Logistics system, information processing device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a logistics system, an information processing device, and a method capable of managing the last moment a person touches an item before receiving it, or the time elapsed from the last moment. The logistics system (1) of the present invention comprises a first logistics mechanism (10), wherein the first logistics mechanism (10) includes a first conveyor (11) for conveying the item to a destination. In addition, the logistics system (1) comprises a management unit that manages a first moment, or the time elapsed from the first moment, i.e., a first elapsed time, which is a moment earlier than the time of receiving the item conveyed by the first conveyor (11) and is the last moment a person touches the item.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a logistics system, an information processing device and a method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a system for delivering articles by a robot, which system includes a database for managing article inventory (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Background Art Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-151923 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the system of Patent Document 1, viruses or bacteria carried by workers may attach to items after they are handed to the robot. The infectiousness of viruses or bacteria attached to items decreases over time. Therefore, to prevent these viruses or bacteria from infecting the recipient of the items, it is necessary to manage the last time a person, including a worker, touched the items before they were received, or the time elapsed from that last time. However, the system of Patent Document 1 only manages inventory, not the last time a person touched an item or the time elapsed from that last time.

[0008] The present invention is completed in view of this point, and its purpose is to provide a logistics system, information processing device and method that can manage the last moment when a person touches an item before collecting the item, or the time elapsed from the last moment.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a logistics management system comprising:

[0011] A first logistics mechanism including a transporter for transporting items to a destination of the items; and

[0012] The management unit manages the first moment, or the first elapsed time calculated from the first moment, wherein the first moment is earlier than the time of receiving the article transported by the transporter and is the last time a person touches the article.

[0013] [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the logistics system, information processing device, and method of the present invention, it is possible to manage the last moment when a person touches an item before receiving the item, or the elapsed time from the last moment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a distribution system according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an external configuration diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the second transporter of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device included in the second transporter.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of the collection process performed by the second transporter.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the storage transport process executed by the second transport machine.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an external appearance diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a storage room.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the storage warehouse storage process executed by the second transporter.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of a terminal device.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of the take-out process executed by the second transporter of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a flowchart showing an example of the delivery process executed by the second transporter.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing device.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a flowchart showing an example of the front-end control process executed by the information processing device.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions of the information processing device of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an example of a step table stored in the information processing device.

[0029] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing an example of the second time table stored in the information processing device.

[0030] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an example of a storage table stored in the information processing device.

[0031] Figure 17 This is a flowchart showing an example of the second time setting process executed by the information processing device.

[0032] Figure 18 This is a flowchart showing an example of the second time updating process executed by the information processing device.

[0033] Figure 19 This is a flowchart showing an example of the subsequent control process executed by the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 20 This is a diagram showing an example of an item table stored in the information processing device.

[0035] Figure 21 This is a flowchart showing an example of the first time setting process executed by the information processing device.

[0036] Figure 22 This is a flowchart showing an example of the first time updating process executed by the information processing device.

[0037] Figure 23 This is a flowchart showing an example of notification processing executed by the information processing device.

[0038] Figure 24 This is a flowchart showing an example of the second elapsed time setting process executed by the information processing device.

[0039] Figure 25 This is a flowchart showing an example of the second elapsed time reset process executed by the information processing device.

[0040] Figure 26 This is an external configuration diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a first transporter according to Modification 16 of Embodiment 1.

[0041] Figure 27 This is a flowchart showing an example of the subsequent control process executed by the information processing apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0042] Figure 28 This is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions of the information processing device of the second embodiment.

[0043] Figure 29 This is a flowchart showing an example of the timing determination process executed by the information processing apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0044] Figure 30 This is a flowchart showing an example of the take-out process executed by the second transporter of the second embodiment.

[0045] Figure 31 This is a diagram showing an example of an article number table stored in the information processing device.

[0046] Figure 32 This is a diagram showing an example of a category table stored in the information processing device.

[0047] Figure 33 This is a flowchart showing an example of the timing determination process executed by the information processing device according to the third modification of the second embodiment.

[0048] Figure 34 This is a diagram showing an example of an environment table stored in the information processing device.

[0049] Figure 35 This is a flowchart showing an example of the timing determination process executed by the information processing device according to the sixth modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] <Example 1>

[0051] Hereinafter, Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] The logistics system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention transports sold articles to a destination designated by a purchaser. Therefore, the logistics system 1 is also referred to as a transport system.

[0053] The logistics system 1 comprises: a first logistics mechanism 10 having a function of transporting the sold articles; Figure 1 The first transporter 11 shown, along with a locker device 12 located at the destination and storing the transported items, and a terminal device 19, are carried by the purchaser. In this embodiment, for simplicity of description, the purchaser and the recipient are described as being the same person. However, this is not limiting and the purchaser and the recipient may be different persons.

[0054] The logistics system 1 also includes a second logistics mechanism 20, which includes a second transporter 21 for collecting items from, for example, a transporter that transports items from a factory and transports the collected items, and a storage 22 for storing the items transported by the second transporter 21. After the items are sold, the second transporter 21 of the second logistics mechanism 20 transports the sold items from the storage 22 to the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10, and then delivers the transported items to the first transporter 11.

[0055] Furthermore, the logistics system 1 includes an information processing device 100 that controls the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10 and the second transporter 21 of the second logistics mechanism 20 so that they deliver the sold items from the storage 22 to the destination. With this configuration, the logistics system 1 executes the following nine steps related to the delivery of sold items.

[0056] The first step is the collection step in which the second transporter 21 collects items from the transporter. The second step is the step in which the second transporter 21 transports the collected items to the storage 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "transportation step to the storage"), and the third step is the step in which the second transporter 21 stores the transported items in the storage 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "storage step"). Steps 1 through 3 are performed on items before they are sold and are therefore referred to as the "pre-stage steps."

[0057] The fourth step is the retrieval step in which the second conveyor 21 retrieves the sold items from the storage 22. The fifth step is the step in which the second conveyor 21 transports the retrieved items to the first conveyor 11 (hereinafter referred to as the transport step for transporting the items to the first conveyor). The sixth step is the delivery step in which the second conveyor 21 delivers the transported items to the first conveyor 11. The seventh step is the step in which the first conveyor 11 transports the delivered items to the locker device 12 located at the destination of the items (hereinafter referred to as the transport step for transporting the items to the locker device). The eighth step is the step in which the first conveyor 11 stores the transported items in the locker device 12 (hereinafter referred to as the storage step for storing the items in the locker device). The ninth step is the step in which information processing device 100 sends a notification to the recipient's terminal device 19, notifying the recipient that the item has been delivered to the locker device 12 at the destination (hereinafter referred to as the notification step). Steps 4 through 9 are performed for items that have already been sold and are executed after the first step, so they are referred to as the second step.

[0058] The information processing device 100 manages the last time a person touched the item. This time is a time before the recipient's pickup time (hereinafter referred to as the first time). The information processing device 100 manages the first time because the infectiousness of viruses and bacteria excreted by humans and attached to items decreases over time. Therefore, based on the first time, the recommended pickup start time for the item is notified.

[0059] In this embodiment, time is described using day, hour, and minute, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Time can also be expressed by day, hour, minute, and second, or by both day and hour, or by only day. Furthermore, time can also be expressed by both hour, minute, and second, or by both hour and minute, or by only hour.

[0060] In this embodiment, "a person touching an object" refers to a person physically touching an object. This includes not only the physical contact of the person's body but also physical contact of clothing worn by the person, such as gloves or work clothes.

[0061] The information processing device 100 also manages the last time a person came into contact with the item being transported or stored by the second logistics mechanism 20. This time is a time prior to the time the item was delivered from the second logistics mechanism 20 to the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10 (hereinafter referred to as the second time). The information processing device 100 manages the second time so that the initial first time can be set based on the second time.

[0062] The second transporter 21 that performs the first step is as follows Figure 2 The unmanned ground vehicle shown is located in a warehouse of a dealership where entry is prohibited. Therefore, no one is on board the second transporter 21.

[0063] The second transporter 21 includes a chassis 213 having a plurality of wheels including wheels 211 and 212 , a storage 214 provided on an upper surface of the chassis 213 , and a control device 219 built into the storage 214 .

[0064] The storage room 214 of the second transporter 21 is equipped with a storage box 215. The storage box 215 comprises a housing having a bottom plate, a top plate, and a back plate (not shown), as well as two side plates, forming a space enclosed by these plates but open at the front. A door frame 215b is provided at the opening of the housing, enclosing a door 215a. The door 215a has a deadbolt 215c serving as a latch, and the door frame 215b has a latch pin 215d serving as a support for the deadbolt 215c.

[0065] The door 215a of the storage 214 included in the second transporter 21 is further equipped with a motor (not shown). This motor locks the door 215a by inserting a dead bolt 215c into a latch 215d in response to a signal output from the control device 219. The motor unlocks the door 215a by removing the dead bolt 215c from the latch 215d in response to a signal output from the control device 219.

[0066] The second transporter 21 further includes a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor 216 provided on the front surface of the chassis 213 , and a LiDAR sensor (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the chassis 213 .

[0067] The front LiDAR sensor 216 of the second transporter 21, using the front direction of the second transporter 21 as a reference orientation, irradiates laser light in multiple directions with azimuth angles ranging from -90 to +90 degrees relative to the reference orientation and elevation angles ranging from -90 to +90 degrees relative to the front direction of the second transporter 21. The front LiDAR sensor 216 receives reflected light from the irradiated laser and measures the distances to multiple reflection points of the reflected laser light based on the time from irradiation to reception of the reflected light. Based on the irradiation direction of the laser light and the measured distances, the front LiDAR sensor 216 calculates the coordinates of the second transporter 21 in a three-dimensional coordinate system with the center point of the second transporter 21 as the origin for each of the multiple reflection points. The front LiDAR sensor 216 then outputs the calculated coordinates of the multiple reflection points to the control device 219.

[0068] The rear LiDAR sensor on the second transporter 21 uses the rear direction of the second transporter 21 as a reference orientation and radiates infrared laser light in multiple directions with azimuth angles within the range of -90 to +90 degrees relative to the reference orientation and elevation angles within the range of -90 to +90 degrees relative to the rear direction of the second transporter 21. Furthermore, the rear LiDAR sensor calculates the coordinates of the second transporter 21 in the three-dimensional coordinate system for multiple reflection points of the radiated laser light and outputs the calculated coordinates of the multiple reflection points to the control device 219.

[0069] The front LiDAR sensor 216 and the rear LiDAR sensor of the second conveyor 21 output the coordinate values ​​of multiple reflection points to the control device 219 in order to specify the coordinate values ​​and dimensions of objects in all directions using the second conveyor 21 as a reference in three-dimensional space, so that the control device 219 can travel while avoiding objects such as obstacles.

[0070] The second transporter 21 further includes an imaging device 217, which is installed in front of the storage 214. The optical axis and viewing angle of the imaging device 217 are adjusted so as to be able to capture images of the area in front of the second transporter 21. The imaging device 217 is a digital non-stereo camera that captures images of the area in front of the second transporter 21 at a predetermined interval, for example, once per second, and outputs an image signal representing the captured image to the control device 219.

[0071] The second transporter 21 further includes a robot arm 218 mounted on the upper surface of the storage 214. The robot arm 218 is a vertical multi-jointed robot comprising a drive circuit that drives a motor (not shown) in accordance with a control signal output from a control device 219, and a two-claw gripper 218a that is opened and closed in parallel by the motor.

[0072] The robot arm 218 of the second transporter 21 comprises an imaging device 218b mounted on a gripper 218a, with the optical axis and viewing angle adjusted to include the gripper 218a's claw tip within the imaging range; multiple joints movable by motors (not shown); and multiple arms 218c movable around the joints. The gripper 218a is not limited to a two-claw type and may have three or more claws, or multiple fingers in place of two claws.

[0073] The imaging device 218b included in the robot arm 218 of the second transporter 21 is a digital stereo camera that captures images based on signals from the control device 219 and outputs signals representing two images having parallax between them to the control device 219. These signals are output to the control device 219 so that the control device 219 can specify the position coordinates and dimensions of the object being grasped by the gripper 218a in three-dimensional space based on the parallax between the two images.

[0074] The control device 219 of the second transporter 21 has the following Figure 3 The hardware of the control device 219 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 219a, RAM (Random Access Memory) 219b, ROM (Read Only Memory) 219c, flash memory 219d, a data communication circuit 219e, a video card 219f, a display device 219g, an input device 219h, a position measurement circuit 219i, input / output terminals 219j, and a drive circuit 219k. In this embodiment, the second transporter 21 has a single CPU 219a, but may also have multiple CPUs. Furthermore, the second transporter 21 may also have multiple RAMs and flash memories.

[0075] The CPU 219a of the second transport machine 21 executes a program stored in the ROM 219c or the flash memory 219d to control the entire second transport machine 21. The RAM 219b temporarily stores data to be processed when the CPU 219a executes the program.

[0076] Various programs are stored in the ROM 219c and flash memory 219d of the second transporter 21. The flash memory 219d also stores various data used for program execution and a table storing the data. The second transporter 21 may also include a hard disk instead of the flash memory 219d.

[0077] The data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), and performs data communications using an access point (not shown) connected to the local area network LN and radio waves, in accordance with communication standards such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol). In this manner, the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 performs data communications with the storage unit 22 and the information processing device 100 connected to the local area network LN.

[0078] The video card 219f of the second transporter 21 renders an image based on the digital signal output from the CPU 219a and outputs an image signal representing the rendered image. The display device 219g is an EL (electroluminescence) display that displays images according to the image signal output from the video card 219f. The second transporter 21 may also include a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) in place of the EL display. The input device 219h is one or more of a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and buttons, and outputs signals according to operations performed by the transporter's staff.

[0079] The position measurement circuit 219i of the second transporter 21 is a QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) circuit. The position measurement circuit 219i receives signals transmitted from a Quasi-Zenith Satellite (QZSS) satellite, measures the latitude, longitude, and altitude indicating the position of the second transporter 21 based on the received signals, and outputs a signal indicating the measured latitude, longitude, and altitude. Alternatively, the position measurement circuit 219i may be a GPS (Global Positioning System) circuit, which receives GPS signals transmitted from GPS satellites and measures the latitude, longitude, and altitude indicating the position of the second transporter 21 based on the received GPS signals.

[0080] The input / output terminal 219j of the second transporter 21 is connected to cables (not shown) connected to the front LiDAR sensor 216 and the rear LiDAR sensor, respectively. The input / output terminal 219j inputs signals indicating coordinate values ​​outputted by the front LiDAR sensor 216 and the rear LiDAR sensor, respectively, to the CPU 219a.

[0081] The input / output terminal 219j of the second transporter 21 is connected to the imaging device 217 provided in front of the storage 214 and the imaging device 218b of the robot 218 via cables (not shown), and inputs image signals output by the imaging devices 217 and 218b to the CPU 219a.

[0082] Furthermore, the input / output terminal 219 j of the second transporter 21 is connected to the robot arm 218 via a cable (not shown), and the control signal outputted by the CPU 219 a is inputted to the robot arm 218 .

[0083] The drive circuit 219k is connected to cables (not shown) connected to motors (not shown) that rotate the plurality of wheels. The drive circuit 219k drives the motors according to control signals output by the CPU 219a to rotate the plurality of wheels.

[0084] The drive circuit 219k is connected to a cable connected to a motor (not shown) that removes or inserts the dead bolt 215c included in the door 215a from or into the latch 215d, and drives the motor according to a signal output from the CPU 219a.

[0085] After arriving at the distributor's warehouse, the forwarder's staff operates a terminal device (not shown). In response to this operation, the terminal device transmits a notification to the information processing device 100 stating that the forwarder has arrived at the sales office. Upon receiving this notification, the information processing device 100 transmits an execution command to the second transporter 21, instructing it to execute the procedure for collecting items from the forwarder.

[0086] After the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 receives the execution command, the CPU 219a executes the following steps to carry out the collection sequence according to the execution command: Figure 4 The collection process shown.

[0087] After the pickup process starts, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 obtains information indicating the location of the scheduled pickup location in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude from the flash memory 219d (step S01). In this embodiment, the pickup location is the warehouse entrance, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0088] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 identifies the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the second transporter 21 based on the signal output from the position measurement circuit 219i. The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then reads a partial path table (not shown) from, for example, the flash memory 219d, and reads multiple records from the read partial path table. This partial path table pre-stores information related to partial paths, such as passages within the warehouse, along which the second transporter 21 can move. Each record in the partial path table pre-stores the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the starting node of the partial path, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the ending node of the partial path, and the length of an edge of the partial path.

[0089] The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 uses the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the second transporter 21, the lengths of the edges stored as partial paths in the multiple records read in, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the nodes, and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the pickup location to execute a path search algorithm, such as the Dykstra algorithm. The CPU 219a then calculates the shortest total path from the second transporter 21's location to the pickup location and determines the calculated total path as the movement path (step S02).

[0090] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 determines the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the second transporter 21 based on the signal output from the position measurement circuit 219i, in order to ensure smooth travel along the travel path. The CPU 219a then generates a control signal to minimize the difference between the determined latitude, longitude, and altitude and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the earliest-reached node among the multiple unreached nodes included in the travel path. The CPU 219a then outputs the generated control signal to the drive circuit 219k (step S03), which rotates the multiple wheels in accordance with the control signal.

[0091] Thereafter, if the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 determines that the pickup location has not been reached because the transporter has not reached all of the one or more nodes included in the movement path (step S04: No), the above process is repeated starting from step S03. Conversely, if the CPU 219a determines that the transporter has reached all of the one or more nodes included in the movement path and has reached the pickup location (step S04: Yes), the CPU 219a outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 219k to unlock the door 215a of the storage 214, thereby removing the dead bolt 215c from the latch 215d (step S05).

[0092] Afterwards, the transporter's staff member moves the item by hand to the front of the second transporter 21. The camera 217 of the second transporter 21 captures the item held by the staff member, and after the input / output terminal 219j inputs an image signal representing the image obtained by the capture, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 performs, for example, pattern matching. Thus, the CPU 219a detects an image area corresponding to the photographed item from the image represented by the image signal. In pattern matching, the CPU 219a uses information representing the pattern of the item pre-stored in the flash memory 219d. Next, the CPU 219a performs, for example, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on the detected image area, thereby obtaining the item ID (IDentification) printed on the item or the item's packaging (step S06).

[0093] In this embodiment, the item ID for identifying an item is a combination of the item number of the item and an individual identification number, such as a serial number, assigned to the item by the manufacturer or distributor of the item, but is not limited thereto.

[0094] Next, the transporter's staff manually places the items into the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 and then operates the input device 219h to lock the door 215a of the storage 214. After the input device 219h of the second transporter 21 outputs a signal corresponding to this operation, the CPU 219a outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 219k to lock the door 215a of the storage 214, thereby inserting the dead bolt 215c into the latch 215d (step S07).

[0095] The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then generates a completion report. This report includes the acquired item ID and the step ID that identifies the collection step in which the item identified by the item ID was collected, indicating that the collection step has been completed. The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then outputs the generated completion report to the data communication circuit 219e, using the information processing device 100 as the destination (step S08). After the data communication circuit 219e transmits the completion report to the information processing device 100, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 terminates the collection process.

[0096] Thus, in this embodiment, in order to perform the collection step, the transporter's staff must manually store the items on the second transporter 21, so human intervention is required in the collection step. In this specification, human intervention in the step means that a person is required to physically touch the items in order to perform the step.

[0097] Therefore, after the information processing device 100 receives and acquires the completion report notifying the completion of the collection step, it manages the time of acquisition of the completion report as the second time. Thereafter, the information processing device 100 transmits an execution command to the second transporter 21 to execute the transport step for transporting the collected items to the storage 22.

[0098] After the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 receives the execution command, the CPU 219a executes the following steps to carry out the transport procedure to the storage according to the execution command: Figure 5 The storage warehouse transportation process shown.

[0099] After the storage transport process is started, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 acquires information indicating the location of the storage 22 in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude from the flash memory 219d (step S11). Figure 4 The CPU 219a then performs the same processing as steps S02 to S04 (steps S12 to S14) to transport the item to the storage 22. The CPU 219a then outputs a completion report to the data communication circuit 219e, using the information processing device 100 as the destination. This completion report includes the step ID of the transport step to the storage, notifying the user that the step has been completed (step S15). After the data communication circuit 219e transmits the completion report to the information processing device 100, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 terminates the storage transport process.

[0100] Thus, in this embodiment, the second transporter 21, an unmanned ground vehicle, performs the entire transport sequence to the storage facility, so no human intervention occurs during this sequence. Therefore, even if the information processing device 100 receives a completion report indicating that the transport sequence to the storage facility has been completed, it does not update the second time point, but instead maintains it.

[0101] The storage room 22 is equipped with Figure 6 Shown are a plurality of storage boxes 225 and a control device 229 for controlling the locking and unlocking of each of the plurality of storage boxes 225.

[0102] Each of the multiple storage boxes 225 included in the storage vault 22 includes a housing and doors (not shown), as well as a door frame provided at the opening of the housing. Furthermore, each door includes a deadbolt (not shown) serving as a door latch, and each door frame includes a latch (not shown) serving as a support for the deadbolt. The structure and function of the housing, doors, door frames, deadbolts, and latches included in each of the multiple storage boxes 225 are identical to the structure and function of the housing, doors 215a, door frames 215b, deadbolts 215c, and latches 215d of the storage box 215 included in the second transporter 21.

[0103] The control device 229 of the storage unit 22 includes hardware (not shown), including a CPU, RAM, ROM, flash memory, a data communication circuit, a video card, a display device, an input device, input / output terminals, and a drive circuit. The configuration and functions of this hardware of the control device 229 of the storage unit 22 are similar to those of the control device 219 of the second transporter 21. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 includes a single CPU, but may also include multiple CPUs. Furthermore, the storage unit 22 may also include multiple RAMs and flash memories.

[0104] After receiving a completion report from the second transporter 21 that has transported the article to the storage 22, indicating that the transport sequence to the storage has been completed, the information processing device 100 transmits an execution command to the second transporter 21 to instruct it to execute the storage sequence to store the article in the storage.

[0105] After the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 receives the execution command, the CPU 219a executes the following steps to perform the storage procedure in the storage room according to the execution command: Figure 7 Vault storage processing shown.

[0106] After the depository storage process begins, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 generates a control signal, based on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the second transporter 21 and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the depository 22, to cause the imaging device 218b of the robot arm 218 to change the optical axis so that it can capture an image of one of the multiple storage boxes 225 in the depository 22. The CPU 219a then outputs the generated control signal and the control signal instructing the imaging device 218b via the input / output terminal 219j.

[0107] Next, CPU 219a acquires two images based on the signal output from camera 218b and performs, for example, OCR processing on one of the two acquired images. Thus, CPU 219a acquires the box ID, which is the number displayed on the door of the imaged box 225 and is used to identify the box 225 (step S21).

[0108] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 calculates coordinate values ​​representing the position and shape of the photographed door based on the parallax between the two acquired images. In this embodiment, the coordinate values ​​calculated by the CPU 219a are coordinate values ​​of a three-dimensional coordinate system using the center point of the second transporter 21 as the origin, but this is not limiting.

[0109] Then, based on the calculated coordinate values, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to cause the robot arm 218 to open the imaged door. The robot arm 218 opens the door of the storage room 22 in accordance with the control signal.

[0110] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal for unlocking the door 215a of the storage 214 included in the second transporter 21 to the drive circuit 219k (step S22).

[0111] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 retrieves the coordinate values ​​indicating the position and shape of the door 215a of the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 from the flash memory 219d. Based on the retrieved coordinate values, the CPU 219a then outputs a control signal to the robot 218, causing the robot 218 to open the door 215a. The robot 218 opens the door 215a of the second transporter 21 in accordance with the control signal.

[0112] Next, based on the coordinate values ​​acquired from the flash memory 219d, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 generates a control signal to change the optical axis of the imaging device 218b of the robot 218 so that it can capture images of the opening and interior of the storage 214 of the second transporter 21. The CPU 219a then outputs the generated control signal and a control signal instructing the robot 218 to capture images. The CPU 219a then captures two images based on the signal output from the imaging device 218b and calculates coordinate values ​​representing the position and shape of the items stored in the storage 214 based on the parallax between the two acquired images. Based on the calculated coordinate values, the CPU 219a then outputs a control signal to the robot 218 to grasp and remove the items stored in the storage 214 (step S23). In accordance with the control signal, the robot 218 grasps and removes the items stored in the storage 214.

[0113] Next, based on the coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the door of the storage vault 22 before it is opened, CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 generates a control signal to change the optical axis of the camera 218b of the robot 218 so that it can capture the opening and interior of the storage box 215 after the door is opened. CPU 219a then outputs the generated control signal and a control signal instructing the robot 218 to capture the image. Next, based on the parallax between the two images indicated by the signal output from camera 218b, CPU 219a calculates the coordinate values ​​indicating the position and shape of the box's opening, as well as the box's depth. Based on the calculated coordinate values ​​and depth, CPU 219a then outputs a control signal to the robot 218 to place the items removed from the second transporter 21 through the opening into the storage box 225 of the storage vault 22 (step S24). In accordance with this control signal, the robot 218 stores the items in the storage vault 22.

[0114] Thereafter, the CPU 219 a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to close the door 225 a of the second transporter 21 and the door of the storage room 22 opened by the robot arm 218 .

[0115] Afterwards, CPU 219a of second transporter 21 generates a completion report. This report includes the box ID identifying the box 225 of storage vault 22 where the items are stored, and the sequence ID of the storage sequence for storage in the storage vault, thereby notifying the user that the storage sequence for storage in the storage vault has been completed. CPU 219a of second transporter 21 then outputs the generated completion report to data communication circuit 219e, using information processing device 100 as the destination (step S25). After data communication circuit 219e transmits the completion report to information processing device 100, CPU 219a of second transporter 21 terminates the storage process in the storage vault.

[0116] Thus, in this embodiment, the second transporter 21 performs the entire storage sequence to the safe depository, so no human intervention occurs during this sequence. Therefore, even if the information processing device 100 receives a completion report informing it that the storage sequence to the safe depository has been completed, it does not update the second time. The information processing device 100 then sends a lock command to the safe depository 22. This lock command includes the box ID included in the completion report, instructing the safe depository 22 to lock the box 225 identified by the box ID.

[0117] When the data communication circuit (not shown) of the storage unit 22 receives the lock command, the CPU of the storage unit 22 obtains the box ID included in the lock command and outputs a control signal to the driver circuit for locking the box 225 identified by the obtained box ID. This locks the box 225.

[0118] The terminal device 19 carried by the purchaser is, for example, a smart phone, which has Figure 8 The terminal device 19 includes a CPU 191, RAM 192, ROM 193a, flash memory 193b, data communication circuit 194a, audio communication circuit 194b, video card 195a, display device 195b, input device 195c, position measurement circuit 196, speaker 199a, and microphone 199b. In this embodiment, the terminal device 19 includes a single CPU 191, but may also include multiple CPUs. Furthermore, the terminal device 19 may include multiple RAMs and flash memories.

[0119] The configuration and function of the CPU 191, RAM 192, ROM 193a, flash memory 193b, data communication circuit 194a, video card 195a, display device 195b, input device 195c and position measurement circuit 196 of the terminal device 19 are similar to those of the CPU 191, RAM 192, ROM 193a, flash memory 193b, data communication circuit 194a, video card 195a, display device 195b, input device 195c and position measurement circuit 196 of the terminal device 19. Figure 3 The control device 219 of the second transporter 21 shown has the same configuration and function as the CPU 219a, RAM 219b, ROM 219c, flash memory 219d, data communication circuit 219e, video card 219f, display device 219g, input device 219h, and position measurement circuit 219i.

[0120] The voice communication circuit 194b of the terminal device 19 performs voice communication using a base station and radio waves (not shown). The speaker 199a outputs voice according to the signal output by the CPU 191, and the microphone 199b outputs a signal representing the sound around the terminal device 19.

[0121] A purchaser operates input device 195c of terminal device 19 to purchase an item. After input device 195c of terminal device 19 outputs a signal corresponding to this operation, CPU 191, based on this signal, obtains the item number of the item requested and information indicating the delivery address specified by the purchaser. CPU 191 then generates a sales request containing the item number and delivery address, requesting the sale of the item assigned the item number and the delivery of the item to the delivery address. CPU 191 of terminal device 19 then outputs the generated sales request to data communication circuit 194a, specifying information processing device 100 as the delivery address.

[0122] After receiving a sales request from the data communication circuit 194a of the terminal device 19, the information processing device 100 selects one item assigned the item number included in the sales request from one or more items stored in the storage 22 and sells the selected item to the purchaser. Next, the information processing device 100 transmits an execution command to the second transporter 21. This execution command includes the box ID identifying the storage box 225 in the storage 22 where the sold item is stored, instructing the second transporter 21 to execute the retrieval sequence.

[0123] After the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 receives the execution command, the CPU 219a executes the following steps to perform the take-out sequence according to the execution command: Figure 9 The removal process is shown.

[0124] After the removal process starts, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 executes the same Figure 5 The same processing as steps S11 to S14 is performed (steps S31 to S34).

[0125] Thereafter, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs an arrival report to the data communication circuit 219e, notifying that the package has arrived at the storage 22, with the information processing device 100 as the destination (step S35).

[0126] After receiving the arrival report, the information processing device 100 transmits an unlock command to the storage vault 22. This unlock command includes the box ID of the storage vault 225 storing the sold items, thereby instructing the unlocking of the storage vault 225. After the data communication circuit (not shown) of the storage vault 22 receives the unlock command, the CPU of the storage vault 22 outputs a control signal to the driver circuit to unlock the storage vault 225 identified by the box ID included in the unlock command.

[0127] After outputting the arrival report in step S35, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 acquires the stocker ID from the execution command received by the data communication circuit 219e (step S36).

[0128] Next, CPU 219a of second transporter 21 generates a control signal to change the optical axis of imaging device 218b included in robot arm 218 so that it can capture an image of one of the multiple storage boxes 225 included in storage vault 22. CPU 219a then outputs the generated control signal and a control signal instructing imaging to imaging device 218b. CPU 219a then captures two images based on the signal output from imaging device 218b and, from one of the two captured images, obtains the storage box ID displayed on the door of the captured storage box 225.

[0129] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 determines whether the box ID obtained from the execution command matches the box ID obtained from the image. If the CPU 219a determines that the two box IDs do not match, it generates a control signal to change the optical axis of the imaging device 218b so that it can capture an image of one of the multiple boxes 225 that has not yet been captured. The CPU 219a then repeats the above process, starting with outputting the generated control signal and the control signal instructing the imaging device 218b to capture the image.

[0130] In contrast, when the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 determines that the two box IDs match, it outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to open the door of the imaged storage room 22 based on the parallax between the two acquired images.

[0131] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 219k to unlock the door 215a of the storage 214 included in the second transporter 21 (step S37). Thereafter, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to open the door 215a of the second transporter 21.

[0132] Next, based on the coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the door of the storage room 22 before it is opened, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to change the optical axis of the imaging device 218b of the robot arm 218 so that it can capture images of the opening and interior of the storage box 225 after the door is opened, as well as a control signal to instruct the robot arm 218 to perform the capture. Next, based on the parallax between the two images indicated by the signal output from the imaging device 218b, the CPU 219a outputs a control signal to grasp and remove an item stored in the storage box 225 of the storage room 22 (step S38). In accordance with the output control signal, the robot arm 218 grasps and removes the item stored in the storage box 225.

[0133] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 retrieves the coordinate values ​​indicating the position and shape of the opening of the box included in the storage 214 of the second transporter 21, as well as the depth of the box, from the flash memory 219d. Based on the retrieved coordinate values ​​and depth, the CPU 219a outputs a control signal to place the article removed from the storage 22 into the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 through the opening (step S39). The robot arm 218 deposits the article into the second transporter 21 in accordance with the output control signal.

[0134] The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to close the door 225a of the second transporter 21 and the door of the storage room 22, which were opened by the robot arm 218. The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 219k to lock the door 215a of the storage room 214 included in the second transporter 21 (step S40).

[0135] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transport machine 21 uses the information processing device 100 as the destination and outputs a completion report to the data communication circuit 219e. The completion report includes the step ID of the removal step to inform that the step has been completed (step S41), and then ends the execution of the removal process.

[0136] Thus, in this embodiment, the second transporter 21 performs the entire take-out sequence, so no human intervention occurs in the sequence. Therefore, even if the information processing device 100 receives a completion report informing that the take-out sequence has been completed, it does not update the second time.

[0137] The information processing device 100 then sends a movement command to the first transporter 11, instructing it to move to a predetermined delivery location, where the items are to be delivered from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 sends a command to the second transporter 21 to execute the transport sequence for delivering the items to the first transporter. In this embodiment, the delivery location is the warehouse's exit, but this is not limiting.

[0138] The first transporter 11 includes a plurality of wheels (not shown), a chassis including the wheels, a storage compartment mounted on the chassis, LiDAR sensors mounted on the front and rear of the chassis, an imaging device mounted on the front of the chassis, a robotic arm mounted on the storage compartment, and a control device built into the storage compartment. The configuration and functions of the first transporter 11's plurality of wheels, chassis, storage compartment, front LiDAR sensor, rear LiDAR sensor, imaging device, robotic arm, and control device are identical to the configuration and functions of the second transporter 21's plurality of wheels, chassis 213, storage compartment 214, front LiDAR sensor 216, rear LiDAR sensor (not shown), imaging device 217, robotic arm 218, and control device 219.

[0139] The control device of the first transporter 11 includes hardware such as a CPU, RAM, ROM, flash memory, data communication circuit, video card, display device, input device, position measurement circuit, input / output terminal, and drive circuit (not shown). The configuration and function of the hardware included in the control device of the first transporter 11 are similar to those of the first transporter 11. Figure 3The hardware structure and function of the control device 219 of the second transporter 21 shown are the same. In this embodiment, the first transporter 11 has one CPU, but it can also have multiple CPUs. In addition, the first transporter 11 can also have multiple RAMs and flash memories.

[0140] After the data communication circuit of the first transporter 11 receives the movement command, the CPU of the first transporter 11 obtains the information indicating the latitude, longitude and altitude of the delivery location from the flash memory. Figure 4 The same processing as steps S02 to S04 is performed, thereby moving to the delivery location.

[0141] When the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 receives the execution command for executing the transport step to the first transporter, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 executes the transport process of the first transporter (not shown).

[0142] After the first transporter starts transporting, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 obtains information indicating the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the delivery location from the flash memory 219d. Figure 4 The same processing as steps S02 to S04 is repeated, thereby transporting the article to the delivery location. Thereafter, CPU 219a outputs a completion report to data communication circuit 219e, using information processing device 100 as the destination. This report includes the sequence ID of the transport sequence to the first transporter, notifying the user that the sequence has been completed, and terminates the transport process by the first transporter.

[0143] Thus, in this embodiment, the second transporter 21 performs the entire transfer sequence to the first transporter, so no human intervention occurs during this sequence. Therefore, even if the information processing device 100 receives a completion report indicating the completion of the transfer sequence to the first transporter, it does not update the second time. The information processing device 100 then sends a command to the second transporter 21 to execute the transfer sequence to transfer the article from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11.

[0144] After the data communication circuit 219e of the second transporter 21 receives the execution command, the CPU 219a executes the following steps to execute the delivery procedure according to the execution command: Figure 10 Submission process shown.

[0145] After the delivery process starts, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 219k to unlock the door 215a of the storage 214 included in the second transporter 21 (step S51).

[0146] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to open the door 215a of the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 and the door of the storage of the first transporter 11. Figure 7 The same processing as step S23 is performed, thereby outputting a control signal to the robot arm 218 to take out the article stored in the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 (step S52).

[0147] Afterwards, execute Figure 7 The same process as step S24 is performed, thereby outputting a control signal to the robot 218 to store the article taken out from the second transporter 21 in the storage of the first transporter 11 (step S53). The robot 218 stores the article in the storage of the first transporter 11 according to the control signal.

[0148] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a control signal to the robot arm 218 to close the door 225a of the second transporter 21 and the door of the first transporter 11 that have been opened by the robot arm 218.

[0149] Thereafter, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 outputs a completion report containing the step ID of the delivery step to the data communication circuit 219e with the information processing device 100 as the destination, notifying that the step has been completed (step S25), and then terminates the execution of the delivery process.

[0150] Thus, in this embodiment, the second transporter 21 performs the entire delivery sequence, so no human intervention occurs in the sequence. Therefore, after receiving the completion report informing that the delivery sequence has been completed, the information processing device 100 manages the second time as the first time.

[0151] Next, the information processing device 100 transmits a lock command to the first transporter 11, instructing it to lock the storage compartment of the first transporter 11. After the data communication circuit of the first transporter 11 receives the lock command, the CPU of the first transporter 11 outputs a control signal to the driver circuit to lock the storage compartment of the first transporter 11.

[0152] Thereafter, the information processing device 100 transmits an execution command to the first transporter 11. The execution command includes information indicating the destination of the sold article and instructs the first transporter 11 to execute a transport sequence for transporting the article to the locker device.

[0153] When the data communication circuit of the first transporter 11 receives the execution command, the CPU of the first transporter 11 executes a locker device transport process (not shown).

[0154] After the locker device transport process begins, the CPU of the first transporter 11 receives an execution command from the data communication circuit and obtains information indicating the destination address from the received execution command. The CPU of the first transporter 11 then retrieves information indicating latitude, longitude, and altitude that has been pre-paired with the destination address information and stored in flash memory.

[0155] Next, the CPU of the first transporter 11 uses the acquired information to execute the Figure 4 The same process as steps S02 to S04 is repeated, thereby transporting the item to its destination. The CPU of the first transporter 11 then outputs a completion report to the data communication circuit 219e, specifying the information processing device 100 as the destination. This report includes the step ID of the transport step to the locker device, notifying the user that the step has been completed. The CPU then terminates the transport process to the locker device.

[0156] Thus, in this embodiment, the first transporter 11 performs the entire transport sequence to the locker device, so no human intervention occurs during this sequence. Therefore, even if the information processing device 100 receives a completion report informing that the transport sequence to the locker device has been completed, it does not update the first time.

[0157] The locker system 12 is a delivery box installed at the entrance of the high-end apartment where the recipient resides. The locker system 12 includes multiple storage boxes (not shown) and a control device that controls the locking and unlocking of each of the boxes. The configuration and functions of the multiple storage boxes and control device of the locker system 12 are identical to those of the multiple storage boxes 225 and control device 229 of the safe depository 22.

[0158] Each of the multiple storage boxes included in the locker device 12 includes a housing, door, door frame, dead bolt, and latch (not shown). The structure and function of the housing, door, door frame, dead bolt, and latch included in the locker device 12 are the same as the structure and function of the housing, door, door frame, dead bolt, and latch (not shown) included in the multiple storage boxes 225 included in the safe deposit box 22.

[0159] The control device of the locker device 12 includes hardware (not shown), including a CPU, RAM, ROM, flash memory, a data communication circuit, a video card, a display device, an input device, input / output terminals, and a drive circuit. The configuration and functions of this hardware are similar to those of the control device 229 of the safe deposit box 22. In this embodiment, the locker device 12 includes a single CPU, but may also include multiple CPUs. Furthermore, the locker device 12 may also include multiple RAM and flash memories.

[0160] After receiving a completion report from the first transport machine 11 that has transported the items to the locker device 12, indicating that the transport step to the locker device has been completed, the information processing device 100 sends an execution command to the first transport machine 11 to execute the storage step of storing the items in the locker device.

[0161] When the data communication circuit of the first transporter 11 receives the execution command, the CPU of the first transporter 11 executes a locker device storage process (not shown) to perform a storage procedure for storing data in the locker device according to the execution command.

[0162] After the locker device storage process starts, the CPU of the first transporter 11 executes the Figure 7 Thus, the first transporter 11 uses the robot arm to take out the article from the storage of the first transporter 11 and stores the taken out article in one of the multiple storage boxes provided by the locker device 12, thereby moving the article from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12.

[0163] Afterwards, the CPU of the first transporter 11 generates a completion report, which includes the storage box ID that identifies the storage box of the locker device 12 where the items are stored, and the step ID of the storage step stored in the locker device, which is used to notify that the step has been completed. Next, the CPU of the first transporter 11 outputs the generated completion report to the data communication circuit 219e, using the information processing device 100 as the destination. After the data communication circuit sends the completion report to the information processing device 100, the CPU of the first transporter 11 ends the execution of the locker device storage process. Afterwards, the CPU of the first transporter 11 outputs a control signal for reversing along the movement path, thereby returning to the collection location.

[0164] Thus, in this embodiment, the first transporter 11 performs the entire storage step to the locker device, so no human intervention occurs during this step. Therefore, even if the information processing device 100 receives a completion report informing that the storage step to the locker device is complete, it does not update the first time.

[0165] Next, the information processing device 100 calculates a time later than the first time by the target elapsed time, and uses this time as the recommended collection start time. The information processing device 100 then transmits a notification to the recipient's terminal device 19, informing them of the first time, the recommended collection start time, the box ID, and the password, thereby executing the notification procedure.

[0166] In this embodiment, the target elapsed time is pre-set as the time from when a predetermined virus or bacteria is excreted from the human body and attached to an object until the infectivity of the predetermined virus or bacteria falls below a predetermined level. In this embodiment, the infectivity of a virus or bacteria attached to an object refers to the ability of the virus or bacteria to cause infection. This ability is expressed as the probability of infection by a person who physically comes into contact with the virus or bacteria, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, in this embodiment, infection by a person who physically comes into contact with the virus or bacteria means that the virus or bacteria colonizes and reproduces within or on the body of the person, but is not limited to this.

[0167] After receiving the notification, the data communication circuit 219e of the terminal device 19 receives the notification from the data communication circuit 219e and displays the received notification on the display device 219g. The recipient, having viewed this display, moves to the locker device 12 after the recommended collection start time and enters the locker ID and password into the input device of the locker device 12.

[0168] After the input device of the locker device 12 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation, the CPU of the locker device 12 obtains the box ID and password information based on the signal. The CPU then generates a query containing the obtained box ID and password information, inquiring whether to allow the locker identified by the box ID to be unlocked. The CPU then outputs the generated query to the data communication circuit of the locker device 12, with the information processing device 100 as the destination.

[0169] After receiving the inquiry, the information processing device 100 determines whether the combination of the storage box ID and password contained in the inquiry matches the combination of the storage box ID and password sent to the terminal device 19. If the information processing device 100 determines that the combinations match, it responds that unlocking is permitted; if it determines that the combinations do not match, it responds that unlocking is not permitted.

[0170] After the data communication circuit of the locker device 12 receives the response, the CPU of the locker device 12 retrieves the response from the data communication circuit. If the received response indicates that unlocking is not permitted, the CPU causes the display device to display a message indicating that at least one of the locker ID and password is incorrect. Upon seeing this message, the recipient re-enters the locker ID and password.

[0171] If the received reply allows unlocking, the CPU of the locker device 12 outputs a control signal to the driver circuit to unlock the box identified by the received box ID. The recipient opens the unlocked box door and collects the purchased items.

[0172] The information processing device 100 is a server installed in a warehouse or business office of a distributor that sells goods. The information processing device 100 controls the first logistics mechanism 10 and the second logistics mechanism 20 to execute steps 1 to 9.

[0173] The information processing device 100 has the following Figure 11 The CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103a, hard disk 103b, first data communication circuit 104a, second data communication circuit 104b, video card 105a, display device 105b and input device 105c are shown in FIG. The configuration and function of the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103a, video card 105a, display device 105b and input device 105c included in the information processing device 100 are similar to those in FIG. Figure 3 The configuration and functions of the CPU 219a, RAM 219b, ROM 219c, video card 219f, display device 219g, and input device 219h of the second transporter 21 shown are the same.

[0174] The hard disk 103b of the information processing device 100 stores various data used for program execution and a table storing the data. The information processing device 100 may include a flash memory instead of the hard disk 103b.

[0175] The first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 is, for example, a NIC, and is configured in accordance with LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G (5 th Data communication is performed using a base station (not shown) and radio waves connected to the Internet IN, using communication standards such as the IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b. Thus, the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 performs data communication with the first transporter 11 and locker device 12 of the first logistics mechanism 10, as well as the terminal device 19, which are connected to the Internet IN.

[0176] The second data communication circuit 104b of the information processing device 100 is, for example, a NIC, and performs data communications using an access point (not shown) connected to the local area network LN and radio waves in accordance with communication standards such as TCP / IP. Thus, the second data communication circuit 104b of the information processing device 100 performs data communications with the second transporter 21 and the storage vault 22 of the second logistics mechanism 20 connected to the local area network LN.

[0177] After the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 receives the notification that the carrier has arrived at the business office, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes the following operations: Figure 12 The front-end control processing shown in FIG. 1 controls the second logistics mechanism 20 to execute the front-end steps required for the items before they are sold.

[0178] Thus, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 acts as Figure 13 The control unit 110 shown in FIG1 functions as a controller that controls the first logistics mechanism 10 and the second logistics mechanism 20 to execute the delivery sequence. The CPU 101 also functions as an acquisition unit 120 that acquires a sequence ID that identifies the sequence executed by the first logistics mechanism 10 or the second logistics mechanism 20.

[0179] Furthermore, CPU 101 of information processing device 100 functions as management unit 130 for managing a first time, which is a time before the recipient's item pickup time and is the last time a person came into contact with the item after the item delivery process. Management unit 130 also manages a second time, which is a time before the delivery time of the item from second logistics mechanism 20 to first logistics mechanism 10 and is the last time a person came into contact with the item.

[0180] In this embodiment, the management of moments including the first moment and the second moment includes, for example: saving information representing the moment to the RAM 102 of the information processing device 100 as a volatile memory, or the hard disk 103b of the information processing device 100 as a non-volatile memory; and reading out the saved information representing the moment.

[0181] The hard disk 103 b of the information processing device 100 functions as an information storage unit 190 that stores in advance various tables storing data used in executing the front-end control process.

[0182] The information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 stores in advance the following information: Figure 14 The step table shown in the figure contains information related to the delivery steps. The step table contains multiple records, each of which is paired with a step ID that identifies the step, information indicating the name of the step, and an intervention flag that indicates whether a person intervened in the step.

[0183] In this embodiment, the first record in the sequence table stores information related to the pickup step for picking up items from a transporter. Therefore, the first record pre-stores a pair of the step ID "P1" identifying the pickup step, information indicating the name "pickup step," and a flag set to "TRUE" indicating that human intervention occurred during the pickup step. In this embodiment, human intervention during the pickup step means that the transporter's staff manually deposited the items onto the second transporter 21.

[0184] The second record in the sequence table is pre-stored with the sequence ID "P2" for the transport sequence to the storage, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating "FALSE" indicating that there was no human intervention during the transport sequence to the storage. In this embodiment, there was no human intervention during the transport sequence to the storage because the second transport machine 21, which was carrying the items, moved autonomously on the ground to the storage 22 without human intervention.

[0185] The third record in the sequence table is pre-stored with a sequence ID "P3" identifying the storage sequence to the storage warehouse, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating "FALSE" indicating that no human intervention occurred during the storage sequence to the storage warehouse. In this embodiment, no human intervention occurred during the storage sequence to the storage warehouse because the second transporter 21 used the robot arm 218 to store the items in the storage warehouse 22.

[0186] Furthermore, the fourth record in the sequence table is pre-stored with the sequence ID "P4" for the retrieval sequence for removing the sold items from storage 22, information indicating the name, and a flag with a value of "FALSE" indicating that no human intervention occurred during the retrieval sequence. In this embodiment, no human intervention occurs during the retrieval sequence because the second transporter 21 uses the robot arm 218 to retrieve the items from storage 22.

[0187] The fifth record of the step table stores in advance a pair of step ID "P5" of the transfer step to the first transfer machine, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating that there is no human intervention in the transfer step to the first transfer machine.

[0188] Furthermore, the sixth record in the step table is pre-stored with the step ID "P6" for the delivery step for delivering the retrieved item from the second logistics mechanism 20 to the first logistics mechanism 10, information indicating the name, and a flag with a value of "FALSE" indicating that no human intervention occurred during the delivery step. In this embodiment, no human intervention occurs during the delivery step because the second transporter 21 of the second logistics mechanism 20 uses the robot arm 218 to deliver the item to the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10.

[0189] Furthermore, the seventh record in the sequence table pre-stores the sequence ID "P7" for the transfer sequence to the locker device, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating "FALSE" indicating that there was no human intervention in the transfer sequence to the locker device. In this embodiment, there was no human intervention in the transfer sequence to the locker device because the first transporter 11, which was carrying the items, moved autonomously on the ground to the locker device 12 without human intervention.

[0190] Furthermore, the eighth record in the sequence table is pre-stored with the sequence ID "P8" for the storage sequence to the locker device, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating "FALSE" indicating that no human intervention occurred during the storage sequence to the locker device. In this embodiment, no human intervention occurred during the storage sequence to the locker device because the first transporter 11 uses a robotic arm (not shown) to store the items in the locker device 12.

[0191] Furthermore, the ninth record of the step table stores in advance a pair of the step ID "P9" of the notification step, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating that there is no human intervention in the notification step.

[0192] The information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 stores in advance the following information: Figure 15 The second time table shown in FIG. 1 stores information related to the second time. The second time table stores one or more pairs of the article ID of an article and the information indicating the second time of the article.

[0193] In addition, the information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 stores in advance the following information: Figure 16 The storage table shown in FIG. 1 stores information on articles stored in the storage 22. In the storage table, a box ID for identifying a box 225 of the storage 22 and an article ID of an article stored in the box 225 are stored in pairs.

[0194] Start execution Figure 12 After the front-end control processing, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the second data communication circuit 104b, instructing it to execute the collection procedure for collecting the items from the carrier, with the second carrier 21 as the destination (step S61). The second data communication circuit 104b of the information processing device 100 transmits the execution command to the second carrier 21 connected via the local area network LN.

[0195] After that, the second data communication circuit 104b of the information processing device 100 receives a completion report from the second transporter 21 that has executed the collection step according to the execution command, notifying that the step has been completed, and then executes the following operation as set at the second time. Figure 17The second time setting process is shown (step S62).

[0196] After the second time setting process begins, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 receives a completion report from the second data communication circuit 104b. From the completion report, it obtains the step ID "P1" of the collection step and the item ID of the item collected by executing the collection step (step S71). Next, the acquisition unit 120 obtains the acquisition time of step ID "P1" as the time the item was collected. To this end, the acquisition unit 120 obtains, for example, the system time managed by the OS (Operating System) as the time the step ID "P1" was collected (step S72). This acquisition time is obtained because, in this embodiment, the time the item was collected represents the time the collection step was completed. In addition, in this embodiment, the time duration from the moment when the collection step is completed to the moment when the information processing device 100 receives the completion report of the collection step and obtains the step ID "P1" of the collection step from the completion report is less than a predetermined length such as "1" minute, so the moment when the item is collected and the moment when the step ID "P1" of the collection step is obtained can be considered to be the same.

[0197] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 14 The management unit 130 obtains the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P1" of the pickup step from the step table (step S73), and determines that the value of the obtained intervention flag is "TRUE" indicating that a person has intervened in the pickup step (step S74; Yes).

[0198] Afterwards, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 initializes the second time as the acquisition time (step S75). Afterwards, the management unit 130 pairs the item ID acquired in step S71 with the second time initialized as the acquisition time and stores it in a directory. Figure 15 The second time table is used to manage the acquisition time acquired as the time when the item is collected as the second time. Thereafter, the management unit 130 ends the execution of the second time setting process.

[0199] exist Figure 12 After executing the second time setting process in step S62, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the second data communication circuit 104b to execute the transport procedure for transporting the package to the storage, with the second transporter 21 as the destination (step S63).

[0200] Afterwards, after receiving the completion report, the information processing device 100 will Figure 17 The item ID obtained in step S71 is used as an independent variable to execute the update of the second moment. Figure 18The second time updating process is shown (step S64).

[0201] After the second time update process begins, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the item ID of the item that has undergone the transport sequence to the storage facility based on the argument. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the completion report transmitted from the second transporter 21 via the second data communication circuit 104b and acquires the sequence ID "P2" of the transport sequence to the storage facility from the completion report (step S81). Next, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the acquisition time of sequence ID "P2" as the time of transport to the storage facility 22. To this end, the acquisition unit 120 acquires, for example, the system time managed by the operating system as the acquisition time of sequence ID "P2" (step S82). This acquisition time is acquired because, in this embodiment, the time of transport to the storage facility 22 indicates the time of completion of the transport sequence to the storage facility, and the time of completion of the transport sequence to the storage facility and the time of acquisition of sequence ID "P2" from the completion report can be considered the same.

[0202] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 14 The management unit 130 obtains the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P2" of the transport step to the storage from the step table (step S83). The management unit 130 then determines that the value of the obtained intervention flag is "FALSE," indicating that no human intervention occurred during the transport step to the storage (step S84: No), and terminates the second time update process without updating the second time.

[0203] exist Figure 12 After executing the second time update process in step S64, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the second data communication circuit 104b to execute the storage step of storing the items in the storage warehouse, with the second transporter 21 as the destination (step S65).

[0204] After receiving the completion report, the information processing device 100 executes the second time update process (step S66). As a result, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P3" of the storage step stored in the storage is "FALSE" indicating no intervention, and does not update the second time but maintains it.

[0205] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the box ID that identifies the box 225 of the storage warehouse 22 where the items are stored through the storage step in the storage warehouse from the completion report received by the second data communication circuit 104b (step S67). Then, the management unit 130 pairs the acquired box ID with the item ID of the item stored in the box 225 identified by the box ID and stores it in the storage warehouse. Figure 16 The storage table of (step S68).

[0206] Afterwards, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 uses the safe depository 22 as the destination and outputs a locking command to the second data communication circuit 104b. The locking command includes the storage box ID obtained in step S67, and is used to command the storage box 225 identified by the storage box ID to be locked (step S69), and then ends the execution of the front-end control processing.

[0207] When the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 receives a sales request including an article number and information indicating a delivery address from the terminal device 19, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes the following steps: Figure 19 The subsequent stage control processing shown in FIG. 1 performs control to cause the first logistics mechanism 10 and the second logistics mechanism 20 to execute the subsequent stage steps.

[0208] The information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 stores in advance the following information: Figure 20 The item table shown in FIG. 1 stores information related to sold items. The item table stores paired items such as the item ID of the sold item, information indicating the item's destination, a first time, a storage box ID identifying the storage box of the locker device 12 storing the item, and a password for authenticating the item's recipient.

[0209] Start execution Figure 19 After the post-control processing, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the sales request from the first data communication circuit 104a, thereby acquiring the item number of the item requested for sale and information indicating the destination (step S91). Figure 15 The second time table of the acquired item number is obtained, and the earliest second time among one or more second times matched with the acquired item number is obtained. Then, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the individual identification number matched with the acquired item number and the earliest second time (step S92).

[0210] Next, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 generates an item ID containing the acquired item number and individual identification number, and selects the item identified by the generated item ID as the item to be sold in response to the sales request (step S93). The reason for selecting the item identified by the item number included in the sales request and the individual identification number paired with the earliest second moment as the item to be sold is to sell the item that has been touched the longest.

[0211] Next, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 stores the generated item ID and the information indicating the destination of the item identified by the item ID in a Figure 20 Item list (step S94).

[0212] Afterwards, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 16 The control unit 110 retrieves the box ID paired with the item ID of the item being sold from the storage table. The control unit 110 then generates an execution command containing the acquired box ID, instructing the execution of a retrieval procedure for retrieving the item stored in the box 225 of the storage 22 identified by the acquired box ID. The control unit 110 then outputs the generated execution command to the second data communication circuit 104b, specifying the second transporter 21 as the destination (step S95).

[0213] After the second data communication circuit 104b of the information processing device 100 receives the arrival report notifying that the second transporter 21 has arrived at the storage vault 22 to retrieve items (step S96), the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 generates an unlock command to unlock the storage box 225 storing the sold items. The control unit 110 then adds the storage box ID of the storage box 225 storing the sold items to the generated unlock command and outputs the unlock command to the second data communication circuit 104b, specifying the storage vault 22 as the destination (step S97).

[0214] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 receives the completion report notifying that the removal step has been completed, and then executes Figure 18 The management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 thus determines that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P4" of the extracted step is "FALSE" indicating no intervention, and does not update the second time but maintains it.

[0215] Next, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the second data communication circuit 104b to execute the transport sequence to the first transport machine, with the second transport machine 21 as the destination (step S99). Figure 18In the second time updating process (step S100) shown in FIG. 1 , the management unit 130 determines that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P5" of the transport step to the first transporter is "FALSE" and does not update the second time.

[0216] Next, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs a command to the second data communication circuit 104b to execute a transfer procedure for transferring an article from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11, with the second transporter 21 as the destination (step S101).

[0217] Afterwards, after receiving the completion report, the information processing device 100 will Figure 19 The item ID generated in step S93 is used as an independent variable, and the following steps are executed to set the first moment: Figure 21 The first time setting process is shown (step S102).

[0218] After the first time setting process begins, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the item ID of the item that has been delivered based on the argument. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 120 receives the completion report transmitted from the second transporter 21 via the second data communication circuit 104b and acquires the step ID "P6" of the delivery step from the completion report (step S111). Next, the acquisition unit 120 determines the time at which step ID "P6" was acquired as the time at which the item was delivered (step S112).

[0219] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 14 The step table of the handover step is retrieved, and the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P6" of the handover step is obtained (step S113). Then, the management unit 130 determines that the value of the obtained intervention flag is "FALSE" (step S114; No), and initializes the first time to the second time when the person last touched the item before the handover (step S115). Then, the management unit 130 Figure 20 The management unit 130 searches the item table for the record storing the acquired item ID, and pairs the first time initialized to the second time with the item ID and stores it in the retrieved record, thereby managing the second time as the first time. The management unit 130 then terminates the execution of the first time setting process.

[0220] Thereafter, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs a locking command to the first data communication circuit 104a to lock the storage included in the first transporter 11, with the first transporter 11 being the destination (step S103).

[0221] Next, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the first data communication circuit 104a to execute a transport procedure for transporting to the locker device, with the first transporter 11 as the destination (step S104).

[0222] After receiving the completion report, the information processing device 100 uses the item ID as an independent variable and executes the update of the first moment. Figure 22 The first time updating process (step S105) is shown.

[0223] After the first time update process begins, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the item ID of the item that has already undergone the transport sequence to the locker device based on the argument. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 120 receives the completion report transmitted from the first transporter 11 via the first data communication circuit 104a and acquires the step ID "P7" of the transport sequence to the locker device from the completion report (step S121). Next, the acquisition unit 120 obtains the time at which step ID "P7" was acquired as the time of transport to the locker device 12 (step S122).

[0224] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 14 The management unit 130 then retrieves the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P7" of the transfer step to the locker device from the step table (step S123). The management unit 130 then determines that the value of the retrieved intervention flag is "FALSE" (step S124: No), and terminates the first time update process without updating the first time.

[0225] exist Figure 19 After executing the first time update process in step S105, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the first data communication circuit 104a to execute the storage step of storing in the locker device, using the first transporter 11 as the destination (step S106).

[0226] After receiving the completion report, the information processing device 100 executes the first time update process (step S107). The acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 then acquires the step ID "P8" of the storage step stored in the locker device from the completion report transmitted from the first transporter 11. Furthermore, the management unit 130 determines that the value of the intervention flag associated with step ID "P8" is "FALSE" and maintains the first time without updating it.

[0227] Afterwards, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the storage box ID of the storage box of the locker device 12 in which the item is stored from the completion report sent from the first transporter 11. Then, the control unit 110 generates a password for the recipient authentication of the item based on a software random number or a pre-set rule. Figure 20 The item table is retrieved and the record of the item ID generated in step S93 is saved, and the acquired storage box ID and the generated password information are paired with the item ID and saved in the retrieved record (step S108).

[0228] Next, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 uses the locker device 12 as the recipient and outputs a locking command to the first data communication circuit 104a. The locking command includes the acquired storage box ID and is used to command the storage box identified by the storage box ID to be locked (step S109), and then ends the execution of the post-processing control.

[0229] After the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 completes the execution of the post-processing control process, it executes the notification step, which notifies the locker device 12 at the destination that the item has been delivered. Therefore, the item ID is used as an independent variable and the following steps are executed: Figure 23 Thus, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 acts as Figure 13 The notification unit 140 shown in FIG.

[0230] After the notification process is started, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the item ID of the item stored in the locker device 12 based on the argument. Figure 20 The first time paired with the acquired item ID is obtained from the item table (step S131).

[0231] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires information indicating the target elapsed time pre-stored in the information storage unit 190 (step S132). Next, the notification unit 140 calculates a time obtained by adding the target elapsed time indicated by the acquired information to the acquired first time, and uses this time as the recommended collection start time (step S133). Alternatively, the acquisition unit 120 may also acquire information indicating the remaining time pre-stored in the information storage unit 190, and the notification unit 140 calculates the value obtained by adding the target elapsed time and the remaining time to the first time, and uses this value as the recommended collection start time.

[0232] Afterwards, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 20The item table is retrieved, and the storage box ID paired with the acquired item ID and information indicating the password are obtained. Next, the notification unit 140 generates a notification including the storage box ID, the password, the acquired first time, and the calculated recommended collection start time. The generated notification includes a message informing that the item has been delivered to the storage box identified by the storage box ID of the locker device 12 at the destination; that the password is required to collect the item; that no one has touched the item after the first time; and that the recommended collection start time is recommended. Thereafter, the notification unit 140 outputs the generated notification to the first data communication circuit 104a, using the terminal device 19 carried by the recipient as the destination (step S134), and then terminates the execution of the notification processing.

[0233] When the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry about permission to unlock the locker device 12 from the locker device 12 operated by the recipient who has seen the notification, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes a not-shown unlock permission process.

[0234] After the unlock permission process is started, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the query from the first data communication circuit 104a, and acquires the storage box ID and the information indicating the password from the acquired query. Figure 20 The control unit 110 retrieves information indicating a password paired with the obtained locker ID from the item table. Next, if the control unit 110 determines that the password indicated by the information obtained from the inquiry matches the password indicated by the information obtained from the item table, it outputs a permission response to the first data communication circuit 104a, with the locker device 12 as the destination. Conversely, if the control unit 110 determines that the passwords do not match, it outputs a rejection response to the first data communication circuit 104a, with the locker device 12 as the destination, indicating that the unlocking is not permitted. The control unit 110 then terminates the unlock permission process.

[0235] With these configurations, the logistics system 1 includes: a first logistics mechanism 10 including a first conveyor 11 for conveying an item to a destination; and a management unit 130 for managing a first time, which is a time prior to the time at which an item conveyed by the first conveyor 11 is collected and is the last time a person touches the item. Thus, the logistics system 1 can manage the first time, which is the last time a person touches the item before the recipient receives the item.

[0236] Furthermore, based on these configurations, logistics system 1 further includes a second logistics mechanism 20, which is a separate mechanism from first logistics mechanism 10 and transports or stores items. Furthermore, management unit 130 of information processing device 100 manages a second time, which is earlier than the time at which the second logistics mechanism 20 delivers the items to first logistics mechanism 10 and is the last time a person came into contact with the items being transported or stored by second logistics mechanism 20. Thus, logistics system 1 can manage the second time, which is the last time a person came into contact with the items before they were delivered to first logistics mechanism 10.

[0237] With this configuration, the management unit 130 of the logistics system 1 manages the second time, when a person last touched the item before the item was delivered to the first conveyor 11, as the first time. In other words, the management unit 130 manages the second time, when a person last touched the item before the item was delivered from the second logistics mechanism 20 to the first logistics mechanism 10, as the first time. Therefore, the logistics system 1 can manage the first time, when a person last touched the item before the item was delivered to the first conveyor 11, based on the second time, when a person last touched the item before the item was delivered to the first conveyor 11.

[0238] According to these structures, the first logistics mechanism 10 also has a locker device 12 for storing articles, and the first conveyor 11 moves the articles from the first conveyor 11 to the locker device 12. Therefore, the logistics system 1 can move the articles from the first conveyor 11 to the locker device 12 without human intervention. As a result, the logistics system 1 can maintain the first moment at an earlier moment than when a person intervenes in the movement of the articles from the first conveyor 11 to the locker device 12. Therefore, even if viruses or bacteria are attached to the articles at the first moment, the logistics system 1 can make the infectiousness of the viruses or bacteria smaller and transport the articles to the destination. Therefore, even if viruses or bacteria are attached to the articles, the logistics system 1 can prevent the recipient of the articles from being infected with the viruses or bacteria.

[0239] Based on these configurations, the logistics system 1 further includes a notification unit 140 that notifies the recipient based on the first time. The notification unit 140 indicates that no one has touched the item since the first time. Therefore, if the recipient, based on the notification, waits a sufficient amount of time after the first time to collect the item, even if viruses or bacteria are attached to the item due to human contact, the recipient can be prevented from contracting the virus or bacteria.

[0240] According to these configurations, the target elapsed time is the time from the time a predetermined virus or bacteria is excreted from the human body until the infectivity of the virus or bacteria falls below a predetermined level. Furthermore, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 notifies the user of a recommended collection start time, which is a time later than the first time by the target elapsed time, or even later than that time, and is the recommended time to start collecting the item. Therefore, if a recipient who sees the notification collects the item at a time later than the recommended collection start time, even if the item has become attached to the virus or bacteria due to human contact, infection of the recipient can be prevented.

[0241] <Variation 1 of Example 1>

[0242] In the first embodiment, a human is involved in the collection step of collecting items from a transporter, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this variation, no human is involved in the collection step.

[0243] In this variation, the transporter uses a third logistics mechanism (not shown) equipped with a third transporter (not shown) to transport items. This third transporter has the same configuration and functions as the second transporter 21 and is an unmanned ground vehicle. The third logistics mechanism also includes an information processing device (not shown) that manages a third time, which is earlier than the time when the second transporter 21 picks up the item from the third transporter and is the last time a person touched the item. The configuration and functions of the information processing device in the third logistics mechanism are the same as those of the information processing device 100.

[0244] After the transporter's third transporter stores the items and arrives at the collection location, the second transporter 21 uses the robot arm 218 of the second transporter 21 to take out the items stored in the third transporter and then store them in the storage warehouse 214 of the second transporter 21, thereby executing the collection step.

[0245] In the first record of the step table of this variation, a step ID "P1" for identifying the picking step, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating that no human intervention occurred in the picking step are stored in pairs.

[0246] The information processing device 100 uses the step table of this variation to start executing Figure 12 After the front-end control process shown, the process of step S61 is executed (step S61). As a result, the information processing device 100 transmits an execution command to the second transporter 21 of the second logistics mechanism 20 to instruct it to execute the collection step.

[0247] After that, the information processing device 100 receives a completion report from the second transporter 21 indicating that the collection step has been completed, and then executes Figure 17The second time setting process shown is performed (step S62). After the information processing device 100 starts executing the second time setting process, it executes the processes from steps S71 to S74 (steps S71 to S74). As a result, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the step ID "P1" of the collection step. The management unit 130, based on the step table of this variation, determines that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P1" of the collection step is "FALSE", indicating that no one intervened in the collection step (step S74; No).

[0248] Next, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 outputs a transmission request requesting transmission of information indicating the third time to the first data communication circuit 104a, with the information processing device of the third logistics organization as the destination (step S76).

[0249] Afterwards, after the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 receives the information indicating the third moment from the information processing device of the third logistics organization, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the information indicating the third moment from the first data communication circuit 104a (step S77).

[0250] After that, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 initializes the second time to the third time indicated by the acquired information (step S78). Next, the management unit 130 stores the item ID acquired in step S71 and the second time initialized to the third time in a pair. Figure 15 The second time table is set, thereby managing the third time as the second time. Thereafter, the management unit 130 ends the execution of the second time setting process.

[0251] exist Figure 12 After executing the second time setting process in step S62, the process from steps S63 to S69 is executed (steps S63 to S69), thereby executing the transport sequence to the storage warehouse and the storage sequence to the storage warehouse. In this variation, since there is no human intervention during these sequences, the second time is not updated but maintained. The execution of the front-end control process then ends.

[0252] Afterwards, execute Figure 19 In this variation, there is no human intervention in the latter step, so after the first time is set to the second time, the first time is not updated but maintained.

[0253] <Variation 2 of Example 1>

[0254] In the first embodiment, the case where no human intervention occurs during the transport sequence to the storage is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present variation, human intervention occurs during the transport sequence to the storage.

[0255] In this variation, the transport process to the storage is not performed by the second transporter 21, which is an unmanned ground vehicle, but by the dealer's staff. The staff carries a terminal device (not shown) having the same structure and functions as the terminal device 19 carried by the recipient.

[0256] After receiving a command from information processing device 100 to execute the transport sequence to the storage, the worker's terminal device displays a message instructing the worker to execute the sequence. Upon seeing this message, the worker moves to the collection location, manually removes the item from storage 214 of second transporter 21 parked at the collection location, and then manually transports the item to storage 22.

[0257] After arriving at the storage 22, the worker operates the worker's terminal device or the input device of the storage 22. In response to this operation, the worker's terminal device or the storage 22 transmits a completion report to the information processing device 100. This completion report includes the step ID "P2" of the transport step to the storage, notifying the completion of the step.

[0258] The second record of the step table of this variation preliminarily stores a pair of step ID "P2" identifying the transport step to the storage, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating that a person has intervened in the transport step to the storage.

[0259] The information processing device 100 uses the step table of this variation to start executing Figure 12 After the front-end control processing shown, the processing of steps S61 and S62 is executed (steps S61 and S62) to set the second time. Next, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command to the first data communication circuit 104a to execute the transport procedure for transporting the package to the storage, with the worker's terminal device as the destination (step S63).

[0260] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 receives the completion report from the terminal device or the storage 22 and executes Figure 18The second time update process (step S64) is shown. After the information processing device 100 starts executing the second time update process, it executes the processes of steps S81 and S82 (steps S81 and S82). As a result, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the step ID "P2" of the transport step to the storage, and acquires the acquisition time of this step ID "P2" as the time of transport to the storage 22. The acquisition time is acquired in this way because, in this embodiment, the time of transport to the storage 22 indicates the time when the transport step to the storage is completed, and the time when the transport step to the storage is completed can be considered to be the same as the acquisition time of the step ID "P2" of the step obtained from the completion report.

[0261] Next, the information processing device 100 executes the process of step S83 (step S83). Thereafter, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines, based on the step table of this variation, that the value of the intervention flag paired with step ID "P2" of the transport step to the storage is "TRUE," indicating that a human intervened in the step (step S84: Yes).

[0262] Next, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 Figure 15 In the second time table, the second time paired with the item ID acquired in step S81 is updated as the acquisition time, thereby managing the acquisition time acquired as the time of transfer to the storage room 22 as the second time (step S85). Thereafter, the management unit 130 ends the execution of the second time update process.

[0263] The information processing device 100 Figure 12 After the second time updating process is executed in step S64, the processes of steps S65 to S69 are executed (steps S65 to S69), and then the execution of the preceding control process is terminated.

[0264] In this variation, the dealer's staff performs the entire transport sequence to the storage warehouse. However, this is not limiting. Alternatively, the staff may only perform a portion of the transport sequence to the storage warehouse. In this case, after the second transporter 21 transports the items to the middle of the route from the pickup location to the storage warehouse 22, the staff may manually remove the items from the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 and carry them to the storage warehouse 22.

[0265] In this variation, a human intervenes during the transport step to the storage warehouse, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, human intervention may occur during the transport step to the storage warehouse, but human intervention may occur during any of the steps of storing items in the storage warehouse, retrieving items from the storage warehouse 22, and transporting items to the first transporter. In this case, the dealer's staff may perform all or part of the steps of storing items in the storage warehouse, retrieving items from the storage warehouse 22, and transporting items to the first transporter.

[0266] <Variation 3 of Example 1>

[0267] In the first embodiment, the delivery sequence of delivering articles to the first transporter 11 is described as being performed without human intervention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this variation, human intervention is performed during the delivery sequence.

[0268] In this variation, the delivery sequence is not performed by the second transporter 21, but by a dealer's staff member. The staff member carries the terminal device described in Variation 2 of Example 1. Similar to Variation 2 of Example 1, upon receiving the execution command for the delivery sequence, the staff member's terminal device displays a message instructing the delivery sequence to execute. After viewing this message, the staff member moves to the delivery location, manually removes the items from the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 parked at the delivery location, and manually deposits the items into the storage 214 of the first transporter 11 parked at the delivery location.

[0269] After completing the delivery sequence, the worker operates the terminal device or the input device of the first transporter 11. In response to this operation, the worker's terminal device or the first transporter 11 transmits a completion report to the information processing device 100. The completion report includes the step ID "P6" of the delivery sequence, indicating that the delivery sequence has been completed.

[0270] In the sixth record of the step table of this variation, a pair of step ID "P6" identifying the delivery step, information indicating the name, and a flag indicating that a human has intervened in the delivery step are stored in advance.

[0271] The information processing device 100 uses the step table of this variation to start executing Figure 19 After the post-control processing shown, the processing of steps S91 to S100 is executed (steps S91 to S100). Thereafter, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 outputs an execution command for the command execution delivery step to the first data communication circuit 104a with the terminal device of the staff as the destination (step S101).

[0272] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 receives a completion report from the terminal device or the first transport machine 11 and executes Figure 21The first time setting process (step S102) is shown. After the information processing device 100 starts executing the first time setting process, it executes the processes of steps S111 and S112 (steps S111 and S112). As a result, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the step ID "P6" of the delivery step and obtains the acquisition time of this step ID "P6" as the time when the item was delivered. The delivery time is acquired in this way because, in this embodiment, the time of delivery indicates the time when the delivery step is completed, and the time when the delivery step is completed can be considered the same as the acquisition time of the step ID "P6" of the delivery step obtained from the completion report.

[0273] Next, the information processing device 100 executes the process of step S113 (step S113). Thereafter, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines, based on the step table of this variation, that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P6" of the submission step is "TRUE," indicating that a person has intervened in the submission step (step S114; Yes).

[0274] Next, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 initializes the first time as the acquisition time (step S116). Figure 20 The item table is searched for the record storing the item ID acquired in step S111, and the first time initialized as the acquisition time is paired with the item ID and stored in the retrieved record. The acquisition time acquired as the time of delivery is then managed as the first time. The management unit 130 then terminates the first time setting process.

[0275] The information processing device 100 Figure 19 After executing the first time setting process in step S102, the information processing device 100 executes the processes of steps S103 to S109 (steps S103 to S109). Thereafter, the information processing device 100 ends the execution of the back-end control process.

[0276] In this variation, the dealer's staff member performs the entire delivery process, but this is not limiting. Alternatively, the staff member may only perform a portion of the delivery process. In this case, the staff member may manually receive items removed from the storage 214 of the second transporter 21 using the robotic arm 218, and manually deposit the received items into the storage of the first transporter 11. Alternatively, the first transporter 11 may use its robotic arm to receive items manually removed from the storage 214 of the second transporter 21, and the staff member may manually deposit the received items into the storage of the first transporter 11.

[0277] <Variation 4 of Example 1>

[0278] In the first embodiment, the description is made of a case where a person does not intervene in the transport sequence to the locker device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this variation, a person does intervene in the transport sequence to the locker device.

[0279] In this variation, the transport sequence to the locker device is performed not by the first transporter 11, an unmanned ground vehicle, but by a dealer's staff. After completing the transport sequence to the locker device, the staff operates the terminal device described in Variation 2 of Example 1, or the input device of the locker device 12. In response to this operation, the staff's terminal device or the locker device 12 transmits a completion report to the information processing device 100. This report includes the step ID "P7" of the transport sequence to the locker device, indicating the completion of this step.

[0280] In the seventh record of the step table of this modification, a step ID "P7" for identifying a transport step to a storage, information indicating a name, and a flag having a value of "TRUE" are stored in advance in pairs.

[0281] Using the step list of this variation, start executing Figure 19 After the post-control processing shown, the processing of steps S91 to S103 is executed (steps S91 to S103), and then the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 uses the staff's terminal device as the receiving address and outputs a command to the first data communication circuit 104a to execute the execution sequence of transporting the items to the locker device (step S104).

[0282] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 receives the completion report from the mobile terminal or the locker device 12 and executes Figure 22 The first time update process shown (step S105) is performed. After the information processing device 100 starts executing the first time update process, it executes the processes from steps S121 to S124 (steps S121 to S124). Thus, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the step ID "P7" of the transport step to the locker device, and acquires the acquisition time of the step ID "P7" as the time of transport to the locker device 12. Furthermore, the management unit 130, based on the step table of this variation, determines that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P7" of the transport step to the locker device is "TRUE" (step S124: Yes).

[0283] Next, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 Figure 20In the item table, the first time paired with the item ID acquired in step S121 is updated as the acquisition time (step S125), thereby managing the acquisition time acquired as the time of transfer to the locker device 12 as the first time. Thereafter, the management unit 130 ends the execution of the first time update process.

[0284] The information processing device 100 Figure 19 After executing the first time update process in step S105, the information processing device 100 executes the processes of steps S106 to S109 (steps S106 to S109). Thereafter, the information processing device 100 ends the execution of the rear-end control process.

[0285] In this variation, the dealer's staff performs the entire transport procedure to the locker device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the staff may only perform a portion of the transport procedure to the locker device.

[0286] Furthermore, in this variation, a human operator is described as being involved in the transport step to the locker device, but this is not limiting. Alternatively, there may be no human operator involved in the transport step to the locker device, but human operator involved in the storage step to the locker device. In this case, a human operator may perform all or part of the storage step to the locker device.

[0287] According to these configurations, if a person intervenes during the delivery of an item to the first transporter 11, the management unit 130 of the logistics system 1 manages the time of the delivery as the first time. Furthermore, according to these configurations, the information processing device 100 included in the logistics system 1 further includes an acquisition unit 120 for acquiring a step ID identifying a step related to the delivery of the item and having been executed for the item. Furthermore, the management unit 130 included in the information processing device 100 stores a plurality of pairs of step IDs identifying steps and flags indicating whether a person intervened in the step. If the flag paired with the acquired step ID indicates human intervention, the management unit 130 updates the first time to the time of the acquired step ID. Therefore, compared to a method of updating the first time by analyzing a captured image to detect human contact with the item and the time of human contact, for example, the logistics system 1 can update the first time with less computational effort. Furthermore, compared to this method, the configuration of the logistics system 1 can be simplified, thereby reducing the manufacturing and installation costs of the logistics system 1.

[0288] <Variation 5 of Example 1>

[0289] In Example 1 and Variations 2 to 4 of Example 1, human intervention is described as occurring in any one of the steps from the collection step to the storage step. However, this is not limiting. Human intervention may also occur in any two or more steps from the collection step to the storage step.

[0290] <Variation 6 of Example 1>

[0291] In the first embodiment, the second transporter 21 is described as being equipped with the robot arm 218. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, during the storage step, the second transporter 21 uses the robot arm 218 to move articles from the second transporter 21 to the storage 22. However, this is not limiting; the storage 22 may include a robot arm (not shown) having the same configuration and function as the robot arm 218 of the second transporter 21. Furthermore, during the storage step, the storage 22 may use its own robot arm to move articles from the second transporter 21 to the storage 22.

[0292] Alternatively, during the storage step, the second transporter 21 and the storage 22 may move the items from the second transporter 21 to the storage 22. In this case, the second transporter 21 may use the robot arm 218 to remove the items from the second transporter 21, and the storage 22 may use the robot arm of the storage 22 to retrieve the removed items from the second transporter 21, and then use the robot arm of the storage 22 to store the retrieved items in the storage 22.

[0293] In Example 1, in the delivery sequence for delivering an article from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11, the second transporter 21 uses the robot arm 218 to move the article from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, in the delivery sequence, the first transporter 11 may use its robot arm (not shown) to move the article from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11.

[0294] Alternatively, in the handover step, the first transporter 11 and the second transporter 21 may move the item from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11. In this case, after the second transporter 21 uses the robotic arm 218 to remove the item from the second transporter 21, the first transporter 11 uses its robotic arm to retrieve the removed item from the second transporter 21 and then uses its robotic arm to store the retrieved item back on the first transporter 11.

[0295] In the first embodiment, the first transporter 11 is described as being equipped with a robotic arm (not shown). Furthermore, in the first embodiment, during the storage sequence to the locker device, the first transporter 11 uses the robotic arm of the first transporter 11 to move articles from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12. However, this is not limiting. The locker device 12 may also include a robotic arm (not shown) having the same structure and function as the robotic arm 218 of the second transporter 21. Furthermore, during the storage sequence to the locker device, the locker device 12 may use the robotic arm of the locker device 12 to move articles from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12.

[0296] Alternatively, in the storage step for storing items in the locker device, the first transporter 11 and the locker device 12 may move the items from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12. In this case, after the first transporter 11 uses its robotic arm to remove the items from the first transporter 11, the locker device 12 uses its robotic arm to retrieve the removed items from the first transporter 11 and uses its robotic arm to store the retrieved items in the locker device 12.

[0297] <Variation 7 of Example 1>

[0298] In the first embodiment, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 manages the first and second times. In addition, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 performs notification that no one has touched an item after the first time.

[0299] However, the present invention is not limited to these. The management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 of this variation manages a first elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from the first moment, and a second elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from the second moment. Furthermore, the notification unit 140 of this variation performs notification when no one touches an item for the first elapsed time.

[0300] Therefore, the information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 of this modification pre-stores a second elapsed time table (not shown) instead of Figure 15 The second time table shown in FIG. 2 stores a pair of an item ID for identifying an item and a thread ID for identifying a thread that executes a timing program for timing the second elapsed time of the item.

[0301] After the timer program starts executing, it performs a sleep process for 1 minute and then increments the counter indicating the elapsed time by "1". Thereafter, the timer program repeats the above process starting from the sleep process.

[0302] The information processing device 100 of this variation is Figure 12 In step S62, the second elapsed time is set as follows: Figure 24 The second elapsed time setting process shown is used to replace Figure 17 The second time setting process is shown.

[0303] After the second elapsed time setting process is started, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 executes Figure 17 The same processing as steps S71 and S73 is performed (steps S141 and S142), thereby obtaining the item ID of the item that has undergone the collection step and the step ID "P1" of the collection step, and obtaining the intervention mark paired with the acquired step ID "P1" of the collection step.

[0304] Next, when the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired intervention flag value is "TRUE" indicating human intervention (step S143; Yes), it generates a thread that executes a timer program for measuring the second elapsed time, and the acquisition unit 120 acquires a thread ID that identifies the generated thread from the OS.

[0305] The management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 then initializes a counter to "0" minutes. This counter, which represents the second elapsed time and is used by the timing program executed in the generated thread (step S144), then begins execution of the timing program. Thus, the management unit 130 causes the timing program to measure the elapsed time from the moment the item is collected or the moment the step ID "P1" of the collection step is acquired. This timing is performed because, in this embodiment, the moment of collection represents the moment the collection step is completed. The duration from the moment the collection step is completed until the information processing device 100 obtains the step ID "P1" of the collection step from the completion report of the collection step, initializes the counter based on the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID, restarts execution of the timing program, and then ends execution is a predetermined length, such as "1 minute," or less. That is, the time when the item is collected, the time when the step ID "P1" of the collection step is obtained, and the time when the execution of the timer program is restarted can be regarded as the same.

[0306] The management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 then stores the item ID and thread ID acquired in step S141 in a pair in the second elapsed time table, thereby managing the time measured by the timer program as the second elapsed time. The management unit 130 then terminates the second elapsed time setting process.

[0307] In step S143, if the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired intervention flag value is "FALSE" indicating no intervention (step S143: No), it generates a transmission request requesting the transmission of information indicating the third elapsed time, i.e., the elapsed time from the third moment. The management unit 130 then outputs the generated transmission request to the first data communication circuit 104a, specifying the information processing device of the third logistics facility as the destination (step S145).

[0308] After the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 receives the information indicating the third elapsed time, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the information indicating the third elapsed time from the first data communication circuit 104a (step S146).

[0309] Next, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 generates a thread, and the acquisition unit 120 acquires a thread ID identifying the generated thread. Next, the management unit 130 initializes the counter representing the second elapsed time, used by the timer program executed in the generated thread, to the third elapsed time (step S147), and then begins executing the timer program. The management unit 130 then pairs the item ID and thread ID and stores them in the second elapsed time table, thereby managing the third elapsed time as the second elapsed time. The management unit 130 then terminates the second elapsed time setting process.

[0310] In addition, the information processing device 100 of this variation Figure 12 Steps S64 and S66, and Figure 19 In steps S98 and S100, the second elapsed time is reset. Figure 25 The second time shown is reset to replace Figure 18 The second time update process is shown.

[0311] After the second elapsed time reset process is started, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 executes the same Figure 18 The same processing as steps S81 and S83 is performed (steps S151 and S152) to obtain the step ID "P2" to "P5" of the executed step and the item ID of the item that has performed the step. In addition, the acquisition unit 120 obtains the intervention mark paired with any of the acquired step IDs "P2" to "P5".

[0312] Next, when the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired intervention flag value is "FALSE" indicating no intervention (step S153; No), the second elapsed time resetting process is terminated without resetting the second elapsed time.

[0313] In contrast, if the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired intervention flag value is "TRUE," indicating human intervention (step S153: Yes), the acquisition unit 120 acquires the thread ID paired with the item ID from the second elapsed time table (not shown). The management unit 130 then terminates execution of the timer program executing in the thread identified by the acquired thread ID and initializes the timer program's count representing the second elapsed time to "0" minutes (step S154). The management unit 130 then restarts execution of the timer program. Consequently, the management unit 130 causes the timer program to measure the elapsed time from the time the item is transported to the storage 22, stored in the storage 22, removed from the storage 22, transported to the first transport machine 11, or the time any of the step IDs "P2" to "P5" is acquired. Furthermore, the management unit 130 manages the time measured by the timer program as the second elapsed time. Thereafter, the management unit 130 ends execution of the second elapsed time resetting process.

[0314] Furthermore, the information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 of this variation pre-stores an item table (not shown) instead of Figure 20 The item table of this variation stores the item ID of the sold item, information indicating the destination of the item, a storage box ID identifying the storage box of the locker device 12 storing the item, information indicating the password used to authenticate the recipient of the item, and the thread ID of the thread that executes the timing program for timing the first elapsed time of the item.

[0315] The information processing device 100 of this variation is Figure 19 After the execution command of the command execution delivery step is output in step S101, in step S102, the first elapsed time setting process (not shown) of setting the first elapsed time is executed to replace Figure 21 The first time setting process is shown.

[0316] After the information processing device 100 starts executing the first elapsed time setting process, it executes Figure 24The same processing as steps S141 to S147 is performed. Thus, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the item ID of the item that has undergone the delivery step, and the step ID "P6" of the delivery step. Next, if the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the value of the intervention flag paired with the step ID "P6" of the delivery step is the value "TRUE" indicating that someone has intervened, a thread is generated to execute a timing program for timing the first elapsed time. Thereafter, the management unit 130 initializes the count representing the first elapsed time to "0" minutes, and then starts the execution of the timing program in the thread. Thus, the management unit 130 causes the timing program to count the elapsed time from the moment of delivery or the moment of acquisition of the step ID "P6" of the delivery step.

[0317] This timing is used because, in this embodiment, the moment of submission represents the moment the submission step is completed. Furthermore, the duration from the moment the submission step is completed to the moment the information processing device 100 receives the completion report for the collection step, obtains the collection step ID "P1" from the completion report, initializes the counter based on the step ID, restarts the timing program, and then terminates the execution is less than a predetermined length. In other words, the moment of submission, the moment of obtaining the submission step ID "P6," and the moment the timing program is restarted can be considered the same.

[0318] The management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 then pairs the thread ID of the generated thread with the item ID of the sold item and stores it in the item table of this variation. This allows the management unit 130 to manage the elapsed time measured by the timer program as the first elapsed time. The management unit 130 then terminates the first elapsed time setting process.

[0319] In contrast, if the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired intervention flag value is "FALSE," indicating no intervention, it generates a thread, initializes the counter representing the first elapsed time to the second elapsed time, and then begins executing the timer program within that thread. The management unit 130 then associates the thread ID with the item ID and stores it in the item table, thereby managing the second elapsed time as the first elapsed time. The management unit 130 then terminates the first elapsed time setting process.

[0320] In addition, the information processing device 100 of this variation Figure 19 In steps S105 and S107, the first elapsed time reset process (not shown) is executed to reset the first elapsed time, instead of Figure 22 The first time update process is shown.

[0321] After the information processing device 100 starts executing the first elapsed time reset process, it executes Figure 25 The same process as steps S151 to S154 is performed. The information processing device 100 thus obtains the step ID identifying the completed step and the item ID of the item that completed the step, and then obtains the intervention flag paired with the obtained step ID. Next, if the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 determines that the value of the obtained intervention flag is "FALSE," indicating no intervention, it does not reset the first elapsed time but continues counting. The management unit 130 then terminates the first elapsed time reset process.

[0322] In contrast, if the information processing device 100 determines that the value of the acquired intervention flag is "TRUE," indicating human intervention, it acquires the thread ID paired with the acquired item ID. Next, after terminating execution of the timer program executing in the thread identified by the acquired thread ID, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 initializes the timer program's count representing the first elapsed time to "0" minutes and then restarts execution of the timer program. Thus, the management unit 130 causes the timer program to measure the elapsed time from the moment of transfer or storage to the locker device 12, or from the moment of acquisition of the step ID "P7" of the transfer sequence to the locker device or the step ID "P8" of the storage sequence to the locker device. Furthermore, the management unit 130 manages the elapsed time measured by the timer program as the first elapsed time. Thereafter, the management unit 130 terminates execution of the first elapsed time reset process.

[0323] In addition, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 of this variation performs a notification process (not shown) of notifying the recipient based on the first elapsed time instead of notifying the recipient based on the first moment. Figure 23 Notification processing shown.

[0324] After starting notification processing (not shown), the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires, from the item table of this variation, the storage box ID and information indicating the password, which are paired with the item ID of the item delivered to the locker device 12, as well as the thread ID. Next, the acquisition unit 120 searches for the value of the counter used by the timer program executed in the thread identified by the thread ID to obtain the first elapsed time.

[0325] The notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 then generates a notification containing the box ID, the password, and the first elapsed time. This notification notifies the recipient that the item has been delivered to the box identified by the box ID in the locker device 12 at the destination; that the password is required to retrieve the item; and that no one has accessed the item for the first elapsed time. The notification unit 140 then outputs the generated notification to the first data communication circuit 104a, using the terminal device 19 carried by the recipient as the destination, and terminates the notification process.

[0326] With these configurations, the logistics system 1 includes: a first logistics mechanism 10 including a first conveyor 11 for conveying an item to a destination; and a management unit 130 for managing a first elapsed time, which is the elapsed time measured from a first moment prior to the time at which an item conveyed by the first conveyor 11 is received and the last time a person touched the item. Thus, the logistics system 1 can manage the first elapsed time, which is the elapsed time measured from the last time a person touched the item before the recipient received the item.

[0327] Furthermore, based on these configurations, logistics system 1 further includes a second logistics mechanism 20, which is a separate mechanism from first logistics mechanism 10 and transports or stores items. Furthermore, management unit 130 of information processing device 100 manages a second elapsed time, which is the elapsed time measured from a second moment in time, which is earlier than the moment in time at which the second logistics mechanism 20 delivered the item to first logistics mechanism 10 and is the last moment in time at which a person came into contact with the item being transported or stored by second logistics mechanism 20. Thus, logistics system 1 can manage the second elapsed time, which is the elapsed time measured from the last moment in time at which a person came into contact with the item before the item was delivered to first logistics mechanism 10.

[0328] Based on these configurations, logistics system 1 further includes a notification unit 140 that notifies the recipient based on the first elapsed time. Notification unit 140 notifies the recipient that no one has touched the item for the first elapsed time. Therefore, if the recipient waits until the difference between the target elapsed time and the first elapsed time has elapsed after notification, even if viruses or bacteria attach to the item due to human contact, infection of the recipient can be prevented.

[0329] <Variation 8 of Example 1>

[0330] Variation 3 of Example 1 can be combined with Variation 7 of Example 1. Therefore, when a person intervenes during the delivery of an article to the first transporter 11, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 can manage the elapsed time from the time of the delivery as the first elapsed time.

[0331] <Variation 9 of Example 1>

[0332] While the first embodiment describes a scenario in which the recipient enters the locker ID and password into the input device of the locker device 12 after the recommended collection start time, the present invention is not limited thereto. In this variation, the recipient enters the locker ID and password into the input device of the locker device 12 before the recommended collection start time.

[0333] The locker device 12 of this variation, as described in Example 1, follows this operation by sending a query containing the locker ID and password to the information processing device 100. Even if the information processing device 100 receives the query before the recommended start time for collection, it will respond with a permission to unlock the locker if the combination of the locker ID and password included in the query matches the combination of the locker ID and password sent to the terminal device 19. Conversely, if the combinations do not match, the information processing device 100 will respond with a permission to unlock the locker.

[0334] <Variation 10 of Example 1>

[0335] In Variation 9 of Example 1, even if the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry before the recommended start time for collection, it responds that unlocking is permitted, provided the box ID and password combination included in the inquiry matches the box ID and password combination sent to the terminal device 19. However, this is not limiting; the information processing device 100 may also respond that unlocking is not permitted if the inquiry is received before the recommended start time for collection.

[0336] Therefore, the information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 of this variation pre-stores an item table (not shown) instead of Figure 20 The item table of this variation stores in pairs the item ID of the item being sold, information indicating the destination of the item, the first time of the item, the storage box ID identifying the storage box of the locker device 12 storing the item, information indicating the password used for authenticating the recipient of the item, and the recommended start time for collection of the item.

[0337] The information processing device 100 of this variation performs a notification process (not shown) instead of Figure 23 After starting the notification process of this variation, execute the Figure 23 The same processing as steps S131 to S133 is performed. Thus, the first time when the item is stored in the locker device 12 is acquired, and the recommended collection start time is calculated based on the acquired first time.

[0338] Thereafter, the management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 searches the item table of this variation for a record storing the item ID of the item, and stores the calculated recommended collection start time in a pair with the item ID in the retrieved record.

[0339] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 executes Figure 23 The same processing as step S134 is performed, thereby sending a notification including the first time, the recommended collection start time, the storage box ID and the password to the terminal device 19 carried by the recipient, and then ending the execution of the notification processing.

[0340] When the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 receives the inquiry from the locker device 12 operated by the recipient who has seen the notification, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes unlocking permission processing (not shown).

[0341] After the unlock permission process begins, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the locker ID and password information from the received query, and then acquires the recommended collection start time associated with the locker ID acquired from the query from the item table of this variation. Next, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the system time from, for example, the OS. If the control unit 110 determines that the acquired system time is earlier than the acquired recommended collection start time, it outputs a response to the first data communication circuit 104a indicating that unlocking is not permitted, with the locker device 12 as the destination.

[0342] In contrast, if the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired system time is after the acquired recommended collection start time, it acquires information indicating the password paired with the acquired locker ID from the item table of this variation, as described in Example 1. Next, if the control unit 110 determines that the password indicated by the information acquired from the inquiry matches the password indicated by the information acquired from the item table, it outputs a response to the first data communication circuit 104a permitting unlocking, with the locker device 12 as the destination. Conversely, if the control unit 110 determines that the passwords do not match, it outputs a response to the first data communication circuit 104a prohibiting unlocking, with the locker device 12 as the destination. The control unit 110 then terminates the unlock permission process.

[0343] According to these structures, the target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacteria is excreted from the human body until the infectivity of the virus or bacteria reaches a predetermined level or less. In addition, the logistics system 1 also includes a control unit 110, which controls the first conveyor 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10 to convey the items to the locker device 12 set at the receiving location after the recommended collection start time that is later than the first time by the target elapsed time, and then controls the first conveyor 11 to store the conveyed items and unlock the locked locker device 12. Therefore, the logistics system 1 can set the collection time of the items to after the recommended collection start time, so even if viruses or bacteria are attached to the items due to human contact, the recipient of the items can be prevented from being infected with the viruses or bacteria.

[0344] <Variation 11 of Example 1>

[0345] Variation 7 of Example 1 can be combined with Variation 10 of Example 1. In this variation, which is a combination of Variation 7 of Example 1 and Variation 10 of Example 1, control unit 110 of information processing device 100 controls unlocking locker device 12 after the first elapsed time reaches the target elapsed time.

[0346] Therefore, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains the box ID and information indicating the password from the query received from the recipient's terminal device 19. It then obtains the thread ID paired with the box ID obtained from the query from the item table of this variation. Next, the acquisition unit 120 searches the timer program executed in the thread identified by the obtained thread ID to obtain the first elapsed time. Thereafter, the acquisition unit 120 obtains information indicating the target elapsed time from the information storage unit 190.

[0347] Next, if the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 determines that the acquired first elapsed time is less than the acquired target elapsed time, it determines that the system time is earlier than the recommended collection start time, at which the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time. The control unit 110 then outputs a response to the first data communication circuit 104a, disallowing unlocking, with the locker device 12 as the destination.

[0348] In contrast, if the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 determines that the length of the acquired first elapsed time is greater than the length of the acquired target elapsed time, it determines that the system time is after the recommended collection start time. Thereafter, if the control unit 110 determines that the password indicated by the information acquired from the query matches the password indicated by the information acquired from the item table, it outputs a response permitting unlocking. If it determines that the passwords do not match, it outputs a response disallowing unlocking.

[0349] <Variation 12 of Example 1>

[0350] In the first embodiment, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 performs the notification of delivery of the item to the locker device 12 after the item is stored in the locker device 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In this variation, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 performs the notification of delivery of the item to the locker device 12 after the recommended collection start time has passed.

[0351] Therefore, the information storage unit 190 of the information processing device 100 of this variation pre-stores an item table (not shown) instead of Figure 20 In the item table of this variation, the item ID, information indicating the destination, the first time, the storage box ID, information indicating the password, the recommended collection start time, and a flag indicating whether notification has been made are stored in pairs.

[0352] The CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 of this variation is Figure 19 After the execution of the illustrated post-stage control process is completed and the article is stored in the locker device 12 , a time calculation process (not shown) is executed to calculate the recommended start time for collection of the article.

[0353] After the information processing device 100 starts executing the time calculation process, it executes Figure 23 The same process as steps S131 to S133 is performed. Thus, the first time the item was stored in the locker device 12 is acquired, and the recommended collection start time is calculated based on the acquired first time. The management unit 130 of the information processing device 100 then searches the item table of this variation for the record containing the item ID of the item in question, and stores the calculated recommended collection start time and a flag indicating that no notification has been issued in the retrieved record, paired with the item ID. The management unit 130 then terminates the recommended collection start time calculation process.

[0354] After the CPU 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 of this variation is started, it executes a notification process (not shown) at a predetermined interval, for example, 1 minute, instead of Figure 23 Notification processing shown.

[0355] After starting the notification process of this variation, acquisition unit 120 of information processing device 100 acquires the system time from, for example, the OS. Next, notification unit 140 determines whether the item table of this variation contains a record containing a recommended pickup start time before the acquired system time and a flag indicating that no notification has been issued. If notification unit 140 determines that no such record exists, the notification process ends.

[0356] On the other hand, when the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 determines that such a record exists, the acquisition unit 120 selects one of the records and acquires the box ID and password from the selected record.

[0357] Thereafter, the notification unit 140 generates a notification informing that: the item has been delivered to the storage box identified by the storage box ID of the locker device 12 at the destination; the password is required to receive the item; and the target elapsed time has passed since the person last touched the item.

[0358] Next, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 outputs the generated notification to the first data communication circuit 104a, with the recipient's terminal device 19 as the destination. The notification unit 140 then updates the flag of the selected record to indicate that notification has been made, and then terminates the notification process.

[0359] With this configuration, the notification unit 140 of the logistics system 1 further notifies the recipient that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the last contact with the item, at a time later than the first time, i.e., the recommended collection start time, at a time later than the first time. Therefore, if the recipient sees this notification and collects the item, even if viruses or bacteria have become attached to the item due to contact, infection with the virus or bacteria can be prevented. Furthermore, even if the recipient does not know the target elapsed time, simply seeing this notification will indicate that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the last contact with the item, and therefore the infectivity of the virus or bacteria has fallen below a predetermined level. This improves convenience for the recipient.

[0360] With this configuration, the notification unit 140 of the logistics system 1 notifies the recipient of the delivery of the item to the locker device 12 after the recommended collection start time, and refrains from providing this notification before the recommended collection start time. Therefore, even if unlocking the locker device 12 is not restricted at a time earlier than the recommended collection start time, the logistics system 1 can set the collection time to a time after the recommended collection start time. Consequently, even if viruses or bacteria become attached to the item due to human contact, infection of the recipient can be prevented.

[0361] <Variation 13 of Example 1>

[0362] Variation 7 of Example 1 can be combined with Variation 12 of Example 1. Therefore, in the information processing device 100 of this variation, which is a combination of Variation 7 of Example 1 and Variation 12 of Example 1, after the first elapsed time reaches the target elapsed time, notification unit 140 further notifies that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the person last touched the article.

[0363] <Variation 14 of Example 1>

[0364] In the first embodiment, the first logistics mechanism 10 of the logistics system 1 is described as including the first transporter 11 and the locker device 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this variation, the first logistics mechanism 10 includes the first transporter 11 but does not include the locker device 12. After transporting an item to the destination, the first transporter 11 in this variation stops at the destination.

[0365] The first transporter 11 may also travel in a circular motion or back and forth motion at a speed lower than a predetermined speed near the destination. The vicinity of the destination is an area closer to the destination than a boundary line at a predetermined distance from the destination.

[0366] The recipient inputs a password into an input device (not shown) included in the first transport machine 11. A CPU (not shown) included in the first transport machine 11 acquires information indicating the password based on a signal output from the input device and outputs a query including the acquired information to the data communication circuit, using the information processing device 100 as the destination.

[0367] If the data communication circuit of the first transporter 11 then receives a response from the information processing device 100 indicating that unlocking is not permitted, the CPU of the first transporter 11 causes a display device (not shown) to display a message indicating that the password is incorrect. Conversely, if a response is received indicating that unlocking is permitted, the CPU of the first transporter 11 outputs a control signal to the driver circuit to unlock the storage compartment. The recipient then opens the unlocked storage compartment door and collects the purchased items.

[0368] <Variation 15 of Example 1>

[0369] In Example 1, the locker device 12 is described as being installed at the entrance of the high-end apartment where the recipient resides, but this is not limiting. The locker device 12 may also be installed at the entrance of a public residence (including an apartment), an office building, a hotel, a commercial facility (including a convenience store, shopping mall, and department store), a public facility (including a train station, airport, and bus stop), or the entrance of a single-family home. Furthermore, the locker device 12 may also be installed in the lobby of a public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility. Furthermore, the locker device 12 may also be installed in the courtyard or parking lot of a single-family home, public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility. Furthermore, the locker device 12 may also be installed on a roadway in a public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility.

[0370] In Variation 14 of Example 1, the first transporter 11 is described as being stationed at a destination, or roving or reciprocating near the destination. The destination where the first transporter 11 is stationed, or the vicinity of the destination where it roves, may be the entrance of a public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility, or the porch of a single-family home. Furthermore, the destination where the first transporter 11 is stationed, or the vicinity of the destination where it roves, may be the lobby of a public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility; the courtyard or parking lot of a single-family home, public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility; or a roadway in a public residence, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility.

[0371] <Variation 16 of Example 1>

[0372] In the first embodiment, the logistics system 1 includes: a first transporter 11, which is an unmanned ground vehicle and has a robotic arm (not shown); and a locker device 12, which stores items via the first transporter 11. However, this is not limited to this. The logistics system 1 of this variation includes: a first transporter 11, which is Figure 26 The unmanned aerial vehicle shown is an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone and does not have a robot arm; and the locker device 12 has a robot arm (not shown) and stores the articles transported by the first transporter 11 with the robot arm.

[0373] The first transporter 11 includes a control device 910 for controlling the posture and flight of the first transporter 11. The first transporter 11 includes propeller arms 921 and 922, and 923 and 924, which protrude from the front of the control device 910 toward the front right and front left, and from the rear of the control device 910 toward the rear left and rear right, respectively. Furthermore, the first transporter 11 includes propellers 931 to 934, which are provided at the tips of the propeller arms 921 to 924, respectively, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the propellers 931 to 934 in accordance with the control of the control device 910.

[0374] A storage compartment 940 for storing items is provided below the control device 910 of the first transporter 11. Storage compartment 940 includes a housing, door, door frame, dead bolt, and latch (not shown). The configuration and function of the housing, door, door frame, dead bolt, and latch of storage compartment 940 are similar to the configuration and function of the housing, door 215a, door frame 215b, dead bolt 215c, and latch 215d of the storage box 215 of the second transporter 21.

[0375] The first transporter 11 further includes support legs 943 that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the control device 910 to support the control device 910. Furthermore, the first transporter 11 includes a LiDAR sensor 951 disposed on the front of the control device 910 and a LiDAR sensor (not shown) disposed on the rear of the control device 910. The configuration and function of the front LiDAR sensor 951 and the rear LiDAR sensor of the first transporter 11 are the same as those of the front LiDAR sensor 216 and the rear LiDAR sensor of the second transporter 21, respectively.

[0376] The first transporter 11 further includes an imaging device 961 whose optical axis and viewing angle are adjusted so as to capture images of the area in front of the first transporter 11. The configuration and function of the imaging device 961 included in the first transporter 11 are the same as those of the imaging device 217 included in the second transporter 21.

[0377] The control device 910 of the first transporter 11 includes hardware such as a CPU, RAM, ROM, flash memory, data communication circuit, video card, display device, input device, position measurement circuit, input / output terminal, and drive circuit (not shown). The configuration and function of the hardware included in the control device 910 of the first transporter 11 are similar to those in FIG. Figure 3 The hardware configuration and functions of the control device 219 of the second transporter 21 shown are the same.

[0378] The drive circuit of the first transporter 11 is connected to cables (not shown) connected to motors (not shown) that rotate the propellers 931 to 934. The drive circuit drives the motors (not shown) that rotate the propellers 931 to 934 in accordance with signals output from the CPU.

[0379] When the data communication circuit of the first transport machine 11 receives the execution command transmitted from the information processing device 100 , the CPU of the first transport machine 11 executes the delivery sequence according to the execution command.

[0380] In this variation, the logistics system 1 includes: a first transporter 11, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle and does not have a robotic arm; and a locker device 12, which has a robotic arm. Furthermore, in this variation, the locker device 12 uses its robotic arm to move items transferred from the first transporter 11 from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12. However, this is not limiting; the logistics system 1 may also include: a first transporter 11, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle and has a robotic arm; and a locker device 12, which uses the robotic arm of the first transporter 11 to store items.

[0381] In this modification, the logistics system 1 is described as including the first transporter 11 as an unmanned aerial vehicle and the second transporter 21 as an unmanned ground vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The logistics system 1 may also include the first transporter 11 and the second transporter 21 as unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0382] In addition, while this variation describes the first transporter 11 as an unmanned aerial vehicle, this is not limiting and it may also be an unmanned flying vehicle. Furthermore, while this variation describes the first transporter 11 as an unmanned aerial vehicle that generates lift and thrust through propellers 931 to 934, this is not limiting. The first transporter 11 may also include wings to generate lift, or may include an air bladder filled with a gas with a lower specific gravity than air to generate lift. Furthermore, the first transporter 11 may include a jet engine or a rocket engine to generate thrust.

[0383] In Example 1, the locker device 12 is described as being installed at the entrance of the high-end apartment where the recipient lives, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The locker device 12 may also be installed at the balcony or roof of a single-family house, public housing, office building, hotel, commercial facility or public facility.

[0384] This variation can be combined with Variation 14 of Embodiment 1, in which the first transporter 11 is stationed at a destination, or circulates or shuttles near the destination. In this case, the destination where the first transporter 11 lands, or the area near the destination where it circulates, shuttles, or hovers, can be a balcony or rooftop of a single-family home, apartment building, office building, hotel, commercial facility, or public facility.

[0385] <Variation 17 of Example 1>

[0386] In the first embodiment, the first transporter 11 is described as an unmanned ground vehicle. However, it is not necessarily unmanned and may also have a person on board, as long as it moves autonomously except for the control by the information processing device 100 .

[0387] <Variation 18 of Example 1>

[0388] In the first embodiment, the first transporter 11 is described as an unmanned ground vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first transporter 11 of this modification is a manned ground vehicle that travels according to the operation of a driver who rides on the first transporter 11 .

[0389] In this variation, during the transfer process from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11, the operator of the first transporter 11 touches the item and moves it from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11. Therefore, in this variation, a human intervenes in the transfer process. Therefore, the first transporter 11 may or may not have a robotic arm and may be, for example, a vehicle, including a truck.

[0390] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this. In the handover sequence, the robot arm 218 of the second transporter 21 and one or more robot arms (not shown) of the first transporter 11 may be used to move the articles from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11, rather than the operator of the first transporter 11. In other words, the handover sequence may be performed without human intervention.

[0391] Furthermore, in this variation, during the transport sequence to the locker device, the items are stored in the storage of the first transporter 11. Therefore, the operator of the first transporter 11 does not touch the items but instead operates the first transporter 11 to transport the items to the locker device 12. Therefore, in this variation, there is no human intervention during the transport sequence to the locker device. However, this is not limiting. If the operator of the first transporter 11 needs to touch the items during the transport sequence to the locker device, human intervention may be permitted.

[0392] Furthermore, in this variation, the logistics system 1, similar to Variation 14 of Example 1, does not include a storage vault 22. Therefore, after transporting the items to the destination, the first transporter 11 of this variation does not proceed to the storage step of storing them in a locker system. Instead, the first transporter 11 of this variation stops at the destination and then delivers the items to the recipient in response to the recipient's instructions. The recipient then receives the items from the storage vault of the first transporter 11.

[0393] However, this is not limiting. The logistics system 1 may also include a storage vault 22, similar to the first embodiment, and after the first transporter 11 transports the items to the destination, a storage step of storing the items in a locker device is performed. In this case, during the storage step of storing the items in the locker device, the operator of the first transporter 11 may need to touch the items to move them from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12, thereby requiring human intervention in the storage step of storing the items in the locker device. Alternatively, in this case, the operator may not need to touch the items to move them from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12, and the robotic arm of the first transporter 11 may move the items from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12, thereby eliminating human intervention in the storage step of storing the items in the locker device. Furthermore, in this case, the locker device 12 may include a robotic arm (not shown), thereby requiring the operator to touch the items and allowing the robotic arm of the locker device 12 to move the items from the first transporter 11 to the locker device 12.

[0394] In addition, in the first embodiment, the second transporter 21 is described as an unmanned ground vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second transporter 21 may also be a manned ground vehicle that travels in accordance with the operation of a driver aboard the second transporter 21. Furthermore, during the steps of collecting items from a transporter, transporting them to a storage vault, storing them in the storage vault, retrieving items from the storage vault 22, and transporting them to the first transporter, a driver may not need to touch the items, thereby eliminating human intervention in these steps. Conversely, these steps may require a driver to touch the items, thereby eliminating human intervention in these steps.

[0395] <Variation 19 of Example 1>

[0396] In Example 1, the target elapsed time is pre-set to the time required for the infectivity of a predetermined virus or bacterium to fall below a predetermined level. The predetermined virus or bacterium can be any virus or bacterium, for example, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)-CoV (Coronavirus)-2. In this case, the target elapsed time can be 72 hours, or shorter or longer than 72 hours, for the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 to fall below a predetermined level.

[0397] In addition, the pre-set virus may be, for example, influenza virus, norovirus, or rotavirus, and the pre-set bacteria may be, for example, Escherichia coli or Streptococcus pyogenes.

[0398] <Variation 20 of Example 1>

[0399] The articles transported by the first transporter 11 and the second transporter 21 are arbitrary and may be luggage or cargo. In addition, the articles are not limited to objects and may be living things.

[0400] <Variation 21 of Example 1>

[0401] In Example 1, the first logistics mechanism 10 is described as having one first transporter 11 and one locker device 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first logistics mechanism 10 may also have N1 first transporters 11 and M1 locker devices 12 (where N1 and M1 are both natural numbers). In addition, in Example 1, the second logistics mechanism 20 is described as having one second transporter 21 and one storage vault 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second logistics mechanism 20 may also have N2 second transporters 21 and M2 storage vaults 22 (where N2 and M2 are both natural numbers).

[0402] <Variation 22 of Example 1>

[0403] In the first embodiment, the first transporter 11 transports one article and stores the transported article in one storage box of the locker device 12. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 notifies the first time and the recommended start time of collection of the article stored in the storage box of the locker device 12. This notification serves to inform that no one has touched the article after the first time and the recommended start time of collection of the article.

[0404] However, the present invention is not limited to these. The first transporter 11 may transport multiple items and store the transported items in a single storage box provided in the locker device 12. Furthermore, the notification unit 140 of the information processing device 100 may also provide a notification including the latest first time among the first times of the multiple items stored in the single storage box of the locker device 12 and the latest recommended collection start time among the recommended collection start times for the multiple items. The notification including the latest first time and the latest recommended collection start time informs that no one has touched any of the multiple items after the latest first time and that the recommended collection start time for the multiple items is the latest recommended collection start time.

[0405] In the first embodiment, the second transporter 21 stores one article in one storage box 225 of the storage 22 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second transporter 21 may store a plurality of articles at the same second time in the same storage box 225 .

[0406] <Variation 23 of Example 1>

[0407] In Example 1, the information processing device 100 is described as having an information storage unit 190, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The information processing device 100 of this variation does not have an information storage unit 190. The information processing device 100 of this variation is, for example, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), and is connected to an unillustrated information storage device having the same function as the information storage unit 190 via the Internet IN. The logistics system 1 of this variation may or may not have an information storage device. The information processing device 100 of this variation uses the information stored in the information storage device to perform Figure 12 The front-end control processing shown, Figure 17 The second time setting process shown, Figure 18 The second time update process shown, Figure 19 The following control processing is shown, Figure 21 The first time setting process shown, Figure 22The first time update process shown, and Figure 23 Notification processing shown.

[0408] <Variation 24 of Example 1>

[0409] In the first embodiment, the terminal device 19 is described as a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be a tablet-type personal computer or a notebook-type personal computer.

[0410] <Example 2>

[0411] In the first embodiment, the information processing device 100, upon receiving a sales request, controls the second transporter 21 to remove the sold item from the storage 22 and deliver it to the first transporter 11. The first transporter 11 is then controlled to transport the delivered item to the destination. However, this is not a limitation.

[0412] After receiving a sales request, the information processing device 100 of this embodiment determines the delivery timing for the item from the second transporter 21 to the first transporter 11, such that a target elapsed time elapses from the second moment when a person last touched the item being sold to the moment when the recipient receives the item. The information processing device 100 then controls the second transporter 21 to deliver the item at the determined delivery timing and then controls the first transporter 11 to transport the delivered item to the destination. The following description will use the same reference numerals as in Example 1 for components identical to those in Example 1, but will primarily focus on the differences between this embodiment and Example 1.

[0413] After the first data communication circuit 104a of the information processing device 100 of this embodiment receives the sales request, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes the following Figure 27 Thus, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 acts as Figure 28 The derivation unit 150 shown in the figure derivates the transport time required to transport the delivered article from the delivery location to the destination of the article, and the determination unit 160 determines the delivery timing based on the deduced transport time.

[0414] Start execution Figure 27 After the post-control processing of Figure 19 The same processing as steps S91 to S94 is performed (steps S161 to S164) to select the item to be sold. After that, the information processing device 100 uses the item ID of the selected item as an independent variable to execute the following steps to determine the delivery timing of the item to be sold: Figure 29 The timing shown determines the processing.

[0415] After the timing determination process is started, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the item ID based on the argument and Figure 20 The item table of the obtained item ID is used to obtain the information indicating the destination that is paired with the obtained item ID (step S181). Thereafter, the acquisition unit 120 obtains the information indicating the latitude, longitude, and altitude that is pre-paired with the information indicating the destination and stored in the information storage unit 190.

[0416] Afterwards, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 executes Figure 4 The same processing as step S02 is performed, thereby determining the movement path of the article from the delivery point to the first transporter 11 to the destination of the article (step S182).

[0417] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires information indicating the moving speed of the first transporter 11, which is pre-stored in the information storage unit 190. The moving speed of the first transporter 11 may be a preset speed or an average speed of the moving speeds of the first transporter 11 measured in the past.

[0418] The derivation unit 150 of the information processing device 100 then calculates the distance of the determined travel path and divides the calculated distance by the speed indicated by the acquired information. The derivation unit 150 thereby deduces the transport time required for the first transporter 11 to travel along the travel path and transport the article from the delivery location to the destination (step S183).

[0419] Then, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the information indicating the target elapsed time pre-stored in the information storage unit 190. Next, the determination unit 160 calculates the time obtained by subtracting the derived transport time from the first target elapsed time as the target elapsed time, and uses it as the second target elapsed time (step S184). Figure 20 The item table is retrieved, and the second time paired with the acquired item ID is obtained. The decision unit 160 adds the second target elapsed time to the second time and determines the time obtained as the delivery timing, i.e., the delivery timing (step S185). The decision unit 160 then terminates the timing decision process.

[0420] exist Figure 27After the timing determination process is completed in step S165, the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 generates an execution command. This execution command includes information indicating the determined delivery timing and instructs the execution of the retrieval step for removing the sold items from the storage 22, the transport step for transporting them to the first transporter, and the delivery step. The control unit 110 then outputs the generated execution command to the second data communication circuit 104b, specifying the second transporter 21 as the destination (step S166).

[0421] The second transporter 21, having received the execution command, determines a movement start timing based on the delivery timing included in the execution command to start moving toward the storage 22 to retrieve the items from the storage 22. The second transporter 21 then begins moving toward the storage 22 when the determined movement start timing arrives.

[0422] After receiving the arrival report notifying that the second transporter 21 has arrived at the storage 22, the information processing device 100 executes the Figure 19 The same processing as steps S96 and S97 is performed (steps S167 and S168), thereby unlocking the storage vault 22.

[0423] After that, the second transporter 21 that has completed the take-out step sends a completion report notifying that the take-out step has been completed. After receiving the completion report, the second data communication circuit 104b of the information processing device 100 executes Figure 18 The second time updating process is shown (step S169).

[0424] Next, after executing the transport sequence to the first transport machine, the second transport machine 21 transmits a completion report. After receiving the completion report, the information processing apparatus 100 executes the second time updating process again (step S170).

[0425] After that, the second transporter 21 executes the delivery step of delivering the article to the first transporter 11 at the delivery timing, and then sends a completion report. After receiving the completion report, the information processing device 100 executes Figure 21 The first time setting process shown is performed (step S171).

[0426] Next, the information processing device 100 executes Figure 19The information processing device 100 controls the first transporter 11 to execute the transport sequence for transporting the item to the locker device and the storage sequence for storing the item in the locker device 12 by performing the same processing as steps S103 to S109 (steps S172 to S178). As a result, the information processing device 100 controls the first transporter 11 to complete transport of the item to the locker device 12 at the recommended collection start time, which is a time that is later than the delivery timing by the transport time and later than the first time by the target elapsed time.

[0427] The data communication circuit of the second transporter 21 of this modification receives the Figure 27 After the execution command is outputted in step S166, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 executes the following Figure 30 The removal process is shown.

[0428] After the removal process starts, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 executes the same Figure 9 The same processing as steps S31 and S32 is performed (steps S191 and S192). Thus, the second transporter 21 determines the moving path from the position of the second transporter 21 to the storage 22, and the moving path from the storage 22 to the delivery location.

[0429] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 executes the Figure 29 The same processing as step S183 is performed to derive the travel time from the position of the second transporter 21 to the storage 22 and the travel time from the storage 22 to the delivery location (step S193).

[0430] The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then receives an execution command from the data communication circuit 219e and, from the received execution command, retrieves information indicating the delivery timing. The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then retrieves information indicating the time required to retrieve the item from the storage 22, which is pre-stored in the flash memory 219d. The retrieval time can be, for example, a preset time or an average of the times previously measured for the second transporter 21 to retrieve items from the storage 22.

[0431] The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 also obtains information indicating the delivery time required for the second transporter 21 to deliver an article to the first transporter 11. This information is pre-stored in the flash memory 219d. The delivery time may be, for example, a preset time or an average of previously measured times required for the second transporter 21 to deliver an article.

[0432] Next, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 calculates the total time of the movement from the position of the second transporter 21 to the storage vault 22, the retrieval time, the movement time from the storage vault 22 to the delivery location, and the delivery time. The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then determines the time that is earlier than the delivery timing indicated by the acquired information by the calculated total time as the start timing for movement to the storage vault 22 (step S194).

[0433] The reason the move start timing is determined based on this total time is that, in this embodiment, the delivery timing for a delivered item indicates the time at which the delivery is completed. However, the delivery timing is not limited to this and may also indicate the time at which the delivery begins. Thus, the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 calculates the move start timing based on the total time of the move to the storage 22, the retrieval time, and the move from the storage 22 to the delivery location. Alternatively, the delivery timing may indicate a point in time within the delivery period.

[0434] The CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 then obtains the system time from, for example, the OS, and determines whether the obtained time is after the determined movement start time (step S195). If the CPU 219a determines that the system time is before the movement start time (step S195: No), the CPU 219a sleeps for a predetermined time, such as one minute, and then repeats the above process from step S195.

[0435] On the other hand, if the CPU 219a of the second transporter 21 determines that the system time is after the movement start timing (step S195; Yes), it executes the same Figure 9 The same processing as that of steps S33 to S41 is performed (steps S196 to S204). As a result, the second transporter 21 starts moving toward the storage 22, executes the take-out sequence, and then ends the execution of the take-out process.

[0436] After the removal process is completed, the second transporter 21 performs the transport process of the first transporter (not shown) described in the first embodiment, thereby performing the transport step to the first transporter. Figure 10 The delivery process is shown. Thus, the second transporter 21 delivers the item to the first transporter 11 at the delivery timing determined by the information processing device 100. In this embodiment, "delivering the item at the delivery timing" means that the item delivery is completed at the delivery timing. However, this is not limiting and may also mean that the item delivery has begun at the delivery timing or that the item delivery is in progress at the delivery timing.

[0437] Based on these configurations, the logistics system 1 further includes a determination unit 160 that determines, based on the second time point, the timing for delivering the item from the second logistics mechanism 20 to the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10, such that a target elapsed time elapses from the second time point when a person last touched the item until the time the recipient receives the item. Furthermore, according to these configurations, the target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacteria is excreted from the human body until the infectivity of the virus or bacteria falls below a predetermined level. Furthermore, the logistics system 1 further includes a control unit 110 that controls the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10 to transport the item to the destination at a time point that is the target elapsed time after the first time point. Therefore, even if a virus or bacteria becomes attached to the item due to human contact, the item is not transported to the destination until the target elapsed time has elapsed from the last time the person touched the item. This effectively prevents the recipient who receives the item at the destination from being infected with the virus or bacteria.

[0438] Furthermore, based on these configurations, the logistics system 1 further includes a derivation unit 150 that derives the transport time required for the first transporter 11 of the first logistics mechanism 10 to transport the item to the destination, based on the destination. Furthermore, a determination unit 160 calculates a second target elapsed time that is shorter than the first target elapsed time, which serves as the target elapsed time, and determines a time point that is later than the second target elapsed time point as the delivery time point. Thus, the logistics system 1 can determine the delivery time point so that the item is delivered to the destination at a time point that is later than the second target elapsed time point. Consequently, when a recipient receives an item from the first transporter 11, even if viruses or bacteria are attached to the item due to human contact, the logistics system 1 can prevent the recipient from contracting the virus or bacteria and can also shorten the time the first transporter 11 remains at the destination, thereby improving the transport efficiency of the items transported by the first transporter 11. The transport efficiency of the first transporter 11 can be represented, for example, by the number of items transported by the first transporter 11 per unit time, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, when the first transporter 11 moves the items to the locker device 12 and the recipient receives the items from the locker device 12, the logistics system 1 can suppress infection and shorten the time the locker device 12 stores the items, thereby improving the storage efficiency of the locker device 12. The storage efficiency of the locker device 12 can be represented by, for example, the number of items stored by the locker device 12 per unit time, but is not limited to this.

[0439] <Variation 1 of Example 2>

[0440] In Example 2, the determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the time obtained by adding the second target elapsed time to the second time as the delivery timing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 may also determine the time obtained by adding the second target elapsed time to the second time as the delivery timing.

[0441] <Variation 2 of Example 2>

[0442] In the second embodiment, the decision unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The decision unit 160 of this variation may also determine the movement start timing for the second transporter 21 to start moving to the storage 22 to retrieve an article.

[0443] The information processing device 100 of this variation starts executing Figure 27 After the post-stage control processing, the processing of steps S161 to S164 is executed (steps S161 to S164), thereby selecting the items to be sold.

[0444] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 executes Figure 30 The same processing as steps S191 to S194 is performed, thereby determining the movement start timing (step S165).

[0445] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the system time from, for example, the OS, and the control unit 110 performs processing to determine whether the acquired system time is after the start time of the movement. If the control unit 110 determines that the system time is earlier than the start time of the movement, the control unit 110 sleeps for a predetermined period of time and then repeats the above processing, starting with the process of determining whether the system time is after the start time of the movement.

[0446] In contrast, if the control unit 110 of the information processing device 100 determines that the system time is after the start time of the movement, it will use the second conveyor 21 as the receiving destination and output a command to the second data communication circuit 104b to execute the removal step, the transport step to the first conveyor, and the delivery step.

[0447] Afterwards, the information processing device 100 executes Figure 27 The information processing device 100 then controls the first transporter 11 to complete transport of the item to the locker device 12 at the recommended collection start time, similar to Example 2. The recommended collection start time is a time later than the delivery timing by the transport time and later than the first time by the target elapsed time. The information processing device 100 then terminates execution of the post-processing control process.

[0448] <Variation 3 of Example 2>

[0449] In the second embodiment, the determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on the second time, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this variation, the determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the category of the item.

[0450] The information storage unit 190 of this variation pre-stores the following Figure 31 The article number table shown in the figure stores information related to the article numbers of articles. The article number table contains multiple pre-stored records, each of which pairs an article number with a category ID that identifies the category of the article assigned that number. In this embodiment, the category of an article is determined by the material of its surface components, but this is not limited to this. Examples of surface component materials include glass, plastic, paper, and metal, and examples of categories determined by the material of the surface components include, but are not limited to, glass products, plastic products, paper products, and metal products.

[0451] In addition, the information storage unit 190 of this variation pre-stores the following information: Figure 32 The category table shown above stores information related to item categories. The category table contains multiple pre-stored records, each of which pairs a category ID, used to identify a category, with a correction factor for the target elapsed time used to determine the recommended collection start time for items in that category. The category ID and correction factor are pre-stored because the rate at which the infectivity of viruses or bacteria decreases is related to the type of material to which they are attached.

[0452] The information processing device 100 of this variation uses Figure 31 and Figure 32 As shown in the table, execute Figure 33 After the information processing device 100 starts executing the timing determination process, it executes the Figure 29 The same processing as steps S181 to S183 is performed (steps S211 to S213), thereby deriving the transportation time required to transport the article from the delivery location to the destination.

[0453] Afterwards, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 31 Then, the acquisition unit 120 obtains the category ID matched with the item number contained in the item ID of the item being sold (step S214). Figure 32The category table of the acquired category ID is used to acquire the correction coefficient matched with the acquired category ID (step S215). Thus, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the correction coefficient corresponding to the category of the surface component of the sold article.

[0454] Then, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires information indicating the first target elapsed time stored in advance in the information storage unit 190. Next, the determination unit 160 multiplies the first target elapsed time by the correction coefficient acquired in step S215 to correct the first target elapsed time (step S216).

[0455] Thereafter, the determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 calculates a time obtained by subtracting the transport time estimated in step S213 from the corrected first target elapsed time, and uses this time as the second target elapsed time (step S217 ).

[0456] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 obtains Figure 20 The item table is retrieved, and the second time matched with the item ID of the item being sold is obtained. The decision unit 160 adds the second time to the second target elapsed time calculated in step S217 to thereby determine the delivery timing (step S218). The decision unit 160 then terminates the execution of the timing decision process.

[0457] With these configurations, the decision unit 160 of the logistics system 1 determines the delivery timing based on the second time and the type of item. The rate at which the infectivity of a virus or bacteria decreases is related to the type of item to which it is attached. Therefore, even if a virus or bacteria is attached to an item due to human contact, the recipient of the item can be more reliably prevented from contracting the virus or bacteria, compared to a case where the delivery timing is determined solely based on the second time.

[0458] <Variation 4 of Example 2>

[0459] In Variation 3 of Example 2, the information processing device 100's determination unit 160 determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the type of the item. However, this is not limiting. In this variation, the information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the type of packaging member used to package the item.

[0460] Therefore, each record in the article number table of this variation pre-stores a pairing of an article number and a category ID identifying the type of packaging component of the article assigned that article number. Examples of packaging components include, but are not limited to, glass boxes, plastic boxes, cardboard, and nylon bags. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the category of a packaging component is determined by its material, but is not limited to this. Examples of packaging materials include glass, plastic, paper or cardboard, nylon, and metal. Examples of categories determined by the material of the packaging component include, but are not limited to, glass packaging, plastic packaging, paper packaging, nylon packaging, and metal packaging.

[0461] <Variation 5 of Example 2>

[0462] Variation 3 of Example 2, which determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the type of the item, can be combined with Variation 4 of Example 2, which determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the type of the item's packaging. In this variation, which is a combination of Variation 3 of Example 2 and Variation 4 of Example 2, determination unit 160 of information processing device 100 determines a first candidate for the delivery timing based on the second time of the item and the type of the item, and determines a second candidate for the delivery timing based on the second time of the item and the type of the item's packaging. Determination unit 160 then selects the later of the first and second candidates and determines the selected candidate as the delivery timing.

[0463] <Variation 6 of Example 2>

[0464] In Variation 3 of Example 2, the determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on the second time and the type of the item, but the present invention is not limited to this. The determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 in this variation determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the environment of the item from the second time until the item is delivered to the first transporter 11.

[0465] Therefore, the logistics system 1 of this variation includes an environmental sensor (not shown) that measures the environment of the second logistics mechanism 20 that stores or transports the item from the second moment until the item is delivered to the first transporter 11. In this variation, the second logistics mechanism 20 is located in the distributor's warehouse. The environment of the second logistics mechanism 20 includes the temperature of the second logistics mechanism 20, so the environmental sensor is installed in a position to measure the warehouse temperature.

[0466] Furthermore, after being collected from the transporter, items are stored and kept inside storage box 225 of storage warehouse 22 until they are sold. Therefore, in this variation, an environmental sensor is installed inside storage box 225 of storage warehouse 22, which is located within the warehouse, to measure the internal temperature of storage box 225. The environmental sensor is, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) temperature sensor, which is connected to information processing device 100 and outputs a signal indicating the internal temperature of storage box 225 to information processing device 100.

[0467] The information storage unit 190 of this variation pre-stores the following Figure 34 The environmental table shown above stores information related to the environment. Multiple records are pre-stored in the environmental table. Each record pairs information indicating a pre-set temperature range with a correction factor for the target elapsed time used to determine the recommended pickup start time for items stored at locations with temperatures within this range. The temperature range information and correction factor are pre-paired because the rate at which the infectivity of viruses or bacteria decreases is related to the temperature of the location where the virus or bacteria is attached.

[0468] The information processing device 100 of this variation uses Figure 34 As shown in the table, execute Figure 35 After the information processing device 100 starts executing the timing determination process, it executes the Figure 33 The same processing as steps S211 to S213 is performed (steps S221 to S223), thereby deriving the conveyance time.

[0469] Next, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the information representing the first target passing time pre-stored in the information storage unit 190, and the determination unit 160 calculates the time obtained by subtracting the transportation time derived in step S223 from the first target passing time represented by the acquired information as the second target passing time (step S224).

[0470] After that, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires information indicating the temperature in the storage 22 based on the signal output by the environmental sensor (not shown) (step S225). Next, the acquisition unit 120 acquires the correction coefficient based on the acquired temperature. Figure 34 The environment table is used to obtain a correction coefficient paired with information indicating a temperature range, the range including the temperature indicated by the obtained information (step S226).

[0471] Thereafter, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 multiplies the calculated second target elapsed time by the correction coefficient acquired in step S226 , thereby correcting the second target elapsed time based on the correction coefficient (step S227 ).

[0472] Next, the decision unit 160 of the information processing device 100 executes Figure 33 The same processing as the processing of step S218 is performed, thereby determining the delivery timing (step S228) based on the second moment and the corrected second target elapsed time, and then completing the execution of the timing determination processing.

[0473] With this configuration, the decision unit 160 of the logistics system 1 determines the delivery timing based on the environment of the item from the second time point when a person last touched the item until the item was delivered to the first transporter 11, as well as the second time point. The rate at which the infectivity of a virus or bacteria decreases is related to the environment at the location where the virus or bacteria is attached. Therefore, even if a virus or bacteria is attached to an item due to human contact, the recipient of the item can be more reliably prevented from being infected by the virus or bacteria, compared to a case where the delivery timing is determined solely based on the second time point.

[0474] <Variation 7 of Example 2>

[0475] In the sixth variation of Example 2, the decision unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the sold item and the temperature within the storage 22 where the item is stored from the second time until the item is delivered to the first transporter 11. However, this is not limiting. The decision unit 160 of the information processing device 100 in this variation determines the delivery timing based on the second time of the item and the humidity or illumination within the storage 22 where the item is stored from the second time until the item is delivered to the first transporter 11.

[0476] The environmental sensor of the present embodiment is an electrical hygrometer that measures the internal humidity of the storage box 225 provided in the storage room 22 or an electrical illuminometer that measures the illuminance.

[0477] Each record in the environmental table of this variation pre-pairs information indicating a preset humidity or illuminance range with a correction factor for an item stored at a location within that range. The item's correction factor is a correction factor used to determine the target elapsed time for the recommended collection start time for that item. The reason for pre-pairing information indicating the humidity or illuminance range with the correction factor is that the rate at which the infectivity of viruses or bacteria decreases is related to the humidity or illuminance at the location where the virus or bacteria is attached.

[0478] <Variation 8 of Example 2>

[0479] Variations 3 to 7 of Example 2 may be combined. Therefore, in this variation, which is a combination of Variations 3 to 7 of Example 2, determination unit 160 of information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on one or more of the second time of the sold item, the type of the item, the type of the item's packaging, and the item's environment, where the item's environment includes one or more of the temperature, humidity, and illumination during the period from the second time when the person last touched the item to the time when the recipient received the item.

[0480] <Variation 9 of Example 2>

[0481] Variation 7 of Example 1 that manages the first and second elapsed times can be combined with Example 2. In this variation, which is a combination of Variation 7 of Example 1 and Example 2, determination unit 160 of information processing device 100 determines the delivery timing based on the second elapsed time of the sold item.

[0482] Therefore, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 of this variation Figure 29 In step S185, the thread ID paired with the item ID of the sold item is obtained from the second elapsed time table (not shown). Next, the acquisition unit 120 searches for the value of the counter used by the timer program executed in the thread identified by the thread ID to obtain the second elapsed time.

[0483] Afterward, the acquisition unit 120 of the information processing device 100 acquires the system time, for example, from the OS. Next, the determination unit 160 of the information processing device 100 determines the time that is later than the system time by the elapsed time obtained by subtracting the acquired second elapsed time from the second target elapsed time as the delivery timing, i.e., the delivery time. In other words, the determination unit 160 determines the time when the second elapsed time reaches the second target elapsed time as the delivery timing.

[0484] <Variation 10 of Example 2>

[0485] In Variation 9 of Example 2, the information processing device 100's determination unit 160 determines the time when the second elapsed time reaches the second target elapsed time as the delivery timing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The information processing device 100's determination unit 160 may also determine the time after the second elapsed time reaches the second target elapsed time as the delivery timing.

[0486] Embodiment 1, variations 1 to 24 of embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and variations 1 to 10 of embodiment 2 can be combined with each other. Of course, the information processing device 100 can be provided as having a configuration for implementing the functions of any of embodiment 1, variations 1 to 24 of embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and variations 1 to 10 of embodiment 2. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 can be provided as a system composed of multiple devices, with the system as a whole having a configuration for implementing the functions of any of embodiment 1, variations 1 to 24 of embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and variations 1 to 10 of embodiment 2.

[0487] Furthermore, by applying the program, an existing information processing device can be made to function as the information processing device 100 according to any one of Example 1, Variations 1 to 24 of Example 1, Example 2, and Variations 1 to 10 of Example 2. Specifically, by applying the program for realizing the various functions of the information processing device 100 illustrated in any one of Example 1, Variations 1 to 24 of Example 1, Example 2, and Variations 1 to 10 of Example 2 in a manner executable by an existing computer (CPU, etc.) that controls the control device, the computer can be made to function as the information processing device 100 according to any one of Example 1, Variations 1 to 24 of Example 1, Example 2, and Variations 1 to 10 of Example 2.

[0488] This program can be distributed in any manner. For example, it can be distributed on a recording medium such as a memory card, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory). Alternatively, it can be distributed via a communication medium such as the Internet. Furthermore, the method of the present invention can be implemented using the information processing device 100 of any one of Embodiment 1, Variations 1 to 24 of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and Variations 1 to 10 of Embodiment 2, and the logistics system 1 of any one of Embodiment 1, Variations 1 to 24 of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and Variations 1 to 10 of Embodiment 2.

[0489] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0490] (Note)

[0491] (Note 1)

[0492] A logistics system, characterized by comprising:

[0493] A first logistics mechanism including a transporter for transporting items to a destination of the items; and

[0494] The management unit manages the first moment, or the first elapsed time calculated from the first moment, wherein the first moment is earlier than the time of receiving the article transported by the transporter and is the last time a person touches the article.

[0495] (Note 2)

[0496] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 1 is characterized by:

[0497] When a person intervenes in the delivery of the article to the transporter, the management unit manages the time of the delivery as the first time or manages the elapsed time from the time of the delivery as the first elapsed time.

[0498] (Note 3)

[0499] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 2 is characterized by:

[0500] When no human intervenes in the delivery of the item to the conveyor, the management unit manages the moment when the person last touched the item before the delivery as the first moment, or manages the elapsed time from the moment when the person last touched the item before the delivery as the first elapsed time.

[0501] (Note 4)

[0502] The logistics system according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that:

[0503] The logistics system further includes a notification unit configured to notify a recipient of the article based on the first time or the first elapsed time.

[0504] (Note 5)

[0505] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 4 is characterized by:

[0506] The notification informs that no one has touched the item after the first moment, or that no one has touched the item for the first elapsed time.

[0507] (Note 6)

[0508] The logistics system according to Supplement 4 or 5 is characterized in that:

[0509] The notification unit further notifies that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the person last touched the article after a time that is later than the first time by a target elapsed time or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time.

[0510] (Note 7)

[0511] The logistics system according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, characterized in that:

[0512] The first logistics mechanism further comprises a locker device for storing the items, and

[0513] One or more of the transporter and the locker device moves the article from the transporter to the locker device.

[0514] (Note 8)

[0515] The logistics system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, characterized in that:

[0516] The logistics system further comprises a second logistics mechanism, which is a mechanism different from the first logistics mechanism and transports or stores the articles;

[0517] The management department also manages the second moment, or the elapsed time calculated from the second moment, namely the second elapsed time, wherein the second moment is a moment earlier than the delivery moment of the item by the second logistics organization to the first logistics organization, and is the last moment when a person touches the item transported or stored by the second logistics organization.

[0518] (Note 9)

[0519] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 8 is characterized by:

[0520] The management unit manages the second time as the first time, or manages the second elapsed time as the first elapsed time, when no human intervention occurs during the delivery of the article from the second logistics mechanism to the first logistics mechanism.

[0521] (Note 10)

[0522] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 9 is characterized in that:

[0523] It also includes a decision unit that determines the delivery timing of the item from the second logistics mechanism to the conveyor of the first logistics mechanism based on the second moment or the second elapsed time, in a manner that the target elapsed time passes from the second moment when the person last touched the item to the collection moment when the item is collected.

[0524] (Note 11)

[0525] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 10 is characterized in that:

[0526] The logistics system further includes a derivation unit that deduces, based on the destination, a transport time required for the transport machine of the first logistics mechanism to transport the article to the destination; and

[0527] The determination unit calculates a second target elapsed time that is shorter than the first target elapsed time as the target elapsed time, and determines a time later than the second time by the second target elapsed time, or a time after the second elapsed time becomes the second target elapsed time, as the delivery time.

[0528] (Note 12)

[0529] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 10 or 11 is characterized in that:

[0530] The decision unit also determines the delivery timing based on at least one of the type of the article, the type of the packaging component that packages the article, and the environment of the article from the second moment when a person last touched the article to when the article was delivered to the transporter.

[0531] (Note 13)

[0532] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 6 is characterized by:

[0533] The target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacterium is excreted from the human body to when the infectivity of the virus or bacterium reaches a predetermined level or less, and

[0534] The notification unit makes the notification of a recommended collection start time, wherein the recommended collection start time is a time later than the first time by the target elapsed time or a time after the target elapsed time and is a time at which it is recommended to start collecting the item.

[0535] (Note 14)

[0536] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 6 is characterized by:

[0537] The target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacterium is excreted from the human body to when the infectivity of the virus or bacterium reaches a predetermined level or less, and

[0538] The logistics system also includes a control unit, which controls the conveyor of the first logistics mechanism to complete the conveyance of the items to the destination after the target elapsed time is later than the first time or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time.

[0539] (Note 15)

[0540] The logistics system according to Supplementary Note 6 is characterized by:

[0541] The target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacterium is excreted from the human body to when the infectivity of the virus or bacterium reaches a predetermined level or less, and

[0542] The logistics system also includes a control unit, which controls the conveyor of the first logistics mechanism to convey the items to the locker device set up at the receiving place after the target elapsed time is later than the first moment, or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time, and then controls the conveyor to store the conveyed items and unlock the locked locker device.

[0543] (Note 16)

[0544] The logistics system according to any one of Notes 1 to 15, characterized in that:

[0545] The method further comprises an acquisition unit for acquiring step identification information for identifying a step, the step being a step related to the delivery of the article and being the step that has been performed on the article; and

[0546] The management unit manages the time when the step identification information is acquired as the first time, or the elapsed time from the acquisition time as the first elapsed time, in a storage unit that stores a plurality of pairs of step identification information that identifies the step and information indicating whether a person has intervened in the step. If the information paired with the acquired step identification information indicates that a person has intervened, the management unit manages the time when the step identification information is acquired as the first time.

[0547] (Note 17)

[0548] An information processing device, characterized by comprising:

[0549] a control unit that controls a first logistics mechanism including a transporter to transport the article to a destination of the article; and

[0550] The management unit manages the first moment, or the first elapsed time calculated from the first moment, wherein the first moment is earlier than the time of receiving the article transported by the transporter and is the last time a person touches the article.

[0551] (Note 18)

[0552] A method, characterized in that:

[0553] With management steps,

[0554] The management step is that a logistics system having a first logistics mechanism including a conveyor that transports the item to the destination of the item manages the first moment, or the elapsed time calculated from the first moment, that is, the first elapsed time, and the first moment is a moment earlier than the time of receiving the item transported by the conveyor, and is the last moment when a person touches the item.

[0555] (Note 19)

[0556] A logistics system, characterized by comprising:

[0557] an acquiring unit that acquires a first moment, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first moment, wherein the first moment is earlier than the time at which the item is received and is the last time the person touches the item; and

[0558] The transporter transports the article to the destination at a time later than the acquired first time by a target elapsed time, or after a time when the first elapsed time reaches the target elapsed time.

[0559] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0560] 1: Logistics system

[0561] 10: No. 1 Logistics Organization

[0562] 11: No. 1 transporter

[0563] 12: Locker device

[0564] 19: Terminal device

[0565] 20: Second Logistics Organization

[0566] 21: Second transporter

[0567] 22: Vault

[0568] 100: Information processing device

[0569] 101,191,219a:CPU

[0570] 102,192,219b:RAM

[0571] 103a,193a,219c:ROM

[0572] 103b, 193b, 219d: Flash memory

[0573] 104a: First data communication circuit

[0574] 104b: Second data communication circuit

[0575] 105a,195a,219f: Video card

[0576] 105b, 195b, 219g: Display device

[0577] 105c, 195c, 219h: Input device

[0578] 110: Control Department

[0579] 120: Acquisition Department

[0580] 130: Management Department

[0581] 140: Notification Department

[0582] 150:Derivation

[0583] 160: Decision Department

[0584] 190: Information Storage Department

[0585] 196,219i: Position measurement circuit

[0586] 199a: Speaker

[0587] 199b: Microphone

[0588] 194a, 219e: Data communication circuit

[0589] 194b: Voice communication circuit

[0590] 211,212: Wheel

[0591] 213: Chassis

[0592] 214,940: Repository

[0593] 215,225: Storage Box

[0594] 215a: Door

[0595] 215b: Door frame

[0596] 215c: Dead bolt

[0597] 215d: Latch

[0598] 216,951: LiDAR sensor

[0599] 217,218b,961:Shooting device

[0600] 218:Robotic Arm

[0601] 218a: Clamp

[0602] 218c: Arm

[0603] 219,229,910: Control device

[0604] 219j: Input and output terminals

[0605] 219k: drive circuit

[0606] 921 to 924: Propeller arms

[0607] 931 to 934: Propeller

[0608] 943:Supporting feet

[0609] LN: Local Area Network

[0610] IN: Internet.

Claims

1. A logistics system, characterized in that: have: A first logistics mechanism includes a transporter for transporting items to a destination of the items; a management unit that manages a first time, which is a time earlier than a time at which the article transported by the transporter is received and is the last time a person touches the article, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first time; and The second logistics organization is a different organization from the first logistics organization and is responsible for transporting or storing the items; and The management department also manages the second moment, or the elapsed time calculated from the second moment, namely the second elapsed time, wherein the second moment is a moment earlier than the delivery moment of the item by the second logistics organization to the first logistics organization, and is the last moment when a person touches the item transported or stored by the second logistics organization.

2. The logistics system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a person intervenes in the delivery of the article to the transporter, the management unit manages the time of the delivery as the first time or manages the elapsed time from the time of the delivery as the first elapsed time.

3. The logistics system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When no human intervenes in the delivery of the item to the conveyor, the management unit manages the moment when the person last touched the item before the delivery as the first moment, or manages the elapsed time from the moment when the person last touched the item before the delivery as the first elapsed time.

4. The logistics system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The logistics system further includes a notification unit configured to notify a recipient of the article based on the first time or the first elapsed time.

5. The logistics system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The notification informs that no one has touched the item after the first moment, or that no one has touched the item for the first elapsed time.

6. The logistics system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The notification unit further notifies that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the person last touched the article after a time later than the first time by the target elapsed time or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time.

7. The logistics system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first logistics mechanism further comprises a locker device for storing the items, and One or more of the transporter and the locker device moves the article from the transporter to the locker device.

8. The logistics system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The management unit manages the second time as the first time, or manages the second elapsed time as the first elapsed time, when no human intervention occurs during the delivery of the article from the second logistics mechanism to the first logistics mechanism.

9. The logistics system according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes a decision unit that determines the delivery timing of the item from the second logistics mechanism to the conveyor of the first logistics mechanism based on the second moment or the second elapsed time, in a manner that the target elapsed time passes from the second moment when the person last touched the item to the collection moment when the item is collected.

10. The logistics system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The logistics system further includes a derivation unit that deduces, based on the destination, a transport time required for the transport machine of the first logistics mechanism to transport the article to the destination; and The determination unit calculates a second target elapsed time that is shorter than the first target elapsed time as the target elapsed time, and the transport time is estimated to be shorter. A time later than the second time by the second target elapsed time, or a time after the second elapsed time becomes the second target elapsed time, is determined as the delivery timing.

11. The logistics system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The decision unit also determines the delivery timing based on at least one of the type of the article, the type of the packaging component that packages the article, and the environment of the article from the second moment when a person last touched the article to when the article was delivered to the transporter.

12. The logistics system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises an acquisition unit for acquiring step identification information for identifying a step, the step being a step related to the delivery of the article and being the step that has been performed on the article; and The management unit manages the time when the step identification information is acquired as the first time, or the elapsed time from the acquisition time as the first elapsed time, in a storage unit that stores a plurality of pairs of step identification information that identifies the step and information indicating whether a person has intervened in the step. If the information paired with the acquired step identification information indicates that a person has intervened, the management unit manages the time when the step identification information is acquired as the first time.

13. A logistics system, characterized in that: have: A first logistics mechanism includes a transporter for transporting items to a destination of the items; a management unit that manages a first time, which is a time earlier than a time at which the article transported by the transporter is received and is the last time a person touches the article, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first time; and a notification unit that notifies a recipient of the article based on the first moment or the first elapsed time; and The notification unit further notifies that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the person last touched the article after a time that is later than the first time by the target elapsed time, or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time. The target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacterium is excreted from the human body to when the infectivity of the virus or bacterium reaches a predetermined level or less. The notification unit makes the notification of a recommended collection start time, wherein the recommended collection start time is a time later than the first time by the target elapsed time or a time after the target elapsed time and is a time at which it is recommended to start collecting the item.

14. A logistics system, characterized in that: have: A first logistics mechanism includes a transporter for transporting items to a destination of the items; a management unit that manages a first time, which is a time earlier than a time at which the article transported by the transporter is received and is the last time a person touches the article, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first time; and a notification unit that notifies a recipient of the article based on the first moment or the first elapsed time; and The notification unit further notifies that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the person last touched the article after a time that is later than the first time by the target elapsed time, or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time. The target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacterium is excreted from the human body to when the infectivity of the virus or bacterium reaches a predetermined level or less. The logistics system also includes a control unit, which controls the conveyor of the first logistics mechanism to complete the transportation of the items to the destination after the target elapsed time is later than the first time, or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time.

15. A logistics system, characterized in that: have: A first logistics mechanism includes a transporter for transporting items to a destination of the items; a management unit that manages a first time, which is a time earlier than a time at which the article transported by the transporter is received and is the last time a person touches the article, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first time; and a notification unit that notifies a recipient of the article based on the first moment or the first elapsed time; and The notification unit further notifies that the target elapsed time has elapsed since the person last touched the article after a time that is later than the first time by the target elapsed time, or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time. The target elapsed time is the time from when a predetermined virus or bacterium is excreted from the human body to when the infectivity of the virus or bacterium reaches a predetermined level or less; and The logistics system also includes a control unit, which controls the conveyor of the first logistics mechanism to convey the items to the locker device set up at the receiving place after a moment that is later than the first moment when the target elapsed time occurs, or after the first elapsed time becomes the target elapsed time, and then controls the conveyor to store the conveyed items and unlock the locked locker device.

16. The logistics system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises an acquisition unit for acquiring step identification information for identifying a step, the step being a step related to the delivery of the article and being the step that has been performed on the article; and The management unit manages the time when the step identification information is acquired as the first time, or the elapsed time from the acquisition time as the first elapsed time, in a storage unit that stores a plurality of pairs of step identification information that identifies the step and information indicating whether a person has intervened in the step. If the information paired with the acquired step identification information indicates that a person has intervened, the management unit manages the time when the step identification information is acquired as the first time.

17. An information processing device, characterized in that: have: a control unit for controlling a first logistics mechanism including a transporter to transport the article to a destination of the article; a management unit that manages a first time, which is a time earlier than a time at which the article transported by the transporter is received and is the last time a person touches the article, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first time; and The second logistics organization is a different organization from the first logistics organization and is responsible for transporting or storing the items; and The management department also manages the second moment, or the elapsed time calculated from the second moment, namely the second elapsed time, wherein the second moment is a moment earlier than the delivery moment of the item by the second logistics organization to the first logistics organization, and is the last moment when a person touches the item transported or stored by the second logistics organization.

18. A method for managing a logistics system, characterized by: The method includes a management step of managing a first time, or a first elapsed time calculated from the first time, by a logistics system including a first logistics mechanism including a conveyor for conveying an article to a destination of the article, wherein the first time is earlier than a time at which the article conveyed by the conveyor is received and is the last time a person touched the article; The logistics system further comprises a second logistics mechanism, which is a mechanism different from the first logistics mechanism and transports or stores the articles; The management department also manages the second moment, or the elapsed time calculated from the second moment, namely the second elapsed time, wherein the second moment is a moment earlier than the delivery moment of the item by the second logistics organization to the first logistics organization, and is the last moment when a person touches the item transported or stored by the second logistics organization.

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