Information processing method, information processing device, and computer program

Abstract

We provide technology that supports both maintaining the safety of home-delivered meals and reducing food waste. [Solution] Based on the order received from the first user, the management device 20 instructs the delivery person to deliver the delivered meal to the delivery box 14. When the management device 20 detects that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box 14, it grants the first user access rights to the delivery box 14. When the management device 20 receives a cancellation of the delivered meal order from the first user, it notifies the second user of suggestion information, which is information indicating that the delivered meal can be reordered and includes a reorder deadline for the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. When the management device 20 receives a reorder of the delivered meal from the second user, it grants the second user new access rights to the delivery box 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to data processing technologies, and particularly to an information processing method, an information processing apparatus, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, through online channels and the like, a food delivery service that accepts orders for food and beverages from users and delivers the ordered food and beverages to offices, houses, etc. specified by the users has become widespread. However, there are cases where users of the food delivery service want to cancel the food and beverages due to circumstances. Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, although a product purchased by a first user is stored in a storage box, when the purchase of the product is canceled by the first user, information on the resale possibility of the product is notified to a second user, and when the product is purchased by the second user, a password necessary to take out the product from the storage box is notified to the second user. A server device is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When food and beverages delivered by a food delivery service (hereinafter also referred to as "delivered meals") are transferred between users, it is necessary to consider the safety of the delivered meals. However, while Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for switching access rights to a storage box as a mechanism for transferring canceled products to a user different from the original user, it does not disclose a technology that aims to reduce food waste while simultaneously maintaining food safety. Therefore, one of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide a technology that supports both maintaining the safety of delivered meals and reducing food waste. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above problems, an information processing method in one aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a computer, which receives an order for home-delivered meals from a first user, instructs a delivery person to deliver the meals to a delivery box based on the order, detects that the meals have been delivered to the delivery box, grants the first user access rights to the delivery box, when the first user cancels the order for home-delivered meals, notifies the second user of suggestion information which indicates that the meals can be reordered and includes a deadline for reordering the meals determined based on the expiration date of the meals, and when the second user reorders the meals, grants the second user new access rights to the delivery box.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure is an information processing device. This device includes an order receiving unit that receives an order for home-delivered meals from a first user; a delivery instruction unit that instructs a delivery person to deliver the meals to a delivery box based on the order; an access rights granting unit that, upon detecting that the meals have been delivered to the delivery box, grants the first user access rights to the delivery box; and a notification unit that, upon receiving a cancellation of the home-delivered meal order from the first user, notifies the second user of suggestion information indicating that the meals can be reordered, and including a deadline for reordering the meals determined based on the expiration date of the meals. If the access rights granting unit receives a reorder of home-delivered meals from the second user, it grants the second user new access rights to the delivery box.

[0007] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any conversion of the expressions of this disclosure between systems, computer programs, recording media containing computer programs, etc., are also valid forms of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed herein can help achieve both the maintenance of safety in home-delivered meals and the reduction of food waste. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the support system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the control device in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of order information stored in the order information storage unit. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of updated order information. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of updated order information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The subject of the apparatus or method in this disclosure comprises a computer. The functions of the subject of the apparatus or method in this disclosure are realized by the computer executing a program. The computer comprises a processor as its main hardware component, which operates according to the program. The processor is of any type as long as it can realize its functions by executing the program. The processor consists of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be aggregated in one device or provided on multiple devices. The program may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM (Read Only Memory), optical disc, or hard disk drive, or on a computer-readable temporary storage medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or supplied to the recording medium or storage medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0011] In the information processing system of this embodiment, home-delivered meals ordered by a first user are delivered to and stored in a delivery box. When the information processing system of this embodiment receives a cancellation request from the first user for the home-delivered meal order, it notifies a second user, who is different from the first user, of suggestion information including a reorder deadline for the home-delivered meal, which is determined based on the expiration date of the home-delivered meal. When the information processing system of this embodiment receives a reorder request from the second user before the reorder deadline for the home-delivered meal has expired, it grants the second user access to the delivery box where the home-delivered meal is stored. This supports both maintaining the safety of home-delivered meals and reducing food waste.

[0012] In this embodiment, the first user is the user who initially ordered the home-delivered meals. The second user in this embodiment is the user who reorders the home-delivered meals if the first user cancels their order. Ordering and reordering home-delivered meals can also be described as purchasing and repurchasing home-delivered meals. Reordering home-delivered meals means the second or subsequent order / purchase of the same home-delivered meal. In other words, reordering home-delivered meals means that a second user, different from the first user, orders and purchases the home-delivered meals that were ordered and purchased by the first user and delivered to the delivery box. In this disclosure, "purchase" does not involve payment of the purchase cost of the home-delivered meals, and includes, for example, a form in which the obligation to pay the purchase cost of the home-delivered meals ordered by the first user is transferred to the second user.

[0013] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes multiple user terminals 12, a delivery box 14, a delivery person terminal 16, a store terminal 18, and a management device 20. Each device constituting the information processing system 10 is connected to each other via a communication network 22, including LAN, WAN, and the Internet.

[0014] Multiple user terminals 12 are information terminals operated by multiple different users who use the food delivery service. Multiple user terminals 12 include user terminal 12a, user terminal 12b, and user terminal 12c. Each of the multiple user terminals 12 may be a PC, tablet, or smartphone. In addition, multiple user terminals 12 may include information terminals (shared terminals) that are used together by multiple users belonging to the same community, regardless of whether they use them at the same time or not.

[0015] The delivery box 14 is equipped with multiple boxes (boxes A, B, C, etc.) each of which can serve as a delivery destination for a meal delivery. Each of these boxes serves as both a delivery destination for a meal delivery and a place to store the meal delivery.

[0016] The plurality of users in the embodiment are a group of users who use the same delivery box 14 as the delivery destination of the home-delivered meal, and are a group of users who can transfer the home-delivered meal to each other via a predetermined delivery box 14. Typically, the plurality of users belong to the same community. Belonging to the same community means sharing space or having a common community. The community includes organizations of various granularities, for example, organizations at the company level, regional level, and building level. Belonging to the same community may include at least one of (1) belonging to the same team (department, etc.) of the same company, (2) belonging to the same company and working in the same office building, (3) belonging to different companies but working in the same office building, (4) having workplaces in the vicinity, and (5) having residences in the vicinity (for example, living in the same district).

[0017] The delivery person terminal 16 is an information terminal operated by a person in charge of a home-delivered meal delivery company. The store terminal 18 is an information terminal operated by a person in charge of a provider (restaurant, etc.) of the home-delivered meal. Each of the delivery person terminal 16 and the store terminal 18 may be a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0018] The management device 20 is an information processing device that executes information processing related to the management of ordering, delivering, canceling, and reordering of home-delivered meals. The management device 20 may be an on-premises server of a home-delivered meal delivery company or a server constructed on the cloud.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the management device 20 of the embodiment. By a computer mounted on the management device 20 executing a program, various functions shown in FIG. 2 are realized. The computer includes, as hardware, a memory for loading a program, one or more processors (such as a CPU) for executing the loaded program, an auxiliary storage device, and other LSIs. The processor is composed of a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or an LSI, and the plurality of electronic circuits may be mounted on one chip or may be mounted on a plurality of chips. The functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 are realized by the cooperation of hardware and software. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof.

[0020] The management device 20 includes a processing unit 30, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 34. The processing unit 30 executes various information processes. The storage unit 32 stores various data referred to or updated by the processing unit 30. The communication unit 34 communicates with an external device according to a predetermined communication protocol. The processing unit 30 transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal 12, the delivery box 14, the delivery person terminal 16, and the store terminal 18 via the communication unit 34.

[0021] The storage unit 32 includes a user information storage unit 40 and an order information storage unit 42. The user information storage unit 40 stores information (user information) regarding each of a plurality of users. The user information includes the user's identification information (ID, name, etc.). Also, in the present embodiment, the user information further includes information regarding the community to which the user belongs, information regarding the user's current position, and the user's biometric information for authentication. The information regarding the user's current position may include at least one of the user's current position detected using a known positioning technology such as GPS (Global Positioning System), information indicating whether the user is at work in the office, and information indicating whether the user is working remotely. The user's biometric information for authentication may include the user's face, fingerprint, voice, vein, etc.

[0022] The order information storage unit 42 stores information (hereinafter also referred to as "order information") for managing orders, deliveries, cancellations, and reorders of home-delivered meals. Details of the order information will be described later.

[0023] The processing unit 30 includes an order acceptance unit 50, a delivery instruction unit 52, a delivery information setting unit 54, a delivery detection unit 56, an access rights granting unit 58, a cancellation acceptance unit 60, a candidate selection unit 62, a proposal information transmission unit 64, a reorder acceptance unit 66, a billing unit 68, and a non-cancellable notification unit 70. The functions of these multiple functional blocks may be implemented in a computer program, which may be installed in the storage of the management device 20. The processor mounted on the management device 20 may perform the functions of these multiple functional blocks by reading this computer program into main memory and executing it.

[0024] The order receiving unit 50 receives an order for home-delivered meals from the first user. The delivery instruction unit 52 instructs the delivery person to deliver the home-delivered meals ordered by the first user to the delivery box 14, based on the order received by the order receiving unit 50. The delivery information setting unit 54 obtains the delivery information (including the expiration date and delivery temperature of the home-delivered meals, as described later) set by the home-delivered meal provider. The delivery information setting unit 54 sets the obtained delivery information into the order information of the order information storage unit 42. The order receiving unit 50 selects the delivery box 14 that is set to be closest to the location information of the first user, based on the designation information of the delivery box generated by the first user's selection. Designation information refers to information in which a user of the home delivery service, such as the first user, specifies the installation location of the delivery box and the functions of the delivery box, such as temperature and humidity, based on the user's own residence within a region or area. For example, if there are two delivery boxes installed in Shiodome and Shinagawa, the selection information for the delivery box in Shiodome will be the designation information. Alternatively, the delivery box 14 may be selected according to the home-delivered meals to be delivered. For example, in the case of home-delivered meals where maintaining a cold or low temperature preserves better quality, a delivery box 14 with a refrigeration function is selected. On the other hand, if maintaining a warm or high temperature preserves better quality, a delivery box 14 with a heat retention function is selected.

[0025] The delivery detection unit 56 detects when a meal has been delivered to the delivery box 14, based on sensors and delivery completion information from the meal delivery provider. When the delivery detection unit 56 detects that a meal has been delivered to the delivery box 14, the access rights granting unit 58 grants the first user access rights to the delivery box 14.

[0026] The cancellation reception unit 60 accepts the cancellation of the meal delivery order from the first user. When the cancellation reception unit 60 accepts the cancellation, the candidate selection unit 62 selects a user from among several users to be a candidate who will propose reordering the meal delivery that the first user canceled. The cancellation reception unit 60 may also accept a request from the first user or other users to cancel the cancellation of the meal delivery order by the first user. The period for accepting instructions to cancel the cancellation of the meal delivery order can be set as a date and time before the expiration date, or a date and time before the expiration date with a certain amount of time remaining until the best-before date, based on the prediction of the likelihood of accepting a reorder of the meal delivery, taking into account the number of second user candidates and the distance between the second user candidates and the delivery box 14, for example, based on the expiration date of the meal delivery in question.

[0027] When the cancellation reception unit 60 receives a cancellation, the proposal information transmission unit 64 generates proposal information for the candidate selected by the candidate selection unit 62, indicating that the canceled home-delivered meal can be reordered. The proposal information includes a deadline for reordering the home-delivered meal, determined based on the expiration date of the home-delivered meal indicated in the delivery information. The proposal information transmission unit 64 then notifies the second user of the generated proposal information.

[0028] The reorder acceptance unit 66 accepts a reorder of the delivered meal from a second user (typically one of the candidates). The access rights granting unit 58 grants the second user new access rights to the delivery box 14 when the reorder acceptance unit 66 accepts the reorder of the delivered meal. The billing unit 68 bills the user who ordered and purchased the delivered meal for the cost of the delivered meal.

[0029] The non-cancellable notification unit 70 notifies the first user if it is not possible to cancel the home-delivered meal order. The situation in which it is not possible to cancel the home-delivered meal order includes cases where the reorder deadline has passed without accepting a reorder for the canceled home-delivered meal.

[0030] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the management device 20 in this embodiment. The operation of the information processing system 10 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 3. In this example, the first user operates user terminal 12a to initially order home-delivered meals. User terminals 12b, 12c, ... are terminals of candidates who may reorder home-delivered meals. A second user, different from the first user, operates user terminal 12b to reorder the home-delivered meals that the first user canceled. User information for each of the multiple users is pre-stored in the user information storage unit 40 of the management device 20.

[0031] The user terminal 12a transmits the meal delivery order data to the management device 20 in response to the operation of the first user. The order receiving unit 50 of the management device 20 receives the meal delivery order data transmitted from the user terminal 12a (S10). The order data may include the identification information of the first user who placed the order (user ID in Figure 4) and the identification information of the meal delivery to be ordered. The order receiving unit 50 stores the order information based on the meal delivery order data transmitted from the user terminal 12a in the order information storage unit 42.

[0032] This section explains an example of a system for receiving orders for home-delivered meals from the first user. Example 1: The first user may install the food delivery service application on the user terminal 12a in advance and register as a user with the management device 20. The order receiving unit 50 of the management device 20 may accept orders for home-delivered meals via the food delivery service application.

[0033] Example 2: User registration may be performed on a community basis (for example, community C in Figure 4). The order receiving unit 50 of the management device 20 may accept orders for home-delivered meals on a community basis.

[0034] Example 3: In an office or similar setting, meal delivery orders may be placed from a shared terminal (such as a shared PC) used by multiple users. The order receiving unit 50 of the management device 20 may accept meal delivery orders sent from the shared terminal. Since shared terminals are more visible to multiple users than individual terminals, it is easier to notify many users that a meal delivery order has been canceled. Furthermore, since login / logout is possible for each user ID on the shared terminal, it is possible to identify the user ID of the person who placed the order, even if the order was placed from a shared terminal.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of order information stored in the order information storage unit 42. The order information includes order ID, customer name, user ID, user type, order acceptance time, and order details. The user type includes information indicating whether the order is made by an individual user or by a community to which the user belongs. The customer name and user type may be obtained from the user information storage unit 40 using the user ID as a key.

[0036] The order details include the ordered meal delivery, desired delivery address, desired delivery time, quantity ordered, and meal delivery provider. The ordered meal delivery includes identification information for the meal delivery ordered by the first user. The desired delivery address includes identification information for a specific box within the delivery box 14 designated by the first user as the delivery address for the meal delivery. As an alternative, the order receiving unit 50 may automatically select a box to be used as the delivery address for the meal delivery from among the empty boxes in the delivery box 14. The meal delivery provider includes identification information for the company that prepares and provides the meal delivery.

[0037] Returning to Figure 3, the delivery instruction unit 52 of the management device 20 transmits data to the delivery terminal 16 instructing the delivery of the home-delivered meals ordered by the first user, based on the order information (e.g., order details) stored in the order information storage unit 42 (S11). The data instructing the delivery of the home-delivered meals may include identification information of the home-delivered meals to be ordered, the desired delivery destination, the desired delivery time, the number of meals ordered, and identification information of the home-delivered meal provider.

[0038] The delivery terminal 16 displays the delivery instructions provided by the management device 20 on its display unit. The delivery person goes to the store of the meal delivery provider (for example, a virtual curry meal provider called Kamukamu Curry) according to the delivery instructions displayed on the delivery terminal 16 and receives the meal delivery (for example, chicken curry) at that store. The store terminal 18 transmits delivery information, including the expiration date and delivery temperature, set by the meal delivery provider (store staff, etc.), to the management device 20. The delivery information setting unit 54 of the management device 20 receives the delivery information transmitted from the store terminal 18 and adds the received delivery information to the order information in the order information storage unit 42 (S12).

[0039] The delivery person places the delivered meals in the delivery vehicle and drives the vehicle to the office building where the delivery box 14 is installed. The delivery person places the delivered meals in one of the multiple boxes in the delivery box 14, specifically the box for the desired delivery destination indicated by the delivery instructions (for example, box A). While the delivered meals are being transported in the delivery vehicle, the delivery person sets the vehicle to keep the meals warm at the delivery temperature indicated by the delivery information. The delivery box 14 in this embodiment also has a warming function. The delivery person sets the delivery box 14 (the box for the desired delivery destination) to keep the delivered meals warm at the delivery temperature indicated by the delivery information.

[0040] The delivery box 14 transmits information (also referred to as a "delivery completion notification") indicating the box containing the delivered meal (for example, box A) (hereinafter also referred to as the "delivery destination box") to the management device 20. When the delivery detection unit 56 of the management device 20 receives the delivery completion notification transmitted from the delivery box 14, it detects that the delivered meal has been delivered (S13).

[0041] The access rights granting unit 58 of the management device 20 searches the order information stored in the order information storage unit 42 for order information associated with the delivery destination box indicated by the delivery completion notification (for example, order information where the desired delivery destination is box A) (hereinafter referred to as "delivery target order information"). The access rights granting unit 58 generates access rights data for the delivery destination box of the delivery box 14 (S14). The access rights data may include key data for opening the delivery destination box, the user ID indicated by the delivery target order information (ID of the first user), and the biometric information of the first user for authentication that has been registered in advance. The access rights data may also be in the form of a two-dimensional code, barcode, or token.

[0042] The access rights granting unit 58 sets access rights data for the delivery destination box in the delivery target order information. The access rights granting unit 58 also sends a delivery completion notification to the first user's terminal (user terminal 12a), which is a notification indicating that the delivered meal has arrived in the delivery box 14 and includes access rights data for the delivery destination box (S15).

[0043] Figure 5 shows an example of updated order information. As previously described, delivery information is added to the order information in process S12. In addition, access rights are added to the order information in process S15. In this embodiment, the expiration date of the delivered meal is determined by the meal delivery provider based on rules predetermined by the meal delivery provider. The expiration date of the delivered meal may be the best-before date or the expiration date of the delivered meal.

[0044] As a variation, the delivery person may set an expiration date for the delivered meals according to the storage conditions (which can also be called the delivery conditions or management conditions) of the delivered meals. The storage conditions of the delivered meals may include the temperature at which the meals are kept warm. For example, if the delivered meals are kept warm at 65°C, a rule may be established that the expiration date for the delivered meals is 7 hours after the completion of cooking. The delivery person may, in accordance with this rule, determine that the expiration date for the delivered meals is 7 hours after the time they receive the delivered meals from the meal provider, and register the determined expiration date in the management device 20 from the delivery person terminal 16.

[0045] Under normal circumstances (i.e., when the user has time to eat the delivered meal), the first user confirms the delivery completion notification, goes to the location where the delivery box 14 is placed, and uses the access rights data to retrieve the delivered meal stored in the delivery box in the delivery box 14. The billing unit 68 of the management device 20 executes the process of billing the first user for the delivered meal ordered by the first user. The process from ordering the delivered meal to billing (including the processes from S10 to S15) may be implemented using known technology.

[0046] If the first user is unable to eat the delivered meal due to a meeting running long or an urgent matter arising, they input a cancellation request for the delivered meal into the user terminal 12a. In response to the first user's operation, the user terminal 12a sends cancellation data indicating the cancellation of the delivered meal order to the management device 20. The cancellation data in this embodiment includes the order ID to be canceled and the amount to be charged to the person who will be reordering the delivered meal (which can also be called the transfer price of the delivered meal).

[0047] The cancellation reception unit 60 of the management device 20 receives cancellation data transmitted from the user terminal 12a (S16). The cancellation reception unit 60 identifies order information related to the order to be canceled (hereinafter also referred to as "order information to be canceled"). As will be described later in relation to Figure 6, the cancellation reception unit 60 records the time when the cancellation of the home-delivered meal order was received, in this embodiment, the time when the cancellation data was received, in the order information to be canceled. When a cancellation is received from the first user, the candidate selection unit 62 of the management device 20 selects one or more candidates from among several users other than the first user to propose reordering home-delivered meals (S17).

[0048] <Method of selecting candidates> A first example of candidate selection in S17 is described below. The candidate selection unit 62 may select users who are within a predetermined distance threshold from the delivery box 14 as candidates, based on the current location of each of the multiple users, excluding the first user, stored in the user information storage unit 40. The distance threshold may be determined based on the developer's knowledge or the results of experiments using the information processing system 10. For example, the distance threshold may be a value in the range of 200 to 300 meters. In this embodiment, a reorder of the delivered meal is proposed to users who are within a predetermined distance from the delivery box 14. This makes it possible to propose a reorder of the delivered meal to users who are likely to use the delivered meal service, and improves the reorder rate of the delivered meal that was canceled by the first user.

[0049] A second example of candidate selection in S17 is described. The candidate selection unit 62 may select a user who belongs to the same community as the first user as a candidate, based on the communities to which each of the multiple users stored in the user information storage unit 40 belongs. A user who belongs to the same community may, for example, be a user who belongs to the same company as the first user, a user who works in the same office building as the first user, or a user who lives in the same district as the first user. In this embodiment, a reorder of home-delivered meals is proposed to the user who belongs to the same community as the first user. This can improve the reorder rate of home-delivered meals that were canceled by the first user, and can also provide an opportunity for dialogue between the first user and the second user who places a reorder, thereby ultimately supporting the development of communication among multiple users within a community, such as employee interaction within a company.

[0050] Furthermore, when selecting a candidate user who belongs to the same community as the first user, the second user candidate may be a user located at a distance greater than a predetermined distance from the designated delivery box 14 where the canceled meal delivery was delivered. By selecting a candidate user who is located at a distance greater than a predetermined distance from the delivery box 14, and in particular, located in a space outside the designated community, such as company premises, it is possible to provide an opportunity for that user to move to the designated community, which can ultimately lead to an increase in attendance rates and increased interaction among users who make up the community. In addition, by selecting a delivery box located far from the usual work area and enabling the first or second user to receive the delivery, it is also possible to provide opportunities for exercise, such as increasing the number of steps taken by users who make up the community.

[0051] A third example of candidate selection in S17 is described. The user information storage unit 40 may store preference information for each user that each user has registered in advance. The preference information may include at least one of the following: the name of a favorite dish, the name of the category to which the favorite dish belongs (noodles, meat dishes, salads, etc.), or the name of a favorite ingredient. The candidate selection unit 62 may select a user as a candidate whose attributes (name, category, ingredients, etc.) of the home-delivered meal that was canceled by the first user match the preference information of the home-delivered meal. In this embodiment, if the home-delivered meal canceled by the first user matches the preference information of the home-delivered meal obtained from a second user different from the first user, the second user is suggested to reorder the home-delivered meal. This can improve the reorder rate of home-delivered meals canceled by the first user.

[0052] A fourth example of candidate selection in S17 is described below. The candidate selection unit 62 may select other users who have a predetermined relationship with the first user as candidates. For example, the candidate selection unit 62 may obtain online meeting participation information of multiple users and select other users who have participated in the same online meeting as the first user as candidates. Note that other users who participated in the same online meeting as the first user on the day the first user canceled their meal delivery may also be unable to receive their meal delivery, just like the first user. Therefore, the candidate selection unit 62 may exclude such other users from being candidates.

[0053] When the cancellation reception unit 60 receives cancellation data sent from the user terminal 12a (first user), the suggestion information transmission unit 64 of the management device 20 generates suggestion information indicating that the canceled meal delivery can be reordered (S18). The suggestion information includes content that encourages the reordering of the canceled meal delivery. For example, the suggestion information may include identification information for the canceled meal delivery, or in other words, identification information for the meal delivery to be reordered. The identification information for the meal delivery may include the menu name, provider name, options, and allergy information.

[0054] The proposal information transmission unit 64 determines the reorder deadline for the home-delivered meals based on the expiration date indicated in the cancellation order information. The reorder deadline for the home-delivered meals is the deadline by which another user can reorder the home-delivered meals that were canceled by the first user and whose reorder is validly accepted. The proposal information transmission unit 64 includes the determined reorder deadline for the home-delivered meals in the proposal information. The proposal information transmission unit 64 also records the determined reorder deadline for the home-delivered meals in the cancellation order information.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an example of updated order information. As previously described, the cancellation acceptance time is added to the order information in process S16. Also, the reorder deadline determined in process S18 is added to the order information. The reorder deadline is determined to be no later than the expiration date of the delivered meal. For example, the suggestion information transmission unit 64 may determine the reorder deadline to be a predetermined time before the expiration date of the delivered meal (4 hours before the expiration date in the example of Figure 6).

[0056] Furthermore, the suggestion information transmission unit 64 may include in the suggestion information information information about the provider of the canceled meal delivery, in other words, the provider of the meal delivery that is eligible for reordering. The information about the meal delivery provider may include at least one of the following: the name of the meal delivery provider, the URL string of the meal delivery provider's website, or a hyperlink to the meal delivery provider's website. In the example in Figure 4, this may include "Kamukamu Curry" and "Kappo Aoki". This can help candidates make decisions regarding reordering meal delivery. For example, if the restaurant providing the meal delivery is well-known, it can encourage reordering.

[0057] Furthermore, the suggestion information transmission unit 64 may include in the suggestion information information information about the first user who canceled the meal delivery. The information about the first user may include the first user's name and may include information about the community to which the first user belongs. This can support the candidate's decision-making regarding reordering meal delivery. For example, reordering meal delivery can be encouraged depending on the reputation of the first user or the reputation of the community to which the first user belongs.

[0058] The proposal information transmission unit 64 transmits the proposal information generated in S18 to the terminals (user terminal 12b, user terminal 12c, ..., etc.) of one or more candidates selected in S17 (S19). The candidates' terminals (user terminal 12b, user terminal 12c, ..., etc.) display the proposal information provided by the management device 20 on their display units.

[0059] A candidate (hereinafter also referred to as "Second User") inputs an operation to the user terminal 12b to instruct the reordering of home-delivered meals. In response to the Second User's operation, the user terminal 12b transmits the reorder data for home-delivered meals to the management device 20. The reorder reception unit 66 of the management device 20 receives the reorder data for home-delivered meals transmitted from the user terminal 12b. The reorder data may include the identification information of the reorderer (Second User) and the identification information of the home-delivered meals to be ordered.

[0060] When a reorder for a home-delivered meal is received (Y in S20), the access rights granting unit 58 of the management device 20 generates access rights data for a specific box among the multiple boxes provided in the delivery box 14 that contains the home-delivered meal to be reordered (S21). The specific box is the "delivery destination box" mentioned above that contains the home-delivered meal that the first user canceled. The access rights data may include key data for opening the specific box and the ID of the second user. The access rights data may also include biometric authentication information of the second user that has been registered in advance. The access rights granting unit 58 transmits the access rights data for the specific box to the second user's terminal (user terminal 12b) (S22).

[0061] The access rights granting unit 58 may also send information about the expiration date of the home-delivered meals to be reordered, along with the access rights data, to the second user's terminal (user terminal 12b). This has the effect of encouraging the second user to receive the home-delivered meals.

[0062] Furthermore, if the access rights granting unit 58 sends access rights data for a specific box to the second user's terminal (user terminal 12b), it may also invalidate the access rights to the delivery destination box (the same as the specific box) that were previously sent to the first user's terminal (user terminal 12a). This enhances the security of the specific box. For example, it prevents a meal delivery reordered by the second user from being retrieved by a user other than the second user (e.g., the first user).

[0063] The second user goes to the location where the delivery box 14 is placed and uses access rights data to retrieve the delivered meal stored in a specific box of the delivery box 14. The billing unit 68 of the management device 20 executes a process to bill the second user for the cost of the delivered meal that the second user reordered. In this embodiment, the cost of the delivered meal that the second user reordered is the amount set by the first user who canceled the delivered meal. Subsequently, the billing unit 68 of the management device 20 bills the first user for the difference between the cost of the delivered meal that was ordered and the amount billed to the second user. This collects the payment for the delivered meal to be paid to the store. The billing unit 68 of the management device 20 may bill the first user for the cost of the delivered meal and refund the amount collected from the second user, i.e., the amount set by the first user, to the first user.

[0064] If the reorder of the delivered meal is not accepted (N in S20) and the reorder deadline has not yet passed (N in S23), the system returns to S20 and maintains a waiting state for reordering. Once the reorder deadline has passed (Y in S23), the non-cancellable notification unit 70 of the management device 20 sends a non-cancellable notification to the first user's terminal (user terminal 12a), which is information indicating that the delivered meal cannot be canceled (S24). The non-cancellable notification may also include instructions for the first user to dispose of the delivered meal that they attempted to cancel themselves. Even in this case, the billing unit 68 of the management device 20 bills the first user for the cost of the delivered meal.

[0065] Furthermore, in this disclosure, payment for reordered home-delivered meals includes at least the following four patterns: (i) the first user who initially ordered the home-delivered meals pays; (ii) the second user who reorders the home-delivered meals released by the first user pays; (iii) if the second user reorders the home-delivered meals released by the first user, the first user pays all or part of the reordered meals; (iv) a third user other than the first and second users pays all or part of the home-delivered meals.

[0066] As in (i) and (ii), it is natural for the first or second user, who is the direct beneficiary of the delivered meals, to bear the cost of the meals. However, as in (iii) and (iv), if an indirect beneficiary of the delivered meals makes the payment, it can create an opportunity for conversation between the parties involved, such as an expression of gratitude to the payer, and is expected to foster communication. An example of (iv) is a case where a company, as a third user, bears all or part of the cost of the delivered meals for its employees (first or second user). It should be noted that the user who pays for the delivered meals and the user who receives the delivered meals do not necessarily have to be the same person. For example, if a third user pays for the delivered meals, they may transfer the meals to the first or second user.

[0067] According to the management device 20 of this embodiment, a home-delivered meal that has been canceled by a first user can be made available for purchase by a second user within the reorder period based on the expiration date of the home-delivered meal. This maintains the safety of the home-delivered meal while preventing it from being wasted without being consumed. Furthermore, the management device 20 can accept the expiration date of the home-delivered meal set by the home-delivered meal provider (restaurant, etc.) and reflect it in the reorder period.

[0068] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of processing processes of the embodiments, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] <First variation> In this embodiment, if a meal delivery is canceled by the first user, but a reorder is not accepted within the reorder deadline, the non-cancellation notification unit 70 of the management device 20 notifies the first user that the order cannot be canceled. As a modification, the management device 20 may be equipped with a cancellation notification unit instead of the non-cancellation notification unit 70. If a meal delivery is canceled by the first user, but a reorder is not accepted within the reorder deadline, the cancellation notification unit of the management device 20 may send a cancellation notification to the delivery terminal 16 indicating that the canceled meal delivery is stored in the delivery box 14. The cancellation notification may also include instructions for the delivery person to dispose of the canceled meal delivery.

[0070] <Second variation> The deadline for reordering the delivered meal can be set by the first user. For example, if the meeting is scheduled to end at 13:00, the first user may set the deadline for reordering the delivered meal to 13:00. This is because the first user can eat the delivered meal after 13:00 when the meeting ends. The first user's terminal (user terminal 12a) may register information indicating the reorder deadline (e.g., 13:00) entered by the first user with the management device 20.

[0071] Alternatively, the management device 20 (e.g., the suggestion information transmission unit 64) may determine the reorder deadline for the delivered meals based on the schedule of the first user, which is pre-registered in a predetermined storage device (e.g., a schedule management device). For example, the management device 20 may determine the reorder deadline for the delivered meals as the earlier of the event end time indicated by the first user's schedule information and the expiration date of the delivered meals.

[0072] <Third variation> Although not mentioned in the embodiments, the management device 20 may include a plurality of physically or logically partitioned devices (servers). For example, the management device 20 may include a delivery service provider server and a matching service provider server. The delivery service provider server may be a server that performs information processing related to the normal home delivery meal service. On the other hand, the matching service provider server may be a server that performs information processing related to reorders of home delivery meals.

[0073] As an example of configuration, the delivery service provider server may include the order receiving unit 50, delivery instruction unit 52, delivery information setting unit 54, delivery detection unit 56, access rights granting unit 58, and billing unit 68 shown in Figure 2. On the other hand, the matching service provider server may include the cancellation receiving unit 60, candidate selection unit 62, proposal information transmission unit 64, reorder receiving unit 66, billing unit 68, and non-cancellable notification unit 70 shown in Figure 2. The delivery service provider server and the matching service provider server may share the user information storage unit 40 and the order information storage unit 42 shown in Figure 2. As an example of operation, the delivery service provider server may execute the processes S10-S15 in Figure 3, and the matching service provider server may execute the processes S16-S24 in Figure 3.

[0074] <Fourth variation> The management device 20 may further include a user evaluation unit. The user evaluation unit may rate each user based on the status of receiving the delivered meals and compliance with the cancellation deadline each time a user orders a delivered meal as the first user. The cancellation deadline is the deadline for canceling a delivered meal, and may be determined by the management device 20 based on the expiration date of the delivered meal (for example, a predetermined time before the expiration date).

[0075] For example, the user evaluation unit may lower the rating of users who cancel (or attempt to cancel) their home-delivered meals after the cancellation deadline. The user evaluation unit may also lower the rating of users who do not receive their home-delivered meals without canceling them. The cancellation reception unit 60 may impose a restriction on the first user that if a user with a rating below a predetermined value cancels their home-delivered meals, the price at which they reorder (resale price) the meals must be lower than the original price of the meals. For example, the cancellation reception unit 60 may notify the first user that it will refuse to accept the cancellation if the price at which they reorder (resale price) the meals is higher than or equal to the original price of the meals. This can deter indiscriminate cancellations of home-delivered meals and, as a result, reduce food waste.

[0076] Furthermore, the user evaluation unit may increase the rating of users who place repeat orders. In other words, it evaluates their contribution to reducing food waste through repeat orders. The candidate selection unit 62 may provide preferential treatment, such as sending notifications preferentially to users with high ratings. Sending notifications preferentially includes sending notifications earlier than other users, or sending notifications only to users with ratings above a certain level. By providing preferential treatment in this way according to the user's behavior log, users will be more inclined to receive preferential treatment, which can further increase their motivation, and as a result, it can be expected that this will encourage behavioral changes toward reducing food waste.

[0077] <Fifth variation> The delivery box 14 may be capable of adjusting the temperature inside each individual box. For example, the delivery box 14 may change the temperature of the box containing the delivered meals over time, from warming to room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing. This can extend the shelf life of the delivered meals stored in the box. For example, by freezing the delivered meals that were not taken out on the delivery day, the customer can eat the delivered meals after the delivery day.

[0078] <Sixth variation> The suggestion information transmission unit 64 of the management device 20 does not have to include the details of the home-delivered meal to be reordered (menu, category, ingredients, etc.) in the suggestion information; it may include only the price or price range of the home-delivered meal to be reordered. This provides a sense of excitement to the second user reordering the home-delivered meal, letting them know what the meal will be.

[0079] Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The new embodiments resulting from such combinations will possess the combined effects of the respective embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each constituent element described in the claims can be achieved by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications individually or in combination thereof. In addition, where terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used in this specification or in the claims, unless otherwise specified, they do not indicate any order or importance, but are used to distinguish one configuration from another.

[0080] <Note> Based on the above description of embodiments and modifications, the following technology is disclosed. [Technology 1] We accept orders for home-delivered meals from our first user. Based on the aforementioned order, the delivery person is instructed to deliver the meal to the delivery box. When it is detected that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box, the first user is granted access to the delivery box. When the first user cancels their order for the delivered meal, the second user is notified of a proposal that indicates the possibility of reordering the delivered meal, and that includes a deadline for reordering the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. If a reorder of the home-delivered meal is received from the second user, the second user will be granted new access rights to the delivery box. A method of information processing performed by a computer. This information processing method allows a second user to purchase a meal delivery that has been canceled by the first user, within the reorder period based on the expiration date of the meal delivery. This reduces food waste while maintaining the safety of the meal delivery. [Technology 2] The computer further performs the task of obtaining the expiration date of the delivered meal set by the provider of the delivered meal. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method allows for the acceptance of the expiration date set by the meal delivery provider (restaurant, etc.) and to reflect this in the reorder deadline. [Technology 3] The proposed information further includes information about the provider of the home-delivered meals, The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can support a second user's decision-making regarding reordering home-delivered meals. [Technology 4] The proposed information further includes information relating to the first user, The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can support a second user's decision-making regarding reordering home-delivered meals. [Technology 5] After granting the second user new access rights to the delivery box, if both the information of the first user and the information of the second user are entered into the delivery box, the computer further performs the action of billing the first user for the delivered meal while suppressing the billing of the second user for the delivered meal. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method allows the first user to treat the second user to a home-delivered meal, thereby supporting communication between the first and second users. [Technology 6] The computer further performs the action of notifying the second user of information regarding the event in which the aforementioned home-delivered meal was ordered. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can improve the reorder rate when meal delivery orders are canceled, and can also help to gather people near the location of an event (for example, increasing the number of people coming to the office). [Technology 7] The proposed information is notified to a second user who is located within a predetermined distance from the aforementioned delivery box. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can improve the reorder rate when a home-delivered meal is canceled, and effectively reduce food waste from home-delivered meals. [Technology 8] The proposed information is notified to a second user who belongs to the same community as the first user. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can improve the reorder rate when meal delivery orders are canceled, and can also support the development of communication among multiple users within a community. [Technology 9] If the cancelled order for the delivered meal is consistent with the meal preference information obtained from the second user, the second user is notified of the suggested information. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can improve the reorder rate when a home-delivered meal is canceled, and effectively reduce food waste from home-delivered meals. [Technology 10] If a request for transfer of the delivered meal is received from a second user before the cancellation of the order for the delivered meal is accepted from the first user, the first user will be notified of the information regarding the transfer request. The information processing method described in Technical 1. This information processing method can help first users confidently cancel their meal delivery orders and effectively reduce food waste from meal delivery services. [Technology 11] The order reception department accepts orders for home-delivered meals from the first user, An instruction unit that instructs the delivery person to deliver the meal to the delivery box based on the aforementioned order, When it detects that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box, the access rights granting unit grants the first user access rights to the delivery box, When the first user cancels the order for the delivered meal, the notification unit notifies the second user of suggestion information indicating that the delivered meal can be reordered, and which includes a deadline for reordering the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. Equipped with, When the access rights granting unit receives a reorder of the home-delivered meal from the second user, it grants the second user new access rights to the delivery box. Information processing device. According to this information processing device, a second user can purchase a meal delivery that has been canceled by the first user, within the reorder period based on the expiration date of the meal delivery. This allows for the reduction of food waste while maintaining the safety of the meal delivery. [Technology 12] We accept orders for home-delivered meals from our first user. Based on the aforementioned order, the delivery person is instructed to deliver the meal to the delivery box. When it is detected that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box, the first user is granted access to the delivery box. When the first user cancels their order for the delivered meal, the second user is notified of a proposal that indicates the possibility of reordering the delivered meal, and that includes a deadline for reordering the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. If a reorder of the home-delivered meal is received from the second user, the second user will be granted new access rights to the delivery box. A computer program that causes a computer to perform a task. According to this computer program, a meal delivery order canceled by the first user can be made available for purchase by a second user within the reorder period based on the meal delivery's expiration date, thereby reducing food waste while maintaining the safety of the meal delivery. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 10 Information processing system, 12 User terminal, 14 Delivery box, 16 Delivery person terminal, 18 Store terminal, 20 Management device, 50 Order reception department, 52 Delivery instruction department, 58 Access rights granting department, 60 Cancellation reception department, 62 Candidate selection department, 64 Proposal information transmission department, 66 Reorder reception department, 68 Billing department.

Claims

1. We accept orders for home-delivered meals from our first user. Based on the aforementioned order, the delivery person is instructed to deliver the meal to the delivery box. When it is detected that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box, the first user is granted access to the delivery box. When the first user cancels their order for the delivered meal, the second user is notified of a suggestion information that indicates the possibility of reordering the delivered meal, and that includes a deadline for reordering the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. When a reorder of the home-delivered meal is received from the second user, the second user is granted new access rights to the delivery box. A method of information processing performed by a computer.

2. The computer further performs the task of obtaining the expiration date of the delivered meal set by the provider of the delivered meal. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. The proposed information further includes information about the provider of the home-delivered meals, The information processing method according to claim 1.

4. The proposed information further includes information relating to the first user, The information processing method according to claim 1.

5. After granting the second user new access rights to the delivery box, if both the information of the first user and the information of the second user are entered into the delivery box, the computer further takes steps to prevent the second user from being charged for the delivered food. The information processing method according to claim 1.

6. The computer further performs the action of notifying the second user of information regarding the event in which the aforementioned home-delivered meal was ordered. The information processing method according to claim 1.

7. The proposed information is notified to a second user who is located within a predetermined distance from the aforementioned delivery box. The information processing method according to claim 1.

8. The proposed information is notified to a second user who belongs to the same community as the first user. The information processing method according to claim 1.

9. If the cancelled order for the delivered meal is consistent with the meal preference information obtained from the second user, the second user is notified of the suggested information. The information processing method according to claim 1.

10. If a request for transfer of the delivered meal is received from a second user before the cancellation of the order for the delivered meal is received from the first user, the information regarding the transfer request will be notified to the first user. The information processing method according to claim 1.

11. The order reception department accepts orders for home-delivered meals from the first user, A delivery instruction unit that instructs the delivery person to deliver the meal to the delivery box based on the aforementioned order, When it detects that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box, the access rights granting unit grants the first user access rights to the delivery box, When the first user cancels the order for the delivered meal, the notification unit notifies the second user of suggestion information indicating that the delivered meal can be reordered, and which includes a deadline for reordering the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. Equipped with, When the access rights granting unit receives a reorder of the home-delivered meal from the second user, it grants the second user new access rights to the delivery box. Information processing device.

12. We accept orders for home-delivered meals from our first user. Based on the aforementioned order, the delivery person is instructed to deliver the meal to the delivery box. When it is detected that the delivered meal has been delivered to the delivery box, the first user is granted access to the delivery box. When the first user cancels their order for the delivered meal, the second user is notified of a proposal that indicates the possibility of reordering the delivered meal, and that includes a deadline for reordering the delivered meal determined based on the expiration date of the delivered meal. When a reorder of the home-delivered meal is received from the second user, the second user is granted new access rights to the delivery box. A computer program that causes a computer to perform a task.

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