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: In an information processing system, a control unit of a management server comprises a delivery request management unit 152 that transmits, to a delivery person terminal, a delivery request demand including at least storage container type information indicating the type for every capacity of a storage container storing a delivery and receives, from the delivery person terminal, delivery request responding information indicating whether a delivery request related to the delivery request demand can be received. The storage container type information allows identification of the type of the storage container based on a storage container capacity obtained by taking a predetermined storage space capacity as a reference storage space capacity and dividing the reference storage space capacity by a predetermined number.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 technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increase in services in which delivery staff accept on-demand orders for food, beverages, or daily necessities placed on an application and deliver the items to the orderer. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system for such delivery services. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special publication 2021-501945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In delivery services, it is desirable for delivery personnel to deliver multiple items together in order to improve delivery efficiency, but the availability of storage space in the delivery personnel's possession (for example, a rectangular backpack-type bag) is not known and is not taken into consideration when making deliveries.

[0005] On the other hand, even if the size of the parcels in the delivery locker and the parcels to be delivered can be determined in advance, there is actually variation in the shape of each parcel. Therefore, even if parcels are stored in the delivery locker, dead space is created, making it difficult to store them efficiently. As a result, it cannot be said that excessive use of proxy storage space can be sufficiently reduced.

[0006] In recent years, autonomously controlled mobile objects, such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), have begun to be used in industry. In this context, experimental operation of a parcel delivery system has begun, in which mobile objects deliver parcels, such as goods ordered on e-commerce (EC) websites. While such parcel delivery systems are expected to control multiple mobile objects, due to the nature of the experimental operation, virtual parcels (e.g., daily necessities and food) are set within the range that can be loaded onto a single mobile object. However, in reality, users do not place orders while considering the load capacity of a single mobile object. They typically order the desired items in the desired quantities at the desired times, making it difficult to predict whether the items will fit on a single mobile object.

[0007] On the other hand, high delivery efficiency reduces delivery costs (and therefore delivery fees), so loading a large amount of cargo onto a single mobile 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 space is remaining in the mobile vehicle's loading section, and therefore operation with high loading efficiency is desirable.

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

[0009] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problem is an information processing system or the like that includes a delivery request management unit that sends a delivery request request that includes at least storage container type information that indicates the type of storage container by volume that stores the delivery item to a delivery person terminal, and receives delivery request response information from the delivery person terminal that indicates whether the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., deliveries) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that make it easier to grasp the overall quantity of stored items and enable efficient storage in various storage spaces. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal and delivery person terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the management server of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the storage in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a display screen relating to a delivery request according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is an example illustrating generation of remaining space information or storage location information according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of an order information storage unit in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] 1 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]1 is a flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The details of the embodiments of the present invention will be described below. An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. [Item 1] Transmitting a delivery request request including at least storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for storing the delivery item by volume to the delivery person terminal; a delivery request management unit that receives delivery request response information indicating whether or not the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted from the deliveryman terminal; An information processing system comprising: [Item 2] The containment vessel type information is identifiable based on a containment vessel volume obtained by dividing a predetermined containment space volume as a reference containment space volume by a predetermined number. 2. The information processing system according to item 1, [Item 3] the delivery request management unit extracts order information that satisfies predetermined conditions from the order information registered in response to the user's ordering operation, and generates a delivery request; 3. The information processing system according to item 1 or 2, [Item 4] The condition is that the volume of the storage container indicated by the storage container type information linked to the order information is equal to or less than the volume indicated by the remaining converted storage container type information corresponding to the remaining space of the storage space linked to the delivery person. 4. The information processing system according to item 3, [Item 5] The condition is that the weight information included in the order information is within the load capacity information of the storage space associated with the delivery person; 5. The information processing system according to item 3 or 4, [Item 6] The condition is that the managed temperature range information included in the order information matches the manageable temperature range information of the storage space associated with the delivery person; 6. The information processing system according to any one of items 3 to 5, [Item 7] When the delivery request management unit determines that the delivery request is completed, the delivery request management unit awards a reward to the delivery person based on a reward amount set for each storage container type information linked to the order information. 7. The information processing system according to any one of items 3 to 6, [Item 8] The amount of compensation is set to be larger as the volume amount indicated by the storage vessel type information is larger. 8. The information processing system according to item 7, [Item 9] Transmitting a delivery request request including at least storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for storing the delivery item by volume to the delivery person terminal; a delivery request management unit that receives delivery request response information indicating whether or not the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted from the deliveryman terminal; A server characterized by: [Item 10] transmitting a delivery request request including at least storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for storing the delivery item by volume to a deliveryman terminal; receiving delivery request response information indicating whether or not the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted from the deliveryman terminal; The information processing method is characterized in that the above is executed by a delivery request management unit. [Item 11] transmitting a delivery request request including at least storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for storing the delivery item by volume to a deliveryman terminal; receiving delivery request response information indicating whether or not the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted from the deliveryman terminal; A program characterized by causing a delivery request management unit to execute the above.

[0013] <First Embodiment> An information system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the accompanying drawings, identical or similar elements are given identical or similar reference symbols and names, and duplicate descriptions of identical or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. Furthermore, the features shown in this embodiment may also be applied to other embodiments as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0014] <Configuration> 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, the user terminals 2, and the delivery person terminal 3 are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example and is not limited to this.

[0015] <Administration Server 1> 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 1. Note that the configuration shown in the figure is an example, and other configurations may also be used.

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

[0017] The management server 1 includes at least a control unit 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a transmission / reception unit 13, an input / output unit 14, etc., which are electrically connected to one another via a bus 15.

[0018] The control unit 10 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the 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 GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 12 and deployed in the memory 11 to perform various information processing.

[0019] The memory 11 includes a main memory configured with a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary memory configured with a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The memory 11 is used as a work area for the processor 10, and also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is executed when the management server 1 starts up, various setting information, etc.

[0020] The storage 12 stores various programs such as application programs. A database that stores data used for each process may be constructed in the 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 include a short-range communication interface for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0022] The input / output unit 14 is an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display.

[0023] A bus 15 is commonly connected to the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0024] <User terminal 2, delivery person terminal 3> The user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 3 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, or PDA, carried by a user who orders a delivery item. The user terminal 2 also includes a control unit 20, memory 21, storage 22, a transceiver unit 23, and an input / output unit 24, which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 25. Since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the management server 1 described above, detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted. The delivery person terminal 3 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, mobile phone, PHS, or PDA, carried by a delivery person who delivers the ordered delivery item to the user. Since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same way as the user terminal 2 described above, detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted.

[0025] <Management server functions> Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions implemented in the control unit 10 of the management server 1, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating information stored in the storage 12. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 of the management server 1 has, as functional units, an information transmission / reception unit 100, a data management unit 120, and a delivery management unit 150. The delivery management unit 150 includes a storage container type setting unit 151, a delivery request management unit 152, a remaining space calculation unit 153, a storage position information generation unit 154, and a storage position instruction information generation unit 155. In addition, the storage 12 includes various databases, such as a user information storage unit 121, a delivery person information storage unit 122, a store information storage unit 123, a storage space information storage unit 124, and an order information storage unit 125.

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

[0027] The delivery person information stored in the delivery person information storage unit 122 may include, for example, basic information about the delivery person (delivery person's name, email address, telephone number, etc.), delivery person identification information, storage space identification information, external application account information, desired delivery area, identification information (including driver's license information), bank account information, delivery history information, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0028] The store information stored in the store information storage unit 123 may be, for example, basic store information (store name, business hours, address, contact information, telephone number, store URL, shipping fee, etc.), product information (product name, product identification information, product storage container type information, weight information, controlled temperature range information, etc.), etc., but is not limited to these.

[0029] The storage space information stored in the storage space information memory unit 124 may include, for example, storage space identification information, delivery person identification information, stored item information, storage status information (including remaining space information (especially remaining equivalent storage container type information)), load-bearing capacity information, manageable temperature range information, etc., and stored item information may include stored item type information, storage container type information, weight information, manageable temperature range information, storage location information, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0030] The storage space information stored in the order information storage unit 125 may include, for example, order identification information, user identification information, delivery person identification information, order time information, order cost information, order content information, weight information, manageable temperature range information, delivery area information, storage container type information, delivery status information, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0031] The information transmission / reception unit 100 (hereinafter, each function may be referred to as the "information transmission unit" or the "information reception unit") transmits various information (including requests) to external devices (e.g., user terminal 2, delivery person terminal 3, etc.) directly or indirectly connected to the management server 1 at least via a network, and receives various information (including requests) from external devices.

[0032] The screen information generating unit 110 generates screen information to be displayed via the user interface of the user terminal 2 or the delivery person 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 material. The screen information generating 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. In other words, the management server 1 may transmit information necessary for generating a user interface screen, such as image data, and an application on the user terminal 2, etc., may generate a user interface screen based on the necessary information in accordance with predetermined layout rules and display it on the user terminal 2. Processing related to the screen information generating unit 110 may also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0033] 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, for example, an order reception process for receiving an order for a product (delivery item) through an order operation on an application of the user terminal 2 and adding new order information, a purchase process for executing a purchase (payment) for the received order, a storage container type setting process for setting a storage container type for storing the purchased item based on size information (depth, width, height) corresponding to each purchased item by referring to the order information in the order information storage unit 125, a delivery request submission process for generating a delivery request request including at least storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for each volume of the storage container for storing the item and transmitting it to the delivery person terminal, a delivery request response information reception process for receiving delivery request response information indicating whether the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted from the delivery person terminal, and a storage container type information corresponding to the item to be stored in the storage space associated with the delivery person and the storage container type information. This includes, but is not limited to, various processes such as a residual space calculation process that calculates residual space information indicating the remaining space in the storage space based on storage status information indicating the storage status of the storage space; a storage position determination process regarding the storage position of the stored item in the storage space based on storage container type information corresponding to the stored item in the storage space linked to the delivery person and storage status information indicating the storage status of the storage space; an information transmission unit process that transmits the generated storage position information to the delivery person terminal; a storage space information update process that updates the stored item information and storage status information contained in the storage space information; an order information update process that updates order information based on delivery-related operations such as collection completion operations and delivery completion operations on the application of the delivery person terminal 3; and a reward granting process that grants a reward to the delivery person identified by the delivery person identification information corresponding to the target order based on the receipt of delivery completion information.

[0034] The shape of the storage container is, for example, a three-dimensional container with a geometric shape, and is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped (including a cube) in consideration of storage in the storage space, stacking, etc. The material of the storage container may be any material, such as paper, plastic, metal, etc., and a box-shaped container made of paper or plastic is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of ease of production and weight. Here, in the present invention, storage container type information is set so that the type of storage container can be identified for stored items such as deliveries. The storage container type information indicates multiple storage container types. The containment vessel type may be, for example, a plurality of containment vessel volume types that are set to be distinguishable from one another based on a volume obtained by dividing a predetermined containment space volume as a reference containment space volume by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) (for example, it may include a plurality of containment vessel volume types that are set to be distinguishable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing the reference containment space volume by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) and multiplying the result by a number equal to or less than the predetermined number (e.g., 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1, 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 3 / 4, 1, etc.), or it may include a plurality of containment vessel volume types that are set to be distinguishable for each containment vessel volume divided by a predetermined number (for example, which may be an integer, and in particular may be 2 to the nth power (n is an integer that may include 0)) (e.g., 1 / 2, 1 / 4, 1 / 8, etc.), but is not limited to these). Furthermore, more specifically, with regard to the volume of the storage vessel, for example, when the reference storage space volume is divided by 4 (i.e., 1 / 4), the storage vessel may have a volume obtained by dividing any one of the depth, width, or height of the storage space by 4, or the storage vessel may have a volume obtained by dividing two of the depth, width, or height of the storage space by 2.

[0035] In addition, the reference storage space volume does not have to be the same volume as the specified storage space volume, but may be substantially the same (approximately the same) volume, and may be a volume minus the amount of excess space (e.g., a few millimeters or centimeters) required, particularly in consideration of the storage work of the container in the storage space, or if a partition is installed inside the storage container, may be a volume minus the amount of the partition (e.g., a few millimeters or centimeters) (or the storage space may have substantially the same volume as the reference storage space volume, but be larger by the amount of the partition).

[0036] The storage space for storing a user's stored items and / or the storage space that is the target of the reference storage space volume may be any space having a predetermined volume, but is preferably a storage space for receiving stored items. More specifically, it may be an installed object used by a user, such as a user's storage space, a smart-locked delivery box installed in a private home or a delivery box located in a common area of ​​an apartment building (the location of the space may be determined in advance by linking it to information related to the user, or it may be a location where the delivery person stores the package by linking it to information related to the user), a shelf, locker, post office box, or insulated box that does not require electrical locking and unlocking control. The reference may also be a storage space for delivery, or a delivery item storage section of a mobile object for delivering packages (such as a mobile object such as a UAV or UGV, especially an autonomously controlled mobile object), a loading platform used by a delivery person for delivery (e.g., a truck loading platform, a motorcycle rear box, a box cart, a basket cart, etc.), or a mobile object such as a delivery bag. Furthermore, the space having a predetermined volume may be a space whose depth, width, and height lengths are fixed as described above, but it may also be a space whose volume is set by imaginarily setting a height length for an area whose depth and width lengths are fixed, such as a pallet, or a space whose volume is set by imaginarily setting a portion of the depth, width, and height lengths. However, this is not limited to these. Furthermore, 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).

[0037] The delivery management unit 150 performs order reception processing to add order identification information to the order information storage unit 125 and purchase (payment) processing for the received order, for example, based on an order operation on an application on the user terminal 2. Ordering a product on the application on the user terminal 2 may be performed using a known product ordering function, and for example, the user may search for a store or product (e.g., food, drink, or daily necessities) on the application by selecting a product category, and when a store is selected, the user may further select products in the store, and after selecting the products, may request an order or perform electronic payment.

[0038] The storage container type setting unit 151 references the order information in the order information storage unit 125 and sets storage container type information for storing the purchased items based on size information (depth, width, height) corresponding to each purchased item. More specifically, the storage container type setting unit 151 references the order information in the order information storage unit 125, reads size information (depth, width, height) corresponding to each purchased item, and virtually stores the purchased items in containers of each storage container type using a known packing calculation algorithm for storing a specified object in a space of a specified volume, thereby setting appropriate storage container type information and updating the storage container type information included in the order information. The set storage container type information may be displayed on a store terminal (not shown) or a delivery person terminal 3, and a store worker or delivery person may store the items in the storage containers. Regarding size information for a store-purchased product, for example, if the product is food or drink prepared in a store, size information (depth, width, height) of the food container that holds the food or drink is linked to the product information in advance and stored in store information storage unit 123, and if the product is a commercially available product such as a daily necessities, size information (depth, width, height) of the commercially available product is linked to the product information in advance and stored in store information storage unit 123. Note that product-compatible storage container type information corresponding to the product may be stored in store information storage unit 123, and this may be set as the storage container type information for storing the purchased product as is, or this may be used for calculations when multiple items are ordered (i.e., if the product-compatible storage container type information is "1 / 4" and the order quantity is "2," the set storage container type information may be set to two "1 / 4"s or combined to one "1 / 2"). Furthermore, it is preferable that the suitable storage container type be the smallest size storage container type capable of storing the purchased items from the perspective of subsequent storage efficiency in the storage space, but it is not limited to the smallest, and the storage container type may be one to two sizes larger than the smallest size that can be stored, taking into account size errors due to individual differences in the items and cushioning materials (such as foam cushioning or air-filled vinyl cushioning).

[0039] Furthermore, the setting of the storage container type is not limited to the selection of one storage container, but may also include the selection of multiple storage containers. For example, if the purchased items include items that are strictly prohibited from being stacked, in order to reliably prevent stacking, the storage container in which the strictly prohibited items are stored may be set as a separate storage container that is strictly prohibited from being stacked, and the storage container may be determined to be stored in the upper part of the storage space. Alternatively, for example, two storage containers with the same or nearest volume may be selected, or two storage containers with the same or nearest weight may be selected, so as to avoid bias in the center of gravity or to divide the delivery into two, taking into account the load on the mobile object. Alternatively, if the volume of the purchased items exceeds the storage space, two storage containers may be selected, one with approximately the same volume as the reference storage space and one that can store the remaining purchased items.

[0040] The delivery request management unit 152 generates a delivery request request that includes at least storage container type information indicating the type of storage container for storing the product by volume, for example, and executes a delivery request sending process to send the request to the delivery person terminal 3, a delivery request response information receiving process to receive from the delivery person terminal delivery request response information indicating whether the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted, and an order information update process to update the order information based on collection completion information corresponding to the collection completion operation on the application of the delivery person terminal 3 and delivery completion information corresponding to the delivery completion operation.

[0041] In the delivery request sending process, as illustrated in FIG. 6, order information that meets predetermined conditions is extracted from the order information added in response to a user order, and the order information is sent as a delivery request to the deliveryperson terminal 3 of the deliveryperson associated with the target deliveryperson identification information. A delivery request information area 610 containing, for example, the store name, store address, estimated pickup time, delivery address, and storage container type is displayed on the application of the deliveryperson terminal 3. Then, by selecting the delivery request information area 610, details of the delivery request are displayed. Depending on the delivery request acceptance operation, delivery request response information indicating whether the delivery request can be accepted is received from the deliveryperson terminal 3, and the deliveryperson identification information in the order information storage unit 125 may be updated as the responsible deliveryperson. As a result, storage container type information corresponding to the ordered items is displayed in the delivery request information area 610, allowing the deliveryperson to easily determine for themselves whether they can handle the specified delivery request in parallel with other delivery requests they are currently receiving.

[0042] The method of presenting the extracted delivery request information on the application of the delivery person terminal 3 is not limited to the format illustrated in Figure 6, in which multiple delivery request information areas 610 are displayed and the delivery person is allowed to select one, but may also be a format in which one delivery request information is presented in sequence over a predetermined period of time (or the period until the delivery request is rejected), and the delivery person identification information in the order information storage unit 125 is updated as the responsible delivery person depending on the acceptance operation for the delivery request.

[0043] A predetermined condition for extracting order information as a delivery request may be, for example, that the volume of the storage container indicated by the storage container type information linked to the order information is less than or equal to the volume indicated by the residual conversion storage container type information corresponding to the residual space described below.

[0044] The residual space will now be described. The residual space calculation unit 153 calculates the residual space (so-called empty space) within the target containment space based on reference containment space volume information indicating the volume of the containment space containing one or more containment vessels and the containment vessel type information set by the containment vessel type setting unit 151. The residual space is calculated by using a known packing calculation algorithm for storing a specified object in a space of a specified volume. The calculation result of the residual space is a volume value that is easy to convert to the containment vessel type, particularly when the containment vessel type is specified for each specified volume with respect to the reference containment space volume according to a specified rule as described above, and it can be easy to obtain residual-converted containment vessel type information by converting the residual space into the containment vessel type.

[0045] Here, a simplified example of calculating the remaining space in the case where the containment vessel type is defined for each predetermined volume relative to the reference containment space volume will be explained using Fig. 7. The containment vessel is exemplified for a plurality of containment vessel volume types (e.g., 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1) that are set identifiable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing the height relative to the reference containment space volume by 3 and multiplying the result by a number equal to or less than 3.

[0046] First, the storage space associated with storage space identification information "0001" is associated with delivery person identification information "H0001." If a delivery item (delivery item information "N0001") stored in a container (storage container type "S033") that is one-third of the standard storage space volume is stored here, the delivery item will be stored in an unused storage space, so the remaining space information is updated to "2 / 3" by subtracting 1 / 3 from 1, and the remaining equivalent storage container type information is updated to indicate two "S033"s and / or one "S066 (storage container type indicating a container with two-thirds the standard storage space volume)."

[0047] Similarly, if a delivery item (delivery item information "N0010") stored in a container (storage container type "S033") with one-third of the standard storage space volume is to be further stored, the remaining space information is updated to "1 / 3" by subtracting 1 / 3 from 2 / 3, and the remaining equivalent storage container type information is updated to indicate one "S033".

[0048] The remaining space is calculated in this manner, and can be more easily calculated by dividing the depth, width, or height of the storage space by a predetermined number, as shown in the example. Note that, as mentioned above, a more sophisticated remaining space calculation is possible using a known packing calculation algorithm.

[0049] By using the calculated remaining space (particularly the remaining storage container type information), it is possible to grasp the storage status (particularly the availability) of the storage space of the storage container owned by the delivery person, and in particular, by displaying the storage container type information corresponding to the ordered product in the delivery request information area 610, it becomes possible to easily determine whether the delivery person can handle a predetermined delivery request in parallel with the delivery request that he or she is currently receiving. Furthermore, as described above, if the predetermined condition for the delivery request management unit 152 to extract order information as a delivery request is that the volume of the storage container indicated by the storage container type information linked to the order information is equal to or less than the volume indicated by the remaining storage container type information corresponding to the remaining space, only delivery requests that the delivery person can handle in parallel with the delivery request that he or she is currently receiving are displayed, making it possible to support one delivery person in handling multiple delivery requests.

[0050] In addition, the specified conditions for extracting order information as a delivery request may be, for example, that the address information included in the user information linked to the order corresponds to the desired delivery area information included in the delivery person information, or that the route generated from the location indicated by the delivery person's location information to the store location using a known route generation method based on the location information of the delivery person terminal 3 arrives in time for the scheduled pickup time calculated from the order time in the order information.

[0051] Furthermore, a predetermined condition for extracting order information as a delivery request may be, for example, that the weight information included in the order information is within the load-bearing weight information included in the delivery person information. In particular, when handling multiple orders, the load-bearing weight information may be compared with the total weight information, which is the sum of the weight information included in each order information.

[0052] Furthermore, a predetermined condition for extracting order information as a delivery request may be, for example, that the managed temperature range information included in the order information (e.g., hot products, frozen foods, etc.) conforms to the manageable temperature range information included in the delivery person information. In particular, when handling multiple orders, the manageable temperature range information may be updated based on the manageable temperature range information included in the stored item information about the stored items that have already been stored, and it may be determined whether the manageable temperature range information of the next stored item conforms to the updated manageable temperature range information.

[0053] By extracting delivery requests based on various conditions in this way, the time and effort required for searching for delivery personnel is eliminated, and delivery requests can be easily fulfilled. In particular, by including information on the type of storage container corresponding to the ordered product in the extraction conditions for delivery requests, it becomes easy for delivery personnel to determine whether they can fulfill a given delivery request in parallel with other delivery requests they are currently receiving.

[0054] 8 shows an example of information stored in the order information storage unit 125. In this example, the product-related storage container type information corresponding to the product is used as is as the storage container type information for storing the purchased product.

[0055] First, for order identification information "0001," the associated user identification information is "U0031," store identification information is "T0003," and product identification information is "N0001." The storage container type information corresponding to the product is set to "S025," which indicates a container type with a quarter of the standard storage space volume. Additionally, the delivery person identification information "H0001" of the delivery person who received this order is also stored.

[0056] Next, for order identification information "0002," the associated user identification information is "U0090," store identification information is "T0009," and product identification information is "N0002." The storage container type information corresponding to the product is set to "S050," which indicates a container type with half the standard storage space volume. Additionally, the delivery person identification information "H0011" of the delivery person who received this order is also stored.

[0057] Next, for order identification information "0003," the associated user identification information is "U0004," store identification information is "T0021," and product identification information is "N0003." The storage container type information corresponding to the product is set to "S100," which indicates a container type that is approximately the same as the reference storage space volume. Since no delivery person has yet accepted this order, the delivery person identification information remains "N / A" (in other words, indicating that no delivery person identification information is stored).

[0058] Next, for order identification information "0004," the associated user identification information is "U0052," the store identification information is "T0043," and the product identification information is for two products, "N0004" and "N0005." The storage container type information corresponding to the products is set to one "S025" and one "S050." Additionally, the delivery person identification information "H0003" of the delivery person who received this order is also stored.

[0059] Finally, for the order identification information "0005" and "0006," the associated user identification information is "U0007" and "U0012," the store identification information is "T0080" and "T0013," the product identification information is "N0006" and "N0007," and the storage container type information corresponding to the products is set to one "S025" and one "S050," respectively. Additionally, the delivery person identification information "H0009" of the delivery person who received these two orders simultaneously is also stored for each.

[0060] The storage position information generator 154 generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object within the storage space based on containment vessel type information corresponding to the stored object in the storage space associated with the user and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. More specifically, the storage position information generator 154 may determine a storage position indicating a location within the storage space at which the stored object will be stored. The storage position is determined using a known packing calculation algorithm for storing a specified object in a space of a specified volume. Furthermore, in cases where containment vessel types are specified for each specified volume relative to the reference containment space volume according to a specified rule as described above, it becomes easy to obtain residual-converted containment vessel type information by converting the remaining space information into the containment vessel type, and it becomes easy to identify possible storage locations within the storage space by referring to the remaining space information. In particular, when the storage space includes multiple types of containment vessel volume identifiable for each containment vessel volume obtained by dividing any one of the depth, width, or height of the containment space by a predetermined number and multiplying the result by a number smaller than the predetermined number, as described above, or when the storage space includes multiple types of containment vessel volume identifiable for each containment vessel volume divided by a predetermined number, it becomes easier to identify the storage location within the containment space. Furthermore, when the storage space is divided by partitions or the like to correspond to each of the containment vessel types, the storage space information storage unit 124 stores, linked to the storage space identification information, divided area identification information identifiable for each area divided by partitions or the like within the target storage space and corresponding containment vessel type information corresponding to the divided area identification information, and the storage position information generator 154 may determine the divided area identification information to be stored as the storage position information.

[0061] Here, an example of determining the storage position when the storage vessel type is defined for each predetermined volume relative to the reference storage space volume will be explained in a simplified manner again with reference to FIG.

[0062] First, when a stored object (stored object information "N0001") stored in a container (stored object type "S033") that is one-third of the standard storage space volume is stored, the stored object is stored in a storage space that does not already contain the stored object, so the storage location is determined to be "on the bottom of the storage space (i.e., the first level)" (at this time, placement information may be added to the stored object information to select whether to place it vertically or horizontally).The storage status information of the storage space information is then updated to indicate that it is "stored in one-third of the storage space."

[0063] Similarly, if a stored object (stored object information "N0010") stored in a container (containment container type "S033") that is one-third of the standard storage space volume is to be further stored, the storage location is determined to be "above the stored object (N0001) (i.e., the second level)" because the stored object will be stored in a storage space that already has stored object (N0001) on the bottom surface of the storage space.The storage status information for the storage space information is then updated to indicate "stored in 2 / 3 of the storage space."

[0064] In this way, the storage location is determined, and this can be more easily executed when, as shown in the example, any one of the depth, width, or height of the storage space is divided by a predetermined number. Note that, as described above, a known packing calculation algorithm can be used to determine more advanced storage locations and calculate remaining space, and in this case, not only can the storage locations of stored items be determined, but the storage locations of stored items that have already been stored can also be determined again.

[0065] Furthermore, instead of storing items in a common area within the containment space as in the above example, if the containment space is divided into divided areas by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the containment vessel types, the storage location may be determined using the divided area identification information as storage location information when storing the stored items. The divided area identification information may then be linked to and managed with the stored item identification information, the residual space information may be divided area identification information with no associated stored items, and the residual converted containment vessel type information may be corresponding containment vessel type information corresponding to the divided area identification information with no associated stored items. The partition position may be movable, and the corresponding containment vessel type information may be changeable (e.g., changing from two "S033"s to "S066" or vice versa). Instead of or in addition to a single corresponding containment vessel type information (e.g., "S066") corresponding to each divided area identification information, multiple corresponding containment vessel type information (e.g., two "S033"s) may be associated.

[0066] In this way, the storage position information generator 154 can generate storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object within the storage space based on storage container type information corresponding to the stored object in the storage space linked to the user and storage state information indicating the storage state of the storage space. In particular, since the storage container type information specifies the storage container type for each predetermined volume with respect to the reference storage space volume in accordance with a predetermined rule as described above, it becomes possible to efficiently store the stored objects in the storage space like a puzzle, and it becomes easy to determine the storage position.

[0067] Based on the storage position information generated by the storage position information generation unit 154, the storage position instruction information generation unit 155 generates storage position instruction information that visually instructs the delivery person having the delivery person terminal 3 on the storage position within the storage space of the stored object. Note that the storage position instruction information generation unit 155 may be a functional unit executed by the control unit 20 by an application (including a web browser) stored in the delivery person terminal 3 or the like. In other words, the storage position information generated by the storage position information generation unit 154 may be transmitted to the delivery person terminal 3 via the information transmission / reception unit 100, and the control unit 20 (storage position instruction information generation unit 155) of the delivery person terminal 3 may similarly generate storage position instruction information.

[0068] Here, we will explain the storage position instruction information generated by storage position instruction information generation unit 155. The storage position instruction information may be text information indicating the storage position of the stored item within the storage space, such as "Please store it on the first shelf," or image information indicating the storage position of the stored item within the storage space.

[0069] As a more specific example, the above-mentioned example of storage space identification information "0001" will be used for explanation. First, when a storage item (storage item information "N0001") is to be stored in an unused storage space, image information indicating that the storage item is stored in the first row of the storage space and text information saying "Please store it in the first row" are generated and displayed in the storage position indication area 910 as storage position indication information (see FIG. 9).

[0070] Next, when a storage item (N0010) is to be stored in the storage space that already has a storage item (N0001) stored on the bottom, image information indicating that the storage item is stored in the second row of the storage space and text information saying "Please store it in the second row" are generated and displayed in the storage position instruction area 910 as storage position instruction information (see FIG. 10). At this time, for example, as exemplified in FIG. 10, the image information may display the already stored storage item (N0001) and the storage item (N0010) that is the target of the storage position instruction in such a way that their colors, patterns, etc. are visually different.

[0071] Furthermore, in cases where the storage space is not stored in a common area within the storage space as in the above example, but is divided into divided areas by partitions or the like to correspond to one of the storage vessel types, image information indicating that the item is stored in the divided area to be stored and text information stating "Please store in (divided area identification information)" may be generated and displayed in the storage position indication area 910 as storage position indication information.

[0072] In addition, when using a storage container type obtained by dividing any one of the depth, width, or height of the storage space by a predetermined number as in the above example, the image information as storage position indication information may be image information such as a diagram showing a storage space that can be seen from only one direction, as exemplified in Figures 9 and 10, but is not limited to this and may also be image information showing a storage space that can be seen from two or more directions (for example, image information showing the storage space as seen from three directions, namely the front, side, and top of the storage space, or image information in which the storage space and stored objects are represented by a three-dimensional model).

[0073] <Processing flow> The flow of processing of the information processing method executed by the information processing system of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the information processing system of Fig. 1.

[0074] Here, a user or delivery person provided by this information processing system accesses the management server 1 using an application (including a web browser) or the like, and when using the service for the first time, they may log in by completing a user registration process, or if they already have an account, they may log in after undergoing predetermined authentication, such as entering an ID and password, to use the service. Note that instead of an account, a unique application ID associated with an application downloaded to the user terminal 2 or delivery person terminal 3 may be used as user identification information (ID) to use the service. After this login authentication, the service can be started via an application (including a web browser) or the like.

[0075] First, in this example, the data management unit 120 (particularly the delivery management unit 150) of the management server 1 generates new order identification information in the order information storage unit 125 based on an order operation on an application of the user terminal 2, and executes registration by linking the generated order information to user identification information, store information, etc. (S101). Note that, during registration in this step S101, the storage container type information set by the storage container type setting unit 151 may be stored in association with the order information.

[0076] Next, the delivery request management unit 152 extracts order information that meets predetermined conditions from the registered order information, generates a delivery request request, and sends the delivery request request including at least storage container type information that indicates the type of storage container for each volume of the product to the delivery person terminal 3 (S102).

[0077] Next, the delivery request management unit 152 receives delivery request response information indicating whether the delivery request is acceptable or not from the delivery person terminal (S103), and updates the delivery person identification information of the corresponding order information.

[0078] Next, the storage position information generation unit 154 generates storage position information regarding the storage position of the stored object within the storage space based on storage container type information corresponding to the stored object in the storage space linked to the user and storage status information indicating the storage status of the storage space, and transmits at least one of the generated storage position information and storage position instruction information generated based on the storage position information and for indicating the storage position within the storage space to the deliveryperson terminal (S104). That is, if the storage position instruction information generation unit 155 is a functional unit of the management server 1, it may generate the storage position instruction information and transmit the storage position instruction information to the deliveryperson terminal 3 in step S104, whereas if the storage position instruction information generation unit 155 is a functional unit of the user terminal 2, it may transmit the storage position information to the deliveryperson terminal 3 in step S104. If necessary, detailed information regarding the product may be confirmed by operating the product information confirmation area 920.

[0079] Next, the delivery request management unit 152 receives collection completion information in response to the collection completion operation on the application of the deliveryperson terminal 3, and updates the delivery status information of the order information to "delivery in progress" (S105). For example, collection completion information may be sent from the deliveryperson terminal 3 by operating the collection completion sending area 930.

[0080] Next, the delivery request management unit 152 receives delivery completion information in response to the delivery completion operation on the application of the deliveryperson terminal 3, and updates the delivery status information of the order information to "delivery completed" (S106).

[0081] Here, based on the receipt of the delivery completion information in step S106, the data management unit 120 (delivery management unit 150) may execute a process for granting a reward to the delivery person indicated by the delivery person identification information corresponding to this order. The reward granting process may, for example, be a process for granting a reward amount according to a reward amount (e.g., reward amount or reward points) set for each order linked to the delivery person identification information (e.g., a process for setting the reward amount to be paid to bank account information), but the reward amount may also be set for each storage container type information linked to the order, and the reward amount may be set to be larger the larger the volume indicated by the storage container type information. This can lead to a problem that if a remuneration amount is set per order, it would be more beneficial for delivery personnel to accept multiple orders with small volumes, resulting in fewer delivery personnel accepting orders with large volumes. However, if the remuneration amount is set for each storage container type information linked to an order, and if, for example, the remuneration amount for accepting two orders with a volume of 1 / 3 indicated by the storage container type information is the same or approximately the same as the remuneration amount for accepting one order with a volume of 2 / 3 indicated by the storage container type information, this problem is less likely to occur. Note that the remuneration amount set is not limited to the storage container type information, and instead or in addition, the remuneration may be set higher the longer the distance or required time of the delivery route.

[0082] As described above, by standardizing and managing stored items (e.g., deliveries) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that make it easier to grasp the overall quantity of stored items and enable efficient storage in various storage spaces.

[0083] The above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Management Server 2. User terminal

Claims

1. A remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating a remaining space in a storage space associated with a delivery person; a delivery request management unit that extracts only delivery requests for deliveries that are equal to or smaller than the volume of the remaining space and transmits a delivery request to the delivery person terminal of the delivery person; An information processing system comprising:

2. The delivery request management unit receives delivery request response information indicating whether or not the delivery request related to the delivery request can be accepted from the delivery person terminal.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The residual space calculation unit calculates residual space information indicating a current residual space.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The delivery request management unit determines whether weight information included in the delivery request is within load capacity information of a storage space associated with the delivery person; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. the delivery request management unit determines whether or not managed temperature zone information included in the delivery request conforms to manageable temperature zone information of a storage space associated with the delivery person; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. When the delivery request management unit determines that the delivery request is completed, the delivery request management unit awards a reward to a delivery person based on a reward amount set for each storage container type information linked to the delivery request.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

7. The compensation amount is set to be larger as the volume amount indicated by the storage vessel type information is larger.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. A remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating a remaining space in a storage space associated with a delivery person; a delivery request management unit that extracts only delivery requests for deliveries that are equal to or smaller than the volume of the remaining space and transmits a delivery request to the delivery person terminal of the delivery person; A server comprising:

9. A step of calculating residual space information indicating a residual space in a storage space associated with a delivery person by a residual space calculation unit; A step of extracting only delivery requests for deliveries whose volume is equal to or less than the remaining space by a delivery request management unit and transmitting a delivery request to a delivery member terminal of the delivery member; An information processing method characterized by being executed by a computer.

10. A step of calculating residual space information indicating a residual space in a storage space associated with a delivery person by a residual space calculation unit; A step of extracting only delivery requests for deliveries whose volume is equal to or less than the remaining space by a delivery request management unit and transmitting a delivery request to a delivery member terminal of the delivery member; A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

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