Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus configured to use commodities unsold in a store for cooking and propose dishes that suit the taste of neighboring residents who uses the store.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 10 includes: a list generation unit 111 which generates a list of one or more names of dishes which can be cooked with a part or all of a plurality of food materials included in unsold commodities, on the basis of food material information indicating each of the plurality of food materials included in the unsold commodities and an amount of the food materials, and dish information indicating combinations of a plurality of names of dishes, food materials necessary for the dishes and cooking methods; and an extraction unit 112 which extracts, on the basis of taste information indicating combinations of attributes of a person and dishes for which a degree of taste of the person is equal to or larger than a first value, and resident information indicating attributes of neighboring residents of the store, one or more names of dishes for which a degree of taste of the neighboring residents is equal to or larger than the first value from among the one or more names of dishes included in the generated list.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In stores that provide food, such as restaurants and convenience stores, the problem of food loss caused by having to discard products and ingredients whose expiration dates have passed has attracted attention.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a user with recipe information that reflects inventory management information in a store that provides food and requests from the user. In this technique, based on the inventory management information of the food recorded in the inventory management database and the attribute information associated with the food, foods with approaching expiration dates are extracted as a food list.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] <舍 However, the recipe information provided to the user in the technique according to Patent Document 1 is generated by responding to requests from the user after the fact, and is not generated by reflecting in advance the preferences of the neighboring residents of the store.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can cook using the unsold products of the store and can propose a dish that reflects in advance the preferences of the neighboring residents who use the store in a store that provides food. [[ID=^]]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an information processing device comprising: a list generation unit that generates a list of one or more dish names that can be cooked using some or all of the multiple ingredients contained in unsold goods remaining unsold in a store, based on ingredient information indicating each of a plurality of ingredients and the quantity of each ingredient, and dish information indicating each of a plurality of dish names and the combination of ingredients and cooking methods required for each dish; an extraction unit that extracts one or more dish names from the list of one or more dishes generated by the list of one or more dishes that the degree to which the nearby residents prefer is the first value or greater, based on preference information indicating a combination of human attributes and dishes that the degree to which the human prefers is at least the first value, and resident information indicating the attributes of nearby residents; and a display control unit that causes the dish names representing the one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit to be displayed on a display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a restaurant that serves food can prepare dishes using leftover products from the restaurant, and can offer dishes that reflect the preferences of nearby residents who frequent the restaurant. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of Information Processing System 1. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example configuration of terminal device 30-K. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing an example configuration of server 10. [Figure 4] A table showing an example of a food ingredient information database (FD). [Figure 5] A table showing an example of a cooking information database CD. [Figure 6] A table showing an example of a preference information database (LD). [Figure 7] A table showing an example of a resident information database (DD). [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a display screen that the display control unit 113 displays on the terminal device 30-K. [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating an example of Server 10's operation. [Figure 10] A block diagram showing an example configuration of server 10A. [Figure 11] A table showing an example of an inventory information database (SD). [Figure 12] A flowchart illustrating an example of server 10A's operation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 1: First Embodiment The configuration of the information processing system 1, including the server 10 as an information processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0011] 1-1: Configuration of the First Embodiment 1-1-1: Overall structure Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the information processing system 1. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 comprises a server 10 and terminal devices 30-1, 30-2, ... 30-K, ... 30-N. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. K is an integer between 1 and N. In this embodiment, terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N have the same configuration. However, terminal devices with different configurations may be included. Note that the server 10 is an example of an "information processing device".

[0012] Each of the terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N is installed in a store such as a convenience store. In this convenience store, store employees can cook on-site. Store employee UK at convenience store K checks the recipe displayed on the display device of terminal device 30-K to confirm the name of the dish, the ingredients used, and the cooking method. After confirming the name of the dish, the ingredients used, and the cooking method described in the recipe, the store employee cooks according to the recipe. In this embodiment, the ingredients used in cooking include ingredients contained in unsold products at convenience store K that are within a predetermined period of time until their expiration date. It is also possible that all of the ingredients used in cooking are ingredients contained in unsold products.

[0013] Here, when the unsold product is, for example, a fried chicken bento, the fried chicken bento may include, as an example, rice, the main dish of fried chicken, the side dish of pasta, cabbage, and pickled ginger. The clerk UK at convenience store K uses some of this rice, fried chicken, pasta, cabbage, and pickled ginger as ingredients to cook a new dish. In this case, the clerk may cook a new dish by combining some of this rice, fried chicken, pasta, cabbage, and pickled ginger with the ingredients included in other products. Here, the "other products" may be the products in convenience store K where the clerk UK works. Alternatively, the "other products" may be the unsold products in other stores such as greengrocers, prepared food stores, and supermarkets near convenience store K.

[0014] Server 10 transmits recipe information indicating the above recipe to terminal devices 30-1 to 30-N. More specifically, server 10 generates a list of one or more cookable dish names based on the ingredient information indicating each of the plurality of ingredients included in the unsold products in convenience store K where the above clerk UK works, and the dish information indicating the combination of each of the plurality of dish names with the ingredients and cooking methods required for the dishes. Further, server 10 extracts one or more dish names from the one or more dish names included in the above list, for which the degree of preference of the nearby residents is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, based on the preference information indicating the combination of the attributes of a person and the dishes for which the degree of preference of the person is equal to or greater than a first value, and the resident information indicating the attributes of the nearby residents of convenience store K. Also, server 10 generates a recipe indicating the necessary ingredients and cooking methods corresponding one-to-one to each dish name. Further, server 10 causes each dish name to be displayed on the display device provided in terminal device 30-K. Furthermore, server 10 causes the ingredients and cooking methods required for the dish indicated by the dish name to be displayed on the display device provided in terminal device 30-K in a format corresponding to the dish name.

[0015] 1-1-2: Configuration of Terminal Device FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 30-K. The terminal device 30-K includes a processing device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, a display 34, and an input device 35. Each element included in the terminal device 30-K is interconnected using one or more buses for communicating information.

[0016] The processing device 31 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 30-K. Further, the processing device 31 is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing device 31 is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and registers. Note that part or all of the functions of the processing device 31 may be realized using hardware such as a DSP, an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The processing device 31 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0017] The storage device 32 is a recording medium that can be read from and written to by the processing device 31. Further, the storage device 32 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR3 executed by the processing device 31.

[0018] The communication device 33 is hardware as a transceiver device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 33 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, and a communication module. The communication device 33 includes a connector for a wired connection and may include an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. Further, the communication device 33 may include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and the interface circuit for a wired connection include products compliant with a wired LAN, IEEE 1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products compliant with a wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0019] The display 34 is a device that displays images and text information. The display 34 displays various images under the control of the processing unit 31. For example, various display panels such as liquid crystal display panels and organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display panels are suitably used as the display 34. The display 34 is an example of a "display device".

[0020] The input device 35 accepts input from the store clerk UK. For example, the input device 35 includes a keyboard, touchpad, touch panel, or pointing device such as a mouse. If the input device 35 includes a touch panel, it may also function as the display 14.

[0021] The processing unit 31 reads the control program PR3 from the storage device 32 and executes it. As a result, the processing unit 31 functions as a communication control unit 311 and a display control unit 312.

[0022] The communication control unit 311 causes the communication device 33 to send and receive various types of information with the server 10. This information includes operation information indicating the operations performed by employee UK on the input device 35. The communication control unit 311 causes the server 10 to transmit this operation information to the communication device 33. This information also includes the names of each dish and the ingredients and cooking methods required for the dishes indicated by those names. The communication control unit 311 causes the communication device 33 to receive the names of each dish and the ingredients and cooking methods required for the dishes indicated by those names from the server 10.

[0023] The display control unit 312 displays each of the above-mentioned dish names received by the communication control unit 311 via the communication device 33 on the display 34. The display control unit 312 also displays the ingredients and cooking methods required for the dish indicated by the dish name on the display 34 in a format corresponding to the dish name.

[0024] 1-1-3: Server Configuration Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of server 10. Server 10 comprises a processing unit 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display 14, and an input device 15. Each element of server 10 is interconnected using one or more buses for communicating information.

[0025] The processing unit 11 is a processor that controls the entire server 10. The processing unit 11 is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The processing unit 11 is configured using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and registers. Some or all of the functions of the processing unit 11 may be implemented using hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The processing unit 11 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0026] The storage device 12 is a recording medium that can be read and written to by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 also stores multiple programs, including the control program PR1 executed by the processing device 11. Furthermore, the storage device 12 stores the ingredient information database FD, the cooking information database CD, the preference information database LD, and the resident information database DD.

[0027] The Food Ingredient Information Database FD is a database that stores food ingredient information, showing each of the multiple food ingredients contained in unsold products at a store, along with the quantity of each ingredient. Figure 4 shows an example of the Food Ingredient Information Database FD. The Food Ingredient Information Database FD stores food ingredient information for each store, including the product name, expiration date, types of ingredients contained in the product, and the quantity of each ingredient. As an example, the Food Ingredient Information Database FD shown in Figure 4 stores the product name and expiration date of the unsold "Makunouchi Bento" at convenience store A, as well as information on the types of ingredients contained in the "Makunouchi Bento" and the quantity of each ingredient. The Food Ingredient Information Database FD also stores the product name and expiration date of the unsold "Tenshinhan" at convenience store K, as well as information on the types of ingredients contained in the "Tenshinhan" and the quantity of each ingredient. Furthermore, the Food Ingredient Information Database FD stores the product names and expiration dates of the unsold Chinese cabbage, potatoes, and shiitake mushrooms at greengrocer M, located near convenience store K, as well as information on the quantities of each. Furthermore, the food ingredient information database FD stores information such as the product name and expiration date of a leftover "grilled meat set" from delicatessen P located near convenience store K, as well as the types and quantities of ingredients included in the "grilled meat set." The food ingredient information database FD may also be linked to the POS system installed in the store.

[0028] The Cooking Information Database CD is a database that stores cooking information, showing combinations of multiple dish names with the ingredients and cooking methods required for each dish. Figure 5 shows an example of the Cooking Information Database CD. For each dish, the Cooking Information Database CD stores cooking information such as the dish name, the types and quantities of ingredients used in the dish, and the cooking method for that dish. As an example, the Cooking Information Database CD shown in Figure 5 stores information for cooking an omelet, including the dish name "Omelet," the types and quantities of ingredients used in the omelet, such as "100g of scrambled eggs," "200g of potatoes," and "250g of grilled meat," as well as information on the cooking method.

[0029] The preference information database LD is a database that stores preference information showing combinations of human attributes and dishes that the degree to which that person likes a dish is above a predetermined value. The predetermined value is an example of the "first value". Figure 6 is an example of the preference information database LD. The preference information database LD stores preference information showing the gender, age, dish name, and a numerical value indicating the degree to which that person likes the dish. Among these, the "degree to which a person likes a dish" could be a numerical value indicating what percentage of people of a given gender and age group like the dish indicated by the dish name. As an example, the preference information database LD shown in Figure 6 stores information showing that 85% of men aged 10 to 19 like "Karaage Set".

[0030] The resident information database DD is a database that stores resident information showing the attributes of residents in the vicinity of a store. Figure 7 shows an example of the resident information database DD. The resident information database DD stores the store name and resident information showing what percentage of residents in the vicinity of the store belong to a specified gender and age group. As an example, the resident information database DD shown in Figure 7 stores information showing that 25% of the residents in the vicinity of store A are men aged 40 to 49.

[0031] In Figure 3, the communication device 13 is hardware acting as a transmitting and receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 13 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 13 may be equipped with a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 13 may also be equipped with a wireless communication interface. Examples of connectors and interface circuits for wired connection include products compliant with wired LAN, IEEE 1394, and USB. Examples of wireless communication interfaces include products compliant with wireless LAN and Bluetooth®.

[0032] The display 14 is a device that displays images and text information. The display 14 displays various images under the control of the processing unit 11. For example, various display panels such as liquid crystal display panels and organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display panels are preferably used as the display 14.

[0033] The input device 15 receives operations from the administrator of the server 10. For example, the input device 15 is configured to include a keyboard, touchpad, touch panel, or pointing device such as a mouse. If the input device 15 is configured to include a touch panel, it may also function as the display 14.

[0034] The processing unit 11 reads the control program PR1 from the storage device 12 and executes it. As a result, the processing unit 11 functions as a list generation unit 111, an extraction unit 112, and a display control unit 113.

[0035] The list generation unit 111 generates a list of one or more dish names that can be prepared using some or all of the ingredients included in the unsold products, based on the ingredient information contained in the ingredient information database FD and the dish information contained in the dish information database CD. For example, when employee UK instructs terminal device 30-K to display the above list using input device 35, the list generation unit 111 obtains operation information indicating the operation from terminal device 30-K via communication device 13. The list generation unit 111 generates the above list as a trigger upon obtaining the operation information. As an example, the list generation unit 111 generates a list that includes "omelet" as a dish name, based on ingredient information indicating 100g of egg omelet included in Tenshinhan, a leftover item at store K; 200g of potatoes, a leftover item at store M; and 250g of grilled meat included in a grilled meat set, a leftover item at store P; and cooking information indicating that 100g of egg omelet, 200g of potatoes, and 250g of grilled meat are needed to make an omelet. In the above example, the amounts of egg omelet, potatoes, and grilled meat included in the ingredient information are equal to the amounts of egg omelet, potatoes, and grilled meat included in the cooking information. However, the above example is just one example. The amounts of at least one of the egg omelet, potatoes, and grilled meat included in both sets of information may be different.

[0036] In this case, when employee UK of convenience store K connects terminal device 30-K to server 10 to generate the above list, it is preferable for the list generation unit 111 to generate a list of one or more dish names that can be prepared using some or all of the ingredients contained in unsold goods from stores located within a predetermined distance from convenience store K.

[0037] The extraction unit 112 extracts one or more dish names from the list generated by the list generation unit 111, based on the preference information contained in the preference information database LD and the resident information contained in the resident information database DB, the degree to which nearby residents prefer these dishes is above a predetermined value.

[0038] As an example, the extraction unit 112 calculates a value by multiplying the preference level for each dish, which is included in the preference information and corresponds one-to-one with each dish by gender and age group, by the percentage of neighboring residents by gender and age group, which is included in the resident information. Furthermore, the extraction unit 112 calculates a value by summing these multiplied values ​​for each dish across all genders and age groups as the "degree to which neighboring residents prefer a particular dish." To explain using the values ​​exemplified in Figures 6 and 7, the extraction unit 112 calculates a value of 0.68 × 0.15 = 0.102 by multiplying the preference level of 68% for simmered koya tofu among women aged 70 to 79 in the preference information by the percentage of women aged 70 to 79 among the neighboring residents of store K, which is 15% in the resident information. The extraction unit 112 calculates the same value for each gender and age group regarding simmered freeze-dried tofu, and then sums these values ​​across all genders and age groups to calculate the "degree to which local residents prefer a particular dish." The same process is applied to other dishes.

[0039] Subsequently, the extraction unit 112 extracts one or more dish names from the list generated by the list generation unit 111, such that the "degree of preference among local residents" calculated using the method described above is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0040] The display control unit 113 displays the names of one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 on the display 34 of the terminal device 30-K. The display control unit 113 also displays the ingredients and cooking methods required for one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 on the display 34 in a one-to-one correspondence with the dish names, based on the dish information contained in the dish information database CD. Furthermore, it is preferable for the display control unit 113 to display product information on the display 34, indicating which unsold products contain the ingredients required for the above cooking methods, based on the ingredient information contained in the ingredient information database FD. It is preferable that this product information includes information indicating the product name as well as information indicating which stores sell the product. In these cases, the display control unit 113 transmits the above-mentioned dish names, the ingredients and cooking methods required for the dishes indicated by the dish names, and the product information indicating the unsold products containing the above-mentioned ingredients to the terminal device 30-K via the communication device 13, thereby displaying this information on the display 34 of the terminal device 30-K.

[0041] Figure 8 shows an example of a display screen that the display control unit 113 displays on the terminal device 30-K. In the display screen illustrated in Figure 8, the name of the dish is displayed on the first line. Below the name of the dish, the type and quantity of ingredients required for the dish and the name of the unsold product containing those ingredients are displayed in a one-to-one correspondence. Further below that, the cooking method for the dish is shown. Note that in the display screen illustrated in Figure 8, multiple dish names are displayed. It is preferable for the display control unit 113 to display each dish name, the recipe information corresponding to that dish name, and the product information in order of the degree to which the nearby residents prefer them.

[0042] 1-2: Operation of the First Embodiment Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server 10 included in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0043] In step S1, the processing unit 11 in the server 10 functions as a list generation unit 111. Based on the ingredient information contained in the ingredient information database FD and the cooking information contained in the cooking information database CD, the processing unit 11 generates a list of one or more cooking names that can be made using some or all of the ingredients contained in the unsold products.

[0044] In step S2, the processing unit 11 functions as an extraction unit 112. Based on the preference information contained in the preference information database LD and the resident information contained in the resident information database DB, the processing unit 11 extracts one or more dish names from the list generated in step S1 that are preferred by nearby residents to a predetermined degree or higher.

[0045] In step S3, the processing unit 11 functions as a display control unit 113. The processing unit 11 causes the display 34 on the terminal device 30-K to display the names of the dishes that were extracted in step S2, the ingredients and cooking methods required for those dishes, and product information indicating unsold products that contain those ingredients.

[0046] 1-3: Effects of the First Embodiment According to the above description, the server 10 as an information processing device comprises a list generation unit 111, an extraction unit 112, and a display control unit 113. The list generation unit 111 generates a list of one or more dish names that can be cooked using some or all of the multiple ingredients contained in the unsold products at the store, based on ingredient information indicating each of the multiple ingredients contained in the unsold products and the quantity of each ingredient, and dish information indicating each of the multiple dish names and the combination of ingredients and cooking methods required for each dish. The extraction unit 112 extracts one or more dish names from the list of one or more dishes generated by the list 111 that are preferred by nearby residents to a degree equal to or greater than a first value, based on preference information indicating the combination of human attributes and dishes that the person prefers to a first value or greater, and resident information indicating the attributes of nearby residents. The display control unit 113 displays the dish names representing the one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 on the display 34, which is a display device.

[0047] Because server 10 has the above configuration, it can display dish names that reflect the preferences of residents in the vicinity of the store, and that can be prepared using ingredients from unsold products left over at the store. By using the information processing system 1 including server 10, the store can reduce food waste, which is known as the food loss problem.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the above explanation, in the server 10, the display control unit 113 displays the ingredients and cooking methods required for one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 on the display 34, which is a display device, in a form corresponding to the dish name, based on the dish information.

[0049] Since the server 10 has the above configuration, it can display the names of one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 and their recipes in a corresponding manner.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the above explanation, in the server 10, the display control unit 113 further displays the unsold products containing the necessary ingredients on the display 34, which is a display device, in a format corresponding to the dish name, based on the ingredient information.

[0051] Since the server 10 has the above configuration, it can display which unsold products contain the ingredients included in the recipe displayed by the display control unit 113.

[0052] 2: Second Embodiment The configuration of the information processing system 1A, which includes a server 10A as an information processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Figures 10 to 12. For the sake of simplicity, the following description will mainly focus on the differences between the information processing system 1A and the information processing system 1. Furthermore, for components of the information processing system 1A that are the same as those of the information processing system 1, the same reference numerals will be used, and their detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0053] 2-1: Configuration of the second embodiment 2-1-1: Overall Structure The information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a server 10A instead of server 10. In other respects, the information processing system 1A is identical to the information processing system 1, so the illustration of the information processing system 1A is omitted.

[0054] 2-1-2: Server Configuration Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of server 10A. Unlike server 10, server 10A has a processing unit 11A instead of processing unit 11, and a storage device 12A instead of storage device 12.

[0055] The storage device 12A stores multiple programs, including the control program PR1A executed by the processing device 11A. Similar to the storage device 12, the storage device 12A also stores the ingredient information database FD, the cooking information database CD, the preference information database LD, and the resident information database DD. Furthermore, the storage device 12A also stores the inventory information database SD.

[0056] The inventory information database SD is a database that stores inventory information indicating each of the multiple ingredients contained in the inventory products currently sold at a store, as well as the quantity of each ingredient. This inventory does not include unsold products stored in the ingredient information database FD. Figure 11 shows an example of the inventory information database SD. Similar to the ingredient information database FD, the inventory information database SD stores ingredient information for each store, including the product name, expiration date, types of ingredients contained in the product, and the quantity of those ingredients. As an example, the inventory information database SD shown in Figure 11 stores the product name and expiration date of the "Karaage Bento" (fried chicken bento) in stock at convenience store A, as well as information indicating the types of ingredients contained in the "Karaage Bento" and the quantity of those ingredients. The inventory information database SD also stores the product name and expiration date of the "Tonkatsu Bento" (pork cutlet bento) that was left unsold at convenience store K, as well as information indicating the types of ingredients contained in the "Tonkatsu Bento" and the quantity of those ingredients. Furthermore, the food ingredient information database FD stores information indicating the expiration dates and quantities of cabbage, carrots, and okra, which are in stock at greengrocer M, located near convenience store K. In addition, the inventory information database SD stores information indicating the product names, expiration dates, and quantities of "shrimp chili," "hamburger," and "yakitori," which are in stock at delicatessen P, located near convenience store K. Preferably, the inventory information stored in the inventory information database SD is moved to the food ingredient information database FD as food ingredient information when the time remaining until the expiration date of the inventory product included in the inventory information falls below a predetermined time. The inventory information database SD may also be linked to the POS system installed in the store.

[0057] In Figure 10, the processing unit 11A reads and executes the control program PR1A from the storage device 12A. As a result, the processing unit 11A functions as a list generation unit 111A, an extraction unit 112, a display control unit 113A, a first setting unit 114, a second setting unit 115, and an acquisition unit 116.

[0058] The first setting unit 114 sets the ratio of the types of ingredients contained in leftover products to the types of ingredients needed for the dish being prepared. In other words, the first setting unit 114 sets a numerical value indicating what percentage of the types of ingredients needed for the dish being prepared must be from leftover products. This ratio is an example of the "first ratio". The first setting unit 114 may acquire a numerical value entered into the terminal device 30-K by the store clerk UK, who is a user of the terminal device 30-K, using the input device 35, and set this numerical value as the above ratio. Alternatively, the first setting unit 114 may acquire an initial setting value stored in the storage device 12A and set this initial setting value as the above ratio.

[0059] The second setting unit 115 sets the ratio of the amount of ingredients contained in leftover products to the amount of ingredients needed for the dish being prepared. In other words, the second setting unit 115 sets a numerical value indicating what percentage of the amount of ingredients needed for the dish being prepared must be from leftover products. This ratio is an example of the "second ratio". For example, if 100g of carrots are needed for the dish being prepared, the second setting unit 115 sets how many grams of carrots out of the 100g will be from leftover products. Alternatively, for example, if the dish being prepared is 450g of Tenshinhan, the second setting unit 115 sets how many grams of the total amount of ingredients (450g) used to prepare 450g of Tenshinhan will be from leftover products. The second setting unit 115 may also acquire a numerical value entered into the terminal device 30-K by employee UK, who is a user of the terminal device 30-K, using the input device 35, and set this value as the above ratio. Alternatively, the second setting unit 115 may obtain the initial setting value stored in the storage device 12A and set the initial setting value as the above-mentioned ratio.

[0060] The acquisition unit 116 acquires instruction information from the terminal device 30-K via the communication device 13, indicating the instructions that employee UK has entered into the terminal device 30-K using the input device 35. Specifically, employee UK inputs instructions to the terminal device 30-K regarding whether the list generation unit 111A should generate a list of one or more dishes based on the first ratio or the second ratio mentioned above. The acquisition unit 116 acquires instruction information indicating these instructions from the terminal device 30-K.

[0061] If the acquisition unit 116 acquires instruction information that instructs it to generate a list based on the above-mentioned first proportion, the list generation unit 111A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients from unsold goods in proportion to the first proportion as the types of ingredients needed for the dish, and ingredients from stocked goods as the other ingredients. If the acquisition unit 116 acquires instruction information that instructs it to generate a list based on the above-mentioned second proportion, the list generation unit 111A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients from unsold goods in proportion to the second proportion as the quantities of ingredients needed for the dish, and ingredients from stocked goods as the other ingredients.

[0062] Similar to the extraction unit 112 in the first embodiment, the extraction unit 112 extracts one or more dish names from the list generated by the list generation unit 111A, based on the preference information contained in the preference information database LD and the resident information contained in the resident information database DB, the degree to which nearby residents prefer them being above a predetermined value.

[0063] The display control unit 113A, similar to the display control unit 113 in the first embodiment, displays the names of the dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 on the display 34 of the terminal device 30-K. Furthermore, similar to the display control unit 113 in the first embodiment, the display control unit 113A displays the ingredients and cooking methods required for the one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit 112 on the display 34, based on the dish information contained in the dish information database CD, in a format that corresponds one-to-one with the dish names. In addition, it is preferable that the display control unit 113A displays product information on the display 34, indicating which unsold and in-stock products contain the ingredients required for the cooking methods described above, based on the ingredient information contained in the ingredient information database FD and the inventory information contained in the inventory information database SD. It is preferable that this product information includes information indicating the product name, as well as information indicating which stores sell the product.

[0064] 2-2: Operation of the second embodiment Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of server 10A included in the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0065] In step S11, the processing unit 11A functions as an acquisition unit 116. The processing unit 11A acquires instruction information from the terminal device 30-K via the communication device 13. If the instruction information is information that instructs the list generation unit 111A to generate a list based on a first ratio, the processing unit 11A executes the process in step S12. If the instruction information is information that instructs the list generation unit 111A to generate a list based on a second ratio, the processing unit 11A executes the process in step S13.

[0066] In step S12, the processing unit 11A functions as a first setting unit 114. When cooking, the processing unit 11A sets a first ratio of the types of ingredients contained in leftover products to the types of ingredients required for the dish to be cooked.

[0067] In step S13, the processing unit 11A functions as a second setting unit 115. When cooking, the processing unit 11A sets a second ratio of the amount of ingredients contained in unsold goods to the amount of ingredients needed for the dish to be cooked.

[0068] In step S14, the processing unit 11A functions as a list generation unit 111A. If a first ratio was set in step S12, the processing unit 11A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients from unsold goods in a ratio of at least the first ratio as the types of ingredients needed for the dish, and ingredients from inventory goods as the other ingredients. If a second ratio was set in step S13, the processing unit 11A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients from unsold goods in a ratio of at least the second ratio as the quantities of ingredients needed for the dish, and ingredients from inventory goods as the other ingredients.

[0069] In step S15, the processing unit 11A functions as an extraction unit 112. Based on the preference information contained in the preference information database LD and the resident information contained in the resident information database DD, the processing unit 11A extracts one or more dish names from the list generated in step S14 that are preferred by nearby residents to a predetermined degree or higher.

[0070] In step S16, the processing unit 11A functions as a display control unit 113A. The processing unit 11A causes the display 34 on the terminal device 30-K to display the names of the dishes that were extracted in step S15, the ingredients and cooking methods required for those dishes, and product information indicating unsold products that contain those ingredients.

[0071] 2-3: Effects of the second embodiment According to the above description, the server 10A, as an information processing device, includes a first setting unit 114. The first setting unit 114 sets the ratio of the types of ingredients included in unsold goods to the types of ingredients required for the dish to be cooked. The list generation unit 111A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients from unsold goods in a ratio of at least the first ratio set by the first setting unit 114 as the types of ingredients required for the dish to be cooked, and ingredients from the inventory goods as the other ingredients.

[0072] Since server 10A has the above configuration, even if a store tries to cook a dish using only the ingredients contained in unsold products, if there are any missing ingredients, it can display the names of dishes that can be cooked using the ingredients in stock and that are in line with the tastes of residents in the store's vicinity.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the above explanation, the server 10A, as an information processing device, includes a second setting unit 115. The second setting unit 115 sets the ratio of the amount of ingredients contained in unsold goods to the amount of ingredients needed for the dish to be cooked. The list generation unit 111A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients contained in unsold goods in an amount equal to or greater than the second ratio set by the second setting unit 115 as the amount of ingredients needed for the dish to be cooked, and using ingredients contained in the inventory goods as the other ingredients.

[0074] Because server 10A has the above configuration, even if a store tries to cook a dish using only the ingredients contained in unsold products, if there are insufficient quantities of certain types of ingredients, it can display the names of dishes that can be cooked using the ingredients in stock and that are in line with the tastes of residents in the store's vicinity.

[0075] 3: Variant This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments illustrated above. Specific variations are illustrated below. Two or more embodiments may be arbitrarily selected from the following examples.

[0076] 3-1: Variation 1 In the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the server 10 and the terminal device 30 were separate entities, but the server 10 and the terminal device 30 may be implemented as a single device within the same enclosure. For example, employee UK may use a single device combining the server 10 and the terminal device 30-K as a standalone terminal device within the store. The same applies to the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0077] 3-2: Variation 2 In the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment, the list generation unit 111A selected one of the first percentage set by the first setting unit 114 and the second percentage set by the second setting unit 115, and then generated a list of one or more dish names. However, the list generation unit 111A may use both the first and second percentages to generate a list of one or more dish names. For example, the list generation unit 111A generates a list of one or more dishes that can be cooked using ingredients included in leftover products, where the amount of ingredients of the type that can be used is at least at least at first percentage of the ingredients required for cooking. Furthermore, the list generation unit 111A may generate another list of one or more dishes in the list where, of the amount of ingredients of the type that can be used with ingredients included in leftover products, at least at second percentage of the amount is where ingredients included in leftover products can be used.

[0078] 4: Other (1) In the embodiments described above, the storage devices 12 to 12A and the storage device 32 are exemplified by ROM and RAM, but other suitable storage media include flexible disks, magneto-optical disks (e.g., compact disks, digital multipurpose disks, Blu-ray® disks), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-ROMs), registers, removable disks, hard disks, floppy® disks, magnetic strips, databases, servers, and other appropriate storage media.

[0079] (2) In the embodiments described above, the information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be mentioned throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0080] (3) In the embodiments described above, the input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. The input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0081] (4) In the embodiments described above, the determination may be made by a value represented using 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0082] (5) The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., exemplified in the embodiments described above may be rearranged in order, as long as they do not contradict each other. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present various step elements using an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0083] (6) Each function illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 is implemented by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of implementing each function block is not particularly limited. That is, each function block may be implemented using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be implemented using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A function block may also be implemented by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0084] (7) The programs illustrated in the embodiments described above should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages ​​or by other names.

[0085] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0086] (8) In each of the above-mentioned forms, the terms “system” and “network” shall be used interchangeably.

[0087] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information.

[0088] (10) In the embodiments described above, the servers 10-10A and the terminal equipment 30 may be Mobile Stations (MS). A Mobile Station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms. In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station," "User Terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "Terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0089] (11) In the embodiments described above, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0090] (12) In the embodiments described above, the phrase “based on” does not mean “based solely on” unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase “based on” means both “based solely on” and “based at least on.”

[0091] (13) The terms “determining” and “determining” as used in this disclosure may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0092] (14) Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in the embodiments described above, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to be exclusive OR.

[0093] (15) In the present disclosure, if articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the present disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0094] (16) In this disclosure, the term “A and B are different” may mean “A and B are different from each other.” The term may also mean “A and B are each different from C.” Terms such as “separate” and “combine” may be interpreted in the same way as “different.”

[0095] (17) Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed in practice. Furthermore, notification of certain information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0096] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Accordingly, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not restrictive in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 1,1A…Information processing system, 10,10A…Server, 11,11A…Processing device, 12,12A…Storage device, 13…Communication device, 14…Display, 15…Input device, 30…Terminal device, 31…Processing device, 32…Storage device, 33…Communication device, 34…Display, 35…Input device, 111,111A…List generation unit, 112…Extraction unit, 113,113A…Display control unit, 114…First setting unit, 115…Second setting unit, 116…Acquisition unit, 311…Communication control unit, 312…Display control unit, PR1,PR1A,PR3…Control program

Claims

1. A list generation unit generates a list of one or more dish names that can be made using some or all of the ingredients contained in the unsold products at a store, based on ingredient information that shows each of the multiple ingredients contained in the unsold products and the quantity of each ingredient, and dish information that shows each of the multiple dish names and the combination of ingredients and cooking methods required for the dish. An extraction unit extracts one or more dish names from the list generated by the list generation unit, based on preference information indicating a combination of human attributes and dishes that the human prefers to a degree equal to or greater than a first value, and resident information indicating the attributes of residents in the vicinity of the store, the dishes that the nearby residents prefer to a degree equal to or greater than the first value. A display control unit that causes the extraction unit to display the names of the one or more dishes extracted on a display device, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The list generation unit generates a list of one or more dishes that can be prepared using the multiple ingredients included in the inventory products, in addition to the multiple ingredients included in the unsold products, based on the ingredient information and the dish information, as well as inventory information indicating each of the multiple ingredients included in the inventory products currently on sale at the store and the quantity of those ingredients. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a first setting unit that sets the proportion of the types of ingredients included in the unsold products to the types of ingredients needed for the dish to be prepared. The list generation unit generates a list of one or more dishes that can be prepared by using ingredients from the unsold goods in proportion or greater than that set by the first setting unit as the types of ingredients needed for the dish to be prepared, and using ingredients from the inventory goods as the other ingredients. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes a second setting unit that sets the ratio of the amount of ingredients contained in the unsold products to the amount of ingredients needed for the dish to be prepared. The list generation unit generates a list of one or more dishes that can be prepared by using ingredients from the unsold products in a proportion or greater than that set by the second setting unit as the amount of ingredients needed for the dish to be prepared, and using ingredients from the inventory products as the other ingredients. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The display control unit causes the display device to display the ingredients and cooking methods necessary for the one or more dishes extracted by the extraction unit, in a format corresponding to the dish name, based on the dish information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The display control unit further displays, based on the ingredient information, unsold products containing the required ingredients on the display device in a format corresponding to the dish name. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

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