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

Abstract

To enable a proxy acting on behalf of a recipient to smoothly receive a package.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a control unit that sets, as a proxy, a candidate for the proxy who can receive a package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package, and a communication unit that notifies the proxy or the candidate for the proxy of information about the package.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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, in the field of parcel delivery services, the delivery means have become increasingly diverse, and technological developments are being made to handle the various delivery means. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a logistics management system that manages information related to a logistics network and changes the operation plan of a circular service that circulates within an area based on the information. [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] As a means of delivering such packages, autonomously controlled unmanned mobile vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), are beginning to be used. Unmanned mobile vehicles may deliver packages to a designated takeoff and landing point. In this case, if the recipient specified in the package's address is unable to receive the package at the designated takeoff and landing point, a representative of the recipient, such as the manager of the designated takeoff and landing point, may receive the package. However, if the representative does not know information about the package, there is a possibility that the representative may not be prepared to receive the package when the package is received.

[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 technology that enables a representative acting on behalf of the recipient to smoothly receive the package. [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 which includes a control unit that sets a candidate for an agent who is able to receive the package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as the agent, and a communication unit that notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is provided which includes a control unit that sets a candidate for an agent who is able to receive the package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as the agent, and a communication unit that notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes setting a candidate agent who is capable of receiving the package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as the agent, and notifying the agent or the candidate agent of information regarding the package.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided to cause a computer to function as a control unit that sets a candidate for an agent who is able to receive the package on behalf of the recipient specified in the addressee of the package as the agent, and a communication unit that notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package. Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, a package can be smoothly received by an agent acting on behalf of the recipient. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image of package delivery in an information processing system according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of a recipient terminal 10. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of an agent terminal 20. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the agent management server 30. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing an example of information related to a package L stored in a storage unit 310. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing an example of notification of information about the package L to the agent P in a case where the information about the package L shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the storage unit 310. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a diagram showing an example of notification of information about the package L to the agent P in a case where the information about the package L shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the storage unit 310. FIG. [Figure 9] 7 is a diagram showing an example of notification of information about the package L to a candidate C for an agent in a case where the information about the package L shown in FIG. 6 is stored in a storage unit 310. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification of agent recruitment transmitted to agent terminal 20. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a flow of operation processing by the agent management server 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the agent management server 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 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] a control unit that sets a candidate for a proxy who is capable of receiving the package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as the proxy; a communication unit that notifies the agent or the agent candidate of information regarding the package; An information processing system comprising: [Item 2] 2. The information processing system according to item 1, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent or the agent candidate of the estimated arrival time of the package. [Item 3] 3. The information processing system according to item 2, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent or the agent candidate of an estimated arrival time of the package according to a delivery time frame of the package. [Item 4] The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit receives an expected arrival time of the recipient from an information processing terminal used by the recipient, and notifies the agent of the expected arrival time. [Item 5] The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent or agent candidate of the estimated arrival time of the delivery person when the package received by the agent is delivered to the recipient by the delivery person. [Item 6] The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent or the agent candidate whether the package is a frozen item. [Item 7] The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent or the agent candidate whether or not the package is a sensitive item. [Item 8] 8. The information processing system according to item 7, wherein the items with special handling precautions are at least one of: items that must not be turned upside down, items that must not be piled up, items that are raw, and items that are fragile. [Item 9] The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent of a delivery means for the package. [Item 10] 10. The information processing system according to item 9, wherein the communication unit notifies the agent of preparation instructions depending on the delivery means of the package. [Item 11] Item 11. The information processing system according to item 10, wherein, when the delivery means for the luggage is an unmanned vehicle, the communication unit notifies the agent to prepare for landing of the unmanned vehicle. [Item 12] The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit receives a notification of whether or not the package can be received from an information processing terminal used by the agent candidate. [Item 13] The information processing system described in item 12, wherein when the communication unit receives a notification from the information processing terminal used by the agent candidate that the package cannot be received, it sends a notification of a request for a proxy to receive the package to the agent candidate other than the agent candidate. [Item 14] Item 14. The information processing system according to item 13, wherein if the communication unit cannot set a proxy who can receive the package, it notifies the recipient that the package cannot be delivered. [Item 15] Item 14. The information processing system according to item 13, wherein if the communication unit cannot set a proxy who can receive the package, it notifies the recipient to reschedule the delivery time frame for the package. [Item 16] a control unit that sets a candidate for a proxy who is capable of receiving the package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as the proxy; a communication unit that notifies the agent or the agent candidate of information regarding the package; An information processing device comprising: [Item 17] Setting a candidate for a proxy who is capable of receiving the package on behalf of a recipient designated in the address of the package as the proxy; notifying the agent or the potential agent of information regarding the package; 2. An information processing method implemented by a computer, comprising: [Item 18] Computer, a control unit that sets a candidate for a proxy who is capable of receiving the package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as the proxy; a communication unit that notifies the agent or the agent candidate of information regarding the package; A program to function as a

[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, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different letters or numbers after the same reference numeral. However, when there is no particular need to distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, each of the multiple components is given only the same reference numeral.

[0015] <<1. Overview of Information Processing System According to One Embodiment of the Present Disclosure>> First, an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, which enables a representative of a recipient to smoothly receive a package.

[0016] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of an information processing system according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system according to the present invention includes a recipient terminal 10, an agent terminal 20, an agent management server 30, and a network 50. As shown in Fig. 1, the recipient terminal 10, the agent terminal 20, and the agent management server 30 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network 50.

[0017] The recipient terminal 10 is an information processing terminal used by the recipient specified in the addressee's address on the package. The recipient's package may be temporarily received and stored by an agent such as a package manager who manages the package. The package manager may be an employee of a store such as a convenience store or a manager of a takeoff and landing point for a mobile vehicle that delivers the package, and may be a person associated with a receiving location that is set according to the address of the recipient or according to a designated operation by the recipient. Instead of or in addition to the case where the agent is determined in advance, the recipient terminal 10 may transmit designation information, which is a designation of a candidate agent who can receive the package on behalf of the recipient, to the agent management server 30.

[0018] The recipient may designate a specific person as a candidate for a proxy, for example. This allows the recipient to request the designated specific person to receive the package on his / her behalf. It is preferable that the specific person is a person appropriate to receive the package on behalf of the recipient, such as a family member, a friend, a manager of the takeoff and landing station of the mobile body that delivers the package, or a neighborhood association coordinator. The designation information may be information that designates which type of proxy candidate the recipient is, or may be information that indicates the identification information of a specific proxy candidate.

[0019] The recipient terminal 10 also transmits a proxy support request to the proxy management server 30, requesting that the person indicated in the designation information assist in receiving the package on the recipient's behalf. By transmitting the proxy support request, the recipient can have the proxy management server 30 solicit people who will undertake a one-off job of receiving the package on the recipient's behalf, that is, solicit people to act as proxies. The proxy support request may be transmitted to the persons indicated in the designation information all at once with reference to the designation information, or may be transmitted for each proxy candidate type in the order indicated by the priority information with reference to priority information related to the designation information that is set in advance by the recipient. When the proxy support requests are transmitted in order for each proxy candidate type, they may be transmitted sequentially as a predetermined deadline period elapses. The deadline period information may be set individually for each proxy candidate type, or may be set in common.

[0020] The agent terminal 20 is an information processing terminal used by an agent candidate or an agent. The agent terminal 20 receives a proxy request for proxy receipt of a package, a notification of proxy recruitment, and a notification of agent setting from the agent management server 30. The agent terminal 20 also receives information about the package from the agent management server 30. The agent terminal 20 also transmits a notification to the agent management server 30 as to whether or not proxy receipt of the package is possible through an approval operation on an application or the like.

[0021] The recipient terminal 10 and the agent terminal 20 are, for example, information processing terminals such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the recipient terminal 10 is a personal computer, the agent terminal 20A is a tablet terminal, and the agent terminal 20B is a smartphone.

[0022] The agent management server 30 is an example of an information processing device. The agent management server 30 is a server that sets candidates for agents who can receive a package on behalf of a recipient specified in the address of the package as agents, and notifies the agent candidates or the agents of various information related to the package. For example, the agent management server 30 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a PC, or may be a cloud server.

[0023] When the agent management server 30 receives designation information that designates an agent candidate from the recipient terminal 10 (or refers to designation information received in advance), it transmits a proxy request to the agent terminal 20 used by the agent candidate. In addition, the agent management server 30 selects an agent candidate according to the reception of a proxy assistance request from the recipient terminal 10 or information about the package. Then, the agent management server 30 transmits a notification of agent recruitment to the agent terminal 20 used by the selected agent candidate. When the agent management server 30 receives a notification from the agent terminal 20 that a package can be received by proxy, it sets the agent candidate using the agent terminal 20 as an agent. In addition, the agent management server 30 may transmit a proxy request and a notification of agent recruitment based on information about the package to be delivered. In addition, the agent management server 30 may set an agent based on information about the package to be delivered.

[0024] The network 50 is a wired or wireless transmission path for information transmitted from devices connected to the network 50. For example, the network 50 may include public lines such as the Internet, a telephone network, or a satellite communication network, or various LANs (Local Area Networks) including Ethernet (registered trademark), and WANs (Wide Area Networks). The network 50 may also include a dedicated line network such as an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network).

[0025] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an image of package delivery in the information processing system according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a recipient R, who is specified as the addressee of package L1 delivered by a mobile unit M1 from a warehouse WH where package L is stored, and package L2 delivered by a mobile unit M2 from the warehouse WH, receives package L1 and package L2 on behalf of the recipient R. Note that the recipient is not limited to the warehouse WH, and may be a store such as a retail store or a restaurant.

[0026] 2 shows an example in which the moving body M1 is a truck and the moving body M2 is an unmanned moving body, but the delivery means of the package L is not limited to this. For example, the moving body M may be a manned moving body such as a vehicle moving on a land route (for example, a passenger car, a light truck, a light van or other freight vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a kick scooter, etc.), an aircraft flying in the air, or a ship traveling on a waterway such as a seaway or a riverway.

[0027] The moving body M may be an unmanned moving body that moves by autonomous control using input information regarding two positions such as a starting 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 the collection of the baggage L) and a return point (e.g., a position the same as the movement start position of the unmanned moving body 10 or a different waiting position). The moving body M may be an unmanned moving body that moves by remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned moving body. The unmanned moving body may be, for example, a drone that moves by autonomous control, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that moves by remote control by an administrator, a vehicle that moves on land such as an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), or a ship that moves on waterways such as seaways or riverways. The unmanned moving body may be a moving body that can move on at least two routes, a land route, a waterway, and an airway.

[0028] An agent P who has been set up to receive package L1 on behalf of a recipient R who uses the recipient terminal 10 receives notification of information about package L1 from the agent management server 30 via the agent terminal 20. In addition, an agent candidate C who is able to receive package L2 on behalf of a recipient R who uses the recipient terminal 10 receives notification of information about package L2 via the agent terminal 20 via the agent management server 30.

[0029] <<2. Functional configuration example according to this embodiment>> <2-1. Example of functional configuration of recipient terminal 10> The outline of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the recipient terminal 10 will be described.

[0030] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the recipient terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the recipient terminal 10 has a communication unit 110, an operation display unit 120, and a control unit .

[0031] (Communications Department) The communication unit 110 communicates with the agent management server 30 via the network 50 and transmits and receives data. For example, the communication unit 110 may transmit a delivery request for the parcel L to the agent management server 30 based on the operation of the operation display unit 120 by the recipient R. The delivery request may include various requests such as a time frame for delivery by the mobile body M and a location for receiving the parcel L. The delivery time frame (hereinafter also referred to as a delivery frame) is a time frame in which the mobile body M (or a delivery person who uses the mobile body M to deliver the parcel L) responds to the delivery request. For example, the daily delivery plan of the unmanned mobile body M (or a delivery person) is divided into predetermined delivery frames (for example, 15 minutes or 30 minutes for an unmanned mobile body, or 1 hour for a delivery person), and the unmanned mobile body M (or a delivery person) delivers the parcel L registered for each delivery frame according to the time indicated by the delivery frame. In the delivery slot of the unmanned mobile unit M, packages to delivery destinations such as 1 or 2 may be registered, and in the delivery slot of the delivery person, packages to multiple delivery destinations such as 5 to 10 may be registered, but this is not limited to this. In addition, the delivery plan and the delivery slot may be set for each of multiple candidate receiving locations.

[0032] In addition, the communication unit 110 transmits to the agent management server 30 designation information, which is the designation of the agent candidate C for the package L, and a request for agent assistance.

[0033] The communication unit 110 also receives from the agent management server 30 a notification as to whether delivery of the package L, which is addressed to the recipient R, is possible and the setting status of the agent P.

[0034] (Operation display) The operation display unit 120 includes a function as an operation unit that is configured to be operated by the recipient R to input instructions or information to the recipient terminal 10, and a function as a display unit that displays various information under the control of the control unit 130. For example, the recipient R operates the operation display unit 120 to cause the communication unit 110 to transmit a delivery request, specified information, and a proxy support request to the proxy management server 30.

[0035] The recipient R may operate the operation display unit 120 to designate a candidate agent C for each package L. The recipient R may also operate the operation display unit 120 to set one or more candidate agents C in advance. In this case, the recipient R may operate the operation display unit 120 to cause the communication unit 110 to transmit a notification to the agent management server 30 designating one or more candidate agents C previously set as candidates C for agents for the package L. This eliminates the hassle of the recipient R designating a candidate agent C for each package L. The recipient R may also operate the operation display unit 120 to designate a candidate agent C for the package L by selecting a part of the candidate agents C from among the multiple candidate agents C previously set. In addition, if the candidate agent C is a parcel manager who manages the parcel, the configuration may be such that a person linked to the receiving location set according to the address of the recipient R or according to the recipient R's designation operation is selected as the candidate agent C, without going through the designated information from the recipient R, and this information system may be a system having only this configuration, or may be a system that combines the designation of the candidate agent C by the recipient R.

[0036] In addition, the recipient R may specify the expected arrival time of the recipient R when receiving the package L that has been received and stored by the agent P by operating the operation display unit 120, and have this transmitted to the agent management server 30 by the communication unit 110.

[0037] The operation display unit 120 also displays information transmitted from the agent management server 30 to the communication unit 110, such as a notification as to whether delivery of the package L is possible or not, and the setting status of the agent P.

[0038] (Control unit) The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the recipient terminal 10. For example, the control unit 130 causes the communication unit 110 to transmit a delivery request, designated information, and a proxy support request acquired by the operation display unit 120. The control unit 130 also causes the operation display unit 120 to display the setting status of the agent P received by the communication unit 110 from the agent management server 30 and a notification of whether delivery of the package L is possible or not.

[0039] <2-2. Example of Functional Configuration of Agent Terminal 20> An example of the functional configuration of the recipient terminal 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the agent terminal 20 will be described.

[0040] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the agent terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the agent terminal 20 has a sensor unit 210, a communication unit 220, an operation display unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0041] (Sensor section) The sensor unit 210 is a sensor that detects the current position of the agent terminal 20. The sensor unit 210 may detect the current position of the agent terminal 20 by using, for example, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

[0042] (Communications Department) The communication unit 220 is connected to the agent management server 30 via the network 50 to transmit and receive data. The communication unit 220 receives information about the package L from the agent management server 30. The communication unit 220 also receives from the agent management server 30 a proxy request for proxy receipt of the package L, a notification of agent recruitment, and a notification of agent P setting.

[0043] The communication unit 220 also notifies the agent management server 30 of whether or not the agent can receive the package L inputted to the operation display unit 230. The communication unit 220 also transmits the location information of the agent terminal 20 acquired by the sensor unit 210 to the agent management server 30.

[0044] (Operation display) The operation display unit 230 includes a function as an operation unit that is operated by the agent P or the agent candidate C to input instructions or information into the agent terminal 20, and a function as a display unit that displays various information according to the control of the control unit 240.

[0045] For example, the operation display unit 230 displays information about the package L transmitted from the proxy management server 30 to the communication unit 220. The operation display unit 230 also displays a proxy request from the recipient R, a notification of proxy recruitment, and a setting notification for the proxy P, all of which are transmitted from the proxy management server 30 to the communication unit 220. Furthermore, the proxy candidate C can input whether or not he / she is able to receive the package L by proxy by operating the operation display unit 230.

[0046] (Control unit) The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the agent terminal 20. For example, the control unit 240 causes the communication unit 220 to transmit a notification, acquired by the operation display unit 230, as to whether or not proxy receipt of the parcel L is possible. In addition, the control unit 240 causes the operation display unit 230 to display information about the parcel L, a proxy request, a notification of proxy recruitment, a notification of setting of the agent P, and the like, received by the communication unit 220 from the agent management server 30.

[0047] <2-3. Example of functional configuration of agent management server 30> An example of the functional configuration of the agent terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the agent management server 30 will be described.

[0048] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the agent management server 30. As shown in FIG.

[0049] (Storage part) The storage unit 310 stores a program and various data for operating the control unit 330. For example, the storage unit 310 stores recipient information, which is information about the recipient R. The recipient information is, for example, the name of the recipient R, the recipient name in the service, a recipient ID, which is identification information of the recipient R, various basic information such as an email address, an address or a telephone number, account information of an external application, and payment information (such as credit card information). The storage unit 310 also stores one or more candidates C of agents preset by the recipient R. However, the recipient information is not limited to these.

[0050] The storage unit 310 also stores information on the proxy candidate C. The information on the proxy candidate C is, for example, the name of the proxy candidate C, the name of the proxy candidate C in the service, a proxy ID that is identification information of the proxy candidate C, an email address, a telephone number, an address, a gender, an age, and external application account information, a type of the proxy candidate C, and the like.

[0051] The types of the candidate agent C include, for example, a designated candidate agent who receives the package L as the agent P only when designated as the candidate agent C by a specific recipient R, a contracted candidate agent who undertakes a one-off job of receiving the package L on behalf of the recipient R, or a manager of a specified takeoff and landing station. In addition, when a manager of a specified takeoff and landing station is stored as a type of candidate agent C, the memory unit 310 may store the address of the specified takeoff and landing location.

[0052] The storage unit 310 may also store information regarding the receipt of the package L by the agent candidate C. The information regarding the receipt of the package L is, for example, information regarding the attendance status of a prescribed training regarding the means of receiving the package L, a desired receiving area, identification information (including driver's license information), bank account information, proxy receipt history information, etc. The prescribed training regarding the means of receiving the package L is, for example, training for receiving the package L from an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0053] The storage unit 310 also stores information about a package L for which a recipient R is specified as the addressee who uses the recipient terminal 10.

[0054] The information about the parcel L includes, for example, a parcel ID, which is identification information for the parcel L. The information about the parcel L may also include information about the delivery of the parcel L, such as the recipient ID of the recipient R of the parcel L, the delivery destination of the parcel L, the estimated arrival time of the parcel L, the delivery means of the parcel L, the delivery method of the parcel L, and information about handling of the parcel L after receipt. The estimated arrival time may be a time according to the delivery time frame included in the delivery request transmitted from the recipient terminal 10. The estimated arrival time may be calculated by the control unit 330 based on the delivery time frame included in the delivery request transmitted from the recipient terminal 10.

[0055] The delivery method of the package L is, for example, information on unmanned delivery, manned delivery, and drop-off delivery. The delivery method of the package L may include information on whether or not the agent P needs to receive the package L from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0056] Information regarding the handling of parcel L after receipt includes, for example, information on whether it needs to be stored by an agent P, whether to hand over parcel L to recipient R or a delivery person after receipt, or whether to store the delivered parcel L in a delivery box installed outdoors after receipt, and whether cold storage (including refrigerated storage and freezer storage) is required during storage.

[0057] In the case where the agent P needs to hand over the package L to the recipient R or a delivery person or the like after receipt, the information regarding the handling of the package L after receipt may include the expected arrival time of the recipient R or the delivery person. The expected arrival time of the recipient R or the delivery person may be transmitted to the communication unit 320 from the recipient terminal 10 used by the recipient R or the information processing terminal used by the delivery person, respectively.

[0058] Furthermore, if the agent P needs to hand over the package L to the recipient R or a delivery person or the like after receipt, the information regarding the handling of the package L after receipt may include a meeting place with the recipient R or the delivery person. The meeting place with the recipient R or the delivery person may be transmitted to the communication unit 320 from the recipient terminal 10 used by the recipient R or the information processing terminal used by the delivery person, respectively.

[0059] The information on the luggage L also includes information on the characteristics of the luggage L, such as the size and weight of the luggage L, whether the luggage L is frozen, and whether the luggage L is a sensitive item that requires careful handling. The sensitive item may be at least one of the following: must not be turned upside down, must not be piled up, raw, and fragile.

[0060] The information about the package L also includes the agent ID of an agent P who can receive the package L on behalf of the package L.

[0061] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information related to parcels L stored in the memory unit 310. The example shown in Fig. 6 shows a recipient ID, expected arrival time, whether the parcel is frozen or not, information related to handling after receipt, delivery means, and agent ID, all of which are linked to the parcel ID of each parcel L. The communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 of the information related to parcels L based on the information related to parcels L stored in the memory unit 310.

[0062] The storage unit 310 may also store instructions for the agent P according to information related to the package L. For example, the storage unit 310 may store instructions for preparations to be made by the agent P according to the delivery means of the package L. More specifically, the storage unit 310 may store information that the delivery means of the package L is an unmanned mobile body in association with instructions for preparations to receive the unmanned mobile body (for example, landing preparations such as preparing a landing mat and preparing a radio control, and checking the receiving device). The storage unit 310 may also store information that the package L is a frozen item in association with an instruction to check the availability of a freezer.

[0063] (Communications Department) The communication unit 320 communicates with the recipient terminal 10 and the agent terminal 20 via the network 50. The communication unit 320 notifies the recipient terminal 10 of information, thereby notifying the recipient R who uses the recipient terminal 10 of the information. The communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 of information, thereby notifying the agent P or agent candidate C who uses the agent terminal 20 of the information.

[0064] The communication unit 320 receives delivery requests, designation information, and proxy requests from the recipient terminal 10. In addition, the communication unit 320 transmits to the recipient terminal 10 the setting status of the proxy P for the package L addressed to the recipient R, and a notification as to whether delivery of the package L is possible.

[0065] In addition, the communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 used by the agent candidate C or the agent P of the information on the package L stored in the storage unit 310.

[0066] Furthermore, the communication unit 320 may notify the agent terminal 20 used by the agent P of a preparation instruction linked to information related to the baggage L. For example, when the delivery means of the baggage L is an unmanned mobile body, the communication unit 320 may notify the agent P to prepare for the landing of the unmanned mobile body.

[0067] The communication unit 320 also transmits to the agent terminal 20 a proxy request, a notification of the recruitment of agents, and a setting notification of the agent P. The communication unit 320 also receives a notification from the agent terminal 20 as to whether or not the agent is available for receiving the package L.

[0068] Here, an example of notification of information related to the package L notified to the agent terminal 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of notification of information related to the package L to the agent P in a case where the information related to the package L shown in Fig. 6 is stored in the storage unit 310. In the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the recipient information stored in the storage unit 310 includes the name of the recipient R, whose recipient ID is "0100", as A.

[0069] The communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 used by the agent P with the agent ID "0203" of information regarding the package L with the package ID "123-4567". The memory unit 310 stores that the estimated arrival time is 10:00 and the delivery means of the package L addressed to the recipient R with the recipient ID "0100" is a drone, which is an unmanned mobile object. Therefore, the communication unit 320 notifies that the package L addressed to A is scheduled to arrive at 10:00, and also notifies instructions for preparations for receiving the package, such as preparation of a landing site for the unmanned aerial vehicle and preparation of a remote control (preparation for landing assistance), which is an example of preparation for landing of an unmanned mobile object.

[0070] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of notification of information related to package L to the agent P in a case where the information related to package L shown in Fig. 6 is stored in the storage unit 310. In the example shown in Fig. 8, it is assumed that the recipient information stored in the storage unit 310 includes the name of the recipient with the recipient ID "0101" as B.

[0071] The communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 used by the agent P with the agent ID "0205" of information on the package L with the package ID "234-5678". The memory unit 310 stores information on the handling of the package L of the recipient R with the recipient ID "0101" after receipt, which indicates that the package L needs to be handed over to a land transport delivery person after receipt, and that the delivery person's expected arrival time is 10:45, with the expected arrival time of the package L being 10:30. Therefore, the communication unit 320 notifies that the package L addressed to B is scheduled to arrive at 10:00, that the package L needs to be handed over to a land transport delivery person, and that the delivery person's expected arrival time is 10:45. In this way, the agent P can smoothly receive the package by checking the notification of the information on the package L sent from the agent management server 30 in advance.

[0072] 9 is a diagram showing an example of notification of information about package L to a candidate agent C when the information about the package shown in FIG. 6 is stored in storage unit 310. In the example shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the recipient information stored in storage unit 310 includes the name of the recipient with recipient ID "0102" as D.

[0073] The communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 used by the agent candidate C of information about the parcel L with the parcel ID "345-6789". The memory unit 310 stores that the estimated arrival time is 11:30 and that the parcel L of the recipient R with the recipient ID "0102" is a frozen item. Therefore, the communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 of an instruction to check the availability of the freezer. The agent candidate C can send a notification to the agent management server 30 that the parcel L can or cannot be received by selecting the "receive possible" button or the "receive impossible" button displayed on the agent terminal 20. In this way, the agent candidate C can determine whether or not to receive the parcel L by checking the notification of information about the parcel L sent from the agent management server 30.

[0074] (Control unit) The control unit 330 controls the overall operation of the agent management server 30. For example, the control unit 330 controls the storage unit 310 to store information received from the recipient terminal 10 and the agent terminal 20 by the communication unit 320. In this embodiment, the control unit 330 has a function as an agent setting unit 331.

[0075] (proxy setting section) The agent setting unit 331 sets the agent P in accordance with information received from the recipient terminal 10 or the agent terminal 20 by the communication unit 320, or information related to the package L.

[0076] Furthermore, the agent setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to notify the recipient terminal 10 of information based on the setting status of the agent P. For example, when the agent setting unit 331 cannot set a agent P capable of receiving the package L, the agent setting unit 331 may control the communication unit 320 to notify the recipient R that delivery of the package L is not possible. Furthermore, when the agent setting unit 331 cannot set a agent P capable of receiving the package L, the agent setting unit 331 may control the communication unit 320 to notify the recipient R to request re-setting of the delivery time frame, delivery destination, and agent type for the package L.

[0077] Here, the operation of setting the agent P by the agent setting unit 331 will be described in detail.

[0078] - Setting of agent P when specific information regarding package L is received from the recipient terminal 10 First, the setting operation of the agent P when the communication unit 320 receives designation information related to the package L from the recipient terminal 10 will be described.

[0079] When the communication unit 320 receives designation information from the recipient terminal 10 designating a candidate agent C for the package L, the agent setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to send a proxy request to the agent terminal 20 used by the candidate agent C to request that the candidate agent C act as a proxy to receive the package L.

[0080] Furthermore, when the communication unit 320 receives a notification from the recipient terminal 10 designating a previously set candidate agent C as the candidate agent C for the package L, the proxy setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to transmit a proxy request to the proxy terminal 20 used by the candidate agent C. The proxy request may include a notification of information regarding the package L. Furthermore, when the communication unit 320 receives a notification from the proxy terminal 20 to which the proxy request was transmitted that the package L is available for receipt, the proxy setting unit 331 sets the candidate agent C using the proxy terminal 20 as the proxy P. This allows the recipient R to have a specific person act as a proxy for receiving the package L.

[0081] - Setting of agent P when a request for agent assistance regarding package L is received from the recipient terminal 10 Next, the setting operation of the agent P when a request for agent assistance regarding the package L is received from the recipient terminal 10 by the communication unit 320 will be described.

[0082] When a proxy assistance request from the recipient R regarding the package L is received from the recipient terminal 10 by the communication unit 320, the proxy setting unit 331 selects a proxy candidate C. The proxy setting unit 331 may select the proxy candidate C who will receive the package L on behalf of the recipient R according to location information of the proxy candidate C received from the proxy terminal 20 by the communication unit 320.

[0083] The proxy setting unit 331 may select a proxy candidate C to receive the package L on behalf of the agent by referring to information about the package L stored in the memory unit 310 and information about the proxy candidate C. For example, when information specifying that the agent P will receive the package L from an unmanned aerial vehicle as the receiving means is stored in the memory unit 310, the proxy setting unit 331 may select a proxy candidate stored in the memory unit 310 as a candidate who has received predetermined training regarding the receiving means of the package L, as a proxy candidate for the package L.

[0084] The agent setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to send a notification of agent recruitment to the agent terminal 20 used by the selected agent candidate C. The notification of agent recruitment may include a notification of information regarding the package L. The agent candidate C can determine whether or not to accept the agent as a proxy for receiving the package L by checking the information regarding the package L.

[0085] The notification of the recruitment of agents may also include reward information. The reward information is information regarding reward that the agent candidate C can receive by receiving the package L on behalf of the recipient R as the agent P. The reward may be money, or it may be a service or points having monetary value. The content of the reward may be determined by the recipient R using the recipient terminal 10 that transmitted the proxy assistance request, or it may be a predetermined content.

[0086] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification of recruitment of agents transmitted to the agent terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the notification of recruitment of agents includes information about the package L, such as the location of receipt of the package L, the scheduled time of receipt, actions after receipt, and remuneration. In addition, the agent candidate C can transmit a notification to the agent management server 30 that he / she is able to receive the package L by selecting an approval button displayed on the agent terminal 20. This makes it possible for the recipient R to have someone else receive the package L that he / she is unable to receive, even if there is no specific person to whom the recipient R can request to receive the package L on his / her behalf.

[0087] When the communication unit 320 receives a notification that the package L is available for receipt from the agent terminal 20 to which the notification of the recruitment of agents has been transmitted, the agent setting unit 331 sets the agent candidate C who uses the agent terminal 20 as the agent P. The agent setting unit 331 may select a plurality of agent candidates C. In this case, the agent setting unit 331 may control the communication unit 320 to simultaneously transmit the notification of the recruitment of agents to the agent terminals 20 used by the selected plurality of agent candidates C. The agent setting unit 331 may set the agent candidate C who uses the agent terminal 20 to which the notification of the availability of the package L is transmitted first as the agent P.

[0088] Furthermore, the agent setting unit 331 may control to send a notification of agent recruitment to one or more of the selected agent candidates C. In this case, when the agent setting unit 331 receives a notification that the package L cannot be received from the agent terminal 20 to which the notification of agent recruitment has been sent by the communication unit 320, the agent setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to send a notification of agent recruitment to agent candidates C different from the agent candidate C who uses the agent terminal 20.

[0089] - Setting of agent P based on information about package L So far, an example has been described in which the agent P is set based on information received from the recipient terminal 10. Next, an example in which the agent P is set based on information related to the package L will be described.

[0090] The agent setting unit 331 selects an agent candidate C based on information related to the baggage L stored in the memory unit 310. For example, the agent setting unit 331 may refer to the delivery destination of the baggage L included in the information related to the baggage L stored in the memory unit 310, and select the manager of the takeoff and landing location closest to the delivery destination among predetermined takeoff and landing locations as the agent candidate C for the baggage L. The agent setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to transmit a notification of the recruitment of agents to the agent terminal 20 used by the selected agent candidate C.

[0091] When the communication unit 320 receives a notification that the package L can be received from the agent terminal 20 to which the notification of the agent recruitment has been transmitted, the agent setting unit 331 sets the agent candidate C who uses the agent terminal 20 as the agent P. On the other hand, when the communication unit 320 receives a notification that the package L cannot be received from the agent terminal 20 to which the notification of the agent recruitment has been transmitted, the agent setting unit 331 controls the communication unit 320 to transmit a notification of the recruitment of agents to a candidate C of an agent who is different from the candidate C of an agent who uses the agent terminal 20. The newly selected candidate C of an agent may be the manager of a takeoff and landing location that is the second closest to the delivery destination after the takeoff and landing location managed by the candidate C of the agent who transmitted the notification that the package L cannot be received, among the predetermined takeoff and landing locations. The agent setting unit 331 continues to select agent candidates C for the package L and control notifications of agent recruitment until a notification is sent that the package L can be received or a notification is sent from all managers of takeoff and landing locations within a specified distance from the delivery destination of the package L that the package L cannot be received.

[0092] Furthermore, the agent setting unit 331 may set an agent candidate C without notifying the agent recruitment based on information about the package L stored in the memory unit 310. For example, the agent setting unit 331 may set an agent P based on information about the package L included in a delivery request received by the communication unit 320 from the recipient terminal 10. For example, when the delivery request received by the communication unit 320 from the recipient terminal 10 includes a location for receiving the package L, a manager of a predetermined departure and arrival location at that location may be set as the agent P.

[0093] <<3. Example of Operation Processing According to This Embodiment>> An example of the functional configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the operation process according to the embodiment will be described.

[0094] Here, the recipient R, agent candidate C, and agent P provided by this information processing system may access the agent management server 30 using an application (including a web browser) or the like, and when using the service for the first time, may log in by performing a usage registration process. If an account has already been obtained, the service may be made available by logging in after undergoing a predetermined authentication, such as entering a user ID or recipient ID and a password. Note that instead of an account, a unique application ID associated with an application downloaded to the recipient terminal 10 or agent terminal 20 may be used as the user ID or recipient ID to make the service available. After this login authentication, the use of the service begins via an application (including a web browser) or the like.

[0095] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of operation processing by the agent management server 30 according to this embodiment. First, when the communication unit 320 receives designation information designating an agent candidate C from the recipient terminal 10 (S104 / Yes), it transmits a proxy request including a notification of information regarding the package L to the agent terminal 20 used by the designated agent candidate C (S108). On the other hand, if the communication unit 320 does not receive a proxy request from the recipient terminal 10 (S104 / No), the agent management server 30 ends the processing.

[0096] After transmitting the proxy request to the agent terminal 20, the agent setting unit 331 judges whether or not a notification that proxy receipt is possible has been received from the agent terminal 20 by the communication unit 320 (S112). If the communication unit 320 receives a notification that proxy receipt is not possible from the agent terminal 20 (S112 / No), it transmits a notification to the recipient terminal 10 used by the recipient R that proxy receipt by the candidate agent C is not possible (S116). Next, the communication unit 320 notifies the recipient terminal 10 used by the recipient R to reset the time frame for delivery of the package L (S120).

[0097] On the other hand, when the communication unit 320 receives a notification from the agent terminal 20 that proxy reception is possible (S112 / Yes), the agent setting unit 331 sets the agent candidate C as the agent P (S124). When the memory unit 310 stores that the package L will arrive by a delivery means that requires preparation (S128 / Yes), the communication unit 320 notifies the agent terminal 20 of an instruction for preparation to be made by the agent P (S132). When the memory unit 310 does not store that the package L will arrive by a delivery means that requires preparation (S128 / No), the agent management server 30 ends the process.

[0098] <<4. Hardware configuration example>> The information processing described above is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware of the proxy management server 30 described below. The hardware configuration described below is also applicable to the recipient terminal 10 and the proxy terminal 20.

[0099] 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the agent management server 30 according to this embodiment. The agent 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.

[0100] The control unit 330 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the agent 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.

[0101] The memory 31 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 31 is used as a work area for the control unit 330, and also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is executed when the agent management server 30 is started, various setting information, and the like.

[0102] 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.

[0103] The transmission / reception unit 33 connects the agent management server 30 to a network and / or a blockchain network. The transmission / reception unit 33 may be equipped with a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0104] 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.

[0105] A bus 35 is commonly connected to each of the above elements, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals. <<4. Supplementary Information>>

[0106] 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.

[0107] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the agent terminal 20 transmits a notification of whether or not the package L can be received in response to a proxy request or a recruitment of agents, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the agent terminal 20 may notify that the candidate agent C who uses the agent terminal 20 cannot receive the package L, but that a predetermined departure and arrival location managed by the candidate agent C can be rented out as a reception location. In this case, the agent setting unit 331 selects another candidate agent C who will undertake the reception of the package L on behalf of the recipient R at the departure and arrival location as a one-off job. The agent setting unit 331 sets the agent P by notifying the selected candidate agent C of the recruitment of agents. According to this configuration, even if the package L arrives by a means with limited arrival locations such as an unmanned mobile vehicle, and the manager of the location cannot receive the package L on behalf of the recipient R, the package L can be received by a different agent P from the manager. In other words, according to this configuration, the agent P who is the representative of the recipient R can smoothly receive the package L.

[0108] In addition, a computer program can be created to cause hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the proxy management server 30 to perform functions equivalent to those of each of the components of the proxy management server 30 described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 10 Recipient terminal 20 Agent terminal 30 Agent Management Server 50 Network 110 Communications Department 120 Operation display section 130 Control section 210 Sensor section 220 Communications Department 230 Operation display section 240 Control Unit 310 Storage section 320 Communications Department 330 Control Unit 331 Proxy setting section

Claims

1. A control unit that sets a candidate for an agent who can receive the package on behalf of the recipient specified in the package address as the agent; A communication unit that notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package; An information processing system comprising the above.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the package received by the agent is delivered to the recipient by a delivery person, the communication unit notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of the scheduled arrival time of the delivery person.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the package delivery means is an unmanned moving body, the communication unit notifies the agent to prepare for receiving the unmanned moving body.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the package delivery means is an unmanned aerial vehicle, the communication unit notifies the agent to prepare for the landing of the unmanned moving body.

5. A control unit that sets a candidate for an agent who can receive the package on behalf of the recipient specified in the package address as the agent; A communication unit that notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

6. Setting a candidate for an agent who can receive the package on behalf of the recipient specified in the package address as the agent; Notifying the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package; An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising the above.

7. A program for causing a computer to function as a control unit that sets a candidate for an agent who can receive the package on behalf of the recipient specified in the package address as the agent, and a communication unit that notifies the agent or the candidate for the agent of information regarding the package. ​

Images