Space sales management system, space sales management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a space sale management system, space sale management method and program, capable of executing sale management for each sales space in an automatic selling machine.SOLUTION: A space sale management system 1 sells individual products for each sale space of an automatic selling machine 10. A management system 30 includes selling commodity data acquisition section for acquiring commodities to be sold at a sale space and selling period of commodities from a seller; a selection reception for receiving, from a seller, the selection of an automatic selling machine 10 selling commodities and a sale space of the automatic selling machine 10; a storage section for storing acquired commodities and a selling period, connecting the acquired commodities and selling period with the sell space of the selected automatic selling machine 10; and a sale data acquisition section for acquiring the sale data of commodities in the sale space of the automatic selling machine 10 from the selected automatic selling machine 10. The storage section stores the sale history of commodities on the basis of the sale data of the commodities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a space sales management system, a space sales management method, and a program, and more particularly to a space sales management system, a space sales management method, and a program for managing sales for each sales space in a vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Vending machines are installed in large numbers not only in Japan but also around the world, selling a variety of products in addition to beverages. Today, with the spread of infectious diseases such as the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), there is a particularly high demand for vending machines as a sales method without human intervention. Meanwhile, systems for managing vending machines have been proposed in the past, such as a system for managing inventory to replenish products in vending machines (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-141908 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even though the need for vending machines is particularly high, there is a problem that it is difficult for those who want to sell products using vending machines to install vending machines themselves or to stock a variety of products in the vending machines themselves. Also, in order to make a profit, it is necessary to manage the sales status and sales of each product in the vending machine, but the above-mentioned patent documents have a problem in that they only manage inventory replenishment.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a space sales management system, a space sales management method, and a program for managing sales for each space in a vending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A space sales management system that sells individual products for each sales space of a vending machine, comprising: a sales product data acquisition unit that acquires from a seller the products to be sold in that sales space and the sales period of the products; a selection receiving unit that receives from the seller a selection of the vending machine that sells the products and the sales space of the vending machine; a memory unit that stores the acquired products and sales periods in association with the sales space of the selected vending machine; and a sales data acquisition unit that acquires sales data of the products in the sales space of the vending machine from the selected vending machine, Corresponding to the acquisition date and time of the sales data and a space sales management system that stores the sales history of the products.

[0007] (2) The space sales management system of (1), wherein the stored sales history Based on this, a space sales management system is provided that outputs the sales status of products sold in the vending machine in a ranking format based on the sales volume of each sales space in the vending machine to a specified terminal.

[0008] (3) A space sales management system according to (1) or (2) is provided, which outputs map data showing an icon of the vending machine to a predetermined terminal based on data on the location where the vending machine is installed, and outputs the sales status of the products sold by the vending machine in a ranking format to the terminal.

[0009] (4) The space sales management system according to any one of (1) to (3) above, which calculates the number of items to be replenished based on the stored sales numbers, is provided.

[0010] (5) A space sales management system according to (1) to (4), which manages the sales of the relevant products for a specified period. From the sales history of and a payment unit that pays a predetermined amount of the calculated total sales amount to the seller.

[0011] (6) A space sales management method executed by a space sales management system that sells individual products in each sales space of a vending machine, the space sales management system comprising the steps of: acquiring from a seller the product to be sold in the sales space and the sales period of the product; accepting from the seller a selection of the vending machine that sells the product and the sales space of the vending machine; storing the acquired product and the sales period in association with the sales space of the selected vending machine; acquiring sales data of the product in the sales space of the vending machine from the selected vending machine; Corresponding to the acquisition date and time of the sales data, and accumulating a sales history of the product.

[0012] (7) A space sales management system that sells individual products for each sales space of a vending machine includes a step of acquiring from a seller information about a product to be sold in the sales space and a sales period for the product; a step of accepting from the seller a selection of the vending machine that sells the product and the sales space for the vending machine; a step of storing the acquired product and the sales period in association with the sales space of the selected vending machine; a step of receiving sales data for the product in the sales space of the selected vending machine from the selected vending machine; and a step of storing the sales data for the product. Corresponding to the acquisition date and time of the sales data, and storing the sales history of the product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a space sales management system, a space sales management method, and a program for managing sales for each space in a vending machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a space sales management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of a management system 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a usage contract table 321 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a sales history table 322 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a vending machine table 323 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a space table 324 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a seller table 325 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a ranking-format product list according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a vending machine map according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage contract flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sales data acquisition flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sales status presentation flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a replenishment quantity calculation flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sales payment processing flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a seller screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example in which a sales management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0016] A space sales management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0017] Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a space sales management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The space sales management system 1 is a system that manages sales for each space 11 of a vending machine 10, specifically, a system that manages the usage contract for each space 11 of a vending machine 10 and the sales history for each space 11 of a vending machine 10, and is a system that realizes a virtual store for each vending machine space. Here, a space is a space where products are sold in a vending machine, and one space basically sells one product.

[0018] By managing usage contracts for each space 11, the space sales management system 1 allows sellers to sell a small number of products, such as one or two products, in the vending machine 10, thereby realizing a virtual store that handles a small number of products in the vending machine 10. Furthermore, by managing usage contracts for each space 11, the space sales management system 1 allows one vending machine 10 to sell products from multiple sellers, making it possible to stock a wide variety of products in one vending machine 10 and meeting the diverse needs of users. Furthermore, by managing sales history for each space 11, the space sales management system 1 allows sellers to easily obtain information on the sales status of products.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the space sales management system 1 is composed of a vending machine 10, a seller terminal 20, a user terminal 40, and a management system 30. The vending machine 10, the seller terminal 20, the user terminal 40, and the management system 30 are capable of mutual data communication via a network including the Internet.

[0020] The vending machine 10 has multiple spaces 11, and automatically sells products when a button to select a space 11 is pressed and payment is made in cash or electronic money. The seller terminal 20 is a terminal owned by the seller who sells products in the space 11 of the vending machine 10, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet. The user terminal 40 is a terminal owned by the user of the vending machine 10, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet. The management system 30 is a system operated by the operator of the space sales management system 1 and may be implemented by a single computer or multiple computers, such as a cloud computer. Note that in this embodiment, although only one vending machine 10 is shown, there may be two or more. Although only one seller terminal 20 is shown, there may be two or more. Furthermore, the multiple seller terminals 20 may be owned by different sellers. Although only one user terminal 40 is shown, there may be two or more. Furthermore, the multiple user terminals 40 may be owned by different users.

[0021] First, we will explain the management of the usage contract for space 11 of vending machine 10. When a seller sells products in space 11, the usage contract for space 11 is registered in advance in management system 30 from seller terminal 20 and managed by management system 30. Specifically, first, seller terminal 20 transmits sales product data, including the product name and sales period of the product to be sold in space 11, entered by the seller to management system 30 (S1).

[0022] When the management system 30 receives the sales product data from the seller terminal 20, it extracts available spaces 11 based on the sales period of the sales product data, and transmits available space data including information on the available spaces 11 and the vending machines 10 that have the available spaces 11 to the seller terminal 20 (S2).

[0023] The seller terminal 20 displays the available space data received from the management system 30 on the display unit 21, accepts the seller's selection of the space 11 to be used, and transmits information about the selected space 11 and the vending machine 10 that has the selected space 11 to the management system 30 as selected space data (S3).

[0024] When the management system 30 receives the selected space data from the seller terminal 20, it associates the sales product data received in S1 with the selected space data received in S3 and stores them as usage contract data. Then, in response to storing the usage contract data, the management system 30 transmits a usage contract completion notice to the seller terminal 20 (S4).

[0025] After receiving the notice of completion of the contract for use of space 11, i.e., after the contract data for use of space 11 by the seller is stored in management system 30, the seller actually restocks products in space 11. Once the products are restocked, sales of products in space 11 begin.

[0026] Next, we will explain how the space sales management system 1 manages sales histories for each space 11. The vending machine 10 sends sales data, including the number of items sold for each space 11, to the management system 30 (S5), and the management system 30 stores the sales data received from the vending machine 10 as sales history. The vending machine 10 may send sales data to the management system 30 each time it sells a product, or may send the sales data collectively at regular intervals.

[0027] In response to a sales status request from user terminal 40, management system 30 creates product list 22, ranking products sold by vending machine 10 in descending order of sales volume, based on stored usage contract data and sales history, and transmits product list 22 to user terminal 40 as the sales status, causing display unit 41 of user terminal 40 to display it (S6). When management system 30 receives that a product has been selected in product list 22 displayed on display unit 41 of user terminal 40, it creates map 23 showing the location of vending machine 10 selling the selected product, and causes display unit 41 of user terminal 40 to display it.

[0028] In addition, in response to a sales status request from the user terminal 40, the management system 30 may create a map 23 showing the location of the vending machine 10, send it to the user terminal 40, and when it receives a notification that the vending machine 10 has been selected on the map 23 displayed on the display unit 41 of the user terminal 40, it may create a product list 22 for the selected vending machine 10, send the list 22 to the user terminal 40 as the sales status, and display it on the display unit 41 of the user terminal 40 (S6).

[0029] The management system 30 stores the locations of the vending machines in advance. A sales status request can be sent to the management system 30 from any predetermined terminal, such as the seller terminal 20, and is not limited to the user terminal 40.

[0030] Based on the sales history stored in the management system 30, the management system 30 calculates the number of products to be replenished based on the number of products sold over a predetermined period, for example, from the day the vending machine was replenished with products to the present. The calculated number of products to be replenished is transmitted to the seller terminal 20. The calculation of the number of products to be replenished may be performed in response to a request from the seller terminal 20, or may be performed automatically by the management system 30 at predetermined intervals.

[0031] The management system 30 calculates the total sales amount for each predetermined period based on the stored usage contract data and sales history, and pays a predetermined amount of that (hereinafter referred to as sales) to the seller (not shown). In detail, the sales product data includes the sales price, and the total sales amount is calculated from the sales price in the usage contract data and the sales number calculated from the sales history. Here, sales is the amount obtained by subtracting expenses such as space usage fees from the total sales amount. For example, the management system 30 instructs a system such as a financial institution to make the payment, and the money is transferred from the account into which the sales revenue of the vending machine 10 is deposited to the seller's pre-registered account. Here, the account may be a bank account, card account, electronic money account, etc.

[0032] 2 is a functional block diagram of a management system 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the management system 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a sales product data acquisition unit 33, a selection acceptance unit 34, a sales data acquisition unit 35, a sales status analysis unit 36, a replenishment quantity calculation unit 37, a sales calculation unit 38, and a payment unit 39.

[0033] The communication unit 31 communicates with the seller terminal 20, the user terminal 40, and the vending machine 10 via the network.

[0034] Storage unit 32 is configured, for example, with a hard disk, and stores information relating to usage contract management and sales history management of products sold in space 11. Specifically, storage unit 32 includes usage contract table 321, sales history table 322, vending machine table 323, space table 324, and seller table 325, and an example of each table will be described below.

[0035] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the usage contract table 321. The usage contract table 321 is a table for storing information about the usage contract of the space 11 for the products sold in the space 11, and stores data acquired from the seller terminal 20 in the usage contract registration.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the contract information table 321 stores the product ID, product name, sales period, vending machine ID, space ID, sales price, replenishment date, and maximum storage quantity in association with each other. Note that the usage contract table 321 only needs to store the product name, sales period, vending machine ID, and space ID in association with each other.

[0037] The product name of the product sold in space 11 is stored in product name, the number of days for which it will be sold, the date of the sales period, or the consumption / best before date is stored in sales period. An ID identifying the vending machine 10 having the space 11 selling the product is stored in vending machine ID, and an ID identifying the space 11 selling the product is stored in space ID. The sales price of the product is stored in sales price, and the date the product was restocked in space 11 is stored in restock date.

[0038] 4 shows an example of the configuration of the sales history table 322. The sales history table 322 is a table that stores information related to the sales history of products, and is updated each time sales data is received from the vending machine 10. As shown in the figure, the sales history table 322 stores the vending machine ID of the vending machine that sold the product, the space ID of the space 11 that sold the product, the product ID, the number of products sold, and the acquisition date and time, in association with each other. The sales quantity since the last time sales data was acquired is stored in the sales number, and the date and time when sales data was acquired from the vending machine 10 is stored in the acquisition date and time.

[0039] 5 shows an example of the configuration of the vending machine table 323. The vending machine table 323 is a table that stores information about the vending machines 10 and is set in advance by the operator of the management system 30. The vending machine table 323 is updated when a vending machine 10 is removed or a new one is installed. As shown in the figure, the vending machine table 323 stores a vending machine ID and location information that indicates the location of the vending machine on a map, such as an address or latitude and longitude, in association with each other.

[0040] 6 shows an example of the configuration of the space table 324. The space table 324 is a table that stores information about the sales space 11 of the vending machine 10, and is set in advance by the operator of the management system 30. As shown in the figure, the space table 324 stores a vending machine ID, a space ID, and a usage fee in association with each other.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of seller information table 325. Seller information table 325 is a table that stores information about sellers who sell products in space 11, and may be registered in advance by the seller or when initially registering a usage contract for space 11. As shown in the figure, seller information table 325 stores the seller name, payee, and contract date in association with each other. The payee is information about the person to whom sales made in space 11 are paid, and is information necessary for remittance, such as information identifying the seller's bank account, credit card account, or electronic money account.

[0042] When the sales product data acquisition unit 33 receives sales product data including the product name, sales period, and sales price from the seller terminal 20, it extracts available spaces 11 and transmits available space data including information on the available spaces 11 and the vending machines 10 that have the available spaces 11 to the seller terminal 20. Note that the sales product data only needs to include at least the product name and sales period, and the sales price may be acquired separately by the selection acceptance unit 34, which will be described later, or the like.

[0043] Specifically, first, the sales product data acquisition unit 33 references the usage contract table 321 and the space table 324 based on the sales period received from the seller terminal 20, and acquires the vending machine ID, space ID, and space position associated with the space ID that identify the available space 11. Next, the sales product data acquisition unit 33 acquires position information from the vending machine table 323 based on the acquired vending machine ID.

[0044] The sales product data acquisition unit 33 then transmits to the seller terminal 20 the vending machine ID and space ID of the available space 11, as well as location information of the vending machine 10 in the available space 11 and available space data including the location information of the space 11. The location information of the vending machine 10 in the available space 11 may be obtained by plotting the location of the vending machine 10 on a map using a map table (not shown) previously stored in the storage unit 32. Note that the available space data may be only the vending machine ID and space ID of the available space 11.

[0045] When the selection receiving unit 34 receives selected space data from the seller terminal 20, including the vending machine ID and space ID of the space 11 selected by the seller, the selection receiving unit 34 associates the received selected space data with the sales product data received from the seller terminal 20 by the sales product data acquisition unit 33, and stores the associated data as usage contract data in the usage contract table 321. In other words, the selection receiving unit 34 associates the product name, sales period, and sales price with the vending machine ID and space ID, and stores the associated data in the usage contract table 321.

[0046] When the selection receiving unit 34 has completed storing the information in the usage contract table 321, it transmits a usage contract completion notice to the seller terminal 20. This concludes a contract to use the space 11 selected by the seller, and the seller can sell products in the selected space 11 during the sales period.

[0047] The sales data acquisition unit 35 associates the sales data received from the vending machine 10 with the date and time the sales data was acquired and stores it in the sales history table 322. The sales data is created for each space 11 and includes a space ID and a vending machine ID that identify the space 11, and the number of items sold in the space 11 for a specified period.

[0048] In response to a sales status request from the user terminal 40, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​analyzes the sales status of products and transmits the sales status to the user terminal 40. Specifically, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​creates a product list in which the products sold by the vending machine 10 are ranked in descending order of sales volume based on the usage contract table 321 and the sales history table 322, and transmits the product list as the sales status to the user terminal 40. Note that the sales status request can be made to the management system 30 from any terminal other than the user terminal 40, such as the seller terminal 20.

[0049] Using the product list shown in FIG. 8 as an example, the creation of a product list by the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​will be described in more detail. First, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​refers to the sales history table 322 to calculate the total number of sales for each space 11 for a predetermined period, such as one day or one week. Next, for each space 11 for which the total sales number was calculated, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​obtains the product name and sales price from the usage contract table 321 based on the space ID and vending machine ID that identify the space 11. Next, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​calculates the number of spaces 11 with the same product name as the number of sales locations. The sales status analysis unit 36 ​​then creates a ranking-format product list by arranging the obtained product names and sales prices and the calculated number of sales locations in descending order of the calculated total sales number. The product list may be created by vending machine, by predetermined area, or by seller if there are multiple sellers of the product.

[0050] Furthermore, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​temporarily stores the created product list data for a short period of time, such as 10 or 30 minutes, and upon receiving the name of a product selected from the product list from the user terminal 40, acquires the vending machine ID of the vending machine 10 that sells the product with the received product name, and acquires the location information of the vending machine 10 from the vending machine table 323 based on the acquired vending machine ID.The sales status analysis unit 36 ​​then creates a vending machine map displaying an icon for the vending machine 10 on the map based on a map table (not shown) previously stored in the storage unit 32 and the acquired location information of the vending machine 10, and sends the vending machine map to the user terminal 40.

[0051] FIG. 9 shows an example of a vending machine map displayed on the display unit 41 of the user terminal 40 when "Omurice" is selected from the product list shown in FIG. 8. Since "Omurice" is sold at three locations, three icons for vending machines 10 are displayed on the map as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, when a vending machine 10 is selected on the map shown in FIG. 9, a product list of the selected vending machine may be created based on the location information of the selected vending machine 10, the vending machine table 323, and the temporarily stored product list data, in which the products sold by the selected vending machine 10 are ranked in order of most sold products, and transmitted to the user terminal 40.

[0052] Furthermore, before transmitting the sales status, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​may create a vending machine map displaying an icon of the vending machine 10 on a map based on the vending machine table 323 and a map table previously stored in the storage unit 32, and transmit this to the user terminal 40. When a vending machine 10 is selected on the vending machine map of FIG. 9 described above, based on the location information of the selected vending machine 10, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​creates a product list of the selected vending machine in which the products sold by the selected vending machine 10 are ranked in descending order of sales volume based on the vending machine table 323, usage contract table 321, and sales history table 322, and transmits this to the user terminal 40.

[0053] The replenishment number calculation unit 37 calculates the replenishment number based on the total number of sales for each space 11, in accordance with the sales history table 322. However, if a product is replenished after the initial replenishment of the vending machine, the replenishment number is calculated based on the total number of sales from the replenishment date to the present in the usage contract table 321. The replenishment number calculation unit 37 calculates the replenishment number from the total number of sales for each space 11, taking into account information such as future weather and temperature, and product reviews on the Internet. The replenishment number calculation unit 37 then transmits the calculated replenishment number to the seller terminal 20. The replenishment number may be calculated in response to a request from the seller terminal 20, or may be calculated automatically by the management system 30 at predetermined intervals.

[0054] The sales calculation unit 38 calculates the total sales amount for each space 11 for each predetermined period based on the usage contract table 321 and the sales history table 322, and calculates sales based on the total sales amount. Specifically, the sales calculation unit 38 refers to the sales history table 322 to calculate the total number of sales for each space 11 for the predetermined period. Next, the sales calculation unit 38 refers to the usage contract table 321 to obtain the sales price and seller name for the space 11 for which the total sales amount has been calculated, and multiplies the sales price by the total number of sales to calculate the total sales amount. The sales calculation unit 38 then calculates sales by subtracting a predetermined amount such as a space usage fee from the calculated total sales amount. Note that sales may also be calculated for each seller by aggregating by seller name.

[0055] The payment unit 39 pays the seller the sales amount calculated by the sales calculation unit 38. Specifically, the payment unit 39 acquires the seller's payee from the seller information table 325 based on the seller name acquired by the sales calculation unit 38, and sends an instruction to a system such as a financial institution to transfer the sales amount calculated by the sales calculation unit 38 to the acquired payee.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a usage contract flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] First, the seller terminal 20 transmits sales product data, including the product name, sales period, and sales price of the product to be sold in the space 11, to the management system 30 in response to input from the seller (S10).

[0058] When the sales product data acquisition unit 33 receives sales product data from the seller terminal 20, it refers to the usage contract table 321, the space table 324 and / or the vending machine table 322 based on the sales period included in the sales product data, acquires available space information including a vending machine ID and space ID that identify the available space, and / or the space position associated with the space ID, and / or the location information of the vending machine 10, and sends this information to the seller terminal 20 (S11).

[0059] The seller terminal 20 displays available space information on the display unit 21 (S12), receives a selection of the space 11 to be used from the seller, and transmits selected space data including the vending machine ID and space ID of the selected space 11 to the management system 30 (S13). Here, the seller terminal 20 receives a selection of the vending machine 10 corresponding to the vending machine ID that identified the available space 11. Based on the location information of this vending machine 10, the seller terminal 20 displays a map showing the location where this vending machine 10 is installed on the display unit 21, and receives a selection of the vending machine 10 to be used from the seller. In other words, the seller selects a vending machine 10 installed in a location that is likely to increase sales of the products they sell. Next, the seller terminal 20 receives a selection of the space 11 to be used in the selected vending machine 10. The seller terminal 20 displays the space IDs corresponding to the spaces 11 available in the vending machine 10 on the display unit 21, and receives a selection of the space 11 to be used from the seller. In other words, the seller selects a space 11 that is appropriate for the size of the product they are selling, etc.

[0060] When the selection receiving unit 34 receives the selected space data, it associates the received selected space data with the sales product data received in S11 and stores the data as usage contract data in the usage contract table 321 (S14). Then, the selection receiving unit 34 sends a usage contract completion notice to the seller terminal 20 (S15). In this way, the seller registers the usage contract for the space 11 of the vending machine 10.

[0061] Next, a flow chart showing the sales data acquisition flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. This process starts at a predetermined timing.

[0062] The vending machine 10 sends sales data, including the vending machine ID and space ID that identify the space 11 where the product was sold, and the number of items sold, to the management system 30 (S20). The management system 30 associates the sales data received from the vending machine 10 with the sales data acquisition date and time and stores it in the sales history table 322 (S21). In this way, the management system 30 accumulates sales history for each space 11 of the vending machine.

[0063] Next, a sales status presentation flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 12. This process starts in response to a request from the user terminal 40 or a request from the seller terminal 20.

[0064] First, the user terminal 40 transmits a sales status request (S30). Next, the management system 30 generates a product list in which the products sold by the vending machine 10 are ranked in descending order of sales volume based on the usage contract table 321 and the sales history table 322 (S31). The management system 30 then transmits the product list to the user terminal 40 as the sales status (S32).

[0065] When a product name is selected from the product list displayed on the display unit 41 (YES) (S33), the user terminal 40 transmits the selected product name to the management system 30 (S34). On the other hand, when a product name is not selected from the product list displayed on the display unit 41 (NO), the process ends.

[0066] Based on the product list data created in S31 and the vending machine table 323, the management system 30 acquires the location information of the vending machines 10 that sell the products with the received product names (S35). Based on the map table previously stored in the storage unit 32 and the acquired location information of the vending machines 10, the management system 30 creates a vending machine map displaying an icon of the vending machine 10 on the map (S36) and sends the map to the user terminal 40 (S37). The display unit 41 of the user terminal 40 then displays the received vending machine map (S38). In this way, the sales status of the products can be visualized for the user.

[0067] Next, a case where the sales status of each product is presented in response to a request from the seller terminal 20 will be described. First, the seller terminal 20 transmits a request for sales status for each product. Next, the management system 30 creates a sales status list for each product based on the usage contract table 321 and the sales history table 322.

[0068] In response to a sales status request for each product from seller terminal 20, sales status analysis unit 36 ​​analyzes the sales status of each product and transmits the sales status for each product to seller terminal 20. Specifically, sales status analysis unit 36 ​​creates a list of each product sold by vending machine 10 based on usage contract table 321 and sales history table 322, and transmits the list of each product as the sales status to seller terminal 20. Seller terminal 20 displays this list of each product on display unit 21 (see FIG. 15).

[0069] The creation of a list of products by the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​will be described in more detail using the list of products shown in FIG. 15 as an example. Here, "Omurice" will be used as an example of the product. The list of products is a list of information about the sales space 11 of the vending machine 10, the number of products sold, sales revenue, and information about the sales region. As shown in the figure, the list of products is associated with the product name, vending machine ID, space ID, number of products sold, sales revenue, and region.

[0070] The sales status analysis unit 36 ​​refers to the sales history table 322 and calculates the number of sales and sales revenue for each product in each space for a predetermined period, such as one day or one week. Next, for each product whose sales volume has been calculated, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​identifies the space ID and vending machine ID for each space 11 used by that product. Based on the identified vending ID, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​identifies the region in which the vending machine 10 corresponding to that vending machine ID is installed. Then, the sales status analysis unit 36 ​​creates a list that compiles for each product the product name, the identified vending machine ID and space ID, the number of sales and sales revenue, and the region. Note that the list for each product may be for each vending machine 10, or for each predetermined area, or for each seller if there are multiple sellers of the product.

[0071] The sales situation analysis unit 36 ​​also temporarily stores the data of the created product-specific list for a short period of time, such as 10 or 30 minutes, and upon receiving from the seller terminal 20 the region selected in the product-specific list, acquires the vending machine ID of the vending machine 10 installed in the received region, and acquires the location information of the vending machine 10 from the vending machine table 323 based on the acquired vending machine ID. The sales situation analysis unit 36 ​​then creates a vending machine map displaying an icon of the vending machine 10 on a map based on a map table (not shown) previously stored in the storage unit 32 and the acquired location information of the vending machine 10, and transmits the vending machine map to the seller terminal 20. The vending machine map displayed on the display unit 21 of the seller terminal 20 at this time is similar to that shown in FIG. 9 above. In this way, the seller can visualize the sales status of products.

[0072] Next, a replenishment quantity calculation flow of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. This process is started in response to a request from the seller terminal 20 or periodically.

[0073] The management system 30 calculates the number of refills based on the total number of sales for each space 11, using the sales history table 322 (S40). Next, the management system 30 transmits the number of refills calculated in S40 to the seller terminal 20 (S41), and the seller terminal 20 displays the number of refills on the display unit (S42). In this way, the number of refills required for the space 11 of the vending machine 10 can be presented to the seller.

[0074] Next, the flow of the sales payment process of the sales management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. This process starts at predetermined intervals, but may also be started in response to a request from the seller terminal 20.

[0075] The management system 30 calculates the total number of sales for each space 11 based on the sales history table 322 (S50), references the usage contract table 321 to obtain the sales price and seller name (S51), and calculates the total sales amount by multiplying the total number of sales calculated in S50 by the sales price obtained in S51 (S52).The management system 30 then calculates sales by subtracting a predetermined amount such as space usage fee from the total sales amount calculated in S52 (S53).

[0076] The management system 30 acquires the seller's payee from the seller information table 325 based on the seller name acquired in S51 (S54), and issues an instruction to a system such as a financial institution to remit the sales amount calculated in S53 to the payee acquired in S54 (S55). In this way, the sales amount of the products sold in the space 11 of the vending machine 10 can be automatically paid to the seller.

[0077] <Example> Figure 16 shows the overall configuration of a sales management system 100 for frozen products as an example of application of the sales management system 1 according to this embodiment. In this example, sales management system 100 is a system used by a seller who manufactures and sells products, and a freezing business that freezes the seller's products to manufacture frozen products, stores the manufactured frozen products, and replenishes the stored frozen products in vending machine space 11, and is managed by the freezing business. Note that the manufacturer that manufactures the frozen products, the storage business that stores the frozen products, and the replenishment business that replenishes the frozen products in sales space 11 may be different companies, or the manufacturer and the storage business, and the storage business and the replenishment business may be the same company.

[0078] First, the seller enters into a contract to use the space 11 of the vending machine 10 (S100). The contract is as explained in FIG. 10. Next, the seller registers in the management system 30 the date on which products will be replenished in the space 11 for which the contract has been made (S101). Specifically, the seller registers the replenishment date in the usage contract table 321 shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, it is not the seller but a freezing processing company that replenishes products in the space 11, so by registering the replenishment date in the management system 30, the freezing processing company can be notified of the replenishment date.

[0079] The freezing business operator receives the usage contract and replenishment date of the product requested to be frozen by the seller from the management system 30 to its own terminal (S102). The freezing business operator freezes the product received from the seller to make it in time for the received replenishment date, and produces frozen products. The freezing business operator then stores the frozen products until they are replenished in space 11.

[0080] Before shipping the frozen products to space 11, the freezing business acquires the replenishment number from management system 30 (S103). The replenishment number is as explained in FIG. 13. The freezing business transports the replenishment number acquired from management system 30 in a refrigerated truck and replenishes the frozen products with the replenishment number acquired in S104 to space 11 specified based on the space ID and vending machine ID of the usage contract notified to the freezing business in S102.

[0081] The vending machine that has been refilled with products transmits sales data to the management system 30 at predetermined intervals (S104).

[0082] The seller acquires the sales status and replenishment quantity created by the management system 30 (S105). The sales status is as described in FIG. 12. Based on the sales status and replenishment quantity acquired in S105, the seller determines which products to additionally manufacture and how many products to additionally manufacture, and manufactures them. After manufacturing, the seller ships the products to the freezing processing company, and repeats the above-mentioned process.

[0083] For the seller, sales of products in space 11 are calculated by management system 30, and sales are transferred to a specified account or the like in response to instructions from management system 30 (S106). In this way, sales management for each space 11 can be efficiently performed not only when the products manufactured by the seller are sold directly in space 11 of vending machine 10, but also when the products manufactured by the seller are sold in space 11 of vending machine 10 via another business that processes the products, such as by freezing them.

[0084] As explained above, the space sales management system manages usage contracts for each vending machine space, allowing sellers to sell a small number of products, such as one or two items, and creating a virtual store with a small number of products within the vending machine. Furthermore, by managing usage contracts for each vending machine space, the space sales management system allows a single vending machine to sell products from multiple sellers, enabling a wide variety of products to be stocked in one vending machine, thereby meeting the diverse needs of users. Furthermore, by managing sales history for each space, the space sales management system allows sellers to "visualize" the sales status of their products using a ranking-based product list and a vending machine map.

[0085] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0086] In this embodiment, the management system 30 extracts available spaces 11 based on the sales period, but the management system 30 may also extract available sales spaces 11 based on the storage environment of the products, such as room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen, in addition to the sales period. This allows the optimal space for selling the products to be extracted.

[0087] The management system 30 may acquire and manage the quantity of products set in the vending machine 10, and perform inventory management based on the quantity of products set in the vending machine 10 and the total number of sales calculated based on the sales history table 322.

[0088] The management system 30 may create and present to sellers, as sales status, a list of products ranked by average total sales volume for a predetermined period, a list of products ranked by time period or day of the week, fluctuations in total sales volume for a predetermined period, etc. This allows for more detailed "visualization" of the sales status of products.

[0089] The sales product data sent from the seller terminal 20 includes a product description, and by storing the product description in the usage contract table 321, the product description can be displayed in the sales situation.

[0090] The seller's desired payment date and payment interval may be stored in the seller information table 325 of the management system 30, and the sales calculation unit 38 and the payment unit 39 may calculate sales and make payments according to the seller's desired payment date and payment interval. This allows the seller to receive payment for sales at the timing they desire.

[0091] The sales management system # of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the sales management system 1 on a recording medium that can be read by a computer system, and then having each device that makes up the sales management system # load and execute the program recorded on this recording medium. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0092] Furthermore, if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used, the "computer system" also includes the homepage provision environment (or display environment). The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line.

[0093] The program may also be a program for realizing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Space sales management system 10. Vending Machines 11 Space 20 Merchant Terminal 21 Display section 30 Management Systems 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Sales Product Data Acquisition Department 34 Selection Reception Section 35 Sales Data Acquisition Department 36 Sales Analysis Department 37 Replenishment number calculation part 38 Sales Calculation Department 39 Payment Department 40 User terminal 41 Display section

Claims

1. A space sales management system that sells individual products in each sales space of a vending machine, a sales product data acquisition unit that acquires from a seller information about products to be sold in the sales space and the sales period of the products; a selection receiving unit that receives from the seller a selection of the vending machine that sells the product and a sales space for the vending machine; a storage unit that stores the acquired product and sales period in association with the sales space of the selected vending machine; a sales data acquisition unit that acquires sales data of the product in the sales space of the selected vending machine from the selected vending machine; Equipped with The storage unit stores the sales history of the product by associating the sales data of the product with the acquisition date and time of the sales data.

2. 2. A space sales management system as described in claim 1, which outputs the sales status of products sold in the vending machine in a ranking format based on the sales volume of each sales space in the vending machine, based on the stored sales history, to a specified terminal.

3. outputting map data showing an icon of the vending machine to a predetermined terminal based on data on the location of the vending machine; 3. The space sales management system according to claim 2, wherein the sales status of the products sold by the vending machine is output to the terminal in a ranking format.

4. The space sales management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of items to be replenished is calculated based on the stored sales history.

5. a calculation unit that calculates a total sales amount of the product for a predetermined period from the sales history of the product for the predetermined period; a payment unit that pays a predetermined amount of the calculated total sales amount to the seller; The space sales management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. A space sales management method executed by a space sales management system that sells individual products in each sales space of a vending machine, The space sales management system acquiring from a seller information about products to be sold in the sales space and a sales period for the products; receiving from the seller a selection of the vending machine that sells the product and a sales space of the vending machine; storing the acquired product and sales period in association with the sales space of the selected vending machine; acquiring sales data of the product in the sales space of the selected vending machine from the selected vending machine; a step of associating the sales data of the product with the acquisition date and time of the sales data and accumulating the sales history of the product; Space sales management methods, including:

7. A space sales management system that sells individual products in each vending machine sales space. acquiring from a seller information about products to be sold in the sales space and a sales period for the products; receiving from the seller a selection of the vending machine that sells the product and a sales space of the vending machine; storing the acquired product and sales period in association with the sales space of the selected vending machine; receiving sales data of the product in the sales space of the selected vending machine from the selected vending machine; a step of associating the sales data of the product with the acquisition date and time of the sales data and accumulating the sales history of the product; A computer-readable program for executing the program.

Images