Object transport system

Abstract

To reduce various costs for supplying power to an electrically-driven movable body that transports an object in an object transport system, thereby to facilitate the introduction of the object transport system.SOLUTION: An object transport system is provided, comprising an object container 50 equipped with a battery and configured to be capable of containing an object, and an electric movable body 10 that transports the object by mounting the object container and moving it, where the electric movable body is powered by the battery provided in the object container on which it is mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an object transport system, and more particularly to an object transport system using an electrically-driven mobile body. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been made to transport objects using moving bodies such as electric autonomous vehicles in order to solve various social problems associated with population decline, aging, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an effort to transport garbage using an autonomous vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-096521 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when introducing this type of system, a problem arises as to how to supply power to the electric vehicle. If the battery of the electric vehicle is charged by some method, the labor and labor costs for charging are incurred. If a dedicated facility such as a charging station is provided, the monetary costs required for the installation and maintenance of the system will also increase. It is also possible to periodically replace the battery of the electric vehicle by some method, but in that case, the labor and labor costs for replacement are also incurred.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned technical background, and its purpose is to reduce the various costs associated with supplying power to an electrically-driven mobile body that transports an object in an object transport system, thereby facilitating the introduction of the object transport system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above-mentioned technical problems can be solved by an object transport system having the following configuration.

[0007] In other words, the object transport system of the present invention is an object transport system comprising an object container equipped with a battery and configured to be capable of containing an object, and an electrically-driven mobile body that transports the object by carrying the object container and moving, and the electrically-driven mobile body is powered by the battery provided in the object container on which it is mounted.

[0008] According to this configuration, the moving body can be powered by a battery provided in the object container that is mounted on the moving body, which reduces various costs for powering the electric moving body that transports the object, and makes it easier to introduce an object transport system using the electric moving body.

[0009] The electrically-driven mobile body may move so as to pass through a location where the object container is located.

[0010] According to this configuration, the electrically-driven mobile body can move while retrieving object containers located at route points along the movement.

[0011] The object container may include a power outlet connection for charging the battery.

[0012] According to this configuration, by connecting the object container to a power outlet and charging it, it is possible to supply power to the electrically-driven mobile object, and the charging cost can be distributed among users.

[0013] A mobile body battery, which is a battery provided in the electrically-driven mobile body, may receive power from the battery, and the electrically-driven mobile body may move based on the mobile body battery.

[0014] According to this configuration, the electrically-driven mobile body can charge its own battery by transporting the object container.

[0015] The electrically-driven mobile body may not include a mobile body battery, which is a battery provided in the electrically-driven mobile body, and may operate based on power supplied from the battery.

[0016] According to this configuration, the electrically-driven moving body can be operated by mounting the object container thereon. Also, since the electrically-driven moving body does not require a battery, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the electrically-driven moving body.

[0017] The object may be garbage, and the motorized mobile object may transport garbage between a residence and a garbage collection point.

[0018] This configuration makes it possible to transport garbage the so-called last mile between residences and garbage collection points, thereby resolving the problem of garbage disposal in an aging society with a labor shortage.

[0019] The electrically-driven mobile body may be configured to be capable of mounting a plurality of the object transport bodies, and the object containers may have the same shape.

[0020] According to this configuration, since the shapes are the same, the objects can be easily mounted on an electrically-driven moving body, and the object transport system can be operated efficiently.

[0021] The object container and / or the electric mobile body may be provided with a mechanical device for loading and unloading the object container onto and from the electric mobile body.

[0022] According to such a configuration, anyone can easily load the object container onto the electrically-operated mobile body or unload the object container from the electrically-operated mobile body.

[0023] A station may be provided on the path of the electric mobile body, and the station may be equipped with a device for loading the object container onto the electric mobile body or unloading it from the electric mobile body.

[0024] According to this configuration, anyone can easily load an object container onto or unload an object container from an electrically-operated mobile body at a station on the route.

[0025] The object container may further include a server configured to be able to communicate with the object container, and a display provided in the object container, and information provided by the server is displayed on the display.

[0026] With this configuration, various information provided by the server can be confirmed on the display of the object container. For example, by distributing local information through the server, appropriate information can be provided even in areas where it is difficult to operate a circular notice or the like.

[0027] The object container may further include a server configured to communicate with the object container and the electrically-driven mobile body, respectively, and a content volume detection sensor that detects the content volume of the object container with respect to the object, and the object container may transmit the content volume to the server.

[0028] With this configuration, the server can manage the content volume, which allows the system to be used for various purposes such as monitoring.

[0029] The server may generate a movement command for the electrically-driven mobile object in accordance with the content amount.

[0030] According to such a configuration, since a movement command is generated according to the amount of contents of the object container, it is possible to transport objects at an appropriate timing, for example, when the container is full of objects.

[0031] The system may further include an information processing terminal having a display unit, and a server configured to communicate with the electric mobile body and the information processing terminal, respectively, and the server may display, on the display unit of the information processing terminal, an image showing the current position of the electric mobile body on a map based on information received from the electric mobile body.

[0032] According to such a configuration, the current position of a moving motorized movable body can be confirmed at a glance using the information processing terminal, which makes it easier to predict, for example, the arrival time.

[0033] The electrically-driven vehicle may further include a camera, and the server may stream video images captured by the camera to the information processing terminal.

[0034] According to such a configuration, an image captured by the electrically operated vehicle can be viewed via the information processing terminal, which can be useful for crime prevention, for example.

[0035] The system may further include an information processing terminal having a display unit, and a server configured to communicate with the electric mobile body and the information processing terminal, respectively, and the server may generate a movement command for the electric mobile body in response to an object recovery request from the information processing terminal.

[0036] According to this configuration, the object can be collected by the electrically-driven mobile body in response to a request from the information processing terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0037] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce various costs for supplying power to an electrically-driven mobile body that transports an object, and therefore it becomes easier to introduce an object transport system that uses an electrically-driven mobile body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the waste transportation system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exterior of the moving body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a moving object. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the object container. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the object container. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the information processing terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a moving path of a moving object. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of issuing a movement command to a moving object based on the content volume of an object container. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart relating to the movement processing of a moving object. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the battery of the moving body and the battery of the object container are electrically connected. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an information processing terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] 1. First Embodiment As a first embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an object transport system, in particular, a garbage transport system 100 for transporting garbage, will be described. Note that, although garbage is exemplified as an object in this embodiment, the object to be transported in the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] (1.1 Configuration of the waste transport system) Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a waste transport system 100. As is clear from the figure, the waste transport system 100 includes an electrically-driven mobile object 10, a server 30, an object container 50 that contains waste as an object, and an information processing terminal 70, all of which are connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0042] 2 is a perspective view of the exterior of the moving body 10. In this embodiment, the moving body 10 is an autonomous vehicle. As is clear from the figure, the moving body 10 has a generally box-like shape. A moving mechanism 106 having four wheels 16 is provided on the bottom surface of the moving body 10, and the moving mechanism 106 is driven to allow the moving body 10 to move freely.

[0043] A pair of doors 15 are provided on the side of the moving body 10. By opening these doors 15, the object container 50 can be loaded or unloaded.

[0044] A display 13 is provided on the front of the moving body 10, and various images and moving images provided by the server 30 are displayed on the display. A pair of lights 11 are also provided on the front of the moving body 10, and can illuminate the area ahead of the moving body 10. Furthermore, a camera 12 is provided on the front of the moving body 10, and can capture images using the camera 12. The installation position of the camera 12 can be changed depending on the recognition target.

[0045] Although not shown, the moving object 10 includes a computing unit such as a CPU, GPU, etc. that executes programs, a storage unit such as a ROM / RAM, a hard disk, a flash memory, etc. that stores programs and data, a communication unit that communicates with external devices, etc. Also, various sensors, which will be described later, are attached to the moving object 10. These realize the functional blocks, which will be described later.

[0046] 3 is a functional block diagram of the moving body 10. The moving body 10 includes a moving body battery connector 101 that serves as a connector for a battery provided in the moving body 10, and an on-board battery connector 103 that serves as a connector for a battery provided in an object container 50 described below. The battery connected to the moving body battery connector 101 is charged by the battery connected to the on-board battery connector 103 via the on-board battery connector 103 and a power supply circuit 102 (see FIG. 11). A charging management unit 105 is connected to the power supply circuit 102, and the charging management unit 105 acquires the charging status of each battery and transmits battery charging information to the server 30.

[0047] The moving body 10 includes a moving mechanism 106. A moving control unit 109 controls the moving mechanism 106. The moving body 10 also includes an environment recognition sensor 107 consisting of various sensors for detecting information about the surroundings of the moving body 10, and the sensing results of the environment recognition sensor 107 are provided to a recognition processing unit 108. The moving control unit 109 performs movement control based on the recognition results of the recognition processing unit 108.

[0048] The mobile object 10 includes a position information detection sensor 111 including a GPS etc. A position information transmission processing unit 112 transmits the obtained position information to the server 30.

[0049] The moving object 10 has a camera 12. An image information transmission processing unit 115 transmits image information obtained by the camera 12 to the server 30.

[0050] The moving object 10 is provided with an input unit 116 consisting of a button (not shown in FIG. 2). A movement resuming unit 117 performs a process of resuming movement based on an input from the input unit 116, as described below.

[0051] The moving object 10 is equipped with a display 13. A display processing unit 119 performs display processing on the display 13.

[0052] The mobile object 10 includes a communication unit 121. The mobile object 10 transmits and receives information to and from an external device such as a server 30 via the communication unit 121.

[0053] 1, the server 30 includes a computing unit such as a CPU, GPU, etc. that executes programs, a storage unit such as a ROM / RAM, a hard disk, a flash memory, etc. that stores programs and data, a communication unit that communicates with external devices, etc. These realize the functional blocks described below.

[0054] 4 is a functional block diagram of the server 30. As is clear from the figure, the server 30 includes an image information acquisition processing unit 302. The image information acquisition processing unit 302 performs processing to acquire image information acquired by the camera 12 of the mobile object 10 via a communication unit 310. A streaming distribution processing unit 301 provides the acquired image information as a moving image to the information processing terminal 70 or the like via a communication unit 319.

[0055] The server 30 includes a location information acquisition processing unit 305. The location information acquisition processing unit 305 acquires location information detected by the location information detection sensor 111 of the mobile object 10 via a communication unit 319. This location information is provided to a location information distribution processing unit 303. The location information distribution processing unit 303 performs a process of distributing the location information to the information processing terminal 70 via the communication unit 319.

[0056] The server 30 includes a distribution information storage unit 306 that stores content information consisting of images, music, moving images, etc. An information distribution processing unit 307 provides information read from the distribution information storage unit 306 to the object container 50 via a communication unit 319. The object container 50 reproduces the information.

[0057] Server 30 has content volume acquisition processing unit 308, which acquires content volume information transmitted from content volume information transmission processing unit 507 of object container 50, and provides the information to abnormality detection unit 309 and command content generation unit 312. Abnormality detection unit 309 performs abnormality detection processing based on the content volume information. If any abnormality is detected as a result of the abnormality detection processing, warning processing unit 311 generates a warning signal and issues a warning to an external device via communication unit 319.

[0058] On the other hand, the command content generating unit 312 generates command content for the moving body 10 based on the content amount. The movement command unit 313 issues a command to the moving body 10 based on this command content.

[0059] The server 30 includes an input unit 316 that is composed of input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. An input processing unit 315 detects input information through the input unit 316 and provides it to other functional blocks. The server 30 also includes a display unit 318 such as a display. A display processing unit 317 performs display processing on the display unit 318 based on commands from the control unit.

[0060] The server 30 includes a communication unit 319. Through this communication unit 319, information is exchanged between the server 30 and external devices such as the moving body 10, the object container 50, and the information processing terminal 70.

[0061] The server 30 includes a battery information acquisition unit 321. The battery information acquisition unit 321 performs a process of acquiring battery information from the moving body 10 or the object container 50. The acquired battery information is managed by a battery information management unit 322. Note that in this embodiment, the server 30 stores information (object container location information) relating to the location of the object container 50 including the battery.

[0062] 5 is a perspective view of the appearance of object container 50. As is clear from the figure, object container 50 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped container with an opening on the top surface, and is provided with four passively rotating wheels 51 on the bottom surface. In this embodiment, the objects to be contained are garbage, and object container 50 functions as a garbage bin.

[0063] An outlet connector 501 is attached to the rear surface of object container 50 for charging a battery provided in object container 50. Outlet connector 501 can be connected to a home power source. In addition, display unit 508 made up of a display is provided on the front surface of object container 50.

[0064] The object container 50 includes a computing unit such as a CPU or GPU that executes programs, a storage unit such as a ROM / RAM, a hard disk, or a flash memory that stores programs and data, and a communication unit that communicates with external devices. In addition, the object container 50 is provided with sensors, which will be described later. These components realize the functional blocks, which will be described later.

[0065] 6 is a functional block diagram of object container 50. As is clear from the figure, object container 50 includes outlet connection unit 501 and battery connection unit 503 that serves as a connection unit with a battery provided in object container 50. The battery connected to battery connection unit 503 is charged by the battery connected to battery connection unit 503 via power supply circuit 102 and battery connection unit 503. A charging management unit 505 is connected to power supply circuit 502, and charging management unit 505 acquires the charging status of the battery.

[0066] The object container 50 is provided with a content amount detection sensor 506 (not shown) which is a sensor that detects the amount of objects contained therein, i.e., the content amount (or accumulated amount). The content amount can be detected by various known methods, for example, a weight sensor may be used to measure the weight, or a camera, an infrared sensor, or the like may be used to detect a predetermined physical amount indicating the content amount. A content amount information transmission processing unit 507 performs a process of transmitting the content amount information detected by the content amount detection sensor 506 to the server 30 via a communication unit 516.

[0067] The object container 50 includes a display unit 508 such as a display. A display processing unit 509 displays information distributed from the server 30 on the display unit 508. The object container 50 includes an input unit 511 such as a touch panel, a button, or the like. An input processing unit 512 provides input information from the input unit 511 to other functional blocks. The object container 50 includes an audio output unit 513 configured with a speaker or the like. An audio signal processing unit 515 performs processing to reproduce audio information distributed from the server 30 on the audio output unit 513.

[0068] The object container 50 includes a communication unit 516. Information is exchanged between the object container 50 and an external device such as the server 30 via the communication unit 516.

[0069] Returning to Fig. 1, the information processing terminal 70 includes a calculation unit such as a CPU that executes programs, a storage unit such as a ROM / RAM or flash memory that stores programs and data, and a communication unit that communicates with external devices. These realize the functional blocks described below. In this embodiment, the information processing terminal 70 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal (see also Fig. 12).

[0070] 7 is a functional block diagram of an information processing terminal 70. As is clear from the figure, the information processing terminal 70 includes a display unit 701 such as a display. A display processing unit 702 displays various information, which will be described later, on the display unit 701. The information processing terminal 70 includes an input unit 703 such as a touch panel, buttons, etc. An input processing unit 705 provides these inputs to a control unit, etc. The information processing terminal includes an audio output unit 706 consisting of a speaker. An audio signal processing unit 707 outputs various information, which will be described later, to the audio output unit 706.

[0071] The information processing terminal 70 includes a communication unit 708. Through this communication unit 708, information is exchanged with an external device such as the server 30.

[0072] (1.2 Operation of the waste transport system) (Recovery Operation of Object Container 50 by Mobile Body 10) 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a movement path of the moving body 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, in order to collect the object container 50 in the residence at point A and the object container 50 in the residence at point B, the electrically powered moving body 10 performs an operation of autonomously moving from point X corresponding to a garbage collection point, visiting point A in front of the first residence and point B in front of the second residence, and returning to point X again. Note that the garbage finally collected at the garbage collection point (point X) is transported to a garbage treatment facility (not shown) by a garbage collection truck or the like. Note that a structure or the like serving as a marker may be provided at each point (X, A, B), and each point may be referred to as a station.

[0073] This configuration makes it possible to transport garbage the last mile between residences and garbage collection points, solving the problem of garbage disposal in an aging society with a labor shortage.

[0074] In the initial state of this embodiment, the batteries of object containers 50 functioning as trash bins are being charged in the residences at each point (A, B). Charging is performed by inserting outlet connector 501 of object container 50 into an outlet in each home. The charging state is provided to server 30 via charging management unit 505 and managed in real time by battery information management unit 322. By charging the batteries in each home in this way, the charging costs can be distributed among users.

[0075] In the initial state, the moving body 10 has at least two empty object containers 50 mounted therein. Furthermore, the battery of the moving body 10 is charged to an extent that the moving body 10 can travel from point X to point A.

[0076] Furthermore, the display processing unit 509 and audio signal processing unit 515 of the object container 50 perform processing to reproduce the content provided from the information distribution processing unit 307 of the server 30 on the display unit 508 and audio output unit 513. The contents are various, and for example, various information such as information to be circulated in a region and advertising information is presented. The content from the server 30 may be displayed on the display 13 of the mobile object 10. In this case, the display processing unit 119 of the mobile object 10 performs processing to reproduce the content provided from the information distribution processing unit 307 of the server 30 on the display 13.

[0077] According to this configuration, a user of object container 50 can check various information provided by server 30 on display unit 508 provided in object container 50. For example, by distributing local information, appropriate information can be provided even in areas where it is difficult to operate a circular or the like.

[0078] 9 is a flowchart up to issuing a movement command to the movable body 10 based on the content volume of the object container 50. When the process starts, the content volume information transmission processing unit 507 of the object container 50 repeatedly performs a process (S10) of transmitting content volume information detected by the content volume detection sensor 506 to the server 30 via the communication unit 516. As a result, information regarding the amount of waste in each object container 50 is collected in the server 30.

[0079] The content volume acquisition processing unit 308 of the server 30 performs a process of acquiring content volume information transmitted from the object container 50 (S11). After that, the command content generating unit 312 performs a process of determining whether the amount of dust in the object container 50 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S12).

[0080] When it is determined that the content amount of the object is less than the threshold (S12 NO), the content amount acquisition process is performed again (S11). On the other hand, when it is determined that the content amount is equal to or greater than the threshold (S12 YES), the command content generating unit 312 performs a process of generating a movement command for the moving body 10 (S13). In this embodiment, the movement command is a movement command to visit a certain point of the object container 50 where the content amount has become equal to or greater than the threshold at a predetermined timing. For efficiency, when the content amounts of a plurality of object containers 50 become equal to or greater than the threshold, a movement command to visit a plurality of stations where the object containers 50 are located may be generated. For example, when the content amounts of the object containers 50 at two points (point A, point B) become equal to or greater than the threshold, a movement command for a route around those points may be generated.

[0081] After the command content generation process, the movement command unit 313 issues a movement command to the moving object 10 via the communication unit 319. After this movement command, the server 30 again repeats the series of processes (S11 to S15).

[0082] The abnormality detection unit 309 of the server 30, which has received the content volume of the object container 50, performs an abnormality detection process (not shown). The abnormality detection process can be performed using various methods, but for example, an abnormality may be detected when the content volume of the object container 50 does not change for a certain period of time. When an abnormality is detected, the warning processing unit 311 performs a warning process in the server 30, or performs a process of issuing a warning to an external device via the communication unit 319.

[0083] According to such a configuration, the user of the object container 50 can be monitored through the content volume of the object container 50 .

[0084] 10 is a flowchart regarding the movement processing of the moving object 10. When the processing starts, the moving object 10, which is at point X corresponding to a garbage collection site, enters a state of waiting for a movement command (S21 NO). In this state, when a movement command is received from the server 30 (S21 YES), the movement control unit 109 of the moving object 10 performs an autonomous movement process (S22). Here, the movement command according to this embodiment commands the moving object 10 to start moving from point X, pass through points A and B, and move along a route that returns to point X again.

[0085] When performing autonomous movement, the movement control unit 109 of the moving object 10 uses the result of recognition processing using the environment recognition sensor 107 to move using a technique such as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM).

[0086] During autonomous movement, the position information transmission processing unit 112 of the moving body 10 transmits self-position information detected by the position information detection sensor 111 to the server 30 via the communication unit 121. The position information acquisition processing unit 305 of the server 30 acquires position information from the moving body 10. The position information distribution processing unit 303 distributes the position information of the moving body 10 to the information processing terminal 70 etc. in response to a request.

[0087] During autonomous movement, the image information transmission processing unit 115 of the moving object 10 performs processing to transmit image information acquired by the camera 12 provided in the moving object 10 to the server 30 via the communication unit 121. If moving at night, the moving object 10 moves with the lights 11 on. The image information acquisition processing unit 302 of the server 30 acquires image information received from the moving object 10. The streaming distribution processing unit 301 streams images acquired from the moving object 10 to the information processing terminal 70 or the like in response to a request.

[0088] When it is determined as a result of the autonomous movement processing that the moving body 10 has arrived at the first waypoint, point A, the moving body 10 stops and transitions to a standby state (S23). In this standby state, a resident of the residence at point A (i.e., a user) loads the object container 50 containing garbage onto the moving body 10 and unloads the empty object container 50 from the moving body 10. In this embodiment, this standby state continues until a predetermined input is made to the input unit 116 by the user who has completed the transfer of the object container 50 (S25NO).

[0089] At this time, the object containers 50 are configured to all have the same shape.

[0090] According to such a configuration, the object container 50 can be easily mounted and unmounted, and can be easily and regularly arranged within the moving body 10. In other words, the system can be operated efficiently.

[0091] The moving body 10 may be equipped with a mechanical device that assists in loading or unloading the object container 50. The mechanical device may be, for example, a lift that moves up and down, or a rail that guides the moving body 10 to a storage space for the object container 50. Note that the mechanical device does not have to be provided on the moving body 10, and may be attached to the object container 50, or may be provided at each point where the moving body 10 stops.

[0092] According to such a configuration, anyone can easily load the object container 50 onto the moving body 10 or unload the object container 50 from the moving body 10.

[0093] When the object container 50 is mounted on the moving body 10, the moving body 10 and the object container 50 are electrically connected via terminals and the like provided on each of them.

[0094] 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the battery of the moving body 10 and the battery of the object container 50 are electrically connected. As is clear from the figure, when the object container 50 is mounted on the moving body 10, the battery 18 of the moving body 10 and each battery 55 of the mounted object container 50 are electrically connected via a moving body battery connector 101, a power supply circuit 102, and a mounted battery connector 103, which are not shown in FIG. 11. In this state, the battery 18 of the moving body 10 can be charged by the battery 55 of the mounted object container 50. The timing of charging the moving body 10 is arbitrary; for example, the battery 18 may be charged while the moving body 10 is stopped, or may be charged while moving.

[0095] According to this configuration, the moving body 10 can charge its own battery 18 by mounting the object container 50. This can reduce various costs for supplying power to the moving body 10 that transports objects, and facilitates the introduction of an object transport system using the moving body 10.

[0096] Returning to FIG. 10, after the standby process, when a predetermined input is detected in the input unit 116 of the moving body 10 (S25 YES), the movement resumption unit 117 of the moving body 10 cancels the standby state and performs processing to resume the movement process to the next destination (point B).

[0097] The movement restart process does not have to be a method using the input unit 116, and may be another method. For example, the movement may be restarted after a certain period of time has passed.

[0098] Thereafter, the moving body 10 performs the autonomous movement process (S26) from point A to point B and the standby process (S27, S28), and the autonomous movement process (S29) from point B to point X and the standby process (S31) in the same manner, and again enters a standby state at point X until it receives the next movement command (S21NO). Note that after this, a garbage collection vehicle different from the moving body 10 may collect the object container 50 in the moving body 10 or the garbage therein, and head to the garbage disposal site.

[0099] According to this configuration, the moving body 10 moves using a battery provided in the object container 50 being transported. This makes it possible to reduce various costs for supplying power to the electrically-driven moving body 10 that transports objects, and makes it easy to introduce an object transport system using the moving body 10.

[0100] (Linkage with information processing terminal 70) A user of the waste transport system 100 can use the information processing terminal 70 to do various things.

[0101] 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information processing terminal 70. In the figure, the information processing terminal 70 has a display unit 701 equipped with a large-area touch panel (input unit 703) approximately in the center. Round buttons constituting the input unit 703 are arranged below the display unit 701, and a speaker constituting the audio output unit 706 is arranged above the display unit. Note that a speaker constituting the audio output unit 706 is also arranged on the bottom surface of the information processing terminal 70.

[0102] An in-camera 71 is disposed to the left of the speaker above the display unit 701. Also, on the left side of the information processing terminal 70, various buttons (72, 73) for adjusting the volume are disposed.

[0103] The screen on the display unit 701 in the figure is displayed by executing a specific application program on the information processing terminal 70. The screen displays the current position of the mobile object 10 and a map of the surrounding area based on information provided by the position information distribution processing unit 303 of the server 30. In the example in the figure, the required time from the current position to the user's location (e.g., point A) calculated by the position information distribution processing unit 303 is displayed together with the identification information of the mobile object (vehicle number: 3535), such as "The automatic collection vehicle will arrive in 7 minutes. Vehicle number: 3535."

[0104] According to this configuration, the current location of the moving object 10 can be confirmed at a glance using the information processing terminal 70. Therefore, preparations for taking out the trash can be made in advance.

[0105] At the bottom of the screen are three software buttons labeled "Request garbage collection," "Live vehicle camera," and "Emergency call."

[0106] When the user selects the "garbage collection request" button, the server 30 can call the mobile object 10 to the user's location (e.g., point A) to collect the object container 50. At this time, the server 30 issues a movement command to the mobile object 10 by interrupt processing without making a determination regarding the amount of contents in the object container 50 (S11 to S12).

[0107] According to such a configuration, it is possible to use the information processing terminal 70 to realize garbage collection in response to a request from a user.

[0108] When a user selects "vehicle live camera," a request for streaming of image information can be made to the server 30. This allows the user to check images captured by the camera 12 installed on the moving object 10 in almost real time.

[0109] According to such a configuration, it is possible to view images captured by the moving object 10 via the information processing terminal 70, which can be useful for crime prevention, for example.

[0110] When a user selects the "emergency call" button, an emergency call can be made to the police, a security company, or the server 30. For example, if a user spots a suspicious person while checking the "vehicle live camera," the user can quickly make a report by pressing the "emergency call" button.

[0111] (2. Modifications) The present invention can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0112] In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the battery of the moving body 10 is charged by the battery of the object container 50 mounted on the moving body 10, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Therefore, for example, the moving body 10 may not be provided with a battery itself, and may be operated by receiving power from a battery provided in the mounted object container 50.

[0113] According to such a configuration, the moving body 10 is powered by mounting the object container 50. Furthermore, since the moving body 10 does not require a battery, the moving body 10 can be made smaller and lighter.

[0114] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. Moreover, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs. [Industrial Applicability]

[0115] The present invention can be used in industries that manufacture moving bodies, object transport systems, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 10 Mobile 30 Servers 50 Object Containment Unit 70 Information processing terminal

Claims

1. an object container including a battery and configured to be able to contain an object; An object transport system comprising: an electric moving body that transports the object by carrying the object container and moving the object container; An object transport system in which the electrically powered mobile body is powered by the battery provided in the object container on which it is mounted.

2. The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the motorized mobile body moves so as to pass through a point where the object container is located.

3. The object transport system of claim 1 , wherein the object container has a power outlet connection for charging the battery.

4. 2. The object transport system according to claim 1, wherein a mobile body battery, which is a battery provided in the electrically-driven mobile body, receives power from the battery, and the electrically-driven mobile body moves based on the mobile body battery.

5. The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically-driven mobile body does not include a mobile body battery that is a battery provided in the electrically-driven mobile body, and operates based on power supplied from the battery.

6. The object is trash, The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the motorized mobile object transports garbage between a residence and a garbage collection site.

7. the electrically-driven movable body is configured to be capable of mounting a plurality of the object containers, The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the object containers have the same shape.

8. The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the object container and / or the motorized mobile body is provided with a mechanical device for loading and unloading the object container onto and from the motorized mobile body.

9. A station is provided on the path of the electrically-driven moving body, The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the station is provided with a device for loading and unloading the object container onto and from the motorized mobile body.

10. A server configured to be able to communicate with the object container; A display provided in the object container; Further equipped with The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the display displays information provided by the server.

11. A server configured to be able to communicate with the object container and the electrically-driven mobile body, a content amount detection sensor that detects a content amount of the object container with respect to the object; Further equipped with The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the object container transmits the amount of content to the server.

12. The object transport system according to claim 11 , wherein the server generates a movement command for the electrically-driven mobile body in accordance with the content amount.

13. An information processing terminal having a display unit; A server configured to be able to communicate with the electrically-driven vehicle and the information processing terminal, Further equipped with 2. The object transport system according to claim 1, wherein the server causes the display unit of the information processing terminal to display an image showing a current position of the electrically-driven mobile body on a map based on the information received from the electrically-driven mobile body.

14. The motorized vehicle further includes a camera. The object transport system according to claim 13 , wherein the server delivers the moving images captured by the camera to the information processing terminal through streaming.

15. An information processing terminal having a display unit; A server configured to be able to communicate with the electrically-driven vehicle and the information processing terminal, Further equipped with The object transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the server generates a movement command for the electrically-driven mobile body in response to an object collection request from the information processing terminal.

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