Method, system, and program for managing local product supply services

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of achieving efficient souvenir purchase by a user without depriving the user of the pleasure of seeing and purchasing the real souvenir items.SOLUTION: There is provided a souvenir providing service management method. The method includes the steps of: acquiring map information and information about a sightseeing plan of a user who uses the souvenir providing service, the sightseeing plan information including information about a sightseeing spot which the user intends to visit and information about a time zone in which the user visits the sightseeing spot; and dispatching a mobile body, loaded with souvenirs related to the sightseeing spot, to the sightseeing spot in the time zone in which the user visits the sightseeing spot on the basis of the map information and the sightseeing plan information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method, system, and program for managing souvenir offering services.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-250634 discloses a souvenir purchase support system. This conventional system automatically sets selection conditions for souvenirs, such as the budget amount and the recipient of the souvenir, based on the information of the business trip schedule of a user who has a business trip planned. Then, the information necessary to purchase a souvenir that satisfies the selection conditions is transmitted to the user's terminal. The information necessary for purchase includes, in addition to the information of the souvenir, the price of this souvenir, the information of the store that sells this souvenir, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the conventional system, souvenirs can be efficiently purchased at the business trip destination. However, in order to purchase a souvenir, it is necessary to visit a sales store. Also, depending on the location of the sales store, the time required to carry the souvenir may be long, which is expected to be troublesome for the user.

[0005] In this regard, if one can purchase souvenirs online without visiting a store and have them mailed to the desired destination of the user, one can be freed from such nuisances. However, purchasing souvenirs without even seeing the actual items, which saves even one extra step, simply means giving up the pleasure of buying souvenirs. Especially when traveling, seeing and purchasing actual souvenirs is also one of the pleasures of traveling. Therefore, it can be said that there is a potential demand for a technology that enables users to purchase souvenirs more efficiently without depriving them of the pleasure of seeing and purchasing actual souvenirs.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can realize efficient purchase of souvenirs by users without depriving them of the pleasure of seeing and purchasing actual souvenirs.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a method for managing a souvenir providing service, which has the following features. The method includes a step of acquiring map information and information on the sightseeing plan of a user who uses the souvenir providing service, wherein the information on the sightseeing plan includes information on the sightseeing spots visited by the user and information on the time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spots; a step of directing a moving body loaded with souvenirs related to the sightseeing spot to the sightseeing spot at the time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot based on the map information and the information on the sightseeing plan; and includes.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a system for managing a souvenir providing service, which has the following features. The system includes a server that manages the souvenir providing service. The server A process of acquiring map information and information on the tourism plan of a user who uses the souvenir providing service, where the information on the tourism plan includes information on the tourist spots visited by the user and information on the time zone when the user visits the tourist spot. A process of directing a moving body loaded with souvenirs related to the tourist spot to the tourist spot at the time zone when the user visits the tourist spot based on the map information and the tourism plan information. Perform.

[0009] The third aspect of the present disclosure is a program for managing a souvenir providing service and has the following features. The program is A process of acquiring map information and information on the tourism plan of a user who uses the souvenir providing service, where the information on the tourism plan includes information on the tourist spots visited by the user and information on the time zone when the user visits the tourist spot. A process of directing a moving body loaded with souvenirs related to the tourist spot to the tourist spot at the time zone when the user visits the tourist spot based on the map information and the tourism plan information. Cause the computer to execute.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a moving body loaded with souvenirs related to the tourist spot visited by the user is directed in accordance with the time zone when the user visits the tourist spot. Therefore, it is possible to realize efficient purchase of souvenirs by the user without depriving the user of the pleasure of seeing and purchasing the actual souvenirs related to the tourist spot.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, a method, a system, and a program for managing a souvenir providing service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the method according to the embodiment is realized by computer processing performed by the management server described below. Also, in each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals to simplify or omit the description.

[0013] 1. First Embodiment The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. 1-1. Outline FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the first embodiment. The souvenir providing service according to the first embodiment is a service that proposes to users the purchase of souvenirs related to tourist spots. Examples of tourist spots include scenic spots and tourist facilities scattered in tourist areas. Tourist spots include not only spots directly related to tourism but also spots indirectly related to tourism (for example, rest spots such as restaurants and hotels).

[0014] In the first embodiment, consider an example in which a user US who visits tourist spots P1 and P2 within a tourist destination on the same day is proposed to purchase souvenirs SV related to these tourist spots. Souvenirs SV_P11, ···, SV_P1m are souvenirs SV related to tourist spot P1, and souvenirs SV_P21, ···, SV_P2n are souvenirs related to tourist spot P2 (m, n ≧ 2). These souvenirs are distinguished by tag information that identifies the souvenir SV (product), such as the type (item) of the souvenir, the content volume (weight or number), the size, and the price, in addition to the information indicating the relevance to the tourist spot.

[0015] Figure 1 depicts information on the tourist plan PL of user US who visits tourist spots P1 and P2 in this order. The information on the tourist plan PL includes the overview information of tourist spot P1 (for example, the name and location information of tourist spot P1) and the information on the time zone TZ_P1 (the time zone from time t1 to t2) when user US visits tourist spot P1. The information on the tourist plan PL also includes the overview information of tourist spot P2 and the information on the time zone TZ_P2 (the time zone from time t3 to t4) when user US visits tourist spot P2.

[0016] The information on the tourist plan PL is pre-transmitted from the terminal of user US (hereinafter also referred to as the "user terminal") or the terminal of a third party (for example, a travel agency) that has taken over the preparation of the tourist plan PL to the management server. In the first embodiment, based on the information on the tourist plan PL, the time zones TZ_P1 and TZ_P2 when user US visits the tourist spots are specified. Then, based on the time zone TZ_P1 and also based on the time zone TZ_P2, a moving body VH loaded with souvenirs SV_P21, ···, SV_P2n is directed to tourist spot P2.

[0017] The mobile vehicle VH directed to tourist spot P1 is a different mobile vehicle from the one directed to tourist spot P2. The reason is that in principle, the souvenir SV_P11, ···, SV_P1m and the souvenir SV_P21, ···, SV_P2n are not loaded on the same mobile vehicle at the same time. However, if it is possible to transfer the souvenir SV between time zone TZ_P1 and time zone TZ_P2, the mobile vehicle VH directed to tourist spot P1 and the one directed to tourist spot P2 may be the same.

[0018] The mobile vehicle VH is, for example, a mobile vehicle capable of autonomous driving and is equipped with a control device, a traveling device, various sensors, etc. This control device controls the traveling device based on the information obtained from various sensors in order to autonomously travel the route from the departure point to the destination. Since the configuration for autonomous driving is well-known, detailed description here is omitted. The mobile vehicle VH is also equipped with a showroom for displaying the souvenir SV and its samples, and a self-checkout is provided here. The self-checkout is, for example, a system (self-checkout system) for the user US to perform operations such as settlement and bagging of the souvenir SV when the user US wishes to immediately purchase and take home the souvenir SV.

[0019] The mobile vehicle VH directed to tourist spot P1 waits at tourist spot P1 over the time zone tz_P1 including the time zone TZ_P1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the time zone that straddles the end time t2 of the time zone TZ_P1 is set as the time zone tz_P1. Similarly to the time zone tz_P1, the mobile vehicle VH directed to tourist spot P1 waits at tourist spot P2 over the time zone tz_P2 including the time zone TZ_P2.

[0020] By having the mobile vehicle VH wait at the tourist spot P1 over the time period tz_P1, an opportunity is created for the user US to purchase the souvenirs SV_P11, ···, SV_P1m. By having the mobile vehicle VH wait at the tourist spot P2 over the time period tz_P2, an opportunity is created for the user US to purchase the souvenirs SV_P21, ···, SV_P2n. The user US who discovers the mobile vehicle VH authenticates with the mobile vehicle VH using, for example, short-range communication or the like. Thereafter, the user US gets on the mobile vehicle VH, checks the actual souvenirs SV, and purchases the souvenirs SV desired by the user US.

[0021] In the first embodiment, in order to make it easier to discover the mobile vehicle VH, it is desirable that the orientation information of the mobile vehicle VH be transmitted from the management server to the user terminal. Examples of this orientation information include information on the location where the mobile vehicle VH waits for the user US and information on the time period (i.e., time periods tz_P1 and tz_P2) when the mobile vehicle VH waits for the user US. The waiting location is the location where waiting is planned (e.g., the parking lot of a tourist spot), but it is desirable that the actual waiting location be transmitted to the user terminal.

[0022] It is desirable that information on the souvenirs SV loaded on the mobile vehicle VH be added to the orientation information. The reason for this is that if information on the souvenirs SV is added to the orientation information, it becomes possible for the user US to consider in advance the souvenirs SV desired by the user US.

[0023] In the first embodiment, it is also desirable that the selection of the souvenirs SV loaded on the mobile vehicle VH be made based on information on the purchase conditions CN of the souvenirs SV by the user US. The information on the purchase conditions CN is transmitted in advance from the terminal of the user US to the management server, for example, separately from the information on the tourism plan PL. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the orientation of the mobile vehicle VH when the selection of the souvenirs SV is made based on the information on the purchase conditions CN.

[0024] The purchase condition CN is set according to, for example, the combination of the number of recipients of souvenirs (i.e., the total number of souvenirs) and the budget range for souvenirs. By including the number of recipients of souvenirs in the purchase condition CN, the total number of the same type of souvenirs SV loaded onto the mobile vehicle VH can be determined. Also, by including the budget range in the purchase condition CN, it can be determined that there is no need to load souvenirs SV outside this range onto the mobile vehicle VH. Note that the loading of souvenirs SV onto the mobile vehicle VH is performed at the warehouse (logistics center) of the souvenirs SV.

[0025] The user's preference information and information on the attributes of the recipients of souvenirs by the user US (e.g., family, acquaintances, colleagues) may be added to the purchase condition CN. By adding the preference information or attribute information to the purchase condition CN, it is expected that the user US will highly likely like the souvenirs SV loaded onto the mobile vehicle VH. Note that when selecting souvenirs SV based on the preference information and attribute information, it is sufficient that the tag information for identifying the souvenirs SV includes information on preferences and attributes.

[0026] In the example shown in FIG. 2, souvenirs SV_P11, ···, SV_P1i related to the tourist spot P1 and souvenirs SV_P21, ···, SV_21j related to the tourist spot P1 are pre-selected (i ≤ m, j ≤ n). Therefore, it is possible to load the souvenirs SV that are highly likely to be purchased (ordered OR) by the user US onto the mobile vehicle VH and propose them to the user US. In addition, by not loading the souvenirs SV with a low possibility of being purchased by the user US, it is also possible to suppress the costs related to the operation of the souvenir providing service.

[0027] 1-2. Configuration Example of the System FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the system according to the first embodiment includes a management server 1, a user terminal 2, and a mobile terminal 3. The management server 1 communicates with the user terminal 2 and the mobile terminal 3 via a network 4.

[0028] The management server 1 manages the souvenir providing service. The management server 1 includes an information processing device 11, a user DB (database) 12, a mobile body DB 13, a souvenir DB 14, and a map DB 15. Note that these databases and the information processing device 11 are connected by a predetermined network.

[0029] The information processing device 11 includes at least one processor 15 and at least one memory 16. The processor 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 16 is a volatile memory such as a DDR memory, and performs the deployment of various programs used by the processor 15 and the temporary storage of various information. The various information used by the processor 15 includes information stored in databases such as the user DB 12.

[0030] The user DB 12 stores information of the user US of the souvenir providing service (hereinafter, also referred to as "user information USR"). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the user information USR. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user information USR includes identification information UID, outline information SGN, time zone information STZ, and purchase condition information UCN.

[0031] The identification information UID is information for identifying the user US. The identification information UID is registered by the user US, for example, at the start of using the souvenir providing service. Examples of the identification information UID include general information such as the name, age, gender, address, and contact information of the user US.

[0032] The summary information SGN and the time zone information STZ are information included in the tourism plan PL of the user US (hereinafter, also referred to as "tourism plan information UPL"). Note that the tourism plan information UPL also includes information on the day when the user US visits the tourist spot. The summary information SGN indicates the summary of the tourist spot visited by the user US. Examples of the summary information SGN include information on the name and location of the tourist spot visited by the user US. The time zone information STZ indicates the time zone when the user US visits the tourist spot. The time zone information STZ is represented by a time range of several tens of minutes to several hours (for example, 30 minutes to 2 hours).

[0033] The purchase condition information UCN is information indicating the purchase condition CN of the souvenir by the user US. The purchase condition information UCN is registered by the user US, for example, at the time of registration of the user information USR. The purchase condition information UCN is appropriately updated by the user US. The purchase condition information UCN is used when selecting the souvenir SV to be loaded on the mobile vehicle VH. Therefore, when the purchase condition information UCN is not registered, the selection of the souvenir SV according to the purchase condition CN is not performed.

[0034] As already explained, the purchase condition CN is set according to, for example, the combination of the number of recipients of the souvenir and the budget range of the souvenir. The purchase condition CN may be added with the preference information of the user US and the attribute information of the recipient of the souvenir.

[0035] In the mobile vehicle DB13, information on the mobile vehicle VH (hereinafter, also referred to as "mobile vehicle information VHC") is stored. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the mobile vehicle information VHC. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the mobile vehicle information VHC includes the identification information VID, the operation information STS, the position information VLC, and the luggage information VLU.

[0036] The identification information VID is information for identifying the mobile vehicle VH. Examples of the identification information VID include general information such as the size of the mobile vehicle VH, the display room, the volume of the cargo hold, etc., and the maximum load capacity of the luggage.

[0037] The operation information STS is information indicating the operating status of the moving body VH. Examples of the operation information STS include being in operation or not in operation. The detailed status during operation is also included in the operation information STS. Examples of the detailed status during operation include during the loading (reloading) of souvenir SV, on the way from the warehouse or garage to the tourist spot, on the way back from the tourist spot to the warehouse or garage, and waiting for the user US at the tourist spot.

[0038] The position information VLC is information indicating the current position of the moving body VH. The position information VLC is generated based on the detection information of various sensors (more specifically, GPS sensors) provided in the moving body VH, for example.

[0039] The luggage information VLU is information on the souvenir SV loaded in the showroom, luggage compartment, etc. of the moving body VH. Examples of the luggage information VLU include tag information for identifying the souvenir SV, such as the type, content volume, size, and price of the souvenir SV. When the souvenir SV is purchased by the user US, the luggage information VLU is updated.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 3, the souvenir DB14 stores information on the souvenir SV (hereinafter also referred to as "souvenir information SVN"). Examples of the souvenir information SVN include the inventory information of various souvenirs stored in the warehouse and the sales performance information of the souvenirs. The inventory information is managed based on tag information for identifying the souvenir SV, such as the type, content volume, size, and price of the souvenir SV, for example. The sales performance information is used not only for calculating the sales of the souvenir SV but also for selecting the souvenir SV to be loaded onto the moving body VH. For example, for souvenirs SV with high sales performance, the variations (variations in content volume, size, and price) to be loaded onto the moving body VH are increased. Even if the relevance to the tourist spot is low, souvenirs SV with high sales performance may be loaded onto the moving body VH. On the other hand, for souvenirs SV with low sales performance, the priority of loading onto the moving body VH may be lowered.

[0041] The map DB15 stores map information MAP. Examples of the map information MAP include information on the positions of roads, information on road shapes (e.g., types of curves and straight lines), and information on the positions of intersections and structures. Structures include tourist spots, parking lots attached to tourist spots, and parking lots around tourist spots.

[0042] The user terminal 2 is a communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal carried by the user US. An application for using the souvenir providing service is installed in the user terminal 2. Input and transmission of information such as user information USR, tourism plan information UPL, and purchase condition information UCN are performed by the functions of this application. Ordering OR of souvenirs SV by the user US is also performed by the functions of this application. Authentication with the mobile vehicle VH is also performed by the functions of this application.

[0043] The mobile terminal 3 is a communication terminal mounted on the mobile vehicle VH. The mobile terminal 3 communicates with the management server 1. In communication with the management server 1, the mobile terminal 3 transmits, for example, detection information of various sensors provided in the mobile vehicle VH to the management server 1. Also, the mobile terminal 3 receives various commands from the management server 1. These various commands include movement commands to destinations of the mobile vehicle VH such as the warehouse of souvenirs SV, tourist spots, and the garage of the mobile vehicle VH. The mobile terminal 3 also communicates with the user terminal 2. Communication with the user terminal 2 is, for example, short-range communication performed when authenticating the user US.

[0044] 1-3. Example of Processing by Management Server FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow by the management server 1 (processor 15) particularly related to the first embodiment. Note that the routine shown in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

[0045] In the routine shown in FIG. 6, first, various information is acquired (step S11). Examples of the various information to be acquired include the user information USR in the user DB12 described above.

[0046] Following the process of step S11, it is determined whether the orientation of the mobile body VH is necessary (step S12). For example, when the sightseeing plan information UPL included in the user information USR obtained in the process of step S11 is registered or updated, it is determined whether the information on the visit date or visit time zone of the sightseeing spots constituting this sightseeing plan information UPL is registered or updated. And when it is determined that the information on the visit date or visit time zone is registered or updated, it is determined that the orientation of the mobile body VH is necessary.

[0047] When the determination result of step S12 is affirmative, it is determined whether the purchase condition information UCN is included in the sightseeing plan information UPL (step S13). The sightseeing plan information UPL subject to the determination in this step is that of the user US for whom it is determined that the orientation of the mobile body VH is necessary. When the determination result of step S13 is negative, the process of step S14 is performed. When the determination result of step S13 is affirmative, the process of step S15 is performed.

[0048] In the process of step S14, the mobile body VH is selected. In the process of this step, for example, based on the summary information SGN included in the sightseeing plan information UPL, the souvenir SV related to the sightseeing spot is specified. Then, based on the operation information STS, the position information VLC, and the luggage information VLU included in the mobile body information VHC, a mobile body VH that has already loaded the souvenir SV related to the sightseeing spot and can be oriented to the sightseeing spot is selected. If such a mobile body VH cannot be selected, based on these information, after loading (relocating) the souvenir SV, a mobile body VH that can be oriented to the sightseeing spot is selected.

[0049] In the process of step S15, the moving body VH and the souvenir SV are selected. The content of the process in this step is basically the same as that of step S14. However, it is rare that a souvenir SV that satisfies the purchase condition CN included in the purchase condition information UCN has already been loaded and a moving body VH that can be directed to the tourist spot is selected. Therefore, usually, based on the operation information STS, the position information VLC, and the luggage information VLU included in the moving body information VHC, after loading (reloading) a souvenir SV that satisfies the purchase condition CN, a moving body VH that can be directed to the tourist spot is selected.

[0050] Following the process of step S14 or S15, a movement command is sent to the moving body VH selected in this process (step S16). The movement command is composed of, for example, information combining the destination of the moving body VH and the time zone when it should reach this destination. Examples of the destination include the warehouse of the souvenir SV, the tourist spot, the garage of the moving body VH, etc. According to the movement command, the moving body VH can reach the tourist spot at the target time zone directly from the current location or via the warehouse. Also, it is possible for the moving body VH to return from this tourist spot to the garage or the warehouse.

[0051] Following the process of step S16, the targeting information is sent to the user terminal 2 (step S17). The targeting information includes the information of the location where the moving body VH waits and the information of the time zone when the moving body VH waits for the user US. The information of the souvenir SV loaded on the moving body VH may be added to the targeting information. The transmission of the targeting information may be immediately after the targeting information is generated, or may be transmitted at a preset date and time such as the day before the day when the user US visits the tourist spot.

[0052] Following the process of step S17, it is determined whether information rejecting the orientation is received (step S18). The information rejecting the orientation is transmitted from the user US who has determined that the orientation of the mobile body VH is unnecessary, and this rejection information is performed by the function of an application for using the souvenir providing service. This rejection information is set to be transmitted for each tourist spot. Therefore, the user US can make a selection such as rejecting the orientation of the mobile body VH at a certain tourist spot (for example, tourist spot P1) and accepting it at another tourist spot (for example, tourist spot P2).

[0053] If the determination result in step S18 is affirmative, a movement command is transmitted to the mobile body VH selected in step S14 or S15 (step S19). When the orientation of the mobile body VH for a part of the tourist spot is rejected, the movement command is corrected accordingly and then transmitted to the mobile body VH. When the orientation of the mobile body VH for all tourist spots is rejected, a command to cancel the movement command is transmitted to the mobile body VH. In this case, the orientation of the mobile body VH is aborted.

[0054] 1-4. Effects According to the first embodiment described above, the mobile body VH loaded with the souvenir SV related to the tourist spot visited by the user US is oriented according to the visiting time zone of the user US to the tourist spot. Therefore, it is possible to realize efficient purchase of souvenirs by the user without depriving the user US of the pleasure of seeing and purchasing the actual souvenir SV related to the tourist spot.

[0055] 2. Second Embodiment The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. Note that descriptions overlapping with those described in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0056] 2-1. Outline In the first embodiment, in the mobile vehicle VH directed at a tourist attraction, the user US checked and purchased the souvenir SV in person. At the time of this purchase, the user US can also take the purchased souvenir SV back home. However, after purchasing the souvenir SV, for the user US who visits a tourist attraction different from the tourist attraction where the souvenir SV was purchased, it is expected that carrying the souvenir SV will become troublesome. When purchasing a souvenir SV that requires refrigeration or freezing, it is also expected that it will be difficult to carry the souvenir SV itself.

[0057] Therefore, in the second embodiment, at the time of purchase (order OR) of the souvenir SV by the user US, information on the delivery DL of this souvenir SV (hereinafter, also referred to as "delivery information UDL") is received. Then, based on the delivery information UDL, the mobile vehicle VH loaded with the souvenir SV (hereinafter, also referred to as "ordered item SV_OR") purchased by the user US is directed to the delivery location of the ordered item SV_OR.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, a part of the tourist plan PL of the user US described in the first embodiment is drawn. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user US is purchasing (ordering OR) a souvenir SV in the mobile vehicle VH directed at the tourist attraction P1. At this time, the user US who wishes for delivery DL instead of immediately taking the ordered item SV_OR home sends the delivery information UDL to the management server. Incidentally, the input and transmission of the delivery information UDL are performed by the function of an application for using the souvenir providing service.

[0059] The transmission of the delivery information UDL may be performed while the user US is boarding the mobile vehicle VH, or may be performed after the user US gets off the mobile vehicle VH. However, in the latter case, it is desirable to set a reception validity period for the delivery information UDL. Examples of the reception validity period include within a predetermined period (for example, one week) from the visit date of the tourist attraction and within the period during which the user US stays at the tourist destination. Incidentally, the stay period can be predicted, for example, from the visit date of the tourist attraction constituting the tourist plan information UPL.

[0060] The delivery information UDL includes information on the delivery location of the ordered item SV_OR and information on the delivery time zone of the ordered item SV_OR. Examples of the delivery location include a base (e.g., a hotel) at a tourist destination of the user US, and in the case of a user US visiting a tourist destination using a means of transportation such as a train or an airplane, the departure and arrival locations of the means of transportation such as a train station or an airport are exemplified. In the case of a souvenir SV that requires refrigeration or freezing, the user US's home is assumed to be the delivery location. The user US himself / herself sets the delivery time zone as the time zone during which the user US can receive the souvenir SV at the delivery location.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 7, location P3 is specified as the delivery location, and time zone TZ_P3 (the time zone from time t9 to t10) is set as the delivery time zone. The moving body VH directed to location P3 waits at location P3 over the time zone tz_P3 (the time zone from time t11 to t12) including the delivery time zone TZ_P3.

[0062] By having the moving body VH wait at location P3 over the time zone tz_P3, an opportunity for the user US to receive the ordered item SV_OR occurs. The user US who discovers the moving body VH performs authentication with the moving body VH using, for example, short-range communication or the like. After that, the user US gets on the moving body VH and receives the ordered item SV_OR.

[0063] Similar to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment as well, it is desirable that the directing information of the moving body VH be transmitted from the management server to the user terminal. Examples of this directing information include information on the location where the moving body VH waits for the user US and information on the time zone (i.e., time zone tz_P3) during which the moving body VH waits for the user US. The waiting location is the location where waiting is planned (i.e., location P3), but it is desirable that the actual waiting location be transmitted to the user terminal.

[0064] 2-2. Example of System Configuration The configuration example of the system according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that according to the first embodiment. The difference between the former and the latter lies in the configuration example of the user information USR stored in the user DB. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration example of the user information USR. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the user information USR includes the identification information UID and the tourism plan information UPL. This is the same as described with reference to FIG. 4 so far. In the example shown in FIG. 8, further, it includes the location information DLC and the time zone information DTZ.

[0065] The location information DLC and the time zone information DTZ are information included in the delivery DL information (hereinafter also referred to as "delivery information UDL"). The location information DLC is information on the location where the delivery of the ordered item SV_OR is made. The time zone information DTZ is information on the time zone when the user US visits the location where the delivery of the ordered item SV_OR is made. The time zone information DTZ is represented by a time width of several tens of minutes to several hours (for example, 30 minutes to 2 hours). Incidentally, the delivery information UDL also includes information on the day when the delivery of the ordered item SV_OR is made.

[0066] 2-3. Example of Processing by the Management Server FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow by the management server 1 (processor 15) particularly related to the second embodiment. Incidentally, the routine shown in FIG. 9 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

[0067] In the routine shown in FIG. 9, first, various types of information are acquired (step S21). Examples of the various types of information to be acquired include the user information USR in the user DB12 described above.

[0068] Following the process of step S21, it is determined whether the orientation of the mobile body VH is necessary (step S22). For example, when the delivery information UDL included in the user information USR obtained in the process of step S21 is registered or updated, it is determined whether the information on the delivery date or the delivery time zone constituting this delivery information UDL is registered or updated. And when it is determined that the information on the delivery date or the delivery time zone is registered or updated, it is determined that the orientation of the mobile body VH is necessary.

[0069] If the determination result of step S22 is affirmative, the mobile body VH is selected (step S23). In the process of this step, for example, based on the information of the ordered item SV_OR, the delivery information UDL, and the operation information STS, the position information VLC, and the luggage information VLU included in the mobile body information VHC, a mobile body VH capable of loading the ordered item SV_OR and delivering it to the delivery location within the delivery time zone is selected.

[0070] Following the process of step S23, a movement command is transmitted to the mobile body VH selected in this process (step S24). The movement command is composed of, for example, information combining the destination of the mobile body VH and the time zone when it should reach this destination. Examples of the destination include the warehouse of the souvenir SV, the delivery location, the garage of the mobile body VH, etc. According to the movement command, the mobile body VH can reach the delivery location within the delivery time zone directly from the current location or via the warehouse. Also, the mobile body VH can return from this delivery location to the garage or the warehouse.

[0071] Following the process of step S24, the orientation information is transmitted to the user terminal 2 (step S25). The orientation information includes the information on the location where the mobile body VH waits and the information on the time zone when the mobile body VH waits for the user US. The information on the ordered item SV_OR loaded on the mobile body VH may be added to the orientation information. The transmission of the orientation information may be immediately after the orientation information is generated, or may be transmitted at a preset date and time such as the day before the delivery date.

[0072] 2-4. Effects According to the second embodiment described above, after purchasing the souvenir SV, it becomes possible for the user US to receive the ordered product SV_OR at the location and time zone desired by the user US. Therefore, the user US who has purchased the souvenir SV by seeing the actual product related to the tourist spot is released from the trouble of carrying it around. This is considered to be beneficial in terms of sales efficiency not only for the user US who visits the tourist destination (tourist spot) but also for the merchant who sells the souvenir SV to the user US.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1 Management server 2 User terminal 3 Mobile terminal 15 Processor 16 Memory SV_OR Ordered product DLC Location information DTZ Time zone information MAP Map information SGN Summary information STZ Time zone information SVN Souvenir information UCN Purchase condition information UDL Delivery information USR User information UPL Tourism plan information VHC Mobile body information

Claims

1. A method for causing a server to manage a souvenir providing service, comprising: obtaining map information and information on a user's sightseeing plan for using the souvenir providing service, the information on the sightseeing plan including position information of a sightseeing spot that the user visits and information on a time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot; directing a moving body loaded with souvenirs related to the sightseeing spot to the sightseeing spot at a time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot based on the map information and the information on the sightseeing plan; obtaining information on the purchase conditions of souvenirs by the user, the purchase conditions including the number of recipients to whom the user hands over souvenirs, the range of the souvenir budget, and information on the attributes of the recipients; selecting souvenirs to be loaded on the moving body based on the information on the purchase conditions before directing the moving body to the sightseeing spot; A method for managing a souvenir providing service, characterized by including the above steps.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: when receiving an order from the user for a souvenir related to the sightseeing spot, obtaining delivery information of the ordered item, the delivery information including information on the place and time zone for delivering the ordered item to the user; directing a moving body loaded with the ordered item to the delivery place of the ordered item at the delivery time zone of the ordered item based on the delivery information. A method for managing a souvenir providing service, characterized by further including the above steps.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the directing information of the moving body to the user's terminal, the directing information including information on the place and time zone where the moving body waits for the user.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: the directing information further includes information on the souvenirs loaded on the moving body.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the directing information of the moving body to the user's terminal, the directing information including information on the place and time zone where the moving body waits for the user. A method for managing a souvenir providing service, further comprising the step of canceling the orientation of the mobile object when information rejecting the orientation of the mobile object from the user's terminal is received after the transmission of the orientation information.

6. A system for managing a souvenir providing service, comprising: a server for managing the souvenir providing service; wherein the server: a process of acquiring map information and information on the sightseeing plan of a user who uses the souvenir providing service, the sightseeing plan information including position information of a sightseeing spot visited by the user and information on the time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot; a process of orienting a mobile object loaded with souvenirs related to the sightseeing spot to the sightseeing spot at the time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot, based on the map information and the sightseeing plan information; a process of acquiring information on the purchase conditions of souvenirs by the user, the purchase conditions including the number of recipients to whom the user delivers souvenirs, the budget range of souvenirs, and information on the attributes of the recipients; a process of selecting souvenirs to be loaded on the mobile object based on the information on the purchase conditions before orienting the mobile object to the sightseeing spot; A management system for a souvenir providing service, characterized by performing the above.

7. A program for managing a souvenir providing service, comprising: a process of acquiring map information and information on the sightseeing plan of a user who uses the souvenir providing service, the sightseeing plan information including position information of a sightseeing spot visited by the user and information on the time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot; a process of orienting a mobile object loaded with souvenirs related to the sightseeing spot to the sightseeing spot at the time zone when the user visits the sightseeing spot, based on the map information and the sightseeing plan information; a process of acquiring information on the purchase conditions of souvenirs by the user, the purchase conditions including the number of recipients to whom the user delivers souvenirs, the budget range of souvenirs, and information on the attributes of the recipients; a process of selecting souvenirs to be loaded on the mobile object based on the information on the purchase conditions before orienting the mobile object to the sightseeing spot; A management program for a souvenir providing service, characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

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