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

Abstract

To provide a technique that contributes to further streamlining of package delivery or collection.SOLUTION: An information processing system is provided, comprising a communication unit configured to make a service recruitment notification to a service provider terminal used by a service provider candidate for providing collection and delivery service for a package, the candidate being expected to be able to provide collection and delivery service for the package according to conditions related to collection and delivery of the package by other different delivery means; a control unit configured to approve the service provider candidate as the service provider; and a screen generation unit configured to generate a notification of information related to the collection and delivery service for the package.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 the social environment, and the like. 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 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 their 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 communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide parcel collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the parcel collection and delivery services by other different delivery means, a control unit that approves the candidate service provider who can provide parcel collection and delivery services as a service provider, and a screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the parcel collection and delivery.

[0008] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide parcel collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the parcel collection and delivery services by other different delivery means; a control unit that approves the candidate service provider who can provide parcel collection and delivery services as a service provider; and a screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the parcel collection and delivery.

[0009] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide parcel collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the parcel collection and delivery services by other different delivery means, approving the candidate service provider who can provide parcel collection and delivery services as a service provider, and generating a notification of information related to the parcel collection and delivery.

[0010] In addition, according to the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to function as an information processing device comprising a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide parcel collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the parcel collection and delivery services by other different delivery means, a control unit that approves the candidate service provider who can provide parcel collection and delivery services as a service provider, and a screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the parcel collection and delivery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a delivery slot according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen for notifying a customer of a package collection and delivery service, generated by the screen generating unit 333. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen generated by the screen generating unit 333, showing a moving route from a current location of a candidate service provider to a baggage collection point. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a screen for notifying a customer of a package collection and delivery service, generated by the screen generating unit 333. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating an example screen of a travel route from a baggage collection point for a service for which a candidate service provider has been determined to a baggage collection point for another service, generated by the screen generation unit 333. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a screen for notifying a customer of a package collection and delivery service, generated by the screen generating unit 333. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a holding device 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a first sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a second sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 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

[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 communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the service of collecting and delivering parcels according to conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering parcels by different delivery means; A control unit that approves candidates for service providers capable of providing services of collecting and delivering packages as service providers; a screen generating unit for generating a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; An information processing system comprising: [Item 2] The control unit is acquiring location information of the candidate service provider and information regarding a determined service provision schedule status from the service provider terminal; determining a destination to which the notification of the recruitment is to be sent by the communication unit based on location information of the candidate service provider, the scheduled service provision status, and the means of transportation of the candidate service provider that is stored in advance in a storage unit; Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 3] The information on the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes current location base task information, which is information on the service that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide by the control unit according to at least one of a distance, a travel route, and a travel time from a current location of the candidate service provider to a parcel collection point. Item 3. An information processing system according to item 2. [Item 4] The information on the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes determined task base point information, which is information on the service that the candidate service provider has estimated to be able to provide by the control unit, based on at least one of a distance, a travel route, and a travel time from a parcel collection point or a delivery destination in the determined service of the service provider to a parcel collection point of another service. Item 3. An information processing system according to item 3. [Item 5] The control unit generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package by the other different delivery means to the package collection point; approving the user determined as a candidate for the service provider as the service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment; If the service provider is approved, select and approve one of the delivery plans; 5. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 6] 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; 5. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 7] The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes irregular task information, which is information regarding a notification to a candidate service provider for the service of collecting and delivering the parcel in a delivery section in which delivery by the other different delivery means is planned in the delivery plan generated by the control unit. Item 6. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 8] The irregular task information is information regarding a notification of a solicitation for collection and delivery services of the package based on a delivery request in which the package delivery requester does not specify a collection or delivery time, or a delivery request in which there is a certain amount of time remaining from the current time to the specified delivery time of the package, Item 8. An information processing system according to item 7. [Item 9] Displaying the recruitment notice; an operation display unit that accepts an application operation by the user in response to the recruitment notice; 9. The information processing system according to item 8, further comprising: [Item 10] an authentication unit that performs an authentication process to determine whether a request for luggage collection authentication, which is authentication for the collection of the luggage by the service provider, is a request from the service provider approved by the control unit; Item 10. An information processing system according to item 9. [Item 11] When the authentication unit determines that the request for authentication for collecting the luggage is a request from the service provider of the luggage, the control unit controls the luggage to be taken out from a holding device in which the luggage is held. Item 11. An information processing system according to item 10. [Item 12] The holding device is an unmanned moving body, When the authentication unit determines that the request for authentication to collect the package is a request from the service provider of the approved service of collecting and delivering the package, the control unit controls the unmanned mobile body to allow the package to be taken out. Item 12. An information processing system according to item 11. [Item 13] Item 12. The information processing system according to item 11, wherein the holding device holds the luggage released from the unmanned mobile body. [Item 14] The holding device comprises: The authentication unit; an authentication communication unit that receives information related to the authentication from the service provider terminal; Item 12. The information processing system according to item 11, comprising: [Item 15] The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from the service provider terminal, The authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information. Item 11. An information processing system according to item 10. [Item 16] the authentication unit performs authentication of collection of the package by the service provider in response to a request for authentication from the service provider terminal based on identification information related to a holding device on which the package is held; Item 16. An information processing system according to item 15. [Item 17] When the authentication unit performs the package collection authentication of the service provider, the control unit acknowledges that the service provider has started providing the package collection and delivery service. Item 11. An information processing system according to item 10. [Item 18] The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from a recipient terminal used by a recipient of the package at a delivery destination of the package, the authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information in response to an authentication request for delivery of the package from the service provider terminal. Item 18. An information processing system according to item 17. [Item 19] When the authentication unit authenticates the delivery of the package by the service provider, the control unit acknowledges that the service provider has completed the collection and delivery service of the package and that the package has been delivered to the delivery destination. Item 19. An information processing system according to item 18. [Item 20] a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the service of collecting and delivering parcels according to conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering parcels by different delivery means; A control unit that approves candidates for service providers capable of providing services of collecting and delivering packages as service providers; a screen generating unit for generating a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; An information processing device comprising: [Item 21] Notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the parcel according to conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering the parcel by a different delivery means; Approving potential service providers capable of providing package collection and delivery services as service providers; generating a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of said package; 2. An information processing method implemented by a computer, comprising: [Item 22] Computer, a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the service of collecting and delivering parcels according to conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering parcels by different delivery means; A control unit that approves candidates for service providers capable of providing services of collecting and delivering packages as service providers; a screen generating unit for generating a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; A program for causing an information processing device to function as the information processing device.

[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 numbers or letters after the same reference numeral. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish each of multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, each of the multiple components is given only the same reference numeral.

[0015] <1. Overview of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention> One embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that can contribute to further efficiency in the delivery or collection of parcels. More specifically, the information processing system according to one 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 like conventional delivery systems. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience for service providers that provide services of collecting and delivering parcels.

[0016] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system according to the present embodiment includes an information terminal 10, a holding device 20, and a server 30. The information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network.

[0017] (Information terminal 10) The information terminal 10 is a terminal used by a person involved in a service related to delivery or collection. For example, the information terminal 10 may be various terminals such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0018] The information terminal 10 also includes a service provider terminal 10A used by a service provider U that provides a service of collecting a package L that has been delivered to a specified package collection point by a different delivery means and delivering it to a delivery destination D. For example, the service provider U may use the service provider terminal 10A to view a notification regarding a solicitation of service provision received from the server 30.

[0019] The service provider terminal 10A 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 service provider terminal 10A. Furthermore, the service provider U can respond to the solicitation by operating the service provider terminal 10A. When the service provider U performs an operation to respond to the solicitation on the service provider terminal 10A (for example, by operating the accept button displayed on the screen), the service provider terminal 10A notifies the server 30 that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation.

[0020] Moreover, the service provider terminal 10A has a function of displaying various information related to the above recruitment to the service provider U under the control of the server 30. For example, the service provider terminal 10A can display to the service provider U information such as the location of the baggage collection point related to the service that has been decided to be provided, the current location of the service provider U, or a travel route from a stopover point.

[0021] Furthermore, the service provider terminal 10A requests the server 30 for authentication of luggage collection when the service provider U collects luggage from the holding device 20 (hereinafter, luggage collection authentication) based on the operation of the service provider U. When the server 30 determines that the authentication is successful, it controls the holding device 20 to enable the luggage held by the holding device 20 to be taken out, and acknowledges that the service provider U has started providing the service (hereinafter, also referred to as a task). Hereinafter, luggage collection authentication is also referred to as authentication of the start of the service already decided by the service provider U.

[0022] Further, the service provider terminal 10A requests the server 30 for authentication of the delivery of the parcel when the service provider U delivers the parcel L to the recipient R (hereinafter, parcel delivery authentication) based on the operation of the service provider U. At this time, the service provider terminal 10A may display an authentication image in response to the response to the authentication request from the server 30. When the server 30 receives identification information read from the authentication image from the recipient terminal 10B, the server 30 performs authentication processing for the parcel delivery authentication using the identification information. For example, the server 30 may perform authentication processing by checking whether or not the parcel ID of the parcel L, which is an example of the identification information, and the service provider ID of the service provider U are linked IDs in the database of the server 30. When it is determined that the parcel delivery authentication is successful, the server 30 may acknowledge that the task of the parcel L by the service provider U has been completed. Hereinafter, the parcel delivery authentication is also referred to as authentication of the completion of the provision of the service. The baggage delivery authentication may be performed by the server 30 in response to the service provider U completing the delivery operation on the service provider terminal 10A (for example, by operating a completion button displayed on the screen).

[0023] The information terminal 10 also includes a recipient terminal 10B used by a recipient R who receives a package at the delivery destination of the package L. For example, the recipient R may use the recipient terminal 10B to read an authentication image displayed on the screen of the service provider terminal 10A in accordance with instructions displayed on the service provider U or the service provider terminal 10A used by the service provider U. The server 30 may receive, from the recipient terminal 10B, identification information acquired by reading the authentication image. The server 30 may also perform authentication processing for package delivery authentication using the received identification information.

[0024] 1, the information processing system according to the present embodiment includes two information terminals 10, the service provider terminal 10A and the recipient terminal 10B, but the number of information terminals 10 is not limited to two. The information processing system according to the present embodiment may include two or more information terminals 10.

[0025] (Holding device 20) The holding device 20 is a device capable of holding luggage. The holding device 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can hold luggage. The holding device 20 may be an unmanned mobile body that moves by autonomous control using input information regarding positions of two points such as a start point (e.g., a delivery start position of the luggage L or a movement start position of the holding device 20) and an end point (e.g., a receiving position of the luggage L) for delivering the luggage, or three or more points including a relay point (e.g., a collection position of the luggage L in the case of a delivery involving collection of the luggage L) and a return point (e.g., a position the same as the movement start position of the unmanned mobile body 10 or a different waiting position). The holding device 20 may also be an unmanned mobile body that moves by remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body.

[0026] 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 water such as a sea or river. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the holding device 20A is a drone.

[0027] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body may be a mobile body capable of moving along at least two routes, including land, water, and air routes.

[0028] The holding device 20 may be a home delivery box that is installed outdoors and can store delivered packages. The home delivery box may hold packages released from an unmanned mobile body, and it is preferable that the home delivery box is equipped with a mechanism for automatically taking packages into the home delivery box, particularly for the unmanned mobile body 10B. The holding device 20 may be a storage unit that is delivered together with the package and separated from the unmanned mobile body, or a storage unit with an electronic lock in which the package is stored. When the authentication by the server 30 in response to an authentication request received from the service provider terminal 10A is determined to be successful, the holding device 20 enables the package held by the server 30 to be taken out based on the control by the server 30. If the home delivery box has an electronic lock function, the storage unit in which the package is stored may be unlocked based on information on unlocking transmitted from the server 30 to the service provider terminal 10A. The information on unlocking may be an unlocking code, and the service provider may directly operate the storage box to input the unlocking code, or the service provider terminal 10A may communicate to input the unlocking code.

[0029] (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 each delivery means such as the holding device 20A 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.

[0030] 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 a combination of a plurality of different delivery means, delivery routes, and time periods. The delivery means may be, for example, a drone, UAV, or UGV that realizes the holding device 20. Alternatively, the delivery means may be a delivery person who transports the package using a moving object such as a vehicle (for example, a passenger car, a light truck, a light van, or other cargo vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a kickboard, etc.). In addition, the server 30 generates a delivery plan from the warehouse WH to the package collection point CP, which is the final point where each delivery means can deliver, by setting the delivery possible point as the package collection point CP. At this time, the server 30 may solicit the service of collection and delivery of the package L from a service provider U for the section from the package collection point CP to the delivery destination D. In this way, the server 30 can generate a delivery plan that combines delivery by a delivery means other than the service provider to the parcel collection point CP (relay point) and collection and delivery of the parcel from the parcel collection point CP by the service provider. Note that, when the delivery point of each delivery means is the delivery destination of the parcel L, the server 30 may generate a delivery plan that does not use the service of collection and delivery of the parcel by the service provider. More specifically, the server 30 may specify the delivery means from the delivery start point of the parcel L to the delivery destination, which is the end point, only from among other delivery means other than the service provided by the service provider, such as a drone, UAV, UGV, or delivery person. In addition, the starting point is not limited to a warehouse, and may be, for example, a store such as a retail store or a restaurant.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 generates a delivery plan in which the holding device 20A delivers the package L in the section from the warehouse WH to the package collection point CP1. Furthermore, the server 30 designates a deliverable point, which is a point where delivery by the holding device 20A is possible, as the package collection point CP1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the package collection point CP1 is a point (drone stand) where the holding device 20A can take off and land and the package L can be handed over.

[0032] Furthermore, the server 30 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 CP1. The server 30 determines candidates for the service provider from among a plurality of users registered in advance. Furthermore, the server 30 notifies users determined as candidates for the service provider of the solicitation of service provision.

[0033] The service provider U can view the notification of the recruitment received from the server 30 on the service provider terminal 10A. In addition, the service provider U can respond to the recruitment (apply) by operating the service provider terminal 10A.

[0034] When any user responds to the solicitation of service provision, the server 30 can select and approve from among the generated delivery plans a delivery plan that combines the collection and delivery of packages by the service provider.

[0035] When the server 30 approves one delivery plan, 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 time slot. For example, the server 30 may register a delivery schedule related to the delivery or collection of the package L in a delivery slot of the delivery person or holding device 20 who delivers the package L. In this specification, a delivery slot refers to a time period during which delivery is possible by each delivery means, such as the delivery person or the holding device 20.

[0036] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a delivery slot according to the present embodiment. For example, the daily delivery plan DS of the holding device 20 (e.g., an unmanned mobile object) or the deliverer is divided into predetermined delivery slots (e.g., 15 minutes), and the holding device 20A 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 a possible delivery point (parcel collection point).

[0037] For example, a delivery plan DS set for a certain delivery point (such as the parcel collection point CP shown in Figure 1) includes two types of delivery slots: a "full" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as a "full slot DF") indicating that the delivery schedule by the holding device 20A or the deliverer has already been filled, and an "empty" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as an "empty slot DE") indicating that there is a vacancy in the delivery schedule by the holding device 20A or the deliverer.

[0038] In addition, the server 30 generates delivery instruction information for instructing the holding device 20A or the delivery person on information such as the delivery destination or the delivery route based on the approved delivery plan. The server 30 may transmit the generated delivery instruction information directly to the holding device 20A, or may transmit it to a delivery person terminal (not shown) used by the delivery person. The holding device 20A or the delivery person performs the work of delivering and collecting the luggage L according to the delivery instruction information. As a result, when a service provider capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the luggage in a section beyond the delivery point by each delivery means is approved, the server 30 executes the delivery of the luggage L by combining the provision of the service by the service provider with other delivery means such as the holding device 20A. Therefore, more efficient delivery using various delivery means can be realized.

[0039] The outline of the information processing system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10, the server 30, and the holding device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0040] <2. Example of functional configuration> <2-1. Information terminal 10> 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 130, an operation display unit 150, and a position measurement unit 170, as shown in FIG.

[0041] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 performs various communications with the server 30. For example, the communication unit 110A of the service provider terminal 10A receives a notification of a solicitation of service provision from the server 30. Furthermore, the communication unit 110A 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. Furthermore, the communication unit 110A transmits an authentication request to the server 30. At this time, the authentication request may include identification information used in the authentication process by the server 30. The identification information may be a service provider ID that uniquely identifies the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A, and identification information related to the holding device 20, which will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, when the communication unit 110B of the recipient terminal 10B reads the authentication image on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A presented at the time of delivery of the package from the service provider U, the communication unit 110B transmits a notification that the authentication image has been read and the identification information read from the authentication image to the server 30. The identification information may be, for example, the package ID of the package L addressed to the recipient R.

[0043] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the information terminal 10. For example, the control unit 130 controls the transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 110. For example, the control unit 130A of the service provider terminal 10A causes the communication unit 110A to transmit to the server 30 information related to the execution status of the currently determined service of the service provider U, which information has been input by the operation display unit 150A.

[0044] (Operation display section 150) The operation display unit 150 has a function as an operation unit capable of accepting various operations by a user of the information terminal 10, such as the service provider U or the recipient R. For example, the operation display unit 150A accepts an input operation of information regarding the execution status of the service of collection or delivery of the package L by the service provider U. The service provider U can respond to the notice of the recruitment of services by operating the operation display unit 150A. The operation of responding to the notice of the recruitment of services may be, for example, an operation of pressing an apply button displayed on the operation display unit 150A.

[0045] Moreover, the service provider U can request authentication of the start of the determined service (baggage collection authentication) or authentication of the completion of the service (baggage handover authentication) from the server 30 by operating the operation display unit 150A. Furthermore, the service provider U can view information related to the currently recruited or determined service (such as the location of the baggage collection point or the travel route) by operating the operation display unit 150A.

[0046] Furthermore, the operation display unit 150B can accept an operation to read an authentication image on the operation display unit 150A presented by the service provider U, based on an operation by the recipient R. In this case, the recipient terminal 10B may be equipped with a camera not shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the recipient terminal 10B may read identification information used for authentication from the authentication image using the camera, based on an operation on the operation display unit 150B.

[0047] The function of the operation display unit 150 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.

[0048] The information terminal 10 may also include a microphone not shown in Fig. 3, in which case the service provider U may use the microphone to input by voice the execution status of the service of delivery or collection of the package L. The information terminal 10 may also include a speaker not shown in Fig. 3, in which case the service provider U may confirm information related to the service by the voice output from the speaker.

[0049] (Positioning unit 170) The position measuring unit 170 has a function of calculating the absolute or relative position of the information terminal 10. For example, the position measuring unit 170 may detect the current position based on an externally acquired signal. Specifically, for example, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) may be used, which receives radio waves from an artificial satellite and detects the current position where the information terminal 10 is located. In addition to the GNSS, a method of detecting the position by Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), transmission and reception with a mobile phone, PHS, smartphone, etc., or short-distance communication, etc. may be used. In addition, the position measuring unit 170 may estimate information indicating a relative change in the position of the information terminal 10 based on the detection result of an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, etc.

[0050] An example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 3. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0051] <2-2.Server 30> 4 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. 4, the server 30 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0052] The control unit 330 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being expanded in 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (Communication unit 310) The communication unit 310 performs various communications with the information terminal 10 and external terminals such as the holding device 20. For example, the communication unit 310 transmits a notification of a service solicitation to the service provider terminal 10A under the control of the control unit 330. The communication unit 310 also receives a notification from the service provider terminal 10A that the service provider U has responded to the service solicitation. The communication unit 310 also receives, from the service provider terminal 10A, location measurement information such as the current location of the service provider U, information on the current task execution status input to the service provider terminal 10A by the operation of the service provider U, and a request for authentication. The communication unit 310 also accepts a delivery request by communicating with a smartphone used by the general consumer (requester) or an external terminal installed in a store or the like.

[0055] (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 package collection and delivery services 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.

[0056] The storage unit 320 also holds various information related to the generation of the delivery plan. For example, the storage unit 320 holds information related to each delivery means, a delivery location for each delivery means, availability of each delivery location, availability of delivery slots for each delivery means, and information related to the delivery request (for example, location information such as the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery request, the type and number of packages L, etc.).

[0057] The storage unit 320 also stores a service provider ID, which is identification information for uniquely identifying a service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A.

[0058] The storage unit 320 also stores information about the package L. The information about the package L includes, for example, identification information of the package L, the expected arrival time of the package L, whether the package L is a frozen product, whether the package L is a sensitive product that requires careful handling such as being upside down, not stacked, perishable, or fragile, the delivery means of the package L, and information about the recipient R to whom the package L is addressed.

[0059] The storage unit 320 also stores a database of identification information of the parcel L and information on a service provider U approved as a service provider for providing collection and delivery services for the parcel L. For example, the database stored in the storage unit 320 may be associated with the service provider ID of the service provider U linked to the parcel ID, which is the identification information of the parcel L. Linking of the parcel ID and the service provider ID in the storage unit 320 may be performed under the control of the control unit 330 when the control unit 330 approves a service provider related to the collection and delivery services of a certain parcel. The authentication unit 335, which will be described later, performs authentication processing for parcel collection authentication or parcel delivery authentication based on the above database held in the storage unit 320.

[0060] (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 service provider terminal 10A. Such a control unit 330 has a function of generating one or more delivery plans for delivery of the package L when a delivery request for the package L is received by the communication unit 310.

[0061] The control unit 330 also controls the communication unit 310 to transmit a notification of the recruitment of services to users who have been determined as candidates for service providers by the candidate designation unit 331 described later. The control unit 330 acquires, from each of the service provider terminals 10A used by the users who have been determined as candidates for service providers, information on the location information of the candidate service provider and the determined scheduled status of service provision of the candidate service provider (including, for example, the distance between the delivery destination and the current location and the required time) via the communication unit 310. Furthermore, the control unit 330 determines the destination of the recruitment notification based on the location information of the candidate service provider, the scheduled status of service provision, and the means of transportation of the candidate service provider stored in the storage unit 320.

[0062] For example, the control unit 330 may determine a candidate service provider who is estimated to be able to provide a service as a notification recipient of the recruitment of the service, based on at least one of the distance from the current location of the candidate service provider to the baggage collection point, the travel route, and the travel time. Hereinafter, information on a service that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide, based on the current location of the candidate service provider, is referred to as current location-based task information.

[0063] Alternatively, the control unit 330 may determine candidates of service providers who are estimated to be able to provide services as notification recipients of the recruitment of the services, based on at least one of the distance, travel route, and travel time from the luggage collection point or delivery destination of the determined service of the service provider to the luggage collection point of the other service. In other words, the control unit 330 calculates the estimated location of the service provider at each time from information such as the luggage collection point, luggage collection time period, and delivery destination of the determined task of the service provider. Based on the calculated estimated location, the control unit 330 estimates whether the service provider is able to provide a service of a task other than the determined task. Then, the control unit 330 determines the service provider who is estimated to be able to provide the service of the other task as a candidate of the service provider of the other task, and notifies the candidate of the recruitment of the other task. Hereinafter, information regarding other services that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide, based on either the parcel collection point or delivery destination of the candidate service provider's determined service, is referred to as determined task base information.

[0064] Furthermore, when certain conditions are met for a section of the generated delivery plan where collection and delivery of packages is planned by a delivery person or a delivery means such as a holding device 20 such as a drone, the control unit 330 may notify potential service providers of a recruitment for the service of collection and delivery of packages for that section.

[0065] The predetermined condition may be, for example, that the delivery request related to the delivery plan is a delivery request for which no time designation information for collection or delivery by the requester is set. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be that the delivery request related to the delivery plan is a delivery request for which there is a certain amount of time remaining from the current time when the communication unit 310 receives the delivery request to the designated delivery time of the parcel. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be that when the delivery destination location included in the delivery request is outside a predetermined range (i.e., outside the delivery area for the holding device 20 or the delivery person) from the location where the holding device 20 or the delivery person starts delivery (for example, the warehouse WH or the current location of the holding device 20, the current area of ​​responsibility, etc.), a delivery plan may be generated by combining delivery to a delivery possible point (relay point) by the delivery means and collection and delivery of the parcel from the delivery possible point to the delivery destination by the service provider U. In this case, the process may proceed to step 109 without going through step S107. Hereinafter, information on the service of collection and delivery of the parcel based on the delivery request for which the above-mentioned predetermined condition is satisfied is referred to as irregular task information.

[0066] By having a service provider take on the services related to such irregular task information, delivery by the service provider can be used even in a delivery section where a delivery means such as a delivery person or a holding device 20 such as a drone is usually selected when there is no time to spare. Therefore, the options for delivery means in the delivery section are expanded. This makes it possible to further improve the efficiency of collection and delivery of packages. In addition, by recruiting for services related to such irregular task information, work opportunities for candidates for the service provider are increased. Therefore, convenience for the service provider is also improved.

[0067] Note that examples of the current location base task information, the determined task base information, and the irregular task information described above will be described in detail later in the explanation of an example of a recruitment notice generated by the screen generating unit 333.

[0068] In addition, the control unit 330 has a function of approving a user determined as a candidate for a service provider as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. When the control unit 330 approves a user as a service provider, the control unit 330 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).

[0069] When the control unit 330 selects and approves one delivery plan, it generates delivery instruction information including designation of a delivery means and designation information of a delivery slot based on the delivery plan. Furthermore, the control unit 330 may cause the communication unit 310 to transmit the delivery instruction information to a delivery person terminal used by the delivery person. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may control the communication unit 310 to directly communicate with the holding device 20A and transmit the above-mentioned delivery instruction information. Alternatively, if there is a manager who operates the holding device 20A in a remote location, the control unit 330 may cause the communication unit 310 to transmit the above-mentioned 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.

[0070] (Candidate determination unit 331) The candidate designation unit 331 has a function of determining candidates for service providers of the service of collection and delivery of the parcel, according to conditions related to collection and delivery of the parcel by a delivery means other than the service by the service provider. The control unit 330 determines the service provider terminal 10A used by the user determined as a candidate service provider by the candidate designation unit 331 as a destination of the recruitment notification.

[0071] More specifically, the candidate determination unit 331 has a function of determining, as candidates for a service provider, one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing services of collecting and delivering the luggage L from the luggage collection point according to conditions such as the delivery means, delivery route, luggage collection point, and luggage collection time period included in the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330. The candidate determination unit 331 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 person who is registered in advance as a subject that can be a candidate for a service provider. The registration of a user may be performed by transmitting the user's information input by each user operating the information terminal 10 to the server 30 and storing it in the storage unit 320. Alternatively, the storage unit 320 may hold user information in advance.

[0072] The candidate determination unit 331 determines users who are presumed 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 location information, the user's candidate means of transportation, and the user's candidate's already-determined service provision schedule status. The baggage collection time zone can be determined according to the delivery slots of each delivery means such as the holding device 20A and the availability of the baggage collection point when the delivery plan is generated by the control unit 330. Alternatively, if the delivery request for the baggage L includes the collection of the baggage L, the baggage collection time zone may be the desired collection time. In addition, the candidate determination unit 331 acquires the current location of each user and the user's already-determined service provision schedule status from the information terminal 10 via the communication unit 310.

[0073] In the process of determining candidates for service providers, the candidate determination unit 331 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 determination unit 331 determines users who are estimated to be able to provide services as candidates for the service provider based on the estimated estimated location and movement route, within a predetermined upper limit number. At this time, the upper limit number of users to be determined as candidates may be preset by the operator of the server 30.

[0074] Alternatively, in the case where the luggage L is a luggage for which a controlled temperature range is set, such as a refrigerated product, the candidate designation unit 331 may acquire a possible 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 possible waiting time may be determined in advance for each type of luggage L and stored in the storage unit 320. The candidate designation unit 331 may designate, as a candidate for the service provider, a user who is estimated to be able to arrive at the luggage collection point within the time from the estimated arrival time of the luggage at the luggage collection point until the possible waiting time has elapsed.

[0075] (Screen generation unit 333) The screen generation unit 333 has a function of generating various screens. For example, the screen generation unit 333 generates a notification of a recruitment of service providers. The recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 is transmitted to the service provider terminal 10A 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. 4, and in that case, the recruitment notification may be displayed on the display unit under the control of the control unit 330.

[0076] Here, an example of a recruitment notice generated by the screen generating unit 333 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen of a recruitment notice for the service of collecting and delivering parcels, generated by the screen generating unit 333. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a recruitment notice screen 610 generated by the screen generating unit 333 is displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. Moreover, the recruitment notice screen 610 is an example of current location base point task information. Note that, hereinafter, each screen example will be described by taking as an example a case in which the service provider U shown in Fig. 1 is a candidate for a service provider.

[0077] The recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333 may include information such as the type of service being recruited (collection task or delivery task), information on the luggage collection point for the task, the luggage collection time period, the delivery destination, and the remuneration if the potential service provider accepts the service. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the recruitment notice screen 610 indicates that the type of service being recruited is a collection task, the luggage collection point is drone stand A, and the luggage collection time period is between 10:00 and 10:15. The recruitment notice screen 610 also indicates the address of the delivery destination and the remuneration.

[0078] 5, a button B1 is displayed at the bottom of the recruitment notification screen 610. The service provider U can respond to the recruitment displayed on the recruitment notification screen 610 by pressing the button B1.

[0079] Furthermore, a travel route display button MB1 is displayed in the middle of the recruitment notification screen 610. The service provider U may be able to view a map and a travel route from the current location of the service provider U to the baggage collection point of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 610 by performing an operation of pressing the travel route display button MB1.

[0080] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen of a movement route from a current location of a service provider candidate to a baggage collection point, which is generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 6 shows a screen to which the service provider U transitions after pressing the movement route display button MB1 in the recruitment notice screen 610 shown in Fig. 5.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 6, the travel route screen 620 is a map screen including a current location CL1, a parcel collection point CP1, and a delivery destination D1. The current location CL1 indicates the current location of the service provider U. The parcel collection point CP1 indicates the location of the parcel collection point of the service related to the recruitment notice screen 610 shown in Fig. 5. The delivery destination D1 indicates the location of the delivery destination of the service.

[0082] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the movement route from the current position CL1 to the parcel collection point CP1 is shown by a dotted line. Also, the movement route from the parcel collection point CP1 to the delivery destination D1 is shown by a dotted line. The screen generating unit 333 generates the movement route screen 620 based on the position information of the service provider U acquired from the service provider terminal 10A, the position information of the parcel collection point related to the generated delivery plan, and the position information of the delivery destination. Also, the screen generating unit 333 may update the display of the current position CL1 and the movement route in the movement route screen 620 in real time according to the change in the position information of the service provider U. Such a notification of the recruitment and the display of the map information related to the recruitment make it easier for the service provider U to decide whether to respond to the recruitment of each service. Therefore, the convenience for the service provider U is improved.

[0083] An example of the recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 has been described above with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Next, another example of the recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

[0084] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a screen for notifying a solicitation of a service of collecting and delivering parcels, generated by the screen generating unit 333. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a solicitation notification screen 630 generated by the screen generating unit 333 is displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. Moreover, the solicitation notification screen 630 is an example of determined task base point information.

[0085] 7, the recruitment notification screen 630 indicates that the type of service being recruited is a collection task, the luggage collection point is drone stand B, and the luggage collection time period is between 10:00 and 10:15. The recruitment notification screen 630 also indicates the delivery address and the remuneration.

[0086] 7, a button B1 is displayed at the bottom of the recruitment notification screen 630. The service provider U can respond to the recruitment shown on the recruitment notification screen 630 by pressing the button B1.

[0087] Furthermore, a movement route display button MB2 is displayed in the middle of the recruitment notification screen 630. The service provider U may be able to view a map and a movement route from the baggage collection point of the task already determined by the service provider U to the baggage collection point of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 630 by performing an operation of pressing the movement route display button MB2.

[0088] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen of a travel route from a baggage collection point of a determined service of a service provider candidate to a baggage collection point of another service, which is generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 8 is a screen to which the service provider U transitions after pressing the travel route display button MB1 in the recruitment notice screen 630 shown in Fig. 7.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 8, the travel route screen 640 is a map screen including a current location CL1, a delivery destination D1, a package collection point CP2, and a delivery destination D2. The current location CL1 indicates the current location of the service provider U, as described with reference to Fig. 6. Also, the delivery destination D1 indicates the location of the delivery destination of the service related to the recruitment notice screen 610 shown in Fig. 5, as described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0090] The parcel collection point CP2 indicates the location of the parcel collection point for the service related to the recruitment notice screen 630 shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the delivery destination D2 indicates the location of the delivery destination for the service.

[0091] In the example shown in Fig. 8, the moving route from the delivery destination D1 to the parcel collection point CP2 is shown by a dotted line, not the moving route from the current position CL1. That is, it can be understood that the moving route from the position of the delivery destination for the service already determined by the service provider U to the parcel collection point for another service for which new recruitment is being conducted is shown on the moving route screen 640. The moving route from the parcel collection point CP2 to the delivery destination D2 is also shown by a dotted line.

[0092] The screen generating unit 333 generates a movement route screen 640 based on the location information of the service provider U acquired from the service provider terminal 10A, the location information of the package collection point related to the generated delivery plan, and the location information of the delivery destination. In addition, the screen generating unit 333 may update the display of the current position CL1 and the movement route in the movement route screen 640 in real time according to changes in the location information of the service provider U.

[0093] By receiving such a notification of a recruitment related to the determined task base point information and displaying the travel route related to the recruitment, the service provider U can more easily decide whether to apply for another task while taking into consideration the scheduled provision status of the service that has already been determined. Therefore, convenience for the service provider U is improved. Furthermore, since the service provider U can easily apply for the recruitment notified by the server 30, the collection and delivery of packages using various delivery means is promoted. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to further efficiency in the collection and delivery of packages.

[0094] Another example of the recruitment notice generated by the screen generating unit 333 has been described above with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Next, another example of the recruitment notice generated by the screen generating unit 333 will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

[0095] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a notification screen for soliciting services of collecting and delivering parcels, generated by the screen generating unit 333. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which an irregular task notification 650, an irregular task notification 660, and an irregular task notification 670 generated by the screen generating unit 333 are displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. Moreover, the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, and the irregular task notification 670 are examples of irregular task information.

[0096] 9, it can be seen that each of the irregular task notifications 650 to 670 displays information regarding the irregular task for which a request is being made, such as the collection time period, collection point, task type, and delivery destination, separated by a slash symbol. With these displays, the service provider U can view an overview of the irregular tasks available for application on the operation display unit 150A.

[0097] The control unit 330 of the server 30 may determine the irregular task to be notified to the service provider terminal 10A used by the service provider U, based on the distance between the current location of the service provider U and the baggage collection point related to each irregular task.

[0098] Furthermore, for example, when the service provider U performs an operation of quickly pressing either the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, or the irregular task notification 670 in the example screen shown in FIG. 9 twice in succession, the screen displayed on the operation display unit 150A may transition to a recruitment notification screen showing detailed information about each of the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, or the irregular task notification 670.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, when the service provider U presses once any of the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, and the irregular task notification 670 in the screen example shown in Fig. 9, the pressed irregular task notification may be placed in a selected state. Furthermore, when the button B1 is further pressed with any of the irregular task notifications selected, the service provider terminal 10A may notify the server 30 that the service provider U has applied for any of the irregular tasks of the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, or the irregular task notification 670.

[0100] Another example of the screen for notifying the solicitation of package collection and delivery services, generated by the screen generating unit 333, has been described above with reference to FIG.

[0101] (Authentication section 335) Returning to Fig. 4, an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 will be described further. The authentication unit 335 has a function of performing authentication processing in response to an authentication request received from the information terminal 10. For example, the authentication unit 335 performs package collection authentication or package delivery authentication in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A.

[0102] More specifically, when the communication unit 310 receives a request for authentication for collecting luggage L from the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing to determine whether the request is a request from a service provider U approved as a service provider of a certain luggage L. The authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing by referring to a database stored in the storage unit 320 and comparing the luggage ID with the service provider ID associated with each service provider U. If the authentication unit 335 finds that the luggage ID included in the authentication request is linked to the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 determines that the request for authentication for collecting luggage L is a request from the approved service provider U. Also, in this case, the authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication is successful. On the other hand, if the authentication unit 335 finds that the luggage ID is not linked to the service provider ID of the service provider U, the authentication unit 335 determines that the request for authentication for collecting luggage L is not authentication by the approved service provider U. In this case, the authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication has failed.

[0103] The authentication unit 335 may also authenticate the service provider U in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A based on the identification information related to the holding device 20. The identification information may be, for example, an identification code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) printed on, attached to, or contained in the exterior of the holding device 20, or identification information that can uniquely identify each holding device 20 and can be acquired by the service provider terminal 10A reading an RFID. In this case, the received identification information related to the holding device 20 may be linked to a baggage ID that is previously assigned to the baggage L held by the holding device 20. In this way, when the authentication unit 335 performs authentication based on the identification information related to the holding device 20, when the baggage L is held by the holding device 20, the identification information related to the holding device 20 and the baggage ID of the baggage L may be linked and stored in a database stored in the storage unit 320. The authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication is successful when it compares the luggage ID of the luggage L linked to the identification information related to the holding device 20 included in the authentication request with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A.

[0104] Furthermore, when the authentication unit 335 receives a request for authentication of delivery of the package L from the service provider terminal 10A, it performs authentication processing based on identification information received from the recipient terminal 10B used by the recipient R who is the delivery destination of the package L. For example, the authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing by checking the identification information (e.g., package ID) received from the recipient terminal 10B against the service provider ID of the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A that has requested the authentication.

[0105] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 4. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the holding device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10.

[0106] <2-3. Holding device 20> 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the holding device 20 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the holding device 20 has a communication unit 210, a holding unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0107] (Communication unit 210) The communication unit 210 communicates with the server 30 via a network. For example, the communication unit 210 receives an instruction to control the storage unit 220 from the server 30.

[0108] (Holding part 220) The holding unit 220 holds the package L, the address of which is designated as the recipient R. The holding unit 220 enables the package L to be taken out by the service provider U, based on a control instruction received from the server 30 by the communication unit 210. For example, the holding unit 220 may be in the shape of a box capable of storing the package L and having an openable and closable lid. In this case, the holding unit 220 may enable the package L to be taken out by the service provider U by permitting the opening of the lid. The holding unit 220 may also hold the package L such that the package L is fixed by a fixed object such as a belt or a frame. In that case, the holding unit 220 may enable the package L to be taken out by the service provider U by removing a part of the fixed object. The configuration of the holding unit 220 is not limited to these examples, and it is sufficient that the package L is held.

[0109] (Control unit 230) The control unit 230 controls the overall operation of the holding device 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls the holding unit 220 in response to an instruction for controlling the holding unit 220 received from the server 30 by the communication unit 210 so that the baggage L can be taken out of the holding unit 220.

[0110] An example of the functional configuration of the holding device 20 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 10. Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0111] <3. Example of operation> FIG. 11 is a first sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0112] (Example of operations from delivery request to service provider approval and delivery plan approval) First, the communication unit 310 of the server 30 receives a request for delivery or collection of a parcel (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. In addition, if it is determined that the task is an irregular task that satisfies the above-mentioned predetermined conditions, in step S103, a delivery plan may be generated that combines delivery by a delivery means to a delivery possible point (relay point) and collection and delivery of the parcel by the service provider U from the delivery possible point to the delivery destination.

[0113] If the delivery plans generated by the control unit 330 in S103 are all plans to complete delivery of parcels by other different delivery means without using the service provided by the service provider, the process of S103 is performed, followed by the processes of S123 to S127 described below. In this case, the information processing system according to this embodiment completes a series of operations from receipt of a certain delivery request to completion of delivery after the process of S127 is performed.

[0114] If the delivery plans generated in S103 include a delivery plan that combines the services of package collection and delivery by a service provider, the candidate determination unit 331 of the server 30 determines candidates for the service provider (S105).

[0115] The screen generation unit 333 of the server 30 generates a notification of the recruitment of services (S107). The control unit 330 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit the notification of the recruitment to the service provider terminal 10A used by the user who has been determined as a candidate for the service provider (S109).

[0116] The control unit 130 of the service provider terminal 10A displays the notification of the solicitation received from the server 30 on the operation display unit 150 (S111). Here, if the service provider U does not perform an operation to apply for the solicitation, the control unit 330 may change the delivery slot or the parcel collection point of the delivery plan in combination with the provision of the service by the service provider generated in S103. Furthermore, the server 30 may repeat the processes of S105 to S109 within a predetermined limited number of times or within a predetermined limited time until any of the service provider candidates responds to the solicitation for the service related to the changed delivery plan. If any of the service provider candidates does not respond to the solicitation within the limited number of times or the limited time, the server 30 may select and approve another delivery plan that does not require the provision of the service by the service provider. In this operation example, it is assumed that the service provider U performs an operation to respond to the solicitation in response to the notification of the solicitation received by the service provider terminal 10A from the server 30 in S109.

[0117] The service provider U views the notification displayed on the operation display unit 150A and performs an operation to apply for the recruitment (S113). The service provider terminal 10A notifies the server 30 that an operation to respond to the recruitment has been performed (S115).

[0118] The control unit 330 of the server 30 approves the service provider U who responded to the recruitment 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 service provider terminal 10A used by the approved service provider U.

[0119] The control unit 330 of the server 30, based on the approval of the service provider U as a service provider, selects and approves one delivery plan for the service provider U to combine collection and delivery of the package L to the package collection point (S119). Next, based on the approved delivery plan, the control unit 330 reserves a delivery slot for the delivery means specified in the delivery plan (S121). Next, the control unit 330 generates delivery instruction information (S123). Next, the operation continues to the second sequence diagram shown in FIG. 12.

[0120] Fig. 12 is a second sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Following the process of S123 shown in Fig. 11, the control unit 330 of the server 30 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit delivery instruction information to the holding device 20A (S125). The holding device 20A delivers the package L to the package collection point based on the received delivery instruction information (S127).

[0121] (Example of baggage collection and task start) Next, based on an operation by the service provider U who has arrived at the baggage arrival point, the service provider terminal 10A reads the identification information related to the holding device 20A (S129, S131). For example, the service provider U may operate a camera included in the service provider terminal 10A to cause the service provider terminal 10A to read the above-mentioned identification information from an identification code printed on the exterior of the holding device 20A. Alternatively, the service provider terminal 10A may transmit the identification information received from the server 30 in response to approval of the application to the holding device 20A by short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0122] The service provider terminal 10A transmits an authentication request for baggage collection authentication to the server 30 (S133). At this time, the authentication request for baggage collection authentication includes the identification information read in S131. Alternatively, when the identification information is transmitted to the holding device 20A as described above, the holding device 20A may transmit the authentication request for baggage collection authentication to the server 30.

[0123] The server 30 performs authentication processing by comparing the parcel ID associated with the identification information received from the service provider terminal 10A with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A (S135). If the authentication is successful, the server 30 controls the holding device 20A to enable the parcel L to be taken out of the holding device 20A (S137). The server 30 also approves the start of service provision by the service provider U, and transmits the result of the authentication to the service provider terminal 10A (S139).

[0124] The service provider U collects the package L from the holding device 20A (S141). The service provider U delivers the package L to the delivery destination (S143).

[0125] (Example of delivery of parcel to destination and task completion) When the service provider U delivers the package L to the delivery destination, the service provider U operates the operation display unit 150 of the service provider terminal 10A to perform a package delivery process (S145). The package delivery process may be performed, for example, by the service provider U pressing a "package delivery process" button displayed on the operation display unit 150. Based on the operation, the service provider terminal 10A makes an authentication request for package delivery authentication to the server 30 (S147).

[0126] When the server 30 receives the authentication request for baggage delivery authentication from the service provider terminal 10A, it transmits a notice of an additional operation instruction to the service provider terminal 10A (S149). The additional operation instruction may be, for example, a notice such as "Please present the authentication image displayed on the screen to the recipient of the baggage and ask them to perform a reading operation."

[0127] Recipient R, who is the recipient of package L, operates recipient terminal 10B to have recipient terminal 10B read the identification information displayed on operation display unit 150 of service provider terminal 10A (S151). Recipient terminal 10B transmits the read identification information to server 30 (S153). The identification information may be, for example, package ID information of package L obtained by reading an identification code printed on the exterior of package L.

[0128] When the server 30 receives the identification information (parcel ID) from the recipient terminal 10B, it performs authentication processing by comparing the parcel ID with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A that made the authentication request for parcel delivery authentication in S147 (S155).

[0129] If the authentication is successful, the server 30 approves the completion of the provision of the service by the service provider U, and transmits the result of the authentication to the service provider terminal 10A (S157).

[0130] 4. Modifications of this embodiment An example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. The technology according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. First, additional functions of the communication unit and the control unit among the components of the holding device 20 according to this modified example will be described.

[0131] The communication unit 210 according to this modification further includes a function as an authentication communication unit capable of directly communicating with the service provider terminal 10A. The communication method used for communication with the service provider terminal 10A is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, or Wi-Fi. The communication unit 210 receives an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A, including the service provider ID of the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A.

[0132] The control unit 230 according to this modified example further has a function as an authentication unit that performs authentication processing to determine whether or not a request for authentication for collection of the package L is a request from a service provider U approved by the server 30 as a service provider related to the service of collection and delivery of the package L. The control unit 230 stores the service provider ID of the approved service provider U that is able to receive the package L held in the holding device 20. The service provider ID may be transmitted in advance from the server 30 to the communication unit 210, or may be stored when the package L is held in the holding device 20.

[0133] The control unit 230 controls the holding unit 220 to allow the baggage L to be taken out of the holding unit 220 when the stored service provider ID matches the service provider ID received from the service provider terminal 10A by the communication unit 210.

[0134] According to the information processing system of this modification, when the service provider U authenticates the collection of the luggage, the service provider terminal 10A is controlled so that the luggage L can be taken out from the holding device 20 without communicating with the server 30. Therefore, when the holding device 20 is an unmanned mobile body, even if the holding device 20A stops at a place where the service provider terminal 10A and the server 30 cannot communicate with each other, the service provider U can perform authentication and collect the luggage L.

[0135] <5. 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 is also applicable to the information terminal 10 and the holding device 20.

[0136] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. 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, as shown in, for example, FIG.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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).

[0141] 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.

[0142] A bus 35 is commonly connected to each of the above elements, and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0143] <6. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present invention 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 invention.

[0144] For example, in the above embodiment, the candidate designation unit 331 designates users who are presumed to be able to provide services as candidates for service providers based on the baggage collection time period at the baggage collection point, the user's current location, the user's means of transportation, and the user's determined scheduled service provision status, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the candidate designation unit 331 may acquire in advance service provision availability conditions indicating the conditions under which each user can provide a service. The service provision availability conditions may be, for example, the area in which each user can collect and deliver luggage, or the time period during which each user can respond to the provision of a service without receiving a recruitment notice, etc.

[0145] In this case, the candidate designation unit 331 may immediately approve a user who satisfies the above-mentioned service provision availability conditions as a service provider without notifying the user who has been determined as a candidate for the service provider of the recruitment. At this time, the control unit 330 of the server 30 may transmit a notification of the designation as a service provider from the communication unit 310 to the service provider terminal 10A. 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. In addition, the service provider U can automatically apply for a task that meets the conditions that allow the service provider U to respond to the recruitment. Therefore, the convenience of the service provider in the collection and delivery of parcels is improved.

[0146] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the service provider U provides a service of delivering a package from a package collection point to a delivery destination. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The service provider U may provide a service of collecting a package from a requester of a delivery request. In this case, the service provider U may provide a service of collecting and delivering the package L from a designated collection location of the requester of the delivery request to an intermediate point such as a warehouse WH or a drone stand.

[0147] In addition, the steps in the processing of the operations of the information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 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 operations of the information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 may be processed in an order different from the order described in the explanatory diagram, or may be processed in parallel.

[0148] 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.

[0149] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes hardware such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the information terminal 10, server 30, and holding device 20 to perform functions equivalent to those of the above-mentioned information terminal 10, server 30, and holding device 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10 Information terminals 110 Communications Department 130 Control section 150 Operation display section 170 Positioning unit 20 Holding device 210 Communications Department 220 Holding part 230 Control Unit 30 Servers 310 Communications Department 320 Storage section 330 Control Unit 331 Candidate Decision Department 333 Notification generator 335 Authentication Department 339 Screen generation section

Claims

1. A communication unit that notifies the service provider terminal used by the service provider candidate of the recruitment of service providers who can provide the service of collecting and delivering packages by other different delivery means according to the conditions related to the service of collecting and delivering packages; A control unit that approves a service provider candidate who can provide the service of collecting and delivering packages as a service provider; A screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the collection and delivery of the package; Comprising: The control unit generates one or more delivery plans including the delivery route and delivery means of the package by the other different delivery means to the package collection point based on the current position of the service provider candidate. An information processing system.

2. The control unit: Obtains information on the position information of the service provider candidate and the determined service provision schedule from the service provider terminal; Determines the transmission destination of the recruitment notification by the communication unit based on the position information of the service provider candidate, the service provision schedule, and the means of movement of the service provider candidate pre-stored in the storage unit. The information processing system according to Claim 1.

3. The information related to the service of collecting and delivering the package includes current base point task information, which is information related to the service estimated by the control unit that the service provider candidate can provide the service according to at least one or more of the distance, movement route, and movement time from the current position of the service provider candidate to the package collection point. The information processing system according to Claim 1.

4. The information related to the service of collecting and delivering the package includes determined task base point information, which is information related to the service estimated by the control unit that the service provider candidate can provide the service according to at least one or more of the distance, movement route, or movement time from the package collection point of another service to either the package collection point or the delivery destination in the determined service of the service provider. The information processing system according to Claim 1.

5. The control unit: Approves the user who has responded to the recruitment as the service provider based on the fact that the user determined as the service provider candidate has responded to the recruitment; When the service provider is approved, selects and approves one of the delivery plans in the delivery plan. The information processing system according to Claim 1.

6. The control unit acquires service availability conditions indicating the conditions under which each user can provide services, selects, from among the users determined as the candidates, the users who satisfy the service availability conditions, and approves them as the service providers. The information processing system according to claim 1.

7. The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the package includes irregular task information regarding a notice for recruiting the service of collecting and delivering the package in a delivery section where delivery by the other different delivery means is planned in the delivery plan generated by the control unit, to the candidates for the service provider. The information processing system according to claim 1.

8. The irregular task information is information regarding a notice for recruiting the service of collecting and delivering the package based on a delivery request without a time specification for collection or delivery by the package sender, or a delivery request having a remaining time of a certain period or more from the current time to the specified delivery time of the package. The information processing system according to claim 7.

9. The information processing system further includes an authentication unit that performs an authentication process for determining whether a request for package collection authentication, which is an authentication for collection of the package by the service provider, is a request from the service provider approved by the control unit. When the control unit determines, based on the authentication by the authentication unit, that the request for package collection authentication of the package is a request from the service provider of the service of collecting and delivering the package, the control unit controls the package to be removable from the holding device that holds the package. The information processing system according to claim 1.

10. The holding device is an unmanned mobile body. When the control unit determines, based on the authentication by the authentication unit, that the request for package collection authentication of the package is a request from the service provider of the service of collecting and delivering the package that has been approved, the control unit controls the package to be removable from the unmanned mobile body. The information processing system according to claim 10.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the holding device holds the package released from the unmanned mobile body.

12. When the authentication unit performs the package collection authentication of the service provider, the control unit approves that the service of collecting and delivering the package by the service provider has started. The information processing system according to claim 10.

13. The communication unit receives identification information transmitted from a recipient terminal used by a recipient of the package at the delivery destination of the package. In response to an authentication request for the delivery of a package from the service provider terminal, the authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information. When the delivery of the package by the service provider is authenticated by the authentication unit, the control unit approves that the service of collecting and delivering the package by the service provider is completed and the package has been delivered to the delivery destination. The information processing system according to claim 10.

14. A communication unit that notifies the service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of the recruitment of service providers capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package according to the conditions regarding the service of collecting and delivering the package by other different delivery means. A control unit that approves a candidate service provider capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as a service provider. A screen generation unit that generates a notification of information regarding the collection and delivery of the package. Comprising: The control unit generates one or more delivery plans including the delivery route and delivery means of the package by the other different delivery means to the package collection point based on the current position of the candidate service provider. An information processing apparatus.

15. Notifying the service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of the recruitment of service providers capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package according to the conditions regarding the service of collecting and delivering the package by other different delivery means. Approving a candidate service provider capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as a service provider. Generating a notification of information regarding the collection and delivery of the package. Generating one or more delivery plans including the delivery route and delivery means of the package by the other different delivery means to the package collection point based on the current position of the candidate service provider. An information processing method executed by a computer, including:

16. A computer is provided with: A communication unit that notifies the service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of the recruitment of service providers capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package according to the conditions regarding the service of collecting and delivering the package by other different delivery means. A control unit that approves a candidate service provider capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering the package as a service provider. A screen generation unit that generates a notification of information regarding the collection and delivery of the package. Comprising: A program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as follows: the control unit generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means of the package by the other different delivery means to a package collection point based on the current position of the candidate of the service provider.

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