Information Provision System

Abstract

To enhance consumer confidence in food products and allow consumers to comfortably choose food products.SOLUTION: When a consumer terminal 13 reads identification information 4 of a food product A, a first cooked product is selected using cooked product information selection means 16 and specific cooked product information selected by information selection means 19 is output using information output means 20. A second food product used in the selected cooked product selected by a consumer is then selected using food product information selection means 21 and is output using information output means 20. Information on the selected food product selected by the consumer is then output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information provision system, and more particularly to an information provision system that enables consumers to make food selections with peace of mind. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, consumers have focused on the safety of products, especially food, and when choosing a product, they have become interested in the product itself and the ingredients of the product.

[0003] Therefore, product providers provide their products by listing information about the products they offer, such as the ingredients and origin of the raw materials used in the products, and the date of manufacture, on labels affixed to the product packaging or by recording it on IC tags.

[0004] However, simply providing written or recorded information attached to products makes it easy to tamper with or falsify that information, and in fact, falsification and falsification of information has been practiced in some cases. This has led to low consumer trust and made it difficult for consumers to select products with confidence.

[0005] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention has proposed a technology in which food is provided by attaching a sample of raw material powder made from powdered ingredients, rather than simply attaching written or recorded information to the food (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-5656 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The quality of various products, including food, is strongly influenced by various factors that occur during the process of delivering the product to the consumer.

[0008] Therefore, although food ingredient powder samples are a factor that can provide information about the quality of food, they are only one factor, and the technology described in Patent Document 1, in which food is provided with an ingredient powder sample attached, may not be sufficient to achieve the goal of allowing consumers to select foods with confidence.

[0009] The present invention has been devised in light of the above points, and aims to provide an information provision system that enables consumers to select foods with even greater peace of mind. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the information providing system of the present invention comprises a food information recording means for recording food information, which is information about a specified food, and prepared food information, which is information about prepared dishes of the food; a prepared food information output means for outputting first prepared food information, which is the prepared food information of the first food recorded in the food information recording means, to allow the consumer to make a selection, on the condition that identification information displayed on a first food, which is one of the foods, is read at the consumer's terminal; a food information output means for identifying a second food, which is a food (excluding the first food) to be used in the prepared dish selected by the consumer from the first prepared food information output by the prepared food information output means, from the food information recorded in the food information recording means, and outputting information about the second food to allow the consumer to make a selection; and an information output means for outputting information about a selected food, which is a food selected by the consumer, from the information about the second food output by the food information output means to the consumer's terminal.

[0011] The information providing system of the present invention also comprises a food information recording means for recording food information, which is information about a specified food; a cooked food information output means for searching for first cooked food information, which is information about a cooked dish for a first food, on the condition that identification information displayed on a first food, which is one of the foods, is read on the consumer's terminal, and outputting the first cooked food information to allow the consumer to make a selection; a food information output means for identifying a second food, which is a food (excluding the first food) to be used in the cooked dish selected by the consumer from the first cooked food information output by the cooked food information output means from the food information recorded in the food information recording means, and outputting information about the second food to allow the consumer to make a selection; and an information output means for outputting information about the selected food, which is the food selected by the consumer, from the information about the second food output by the food information output means to the consumer's terminal.

[0012] Furthermore, the information providing system of the present invention comprises a food information recording means for recording food information, which is information about a specified food; a cooked food information output means for generating first cooked food information, which is information about a cooked dish of a first food, on the condition that identification information displayed on a first food, which is one of the foods, is read at a consumer's terminal, and outputting the first cooked food information for the consumer to select; a food information output means for identifying a second food, which is a food (excluding the first food) to be used in the cooked dish selected by the consumer from the first cooked food information output by the cooked food information output means, from the food information recorded in the food information recording means, and outputting information about the second food for the consumer to select; and an information output means for outputting information about a selected food, which is a food selected by the consumer, from the information about the second food output by the food information output means to the consumer's terminal.

[0013] Here, the "cooked item information output means" that outputs the first cooked item information allows the consumer to check the first cooked item information (information about the cooked item of the food whose identification information the consumer has read on his / her own terminal) and select the cooked item that the consumer desires.

[0014] Furthermore, by the "cooked food information output means" outputting the first cooked food information on the condition that it has read the identification information displayed on the first food, the "target food (first food)" can be identified based on the information sent from the consumer's terminal, even if the consumer does not identify the "target food (first food)." In other words, the consumer can identify the "target food (first food)" simply by reading the identification information.

[0015] Furthermore, the "food information output means" that outputs information about the second food allows the consumer to check information about the second food (information about the food to be used in the dish selected by the consumer) and select the food that the consumer desires.

[0016] Furthermore, the information output means for outputting information on selected foods can provide the consumer with information on selected foods (information on foods selected by the consumer himself / herself).

[0017] Here, when recording "cooked item information" in the food information recording means, the cooked item information can be recorded within the information providing system, and the cooked item information (first cooked item information) can be output from the cooked item information output means without exchanging cooked item information with the outside (outside the information providing system).

[0018] Furthermore, when the cooking item information output means outputs the "searched first cooking item information," even if the cooking item information is not recorded within the information providing system, the cooking item information (first cooking item information) can be output from the cooking item information output means by exchanging cooking item information with the outside (outside the information providing system).

[0019] Here, when searching for cooking item information recorded in an external information recording means separate from the information providing system (for example, when searching a recording means that records only cooking item information), the search target is limited, which enables quick searches and smooth searches for cooking item information.

[0020] Furthermore, when searching for recipe information published on the Internet, it is possible to search through a vast amount of information, including the latest recipe information, and it is expected that recipe information that meets the consumer's needs will be found.

[0021] Furthermore, when searching for cooking product information recorded in an Internet information recording means that records information that has been made public on the Internet, the search only targets information recorded in the Internet information recording means, and therefore the amount of information to be searched is less than when searching for cooking product information made public on the Internet (information made public on the Internet, not limited to information recorded in the Internet information recording means), but search results can be obtained more quickly by creating a search index.

[0022] Furthermore, when the cooking item information output means outputs the "generated first cooking item information," cooking item information can be generated and cooking item information (first cooking item information) can be output from the cooking item information output means even if cooking item information is not recorded within the information providing system or externally (outside the information providing system).

[0023] In addition, when the reference information generating means generates reference information (reference information for cooking item information) based on selection criteria information, it can obtain information to be referenced when selecting "information to be output (first cooking item information)" from "first cooking item information recorded in the food information recording means (cooked item information for the first food among the cooking item information recorded in the food information recording means)."

[0024] Furthermore, by having the information selection means select the "information to be output (first cooking item information)" based on reference information ("reference information generated by the reference information generation means" or "reference information sent from the consumer's terminal"), the "information to be output (first cooking item information)" can be selected based on the information sent by the consumer ("selection criteria information" or "reference information") without the consumer having to select specific information. The information selection means may select one or more pieces of "information to be output (first cooking item information)."

[0025] Furthermore, when a consumer sends selection criteria information as the "criteria for the information they want to select," the reference information generated based on the selection criteria information (the criteria for the information they want to select) can be considered "model information to be output (i.e., the information the consumer wants to select)." Therefore, when the selection criteria information is transmitted as the "criteria for information to be selected," the "first cooking item information" that has a high similarity to the reference information (model information) will be selected.

[0026] Similarly, when a consumer transmits reference information as "reference information for information to be selected," the consumer will select "first cooking item information" that has a high similarity to the reference information (model information).

[0027] On the other hand, when a consumer sends selection criteria information as "criteria for information that the consumer does not want to select," the reference information generated based on the selection criteria information (criteria for information that the consumer does not want to select) can be considered "information that serves as a negative example for the information to be output (i.e., information that the consumer does not want to select)." Therefore, when the selection criteria information is transmitted as the "criteria for information not to be selected," the "first cooking item information" that has a low similarity to the reference information (bad example information) is selected.

[0028] Similarly, when a consumer sends reference information as "reference information for information that the consumer does not want to select," the consumer will select "first cooking item information" that has a low similarity to the reference information (bad example information).

[0029] In addition, compared to sending "criteria for information you do not want to select" as selection criteria information, sending "criteria for information you want to select" as selection criteria information allows you to more directly identify the information that the consumer wants to select, so in terms of fully reflecting the consumer's wishes, it is preferable to send "criteria for information you want to select" as selection criteria information.

[0030] Similarly, in order to more directly identify the information that the consumer wants to select and fully reflect the consumer's wishes, it is preferable to send "reference information for the information that the consumer wants to select" as reference information.

[0031] Incidentally, "food" here includes both primary and secondary products. That is, it is intended to include not only foods and drinks intended for nutrient intake or enjoyment (fresh foods, animal foods, plant foods, processed foods, frozen foods, luxury foods, seasoning ingredients, health foods, supplements, beverages, processed ingredients, etc.), but also pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs. For example, herbal medicines are included. It is also intended to include feed, aquaculture feed, dog food, and other products intended for fish and animals.

[0032] In this context, "food (primary products)" refers to unprocessed fresh foods, animal foods, and plant foods themselves, such as vegetables such as radishes and cabbage, or raw meat such as chicken and beef. It also includes fruits, beans, shellfish, and fish.

[0033] Additionally, "food (secondary products)" here refers to products made from unprocessed fresh foods, unprocessed animal foods, and unprocessed plant foods, such as mochi (rice cakes), buns, pickles, stir-fried vegetables, steaks, hamburgers, ramen, bento boxes, bread, milk, cheese, beer, wine, sake, whiskey, frozen foods, canned foods, bottled tea and juice, coffee, and soft drinks.

[0034] Furthermore, the term "secondary products" as used here not only includes secondary products processed from primary products, but also secondary products processed from other secondary products. For example, it includes tamagoyaki (rolled omelet) made by baking seasoned eggs purchased as ingredients. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] The information providing system of the present invention allows consumers to select foods with greater peace of mind, thereby improving the reliability of foods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining food product A. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram (1) for explaining a configuration example of a food information providing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining cooking item information 15B. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining how to use the food information providing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (2) for explaining a configuration example of a food information providing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram (3) for explaining an example of the configuration of a food information providing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in the following order. 1. First embodiment 2. Second embodiment 3. Third Embodiment

[0038] <1. First embodiment> [Food Description] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating food products whose information is registered in a food product information providing system, which is an example of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied. Food product A shown here is ramen noodles. Specifically, food product A is made by wrapping dried noodles 1 for instant ramen in a wrapping film 2, and identification information 4 (for example, a two-dimensional barcode) is displayed on the wrapping film 2.

[0039] In addition, food product A only contains dried noodles 1 and does not include "soup" (the "powdered soup" contained in typical instant ramen is sold separately). Therefore, even if you purchase only food product A (only dried noodles 1), you will not be able to make ramen, and you will need to purchase "soup" separately.

[0040] Here, by reading the identification information 4 with a consumer terminal such as a smartphone, it is possible to access the food information provision system of the present invention via the Internet.

[0041] Specifically, a consumer who wishes to purchase food product A (dried noodles 1) can access the food information system via identification information 4 to obtain information about "soup" (for example, information about "soup" that can be purchased at a store that sells food product A).

[0042] [Configuration of the present invention] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a food information providing system, which is an example of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied.

[0043] The food information providing system 11 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to be able to exchange various information with a consumer terminal 13 used by a consumer via the Internet 12.

[0044] The food information providing system 11 also has a receiving unit 14, a food information recording means 15, a cooking item information selecting means 16, a selection criteria information recording means 17, a model information generating means 18, an information selecting means 19, an information output means 20, and a food information selecting means 21.

[0045] The "cooking item information selection means 16 and information output means 20" correspond to the "cooking item information output means", and the "food information selection means 21 and information output means 20" correspond to the "food information output means".

[0046] Here, the receiving unit 14 is configured to be able to receive various information from the "consumer terminal 13" and the "terminal used by the food provider (not shown)." When the receiving unit 14 receives various information, the cooking item information selecting means 16 and the food information selecting means 21 start to function. The information received by the receiving unit 14 is recorded in the food information recording means 15 and the selection criteria information recording means 17.

[0047] The food information recording means 15 also records "food information 15A," which is information on various foods, and "cooked food information 15B," which is information on the dishes prepared for the various foods (foods recorded in the food information 15A).

[0048] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the "ramen name" and "soup name" are recorded as the cooking item information 15B. In Figure 3, information on the cooked product "Ramen (instant ramen)" is assigned control numbers such as 1 to 13, with control numbers 1 to 3 recording information on miso ramen, control numbers 4 and 5 on soy sauce ramen, control numbers 6 and 7 on salt ramen, control numbers 8 to 11 on tonkotsu ramen, and control numbers 12 and 13 on tsukemen.

[0049] The food information 15A may include "food description information," "food sales area information," "food package image information," "cooking method information using food," "food price information," and the like. For example, in the case of the food product "Powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)" with control number 8 in Figure 3, the following will be recorded: a product description of the "Powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)," information on the sales area for the "Powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)," how to cook tonkotsu ramen using the "Powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)," and price information for the "Powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)."

[0050] In addition, the cooking item information selection means 16 selects a "cooked item using the first food" from the cooking item information 15B based on the "food information (the food here is referred to as the "first food")" received by the receiving unit 14. It should be noted that the "cooked dish using the first food" is referred to as the "first cooked dish," and the information selected by the cooked dish information selection means 16 from the cooked dish information 15B is referred to as the "first cooked dish information."

[0051] For example, when the identification information 4 of the food product A shown in Figure 1 is read, the receiving unit 14 receives the information of "dried noodles 1", and from the cooking product information 15B, "instant ramen" is selected as the cooking product (first cooking product) using "dried noodles 1".

[0052] Furthermore, the selection criteria information recording means 17 records "selection criteria information for selecting cooking item information (hereinafter simply referred to as "selection criteria information")" transmitted from the consumer terminal 13 used by the consumer. In this embodiment, the selection criteria information recording means 17 records "criteria for cooking item information that the consumer wants to select" as selection criteria information.

[0053] The model information generating means 18 generates model information of cooking item information (hereinafter simply referred to as "model information"). The model information generating means 18 is an example of "reference information generating means".

[0054] Here, when selection criteria information is recorded in the selection criteria information recording means 17, the model information generating means 18 inputs the "selection criteria information" into a general-purpose generative AI (generation AI) (not shown) and obtains the output result of the generation AI, thereby generating model information. Note that when new model information is generated, it is registered in place of (overwrites) the previous model information.

[0055] For example, the selection criteria information may include: (1) Prioritize dishes that include soup (2) Your favorite ramen is "miso," "soy sauce," or "tonkotsu" If the above information is recorded, the contents of (1) to (2) are input into the generation AI to generate model information.

[0056] Furthermore, when model information is generated, the information selection means 19 selects cooking item information that has a high degree of similarity to the "model information" from the first cooking item information selected by the cooking item information selection means 16.

[0057] That is, when the "selection criteria information" is recorded, model information is generated by the model information generating means 18, and then the information selecting means 19 selects the first cooking item information that has a high similarity to the model information as the output target. The information selected by the information selection means 19 from the first cooking item information is referred to as "specific cooking item information."

[0058] For example, from the first cooking item selected by the cooking item information selection means 16, "instant ramen (miso ramen, soy sauce ramen, tonkotsu ramen, salt ramen, tsukemen)", "miso ramen", "soy sauce ramen", and "tonkotsu ramen" are selected as the output targets.

[0059] The cooking product information selection means 16 selects the "specific cooking product information" after checking the stock status of the "soup" and the expiration date and use-by date. For example, if all soups with control numbers 1 to 3 are out of stock, "Miso Ramen" will not be selected ("Miso Ramen" will be excluded from the output targets). Similarly, if all soups with management numbers 4 and 5 have expired (or are past their expiration date), "soy sauce ramen" will not be selected ("soy sauce ramen" will be excluded from the output targets).

[0060] Furthermore, the information output means 20 outputs the “specific cooking item information” selected by the information selection means 19 to the consumer terminal 13.

[0061] For example, the following output is displayed to prompt the consumer to select the desired dish. (Example output) Examples of ramen made with dried noodles include: Please choose your favorite ramen. A) Miso ramen B) Soy sauce ramen C) Tonkotsu Ramen

[0062] In addition, the food information selection means 21 selects "food to be used in the selected dish" from the dish information 15B based on "information on the dish selected by the consumer from the specific dish information (the dish here is referred to as the "selected dish")" received by the receiving unit 14. The "food to be used in the selected dish" is referred to as the "second food," and the information on the second food selected by the food information selection means 21 from the dish information 15B is referred to as the "second food information."

[0063] For example, if a consumer selects "tonkotsu ramen" from the specific dishes "miso ramen, soy sauce ramen, tonkotsu ramen" output by the information output means 20 (assuming the selected dish is "tonkotsu ramen"), then from the dish information 15B, the consumer selects "powdered soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)," "powdered soup (tonkotsu light flavor)," "liquid soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)," or "liquid soup (tonkotsu light flavor)" as the soup to be used for "tonkotsu ramen."

[0064] The food information selection means 21 selects the "second food information" after checking the stock status, best-before date, and expiration date of the "soup." For example, if the "Powdered soup (lightly flavored tonkotsu)" with management number 9 is out of stock, "Powdered soup (lightly flavored tonkotsu)" will not be selected ("Powdered soup (lightly flavored tonkotsu)" will be excluded from the output target). Similarly, if the "Liquid Soup (Tonkotsu Rich Flavor)" with management number 10 has expired (or is past its best-before date), then "Liquid Soup (Tonkotsu Rich Flavor)" will not be selected ("Liquid Soup (Tonkotsu Rich Flavor)" will be excluded from the output targets).

[0065] Furthermore, the information output means 20 outputs the “second food information” selected by the food information selection means 21 to the consumer terminal 13.

[0066] For example, the following output is displayed, prompting the consumer to select the second food item they desire. (Example output) Tonkotsu ramen soup is available in the following flavors: Please choose your favorite soup. a) Powdered soup (tonkotsu rich flavor) b) Powdered soup (light tonkotsu flavor) c) Liquid soup (tonkotsu rich flavor) d) Liquid soup (light tonkotsu flavor)

[0067] In addition, the above-mentioned information output means 20 outputs the information recorded in food information 15A (information corresponding to the selected food) to the consumer terminal 13 based on the information on the food selected by the consumer from the "second food information" received by the receiving unit 14 (the food here is referred to as the "selected food").

[0068] For example, if a consumer selects "Powdered soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)" from the second food information output by information output means 20, which is "Powdered soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)," "Powdered soup (tonkotsu light flavor)," "Liquid soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)," and "Liquid soup (tonkotsu light flavor)," information on "Powdered soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)" recorded in food information 15A is output.

[0069] Specifically, it outputs information such as (1) a product description of the "Powdered Soup (Tonkotsu Rich Flavor)," (2) information on the sales area for the "Powdered Soup (Tonkotsu Rich Flavor)," and (3) cooking methods using the "Powdered Soup (Tonkotsu Rich Flavor)."

[0070] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how to use the food information providing system 11 described above. In the following explanation, it is assumed that a consumer (new customer) 40 collects information about the "soup" at the store selling food product A when purchasing food product A (dried noodles 1) from food provider 10.

[0071] [1. Recording of various information] In one example of a method of using the food information providing system 11 of the present invention, in order for a consumer 40 to obtain information about "soup," various pieces of information need to be recorded in the food information providing system 11. To this end, the recording of various pieces of information in the food information providing system 11 will be described.

[0072] In one example of a method of using the food information providing system 11 of the present invention, first, the food provider 10 uses a food provider terminal (not shown) to send "food information" and "cooked food information" to the food information providing system 11 (step indicated by the symbol (1) in Figure 4).

[0073] Specifically, the information transmitted includes the name of the ramen using the dried noodles 1 (such as "miso ramen," "soy sauce ramen," "salt ramen," "tonkotsu ramen," and "tsukemen"), the name of the soup used in each ramen (such as "powdered soup (miso)," "liquid soup (miso)," "liquid soup (miso butter)," "powdered soup (soy sauce)," "powdered soup (burnt soy sauce)," "powdered soup (salt)," "liquid soup (salt)," "powdered soup (strong tonkotsu flavor)," "powdered soup (light tonkotsu flavor)," "liquid soup (strong tonkotsu flavor)," "liquid soup (light tonkotsu flavor)," "powdered soup (tonkotsu dipping sauce)," and "powdered soup (soy sauce dipping sauce)"), information about each soup (product description, sales area information, price information), and how to cook the ramen using each soup.

[0074] After recording the various information as described above, it becomes possible to provide the various information to the consumer 40.

[0075] Note that, here, we have only explained the case of recording various information about "soup of food product A" provided by food provider 10, but the information recorded in food information provision system 11 does not only relate to "soup of food product A provided by food provider 10", but also includes information about "other foods provided by food provider 10" and "foods provided by food providers other than food provider 10". That is, in this embodiment, an example will be given in which a consumer 40 obtains information about the "soup of food product A" provided by the food provider 10 (specifically, information about the soup of dried noodles 1) (described later), but the food information providing system 11 can also provide information about "food other than the soup of food product A provided by the food provider 10" or "food provided by a food provider other than the food provider 10."

[0076] [2. Provision of various information] A consumer 40 who wishes to receive information on "soup" in relation to food product A (dried noodles 1) provided by food provider 10 uses consumer terminal 13 (not shown in Figure 4) to access food information provision system 11 via the Internet 12 (step indicated by symbol (2) in Figure 4).

[0077] Specifically, when the identification information (identifier such as a two-dimensional barcode or color code) 4 displayed on the food product A (dried noodles 1) is read by the consumer terminal 13, information about the food product A (dried noodles 1) is sent from the consumer terminal 13 to the food information providing system 11. The transmitted information is received by the receiving unit 14, and the food product A (dried noodles 1) about which the consumer 40 wants information is identified.

[0078] Next, when food product A (dried noodles 1) is identified, the cooking product information selection means 16 selects instant ramen with management numbers 1 to 13 ("Miso Ramen," "Soy Sauce Ramen," "Salt Ramen," "Tonkotsu Ramen," and "Tsukemen") as the first cooking product information.

[0079] Furthermore, when the identification information 4 is read by the consumer terminal 13, the “selection criteria information” pre-recorded in the consumer terminal 13 is transmitted to the food information providing system 11 and recorded in the selection criteria information recording means 17. For example, selection criteria information such as "(1) Prioritize dishes that include soup, (2) My favorite ramen is miso, soy sauce, or tonkotsu" is transmitted.

[0080] If the "selection criteria information" is not recorded in the consumer terminal 13, when the identification information 4 is read, the consumer terminal 13 will be prompted to input the "selection criteria information."

[0081] Next, when the "selection criteria information" is recorded in the selection criteria information recording means 17, the model information generating means 18 generates model information, and the information selecting means 19 selects specific cooking item information to be output from the "first cooking item information." Specifically, select "Miso Ramen" with control numbers 1 to 3, "Shoyu Ramen" with control numbers 4 to 5, and "Tonkotsu Ramen" with control numbers 8 to 11.

[0082] Then, when the information selection means 19 selects the specific dish information, the information output means 20 outputs the specific dish information to the consumer terminal 13, and the options of "Miso Ramen," "Soy Sauce Ramen," and "Tonkotsu Ramen" are displayed on the consumer terminal 13 (step indicated by symbol (3) in Figure 4).

[0083] Next, when consumer 40 selects "tonkotsu ramen," the information (information that the consumer has selected "tonkotsu ramen") is transmitted to food information providing system 11 (step indicated by reference symbol (4) in FIG. 4). The transmitted information is received by the receiving unit 14, and the "ramen information" that the consumer 40 wants to know about is identified.

[0084] Next, when the selected dish (tonkotsu ramen) is identified, the food information selection means 21 selects the soup names with management numbers 8 to 11 ("Powdered soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)", "Powdered soup (tonkotsu light flavor)", "Liquid soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)", and "Liquid soup (tonkotsu light flavor)") as the second food information.

[0085] Then, when the food information selection means 21 selects the second food information, the information output means 20 outputs the second food information to the consumer terminal 13, and the consumer terminal 13 displays the options of "Powdered soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)", "Powdered soup (tonkotsu light flavor)", "Liquid soup (tonkotsu strong flavor)", and "Liquid soup (tonkotsu light flavor)" (step indicated by symbol (5) in Figure 4).

[0086] Next, when the consumer 40 selects "Powdered soup (tonkotsu rich flavor)," that information (information that the consumer has selected "Powdered soup (tonkotsu rich flavor)") is sent to the food information providing system 11 (step indicated by symbol (6) in Figure 4). The transmitted information is received by the receiving unit 14, and the "soup information" about which the consumer wants information is identified.

[0087] Then, when the selected food (powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)) is identified, the information output means 20 outputs the information on the "powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor)" recorded in the food information 15A to the consumer terminal 13 (step indicated by the symbol (7) in Figure 4).

[0088] Thereafter, when consumer 40 receives food product A and powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor) B from food provider 10 (when purchasing food product A and powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor) B from food provider 10), food provider 10 provides food product A and powdered soup (tonkotsu thick flavor) B to the consumer.

[0089] [effect] The food information providing system 11 to which the present invention is applied as described above outputs information based on the information selected by the consumer 40 (information on the selected dish, information on the selected food), thereby providing information that meets the consumer's needs, allowing the consumer to select food with even greater confidence.

[0090] Furthermore, simply by the consumer 40 sending the "selection criteria information," the information selection means 19 selects cooking item information that is highly similar to the "cook item information that the consumer wants to select," so that optimal cooking item information (i.e., in line with the consumer's 40 selection intention) can be selected.

[0091] [Variation 1] In the first embodiment described above, an example is given in which "selection criteria information" is transmitted from the consumer terminal 13 and the model information generation means 18 generates model information, but the "model information" may also be transmitted from the consumer terminal 13. In this case, a "model information recording means" is provided instead of the "selection criteria information recording means 17 and model information generating means 18", the "model information" sent from the consumer terminal 13 is recorded in the model information recording means, and the information selection means 19 selects the first cooking item information based on the "model information" recorded in the model information recording means.

[0092] [Variation 2] In the first embodiment described above, an example is given in which the information selection means 19 selects the first cooking item information based on the "model information," but the information output means 20 may also output the "first cooking item information" selected by the cooking item information selection means 16. That is, instead of selecting from the "first cooking item information" selected by the cooking item information selection means 16, all of the "first cooking item information" selected by the cooking item information selection means 16 may be output.

[0093] [Variation 3] In the first embodiment described above, "instant ramen" has been used as an example for explanation, but the subject matter of the present invention is not limited to "instant ramen" and may be other noodles such as "udon," "champon," or "soba," or may be prepared foods other than noodles.

[0094] <2. Second embodiment> [Configuration of the present invention] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a food information providing system, which is another example of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the points common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0095] The food information providing system 31 shown in FIG. 5 has a food information recording means 32 (instead of the "food information recording means 15" in the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a "food information recording means 32"). The food information recording means 32 records "food information 32A (information recorded in "food information 15A" in the first embodiment)."

[0096] The food information providing system 31 also has a cooking item information searching means 33 (instead of the "cooking item information selecting means 16" in the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a "cooking item information searching means 33"). The "cooked food information search means 33 and information output means 20" correspond to the "cooked food information output means."

[0097] Here, the cooking product information search means 33 is configured to be able to access a cooking product information recording means 34 that is provided separately from the food information providing system 31. The cooking item information recording means 34 records cooking item information (cooked item information recorded in "cooked item information 15B" in the first embodiment) of various foods (foods recorded in food information 32A), and the cooking item information search means 33 accesses the cooking item information recording means 34 and searches for cooking item information.

[0098] That is, when a consumer requests information on "soup" (specifically, when the identification information 4 shown in Figure 1 is read), the cooking item information search means 33 searches for the "first cooking item information" to be output from the cooking item information recorded in the cooking item information recording means 34.

[0099] [effect] In the food information providing system 31 to which the present invention is applied as described above, the cooking item information search means 33 can search for cooking item information, so even if cooking item information is not recorded in the food information providing system 31, the information output means 20 can output the first cooking item information to the consumer terminal 13.

[0100] <3. Third Embodiment> [Configuration of the present invention] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a food information providing system, which is yet another example of an information providing system to which the present invention is applied. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the points common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0101] The food information providing system 41 shown in Figure 6 has a food information recording means 32 (as in the second embodiment, the third embodiment has a "food information recording means 32" instead of the "food information recording means 15" of the first embodiment).

[0102] The food information providing system 41 also includes a cooking item information generating means 42 (instead of the "cooking item information searching means 16" in the first embodiment, the third embodiment includes a "cooking item information generating means 42"). The "cooking item information generating means 42 and information output means 20" correspond to the "cooking item information output means."

[0103] Here, the cooking item information generating means 42 is configured to be able to access a generating AI 43 provided separately from the food information providing system 41.

[0104] For example, for "Cooking information for dried noodles 1," "Information on the name of dried noodles 1" and "Name of soup recorded in food information 32A" are input as input information into a general-purpose generative AI (generation AI) 43, and the output result of generation AI 43 is obtained to generate "Cooking information for dried noodles 1."

[0105] That is, when a consumer requests information on "soup" (specifically, when the identification information 4 shown in FIG. 1 is read), the cooking item information generation means 42 generates "first cooking item information" to be output.

[0106] [effect] In the food information providing system 41 to which the present invention is applied as described above, the cooking item information generating means 42 can generate cooking item information, so that even if cooking item information is not recorded inside or outside the food information providing system 41, the information output means 20 can output the first cooking item information to the consumer terminal 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1. Dried noodles 2. Packaging film 4. Identification Information 10 Food provider 11 Food Information System 12. Internet 13 Consumer Devices 14 Receiving unit 15 Food information recording means 16 Cooking information selection means 17. Selection criteria information recording means 18 Model information generation means 19 Information Selection Methods 20 Information output means 21 Food information selection methods 31 Food Information System 32 Food information recording means 33 Cooking product information search method 34 Cooked food information recording means 40 Consumer 41 Food Information System 42 Cooked product information generation means 43 Generation AI

Claims

1. a food information recording means for recording food information, which is information about a predetermined food, and cooking information, which is information about a cooking product of the food; a cooking item information output means for outputting first cooking item information, which is the cooking item information of the first food recorded in the food information recording means, to allow the consumer to select a first cooking item, on the condition that identification information displayed on a first food, which is one of the foods, is read at the consumer's terminal; a reference information generating means for inputting the selection criteria information transmitted from the consumer's terminal, the selection criteria information for selecting the first cooking item information, into a general-purpose generating AI to generate reference information for the first cooking item information; an information selection means for selecting the first cooking item information to be output from the first cooking item information recorded in the food information recording means based on the reference information generated by the reference information generation means; a food information output means for identifying a second food, which is a food (excluding the first food) to be used in the dish selected by the consumer from the first cooking item information output by the cooking item information output means, from the food information recorded in the food information recording means, and outputting information on the second food to allow the consumer to select it; and an information output means for outputting information on selected foods selected by the consumer from the information on the second foods output by the food information output means to the consumer's terminal; The cooking item information output means outputs the first cooking item information selected by the information selection means. Information provision system.

2. A food information recording means for recording food information, which is information about a predetermined food; a cooking item information output means for retrieving first cooking item information, which is information on cooking items for the first food, on the condition that identification information displayed on a first food, which is one of the foods, is read on the consumer's terminal, and outputting the first cooking item information for the consumer to select; a reference information generating means for inputting the selection criteria information transmitted from the consumer's terminal, the selection criteria information for selecting the first cooking item information, into a general-purpose generating AI to generate reference information for the first cooking item information; an information selection means for selecting the first cooking item information to be output from the searched first cooking item information based on the reference information generated by the reference information generation means; a food information output means for identifying a second food, which is a food (excluding the first food) to be used in the dish selected by the consumer from the first cooking item information output by the cooking item information output means, from the food information recorded in the food information recording means, and outputting information on the second food to allow the consumer to select it; and an information output means for outputting information on selected foods selected by the consumer from the information on the second foods output by the food information output means to the consumer's terminal; The cooking item information output means outputs the first cooking item information selected by the information selection means. Information provision system.

3. A food information recording means for recording food information, which is information about a predetermined food; a cooking item information output means for generating first cooking item information, which is information on cooking items for the first food, on the condition that identification information displayed on a first food, which is one of the foods, is read at a consumer's terminal, and outputting the first cooking item information for the consumer to select; a reference information generating means for inputting the selection criteria information transmitted from the consumer's terminal, the selection criteria information for selecting the first cooking item information, into a general-purpose generating AI to generate reference information for the first cooking item information; an information selection means for selecting the first cooking item information to be output from the generated first cooking item information based on the reference information generated by the reference information generation means; a food information output means for identifying a second food, which is a food (excluding the first food) to be used in the dish selected by the consumer from the first cooking item information output by the cooking item information output means, from the food information recorded in the food information recording means, and outputting information on the second food to allow the consumer to select it; and an information output means for outputting information on selected foods selected by the consumer from the information on the second foods output by the food information output means to the consumer's terminal; The cooking item information output means outputs the first cooking item information selected by the information selection means. Information provision system.

4. When the identification information is read into the consumer's terminal, if the selection criteria information is not recorded in the consumer's terminal, the consumer is prompted to input the selection criteria information.

4. The information providing system according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The selection criteria information is criteria for information to be selected, The information selection means selects first cooking item information having a high similarity to the reference information.

4. The information providing system according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

6. The selection criteria information is a criterion for information that is not to be selected, The information selection means selects first cooking item information having a low similarity to the reference information.

4. The information providing system according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

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