Apparatus and method for managing item inventory, and recording medium

Abstract

An apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: one or more processors; and one or more memories in which instructions to be executed by the one or more processors are stored, wherein, when the instructions are executed, the one or more processors can: acquire, from a user terminal, a request for an inventory change of one or more items associated with a first location; input the request into a first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location; acquire information indicating that requests input into the first queue have been processed in the order in which the requests were input into the first queue; and sequentially update, on the basis of the information indicating that the requests input into the first queue have been processed, inventory information about the one or more items associated with the first location.

Description

Device, method, and recording medium for managing item inventory

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for managing item inventory.

[0002] To provide e-commerce services, the service provider may operate a logistics center. The service provider may manage the processing and delivery of item orders from the logistics center. To this end, the service provider may manage product inventory.

[0003] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure can input inventory change requests for items associated with a location into different queues.

[0004] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure can update the inventory information of an item based on the result of processing a request to change the inventory of an item associated with a location.

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure can process high-priority inventory change requests.

[0006] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure from the description below.

[0007] An apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises one or more processors; and one or more memories in which instructions to be executed by the one or more processors are stored. When the instructions are executed, the one or more processors may be configured to receive a request for a change in inventory of one or more items associated with a first location from a user terminal, input the request into a first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location, obtain information that the requests input into the first queue have been processed according to the order in which the requests input into the first queue have been received, and sequentially update inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location based on the information that the requests input into the first queue have been processed.

[0008] In one embodiment, the request for inventory change may include identification information that identifies a target item among the one or more items.

[0009] In one embodiment, a request entered into one or more queues associated with the first location may be a request displayed on the user terminal that directs one of receiving, releasing, discarding, or moving the target item.

[0010] In one embodiment, the one or more processors may be configured to input requests entered into the first queue into one or more queues associated with a second location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed.

[0011] In one embodiment, the one or more processors may be configured to determine the location closest to the first location as the second location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the one or more processors may be configured to obtain information about another location from the user terminal based on information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed, and to determine the other location as the second location.

[0013] In one embodiment, the one or more queues associated with the first location further include a second queue having a higher priority than the first queue, and the one or more processors may be configured to determine, based on a predetermined criterion, whether to input the request into any of the one or more queues, and to input the request into the second queue upon the determination that the request corresponds to the predetermined criterion.

[0014] In one embodiment, a request entered into the second queue may be displayed before a request entered into the first queue and processed preferentially over a request entered into the first queue, so as to be configured to change the inventory of one or more items associated with the first location.

[0015] In one embodiment, the one or more processors may be configured to determine, based on order information, whether the user corresponding to the order is a membership subscriber, and to input a request to the second queue to instruct the shipment of an item corresponding to the order according to the determination that the user corresponding to the order is a membership subscriber.

[0016] In one embodiment, the one or more processors may be configured to determine the category of an item corresponding to an order based on order information, and, upon determining that the item corresponding to the order is a fresh food, input a request to the second queue to instruct the shipment of the item corresponding to the order.

[0017] A method performed by a device comprising one or more processors according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and a memory storing instructions to be executed by said one or more processors, wherein, at the time of execution of said instructions, said method may include: a step in which, when the instructions are executed, said one or more processors obtain a request for a change in inventory of one or more items associated with a first location from a user terminal; a step of inputting said request into a first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location; a step of obtaining information that said requests entered into the first queue have been processed according to the order in which said requests entered into the first queue have been processed; and a step of sequentially updating inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location based on the information that said requests entered into the first queue have been processed.

[0018] In one embodiment, the request for inventory change may include identification information that identifies a target item among the one or more items.

[0019] In one embodiment, a request entered into one or more queues associated with the first location may be a request displayed on the user terminal that directs one of receiving, releasing, discarding, or moving the target item.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of obtaining information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed; and the step of entering requests entered into the first queue into one or more queues associated with a second location based on the information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed.

[0021] In one embodiment, the one or more queues associated with the first location may further include a second queue having a higher priority than the first queue.

[0022] In one embodiment, the step of inputting the request into a first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location may include: a step of determining whether to input the request into which of the one or more queues based on a predetermined criterion; and a step of inputting the request into the second queue based on the determination that the request corresponds to the predetermined criterion.

[0023] In a non-transient computer-readable recording medium having instructions to be executed by one or more processors according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions may be configured such that, upon execution of the instructions, the one or more processors obtain a request for a change in inventory of one or more items associated with a first location from a user terminal, input the request into a first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location, obtain information that the requests input into the first queue have been processed according to the order in which the requests input into the first queue have been processed, and sequentially update inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location based on the information that the requests input into the first queue have been processed.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, requests for inventory changes of items associated with a location can be entered into different queues.

[0025] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inventory information of an item can be updated based on the result of processing a request to change the inventory of an item associated with a location.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, high-priority inventory change requests can be processed.

[0027] The effects according to the technical concept of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which a device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a step flowchart according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a queue associated with a location according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates requests input into a first queue according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a request input to a second queue according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a request according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] The various embodiments described in this disclosure are illustrative for the purpose of clearly explaining the technical concept of this disclosure and are not intended to limit it to specific embodiments. The technical concept of this disclosure includes various modifications, equivalents, alternatives, and embodiments selectively combined from all or part of each embodiment described in this disclosure. Furthermore, the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited to the various embodiments presented below or the specific descriptions thereof.

[0036] Terms used in this disclosure, including technical or scientific terms, may have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless otherwise defined.

[0037] Expressions used in this disclosure, such as “comprising,” “may compose,” “possessing,” “possessing,” “having,” and “possessing,” mean that the subject feature (e.g., function, operation, or component, etc.) exists and do not exclude the existence of other additional features. That is, such expressions should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments.

[0038] Singular expressions used in this disclosure may include the meaning of the plural form unless otherwise indicated by the context, and this applies likewise to singular expressions described in the claims.

[0039] Expressions such as "first," "second," or "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are used to distinguish one object from another when referring to a plurality of objects of the same kind, unless otherwise indicated by the context, and do not limit the order or importance of said objects.

[0040] Expressions used in the present disclosure, such as “A, B, and C”, “A, B, or C”, “A, B, and / or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and / or C”, etc., may mean each of the listed items or all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “at least one of A or B” may refer to (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0041] The expression “based on” as used in this disclosure is used to describe one or more factors affecting an act or action of a decision or judgment described in the phrase or sentence containing this expression, and this expression does not exclude additional factors affecting said act or action of a decision or judgment.

[0042] As used in this disclosure, the expression "configured to" may have meanings such as "set to," "capable of," "modified to," "made to," or "capable of." This expression is not limited to the meaning of "specifically designed in hardware." For example, a processor configured to perform a specific operation may mean a generic-purpose processor capable of performing that specific operation by executing software, or a special-purpose computer structured through programming to perform that specific operation.

[0043] Hereinafter, various embodiments described in this disclosure will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. In the attached drawings and the description thereof, identical or substantially equivalent components may be given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the various embodiments below, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted, but this does not mean that such components are not included in the embodiments.

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which a device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied. The device (100) and the user terminal (200) may be connected to each other and communicate through a network. The device (100) may be a server device that processes information regarding items handled through an e-commerce service. That is, the device (100) may be a device operated under the management of the operator of the e-commerce service. Here, the e-commerce service provided by the device (100) may be any service that responds to a consumer's purchase request, sells items corresponding to the purchase request, and manages information related thereto.

[0045] The device (100) may be a server device for managing the inventory of items sold in an e-commerce service. The device (100) may be a server device for managing at least one of receiving, shipping, moving, or disposing of items. For example, the device (100) may be a server device for managing the inventory of items that fluctuates as items sold in the e-commerce service are received at a certain location. The device (100) may be a server device for managing the inventory of items that fluctuates as items sold in the e-commerce service are shipped from a certain location to a consumer. The device (100) may be a server device for managing the inventory of items that fluctuates as items sold in the e-commerce service are moved from one location to another. The device (100) may be a server device for managing the inventory of items that fluctuates as items sold in the e-commerce service are disposed of at a certain location due to various causes. In one embodiment, a location is not necessarily defined as a specific logistics center, and may be defined as a container within the logistics center or an area within the logistics center separated according to a pre-established standard, or may be defined as a fulfillment center, a hub, etc.

[0046] The device (100) may be a server device for processing requests for inventory changes for items sold in an e-commerce service. The device (100) may be a server device for acquiring requests for inventory changes for one or more items associated with each of one or more locations and for assigning the acquired requests to the locations. The device (100) may acquire requests for inventory changes for one or more items associated with a location and input the acquired requests into a queue associated with each location. In one embodiment, one or more queues may be assigned to each of one or more locations. Each of the one or more queues may queue requests entered into each location. Here, queuing may be defined as the act of inputting requests entered into each location into the queue in order. Requests entered into each of the one or more queues may be displayed in various forms to each location to process the requests entered into each location. Each request may be displayed at a location and configured to change the inventory of an item associated with the location. A request to change the inventory of one or more items associated with a location may include a request to instruct a change in the inventory of an item at each location or a request to obtain inventory information. For example, when a user terminal (200) transmits a request to change the inventory of one or more items associated with a first location, the device (100) may input the obtained request into the first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location. In one embodiment, the user terminal (200) may transmit a request to the device (100) instructing the receipt of one or more items associated with the first location. The user terminal (200) may transmit a request to the device (100) instructing the release of one or more items associated with the first location.The user terminal (200) may transmit a request to the device (100) instructing the movement of one or more items associated with the first location to another location. The user terminal (200) may transmit a request to the device (100) instructing the disposal of one or more items associated with the first location.

[0047] The device (100) may input requests into a queue associated with a location based on the order in which requests are obtained from the user terminal (200). For example, when the device (100) sequentially obtains a first request, a second request, and a third request for an inventory change for an item associated with a first location, it may input the first request into one of the one or more queues associated with the first location, input the second request into one of the one or more queues associated with the first location, and input the third request into one of the one or more queues associated with the first location. One or more queues may be associated with a location. There may be priorities among the one or more queues associated with a location. For example, a request entered into a high-priority queue may be displayed to the location to be processed preferentially over a request entered into a low-priority queue. In one embodiment, each location may be associated with a first queue and a second queue having a higher priority than the first queue. The device (100) may determine, based on a predetermined criterion, which of one or more queues to input the acquired requests into. For example, the predetermined criterion may be a criterion for determining which queue to input the request into based on order information included in the request. In one embodiment, the predetermined criterion may be a criterion for determining which queue to input the request into based on whether the buyer is a member, identified based on member information included in the order information. In another embodiment, the predetermined criterion may be a criterion for determining which queue to input the request into based on the category of the item included in the order information. The device (100) may identify whether the request corresponds to the predetermined criterion and, upon the determination that the request corresponds to the predetermined criterion, input the request into a higher priority queue.

[0048] The device (100) may be a server device that performs a subsequent operation based on information indicating that an operation corresponding to a request entered into a location described below has been processed, or information indicating that an operation corresponding to a request entered into a location has not been processed. In one embodiment, the information indicating that an operation corresponding to a request entered into a location has been processed, or information indicating that an operation corresponding to a request entered into a location has not been processed, may be obtained from a user terminal (200) assigned to each location, or from a server device not shown in FIG. 1. The device (100) may update the inventory information of an item associated with a location based on the information indicating that an operation corresponding to a request entered into a location has been processed. For example, if a request instructing to release 5 units of a first item is entered into a queue associated with a first location, and information is obtained that the request has been processed, the device (100) may update the inventory information indicating that the inventory of the first item at the first location has decreased by 5 units. In one embodiment, the device (100) may update inventory information for one or more items associated with a location whenever each request entered into a queue associated with a location is processed. Based on information indicating that an action corresponding to a request entered into a location has not been processed, the device (100) may enter a request entered into a location into one of one or more queues associated with other locations. The device (100) may transmit information that requests entered into a location have not been processed to a user terminal (200), obtain a new request from the user terminal (200), and enter the new request into one of one or more queues associated with other locations. In one embodiment, the device (100) assumes that a request entered into a first queue associated with a first location has not been processed at the first location.In this case, the device (100) may obtain information that the request was not processed at the first location and transmit the information that the request was not processed at the first location to the user terminal (200). The user terminal (200) may request the same request at the second location as the request entered into the first queue. The device (100) may enter the request into any one of the one or more queues associated with the second location. Here, the second location may be determined by various methods. For example, the device (100) may determine the location closest to the first location as the second location, or it may determine the location specified by the user through the user terminal (200) as the second location.

[0049] A user terminal (200) may be a terminal for managing the inventory of items at a location. The user terminal (200) may be allocated per location and may be a terminal for managing changes in the inventory of items occurring at the allocated location. A user may input through the user terminal (200) that one or more items at a location have been received, released, moved, or disposed of. In one embodiment, receiving an item at a location may be defined as a state in which an item enters the location and is stored at the location; releasing an item at a location may be defined as a state in which an item is sent from the location to a buyer or other user; moving an item at a location may be defined as a state in which an item is moved from a specific location to another location; and disposing of an item at a location may be a state in which an item stored at the location is disposed of due to various causes. In one embodiment, when an item is received at a location, the inventory of the corresponding item at the location may increase. When an item is released from a location, the inventory of that item at that location may decrease. When an item is moved from a specific location to another location, the inventory of the item at that specific location may decrease, and the inventory of the item at the other location may increase. When an item is discarded from a location, the inventory of that item at that location may decrease.

[0050] In one embodiment, the user terminal (200) may not be a terminal assigned per location, but may be any terminal for requesting inventory information of an item associated with each of one or more locations, or for instructing a change in the inventory of an item associated with each of one or more locations. That is, one user terminal (200) may be assigned to multiple locations to manage the inventory of items in multiple locations.

[0051] The user terminal (200) may be implemented as a terminal capable of transmitting and receiving to and from the device (100) via a network. For example, the user terminal (200) may be implemented as a computer, a laptop, a portable communication terminal (such as a smartphone), a portable multimedia device, etc. However, the type of user terminal (200) is not limited thereto, and the user terminal (200) may be any device capable of performing communication with the device (100) or other devices or modules via a network, including an input / output interface capable of outputting information.

[0052] The user terminal (200) may provide information obtained from the device (100) to the user, obtain input from the user, or transmit the obtained input to the device (100). Input obtained from the user may include various forms of input, such as clicking using a mouse, touching using a touch pad or touch screen, voice recognition, barcode input, QR (Quick Response) input, and other electronic inputs. The user terminal (200) may perform an operation corresponding to a request entered into the location and generate information indicating that the operation corresponding to the request has been processed. If the user terminal (200) is unable to perform an operation corresponding to a request entered into the location, it may generate information indicating that the operation corresponding to the request has not been processed. In one embodiment, the user terminal (200) may respond to a request instructing the receipt of an item into the location, receive an item into the location, and generate information indicating that the item has been received into the location. The user terminal (200) may, in response to a request instructing the shipment of an item from a location, ship an item from the location and generate information indicating that the item has been shipped from the location. The user terminal (200) may, in response to a request instructing the movement of an item from a location to another location, move an item from the location and generate information indicating that the item has been moved from the location. In another embodiment, the user terminal (200) may obtain any user input to request inventory information of an item associated with a location, or to transmit a request instructing a change in the inventory of an item associated with a location, rather than a terminal assigned to the location. In this case, the user terminal (200) may be a terminal device that obtains buyer order information entered into an e-commerce service and, based on the obtained order information, transmits a request instructing the receipt, shipment, movement, or disposal of an item corresponding to the order information to a separate terminal device assigned to each location.Information generated through the user terminal (200) is transmitted to the device (100) and can be used to determine subsequent actions after a request has been processed or after a request has not been processed. The user terminal (200) can communicate with the device (100) or other devices, terminals, or modules via a network. For example, the device (100) and the user terminal (200) can communicate with each other via a network that provides a connection path to transmit and receive packet data. The network can be implemented as any type of wired or wireless network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Mobile Radio Communication Network, or a Wireless Broadband Internet (Wibro).

[0053] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The device (100) may include one or more processors (110) and / or one or more memories (120) as components. Additionally, in one embodiment, at least one of the components of the device (100) may be omitted, or other components may be added to the device (100). In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, some components may be implemented as a single or multiple entities. In the present disclosure, one or more processors (110) may be referred to as processors (110). Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the expression processors (110) may mean a set of one or more processors. In the present disclosure, one or more memories (120) may be referred to as memories (120). Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the expression memories (120) may mean a set of one or more memories. In one embodiment, at least some of the internal / external components of the device (100) may be connected to each other via a bus, GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), or MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface), etc., to exchange information (data, signals, etc.).

[0054] In one embodiment, the device (100) may further include a communication circuit (130). The device (100) may communicate with a user terminal (200) through the communication circuit (130). That is, the communication circuit (130) may be configured to perform wireless or wired communication between the device (100) and the user terminal (200). For example, the communication circuit (130) can perform wireless communication according to methods such as eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low-Latency Communications), MMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications), LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE Advance), NR (New Radio), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), GPS (Global Positioning System), or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). For example, the communication circuit (130) can perform wired communication according to methods such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), RS-232 (Recommended Standard-232), or POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). In one embodiment, the device (100) may be implemented by being integrated with another device.In this case, the communication circuit (130) can function as a connection circuit or interface connecting the device (100) and the other device.

[0055] The processor (110) can control at least one component of the device (100) connected to the processor (110) by running software (e.g., instructions, programs, etc.). Additionally, the processor (110) can perform various operations related to the present disclosure, such as computation, processing, data generation, and processing. Furthermore, the processor (110) can load data, etc. from memory (120) or store it in memory (120). Moreover, the processor (110) can transmit and receive various information to and from a user terminal (200) through a communication circuit (130). In one embodiment, the processor (110) can control the communication circuit (130) to transmit various information to the user terminal (200) in various forms.

[0056] The memory (120) can store various information (data). The information stored in the memory (120) is information acquired, processed, or used by at least one component of the device (100), and may include software (e.g., instructions, programs, etc.). The memory (120) may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. In the present disclosure, instructions or programs are software stored in the memory (120) and may include an operating system for controlling the resources of the device (100), an application, and / or middleware that provides various functions to the application so that the application can utilize the resources of the device (100). In one embodiment, the memory (120) may store instructions that cause the processor (110) to perform calculations when executed by the processor (110). The memory (120) may store at least a portion of information received from the user terminal (200) through the communication circuit (130) and / or information transmitted to the user terminal (200) through the communication circuit (130). For example, the memory (120) may store requests for inventory changes for one or more items associated with each of one or more locations obtained from the user terminal (200), or inventory information for one or more items associated with each location, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a step flowchart according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A method performed by a device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include steps S310 to S340. Steps S310 to S340 described below may be understood as being performed by a device (100) comprising one or more processors (110) and one or more memories (120) storing instructions to be executed by said one or more processors (110).

[0058] In step S310, the processor (110) of the device (100) may receive a request for a change in inventory for one or more items associated with the first location. In one embodiment, the device (100) may receive a request from a user terminal (200) for a change in inventory for one or more items associated with the first location, for example, a request to instruct the receiving of an item into the first location, a request to instruct the releasing of an item from the first location, a request to instruct the moving of an item from the first location to another location, or a request to instruct the disposal of an item from the first location.

[0059] In step S320, the processor (110) of the device (100) may input the acquired request into the first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location. In one embodiment, the device (100) may input requests into the first queue associated with the first location based on the order in which requests were acquired from the user terminal (200). The device (100) may input requests into the first queue sequentially based on the order in which requests were acquired.

[0060] In step S330, the processor (110) of the device (100) can obtain information that a request entered into the first queue has been processed. In one embodiment, information indicating that an operation corresponding to a request entered into a location has been processed may be obtained from a user terminal (200) assigned to each location or from another server device, etc.

[0061] In step S340, the processor (110) of the device (100) can update inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location. In one embodiment, the processor (110) of the device (100) can update inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location whenever it processes requests entered into the first queue.

[0062] In the flowchart according to the present disclosure, each step of the method or algorithm is described in a sequential order, but the steps may be performed in any order that can be arbitrarily combined according to the present disclosure, in addition to being performed sequentially. The description of the flowchart of the present disclosure does not exclude changes or modifications to the method or algorithm and does not imply that any step is essential or preferred. In one embodiment, at least some of the steps may be performed in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically. In another embodiment, at least some of the steps may be omitted or other steps may be added.

[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates a queue associated with a location according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the following description assumes that each of the locations (10, 20) is a logistics center, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, for the sake of understanding, the process of inventory change by location that occurs when a buyer orders an item through an e-commerce service is described below, but inventory change occurring at a location may occur for various reasons (e.g., disposal of items).

[0064] One or more queues may be assigned to each of the first location (10) and the second location (20). In one embodiment, a first queue (10a) and a second queue (10b) may be assigned to the first location (10), and a third queue (20a) and a fourth queue (20b) may be assigned to the second location (20).

[0065] When a buyer orders an item through an e-commerce service, the buyer's order information is stored on a separate server device. Here, the order information may include the buyer's membership information in the e-commerce service, shipping information, identification information for identifying the target item, which is the purchased item, etc.

[0066] The device (100) may receive a request from a user terminal (200) to change the inventory of one or more items associated with either the first location (10) or the second location (20). In one embodiment, the user terminal (200) may receive order information from a server device and, based on the received order information, transmit a request to the device (100) instructing a change in the inventory of an item corresponding to the order information. The request (100) may include one or more pieces of information included in the order information. In this case, the terminal transmitting the request to the device (100) instructing a change in the inventory of an item corresponding to the order information may be implemented as a separate terminal device distinct from the user terminal (200) described above. In another embodiment, the user terminal (200) may be a terminal device that communicates with the device (100) and is assigned to each of the first location (10) and the second location (20), regardless of the order information. In this case, a user terminal (not shown) assigned to the first location (10) may instruct a change in the inventory of an item associated with the second location (20), or a user terminal (not shown) assigned to the second location (20) may instruct a change in the inventory of an item associated with the first location (10). The device (100) may obtain such a request from a user terminal assigned to the first location (10) or obtain such a request from a user terminal assigned to the second location (20). When a user terminal assigned to the first location (10) and a user terminal assigned to the second location (20) communicate with the device (100), the user terminal assigned to the first location (10) and the user terminal assigned to the second location (20) can process requests entered into queues (10a, 10b, 20a, 20b) assigned to each location (10, 20) based on a SAGA Pattern.Here, the saga pattern may be a pattern for processing requests asynchronously at each of the first location (10) and the second location (20). That is, the device (100) inputs a request transmitted by a user terminal assigned to the first location (10) into a queue (20a, 20b) associated with the second location (20) and / or inputs a request transmitted by a user terminal assigned to the second location (20) into a queue (10a, 10b) associated with the first location (10), and the first location (10) and the second location (20) may process the input requests asynchronously.

[0067] FIG. 5 illustrates requests input to a first queue according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The device (100) can obtain requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) from a user terminal (200).

[0068] Referring to FIG. 5, the device (100) may input requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) into one or more queues associated with a first location based on the order in which requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) were obtained from a user terminal (200). In one embodiment, the device (100) may obtain a first request (11) at time t1, obtain a second request (12) at time t2, obtain a third request (13) at time t3, and obtain a fourth request (14) at time t4. The device (100) may input the first request (11) obtained first into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10), input the second request (12) into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10) after the first request (11), input the third request (13) into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10) after the second request (12), and input the fourth request (14) into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10) after the third request (13). Here, the requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) may include information about the target location. Based on information about the target location included in the requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), the device (100) identifies that the requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are requests for inventory changes for one or more items associated with the first location, and can input the requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10).

[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates a request input to a second queue according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, a second queue (10b) may be further allocated to the first location (10). In one embodiment, the second queue (10b) may be a queue with a higher priority than the first queue (10a). The device (100) may obtain requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) from a user terminal (200).

[0070] The device (100) may input requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) into any one of one or more queues associated with a first location based on the order in which requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) were obtained from a user terminal (200). In one embodiment, the device (100) may obtain a first request (11) at time t1, obtain a second request (12) at time t2, obtain a third request (13) at time t3, obtain a fourth request (14) at time t4, and obtain a fifth request (t5) at time t5.

[0071] The device (100) may determine whether to input requests (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) into a first queue (10a) or a second queue (10b) based on predetermined criteria. The device (100) may determine whether to input a request into a first queue (10a) or a second queue (10b) based on order information included in the request. In one embodiment, the device (100) may identify the buyer's membership information based on the order information and, upon determining that the buyer is a member of an e-commerce service, decide to input a request containing the order information into the second queue (10b). In another embodiment, the device (100) may identify the category of a target item based on the order information and, upon determining that the category of the target item is a product requiring fast delivery, such as fresh food, decide to input a request containing the order information into the second queue (10b). In the following, it is assumed that the third request (13) obtained at time t3 is a request to be entered into the second queue (10b).

[0072] The device (100) may input the first request (11) obtained first into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10), and input the second request (12) into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10) after the first request (11). The device (100) may identify that the request (13) obtained at time t3 is a request to be input into the second queue (10b), and input the request (13) into the second queue (10b). The device (100) may input the fourth request (14) obtained at time t4 into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10), and input the fifth request (15) into the first queue (10a) associated with the first location (10) after the fourth request (14). In this case, the first request (11), the second request (12), the fourth request (14), and the fifth request (15) are entered in order into the first queue (10a), and the third request (13) is entered into the second queue (10b).

[0073] Requests entered into the second queue (10b) may be displayed to be processed before requests entered into the first queue (10a). For example, when the device (100) enters a third request (13) entered at time t3 into the second queue (10b), the third request (13) may be displayed regardless of whether the first request (11) and the second request (12) entered at time t1 and time t2 have been processed. Here, requests entered into the queues (10a, 10b) may be displayed as notifications, messages, pages, etc., to user terminals assigned to the first location. The device (100) manages the priority queue (10b) to allow requests that require rapid processing at the location to be entered. Each location can process the displayed requests sequentially.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates a request according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Requests (11, 12, 14, 15) entered into the first queue (10a) may each include identification information for identifying a target item, information about a location, and information about an inventory change.

[0075] In one embodiment, the first request (11) may include identification information (ID1) for identifying the first item, which is the target item, information about the location and information about inventory changes (e.g., information instructing the shipment and the number of shipments). That is, the first request (11) may be a request instructing N units of the first item (ID1) to be shipped from the first location.

[0076] A first request (11) may be displayed to a user terminal assigned to the first location (10). The first location (10) may process an operation corresponding to the displayed first request (11). In one embodiment, when an operation corresponding to the first request (11) is processed, that is, when N units of the first item (ID1) are shipped from the first location (10), the user terminal (200) may transmit information to the device (100) indicating that an operation corresponding to the first request (11) has been processed. The device (100) may update the inventory information of the first item (ID1) at the first location (10). For example, the device (100) may update the inventory information indicating that the inventory of the first item (ID1) at the first location (10) has decreased by N units. In another embodiment, if the operation corresponding to the first request (11) is not processed, for example, if the inventory of the first item (ID1) at the first location (10) is less than N, or if N items of the first item (ID1) cannot be shipped due to other causes, the user terminal (200) may transmit information to the device (100) indicating that the operation corresponding to the first request (11) has not been processed.

[0077] A second request (12) may be displayed on a user terminal assigned to the first location (10). The second request (12) may be displayed on the user terminal after an action indicating whether or not an action corresponding to the first request (11) has been processed is transmitted to the device (100).

[0078] In one embodiment, the second request (12) may include identification information (ID1) for identifying the first item, which is the target item, information about the location instructing movement from the first location, and information about inventory changes (e.g., information instructing movement, number of moves, and information about the location to be moved). That is, the second request (12) may be a request instructing M first items (ID1) to be moved from the first location (10) to the second location (20).

[0079] A second request (12) may be displayed to a user terminal assigned to the first location (10). The first location (10) may process an operation corresponding to the displayed second request (12). In one embodiment, when an operation corresponding to the second request (12) is processed, that is, when M units of the first item (ID1) are moved from the first location (10) to the second location (20), the user terminal (200) may transmit information to the device (100) indicating that the operation corresponding to the second request (12) has been processed. The device (100) may update the inventory information of the first item (ID1) at the first location (10). For example, the device (100) may update inventory information indicating that the inventory of the first item (ID1) at the first location (10) has decreased by M units. In another embodiment, if the operation corresponding to the second request (12) is not processed, for example, if the inventory of the first item (ID1) at the first location (10) is less than M, or if M of the first item (ID1) cannot be moved due to other causes, the user terminal (200) may transmit information to the device (100) indicating that the operation corresponding to the second request (12) has not been processed.

[0080] A third request (14) may be displayed on a user terminal assigned to the first location (10). For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the third request (14) has been processed. Duplicate content among the above descriptions is omitted.

[0081] A fourth request (15) may be displayed on a user terminal assigned to the first location (10). The fourth request (15) may be displayed on the user terminal after an action indicating whether or not an action corresponding to the third request (14) has been processed is transmitted to the device (100).

[0082] In one embodiment, the fourth request (15) may include identification information (ID2) for identifying the second item, which is the target item, information about the location and information about inventory changes (e.g., information instructing the receipt and information about the number of receipts). That is, the fourth request (15) may be a request instructing to receive K units of the first item (ID1) to the first location (10).

[0083] A fourth request (15) may be displayed to a user terminal assigned to the first location (10). The first location (10) may process an operation corresponding to the displayed fourth request (15). In one embodiment, when an operation corresponding to the fourth request (15) is processed, that is, when K units of the second item (ID2) are stocked in the first location (10), the user terminal (200) may transmit information to the device (100) indicating that the operation corresponding to the fourth request (15) has been processed. The device (100) may update the inventory information of the second item (ID2) in the first location (10). For example, the device (100) may update the inventory information indicating that the inventory of the second item (ID2) in the first location (10) has increased by K units. In another embodiment, if the operation corresponding to the fourth request (15) is not processed, for example, if there is insufficient space to store the second item (ID2) in the first location (10) or if the second item (ID2) cannot be stored due to other causes such as not being an item handled in the first location (10), the user terminal (200) may transmit information to the device (100) indicating that the operation corresponding to the fourth request (15) has not been processed.

[0084] Various embodiments according to the present disclosure may be implemented as software on a machine-readable storage medium. The software may be software for implementing the various embodiments described in the present disclosure. The software may be inferred from the various embodiments described in the present disclosure by programmers skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. For example, the software may be a program containing machine-readable instructions (e.g., code or code segments). The machine may be a device capable of operating according to instructions called from the storage medium, for example, a computer. In one embodiment, the machine may be a device (100, see FIG. 2) according to the various embodiments described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the processor of the machine may execute the called instruction to cause the components of the machine to perform a function corresponding to this instruction. In one embodiment, the processor may be a processor (110, see FIG. 2) according to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The storage medium may mean any type of recording medium in which data is stored that can be read by the machine. The storage medium may include, for example, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc. In one embodiment, the storage medium may be a memory (120, see FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the storage medium may be implemented in a distributed form in a computer system connected by a network, etc. In this case, software may be stored and executed in a distributed manner in the computer system, etc. In another embodiment, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium. A non-transitory storage medium refers to a tangible medium that exists regardless of whether data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily, and does not include a signal that propagates transitorily.

[0085] Although the technical concept according to the present disclosure has been described by various embodiments above, the technical concept according to the present disclosure includes various substitutions, modifications, and alterations that can be made within the scope of understanding of a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Furthermore, it should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and alterations may be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. One or more processors; and It includes one or more memories in which instructions to be executed by the above one or more processors are stored, and When executing the above instructions, the one or more processors, A request for an inventory change for one or more items associated with a first location is obtained from a user terminal, and Input the above request into the first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location, and Information is obtained that the requests entered into the first queue have been processed in the order in which they were entered, and A device configured to sequentially update inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have been processed.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above request for a change in inventory is, A device comprising identification information for identifying a target item among one or more of the above items.

3. In Paragraph 2, Requests entered into one or more queues associated with the first location are, A device that is displayed on the user terminal and is a request instructing one of receiving, shipping, disposal, or moving of the target item.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above one or more processors, A device configured to input requests entered into the first queue into one or more queues associated with a second location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above one or more processors, Based on the information that the requests entered into the first queue above have not been processed, A device configured to determine the location closest to the first location as the second location.

6. In Paragraph 4, The above one or more processors, Based on the information that the requests entered into the first queue above have not been processed, A device configured to obtain information about another location from the user terminal and determine the other location as the second location.

7. In Paragraph 1, The one or more queues associated with the first location further include a second queue having a higher priority than the first queue, and The above one or more processors, Based on predetermined criteria, determine whether to input the above request into one or more of the above queues, and A device configured to input the request into the second queue based on a determination that the request corresponds to the predetermined criteria.

8. In Paragraph 7, The request entered into the second queue above is, A device configured to change the inventory of one or more items associated with the first location, by being displayed before a request entered into the first queue and processed preferentially over a request entered into the first queue.

9. In Paragraph 7, The above one or more processors, Based on order information, determine whether the user corresponding to the order is a membership subscriber, and Based on the determination that the user corresponding to the above order is the above membership subscriber, A device configured to input a request to order the shipment of an item corresponding to the above order into the second queue.

10. In Paragraph 7, The above one or more processors, Based on the order information, determine the category of the item corresponding to the order, and Based on the determination that the item corresponding to the above order is fresh food, A device configured to input a request to order the shipment of an item corresponding to the above order into the second queue.

11. A method performed by a device comprising one or more processors and a memory storing instructions to be executed by said one or more processors, wherein When executing the above instructions, the above one or more processors, A step of obtaining a request from a user terminal for an inventory change for one or more items associated with a first location; A step of inputting the above request into a first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location; A step of obtaining information that requests entered into the first queue have been processed according to the order in which they were entered into the first queue; and A method comprising the step of sequentially updating inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have been processed.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above request for a change in inventory is, A method comprising identification information for identifying a target item among one or more of the above items.

13. In Paragraph 12, Requests entered into one or more queues associated with the first location are, A method, which is a request displayed on the above user terminal to instruct one of receiving, shipping, disposal, or moving of the above target item.

14. In Paragraph 11, A step of obtaining information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed; and A method further comprising the step of inputting requests entered into the first queue into one or more queues associated with a second location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have not been processed.

15. In Paragraph 11, A method in which one or more queues associated with the first location further include a second queue having a higher priority than the first queue.

16. In Paragraph 15, The step of inputting the above request into the first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location is, A step of determining whether to input the request into one or more of the queues based on predetermined criteria; and A method comprising the step of inputting the request into the second queue according to a determination that the request corresponds to the predetermined criteria.

17. A non-transient computer-readable recording medium storing instructions to be executed by one or more processors, The above instructions, when executed, the above one or more processors, A request for an inventory change for one or more items associated with a first location is obtained from a user terminal, and Input the above request into the first queue among one or more queues associated with the first location, and Information is obtained that the requests entered into the first queue have been processed in the order in which they were entered, and A non-transient computer-readable recording medium configured to sequentially update inventory information for one or more items associated with the first location based on information that requests entered into the first queue have been processed.

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