Distribution management system
By using sensors and delivery robots to detect pallet information in the delivery management system, the problem of increased costs due to cameras has been solved, resulting in more efficient delivery management and reduced delivery costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
Smart Images
Figure CN122157407A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a delivery management system. Background Technology
[0002] A delivery management system is known to have a camera that takes pictures of the inside of the locker, detects the free space in the locker based on the images taken by the camera, and sends the images to a delivery management server (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-142600
[0004] However, the aforementioned delivery management system may increase delivery costs because cameras need to be installed in each parcel locker. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This disclosure was made to address such problems, and its main purpose is to provide a delivery management system that can suppress delivery costs.
[0006] One aspect of this disclosure for achieving the above objectives is a delivery management system comprising:
[0007] The delivery unit is capable of placing goods onto pre-established corresponding pallets and inserting the goods and pallets into each insertion section, and each insertion section is equipped with a sensor that detects information about the pallets inserted into each insertion section.
[0008] The delivery robot delivers a pallet containing the aforementioned goods to the insertion section of the delivery unit or retrieves a pallet containing the aforementioned goods from the insertion section, and has a sensor for detecting objects on the pallet inserted into the insertion section of the delivery unit.
[0009] The terminal sends receipt information indicating that the user has received goods from the tray configured in the insertion section of the delivery unit, and configuration information indicating that the user has configured goods on the tray configured in the insertion section of the delivery unit.
[0010] The storage unit stores delivery status information that represents the status of the insertion unit of the aforementioned delivery unit;
[0011] The information update unit updates the delivery status information of the storage unit based on the tray information of the insertion unit detected by the sensors of the delivery unit, the object information detected by the sensors of the delivery robot, and the collection information and configuration information sent from the terminal; and
[0012] The instruction unit instructs the delivery robot to deliver the pallet containing the goods and to retrieve the pallet containing the goods, based on the delivery status information updated by the information update unit.
[0013] In this method,
[0014] The aforementioned information update unit can update the delivery status information to a normal state indicating that the insertion unit of the delivery unit is functioning normally, based on the receiving information sent from the aforementioned terminal.
[0015] When the delivery robot moves toward the insertion part of the delivery unit, the information update unit, based on the information of the object detected by the delivery robot's sensors, determines that there are goods on the tray of the insertion part, and updates the delivery status information by changing the normal state to an abnormal state indicating that the insertion part is abnormal.
[0016] In this method,
[0017] The aforementioned information update unit can update the delivery status information to a normal state indicating that the insertion unit of the delivery unit is functioning normally, based on the configuration information sent from the aforementioned terminal.
[0018] When the delivery robot moves toward the insertion part of the delivery unit, the information update unit updates the delivery status information by changing the normal state to an abnormal state indicating that there are no specified goods on the tray of the insertion part if it determines that there are no specified goods on the tray of the insertion part based on the information of the object detected by the sensor of the delivery robot.
[0019] In this method,
[0020] When the delivery robot delivers a pallet containing the goods to or retrieves a pallet containing the goods from the insertion section of the delivery unit, the delivery robot's sensors detect objects in other insertion sections of the delivery unit.
[0021] The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information of the aforementioned storage unit based on the information of the object detected by the aforementioned sensor.
[0022] In this method,
[0023] When the delivery robot delivers a pallet containing the goods to the insertion section of the delivery unit, or retrieves a pallet containing the goods from the insertion section, the delivery robot's sensors detect objects located in the insertion sections of other delivery units along the path leading to the delivery unit.
[0024] The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information of the aforementioned storage unit based on the information of the object detected by the sensors of the aforementioned delivery robot.
[0025] In this method,
[0026] Multiple delivery robots can perform the aforementioned delivery and retrieval at the same insertion point of the delivery station. The sensors of each delivery robot detect objects within the insertion point of the same delivery station.
[0027] The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information of the aforementioned storage unit by comparing the information of the objects detected by the aforementioned sensors.
[0028] In this method,
[0029] The collection period for the aforementioned goods can be preset for the user.
[0030] After delivering the goods to the insertion section of the delivery station, the delivery robot moves to the delivery station within a specified time after the collection period, and the delivery robot's sensors detect objects in the insertion section of the delivery station.
[0031] According to this disclosure, a delivery management system capable of suppressing delivery costs can be provided. Attached Figure Description
[0032] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below.
[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the simplified structure of the delivery management system involved in this embodiment.
[0034] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the composition of the post office, delivery robots, and terminals.
[0035] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of the server device according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation
[0036] Implementation Method 1
[0037] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the simplified structure of the delivery management system involved in this embodiment.
[0038] For example, a user places the goods they wish to have delivered into a delivery station 2 located at a designated location. The delivery robot 3 retrieves the goods (B) from the delivery station 2 and delivers it to the delivery station 2 located at the recipient's location. Alternatively, the delivery robot 3 retrieves goods destined for the user from the delivery station 2 located at the sender's location and delivers the goods to the designated delivery station 2. The user then collects the goods from the designated delivery station 2. The delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment is used to manage the aforementioned delivery based on the delivery robot 3.
[0039] The delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a delivery unit 2 for delivered goods, a delivery robot 3 for delivering goods, a terminal 4 held by a user, and a server device 5.
[0040] These delivery stations 2, delivery robots 3, terminals 4, and server devices 5 are interconnected via a network 6. Here, the network 6 can be a wired or wireless communication line, such as the Internet.
[0041] Delivery point 2 is located, for example, near the residence of the recipient or sender of the goods. For example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the delivery unit 2 includes a frame 21 and an insertion part 22. For example, the basic form of the frame 21 is roughly rectangular when viewed from the front, and the front and rear surfaces of the frame 21 are open.
[0042] On the inner side of the frame 21, multiple pairs of insertion portions 22 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the frame 21. Each insertion portion 22 is, for example, a pair of guide rails. The insertion portions 22 extend along the front-rear direction of the frame 21 and are supported by the flange of the mounting tray 24. Each insertion portion 22 is accompanied by identification information including its height position information.
[0043] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the basic shape of pallet 24 is a flat plate capable of carrying goods B, with flanges protruding from the sides of pallet 24. Furthermore, a label 241 storing identification information assigned to each pallet 24 is provided on the side of pallet 24.
[0044] Tag 241 can be any NFC tag 241 that can be read and identified by NFC (Near Field Communication) sensor 23. Pallet 24 is reused, for example, for delivering goods B, and is delivered together with goods B. Goods B are placed on pallet 24 with a pre-established correspondence.
[0045] For example, Figure 2As shown, the NFC sensor 23 is fixed to the frame 21 at each insertion part 22. The tray 24 is inserted into each insertion part 22. The NFC sensor 23 reads the identification information of the tray 24 from the tag 241 of the tray 24 when the tray 24 is supported by the insertion part 22.
[0046] If the tray 24 is inserted into the insertion part 22, the NFC sensor 23 will send the identification information of the tray 24 and the identification information of the insertion part 22, which are read from the tag 241 of the tray 24, to the server device 5.
[0047] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the delivery robot 3 is configured as an autonomous mobile robot capable of moving to any location while holding the pallet 24 containing the goods B.
[0048] The delivery robot 3 delivers goods B to the delivery unit 2 by inserting the pallet 24 containing the goods B into the insertion part 22 of the delivery unit 2. Alternatively, the delivery robot 3 can remove the pallet 24 containing the goods B from the insertion part 22 of the delivery unit 2, retrieve it, and deliver it to a designated location.
[0049] The delivery robot 3 has a detection sensor 31 that detects objects inserted into the tray 24 of the insertion part 22 of the delivery part 2. The detection sensor 31 is, for example, a camera. The camera can detect objects on the tray 24 by taking pictures of the tray 24 inserted into the insertion part 22. The delivery robot 3 sends the information about the objects on the tray 24 detected by the detection sensor 31 to the server device 5.
[0050] Terminal 4 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet held by user U. When user U receives goods B from the tray 24 located in the insertion section 22 of the delivery unit 2, a prescribed operation is performed on terminal 4. According to this prescribed operation, terminal 4 sends a receipt information to server device 5 indicating that user U has received goods B from the tray 24. The receipt information includes the identification information of the tray 24.
[0051] Furthermore, when user U places goods B onto the tray 24 located in the insertion section 22 of the delivery unit 2, a prescribed operation is performed on the terminal 4. According to this prescribed operation, the terminal 4 sends configuration information to the server device 5 indicating that user U has placed goods B on the tray 24. This configuration information includes identification information for the tray 24.
[0052] The server device 5, for example, has the hardware configuration of a typical computer, including a processor 5a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), internal memory 5b such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), storage device 5c such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), input / output I / F 5d for connecting peripheral devices such as a display, and communication I / F 5e for communicating with devices outside the device.
[0053] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of the server device according to this embodiment. The server device 5 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 51, an information update unit 52, and an instruction unit 53.
[0054] The storage unit 51 stores delivery status information indicating the status of each insertion section 22 of the delivery unit 2. The status of the insertion section 22 includes information such as whether a tray 24 is inserted into the insertion section 22, identification information of the tray 24 inserted into the insertion section 22, and information on whether goods B are placed on the tray 24 inserted into the insertion section 22. The storage unit 51 is composed of the aforementioned storage device, etc.
[0055] The information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information of the storage unit 51. The information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information of the storage unit 51 based on the information of the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 detected by the NFC sensor 23 of the delivery unit 2, the information of the object detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3, and the collection information and configuration information sent from the terminal 4.
[0056] The instruction unit 53 instructs the delivery robot 3 based on the delivery status information stored in the storage unit 51. The instruction unit 53 instructs the delivery robot 3 to deliver the pallet 24 containing goods B to the delivery unit 2, retrieve the pallet 24 containing goods B from the delivery unit 2, or retrieve only the pallet 24 from the delivery unit 2 based on the delivery status information updated by the information update unit 52.
[0057] Next, a specific example of the above-mentioned method for updating delivery status information will be explained.
[0058] The information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information to a normal state, indicating that the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2, corresponding to the collection information, is functioning correctly, based on the collection information sent from the terminal 4. This is the case where the information update unit 52 considers that the user U has normally collected the goods B from the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2, based on the collection information from the terminal 4, and updates the delivery status information as normal. In this case, the instruction unit 53, based on the delivery status information updated to normal, instructs, for example, the delivery robot 3 to only retrieve the tray 24.
[0059] Here, for example, one can imagine a situation where, although user U did not retrieve goods B from the tray 24 of the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2, he mistakenly operated the terminal 4 and sent a retrieval message.
[0060] In response, when the delivery robot 3 moves toward the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2 as an incidental action, the information update unit 52, based on the information of the object detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3, determines that there is goods B on the tray 24 of the insertion section 22, and updates the delivery status information by changing the normal state of the delivery status information to an abnormal state indicating that the state of the insertion section 22 is erroneous.
[0061] In this case, the instruction unit 53 can instruct the delivery robot 3 not to retrieve the pallet 24 based on the delivery status information that has been updated to abnormal information.
[0062] In this way, the information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information to normal based on the receiving information from the terminal 4. However, if the information update unit 52 determines, based on the information of the object detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3, that there is actually goods B on the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 and the goods B has not been received, it changes the normal delivery status information to an abnormal status indicating that the insertion unit 22 is in error and malfunctioning, and updates the delivery status information accordingly. Thus, the delivery status information indicating the internal state of the delivery unit 2 can be appropriately updated using the incidental actions of the delivery robot 3.
[0063] The information update unit 52 can send a notification to user U's terminal 4 informing them of the abnormal status of the insertion unit 22. Thus, user U can realize that although they did not receive the goods B from the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2, they mistakenly believed they had received it.
[0064] Furthermore, based on the configuration information sent from the terminal 4, the information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information to a normal state indicating that the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2, which corresponds to the configuration information, is in the correct state. This is the case where the information update unit 52 considers, based on the configuration information from the terminal 4, that the user U has placed the specified goods B on the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2, and updates the delivery status information to normal information.
[0065] In this case, the instruction unit 53 can, based on the delivery status information (reservation information) that has been updated to normal information, instruct the delivery robot 3 to withdraw from the insertion part 22 of the delivery unit 2 to retrieve the pallet 24 containing the goods B and deliver it to the designated location.
[0066] Here, for example, one can imagine situations where user U does not place goods B on the tray 24 of the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2, or where, although goods B other than the specified goods B are placed, the terminal 4 is mistakenly operated to send configuration information.
[0067] In response, when the delivery robot 3 moves toward the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2 as an incidental action, the information update unit 52 determines, based on the information of the object detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3, that there is no specified goods B on the tray 24 of the insertion section 22, and changes the normal state to an abnormal state indicating that the state of the insertion section 22 is incorrect, and updates the delivery status information.
[0068] In this case, the instruction unit 53 can indicate, for example, not to retrieve the pallet 24 containing the goods B from the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2 based on the delivery status information that has been updated to abnormal information.
[0069] In this way, the information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information to normal information based on the configuration information from the terminal 4. However, if the information update unit 52 determines, based on the information of the object detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3, that there is actually no specified goods B on the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22, it changes the normal status of the delivery status information to an abnormal status indicating that the insertion unit 22 is in an error state or that an unknown object has been placed there, and updates the delivery status information accordingly. Thus, the delivery status information indicating the internal state of the delivery unit 2 can be appropriately updated using the incidental actions of the delivery robot 3.
[0070] The information update unit 52 can send a notification to the user U's terminal 4 informing them of the abnormal status of the insertion unit 22. Thus, the user U can realize that although the specified goods B were not placed on the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2, they mistakenly believed that they were.
[0071] In the delivery management system 1 described in this embodiment, the information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information of the storage unit 51 more accurately based on the information of the tray 24 of the insertion unit 22 detected by the NFC sensor 23 of the delivery unit 2, the information of the object detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3, and the collection information and configuration information sent from the terminal 4. Furthermore, the instruction unit 53 instructs the delivery robot 3 based on this correctly updated delivery status information.
[0072] Here, when the delivery robot 3 delivers or retrieves items from the delivery unit 2, the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 is used to detect information about the objects. Furthermore, the information update unit 52 updates the delivery status information in the storage unit 51 more accurately based on the information about the objects detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3.
[0073] Therefore, by utilizing the incidental actions of the delivery robot 3, such as delivery and recycling, to appropriately update the delivery status information representing the internal state of the delivery unit 2, the delivery robot 3 can perform more efficient delivery and suppress delivery costs.
[0074] Implementation Method 2
[0075] In this embodiment, when the delivery robot 3 delivers a pallet 24 containing goods B to the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2, or when the pallet 24 containing goods B is retrieved from the insertion section 22, the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 detects objects in other insertion sections 22 of the delivery section 2. At this time, the information update unit 52 can update the delivery status information in the storage unit 51 based on the information of the objects detected by the detection sensor 31. Thus, the delivery status information representing the internal state of the delivery section 2 can be appropriately updated using the incidental actions of the delivery robot 3.
[0076] Furthermore, when the delivery robot 3 delivers a pallet 24 containing goods B to the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2, or when it retrieves the pallet 24 containing goods B from the insertion section 22, the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 detects objects located in the insertion section 22 of other delivery sections 2 along the path it takes to move to the delivery section 2. At this time, the information update unit 52 can update the delivery status information in the storage unit 51 based on the information of the objects detected by the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3. Thus, the delivery status information representing the internal state of the delivery section 2 can be appropriately updated using the accompanying actions of the delivery robot 3.
[0077] Furthermore, multiple delivery robots 3 can deliver and retrieve items from the insertion section 22 of the same delivery unit 2, with each delivery robot 3's detection sensor 31 detecting objects within the insertion section 22 of the same delivery unit 2. The information update unit 52 can compare the information of the objects detected by each detection sensor 31 to update the delivery status information in the storage unit 51. Thus, the delivery status information representing the internal state of the delivery unit 2 can be updated more accurately using the accompanying actions of multiple delivery robots 3.
[0078] Furthermore, at this time, the information update unit 52 can perform a majority vote based on the information of the objects detected by each detection sensor 31, and regard the detection sensors 31 of the delivery robot 3 that output different results as abnormal. For example, the abnormal detection sensors 31 can be quickly replaced with normal detection sensors 31.
[0079] Furthermore, the information update unit 52 can consider the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 to be abnormal if the detection result of the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 differs from the detection result of the NFC sensor 23 of the insertion unit 22 of the delivery unit 2. This is because the NFC sensor 23 of the insertion unit 22 has higher reliability.
[0080] Furthermore, a collection period for user U to receive goods B can be preset for goods B. Goods B may be, for example, frozen or refrigerated goods. After delivering goods B to the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2, the delivery robot 3 can move to the delivery section 2 within a specified time after the collection period. At this time, the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 detects the object inside the insertion section 22 of the delivery section 2.
[0081] If the delivery robot 3 determines, based on information about the object detected by the detection sensor 31 within the insertion part 22, that goods B with a set collection period have not been collected, it can retrieve goods B. After the collection period for goods B, there is a possibility that the quality of frozen or refrigerated goods B may deteriorate over time. Therefore, the delivery robot 3 retrieves goods B if it determines that goods B with a set collection period have not been collected.
[0082] Furthermore, when the detection sensor 31 of the delivery robot 3 detects an object within the delivery unit 2, and the NFC sensor 23 of the delivery unit 2 detects that a tray 24 is inserted in that area, the information update unit 52 can update the delivery status information to show that there are two objects bounded by the detected tray 24. This is because it is impossible to insert the tray 24 into the area where an object exists.
[0083] While several embodiments of this disclosure have been described, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are encompassed within the scope of the invention described in the technical solution and its equivalents.
[0084] This disclosure can also enable the various processes performed by the above-described delivery management system 1 to be implemented by having the processor execute a computer program.
[0085] It is possible to store programs and supply them to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., floppy disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), optical-magnetic recording media (e.g., optical discs), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROM, PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)).
[0086] Programs can be supplied to a computer via various types of transient computer-readable medium. Examples of transient computer-readable medium include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transient computer-readable mediums can supply programs to a computer via wired communication paths such as electrical wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication paths.
[0087] Each component of the delivery management system 1 involved in this embodiment can be implemented not only by a program, but also by dedicated hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), either partially or entirely.
[0088] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that it can be modified in various ways and that many different embodiments, different from those presented and described above, can be deduced. Therefore, the technical solutions are intended to cover all modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A delivery management system, wherein, have: The delivery unit is capable of placing goods onto pre-established corresponding pallets and inserting the goods and pallets into each insertion section, and each insertion section is equipped with a sensor that detects information about the pallets inserted into each insertion section. The delivery robot delivers a pallet containing the aforementioned goods to the insertion section of the delivery unit or retrieves a pallet containing the aforementioned goods from the insertion section, and has a sensor for detecting objects on the pallet inserted into the insertion section of the delivery unit. The terminal sends receipt information indicating that the user has received goods from the tray configured in the insertion section of the delivery unit, and configuration information indicating that the user has configured goods on the tray configured in the insertion section of the delivery unit. The storage unit stores delivery status information that represents the status of the insertion unit of the aforementioned delivery unit; The information update unit updates the delivery status information of the storage unit based on the information of the tray of the insertion unit detected by the sensors of the delivery unit, the information of the object detected by the sensors of the delivery robot, and the collection information and configuration information sent from the terminal. as well as The instruction unit instructs the delivery robot to deliver the pallet containing the goods and to retrieve the pallet containing the goods, based on the delivery status information updated by the information update unit.
2. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information to a normal state, indicating that the insertion unit of the delivery unit corresponding to the aforementioned receiving information is functioning normally, based on the receiving information sent from the aforementioned terminal. When the delivery robot moves toward the insertion part of the delivery unit, the information update unit, based on the information of the object detected by the delivery robot's sensors, determines that there are goods on the tray of the insertion part, and updates the delivery status information by changing the normal state to an abnormal state indicating that the insertion part is abnormal.
3. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information to a normal state, indicating that the insertion unit of the delivery unit is functioning normally according to the configuration information sent from the aforementioned terminal. When the delivery robot moves toward the insertion part of the delivery unit, the information update unit updates the delivery status information by changing the normal state to an abnormal state indicating that there are no specified goods on the tray of the insertion part if it determines that there are no specified goods on the tray of the insertion part based on the information of the object detected by the sensor of the delivery robot.
4. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein, When the delivery robot delivers a pallet containing the goods to or retrieves a pallet containing the goods from the insertion section of the delivery unit, the delivery robot's sensors detect objects in other insertion sections of the delivery unit. The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information of the aforementioned storage unit based on the information of the object detected by the aforementioned sensor.
5. The delivery management system according to claim 1, wherein, When the delivery robot delivers a pallet containing the goods to or retrieves a pallet containing the goods from the insertion section of the delivery unit, the delivery robot's sensors detect objects located in the insertion sections of other delivery units along the path leading to the delivery unit. The aforementioned information update unit updates the delivery status information of the aforementioned storage unit based on the information of the object detected by the sensors of the aforementioned delivery robot.