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

Abstract

To provide a novel and improved information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program, which contribute to further streamlining of package delivery or collection.SOLUTION: An information processing system is provided, comprising a control unit configured to generate one or more delivery plans including package delivery route and delivery means, and a candidate determination unit configured to designate one or more users expected to be capable of providing collection and delivery service for the package as service provider candidates. Upon approval of one of the users designated as candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves a delivery plan to a package collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans.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, the demand for logistics, such as delivery or collection of parcels, has been rapidly increasing due to the spread of electronic commerce, changes in consumer demand or social environment, etc. Along with the rapid increase in demand, the shortage of manpower in logistics has become a fundamental issue for maintaining the stability of the logistics function itself. Therefore, various technologies for efficiently delivering or collecting parcels have been considered. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for obtaining the load of one or more circular flights that circulate between three bases in the logistics of home delivery cargo, and determining whether or not to change the operation plan of the circular flight based on the obtained load. In such a conventional delivery system, a hub-and-spoke system is adopted in which parcels are once collected at a base such as a large warehouse, and then the parcels are delivered from the base to various destinations.

[0003] Moreover, in recent years, as a new logistics player, food delivery services, in which users use smartphones to request the delivery of groceries and other items, have begun to utilize delivery services provided by workers who undertake one-off jobs via the Internet (so-called gig workers). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-52525 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, technology that contributes to further efficiency in package delivery or collection is desirable.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above, 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 contribute to further improving the efficiency of package delivery or collection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided which includes a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a parcel delivery route and delivery means, and a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the services of collecting and delivering the parcel as candidates for service providers, and when the control unit approves one user from among the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans to the parcel collection point of the service provider.

[0008] 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 a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a parcel delivery route and delivery means, and a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the services of collecting and delivering the parcel as candidates for service providers, and when the control unit approves one user from among the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans to the parcel collection point of the service provider.

[0009] 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 generating one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, determining one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for service providers, and, when one user from among the users determined as the candidates is approved as the service provider, selecting and approving one of the generated delivery plans to the package collection point of the service provider.

[0010] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a parcel delivery route and delivery means, and a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the services of collecting and delivering the parcel as candidates for service providers, wherein when the control unit approves one user from among the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated that is up to the parcel collection point of the service provider.

[0011] As described above, the present invention can contribute to further improving the efficiency of package delivery and collection. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [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 the server 30 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of an information terminal 50 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment for determining candidates for service providers and approving a delivery plan. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] 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 generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for a package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for a service provider; When the control unit approves one user from among the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the delivery plans to a baggage collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans. Information processing system. [Item 2] A notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider, the control unit approves the user determined as the candidate as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 3] The control unit acquires service provision availability conditions indicating conditions under which a service can be provided to each of the users; selecting a user who satisfies the service provision condition from among the users determined as the candidates, and approving the user as the service provider; Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 4] the candidate determination unit determines, as a candidate for a service provider, a user who is estimated to be able to provide the service based on a baggage collection time period at the baggage collection point, a current location of the user, a means of transportation of the user, and a determined service provision schedule status of the user; 4. The information processing system according to any one of items 2 and 3. [Item 5] the candidate designation unit designates an estimated location of the user at each time and a moving route from the current location of the user to the baggage collection point based on the current location of the user and the determined service provision schedule status; determining, as candidates for a service provider, one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service based on the estimated location and the estimated movement route of the user; 5. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 6] the candidate determination unit determines, as candidates for the service provider, one or more of the users who are estimated to be capable of traveling to the luggage collection point during the luggage collection time period and delivering the luggage to a delivery destination, in order of the shortest travel route to the luggage collection point; Item 6. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 7] the candidate designation unit designates, as candidates for the service provider, one or more of the users who are estimated to be capable of traveling to the luggage collection point during the luggage collection time period and delivering the luggage to the delivery destination, in order of the earliest estimated arrival time at the luggage collection point; Item 6. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 8] the candidate designation unit acquires a waiting time indicating a time during which the luggage can wait at the luggage collection point, the waiting time being determined based on a management temperature zone of the luggage; determining, as a candidate for the service provider, the user who is estimated to be able to arrive at the baggage collection point during the period from the estimated arrival time of the baggage at the baggage collection point until the available waiting time has elapsed; Item 6. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 9] A notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider, The control unit notifies one user of the users determined as the candidates of the recruitment. The information processing system according to any one of items 5 to 8. [Item 10] A notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider, The control unit notifies a predetermined number of users, which is one or more, of the users determined as the candidates of the recruitment. The information processing system according to any one of items 5 to 8. [Item 11] the control unit approves, as the service provider, one of the users who has been determined as the candidate and who has been notified of the recruitment and who has responded to the recruitment earliest; Item 11. An information processing system according to item 10. [Item 12] The control unit approves, as the service provider, the user who responds to the recruitment within a predetermined time limit after being notified of the recruitment. Item 12. An information processing system according to item 11. [Item 13] When no user responds to the recruitment within a certain time after the recruitment is notified, the candidate determination unit determines candidates of the service provider related to another delivery plan having a different baggage collection point and a different baggage collection time period, the control unit approves the user determined as the candidate as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. Item 13. An information processing system according to item 12. [Item 14] When no user responds to the solicitation within a certain time after the control unit is notified of the solicitation, the control unit selects and approves another delivery plan that does not include collection and delivery of the package by the service provider. Item 13. An information processing system according to item 12. [Item 15] The control unit acquires a delivery slot availability status indicating a time period during which the delivery means can make delivery, the time period being divided into a predetermined time slot, and a delivery possible location indicating a location at which the delivery means can make delivery, generating the delivery plan by specifying the delivery means, the delivery slots, the delivery possible locations, and the delivery route based on the availability of the delivery slots and the delivery possible locations for each of the delivery means; Item 15. The information processing system according to item 13 or 14. [Item 16] Item 16. The information processing system according to item 15, wherein the control unit generates the delivery plan based on a weather forecast for the delivery route. [Item 17] Item 17. The information processing system according to item 16, wherein the delivery means includes an unmanned vehicle. [Item 18] The information processing system described in item 17, wherein the unmanned mobile body includes a mobile body that moves autonomously on land routes or an aerial vehicle that flies autonomously in the air. [Item 19] A control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for a package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for a service provider; When the control unit approves one user from among the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the delivery plans to a baggage collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans. Information processing device. [Item 20] generating one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; determining one or more users who are estimated to be capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for a service provider; When one user from among the users determined as the candidates is approved as the service provider, selecting and approving one of the delivery plans to a baggage collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans; 2. An information processing method implemented by a computer, comprising: [Item 21] Computer, A control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for a package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for a service provider; When the control unit approves one user from among the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the delivery plans to a baggage collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans. A program to function as a

[0014] 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.

[0015] In addition, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different numbers or letters after the same reference numeral. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, each of the multiple components is given only the same reference numeral.

[0016] <1. Overview of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention> An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that can contribute to further efficiency in delivery or collection of packages. More specifically, the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention can realize a more efficient delivery system that includes delivery by delivery means such as unmanned vehicles and service providers such as gig workers, instead of or in addition to delivery by a hub-and-spoke method such as in conventional delivery systems.

[0017] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system according to this embodiment includes a mobile object 10, a server 30, and an information terminal 50. The mobile object 10, the server 30, and the information terminal 50 are connected to each other via a network.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 50 is a terminal used by a service provider U that provides a service of collecting a package L that a mobile object 10 has transported to a package collection point CP1 and delivering it to a delivery destination D. The service provider U carries the information terminal 50. The service provider U provides the service of collecting and delivering (delivering and collecting) the package L in response to a request for the provision of package collection and delivery services notified to the information terminal 50 by the server 30. Such a service provider U is also generally referred to as a so-called gig worker.

[0019] (Mobile 10) The mobile object 10 is a mobile object used in delivery work to deliver or collect a package L. For example, the mobile object 10 is used when delivering a package L requested for delivery from a warehouse WH where the package L is stored. Note that the mobile object 10 is not essential for delivery work, and for example, the mobile object 10 may perform delivery on foot together with a dolly (e.g., a box dolly or a basket dolly). Furthermore, the mobile object 10 is not limited to a warehouse, and may be a store such as a retail store or a restaurant.

[0020] The moving body 10 includes an unmanned moving body 10A that moves by autonomous control or remote control. The unmanned moving body 10A 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 delivery point of each delivery means such as a drone stand), 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 the same as the movement start position of the unmanned moving body 10 or a different waiting position). The input information used for the autonomous control may include various information such as other intermediate points or a delivery route.

[0021] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body 10A may move according to remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10A. For example, the unmanned mobile body 10A may be an air vehicle as shown in Fig. 1. The air vehicle may be a drone that flies by autonomous control, or a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that flies by remote control by an administrator.

[0022] In addition, the unmanned mobile body 10A according to the present embodiment is not limited to an aircraft. For example, the unmanned mobile body 10A 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 or riverways.

[0023] The mobile body 10 also includes a manned mobile body 10B used by a delivery person who delivers or collects the package L. The manned mobile body 10B may be, for example, a vehicle that moves on a land route as shown in FIG. 1 (for example, a passenger car, a light truck, a light van or other freight vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a kickboard, etc.). However, the manned mobile body 10B is not limited to a vehicle. The manned mobile body 10B may be, for example, an aircraft that flies in the air, or a ship that moves on a waterway such as a seaway or a riverway.

[0024] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body 10A and the manned mobile body 10B may be mobile bodies capable of moving along at least two or more routes, including land routes, water routes, and air routes.

[0025] (Server 30) The server 30 is an example of an information processing device, and has a function of receiving a request for delivery or collection of a package (hereinafter, a delivery request) from a requester, and generating a delivery plan including information on the delivery means and delivery route of the package. The server 30 also has a function of managing the operation of the mobile object 10 based on the generated delivery plan. For example, the server 30 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a PC, or may be a cloud server. The method by which the server 30 receives a delivery request is not particularly limited. For example, the server 30 may receive a delivery request by communicating with a smartphone used by a general consumer or an external terminal installed in a store such as a retail store or a restaurant, which is not shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the server 30 may receive a delivery request by an operator of the server 30 inputting the delivery request received from the requester to the server 30.

[0026] When such a server 30 receives a delivery request, it first generates the above-mentioned delivery plan. At this time, the server 30 may generate a plurality of delivery plans from the delivery start position to the end point of the package L by combining a plurality of different delivery means, delivery routes, and time periods. Furthermore, the server 30 may generate a delivery plan by combining a plurality of delivery means, such as the unmanned mobile body 10A and the manned mobile body 10B, in one delivery plan. Furthermore, the server 30 may generate a delivery plan by combining delivery to a delivery possible point (relay point) by the above-mentioned delivery means and collection and delivery of the package by the service provider U from the delivery possible point to the delivery destination. Note that the delivery possible point is a point where each of the mobile bodies 10 can perform delivery, and is determined by the stopping point of the mobile body 10 (for example, a takeoff and landing site prepared in advance for an aircraft) or the area of ​​responsibility of the delivery person using the mobile body 10. In addition, in the present specification, the delivery possible point is also referred to as the package collection point.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 generates a delivery plan by combining a delivery route R1 in which the unmanned mobile unit 10A delivers the package L to a package collection point CP1, and collection and delivery of the package L by a service provider U from the package collection point CP1 to a delivery destination D. Furthermore, the server 30 generates a delivery plan for a delivery route R2 in which the manned mobile unit 10B delivers the package L to the delivery destination D as another delivery plan to the same delivery destination. The server 30 selects and approves any one of the multiple delivery plans generated. Alternatively, when the server 30 generates one delivery plan, it approves the one delivery plan.

[0028] The server 30 also has a matching function for determining candidates for service providers capable of providing services related to collection and delivery of the package L from the package collection point. The server 30 determines candidates for the service provider from among a plurality of users registered in advance. Furthermore, the server 30 notifies the users determined as candidates for the service provider of the solicitation of services. When any user responds to the solicitation of services, the server 30 can select and approve from among the generated delivery plans a delivery plan that combines the collection and delivery of the package by the service provider with other delivery means.

[0029] When the server 30 approves one of the delivery plans, it manages various schedules related to delivery or collection related to the delivery plan, such as designating a delivery means related to the delivery plan and reserving a delivery slot. For example, the server 30 may register a delivery schedule related to the delivery or collection of the parcel L in the delivery slot of the delivery person or the unmanned mobile body 10A that delivers the parcel L. In this specification, the delivery slot refers to a time period during which delivery is possible by each delivery means, such as the delivery person or the unmanned mobile body 10A. In addition, the server 30 generates delivery instruction information for instructing the mobile body 10 or the delivery person on information such as a delivery destination or a delivery route, based on the approved delivery plan. The server 30 may transmit the generated delivery instruction information directly to the mobile body 10, or may transmit it to a delivery person terminal (not shown) used by the delivery person who uses the mobile body 10. The mobile body 10 or the delivery person performs the work of delivering and collecting the parcel L according to the delivery instruction information.

[0030] 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 candidates for possible delivery points (parcel collection points).

[0031] For example, a delivery plan DS set for a certain delivery point (such as the parcel collection point CP1 shown in Figure 1) includes two types of delivery slots: a "full" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as a "full slot DF"), which indicates that the delivery schedule by the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer) is already filled, and an "empty" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as an "empty slot DE"), which indicates that there is a vacancy in the delivery schedule by the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer).

[0032] (Information terminal 50) The information terminal 50 is a terminal used by the service provider U. The information terminal 50 is realized by, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.

[0033] The information terminal 50 receives a notification of a solicitation for the provision of services for collection and delivery of luggage L from the server 30. The service provider U can view the notification of the solicitation by operating the information terminal 50. Furthermore, the service provider U can respond to the solicitation by operating the information terminal 50. When the service provider U performs an operation on the information terminal 50 to respond to the solicitation, the information terminal 50 notifies the server 30 that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation.

[0034] Furthermore, the information terminal 50 has a function of displaying various information related to the above recruitment to the service provider U. For example, the information terminal 50 can display to the service provider U information such as the location of a baggage collection point related to a task for which provision of a service has been decided, the current location of the service provider U, or a travel route from a waypoint.

[0035] The overview of the information processing system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0036] <2. Example of functional configuration> <2-1.Server 30> 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 30 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a control unit 330, a candidate designation unit 340, and a notification generation unit 350.

[0037] The control unit 330, the candidate designation unit 340, and the notification generation unit 350 each include an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and their functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being expanded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed. At this time, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0038] Data necessary for the calculations by the calculation device is appropriately stored in the storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 may be configured with a memory such as a RAM, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory.

[0039] (Communication unit 310) The communication unit 310 performs various communications between the mobile object 10 and an external terminal such as the information terminal 50. For example, the communication unit 310 transmits a notification of a service solicitation generated by the notification generation unit 350 to the information terminal 50 under the control of the control unit 330. The communication unit 310 also receives a notification from the information terminal 50 that the service provider U has responded to the service solicitation. The communication unit 310 also receives, from the information terminal 50, position measurement information such as the current location of the service provider U, and information on the current execution status of a service provision task input to the information terminal 50 by the operation of the service provider U. The communication unit 310 also accepts a delivery request by communicating with a smartphone used by the general consumer (requester) described above or an external terminal installed in a store or the like.

[0040] (Storage unit 320) The storage unit 320 stores software and various data. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information on pre-registered users to whom the service of collecting and delivering parcels can be provided. The user information includes, for example, the means of transportation used by each service provider U and information on the area in which the service can be provided. The storage unit 320 also stores various information related to the generation of a delivery plan. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information on each delivery means, possible delivery locations for each delivery means, availability of each possible delivery location, availability of delivery slots for each delivery means, and information related to delivery requests (for example, location information such as the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery request, the type and number of parcels L, etc.).

[0041] (Control unit 330) The control unit 330 controls the overall operation of the server 30. For example, the control unit 330 controls the communication unit 310 to transmit a notification of the solicitation of services to the information terminal 50. In addition, the control unit 330 has a function of generating one or more delivery plans for the delivery of the parcel L when the communication unit 310 receives a delivery request for the parcel L. In addition, the control unit 330 has a function of approving a user, who is determined as a candidate for the service provider by the candidate determination unit 340 described later, as a service provider based on the user responding to the solicitation of the provision of services. When the control unit 330 approves one user as a service provider, it selects and approves one delivery plan from the generated delivery plans up to the delivery possible position of the service provider (the parcel collection point as seen from the service provider U).

[0042] The control unit 330 refers to the storage unit 320 to acquire the availability of the delivery slots of each delivery means and the possible delivery positions of each delivery means. The control unit 330 generates a delivery plan by specifying the delivery means, the delivery slots, the possible delivery positions, and the delivery route based on the acquired availability of the delivery slots and the possible delivery positions for each delivery means. At this time, the control unit 330 may further generate the delivery plan based on a weather forecast for the delivery route. For example, if the weather forecast for a certain delivery route indicates bad weather, the control unit 330 may designate another delivery means, other than an autonomous moving body on an air route that is affected by bad weather (especially weather with high wind speed), as the delivery means on the delivery route.

[0043] When the control unit 330 selects and approves one delivery plan, it generates delivery instruction information including information on the designation of a delivery means and a delivery slot based on the delivery plan. Furthermore, the control unit 330 may transmit the delivery instruction information to a delivery person terminal used by a delivery person, not shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may directly communicate with the unmanned mobile body 10A and transmit the above delivery instruction information. Alternatively, if there is a manager who operates the unmanned mobile body 10A in a remote location, the control unit 330 may transmit the above delivery instruction information to an information terminal (e.g., a PC) used by the manager. As a result, the package L is delivered based on the delivery plan generated and approved by the server 30.

[0044] (Candidate determination unit 340) The candidate determination unit 340 has a function of determining, as candidates for a service provider, one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering a parcel from a parcel collection point. More specifically, when the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330 includes a delivery plan that combines delivery by the mobile body 10 to a delivery possible position and collection and delivery by a service provider from the delivery possible position (parcel collection point), the candidate determination unit 340 determines candidates for a service provider related to the delivery plan from among users registered in advance. Hereinafter, in this specification, a user refers to a user who is registered in advance as a user who can be a candidate for a service provider. The registration of a user may be performed by transmitting user information input by each user operating the information terminal 50 to the server 30 and storing it in the storage unit 320. Alternatively, the storage unit 320 may hold user information in advance.

[0045] The candidate designation unit 340 designates users who are presumed to be able to provide the above-mentioned service as candidates for the service provider based on the luggage collection time zone at the luggage collection point, the user's current location, the user's means of transportation, and the user's already-determined service provision schedule status (including, for example, the distance between the delivery destination and the current location and the required time). The luggage collection time zone can be determined according to the delivery slot of the mobile object 10 and the availability of the luggage collection point when the delivery plan is generated by the control unit 330. Alternatively, if the delivery request for the luggage L includes the collection of the luggage L, the luggage collection time zone may be the desired collection time. In addition, the candidate designation unit 340 acquires the current location of each user and the user's already-determined service provision schedule status from the information terminal 50 via the communication unit 310.

[0046] In the process of determining candidates for service providers, the candidate designation unit 340 estimates the estimated location of the user at each time and the movement route from the user's current location to the baggage collection point based on the user's current location and the determined service provision schedule status. The candidate designation unit 340 determines a predetermined number of users who are estimated to be able to provide services as candidates for service providers based on the estimated estimated location and movement route. At this time, the upper limit number of users to be determined as candidates may be preset by the operator of the server 30.

[0047] For example, the candidate designation unit 340 may designate, as candidates for the service provider, users who are estimated to be able to move to the luggage collection point during the luggage collection time zone and deliver the luggage to the delivery destination, in order of the user who has the shortest movement route from the current location to the luggage collection point. Alternatively, the candidate designation unit 340 may designate, as candidates for the service provider, one or more users in order of the earliest estimated arrival time at the luggage collection point. Alternatively, in the case where the luggage L is a luggage for which a controlled temperature range is set, such as a product that needs to be refrigerated, the candidate designation unit 340 may acquire a waiting time indicating a time during which the luggage L can wait at the luggage collection point, which is determined based on the controlled temperature range. The waiting time may be determined in advance for each type of luggage L and stored in the storage unit 320. The candidate designation unit 340 may designate, as candidates for the service provider, the above-mentioned users who are estimated to be able to arrive at the luggage collection point during the period from the estimated arrival time of the luggage at the luggage collection point until the waiting time has elapsed.

[0048] (Notification generation unit 350) The notification generating unit 350 has a function of generating a notification of the recruitment of service providers. The recruitment notification generated by the notification generating unit 350 is transmitted to the information terminal 50 used by the user determined as a candidate for the service provider under the control of the control unit 330. Alternatively, the server 30 may be provided with a display unit not shown in Fig. 3, and in that case, the recruitment notification may be displayed on the display unit under the control of the control unit 330.

[0049] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 3. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 50 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0050] <2-2. Information terminal 50> 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the information terminal 50 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the information terminal 50 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 510, a control unit 530, and an operation display unit 540.

[0051] (Communication unit 510) The communication unit 510 performs various communications with the server 30. For example, the communication unit 510 receives a notification of a service solicitation from the server 30. In addition, the communication unit 510 transmits a notification to the server 30 that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation based on an operation by the service provider U.

[0052] (Control unit 530) The control unit 530 controls the overall operation of the information terminal 50. For example, the control unit 530 controls transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 510. For example, the control unit 530 causes the communication unit 510 to transmit information on the execution status of the currently determined service of the service provider U, which is input by the operation display unit 540, to the server 30.

[0053] (Operation display section 540) The operation display unit 540 has a function as an operation unit that can input information regarding the execution status of the service of collection or delivery of the parcel L by the service provider U. For example, the service provider U can respond to a notice of the recruitment of a service by operating the operation display unit 540. The operation of responding to the notice of the recruitment of a service may be, for example, an operation of pressing an application button displayed on the operation display unit 540. In addition, the service provider U can notify the server 30 of the start or completion of a decided service by operating the operation display unit 540. Alternatively, the service provider U can view information related to the service being recruited or decided (such as the location of the parcel collection point or the travel route) by operating the operation display unit 540.

[0054] The function of the operation display unit 540 as an operation unit may be realized by, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard. Also, 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. Note that the function as the display unit and the function as the operation unit may be configured separately.

[0055] The information terminal 50 may also include a microphone not shown in Fig. 4, in which case the service provider U may use the microphone to input by voice the execution status of the service of delivering or collecting the package L. The information terminal 50 may also include a speaker not shown in Fig. 4, in which case the service provider U may confirm information related to the service by the voice output from the speaker.

[0056] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 has been described above with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0057] <3. Example of operation> FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment for determining candidates for service providers and approving a delivery plan.

[0058] First, the communication unit 310 of the server 30 receives a request for delivery or collection of a package (delivery request) (S101). When the delivery request is received, the control unit 330 of the server 30 generates a delivery plan (S103). Among the generated delivery plans, for example, one or more delivery plans with a short total delivery time or one or more delivery plans with a low total delivery fee may be preferentially stored as the generated delivery plan and proceed to the next step.

[0059] If the generated delivery plans do not include a delivery plan in which the service provider collects and delivers the parcel and uses another delivery means (S107 / NO), the control unit 330 selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans (S119). At this time, the control unit 330 may, for example, preferentially select a delivery plan in which the delivery means is the unmanned mobile unit 10A from among the generated delivery plans over a delivery plan in which the delivery means is a delivery person using the manned mobile unit 10B. This promotes the use of the unmanned mobile unit 10A, and a delivery plan with higher delivery efficiency may be selected. Also, instead of the determination in step S107, in step S103, when the delivery destination location included in the delivery request is outside a predetermined range from the location where the mobile unit 10 starts delivery (for example, the warehouse WH, the current location of the mobile unit 10, the current area of ​​responsibility, etc.), a delivery plan may be generated that combines delivery by the delivery means to a delivery possible point (relay point) and collection and delivery by the service provider U from the delivery possible point to the delivery destination. In that case, the process may proceed to step S109 without going through step S107.

[0060] In S107, if the generated delivery plan includes a delivery plan that combines collection and delivery of packages by a service provider with other delivery means (S107 / YES), the candidate determination unit 340 of the server 30 determines candidates for the service provider (S109). The notification generation unit 350 generates a notification of the recruitment of services. The control unit 330 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit the notification of the recruitment to the information terminal 50 used by the user determined as a candidate (S111).

[0061] If the user does not respond to the solicitation (S113 / NO), the control unit 330 changes the delivery slot or the package collection point that was initially specified in the delivery plan that combines the collection and delivery of the package by the service provider and other delivery means (S115). Next, the server 30 repeatedly executes the processes of S115 and S107 to S113 until any user responds to the solicitation of the service in S113. As a result, if none of the users responds to the solicitation of the service, matching of candidates of the service provider is performed again with the same delivery means and a different delivery slot or package collection point. Note that, if there is a deadline for the arrival time of the package at the delivery destination, the server 30 may repeat the processes of S115 and S107 to S113 within a certain limited number of times or a certain limited time within which the process of repeating matching can be executed again until the user responds to the solicitation of the service. If the number of times the process is repeated exceeds the above-mentioned limit number and time limits, the server 30 may select another delivery plan that does not require the service provider to provide services, or may generate a new delivery plan and select and approve the new delivery plan.

[0062] In S113, if the user responds to the solicitation (S113 / YES), the control unit 330 approves the user who responded to the solicitation as a service provider (S117). At this time, the control unit 330 may cause the communication unit 310 to transmit a notification that the provision of the service has been decided to the information terminal 50 used by the user.

[0063] The control unit 330 selects and approves one delivery plan to the luggage collection point, which combines collection and delivery of the luggage L by the service provider with other delivery means (S119).

[0064] An example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment for determining candidates for service providers and approving a delivery plan has been described above with reference to FIG.

[0065] <4. Hardware configuration example> The information processing described above is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware of the server 30 described below. The hardware configuration described below can also be applied to the information terminal 50.

[0066] 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the 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.

[0067] The control unit 330 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the server 30, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing necessary for application execution and authentication processing, etc. For example, the control unit 330 is a CPU and / or GPU, and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 32 and deployed in the memory 31 to perform various types of information processing as described above.

[0068] 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) executed when the server 30 is started up, various setting information, and the like.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The transceiver 33 connects the server 30 to a network and / or a blockchain network. The transceiver 33 may include a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

[0071] 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.

[0072] A bus 35 is commonly connected to each of the above elements, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0073] <5. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure can conceive of various modified or amended 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 disclosure.

[0074] For example, in the above embodiment, the candidate determination unit 340 determines users who are estimated to be able to provide services as candidates for service providers based on the baggage collection time zone at the baggage collection point, the user's current location, the user's means of transportation, and the user's already determined service provision schedule status, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the candidate determination unit 340 may acquire in advance service provision availability conditions indicating the conditions under which each user is able to provide services. The service provision availability conditions may be, for example, areas in which each user can collect and deliver luggage, or times during which each user can respond to the provision of services without receiving a recruitment notice. In this case, the candidate determination unit 340 may immediately approve users who satisfy the above service provision availability conditions as service providers without notifying users determined as candidates for service providers of the recruitment. This allows the control unit 330 to immediately approve any user as a service provider without waiting until the user responds to the recruitment. Therefore, the time until the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330 is approved can be further shortened.

[0075] Furthermore, the steps in the processing of the operation of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 according to this embodiment do not necessarily need to be processed in chronological order according to the order described in the explanatory diagram. For example, each step in the processing of the operation of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 may be processed in an order different from the order described in the explanatory diagram, or may be processed in parallel.

[0076] In addition, the effects described in this specification are merely explanatory or exemplary and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present invention may achieve other effects that are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description of this specification, in addition to or in place of the above effects.

[0077] It is also possible to create a computer program for causing hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the server 30 and the information terminal 50 to perform functions equivalent to those of the respective components of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Mobile 30 Servers 310 Communications Department 320 Storage section 330 Control Unit 340 Candidate Decision Department 350 Notification generator 50 Information terminal 510 Communications Department 530 Control Unit 540 Operation display section

Claims

1. A control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, A candidate determination unit that determines one or more users, for whom it is presumed possible to provide the services of collecting and delivering the package, as candidates for service providers, When the control unit approves one of the users determined as the candidate as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans up to the package collection point of the service provider. An information processing system.

2. Further comprising a notification generation unit that generates a notification for recruiting the service provider, Based on the fact that the user determined as the candidate has responded to the recruitment, the control unit approves the user as the service provider. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit acquires service availability conditions indicating conditions in which each of the users is in a state where service provision is possible, Among the users determined as the candidates, the control unit selects the users who satisfy the service availability conditions and approves them as the service providers. The information processing system according to claim 1.

4. Based on the package collection time zone at the package collection point, the current location of the user, the means of movement of the user, and the determined service provision schedule status of the user, the candidate determination unit determines a user, for whom it is presumed possible to provide the service, as a candidate for the service provider. The information processing system according to claim 1.

5. A control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, A candidate determination unit that determines one or more users, for whom it is presumed possible to provide the services of collecting and delivering the package, as candidates for service providers, When the control unit approves one of the users determined as the candidate as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans up to the package collection point of the service provider. An information processing apparatus.

6. Generating one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, Determining one or more users, for whom it is presumed possible to provide the services of collecting and delivering the package, as candidates for service providers, When approving one of the users determined as the candidate as the service provider, selecting and approving one of the generated delivery plans up to the package collection point of the service provider. An information processing method executed by a computer, including

7. A computer, A control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for a package, A candidate determination unit that determines one or more users for whom it is presumed that the service of collecting and delivering the package can be provided as candidates for service providers, When the control unit approves one of the users determined as the candidate as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans up to the package collection point of the service provider. A program for causing the computer to function as described above.

Images