Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program product

Abstract

Provided is a technique that contributes to further high efficiency in delivery or collection of goods. An information processing system is provided with: a communication unit that notifies a labor service provider terminal used by a labor service provider candidate, which is a labor service provider for recovering and delivering goods, of recruitment of the labor service; the labor provider candidates are estimated to provide labor for the recovery and delivery of the goods according to conditions related to the recovery and delivery of the goods by other different delivery means; a control unit that approves the labor service provider candidate as the labor service provider; and a screen generation unit that generates notifications of information relating to the labor service of the collection and delivery of the cargo.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In recent years, due to the popularity of e-commerce, changes in the social environment, etc., the demand for logistics such as the distribution or collection of goods has increased dramatically. With the rapid increase in demand, the shortage of manpower in logistics has become a root issue for stably maintaining the logistics function itself. Therefore, various technologies for efficient distribution or collection of goods are being studied. For example, the following technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1: In the logistics of express goods, the load volume of one or more circulation shifts circulating between three bases is obtained, and it is determined whether to change the operation plan of the circulation shift based on the obtained load volume. In such an existing distribution system, the following hub-and-spoke method is adopted: the goods are gathered at a base such as a large warehouse at one time, and the goods are distributed from the base to all directions.

[0003] In addition, in recent years, as a new logistics force, for example, in food delivery services where users entrust the delivery of food using smartphones, etc., the provision of delivery services by workers who contract one-time work via the Internet (so-called gig workers) has begun to be flexibly utilized.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-52525 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, there is a demand for technology that contributes to further improving the efficiency of cargo distribution or cargo collection.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention is completed in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved information processing system, information processing device, information processing method and program product that can help further improve the efficiency of distribution or collection of goods.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising: a communication unit, which notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of the recruitment of a service provider, wherein the service provider is able to provide the service of collecting and delivering goods based on conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods performed by other different delivery means; a control unit, which approves the candidate service provider who is able to provide the service of collecting and delivering goods as a service provider; and a screen generation unit, which generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

[0012] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a communication unit which notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of the recruitment of a service provider, wherein the service provider is able to provide the service of collecting and delivering goods based on conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods performed by other different delivery means; a control unit which approves a candidate service provider who is able to provide the service of collecting and delivering goods as a service provider; and a screen generating unit which generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

[0013] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes: notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of the recruitment of a service provider, wherein the service provider is able to provide the service of recovery and delivery of goods based on conditions related to the service of recovery and delivery of goods performed by other different delivery means; approving the candidate service provider who is able to provide the service of recovery and delivery of goods as a service provider; and generating a notification of information related to the recovery and delivery of the goods.

[0014] In addition, according to the present invention, a program product is provided, which includes a program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, the information processing device comprising: a communication unit, which notifies the recruitment of service providers to a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider, and the service provider can provide the service of collecting and delivering goods based on conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods performed by other different delivery means; a control unit, which approves the candidate service provider who can provide the service of collecting and delivering goods as a service provider; and a screen generation unit, which generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a delivery section according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a recruitment notification screen for services of collection and delivery of goods generated by the screen generating unit 333 .

[0020] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 and showing a movement route from the current position of a service provider candidate to a cargo collection point.

[0021] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the recruitment notification screen for the service of collecting and delivering goods, which is generated by the screen generating unit 333 .

[0022] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 and showing a movement path from a cargo collection point of a service for which a service provider candidate has been determined to a cargo collection point related to another service.

[0023] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the recruitment notification screen for the service of collecting and delivering goods, which is generated by the screen generating unit 333 .

[0024] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the holding device 20 according to the present embodiment.

[0025] Fig.11 This is a first sequence diagram for explaining an operation example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Fig.12 This is a second sequence diagram for explaining an operation example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0027] Fig.13 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The contents of the embodiments of the present invention are listed and described. The information processing system and the like according to the embodiments of the present invention have the following configuration.

[0029] [Item 1] An information processing system comprising:

[0030] a communication unit for notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods under conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means;

[0031] A control department that approves service provider candidates who can provide services for collection and distribution of goods as service providers; and

[0032] A screen generating unit generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

[0033] [Item 2] The information processing system according to Item 1, wherein:

[0034] The control unit performs the following control:

[0035] acquiring, from the service provider terminal, location information of the candidate service provider and information related to the decided service provision schedule; and

[0036] A destination to which the recruitment notice is to be sent by the communication unit is determined based on the position information of the candidate service provider, the scheduled service provision status, and the means of movement of the candidate service provider stored in advance in a storage unit.

[0037] [Item 3] The information processing system according to Item 2, wherein:

[0038] The information related to the service of recovery and delivery of the goods includes current base point task information, which is information related to the following service: the control unit infers that the service provider candidate is able to provide the service based on at least any one of the distance, moving path and moving time from the current position of the service provider candidate to the goods recovery location.

[0039] [Item 4] The information processing system according to Item 3, wherein:

[0040] The information related to the service of collecting and delivering the goods includes determined task base point information, which is information related to the following service: the control unit infers that the candidate service provider is able to provide the service based on at least one of the distance, moving path and moving time from the cargo collection point or delivery destination in the service determined by the service provider to the cargo collection point of other services.

[0041] [Item 5] The information processing system according to Item 4, wherein:

[0042] The control unit performs the following control:

[0043] generating one or more delivery plans, the delivery plans including delivery routes and delivery means for delivering the goods to the goods recovery location by the other different delivery means;

[0044] approving the user as the service provider based on the user determined as the service provider candidate accepting the recruitment; and

[0045] When the service provider is approved, one of the delivery plans is selected and approved.

[0046] [Item 6] The information processing system according to Item 4, wherein:

[0047] The control unit performs the following control:

[0048] Obtaining service provision conditions indicating conditions under which each user can provide services; and

[0049] A user who satisfies the service provision condition among the users determined as the candidates is selected and approved as the service provider.

[0050] [Item 7] The information processing system according to Item 5, wherein:

[0051] The information related to the service of collecting and delivering the goods includes irregular task information, which is information related to the following notification: recruiting service providers for the service of collecting and delivering the goods in the delivery section planned to be delivered by the other different delivery means in the delivery plan generated by the control unit.

[0052] [Item 8] The information processing system according to Item 7, wherein:

[0053] The irregular task information is information related to a recruitment notice for the service of collecting and delivering the goods based on the following delivery entrustment: a delivery entrustment in which the delivery entruster of the goods has not specified the time for collection or delivery, or a delivery entrustment in which there is a remaining time of more than a certain time from the current time to the designated delivery time of the goods.

[0054] [Item 9] The information processing system according to Item 8, further comprising:

[0055] An operation display unit displays the recruitment notice and accepts an application operation of the user in response to the recruitment notice.

[0056] [Item 10] The information processing system according to Item 9, further comprising:

[0057] An authentication unit performs authentication processing for determining whether a request for authentication of the collection of the goods by the service provider, that is, goods collection authentication, is a request from the service provider approved by the control unit.

[0058] [Item 11] The information processing system according to Item 10, wherein:

[0059] When the authentication unit determines that the request for the cargo collection authentication of the cargo is a request from the service provider of the cargo, the control unit performs control so that the cargo can be taken out from the holding device holding the cargo.

[0060] [Item 12] The information processing system according to Item 11, wherein:

[0061] The holding device is an unmanned mobile body,

[0062] When the authentication unit determines that the request for the cargo collection authentication of the cargo is a request from the service provider of the approved cargo collection and delivery service, the control unit performs control so that the cargo can be taken out from the unmanned mobile body.

[0063] [Item 13] The information processing system according to Item 11, wherein:

[0064] The holding device holds the cargo released from the unmanned moving body.

[0065] [Item 14] The information processing system according to Item 11, wherein:

[0066] The holding device comprises:

[0067] said authentication department; and

[0068] An authentication communication unit receives information related to the authentication from the service provider terminal.

[0069] [Item 15] The information processing system according to Item 10, wherein:

[0070] The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from the service provider terminal.

[0071] The authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information.

[0072] [Item 16] The information processing system according to Item 15, wherein:

[0073] The authentication section performs authentication of collection of the cargo by the service provider in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal based on identification information associated with a holding device holding the cargo.

[0074] [Item 17] The information processing system according to Item 10, wherein:

[0075] When the authentication section authenticates the cargo recovery of the service provider, the control section approves the start of the provision of the service of the cargo recovery and delivery by the service provider.

[0076] [Item 18] The information processing system according to Item 17, wherein:

[0077] The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from a consignee terminal used by a consignee at a delivery destination of the consignment.

[0078] The authentication section performs authentication based on the identification information in response to a cargo delivery authentication request from the service provider terminal.

[0079] [Item 19] The information processing system according to Item 18, wherein:

[0080] When the delivery of the goods by the service provider is authenticated by the authentication unit, the control unit approves completion of the provision of services for collection and delivery of the goods by the service provider and completes delivery of the goods to the delivery destination.

[0081] [Item 20] An information processing device comprising:

[0082] a communication unit for notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods under conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means;

[0083] A control department that approves service provider candidates who can provide services for collection and distribution of goods as service providers; and

[0084] A screen generating unit generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

[0085] [Item 21] An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising:

[0086] Notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods based on conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means;

[0087] Approving candidate service providers who can provide services for the collection and distribution of goods as service providers; and

[0088] A notification is generated with information related to the recovery and delivery of the goods.

[0089] [Item 22] A program product including a program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, the information processing device comprising:

[0090] a communication unit for notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods under conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means;

[0091] A control department that approves service provider candidates who can provide services for collection and distribution of goods as service providers; and

[0092] A screen generating unit generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

[0093] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional structure are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit repeated description.

[0094] In addition, in this specification and the drawings, different numbers or letters are sometimes added after the same reference numerals to distinguish multiple components having substantially the same functional structure. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish each of the multiple components having substantially the same functional structure, each of the multiple components is simply marked with the same reference numeral.

[0095] <1. Overview of information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention>

[0096] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that can help to further improve the efficiency of the distribution or collection of goods. More specifically, the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention can realize a more efficient distribution system as follows: instead of the distribution based on the hub-and-spoke method as in the existing distribution system, or on this basis, it also includes distribution by distribution means such as unmanned mobile bodies and service providers such as part-time workers. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for service providers who provide services for the collection and distribution of goods.

[0097] Figure 1 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the information processing system of the present embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the information processing system of this embodiment includes an information terminal 10, a holding device 20, and a server 30. The information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network.

[0098] (Information Terminal 10)

[0099] The information terminal 10 is a terminal used by personnel involved in the delivery or collection services. For example, the information terminal 10 may be a tablet terminal, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0100] In addition, the information terminal 10 includes a service provider terminal 10A used by a service provider U who provides a service of collecting goods L delivered to a designated goods collection point by other different delivery means and delivering them to a delivery destination D. For example, the service provider U can view a notice related to recruitment for service provision received from the server 30 using the service provider terminal 10A.

[0101] The service provider terminal 10A receives a recruitment notice related to the service of providing the collection and delivery of the goods L from the server 30. The service provider U can view the recruitment notice by operating the service provider terminal 10A. Furthermore, the service provider U can accept the recruitment by operating the service provider terminal 10A. When the service provider U performs an operation to accept the recruitment in the service provider terminal 10A (for example, operating the entrustment button displayed on the screen, etc.), the service provider terminal 10A notifies the server 30 that the service provider U has accepted the recruitment.

[0102] In addition, the service provider terminal 10A has a function of displaying various information related to the above recruitment to the service provider U under the control of the server 30. For example, the service provider terminal 10A can display information such as the location of the cargo collection point related to the service determined to be provided, the current location of the service provider U, or the movement path from the passing point to the service provider U.

[0103] Furthermore, the service provider terminal 10A requests the server 30 for authentication of cargo recovery when the service provider U recovers the cargo from the holding device 20 (hereinafter, cargo recovery authentication) based on the operation of the service provider U. When it is determined that the authentication is successful, the server 30 controls the holding device 20 so that the cargo held by the holding device 20 can be taken out, and approves the start of the provision of services (hereinafter also referred to as tasks) by the service provider U. Hereinafter, the cargo recovery authentication is also referred to as the start authentication of the service determined by the service provider U.

[0104] In addition, the service provider terminal 10A requests the server 30 for the authentication of the delivery of goods L when the service provider U delivers the goods L to the recipient R (hereinafter referred to as the goods delivery authentication) based on the operation of the service provider U. At this time, the service provider terminal 10A may also display the authentication image according to the response from the server 30 to the authentication request. When the identification information read from the authentication image is received from the recipient terminal 10B, the server 30 performs the authentication process of the goods delivery authentication using the identification information. For example, the server 30 may perform the authentication process by checking whether the goods ID of the goods L as an example of the identification information and the service provider ID of the service provider U are the IDs associated in the database of the server 30. The server 30 may approve the completion of the task of the goods L performed by the service provider U when it is determined that the goods delivery authentication is successful. Hereinafter, the goods delivery authentication is also referred to as the completion authentication of the service provision. In addition, the goods delivery authentication may also be authenticated by the server 30 according to the delivery completion operation (for example, operating the completion button displayed on the screen, etc.) of the service provider U in the service provider terminal 10A.

[0105] In addition, the information terminal 10 includes a consignee terminal 10B used by a consignee R to collect goods L at the delivery destination of the goods L. For example, the consignee R can use the consignee terminal 10B to read the authentication image displayed on the screen of the service provider terminal 10A according to the instruction of the service provider U or the instruction displayed on the service provider terminal 10A used by the service provider U. The server 30 can receive the identification information obtained by reading the authentication image from the consignee terminal 10B. In addition, the server 30 can use the received identification information to perform authentication processing for goods delivery authentication.

[0106] In addition, Figure 1 In the example shown, the information terminals 10 included in the information processing system of this embodiment are two examples of the service provider terminal 10A and the recipient terminal 10B, but the number of information terminals 10 is not limited to two. The information processing system of this embodiment may include two or more information terminals 10.

[0107] (Retaining device 20)

[0108] The holding device 20 is a device capable of holding goods. The holding device 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can hold goods. The holding device 20 can be, for example, an unmanned mobile body that moves by autonomous control using input information related to the positions of two locations such as the starting point of the delivery of goods (for example, the delivery start position of the goods L, the movement start position of the holding device 20) and the end point (for example, the collection position of the goods L), or three or more locations including a relay location (for example, in the case of delivery accompanied by the collection of goods L, the collection position of the goods L), and a return location (for example, the same location as the movement start position of the holding device 20, or a different standby location, etc.). In addition, the holding device 20 can also be an unmanned mobile body that moves by remote operation using operation information input by a manager who manages the unmanned mobile body.

[0109] Unmanned mobile objects can be, for example, drones that move autonomously, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that move by remote control of an administrator, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that move on land, or ships that move on waterways such as seas or rivers. Figure 1 In the example shown, the holding device 20A is a drone.

[0110] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body may be a mobile body that can move on at least two or more routes among land, water, and air.

[0111] In addition, the holding device 20 may also be a courier box that is set outdoors and can store the delivered goods. In addition, the courier box may also hold the goods released from the unmanned mobile body, and it is particularly preferred to have a mechanism that automatically takes the goods from the unmanned mobile body 10B into the courier box. In addition, the holding device 20 may also be a storage unit that is delivered simultaneously with the goods and separated from the unmanned mobile body, or a storage device with an electronic lock that stores the goods. When the authentication performed by the server 30 in response to the authentication request received from the service provider terminal 10A is judged to be successful, the holding device 20 can take out the goods it holds based on the control of the server 30. In the case where the courier box has an electronic lock function, the storage unit that stores the goods may also be unlocked based on the information related to unlocking sent from the server 30 to the service provider terminal 10A. The information related to unlocking may be an unlocking code, or the service provider may directly operate the storage box and enter the unlocking code, or the service provider terminal 10A may communicate and enter the unlocking code.

[0112] (Server 30)

[0113] The server 30 is an example of an information processing device, and has the following functions: accepting a request for delivery or collection of goods (hereinafter referred to as a delivery request) from a client, and generating a delivery plan including information such as the delivery means and delivery route of the goods. In addition, the server 30 has the function of managing the operation of each delivery means such as the holding device 20A based on the generated delivery plan. For example, the server 30 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a PC, or may be a cloud server. In addition, the method by which the server 30 accepts a delivery request is not particularly limited. For example, the server 30 may communicate with Figure 1 The delivery entrustment may be accepted by communicating with a smartphone used by a general consumer (not shown) or an external terminal installed in a retail store, a restaurant, or the like. Alternatively, the delivery entrustment accepted from the entruster may be input to the server 30 by an operator of the server 30, so that the server 30 accepts the delivery entrustment.

[0114] When accepting a delivery commission, such a server 30 first generates the above-mentioned delivery plan. At this time, the server 30 can also generate multiple delivery plans from the delivery start position to the end point of the goods L according to a combination of multiple different delivery means, delivery routes and time periods. The delivery means can be, for example, a drone, UAV or UGV that implements the holding device 20. Alternatively, the delivery means can also be a delivery person who uses a mobile body such as a vehicle (for example, a passenger car, a light truck, a light truck, a truck such as a motorcycle, a bicycle, a scooter, etc.) to transport the goods. In addition, the server 30 sets the final location that each delivery means can deliver, that is, the delivery location, as the goods recovery location CP, and generates a delivery plan from the warehouse WH to the goods recovery location CP. At this time, the server 30 can recruit the labor for the recovery and delivery of the goods L performed by the service provider U for the section from the goods recovery location CP to the delivery destination D. In this way, the server 30 can generate a delivery plan based on the combination of delivery by a delivery means other than the service provider to the goods recovery location CP (relay location) and the recovery and delivery of the goods performed by the service provider from the goods recovery location CP. Furthermore, the server 30 may also generate a delivery plan that does not use the service of collecting and delivering goods performed by the service provider when the deliverable location of each delivery means is the delivery destination of the goods L. More specifically, the server 30 may also specify the delivery means from the delivery start location of the goods L to the delivery destination as the end point only from other delivery means such as drones, UAVs, UGVs, or delivery personnel that perform services different from the services provided by the service provider. In addition, the departure location is not limited to a warehouse, and may be, for example, a store such as a retail store or a restaurant.

[0115] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the server 30 generates a delivery plan for delivering the goods L by the holding device 20A in the section from the warehouse WH to the goods collection location CP1. The server 30 also designates a delivery location that can be delivered by the holding device 20A as the goods collection location CP1. Figure 1 In the example shown, the cargo recovery location CP1 is a location (drone stand) where the holding device 20A can be taken off and landed and the cargo L can be delivered.

[0116] The server 30 also has a matching function for determining a candidate service provider who can provide services related to the collection and delivery of the cargo L from the cargo collection point CP1. The server 30 determines a candidate service provider from a plurality of pre-registered users. Furthermore, the server 30 notifies the user determined as a candidate service provider of a recruitment for service provision.

[0117] The labor provider U can browse the recruitment notice received from the server 30 in the labor provider terminal 10A. In addition, the labor provider U can accept (apply for) the recruitment by operating the labor provider terminal 10A.

[0118] When any user accepts the invitation to provide a service, the server 30 can select and approve a delivery plan based on a combination of collection and delivery of goods by the service provider from among the generated delivery plans.

[0119] When a delivery plan is approved, the server 30 manages various scheduled deliveries or collections related to the delivery plan, such as designating the delivery means and reserving the time intervals involved in the delivery plan. For example, the server 30 can register scheduled deliveries related to the delivery or collection of goods L within the delivery interval of the delivery personnel or the holding device 20 that delivers the goods L. In addition, in this specification, the delivery interval refers to the time period during which the delivery can be performed by each delivery means such as the delivery personnel or the holding device 20.

[0120] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the delivery interval of the present embodiment. For example, the one-day delivery plan DS of the holding device 20 (e.g., unmanned mobile body) or the delivery person is divided into each prescribed delivery interval (e.g., 15 minutes), and the holding device 20A or the delivery person delivers the goods L registered in each delivery interval at the time indicated in the delivery interval. Such a combination of the delivery plan DS and the delivery interval can be set for each candidate of a plurality of deliverable locations (goods collection locations).

[0121] For example, for a deliverable location (e.g. Figure 1 The delivery plan DS set for the cargo recovery location CP shown in the figure includes the following two types: a "full" delivery interval (hereinafter referred to as a full interval DF) indicating that the scheduled delivery of the holding device 20A or the delivery person is already full, and an "empty" delivery interval (hereinafter referred to as an empty interval DE) indicating that there is a vacant space in the scheduled delivery of the holding device 20A or the delivery person.

[0122] In addition, based on the approved delivery plan, the server 30 generates delivery instruction information for indicating information such as the delivery destination or delivery route to the holding device 20A or the delivery person. The server 30 can send the generated delivery instruction information directly to the holding device 20A, or send it to the delivery person terminal (not shown) used by the delivery person. The holding device 20A or the delivery person performs the delivery and collection operations of the goods L in accordance with the delivery instruction information. Thus, when the server 30 approves a service provider who can provide the service of collecting and delivering goods in the forward section from the deliverable location of each delivery means, it executes the delivery of the goods L based on the combination of the service provision by the service provider and other delivery means such as the holding device 20A. Therefore, more efficient delivery using multiple delivery means can be achieved.

[0123] The above is a description of the overview of the information processing system of the present embodiment. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10, the server 30, and the holding device 20 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0124] <2. Functional Configuration Example>

[0125] <2-1. Information Terminal 10>

[0126] Figure 3 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10 of the present embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the information terminal 10 of the present embodiment includes a communication unit 110 , a control unit 130 , an operation display unit 150 , and a position determination unit 170 .

[0127] (Communication Department 110)

[0128] The communication unit 110 performs various communications with the server 30. For example, the communication unit 110A of the service provider terminal 10A receives a recruitment notice of service provision from the server 30. In addition, the communication unit 110A sends a notification to the server 30 that the service provider U has accepted the recruitment based on the operation performed by the service provider U. Furthermore, the communication unit 110A sends an authentication request to the server 30. At this time, the authentication request may include identification information for authentication processing performed by the server 30. The identification information may be a service provider ID that can uniquely identify the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A, and identification information associated with the holding device 20 described later.

[0129] When the authentication image displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A, which is presented when the goods are delivered from the service provider U, is read, the communication unit 110B of the recipient terminal 10B transmits a notification of reading the authentication image and identification information read from the authentication image to the server 30. The identification information may be, for example, the goods ID of the goods L with the recipient R as the recipient's name.

[0130] (Control Unit 130)

[0131] The control unit 130 controls all operations of the information terminal 10. For example, the control unit 130 controls the transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 110. For example, the control unit 130A of the service provider terminal 10A causes the communication unit 110A to transmit information related to the execution status of the service currently determined by the service provider U input by the operation display unit 150A to the server 30.

[0132] (Operation Display Unit 150)

[0133] The operation display unit 150 has a function as an operation unit that can accept various operations performed by users of the information terminal 10 such as the service provider U or the recipient R. For example, the operation display unit 150A accepts an input operation of information related to the execution status of the service of collecting or delivering the goods L performed by the service provider U. The service provider U can receive a notice of recruitment of services by operating the operation display unit 150A. The operation of receiving the notice of recruitment of services can be, for example, an operation of pressing an application button displayed on the operation display unit 150A.

[0134] In addition, the service provider U can request the server 30 to authenticate the start of the determined service (authentication of goods collection) or the completion of the service (authentication of goods delivery) by operating the operation display unit 150A. In addition, the service provider U can view information related to the services being recruited or determined (the location of the goods collection point or the moving route, etc.) by operating the operation display unit 150A.

[0135] In addition, the operation display unit 150B can accept the reading operation of the authentication image on the operation display unit 150A prompted by the service provider U based on the operation of the recipient R. In this case, the recipient terminal 10B may also include Figure 3 In this case, the recipient terminal 10B may use the camera to read the identification information used for authentication from the authentication image based on the operation on the operation display unit 150B.

[0136] The function of the operation display unit 150 as an operation unit can be realized by, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard. In addition, the function of the display unit can be realized by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. In addition, the function of the display unit and the function of the operation unit can also be configured separately.

[0137] In addition, the information terminal 10 may also include Figure 3 In this case, the service provider U can also use the microphone to input the execution status of the service related to the delivery or collection of goods L. In addition, the information terminal 10 can also be further equipped with Figure 3 In this case, the service provider U can also confirm the information related to the service through the sound output from the speaker.

[0138] (Positioning Unit 170)

[0139] The position positioning unit 170 has a function of calculating the absolute or relative position of the information terminal 10. For example, the position positioning unit 170 can detect the current position based on a signal obtained from the outside. Specifically, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) that receives radio waves from artificial satellites to detect the current position of the information terminal 10 can be used. In addition to GNSS, a method of detecting the position by transmitting and receiving or short-range communication with Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), mobile phones, PHS, smart phones, etc. can also be used. In addition, the position positioning unit 170 can infer information indicating the relative change of the position of the information terminal 10 based on the detection results of an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, etc.

[0140] Above, refer to Figure 3 , an example of the functional structure of the information terminal 10 of this embodiment is described. Figure 4 , an example of the functional structure of the server 30 of this embodiment is described.

[0141] <2-2. Server 30>

[0142] Figure 4 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional structure of the server 30 of the present embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the server 30 of the present embodiment includes a communication unit 310 , a storage unit 320 , and a control unit 330 .

[0143] The control unit 330 includes a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and can realize its functions by expanding and executing a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) in a RAM (Random Access Memory). In this case, a computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon can be provided. Alternatively, these modules can be composed of dedicated hardware or can be realized by a combination of multiple hardware.

[0144] Data necessary for the calculations performed by the calculation device are appropriately stored in the storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 can be constituted by a memory such as a RAM, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory.

[0145] (Communication Department 310)

[0146] The communication unit 310 performs various communications with external terminals such as the information terminal 10 and the retaining device 20. For example, the communication unit 310 sends a recruitment notice for services to the service provider terminal 10A under the control of the control unit 330. In addition, the communication unit 310 receives a notification from the service provider terminal 10A that the service provider U has accepted the recruitment for services. Furthermore, the communication unit 310 receives location positioning information such as the current location of the service provider U, information on the execution status of the current task input into the service provider terminal 10A through the operation of the service provider U, and an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A. In addition, the communication unit 310 communicates with the smartphone used by the above-mentioned general consumer (client) or an external terminal installed in a store, etc., to accept the delivery commission.

[0147] (Storage Unit 320)

[0148] The storage unit 320 stores software and various data. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information of users who are pre-registered and can provide services for collecting and delivering goods. The user information includes, for example, the means of transportation used by each service provider U and information on the area where the service can be provided.

[0149] In addition, the storage unit 320 stores various information related to the generation of the delivery plan. For example, the storage unit 320 stores each delivery means, the delivery location of each delivery means, the availability of each delivery location, the availability of the delivery interval of each delivery means, and information related to the delivery request (for example, location information such as the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery request, the type and number of goods L, etc.).

[0150] Furthermore, the storage unit 320 stores a service provider ID which is identification information for uniquely identifying a service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A.

[0151] In addition, the storage unit 320 stores information related to the goods L. The information related to the goods L includes, for example, identification information of the goods L, the scheduled arrival time of the goods L, whether the goods L are frozen goods, whether the goods L are prohibited inversion items, prohibited stacking items, fresh food, fragile items, etc. that need to be handled with care, the means of delivery of the goods L, and information of the recipient R at the destination of the goods L.

[0152] In addition, the storage unit 320 stores a database of identification information of the goods L and information related to a service provider U approved as a service provider for providing the service of collecting and delivering the goods L. For example, in the database stored in the storage unit 320, the service provider ID of the service provider U associated with the goods ID, which is the identification information of the goods L, may be associated. The association between the goods ID and the service provider ID in the storage unit 320 can be performed under the control of the control unit 330 when the control unit 330 approves the service provider involved in the service of collecting and delivering a certain goods. In addition, the authentication unit 335 described later performs authentication processing of goods collection authentication or goods delivery authentication based on the above-mentioned database stored in the storage unit 320.

[0153] (Control Unit 330)

[0154] The control unit 330 controls all operations of the server 30. For example, the control unit 330 controls the communication unit 310 to send a recruitment notice of a service to the service provider terminal 10A. Such a control unit 330 has the following function: when the communication unit 310 receives a delivery request for goods L, it has the function of generating one or more delivery plans related to the delivery of goods L.

[0155] In addition, the control unit 330 controls the communication unit 310 to send a recruitment notice for the service of the user determined as the service provider candidate by the candidate determination unit 331 described later. The control unit 330 obtains the location information of the service provider candidate and the information related to the service provision schedule (for example, including the distance between the delivery destination and the current location and the required time, etc.) of the determined service provider candidate from each service provider terminal 10A used by the user determined as the service provider candidate via the communication unit 310. Furthermore, the control unit 330 determines the destination to which the recruitment notice is to be sent based on the location information of the service provider candidate, the service provision schedule, and the means of movement of the service provider candidate stored in the storage unit 320.

[0156] For example, the control unit 330 may determine a candidate labor provider who is estimated to be able to provide a service based on at least one of the distance from the current location of the candidate labor provider to the cargo recovery location, the moving path, and the moving time as the target of the recruitment notification of the service. Hereinafter, information related to the service that is estimated to be able to provide the service by the candidate labor provider based on the current location of the candidate labor provider is referred to as current base point task information.

[0157] Alternatively, the control unit 330 may also determine a candidate service provider who is estimated to be able to provide a service based on at least one of the distance, moving path, or moving time from the cargo collection location or delivery destination of the service determined by the service provider to the cargo collection location of other services as a target for recruitment notification of the service. In other words, the control unit 330 calculates the estimated position of the service provider at each time based on information such as the cargo collection location, cargo collection time period, and delivery destination of the task determined by the service provider. Based on the calculated estimated position, the control unit 330 estimates whether the service provider can provide services for tasks different from the determined tasks. Then, the control unit 330 determines the service provider who is estimated to be able to provide services for other tasks as a candidate service provider for the other tasks, and notifies the candidate of the recruitment of the other tasks. Hereinafter, information on other services that are estimated to be provided by the service provider candidate based on either the cargo collection point or the delivery destination in the service decided by the service provider candidate is referred to as decided task base point information.

[0158] Furthermore, with respect to the section in which the collection and delivery of goods is planned to be performed by delivery personnel or delivery means such as a holding device 20 such as a drone in the generated above-mentioned delivery plan, the control unit 330 can notify the candidate service providers of the recruitment of services for the collection and delivery of goods in the section if the specified conditions are met.

[0159] The prescribed condition may be, for example, the following condition: the delivery commission involved in the above-mentioned delivery plan is a delivery commission without setting the time designation information of the collection or delivery designated by the entruster. Alternatively, the prescribed condition may also be the following condition: the delivery commission involved in the above-mentioned delivery plan is a delivery commission with a remaining time of more than a certain time from the current moment when the communication unit 310 receives the delivery commission to the designated delivery time of the goods. Alternatively, the prescribed condition may also be the following condition: when the delivery destination location included in the delivery commission is outside the prescribed range (i.e., outside the delivery area for the holding device 20 and the delivery person) from the holding device 20 and the delivery person starting the delivery (e.g., the warehouse WH, the current position of the holding device 20, the current responsible area, etc.), a delivery plan based on the combination of delivery to the deliverable location (relay location) performed by the delivery means and the collection and delivery of the goods performed by the service provider U from the deliverable location to the delivery destination is generated. In this case, step 109 may also be entered without going through step S107. Hereinafter, information related to the service of the collection and delivery of the goods based on the delivery commission that satisfies the above-mentioned prescribed conditions is referred to as irregular task information.

[0160] By having the service provider undertake the services involved in such irregular task information, the delivery by the service provider can also be used in the delivery section where delivery means such as delivery personnel or drones and other holding devices 20 are usually selected without time delay. Therefore, the options for delivery means in the delivery section are expanded. As a result, the recovery and delivery of goods can be further efficient. In addition, by recruiting the services involved in such irregular task information, the employment opportunities for the service provider candidates increase. Therefore, the convenience for the service provider is also improved.

[0161] In addition, in the description of the example of the recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333, the content examples of the above-mentioned current base point task information, the determined task base point information and the irregular task information will be described in detail later.

[0162] In addition, the control unit 330 has the function of approving a user as a service provider based on the user determined as a service provider candidate accepting the recruitment. When a user is approved as a service provider, the control unit 330 selects and approves a delivery plan to a deliverable location of the service provider (the cargo collection location viewed from the service provider U) in the generated delivery plan.

[0163] When a delivery plan is selected and approved, the control unit 330 generates delivery instruction information including the designated delivery means and the designated delivery interval based on the delivery plan. In addition, the control unit 330 can cause the communication unit 310 to send the delivery instruction information to the delivery terminal used by the delivery person. Alternatively, the control unit 330 can also control the communication unit 310 to communicate directly with the holding device 20A and send the above-mentioned delivery instruction information. Alternatively, in the case where there is an administrator who remotely operates the holding device 20A, the control unit 330 can also send the above-mentioned delivery instruction information from the communication unit 310 to the information terminal (such as a PC) used by the administrator. In this way, the goods L are delivered based on the delivery plan generated and approved by the server 30.

[0164] (Candidate determination unit 331)

[0165] The candidate determination unit 331 has a function of determining a candidate service provider for the service of collecting and delivering goods based on conditions related to the collection and delivery of goods by other delivery means than the service provided by the service provider. The control unit 330 determines the service provider terminal 10A used by the user determined as the service provider candidate by the candidate determination unit 331 as the destination of the recruitment notice.

[0166] In more detail, the candidate determination unit 331 has the following function: one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the goods L from the goods collection point based on the conditions such as the distribution means, distribution route, goods collection point and goods collection time period included in the above-mentioned distribution plan generated by the control unit 330 are determined as service provider candidates. The candidate determination unit 331 determines the service provider candidates involved in the above-mentioned distribution plan from the pre-registered users. Hereinafter, in this specification, a user refers to a person who is pre-registered as a subject who can become a service provider candidate. The registration of the user can be performed by sending the user's information input by each user operating the information terminal 10 to the server 30 and storing it in the storage unit 320. Alternatively, the storage unit 320 can also save the user's information in advance.

[0167] The candidate determination unit 331 determines as a candidate service provider a user who is presumed to be able to provide services based on the cargo collection time period at the cargo collection location, the user's location information, the user's candidate means of movement, and the user's candidate predetermined service provision status. The cargo collection time period can be determined based on the delivery interval of each delivery means such as the holding device 20A and the vacancy status of the cargo collection location when the distribution plan is generated by the control unit 330. Alternatively, in the case where the delivery commission of the cargo L includes the collection of the cargo L, the cargo collection time period can also be the desired collection time. In addition, the candidate determination unit 331 obtains the current location of each user and the user's predetermined service provision status from the information terminal 10 via the communication unit 310.

[0168] In the process of determining the service provider candidates, the candidate determination unit 331 estimates the user's estimated position at each time and the moving path from the user's current position to the cargo collection point based on the user's current position and the determined service provision schedule. The candidate determination unit 331 determines the users who are estimated to be able to provide services based on the estimated estimated position and moving path as service provider candidates within a specified upper limit. In addition, the upper limit number of users determined as candidates may also be preset by the operator of the server 30.

[0169] Alternatively, the candidate determination unit 331 may obtain a waiting time, which is determined based on the management temperature zone and indicates the time during which the goods L can wait at the goods collection location, when the goods L is a product that needs to be refrigerated, for example. The waiting time may be predetermined according to the type of goods L and stored in the storage unit 320. The candidate determination unit 331 may also determine as a service provider candidate a user who is estimated to be able to arrive at the goods collection location within the period from the estimated arrival time of the goods at the goods collection location to the elapse of the waiting time.

[0170] (Screen Generator 333)

[0171] The screen generation unit 333 has a function of generating various screens. For example, the screen generation unit 333 generates a recruitment notice for a service provider. The recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 is sent to the service provider terminal 10A used by the user determined as a candidate service provider according to the control of the control unit 330. Alternatively, the server 30 may also have Figure 4 In this case, the recruitment notice may be displayed on the display unit (not shown) according to the control of the control unit 330.

[0172] Among them, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , an example of a recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 is described. Figure 5This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen for notifying recruitment of services for collection and delivery of goods, which is generated by the screen generating unit 333 . Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a state where a recruitment notification screen 610 generated by the screen generation unit 333 is displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. The recruitment notification screen 610 is an example of the current base point task information. Figure 1 Examples of each screen will be described by taking as an example a case where the service provider U shown is a service provider candidate.

[0173] The recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 may include, for example, the type of service being recruited (collection task or delivery task), information on the cargo collection location for the task, cargo collection time period, delivery destination, and information such as remuneration when a candidate service provider is entrusted with the service. Figure 5 In the example shown, the recruitment notification screen 610 shows that the type of the recruited service is a cargo collection task, the cargo collection location is drone bracket A, and the cargo collection time period is between 10:00 and 10:15. In addition, the recruitment notification screen 610 shows the address of the delivery destination and the remuneration.

[0174] In addition, Figure 5 In the example shown, a button B1 is displayed at the bottom of the recruitment notification screen 610. The service provider U can perform a response operation to the recruitment displayed on the recruitment notification screen 610 by pressing the button B1.

[0175] Furthermore, a movement path display button MB1 is displayed in the middle of the recruitment notification screen 610. Alternatively, the service provider U can view a map and a movement path from the current location of the service provider U to the cargo collection point of the service involved in the recruitment notification screen 610 by pressing the movement path display button MB1.

[0176] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 and showing a movement route from the current position of a service provider candidate to a cargo collection point. Figure 6 is Figure 5 The recruitment notification screen 610 shown is a screen to which the service provider U switches after pressing the travel route display button MB1.

[0177] like Figure 6 As shown, the moving path screen 620 is a map screen including the current position CL1, the cargo collection point CP1 and the delivery destination D1. The current position CL1 indicates the current position of the service provider U. In addition, the cargo collection point CP1 indicates Figure 5The location of the cargo collection point of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 610 is shown. The delivery destination D1 indicates the location of the delivery destination of the service.

[0178] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, the moving path from the current position CL1 to the cargo recovery point CP1 is indicated by a dotted line. In addition, the moving path from the cargo recovery point CP1 to the delivery destination D1 is indicated by a dotted line. The screen generation unit 333 generates a moving path screen 620 based on the location information of the service provider U obtained from the service provider terminal 10A, the location information of the cargo recovery point involved in the generated distribution plan, and the location information of the delivery destination. In addition, the screen generation unit 333 can update the display of the current position CL1 and the moving path in the moving path screen 620 in real time according to the changes in the location information of the service provider U. Through such a recruitment notification and the display of the map information involved in the recruitment, it is easier for the service provider U to determine whether to accept the recruitment of each service. Therefore, the convenience for the service provider U is improved.

[0179] Above, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , an example of a recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 is described. Next, referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , another example of the recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 is described.

[0180] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the screen for notifying the recruitment of services for collection and delivery of goods, which is generated by the screen generating unit 333 . Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a state where a recruitment notification screen 630 generated by the screen generation unit 333 is displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. The recruitment notification screen 630 is an example of determined task base point information.

[0181] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, the recruitment notification screen 630 shows that the type of the recruited service is a cargo collection task, the cargo collection location is drone stand B, and the cargo collection time period is between 10:00 and 10:15. In addition, the recruitment notification screen 630 shows the address of the delivery destination and the remuneration.

[0182] In addition, Figure 7 In the example shown, a button B1 is displayed at the bottom of the recruitment notification screen 630. The service provider U can accept the recruitment displayed on the recruitment notification screen 630 by pressing the button B1.

[0183] Furthermore, a moving path display button MB2 is displayed in the middle of the recruitment notification screen 630. Alternatively, the service provider U can view a map and a moving path from the cargo collection point of the task determined by the service provider U to the cargo collection point of the service involved in the recruitment notification screen 630 by pressing the moving path display button MB2.

[0184] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 and showing a movement path from a cargo collection point of a service for which a service provider candidate has been determined to a cargo collection point related to another service. Figure 8 is Figure 7 The recruitment notification screen 630 shown is a screen to which the service provider U switches after pressing the travel route display button MB1.

[0185] like Figure 8 As shown, the movement path screen 640 is a map screen including the current position CL1, the delivery destination D1, the cargo collection point CP2 and the delivery destination D2. Figure 6 As explained above, the current position CL1 indicates the current position of the service provider U. Figure 6 As explained, the delivery destination D1 indicates Figure 5 The location of the delivery destination of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 610 shown.

[0186] Cargo recovery location CP2 indicates Figure 7 The location of the cargo collection point of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 630 shown. In addition, the delivery destination D2 indicates the location of the delivery destination of the service.

[0187] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the moving path from the delivery destination D1 to the cargo collection point CP2 is not the moving path from the current position CL1, but is represented by a dotted line. That is, it can be understood that the moving path from the position of the delivery destination involved in the service determined by the service provider U to the cargo collection point of the other newly recruited service is shown in the moving path screen 640. In addition, the moving path from the cargo collection point CP2 to the delivery destination D2 is also represented by a dotted line.

[0188] The screen generation unit 333 generates a moving path screen 640 based on the location information of the service provider U obtained from the service provider terminal 10A, the location information of the cargo collection point involved in the generated delivery plan, and the location information of the delivery destination. In addition, the screen generation unit 333 can update the display of the current position CL1 and the moving path in the moving path screen 640 in real time according to the change of the location information of the service provider U.

[0189] By displaying the recruitment notification related to the determined task base point information and the moving path involved in the recruitment, the service provider U can more easily judge whether to apply for other tasks while considering the predetermined service provision status. Therefore, the convenience for the service provider U is improved. Furthermore, the service provider U can easily apply for the recruitment notified from the server 30, so the collection and distribution of goods using a variety of distribution means can be promoted. Therefore, it can contribute to the further efficiency of the collection and distribution of goods.

[0190] Above, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , another example of a recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 is described. Fig. 9 , another example of the recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 is described.

[0191] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the screen for notifying the recruitment of services for collection and delivery of goods, which is generated by the screen generating unit 333 . Fig. 9 1 is a diagram showing a state where the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, and the irregular task notification 670 generated by the screen generation unit 333 are displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. The irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, and the irregular task notification 670 are examples of irregular task information.

[0192] exist Fig. 9 In the example shown, it can be understood that each of the irregular task notifications 650 to 670 displays the information of the cargo collection time period, cargo collection location, task category, and delivery destination involved in the irregular task being recruited, divided by slash marks. Through these displays, the service provider U can view the outline of the irregular tasks that can be applied for on the operation display unit 150A.

[0193] The control unit 330 of the server 30 can determine the irregular tasks to be notified to the service provider terminal 10A used by the service provider U based on the distance between the current position of the service provider U and the cargo collection point involved in each irregular task.

[0194] In addition, for example, when the service provider U presses the Fig. 9In the case of an operation of any of the irregular task notifications 650, 660 or 670 in the example of the screen shown, the screen displayed on the operation display unit 150A can be transformed into a recruitment notification screen showing detailed information of the irregular task notification 650, 660 or 670 respectively.

[0195] And, for example, when the service provider U presses Fig. 9 In the example of the screen shown, when any of the irregular task notifications 650, 660, and 670 is displayed, the irregular task notification pressed may be in a selected state. Furthermore, when the button B1 is further pressed in a state where any of the irregular task notifications is selected, the service provider terminal 10A may notify the server 30 that the service provider U has applied for any of the irregular tasks in the irregular task notifications 650, 660, or 670.

[0196] Above, refer to Fig. 9 , another example of a screen for notifying recruitment of services for collection and delivery of goods generated by the screen generating unit 333 is described.

[0197] (Authentication Unit 335)

[0198] return Figure 4 Continuing, an example of the functional structure of the server 30 is described. The authentication unit 335 has a function of performing authentication processing according to the authentication request received from the information terminal 10. For example, the authentication unit 335 performs cargo collection authentication or cargo delivery authentication according to the authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A.

[0199] More specifically, when the communication unit 310 receives a request for cargo recovery authentication of cargo L from the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 performs the following authentication processing: determining whether the request is a request from a service provider U approved as a service provider of a certain cargo L. The authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing by referring to the database stored in the storage unit 320 and checking the cargo ID and the service provider ID corresponding to each of the service providers U. If the cargo ID included in the authentication request is associated with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 determines that the request for cargo recovery authentication of cargo L is a request from the approved service provider U. In this case, the authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication is successful. On the other hand, if the cargo ID is not associated with the service provider ID of the service provider U, the authentication unit 335 determines that the request for cargo recovery authentication of cargo L is not an authentication performed by the approved service provider U. In this case, the authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication is unsuccessful.

[0200] In addition, the authentication unit 335 may also perform authentication of the service provider U in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A based on the identification information associated with the holding device 20. The identification information may be, for example, an identification code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) printed, pasted, or built into the outer packaging of the holding device 20, or identification information that can uniquely identify each holding device 20 and can be obtained by reading the RFID by the service provider terminal 10A. In this case, the received identification information associated with the holding device 20 may be associated with the goods ID previously assigned to the goods L held by the holding device 20. In this way, when the authentication unit 335 performs authentication based on the identification information associated with the holding device 20, when the goods L are held by the holding device 20, the identification information associated with the holding device 20 may be associated with the goods ID of the goods L and stored in the database stored in the storage unit 320. The authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication is successful when checking that the cargo ID of the cargo L associated with the identification information associated with the holding device 20 included in the authentication request is associated with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A.

[0201] In addition, when receiving a request for goods delivery authentication of goods L from the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing based on the identification information received from the recipient terminal 10B used by the recipient R, which is the delivery destination of the goods L. For example, the authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing by checking the identification information (e.g., goods ID) received from the recipient terminal 10B with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A, which is the source of the authentication request.

[0202] Above, refer to Figure 4 , an example of the functional structure of the server 30 of this embodiment is described. Fig.10 , an example of the functional structure of the holding device 20 of the present embodiment is described.

[0203] <2-3. Holding device 20>

[0204] Fig.10 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the holding device 20 of this embodiment. Fig.10 As shown, the holding device 20 includes a communication unit 210 , a holding unit 220 , and a control unit 230 .

[0205] (Communications Department 210)

[0206] The communication unit 210 communicates with the server 30 via the network. For example, the communication unit 210 receives a control instruction of the holding unit 220 from the server 30 .

[0207] (Holding unit 220)

[0208] The holding unit 220 holds the goods L whose recipient R is specified by the recipient name. The holding unit 220 enables the service provider U to take out the goods L based on the control instruction received by the communication unit 210 from the server 30. For example, the holding unit 220 may be a box-shaped unit capable of storing the goods L, and may have a lid that can be opened and closed. In this case, the holding unit 220 may enable the service provider U to take out the goods L by allowing the lid to be opened. In addition, the holding unit 220 may also hold the goods L in a manner that fixes the goods L by a fixing object such as a belt or a frame. In this case, the holding unit 220 may also enable the service provider U to take out the goods L by detaching a part of the fixing object. The structure of the holding unit 220 is not limited to these examples, as long as the goods L can be held.

[0209] (Control Unit 230)

[0210] The control unit 230 controls all operations in the holding device 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls the holding unit 220 so that the goods L can be taken out from the holding unit 220 according to a control instruction of the holding unit 220 received from the server 30 by the communication unit 210.

[0211] Above, refer to Fig.10 , the functional configuration example of the holding device 20 of this embodiment is described. Fig.11 and Fig.12 , an operation example of the information processing system of this embodiment is described.

[0212] <3. Action Example>

[0213] Fig.11 This is a first sequence diagram for explaining an operation example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0214] (Example of actions from delivery entrustment to approval of service provider and approval of delivery plan)

[0215] First, the communication unit 310 of the server 30 receives a commission for the delivery or collection of goods (delivery commission) (S101). When the delivery commission is received, the control unit 330 of the server 30 generates a delivery plan (S103). In addition, one or more delivery plans with a short total delivery time and one or more delivery plans with a low total delivery cost may be preferentially stored as the generated delivery plans, and the process proceeds to the next step. In addition, in the case where it is determined to be an irregular task that meets the above-mentioned specified conditions, in step S103, a delivery plan may be generated based on a combination of delivery to a deliverable location (relay location) by a delivery means and recovery and delivery of goods from the deliverable location to the delivery destination by the service provider U.

[0216] In the case where the delivery plans generated by the control unit 330 in S103 are all plans for completing the delivery of goods by other different delivery means without using the service provided by the service provider, after the processing of S103, the processing of S123 to S127 described later is performed. In this case, the information processing system of this embodiment completes a series of actions from accepting a certain delivery commission to completing the delivery after executing the processing of S127.

[0217] When the delivery plan generated in S103 includes a delivery plan based on a combination of services of collecting and delivering goods by a service provider, the candidate determination unit 331 of the server 30 determines service provider candidates ( S105 ).

[0218] The screen generation unit 333 of the server 30 generates a recruitment notification of a service (S107). The control unit 330 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit the recruitment notification to the service provider terminal 10A used by the user determined as a candidate service provider (S109).

[0219] The control unit 130 of the service provider terminal 10A displays the recruitment notice received from the server 30 on the operation display unit 150 (S111). Here, in the case where no service provider U performs an operation to apply for the recruitment, the control unit 330 can change the delivery interval or cargo collection location of the delivery plan generated in S103 based on the combination of the service provided by the service provider. Furthermore, the server 30 can repeat the processing of S105 to S109 within a specified limit number of times or within a specified limit time until a certain service provider candidate accepts the recruitment of the service involved in the changed delivery plan. In the case that any service provider candidate does not accept the recruitment within the limit number of times or within the limit time, the server 30 can also select and approve other delivery plans that do not require the service provider to provide services. In this action example, the service provider U performs an operation to accept the recruitment in response to the recruitment notice received by the service provider terminal 10A from the server 30 in S109.

[0220] The service provider U reads the notification displayed on the operation display unit 150A and performs an operation to apply for the recruitment (S113). The service provider terminal 10A notifies the server 30 of the fact that the operation to accept the recruitment has been performed (S115).

[0221] The control unit 330 of the server 30 approves the recruited service provider U as a service provider (S117). At this time, the control unit 330 may cause the communication unit 310 to transmit a notification of decision to provide services to the service provider terminal 10A used by the approved service provider U.

[0222] The control unit 330 of the server 30 selects and approves a delivery plan to the goods collection location based on the combination of collection and delivery of the goods L by the service provider U based on the approval of the service provider U as the service provider (S119). Next, the control unit 330 reserves the delivery interval of the delivery means specified in the delivery plan based on the approved delivery plan (S121). Next, the control unit 330 generates delivery instruction information (S123). Next, the operation continues to Fig.12 The second timing diagram is shown.

[0223] Fig.12 2 is a second sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system of this embodiment. Fig.11 After the process of S123 shown, the control unit 330 of the server 30 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit the delivery instruction information to the holding device 20A (S125). The holding device 20A delivers the package L to the package collection point based on the received delivery instruction information (S127).

[0224] (Example of actions when collecting goods and starting a mission)

[0225] Next, based on the operation performed by the service provider U who has arrived at the cargo arrival location, the service provider terminal 10A reads the identification information associated with the holding device 20A (S129, S131). For example, the service provider U can operate the camera of the service provider terminal 10A to make the service provider terminal 10A read the above identification information from the identification code printed on the outer casing of the holding device 20A. Alternatively, the service provider terminal 10A can also send the identification information received from the server 30 in response to the approval of the application to the holding device 20A through short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0226] The service provider terminal 10A sends a request for cargo recovery authentication to the server 30 (S133). At this time, the request for cargo recovery authentication includes the identification information read in S131. Alternatively, when the identification information is sent to the holding device 20A as described above, the holding device 20A may send a request for cargo recovery authentication to the server 30.

[0227] The server 30 performs authentication processing by checking the goods ID associated with the identification information received from the service provider terminal 10A with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A (S135). If the authentication is successful, the server 30 controls the holding device 20A to remove the goods L from the holding device 20A (S137). In addition, the server 30 approves the start of the service provision by the service provider U and sends the authentication result to the service provider terminal 10A (S139).

[0228] The service provider U collects the goods L from the holding device 20A (S141), and delivers the goods L to the delivery destination (S143).

[0229] (Example of actions when delivering goods to the delivery destination and completing the mission)

[0230] When the goods L are delivered to the delivery destination, the service provider U performs a goods delivery process operation by operating the operation display unit 150 of the service provider terminal 10A (S145). The goods delivery process operation may be, for example, an operation in which the service provider U presses a "goods delivery process" button displayed on the operation display unit 150. Based on the fact that this operation has been performed, the service provider terminal 10A makes an authentication request for goods delivery authentication to the server 30 (S147).

[0231] When receiving the authentication request for cargo delivery authentication from the service provider terminal 10A, the server 30 sends a notification of additional operation instructions to the service provider terminal 10A (S149). The additional operation instructions may be, for example, "Please present the authentication image displayed on the screen to the recipient of the cargo and request reading operation".

[0232] The consignee R, the consignee of the goods L, operates the consignee terminal 10B to read the identification information displayed on the operation display unit 150 of the service provider terminal 10A (S151). The consignee terminal 10B sends the read identification information to the server 30 (S153). The identification information may be, for example, the goods ID of the goods L obtained by reading the identification code printed on the outer packaging of the goods L.

[0233] When receiving the identification information (goods ID) from the recipient terminal 10B, the server 30 performs authentication processing (S155) by comparing the goods ID with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A who requested authentication for goods delivery authentication in S147.

[0234] If the authentication is successful, the server 30 approves the completion of the service provision by the service provider U, and transmits the authentication result to the service provider terminal 10A (S157).

[0235] <4. Modification of this embodiment>

[0236] Above, refer to Fig.11 and Fig.12 , an operation example of the information processing system of this embodiment is described. The technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. First, the additional functions of the communication unit and the control unit in the components of the holding device 20 of this modification are described.

[0237] The communication unit 210 of this modification also has a function as an authentication communication unit capable of directly communicating with the service provider terminal 10A. The communication method used to communicate with the service provider terminal 10A is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, and Wi-Fi. The communication unit 210 receives an authentication request including a service provider ID of a service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A from the service provider terminal 10A.

[0238] The control unit 230 of this modification also has a function as an authentication unit that performs the following authentication processing: determining whether the request for cargo collection authentication of the cargo L is a request from a service provider U approved by the server 30 as a service provider for the service of collecting and delivering the cargo L. The control unit 230 stores the service provider ID of the approved service provider U who can receive the cargo L held by the holding device 20. The service provider ID may be sent from the server 30 to the communication unit 210 in advance, or may be stored when the holding device 20 is made to hold the cargo L.

[0239] When the stored service provider ID matches the service provider ID received from the service provider terminal 10A by the communication unit 210 , the control unit 230 controls the holding unit 220 so that the goods L can be taken out from the holding unit 220 .

[0240] According to the information processing system of this modified example, when the service provider U performs cargo recovery authentication, the service provider terminal 10A does not need to communicate with the server 30, and the cargo L can be taken out from the holding device 20. Therefore, in the case where the holding device 20 is an unmanned mobile body, when the holding device 20A stops at a place where the service provider terminal 10A and the server 30 cannot communicate, the service provider U can also perform authentication and recover the cargo L.

[0241] <5. Hardware Configuration Example>

[0242] The information processing described above is realized by the cooperation of software and the hardware of the server 30 described below. In addition, the hardware structure described below can also be applied to the information terminal 10 and the holding device 20.

[0243] Fig.13 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. Fig.13 As shown, the server 30 includes a control unit 330 , a memory 31 , a storage 32 , a transceiver unit 33 , an input / output unit 34 , etc., which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 35 .

[0244] The control unit 330 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the server 30, controls the data transmission and reception between various elements, and performs information processing required for the execution of applications and authentication processing. For example, the control unit 330 is a CPU and / or a GPU, and executes the program for this system stored in the storage 32 and expanded in the memory 31 to implement various information processing as described above.

[0245] The memory 31 includes a main storage, which is composed of a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage, which is composed of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The memory 31 is used as a work area of ​​the control unit 330, and also stores the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed when the server 30 is started, and various setting information.

[0246] The memory 32 stores various programs such as application programs. A database storing data used for each process may be constructed in the memory 32 .

[0247] The transceiver 33 connects the server 30 to the Internet and / or the blockchain network. In addition, the transceiver 33 may include a Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) short-range communication interface.

[0248] The input / output unit 34 includes information input devices such as a keyboard, a microphone, and a mouse, and output devices such as a display and a speaker.

[0249] The bus 35 is commonly connected to the above-mentioned elements, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0250] <6.Supplement>

[0251] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this example. Obviously, a person with common knowledge in the technical field of the present invention can think of various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea recorded in the claims, and these changes or modifications are of course also understood to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0252] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the candidate determination unit 331 determines as a candidate service provider a user who is presumed to be able to provide services based on the cargo collection time period at the cargo collection location, the user's current location, the user's means of movement, and the user's predetermined service provision status, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the candidate determination unit 331 may also obtain in advance the conditions for providing services that indicate the conditions under which each user can provide services. The conditions for providing services include, for example, the area in which each user can collect and deliver goods, or the time period in which the service provision can be handled without receiving a recruitment notice.

[0253] In this case, the candidate decision unit 331 may not need to notify the user who is determined to be a candidate for the service provider of recruitment, but may immediately approve the user who meets the above-mentioned conditions for providing services as a service provider. At this time, the control unit 330 of the server 30 may also send a notification that the user has been determined to be a service provider from the communication unit 310 to the service provider terminal 10A. Thus, the control unit 330 can immediately approve a certain user as a service provider without waiting for the user to accept the recruitment. Therefore, the time until the distribution plan generated by the control unit 330 is approved can be further shortened. In addition, for the service provider U, it is also possible to automatically apply for tasks that meet the conditions for accepting recruitment. Therefore, the convenience of the service provider's goods recovery and distribution services is improved.

[0254] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the example in which the service provider U provides a cargo delivery service from the cargo collection location to the delivery destination is mainly described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The service provider U may also provide a cargo collection service from the client of the delivery entrustment. In this case, the service provider U may also provide a service for collecting and delivering the cargo L from the designated collection location of the client of the delivery entrustment to an intermediate location such as a warehouse WH or a drone stand.

[0255] In addition, the steps in the operation processing of the information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 of this embodiment do not necessarily have to be processed in chronological order in the order described as the explanatory diagram. For example, the steps in the operation processing of the information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 may be processed in an order different from the order described as the explanatory diagram, or may be processed in parallel.

[0256] In addition, the effects described in this specification are only illustrative or exemplary, and are not restrictive. That is, the technology of the present invention can also have other effects that are clear to those skilled in the art based on the description of this specification in addition to or instead of the above effects.

[0257] In addition, a computer program can also be created, which is used to make the hardware such as CPU, ROM and RAM built into the information terminal 10, server 30 and holding device 20 perform the same functions as the respective structures of the above-mentioned information terminal 10, server 30 and holding device 20.

[0258] Explanation of symbols

[0259] 10: information terminal; 110: communication unit; 130: control unit; 150: operation display unit; 170: position positioning unit; 20: holding device; 210: communication unit; 220: holding unit; 230: control unit; 30: server; 310: communication unit; 320: storage unit; 330: control unit; 331: candidate determination unit; 333: screen generation unit; 335: authentication unit; 339: screen generation unit.

Claims

1. An information processing system, characterized in that: have: a communication unit for notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods under conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means; A control department that approves as service providers candidates who are able to provide services for the collection and distribution of goods; as well as A screen generating unit generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit performs the following control: acquiring, from the service provider terminal, location information of the candidate service provider and information related to the scheduled status of the determined service provision; as well as A destination to which the recruitment notice is to be sent by the communication unit is determined based on the position information of the candidate service provider, the scheduled service provision status, and the means of movement of the candidate service provider stored in advance in a storage unit.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The information related to the service of recovery and delivery of the goods includes current base point task information, which is information related to the following service: the control unit infers that the service provider candidate is able to provide the service based on at least any one of the distance, moving path and moving time from the current position of the service provider candidate to the goods recovery location.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The information related to the service of collecting and delivering the goods includes determined task base point information, which is information related to the following service: the control unit infers that the candidate service provider is able to provide the service based on at least one of the distance, moving path and moving time from the cargo collection point or delivery destination in the service determined by the service provider to the cargo collection point of other services.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The control unit performs the following control: generating one or more delivery plans, the delivery plans including delivery routes and delivery means for delivering the goods to the goods recovery location by the other different delivery means; approving the user as the labor provider based on the user determined as the labor provider candidate accepting the recruitment; as well as When the service provider is approved, one of the delivery plans is selected and approved.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The control unit performs the following control: Obtaining service provision conditions indicating conditions under which each user can provide services; and A user who satisfies the service provision condition among the users determined as the candidates is selected and approved as the service provider.

7. The information processing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The information related to the service of collecting and delivering the goods includes irregular task information, which is information related to the following notification: recruiting service providers for the service of collecting and delivering the goods in the delivery section planned to be delivered by the other different delivery means in the delivery plan generated by the control unit.

8. The information processing system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The irregular task information is information related to a recruitment notice for the service of collecting and delivering the goods based on the following delivery entrustment: a delivery entrustment in which the delivery entruster of the goods has not specified the time for collection or delivery, or a delivery entrustment in which there is a remaining time of more than a certain time from the current time to the designated delivery time of the goods.

9. The information processing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also available: An operation display unit displays the recruitment notice and accepts an application operation of the user in response to the recruitment notice.

10. The information processing system according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also available: An authentication unit performs authentication processing for determining whether a request for authentication of the collection of the goods by the service provider, that is, goods collection authentication, is a request from the service provider approved by the control unit.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the authentication unit determines that the request for the cargo collection authentication of the cargo is a request from the service provider of the cargo, the control unit performs control so that the cargo can be taken out from the holding device holding the cargo.

12. The information processing system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The holding device is an unmanned mobile body, When the authentication unit determines that the request for the cargo collection authentication of the cargo is a request from the service provider of the approved cargo collection and delivery service, the control unit performs control so that the cargo can be taken out from the unmanned mobile body.

13. The information processing system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The holding device holds the cargo released from the unmanned moving body.

14. The information processing system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The holding device comprises: said authentication department; and An authentication communication unit receives information related to the authentication from the service provider terminal.

15. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from the service provider terminal. The authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information.

16. The information processing system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The authentication section performs authentication of collection of the cargo by the service provider in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal based on identification information associated with a holding device holding the cargo.

17. The information processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the authentication section authenticates the cargo recovery of the service provider, the control section approves the start of the provision of the service of the cargo recovery and delivery by the service provider.

18. The information processing system according to claim 17, characterized in that: The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from a consignee terminal used by a consignee at a delivery destination of the consignment. The authentication section performs authentication based on the identification information in response to a cargo delivery authentication request from the service provider terminal.

19. The information processing system according to claim 18, characterized in that: An information processing system according to Item 18, wherein, when the delivery of the goods by the service provider is authenticated by the authentication unit, the control unit approves the completion of the provision of services for collection and delivery of the goods by the service provider and completes the delivery of the goods to the delivery destination.

20. An information processing device, characterized in that: have: a communication unit for notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods under conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means; A control department that approves as service providers candidates who are able to provide services for the collection and distribution of goods; as well as A screen generating unit generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

21. An information processing method executed by a computer, characterized in that: include: Notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods based on conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means; Approving candidate service providers who can provide services for the collection and distribution of goods as service providers; and A notification is generated with information related to the recovery and delivery of the goods.

22. A program product, characterized in that A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, the information processing device comprising: a communication unit for notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of recruitment of a service provider who can provide a service of collecting and delivering goods under conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering goods by another different delivery means; A control department that approves as service providers candidates who are able to provide services for the collection and distribution of goods; as well as A screen generating unit generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the goods.

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