Information processing device, product delivery method, and product delivery program

Abstract

To provide an information processor, a commodity delivery method, and a commodity delivery program that mitigate a burden on a user when purchasing a commodity.SOLUTION: In an information processor 1, an order processing unit 2 receives first merchandise information regarding an ordered commodity that a user has ordered in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal that the user uses. A determination unit 3 determines whether or not the ordered commodity includes a confirmation expected commodity that the user expects the confirmation of the commodity state of the ordered commodity based on the first merchandise information and second merchandise information regarding the confirmation expected commodity. A decision unit 4 decides a pickup shop for the confirmation expected commodity based on first location information regarding a handling shop for the confirmation expected commodity and user information regarding the user if the ordered commodity includes the confirmation expected commodity. A display control unit 5 displays the pickup shop decided by the communication terminal as well as the pickup shop in a changeable manner. A transportation management unit 6 requests a delivery so that the confirmation expected commodity can be delivered to the pickup shop decided by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a product delivery method, and a product delivery program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a distribution system that delivers products ordered by a user to a store designated by the user. In recent years, a purchasing style in which a user uses the Internet to order products and receive the ordered products at home is becoming common. In this way, the user can receive the purchased products all at once. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-058792 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When purchasing products using the Internet, the user decides which products to purchase based on, for example, product images, and is therefore unable to ascertain the quality and condition of the products. In addition, some products, such as fresh produce, may not be returnable even if the product is in poor condition. For this reason, the user may visit a store that handles products for which the user wishes to check the product condition, such as products that may not be returnable, and purchase the products after checking the product condition. However, if there are multiple products for which the user wishes to check the product condition and each product is sold at a different store, the user must go to multiple stores, which takes time and effort to purchase all the products that the user wishes to purchase. In addition, when purchasing products using the distribution system described in Patent Document 1, the user must specify a receiving store every time the user purchases a product, which takes time and effort to specify a receiving store.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and is to provide an information processing device, a product delivery method, and a product delivery program that can reduce the burden on a user when purchasing a product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present disclosure includes: an order processing unit that receives first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; a determination unit that determines whether the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and second item information about a confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item status of the ordered item; a determination unit that, when the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determines a receiving store for the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; a display control unit that displays the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and also displays the pickup store in a changeable manner; and a delivery management unit that issues a delivery request so that the confirmation-requested product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user.

[0007] The method of receiving the product according to the present disclosure is as follows: receiving first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; determining whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and second item information about the confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item status of the ordered item; If the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determining a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; displaying the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and displaying the pickup store in a changeable manner; This is a product delivery method in which the user issues a delivery request so that the confirmation-desired product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user.

[0008] The product receiving program disclosed herein is receiving first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; determining whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and second item information about the confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item status of the ordered item; If the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determining a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; displaying the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and displaying the pickup store in a changeable manner; The program causes a computer to execute a process of making a delivery request so that the confirmation-desired product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device, a product delivery method, and a product delivery program that can reduce the burden on a user when purchasing a product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an integrated application server and a store server. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of shipping information displayed on the communication terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of confirmed receipt information displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a receiving locker provided in a store. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cash register provided in a store. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining Modification 4. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in each of the following drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) A configuration example of an information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. The information processing device 1 is, for example, a server device that provides an electronic commerce service. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing device 1 includes an order processing unit 2, a determination unit 3, a decision unit 4, a display control unit 5, and a delivery management unit 6.

[0013] The order processing unit 2 receives first product information on an ordered product that a user has ordered in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal (not shown) used by the user. The determination unit 3 determines whether the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and the second item information on the confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item condition of the ordered item. The confirmation-requested item may include an item that may not be returned after ordering, such as fresh food, or an item that may be returned by the user after ordering, such as clothing.

[0014] When the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item, the determination unit 4 determines a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on the first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and the user information about the user. The display control unit 5 displays the pickup store determined by the determination unit 4 on a communication terminal (not shown) used by the user, and also displays the pickup store in a changeable manner. The delivery management unit 6 issues a delivery request so that the confirmation-requested product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user.

[0015] As described above, by using the information processing device 1, the user can check all the products to be checked by simply going to the pickup store determined by the user, even if the products are handled at multiple stores. In addition, in the information processing device 1, the determination unit 4 determines the pickup store, and the display control unit 5 displays the pickup store to suggest to the user. Therefore, according to the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, the user does not need to go to multiple stores when purchasing products, and does not need to determine the pickup store every time the user purchases a product to be checked, thereby reducing the burden on the user when purchasing a product.

[0016] (Embodiment 2) Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 is an embodiment in which embodiment 1 is made more specific.

[0017] <Example of information processing system configuration> Next, a configuration example of the information processing system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. The information processing system 100 may be called an electronic commerce system. The information processing system 100 includes a communication terminal 10, an integrated application server (integrated AP server) 20, store servers 30_1-30_3, a shipping agent 40, and stores 50_1-50_3. Note that the numbers of the communication terminals 10, the store servers 30_1-30_3, and the stores 50_1-50_3 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 2.

[0018] The communication terminal 10 is, for example, a communication terminal used by a user. The communication terminal 10 may also be, for example, a communication terminal used by an agent who has the authority to receive an ordered product ordered by the user. The communication terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, etc., and connects to and communicates with the integrated application server 20 via the Internet. When a user wishes to order a product, the communication terminal 10 receives from the integrated application server 20 a product list including product information provided by the integrated application server 20. The communication terminal 10 displays the product list on a display provided in the communication terminal 10.

[0019] The product information may include the product name, product ID (identifier), sales price, available quantity, product image, classification code in which the product is included, store name, store ID (identifier), and store location information. The store location information may be latitude and longitude information or an address. The classification code is a code indicating the product group into which the product is generally classified, such as clothing, fresh produce, beverages, electrical appliances, etc. Note that the classification code may be referred to as attribute information or genre, as it is information indicating the product group to which the product belongs.

[0020] The communications terminal 10 acquires the product information of the ordered product selected by the user from the displayed product information as the ordered product, and transmits the product information of the ordered product, the order quantity determined by the user, and an order flag to the integrated application server 20. The communications terminal 10 receives provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information for the ordered product from the integrated application server 20. When the user confirms the ordered product and the order quantity based on the provisional settlement information, the communications terminal 10 transmits the product information of the ordered product, the order quantity, and a purchase product selection flag to the integrated application server 20.

[0021] The communication terminal 10 receives the settlement information and settlement flag for the ordered items, and displays a settlement screen including the settlement information on a display provided in the communication terminal 10. When the user approves the settlement information, the communication terminal 10 performs electronic settlement processing with the integrated application server 20 using a credit card or the like owned by the user using the communication terminal 10, and sends a settlement completion flag to the integrated application server 20.

[0022] The integrated application server 20 corresponds to the information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment. The integrated application server 20 connects to and communicates with the communication terminal 10. The integrated application server 20 connects to and communicates with store servers 30_1 to 30_3 provided in each store that handles the products provided by the integrated application server 20. In this embodiment, the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 are store servers provided in stores A to C, respectively. In the following description, when the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 are not to be distinguished from one another, they may be referred to as store server 30.

[0023] When a user of the communication terminal 10 wishes to order a product, the integrated application server 20 transmits a product list of products provided by the integrated application server 20, for example, a supermarket, to the communication terminal 10. The products provided by the integrated application server 20 are products handled in stores A to C. Specifically, the integrated application server 20 transmits a product list including product information about the products provided by the integrated application server 20 to the communication terminal 10 in the form of a homepage or an application, and performs display control to display the product list on the communication terminal 10.

[0024] The integrated application server 20 receives from the communication terminal 10, among the product information displayed on the communication terminal 10, the product information of the ordered product, the order quantity determined by the user, and an order flag. The order flag is a flag indicating that an order has been placed. The integrated application server 20 receives provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information for the ordered product from the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered product, and transmits the provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information to the communication terminal 10. The provisional settlement information is settlement information that allows the user to confirm the order details and decide to purchase the ordered product. The provisional receipt information is information indicating that the ordered product has been provisionally reserved. The integrated application server 20 receives from the communication terminal 10 the product information and order quantity of the ordered product determined by the user on the communication terminal 10, and a purchase product selection flag. The purchase product selection flag is a flag indicating that the product has been ordered and selected as a purchase product.

[0025] The integrated application server 20 judges whether the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the product status of the ordered items. If the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item, the integrated application server 20 determines a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item. In other words, the integrated application server 20 determines a store for the user to confirm the confirmation-requested item.

[0026] The integrated application server 20 transmits the product information and order quantity of the ordered products confirmed by the user on the communication terminal 10 to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered products, and receives settlement information from the store server 30. The settlement information is settlement information for the user to finally confirm the purchase of the ordered products. The integrated application server 20 transmits the settlement information and the determined pickup store to the communication terminal 10, the communication terminal 10 receives the determined pickup store, performs electronic settlement processing with the communication terminal 10, and receives a settlement completion flag from the communication terminal 10. The settlement completion flag is a flag that indicates that the user using the communication terminal 10 has completed settlement processing with the integrated application server 20.

[0027] When the integrated application server 20 completes the electronic payment process, it sends order information, including product information of the confirmed ordered product and the confirmed order quantity, to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered product, and sets a purchase completion flag for the ordered product. The purchase completion flag is a flag that indicates that the payment process for the ordered product has been completed and that the user has purchased the ordered product. The integrated application server 20 confirms the user's order by sending the order information to the store server 30 that handles the ordered product. When the integrated application server 20 confirms the user's order, it converts the purchase completion flag into a delivery flag. The delivery flag is a flag that indicates that the ordered product is in a state before it is shipped.

[0028] The integrated application server 20 issues a shipping instruction to the store server 30 handling the ordered items, requesting that the confirmed ordered number of ordered items be delivered to the pickup store determined by the user. For example, when the user orders items at stores A to C and the user determines store B as the pickup store, the integrated application server 20 issues a shipping instruction to the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 to deliver the ordered number of ordered items to store 50_2. In addition, when the ordered items do not include a confirmation-desired item, the integrated application server 20 issues, for example, a normal delivery instruction to deliver the ordered items to a delivery location registered in advance by the user.

[0029] When the user checks the product to be confirmed at the receiving store and wishes to return it, the integrated application server 20 communicates with the store server 30 and performs the return process. In this embodiment, the user does not receive the ordered product at home, for example, but at the receiving store, so that the product to be confirmed can be returned. In other words, the information processing system 100 performs electronic payment processing for the ordered product between the communication terminal 10 and the integrated application server 20, but is configured so that the purchase of the product to be confirmed is finally confirmed if the user does not wish to return the product after checking it.

[0030] The store server 30 is a server device provided in correspondence with a store that handles products handled in the electronic commerce service. The store server 30 transmits product information of products handled at each store to the integrated application server 20. The store server 30 receives product information of ordered products from the integrated application server 20. The store server 30 receives an inventory inquiry from the integrated application server 20, and upon receiving the product information of the ordered products including provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information, transmits inventory information including the settlement amount and the like to the integrated application server 20. The store server 30 receives order information from the integrated application server 20. The store server 30 receives a settlement information inquiry from the integrated application server 20, and transmits settlement information to the integrated application server 20.

[0031] The store server 30 receives a shipping instruction from the integrated application server 20. When the store server 30 receives the shipping instruction, it issues a shipping instruction for the ordered number of ordered items to the carrier 40. The carrier 40 delivers the ordered number of ordered items to a receiving store determined by the user among the stores 50_1 to 50_3. The carrier 40 may receive the ordered items handled at the receiving store from the receiving store and deliver (store) them in a receiving locker 51 described later, or a salesperson at the receiving store may store the ordered items in the receiving locker 51.

[0032] The store server 30 receives the normal delivery instruction from the integrated application server 20. When the store server 30 receives the normal delivery instruction, it issues a normal delivery instruction to the shipping company 40 for the ordered number of items.

[0033] The carrier 40 receives shipping instructions from the store server 30 and delivers the ordered items to the receiving store based on the shipping instructions. The carrier 40 transmits an electronic notification of the expected pickup time, which is the expected time when the ordered items will be delivered to the receiving store, to the communication terminal 10 via the integrated application server 20. In addition, when delivery to the receiving locker 51 is completed, the carrier 40 transmits an electronic notification of pickup readiness to the communication terminal 10 via the integrated application server 20. The carrier 40 receives normal delivery instructions from the store server 30 and delivers the ordered number of ordered items to a delivery location registered in advance by the user.

[0034] The stores 50_1 to 50_3 are stores that handle products provided in the electronic commerce service. The stores 50_1 to 50_3 are assumed to be stores A to C, respectively. In the following description, when the stores 50_1 to 50_3 are not to be distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as the store 50.

[0035] Each of the stores 50_1 to 50_3 includes a receiving locker 51 and a cash register 52. The receiving locker 51 is a locker in which ordered items for which shipping instructions have been issued by the integrated application server 20 are stored. When the integrated application server 20 issues shipping instructions, the carrier 40 stores the ordered items for which shipping instructions have been issued in the receiving locker 51. The receiving locker 51 communicates with the integrated application server 20, and when the ordered items are stored in the receiving locker 51 by the carrier 40, it transmits receiving information to the integrated application server 20. The cash register 52 is a cash register that performs a process for returning an ordered product that the user wishes to return, for example, when the ordered product received by the communication terminal 10 is defective.

[0036] Next, a configuration example of the integrated application server 20 and the store server 30 (store servers 30_1 to 30_3) will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the integrated application server and the store server. The integrated application server 20 includes a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, an order processing unit 23, a determination unit 24, a decision unit 25, a display control unit 26, and a delivery management unit 27.

[0037] The storage unit 21 stores product information about products handled in each store (Store A, Store B, and Store C). As described above, the product information may include the product name, product ID (identifier), sales price, purchaseable quantity, product image, classification code in which the product is included, store name, store ID (identifier), and store location information.

[0038] The storage unit 21 stores confirmation-requested product information for the confirmation-requested product. The confirmation-requested product information may include only the classification code of the confirmation-requested product, or may include the same information as the product information for the confirmation-requested product. The classification code included in the confirmation-requested product information may include, for example, a classification code of a product that may not be returnable, such as fresh produce, or may include a classification code of a product that is likely to be returned by the user after ordering, such as clothing.

[0039] The storage unit 21 stores the congestion level information of a store that sells the product to be confirmed. The congestion level information of the store indicates the congestion level of the store, and may indicate the congestion level on a daily basis or may indicate the congestion level for each time period.

[0040] The storage unit 21 stores user information about the user. The user information may include the user's name, address, purchase history information, past settlement information, and normal delivery location. The purchase history information may include receipt history information about a store where the user received a confirmation-requested product in the past. The receipt history information may include the number of receipts for each product. The normal delivery location is a delivery location registered in advance by the user, and may be, for example, the user's address.

[0041] The communication unit 22 connects to and communicates with the communication terminal 10 and the store server 30 (store servers 30_1 to 30_3). The communication unit 22 communicates with the communication terminal 10 and the store server 30, and transmits information required for processing by the order processing unit 23, the display control unit 26, and the delivery management unit 27 to the communication terminal 10 and the store server 30, and receives the information from the communication terminal 10 and the store server 30.

[0042] The order processing unit 23 corresponds to the order processing unit 2 according to the first embodiment. The order processing unit 23 receives the product information and deletion information generated by the store server 30. The order processing unit 23 updates the product information of each store registered in the storage unit 21 based on the received product information and deletion information.

[0043] The order processing unit 23 transmits a product list including product information on products handled by the integrated application server 20 to the communication terminal 10, and performs display control to display the product list on the communication terminal 10. The order processing unit 23 receives product information on the ordered product selected by the user using the communication terminal 10, the order quantity determined by the user, and an order flag from the communication terminal 10. When the order processing unit 23 receives the order flag from the communication terminal 10, it makes an inventory inquiry to the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 to check the inventory status of the ordered product, and receives inventory information of the ordered product from the store servers 30_1 to 30_3. The inventory information includes provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information.

[0044] The order processing unit 23 transmits provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information to the communication terminal 10, and when the user provisionally decides on the ordered items at the communication terminal 10, receives from the communication terminal 10 the item information and the order quantity of the ordered items, and a purchase item selection flag. The order processing unit 23 receives the item information and the order quantity of the ordered items provisionally decided by the user at the communication terminal 10, and makes a settlement information inquiry to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items. The order processing unit 23 transmits the item information and the order quantity of the ordered items to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items, including the settlement information inquiry. The order processing unit 23 receives the settlement information from the store server 30. The order processing unit 23 transmits the settlement information to the communication terminal 10, and displays a settlement screen on the communication terminal 10. When the user using the communication terminal 10 approves the settlement information, the order processing unit 23 performs electronic settlement processing with the communication terminal 10, and receives a settlement completion flag and a settlement amount from the communication terminal 10.

[0045] When the order processing unit 23 completes the electronic payment process, it transmits order information, including product information of the ordered product and the confirmed order quantity, and the payment amount to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered product. The order processing unit 23 sets a purchase completion flag for the ordered product. The order processing unit 23 may hold the payment method of the user who uses the communication terminal 10, and may store payment method information, such as a credit card, of the user who uses the communication terminal 10.

[0046] When the user returns a product that he or she wishes to confirm, the order processing unit 23 performs the return process via the cash register 52 arranged in the receiving store. When the return process is performed at the cash register 52 of the receiving store, the order processing unit 23 receives information capable of identifying the returned product, such as the product name or product ID of the product to be returned, from the cash register 52 via the store server 30 of the receiving store. The order processing unit 23 performs the return process by making inquiries about the product information of the returned product and the settlement information including the settlement date and time, etc., with the settlement information master 32.

[0047] The determination unit 24 corresponds to the determination unit 3 according to the first embodiment. The determination unit 24 determines whether the ordered item includes a confirmation-requested item based on the item information of the ordered item and the confirmation-requested item information. If there is item information whose classification code included in the item information of the ordered item matches the classification code included in the confirmation-requested item information, the determination unit 24 determines that the ordered item includes a confirmation-requested item. The determination unit 24 transmits the determination result to the determination unit 25.

[0048] The determination unit 25 corresponds to the determination unit 4 according to the first embodiment. When the ordered product includes a confirmation-requested product, the determination unit 25 determines a receiving store for the confirmation-requested product based on the location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested product and the user information. When the ordered product includes a confirmation-requested product, the determination unit 25 identifies product information of the ordered product that matches the classification code included in the confirmation-requested product information, and acquires the location information of the handling store included in the identified product information. In addition, the determination unit 25 acquires the address of the user included in the user information from the storage unit 21. The determination unit 25 determines a receiving store for the confirmation-requested product based on the acquired location information and the acquired address. Based on the acquired location information and the acquired address, the determination unit 25 determines the handling store that handles the confirmation-requested product that is closest to the user's address as the receiving store for the confirmation-requested product.

[0049] For example, suppose that the user has ordered products that are handled at stores A to C. Of the products ordered from stores A to C, the products ordered from stores B and C are the products that the user wishes to confirm. If store B is the store that handles the products and is located closest to the location indicated by the user's address, the determination unit 25 determines store B as the store for receiving the products.

[0050] The determination unit 25 may determine the receiving store for the confirmation-requested product based on the location information of the store and the receipt history information included in the user information. The determination unit 25 may estimate the user's movement route based on the receipt history information, and determine the receiving store for the confirmation-requested product based on the location information of the store that handles the confirmation-requested product and the movement route. The determination unit 25 may estimate the user's movement route using a learning model that is machine-learned using the movement route determined based on the receipt history information as training data. The determination unit 25 may determine, as the receiving store for the confirmation-requested product, a store on the movement route or a store located closest to the movement route among the stores that handle the confirmation-requested product.

[0051] The determination unit 25 may determine the store as a store for receiving the confirmation-requested product by using the store congestion information of each store in addition to the above information. The determination unit 25 may calculate the distance from the user's address or route of movement to the store, and determine the store as a store for receiving the confirmation-requested product based on the distance weighted according to the store congestion information so that the less crowded the store is, the more weighted the store is. Alternatively, the determination unit 25 may calculate the number of confirmation-requested products included in the ordered products that the store handles, and determine the store as a store for receiving the confirmation-requested product based on the distance weighted according to the number. The determination unit 25 may receive the store congestion information of each store from the store server 30 of the store, and register it in the storage unit 21.

[0052] The display control unit 26 corresponds to the display control unit 5 according to the first embodiment. The display control unit 26 displays the pickup store determined by the determination unit 25 on the communication terminal 10 via the communication unit 22, and also displays the pickup store in a changeable manner. In other words, the display control unit 26 displays the pickup store determined by the determination unit 25 as a recommended store to the user using the communication terminal 10, and displays the store in a changeable manner so that the user can set a handling store different from the pickup store determined by the determination unit 25 as the pickup store. The display control unit 26 receives the pickup store determined by the user from the communication terminal 10 via the communication unit 22, and transmits the received pickup store to the delivery management unit 27.

[0053] If the confirmation-desired product included in the ordered products is ordered for the second or more times based on the receipt history information, the display control unit 26 may perform control so that in addition to the receipt store determined by the determination unit 25, the receipt store where the product was received in the past is also displayed as a recommended store on the communication terminal 10. Alternatively, the display control unit 26 may perform control so that a store that is not crowded when the confirmation-desired product arrives at each store is displayed based on the location information of the store that handles the confirmation-desired product, the user's address, and the store congestion level information.

[0054] The delivery management unit 27 corresponds to the delivery management unit 6 according to the first embodiment. When the order processing unit 23 sets a purchase completion flag for the ordered items, if the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item, the delivery management unit 27 issues a shipping instruction so that the ordered items including the confirmation-requested item are delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. The shipping instruction is a request to have the ordered items including the confirmation-requested item delivered, and may be referred to as a delivery request. In other words, the delivery management unit 27 can be said to issue a delivery request so that the ordered items including the confirmation-requested item are delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. For example, when the user orders items that are handled at stores A, B, and C, and the user determines the receiving store to be store B, the delivery management unit 27 issues a shipping instruction to the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 so that the ordered items are delivered to store B.

[0055] The delivery management unit 27 receives a shipping flag and shipping information indicating that the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 have issued a shipping instruction from the carrier 40 via the communication unit 22, and converts the purchase completion flag into a shipping flag for the ordered item. The shipping flag is a flag indicating that the carrier 40 has received a shipping instruction from the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 and is in a state in which the carrier 40 is ready to deliver the ordered item. The shipping information includes, for example, an expected store pickup time and a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) for authenticating the receiving locker 51 at the receiving store and unlocking the receiving locker 51. The delivery management unit 27 electronically notifies the communication terminal 10 of the shipping information via the communication unit 22, for example, by email or application notification, and causes the display of the communication terminal 10 to display the shipping information. In the present embodiment, the shipping information is described as including a QR code for unlocking the receiving locker 51, but it may be identification information for identifying the shipping information, such as a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, and an order number for unlocking the receiving locker 51.

[0056] The delivery management unit 27 may acquire location information of the transport medium or packing box used to deliver the ordered item instead of the expected store pick-up time. In this case, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver may be attached to the transport medium or packing box, and the delivery management unit 27 may acquire the location information acquired by the GPS receiver. Based on the acquired location information and road congestion information based on traffic information, the delivery management unit 27 may calculate the expected arrival time of the transport medium or packing box at the receiving store, and use this as the expected store pick-up time. Furthermore, the delivery management unit 27 may transmit location information of the transport medium or packing box to the communication terminal 10, thereby enabling the user to track the location of the ordered item.

[0057] Here, an example of shipping information displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of shipping information displayed on the communication terminal. When the communication terminal 10 receives the shipping information from the delivery management unit 27, the communication terminal 10 displays a screen on the display of the communication terminal 10 showing the shipping information. As shown in FIG. 4, the screen displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 includes, for example, an area showing a message indicating that the settlement has been completed, and an area showing an expected time when the product can be picked up at the store, which is included in the shipping information. In addition, the screen displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 includes an area showing a message encouraging the user to hold up a QR code at the receiving store, an area showing the QR code included in the shipping information, and an area showing a message showing that a notification will be sent when the product can be picked up.

[0058] Returning to Fig. 3, the explanation of the delivery management unit 27 will be continued. The delivery management unit 27 receives information on the delivery status from the carrier 40 via the communication unit 22. Although the delivery management unit 27 cannot directly manage the movement of the carrier 40, it can indirectly manage the delivery status by receiving information on the delivery status of the carrier 40 from the carrier 40.

[0059] When the ordered item is stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store, the delivery management unit 27 receives, from the receiving store, a receiving flag indicating that the ordered item has been stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store and confirmed receiving information via the store server 30 of the receiving store. The confirmed receiving information is information indicating that the ordered item has been stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store and that the ordered item can be received. The confirmed receiving information includes, for example, the receiving store, the available receiving time, the same QR code as the QR code included in the shipping information, and the receiving store congestion degree received from the store server 30 of the receiving store. The receiving store congestion degree is information indicating the congestion degree of the receiving store, which is calculated from the number of people placed near the cash register 52 of the receiving store and included in an image of the cash register 52 captured by a camera. The delivery management unit 27 transmits the confirmed receiving information to the communication terminal 10 via the communication unit 22 and causes the communication terminal 10 to display the confirmed receiving information. The delivery management unit 27 receives, from the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store, an identity verification flag that requests identity verification and includes a QR code used for identity verification. The delivery management unit 27 determines whether the QR code included in the identity verification flag matches the QR code included in the confirmed receipt information sent to the communication terminal 10, and performs identity verification with the receiving locker 51 at the receiving store. In this embodiment, the confirmed receipt information includes a QR code, just like the shipping information, but it may include information similar to the identification information that identifies the shipping information. Therefore, the confirmed receipt information may include the same information as the identification information that identifies the shipping information, such as a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, and an order number, included in the shipping information. Also, although the identity verification flag includes a QR code, the identity verification flag is not limited to a QR code, and may be identification information such as a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, and an order number.

[0060] Here, an example of confirmed receipt information displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of confirmed receipt information displayed on the communication terminal. When the communication terminal 10 receives the confirmed receipt information from the delivery management unit 27, the communication terminal 10 displays a screen on the display of the communication terminal 10 showing the confirmed receipt information. As shown in FIG. 5, the screen displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 includes an area showing, for example, that the ordered item can be picked up and the pick-up store, and a message encouraging the user to go to the pick-up store. In addition, the screen displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 includes an area showing the available pick-up time included in the confirmed receipt information, an area showing the QR code included in the confirmed receipt information, and an area showing the degree of congestion at the pick-up store included in the confirmed receipt information.

[0061] In addition, the delivery management unit 27 may use the store congestion information to identify a time period that is not congested after the available pick-up time included in the confirmed pick-up information, and suggest to the user that the identified time period is not congested by displaying the information on the display of the communication terminal 10.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the delivery management unit 27 will continue. When the ordered items do not include a confirmation-desired item, the delivery management unit 27 issues a normal delivery instruction to deliver the ordered items to a delivery location preregistered by the user, for example. The delivery location preregistered by the user is the normal delivery location included in the user information. The delivery management unit 27 acquires the normal delivery location included in the user information from the memory unit 21, and issues a normal delivery instruction to the store server 30 that handles the ordered items.

[0063] Next, a configuration example of the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 will be described. Since the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 basically have the same configuration, the store server 30_1 will be used for description. The store server 30_1 includes a merchandise information master 31, a settlement information master 32, and a delivery instruction master 33.

[0064] The product information master 31 transmits product information to be registered in the storage unit 21. When an administrator of the store server 30_1 or the like registers a sales product list held by a handling store (store A), the product information master 31 generates product information for products included in the sales product list and transmits it to the order processing unit 23. The product information master 31 also generates deletion information for products to be deleted from the sales list and transmits it to the order processing unit 23. The product information master 31 receives an inventory inquiry for an ordered product from the order processing unit 23. When the product information master 31 receives the inventory inquiry, it transmits inventory information to the order processing unit 23.

[0065] The settlement information master 32 receives a settlement flag from the order processing unit 23. When the settlement information master 32 receives the settlement flag, it inquires about the settlement information of the ordered items handled by the handling store (store A) and transmits the settlement information of the ordered items to the order processing unit 23. When the communication terminal 10 and the order processing unit 23 complete the settlement process, the settlement information master 32 receives a settled flag and a payment amount. The settlement information master 32 stores sales information of the handling store (store A), updates the sales information based on the settled flag and the payment amount, and saves the updated sales information. When a return process is performed at the cash register 52 of the receiving store, the settlement information master 32 cooperates with the order processing unit 23 and the cash register 52 to perform the return process.

[0066] The delivery instruction master 33 receives a shipping instruction from the delivery management unit 27. The delivery instruction master 33 receives information on the transportation status of the carrier 40. When the delivery instruction master 33 receives a shipping instruction, the delivery instruction master 33 prepares the ordered items handled by the handling store (store A) for shipment, for example, using a conveyor or the like, so that the carrier 40 can store the ordered items in the receiving store's receiving locker 51. When the delivery instruction master 33 completes the preparation for shipment of the ordered items handled by the handling store (store A), it transmits a shipping instruction to the carrier 40. Note that, when a confirmation-requested item of store A is ordered and the receiving store is store A, the delivery instruction master 33 may cooperate (communicate) with the product information master 31 and instruct an employee of store A to store the ordered items of store A in the receiving locker 51 of store A.

[0067] The delivery instruction master 33 receives normal delivery instructions from the delivery management unit 27. When the delivery instruction master 33 receives a normal delivery instruction, it prepares the ordered items handled by the handling store (store A) for shipment so that the delivery company 40 can deliver the ordered items to a normal delivery location using, for example, a conveyor. When the delivery instruction master 33 completes preparations for shipment of the ordered items handled by the handling store (store A), it transmits a normal delivery instruction to the delivery company 40.

[0068] Next, the receiving lockers 51 and the cash registers 52 provided in the stores 50_1 to 50_3 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the receiving lockers provided in the stores. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the cash registers provided in the stores.

[0069] First, receiving locker 51 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Receiving locker 51 includes a plurality of storage units 511 capable of storing ordered items, and an operation terminal 512.

[0070] The storage units 511 are assigned locker numbers that enable each storage unit 511 to be identified, and the locker numbers are displayed visibly on the outside. The carrier 40 stores the ordered items for which shipping instructions have been received in the storage unit 511 with the locker number specified by the delivery management unit 27.

[0071] The operation terminal 512 is an operation terminal where a user performs identity verification and the like in order to receive the ordered item stored in the storage unit 511. The operation terminal 512 is provided with a QR code reader. The user using the communication terminal 10 carefully performs identity verification by having the QR code reader of the operation terminal 512 read the QR code 513 included in the shipping information. The operation terminal 512 performs identity verification with the delivery management unit 27, for example, by transmitting the QR code 513, which is an identity verification flag requesting identity verification to the delivery management unit 27. When identity verification is normally completed, the operation terminal 512 unlocks the storage unit 511 in which the ordered item is stored, and the user can receive the ordered item. The operation terminal 512 is provided with a button for calling a staff member of the receiving store, and may be configured so that if there is an abnormality in the ordered item, the user can call a staff member to exchange the ordered item. When storage section 511 is opened, the bottom surface of storage section 511 may be inclined so that the ordered items are automatically packed into a bag (eco bag) placed in receiving locker 51.

[0072] Next, the register 52 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The register 52 includes a POS (Point of Sale) register 521 and a return box 523.

[0073] The POS register 521 is a register that settles the accounts of products handled at a store (store A). The POS register 521 also processes returns of ordered products when the user returns them. The POS register 521 is equipped with, for example, a barcode hand scanner. When the user wishes to return an ordered product, the user places the product in a placement area 522 for placing returned products, and reads information that can identify the returned product, such as the product name or product ID, with the barcode hand scanner or the like. The POS register 521 communicates (links) with the order processing unit 23 and the store server 30_1, inquires about product information, settlement information, and the like, and performs normal return processing.

[0074] The return box 523 is a storage unit that stores the ordered items for which the return process has been completed in the POS register 521 in order to be returned. An RFID (radio frequency identifier) ​​tag may be attached to the ordered items, and when the user stores the returned items in the return box 523, the return box 523 may automatically acquire information that can identify the returned items, such as the product name or product ID of the returned items. Then, the return box 523 may communicate (link) with the order processing unit 23 and the store server 30_1 based on the acquired information to automatically perform the return process. In this way, the user does not need to read the returned items with a barcode hand scanner or the like, thereby reducing the burden on the user. In addition, the user does not need to use a barcode hand scanner when performing the return process for the returned items, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

[0075] <Example of information processing system operation> Next, an operation example of the information processing system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are diagrams for explaining an operation example of the information processing system according to the second embodiment.

[0076] First, an example of the overall operation of the information processing system 100 when a user orders a product to be checked will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that the description will be made on the premise that the user has ordered products at stores A to C, the products ordered from stores B and C are the products to be checked, and store B has been selected as the receiving store. Also, it is assumed that the receiving locker 51 displayed in Fig. 8 is the receiving locker of store 50_2 (store B).

[0077] The communications terminal 10 places an order for a product that the user of the communications terminal 10 wishes to purchase via the integrated application server 20 (step S1). The order processing unit 23 transmits a product list including product information about products handled by the integrated application server 20 to the communications terminal 10, and performs display control to display the product list on the communications terminal 10. The order processing unit 23 receives from the communications terminal 10 the product information of the ordered product selected by the user of the communications terminal 10, the order quantity determined by the user, and an order flag.

[0078] When the order processing unit 23 receives the product information and the order quantity of the ordered product, it communicates with the store server 30 that handles the ordered product, checks the inventory of the ordered product (step S2), and receives the inventory information of the ordered product from the store server 30 that handles the ordered product (step S3). When the order processing unit 23 receives the product information of the ordered product, the order quantity, and the order flag from the communication terminal 10, it checks the inventory with the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 to confirm the inventory status of the ordered product. The order processing unit 23 receives the inventory information of the ordered product from the store servers 30_1 to 30_3. The inventory information includes provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information. Note that steps S2 and S3 are repeatedly performed by electronic exchange via the Internet and LAN (Local Area Network) for each ordered product or for each store that handles the ordered product.

[0079] The order processing unit 23 transmits provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information to the communication terminal 10 (step S4), and the communication terminal 10 provisionally confirms the order (step S5). The order processing unit 23 transmits the provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information to the communication terminal 10. The provisional settlement information is settlement information that is displayed to the user in order for the user to confirm the order details. The provisional receipt information is information indicating that the ordered items have been provisionally reserved. When the user provisionally confirms the ordered items at the communication terminal 10, the order processing unit 23 receives from the communication terminal 10 the product information and order quantity of the ordered items, and a purchase item selection flag, thereby notifying the communication terminal 10 that the order has been provisionally confirmed.

[0080] The order processing unit 23 inquires about settlement information to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items (step S6) and receives the settlement information from the store server 30 (step S7). The order processing unit 23 includes the product information of the ordered items and the order quantity received in step S5 in the settlement information inquiry and sends it to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items. The order processing unit 23 receives the settlement information from the store server 30 that made the settlement information inquiry. Note that steps S6 and S7 are repeatedly performed by electronic exchange via the Internet and LAN for each ordered item or for each store that handles the ordered items.

[0081] The order processing unit 23 and the display control unit 26 transmit the settlement information and the pick-up store, respectively (step S8). The order processing unit 23 transmits the settlement information to the communication terminal 10 and displays the settlement screen on the communication terminal 10. The determination unit 24 also determines whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item based on the item information of the ordered item to be settled and the confirmation-requested item information stored in the storage unit 21. If the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item, the determination unit 25 determines the pick-up store for the confirmation-requested item based on the location information of the store that handles the confirmation-requested item and the user information. The determination unit 25 determines the store that handles the confirmation-requested item that is closest to the user's address as the pick-up store for the confirmation-requested item based on the location information of the store that handles the confirmation-requested item and the user's address included in the user information. The display control unit 26 transmits the pick-up store determined by the determination unit 25 via the communication unit 22, and displays the pick-up store determined by the determination unit 25 on the communication terminal 10, and also displays the pick-up store in a changeable manner.

[0082] The order processing unit 23 and the display control unit 26 each perform electronic payment processing and receive the pickup store (step S9). When the user using the communication terminal 10 approves the settlement information, the order processing unit 23 performs electronic payment processing with the communication terminal 10 and receives a settled flag and the payment amount from the communication terminal 10. In addition, the display control unit 26 receives the pickup store determined by the user from the communication terminal 10 via the communication unit 22, and transmits the received pickup store to the delivery management unit 27.

[0083] The order processing unit 23 and the delivery management unit 27 each transmit order information to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items and issue a shipping instruction (step S10). When the order processing unit 23 completes the electronic payment process, it transmits order information including product information of the ordered items and the confirmed order quantity, and the payment amount to the store servers 30_1 to 30_3. The order processing unit 23 sets a purchase completion flag for the ordered items. When the order processing unit 23 sets the purchase completion flag for the ordered items, the delivery management unit 27 issues a shipping instruction so that the ordered items including the confirmation-desired item are delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. The delivery management unit 27 issues a shipping instruction to the delivery instruction master 33 of the store servers 30_1 to 30_3.

[0084] The delivery instruction master 33 of the store servers 30_1-30_3 issues a shipping instruction to the carrier 40 (step S11). The delivery instruction master 33 of the store servers 30_1-30_3 receives the shipping instruction from the delivery management unit 27. The delivery instruction master 33 of the store servers 30_1-30_3 transmits the shipping instruction to the carrier 40 when the handling store (store A) completes preparation for shipping the ordered item.

[0085] The carrier 40 transmits the shipping information to the delivery management unit 27 (step S12), and the delivery management unit 27 transmits the shipping information to the communication terminal 10 (step S13). When the carrier 40 receives a shipping instruction from the store servers 30_1-30_3, it transmits a shipping flag and the shipping information to the delivery management unit 27. The delivery management unit 27 receives the shipping flag and the shipping information from the carrier 40, and converts the purchase completion flag for the ordered item into a delivery flag. The shipping information includes, for example, an expected store pickup time and a QR code for authenticating the pickup locker 51 at the pickup store and unlocking the pickup locker 51. The delivery flag is a flag indicating that the carrier 40 has received a shipping instruction from the store servers 30_1-30_3 and is in a state in which the carrier 40 will deliver the ordered item. The delivery management unit 27 transmits the shipping information to the communication terminal 10, and causes the display of the communication terminal 10 to display the shipping information as shown in FIG. 4.

[0086] The transport company 40 stores the ordered items in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store (store 50_2) designated by the delivery management unit 27, and performs delivery processing with the store 50_2 (step S14).

[0087] When the receiving store (store 50_2) stores the ordered items in the receiving locker 51, it transmits a receiving flag and confirmed receiving information to the delivery management unit 27 via the store server 30_2 of the store 50_2 (step S15). When the ordered items are stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store, the delivery management unit 27 receives a receiving flag indicating that the ordered items have been stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store and confirmed receiving information from the receiving store (store 50_2) via the store server 30 of the receiving store. The confirmed receiving information includes, for example, the receiving store, the available receiving time, and the receiving store congestion degree received from the store server 30 of the receiving store. The receiving store congestion degree is information indicating the congestion degree of the receiving store.

[0088] The delivery management unit 27 transmits the confirmed receipt information to the communication terminal 10 and causes the communication terminal 10 to display the confirmed receipt information (step S16). The delivery management unit 27 transmits the confirmed receipt information to the communication terminal 10 and causes the communication terminal 10 to display the confirmed receipt information on a display provided on the communication terminal 10 as shown in FIG.

[0089] The user using the communication terminal 10 picks up the ordered item from the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store (store 50_2) (step S17). When the user using the communication terminal 10 receives the confirmed receiving information, the user goes to the receiving store (store 50_2) and has the QR code reader provided on the operation terminal 512 of the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store read the QR code included in the confirmed receiving information. The operation terminal 512 sets the read QR code to an identity verification flag and performs identity verification with the delivery management unit 27. When the QR code included in the identity verification flag matches the QR code included in the confirmed receiving information transmitted to the communication terminal 10, the delivery management unit 27 successfully completes identity verification. When the identity verification is successfully completed, the user using the communication terminal 10 picks up the item from the receiving locker 51.

[0090] The user using the communication terminal 10 performs the return process using the cash register 52 of the receiving store (store 50_2) as necessary (step S18). The user using the communication terminal 10 checks whether there is a problem with the product to be checked, and if there is a problem, presses the clerk call button displayed on the confirmation screen of the receiving locker 51 to call a clerk and exchange the product. The user using the communication terminal 10 checks whether there is a problem with the product to be checked, and if there is no problem, presses the confirmation button displayed on the confirmation screen of the receiving locker 51. The user using the communication terminal 10 also checks the product condition of the product to be checked, and if there is a product to be returned, performs the return process using the cash register 52. When the return process is performed at the cash register 52 of the receiving store, the order processing unit 23 receives information that can identify the returned product, such as the product name or product ID of the product to be returned, from the cash register 52 via the store server 30 of the receiving store. The order processing unit 23 performs the return process by making inquiries to the payment information master 32 about the product information of the returned product and payment information including the payment date and time, etc.

[0091] Next, an example of the operation of the integrated application server 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that each operation in Fig. 9 corresponds to the operation in Fig. 8, and therefore Fig. 8 will be appropriately referred to for the description. Note that the description will be given on the premise that a user has ordered products available in stores A to C.

[0092] The order processing unit 23 receives product information and the order quantity of the ordered items from the communications terminal 10 (step S31). Step S31 corresponds to step S1 in FIG. 8. Step S31 is executed repeatedly for the number of ordered items. The order processing unit 23 transmits a product list including product information about products handled by the integrated application server 20 to the communications terminal 10, and performs display control to display the product list on the communications terminal 10. The order processing unit 23 receives from the communications terminal 10 the product information of the ordered items selected by the user using the communications terminal 10, the order quantity determined by the user, and an order flag.

[0093] The order processing unit 23 performs an inventory inquiry with the store server 30 that handles the ordered item, and receives inventory information from the store server 30 that handles the ordered item (step S32). Step S32 corresponds to steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 8. Step S32 is executed repeatedly for the number of stores that handle the ordered item. When the order processing unit 23 receives the item information, order quantity, and order flag of the ordered item, it communicates with the item information master 31 of the store server 30 that handles the ordered item to check the inventory status of the ordered item, and performs an inventory inquiry of the ordered item. The order processing unit 23 receives inventory information of the ordered item from the item information master 31 of the store server 30 that handles the ordered item.

[0094] The order processing unit 23 transmits provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information to the communications terminal 10, and receives a notification that the order has been provisionally confirmed at the communications terminal 10 (step S33). Step S33 corresponds to steps S4 and S5 in Fig. 8. The order processing unit 23 transmits provisional settlement information and provisional receipt information to the communications terminal 10. When the user provisionally confirms the ordered items at the communications terminal 10, the order processing unit 23 receives from the communications terminal 10 the item information and order quantity of the ordered items, and a purchase item selection flag, thereby notifying the communications terminal 10 that the order has been provisionally confirmed.

[0095] The order processing unit 23 makes a payment information inquiry to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items, and receives the payment information from the store server 30 (step S34). Step S34 corresponds to steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 8. Step S34 is repeatedly executed for each ordered item, or for each store that handles the ordered items. The order processing unit 23 includes the item information and order quantity of the ordered items received in step S5 in the payment information inquiry and sends it to the store server 30 of the store that handles the ordered items. The order processing unit 23 receives the payment information from the store server 30 that made the payment information inquiry.

[0096] The determination unit 24 determines whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item (step S35). The determination unit 24 determines whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item based on the item information of the ordered items and the confirmation-requested item information stored in the memory unit 21. The determination unit 24 determines that the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item when there is item information whose classification code included in the item information of the ordered items matches the classification code included in the confirmation-requested item information.

[0097] If the ordered items do not include the confirmation-requested item (NO in step S35), the delivery management unit 27 issues a normal delivery instruction (step S36). If the determination unit 24 determines that the ordered items do not include the confirmation-requested item, the delivery management unit 27 issues a normal delivery instruction to deliver the ordered items to a delivery location previously registered by the user, for example. The delivery management unit 27 acquires the normal delivery location included in the user information from the memory unit 21, and issues a normal delivery instruction to the store server 30 that handles the ordered items. The store server 30 that receives the normal delivery instruction issues a normal delivery instruction to the delivery company 40, and the delivery company 40 delivers the ordered items to the normal delivery location included in the user information. After executing step S36, the integrated application server 20 ends the process.

[0098] On the other hand, if the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item (YES in step S35), the determination unit 25 determines a receiving store for the ordered items (step S37). If the determination unit 24 determines that the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item, the determination unit 25 determines a receiving store for the confirmation-requested item based on the location information of the store that handles the confirmation-requested item and the user information. Based on the location information of the store that handles the confirmation-requested item and the user's address included in the user information, the determination unit 25 determines the store that handles the confirmation-requested item that is closest to the user's address as the receiving store for the confirmation-requested item.

[0099] The order processing unit 23 and the display control unit 26 respectively transmit the settlement information and the determined pickup store (step S38). Step S38 corresponds to step S8 in Fig. 8. The order processing unit 23 transmits the settlement information to the communication terminal 10, and displays a settlement screen on the communication terminal 10. The display control unit 26 transmits the pickup store determined by the determination unit 25 via the communication unit 22, and displays the pickup store determined by the determination unit 25 on the communication terminal 10, while also displaying the pickup store in a changeable manner.

[0100] The order processing unit 23 and the display control unit 26 each perform electronic payment processing and receive the pickup store (step S39). Step S39 corresponds to step S9 in FIG. 8. When the user using the communication terminal 10 approves the settlement information, the order processing unit 23 performs electronic payment processing with the communication terminal 10 and receives a settled flag and the payment amount from the communication terminal 10. In addition, the display control unit 26 receives the pickup store determined by the user from the communication terminal 10 via the communication unit 22, and transmits the received pickup store to the delivery management unit 27.

[0101] The order processing unit 23 and the delivery management unit 27 each transmit the order information to the store server 30 of the store handling the ordered items and issue a shipping instruction (step S40). Step S40 corresponds to step S10 in FIG. 8. When the order processing unit 23 completes the electronic payment process, it transmits the order information, including the product information of the ordered items and the order quantity, and the payment amount, to the store server 30 of the store handling the ordered items. The order processing unit 23 sets a purchase completion flag for the ordered items. When the order processing unit 23 sets the purchase completion flag for the ordered items, the delivery management unit 27 issues a shipping instruction so that the ordered items including the confirmation-desired item are delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. The delivery management unit 27 issues a shipping instruction to the delivery instruction master 33 of the store servers 30_1 to 30_3.

[0102] The delivery management unit 27 receives shipping information from the carrier 40 and transmits the shipping information to the communication terminal 10 (step S41). Step S41 corresponds to steps S12 and S13 in Fig. 8. The delivery management unit 27 receives a shipping flag and shipping information from the carrier 40, and converts the purchase completion flag for the ordered item into a delivery flag. The delivery management unit 27 transmits the shipping information to the communication terminal 10, and causes the display of the communication terminal 10 to display the shipping information as shown in Fig. 4.

[0103] The delivery management unit 27 receives the confirmed receipt information from the handling store via the store server 30 of the handling store, and transmits the confirmed receipt information to the communication terminal 10 (step S42). Step S42 corresponds to steps S15 and S16 in Fig. 8. When the ordered item is stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store, the delivery management unit 27 receives, from the receiving store via the store server 30 of the receiving store, a receipt flag indicating that the ordered item has been stored in the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store, and the confirmed receipt information. The delivery management unit 27 transmits the confirmed receipt information to the communication terminal 10, and causes the display of the communication terminal 10 to display the confirmed receipt information as shown in Fig. 5.

[0104] The delivery management unit 27 performs identity verification (step S43). Step S43 is executed in step S17 of Fig. 8. The delivery management unit 27 receives the identity verification flag including the QR code read by the operation terminal 512, and performs identity verification. If the QR code included in the identity verification flag matches the QR code included in the confirmed receipt information transmitted to the communication terminal 10, the delivery management unit 27 successfully completes identity verification.

[0105] The delivery management unit 27 determines whether there are any returned products (step S44). Step S44 is executed in step S18 of FIG. 8. The order processing unit 23 determines whether there are any returned products based on whether or not information capable of identifying the returned product, such as the product name or product ID of the product to be returned, is received via the store server 30 of the receiving store. The order processing unit 23 may determine whether there are any returned products by receiving from the receiving store, via the store server 30 of the receiving store, whether or not the user using the communication terminal 10 has pressed the confirmation button displayed on the confirmation screen of the receiving locker 51.

[0106] If there are any returned products (YES in step S44), the order processing unit 23 performs return processing (step S45). Step S45 is executed in step S18 of Fig. 8. When the order processing unit 23 receives information capable of identifying the returned product, such as the product name or product ID of the product to be returned, via the store server 30 of the receiving store, it queries the settlement information master 32 for product information of the returned product and settlement information including the settlement date and time, etc., and performs return processing. On the other hand, if there are no returned products (NO in step S44), the integrated application server 20 ends the process.

[0107] As described above, by using the integrated application server 20, even if multiple products to be checked are handled at multiple stores, the user can check all the products to be checked by simply going to the pickup store determined by the user. In addition, in the integrated application server 20, the determination unit 25 determines the pickup store, and the display control unit 26 displays the pickup store to suggest to the user. Therefore, the integrated application server 20 according to the second embodiment does not require the user to go to multiple stores when purchasing a product, and does not require the user to determine the pickup store every time the product to be checked is purchased. Therefore, the integrated application server 20 according to the second embodiment can reduce the burden on the user when purchasing a product, which can contribute to improving CS (Customer Satisfaction).

[0108] Furthermore, if the ordered items that the user has ordered do not include items that the user wishes to check, the integrated application server 20 delivers the ordered items to a delivery location that the user has registered in advance. In other words, if the ordered items are items that the user does not wish to check, the user can avoid the trouble of checking the product status. Therefore, the integrated application server 20 according to the second embodiment can reduce the burden on the user when receiving the products.

[0109] Furthermore, since the information processing system 100 delivers the product to be checked to a receiving store having a cash register 52 that allows returns, if the user checks the condition of the product to be checked and wishes to return it, the user can instantly perform the return process using the cash register 52. Therefore, according to the information processing system 100, even if an ordered product is delivered to a user's home and the user wishes to return it, there is no need to go through the procedure of mailing the product for return. Therefore, the information processing system 100 can reduce the burden on the user not only when purchasing a product but also when returning a product.

[0110] (Variation 1) In the second embodiment, the order processing unit 23 performs electronic payment processing for ordered items including the confirmation-requested item, and then performs return processing if the confirmation-requested item needs to be returned. In the second embodiment, the order processing unit 23 may perform electronic payment processing for ordered items other than the confirmation-requested item before the ordered items are delivered to the receiving store, and perform payment processing for the confirmation-requested item after the user has confirmed the confirmation-requested item. In this case, when the user checks the product condition of the confirmation-requested item and confirms the purchase, the payment processing may be performed by communication between the cash register 52, the order processing unit 23, and the settlement information master 32.

[0111] (Variation 2) In the second embodiment, when the ordered items include a product that the user wishes to confirm, the delivery management unit 27 may issue a normal delivery instruction to have the ordered items other than the product that the user wishes to confirm delivered to a delivery location that the user has registered in advance. The delivery management unit 27 may also issue a shipping instruction to have the product that the user wishes to confirm delivered to a pickup store that the user has determined. In this way, the user does not need to take all the ordered items home, which reduces the burden on the user when taking the ordered items home.

[0112] (Variation 3) In the second embodiment, the storage unit 21 may include the user's location information as the user information. In this case, the order processing unit 23 may receive location information from the communication terminal 10 after transmitting the product list to the communication terminal 10, and register the received location information as the user's location information included in the user information. Then, the determination unit 25 may determine, as the receiving store, the store closest to the location indicated by the user's location information, based on the location information of the store that handles the product to be confirmed and the user's location information. Alternatively, the determination unit 25 may specify the user's moving direction and moving speed based on the displacement of the user's location information, and determine the receiving store based on the location information of the store that handles the product to be confirmed and the user's moving direction and moving speed.

[0113] Furthermore, the delivery management unit 27 may periodically transmit the user's location information to the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store determined by the user. The receiving locker 51 of the receiving store may be configured to allow the user to visually identify the storage unit 511 in which the ordered items are stored when the user approaches the receiving locker 51. For example, the receiving locker 51 of the receiving store may be configured to have an LED (light emitting diode) mounted in each storage unit 511, and the LED may be made to flash to allow the user to visually identify the storage unit 511 in which the ordered items are stored. In this manner, the user can easily identify the storage unit 511 in which his / her ordered items are stored.

[0114] (Variation 4) In the second embodiment, the degree of congestion at the receiving store included in the confirmed receiving information is calculated from an image captured by a camera placed near the cash register 52 at the receiving store. However, it may be calculated as follows. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the fourth modification.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 10, a store 50 may include an infrared sensor 53_1 arranged at the entrance of the store 50, an infrared sensor 53_2 arranged at the exit of the store 50, and an entrance / exit management unit . The infrared sensors 53_1 and 53_2 may be disposed at the entrance and the exit, respectively, at a predetermined height, for example, at the height of the ankles of the person P. The infrared sensors 53_1 and 53_2 detect objects passing through the entrance and the exit, respectively, and transmit the number of detected objects to the entrance and exit management unit 54.

[0116] The entrance / exit management unit 54 counts the number of objects detected by the infrared sensors 53_1 and 53_2 as the number of people who entered the store and the number of people who left the store, respectively. The entrance / exit management unit 54 identifies the number of people in the store 50 by subtracting the number of people who left the store from the number of people who entered, and determines the pickup store congestion degree based on the identified number of people. The entrance / exit management unit 54 may include the determined pickup store congestion degree in the confirmed pickup information and transmit it to the delivery management unit 27. Even in this case, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0117] In addition, the store 50 may be provided with a surveillance camera for monitoring the entrance and exit conditions, instead of the infrared sensors 53_1 and 53_2. The entrance and exit management unit 54 may receive an image captured by the surveillance camera, and identify the number of people who have entered the store and the number of people who have left the store based on the received image. The entrance and exit management unit 54 may identify the number of people in the store 50 by subtracting the number of people who have left the store from the number of people who have entered the store, and may determine the reception store congestion degree based on the identified number of people.

[0118] (Variation 5) In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the confirmation-requested products are described as including, for example, fresh products and clothing. Here, it is difficult for a store to determine whether the condition of a fresh product handled in the store has deteriorated due to the store's responsibility or the user's responsibility once the fresh product leaves the store. Therefore, for example, fresh products are treated as products that are likely to be unreturnable. Therefore, when a confirmation-requested product that is likely to be unreturnable, such as a fresh product, is included in the ordered products, the determination unit 25 may preferentially determine, as the receiving store, a store that handles the confirmation-requested product that is likely to be unreturnable.

[0119] In this case, the confirmation-requested product information may further include a degree of non-returnability associated with the classification code, and the storage unit 21 may store the confirmation-requested product information including the degree of non-returnability. The determination unit 25 may further use the degree of non-returnability included in the confirmation-requested product information to determine the store that handles the confirmation-requested product with the highest degree of non-returnability among the confirmation-requested products as the pick-up store. Alternatively, when the ordered products include a confirmation-requested product with a degree of non-returnability equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the determination unit 25 may determine the store that handles the confirmation-requested product with a degree of non-returnability equal to or greater than a predetermined value as the pick-up store. For example, when there are two or more confirmation-requested products with a degree of non-returnability equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the stores that handle the products are different from each other, the determination unit 25 may determine two or more pick-up stores. The display control unit 26 may control the display of the pick-up store determined by the determination unit 25 to be displayed on the display of the communication terminal 10 so that the user can recognize the pick-up store that includes the confirmation-requested product with a high degree of non-returnability.

[0120] If the user wishes to return the product that the user wishes to confirm, the cash register 52 may, in response to the operation of a clerk at the receiving store, refer to the product information master of the receiving store, and if the store that handles the product that the user wishes to confirm is the receiving store, make it possible to process the return.

[0121] In this way, the possibility that a confirmation-requested product with a high degree of non-returnability, such as a fresh product, will leave the store is reduced. Therefore, if a user wishes to return a confirmation-requested product due to its freshness or dirtiness, the receiving store can verify the returned product against the data in the product information master and confirm that the returned product is a product handled in the store before processing the return. Therefore, by modifying the second embodiment as in the fifth modification, the possibility of returning the product when the deterioration of the product condition is not the user's fault can be increased. Furthermore, by determining a store that handles confirmation-requested products with a high degree of non-returnability as the receiving store, if the user wishes to return the confirmation-requested product, the user can call a staff member of the receiving store and immediately return or exchange the product.

[0122] (Other embodiments) Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 1, the integrated application server 20, and the store servers 30_1 to 30_3 (hereinafter referred to as information processing devices 1, etc.) described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Referring to Fig. 11, the information processing device 1, etc. includes a network interface 1201, a processor 1202, and a memory 1203. The network interface 1201 is used to communicate with other communication devices included in the information processing system 100, such as the information processing device 1, the communication terminal 10, and the store servers 30_1 to 30_3.

[0123] The processor 1202 reads out and executes software (computer programs) from the memory 1203 to perform the processing of the information processing device 1 and the like described using the flowcharts in the above-mentioned embodiment. The processor 1202 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 1202 may include multiple processors.

[0124] The memory 1203 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 1203 may include storage located remotely from the processor 1202. In this case, the processor 1202 may access the memory 1203 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0125] 11, the memory 1203 is used to store a group of software modules. The processor 1202 reads out and executes the group of software modules from the memory 1203, thereby performing the processing of the information processing device 1 and the like described in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0126] As described with reference to FIG. 11, each of the processors included in the information processing device 1 etc. executes one or more programs including a group of instructions for causing a computer to execute the algorithm described with reference to the drawings.

[0127] In the above example, the program can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. The non-transitory computer readable media includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further, examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / WDVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-R (DVD Recordable), DVD-R DL (DVD-R Dual Layer), DVD-RW (DVD ReWritable), DVD-RAM, DVD+R, DVR+R DL, DVD+RW, BD-R (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc Recordable), BD-RE (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc Rewritable), and BD-ROM. Further, examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes, for example, a mask ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), a flash ROM, and a random access memory (RAM). The program may also be provided to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of the transitory computer readable medium include an electric signal, an optical communication signal, and an electromagnetic wave. The transitory computer readable medium can provide the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0128] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure may be implemented by appropriately combining the respective embodiments.

[0129] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) an order processing unit that receives first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; a determination unit that determines whether the ordered items include a confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and second item information about a confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item status of the ordered item; a determination unit that, when the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determines a receiving store for the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; a display control unit that displays the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and also displays the pickup store in a changeable manner; and a delivery management unit that issues a delivery request so that the confirmation-requested product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. (Appendix 2) The user information includes an address of the user; The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store based on the first location information and the address. (Appendix 3) The user information includes receipt history information about a store where the user has received the confirmation-requested product in the past, The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store based on the first location information and the pickup history information. (Appendix 4) The information processing device described in Appendix 3, wherein the determination unit analyzes a movement route of the user based on the receipt history information, and determines the receipt store based on the first location information and the movement route. (Appendix 5) the user information includes second location information of the user; The order processing unit receives the second location information, 5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store based on the first location information and the second location information. (Appendix 6) 6. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store by further using congestion information of stores that sell the confirmation-requested product. (Appendix 7) The information processing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 6, wherein the order processing unit performs payment processing for ordered items other than the item that the user wishes to confirm before the ordered items are delivered to the pick-up store, and performs payment processing for the items that the user wishes to confirm after the user has confirmed the items that the user wishes to confirm. (Appendix 8) The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the delivery management unit delivers the ordered items to a delivery location pre-registered by the user if the ordered items do not include the item to be confirmed. (Appendix 9) The information processing device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 8, wherein, when the ordered items include the item desired to be confirmed, the delivery management unit delivers the ordered items other than the item desired to be confirmed to a delivery location pre-registered by the user. (Appendix 10) receiving first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; determining whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and second item information about the confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item status of the ordered item; If the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determining a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; displaying the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and displaying the pickup store in a changeable manner; The product delivery method includes making a delivery request so that the confirmation-desired product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. (Appendix 11) receiving first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; determining whether the ordered items include the confirmation-requested item based on the first item information and second item information about the confirmation-requested item for which the user wishes to confirm the item status of the ordered item; If the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determining a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; displaying the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and displaying the pickup store in a changeable manner; A product delivery program that causes a computer to execute a process of making a delivery request so that the confirmation-desired product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1. Information processing device 2, 23 Order Processing Unit 3, 24 Judgment section 4, 25 Decision Section 5, 26 Display control unit 6, 27 Delivery Management Department 10. Communications terminals 20 Integrated Application Server 21 Memory section 22 Communications Department 30 Store Server 31 Product information master 32 Settlement Information Master 33 Delivery Instruction Master 40 Shipping companies 50 stores 51 Receiving Locker 52 Cashier 100 Information Processing Systems 511 Storage Unit 512 Operation terminal 513 QR Code 521 POS register 522 Loading area 523 Return Box 53_1, 53_2 Infrared sensor 54 Entrance / Exit Control Department

Claims

1. an order processing unit that receives first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; a determination unit that determines whether the ordered products include a confirmation-requested product based on the first product information and second product information about a confirmation-requested product for which the user wishes to confirm the product state of the ordered product; a determination unit that, when the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determines a receiving store for the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; a display control unit that displays the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and also displays the pickup store in a changeable manner; and a delivery management unit that issues a delivery request so that the confirmation-requested product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user.

2. The user information includes an address of the user; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store based on the first location information and the address.

3. The user information includes receipt history information about a store where the user has received the confirmation-requested product in the past, The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store based on the first location information and the pickup history information.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit analyzes a movement route of the user based on the receipt history information, and determines the receipt store based on the first location information and the movement route.

5. The user information includes second location information that is location information of the user, The order processing unit receives the second location information, The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store based on the first location information and the second location information.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the pickup store by further using congestion information of a store that sells the confirmation-requested product.

7. An information processing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the order processing unit performs payment processing for ordered items other than the item desired to be confirmed before the ordered items are delivered to the receiving store, and performs payment processing for the item desired to be confirmed after the user has confirmed the item desired to be confirmed.

8. 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery management unit delivers the ordered items to a delivery location preregistered by the user if the ordered items do not include the item to be confirmed.

9. receiving first product information on an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user; determining whether the ordered products include the confirmation-requested product based on the first product information and second product information about the confirmation-requested product for which the user wishes to confirm the product status of the ordered product; If the order items include the confirmation-requested item, determining a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; displaying the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and displaying the pickup store in a changeable manner; The product delivery method includes making a delivery request so that the confirmation-desired product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user.

10. An information processing device receives first product information about an ordered product ordered by a user in an electronic commerce service from a communication terminal used by the user, An information processing device determines whether the ordered products include the confirmation-requested product based on the first product information and second product information about a confirmation-requested product for which the user wishes to confirm the product state of the ordered product; When the order items include the confirmation-requested item, an information processing device determines a store for receiving the confirmation-requested item based on first location information of a store that handles the confirmation-requested item and user information about the user; The information processing device displays the determined pickup store on the communication terminal and also displays the pickup store in a changeable manner; A product delivery program that causes a computer to execute a process in which an information processing device issues a delivery request so that the confirmation-desired product is delivered to the receiving store determined by the user.

Images