U.S. patent application number 10/757460 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for first-order drive through system, merchandise order receiving method, and program of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takatama, Hirokazu, Tani, Hideaki.
Application Number | 20040226775 10/757460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32899294 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takatama, Hirokazu ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
First-order drive through system, merchandise order receiving
method, and program of the same
Abstract
A merchandise order receiving method, a program, and a
first-order type drive through system in which an order receiver
can trace an orderer's position during movement of the orderer of a
merchandise and which stops the acquisition of position information
of the orderer on an order receiver side at the time of merchandise
transfer completion to protect orderer's privacy.
Inventors: |
Takatama, Hirokazu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Tani, Hideaki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Assignee: |
NEC CORPORATION
7-1, Shiba 5-chome Minato-ku
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
32899294 |
Appl. No.: |
10/757460 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
186/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
186/053 |
International
Class: |
B61B 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 17, 2003 |
JP |
2003-009948 |
Claims
1. A first-order type drive through system comprising: an orderer
system mounted on moving means on which an orderer gets; an
acceptance center system which accepts an ordering from the orderer
system; a preparation place system installed in a preparation place
where a merchandise is prepared and stored; and a transfer place
system installed in a transfer place where the merchandise prepared
in the preparation place is transferred to the orderer, the systems
being connected to one another via a network, wherein at least one
of the preparation place system and the transfer place system
periodically acquires position information indicating a present
position of the orderer from the orderer system from when ordering
information indicating that the orderer has placed an order for the
merchandise is received from the orderer system until information
indicating that transfer of the merchandise to the orderer has been
completed is received from the orderer system, and grasps the
orderer's present position.
2. A first-order type drive through system comprising: an orderer
system mounted on moving means on which an orderer gets; an
acceptance center system which accepts an ordering from the orderer
system; a preparation place system installed in a preparation place
where a merchandise is prepared and stored; and a transfer place
system installed in a transfer place where the merchandise prepared
in the preparation place is transferred to the orderer, the systems
being connected to one another via a network, the orderer system
comprising: position information acquisition means for acquiring
position information indicating a present position of the orderer;
position information transmission means for transmitting the
position information acquired by the position information
acquisition means; and ordering means for transmitting ordering
information indicating that the merchandise is ordered to the
acceptance center system, the acceptance center system comprising:
preparation place/transfer place determination means for
determining the preparation place where the ordered merchandise is
prepared in accordance with the ordering information and the
transfer place where the merchandise is transferred upon receiving
the ordering information from the orderer system; ordering
information transfer means for transmitting the ordering
information to the transfer place system and the preparation place
system in the preparation place and the transfer place determined
by the preparation place/transfer place determination means; and
position acquisition stop command means for transmitting a command
for stopping the acquisition of the position information to the
transfer place system and the preparation place system upon
receiving transfer information indicating that the orderer has
received the merchandise ordered in accordance with the ordering
information from the preparation place system.
3. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the acceptance center system comprises: preparation
place/transfer place position information storage means for storing
one or more pieces of preparation place/transfer place position
information indicating locations of the preparation place and the
transfer place, and the preparation place/transfer place
determination means transmits a request for acquiring the position
information to the orderer system to acquire the position
information upon receiving the ordering information from the
orderer system, refers to the preparation place/transfer place
position information so that the designated merchandise can be
prepared based on the acquired ordering information and position
information, extracts the preparation place positioned in a
predetermined distance from the orderer's present position, and
extracts the transfer place positioned in a predetermined distance
from the extracted preparation place.
4. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the preparation place system comprises: preparation place
position acquisition means for periodically transmitting the
request for acquiring the position information to the orderer
system from when the ordering information is received from the
acceptance center system until the acquisition stop command is
received to acquire the position information.
5. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the transfer place system comprises: transfer place
position acquisition means for periodically transmitting the
request for acquiring the position information to the orderer
system from when the ordering information is received from the
acceptance center system until the acquisition stop command is
received to acquire the position information; and transfer
information transmission means for inputting the transfer
information and transmitting the inputted transfer information to
the acceptance center system upon completion of transfer of the
merchandise to the orderer.
6. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 5,
wherein the transfer place system comprises: trouble occurrence
notification means for monitoring a movement path of the orderer
based on the position information acquired by the transfer place
position acquisition means and transmitting trouble occurrence
information indicating that a trouble has occurred in transferring
the merchandise to the acceptance center system, when a distance
between the orderer's present position and the transfer place where
the merchandise transfer is scheduled increases with an elapse of
time.
7. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 6,
wherein the preparation place/transfer place determination means
newly acquires the position information from the orderer system,
and extracts the preparation place and the transfer place again,
when the acceptance center system receives the trouble occurrence
information.
8. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
further comprising: a traffic information management server which
is connected to the network to store traffic information of a road,
the transfer place system comprising: transfer place traffic
information acquisition means for transferring a request for
acquiring the traffic information to the traffic information
management server to acquire the traffic information; and transfer
place arrival time estimating means for estimating a time at which
the orderer reaches the transfer place based on the acquired
position information and traffic information.
9. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the preparation place system comprises: preparation place
traffic information acquisition means for transmitting a request
for acquiring the traffic information to the traffic information
management server to acquire the traffic information; and
preparation place arrival time estimating means for estimating a
time at which the orderer reaches the transfer place based on the
acquired position information and traffic information.
10. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the orderer system comprises destination information
transmission means for transmitting destination information
indicating a destination of movement by the orderer to the
acceptance center system, the acceptance center system comprises
movement path estimating means for estimating a future movement
path of the orderer based on the received position information and
destination information upon receiving the position information and
destination information from the orderer system, and the
preparation place/transfer place determination means extracts the
preparation place and the transfer place within a predetermined
distance from the estimated movement path.
11. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the preparation place system comprises preparation place
operation situation notification means for transmitting information
indicating an operation situation of the preparation place to the
acceptance center system, the transfer place system comprises
transfer place operation situation notification means for
transmitting information indicating the operation situation of the
transfer place to the acceptance center system, and the preparation
place/transfer place determination means extracts the preparation
place and the transfer place low in operation ratio based on the
operation situation upon receiving the information indicating the
operation situations of the preparation place and the transfer
place.
12. The first-order type drive through system according to claim 2,
wherein the orderer system comprises permission period input means
for inputting a position acquisition permission period indicating a
period in which the position information is permitted to be
transmitted by the position information transmission means, and the
position information transmittance means transmits the position
information in the limited position acquisition permission period
inputted by the permission period input means.
13. A merchandise order receiving method using a first-order type
drive through system comprising: an orderer system mounted on
moving means on which an orderer gets; an acceptance center system
which accepts an ordering from the orderer system; a preparation
place system installed in a preparation place where a merchandise
is prepared and stored; and a transfer place system installed in a
transfer place where the merchandise prepared in the preparation
place is transferred to the orderer, the systems being connected to
one another via a network, the method comprising: an ordering step
of transmitting ordering information indicating the ordering of the
merchandise to the acceptance center system by the orderer system;
a position information transmission step of transmitting position
information indicating an acquired present position of the orderer
by the orderer system; a preparation place/transfer place
determination step of determining the preparation place where the
merchandise ordered in accordance with the ordering information is
prepared and the transfer place where the merchandise is
transferred based on the ordering information and the position
information received from the orderer system by the acceptance
center system; an ordering information transmission step of
transmitting the ordering information to the transfer place system
and the preparation place system in the determined preparation
place and transfer place by the acceptance center system; a
preparation place position acquisition step of periodically
transmitting a request for acquiring the position information to
the orderer system to acquire the position information upon
receiving the ordering information by the preparation place system;
and a transfer place position acquiring step of periodically
transmitting a request for acquiring the position information to
the orderer system to acquire the position information upon
receiving the ordering information by the transfer place
system.
14. The merchandise order receiving method according to claim 13,
further comprising: a trouble occurrence notification step of
monitoring a movement path of the orderer based on the acquired
position information and transmitting trouble occurrence
information indicating that a trouble has occurred in transferring
the merchandise to the acceptance center system, when the transfer
place system recognizes that a distance between the orderer's
present position and the transfer place where the merchandise
transfer is scheduled increases with an elapse of time; and a
preparation place/transfer place determination step of newly
acquiring the position information from the orderer system to
determine the preparation place and the transfer place, when the
acceptance center system receives the trouble occurrence
information.
15. The merchandise order receiving method according to claim 13,
further comprising: a transfer information transmission step of
inputting transfer information indicating that the orderer has
received the ordered merchandise by the ordering information to
transmit the inputted transfer information to the acceptance center
system upon completion of the transfer of the merchandise to the
orderer by the transfer place system; and a position acquisition
stop command step of transmitting a command for stopping the
acquisition of the position information to the transfer place
system and the preparation place system upon receiving the transfer
information by the acceptance center system.
16. A program for allowing a computer to execute: an ordering
information input process of inputting ordering information
indicating a merchandise ordering from an orderer; a position
information input process of inputting position information
indicating a present position of the orderer; a preparation
place/transfer place determination process of determining a
preparation place where a merchandise ordered in accordance with
the ordering information is prepared and selected and a transfer
place where the merchandise is transferred based on the inputted
ordering information and position information; and an ordering
information output process of outputting the ordering information
to information processing devices installed in the determined
preparation place and transfer place and permitting the acquisition
of the position information.
17. The program according to claim 16 for allowing the computer to
execute: a trouble occurrence notification input process of
inputting trouble occurrence information indicating that a distance
between the orderer's present position and the transfer place where
the merchandise transfer is scheduled increases with an elapse of
time and a trouble has occurred in merchandise transfer; and a
preparation place/transfer place re-determination process of newly
inputting the position information to determine the preparation
place and the transfer place again, when the trouble occurrence
information is inputted.
18. The program according to claim 16 for allowing the computer to
execute: a transfer information input process of inputting transfer
information indicating the completion of the merchandise transfer
to the orderer; and a position acquisition stop command process of
outputting a command for stopping the acquisition of the position
information to information processing devices installed in the
preparation place and the transfer place, when the transfer
information is inputted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a first-order type drive
through system, a merchandise order receiving method, and a
program, particularly to a first-order type drive through system in
which an internet is used to grasp orderer's present position
between a merchandise ordering time and a merchandise transfer time
on an order receiving side, a merchandise order receiving method,
and a program.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A drive through system capable of shopping in an automobile
has been a merchandise purchase system which saves troubles or time
in driver's parking, getting on/off a bicycle, or transporting
merchandises. This has been applied to intelligent transport
systems (ITS) to realize the drive through system in which an ITS
terminal device in a car is used to brose detailed merchandise
information or to make a payment in a cashless manner.
[0005] However, a conventional drive through system has heretofore
had the following problems.
[0006] A first problem is that an order is placed after reaching a
store, and a time is therefore required until the merchandise can
be prepared. This is a waste of time for a user who wants to
receive the merchandise soon, and therefore a degree of
satisfaction has dropped.
[0007] A second problem is that a waiting line is generated by the
time required until the merchandise can be prepared, and therefore
a turnover of the store sometimes drops.
[0008] As a related art for solving the above-described problems, a
component ordering system has been disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 2002-342513 (hereinafter referred to as
Patent Document 1). In the invention described in Patent Document
1, even when the user is traveling, the user can receive components
in the store. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the
user sends information indicating user's present place and
destination to a server side. On the server side, a store capable
of receiving/transferring the components is searched for along a
route to the destination from the present place based on the
received information indicating the present place and destination,
and search results are presented to a user side.
[0009] However, in the related arts including the invention
described in Patent Document 1, since the position on the user side
is not constantly grasped on the server side, it has been difficult
to quickly cope with a case where the user passes by the store
without correctly grasping the place of the store where the user is
to receive the components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been developed in consideration of
the problems, and an object thereof is to provide a first-order
type drive through system in which an order receiver can trace an
orderer's position during movement of the orderer of a merchandise
and which stops the acquisition of position information of the
orderer on an order receiver side at the time of merchandise
transfer completion to protect orderer's privacy, a merchandise
order receiving method, and a program.
[0011] To achieve the object, according to the present invention,
there is provided a first-order type drive through system
comprising: an orderer system mounted on moving means on which an
orderer gets; an acceptance center system which accepts an order
from the orderer system; a preparation place system installed in a
preparation place where a merchandise is prepared; and a transfer
place system installed in a transfer place where the merchandise
prepared in the preparation place is transferred to the orderer,
the systems being connected to one another via a network. In the
system, at least one of the preparation place system and the
transfer place system periodically acquires position information
indicating a present position of the orderer from the orderer
system from when ordering information indicating that the orderer
has placed an order for the merchandise is received from the
orderer system until information indicating that transfer of the
merchandise to the orderer has been completed is received from the
orderer system, and grasps the orderer's present position.
[0012] Moreover, according to the present invention, there is
provided a first-order type drive through system comprising: an
orderer system mounted on moving means on which an orderer gets; an
acceptance center system which accepts an ordering from the orderer
system; a preparation place system installed in a preparation place
where a merchandise is prepared and stored; and a transfer place
system installed in a transfer place where the merchandise prepared
in the preparation place is transferred to the orderer, the systems
being connected to one another via a network. In the drive through
system, the orderer system includes: position information
acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a
present position of the orderer; position information transmission
means for transmitting the position information acquired by the
position information acquisition means; and ordering means for
transmitting ordering information indicating that the merchandise
is ordered to the acceptance center system. The acceptance center
system includes: preparation place/transfer place determination
means for determining the preparation place where the ordered
merchandise is prepared in accordance with the ordering information
and the transfer place where the merchandise is transferred upon
receiving the ordering information from the orderer system;
ordering information transfer means for transmitting the ordering
information to the transfer place system and the preparation place
system in the preparation place and the transfer place determined
by the preparation place/transfer place determination means; and
position acquisition stop command means for transmitting a command
for stopping the acquisition of the position information to the
transfer place system and the preparation place system upon
receiving transfer information indicating that the orderer has
received the merchandise ordered in accordance with the ordering
information from the preparation place system.
[0013] Moreover, according to the present invention, the acceptance
center system includes preparation place/transfer place position
information storage means for storing one or more pieces of
preparation place/transfer place position information indicating
locations of the preparation place and the transfer place. The
preparation place/transfer place determination means transmits a
request for acquiring the position information to the orderer
system to acquire the position information upon receiving the
ordering information from the orderer system, refers to the
preparation place/transfer place position information so that the
designated merchandise can be prepared based on the acquired
ordering information and position information, extracts the
preparation place positioned in a predetermined distance from the
orderer's present position, and extracts the transfer place
positioned in a predetermined distance from the extracted
preparation place.
[0014] Moreover, according to the present invention, the
preparation place system includes preparation place position
acquisition means for periodically transmitting the request for
acquiring the position information to the orderer system from when
the ordering information is received from the acceptance center
system until the acquisition stop command is received to acquire
the position information.
[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
transfer place system includes: transfer place position acquisition
means for periodically transmitting the request for acquiring the
position information to the orderer system from when the ordering
information is received from the acceptance center system until the
acquisition stop command is received to acquire the position
information; and transfer information transmission means for
inputting the transfer information and transmitting the inputted
transfer information to the acceptance center system upon
completion of transfer of the merchandise to the orderer.
[0016] Additionally, according to the present invention, the
transfer place system includes trouble occurrence notification
means for monitoring a movement path of the orderer based on the
position information acquired by the transfer place position
acquisition means and transmitting trouble occurrence information
indicating that a trouble has occurred in transferring the
merchandise to the acceptance center system, when a distance
between the orderer's present position and the transfer place where
the merchandise transfer is scheduled increases with an elapse of
time.
[0017] Moreover, according to the present invention, the
preparation place/transfer place determination means newly acquires
the position information from the orderer system, and extracts the
preparation place and the transfer place again, when the acceptance
center system receives the trouble occurrence information.
[0018] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the drive
through system further includes a traffic information management
server which is connected to the network to store traffic
information of a road. The transfer place system includes: transfer
place traffic information acquisition means for transferring a
request for acquiring the traffic information to the traffic
information management server to acquire the traffic information;
and transfer place arrival time estimating means for estimating a
time when the orderer reaches the transfer place based on the
acquired position information and traffic information.
[0019] Additionally, according to the present invention, the
preparation place system includes: preparation place traffic
information acquisition means for transmitting a request for
acquiring the traffic information to the traffic information
management server to acquire the traffic information; and
preparation place arrival time estimating means for estimating a
time when the orderer reaches the transfer place based on the
acquired position information and traffic information.
[0020] Moreover, according to the present invention, the orderer
system includes destination information transmission means for
transmitting destination information indicating a destination of
movement by the orderer to the acceptance center system. The
acceptance center system includes movement path estimating means
for estimating orderer's future movement path based on the received
position information and destination information upon receiving the
position information and destination information from the orderer
system. The preparation place/transfer place determination means
extracts the preparation place and the transfer place within a
predetermined distance from the estimated movement path.
[0021] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
preparation place system includes preparation place operation
situation notification means for transmitting information
indicating an operation situation of the preparation place to the
acceptance center system. The transfer place system includes
transfer place operation situation notification means for
transmitting information indicating the operation situation of the
transfer place to the acceptance center system. The preparation
place/transfer place determination means extracts the preparation
place and the transfer place low in operation ratio based on the
operation situation upon receiving the information indicating the
operation situations of the preparation place and the transfer
place.
[0022] Additionally, according to the present invention, the
orderer system includes permission period input means for inputting
a position acquisition permission period indicating a period in
which the position information is permitted to be transmitted by
the position information transmission means. The position
information transmission means transmits the position information
in the limited position acquisition permission period inputted by
the permission period input means.
[0023] Moreover, according to the present invention, there is
provided a merchandise order receiving method using a first-order
type drive through system comprising: an orderer system mounted on
moving means on which an orderer gets; an acceptance center system
which accepts an ordering from the orderer system; a preparation
place system installed in a preparation place where a merchandise
is prepared and stored; and a transfer place system installed in a
transfer place where the merchandise prepared in the preparation
place is transferred to the orderer, the systems being connected to
one another via a network. The method comprises: an ordering step
in which the orderer system transmits ordering information
indicating the ordering of the merchandise to the acceptance center
system; a position information transmission step in which the
orderer system transmits position information indicating an
acquired present position of the orderer; a preparation
place/transfer place determination step in which the acceptance
center system determines the preparation place where the
merchandise ordered in accordance with the ordering information is
prepared and the transfer place where the merchandise is
transferred based on the ordering information and the position
information received from the orderer system; an ordering
information transmission step in which the acceptance center system
transmits the ordering information to the transfer place system and
the preparation place system in the determined preparation place
and transfer place; a preparation place position acquisition step
in which the preparation place system periodically transmits a
request for acquiring the position information to the orderer
system to acquire the position information upon receiving the
ordering information; and a transfer place position acquiring step
in which the transfer place system periodically transmits a request
for acquiring the position information to the orderer system to
acquire the position information upon receiving the ordering
information.
[0024] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the method
further includes: a trouble occurrence notification step in which
the transfer place system monitors a movement path of the orderer
based on the acquired position information and transmits trouble
occurrence information indicating that a trouble has occurred in
transferring the merchandise to the acceptance center system, when
recognizing that a distance between the orderer's present position
and the transfer place where the merchandise transfer is scheduled
increases with an elapse of time; and a preparation place/transfer
place determination step in which the acceptance center system
newly acquires the position information from the orderer system to
determine the preparation place and the transfer place upon
receiving the trouble occurrence information.
[0025] Additionally, according to the present invention, the method
further includes: a transfer information transmission step in which
the transfer place system inputs transfer information indicating
that the orderer has received the ordered merchandise by the
ordering information to transmit the inputted transfer information
to the acceptance center system upon completion of the transfer of
the merchandise to the orderer; and a position acquisition stop
command step in which the acceptance center system transmits a
command for stopping the acquisition of the position information to
the transfer place system and the preparation place system upon
receiving the transfer information by the acceptance center
system.
[0026] Moreover, according to the present invention, there is
provided a program for allowing a computer to execute: an ordering
information input process of inputting ordering information
indicating a merchandise ordering from an orderer; a position
information input process of inputting position information
indicating a present position of the orderer; a preparation
place/transfer place determination process of determining a
preparation place where a merchandise ordered in accordance with
the ordering information is prepared and a transfer place where the
merchandise is transferred based on the inputted ordering
information and position information; and an ordering information
output process of outputting the ordering information to
information processing devices installed in the determined
preparation place and transfer place and permitting the acquisition
of the position information.
[0027] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
computer is allowed to execute: a trouble occurrence notification
input process of inputting trouble occurrence information
indicating that a distance between the orderer's present position
and the transfer place where the merchandise transfer is scheduled
increases with an elapse of time and a trouble has occurred in
merchandise transfer; and a preparation place/transfer place
re-determination process of newly inputting the position
information to determine the preparation place and the transfer
place again, when the trouble occurrence information is
inputted.
[0028] Additionally, according to the present invention, the
computer is allowed to execute: a transfer information input
process of inputting transfer information indicating the completion
of the merchandise transfer to the orderer; and a position
acquisition stop command process of outputting a command for
stopping the acquisition of the position information to information
processing devices installed in the preparation place and the
transfer place, when the transfer information is inputted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first-order type drive through
system in a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a constitution of the
first-order type drive through system in the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of the first-order
type drive through system in the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation by the
first-order type drive through system in the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation by
the first-order type drive through system in the first embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a concrete example in which the
first-order type drive through system in the first embodiment of
the present invention is applied to a fast-food reservation
system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] First Embodiment:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first-order type drive through
system in a first embodiment of the present invention. Functions
possessed by the first-order type drive through system in the
present embodiment will hereinafter be described with reference to
FIG. 1.
[0037] The first-order type drive through system includes an
orderer system 100, an acceptance center system 200, a transfer
place system 300, and a preparation place system 400. The orderer
system 100 is connected to the acceptance center system 200,
transfer place system 300, and preparation place system 400 via a
network.
[0038] In the present invention, the orderer system 100 has a
position notification function of supplying orderer's position
information to the acceptance center system 200. Therefore, an
anticipated orderer's arrival time can be presumed in the
acceptance center system 200. Since the orderer system 100 also
supplies the position information to the transfer place system 300
and preparation place system 400, a transferer and a preparer of
the merchandise can work while confirming a time till merchandise
transfer.
[0039] The orderer system 100 is constituted of an information
processing device operated by the merchandise orderer. For example,
the orderer system 100 may also be realized by a personal computer
(PC) of a desktop type, tower type, or notebook type, or may also
be realized by portable terminal devices such as a cellular phone,
personal handy-phone system (PHS), and personal digital assistant
(PDA). The orderer system 100 may also be disposed in movement
means such as an automobile on which the orderer gets, but is not
limited to this example.
[0040] The orderer system 100 has an ordering function, position
detection function, position notification function, and
bidirectional communication function.
[0041] The ordering function is a function of placing an order for
the merchandise with respect to the acceptance center system 200.
The position detection function is a function of detecting
orderer's present position. The position notification function is a
function of notifying the acceptance center system 200 and transfer
place system 300 of position information acquired by the position
detection function.
[0042] The bidirectional communication function is a function for
use in carrying out bidirectional communication between the orderer
system 100 and acceptance center system 200 via sound, video,
telegraphic message, and the like to determine a transfer place
where the orderer receives the merchandise. The bidirectional
communication function is used for notifying the orderer of
occurrence of a trouble, when there is the trouble during the
receiving/transferring of the merchandise.
[0043] The acceptance center system 200 is constituted of the
information processing device installed in an acceptance center
which is an organization for receiving the order for the
merchandise from the orderer, and is operated and managed by a
person (staff member) belonging to the acceptance center.
[0044] The acceptance center system 200 has an order receiving
function, position acquisition function, preparation place/transfer
place determination function, and negotiation function.
[0045] The order receiving function is a function of receiving
information on the merchandise ordering by the orderer from the
orderer system 100 to accept the received order for the
merchandise. The order receiving function is a function of
receiving information indicating that the merchandise has normally
been transferred to the orderer from the transfer place system 300.
When normal ending is notified from the transfer place system 300,
the transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400 are
notified so as to stop the monitoring of the orderer's present
position.
[0046] The position acquisition function is a function of receiving
and acquiring position information indicating the orderer's present
position transmitted from the orderer system 100.
[0047] The preparation place/transfer place determination function
is a function of detecting a candidate of each of the preparation
place and the transfer place of the merchandise from the orderer's
present position acquired by the position acquisition function.
[0048] The negotiation function is a function of transmitting
information indicating the candidate of the transfer place
determined by the preparation place/transfer place determination
function to the orderer system 100 to present the information to
the orderer. The acceptance center system 200 uses the negotiation
function to receive the information indicating the transfer place
determined by the orderer among the transfer place candidates from
the orderer system 100. Furthermore, the acceptance center system
200 uses the negotiation function to notify the preparation place
system 400 and transfer place system 300 of the transfer place
information indicating the determined transfer place. The
acceptance center system 200 uses the negotiation function to
transmit transfer place information to the transfer place system
300, when the orderer's position information is transferred to the
transfer place system 300.
[0049] The preparation place system 400 is a system constituted of
the information processing device installed in the preparation
place where the merchandise ordered to the acceptance center by the
orderer is prepared, and is operated/managed by the preparer who
carries out a preparation business of the merchandise in the
preparation place. It is to be noted that the preparation place may
be a place where one or more completed merchandises are
kept/stored, such as a stationer and a book store. In this case,
upon receiving an order for shipping the merchandise kept/stored in
the preparation place from the acceptance center system 200, the
preparer selects the corresponding merchandise from one or more
kept/stored merchandises to transport the merchandise to the
orderer or the transferer.
[0050] The preparation place system 400 has a prepared merchandise
content acquisition function. The prepared merchandise content
acquisition function is a function of receiving and acquiring the
ordering information indicating a merchandise content ordered by
the orderer from the acceptance center system 200. The preparer
prepares the merchandise in accordance with the prepared content
indicated by the ordering information, and transports the
merchandise to the transfer place upon completion of the
preparation.
[0051] The transfer place system 300 is constituted of the
information processing device installed in the transfer place where
the merchandise prepared in the preparation place is transferred to
the orderer, and is operated/managed by the transferer who carries
out a transfer business of the merchandise in the transfer
place.
[0052] The transfer place system 300 has a position acquisition
function, arrival time estimating function, and transfer
notification function.
[0053] The position acquisition function is a function of
monitoring the position information directly acquired from the
orderer system 100, or the position information transferred from
the acceptance center system 200. By the position acquisition
function, a detected trouble is notified to the acceptance center
system 200, for example, when the orderer leaves the transfer place
where the transfer has been scheduled without receiving any
merchandise.
[0054] The arrival time estimating function is a function of
estimating a period (time) when the orderer arrives at the transfer
place based on the position information continuously acquired by
the position acquisition function every predetermined time.
[0055] The transferer receives the merchandise transported from the
preparer to store the merchandise in the transfer place. When the
orderer arrives at the transfer place, the stored merchandise is
transferred. By the transfer notification function, when the
transfer of the merchandise to the orderer normally ends, the
acceptance center system 200 is notified of the normal end of the
transfer.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a constitution of the
first-order type drive through system in the first embodiment of
the present invention. The constitution of the first-order type
drive through system in the present embodiment will hereinafter be
described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0057] The first-order type drive through system includes the
orderer system 100, the acceptance center system 200, the transfer
place system 300, the preparation place system 400, a position
management server 500, an internet 601, a mobile unit network 602,
a radio communication network 603, and a traffic information
management server 700. It is to be noted that the number of systems
constituting the first-order type drive through system is not
limited to that in the present embodiment.
[0058] The orderer system 100 includes an intelligent transport
system (ITS) terminal device. 110, and global positioning system
(GPS) terminal device 120.
[0059] The ITS terminal device 110 is a terminal device operated by
the orderer, and is used by the orderer in using ITS to order the
merchandise.
[0060] The ITS terminal device 110 includes a control section 111,
transmission/reception section 112, information storage section
113, operation section 114, display section 115, and sound
input/output section 116.
[0061] The control section 111 is connected to the
transmission/reception section 112, information storage section
113, operation section 114, display section 115, and sound
input/output section 116 to control the sections of the ITS
terminal device 110 including the connected sections. The control
section 111 may include, for example, a central processing unit
(CPU), read only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM).
[0062] The transmission/reception section 112 is connected to a
transmission/reception section 122 of the GPS terminal device 120
to transmit/receive information with respect to the GPS terminal
device 120. An antenna is disposed in the transmission/reception
section 112 to carry out radio communication with respect to the
mobile unit network 602. It is to be noted that the
transmission/reception section 112 may carry out processes such as
modulation/demodulation of signals and data conversion.
[0063] The information storage section 113 is a section in which
information is stored, and various data and program are stored.
[0064] The operation section 114 is a section in which the
information is inputted, and key switches such as a keyboard, touch
panel, and mouse are disposed.
[0065] The display section 115 is a section on which the
information is displayed, and may be, for example, a cathode-ray
tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic
electroluminescence (EL) display, or the like.
[0066] The sound input/output section 116 is a section in which
sound information is inputted/outputted and subjected to a data
conversion process, and, for example, a microphone, speaker, and
the like may also be disposed.
[0067] The GPS terminal device 120 is a terminal device operated by
the orderer, and receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite to
measure the orderer's present position system 100.
[0068] The GPS terminal device 120 includes a control section 121,
the transmission/reception section 122, an information storage
section 123, and a position detection section 124.
[0069] The control section 121 is connected to the
transmission/reception section 122, information storage section
123, and position detection section 124 to control the respective
sections of the GPS terminal device 120 including the connected
sections. The control section 121 may also include, for example,
CPU, ROM, and RAM.
[0070] The transmission/reception section 122 is connected to the
transmission/reception section 112 of the ITS terminal device 110
to transmit/receive the information with respect to the ITS
terminal device 110. The antenna is disposed in the
transmission/reception section 122 to receive the radio signals
from the GPS satellite. It is to be noted that the
transmission/reception section 122 may perform the respective
processes such as the modulation/demodulation of the signals and
the data conversion.
[0071] The information storage section 123 is a section in which
the information is stored, and various data and program are
stored.
[0072] The position detection section 124 analyzes the radio
signals from the GPS satellite received/converted by the
transmission/reception section 122, detects various information
such as the number of the GPS satellite, doppler information,
directions, and altitude, and measures the orderer's present
position system 100 (GPS terminal device 120).
[0073] The acceptance center system 200 includes a control section
201, transmission/reception section 202, information storage
section 203, operation section 204, display section 205, sound
input/output section 206, and store position database (store
position DB) 207.
[0074] The control section 201 is connected to the
transmission/reception section 202, information storage section
203, operation section 204, display section 205, sound input/output
section 206, and store position DB 207 to control the respective
sections of the acceptance center system 200 including the
connected sections. The control section 201 may include, for
example, the CPU, ROM, and RAM The transmission/reception section
202 is connected to the internet 601 to transmit/receive the
information with respect to the orderer system 100, transfer place
system 300, preparation place system 400, and position management
server 500 via the internet 601. It is to be noted that the
transmission/reception section 202 may also perform the respective
processes such as the modulation/demodulation of the
transmitted/received signals and the data conversion.
[0075] The information storage section 203 is a section in which
the information is stored, and various data and program are
stored.
[0076] The operation section 204 is a section in which the
information is inputted, and the key switches such as the keyboard,
touch panel, and mouse are disposed.
[0077] The display section 205 is a section on which the
information is displayed, and may be, for example, the CRT display,
LCD, organic EL display, or the like.
[0078] The sound input/output section 206 is a section in which the
sound information is inputted/outputted and subjected to the data
conversion process, and, for example, the microphone, speaker, and
the like may also be disposed.
[0079] The store position DB 207 is a database in which information
on one or more stores (transfer place and preparation place) is
managed. In the store position DB 207, the position information in
which the respective transfer places and preparation places are
arranged is stored. In the store position DB 207, in addition to
the store position information, various information such as road
information (map information) and type/number of merchandises which
can be prepared in the preparation place are managed. Further in
the store position DB 207, the preparation places/transfer places
positioned within a predetermined distance may mutually be
associated.
[0080] The transfer place system 300 includes a control section
301, transmission/reception section 302, information storage
section 303, operation section 304, and display section 305.
[0081] The control section 301 is connected to the
transmission/reception section 302, information storage section
303, operation section 304, and display section 305 to control the
respective sections of the transfer place system 300 including the
connected sections. The control section 201 may include, for
example, the CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like.
[0082] The transmission/reception section 302 is connected to the
internet 601 to transmit/receive the information with respect to
the orderer system 100, acceptance center system 200, preparation
place system 400, and position management server 500 via the
internet 601. It is to be noted that the transmission/reception
section 302 may carry out the processes such as the
modulation/demodulation of the transmitted/received signals and the
data conversion.
[0083] The information storage section 303 is a section in which
the information is stored, and various data and program are
stored.
[0084] The operation section 304 is a section in which the
information is inputted, and the key switches such as the keyboard,
touch panel, and mouse are disposed.
[0085] The display section 305 is a section on which the
information is displayed, and may be, for example, the CRT display,
LCD, organic EL display, or the like.
[0086] The preparation place system 400 includes a control section
401, transmission/reception section 402, information storage
section 403, operation section 404, and display section 405.
[0087] The control section 401 is connected to the
transmission/reception section 402, information storage section
403, operation section 404, and display section 405 to control the
respective sections of the preparation place system 400 including
the connected sections. The control section 401 may include, for
example, the CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like.
[0088] The transmission/reception section 402 is connected to the
internet 601 to transmit/receive the information with respect to
the orderer system 100, acceptance center system 200, transfer
place system 300, and position management server 500 via the
internet 601. It is to be noted that the transmission/reception
section 402 may carry out the processes such as the
modulation/demodulation of the transmitted/received signals and the
data conversion.
[0089] The information storage section 403 is a section in which
the information is stored, and various data and program are
stored.
[0090] The operation section 404 is a section in which the
information is inputted, and the key switches such as the keyboard,
touch panel, and mouse are disposed.
[0091] The display section 405 is a section on which the
information is displayed, and may be, for example, the CRT display,
LCD, organic EL display, or the like.
[0092] The position management server 500 receives the orderer's
position information from the orderer system 100 to store the
position information associated with each orderer's identification
information and received. Upon receiving the request for acquiring
the position information from the acceptance center system 200,
transfer place system 300, or preparation place system 400, the
position management server 500 returns the corresponding position
information.
[0093] The traffic information management server 700 is an
information processing device in which traffic information such as
jams, accidents, and highway regulations in roads is stored. The
traffic information is updated every time new information is
inputted. Upon receiving a traffic information acquisition request
from the transfer place system 300 or the preparation place system
400, the traffic information management server 700 returns the
traffic information of a corresponding region.
[0094] The internet 601 is a general internet, and is connected to
the acceptance center system 200, transfer place system 300,
preparation place system 400, mobile unit network 602, and traffic
information management server 700.
[0095] The mobile unit network 602 is a network for performing
mobile unit communication, and a base station apparatus, exchange
station apparatus, gateway apparatus, and control device of the
respective apparatuses in the mobile unit network may also be
disposed. The mobile unit network 602 is connected to the position
management server 500, internet 601, and radio communication
network 603.
[0096] The radio communication network 603 is a network established
during the performing of the radio communication between the
orderer system 100 and the mobile unit network 602.
[0097] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of the first-order
type drive through system in the first embodiment of the present
invention. The abscissa in FIG. 3 shows a time; and the ordinate
shows a position (in actual, a distance from a certain observation
point). It is to be noted that the time of the abscissa is assumed
to proceed in order of t1.fwdarw.t2.fwdarw.t3.fwdarw.t4, and the
movement means on which the orderer (orderer system 100) is mounted
is assumed to move in order of obscissa position
d1.fwdarw.d2.fwdarw.d3.fwdarw.d4.
[0098] Moreover, FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a flow of the
operation by the first-order type drive through system in the first
embodiment of the present invention. The operation by the
first-order type drive through system in the present embodiment
will hereinafter be described along FIGS. 4 and 5 with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0099] First, the position detection section 124 of the GPS
terminal device 120 analyzes the radio signal received by the
transmission/reception section 122 from the GPS satellite every
predetermined time to periodically measure the present position of
movement means on which the orderer gets (step S101). The
information storage section 123 stores the present position
(position information) measured by the position detection section
124. It is to be noted that the position information is assumed to
include information indicating a measurement time in addition to
the orderer's present position.
[0100] At time t1, the control section 111 of the ITS terminal
device 110 starts a browser stored in the information storage
section 113, and the transmission/reception section 112 accesses a
web page for ordering of the acceptance center stored in the
information storage section 203 of the acceptance center system
200. When the transmission/reception section 112 receives the web
page for ordering of the acceptance center from the acceptance
center system 200, the display section 115 displays the received
web page (step S102). It is to be noted that in the present
embodiment the web page for ordering is assumed to be stored in the
acceptance center system 200, but may be assumed to be stored in
another web page (not shown) connected to the internet 601.
[0101] The operation section 114 inputs the ordering information
indicating the ordering content of the merchandise in accordance
with an input form of the web page for ordering displayed on the
display section 115 by the orderer's operation (step S103).
Examples of the inputted ordering information include "orderer's
name", "merchandise to be ordered", "the number of merchandises to
be ordered", and the like.
[0102] Next, the transmission/reception section 112 transmits the
inputted ordering information together with the orderer's
identification information to the acceptance center system 200 via
the radio communication network 603, mobile unit network 602, and
internet 601 (step S104, (a) of FIG. 3).
[0103] Moreover, during ordering information transmission, the
transmission/reception section 112 acquires the position
information stored in the information storage section 123 of the
GPS terminal device 120, and transmits the acquired position
information together with the orderer's identification information
to the position management server 500 (step S105, (a) of FIG. 3).
The position management server 500 stores the position information
transmitted from the orderer system 100 in a database managed by
the server, and associates the information with the orderer's
identification information to manage the information. Thereafter,
the orderer system 100 periodically transmits the position
information to the position management server 500.
[0104] Upon receiving the ordering information from the orderer
system 100, the transmission/reception section 202 of the
acceptance center system 200 transmits the request for acquiring
the position information of the orderer who has placed the order to
the position management server 500, and acquires the position
information requested to be acquired from the position management
server 500 (step S106, (a) of FIG. 3). It is to be noted that the
received ordering information and position information are
associated with orderer's identification information and stored in
the information storage section 203.
[0105] Next, the control section 201 refers to the received
ordering information and the store position DB 207 to search the
preparation place where the ordered merchandise included in the
ordering information can be prepared (step S107).
[0106] Next, the control section 201 searches the transfer place
positioned in the predetermined distance from the preparation place
where the ordered merchandise can be prepared, and extracts one or
more transfer place candidates in which the orderer receives the
merchandise from the transfer places whose information is stored in
the store position DB 207 (step S108).
[0107] Next, the control section 201 prepares the web page in which
the extracted transfer place candidate is indicated (step S109).
For example, the above-described transfer place candidate web page
may also indicate, for example, "transferer's name", "transferer's
address", and "transferer's telephone number", and the like. At
this time, the control section 201 may prepare the transfer place
candidate web page indicating the transfer place candidate in order
from the candidate whose distance from the orderer's present
position based on the received orderer's present position. The
control section 201 calculates orderer's moving speed based on a
plurality of pieces of orderer's position information (position and
measurement time) managed by the position management server 500
(e.g., calculated as a speed per hour of 80 km in a case where the
orderer moves by 80 km between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.).
Furthermore, the transmission/reception section 202 inquires the
traffic information management server 700 of the present traffic
information (such as the jams, accidents, and road regulations) to
acquire the information. The control section 201 may use the moving
speed, the orderer's present position, the traffic information, and
the like to calculate a time (or an estimated arrival time)
required until the orderer arrives at each transfer place
candidate, and indicate the time on the transfer place candidate
web page.
[0108] The transmission/reception section 202 of the acceptance
center system 200 transmits the prepared transfer place candidate
web page to the orderer system 100 (ITS terminal device 110) (step
S110).
[0109] When the transmission/reception section 112 of the ITS
terminal device 110 receives the transfer place candidate web page,
the display section 115 displays the received transfer place
candidate web page (step S111).
[0110] The orderer operates the operation section 114, inputs the
predetermined information onto the transfer place candidate web
page, and transmits the input information to the acceptance center
system 200 (step S112) In step S112, the orderer may operate the
operation section 114 to select the transfer place where the
receiving of the merchandise is desired from the transfer place
candidates displayed in the transfer place candidate web page. In
this case, the transmission/reception section 112 transmits
transfer place selection information indicating the transfer place
candidate selected by the operation section 114 to the acceptance
center system 200.
[0111] Moreover, in the step S112, when the orderer operates the
operation section 114 to click a "direct delivery" button on the
transfer place candidate web page, the transmission/reception
section 112 may transmit information indicating a request for a
"direct delivery" option of the merchandise to the acceptance
center system 200. It is to be noted that the direct delivery
option is a service of direct delivery of the merchandise prepared
by the preparer to the orderer without the orderer's moving to the
transfer place to receive the merchandise. In this case, instead of
selecting the transfer place, the orderer designates the transfer
place of the merchandise, and the transmission/reception section
112 transmits the information indicating the designated transfer
place to the acceptance center system 200.
[0112] Moreover, in the step S112, the orderer may operate the
operation section 114, for example, by clicking a cancel button on
the transfer place candidate web page to input cancel of the
ordering for the merchandise, and the transmission/reception
section 112 may transmit the information requesting for the cancel
to the acceptance center system 200.
[0113] It is to be noted that in steps S109 to S112, the transfer
place is selected on the web page, but the microphone and speaker
of the sound input/output sections 116, 206 may be used to perform
sound communication between the ITS terminal device 110 and the
acceptance center system 200. Accordingly, the transfer place
candidate may be notified via sound by the staff member of the
acceptance center, the transfer place candidate may be selected via
sound by the orderer, the direct delivery option may be selected,
or the merchandise ordering may be canceled.
[0114] The control section 201 of the acceptance center system 200
judges whether or not the transmission/reception section 202 has
received a request for canceling the merchandise ordering from the
orderer system 100 (step S113).
[0115] When it is judged that the cancel request is received (step
S113/Yes), the transmission/reception section 202 of the acceptance
center system 200 notifies the transfer place system 300 and
preparation place system 400 of the cancellation of the merchandise
ordering, and thereafter the first-order type drive through system
ends the operation.
[0116] When it is judged that the cancel request is not received
(step S113/No), the control section 201 judges whether or not the
transmission/reception section 202 has received transfer place
selection information from the orderer system 100 (step S114).
[0117] When it is judged that the transfer place selection
information is not received (step S114/No), the control section 201
judges whether or not the transmission/reception section 202 has
received a direct delivery option request from the orderer system
100 (step S115). When it is judged that the direct delivery option
request is not received (step S115/No), the control section 201
judges that normal input information is not transmitted to the
acceptance center system 200 from the orderer system 100, and ends
the operation.
[0118] When it is judged that the direct delivery option request
has been received (step S115/Yes), the control section 201 refers
to the store position DB 207 to search the preparation place close
to the transfer place designated by the orderer (step S116). The
transmission/reception section 202 transmits the ordering
information to the preparation place system 400 of the preparation
place extracted as a result of search (step S117). Here, the
control section 201 sets the transfer place designated by the
orderer to a destination at the time of the direct delivery option
request, and stores the transfer place in the information storage
section 203.
[0119] When the transfer place selection information is judged to
have been received (step S114/Yes), the information storage section
203 associates the transfer place selection information with the
orderer's identification information to store the information. The
transmission/reception section 202 transmits the ordering
information to the transfer place system 300 of the transfer place
selected in accordance with the received transfer place selection
information. Furthermore, the transmission/reception section 202
transmits the ordering information and the transfer place selection
information even to the preparation place associated with the
selected transfer place in the store position DB 207 (step S118,
(b) of FIG. 3). In this manner, the acceptance center system 200
permits the transfer place system 300 and preparation place system
400 of a transmission destination of the ordering information to
acquire the orderer's position information. Here, the control
section 201 sets the selected transfer place to the orderer's
destination, and stores the place in the information storage
section 203. The transmission/reception section 202 transmits the
information on the determined transfer place (name, address,
telephone number, and the like of the transfer place) to the
orderer system 100.
[0120] When the transmission/reception section 402 of the
preparation place system 400 receives the ordering information from
the acceptance center system 200, the information storage section
403 stores the received ordering information. Thereafter, the
display section 405 displays the content (orderer, ordered
merchandise, the number of merchandises, and the like) of the
received ordering information (step S119).
[0121] Moreover, upon receiving the ordering information, the
transmission/reception section 402 transmits the request for
acquiring the position information of the orderer who has received
a merchandise preparation request to the position management server
500 every predetermined time, and receives the orderer's position
information from the position management server 500 (step S120).
The information storage section 403 associates the received
position information with the ordeter's identification information
to store the information.
[0122] Moreover, every time new position information is acquired,
the transmission/reception section 402 transmits a request for
acquiring the traffic information (the jams, accidents, road
regulations, and the like) of a region including a path between the
orderer's present position and the location of the place where the
merchandise is transferred to the traffic information management
server 700. The traffic information management server 700 transmits
the traffic information to the preparation place system 400 in
response to the acquisition request. When the
transmission/reception section 402 receives the traffic
information, the information storage section 403 associates the
received traffic information to the orderer's identification
information to store the information (step S121).
[0123] The control section 401 calculates orderer's moving speed
based on the orderer's position information. The control section
401 estimates a time at which the orderer arrives at a place of the
merchandise transfer based on the moving speed, position
information, and traffic information (step S122).
[0124] The display section 405 displays the calculated estimated
arrival time together with the ordering content by the ordering
information. The preparer confirms the displayed estimated arrival
time, while preparing the merchandise in accordance with the
ordered content displayed in the display section 405 (step S123).
It is to be noted that every time the position information and
traffic information are newly acquired, the control section 401
calculates the estimated arrival time, and the display section 405
updates the display of the estimated arrival time. Therefore, the
preparer can carry out a merchandise preparation operation along
the displayed estimated arrival time to easily prepare a
merchandise preparation schedule.
[0125] Next, the control section 401 refers to the ordering
information received by the transmission/reception section 402 to
judge whether or not the direct delivery option is requested (step
S124). When the direct delivery option is requested (step
S124/Yes), the preparer moves to the designated transfer place to
directly deliver the merchandise to the orderer (step S125).
[0126] Here, the preparer directly transfers the merchandise to the
orderer to settle the payment. The preparer uses the operation
section 404 to input the information indicating the completion of
the transfer of the merchandise and the payment. At this time,
after the completion of the merchandise transfer and payment, the
preparer may use a communication device carried by the preparer
(cellular phone, PHS, PDA, notebook-size PC, and the like) to
notify the preparation place system 400 of the completion of the
merchandise transfer and payment. The transmission/reception
section 402 of the preparation place system 400 transmits the
information indicating the completion of the inputted merchandise
transfer and payment (including the information of the name of the
transferred merchandise and the number of merchandises) to the
acceptance center system 200 (step S126).
[0127] Upon receiving the information indicating the normal ending
of the merchandise transfer, the transmission/reception section 202
of the acceptance center system 200 transmits a command for
stopping the acquisition of the position information of the orderer
who has received the merchandise and the traffic information to the
transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400 (step
S127). At this time, the acceptance center system 200 may transmit
the information on the payment of the merchandise to the
preparation place system 400.
[0128] Upon receiving the information acquisition stop command from
the acceptance center system 200, the transmission/reception
section 302 of the transfer place system 300 and the
transmission/reception section 402 of the preparation place system
400 stops an acquisition process of the corresponding position
information and traffic information (step S128), and the
first-order type drive through system ends the operation.
[0129] When the direct delivery option is not requested, and the
transfer place is designated (step S124/No), the preparer
transports the completed merchandise to the transfer place (step
S129, (c) of FIG. 3).
[0130] Moreover, the transmission/reception section 302 of the
transfer place system 300 transmits the request for acquiring the
position information of the orderer who has requested the
merchandise transfer to the position management server 500 every
predetermined time, and acquires the requested position information
from the position management server 500 (step S130, (d) of FIG. 3).
The information storage section 303 associates the received
position information with the orderer's identification information
to store the information.
[0131] Moreover, every time new position information is acquired,
the transmission/reception section 302 transmits a request for
acquiring the traffic information (the jams, accidents, road
regulations, and the like) of the region including the path between
the orderer's present position and the location of the transfer
place to the traffic information management server 700. The traffic
information management server 700 transmits the traffic information
to the transfer place system 300 in response to the acquisition
request. When the transmission/reception section 302 receives the
traffic information, the information storage section 303 associates
the received traffic information with the orderer's identification
information to store the information (step S131).
[0132] The control section 301 calculates the orderer's moving
speed based on the orderer's position information. The control
section 301 estimates a time at which the orderer arrives at the
transfer place based on the moving speed, position information, and
traffic information (step S132).
[0133] The display section 305 displays the calculated estimated
arrival time together with the ordering content by the ordering
information (step S133). It is to be noted that every time the
position information and traffic information are newly acquired,
the control section 301 calculates the estimated arrival time, and
the display section 305 updates the display of the estimated
arrival time. Moreover, when the merchandise does not arrive at the
transfer place from the preparation place a predetermined time
before the estimated arrival time, the display section 305 may
transmit the information promoting immediate shipping of the
merchandise to the preparation place system 400.
[0134] The control section 301 of the transfer place system 300
periodically monitors the acquired position information to judge
whether or not the orderer's moving path is normal (step S134) When
the orderer's moving path is judged to be normal (step S134/Yes),
that is, a distance between the orderer and the transfer place is
reduced with an elapse of time from the position information, the
control section 301 continues monitoring the orderer's position
information as such.
[0135] Next, at time t2, the transferer confirms that the orderer
has arrived at the transfer place, and transfers the merchandise to
the orderer so that the payment is made. The transferer uses the
operation section 304 to input information indicating the
completion of the merchandise transfer and payment. When the
control section 301 recognizes the input of the information
indicating the completion of the merchandise transfer and payment
(step S135/Yes), the ttansmission/reception section 302 transmits
the information indicating the normal ending of the merchandise
transfer to the acceptance center system 200 (step S136). When the
input of the information indicating the completion of the
merchandise transfer and payment is not recognized (step S135/No),
the process of the step S134 is repeated.
[0136] Upon receiving the information indicating the normal ending
of the merchandise transfer, the transmission/reception section 202
of the acceptance center system 200 transmits a command for
stopping the acquisition of the position information and traffic
information on the orderer who has received the merchandise to the
transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400 (step
S127).
[0137] Upon receiving the information acquisition stop command from
the acceptance center system 200, the transmission/reception
section 302 of the transfer place system 300 and the
transmission/reception section 402 of the preparation place system
400 stop a process of acquiring of the corresponding position
information and traffic information (step S128), and the
first-order type drive through system ends the operation.
[0138] At time t3 ((e) of FIG. 3), when the orderer's moving path
is judged to be abnormal (step S134/No), that is, when the distance
between the orderer and the transfer place increases with the
elapse of time from the position information (especially in a case
where it has been detected that the orderer passed the transfer
place, the transmission/reception section 302 transmits information
indicating the occurrence of a trouble in the merchandise transfer
to the acceptance center system 200 (step S137, (f) of FIG. 3).
[0139] Next, upon receiving the trouble occurrence information from
the transfer place system 300, the transmission/reception section
202 of the acceptance center system 200 inquires the position
management server 500 again to acquire the orderer's position
information (step S106).
[0140] Moreover, the control section 201 searches the preparation
place and transfer place again based on the ordering information,
newly acquired position information, and store information of the
store position DB 207 to extract a transfer place candidate (steps
S107, S108).
[0141] The acceptance center negotiates the transfer place with the
orderer again, and presents a new transfer place to the orderer
(steps S109 to S111).
[0142] When the orderer cancels the merchandise ordering, the
first-order type drive through system ends the operation. When the
orderer does not cancel the ordering, the new transfer place is set
to the destination, and the preparation of the merchandise and the
preparing for the transfer are instructed again (steps S112 to
S118, (g) of FIG. 3). To newly designate the transfer place and set
the place as the destination in this manner is referred to as a
merchandise handover.
[0143] Moreover, the merchandise is transferred at time t4. It is
to be noted that when the "direct delivery" option is selected
during the re-negotiation between the orderer system 100 and the
acceptance center system 200, the transferer delivers the
merchandise transported to the transfer place from the preparation
place to the orderer (steps S119 to 139).
[0144] It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, the
acceptance center system 200, transfer place system 300, and
preparation place system 400 transmit the request for acquiring the
position information to the position management server 500. The
position management server 500 which has received the request for
acquiring the position information returns the corresponding
position information. Additionally, the orderer system 100 may
store the position information in the information storage section
113 or 123 without transmitting the information to the position
management server 500. In this case, the acceptance center system
200, transfer place system 300, and preparation place system 400
may directly transmit the request for acquiring the position
information to the orderer system 100 to acquire the
information.
[0145] Moreover, the orderer system 100 may spontaneously transmit
the position information to the acceptance center system 200,
transfer place system 300, and preparation place system 400 without
transmitting the information to the position management server 500.
In this case, it is assumed that the orderer system 100 receives
and stores addresses of the transfer place system 300 and
preparation place system 400 of the determined preparation place
and transfer place from the acceptance center system 200.
[0146] Furthermore, the acceptance center system 200 periodically
transmits the acquisition request of the position information to
the orderer system 100 or the position management server 500 to
acquire the position information from when the acceptance center
system 200 receives the ordering information from the orderer
system 100 until receiving the information indicating the
completion of the merchandise transfer from the transfer place
system 300. The preparation place and transfer place may be
determined, and thereafter periodically transferred to the transfer
place system 300 and preparation place system 400. In this case,
the transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400
periodically transmit the position information acquisition request
to the acceptance center system 200. Every time the acceptance
center system 200 may transmit the position information to the
transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400.
[0147] It is to be noted that for a payment process in the present
embodiment, when receiving the merchandise from the transferer or
the preparer, the orderer may directly pay to the transferer or the
preparer, or may pay in advance using a credit card or the like. At
this time, the transfer place system 300 or the preparation place
system 400 may function as a point of sales system (POS) to input
information on the payment, or to transmit the inputted information
to the acceptance center system 200.
[0148] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the transfer place
system 300 and the preparation place system 400 constantly grasp
the orderer's present position, but at least one of the transfer
place system 300 and the preparation place system 400 may
periodically acquire the position information. When only the
preparation place system 400 periodically acquires the position
information, the preparation place system 400 monitors the
orderer's moving path in the same manner as in the transfer place
system 300 in the present embodiment, and notifies the acceptance
center system 200 of the trouble if found.
[0149] Moreover, the acceptance center system 200 may constantly
grasp the orderer's present position. In this case, the acceptance
center system 200 can monitor the orderer's moving path to fine the
trouble in the same manner as in the transfer place system 300 in
the present embodiment. Upon receiving the information indicating
the completion of the transfer of the merchandise from the transfer
place system 300 or the preparation place system 400, the
acceptance center system 200 stops the acquisition of the position
information.
[0150] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a concrete example in which the
first-order type drive through system in the first embodiment of
the present invention is applied to a fast-food reservation
system.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 6, the first-order type drive through
system includes the orderer system, acceptance center system, store
system, position management server, radio communication network,
mobile unit network, and internet. In the example shown in FIG. 6,
the store serves both as the preparation place and the transfer
place, and the store system has functions of the transfer place
system 300 and preparation place system 400.
[0152] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the acceptance center system
is connected to the store system via the internet. The orderer
system is connected to the position management server via a radio
communication network and mobile unit network, and is connected to
the acceptance center system and store system via the radio
communication network, mobile unit network, and internet.
[0153] In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the automobile on which the
orderer gets cannot move backwards during run. The orderer system
is mounted on the automobile on which the orderer gets. The orderer
system includes a GPS terminal device, communication terminal
device, microphone, speaker, and operation panel. The GPS terminal
device receives the radio wave from the GPS satellite to measure
the present position of the automobile on which the orderer gets.
The communication terminal device transmits/receives the
information with the position management server, acceptance center
system, and store system via the radio communication network,
mobile unit network, and internet. The microphone inputs the sound,
and the speaker outputs the sound. The operation panel is an
information input device constituted of predetermined
switches/keys. Moreover, a display for displaying the information
is disposed on the operation panel.
[0154] The acceptance center system is installed in the acceptance
center which receives the orders for the merchandises from the
orderers. The acceptance center system includes an order receiving
system, store position DB, router, and internet protocol (IP)
telephone.
[0155] The order receiving system receives the order for the
merchandise from the orderer system, and notifies the store system
of a received order content (ordering information). The store
position DB is a database in which the position information of a
store (fast-food shop) is stored. The router transmits/receives the
information via the internet. The IP telephone is a system in which
a telephone call is made via the IP network (internet), and the
telephone call can be carried out with respect to the communication
terminal device of the orderer system.
[0156] The store system is installed in the fast-food shop in which
the merchandise is prepared in accordance with the ordered content
from the orderer, and transferred to the orderer, and the payment
is made. Moreover, a kitchen for preparing the ordered merchandise
is installed in the fast-food shop. The store system includes a
personal computer (PC), display panel, router, and cash
register.
[0157] The PC acquires the ordering information from the acceptance
center system, and accepts the merchandise order from the orderer.
The PC inquires the position management server of the orderer's
position information to acquire the information. The router
transmits/receives the information via the internet. The display
panel displays the content of the ordering information received by
the router from the acceptance center system. For the cash
register, the payment process during the transfer of the
merchandise to the orderer is carried out, and the information
indicating the completion of the merchandise transfer and payment
is inputted.
[0158] The operation in the application example into the fast-food
reservation system by the first-order type drive through system
will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0159] The orderer inputs the ordered content via the operation
panel, communicates with the acceptance center system, and places
the order for the merchandise. In this case, the orderer system
notifies the acceptance center system of the position information
obtained by the GPS terminal device via a position information
server.
[0160] The acceptance center system receives the ordering
information and position information from the orderer system,
simultaneously searches the stores along an expressway from the
orderer's position information during the orderer's run, and
transmits search results to the orderer system. When the orderer
system receives the search result of the store, the operation panel
of the orderer system displays the search result. When the orderer
uses the operation panel to select the store to drop by, the
orderer system transmits the information indicating the selected
store to the acceptance center system. Upon receiving the
information indicating the selected store, the acceptance center
system completes the order receiving process, and notifies the
store system of the selected store of the order for the
merchandise.
[0161] The store system acquires the orderer's position from the
position information server, presumes an anticipated arrival time,
and schedules the preparation so that the merchandise is completed
at the time of the orderer's arrival.
[0162] When the orderer passes the store where the merchandise is
to be received, the store system notifies the acceptance center
system of the occurrence of the trouble in the merchandise
transfer. When the acceptance center system receives the
information indicating the occurrence of the trouble in the
merchandise transfer, the staff member of the acceptance center
uses the IP telephone to make a call with the orderer. When the
orderer agrees with the preparation of the same merchandise in
another store, the acceptance center system transfers the
information indicating the order for the merchandise to the other
store. Upon receiving the order for the merchandise from the
acceptance center system, the store system in the other store
prepares the merchandise to prepare for the merchandise
transfer.
[0163] As described above, according to the present invention, the
transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400
periodically acquire the orderer's position information from when
receiving the ordering information from the acceptance center
system 200 until the completion of the merchandise
transfer/payment. Therefore, it is possible for the preparer and
transferer of the merchandise to constantly grasp whether or not
the preparer and the transferer of the merchandise move along the
normal moving path for the orderer to receive the merchandise.
Moreover, the orderer limits a period to that from the merchandise
ordering until the receiving to supply the orderer's position
information, and it is therefore to protect the orderer's
privacy.
[0164] Moreover, according to the present invention, the transfer
place system 300 and preparation place system 400 estimates a time
at which the orderer arrives at the transfer place based on the
periodically acquired orderer's position information/traffic
information. Therefore, it is possible for the preparer to prepare
the merchandise in time for the estimated arrival time and to
transfer the merchandise to the transfer place. Moreover, since the
transferer can transfer the merchandise in time for the orderer's
arrival, the orderer may not require a wasteful waiting time.
[0165] Moreover, according to the present invention, upon receiving
information indicating deviation from the normal moving path for
the orderer to receive the merchandise from the transfer place
system 300, the acceptance center system 200 transmits information
indicating a new transfer place candidate to the orderer system
100, and supplies the transfer place in accordance with the
orderer's position again. Therefore, even when the orderer passes
the transfer place and it is difficult to return, it is possible to
prepare the same merchandise in another preparation place/transfer
place and to transfer the merchandise to the orderer.
[0166] Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the transfer
place system 300 and preparation place system 400 periodically
acquire the orderer's position information and traffic information.
Therefore, since the preparer and transferer can monitor the
orderer's position, mischievous ordering can be prevented. It is
also possible to presume a reason why the merchandise is not
fetched in consideration of road situations.
[0167] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment,
character/sound information is used to carry out bidirectional
communication between the orderer system 100 and the acceptance
center system 200. Therefore, when the orderer deviates from the
normal moving path for fetching the merchandise, the acceptance
center system 200 can check whether or not the orderer cancels the
merchandise ordering.
[0168] Second Embodiment:
[0169] A second embodiment of the present invention will
hereinafter be described, but the constitution and operation in the
present embodiment system mode are similar to those of the first
embodiment unless otherwise specified.
[0170] In the present embodiment, when the transmission/reception
section 112 of the orderer system 100 transmits the ordering
information, the orderer destination information indicating the
destination to which the orderer is moving to the acceptance center
system 200.
[0171] Upon receiving the ordering information and destination
information from the orderer system 100, the transmission/reception
section 202 of the acceptance center system 200 inquires the
position management server 500 of the orderer's position
information to acquire the information.
[0172] The control section 201 detects (estimates) the orderer's
future moving path based on the position information and
destination information.
[0173] Next, the control section 201 can refer to the store
position DB 207 to prepare the ordered merchandise by the ordering
information, and searches for the preparation place within the
predetermined distance from the detected orderer's moving path.
[0174] Next, the control section 201 refers to the store position
DB 207 to search for the transfer place within the predetermined
distance from the detected moving path. It is assumed that the
following operation is similar to that of the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0175] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the
orderer system 100 transmits the destination information together
with the ordering information to the acceptance center system 200.
The acceptance center system 200 uses the destination information
to estimate the orderer's moving path, and extracts and transmits
the transfer place candidate close to the moving path to the
orderer system 100. Therefore, it is possible for the orderer to
receive the merchandise on the way to the destination without
detouring.
[0176] Third Embodiment:
[0177] A third embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter
be described, but the constitution and operation in the present
embodiment system mode are similar to those of the first embodiment
unless otherwise specified.
[0178] In the present embodiment, the transfer place system 300
(transmission/reception section 302) and the preparation place
system 400 (transmission/reception section 402) periodically
transmit the operation situations (operation ratios) in the
transfer place and preparation place where the systems are
installed to the acceptance center system 200.
[0179] The examples of the operation situations mentioned herein
include the number of preparation/transport requests of the
merchandises per staff member of the preparation place/transfer
place in a predetermined time. The staff member of the preparation
place/transfer place may use the operation section to input the
operation situation to the preparation place system 400 or the
transfer place system 300. The control section of each system may
count the number of orderings and the number of ordered
merchandises as the operation situations based on the ordering
information received by the transmission/reception section of each
system.
[0180] Upon receiving the information indicating the operation
situations of the transfer place and preparation place from the
transfer place system 300 and preparation place system 400, the
control section of the acceptance center system 200 preferentially
extracts the preparation place and transfer place low in operation
ratio, and transmits the information indicating the transfer place
candidate low in the operation ratio to the orderer system 100.
[0181] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the
acceptance center system 200 presents the transfer place candidate
to the orderer in accordance with the operation situations of the
preparation place and transfer place. Therefore, it is possible to
efficiently use the preparation place and transfer place, and it is
also possible for the orderer to reduce the waiting time in
receiving the merchandise by operation delays in the preparation
place and transfer place.
[0182] Fourth Embodiment:
[0183] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will
hereinafter be described, but the constitution and operation in the
present embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment
unless otherwise specified.
[0184] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a period
in which the transfer place system 300 and preparation place system
400 can acquire the orderer's position information is from when the
ordering information is received from the acceptance center system
200 until the information acquisition stop command is received. The
period in which the acceptance center system 200 can acquire the
position information is from when the ordering information is
received from the orderer system 100 until the information
indicating the merchandise transfer completion is received from the
transfer place system 300 or preparation place system 400. It is
assumed in the present embodiment that the orderer can optionally
set a period for permitting the acquisition of the position
information indicating the orderer's present position (hereinafter
referred to as the position acquisition permission period). The
operation in the present embodiment will hereinafter be
described.
[0185] In the present embodiment, an input column for inputting the
position acquisition permission period is disposed via a graphical
user interface (GUI) on the transfer place candidate web page. The
orderer operates the operation section 114 to select either one
from the transfer place and direct delivery option and to input the
position acquisition permission period in the input column on the
transfer place candidate web page. The information storage section
113 of the orderer system 100 stores the inputted position
acquisition permission period.
[0186] In a method of inputting the position acquisition permission
period, for example, "desired merchandise transfer time" and
"position acquisition permission time" may also be inputted. For
example, the orderer inputs "30 minutes" as the "position
acquisition permission time" to permit the acquisition of the
position information 30 minutes from the transfer of the
merchandise. When the merchandise is desired to be received at
13:00, the position acquisition permission period for the transfer
place system 300 and preparation place system 400 is from 12:30
which is 30 minutes before the desired merchandise transfer time
until the reception of the information acquisition stop command.
The period for the acceptance center system 200 is from 12:30 which
is 30 minutes before the desired merchandise transfer time until
the reception of the information indicating the completion of the
merchandise transfer from the transfer place system 300 or
preparation place system 400.
[0187] Moreover, in a method of inputting the position acquisition
permission period, for example, the "position acquisition
permission time" may also be inputted. For example, the orderer
inputs the position acquisition permission time as one hour. When
the position information is permitted to be acquired from the
ordering time, the position acquisition permission period for the
acceptance center system 200 is one hour from when the ordering
information is received. The acceptance center system 200 transmits
the information acquisition stop command to the transfer place
system 300 and preparation place system 400 after an elapse of the
position acquisition permission time (e.g., one hour) from an
ordering information reception time. In this case, the position
acquisition permission period for the transfer place system 300 or
preparation place system 400 is from when the ordering information
is received from the acceptance center system 200 until the
information acquisition stop command is received.
[0188] Moreover, as the position acquisition permission period,
"time to start permission of position information acquisition" and
"time to stop the permission of the position information
acquisition" may also be inputted. In this case, the position
acquisition permission period for the acceptance center system 200,
transfer place system 300, and preparation place system 400 is a
time from the "time to start permission of position information
acquisition" until "time to stop the permission of the position
information acquisition".
[0189] In any of the above-described cases, the acceptance center
system 200 may store the position acquisition permission period,
and notify the orderer system 100 of the start and end of the
position acquisition permission period via screen or sound.
[0190] The position information is stored in the orderer system
100. When the acceptance center system 200, transfer place system
300, and preparation place system 400 transmits the request for
acquiring the position information to the orderer system 100, the
orderer system 100 judges whether or not the present time is within
the position acquisition permission period. When the orderer system
100 judges that the present time is within the position acquisition
permission period, the position information is transmitted in
response to the received acquisition request. The orderer system
100 does not transmit the position information, when it is judged
that the present time is out of the position acquisition permission
period at the time of the reception of the position information
acquisition request.
[0191] Moreover, when the position management server 500 stores the
position information, the acceptance center system 200 transmits
the orderer's identification information together with the
information indicating the position acquisition permission period
to the position management server 500. In this case, the position
management server 500 can regulate the transmission of the position
information in the same manner as in the orderer system 100.
[0192] Furthermore, when the orderer system 100 stores the position
information, and the position information is spontaneously and
periodically transmitted to the acceptance center system 200,
transfer place system 300, and preparation place system 400, the
orderer system 100 judges whether or not the present time is within
the position acquisition permission period. When the orderer system
100 judges that the present time is within the position acquisition
permission period, the addresses of the transfer place system 300
and preparation place system 400 acquired from the acceptance
center system 200 are used to spontaneously transmit the position
information. When the orderer system 100 judges that the present
time is out of the position acquisition permission period, the
position information is not transmitted.
[0193] It is to be noted that in any of the above-described cases,
the acceptance center system 200 can acquire the position
information in order to determine the preparation place and
transfer place even outside the position acquisition permission
period.
[0194] Moreover, the use of the transfer place candidate web page
has been described, but in the same manner as in the first
embodiment, the orderer may notify the staff member of the
acceptance center of the position acquisition permission period via
the telephone call.
[0195] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
orderer optionally determines the period in which the permission
for the acquisition of the position information indicating the
orderer's present position is granted, and the acceptance center
system 200, transfer place system 300, and preparation place system
400 are permitted to acquire the position information only in the
determined period. Therefore, since the orderer notifies the order
receiving side of the orderer's present position in the limited
desired period, it is possible to further protect the orderer's
privacy.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS
[0196] The orderer system 100 carries out processes to acquire the
position information, transmit the position information, transmit
the ordering information, input the information, and display the
information.
[0197] Moreover, the acceptance center system 200 carries out
processes to transmit the ordering information and position
information, determine the preparation place and transfer place
where the merchandise is prepared/transfer-red, prepare the
information indicating the transfer place candidate,
transmit/receive the information on the merchandise ordering with
respect to the orderer system 100, transmit the command for
stopping the position information acquisition to the transfer place
system 300 and preparation place system 400, acquire the traffic
information, and calculate the estimated time at which the orderer
receives the merchandise.
[0198] Furthermore, the transfer place system 300 carries out
processes to periodically acquire the orderer's position
information, transmit/receive the information, display the
information, monitor the orderer's moving path, notify the
acceptance center system 200 of the trouble when recognized,
acquire the traffic information, and calculate the estimated time
at which the orderer receives the merchandise.
[0199] Additionally, the preparation place system 400 carries out
processes to periodically acquire the orderer's position
information, transmit/receive the information, display the
information, acquire the traffic information, and calculate the
estimated time at which the orderer receives the merchandise.
[0200] Moreover, the position management server 500 carries out
processes to transmit/receive the position information and to store
the position information.
[0201] Furthermore, the traffic information management server 700
carries out processes to acquire the traffic information, store the
traffic information, and transmit the traffic information.
[0202] The above-described processes are executed by a computer
program possessed by the orderer system 100, acceptance center
system 200, transfer place system 300, preparation place system
400, position management server 500, or traffic information
management server 700, but the above-described program may be
recorded in recording mediums such as an optical recording medium,
magnetic recording medium, magnetic optical recording medium, and
semiconductor, and may be loaded from the above-described recording
medium or from an exterior apparatus connected via a predetermined
network.
[0203] It is to be noted that the above-described embodiment is a
preferable one embodiment of the present invention, but the
embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the
present invention can variously be modified and embodied without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0204] As described above, according to the present invention, the
transfer place system and preparation place system periodically
acquires the orderer's position information from when the ordering
information is received from the acceptance center system until the
completion of the merchandise transfer/payment. Therefore, it is
possible for the preparer and transferer of the merchandise to
constantly grasp whether or not the orderer moves along the normal
moving path for receiving the merchandise. Moreover, since the
orderer limits the period to that from the merchandise ordering
until the receiving to provide the orderer's position information,
it is possible to protect the orderer's privacy.
[0205] Moreover, according to the present invention, the transfer
place system and preparation place system calculate the estimated
time at which the orderer arrives at the transfer place based on
the periodically acquired orderer's position information and
traffic information. Therefore, the preparer can prepare the
merchandise in time for the estimated arrival time and transport
the merchandise to the transfer place. Moreover, since the
transferer can transfer the merchandise in time for the orderer's
arrival, the orderer does not require any wasteful waiting
time.
[0206] Moreover, according to the present invention, upon receiving
the information indicating that the orderer deviates from the
normal moving path for receiving the merchandise from the transfer
place system, the acceptance center system transmits the
information indicating the new transfer place candidate to the
orderer system, and anew presents the transfer place in accordance
with the orderer's position. Therefore, even when the orderer
passes the transfer place, and it is difficult to return, it is
possible to prepare the same merchandise in another preparation
place/transfer place and to transfer the merchandise to the
orderer.
[0207] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the
transfer place system and preparation place system periodically
acquire the orderer's position information and traffic information.
Therefore, since the preparer and transferer can monitor the
orderer's position, the mischievous ordering can be prevented.
Moreover, it is possible to presume the reason why the merchandise
is not received in consideration of the road situations.
[0208] Additionally, according to the present invention, the
orderer system transmits the ordering information together with the
destination information to the acceptance center system. The
acceptance center system uses the destination information to
estimate the orderer's moving path, extracts the transfer place
candidate close to the moving path, and transmits the candidate to
the orderer system. Therefore, it is possible for the orderer to
receive the merchandise on the way to the destination without
detouring.
[0209] Moreover, according to the present invention, the acceptance
center system presents the transfer place candidate to the orderer
in accordance with the operation situations of the preparation
place and transfer place. Therefore, the preparation place and
transfer place can efficiently be used. The orderer can also reduce
the waiting time in receiving the merchandise by the operation
delays in the preparation place and transfer place.
[0210] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the orderer
arbitrarily determines the period to grand the permission for
acquiring the position information indicating the orderer's present
position, and the acceptance center system, transfer place system,
and preparation place system are permitted to acquire the position
information only in the determined period. Therefore, since the
orderer limits the desired period and the orderer's present
position is notified on the order receiving side, it is possible to
further protect the orderer's privacy.
* * * * *