Order system, order method, and order program

Abstract

This order system acquires a purpose inputted by a user as a target purpose, presents, to the user, a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as a plurality of candidate components, acquires one or more candidate components selected by the user from among the plurality of candidate components, and generates order information related to a product to be produced using said one or more candidate components.

Description

Ordering System, Ordering Method, and Ordering Program

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an ordering system, an ordering method, and an ordering program.

[0002] An information processing system for providing a product whose scent effect is expected based on a request from a user is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, there are provided data storage means in which an article and information related to the fragrance of the article are stored in association with each other, and first article information selection means for selecting a first article having the same fragrance as the second article using the input information related to the second article and the data storage means. There is also described a product offering support system including order information generation means for generating order information that enables the first article to be provided to a recipient simultaneously with or before the provision of the second article based on the input information related to the recipient and the information related to the first and second articles.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-161026

[0004] A mechanism for providing a product whose scent effect is expected according to a person's purpose and preference is desired.

[0005] The ordering system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one processor. The at least one processor acquires the purpose input by the user as a target purpose, presents a plurality of fragrance components corresponding to the target purpose to the user as a plurality of candidate components, acquires one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components, and generates order information regarding a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components.

[0006] In such an aspect, an opportunity to select a fragrance component suitable for the purpose is provided to the user, and order information for a product using the fragrance component selected by the user is generated. By generating order information through such a process step by step, a product whose scent effect is expected can be provided according to a person's purpose and preference.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a product whose scent effect is expected can be provided according to a person's purpose and preference.

[0008] This is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the ordering system in the first example. This is a diagram showing an example of fragrance component data. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the ordering system in the first example. This is a diagram showing an example of an ordering site. This is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the ordering system in the second example. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the ordering system in the second example.

[0009] The following describes various examples in this disclosure in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [System Overview] The ordering system described herein is a computer system used to provide products that are expected to have a fragrance effect, tailored to a person's purpose and preferences. The ordering system acquires the purpose entered by the user as the target purpose and presents the user with a plurality of fragrance components corresponding to that target purpose. The ordering system acquires one or more fragrance components selected by the user from among the plurality of fragrance components and generates order information for products manufactured using that one or more fragrance components. The fragrance effect may be the acquisition of fragrance.

[0011] The purpose for which the product is used can vary. The purpose may be to alter a specific physical or mental state, for example, to improve a specific physical or mental state, or to obtain an element that the body or mind desires. The element that the body or mind desires may be the acquisition of fragrance itself. The purpose entered into the ordering system may be the user's purpose or the purpose of someone other than the user. The purpose entered into the ordering system may be related to a specific disease or disorder, for example, a purpose related to at least one of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, and sleep disorders. Examples of purposes include "supporting a cheerful mood," "promoting a calm mind," "supporting comfortable movement," "supporting a refreshed feeling," and "enhancing the enjoyment of food."

[0012] A user is someone who uses the ordering system. Users perform various operations such as entering their desired information and selecting fragrance components.

[0013] Aromatic components refer to materials containing compounds that are perceived by the human sense of smell. Aromatic components may consist of one or more compounds. They may be composed of a single compound, or they may be obtained by mixing, blending, or other processing of multiple compounds.

[0014] A product manufactured using aromatic components refers to an article containing one or more aromatic components selected by the user. When multiple aromatic components are used, a product containing multiple aromatic components may be manufactured by applying a composition obtained by mixing, blending, or other processing of these aromatic components to the product, or by applying those aromatic components independently to the product. In this disclosure, a product manufactured using aromatic components is also simply referred to as a "product." A product can also be described as a customized article in which the fragrant effect based on the aromatic components selected by the user is expected for a purpose entered by the user. A product is used by the user or by a person other than the user. The aromatic components contained in a product act on a person through sensory organs such as the nose and skin. An effect includes at least the perception of the aromatic components. It is expected that a specific physical or mental state will change as a result of the effect. For example, a product may be a sticker applied to the skin to allow transdermal absorption of aromatic components. A product may also be a sticker applied to the skin to allow transdermal absorption of one or more aromatic components for purposes related to PMS. In one example, the seal comprises an adhesive layer that is attached to the skin and a retaining layer that primarily holds one or more fragrance components.

[0015] Order information refers to information used to manufacture and deliver products based on user specifications. For example, the order system outputs this order information to the manufacturing system that produces the product.

[0016] [System Configuration] The ordering system consists of one or more computers. When multiple computers are used, these computers are connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet to logically construct a single ordering system.

[0017] The computer comprising an ordering system generally includes a processor, storage device (memory), and communication interface as hardware components. The processor is, for example, a CPU or GPU. Storage devices consist of flash memory, hard disks, etc. Communication interfaces consist of network cards, wireless communication modules, etc. Each functional module of the ordering system is realized by the processor executing programs stored in the storage device.

[0018] An order program for enabling a computer to function as an order system includes program code for implementing each functional module of the order system. This order program may be provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the order program may be provided via a communication network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave. The provided order program is stored, for example, in a storage device.

[0019] [First Example] (Functional Configuration) Figure 1 shows the functional configuration of the ordering system 10 according to the first example. In this example, the ordering system 10 connects to a database 20, a user terminal 30, and a manufacturing system 40 via a communication network. The communication network is typically constructed by the internet, an intranet, or a combination thereof. The communication network can be constructed by a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof.

[0020] The ordering system 10 includes a processor 101 that functions as a candidate presentation unit 11 and an order receiving unit 12. The candidate presentation unit 11 is a functional module that acquires the purpose entered by the user as the target purpose and presents to the user a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as a plurality of candidate components. The order receiving unit 12 is a functional module that acquires one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components and generates order information for a product manufactured using that one or more candidate components.

[0021] The database 20 is a storage device that stores fragrance component data used by the ordering system 10. The database 20 may be a component of the ordering system 10, or it may be located outside of the ordering system 10.

[0022] Aromatic component data is electronic data that shows the correspondence between a given purpose and multiple aromatic components for each of several purposes. The correspondence between a purpose and aromatic components refers to information indicating aromatic components that can exert an effect on that purpose. Aromatic component data is prepared in advance by the administrator of the order system 10. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of aromatic component data. In this example, the aromatic component data shows the correspondence between multiple purposes such as "Purpose Pa" and "Purpose Pb" and multiple aromatic components such as "Component Ma" and "Component Mb" in tabular format. A value of "1" indicates an aromatic component that corresponds to the purpose, i.e., an aromatic component that can exert an effect on that purpose. A value of "0" indicates an aromatic component that does not correspond to the purpose, i.e., an aromatic component that does not exert an effect on that purpose. Figure 2 shows that component Ma is an aromatic component that exerts an effect on purposes Pa, Pc, and Ph, and component Mb is an aromatic component that exerts an effect on purposes Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pg.

[0023] The user terminal 30 is a computer used by users of the ordering system 10. The user terminal 30 can be any type of computer, such as a personal computer, workstation, tablet, smartphone, or wearable device. The user terminal 30 is equipped with a display device such as a display and an input device such as a keyboard or pointing device.

[0024] The manufacturing system 40 is a device or group of devices that manufactures products based on order information generated by the order system 10. The manufacturing system 40 may be a component of the order system 10, or it may be located outside of the order system 10.

[0025] (System Operation) The operation of the ordering system 10 will be described as an example of the ordering method according to this disclosure, with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation as the processing flow S1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of an ordering site 200. The ordering site 200 is a website for accepting product orders.

[0026] In step S11, the candidate presentation unit 11 displays the objective selection page 201 of the order site 200 on the user terminal 30 in response to user operation. The user performs an operation on the user terminal 30 to access the objective selection page 201. In response to this operation, the user terminal 30 sends an HTTP request to the order system 10 requesting the objective selection page 201. In response to the HTTP request, the candidate presentation unit 11 refers to the database 20 to identify multiple objectives and sends page data for the objective selection page 201 displaying those objectives as an HTTP response to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 processes the page data and displays the objective selection page 201 on the display device. In the example in Figure 4, the objective selection page 201 shows eight types of objectives indicated by the fragrance component data shown in Figure 2.

[0027] In step S12, the candidate presentation unit 11 retrieves the objective selected by the user from the user terminal 30 as the target objective. The user operates the user terminal 30 to select an objective on the objective selection page 201 and clicks or taps the "Blend" button. This user operation is an example of an operation to input an objective. In response to this user operation, the user terminal 30 transmits the selected objective (the entered objective) to the order system 10. The candidate presentation unit 11 receives this objective as the target objective. This receiving process is an example of a process to acquire a target objective.

[0028] In step S13, the candidate suggestion unit 11 extracts multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose from the database 20. The candidate suggestion unit 11 refers to the aromatic component data in the database 20 and extracts multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose. When the aromatic component data is represented in the data structure shown in Figure 2, the candidate suggestion unit 11 identifies multiple aromatic components for which "1" is set for the target purpose. For example, if the target purpose is "Purpose Pd", the candidate suggestion unit 11 extracts multiple aromatic components including components Mc and Md, and if the target purpose is "Purpose Pg", it extracts multiple aromatic components including components Mb, Md, and Me.

[0029] In step S14, the candidate presentation unit 11 displays the extracted aromatic components as multiple candidate components on the user terminal 30. The candidate presentation unit 11 transmits page data for the component selection page 202, which displays the multiple candidate components, to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 processes the page data and displays the component selection page 202 on the display device. In the example in Figure 4, the component selection page 202 shows five candidate components with five images A to E. Each of images A to E may be a photograph or illustration of a rose, orange, herb, etc., that helps the user associate with the type of candidate component (aromatic component).

[0030] The combination of steps S13 and S14 is an example of a process that presents the user with multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as multiple candidate components.

[0031] In step S15, the order receiving unit 12 obtains one or more candidate components selected by the user from the user terminal. The user operates the user terminal 30 to select one or more candidate components from multiple candidate components on the component selection page 202 and clicks or taps the "Confirm" button. In response to the user's operation, the user terminal 30 sends the selected one or more candidate components to the order system 10. The order receiving unit 12 obtains these candidate components and sends page data of the order confirmation page 203, indicating that the order has been received, to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 processes the page data and displays the order confirmation page 203 on the display device.

[0032] In step S16, the order receiving unit 12 generates order information for a product manufactured using one or more selected candidate components (fragrance components). For example, the order receiving unit 12 generates order information that includes one or more selected candidate components, information of the user who ordered the product, and information of the product's delivery address. The order receiving unit 12 obtains user information and shipping address information specified by the user via the order site 200 and includes the obtained information in the order information.

[0033] In step S17, the order receiving unit 12 outputs order information to the manufacturing system 40. The order receiving unit 12 transmits the order information to the manufacturing system 40 via the communication network, and the manufacturing system 40 receives the order information.

[0034] In step S18, the manufacturing system 40 manufactures the product based on the order information. The manufacturing system 40 manufactures the product using one or more candidate components (fragrance components) indicated in the order information. The manufactured product is delivered to the delivery address indicated in the order information. The delivered product can be used to achieve the intended purpose of the user or another person.

[0035] [Second Example] (Functional Configuration) Figure 5 shows the functional configuration of the ordering system 10A in the second example. The ordering system 10A differs from the ordering system 10 in the first example in that it uses an inference model 19 generated by machine learning, rather than a database 20, to present the user with multiple candidate components corresponding to the target purpose. The differences from the ordering system 10 will be explained in particular below.

[0036] In this example, the ordering system 10A connects to the user terminal 30 and the manufacturing system 40 via a communication network. The ordering system 10A differs from the ordering system 10 in that the processor 101 functions as a candidate presentation unit 11A instead of the candidate presentation unit 11. The candidate presentation unit 11A is a functional module that acquires the purpose entered by the user as the target purpose and presents to the user a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as a plurality of candidate components. The candidate presentation unit 11A differs from the candidate presentation unit 11 in the first example in that it infers the plurality of candidate components corresponding to the target purpose using an inference model 19, rather than extracting them from the database 20.

[0037] The inference model 19 is a pre-trained model generated by machine learning to infer multiple aromatic components from a given objective. Machine learning is a method that autonomously discovers laws or rules by iteratively learning based on given information. The inference model 19 is constructed, for example, by a neural network.

[0038] The inference model 19 is pre-generated by a predetermined learning device. The learning device may be located outside the ordering system 10A, or it may be a component of the ordering system 10A. For example, the ordering system 10A may include the learning device as a functional module called a learning unit. The learning device refers to training data containing multiple data records that show combinations of a target and multiple fragrance components. The multiple fragrance components shown in each data record of the training data are used as ground truth in machine learning.

[0039] The learning device performs the following processing for each data record in the training data. The learning device inputs the objective indicated by the data record into a machine learning model and obtains estimated results of multiple aromatic components output from the machine learning model. Based on the error between the estimated result and the correct answer indicated by the data record, the learning device updates the parameters (e.g., weights) in the machine learning model using a method such as backpropagation. The learning device repeats machine learning by changing the data record, i.e., by changing the input value, until a predetermined termination condition is met. For example, the termination condition may be that all data records of the training data have been processed, or that the error between the estimated result and the correct answer is below a predetermined threshold. The learning device outputs the machine learning model at the time machine learning is completed as an inference model 19. For example, the learning device stores the inference model 19 in the memory of the ordering system 10A. This inference model 19 is used by the candidate presentation unit 11A.

[0040] (System Operation) Referring to Figure 6, the operation of the ordering system 10A will be described as an example of the ordering method relating to this disclosure. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing its operation as processing flow S1A. Processing flow S1A differs from processing flow S1 in that it includes steps S13A and S14A instead of steps S13 and S14. The differences will be explained below.

[0041] In step S13A, the candidate presentation unit 11A inputs the target objective to the inference model 19 and infers multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target objective. The inference model 19 accepts the input target objective and outputs multiple aromatic components as inference results. The candidate presentation unit 11A acquires these multiple aromatic components.

[0042] In step S14A, the candidate presentation unit 11A displays the multiple candidate components that have been inferred as multiple candidate components on the user terminal 30. Similar to step S14A, the candidate presentation unit 11A transmits page data for the component selection page 202 that displays the multiple candidate components to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 processes the page data and displays the component selection page 202 on the display device.

[0043] The combination of steps S13A and S14A is an example of a process of presenting a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to a target purpose to a user as a plurality of candidate components.

[0044] [Modification Example] The technology of the present disclosure has been described in detail based on various examples. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. Various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0045] In the above example, the order systems 10 and 10A output order information to the manufacturing system 40, but the order system may output the order information to another system or device. For example, the order system may output the order information to the business system of a company that manufactures products.

[0046] In the above example, the order systems 10 and 10A serve as servers in a client-server system. As another example, the functions of the order systems 10 and 10A may be implemented on a stand-alone computer.

[0047] The manufacturing system may manufacture a plurality of products having different blending ratios between candidate components based on one or more selected candidate components (aromatic components). These products are delivered to the delivery destination indicated by the order information. The manufacturing system may manufacture products based on the same one or more candidate components (aromatic components) as in the past for the same delivery destination as in the past. In this case, the manufacturing system may refer to the evaluation information about the effects of past products registered by the user via the order site, and manufacture products evaluated to be effective based on the one or more candidate components (aromatic components).

[0048] In the above example, the order systems 10 and 10A obtain one purpose input by the user as the target purpose, but the order system may obtain two or more purposes as the target purpose. In this modification, for each of the two or more target purposes, the order system extracts a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose from the database or infers them using an inference model. Then, the order system presents the union of the plurality of extracted or inferred aromatic components to the user as a plurality of candidate components. The order system obtains one or more candidate components selected by the user from among the plurality of candidate components and generates order information regarding a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components.

[0049] The processing procedures of the method executed by at least one processor are not limited to the above example. For example, some of the above-described steps may be omitted, or the steps may be executed in a different order. Also, any two or more of the above-described steps may be combined, or a part of a step may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to each of the above steps.

[0050] In the comparison of the magnitude relationship between two numerical values in the present disclosure, either of the two criteria of "or more" and "greater than" may be used, and either of the two criteria of "or less" and "less than" may be used.

[0051] In the present disclosure, the expression "at least one processor executes the first process, executes the second process,... executes the nth process." or a corresponding expression indicates a concept including a case where the execution subject of the n processes from the first process to the nth process, that is, the processor, changes midway. That is, this expression indicates a concept including both a case where all of the n processes are executed by the same processor and a case where the processor changes in an arbitrary manner in the n processes.

[0052] [Note] As can be seen from the various examples above, this disclosure includes the following embodiments: (Note 1) An ordering system comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor acquires a purpose entered by a user as a target purpose, presents to the user a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as a plurality of candidate components, acquires one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components, and generates order information for a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components. (Note 2) The ordering system according to Note 1, wherein the at least one processor extracts the plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose from a database that stores aromatic component data showing the correspondence between each of the plurality of purposes and the plurality of aromatic components, and presents the extracted plurality of aromatic components to the user as the plurality of candidate components. (Note 3) The ordering system according to Note 1, wherein at least one processor inputs the target purpose into an inference model that infers the plurality of aromatic components from the purpose, infers the plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose, and presents the inferred plurality of aromatic components to the user as the plurality of candidate components. (Note 4) The ordering system according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein at least one processor outputs the order information to a manufacturing system, and the manufacturing system manufactures the product based on the outputted order information. (Note 5) The ordering system according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the purpose is a purpose related to premenstrual syndrome. (Note 6) The ordering system according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein the product is a seal containing one or more candidate components and for transdermal absorption of the one or more candidate components.(Note 7) An ordering method executed by an ordering system having at least one processor, comprising: a step of acquiring an objective entered by a user as a target objective; a step of presenting a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target objective to the user as a plurality of candidate components; a step of acquiring one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components; and a step of generating ordering information relating to a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components. (Note 8) An ordering program that causes a computer to execute: a step of acquiring an objective entered by a user as a target objective; a step of presenting a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target objective to the user as a plurality of candidate components; a step of acquiring one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components; and a step of generating ordering information relating to a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components.

[0053] According to appendices 1, 7, and 8, users are given the opportunity to select fragrance components that suit their purpose, and order information for products using the fragrance components selected by the user is generated. By generating order information in stages using this method, products with expected fragrance effects can be provided according to a person's purpose and preferences.

[0054] According to Appendix 2, by referring to a database that stores the correspondence between a purpose and multiple aromatic components, multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose are presented to the user. By introducing such a database, the management of the correspondence between purposes and aromatic components, such as updating the aromatic component data, becomes easier.

[0055] According to Appendix 3, an inference model is used to deduce multiple aromatic components from the objective, and multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target objective are presented to the user. By using this inference model, it becomes possible to flexibly present multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target objective without having to prepare all the potentially vast number of correspondence relationships between objectives and aromatic components as data.

[0056] According to Appendix 4, the product is manufactured by the manufacturing system based on the generated order information. By providing a system that links order taking and manufacturing in this way, it becomes possible to quickly manufacture products that are expected to have a fragrance effect, tailored to people's purposes and preferences.

[0057] According to Appendix 5, it becomes possible to provide products that utilize fragrance to address premenstrual syndrome, tailored to individual needs and preferences.

[0058] According to Appendix 6, the user is given the opportunity to select an aromatic component that suits their purpose, and order information is generated for a sticker that will allow the user to absorb the selected aromatic component transdermally. By generating order information in this step-by-step manner, stickers with expected fragrance effects can be provided according to a person's purpose and preferences.

[0059] 10, 10A... Order system, 11, 11A... Candidate presentation unit, 12... Order acceptance unit, 19... Inference model, 20... Database, 30... User terminal, 40... Manufacturing system, 200... Order site, 201... Purpose selection page, 202... Ingredient selection page, 203... Order completion page.

Claims

1. An ordering system comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor acquires a target purpose entered by a user, presents to the user a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as a plurality of candidate components, acquires one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components, and generates order information for a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components.

2. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein at least one processor extracts the multiple aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose from a database that stores aromatic component data indicating the correspondence between each of the multiple purposes and the multiple aromatic components, and presents the extracted multiple aromatic components to the user as the multiple candidate components.

3. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein at least one processor inputs the target objective to an inference model that infers the plurality of aromatic components from the objective, infers the plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target objective, and presents the inferred plurality of aromatic components to the user as the plurality of candidate components.

4. The ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one processor outputs the order information to a manufacturing system, and the manufacturing system manufactures the product based on the outputted order information.

5. The ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned purpose is related to premenstrual syndrome.

6. The ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the product is a seal that contains one or more candidate components and is used to allow the one or more candidate components to be absorbed transdermally.

7. An ordering method executed by an ordering system comprising at least one processor, comprising: a step of acquiring a purpose entered by a user as a target purpose; a step of presenting a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose to the user as a plurality of candidate components; a step of acquiring one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components; and a step of generating ordering information relating to a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components.

8. An ordering program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: acquiring a target purpose entered by a user; presenting the user with a plurality of aromatic components corresponding to the target purpose as a plurality of candidate components; acquiring one or more candidate components selected by the user from the plurality of candidate components; and generating order information for a product manufactured using the one or more candidate components.

Images