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Claims  |
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What is claimed:
1. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through an agent to a receiver;
a client for providing at least a schedule information of the receiver;
a distribution server for providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent;
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another;
means for determining date and time for delivery of the delivery goods and for deciding the agent to be used, between said client and said distribution server; and
means for notifying of arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from the agent to at least one of said distribution server and said client.
2. A delivery managing system as defined in claim 1, there is further provided means for managing information on the arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from the agent and detecting abnormality of the delivery goods in at least
one of said distribution server and said client.
3. A delivery managing system as defined in claim 1, wherein there is further provided means for outputting an delivery goods information, in at least one of said distribution server and said client, said distribution server includes means for
notifying the delivery goods information to said agent server, and said agent server includes means for reading out the delivery goods information from said outputting means, and means for comparing the delivery goods information noticed from said
distribution server with the delivery goods information read out by said reading out means.
4. A delivery managing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said client further comprises:
means for compiling the schedule information;
means for notifying deletion of the schedule information for receiving the delivery goods to said distribution server related thereto, responding the deletion thereof; and
means for deleting the related schedule information responding to a notice of deletion of the delivery schedule information from said distribution server; wherein said distribution server further comprises:
means for deleting the delivery schedule information of the delivery goods responding to the notice of deletion of the schedule information for receiving the delivery goods from said client.
5. A delivery managing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said distribution server further comprises:
means for compiling the delivery schedule information; and
means for notifying deletion of the delivery schedule information to all of said client relating the deletion thereof.
6. A delivery managing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said agent server further comprises:
a delivery locker having a plurality of boxes into which the delivery goods can be stored, each box thereof comprises at least means for observing thereof; and
means for deciding the arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from said agent by using the observing means of said delivery locker.
7. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through an agent to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least a schedule information of the receiver;
a distribution server for providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent;
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another;
means for determining date and time for delivery of the delivery goods and for deciding the agent to be used, among said client, said distribution server and said agent server; and
means for notifying of arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from the agent to at least one of said distribution server and said client.
8. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least a schedule information of the receiver;
a distribution server for providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
a data transmission network, through which said client and said distribution server are connected to each other;
means for determining date and time for delivery of the delivery of goods between said client and said distribution server; and
means for deciding an agent to be used between said client and said distribution server on the basis of a purchased goods information relating to said goods for said agent.
9. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least a schedule information of the receiver;
a distribution server for providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
a data transmission network, through which said client and said distribution server are connected to each other; and
means for determining date and time for delivery of the delivery goods between said client and said distribution server.
10. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through an agent to a receiver, comprising:
a distribution server for providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent;
a data transmission network, through which said distribution server and said agent server are connected to each other; and
means for notifying of arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from the agent, from said agent server to said distribution server or the receiver; and
means for managing information on the arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from the agent and detecting abnormality of the delivery goods, in said distribution server.
11. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through an agent to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least a schedule information of the receiver or an information of the agent to be used;
a distribution server for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent and having means for detecting arrival and departure of the delivery goods to and from the agent; and
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another; wherein said distribution server comprises:
means for providing a delivery schedule information on delivery schedule and a delivery goods information on a content of the delivery goods and for notifying of a list of available delivery schedule information to said client on the basis of the
delivery schedule information to said client on the basis of the delivery schedule information and the a delivery goods information;
means for setting date and time for delivery of the delivery goods or the
agent to be used into the delivery schedule information responding to the schedule information and the information of the agent to be used which are notice from said client;
means for setting a condition of the arrival into the agent in the delivery goods information relating thereto, responding to a notice of the arrival of the delivery goods from said agent server;
means for setting a condition of the departure from the agent in the delivery goods information relating thereto, responding to a notice of the departure of the delivery goods from said agent server;
means for outputting the delivery goods information of the delivery goods to be delivered to the agent; and
means for detecting the delivery goods information of the delivery goods in abnormal condition;
said client further comprises:
means for providing a schedule information and a purchased goods information into which the contents of the delivery goods and a criteria for use of the agent are described;
means for deciding to use the agent or not, on the basis of the list of the available delivery schedule information and the schedule information and the criteria for use of the agent of the purchased goods information from said distribution
server, and for notifying of the date and time for delivery or the agent to be used to said distribution server, and for setting a receipt schedule of the delivery goods into the schedule information if it is decided not to use the agent;
means for setting the condition of the arrival into the agent in the purchased goods information of the delivery goods, responding to a notice of the arrival thereof from the agent server;
means for setting the condition of the departure from the agent in the purchased goods information of the delivery goods, responding to a notice of the departure thereof from the agent server;
means for outputting the purchased goods information of the delivery goods to be delivered to the agent server; and
said agent server further comprises:
means for providing a commissioned goods information relating to the delivery goods which are transferred from the distribution center into the agent to be commissioned;
means for setting an information relating to the arrival of the delivery goods to be commissioned, into the commissioned goods information, and for notifying thereof to said distribution server and said client relating thereto, responding to
input of the arrival of the delivery goods to be commissioned; and
means for setting an information relating to the departure of the delivery goods to be commissioned, into the commissioned goods information, and for notifying thereof to said distribution server and said client relating thereto, responding to
input of the departure of the delivery goods to be commissioned.
12. A delivery managing system as described in claim 11, wherein said agent server further comprises:
a delivery locker for common use, which comprises a plurality boxes, and box open/close devices and box observation devices for each box thereof;
means for providing the commissioned goods information relating to the delivery goods transferred from the distribution center, and a locker information having at least a size of each box and an identification number of the delivery goods stored
therein;
means, in response to input of the information relating to the arrival of the delivery goods to be commissioned, for searching a box satisfying a condition for storing the delivery goods to be commissioned,
means for instructing releasing of key to the open/close device of the box which is searched out;
means for instructing locking of the key of the open/close device when a door of the box is closed again; means for setting the arrival information to the commissioned goods information;
means for setting an identification code of the delivery goods to be commissioned into the locker information relating to the box into which the delivery goods is stored; and
means for notifying of the arrival of the delivery goods to be commissioned to said distribution server and said client related thereto;
means, in response to input of the identification code of the delivery goods to be commissioned;
means for instructing releasing of the key to the box open/close device of the box which is coincident with the identification code;
means for instructing locking of the key to the box open/close device when the door of the box is closed again;
means for setting the departure of the delivery goods to be commissioned, into the locker information and the commissioned goods information; and
means for notifying of the arrival of the delivery goods to be commissioned to said distribution server and said agent server related thereto.
13. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through an agent to a receiver, comprising:
a client f or providing at least a requirement for receiving the delivery goods by the receiver;
a distribution server providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent; and
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another.
14. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through a agent to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least a requirement for receiving the delivery goods by the receiver;
a distribution server providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent; and
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another, wherein a conveyable memory medium is used for communicating between said client and said agent server, on which
an information relating to the delivery and the receipt on the delivery goods is outputted.
15. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through an agent to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least an order for receiving the delivery goods by the receiver;
a distribution server providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent; and
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another, wherein said distribution server sends back an identification information corresponding to the order from said
client to said client for certifying that an addressee of the delivery goods is to be said client when it is sent thereto, and outputs said identification number into a memory medium, which is attached onto said delivery goods.
16. A delivery managing system for managing delivery of a delivery goods from a distribution center through a agent to a receiver, comprising:
a client for providing at least an order for receiving the delivery goods by the receiver;
a distribution server providing at least a delivery schedule information and for managing delivery of the delivery goods;
an agent server for managing commission on the delivery goods by the agent; and
a data transmission network, through which said client, said agent server and said distribution server are connected to one another, wherein said distribution server sends back an identification information corresponding to the order from said
client to said client as well as to said agent server depending on the order from said client or a shape of the delivery goods, and said agent server checks said identification information read from said client into a memory medium with the
identification information from said distribution server when the goods is delivered. |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for supporting delivery of purchased goods or commodities from a distribution center to a purchaser when purchased through an on-line shopping service and/or a mail order system, or the like.
2. Description of Prior Art
With the widespread use an on-line shopping service through the Internet etc., demand for delivery services is expected to increase more than ever before. On the other hand, because of increase in the average age of marriage, as well as in the
number of families in which both parents work at jobs, the possibility that the purchaser is absent from home when the delivery service visits at her/his house is increased. This causes a problem that the distributor must deliver it again, thereby
increasing the cost of delivery service. Also, it causes another problem for the purchaser that she/he cannot easily or quickly receive the commodities or goods that she/he bought. Therefore, for both the distributor and the purchasers, it is very
important object to realize and to establish a smooth delivery system of the purchased commodities or goods, at the present as well as in the future.
For resolving such problems, there was already known a technology with which the delivery of the commodities or goods can be done even in an instance of absence of family members at home. For example, in accordance with a conventional
technology, a delivery box is provided for each family at the entrance of the house thereof, and only the distributor is informed of an identification number or code of the delivery box thereby prohibiting or protecting the box from being opened by the
persons other than the distributor so as to maintain the security thereof (Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Hei 02-1051572). Or, there was also known a technique in which, in a common place of a condominium is provided a delivery locker for common use,
in which a plurality boxes are provided, thereby enabling the delivery of commodities or goods to be delivered for each room of the condominium (Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Hei 06-270992). However, hereinafter, a block for storing or receiving a
single commodities or goods therein is called "a box", and a structure having one or more of such boxes is called "a delivery locker" as a whole.
As an another means for dissolving the problem mentioned above, there was also known a method, in which the distributor automatically registers data about date and time when the resident of address to be delivered wishes to receive the goods into
a data base thereof through push buttons when receiving an information through a telephone from the resident on the desired date and time for delivery service. And, using this data, the chance of delivering to the residence in absence can be reduced
(Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Hei 05-165847). In accordance with this method, it is further described that the tendency of the resident(s) to stay at home on day and time can be detected by storing the data about date and time when the resident(s) of
that address wishes to receive, therefore, even if there is no information from the receiver or addressee in a certain case of delivery of the goods, the chances of delivering at the residence in absence can be reduced by using that tendency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As is apparent from the above, it is possible to achieve home delivery service of commodities or goods even in absence of the purchaser by using the delivery box of the conventional technology. However, it is still difficult to provide such a
delivery box in front of every house and such the common delivery locker in the common place for every condominium, from a view point of spaces.
Further, if being provided such the common delivery locker in the common place of the condominium, there is still a problem in the conventional
technology mentioned above, i.e., of forgetting to receive the delivered commodities. For the distributor side, since it is impossible to check whether the delivered commodities which is received in the delivery box is taken out therefrom or
not, it is also impossible to make a confirmation of receipt by the resident of the addressee. In other words, it is still impossible to follow up the receipt by the resident of the address of the delivery goods.
Further, in the method for reducing the chance of delivery to the absent residence by using the information of desired date and time for the delivery service in accordance with the conventional art, it is necessary for the resident of the address
to know that there is commodities or goods to be delivered to her/him. For this reason, the distributor must previously notify the resident of the address that there are commodities or goods to be delivered to her/him, by using such as a telephone call
or a card for absentee. This also comes to be a considerable burden for the distributor. Further, the tendency detected from the stored data of the desired date and time for delivery can only indicate that the resident stays at home accidentally on a
certain date and time of a day of a week, only up to that time. Therefore, even in the case that it is delivered on the detected date and time of high possibility for the resident to stay at home, the possibility of absence is still high, and there is
still remained a lot of possibility that the purchased commodities could be delivered earlier than that detected date and time.
Thereby, an object of the present invention is, for overcoming the problems in the prior art mentioned above, to provide a smooth delivery system from the distributor to the purchaser of the commodities or goods which is purchased through the
on-line shopping service and so on.
For accomplishing the object mentioned above, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided means for determining scheduled date and time for delivery of the purchased commodities or goods, from a schedule information of a delivery
information of each area of the distributor and a schedule information of the purchaser.
Further, there is provided means for determining that the delivery of the commodities or goods is to be conducted through an agent, on a basis of an information of a standard for using an agency, in relation with the commodities or goods to be
delivered.
Further, in case that the commodities or goods is decided to be delivered from the distributor to the purchaser through an agency, there is provided means for detecting the commodities or goods that has been kept in the agent in long time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a functional construction diagram of a delivery managing system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a hardware construction of each server of the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 3 shows an example of a delivery information used in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 4 shows an example of a delivery goods information used in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 5 shows a detailed processing flow of a step of noticing of a list of available date for delivery in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 6 shows an example of a schedule information used in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 7 shows an example of a purchased goods information used in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 8 shows a detailed processing flow of a step of registering a scheduled date for delivery in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 9 shows an example of a commissioned goods information used in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 10 shows a detailed processing flow of a step of an arrival of an agent server in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 11 shows detailed processing flow of a step of a departure of the agent server in the above delivery managing system;
FIG. 12 shows a functional construction diagram of a delivery managing system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 shows a hardware construction of an agent server of the delivery managing system shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 shows an example of the delivery goods information used in the second embodiment mentioned above;
FIG. 15 shows an example of a locker information used in the second embodiment mentioned above;
FIG. 16 shows a detailed processing flow of a step the arrival of the agent server;
FIG. 17 shows an example of an information list of distributors in the delivery managing system of the second embodiment;
FIG. 18 shows a detailed processing flow of a step of the departure of the agent server of the delivery managing system of the second embodiment; and
FIG. 19 shows a functional construction diagram of a delivery managing system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be fully explained by referring to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a functional construction diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, there are provided a client and two (2) kinds of servers, including a distribution server and an agent server, and the
client and the each server of those two servers is connected with an information transmission network, such as a telephone cable. However, those two (2) kinds of servers are respectively located in a plurality number thereof. In FIG. 1, a reference
numeral 111 indicates an assembly of functions on the distribution server, 112 an assembly of functions on the client, and 113 an assembly of functions on the agent server. Reference numerals (1) through (4) attached to arrows in FIG. 1 indicate rough
sequential order of procedures. In the embodiment of the present invention, the delivery of commodities or goods from a distributor to a receiver or an addressee is carried out after establishing a contract between the seller and the purchaser, in case
of an online shopping. However, taking a case of gifts into consideration, the receiver or addressee who is primarily to be a client is not necessarily to be the purchaser.
The commodities or goods on which the contract was made, in the embodiment, is called by three kinds of names, for example, "a delivery goods", "a commissioned goods", and "a purchased goods". This is because of differences from various view
points, such as from a view point of the distributor, a view point of the agent, and a view point of the purchaser. However, when calling by names of "delivery goods information" r "commissioned goods information" and "purchased goods information", they
differ from one another in the contents of the information to be used for management in respective standing points, therefore they mean differently. Such a "Contract code", which is a basic information for the delivery goods information 122 and the
purchased goods information 124, and a "name of goods" is an information which was produced when the contract was made, therefore they are treated as if they have been already existing in the present embodiment. However, if the purchaser differs from
the receiver, there is no purchased goods information for the client as the receiver or addressee. In the delivery goods information 122, purchased goods information 124 and the commissioned goods information 125, the same "contract code" means that the
same goods is treated. In the present embodiment, the "contract code" is expressed by four (4) digits of numeral number. However, in the sense of practical matter, since each "contract code" must be unique from a whole of the contracts, it may be in a
form which includes a name of the seller and so on therein.
FIG. 2 shows a hardware construction of each server. As an input apparatus, there are included a bar-code reader, an IC-card reader and so on other than a keyboard and a mouse. As an output apparatus, there are included a bar-code writer, an
IC-card writer and so on other than a display and a printer.
Hereinafter, detail of the first embodiment will be explained with FIG. 1.
A step 101 is a step for notifying the personal information server of a list of a schedule for delivery by using the delivery information 121 and delivery goods information 122.
An example of the delivery information 121 is shown in FIG. 3 and an example of the delivery goods information 122 in FIG. 4. In case that a column 411 of the delivery schedule is blanked, it means that there is not yet determined the delivery
schedule and the agent. If it is filled with numerals, it means scheduled date and time, and if it is filled with letters, it means the agent to be used. In case that the column 412 of delivery condition is blanked, it means that the delivery goods is
located in the distribution center. If it is filled with numerals, it means the date and time of completion of the delivery, and if it is filled with letters, it means that it is located in the agent. In a column 413 of delivery goods arrival date,
there is contained a scheduled date of arrival to the distribution center which is transmitted through the communication network, or a date when the goods is actually carried into the distribution center. Compilation of the delivery information is
necessary as a function on the distribution server. However, in the present embodiment, the delivery information is treated as if it has been already existing, therefore no explanation will be given on the compilation function of the delivery
information. The "contract code", "delivery address", "delivery goods" and "electronic address for delivery" of the delivery goods information are information which were produced when the seller and the purchaser made the contract, and they are noticed
or inputted from the seller.
The detailed flow of the step 101 will be shown in FIG. 5.
In a step 501, the delivery goods information is obtained, in which a column of scheduled date for delivery is blanked. For example, such a delivery goods information 401 as shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.
In a step 502, a list of the scheduled date and time for delivery to the delivery address is obtained from the delivery addresses of the delivery goods information obtained and the delivery information 121. For example, the delivery address of
the delivery goods information 401 is "Utsukushigaoka" in FIG. 4, then the data 301 and 302 are obtained that indicate date and time of starting and completing of delivery service in the area "Utsukushigaoka" as shown in FIG. 3.
In a step 503, the scheduled delivery date and time obtained in the step 502 and the contract code of the delivery goods are noticed to the electronic address for the delivery in the delivery goods information 122. For example, in the case of
the delivery goods corresponding to the information 401 in FIG. 4, the contract code "1001" and the date and time of starting/completing of delivery 301 and 302 in FIG. 3 are noticed to the electronic address "tsukuda@aaa.bbb". In case that the
purchaser is different from the receiver, not only the information of the contract code but also an information about the delivery goods is transmitted thereto.
A step 102 is a step in which the schedule of date and time for delivery is determined from the list of the scheduled date and time for delivery which is received from the distribution server, the schedule information 123 and the purchased goods
information 124, and the determined schedule of date and time for delivery is notified to the distribution server functioning as a source of notifying thereof.
An example of the schedule information 123 and that of the purchased goods information 124 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. A storage 703 in FIG. 7 indicates a place where the purchased goods is kept in it. In the present embodiment,
the schedule information 123 is treated as if it has been already existing. Although the compiling function of the schedule information is necessary as an function on the client, it is out of the scope of the present invention. The "contract code" and
the "purchased goods" of the purchased goods information are information which were produced when the seller and the purchaser made the contract, and "a standard for using an agency" and "an agent to be used" are the information which were set after the
purchaser bought and made the contract.
The detailed flow of the step 102 mentioned above will be shown in FIG. 8.
A step 801 is a step of obtaining the earliest one of the scheduled date and time for delivery from a list of the scheduled date and time for delivery and the schedule information. For example, since delivery service with the starting/completing
date and time for delivery 301 shown in FIG. 3 is impossible judging from the schedule information 601 shown in FIG. 6, and since there is no schedule during the period of 302, then the latter, i.e., the date and time of 302 in FIG. 3 is determined to be
the scheduled date and time for delivery (here, it is assumed that there is not yet existing the schedule information 602 in this time point) Actually, for determining as the scheduled time for delivery, it must be confirmed that the starting time of the
scheduled delivery is later than the time of the completion time of the schedule just before as well as taking the time for moving into the consideration. Further, there is necessity of confirming the relationship to the schedule of just after it, in
the same manner. If there is no schedule information, then it is treated as if there is not any schedule therein.
In a step 802, there is determined whether the goods should be delivered to the agent or to the delivery address. If the time interval between the day when it reaches at the distribution center and the available earliest scheduled date is
greater than the days defined in the standard for using agency 701 shown in FIG. 7, it is decided to use the agent, and then a step 803 is executed. If it is not so, then a step 804 is executed. For example, in the case of the delivery goods
information 401 shown in FIG. 4, since the standard for using an agency of the purchased goods information 705 of the contract code "1001" in FIG. 7 is "5 days", and since the interval between the date of arriving at distribution center 402 "960922(15)"
and the earliest scheduled date for delivery "960925(15)" does not exceed that 5 days, it is decided to be delivered to the delivery address. In case that "no use" is described in the column of the standard for using agency 701 in FIG. 7, the number of
the days of the standard is considered limitless. As other standards for using agency other than that, there are cases of "impossible to deliver until .largecircle.th month, .times.th day", "impossible to deliver after .DELTA. days have been passed
from the date of purchasing contract", "absent when delivered once", and so on. Further, with the delivered goods on which the standard for using agency is not described, it can be considered that a default standard is used for it. With this, even when
the purchaser of the goods is different from the receiver (a client), it is possible to use the agency.
In a step 803, the agent to be used is notified to the distribution server as the source of the list of the scheduled date and time for delivery. For example, in case of the goods of the contract code "1001" in FIG. 7, "agent X" in the column
701 is notified to the distribution server from the purchased goods information 705.
In an arbitrary agent, the commission is not necessarily available for all of goods. For example, it cannot deal with if the goods is larger than a certain size(s), or if there is no room for storing the goods to be commissioned. For that
reason, a plurality of agents may be notified to the distribution server.
In a step 804, as well as the earliest one of the scheduled date and time for delivery is notified to the distribution server as the noticing source of the list of the scheduled date and time for delivery, the scheduled date and time for delivery
is registered into the schedule information 123 and the purchased goods information 124. For example, as an schedule information relating to the contract code "1001", "starting date and time: 960925(16), completing date and time: 960925(18), place:
home, contents: receiving of delivery goods" (602 in FIG. 6) is registered into the schedule inform ation 123, and "960925(16)" is registered into 704, as shown in FIG. 7.
In a step 805, the distribution server as the noticing source of the list of the scheduled date and time for delivery is registered into a storage 703 shown in FIG. 7 of the purchased goods information 124 as the storage at the present.
A step 103 shown in FIG. 1 is a step in which the scheduled date and time for delivery from the client, or the agent to be used is registered into the delivery goods information 122. For example, the scheduled date "960925(6)" 704 in FIG. 7,
which is notified in relation with the contract code "1001" is registered into a column 403 in FIG. 4. At this time, also an information of the delivery goods is notified to the agent to be used, as the case may be. When receiving a response that the
agent cannot deal with, then the notice is made to another agent. If all the agents is unavailable, it is notified to the client. Further, if a plurality of agents were notified, only the agent which is decided to be used is notified to the client.
In case that the delivery of delivery goods is conducted by the agent, the delivery goods itself is transferred from the distribution center to the agent. In this time, an information relating to the delivery goods is inputted on a paper or into
a IC-card as a conveyable memory medium which can be attached therewith, by using the input apparatus including the bar-code reader, the IC-cord reader and so on. If the information of the delivery goods was already noticed to the agent server through
the communication network, a confirmation of the purchased goods will be done by comparing the purchased goods information through the network and that inputted through the input apparatus.
In a step 104 in FIG. 1, the information of the delivery goods to be transferred to the agent is outputted as a line of letters or in a form of the bar-code on the paper, or outputted into the IC-card as the conveyable medium. The information to
be outputted includes the electronic address of the distributor.
In the step 105 in FIG. 1, in order to receive the purchased goods which is completed to be delivered to the agent, the information of the purchased goods is also outputted as a line of letters or in a form of the barcode on the paper, or
outputted into the IC-card as the conveyable medium.
A step 106 in FIG. 1 is a step, in which the purchased goods information inputted from the input apparatus is registered into the agent information 125 shown in FIG. 9, and a notification of arrival of the goods into the store is given to the
distribution server and the client relating to it. For inputting, the bar-code or the card which are produced in the step 104 can be used. In this time, the delivery of the goods from the distributor to the agent is done.
The detailed processing flow of the step 106 will be given with reference to FIG. 10.
In a step 1001 in FIG. 10, the information inputted from the input apparatus is registered into the commissioned goods information 125. For example, in case that the information inputted from the input apparatus is "contract code: 2529,
purchased goods: book, electronic address of distributor: info@a-butu.co, electronic address of purchaser: tsukuda@aaa.bbb" as shown in FIG. 9, the day when those information are inputted is treated as the day of arrival so as to set the commissioned
goods information 901.
In a step 1002, the arrival of the delivery goods into the agent is notified to the distribution server. For example, in the case of the commissioned goods information 901 shown in FIG. 9, the identification number "2529" and a flag of the
arrival are notified to the address "info@a-butu.co" of the distributor.
In a step 1003, the fact that the delivery goods has arrived to the agent is notified to the client, in the same manner as in the step 1002 mentioned in the above.
A step 107 in FIG. 1 is a step, in which the date of departure of the goods is registered into the commissioned goods information 125 by using the contract code of the commissioned goods, which is inputted from the input apparatus, and the
departure of the goods is notified to the distribution server and the client relating thereto. For inputting, the bar-code or the IC-card as the conveyable medium which are produced in the step 105 can be used. In this time, the delivery from the agent
to the purchaser is done.
The detailed processing flow of the step 107 will be given with reference to FIG. 11.
A step 1101 is a step, in which it is decided or checked whether there is any agent coincident with that being identified in the contract code which is inputted from the input apparatus.
A step 1102 is a | | |
