Information processing method and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing method capable of maintaining the quality of delivered food and achieving efficient delivery at the same time. [Solution] The information processing method is an information processing method executed by a computer, and includes the steps of receiving a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a terminal 2 operated by a first member, determining a second dish based on a response to an inquiry about dishes that can be ordered as additional orders, generating information to encourage the ordering of the second dish, obtaining the location of the delivery destination for the first order, identifying a second member who is located within a specified range from the location of the delivery destination, and transmitting the generated information to a terminal 8 operated by the second member.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] With the recent development of information processing technology, food delivery services that allow you to order food via the Internet and have it delivered at the same time are becoming more and more popular. This is partly because it has become possible to accept orders for food delivery over the Internet.

[0003] In addition, in the case of home delivery services, advertising information is provided to members to stimulate demand for home delivery, with the aim of consolidating deliveries or increasing supply during the off-season.

[0004] One technology for providing such advertising information is a method for providing advertising information to members living near members who have already placed orders when there is surplus capacity on a delivery vehicle, encouraging them to place orders (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-52943 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, conventional technology such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 may result in a deterioration in quality when delivering food. For example, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 simply determines whether or not there is excess capacity in the delivery vehicle, without taking into consideration the characteristics of the delivery item. In contrast, food is cooked upon receiving an order, and the quality of the food deteriorates over time after cooking. For this reason, if the conventional technology is applied as is to the delivery of food, it may be difficult to maintain the quality of the delivered food while delivering it efficiently.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing method and information processing system that can maintain the quality of the delivered food while ensuring efficient delivery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by a computer, and includes processes for receiving a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member, determining a second dish based on a response to a query about additional dishes that can be ordered, generating information to prompt the ordering of the second dish, obtaining a delivery destination location for the first order, identifying a second member who is located within a predetermined range from the delivery destination location, and transmitting the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member.

[0009] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, an apparatus, a method, a recording medium, or a computer program, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, a recording medium, and a computer program. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to an information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to maintain the quality of the delivered food while ensuring efficient delivery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first application example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table listing member information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table listing restaurant information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table listing delivery person information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table in which advertisement information is described. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an overall process including a process of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an advertising message formed from advertising information in the first application example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second application example of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a third application example of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message formed from advertising information in the third application example. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a message formed from advertising information in the third application example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] (Background to this disclosure) As mentioned above, food delivery services are becoming more common. In addition, there is a technology that, when there is a surplus in the capacity of a delivery vehicle, advertises to nearby members of the member who received the order, stimulating demand for orders from nearby members, increasing the amount delivered at one time (i.e., consolidating deliveries), and improving delivery efficiency.

[0013] However, in food delivery, not only the delivery targeted by the above technology, but also the cooking of the food to be delivered is performed. However, since cooking and delivery are sequential tasks, it may be difficult to maintain the quality of the food to be delivered while performing efficient delivery. For example, depending on the type of food (first dish) ordered by a member (also called a second member) who is in the neighborhood of a member (also called a first member) who placed an order earlier, it may not be possible to cook the food (second dish) ordered by the second member at the same time as the food ordered by the first member. In this case, the food ordered by the first member is cooked after the food ordered by the second member is completed, so the food ordered by the first member may become cold and deteriorate in quality. Therefore, it may be difficult to maintain the quality of the food to be delivered while performing efficient delivery (such as delivering multiple dishes to multiple members in one delivery).

[0014] Therefore, the information processing method disclosed herein uses a computer to receive a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member, determine a second dish that can be cooked in parallel with cooking the first dish, generate information to prompt the ordering of the second dish, obtain a location associated with the first member, identify a second member according to the location associated with the first member, and transmit the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member.

[0015] According to this, since the second member identified according to the location associated with the first member is, for example, a member in the neighborhood of the first member, when the second member who has seen the information encouraging the order of the second dish places an order for the second dish, multiple dishes (the first dish and the second dish) can be delivered to multiple members (the first member and the second member) in one delivery. In other words, efficient delivery, such as consolidation of deliveries, is possible. In addition, when the second dish that can be cooked is cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish, cooking work becomes more efficient than when a dish that cannot be cooked in parallel is cooked, and for example, the timing of completion of the first dish and the timing of completion of the second dish can be synchronized. In other words, it is possible to prevent the first dish from getting cold, etc., and the quality of the first dish can be maintained. In this way, it is possible to maintain the quality of the delivered food and to deliver it efficiently at the same time. In addition, it is possible to promote the use of food delivery services.

[0016] Furthermore, a cooking time for the first dish may be acquired, and a cut-off time for cutting off the receipt of orders for the second dish may be calculated based on the acquired cooking time for the first dish.

[0017] According to this, since a deadline is set for ordering the second dish, it becomes easier to synchronize the completion timing of the first dish with the completion timing of the second dish, making it easier to maintain the quality of the first dish.

[0018] Furthermore, the second member may be a member associated with a location within a predetermined range from the location associated with the first member.

[0019] This allows the delivery destination of the second dish to be within a specified range of the first member (e.g., near the first member), making it easier to deliver the second dish at the same time as delivering the first dish, resulting in more efficient delivery.

[0020] Furthermore, a delivery route for the first dish to a location associated with the first member may be determined, and the second member may be a member associated with a location within a predetermined range from a location on the delivery route.

[0021] This allows the delivery destination of the second dish to be within a specified range (e.g., close to the delivery route) from the delivery route of the first dish to the first member, making it easier to deliver the second dish at the same time as the first dish, resulting in more efficient delivery.

[0022] Furthermore, a second restaurant different from the first restaurant may be selected to cook the first dish ordered by the first member, and the second dish may include a dish that the second restaurant can cook.

[0023] According to this, the information for encouraging the second member to order the second dish can encourage the second member to order not only dishes that the first restaurant can prepare, but also dishes that the second restaurant can prepare as the second dish. This increases the variety of dishes that the second member can choose from, further promoting the use of food delivery services.

[0024] The second eating and drinking establishment may be associated with a location within a predetermined range from the location associated with the first eating and drinking establishment.

[0025] According to this, the location of the second restaurant is within a predetermined range from the first restaurant (for example, in the vicinity of the first restaurant), and the first member can stop by the second restaurant without significantly changing the delivery route for delivering the first dish to the first member. Therefore, even if the delivery of the second dish is performed simultaneously with the delivery of the first dish, a delay in the delivery of the first dish to the first member can be suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, a delivery route to a location associated with the first member for the first dish may be determined, and the second eating and drinking establishment may be a restaurant associated with a location within a predetermined range from a location on the delivery route.

[0027] According to this, the location of the second eating establishment is within a predetermined range from the delivery route of the first dish to the first member (for example, nearby the delivery route), and the first member can stop by the first eating establishment without significantly changing the delivery route to deliver the first dish to the first member. Therefore, even if the delivery of the second dish is performed simultaneously with the delivery of the first dish, delays in the delivery of the first dish to the first member can be suppressed.

[0028] In addition, a delivery time for delivering the first dish to the first member may be obtained, and the second dish may include a dish that can be cooked within a time that causes a delay to the delivery time within a predetermined range.

[0029] This enables efficient delivery while minimizing delays in delivery of the first dish to the first member.

[0030] Furthermore, a second dish that will be completed by the time the cooking of the first dish is completed or within a predetermined time period after the cooking of the first dish is completed may be determined.

[0031] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent deterioration in the quality of the first dish.

[0032] The information may also be an advertisement encouraging the ordering of the second dish.

[0033] This makes it possible to directly encourage the second member to order the second dish.

[0034] In addition, the information processing system disclosed herein includes a receiving unit that receives a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member, a determination unit that determines a second dish that can be cooked in parallel with cooking the first dish, a generation unit that generates information to prompt the ordering of the second dish, an acquisition unit that acquires a location associated with the first member, an identification unit that identifies a second member according to the location associated with the first member, and a transmission unit that transmits the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member.

[0035] This makes it possible to provide an information processing system that can maintain the quality of the food being delivered while also ensuring efficient delivery.

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0037] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim showing a top concept are described as optional components.

[0038] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 12. Note that first to third application examples will be described as application examples of the information processing system of the present disclosure.

[0039] [First application example] First, the first application example will be described.

[0040] Fig. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a first application example of an information processing system in an embodiment. In the following, a server will be described as an example of the information processing system of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 1, in the first application example, a server 3 communicates with a terminal 2 (first terminal) operated by an orderer who orders food, a terminal 4 operated by an order destination restaurant that prepares the ordered food, a terminal 5 operated by a delivery person, and a terminal 8 (second terminal) operated by a specific person in the vicinity of the orderer, via a network 6. Any communication protocol, such as wireless communication or wired communication, may be applied to the communication in the network 6.

[0041] An orderer who operates terminal 2 to order food from terminal 2 is a member (also referred to as a first member) of an organization that operates a food delivery service provided using server 3, for example. The food ordered by the first member from terminal 2 is also referred to as a first dish. An ordering destination restaurant that operates terminal 4 and prepares the first dish ordered by the first member is also referred to as a first restaurant. A specific person who operates terminal 8 in the vicinity of the first member is a member (also referred to as a second member) of the organization that operates the food delivery service.

[0042] Here, the server 3 will be briefly described. The server 3 stores information on preregistered members, preregistered restaurants, and preregistered delivery people, and has a function of providing advertising messages to members. For example, when the server 3 receives a delivery order (first order indicating an order for a first dish) from the terminal 2 of the first member, the server 3 checks with the terminal 4 of the first restaurant whether the first dish can be cooked (including, for example, instructions to cook the first dish) and inquires about dishes that can be cooked additionally. The dishes that can be cooked additionally are also called second dishes. The server 3 also extracts candidates for delivery people who can deliver the first dish, and in parallel inquires with the terminal 5 about whether the delivery person can load the dish to be cooked in addition to the first dish. The server 3 also extracts the second member using information on the members stored in advance. For example, the server 3 extracts the second member who is within a predetermined range (within the area R1) from the location of the first member. Then, the server 3 creates an advertising message including the additional orderable dishes, and transmits the advertising message to the terminal 8 operated by the extracted second member.

[0043] When the second member orders the second dish, the delivery person follows a delivery route L1 that passes through the location of the first restaurant, the location of the first member, and the location of the second member, picks up the first dish and the second dish at the first restaurant, delivers the first dish to the first member, and delivers the second dish to the second member.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system (server 3) according to an embodiment. Server 3 includes control unit 21, storage unit 22, operation input unit 23, and display unit 24. Server 3 is a device including, for example, a processor (microprocessor), memory, a user interface, a communication circuit, and the like. The memory may include memory other than storage unit 22. Memory (storage unit 22) is a ROM, RAM, or the like, and can store a control program executed by the processor. Operation input unit 23 and display unit 24 are examples of a user interface. Control unit 21 includes, as functional components, an order receiving unit 211, a nearby member extracting unit 212, an additional orderable dish extracting unit 213, an additional order cut-off time calculating unit 214, an advertisement information providing unit 215, a delivery route nearby member extracting unit 216, and an orderable dish extracting unit 217. Each of these components included in control unit 21 is realized by the communication circuit in server 3, a processor that executes a control program stored in the memory, and the like. Each functional component of the control unit 21 will be described later with reference to Fig. 7. The storage unit 22 includes member information 221, restaurant information 222, delivery person information 223, and advertisement information 224.

[0045] The control unit 21 is configured to be able to communicate with each component included in the server 3 wirelessly or via wires, for example, using the above-mentioned communication circuit etc. For example, based on input information from the operation input unit 23, the execution result of the control unit 21 is displayed on the display unit 24 as necessary.

[0046] In preparation for abnormalities, a terminal operated by an administrator of the server 3 may be provided with functions equivalent to those of the control unit 21. For example, the control unit 21 is automatically controlled, but in this case, the administrator can directly control the control unit 21 (with functions equivalent to those of the control unit 21) by operating the terminal. Note that a secure method is adopted for the communication method between the terminal operated by the administrator and the control unit 21, which minimizes the possibility of influence (attack, etc.) from a third party.

[0047] Specifically, the storage unit 22 is configured with a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory. The storage unit 22 stores various information input from the operation input unit 23 via the control unit 21, and stores various information acquired by the control unit 21. For example, the storage unit 22 stores member information 221, restaurant information 222, delivery person information 223, advertisement information 224, etc. as data necessary to realize the food delivery service.

[0048] The member information 221 is information about a member who has been registered in advance. The member is a member of an organization that operates a food delivery service provided using the server 3. The member information 221 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a data table in which member information 221 is described. As shown in FIG. 3, member information 221 includes a member ID that uniquely identifies a member, the member's name, the member's email address, the member's address (location), and the like. Although not shown, information such as the member's gender and family structure may also be included. For example, this information is input by the administrator of server 3 via operation input unit 23, or by a person who wants to become a member inputting the information when registering via a terminal or the like, and is stored in storage unit 22. Note that the location information included in member information 221 may be updated and stored as the current location of the member is successively transmitted from a terminal using GPS (Global Positioning System) information carried by the member to server 3 via network 6, whereby the location of the member (the location of the terminal carried by the member) is successively transmitted to server 3. For example, for a member with member ID 1, a previously registered address is shown, and for a member with member ID 2, latitude and longitude obtained from GPS information are shown.

[0050] The restaurant information 222 is information about restaurants that have been registered in advance. The restaurants are restaurants that are used in the food delivery service. The restaurant information 222 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a data table listing restaurant information 222. As shown in FIG. 4, restaurant information 222 includes a restaurant ID that uniquely identifies a restaurant, the name of the restaurant's representative, the restaurant's email address, the restaurant's address, the types of food the restaurant can provide, and the like. This information is stored in storage unit 22, for example, by an administrator of server 3 inputting it via operation input unit 23, or by a representative of a restaurant expecting food orders from the member inputting it when registering via a terminal or the like. Note that, although restaurant information 222 in FIG. 4 includes an address, for example, in the case of a mobile store, location information using GPS information may be included.

[0052] The delivery person information 223 is information about a delivery person who has been registered in advance. The delivery person is a person who picks up food at the restaurant and delivers the food to the member. The delivery person may be a delivery person belonging to the restaurant, a delivery company, or an ordinary person who wishes to make a delivery (an ordinary person in the sense that he or she is not a person who specializes in delivery). The ordinary person is someone who, if he or she is free when a request is received from the server 3, will make a delivery on the way to somewhere else (for example, when he or she is out).

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data table containing the delivery person information 223. As shown in FIG. 5, the delivery person information 223 includes a delivery person ID that uniquely identifies the delivery person, the name of the delivery person, the email address of the delivery person, and the address (location) of the delivery person. For example, these pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 22 by the administrator of the server 3 inputting them through the operation input unit 23, or by a business or person who wishes to perform delivery work in a food delivery service inputting them when registering through a terminal or the like. The location information included in the delivery person information 223 may be updated and stored by sequentially transmitting the location of the delivery person (the location of the terminal carried by the delivery person) from a terminal using GPS information carried by the delivery person to the server 3 via the network 6.

[0054] The advertisement information 224 is advertisement information provided to the member. The advertisement information is sent to the member's (second member's) terminal by email, or is displayed on the second member's terminal on a web browser or the like.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data table in which the advertisement information 224 is described. As shown in FIG. 6, the advertisement information 224 includes an advertisement ID for uniquely identifying an advertisement, the subject of the advertisement, the contents of the advertisement, the advertisement target category, etc. The advertisement target category is information on the attributes of the second member to whom the advertisement is provided. For example, the advertisement target category includes categories such as gender, address, and family structure. As an example, an advertisement for the female category will have content for women (e.g., content emphasizing low calories and small portions), and an advertisement for the family category will have content for families (e.g., content emphasizing children's dishes and large portions). For example, each advertisement ID is associated with an advertisement message according to the above content, and an advertisement message according to the attributes of the member to whom the advertisement is sent is selected. The advertisement content includes dishes that can be ordered additionally, a deadline for additional orders, and special offer information, which will be described in detail later.

[0056] Since the memory unit 22 stores multiple types of IDs, such as a member ID, a restaurant ID, a delivery person ID, and an advertising ID, the format of the ID digits, etc., is changed for each type of ID. However, since the member and the delivery person may be the same person, the server 3 may have a separate information processing function that can determine whether the member ID and the delivery person ID are IDs of the same person. Furthermore, when the memory unit 22 is abnormal, the server 3 may have a separate memory unit (backup) that stores similar information.

[0057] The privilege information is information indicating the privilege content that will be applied to, for example, the second member by ordering an additional orderable dish within the additional order deadline. Examples of the privilege content include a discount on the second dish ordered by the second member, an increase in the quantity of the second dish, the award of points, or preferential treatment on subsequent orders.

[0058] In addition, the first member may also be given a special benefit, such as a discount on the first dish ordered by the first member, an increase in the quantity of the first dish, points, or preferential treatment on subsequent orders. By providing the first member with a special benefit, it is expected that the first member will encourage the second member to place an order. In addition, if the special benefit is not provided only to the first member, many members will want to apply the special benefit stated in the advertising message and will end up waiting for nearby members to place their order, which could result in a decrease in the number of orders.

[0059] The operation input unit 23 has a function of directly driving the control unit 21 and a function of managing information stored in the storage unit 22. The operation input unit 23 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. Basically, the control unit 21 operates automatically according to the received information, but the control unit 21 may be controlled by a user via the operation input unit 23. In addition, the user may store new member information, etc. in the storage unit 22 via the operation input unit 23, or update already stored member information, etc. In addition, the user can use the operation input unit 23 to perform maintenance management of the server 3.

[0060] The display unit 24 has a function of displaying the status of the server 3, etc. The display unit 24 is realized by, for example, a display. For example, a user can control the control unit 21 or input information via the operation input unit 23 while viewing the content displayed on the display unit 24.

[0061] Here, the overall flow from receiving a food order to delivering the food to the member will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an overall process including the process of the information processing system (server 3) according to the embodiment.

[0063] First, the first member performs an operation on the first member's terminal 2, for example on a homepage or an app, to determine the dish he or she wishes to have delivered, and the order details are sent to the server 3. As a result, the order receiving unit 211 receives the transmitted order details (step S11). The order receiving unit 211 is an example of a receiving unit that receives a first order indicating an order for a first dish from the terminal 2 operated by the first member.

[0064] When the server 3 receives the first order, it instructs the terminal 4 of the first restaurant to cook the first dish and inquires about additional orderable dishes that can be cooked in parallel with the first dish (step S12). Here, the action from receiving an order to completing the dish is called cooking. The additional orderable dish is a second dish, which is a dish that can be cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish. Note that being able to cook in parallel means that multiple dishes can be cooked in response to multiple orders and completed within a set time, for example. For example, the second dish includes a dish that can be cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish. This makes it easier to complete multiple dishes within a set time. For example, a second dish that is completed by the time the cooking of the first dish is completed or within a set time from the completion of cooking of the first dish is determined. The set time is the cooking time of the first dish or the sum of the cooking time and the set time. In other words, the cooking of the second dish is completed almost simultaneously with the completion of cooking of the first dish. Even when the first dish and the second dish can be cooked in parallel, if the cooking time of the second dish is longer than the cooking time of the first dish, the quality of the first dish may be reduced. However, by determining the second dish in this manner, the quality reduction of the first dish can be more reliably suppressed. The determined time is a time determined so that the first dish cannot be delivered due to the cooking of the second dish even though the first dish is ready to be delivered after completion of the first dish, that is, a time determined so as not to affect the delivery time of the first dish to the first member (i.e., to prevent a delivery delay). For example, the control unit 21 obtains a delivery time for delivering the first dish to the first member, and the second dish includes a dish that can be cooked within a time in which the delay to the delivery time falls within a predetermined range. Note that, if the second dish can be cooked so as not to affect the delivery time of the first dish to the first member (for example, within a time in which the delay to the delivery time for delivering the first dish to the first member falls within a predetermined range), the cooking of the first dish and the second dish does not necessarily have to be performed in parallel. For example, if the cooking time of one of the first dish and the second dish is short, the cooking may not be performed in parallel.

[0065] Furthermore, when the server 3 receives the first order, it instructs the delivery person's terminal 5 to deliver the first dish cooked at the first restaurant and inquires about the amount of food that can be loaded onto the delivery vehicle in addition to the first dish (step S13). When a general person is selected as the delivery person, for example, a delivery person who lives near the first restaurant or who is currently near the first restaurant is selected.

[0066] Furthermore, when the server 3 receives the first order, the nearby member extraction unit 212 extracts a second member that exists near the delivery destination (first member) (step S14). The nearby member extraction unit 212 is an example of an acquisition unit that acquires a position associated with the first member, and an identification unit that identifies the second member according to the position associated with the first member. The position associated with the first member is the address (position) of the member included in the member information 221. If the first member wishes the first dish to be delivered to the address of the first member, the position associated with the first member is the address of the first member, and if the first member wishes the first dish to be delivered to the location where the first member is currently located, the position associated with the first member is a position identified by the GPS information of the terminal 2 of the first member, etc. Furthermore, identifying the second member according to the position associated with the first member means, specifically, identifying the second member that is associated with a position within a predetermined range (within the area R1) from the position associated with the first member. Since the second members are associated with addresses (locations) in the member information 221, the nearby member extraction unit 212 extracts second members whose addresses (locations) are within the region R1. If it is not possible to identify the location of each member (for example, if the address is not registered in the member information 221 and the terminal is turned off or is in a location where radio waves cannot reach, and the location cannot be identified using GPS information), the server 3 may be provided with a separate function for identifying the location by using the history of past GPS information.

[0067] The processes from step S12 to step S14 are performed simultaneously, for example, but may be performed at different times. If the processes are performed at different times, the order in which the processes from step S12 to step S14 are performed is not particularly limited. The process in step S14 may be performed after the process in step S16 (reply from the first restaurant) described below or after the process in step S18 (reply from the delivery person) described below.

[0068] In response to the inquiry about the additional orderable dish (second dish) that can be cooked in parallel with the first dish, the first eating establishment confirms the second dish (step S15). For example, the first eating establishment confirms whether there is enough time, space, or personnel before the first dish is completed, and whether the second dish can be cooked in parallel with the first dish. For example, if the first eating establishment is a restaurant that sells pizza (i.e., the first dish is pizza), when cooking the first dish in a cooking tool such as a pizza oven, if there is free space in the cooking tool, the first eating establishment confirms that it is possible to cook additional pizzas (second dish) in the amount of the free space in parallel with the cooking of the first dish. Then, the first eating establishment responds to the server 3 with the confirmed second dish that can be cooked and its quantity, and based on the response, the additional orderable dish extraction unit 213 obtains a list of second dishes that can be ordered in parallel (step S16). The additional orderable dish extraction unit 213 is an example of a determination unit that determines the second dish that can be cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish.

[0069] In response to the inquiry about the amount of additional food that can be loaded onto the delivery service in addition to the first dish, the delivery person confirms the amount of additional food that can be loaded (step S17). Then, the delivery person responds to the server 3 with the confirmed amount of additional food that can be loaded (step S18).

[0070] If the first restaurant and the delivery person are able to cook the second dish in parallel with the first dish, and the delivery person is able to load the second dish in addition to the first dish, the additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 calculates the cut-off time for the additional order (order for the second dish) (step S19). The additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 acquires the cooking times for the first dish and the second dish. For example, the restaurant information 222 includes cooking times for each type and quantity of dish, and the additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 acquires the cooking times for the first dish and the second dish by checking the type and quantity of the first dish in the order from the first member and the type and quantity of the second dish responded by the first restaurant against the restaurant information 222. Also, for example, the additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 may acquire the cooking times for the first dish and the second dish directly from the first restaurant. The additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 then calculates the cut-off time for accepting orders for the second dish from the second member based on the acquired cooking times for the first and second dishes. Specifically, the additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 calculates the cut-off time for accepting orders for the second dish (additional order cut-off time) as the time obtained by subtracting the cooking time of the second dish from the cooking completion time of the first dish, which is calculated by adding the cooking time of the first dish to the current time. Note that the cut-off time may be, for example, the time that has elapsed since the advertisement was sent to the second member's terminal (or the advertisement was received by the second member's terminal), etc.

[0071] The advertisement information providing unit 215 creates an advertisement message including the second dish that can be additionally ordered, its quantity (for example, the smaller of the quantity that the first restaurant can cook the second dish and the quantity that the delivery person can additionally load), the additional order deadline, etc., and transmits it to the terminal 8 operated by the second member (step S20). The advertisement information providing unit 215 is an example of a generating unit that generates information to encourage the ordering of the second dish, and a transmitting unit that transmits the generated information to the terminal 8 operated by the second member. In this embodiment, the information to encourage the ordering of the second dish is an advertisement to encourage the ordering of the second dish. Examples of the transmission method at this time include a method via the Internet, such as email or push distribution. Since the delivery to the second member is to the neighborhood of the first member who originally ordered, it is easy to calculate the arrival time of the second dish to the second member. For this reason, the content of the advertisement message can also include the scheduled delivery time of the second dish.

[0072] Then, when an order for the second dish is received from the terminal 8 of the second member by the additional order deadline (step S21), the server 3 instructs the terminal 4 of the first eating establishment to prepare the second dish (step S22), and also instructs the delivery person's terminal 5 to deliver the second dish to the second member (step S23). Note that the instructions to the delivery person may include information indicating the delivery order of each dish or a delivery route L1 that passes through the first eating establishment, the first member, and the second member.

[0073] For example, the processing performed in the server 3 is performed automatically. Specifically, the server 3 is triggered by receiving an order for the first dish from the first member (step S11) to automatically perform the processing in steps S12 to S14. The server 3 is also triggered by receiving replies from the first eating establishment and the delivery person (steps S17 and S18) to automatically perform the processing in steps S19 and S20. The server 3 is also triggered by receiving an order for the second dish from the second member (step S21) to automatically perform the processing in steps S22 and S23. Note that, under certain conditions, such as when a malfunction occurs, when the order from the member includes special conditions, or when the response from the first eating establishment or the response from the delivery person includes special conditions, some of the processing performed in the server 3 may be performed manually, for example, via the operation input unit 23.

[0074] Next, a specific example of an advertising message transmitted to the terminal 8 operated by the second member in the first application example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an advertising message formed from advertising information in the first application example. Area A1 shows the destination, and the name or email address, etc. corresponding to the second member extracted by the neighborhood member extraction unit 212 is written based on the information included in the member information 221. Area A2 shows the subject, and for example, the additional orderable dish (second dish), its quantity, additional order deadline, and special offer information, etc., in the content of the advertisement included in the advertising information 224 are written. Here, seafood pizza is shown as the second dish, the quantity is two, the additional order deadline is 18:30, and the special offer information is 25% off. Area A3 shows the content of the advertising message body. For example, the additional orderable dish (second dish), its quantity, scheduled delivery time, additional order deadline, etc., in the content of the advertisement included in the advertising information 224 are written. For example, an advertising message template as shown in FIG. 8 is associated with each advertising ID included in the advertising information 224. As an example, in the area A2, there is a template of "[Second dish name][Discount rate] Limited [Quantity][Additional order deadline] Deadline!", and "Limited, deadline!" in the template is a fixed content, and "[Second dish name], [Discount rate], [Quantity], [Additional order deadline]" in the template is automatically filled with content according to the response from the first restaurant and the calculation result by the additional order deadline calculation unit 214. In addition, the second dish name, etc. written in the advertisement message are determined according to the advertisement target category of the second member. For example, if the response from the first restaurant includes multiple types of second dishes, the most suitable second dish from the multiple types of second dishes according to the advertisement target category is written in the advertisement message. Note that here, the destination and subject are included in the advertisement message, but are not required. In addition, information for guiding an order is provided in the area A3. For example, "<<Order>>" in the area A3 is the relevant information, and the relevant information is associated with a link for opening a homepage for ordering or a command for launching an app or the like. The information may also simply be a phone number or email address for ordering, allowing those who receive the advertising message to easily place an order.

[0076] [Second application example] Next, a second application example will be described.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram that shows a schematic diagram of a second application example of the information processing system (server 3) in the embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a member associated with a position on the delivery route L1 to the first member within a predetermined range, and a terminal 10 operated by the member, in addition to the first application example in FIG. 1. The member becomes a second member. That is, the second member may be a member associated with a position within a predetermined range from a position associated with the first member, or may be a member associated with a position within a predetermined range from a position on the delivery route L1. In this application example, both a member associated with a position within a predetermined range from a position associated with the first member, and a member associated with a position within a predetermined range from a position on the delivery route L1 are considered as second members. The second member does not have to be both of these, and may be either one of them.

[0078] Hereinafter, the configuration, operation, etc. different from the first application example will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration, operation, etc. as the first application example will be omitted as appropriate. When the delivery route nearby member extraction unit 216 receives the first order for the first dish, it determines the delivery route of the first dish to the location associated with the first member (specifically, the route from the address (current location) of the delivery person to the first member via the first restaurant). Then, the nearby member extraction unit 212 extracts the second member who is within a predetermined range (neighborhood) from the location on the delivery route L1 after passing through the first restaurant. The location of the second member is specified by the address registered in advance in the member information 221 or the GPS information of the terminal 10 operated by the second member. In addition, in the second application example, similar to the first application example, the nearby member extraction unit 212 also specifies the second member who is associated with a location within a predetermined range (within the area R1) from the location associated with the first member. Then, the advertising message is transmitted not only to the terminal 8 of the second member associated with a location within a predetermined range from the location associated with the first member, but also to the terminal 10 of the second member associated with a location within a predetermined range from the location on the delivery route L1. For example, when a second dish is ordered by the second member carrying the terminal 10, the delivery route to the first member will be slightly deviated as it passes through the second member, so the delivery route is changed, and information indicating the changed delivery route L1 is transmitted to the terminal 5 operated by the delivery person.

[0079] The entire process including the subsequent process of the server 3 is the same as that of the first application example, except that the second members include members who carry the terminal 10, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] [Third application example] Next, a third application example will be described.

[0081] FIG. 10 is a diagram that shows a schematic diagram of a third application example of the information processing system (server 3) in the embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a restaurant that is associated with the first application example in FIG. 1 within a predetermined range from a position on the delivery route L1 to the first member, and a terminal 7 of the restaurant. The restaurant is a second restaurant different from the first restaurant that prepares the first dish ordered by the first member. In other words, in this application example, the second restaurant different from the first restaurant that prepares the first dish is also a candidate for ordering the second dish. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the second restaurant may be a restaurant that is associated with a position within a predetermined range (for example, nearby) from a position associated with the first restaurant.

[0082] By checking whether there is a second dish that can be cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish, candidates for ordering the second dish are identified. Specifically, the terminal 7 sequentially transmits information on dishes that can be cooked to the server 3, or the server 3 directly inquires of restaurants that are associated with locations within a predetermined range from a location on the delivery route L1, or restaurants that are associated with locations within a predetermined range from a location associated with the first restaurant, to perform the above check. The above check is also a check of whether there is a second dish that can be cooked so as not to affect the delivery time of the first dish to the first member. For example, taking into consideration the cooking time of the dish and the extra time required by stopping by the second restaurant, it is checked whether there is a second dish that can be cooked so as not to affect the delivery time of the first dish to the first member. If there is a second restaurant that has a second dish that can be cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish, the second dish at the second restaurant is included in the advertising message and transmitted to the second member.

[0083] Then, when an additional order for a second dish is placed at a second restaurant different from the first restaurant that is the destination of the first dish, the delivery route is changed to delivery route L1 that also passes through the second restaurant, and information indicating the changed delivery route L1 is sent to the terminal 5 operated by the delivery person. In this way, the number of dishes (second dishes) that the second member can select by viewing the advertising message increases, and the advertising message significantly promotes the member's use of restaurants (food delivery services). Below, an advertising message that describes not only the second dish at the first restaurant but also the second dish at the second restaurant will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a message formed from the advertisement information 224 in the third application example. The area B1 indicates the destination, and the name or email address, etc. corresponding to the second member extracted by the neighborhood member extraction unit 212 is written based on the information included in the member information 221. The area B2 indicates the subject, and for example, the additional orderable dish (second dish), its quantity, and bonus information, etc. in the contents of the advertisement included in the advertisement information 224 are written. In the first application example, only the second dish, for example, pizza, which can be cooked at the first restaurant, is written, but in the third application example, the second dish, for example, sushi, which can be cooked at the second restaurant, is also written. In addition, the additional order deadline was written in the area A2 in the first application example, but in the third application example, the additional order deadlines for pizza and sushi are different from each other, so they are not written. However, each of them may be written. The area B3 shows the contents of the advertisement message body. For example, in the third application example, in addition to the second dish in the first eating establishment, the quantity, expected delivery time, additional order deadline, etc. of the second dish in the second eating establishment are described. The order deadline can be set for each eating establishment or each dish, as shown in FIG.

[0085] For example, it is assumed that the first dish at the first restaurant (e.g., a pizza restaurant) is completed at 19:00. Accordingly, the order deadline for the second dish at the first restaurant, for example, seafood pizza, which takes 30 minutes to cook, is set to 18:30. Furthermore, since the first dish at the first restaurant is completed at 19:00, as shown in FIG. 10, the second restaurant (e.g., a sushi restaurant) located closer to the delivery person than the first restaurant needs to complete the second dish before 19:00 because the delivery person arrives earlier than the first restaurant. For example, it is assumed here that the second dish at the second restaurant needs to complete at 18:50. Accordingly, the order deadline for the second dish at the second restaurant, for example, sushi, which takes 5 minutes to cook, is set to 18:45. Although FIG. 11 has been described using sushi as an example, which takes a short time to cook, FIG. 12 will be described using steak as an example, which takes a long time to cook.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of another example of a message formed from the advertisement information in the third application example. The area C1 indicates the destination, and the name or email address, etc. corresponding to the second member extracted by the neighborhood member extraction unit 212 is written based on the information included in the member information 221. The area C2 indicates the subject, and for example, the additional orderable dish (second dish), its quantity, and benefit information, etc. in the contents of the advertisement included in the advertisement information 224 are written. In the first application example, only the second dish, for example, pizza, which can be cooked at the first restaurant, is written, but in the third application example, the second dish, for example, steak, which can be cooked at the second restaurant, is also written. In addition, the additional order deadline was written in the area A2 in the first application example, but in the third application example, the additional order deadlines for pizza and steak are different from each other, so they are not written. However, each of them may be written. The area C3 indicates the contents of the advertisement message body. For example, in the third application example, in addition to the second dish in the first eating establishment, the quantity, expected delivery time, additional order deadline, etc. of the second dish in the second eating establishment are described. The order deadline can be set for each eating establishment or each dish, as shown in FIG.

[0087] For example, it is assumed that the first dish at the first restaurant (e.g., a pizza restaurant) is completed at 19:00. Accordingly, the order deadline for the second dish at the first restaurant, for example, seafood pizza, which takes 30 minutes to prepare, is set to 18:30. Furthermore, since the first dish at the first restaurant is completed at 19:00, as shown in FIG. 10, the second restaurant (e.g., a sushi restaurant) that is located closer to the delivery person than the first restaurant needs to complete the second dish before 19:00 because the delivery person arrives earlier than the first restaurant. For example, it is assumed here that the second dish needs to be completed at 18:50. Accordingly, the order deadline for the second dish at the second restaurant, for example, steak, which takes 30 minutes to prepare, is set to 18:20.

[0088] The order deadline for the second dish at the second restaurant may vary depending on the location of the second restaurant. For example, in the third application example, the second restaurant was located closer to the delivery person than the first restaurant, but it may be located closer to the first member than the first restaurant. In this case, the order deadline for the second dish at the second restaurant may be later than that in the third application example. Specifically, since the delivery person arrives at the second restaurant later than the first restaurant, the second dish needs to be completed later than 19:00. For example, it is assumed here that the second dish needs to be completed at 19:10 at the second restaurant. Thus, the order deadline for sushi, which takes 5 minutes to cook as the second dish at the second restaurant, is set to 19:05, and the order deadline for steak, which takes 30 minutes to cook, is set to 18:40.

[0089] [summary] As described above, the second member identified according to the location associated with the first member is, for example, a member in the neighborhood of the first member, and therefore when the second member who saw the advertisement encouraging the order of the second dish places an order for the second dish, multiple dishes (the first dish and the second dish) can be delivered to multiple members (the first member and the second member) in one delivery. That is, efficient delivery is possible. In addition, when the second dish that can be cooked is cooked in parallel with the cooking of the first dish, the cooking work becomes more efficient than when a dish that cannot be cooked in parallel is cooked, and the timing of completion of the first dish and the timing of completion of the second dish can be synchronized. That is, it is possible to prevent the first dish from getting cold, and the quality of the first dish can be maintained. In this way, it is possible to maintain the quality of the delivered food and to deliver it efficiently at the same time. This in turn promotes the use of food delivery services.

[0090] (Other embodiments) The information processing system (server 3) of the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the present embodiment and forms constructed by combining components of different embodiments are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the information processing system is a server, but it is not limited to a server and may be a computer, etc. Also, the components constituting the server 3 may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of servers (computers).

[0092] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the server 3 includes the operation input unit 23 and the display unit 24, but these may not be included.

[0093] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 21 includes the additional order cut-off time calculation unit 214 and the orderable food from other stores extraction unit 217, but these units do not necessarily have to be included.

[0094] In addition, for example, performance data such as the advertising message sent to the second member or whether the second dish was ordered as a result of the advertising message may be accumulated. This can be used to improve the content of future advertising messages and as data for machine learning.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the information for encouraging the order of the second dish is an advertisement, but the information is not limited to this. Specifically, the information may be information for identifying the second dish for which an order is encouraged. For example, the information may be information for identifying the second dish from among multiple dishes displayed on a web browser or application screen, and may be used to highlight or select and display the second dish on the screen.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the second member is selected from the location of the first member, but the second member may also be selected from the past order history of the second member. For example, the nearby member extraction unit 212 acquires the order history of the second member selected from the location of the first member, and selects the second member who is likely to order the second dish from the order history. The second member may also be selected based on the relationship with the first member. For example, the nearby member extraction unit 212 acquires the relationship between the second member selected from the location of the first member and the first member, and selects the second member who has a specific relationship with the first member (for example, a family member, a friend, or a person with similar tastes).

[0097] Furthermore, the present disclosure can be realized not only as an information processing system, but also as an information processing method including steps (processing) performed by each component of the information processing system.

[0098] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the information processing method uses a computer to receive a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal (terminal 2) operated by a first member (step S11), determine a second dish that can be cooked in parallel with cooking the first dish (step S16), generate information (e.g., an advertisement) to encourage the order of the second dish (step S20), obtain a location associated with the first member (step S14), identify the second member according to the location associated with the first member (step S14), and transmit the generated information (e.g., an advertisement) to a second terminal operated by the second member (step S20).

[0099] Also, for example, those steps may be executed by a computer (computer system).The present disclosure can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in those methods.Furthermore, the present disclosure can be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, on which the program is recorded.

[0100] For example, when the present disclosure is realized by a program (software), each step is executed by executing the program using hardware resources such as a computer's CPU, memory, input / output circuitry, etc. In other words, each step is executed by the CPU acquiring data from memory or input / output circuitry, etc., performing calculations, and outputting the calculation results to memory or input / output circuitry, etc.

[0101] Furthermore, each of the components included in the information processing system of the above embodiment may be realized as a dedicated or general-purpose circuit. These components may be realized as one circuit or as multiple circuits.

[0102] Furthermore, the multiple components included in the information processing system of the above embodiment may be realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), which is an integrated circuit (IC). These components may be individually integrated into a single chip, or may be integrated into a single chip that includes some or all of the components. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may be called a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI.

[0103] Furthermore, the integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. A programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and settings of circuit cells within an LSI can be reconfigured may also be used.

[0104] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or a different derivative technology, that technology may naturally be used to integrate each of the components included in the information processing system.

[0105] In addition, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art may conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0106] One aspect of the present disclosure can be used, for example, in food delivery services. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 terminals 3. Server (information processing system) 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Operation input section 24 Display 211 Order Receiving Department (Receiving Department) 212 Neighborhood member extraction unit (specific unit) 213 Additional orderable food extraction unit (determination unit) 214 Additional Order Deadline Calculation Department 215 Advertising information provision unit (generation unit, transmission unit) 216 Delivery Route Neighborhood Member Extraction Unit 217 Other store orderable food extraction section 221 Member Information 222 Restaurant information 223 Delivery person information 224 Advertising Information

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: receiving a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member; determining a second dish based on the response to the inquiry regarding the additional dish that can be ordered; generating information for prompting the ordering of the second dish; Obtain a delivery location for the first order; Identifying a second member who is located within a predetermined range from the location of the delivery destination; Transmitting the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member; The additional orderable dish is a dish that will be completed by the time the first dish is completed, or within a predetermined time after the first dish is completed. Information processing methods.

2. Furthermore, a cooking time of the first dish is obtained; calculating a cut-off time for cutting off receipt of orders for the second dish based on the acquired cooking time for the first dish; The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. the second member is a member associated with a location within the predetermined range from the location of the delivery destination; 3. The information processing method according to claim 1.

4. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: receiving a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member; determining a second dish based on the response to the inquiry regarding the additional dish that can be ordered; generating information for prompting the ordering of the second dish; Obtain a delivery location for the first order; determining a delivery route for the first dish to the delivery location; Identifying a second member who is located within a predetermined range from the location on the delivery route; Transmitting the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member; The additional orderable dish is a dish that will be completed by the time the first dish is completed, or within a predetermined time after the first dish is completed. Information processing methods.

5. Furthermore, a second restaurant different from the first restaurant is selected to prepare the first dish ordered by the first member; The second dish includes a dish that the second eating and drinking establishment can cook. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The second restaurant is a restaurant associated with a position within a predetermined range from the position associated with the first restaurant. The information processing method according to claim 5.

7. Furthermore, a delivery route to the delivery destination location is determined; The second restaurant is a restaurant associated with a position within a predetermined range from a position on the delivery route.

7. The information processing method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. obtain a delivery time for delivering the first dish to the first member; The second dish includes a dish that can be cooked within a time in which the delay with respect to the delivery time falls within a predetermined range. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The information is an advertisement encouraging the ordering of the second dish. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A processor; A memory in which a program is stored, The processor executes the program stored in the memory, receiving a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member; determining a second dish based on the response to the inquiry regarding the additional dish that can be ordered; generating information for prompting the ordering of the second dish; Obtain a delivery location for the first order; Identifying a second member who is located within a predetermined range from the location of the delivery destination; Transmitting the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member; The additional orderable dish is a dish that will be completed by the time the first dish is completed, or within a predetermined time after the first dish is completed. Information processing system.

11. A processor; A memory in which a program is stored, The processor executes the program stored in the memory, receiving a first order indicating an order for a first dish from a first terminal operated by a first member; determining a second dish based on the response to the inquiry regarding the additional dish that can be ordered; generating information for prompting the ordering of the second dish; Obtain a delivery location for the first order; determining a delivery route for the first dish to the delivery location; Identifying a second member who is located within a predetermined range from the location on the delivery route; Transmitting the generated information to a second terminal operated by the second member; The additional orderable dish is a dish that will be completed by the time the first dish is completed, or within a predetermined time after the first dish is completed. Information processing system.

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