Order assistance device, order assistance method, and recording medium

Abstract

This order assistance device comprises: a reception means for receiving a selection with regard whether a user ordering a boxed meal first selects a boxed meal container or an ingredient to be put into the boxed meal; an ingredient recommendation means for recommending, in accordance with the size of the selected boxed meal container and the selected ingredient, an ingredient having a size that fits into the selected boxed meal container; a boxed meal container recommendation means for recommending, in accordance with the selected ingredient, a boxed meal container having a size that will accommodate the ingredient; and an order processing means for performing order processing for the selected boxed meal container and the selected ingredient.

Description

Order support device, order support method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an order assistance device, an order assistance method, and a recording medium.

[0002] There is a technology that allows a user to freely select ingredients to be put in a bento box when ordering the bento.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 describes a lunch order system that displays an image of a lunch box in which ingredients selected by the user are arranged in a section of the lunch box selected by the user. This allows the lunch order system described in Patent Literature 1 to be operated with the same feeling as actually arranging ingredients in a lunch box.

[0004] JP 2018-169932 A

[0005] However, users who purchase bento boxes have a variety of needs for the bento boxes, and it would be convenient for users to customize their bento boxes in different ways depending on their preferences and moods.

[0006] An example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that improves convenience in ordering bento boxes.

[0007] An order assistance device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving means for receiving a selection from a user ordering a bento as to whether to select the bento box or the ingredients to be placed in the bento box first, an ingredient recommendation means for recommending ingredients that fit into the selected bento box according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients, a bento box recommendation means for recommending a bento box that fits into the ingredients according to the selected ingredients, and an order processing means for processing an order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

[0008] An ordering assistance method in one aspect of the present disclosure accepts a selection from a user ordering a bento box as to whether to select the bento box or the ingredients to be placed in the bento box first, recommends ingredients that fit into the selected bento box according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients, recommends a bento box that fits the ingredients according to the selected ingredients, and processes the order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

[0009] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of accepting a selection from a user ordering a bento box as to whether to select the bento box or the ingredients to be placed in the bento box first, recommending ingredients that fit into the selected bento box based on the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients, recommending a bento box that fits the ingredients based on the selected ingredients, and processing the order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

[0010] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0011] One example of the effect of the present disclosure is that it can provide a technology that improves convenience when ordering bento boxes.

[0012] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an order support device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the order support device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the order support device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of the order support device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the order support device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for realizing the order support device of the present disclosure with a computer and its peripheral devices.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including an order assistance device 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0015] 1, the order support device 100 is a device that supports ordering bento boxes in a bento box provision service that allows a user to select and order bento box ingredients and bento boxes. In FIG. 1, the order support device 100 is communicably connected to a user terminal and a store terminal.

[0016] The user terminal is a terminal device used by a user who orders a bento. The user terminal is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer (PC). The user uses the user terminal to select ingredients and a bento box and order the bento.

[0017] The store terminal is a terminal device used by an employee of the store who provides the ordered lunches. Like the user terminal, the store terminal may be a smartphone, tablet, or PC. For example, the store employee provides the ordered lunches based on the user's order information acquired from the order support device 100.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the order support device 100 in the embodiment will be described.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the order support device 100. Referring to Fig. 2, the order support device 100 includes a reception unit 101, an ingredient recommendation unit 102, a lunch box recommendation unit 103, and an order processing unit 104.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the order support device 100 in the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0021] 2, the reception unit 101 is an example of a reception unit that receives a selection of whether a user ordering a lunch box should first select a lunch box or ingredients to be put in the lunch box. The reception unit 101 also receives a selection of a lunch box and an ingredient.

[0022] For example, the accepting unit 101 displays a selection accepting screen on the user terminal. Then, the accepting unit 101 accepts a user's selection on the selection accepting screen from the user terminal. The selection accepting screen is a screen that displays options in a selectable manner.

[0023] The selection accepting screen is, for example, a screen that accepts a selection of whether to select first a lunch box or ingredients to put in the lunch box. On the selection accepting screen that accepts a selection of whether to select first a lunch box or ingredients to put in the lunch box, for example, the accepting unit 101 accepts the selection of the lunch box first from a user terminal. In this case, the accepting unit 101 displays a screen that accepts the selection of the lunch box on the user screen. Then, the accepting unit 101 accepts the selection of the lunch box from the user terminal on the screen that accepts the selection of the lunch box. Also, on the selection accepting screen that accepts a selection of whether to select first a lunch box or ingredients to put in the lunch box, for example, the accepting unit 101 accepts the selection of ingredients first from the user terminal. In this case, the accepting unit 101 displays a screen that accepts the selection of ingredients. Then, the accepting unit 101 accepts the selection of ingredients from the user terminal on the screen that accepts the selection of ingredients.

[0024] The selection receiving screen may be a screen for receiving selection of a lunch box and selection of ingredients. In this case, when a lunch box is selected, the receiving unit 101 receives a request to first select the lunch box and the selection of the lunch box, and when ingredients are selected, the receiving unit 101 receives a request to first select the ingredients.

[0025] The reception unit 101 may also receive input of other information related to the order. The other information related to the order may be, for example, identification information for identifying the user who ordered the lunch box, information on the pickup date and time and the pickup store used to provide the lunch box, and information related to payment for the ordered lunch box. Furthermore, the reception unit 101 may receive information related to the user recorded in association with the user's identification information, which is used for, for example, ingredient recommendation by the ingredient recommendation unit 102 described below.

[0026] The ingredient recommendation unit 102 is an example of an ingredient recommendation means that recommends ingredients that fit into the selected lunch box based on the size of the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients. The ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends preferred ingredients. Note that recommending ingredients includes outputting information about the recommended ingredients to the user terminal. To output this information, the order assistance device 100 may be equipped with an output control unit (not shown). The output information includes, but is not limited to, screen information, audio information, etc.

[0027] The method of recommending ingredients by the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may be, for example, to highlight recommended ingredients from among ingredient options, to display only recommended ingredients as options, or not to display non-recommended ingredients as options, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0028] When a lunch box is selected, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients in amounts that will fit in the selected lunch box, depending on the size of the selected lunch box. Furthermore, when a lunch box and ingredients are selected, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients in amounts that will fit in the selected lunch box, depending on the size of the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients. The ingredient recommendation unit 102 can use known technology to identify ingredients in amounts that will fit in the selected lunch box, based on information indicating the size of each type of lunch box and information indicating the amount of each type of ingredient. This prevents a lunch box containing ingredients that do not fit in the lunch box from being ordered. Here, the size of the lunch box may refer to the internal dimensions or volume of the lunch box. Furthermore, the amount of ingredients may refer to the dimensions or volume of the ingredients. Note that the information indicating the amount of ingredients may include the weight of the ingredients.

[0029] The ingredient recommendation unit 102 may also recommend ingredients by further using information about the user.

[0030] For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that do not include foods that the user should avoid. The foods that the user should avoid may be foods to which the user is allergic, foods that should be avoided depending on the user's health condition, foods that the user does not like, etc., and may be recorded in advance in association with the user's identification information. This allows the user to easily select ingredients that do not include foods that the user wants to avoid.

[0031] Furthermore, for example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that are local specialties of the region that includes the location indicated in the user's location information. The user's location information may be the location information of the user terminal. Furthermore, for example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend local specialties when the location information and the user's address belong to different regions. The user's address may be recorded in advance in association with the user's identification information. This allows the user, for example, to easily select local specialties of ingredients when traveling, allowing them to enjoy choosing a lunch box.

[0032] The lunch box recommendation unit 103 is an example of a lunch box recommendation means that recommends a lunch box large enough to hold the selected ingredients. As with the recommendation of ingredients, recommending a lunch box includes outputting information about the recommended lunch box to the user terminal. This information is output, for example, from the output control unit described above.

[0033] The method of recommending a lunch box by the lunch box recommendation unit 103 may be, for example, to highlight a recommended lunch box from among the lunch box options, to display only recommended lunch boxes as options, or not to display non-recommended lunch boxes as options, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0034] The lunch box recommendation unit 103 recommends a lunch box of a size that can fit the selected ingredients, depending on the amounts of the selected ingredients. The ingredient recommendation unit 102 may use known technology to identify ingredients in an amount that will fit in the selected lunch box, based on information indicating the size of each type of lunch box and information indicating the amount of each type of ingredient. This makes it possible to prevent a lunch box containing ingredients that do not fit in the lunch box from being ordered.

[0035] Furthermore, the lunch box recommendation unit 103 may recommend a lunch box with a design or price range according to the selected ingredients. For example, when Japanese-style ingredients are selected, the lunch box recommendation unit 103 recommends a lunch box with a Japanese-style design. Furthermore, when many expensive ingredients are selected, the lunch box recommendation unit 103 recommends, for example, an expensive, luxurious lunch box. Examples of recommendations by the lunch box recommendation unit 103 are not limited to this. The lunch box recommendation unit 103 may recommend a lunch box with a design that matches the user's preferences recorded in association with the user's identification information.

[0036] The order processing unit 104 is an example of an order processing means that processes an order for a selected lunch box and selected ingredients. The order processing includes issuing a serving instruction to a store to serve a lunch box containing the selected ingredients in the selected lunch box. For example, the order processing unit 104 transmits a serving instruction for the lunch box to a store terminal. Note that the serving instruction may include other information related to the lunch order accepted by the acceptance unit 101. The order processing may also include notifying the user that the order processing has been completed. In other words, when the order processing has been completed, the order processing unit 104 may output a message to the user indicating that the order processing has been completed.

[0037] The order process may also include a payment process for the lunch box. The payment process may be performed by a known method.

[0038] The operation of the order support device 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0039] First, the reception unit 101 receives a selection of whether to select first the lunch box or the ingredients to be put in the lunch box (step S101). Here, the selection of whether to select first the lunch box or the ingredients to be put in the lunch box includes selecting the lunch box from a plurality of lunch boxes or selecting ingredients from a plurality of ingredients, respectively. That is, when the reception unit 101 receives a selection of a lunch box, it receives a selection of the lunch box first, and when the reception unit 101 receives a selection of ingredients, it receives a selection of the ingredients first.

[0040] In step S101, when the selection of a lunch box is accepted (step S101: selection of lunch box), the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends the amount of ingredients that will fit into the selected lunch box according to the size of the selected lunch box (step S102). Note that at this time, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend multiple ingredients.

[0041] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives the selection of ingredients (step S103). The receiving unit 101 may receive the selection of multiple ingredients. After step S103, the process of the order support device 100 proceeds to step S106.

[0042] Also, in step S101, when a selection of ingredients is received (step S101: selection of ingredients), the lunch box recommendation unit 103 recommends a lunch box large enough to contain the selected ingredients, depending on the amount of the selected ingredients (step S104).

[0043] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives the selection of the lunch box (step S105).

[0044] After step S103 or step S105, the order processing unit 104 performs order processing for the selected lunch box and selected ingredients (step S106).

[0045] This completes the series of operations of the order support device 100.

[0046] The order assistance device in the above-described embodiment includes a reception unit, an ingredient recommendation unit, a lunch box recommendation unit, and an order processing unit. The reception unit receives a selection from a user ordering a lunch box as to whether to select the lunch box or the ingredients to be placed in the lunch box first. The ingredient recommendation unit recommends ingredients in the amount that will fit in the selected lunch box, depending on the size of the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients. The lunch box recommendation unit recommends a lunch box large enough to fit the ingredients, depending on the selected ingredients. The order processing unit then performs order processing for the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients.

[0047] The order support device of this embodiment allows a user to select either the bento box or the ingredients in a service that allows the user to select bento ingredients and the bento box to order. As a result, the order support device of this embodiment can improve convenience when ordering bento.

[0048] For example, a user may want to select the ingredients to be placed in the lunch box before selecting the lunch box itself. This may be the case, for example, when the user wants to customize the lunch box based on ingredients that the user prefers to eat rather than the lunch box itself, or when it is difficult to imagine how many ingredients will fit in the lunch box. Conversely, a user may want to select the lunch box before the ingredients. This may be the case, for example, when the user wants to customize the lunch box in a manner similar to arranging ingredients in an actual lunch box, or when the user wants to prevent overeating by selecting ingredients with the capacity of the lunch box as the upper limit. The ordering support device in this embodiment can realize lunch orders that meet such various user needs.

[0049] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Below, the description of the second embodiment will be omitted to the extent that it does not make the description of the present embodiment unclear.

[0050] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order support device 200. In FIG. 4, the order support device 200 includes a generation unit 205 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0051] The reception unit 101, ingredient recommendation unit 102, lunch box recommendation unit 103, and order processing unit 104 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] The generation unit 205 is an example of a generation unit that generates an image of a bento box including at least one of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients. The generation unit 205 may generate the image of the bento box by combining the image of the selected bento box and the image of the selected ingredients. The image of the bento box and the image of the ingredients may be stored in a database or the like in advance. The image of the bento box may be displayed on a bento box or ingredient selection screen. In this case, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 and the lunch box recommendation unit 103 may recommend ingredients or a bento box while displaying the image of the bento on the screen. The image of the bento box may also be used for posting on a social networking service (SNS). In this case, for example, the order assistance device 200 may have a function for posting on SNS using the image of the bento box.

[0053] Next, various examples of processing of each component in the order support device 200 having the above configuration can be considered to further enhance convenience in ordering boxed lunches. These examples will be described below.

[0054] (Sequential recommendation of ingredients) It is assumed that there are multiple ingredients to be put in a bento. Therefore, each time the receiving unit 101 receives a selection of an ingredient, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may sequentially recommend ingredients in accordance with the selected ingredient.

[0055] For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that will improve the appearance of the bento when combined with the selected ingredients. A bento that looks good means, for example, that the ingredients in the bento are colorful. For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that will improve the appearance of the bento based on the color of the ingredients. Here, the colors of the ingredients may be pre-categorized into several colors. For example, carrots and tomatoes may be categorized as being in the same red family. For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients such that the colors of the ingredients include a predetermined number of colors or a predetermined number of colors. Furthermore, for example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that will improve the appearance of the selected ingredients using a learning model that has learned information indicating combinations of ingredients that are considered to look good. The information indicating the ingredient combination may be text data indicating the combination of ingredients included in the bento, or an image of the bento including the combination of ingredients. The image of the lunch box may be an image generated by the generation unit 205 or may be an image taken by the user.

[0056] The ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that will improve the appearance of the lunch box when combined with the selected lunch box. For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients according to the price range or genre of the lunch box. As an example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend high-end ingredients when the price range of the lunch box is high-end, or may recommend Japanese ingredients when the genre of the lunch box is Japanese-style. Similarly, the lunch box recommendation unit 103 may recommend a lunch box that will improve the appearance of the lunch box when combined with the selected ingredients.

[0057] Furthermore, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that will increase the evaluation of the bento box based on evaluations of the bento box containing predetermined ingredients. Here, the evaluation of the bento box may be, for example, an evaluation of a social media post that includes information indicating the bento box and ingredients included in the bento box. Evaluations of the social media post are reactions to the posted content. For example, evaluations of the social media post include likes, dislikes, comments, reactions, etc. The information indicating the bento box and ingredients included in the bento box may be text data or an image of the bento box, similar to the information indicating the combination of ingredients described above. In this case, for example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients that will increase the evaluation of the bento box using a learning model that has learned the correlation between social media posts that include information indicating the bento box and ingredients included in the bento box and the evaluation of the posts. The evaluation of the lunch box is not limited to this example, but may also be an evaluation value calculated using predetermined criteria for the selected ingredients or the selected lunch box, such as an evaluation of the nutritional value of the ingredients contained in the lunch box.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients that have appropriate nutritional value or appropriate nutritional balance based on the nutritional value of the selected ingredient. For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend ingredients whose total calorie value, including the calories of the selected ingredient, is less than an upper limit. The upper limit calorie value may be determined in advance or may be recorded in association with the user's identification information. In this case, for example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may refer to information indicating the calories of each ingredient and recommend ingredients whose total calorie value, including the calories of the selected ingredient, is less than the upper limit. The recommendation of ingredients based on nutritional value is not limited to this example, and at least one of the nutritional values ​​of salt, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, dietary fiber, etc. may be used, or a PFC (Protein Fat Carbohydrate) balance may be used.

[0059] Furthermore, when a lunch box is selected, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may determine whether to recommend ingredients. For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may determine to recommend ingredients when the amount of remaining space when the selected ingredients are placed in the selected lunch box is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, based on the size of the selected lunch box and the amount of the selected ingredients. Furthermore, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may determine not to recommend ingredients when the amount of remaining space when the selected ingredients are placed in the selected lunch box is less than a predetermined value, based on the size of the selected lunch box and the amount of the selected ingredients. Furthermore, in this case, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend at least one of ending the selection of ingredients and changing the lunch box to a larger lunch box than the selected lunch box.

[0060] In this way, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 successively recommends ingredients, which makes it easier for the user to select the recommended ingredients when selecting multiple ingredients, thereby increasing convenience when ordering a bento.

[0061] (Acceptance and recommendation of positions for placing ingredients) The accepting unit 101 may further accept a designation of a position for placing the selected ingredient. The designation of the position for placing the ingredient may be a designation of the position of the ingredient in the lunch box, or a designation of the positional relationship between two or more ingredients.

[0062] In this way, the reception unit 101 receives the specification of the position where the ingredients are to be placed, so that the user can customize the lunch box as if they were actually arranging the ingredients in the lunch box, thereby increasing the convenience of ordering a lunch box.

[0063] In addition, when the designation of the position where the ingredient is to be placed is not accepted, the position of the ingredient may be determined, for example, according to the order in which the ingredient is selected.

[0064] The ingredient recommendation unit 102 may further recommend a position for placing a newly selected ingredient based on the ingredient whose position has been determined. The recommended position is a position where the newly selected ingredient will look good when placed in the lunch box. The ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend a position for the newly selected ingredient using predetermined criteria, or may recommend a position for the newly selected ingredient using a learning model that has learned the relationship between the position of the ingredient and the appearance of the lunch box. The ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend a position for placing the ingredient between the time when the receiving unit 101 receives the selection of the ingredient and the time when the receiving unit 101 receives the position for placing the ingredient. For example, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 may recommend a position for placing the ingredient by highlighting the position for placing the ingredient in the image of the lunch box generated by the generation unit 205.

[0065] In this way, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends the position where ingredients should be placed, which makes it easier for the user to specify the appropriate position for the ingredients, thereby increasing the convenience when ordering a bento.

[0066] (Acceptance of Lunch Box Provision Status) Here, in a lunch box provision service in which a user can select and order lunch box ingredients and lunch boxes, it is assumed that the ingredients are frozen foods.

[0067] In this case, the receiving unit 101 may receive a selection of whether the lunch box is to be served frozen or thawed. The selection of whether the lunch box is to be served frozen or thawed is part of the order information. Note that the price of the lunch box may differ depending on the serving state.

[0068] The serving state of the bento is the state of the bento when the user receives it at the store, i.e., when the user receives the bento. The serving state of the bento can be a frozen state in which the ingredients remain frozen, or a thawed state in which the ingredients are thawed, i.e., cooked and ready for the user to eat.

[0069] Furthermore, when the reception unit 101 receives a selection that the food is to be served frozen, the reception unit 101 may also receive a selection as to whether the user will cook the food using the store's equipment. The store's equipment may be, for example, a microwave oven, a fryer, or the like.

[0070] When the reception unit 101 receives a selection that the serving state is frozen, and further, when the user's membership type is a predetermined membership type, the reception unit 101 may receive a selection of whether or not the user will cook using the store's equipment. The user's membership type may be pre-recorded in association with the user's identification information. For example, the user's membership type is whether or not membership information is registered, and the predetermined membership type that allows the user to use the store's equipment is a membership type for which membership information is registered. In this case, the reception unit 101 may receive a selection of whether or not to cook using the store's equipment if the user is a member whose information has been registered, and may not receive a selection of whether or not to cook using the store's equipment if the user is not a registered member. Note that the user's membership type is not limited to this example.

[0071] When the receiving unit 101 receives a selection of the lunch box serving status, the order processing unit 104 performs order processing according to the lunch box serving status. For example, the order processing unit 104 transmits order information including information indicating the lunch box serving status to the store. Furthermore, for example, when the order processing unit 104 receives a selection of a user to cook a lunch box using equipment, the order processing unit 104 may reserve the equipment according to the selection of the store and time to pick up the lunch box.

[0072] An example of the operation of the order support device 200 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B and examples of output screens of the user terminal of FIGS. 6 to 10.

[0073] The reception unit 101 receives a selection of whether to select the lunch box or the ingredients first (step S201).

[0074] 6 is an example of an output screen of the user terminal in step S201. The output screen includes a "Start by selecting a lunch box" button, a "Start by selecting ingredients" button, and instructions for selecting one of the buttons. When the "Start by selecting a lunch box" button is pressed on the output screen of the user terminal, the reception unit 101 accepts that the lunch box is to be selected first. Furthermore, when the "Start by selecting ingredients" button is pressed on the output screen of the user terminal, the reception unit 101 accepts that the ingredients are to be selected first. Note that the output screen used by the reception unit 101 to accept the selection of whether to select the lunch box first or the ingredients first is not limited to the example of FIG. 6.

[0075] (When Lunch Box is Selected First) In step S201, when it is accepted that a lunch box is to be selected first (step S201: Lunch Box), the accepting unit 101 accepts the selection of the lunch box (step S202).

[0076] Next, the generation unit 205 generates an image of the lunch box including the selected lunch box (step S203).

[0077] Next, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients according to the size of the selected lunch box (step S204). The ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients by outputting information about the recommended ingredients together with the image of the lunch box generated in step S203 to the screen of the user terminal.

[0078] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives the selection of ingredients (step S205).

[0079] Next, the generation unit 205 generates an image of the selected lunch box and the lunch box including the selected ingredients (step S206).

[0080] Next, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients according to the size of the selected lunch box and the amount of the selected ingredients (step S207).

[0081] FIG. 7 is an example of an output screen of the user terminal in step S207. The output screen includes an image of the bento box generated in step S206, ingredient options, and information recommending ingredients. In the image of the bento box included in the output screen, the spaces in the bento box where ingredients can be placed are indicated by dotted lines. Furthermore, in the output screen, the information recommending ingredients includes information highlighting recommended ingredients from the ingredient options by surrounding them with dotted lines, and a message indicating the recommended ingredients. Note that output examples of the information recommending ingredients are not limited to these examples. Furthermore, the output screen may include a total price of the ingredients, a button for returning to the previous screen, and a button for proceeding to the next screen. The total price of the ingredients may be calculated based on the prices of the ingredients already selected and the number of selected ingredients. Furthermore, the button for returning to the previous screen is a button for returning to the bento box selection screen. The button for proceeding to the next screen is a button for completing ingredient selection. An example of an output screen for recommending ingredients is not limited to the example of FIG. 7.

[0082] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives a notification that the selection of ingredients has been completed (step S208). For example, when the “Next” button is pressed on the output screen example of FIG. 7, the receiving unit 101 may receive a notification that the selection of ingredients has been completed.

[0083] In step S208, if it is determined that the selection of ingredients has been completed (step S208: Yes), the generation unit 205 generates an image of the selected lunch box and the lunch box including the selected ingredients (step S217).

[0084] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives order information for ordering the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients (step S218).

[0085] FIG. 8 shows an example of an output screen output to a user terminal in step S218 to accept order information for order processing. The output screen includes a field for inputting information about the user who placed the order and a field for inputting information about the delivery of the bento. The fields for inputting information about the user who placed the order include, for example, fields for inputting a name, phone number, and email address, and a field for selecting a payment method. The output screen may also include a button for automatically inputting information recorded in association with the user's identification information by inputting the user's identification information. The fields for inputting information about the delivery of the bento include fields for inputting the store where the bento will be picked up and the date and time of pickup, as well as fields for selecting the delivery status of the bento and whether or not equipment for preparing the bento will be used. The output screen also includes a button for confirming the order. When the button for confirming the order is pressed, the reception unit 101 accepts the input and selection of this order information.

[0086] Next, the order processing unit 104 uses the order information received in step S218 to process an order for a lunch box containing the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients (step S219). After step S219, the order support device 200 ends the process. Note that when the order processing is completed, the order processing unit 104 may output to the user that the order processing in step S219 has been completed.

[0087] 9 is an example of an output screen notifying that the order processing in step S219 has been completed. The output screen includes a message indicating that the order processing has been completed, an image of the lunch box generated in step S217, a message encouraging the user to post the image of the lunch box, a button for posting the image of the lunch box, and a button for closing the lunch box customization screen. When the button for posting the image of the lunch box is pressed, the screen may transition to a screen for posting to any SNS or the like.

[0088] Also, in step S208, if it is not accepted that the ingredient selection has been completed (step S208: No), the process returns to step S205 and repeats the process until it is accepted in step S208 that the ingredient selection has been completed.

[0089] (When Ingredients are Selected First) In step S201, if the reception unit 101 receives a request to select ingredients first (step S201: ingredients), the reception unit 101 receives the selection of ingredients (step S209).

[0090] Next, the generating unit 205 generates an image of the bento box including the selected ingredients (step S210).

[0091] Next, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 recommends ingredients according to the selected ingredients (step S211).

[0092] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives that the selection of ingredients has been completed (step S212). If the receiving unit 101 does not receive that the selection of ingredients has been completed (step S212: No), the process returns to step S209. Then, the process is repeated until the receiving unit 101 receives that the selection of ingredients has been completed.

[0093] In step S212, if the reception unit 101 receives that the selection of ingredients has been completed (step S212: Yes), the lunch box recommendation unit 103 recommends a lunch box according to the amount of the selected ingredients (step S213).

[0094] 10 is an example of an output screen of the user terminal in step S213. The output screen includes lunch box options, information recommending lunch boxes, a button for returning to the previous screen, and a button for proceeding to the next screen. The information recommending lunch boxes is information that highlights the recommended lunch box from the lunch box options by surrounding it with a dotted line, and a message indicating the recommended lunch box. Note that output examples of the information recommending lunch boxes are not limited to these examples. Furthermore, the button for returning to the previous screen is a button for returning to the ingredient selection screen. The button for proceeding to the next screen is a button for completing the selection of the lunch box. An example of an output screen for recommending lunch boxes is not limited to the example of FIG. 10.

[0095] Next, the receiving unit 101 receives the selection of the lunch box (step S214).

[0096] Next, the generation unit 205 generates an image of the lunch box containing the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients (step S215).

[0097] Next, the ingredient recommendation unit 102 determines whether to recommend further ingredients (step S216). If it is determined in step S216 that no ingredients should be recommended (step S216: No), the process proceeds to step S217. If it is determined in step S216 that ingredients should be recommended (step S216: Yes), the process proceeds to step S207. The processes from step S217 onwards and from step S207 onwards are as described above.

[0098] This completes the series of operations of the order support device 200. Note that the flowcharts in Figures 5A and 5B are examples of the operations of the order support device 200, and the operations of the order support device 200 are not limited to the examples in Figures 5A and 5B. For example, if it is accepted in step S201 that a lunch box is to be selected first, the lunch box recommendation unit 103 may recommend a lunch box based on user information, or the process of accepting order information in step S218 may be performed before step S201.

[0099] The order assistance device in the above-described embodiment includes a reception unit, an ingredient recommendation unit, a lunch box recommendation unit, an order processing unit, and a generation unit. The reception unit receives a selection from a user ordering a lunch box as to whether to select the lunch box or the ingredients to be placed in the lunch box first. The ingredient recommendation unit recommends ingredients in the amount that will fit in the selected lunch box, depending on the size of the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients. The lunch box recommendation unit recommends a lunch box large enough to fit the ingredients, depending on the selected ingredients. The order processing unit then performs order processing for the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients. The generation unit also generates an image of a lunch box that includes at least one of the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients.

[0100] The order support device of this embodiment allows a user to select either the bento box or the ingredients in a service that allows the user to select bento ingredients and the bento box to order. As a result, the order support device of this embodiment can improve convenience when ordering bento.

[0101] Furthermore, in the order support device of this embodiment, the generation unit generates an image of a bento box that includes at least one of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients. Therefore, the ingredient recommendation unit and the bento box recommendation unit can recommend ingredients and bento boxes, respectively, using the image of the bento. This allows the user to select a bento box and ingredients while imagining what the finished bento will look like. As a result, the order support device of this embodiment can improve convenience when ordering bento boxes.

[0102] [Hardware Configuration] Some or all of the components of each device or system in each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program, for example, as shown in Fig. 11. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.

[0103] - CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001 - ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 - RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003 - Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 - Storage device 1005 for storing program 1004 - Drive device 1007 for reading and writing from and to recording medium 1006 - Communication I / F 1008 for connecting to communication network 1009 - Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data - Bus 1011 for connecting each component. Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0104] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes the function of that component. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, for example, and is read by the CPU 1001 as needed. The program 1004 may be supplied to the CPU 1001 via a communication network, or may be stored in the recording medium 1006 in advance, and the drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 1001.

[0105] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device or system may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.

[0106] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device or system may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits (circuitry) including a processor or the like, or a combination of these. Examples of circuits include a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing LSI (Large Scale Integration). These may be configured by a single chip or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and a program.

[0107] When some or all of the components of each device or system are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in which they are connected via a communication network.

[0108] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0109] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a sequential order in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0110] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0111] [Supplementary Note 1] An order assistance device comprising: a receiving means for receiving a selection by a user ordering a lunch box as to whether to select first the lunch box or the ingredients to be put in the lunch box; an ingredient recommendation means for recommending ingredients of a size that will fit in the selected lunch box, according to the size of the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients; a lunch box recommendation means for recommending a lunch box of a size that will fit the ingredients, according to the selected ingredients; and an order processing means for processing an order for the selected lunch box and the selected ingredients.

[0112] [Supplementary Note 2] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that will give the bento a favorable appearance when combined with the selected ingredient.

[0113] [Supplementary Note 3] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that will give the bento a desirable appearance based on the color of the ingredients.

[0114] [Supplementary Note 4] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that will give the lunch box a favorable appearance when combined with the selected lunch box.

[0115] [Supplementary Note 5] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends the ingredient based on an evaluation of a lunch box in which predetermined ingredients are packed.

[0116] [Supplementary Note 6] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends an ingredient whose total calorie value including the calories of the selected ingredient is less than an upper limit value.

[0117] [Supplementary Note 7] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that do not include foods that the user should avoid.

[0118] [Supplementary Note 8] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that are local specialties of a region that includes the location indicated in the user's location information.

[0119] [Supplementary Note 9] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends the ingredient that is a local specialty when the location information and the address of the user belong to different regions.

[0120] [Supplementary Note 10] The order support device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the receiving means further receives a designation of a position where the selected ingredient is to be placed.

[0121] [Supplementary Note 11] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the ingredient recommendation means further recommends a position for placing the newly selected ingredient based on the ingredient whose position has been determined.

[0122] [Supplementary Note 12] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the recommended position is a position that will make the bento look good when the newly selected ingredient is placed therein.

[0123] [Supplementary Note 13] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, wherein the lunch box recommendation means recommends the lunch box that will improve the appearance of the lunch when combined with the selected ingredients.

[0124] [Supplementary Note 14] The order support device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, wherein the ingredients are frozen foods, and the reception means receives a selection of whether the bento is to be served frozen or thawed.

[0125] [Supplementary Note 15] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the reception unit receives a selection of whether or not the user wants the food cooked using the store's facilities when the food is in a frozen state.

[0126] [Supplementary Note 16] The order support device according to Supplementary Note 15, wherein the reception means receives a selection of whether or not the user will cook using the equipment when the provided state is a frozen state and the user's membership type is a predetermined membership type.

[0127] [Supplementary Note 17] The order assistance device according to Supplementary Note 15 or 16, wherein the order processing means reserves the equipment in accordance with a selection of a store and a time for picking up the lunch box when the user uses the equipment to prepare the lunch box.

[0128] [Supplementary Note 18] The order assistance device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 17, further comprising: a generation unit that generates an image of the selected lunch box and a lunch box including at least one of the selected ingredients.

[0129] [Supplementary Note 19] An ordering support method comprising: accepting a selection from a user ordering a bento as to whether to select first the bento box or ingredients to be placed in the bento box; recommending ingredients of a size that will fit in the selected bento box according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients; recommending a bento box of a size that will fit the ingredients according to the selected ingredients; and processing an order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

[0130] [Appendix 20] A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: accepting a selection from a user ordering a bento as to whether to select first the bento box or the ingredients to be put in the bento box; recommending ingredients of a size that will fit in the selected bento box according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients; recommending a bento box of a size that will fit the ingredients according to the selected ingredients; and performing order processing for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

[0131] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 18 that are subordinate to Supplementary Note 1 (order support device) may also be subordinate to Supplementary Note 19 (order support method) and Supplementary Note 20 (recording medium) in the same subordinate relationship as Supplementary Note 2 to 18. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Note 1, Supplementary Note 19, and Supplementary Note 20, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be subordinate to various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, as long as they do not deviate from the respective embodiments described above.

[0132] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Order support device 101 Reception unit 102 Ingredient recommendation unit 103 Lunch box recommendation unit 104 Order processing unit 200 Order support device 205 Generation unit 1000 Information processing device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording medium 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication network 1010 Input / output I / F 1011 Bus

Claims

1. An order assistance device comprising: a receiving means for receiving a selection from a user ordering a bento as to whether to select first the bento box or the ingredients to be placed in the bento box; an ingredient recommendation means for recommending ingredients of a size that will fit in the selected bento box, according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients; a bento box recommendation means for recommending a bento box of a size that will fit the ingredients, according to the selected ingredients; and an order processing means for processing an order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

2. The order assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that will give the bento a desirable appearance when combined with the selected ingredient.

3. The order support device according to claim 2, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that will give the bento a desirable appearance based on the color of the ingredients.

4. An order assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that will give the lunch box a desirable appearance when combined with the selected lunch box.

5. The order support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends the ingredient based on an evaluation of a lunch box in which predetermined ingredients are packed.

6. The order support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends an ingredient whose total calorie value including the calories of the selected ingredient is less than an upper limit value.

7. The order assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that do not contain foods that the user should avoid.

8. The order support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends ingredients that are local specialties of a region that includes the location indicated in the user's location information.

9. The order support device according to claim 8, wherein the ingredient recommendation means recommends the local specialty ingredient when the location information and the user's address belong to different areas.

10. An order support device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the receiving means further receives a designation of a position for placing the selected ingredient.

11. The order assistance device according to claim 10, wherein the ingredient recommendation means further recommends a position for placing the newly selected ingredient based on the ingredient whose position has been determined.

12. The order assistance device according to claim 11, wherein the recommended position is a position that will make the bento look good when the newly selected ingredient is placed therein.

13. The order assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lunch box recommendation means recommends the lunch box that will improve the appearance of the lunch when combined with the selected ingredients.

14. An order support device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the ingredients are frozen foods, and the reception means receives a selection of whether the bento is to be served frozen or thawed.

15. The order support device according to claim 14, wherein the reception means receives a selection of whether or not the user would like the food cooked using the store's facilities when the provided state is frozen.

16. The order support device according to claim 15, wherein the reception means receives a selection of whether or not the user will cook using the equipment when the provided state is frozen and the user's membership type is a predetermined membership type.

17. The order assistance device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the order processing means reserves the equipment in accordance with the selection of the store and time for picking up the lunch box when the user uses the equipment to prepare the lunch box.

18. An order assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising: a generating means for generating an image of the selected lunch box and a lunch box including at least one of the selected ingredients.

19. An ordering support method that accepts a selection from a user ordering a bento as to whether to select the bento box or the ingredients to be placed in the bento box first, recommends ingredients that fit into the selected bento box according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients, recommends a bento box that fits the ingredients according to the selected ingredients, and processes an order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

20. A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: accept a selection from a user ordering a bento as to whether to select the bento box or the ingredients to be placed in the bento box first; recommend ingredients that fit into the selected bento box according to the size of the selected bento box and the selected ingredients; recommend a bento box that fits the ingredients according to the selected ingredients; and process an order for the selected bento box and the selected ingredients.

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