JP2017220128A - Commodity search program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface on a commodity shipping system for delivering a commodity to a customer in a short time.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a computer program which is executed on a commodity shipment management system comprising a management server for managing a commodity shipment time from one or more nearest footholds in which a prescribed area in which, a commodity can be delivered to a house of a customer in a prescribed time, is a foothold, to the house of the customer, for every commodity, and a customer terminal of the customer house, the computer program executes: a step for providing a user interface comprising plural commodity shipment times as a memory, to the customer terminal, when being executed on the system; a step for causing the customer terminal to designate one of the plural commodity shipment times, through the user interface; a step for causing the customer terminal to request the management server to search for the commodity which can be shipped in the designated commodity shipment time; and a step for causing the management server to execute the search.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17B

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a management system that manages the shipment of products and products, and more particularly, to a product search program for searching for products managed by the system on a user terminal or the like in the management system. .

  Conventionally, there has been provided a technique for improving transportation efficiency by performing inventory management of a product or a product to shorten the transportation time of the product or the product or optimizing a transportation route.

  For example, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of quantitative bias in the inventory status of various products in the distribution warehouse for each sales area, to minimize the product transportation between the distribution warehouses, and to shorten the transportation time of the means of transportation. A product shipment management system that improves transportation efficiency has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  That is, in Patent Document 1, an inventory management unit, an order management unit, a shipment management unit, a product allocation / allocation unit, and a terminal device provided at each of a plurality of dealers are connected. A plurality of delivery warehouses for each district of the store that sells a variety of products, and a plurality of delivery products that are expected to be produced at a production factory. The stock status of the product that is brought into each of the plurality of delivery warehouses and carried into each of the plurality of delivery warehouses is stored in the stock management means, and the sales order manages the product order based on the order received from the customer. When transmitting to the means, the product allocation / allocation means allocates a stock product of a type corresponding to the product order according to the inventory status stored in the inventory management means, and the shipment management means is the inventory management Means of the means In the new product shipment management system, the product allocation / allocation means checks whether or not the product ordered from the customer exists in the inventory state stored in the inventory management means, and has been stocked over a predetermined period. If there is a stock product in stock, the stock product is allocated to the customer's order, and if the stock product does not exist, the stock management in the delivery warehouse by the district of the store where the customer places an order. Disclosed is a product shipment management system characterized in that the inventory products stored in the means are sorted by the inventory period, and the inventory products with the longest inventory period are allocated to customer orders.

  In addition, a logistics management system has been proposed that sets a substantially optimum transport path through real-time information on the load and number of standby operations in an automatic warehouse and the occupation rate of the transport facility (Patent Document 2).

  That is, Patent Document 2 describes layout information, automatic warehouse load and standby work for each unit link in a physical distribution management system that calculates an expected transportation time from a departure place to an arrival place and selects an optimum transportation route. Receives and manages real-time work information for numbers, receives the layout information of the transport command management part and real-time work information at a certain period and calculates the expected transport time through modeling In addition, among these results, a physical distribution management system is disclosed that includes an optimum route generation unit that selects a conveyance route having a minimum expected conveyance time as an optimum conveyance route.

  In addition, a technique for speculatively shipping to the geographical area of the destination by predicting the shipment of the parcel has been proposed (Patent Document 3).

  That is, U.S. Patent No. 6,057,031 describes a company first configured to identify the geographic region of a destination to which a package containing one or more items is shipped for final delivery to a delivery address. And a second computer system configured to communicate with the first computer system over a network, wherein the delivery address is completely at the time of shipment Unspecified, following the shipment of the parcel to the geographical area of the destination by a carrier other than the company, the first computer system may fully specify the delivery address. Shipping to the second computer system, shipping the package includes physically contracting the package to the carrier; In response to receiving the full designation of the address, the second computer system is configured to assign the delivery address to the parcel during shipping of the parcel so that the delivery address is fully at the time of shipment. The package to be shipped that has not been specified is generated at the time of shipment so that the package is not deliverable to any delivery address, and as a result of receiving a complete specification of the delivery address, A system is disclosed in which the parcel can be delivered to the delivery address by the carrier.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-299861 JP 2004-244217 A Japanese Patent No. 4938682

  However, in the recent online mail order business, competition for short-time delivery services is intensifying, and further system improvement is required for delivering products in a short time. In addition, the products handled in the online mail order business range from large home appliances to daily necessities. Considering the types of products handled, product shipment management systems including how to display the products handled on user terminals etc. ( Further improvements are expected for user terminals).

  Therefore, a computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention manages the product shipment time from one or more nearest bases based on a predetermined area that can be delivered to a customer's home within a predetermined time for each product. A computer program executed on a merchandise shipment management system having a management server and a customer terminal at the customer's home, wherein when executed on the system, a plurality of merchandise shipment times are stored in the customer terminal Providing a user interface having: a step of causing the customer terminal to designate one of the plurality of merchandise shipping times via the user interface; and a step of causing the customer terminal to designate the merchandise shipping time. Requesting the management server to search for commodities that can be shipped within, and causing the management server to And executes a step of executing the search.

  The user interface may be a slider interface including a knob that can be directly operated by a user.

  According to a computer program or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, a product that a customer wants to keep can be managed appropriately without running out of stock. In addition, such products can be delivered to the customer in a short time after the customer orders. Furthermore, there are various effects such as improving usability when searching for these products.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the facility, distribution channel, etc. in the merchandise shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of whole structure of the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the functional block structure of the management server in the merchandise shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of an external appearance structure of the information processing apparatus (user terminal) in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the functional block structure of the hardware which comprises the information processing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow in the merchandise shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the extraction logic creation process concept in the merchandise shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the stock goods registration process thru | or update process flow in the goods shipping management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display of the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or customer terminal) in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the analysis and physical distribution model in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a data structure in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention, and the display example in information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display of the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or customer terminal) in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display of the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or customer terminal) in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display of the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or customer terminal) in the goods shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation flow in the merchandise shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation flow in the merchandise shipment management system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display of the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or a customer terminal) in the merchandise shipment management system concerning other embodiments of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of operation with respect to the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or customer terminal) in the merchandise shipment management system concerning other embodiments of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the processing operation | movement flow of the information processing apparatus (a user thru | or customer terminal) etc. in the merchandise shipment management system concerning other embodiments of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation with respect to the information processing apparatus (user thru | or customer terminal) and the example of a display in the goods shipment management system concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation with respect to the information processing apparatus (user thru | or customer terminal) and the example of a display in the goods shipment management system concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation with respect to the information processing apparatus (user thru | or customer terminal) and the example of a display in the goods shipment management system concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation with respect to the information processing apparatus (user thru | or customer terminal) and the example of a display in the goods shipment management system concerning other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a commodity shipment management system and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows facilities, distribution routes, and the like in a product shipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the product shipment management system 10 viewed from the facility and distribution route roughly includes distribution centers 11 to 13 and nearest bases 14 to 16, and via routes 143 to 144, 155 to 158, and 166 to 169. Thus, it constitutes a part of a large distribution network for delivering products etc. to customer homes 141-142, 151-153, 162-165, 199.

  The numbers of the distribution centers 11 to 13 and the nearest bases 14 to 16 are not limited to these numbers, and may include any number of centers and bases. Hereinafter, for the sake of easy understanding of the present invention, for the sake of convenience, description will be given along the model shown in FIG.

[Logistics center and nearest base]
The feature of the facility in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention is that at least these two types of facilities are included. As a basic concept, in addition to a distribution center as a conventional distribution base, the nearest base according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided as a geographical base that can be delivered to a customer's home within a predetermined time.

  In other words, the nearest base is a delivery base unique to the present invention provided so that products etc. can be delivered to customers in a short time, and the distribution network provided with this nearest base constitutes one of the basic concepts. doing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, different roles may be provided in the distribution centers. For example, in the figure, the distribution center 12 delivers goods etc. to the nearest bases 14 and 15 via routes 121 and 122, and the logistics center 13 delivers goods etc. to the nearest bases 15 and 16 via routes 131 and 132. On the other hand, the distribution center 11 delivers goods and the like to the other distribution centers 12 and 13 via the routes 112 and 114, and to the nearest bases 14, 15, and 16 via the routes 111, 113, and 115. It also plays the role of delivering goods. For example, goods or the like are normally supplied to the nearest base 14 from the geographically close distribution center 12, but if there is no inventory in the distribution center 12, the goods or the like are supplied from the distribution center 11 to the nearest base 14. In some cases.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, a route for delivering goods and the like directly from the distribution centers 11 to 13 to the customer's house may be provided (this is not an essential part in the present invention, and is not shown). To do).

  In FIG. 1, the nearest area 140 indicates an area where goods can be delivered from the nearest base 14 within a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour). Customer homes 141 and 142 are included.

  Similarly, the nearest area 150 indicates an area where goods or the like can be delivered within a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour, etc.) from the nearest base 15. , 152, 153, 199 are included. The nearest area 160 shows an area where goods can be delivered from the nearest base 16 within a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour). In this area, the customer home 162, 163, 164, 165, 199 are included.

  Here, in the figure, the customer home 199 is included in both the nearest area 150 and the nearest area 160 by way of example. This means that products can be delivered to the customer home 199 from the nearest base 15 and the nearest base 16 within a predetermined time (for example, 35 minutes from the nearest base 15 to the customer home 199). Etc., and the product etc. can be delivered in 40 minutes from the nearest base 16 to the customer home 199).

[Two types of product categories]
Another feature of the merchandise shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the handling merchandise is provided with two types of categories, “stock merchandise” and “non-stock merchandise”. These product categories are classified according to the level of daily demand from customers in the nearest area of the nearest base. Products with high daily demand from customers in the nearest area of the nearest base are classified as stock products, and are managed so that a certain number is always kept at the nearest base even if no order is placed from the customer.
On the other hand, non-stock products are delivered from the distribution center to the nearest base and delivered to the customer's home in the nearest area when an order is received from the customer (or when delivered directly from the logistics center to the customer's home) There is also.)

Since “stock products” and “non-stock products” are selected on the system for each nearest area depending on daily demand in the nearest area, product categories (such as household appliances, books, cosmetics products) Etc.) is not determined uniformly. However, as a general trend, household appliances such as refrigerators and large televisions are often classified as non-stock products, and daily necessities such as shampoo and toilet paper are often classified as stock products. Stock products also vary geographically and temporally depending on the region and the circumstances such as annual events and the earthquake.
In the following, “stock product” and “non-stock product” are defined in this specification.
Stock products: Products that repeatedly generate demand in a short time from customers in the nearest area. Examples include daily necessities and consumables. In one embodiment of the present invention, the product is managed so that a certain number of stocks are always stocked at the nearest base.
Non-stock products: Products other than stock products. Typically, it is a product delivered from a distribution center when an order is placed from a customer, and includes high-end products such as large home appliances and cameras.

[Logistics management]
In the description so far, the parts that are described as “Products can be delivered within the specified time from the nearest base”, “When there is no stock”, etc. are the time required for delivery or delivery on the system (expected time) ) And the number of products in stock at the base is managed. An example of the overall configuration of the merchandise shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. For example, the management server in the merchandise shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The inventory status of products, etc. at each base, etc., installed at any of the distribution centers or the nearest bases, or a company building (not shown), etc. In addition, the number of incoming / outgoing goods, and the delivery or delivery status between each base or destination are managed from moment to moment. Furthermore, the delivery or delivery time between the bases or the destination is calculated from these results and the like, and is sequentially updated and managed.

  Therefore, each route in FIG. 1 is not always the only route. For example, the route from the distribution center 11 to the nearest base 14 is managed in the system as 111, but one or more other routes can be stored and managed as alternative routes. Further, the route from the nearest base 14 to the customer's home 141 is also managed in the system as 143 in the figure, but one or more alternative routes can be stored and managed.

  For example, these alternative routes can be adopted alternatively depending on the traffic situation at that time, and can be instructed to a specific delivery facility (base) or delivery means (delivery vehicle).

[Sales management]
In the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, sales management of products and the like is also performed. The merchandise shipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is linked to a store POS cash register and a mail order (electronic commerce) system (not shown), and manages sales results in stores and sales results by mail order for each customer. . As a database for that purpose, the following databases (D1) to (D8) are provided in the management server in one embodiment, and reference and update requests from various terminals are possible.

(D1) Customer Management Database This is a database in which items related to customers are registered, and personal information such as customer names, addresses, and telephone numbers, and incidental information such as possession points and nearest bases are registered.

(D2) Product management database This is a database in which items related to products are registered, and product names, product codes associated with JAN codes, etc. are registered and managed.

(D3) Inventory management database This is a database for managing the inventory of merchandise for each site, and necessary tables are derived and extracted in cooperation with the merchandise management database as appropriate.

(D4) Warehouse management database This is a database for managing the inventory of goods stored in a warehouse such as a distribution center.

(D5) Sales management database This is a performance management database related to products sold at each base or store.

(D6) Stock candidate product database (or table)
This is a database derived and extracted from the product management database and the inventory management database, and a specific extraction example will be described later.

(D7) Stock desired product database (or table)
This is a stock desired product database for each customer and each nearest base derived from the product management database, inventory management database, and customer management database. A specific extraction example will be described later.

(D8) Stock product database (or table) for each nearest base (each customer)
This is a database for stock product inventory management for each nearest base derived from the product management database, inventory management database, and customer management database. A specific extraction example will be described later.

[Role of the nearest base]
The nearest base plays the following role in the distribution system including the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention (system operation and work by workers such as staff in the base are listed together).
(1) Storage and sorting of target stock products, update management of target stock products.
(2) Delivery processing (ordered product picking, destination labeling) when an order is placed for the target stock product from a customer in the nearest area.
(3) Temporary storage and delivery to customer premises when non-stock products ordered by customers in the nearest area arrive from the distribution center (typically non-stock products are the nearest with destination labeling completed) Handed over to the base).
(4) Bundled delivery of non-stock products and stock products ordered by customers in the nearest area (when bundled delivery is performed, packaging work and destination labeling work are performed at the nearest base).
(5) Re-delivery when delivery is made to a customer in the nearest area but is absent.
(6) (5) Simultaneous delivery of stock goods when there is an additional order for stock goods at the time of redelivery.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, delivery from the distribution center to the nearest base is carried out as a business within the same trader, and is not outsourced to other delivery companies. For example, the target product is delivered about several times a day by the company's own flights or the like in the trader.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the overall configuration of a product shipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the merchandise shipment management system 20 includes a management server 21 and various information processing devices used by a user (customer), a delivery person, etc. Mobile information terminal or tablet terminal 22, mobile phone 23, PCs 24 to 26, and POS terminals 27 to 28. Hereinafter, they may be collectively referred to as "various terminals" or simply "terminals"). It is configured. As shown in FIG. 1, the merchandise shipment management system 21 and various terminals are connected to each other via a public line (wired line 37 to 39) such as a dedicated line or the Internet. Further, the line may be wired or wireless, and in the case of wireless, the portable information terminal or tablet terminal 22 and mobile phone 23, and the POS terminals 27 to 28 are wirelessly connected to a base station, an access point, etc. (not shown). It is connected to the management server 21 via the line 38, and is connected to the management server 21 via the line 38.

  Here, the access point is a wireless device for connecting wireless terminals such as a PC and a smartphone to each other or to connect to another network. Typically, it is a device that operates with communication protocols of the first layer (physical layer) and the second layer (data link layer) in the OSI reference model.

  Note that many mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and tablets at the time of filing of the present application have processing capabilities (communication processing speed, image processing capability, etc.) comparable to personal computers (PCs). It is something to say.

  In addition, a program or software necessary for implementing the present invention is normally installed or stored in an HDD, an SSD, or the like in a storage unit of a PC or a portable information terminal. When executing the program or software, a memory in the storage unit is necessary. Are read as all or a part of the software modules, and are executed by the CPU.

  Alternatively, a browser-based computer or a portable information terminal can be employed. In this case, the program is distributed from another server or computer to the terminal as needed, and the browser on the terminal executes the program.

  Further, the management server 21 can also basically employ a PC as a hardware configuration (which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 just in case). In addition, although this invention is not limited to this, the management server 21 is parallel to several PC (for example, several dozen to several tens of thousands) in raising the hardware specification as needed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration suitable for processing large-scale data.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the management server in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, the operation of the management server is realized by individual operations of hardware described below, and a cooperative operation between software and these hardware.

  In FIG. 3, the management server 300 as a whole hardware block is roughly divided into a CPU 301 for performing various comparison / arithmetic processing, a storage unit 302 such as a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like. An input unit 303, an output unit 304 such as a display or a speaker, a control unit 305 for controlling various signals, a communication (interface) unit 306 (whether wireless or wired), and a clock for clocking time Part 307 and a power supply part 312.

  These modules are connected by a communication bus or a power supply line as needed (in FIG. 3, for convenience, each line is collectively shown as a connection line 399).

  In addition, a program or software executed on the management server 300 necessary for implementing the present invention is normally installed or stored in a hard disk disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, or the like constituting the storage unit 302. Or, when executing the software, all or a part of the software module is read into the memory in the storage unit 302 as necessary, and the CPU 301 executes the calculation.

  Note that the execution of the calculation is not necessarily performed by the central processing unit such as the CPU 301, and an auxiliary arithmetic unit such as a digital signal processor (DSP) (not shown) can be used.

  FIG. 4 shows an external configuration of the tablet terminal 22 as an information processing apparatus in the merchandise shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus (tablet terminal) 22 includes a housing part 221, a display 222, and hardware buttons 223 provided at a lower center part of the housing 221. The display 222 is typically composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and can display various information such as characters, still images, and moving images. Further, a menu button or a software keyboard can be displayed on the display 222, and an instruction (command) to the tablet terminal 22 can be made by touching it with a finger or a touch pen (not shown). In this respect, the hardware button 223 is not an essential component, but is implemented as a button having a certain function for convenience of explanation of the present invention. Of course, these hardware buttons 223 can be replaced with menu buttons displayed on a part of the display 222.

  The display 222 includes a multi-touch input panel, and touch input position coordinates on the touch input panel are transmitted to the processing system (CPU) of the tablet terminal 22 via an input device interface (not shown). It is processed. And this multi-touch input panel is comprised so that the several contact point with respect to a panel can be sensed simultaneously. This detection (sensor) can be realized by various methods, and is not necessarily limited to the contact sensor. For example, an indication point for the panel can be extracted using an optical sensor. Furthermore, in addition to a contact sensor or an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor that senses contact with human skin can be used as the sensor.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, the tablet terminal 22 can include a microphone and a speaker. In this case, it is possible to determine the voice of the user picked up from the microphone and use it as an input command. Further, although not shown in FIG. 4, a camera device such as a CMOS can be mounted on the back surface of the tablet terminal 22 or the like.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of hardware constituting the tablet terminal 22 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the tablet terminal 22 is realized by individual operations of hardware described below and a cooperative operation between software and these hardware.

In FIG. 5, the tablet terminal 500 as a whole hardware block can be broadly divided into a hardware button 223 in FIG. 4, a multi-touch input panel provided on the display 222, a microphone, an input unit 501, and a program Storage unit 502 composed of a hard disk, RAM, and / or ROM for storing data and data, a central processing unit 503 composed of a CPU that performs various numerical calculations and logical operations according to programs, a display 222, etc. A communication interface including a display unit 504 configured by a control unit 505, a control unit 505 for controlling a chip, an electric system, and the like, a slot for accessing the Internet, a port for optical communication, and a communication interface Part 506, speaker and vibration , An output unit 507 such as an infrared projector, a timing unit 508 for measuring time, a sensor unit 509 including an image sensor such as a CMOS, an infrared sensor, an inertial sensor, and the like, and supplies power to each module in the apparatus These modules are connected by a communication bus or a power supply line as needed (in FIG. 5, they are collectively shown as a connection line 599 in which each line is appropriately divided for convenience).
The sensor unit 509 may include a GPS sensor module for specifying the position of the tablet terminal 500 (22). In addition, a signal detected by an image sensor such as a CMOS or an infrared sensor constituting the sensor unit 509 can be processed as input information in the input unit 501.

  In addition, a program or software executed on the tablet terminal 500 necessary for implementing the present invention is normally installed or stored in a hard disk disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, or the like constituting the storage unit 502, and the program Or, when executing the software, the CPU 503 reads out all or a part of the software modules in the memory in the storage unit 502 as necessary, and executes the calculation in the CPU 503.

  It should be noted that the execution of the calculation is not necessarily performed by the central processing unit 503 such as a CPU, and an auxiliary arithmetic unit such as a digital signal processor (DSP) (not shown) can be used.

[Determination of stock products to be stocked at the nearest base]
In the merchandise shipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, judgment or determination of stock merchandise to be stocked (stocked) at the nearest base is performed, and details thereof will be described here.

As described above, stock products are selected on the system for each nearest area depending on daily demand in the nearest area. More specifically, (1) Stock candidate products are selected, (2) Exclude candidate products that have been discontinued from production or sold out of them, and (3-A) further accept their own stock registration request from among them, or (3-B) by automatic determination It is selected according to the flow of stock registration.
In particular, the selection of stock candidate products in (1) above includes (1-A) selection of stock candidate products by analyzing sales performance data, and (1-B) selection of stock candidate products based on product management information. There is. Details will be described below in order.

1-A. Stock candidate product selection process by analyzing sales performance data This stock candidate product selection process analyzes past sales data (recorded in the sales management DB) and generates repeated demand from customers. Set automatic extraction logic to extract products (a certain number of orders are received from customers within a certain period), and select candidate products to stock at the nearest base based on this automatic extraction logic (extraction logic creation process The concept will be described later with reference to FIG. 7).

1-B. Stock candidate product selection processing based on product management information This stock candidate product selection processing is a series of books that have been purchased by the customer in the past (recorded in the sales management DB) and are incomplete. It is processed by extracting the upgraded software product. The fact that the product is a series and the version number of the product are recorded in the product management DB.

2. Exclusion processing of candidate products that have been discontinued or sold This exclusion processing is a process for excluding candidate products whose supply status is not available, such as “production end” or “sales end”. is there. Such information is recorded for each product in the product management DB, and is updated whenever a specific product ends production or sales.
Control is performed so that candidate products that can be ordered from manufacturers and the like even if the inventory status is a candidate product whose sale has ended (such information can also be managed for each product in the product management DB) are not excluded. You can also.

3-A. Customer's own stock registration request acceptance processing This registration processing is to perform stock registration by providing candidate product information extracted up to 2 above on the customer terminal and selecting it by the customer. Typically, when a customer places an order from stock candidate products through a customer terminal, the customer selects and registers stock for delivery in a short time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour). Become.
This registration process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 9, but since stock registration is performed by registration of the customer terminal, different stock product groups are formed for each nearest area and managed in the system. It will be.

3-B. Stock registration process based on automatic judgment This registration process picks up products with high demand or products with a high repeat purchase (repeat purchase) rate from the point of view of the product shipment management system operator, even if the customer does not register stock. It is automatically registered in the product. The standard of high demand and the standard of repeat purchase rate can be set as appropriate by the system operator. This registration process can be operated flexibly, for example, by registering all the nearest bases in common, or by performing different registrations for each region or each nearest area.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow of determination processing or registration processing of stock products stocked at the nearest base described above. When the process is started in step S601, stock candidate products are extracted by data analysis in step S602. Specifically, the management server 21 performs processing with reference to the sales management DB or the like. Next, it progresses to step S603 and stock candidate goods are extracted by goods information. Specifically, the management server 21 performs processing with reference to a product management DB or the like.

  In step S604, it is determined whether there is a product that has been finished or sold out of the candidate products extracted in steps S602 and S603. If yes, the process proceeds to step S605, and the corresponding product is excluded. Processing is done. Specifically, the management server 21 performs processing with reference to a product management DB or the like. However, if it is determined that an order from a manufacturer or the like can be obtained by referring to a flag that is separately managed in the product management DB, etc., it is not possible to exclude (can be determined as No in step S604). It is.

  In step S606, it is determined whether or not the stock candidate product presented to the customer's terminal has been registered by the customer. If not, the process proceeds to step S608, but the customer registers the stock desired product. If processing has been performed (Yes in step S606), the process proceeds to step S607, and stock registration processing of the designated stock candidate product is performed. Specifically, in the management server 21, the product management DB or the like is updated, or the stock product management table for each nearest base extracted from the product management DB is updated.

  Next, in step S608, an automatic determination process set from the viewpoint of the merchandise shipment management system operator is performed, and it is determined whether there is a candidate product to be registered in the light of the automatic determination criteria. In the case of Yes in step S608, the process proceeds to step S609, and stock registration processing for stock candidate products that satisfy the automatic determination criteria is performed. Specifically, in the management server 21, the product management DB or the like is updated, or the stock product management table for each nearest base extracted from the product management DB is updated.

  In the case of No in step S608, or when step S609 is completed, the process proceeds to step S610, and the flow of processing for determining or registering stock products stocked at the nearest base is completed.

  FIG. 7 shows an extraction logic creation processing concept for selecting candidate products to be stocked at the nearest base in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The merchandise shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 appears in the front system 710, the backbone system 720, the analysis environment 740, and the stock candidate merchandise DB or table 750. In the figure, the backbone system 720 is accessed from a store (such as a POS register) 701 and a front system 710 to a WEB site 702 directed to a customer terminal and a terminal application 703 such as a customer terminal. It has become. The store (POS register) 701 exchanges information such as products sold in the actual store and products requested to be delivered to the actual store with the backbone system 720, and is a WEB site 702 via the front system 710. The terminal application 703 exchanges information such as products ordered or sold with the backbone system 720 through electronic commerce via the Internet or the like.

  The front system 710 mediates transactions or procedures between the backbone 720 in the merchandise shipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention and the WEB site 702 for the customer terminal and the terminal application 703f such as the customer terminal. A software module that runs on the management server 21 and other servers. The front system 710 includes, as its submodules, a product recommendation logic 711 that recommends products to customer terminals and the like, an action log logic 712 that tracks products that are viewed or ordered from the customer terminals, and other processing systems The logic 713 which consists of is included.

  The core system 720 includes a sales management processing system 721 including a sales management DB, a warehouse management processing system 722 including a warehouse management DB, an inventory management processing system 723 including an inventory management DB, and a customer management processing system 724 including a customer management DB. , A product management processing system 725 including a product management DB, and another processing system 726 including other DBs.

  In FIG. 7, the extraction logic for selecting candidate products to be stocked at the nearest base is created in the analysis environment 740 constructed in the product management server 21 as an example. The procedure is as follows. That is, as shown in the figure, it is accessed from a store (such as a POS register) 701 and a front system 710 to a WEB site 702 directed to a customer terminal and a terminal application 703 such as a customer terminal, and product information and sales Data collection (730) is performed from the backbone system 720 that updates and manages information and the like, and is sent to the data warehouse of the analysis environment 740. That is, the stock candidate product selection process is created by collecting customer information, product information, purchase information (sales information), browsing information, etc. in the analysis data warehouse 741 and analyzing the accumulated data (742). The product extraction logic (743) is automatically performed (744).

  In the data analysis 742, various data analyzes are performed on the data warehouse 741. Although the present invention is not limited to these, the data stored in the data warehouse is generally a large amount of integrated business data arranged in time series, and the relationship between various items is analyzed. . For example, from sales data at the store 701, “men in their 40s and 50s who buy fitness equipment on weekends often purchase related books together” or “ Identify relationships between elements that were not revealed by conventional simple tabulation, such as “best selling the day before”.

  In the extraction logic creation process 743, for example, the extraction logic is created from the following viewpoints (A) to (C).

(A) Products that have been purchased repeatedly in the past This is done by summing up sales results for each product from a large amount of sales results data arranged in time series and customer data, etc., and performing ranking processing etc. It is possible to extract products that are repeatedly purchased for an arbitrary period for each layer.
Specifically, data such as sales performance data and customer data is based on data such as store purchases, customer information, product information, etc. for each period of time at stores and WEB sites that conduct electronic commerce. If it is determined that the product has been purchased repeatedly by judging whether it has been purchased more than a certain frequency, or if a specific customer has purchased a certain number of products more than a certain frequency in a certain period, etc. It is determined that the product has a strong tendency to purchase repeatedly.

(B) Products that tend to be purchased in combination with other products By analyzing the combination of products purchased at the same time for each customer from a large amount of sales performance data organized in time series, etc. Specific products that tend to be purchased at the same time, or combinations of products that are purchased together.
(C) Products that tend to be purchased even if they are relatively single items Can be extracted from a large amount of sales performance data arranged in time series.

  With regard to (B) and (C) above, sales by, for example, counting the number of items sold for each product from the product purchase results, product browsing results, customer information, product information, etc. at stores and electronic websites. Analysis of growth rate, analysis of page view increase rate by counting product detail page visits, analysis of other single item purchase rate, repeat purchase rate of specific product, simultaneous purchase rate, etc. Then, it is possible to determine that the product whose numerical value is equal to or greater than a certain value is a product having a specific tendency. The determined merchandise is recorded and managed in the merchandise management DB or a stock merchandise management table for each nearest base extracted from the merchandise management DB together with an identifier and a rank value indicating the tendency and degree.

  In addition, the logic determinations exemplified in the above (A) to (C) are not always performed from a fixed viewpoint, but are created from past sales performance data and the like. As long as it includes analysis extraction criteria along with parameters (various items), it can be appropriately determined by alternative logic.

  In the automatic product extraction 744, automatic product extraction processing based on the created extraction logic is performed. The automatically extracted product group is stored in the stock candidate product DB or table 750 as stock candidate products.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 9, an example of registration processing of a desired product for stock by a customer will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of stock product registration processing or update processing in the product shipment management system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart on the customer terminal in the product shipment management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. A display example is shown. Note that the processing example shown in FIG. 8 does not inhibit the registration request processing and / or automatic registration processing shown in FIG. 6, and is an example of processing that can be performed in parallel or alternatively.

  When the process is started in step S801 in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step S802, and stock candidate products with stock are taken into the front system 710 from the stock candidate product DB or table 750.

  In step S803, the front system 710 activates the product recommendation logic 711 or the like, and distributes the stock candidate product information in stock to the user terminal so that the candidate product is presented or recommended. . In step S804, it waits for a stock product narrowing request or a registration request from a customer on the user terminal. If No in step S804, the process proceeds to step S803 and ends as this flow (or may be returned to step S804 as waiting for a request), but if yes in this step, the process proceeds to step S805 and requested by the customer. Based on the requested registration request information, stock candidate products are narrowed down as necessary, and in step S806, registration processing of requested stock products requested by the customer is performed. In step S807, the stock candidate product DB or table 750 is updated based on the stock desired product registered based on the request from the customer, and the flow ends (step S808).

  FIG. 9 shows a display example of the information processing apparatus (user or customer terminal) in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, on the display 920 installed on the casing 910 of the terminal 900, the stock candidate product list 930 illustrated with reference to FIG. 8 is “a list of stock candidate products in stock (all xxx items)”. It is displayed with the message. The information provided about the product A in the list 930 will be described. The product A is presented with the product name 932 along with the product image 931, and the normal price and the selling price 933 are also presented. In addition, the provision point 934 at the time of purchase is also presented.

  Further, when the customer wants to register the product A as a stock product for the customer, a registration button 935 is provided so that it can be registered as “My stock”. The merchandise information registered by the customer in “My stock” can be confirmed by transitioning to a confirmation screen (not shown) by pressing a button 921 labeled “To my stock” in the figure (not shown). On the My stock confirmation screen, editing buttons such as switching of active / inactive registration status and deregistration (deletion) can also be provided.

  In FIG. 9, it can be confirmed that the product B and the product C are provided with information in the same manner as the product A.

  As described above, in the electronic commerce in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the stock candidate product with stock is presented on the WEB site 702 directed to the customer terminal and / or the terminal application 703 such as the customer terminal. It is one of the features of the present invention that confirmation can be performed by receiving the product, and a product desired to be stocked at the nearest base can be selected / registered / edited from the confirmed products. A mechanism for securing stock products at the nearest base will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows an analysis and physical distribution model in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the explanation of the figure clarifies the mechanism for securing stock products at the nearest base. The system for securing stock products at the nearest base is roughly divided into the following three steps.

(STEP1)
Estimate the number of stock products by nearest base based on the desired stock information for each base. Specifically, a demand forecasting model that estimates the number of stock products to be secured at each nearest base from data such as past purchase results, customer information, and product information is created, and the number of stocks for each of these stock products is calculated. Estimate (This inventory number is also called a standard number. The standard number can be said to be the minimum necessary number that should always be secured at the nearest base).
(STEP2)
When the number of stocks (standard number) estimated in STEP 1 is below, the stock is replenished by automatically placing an order from the nearest base to the backbone system.
(STEP3)
The core system manages the standard number for each stock item for each nearest base estimated in STEP 1 and processes the automatic orders made in STEP 2 as necessary, and stocks the nearest base to the logistics center as needed. Instructing the delivery of goods (inventory procurement).

  In FIG. 10, a mechanism for securing stock products at the nearest base is realized by a stock desired product database 1010 in which stock desired product group information collected from customers is accumulated, an analysis environment 1020, and a backbone system 1030 (necessary) Depending on the location, feedback from the base terminal at the nearest base is also included).

  In the figure, stock desired product group information is fetched from the stock desired product database 1010 to the analysis environment 1020, and a demand prediction model based on the analysis data warehouse 1021 is created in the analysis environment 1020 (1022). Based on these information and models, demand prediction is performed (1023), and the prediction information is transmitted to the backbone system 1030 and linked in the backbone system 1030.

  In the backbone system 1030, the stock product stock quantity information table 1031 for each nearest base is checked in consideration of the demand forecast information transmitted from the analysis environment 1020 and updated as necessary (stock product stock quantity information table). 1031 is included in the stock merchandise database for each nearest base as an example, or is derived from time to time).

  Next, in the backbone system 1030, an inventory procurement instruction (1032) of the target product is sent to the distribution centers 11-13 based on the updated stock product inventory number information table 1031 (the nearest base to be procured is also determined for each target product). Instructed to). Although not shown in the figure, the distribution centers 11 to 13 that have received the instruction deliver (1040) delivery of the target product to the designated nearest base 1050 for inventory procurement.

  At this time, it should be noted that in one embodiment of the present invention, the number of products procured in stock is estimated to be larger than the number of desired stock items recorded in the desired stock product database 1010. Specifically, if the total number of requested stocks for a stock desired product at a nearest base is 500, the number of stock products that the core system 1030 causes the distribution center to procure stock from the nearest base is The inventory quantity at the nearest base is adjusted so as to exceed 500 (as an example, the inventory quantity is adjusted so as to increase by several percent).

  On the other hand, the nearest base 1050 manages the increase and decrease of individual stock products in stock and is configured to automatically place orders for stock products that have fallen below the standard number due to a decrease in stock. You can also

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a data table derived or created from a stock candidate product database, a stock desired product database, a customer management database, a product management database, an inventory management database, etc. in the product shipping management system according to the embodiment of the present invention (same as above). The figure (A)) and a mode that information is provided on the customer terminal (screen thereof) based on the table (the figure (B)) are shown.

  In FIG. 11A, for example, the relationship between the stock candidate products for each nearest base (and for each nearest base and each customer, if necessary), the stock desired product, the stock standard number, and the reserved stock number is organized. The tables 1110a to 1110c are illustrated (in FIG. 11A, the table 1110a is illustratively a table arranged for a customer in the nearest area of the nearest base “Shinjuku 1”). In the table 1110a, stock candidate products A, B, C, X, Y, and Z registered in the nearest base “Shinjuku 1” are registered, and the stock request requested by the customer for each stock candidate product. , Stock standard number calculated based on demand forecast model and customer's desired number, and the number of stocks secured at the nearest base currently referenced from the product management database, inventory management database, etc. Has been.

  For example, in the table 1110a, the stock candidate products A, B, X, and Z are recorded as having a stock request from the customer (in FIG. 9A, a flag is set as “◯” mark). ) In addition, the stock standard number for the stock candidate product A is set to “1”, and the stock of just “1” is secured at this nearest base.

  In this situation, an example of information displayed on the customer terminal whose address is the customer's house in the nearest area of the nearest base “Shinjuku 1” is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5B, on the screen of the customer terminal 1120, among the stock candidate product groups (A, B, C, X, Y, Z,...) Extracted for the nearest base “Shinjuku 1”, the stock Of the products A, B, X, and Z that have been requested and registered, the products A, X, and Z that have a reserved stock quantity of 1 or more, and the product Y that has been picked up by automatic extraction (not shown) Is also displayed in the presentation column 1122 together with a message 1121 that says “Check here for products that can be delivered in a short time!”.

  For example, the presentation column 1122 displays a product name (and a product image if necessary), a price, a given point at the time of purchase, and the number of stocks of a stock product that can be delivered to a customer in a short time. Has been. In addition, the number of orders (initial value is 0, which is a setting value that can be increased or decreased by the customer or user) is also displayed. In the figure, for example, one order for each of the products A and B (This state is a temporary state until an order button 1124 described later is pressed).

  Also, in the presentation column 1123, a product B for which a stock request is made by the customer but the stock quantity is zero, and a product C picked up by automatic extraction (not shown) (however, the secured stock quantity is zero) Is presented with the message "I'm currently preparing".

  The order button 1124 is a button for executing an ordering process for a product for which the order number is set to 1 or more when the order button 1124 is pressed after setting the order number of each product.

  In the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11, as described above, among the desired stock items selected / registered by the customer, only the products that are stocked at the nearest base are guided and presented as products that can be ordered. This point is one of the features of the present invention.

  12 to 14 show display examples of the information processing apparatus (user or customer terminal) in the product shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. These exemplify variations of a mechanism for receiving an order from a customer for stock merchandise according to an embodiment of the present invention. These ordering mechanisms can guide and receive orders at various timings on the screen of the terminal application 703 such as the WEB site 702 and the customer terminal for the customer terminal. (S1)-(S5) etc. are mentioned.

(S1) When a customer accesses a WEB site directed to a customer terminal or activates an application on the customer terminal, the customer guides and receives an order.
(S2) When a customer intends to purchase a product on a terminal such as a WEB site or a customer terminal directed to the customer terminal, the customer guides the product and receives an order as a “product that can be delivered together now”.
(S3) When a customer's behavior history (page view, purchase pattern, etc.) is analyzed and matches a certain behavior standard, the notification function of the smartphone application is used to guide the target stock product and receive an order. .
(S4) During the delivery of the product to the customer, the product is guided as a product that can be delivered together and an additional order is received.
(S5) At the time of re-delivery in the case where the product is delivered to the customer but is absent, the product is guided as a product that can be delivered together and an additional order is received.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen example of a customer terminal configured to provide product guidance for stock merchandise and to be able to receive orders from customers. In the drawing, the screen on the customer terminal 1201 includes a header 1211 including a current time display, a display field 1221 for displaying the current address or current location, and “delivered by 14:03 with an immediate order”. Message 1231 and a search column 1241 are displayed, and a list of products that can be delivered to the customer's home in a short time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour) is displayed in the product display column 1250. In the figure, products A to C are displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and more applicable products can be presented by scroll means and page feed means (not shown). Further, it is possible to narrow down based on a desired product genre or product category by a search keyword or the like for the search field 1241.

  As for the contents of each product displayed in the product display column 1250, for product A, the product name 1252 is presented together with the product image 1251, and the normal price and the selling price 1253 are also presented. Furthermore, the estimated arrival time 1254 when the product A is ordered immediately is displayed. In addition, the grant point 1255 at the time of purchase is presented.

  If the customer wants to order the product A, the customer can transition to an order procedure screen (not shown) by pressing an order button 1256 on the screen.

  In FIG. 12, it can be confirmed that the product B and the product C are provided with information in the same manner as the product A.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen of a customer terminal configured to provide product guidance for stock products as products that can be delivered together during product delivery to the customer and to be able to receive additional orders from the customer. In the figure, the screen on the customer terminal 1301 includes a header 1311 including a current time display, a display field 1321 displaying the customer's current address or current location, and a message 1325 that “this item is being delivered”. Is displayed, and the product D currently being delivered is displayed in the product display column 1330.

  In the product display column 1330, for example, the product name 1332 is presented together with the product image 1331 of the product D. In the contact column 1340 in the lower column, the scheduled delivery time 1341 and the estimated arrival time of the product D are displayed. 1342 is displayed.

  Further, in FIG. 13, the lower column of the contact column 1340 shows a short time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour) when an order is made at the present time (11:55 currently displayed on the screen in FIG. 13). A list of products that can be delivered to the customer's home is shown in the product display field 1350.

  The content of each product displayed in the product display column 1350 is the same as the product content displayed in the product display column 1250 described with reference to FIG. 12. For C, a product name 1352 is presented together with the product image 1351, and a normal price and a selling price 1353 are also presented. Furthermore, the estimated arrival time 1354 when the product C is ordered immediately is displayed. Also, the point of grant 1355 at the time of purchase is presented.

  If the customer wishes to order the product A, the customer can transition to an order procedure screen (not shown) by pressing an order button 1356 on the screen.

Although only the product C is displayed in the product display column 1350 in the figure, the present invention is not limited to this, and more applicable products may be presented by scroll means and page feed means (not shown). it can. Further, it is possible to narrow down based on a desired product genre or product category by inputting a search keyword or the like in a search field not shown in the figure.
Further, a transition button (not shown) may be used to make a transition from the screen shown in FIG. 13 to the screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows a customer terminal configured to provide a product guide for stock products as a product that can be delivered together at the time of re-delivery application when the product is delivered to the customer but is not available. An example screen is shown. In the figure, a header 1403 including a current time display appears on the screen on the customer terminal 1401, but a redelivery application screen 1405 is displayed in a form popped up on the screen including the header 1403.

  The re-delivery application screen 1405 illustratively has a guidance column 1410 including the name of the person in charge of delivery and the message “I have taken the delivery because I was absent”. Product display column 1420 is arranged. In the product display column 1420, for example, a product name 1422 is presented together with a product image 1421 of the product E.

In FIG. 14, a re-delivery instruction column 1430 is arranged below the product display column 1420, and three instruction buttons 1431 to 1433 are arranged in the column 1430. Specifically, the instruction button 1431 is an instruction button for instructing redelivery immediately because the customer is at home, for example, and the instruction button 1432 is an instruction button for instructing redelivery by telephone. .
The instruction button 1433 is an instruction button for instructing redelivery according to redelivery settings (contents set on the screen). When this button is pressed, the screen is changed to a redelivery setting screen (not shown). Can do.

  Further, in the re-lower column in FIG. 14, when an order is made at the present time (as of 15:45 on which the screen of the same figure is displayed), the customer's home is reached in a short time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour). A list 1441 of a list of commodities that can be delivered together at the time of re-delivery is presented. In the figure, a screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed by presenting a product list (for example, a list as shown in FIG. 12) by pressing a scroll button (not shown) or by pressing a screen transition icon 1445. Or transition to.

15 and 16 show a processing operation flow in the merchandise shipment management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation flows shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 exemplify variations of order / delivery that can be realized by building a “nearest base” that is unique in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows that stock products stocked to the nearest base can be delivered in a short time (flow from time t1 to t3 in the figure), and non-stock products ordered by the customer are shipped from the distribution center, As long as it passes through the nearest base that includes as the nearest area, stock orders stocked at the nearest base can be ordered at any time and delivered together with the non-stock goods ordered earlier (time in the figure) The flow from t4 to t11) is illustrated.
Further, in FIG. 16, when a stock product is delivered from the nearest base but is re-delivered for reasons such as absence, it is possible to accept additional orders for other stock products and deliver them together. The state (flow after time t33 in the figure) is illustrated.

[Scene where stock products at the nearest base are delivered in a short time]
At time t1 in FIG. 15, when a stock product order is issued from the user terminal (customer terminal) at the customer's home to the management server 21 of the product shipment management system (step S1501), the management server 21 performs an order receiving procedure. (Step S1502), the delivery instruction of the stock goods ordered at the nearest base terminal at time t2 is issued (Step S1503).

  Upon receiving the delivery instruction, the base terminal of the nearest base issues an instruction to prepare for shipment, and preparation for shipment at the nearest base is performed from time t2 to t3 (step S1504), and stock ordered to the customer's home at time t3. The product is delivered (S1505).

[Scenes for receiving additional orders for stock products after ordering non-stock products]
At time t4 in FIG. 15, an order for a non-stock product is issued from the user terminal (customer terminal) at the customer's home to the management server 21 of the product shipment management system (step S1510). In this embodiment, non-stock products are often delivered from the distribution center to the customer's home via the nearest base, and the current order is also scheduled to be shipped from the distribution center. From time t4 to t5, when the order receiving procedure is performed in the management server 21 (step S1511), a delivery instruction for the ordered non-stock product is issued to the distribution center base terminal at time t5 (step S1512).

  Upon receiving the delivery instruction, the distribution center base terminal issues a shipping preparation instruction, and the distribution center prepares for shipment from time t5 to time t6 (step S1513). Stock goods are delivered (S1514).

  Here, the non-stock merchandise shipped from the distribution center to the nearest base at time t6 arrives at time t10 as shown in the figure, and the following processing operation is performed during that time.

  First, at time t7, the management server 21 notifies the user terminal (customer terminal) that the non-stock product for which the order has been received has been shipped, and transmits a guide for accepting additional orders (step S1515). For this guidance, it is preferable to perform the guidance described with reference to FIG.

Next, at time t8, an additional order for stock merchandise is made from the user terminal (customer terminal) to the management server 21 via the guidance screen described with reference to FIG. 13 (step S1516). The management server 21 performs an additional order procedure (step S1517), and issues a delivery instruction for the additionally ordered stock product to the base terminal at the nearest base at time t9 (step S1518).
At this time, the non-stock product shipped from the distribution center at time t6 has not yet arrived at the nearest base, and the nearest base is ready to ship stock goods that have been instructed for delivery from time t9 to time t11. This is performed (step S1520).

  Then, at time t10 during which preparation for shipment of stock products is being made at the nearest base, non-stock goods shipped from the distribution center arrive at the nearest base (step S1519). At the nearest base, the arriving non-stock goods and stock goods are bundled.

  Finally, at time t11, the non-stock product and the stock product bundled from the nearest base are shipped to the customer's home (step S1521).

[Scenes for receiving additional orders for other stock products when re-delivery from the nearest base]
At time t30 in FIG. 16, when a stock product order is issued from the user terminal (customer terminal) at the customer's home to the management server 21 of the product shipping management system (step S1601), the management server 21 performs an order receiving procedure. (Step S1602), at time t31, the delivery instruction for the stock item ordered is issued to the nearest base terminal (Step S1603).

  Upon receiving the delivery instruction, the base terminal of the nearest base issues a shipping preparation instruction, and preparation for shipment is performed at the nearest base from time t31 to t32 (step S1604), and stock ordered to the customer's home at time t32. The product is delivered (S1605).

  At time t33, stock merchandise shipped from the nearest base arrives at the customer's home (step S1606). However, since the customer is absent, an absence slip is posted on the post (step S1607). It is taken back to the nearest base (step S1608).

  At time t34, the management server 21 transmits a guidance for receiving an additional order together with the absence guidance to the customer terminal (step S1609). For this guidance, it is preferable to perform the guidance described with reference to FIG.

  Next, at time t35, an additional order for other stock items is made from the user terminal (customer terminal) to the management server 21 via the guidance screen described with reference to FIG. 14 (step S1610). In the management server 21, an additional order procedure is performed (step S1611), and a delivery instruction for another stock product additionally ordered to the base terminal at the nearest base is issued at time t36 (step S1612). By this time, the stock items that have been taken home have arrived at the nearest base, and at the nearest base, from time t36 to time t37, the stock goods that have been taken home and other stock goods that have been ordered for delivery due to additional orders are included. Preparation for shipment is performed (step S1613).

  Then, the stock product bundled from the nearest base at time t37 is shipped to the customer's house (step S1614).

  In order to realize the variation of the order / delivery described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, on the backbone system, the number of stocks for each product at each site, the delivery time between each site, and the delivery time to the customer's home Managed, recalculated each time and updated. In addition, the product is tracked after shipment from the base, the current location of the product being delivered is updated and managed, and the estimated arrival time is recalculated according to additional orders and changes in the order contents, and the customer terminal and delivery person's mobile terminal Will be notified as appropriate.

[Another embodiment regarding user terminal operation]
Next, an operation and display example for the user terminal in the product shipment management system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below is limited in the feature list display and selection features provided from the management server in the product shipment management system described so far, or has a unique configuration of the product shipment management system of the present invention. It is possible to operate as an independent operation and display function for the user terminal. However, in the following description, an operation example of the user terminal in the above-described merchandise shipment management system will be described for easy understanding of the invention.

  FIG. 17A is a display example of a product list that can be delivered within a predetermined time on the user terminal, and characteristically shows that the predetermined time itself can be changed by a slider interface.

  In FIG. 17A, first, a specified (or registered) delivery location display and accumulation points (9999pt in the figure) are displayed in the display field 1701. Below that, a search field 1702 and a category designation field 1703 are displayed. As shown in the figure, when the “all” button in the category designation field 1703 is pressed, all categories are designated (that is, no narrowing by category is performed).

The operation and display field 1704 in FIG. 17A is a characteristic part. The operation and display field 1704 includes the number of products narrowed down by the search field 1702 and the category designation field 1703, the time when these items can be delivered, and the operation. It is displayed as possible. That is, in the upper part of the same column, it is shown that there are 1000 products that can be delivered within a predetermined time (10 minutes) out of “all 4000,000” products.
In addition, a slider interface capable of changing the designation of the deliverable time is shown at the bottom of the column 1704, and the designated condition can be changed by directly operating the knob 17041 of the interface with a user's finger or the like. The detailed operation is described later with reference to FIGS. 17B and 17C. In the same column 1704, the knob 17041 is at the position of “10 minutes (within)”, and serves as an interface for instructing to narrow down products that can be delivered within 10 minutes.

  That is, in another embodiment of the present invention, as described above, (1) narrowing down by keyword or the like in the search field 1702, (2) narrowing down by category in the category designation field 1703, and (3) operation and display. A major feature is that the field 1704 is configured to be capable of simultaneously narrowing down a maximum of three types (squeezing under an AND condition), that is, narrowing down according to the delivery time at the slider interface. Of course, it is not always necessary to use these three types of narrowing down, the search column 1702 is not used, the narrowing by the slider interface in the category designation column 1703 and the operation and display column 1704, or narrowing down by other combinations, Alternatively, it is possible to narrow down only the search field 1702 alone.

  In the search result display field 1705 of FIG. 17A, the results narrowed down by the above-described conditions are displayed as the number of hits for each category. In the figure, since all categories are designated, the number of hits for each category (categories A to I appear on the screen) and the deliverable time (10 minutes) are displayed in each rectangular area. . In addition, a check button interface capable of switching between selection / non-selection by a tap or the like is shown in the upper left part of the rectangular area for each category. Illustratively, the check button 17051 is for switching the search result of category A to selection / non-selection.

Further, in the same figure, a cart icon 17052 that can be pressed is also displayed, and the icon 17052 is not displayed fixedly at a specific position but is exemplarily floated, and the cart icon 17052 is doubled. It is configured so that a product to be purchased at the present time can be confirmed by tapping or the like (details in the cart will be described later with reference to FIG. 21).
In the upper right portion of the cart icon 17052, for example, the number of products currently in the cart by the user can be displayed, and the number of products in the cart in the figure is zero.
In addition, results that cannot be displayed in the search result display field 1705 can be viewed by a scroll bar operation or the like (not shown).

  FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram showing the operation procedure of the slider interface in the user terminal, and the slider interface (knob) is operated in time series from FIG. 17B (A) to FIG. 17B (C). It is shown. In FIGS. 4A to 4C, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes are displayed as the time display on the interface, and the product group delivered within each time is displayed. It is a memory for instructing pickup.

In FIG. 17B (A), there is a knob 1730a at a position of “10 minutes” on the slider interface, and the knob 1730a is moved in the right direction in the figure by touching with the index finger of the user's right hand 1731a (so-called drag movement). ).
The knob 1730a can be moved left and right on the slider from once touched until released. However, a range in which the knob 1730a can move on the slider is set (typically, from the left end to the right end of the slider), and the knob 1730a cannot be moved even if it is dragged in a range beyond that range.

  FIG. 17B (B) shows a state in which the finger 1731b is slid rightward from the screen (knob 1730b on the upper side) from the state of FIG. 17B (A). It has been slid to the front (slightly to the left) of the 30-minute memory position. In FIG. 17B (C), the index finger of the right hand 1731b is separated from the knob 1730b at the position in the drawing.

  FIG. 17B (C) is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately after the index finger is released from the knob 1730b in the state of FIG. 17B (B). In FIG. 10C, the knob 1730c is automatically sucked into the closest memory (30 minutes) of the left and right memories (that is, the 20-minute memory and the 30-minute memory) (at the grid position of the memory). Normalized) and fits in a 30 minute memory location.

  At this time, in one embodiment of the present invention, it can be configured such that re-extraction (re-searching) of products that can be delivered immediately within 30 minutes is performed (see FIG. 17C for details). Will be described later).

  FIG. 17C is a flowchart illustrating in detail processing performed in the system including the user terminal and the management server by operations on the user terminal (display screen thereof) described with reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B. is there.

  In step S1750, which is the beginning of the description of this flow, for example, the user terminal is activated (application software is also activated as necessary), and the screen shown in FIG. 17A is displayed. At this time, on the screen capable of multi-touch detection, detection of whether there is a touch on an object (button, slider knob, etc.) on the screen as an event is performed at a frequency of several to several tens of times per second. . One of the events includes a determination as to whether or not there has been a power-off (or application termination) or transition to another screen shown in step S1751.

  If YES in step S1751, the operation flow ends (step S1760). If NO, the process proceeds to step S1752, and it is determined whether or not there has been a finger touch on the screen of the user terminal (step S1751). Event detection).

  If there is no finger touch or the like in step S1752 (No), the process returns to step S1751. If there is a finger touch or the like (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1753.

  In step S1753, on the assumption that the touch of the finger or the like in step S1752 is sustained, it is determined whether the touch of the finger or the like has been released (this is one of event detection). In the case of No in step S1753, the slider operation described with reference to FIGS. 17B (A) to (B) is realized (described later based on steps S1754 to S1756). In the case of Yes in step S1753, the slider knob movement completion and re-search (re-extraction) described with reference to FIG. 17B (C) are performed (based on steps S1757 to S1759 described later).

  In step S1754 of FIG. 17C, it is determined whether or not the slider knob (for example, the knob 17041 of FIG. 17A or the knobs 1730a to 1730b of FIG. 17B) is moved by the touched finger or the like (for example, touching). It is realized by periodically detecting the movement of a finger etc.).

  If No in step S1754, the process returns to step S1753. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S1755, and it is determined whether the knob position (the position of the finger or the like that is dragged) is in an appropriate position. . For example, if the knob position (the position of the dragging finger, etc.) is about to deviate significantly from the left and right ends of the slider (No in step S1755), the knob position must remain on the end of the slider. However, in the case of Yes in step S1755, the process proceeds to step S1756.

  In step S1756, the slider knob is redrawn to match the position of the slightly moved finger or the like, and the process returns to step S1753. Since steps S1753 to S756 are performed at a cycle of several times to several tens of times per second, when the user drags the slider knob with a finger or the like, the user may feel as if the user is moving with his / her finger. It becomes possible.

  In step S1757, the slider knob position at the time when the user's finger or the like is released on the user terminal (on the screen thereof) is acquired, and grid calculation is performed by normalizing the knob position to determine (determine) the knob position. Specifically, when the knob position is on the slider, it is determined which memory position is adjacent to the left and right, and the closest memory position is set as the knob position. Or, if the knob position is stuck to either the left or right edge of the slider (that is, if your finger is trying to drag the knob beyond the slider range), that edge (the minimum or maximum memory position) To be the knob position.

Next, in step S1758, the grid determined as the position of the slider knob immediately after the finger or the like is released from the screen (in the case of 1704 in FIG. 17A, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes). Based on (the memory position becomes the grid), the user terminal requests the management server in the system to re-search or re-extract the product. For example, when the slider knob that was originally at the memory position of 10 minutes is moved to the memory position of 30 minutes, the management server is configured to re-extract products that can be delivered within 30 minutes in addition to the given conditions. A request or query is sent to.
The management server receives the request or query, performs re-extraction or re-search processing based on the request or query content, and returns part or all of the hit product information to the user terminal.

  In step S1759, based on part or all of the re-extraction or re-search result received by the user terminal from the management server, part or all of the information is re-displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the process returns to step S1752.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18 to FIG. 21, a product refinement operation and display variations in a user terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 18 shows a variation in which a plurality of categories are selected and a product narrowing operation is performed. In the screen shown in the figure, a check operation is performed on a plurality of categories for the number of hits and the deliverable time (10 minutes) for each category displayed in the search result display field 1801 (specifically, As shown in the figure, by turning on the check buttons 18011 and 18012, the categories A and F are selected), and as shown in the bottom column of FIG. The search (or re-search) start button 1802 with the title is displayed, and a search or re-search for a plurality of categories A and F selected by pressing this button 1802 is performed. (This process is an exchange between the user terminal and the management server, although the contents of the request or query are different, and step S1758 Similar exchanges as the processing explained with reference is performed step S1759).
A result that cannot be displayed in the search result display field 1801 can be viewed by a scroll bar operation or the like (not shown).

  FIG. 19 shows a variation of further narrowing-down processing or product selection processing for the narrowing-down processing result described with reference to FIG.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 19, the display column 1901 displays labels for a plurality of categories (A and F) selected by the narrowing operation described with reference to FIG. Touching or tapping the “x” mark displayed at the right end of each label deletes the category corresponding to that label (at the same time, immediately restarts based on the new condition that the category was deleted). You can search or re-extract and display the results.)

  An arbitrary character string or the like can be input to the search column 1902, and a character string search or the like within the category displayed on the label of the display column 1901 can be performed. If there is no label in the display column 1901, the search is made in all categories.

In the operation menu column 1903, as shown in FIG. 19, a “narrow down” icon at the left end, an “arrangement order” icon at the center, and a display format switching icon at the right end are displayed.
Here, when the “narrow down” icon is tapped, a narrow down menu of categories, price ranges, manufacturers, related words, etc. can be displayed in a pull-down format (not shown in the figure), and items in the pull-down menu are displayed. By allowing the user to select, it is possible to perform further narrowing processing.
When the “Order” icon is tapped, a sort menu such as price order, delivery time order, recommendation order, etc. can be displayed in a pull-down format (not shown in the figure). By allowing the user to select the item, further narrowing down processing can be performed.
Furthermore, when the “display format switching” icon is tapped, the search result is displayed in a tile format (product image icons may be displayed) or a list format (a format in which more product information is displayed in a limited screen area). The display format can be switched. In the figure, results are displayed in a tile format in the search result display field 1905, and the display format switching icon indicates that switching to the list format is possible.

In 1904, the slider interface already described is displayed, and this interface is configured to be able to change the designation of the delivery time. In FIG. 18, since the knob placed at the position “10 minutes” in FIG. 18 has been moved to the position “20 minutes”, the search result display field 1905 includes items that can be delivered within 10 minutes. Items that can be delivered within 20 minutes are extracted from categories A and F and displayed.
A result that cannot be displayed in the search result display field 1905 can be browsed by a scroll bar operation or the like (not shown).

  Further, the search result display field 1905 shows a check button 19051 or the like that can select a plurality of products. For example, as shown in the figure, the check buttons 19051 and 19052 are selected (turned on). Can select the products A and D (in the figure, only part of the product D appears).

  When a plurality of products are selected in the search result display field 1905, a multi-product cart insertion button 1906 with a title “Place in a cart” as shown in FIG. 19 may be displayed. it can. When this button 1906 is pressed, the products selected at that time are collectively put into the cart.

  FIG. 20 shows another variation different from the narrowing-down process described with reference to FIG. A difference from the narrowing-down process described with reference to FIG. 19 is that the narrowing-down process can be performed using the character string input in the search field 2002 as an AND condition. 20, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 20051, and 20052 shown in FIG. 20 are the same as 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 19051, and 19052 shown in FIG. .

  In FIG. 21, for example, to refer to the contents of a product placed in a cart as shown by the cart icon 17052 shown in FIG. 17A (the same cart icon is also displayed in FIGS. 18 to 20). An example screen is shown.

  In FIG. 21, reference numeral 2101 (“∨” mark icon) is a close button, which is a button for closing the floated cart screen. In the screen menu 2102, a display switching menu to a cart screen, a favorite screen, a purchase history, and a browsing history is displayed, and the initial display can be a cart screen as shown in FIG. When the menu to be displayed is tapped, the float screen is switched. The delivery time instruction menu 2103 is provided with a pull-down menu that can designate a time zone after the shortest delivery time according to the convenience of the customer (user). The quantity adjustment interface 2104 is provided with an interface capable of displaying individual product information carted in and adjusting the quantity.

  The delivery request button 2105 is a button for confirming a product order. In the product display area 2106, products that can be delivered together with products for which orders have been confirmed are displayed. It should be noted that all the products that cannot be displayed in the area 2106 can be confirmed by a scroll bar operation or the like (not shown).

  The embodiment of the commodity shipment management system and the like has been described above based on the specific example. However, as an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to a method or a program for implementing the system or the apparatus, a storage medium ( As an example, it is possible to adopt an embodiment as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a memory card, or the like.

  Further, the implementation form of the program is not limited to an application program such as an object code compiled by a compiler and a program code executed by an interpreter, but may be a form of a program module incorporated in an operating system. good.

  Furthermore, it is not always necessary for the program to be executed only by the CPU on the control board, but if necessary, an expansion board attached to the board or another processing unit (DSP or the like) mounted on the expansion unit. ) May be partly or wholly implemented.

  These features are mutually exclusive for all of the components described in this specification (including claims, abstract, and drawings) and / or for all steps of all disclosed methods or processes. Except for the combination, any combination can be used.

  Also, each feature described in the specification (including the claims, abstract, and drawings) serves the same purpose, equivalent purpose, or similar purpose, unless expressly denied. Alternative features can be substituted. Thus, unless expressly denied, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of identical or equivalent features.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to any specific configuration of the above-described embodiment. The invention includes all novel features or combinations thereof described in the specification (including claims, abstract, and drawings), or all novel methods or process steps described, or Can be extended to any combination.

10 Product shipment management system (as part of logistics system)
11-13 Distribution Center 14-16 Nearest Base 141-142, 151-153, 162-165, 199 Customer Home 20 Product Shipment Management System 21 Management Server 22 Tablet Terminal (One Form of User Terminal Device)
23 Mobile phone (one form of user terminal device)
24-26 PC (one form of user terminal or base terminal)
27-28 POS terminal (one form of base terminal or mobile terminal for delivery)
37, 38 Communication line 39 Public line (private line, Internet, etc.)

Claims (6)

A management server that manages, for each product, a product shipping time from one or more nearest bases based on a predetermined area that can be delivered to the customer home within a predetermined time; and a customer terminal of the customer home A computer program executed on a merchandise shipment management system, and when executed on the system,
Providing the customer terminal with a user interface having a plurality of product shipping times as a memory;
Causing the customer terminal to designate one of the plurality of merchandise shipping times via the user interface;
Requesting the customer terminal to search the management server for products that can be shipped within the designated product shipping time;
A program for causing the management server to execute the search.   The program according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is a slider interface including a knob that can be directly operated by a user.   When the knob on the slider interface is directly operated and the memory is changed due to a change in the position of the knob, the customer terminal is notified based on the product shipping time on the changed memory. The program according to claim 2, wherein the program requests the management server to re-search.   4. The memory change according to claim 2, wherein when the position of the knob is changed by direct operation of the knob, the change of the memory is determined by normalization processing of a direct operation end position with respect to the knob. program.   3. The search includes a search based on a category of the product and / or a character string search related to the product in addition to a search based on a product shipping time designated via the slider interface. The program of any one of -4.   The search includes a refinement search based on a category of the product and / or a character string search related to the product in addition to a search based on a product shipping time specified via the user interface. The program described in.