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

Abstract

To improve delivery efficiency of deliverers.SOLUTION: An information processing system is provided, comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring location information related to a deliverer, and a setting unit configured to set a reception point representing a location where the deliverer receives a transporting target object from a first mobile vehicle relaying the transporting target object according to the location information acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, technology has been developed for a delivery service to efficiently deliver or collect parcels requested by a user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for acquiring the load of one or more circular flights that circulate between three base stations, and determining whether to change the operation plan of the circular flight based on the acquired load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-52525 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 increases or decreases the number of circular deliveries depending on the load, and does not take into consideration, for example, improving delivery efficiency by coordinating with other moving objects.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program that can further improve the delivery efficiency of delivery companies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires location information related to a deliverer; and a setting unit that sets a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer will receive the transport object from a first mobile body that relays the transport object based on the location information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires location information related to a delivery person; and a setting unit that sets a receiving location indicating a location where the delivery person receives the transport object from a first moving body that relays the transport object based on the location information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes acquiring location information related to a delivery person, and setting a receiving location indicating a location where the delivery person receives the transport object from a first mobile body that relays the transport object based on the acquired location information.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to realize an acquisition function for acquiring location information related to a deliverer, and a setting function for setting a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer will receive the transport object from a first mobile body that relays the transport object based on the location information acquired by the acquisition function. Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to further improve the delivery efficiency of the delivery company. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a delivery slot according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of an information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the fleet management server 30 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of a schedule management server 40 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview regarding setting of a package receiving location. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of setting a baggage receiving location. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example in which another deliverer U3 relays and transports package L. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example in which an unmanned mobile body 10B and another deliverer U3 relay transport a package L. [Figure 10] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operation process of the fleet management server 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the fleet management server 30 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described below. An information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. [Item 1] An acquisition unit that acquires location information related to a deliverer; A setting unit that sets a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer receives the transportation object from a first moving body that relays the transportation object based on the location information acquired by the acquisition unit; An information processing system comprising: [Item 2] The transportation object is delivered by the delivery person using a second moving body. Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 3] The delivery area of ​​the delivery company includes a plurality of relay locations, The setting unit is setting one of the plurality of relay positions as the receiving position; Item 3. The information processing system according to item 1 or 2. [Item 4] The location information includes the location of the deliverer, The setting unit is A relay location that satisfies a predetermined condition from the location of the deliverer is set as the receiving location. Item 3. An information processing system according to item 3. [Item 5] The setting unit is Setting the receiving location based on the location of the deliverer and the delivery route of the deliverer; 5. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 6] The location information includes a location where the courier plans to make the next delivery; The setting unit is A relay location that satisfies a predetermined condition from a location where the deliverer plans to make the next delivery is set as the receiving location. Item 3. The information processing system according to item 1 or 2. [Item 7] The location information includes a relay location designated by the deliverer, The setting unit is The relay location designated by the deliverer is set as the receiving location. Item 3. The information processing system according to item 1 or 2. [Item 8] The relay locations that satisfy the predetermined condition include the nearest relay location, Item 7. An information processing system according to item 6. [Item 9] The first moving body includes a vehicle or an aircraft. Item 3. An information processing system according to item 2. [Item 10] The first moving body includes a vehicle used by another delivery person. Item 10. An information processing system according to item 9. [Item 11] The second moving body includes a vehicle. Item 11. An information processing system according to item 10. [Item 12] The setting unit is A midpoint between the delivery person and the other delivery person is set as the receiving location. Item 12. The information processing system according to item 10 or 11. [Item 13] The setting unit is The relay location closest to the waypoint is set as the receiving location. Item 12. The information processing system according to item 10 or 11. [Item 14] The setting unit is Setting a receiving location according to the type of mobile vehicle used by the delivery person and other delivery persons; Item 12. The information processing system according to item 10 or 11. [Item 15] A generation unit that generates delivery instruction information based on the receiving location set by the setting unit; Further comprising: Item 3. The information processing system according to item 1 or 2. [Item 16] a communication unit that transmits the delivery instruction information generated by the generation unit to an external device; Further comprising: Item 16. An information processing system according to item 15. [Item 17] The communication unit is When a specific request is included in the request content included in the delivery request for the transport object, notification information corresponding to the specific request is transmitted to a terminal used by the deliverer. Item 17. An information processing system according to item 16. [Item 18] An acquisition unit that acquires location information related to a deliverer; A setting unit that sets a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer receives the transportation object from a first moving body that relays the transportation object based on the location information acquired by the acquisition unit; An information processing device comprising: [Item 19] Obtaining location information associated with a shipper; Based on the acquired location information, a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer receives the transportation object from a first moving body that relays the transportation object is set; 2. An information processing method implemented by a computer, comprising: [Item 20] On the computer, A function for acquiring location information related to the deliverer; A setting function for setting a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer receives the transportation object from a first moving body that relays the transportation object based on the location information acquired by the acquisition function; A program to achieve this.

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0014] In addition, in this specification and drawings, the mobile bodies are distinguished as necessary, such as a manned mobile body 10A for a mobile body used by a deliverer, and an unmanned mobile body 10B for a mobile body that moves by autonomous control or remote control. However, when there is no need to distinguish between the mobile bodies, each mobile body is simply referred to as a mobile body 10. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the mobile bodies, each information terminal is distinguished as necessary, such as an information terminal used by a deliverer who delivers or collects packages is referred to as a deliverer terminal 20A, and an information terminal used by a requester who requests delivery or collection of packages is referred to as a requester terminal 20B. However, when there is no need to distinguish between the information terminals, each information terminal is simply referred to as an information terminal 20.

[0015] <<1. Overview of the information processing system>> An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that can further improve the delivery efficiency of a deliverer with respect to delivery or collection.

[0016] <1.1. Overview> Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system according to the present embodiment includes a moving object 10, an information terminal 20, a traffic management server 30, and a schedule management server 40, as shown in Fig. 1, for example.

[0017] The moving object 10, the information terminal 20, the fleet management server 30, and the schedule management server 40 are connected to each other via a network.

[0018] In the following description, an example in which the transportation object is a package L will be mainly described, but the transportation object according to the present embodiment is not limited to the package L. For example, the transportation object is not limited to an article such as the package L, and may be a living thing such as a person or an animal.

[0019] (Mobile 10) The mobile body 10 according to this embodiment is an example of a first mobile body and a second mobile body, and is a mobile body used in delivery work such as delivering or collecting a package L. For example, the mobile body 10 is used when delivering a package L requested for delivery by a requester U2 from a warehouse WH where the package L is stored. Note that the mobile body 10 is not essential for delivery work, and for example, the delivery may be performed on foot together with a dolly (e.g., a box dolly or a basket dolly).

[0020] For example, the mobile object 10 includes a manned mobile object 10A used by a delivery person U1 to deliver or pick up a package L.

[0021] For example, the manned moving body 10A according to the present embodiment may be a vehicle moving on a land route as shown in Fig. 1 (for example, a passenger car, a light truck, a cargo vehicle such as a light van, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a kick scooter, etc.). However, the manned moving body 10A is not limited to a vehicle. For example, the manned moving body 10A may be an aircraft flying on an air route, or a ship moving on a waterway such as a sea route or a river route.

[0022] Moreover, the moving body 10 according to this embodiment includes an unmanned moving body 10B that moves by autonomous control or remote control. For example, the unmanned moving body 10B may move by autonomous control using input information such as two positions such as a start point (e.g., a delivery start position of the baggage L or a movement start position of the unmanned moving body 10B) and an end point (e.g., a receiving position of the baggage L), or three or more positions including a relay point (e.g., a collection position of the baggage L in the case of a delivery involving collection of the baggage L) and a return point (e.g., a position that is the same as the movement start position of the unmanned moving body 10 or a different waiting position). Note that the input information used for autonomous control may include various information such as other intermediate points and a delivery route.

[0023] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body 10B may be moved by remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10B.

[0024] For example, the unmanned moving body 10B may be an air vehicle as shown in Fig. 1. For example, the air vehicle may be a drone that flies by autonomous control, or may be an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that flies by remote control by an administrator.

[0025] In addition, the unmanned mobile body 10B according to the present embodiment is not limited to an aircraft. For example, the unmanned mobile body 10B may be a vehicle that moves on land, such as an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), or a ship that moves on waterways, such as seaways and riverways.

[0026] Furthermore, the manned moving body 10A and the unmanned moving body 10B may be moving bodies capable of moving along at least two or more routes, including land routes, water routes, and air routes.

[0027] (Information terminal 20) The information terminal 20 according to this embodiment is a terminal used by a person involved in the delivery or collection service. For example, the information terminal 20 may be various terminals such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0028] For example, the information terminal 20 includes a deliverer terminal 20A used by a deliverer U1 who delivers or collects a package L. For example, the deliverer U1 may use the deliverer terminal 20A to confirm delivery instruction information including a delivery task based on the request content included in the delivery request registered by the requester U2. In FIG. 1, the package L is delivered to the requester U2 who made the delivery request, but this is not limited to this case, and the package may be delivered to a recipient other than the requester, with the requester being the sender. In such a case, the deliverer U1 may load the package L onto a mobile unit 10 or the like when leaving the warehouse WH, and one or more delivery tasks may be set in advance as a delivery plan in a predetermined order.

[0029] The information terminal 20 also includes a requester terminal 20B that is used by a requester U2 who requests delivery or collection of a package L. For example, the requester U2 may use the requester terminal 20B to register a delivery request regarding the delivery or collection of the package L.

[0030] (Traffic management server 30) The fleet management server 30 according to this embodiment is an example of an information processing device, and is a server that manages the operation of the mobile object 10. For example, the fleet management server 30 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a PC, or may be a cloud server.

[0031] For example, the fleet management server 30 acquires location information related to the deliverer U1, and based on the location information, sets a receiving location indicating the location where the deliverer U1 will receive the package L from the mobile body 10 that relays the package L.

[0032] (Schedule management server 40) The schedule management server 40 according to this embodiment is a server that manages various schedules related to delivery and collection. For example, the schedule management server 40 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be a cloud server.

[0033] For example, the schedule management server 40 manages a delivery plan and a delivery schedule regarding the delivery or collection of the deliverer U1. The schedule management server 40 also manages a delivery plan and a delivery schedule regarding the delivery or collection of the unmanned mobile body 10B.

[0034] For example, when a delivery request for package L is registered by a requester U2, the schedule management server 40 may register a delivery schedule for the delivery or collection of package L in a delivery slot of the delivery plan of the deliverer U1 or unmanned mobile unit 10B that delivers the package L.

[0035] A delivery slot is a time slot in which the unmanned mobile unit 10B or the deliverer U1 responds to a delivery request. For example, the daily delivery plan of the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer U1) is divided into predetermined delivery slots (for example, 15 minutes or 30 minutes for an unmanned mobile unit, or 1 hour for a deliverer), and the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer U1) delivers the parcel L registered for each delivery slot at the time indicated by the delivery slot. In the delivery slot of the unmanned mobile unit, parcels to a delivery destination such as 1 or 2 may be registered, and in the delivery slot of the deliverer, parcels to multiple delivery destinations such as 5 to 10 may be registered, but this is not limited thereto.

[0036] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a delivery slot according to this embodiment. For example, the daily delivery plan DS of the unmanned mobile body 10B (or the deliverer) is divided into predetermined delivery slots (for example, 15 minutes), and the unmanned mobile body 10B (or the deliverer) delivers the parcel L registered for each delivery slot at the time indicated by the delivery slot. Such a combination of the delivery plan DS and the delivery slot may be set for each of multiple candidate receiving locations.

[0037] For example, a delivery plan DS set for a certain receiving location (such as relay location S1 shown in Figure 6) includes two types of delivery slots: a "full" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as a "full slot DF") indicating that the delivery schedule for the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer) has already been filled, and an "empty" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as an "empty slot DE") indicating that there is a vacancy in the delivery schedule for the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer).

[0038] The outline of the information processing system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 20, the fleet management server 30, and the schedule management server 40 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0039] <1.2. Example of functional configuration of information terminal 20> 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 230, and an operation display unit 240.

[0040] (Communication unit 210) The communication unit 210 according to the present embodiment performs various communications with the fleet management server 30 and the schedule management server 40. For example, the communication unit 210 included in the requester terminal 20B may transmit to the fleet management server 30 a delivery request regarding the delivery or collection of a package registered by a requester.

[0041] Furthermore, the communication unit 210 included in the deliverer terminal 20A may transmit location information indicating the location of the deliverer terminal 20A to the fleet management server 30. For example, the location information indicating the location of the deliverer terminal 20A includes positioning information (information on longitude, latitude, and altitude) obtained by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Furthermore, the location information indicating the location of the deliverer terminal 20A may be location information (for example, a current address) directly input by the deliverer via the operation display unit 240 described later.

[0042] In addition, the communication unit 210 included in the deliverer terminal 20A may receive other delivery instruction information related to the delivery of the package from the fleet management server 30.

[0043] (Control unit 230) The control unit 230 according to this embodiment controls the overall operation of the information terminal 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls the transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 210. For example, the control unit 230 included in the requester terminal 20B may control the communication unit 210 to transmit a delivery request including the request content inputted by the operation display unit 240.

[0044] In addition, the control unit 230 may control the operation display unit 240 to display the delivery instruction information received from the fleet management server 30. For example, the control unit 230 included in the deliverer terminal 20A may control the operation display unit 240 to display other delivery instruction information received from the fleet management server 30.

[0045] (Operation display section 240) The operation display unit 240 according to this embodiment functions as an operation unit for inputting request details regarding delivery or collection of parcels. The operation display unit 240 also functions as a display unit for displaying delivery instruction information received from the fleet management server 30.

[0046] The function of the operation unit may be realized by, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard. The function of the display unit may be realized by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The function of the display unit and the function of the operation unit may be configured separately.

[0047] The information terminal 20 may be equipped with a microphone, in which case the requester may use the microphone to input the request details regarding the delivery or collection of the package by voice. The information terminal 20 may also be equipped with a speaker, in which case the deliverer may confirm the delivery instruction information by the voice output from the speaker.

[0048] <1.3. Example of functional configuration of the traffic management server 30> 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the fleet management server 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the fleet management server 30 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0049] (Communication unit 310) The communication unit 310 according to this embodiment performs various communications with the information terminal 20 and the schedule management server 40. For example, the communication unit 310 may receive a delivery request for delivery or collection of a package registered by a requester from the requester terminal 20B.

[0050] The communication unit 310 is an example of an acquisition unit, and may receive location information related to a deliverer. For example, the communication unit 310 may receive location information indicating the location of the deliverer terminal 20A from the deliverer terminal 20A. The communication unit 310 may receive location information based on the delivery plan of the deliverer from the schedule management server 40.

[0051] Furthermore, the communication unit 310 may transmit delivery instruction information generated by a generation unit 333 (described later) to an external device such as the information terminal 20 or the unmanned mobile unit 10B.

[0052] In addition, when a specific request is included in the request content included in the delivery request from the requester, the communication unit 310 may transmit notification information corresponding to the specific request to the deliverer terminal 20A. The specific request here includes, for example, a request for urgent delivery. For example, when urgent delivery is included in the request content, the communication unit 310 may transmit notification information to the deliverer terminal 20A to warn that the delivery is urgent.

[0053] (Storage unit 320) The storage unit 320 according to this embodiment stores software and various data. For example, the storage unit 320 may store requester information. Here, the requester information may include various basic information such as the requester's name, the requester's name in the service, an email address, an address, or a telephone number, or may include one or more of the requester's identification information (ID), account information of an external application, or information regarding the location where the package is to be received. However, the requester information is not limited to these.

[0054] The storage unit 320 may also store deliverer information. Here, the deliverer information may include basic information of the deliverer, such as the deliverer's name, email address, and telephone number, or may include the deliverer's identification information, current location information, current delivery area, and vehicle type identification information, or may include the delivery company name and delivery company identification information. The deliverer information may also include, for example, external application account information, desired delivery area, identification card information (including driver's license information), transfer account information, and delivery history information. However, the deliverer information is not limited to these.

[0055] The storage unit 320 may also store store information. For example, the store information may include basic store information such as the store name, business hours, address, contact information, phone number, store URL, and shipping fee. The store information may also include product-related information such as product name, product identification information, product-compatible storage container type information, weight information, and management temperature range information. However, the store information is not limited to these.

[0056] (Control unit 330) The control unit 330 according to this embodiment controls the overall operation of the fleet management server 30. The control unit 330 includes a setting unit 331 and a generating unit 333, as shown in FIG.

[0057] The setting unit 331 according to the present embodiment sets a receiving location indicating a location where the deliverer receives the package from the mobile body 10 that relays the package, based on the acquired location information related to the deliverer. A specific example of setting the receiving location will be described later.

[0058] The generating unit 333 according to this embodiment generates delivery instruction information based on the receiving location set by the setting unit 331. Note that, although specific examples of the delivery instruction information will be described later, for example, the delivery instruction information includes information on the receiving location set by the setting unit 331.

[0059] <1.4. Example of functional configuration of schedule management server 40> 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the schedule management server 40 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the schedule management server 40 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, and a control unit 430.

[0060] (Communication unit 410) The communication unit 410 according to this embodiment performs various communications with the information terminal 20 and the fleet management server 30. For example, the communication unit 410 may transmit to the fleet management server 30 location information related to a deliverer.

[0061] For example, the communication unit 410 may receive information on a receiving location or a collection location indicating a location designated by a requester as a receiving location or a collection location of a package from the deliverer terminal 20A. In this case, the communication unit 410 may transmit to the fleet management server 30 location information related to a deliverer in charge of delivery in a delivery area including the designated receiving location or collection location.

[0062] For example, the communication unit 410 may transmit information regarding the delivery route of the deliverer or the location where the deliverer plans to next deliver or collect, to the fleet management server 30 as location information related to the deliverer.

[0063] (Storage unit 420) The storage unit 420 according to this embodiment stores software and various data. For example, the storage unit 420 stores a delivery plan of each deliverer and a delivery plan of the unmanned mobile body 10B. For example, the delivery plan includes various information such as the delivery route of the deliverer, location information of the planned delivery by the deliverer, location information of each of a plurality of relay locations, the loading status of the parcel for each delivery slot of the manned mobile body 10A used by the deliverer for delivery, and the availability of the unmanned mobile body 10B.

[0064] (Control unit 430) The control unit 430 according to this embodiment controls the overall operation of the schedule management server 40. For example, the control unit 430 may control the communication unit 410 to transmit location information related to a deliverer.

[0065] For example, when a certain relay location is designated by a delivery person as a location for receiving a package, the control unit 430 may control the communication unit 410 to transmit location information regarding the designated relay location to the fleet management server 30 as location information related to the delivery person.

[0066] An example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 20, the fleet management server 30, and the schedule management server 40 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, a specific example relating to setting of a package receiving position will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0067] <<2. Specific examples of setting the baggage receiving location>> When a requester requests delivery or collection of food, daily necessities, or other items via an application or browser, a delivery person may be assigned to handle the delivery request for the package.

[0068] For example, a deliverer who responds to a delivery request for a package requested by a requester needs to go to a warehouse or store where the package is stored to pick up the package as needed. As a result, for example, if the location where the deliverer is located is far from the location where the package is collected, the deliverer needs to travel a long distance to collect the package, which may reduce the delivery efficiency of the deliverer.

[0069] In addition, the delivery request of the requester may include various requests. For example, the delivery request may include various requests such as a delivery slot, a location for receiving the package, etc. In addition, the delivery request may include a specific request such as an immediate delivery of the package (e.g., food, etc.).

[0070] If such a request is included, the deliverer will need to collect the package from the warehouse or store where the package is stored as soon as it is decided to deliver the package, which may affect the delivery plan of the deliverer. In other words, if the deliverer were to respond appropriately to such an irregular request, the delivery efficiency of the deliverer may decrease.

[0071] For example, in order to reduce the burden on such deliverers and prevent a decrease in delivery efficiency, it may be desirable for a package requested for delivery by a client to be relayed by another mobile vehicle from the warehouse or store where the package is stored.

[0072] Therefore, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, location information related to the deliverer is acquired, and based on the location information, a receiving location indicating the location where the deliverer receives the package from the mobile body 10 that relays the package is set. First, an overview of package delivery will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0073] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of package delivery. In the examples shown in Figs. 6 to 9, for convenience of explanation, the package L is shown exposed to the outside of the moving body 10, but the package L may be stored inside the moving body 10. In addition, the unmanned moving body 10B may have a structure for holding the package L.

[0074] First, the requester U2 uses the requester terminal 20B to request delivery of the package L. At this time, the requester U2 specifies the pickup location of the package L (for example, the home B2 of the requester U2 or a pickup location such as a store or dedicated delivery facility near the home B2 as shown in FIG. 6). Then, the schedule management server 40 assigns the delivery person U1 to deliver the package L of the requester U2.

[0075] For example, the deliverer U1 that will handle the delivery may be a deliverer whose delivery route or delivery area included in the delivery plan includes a receiving location such as the client U2's home B2, or a deliverer that uses a manned mobile body 10A (e.g., a truck) that has available storage space.

[0076] The communication unit 310 included in the fleet management server 30 may receive location information related to the deliverer U1 who handles the delivery from the deliverer terminal 20A or the schedule management server 40. The setting unit 331 may set a receiving location (for example, a relay location S1 as shown in FIG. 6) based on the received location information related to the deliverer U1.

[0077] The generation unit 333 then generates delivery instruction information based on the set receiving location, and the communication unit 310 may transmit the generated delivery instruction information to the unmanned mobile body 10B that relays the package L and to the deliverer terminal 20A used by the deliverer U1.

[0078] This enables the unmanned mobile body 10B to relay the package L requested for delivery by the requester U2 from the warehouse WH where the package L is stored, and to hand over the package L to the deliverer U1 at the set relay location S1.

[0079] Furthermore, the deliverer U1 who received the package L delivers the package L to a receiving location, such as the home B2, designated by the requester U2 as the receiving location. Note that the deliverer U1 may deliver the package L using a manned mobile object 10A as shown in FIG. 6, or may deliver the package L on foot.

[0080] The outline of the package delivery has been explained above. Next, a specific example of setting the receiving position of the package L will be explained with reference to Figs.

[0081] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of setting a package receiving location. In the example shown in Fig. 7, a case will be explained where delivery area A is specified for deliverer U1 as the area in which the deliverer is responsible for delivering package L. Note that, in the example shown in Fig. 7, inside the delivery area A of deliverer U1 is to the right of the dashed line indicating the boundary of delivery area A, and outside the delivery area A is to the left of the dashed line indicating the boundary of delivery area A.

[0082] For example, the delivery area A of the deliverer U1 includes multiple relay positions S1 to S4. The multiple relay positions S1 to S4 may be, for example, but are not limited to, the installation positions of stands where the unmanned mobile body 10B can wait. For example, the relay positions S1 to S4 may be any meeting positions, but are preferably positions that serve as meeting landmarks such as bus stops, buildings, and parking lots.

[0083] The setting unit 331 may set, for example, one of the plurality of relay positions S1 to S4 as the receiving position.

[0084] For example, the communication unit 410 receives location information indicating the location of the deliverer terminal 20A from the deliverer terminal 20A as the location of the deliverer U1. Then, the setting unit 331 may set a relay location that satisfies a predetermined condition from the location of the deliverer U1 obtained from the deliverer terminal 20A as the receiving location.

[0085] More specifically, the setting unit 331 may set, for example, the relay location S1 that is the closest relay location to the location of the deliverer U1 among the multiple relay locations S1 to S4 as the receiving location. Note that, in this specification, an example is mainly described in which the relay location that satisfies a predetermined condition is the closest relay location, but is not limited to such an example. The relay location that satisfies the predetermined condition may also be a relay location that satisfies another condition, such as the second closest relay location.

[0086] Then, the generating unit 333 may generate delivery instruction information based on the set receiving position. For example, the delivery instruction information may include information on the delivery start position (for example, the position of the warehouse WH where the package L is stored) and the receiving position, or may include information on the delivery route and waypoints. In addition, the delivery instruction information may include various information used for, for example, the autonomous control of the unmanned mobile body 10B or the remote operation of the unmanned mobile body 10B.

[0087] Next, the communication unit 310 may transmit the delivery instruction information generated by the generation unit 333 to an external device. For example, the external device may include an unmanned mobile body 10B that relays the package L, an information terminal 20 used by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body, or a deliverer terminal 20A used by a deliverer U1 who delivers the package L.

[0088] For example, when the communication unit 310 transmits delivery instruction information to the unmanned mobile body 10B, the unmanned mobile body 10B that receives the delivery instruction information becomes able to deliver the package L by autonomous control from the warehouse WH to the relay position S1, which is the receiving position.

[0089] In addition, when the communication unit 310 transmits delivery instruction information to an information terminal 20 used by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10B, the administrator may remotely operate the unmanned mobile body 10B based on the delivery instruction information, or may transmit the delivery instruction information to the unmanned mobile body 10B using the information terminal 20 used by the administrator.

[0090] In addition, when the communication unit 310 transmits delivery instruction information to the deliverer terminal 20A used by the deliverer U1 who delivers the package L, the deliverer U1 becomes able to confirm the location of the relay position S1 where the package can be received from the unmanned mobile unit 10B.

[0091] The unmanned mobile body 10B may wait at the relay position S1 until the deliverer U1 arrives at the relay position S1. The unmanned mobile body 10B may not wait until the deliverer U1 arrives at the relay position S1, but may leave the package at the relay position S1 and return to the warehouse WH, which is the base. If a storage box is present at the relay position S1, the unmanned mobile body 10B may store the package L in the storage box and return to the warehouse WH. Furthermore, when the deliverer U1 receives the package from the waiting unmanned mobile body 10B or the storage box, delivery authentication may be performed using predetermined identification information.

[0092] In addition, the location information related to the deliverer U1 is not limited to the location of the deliverer U1. The communication unit 410 may receive route information including the delivery route of the deliverer U1 from the schedule management server 40 as the location information related to the deliverer U1. In this case, the setting unit 331 may set the receiving location based on the delivery route of the deliverer U1.

[0093] More specifically, the setting unit 331 may estimate the location of the deliverer U1 based on the delivery route of the deliverer U1 and the current time. Then, the setting unit 331 may set the relay location closest to the estimated location of the deliverer U1 as the receiving location.

[0094] The setting unit 331 may also set the receiving position according to the time based on the moving speed of the unmanned mobile body 10B and the distance of the relay transport. For example, the setting unit 331 may estimate the expected position of the deliverer U1 after the relay transport based on the time required for the unmanned mobile body 10B to relay transport the package L and the delivery route of the deliverer U1. Then, the setting unit 331 may set the relay position closest to the expected position of the deliverer U1 after the relay transport as the receiving position.

[0095] The communication unit 310 may also receive information on the location where the deliverer U1 is scheduled to make the next delivery from the schedule management server 40 as location information related to the deliverer U1. In this case, the setting unit 331 may set, as the receiving location, a relay location that satisfies a predetermined condition from the location where the deliverer U1 is scheduled to make the next delivery (for example, the closest relay location).

[0096] The communication unit 310 may also receive designation information regarding a relay location designated by the deliverer U1 from the deliverer terminal 20A. Then, the setting unit 331 may set the relay location designated by the deliverer U1 as the receiving location.

[0097] For example, the deliverer U1 may specify the relay position S4 as the receiving position. Then, the deliverer terminal 20A transmits designation information regarding the relay position S4 specified by the deliverer U1 to the fleet management server 30. Then, the setting unit 331 may set the relay position S4 included in the designation information as the receiving position. Note that the designation information may be transmitted from the schedule management server 40 to the fleet management server 30 via the schedule management server 40.

[0098] Furthermore, the location where the requester U2 receives the package L is not limited to a building or facility such as the home B2. For example, any of the relay locations S1 to S4 may be specified as the location where the requester U2 receives the package L. For example, the requester U2 may request delivery by specifying the relay location S4, which is the nearest bus stop, as the location where the requester U2 receives the package L. This allows the requester to collect the package L at, for example, the nearest bus stop, etc., which can further improve convenience for the requester.

[0099] According to the setting of the package receiving location as described above, the unmanned mobile unit 10B assists in the delivery of packages for delivery requests requiring delivery to other areas (e.g., outlying areas indicating locations that are far away or geographically separated) that are not included in the delivery area A. As a result, the deliverer U1 can focus on deliveries within the delivery area A, and the delivery efficiency of the deliverer U1 can be further improved.

[0100] Furthermore, the delivery plan of the deliverer U1 may not include plans to deliver or collect other packages in the vicinity of the receiving location of the newly requested package L. In such a case, the deliverer U1 may need to head to the receiving location only for the newly requested package L. On the other hand, by setting the receiving location of the package as described above, it is possible to reduce the work of the deliverer U1, and the delivery efficiency of the deliverer U1 may be further improved.

[0101] Further, in FIG. 7, an example has been described in which the unmanned mobile body 10B relays and transports the package L, but for example, another deliverer U3 may relay and transport the package L.

[0102] 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example in which another deliverer U3 relays and transports a package L. For example, when another deliverer U3 relays and transports a package L, the setting unit 331 may set, for example, a midpoint between the deliverer U1 and the other deliverer U3 as the receiving position. More specifically, the setting unit 331 may calculate a midpoint based on the position (e.g., longitude and latitude) of the deliverer U1 and the position (e.g., longitude and latitude) of the other deliverer U3, and set the midpoint as the receiving position.

[0103] In addition, the setting unit 331 may set the relay location S1, which is closest to the midpoint between the deliverer U1 and another deliverer U3, as the receiving location.

[0104] The setting unit 331 may set the receiving position depending on the type of the mobile body 10 used by each of the deliverer U1 and the other deliverer U3. For example, if the manned mobile body 10A used by the other deliverer U3 is faster than the manned mobile body 10A used by the deliverer U1, the setting unit 331 may set the receiving position to a relay position closer to the position of the deliverer U1, which has the slower moving speed.

[0105] In addition, a plurality of packages L may be relayed by combining the unmanned mobile unit 10B with another deliverer U3.

[0106] 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example in which the unmanned mobile body 10B and another deliverer U3 relay transport of a package L. For example, a requester U2 uses a requester terminal 20B to request delivery of food F. At this time, another deliverer U3, such as a clerk or gig worker at store B3, collects the food F at store B3 and delivers it to a relay position S5. Here, the unmanned mobile body 10B is waiting at the relay position S5 due to the base of the unmanned mobile body 10B or due to the handover of another package.

[0107] Then, the other deliverer U3 may hand over the food F to the unmanned mobile body 10B at the relay position S5. Then, the unmanned mobile body 10B may move to the relay position S1, which is the receiving position set by the setting unit 331.

[0108] In this way, by combining the other deliverer U3 with the unmanned mobile body 10B, it is possible to further improve the delivery efficiency of the delivery of the package L. In addition, if the other deliverer is a service provider such as a gig worker or a store clerk, this may also lead to an increase in new employment opportunities.

[0109] It is also possible that there are multiple candidates for the parcel delivery start location. In such a case, the setting unit 331 may specify one of the multiple delivery start candidates.

[0110] For example, when a client requests delivery of a certain food, there may be multiple stores that handle the food. In this case, the setting unit 331 may designate, as the delivery start location of the food, a store that has the shortest distance between the location of each of the multiple stores and the location of the delivery person, or a store that takes the shortest time to deliver to the location of the delivery truck.

[0111] A specific example of setting the luggage receiving position has been described above. Next, an example of the operation process of the fleet management server 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] <<3. Operation processing example>> 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the operation process of the fleet management server 30 according to this embodiment. First, the communication unit 310 receives location information related to a deliverer (S101).

[0113] Next, the setting unit 331 sets the location where the deliverer will receive the package based on the received location information related to the deliverer (S105).

[0114] Then, the generation unit 333 generates delivery instruction information based on the set reception location (S109).

[0115] Then, the communication unit 310 transmits the generated delivery instruction information to the external devices, that is, the deliverer terminal 20A and the unmanned mobile body 10B (S113), and the fleet management server 30 according to this embodiment ends the operation process.

[0116] <<4. Hardware configuration example>> The information processing described above is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware of the fleet management server 30 described below. The hardware configuration described below is also applicable to the information terminal 20 and the schedule management server 40.

[0117] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the fleet management server 30 according to this embodiment. The fleet management server 30 includes a control unit 330, a memory 31, a storage 32, a transmission / reception unit 33, an input / output unit 34, etc., which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 35, as shown in FIG.

[0118] The control unit 330 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the fleet management server 30, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing required for application execution and authentication processing. For example, the control unit 330 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 32 and deployed in the memory 31 to perform various information processing as described above.

[0119] The memory 31 includes a main memory configured with a volatile storage device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and an auxiliary memory configured with a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD). The memory 31 is used as a work area for the control unit 330, and also stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) executed when the fleet management server 30 is started up, various setting information, and the like.

[0120] The storage 32 stores various programs such as application programs, etc. A database that stores data used in each process may be constructed in the storage 32.

[0121] The transmission / reception unit 33 connects the fleet management server 30 to a network and / or a blockchain network. The transmission / reception unit 33 may include a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0122] The input / output unit 34 includes information input devices such as a keyboard, a microphone, and a mouse, and output devices such as a display and a speaker.

[0123] A bus 35 is commonly connected to each of the above elements, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0124] <<5. Supplementary Information>> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0125] For example, in the present specification, an example in which a deliverer delivers a package using a mobile object 10 has been mainly described, but the deliverer does not necessarily have to use the mobile object 10. For example, the deliverer may deliver the package on foot.

[0126] Furthermore, the setting unit 331 may set a receiving position indicating a position where a deliverer receives a package, based on various information such as deliverer information, store information, or product information stored in the storage unit 320. For example, if the management temperature zone of the package requested to be delivered by the requester is the freezing zone, it may be difficult for the unmanned mobile body 10B to perform long-distance relay transportation, so the setting unit 331 may set a relay position close to the unmanned mobile body 10B as the receiving position.

[0127] In addition, the traffic management server 30 does not necessarily have to transmit the delivery instruction information and the notification information to an external device. For example, if the traffic management server 30 has a display unit, the delivery instruction information and the notification information may be displayed on the display unit. Then, for example, a manager who has confirmed the delivery instruction information displayed on the display unit may instruct the deliverer U1 or the unmanned mobile unit 10B to make a delivery by any method.

[0128] Furthermore, the fleet management server 30 according to this embodiment may have some or all of the functional configuration of the schedule management server 40. When the fleet management server 30 has all of the functional configuration of the schedule management server 40, the information processing system according to this embodiment does not need to have the schedule management server 40. The schedule management server 40 may have some or all of the functional configuration of the fleet management server 30.

[0129] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes hardware such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the information terminal 20, the operations management server 30, and the schedule management server 40 to perform functions equivalent to those of the above-mentioned information terminal 20, the operations management server 30, and the schedule management server 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10 Mobile 20 Information terminal 210 Communications Department 230 Control Unit 240 Operation display section 30 Traffic management server 310 Communications Department 320 Storage section 330 Control Unit 331 Settings 333 Generation part 40 Schedule Management Server 410 Communications Department 420 Storage section 430 Control Unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires position information related to a deliverer; A setting unit that sets a receiving position indicating a position where an unmanned moving body that relays the transport target and the deliverer receive the transport target based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit; An information processing system comprising:

2. The transport target is delivered by the deliverer using a second moving body, The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The delivery area of the deliverer includes a plurality of relay positions, The setting unit, Based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit, sets one of the plurality of relay positions as the receiving position, The information processing system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The position information includes the position of the deliverer, The setting unit, Sets a relay position that satisfies a predetermined condition from the position of the deliverer as the receiving position, The information processing system according to claim 3.

5. The setting unit, Sets the receiving position based on the position of the deliverer and the delivery route included in the current delivery plan of the deliverer, The information processing system according to claim 4.

6. The position information includes the position where the deliverer is scheduled to deliver next, The setting unit, Sets a relay position that satisfies a predetermined condition from the position where the deliverer is scheduled to deliver next as the receiving position, The information processing system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The position information includes the relay position designated by the deliverer, The setting unit, Sets the relay position designated by the deliverer as the receiving position, The information processing system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. The relay positions that satisfy a predetermined condition include the nearest relay position, The information processing system according to claim 6.

9. The unmanned moving body includes an unmanned aerial vehicle, The information processing system according to claim 1.

10. A generation unit that generates delivery instruction information based on the receiving position set by the setting unit, Further comprising: The information processing system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

11. A communication unit that transmits the delivery instruction information generated by the generation unit to an external device, Further comprising: The information processing system according to claim 10.

12. The communication unit, When a predetermined request is included in the request content included in the delivery request for the object to be transported, notification information corresponding to the predetermined request is transmitted to the terminal used by the deliverer. The information processing system according to claim 11.

13. An acquisition unit that acquires position information related to a deliverer; A setting unit that sets a receiving position indicating a position where the object to be transported is received between an unmanned moving body that relays the object to be transported and the deliverer based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit; An information processing apparatus comprising:

14. Acquiring position information related to a deliverer; Based on the acquired position information, setting a receiving position indicating a position where the object to be transported is received between an unmanned moving body that relays the object to be transported and the deliverer; An information processing method executed by a computer, including:

15. In a computer, An acquisition function for acquiring position information related to a deliverer; A setting function for setting a receiving position indicating a position where the object to be transported is received between an unmanned moving body that relays the object to be transported and the deliverer based on the position information acquired by the acquisition function; A program for realizing:

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