Delivery management system
Through the distribution management system, the distribution area is set according to the location of the distribution vehicle and the delivery notification is managed, the redistribution problem caused by the delay of the distribution vehicle is solved, the burden on the delivery staff is reduced, and the delivery efficiency is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410546834.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-16
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-06
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-17
AI Technical Summary
The delay in delivery time caused by the delivery vehicle on the congested roads may result in the absence of residents of the delivery destination, and in turn, the need to deliver the goods again, increasing the burden on the delivery staff.
Through the distribution management system, the processing circuit is used to set the distribution area according to the current location of the distribution vehicle, send a delivery notification to the distribution destination in the area, and decide whether to allow delivery of goods based on the reply situation to avoid delivery to destinations where no one is present.
It reduces the burden on delivery staff, reduces the possibility of re-delivery, and improves delivery efficiency and accuracy.
Smart Images
Figure CN119151399A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a distribution management system for managing distribution vehicles for distributing goods. Background Art
[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-56257 discloses a system that calculates a delivery time based on the desired pickup time of goods registered in a database and the patrol time of a delivery vehicle, and notifies the delivery destination of the goods of the delivery time. Summary of the invention
[0003] Generally speaking, a delivery vehicle delivers goods to multiple delivery destinations in sequence. For example, if the road from the first delivery destination to the second delivery destination among the multiple delivery destinations is congested, it will cause a delay in reaching the second delivery destination. As a result, there will be a deviation between the delivery time notified to the delivery destination by the above system and the actual delivery time. In such a case, when the delivery vehicle arrives at the delivery destination, the resident of the delivery destination may have gone out. In the case where the resident is not at the delivery destination like this, it is necessary to deliver to the delivery destination again.
[0004] The delivery management system for solving the above-mentioned problem is a system for managing a delivery vehicle for delivering goods. The delivery management system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit performs the following actions, namely, setting an area, i.e., a delivery area, where the delivery vehicle delivers goods based on the current position of the delivery vehicle, notifying the delivery destination of goods located in the delivery area that the goods are to be delivered, allowing the delivery vehicle to deliver goods to the delivery destination that has responded to the notification of the intention to deliver goods, and not allowing the delivery vehicle to deliver goods to the delivery destination that has not responded to the notification.
[0005] The above-described delivery management system has an effect of reducing the burden on a delivery person by preventing the delivery person from delivering goods to a delivery destination where the resident is absent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements, and wherein:
[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a delivery management system, a delivery vehicle, and a delivery destination according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Figure 2 To express Figure 1 A diagram showing the contents of a database provided in the distribution management system shown;
[0009] Figure 3 To express in Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a delivery area set in the delivery management system shown;
[0010] Figure 4 A sequence diagram showing the process flow when deciding whether to allow delivery to a delivery destination;
[0011] Figure 5 To indicate by Figure 1 Flowchart of statistical processing performed by the delivery management system shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 5 An implementation of the delivery management system will be described.
[0013] exist Figure 1 , a delivery management system 50, a plurality of delivery vehicles 10, and a plurality of delivery destinations DD are shown. The "delivery vehicle 10" mentioned here is a vehicle managed by the delivery management system 50. The "delivery destination" refers to a place where the goods are to be delivered by the delivery vehicle 10.
[0014] <Delivery destination>
[0015] The terminal device 30 held by the resident of the delivery destination is configured to be able to communicate with the delivery management system 50 via the communication network 100. Examples of the terminal device 30 include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a personal computer.
[0016] <Delivery vehicle>
[0017] A plurality of delivery vehicles 10 deliver goods to a plurality of delivery destinations DD according to a pre-set delivery schedule. Each of the plurality of delivery vehicles 10 has a position information receiver 11 for receiving its own position information. The position information received by the position information receiver 11 is sent to the delivery management system 50 via the communication network 100. Thus, the delivery management system 50 can grasp the current positions of the plurality of delivery vehicles 10.
[0018] A delivery person who is to deliver goods to a delivery destination DD is on the delivery vehicle 10 . The delivery person carries a portable terminal 20 . Examples of the portable terminal 20 include a smartphone and a tablet terminal. The portable terminal 20 is configured to be able to communicate with the delivery management system 50 via the communication network 100 .
[0019] The portable terminal 20 includes a user interface 21, a communicator 22, and a processing circuit 23. The user interface 21 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays a message and thumbnails to be conveyed to the delivery person. The operation unit receives operations from the delivery person.
[0020] The communicator 22 is an interface of the portable terminal 20 for transmitting and receiving information with an external communication device via the communication network 100. For example, when the communicator 22 receives information transmitted by the delivery management system 50, it outputs the information to the processing circuit 23. In addition, for example, the communicator 22 transmits the information output by the processing circuit 23 toward the delivery management system 50.
[0021] An example of the processing circuit 23 is an electronic control device. In this case, the processing circuit 23 has a CPU and a memory. The memory stores a control program executed by the CPU. The CPU executes the control program in the memory, so that the processing circuit 23 controls the display of the display unit of the user interface 21, or outputs information related to the operation result of the operation unit performed by the delivery person to the communicator 22.
[0022] <Delivery Management System>
[0023] The delivery management system 50 manages a plurality of delivery vehicles 10. The delivery management system 50 includes a communicator 51, a database 52, and a processing circuit 53.
[0024] The communicator 51 is an interface of the delivery management system 50 for transmitting and receiving information with an external communication device via the communication network 100. For example, the communicator 51 outputs information received via the communication network 100 to the processing circuit 53. In addition, for example, the communicator 51 transmits information output by the processing circuit 53 to the terminal device 30 of the resident of the delivery destination DD or the portable terminal 20 of the delivery person via the communication network 100.
[0025] An example of the processing circuit 53 is an electronic control device. In this case, the processing circuit 53 includes a CPU 54 and a memory 55. The memory 55 stores a control program executed by the CPU 54. The CPU 54 executes the control program in the memory 55, so that the processing circuit 53 performs a series of processes for managing the delivery of goods by a plurality of delivery vehicles 10. The specific content of the series of processes will be described below.
[0026] Various information related to a plurality of delivery destinations DD is registered in the database 52 . In the present embodiment, the database 52 corresponds to a “storage device.” When the delivery management system 50 manages the delivery of goods by the plurality of delivery vehicles 10 , the processing circuit 53 uses the database 52 .
[0027] Reference Figure 2 , an example of database 52 is described.
[0028] In the database 52, as the delivery destination DD, a plurality of delivery destinations DD1, DD2, DD3, DD4, DD5, ... are registered. In the database 52, for each of the delivery destinations DD1 to DD5, the address of the delivery destination, information related to whether delivery at a designated drop-off location is permitted, and information related to whether a delivery locker is provided are registered. A delivery locker is a locker that can store goods. For example, a delivery locker is provided at a door.
[0029] according to Figure 2 In the database 52 shown, the delivery destination DD1 is a delivery destination where delivery to a designated drop-off location is allowed and a courier locker is provided. In addition, the delivery destination DD2 is a delivery destination where delivery to a designated drop-off location is not allowed and a courier locker is not provided. The "delivery to a designated drop-off location is not allowed" mentioned here does not mean that delivery to a designated drop-off location is prohibited, but it means that it is not known whether delivery to a designated drop-off location is possible.
[0030] <Flow of handling when managing delivery vehicles>
[0031] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 , a processing flow for managing delivery performed by the delivery vehicle 10 will be described. Figure 4 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the process flow. In this sequence diagram, the plurality of processes executed by the delivery management system 50 correspond to a series of processes for managing the delivery of goods by the plurality of delivery vehicles 10.
[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, in S101, the delivery vehicle 10 sends its own location information to the delivery management system 50. Thus, the current location of the delivery vehicle 10 can be known by the delivery management system 50.
[0033] Then, in S201, the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 sets the delivery area AD based on the current position of the delivery vehicle 10. For example, the processing circuit 53 sets the delivery area AD as an area where the delivery vehicle 10 can deliver goods within a predetermined time from the current time point.
[0034] exist Figure 3 , an example of a delivery area AD is shown. For example, the processing circuit 53 sets the delivery area AD in a manner that includes the current position of the delivery vehicle 10. In addition, Figure 3 The thumbnail image SM1 on the illustrated map indicates the delivery vehicle 10. In addition, the thumbnail image SM2 indicates the delivery destination DD.
[0035] Back to Figure 4After the delivery area AD is set, the processing circuit 53 advances the processing to S203. In S203, the processing circuit 53 obtains the delivery destination DD included in the delivery area AD based on the information registered in the database 52. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 In the example shown, the processing circuit 53 acquires four delivery destinations DD1, DD2, DD3, and DD4.
[0036] In the next step S205, the processing circuit 53 notifies the multiple delivery destinations DD1 to DD4 that the goods will be delivered. This notification is called a "delivery notification". That is, the processing circuit 53 sends the delivery notification from the communicator 51 to the delivery destination DD located in the delivery area AD. Then, the processing circuit 53 waits for a response to the delivery notification.
[0037] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, a reply to the delivery notification is sent from the delivery destination DD1 among the four delivery destinations DD1 to DD4 to the delivery management system 50 (S301). The resident of the delivery destination DD1 uses his terminal device 30 to send a message that he is at home as a reply to the delivery notification to the delivery management system 50. On the other hand, the remaining three delivery destinations DD2 to DD4 do not send a reply to the delivery notification to the delivery management system 50.
[0038] Then, in S207, the processing circuit 53 transmits information indicating that the delivery of goods to the delivery destination DD1 is permitted to the delivery vehicle 10. Specifically, the processing circuit 53 transmits the above information from the communicator 51 to the delivery person's portable terminal 20. That is, the processing of S207 corresponds to the processing of permitting the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods to the delivery destination DD1 that has responded to the delivery notification.
[0039] Next, in S209, the processing circuit 53 determines whether the delivery destination DD is a delivery destination that allows delivery to a designated drop-off location based on the information registered in the database 52. In this embodiment, the processing circuit 53 determines whether the multiple delivery destinations DD2 to DD4 that have not responded to the delivery notification are delivery destinations that allow delivery to a designated drop-off location. Figure 2 As shown, among the multiple delivery destinations DD2 to DD4, only the delivery destination DD4 allows delivery to the designated drop-off location. That is, the processing circuit 53 determines that the delivery destination DD4 is a delivery destination that allows delivery to the designated drop-off location. On the other hand, the processing circuit 53 determines that the multiple delivery destinations DD2 and DD3 are delivery destinations that do not allow delivery to the designated drop-off location.
[0040] In the next S211, the processing circuit 53 transmits information indicating that delivery of goods to the delivery destination DD4 is permitted to the delivery vehicle 10. Specifically, the processing circuit 53 transmits the above information from the communicator 51 to the delivery person's portable terminal 20. That is, the processing of S211 corresponds to the processing of permitting the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods even if there is no response to the delivery notification, with respect to the delivery destination DD4 that is determined to be permitted to deliver to the designated drop-off location.
[0041] Next, in S213, the processing circuit 53 determines whether a courier locker is set up at the delivery destination DD based on the information registered in the database 52. In this embodiment, the processing circuit 53 determines whether a courier locker is set up at the multiple delivery destinations DD2 and DD3 that have not responded to the delivery notification. Figure 2 As shown, among the multiple delivery destinations DD2 and DD3, only the delivery destination DD3 is provided with a courier locker. That is, the processing circuit 53 determines that the delivery destination DD3 is a delivery destination provided with a courier locker. On the other hand, the processing circuit 53 determines that the delivery destination DD2 is a delivery destination not provided with a courier locker.
[0042] In the next S215, the processing circuit 53 sends information indicating that delivery of goods to the delivery destination DD3 is permitted to the delivery vehicle 10. Specifically, the processing circuit 53 causes the above information to be sent from the communicator 51 to the delivery person's portable terminal 20. That is, the processing of S215 corresponds to the processing of permitting the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods even if there is no response to the delivery notification for the delivery destination DD3 that is determined to have a courier locker.
[0043] Here, in Figure 4 In the example shown, the delivery destination DD2 has not sent a reply to the delivery notification to the delivery management system 50. In addition, the delivery destination DD2 is a delivery destination that does not allow delivery at a designated drop-off location. In addition, there is no express locker at the delivery destination DD2.
[0044] Therefore, in S217, the processing circuit 53 sends information indicating that delivery of goods to the delivery destination DD2 is not permitted to the delivery vehicle 10. Specifically, the processing circuit 53 causes the above information to be sent from the communicator 51 to the delivery person's portable terminal 20. That is, the processing of S217 corresponds to the processing of not permitting the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods to the delivery destination DD2 that has not responded to the delivery notification.
[0045] <Statistical processing>
[0046] Reference Figure 5, the statistical processing performed by the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 is described. For example, the processing circuit 53 performs the statistical processing after the delivery business of a predetermined period is completed. An example of the predetermined period is one month.
[0047] In S11, the processing circuit 53 calculates the reply rate RES for each delivery destination DD, and the reply rate RES is the probability that there is a reply to the delivery notification sent to the delivery destination DD in the above S205. In the next S13, the processing circuit 53 determines whether there is a delivery destination DD with a reply rate RES greater than the reply rate judgment value RESth among the multiple delivery destinations DD. When the processing circuit 53 determines that there is a delivery destination DD with a reply rate RES greater than the reply rate judgment value RESth (S13: Yes), the processing proceeds to S15. On the other hand, when the processing circuit 53 determines that there is no delivery destination DD with a reply rate RES greater than the reply rate judgment value RESth (S13: No), the statistical processing ends.
[0048] In S15, the processing circuit 53 rewards the delivery destination DD whose response rate RES is greater than the response rate judgment value RESth. At this time, the processing circuit 53 rewards the delivery destination DD with a higher response rate RES. The reward is to increase the willingness of the resident to reply to the delivery notification. For example, the discount amount of the delivery fee, the discount rate of the delivery fee, and the points that can be used for shopping, etc. can be listed as rewards. Then, the processing circuit 53 ends the statistical processing.
[0049] <Functions and Effects of the Present Embodiment>
[0050] (1) When the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 obtains the location information of the delivery vehicle 10, the processing circuit 53 sets the delivery area AD of the delivery vehicle 10 based on the current location of the delivery vehicle 10. In addition, the processing circuit 53 obtains the delivery destination DD located in the delivery area AD. For example, it is assumed that the processing circuit 53 obtains a plurality of delivery destinations DD1 to DD4 as the delivery destination DD located in the delivery area AD. Then, the processing circuit 53 sends a delivery notification to the plurality of delivery destinations DD1 to DD4.
[0051] For example, among multiple delivery destinations DD1 to DD4, the resident of the delivery destination DD1 uses his or her terminal device 30 to send a message that he or she is at home as a reply to the delivery notification to the delivery management system 50. In this case, the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 allows the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods to the delivery destination DD1 that has replied to the delivery notification. Then, information that allows delivery to the delivery destination DD1 is sent from the delivery management system 50 to the portable terminal 20 held by the delivery person of the delivery vehicle 10. In this case, the delivery vehicle 10 delivers goods to the delivery destination DD1 where the resident is at home. As a result, when the delivery vehicle 10 arrives at the delivery destination, the possibility that no one is there is low. Therefore, the delivery management system 50 can reduce the possibility of re-delivery to the delivery destination DD, thereby reducing the burden on the delivery person.
[0052] (2) The processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 determines whether the delivery destination DD is a delivery destination that allows delivery to a designated drop-off location based on the information registered in the database 52. Assume that the delivery destination DD4 is a delivery destination that allows delivery to a designated drop-off location. In this case, the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 allows the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver the goods to the delivery destination DD4 that is determined to allow delivery to a designated drop-off location, even if there is no response to the delivery notification. Then, information indicating that delivery to the delivery destination DD4 is allowed is sent from the delivery management system 50 to the portable terminal 20 held by the delivery person of the delivery vehicle 10. Therefore, the delivery vehicle 10 delivers the goods to the delivery destination DD4 that allows delivery to a designated drop-off location. In this case, even if no one is at the delivery destination DD4, the delivery person can complete the delivery to the delivery destination DD4. Therefore, the delivery management system 50 can reduce the possibility of re-delivery to the delivery destination.
[0053] (3) The processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 determines whether a courier locker is provided at the delivery destination DD based on the information registered in the database 52. It is assumed that the delivery destination DD3 is a delivery destination provided with a courier locker. In this case, the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 allows the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver the goods even if there is no response to the delivery notification for the delivery destination DD3 determined to be provided with a courier locker. Then, information indicating that delivery to the delivery destination DD3 is permitted is sent from the delivery management system 50 to the portable terminal 20 held by the delivery person of the delivery vehicle 10. Therefore, the delivery vehicle 10 delivers the goods to the delivery destination DD3. In this case, even if there is no one at the delivery destination DD3, the delivery person can complete the delivery to the delivery destination DD3 by storing the goods in the courier locker of the delivery destination DD3. Therefore, the delivery management system 50 can reduce the possibility of redelivery to the delivery destination.
[0054] (4) Regarding the delivery destination DD2, there is no response to the delivery notification, and delivery to a designated drop-off location is not allowed, and a courier locker has not been set up. In this case, the processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 does not allow the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods to the delivery destination DD2 that has not responded to the delivery notification. Therefore, the delivery management system 50 sends a message to the portable terminal 20 held by the delivery person of the delivery vehicle 10 that delivery to the delivery destination DD2 is not allowed. Therefore, the delivery vehicle 10 does not have to go to the delivery destination DD2. That is, in a case where the delivery vehicle 10 may not be able to complete the delivery of the goods even if it goes to the delivery destination DD2, the time and energy of the delivery vehicle 10 to go to the delivery destination DD2 can be saved. As a result, the delivery management system 50 can suppress the increase in the burden on the delivery person.
[0055] (5) In the delivery management system 50, the response rate RES is calculated for each delivery destination DD. Then, a reward corresponding to the response rate RES is given to the resident of the delivery destination DD. In this way, the delivery management system 50 can increase the willingness of the resident to respond to the delivery notification.
[0056] <Change Example>
[0057] The above-mentioned embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above-mentioned embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined and implemented within the scope of no technical contradiction.
[0058] The delivery management system 50 may provide a reward to a resident of the delivery destination DD who has replied to the delivery notification, while not providing a reward to a resident of the delivery destination DD who has not replied to the delivery notification.
[0059] It is not necessary to give incentives to residents of the delivery destination DD.
[0060] Information on whether a delivery locker is installed at the delivery destination DD may not be registered in the database 52. In this case, the delivery management system 50 may not determine whether to allow the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods based on the presence or absence of a delivery locker for the delivery destination DD that has not responded to the delivery notification.
[0061] The information on whether designated drop-off point delivery is permitted may not be registered in the database 52. In this case, the delivery management system 50 may not determine whether to permit the delivery vehicle 10 to deliver goods based on whether designated drop-off point delivery is permitted for a delivery destination DD that has not responded to the delivery notification.
[0062] The processing circuit 53 of the delivery management system 50 may set the delivery area AD in a method different from the method described in the above embodiment. For example, when the current position of the delivery vehicle 10 is "○○ Street", the processing circuit 53 may set "○○ Street" as the delivery area AD. In addition, the processing circuit 53 may set an area including "○○ Street" and any street adjacent to "○○ Street" as the delivery area AD.
[0063] Furthermore, as long as the processing circuit 53 sets the delivery area AD based on the current position of the delivery vehicle 10, the processing circuit 53 may set the delivery area AD in a manner that does not include the current position of the delivery vehicle 10. For example, when the current position of the delivery vehicle 10 is "○○ Street", the processing circuit 53 may set an area that includes other areas adjacent to "○○ Street" but does not include "○○ Street" as the delivery area AD.
[0064] It is also possible to configure the control device mounted on the delivery vehicle 10 to function as a delivery management system 50. In this case, the processing circuit includes a processing circuit and a database. Information related to a plurality of delivery destinations to be delivered by the delivery vehicle 10 is registered in the database. Furthermore, when the processing circuit sets a delivery area AD based on the current position of the delivery vehicle 10, a delivery notification is sent to the delivery destination DD included in the delivery area AD. For example, the processing circuit may send a delivery notification to the delivery destination DD from a portable terminal 20 held by a delivery person riding on the delivery vehicle 10.
[0065] The processing circuit of the delivery management system is not limited to a circuit that includes a CPU and a ROM and executes software processing. In other words, the processing circuit may be any of the following structures (a), (b), and (c).
[0066] (a) The processing circuit has one or more processors that perform various processes according to a computer program. The processor includes a CPU, RAM, ROM and other memories. The memory stores program codes or instructions configured to enable the CPU to perform the processes. The memory, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes all available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.
[0067] (b) The processing circuit has one or more dedicated hardware circuits for performing various processing. As dedicated hardware circuits, for example, ASIC or FPGA can be listed. In addition, ASIC is the abbreviation of "Application Specific Integrated Circuit", and FPGA is the abbreviation of "Field Programmable Gate Array".
[0068] (c) The processing circuit includes a processor that executes a part of various processes according to a computer program and a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processes of the various processes.
Claims
1. A distribution management system that manages the distribution vehicles that distribute goods. The delivery management system includes a processing circuit that performs the following actions, namely, The delivery area is set based on the current position of the delivery vehicle. Notify the delivery destination of the goods within the delivery area that the goods will be delivered, allowing the delivery vehicle to deliver goods to the delivery destination that has responded to the notification of intention to deliver goods, and The delivery vehicle is not allowed to deliver goods to the delivery destination that has not responded to the notification.
2. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein: The system further includes a storage device, wherein the storage device stores information related to whether the designated delivery location of the goods is permitted for each delivery destination. The processing circuit performs an operation of determining whether the delivery destination is a delivery destination that allows delivery to a designated drop-off location based on the information registered in the storage device, and The processing circuit performs an operation of allowing the delivery vehicle to deliver the goods even if there is no response to the notification to the delivery destination determined as allowing delivery to the designated drop-off location.
3. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein: The system further includes a storage device that registers information on whether a courier locker capable of storing goods is provided for each of the delivery destinations. The processing circuit performs an action of determining whether the express locker is provided at the delivery destination based on the information registered in the storage device, and The processing circuit executes an action of allowing the delivery vehicle to deliver goods to the delivery destination determined to be where the express locker is located even if there is no response to the notification.
4. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The processing circuit performs an operation of calculating a probability of a reply to the notification, that is, a reply rate, for each of the delivery destinations, and The processing circuit performs an operation of giving a higher reward to a delivery destination having a higher response rate than to a delivery destination having a lower response rate.