Receiving device system

Abstract

The present application simplifies the replenishment of goods. The storage device system (100) of the present application includes: a storage device (1) having a plurality of lockable and unlockable storage units (10); a replenisher mobile terminal (50) owned by a replenisher who replenishes goods to the storage device (1); and a management server (40) that manages the storage device (1), the management server (40) allocating the storage units (10) to goods with the condition that the storage units (10) are selected by a user who purchases the goods, and directly or indirectly sending the replenishment determination information that determines the storage units to the replenisher mobile terminal (50), the storage device (1) sending the read replenishment determination information to the management server (40) when the replenishment determination information is read from the replenisher mobile terminal (50) through a reading unit (24), and unlocking the allocated storage units (10) and allowing the replenishment of goods with the condition that the management server (40) authenticates that the replenishment determination information is valid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a storage device system. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, Patent Document 1 disclosed a storage device system. In this storage device system, a management server that manages the storage device extracts a storage compartment corresponding to the size of the product according to the request of the replenisher (also known as the depositor), and allocates the storage compartment selected by the depositor to the product. Then, provided that the depositor has completed the prescribed authentication procedures on the storage device, the storage device allows the replenishment of the product to the corresponding storage compartment.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-165732 Summary of the Invention

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

[0007] However, in the aforementioned storage system, when replenishing goods, the replenisher needs to select the storage section each time, which makes the replenishment process cumbersome.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned actual situation, the present invention aims to provide a simplified storage device system that can realize the replenishment of goods.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the storage device system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage device having multiple lockable and unlockable storage sections; a mobile terminal owned by a user who replenishes goods to the storage device; and a management server that manages the storage device. The management server allocates a storage section to a product based on the availability of the storage section selected by the user who purchased the product, and simultaneously sends replenishment confirmation information for the storage section directly or indirectly to the user's mobile terminal. When the storage device reads the replenishment confirmation information from the user's mobile terminal through its own reading section, it sends the read replenishment confirmation information to the management server. Based on the management server's authentication that the replenishment confirmation information is valid, the allocated storage section is unlocked, and replenishment of goods is permitted.

[0011] Furthermore, in the storage device system of the present invention, the management server, upon receiving a replenishment completion notification from the storage device indicating that the replenishment of goods has been completed, directly or indirectly sends receiving confirmation information to the user's mobile terminal. When the storage device reads the receiving confirmation information from the user's mobile terminal through the reading unit, it sends the read receiving confirmation information to the management server. On the condition that the management server authenticates the receiving confirmation information as legitimate, the corresponding storage unit is unlocked and allowed to receive goods.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the present invention, the management server allocates a storage unit to a product based on the availability of the storage unit selected by the user who purchased the product. Simultaneously, it sends replenishment confirmation information for the storage unit directly or indirectly to the user's mobile terminal. When the storage device reads the replenishment confirmation information from the user's mobile terminal using its own reading unit, it sends the read information to the management server. The management server then unlocks the allocated storage unit and allows product replenishment, provided the replenishment confirmation information is verified as valid. Therefore, the user does not need to select a storage unit each time; they can simply replenish the product to an unlocked storage unit. This simplifies the product replenishment process. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a block diagram schematically illustrating the control system of the storage device system as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The front view of the external structure of the storage device shown.

[0016] Figure 3 It means in Figure 1 The front view of the storage device shown, with the outer door swinging in the opening direction.

[0017] Figure 4 It means Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the external structure of the storage section.

[0018] Figure 5 It means Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the interior of the storage section is shown.

[0019] Figure 6 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the storage door when the locking mechanism is in the locked state. Figure 6 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the storage door when the locking mechanism is in the released state.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the compartment numbers in each storage section.

[0021] Figure 8 (a) to (h) are explanatory diagrams representing grid configuration modes.

[0022] Figure 9 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows the sequence of steps for replenishing goods in the storage device system.

[0023] Figure 10 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows the sequence of steps for receiving goods in the storage device system. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The preferred embodiments of the storage device system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a block diagram schematically illustrating the control system of a storage device system as an embodiment of the present invention. The storage device system 100 exemplified here is configured to connect the storage device 1, the management server 40, and the user's mobile terminal 50 via a network NW such as the Internet, and further connects to an external server 60 and a user's mobile terminal 70.

[0026] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The front view of the external structure of the storage device 1 shown. Figure 2 As shown, the storage device 1 is, for example, a locker device used as a parcel locker, etc., and includes a main body 2. Furthermore, below, according to... Figure 1 The directions indicated are used to explain the structure of storage device 1.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the main body 2 of the device is a cuboid shell with two front surface openings 2a on its front surface, and has a heat-insulating structure by incorporating heat-insulating materials such as polyurethane foam and vacuum insulation material. Inside the main body 2, multiple storage areas 3 are formed facing each of the front surface openings 2a, and these multiple storage areas 3 are arranged vertically. In addition, the main body 2 also includes a cooling device 23, such as an evaporator, which cools each storage area 3 to below a specified temperature.

[0028] In the main body 2 of such a device, two outer doors 4 are provided in such a way that the openings 2a on each front surface can be opened and closed. Although these two outer doors 4 are not clearly shown in the figure, they have a heat-insulating structure by laying heat-insulating materials such as polyurethane foam and vacuum heat-insulating materials between the outer panel and the inner panel.

[0029] In addition, the left outer door 4 is opened and closed through the opening 2a on the left front surface, and its left edge is pivotally mounted on the device body 2. The right outer door 4 is opened and closed through the opening 2a on the right front surface, and its right edge is pivotally mounted on the device body 2.

[0030] The storage area 3 described above houses the storage section 10. The storage section 10 is made of, for example, a resin material such as plastic. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the structure includes a storage body 11, a dividing component 13, a storage door 15, and a product detection rod 17.

[0031] The main body 11 of the storage section is a rectangular parallelepiped shape consisting of a bottom wall 111, left and right side walls 112, a back wall 113, and a top wall 114, and is partially open at the front. The main body 11 has a size slightly smaller than the storage area 3, and each wall 111 is preferably in contact with the surfaces constituting the storage area 3. Furthermore, multiple through holes 112a for air circulation are formed on the left and right side walls 112 of the main body 11.

[0032] The dividing component 13 is a component used to divide the interior of the main body 11 of the storage section, and is composed of horizontal partitions 131 and 132 and vertical partitions 133 and 134.

[0033] Horizontal partitions 131 and 132 are used to divide the interior of the main body 11 of the storage section vertically, and have a left horizontal partition 131 and a right horizontal partition 132. The front-to-back dimensions and left-to-right dimensions of these left horizontal partitions 131 and right horizontal partitions 132 are the same size.

[0034] The partitions 133 and 134 are used to divide the interior of the main body 11 of the storage section into left and right sides, and have an upper partition 133 and a lower partition 134. The front-to-back dimensions and the top-to-bottom dimensions of these upper partitions 133 and lower partitions 134 are the same size.

[0035] Therefore, by setting horizontal partitions 131 and 132 and vertical partitions 133 and 134, the interior of the main body of the storage section 11 can be divided into four areas, thereby defining four compartments 12. That is to say, the maximum number of compartments in the storage section 10 is "4".

[0036] The storage doors 15 are provided on the main body 11 of the storage section, corresponding to the maximum number (4) of the compartments 12 defined by the dividing member 13, and have an upper left storage door 151, an upper right storage door 152, a lower left storage door 153 and a lower right storage door 154.

[0037] The upper left storage door 151 is a door with a size sufficient to close the front portion of the upper left compartment 12 when the interior of the storage unit body 11 is divided into four compartments 12. The left side of the upper left storage door 151 is supported by an axle and can swing in the front-back direction by moving closer to and further away from the storage unit body 11. That is, the upper left storage door 151 opens the front portion of the upper left compartment 12 by swinging forward, and closes the front portion of the upper left compartment 12 by swinging backward.

[0038] The upper right storage door 152 is a door with a size sufficient to close the front portion of the upper right compartment 12 when the interior of the storage unit body 11 is divided into four compartments 12. The right side of the upper right storage door 152 is supported by an axle and can swing in the front-back direction by moving closer to and further away from the storage unit body 11. That is, the upper right storage door 152 opens the front portion of the upper right compartment 12 by swinging forward, and closes the front portion of the upper right compartment 12 by swinging backward.

[0039] The lower left storage door 153 is a door with a size sufficient to close the front portion of the lower left compartment 12 when the interior of the main body 11 of the storage unit is divided into four compartments 12. The left side of the lower left storage door 153 is supported by an axle and can swing in the front-back direction in a manner that moves closer to and further away from the main body 11 of the storage unit. That is, the lower left storage door 153 opens the front portion of the lower left compartment 12 by swinging forward, and closes the front portion of the lower left compartment 12 by swinging backward.

[0040] The lower right storage door 154 is a door with a size sufficient to close the front portion of the lower right compartment 12 when the interior of the main body 11 of the storage unit is divided into four compartments 12. The right side of the lower right storage door 154 is supported by an axle and can swing back and forth in a manner that moves closer to and further away from the main body 11 of the storage unit. That is, the lower right storage door 154 opens the front portion of the lower right compartment 12 by swinging forward, and closes the front portion of the lower right compartment 12 by swinging backward.

[0041] In the aforementioned storage unit body 11, each of the aforementioned storage doors 15 is provided with a storage door locking mechanism 25. The storage door locking mechanism 25 can selectively switch between a locked state (locked) and an unlocked state (unlocked), wherein the locked state refers to... Figure 6 As shown in (a), the corresponding storage door 15 of the front portion of the closed storage body 11 (compartment 12) is kept closed, restricting the forward swing of the storage door 15. The released state refers to... Figure 6As shown in (b), the storage door 15 is slightly swung forward under the action of a spring (not shown) to enter the open state. The storage door locking mechanism 25 can be switched according to the instructions provided by the control unit 30 described later. In other words, the storage device 1 has multiple storage sections 10 that can be locked and unlocked.

[0042] The merchandise detection rod 17 is provided on the main body 11 of the storage section, corresponding to the maximum number (4 items) that can be stored as defined by the dividing member 13. It has an upper left detection rod 171 and an upper right detection rod 172, as well as a lower left detection rod 173 and a lower right detection rod 174. This merchandise detection rod 17 is swung upward by a force-applying unit (not shown). When pressed by merchandise stored in the compartment 12, it swings downward against the force of the force-applying unit. On the other hand, it swings upward when the merchandise is removed.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, in addition to the above-described structure, the storage device 1 also includes a communication terminal 21, an input display unit 22, a reading unit 24, and a control unit 30.

[0044] The communication terminal 21 is a communication interface that communicates with the management server 40 via a network NW using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark). The input display unit 22 is composed of, for example, an LCD touch screen, which displays various information according to instructions provided by the control unit 30, and simultaneously accepts input operations such as touch operations.

[0045] The reading unit 24 is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) reader. Details of the reading unit 24 will be described later, but the reading unit 24 is a component that reads supplementary determination information and receiving determination information from graphical code, which is obtained by graphically representing the supplementary determination information and receiving determination information generated in the management server 40, such as a QR code (registered trademark).

[0046] The control unit 30 is connected to the communication terminal 21, the input display unit 22, the cooling device 23, the reading unit 24, the storage door locking mechanism group 25A, the storage door opening and closing detection unit group 26A, and the detection switch group 27A. It performs unified control of the operation of each part of the storage device 1 based on the program and data stored in the storage unit (not shown).

[0047] The storage door opening / closing detection unit group 26A is an assembly of storage door opening / closing detection units 26. Each storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 is provided within the main body 11 of the storage unit, corresponding to each storage door 15. Each storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 is configured, for example, by a light sensor, and thus detects the opening / closing state of the corresponding storage door 15. More specifically, the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 detects the opening / closing state of the storage door 15 to detect the opening / closing of the front portion of each compartment 12. The storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 sends the opening / closing state of the storage door 15 as a signal to the control unit 30.

[0048] The detection switch group 27A is an assembly of detection switches 27. The detection switches 27 are provided corresponding to the aforementioned product detection levers 17. When the corresponding product detection lever 17 swings downwards, the detection switch 27 turns off and detects the presence of a product; conversely, when the product detection lever 17 swings upwards, the detection switch 27 turns on and detects the absence of a product. These product detection levers 17 output the detection results as detection signals to the control unit 30.

[0049] The aforementioned control unit 30 can be implemented, for example, by having a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, i.e., by software; it can also be implemented by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit); or it can be implemented by using both software and hardware.

[0050] And, as Figure 7 As shown, the control unit 30 manages each compartment 12 of each storage section 10 according to the compartment number, which is composed of consecutive numbers corresponding to the arrangement position.

[0051] For example, in the storage area 3 that opens and closes through the outer door 4 on the left, the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the uppermost storage area 3 are marked with compartment numbers 1 to 4. That is, the upper left compartment 12 of the storage section 10 is marked with compartment number "1", the upper right compartment 12 is marked with compartment number "2", the lower left compartment 12 is marked with compartment number "3", and the lower right compartment 12 is marked with compartment number "4".

[0052] Although detailed descriptions are omitted here, in the storage area 3 that opens and closes through the outer door 4 on the left, the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the second storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 5 to 8; the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the third storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 9 to 12; the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the fourth storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 13 to 16; and the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the fifth storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 17 to 20. Furthermore, in the storage areas 3 that open and close through the outer door 4 on the right, the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the topmost storage area 3 are marked with compartment numbers 21 to 24; the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the second storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 25 to 28; the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the third storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 29 to 32; the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the fourth storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 33 to 36; and the compartments 12 of the storage section 10 in the fifth storage area 3 from the top are marked with compartment numbers 37 to 40.

[0053] Furthermore, in these storage sections 10, such as Figure 8 As shown in (a) to (h), various grid configuration modes can be adopted. That is, Figure 8 (a) is a grid pattern with 4 grids and 12 grids. Figure 8 (b) is a grid pattern that merges the two upper grids 12 and the two lower grids 12. Figure 8 (c) is a grid pattern that merges the two grids 12 on the left and the two grids 12 on the right. Figure 8 (d) is a grid pattern that merges four grids of type 12. Furthermore, Figure 8 (e) is a grid pattern that merges only the two top grids 12. Figure 8 (f) is a grid pattern that merges only the two bottom grids 12. Figure 8 (g) is a grid pattern that merges only the two grids on the left (grid 12). Figure 8 (h) is a grid pattern that combines only the two right-side compartments 12. Furthermore, in the following description, it is assumed that the grid pattern of each storage section 10 is as follows: Figure 8 Explain (a).

[0054] The management server 40 is the host device of the aforementioned storage device 1, and has the function of acquiring various information of the storage device 1 and managing and operating the storage device 1. The management server 40 includes a management control unit 41, a management communication unit 42, a generation unit 43, and an authentication unit 44.

[0055] The management control unit 41 is a component that uniformly controls the operation of each part of the management server 40 according to the programs and data stored in the storage unit (not shown). The management communication unit 42 is a communication interface that communicates with the receiving device 1 via a network NW, for example, through a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark).

[0056] The generation unit 43 generates replenishment confirmation information and receiving confirmation information. The "replenishment confirmation information" determines the storage device 1 for replenishing the replenished goods and the storage section 10 within that storage device 1. The "receiving confirmation information" determines the storage device 1 for storing the received goods and the storage section 10 within that storage device 1. The generation unit 43 graphically represents this replenishment confirmation information and receiving confirmation information, for example, by generating a QR code (registered trademark) or other graphical code.

[0057] Details of the certification unit 44 will be described later, but the certification unit 44 is a component that authenticates whether the supplementary confirmation information and the receiving confirmation information are legitimate.

[0058] The supplementary mobile terminal 50 is a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, owned by the supplementer of the supplementary goods. The external server 60 includes e-commerce websites, etc., used by users when purchasing goods. The user mobile terminal 70 is a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, owned by the user who has purchased the goods.

[0059] Figure 9 It means Figure 1 A sequence diagram of the product replenishment steps of the storage device system 100 shown.

[0060] The management server 40 and the external server 60, which contains the EC website where users have purchased goods, conduct a goods reservation process (step S101). This goods reservation process involves the management server 40 notifying the storage unit 1, which has an "idle" storage section 10, based on a request from the external server 60, and the user selecting and reserving the storage unit 10 (storage unit 1) for receiving goods through the external server 60. Furthermore, this goods reservation process also includes the date and time period for receiving goods from the storage unit 10.

[0061] If the above-mentioned product reservation process has been completed, the external server 60 sends a replenishment preparation completion notification to the management server 40, indicating that the replenishment preparation is complete (step S102), and at the same time sends a delivery request notification to the replenisher's mobile terminal 50 (step S103). The replenisher who receives the delivery request notification will go to the store where the product is sold to receive the product (step S104).

[0062] Upon receiving the replenishment preparation completion notification, the management server 40 generates replenishment confirmation information via the generation unit 43 (step S105) and sends the replenishment confirmation information to the external server 60 (step S106). The external server 60 then sends the replenishment confirmation information to the replenisher's mobile terminal 50 (step S107). In other words, the management server 40 indirectly sends the replenishment confirmation information to the replenisher's mobile terminal 50. Specifically, in this specification, "indirect" transmission means transmission via the external server 60. The replenisher, possessing the replenisher's mobile terminal 50 that has received the sent replenishment confirmation information, then delivers the goods to the corresponding storage device 1.

[0063] In the storage device 1, the control unit 30 waits to read the replenishment confirmation information via the reading unit 24 (step S108). Then, when the reading unit 24 reads the graphical code displayed on the mobile terminal for replenishment, i.e., the replenishment confirmation information (step S108: Yes), the control unit 30 notifies the management server 40 of the replenishment confirmation information and the replenishment confirmation information authentication request (step S109).

[0064] In the management server 40, by notifying the supplementary determination information authentication request, the management control unit 41 authenticates the legitimacy of the supplementary determination information notified together with the supplementary determination information authentication request through the authentication unit 44 (step S110).

[0065] Then, when the management control unit 41 verifies that the above-mentioned supplementary information is incorrect through the authentication unit 44 (step S111: no), the management communication unit 42 sends a notification that supplementation is not possible to the supplementer's mobile terminal 50 (step S112).

[0066] On the other hand, when the management control unit 41 verifies the above-mentioned supplementary information is valid through the authentication unit 44 (step S111: Yes), the management communication unit 42 sends a supplementary notification to the storage device 1 (step S113).

[0067] In the storage device 1, the control unit 30 releases the storage door locking mechanism 25 corresponding to the compartment 12 determined by supplementary determination information (step S114), that is, sets the storage door 15 corresponding to the corresponding compartment 12 to the open state. Figure 6 (as shown in (b)). Thus, the replenisher can identify the corresponding compartment 12 and store the goods in that compartment 12.

[0068] Then, the control unit 30 determines whether the detection switch 27 of the corresponding compartment 12 is off and whether a product is detected (step S115). If the detection switch 27 does not detect a product (step S115: no), the control unit 30 repeats the above determination process.

[0069] When the detection switch 27 detects the presence of goods (step S115: Yes), the control unit 30 sets the goods to be replenished and determines whether the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the storage door 15 is closed (step S116). When the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 does not detect that the storage door 15 is closed (step S116: No), the control unit 30 repeats the above determination process.

[0070] When the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the storage door 15 is closed (step S116: Yes), the control unit 30 locks the storage door locking mechanism 25 (step S117) and sends a supplementary completion notification to the management server 40 via the communication terminal 21 (step S118).

[0071] The management server 40, having received the replenishment completion notification from the storage device 1, sends the replenishment completion notification to the external server 60 (step S119), and simultaneously sends the replenishment completion notification to the replenisher via mobile terminal 50 (step S120), thus ending this process.

[0072] Figure 10 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows the sequence of steps for receiving goods in the storage device system 100.

[0073] In the management server 40, upon completion of product replenishment (step S201: Yes), the management control unit 41 generates a receiving confirmation message via the generation unit 43 (step S202) and sends the receiving confirmation message to the external server 60 (step S203). The external server 60 then sends the receiving confirmation message to the user's mobile terminal 70 (step S204). In other words, the management server 40 indirectly sends the receiving confirmation message to the user's mobile terminal 70. Consequently, the user who has received the sent receiving confirmation message on the user's mobile terminal 70 goes to the storage device 1 at the corresponding date and time.

[0074] In the storage device 1, the control unit 30 waits to read the receiving confirmation information via the reading unit 24 (step S205). Then, when the reading unit 24 reads the graphical code displayed on the user's mobile terminal, i.e., the receiving confirmation information (step S205: Yes), the control unit 30 notifies the management server 40 of the receiving confirmation information and the receiving confirmation information authentication request (step S206).

[0075] In the management server 40, since a receiving confirmation information authentication request has been notified, the management control unit 41 authenticates the validity of the receiving confirmation information notified along with the receiving confirmation information authentication request through the authentication unit 44 (step S207).

[0076] Then, when the management control unit 41 authenticates the above-mentioned receiving confirmation information as incorrect through the authentication unit 44 (step S208: No), the management communication unit 42 sends a notification to the user's mobile terminal 70 indicating that the information cannot be received (step S209).

[0077] On the other hand, when the management control unit 41 authenticates the above-mentioned receiving confirmation information through the authentication unit 44 (step S208: Yes), the management communication unit 42 sends a receiving notification to the storage device 1 (step S210).

[0078] In the storage device 1, the control unit 30 releases the storage door locking mechanism 25 corresponding to the compartment 12 determined by receiving determination information (step S211), that is, sets the storage door 15 corresponding to the corresponding compartment 12 to the open state. Figure 6 (as shown in (b)). Thus, the user can identify the corresponding compartment 12 and take out the goods from that compartment 12.

[0079] Then, the control unit 30 determines whether the detection switch 27 of the corresponding compartment 12 is on and whether no product is detected (step S212). If the detection switch 27 does not detect no product (step S212: no), the control unit 30 repeats the above determination process.

[0080] When the detection switch 27 detects that there is no product (step S212: Yes), the control unit 30 sets that the product has been taken out and determines whether the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the storage door 15 is closed (step S213). When the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 does not detect that the storage door 15 is closed (step S213: No), the control unit 30 repeats the above determination process.

[0081] When the storage door opening / closing detection unit 26 detects that the storage door 15 is closed (step S213: Yes), the control unit 30 locks the storage door locking mechanism 25 (step S214) and sends a notification of completion of reception to the management server 40 via the communication terminal 21 (step S215).

[0082] The management server 40, having received a notification of completion of reception from the storage device 1, sends a notification of completion of reception to the external server 60 (step S216) and simultaneously sends a notification of completion of reception to the user's mobile terminal 70 (step S217), thus ending this process.

[0083] As explained above, in the storage device system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the management server 40 allocates the selected compartment 12 (storage section 10) to the product as a condition that the compartment 12 (storage section 10) is available. Simultaneously, it indirectly sends replenishment confirmation information for the compartment 12 to the mobile terminal 50 of the replenisher. When the storage device 1 reads the replenishment confirmation information through the reading unit 24, it sends the read replenishment confirmation information to the management server 40. The management server 40 verifies the validity of the replenishment confirmation information and releases the storage door locking mechanism 25 corresponding to the allocated compartment 12 (unlocking the allocated storage section 10), allowing replenishment of the product. Therefore, the replenisher does not need to select the compartment 12 (storage section 10) to be replenished each time; they can simply replenish the product in the compartment 12 where the storage door locking mechanism 25 is released. Thus, the product replenishment operation can be simplified.

[0084] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications can be made.

[0085] In the above embodiments, the management server 40 indirectly sends the supplementary confirmation information and the receiving confirmation information to the supplementer's mobile terminal 50 and the user's mobile terminal 70, respectively. However, in this invention, the management server may also directly send the supplementary confirmation information and the receiving confirmation information to the supplementer's mobile terminal and the user's mobile terminal, respectively.

[0086] Although not mentioned in the above embodiments, in the product receiving step, if the user receives the product earlier than the specified date and time, the storage unit can be used more often, and the user can be offered incentives such as a discount for the next use. On the other hand, if the user does not receive the product before the specified date and time, the storage unit will be unusable, so the product can be recycled.

[0087] In this invention, if a replenisher discovers that a portion of the storage unit of a storage device intended for replenishment is damaged, the management server can allocate the remaining storage units of that storage device to replenishment products based on a notification received from the replenisher's mobile terminal.

[0088] In this invention, such as Figure 8 As shown in (b), (e), and (f), when the left and right grids 12 are merged, there will be two product detection rods 17 (detection switches 27) on the left and right sides of the merged grid (hereinafter also referred to as the wide grid) 12. In this case, the following settings can also be made.

[0089] The management server 40 can be configured to detect the presence or absence of goods by turning two detection switches 27 on and off, or it can be configured to detect the presence or absence of goods by turning any one of the detection switches 27 on and off. Therefore, when storing box-shaped goods that are larger in the front-to-back direction and in the width direction than in the height direction, the presence or absence of the goods can be determined by turning two detection switches 27 on and off; when storing long, narrow goods, the presence or absence of the goods can be determined by turning any one of the detection switches 27 on and off, thus enabling flexible use based on the shape of the goods.

[0090] The structures illustrated in the above embodiments are only functional outlines and do not necessarily need to be physically implemented. That is, the way the devices and constituent data are distributed and combined is not limited to the situation shown in the illustrations. They can be distributed or combined in any unit, either functionally or physically, according to various usage conditions.

[0091] Label Explanation

[0092] 1…Storage device, 2…Main body of the device, 3…Storage area, 4…Outer door, 10…Storage section, 11…Main body of the storage section, 13…Dividing component, 15…Storage door, 17…Product detection rod, 21…Communication terminal, 22…Input display section, 23…Cooling device, 24…Reading section, 25…Storage door locking mechanism, 26…Storage door opening and closing detection section, 27…Detection switch, 30…Control section, 40…Management server, 41…Management control section, 42…Management communication section, 43…Generation section, 44…Authentication section, 50…Mobile terminal for user, 60…External server, 70…Mobile terminal for user, 100…Storage device system, NW…Network.

Claims

1. A storage device system, comprising: A storage device with multiple lockable and unlockable storage compartments; The mobile terminal owned by the replenisher who replenishes the goods to the storage device; as well as The management server that manages the storage device is characterized in that, The management server allocates a storage compartment to a product based on the availability of the storage compartment selected by the user who purchased the product. Simultaneously, it sends replenishment information for that storage compartment directly or indirectly to the user's mobile terminal. When the storage device reads replenishment confirmation information from the user's mobile terminal through its own reading unit, it sends the read replenishment confirmation information to the management server. On the condition that the management server authenticates the replenishment confirmation information as legitimate, the allocated storage unit is unlocked, and replenishment of goods is permitted.

2. The storage device system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The management server, upon receiving a replenishment completion notification from the storage device indicating that the goods have been replenished, will directly or indirectly send a confirmation message to the user's mobile terminal. When the storage device reads the receiving confirmation information from the user's mobile terminal through the reading unit, it sends the read receiving confirmation information to the management server. On the condition that the management server authenticates the receiving confirmation information as legitimate, the corresponding storage unit is unlocked and allowed to receive the goods.

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