JP2002183518A - Commodity distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a commodity distribution system, capable of coping with complicated and advanced needs of a customer, enhancing the convenience and flexibility, and capable of improving efficiency in total sense. SOLUTION: In this commodity distribution system, a receiving and sending order server SVR is connected to plural stores ST1, ST2, to STm via a network communication circuit, such as the Internet IN. The receiving and sending order server SVR is connected to various order terminals via the Internet IN. As the order terminal, for example, a mobile computer ODT 1, a portable telephone ODT 2, a personal computer ODT 3, an internet television ODT 4, an electronic notebook ODT 5, and other various communication terminals can be used. As another example, a commodity-specifying information, inputted by the customer with an input device provided by which the commodity specifying information, is inputted by other than key board operation can e transmitted to the receiving and sending order server SVR using the portable telephone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product distribution system and a product ordering service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the current distribution of goods, more diversified and detailed services such as a purchase area, a delivery area, a delivery date, and a delivery time are required, and further speedup is required.

[0003] With the recent spread of the Internet, the efficiency of ordering and ordering of goods at Internet malls and the like has been rapidly increasing. However, the ordering of goods is dependent on the delivery service that the delivery company handles alone. At present, there are few things considered as a total distribution system from delivery to delivery.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional product distribution system utilizing the Internet. According to this commodity distribution system, the order receiving server SVR is connected to a plurality of shipping bases DC1, DC2,... DCn via a communication line, and various order terminals on the order receiving server SVR are connected via the Internet IN. Alternatively, an order is received from an order terminal. The customer side terminal is, for example, a mobile computer ODT1, a mobile phone ODT2, a personal computer ODT3, an Internet television O
DT4, electronic organizer ODT5, and various other communication terminals, and shipping bases are distribution warehouses, vendors, and the like. This merchandise distribution system is a first tier I of a customer, an ordering server S
Second layer II of VR and third of shipping bases DC1 to DCn
It can be said that the layer III is composed of three layers.

[0005] However, the ordering server SVR usually employs a method of designating one logistics base, for example, DC1, for one product order, and always optimizes the delivery or responds to customer requests. It was not possible to provide the services that had been fully incorporated.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention was conceived to solve such a problem of the conventional merchandise distribution system, and is capable of responding to the complicated and sophisticated needs of the merchandise distribution. Another object is to provide a highly flexible product distribution system and a product ordering service pursuing total efficiency.

[0007] In addition to the above-mentioned object, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a merchandise distribution system and a merchandise ordering and ordering service that allow an unskilled customer such as a keyboard to easily input information for specifying a merchandise and place an order with minimum effort. For another purpose.

[0008]

A merchandise distribution system according to the present invention includes an order receiving server connected to a customer terminal via a communication line, and the order receiving server is adapted to an optimum product according to a customer request. Find the supply form. As a result, it is possible to respond to the complex and sophisticated needs of the customer, and to perform the commodity ordering service with high convenience and flexibility.

[0009] In the present invention, the ordering server is connected to a plurality of stores, and obtains information such as stock status and prices of goods from one or more stores in response to customer requests. Each store is provided with a store management computer capable of holding information on a shipping base, and the order receiving server requests the store management computer for information such as stock status and price of the product. As a result, a wide range of shipping bases including the store's own warehouse can be used, and the product management system of the store itself can be used.

[0010] In the present invention, the store management computer generates a picking list and picking support information of the ordered goods, thereby improving the efficiency of picking the goods. Each store is provided with a POS terminal, and the merchandise picked up by the POS terminal is checked against a picking list for inspection. This allows the merchandise management system of the store itself to perform inspection.

In the present invention, information on the price and delivery of the ordered product is displayed on the customer terminal, whereby an interactive service can be provided.

According to another aspect of the commodity distribution system according to the present invention, an input device for a customer to input commodity specifying information for specifying a commodity by an operation other than a keyboard operation;
Transfer means for transferring the product identification information input by the input device to the customer terminal.

[0013] Thus, the customer can easily input the information of the product and send it to the ordering server with the minimum effort. That is, when a customer inputs information for specifying a product, the trouble of operating a keyboard of a personal computer or the like can be eliminated, and operability and usability are improved.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a commodity distribution system according to the present invention and a commodity ordering service provided by this system will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the merchandise distribution system connects an ordering server SVR to a plurality of stores ST1, ST2,... STm via a communication line such as the Internet IN, and further connects the ordering server SVR via the Internet IN. Connected to various order terminals. Multiple stores ST
1, ST2,... STm are, for example, a store A of a supermarket that provides a plurality of equivalent product groups,
B store, ... N store.

The ordering terminal is, for example, a mobile computer ODT1, a mobile phone ODT2, a personal computer ODT3, an Internet television ODT4, an electronic organizer ODT5, and various other communication terminals. As in the conventional example, when the customer is the first tier I and the ordering server SVR is the second tier II, each store has three layers from a third layer to a fifth layer as shown below.

Taking the store ST1 as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, a fourth layer IV of the store management computer CTR, an input / output terminal I for inputting to the store management computer CTR.
OT third layer III, a plurality of POS terminals POS1, P controlled by the store management computer CTR
OS2,. . . , And a fifth layer V of POSp.

The store management computer CTR is connected directly or via the Internet or other communication lines to a shipping base ODC as a higher-level concept including a warehouse of its own store, another store, and a distribution warehouse. Search for products according to the order, and receive the search results on the ordering server SVR
Contact

The order receiving server SVR integrates communications from one or a plurality of stores, finds an optimal product supply method, and places an order conforming to the method. The basic idea of this product supply method is based on the optimal shipping location that is determined from the locations that can provide multiple equivalent product groups according to the period, time, area, etc. that the customer wants to deliver the product. Supplying goods.

Examples of criteria for determining an optimum product supply method are listed below. (1) Shipping bases that can efficiently transport goods to delivery areas Road conditions, optimal delivery routes (the area where customers live,
The shipping base is determined in consideration of such factors as whether the customer lives in the area where the customer wants to deliver the product, and the delivery efficiency is improved.
Further, depending on the stock situation, there is a case where one product is delivered from a plurality of shipping bases. In this case, an optimum condition is also obtained for the number of products to be shared between the bases. (2) Regional characteristics of merchandise The shipping base in consideration of the regional characteristics of the merchandise is selected by the server automatically. (3) Product price and availability (4) Customer's desired delivery date and delivery time Based on the above, the most suitable distribution form for requests such as a Japanese resident in the United States purchasing a Japanese product and sending it to parents living in Japan Can respond.

Since the ordering server SVR places an order for a store, the merchandise management system for each store can be used as it is, and product picking at the store can be efficiently performed using a shelf number code or the like. Stores that have received orders from the ordering server SVR are required to facilitate in-store picking.
Picking support information such as a picking list including a bin number and a picking order are added to a shipping table or an order receipt. Accordingly, ordering, shipping, and inventory management of a large number of commodities can be realized extremely easily without constructing a large-scale inventory management and shipping system.

At each store, POS terminals POS1 to POSp
As a result, shipping and sales management are performed automatically, so if the goods picked up at the store are recorded by the POS terminal as sales, it is possible to collate the goods with the ordered goods and to prevent picking mistakes. At this time, if the data of the order receipt slip is transmitted to the POS terminal, and the merchandise is passed through the POS terminal in slip units, it is possible to automatically perform the inspection. When there is a picking error, the POS terminal reports the picking error by voice, display, printout, or the like. In addition, it is of course possible to directly perform processing such as inspection by the store management computer CTR.

After the inspection, the goods are delivered from the shipping base to a predetermined delivery destination.

As described above, a detailed and prompt service can be provided by effectively utilizing the current store. In addition,
In FIG. 2, the same computer may serve as both the CTR and the IOT in III and IV, and the ODC may connect to the CTR via the III.

FIG. 3 shows an order screen for ordering goods at the order terminal. This order screen is provided with an order product entry column POA, a product number entry column PNA, and a number entry column NNA, and a product name, a product number, and a number can be entered for a plurality of products.

The information input on the screen shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the order server SVR via the Internet IN.
As shown in (1), after obtaining the optimal distribution form, the ordering server SVR proposes information on a shipping base, a price, and other information to the customer. The screen of FIG. 4 includes an ordered product display column POB, a product shipping base display column DCB, a price display column PRB, another information display column IFB, a delivery region display column RCB, and a delivery region change button R.
CBB, order confirmation check column COC is provided, and if the delivery area is wrong, the customer can select the delivery area change button RC
Press BB to select another delivery area. If the price and other conditions are satisfactory, the customer checks the order confirmation check column COC. If the information on the product specified by the customer does not fit on one screen, the customer selects a page using the next page button NPB or the previous page button FPB. When the previous page or the next page does not exist, the buttons of the pages that do not exist are not displayed.

FIG. 5 shows an order screen for a customer whose name and ID number are registered in the order receiving server SVR. On this screen, the items on the ordering screen of FIG. 3, namely, the order entry field POA, the article number entry field PNA, and the quantity entry field NNA
In addition, an ID entry column IDA and a name entry column CUNA are provided, and the customer enters a name and an ID number. This allows the ordering server SVR to refer to information about the customer,
The distribution form can be further optimized. For example, a delivery destination can be assumed by referring to a customer's address, and a product proposal suited to the customer's preference can be made.

Based on the information input on the screen shown in FIG. 5, the order receiving server obtains the optimum distribution form, and proposes a shipping base or the like to the customer on the screen shown in FIG.

As described above, it is possible to interactively propose a product supply form including delivery conditions and the like, and it is possible to increase customer satisfaction.

As a prerequisite for the above ordering process, information on merchandise is provided to customers via the Internet or other communication lines, or by mail or other communication means, and inquiries are received.

The input to the order screen and the like can be performed by a user using a keyboard, or by inputting voice information issued by the user in a voice recognition process ("Nuance 7.0" (trade name)).
) And inputting the data.

(Other Embodiments) Next, a merchandise distribution system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This product distribution system is characterized in that input of product information can be facilitated when a customer orders a product from an order terminal.

This merchandise distribution system may adopt a membership system in which a use ID and a password are acquired in advance and a delivery destination and a settlement account are registered in advance, or a delivery destination and a settlement account may be ordered. Each time, a non-member system may be adopted, or a membership system and a non-member system may be used together.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
P (this mobile phone also includes a commercial ordering terminal), using the input device DV that operates in cooperation with or independently of this, obtains information specifying the product to be ordered, and transfers the information to the mobile phone CP. Thus, the data is transmitted to the order receiving server SVR via the Internet connection mode.

The cellular phone CP, as shown in FIG. 7, at the bottom thereof, directly to the connector _{C S N} of the scanner SN, freely connector _{C CP} is provided detachable, the mobile phone from the scanner SN by the connection between the connector CP It is desirable to be able to transfer data to Note that data may be transferred from the scanner SN serving as the customer side terminal to the mobile phone CP via a cable (wired).
Alternatively, the data may be wirelessly transferred from the customer terminal to the mobile phone.

The order receiving server SV used in this embodiment
In R, when data is transmitted from the mobile phone CP, an interactive product ordering process (when viewed from the customer; when viewed from the server side, the product ordering process) illustrated in FIG. 8 is performed with the mobile phone CP. The program used for this processing is stored in advance in a storage device (not shown) of the ordering server SVR.

A scanner S is used as the input device DV.
N, a voice recorder VR, or a camera CR such as a digital camera.

The product order (order) processing shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

The customer uses the input device DV to input product specifying information of a product to be ordered (step S1).
For example, when the input device DV is a scanner SN, a scan code of a product (such as JAN) is used by using the scanner,
Alternatively, a code for specifying a product (including a code printed on a catalog, a flyer, or the like) is scanned. When the input device DV is the camera CR, the camera captures an image of the product. Further, when the input device DV is a voice recorder VR, information for specifying a product is voice-recorded in the voice recorder. This product specifying information is accumulated and stored in the input device DV every time an input is made (step S2).

Next, when the customer places an order for a product,
The input device DV is directly connected to the mobile phone CP (or connected by a cable) or connected in a non-contact manner via wireless communication, and the product identification information based on the code, image, voice, etc. is input from the input device DV to the mobile phone CP. The cumulative amount is transferred (steps S2 and S3).

Next, the customer makes the Internet connection service of the mobile phone CP function, and transfers the product specifying information from the mobile phone CP to the order receiving server SVR on the Internet IN, following necessary information such as an ID and a password ( Steps S4 and S5). When the customer connects the mobile phone to the input device DV, a predetermined program starts almost automatically, and the ordering terminal such as the customer's mobile phone automatically connects to the Internet and automatically connects to the order receiving server. Can also be taken.

In response to the transfer, if the product specifying information is a product code, a product list is created using the code, while if the information is other than the code, the decoding is performed to decode the information. The application is activated and a product list is created (step S6). For example, in the case of an image, the application is an application that extracts a contour or form of the image to recognize the product, or reads bar code information of a photograph from the image to recognize the product.

When the product list is specified in the order server SVR, an order (order) application on the order server SVR is started (step S7). The order application may be built in the mobile phone CP.

With this ordering application, the ordering server SV for each item (product) in the product list
The data in R or the data on another server is referred to, and a suggested item list including a designated item or an alternative item, a related item, and / or an item to be recommended at the same time is created (step). S8). Next, this list is presented on the screen of the customer's mobile phone PC via the Internet IN (step S9).

The customer selects and transmits one or a plurality of items (commodities) and quantities from the suggested item list for each designated item displayed on the screen of his / her mobile phone PC (step S10). Of course, at the time of this selection, nothing can be selected, that is, it can be canceled. By this selection, code information and quantity information indicating the selected product are stored in the ordering server SVR (step S11). This selection operation is sequentially performed for all the specified items (step S12).

When the customer finishes selecting a product on the screen of his or her mobile phone PC, the customer performs a confirmation and ordering operation (step S13). As a result, the order receiving server SVR determines the order (order) data (step S14).

The order data (products and quantities thereof) determined in this way are delivered to the customer in an optimum product supply form by the distribution system of the above-described embodiment.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a housewife uses a camera CR, such as a scanner SN or a digital camera, as a single input device DV while checking the storage status of a refrigerator in a general household, and the lack of goods and Capture information about likely products.

For example, in the case where the scanner SN is used, the bar code of the remaining product is scanned by the scanner SN, and the bar code of the product which has been consumed is read from the prepared bar code list. To scan. When the code data thus acquired is hurried, an order is placed on the spot via the mobile phone CP. At this time, it is desirable that the scanner SN be directly connected to the mobile phone CP as shown in FIG.
When there is no need to hurry to place an order, the order data
N, and after a certain period of time, the mobile phone CP
Orders can be made via.

For this reason, the customer can order the product with the minimum key input (labor) using the mobile phone, and even if the customer is unfamiliar with the key input such as a personal computer, the customer can easily and reliably order the product. can do. Further, since information is provided interactively from the ordering server when placing an order, there is also an advantage that so-called "smart shopping" can be performed using this information successfully.

In this embodiment, the product information input by the input device is transferred from the mobile phone to the ordering server. However, the product information taken into the input device (for example, the product (Form image) may be stored and used as it is. For example,
There are usage methods such as capturing images taken by this camera into a personal computer and recognizing them, or sending the images to other places by fax.

In addition to the mobile phone, the terminal for ordering may be an electronic organizer with a communication function, a personal computer, or an Internet home appliance (all home appliances including a television having an Internet connection function).

In the description so far, the term “Internet” means a communication network such as the Internet.

[0054]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a merchandise distribution system which can respond to the complicated and sophisticated needs of the merchandise distribution of customers, has high convenience and flexibility, and improves efficiency in total. Further, it is possible to provide a product distribution system in which a customer can easily and easily input information for specifying a product and place an order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a product distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of one store of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a screen configuration of an ordering terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing another screen configuration of the ordering terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing still another screen configuration of the ordering terminal of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an input system of product information in another embodiment of the product distribution system according to the present invention.

7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a direct connection between a scanner as an input device and a mobile phone in the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of an input device, a mobile phone, and an ordering server in the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a conventional product distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 ST1 to STn Store IN Internet SVR Ordering server OD1 to OD5 Customer terminal CTR Store management computer ODC Shipping point POS1 to POSp POS terminal CP Mobile phone DV Input device SN Scanner VR Voice recorder CR camera

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An article distribution system comprising an order receiving server connected to a customer terminal via a communication line, wherein the order receiving server obtains an optimum product supply form in response to a customer request. 2. The order receiving server is connected to a plurality of stores,
2. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 1, wherein information such as stock status and price of the merchandise is obtained from one or a plurality of stores according to a customer request. 3. Each store has a store management computer capable of holding information on a shipping base, and the ordering server requests the store management computer for information such as stock status and price of the product. Item 2. The commodity distribution system according to Item 2. 4. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the store management computer generates a picking list and picking support information of the ordered merchandise. 5. Each store is provided with a POS terminal.
The merchandise distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the merchandise picked up by the terminal is checked against a picking list, and inspection is performed. 6. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the customer terminal displays information on the price and delivery of the ordered merchandise. 7. A product ordering service which includes an ordering server connected to a customer terminal via a communication line, wherein the ordering server seeks an optimum product supply form in response to a customer request. 8. The order receiving server is connected to a plurality of stores,
8. The goods ordering service according to claim 7, wherein information such as the stock status and the price of the goods is obtained from one or a plurality of stores in response to a customer request. 9. Each store has a store management computer capable of holding information on a shipping base, and the ordering server requests information such as stock status and price of the product from the store management computer. Item 8 ordering service. 10. The merchandise ordering service according to claim 9, wherein the store management computer generates a picking list and picking support information of the ordered merchandise. 11. Each store has a POS terminal.
11. The goods ordering service according to claim 10, wherein the goods picked by the S terminal are checked against a picking list to inspect the goods. 12. The goods ordering service according to claim 7, wherein information on the price and delivery of the ordered goods is displayed on the customer side terminal. 13. A multi-shipping base type electronic commerce system in which a user's client computer and a merchandise management server are provided on an Internet network, and the merchandise management server stores merchandise information of a plurality of shipping bases. Means for inputting a condition consisting of an area and a date and time at which a product is to be delivered to the client computer device, and the server is configured to determine a specific collection base capable of delivering the product in accordance with the condition from a plurality of shipping bases, Means for allowing the user to access a product database at a specific collection base. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the server determines a specific collection base that can deliver the product in the shortest time. 15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the collection base is an existing store. 16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the server generates merchandise picking support information by diverting a bin number management system. 17. An input device for the customer to input product specifying information for specifying a product by an operation other than a keyboard operation, and transfer means for transferring the product specifying information input by the input device to the customer terminal. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 1, wherein: 18. The customer terminal is a mobile phone,
The transfer means includes means for coupling the input device directly or via a wire to the mobile phone, and transfers the product specifying information to the mobile phone via this means. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 17. 19. The input device may be a scanner that reads code information of the product, a camera that captures the form of the product as an image, or a voice recorder that inputs audio information representing the product. Item 17
Or the commodity distribution system according to 18. 20. The system according to claim 20, wherein said order receiving server includes order receiving means for interactively receiving an order for said product from said customer based on the product identification information sent from said customer terminal via said transfer means. The commodity distribution system according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that: 21. An order receiving means, comprising: a presenting means for presenting a proposal list for each of the products to the customer terminal based on the product specifying information; and a desired item in the proposal list transmitted from the customer side end. 21. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 20, further comprising: receiving means for receiving the information on the quantity. 22. The suggestion list includes at least one of an item of the product designated by the customer, a substitute item of the product, an item of a product related to the product, and an item to be proposed by the system side. The merchandise distribution system according to claim 21, wherein: 23. A system comprising an ordering server connected to a customer terminal via a communication line, wherein the customer inputs product specifying information for specifying a product by an operation other than a keyboard operation, and an input device. Transfer means for transferring the product identification information input by the input device to the customer terminal. 24. The input device is a scanner that reads code information of the product, a camera that captures the form of the product as an image, or a voice recorder that inputs audio information representing the product, and the customer terminal is The product ordering system according to claim 23, wherein the system is a mobile phone. 25. The customer inputs merchandise specifying information for specifying merchandise using an input device that requires only an operation other than a keyboard operation, and transfers the input merchandise specifying information to a mobile phone as the customer terminal. The product ordering service according to claim 7, wherein