including the driving route related to the location of the sales store indicated by the sales store information in the acquired joint purchase information, and displaying the joint purchase information and driving route on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device of the extracted users to propose joint purchase of a specific product to the candidate users. Here, the joint purchase information is information about a specific product that is the subject of joint purchase by multiple users, and includes information about the sales store that sells the specific product. For example, a retail store might define "joint purchase information" as information about a sales promotion campaign that indicates an increase in electronic value-added points (so-called points) awarded when a specific product is purchased jointly by multiple users.

[0015] Vehicle V is a vehicle made available for use by the user and is registered in the vehicle information database 12c. Vehicle V may be a vehicle owned by the user, or it may be a service vehicle that is dispatched to the user each time a dispatch request is made in a ride-hailing service.

[0016] The information and communication terminal device 20 is, for example, a computing device operated by a user. The information and communication terminal device 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a notebook personal computer, a desktop computer, etc., but is not limited to these. The information and communication terminal device 20 is associated with a user and registered with the sales management device 10. The information and communication terminal device 20 may implement, for example, a predetermined application related to the joint purchase of a specific product (hereinafter referred to as the "joint purchase application"). Alternatively, the information and communication terminal device 20 may implement a browser application that allows access to the website of the sales management device 10, in addition to or instead of the joint purchase application. The information and communication terminal device 20 also typically has a positioning function that acquires its own geographical location information in real time using a positioning system such as GPS. The information and communication terminal device 20 enables the user to use the joint purchase service of the sales management device 10 by executing the joint purchase application under the control of the processor. While the ride-hailing application is running, the information and communication terminal device 20 may transmit location information acquired from the positioning system to the sales management device 10 as user location information.

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration model of a sales management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the sales management device 10 may be configured as a functional configuration model that includes, for example, a front-end processing unit 110, a sales management unit 120, and a vehicle communication unit 130. The sales management device 10 may also include various databases 12. The databases 12 may be configured as part of the sales management device 10, or all or part of them may be configured separately from the sales management device 10. Such a functional model is realized by the sales management device 10 executing a sales management server program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources. The functional configuration model shown here is just one example, and all or part of the functions of one functional component may be realized by other functional components.

[0018] The user information database 12a stores information about users who use the co-purchase service (hereinafter referred to as "user information"). The user information includes, for example, information such as the user ID and password of the user, email address, personal attributes (gender, age, address, etc.), usage history, and the like. The user information is associated with the information communication terminal device 20 under the control of the sales management device 10 and registered in the user information database 12a, for example, when the user inputs predetermined information at the first startup of the co-purchase application.

[0019] The road map information database 12b stores road map information in a predetermined target area. The road map information includes, for example, map data related to addresses, place names, road networks (links and nodes), boarding and alighting points (bus stops), various stores, and the like. In addition, the road map information includes information necessary for searching for a driving route, such as road information, ground object information, and environmental information. The road information includes, for example, road type such as a local road or an arterial road, and road attribute information such as road width, pedestrian and vehicle separation zone, median strip, and lanes. The road map information is used, for example, to determine the driving route of the vehicle V from the current position of the user (vehicle V) to the location of the store.

[0020] The vehicle information database 12c stores information about the vehicle V used by the user (vehicle information). The vehicle information includes vehicle ID, vehicle attributes (vehicle registration number, vehicle type, and maximum number of passengers / maximum load capacity, level of automation, etc.), vehicle characteristics, other specifications (overall length, overall width, vehicle height, and weight, and specifications of the in-vehicle user interface, etc.), current vehicle allocation plan, current position, and current state (service state, remaining battery capacity (endurance), and passengers, etc.). The vehicle information is associated with the user and / or the user's information communication terminal device 20.

[0021] The store information database 12d stores information about the store 30 that sells goods. For example, the store information database 12d stores co-purchase information about specific goods provided by the store 30.

[0022] The charging reservation information database 12e stores charging reservation information regarding users' charging reservations at each charging station installed in a predetermined target area. The charging reservation information includes, for example, information regarding the user ID of the reserved user, the charging station ID of the charging station, and the reservation date and time. The user can, for example, operate the information communication terminal device 20 to access a predetermined charging reservation site and make a charging reservation for an arbitrary charging station.

[0023] The front-end processing unit 110 performs information communication with the user's information communication terminal device 20. As an example, the front-end processing unit 110 establishes a communication session with the co-purchase application executed on the user's information communication terminal device 20 and performs various processes.

[0024] The sales management unit 120 manages the sales stores 30 in a predetermined target area. Specifically, the sales management unit 120 stores the co-purchase information obtained from the sales store 30 via the front-end processing unit 110 in the store information database 12d.

[0025] In addition, the sales management unit 120 extracts users who are candidates for co-purchase at appropriate timings based on the co-purchase information stored in the store information database 12d, and proposes co-purchase of specific products at the sales store 30 to the extracted users. The sales management unit 120 includes, for example, a driving information acquisition unit 121, a co-purchase information acquisition unit 122, a co-purchase candidate user extraction unit 123, and a co-purchase proposal unit 124.

[0026] The driving information acquisition unit 121 acquires driving information including the driving route of the vehicle V from the user's information communication terminal device 20. The driving route consists of road links and nodes connecting each location such as the departure place, the via place, and the destination. Also, the driving information includes the scheduled arrival or departure time at each location. The driving information acquisition unit 121 delivers the acquired driving information to the sales management unit 120.

[0027] The group purchasing information acquisition unit 122 acquires group purchasing information from any of the sales stores 30 in a predetermined target area. Alternatively, the group purchasing information acquisition unit 122 may acquire group purchasing information from, for example, an advertising agency. The group purchasing information acquisition unit 122 then hands over the acquired group purchasing information to the sales management unit 120.

[0028] The joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 extracts predetermined users based on joint purchase information and the driving information of the user's vehicle V. Specifically, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 extracts users who are candidates for joint purchase of a specific product as candidate users based on driving information, including driving routes related to the location of the sales store indicated in the information about the sales store in the joint purchase information. For example, if a campaign is being held to promote joint purchase of multiple specific products at a sales store that can be visited on or near the driving route of vehicle V, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 will extract users of vehicle V as candidate users.

[0029] Furthermore, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 may refer to the user information database 12a and further narrow down the extracted candidate users based on user attribute information. For example, if a specific product targeted for joint purchase is aimed at men in their 30s, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 may extract users who match such user attribute information as candidate users. This makes it possible to extract users who are likely to jointly purchase a specific product at the sales store 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 may refer to the vehicle information database 12c and, based on the vehicle information, further narrow down the list of candidate users to those whose vehicle V matches the joint purchase information. For example, in the case of a joint purchase campaign targeting users who own a specific vehicle V, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 can extract users who match such vehicle information as candidate users. This makes it possible to extract users who own vehicle V and are likely to jointly purchase a specific product at the sales store 30.

[0031] Furthermore, the joint purchase candidate user extraction unit 123 may refer to the charging reservation information database 12e to further narrow down the candidate users to those whose vehicle V has consecutive charging reservation slots (time slots) at the charging station. This makes it possible to extract, for example, users who own vehicle V that are likely to jointly purchase a specific product at the sales store 30 attached to the charging station.

[0032] The joint purchase proposal unit 124 displays joint purchase information and a travel route on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device 20 of the user selected as a candidate user, and proposes a joint purchase of a specific product to the user at the sales store. As a result, the user can consider the proposed joint purchase of the specific product and stop by the sales store 30 in their vehicle V.

[0033] The vehicle communication unit 130 exchanges various types of information with the vehicle V via the communication network N. For example, the vehicle communication unit 130 receives vehicle control information from the vehicle V. The vehicle communication unit 130 may also receive road traffic information from a road traffic information management system (not shown). The vehicle control information includes, for example, location information from the vehicle V's GPS receiver, environmental information from imaging cameras and spatial measurement sensors, etc.

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing related to vehicle dispatch requests in a sales management device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This processing is realized by the sales management device 10 executing a sales management server program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the sales management device 10 acquires joint purchasing information from any of the sales stores 30 in a predetermined target area at a predetermined timing (S301). The joint purchasing information is information about a specific product that is the subject of joint purchasing by multiple users, and includes information about the sales store that sells the specific product.

[0036] Next, the sales management device 10 acquires driving information, including the driving route of the vehicle V, from the user's information and communication terminal device 20 (S302). The driving route consists of road links and nodes connecting each point, such as the departure point, intermediate points, and destination. The driving information also includes the scheduled arrival or departure times at each point.

[0037] Next, the sales management device 10 extracts candidate users based on the acquired group purchasing information and driving information (S303). For example, the sales management device 10 extracts users who are candidates for group purchasing of a specific product as candidate users based on driving information, including driving routes related to the location of the sales store indicated in the information about the sales store in the group purchasing information. In other words, candidate users are potential consumers who may purchase the specific product related to the group purchase.

[0038] Next, the sales management device 10 displays the group purchase information and travel route on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device 20 of the user extracted as a candidate user, presenting the user at the sales store with group purchase information for a specific product (S305). The user can then consider purchasing a specific product at the sales store 30 together with other users, according to the group purchase information presented on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device 20.

[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the users riding in each vehicle V have no relationship with each other, it becomes possible to quickly build a relationship of trust that leads to them jointly purchasing a specific product at a specific store.

[0040] The embodiments described above are illustrative examples for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments only. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit.

[0041] For example, in the methods disclosed herein, steps, operations, or functions may be performed in parallel or in different orders, as long as this does not result in a contradiction in the outcome. The steps, operations, and functions described are provided merely as examples, and some of the steps, operations, and functions may be omitted, combined with each other to form a single unit, or other steps, operations, or functions may be added, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0042] Furthermore, although various embodiments are disclosed herein, specific features (technical matters) in one embodiment can be added to or replaced in other embodiments, with appropriate modifications, and such forms are also included in the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1…Sales Management System 10…Sales management system 110…Front-end processing unit 120…Sales Management Department 121... Driving information acquisition unit 122... Joint Purchase Information Acquisition Department 123...Group Purchase Candidate User Extraction Unit 124... Joint Purchasing Proposal Department 130... Vehicle Communications Department 12…Database 12a...User Information Database 12b...Road Map Information Database 12c... Vehicle Information Database 12d...Store Information Database 12e... Charging Reservation Information Database 20… Information and communication terminal equipment 30…Stores selling N...communication network V...vehicle CTL...Control Unit

Claims

1. A sales management device that proposes joint purchase of products to multiple users, A driving information acquisition unit that acquires driving information, including the driving route of the user's vehicle, from an information and communication terminal device associated with each of the aforementioned plurality of users, A group purchase information acquisition unit acquires group purchase information relating to a specific product that is the subject of a group purchase by the user, which includes information about the sales store that sells the specific product. A joint purchase candidate user extraction unit extracts users who are candidates for joint purchase of a specific product as candidate users, based on the driving information which includes the driving route related to the location of the sales store indicated in the information about the sales store in the joint purchase information, The system includes a group purchase proposal unit that displays the group purchase information and the travel route on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device of the extracted candidate user and proposes to the candidate user the group purchase of a specific product. Sales management device.

2. The system further includes a user information database that manages the user information of each of the aforementioned multiple users, The joint purchase candidate user extraction unit extracts candidate users based on the user information in the user information database. The sales management device according to claim 1.

3. The system further comprises a vehicle information database for managing vehicle information of the user's vehicle, The joint purchase candidate user extraction unit extracts candidates based on the vehicle information in the vehicle information database. The sales management device according to claim 1.

4. Furthermore, it includes a charging reservation information database that manages charging reservation information related to charging station reservations. The aforementioned joint purchase candidate user extraction unit extracts users who are candidates for the joint purchase based on the charging reservation information in the charging reservation information database. The sales management device according to claim 1.

5. A sales management method using a sales management device that proposes joint purchase of products to multiple users, The process involves obtaining driving information, including the driving route of each user's vehicle, from the information and communication terminal device associated with each of the aforementioned users. The user acquires the group purchase information relating to a specific product that is the subject of the group purchase, which includes information about the stores that sell the specific product. Based on the driving information, which includes the driving route related to the location of the sales store indicated in the information about the sales store in the joint purchasing information, users who are candidates for joint purchasing of the specific product are extracted as candidate users. This includes displaying the group purchase information and the travel route on the user interface of the information and communication terminal device of the extracted candidate user, and proposing the group purchase of a specific product to the candidate user. Sales management methods.

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