Information processing device, information processing program, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method that provide a delivery service designed to reduce financial or temporal burden of a customer.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a first acquisition unit which acquires delivery address information when receiving an order for a commodity including delivery of the commodity from a user terminal; a calculation unit which calculates, from the delivery address information and location information of a store, estimated delivery / arrival time from the store to the delivery address or a delivery fee, as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service; a second acquisition unit which provides the delivery address information and the store information to the information processing apparatus that provides a second delivery service indicating a delivery service of another business operator, and acquires estimated delivery / arrival time from the store to the delivery address or a delivery fee, as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service, from the information processing apparatus; and a provision unit which provides delivery cost list information including the delivery costs, in a predetermined order, to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing program, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, eating and drinking in restaurants was the norm, but with the spread of COVID-19, people are refraining from eating out and instead eating at home, etc. Due to this change in social conditions, food delivery services that allow customers to order food and have it delivered via smartphone application software (so-called "apps") or the internet are attracting attention.

[0003] Let's take a look at food delivery services. When a restaurant signs up for a food delivery service, the restaurant's menu becomes searchable through the app of the service. When a user selects an item from the searched menu and completes payment, the order information is sent to the restaurant. The restaurant prepares the product (food) based on the order information, and once preparation is complete, hands the product over to a delivery person provided by the food delivery service. The delivery person then delivers the product to the destination.

[0004] However, in general, when joining a food delivery service, it is necessary to bear certain costs such as membership fees and commissions. Therefore, depending on the business situation, some restaurants do not join such food delivery services, but instead accept food delivery orders on their own websites and deliver the food using their own staff.

[0005] Therefore, some food delivery service companies are offering a service (hereinafter referred to as "non-affiliated delivery services") in which they provide delivery staff only when necessary to restaurants that accept food delivery orders on their own websites, without signing an affiliation contract with the food delivery service, and deliver products from those restaurants for only the cost of the delivery fee.

[0006] This allows restaurants to hire delivery staff only when necessary and pay only the delivery fee to have their ordered items delivered, without having to sign a franchise agreement with the food delivery service.Orders can continue to be received on the restaurant's website as before, and only the delivery part can be outsourced to the food delivery service.

[0007] The following can be cited as examples of technologies related to delivery management. Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery management system that can calculate an estimated delivery time for a product before a user places an order for the product. The delivery management system includes a resource management unit that manages delivery resource information including information on multiple delivery resources, a receiving unit that receives information identifying a product supply base and information on a delivery destination area that is an area that includes the delivery destination from a sales system that has received a request from the user's user terminal for an estimated delivery time for the product to the delivery destination, and an estimate calculation unit that calculates an estimated delivery time before the sales system receives an order for the product from the user terminal, based on the information identifying the supply base and the information on the delivery destination area received by the receiving unit from the sales system, and the delivery resource information managed by the resource management unit.

[0008] Patent Document 2 also discloses a product delivery contract system that can appropriately calculate delivery fees when a delivery person delivers goods from a business to a customer. The product delivery contract system includes a management server, a business terminal for a business that supplies goods, a customer terminal for a customer that places product orders and requests delivery to the management server, and a delivery person terminal for a delivery person who delivers goods. The management server includes a notification means that simultaneously notifies the business terminal and multiple delivery person terminals of product delivery job information received from the customer terminal, and a calculation means that calculates delivery fees for each delivery person based on reply information from the delivery person terminal regarding the job contract request. The delivery person terminal includes a response means that transmits reply information including information on the job completion location specified by the delivery person. The calculation means calculates the delivery fee by determining the required travel time between the delivery job start location, product supply location, product delivery location, and job completion location registered by the delivery person in the system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-050290 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6977107 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] As mentioned above, restaurants that use non-affiliated delivery services can outsource the deliveries that they previously performed in-house without paying affiliation fees, which means they no longer need to allocate their own staff to deliveries and can focus their resources on running their own restaurants.However, depending on the time of day and delivery area, it may be more efficient or convenient for their own staff to deliver the food.

[0011] Given this background, it may be considered to combine the delivery work that has been carried out in-store with the non-affiliated delivery service mentioned above, but simply using two services together may cause confusion for customers who place delivery orders via the Internet or telephone to have products delivered to a specified location.In other words, since customers will not know at a glance which delivery service to use as their delivery method, it is more user-friendly to suggest the one that offers the greatest benefit to the customer.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention provides a technology for providing a delivery service that further reduces the financial and time burden on customers in a product delivery ordering system in which multiple delivery services are available. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first acquisition unit that, when accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer, acquires delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination; a calculation unit that calculates, from the delivery destination information and store location information, a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery hour or a delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by the store; a second acquisition unit that provides the delivery destination information and the store location information to an external information processing device that provides a second delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by a business different from the store, and acquires from the external information processing device, the scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery hour or delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service; and a provision unit that provides delivery cost list information including at least one of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost to the communication terminal device in a predetermined order based on preset setting information, wherein the provision unit: If the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable distance, if the scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable time, or if the delivery destination is not included in a preset delivery allowable area based on the store's location information, The first delivery cost is deleted from the delivery cost list information.

[0014] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first acquisition unit that, when accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer, acquires delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination; a second acquisition unit that provides the delivery destination information and store location information to a plurality of external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating delivery services for the product, and acquires from each of the plurality of external information processing devices a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or a delivery fee as a delivery cost for each of the delivery services; and a provision unit that provides delivery cost list information to the communication terminal device in a predetermined order based on preset setting information, the delivery cost list including at least one delivery cost of the delivery costs of the plurality of delivery services, wherein the provision unit: If the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable distance, if the scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable time, or if the delivery destination is not included in a preset delivery allowable area based on the store's location information, The delivery cost of the first delivery service is deleted from the delivery cost list information.

[0015] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes an information processing device to execute, when accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer, a first acquisition process of acquiring delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination; a calculation process of calculating, from the delivery destination information and store location information, an estimated delivery time or estimated delivery hour or delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by the store; a second acquisition process of providing the delivery destination information and the store location information to an external information processing device that provides a second delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by a business different from the store, and acquiring from the external information processing device, the estimated delivery time or estimated delivery hour or delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service; and a provision process of providing, to the communication terminal device, delivery cost list information including at least one of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost in a predetermined order based on preset setting information, the provision process comprising: If the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable distance, if the scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable time, or if the delivery destination is not included in a preset delivery allowable area based on the store's location information, The first delivery cost is deleted from the delivery cost list information.

[0016] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes an information processing device to execute the following steps when accepting an order for a product, including delivery of the product, from a communication terminal device used by a customer: a first acquisition process for acquiring delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination; a second acquisition process for providing the delivery destination information and store location information to a plurality of external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating delivery services for the product, and acquiring from each of the plurality of external information processing devices a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or a delivery fee as a delivery cost for each of the delivery services; and a provision process for providing delivery cost list information including at least one delivery cost of the delivery costs of the plurality of delivery services to the communication terminal device in a predetermined order based on preset setting information, wherein the provision process If the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable distance, if the scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store's location information exceeds a preset delivery allowable time, or if the delivery destination is not included in a preset delivery allowable area based on the store's location information, The delivery cost of the first delivery service is deleted from the delivery cost list information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to an information processing technique according to one aspect of the present invention, in a product delivery ordering system in which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide a delivery service that further reduces the financial and time burden on customers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a delivery order system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a database managed by a management server 13 in this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery setting screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an order reception screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a cart confirmation screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination setting screen in this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery service selection screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when a delivery order is placed in this embodiment (Example 1). [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a delivery order process by the management server according to the present embodiment (Example 1). [Figure 13]10 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed processing of a sorting process (S29) according to this embodiment (Example 1); [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when a delivery order is placed in this embodiment (Example 2). [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a delivery order process by the management server according to the present embodiment (Example 2). [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when a delivery order is placed in this embodiment (Example 3). [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a delivery order process by the management server according to the present embodiment (Example 3). [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when a delivery order is placed in this embodiment (Example 4). [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a hardware environment of a computer that executes a program according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] 1 is a diagram showing an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention. The information processing device 1 includes a first acquisition unit 2, a calculation unit 3, a second acquisition unit 4, and a provision unit 5. An example of the information processing device 1 is a management server 13, which will be described later.

[0020] The first acquisition unit 2 acquires delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when accepting a product order including product delivery from a communication terminal device used by a customer. An example of the first acquisition unit 2 is the reception unit 23 described below. An example of a communication terminal device is the user terminal 18 described below. The delivery destination information is information indicating the location of the delivery destination, such as an address, but is not limited to this, and may be location information expressed by latitude and longitude, or map information.

[0021] The calculation unit 3 calculates the estimated delivery time or estimated delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or the delivery fee from the delivery destination information and the store location information as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service indicating a product delivery service provided by the store. An example of the calculation unit 3 is the delivery processing unit 24 described below. An example of the first delivery service is the delivery service of Company A (its own company) described below. The store location information is, for example, the store address, but is not limited to this, and may be location information expressed by latitude and longitude, or map information.

[0022] The second acquisition unit 4 provides the delivery destination information and the store location information to an external information processing device that provides a second delivery service indicating a product delivery service provided by a business other than the store, and acquires from the external information processing device a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or a delivery fee as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service. An example of the second acquisition unit 4 is the delivery processing unit 24 described below. An example of the external information processing device is the delivery service server 16 described below. An example of the second delivery service is the delivery service of Company B described below.

[0023] The providing unit 5 provides the communication terminal device with delivery cost list information including at least one of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost in a predetermined order based on preset setting information. An example of the setting information is the setting information management DB 33 described below. An example of the delivery cost list information is the list displayed in the delivery cost list display field 93.

[0024] By configuring it in this way, in a delivery ordering system for products for which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide a delivery service that further reduces the financial or time burden on the customer. In other words, in a delivery ordering system for products for which both the store's own delivery service and other delivery services are available, it is possible to provide the delivery service to the customer in a manner that makes it easier to distinguish between the delivery service that will further reduce the financial or time burden on the customer.

[0025] The information processing device 1 further includes a request unit 6. When the request unit 6 receives from the communication terminal device delivery specification information that specifies one of the delivery costs included in the delivery cost list information selected by the customer, the request unit 6 requests delivery of the product from a delivery operation device, which is an information processing device that operates the delivery service corresponding to the delivery specification information, either the first delivery service or the second delivery service. An example of the request unit 6 is a delivery processing unit 24, which will be described later. An example of the delivery operation device is a store terminal 14 or a delivery service server 16, which will be described later.

[0026] By configuring in this way, it is possible to request product delivery from an information processing device that operates a delivery service corresponding to the delivery cost selected by the customer from the delivery costs provided to the customer in a predetermined order.

[0027] The providing unit 5 provides the delivery cost list information to the communication terminal device in the order of the first delivery service, the second delivery service, the delivery fee, or the scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time. The order of the delivery fee and the scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time may each be in ascending order.

[0028] By configuring in this way, it is possible to provide a delivery cost that is advantageous to the customer in a manner that makes it easy for the customer to select the cost.

[0029] If the value of the first delivery cost is greater than a predetermined value or if the delivery destination is outside a predetermined area, the providing unit 5 provides the communication terminal device with delivery cost list information excluding the first delivery cost in a predetermined order. If the value of the first delivery cost is a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time, the predetermined value is, for example, a value obtained by dividing the delivery time from a predetermined store or the distance from a predetermined store by a predetermined speed. The predetermined area is, for example, an area represented by an administrative district of a certain range, such as Shinjuku Ward or Shibuya Ward.

[0030] By configuring it in this way, for example, if the estimated delivery time or delivery fee for a delivery service exceeds a certain value, and the burden on the store becomes too great, the store's delivery service can be stopped and only other delivery services can be used.

[0031] The providing unit sets the scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time included in the delivery cost list information as the shortest scheduled delivery time or the earliest scheduled delivery time, and adds a predetermined value to the scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time to provide it to the communication terminal device as the longest scheduled delivery time or the latest scheduled delivery time.

[0032] By configuring in this way, it is possible to notify customers of a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery hour with a certain time range in advance, so it is possible to respond to delivery delays due to in-store conditions (order status, customer congestion, etc.) or delivery conditions (road congestion, etc.).

[0033] In another embodiment, the request unit 6 may request delivery of the product from a delivery operation device, which is an information processing device that operates a delivery service corresponding to the smaller delivery cost of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost. Examples of the delivery operation device include the store terminal 14 or the delivery service server 16, which will be described later.

[0034] By configuring it in this way, in a delivery ordering system for products for which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide a delivery service that further reduces the financial or time burden on customers. In other words, in a delivery ordering system for products for which both the store's own delivery service and other delivery services are available, it is possible to provide a delivery service that further reduces the financial or time burden on customers.

[0035] Another embodiment is the following information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 includes a first acquisition unit 2, a second acquisition unit 4, and a provision unit 5. An example of the information processing device 1 is a management server 13, which will be described later.

[0036] When accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer, the first acquisition unit 2 acquires delivery destination information related to the delivery destination. An example of a communication terminal device is a user terminal 18, which will be described later. The delivery destination information is information indicating the location of the delivery destination, such as an address, but is not limited to this, and may also be location information expressed by latitude and longitude, or map information.

[0037] The second acquisition unit 4 provides delivery destination information and store location information to a plurality of external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating product delivery services, and acquires from each of the plurality of external information processing devices the estimated delivery time or estimated delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or the delivery fee as the delivery cost for each delivery service. Examples of each delivery service include delivery services from companies B and C, which will be described later. The store location information is, for example, the store address, but is not limited to this, and may be location information expressed by latitude and longitude, or map information.

[0038] The providing unit 5 provides the communication terminal device with the delivery cost of each delivery service in a predetermined order based on preset setting information. An example of the setting information is the setting information management DB 33, which will be described later.

[0039] By configuring it in this way, in a delivery ordering system for products for which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide delivery services that further reduce the financial or time burden on customers. In other words, in a delivery ordering system for products for which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide delivery services to customers in a manner that makes it easier to determine the delivery service that will further reduce the financial or time burden on the customer.

[0040] Another embodiment is the following information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 includes a first acquisition unit 2, a second acquisition unit 4, and a request unit 6. An example of the information processing device 1 is a management server 13, which will be described later.

[0041] When accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer, the first acquisition unit 2 acquires delivery destination information related to the delivery destination. An example of a communication terminal device is a user terminal 18, which will be described later. The delivery destination information is information indicating the location of the delivery destination, such as an address, but is not limited to this, and may also be location information expressed by latitude and longitude, or map information.

[0042] The second acquisition unit 4 provides delivery destination information and store location information to multiple external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating product delivery services, and acquires from each of the multiple external information processing devices the estimated delivery time or estimated delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or the delivery fee as the delivery cost for each delivery service. An example of the second acquisition unit 4 is the delivery processing unit 24 described below. An example of the external information processing device is the delivery service server 16 described below. The store location information is, for example, the store address, but is not limited to this, and may be location information expressed by latitude and longitude, or map information.

[0043] The request unit 6 requests delivery of the product from an external information processing device that operates a delivery service corresponding to the smallest delivery cost among the plurality of delivery costs acquired. An example of the request unit 6 is the delivery processing unit 24 described below.

[0044] By configuring in this way, in a product delivery ordering system in which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide a delivery service that further reduces the financial and time burden on customers.

[0045] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0046] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a delivery order system according to this embodiment. The delivery order system 11 includes a web server 12, a management server 13, a store terminal 14, a delivery person terminal 15, a delivery service server 16, a delivery person terminal 17, a user terminal 18, and a communication network 19. The web server 12, the management server 13, the store terminal 14, the delivery person terminal 15, the delivery service server 16, the delivery person terminal 17, and the user terminal 18 are interconnected via the communication network 19.

[0047] The web server 12, management server 13, store terminal 14, deliveryman terminal 15, delivery service server 16, deliveryman terminal 17, and user terminal 18 are each so-called electronic computers equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage device, communication interface, etc. (none of which are shown). Each device executes a predetermined computer program using the CPU, memory, storage medium, etc.

[0048] Web server 12 is a server device that manages a website (delivery order reception site) for accepting delivery orders to restaurants of Company A (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "our company"), which operates Restaurant A. Note that for convenience, only one Web server 12 is shown in Figure 2, but in reality, multiple Web servers may be connected.

[0049] The management server 13 is a server device that processes requests related to delivery orders received from the user terminal 18 via the web server 12. For example, the management server 13 manages the product menu to be displayed on the delivery order reception site, calculates the delivery costs of Company A (estimated delivery time or estimated delivery time, or delivery fee), obtains the delivery costs of other companies (estimated delivery time or estimated delivery time, or delivery fee) from the delivery service servers 16 of those other companies, executes order processing, and sends delivery requests to a server (including the store terminal 14) corresponding to the delivery service to be used (including Company A's delivery service).

[0050] The store terminal 14 is a terminal for displaying a store management screen, a setting screen, etc., which allows store employees to check the status of delivery orders for the store where the store terminal 14 is installed. The store terminal 14 also manages deliveries related to delivery orders from Company A. The store terminal 14 includes, for example, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.

[0051] For convenience, Figure 2 shows only one store terminal 14 in one store, but there may be multiple store terminals 14 in one store, and multiple stores may each have one or more store terminals 14.

[0052] The delivery person terminal 15 is an information communication terminal with communication functions used by a delivery person of Company A, and includes, for example, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. For convenience, only one delivery person terminal 15 is shown in Figure 2, but there may be multiple delivery person terminals.

[0053] Delivery service server 16 is a server that executes processes related to delivery services to realize food and drink delivery services provided by other companies (e.g., Company B). For convenience, only the server that realizes the delivery service provided by Company B is shown in Figure 2, but there may also be servers that realize delivery services provided by other companies (e.g., Company C, Company D, etc.).

[0054] The delivery person terminal 17 is an information communication terminal with communication functions used by a delivery person of Company B, and includes, for example, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. For convenience, only one delivery person terminal 17 is shown in FIG. 2, but there may be multiple delivery person terminals. Furthermore, if there is a server that realizes a delivery service provided by another company (e.g., Company C, Company D, etc.), there may also be a delivery person terminal corresponding to that company.

[0055] The user terminal 18 is, for example, an information communication terminal with a communication function that is owned or occupied by each user, and includes, for example, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. Although only one user terminal 18 is shown in Fig. 2 for convenience, there may be multiple user terminals.

[0056] An arbitrary OS (Operating System) is installed on the user terminal 18, and application software is also installed. The application software may include, for example, a web browser, a delivery order app, a restaurant reservation app, etc. In FIG. 2, as an example, a web browser is installed on the user terminal 18.

[0057] Furthermore, the WEB server 12, management server 13, store terminal 14, and delivery service server 16 may each be a server system consisting of one or more physical information processing devices, or a virtual server system consisting of one or more virtual server devices.

[0058] 3 is a functional block diagram of the management server 13 according to this embodiment. The management server 13 includes a control unit 21 and a storage unit 31. The control unit 21 reads out and executes a program according to this embodiment from the storage unit 31, thereby functioning as a setting unit 22, a reception unit 23, a delivery processing unit 24, and an order processing unit 25.

[0059] When a store employee logs in via a web browser installed on the store terminal 14, the setting unit 22 displays a setting screen on the store terminal 14 for setting up the delivery order system, and registers the information entered on the setting screen in the management server 13.

[0060] The reception unit 23 receives various requests and input information related to delivery orders transmitted from the user terminal 18 via the web server 12.

[0061] The delivery processing unit 24 registers the setting information sent from the user terminal 18 in the setting information management DB 33. It registers information about the delivery destination sent from the user terminal 18 in the customer management DB 32. The delivery processing unit 24 references the delivery request destination management DB 37 to acquire information about servers operating available delivery services. The delivery processing unit 24 calculates the delivery costs (delivery fee, estimated delivery time (or estimated delivery time)) of Company A, and acquires the delivery costs (delivery fee, estimated delivery time (or estimated delivery time)) of other companies from the delivery service servers 16 of those companies based on the reference results of the delivery request destination management DB 37. The delivery processing unit 24 may also transmit a delivery cost list, which lists the delivery cost information of each company, to the user terminal 18 via the WEB server 12. The delivery processing unit 24 also makes a delivery request to a server (including the store terminal 14) corresponding to the delivery service to be used (including Company A's delivery service), and registers the delivery request information in the delivery management DB 36.

[0062] In response to an order request received from the user terminal 18, the order processing section 25 receives order information, registers it in the delivery order management DB 35, and processes the order, and also performs payment processing according to the pre-registered information.

[0063] The storage unit 31 stores, for example, a customer management DB 32, a setting information management DB 33, a menu management DB 34, a delivery order management DB 35, a delivery management DB 36, and a delivery request destination management DB 37. Here, DB is an abbreviation for database. The menu management DB 34 may be stored in the storage unit of the web server 12.

[0064] The customer management DB 43 is a database that stores information about customers. The setting information management DB 33 is a database that stores setting information about the delivery order system. The menu management DB 34 is a database that stores information about the menu of deliverable products. The delivery order management DB 35 is a database that manages order information about delivery orders. The delivery management DB 36 is a database that stores the determined delivery service and the delivery details of that delivery service. The delivery request destination management DB 37 is a database that stores information about the access destination of the server of the delivery service available in the delivery order system 11.

[0065] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of databases managed by management server 13 in this embodiment. Management server 13 manages, for example, a customer management DB 32, a setting information management DB 33, a menu management DB 34, a delivery order management DB 35, a delivery management DB 36, and a delivery request destination management DB 37. Note that menu management DB 34 may be stored in a memory unit of web server 12.

[0066] The customer management DB43 includes data items such as "Store ID," "Customer ID," "Name," "Delivery Address," and "Contact Information." The "Store ID" item stores identification information (store ID) that identifies the store. The "Customer ID" item stores identification information that identifies the customer. The "Name" item stores the name of the customer. The "Delivery Address" item stores the address specified as the delivery destination. The "Contact Information" item stores the customer's telephone number.

[0067] The setting information management DB33 includes data items such as "Store ID," "Store Name," "Store Address," "Stop Company Delivery," "Delivery Fee Type," "Amount (Flat Rate)," "Amount (Pay-As-You-Go)," "Sorting Type," "Area Restriction Flag," "Area Restriction Type," "Area Restriction Details," and "Allowable Delay Time." The "Store ID" item stores identification information (store ID) that identifies a store. The "Store Name" item stores the name of the store. The "Store Address" item stores the address of the store (or may be location information or map information specified by latitude and longitude). The "Stop Company Delivery" item stores a company delivery suspension flag (0: use company delivery service, 1: stop company delivery service). The "Delivery Fee Type" item stores a fixed amount indicating a flat rate or a pay-as-you-go type indicating a pay-as-you-go delivery type as the delivery fee type. The "Amount (Flat Rate)" item stores the amount applied when the delivery fee type is a fixed amount. The "Amount (Pay-As-You-Go)" item stores the unit amount (e.g., delivery fee per kilometer) that is applied when the delivery fee type is pay-as-you-go. The "Sort Type" item stores the type of sorting order that is applied when sorting the delivery cost information in a list (company priority, delivery fee order (ascending order), estimated delivery time order (or estimated delivery time order (ascending order))). The "Area Restriction Flag" item stores "1" if the delivery area to which the company's delivery service applies is restricted, and "0" if no restriction is applied. The "Area Restriction Type" item stores the type of delivery area restriction ("1" if the restriction is by delivery distance, "2" if the restriction is by estimated delivery time, or "3" if the restriction is by delivery area). The "Area Allowance Details" item stores allowable detailed information according to the area restriction type. For example, the "Area Restriction Details" item stores the allowable delivery distance if the area restriction type is 1, the allowable delivery time if the area restriction type is 2, and the allowable delivery area (e.g., Shinjuku Ward, Toshima Ward, etc.) if the area restriction type is 3. The item "allowable delay time" stores the time to be added to the scheduled delivery time (or scheduled delivery time) to obtain the scheduled delivery time (scheduled delivery time) (maximum) as the allowable delay time.

[0068] The menu management DB34 includes data items such as "store ID," "product ID," "category," "product name," "price," and "image data." The "store ID" item stores identification information (store ID) that identifies the store. The "product ID" item stores identification information that identifies the product (food, drink, etc.) to be delivered. The "category" item stores the category of the product. The "product name" item stores the name of the product. The "price" item stores the unit price of the product. The "image data" item stores photo data of the product or location information of the photo data.

[0069] The delivery order management DB35 includes data items such as "store ID," "delivery order ID," "order date and time," "order details," "amount," and "payment method." The "store ID" item stores identification information (store ID) that identifies the store. The "delivery order ID" item stores identification information (delivery order ID) that identifies the order information in the delivery order system. The "order date and time" item stores the date and time when the order was confirmed (order date and time). The "order details" item stores the product ID of the ordered product. The "amount" item stores the amount corresponding to the "order details." The "payment method" item stores the payment method, such as prepayment or cash on delivery.

[0070] The delivery management DB 36 includes data items such as "store ID," "delivery ID," "delivery order ID," "request recipient," "request date and time," "delivery recipient name," "delivery address," "delivery type," "delivery fee," and "estimated delivery time." The "store ID" item stores identification information (store ID) that identifies a store. The "delivery ID" item stores identification information (delivery ID) that identifies the delivery of the product ordered by the delivery order. The "delivery order ID" item stores the delivery order ID related to the delivery ID. The "request recipient" item stores the name of the delivery service requested for delivery ("our company" if the company's delivery service is selected). The "request date and time" item stores the date and time the delivery request was made (request date and time). The "delivery recipient name" item stores the name of the customer who is the delivery recipient. The "delivery address" item stores the address specified as the delivery destination. The "delivery fee type" item stores the delivery fee type (flat rate indicating a flat rate system, or pay-per-use indicating a pay-per-use system) applied when the request recipient is "our company." The item "delivery fee" stores the delivery fee for the delivery. The item "scheduled delivery time (or scheduled delivery time)" stores the scheduled delivery time (or scheduled delivery time) for the delivery.

[0071] The delivery request destination management DB 37 includes data items such as "store ID," "request destination," and "URL." The item "store ID" stores identification information (store ID) that identifies a store. The item "request destination" stores the name of a delivery service available in the delivery order system 11 ("our company" for the delivery service of the request destination). The item "URL (Uniform Resource Locator)" stores location information on the communication network 19 of the server that provides the delivery service of the request destination, which is used to access the server.

[0072] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery setting screen in this embodiment. When a store employee logs in to the management server 13 using a web browser installed in the store terminal 14, the setting unit 22 displays a delivery setting screen 41 on the display screen of the store terminal 14 based on the delivery setting screen data stored in the storage unit 31.

[0073] The delivery settings screen 41 includes a store name setting field 42, a store address setting field 43, a company delivery stop setting field 44, a delivery fee setting field 45, a sort order setting field 46, a company delivery area restriction setting field 47, an allowable delay time setting field 48, a registration button 49, a cancel button 50, etc.

[0074] The store name setting field 42 is where the store name of the company (own store) is input. The store address setting field 43 is where the store address of the company (own store) is input. The company delivery stop setting field 44 is where the company (own store) delivery service is stopped. Hachi Check (ON) is input.

[0075] In the delivery fee setting field 45, the user can select and input whether to apply a flat rate system ("flat rate") or a pay-per-delivery system ("pay-per-use") as the delivery fee charging system for their company's (their store's) delivery service. If a flat rate is selected, the amount to be applied under the flat rate system can be input. If pay-per-use is selected, the unit amount per delivery distance (yen / km) to be applied under the pay-per-use system can be input.

[0076] In the sort order setting field 46, the user selects whether to apply "Company first," "Delivery fee (ascending order)," or "Scheduled delivery time (ascending order)" as the sort order of the delivery cost list when it is displayed on the user terminal 18. If "Company first" is selected, the delivery cost list is sorted in the order of the user's own delivery service and then other companies' delivery services, and other companies' delivery services are sorted in order of delivery fee (ascending order) or scheduled delivery time (ascending order). If "Delivery fee (ascending order)" is selected, the delivery cost list is sorted in order of delivery fee (ascending order). If "Scheduled delivery time (ascending order)" is selected, the delivery cost list is sorted in order of scheduled delivery time (ascending order).

[0077] In the company delivery area restriction setting field 47, if you want to restrict the delivery area of your delivery service, HachiThe check (ON) is entered. The delivery area can be restricted by selecting from "distance from the store," "estimated delivery time from the store," and "area."

[0078] If "Distance from store" is selected, you can enter the distance you want to allow delivery to as "Allowable distance from store." For example, if "Distance from store" is 2 km, the delivery area of your delivery service will be limited to within the delivery limit distance (2 km) from the store.

[0079] If "Allowable delivery time from store" is selected, you can enter the allowable delivery time as "Delivery distance from store." For example, if "Estimated delivery time from store" is 30 minutes, the delivery area of your company's delivery service will be limited to areas within the delivery time limit (30 minutes) from the store.

[0080] If "Area" is selected, you can select the administrative district name of the area where delivery is permitted as the delivery area for your company's delivery service (for example, "Shinjuku Ward," "Toshima Ward," "Shibuya Ward," etc.).

[0081] The time to be added to the scheduled delivery time to obtain the scheduled delivery time (maximum) is set as the allowable delay time in the allowable delay time setting field 48. If the scheduled delivery time calculated by the management server 13 or the scheduled delivery time transmitted from the delivery service server 16 is the minimum scheduled delivery time, the allowable delay time can be set as a buffer time, thereby allowing more flexibility in the scheduled delivery time.

[0082] When the register button 49 is pressed, the information entered on the delivery setting screen 41 is sent to the management server 13 and registered in the setting information management DB 33. When the cancel button 50 is pressed, the information entered on the delivery setting screen 41 is discarded and the screen returns to the original screen.

[0083] 6 is a diagram showing an example of an order acceptance screen in this embodiment. When a customer (user) wants to place a delivery order, he or she accesses Company A's delivery order acceptance site via a web browser installed on the user terminal 18. Then, an order acceptance screen 61 is displayed on the screen of the user terminal 18.

[0084] The order reception screen 61 includes a store name display field 62, a category selection button 63, a product image display field 65 (65a, 65b,...), an add product button 66 (66a, 66b,...), a delete product button 67 (67a, 67b,...), a total price display field 68, and a "Confirm cart" button 69.

[0085] The name of the store from which you are ordering delivery is displayed in the store name display field 62. When you select (press) a category selection button 63, images of one or more products corresponding to the pressed category are displayed in the product image display field 65 (65a, 65b, ...).

[0086] The product image display field 65 (65a, 65b,...) displays images of products belonging to the category selected by the category selection button 64. By pressing the add product button 66 (66a, 66b,...), the product displayed in the product image display field 65 (65a, 65b,...) can be added to the cart. Here, the cart refers to an electronic space where products added by the user with the add product button 66 (66a, 66b,...) for purchase are temporarily stored until payment is completed. By tapping the delete product button 67 (67a, 67b,...), the product displayed in the product image display field 65 (65a, 65b,...) and added to the cart can be deleted.

[0087] The total price of the items added to the cart is displayed in a total price display field 68. Tapping the "Confirm Cart" button 69 will take you to the screen shown in Figure 7, where you can check the items added to the cart.

[0088] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a cart confirmation screen in this embodiment. A cart confirmation screen 71 includes a store name display field 72, a list of products in the cart 73, a "Back" button 75, and a "Next" button 76.

[0089] The store name display field 72 displays the name of the store from which you are ordering delivery. The cart item list 73 displays details of the items added to the cart and their subtotal. Pressing the "Back" button 75 returns you to the original screen. Pressing the "Next" button 76 transitions you to a screen for setting the delivery destination, but in some embodiments described below, you may transition to an order confirmation screen.

[0090] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination setting screen in this embodiment. The delivery destination setting screen 81 includes a customer name setting field 82, a delivery address setting field 83, a phone number setting field 84, a "Back" button 85, and a "Next" button 86.

[0091] The customer name setting field 82 is used to enter the name of the customer placing a delivery order or the recipient at the delivery address. The delivery address setting field 83 is used to enter the delivery address. The phone number setting field 84 is used to enter the phone number of the customer placing a delivery order or the recipient at the delivery address. Pressing the "Back" button 85 will return you to the original screen. Pressing the "Next" button 86 will take you to a screen for selecting the delivery service you wish to use.

[0092] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery service selection screen in this embodiment. A delivery service selection screen 91 includes a store name display field 92, a delivery cost list display field 93, a "Back" button 95, and a "Next" button 96.

[0093] The store name display field 92 displays the name of the store from which a delivery order is being placed. The delivery cost list display field 93 displays a list of delivery cost information (delivery cost information 94a, delivery cost information 94b) for available delivery services. In the delivery cost list display field 93, for example, one of the delivery costs can be selected using the option buttons.

[0094] The delivery cost information (94a, 94b, ...) includes, for example, the name of the delivery service, the estimated delivery time (minimum estimated delivery time to maximum estimated delivery time), and the delivery fee. The minimum estimated delivery time is the estimated delivery time calculated by the management server 13 or the estimated delivery time transmitted from the delivery service server 16. The maximum estimated delivery time is the estimated delivery time plus the allowable delay time.

[0095] Pressing the "Back" button 95 returns to the original screen. Pressing the "Next" button 96 transitions to a screen for placing an order, but in some embodiments described below, the screen may transition to the order reception screen 61.

[0096] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen in this embodiment. The order confirmation screen 101 includes a store name display field 102, an ordered product list display field 103, a payment details list display field 104, a "Back" button 105, and an "Order" button 106.

[0097] The store name display field 102 displays the name of the store from which a delivery order is being placed. The ordered product list display field 103 displays a list of the products held in the cart, their quantities, and their prices.

[0098] A payment details list is displayed in the payment details list display field 104. The payment details list displays, for example, the number of products held in the cart, the subtotal of the product prices (product subtotal), delivery charges, the total amount of the product subtotal and delivery charges, consumption tax, and the total amount. Pressing the "Back" button 105 returns to the original screen. Pressing the "Order" button 106 confirms the order and sends the order information to the management server 13. The management server 13 processes the order based on the order information and also processes the payment as information to be settled.

[0099] The order confirmation screen 101 may also display the delivery cost of the selected delivery service.

[0100] First, Example 1 of this embodiment will be described. In Example 1, a list of available delivery services, including the delivery service of the store itself, is provided to the customer in order of lowest delivery cost, and delivery is performed using the delivery service selected by the customer.

[0101] 11 is a sequence diagram for placing a delivery order in this embodiment (Example 1). Using a web browser installed on the user terminal 18, the user accesses the web server 12 managed by the store from which the user wishes to place a delivery order, and makes a request to display a website screen related to the delivery order (S1).

[0102] When the WEB server 12 receives the request to display the website screen, it displays the website screen on the display unit of the user terminal 18. When the user operates the user terminal 18 and presses a predetermined button on the website screen, the user terminal 18 sends a request to display an order reception screen to the WEB server 12.

[0103] When the web server 12 receives the order reception screen display request, it retrieves product menu information from the menu management DB 34 and displays the order reception screen 61 on the display unit of the user terminal 18. The user operates the user terminal 18 to select the products to be delivered from the order reception screen 61. The selected products are temporarily stored in an order storage area called a cart in the web browser.

[0104] When the user operates the user terminal 18 to press the “Confirm Cart” button 69 on the order reception screen 61, the user terminal 18 sends a cart confirmation screen display request (including order information) to the Web server 12.

[0105] When the WEB server 12 receives the cart confirmation screen display request, it transmits the order information to the management server 13. When the management server 13 receives the order information, it responds to the WEB server 12 to inform it that the order information has been received (S1-1).

[0106] When the WEB server 12 receives the response indicating that the receipt has been completed, it displays a cart confirmation screen 71 on the display of the user terminal 18. When the user operates the user terminal 18 to press the "Next" button 76 on the cart confirmation screen 71, the user terminal 18 sends a delivery destination setting screen display request to the WEB server 12 (S3). When the WEB server 12 receives the delivery destination setting screen display request, it displays a delivery destination setting screen 81 on the display of the user terminal 18 (S4).

[0107] The user also operates the user terminal 18 to input delivery destination information (customer name, delivery address, and telephone number) on the delivery destination setting screen 81 and presses the "Next" button 86. The user terminal 18 sends a delivery service selection screen display request (including the delivery destination information) to the WEB server 12 (S5).

[0108] When the WEB server 12 receives a delivery service selection screen display request (including delivery destination information), it first transmits the delivery destination information to the management server 13 (S6). When the management server 13 receives the delivery destination information, it registers it in the customer management DB 32. When the management server 13 completes the registration of the delivery destination information in the customer management DB 32, it notifies the WEB server 12 that the registration of the delivery destination information has been completed (S7). Then, the WEB server 12 requests the management server 13 to obtain a delivery cost list (S8).

[0109] When the management server 13 receives the delivery cost list acquisition request, it acquires information about the delivery request recipient from the delivery request recipient management DB. The management server 13 calculates its own delivery cost based on the setting information management DB 33, and sends a delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery recipient information and store information) to the external delivery service server 16 (S9). Here, the delivery recipient information is the information registered in the customer management DB 32 in S6, and includes at least the delivery recipient address. The store information includes the address information of the company (Company A).

[0110] The delivery service server 16 receives the delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information). In response, the delivery service server 16 calculates the delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) from the delivery destination information and store information based on the fee rule and estimated delivery time calculation rule of the delivery service, and transmits the calculated delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) to the management server 13 (S10).

[0111] When management server 13 receives delivery costs from delivery service server 16, it combines them with its own delivery costs to generate a delivery cost list. The delivery cost list is a list of information related to the delivery costs of one or more delivery services (delivery service name, estimated delivery time, delivery fee). At this time, management server 13 sets each estimated delivery time as the minimum estimated delivery time, calculates the maximum delivery time by adding the allowable delay time to each minimum estimated delivery time, and generates estimated delivery times (minimum estimated delivery time, maximum estimated delivery time).

[0112] The management server 13 causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display a delivery service selection screen 91, in which the generated delivery cost list is set in the delivery cost list display field 93, via the web server 12 (S11, S12).

[0113] The user operates the user terminal 18 to select (decide) the delivery cost information of the delivery service they wish to use from the delivery cost list displayed in the delivery cost list display field 93 on the delivery service selection screen 91, and presses the "Next" button 96. Then, a request to display an order confirmation screen (including the order information and the decided delivery cost information) is sent to the web server 12 (S13).

[0114] When the WEB server 12 receives a request to display an order confirmation screen (including order information and determined delivery cost information), it sends a request to the management server 13 to obtain a payment details list (including order information and determined delivery cost information) (S14).

[0115] The management server 13 receives the payment details list acquisition request (including the order information and the determined delivery cost information). The management server 13 then aggregates the payment information based on the order information and the delivery cost information, and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 then transmits the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S15).

[0116] When the WEB server 12 receives the payment details list information, it causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display the order confirmation screen 101 based on the payment details list information (S16). The user operates the user terminal 18 to press the "Place Order" button 106 on the order confirmation screen 101. This causes an order confirmation request to be sent to the management server 13 via the WEB server 12 (S17, S18).

[0117] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request. Then, the management server 13 processes the order and the settlement based on the payment details list information. The management server 13 also transmits a delivery request to the request destination (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) corresponding to the determined delivery service based on the determined delivery cost information (S19).

[0118] When the requested party (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) receives a delivery request, it sends the delivery request to the delivery person terminal of one or more delivery persons belonging to the requested party and asks whether or not to accept the delivery request. When the requested party receives a response from the delivery person that it will accept the delivery request, the requested party responds to the management server 13 that it has accepted the delivery request (delivery request acceptance) (S20-1).

[0119] In addition, in the case of a delivery request to the store terminal 14, the store clerk may visually check the delivery request details displayed on the store terminal 14 and make the delivery without using the delivery person terminal 15.

[0120] When the management server 13 receives a delivery request receipt from the requested party, it notifies the user terminal 18 via the web server 12 that the order has been completed (S20-2, S20-3).

[0121] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of delivery order processing by the management server in this embodiment (Example 1). The management server 13 accepts delivery destination information (customer name, delivery address, and telephone number) from the user terminal 18 via the WEB server 12, and registers it in the customer management DB 32 (S21).

[0122] The management server 13 receives a delivery cost list acquisition request from the web server 12 (S22). The management server 13 acquires delivery destination information from the customer management DB 32 (S23). The management server 13 acquires setting information related to Company A's delivery service from the setting information management DB 33 (S24).

[0123] The management server 13 determines whether the "company delivery stop flag" included in the setting information is OFF (S25). If the "company delivery stop flag" is ON (NO in S25), the process proceeds to S27.

[0124] If the "company delivery stop flag" is OFF (YES in S25), the management server 13 calculates the delivery costs (estimated delivery time, delivery fee) of the delivery service of company A based on the acquired setting information (S26).

[0125] Here, the delivery distance is calculated from the store address included in the setting information and the delivery destination address included in the delivery destination information using a commonly available map database service or the like. In this case, depending on the embodiment, the delivery distance may be the straight-line distance between the store and the delivery destination, or the distance between the store and the delivery destination (the distance of the road from the store to the delivery destination). The estimated delivery time is calculated by dividing the calculated delivery distance by a reference travel speed. The reference travel speed is the average assumed speed of a predetermined average means of transportation (bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, etc.), and may be set to, for example, 20 km / hour for bicycles and 40 km / hour for motorcycles.

[0126] Furthermore, if the delivery fee type included in the setting information is "flat rate," the delivery fee will be the "amount (flat rate)" included in the setting information. Furthermore, if the delivery fee type included in the setting information is "metered rate," for example, the delivery fee is calculated by multiplying the "amount (metered rate)" included in the setting information by the calculated delivery distance. Note that in this example, the "amount (metered rate)" is calculated using a proportional function, but is not limited to this and may be calculated using, for example, a linear function.

[0127] After the process of S26 or if the result of S25 is NO, the management server 13 transmits a delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information (including the store location)) to the delivery service server 16 (S27).

[0128] When the delivery service server 16 receives a delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information), it calculates the delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) of the delivery service provided by the delivery service server 16 based on the delivery destination information and store information.

[0129] For example, the delivery distance is calculated from the store address included in the setting information and the delivery destination address included in the delivery destination information using a commonly available map database service, etc. In this case, depending on the embodiment, the delivery distance may be the straight-line distance between the store and the delivery destination, or the distance between the store and the delivery destination (the distance of the road from the store to the delivery destination).

[0130] Regarding store information, if the address of Company A is pre-registered in the delivery service server 16, the delivery destination information does not need to include the store address, but in this case, it includes store identification information associated with the pre-registered address of Company A.

[0131] The estimated delivery time is calculated by dividing the calculated delivery distance by a reference travel speed, which is the average assumed speed of a predetermined average means of transportation (bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, etc.), and is set to, for example, 20 km / hour for bicycles and 40 km / hour for motorcycles.

[0132] The delivery fee may be determined according to the fee structure of the delivery service (operated by Company B) provided by the delivery service server 16, or according to a prior agreement between Company A and Company B.

[0133] After calculating the delivery costs (scheduled delivery time, delivery fee), the delivery service server 16 transmits them to the management server 13. The management server 13 acquires the delivery costs (scheduled delivery time, delivery fee) transmitted from the delivery service server 16 (S28).

[0134] The management server 13 sorts the delivery cost information of company A (if the process of S26 has been performed) and the delivery cost information of other companies' delivery services in a predetermined order to generate a delivery cost list (S29). Details of the sorting process will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[0135] The management server 13 sets each scheduled delivery time as the minimum scheduled delivery time, calculates the maximum delivery time by adding the allowable delay time to each minimum scheduled delivery time, and generates scheduled delivery times (minimum scheduled delivery time, maximum scheduled delivery time).

[0136] The management server 13 causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display a delivery service selection screen 91 on which a delivery cost list sorted in a predetermined order is displayed (S30).

[0137] The user operates the user terminal 18 to select (decide) the delivery cost information of the delivery service they wish to use from the delivery cost list displayed in the delivery cost list display field 93 on the delivery service selection screen 91, and presses the "Next" button 96. Then, a request to display an order confirmation screen (including the order information and the decided delivery cost information) is sent to the web server 12.

[0138] When the web server 12 receives a request to display an order confirmation screen (including order information and determined delivery cost information), it sends a request to the management server 13 to obtain a payment details list (including order information and determined delivery cost information).

[0139] The management server 13 receives a payment details list acquisition request (including order information and determined delivery cost information) (S31). In response, the management server 13 aggregates payment information based on the order information and delivery cost information, and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 transmits the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S32).

[0140] When the WEB server 12 receives the payment details list information, it causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display an order confirmation screen 101 based on the payment details list information.

[0141] The user operates the user terminal 18 to press the "Place Order" button 106 on the order confirmation screen 101. Then, an order confirmation request (including order information and determined delivery cost information) is sent to the management server 13 via the web server 12.

[0142] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request (including the order information and the determined delivery cost information) (S33). In response, the management server 13 registers the order information in the delivery order management DB 35 and processes the order (S34).

[0143] Furthermore, the management server 13 transmits a delivery request to the request destination (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) corresponding to the determined delivery service based on the determined delivery cost information (S35). The management server 13 registers information related to the delivery request in the delivery management DB 36. The management server 13 performs payment processing based on the order information (S36).

[0144] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed processing of the sorting process (S29) in this embodiment (Example 1). In this embodiment, as an example, the management server 13 sorts the delivery cost list including the delivery cost information of Company A (when the processing of S26 is performed) and the delivery cost information of other company delivery services in the following procedure.

[0145] The management server 13 first determines the sorting type included in the setting information (S41, S43). If the sorting type is "own company priority" (YES in S41), the management server 13 sorts the delivery cost list in the order of own company and other companies (S42). Note that if the processing of S26 has not been performed or for delivery cost information between other companies, the management server 13 sorts the delivery cost information of other companies in order of delivery fee (ascending order) or estimated delivery time (ascending order).

[0146] If the sorting type is "by delivery charge (ascending order)" (NO in S41, YES in S43), the management server 13 sorts the delivery cost list in order of delivery charge (ascending order) (S44). If the sorting type is "by scheduled delivery time (ascending order)" (NO in S43), the management server 13 sorts the delivery cost list in order of scheduled delivery time (ascending order) (S45).

[0147] The management server 13 determines whether the "company delivery stop flag" included in the setting information is OFF (S46). If the "company delivery stop flag" is ON (NO in S46), this flow ends.

[0148] If the "company delivery stop flag" is OFF (YES in S46), the management server 13 determines whether the "area restriction flag" included in the setting information is ON (S47). If the "area restriction flag" is OFF (NO in S47), this flow ends.

[0149] If the "company delivery stop flag" is ON (YES in S47), the management server 13 determines the area restriction type included in the setting information (S48, S50). If the area restriction type is "delivery distance" (YES in S48), the management server 13 determines whether the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination exceeds the allowable delivery distance (S49). Here, depending on the embodiment, the delivery distance may be the straight-line distance between the store and the delivery destination, or the distance between the store and the delivery destination (the distance of the road from the store to the delivery destination). The allowable delivery distance is included in the "area tolerance details" of the setting information.

[0150] If the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination exceeds the delivery allowable distance (YES in S49), the management server 13 deletes the delivery cost information of its own company (Company A) from the delivery cost list (S53). If the delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination is equal to or less than the delivery allowable distance (NO in S49), this flow ends.

[0151] If the area restriction type is "estimated delivery time" (NO in S48, YES in S50), the management server 13 determines whether the estimated delivery time exceeds the allowable delivery time (S51). The estimated delivery time is calculated by dividing the delivery distance calculated as described above by the reference travel speed. The reference travel speed is the average assumed speed of a predetermined average means of transportation (bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, etc.), and is set, for example, at 20 km / hour for bicycles and 40 km / hour for motorcycles. The allowable delivery time is included in the "area allowance details" of the setting information.

[0152] If the scheduled delivery time exceeds the allowable delivery time (YES in S51), the management server 13 deletes the delivery cost information of its own company (Company A) from the delivery cost list (S53). If the scheduled delivery time is equal to or less than the allowable delivery time (NO in S51), this flow ends.

[0153] If the area restriction type is "area" (NO in S50), the management server 13 determines whether the delivery destination is outside the delivery area of the delivery company (S52). The delivery allowance area is included in the "area allowance details" of the setting information.

[0154] If the delivery destination is outside the delivery allowable area (YES in S52), the management server 13 deletes the delivery cost information of its own company (Company A) from the delivery cost list (S53). If the delivery destination is within the delivery allowable area (NO in S52), this flow ends.

[0155] Next, Example 2 of this embodiment will be described. In Example 1, the customer was allowed to select a delivery service to use from a list of delivery services arranged in ascending order of delivery cost, but in Example 2, a mode will be described in which the management server 13 determines the delivery service that is most advantageous to the customer in terms of delivery cost and provides it to the customer.

[0156] Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram when placing a delivery order in this embodiment (Example 2). Fig. 14 is a diagram in which S5 in the sequence diagram of Fig. 11 is replaced with S61, S8 with S62, and S11 to S19 with S63 to S67. The sequence from S61 onwards will be described below.

[0157] The user operates the user terminal 18 to enter delivery destination information (customer name, delivery address, and telephone number) on the delivery destination setting screen 81 and presses the "Next" button 86, which causes the user terminal 18 to request the WEB server 12 to display an order confirmation screen (including order information and delivery destination information) (S61). Upon receiving the order confirmation screen display request (including order information and delivery destination information), the WEB server 12 first transmits the delivery destination information to the management server 13 (S6). Upon receiving the delivery destination information, the management server 13 registers it in the customer management DB 32. Upon completing the registration of the delivery destination information in the customer management DB 32, the management server 13 notifies the WEB server 12 that the registration of the delivery destination information has been completed (S7). The WEB server 12 then requests the management server 13 to obtain a payment details list (including order information) (S62).

[0158] When the management server 13 receives the payment details list acquisition request (including order information), it acquires information about the delivery request recipient from the delivery request recipient management DB 37. The management server 13 calculates its own delivery cost based on the setting information management DB 33, and sends a delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery recipient information and store information) to the external delivery service server 16 (S9). Here, the delivery recipient information is the information registered in the customer management DB 32 in S6, and includes at least the delivery recipient address. The store information includes the address information of the company (Company A).

[0159] The delivery service server 16 receives the delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information). In response, the delivery service server 16 calculates the delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) from the delivery destination information and store information based on the fee rule and estimated delivery time calculation rule of the delivery service, and transmits the calculated delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) to the management server 13 (S10).

[0160] When the management server 13 receives delivery costs from the delivery service server 16 (S10), it selects the lowest delivery cost from the received delivery costs and its own delivery costs as the optimal delivery cost. The management server 13 sets the estimated delivery time included in the optimal delivery cost as the minimum estimated delivery time, calculates the maximum delivery time by adding the allowable delay time to the minimum estimated delivery time, and generates estimated delivery times (minimum estimated delivery time, maximum estimated delivery time). The management server 13 replaces the estimated delivery time included in the optimal delivery cost with the generated estimated delivery time (minimum estimated delivery time, maximum estimated delivery time).

[0161] The management server 13 compiles the payment information based on the order information and the optimal delivery cost information, and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 transmits the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S63).

[0162] When the WEB server 12 receives the payment details list information, it causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display an order confirmation screen 101 showing the order details, payment information (including the delivery fee as the optimal delivery cost), and the optimal delivery cost (S64).

[0163] The user checks the order confirmation screen 101 and presses the "Place Order" button 106. The user terminal 18 then transmits an order confirmation request to the management server 13 via the Web server 12 (S65, S66).

[0164] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request (including the order information and optimal delivery cost information). In response, the management server 13 processes the order and the payment based on the order information. The management server 13 also sends a delivery request to the requesting party (the store terminal 14 or the delivery service server 16) that operates the delivery service corresponding to the optimal delivery cost information (S67).

[0165] When the requested party (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) receives a delivery request, it sends the delivery request to the delivery person terminal of one or more delivery persons belonging to the requested party and asks whether or not to accept the delivery request. When the requested party receives a response from the delivery person that it will accept the delivery request, the requested party responds to the management server 13 that it has accepted the delivery request (delivery request acceptance) (S20-1).

[0166] In addition, in the case of a delivery request to the store terminal 14, the store clerk may visually check the delivery request details displayed on the store terminal 14 and make the delivery without using the delivery person terminal 15.

[0167] When the management server 13 receives a delivery request receipt from the requested party, it notifies the user terminal 18 via the web server 12 that the order has been completed (S20-2, S20-3).

[0168] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of delivery order processing by the management server in this embodiment (Example 2). Fig. 15 is a flowchart in which S22 in the flowchart in Fig. 12 is replaced with S71, S29 to S31 with S72, and S35 with S75. The replaced parts will be mainly described below.

[0169] After the process of S21, the management server 13 receives a payment details list acquisition request from the web server 12 (S71), and then the processes of S23 to S28 are carried out.

[0170] After acquiring delivery costs (estimated delivery time, delivery fee) from the delivery service server 16 (S28), the management server 13 selects the lowest delivery cost from among the delivery cost information of Company A (if processing of S26 was performed) and the delivery cost information of other delivery services as the optimal delivery cost (S72). Here, it is assumed that a comparison parameter is set in the setting information to indicate which of the estimated delivery time and delivery fee is to be used preferentially in the comparison. For example, if the comparison parameter is set to "estimated delivery time," the delivery cost including the shortest estimated delivery time among the delivery costs obtained from each delivery service server (including Company A's delivery cost) is selected as the optimal delivery cost. Furthermore, for example, if the comparison parameter is set to "delivery fee," the delivery cost including the lowest delivery fee among the delivery costs obtained from each delivery service server (including Company A's delivery cost) is selected as the optimal delivery cost.

[0171] The management server 13 sets the scheduled delivery time included in the selected optimal delivery cost as the minimum scheduled delivery time, calculates the maximum delivery time by adding the allowable delay time to the minimum scheduled delivery time, and generates scheduled delivery times (minimum scheduled delivery time, maximum scheduled delivery time).The management server 13 replaces the scheduled delivery time included in the optimal delivery cost with the generated scheduled delivery times (minimum scheduled delivery time, maximum scheduled delivery time).

[0172] The management server 13 compiles the payment information based on the order information and the optimal delivery cost information, and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 transmits the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S32).

[0173] When the WEB server 12 receives the payment details list information, it causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display an order confirmation screen 101 listing the order details, payment information (including the delivery fee as the optimal delivery cost), and the optimal delivery cost. The user checks the order confirmation screen 101 and presses the "Place Order" button 106. The user terminal 18 then sends an order confirmation request to the management server 13 via the WEB server 12.

[0174] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request (including the order information and the optimum delivery cost information) (S33). In response to the order confirmation request, the management server 13 registers the order information in the delivery order management DB 35 and processes the order (S34).

[0175] The management server 13 also transmits a delivery request to a request destination (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) that operates a delivery service corresponding to the optimal delivery cost information (S75). The management server 13 registers information related to the delivery request in the delivery management DB 36. The management server 13 performs payment processing based on the order information (S36).

[0176] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a delivery service with the lowest delivery cost for a customer without requiring the customer to take the trouble of selecting a delivery service.

[0177] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the payment process is performed after the process of determining the delivery service, but in the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the delivery service is determined after the payment process. Here, in the third embodiment, a flat rate system is adopted as the method of charging the delivery fee.

[0178] Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram when a delivery order is placed in this embodiment (Example 3). Fig. 16 is obtained by replacing the processing from S62 onwards in the sequence diagram of Fig. 14 with S81 to S90. The sequence from S81 onwards will be described below.

[0179] When the management server 13 receives the payment details list acquisition request (including the order information), it aggregates the payment information based on the order information and the delivery fee (fixed rate) and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 sends the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S81).

[0180] When the Web server 12 receives the payment details list information, it causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display the order confirmation screen 101 showing the order details and payment information (S82).

[0181] The user checks the order confirmation screen 101 and presses the "Place Order" button 106. The user terminal 18 then transmits an order confirmation request to the management server 13 via the Web server 12 (S83, S84).

[0182] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request (including the order information and the delivery fee (fixed amount)). The management server 13 then processes the order and the payment based on the order information and the delivery fee (fixed amount). When the order processing and the payment processing are completed, the management server 13 sends an order completion notification to the user terminal 18 via the web (S85, S86).

[0183] The management server 13 acquires information about the delivery request destination from the delivery request destination management DB 37. The management server 13 calculates its own delivery cost based on the setting information management DB 33, and sends a delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information) to the external delivery service server 16 (S87). Here, the delivery destination information is the information registered in the customer management DB 32 in S4, and includes at least the delivery destination address. The store information includes the address information of the company (Company A).

[0184] The delivery service server 16 receives the delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information). In response, the delivery service server 16 calculates the delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) from the delivery destination information and store information based on the fee rule and estimated delivery time calculation rule of the delivery service, and transmits the calculated delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) to the management server 13 (S88).

[0185] The management server 13 receives the delivery costs from the delivery service server 16 (S88). The management server 13 determines the delivery cost including the lowest scheduled delivery time from among the received scheduled delivery times and its own delivery costs as the optimal delivery cost.

[0186] The management server 13 transmits a delivery request to the request destination (the store terminal 14 or the delivery service server 16) that operates the delivery service corresponding to the optimal delivery cost information (S89).

[0187] When the requested party (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) receives the delivery request, it sends the delivery request to the delivery person terminal of one or more delivery persons belonging to the requested party and asks whether or not to accept the delivery request. When the requested party receives a response from the delivery person that it will accept the delivery request, the requested party responds to the management server 13 that it has accepted the delivery request (delivery request acceptance) (S90).

[0188] The management server 13 notifies the user terminal 18 of the optimal delivery cost (delivery service name, estimated delivery time, and delivery fee) via the web server 12. At this time, the estimated delivery time may be the estimated delivery time (minimum estimated delivery time, maximum estimated delivery time), as described above.

[0189] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of delivery order processing by the management server in this embodiment (Example 3). Fig. 17 shows a flowchart in which, after S71 in Fig. 15, the processes of S32 to S34 and S36 are performed, followed by the processes of S23 to S28, and then the processes of S72, S75 and S101. The following mainly describes the replacement part.

[0190] After processing S21, the management server 13 receives a payment details list acquisition request from the web server 12 (S71). The management server 13 then aggregates the payment information based on the order information and the delivery fee (fixed rate) and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 then transmits the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S32).

[0191] When the WEB server 12 receives the payment details list information, it displays an order confirmation screen 101 on the display unit of the user terminal 18, showing the order details and payment information. The user checks the order confirmation screen 101 and presses the "Place Order" button 106. The user terminal 18 then sends an order confirmation request to the management server 13 via the WEB server 12.

[0192] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request (including the order information and optimal delivery cost information) (S33). Then, based on the order confirmation request, the management server 13 registers the order information in the delivery order management DB 35 and processes the order (S34). The management server 13 performs a payment process based on the order information (S36). Thereafter, the processes of S23 to S28 are carried out.

[0193] After acquiring delivery costs (estimated delivery time, delivery fee) from the delivery service server 16 (S28), the management server 13 selects the lowest delivery cost (estimated delivery time) from among the delivery cost information of Company A (if the processing of S26 has been performed) and the delivery cost information of other company delivery services as the optimal delivery cost (S72). Here, if the comparison parameter = "estimated delivery time" is set, the delivery cost with the shortest estimated delivery time from among the delivery costs obtained from each delivery service server (including the delivery cost of Company A) is selected as the optimal delivery cost.

[0194] The management server 13 transmits a delivery request to the request destination (the store terminal 14 or the delivery service server 16) that operates the delivery service corresponding to the optimal delivery cost information (S75).

[0195] The management server 13 notifies the user terminal 18 of the optimal delivery cost (delivery service name, estimated delivery time, and delivery fee) via the WEB server 12 (S101). At this time, the estimated delivery time may be the estimated delivery time (minimum estimated delivery time, maximum estimated delivery time), as described above.

[0196] According to the third embodiment, a flat rate system is adopted for the delivery fee, so the delivery fee paid by the customer does not change depending on the delivery service, and payment processing can be completed before deciding on the delivery service. As a result, the time that the customer is tied up with the delivery order is shortened, improving customer convenience.

[0197] Next, a description will be given of Example 4. In Example 1, a delivery service is selected after a product is selected and stored in a cart, but in Example 4, a description will be given of an example in which a delivery service is first selected, and then a product is selected and stored in a cart.

[0198] 18 is a sequence diagram for placing a delivery order in this embodiment (Example 4). Using a web browser installed in the user terminal 18, the user accesses the web server 12 managed by the store from which the user wishes to place a delivery order, and makes a request to display a website screen related to the delivery order (S1).

[0199] When the WEB server 12 receives the request to display the website screen, it displays the website screen on the display unit of the user terminal 18 (S2). When the user operates the user terminal 18 to press a predetermined button on the website screen, the user terminal 18 sends a request to display a delivery destination setting screen to the WEB server 12. When the WEB server 12 receives the request to display the delivery destination setting screen, it displays the delivery destination setting screen 81 on the display unit of the user terminal 18 (S4).

[0200] The user operates the user terminal 18 to input delivery destination information (customer name, delivery address, and telephone number) on the delivery destination setting screen 81 and presses the "Next" button 86. The user terminal 18 sends a delivery service selection screen display request (including the delivery destination information) to the WEB server 12 (S5).

[0201] When the WEB server 12 receives a delivery service selection screen display request (including delivery destination information), it first transmits the delivery destination information to the management server 13 (S6). When the management server 13 receives the delivery destination information, it registers it in the customer management DB 32. When the management server 13 completes the registration of the delivery destination information in the customer management DB 32, it notifies the WEB server 12 that the registration of the delivery destination information has been completed (S7). Then, the WEB server 12 requests the management server 13 to obtain a delivery cost list (S8).

[0202] When the management server 13 receives the delivery cost list acquisition request, it acquires information about the delivery request destination from the delivery request destination management DB 37. The management server 13 calculates its own delivery cost based on the setting information management DB 33 (if its own delivery stop flag is OFF), and sends a delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information) to the external delivery service server 16 (S9). Here, the delivery destination information is the information registered in the customer management DB 32 in S6, and includes at least the delivery destination address. The store information includes the address information of its own company (Company A). Also, as explained in Figure 12, if its own delivery stop flag is ON, its own delivery cost is not calculated.

[0203] The delivery service server 16 receives the delivery cost acquisition request (including delivery destination information and store information). In response, the delivery service server 16 calculates the delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) from the delivery destination information and store information based on the fee rule and estimated delivery time calculation rule of the delivery service, and transmits the calculated delivery cost (estimated delivery time and delivery fee) to the management server 13 (S10).

[0204] When the management server 13 receives the delivery costs from the delivery service server 16, it combines them with its own delivery costs to generate a delivery cost list. The delivery cost list is the same as that described in the first embodiment. The delivery cost list is sorted in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0205] The management server 13 causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display a delivery service selection screen 91, in which the generated delivery cost list is set in the delivery cost list display field 93, via the web server 12 (S11, S12).

[0206] The user operates the user terminal 18 to select (decide) the delivery cost information of the delivery service they wish to use from the delivery cost list displayed in the delivery cost list display field 93 on the delivery service selection screen 91, and presses the "Next" button 96. Then, a request to display the order reception screen (including the determined delivery cost information) is sent to the web server 12 (S111).

[0207] When the WEB server 12 receives the order reception screen display request (including the determined delivery cost information), it transmits the determined delivery cost information to the management server 13 (S112). When the management server 13 receives the determined delivery cost information, it responds to the WEB server 12 to inform it that it has received the information (S113).

[0208] The WEB server 12 receives the response that the receipt has been completed. Then, the WEB server 12 obtains the menu information of the products from the menu management DB 34, and displays the order acceptance screen 61 on the display unit of the user terminal 18 (S114). The user operates the user terminal 18 to select the products to be delivered from the order acceptance screen 61. The selected products are temporarily stored in an order storage area called a cart in the web browser.

[0209] When the user operates the user terminal 18 to press the "Confirm Cart" button 69 on the order reception screen 61, the user terminal 18 sends a cart confirmation screen display request (including order information) to the web server 12 (S115).

[0210] When the web server 12 receives the cart confirmation screen display request, it transmits the order information to the management server 13 (S116). When the management server 13 receives the order information, it responds to the web server 12 to inform it of the completion of receipt (S117).

[0211] When the WEB server 12 receives the response indicating that the receipt has been completed, it displays the cart confirmation screen 71 on the display unit of the user terminal 18 (S118). When the user operates the user terminal 18 to press the "Next" button 76 on the cart confirmation screen, the user terminal 18 sends an order confirmation screen display request to the WEB server 12 (S119).

[0212] When the web server 12 receives the request to display the order confirmation screen, it requests the management server 13 to obtain a list of payment details (S14).

[0213] The management server 13 receives the payment details list acquisition request. In response, the management server 13 aggregates payment information based on the order information and delivery cost information it holds, and generates payment details list information. The management server 13 then transmits the payment details list information to the web server 12 (S15).

[0214] When the WEB server 12 receives the payment details list information, it causes the display unit of the user terminal 18 to display the order confirmation screen 101 based on the payment details list information (S16). The user operates the user terminal 18 to press the "Place Order" button 106 on the order confirmation screen 101. This causes an order confirmation request to be sent to the management server 13 via the WEB server 12 (S120, S121).

[0215] The management server 13 receives the order confirmation request. Then, the management server 13 processes the order and the settlement based on the payment details list information. The management server 13 also transmits a delivery request to the request destination (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) corresponding to the determined delivery service based on the determined delivery cost information (S19).

[0216] When the requested party (store terminal 14 or delivery service server 16) receives a delivery request, it sends the delivery request to the delivery person terminal of one or more delivery persons belonging to the requested party and asks whether or not to accept the delivery request. When the requested party receives a response from the delivery person that it will accept the delivery request, the requested party responds to the management server 13 that it has accepted the delivery request (delivery request acceptance) (S20-1).

[0217] When the management server 13 receives a delivery request receipt from the requested party, it notifies the user terminal 18 via the web server 12 that the order has been completed (S20-2, S20-3).

[0218] According to the fourth embodiment, after selecting the delivery service to be used, the customer can select the product and place an order.

[0219] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the first to fourth embodiments, a delivery service with the lowest delivery cost or the cheapest delivery service is selected from a plurality of delivery services, including the store's own delivery service. In contrast, the fifth embodiment is a mode in which the store's own delivery service is not used, but a delivery service with the lowest delivery cost or the cheapest delivery service is selected from a plurality of external delivery services.

[0220] Specifically, Example 5 corresponds to an example of the case where the process proceeds to NO in S25 in Figures 12, 15, and 17. Note that the main part of the flowchart showing an example of delivery order processing by the management server in this embodiment (Example 5) is almost the same as Figure 12, so it will not be described here.

[0221] According to the fifth embodiment, in a product delivery ordering system in which a plurality of delivery services are available, it is possible to provide a delivery service that further reduces the financial and time burden on customers.

[0222] 19 is an example of a configuration block diagram of a hardware environment of a computer that executes a program in this embodiment. The computer 201 may be the web server 12 or the management server 13, or may be the store terminal 14, the delivery person terminals 15 and 17, the user terminal 18, or the delivery service server 16. The computer 201 is composed of a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a storage device 205, an input I / F 206, an output I / F 207, a communication I / F 208, a reading device 209, and a bus 210.

[0223] Here, CPU (central processing unit) refers to a central processing unit. ROM refers to read-only memory. RAM refers to random access memory. I / F refers to an interface. A CPU 202, ROM 203, RAM 204, a storage device 205, an input I / F 206, an output I / F 207, a communication I / F 208, and, if necessary, a reading device 209 may be connected to the bus 210.

[0224] The CPU 202 reads the program according to this embodiment from the storage device 205, and when functioning as the management server 13, for example, executes the program as a setting unit 22, a reception unit 23, a delivery processing unit 24, and an order processing unit 25. The ROM 203 is a read-only memory. The RAM 204 is a memory for temporary storage.

[0225] The storage device 205 is a device that stores large amounts of information. Various types of storage devices can be used as the storage device 205, such as a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory card. The storage device 205 stores programs according to the embodiments of the present invention and various types of data stored in the storage unit 31.

[0226] The input I / F 206 can be connected to input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, an electronic camera, a web camera, a microphone, a scanner, a sensor, a tablet, a touch panel, an information reading device, etc. The output I / F 207 can be connected to output devices such as a display, a touch panel, a projector, a printer, a speaker, etc.

[0227] The communication I / F 208 is an interface such as a port for connecting to a communication network and communicating with other devices. The communication network may be the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a dedicated line, a wired line, a wireless line, etc. The reading device 209 is a device for reading portable recording media.

[0228] The program for realizing the processes described in the above embodiments may be stored in, for example, the storage device 205 from a program provider via a communication network and the communication I / F 208. The program for realizing the processes described in the above embodiments may also be stored in a commercially available portable storage medium. In this case, the portable storage medium may be set in the reading device 209, and the program may be read and executed by the CPU 202. Various types of storage media can be used as the portable storage medium, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a USB memory device, or a semiconductor memory card. The program stored in such a storage medium is read by the reading device 209.

[0229] Furthermore, the program may be installed on a stand-alone computer, or may be installed by a cloud computer and provide only its functions to the user.

[0230] According to this embodiment, in a product delivery ordering system in which multiple delivery services are available, it is possible to provide delivery services that further reduce the financial and time burden on customers.

[0231] This aspect has been described above based on embodiments and modifications. However, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of this aspect and are not intended to limit this aspect. This aspect may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in this aspect. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it may be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0232] 1. Information processing equipment 2 First acquisition part 3 Calculation section 4 Second acquisition part 5 Providing Department 6. Request Department 11 Delivery Order System 12 Web Server 13 Management Server 14 Store terminals 15,17 Delivery person terminal 16 Delivery Service Server 18 User terminal 19. Communication Networks 21 Control Unit 22 Setting section 23 Reception 24 Delivery Processing Department 25 Order Processing Unit 31 Storage section 32 Customer management DB 33 Setting information management DB 34 Menu Management DB 35 Delivery order management database 36 Delivery Management DB 37 Delivery request destination management DB

Claims

1. a first acquisition unit that acquires delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer; a calculation unit that calculates a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time or delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination based on the delivery destination information and store location information, as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service that indicates a delivery service of the product provided by the store; a second acquisition unit that provides the delivery destination information and location information of the store to an external information processing device that provides a second delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by a business operator different from the store, and acquires from the external information processing device a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or a delivery fee as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service; a providing unit that provides delivery cost list information including at least one of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost to the communication terminal device in a predetermined order based on preset setting information; Equipped with The providing unit deletes the first delivery cost from the delivery cost list information when a delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and location information of the store exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable distance, when a scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and location information of the store exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable time, or when the delivery destination is not included in a predetermined delivery allowable area based on the location information of the store.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device further comprises: a request unit that, upon receiving from the communication terminal device delivery specification information that specifies one of the delivery costs included in the delivery cost list information selected by the customer, requests delivery of the product from a delivery operation device that is an information processing device that operates the delivery service corresponding to the delivery specification information, out of the first delivery service and the second delivery service; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The providing unit provides the delivery cost list information to the communication terminal device in the order of the first delivery service, the second delivery service, delivery fee, or scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

4. When the value of the first delivery cost is greater than a predetermined value or when the delivery destination is outside a predetermined area, the providing unit provides the delivery cost list information excluding the first delivery cost to the communication terminal device in the predetermined order.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The providing unit sets the estimated delivery time or the estimated delivery time included in the delivery cost list information as the shortest estimated delivery time or the earliest estimated delivery time, and adds a predetermined value to the estimated delivery time or the estimated delivery time to provide the result to the communication terminal device as the longest estimated delivery time or the latest estimated delivery time.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The information processing device further comprises: a third acquisition unit that acquires, from the first information communication terminal, setting information for setting whether to use the first delivery service, whether to charge a fixed delivery fee or a delivery fee according to distance, the sort order of delivery services in the delivery cost list information, and whether to limit the delivery area of the first delivery service in terms of time, distance, or area; Equipped with The providing unit generates the delivery cost list information based on the acquired setting information.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a computer.

7. a first acquisition unit that acquires delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when accepting an order for a product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer; a second acquisition unit that provides the delivery destination information and store location information to a plurality of external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating delivery services for the product, and acquires from each of the plurality of external information processing devices a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination, or a delivery fee, as a delivery cost for each of the delivery services; a providing unit that provides, to the communication terminal device, delivery cost list information including at least one delivery cost among the delivery costs of the plurality of delivery services in a predetermined order based on preset setting information; Equipped with The providing unit deletes the delivery cost of the first delivery service from the delivery cost list information when a delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable distance, when a scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable time, or when the delivery destination is not included in a predetermined delivery allowable area based on the store location information.

1. An information processing device comprising:

8. In the information processing device, a first acquisition process for acquiring delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when receiving an order for the product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer; a calculation process for calculating a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time or delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination based on the delivery destination information and store location information, as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by the store; a second acquisition process of providing the delivery destination information and location information of the store to an external information processing device that provides a second delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by a business operator different from the store, and acquiring from the external information processing device a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or a delivery fee as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service; a providing process of providing delivery cost list information including at least one of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost to the communication terminal device in a predetermined order based on preset setting information; Execute The providing process deletes the first delivery cost from the delivery cost list information when a delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable distance, when a scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable time, or when the delivery destination is not included in a predetermined delivery allowable area based on the store location information. program.

9. In the information processing device, a first acquisition process for acquiring delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when accepting an order for the product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer; a second acquisition process for providing the delivery destination information and store location information to a plurality of external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating delivery services for the product, and acquiring, from each of the plurality of external information processing devices, a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination, or a delivery fee, as a delivery cost for each of the delivery services; a provision process for providing, to the communication terminal device, delivery cost list information including at least one delivery cost among the delivery costs of the plurality of delivery services in a predetermined order based on preset setting information; Execute The provision process deletes the delivery cost of the first delivery service from the delivery cost list information when a delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable distance, when a scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable time, or when the delivery destination is not included in a predetermined delivery allowable area based on the store location information. program.

10. The information processing device a first acquisition process for acquiring delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when receiving an order for the product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer; a calculation process for calculating a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time or delivery fee from the store to the delivery destination based on the delivery destination information and store location information, as a first delivery cost of a first delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by the store; a second acquisition process of providing the delivery destination information and location information of the store to an external information processing device that provides a second delivery service indicating a delivery service of the product provided by a business operator different from the store, and acquiring from the external information processing device a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination or a delivery fee as a second delivery cost of the second delivery service; a providing process of providing delivery cost list information including at least one of the first delivery cost and the second delivery cost to the communication terminal device in a predetermined order based on preset setting information; Run The providing process deletes the first delivery cost from the delivery cost list information when a delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable distance, when a scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and the store location information exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable time, or when the delivery destination is not included in a predetermined delivery allowable area based on the store location information. Information processing methods.

11. The information processing device a first acquisition process for acquiring delivery destination information regarding a delivery destination when accepting an order for the product including delivery of the product from a communication terminal device used by a customer; a second acquisition process for providing the delivery destination information and store location information to a plurality of external information processing devices that provide delivery services indicating delivery services for the product, and acquiring, from each of the plurality of external information processing devices, a scheduled delivery time or scheduled delivery time from the store to the delivery destination, or a delivery fee, as a delivery cost for each of the delivery services; a provision process for providing, to the communication terminal device, delivery cost list information including at least one delivery cost among the delivery costs of the plurality of delivery services in a predetermined order based on preset setting information; Run The providing process deletes a first delivery cost of the first delivery service from the delivery cost list information when a delivery distance between the store and the delivery destination calculated based on the delivery destination information and location information of the store exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable distance, when a scheduled delivery time calculated based on the delivery destination information and location information of the store exceeds a predetermined delivery allowable time, or when the delivery destination is not included in a predetermined delivery allowable area based on the location information of the store. Information processing methods.

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