Information processing apparatus, system and method

Abstract

Provided is an information processing apparatus, system, and method that can suppress an increase in the time required for a mobile machine to move to a start position at which delivery is started. The information processing apparatus (200) includes an acquisition section (210) that acquires an order status, and a control section (250) that, in a case where the acquired status is a status that precedes a completed status that is a status in which an order has been completed, performs movement control of the mobile machine in accordance with the acquired status, the movement control suppressing an increase in the distance of movement from the position of the mobile machine that is delivering an order object to the start position at which delivery is started.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, system, and method. Background Technology

[0002] A system is previously known in which, after an order is placed, a mobile machine containing a delivery robot transports the goods ordered (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Background Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

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

[0006] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Here, if the time required to move the mobile unit to the delivery start position after ordering is completed becomes longer, the waiting time for delivery to begin from the completion of ordering will also increase. However, the system in Patent Document 1 does not control the movement of the mobile unit before ordering is completed. Therefore, if the mobile unit moves away from the start position before ordering is completed, for example, the time required to move the mobile unit to the start position will increase. Thus, in the system of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the increase in the time required to move the mobile unit to the start position cannot be prevented.

[0008] The present invention was developed in view of this point, and its purpose is to provide an information processing device, system and method that can suppress the increase in the time required to move the mobile device to the starting position for the start of transportation.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the information processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention includes:

[0011] The acquisition department retrieves the order status; and

[0012] The control unit, when the acquired state is a state before the order is completed (i.e., a completed state), performs movement control on the mobile machine transporting the ordered object based on the acquired state, and the movement control suppresses the increase of the movement distance of the mobile machine from the position of the mobile machine to the starting position of the delivery.

[0013] [The effects of the invention]

[0014] According to the information processing apparatus, system and method of the present invention, the increase in the time required to move the mobile machine to the starting position for the commencement of transport can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a hardware configuration diagram representing one configuration example of a terminal device.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the order processing performed by a terminal device.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating one example of an information processing device installed in a warehouse.

[0019] Figure 5 This is part of a flowchart illustrating an example of sales processing performed by the information processing unit in a warehouse.

[0020] Figure 6 The other part of the flowchart represents an example of the sales processing performed by the information processing device in the warehouse.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of an information processing device in a warehouse.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a state table stored in the information processing device of a warehouse.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a diagram representing an example of a user table stored in the information processing device of a warehouse.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of an order form stored in a warehouse's information processing unit.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of motion control processing performed by the information processing device in a warehouse.

[0026] Figure 12 This is an exterior configuration diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a mobile device according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating one example of the information processing device possessed by a mobile device.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a cyclic movement process performed by the mobile device in an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 15 The other part of the flowchart represents an example of a cyclic movement process performed by the mobile machine.

[0030] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the transport process performed by a mobile device.

[0031] Figure 17 This is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of the cyclic movement process performed by the mobile device in Variation 11 of the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 18 This is an exterior configuration diagram showing an example of the appearance of a mobile device according to a variation of embodiment 12.

[0033] Figure 19 This is an exterior configuration diagram showing an example of the appearance of a mobile device according to a variation of embodiment 13. Detailed Implementation

[0034] <Example>

[0035] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] The information processing system 1 of the present invention includes: Figure 1 The terminal device 100 shown is carried by the user who places the order; the information processing device 200 accepts the order; and the mobile devices 800 and 900 store and move the ordered item in order to deliver it to the destination specified by the user.

[0037] Terminal device 100 is a mobile phone, such as Figure 2 As shown, the terminal device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, ROM (Read Only Memory) 103a, flash memory 103b, data communication circuit 104a, voice communication circuit 104b, graphics card 105a, display device 105b, input device 105c, position detection circuit 106, speaker 109a, and microphone 109b. In this embodiment, the terminal device 100 has one CPU 101, but it can also have multiple CPUs. Furthermore, the terminal device 100 can also have multiple RAMs and flash memories.

[0038] The CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 performs overall control of the terminal device 100 by executing programs stored in ROM 103a or flash memory 103b. RAM 102 temporarily stores data to be processed when the CPU 101 executes the program.

[0039] The ROM 103a and flash memory 103b of the terminal device 100 store various programs. Additionally, the flash memory 103b also stores various data for executing programs and tables containing that data. The terminal device 100 may also have a hard disk, thus replacing the flash memory 103b.

[0040] The data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 is a NIC (Network Interface Card), for example, based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G (5G). th The terminal device 100 uses communication standards such as 5G (5th generation mobile communication technology) to communicate with a base station (not shown) connected to the Internet IN via radio waves. Thus, the data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 communicates with the information processing device 200 connected to the Internet IN, as well as mobile devices 800 and 900. The voice communication circuit 104b uses radio waves to communicate with a base station (not shown).

[0041] The graphics card 105a of the terminal device 100 renders an image based on the digital signal output from the CPU 101 and outputs an image signal representing the rendered image. The display device 105b is an EL (Electroluminescence) display that displays the image based on the image signal output from the graphics card 105a. The terminal device 100 may also have a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) to replace the EL display. The input device 105c is one or more of a touch panel and buttons that input signals corresponding to user operations.

[0042] The position measurement circuit 106 of the terminal device 100 is a QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) circuit. The position measurement circuit 106 receives signals transmitted from the quasi-zenith satellite, and based on the received signals, measures the latitude, longitude, and altitude representing the position of the terminal device 100, and outputs signals representing the measured latitude, longitude, and altitude. Alternatively, the position measurement circuit 106 may not be a QZSS circuit, but rather a GPS (Global Positioning System) circuit. This GPS circuit receives GPS signals transmitted from GPS satellites, and based on the received GPS signals, measures the latitude, longitude, and altitude representing the position of the terminal device 100.

[0043] The speaker 109a of the terminal device 100 outputs sound according to the signal output by the CPU 101, and the microphone 109b outputs a signal representing the sound around the terminal device 100.

[0044] The terminal device 100 has multiple applications (hereinafter referred to as applications) installed to provide services. A user carrying the terminal device 100 operates on the terminal device 100, selects an application from the multiple installed applications to provide the user's desired service, and launches the selected application.

[0045] In this embodiment, the following example is used for illustration: An application for providing services for selling and shipping goods (hereinafter referred to as "sales service") is selected. Therefore, in this embodiment, an application for providing sales services (hereinafter referred to as "sales application") is selected and launched. Furthermore, in this embodiment, "ordering" refers to a request for the sale and shipping of goods, and the order object refers to the goods requested for sale and shipping.

[0046] Based on these, if the input device 105c of the terminal device 100 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation that initiates the sales application, then the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 begins to execute the sales application, thereby initiating the execution of operations specified by the sales application, such as... Figure 3 The order processing is shown below.

[0047] After the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 begins the order processing, it causes the display device 105b to display a message prompting the user to enter authentication information. This authentication information includes the user's ID (IDentification code) and the user's pre-set password. If the user who sees this message operates the input device 105c, the input device 105c outputs a signal corresponding to the operation, and the CPU 101 obtains the user's authentication information based on this signal.

[0048] Next, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 reads the service ID identifying the sales service from the binary data of the sales application, for example. Then, the CPU 101 generates an order acceptance request, which includes the obtained authentication information and the read service ID of the sales service, to request that the order be accepted and the sales service provided if the user authentication is successful. Next, the CPU 101 outputs the generated order acceptance request to the data communication circuit 104a, using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S01).

[0049] If, after a preset time has elapsed since the data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 sent the order acceptance request to the information processing device 200, the data communication circuit 104a still has not received an acceptance report indicating that the order has been accepted, then the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that "authentication failed, order not accepted" (step S02: No). Afterwards, the CPU 101 causes the display device 105b to display a message indicating "authentication failed, order not accepted," and then terminates the order processing.

[0050] Conversely, if the data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 receives an acceptance report before a preset time has elapsed after sending the authentication request, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that "authentication was successful and the order has been accepted" (step S02: Yes). Then, the CPU 101 goes into sleep mode until the data communication circuit 104a receives shopping cart information related to the authenticated user's shopping cart. If the data communication circuit 104a receives the shopping cart information, the CPU 101 wakes up from sleep mode and retrieves the shopping cart information from the data communication circuit 104a (step S03).

[0051] In this embodiment, "having items in a user's shopping cart" means that the item IDs identifying the items the user is considering purchasing have been associated with the user's user ID and stored in the information processing device 200. Therefore, when a user of the terminal device 100 has one or more items in their shopping cart, the user's shopping cart information includes one or more item IDs that have been associated with the user's user ID and stored by the information processing device 200. Conversely, when the user's shopping cart is empty, the user's shopping cart information does not contain any item IDs.

[0052] Therefore, after obtaining the shopping cart information, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines whether there are any products in the shopping cart based on whether the obtained shopping cart information contains a product ID.

[0053] In this embodiment, to simplify the explanation, the following specific example is provided: The user of terminal device 100 is executing the sales application for the first time, so no items have been added to the shopping cart. Therefore, the CPU 101 of terminal device 100 determines that no items have been added to the shopping cart based on the absence of a product ID in the shopping cart information. Next, the CPU 101 retrieves a search screen from flash memory 103b for retrieving items that are intended for ordering. Then, on the search screen, the CPU 101 disables controls such as buttons or links used in the operation of purchasing items already added to the shopping cart (hereinafter referred to as the purchase operation).

[0054] In contrast, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 sets the controls used in the operation of inputting keywords for searching products (hereinafter referred to as the keyword input operation) and the controls used in the operation of ending the execution of the sales application (hereinafter referred to as the end operation) to be enabled on the search screen. After that, the CPU 101 causes the display device 105b to display the set search screen (step S04).

[0055] Subsequently, if the input device 105c of the terminal device 100 operated by the user who sees the search screen outputs a signal corresponding to the operation, the CPU 101 determines whether a keyword input operation has been performed based on the output signal (step S05).

[0056] In this embodiment, a specific example is given where a keyword input operation is performed to retrieve a product that is intended for ordering. Therefore, when the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that a keyword input operation has been performed (step S05: Yes), it acquires the keyword based on the signal output from the input device 105c. Next, the CPU 101 generates a search request containing the acquired keyword, requesting the transmission of information indicating product search results based on that keyword. Then, the CPU 101 outputs the generated search request to the data communication circuit 104a, using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S06).

[0057] In this embodiment, the keyword-based product search results include a summary of one or more products retrieved based on the keyword. The product summary includes the product ID that identifies the product, the name of the product, and the price of the product. This is described in this way, but is not limited to these.

[0058] If the data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 sends a search request to the information processing device 200, and the data communication circuit 104a receives information representing the search result from the information processing device 200, then the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 obtains the information from the data communication circuit 104a.

[0059] Next, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 retrieves the search results screen for displaying the search results from the flash memory 103b. Afterwards, since the CPU 101 determined in step S04 that no items were placed in the shopping cart, it disables the controls used in the purchase operation on the search results screen.

[0060] In contrast, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 enables the controls used in the operation of selecting one of the retrieved products and displaying a details screen with a more detailed description than the summary of the selected product (hereinafter referred to as the product selection operation) on the search results screen. Additionally, the CPU 101 enables the controls used in the end operation on the search results screen. Afterwards, the CPU 101 causes the display device 105b to display the configured search results screen (step S07).

[0061] Subsequently, if the input device 105c of the terminal device 100 operated by the user who sees the search results screen outputs a signal corresponding to the operation, the CPU 101 determines whether the product selection operation has been performed based on the signal (step S08).

[0062] In this embodiment, the following situation is given as a specific example: To determine whether one of the retrieved products is the desired product, the user performs a product selection operation. Therefore, when the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that a product selection operation has been performed (step S08: Yes), it obtains the product ID of the selected product based on the signal output from the input device 105c. Next, the CPU 101 generates a details sending request, which includes the obtained product ID and is used to request the sending of detailed information indicating the product identified by the product ID. Afterward, the CPU 101 outputs the generated details sending request to the data communication circuit 104a with the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S09). In this embodiment, the detailed description of the product includes descriptions of any one or more of the product's color, shape, size, usage method, usage conditions, sales method, and sales conditions, but is not limited to these.

[0063] If the data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 sends a details transmission request to the information processing device 200 and receives detailed information about the product from the information processing device 200, then the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 obtains the detailed information from the data communication circuit 104a.

[0064] Next, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 executes the processing of step S10, that is, displaying a details screen for displaying detailed information (step S10). In the processing of step S10, the CPU 101 determines whether there are any items in the shopping cart. The reason for performing this determination in step S10 is that there may be a situation where the pre-selection operation of adding items to the shopping cart is performed and then the processing of step S10 is executed again, so it is possible that the result obtained in step S10 is different from the result obtained in step S04.

[0065] In this embodiment, since no pre-selection operation was performed after determining in step S04 that no items were placed in the shopping cart, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determined that no items were placed in the shopping cart. Therefore, the CPU 101 retrieved the details screen from the flash memory 103b and disabled the controls used in the purchase operation of the items in the shopping cart on the details screen.

[0066] In contrast, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 enables the controls used in the pre-selection operation of adding the items to be purchased into the shopping cart on the details screen. Additionally, since the CPU 101 will perform another product search, it enables the controls used in the operation of re-displaying the search screen (hereinafter referred to as the re-display operation) and the controls used in the end operation on the details screen. Afterwards, the CPU 101 adds detailed product descriptions representing the acquired detailed information to the configured details screen and causes the display device 105b to display the details screen with the added descriptions.

[0067] Subsequently, if the input device 105c of the terminal device 100 operated by the user who has seen the details screen outputs a signal corresponding to the operation, the CPU 101 determines whether the pre-selected operation has been performed based on the signal (step S11).

[0068] In this embodiment, a case where a pre-selection operation has been performed is listed as a specific example for explanation. Therefore, after determining that a pre-selection operation has been performed (step S11: Yes), the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 adds the product ID of the product to be purchased to the shopping cart information obtained in step S03. Then, the CPU 101 generates a pre-selection report, which includes the product IDs added to the shopping cart information, to inform the user that the product identified by that product ID has been considered for purchase.

[0069] Next, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 outputs the generated pre-selection report to the data communication circuit 104a, using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S12). Upon receiving the pre-selection report, the information processing device 200 establishes a correspondence between the product ID contained in the pre-selection report and the user ID of the user using the terminal device 100, and stores it. Thus, the product identified by the product ID is added to the user's shopping cart.

[0070] Afterwards, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 returns to step S10 to determine whether there are any items in the shopping cart, and determines that there are items in the shopping cart. Therefore, the CPU 101 sets the controls used in the purchase operation of the items in the shopping cart and the controls used in the re-display operation to be enabled on the details screen. Then, the CPU 101 causes the display device 105b to display the configured details screen (step S10).

[0071] Next, in this embodiment, the following situation is given as a specific example for explanation: In order to retrieve a product that is different from the product already added to the shopping cart, a re-display operation is performed to make the search screen re-display. Therefore, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that the pre-selection operation and the end operation have not been performed, and the re-display operation has been performed (step S11: No, step S13: No, and step S14: Yes).

[0072] Afterwards, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 returns to step S04, obtains the search screen, and if it is determined that there are products in the shopping cart, it sets the controls used in the purchase operation and keyword input operation to be enabled on the search screen. Then, the CPU 101 causes the display device 105b to display the set search screen (step S04).

[0073] If a keyword input operation is performed on the input device 105c to retrieve a product that is different from the product already added to the shopping cart, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that a keyword input operation has been performed (step S05: Yes), and then executes the processing steps S06 and S07 (steps S06 and S07). As a result, the CPU 101 displays a search results screen where the controls used in the product selection operation and the purchase operation have been set to enabled.

[0074] In this embodiment, the following scenario is provided as a specific example: A user viewing the search results screen does not find any items in the search results that are different from the items already in their shopping cart and that they intend to purchase. Therefore, the user does not perform a product selection operation but instead performs a purchase operation, buying only the items already in their shopping cart.

[0075] Therefore, based on the signal output from the input device 105c, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that no product selection operation, end operation, or re-display operation has been performed (step S08: No, step S13: No, and step S14: No), and a purchase operation has been performed (step S15). Afterward, the CPU 101 generates an order completion request, which includes a user ID, requesting that the order of the user identified by that user ID be completed.

[0076] In this embodiment, completing a user's order means that the user and the seller of the goods reach an agreement to sell the goods that have been placed in the user's shopping cart and to deliver the sold goods to the delivery destination specified by the user. Afterwards, the CPU 101 outputs the generated order completion request to the data communication circuit 104a with the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S16), and then ends the execution of the order processing.

[0077] The information processing device 200 is a server, installed in the warehouse or office building of the retailer selling the goods. The information processing device 200, as... Figure 4 As shown, the device includes hardware such as CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203a, hard disk 203b, data communication circuit 204a, graphics card 205a, display device 205b, and input device 205c. In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 has one CPU 201, but it can also have multiple CPUs. In addition, the information processing device 200 can also have multiple RAMs and flash memory.

[0078] The information processing device 200 includes a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203a, data communication circuit 204a, graphics card 205a, and display device 205b, whose composition and functions are similar to those of the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203a, data communication circuit 204a, graphics card 205a, and display device 205b. Figure 2 The terminal device 100 shown has the same structure and function as the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103a, data communication circuit 104a, graphics card 105a and display device 105b.

[0079] The hard disk 203b of the information processing device 200 stores various programs, various data used to execute the various programs, and tables containing the data. The information processing device 200 may also have flash memory, thereby replacing the hard disk 203b.

[0080] The input device 205c of the information processing device 200 is one or more of a keyboard, mouse, touch panel and buttons, and inputs signals corresponding to the operation of the salesperson's staff.

[0081] If the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives Figure 3 In step S01, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 200 receives the order acceptance request from the data communication circuit 204a. Next, the CPU 201 retrieves the service ID from the received order acceptance request. If the retrieved service ID is determined to be the service ID for sales services, then the following steps are executed: Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales process shown provides sales services.

[0082] Therefore, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 200 acts as such Figure 7 The acquisition unit 210 and authentication unit 220 shown function as follows: the acquisition unit 210 acquires the authentication information of the user requesting sales services, and the authentication unit 220 performs authentication based on the acquired authentication information. Furthermore, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 200 functions as an update unit 230, which updates the order status of the successfully authenticated user. Moreover, the CPU 201 functions as a selection unit 240, which selects from mobile devices 800 and 900 a mobile device (hereinafter referred to as a delivery mobile device) to transport the ordered goods.

[0083] The hard disk 203b of the information processing device 200 functions as an information storage unit 290, which stores information used for performing sales processing. The information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200 pre-stores information such as... Figure 8 The status table shown contains pre-stored information related to the order status.

[0084] In this embodiment, the order status progresses through several states before reaching the completed state. These states include: the state where the sales service for the ordered goods has been selected for sale and delivery (service selection state); the state where one or more goods have been found (search state); the state where one of the found goods has been selected (goods selection state); the state where the purchase of the goods has been considered (pre-selection state); and the state where the payment for the goods has been settled (settlement state). In this embodiment, the settlement state refers to the state from the request for settlement until the settlement is successful or unsuccessful, but is not limited to this.

[0085] Therefore, multiple records are pre-stored in the status table. The status ID "S1" identifying the service selection status and the name representing the service selection status are pre-established and stored in the first record of the status table. Additionally, the second record pre-stores the status ID "S2" for the search status and its name, and the third record pre-stores the status ID "S3" for the product selection status and its name. Furthermore, the fourth record pre-stores the status ID "S4" for the pre-selection status and its name, and the fifth record pre-stores the status ID "S5" for the checkout status and its name. Finally, the sixth record pre-stores the status ID "S6" for the completed status and its name.

[0086] Furthermore, the information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200 pre-stores information such as... Figure 9The user table shown contains pre-stored information related to users. The user table contains multiple pre-stored records, including a user ID identifying the user, information indicating the user's pre-set password, information indicating the delivery destination (address), and settlement information for settling the user's purchases. These records are pre-established and stored accordingly. In this embodiment, the delivery destination is the entrance to the apartment where the user using terminal device 100 resides; however, this is not a limitation. Furthermore, the settlement information includes, for example, information indicating the credit card number used by the user to settle the purchases, and information indicating the expiration date, but is not limited to these.

[0087] Furthermore, the information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200 pre-stores information such as... Figure 10 The order form shown stores information related to orders. The order form contains multiple pre-stored records, each containing the user ID of the user placing the order. The user ID stored in each record can be either the user ID of a user whose order has been accepted or the user ID of a user whose order has not been accepted.

[0088] In the record storing the user ID of the user whose order has been accepted, a status ID identifying the order status and the item ID of the item already placed in the user's shopping cart are stored in a corresponding manner. Additionally, in the record storing the user ID, a machine ID identified by the delivery mobile machine 800 or 900 selected to transport the item is stored in a corresponding manner, along with a non-execution flag indicating whether the movement control of the delivery mobile machine 800 or 900 corresponding to that status has not been performed.

[0089] In this embodiment, the movement control of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 refers to the control that suppresses the increase of the movement distance from the position of the mobile unit 800 or 900 to the transport starting position, and is performed according to the order state. In this embodiment, the movement control may be performed according to the state before the transition to the completed state, or it may be performed according to the completed state, but it is not limited to this. The movement control may also be performed according to the state before the transition to the completed state, but not according to the completed state.

[0090] In contrast, in the record storing the user ID of the user whose order was not accepted, a corresponding string "NULL" is stored. The string "NULL" represents: the order was not accepted, so the status does not exist; the order was not accepted, so no items were placed in the shopping cart; the order was not accepted, so no mobile device for delivery was selected; and the order was not accepted, so the corresponding mobile control does not exist.

[0091] Figure 5 and Figure 6After the sales process shown begins, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires an order acceptance request from the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200, and obtains the user's authentication information from the acquired order acceptance request (step S21). Next, the acquisition unit 210 obtains... Figure 9 The authentication department 220 retrieves the password information corresponding to the user ID contained in the authentication information from the user table. Then, if the authentication department 220 determines that the password represented by the information retrieved from the user table is inconsistent with the password represented by the information contained in the authentication information, it determines that the user authentication has failed (step S22: No), does not process the order, and terminates the sales process.

[0092] Conversely, if the authentication unit 220 of the information processing device 200 determines that these passwords match, it determines that the authentication of the user using the terminal device 100 is successful (step S22: Yes). Next, the update unit 230... Figure 10 In the order form, based on whether a correspondence has been established between the product ID and the user ID of the user identified by the terminal device 100, it is determined whether the user's shopping cart contains any products (step S23).

[0093] In this embodiment, examples and illustrations are provided. Figure 3 The same example as the specific example of order processing (hereinafter referred to as the specific example of order processing) is performed. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales processing instructions. Therefore, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 is based on the... Figure 10 In the order form, the product ID does not correspond to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100, but the string "NULL" does correspond to it, indicating that no product is placed in the shopping cart (step S23: No).

[0094] Next, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 updates the order table, replacing the string "NULL" which corresponds to the user's ID and indicates that the order has not been accepted with the status ID "S1" indicating that the service has been selected (service selection status) (step S25). Thus, the update unit 230 accepts the order according to the order acceptance request and changes the accepted order status to the service selection status. Afterwards, the update unit 230 outputs an acceptance report to the data communication circuit 204a, using the terminal device 100 as the receiving address, informing it that the order has been accepted (step S26).

[0095] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 retrieves the string "NULL" from the order form, uses it as the user ID of the user using the terminal device 100 to establish a corresponding product ID, and generates shopping cart information containing the retrieved string "NULL". Then, the acquisition unit 210 outputs the generated shopping cart information to the data communication circuit 204a using the terminal device 100 as the receiving address (step S27).

[0096] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires information from the information storage unit 290 indicating the starting position (hereinafter referred to as the delivery start position) of the goods to be transported. In this embodiment, the delivery start position is the location of the warehouse exit where the goods are stored, but it is not limited to this.

[0097] Next, the selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 generates a location transmission request, requesting the transmission of location information indicating the location of the mobile phone 800, and outputs the generated location transmission request to the data communication circuit 204a, using the mobile phone 800 as the receiving address. After the data communication circuit 204a sends the location transmission request to the mobile phone 800, if it receives the location information of the mobile phone 800, the acquisition unit 210 acquires the location information from the data communication circuit 204a.

[0098] The selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 outputs a location transmission request with the mobile phone 900 as the receiving address, and the acquisition unit 210 acquires the location information of the mobile phone 900. Then, based on the location of the mobile phone 800, the location of the mobile phone 900, and the delivery start location indicated by the acquired location information, the selection unit 240 selects a delivery mobile phone to deliver the ordered goods (step S28).

[0099] In this embodiment, except for the periods during which mobile units 800 and 900 move to the delivery start position via the path set by the information processing device 200, transport the ordered goods from the delivery start position to the delivery destination, and return to the delivery start position after completing the delivery of the ordered goods, they are not controlled by the information processing device 200. Instead, they autonomously move cyclically along a pre-set loop path. The loop path of mobile units 800 and 900 is a pre-set circular path that starts at the start position of the pre-set loop path and ends at the start position of the pre-set loop path. In this embodiment, the start position of the loop path has been pre-set to be the same as the delivery start position.

[0100] The purpose of moving mobile machines 800 and 900 along the loop path is to suppress the following phenomenon: for example, compared to the case where mobile machines 800 and 900 are parked or temporarily docked in the area including the warehouse exit, i.e., the delivery start position, the utilization efficiency of the area where mobile machines 800 and 900 are parked or temporarily docked (hereinafter referred to as the long-term or temporary parking area) is reduced. In this embodiment, the utilization efficiency of the long-term or temporary parking area is calculated by dividing the area usable by the user of the long-term or temporary parking area by the area of ​​the long-term or temporary parking area, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the area usable by the user of the long-term or temporary parking area includes the area located within the long-term or temporary parking area that does not contain any objects, including mobile machines 800 and 900.

[0101] In this embodiment, the mobile units 800 and 900 move along the loop path in an empty state to suppress energy consumption, but they are not limited to this; they can also move along the loop path with goods stored in them. In this case, for example, to allow pedestrians to retrieve samples or trial offerings of the goods, the mobile units 800 and 900 can also store the samples or trial offerings of the goods in an unlocked state while moving along the loop path.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the loop path is a path that passes through a pre-defined target area, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may also be pre-defined to include multiple shopping locations that regularly purchase the same or different products as the products being ordered. In this case, mobile devices 800 and 900 may also store the pre-defined products at each of the multiple shopping locations in a manner that arrives at the multiple shopping locations at a pre-defined time, and move along the loop path.

[0103] Alternatively, for example, the loop path can be pre-set to include multiple distribution locations for trial offerings or samples of the product. In this case, mobile units 800 and 900 can arrive at each of the multiple distribution locations at a pre-set time, or at a time determined, for example, based on a software random number or a pre-set rule, to store trial offerings or samples of the product while moving along the loop path.

[0104] Based on these considerations, the circulation path is pre-set with a path width wider than a preset width to suppress contact between regular shoppers or pedestrians and mobile units 800 and 900. Additionally, the circulation path is pre-set with a height difference smaller than a preset height difference to suppress the energy consumption of mobile units 800 and 900 required for circulation.

[0105] The selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 checks whether the body ID of the mobile phones 800 and 900 has been saved. Figure 10 The selection unit 240 performs a judgment process on the order form. At this time, when it determines that the body ID of mobile phone 800 and the body ID of mobile phone 900 are not stored in the order form as body IDs for transporting mobile phones, it determines that both mobile phone 800 and mobile phone 900 can be selected as transporting mobile phones.

[0106] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires information representing a loop path pre-stored in the information storage unit 290. This information includes information indicating the positions of multiple nodes included in the loop path using latitude, longitude, and altitude, as well as information indicating the arrival order of the multiple nodes. Then, the selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 calculates the shortest distance on the loop path from the position of the mobile device 800 to the starting position based on the acquired information representing the loop path, the position information of the mobile device 800, and the information indicating the starting position. In this embodiment, the shortest distance on the loop path refers to the shorter of the distance measured in a pre-set forward direction and the distance measured in the opposite direction.

[0107] Next, the selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 calculates the shortest distance on the loop path from the position of the mobile device 900 to the starting position. Then, if the shortest distance of the mobile device 800 is less than or equal to the shortest distance of the mobile device 900, the selection unit 240 selects the mobile device 800 as the transport mobile device. Conversely, if the shortest distance of the mobile device 800 is longer than the shortest distance of the mobile device 900, the selection unit 240 selects the mobile device 900.

[0108] In contrast, if the selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 determines that... Figure 10 If the order form does not store the device ID of mobile phone 800, but stores the device ID of mobile phone 900, then it is determined that mobile phone 900 cannot be selected as the delivery mobile phone, but mobile phone 800 can be selected as the delivery mobile phone. Therefore, the selection unit 240 selects mobile phone 800 as the delivery mobile phone. Conversely, if the selection unit 240 determines that the order form stores the device ID of mobile phone 800, but not the device ID of mobile phone 900, then it selects mobile phone 900 as the delivery mobile phone. Furthermore, conversely, if the selection unit 240 determines that the order form stores the device IDs of both mobile phone 800 and 900, then it is determined that the delivery mobile phone cannot be selected. Afterwards, the selection unit 240 goes into sleep mode for a preset time, and then repeats the above process starting from the process of determining whether the device IDs of mobile phone 800 and 900 are stored in the order form.

[0109] If the selection unit 240 of the information processing device 200 selects mobile phone 800 or 900 as the transport mobile phone, the update unit 230 uses the body ID of the selected mobile phone 800 or 900 as the body ID of the transport mobile phone, establishes a correspondence with the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100, and saves it to the order form.

[0110] Afterwards, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 goes into sleep mode until the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives data from the terminal device 100. In a specific example of order processing, firstly, a search request for products based on keywords is sent from the terminal device 100. Therefore, if the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives... Figure 3 If the retrieval request is output in step S06, the acquisition unit 210 will wake up from the sleep state and acquire the received data from the data communication circuit 204a, and determine that the acquired data is a retrieval request (step S29: yes).

[0111] Subsequently, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires keywords from the acquired search request and retrieves summary information of one or more products corresponding to the acquired keywords from a product table (not shown) pre-stored in the information storage unit 290. The product table contains multiple pre-stored records, each containing a pre-established correspondence between the product's keywords, summary information, and detailed information.

[0112] Subsequently, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 generates information representing the search results containing summary information of one or more retrieved products, and outputs the generated information to the data communication circuit 204a with the terminal device 100 as the receiving address (step S30).

[0113] Next, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S23, thereby determining whether there are any items in the shopping cart (step S31). The reason for performing this determination in step S31 is that if a search request is received repeatedly, the process of step S31 will be repeated, so it is possible that the result obtained in step S31 is different from the result obtained in step S23.

[0114] In a specific example of order processing, from step S23 when it is determined that no items are in the shopping cart, until the first search request is sent, the items are not added to the shopping cart. Therefore, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines that no items are in the shopping cart (step S31: No). Afterwards, the update unit 230... Figure 10In the order form, the status ID corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 is updated to the status ID "S2" of the search status, which indicates that the item to be ordered has been retrieved (step S32). Thus, the update unit 230 changes the order status to the search status. Afterwards, the information processing device 200 returns to step S29 and repeats the process from the time of sleep until the data was received.

[0115] In a specific example of order processing, a details transmission request is then sent from the terminal device 100, requesting the transmission of detailed information about the retrieved goods. Therefore, if the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives... Figure 3 Upon receiving the detail sending request output in step S09, the acquisition unit 210 awakens from its sleep state and acquires the received data from the data communication circuit 204a. Next, the acquisition unit 210 determines that the received data is not a search request, but a detail sending request (step S29: No, and step S33: Yes). Then, the acquisition unit 210 retrieves the product ID of the selected product from the acquired detail sending request and obtains the detailed information corresponding to that product ID from the product table (not shown) stored in the information storage unit 290. Afterwards, the acquisition unit 210 outputs the acquired detailed information to the data communication circuit 204a using the terminal device 100 as the receiving address (step S34).

[0116] Next, if the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines that no items have been added to the shopping cart (step S35: No), then... Figure 10 In the order form, the status ID corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 is updated to the status ID "S3" of the selected product status (product selection status) (step S36). Thus, the updating unit 230 changes the order status to the product selection status. Afterwards, the information processing device 200 returns to step S29 and repeats the process from sleep mode until data reception.

[0117] In a specific example of order processing, the terminal device 100 then sends a pre-selection report indicating that the goods have been considered for purchase. Therefore, if the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives... Figure 3Upon receiving the pre-selection report output in step S12, the acquisition unit 210 awakens from its sleep state and acquires the received data from the data communication circuit 204a. Next, the acquisition unit 210 determines that the acquired data is not a search request or a details sending request, but rather a pre-selection report (step S29: No, step S33: No, and step S37: Yes). Then, the acquisition unit 210 retrieves the product ID of the product to be purchased from the acquired pre-selection report. Next, the update unit 230 establishes a correspondence between the acquired product ID and the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 and saves it to [the relevant database / system / etc.]. Figure 10 The order form is then updated (step S38). The product identified by the product ID is then added to the user's shopping cart.

[0118] Subsequently, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 updates the status ID corresponding to the user's user ID in the order form to the status ID "S4" of the pre-selection status, which indicates that the purchase of goods has been considered (step S39). As a result, the updating unit 230 changes the order status to the pre-selection status.

[0119] Next, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 updates the value of the non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID in the order form to the value "true", indicating that the motion control corresponding to the pre-selected state has not been executed. After that, the information processing device 200 returns to step S29 and repeats the process from sleep to receiving data.

[0120] In a specific example of the order processing, a search request is then sent from the terminal device 100. The purpose of sending the search request is to enable the information processing device 200 to retrieve items that are different from those already in the shopping cart. Therefore, if the information processing device 200 receives the search request, it resumes from its sleep state and executes steps S29 and S30, thereby outputting information indicating the results of the search based on the search request. Afterwards, if the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines that items are in the shopping cart (step S31: Yes), it does not change the order state to the search state, but maintains the pre-selection state. Then, the information processing device 200 returns to step S29, and the processing from the sleep state until the data was received is repeated.

[0121] In a specific example of order processing, an order completion request is then sent from terminal device 100. This request is sent because the user of terminal device 100, having seen the search results, has decided to purchase only the items already added to their shopping cart. Therefore, if the data communication circuit 204a of information processing device 200 receives... Figure 3If the order completion request is output in step S16, the acquisition unit 210 will wake up from the sleep state and acquire the received data from the data communication circuit 204a. Then, the acquisition unit 210 determines that the acquired data is not a search request, a details sending request, or a pre-selection report, but an order completion request (step S29: No, step S33: No, step S37: No, and step S40: Yes).

[0122] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 from Figure 10 In the order list, the product ID corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 is obtained, thereby determining the product to be ordered. Next, the acquisition unit 210 retrieves summary information corresponding to the acquired product ID from the product list (not shown) stored in the information storage unit 290, and then retrieves information indicating the price of the product from the acquired summary information. Afterwards, based on the price indicated by the acquired information, the acquisition unit 210 calculates the amount to be paid by the user to purchase the product to be ordered.

[0123] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 from Figure 9 In the user table, settlement information corresponding to the user ID is obtained. Then, the acquisition unit 210 generates a settlement request, which includes the acquired settlement information and information indicating the calculated purchase amount, to request settlement of that amount using the settlement information. Next, the acquisition unit 210 obtains the URL of the settlement server pre-stored in the information storage unit 290, uses the obtained URL as the receiving address, and outputs the generated settlement request to the data communication circuit 204a (step S41).

[0124] Next, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200... Figure 10 In the order form, the status ID corresponding to the user ID of the user identified by the terminal device 100 is updated to the status ID "S5" of the settlement status (step S42). Thus, the update unit 230 changes the order status to the settlement status. Next, the update unit 230 updates the value of the non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID in the order form to "true", indicating that the motion control corresponding to the settlement status has not been executed.

[0125] After the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 sends a settlement request to the settlement server, if it receives a settlement failure report indicating that the settlement has failed, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines that the settlement was unsuccessful (step S43: no) and decides to cancel the order.

[0126] Therefore, in the order table, the update unit 230 updates the status ID corresponding to the user ID of the user identified by the terminal device 100 to the string "NULL" indicating that the order has not been accepted (step S44). As a result, the update unit 230 changes the order status to the status of "order not accepted".

[0127] Furthermore, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 updates the machine ID and non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID to the string "NULL". Conversely, the update unit 230 does not update the product ID corresponding to the user ID to the string "NULL", but keeps it as is. Therefore, the product identified by the product ID remains in the shopping cart.

[0128] Subsequently, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200, using the terminal device 100 as the receiving address, outputs a message to the data communication circuit 204a informing it of settlement failure and order cancellation, and then terminates the sales processing. If the data communication circuit 104a of the terminal device 100 receives this message, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 causes the display device 105b to display the message. The user who sees the message can, for example, increase the available credit limit of a credit card with the number included in the settlement information, and use that credit card to make the payment. Afterward, the user again performs the operation of starting the sales application and making a purchase on the terminal device 100, thereby using the settlement information of the credit card that can be used for payment to settle the purchase price of the items already placed in the shopping cart.

[0129] Conversely, if the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives a settlement success report indicating successful settlement, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines that the settlement is successful (step S43: Yes). Then, the update unit 230 updates the status ID corresponding to the user ID of the user identified by the terminal device 100 in the order book to the status ID "S6" of the completed state (step S45). Thus, the update unit 230 completes the order by changing the order status to the completed state. Next, the update unit 230 updates the value of the non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID in the order book to the value "true," indicating that the motion control corresponding to the completed state has not been executed. Afterwards, the update unit 230 ends the execution of the sales process.

[0130] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 completes the order only after determining successful settlement in step S43. Therefore, the order status can only change to the settlement status in step S42 before it can change to the completed status in step S45. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing device 200 outputs a settlement request in step S41 requesting payment for the items already added to the shopping cart. Therefore, the order status can only change to the pre-selected status in step S39 before it can change to the settlement status. In other words, the order status can only change from the pre-selected status to the completed status after going through the settlement status.

[0131] Therefore, the probability of the order status changing from settlement status to completion status (hereinafter referred to as the probability of settlement status) is higher than the probability of the order status changing from pre-selection status to completion status (hereinafter referred to as the probability of pre-selection status). In addition, the time required for the order status to change from settlement status to completion status (hereinafter referred to as the settlement status change time) is shorter than the time required for the order status to change from pre-selection status to completion status (hereinafter referred to as the pre-selection status change time).

[0132] Therefore, in this embodiment, a product can only be added to the shopping cart after it has been retrieved. Furthermore, a product can only be selected after it has been retrieved, and a product can only be retrieved as an order item after a sales service has been selected. Based on these principles, the order state can only transition to the pre-selection state after first changing to the product selection state in step S36; the search state can only transition to the product selection state after first changing to the service selection state in step S32; and the search state can only transition to the search state after first changing to the service selection state in step S25.

[0133] Based on these factors, the probability of the order status changing from a service selection state to a completed state (hereinafter referred to as the probability of the service selection state) is higher than that of the order status changing from a search state to a completed state (hereinafter referred to as the probability of the search state). Furthermore, the probability of the product selection state changing from a product selection state to a completed state (hereinafter referred to as the probability of the product selection state) is higher than that of the search state, and the probability of the pre-selection state is higher than that of the product selection state.

[0134] For the same reason, the time required for the order status to change from service selection to completion (hereinafter referred to as the service selection status change time) is shorter than the time required for the order status to change from service selection to completion. Furthermore, the time required for the product selection status to change from product selection to completion (hereinafter referred to as the product selection status change time) is shorter than the product selection status change time, and the time required for the pre-selection status to change is shorter than the product selection status change time.

[0135] Based on these, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 200 executes, at preset time intervals, such as... Figure 11 The illustrated motion control process involves controlling the movement of mobile devices 800 or 900 based on the order status. Therefore, the CPU 201 of the information processing unit 200 functions as a device that controls the movement of mobile devices 800 or 900 based on the order status. Figure 7 The control unit 250 shown functions to suppress the increase in the movement distance from the position of the goods transporting machine 800 or 900 to the starting position of the transport.

[0136] Figure 11 After the execution of the movement control processing begins, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 obtains from... Figure 10 In the order table, one or more records containing a status ID different from the string "NULL" indicating that the order has not been accepted are retrieved. Next, the retrieval unit 210 determines whether there are any unfollowed records among the retrieved one or more records (step S51). If the retrieval unit 210 determines that there are unfollowed records (step S51: Yes), then it follows one of the unfollowed records and makes it a followed record (step S52).

[0137] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires the device ID and the order status ID stored in the attention record (steps S53 and S54). Next, the acquisition unit 210 determines whether the acquired status ID is the status ID "S1" of the service selection status, which is also called the first status (step S55).

[0138] At this time, if the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID "S1" of the first state (step S55: Yes), it performs the same processing as in step S28. Thus, the acquisition unit 210 obtains the location information of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, which is identified by the acquired body ID. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 210, counting from the time the location information was acquired, acquires the location information of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 again after a preset time has elapsed (step S56).

[0139] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs the same processing as in step S28, thereby calculating the shortest distance on the loop path from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 represented by the position information obtained in the first time to the transport starting position (hereinafter referred to as the first distance), and the shortest distance on the loop path from the position represented by the position information obtained in the second time to the starting position (hereinafter referred to as the second distance).

[0140] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines whether the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position based on whether the distance of the first time is shorter than the distance of the second time (step S57). At this time, if the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 has not moved away from the starting position based on whether the length of the first distance is greater than or equal to the length of the second distance (step S57: No), then the acquisition unit 210 acquires the information indicating the reference speed pre-stored by the information storage unit 290.

[0141] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs speed control (hereinafter referred to as reference speed control) to make the moving speed of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 a reference speed represented by the acquired information (step S58). Therefore, the control unit 250 outputs a reference speed command to the data communication circuit 204a, using the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address, commanding it to move at the reference speed. Afterwards, the information processing device 200 repeats the above process starting from step S51.

[0142] If, in step S57, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the starting position based on the fact that the distance in the first step is shorter than the distance in the second step (step S57: Yes), then the acquisition unit 210 acquires the information indicating low speed pre-stored by the information storage unit 290. Low speed refers to a speed slower than the reference speed. Next, the control unit 250 performs speed control (hereinafter referred to as low speed control) to make the moving speed of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 the low speed indicated by the acquired information (step S59). Therefore, the control unit 250 outputs a low speed command to the data communication circuit 204a using the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address. This low speed command contains information indicating low speed and is used to command movement at a low speed. Afterwards, the information processing device 200 repeats the above process starting from step S51.

[0143] In this embodiment, when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position, the low-speed control is executed regardless of whether the movement control corresponding to the first state (i.e., low-speed control) has been executed. Furthermore, when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is not moving away from the transport starting position, the reference speed control is executed regardless of whether the reference speed control corresponding to the first state has been executed. The reason for executing both low-speed control and reference speed control regardless of whether they are executed is that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 needs to continue its cyclical movement, and over time, it will move closer to or further away from the transport starting position.

[0144] If, in step S55, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is not the state ID "S1" of the first state (step S55: No), then it determines whether the acquired state ID is the state ID "S2" of the search state, which is called the second state, or the state ID "S3" of the product selection state, which is also called the second state (step S60). At this time, if the acquisition unit 210 determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID "S2" or "S3" (step S60: Yes), then it performs the same processing as in steps S56 and 57 (steps S61 and S62), thereby determining whether the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position.

[0145] At this point, if the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 has not moved away from the transport starting position (step S62: No), it repeats the process starting from step S51. Conversely, if the control unit 250 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away (step S62: Yes), it performs direction control, changing the direction of movement of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 from moving away from the transport starting position to moving closer to the starting position (step S63).

[0146] Direction control is the control that changes the direction of movement of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 toward the direction of transport originating from the transport originating position. Therefore, compared to low-speed control, which reduces the speed of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to a low speed when the direction of movement of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 is away from the transport originating position, it can suppress the increase in the distance traveled from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport originating position.

[0147] In this embodiment, the direction control is as follows: when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves along the loop path in a preset forward direction, the movement direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is changed to the opposite direction; when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves in the opposite direction, the movement direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is changed back to the forward direction. The transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves along the loop path in the forward direction, and moves along the loop path in the reverse direction. Therefore, the direction control is also as follows: when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves along the loop path, it is changed to move along the reverse direction; when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves along the reverse direction, it is changed back to move along the loop path.

[0148] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direction control is reverse control; that is, to change the movement direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 from forward to reverse, or vice versa, the movement direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is reversed. Therefore, in step S63, the control unit 250 uses the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address and outputs a reverse command to the data communication circuit 204a to reverse the movement direction.

[0149] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S58, thereby performing reference speed control to move the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 at a reference speed (step S64). Afterward, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from step S51.

[0150] In this embodiment, when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position, direction control and reference speed control must be executed regardless of whether the movement control corresponding to the second state, i.e., direction control and reference speed control, have not been executed. The reason for executing direction control and reference speed control regardless of whether they have been executed is that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 needs to continue its cyclical movement.

[0151] In steps S55 and S60, after determining that the acquired state ID is not one of the state IDs "S1" to "S3" (step S55: No, and step S60: No), the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines whether the acquired state ID is the state ID "S4" of the preselected state called the third state (step S65). If the acquisition unit 210 determines that the acquired state ID is state ID "S4" (step S65: Yes), then from... Figure 10 In the order form, the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 and the status ID "S4" of the third state are obtained and a corresponding non-execution flag is established. At this time, the acquisition unit 210 determines whether the motion control corresponding to the third state has not been executed based on the value of the acquired non-execution flag (step S66). If the value of the non-execution flag is "false", it is determined that the motion control has been executed (step S66: no), and the information processing device 200 repeats the process from step S51.

[0152] In contrast, if the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the motion control corresponding to the third state has not been executed based on the value of the non-execution flag being "true" (step S66: Yes), then it performs high-speed control (hereinafter referred to as high-speed control) to make the moving speed of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 faster than the reference speed, and uses it as the motion control (step S67).

[0153] Here, the ordering state must go through state 2 before transitioning to state 3. Therefore, in step S60, the ordering state is determined to be state 2. After direction control and reference speed control are performed in steps S63 and S64 respectively, the ordering state is determined to be state 3 in step S65, and high-speed control is executed in step S67. That is, by performing direction control and reference speed control, the moving direction of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 is changed to a direction closer to the transport starting position, and the moving speed is changed to the reference speed before high-speed control is performed. Therefore, the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 can move at a speed faster than the reference speed in the direction closer to the transport starting position. Thus, high-speed control can shorten the moving distance from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position compared to direction control and reference speed control.

[0154] To perform high-speed control, the control unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires high-speed information pre-stored in the information storage unit 290. Next, the control unit 250 outputs a high-speed command to the data communication circuit 204a, using the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address. This high-speed command contains information indicating high speed and is used to command high-speed movement. Then, the update unit 230... Figure 10 In the order form, the value of the non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 and the state ID "S4" of the third state is updated to the value "false", indicating that the motion control corresponding to the third state has been executed. After that, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from step S51.

[0155] In steps S55, S60, and S65, after determining that the acquired state ID is not one of the state IDs "S1" to "S4" (step S55: No, step S60: No, and step S65: No), the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines whether the acquired state ID is the state ID "S5" of the settlement state referred to as the fourth state (step S68). If the acquisition unit 210 determines that the acquired state ID is state ID "S5" (step S68: Yes), it performs the same processing as in step S66, thereby determining whether movement control corresponding to the fourth state has not been executed (step S69). If it determines that the movement control has been executed (step S69: No), the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from step S51.

[0156] In contrast, if the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the motion control corresponding to the fourth state has not been executed (step S69: yes), it performs the same processing as step S28, thereby acquiring location information in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude representing the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 (step S70).

[0157] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines a first path from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900, as indicated by the acquired position information, to the transport starting position (step S71). At this time, the control unit 250 determines the first path in such a way that the distance of the first path is shorter than the shortest distance on the circular path from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position. The shortest distance on the circular path from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position is the distance that the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 moves from its position to the transport starting position along the circular path set as the transport mobile machine 800 or 900's movement path, without performing path control to reset the movement path of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900.

[0158] To this end, the acquisition unit 210 acquires information from the information storage unit 290, which represents the starting position of the transport in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude. Next, the acquisition unit 210 reads multiple records stored in a partial path table pre-stored in the information storage unit 290. For example, the partial path table pre-stores multiple records containing information related to partial paths such as roads and walkways that allow the mobile machines 800 and 900 to move.

[0159] The latitude, longitude, and altitude of the starting point of a partial path, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the ending point of that edge, and information indicating the distance of that edge are pre-stored in each record of the partial path table. In addition, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the starting and ending points are pre-established to correspond to information indicating the width of the edge, i.e., the road or trail.

[0160] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 uses the distance of the edges, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the starting and ending points of the edges, the latitude, longitude, and altitude indicating the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900, and the latitude, longitude, and altitude indicating the starting position of the transport, stored in each record of the read partial path table, to execute a path exploration algorithm such as Diekstral. Thus, by combining partial paths, the control unit 250 explores multiple overall paths from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the starting position.

[0161] Then, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires information indicating the loop path from the information storage unit 290. Next, the control unit 250 calculates the shortest distance (i.e., the shortest distance on the loop path) required to move from the position of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to the transport starting position along the loop path based on the information indicating the loop path, the position information of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, and the information indicating the transport starting position.

[0162] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines N (where N is a natural number) overall paths whose total distance is shorter than the shortest distance on the loop path from among the multiple explored overall paths, in ascending order of total distance. Thus, N overall paths different from the loop path are determined.

[0163] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates an evaluation value for each of the N overall paths. This evaluation value indicates how suitable the overall path is as a path for transporting the mobile machine 800 or 900. In this embodiment, the higher the overall path is assessed as suitable, the higher the calculated evaluation value. However, this is not limited to this; the higher the overall path is assessed as suitable, the lower the calculated evaluation value may be.

[0164] To calculate the evaluation value of each of the N overall paths, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 assigns numbers 1 to N to the determined N overall paths in ascending order of total distance. Then, the control unit 250 initializes the variable n, representing the overall path number, to the value "1". Next, the control unit 250 calculates the first evaluation value based on the total distance, the second evaluation value based on safety, and the third evaluation value based on energy consumption for the nth overall path.

[0165] In order to calculate the first evaluation value based on the total distance, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates the first evaluation value in such a way that the shorter the total distance of the nth overall path, the higher the calculated first evaluation value. The reason why the control unit 250 calculates the first evaluation value in this way is that the shorter the total distance, the sooner the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 can move to the transport starting point.

[0166] In this embodiment, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 uses the reciprocal of the total distance as the first evaluation value as the calculation method, but it is not limited to this. The control unit 250 can use any calculation method, as long as the method is a positive value that results in a higher first evaluation value the shorter the total distance.

[0167] Next, in order to calculate the second safety-based evaluation value, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines the multiple edges included in the nth overall path. Then, for each of the determined edges, the control unit 250 obtains information representing the edge distance and information representing the edge width from a partial path table (not shown), corresponding to the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the edge's starting point and ending point. Next, for each edge, the control unit 250 calculates its area by multiplying the edge width by the distance. Then, the control unit 250 calculates the sum of the areas of the multiple edges included in the nth overall path and divides the calculated sum by the total distance to calculate the average width of the overall path. Then, the control unit 250 calculates the second safety-based evaluation value in a manner that the larger the calculated average width, the higher the calculated second safety-based evaluation value. The reason why the control unit 250 calculates the second evaluation value in this way is that the larger the average width of the overall path, the lower the probability of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 coming into contact with, for example, people, animals, obstacles or vehicles during the movement of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 along the overall path.

[0168] In this embodiment, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 uses a method of adding a preset positive constant C1 to the average width of the entire path as the second evaluation value. However, it is not limited to this method. The control unit 250 can use any calculation method, as long as the method results in a higher positive value for the calculated second evaluation value as the larger the average width of the entire path.

[0169] Next, in order to calculate the third evaluation value based on energy consumption, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires information representing the weights of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 that is pre-stored in the information storage unit 290. Then, for each of the plurality of edges included in the nth overall path, if the height at the endpoint is higher than the height at the starting point of the edge, the control unit 250 subtracts the height at the starting point from the height at the endpoint. Thus, the control unit 250 calculates the increase in height of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 that occurs when it moves along the edge. Afterwards, for each of the plurality of edges, the control unit 250 multiplies the weight of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 by the increase in height, thereby calculating the increase in potential energy of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 that occurs when it moves along the edge. Next, the control unit 250 calculates the sum of the calculated potential energy increases and uses it as the energy consumed by the battery stored in, for example, the transport mobile unit 800 or 900.

[0170] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs calculations in a manner that the lower the calculated energy consumption, the higher the calculated third evaluation value. In this embodiment, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 uses the reciprocal of the value obtained by adding a preset positive constant C2 to the calculated energy consumption as the third evaluation value. However, it is not limited to this method; the control unit 250 can use any calculation method, as long as the method is a positive value where the lower the calculated energy consumption, the higher the calculated third evaluation value.

[0171] After calculating the first to third evaluation values, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires information representing a positive first initial value from the information storage unit 290 for the first weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the first evaluation value. Similarly, the acquisition unit 210 acquires information representing a positive second initial value and information representing a positive third initial value from the information storage unit 290 for the second and third weighting coefficients used in the weighting of the second and third evaluation values, respectively. Then, the control unit 250 initializes the first weighting coefficient to the first initial value represented by the acquired information, and initializes the second and third weighting coefficients to the second and third initial values, respectively.

[0172] Then, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates the sum of the value obtained by weighting the first evaluation value with the first weighting coefficient, the value obtained by weighting the second evaluation value with the second weighting coefficient, and the value obtained by weighting the third evaluation value with the third weighting coefficient, and uses this sum as the comprehensive evaluation value of the nth overall path. Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 increments the value of variable n by "1" and repeats the process starting from the calculation of the first individual evaluation value until the value of variable n is greater than the total number of overall paths N.

[0173] After calculating the comprehensive evaluation value of N overall paths, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines the overall path with the highest comprehensive evaluation value among the N calculated comprehensive evaluation values ​​as the first path for the mobile phone 800 or 900 to move. However, it is not limited to this. The control unit 250 may also determine the overall path with the highest comprehensive evaluation value (N', where N' is a natural number greater than or equal to 2 and less than N) as the first path, or, for example, select one overall path as the first path from the N' overall paths with the highest comprehensive evaluation values ​​calculated from the first to the N'th, based on software random numbers or preset rules.

[0174] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs path control (hereinafter referred to as first path control) to move the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 along the first path, and performs this as movement control corresponding to the fourth state (step S72). The first path control is a control that changes the movement path of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to a first path with a shorter distance than the distance on the loop path. Therefore, compared to high-speed control that makes the movement speed of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 along the loop path very high, the first path control can shorten the movement distance from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position.

[0175] To perform first path control, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 generates information representing the first path, including: information indicating the positions of multiple nodes included in the first path in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude; and information indicating the arrival order of the multiple nodes. Next, the control unit 250 outputs a first path command to the data communication circuit 204a, using the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address. This first path command includes the generated information representing the first path and is used to command movement along the first path. Then, the update unit 230... Figure 10 In the order form, the value of the non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 and the status ID "S5" of the fourth state is updated to the value "false". After that, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from step S51.

[0176] If the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines in steps S55, S60, S65, and S68 that the acquired state ID is not one of the state IDs "S1" to "S5" (step S55: No, step S60: No, step S65: No, and step S68: No), then it determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID "S6" of the completed state, referred to as the 5th state. Next, the acquisition unit 210 performs the same process as in step S66, thereby determining whether the movement control corresponding to the 5th state has not been executed (step S73). If it is determined that the movement control has been executed (step S73: No), the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from step S51.

[0177] In contrast, if the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the motion control corresponding to the fifth state has not been executed (step S73: yes), it performs the same processing as step S70, thereby acquiring the location information of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 (step S74).

[0178] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines a second path from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 indicated by the acquired location information to the transport starting position. At this time, if the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 has not yet started moving along the first path, and therefore the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 indicated by the acquired location information is the same as the position used when determining the first path, the control unit 250 determines the second path in a manner that is shorter than the overall path of the first path from the position indicated by the acquired location information to the transport starting position, but consumes more energy and is less safe than the overall path of the first path. In contrast, if the position of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 indicated by the acquired position information is different from the position used when the first path was determined, the control unit 250 determines the second path in a manner that is shorter than a portion of the first path from the position indicated by the acquired position information to the transport start position, but consumes more energy and is less safe than a portion of the first path (step S75).

[0179] Therefore, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs the same processing as step S71, thereby determining M paths in order of increasing total distance (where M is a natural number greater than 1 and less than N). These paths are the overall paths from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position, and the total distance is shorter than the overall path or part of the path of the first path.

[0180] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates a first evaluation value based on total distance, a second evaluation value based on safety, and a third evaluation value based on energy consumption for each of the M overall paths. Then, the control unit 250 initializes the first weighting coefficient to a first initial value, and initializes the second and third weighting coefficients to second and third initial values, respectively.

[0181] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 does not correct the first weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the first evaluation value based on the total distance, but corrects the second weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the second evaluation value based on safety and the third weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the third evaluation value based on energy consumption to values ​​smaller than before the correction. The control unit 250 makes this correction to achieve the following objective: if the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 has not moved to the transport starting position, the transport of the goods will not begin even if the order has been completed. Furthermore, this correction is made because, after the order is completed, the path with the shorter total distance is relatively more suitable as the path for the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to move, compared to the path with a longer total distance and higher safety, or the path with a longer total distance and lower energy consumption.

[0182] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates, for each of the M overall paths, the sum of the value obtained by weighting the first evaluation value with an uncorrected first weighting coefficient, the value obtained by weighting the second evaluation value with a corrected second weighting coefficient, and the value obtained by weighting the third evaluation value with a corrected third weighting coefficient, and uses this sum as the comprehensive evaluation value. Then, the control unit 250 determines the overall path with the highest comprehensive evaluation value among the M calculated comprehensive evaluation values ​​as the second path for the movement of the mobile device 800 or 900. However, this is not a limitation; the control unit 250 may also determine the overall path with the highest calculated comprehensive evaluation value (where M' is a natural number greater than or equal to 2 and less than M) as the second path, or, for example, based on software random numbers or pre-set rules, select one overall path as the second path from the M' overall paths with the highest calculated comprehensive evaluation values ​​from the 1st to the M'th.

[0183] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs path control (hereinafter referred to as second path control) to move the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 along the second path, and performs this as movement control corresponding to the fifth state (step S76). The second path control is a control that changes the movement path of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to a second path with a shorter distance than the first path. Therefore, compared with the first path control, the second path control can shorten the movement distance from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position.

[0184] To perform second path control, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 generates information representing the second path, including: information indicating the positions of multiple nodes included in the second path in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude; and information indicating the arrival order of the multiple nodes. Next, the control unit 250 outputs a second path command to the data communication circuit 204a, using the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address. This second path command includes the generated information representing the second path and is used to command movement along the second path. Then, the update unit 230... Figure 10 In the order form, the value of the non-execution flag corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 and the status ID "S6" of the fifth state is updated to the value "false". After that, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from step S51.

[0185] If the acquisition unit 210 determines in step S51 that there are no unattended records (step S51: No), then the execution of the motion control process ends.

[0186] The mobile unit 800, controlled by the information processing device 200, is, for example, an unmanned ground vehicle, a vehicle capable of moving on the ground unmanned. The mobile unit 800, for example... Figure 12 As shown, it includes: a chassis 810 having multiple wheels including wheels 801 and 802; a storage compartment 820 disposed on the upper surface of the chassis 810; and an information processing device 890 built into the storage compartment 820.

[0187] The storage compartment 820 of the mobile device 800 includes a storage box 821. The storage box 821 has a box body comprising a bottom plate (not shown), a top plate, a back plate, and two side plates, forming a space enclosed by these plates and open at the front. At the opening of the box body, a door frame 821b is provided for inserting a door 821a. The door 821a has a latch 821c, and the door frame 821b has a lock groove 821d, which serves as a latch seat for the latch 821c.

[0188] The door 821a of the storage compartment 820 of the mobile phone 800 also has a motor (not shown). This motor locks the door 821a by inserting the bolt 821c into the lock slot 821d based on a signal output from the information processing device 890 of the mobile phone 800. The motor also unlocks the door 821a by pulling the bolt 821c out of the lock slot 821d based on a signal output from the information processing device 890.

[0189] The mobile device 800 also includes a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor 831 located on the front of the chassis 810, and a LiDAR sensor (not shown) located on the back of the chassis 810.

[0190] Using the forward direction of the mobile phone 800 as a reference orientation, the front-facing LiDAR sensor 831 of the mobile phone 800 illuminates a laser in multiple directions within a range of -90 degrees to +90 degrees azimuth angle with the reference orientation and -90 degrees to +90 degrees elevation angle with the forward direction of the mobile phone 800. The front-facing LiDAR sensor 831 receives the reflected light from the illuminated laser and, based on the time from the laser illumination to the receipt of the reflected light, measures the distances to multiple reflection points of the reflected laser. Then, based on the laser illumination direction and the measured distances, the front-facing LiDAR sensor 831 calculates the coordinate values ​​of the multiple reflection points in a three-dimensional coordinate system using the center point of the mobile phone 800 as the origin. Finally, the front-facing LiDAR sensor 831 outputs the calculated coordinate values ​​of the multiple reflection points to the information processing device 890 of the mobile phone 800.

[0191] When using the rearward direction of the mobile phone 800 as a reference orientation, the LiDAR sensor on the back of the mobile phone 800 illuminates infrared laser light in multiple directions within a range of -90 degrees to +90 degrees azimuth angle with the reference orientation and -90 degrees to +90 degrees elevation angle with the rearward direction of the mobile phone 800. Furthermore, the rear-mounted LiDAR sensor calculates the coordinates of multiple reflection points of the illuminated laser light in the three-dimensional coordinate system of the mobile phone 800 and outputs the calculated coordinates of the multiple reflection points to the information processing device 890 of the mobile phone 800.

[0192] The purpose of the front LiDAR sensor 831 and the rear LiDAR sensor of the mobile device 800 outputting the coordinate values ​​of multiple reflection points to the information processing device 890 is, for example, to enable the information processing device 890 of the mobile device 800 to determine the coordinate values ​​and dimensions of objects in all directions using the mobile device 800 as a reference in three-dimensional space, so as to avoid obstacles and other objects while driving.

[0193] Information processing device 890 of mobile phone 800, such as Figure 13 As shown, the mobile device 800 includes hardware such as a CPU 891, RAM 892, ROM 893a, flash memory 893b, data communication circuit 894a, graphics card 895a, display device 895b, input device 895c, position measurement circuit 896, input / output port 898, and drive circuit 899. In this embodiment, the mobile device 800 has one CPU 891, but it can also have multiple CPUs. Furthermore, the mobile device 800 can also have multiple RAMs and flash memories.

[0194] The CPU 891, RAM 892, ROM 893a, flash memory 893b, data communication circuit 894a, graphics card 895a, display device 895b, input device 895c, and position measuring circuit 896 of the mobile device 800 have the same structure and function as the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103a, flash memory 103b, data communication circuit 104a, graphics card 105a, display device 105b, input device 105c, and position measuring circuit 106 of the terminal device 100.

[0195] The input / output port 898 of the mobile device 800 is connected via a cable (not shown) to a cable (not shown) that is connected to the front LiDAR sensor 831 and the rear LiDAR sensor respectively. The input / output port 898 inputs signals to the CPU 891 representing the coordinate values ​​output by the front LiDAR sensor 831 and the rear LiDAR sensor respectively.

[0196] The drive circuit 899 of the mobile unit 800 is connected to unillustrated cables that are respectively connected to motors (not shown) that rotate multiple wheels. The drive circuit 899 drives the motors according to control signals output by the CPU 891, thereby rotating the multiple wheels. The unillustrated motors that rotate the multiple wheels are driven by power supplied from a battery 880 included in the mobile unit 800. The battery 880 is a lithium-ion battery, but is not limited to this; for example, it may be any rechargeable battery including lead-acid batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries.

[0197] Additionally, the drive circuit 899 of the mobile unit 800 is connected to a cable connected to a motor (not shown) that is used to pull out or insert the latch 821c of the door 821a from the lock groove 821d. The motor is driven according to the signal output by the CPU 891.

[0198] If a salesperson performs an operation on the mobile phone 800 to make it move cyclically, the input device 895c of the mobile phone 800 outputs a signal corresponding to that operation. If this signal is output from the input device 895c, the CPU 891 of the mobile phone 800 executes... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The cyclic movement process shown causes the mobile unit 800 to move cyclically.

[0199] After the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 starts executing the loop movement process, it obtains the information representing the loop path that is pre-stored in the flash memory 893b. Then, the CPU 891 saves the information representing the loop path to the storage area of ​​RAM 892, which is to be loaded with information representing the movement path for the mobile unit 800 to move, thereby setting the movement path as a loop path (step S81).

[0200] Then, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 initializes the value of the loop continuation flag, which indicates whether to repeat the movement along the loop path, to the value "true", indicating that the movement should be repeated (step S82). In addition, the CPU 891 initializes the value of the forward direction flag, which indicates whether to move along the loop path in a preset forward direction, to the value "true", indicating that the movement should be in the forward direction (step S83).

[0201] Next, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 retrieves the information representing the reference speed pre-stored in the flash memory 893b. Then, the CPU 891 saves the information representing the reference speed to the storage area of ​​RAM 892, which is to be loaded with information representing the moving speed of the mobile unit 800, thereby setting the moving speed as the reference speed (step S84).

[0202] Next, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 attempts to obtain the command received from the information processing device 200 from the data communication circuit 894a of the mobile unit 800. If the CPU 891 obtains a command (step S85: Yes), it determines whether the obtained command is a low-speed command that commands movement at a speed slower than the reference speed (step S86). If the CPU 891 determines that the obtained command is a low-speed command (step S86: Yes), it obtains information indicating low speed from the low-speed command. Then, the CPU 891 performs the same processing as in step S84, thereby setting the movement speed of the mobile unit 800 to the low speed indicated by the obtained information (step S87), and then performs the processing in step S102 below.

[0203] In step S86, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the acquired command is not a low-speed command (step S86: No), and if it determines that it is a reference speed command (step S88: Yes), then it performs the same processing as in step S84, thereby setting the moving speed of the mobile unit 800 to the reference speed (step S89). Afterwards, the CPU 891 performs the processing of step S102 described below.

[0204] If, in steps S86, S88, and S90, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the acquired command is not a low-speed command or a reference speed command (step S86: No, and step S88: No), but a reverse command (step S90: Yes), then it determines whether the value of the forward direction flag is "true," indicating that movement should be made in the forward direction (step S91). If the CPU 891 determines that the value of the forward direction flag is "true" (step S91: Yes), then it sets the value of the forward direction flag to "false," indicating that movement should be made in the reverse direction (step S92). Conversely, if the CPU 891 determines that the value of the forward direction flag is "false" (step S91: No), then it sets the value of the forward direction flag to "true" (step S93).

[0205] After executing step S92 or S93, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 sets the value of the loop continuation flag, which indicates whether to repeat the movement along the loop path, to "false," indicating that the movement along the loop path should not be repeated (step S94). The purpose of setting the loop continuation flag to "false" is to prevent the mobile unit 800 from moving away from the starting position by repeating the movement along the loop path after reaching the transport starting position. Afterward, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 sets the moving speed of the mobile unit 800 to a base speed (step S95), and then executes the process described in step S102 below.

[0206] If, in steps S86, S88, S90, and S96, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the acquired command is not a low-speed command, a reference speed command, or a reverse command (step S86: No, step S88: No, and step S90: No), but a high-speed command (step S96: Yes), then it acquires information indicating high speed from the high-speed command. Afterward, the CPU 891 sets the moving speed of the mobile unit 800 to the high speed indicated by the acquired information (step S97), and then executes the processing in step S102 below.

[0207] If, in steps S86, S88, S90, S96, and S98, the CPU 891 of the mobile device 800 determines that the acquired command is not a low-speed command, a reference speed command, a reverse command, or a high-speed command (step S86: No, step S88: No, step S90: No, and step S96: No), but is a first path command (step S98: Yes), then it acquires information representing the first path from the first path command. Afterward, the CPU 891 performs the same processing as in step S81, thereby resetting the movement path of the mobile device 800 to the first path represented by the acquired information (step S99).

[0208] Then, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 sets the value of the forward direction flag to the value "true" to move along the first path in the forward direction (step S100), and then performs the processing of step S102 below.

[0209] If, in steps S86, S88, S90, S96, and S98, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the acquired command is not a low-speed command, a reference speed command, a reverse command, a high-speed command, or a first path command (step S86: No, step S88: No, step S90: No, step S96: No, and step S98: No), then it determines that the acquired command is a second path command. Next, the CPU 891 obtains information representing the second path from the second path command and resets the mobile unit 800's movement path to the second path represented by the acquired information (step S101). Afterward, the CPU 891 executes the following step S102.

[0210] If no command is received in step S85 (step S85: No), or after executing steps S87, S89, S95, S97, S100, or S101, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines whether the value of the loop continuation flag is "true" (step S102). If the CPU 891 determines that the value of the loop continuation flag is "true" (step S102: Yes), then it executes the following step S104 to continue moving along the loop path.

[0211] Conversely, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the value of the loop continuation flag is "false" (step S102: No), then the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile unit 800 based on the signal output from the position measurement circuit 896. Next, the CPU 891 calculates the distance from the mobile unit 800 to the starting position based on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the transport starting position, and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile unit 800. Then, the CPU 891 determines whether the mobile unit 800 has arrived at the transport starting position based on whether the calculated distance is below a preset distance (step S103). At this point, if the CPU 891 determines that the mobile unit 800 has not yet arrived at the transport starting position because the distance from the mobile unit 800 to the starting position is longer than the preset distance (step S103: No), then the following step S104 is executed to continue the movement along the loop path, the first path, or the second path.

[0212] If it is determined in step S102 that the value of the loop continuation flag is "true" (step S102: Yes), or if it is determined that the mobile unit 800 has not yet arrived at the transport start position (step S103: No), the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines whether the value of the forward direction flag is "true" (step S104).

[0213] At this time, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the value of the forward direction flag is "true" (step S104: Yes), it outputs a control signal to move in the forward direction along the moving path set in step S81, S99, or S101 at the moving speed set in step S84, S87, S89, S95, or S97 (step S105).

[0214] To this end, the CPU 891 of the mobile device 800 determines the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile device 800 based on the signal output from the position measuring circuit 896. Next, based on the determined latitude, longitude, and altitude, and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of multiple nodes included in the set movement path, the CPU 891 determines nodes that meet the following conditions: relative to the position of the mobile device 800, they are located in the same direction along the movement path, and are closest to the position of the mobile device 800 along the movement path. Then, the CPU 891 generates a control signal, causing the mobile device 800 to move at a set speed by reducing the difference between the determined node's latitude, longitude, and altitude and the mobile device 800's latitude, longitude, and altitude. Then, the CPU 891 outputs the generated control signal to the drive circuit 899. The drive circuit 899 rotates multiple wheels according to this control signal. Then, the CPU 891 repeats the above process starting from step S85.

[0215] In contrast, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the value of the forward direction flag is "false" (step S104: No), it outputs a control signal to move in the reverse direction along the set moving path at the set moving speed (step S106).

[0216] Therefore, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines a node that meets the following conditions: it is located in the opposite direction on the movement path relative to the position of the mobile unit 800, and it is closest to the position of the mobile unit 800 on the movement path. Then, the CPU 891 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 899, causing the mobile unit 800 to move at a set speed by reducing the difference between the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the determined node and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile unit 800. Afterwards, the CPU 891 repeats the above process starting from step S85.

[0217] If, in step S103, the CPU 891 of the mobile device 800 determines that the mobile device 800 has arrived at the starting position based on the distance from the mobile device 800 to the transport starting position being less than a preset distance (step S103: Yes), then it retrieves the device ID of the mobile device 800 pre-stored in the flash memory 893b. Next, the CPU 891 generates an arrival report, which includes the device ID of the mobile device 800, to inform the mobile device 800 that it has arrived at the starting position. Afterwards, the CPU 891 outputs the generated arrival report to the data communication circuit 894a using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S107), and then ends the execution of the cyclic movement process.

[0218] If, during the period when the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 is performing cyclic movement processing, the data communication circuit 894a of the mobile unit 800 receives a location transmission request from the information processing device 200, then the CPU 891 generates a thread different from the thread executing the cyclic movement processing. Next, the CPU 891, through the generated thread, performs processing to acquire location information, which is the location of the mobile unit 800 expressed in latitude, longitude, and altitude based on the signal output from the location measurement circuit 896. Then, the CPU 891, through the generated thread, performs processing to output the acquired location information to the data communication circuit 894a using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address, and then deletes the generated thread.

[0219] The structure and function of mobile phone 900 are the same as those of mobile phone 800.

[0220] If the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives an arrival report, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires the arrival report from the data communication circuit 204a and obtains the machine ID contained in the acquired arrival report. Then, the acquisition unit 210 retrieves the machine ID from the data communication circuit 204a. Figure 10 The CPU 201 retrieves the product ID corresponding to the device ID from the order form. Then, the CPU 201 causes the display device 205b to display a message containing the retrieved device ID and product ID, indicating that the product identified by the product ID should be loaded into the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, which is identified by the device ID. Upon seeing the message, the retailer's staff retrieves the product from the warehouse, loads it into the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, and then performs an operation on the information processing device 200 to input the device ID of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 containing the product.

[0221] If the input device 205c of the information processing device 200 outputs a signal corresponding to the operator's operation, the acquisition unit 210 acquires the machine ID based on that signal. Then, the acquisition unit 210 retrieves... Figure 10 From the order form, obtain the user ID corresponding to the acquired machine ID, and then... Figure 9 The system retrieves information from the user table, specifying the destination as an address corresponding to the acquired user ID. Thus, the acquisition unit 210 determines the destination of the goods loaded in the delivery mobile unit 800 or 900.

[0222] Subsequently, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the delivery destination, which has been pre-stored by the information storage unit 290 in correspondence with information representing the delivery destination by address. Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 executes... Figure 11 The same process as step S71 is followed, thereby determining the transport path from the location of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to the transport destination. Then, the control unit 250 outputs a transport command to the data communication circuit 204a using the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 as the receiving address. This transport command contains information indicating the transport path and commands the device to move along the transport path to the transport destination. Afterwards, the update unit 230... Figure 10 In the order form, the status ID and product ID corresponding to the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 are updated to the string "NULL", but the device ID is not updated to the string "NULL" and is left as is. The reason for not updating the device ID is that the delivery of the goods has not yet been completed, so the mobile device 800 or 900 identified by the device ID should continue to be selected as the delivery mobile device.

[0223] If the data communication circuit 894a of the mobile unit 800 receives a transport command sent from the information processing device 200, then the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 executes the following according to the transport command: Figure 16 The transport process shown enables the mobile unit 800 to transport items.

[0224] After the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 starts executing the transport process, it locks the door of the storage room 820 by outputting a signal to the drive circuit 899 to insert the bolt 821c into the lock slot 821d (step S111).

[0225] Next, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 obtains a transport command from the data communication circuit 894a and retrieves information representing the transport route from the obtained transport command (step S112).

[0226] Next, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 acquires information representing the position of the mobile unit 800 in latitude, longitude, and altitude based on the signal output from the position measuring circuit 896. Then, the CPU 891 determines information representing the position of the earliest-arriving node among one or more unarrived nodes included in the transport path, in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude. Next, based on the information representing the position of the mobile unit 800 in latitude, longitude, and altitude, and the determined information, the CPU 891 generates a control signal to move the mobile unit 800 at a reference speed by shortening the distance to the earliest-arriving unarrived node. Then, the CPU 891 outputs the generated control signal to the drive circuit 899 (step S113), thereby causing the mobile unit 800 to travel along the transport path.

[0227] Subsequently, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the destination has not yet been reached based on the fact that one or more nodes in the transport path have not been fully reached (step S114: No), the process is repeated from step S113. Conversely, if the CPU 891 determines that the destination has been reached based on the fact that one or more nodes in the transport path have been fully reached (step S114: Yes), it outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 899 for temporary or long-term parking at the destination. Then, the CPU 891 unlocks the door of the storage vault 820 by outputting a signal to the drive circuit 899 to pull the latch 821c out of the lock slot 821d (step S115).

[0228] Subsequently, the first user, who is a user of the terminal device 100 and is at the delivery destination, or the second user, who is entrusted by the first user to collect the goods and is also at the delivery destination, retrieves the goods from the storage 820 of the mobile device 800 and then operates the input device 895c of the mobile device 800. If the input device 895c outputs a signal corresponding to the operation, the CPU 891 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 899 to reverse along the delivery path and return to the delivery start position (step S116).

[0229] Afterwards, if the CPU 891 determines that it has arrived at the delivery start position, it outputs a return report to the data communication circuit 894a, using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address. This return report includes the mobile unit 800's body ID, indicating that it has returned to the delivery start position (step S117), and then ends the delivery processing. Afterwards, the mobile unit 800 begins execution... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The loop movement process shown in the diagram restarts the movement along the loop path.

[0230] If the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives a return report, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires the return report from the data communication circuit 204a and obtains the mobile phone ID contained in the acquired return report. Then, the update unit 230... Figure 10 The device ID of mobile phone 800 stored in the order form was updated to the string "NULL". Therefore, mobile phone 800 was removed from the selection for shipment.

[0231] Based on these configurations, the information processing device 200 includes an acquisition unit 210 for acquiring order status. Furthermore, the information processing device 200 includes a control unit 250 that, when the acquired status is one of the first to fourth states before the completed order state, performs movement control on the transport vehicle 800 or 900 according to the acquired status. This movement control suppresses an increase in the movement distance from the position of the transport vehicle 800 or 900 carrying the ordered goods to the transport start position. Therefore, the information processing device 200 can suppress an increase in the time required to move the transport vehicle 800 or 900 to the start position for transport commencement, and thus suppress an increase in the transport start waiting time required from order completion to transport commencement.

[0232] Here, the order may not be completed, so the order status may not transition to the completed status. Therefore, if movement control is performed before the order is completed, the utilization efficiency of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 will decrease. However, based on these configurations, the states before transitioning to the completed status include a first state and a second state, and the probability of the second state transitioning to the completed status is higher than the probability of the first state. In addition, movement control corresponding to the second state can suppress the increase in movement distance compared to movement control corresponding to the first state. Based on these, the information processing device 200 can both suppress the decrease in the utilization efficiency of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 and suppress the increase in the time required to move the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to the transport starting position.

[0233] In this embodiment, the utilization efficiency of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 includes, for example, transport efficiency, which can be represented by the total time taken by the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to move along the loop path within a preset period to transport objects different from the ordered items. Alternatively, transport efficiency can also be represented by the number of times the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 transports objects different from the ordered items within a preset period, or the quantity of objects different from the ordered items transported. Objects different from the ordered items can be, for example, regularly purchased goods, or trial supplies or samples of goods. Furthermore, objects different from the ordered items can be the luggage of a passenger moving along the loop path with the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, and can also be the passenger if the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 has seating space or seats.

[0234] Furthermore, based on these configurations, the movement control corresponding to the state includes: speed control, which controls the movement speed of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900; direction control, which controls the movement direction of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900; and path control, which resets the set movement path if a movement path of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 has already been set.

[0235] Furthermore, based on these configurations, speed control includes: low-speed control, which sets the moving speed of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to a low speed slower than a reference speed when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position; and high-speed control, which sets the moving speed of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to a high speed faster than the reference speed when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving towards the starting position. Additionally, direction control includes: changing the moving direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to the direction in which the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves towards the starting position when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position. Furthermore, path control includes a first path control that moves the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 along a first path, the distance of which is shorter than the distance the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 would travel from its current position to the transport starting position without path control. Without path control, the distance that transport mobile machine 800 or 900 moves from its current position to the transport starting position is the distance that transport mobile machine 800 or 900 moves from its current position to the transport starting position along the movement path set for transport mobile machine 800 or 900. Based on this, information processing device 200 can reliably suppress the increase in the time required for transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to move to the transport starting position.

[0236] Furthermore, based on these configurations, the path control also includes second path control, which moves the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 along a second path. This second path is shorter than the first path but consumes more energy and has lower safety. Therefore, the information processing device 200, depending on the order status, performs either first path control (moving the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 along the first path) or second path control (moving it along the second path, which is longer than the second path but consumes less energy and has higher safety). Thus, the information processing device 200 can both shorten the time required to move the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to the transport starting position and suppress the increase in energy consumption and the decrease in safety.

[0237] Furthermore, based on these configurations, the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves cyclically. Additionally, the direction control includes reverse control, that is, when the cyclically moving transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position, the movement direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is reversed. Furthermore, when the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 moves cyclically, the distances of the first path and the second path are shorter than the distance the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 travels from its current position to the transport starting position. Based on these features, the information processing device 200 can reliably shorten the time required to move the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to the transport starting position.

[0238] Furthermore, based on these configurations, if the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state is the first state and the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position, it performs low-speed control as movement control. Conversely, if the control unit 250 determines that the acquired state is the second state and the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the starting position, it performs reverse control as movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to movement control corresponding to the first state. Furthermore, based on these configurations, the state before transitioning to the completion state also includes a third state, and the probability of the third state transitioning to the completion state is higher than the probability of the second state. Additionally, if the acquired order state is the third state, the control unit 250 performs high-speed control as movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to movement control corresponding to the second state.

[0239] Furthermore, based on these configurations, the state preceding the completion state includes a fourth state, and the probability of the fourth state transitioning to the completion state is higher than that of the third state. Additionally, if the obtained order state is the fourth state, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 performs first path control as movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the high-speed control corresponding to the third state. Furthermore, based on these configurations, if the obtained order state is the completion state, i.e., the fifth state, the control unit 250 performs second path control as movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the first path control corresponding to the fourth state. Based on these, the information processing device 200 can both suppress the decrease in the utilization efficiency of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 and shorten the time required for the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 to move to the transport starting position.

[0240] Furthermore, based on these configurations, the information processing device 200 also includes a selection unit 240, which selects either a delivery vehicle 800 or 900 from among multiple delivery vehicles 800 and 900 to transport the ordered item. Therefore, the information processing device 200 can improve the delivery efficiency of the ordered item. The delivery efficiency of the ordered item can be represented by the total time taken by the delivery vehicle 800 or 900 to transport the item within a preset period. Alternatively, the delivery efficiency can also be represented by the number of times the delivery vehicle 800 or 900 transports the ordered item within a preset period, or the number of ordered items transported by the delivery vehicle 800 or 900.

[0241] <Example 1 of the embodiment>

[0242] In one embodiment, after a user using terminal device 100 adds items to their shopping cart, they see search results for items different from those already in the cart. Alternatively, in another embodiment, if the user does not find the desired item in the search results, they perform a purchase operation to buy only the items already in their cart.

[0243] However, this is not the only example. In this variation, the following situation is listed as a specific example: a user who saw the search results but did not find the product they wanted to buy performed an end action to terminate the sales application.

[0244] In this variation example, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 is in Figure 3After displaying the search results screen in step S07, based on the signal output from input device 105c, it is determined that no product selection operation has been performed (step S08: No), and then it is determined that an end operation has been performed (step S13: Yes). Afterwards, CPU 101 outputs an order cancellation request to data communication circuit 104a using information processing device 200 as the receiving address, requesting the cancellation of the user's order on terminal device 100 (step S17), and then ends the order processing.

[0245] In this variation example, the information processing device 200 is Figure 6 After sending the search result to the terminal device 100 in step S30, the processing in steps S31 and S32 is executed. After that, the information processing device 200 returns to step S29 and goes into sleep mode until the data is received.

[0246] If the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives Figure 3 If a subscription cancellation request is output in step S17, the acquisition unit 210 wakes from its sleep state and acquires the received data from the data communication circuit 204a. Next, the acquisition unit 210 determines that the acquired data is a subscription cancellation request, based on the fact that it is not a search request, detail sending request, pre-selection report, or subscription completion request (step S29: No, step S33: No, step S37: No, and step S40: No). Afterwards, the update unit 230 executes the processing in step S44 to cancel the subscription of the user using the terminal device 100 (step S44). Thus, in Figure 10 In the order form, the status ID corresponding to the user's user ID is updated to the string "NULL" indicating that the order has not been processed. However, the product ID corresponding to the user ID is not updated to the string "NULL" but remains unchanged. In other words, the product identified by this product ID retains the status of being added to the shopping cart.

[0247] In this variation example, the following situation is given as a specific example for further explanation: After the user of terminal device 100 ends the execution of the sales application, he / she decides to purchase only the items that have been added to the shopping cart, and thus performs the operation of starting the sales application on terminal device 100.

[0248] If the input device 105c of the terminal device 100 outputs a signal corresponding to the user's operation, then the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 begins to execute the commands specified by the sales application. Figure 3 The order processing is then performed. Afterwards, the CPU 101 executes the processing steps S01 to S03 (steps S01 to S03), thereby obtaining shopping cart information containing the product IDs that identify the items placed in the user's shopping cart on the terminal device 100.

[0249] Next, after the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 retrieves the search screen from the flash memory 103b, if it determines that there are items in the shopping cart based on the shopping cart information, it sets the controls used in the purchase operation to be enabled on the search screen. After that, the CPU 101 causes the display device 105b to display the configured search screen (step S04).

[0250] In this variation, the user who sees the search screen performs a purchase operation on the terminal device 100 to purchase the items already added to the shopping cart. Therefore, the CPU 101 of the terminal device 100 determines that a purchase operation has been performed based on the signal output from the input device 105c (step S05: No, step S13: No, step S14: No, and step S15). Afterwards, the CPU 101 outputs an order completion request to the data communication circuit 104a using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address (step S16), and then ends the execution of the order processing.

[0251] If the data communication circuit 204a of the information processing device 200 receives Figure 3 If the order acceptance request is output in step S01, then the CPU 201 of the information processing device 200 will begin execution. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales process is then executed. Afterwards, steps S21 and S22 are performed (steps S21 and S22), and then unit 230 is updated based on... Figure 10 The order form identifies that the user ID and product ID of the user of the terminal device 100 have been established, and it is determined that the user has products in the shopping cart (step S23: Yes).

[0252] Next, the update unit 230 of the information processing device 200 updates the order form, establishing a correspondence between the user ID and the string "NULL" indicating that the order has not been accepted, to the status ID "S4" indicating that the item has been considered for purchase and added to the shopping cart (step S24). Thus, the update unit 230 accepts the order according to the order acceptance request and changes the status of the accepted order to the pre-selected status.

[0253] Subsequently, the information processing device 200 executes steps S26 to S29, S33, S37, and S40 to S42. As a result, the information processing device 200 changes the order status to the settlement status, i.e., the payment for the items placed in the shopping cart.

[0254] Subsequently, the information processing device 200 executes steps S43 and S45, thereby changing the order status to the completed status, and then ends the execution of the sales process.

[0255] <Example 2 of the embodiment>

[0256] In this embodiment, after a user using terminal device 100 adds items to a shopping cart, they perform a keyword input operation to display search results for items different from those already added to the shopping cart. This is described accordingly.

[0257] However, this is not the only example. In this variation, the following scenario is provided as a specific example: After a user adds items to their shopping cart, they perform a product selection operation and choose an item that is different from the items already in their shopping cart.

[0258] In this variation example, if the terminal device 100 is in Figure 3 If, in step S08, it is determined that a product selection operation has been performed that selects a product different from the product added to the shopping cart (step S08: Yes), then, using the information processing device 200 as the receiving address, a details sending request is output, requesting the sending of detailed information of the selected product (step S09).

[0259] In this variation, if the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the data received from the terminal device 100 is a details transmission request ( Figure 6 If step S33: Yes, then using terminal device 100 as the receiving address, the detailed information of the selected product is output (step S34). Next, if the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines that there are products in the shopping cart (step S35: Yes), it does not change the order status to the product selection status, but maintains the pre-selection status. After that, the information processing device 200 returns to step S29 and repeats the process.

[0260] <Example 3 of the embodiment>

[0261] In this embodiment, after the order status changes to the service selection status, it sequentially changes to five statuses: search status, product selection status, pre-selection status, settlement status, and completion status. This is explained accordingly.

[0262] However, it is not limited to this. After the order status changes to the service selection status, it can also change sequentially to the status of finding the product (search status), and then to the status of selecting the product to confirm the details (product selection status). This change action is repeated m times (where m is a natural number greater than 2), and then sequentially changes to the pre-selection status, the settlement status, and the completion status.

[0263] <Example 4 of the embodiment>

[0264] In this embodiment, the states preceding the transition to the completed state include five states: service selection state, search state, product selection state, pre-selection state, and checkout state. This has been described in this context, but the implementation is not limited to these five states. The states preceding the transition to the completed state may also include one or more states other than these five. Furthermore, the states preceding the transition to the completed state may contain only one or more but no more than four of these five states. Moreover, the states preceding the transition to the completed state may also include one or more but no more than four of these five states, and one or more states other than these five states.

[0265] <Example 5 of the embodiment>

[0266] In this embodiment, the service selection state is referred to as state 1, the search state and product selection state as state 2, the pre-selection state as state 3, the settlement state as state 4, and the completion state as state 5. This is how it is described.

[0267] However, it is not limited to this. One or more states (i.e., search state, product selection state, pre-selection state, and settlement state) after the service selection state and before the completion state can also be referred to as the first state.

[0268] Alternatively, one or more states between the first state and the completion state can be referred to as the second state. In other words, while the search state is referred to as the first state, one or more states among the product selection state, pre-selection state, and checkout state can also be referred to as the second state.

[0269] Furthermore, any one or more states between the second state and the final state can be referred to as the third state. And further still, any one or more states between the third state and the final state can be referred to as the fourth state.

[0270] In addition, the fifth state is not limited to the completed state; it can also refer to any one or more states that are after the fourth state and before the completed state.

[0271] <Example 6 of the embodiment>

[0272] In this embodiment, the movement control includes the following three components: speed control, which controls the movement speed of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900; direction control, which controls the movement direction of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900; and path control, which resets the movement path set for the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, as described herein. However, this is not a limitation; the movement control may also be any one or any two of speed control, direction control, and path control.

[0273] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the speed control includes both speed control corresponding to the first state and speed control corresponding to the third state, as described herein, but is not limited thereto; it may also include only one of the speed control corresponding to the first state and the speed control corresponding to the third state. Moreover, the speed control corresponding to the first state includes both of the following: low-speed control, which sets the moving speed of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to a speed slower than a reference speed when the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position; and reference speed control, which sets the moving speed of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to a reference speed when the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 has not moved away from the transport starting position; as described herein, it is not limited thereto; it may also include only the low-speed control performed when the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position.

[0274] Additionally, in the embodiments, the path control includes both a first path control corresponding to the fourth state and a second path control corresponding to the fifth state, as described herein, but is not limited thereto; it may also include only the first path control corresponding to the fourth state.

[0275] <Example 7 of the embodiment>

[0276] In this embodiment, the second path is described as a path that is shorter than the overall path or part of the first path from the location of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position, but consumes more energy and has lower safety. However, it is not limited to this; the second path may also be a path that is shorter than the overall path or part of the first path, but consumes more energy.

[0277] In this case, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 is Figure 11 In step S75, the first weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the first evaluation value based on total distance, the second weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the second evaluation value based on safety, and the third weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the third evaluation value based on energy consumption are initialized to the first to third initial values, respectively. Afterwards, the control unit 250 does not correct the first and second weighting coefficients, but corrects the third weighting coefficient to a value smaller than before the correction.

[0278] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates the sum of the values ​​obtained by weighting the first to third evaluation values ​​using uncorrected first and second weighted coefficients and corrected third weighted coefficients for each of the M overall paths that are shorter than the overall path or partial path of the first path, and uses this sum as the comprehensive evaluation value. Then, the control unit 250 determines the overall path with the highest comprehensive evaluation value among the M calculated comprehensive evaluation values ​​as the second path for the movement of the mobile device 800 or 900.

[0279] Alternatively, the second path may be a path that is shorter than the first path in its entirety or in part, but has lower security. In this case, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 corrects the initialized second weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the second evaluation value based on security to a value smaller than before the correction. In contrast, the control unit 250 does not correct the initialized first weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the first evaluation value based on total distance, nor the initialized third weighting coefficient used in the weighting of the third evaluation value based on energy consumption.

[0280] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates, for each of the M overall paths or partial paths shorter than the first path, the sum of the values ​​obtained by weighting the first to third evaluation values ​​using uncorrected first and third weighted coefficients and corrected second weighted coefficients, and uses this sum as the comprehensive evaluation value. Then, based on the comprehensive evaluation value, the control unit 250 determines the second path from the M overall paths.

[0281] <Example 8 of the embodiment>

[0282] In the embodiments, mobile units 800 and 900 move cyclically by moving along a cyclic path when the movement path is set as a loop path, as described herein, but are not limited thereto. Mobile units 800 and 900 may also move cyclically without a movement path being set.

[0283] Therefore, mobile devices 800 and 900 can move cyclically by repeating the first and second processes described below, without setting a movement path. The first process refers to the following: for example, based on software random numbers or pre-set rules, selecting one direction from multiple directions in which mobile devices 800 and 900 can move and are moving away from the starting position, moving a pre-set distance in that direction, and repeating this action for a pre-set time. The second process refers to the following: for example, based on software random numbers or pre-set rules, selecting one direction from multiple directions in which mobile devices 800 and 900 can move and are moving towards the starting position, moving a pre-set distance in that direction, and repeating this action until the starting position is reached.

[0284] In this case, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 can perform a first path control as a movement control corresponding to the fourth state. The first path control determines a first path with a distance shorter than the predicted distance and sets the unset movement path of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 as the determined first path. The predicted distance is the distance that the transport mobile machine 800 or 900, which has not been set with a movement path, will move from its position to the transport starting position without path control.

[0285] To calculate the predicted distance, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 may, for example, perform multiple simulations using a probability model and software random numbers, thereby calculating the distance traveled by the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 a predetermined number of times, and using the average of the calculated distances as the predicted distance. However, it is not limited to this; the control unit 250 may, for example, use a probability model to theoretically calculate the expected value of the distance traveled by the transport mobile unit 800 or 900, and use the calculated expected value as the predicted distance.

[0286] In addition, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 can perform a second path control as a movement control corresponding to the fifth state. The second path control is to set an unset movement path of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 as the second path, or to reset a movement path that has been set as the first path as the second path.

[0287] Alternatively, mobile devices 800 and 900 can also move cyclically between the first and second destinations without setting a movement path, but with a first and a second destination set, by repeating the third and fourth processes described below. The third process refers to the following: for example, based on software random numbers or pre-set rules, selecting one direction from multiple directions in which mobile devices 800 and 900 can move towards the first destination, moving a pre-set distance in that direction, and repeating this action until the first destination is reached. Similarly, the fourth process refers to the following: for example, based on software random numbers or pre-set rules, selecting one direction from multiple directions in which mobile devices 800 and 900 can move towards the second destination, moving a pre-set distance in that direction, and repeating this action until the second destination is reached.

[0288] Furthermore, mobile units 800 and 900 can also move without looping, for example, they can move to the set destination without setting a movement path. In this case, mobile units 800 and 900 can repeat the following actions until they reach the destination: for example, based on software random numbers or pre-set rules, select one direction from multiple directions in which mobile units 800 and 900 can move and approach the destination, and move a pre-set distance in that direction.

[0289] <Example 9 of the embodiment>

[0290] In this embodiment, the mobile units 800 and 900 move in a cyclic manner, as described herein. The cyclic movement may include repeated looping movements, which start from a predetermined starting position, pass through a predetermined number of predetermined passing positions in a predetermined order, and then return to the starting position. In this case, the direction of movement passing through the predetermined number of passing positions in a predetermined order is the forward direction, and the direction of movement passing through in the opposite order is the reverse direction.

[0291] In addition, cyclic movement may also include repeated round-trip movement, which is a forward movement along a pre-defined path from the starting position to the ending position of the path, and then a return movement along the path from the ending position to the starting position.

[0292] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the shape of the loop path is circular, as described herein. Circular shapes include, for example, circles and ellipses, but the shape of the loop path is not limited to these. The shape of the loop path may also be, for example, a path intersection shape including a figure-eight, or a polygonal shape including a triangle.

[0293] <Example 10 of the embodiment>

[0294] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 performs movement control on the cyclically moving transport mobile machine 800 or 900 according to the order status, as described herein. However, it is not limited to this; movement control can also be performed on the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 as it moves to the transport starting position or a position on the cyclic path after completing the transport of goods, according to the order status.

[0295] In addition, the information processing device 200 can also perform movement control on the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 that is temporarily parked or parked for a long time at a location different from the starting position of the transport, or that is moving back and forth, in accordance with the order status.

[0296] <Example 11 of the embodiment>

[0297] In this embodiment, a sales application for providing sales services for selling and shipping goods is executed, as described herein. Additionally, in this embodiment, an order is a request for the sale and shipping of goods, the order being for the goods to be sold and shipped, as described herein.

[0298] However, in this variation example, we will illustrate the case of a ride-hailing application that provides ride-hailing services to users as a specific example. Additionally, in this variation example, we will illustrate the case where the order is a request to dispatch mobile phone 800 or 900 to transport users, and the ordering party is the user themselves.

[0299] In this variation, the user's transportation is paid for, therefore the transportation mobile unit 800 or 900 functions as a driverless taxi. This is the explanation, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, the user's transportation can be provided free of charge, therefore the transportation mobile unit 800 or 900 functions as a free driverless shuttle vehicle.

[0300] In this variation, a user of terminal device 100 launches a ride-hailing application on terminal device 100 to provide ride-hailing services. Therefore, terminal device 100 begins executing the ride-hailing application, thereby initiating the ordering process (not shown) specified by the ride-hailing application.

[0301] After the terminal device 100 begins order processing, it acquires location information, expressed in latitude, longitude, and altitude, based on the signal output from the location measurement circuit 106. Then, the terminal device 100 executes... Figure 3 The same process as step S01 is followed, thereby sending an order acceptance request to the information processing device 200. The order acceptance request includes the service ID of the ride service and the location information of the terminal device 100, which is used to request the acceptance of the order and provide the ride service. Afterwards, the terminal device 100 performs the same process as steps S02 and S03, thereby receiving shopping cart information from the information processing device 200 after the information processing device 200 determines that the order has been accepted.

[0302] In this variation, a user using terminal device 100 can add candidate shipping routes to the user's selected delivery destination to their shopping cart. Therefore, in this variation, "adding candidate shipping routes to a user's shopping cart" means that the information indicating the candidate shipping routes has been associated with the user's user ID and stored in the information processing device 200. Thus, when a user's shopping cart contains candidate shipping routes, the user's shopping cart information includes the information indicating the candidate shipping routes that has been associated with the user's user ID and stored by the information processing device 200. Conversely, when the shopping cart is empty and no candidate shipping routes have been added, the shopping cart information does not contain information indicating candidate shipping routes.

[0303] In this variation example, to simplify the explanation, the following specific case is provided: The user of terminal device 100 is using the dispatch application for the first time, so the shopping cart is empty. Therefore, after terminal device 100 retrieves the search screen for retrieving the delivery destination from flash memory 103b, if it determines that the shopping cart is empty, it disables the controls used in the operation of determining the delivery route from the candidates of the delivery routes already placed in the cart (hereinafter referred to as the determination operation) on the search screen. Conversely, terminal device 100 enables the controls used in the keyword input operation for entering keywords for retrieving the delivery destination on the search screen. Afterwards, terminal device 100 performs the same process as step S04, thereby displaying the configured search screen.

[0304] In this variation, a specific example is provided where a keyword input operation is performed to retrieve the destination. Therefore, if the terminal device 100 determines that a keyword input operation has been performed by executing the same process as in step S05, it executes the same process as in step S06, thereby obtaining keywords for retrieving the destination. Then, the terminal device 100 generates a search request containing information indicating the obtained keywords, requesting the sending of information indicating search results for the destination based on those keywords. Then, similarly to step S06, the terminal device 100 sends the generated search request to the information processing device 200.

[0305] If the terminal device 100 receives information representing search results from the information processing device 200, it retrieves the search results screen from the flash memory 103b. Since the shopping cart is empty, it disables the controls used in the decision-making operation on the search results screen. Conversely, on the search results screen, the terminal device 100 enables the controls used in the operation of selecting one of the retrieved shipping destinations and displaying a details screen showing candidate shipping routes to the selected destination (hereinafter referred to as the shipping destination selection operation). Afterward, the terminal device 100 performs the same process as in step S07, thereby appending the search results represented by the received information to the configured search results screen and displaying the search results screen after the appended search results have been added.

[0306] In this variation, a case where a destination selection operation has been performed will be described as a specific example. Therefore, if the terminal device 100 determines that a destination selection operation has been performed by executing the same process as in step S08, it determines the selected destination based on the signal output from the input device 105c. Then, the terminal device 100 generates a path transmission request, which includes information indicating the determined destination and requests the transmission of candidate information indicating a transportation path to the destination. Then, similarly to step S09, the terminal device 100 sends the generated path transmission request to the information processing device 200.

[0307] If the terminal device 100 receives one or more candidate delivery routes from the information processing device 200, it retrieves the details screen from the flash memory 103b, similar to step S10. Next, if the terminal device 100 determines that the shopping cart is empty, it disables the controls used in the decision-making operation on the details screen. Conversely, the terminal device 100 enables the controls used in the route selection operation, which is used to select one of the candidate delivery routes from one or more candidates and add the selected candidate to the shopping cart. Then, the terminal device 100 adds the candidate delivery routes represented by the one or more received information to the configured details screen. Afterward, the terminal device 100 displays the details screen with the added candidate delivery routes.

[0308] Below, in this variation example, a case where a route selection operation has been performed will be described as a specific example. Therefore, if the terminal device 100 determines that a route selection operation has been performed by performing the same process as in step S11, it adds candidate information indicating the selected delivery route to the shopping cart information. Then, similarly to step S12, the terminal device 100 sends a pre-selection report to the information processing device 200. This pre-selection report contains information indicating the candidate delivery route that has been added to the shopping cart information, indicating that the candidate delivery route has been considered as the delivery route.

[0309] Next, the terminal device 100 performs the same process as in step S10, thereby determining that a candidate with a delivery route has been placed in the shopping cart. Then, the terminal device 100 sets the control used in the decision operation to be enabled on the details screen; this decision operation is used to determine the candidate for delivery route in the shopping cart as the delivery route.

[0310] In this variation, a specific example is given where a decision operation has been performed. Therefore, if the terminal device 100 determines that a decision operation has been performed by executing the same process as steps S11 and S13 to S16, it sends an order completion request to the information processing device 200 and then ends the execution of the order processing.

[0311] In this variation, the information processing device 200 pre-stores a user table (not shown), which replaces... Figure 9 The user table. The user ID, password, and billing information for each user are pre-stored in records of the user table (not shown), but the destination information is not pre-stored. This is because, in this variation, the destination is not specified by the user before order processing, but rather during the order processing process.

[0312] In addition, the information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200 stores an order form (not shown), which replaces... Figure 10 The order form. Similar to the embodiment, each record in the order form (not shown) pre-stores the user ID of the user placing the order. Additionally, in the record storing the user ID of a user whose order has been accepted, a status ID identifying the order's status and candidate information indicating the delivery route has been added to the user's shopping cart are stored, corresponding to that user ID. Furthermore, in the record storing the user ID, the machine ID of the mobile device 800 or 900 selected to transport the user is stored, corresponding to that user ID, and a non-execution flag indicating whether motion control corresponding to the status has not been executed. Conversely, in the record storing the user ID of a user whose order has not been accepted, the string "NULL" is stored, corresponding to that user ID.

[0313] After receiving an order acceptance request from the terminal device 100, the information processing device 200 determines that the service ID contained in the received order acceptance request is the service ID for the ride service. Then, the information processing device 200 executes a dispatch process (not shown) to provide the ride service.

[0314] After the information processing device 200 starts executing the vehicle dispatching process, it executes the... Figure 5 The same process is used in steps S21 and S22 to obtain the order acceptance request and to authenticate the user of the terminal device 100 based on the authentication information contained in the order acceptance request.

[0315] Next, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 determines, in the order form (not shown), whether there is a shipping route candidate in the user's shopping cart based on whether a correspondence has been established between the user ID of the user of the identification terminal device 100 and the information indicating the shipping route candidate.

[0316] In this variation example, the same example used to illustrate the order processing (not shown) is used to explain the dispatching process. Therefore, the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S23, thereby determining that no candidate for a delivery route is added to the shopping cart. Next, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S25, thereby updating the string "NULL" corresponding to the user ID of the user identified by the terminal device 100 in the order table (not shown) to the status ID of the selected ride service, i.e., the service selection status. Furthermore, if the information processing device 200 determines that a candidate for a delivery route is added to the shopping cart, it performs the same process as in step S24, thereby updating the status ID corresponding to the user ID to the pre-selected status ID. Thus, the information processing device 200 accepts the order according to the order acceptance request.

[0317] Subsequently, the information processing device 200 performs the same processing as steps S26 and S27, thereby sending an order acceptance report and shopping cart information to the terminal device 100. Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 obtains the location information of the terminal device 100 from the order acceptance request. Then, based on the acquired location information and the information stored in the information storage unit 290 indicating locations where mobile phones 800 and 900 can be temporarily or permanently parked, the control unit 250 determines the location closest to the terminal device 100 that is suitable for the temporary or permanent parking of mobile phones 800 and 900.

[0318] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 determines the determined location as the transport start position, but is not limited to this. The control unit 250 may also determine a location that is closer to the terminal device 100 than a location that is a preset distance from the location of the terminal device 100, and that allows the mobile phones 800 and 900 to temporarily or permanently dock, as the transport start position.

[0319] Next, the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S28, thereby selecting a transport mobile device to transport the user based on the location of the mobile device 800, the location of the mobile device 900, and the transport start location.

[0320] In this variation, the terminal device 100 then sends a search request to retrieve the destination based on keywords. Therefore, if the information processing device 200 receives the search request, it performs the same processing as steps S29 and S30. As a result, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 retrieves one or more address representations corresponding to the keywords included in the search request from an address table (not shown) pre-stored in the information storage unit 290, and uses this as the destination information. The address table contains multiple pre-stored records, each containing pre-established correspondences between address information and keywords describing the address or the facility located at that address.

[0321] Subsequently, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 performs the same processing as in step S30, thereby outputting one or more retrieved delivery destination information to the data communication circuit 204a using the terminal device 100 as the receiving address, and using this as information indicating the search results. Next, the information processing device 200 performs the same processing as in steps S31 and S32, thereby changing the order status to the search status.

[0322] In this variation, next, candidate delivery routes are determined, which are to a delivery destination selected by the user from one or more retrieved delivery destinations. A route delivery request is then sent from the terminal device 100, requesting the transmission of information indicating the determined candidate delivery routes. Therefore, if the information processing device 200 receives the route delivery request, it performs the same processing as steps S29, S33, and S34. As a result, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires the information indicating the delivery destination contained in the route delivery request. Next, the control unit 250 performs the same... Figure 11 The same process as step S71 is performed, thereby determining one candidate delivery route from the delivery start location to the delivery destination, or sequentially determining multiple candidate delivery routes in ascending order of total distance. Then, the acquisition unit 210 outputs information indicating one or more candidate delivery routes to the data communication circuit 204a, using the terminal device 100 as the receiving address. Next, the information processing device 200 performs the same process as steps S35 and S36, thereby changing the order status to the delivery destination selection status.

[0323] In this variation, the terminal device 100 then sends a pre-selection report, informing the user that one of the routes selected by the user from one or more candidate routes has been chosen as the delivery route. Therefore, if the information processing device 200 receives the pre-selection report, it performs the same processing as steps S29, S33, S37, and S38, thereby obtaining information indicating the candidate delivery route from the pre-selection report. Then, the updating unit 230 of the information processing device 200 establishes a correspondence between the obtained information indicating the candidate delivery route and the user ID of the user identifying the terminal device 100, and saves it to an order form (not shown). Thus, the candidate delivery route is added to the user's shopping cart. Then, the information processing device 200 performs the same processing as step S39, thereby changing the order status to a pre-selection status.

[0324] In this variation, an order completion request is then sent from the terminal device 100. Therefore, if the information processing device 200 receives the order completion request, it executes steps S29, S33, S37, and S40 to S42. Thereafter, the information processing device 200 sends a settlement request to settle the user's delivery fee, and then changes the order status to a settlement status. Afterward, the information processing device 200 executes steps S43 and S45, and if the settlement is successful, changes the order status to a completion status, and then terminates the dispatch process.

[0325] In this variation, similar to the embodiment, the order status can only transition to the checkout status before it can transition to the completion status. Furthermore, the order status can only transition to the pre-selection status before it can transition to the checkout status. Therefore, similar to the embodiment, the probability of the order status transitioning from the checkout status to the completion status is higher than the probability of it transitioning from the pre-selection status to the completion status. Additionally, the transition time required for the order status to transition from the checkout status to the completion status is shorter than the transition time required for it to transition from the pre-selection status to the completion status.

[0326] Furthermore, in this variation, the order status can only be changed to the destination selection status before it can be changed to the pre-selected status, the search status can only be changed to the destination selection status before it can be changed to the search status, and the service selection status can only be changed to the search status before it can be changed to the service selection status.

[0327] Based on these factors, the probability of the search status is higher than that of the service selection status. Furthermore, the probability of the order status changing from the destination selection status to the completion status (hereinafter referred to as the destination selection status) is higher than that of the search status. Moreover, the probability of the pre-selection status is higher than that of the destination selection status.

[0328] For the same reason, the time required for the search status to change is shorter than the time required for the service selection status to change. Furthermore, the time required for the order status to change from the destination selection status to the completion status (hereinafter referred to as the destination selection status change time) is shorter than the search status change time. Moreover, the time required for the pre-selection status to change is shorter than the destination selection status change time.

[0329] Based on these, in this variation, similar to the embodiment, a movement control process (not shown) is executed at preset time intervals; that is, the movement of mobile device 800 or 900 is controlled according to the order status. In this variation, similar to the embodiment, the service selection status is referred to as State 1, the pre-selection status as State 3, the settlement status as State 4, and the completion status as State 5. Conversely, in this variation, the retrieval status and the destination selection status are referred to as State 2.

[0330] After the information processing device 200 begins executing the movement control processing of this variation, it executes the... Figure 11 The same process is applied to steps S51 to S55, thereby retrieving one or more records containing order status IDs from the order table not shown in the figure. Next, the information processing device 200 focuses on one of the unfollowed records among the retrieved records and retrieves the status ID from the followed record.

[0331] Subsequently, if the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID of state 1, it performs the same processing as in step S56. Thus, the information processing device 200 acquires the location information of the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 twice at preset intervals.

[0332] Next, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 acquires information representing the loop path from the information storage unit 290. Then, the control unit 250 determines a position on the loop path near the transport start position (hereinafter referred to as the nearby position) based on the transport start position and the information representing the loop path. The nearby position is determined because, in this variation, the start position of the loop path has been preset to a position independent of the transport start position determined based on the position of the terminal device 100.

[0333] In this variation, the nearby location is a position on the loop path where mobile machines 800 and 900 can temporarily or permanently park, and it is the closest location to the transport start position. However, it is not limited to this; the nearby location can be any location, as long as it is a position on the loop path from the boundary line at a predetermined distance from the nearest location to the nearest location, and it is a location where mobile machines 800 and 900 can temporarily or permanently park.

[0334] Subsequently, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 executes the... Figure 5 The same process as step S28 is performed, thereby calculating the shortest distance on a loop path from the location of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 represented by the location information obtained in the first instance to a nearby location, and using this as the first distance. Next, the control unit 250 calculates the shortest distance on a loop path from the location represented by the location information obtained in the second instance to a nearby location, and uses this as the second distance. Afterwards, the control unit 250 performs the same process as step S28. Figure 11 The same process is applied to step S57, thereby determining whether the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the nearby location based on whether the distance in the first step is shorter than the distance in the second step.

[0335] At this point, if the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 has not moved away from its nearby position, it determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 has not moved away from its transport starting position. Next, the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S58, thereby performing reference speed control. Conversely, if the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from its nearby position, it determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from its transport starting position. Next, the information processing device 200 performs the same process as in step S59, thereby performing low-speed control. After performing reference speed control or low-speed control, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from the same process as in step S51.

[0336] If the information processing device 200 determines, through performing the same process as in step S55, that the acquired state ID is not the state ID of the first state, it performs the same process as in step S60 to determine whether the acquired state ID is the state ID of the second state. If, at this point, the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID of the second state, it performs the same process as in steps S61 to S64. If the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position, it performs direction control and reference speed control. Afterward, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from the same process as in step S51.

[0337] If the information processing device 200 determines, through performing the same process as steps S55 and S60, that the acquired state ID is not the state ID of state 1 or state 2, then it performs the same process as step S65 to determine whether the acquired state ID is the state ID of state 3. If the information processing device 200 then determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID of state 3, then it performs the same process as steps S66 and S67. If the information processing device 200 thus determines that the movement control corresponding to state 3, i.e., high-speed control, has not been performed, then it performs high-speed control. At this time, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 outputs a high-speed command to the data communication circuit 204a, using the transport mobile device 800 or 900 as the receiving address. This high-speed command includes information indicating high speed and information indicating the nearby location, and is used to command the device to move at high speed along the loop path to the nearby location. Afterwards, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from the same process as step S51.

[0338] If, during the same process as steps S55, S60, and S65, the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is not a state ID of state 1 to 3, it executes the same process as step S68 to determine whether the acquired state ID is a state ID of state 4. If, at this point, the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is a state ID of state 4, it executes the same process as steps S69 to S72. If the information processing device 200 determines that the movement control corresponding to state 4, i.e., the first path control, has not been executed, it executes the first path control. Afterward, the information processing device 200 repeats the process starting from the same process as step S51.

[0339] Conversely, if the information processing device 200 determines that the acquired state ID is not the state ID of the fourth state, it determines that the acquired state ID is the state ID of the fifth state, and then performs the same processing as steps S73 to S76. If the information processing device 200 determines that the movement control corresponding to the fifth state, i.e., the second path control, has not been executed, it executes the second path control. Afterward, the information processing device 200 repeats the above processing starting from the same processing as step S51.

[0340] If the information processing device 200 determines that there are no unattended records in the same process as step S51, it terminates the execution of the motion control process.

[0341] In this variation, the CPU 891 of the mobile device 800 executes as follows: Figure 17 The loop movement process is shown. CPU891 begins execution. Figure 17After the loop movement process, the processes described in steps S81 to S102 of the embodiment are executed (steps S81 to S102). Then, if the CPU 891 determines that the value of the loop continuation flag is "true" (step S102: Yes), it executes the processes described in steps S104 to S106 of the embodiment to continue the loop path movement. Afterwards, the CPU 891 repeats the process starting from step S85.

[0342] In contrast, if the CPU 891 of the mobile device 800 determines that the value of the loop continuation flag is "false" (step S102: No), it determines whether the movement path has been set as a loop path (step S102a). If the CPU 891 determines that the movement path has been set as a loop path (step S102a: Yes), it obtains the information indicating the nearby location contained in the high-speed command. Next, the CPU 891 performs the same processing as step S103 described in the embodiment, thereby determining whether the mobile device 800 has reached the nearby location (step S102b). If the CPU 891 determines that the mobile device 800 has not yet reached the nearby location (step S102b: No), it performs the processing of steps S104 to S106 described in the embodiment to move along the loop path in the direction of approaching the nearby location. Afterwards, the CPU 891 repeats the above processing starting from step S85.

[0343] In contrast, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the mobile unit 800 has arrived at a nearby location near the starting position of the transport (step S102b: Yes), it outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 899 for temporary or long-term parking at the nearby location (step S102c), and then repeats the process starting from step S85.

[0344] If, in step S102a, the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that the movement path is not set as a loop path (step S102a: No), then it determines that the movement path has been reset to the first path or the second path. Next, if the CPU 891 determines that the end point of the first path or the second path, i.e., the transport start position, has not yet been reached (step S103: No), then it executes the processing steps S104 to S106 as described in the embodiment to continue movement along the first path or the second path. Afterward, the CPU 891 repeats the above processing starting from step S85.

[0345] In contrast, if the CPU 891 of the mobile unit 800 determines that it has arrived at the starting position of the transport (step S103: Yes), it executes the processing of step S107, thereby outputting an arrival report and then ending the execution of the cyclic movement process.

[0346] In this variation, the mobile unit 800 has a seat (not shown) and a vehicle body (not shown) covering the seat on the upper surface of a chassis 810 with multiple wheels, instead of a storage compartment 820. The vehicle body has an instrument panel (not shown), and an information processing device 890 is located in a position accessible to the user seated in the seat. Additionally, the vehicle body has a door (not shown). After the mobile unit 800 arrives at the transport starting position, the user opens the door, boards the mobile unit 800, sits in the seat, and then performs an operation to start its movement on the information processing device 890. If the input device 895c of the information processing device 890 outputs a signal corresponding to this operation, the CPU 891 of the information processing device 890 executes... Figure 16 The shipping process shown here transports the user to their destination.

[0347] <Example 12 of the embodiment>

[0348] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 includes mobile units 800 and 900, which are unmanned ground vehicles, and has been described accordingly. However, it is not limited to this; the information processing system 1 in this variation example is as follows: Figure 18 As shown, for example, it includes a mobile unit 500 that functions as an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone, and a mobile unit 900 that functions as an unmanned ground vehicle.

[0349] In this variation, the information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200 pre-stores a partial path table (not shown). The latitude, longitude, and altitude of the starting point of the edge, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the ending point, information indicating the edge distance, and information indicating the edge ambiguity are pre-established and stored in the partial path table.

[0350] In this variation, the complexity is represented by the number of avoidance maneuvers performed by the mobile aircraft 500 per unit distance during flight along the edge, but it is not limited to this. These avoidance maneuvers are actions such as slowing down or changing flight altitude to prevent contact with mobile aircraft other than the mobile aircraft 500, or animals such as birds or cats. Alternatively, in this variation, the complexity is the average or maximum value of the actual number of avoidance maneuvers performed per unit distance calculated based on the flight history of the mobile aircraft 500, but it is not limited to this.

[0351] In this variation example, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 is in Figure 11 In step S71, if a first path for the movement of the mobile unit 500 is determined, a second safety-based evaluation value is calculated using a partial path table (not shown). Similarly, in step S75, if a second path for the movement of the mobile unit 500 is determined, the control unit 250 calculates a second safety-based evaluation value using the partial path table.

[0352] Based on these, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 obtains information representing the distance to the edge and information representing the edge ambiguity from the partial path table for each of the multiple edges contained in the nth overall path, corresponding to the latitude, longitude and altitude of the starting point of the edge and the latitude, longitude and altitude of the ending point of the edge.

[0353] Next, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 multiplies the edge profanity by the distance for each of the plurality of edges, thereby weighting the profanity by distance. Then, the control unit 250 calculates the sum of the weighted profanity of the plurality of edges included in the overall path, and divides the calculated sum by the total distance, thereby calculating the average profanity of the overall path. Next, the control unit 250 calculates a second safety-based evaluation value, where a smaller average profanity value results in a higher safety-based evaluation value. Finally, the control unit 250 determines either the first path or the second path based on the first evaluation value calculated based on the total distance, the second evaluation value calculated based on the profanity, and the third evaluation value calculated based on energy consumption.

[0354] The mobile device 500 in this variation includes: an information processing unit 590 that controls the attitude and flight of the mobile device 500; propeller arms 501 and 502, and 503 and 504, which protrude from the front of the information processing unit 590 toward the right front and left front, and from the back of the information processing unit 590 toward the left rear and right rear, respectively. Additionally, the mobile device 500 includes: propellers 511 to 514, which are respectively disposed at the front ends of propeller arms 501 to 504; and a motor (not shown) that rotates propellers 511 to 514 under the control of the information processing unit 590. The motor that rotates propellers 511 to 514 is driven by electricity stored in a battery 580 provided with the mobile device 500. The configuration and function of the battery 580 provided with the mobile device 500 are the same as those of the battery 880 provided with the mobile device 800.

[0355] Furthermore, a storage compartment 520 for storing goods is provided on the lower surface of the information processing device 590 of the mobile phone 500. The configuration and function of the storage compartment 520 of the mobile phone 500 are the same as those of the storage compartment 820 of the mobile phone 800.

[0356] In addition, the mobile phone 500 includes a LiDAR sensor 531 disposed on the front of the information processing device 590 and a LiDAR sensor (not shown) disposed on the back of the information processing device 590. The configuration and function of the front LiDAR sensor 531 and the back LiDAR sensor of the mobile phone 500 are the same as those of the front LiDAR sensor 831 and the back LiDAR sensor of the mobile phone 800.

[0357] In addition, the mobile device 500 also has a support foot 560, which protrudes downward from the lower surface of the information processing device 590 to support the information processing device 590.

[0358] The information processing device 590 of the mobile phone 500 includes hardware components (not shown), such as a CPU, RAM, ROM, flash memory, data communication circuitry, graphics card, display device, input device, position measurement circuitry, input / output ports, and driver circuitry. The composition and function of these hardware components in the information processing device 590 of the mobile phone 500 are similar to... Figure 13 The information processing device 890 of the mobile phone 800 shown has the same hardware configuration and functions.

[0359] The drive circuit of the mobile unit 500 is connected to unshown cables that are respectively connected to motors (not shown) that rotate propellers 511 to 514. The drive circuit drives the unshown motors that rotate propellers 511 to 514 according to the signals output by the CPU.

[0360] If the vendor's staff performs an operation on mobile device 500 to make it fly in a loop, then the CPU of mobile device 500 will execute... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The illustrated cyclic movement process. Thus, the mobile unit 500 flies cyclically along the cyclic path, and if it receives a command from the information processing device 200, it flies along the cyclic path, the first path, or the second path according to the received command.

[0361] Subsequently, if the CPU of mobile device 500 finishes executing the cyclic movement process, and the data communication circuit of mobile device 500 receives a transport command sent from information processing device 200, then the CPU of mobile device 500 executes a transport process (not shown) to transport the goods according to the transport command.

[0362] After the CPU of mobile unit 500 begins executing the delivery process, it executes the... Figure 16 Steps S111 to S114 are processed in the same way. Thus, the CPU obtains a transport command, extracts information indicating the transport path from the transport command, and sequentially outputs control signals for takeoff and for flight along the transport path at a reference speed to the drive circuit. The drive circuit drives the motors that rotate propellers 511 to 514 according to the control signals.

[0363] Afterwards, if the CPU of mobile device 500 determines that it has arrived at the delivery destination, it outputs a control signal to the drive circuit for landing at the delivery destination. Then, the CPU of mobile device 500 executes the same processing as steps S115 to S117. Thus, the first user, who is a user of terminal device 100, or the second user entrusted by the first user to collect the goods, retrieves the goods from the storage 520 of mobile device 500. Then, mobile device 500 takes off from the delivery destination and flies back along the reverse delivery path to the delivery starting position. Afterwards, mobile device 500 sends a return report and then ends the delivery process. Thus, mobile device 500, having completed the goods delivery, begins execution. Figure 14 and Figure 15 The loop movement process shown in the diagram restarts the movement along the loop path.

[0364] In the embodiments and variations thereof, the mobile aircraft 900 is a ground-based vehicle, and has been described accordingly, but is not limited thereto. The mobile aircraft 900 may also be an unmanned aerial vehicle with the same configuration and function as the mobile aircraft 500.

[0365] Furthermore, in this variation, the mobile aircraft 500 is an unmanned aerial vehicle, as described herein, but it is not limited to this; it could also be an unmanned flying body. Moreover, in this variation, the mobile aircraft 500 is a drone that obtains lift and thrust through propellers 511 to 514, as described herein, but it is not limited to this. The mobile aircraft 500 may also have wings, and obtain lift through the wings; it may also have a capsule filled with a gas less dense than air, and obtain lift through the capsule. Additionally, the mobile aircraft 500 may also have a jet engine or a rocket engine, and obtain thrust through the jet engine or rocket engine.

[0366] Like the Mobile Aircraft 500, the Mobile Aircraft 900 can be an unmanned aerial vehicle, and can also be equipped with wings to obtain thrust. It can also be equipped with a capsule to obtain thrust, or it can be equipped with a jet engine or a rocket engine to obtain thrust.

[0367] <Example 13 of the embodiment>

[0368] In Variation 12 of the embodiment, the mobile phone 500 has a storage compartment 520 for storing goods on the lower surface of the information processing device 590. This has been described accordingly, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In this variation, the mobile phone 500 has a storage compartment 520 for holding goods on the lower surface of the information processing device 590. Figure 19 The first enclosure frame 521a and the second enclosure frame 521b are shown.

[0369] The first holding frame 521a of the mobile machine 500 holds one of the four sides of a rectangular corrugated cardboard box for packaging goods, and the second holding frame 521b holds the four sides of the side facing the side (hereinafter referred to as the second holding surface) that is enclosed by the first holding frame 521a (hereinafter referred to as the first holding surface).

[0370] In addition, the mobile device 500 of this variation has guide rails 522a and 522b on the lower surface of the information processing device 590. The guide rails 522a and 522b extend along the normal direction of the first and second holding surfaces of the product, suspend the first holding frame 521a and the second holding frame 521b, and extend in the direction of movement of the first holding frame 521a and the second holding frame 521b.

[0371] Furthermore, the mobile unit 500 includes a motor (not shown) that, under the control of the information processing device 590, moves the first holding frame 521a and the second holding frame 521b toward each other, thereby holding the goods within the first holding frame 521a and the second holding frame 521b. The motor (not shown) also, under the control of the information processing device 590, moves the first holding frame 521a and the second holding frame 521b away from each other, thereby releasing the held goods from the first holding frame 521a and the second holding frame 521b.

[0372] The drive circuit (not shown) of the mobile unit 500 drives the motor (not shown) that moves the first enclosure frame 521a and the second enclosure frame 521b according to the signal output by the CPU (not shown).

[0373] <Example 14 of the embodiment>

[0374] In the embodiments and variations 12 and 13, the starting point of transportation is the warehouse exit, as described herein, but this is not a limitation. Similarly, in the embodiments and variations 12 and 13, the destination is the entrance to the apartment where the user of terminal device 100 resides, as described herein, but this is not a limitation. The starting and destination points can be any locations, as long as they are locations where mobile devices 800 and 900 can temporarily or permanently dock, or locations where mobile device 500 can land.

[0375] Locations suitable for temporary or long-term parking of mobile phones 800 and 900 include, for example, the entrances of residential buildings, office buildings, hotels, commercial facilities, or public facilities, or the entrance halls of detached houses. Additionally, locations suitable for temporary or long-term parking of mobile phones 800 and 900 can also be the lobbies of residential buildings, office buildings, hotels, commercial facilities, or public facilities, as well as the courtyards, parking lots, riverbanks, or parks of detached houses, residential buildings, office buildings, hotels, commercial facilities, or public facilities.

[0376] In addition to the locations where mobile aircraft 500 can temporarily or permanently park, the landing sites for mobile aircraft 800 and 900 can also be balconies or rooftops of detached houses, collective housing, office buildings, hotels, commercial facilities, or public facilities.

[0377] In addition, mobile units 800 and 900 may not stop temporarily or park at the destination after arriving at the destination. Instead, they may travel in a loop or back and forth in an area closer to the destination than the boundary line at a predetermined distance from the destination, at a speed below the predetermined speed.

[0378] Furthermore, after arriving at the destination, the mobile aircraft 500 may not land at the destination, but instead fly in circles or back and forth in the airspace closer to the destination than the boundary plane at a predetermined distance from the destination, or hover in the airspace at a predetermined altitude within a predetermined range.

[0379] <Example 15 of the embodiment>

[0380] In the embodiments, mobile units 800 and 900 are unmanned ground vehicles, and are described accordingly. Additionally, in variations 12 and 13 of the embodiments, mobile unit 500 is an unmanned aerial vehicle, and is described accordingly. However, mobile units 500, 800, and 900 do not necessarily have to be unmanned; they can also carry people, as long as they are objects that move autonomously except for those controlled by the information processing device 200.

[0381] <Example 16 of the embodiment>

[0382] In this embodiment, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates the second security-based evaluation value in a manner that the larger the average width of the overall path, the higher the calculated value. This has been described accordingly, but the device is not limited to this method. As long as the value is based on the width of the overall path, the control unit 250 can use any calculation method to calculate the second security-based evaluation value. For example, it can calculate the value in a manner that the larger the minimum width of the overall path, the higher the calculated value.

[0383] <Example 17 of the embodiment>

[0384] In this embodiment, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates the second security-based evaluation value by means of a larger average width of the overall path, but is not limited thereto. In this variation, the control unit 250 calculates the second security-based evaluation value by means of a smaller average level of clutter of the overall path.

[0385] In this variation, the degree of confusion is represented by the number of people traveling on a road surface of a predetermined area, but it is not limited to this. The degree of confusion can also be represented by the number of vehicles traveling on a road surface of a predetermined area, or by the number of people and vehicles traveling on a road surface of a predetermined area.

[0386] Therefore, in the unillustrated portion of the route table in this variation, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the starting and ending points have been pre-established to correspond with, for example, information indicating the degree of mixing previously measured along the edges, i.e., roads or trails.

[0387] In this variation, the control unit 250 of the information processing apparatus 200 determines multiple edges included in the overall path in order to calculate a second safety-based evaluation value. Then, for each of the determined edges, the control unit 250 obtains information representing the degree of ambiguity and information representing the edge distance from a partial path table, corresponding to the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the edge's starting point and ending point. Next, for each edge, the control unit 250 multiplies the ambiguity by the distance, thereby weighting the ambiguity by the edge distance. Then, the control unit 250 calculates the sum of the weighted ambiguities of the multiple edges included in the overall path, divides the calculated sum by the total distance, and thus calculates the average ambiguity of the overall path. Finally, the control unit 250 calculates the second safety-based evaluation value in a manner that the smaller the calculated average ambiguity, the higher the calculated value. The reason why the control unit 250 calculates the second evaluation value in this way is that the smaller the average value of the overall path's complexity, the lower the probability of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 coming into contact with, for example, people or vehicles during its movement along the overall path.

[0388] In this variation, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 calculates the second security-based evaluation value by means of a smaller average value of the overall path's complication degree, but this is not a limitation. The control unit 250 can use any calculation method to calculate the second evaluation value based on the overall path's complication degree; for example, a smaller maximum value of the overall path's complication degree could result in a higher second security-based evaluation value.

[0389] <Example 18 of the embodiment>

[0390] In this embodiment, the direction control is described as a reverse control that reverses the movement direction of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900, but is not limited thereto. The direction control can also be an angle control that changes the movement direction of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 by a certain angle based on the shape of the loop path. Angle control, for example, includes control that changes the movement direction of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 by 90 degrees when the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 is located at a right-angle bend.

[0391] <Example 19 of the embodiment>

[0392] In this embodiment, "having items in a user's shopping cart" means that the item's ID has been associated with the user's ID and stored in the information processing device 200. However, this is not a limitation; "having items in a user's shopping cart" in the terminal device 100 could also mean that the item's ID has been associated with the user's ID and stored in the terminal device 100.

[0393] <Example 20 of the embodiment>

[0394] In this embodiment, there is one item to be ordered, and the transport mobile unit 800 transports one item. This has been described accordingly, but it is not a limitation. There may also be multiple items to be ordered, and the transport mobile unit 800 may store the multiple items in the storage box 821 for transport.

[0395] <Example 21 of the embodiment>

[0396] In this embodiment, the terminal device 100 is a mobile phone, which has been described accordingly, but it is not limited thereto; it may also be a tablet PC or a laptop PC.

[0397] <Example 22 of the embodiment>

[0398] In this embodiment, after the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID "S1" of the first status, ( Figure 11 In step S55: Yes), if it is determined that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position (step S57: Yes), then low-speed control is performed (step S59), as explained herein. Conversely, if the information processing device 200 determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is not moving away from the transport starting position (step S57: No), then reference speed control is performed (step S58), as explained herein.

[0399] However, it is not limited to this. In this variation, after the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the state ID of the ordering state is the state ID "S1" of the first state, it acquires the probability that the ordering state changes from the first state to the completion state.

[0400] In this variation, the probability of the first state is the ratio of the number of times the ordering state changed from the first state to the completed state to the number of times the ordering state changed to the first state, but it is not limited to this.

[0401] Furthermore, in this variation, the state ID "S1" of the first state and the information representing the probability of the first state are pre-established and stored in a state table (not shown) pre-stored in the information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200. Therefore, the acquisition unit 210 acquires the information representing the probability corresponding to the state ID "S1" from the state table.

[0402] Furthermore, if the probability of the information processing device 200 is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold and less than a preset second threshold, and if it determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is moving away from the transport starting position (step S57: Yes), then it performs low-speed control (step S59). Conversely, if the probability of the information processing device 200 is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold and less than a preset second threshold, and if it determines that the transport mobile unit 800 or 900 is not moving away from the transport starting position (step S57: No), then it performs reference speed control (step S58).

[0403] Furthermore, after the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID "S2" or "S3" of the second status, it obtains the probability of representing the second status from the status table (not shown) that corresponds to the status ID "S2" or "S3" in advance. Similarly, if the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID "S4" of the third status, it obtains the probability of representing the third status from the status table that corresponds to the status ID "S4" in advance. Furthermore, if the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID "S5" of the fourth status, it obtains the probability of representing the fourth status from the status table that corresponds to the status ID "S5" in advance. Furthermore, if the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID "S6" of the fifth status, i.e., the completion status, it obtains the probability "100%" that corresponds to the status ID "S6" in advance from the status table.

[0404] Furthermore, when the probability of obtaining the signal is greater than or equal to a preset second threshold and less than a preset third threshold, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 executes steps S61 to S64, thereby performing direction control and reference speed control. Furthermore, when the probability of obtaining the signal is greater than or equal to a preset third threshold and less than a preset fourth threshold, the information processing device 200 executes steps S66 and S67, thereby performing high-speed control. Moreover, when the probability of obtaining the signal is greater than or equal to a preset fourth threshold and less than a preset fifth threshold, the information processing device 200 executes steps S69 to S72, thereby performing first path control. Additionally, when the probability of obtaining the signal is greater than or equal to a preset fifth threshold, the information processing device 200 executes steps S73 to S76, thereby performing second path control.

[0405] Furthermore, in this variation, the first to fifth thresholds are values ​​greater than "0%" and less than "100%", the second threshold is greater than the first threshold, the third threshold is greater than the second threshold, the fourth threshold is greater than the third threshold, and the fifth threshold is greater than the fourth threshold. Preferred values ​​for the first to fifth thresholds can be determined by the operator through experimentation. Additionally, since the first threshold has been preset to be greater than "0%", the control unit 250 may not perform any of the following: low-speed control, reference speed control, direction control, high-speed control, first path control, and second path control if the probability of obtaining the value is less than the first threshold.

[0406] <Example 23 of the embodiment>

[0407] In this embodiment, after the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID "S1" of the first status, ( Figure 11 Step S55: Yes), the processing of steps S56 to S59 is performed, thereby performing low-speed control or reference speed control, as described herein.

[0408] However, it is not limited to this. In this variation, after the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the state ID of the ordering state is the state ID "S1" of the first state, it acquires information indicating the predicted value of the transition time required for the ordering state to change from the first state to the completion state.

[0409] In this variation, the predicted time for the transition of the first state is the average of the time required from the order state to the first state to the completion state in the past, but it is not limited to this and may be an intermediate value. In this variation, the state ID "S1" of the first state and the information representing the predicted time for the transition of the first state are pre-established and stored in a state table (not shown) pre-stored in the information storage unit 290 of the information processing device 200. Therefore, the acquisition unit 210 acquires the information representing the predicted time for the transition of the first state corresponding to the state ID "S1" from the state table.

[0410] Furthermore, if the predicted value of the change time indicated by the acquired information is less than a preset first threshold but greater than or equal to a second threshold, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 executes steps S56 to S59, thereby performing low-speed control or reference speed control as movement control for the transport mobile machine 800 or 900. Conversely, if the predicted value of the change time indicated by the acquired information is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the control unit 250 does not perform any of the following: low-speed control, reference speed control, direction control, high-speed control, first path control, and second path control.

[0411] Furthermore, if the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID of the second status, "S2" or "S3", it retrieves information from the status table (not shown) indicating the predicted value of the transition time of the second status, which is pre-established corresponding to the status ID "S2" or "S3". Similarly, if the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID of the third status, "S4", it retrieves information from the status table indicating the predicted value of the transition time of the third status, which is pre-established corresponding to the status ID "S4". Furthermore, if the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID of the fourth status, "S5", it retrieves information from the status table indicating the predicted value of the transition time of the fourth status, which is pre-established corresponding to the status ID "S5". Moreover, if the information processing device 200 determines that the status ID of the order status is the status ID of the fifth status, i.e., the completion status, "S6", it retrieves the predicted value "0 minutes" of the transition time, which is pre-established corresponding to the status ID "S6", from the status table.

[0412] Furthermore, if the predicted value of the change time represented by the acquired information is less than a preset second threshold and is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the control unit 250 of the information processing device 200 executes the processing steps S61 to S64. As a result, the control unit 250 performs direction control and reference speed control, which, compared to the reference speed control performed in step S58 and the low-speed control performed in step S59, suppresses the increase in the travel distance from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the transport starting position.

[0413] Furthermore, if the predicted value of the change time is less than a preset third threshold and is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, the information processing device 200 executes steps S66 and S67. As a result, the control unit 250 performs high-speed control, which shortens the travel distance from the position of the transport mobile machine 800 or 900 to the starting position of the transport compared to the direction control performed in step S63 and the reference speed control performed in step S64.

[0414] Furthermore, if the predicted value of the change time is less than a preset fourth threshold but greater than a fifth threshold, the information processing device 200 executes steps S69 to S72. As a result, the control unit 250 performs first path control, which shortens the travel distance compared to high-speed control. Additionally, if the predicted value of the change time is less than a preset fifth threshold, the information processing device 200 executes steps S73 to S76. As a result, the control unit 250 performs second path control, which shortens the travel distance compared to first path control.

[0415] Furthermore, in this variation, the first to fifth thresholds are values ​​greater than "0", the second threshold is less than the first threshold, the third threshold is less than the second threshold, the fourth threshold is less than the third threshold, and the fifth threshold is less than the fourth threshold. Preferred values ​​for the first to fifth thresholds can be determined by the operator through experimentation.

[0416] <Example 24 of the embodiment>

[0417] In the embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 includes an information storage unit 290, as described herein, but is not limited thereto. In this variation, the information processing apparatus 200 does not include an information storage unit 290. In this variation, the information processing apparatus 200 connects via the Internet IN to an information storage device (not shown) having the same function as the information storage unit 290, such as a NAS (Network Attached Storage), and uses the information stored in the information storage device to perform... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales process shown, and Figure 11The motion control process is shown. The information processing system 1 in this variation example may or may not have an information storage device.

[0418] <Example 25 of the embodiment>

[0419] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 200, which has been described accordingly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 200 executes... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales process shown, and Figure 11 The movement control process shown is as follows, and as Figure 7 The functions of the acquisition unit 210, authentication unit 220, update unit 230, selection unit 240, and control unit 250 shown have been described herein. Additionally, the hard disk 203b of the information processing device 200 functions as an information storage unit 290, and this has been described herein.

[0420] However, this is not the only possibility; the information processing system 1 may also lack the information processing device 200. In this case, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales process shown, and Figure 11 The mobile control processing shown can be executed by the CPU 891 of the information processing unit 890 included in the mobile phone 800. Therefore, the CPU 891 of the mobile phone 800 can also function as a (not shown) functional unit corresponding to the acquisition unit 210, authentication unit 220, update unit 230, selection unit 240, and control unit 250 of the information processing unit 200. In addition, the flash memory 893b of the mobile phone 800 can also function as a (not shown) functional unit corresponding to the information storage unit 290 of the information processing unit 200.

[0421] But it is not limited to this. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sales process shown, and Figure 11 The mobile control processing shown can also be distributed and executed by two or more of the following: CPU 201 of information processing device 200, CPU 891 of mobile device 800, and CPU 101 of terminal device 100.

[0422] The embodiments of the present invention and variations thereof, 1 to 25, can be combined with each other.

[0423] Information processing apparatus 200, configured to implement any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 24 of the embodiments, and information processing apparatus 890, configured to implement variation 25 of the embodiments, may be provided. Of course, a system composed of multiple devices may also be provided, which as a whole has the configuration to implement any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 25 of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0424] An information processing apparatus 200 may be provided with a configuration pre-equipped to implement the functions of any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 24 of the embodiments. Alternatively, an existing information processing apparatus may be used as the information processing apparatus 200 of any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 24 of the embodiments through the application of a program. That is, a computer (CPU, etc.) that controls an existing information processing apparatus may execute a program to enable the information processing apparatus 200 exemplified in any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 24 of the embodiments to implement its various functional configurations, thereby enabling it to function as the information processing apparatus 200 of any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 24 of the embodiments.

[0425] An information processing apparatus 890 may be provided with a configuration pre-equipped with the functions to implement Variation 25 of the present invention. Alternatively, an existing information processing apparatus may be used as the information processing apparatus 890 of Variation 25 of the present invention through the application of a program. That is, a computer (CPU, etc.) that controls an existing information processing apparatus may execute a program to enable the information processing apparatus 890 exemplified in Variation 25 of the present invention to perform its various functional configurations, thereby enabling the information processing apparatus 890 of Variation 25 of the present invention to function.

[0426] The method of distributing such programs is arbitrary. In addition to being distributed via recording media such as memory cards, CD (Compact Disc)-ROMs or DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), they can also be distributed via communication media such as the Internet.

[0427] The method of the present invention can be implemented using the information processing apparatus 200 of any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 24, and the information processing apparatus 890 of embodiment 25. Alternatively, the method of the present invention can be implemented using the information processing system 1 of any of the embodiments and variations 1 to 25.

[0428] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented and modified in various ways without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Additionally, the described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention. That is, the scope of the invention is not shown by the embodiments, but by the claims. Moreover, various modifications made within the scope of the claims and their equivalents fall within the scope of the invention.

[0429] (Postscript)

[0430] (Postscript 1)

[0431] An information processing device, characterized in that it comprises:

[0432] The acquisition department retrieves the order status; and

[0433] The control unit, when the acquired state is a state that is about to change to a state before the completion of the order, performs movement control on the mobile machine according to the acquired state. This movement control suppresses the increase of the movement distance from the position of the mobile machine transporting the ordered object to the starting position of the delivery.

[0434] (Postscript 2)

[0435] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that:

[0436] The states preceding the completion state include a first state and a second state.

[0437] The probability of the second state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the first state; and

[0438] Compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state, the movement control corresponding to the second state suppresses the increase in movement distance.

[0439] (Note 3)

[0440] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 2 is characterized in that:

[0441] The movement control corresponding to the state includes any one or more of speed control, direction control, and path control. The speed control controls the movement speed of the mobile device; the direction control controls the movement direction of the mobile device; and the path control sets the movement path of the mobile device if no movement path is set, or resets the set movement path if the movement path is already set.

[0442] (Postscript 4)

[0443] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 3 is characterized in that:

[0444] The speed control includes one or more of low-speed control and high-speed control. The low-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine slower than the reference speed when the moving machine moves away from the starting position. The high-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine faster than the reference speed when the moving machine moves closer to the starting position.

[0445] The direction control includes the following control: when the mobile device moves away from the starting position, the movement direction of the mobile device is changed to the direction in which the mobile device moves closer to the starting position;

[0446] The path control includes a first path control that causes the mobile device to move along a first path, the distance of which is shorter than the distance the mobile device would travel from its position to the starting position if the path was not set, or the predicted distance the mobile device would travel if the path was not set.

[0447] (Note 5)

[0448] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 4 is characterized in that:

[0449] The path control also includes a second path control that causes the mobile device to move along a second path, the second path being shorter than the first path but consuming more energy or having lower security, or consuming more energy and having lower security.

[0450] (Note 6)

[0451] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 5 is characterized in that:

[0452] The mobile unit moves in a cycle.

[0453] The direction control includes a reverse control that reverses the direction of movement of the mobile machine when the cyclically moving mobile machine moves away from the starting position;

[0454] When the mobile unit moves in a cycle, the distance of the first path and the second path is shorter than the distance the mobile unit moves from its current position to the starting position.

[0455] (Note 7)

[0456] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 6 is characterized in that:

[0457] The control unit

[0458] If it is determined that the obtained state is the first state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the low-speed control is performed and used as the movement control.

[0459] If it is determined that the obtained state is the second state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the reverse control is performed and used as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state.

[0460] (Note 8)

[0461] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 6 or 7 is characterized in that:

[0462] The states preceding the completed state also include a third state.

[0463] The probability of the third state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the second state, and

[0464] If the obtained state of the order is the third state, the control unit performs the high-speed control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the second state.

[0465] (Note 9)

[0466] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 8 is characterized in that:

[0467] The states preceding the completed state also include a fourth state.

[0468] The probability of the fourth state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the third state, and

[0469] If the obtained state of the order is the fourth state, the control unit performs the first path control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the third state.

[0470] (Postscript 10)

[0471] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 9 is characterized in that:

[0472] If the obtained order status is included in the status before the transition to the completion status, or is the completion status, i.e., the 5th status, then the control unit performs the second path control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the first path control corresponding to the 4th status.

[0473] (Postscript 11)

[0474] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 10 is characterized in that:

[0475] The first state is the state in which the service for delivering the object has been selected, i.e., the service selection state.

[0476] The second state is the state where the object or the object's delivery destination has been found, i.e., the retrieval state.

[0477] The third state refers to the state in which the purchase of the object has been considered, or the delivery route to the delivery destination has been determined, i.e., the pre-selection state.

[0478] The fourth state is the state from the time the request for settlement of the purchase price of the object or the shipping fee to the shipping destination is made until the settlement is successful or unsuccessful, i.e., the settlement state.

[0479] (Postscript 12)

[0480] The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 11 is characterized in that:

[0481] It also includes a selection unit that selects the mobile unit for transporting the object from a plurality of mobile units.

[0482] (Postscript 13)

[0483] The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12 is characterized in that:

[0484] The object includes people, and

[0485] The order is a dispatch order for a mobile vehicle to transport the object.

[0486] (Postscript 14)

[0487] The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 13 is characterized in that:

[0488] The mobile machine can operate without human intervention.

[0489] (Postscript 15)

[0490] The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 14 is characterized in that:

[0491] The mobile machine is a vehicle that travels on the ground.

[0492] (Postscript 16)

[0493] The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that:

[0494] The movement control corresponding to the state includes any one or more of speed control, direction control, and path control. The speed control controls the movement speed of the mobile device; the direction control controls the movement direction of the mobile device; and the path control sets the movement path of the mobile device if no movement path is set, or resets the set movement path if the movement path is already set.

[0495] (Postscript 17)

[0496] A system characterized by comprising:

[0497] The acquisition department retrieves the order status.

[0498] Mobile device, for transporting the ordered items; and

[0499] The control unit, when the acquired state is a state that is about to change to a state before the completion of the order, performs movement control on the mobile machine based on the acquired state, and the movement control suppresses the increase of the movement distance from the position of the mobile machine to the starting position of the delivery.

[0500] (Postscript 18)

[0501] A method, characterized by comprising:

[0502] In the acquisition step, the information processing device acquires the order status; and

[0503] In the control step, when the information processing device obtains a state that is changing to a state before the completion of the order, it performs movement control on the mobile machine according to the obtained state. This movement control suppresses the increase of the movement distance from the position of the mobile machine transporting the ordered object to the starting position of the delivery.

[0504] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0505] 1. Information Processing System

[0506] 100 terminal devices

[0507] 200, 590, 890 Information Processing Devices

[0508] 101, 201, 891 CPUs

[0509] 102, 202, 892 RAM

[0510] 103a, 203a, 893a ROM

[0511] 103b, 893b flash memory

[0512] 104a, 204a, 894a data communication circuits

[0513] 104b Voice Communication Circuit

[0514] 105a, 205a, 895a graphics cards

[0515] 105b, 205b, 895b display devices

[0516] 105c, 205c, 895c input devices

[0517] 106, 896 Position Measurement Circuit

[0518] 109a loudspeaker

[0519] 109b microphone

[0520] 203b hard drive

[0521] 210 Acquisition Department

[0522] 220 Certification Department

[0523] 230 Update Department

[0524] 240 Selection Department

[0525] 250 Control Department

[0526] 290 Information Storage Department

[0527] 500, 800, 900 mobile phones

[0528] 501 to 504 Propeller Arms

[0529] 511 to 514 propellers

[0530] 520 and 820 storage warehouses

[0531] 521a First enclosure frame

[0532] 521b Second enclosure frame

[0533] 522a, 522b guide rails

[0534] 531, 831 LiDAR sensors

[0535] 560 Support Feet

[0536] 801, 802 wheels

[0537] 810 chassis

[0538] 821 Storage Box

[0539] 821a door

[0540] 821b door frame

[0541] 821c locking tongue

[0542] 821d Lock Slot

[0543] 898 Input / Output Ports

[0544] 899 driver circuit

[0545] IN Internet.

Claims

1. An information processing device, characterized in that... Include: The acquisition department retrieves the order status; and The control unit, when the acquired state is a state transitioning to a state before the completion of the order, performs movement control on the mobile device based on the acquired state. This movement control suppresses any increase in the movement distance from the position of the mobile device transporting the ordered object to the starting position where the transport begins. The states preceding the completion state include a first state and a second state. The probability of the second state evolving into the completed state is higher than the probability of the first state. Compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state, the movement control corresponding to the second state suppresses the increase in the movement distance; The movement control corresponding to the state includes any one or more of speed control, direction control, and path control. The speed control controls the movement speed of the mobile device; the direction control controls the movement direction of the mobile device; and the path control sets the movement path of the mobile device if no movement path is set, or resets the set movement path if the movement path of the mobile device is already set. The speed control includes one or more of low-speed control and high-speed control. The low-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine slower than the reference speed when the moving machine moves away from the starting position. The high-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine faster than the reference speed when the moving machine moves closer to the starting position. The direction control includes the following control: when the mobile device moves away from the starting position, the movement direction of the mobile device is changed to the direction in which the mobile device moves closer to the starting position; The path control includes a first path control that causes the mobile device to move along a first path, the distance of which is shorter than the distance the mobile device would travel from its position to the starting position along the first path if the path was not set, or the predicted distance the mobile device would travel without the path being set. The path control also includes a second path control that causes the mobile device to move along a second path, the second path being shorter than the first path but consuming more energy or having lower security, or consuming more energy and having lower security. The mobile unit moves in a cycle. The direction control includes a reverse control that reverses the direction of movement of the mobile machine when the cyclically moving mobile machine moves away from the starting position; When the mobile unit moves in a circular motion, the distance of the first path and the second path is shorter than the distance the mobile unit moves from its current position to the starting position. The control unit If it is determined that the obtained state is the first state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the low-speed control is performed and used as the movement control. If it is determined that the obtained state is the second state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the reverse control is performed and used as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state. The states preceding the completed state also include a third state. The probability of the third state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the second state, and If the obtained state of the order is the third state, the control unit performs the high-speed control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement time from the position of the mobile machine to the starting position compared to the movement control corresponding to the second state. The states preceding the completed state also include a fourth state. The probability of the fourth state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the third state, and If the obtained order status is the fourth status, the control unit performs the first path control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the third status. If the obtained order status is included in the status before the transition to the completion status, or is the completion status, i.e., the 5th status, then the control unit performs the second path control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the first path control corresponding to the 4th status.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first state is the state in which the service for delivering the object has been selected, i.e., the service selection state. The second state is the state where the object or the object's delivery destination has been found, i.e., the retrieval state. The third state refers to the state in which the purchase of the object has been considered, or the delivery route to the delivery destination has been determined, i.e., the pre-selection state. The fourth state is the state from the time the request for settlement of the purchase price of the object or the shipping fee to the shipping destination is made until the settlement is successful or unsuccessful, i.e., the settlement state.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also includes a selection unit that selects the mobile unit for transporting the object from a plurality of mobile units.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The object includes people, and The order is a dispatch order for a mobile vehicle to transport the object.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The mobile machine is capable of operating without human intervention.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The mobile machine is a vehicle that travels on the ground.

7. A system, characterized in that... Include: The acquisition department retrieves the order status. Mobile device, for transporting the ordered items; and The control unit, when the acquired state is a state transitioning to a state before the completion of the order (i.e., a completed state), performs movement control on the mobile device based on the acquired state. This movement control suppresses any increase in the movement distance from the mobile device's current position to the starting position of the delivery. The states preceding the completion state include a first state and a second state. The probability of the second state evolving into the completed state is higher than the probability of the first state. Compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state, the movement control corresponding to the second state suppresses the increase in the movement distance; The movement control corresponding to the state includes any one or more of speed control, direction control, and path control. The speed control controls the movement speed of the mobile device; the direction control controls the movement direction of the mobile device; and the path control sets the movement path of the mobile device if no movement path is set, or resets the set movement path if the movement path of the mobile device is already set. The speed control includes one or more of low-speed control and high-speed control. The low-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine slower than the reference speed when the moving machine moves away from the starting position. The high-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine faster than the reference speed when the moving machine moves closer to the starting position. The direction control includes the following control: when the mobile device moves away from the starting position, the movement direction of the mobile device is changed to the direction in which the mobile device moves closer to the starting position; The path control includes a first path control that causes the mobile device to move along a first path, the distance of which is shorter than the distance the mobile device would travel from its position to the starting position along the first path if the path was not set, or the predicted distance the mobile device would travel without the path being set. The path control also includes a second path control that causes the mobile device to move along a second path, the second path being shorter than the first path but consuming more energy or having lower security, or consuming more energy and having lower security. The mobile unit moves in a cycle. The direction control includes a reverse control that reverses the direction of movement of the mobile machine when the cyclically moving mobile machine moves away from the starting position; When the mobile unit moves in a circular motion, the distance of the first path and the second path is shorter than the distance the mobile unit moves from its current position to the starting position. The control unit If it is determined that the obtained state is the first state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the low-speed control is performed and used as the movement control. If it is determined that the obtained state is the second state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the reverse control is performed and used as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state. The states preceding the completed state also include a third state. The probability of the third state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the second state, and If the obtained state of the order is the third state, the control unit performs the high-speed control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement time from the position of the mobile machine to the starting position compared to the movement control corresponding to the second state. The states preceding the completed state also include a fourth state. The probability of the fourth state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the third state, and If the obtained order status is the fourth status, the control unit performs the first path control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the third status. If the obtained order status is included in the status before the transition to the completion status, or is the completion status, i.e., the 5th status, then the control unit performs the second path control as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the first path control corresponding to the 4th status.

8. A method, characterized in that Include: In the acquisition step, the information processing device acquires the order status; and In the control step, if the information processing device obtains a state that is transitioning to a state before the order is completed (i.e., a state prior to completion), it performs movement control on the mobile device based on the obtained state. This movement control suppresses any increase in the movement distance from the position of the mobile device transporting the ordered object to the starting position where the transport begins. The states preceding the completion state include a first state and a second state. The probability of the second state evolving into the completed state is higher than the probability of the first state. Compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state, the movement control corresponding to the second state suppresses the increase in the movement distance; The movement control corresponding to the state includes any one or more of speed control, direction control, and path control. The speed control controls the movement speed of the mobile device; the direction control controls the movement direction of the mobile device; and the path control sets the movement path of the mobile device if no movement path is set, or resets the set movement path if the movement path of the mobile device is already set. The speed control includes one or more of low-speed control and high-speed control. The low-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine slower than the reference speed when the moving machine moves away from the starting position. The high-speed control makes the moving speed of the moving machine faster than the reference speed when the moving machine moves closer to the starting position. The direction control includes the following control: when the mobile device moves away from the starting position, the movement direction of the mobile device is changed to the direction in which the mobile device moves closer to the starting position; The path control includes a first path control that causes the mobile device to move along a first path, the distance of which is shorter than the distance the mobile device would travel from its position to the starting position along the first path if the path was not set, or the predicted distance the mobile device would travel without the path being set. The path control also includes a second path control that causes the mobile device to move along a second path, the second path being shorter than the first path but consuming more energy or having lower security, or consuming more energy and having lower security. The mobile unit moves in a cycle. The direction control includes a reverse control that reverses the direction of movement of the mobile machine when the cyclically moving mobile machine moves away from the starting position; When the mobile unit moves in a circular motion, the distance of the first path and the second path is shorter than the distance the mobile unit moves from its current position to the starting position. In the control step, If it is determined that the obtained state is the first state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the low-speed control is performed and used as the movement control. If it is determined that the obtained state is the second state and the mobile device is moving away from the starting position, then the reverse control is performed and used as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the first state. The states preceding the completed state also include a third state. The probability of the third state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the second state, and If the obtained state of the order is the third state, then the high-speed control is performed in the control step as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement time from the position of the mobile machine to the starting position compared to the movement control corresponding to the second state. The states preceding the completed state also include a fourth state. The probability of the fourth state transitioning to the completed state is higher than the probability of the third state, and If the obtained order status is the fourth status, then the first path control is performed in the control step and used as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the movement control corresponding to the third status. If the obtained order status is included in the status before the transition to the completion status, or is the completion status, i.e., the 5th status, then the second path control is performed in the control step as the movement control, thereby shortening the movement distance compared to the first path control corresponding to the 4th status.

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