Management method of distribution box

Abstract

A method for managing a distribution box disposed at a predetermined receiving site, the distribution box being provided with: a plurality of storage units configured to store goods; and a locking part configured to lock and unlock each of the accommodating parts. The management method of the distribution box comprises the following steps: a control device determines whether a replacement execution condition is satisfied, wherein the number of accommodating parts for accommodating goods in the distribution box configured at a receiving site is less than a specified number; and when the replacement execution condition is satisfied, the control device transmits, to the terminal of the operator, an instruction to replace the distribution box disposed at the collection site with a new distribution box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for managing a delivery box. Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-90551 discloses a delivery system that uses a self-propelled delivery box that can move between a delivery point that is a delivery source of goods and a collection point where customers receive goods. The delivery box has a storage section that can store goods and an authentication section that allows the door of the storage section to be opened. The customer goes to the collection point and opens the door of the delivery box to receive the goods delivered to him. Summary of the invention

[0003] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] In the delivery system disclosed in the above publication, an appropriate management method for the delivery boxes arranged at the collection point is required.

[0005] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0006] A method for managing a delivery box according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for managing a delivery box disposed at a specified collection point. The delivery box comprises: a plurality of storage sections configured to store goods; and a locking section configured to lock and unlock each of the storage sections. The method for managing a delivery box comprises: a control device determining whether a replacement execution condition is satisfied, such that the number of storage sections storing goods in the delivery box disposed at the collection point is less than a specified number; and when the replacement execution condition is satisfied, the control device instructs an operator's terminal to replace the delivery box disposed at the collection point with a new delivery box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the delivery management system in the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A schematic side view of a delivery box is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 2 A schematic side view of the structure of the receiving portion shown.

[0010] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 1 A block diagram of the electrical structure of the distribution management system is shown.

[0011] Figure 5 Yes means Figure 1 Flowchart of processing related to a method of managing delivery boxes in the delivery management system shown.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the process related to the delivery box management method in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] (First Embodiment)

[0014] Hereinafter, a management method of the delivery box 20 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <Basic structure of the delivery management system>

[0016] Reference Figure 1 The structure of the delivery management system 10 is described. Figure 1 As shown, the delivery management system 10 includes a delivery box 20 and a delivery management server 11. The delivery management server 11 is connected to a user terminal 13 via a network NW such as the Internet in a communicative manner. The delivery management server 11 stores the user's contact information such as the email address received from the user terminal 13 in a memory 43 (see Figure 4 ). When there is a product to be delivered to user U, the delivery management server 11 sends information indicating that there is a product to be delivered to user U to the user terminal 13 of user U. The user terminal 13 is a communication device owned by an individual. The user terminal 13 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

[0017] In the delivery box management method of the present embodiment, for example, a delivery box 20 containing goods addressed to user U is arranged at a collection point PL near the home of user U, who is the recipient of the goods. When the user terminal 13 of user U receives information indicating that there is goods, user U goes to the delivery box 20 arranged at the collection point PL to receive the goods addressed to him / her.

[0018] The user U who receives the delivery box collection service registers the contact information such as the address, name, and email address in advance. The delivery management server 11 is set in, for example, the delivery base DB. When there is a shipment to be delivered to the user U, the delivery management server 11 notifies the contact information of the user U that there is a shipment to the user U. The method of contacting the customer is not limited to email, and any method that can notify the user personally of the information, such as telephone, LINE (registered trademark), SMS (Short Message Service), etc., may be used.

[0019] A delivery vehicle such as a truck that moves the delivery box 20 to the collection point PL set up in each region is allocated to the delivery point DB. The delivery point DB is also a base for collecting goods. Among the collected goods, the goods of the user U who accepts the delivery box collection service are stored in the delivery box 20 according to the collection point PL. An operator who is a staff member of the delivery company or a staff member of the delivery box transportation business entrusting party uses a delivery vehicle to move the delivery box 20 from the delivery point DB to the collection point PL. The user U goes to the delivery box 20 arranged at the specified collection point PL within the collection period to collect the goods sent to him. The above-mentioned information about the goods includes information about the collection period.

[0020] The delivery box 20 arranged at the collection point PL is replaced regularly or irregularly. The reason for replacing the delivery box 20 may be to deliver new goods 15 to the collection point PL, or to bring back to the delivery point DB the goods 15 of the user U who will pick up the goods 15 in the future during the collection period, or for the maintenance of the delivery box 20, etc. The reason for replacing the delivery box 20 may be, for example, that when there are a large number of goods 15 to be delivered on the same day or the next day, you want to have multiple workers store the goods 15 in a new delivery box 20 in advance at the delivery point DB, and then deliver them to the collection point PL together with the new delivery box 20. The delivery box 20 is replaced by moving the new delivery box 20 from the delivery point DB to the collection point PL, and moving the old delivery box 20 from the collection point PL to the delivery point DB. Figure 1 In the illustrated example, for example, the worker RW delivers and replaces the delivery box 20 .

[0021] <Structure of delivery box 20>

[0022] Next, refer to Figure 2 The structure of the delivery box 20 is described. Figure 2 As shown, the delivery box 20 may be, for example, a walking type. The walking type delivery box 20 has a main body 21 and wheels 22. The main body 21 of the delivery box 20 is provided with a plurality of storage sections 23 capable of storing goods. An example of the storage section 23 is a locker. The plurality of storage sections 23 include storage sections of a plurality of sizes with different storage volumes according to the sizes of the goods that can be stored. For example, the plurality of storage sections 23 include a first storage section 231 with a volume capable of storing large goods, a second storage section 232 with a volume capable of storing medium-sized goods, and a third storage section 233 with a volume capable of storing small goods. The plurality of storage sections 23 may also include storage sections with a volume capable of storing goods of other sizes. The plurality of storage sections 23 may also include storage sections with different volumes and shapes. The plurality of storage sections 23 may also include storage sections capable of storing elongated goods.

[0023] Delivery box 20 in Figure 2In the case of the walking type shown, it can be a self-propelled type or a towing type. In the towing type, the delivery box 20 is towed and moved by the transport vehicle. In the self-propelled type, the delivery box 20 may also have a driver's seat. The delivery box 20 may also be a loading type without wheels 22. The loading type delivery box 20 is, for example, loaded by an operator on a cargo bed of a transport vehicle and moved.

[0024] <Structure of the Accommodation Section 23>

[0025] Next, refer to Figure 3 The structure of the housing portion 23 will be described.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the storage section 23 includes a storage chamber 24 capable of storing the goods 15 and a door section 25 capable of opening and closing the storage chamber 24. The door section 25 has a handle 26 that can be held by the user U. The delivery box 20 includes a lock section 27 capable of locking and unlocking the storage section 23. The lock section 27 can be operated by, for example, inputting a password or a personal identification code using a keyboard. The password or the personal identification code can be set by the user U as a customer when registering for the service, or can be set individually for each goods as one of the information included in the goods information sent from the delivery management server 11.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the door portion 25 is provided with an input operation portion 28 that is operated when the user U inputs a password or a personal identification code, and a display portion 29 that displays the input password or personal identification code, etc. In addition to the input content, various messages such as operation methods can be displayed on the display portion 29. The input operation portion 28 can have a plurality of mechanical operation buttons, or can have a touch panel type operation button that is displayed as an image on the touch panel and can be input by the user U's touch operation.

[0028] Figure 3 The storage section 23 shown is provided with a sensor 30 capable of detecting the presence or absence of the goods 15 in the storage chamber 24. The sensor 30 is used to determine whether the goods 15 are taken out from the storage section 23. The sensor 30 is a non-contact type, and detects the presence or absence of the goods 15 in the storage section 23. The detection result of the sensor 30 is transmitted to the delivery management server 11 in the delivery base DB through wireless communication.

[0029] <Electrical Structure of Delivery Management System 10>

[0030] Next, refer to Figure 4 The electrical structure of the distribution management system 10 is described. Figure 4As shown, the delivery box 20 includes a control unit 32. An example of the control unit 32 is an electronic control device. The lock unit 27, the input operation unit 28, the display unit 29, the sensor 30, and the communication unit 31 are electrically connected to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 displays the lock information input by the user U operating the input operation unit 28 on the display unit 29. When the lock information is input, the control unit 32 performs an authentication process. When the lock information is authenticated, the control unit 32 unlocks the electric lock unit 27.

[0031] The sensor 30 determines whether the package 15 is taken out from the storage unit 23. The detection result of the sensor 30 is transmitted to the delivery management server 11 via the communication unit 31 and the network NW. The delivery management server 11 can understand the collection status of the package 15 in the delivery box 20 based on the detection result of the sensor 30.

[0032] A business terminal 12 as an example of a terminal of an operator is connected to the network NW in a communicable state. The business terminal 12 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone held by an operator who delivers and replaces the delivery box 20. The delivery management server 11 instructs the operator to move and replace the delivery box 20 via the business terminal 12.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the delivery management server 11 includes a control device 40. The control device 40 includes a computer 41. The computer 41 includes a CPU 42 and a memory 43. The memory 43 stores a program for delivery management (not shown). The computer 41 executes the program for delivery management to perform delivery instruction control required for moving the delivery box 20 to the collection point PL and the delivery point DB and management of the goods 15 in the delivery box 20. The delivery management server 11 includes a communication unit 44. The delivery management server 11 communicates with the delivery box 20, the business terminal 12, and the user terminal 13 via the network NW via the communication unit 44.

[0034] The control device 40 is not limited to a processing circuit that performs software processing on all the processes executed by itself. For example, the control device 40 may also be a processing circuit having a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing on at least a portion of the processes executed by itself. That is, the control device 40 may be configured as a processing circuit including one or more processors that act according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform at least a portion of various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and a memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. The memory, i.e., a computer-readable medium, includes any usable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of a method for managing the delivery box 20 arranged at a predetermined pickup point PL by the control device 40. The method for managing the delivery box 20 by the control device 40 includes the following (a) and (b).

[0036] (a) The control device 40 determines whether the replacement execution condition that the number RN of the storage sections 23 storing the packages 15 in the delivery box 20 disposed at the pickup point PL is equal to or less than the predetermined number N1 is satisfied.

[0037] (b) When the replacement execution condition is satisfied, the control device 40 transmits an instruction to replace the delivery box 20 arranged at the collection point PL with a new delivery box 20 to the operator's terminal (business terminal 12 ).

[0038] The new delivery box 20 has a number of empty storage sections 23 equal to or greater than the predetermined number N1. The predetermined number N1 is determined to be such that the goods 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be reloaded into the new delivery box 20. Figure 2 As shown, the delivery box 20 of this embodiment has multiple (for example, three) storage sections 23 with different storage volumes. In order to reload the goods 15 left in the old delivery box 20 into the new delivery box 20, it is necessary to ensure a storage section 23 with a volume corresponding to the size of the goods 15 still stored in the old delivery box 20 in the new delivery box 20. Figure 2 In the present embodiment of the delivery box 20 shown, the control device 40 determines whether the number RN of the storage units 23 in use is less than the prescribed number N1 according to the volume of the storage units 23 that still store the goods 15 in the old delivery box 20. For example, in the new delivery box 20, as empty storage units 23, there are N11 large first storage units 231, N12 medium second storage units 232, and N13 small third storage units 233. As a replacement execution condition, the control device 40 determines the number of storage units 23 in use in the old delivery box 20, that is, the number of used units, as follows. As a replacement execution condition, the control device 40 determines whether the number RN1 of the first storage unit 231 in use is less than the prescribed number N11, whether the number RN2 of the second storage unit 232 in use is less than the prescribed number N12, and whether the number RN3 of the third storage unit 233 in use is less than the prescribed number N13.

[0039] The lock unit 27 of the delivery box 20 is configured to be unlocked by authenticating the lock information. The management method of the delivery box may further include the following (c).

[0040] (c) The control device 40 temporarily provides the lock information of the old delivery box 20 to the operator who replaces the old delivery box 20 with the new delivery box 20. The control device 40 transmits the lock information of the old delivery box 20 to the terminal 12 of the operator who performs the replacement.

[0041] <Function of the First Embodiment>

[0042] Next, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 5 , the effect of the method for managing the delivery box 20 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0043] In the first embodiment, when the delivery box 20 is replaced, the goods 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 are reloaded into the new delivery box 20. Therefore, the control device 40 performs a determination process to determine whether there is an empty storage section in the new delivery box 20 for reloading all the remaining goods 15.

[0044] Figure 5 FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing between the delivery management server 11 (control device 40), the delivery box 20, the business terminal 12, and the user terminal 13 in the management method of the delivery box 20. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the user terminal 13 of the user U who received the goods 15 within the receiving period is described as “user terminal 13A”, and the user terminal 13 of the user U who did not receive the goods 15 within the receiving period is described as “user terminal 13B”.

[0045] First, in the delivery location DB, cargo is sorted into cargo to be delivered to a delivery box and cargo to be delivered to a home. The cargo 15 to be delivered to the delivery box is sorted for each collection location PL to be delivered. The cargo 15 is stored in the delivery box 20 of each collection location PL.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the control device 40 sends a cargo receiving request to the user terminal 13 and sends locking information as needed (step S11). The cargo receiving request includes cargo information related to the cargo sent to the user. The cargo information includes the receiving location PL, the receiving period, the delivery box number, the storage unit number, the cargo identification number, the cargo consignor information, the consignee information, etc. In the case where the locking information is a password or a personal identification code pre-registered by the user U, it is not necessary to send the locking information. For example, in the case where locking information is set for each cargo, the locking information is sent to the user.

[0047] The control device 40 sends a delivery instruction to the business terminal 12 (step S12). Figure 1) Upon receiving a delivery instruction via the business terminal 12, the delivery box 20 is delivered to the collection point PL (step S13). That is, the operator RW moves the delivery box 20 from the delivery point DB to the collection point PL. The operator RW, for example, places the delivery box 20 on a transport vehicle and transports it to the collection point PL. The delivery of the delivery box 20 can be performed by the transport vehicle towing the traveling delivery box 20, or by the operator RW sitting on the driver's seat of the traveling delivery box 20 and driving it.

[0048] Thus, before the start time of the collection period, the delivery box 20 is arranged at the collection point PL. The user U goes to the delivery box 20 arranged at the collection point PL at an appropriate time during the collection period to collect the goods 15 sent to him / her (step S14). For example, the user U operates the input operation unit 28 of the storage unit 23 to which the designated storage unit number is given to input the lock information (password or personal identification code). The control unit 32 of the delivery box 20 performs necessary handover processing for the user U as the recipient to correctly receive the goods 15 (step S15). In detail, the control unit 32 performs authentication processing of the input lock information. When the lock information is authenticated, the control unit 32 unlocks the lock unit 27 of the storage unit 23 to which the authenticated lock information is input. The user U opens the door 25 and takes out the goods 15 from the storage chamber 24. Thereafter, the user U closes the door 25. When the door 25 is closed, the control unit 32 locks the lock unit 27. When there is no more cargo 15 in the storage chamber 24, the sensor 30 switches from the detection state to the non-detection state. The control unit 32 determines whether the user U as the recipient has received the cargo 15 by detecting the opening and closing of the door 25 and detecting the presence of cargo by the sensor 30. When the control unit 32 determines that the user U as the recipient has received the cargo 15, it sends a cargo receipt notification to the delivery management server 11 (step S16).

[0049] The control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 determines whether the replacement execution condition that the number of used items RN of the storage units 23 in the delivery box 20 is less than the predetermined number N1 is satisfied each time the delivery management server 11 receives a delivery receipt notification indicating that the user U has received the goods 15 addressed to him / her from the storage unit 23 of the delivery box 20 is satisfied (step S17). That is, the control device 40 determines whether the replacement execution condition is satisfied each time the delivery management server 11 receives a delivery receipt notification indicating that the user U has received the goods 15 addressed to him / her from the storage unit 23 of the delivery box 20. When the replacement execution condition (RN≤N1) is satisfied, the control device 40 sends the delivery box replacement instruction together with the lock information to the business terminal 12 (step S18).

[0050] The operator RW who receives the delivery box replacement instruction using the business terminal 12 replaces the delivery box 20 (step S19). First, the operator RW moves the new delivery box 20 from the delivery base DB to the collection base PL. Next, the operator RW reloads the remaining goods 15 stored in the old delivery box 20 into the new delivery box 20. At this time, the operator RW inputs the lock information by operating the input operation unit 28, thereby unlocking the lock unit 27 of the storage unit 23. The prescribed number N1 that determines the replacement execution condition is set to a value less than the number of empty storage units 23 of the new delivery box 20. Therefore, all the goods 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be reloaded into the storage unit 23 of the new delivery box 20. After completing the reloading of the goods 15, the operator RW moves the old delivery box 20 from the collection base PL to the delivery base DB. In this way, the operator RW replaces the old delivery box 20 with the new delivery box 20. After the worker RW replaces the delivery box 20 , the worker terminal 12 transmits reloading information including the destination of the reloaded goods 15 , the delivery box number of the reloaded destination, and the storage section number to the delivery management server 11 .

[0051] The control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 sends (resends) a cargo collection request and locking information to the user terminal 13B, with the user U who will collect the cargo in the future as the recipient (step S20). The user U who will collect the cargo in the future is determined, for example, based on the reloading information. The locking information can be resent when the locking information is set for each cargo 15. In this case, the locking information can also be changed before and after the reloading of the cargo 15. The user U who receives the cargo collection request using the user terminal 13B goes to the collection base PL and collects the cargo 15 sent to him from the delivery box 20 (step S21). The control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 receives a cargo collection notification from the control unit 32 of the delivery box 20, and confirms that the user U has collected the cargo 15. For the new delivery box 20, the control device 40 also determines whether the replacement execution condition is met.

[0052] <Effects of the First Embodiment>

[0053] According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0054] (1-1) The delivery box 20 includes a plurality of storage sections 23 capable of storing goods 15 and a locking section 27 capable of locking and unlocking the storage sections 23. The management method of the delivery box 20 arranged at a specified collection point PL includes the following (a) and (b). (a) The control device 40 determines whether a replacement execution condition is satisfied, that is, the number of storage sections 23 storing goods 15 in the delivery box 20 arranged at the collection point PL is less than a specified number N1. (b) When the replacement execution condition is satisfied, the control device 40 sends an instruction to the operator's operator terminal 12 to replace the delivery box 20 arranged at the collection point PL with a new delivery box 20. Therefore, the delivery box 20 can be appropriately replaced.

[0055] (1-2) In the method for managing the delivery box 20, when the new delivery box 20 has the same number of empty storage sections 23 as or greater than the predetermined number N1, the delivery box 20 is replaced. Therefore, all the goods 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be reloaded into the new delivery box 20.

[0056] (1-3) The locking portion 27 is configured to be unlocked by authentication of the locking information. The management method of the delivery box 20 includes the following (c). (c) The control device 40 temporarily gives the locking information of the old delivery box 20 to the operator who replaces the old delivery box 20 with the new delivery box 20. Therefore, by unlocking the locking portion 27 of the old delivery box 20, the goods 15 left in the old delivery box 20 can be reloaded into the new delivery box 20.

[0057] (Second Embodiment)

[0058] Next, refer to Figure 6 The management method of the delivery box 20 in the second embodiment is described. In the first embodiment, the remaining goods 15 are reloaded into the new delivery box 20. However, in the second embodiment, the goods 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 are not reloaded, but are brought back to the delivery base DB together with the old delivery box 20. The structure of the delivery box 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the content of the delivery control performed by the delivery management server 11 is different from that of the first embodiment. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the user terminal 13 of the user U who received the goods 15 within the receiving period is described as “user terminal 13A”, and the user terminal 13 of the user U who did not receive the goods 15 within the receiving period is described as “user terminal 13C”.

[0059] The management method of the delivery box 20 in the second embodiment includes the following (d) and (e).

[0060] (d) The control device 40 transmits an instruction to the operator's terminal 12 to move the old delivery box 20 from the collection location PL to the delivery location DB.

[0061] (e) The control device 40 notifies the recipient of the cargo 15 still stored in the old delivery box 20 that the cargo 15 is at the delivery location DB.

[0062] Figure 6 The processing of steps S31 to S37 in Figure 5 The processing of steps S11 to S17 in is the same.

[0063] like Figure 6 As shown, in step S37, the control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 determines whether the replacement execution condition that the number RN of the storage units 23 in use is less than the prescribed number N1 is satisfied. When the replacement execution condition (RN≤N1) is satisfied, the control device 40 sends a delivery box replacement instruction to the business terminal 12 (step S38). At this time, the locking information may also be sent together. In the second embodiment, since the goods 15 are basically not reloaded, the locking information may not be sent. The prescribed number N1 is equivalent to the number of goods 15 that the user U has not received and is retrieved from the collection base PL to the delivery base DB, so it is preferably set to a value as small as possible. The prescribed number N1 is, for example, preferably a value of less than 30% relative to the total number of storage units 23 in the delivery box 20, and more preferably a value of less than 20% of the total number.

[0064] The replacement execution condition in the second embodiment may also include a period condition. For example, the replacement execution condition may be set such that the replacement execution condition is not satisfied during the collection period, which is the period during which the user U can receive the goods 15 from the delivery box 20, and the replacement execution condition is satisfied when the collection period has passed or when a predetermined grace period has passed since the collection period has passed, based on the condition that RN ≤ N1 is satisfied. This can avoid a situation in which the goods 15 are moved to the delivery base DB even within the collection period.

[0065] The operator RW who receives the delivery box replacement instruction using the business terminal 12 replaces the delivery box 20 (step S39). That is, the operator RW replaces the old delivery box 20 with the new delivery box 20. And the operator RW moves the old delivery box 20 together with the remaining goods 15 to the delivery base DB. In the case where the delivery box 20 contains a mixture of goods 15 within the collection period and goods 15 that have exceeded the collection period, the goods 15 within the collection period may be reloaded into the new delivery box 20, and the goods 15 that have exceeded the collection period may be moved together with the old delivery box 20 to the delivery base DB.

[0066] The delivery management server 11 sends a cargo collection request to the delivery base DB to the user U who will receive the cargo 15 from the future delivery box 20 via the user terminal 13C (step S40). The user U who receives the cargo collection request using the user terminal 13C goes to the delivery base DB and receives the cargo 15 sent to him / her (step S41). When the cargo 15 is received, the operator terminal 12 sends a cargo collection notification to the delivery management server 11. The delivery management server 11 receives the cargo collection notification through the operator terminal 12 and confirms that the user U has received the cargo 15.

[0067] <Effects of the Second Embodiment>

[0068] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effect equivalent to the effect (1-1) of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0069] (2-1) The method for managing the delivery box 20 includes the following (d) and (e). (d) The control device 40 sends an instruction to the operator's terminal 12 to move the old delivery box 20 from the collection base PL to the delivery base DB. (e) The control device 40 notifies the recipient of the goods 15 still stored in the old delivery box 20 that the goods 15 are in the delivery base DB. Therefore, the recipient of the goods 15 stored in the old delivery box 20 can go to the delivery base DB to collect the goods 15.

[0070] (Change Example)

[0071] The above-mentioned multiple embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and may be changed into the following aspects.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the predetermined number N1 may be changed according to the number of empty storage portions 23 in the new delivery box 20, or may be a constant value.

[0073] •The control unit 32 of the delivery box 20 may also function as an example of a control device. For example, the control unit 32 may also receive information of a specified quantity N1 from the delivery management server 11. The control unit 32 may also count the number RN of uses of the storage unit 23 that stores the goods 15 that the user U has not yet collected based on the detection result of the sensor 30. The control unit 32 may also determine whether the replacement execution condition RN ≤ N1 is satisfied. When the replacement execution condition is satisfied, the control unit 32 may send a replacement instruction for the delivery box 20 to the operator's terminal 12, or the control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 that receives information indicating that the replacement execution condition is satisfied from the control unit 32 may send a replacement instruction for the delivery box 20 to the operator's terminal 12.

Claims

1. A method for managing a delivery box, wherein the delivery box is arranged at a specified collection point, wherein: The delivery box includes: a plurality of storage sections configured to store goods; and a locking section configured to lock and unlock each of the storage sections. The management method of the delivery box includes: The control device determines whether a replacement execution condition is satisfied that the number of storage sections storing goods in the delivery box disposed at the receiving location is equal to or less than a predetermined number; and When the replacement execution condition is satisfied, the control device transmits an instruction to replace the delivery box arranged at the collection point with a new delivery box to the operator's terminal.

2. The method for managing a delivery box according to claim 1, wherein: The new delivery box has empty storage sections equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

3. The method for managing a delivery box according to claim 2, wherein: The locking unit is configured to be unlocked by authentication of the locking information. The delivery box management method further includes: the control device temporarily giving locking information of the old delivery box to the operator who replaces the old delivery box with the new delivery box.

4. The method for managing a delivery box according to claim 1, wherein: The delivery box management method further includes: The control device sends an instruction to the terminal of the operator to move the old delivery box from the collection location to the delivery location; and The control device notifies the recipient of the cargo still stored in the old delivery box that the cargo is at the delivery location.

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