Delivery management device, delivery management system, and delivery management method using relay base

Abstract

To realize a delivery management device that uses a relay base, and that is capable of reducing increase in maintenance and management cost at the relay base, and of planning an efficient delivery route by adjusting the timing at which a package arrives at the relay base and the timing at which a delivery machine makes a stop at the relay base.SOLUTION: A delivery management device 100 comprises: a delivery management server 1; and a route instruction device 6 for providing an instruction regarding a delivery route for a delivery object. When a relay base-bound delivery machine 3 delivers a delivery object to a relay base 4, the delivery management server calculates a length of time for which the delivery object is moved, and calculates a delivery route for a destination-bound delivery machine 5 along which the delivery object can be delivered to a destination at a specified delivery time for the delivery object. The route instruction device 6 instructs the destination-bound delivery machine 5 of the delivery route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery management device, a delivery management system, and a delivery management method for instructing a deliverer on a delivery route. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to changes in social dynamics caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for mail order sales and other services has increased, resulting in an increase in the volume of parcels handled by the delivery industry. On the other hand, the workforce in the logistics industry is aging, and it is predicted that there will be a shortage of delivery personnel in the future, which will have an impact on the social system.

[0003] In particular, in urban areas, a small number of delivery companies must deliver a large number of packages, but as the travel distance increases, there is a high possibility that they will be affected by traffic congestion, etc. For this reason, it is important to plan efficient delivery routes.

[0004] On the other hand, in suburban areas, depopulation is progressing due to a decline in the population, and while the volume of packages to be delivered is decreasing, the area covered by one logistics base is becoming larger, placing a greater burden on delivery companies. In this case too, there is a need to develop efficient routes that can cover a large area with a small number of vehicles.

[0005] In response to these demands, there are growing expectations for collaboration with unmanned delivery services such as robots. In particular, home delivery services using flying objects such as drones are attracting attention because they can deliver parcels efficiently and in a short time, regardless of traffic conditions. In addition to direct delivery by drones, for example, if multiple relay points were set up within a delivery area and drones could deliver parcels to these points, the delivery company would be able to pick up the parcels and continue delivering without returning to the logistics center.

[0006] This will increase the amount of packages that can be handled in one delivery, making delivery more efficient. Alternatively, even vehicles that cannot carry a large amount of cargo, such as motorcycles, can become an efficient means of delivery by receiving packages at relay points.

[0007] Patent Document 1 introduces a technology that uses an unmanned transport robot to deliver luggage from a luggage storage facility that serves as a relay point. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-46713 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in a delivery system in which relay points are set up within a delivery area so that delivery companies can deliver packages efficiently, and additional packages are received at these relay points during delivery, thereby increasing the number of packages that can be delivered, there was a problem that efficient delivery could not be achieved if the timing of the package arriving at the relay point did not match the timing of the delivery company stopping at the relay point.

[0010] The technology described in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that a robot is always on standby at the relay point, which increases the maintenance costs of the relay point, and does not take into account the timing of when packages arrive at the relay point and when deliverers stop by the relay point, which would enable efficient delivery.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to realize a delivery management device, delivery management system, and delivery management method that use relay points, which can suppress increases in the maintenance costs of relay points, and can coordinate the timing at which packages arrive at the relay point and the timing at which delivery vehicles stop at the relay point, thereby planning delivery routes for efficient delivery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0013] A delivery management device using a relay point includes a delivery management server and a route instruction device that instructs a delivery route for an item to be delivered, and the delivery management server calculates the time it takes for the item to travel when a delivery machine for the relay point delivers the item to the relay point, and calculates a delivery route for a delivery machine for a recipient that can deliver the item to the recipient at the specified delivery time for the item, and the route instruction device instructs the delivery route to the delivery machine for the recipient.

[0014] In addition, a delivery management system using a relay point includes a delivery management server, a logistics center where delivery items are collected, the relay point where the delivery items are collected in order to deliver the delivery items to their destinations, and a route instruction device that instructs a delivery route for the delivery items, wherein the delivery management server calculates the time it takes for the delivery item to travel when a delivery machine for the relay point delivers the delivery item to the relay point, and calculates a delivery route for a delivery machine for the recipient that can deliver the delivery item to the recipient at the specified delivery time for the delivery item, and the route instruction device instructs the delivery route to the delivery machine for the recipient.

[0015] Also, there is a delivery management method using a relay point, in which a delivery object is delivered from a logistics center to a relay point and then the delivery object is delivered from the relay point to a delivery destination in response to instructions from a delivery management server, and when the delivery object is delivered to the relay point, a time for the delivery object to be moved is calculated and the delivery route that can deliver the delivery object to the recipient at the specified delivery time for the delivery object is indicated. Effect of the Invention

[0016] It is possible to realize a delivery management device, delivery management system, and delivery management method that use relay points, which can suppress increases in the maintenance costs of relay points, and can coordinate the timing at which packages arrive at the relay point and the timing at which delivery vehicles stop at the relay point, thereby formulating delivery routes for efficient delivery.

[0017] Packages can be delivered quickly without being held up at relay points, and delivery aircraft can also be delivered efficiently because they do not have to wait for packages to arrive at relay points or when there are packages to pick up. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a home delivery management system (distribution management system) using a relay point of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 13 is an operation sequence during delivery using a relay point in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a delivery management server in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a delivery machine in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a functional block diagram of a route instruction device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen of the route instruction device. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a delivery machine for a recipient who will stop at a relay point in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a delivery machine for a recipient when parcels are sent from a plurality of logistics bases to a relay base in the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a delivery arrangement procedure when the amount of packages at a relay point exceeds the maximum capacity in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a delivery procedure when rain is expected at a relay point in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a delivery procedure when a recipient of a package designates a delivery machine for the recipient in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery machine designation screen for designating a delivery machine for a recipient. [Figure 13]13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for entrusting delivery to an external delivery machine when there is no delivery machine for the recipient capable of delivering the package in the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0020] Example 1 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a home delivery management system (distribution management system) 100 using relay points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In Fig. 1, the home delivery management system 100 is composed of a delivery management server 1 that manages the location of packages (items to be delivered) and instructs delivery, a logistics base 2 for collecting and delivering packages, a relay base 4 where the items to be delivered are collected in order to deliver them to their destinations, a relay base delivery machine 3 that receives packages at the logistics base 2 and delivers the received packages to the relay base 4, a recipient-directed delivery machine (recipient-directed delivery machine) 5 that delivers the packages handed over from the logistics base 2 to the relay base 4 to the recipient (recipient), and a route instruction device 6 that instructs the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 on a delivery route. The route instruction device 6 shown in Fig. 1 is disposed in the recipient-directed delivery machine 5, but it may also be a device independent of the recipient-directed delivery machine 5.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an operation sequence during delivery using the relay point 4 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the delivery management server 1 in the first embodiment.

[0024] In Figure 3, the delivery management server 1 includes a delivery machine management unit 11 that manages the positions of the delivery machines 3 for the relay point and the delivery machines 5 for the collectors, the packages being delivered, and the delivery routes, a package management unit 12 that manages the current status, weight, size, and designated delivery time of the packages, a delivery machine instruction unit 13 that creates and sends instructions to the delivery machines, a delivery route planning unit 14 that plans the delivery route for the delivery machine, a relay point management unit 15 that manages the status of packages at the relay point 4, a relay delivery management unit 16 that instructs the delivery machines for the relay point to deliver packages to the relay point, and a delivery management server communication unit 17 that controls communication with the logistics center 2, the relay point 4, and the delivery machines.

[0025] 2, the delivery management server 1 checks whether any of the packages at the logistics base 2 should be delivered to the relay base 4 (step S2). The criteria for deciding whether to deliver to the relay base 4 include, for example, when the delivery deadline is approaching or when there is no other delivery in the vicinity of the delivery destination and adding the package to the next delivery route would be a heavy burden.

[0026] If there is no package to be delivered to the relay point 4, the process ends (step S11).

[0027] If there is a package to be delivered to the relay point 4, the process proceeds to step S3, where the delivery management server 1 instructs the recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 to deliver the package to the relay point 4. Since it is important to quickly bring a small number of packages to the relay point 4, it is assumed that an unmanned transport drone will be used as the relay point-oriented delivery machine 3. In this Example 1, hereafter, a drone will be used as the relay point-oriented delivery machine 3.

[0028] The delivery management server 1 instructs the delivery machine 3 for the relay point to transport the package to the relay point 4, and calculates the time when the package will arrive at the relay point 4 (step S3).

[0029] Next, the delivery management server 1 checks the designated delivery time for the recipient set in the package (step S4). Based on the above information, the locations of the multiple recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 around the relay point 4, and the planned delivery route, the delivery management server 1 selects a recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 that can go to the relay point 4 after the package arrives at the relay point 4 and deliver the package to the recipient at the designated delivery time (step S5).

[0030] The new delivery route is sent to the route instruction device 6 of the recipient's delivery machine 5 (step S6), and delivery of the package is instructed (step S7). After the package arrives at the relay point (step S8), the selected recipient's delivery machine 5 stops at the relay point 4 to pick up the package (step S9), and delivers the package based on the newly instructed route (step S10). Then, the process ends (step S11).

[0031] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for selecting a delivery machine in the first embodiment.

[0032] In the flowchart of FIG. 4, steps S21 to S30 and S32 are operations of the transportation route planning unit 14.

[0033] After instructing a relay point 4 to deliver a package, the delivery management server 1 lists all of the recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 that are in the delivery area managed by the relay point 4, and determines whether those recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 should receive the package from the relay point 4 in the following procedure.

[0034] First, the unrated recipient-directed delivery machine 5 is selected (step S20), and a delivery route is created for the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 to deliver the package to the delivery destination via the relay point 4 (step S21). One method for creating the route is to arrange packages that have already been delivered to the relay point 4 and new packages in order of designated delivery time, and connect them with the shortest distance.

[0035] Next, the time required for the parcel to reach the destination when delivery is performed according to the created route is calculated (S22). It is confirmed whether all parcels of the recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 can be delivered at the designated delivery time of the recipient based on the created route (step S23). If delivery is possible, it is confirmed in sequence whether there is a weight margin for adding the parcel (step S24), whether there is a storage space margin (step S25), and whether the machine has the functions necessary for transportation (step S26). The functions necessary for transportation refer to, for example, a function of having a refrigerator for parcels that must be refrigerated and being able to transport refrigerated parcels. If the confirmations in steps S23 to S26 show that the machine is not possible, the recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 is excluded from the candidates (step S28). In step S27, if the evaluation of all the candidate recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 has not been completed, another recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 is selected, and the process returns to step S20.

[0036] The above evaluation is performed on all candidate recipient-directed delivery machines 5 to confirm whether there are recipient-directed delivery machines 5 that can deliver the package (step S30). If all candidates are not capable of delivery, the delivery management server 1 gives up on sending the package to the relay point 4. If there is a delivery machine that can deliver the package, the delivery management server 1 decides to send the package to the relay point, and instructs the relay point-directed delivery machine 3, which is a drone, to deliver the package to the relay point 4 (step S31).

[0037] In addition, the delivery management server 1 selects the most suitable deliverer from among the deliverers who can stop by, and instructs the deliverer on a new delivery route (step S32). As a method for selecting the most suitable recipient-directed delivery machine 5, for example, there is a method for selecting the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 with the shortest total distance of the delivery route.

[0038] Then, the delivery machine instruction unit 13 and the delivery route planning unit 14 instruct the selected delivery machine to pick up the package at the relay point and deliver it (step S33).

[0039] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the route instruction device 6 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In Figure 5, the route instruction device 6, which presents the delivery route planned by the delivery management server 1 to the recipient-oriented delivery machine 5, comprises a route management unit 61 which manages the current delivery route and its progress, a loaded luggage management unit 62 which manages information on the loaded luggage, a communication unit 63 for the route instruction device which controls communication with the delivery management server 1 and the like, and a delivery route information display unit 64 which shows information on the delivery route to the recipient-oriented delivery machine 5.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen of the route instruction device 6. As shown in FIG.

[0042] 6, the display screen of the delivery route information display unit 64 of the route instruction device 6 displays the current position 610 of the recipient-directed delivery machine 5, the delivery destination 600, the delivery route 606 from the current position 610 to the delivery destination 600, the number of parcels to be delivered 602, and the estimated arrival time 601. In addition, if the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 stops at a relay point 4, the position 603 of the relay point 4, the estimated time 604 to receive the parcel, the number of parcels to be received 605, the route 607 to the relay point 4, and the delivery route before the change 608 are displayed. When the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 arrives at the relay point or the delivery destination, information such as the ID of the corresponding parcel is displayed.

[0043] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a package is transported to a relay point 4 by a recipient-directed delivery machine 3, the delivery management server 1 is configured to select a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 that can deliver the package at a specified delivery time, and to display and instruct the delivery route on the route indication device 6, thereby enabling delivery operations to be carried out efficiently.

[0044] That is, according to the first embodiment, the delivery management device and delivery management system include a delivery management server 1, a logistics base 2 where delivery items are accumulated, a relay base 4 where the delivery items are accumulated in order to deliver the delivery items to a delivery destination 600, and a route instruction device 6 that instructs a delivery route for the delivery items. Then, when the relay base-destined delivery machine 3 delivers the delivery items to the relay base, the delivery management server 1 calculates the time for the delivery items to travel, and calculates a delivery route for the recipient-destined delivery machine that can deliver the delivery items to the recipient at the designated delivery time for the delivery items. The route instruction device 6 instructs the recipient-destined delivery machine 5 about the delivery route.

[0045] Therefore, it is possible to realize a delivery management device, delivery management system, and delivery management method that use relay points, which can suppress increases in maintenance costs of the relay point 4, and can adjust the timing at which packages arrive at the relay point 4 and the timing at which the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 stops at the relay point, thereby formulating a delivery route for efficient delivery.

[0046] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0047] The second embodiment of the present invention is an example of a home delivery management system (delivery management system) 100 in which multiple recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 stop at relay points 4 and deliver to desired recipients if delivery is possible.

[0048] The overall configuration of the home delivery management system 100, the functional blocks of the delivery management server 1, and the functional blocks of the route instruction device 6 in the second embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be illustrated or described.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting, for a desired person, a delivery machine 5 for a recipient that will stop at a relay point 4. Fig. 7 shows the procedure from the point in time when there is a delivery machine 5 for a recipient that can stop at the relay point 4 and make delivery in step S30 in Fig. 4. The operations from step S42 to step S48 are executed by the package management unit 12 and the delivery machine instruction unit 13.

[0050] In FIG. 7, the parcel management unit 12 and the delivery machine instruction unit 13 of the delivery management server 1 first check whether there are multiple recipient-directed delivery machines 5 that can deliver (step S42). In step S42, if there are multiple recipient-directed delivery machines 5 that can deliver, the communication unit 17 first notifies the communication unit 63 of the route instruction device 6 of a guide inviting all of the target machines to stop by the relay point 4 to receive the parcel (step S43). If the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 that has received the notification wishes to receive the parcel, it applies to the delivery management server 1 for reception via the communication unit 63. The delivery management server 1 tally up the applications, selects an appropriate recipient-directed delivery machine 5 from among them (steps S45, S46), and instructs the communication unit 17 to the communication unit 63 to receive and deliver the parcel at the relay point 4 (step S48). As a method of selecting an appropriate recipient-directed delivery machine 5, for example, a method of selecting the one that has the shortest travel distance during delivery among the applications may be used.

[0051] If there are no applications in step S45, the delivery management server 1 selects an appropriate recipient delivery machine 5 from among the recipient delivery machines 5 that can stop by (step S47) and instructs the relay point 4 to receive and deliver the package (step S48).

[0052] As described above, in Example 2, if there are multiple recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 that can deliver the item to the recipient at the specified delivery time, the delivery management server 1 notifies the route instruction device communication unit 63 from the delivery management server communication unit 17 that it is recruiting delivery applicants, selects one of the recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 from the recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 that have applied, and instructs the route instruction device 6 of the selected recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 to deliver the item from the relay point 4 to the recipient.

[0053] The above-mentioned second embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment, and can also preferentially assign additional deliveries to deliverers who wish to make additional deliveries of packages, thereby enabling further reduction in delivery costs.

[0054] Example 3 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0055] The third embodiment of the present invention is an example of the home delivery management system 100 in which, when parcels are sent from a plurality of logistics bases 2 to the same relay base 4, if the arrival times are close, they are collectively instructed to be delivered.

[0056] The overall configuration of the home delivery management system 100, the functional blocks of the delivery management server 1, and the functional blocks of the route instruction device 6 in the third embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be illustrated or described.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for selecting a delivery machine 5 for a recipient when a package is sent from multiple logistics bases 2 to a relay base 4. Fig. 8 shows the procedure from the point in time when it is decided to deliver the package to the relay base 4 and an instruction is given to deliver the package in step S7 in Fig. 2. Steps S51 to S53 in Fig. 8 are operations performed by the relay base management unit 15 of the home delivery server 1, and step S54 is an operation performed by the delivery route planning unit 14.

[0058] In FIG. 8, after issuing an instruction to deliver a package to a relay point 4, the delivery management server 1 checks whether there is a package scheduled to be delivered from another logistics point to the same relay point 4 (step S51).

[0059] If there are scheduled parcel deliveries within a certain period (here, within period A), the delivery management server 1 checks whether it is more efficient to consolidate those parcels and request delivery from one recipient-directed delivery machine 5 (step S52). As a method for checking whether it is more efficient, for example, there is a method for judging whether the travel distance of the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 is shorter when the parcels are designated together than when the parcels delivered to the relay point 4 are designated individually for each recipient-directed delivery machine 5.

[0060] If consolidating the packages is more efficient, the previously designated recipient delivery machine 5 is cancelled (step S53), and a new recipient delivery machine 5 that will consolidate the packages is selected and notified (step S54). The procedure for selecting the recipient delivery machine 5 is, for example, the same as steps S20 to S30 in FIG. 3.

[0061] According to the third embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effect as the first embodiment, it is also possible to efficiently arrange for a delivery machine 5 for the recipient even when packages from multiple logistics bases 2 overlap at a relay base 4.

[0062] Example 4 Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0063] The fourth embodiment of the present invention is an example of the home delivery management system 100 in the case where the amount of parcels at the relay point 4 exceeds the storage capacity and therefore parcels are urgently delivered.

[0064] The overall configuration of the home delivery management system 100, the functional blocks of the delivery management server 1, and the functional blocks of the route instruction device 6 in the fourth embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be illustrated or described.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a delivery arrangement procedure when the amount of packages at the relay point 4 exceeds the maximum capacity of the relay point 4 in the fourth embodiment.

[0066] In FIG. 9, the relay point management unit 15 of the delivery management server 1 investigates the storage status of the luggage at the relay point 4 at the time of planning the transportation of the luggage to the relay point 4 (step S6 in FIG. 2), and checks whether the luggage amount at the relay point 4 does not exceed the maximum capacity (accumulation allowance) with the newly arriving luggage (step S61). If the maximum capacity is not exceeded, the relay delivery management unit 16 carries out delivery to the relay point 4 as it is (step S64). If it is expected to exceed the maximum capacity, the delivery route planning unit 14 cancels the delivery machine designation of the luggage that has arrived at the current relay point 4 (step S62). Then, the delivery machine instruction unit 13 and the delivery route planning unit 14 select a delivery machine that can receive the luggage at the relay point 4 before the new luggage arrives (step S63). After that, the relay delivery management unit 16 arranges the delivery of the new luggage to the relay point 4 (step S64). Finally, the delivery machine instruction unit 13 and the delivery route planning unit 14 instruct the selected delivery machine to pick up the package at the relay point 4 and deliver it (step S33).

[0067] The above-mentioned fourth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment, and can also prevent the relay point 4 from collecting more parcels than its storage capacity allows, thereby improving delivery efficiency.

[0068] Example 5 Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0069] The fifth embodiment of the present invention is an example of the home delivery management system 100 in the case where, when weather that may affect luggage is predicted at the relay point 4, such as rain that may get the luggage wet, the influence on the luggage is prevented.

[0070] The overall configuration of the home delivery management system 100, the functional blocks of the delivery management server 1, and the functional blocks of the route instruction device 6 in the fifth embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be illustrated or described.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a delivery procedure when rain is expected at the relay point 4 in the fifth embodiment.

[0072] In FIG. 10, when the delivery management server 1 plans to transport the parcel to the relay point 4 (if Yes in step S2 in FIG. 2), the parcel management unit 12 and the relay point management unit 15 check whether it will rain from the time the parcel arrives at the relay point 4 until the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 picks it up (step S71). If it is not expected to rain, the delivery machine instruction unit 13 and the delivery route planning unit 14 select the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 in a procedure similar to that shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 (step S75). Then, the relay point management unit 16 delivers the parcel to the relay point 4 (step S76). The delivery machine instruction unit 13 instructs the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 to receive the parcel at an appropriate timing (step S77).

[0073] When rain is expected, the delivery machine management unit 11 and the delivery route planning unit 14 select the recipient's delivery machine 5 based on the criterion that the recipient's delivery machine 5 can wait at the relay point 4 when the package arrives so that the recipient's delivery machine 5 can pick up the package immediately after the package arrives at the relay point 4 (S72). After selecting the recipient's delivery machine 5, the relay delivery management unit 16 instructs the relay point delivery machine 3, which is a drone, to deliver the package to the relay point 4 (step S73). The delivery machine instruction unit 13 instructs the recipient's delivery machine 5 to receive the package promptly after it arrives at the relay point 4 from the delivery management server communication unit 17 to the route instruction device communication unit 63 (step S74).

[0074] The above-described fifth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment, and can also deliver parcels to the recipient delivery machine 5 at the relay point 4 before the parcels are affected by weather.

[0075] Example 6 Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0076] The sixth embodiment of the present invention is an example of the home delivery management system 100 in which the recipient of the parcel can specify the delivery machine 5 for the recipient.

[0077] The overall configuration of the home delivery management system 100, the functional blocks of the delivery management server 1, and the functional blocks of the route instruction device 6 in the sixth embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be illustrated or described.

[0078] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a delivery procedure in the case where the recipient of the parcel has designated and specified the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 in the sixth embodiment.

[0079] At the time when the delivery management server 1 plans to transport the parcel to the relay point 4 (if Yes in step S2 in FIG. 2), the parcel management unit 12 checks whether the recipient has specified the delivery machine 5 for the parcel (step S81). If the recipient has specified the delivery machine 5, the delivery route planning unit 14 instructs the delivery machine 5 for the recipient to stop by the relay point 4 to receive and deliver the parcel from the delivery management server communication unit 17 to the route instruction device communication unit 63 (step S82). If the recipient has not specified the delivery machine 5, the delivery machine management unit 11 and the delivery route planning unit 14 instruct the selection of the delivery machine 5 for the recipient and the transportation and delivery of the parcel in the same manner as in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 (step S83).

[0080] An example of the delivery machine designation screen 7 for designating the delivery machine 5 for the recipient in this embodiment 6 is shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the delivery machine designation screen 7 displays the delivery machine designation (designated, not designated), the desired delivery date and time (delivery time designated, not time designated), time designation not possible, and the price.

[0081] The above-mentioned sixth embodiment can obtain the same effect as the first embodiment, and can also obtain the effect that the package delivery requester can select whether or not to specify a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 when making a delivery request. Even if the package delivery requester does not specify a recipient-directed delivery machine 5, the package delivery requester can receive the advantage of being able to specify the package delivery time and to reduce the delivery fee. When specifying a recipient-directed delivery machine 5, the delivery time cannot be specified in order to match the schedule of the specified recipient-directed delivery machine 5, but the reliability of delivery can be improved by being able to specify a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 with a proven track record.

[0082] Example 7 Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0083] Example 7 of the present invention is an example of a home delivery management system 100 in which multiple recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 are predetermined, and if a recipient-oriented delivery machine 5 capable of delivering a package cannot be detected among the multiple recipient-oriented delivery machines 5, the delivery of the package is entrusted to a delivery machine (which has been contracted) other than the multiple recipient-oriented delivery machines 5 that are predetermined.

[0084] The overall configuration of the home delivery management system 100, the functional blocks of the delivery management server 1, and the functional blocks of the route instruction device 6 in the seventh embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, so illustrations and explanations thereof are omitted.

[0085] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for entrusting delivery to an external, unspecified delivery machine when a delivery machine 5 for a recipient capable of delivering a package cannot be detected in the seventh embodiment.

[0086] In FIG. 13, the delivery management server 1 searches for a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 capable of delivering the package to be transported to the relay point 4 (step S30 in FIG. 3). The delivery management unit 11 determines whether or not a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 capable of delivery exists (step S91). If a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 capable of delivery exists, the delivery machine instruction unit 13 selects the recipient-directed delivery machine 5 and instructs the relay point 4 to deliver the package (step S92). If a recipient-directed delivery machine 5 capable of delivery cannot be detected, the delivery machine management unit 11 requests delivery from an external delivery machine with which a contract has been made in advance (step S93). For example, an app is distributed to the candidate recipient-directed delivery machines, conditions are presented, and the external recipient-directed delivery machine is selected from among the candidates. When an external delivery machine operator accepts a delivery request, the delivery route planning unit 14 of the delivery management server 1 instructs the delivery machine of the external operator via the communication unit 17 to determine a delivery route so that the delivery item will be delivered from the relay point to the recipient at the specified delivery time (step S94).

[0087] The above-mentioned embodiment 7 can obtain the same effect as embodiment 1, and in addition, even if a delivery machine 5 for a recipient capable of delivery cannot be detected, an external delivery machine can deliver the package via a relay point 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...Delivery management server, 2...Logistics base, 3...Delivery machine for relay base, 4...Relay base, 5...Delivery machine for recipient, 6...Route instruction device, 7...Delivery machine designation screen, 11...Deliverer management unit, 12...Luggage management unit, 13...Delivery machine instruction unit, 14...Delivery route planning unit, 15...Relay base management unit, 16...Relay delivery management unit, 17...Communication unit for delivery management server, 61...Route management unit, 62...Loaded luggage management unit , 63... Communication unit for route indication device, 64... Delivery route information display unit, 100... Home delivery management system (delivery management system), 600... Delivery destination, 601... Arrival time, 602... Number of packages to be delivered, 603... Location of relay point 4, 604... Scheduled time of package receipt, 605... Number of packages to be received, 606... Delivery route, 607... Route to relay point 4, 608... Delivery route before change, 610... Current location

Claims

1. A delivery management server; a route instruction device that indicates a delivery route for an item to be delivered; Equipped with The delivery management server When the delivery machine for the relay point delivers the delivery object to the relay point, a time for the delivery object to travel is calculated, Calculating a delivery route for a delivery machine for the recipient that can deliver the item to the recipient at the specified delivery time of the item; The route indication device A delivery management device using a relay point, characterized in that the delivery route is instructed to the delivery machine for the recipient.

2. 2. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 1, The delivery management server When the delivery object is delivered to the relay point by the delivery machine for the relay point, the current positions of the delivery machines for the recipients and the travel times of the delivery machines for the recipients to reach the recipients via the relay point are calculated, Selecting a delivery machine for the recipient that can deliver the item to the recipient at a specified delivery time for the item; A delivery management device using a relay point, characterized in that the route instruction device instructs the delivery route to the delivery machine for the selected recipient.

3. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, the delivery management server has a delivery management server communication unit, and the route instruction device has a route instruction device communication unit; If there are a plurality of delivery machines for the recipient that can deliver the item to the recipient at the specified delivery time, A delivery management device using a relay point, characterized in that the delivery management server notifies the route instruction device communication unit of a recruitment of delivery machines for the recipient who wishes to make a delivery, selects one of the delivery machines for the recipient that have applied, and instructs the route instruction device of the delivery machine for the recipient selected from the delivery management server communication unit to deliver the item to the recipient from the relay point.

4. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, the delivery management server has a delivery management server communication unit, and the route instruction device has a route instruction device communication unit; A delivery management device using a relay center, characterized in that when multiple delivery items gather at the relay center, the delivery management server selects a delivery machine for the recipient that can deliver the multiple delivery items, and instructs the route instruction device of the delivery machine for the recipient selected from the communication unit for the delivery management server to deliver the delivery items from the relay center to the recipient.

5. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, the delivery management server has a delivery management server communication unit, and the route instruction device has a route instruction device communication unit; When the amount of the items to be delivered at the relay point is expected to exceed the accumulation capacity of the relay point, the delivery management server selects a delivery machine for the recipient that can stop by the relay point and deliver the items to be delivered before the accumulation capacity is exceeded, and instructs the route instruction device of the delivery machine for the recipient selected from the communication unit for the delivery management server to deliver the items to the recipient from the relay point.

6. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, the delivery management server has a delivery management server communication unit, and the route instruction device has a route instruction device communication unit; A delivery management device using a relay point, characterized in that when weather that will affect the delivery item delivered to the relay point is predicted, the delivery management server selects a delivery machine for the recipient that can immediately receive the delivery item when the delivery item is delivered to the relay point, and instructs the communication unit for the route instruction device of the delivery machine for the recipient selected from the communication unit for the delivery management server to deliver the delivery item from the relay point to the recipient.

7. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, the delivery management server has a delivery management server communication unit, and the route instruction device has a route instruction device communication unit; A delivery management device using a relay point, characterized in that when a delivery machine for the recipient of the delivery item is identified, the communication unit for the delivery management server instructs the communication unit for the route instruction device of the delivery machine for the recipient to deliver the delivery item from the relay point to the recipient.

8. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, The delivery management server has a delivery management server communication unit, A delivery management device using a relay base, characterized in that a plurality of delivery machines for the recipient are predetermined, and if the delivery management server cannot find a delivery machine for the recipient among the plurality of predetermined delivery machines that can deliver the item to the recipient at the specified delivery time, it entrusts the delivery of the package to an external delivery machine that is not predetermined, and instructs the external delivery machine from the delivery management server communication unit on the delivery route so that the item to be delivered from the relay base to the recipient at the specified delivery time.

9. 3. The delivery management system using a relay point according to claim 2, A delivery management device using a relay point, characterized in that the route indication device has a delivery route information display unit that displays the current location of the delivery machine for the recipient, the recipient, and the delivery route from the current location to the recipient.

10. A delivery management server; a logistics center where items to be delivered are collected; A relay point where the delivery object is collected in order to deliver the delivery object to a delivery destination; a route indication device that indicates a delivery route for the delivery object; Equipped with The delivery management server When the delivery machine for a relay point delivers the delivery object to the relay point, a time for the delivery object to travel is calculated, Calculating a delivery route for a delivery machine for a recipient that can deliver the object to the delivery destination at the specified delivery time of the object to be delivered; The route indication device A delivery management system using a relay point, characterized in that the delivery route is instructed to a delivery machine for the recipient.

11. A delivery management method using a relay point, in which a delivery object is delivered from a logistics center to a relay point in response to a command from a delivery management server, and the delivery object is delivered from the relay point to a delivery destination, When the delivery object is delivered to the relay point, a time required for the delivery object to be moved is calculated; Instructing a delivery route that can deliver the item to the delivery destination at the specified delivery time of the item A delivery management method using a relay point.

12. 12. The delivery management method using a relay point according to claim 11, The delivery management server includes a relay point delivery machine that delivers the delivery items accumulated at the logistics center to the relay point; a plurality of delivery machines for recipients that deliver the items to be delivered collected at the relay point to the delivery destinations; and When the delivery object is delivered to the relay point by the delivery machine for the relay point, the current positions of the delivery machines for the recipients and the travel times of the delivery machines for the recipients to reach the delivery destination via the relay point are calculated, A delivery management method using a relay point, characterized by selecting a delivery machine for the recipient that can deliver the item to the delivery destination at the specified delivery time of the item, and instructing the selected delivery machine for the recipient about the delivery route via a route instruction device.

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