Sales assistance method, information terminal device, and sales assistance program

Abstract

A sales assistance method according to the present disclosure comprises a first step and a second step. The first step is a step for acquiring first request information indicating two or more products requested by a customer. The second step is a step for outputting customer schedule information indicating a schedule on which a customer visits a sales site in order to check, at the same sales site, the two or more products indicated by the first request information on the basis of operation schedule information indicating an operation schedule on which a plurality of mobile sales robots each selling one or more products make the rounds.

Description

Sales support method, information terminal device, and sales support program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sales support method, an information terminal device, and a sales support program.

[0002] There is known a technology for gathering a plurality of store vehicles in one place to form a shopping mall (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-139692

[0004] A possible sales system using a mobile store is a system in which a plurality of mobile sales robots, each selling one or more types of products, travels around a plurality of sales locations.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a sales support method, information terminal device, and sales support program that improve customer convenience in a system in which multiple mobile sales robots, each selling one or more types of products, patrol multiple sales locations.

[0006] The sales support method according to the present disclosure includes a first step and a second step. The first step is a step of acquiring first request information indicating two or more types of products requested by a customer. The second step is a step of outputting customer schedule information indicating a schedule for the customer to visit a same sales location to check the two or more types of products indicated in the first request information, based on operation schedule information indicating the operation schedules of multiple mobile sales robots, each selling one or more types of products.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sales support method, an information terminal device, and a sales support program that improve customer convenience in a system in which multiple mobile sales robots, each selling one or more types of products, patrol multiple sales locations.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a mobile sales system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5-1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product information display screen in the case of advance reservations. FIG. 5-2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service schedule display screen in the case of advance reservations. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product information display screen in the case of same-day reservations. FIG. 7-1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen prompting the selection of a sales location. FIG. 7-2 is a diagram illustrating another example of a display screen prompting the selection of a sales location. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen (i.e., a first request input screen) prompting the input of product requests, etc. in the case of advance reservations. FIG. 9-1 is a diagram illustrating an example of input to the first request input screen. FIG. 9-2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in response to the input example shown in FIG. 9-1. FIG. 10-1 is a diagram illustrating another example of input to the first request input screen. FIG. 10-2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in response to the input example shown in FIG. 10-1. FIG. 11-1 is a diagram showing an example of a service schedule. FIG. 11-2 is a diagram showing an example of an adjusted service schedule. FIG. 11-3 is a diagram showing yet another example of an adjusted service schedule. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displaying a customer schedule generated based on the input example shown in FIG. 9-1 and service schedule #3. FIG. 13-1 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation confirmation screen. FIG. 13-2 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt waiting screen. FIG. 14-1 is a diagram showing another example of a first request input screen. FIG. 14-2 is a diagram showing multiple patterns in which products ITM1, ITM2, ITM3, and ITM5 can be received. FIG. 15-1 is a diagram showing an example of the first request input screen shown in FIG. 14-1 in which further information has been input. FIG. 15-2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 15-1. FIG. 16-1 is a diagram showing another example of the first request input screen shown in FIG. 14-1 in which further information has been input.FIG. 16-2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 16-1. FIG. 17-1 is a diagram showing an example of a first product information screen when multiple sales robot groups are set. FIG. 17-2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation schedule screen when multiple sales robot groups are set. FIG. 17-3 is a diagram showing an example of information entered into the first request input screen in accordance with the display examples shown in FIGS. 17-1 and 17-2. FIG. 17-4 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3. FIG. 18-1 is a diagram showing an example of an operation schedule adjustment. FIG. 18-2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3 and operation schedule #4. FIG. 19-1 is a diagram showing another example of operation schedule adjustment. FIG. 19-2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3 and operation schedule #5. FIG. 20-1 is a diagram showing yet another example of operation schedule adjustment. FIG. 20-2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3 and operation schedule #6. FIG. 21-1 is a diagram showing another input example in which information is input to the first request input screen in accordance with the display examples shown in FIGS. 17-1 and 17-2. FIG. 21-2 is a diagram showing an example of an adjustment of the operation schedule 111 in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 21-1. FIG. 21-3 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 21-1 and operation schedule #7. FIG. 22-1 is a diagram showing an example of a request input screen displayed in the case of same-day reservations. FIG. 22-2 is a diagram showing an example of a third request input screen. FIG. 22-3 is a diagram showing yet another example of an adjustment of the operation schedule. FIG. 22-4 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen showing a customer schedule generated based on operation schedule #8 in the case of same-day reservations. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a location selection screen for selecting requestable sales locations in various ways. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a location selection screen displayed in response to input specifying two locations.FIG. 25-1 is a diagram showing an example of a first arrival confirmation screen displayed in the case of advance reservations. FIG. 25-2 is a diagram showing an example of a second arrival confirmation screen displayed in the case of same-day reservations. FIG. 26 is a flowchart explaining an example of the operation of narrowing down the sales locations that can be requested. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of determining a customer schedule in the case of advance reservations. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of determining a customer schedule in the case of same-day reservations. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of adjusting the operation schedule. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the mobile sales system according to Modification 5. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing another example of the receipt waiting screen.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment) (1) Configuration (1-1) Configuration of Mobile Sales System FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile sales system according to an embodiment.

[0011] The mobile sales system 1000 includes a server 1, a network 2, and a plurality of mobile sales robots R. The plurality of mobile sales robots R are connected to the server 1 via the network 2. Note that in FIG. 1, four mobile sales robots R1 to R4 are shown as an example of the plurality of mobile sales robots R. Hereinafter, the mobile sales robots R will be referred to as sales robots R.

[0012] Each sales robot R is a mobile object capable of autonomous travel that sells one or more types of products. Each sales robot R travels to multiple sales locations according to an operation schedule stored in the server 1. Note that part of the movement or sales operations of each sales robot R may require human operation.

[0013] The server 1 is a computer that stores the above-mentioned operation schedule.

[0014] Furthermore, the server 1 realizes the sales support method of the embodiment.

[0015] For example, when customer 4 wishes to purchase one or more types of products sold by mobile sales system 1000, he / she sends information including a request for the one or more types of products from information terminal device 3 to server 1. Such information sent from information terminal device 3 to server 1 by operation of customer 4 is referred to as input information. Upon receiving the input information, server 1 generates a schedule for customer 4 to pick up the requested one or more types of products at one sales location based on the received input information and the operation schedule. Then, server 1 outputs information indicating the generated schedule to information terminal device 3. The schedule for customer 4 to pick up products includes information on the sales location for pickup and information on the pickup time period for each product. Hereinafter, the schedule for customer 4 to pick up products will be referred to as the customer schedule. The sales location for pickup of products will be referred to as the pickup location. The information on the pickup time period for each product will be referred to as the pickup schedule.

[0016] The server 1 generates a customer schedule so that the customer 4 can receive all the requested types of products at one of the multiple sales locations. Even if the customer 4 wishes to purchase multiple types of products, the customer 4 can receive the multiple types of products without moving from one sales location, improving customer convenience.

[0017] The server 1 acquires input information from a plurality of customers 4. When the server 1 acquires input information from a plurality of customers 4, the server 1 generates a customer schedule for each customer 4 individually.

[0018] In an embodiment, the server 1 can further adjust the operation schedule. The adjustment of the operation schedule includes changing the departure time of the sales robot R at at least one sales location, changing the arrival time of the sales robot R at at least one sales location, or changing the travel route of at least one sales robot R. The server 1 adjusts the operation schedule so as to shorten the time during which requested products cannot be received. Note that, if there is another determined customer schedule, the server 1 adjusts the operation schedule under the constraint that the determined customer schedule is not changed.

[0019] 1 shows a customer 4-1 having an information terminal device 3-1 and a customer 4-2 having an information terminal device 3-2. Let us assume that the customer schedule for customer 4-1 is output based on input information from customer 4-1 and the customer schedule for customer 4-1 is determined. If server 1 acquires input information from customer 4-2 after the customer schedule for customer 4-1 has been determined, server 1 adjusts the operation schedule in accordance with the input information from customer 4-2, under the constraint that the customer schedule for customer 4-1 must not be changed.

[0020] The server 1 can perform various operations in addition to those described above. Details of each operation performed by the server 1 will be explained one by one.

[0021] The information terminal device 3 is a computer that allows the customer 4 to send input information to the server 1 and displays various screens output from the server 1. The information terminal device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The information terminal device 3 may transfer information between the server 1 and the information terminal device 3 via a browser or a native app.

[0022] (1-2) Configuration of Server 1 (1-2-1) Hardware Configuration of Server 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the server 1 according to the embodiment.

[0023] The server 1 has a hardware configuration similar to that of a normal computer equipped with a processor and a storage device. Specifically, the server 1 includes a processor 10, a main storage device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, and a bus 14. The processor 10, the main storage device 11, the storage device 12, and the communication device 13 are electrically connected to the bus 14.

[0024] The processor 10 is an arithmetic unit capable of executing computer programs, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0025] The main memory device 11 is a storage device that provides a buffer or cache area for computer programs and data to the processor 10. As the main memory device 11, for example, a type of memory that allows high-speed access, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), is used.

[0026] The storage device 12 is a non-volatile storage device used to store computer programs and data. The storage device 12 is configured by a storage device with a larger capacity than the main storage device 11. The storage device 12 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0027] The communication device 13 is an interface device that communicates with external devices via the network 2. In this example, the external devices are the information terminal device 3 and the sales robot R.

[0028] The processor 10 realizes the sales support method of the embodiment in accordance with the sales support program 100. For example, the sales support program 100 is stored in the storage device 12. The processor 10 loads the sales support program 100 from the storage device 12 into the main memory device 11. The processor 10 realizes the sales support method of the embodiment by executing the sales support program 100 loaded into the main memory device 11. The functional configuration of the server 1 for realizing the sales support method of the embodiment will be described next.

[0029] (1-2-2) Functional Configuration of Server 1 FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the server 1 according to the embodiment.

[0030] The server 1 includes a terminal control unit 101, a schedule adjustment unit 102, a robot control unit 103, and a memory unit 104. The terminal control unit 101, the schedule adjustment unit 102, and the robot control unit 103 are configured by a processor 10. The memory unit 104 is configured by a main memory device 11 or a storage device 12.

[0031] The storage unit 104 stores an operation schedule 111, map information 112, sales location information 113, and a generated customer schedule 114. In the example shown in FIG. 3, N customer schedules 114-1 to 114-N are stored in the storage unit 104.

[0032] The operation schedule 111 is information in which the operation route and the arrival time and departure time at each sales location on the operation route are recorded for each sales robot R.

[0033] The sales location information 113 is a list of location information for each sales location.

[0034] In the embodiment, as an example, the multiple sales locations are grouped into several groups based on the distance between the sales locations. Information on the group to which each sales location belongs is recorded in the sales location information 113. A group of sales locations is referred to as a sales location group. Each sales location group includes two or more sales locations that are close to each other. In one example, multiple sales locations that are within 1 kilometer of each other constitute one sales location group. One sales location may belong to two or more sales location groups, or may belong to only one sales location group. There may also be a sales location group that is made up of one sales location.

[0035] The customer 4 can select one or more sales locations in units of sales location groups. Specifically, the server 1 can present one or more sales location groups to the customer 4 via the information terminal device 3. The customer 4 can select a sales location group that includes a sales location where the customer can receive the product from the presented one or more sales location groups. The server 1 presents a list of sales locations included in the selected sales location group. The customer 4 can input a request for a sales location to use as a receiving location from the presented list of sales locations.

[0036] The map information 112 is data that collects map images to be displayed on the information terminal device 3. For example, when presenting one or more sales location groups to the customer 4, the server 1 superimposes one or more frames each indicating the range of a sales location group on the map image, and outputs the map image with the multiple frames superimposed to the information terminal device 3. The server 1 also superimposes an object indicating the position of each sales location on the output map image as position information of each sales location.

[0037] The terminal control unit 101 controls the input and output of information to and from the customer 4 via the information terminal device 3. The terminal control unit 101 can output information to the information terminal device 3, thereby displaying the information on a display device (display device 36 described later) of the information terminal device 3. The terminal control unit 101 can acquire information (i.e., input information) input from an input device (input device 35 described later) of the information terminal device 3.

[0038] The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule 114 based on the input information. The schedule adjustment unit 102 also adjusts an operation schedule 111 based on the input information.

[0039] The robot control unit 103 controls the operation of each sales robot R according to the operation schedule 111.

[0040] (1-3) Hardware Configuration of Information Terminal Device 3 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information terminal device 3 according to the embodiment.

[0041] The information terminal device 3 has a hardware configuration similar to that of a normal computer having a processor and a storage device. Specifically, the information terminal device 3 includes a processor 30, a main storage device 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, a position sensor 34, an input device 35, a display device 36, and a bus 37. The processor 30, the main storage device 31, the storage device 32, the communication device 33, the position sensor 34, the input device 35, and the display device 36 are electrically connected to the bus 37.

[0042] The processor 30 is an arithmetic unit capable of executing a computer program, and is, for example, a CPU.

[0043] The main memory device 31 is a storage device that provides a buffer or cache area for computer programs and data to the processor 30. As the main memory device 31, for example, a type of memory that allows high-speed access, such as a RAM, can be used.

[0044] The storage device 32 is a non-volatile storage device used to store computer programs and data. The storage device 32 is configured by a storage device with a larger capacity than the main storage device 31. For example, an HDD or an SSD can be used as the storage device 32.

[0045] The communication device 33 is an interface device that communicates with an external device via the network 2. In this example, the external device is the server 1.

[0046] The position sensor 34 is a sensor that detects the position information of the information terminal device 3 that includes the position sensor 34. For example, a sensor that performs positioning using signals from positioning satellites of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can be used as the position sensor 34.

[0047] The input device 35 is a human machine interface (HMI) for inputting information, and is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, or a pointing device.

[0048] The display device 36 is an HMI that outputs information in a visually recognizable manner, and is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display.

[0049] The processor 30 displays a screen showing information output from the server 1 on the display device 36 and transmits information input by the customer 4 (i.e., input information) to the server 1 based on a browser or a native app.

[0050] In the following description, a smartphone is used as an example of the information terminal device 3. The customer 4 can input information to the smartphone, which is the information terminal device 3, using a touch panel, which is the input device 35.

[0051] (2) Various Screens Displayed on the Display Device 36 and Related Explanations The terminal control unit 101 outputs information to be displayed on the display device 36 to the information terminal device 3. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the output of information to be displayed on the display device 36 by the terminal control unit 101 to the information terminal device 3 will be expressed as the terminal control unit 101 displaying a screen.

[0052] The terminal control unit 101 can display a list of product information, i.e., the types of products that can be requested. The terminal control unit 101 can also display information indicating the operation schedule 111 of sales robots R that can purchase products of the types included in the product information.

[0053] The terminal control unit 101 can change the screen that displays various information, including product information and information indicating the operation schedule 111, depending on whether the reservation is made in advance or on the day.

[0054] Advance reservations are a reservation method in which customers 4 input requests by the day before the sale date to determine their schedule. Same-day reservations are a reservation method in which customers 4 input requests on the sale date to determine their schedule. Even when customers 4 receive products according to their schedule determined by advance reservations, they can also request the purchase of additional products by making same-day reservations at the sales location.

[0055] 5A is a diagram showing an example of a product information display screen in the case of advance reservation. The product information display screen in the case of advance reservation is referred to as a first product information screen D101.

[0056] The first product information screen D101 includes fields F101 to F103.

[0057] Field F101 displays a list of product types that can be requested. More specifically, field F101 displays a list of pairs of product types that can be requested and the sales robots R that sell those products. In the example shown in FIG. 5-1, customer 4 can see from the display content of field F101 that product ITM1 sold by sales robot R1, product ITM2 sold by sales robot R2, etc. can be requested.

[0058] Field F102 displays a list of sets of sales robots R. In this embodiment, as an example, one or more sales robots R make up a set (referred to as a sales robot set), and all sales robots R patrol multiple sales locations as a unit of the sales robot set. In the example shown in FIG. 5-1 , customer 4 can learn from the display content of field F102 on the first product information screen D101 that sales robots R1, R4, and R7 patrol together, sales robots R2, R5, and R8 patrol together, and sales robots R3, R6, and R9 patrol together.

[0059] A list of sales locations that can be requested is displayed in field F103. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, customer 4 can know from the display contents of field F103 that sales locations La, Lb, and Lc can be requested.

[0060] The list of sales locations displayed in the field F103 is a list of sales locations selected by the customer 4 in units of sales location groups. An example of a screen prompting the customer 4 to select a sales location will be described later.

[0061] 5B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the bus schedule 111 in the case of advance reservation. The display screen of the bus schedule 111 is referred to as a bus schedule screen D201.

[0062] The operation schedule screen D201 graphically displays how the sales robots R making sales at each sales location are replaced according to the time.

[0063] In the example shown in Figure 5-2, customer 4 can know the stay time of sales robot R at each of the sales locations La, Lb, and Lc displayed in field F103 of the first product information screen D101 illustrated in Figure 5-1.

[0064] Furthermore, customer 4 can know that a sales robot set consisting of sales robots R1, R4, and R7 will move between sales location La, sales location Lb, and sales location Lc in that order. Customer 4 can know that a sales robot set consisting of sales robots R2, R5, and R8 will move between sales location Lc, sales location La, and sales location Lb in that order. Customer 4 can know that a sales robot set consisting of sales robots R3, R6, and R9 will move between sales location Lb, sales location Lc, and sales location La in that order.

[0065] The operation schedule 111 is determined so that at each sales location, one or more sales robots R that make sales are rotated for each unit time slot. For example, according to FIG. 5-2, at sales location La, in a certain unit time slot U1, a sales robot set consisting of sales robots R1, R4, and R7 makes sales. In the unit time slot U2 that follows unit time slot U1, a sales robot set consisting of sales robots R2, R5, and R8 makes sales. In the unit time slot U3 that follows unit time slot U2, a sales robot set consisting of sales robots R3, R6, and R9 makes sales.

[0066] This is an example of operation schedule information showing the operation schedules of multiple sales robots R that patrol multiple sales locations.

[0067] The terminal control unit 101 may display the first product information screen D101 and the operation schedule screen D201 side by side on the display device 36. Alternatively, the terminal control unit 101 may be capable of switching between the first product information screen D101 and the operation schedule screen D201 in response to an operation by the customer 4.

[0068] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a product information display screen for same-day reservations. The product information display screen for same-day reservations is referred to as a second product information screen D102.

[0069] The second product information screen D102 includes a field F101a, a field F102, and a field F103.

[0070] A list of product types that can be requested is displayed in field F101a. For product types whose stock quantity falls below a predetermined number (10 in one example), information on the number of products of that type in stock is added to the list displayed in field F101a. The number in stock is the number of products loaded on sales robot R.

[0071] 6, customer 4 can see that the number of items in stock for item ITM3 is 8, the number of items in stock for item ITM6 is 3, and the number of items in stock for item ITM9 is 5. In this way, by displaying the number of items in stock for items with low stock, customer 4 can decide whether or not to purchase them.

[0072] The robot control unit 103 may calculate the expected sales quantity of each type of product for each sales location. If the inventory quantity of a type of product is lower than the expected sales quantity, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the operation schedule 111 so that that type of product can be replenished. When the product is replenished, the terminal control unit 101 updates the inventory quantity displayed in field F101a.

[0073] The terminal control unit 101 may display the stock quantity for all types of products that can be requested.

[0074] The terminal control unit 101 displays the operation schedule screen D201 in the case of same-day reservations as in the case of advance reservations.

[0075] The terminal control unit 101 can display a display screen that prompts the user to select a sales location.

[0076] 7A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen that prompts the user to select a sales location. The display screen shown in this figure is referred to as a first location selection screen D301.

[0077] The first location selection screen D301 includes fields F301 to F303.

[0078] A map on which one or more frames each indicating the range of a sales location group are superimposed is displayed in field F301. In addition to the frames indicating the range of the sales location group, objects indicating the location of each sales location are superimposed on this map.

[0079] In the example shown in Figure 7-1, customer 4 can know the locations of sales locations La to Lf. Customer 4 can also know that there are sales location group LG1 consisting of sales locations La, Lb, and Lc, sales location group LG2 consisting of sales locations Lc, Ld, and Le, sales location group LG3 consisting of sales locations Lc, Le, and Lf, and sales location group LG4 consisting of sales locations Lb, Lc, and Lf.

[0080] An input box is displayed in field F302 in which a sales location group can be selected. The customer 4 can select a desired sales location group from the multiple sales location groups displayed in field F301.

[0081] In this way, in the example shown in Fig. 7-1, the customer 4 can select a sales location by sales location group. Note that, according to the example shown in Fig. 7-1, the first location selection screen D301 is in a state where an input has been made to select the sales location group LG1 consisting of sales locations La, Lb, and Lc.

[0082] The first location selection screen D301 may be configured to be able to accept input for selecting a sales location group by a touch operation on field F301 or the like. The terminal control unit 101 may continuously switch the center of the map displayed in field F301 by a finger drag operation on field F301. The terminal control unit 101 may continuously zoom in and out of the map displayed in field F301 in response to a pinch-out or pinch-in operation on field F301 with two fingers. Instead of an input box, field F302 may be provided with a display area that displays information about the selected sales location group when a sales location group is selected by a touch operation on field F301 or the like.

[0083] An approval button is displayed in field F303. When the customer 4 touches the approval button with one or more sales location groups selected, information indicating the selected sales location groups is sent to the terminal control unit 101. When the terminal control unit 101 displays the first product information screen D101 or the second product information screen D102, the terminal control unit 101 displays a list of sales locations included in the selected sales location group in field F103.

[0084] The first location selection screen D301 may be configured to allow the selection of two or more sales location groups, as in the first location selection screen (referred to as first location selection screen D301a) shown in FIG. 7-2. According to the example shown in FIG. 7-2, the first location selection screen D301a includes a field F302a instead of field F302. Field F302a displays three input boxes in which the customer 4 can input a sales location group selection. In other words, the customer 4 can select up to three desired sales location groups. Field F302a may also be provided with a display area that displays information indicating one or more sales location groups selected when one or more sales location groups are selected by, for example, a touch operation on field F301.

[0085] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that prompts input of a product request, etc. in the case of advance reservations. The screen that prompts input of a product request, etc. in the case of advance reservations is referred to as a first request input screen D401.

[0086] The first request input screen D401 includes fields F401 to F405.

[0087] Similar to field F101, field F401 displays a list of pairs of requestable product types and sales robots R that sell those types of products, as an example of a list of requestable product types. However, unlike field F101, field F401 is configured to allow the customer 4 to input product requests by, for example, touch operation.

[0088] In the field F402, a list of sets of the sales robot R is displayed, similar to the field F102.

[0089] Similar to field F103, field F403 displays a list of available sales locations. However, unlike field F103, field F403 is configured to allow the customer 4 to input a sales location request by, for example, touch operation. Furthermore, field F403 is configured to allow the customer 4 to input a priority order among the requested sales locations.

[0090] 8, the list in the field F403 has a column labeled "Preference." The customer 4 can input a number indicating the priority in this column.

[0091] A list of time slots available for requests is displayed in field F404. Customer 4 can input a request for a time slot for receiving the product from the list of time slots displayed in field F404. Furthermore, field F403 is configured to allow input of a priority order for the requested time slots.

[0092] In the example shown in FIG. 8, customer 4 can see that multiple time slots in 40-minute increments are available for request within the range of 9:00 to 17:00. Customer 4 can input the priority of the time slots he or she requests. The list of time slots displayed in field F404 includes a column labeled "Desired." Customer 4 can input a number indicating the priority in this column.

[0093] A selection completion button is displayed in field F405. When the customer 4 touches the selection completion button after completing input in fields F401, F403, and F404, information indicating the type of requested product, information indicating the requested sales location, information indicating the requested time period, and the like are transmitted as input information from the information terminal device 3 to the terminal control unit 101.

[0094] Hereinafter, the type of product will be simply abbreviated as "product." Information indicating the type of requested product will be referred to as a "product request." Information indicating the requested sales location will be referred to as a "sales location request." Information indicating the requested time period will be referred to as a "time period request."

[0095] Note that it is not necessary to input either or both of the sales location request and the time period request. If a sales location request is not input, the terminal control unit 101 may consider all sales locations displayed in field F403 to have been requested. If a time period request is not input, the terminal control unit 101 may consider all time periods displayed in field F404 to have been requested.

[0096] Furthermore, the priority does not necessarily have to be input. If the priority is not input, the terminal control unit 101 will assume that the request has been made with a predetermined numerical priority.

[0097] In the following description, the priority will be explained assuming that "1" is the highest priority and that the larger the number, the lower the priority.

[0098] FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of input to the first request input screen D401.

[0099] The requested product is highlighted in field F401, with the product and sales robot R paired together. The highlighting can be done in a highlighted manner, blinking, or the like. However, the highlighting is not limited to these. In the example shown in FIG. 9-1, the requested product and the sales robot R that sells the product are highlighted with dot hatching. Specifically, products ITM1, ITM2, ITM4, ITM5, ITM7, and ITM8 are highlighted as requested products.

[0100] Furthermore, sales location La is requested as the sales location with priority "1." Furthermore, the time slot from 9:00 to 9:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "1," and the time slot from 10:00 to 10:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "2."

[0101] When the terminal control unit 101 acquires the input information entered via the first request input screen D401, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule based on the input information so that the customer 4 can receive all the requested products in two or less consecutive unit time slots.

[0102] When a request for a sales location is input in addition to a request for a product, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that also satisfies the request for the sales location. In other words, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that allows the customer 4 to receive the product at one of the one or more requested sales locations.

[0103] When a time period request is input in addition to a product request, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that also satisfies the time period request. In other words, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that allows the customer 4 to receive the product during one or more requested time periods.

[0104] It should be noted that there may be cases where the schedule adjustment unit 102 is unable to fulfill all of the requests of the customer 4. In such cases, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that fulfills some of the requests of the customer 4, based on the priority order input by the customer 4.

[0105] When the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule, the terminal control unit 101 outputs information indicating the generated customer schedule. That is, the terminal control unit 101 displays a screen indicating the generated customer schedule. The screen indicating the customer schedule is referred to as a customer schedule screen D501.

[0106] FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 9A.

[0107] The customer schedule screen D501 includes fields F501 to F505.

[0108] A message indicating whether or not a customer schedule that satisfies all of the customer 4's requests has been generated is displayed in field F501.

[0109] In the example shown in Figure 9-2, a customer schedule has been generated that meets all of the requests of customer 4. Therefore, in field F501, a message "A combination that meets your needs has been displayed" is displayed as a message indicating that a customer schedule that meets all of the requests of customer 4 has been generated.

[0110] The generated customer schedule is displayed in fields F502 and F503. Specifically, the pickup location is displayed in field F502, and the pickup schedule is displayed in field F503.

[0111] At one sales location, multiple sales robots R belonging to the same sales robot set make sales in parallel. Therefore, in the pick-up schedule, a time period for picking up each product is set that has a shorter span than the unit time period.

[0112] In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the customer schedule screen D501 displays the sales location La as the pick-up location.

[0113] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 9-2, a pick-up schedule is generated in which the operation schedule 111 is set so that at sales location La, sales robots R1, R4, and R7 make sales in the unit time period from 9:00 to 9:40, and sales robots R2, R5, and R8 make sales in the unit time period from 10:00 to 10:40. Field F503 displays the receiving schedule, which indicates that product ITM1 is received from sales robot R1 between 9:25 and 9:30, product ITM4 is received from sales robot R4 between 9:30 and 9:35, product ITM7 is received from sales robot R7 between 9:35 and 9:40, product ITM2 is received from sales robot R2 between 10:00 and 10:05, product ITM5 is received from sales robot R5 between 10:05 and 10:10, and product ITM8 is received from sales robot R8 between 10:10 and 10:15.

[0114] Field F504 displays the location of the sales robot R that sells the requested product at the receiving location.

[0115] In the example shown in FIG. 9-2, sales robots R1, R2, R4, R5, R7, and R8 are sales robots R that sell the requested product. Therefore, field F504 displays the locations of sales robots R1, R2, R4, R5, R7, and R8 at sales location La. Note that field F504 may display the locations of all sales robots R that sell the requested product, not just the sales robots R that sell the requested product.

[0116] An Approve button is displayed in field F505. When customer 4 touches the Approve button with the customer schedule displayed in fields F502 and F503, the schedule adjustment unit 102 stores the customer schedule in the memory unit 104 as the customer schedule 114, and the customer schedule is considered to have been decided. Then, the terminal control unit 101 displays a screen (described below) indicating that the reservation has been confirmed.

[0117] A reselect button is displayed in field F506. When customer 4 touches the reselect button while the customer schedule is displayed in fields F502 and F503, the terminal control unit 101 ends the display of the customer schedule screen D501 and displays another screen, for example, the request input screen D401. In other words, the reselect button is a button that allows customer 4 to redo the input of the request.

[0118] 10-1 is a diagram showing another example of input to the first request input screen D401. In the example shown in this figure, products ITM1, ITM2, ITM4, ITM5, ITM7, and ITM9 are requested. Furthermore, sales location La is requested as the sales location with priority "1." Furthermore, the time slot from 9:00 to 9:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "1," and the time slot from 10:00 to 10:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "2."

[0119] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 10A.

[0120] As described above, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule based on the input information so that the customer 4 can receive all of the requested products within two or fewer consecutive unit time slots. If it is not possible to fulfill all of the requested items, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that fulfills some of the high-priority items of the customer 4's requests based on the priorities entered by the customer 4.

[0121] In the example shown in FIG. 10-2, a customer schedule that meets all of the requests of customer 4 cannot be generated, and the message "This is not a combination that meets your needs" is displayed in field F501.

[0122] Fields F502 and F503 display a customer schedule in which some of the requested items are met but some of the other requested items are not. Specifically, field F502 displays sales location La as the pickup location. Field F503 displays a pickup schedule in which product ITM1 is picked up from sales robot R1 between 9:25 and 9:30, product ITM4 is picked up from sales robot R4 between 9:30 and 9:35, product ITM7 is picked up from sales robot R7 between 9:35 and 9:40, product ITM2 is picked up from sales robot R2 between 10:00 and 10:05, product ITM5 is picked up from sales robot R5 between 10:05 and 10:10, and product ITM9 is picked up from sales robot R9 between 11:00 and 11:05. In this receiving schedule, the time slot from 11:00 to 11:05, during which the sixth item ITM9 is received, does not satisfy the time slot request.

[0123] If a customer schedule that satisfies all of the requested items cannot be generated, a message indicating the unsatisfied requested items is additionally displayed in field F501. In this case, the sixth displayed time slot in the receiving schedule displayed in field F503 does not satisfy the request, so the message "Time slot number 6 is a different time slot" is displayed in field F501.

[0124] The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule so that the total time required to purchase products is as short as possible. The total time required to purchase products is referred to as the total purchase time.

[0125] As described above, the schedule adjustment unit 102 can adjust the operation schedule 111. An example of adjusting the operation schedule 111 and an example of displaying a customer schedule according to the adjusted operation schedule 111 will be described.

[0126] Fig. 11-1 is a diagram showing an example of the operation schedule 111. This operation schedule 111 is referred to as operation schedule #1. The operation schedule #1 is the same as the operation schedule shown on the operation schedule screen D201 shown in Fig. 5-2.

[0127] According to operation schedule #1, multiple sales robots R belonging to the same sales robot set depart from a sales location at the same time and arrive at the next sales location at the same time.

[0128] Consider the case where a request to purchase items ITM1, ITM2, ITM4, ITM5, ITM7, and ITM8 at sales location La is input, as shown in the input example in Figure 9-1. In such a case, if we attempt to minimize the total purchase time according to operation schedule #1, a customer schedule is generated so that the purchase occurs during a period spanning both the unit time slot during which the sales robot set including sales robots R1, R4, and R7 makes sales at sales location La and the unit time slot during which the sales robot set including sales robots R2, R5, and R7 makes sales at sales location La (i.e., the period of part P1 shown in Figure 11-1). The period of part P1 includes a relatively long period during which none of the sales robots R are at sales location La. During that period, customer 4 is unable to receive any of the requested items. Therefore, the total purchase time T1 is relatively long.

[0129] For example, based on the input example in FIG. 9-1 and operation schedule #1, the customer schedule shown in FIG. 9-2 can be generated. According to the customer schedule shown in FIG. 9-2, the total purchasing time is 50 minutes, from 9:25 to 10:15. According to this customer schedule, there is no sales robot R at sales location La from 9:40 to 10:00, and customer 4 is unable to receive any of the requested products. In other words, customer 4 will be waiting for 20 minutes of the total 50-minute purchasing time without being able to receive the products.

[0130] To shorten the time during which a customer is unable to receive any of the requested products, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the departure times of multiple sales robots R belonging to the same sales robot set, as shown in FIG. 11-2, by slightly differentiating the departure times. The operation schedule 111 shown in FIG. 11-2 is referred to as operation schedule #2. According to operation schedule #2, among sales robots R1, R4, and R7 belonging to one sales robot set, the order of departure times of sales robots R1, R4, and R7 is adjusted so that sales robots R1, R7, and R4 depart in that order. Among sales robots R2, R5, and R8 belonging to another sales robot set, the order of departure times of sales robots R2, R5, and R8 is adjusted so that sales robots R2, R8, and R5 depart in that order. Furthermore, among the sales robots R3, R6, and R9 belonging to another sales robot set, the order of departure times of the sales robots R3, R6, and R9 is adjusted so that the sales robots R3, R9, and R6 depart in this order.

[0131] For example, as in the input example of FIG. 9-1, when a request to purchase products ITM1, ITM2, ITM4, ITM5, ITM7, and ITM8 is input at sales location La, a customer schedule is generated in which customer 4 will receive the requested products during the period shown in part P2 of FIG. 11-2. Time T2 during the period shown in part P2 is the total purchase time. According to operation schedule #2, the period during which sales robot R is not present at sales location La is shorter than in operation schedule #1, and total purchase time T2 is shorter than total purchase time T1.

[0132] Furthermore, as shown in Part P4 of Fig. 11-3, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may advance the departure times of sales robots R2, R5, and R8 heading from sales location Lc to sales location La. This further shortens the time during which none of the requested products can be received, as shown in Part P3, and the total purchase time T3 is further shortened compared to the total purchase time T2 in the case of Schedule #2.

[0133] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen D501 that displays a customer schedule generated based on the input example shown in FIG. 9A and operation schedule #3.

[0134] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the customer schedule screen D501 displays a customer schedule in which all requested products can be picked up at the requested sales location La with priority "1".

[0135] At sales location La, a pickup schedule is displayed in which customer 4 receives product ITM1 from sales robot R1 from 9:35 to 9:40, product ITM7 from sales robot R7 from 9:40 to 9:45, product ITM4 from sales robot R4 from 9:45 to 9:50, product ITM2 from sales robot R2 from 9:50 to 9:55, product ITM8 from sales robot R8 from 9:55 to 10:00, and product ITM5 from sales robot R5 from 10:05 to 10:05. According to this customer schedule, the total purchase time is 30 minutes from 9:35 to 10:05, not including the time when customer 4 cannot pick up items.

[0136] As described above, when customer 4 touches the approval button on the customer schedule screen D501, the customer schedule displayed on the customer schedule screen D501 is stored in the memory unit 104 by the terminal control unit 101. At this time, the reservation by customer 4 is confirmed. When the reservation is confirmed, the terminal control unit 101 displays a reservation confirmation screen D601. Furthermore, when customer 4 arrives at the sales location to pick up the product, a pick-up waiting screen D701 is displayed.

[0137] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of the reservation confirmation screen D601.

[0138] The reservation confirmation screen D601 includes fields F601 and F602. The determined customer schedule is displayed in fields F601 and F602. Specifically, the pickup location is displayed in field F601, and the pickup schedule is displayed in field F602.

[0139] FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of the reception waiting screen D701.

[0140] The pickup waiting screen D701 includes fields F701 and F702. Similar to fields F601 and F602 of the reservation confirmation screen D601, fields F701 and F702 display the determined customer schedule. Specifically, field F701 displays the pickup location, and field F702 displays the pickup schedule. However, in the pickup schedule displayed in field F702, the type of product or time slot available for next pickup is highlighted so that customer 4 can visually check the type of product or time slot available for next pickup.

[0141] In the example shown in Figure 13-2, when customer 4 receives product ITM1, the information about product ITM7 is displayed with dot hatching to indicate that, according to the customer schedule, the next product to be received is product ITM7.

[0142] The method of displaying the next type of product or time slot available for pickup is not limited to this. The terminal control unit 101 may display the next type of product or time slot available for pickup by the customer 4 in a position other than the field F702.

[0143] The terminal control unit 101 may provide a field on the request input screen that allows the user to input the order of priority between a product request, a sales location request, and a time period request.

[0144] 14A is a diagram showing another example of the first request input screen D401. The first request input screen D401 shown in this figure will be referred to as a first request input screen D401a.

[0145] The first request input screen D401a differs from the first request input screen D401 shown in FIG. 8, etc., in that field F401 allows the input of the priority of the requested products, and field F406 has been added.

[0146] Field F406 is a field where the priority order between product requests, sales location requests, and time period requests can be entered. When the priority order is entered in field F406 and the selection completion button in field F405 is touched, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule such that requests with higher priority among product requests, sales location requests, and time period requests are met first.

[0147] The schedule adjustment unit 102 may generate a customer schedule with requests with a priority level of "1" as mandatory requests. Alternatively, if it is impossible to generate a customer schedule that satisfies requests with a priority level of "1", the schedule adjustment unit 102 may generate a customer schedule that does not satisfy some of the requests with a priority level of "1". As an example, it is assumed here that the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule with requests with a priority level of "1" as mandatory requests.

[0148] In the example shown in Figure 14-1, items ITM1, ITM2, ITM3, and ITM5 have been requested. For example, according to schedule #1 shown in Figure 11-1, if customer 4 were to receive all of these requested items, he or she would be forced to receive the items over three unit time periods.

[0149] FIG. 14-2 is a diagram showing multiple patterns in which products ITM1, ITM2, ITM3, and ITM5 can be received.

[0150] According to pattern #1, customer 4 can receive product ITM1 from sales robot R1 of a sales robot set including sales robots R1, R4, and R7 during a certain unit time period at sales location La. In the next unit time period, customer 4 can receive products ITM2 and ITM5 from sales robots R2 and R5 of a sales robot set including sales robots R2, R5, and R8. In the next unit time period, customer 4 can receive product ITM3 from sales robot R3 of a sales robot set including sales robots R3, R6, and R9.

[0151] According to pattern #2, customer 4 can receive product ITM3 from sales robot R3 of a sales robot set including sales robots R3, R6, and R9 at sales location Lb during a certain unit time period. In the next unit time period, customer 4 can receive product ITM1 from sales robot R1 of a sales robot set including sales robots R1, R4, and R7. In the next unit time period, customer 4 can receive products ITM2 and ITM5 from sales robots R2 and R5 of a sales robot set including sales robots R2, R5, and R8.

[0152] According to pattern #3, customer 4 can receive products ITM2 and ITM5 from sales robots R2 and R5 of a sales robot set including sales robots R2, R5, and R8 at sales location Lc during a certain unit time period. In the next unit time period, customer 4 can receive product ITM3 from sales robot R3 of a sales robot set including sales robots R3, R6, and R9. In the next unit time period, customer 4 can receive product ITM1 from sales robot R1 of a sales robot set including sales robots R1, R4, and R7.

[0153] FIG. 15-1 is a diagram showing an example in which further information has been input to the first request input screen D401a shown in FIG. 14-1. According to the input example shown in this figure, sales location La has been requested as the sales location with priority "1." Furthermore, the time slot from 9:00 to 9:40 has been requested as the time slot with priority "1," and the time slot from 10:00 to 10:40 has been requested as the time slot with priority "2." Furthermore, the priority of the sales location request is set to "1," the priority of the time slot request is set to "2," and the priority of the product request is set to "3."

[0154] FIG. 15-2 is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 15-1.

[0155] The schedule adjustment unit 102 recognizes the request for the sales location as a request that must be fulfilled, and recognizes the request for the time period and the request for the product as requests that should be prioritized in that order. According to the customer schedule generated based on these recognitions, customer 4 cannot receive product ITM3. Therefore, the message "There is no combination that matches your request" and the message "Product ITM3 (Sales Robot R3) cannot be purchased" are displayed in field F501.

[0156] FIG. 16-1 is a diagram showing another example in which further information has been entered into the first request input screen D401a shown in FIG. 14-1. According to the input example shown in this figure, sales location La is requested as the sales location with priority "1." Furthermore, the time slot from 9:00 to 9:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "1," and the time slot from 10:00 to 10:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "2." Furthermore, the priority of the product request is set to "1," the priority of the time slot request is set to "2," and the priority of the sales location request is set to "3."

[0157] FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 16A.

[0158] The schedule adjustment unit 102 recognizes the product request as a request that must be delivered. More precisely, the schedule adjustment unit 102 recognizes that the receipt of the requested product type with a priority of "1" among the requested products must be delivered. The schedule adjustment unit 102 also recognizes the time period request and the sales location request as requests that should be prioritized in that order. According to the customer schedule generated based on these recognitions, customer 4 cannot receive product ITM1. Therefore, field F501 displays "There is no combination that matches your request" and "Product ITM1 (Sales Robot R1) cannot be purchased."

[0159] In addition to multiple sales robot sets, multiple sales robot groups may be set up, each with its own individual travel route.

[0160] Fig. 17-1 is a diagram showing an example of a first product information screen D101 when multiple sales robot groups are set. Fig. 17-2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation schedule screen D201 when multiple sales robot groups are set.

[0161] 17-1 and 17-2, a sales robot group to which a plurality of sales robots RA belong, a sales robot group to which a plurality of sales robots RB belong, and a sales robot group to which a plurality of sales robots RC belong are set. The sales robot group to which a plurality of sales robots RA belong includes a plurality of sales robot sets, the sales robot group to which a plurality of sales robots RB belong includes another plurality of sales robot sets, and the sales robot group to which a plurality of sales robots RC belong includes yet another plurality of sales robot sets.

[0162] According to the example shown in FIG. 17-2, multiple sales robot sets included in a sales robot group to which multiple sales robots RA belong patrol sales locations La, Lb, and Lc. Multiple sales robot sets included in a sales robot group to which multiple sales robots RB belong patrol sales locations La and Lb. Multiple sales robot sets included in a sales robot group to which multiple sales robots RC belong patrol sales location Lc.

[0163] The number of traveling sales robot groups and the traveling route of each sales robot group may be changed depending on the day, for example, depending on the day of the week.

[0164] FIG. 17-3 shows an example of information entered into the first request input screen D401a in accordance with the display examples shown in FIGS. 17-1 and 17-2. In the example shown in this figure, product ITM1 sold by sales robot RA1, product ITM2 sold by sales robot RA2, product ITM4 sold by sales robot RA4, product ITM11 sold by sales robot RB1, product ITM12 sold by sales robot RB2, and product ITM13 sold by sales robot RB3 are requested. No priority is requested between the products. Furthermore, sales location La is requested as the sales location with priority "1." Furthermore, the time slot from 9:00 to 9:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "1," and the time slot from 10:00 to 10:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "2." In addition, the priority of the request for the sales location is set to "1," the priority of the request for the time period is set to "2," and the priority of the request for the product is set to "3." The reason there are no requests for priority between products is that products are at the bottom of the product, sales location, and time period priorities, so if the priority between products were also requested, the message "there is no combination that matches your request" would appear, and there would be a high possibility that you would have to start over from the beginning.

[0165] Fig. 17-4 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen D501 displayed in response to the input example shown in Fig. 17-3. In the example shown in this figure, the customer schedule screen D501 displays a customer schedule in which all requested products can be picked up at the sales location La.

[0166] Specifically, field F502 displays the receiving location as sales location La. Field F503 displays a receiving schedule in which product ITM1 is received from sales robot RA1 between 9:25 and 9:30, product ITM4 is received from sales robot RA4 between 9:30 and 9:35, product ITM13 is received from sales robot RB3 between 9:35 and 9:40, product ITM2 is received from sales robot RA2 between 10:00 and 10:05, product ITM11 is received from sales robot RB1 between 10:05 and 10:10, and product ITM12 is received from sales robot RB2 between 10:10 and 10:15.

[0167] Even when multiple sales robot groups are set, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the operation schedule 111 to shorten the total purchase time. For example, according to the pick-up schedule displayed in FIG. 17-4, out of the total purchase time of 50 minutes from 9:25 to 10:15, customer 4 cannot pick up any of the requested products for 20 minutes from 9:40 to 10:00. The schedule adjustment unit 102 shortens the total purchase time by shortening the time during which customer 4 cannot pick up any of the requested products.

[0168] 18-1 is a diagram showing an example of adjusting the operation schedule 111. The operation schedule 111 shown in this figure is denoted as operation schedule #4. As in operation schedule #4, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the departure times of multiple sales robots R staying in each unit time period for each sales location so that they differ slightly from each other.

[0169] FIG. 18-2 shows an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3 and operation schedule #4. According to the pickup schedule displayed in field F503 in this figure, the time during which customer 4 cannot pick up the goods out of the total purchase time is reduced from 20 minutes to 15 minutes. As a result, the total purchase time is reduced from 50 minutes to 45 minutes.

[0170] 19-1 is a diagram showing another example of adjustment of the operation schedule 111. The operation schedule 111 shown in this figure is denoted as operation schedule #5. According to operation schedule #5, the departure times of sales robots RB1 and RB2 at sales location Lb are slightly earlier than in operation schedule #4 (see part P5), and as a result, the arrival times of sales robots RB1 and RB2 at sales location La are slightly earlier (see part P6).

[0171] FIG. 19-2 is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3 and operation schedule #5. According to the pickup schedule displayed in field F503 in this figure, the time during which customer 4 cannot pick up the goods out of the total purchase time is reduced from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. As a result, the total purchase time is reduced from 50 minutes to 40 minutes.

[0172] 20-1 is a diagram showing yet another example of adjustment of the operation schedule 111. The operation schedule 111 shown in this figure is denoted as operation schedule #6. As in operation schedule #6, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may make adjustments to change the departure and arrival times of each sales robot R at all sales locations.

[0173] FIG. 20-2 is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 17-3 and operation schedule #6. According to the pickup schedule displayed in field F503 in this figure, the time during which customer 4 cannot pick up the item out of the total purchase time is reduced to 0 minutes. This reduces the total purchase time from 50 minutes to 30 minutes.

[0174] FIG. 21-1 is a diagram showing another example of input of information into the first request input screen D401a in accordance with the display examples shown in FIGS. 17-1 and 17-2. In the example shown in this figure, product ITM2 sold by sales robot RA2, product ITM3 sold by sales robot RA3, product ITM6 sold by sales robot RA6, product ITM11 sold by sales robot RB1, product ITM12 sold by sales robot RB2, and product ITM13 sold by sales robot RB3 are requested. Furthermore, sales location La is requested as the sales location with priority "1." Furthermore, the time slot from 9:00 to 9:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "1," and the time slot from 10:00 to 10:40 is requested as the time slot with priority "2." Furthermore, the priority of the sales location request is set to "1," the priority of the time slot request is set to "1," and the priority of the product request is set to "2."

[0175] In this way, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may change the travel route of each sales robot R in order to satisfy the request with the priority "1".

[0176] Fig. 21-2 is a diagram showing an example of adjustment of the operation schedule 111 in accordance with the input example shown in Fig. 21-1. The operation schedule 111 shown in this figure is referred to as operation schedule #7. From operation schedule #7, it can be seen that the patrol routes of each sales robot R have been changed based on the operation schedule 111 displayed on the operation schedule screen D201 of Fig. 17-2.

[0177] FIG. 21-3 is a diagram showing an example of the customer schedule screen D501 displayed in accordance with the input example shown in FIG. 21-1 and operation schedule #7. According to the pickup schedule displayed in field F503 in this figure, the time during which customer 4 cannot pick up the item out of the total purchase time is reduced to 0 minutes. This reduces the total purchase time from 50 minutes to 30 minutes.

[0178] 22A is a diagram showing an example of a request input screen displayed in the case of same-day reservations. The request input screen displayed in the case of same-day reservations is referred to as a second request input screen D402.

[0179] The second request input screen D402 displays a field F407 in addition to fields F401 to F406. A pickup time zone request button is displayed in field F407. When the customer 4 touches the pickup time zone request button, the terminal control unit 101 displays a display screen on which conditions related to the time for receiving the product can be input. The display screen on which conditions related to the time for receiving the product can be input is referred to as a third request input screen D403.

[0180] FIG. 22B is a diagram showing an example of the third request input screen D403.

[0181] The third request input screen D403 includes fields F411 to F415.

[0182] In the field F412, the product requested for same-day reservation purchase and the sales robot R selling the product are displayed.

[0183] If customer 4, who has already made a reservation in advance, is trying to make an additional purchase by reserving for the day, the customer schedule determined by the reservation in advance is displayed in fields F411 and F414. Specifically, the pickup location is displayed in field F411, and the pickup schedule is displayed in field F414. If customer 4, who is trying to make a reservation for the day, has not made a reservation in advance, the customer schedule is not displayed in fields F411 and F414.

[0184] In the field F413, an input box is displayed in which the conditions for receiving the product can be input.

[0185] An "Input" button is displayed in field F415. When the customer 4 inputs the conditions via field F413 and then touches the "Input" button, information indicating the input conditions is transmitted to the terminal control unit 101.

[0186] In the example shown in Fig. 22-1, product ITM1 has been requested by customer 4. Then, by touching the "request pickup time slot," the third request input screen D403 shown in Fig. 22-2 is displayed. In this example of the third request input screen D403, field F111 indicates that the pickup location is sales location La, and field F412 indicates that the product requested for same-day pre-order purchase is product ITM1, sold by sales robot RA1. Field F414 displays the pickup schedule already determined by advance reservation, which states that product ITM2 will be received from sales robot RA2 between 9:50 and 9:55, product ITM13 will be received from sales robot RB3 between 9:55 and 10:00, product ITM3 will be received from sales robot RA3 between 10:00 and 10:05, product ITM12 will be received from sales robot RB2 between 10:05 and 10:10, product ITM6 will be received from sales robot RA6 between 10:10 and 10:15, and product ITM11 will be received from sales robot RB1 between 10:15 and 10:20.

[0187] The schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the operation schedule 111 even in the case of same-day reservations.

[0188] The schedule adjustment unit 102 may break up the sales robot set and change the patrol route for each sales robot R, as shown in part P7 of FIG. 22-3, for example. The adjusted operation schedule 111 shown in FIG. 22-3 is denoted as operation schedule #8. According to operation schedule #8, sales robot RA3, which forms a sales robot set together with sales robot RA6, separates from sales robot RA6 and arrives at sales location La on its own (see part P7). As a result, robot RA1 can arrive at sales location La immediately after robot RA3.

[0189] 22-4 is a diagram showing an example of a customer schedule screen D501 that shows a customer schedule generated based on operation schedule #8 in the case of same-day reservations. As shown in this figure, field F503 displays a pickup schedule for picking up product ITM1 from sales robot RA1 at sales location La between 10:20 and 10:25.

[0190] The first location selection screen D301 shown in Fig. 7-1 and the first location selection screen D301a shown in Fig. 7-2 are configured to enable selection of requestable sales locations displayed in field F103 of the first request input screens D401, D401a, and second request input screen D402, etc., in units of sales location groups. The terminal control unit 101 is configured to enable the customer 4 to select requestable sales locations in various ways in addition to the above-described methods.

[0191] Furthermore, when a large number of customers 4 make same-day reservations for an item currently on sale at a certain sales location, the schedule adjustment unit 102 can adjust the departure time to be later in order to increase sales at that sales location of the sales robot R. The operation of adjusting the departure time in accordance with the number of customers 4 who make reservations for that day will be described later.

[0192] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a location selection screen for allowing a user to select a sales location from which a request can be made in various ways. The location selection screen shown in this diagram is referred to as a second location selection screen D302.

[0193] The second location selection screen D302 includes fields F311 to F314 in which a region can be specified.

[0194] Field F311 is provided with an input button that allows the customer 4 to input an instruction as to whether or not to display a map of the vicinity of the location of the customer 4. When the customer 4 touches the input button, location information acquired from the location sensor 34 provided in the information terminal device 3 is transmitted to the terminal control unit 101. Upon acquiring the location information, the terminal control unit 101 displays a first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) in which an image of a map of the vicinity of the location indicated by the location information is displayed in field F301.

[0195] Field F312 is provided with various input boxes in which the customer 4 can input various address information. Specifically, field F312 is provided with an input box in which a postal code can be input, an input box in which an address can be input, an input box in which a landmark such as a station or a temple can be input, an input box in which a distance can be input, and an input completion button.

[0196] When the customer 4 inputs the postal code and distance and touches the input completion button, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) on which a map of the area indicated by the specified postal code is displayed in field F301. The terminal control unit 101 displays in field F301 a map at a scale that includes a circular portion of the area indicated by the specified postal code, with the radius of which is the specified distance.

[0197] Furthermore, when the customer 4 inputs the address and distance and touches the input completion button, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) on which a map of the area near the specified address is displayed in field F301. The terminal control unit 101 displays the map in field F301 at a scale that includes a circular area centered on the specified address and having a radius equal to the specified distance.

[0198] Furthermore, when the customer 4 inputs the landmark and distance and touches the input completion button, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) on which a map of the area near the specified landmark is displayed in field F301. The terminal control unit 101 displays the map in field F301 at a scale that includes a circular area centered on the specified landmark and with a radius equal to the specified distance.

[0199] Field F313 is provided with various buttons that allow input to select a registered map. When the customer 4 inputs to select a registered map, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) with an image of the selected map displayed in field F301.

[0200] In the example shown in Figure 23, two maps have been registered. Customer 4 can select one of the two maps by touching the button labeled "Register 1" and then the button labeled "Yes." Customer 4 can select the other of the two maps by touching the button labeled "Register 2" and then the button labeled "Yes."

[0201] Field F314 is provided with two input boxes in which customer 4 can input desired locations. When traveling between two locations, customer 4 inputs information about the departure location in one of the two input boxes and information about the arrival location in the other of the two input boxes. When customer 4 inputs information about the two locations and touches a button labeled "Yes" in field F314, the terminal control unit 101 displays an alternative location selection screen that displays a map of the area including the two locations.

[0202] 24 is a diagram showing an example of a location selection screen displayed in response to an input specifying two locations. Such a location selection screen displayed in response to an input specifying two locations is referred to as a third location selection screen D303.

[0203] The third location selection screen D303 includes fields F321 to F325.

[0204] A map including the two specified locations is displayed in the field F321. Objects representing the locations of the sales locations are superimposed on the map.

[0205] The terminal control unit 101 also calculates a route from a point designated as the departure point to a point designated as the arrival point. The terminal control unit 101 then displays a map in field F321 with an object representing the calculated route superimposed thereon. This route is referred to as an input route. Similar to field F301, field F321 may be configured to allow the center portion to be switched in response to a drag operation with a finger, the map to be enlarged or reduced in response to a pinch-out or pinch-in operation with two fingers, and the selection of a sales location by a touch operation.

[0206] The selected sales location is displayed in field F322.

[0207] The terminal control unit 101 may regard all the places of sale adjacent to the input route as selected places of sale and automatically display them in the field F321.

[0208] In the example shown in Figure 24, an object PD indicating the designated departure point and an object PA indicating the destination are displayed on the map. The route from the departure point to the destination is displayed in bold as the input route. Sales locations La and Lc are adjacent to the input route. Therefore, the terminal control unit 101 regards sales locations La and Lc as already selected and displays them in field F322. Because sales locations La and Lc that the customer 4 can stop at while traveling along the input route are automatically selected, the operational burden on the customer 4 is reduced.

[0209] The terminal control unit 101 may display in the field F322, as having already been selected, a sales location whose distance to the input route is within a predetermined threshold value. The terminal control unit 101 may not automatically select a sales location according to the input route.

[0210] An approval button is displayed in field F323. When the customer 4 touches the approval button after selecting one or more sales locations, information about the selected sales locations is sent to the terminal control unit 101. When displaying the first product information screens D101 and D102, the terminal control unit 101 displays a list of the selected sales locations in field F103.

[0211] Field F324 displays an input box in which the sales location can be entered. Field F325 displays an Add button. When the customer 4 enters a sales location in field F324 and touches the Add button, the terminal control unit 101 adds the sales location entered in field F324 to the sales locations that have already been selected. Specifically, the terminal control unit 101 adds the display of the sales location entered in field F324 to field F322. If the sales location that the customer 4 wants to set matches the sales location displayed in field F322, the customer presses the Approve button in field F325 to confirm.

[0212] When customer 4 arrives at the sales location, a notification that customer 4 has arrived at the sales location is sent from the information terminal device 3 to the terminal control unit 101. In one example, the notification that customer 4 has arrived at the sales location is sent to the terminal control unit 101 in response to an operation of the information terminal device 3 by customer 4. More specifically, the terminal control unit 101 displays a screen prompting confirmation that customer 4 has arrived at the sales location. The screen prompting confirmation that customer 4 has arrived at the sales location is referred to as an arrival confirmation screen.

[0213] The terminal control unit 101 displays different content on the arrival confirmation screen for advance reservations and same-day reservations. The arrival confirmation screen displayed for advance reservations is referred to as a first arrival confirmation screen D801. The arrival confirmation screen displayed for same-day reservations is referred to as a second arrival confirmation screen D802.

[0214] 25A is a diagram showing an example of the first arrival confirmation screen D801. The first arrival confirmation screen D801 includes a field F801 and a field F802.

[0215] The first pickup location and the scheduled start time of pickup are displayed in field F802 based on the customer schedule. In the example shown in FIG. 25-1, field F802 shows that the pickup location is sales location La and the scheduled start time of pickup is 9:25.

[0216] Field F801 displays an input button that allows customer 4 to input that he or she has arrived at the sales location. When customer 4 touches the input button, a notification that customer 4 has arrived at the sales location, more specifically, the sales location displayed as the pickup location in field F802, is sent from information terminal device 3 to terminal control unit 101.

[0217] 25B is a diagram showing an example of the second arrival confirmation screen D802. The second arrival confirmation screen D802 includes a field F801 and a field F802a.

[0218] In the field F801, an input button is displayed that allows the customer 4 to input that he or she has arrived at the sales location.

[0219] The field F802a includes a field F803. The field F803 displays an input box in which the sales location where the customer 4 arrived can be input.

[0220] When customer 4 touches the input button displayed in field F801 after inputting the sales location in the input box displayed in field F803, a notification that customer 4 has arrived at the sales location is sent from the information terminal device 3 to the terminal control unit 101.

[0221] The trigger for the terminal control unit 101 to display the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the second arrival confirmation screen D802 is not limited to a specific event. For example, the terminal control unit 101 may display the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the second arrival confirmation screen D802 in response to the customer 4 performing a predetermined operation on the information terminal device 3, such as an operation to instruct the display of the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the second arrival confirmation screen D802.

[0222] In addition, a notification that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location may be sent to the terminal control unit 101 without requiring any operation by the customer 4 .

[0223] In one example, the information terminal device 3 may autonomously transmit a notification based on short-range wireless communication between the sales robot R and the information terminal device 3. For short-range wireless communication, a standard that allows communication over a distance of several meters, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ZigBee (registered trademark), is adopted. Each sales robot R transmits a specific signal conforming to these standards at least while parked at the sales location R. When the information terminal device 3 receives the specific signal, the information terminal device 3 autonomously transmits a notification to the terminal control unit 101 that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location where the sales robot R that transmitted the signal is parked.

[0224] In another example, the information terminal device 3 may autonomously transmit a notification based on location information detected by the location sensor 34. Specifically, the information terminal device 3 determines whether the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location based on the location information detected by the location sensor 34 and pre-stored location information of the sales location. When the information terminal device 3 determines that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location, it autonomously transmits a notification to the terminal control unit 101 that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location.

[0225] When the information processing terminal 3 autonomously transmits a notification that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location, the display of the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the second arrival confirmation screen D802 may be omitted.

[0226] In the case of advance reservation, when the terminal control unit 101 receives a notification that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location, the terminal control unit 101 displays a receipt waiting screen D701 (see FIG. 13B).

[0227] In the case of same-day reservations, when the terminal control unit 101 receives notification that the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location, the terminal control unit 101 displays the second product information screen D102 (see FIG. 6) and the operation schedule screen D201 (see FIG. 5-2). Thereafter, the terminal control unit 101 displays the second request input screen D402 (see FIG. 22-1) to prompt the customer 4 to input a request.

[0228] (3) Operation of Server 1 (3-1) Operation of Obtaining Input Regarding Sales Locations in the Case of Advance Reservations In the case of advance reservations, the terminal control unit 101 narrows down the sales locations that can be requested based on the input information from the customer 4.

[0229] FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for narrowing down the sales locations that can be requested.

[0230] 26, the terminal control unit 101 first displays the second location selection screen D302 (see FIG. 23) (S101). The customer 4 can instruct the terminal control unit 101 on what kind of map to display by inputting information into fields F311 to F314 on the displayed second location selection screen D302.

[0231] First, the customer 4 determines whether or not to display a map of the area near the current location (S102). If the customer 4 determines to display a map of the area near the current location (S102: Yes), the customer 4 touches the input button displayed in field F311 of the second location selection screen D302. This instructs the terminal control unit 101 to display a map of the area near the current location.

[0232] When the input button displayed in field F311 of the second location selection screen D302 is touched, the terminal control unit 101 displays the map (S103). That is, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) with a map of the area near the customer's location displayed in field F301 (see FIGS. 7-1 and 7-2).

[0233] When the customer 4 selects a sales location group via the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) (S104), the operation of narrowing down the sales locations that can be requested is completed.

[0234] If the customer 4 does not want to display a map of the area near the current location (S102: No), the customer 4 determines whether to display a map of the area represented by the specified postal code (S105). The customer 4 can instruct the terminal control unit 101 to display a map of the area represented by the specified postal code by inputting the postal code in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302.

[0235] If the customer 4 does not want to display a map of the area represented by the specified postal code (S105: No), the customer 4 determines whether to display a map of the area near the specified address (S106). By inputting an address in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302, the customer 4 can instruct the terminal control unit 101 to display a map of the area represented by the specified address.

[0236] If the customer 4 does not want to display a map of the vicinity of the specified address (S106: No), the customer 4 determines whether to display a map of the vicinity of the specified landmark (S107). The customer 4 can instruct the terminal control unit 101 to display a map of the vicinity of the specified landmark by inputting information indicating the landmark in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302.

[0237] When the customer 4 wishes to display a map of the area represented by the specified postal code (S105: Yes), the customer 4 inputs the postal code in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302. Furthermore, the customer 4 inputs the distance in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302 (S108). Then, control transitions to S103, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the map. That is, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a), and displays in field F301 a map of the area represented by the specified postal code, the map being scaled according to the specified distance.

[0238] When the customer 4 selects a map of the area near the specified address (S106: Yes), the customer 4 inputs the address in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302. Furthermore, the customer 4 inputs the distance in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302 (S108). Then, control transitions to S103, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the map. That is, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a), and displays in field F301 a map of the area near the specified address, the map being scaled according to the specified distance.

[0239] When the customer 4 selects a map of the vicinity of the specified landmark (S107: Yes), the customer 4 inputs information indicating the landmark in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302. Furthermore, the customer 4 inputs a distance in field F312 of the second location selection screen D302 (S108). Then, control transitions to S103, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the map. That is, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a), and displays in field F301 a map of the vicinity of the specified landmark, at a scale corresponding to the specified distance.

[0240] If the customer 4 does not want to display a map of the vicinity of the designated landmark (S106: No), the customer 4 determines whether or not to display a registered map (S108).

[0241] When the customer 4 selects a registered map via field F313 on the second location selection screen D302 (S109: Yes), the control proceeds to S103, where the terminal control unit 101 displays the selected registered map. That is, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first location selection screen D301 (or D301a) and displays the selected registered map in field F301.

[0242] If the customer 4 does not want to display the registered map (S109: No), the customer 4 determines whether or not to display a map of the area near the desired route (S110).

[0243] If the map of the vicinity of the desired route is not displayed (S110: No), the operation of narrowing down the sales locations ends.

[0244] When the customer 4 wishes to display a map of the area near the desired route (S110: Yes), the customer 4 inputs information about two locations, i.e., a departure location and an arrival location, into field F314 of the second location selection screen D302 (S111). The terminal control unit 101 then displays the map (S112). In S112, the terminal control unit 101 displays the third location selection screen D303 (see FIG. 24). The terminal control unit 101 displays a map including the two specified locations in field F321 of the third location selection screen D303. The terminal control unit 101 also superimposes an image representing the route between the two specified locations on the map.

[0245] When the customer 4 selects a sales location via the third location selection screen D303 (S113), the operation of narrowing down the sales locations is completed.

[0246] (3-2) Operation for Determining Customer Schedule in Case of Advance Reservation When the terminal control unit 101 acquires an input for selecting a sales location by the operation shown in FIG. 26 or the like, it executes an operation for determining a customer schedule.

[0247] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation for determining a customer schedule in the case of advance reservations.

[0248] The terminal control unit 101 first displays the first product information screen D101 (see FIGS. 5A and 17A) (S201).

[0249] The terminal control unit 101 displays, in field F103 of the first product information screen D101, a list of sales locations narrowed down by the series of operations shown in Fig. 26 as a list of requestable sales locations. In addition, the terminal control unit 101 displays, in field F101 of the first product information screen D101, a list of products sold at the sales locations narrowed down by the series of operations shown in Fig. 26 as a list of requestable products.

[0250] The terminal control unit 101 displays the operation schedule screen D201 (see FIG. 5B and FIG. 17B) (S202).

[0251] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 displays the first request input screen D401 (or D401a) (see FIGS. 8, 14A, 17C, etc.) (S203).

[0252] The terminal control unit 101 displays, in field F403 of the first request input screen D401 (or D401a), a list of sales locations narrowed down by the series of operations shown in Fig. 26 as a list of sales locations from which requests can be made. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 displays, in field F401 of the first request input screen D401 (or D401a), a list of products sold at the sales locations narrowed down by the series of operations shown in Fig. 26 as a list of requestable products. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 displays, in field F404 of the first request input screen D401 (or D401a), a list of time periods during which products can be picked up at the sales locations narrowed down by the series of operations shown in Fig. 26 as a list of time periods from which requests can be made.

[0253] The order of S201 to S203 can be changed as appropriate in response to an operation by the customer 4. For example, even after displaying the first request input screen D401 (or D401a), the terminal control unit 101 can display the first product information screen D101 or the operation schedule screen D201 in response to an operation by the customer 4. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 can skip displaying the first product information screen D101 or the operation schedule screen D201 in response to an operation by the customer 4.

[0254] Customer 4 inputs various requests and priorities via the first request input screen D401 (or D401a). When the terminal control unit 101 acquires this input information entered via the first request input screen D401 (or D401a) (S204), the schedule adjustment unit 102 executes schedule adjustment (S205). In S205, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule and adjusts the operation schedule 111 based on the various requests and priorities acquired as input information. The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule based on the various requests and priorities acquired as input information so that customer 4 can receive the requested products at one sales location within two or fewer consecutive unit time slots.

[0255] After S205, the terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule screen D501 (see FIGS. 9B and 10B) (S206). The terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule generated by the schedule adjustment in the field F503.

[0256] S204 is an example of the first step.

[0257] When a request to purchase multiple types of products is input via field F401 of the first request input screen D401 or D401a displayed in S203, the server 1 acquires information indicating the requested multiple types of products as one piece of input information. The information indicating the requested multiple types of products is an example of first request information.

[0258] Furthermore, when a request for one or more sales locations is input via field F403 on the first request input screen D401 or D401a, the server 1 acquires information indicating the requested one or more sales locations as one piece of input information. The information indicating the requested one or more sales locations is an example of second request information.

[0259] Furthermore, when a request for one or more time periods is input via field F404 on the first request input screen D401 or D401a, the server 1 acquires information indicating the requested one or more time periods as one piece of input information. The information indicating the requested one or more time periods is an example of third request information.

[0260] Furthermore, when the priority order of the requested products is input via the field F401 of the first request input screen D401a, the server 1 acquires information indicating the priority order of the requested products as one piece of input information. The information indicating the priority order of the requested products is an example of first priority order information.

[0261] Furthermore, when the priority order of the one or more requested sales locations is input via field F403 on the first request input screen D401, D401a, the server 1 acquires information indicating the priority order of the one or more requested sales locations as one piece of input information. The information indicating the priority order of the one or more requested sales locations is an example of second priority order information.

[0262] Furthermore, when the priority order among the one or more requested time slots is input via field F404 on the first request input screen D401, D401a, the server 1 acquires information indicating the priority order among the one or more requested time slots as one piece of input information. The information indicating the priority order among the one or more requested time slots is an example of third priority order information.

[0263] Furthermore, when the priority order among the product request, the sales location request, and the time period request is input via the field F406 of the first request input screen D401a, the server 1 acquires information indicating the priority order among the sales location request and the time period request as one piece of input information. The information indicating the priority order among the sales location request and the time period request is an example of priority order information.

[0264] Furthermore, S205 and S206 are an example of a second step.

[0265] After S206, the customer 4 instructs whether to approve or reselect the customer schedule (S207). The customer 4 can input an instruction to approve the customer schedule by touching the approve button displayed in field F505 on the customer schedule screen D501 (see, for example, Figures 9-2 and 10-2). The customer 4 can also input an instruction to reselect the customer schedule by touching the reselect button displayed in field F506. The terminal control unit 101 determines whether to approve or reselect the customer schedule based on these instructions.

[0266] If an instruction to reselect the customer schedule is input (S207: Reselect), the control transitions to S203, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the first request input screen D401 (or D401a).

[0267] When an instruction to approve the customer schedule is input (S207: Approved), the schedule adjustment unit 102 stores the approved customer schedule in the storage unit 104 as the customer schedule 114. The terminal control unit 101 also displays a reservation confirmation screen D601 (see FIG. 13-1) (S208). Then, the operation of determining the customer schedule is completed.

[0268] (3-3) Operation for Determining a Customer Schedule in the Case of Same-Day Reservations FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for determining a customer schedule in the case of same-day reservations.

[0269] First, the terminal control unit 101 determines whether or not the customer 4 is present at the sales location (S301).

[0270] The terminal control unit 101 can learn that the customer 4 is at the sales location through a notification from the information terminal device 3. As described above, the notification is sent from the information terminal device 3 to the terminal control unit 101 by touching an input button displayed in field F801 on the first arrival confirmation screen D801 (see FIG. 25-1) or the second arrival confirmation screen D802 (see FIG. 25-2). Alternatively, the information terminal device 3 autonomously sends the notification to the terminal control unit 101. In S101, the terminal control unit 101 determines whether the customer 4 is at the sales location based on whether the notification has been received.

[0271] If the customer 4 is not present at the sales location (S301: No), the terminal control unit 101 executes the determination of S301 again.

[0272] If the customer 4 is present at the sales location (S301: Yes), the terminal control unit 101 displays the second product information screen D102 (see FIGS. 5-2 and 17-2) (S302). The terminal control unit 101 also displays the operation schedule screen D201 (see FIGS. 5-2 and 17-2) (S303). The terminal control unit 101 displays the second request input screen D402 (see FIG. 22-1) (S304).

[0273] As in the case of advance reservations, the order of S302 to S304 can be changed as appropriate in response to an operation by the customer 4. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 can skip displaying the second product information screen D102 or the operation schedule screen D201 in response to an operation by the customer 4.

[0274] The customer 4 can input various requests, including product requests, via the second request input screen D402. When the terminal control unit 101 acquires the input information input via the second request input screen D402 (S305), the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether the requested product can be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 is currently located (S306).

[0275] In S306, for example, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether or not the sales robot R selling the requested product will come to the sales location by referring to the operation schedule 111. If the sales robot R selling the requested product will come to the sales location, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that the requested product can be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 is currently located. If the sales robot R selling the requested product will not come to the sales location, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that the requested product cannot be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 is currently located.

[0276] If the sales robot R that sells the requested product does not arrive at the sales location, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may further determine whether or not the operation schedule 111 can be adjusted so that the sales robot R arrives at the sales location. If the operation schedule 111 can be adjusted so that the sales robot R arrives at the sales location, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may determine that the requested product can be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 is currently located.

[0277] If the requested product cannot be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 is currently located (S306: No), the terminal control unit 101 displays a message indicating that the product is unavailable for purchase as a result of schedule adjustment (S307).Then, the operation of determining the customer schedule ends.

[0278] If the requested product can be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 is currently located (S306: Yes), the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether the product can be picked up immediately (S308).

[0279] If the product cannot be received immediately (S308: No), the terminal control unit 101 acquires information about the desired receiving time slot (S309). For example, when the customer 4 touches the "request receiving time slot" button displayed in field F407 of the second request input screen D402 (see FIG. 22-1), the terminal control unit 101 displays the third request input screen D403 (see FIG. 22-2). Field F413 of the third request input screen D403 displays an input box in which conditions regarding the time to receive the product can be entered. When the customer enters the conditions in the input box displayed in field F413 and then touches the "input" button in field F415, the entered conditions are transmitted to the terminal control unit 101 as the desired receiving time slot. The terminal control unit 101 acquires the requested receiving time slot.

[0280] The schedule adjustment unit 102 executes schedule adjustment based on the input information acquired in S305 and the information on the requested reception time period acquired in S309 (S310). In S310, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule and adjusts the operation schedule 111. The operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 will be described later.

[0281] After S310, the terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule screen D501 (see FIG. 22D) (S311). The terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule generated by the schedule adjustment in the field F503.

[0282] The customer 4 instructs whether to approve or reselect the customer schedule (S312). In S312, the customer 4 gives an instruction in the same manner as in S207.

[0283] If an instruction to reselect the customer schedule is input (S312: Reselect), control transitions to S309, and the terminal control unit 101 acquires the information on the desired pickup time slot again. The terminal control unit 101 prompts the customer to re-input the conditions regarding the time to pick up the product by displaying the third request input screen D403 again, and acquires the information on the desired pickup time slot again.

[0284] When an instruction to approve the customer schedule is input (S312: Approved), the schedule adjustment unit 102 stores the approved customer schedule in the storage unit 104 as the customer schedule 114. The terminal control unit 101 also displays a reservation confirmation screen D601 (see FIG. 13-1) (S313). Then, the operation of determining the customer schedule is completed.

[0285] If the product can be received immediately (S308: Yes), the control proceeds to S310, and the schedule adjustment unit 102 performs schedule adjustment to generate a schedule for receiving the product immediately as a customer schedule.

[0286] (3-4) Operation of Adjusting the Flight Schedule 111 In S205 shown in Fig. 27 and S310 shown in Fig. 28, not only is a customer schedule generated, but also adjustment of the flight schedule 111 is executed. Here, the operation of adjusting the flight schedule 111 will be described.

[0287] FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of adjusting the flight schedule 111.

[0288] When adjusting the operation schedule 111, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 is an operation in the case of advance reservation (S401). When adjusting the operation schedule 111 as part of the schedule adjustment in S205, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 is an operation in the case of advance reservation. When adjusting the operation schedule 111 as part of the schedule adjustment in S310, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 is not an operation in the case of advance reservation.

[0289] If the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 is an operation for the case of advance reservations (S401: Yes), the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether two unit time slots are required for receiving the products (S402). Based on the various requests and priorities acquired as input information, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule so that the customer 4 can receive the requested products at one sales location in two or fewer consecutive unit time slots. In S401, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether the customer 4 will be forced to receive the requested products in two consecutive unit time slots rather than in one unit time slot.

[0290] If there are not two unit time periods required to receive the product (S402: No), that is, if there is only one unit time period required to receive the product, the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 ends without changing the operation schedule 111.

[0291] If two unit time slots are required for receiving the requested product (S402: Yes), the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether the stay times of the multiple sales robots R selling the requested product are continuous in time (S403). The stay times of the multiple sales robots R selling the requested product being continuous in time means that there are no gaps between the stay times of these multiple sales robots R. Even if there are overlapping portions of the stay times of the multiple sales robots R, if there are no gaps between the stay times of the multiple sales robots R, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that the stay times of the multiple sales robots R are continuous in time.

[0292] If the stay times of the multiple sales robots R selling the requested products are continuous in time (S403: Yes), the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 ends without changing the operation schedule 111.

[0293] If the stay times of the multiple sales robots R selling the requested products are not consecutive in time (S403: No), the schedule adjustment unit 102 calculates a candidate operation schedule 111 for making the stay times of the multiple sales robots R selling the requested products consecutive in time, i.e., a candidate schedule (S404). The schedule adjustment unit 102 calculates an operation schedule for making the stay times of the multiple sales robots R selling the requested products consecutive in time by changing the departure times and arrival times of one or more sales robots R at one or more sales locations, or by changing the patrol routes of the sales robots R on a sales robot set basis or on a sales robot R basis. That is, the calculation of the candidate schedule here is performed by changing the departure times of the sales robots R at at least one sales location, changing the arrival times of the sales robots R at at least one sales location, or changing the patrol route of at least one sales robot R, to calculate a candidate schedule.

[0294] After calculating the candidate schedule, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether or not the other customer schedules 114 that have already been determined need to be changed in order to apply the candidate schedule (S405).

[0295] If another customer schedule 114 needs to be changed (S405: Yes), the constraint of not changing the existing customer schedule 114 cannot be met, so the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 ends without changing the operation schedule 111.

[0296] If the other customer schedules 114 do not need to be changed (S405: Yes), the schedule adjustment unit 102 changes the operation schedule 111 to the candidate schedule (S406). That is, the schedule adjustment unit 102 updates the operation schedule 111 with the candidate schedule. After S406, the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 ends.

[0297] If the operation of adjusting this operation schedule 111 is not an operation in the case of advance reservation (S401: No), that is, if the operation of adjusting this operation schedule 111 is an operation in the case of same-day reservation, it is determined whether the remaining time until the departure time of sales robot R that sells the requested product is the first set value (S407).

[0298] The first set value is preset to a time, such as five minutes, that allows the customer 4 at the sales location to receive the product without difficulty.

[0299] If the remaining time until the departure time of the sales robot R that sells the requested product is not the first set value (S407: No), the schedule adjustment unit 102 executes the determination process of S407 again.

[0300] If the remaining time until the departure time of the sales robot R selling the requested product is equal to the first set value (S407: Yes), the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether there is an arrival time restriction at the next sales location where the sales robot R will go (S408). If the arrival time of the sales robot R cannot be changed in order to maintain the restriction that the other existing customer schedules 114 must not be changed, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that there is an arrival time restriction. If the restriction that the other existing customer schedules 114 must not be changed can be maintained even if the arrival time of the sales robot R is changed, the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines that there is no arrival time restriction.

[0301] If there is an arrival time restriction (S408: Yes), the operation of adjusting the operation schedule 111 ends without changing the operation schedule 111.

[0302] If there is no arrival time restriction (S408: No), the schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether any customers 4 remain at the sales location (S409). If any customers 4 remain at the sales location (S409: Yes), the schedule adjustment unit 102 changes the operation schedule 111 so as to extend the departure time of the sales robot R that sells the requested product by an amount of time corresponding to the number of customers 4 remaining at the sales location (S410).

[0303] The extendable time is preset as a second set value, which may be, for example, 10 minutes.

[0304] After S410, the operation of adjusting the flight schedule 111 ends.

[0305] (3-4) Other Operations (3-4-1) Identification of Customer Schedule The terminal control unit 101 and the schedule adjustment unit 102 identify each customer schedule 114 stored in the storage unit 104 by an ID. Specifically, the terminal control unit 101 issues a reservation ID when the customer schedule is approved. In the case of an advance reservation, the customer schedule is approved when a decision of approval is made in the decision process of S207 shown in FIG. 27. In the case of a same-day reservation, the customer schedule is approved when a decision of approval is made in the decision process of S312 shown in FIG. 28.

[0306] The terminal control unit 101 transmits the issued reservation ID to the information terminal device 3. The schedule adjustment unit 102 associates the reservation ID with the approved customer schedule and stores the customer schedule in the storage unit 104 as a customer schedule 114.

[0307] At the sales location, the sales robot R identifies the customer schedule 114 of the customer 4 by checking the reservation ID received by the information processing terminal 3 of the customer 4. Then, the sales robot R delivers the product and other operations based on the identified customer schedule 114.

[0308] The method for identifying the customer schedule is not limited to the above method.

[0309] (3-4-2) Payment The timing of payment processing is not limited to a specific timing.

[0310] In one example, when the customer schedule is approved, the terminal control unit 101 displays a screen prompting payment. When the customer 4 makes payment (e.g., electronic payment), the terminal control unit 101 issues a reservation ID and displays a reservation confirmation screen D601.

[0311] In another example, the mobile sales system 1000 is configured to be able to process payment when the customer 4 receives the product. The terminal control unit 101 issues a reservation ID when the customer's schedule is approved. When the customer 4 receives the product, the terminal control unit 101 or the sales robot R collates the reservation ID to determine the payment fee and prompts the customer 4 to make payment. The customer 4 makes payment to the terminal control unit 101 or the sales robot R and receives the product.

[0312] (3-4-3) Coordination of Pickup Among Multiple Customers 4 at the Sales Location The terminal control unit 101 may issue an electronic numbered ticket in response to receiving a notification that a customer 4 has arrived at the sales location. The electronic numbered ticket is data including numerical information corresponding to the order in which the customers 4 arrived at the sales location. When multiple customers 4 arrive at the sales location, the terminal control unit 101 issues an electronic numbered ticket to each of the multiple customers 4, including numerical information corresponding to the order in which the customers arrived at the sales location.

[0313] When there are two or more customers 4 at the sales location, the terminal control unit 101 accepts input of requests and payment processing via the second request input screen D402 for the two or more customers 4 in the order indicated by the numerical information contained in the electronic ticket.

[0314] An expiration date may be set for the electronic numbered ticket. For example, the terminal control unit 101 may invalidate the electronic numbered ticket if payment is not made within a predetermined time after the issuance of the electronic numbered ticket.

[0315] The terminal control unit 101 may set different expiration dates for the electronic numbered tickets for customers 4 who have made advance reservations and customers 4 who have not made advance reservations. For example, the terminal control unit 101 may set the expiration date of the electronic numbered tickets for customers 4 who have made advance reservations to 10 minutes, and the expiration date of the electronic numbered tickets for customers 4 who have not made advance reservations to 5 minutes.

[0316] (3-4-4) Pickup Guidance When the customer 4 has arrived at the sales location and the customer schedule 114 for that customer 4 has been decided, the terminal control unit 101 displays a pickup waiting screen D701 (see FIG. 13-2) on the display device 36 of the information terminal device 3 of that customer 4. When the customer 4 receives one of the two or more types of products that he or she has requested, the terminal control unit 101 outputs information on the pickup waiting screen D701 notifying the customer of the type of product or time period that the customer 4 can receive next.

[0317] In the example shown in Figure 13-2, the part of the pickup schedule displayed in field F702 that displays the next type of product and time period that can be picked up is highlighted, thereby notifying customer 4 of the next type of product or time period that can be picked up.

[0318] (4) Various Modifications Several modifications that can be applied to the embodiment are listed below.

[0319] (Variation 1) The number of sales locations does not have to be two or more. There may be only one sales location. The operation schedule 111 is not limited to a plurality of sales locations, and may indicate a schedule for a plurality of sales robots R to visit.

[0320] Furthermore, the first request information input via field F401 on the first request input screen D401, D401a (see, for example, FIGS. 8, 14-1, and 17-3) is not limited to a purchase request from the customer 4. The first request information may also be a request from the customer 4 to check the actual product. The customer 4 may purchase the product after checking the product. Therefore, purchasing a product may be included in checking the product.

[0321] Similarly, the customer schedule generated by the schedule adjustment unit 102 and output by the terminal control unit 101 may be a schedule for visiting the same sales location to check two or more types of products requested by the customer 4 indicated in the first request information at the same sales location. After checking the actual products of the requested products at the sales location, the customer 4 may or may not purchase the products.

[0322] In the above explanation, multiple sales robots R make up a set (i.e., a sales robot set), and all sales robots R patrol the sales locations as a unit of the sales robot set. Sales robot sets do not have to be formed. The operation schedule 111 may be configured so that each sales robot R patrols individually, regardless of the other sales robots R.

[0323] (Variation 2) Some or all of the pickup schedules displayed in field F503 on the customer schedule screen D501 (see, for example, FIGS. 9-2, 10-2, 12, 15-2, 16-2, 17-4, 18-2, 19-2, 20-2, 21-3, and 22-4), field F602 on the reservation confirmation screen D601 (see FIG. 13-1), and field F702 on the pickup waiting screen D701 (see FIG. 13-2), may be configured to display, for each product, the latest time at which the product can be picked up instead of the pickup time slot. The latest time at which the product can be picked up may be the end time of the stoppage period of the sales robot R selling that product.

[0324] Furthermore, some or all of the above-mentioned pickup schedules may be configured to display the latest available pickup time for each product, as well as the order in which the requested products should be picked up. For example, the schedule adjustment unit 102 calculates a recommended pickup order based on the parking locations of multiple sales robots R selling the requested products and the time it takes for the customer 4 to travel between the parking locations of the multiple sales robots R. The terminal control unit 101 may then display the calculated pickup order in some or all of the above-mentioned pickup schedules.

[0325] In one example, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generally sets the recommended order of pickup to the order in which the end times of the sales robot R's stop periods arrive. If there is sufficient time until the end times of the stop periods of the two sales robots R selling the two products even if the pickup order of two products in the order determined based on the end times of the sales robot R's stop periods is swapped, the schedule adjustment unit 102 can swap the pickup order of the two products. The schedule adjustment unit 102 determines whether to swap the pickup order of the two products based on whether the total travel distance of the customer 4 will be reduced, whether the lighter product will be picked up first, or both. The schedule adjustment unit 102 determines the recommended pickup order so that the cost of the customer 4's travel, i.e., the total travel distance of the customer 4, the total weight of the products carried during the travel, or both, is minimized under the constraint of the end times of the sales robot R's stop periods. Note that the method of calculating the recommended pickup order is not limited to this.

[0326] (Variant 3) The terminal control unit 101 may display information on the first arrival confirmation screen D801 (see FIG. 25-1) or the receipt waiting screen D701 (see FIG. 13-2) regarding which requested product must be received from which sales robot R and by what time.

[0327] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 may display a map showing the locations of each sales robot R selling the requested product on the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the receipt waiting screen D701.

[0328] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 may display the distance between the sales robots R selling the requested product or the estimated time required for the travel on the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the receipt waiting screen D701.

[0329] Furthermore, if the sales robot R selling the requested product has not yet arrived at the pick-up location, the terminal control unit 101 may display on the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the pick-up waiting screen D701 that the sales robot R has not yet arrived. Furthermore, for the sales robot R that has not yet arrived, the terminal control unit 101 may display the estimated arrival time on the first arrival confirmation screen D801 or the pick-up waiting screen D701.

[0330] (Variation 4) The terminal control unit 101 may display on the second arrival confirmation screen D802 (see FIG. 25-2) the time periods during which each product can be picked up at the sales location where the customer 4 has arrived, based on the operation schedule 111 adjusted by the schedule adjustment unit 102.

[0331] (Variant 5) The mobile sales system may be configured so that, if a customer 4 arrives at a location to receive a requested product earlier than the designated pickup time, a sales robot R other than the sales robot R selling the product can transport the product to the pickup location on his / her behalf.

[0332] FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the mobile sales system according to the fifth modification.

[0333] In the example shown in Figure 30, sales robot R11 and sales robot R12 are parked at sales location Lg. Sales robot R11 is a sales robot R that sells product ITM21. Sales robot R12 is a sales robot R that sells a product different from product ITM21. Sales robot R11 and sales robot R12 are equipped with a delivery mechanism that delivers products to other sales robots R and receives products from other sales robots R and stores them therein.

[0334] Both sales robots R11 and R12 move from sales location Lg to sales location Lh, but the operation schedule 111 specifies that sales robot R12 will arrive at sales location Lg earlier than sales robot R13.

[0335] Consider a case where sales robots R11 and R12 are parked at sales location Lg, and a customer 4-3 who requested product ITM21 arrives at sales location Lh, where product ITM21 is to be picked up. In other words, customer 4-3 arrives at sales location Lh earlier than the time slot for picking up product ITM21. In such a case, the robot control unit 103 controls sales robots R11 and R12 to transfer the number of product ITM21 to be sold to customer 4-3 from sales robot R11 to sales robot R12. Then, sales robot R12 carrying product ITM21 moves from sales location Lg to sales location Lh, and customer 4-3 picks up product ITM21 from sales robot R12.

[0336] The means for transferring merchandise between sales robots R is not limited to a transfer mechanism. Dedicated robots for transferring merchandise between sales robots R may be on standby at some or all of the sales locations. Alternatively, personnel who transfer merchandise between sales robots R may be on standby at some or all of the sales locations. In such cases, the robot control unit 103 may be configured to be able to transmit information on a transfer request to the robot or personnel who transfers merchandise between sales robots R.

[0337] (Variation 6) The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule based on the various requests and priorities acquired as input information so that the customer 4 can receive the requested products at one sales location within two or fewer consecutive unit time slots. If there are multiple candidate customer schedules that allow the customer 4 to receive the requested products at one sales location within two or fewer consecutive unit time slots, the schedule adjustment unit 102 selects the candidate with the fewest number of sales robots R to visit as the customer schedule. The terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule selected by the schedule adjustment unit 102 in fields F502 and F503 on the customer schedule screen D501.

[0338] For example, assume that sales robot R31 sells product ITM31, sales robot R32 sells product ITM32, and sales robot R33 sells products ITM31 and ITM32. When customer 4 requests products ITM31 and ITM32, and candidate customer schedules for visiting sales robot R31 and sales robot R32 and candidate customer schedules for visiting sales robot R33 are presented, the candidate customer schedule for visiting sales robot R33 is selected by schedule adjustment unit 102 and displayed by terminal control unit 101. This reduces the number of sales robots R that customer 4 must visit, improving efficiency for customer 4.

[0339] (Variation 7) As described above, the operation schedule 111 may be adjusted, such as by advancing the departure time of the sales robot R. Furthermore, depending on the status of the operation route of the sales robot R, it may not always be possible to operate each sales robot R according to the operation schedule 111, and it may be necessary to change the operation schedule 111. Furthermore, the operation schedule 111 may be changed in order to replenish products, etc.

[0340] When the schedule adjustment unit 102 adjusts or changes the operation schedule 111, the schedule adjustment unit 102 changes the customer schedule, and the terminal control unit 101 may send a notification of the change in the customer schedule to the information terminal device 3 of the customer 4.

[0341] (Variation 8) It is conceivable that the products sold by the sales robot R may sell out as the end of the period during which the sales robot R is parked at a certain sales location approaches. Therefore, when a product that the customer 4 definitely wants to purchase is specified, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may generate a customer schedule under the constraint that the sales robot R selling the product visits the sales location at the beginning of the parking period of the sales robot R.

[0342] As described above, the first request input screen D401, D401a is configured to allow the priority of the requested product to be set. Therefore, for example, if the priority of the requested product is a predetermined level (e.g., 1) or higher, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule so that the product can be picked up during a predetermined percentage of the period (e.g., the first half) of the sales robot R's stoppage period.

[0343] (Variation 9) Even for the same type of product, the selling price may differ depending on the sales robot R selling that type of product. For example, multiple sales robots R selling the same type of product may each independently hold a time sale.

[0344] The schedule adjustment unit 102 may generate a customer schedule so that the requested product can be purchased at the lowest price.

[0345] The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a first customer schedule that minimizes the waiting time for pickup and a second customer schedule that allows the requested product to be purchased at the lowest price, and the terminal control unit 101 may display both the first customer schedule and the second customer schedule on the customer schedule screen D501.

[0346] Furthermore, the customer schedule screen D501 may be configured to allow input of a desired waiting time for pickup or a desired price. The customer 4 inputs a desired waiting time for pickup or a desired price based on the first customer schedule and the second customer schedule displayed on the customer schedule screen D501. The schedule adjustment unit 102 then regenerates the customer schedule so as to satisfy the input desired waiting time for pickup or desired price.

[0347] For example, suppose the first customer schedule indicates a waiting time of 30 minutes, and the second customer schedule indicates a purchase price of 1,000 yen. In such a case, customer 4 can specify a waiting time for pickup in the range of 30 minutes or more, and a desired price in the range of 1,000 yen or more. In one example, customer 4 inputs a desired waiting time of 30 to 45 minutes, and a desired price of 1,000 to 1,250 yen. The schedule adjustment unit 102 then generates a third customer schedule in which the waiting time is 30 to 45 minutes, and the product can be purchased for a price in the range of 1,000 to 1,250 yen. The terminal control unit 101 displays the generated third customer schedule on the customer schedule screen D501.

[0348] (Modification 10) The receipt waiting screen D701 (see FIG. 13B) may display not only the receipt schedule but also the number of customers 4 who will receive the same type of product.

[0349] 31 is a diagram showing a receipt waiting screen D701a, which is another example of the receipt waiting screen D701. According to the example shown in this drawing, the receipt waiting screen D701a includes a field F701 and a field F702a.

[0350] The field F701 displays the pick-up location, the field F702a displays the pick-up schedule, and the field F702a displays the number of customers 4 who will pick up the products for each product.

[0351] According to the example shown in FIG. 31, it can be seen that at sales location La, four customers 4 receive product ITM1 from sales robot R1, and 12 customers 4 receive product ITM7 from sales robot R7.

[0352] The more people who receive products from one sales robot R, the longer it may take to receive the products, or the products may not be received as scheduled. By displaying the number of people who will receive the products on the reception waiting screen D701a, customers 4 who see the reception waiting screen D701a can take measures such as going to receive products earlier if there are a large number of people receiving the products.

[0353] (Variant 11) If customer 4 misses the timing to receive the product, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may identify the next time slot in which the product can be received, and the terminal control unit 101 may display the next time slot in which the product can be received on the display device 36 of the information terminal device 3 of the customer 4.

[0354] For example, consider a case where a sales robot R41 requests a product ITM41 to be sold, and a customer 4 fails to receive the product ITM41 at a sales location Li. The schedule adjustment unit 102 identifies a time period when the sales robot R41 will again stop at the sales location Li based on the operation schedule 111, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the identified time period.

[0355] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 may display a screen on the display device 36 that prompts the customer 4 to select a course of action. In one example, the terminal control unit 101 displays options for courses of action, including canceling the reservation, picking up the product from another sales robot R, picking up the product at another sales location, etc., on the information terminal device 3 of the customer 4. When one of these options is selected, the schedule adjustment unit 102 and the terminal control unit 101 execute processing according to the selected option.

[0356] For example, if cancellation of the reservation is selected, the schedule adjustment unit 102 cancels the customer schedule of customer 4.

[0357] If receiving from another sales robot R is selected, a customer schedule is generated so that the product ITM41 can be received at the sales location Li from another sales robot R that sells the product ITM41, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule on the customer schedule screen D501. Alternatively, when variant example 5 is applied, the schedule adjustment unit 102 and the terminal control unit 101 control the transfer of the product ITM41 from the sales robot R41 to the other sales robot R and the transport of the product ITM41 to the sales location Li.

[0358] If pick-up at another sales location is selected, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule for picking up the product ITM41 at a sales location other than the sales location Li, and the terminal control unit 101 displays the customer schedule on the customer schedule screen D501.

[0359] (Variation 12) The terminal control unit 101 may display a screen on the display device 36 that allows input of a product category designation. When the customer 4 inputs a product category designation, the terminal control unit 101 may display a first product information screen D101 or a second product information screen D102 that displays in field F101 or field F101a a list of pairs of product types that can be requested and the sales robots R that sell those types of products for products belonging to the selected product category.

[0360] Therefore, the customer 4 can request a product after checking the sales robot R that sells the product in the desired product genre.

[0361] (Variation 13) As a method of mobile sales in theme parks, etc., a case can be considered in which a plurality of sales robots R work together to perform dances, songs, musical performances, etc. Such performances are expected to attract customers and promote sales.

[0362] In the case where multiple sales robots R are configured to work together to perform as described above, in addition to customers 4 who wish to purchase products, there may be customers 4 who wish to watch the sales robots R perform.

[0363] Therefore, for a customer 4 who wishes not only to purchase products but also to watch the performances of multiple sales robots R, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may generate a customer schedule that allows the customer 4 to purchase products and watch the performances.

[0364] Specifically, for example, the schedule adjustment unit 102 extracts combinations of sales robots R that gather at the same sales location from the operation schedule 111, and extracts performance information for performances by multiple sales robots R based on the combinations of sales robots R. The performance information indicates, for each of one or more performances, the combination of sales robots R that will perform the performance, the sales location where the performance will be performed, the time period during which the performance will be performed, and the performance duration. Note that the performance information may not include all of these items, or may include any other items in addition to these. The terminal control unit 101 displays the performance information on the operation schedule screen D201, the operation schedule screen D201, the first request input screen D401, D401a, or any other screen. The customer 4 can select a performance they want to watch based on the displayed performance information. The terminal control unit 101 can accept a request from the customer 4 for a performance they want to watch as fourth request information. The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule that satisfies the items indicated by the first request information, the acquired second request information or third request information, and the fourth request information. The terminal control unit 101 displays a customer schedule screen D501 indicating the generated customer schedule on the display device 36.

[0365] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 101 may be configured to be able to accept, in addition to the fourth request information, an input specifying whether to purchase the product before or after the performance as fifth request information. The terminal control unit 101 may be configured to allow input of fifth request information for each requested product. The schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule based on the fifth request information.

[0366] If multiple sales robots R are configured to perform a performance in cooperation with one another, the performance may be triggered by the action of a customer 4. For example, when a customer 4 arrives at a sales location and waits for the arrival of at least one of two or more sales robots R that sell the requested product, the robot control unit 103 may instruct the multiple sales robots R at the sales location to perform a performance in cooperation with one another. The robot control unit 103 determines whether the customer 4 is waiting at the sales location, for example, based on a customer schedule, and instructs the multiple sales robots R to perform a performance. The robot control unit 103 causes the multiple sales robots R parked at the sales location to perform a performance depending on the time from when the customer 4 arrives at the sales location indicated by the customer schedule until when at least one of the two or more sales robots R selling the two or more products indicated in the first request information arrives at the sales location. This configuration can arouse the interest of customers 4 waiting at the sales location in products sold by other sales robots R, thereby promoting sales of the products.

[0367] Furthermore, the robot control unit 103 may determine the content of the performance depending on the time required for the sales robot R to arrive at the sales location to sell the product requested by the customer 4. For example, the robot control unit 103 causes the multiple sales robots R to perform a type of performance that can be completed within the time required for the sales robot R to arrive, among multiple types of performances that require different times.

[0368] Alternatively, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the arrival time of the sales robot R that sells the product requested by the customer 4 at the sales location, depending on the content of the performance to be performed by the multiple sales robots R. For example, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may advance or delay the arrival time of the sales robot R so that the sales robot R arrives near the end time of the performance.

[0369] The performance by the multiple sales robots R according to the modification 13 does not necessarily have to be performed by all the sales robots R parked at the sales location. The performance may be performed by the cooperation of two or more sales robots R among the sales robots R parked at the sales location.

[0370] If a plurality of sales robots R are configured to be able to perform in cooperation with each other, the server 1 may give a special benefit to customers 4 who appreciate the performance.

[0371] Specifically, the sales robot R presents a keyword to the customer 4 during its performance. After the performance, when the customer 4 inputs the keyword into the sales robot R via the information terminal device 3 or directly, the terminal control unit 101 gives a special benefit to the customer 4. The special benefit may be, for example, a discount on the purchase price of a product, points, the right to purchase limited edition products, or a priority pass to an attraction.

[0372] Alternatively, if the customer 4 purchases a product within a predetermined period after the performance, the terminal control unit 101 may give the customer 4 a special benefit.

[0373] Alternatively, even if customer 4 purchases a product during a predetermined period before the performance, when customer 4 performs a predetermined action, such as presenting a product receipt to sales robot R, terminal control unit 101 may provide identification to customer 4.

[0374] Alternatively, the terminal control unit 101 may determine whether to give a special benefit to the customer 4 based on the number of sales robots R from which the customer 4 purchased products among the multiple sales robots R that performed in cooperation. In other words, the terminal control unit 101 may not give a special benefit to the customer 4 if the customer 4 only purchased products from less than a predetermined number of sales robots R, but may give a special benefit to the customer 4 if the customer 4 purchased products from more than a predetermined number of sales robots R.

[0375] Alternatively, the terminal control unit 101 may change the content of the benefit depending on the number of sales robots R from which the customer 4 has purchased products among the multiple sales robots R that performed in cooperation. For example, the terminal control unit 101 may increase the grade of the benefit given to the customer 4 as the number of sales robots R from which the customer 4 has purchased products increases.

[0376] Note that a robot other than the sales robot R may also participate in the performance performed by the multiple sales robots R in accordance with Modification 13 in cooperation with one another. For example, a robot dedicated to the performance may participate in the performance. Also, a robot that performs services other than selling products, such as a cleaning robot, a security robot, or a customer attracting robot, may participate in the performance.

[0377] Furthermore, the performances of the multiple sales robots R according to the modification 13 may or may not be predetermined by the operation schedule 111. The trigger for the performance of a performance can be varied in various ways. For example, when the administrator inputs an instruction to perform a performance into the server 1, the robot control unit 103 may cause the multiple sales robots R to perform a performance.

[0378] Furthermore, when it is decided to perform a performance, the schedule adjustment unit 102 may adjust the customer schedule of each customer 4 in accordance with the performance of the performance.

[0379] For example, if a customer schedule is determined on the assumption that a performance in which multiple sales robots R work together will not be performed, and then it is decided that a performance will be performed, the schedule adjustment unit 102 generates a customer schedule in which products can be purchased after the performance, and a customer schedule in which products can be purchased before the performance. The terminal control unit 101 displays the original customer schedule, the customer schedule in which products can be purchased after the performance, and the customer schedule in which products can be purchased before the performance on the display device 36, and prompts the customer 4 to select one of them.

[0380] (5) Summary According to the embodiment or the modified example, the server 1 executes a first step (see S204 in FIG. 27 ) and a second step (see S205 and S206 in FIG. 27 ). The first step is a step of acquiring first request information indicating two or more types of products requested by a customer. The second step is a step of outputting customer schedule information indicating a schedule for a customer 4 to visit a sales location to check the two or more types of products indicated in the first request information at the same sales location, based on the operation schedule 111, which is an operation schedule (operation schedule information) for a plurality of sales robots R, each selling one or more types of products.

[0381] Therefore, the customer 4 can check the requested multiple types of products without moving from one sales location, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0382] According to the embodiment or the modified example, the operation schedule 111 indicates a schedule for a plurality of sales robots R to visit a plurality of sales locations. The customer schedule indicates a schedule for a customer to receive two or more types of products indicated by the first request information at one of the plurality of sales locations.

[0383] Therefore, the customer 4 can receive the requested multiple types of products without moving from one sales location, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0384] According to the embodiment or the modified example, the operation schedule 111 is determined so that one or more mobile sales robots that make sales at each sales location are rotated for each unit time period. In the second step, the server 1 generates customer schedule information so that the customer 4 can receive the two or more requested products indicated in the first request information within two or less consecutive unit time periods.

[0385] Therefore, the customer 4 can receive the requested multiple types of products at one sales location in a short time, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0386] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or the modified example, in a first step, the server 1 acquires second request information indicating one or more sales locations among a plurality of sales locations that are pickup locations requested by the customer 4, or third request information indicating one or more time slots among a plurality of time slots that are pickup time slots requested by the customer 4. In a second step, the server 1 generates customer schedule information so as to satisfy the items indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or third request information.

[0387] The customer 4 can also request a pick-up location and pick-up time slot, which improves convenience for the customer 4.

[0388] According to the embodiment or the modified example, in a first step, the server 1 acquires first priority information indicating the priority of two or more types of products indicated by the first request information, second priority information indicating the priority of one or more sales locations indicated by the second request information, or third priority information indicating the priority of one or more time periods indicated by the third request information. In a second step, if it is impossible to satisfy the matters indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or third request information, the server 1 generates customer schedule information that satisfies some of the matters indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or third request information, based on the acquired priorities among the first priority information, second priority information, and third priority information.

[0389] Therefore, the customer 4 can prioritize among the multiple requested products, prioritize among one or more requested sales locations, or prioritize among one or more requested time periods, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0390] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or the modified example, in a first step, the server 1 acquires priority information indicating the priority order among the first request information, the second request information, and the third request information. In a second step, if it is impossible to satisfy the items indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or third request information, the server 1 generates customer schedule information that satisfies some of the items indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or third request information, based on the acquired priority information.

[0391] Therefore, the customer 4 can prioritize the request for the product, the request for the sales location, and the request for the time period, thereby improving the convenience for the customer 4.

[0392] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or the modified example, the server 1 executes the steps of acquiring first information specifying an area (see S101, S102, and S105 to S110 shown in FIG. 26), outputting location information of one or more sales locations included in the specified area (see S103 and S112 shown in FIG. 26), acquiring second information indicating one or more sales locations selected by the customer from the one or more sales locations included in the specified area (see S104 and S113 in FIG. 26), and outputting a list of product types sold at the one or more sales locations indicated by the second information as a list of product types that can be requested (see S203 in FIG. 27).

[0393] The customer 4 can easily display a list of products sold at a desired sales location in the desired area on the display device 36 of the information terminal device 3. In other words, the customer 4 can easily find out what products are sold at the desired sales location. This improves the convenience for the customer 4.

[0394] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or the modified example, the server 1 executes the steps of acquiring first information specifying an area (see S101, S102, and S105 to S110 shown in FIG. 26), outputting location information of one or more sales locations included in the specified area (see S103 and S112 shown in FIG. 26), acquiring second information indicating one or more sales locations selected by the customer from the one or more sales locations included in the specified area (see S104 and S113 in FIG. 26), and outputting a list of the one or more sales locations indicated by the second information as a list of sales locations that can be requested (see S203 in FIG. 27).

[0395] Therefore, the customer 4 can narrow down the desired sales locations among the sales locations included in the desired area with a simple operation and display them as sales locations that can be requested.

[0396] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or the modified example, the server 1 executes the steps of acquiring first information specifying an area (see S101, S102, and S105 to S110 shown in FIG. 26), outputting location information of one or more sales locations included in the specified area (see S103 and S112 shown in FIG. 26), acquiring second information indicating one or more sales locations selected by the customer from the one or more sales locations included in the specified area (see S104 and S113 in FIG. 26), and outputting a list of time periods during which the product can be picked up at the one or more sales locations indicated by the second information as a list of time periods during which the product can be requested (see S203 in FIG. 27).

[0397] Therefore, the customer 4 can narrow down the desired sales locations among the sales locations included in the desired area with a simple operation, and then know the time periods when the product can be picked up at the narrowed down sales locations.

[0398] According to the embodiment or the modified example, the server 1 executes a step of outputting first information indicating a list of types of requestable products (see S203 in FIG. 27 ). On the sale day, the server 1 executes a step of adding the inventory quantities of some or all of the requestable types of products to the first information (see S302 in FIG. 28 ).

[0399] Therefore, in the case of same-day reservations, the customer 4 can decide which product to request by referring to the number of products in stock, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0400] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or variant example, in the second step, the server 1 executes a third step (see S404 to S406 in FIG. 29) of adjusting the operation schedule 111 so as to shorten the time during which none of the types of products indicated in the first request information can be received.

[0401] This reduces the total time required to receive the product, i.e., the total purchase time.

[0402] Also, according to the embodiment or variant example, in the third step, the server 1 adjusts the operation schedule 111 under the constraint that the already determined schedule for receiving the product is not changed (see S405 and S406 in Figure 29).

[0403] Therefore, the determined customer schedule 114 will not be changed even if the operation schedule 111 is subsequently adjusted, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0404] According to an embodiment or variant example, the server 1 adjusts the operation schedule 111 by changing the departure time of at least one sales robot R, changing the arrival time of at least one sales robot R, or changing the patrol route of at least one sales robot R.

[0405] Such changes can reduce the total time required to receive the product, i.e., the total purchase time.

[0406] Furthermore, according to an embodiment or variant example, the server 1 outputs information indicating the type of product or time period that can be received next when the customer 4 receives one of the two or more types of products indicated in the first request information (see the waiting for receipt screen D701 in Figure 13-2).

[0407] Therefore, the customer 4 can easily know the next product or time slot available for pickup each time he or she picks up a product.

[0408] According to an embodiment or a modification, the multiple sales robots R are configured so that when two or more of the multiple sales robots R are parked at one of the multiple sales locations, the two or more sales robots R cooperate to perform a performance. The first step further includes acquiring fourth request information indicating a request to watch the performance. The second step further includes generating a customer schedule so as to satisfy the items indicated by the first request information, the second request information or the third request information, and the fourth request information.

[0409] Therefore, the customer 4 can purchase the product while watching the performance.

[0410] Furthermore, according to an embodiment or variant, the method further includes a step of outputting performance information indicating, for each of one or more performances to be performed, at least one of the following items: the combination of mobile sales robots performing the performance, the sales location where the performance will be performed, the time period during which the performance will be performed, and the duration of the performance.

[0411] Therefore, customer 4 can view the performance information and select the performance he or she wishes to see.

[0412] According to the embodiment or the modified example, the multiple sales robots R are configured so that when two or more of the multiple sales robots R are parked at one of the multiple sales locations, the two or more sales robots R cooperate to perform a performance. The server 1 further executes a step of causing the two or more mobile sales robots parked at the sales location to cooperate to perform a performance in accordance with the time from when the customer 4 arrives at the sales location indicated by the customer schedule to when at least one of the two or more mobile sales robots selling the two or more types of merchandise indicated by the first request information arrives at the sales location.

[0413] Therefore, by making the customers 4 waiting at the sales location interested in the products sold by other sales robots R, it is possible to expect sales promotion of products that have not been requested.

[0414] Furthermore, according to the embodiment or the modification, the server 1 further executes a step of giving a benefit to the customer 4 in response to the customer 4 watching a performance and purchasing a product at the sales location.

[0415] Therefore, a synergistic effect can be expected between the effect of attracting customers and the effect of promoting products.

[0416] According to the embodiment or the modification, the information terminal device 3 includes a display device 36 and a processor 30. The processor 30 displays on the display device 36 a first request input screen D401, which is a first screen that prompts the customer 4 to input a request for products from among multiple types of products sold by multiple sales robots R. When a request for two or more types of products from the multiple types of products is input via the first screen, the processor 30 displays on the display device 36 a second screen that shows a schedule for the customer 4 to pick up the requested two or more types of products at one of the multiple sales locations.

[0417] Therefore, the customer 4 can receive the requested multiple types of products without moving from one sales location, thereby improving convenience for the customer 4.

[0418] According to the above description, the sales support program 100, which is a computer program for realizing the sales support method of the embodiment, is pre-stored in the storage device 12 of the server 1. The sales support program 100 may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or an SD (Secure Digital) card.

[0419] Furthermore, the sales support program 100 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.

[0420] Part or all of the terminal control unit 101, schedule adjustment unit 102, and robot control unit 103 may be realized by an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0421] The terminal control unit 101, the schedule adjustment unit 102, the robot control unit 103, and the storage unit 104 may be configured by two or more computers.

[0422] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0423] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server 2 Network 3, 3-1, 3-2 Information terminal device 4, 4-1, 4-2 Customer 10, 30 Processor 11, 31 Main memory device 12, 32 Storage device 13, 33 Communication device 14, 37 Bus 34 Position sensor 35 Input device 36 Display device 100 Sales support program 101 Terminal control unit 102 Schedule adjustment unit 103 Robot control unit 104 Memory unit 111 Operation schedule 112 Map information 113 Sales location information 114 Customer schedule 1000 Mobile sales system D101 First product information screen D102 Second product information screen D201 Operation schedule screen D301, D301a First location selection screen D302 Second location selection screen D303 Third location selection screen D401, D401a First request input screen D402 Second request input screen D403 Third request input screen D501 Customer schedule screen D601 Reservation confirmation screen D701, D701a Waiting screen D801 First arrival confirmation screen D802 Second arrival confirmation screen R, RA, RB, RC Mobile sales robot (sales robot)

Claims

1. A sales support method comprising: a first step of acquiring first request information indicating two or more types of products requested by a customer; and a second step of outputting customer schedule information indicating a schedule for the customer to visit the same sales location to check the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information, based on operation schedule information indicating the operation schedule of a plurality of mobile sales robots each selling one or more types of products.

2. The sales support method described in claim 1, wherein the operation schedule information indicates an operation schedule for a plurality of mobile sales robots, each selling one or more types of products, to travel around a plurality of sales locations, and the customer schedule information indicates a schedule for the customer to receive the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information at one of the plurality of sales locations.

3. The sales support method described in claim 2, wherein the operation schedule information is determined so that one or more mobile sales robots making sales at each sales location are replaced for each unit time period, and the second step is a step of generating the customer schedule information so that the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information can be received by the customer within two or less consecutive unit time periods.

4. The sales support method of claim 2, wherein the first step further includes acquiring second request information indicating one or more sales locations among the plurality of sales locations that are pickup locations requested by the customer, or third request information indicating one or more time slots among the plurality of time slots that are pickup time slots requested by the customer, and the second step further includes generating the customer schedule information so as to satisfy the items indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or third request information.

5. The sales support method according to claim 4, wherein the first step further includes acquiring first priority information indicating a priority among the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information, second priority information indicating a priority among the one or more sales locations indicated by the second request information, or third priority information indicating a priority among the one or more time periods indicated by the third request information, and the second step further includes, when it is impossible to satisfy the matters indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or the third request information, generating the customer schedule information that satisfies a part of the matters indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or the third request information based on the acquired priority information among the first priority information, the second priority information, and the third priority information.

6. The sales support method according to claim 4, wherein the first step further includes acquiring priority information indicating priorities among the first request information, the second request information, and the third request information, and the second step further includes, when it is impossible to satisfy matters indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or the acquired third request information, generating the customer schedule information that satisfies part of the matters indicated by the first request information and the acquired second request information or the acquired third request information based on the acquired priority information.

7. The sales support method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: acquiring first information specifying a region; outputting location information of one or more sales locations included in the region; acquiring second information indicating one or more sales locations selected by the customer from the one or more sales locations included in the region; and outputting a list of product types sold at the one or more sales locations indicated by the second information as a list of product types that can be requested.

8. The sales support method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: acquiring first information specifying an area; outputting location information of one or more sales locations included in the area; acquiring second information indicating one or more sales locations selected by the customer from the one or more sales locations included in the area; and outputting a list of the one or more sales locations indicated by the second information as a list of sales locations that can be requested.

9. The sales support method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: acquiring first information specifying a region; outputting location information of one or more sales locations included in the region; acquiring second information indicating one or more sales locations selected by the customer from the one or more sales locations included in the region; and outputting a list of time periods during which the product can be picked up at the one or more sales locations indicated by the second information as a list of time periods during which the product can be requested.

10. The sales support method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: outputting first information indicating a list of types of products that can be requested; and, on the day of sale, adding to the first information the stock quantities of some or all of the types of products that can be requested.

11. The sales support method according to claim 3, wherein the second step further includes a third step of adjusting the operation schedule so as to shorten the time during which the customer is unable to receive any of the types of products indicated by the first request information.

12. The method for supporting sales according to claim 11, wherein the third step is a step of adjusting the operation schedule under the constraint of not changing an already determined schedule for receiving the goods.

13. The sales support method described in claim 12, wherein the third step includes changing a departure time of at least one mobile sales robot, changing an arrival time of at least one mobile sales robot, or changing a travel route of at least one mobile sales robot.

14. The sales support method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of outputting information indicating the type of product or time period that the customer can receive next in response to the customer receiving one of the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information.

15. The sales support method described in claim 4, wherein the multiple mobile sales robots are configured so that when two or more of the multiple mobile sales robots are parked at one of the multiple sales locations, the two or more mobile sales robots work together to perform a performance, and the first step further includes acquiring fourth request information indicating a request to watch the performance, and the second step further includes generating the customer schedule information so as to satisfy items indicated by the first request information, the acquired second request information or the acquired third request information, and the fourth request information.

16. The sales support method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of outputting performance information indicating, for each of the one or more performances, at least one of the following items: the combination of mobile sales robots performing the performance, the sales location where the performance will be performed, the time period during which the performance will be performed, and the duration of the performance.

17. The sales support method of claim 2, further comprising a step of causing the two or more mobile sales robots parked at the sales location to cooperate to perform the performance in accordance with a time period from the arrival of the customer at the sales location indicated by the customer schedule information to the arrival at the sales location of at least one of the two or more mobile sales robots selling the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information.

18. The sales support method according to claim 15 or 17, further comprising a step of giving a reward to the customer in response to the customer's performance and purchase of a product at a sales location.

19. An information terminal device comprising: a display device; and a processor which displays on the display device a first screen prompting a customer to input a request for a product from among multiple types of products sold by multiple mobile sales robots that travel around and sell one or more types of products, and when a request for two or more types of products out of the multiple types of products is input via the first screen, displays on the display device a second screen indicating a schedule for the customer to visit the same sales location to check the two or more types of requested products at the same sales location.

20. A sales support program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a first step of acquiring first request information indicating two or more types of products requested by a customer; and a second step of outputting customer schedule information indicating a schedule for visiting a same sales location so that the customer can check the two or more types of products indicated by the first request information at the same sales location, based on operation schedule information indicating the operation schedule of a plurality of mobile sales robots, each selling one or more types of products.

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