Information processing system, and server, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, a management server, an information processing method, and a program for standardizing and managing deliveries (for example, loads such as baggage) by using storage container type identification information, thereby facilitating comprehensive grasp of the amount of the deliveries and efficiently storing the deliveries in various storage spaces.SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: a storage position information generation unit 151 that, based on storage container type information indicating the type for every capacity of a storage container storing a storage material in a storage space linked to a user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space, generates storage position information related to a storage position of the storage material in the storage space; and an information transmission and reception unit 100 that transmits, to the operator terminal, at least either one of the generated storage position information or storage position indication information generated based on the storage position information for indicating the storage position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a server, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an information processing system in which a delivery box is installed in a private house or an apartment house (condominium), and when the recipient is absent, the delivery is completed by storing the package in the delivery box, and a delivery completion notice is sent to the recipient's terminal. Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery system that can be stored in a proxy storage space when delivery is impossible in order to cope with the situation where delivery is impossible because a package is already stored in the delivery box.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the disclosed technology of Patent Document 1 above, for example, when a package is already stored in a delivery box of a private house, it will be stored in a proxy storage space; however, if the already stored package is a small package such as stationery or daily necessities, even if the next delivered package is of a size that can be stored in the remaining space (so-called empty space) of the delivery box, it will be stored in the proxy storage space. Therefore, the user often has to pick up packages from multiple locations. In addition, when such a situation occurs in each household, the proxy storage space arranged in the common part of the apartment house will be filled, and eventually, redelivery will be required. In addition, not limited to the delivery box, when storing a delivered item in a predetermined storage space, the empty situation in the storage space cannot be grasped and is not considered in the delivery.

[0005] On the other hand, even if the size of packages inside the delivery box and the delivered packages can be determined in advance, there is actually variation in shape from package to package. Therefore, even if packages are stored in the delivery box, dead space is created, making efficient storage difficult. As a result, it cannot be said that excessive use of the proxy storage space can be sufficiently prevented.

[0006] In recent years, autonomously controlled mobile vehicles such as drones (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have begun to be used in industry. In this context, experimental operation of a package delivery system that uses mobile vehicles to deliver goods ordered on e-commerce (EC) sites has begun. In such a package delivery system, it is envisioned that multiple mobile vehicles will be subject to delivery control, but because it is an experimental operation, a virtual delivery package (e.g., daily necessities and food) is set within the limits of what can be loaded onto a single mobile vehicle. However, in reality, users do not consider the load capacity of a single mobile vehicle when placing an order; they usually order what they want, when they want it, and in the quantity they want, so it is unpredictable whether it will fit on a single mobile vehicle.

[0007] On the other hand, since higher delivery efficiency lowers delivery costs (and consequently delivery fees), loading a large amount of cargo onto a single vehicle is desirable for both service providers and users. However, as mentioned above, considering the variation in cargo size, it is difficult to determine how much remaining space is available in the loading area of ​​the vehicle, and therefore, operation with high loading efficiency is desirable.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of this background, and provides an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that make it easier to grasp the overall volume of stored items (e.g., delivered goods) by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., delivered goods) using storage container type identification information, and enables efficient storage in various storage spaces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is an information processing system, etc. comprising: a storage location generation unit that generates storage location information relating to the storage location of an object within a storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume of storage containers that store an object in a storage space associated with a user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space; and an information transmission unit that transmits at least one of the generated storage location information or storage location instruction information generated based on the storage location information for instructing the storage location to an operator terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., delivered goods) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that facilitates the overall understanding of the quantity of stored items and enables efficient storage in various storage spaces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the hardware configuration of the management server in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal and the worker terminal. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows the functions of the management server in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the storage structure. [Figure 6] This is an example illustrating the generation of storage location information according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the delivery information storage unit. [Figure 8] This is an example of a storage space according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] The contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. An information processing system or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. [Item 1] A storage position generation unit that generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored item in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type for each volume of a storage container that stores the item stored in the storage space associated with the user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space, An information transmission unit that transmits at least any one of the generated storage position information or storage position instruction information generated based on the storage position information and for instructing the storage position to a worker terminal, An information processing system characterized by the above. [Item 2] The storage container type information is made identifiable based on the storage container volume obtained by dividing the reference storage space volume by a predetermined number, with a predetermined storage space volume as the reference storage space volume. The information processing system according to Item 1, characterized by the above. [Item 3] The storage position instruction information includes text information indicating the storage position of the stored item in the storage space. The information processing system according to either Item 1 or 2, characterized by the above. [Item 4] The storage position instruction information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored item in the storage space. The information processing system according to any one of Items 1 to 3, characterized in that... [Item 5] The image information is visually different between the stored items and the items targeted for storage location indication. The information processing system according to Item 4, characterized in that... [Item 6] The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be confirmed from only one direction. The information processing system according to any one of Items 4 or 5, characterized in that... [Item 7] The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be confirmed from two or more directions. The information processing system according to any one of Items 4 or 5, characterized in that... [Item 8] A storage position generation unit that generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the item in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type for each volume of a storage container that stores items in the storage space associated with the user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space; An information transmission unit that transmits at least one of the generated storage position information or storage position indication information generated based on the storage position information and used to indicate the storage position to an operator terminal. A server, characterized in that... [Item 9] A step of generating, by the storage position generation unit, storage position information regarding the storage position of the item in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the type for each volume of a storage container that stores items in the storage space associated with the user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space; A step of transmitting, by the information transmission unit, at least one of the generated storage position information or storage position indication information generated based on the storage position information and used to indicate the storage position to an operator terminal. An information processing method, characterized in that... [Item 10] The storage position generation unit generates storage position information relating to the storage position of the stored items within the storage space, based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume in which items to be stored in the storage space associated with the user are stored, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. The process includes the step of transmitting to the operator terminal at least one of the generated storage location information, or storage location instruction information generated based on the said storage location information for indicating the said storage location, by an information transmission unit, A program characterized by the following features.

[0013] <Embodiment 1> The following describes an embodiment of an information system, etc., according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, identical or similar elements are given identical or similar reference numerals and names, and redundant descriptions of identical or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. Furthermore, the features shown in this embodiment are applicable to other embodiments as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0014] <Structure> As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system in this embodiment includes a management server 1, one or more user terminals 2, and one or more user terminals 2. The management server 1, user terminals 2, and worker terminal 3 are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with one another. Note that the illustrated configuration is just an example and is not limited to this.

[0015] <Management Server 1> Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of management server 1. Note that the illustrated configuration is just one example, and other configurations are also possible.

[0016] As shown in the diagram, the management server 1 is connected to one or more user terminals 2 and one or more worker terminals 3, and constitutes part of this system. The management server 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or it may be logically implemented through cloud computing.

[0017] The management server 1 comprises at least a control unit 10, memory 11, storage 12, a transceiver unit 13, an input / output unit 14, etc., which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 15.

[0018] The control unit 10 is a computing device that controls the operation of the entire management server 1, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing necessary for application execution and authentication processing. For example, the control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes programs for this system stored in storage 12 and loaded into memory 11 to perform various information processing tasks.

[0019] Memory 11 includes main memory composed of volatile storage devices such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and auxiliary memory composed of non-volatile storage devices such as flash memory and HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Memory 11 is used as a work area for the processor 10, and also stores the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed when the management server 1 starts up, as well as various configuration information.

[0020] Storage 12 stores various programs, such as application programs. A database containing data used for each process may also be built on storage 12.

[0021] The transmitting / receiving unit 13 connects the management server 1 to the network and the blockchain network. The transmitting / receiving unit 13 may also be equipped with Bluetooth® and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) short-range communication interfaces.

[0022] The input / output section 14 consists of information input devices such as keyboards and mice, and output devices such as displays.

[0023] Bus 15 is connected in common to all of the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0024] <User terminal 2, worker terminal 3> The user terminal 2 shown in Figure 3 is an information processing device owned by the user, such as a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, or PDA. The user terminal 2 also includes a control unit 20, memory 21, storage 22, transceiver 23, input / output unit 24, etc., which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 25. The main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the management server 1 described above, so a detailed explanation of each element is omitted. The worker terminal 3 is an information processing device owned by a worker who manages deliveries at a collection point, such as a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, or PDA. The main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the user terminal 2 described above, so a detailed explanation of each element is omitted.

[0025] <Management Server Functions> Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the functions implemented in the control unit 10 of the management server 1, and Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage 12. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 of the management server 1 includes an information transmission / reception unit 100, a data management unit 120, and a storage management unit 150 as functional units. The storage management unit 150 includes a storage location information generation unit 151, an additional storage item extraction unit 152, and a storage location instruction information generation unit 153. The storage 12 also includes various databases such as a user information storage unit 121, a storage space information storage unit 122, and an additional storage item information storage unit 123.

[0026] The user information stored in the user information storage unit 121 may include, but is not limited to, basic user information (user's name, username, email address, address, telephone number, etc.), user identification information, and external application account information. For example, when conducting electronic commerce on this information processing system or on an external system that transmits or receives related information to this information processing system and cooperates with it, the user information may include payment information (credit card information, etc.), purchase history information, desired product information (so-called favorite product information or wish list product information, etc.), and subscription product information (described later).

[0027] The storage space information stored in the storage space information storage unit 122 may include, for example, storage space identification information, user identification information, stored item information, storage status information, load capacity information, manageable temperature range information, and additional stored item information. The stored item information may include, but is not limited to, storage container type information, weight information, manageable temperature range information, and storage location information.

[0028] The information transmission / reception unit 100 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "information transmission unit" or "information reception unit" depending on its function) transmits various information (including requests) to external devices (e.g., user terminal 2, worker terminal 3, etc.) that are directly or indirectly connected to the management server 1 via a network, and receives various information (including requests) from external devices.

[0029] The screen information generation unit 110 generates screen information that is displayed via the user interface of the user terminal 2 or worker terminal 3. The screen information may be, for example, user interface screen information generated by arranging various images and text based on predetermined layout rules, using image and text data stored in the storage 12 as source material. The screen information generation unit 110 may also be a functional unit executed by the control unit 20 by an application (including a web browser) stored in each user terminal 2, etc. That is, the management server 1 transmits information necessary to generate a user interface screen, such as image data, and the application in the user terminal 2, etc., generates a user interface screen based on this necessary information and predetermined layout rules and displays it on the user terminal 2. Processing related to the screen information generation unit 110 can also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0030] The data management unit 120 performs data management such as transmitting various information received by the information transmission / reception unit 100 to various functional units and acquiring various information from various functional units. The predetermined processing in the data management unit 120 includes, but is not limited to, various processes such as a storage location determination process for the storage location of the stored items within the storage space, based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores items in the storage space associated with the user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space; an information transmission unit process that transmits the generated storage location information to the worker terminal; and a storage space information update process that updates the stored item information and storage state information included in the storage space information.

[0031] The shape of the storage container is, for example, a geometric three-dimensional container, and it is preferable that it be a rectangular prism (including a cube) considering storage in the storage space and stacking. The material of the storage container may be any material, but it may be paper, plastic, metal, etc., and it is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of ease of production and weight to use corrugated cardboard made of paper or corrugated cardboard made of plastic. In this invention, storage container type information is set so that the type of storage container can be identified for the stored items such as delivered goods. There are multiple storage container types indicated by the storage container type information. The containment vessel type may be, for example, a plurality of containment vessel volume types set up to be identifiable from one another based on a predetermined containment space volume, with the predetermined containment space volume being the standard containment space volume, divided by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer). (For example, this may include a plurality of containment vessel volume types set up to be identifiable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing the standard containment space volume by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) and multiplying it by a number less than or equal to that predetermined number (e.g., 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1, or 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 3 / 4, 1, etc.), or it may include a plurality of containment vessel volume types set up to be identifiable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing it by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer, and in particular 2 to the power of n (where n is an integer and may include 0)) (e.g., 1 / 2, 1 / 4, 1 / 8, etc.), and is not limited to these). Furthermore, regarding the volume of the containment vessel, more specifically, for example, if the standard containment space volume is divided by 4 (i.e., 1 / 4), the containment vessel may have a volume obtained by dividing any of the depth, width, or height of the containment space by 4, or it may have a volume obtained by dividing two of the depth, width, and height of the containment space by 2.

[0032] Furthermore, the standard storage space volume does not have to be the same as the predetermined storage space volume; it may be substantially the same (or nearly the same), and in particular, it may be the volume minus the amount of surplus space necessary (for example, a few millimeters or a few centimeters) considering the operation of storing containers into the storage space, or if a partition is provided inside the storage container, it may be the volume minus the amount of the partition (for example, a few millimeters or a few centimeters) (or the storage space may be substantially the same as the standard storage space volume, but larger by the amount of the partition).

[0033] The storage space for storing user items and / or the storage space subject to the standard storage space volume may be any space having a predetermined volume, but it is preferably a storage space for receiving items, and more specifically, it may be an installation used by a user, such as a storage space for the user, a storage space for a delivery box with a smart lock installed in a private home or a delivery box placed in a common area for an apartment building (the location of the space may be determined in advance by linking it with user-related information, or it may be the location where the package is stored after the delivery person has linked it with user-related information), or a storage space such as a shelf, locker, post office box, or cooler box that does not involve electrical locking / unlocking control. Alternatively, a storage space for delivery may be used as the standard, and it may be the delivery item storage section of a mobile vehicle for delivering packages (such as a UAV or UGV, especially an autonomously controlled mobile vehicle), a cargo bed used by a delivery person for delivery (for example, a truck bed, a motorcycle rear box, a box trolley, a cage trolley, etc.), or movable items such as a delivery bag. Furthermore, the space having a predetermined volume may be a space with fixed lengths in the depth, width, and height directions as described above, but it may also be a space having a volume where the height direction is virtually set for an area with fixed lengths in the depth and width directions, such as a pallet; that is, it may be a space having a volume where a portion of the lengths in the depth, width, and height directions are virtually set. However, it is not limited to these. In addition, the storage space to be stored and the reference storage space may be the same, or the storage space to be stored may be the size of the reference storage space multiplied by a predetermined number (especially an integer).

[0034] The storage management unit 150 performs information registration, such as adding stored item identification information in the stored item information storage unit 123 and storage space identification information in the storage space information storage unit 124, and associating user identification information, in response to stored item acceptance processing, such as reading identification codes attached to stored items such as deliveries by a reader (for example, a reader operated by an operator, a stationary reader, or a reader equipped on a work robot (especially an autonomously controlled work robot)) or inputting stored item information related to the stored items by an operator.

[0035] The storage location information generation unit 151 generates storage location information regarding the storage location of an item within a storage space, based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume in which an item is stored in a storage space associated with a user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. More specifically, the storage location information generation unit 151 may determine the storage location, which indicates where in the storage space the item will be stored. The method for determining the storage location is to determine the storage location using a known boxing calculation algorithm for storing a predetermined object in a space of a predetermined volume. In particular, when the storage containers are defined by predetermined rules as described above, with respect to a standard storage space volume, residual space information before (or after) storing the item can also be calculated, and this residual space information also becomes a volume value that is easy to convert to a storage container type, making it easier to obtain residual converted storage container type information by converting the residual space to a storage container type. This makes it easy to identify possible storage locations within the storage space based on the residual space information. In particular, if the storage space includes multiple types of storage container volumes that can be identified for each storage container volume obtained by dividing the depth, width, or height of the storage space by a predetermined number and multiplying by a number less than the predetermined number, or if it includes multiple types of storage container volumes that can be identified for each storage container volume obtained by dividing by a predetermined number, it becomes easier to identify the storage location within the storage space. Furthermore, if the storage space is divided by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage container types, the storage space information storage unit 122 stores divided area identification information and corresponding storage container type information that are attached to each area divided by partitions or the like within the target storage space, linked to the storage space identification information, and the storage location information generation unit 151 may determine the divided area identification information to be stored as the storage location information.

[0036] Here, we will briefly explain, using Figure 6, an example of determining the storage position and calculating the remaining space when the containment vessel type is defined for each predetermined volume relative to the standard containment space volume. The example will be for multiple types of containment vessel volumes (e.g., 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1) that are distinguishable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing the height by 3 and multiplying by a number of 3 or less relative to the standard containment space volume.

[0037] First, the storage space identification information "0001" is associated with the user information "U0001". When an item (storage item information "N0001") stored in a container (storage container type "S033") that is one-third the volume of the standard storage space is stored here, the storage position is determined to be "on the bottom surface of the storage space (i.e., the first level)" because the item is stored in a storage space that is not yet empty (at this time, orientation information may be added to the storage item information to select whether it is placed vertically or horizontally). Then, the storage state information of the storage space information is updated to indicate that "it is stored in 1 / 3 of the storage space", the remaining space information is updated to "2 / 3" by subtracting 1 / 3 from 1, and the remaining converted storage container type information is updated to indicate two "S033" and / or one "S066 (storage container type indicating a container that is two-thirds the volume of the standard storage space)".

[0038] Similarly, when an item (item information "N0010") stored in a container (container type "S033") that occupies one-third of the standard storage space volume is to be stored further, the storage position is determined to be "above the item (N0001) (i.e., the second level)" because it is stored in a storage space where an item (N0001) is already stored on the bottom surface of the storage space. The storage status information of the storage space information is then updated to indicate that "it is stored in 2 / 3 of the storage space," the remaining space information is updated to "1 / 3" by subtracting 1 / 3 from 2 / 3, and the remaining converted storage container type information is updated to indicate that there is one "S033."

[0039] In this way, the storage location is determined and the remaining space is calculated, and as illustrated in particular, if the depth, width, or height of the storage space is divided by a predetermined number, it can be executed more simply. Furthermore, as mentioned above, more sophisticated storage location determination and remaining space calculation are possible using known box-packing calculation algorithms, in which case not only the storage location of the stored items but also the storage locations of already stored items may be re-determined.

[0040] Furthermore, if the storage space is divided into partitioned areas corresponding to one of the storage container types, rather than being stored in a common area within the storage space as in the example above, the storage location may be determined by using partitioned area identification information as storage location information when storing items. The storage item identification information of the items to be stored may be linked and managed in relation to the partitioned area identification information, the residual space information may be partitioned area identification information without an association with an item, and the residual equivalent storage container type information may be corresponding storage container type information corresponding to partitioned area identification information without an association with an item. Note that the position of the partitions may be movable and the corresponding storage container type information may be changed (for example, changing from two "S033"s to one "S066", or vice versa), and instead of just one corresponding storage container type information (for example, "S066") for each partitioned area identification information, multiple corresponding storage container type information (two "S033"s) may be associated, either in lieu of or in addition to this.

[0041] Next, using Figures 7 and 8, we will show examples of information stored in the storage space information storage unit 122 (especially residual space information) and storage spaces (for example, a group of storage spaces such as shelves assigned to each individual). First, in the storage space identification information "0001", the associated user information is "U0001", the stored item information is "N0001", and it is indicated that one "S025" is stored as storage container type information corresponding to the stored item, indicating a container type that is one-quarter of the standard storage space volume, so the residual space information is calculated to be "3 / 4".

[0042] Next, in the storage space identification information "0002", the associated user information is "U0011", the stored item information is "N0002", and as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored item, it is indicated that one "S050" is stored, which represents a container type that is half the standard storage space volume, so the residual space information is calculated to be "1 / 2".

[0043] Next, in the storage space identification information "0003", the associated user information is "U0005", the stored item information is "N0003", and it is indicated that one "S100", which is a container type that is approximately the same as the standard storage space volume, is stored as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored item, so the residual space information is calculated to be "0" (i.e., no space available).

[0044] Next, in the storage space identification information "0004", the associated user information is "U0003", the stored item information is "N0004" and "N0005", and as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored item, it is indicated that one "S025" (for example, the information on whether stacking is possible or not indicates that stacking is strictly prohibited) and one "S050" are stored, so the remaining space information is calculated to be "1 / 4".

[0045] Finally, in the storage space identification information "0005" and "0006", the associated user information is "U0009" (i.e., using two storage spaces), the stored item information is "N0006" and "N0007", and as the storage container type information corresponding to the stored items, one "S100" and one "S050" are stored, so the residual space information is calculated to be "0" and "1 / 2". In this case, the actual residual storage space for the user with user information "U0009" can be said to be 1 / 2.

[0046] In this way, the storage location information generation unit 151 can generate storage location information regarding the storage location of the stored items within the storage space, based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume of storage containers that store items in the storage space associated with the user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. In particular, as described above, the storage container type information defines storage container types for each predetermined volume relative to the standard storage space volume according to a predetermined rule, making it possible to efficiently store items in the storage space like a puzzle, and making it easy to determine the storage location. Furthermore, it is possible to extract additional stored items to be added to the remaining space using the remaining space calculated by the storage location information generation unit 151, and to determine the storage location of the selected additional stored items. The extraction of additional stored items will be described in detail below.

[0047] The additional storage item extraction unit 152 extracts additional storage item information indicating additional storage items that can be stored in the remaining space of the target storage space. More specifically, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 extracts additional storage item information indicating additional storage items that can be stored based on residual space information (particularly residual equivalent storage container type information) corresponding to the remaining space of the target storage space. That is, by comparing it with the storage container type corresponding to the remaining space, additional storage item information corresponding to a storage container type with a volume less than or equal to that of the storage container type is extracted. Multiple storage container types can be selected for the remaining space. For example, the storage position information generation unit 151 may calculate combination information of storage container types corresponding to the remaining space and extract additional storage item information for the storage container type corresponding to that combination information (for example, a combination in which two additional storage items of storage container type 1 / 4 can be stored in 1 / 2 of the remaining space, a combination in which one additional storage item of storage container type 1 / 4 and two additional storage items of storage container type 1 / 8 can be stored, a combination in which four additional storage items of storage container type 1 / 8 can be stored, etc.). The additional storage information may be presented, for example, via an application on the user terminal 2 (especially as a list), or via an application on the worker terminal 3 (especially as a list). When a worker selects additional storage information, the selected additional storage information may be sent from the data management unit 120 to the user terminal 2, and the user's application may perform an authorization confirmation process for the additional storage information. If the data management unit 120 receives information indicating authorization, it may be confirmed as additional storage information for delivery. Furthermore, if, for example, combination information is used to allow the selection of two or more additional storage items, then, depending on the storage container type of the selected product, if it is determined that a storage container type cannot be stored (for example, if three additional storage items of storage container type 1 / 8 are selected for 1 / 2 of the remaining space, volumes larger than storage container type 1 / 8 cannot be selected, or if an additional storage item of storage container type 1 / 3 is selected, volumes larger than storage container type 1 / 6 cannot be selected), then processing may be performed to make the additional storage item information corresponding to the storage container type that cannot be stored unselectable (for example, by graying it out to restrict the selection operation, or by not displaying it in the list information).Additional storage can be various types of storage, which are exemplified below.

[0048] <Example of additional storage item 1> The additional storage information may include user identification information or other user identification information linked to advertising items that are provided to the user (also called "the user" when distinguishing it from "other users") or other users. That is, the additional storage extraction unit 152 extracts advertising item information as additional storage information that indicates advertising items that can be stored in the remaining space, based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the advertising item information and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The advertising item information may include, for example, advertising item identification information, advertising item size information (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, information on whether items can be stacked on top of each other, advertising type (samples, paper advertisements (flyers, leaflets, etc.), etc.), advertising item category information (food, beverages, alcoholic beverages, sweets, household goods, cosmetics, etc.), converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or converted from the advertising item size information when the additional storage information is extracted), advertiser information, etc.

[0049] Here, "other user" refers to the user whose other user identification information is associated with the user's own user identification information. Other user identification information may include, for example, the identification information of a cohabiting user set as a family member or partner, or the identification information of a proxy user set by the user as a proxy recipient. In this example, for such association, the user's application may perform a registration process for the other user's identification information, and / or the other user's application may perform a process to select whether or not to allow the association with the user's identification information.

[0050] In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 may, for example, randomly extract advertising item information to be used as additional storage items from advertising item information including convertible storage container type information that can be stored in the remaining space, or the user or operator may select and set the advertising item category information and advertiser information to be extracted on the application. Furthermore, if purchase history information linked to the user's own information or other users' information is available, the unit may refer to such purchase history information to refer to at least one of the product category information, manufacturer information, or seller information of products purchased in the past, and extract one or more pieces of advertising item information including the corresponding advertising item category information and advertiser information as additional storage items.

[0051] Furthermore, if the additional storage item extraction unit 152 can access purchase request product information linked to the user information of the user or another user instead of purchase history information, it may access at least one of the product category information, manufacturer information, or seller information of said purchase request product information.

[0052] In this way, by extracting advertising item information while also considering the remaining space in the user's storage space, it becomes possible to select appropriate advertising items. Furthermore, by referring to the purchase history information of the user or other users, it becomes possible to obtain more accurate advertising results.

[0053] <Example of additional storage items 2> The additional storage information may include recurring purchase product information linked to the user's identification information or the other user's identification information, which indicates recurring purchase products that the user or other users have registered in advance in association with each identification piece. That is, the additional storage extraction unit 152 extracts recurring purchase product information that can be stored in the remaining space as additional storage information, based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the recurring purchase product information linked to the user's identification information or the other user's identification information, and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The recurring purchase product information may include, for example, product identification information, product size (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, stacking capability information, converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or converted from the product size when the additional storage information is extracted), and scheduled delivery date information (for example, around what day each month the recurring delivery is scheduled).

[0054] In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 refers to, for example, the scheduled delivery date information and extracts recurring purchase items as additional storage item information if the scheduled delivery date is within a predetermined period from the date the extraction request was executed (for example, arriving in the nearest storage space within one week from the date the extraction request was executed). The user or operator selects one or more recurring purchase items to be added to the storage from the list of recurring purchase item information presented on the application, taking into account the remaining storage space.

[0055] In this way, by considering the remaining space in the storage area and extracting information on recurring purchase products, it becomes possible to store recurring purchase products appropriately.

[0056] <Example of additional storage item 3> The additional storage information may include information on items that other users wish to provide to a designated user or a desired user, linked to other user identification information. That is, the additional storage extraction unit 152 extracts information on items that can be stored in the remaining space as additional storage information, based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the information on items that other users wish to provide, and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The information on items that wish to provide may include, for example, information on the provided item identification, the size of the provided item, weight information, management temperature zone information, information on whether items can be stacked on top of each other, converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or converted from the size of the provided item when the additional storage information is extracted), and information on the date the provided item was registered, and may be registered as additional storage information by other users. The items that wish to provide may be, for example, gifts (presents) for a designated recipient, or donated items or items to be shared without a designated recipient.

[0057] In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 presents a list of desired items (those associated with user identification information, and / or open items not associated with specific identification information) indicating the types of convertible storage containers that can be stored in the remaining space to the user terminal or worker terminal. The user or worker selects one or more desired items to be additionally stored from the list of desired items presented on the application, taking the remaining space into consideration.

[0058] In this way, by considering the remaining space in the storage area and extracting information on items requested by other users, it becomes possible to appropriately store the items requested by other users.

[0059] <Example of additional storage item 4> The additional storage information may include delivery information indicating delivery items linked to the user's identification information or other user's identification information. That is, the additional storage extraction unit 152 extracts delivery information indicating delivery items that can be stored in the remaining space as additional storage information, based on the converted storage container type information corresponding to the delivery information linked to the user's identification information or other user's identification information, and the remaining space information (particularly the remaining converted storage container type information). The delivery information may include, for example, delivery item identification information, delivery item size (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, information on whether items can be stacked on top of each other, converted storage container type information (which may be stored in advance or converted from the product size when the additional storage information is extracted), and delivery date information (for example, around what day of each month).

[0060] In this example, the additional storage item extraction unit 152 refers to, for example, the delivery date information for the delivery item and extracts as additional storage item information delivery items whose delivery date is within a predetermined period from the day the extraction request was executed (for example, arriving in the nearest storage space within one week from the day the extraction request was executed). The user or operator selects one or more delivery items to be added to the storage from the list of delivery item information presented on the application, taking into account the remaining space.

[0061] In this way, by considering the remaining space in the storage area and extracting delivery information accordingly, it becomes possible to store deliveries appropriately.

[0062] The additional storage item extraction unit 152 only needs to extract at least one of the additional storage items in the above example. For example, the types of items that can be added to the storage may be pre-configured on the system. Alternatively, the user may be able to select the items they wish to add to the storage. The user may pre-configure information about the items they wish to add as user information, and the system may automatically extract the items based on that configuration. As illustrated in Figure 12, when viewing the list of additional storage items, the system may sort or rearrange the list to select the items to view.

[0063] The storage location instruction information generation unit 153 generates storage location instruction information that visually indicates the storage location of an item within the storage space to a worker with a worker terminal 3, based on the storage location information generated by the storage location information generation unit 151. The storage location instruction information generation unit 153 may also be a functional unit executed by the control unit 20 via an application (including a web browser) stored on the worker terminal 3, etc. That is, the storage location information generated by the storage location information generation unit 151 may be transmitted to the worker terminal 3 via the information transmission / reception unit 100, and the control unit 20 (storage location instruction information generation unit 153) of the worker terminal 3 may similarly generate storage location instruction information.

[0064] Here, the storage location instruction information generated by the storage location instruction information generation unit 153 will be described. The storage location instruction information may be text information indicating the storage location of an item within the storage space, such as "Please store in the first stage," or it may be image information indicating the storage location of an item within the storage space.

[0065] As a more concrete example, let's explain using the example of the storage space identification information "0001" mentioned above. First, when storing an item (storage information "N0001") in an unstorage space, the storage position indication area 910 generates and displays storage position indication information, including image information indicating that the item is stored in the first level of the storage space and text information that says "Please store in the first level" (see Figure 9).

[0066] Next, when storing another item (N0010) in a storage space where an item (N0001) is already stored on the bottom surface, the storage position indication area 910 generates and displays storage position indication information, including image information indicating that an item is stored in the second layer of the storage space and text information that says "Please store in the second layer" (see Figure 10). At this time, for example, as illustrated in Figure 10, the image information may show visually different colors or patterns for the already stored item (N0001) and the item (N0010) that is the target of the storage position indication.

[0067] Furthermore, if the storage space is divided into partitioned areas corresponding to one of the storage container types, rather than being stored in a common area within the storage space as in the example above, the storage location indication area 910 may generate and display storage location indication information, including image information indicating that the item is stored in the partitioned area to be stored, and text information stating "Please store in (partitioned area identification information)".

[0068] Furthermore, when using a storage container type obtained by dividing the depth, width, or height of the storage space by a predetermined number, as in the example above, the image information as storage position indication information may be image information such as a diagram showing the storage space that can be viewed from only one direction, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, but is not limited to this, and may also be image information showing the storage space that can be viewed from two or more directions (for example, image information showing the storage space viewed from three directions: the front, side, and top of the storage space, or image information in which the storage space and stored items are represented by a three-dimensional model).

[0069] <Processing flow> Referring to Figure 11, the processing flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing system of the present invention will be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information processing system in Figure 1.

[0070] Here, the information processing system allows users or workers to access the management server 1 using an application (including a web browser), etc. If it is the first time using the service, they may log in after completing the user registration process. If they already have an account, they may log in after undergoing a prescribed authentication process, such as entering an ID and password, to make the service available. Alternatively, instead of an account, a unique application ID associated with the application downloaded to the user terminal 2 or worker terminal 3 may be used as user identification information (ID) to make the service available. After this login authentication, service use begins via the application (including a web browser), etc.

[0071] First, in this example, the data management unit 120 (especially the storage management unit 150) of the management server 1 generates new storage identification information and new storage space identification information in response to storage acceptance processing, such as reading identification codes attached to stored items by a reader, or additional storage extraction processing, and then registers the generated storage information and storage space information by associating it with the user (S101). Here, if the storage space is already associated with the user, only the storage information (which may include additional storage information) may be registered.

[0072] Next, the storage location information generation unit 151 generates storage location information regarding the storage location of the stored items within the storage space, based on storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume that stores the stored items in the storage space associated with the user, and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space, and updates the corresponding storage space information (S102). At this time, the storage management unit 150 (for example, the storage location information generation unit 151) may also calculate residual space information in conjunction with generating the storage location information and update the storage space information.

[0073] Next, the information transmission / reception unit 100 transmits at least one of the generated storage location information, or storage location instruction information generated based on the said storage location information to the worker terminal (S103). That is, if the storage location instruction information generation unit 153 is a functional unit of the user terminal 2, the storage location information is transmitted to the work terminal in step S103. If the storage location instruction information generation unit 153 is a functional unit of the management server 1, the next step S104 may be executed before step S103 to generate the storage location instruction information, and the storage location instruction information may be transmitted to the work terminal in step S103.

[0074] Next, the storage location instruction information generation unit 153 generates storage location instruction information that visually indicates the storage location of the stored item within the storage space to the worker holding the worker terminal 3, based on the storage location information generated by the storage location information generation unit 151 (S104).

[0075] Subsequently, if the contents are already stored in a storage container corresponding to this system, the worker may proceed to the storage space at the storage location indicated by the storage location instruction information. If the contents are not yet stored, the worker may first store the contents in the storage container based on the storage container type information indicated by the storage location instruction information, and then place the contents in the storage space.

[0076] The operator may then be instructed to select the storage completion area 930 to set the status to "storage complete," and the storage space information may be updated in response to this selection. Additionally, the operator may, if necessary, be made able to check detailed information about the stored items (such as stored item information) based on a selection operation to the stored item information confirmation area 920, or they may be instructed to select the stored item list request area 940 to return to the stored item list screen, for example, sorted by registration order.

[0077] As described above, by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., delivered goods) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that facilitates the overall understanding of the volume of stored items and enables efficient storage in various storage spaces.

[0078] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1. Management Server 2 User terminals

Claims

1. a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space; an information transmitting unit configured to transmit at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information generated based on the storage position information and for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal, The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space. An information processing system comprising:

2. The storage position indication information includes text information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The image information is a visually different display of a stored object that has already been stored and a stored object that is the target of a storage position instruction.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from only one direction.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The image information is image information showing the storage space that can be seen from two or more directions.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. a storage position generating unit that generates storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space; an information transmitting unit configured to transmit at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information generated based on the storage position information and for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal, The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space. A server comprising:

7. A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit; and transmitting, by an information transmission unit, at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information that is generated based on the storage position information and is for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal; The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space.

23. An information processing method comprising:

8. A step of generating storage position information regarding a storage position of the stored object in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating a type of storage container for each volume of the storage container that stores the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating a storage state of the storage space by a storage position generation unit; and transmitting, by an information transmission unit, at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information that is generated based on the storage position information and is for instructing the storage position to an operator terminal; The storage position indication information includes image information indicating the storage position of the stored object within the storage space. A program characterized by:

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