Sales system using mobile robots and its operation method

Abstract

This system provides a sales system using mobile robots that allows consumers and sellers to easily purchase and sell goods. [Solution] The solution includes a supplier, a supplier terminal included in the supplier that authorizes the delivery of purchased goods, a server that registers the location information of the supplier terminal and the supplier's products for sale, identifies products available for sale, transfers product purchase information and consumer location information to the supplier terminal, and requests a mobile robot to move to the sales area and supplier, and a mobile robot that receives a request to move to the sales area from the server, moves to the sales area based on the received request to move to the sales area, transfers product information and consumer location information to the server, retrieves a consumer location tracking marker, loads the goods purchased by the consumer from the supplier, and then tracks the consumer's location based on the signal information of the consumer location tracking marker and moves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sales system using a mobile robot and an operating method thereof, and more specifically, to a technology that enables a movable unmanned sales robot to present products suppliable from an adjacent supply source to a consumer, receive the product from the adjacent supply source and retrieve it for the consumer when the consumer makes a purchase, so that consumers and sellers can easily purchase and sell products.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of autonomous driving and robot technologies, self-movable mobile robots are widely known, and in particular, active research is being conducted on using serving robots to serve food and beverages at sales venues such as restaurants. In addition, active research is being carried out on delivery robots that directly deliver products to consumers when consumers located far from sales venues such as restaurants purchase products stored at the sales venues. However, in order for consumers to purchase products stored at a sales venue from outside the sales venue, not only a robot that delivers the products of the sales venue to the consumer is required, but also the consumer is required to carry a separate terminal, which has the problem of limited efficiency. Accordingly, there is a demand for a technical idea that allows consumers and sellers to easily purchase and sell products in a sales system using a mobile robot.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a sales system using a mobile robot that enables consumers and sellers to easily purchase and sell goods by presenting consumers with goods available from nearby suppliers, receiving goods from nearby suppliers when the consumer makes a purchase, and communicating this to the consumer.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot that enables consumers and sellers to easily purchase and sell goods by presenting consumers with goods available from nearby suppliers, receiving the goods from nearby suppliers when the consumer makes a purchase, and communicating this to the consumer.

[0006] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A sales system using a mobile robot according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a supplier that sells at least one product; a supplier terminal included in the supplier that authorizes the delivery of products purchased by a consumer; a server that registers the location information of the supplier terminal and the products sold by the supplier, identifies products available for sale among the products included in the supplier, transfers product purchase information and the consumer's location information to the supplier terminal, and requests the mobile robot to move to the sales area and the supplier; and a mobile robot that receives a request to move to the sales area from the server, moves to the sales area based on the received request to move to the sales area, transfers information on the consumer's purchased product and the consumer's location information to the server, retrieves a consumer location tracking marker, loads the consumer's purchased product from the supplier, and then tracks the consumer's location based on the signal information of the consumer location tracking marker, and moves, wherein the mobile robot can deliver the consumer's purchased product.

[0008] In one embodiment, the mobile robot includes a display that can present a portion of the available products identified via the display based on at least one of the sales area information and the consumer information.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mobile robot further includes a server communication unit that sends and receives signals with the server, and in response to the consumer paying for goods via the display, the server communication unit can transfer a product purchase approval request signal to the server.

[0010] In one embodiment, the server can respond to receiving the product purchase approval request signal from the server communication unit by transferring a sales approval request signal to the supplier terminal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mobile robot includes a consumer sensing unit, and the mobile robot can move to a consumer crowd area within the sales area via the consumer sensing unit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area based on the sales validity period, which is set by the server, and the mobile robot can respond to requests received from the server and maintain sales in the sales area during the sales validity period.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area based on a sales waiting time, the sales waiting time is set by the server, and after moving to the consumer crowd area, the mobile robot can wait in the consumer crowd area during the sales waiting time.

[0014] In one embodiment, the supplier terminal includes a product shipment approval unit, and the supplier terminal can approve the shipment of the product purchased by the consumer via the product shipment approval unit.

[0015] In one embodiment, the mobile robot includes a tracking marker storage unit, and after the mobile robot retrieves the tracking marker from the consumer via the tracking marker storage unit, it can then deliver the goods purchased by the consumer.

[0016] In one embodiment, the server includes a sales product database and can store location information of the supplier terminal and product information stored at the supplier.

[0017] The operation method of a sales system using a mobile robot according to another embodiment of the present invention may include: registering the location information of a supplier terminal and the products sold by the supplier via a server; transferring a signal to the mobile robot requesting it to move to a sales area via the server; the mobile robot moving to the sales area; the server identifying products available for sale from among the products included in the supplier; the mobile robot presenting the products available for sale and the estimated time for receiving them; the mobile robot transferring the consumer's product purchase information and the consumer's location information via the mobile robot; the server transferring the product purchase information and the location information to the supplier terminal; the mobile robot retrieving a consumer location tracking marker; the server requesting the mobile robot to move to a supplier including the supplier terminal; the supplier terminal approving the removal of the products purchased by the consumer; the mobile robot loading the products purchased by the consumer; the mobile robot tracking the consumer's location based on the signal information of the retrieved consumer location tracking marker; and the mobile robot removing the products purchased by the consumer.

[0018] In one embodiment, the mobile robot may further include a display, and the mobile robot may present, via the display, a portion of the available products identified based on at least one of the sales area information and the consumer information.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mobile robot may further include a server communication unit configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the server, and in response to a consumer paying for a product via the display, the server communication unit may further transfer a product purchase approval request signal to the server.

[0020] In one embodiment, in response to receiving the product purchase approval request signal from the server communication unit, the server may further transfer a sales approval request signal to a supplier terminal.

[0021] In one embodiment, the mobile robot includes a consumer sensing unit, and may further move to a consumer crowded area within a sales area via the consumer sensing unit.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowded area based on valid sales time, and may further set the valid sales time via the server, and the mobile robot can maintain sales in the sales area during the valid sales time in response to a request received from the server.

[0023] In one embodiment, the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowded area based on sales waiting time, and may further set the sales waiting time via the server, and after moving to the consumer crowded area, the mobile robot can wait in the consumer crowded area for the sales waiting time.

[0024] In one embodiment, the supplier terminal includes a product delivery approval unit, and the supplier terminal may further approve the delivery of the product purchased by the consumer via the product delivery approval unit.

[0025] In one embodiment, the mobile robot may include a tracking marker storage unit, and may further include, after the mobile robot collects the tracking marker from the consumer via the tracking marker storage unit, carrying out the product purchased by the consumer.

[0026] In one embodiment, the server may include a product for sale database, and may further include storing location information of the supplier terminal and product information stored at the supply source. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0027] The present technology has the effect of reducing the energy consumption of the mobile robot and extending the operating time, since no products are loaded in the internal storage box of the mobile robot.

[0028] In addition, the present technology has the effect of enhancing the product purchase induction effect, as the mobile robot directly visits consumers to sell products.

[0029] Furthermore, the present technology can be applied during the idle time of serving robots, and has the effect of increasing the revenue of sellers.

[0030] In addition, the present technology does not require a separate user terminal system for product ordering, and has the effect of increasing the ease of product purchase for consumers.

[0031] In addition, various effects that can be directly or indirectly grasped through this document can be provided. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a mobile robot of a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This figure shows a server for a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a supplier terminal for a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating how a sales system using a mobile robot, based on one embodiment of the present invention, operates. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart to specifically explain the S500 step in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This figure specifically illustrates how the mobile robot moves to a consumer crowd area according to step S500 in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This figure specifically illustrates how the mobile robot moves to a consumer crowd area according to step S500 in Figure 6. [Figure 9] This figure specifically illustrates how the mobile robot moves to a consumer crowd area according to step S500 in Figure 6. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart to specifically explain the S700 step in Figure 5. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart to specifically explain the S700 step in Figure 5. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart to specifically explain the S700 step in Figure 5. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates in detail how the server identifies products that can be sold according to step S700 in Figure 5. [Figure 14] This diagram illustrates a database that calculates the one-way travel time and distance from each supplier, product preparation time, estimated product receipt time, and mobile robot battery consumption for each product. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates a database that updates the list of available products based on the current battery information of a mobile robot. [Figure 16]This diagram illustrates a database that updates the list of available products based on the current battery information of a mobile robot. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to illustrative drawings. It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, the same component will, as far as possible, have the same reference numeral even if shown in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if a specific description of a related known configuration or function is deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0034] In describing the components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as First, Second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. Such terms are used to distinguish a component from other components, and the terms do not limit the essence, procedure, or order of the component. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Figures 1 to 16.

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to Figure 1, the mobile robot sales system 1000 may be a system for selling at least one product stored at a supplier 400 to a consumer using a mobile, unmanned sales robot. The mobile robot sales system 1000 may include a mobile robot 100, a server 200, a supplier terminal 300, and a supplier 400.

[0038] A sales system 1000 using a mobile robot may include at least one supplier 400. When there are multiple suppliers 400 included in the sales system 1000 using a mobile robot, each supplier 400 may include a supplier terminal 300. Each supplier 400 can store at least one product to be sold to consumers.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a mobile robot in a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The mobile robot 100 may be a means of selling at least one product stored in the supplier 400 to a consumer, settling the payment for the product selected by the consumer, and providing the consumer with the product purchased from the supplier 400.

[0041] The mobile robot 100 may include an autonomous driving unit 101, a display 102, a consumer sensing unit 103, a payment unit 104, a server communication unit 105, a movable distance calculation unit 106, a location transmission unit 107, a product storage unit 108, a tracking marker storage unit 109, a product retrieval unit 110, and a speech unit 111.

[0042] The autonomous driving unit 101 can be positioned at the lower end of the mobile robot 100. The autonomous driving unit 101 can be provided to enable the mobile robot 100 to move freely between the supplier 400 and the consumer, and to move safely while carrying goods, by autonomously avoiding obstacles.

[0043] The display 102 may include a display panel for displaying data received from the server communication unit 105. The display 102 may also be a means of informing consumers about at least one product stored in the supplier 400 and presenting consumers with products that are available for sale, based on the data received from the server communication unit 105. Consumers can also select products and make payments based on the data displayed on the display 102.

[0044] The consumer sensing unit 103 can sense the location of a crowd of consumers based on data received from the server communication unit 105, and can sense the characteristics of consumers within a radius. In addition, the consumer sensing unit 103 can sense the location of consumers who have purchased goods when the goods ordered by consumers are loaded and transported from the supplier 400.

[0045] The payment unit 104 can be linked with the display 102, and can provide a means for consumers to make a payment after selecting a product based on the data presented on the display 102.

[0046] The server communication unit 105 can communicate with the server 200. The server communication unit 105 can receive data from the server 200 for the operation of the mobile robot 100 and can transfer data from the mobile robot 100 to the server 200. For example, the server communication unit 105 can receive data from the server 200 regarding products presented by the mobile robot 100 via the display 102, product purchase approval information, or data regarding the destination to which the mobile robot 100 is traveling. The server communication unit 105 can also transfer data to the server regarding the distance that the mobile robot 100 can travel.

[0047] The movable distance calculation unit 106 can calculate data relating to the distance that the mobile robot 100 can move based on a specific point in time.

[0048] The location transmission unit 107 can transfer data regarding the current location of the mobile robot 100 to the server 200.

[0049] The product storage unit 108 may be configured so that, after the consumer has ordered and paid for the products via the payment unit 104, the mobile robot 100 moves to the supplier 400 where the products ordered by the consumer are stored, receives the products ordered by the consumer, and stores them.

[0050] The product retrieval unit 110 can be linked with the product storage unit 108, and the mobile robot 100 may be configured to move to the consumer's location after receiving the product ordered by the consumer from the supplier 400 and retrieve the product for the consumer. Once the mobile robot 100 has received the product ordered by the consumer from the supplier 400 and moved to the consumer's location, the product storage unit 108 can move the product to the product retrieval unit 110.

[0051] The tracking marker storage unit 109 can store markers (hereinafter referred to as tracking markers) for tracking the location of consumers. The tracking markers can be sensed by the consumer sensing unit 103. The tracking marker storage unit 109 may be configured to store tracking markers that can sense the location of the consumer who ordered the goods when the mobile robot 100 returns after receiving the goods from the supplier 400, to communicate this to the consumer, and to collect the tracking markers after completing the delivery of the goods to the consumer.

[0052] The speaking unit 111 can be implemented in speaker form. The speaking unit 111 may be configured to publicize products stored in the supplier 400 based on information received from the server 200 via the server communication unit 105. The speaking unit 111 can also play a role in providing consumer guidance when a consumer purchases a product via the payment unit 104 and the display 102.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a server for a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The server 200 manages a list of at least one product stored in the supplier 400, identifies products available for sale to consumers from among the products stored in the supplier 400, responds to requests received from the server communication unit 105 of the mobile robot 100, requests sales approval from the supplier terminal 300, approves the consumer's payment request from the payment unit 104 of the mobile robot 100, and sets the destination of the mobile robot 100 based on data received from at least one of the mobile robot 100 and the supplier terminal 300.

[0055] The server 200 may include a supplier terminal communication unit 201, a sales product registration unit 202, a sales product database 203, a mobile robot communication unit 204, a sales product identification unit 205, a sales approval request unit 206, a robot destination setting unit 207, and a payment approval unit 208.

[0056] The supplier terminal communication unit 201 may be configured for the server 200 to communicate with the supplier terminal 300. The supplier terminal communication unit 201 can forward the purchase approval request received by the server 200 from the mobile robot 100 to the supplier terminal 300. The supplier terminal communication unit 201 can also receive data from the supplier terminal 300 for registering products to be sold (hereinafter referred to as "products for sale") among the products stored at the supplier 400, and data for modifying products for sale. Furthermore, after forwarding the purchase approval request to the supplier terminal 300, the supplier terminal communication unit 201 can respond and receive purchase approval request result data.

[0057] The sales product registration unit 202 is configured to register and modify sales products from the supplier terminal 300. It receives data related to sales products and modifications to sales products, as well as data related to the location of the supplier terminal 300. Based on this, the server 200 can determine the location data of the supplier 400 that includes the supplier terminal 300.

[0058] The sales product database 203 can store data regarding the location of the supplier terminal 300 and data regarding the products stored at the supplier 400 in database (DB) format. Here, the sales product database 203 can store pairs of data regarding the location of the supplier terminal 300 and the products stored at the supplier 400 that include the supplier terminal 300.

[0059] The mobile robot communication unit 204 is configured for communication between the mobile robot 100 and the server 200, and can transfer data to or receive data from the mobile robot 100.

[0060] For example, the mobile robot communication unit 204 can transfer information about products presented by the mobile robot 100 via the display 102 to the mobile robot 100. The mobile robot communication unit 204 can also transfer information about the destination to which the mobile robot 100 is traveling to the mobile robot 100. The mobile robot communication unit 204 can receive data from the mobile robot 100 regarding the mobile robot 100's position at a specific point in time, data regarding the distance the mobile robot 100 can travel, and can receive consumer requests to purchase products from the mobile robot 100. When the mobile robot communication unit 204 receives product sales approval from the supplier terminal 300 via the supplier terminal communication unit 201, it can transfer data regarding the sales approval result to the mobile robot 100.

[0061] The sales product identification unit 205 can generate a list of products that the mobile robot 100 can sell and data regarding the estimated delivery time for each product, based on at least one of the current location information of the mobile robot 100, the location information of the supplier terminal 300, and the distance the mobile robot 100 can travel, and transfer this data to the mobile robot 100.

[0062] When the sales approval request unit 206 receives data regarding a consumer's purchase request from the mobile robot 100, it can transfer data regarding the sales approval request to the supplier terminal 300, and the supplier terminal 300 can transfer result data regarding the sales approval request to the mobile robot 100.

[0063] The robot destination setting unit 207 can play the role of setting the destination of the mobile robot 100. After generating data related to the destination of the mobile robot 100, the robot destination setting unit 207 can provide it to the server communication unit 105 of the mobile robot 100. When the mobile robot 100 is in a sales standby state, the robot destination setting unit 207 can set the destination of the mobile robot 100 according to the sales route. When the mobile robot 100 has been approved for sale, the robot destination setting unit 207 can configure the mobile robot 100 to move to the supplier 400 where the goods ordered by the consumer are stored. Furthermore, after the mobile robot 100 receives the goods from the supplier 400, the robot destination setting unit 207 can set the destination of the mobile robot 100 so that it returns to the location of the consumer who ordered the goods.

[0064] The payment approval unit 208 can issue a provisional payment approval to the payment request when it processes payment for goods ordered by a consumer via the payment unit 104 of the mobile robot 100. Subsequently, once the consumer has finished retrieving the goods from the mobile robot 100, the final payment can be completed.

[0065] Figure 4 shows a supplier terminal for a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] A supplier terminal 300 can be included in a supplier 400. Referring to Figure 1, the sales system 1000 using the mobile robot in Figure 1 is shown to include one supplier terminal 300 in each supplier 400, but the embodiments are not limited to this. For example, in some embodiments, a supplier 400 can include multiple supplier terminals 300. However, in the following embodiments, we will explain using the case where a supplier 400 terminal includes one supplier terminal 300 as an example.

[0067] The supplier terminal 300 can register products stored at the supplier 400 that will be sold via the mobile robot 100, approve sales approval requests from the mobile robot 100 received from the server 200, and approve the delivery of products that consumers have paid for via the mobile robot 100.

[0068] The supplier terminal 300 may include a server communication unit 301, a sales product registration unit 302, a sales approval unit 303, and a product shipment approval unit 304.

[0069] The server communication unit 301 may be configured for communication between the supplier terminal 300 and the server 200. The server communication unit 301 can communicate with the server 200 to send and receive data necessary for sales using the mobile robot 100.

[0070] The sales product registration unit 302 can generate data on registered products that are available for sale and data on the results of modifying products that are available for sale. The sales product registration unit 302 can transfer the data to the server 200 via the server communication unit 301.

[0071] The sales approval unit 303 can respond to receiving data regarding a sales request from the server 200 and transfer data regarding the sales approval result to the server 200 via the server communication unit 301.

[0072] The product dispatch approval unit 304 may be configured to load products ordered by consumers via the mobile robot 100 from the supplier 400 to the mobile robot 100 when the mobile robot 100 arrives at the supplier 400. The product dispatch approval unit 304 can also transfer data related to the product dispatch approval result to the server 200 via the server communication unit 301.

[0073] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The operation method of a sales system using a mobile robot according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0075] First, the server communication unit 301 of the supplier terminal 300 can transfer sales product registration request data to the server 200 (S100). The supplier terminal communication unit 201 of the server 200 can receive the sales product registration request data transferred by the supplier terminal 300. The sales product registration unit 202 of the server 200 can receive the sales product registration request data from the supplier terminal communication unit 201. Here, the sales product registration unit 202 can receive data regarding the sales product and modifications to the sales product, and can also receive data regarding the location of the supplier terminal 300 from the supplier terminal 300. Based on the received data, the sales product registration unit 202 can register the supplier terminal's location information and the sales product received from the supplier terminal 300 to the server 200 (S200).

[0076] Next, the server 200 can transfer data to the mobile robot 100 requesting it to move to the sales area (S300). Specifically, the robot destination setting unit 207 of the server 200 can set the destination for the mobile robot 100 based on the sales route where the mobile robot 100 is in a sales standby state, and the mobile robot communication unit 204 can transfer data regarding the destination for the mobile robot 100 set by the robot destination setting unit 207 to the mobile robot 100.

[0077] The mobile robot 100 can move to the sales area based on the request data and destination data received by the server communication unit 105 from the mobile robot communication unit 204 in step S300 (S400). Subsequently, the mobile robot 100 can move to an area within the sales area where consumers are gathered (hereinafter referred to as the consumer crowd area) based on the data received by the consumer sensing unit 103 from the server communication unit 105 (S500). The specific method by which the mobile robot 100 moves from the sales area to the consumer crowd area will be described later with reference to Figures 6 to 9.

[0078] Next, the server communication unit 105 of the mobile robot 100 can transfer data to the server 200 requesting it to identify products that can be sold (S600). Here, the server communication unit 105 can also transfer to the server 200 the mobile robot 100's mobile distance calculated by the mobile distance calculation unit 106 based on that point in time. In addition, the position transmission unit 107 can transfer the mobile robot 100's position at that point in time to the server 200.

[0079] The product identification unit 205 of the server 200 responds to the product identification request data received from the mobile robot 100 and identifies products that can be sold based on at least one of the following: the location information of the supplier terminal 300, the distance that the mobile robot 100 can move, and data relating to the location of the mobile robot 100. It can then transfer the relevant data to the mobile robot 100 (S700). The data that the server 200 transfers to the mobile robot 100 may include a list of products that the mobile robot 100 can sell and data relating to the estimated delivery time for each product. A specific method for identifying products that can be sold by the server 200 will be described later with reference to Figures 10 to 13.

[0080] Based on data about specific products available for sale received from the server 200, the mobile robot 100 can identify which products to advertise among those specific products, based on the location where the mobile robot 100 is currently located and the characteristics of consumers near the mobile robot 100. The mobile robot 100 can also advertise specific products via the display 102 and the speech unit 111 (S800).

[0081] Next, the mobile robot 100 can present available products via the display 102 and the speech unit 111 based on data regarding available products received from the server 200 by the server communication unit 105 (S900). Here, the mobile robot 100 can inform consumers of the time they can receive the products before purchase by presenting a list of available products via the display 102 along with information on the expected delivery time for each product. In some embodiments, the list of available products can be sorted and / or filtered according to the characteristics of the products and presented to the consumer. For example, the product list can be sorted and presented to the consumer by product delivery time, price, product category, alphabetical order, recommendation order, or supplier 400 order. Alternatively, the list of available products can be presented to the consumer by filtering by product delivery time, price, product category, or supplier 400.

[0082] After the mobile robot 100 presents the available products via its display 102 and speech unit 111, the consumer can purchase at least one of the specified available products via the display 102 and payment unit 104 (S1000). Once the consumer has purchased the products, the mobile robot 100's server communication unit 105 can transfer product purchase request data to the server 200 (S1100). Here, the product purchase request data transferred by the server communication unit 105 may include information about the products purchased by the consumer, as well as information about the location where the consumer purchased the products. In response to receiving the product purchase request data from the server communication unit 105, the server 200 can grant provisional payment approval and then transfer sales approval request data to the supplier terminal 300 via the sales approval request unit 206 (S1200).

[0083] Next, the supplier terminal 300 responds to receiving data regarding the sales approval request from the sales approval request unit 206, approves the sale via the sales approval unit 303, and can transfer data regarding the sales approval result to the server 200 (S1300). The mobile robot communication unit 204 of the server 200 responds to receiving data regarding the sales approval result from the supplier terminal 300, and can transfer the purchase approval result to the mobile robot 100 (S1400). Subsequently, the server communication unit 105 of the mobile robot 100 receives data regarding the purchase approval result from the server 200, responds to this, and can present the purchase approval result to the consumer via the display 102 (S1500).

[0084] Next, the mobile robot 100 can retrieve the tracking marker via the tracking marker storage unit 109 (S1600). In some embodiments, when retrieving the tracking marker, the recognition distance of the mobile robot 100 can be communicated to the consumer in advance via the display 102 and the speech unit 111 to guide the consumer so as not to stray more than a predetermined distance from the purchase location.

[0085] Next, the consumer can receive a tracking marker via the tracking marker storage unit 109 (S1700). After that, when the mobile robot 100 is ready to receive the goods, it can send data via the server communication unit 105 to the server 200 informing it that it is ready to receive the goods (S1800). When the server 200 receives the data via the mobile robot communication unit 204 that the mobile robot 100 is ready to receive the goods, it can respond by sending data to the mobile robot 100 requesting it to move to the supplier 400 (S1900). Here, the robot destination setting unit 207 of the server 200 can be configured so that the mobile robot 100 can move to the supplier 400 where the goods ordered by the consumer are stored, and the mobile robot communication unit 204 of the server 200 can send data to the mobile robot 100 requesting it to move to the supplier 400 based on the data set by the robot destination setting unit 207.

[0086] The mobile robot 100 can move to the supplier 400 based on data about the supplier 400 received from the server 200 (S2000). The mobile robot 100 can then load the goods purchased by the consumer into the product storage unit 108 (S2100). Once the mobile robot 100 has loaded the goods from the supplier 400, the product loading approval unit 304 of the supplier terminal 300 can approve the loading of the goods purchased by the consumer (S2200). Thus, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile robot 100 moves to the supplier 400 and loads the goods only when a consumer has purchased goods, and since goods are not normally loaded into the internal storage box of the mobile robot, the energy consumption of the mobile robot can be reduced and the operating time can be increased.

[0087] Once product delivery approval is complete, the server 200 can transfer data to the mobile robot 100 requesting it to return to the location where the consumer purchased the product (S2300). Here, the robot destination setting unit 207 of the server 200 can set the destination of the mobile robot 100 so that after the mobile robot 100 receives the goods from the supplier 400, it returns to the location of the consumer who ordered the product.

[0088] The mobile robot 100 responds to receiving data regarding a destination set by the robot destination setting unit 207 along with a return request data from the server 200 and can move to the consumer's purchase location (S2400). After moving to the consumer's purchase location based on the destination data set by the robot destination setting unit 207, the mobile robot 100 can move while tracking the specific location of the consumer who has a tracking marker by sensing the signal data of the tracking marker via the consumer sensing unit 103 (S2500). As a result, even if the consumer moves after purchasing the goods, the mobile robot 100 can sense the consumer's location and communicate the purchased goods.

[0089] In some embodiments, the tracking marker can be an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) marker based on ultra-high frequency (UHF). For example, after receiving goods from the supplier 400, the mobile robot 100 can return to the consumer's purchase location and track the consumer's location based on the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the RFID marker, as well as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and camera vision sensor fusion values. Here, the mobile robot 100 can move to an area where the RFID marker signal strength (RSSI) is high and sense the consumer's location.

[0090] Thus, when the mobile robot 100 finds a consumer with a tracking marker, the consumer can check the product stored in the product storage unit 108 outside the mobile robot 100 (S2600). If the product checked via the product storage unit 108 is the product the consumer purchased, the consumer can return the tracking marker to the tracking marker storage unit 109 (S2700). At this point, the tracking marker storage unit 109 of the mobile robot 100 can retrieve the tracking marker (S2800), and once the retrieval of the tracking marker is confirmed, the mobile robot 100 can move the product from the product storage unit 108 to the product retrieval unit 110. This allows the product purchased by the consumer to be retrieved outside the mobile robot 100 (S2900), and the consumer can receive the product (S3000). In this way, by allowing consumers to first verify the purchased product via the product storage unit 108 before retrieving the product, and then return the tracking marker to the mobile robot 100 before retrieving the product, it is possible to prevent misdelivery of products, loss of tracking markers, and theft of products.

[0091] Here, the server communication unit 105 of the mobile robot 100 can transfer data to the mobile robot communication unit 204 of the server 200 indicating that the product has been taken out by the consumer. In response, the payment approval unit 208 of the server 200 can approve the existing provisional payment as the final payment step (S3100). Then, the supplier terminal 300 can receive the payment amount based on the payment approval data received from the server 200 (S3200).

[0092] Thus, once the sale of goods using the mobile robot 100 is completed, the mobile robot communication unit 204 of the server 200 can, based on the status information of the mobile robot 100 received via the mobile robot 100's mobile distance calculation unit 106 and position transmission unit 107, transfer data to the mobile robot 100 requesting it to move to the sales area (S300), or transfer a signal to the mobile robot 100 requesting it to charge (S3300). The mobile robot 100 can respond to the charge request signal from the server 200 and charge its battery (S3400).

[0093] Figure 6 is a flowchart to specifically explain step S500 in Figure 5. Figures 7 to 9 are diagrams to specifically explain how the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area according to step S500 in Figure 6.

[0094] The following will specifically describe how the mobile robot 100 moves into a consumer crowd area, with reference to Figures 6 to 9.

[0095] First, the mobile robot 100 can move to a sales area based on the request data and destination data received from the server 200 (S400). Here, the sales area to which the mobile robot 100 moves can include at least one candidate consumer cluster area. For example, referring to Figure 7, sales area 1 can include nine candidate consumer cluster areas, and each candidate consumer cluster area can be divided into a grid. Thus, sales area 1 can include nine grids G1 to G9. For example, the first candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G1, the second candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G2, the third candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G3, the fourth candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G4, the fifth candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G5, the sixth candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G6, the seventh candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G7, the eighth candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G8, and the ninth candidate consumer cluster area can correspond to grid G9.

[0096] After moving to sales area 1, the mobile robot 100 can obtain from the server 200 the value of the total size of the candidate consumer crowd area that can be moved from sales area 1 (S501). For example, the value of the total size of the candidate consumer crowd area that can be moved from sales area 1 in Figure 7 may be the length in the first direction X of sales area 1 (Area Width) and the length in the second direction Y of sales area 1 (Area Height).

[0097] Next, the mobile robot 100 can obtain a value for the size of the grid overlap area from the server 200 (S502). For example, referring to Figure 7, in some embodiments, the sales area 1 may further include a grid (G(n)). Here, the grid (G(n)) may overlap with other grids included in the sales area 1 (e.g., grid G1). Here, the mobile robot 100 can receive data from the server regarding the length in the first direction X (Overwrap Width) and the length in the second direction Y (Overwrap Height) of the area where grid (G(n)) overlaps with grid G1. In this manner, the mobile robot 100 can receive a value for the size of the area where grid (G(n)) overlaps with other grids (grids G2 to G9) from the server 200.

[0098] Next, the mobile robot 100 can obtain data from the server 200 regarding the effective sales time and sales waiting time for a sales area (S504, S505). Here, the effective sales time may mean the time after the mobile robot 100 moves to the sales area in response to a request from the server 200 and maintains sales in that sales area. The sales waiting time may mean the time after the mobile robot 100 moves to a consumer crowd area within the sales area and waits until it is sold in that consumer crowd area.

[0099] For example, referring to Figure 7, if sales area 1 contains multiple candidate consumer cluster areas corresponding to grids G1 to G9, each of these candidate consumer cluster areas can have different sales waiting times. Here, the sales validity period for the sales area and the sales waiting times for each candidate consumer cluster area within the sales area can be set by server 200.

[0100] Next, the mobile robot 100 can measure parameters for each grid corresponding to each candidate consumer group area within the sales area, and then calculate a gain value for each grid based on the measured parameter values.

[0101] Specifically, the mobile robot 100 can measure the consumer number Consumer(i, j) for each grid, Visited(i, j) whether the mobile robot 100 visited each grid within the sales validity period, Sold(i, j) whether the mobile robot 100 successfully made a sale within the sales validity period for each grid, and Dist(i, j) the distance traveled from the current position of the mobile robot 100 for each grid (S506~S509).

[0102] For example, referring to Figure 8, the mobile robot 100 can measure the consumer number Consumer(i, j), whether the mobile robot 100 visited the grid G1 to G9 included in the sales area Visited(i, j), whether the mobile robot 100 made a sale within the sales period Sold(i, j), and the distance traveled from the current location of the mobile robot 100 to each grid Dist(i, j). Here, the coordinates of grid G1 can be displayed as Grid(0,0), the coordinates of grid G2 can be displayed as Grid(1,0), the coordinates of grid G3 can be displayed as Grid(2,0), the coordinates of grid G4 can be displayed as Grid(0,1), the coordinates of grid G5 can be displayed as Grid(1,1), the coordinates of grid G6 can be displayed as Grid(2,1), the coordinates of grid G7 can be displayed as Grid(0,2), the coordinates of grid G8 can be displayed as Grid(1,2), and the coordinates of grid G9 can be displayed as Grid(2,2).

[0103] In some embodiments, the consumer digit Consumer(i, j) is a parameter that indicates the number of consumers within the grid, and can have a value between 0 and N (where N is a natural number). For example, there may be two consumers within grid G1.

[0104] Visited(i, j) is a parameter that indicates whether the mobile robot 100 visited the grid within the sales validity period. It can have a value of 1 if the mobile robot 100 visited the grid within the sales validity period, and 0 if it did not. For example, the mobile robot 100 does not need to visit grid G1 within the sales validity period, but it may visit grid G9 within the sales validity period.

[0105] Sold(i, j) is a parameter that indicates whether the mobile robot 100 successfully made a sale within the sales validity period for each grid. It can have a value of 1 if the sale was successful and 0 if the sale was unsuccessful. For example, the mobile robot 100 may fail to make a sale in all grids in sales region 1 within the sales validity period.

[0106] The current travel distance Dist(i, j) from the mobile robot 100's current position may be a parameter that indicates the distance from the mobile robot 100's current position within the sales area to each grid in the sales area. For example, referring to Figure 8, the mobile robot 100 can currently be located at grid G9.

[0107] Furthermore, referring to Figure 6, the mobile robot can calculate the gain value for each grid based on the parameter values ​​measured in steps S506 to S509 (S510). The mobile robot 100 can calculate the gain value Gain(i, j) for each grid based on the following mathematical formula 1.

[0108] Gain(i, j)=weight Consumer*Consumer(i, j)-weight Dist*Dist(i, j)+Visited(i, j)*(weight Sold*Sold(i, j)-weight Unsold*(1-Sold(i, j))

[0109] Here, `weight Consumer` is the gain variable based on consumer figures, `weight Dist` is the gain variable based on distance traveled, `weight Sold` is the gain variable based on successful sales, and `weight Unsold` is the gain variable based on unsuccessful sales.

[0110] According to the aforementioned mathematical formula 1, the larger the consumer number value on the grid and the shorter the travel distance of the mobile robot 100, the larger the gain value on the grid can be. Furthermore, if the mobile robot 100 visits within the effective sales time and makes a successful sale, it can have a success gain, and if the mobile robot 100 visits within the effective sales time but fails to make a sale, it can have a failure loss.

[0111] For example, referring to Figure 9, the mobile robot 100 can calculate a gain value for each grid G1 to G9 included in sales area 1 based on the parameter values ​​measured in Figure 8 and mathematical formula 1. Figure 9 shows the calculated gain value based on the measured parameter values ​​for each grid in Figure 8, when all gain variables in mathematical formula 1 (weight Consumer, weight Dist, weight Sold, weight Sold is a gain variable due to successful sales, weight Unsold) are set to 1.

[0112] Referring to Figure 6, the mobile robot 100 can move to the grid with the maximum gain value based on the gain value for each grid calculated in step S510 (S511). For example, referring to Figure 9, since grid G5 has the largest gain value in sales area 1, the mobile robot 100 can move from grid G9 to grid G5. In this manner, the mobile robot 100 can move to the consumer crowd area with the largest gain value among multiple candidate consumer crowd areas within the sales area.

[0113] Next, the mobile robot 100 can perform the steps of requesting the identification of products available for sale (S600), identifying products available for sale (S700), publicizing the products available for sale (S800), and presenting the products available for sale (S900) (S512).

[0114] Next, after moving to a consumer crowd area, the mobile robot 100 can determine whether a sale was made within the sales waiting time (S513). If a sale is made within the sales waiting time (S513-Y), the mobile robot 100 can terminate the step of moving to a consumer crowd area within the sales area (S500) (S514). However, if no sale is made within the sales waiting time (S513-N), the mobile robot 100 can determine whether the sales validity period for that sales area has expired (S515). If the mobile robot 100 determines that the sales validity period for the current sales area has expired (S515-Y), the mobile robot 100 can respond to the server with a sales failure status and then wait for a response from the server 200 (S516). However, if the sales validity period for that sales area has not expired (S515-N), the mobile robot 100 can repeat the steps from S506 onwards.

[0115] Thus, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile robot 100 can enhance the effect of encouraging product purchases by directly visiting consumers and selling products.

[0116] Figures 10 to 12 are flowcharts to specifically explain the S700 step in Figure 5. Figure 13 is a diagram to specifically explain how the server identifies the products available for sale according to the S700 step in Figure 5.

[0117] The following will explain in detail how server 200 identifies products that can be sold, referring to Figures 10 to 13.

[0118] First, after the mobile robot 100 moves to a consumer crowd area (S500), it can transfer its current location and current travel distance to the server 200 along with data requesting the identification of products available for sale (S600, S701). Next, the server 200 can extract a list of supplier terminals 300 that can supply goods within a preset radius distance based on the mobile robot 100's current location (S702). Then, the server 200 can extract a secondary list of supplier terminals 300 that are within the mobile robot 100's current travel distance from the list of supplier terminals 300 extracted in the first step (S703).

[0119] For example, referring to Figure 13, the server 200 can first extract a list of supplier terminals 300 located within area A, which is within a predetermined radius distance relative to the current position of the mobile robot 100. Secondly, the server 200 can extract a list of supplier terminals 300 located within area A that are currently within a distance that the mobile robot 100 can travel to. For example, referring to Figure 13, some of the supplier terminals 300 located within area A that are also located within area B may be located within a distance that the mobile robot 100 can currently travel to.

[0120] Next, the server 200 can calculate the one-way travel time from the mobile robot 100's current location to the supplier 400 containing the supplier terminal 300 for each of the secondarily extracted supplier terminals 300 (S704). Subsequently, the server 200 extracts a list of currently available products from the sales product database 203 among the products that can be sold and registered in the secondarily extracted supplier terminals 300, and can check the product preparation time for each product item from the extracted list of currently available products (S705).

[0121] Next, the server 200 can calculate the estimated product receipt time for each product item (S706). For example, referring to Figure 12, if the product preparation time for each product is greater than the one-way travel time from the supplier for each product (S706-1-Y), the server 200 can calculate the estimated product receipt time for each product by adding the one-way travel time from the supplier for each product and the product preparation time for each product (S706-2). Conversely, if the product preparation time for each product is not greater than the one-way travel time from the supplier for each product (S706-1-N), the server 200 can calculate the estimated product receipt time for each product by using twice the one-way travel time from the supplier for each product (S706-3).

[0122] Furthermore, referring to Figure 10, the server 200 can calculate the estimated time for receiving each product (S706), and then calculate the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product (S707). Here, the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product can be calculated by adding the battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 based on the estimated time for receiving each product and the battery consumption based on the distance traveled by the mobile robot 100 to the supply source for each product.

[0123] Next, the server 200 can transfer to the mobile robot 100 the calculated data showing the estimated receipt time for each product in the list of products currently available for sale at each of the second-extracted supplier terminals 300, and the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 (S708). Then, referring to Figure 11, the mobile robot 100 can determine, based on the result data received from the server 200, whether the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product is greater than the difference between the current battery charge level of the mobile robot 100 and the minimum required battery level of the mobile robot 100 (S709).

[0124] If the difference is greater than the expected battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product (S709-Y), the mobile robot 100 can add the product to the list of products available for sale (S710). Conversely, if the difference is not greater than the minimum required battery level of the mobile robot 100 for the product (S709-N), the mobile robot 100 can remove the product from the list of products available for sale (S711).

[0125] In this manner, the mobile robot 100 can update the list of available products and the data regarding the estimated delivery time for each product obtained by performing steps S709 to S711 for each product in the list of products currently available for sale at each supplier terminal 300 that has been secondarily extracted from the server 200, according to the current battery charge level of the mobile robot 100, and display it on the display 102 (S712).

[0126] Figure 14 is an illustrative diagram showing a database that calculates the one-way travel time and distance, product preparation time, estimated product receipt time, and mobile robot battery consumption for each product supplier. Figures 15 and 16 are illustrative diagrams showing a database that updates the list of available products based on the mobile robot's current battery information.

[0127] Referring to Figure 14, the mobile robot sales system 1000 may include supplier Store A, supplier Store B, and supplier Store C. Supplier Stores A, B, and C may each store products A, B, and C, respectively.

[0128] In the case of supplier Store A, the preparation time for product A (30 minutes) may be longer than the time it takes for the mobile robot 100 to travel one way from its current location to supplier Store A (10 minutes). In this case, the server 200 can calculate the estimated receipt time for product A by adding the preparation time for product A (30 minutes) and the time it takes for the mobile robot 100 to travel one way from its current location to supplier Store A (10 minutes) (40 minutes), according to step S706-2 in Figure 12.

[0129] In the case of supplier Store B, the time it takes for the mobile robot 100 to travel one way from its current location to supplier Store B (10 minutes) may be longer than the preparation time for product B (5 minutes). In this case, the server 200 can calculate the estimated receipt time for product B by using twice the time it takes for the mobile robot 100 to travel one way from its current location to supplier Store B (10 minutes) (20 minutes), according to step S706-3 in Figure 12.

[0130] In the case of supplier Store C, the time it takes for the mobile robot 100 to travel one way from its current location to supplier Store B (15 minutes) may be longer than the preparation time for product B (2 minutes). In this case, the server 200 can calculate the estimated receipt time for product C by using twice the time it takes for the mobile robot 100 to travel one way from its current location to supplier Store C (15 minutes) (30 minutes), according to step S706-3 in Figure 12.

[0131] Furthermore, following step S707 (shown in Figure 10), the server 200 can calculate the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product by adding the battery consumption due to the estimated product receipt time and the battery consumption due to movement between suppliers. For example, if the mobile robot 100 delivers product A from supplier Store A to a consumer, the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 may be 24%, which is the sum of the battery consumption due to the estimated product receipt time (4%) and the battery consumption due to movement between suppliers (20%).

[0132] Furthermore, if the mobile robot 100 delivers product B from supplier Store B to the consumer, the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 may be 22%, which is the sum of the battery consumption due to the estimated time of product receipt (2%) and the battery consumption due to movement between suppliers (20%).

[0133] Furthermore, when the mobile robot 100 delivers product C from supplier Store C to the consumer, the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 may be 33%, which is the sum of the battery consumption due to the estimated time of product receipt (3%) and the battery consumption due to movement between suppliers (30%).

[0134] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a database that updates the list of available products based on the current battery information of a mobile robot.

[0135] As described above with reference to Figure 11, the mobile robot 100 can determine, based on the result data received from the server 200, whether the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product is greater than the difference between the current battery charge level of the mobile robot 100 and the minimum required battery level of the mobile robot 100 (S709 in Figure 11).

[0136] For example, referring to Figure 15, Figure 15 is a diagram showing examples of products A, B, and C that the mobile robot 100 can offer as saleable products, assuming that the current battery level of the mobile robot 100 is 40% before updating the battery charge level of the mobile robot 100.

[0137] First, in the case of product A, the expected battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 (24%) may be less than the difference between the current battery charge level of the mobile robot 100 (40%) and the minimum required battery level of the mobile robot 100 (15%). In this case, even if the mobile robot 100 consumes battery power by providing product A to the consumer from supplier Store A, the remaining battery level will still be greater than the minimum required battery level, and therefore product A can be presented on display 102 as a product available for sale.

[0138] Furthermore, in the case of product B, the expected battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 (22%) may be less than the difference between the current battery charge level of the mobile robot 100 (40%) and the minimum required battery level of the mobile robot 100 (15%). Even in this case, when the mobile robot 100 provides product B to the consumer from supplier Store B, it consumes battery power, but the remaining battery level is still greater than the minimum required battery level, so product B can be presented on display 102 as a product available for sale.

[0139] On the other hand, in the case of product C, the expected battery consumption of mobile robot 100 (33%) may be greater than the difference between the current battery charge level of mobile robot 100 (40%) and the minimum required battery level of mobile robot 100 (15%). In this case as well, since the remaining battery level after mobile robot 100 has consumed battery power by providing product C to consumers from supplier Store C will be less than the minimum required battery level, mobile robot 100 cannot sell product C. Therefore, mobile robot 100 can remove product C from its list of available products.

[0140] Next, referring to Figure 16, when the mobile robot 100 lists the available products based on the estimated receipt time for each product and the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot 100 for each product received from the server 200, it can update the list of available products based on the current battery information of the mobile robot 100.

[0141] In the following explanation, we will assume that the current battery level of the mobile robot 100 is 38%, after some of the original 40% (see Figure 15) has been consumed.

[0142] First, in the case of product A, the expected battery consumption of mobile robot 100 (24%) may be greater than the difference between the current battery charge level of mobile robot 100 (38%) and the minimum required battery level of mobile robot 100 (15%). In this case as well, since mobile robot 100 will consume battery power by providing product A to consumers from supplier Store A, the remaining battery level after consumption will be less than the minimum required battery level, and therefore mobile robot 100 cannot sell product A. Consequently, mobile robot 100 can remove product A from the list of products that can be sold.

[0143] In other words, in the embodiment described with reference to Figure 15, before updating the remaining battery charge of the mobile robot 100, the mobile robot 100 presented product A as a product available for sale on the display 102. However, after updating the current battery information of the mobile robot 100, the mobile robot 100 can present product A as a product unavailable for sale on the display 102.

[0144] In the case of product B, the expected battery consumption of mobile robot 100 (22%) may be less than the difference between the current battery charge level of mobile robot 100 (38%) and the minimum required battery level of mobile robot 100 (15%). In this case, even if the mobile robot 100 consumes battery power by providing product B to the consumer from supplier Store B, the remaining battery level will still be greater than the minimum required battery level, and therefore product B can be presented on display 102 as a product available for sale.

[0145] Furthermore, in the case of product C, the expected battery consumption of mobile robot 100 (33%) may be greater than the difference between the current battery charge level of mobile robot 100 (38%) and the minimum required battery level of mobile robot 100 (15%). In this case, if mobile robot 100 provides product C to a consumer from supplier Store C, the remaining battery level after consumption will be less than the minimum required battery level, and therefore mobile robot 100 cannot sell product C. Consequently, mobile robot 100 can remove product C from its list of available products.

[0146] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0147] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are for illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the technical concept of the invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of this invention should be interpreted in accordance with the following claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0148] 100 Mobile Robots 101 Rhythmic drive unit 102 displays 103 Consumer Sensing Department 104 Payment Department 105 Server Communication Unit 106 Movable distance calculation section 107 Location Transmitter 108 Product storage department 109 Tracking Marker Storage Section 110 Product retrieval section 111 Speech Unit 200 servers 201 Supplier Terminal Communications Department 202 Sales Product Registration Department 203 Sales Product Database 204 Mobile Robot Communications Department 205 Product Identification Department 206 Sales Approval Request Department 207 Robot Destination Setting Unit 208 Payment Approval Department 300 supplier terminals 301 Server Communications Unit 302 Sales Product Registration Department 303 Sales Approval Department 304 Product Export Approval Department 400 suppliers 1000 Sales Systems

Claims

1. A supplier that sells at least one product, The supplier includes a supplier terminal that authorizes the removal of goods purchased by the consumer, A server that registers the location information of the supplier terminal and the products sold by the supplier, identifies products that can be sold among the products included by the supplier, transfers product purchase information and the consumer's location information to the supplier terminal, and requests a mobile robot to move to the sales area and the supplier, A mobile robot that receives a request to move to the sales area from the server, moves to the sales area based on the received request to move to the sales area, transfers information about the consumer's purchased goods and the consumer's location information to the server, retrieves a consumer location tracking marker, loads the consumer's purchased goods from the supplier, and then tracks the consumer's location based on the signal information of the consumer location tracking marker, and moves accordingly. A sales system using a mobile robot, characterized in that the mobile robot delivers the goods purchased by the consumer.

2. The aforementioned mobile robot includes a display, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile robot presents a portion of the available products identified via the display based on at least one of the sales area information and the consumer information.

3. The mobile robot further includes a server communication unit that sends and receives signals with the server, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 2, characterized in that, in response to the consumer paying for the goods via the display, the server communication unit transmits a product purchase approval request signal to the server.

4. The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 3, characterized in that the server responds to receiving the product purchase approval request signal from the server communication unit by transferring a sales approval request signal to the supplier terminal.

5. The aforementioned mobile robot includes a consumer sensing unit, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile robot moves to a consumer crowd area within the sales area via the consumer sensing unit.

6. The mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area based on the sales validity period. The sales validity period is set by the server, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 5, characterized in that the mobile robot responds to requests received from the server and maintains sales in the sales area during the sales validity period.

7. The mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area based on the sales waiting time. The aforementioned sales waiting time is set by the server, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 5, characterized in that the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area and then waits in the consumer crowd area during the sales waiting time.

8. The supplier terminal includes a product shipment approval section, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the supplier terminal approves the delivery of goods purchased by the consumer via the goods delivery approval unit.

9. The aforementioned mobile robot includes a tracking marker storage unit, A sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 1, wherein the mobile robot retrieves the tracking marker from the consumer via the tracking marker storage unit, and then delivers the product purchased by the consumer.

10. The aforementioned server includes a sales product database, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the server stores location information of the supplier terminal and product information stored at the supplier.

11. The server registers the location information of the supplier's terminal and the products sold by the supplier. The aforementioned server transmits a signal to the mobile robot requesting it to move to the sales area. The mobile robot moves to the sales area, The server identifies the products available for sale among the products included in the supplier, The mobile robot presents the available products and the estimated time for receiving the available products. The mobile robot transfers the consumer's product purchase information and the consumer's location information to the server. The server transfers the product purchase information and location information to the supplier terminal. The aforementioned mobile robot retrieves the consumer location tracking marker, The server requests the mobile robot to move to the supplier, including the supplier terminal. The supplier terminal authorizes the removal of the goods purchased by the consumer, The aforementioned mobile robot loads the goods purchased by the consumer, The mobile robot tracks the consumer's location and moves based on the signal information of the extracted consumer location tracking marker. A method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot, characterized in that the mobile robot delivers the goods purchased by the consumer.

12. The aforementioned mobile robot includes a display, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 11, further comprising the mobile robot presenting, via the display, a portion of the available products identified based on at least one of the sales area information and the consumer information.

13. The mobile robot further includes a server communication unit that sends and receives signals with the server, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 12, further comprising the server communication unit transferring a product purchase approval request signal to the server in response to the consumer making a payment for a product via the display.

14. The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 13, further comprising the server responding to receiving the product purchase approval request signal from the server communication unit and transferring a sales approval request signal to the supplier terminal.

15. The aforementioned mobile robot includes a consumer sensing unit, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 11, further comprising moving the mobile robot to a consumer crowd area within the sales area via the consumer sensing unit.

16. The mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area based on the sales validity period. The server further includes setting the sales validity period, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 15, characterized in that the mobile robot responds to a request received from the server and maintains sales in the sales area during the sales validity period.

17. The mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area based on the sales waiting time. The server further includes setting the sales waiting time, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 15, characterized in that the mobile robot moves to the consumer crowd area and then waits in the consumer crowd area during the sales waiting time.

18. The supplier terminal includes a product shipment approval section, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 11, further comprising the supplier terminal approving the delivery of goods purchased by the consumer via the goods delivery approval unit.

19. The aforementioned mobile robot includes a tracking marker storage unit, The method of operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 11, further comprising the mobile robot retrieving the tracking marker from the consumer via the tracking marker storage unit, and then discharging the product purchased by the consumer.

20. The aforementioned server includes a sales product database, The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 11, further comprising the server storing location information of the supplier terminal and product information stored at the supplier.

21. The aforementioned sales area includes multiple potential consumer cluster areas, each corresponding to a different grid. The mobile robot calculates a gain value for each of the different grids corresponding to each of the multiple candidate consumer crowd areas, The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 5, characterized in that it moves to the consumer crowd candidate region corresponding to the grid with the largest gain value among the plurality of consumer crowd candidate regions.

22. The sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 21, wherein the gain value of the grid is calculated by the mobile robot based on consumer figures indicating the number of consumers present within the grid, whether or not the mobile robot visited the candidate consumer crowd area corresponding to the grid within the effective sales period, whether or not the mobile robot succeeded in making a sale in the candidate consumer crowd area corresponding to the grid within the effective sales period, and the distance traveled from the mobile robot's current position to the grid.

23. The aforementioned supplier terminals are multiple in number, The mobile robot transfers data regarding its current location and current travel distance to the server. The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 11, further comprising the server first extracting, based on the data received from the mobile robot, a supplier terminal from among the plurality of supplier terminals that is capable of supplying goods within a predetermined radius distance based on the current location of the mobile robot.

24. The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 23, further comprising the server extracting, based on the data received from the mobile robot, the supplier terminals among the supplier terminals extracted in the first stage that are within the mobile robot's current range of movement.

25. The server calculates the one-way travel time for each of the second-extracted supplier terminals from the current location of the mobile robot to the supplier containing the second-extracted supplier terminal. From the products available for sale registered in the supplier terminals extracted in the second stage, products that are currently available for sale are extracted. The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 24, further comprising checking the product preparation time for each product item from the extracted list of currently available products.

26. The server further includes calculating the estimated time for receiving each product item, The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 25, characterized in that the server, in response to the product preparation time being greater than the one-way travel time to the supplier, calculates the sum of the one-way travel time to the supplier and the product preparation time as the estimated product receipt time.

27. The server further includes calculating the estimated time for receiving each product item, The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 25, characterized in that the server responds that the product preparation time is not greater than the one-way travel time to the supplier, and calculates twice the one-way travel time to the supplier as the estimated product receipt time.

28. The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 26, further comprising the server calculating the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot for each of the product items.

29. The method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 28, further comprising the server transferring to the mobile robot judgment data regarding the estimated time of receipt of each product item and the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot.

30. Based on the judgment data received from the server, the mobile robot determines whether the estimated battery consumption of the mobile robot for each product item is greater than the difference between the current battery charge level of the mobile robot and the minimum required battery level of the mobile robot. A method for operating a sales system using a mobile robot according to claim 29, further comprising identifying the products available for sale based on the results of the aforementioned determination.

Images