Delivery management device and information processing program

Abstract

To reduce a burden on a delivery person.SOLUTION: A delivery management apparatus of an embodiment includes first reception means and determination means. The first reception means receives a delivery destination of an orderer regarding a delivery destination of a delivery item. When a designation that a group to which a plurality of users including the orderer belong is set as a delivery destination is received by the first reception means, the determination means determines the delivery destination determined for the group as the delivery destination of the delivery item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a delivery management device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] When multiple deliveries need to be delivered at different times to nearby destinations, the deliverer must make multiple trips to the same area, which places a burden on the deliverer. For these reasons, there was a need to reduce the burden on deliverers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-128259 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a delivery management device and an information processing program that can reduce the burden on deliverers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The delivery management device of the embodiment includes a first receiving means and a determining means. The first receiving means receives an instruction for delivery of a delivery item from any one of a plurality of users belonging to a group, together with a designation of whether the delivery destination of the delivery item is to be a group delivery destination or a normal delivery destination. The determining means includes: At an execution timing according to a delivery service, a process of determining a delivery destination for each product to be delivered by that delivery service is performed for the corresponding product. A designation to be a group delivery destination is received by the first reception means. Is In case, Even if another product that is accepted by the first receiving means for the same group delivery destination is not included in the other products to be delivered by the same delivery service, The delivery destination is determined as the delivery destination for the group to which the user who issued the delivery instruction belongs. Do as you please.When a designation to use the destination as a regular delivery destination is received by the first reception means, the delivery destination determined for the user who issued the delivery instruction, among the delivery destinations determined individually for a plurality of users, is determined as the delivery destination for the delivery piece. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment and a schematic configuration of a network super system configured using this information processing device; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a data record included in a user database. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a data record included in a group database. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a data record included in an order database. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart of order processing. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart of order processing. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of order processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a first setting screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a second setting screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a third setting screen. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a management process. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery slip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in this embodiment, an example relating to delivery management of ordered products at an online supermarket will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an information processing device 1 according to this embodiment, and a schematic configuration of a network supermarket system 100 configured using this information processing device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0008] The online supermarket system 100 includes an information processing device 1, a user terminal 2, a store terminal 3, and a printer 4. The online supermarket system 100 enables communication between the information processing device 1, the user terminal 2, and the store terminal 3 via a communication network 200, and is configured by connecting the printer 4 to the store terminal 3.

[0009] The information processing device 1 executes information processing for providing an online supermarket service. The online supermarket service is a service for delivering products displayed and sold in physical stores such as supermarkets in response to orders placed via a communication network. The information processing device 1 performs information processing for receiving orders, as well as information processing for managing the delivery of ordered products. In other words, the information processing device 1 has a function as a delivery management device.

[0010] The user terminal 2 is a terminal used by a user of the online supermarket service for placing an order. For example, the user terminal 2 may be a personal computer installed in the user's home or a mobile communication terminal owned by the user.

[0011] The store terminal 3 is a terminal installed in a brick-and-mortar store and used to provide various types of information to workers who perform tasks to provide the online supermarket service at the brick-and-mortar store. For example, the store terminal 3 may be a personal computer installed in the back room of the store or a mobile communication terminal carried by a store employee. The printer 4 prints various slips such as delivery slips in response to instructions from the store terminal 3.

[0012] The communication network 200 may be, for example, the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either alone or in appropriate combination. Typically, the communication network 200 is a mobile communication network or the Internet.

[0013] The information processing device 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and a transmission path 15. The processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage unit 13, and the communication interface 14 are capable of communicating with each other via the transmission path 15. The processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage unit 13 are connected by the transmission path 15 to configure a computer for controlling the information processing device 1.

[0014] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 executes information processing for realizing various functions of the information processing device 1 according to an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit).

[0015] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data required for the processor 11 to execute information processing in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (read only memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (random access memory).

[0016] The auxiliary storage unit 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 13, for example, a storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores data used by the processor 11 in performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage unit 13 may also store the above-mentioned information processing program.

[0017] The communication interface 14 performs data communication via the communication network 200. As the communication interface 14, for example, a well-known communication device for performing communication via the Internet can be applied. The transmission path 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components.

[0018] The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores an online supermarket application APA, which is one of the information processing programs. The online supermarket application APA is an application program, and describes information processing for providing the online supermarket service. Part of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage unit 13 is used as a user database DBA, a group database DBB, and an order database DBC. The user database DBA is a database for managing users. The group database DBB is a database for managing groups consisting of multiple users. The order database DBC is a database for managing orders placed by users.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a typical data structure of a data record DRA contained in a user database DBA. The user database DBA is a collection of data records DRA associated with users, and the data records DRA include fields FAA, FAB, FAC, FAD, FAE, and FAF.

[0020] In the field FAA, a user ID (identifier) ​​is set as an identifier for identifying the associated user. The user ID is determined by the user, for example, so as not to overlap with other user IDs already in use. Alternatively, the user ID may be determined by the processor 11, for example, according to a predetermined rule, so as not to overlap with the user IDs set in the fields FAA of other data records DRA included in the user database DBA. In the field FAB, the name of the associated user is set. In the field FAC, data representing a normal delivery destination designated by the associated user is set. As an example of the normal delivery destination, the user's residence is specified. In this case, the address of the associated user's residence is set in the field FAC. In addition, a store such as a convenience store that handles receipt may be specified as the normal delivery destination. In this case, in the field FAC, a store ID for identifying the specified store is set. In the field FAD, data representing a group ID for identifying a group to which the associated user belongs or a location address is set. In the field FAD, if the associated user does not belong to a group, a predetermined invalid value is set. The field FAE is set with the receiving order determined within the group for the associated user. For example, if the receiving order within the group is set to be first, the field FAE is set with "1". If the associated user is not designated as the recipient, a predetermined invalid value is set in the field FAE. The field FAF is set with payment information used for settling the price for the order by the associated user. The payment information is, for example, a credit card number. The data record DRA may include a field in which various attribute information such as gender, age, or phone number for identifying the user is set. The data record DRA may also include a field in which a password for user authentication is set.

[0021] The processor 11 generates a new data record DRA in response to an instruction from a user terminal 2 who wishes to register, and adds it to the user database DBA. The processor 11 may generate a new data record DRA in response to an instruction from an operator on any terminal device in response to a declaration by a user who wishes to register, and add it to the user database DBA. Alternatively, the processor 11 may add a data record DRA generated by another information processing device to the user database DBA in response to a request from that information processing device.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a typical data structure of a data record DRB contained in the group database DBB. The group database DBB is a collection of data records DRB associated with a group. The data records DRB include fields FBA and FBB.

[0023] A group ID for identifying the associated group is set in the field FBA. The group ID is determined, for example, by the processor 11 according to a predetermined rule so as not to overlap with the group ID set in the field FBA of another data record DRB included in the group database DBB. A group name, which is a name given to the associated group, is set in the field FBB. The group name is arbitrarily determined by the user, for example, so that the users belonging to the group can identify the group.

[0024] The processor 11 generates a new data record DRB in response to a group generation instruction from the user terminal 2, and adds it to the group database DBB. The processor 11 also updates the data record DRB to add or remove a user belonging to an existing group in response to a group editing instruction from the user terminal 2. The processor 11 may generate or update the data record DRB in response to an instruction from an operator on any terminal device in response to a declaration from a user. Alternatively, the processor 11 may add or rewrite a data record DRB generated or updated by another information processing device to the group database DBB in response to a request from that information processing device.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic data structure of a data record DRC contained in the order database DBC. The order database DBC is a collection of data records DRC associated with each order placed through the online supermarket service. The data records DRC include fields FCA, FCB, FCC, FCD, FCE, FCF, FCG, and FCH.

[0026] An order ID for identifying the associated order is set in field FCA. A user ID of the user who placed the associated order is set in field FCB. A delivery method ID for identifying the delivery method specified for the associated order is set in field FCC. Data of the delivery destination specified for the associated order is set in field FCD. A delivery date specified for the associated order is set in field FCE. A time zone ID for identifying the time zone to which the delivery time specified for the associated order belongs is set in field FCF. A payment method ID for identifying the payment method specified for the associated order is set in field FCG. A product list for the associated order is set in field FCH. The product list is a list of product codes identifying each of the purchased products.

[0027] The data record DRC may include fields other than the fields FCA, FCB, FCC, FCD, FCE, FCF, FCG, and FCH, and any data may be set in the fields. For example, the information processing device 1 may manage online supermarket services provided by multiple stores, and in this case, an ID for identifying the online supermarket service or store that is the subject of an order may be set in the data record DRC. The data record DRC may not include some of the fields FCA, FCB, FCC, FCD, FCE, FCF, FCG, and FCH. For example, if the delivery method is limited to home delivery only, the field FCC may not be included. For example, if the product list is managed in another database, the field FCH may not be included.

[0028] Next, the operation of the information processing device 1 configured as above will be described. Note that the contents of the various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following description, in order to easily explain the characteristic operations of this embodiment, the description of some of the processes is omitted. For example, when some kind of error occurs, a process may be performed to deal with the error, but the description of some of such processes is omitted.

[0029] When a user wishes to use the online supermarket service, the user accesses a predetermined website provided by the information processing device 1 from the user terminal 2 via the communication network 200. The user terminal 2 may perform the above access using a general-purpose web browser or a dedicated application. In the following, the processing in the user terminal 2 is assumed to be processing using a web browser.

[0030] When the processor 11 in the information processing device 1 receives access from the user terminal 2 as described above, it executes information processing for receiving an order (hereinafter referred to as order processing) based on the online supermarket application APA. Note that in the following explanation of the order processing, when the word "user" is used simply, it refers to the user who has accessed the order. Also, since this order processing is executed for one order, when the word "order" is used simply, it refers to the order that is the subject of the order processing. 5, 6 and 7 are flow charts of the order processing.

[0031] As ACT11 in Fig. 5, the processor 11 executes user authentication to confirm whether or not the accessing person is a user. For this user authentication, for example, a well-known technique for authenticating an accessing person via the Internet can be used as is. Then, if the processor 11 can confirm that the accessing person is a user, it adds a new data record DRC for managing orders to be received in the future to the order database DBC. The processor 11 sets each data in each field of the new data record DRC, for example, as follows:

[0032] The processor 11 sets in the field FCA an order ID determined, for example, according to a predetermined rule, so as not to overlap with order IDs set in the field FCA of other data records DRC included in the order database DBC. The processor 11 sets the user ID acquired during the above authentication in the field FCB.

[0033] The processor 11 sets the delivery method ID of the default delivery method in the field FCC. The delivery method may be, for example, home delivery, in-store pick-up, or convenience store pick-up, and which delivery method is available is determined in advance by the provider of the online supermarket service. It is assumed that the default delivery method is, for example, home delivery. However, the processor 11 may set the field FCC to an invalid value that is predetermined to indicate that a delivery method has not been selected.

[0034] The processor 11 sets default delivery destination data in the field FCD. The default delivery destination data is assumed to be, for example, normal delivery destination data. That is, the processor 11 finds a data record DRA in which the user ID acquired during the above authentication is set in the field FAA from the user database DBA, and copies the normal delivery destination data set in the field FAC of the data record DRA to the field FCD. However, the processor 11 may set a predetermined invalid value to the field FCD as a value indicating that a delivery method has not been selected.

[0035] Processor 11 sets a default delivery date in field FCE. The default delivery date is assumed to be the earliest of the selectable delivery dates. However, processor 11 may set field FCE to a predetermined invalid value that indicates that a delivery date has not been selected.

[0036] The processor 11 sets a default time slot ID in the field FCF. The default time slot ID is assumed to be the time slot ID of the time slot to which the earliest delivery time of the selectable delivery times belongs. However, the processor 11 may set a predetermined invalid value in the field FCF to indicate that a delivery time slot has not been selected.

[0037] Processor 11 sets a default payment method ID in field FCG. Payment methods include, for example, cash on delivery and credit card payment, and which payment methods are available is determined in advance by the online supermarket service provider. It is assumed that the default payment method ID is the payment method ID for cash on delivery. However, processor 11 may set a predetermined invalid value in field FCG to indicate that a payment method has not been selected. The processor 11 does not include any product code in the field FCH, and may set the field FCH to an invalid value that is predetermined to indicate that the field is not registered.

[0038] The various default settings described above may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, the creator of the online supermarket application APA. The default settings may also be changed as appropriate by the provider of the online supermarket service or the user. If it is desired to enable users to change the various default settings, a field for setting the relevant default settings is added to the data record DRA of the user database DBA. After the processor 11 has finished updating the order database DBC, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT12.

[0039] In ACT12, the processor 11 registers the purchased product in response to an instruction from the user on the user terminal 2. This product registration is a process of registering a product specified by the user on a web page as a purchased product, and may be a process similar to that performed in existing online supermarket services, for example. The processor 11 sets the product code of the specified product in the field FCH of the data record DRC added to the order database DBC as described above. Then, when the user declares the completion of the product registration, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT13. In ACT13, the processor 11 checks whether the user belongs to a group.

[0040] Here, the groups in this embodiment will be described. A user of the online supermarket service can form a group with any other user. The type of group is up to the user. It is preferable to form a group with users who have nearby delivery destinations for items ordered from the online supermarket. Also, some users in the group are designated as recipients. Which users are designated as recipients is arbitrary for each group. For example, a group may be formed with multiple users living in the same apartment building, and a user who is a manager stationed in the apartment building or a user who is often at home may be designated as a recipient. When multiple recipients are determined, a receiving order is determined. When a new group is formed, any user belonging to the group registers the group ID and group name in the group database DBB by prior notification. Also, each user belonging to the group registers the group ID in the user database DBA by prior notification. Also, the user who is the recipient registers the receiving order in the user database DBA by prior notification. As a result, when the data record DRA of the user database DBA is associated with a user belonging to the group, a valid group ID and receiving order are set in the fields FAD and FAE.

[0041] Therefore, in ACT13, if an invalid value is set in the field FAD of the data record DRA to which the user is associated in the user database DBA, the processor 11 determines that the user does not belong to a group and proceeds to ACT14. As ACT14, the processor 11 instructs the user terminal 2 to display a first setting screen. The first setting screen is a screen for a user who does not belong to a group to set various conditions for purchasing a registered product. The processor 11, for example, sends instruction data including identification data for identifying that the instruction is to display the first setting screen from the communication interface 14 to the communication network 200 to the user terminal 2. The processor 11 includes web page data showing the first setting screen in the instruction data. Various instructions from the information processing device 1 to the user terminal 2, which will be described below, are realized in the same manner as above.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first setting screen SCA. The first setting screen SCA displays areas ARA, ARB, ARC, ARD, and ARE, and buttons BUA and BUB.

[0043] Area ARA is an area that displays the delivery method being set. In Fig. 8, it shows that "Delivery" is set as the delivery method. Area ARA also serves as a GUI (graphical user interface) that allows the user to declare that he / she wants to change the delivery method. The area ARB is an area that displays the delivery destination being set. In Fig. 8, the delivery destination registered as the normal delivery destination is set as the delivery destination. The area ARB also serves as a GUI for the user to declare that he / she wishes to change the delivery destination. Area ARC is an area that displays the delivery date being set. In FIG. 8, the delivery date is set to "Wednesday, January 1, 2020." Area ARC also serves as a GUI that allows the user to declare that they want to change the delivery date.

[0044] The area ARD displays the delivery time being set. The area ARD also serves as a GUI for the user to specify the delivery time. FIG. 8 shows a case where the delivery time can be specified as one of four time periods: "14:00-16:00", "16:00-18:00", "18:00-20:00", and "20:00-21:00". The area ARD shows radio buttons corresponding to each time period, and the radio buttons indicate which time period is set as the delivery time. FIG. 8 shows a state where the time period "14:00-16:00" is set as the delivery time. FIG. 8 also shows a case where the time period "14:00-16:00" and the time period "16:00-18:00" can be specified, and this is indicated by circles corresponding to the time periods. Fig. 8 also shows a case where the time period "20:00-21:00" cannot be specified, and this is indicated by a cross mark corresponding to the time period. Fig. 8 also shows a case where the number of orders for which the time period "18:00-20:00" can be specified is small, and this is indicated by a triangle mark corresponding to the time period.

[0045] Area ARE displays the payment method being set. Area ARE also serves as a GUI for the user to specify the payment method. FIG. 8 shows a case where the payment method can be specified as one of two methods, cash on delivery and credit card payment. Area ARE shows radio buttons corresponding to each payment method, and these radio buttons indicate which payment method is set. FIG. 8 shows a state where cash on delivery is set as the payment method.

[0046] The button BUA is a soft key for the user to declare that the current settings are to be confirmed, and the button BUB is a soft key for the user to declare that the user is to return to product registration. The processor 11 generates the first setting screen SCA to indicate various settings based on the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC.

[0047] On the other hand, if a valid group ID is set in the field FAD of the data record DRA associated with the user in the user database DBA, the user belongs to the group, so the answer is YES in ACT13 in FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to ACT15. The processor 11 as ACT 15 instructs the user terminal 2 to display a second setting screen. The second setting screen is a screen for users belonging to a group to set various conditions related to the purchase of registered products.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the second setting screen SCB. In Fig. 9, the same elements as those in the first setting screen SCA shown in Fig. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 8, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second setting screen SCB shows areas ARA, ARB, ARC, ARD, ARE, buttons BUA, BUB, and a message MEA. That is, the second setting screen SCB is a screen that shows the first setting screen SCA with the message MEA added. The message MEA is displayed within the area ARB and is a text message indicating that the delivery charge will be discounted by specifying a group as the delivery destination.

[0049] When instruction data for instructing the display of the first setting screen SCA or the second setting screen SCB is transmitted via the communication network 200, the user terminal 2 displays the first setting screen SCA or the second setting screen SCB on an internal or external display device in accordance with the web page data contained in the instruction data.

[0050] When the second setting screen SCB is displayed on the display device, the user can recognize from the message MEA that it is advantageous to specify a group as the delivery destination. In other words, this gives the user an incentive to specify a group as the delivery destination, which is equivalent to suggesting to the user as the orderer that he or she specify a group as the delivery destination. In other words, instructing to display the second setting screen SCB is equivalent to giving a notification to suggest to the orderer that he or she specify the group to which the user as the orderer belongs as the delivery destination. Thus, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the online supermarket application APA, the computer with the processor 11 as its central part functions as a notification means for giving the above notification.

[0051] After issuing a display instruction in ACT14 or ACT15 in FIG. 5, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT16. In ACT 16, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery method has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery method has been specified, it determines that the method has been specified as NO, and proceeds to ACT 17. In ACT 17, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery destination has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery destination has been specified, the processor 11 judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT 18. In ACT 18, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery date has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery date has been specified, the processor 11 determines that the date has been specified as NO, and proceeds to ACT 19. In ACT 19, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery time has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery time has been specified, it determines that the time has been specified as NO, and proceeds to ACT 20.

[0052] In ACT20, the processor 11 checks whether or not a payment method has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a payment method has been specified, it determines that the method has been specified as NO, and proceeds to ACT21. In ACT 21, the processor 11 checks whether or not a condition determination has been specified. If the corresponding specification cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT 22. In ACT22, the processor 11 checks whether or not a return to product registration has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm the specified return, it determines NO and returns to ACT16. Thus, the processor 11 waits for any one of the delivery method, delivery destination, delivery date, delivery time, payment method, decision, and return to be specified in ACT16 to ACT22.

[0053] The user checks the current setting status based on the first setting screen SCA or the second setting screen SCB. If the user wants to change the delivery method, he or she touches or clicks the area ARA. In response to this, the user terminal 2 displays a selection screen for the delivery method and receives the user's designation of the delivery method to be set. When the delivery method is designated, the user terminal 2 notifies the information processing device 1 of the designated delivery method. The user terminal 2 executes the display of the selection screen and the notification of the designated contents to the information processing device 1 based on, for example, the definition in the web page data of the first setting screen SCA or the second setting screen SCB. The user terminal 2 then sends notification data including, for example, identification data for identifying whether the notification is related to the designation of the delivery method, delivery destination, delivery date, delivery time, or payment method, and data indicating the designated contents, to the communication network 200, addressed to the information processing device 1. Various notifications from the user terminal 2 to the information processing device 1, which will be described below, are realized in the same manner as above.

[0054] When notification data notifying the designation of the delivery method is transmitted to the information processing device 1 via the communication network 200, the communication interface 14 of the information processing device 1 retrieves the notification data. In response to this, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT 16 in FIG. 5 and proceeds to ACT 23 in FIG. 6. In ACT23, the processor 11 sets the delivery method based on the notification. For example, the processor 11 sets the delivery method ID of the notified delivery method in the field FCC of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22 in FIG. 5.

[0055] When the user wants to change the delivery destination, the user touches or clicks the area ARB. In response, the user terminal 2 displays a delivery destination selection screen and receives the user's designation of the delivery destination to be set. Then, when the delivery destination is designated, the user terminal 2 notifies the information processing device 1 of the designated delivery destination. In response to the notification of the designated delivery destination, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT17 in Fig. 5 and proceeds to ACT24 in Fig. 6. Thus, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the online supermarket application APA, and the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as a first reception means for receiving the designated delivery destination.

[0056] As ACT24, the processor 11 sets the delivery destination based on the notification. For example, the processor 11 sets delivery destination data representing the notified delivery destination in the field FCD of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. If a regular delivery destination is specified, the processor 11 sets the regular delivery destination data set in the field FAC of the data record DRA associated with the user in the user database DBA as the delivery destination data in the field FCD. If a group is specified, the processor 11 sets the group ID set in the field FAD of the data record DRA associated with the user in the user database DBA as the delivery destination data in the field FCD. In ACT 25, the processor 11 checks whether the newly set delivery destination is a group or not. If it is not a group, the processor 11 judges the result as NO, and returns to the standby state of ACT 16 to ACT 22 in FIG.

[0057] When the user wants to change the delivery date, the user touches or clicks the area ARC. In response, the user terminal 2 displays a delivery date selection screen and receives the user's specification of the delivery date to be set. Then, when the delivery date is specified, the user terminal 2 notifies the information processing device 1 of the specified delivery date. In response to the notification of the specified delivery date, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT 18 in FIG. 5, and proceeds to ACT 26 in FIG. In ACT26, the processor 11 sets a delivery date based on the notification. For example, the processor 11 sets the notified delivery date in the field FCE of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22 in FIG. 5.

[0058] When the user wants to change the delivery time, the user touches or clicks the radio button in the area ARD that corresponds to the time period to which the delivery time should be set. Then, the user terminal 2 notifies the information processing device 1 of the time period of the delivery time thus specified. In response to the notification of the specified delivery time, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT 19 in FIG. 5, and proceeds to ACT 27 in FIG. In ACT27, the processor 11 sets the delivery time based on the notification. For example, the processor 11 sets the time slot ID of the notified time slot in the field FCF of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22 in FIG. 5.

[0059] When the user wants to change the payment method, the user touches or clicks the radio button in the area ARE that corresponds to the payment method to be set. The user terminal 2 then notifies the information processing device 1 of the payment method designated in this manner. In response to the notification of the designated payment method, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT 20 in FIG. 5, and proceeds to ACT 28 in FIG. In ACT28, the processor 11 sets the payment method based on the notification. For example, the processor 11 sets the payment method ID of the notified payment method in the field FCG of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22 in FIG. 5.

[0060] If, for example, a return is specified by touching or clicking the button BUB while the processor 11 is in the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT22 and returns to ACT 12. Then, the processor 11 performs additional product registration.

[0061] Now, if the user designates a group as the delivery destination, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT25 in FIG. 6 and proceeds to ACT29 in FIG. In ACT 29, the processor 11 sets the delivery time to "unspecified." For example, the processor 11 sets a predetermined invalid value representing "unspecified" to the field FCF of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC.

[0062] In ACT30, the processor 11 sets the payment method to credit card payment. For example, the processor 11 sets the payment method ID of credit card payment in the field FCG of the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. As ACT31, the processor 11 instructs the user terminal 2 to display a third setting screen. The third setting screen is a screen for a user who has designated a group as a delivery destination to set various conditions related to the purchase of a registered product.

[0063] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the third setting screen SCC. In Fig. 10, the same elements as those in the first setting screen SCA and the second setting screen SCB shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The third setting screen SCC shows areas ARA, ARB, ARC, ARD, ARE, buttons BUA, BUB, message MEA, and images IMA, IMB. In other words, the third setting screen SCC is a screen in which images IMA and IMB are added to the second setting screen SCB. The image IMA is overlaid on the area ARD to notify the user that a delivery time cannot be specified. The image IMB is overlaid on the display line representing cash on delivery in the area ARE to notify the user that cash on delivery cannot be selected as a payment method.

[0064] In ACT 32, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery method has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery method has been specified, it determines that the answer is NO and proceeds to ACT 33. In ACT 33, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery destination has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery destination has been specified, the processor 11 determines that the destination has been specified as NO, and proceeds to ACT 34. In ACT 34, the processor 11 checks whether or not a delivery date has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that a delivery date has been specified, the processor 11 determines that the date has been specified as NO, and proceeds to ACT 35. In ACT 35, the processor 11 checks whether or not a condition determination has been specified. If the corresponding specification cannot be confirmed, the processor 11 judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT 36. In ACT36, the processor 11 checks whether or not a return to product registration has been specified. If the processor 11 cannot confirm the specified return, it determines NO and returns to ACT32. Thus, the processor 11 waits for any of the delivery method, delivery destination, delivery date, decision, and return to be specified in ACT32 to ACT36. That is, in the standby state of ACT32 to ACT36, the processor 11 does not wait for the specification of the delivery time and payment method, unlike the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22 in FIG.

[0065] The processor 11 receives a delivery time designation in ACT19 when in the standby state of ACT16 to ACT22, but does not receive a delivery time designation when in the standby state of ACT32 to ACT36. Thus, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the online supermarket application APA, and the computer with the processor 11 as its central part functions as a second reception means.

[0066] The reason why the delivery time is set to "no time specified" and no specification by the user is awaited is to increase the number of deliveries that can be delivered on the same flight, and the reason why the payment method is set to "credit card" and no specification by the user is awaited is because the recipient and the orderer may be different.

[0067] The user terminal 2 also receives designation of the delivery method, delivery destination, and delivery date on the third setting screen SCC in the same manner as on the first setting screen SCA and the second setting screen SCB, and notifies the information processing device 1 of them. When the designated delivery method is notified, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT32 and proceeds to ACT37. In ACT 37, the processor 11 sets the delivery method in the same manner as in ACT 23. This changes the delivery method to something other than delivery, and the designation of delivery to a group as the delivery destination is cancelled. The processor 11 then returns to ACT 15 in Fig. 5, and executes the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

[0068] When the designated delivery destination is notified, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT33 and proceeds to ACT38. In ACT38, the processor 11 sets the delivery destination in the same manner as in ACT24. In ACT39, the processor 11 checks whether the newly set delivery destination is a group. If it is not a group, the processor 11 judges NO, returns to ACT15 in Fig. 5, and executes the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above. If it is a group, the processor 11 judges YES, and returns to the standby state of ACT32 to ACT36. If one user is allowed to belong to only one group, the delivery destination will be changed to something other than a group in ACT38, so the processor 11 may omit ACT39 and return to ACT15 in Fig. 5.

[0069] When the designated delivery date is notified, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT34 and proceeds to ACT40. In ACT40, the processor 11 sets the delivery date in the same manner as in ACT26. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT32 to ACT36.

[0070] If return is specified by touching or clicking the button BUB, for example, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT36 and proceeds to ACT41. In ACT41, the processor 11 performs product registration in the same manner as in ACT12 in Fig. 5. Then, when the user declares the completion of product registration, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT32 to ACT36.

[0071] If confirmation is designated by touching or clicking button BUA on the first setting screen SCA or the second setting screen SCB, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT21 in Fig. 5 and ends the order receiving process. If confirmation is designated by touching or clicking button BUA on the third setting screen SCC, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT35 in Fig. 7 and ends the order receiving process. Note that when the processor 11 judges YES in ACT21 in Fig. 5 or ACT35 in Fig. 7, it may have the user specify whether or not to proceed to a new order, and if a transition is instructed, add a data record DRA related to the new order to the order database DBC, and then return to ACT12 in Fig. 5.

[0072] The processor 11 executes management processing for delivery of group orders in accordance with the online supermarket application APA. The management processing is processing for managing the delivery of products by delivery services for products for which a group is specified. For this reason, the processor 11 executes management processing for each delivery service for products for which a group is specified, at each execution timing according to the delivery service (hereinafter referred to as the target service). The execution timing may be arbitrarily determined, for example, for each store, as an appropriate timing before the departure time of the target service. For example, if a delivery service for products for which a group is specified is set to one service per business day of the store, and the departure time of the delivery service is set to a fixed time, it is assumed that the execution timing is set to a fixed time a fixed time before the departure time. The processor 11 also executes information processing for managing deliveries of orders for which a group is not specified as the delivery destination, but a description of this information processing will be omitted. This information processing may be the same as existing processing, for example.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the management process. In ACT51, the processor 11 determines a group to be processed (hereinafter, referred to as a target group). For example, the processor 11 selects one data record DRB included in the group database DBB, and sets the group with the group ID set in the field FBA of the data record DRB as the target group.

[0074] In ACT 52, the processor 11 extracts all orders for which the product should be delivered by the target flight and for which the target group is set as the delivery destination. For example, the processor 11 searches the order database DBC for all data records DRC in which the delivery destination data set in the field FCD is a group ID and the delivery date set in the field FCE is the current day.

[0075] In ACT 53, the processor 11 checks whether the extraction in ACT 52 was successful. If at least one corresponding data record DRC is found in ACT 52, the processor 11 determines that the extraction was successful (YES) and proceeds to ACT 54. In ACT54, the processor 11 checks whether or not there are multiple orders extracted in ACT52. If only one corresponding data record DRC is found in ACT52, the processor 11 determines the answer as NO and proceeds to ACT55.

[0076] In ACT55, the processor 11 performs a payment process for one of the extracted orders. In this payment process, the processor 11 calculates the price of the product based on the product list set in the field FCH of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52. The processor 11 may also perform a well-known discount process when calculating the price of the product. The processor 11 adds the delivery fee when the number of orders subject to group delivery is one (hereinafter referred to as the first group fee) to the price to calculate the payment amount. Furthermore, the processor 11 searches the user database DBA for a data record DRA in which the user ID set in the field FCB of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 is set in the field FAA, and settles the above payment amount by using the payment information set in the field FAF of the data record DRA. For example, if a credit card number is set in the field FAF as payment information, the processor 11 executes a well-known process for credit card payment using the number. The first group fee may be set arbitrarily by, for example, the provider of the online supermarket service or for each store. For example, the first group fee is expected to be set lower than the delivery fee for delivery without specifying a group as the delivery destination (hereinafter referred to as the normal fee), but it may be the same as the normal fee.

[0077] If the first group fee is set lower than the normal fee, when a group is designated as a delivery destination, a greater benefit is given to the user as the orderer than when a group is not designated as a delivery destination. Therefore, the process of calculating the payment amount by applying the first group fee as the delivery fee corresponds to the process of giving the above-mentioned benefit to the user. Thus, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the online supermarket application APA, the computer with the processor 11 as its core portion functions as a processing means that performs the above-mentioned processing.

[0078] In ACT56, the processor 11 checks whether or not the payment has been successfully made by the payment process in ACT55. If the payment has been successfully made, the processor 11 determines that the result is YES, and proceeds to ACT57. As ACT57, the processor 11 instructs the store terminal 3 to issue a delivery slip. For example, the processor 11 sends instruction data including identification data for identifying that this is an instruction to issue a delivery slip from the communication interface 14 to the communication network 200, addressed to the store terminal 3. The processor 11 includes the data to be written on the delivery slip in the instruction data. The type of data to be included in the data may be determined arbitrarily for each store. For example, the data to be written includes the order number, membership number, delivery date, delivery time, name, payment method, number of items, barcode data, total amount, taxable amount, tax amount, group name, and delivery destination list.

[0079] For example, the processor 11 includes the order ID set in the field FCA of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 as an order number in the described data. For example, the processor 11 includes the user ID set in the field FCB of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 as a membership number in the described data. For example, the processor 11 includes the delivery date set in the field FCE of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 in the described data. For example, the processor 11 includes data that is predetermined to represent "no time specified" as a delivery time in the described data. The processor 11 finds, from the user database DBA, a data record DRA in which the user ID set in the field FCB of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 is set in the field FAA. Then, the processor 11 includes, for example, the name set in the field FAB of the data record DRA in question as a payment method in the described data. For example, the processor 11 includes "credit" as a payment method. For example, the processor 11 includes in the written data the total number of items shown in the item list set in the field FCH of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 as the number of items. For example, the processor 11 generates barcode data including data to be acquired by a terminal device for delivery management, and includes this in the written data. For example, the processor 11 includes in the barcode data predetermined data among the data included in the written data. The processor 11 may include in the barcode data data not included in the written data, such as a slip number. For example, the processor 11 includes in the written data the payment amount settled in ACT55 as the total amount. The processor 11 includes in the written data the taxable amount related to the payment amount settled in ACT55. The processor 11 includes in the written data the tax amount related to the payment amount settled in ACT55. The processor 11 finds a data record DRB in which the group ID set as delivery destination data in the field FCD of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 is set in the field FBA from the group database DBB.Then, for example, the processor 11 includes the group name set in field FBB of the data record DRB in the described data. The processor 11 searches the user database DBA for all data records DRA in which the group ID set as delivery destination data in field FCD of the data record DRC extracted in ACT52 is set in field FAD and an invalid value is not set in field FAE. The processor 11 then generates a delivery destination list in which, for example, the name set in field FAB of the data record DRA and the normal delivery destination data set in field FAC are arranged in a manner that allows the receiving order set in field FAE of each data record DRA to be determined, and includes this in the described data.

[0080] On the other hand, if the payment process in ACT55 fails, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT56 and proceeds to ACT58. As ACT58, the processor 11 performs error processing. The processor 11 performs processing to notify the user that the order is invalid. Note that the order receiving processing for the order has already been completed. For this reason, the processor 11 sends an e-mail for the notification to an e-mail address previously determined by the user, for example. In this case, for example, the e-mail address may be included in the data record DRA of the user database DBA. Alternatively, if a mobile communication terminal is used as the user terminal 2, the processor 11 may perform the notification using a notification function via a mobile communication network. Note that in this case, the processor 11 does not instruct the store terminal 3 to issue a delivery slip. As a result, a delivery slip is not issued, the product for the order is not delivered, and the order is invalid. The processor 11 may delete the data record DRC associated with the order in the order database DBC. Alternatively, the processor 11 may add a flag indicating whether the data record DRC is valid or not to the data record DRC, and change the flag to a state indicating invalid. After the notification, the processor 11 may accept a user's specification for changing the conditions of the invalidated order and accept it as a new order.

[0081] Meanwhile, if two or more corresponding data records DRC are found in ACT52, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT54 and proceeds to ACT59. In ACT59, the processor 11 determines a delivery fee. The delivery fee to be determined here may be set arbitrarily by, for example, the provider of the online supermarket service or for each store. The delivery fee (hereinafter referred to as the second group fee) is expected to be set lower than the first group fee, but may be the same as the first group fee. The processor 11 determines, for example, the amount obtained by dividing a base amount determined to be the same as the first group fee or the normal fee, or an arbitrarily determined base amount, by the number of orders extracted in ACT52 as the second group fee. The decimal points of the value obtained by the division are removed by a predetermined rounding process. The processor 11 may determine the second group fee as a predetermined amount regardless of the number of orders extracted in ACT52.

[0082] The processor 11 determines the target order in ACT 60. For example, the processor 11 selects one of the data records DRC found in ACT 52, and determines the order associated with that data record DRC as the target order. In ACT61, the processor 11 executes the settlement process for the target order in the same manner as in ACT55. However, for the delivery fee, the second group fee is applied instead of the first group fee.

[0083] In ACT62, the processor 11 checks whether or not the payment has been successfully made by the payment process in ACT61. If the payment has been successfully made, the processor 11 determines that the result is YES, and proceeds to ACT63. In ACT63, the processor 11 instructs the store terminal 3 to issue a delivery slip, similar to ACT57.

[0084] On the other hand, if the payment process in ACT55 fails, the processor 11 determines NO in ACT62 and proceeds to ACT64. In ACT64, the processor 11 performs error processing in the same manner as in ACT58.

[0085] Upon completing ACT63 or ACT64, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT65. In ACT65, the processor 11 checks whether all of the orders extracted in ACT52 have been selected as target orders. If there are any orders that have not yet been determined as target orders, the processor 11 judges the result to be NO, and repeats the processing from ACT60 onwards. At this time, in ACT60, the processor 11 selects an unselected order while repeating the processing from ACT60 to ACT65, and determines it as the target order.

[0086] Thus, the processor 11 sequentially selects each of the orders extracted in ACT52 as the target order and repeats the processing of ACT60 to ACT65. If all of the orders extracted in ACT52 have been selected as the target orders, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT65 and proceeds to ACT66. The processor 11 also proceeds to ACT 66 after completing ACT 57 or ACT 58. If the processor 11 does not find any corresponding data record DRC in ACT 52, it determines that the extraction has failed and the result is NO in ACT 53, and proceeds to ACT 66.

[0087] In ACT 66, the processor 11 checks whether all groups have been selected as the target group. If there is a group that has not yet been determined as the target group, the processor 11 judges the result to be NO, and repeats the processing from ACT 51 onwards. At this time, in ACT 51, the processor 11 selects an unselected group while repeating the processing from ACT 51 to ACT 66, and determines it as the target group. Thus, the processor 11 sequentially selects all groups managed by the group database DBB as the target groups and repeats the processing of ACT51 to ACT65. If all groups have been selected as the target groups, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT66 and ends the management processing.

[0088] Now, when instruction data instructing the issuance of a delivery slip is transmitted to the store terminal 3 via the communication network 200, the store terminal 3 issues a delivery slip based on the written data contained in the instruction data and predetermined form data by having the printer 4 print it.

[0089] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery slip SLA. In FIG. 12, the character strings of "Order Number", "Member Number", "Designated Delivery Method", "Name", "Payment Method", "Purchase Points", "Delivery Person", "Stamp", "Receipt Stamp", "Stamp / Signature", "Total Amount", "10% Taxable Amount", "10% Tax Amount", "Group Name", and "Delivery Destination" as well as the ruled lines are based on the form data. "999-999999-99999" represents the order number included in the data. "999-9999" represents the membership number included in the data. "9999 / 99 / 9999" represents the delivery date included in the data. "No Time Specified" represents the delivery time included in the data. "AA AA" represents the name included in the data. "Credit" represents the payment method included in the data. "99 points" represents the number of items included in the data. The image IMC represents a barcode based on the barcode data included in the data. "￥9,999" represents the total amount included in the data. "9,999 yen" represents the taxable amount included in the data. "999 yen" represents the amount of tax included in the data. "BBBBBBBB" represents the group name included in the data. "(1) Dear CC CC, Tokyo..." and "(2) Dear DD DD, Tokyo..." represent the delivery list included in the data.

[0090] In Figure 12, all the numbers shown in the written data are represented by "9" and are different from the actual numbers. Also, the alphabets representing names and group names are actually replaced with other character strings. Also, "Tokyo..." is actually replaced with a character string representing an address.

[0091] In this way, the delivery slip SLA for an order in which a group is specified as the delivery destination lists "CC CC" and "DD DD" as the delivery destinations in addition to the orderer "AA AA". However, Figure 12 shows a case in which "CC CC" and "DD DD" are specified as the delivery destinations, with "CC CC" in first place and "DD DD" in second place as the receiving order, and the delivery destination list may show the names and addresses of one or more delivery destinations.

[0092] Now, when the processor 11 repeats the processing of ACT60 to ACT65, the issuance of the delivery slip SLA is repeated every time a delivery slip issuance instruction is given in ACT68. The multiple delivery slips SLA thus issued will all have the same delivery date, delivery time, and delivery destination list. Therefore, based on these multiple delivery slips SLA, the deliverers responsible for deliveries for the online supermarket service will deliver items related to multiple orders to the same destination together.

[0093] Thus, when the processor 11 determines in ACT57 the delivery destination list to be included in the written data when instructing the store terminal 3 to issue a delivery slip, this corresponds to determining the delivery destinations defined for the group as the delivery destinations of the delivery item. Therefore, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the online supermarket application APA, the computer with the processor 11 as its central part functions as a determination means for making the above-mentioned determination.

[0094] As described above, the information processing device 1 can deliver a plurality of pieces together, thereby reducing the burden on the deliverer.

[0095] If the burden on the delivery person can be reduced in this way, it is also possible to reduce the delivery fee. As described above, if a first group fee or a second group fee that is lower than the normal fee is applied when a group is specified as a delivery destination, it is possible to provide an incentive for users to specify a group as a delivery destination.

[0096] In addition, when the first group fee is applied, although a group is specified as a delivery destination, there is no other order for the same group, and multiple deliveries cannot be delivered together. However, if the delivery destination set for the group is a user who is often at home, such as a manager stationed at an apartment complex, the absence rate for deliveries in response to orders from other users who are less likely to be at home decreases. This reduces the burden on the deliverer. In addition, since it is possible to increase the possibility that a group will be specified as a delivery destination, it is also possible to increase the possibility that multiple deliveries can be delivered together, so it is effective to set the first group fee lower than the normal fee.

[0097] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 determines the second group fee to be reduced according to the number of orders that can be delivered together. This increases the possibility that users in a group will set the conditions of their orders so that they are delivered by the same delivery service by prior agreement. This increases the possibility that multiple deliveries can be delivered together, further reducing the burden on the deliverer.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the information processing device 1, if the user belongs to a group, the second setting screen SCB or the third setting screen SCC showing the message MEA is displayed, so that the user can be made aware of designating a group as a delivery destination, thereby increasing the possibility that the group will be designated as a delivery destination.

[0099] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. The information processing for product registration may be performed by another information processing device. In other words, it may be realized as a delivery management device specialized in the function of managing deliveries of deliveries determined by another information processing device. It may also be realized by providing the delivery management device function to a device having various other functions, such as a function for inventory management in a store or warehouse.

[0100] The deliveries to be managed are not limited to deliveries from online supermarket services, but may be deliveries related to any service, such as internet shopping, telephone shopping, mail order sales by mail order, and even delivery services for in-store orders.

[0101] A user may be allowed to belong to multiple groups. In this case, for example, in the user database DBA, the group IDs of the multiple groups are set in the field FAD of the data record DRA associated with the user who belongs to the multiple groups. Alternatively, another field for setting the second and subsequent group IDs may be added to the data record DRA. Also, the data record DRA is associated with each of the multiple group IDs and describes the order of receipt in each group. The order of receipt may be managed in the group database DBB. For example, the data record DRB of the group database DBB is described with the user IDs of the recipients in the group associated with the data record DRB so that the order of receipt can be determined.

[0102] Users belonging to each group may be managed by describing the user IDs of all users belonging to the associated group in a data record DRB of the group database DBB.

[0103] The first setting screen SCA, the second setting screen SCB, and the third setting screen SCC may be generated by the user terminal 2. In this case, the processor 11 includes data representing various settings in instruction data for instructing the display of various screens.

[0104] When the first group fee is set to the same amount as the normal fee, if there is already an order by another user who has specified the same group as the delivery destination, the second setting screen SCB may be displayed.

[0105] The notification to suggest to the user to specify a group as the delivery destination may be performed by a method other than displaying the message MEA. For example, a screen to suggest to specify a group as the delivery destination may be displayed prior to displaying the setting screen. Alternatively, the initial value of the delivery destination may be the group for users who belong to a group. Alternatively, a notification operation other than a display, such as outputting a voice message, may be performed.

[0106] When the second setting screen SCB is displayed on the display device, the user can recognize from the message MEA that it is advantageous to specify a group as the delivery destination. In other words, this gives the user an incentive to specify a group as the delivery destination, which is equivalent to suggesting to the user as the orderer that he or she specify a group as the delivery destination. In other words, instructing to display the second setting screen SCB is equivalent to giving a notification to suggest to the orderer that he or she specify the group to which the user as the orderer belongs as the delivery destination. Thus, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the online supermarket application APA, the computer with the processor 11 as its central part functions as a notification means for giving the above notification.

[0107] Even when a group is specified as the delivery destination, the delivery time may be specified by the user. For example, if the number of orders is sufficiently large, or if users belonging to a group make an agreement to specify the same time period before placing an order, the possibility of orders from the same group being placed in the same time period increases even if a delivery time is specified. In this way, if there is a sufficient possibility that orders from the same group will be placed in the same time period, it is more convenient for the user to be able to specify a delivery time. Note that if it is possible to arbitrarily set, for example, for each store or user, whether or not to accept a delivery time specification by the user when a group is specified as the delivery destination, operation according to the individual circumstances of the store or user becomes possible, which is convenient.

[0108] Even when a group is specified as the delivery destination, the payment method may be specified by the user. For example, if the orderer agrees to pay the recipient when receiving the delivery from the recipient, there is no problem in applying cash on delivery as the payment method. In some cases, it is more convenient for the user to be able to specify the payment method in this way. Note that if it is possible to arbitrarily set, for example, for each store or user, whether or not to accept the user's specification of the payment method when a group is specified as the delivery destination, operation according to the individual circumstances of the store or user becomes possible, which is convenient.

[0109] Instead of the store terminal 3, a terminal installed in a distribution center or a terminal carried by a delivery person may be used.

[0110] The delivery slip may be printed by a printer built into the information processing device 1 or an external printer.

[0111] Instead of or in addition to different delivery fees, other benefits may be provided for deliveries whose delivery destination is a group. For example, the number or rate of points awarded may be greater when the delivery destination is a group than when the delivery destination is not a group. Also, for example, a coupon may be attached only to deliveries whose delivery destination is a group.

[0112] Each function realized by the processor 11 through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Also, each of the above functions can be realized by combining the above hardware, such as the logic circuit, with software control.

[0113] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below. [Appendix 1] A first reception means for receiving an orderer's designation regarding a delivery destination of a delivery item; a determination means for determining, when a designation that a group including a plurality of users including the orderer is to be a delivery destination is received by the first reception means, a delivery destination determined for the group as a delivery destination of the piece; A delivery management device comprising: [Appendix 2] A notification means for notifying the orderer, if the orderer belongs to the group, to suggest that the orderer designate the group as a delivery destination; The delivery management device of claim 1, further comprising: [Appendix 3] A second reception means for receiving the orderer's designation regarding the delivery time of the delivery item when the group is not designated as a delivery destination by the first reception means, and not receiving the designation when the group is designated as a delivery destination by the first reception means; The delivery management device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: [Appendix 4] A processing means for performing a process for giving a greater benefit to the orderer when the group is designated as a delivery destination by the first reception means, compared to a case where the group is not designated as a delivery destination by the first reception means; A delivery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: [Appendix 5] The processing means performs processing to determine a delivery fee for the piece when the group is designated as a delivery destination by the first reception means, to be lower than a delivery fee when the group is not designated as a delivery destination by the first reception means. 5. A delivery management device as described in claim 4. [Appendix 6] A computer provided in the delivery management device, A first reception means for receiving an orderer's designation regarding a delivery destination of a delivery item; a determination means for determining, when a designation that a group including a plurality of users including the orderer is to be a delivery destination is received by the first reception means, a delivery destination determined for the group as a delivery destination of the piece; An information processing program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...information processing device, 2...user terminal, 3...store terminal, 4...printer, 11...processor, 12...main memory, 13...auxiliary storage unit, 14...communication interface, 15...transmission path, 100...net supermarket system, 200...communication network.

Claims

1. a first receiving means for receiving an instruction for delivery of a piece from any one of a plurality of users belonging to the group, together with a designation of whether the delivery destination of the piece is to be a group delivery destination or a normal delivery destination; a determination means for performing a process of determining a delivery destination for each product to be delivered by a delivery service at an execution timing corresponding to the delivery service, in which when a designation of a group delivery destination for the relevant product is received by the first reception means, the process determines a delivery destination set for a group to which a user who issued a delivery instruction belongs as the delivery destination of the delivery piece even if another product for which the same group delivery destination is received by the first reception means is not included in other products to be delivered by the same delivery service, and when a designation of a regular delivery destination is received by the first reception means, the process determines a delivery destination set for the user who issued a delivery instruction, among delivery destinations set individually for multiple users, as the delivery destination of the delivery piece; A delivery management device comprising:

2. a notification means for notifying the orderer, if the orderer who has issued the instruction received by the first reception means belongs to the group, of a suggestion to the orderer to designate the orderer as a group delivery destination; The delivery management device of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. a second reception means for receiving a designation of the orderer regarding a delivery time of the delivery item by the orderer who has issued an instruction received by the first reception means when the designation of the orderer as a group delivery destination is not received by the first reception means, and not receiving the designation when the designation of the orderer as a group delivery destination is received by the first reception means; The delivery management device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. a processing means for performing a process for giving a greater benefit to the orderer who has made the instruction received by the first reception means, when the designation of the group delivery destination is received by the first reception means, compared with a case in which the designation of the group delivery destination is not received by the first reception means; The delivery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

5. the processing means performs processing to determine a delivery fee for the delivery piece when a designation of the delivery piece as the group delivery destination is received by the first receiving means, to be lower than a delivery fee for the delivery piece when a designation of the delivery piece as the group delivery destination is not received by the first receiving means. The delivery management device according to claim 4.

6. A computer provided in the delivery management device, a first receiving means for receiving an instruction for delivery of a piece from any one of a plurality of users belonging to the group, together with a designation of whether the delivery destination of the piece is to be a group delivery destination or a normal delivery destination; a determination means for performing a process of determining a delivery destination for each product to be delivered by a delivery service at an execution timing corresponding to the delivery service, in which when a designation of a group delivery destination for the relevant product is received by the first reception means, the process determines a delivery destination set for a group to which a user who issued a delivery instruction belongs as the delivery destination of the delivery piece even if another product for which the same group delivery destination is received by the first reception means is not included in other products to be delivered by the same delivery service, and when a designation of a regular delivery destination is received by the first reception means, the process determines a delivery destination set for the user who issued a delivery instruction, among delivery destinations set individually for multiple users, as the delivery destination of the delivery piece; An information processing program that functions as a

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