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

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The information processing device improves delivery efficiency for nonwoven fabric products by determining optimal delivery modes based on the number of products that can be loaded, addressing the challenge of maintaining product usability while enhancing loading efficiency.

JP2025038798APending Publication Date: 2025-03-19UNI CHARM CORP

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2023145623
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2023-09-07
Publication Date: 2025-03-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies for delivering nonwoven fabric products struggle to improve delivery efficiency without compromising the feel or usability of the products, often resulting in inefficient loading and handling due to varying product sizes and packaging materials.

Method used

An information processing device that accepts ordering information for nonwoven fabric products based on predetermined numbers or units, and determines the delivery mode by considering the number of products that can be loaded on a mobile body, thereby optimizing loading efficiency without altering the product's feel.

Benefits of technology

This solution enhances delivery efficiency by optimizing the loading process based on the number of products that can be loaded, without changing the user experience of the nonwoven fabric products.

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Abstract

To improve delivery efficiency without changing the use feeling of a non-woven product.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises an acceptance unit and a determination unit. The acceptance unit accepts order information on an order of a non-woven product with the predetermined number of non-woven products about a movable carry including a movable part or the number of non-woven products loadable on the carry as a unit. The determination unit determines a delivery mode in which a mobile body delivers the carry on the basis of the number of carries where a mobile body which delivers non-woven products can be loaded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques related to the delivery of nonwoven products, such as a technique for compressing diapers in a shipping optimization process for absorbent articles to make loading and unloading of shipping vehicles more efficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2013-506203 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned techniques cannot be said to be capable of improving delivery efficiency without changing the feel of the nonwoven fabric product when used.

[0005] For example, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the compression ratio of the diaper is changed, so it cannot be said that the delivery efficiency can be improved without changing the feeling of use of the nonwoven fabric product.

[0006] The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to improve delivery efficiency without changing the feel of a nonwoven fabric product when used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device of the present application is characterized by having a reception unit that receives order information regarding an order for nonwoven fabric products in units of a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products for a movable carrier that includes a movable part, or the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded onto the carrier, and a determination unit that determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body that delivers the nonwoven fabric products will deliver the carrier based on the order information received by the reception unit and the number of carriers that the mobile body can load. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to improve delivery efficiency without changing the feel of the nonwoven fabric product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the store information database 31 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery source information database 32 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] At least the following points will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Aspect 1 is characterized by having a reception unit that receives order information regarding an order for nonwoven fabric products in units of a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products for a movable carrier that includes a movable part, or the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded onto the carrier, and a determination unit that determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body that delivers the nonwoven fabric products will deliver the carrier based on the order information received by the reception unit and the number of carriers that the mobile body can load.

[0012] Conventionally, nonwoven fabric products, which are very light in weight compared to their loading capacity (volume) and vary in product size, have different sizes of packaging materials (such as cardboard boxes) depending on the type (for example, the size of diapers), so if they are loaded onto a mobile object (such as a truck) on a pallet that can also accommodate other items, there may be too many gaps in the loading platform, resulting in very poor delivery efficiency. Furthermore, since there is no risk of overloading even if nonwoven fabric products are loaded up to the capacity limit of the loading platform, it is more efficient to load them without gaps. For this reason, at the shipping source (such as a factory), the nonwoven fabric products in the packaging materials are removed one by one from the pallet and stacked flat on the loading platform, and then at the wholesaler that serves as the distribution base for retailers, the products are transferred from the flat stack to a pallet to make it easier to move around the wholesaler.

[0013] However, when stacking nonwoven fabric products on the platform of a moving vehicle, the sizes of the packaging materials vary, so if the loading method is not considered for each item, gaps will occur in the platform and loading efficiency will decrease, so it takes time to consider how to load them so that there are no gaps in the platform while considering loading efficiency. In addition, at distribution centers such as wholesalers, the flat stacks are transferred to pallets, etc., which also causes time.

[0014] As an example of a technique for efficiently delivering nonwoven fabric products, a technique for compressing diapers in a shipping optimization process for absorbent articles to make loading and unloading in a shipping vehicle more efficient is known. However, such a technique deteriorates the feeling of use of the nonwoven fabric product by compressing the nonwoven fabric product, so it cannot be said that it is possible to improve delivery efficiency without changing the feeling of use of the nonwoven fabric product.

[0015] According to the first aspect, a delivery mode in which the mobile body delivers the carriers is determined based on order information relating to orders for nonwoven fabric products received in units of a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products for a carrier including movable parts or the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded on the carrier, and the number of carriers that the mobile body that delivers the nonwoven fabric products can carry. As a result, according to the first aspect, for example, the carrier is loaded with a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products or the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded on the carrier, and the loading work can be performed by considering only how many carriers to load on the mobile body, so that the delivery efficiency can be improved without changing the feel of the nonwoven fabric products.

[0016] In addition, since the carrier includes a movable body, it is easy to move around the distribution center of a wholesaler or the like without having to transfer the nonwoven fabric products onto other pallets or the like at the distribution center.

[0017] In addition, in a second aspect of the first aspect, the order information is received in the unit determined based on a height of a platform on which the moving body carries the carriers.

[0018] According to the second aspect, for example, orders can be received in units of the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded onto a carrier up to the limit of the height of the platform of the moving object, thereby improving loading efficiency.

[0019] In addition, in a third aspect of the first or second aspect, the order information is received in the unit determined based on the type of nonwoven fabric product.

[0020] According to this aspect 3, orders can be accepted in units of a number determined based on the size of the packaging material, which differs depending on the type of nonwoven product, such as small size diapers, medium size diapers, large size diapers, etc., making it possible to load a cart with the number of nonwoven products according to the type, thereby improving loading efficiency.

[0021] In addition, in a fourth aspect of the first to third aspects, the delivery mode is determined based on the number of carriers that the mobile body can carry, which is determined based on the area of the platform on which the mobile body carries the carriers.

[0022] According to the fourth aspect, for example, it becomes possible to load carriers up to the limit of the surface area of the platform of the moving object, thereby improving loading efficiency.

[0023] In addition, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the first to fourth aspects, the delivery mode in which the mobile body delivers the carrier to the wholesaler is determined based on the order information related to a store linked to the wholesaler.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect, for example, a wholesaler can determine the delivery mode based on order information of a store that delivers nonwoven fabric products, thereby improving convenience.

[0025] In addition, in aspect 6, in aspects 1 to 5, the delivery mode is determined in which the mobile body delivers the carrier used to deliver the nonwoven fabric product from the sender to the wholesaler and from the wholesaler to the store for each unit.

[0026] Conventionally, nonwoven fabric products may be mixed and loaded on the platform of a mobile body without distinguishing the delivery destination. For this reason, for example, when a nonwoven fabric product is first delivered from a sender of the nonwoven fabric products to a wholesaler, and then the wholesaler delivers the nonwoven fabric products to each retail store, the nonwoven fabric products sent from the sender must be sorted by the destination retail store at the wholesaler, and then the products must be transferred to a mobile body that will deliver the products to the retail stores, which is time-consuming.

[0027] Therefore, according to this aspect 6, for example, orders are accepted in units of a carry, and the carry is used for delivery from the sender to the wholesaler and from the wholesaler to the store, eliminating tasks such as sorting nonwoven fabric products, thereby improving convenience.

[0028] In addition, in a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to sixth aspects, the order information relating to an order for nonwoven fabric products from a store is received from a wholesaler that receives an order for nonwoven fabric products in the unit from the store.

[0029] According to the seventh aspect, for example, order information regarding orders for nonwoven fabric products for each store (retail store, etc.) can be received in a lump sum from a wholesaler that delivers nonwoven fabric products to each store, thereby improving convenience.

[0030] In an eighth aspect, in the first to seventh aspects, the order information is received based on information regarding the stock of nonwoven fabric products at the delivery destination store.

[0031] According to the eighth aspect, for example, the nonwoven fabric products can be delivered according to the stock status of the nonwoven fabric products at the store, thereby improving convenience.

[0032] In addition, in aspect 9, in aspects 1 to 8, if the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information includes a specified type of nonwoven fabric product, the delivery mode is further determined based on the weight of the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information, and if the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information does not include a specified type of nonwoven fabric product, the delivery mode is not determined based on the weight of the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information.

[0033] According to this aspect 9, for example, when an order is placed for a nonwoven product (e.g., wet baby wipes) that is heavy and may result in overloading if the loading capacity is not taken into consideration, a delivery mode can be determined that takes the weight into consideration, so that the nonwoven product can be appropriately loaded onto the moving object.

[0034] In addition, in aspect 10, in aspects 1 to 9, the position of the carry is managed based on identification information assigned to the carry.

[0035] According to this aspect 10, for example, it is possible to know whether the carry has been left behind and not returned to its sender based on the location information of the carry, thereby enabling the carry to be managed appropriately.

[0036] An example of a form for implementing an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program are not limited to this embodiment. Also, the same components in the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0037] [Embodiment] [1. An example of information processing] Using FIG. 1, information processing realized by the information processing device of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an information processing device 10, which is an example of the information processing device according to the present application, a store terminal 100, and a sender terminal 200. The information processing device 10, the store terminal 100, and the sender terminal 200 are connected to each other via a network N (see, for example, FIG. 2) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Here, the network N is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. Note that the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of information processing devices 10, a plurality of store terminals 100, and a plurality of sender terminals 200.

[0038] The information processing device 10 is a server device that controls information processing, which will be described later. In the example of Fig. 1, the information processing device 10 manages order information related to orders for nonwoven fabric products shipped by a sender, and mobile object information related to mobile objects (trucks in the example of Fig. 1) used to deliver the nonwoven fabric products.

[0039] The store terminal 100 is an information processing device used by an administrator who manages a store (retail store) that sells nonwoven fabric products. The store terminal 100 is realized, for example, by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. The store terminal 100 displays information distributed by the information processing device 10 using a web browser or an application. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the store terminal 100 is a notebook PC used by the store administrator.

[0040] The sender terminal 200 is an information processing device used by the sender who sends the nonwoven fabric product. The sender terminal 200 is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like. The sender terminal 200 displays information distributed by the information processing device 10 by a web browser or an application. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sender terminal 200 is a desktop PC used by the sender M1.

[0041] Hereinafter, information processing realized by the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the following description, the store terminals 100-1 to 100-N (N is any natural number) will be described according to the administrator who uses the store terminal 100. For example, the store terminal 100-1 is the store terminal 100 used by the administrator (administrator U1) identified by the administrator ID "UID#1". In the following description, the store terminals 100-1 to 100-N will be described as the store terminal 100 when there is no particular distinction between them. In the following description, the store terminal 100 may be regarded as the same as the administrator. That is, in the following description, the administrator can also be read as the store terminal 100.

[0042] In the following description, the sender terminal 200 may be regarded as the person in charge M1. That is, in the following description, the person in charge M1 may be read as the sender terminal 200.

[0043] In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 10 manages store information related to the stores in a storage unit of the device. For example, the information processing device 10 manages store information including information indicating a wholesaler linked to the store (in other words, a wholesaler that delivers nonwoven fabric products delivered from a sender to the linked store) and inventory information related to the inventory of nonwoven fabric products at the store. In the following description, it is assumed that stores #1, #2, ... are linked to wholesaler #1.

[0044] In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 10 manages, in a storage unit of the device, mobile object information related to a mobile object used by a sender to deliver nonwoven fabric products. For example, the information processing device 10 manages mobile object information including the height of the platform of the mobile object, the area of the platform, the loading limit (total weight of items that can be loaded), the number of carriers that can be loaded (for example, a number determined based on the area of the platform), and the like. In the example of Fig. 1, it is assumed that the sender delivers nonwoven fabric products using a mobile object with standardized standards for the platform height, the area of the platform, the loading limit, and the like.

[0045] In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 10 manages nonwoven fabric product information related to nonwoven fabric products in a storage unit of the information processing device 10. For example, the information processing device 10 manages nonwoven fabric product information including the height of the packaging material (cardboard box) into which the nonwoven fabric products are placed when delivered, the area of the packaging material, the type of nonwoven fabric products predetermined to be placed in the packaging material, the specified number of nonwoven fabric products to be placed in the packaging material, and the weight of the packaging material with the nonwoven fabric products placed inside. In the following description, packaging material containing a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products of a specified type may be referred to as a "product."

[0046] In the following description, it is assumed that the information processing device 10 manages carrier information related to a carrier whose sender is a carrier carrying goods, whose area is smaller than that of the goods, and which includes movable parts and is movable, in a storage unit of the device. For example, the information processing device 10 manages carrier information including the height of the carrier, the type of goods to be loaded on the carrier, and a predetermined quantity of goods to be loaded on the carrier (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "predetermined quantity").

[0047] In the following description, the specified amount is determined based on the height of the platform of the mobile body used by the sender. For example, the specified amount is determined so that the sum of the height of the carrier and the specified amount of goods loaded on the carrier is the maximum height that can be carried into the platform of the mobile body.

[0048] First, the information processing device 10 receives order information related to an order for a product from the store terminal 100 (step S1). For example, the information processing device 10 receives order information related to an order for a product in units of a specified amount.

[0049] Here, assume that manager U1 of store #1 wishes to place an order for product #1 (e.g., a product packed with S-size diapers) and product #2 (e.g., a product packed with L-size diapers). In this case, the information processing device 10 receives order information regarding orders for product #1 and store #2 from the store terminal 100-1 in units of the specified quantity of "5" for product #1 and the specified quantity of "3" for product #2.

[0050] Also, assume that the manager U2 of store #2 wishes to order product #3 and product #4. In this case, the information processing device 10 receives order information regarding the ordering of products #3 and #4 from the store terminal 100-2 in units of the specified quantity "3" for product #3 and the specified quantity "4" for product #4.

[0051] Similarly, the information processing device 10 also receives order information regarding orders for products from other stores in units of a specified amount.

[0052] Next, the information processing device 10 determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body delivers the carriers based on the received order information and the number of carriers that the mobile body used for delivery by the sender can carry (step S2). For example, the information processing device 10 determines a delivery mode indicating the carriers to be loaded onto the mobile body and the delivery destination (wholesaler and store) based on the quantity of products indicated in the order information of a store linked to the same wholesaler (in other words, the number of carriers to be used for delivery) and the number of carriers that the mobile body can carry.

[0053] Here, it is assumed that the number of carriers that the sender can load for the mobile body used for delivery is "50". In such a case, the information processing device 10 selects order information from the order information received from the store linked to the wholesale store #1 such that the number of carriers to be used for delivery is 50 or less and a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 45) or more, and determines the delivery mode for the delivery of the product indicated by the selected order information to the wholesale store #1.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the order information of store #1 and store #2, as well as order information of other stores linked to wholesale store #1, are selected and the delivery mode is determined.

[0055] Next, the information processing device 10 outputs the determined delivery mode to the sender terminal 200 (step S3). Next, the sender's staff M1 instructs the worker based on the delivery mode output from the information processing device 10, and loads the product onto the moving body T1 (step S4). For example, the staff M1 loads the carrier C1 carrying five units of the product #1 ordered by the manager U1 onto the moving body T1. The staff M1 also loads the carrier C2 carrying three units of the product #2 ordered by the manager U1 onto the moving body T1. The staff M1 also loads the carrier C3 carrying three units of the product #3 ordered by the manager U2 onto the moving body T1. The staff M1 also loads the carrier C4 carrying four units of the product #4 ordered by the manager U2 onto the moving body T1. The person in charge M1 also loads other products indicated by the delivery mode onto a carrier, and loads the carrier onto the moving body T1.

[0056] Next, the worker at the sender drives the mobile unit T1 and delivers the goods to the wholesaler #1 (step S5). Next, the worker at the wholesaler #1 loads the goods delivered by the mobile unit T1 onto a mobile unit that will deliver to each store based on the order information output from the information processing device 10 or the sender terminal 200 (step S6). Here, it is assumed that the platform of the mobile unit used by the wholesaler #1 for delivery is the same as or larger than the platform standard (in other words, the size such as the platform height and platform area) of the mobile unit used by the sender for delivery. In such a case, for example, the worker moves the carrier within the wholesaler #1 without reloading the goods from the carrier onto another pallet or the like, and loads the carrier C1 loaded with five items #1 ordered by the manager U1, the carrier C2 loaded with three items #2 ordered by the manager U1, etc., onto the mobile unit T2 that will deliver to the store #1, etc. Similarly, the worker loads carrier C3 carrying three items #3 ordered by manager U2, and carrier C4 carrying four items #4 ordered by manager U2, onto mobile unit T3, which will deliver the items to store #2, etc.

[0057] The size of the platform of the mobile body used by the sender for delivery may be smaller than the size of the platform of the mobile body used by wholesaler #1 for delivery. Even in such a case, when moving goods at wholesaler #1, the goods can be moved while still loaded on the carrier without having to be reloaded onto another pallet, etc., improving convenience. Furthermore, since all goods loaded on one carrier are to be delivered to the same delivery destination, there is no need to take apart the goods loaded on the carrier and classify them by delivery destination, improving loading efficiency.

[0058] Next, the worker at wholesale store #1 drives the mobile unit and delivers the products to each store (step S7). For example, the worker drives mobile unit T2 and delivers carrier C1 loaded with five products #1 and carrier C2 loaded with three products #2 to store #1. The worker also drives mobile unit T3 and delivers carrier C3 loaded with three products #3 and carrier C4 loaded with four products #4 to store #2.

[0059] Each carrier used for delivery to store #1 or store #2 may be collected by a worker at wholesale store #1 immediately after delivery to the store is completed, or may be collected by a worker at a later date when the product is delivered and transported to wholesale store #1. Then, a worker from the sender may collect the carrier when delivering the product to wholesale store #1 and transport it to the sender.

[0060] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment receives order information for ordering nonwoven fabric products in units of a predetermined number of products per carrier, and determines the delivery mode in which the mobile body will deliver the carrier based on the order information and the number of carriers that the mobile body can carry. In this way, the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment can improve delivery efficiency without changing the feel of the nonwoven fabric products.

[0061] [2. Other processing examples] The above-described process is merely an example, and the information processing device 10 may perform various processes using various information. In this regard, examples are given below.

[0062] [2-1.Regarding the specified amount] In the example of FIG. 1, the specified amount may be the amount of goods that can be loaded on a carrier. For example, the specified amount may be an amount that does not cause the goods to collapse when loaded on the carrier, and the amount that the sum of the heights of the carrier and the goods loaded on the carrier is equal to or less than the height of the platform of the moving body. The specified amount may also be an amount that is a weight that does not cause any impediment to the movement of the carrier loaded with goods, and the amount that the sum of the heights of the carrier and the goods loaded on the carrier is equal to or less than the height of the platform of the moving body. The specified amount may also be an amount that does not cause any deformation of the goods loaded on the lower part due to the weight of the goods loaded on the upper part when loaded on the carrier, and the amount that the sum of the heights of the carrier and the goods loaded on the carrier is equal to or less than the height of the platform of the moving body.

[0063] [2-2. Number of carriers that can carry a moving object] In the example of Fig. 1, the area of the carrier is designed to be smaller than the area of the product. Therefore, the number of carriers that the mobile object can carry may be determined based on the area of the platform of the mobile object and the area of the product, and the delivery mode may be determined. In such a case, the information processing device 10 may determine a delivery mode indicating a method of loading carriers (e.g., the position at which each carrier is loaded on the platform) based on the area of the product and the area of the platform of the mobile object so that the gap between the products loaded on different carriers is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold (in other words, so that loading efficiency is optimized).

[0064] [2-3. About ordering products] 1, the information processing device 10 may receive information regarding orders for products from stores #1, #2, ..., from wholesale store #1. For example, the wholesale store terminal used by the manager of wholesale store #1 receives order information regarding orders for products in units of a specified amount from the store terminal 100 of a store linked to wholesale store #1. Then, the information processing device 10 receives the order information for each store transmitted from the wholesale store terminal.

[0065] [2-4. Ordering products based on store inventory] 1, the information processing device 10 may receive inventory information on nonwoven fabric products and the inventory of nonwoven fabric products at each store from the store terminal 100, the wholesale store terminal, etc. Then, when the inventory of nonwoven fabric products at a store falls below a predetermined threshold, the information processing device 10 transmits information on a proposal to order nonwoven fabric products (for example, information indicating the number of products to be ordered) to the store terminal 100 or the wholesale store terminal, and receives ordering information based on that information.

[0066] When the stock of nonwoven fabric products in a store falls below a predetermined threshold, the information processing device 10 may determine a delivery mode for delivering the nonwoven fabric products that have fallen below the predetermined threshold, and issue an instruction to deliver the nonwoven fabric products.

[0067] In addition, the information processing device 10 may transmit information regarding ordering suggestions for nonwoven fabric products to the store terminal 100 or the wholesale store terminal based on sales of nonwoven fabric products estimated based on inventory information, and accept ordering information based on that information.

[0068] The store terminal 100 may manage inventory information, estimate the type of product to be ordered, the quantity to be ordered, and the like based on the inventory information, and transmit order information based on the estimated information to the information processing device 10.

[0069] [2-5. Determining the shipping method based on the weight of nonwoven fabric products] In the example of Fig. 1, when the product indicated by the order information is a product that is packaged with a predetermined type of nonwoven fabric product, the information processing device 10 further determines the delivery mode based on the weight of the product, and when the product indicated by the order information is not a product that is packaged with a predetermined type of nonwoven fabric product, it is not necessary to determine the delivery mode based on the weight of the product. For example, when determining the delivery mode for a product that is packaged with a nonwoven fabric product (e.g., diapers) that is very light compared to the loading capacity (volume), the information processing device 10 does not determine the delivery mode based on the weight of the product. On the other hand, when determining the delivery mode for a product that is packaged with a nonwoven fabric product (e.g., wet baby wipes) that is heavy compared to the loading capacity, the information processing device 10 selects order information so that the weight of the product does not exceed the loading limit of the moving body, and determines the delivery mode.

[0070] [2-6. Carry management] In the example of Fig. 1, the information processing device 10 may manage the location information of the carrier used for delivery. For example, when a worker at the sender or a worker at the wholesaler #1 delivers a carrier, the worker transmits information linking the identification information of the carrier with the delivery destination of the carrier (in other words, the location of the carrier) from a terminal device used by the worker to the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 then manages information linking the identification information of the received carrier with the location of the carrier, and if the location of the carrier has not changed for a predetermined period of time (in other words, the carrier has not been collected), the information processing device 10 transmits a notification to the sender terminal 200, the wholesaler terminal, etc., urging the collection of the carrier.

[0071] 3. Configuration of Information Processing Device Next, the configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 10 has a communication unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0072] (Regarding communication unit 20) The communication unit 20 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) etc. The communication unit 20 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information between the store terminal 100, the sender terminal 200, etc.

[0073] (Regarding the storage unit 30) The storage unit 30 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 30 has a store information database 31 and a sender information database 32.

[0074] (About store information database 31) The store information database 31 stores various types of information related to stores. An example of information stored in the store information database 31 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the store information database 31 according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 3, the store information database 31 has items such as "store ID", "wholesaler ID", "inventory information", and "order information".

[0075] "Store ID" indicates identification information for identifying a store. "Wholesaler ID" indicates identification information for identifying a wholesaler linked to a store. "Stock information" indicates the stock of nonwoven fabric products at the store. "Order information" indicates information related to ordering nonwoven fabric products at the store.

[0076] That is, Figure 3 shows an example in which a store identified by store ID "SID#1" is linked to a wholesaler identified by wholesaler ID "WID#1", the inventory information is "inventory information #1", and the order information is "order information #1".

[0077] (About the Shipment Information Database 32) The sender information database 32 stores various information related to the sender of the nonwoven fabric product. An example of information stored in the sender information database 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the sender information database 32 according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the sender information database 32 has items such as "sender ID," "nonwoven fabric product information," "carrier information," "mobile object ID," and "mobile object information."

[0078] "Sender ID" indicates identification information for identifying the sender. "Nonwoven fabric product information" indicates information about the nonwoven fabric product sent by the sender, and stores information indicating, for example, the height of the packaging material in which the nonwoven fabric product is placed during delivery, the area of the packaging material, the type of nonwoven fabric product predetermined to be placed in the packaging material, the specified quantity of nonwoven fabric products to be placed in the packaging material, and the weight of the packaging material with the nonwoven fabric product placed in it. "Carrier information" indicates information about the carrier used for delivery, and stores information indicating, for example, the height of the carrier, the type of product to be loaded on the carrier, and the quantity of products to be loaded on the carrier. "Mobile object ID" indicates identification information for identifying the mobile object used to deliver the nonwoven fabric product. "Mobile object information" indicates information about the mobile object, and stores information indicating, for example, the height of the platform of the mobile object, the area of the platform, loading restrictions, and the number of carriers that can be loaded.

[0079] That is, Figure 4 shows an example in which the sender identified by the sender ID "MID#1" has nonwoven product information "nonwoven product information #1" and carrier information "carrier information #1", and the mobile object used to deliver the nonwoven product from the sender is identified by the mobile object ID "TID#1" and the mobile object information of the mobile object is "mobile object information #1".

[0080] (Regarding the control unit 40) The control unit 40 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 10 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 40 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 40 according to the embodiment has a reception unit 41, a determination unit 42, and a management unit 43, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below.

[0081] (Regarding Reception Section 41) The reception unit 41 receives order information regarding the ordering of nonwoven fabric products in units of a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products for a movable carrier that includes a movable part, or in units of the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded onto the carrier. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the reception unit 41 receives order information regarding the ordering of products in units of a predetermined specified amount, and stores the information in the store information database 31. The reception unit 41 also receives order information regarding the ordering of products in units of the quantity of products that can be loaded onto the carrier, and stores the information in the store information database 31.

[0082] The reception unit 41 may also receive order information in units determined based on the height of the platform on which the mobile body loads the carrier. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the reception unit 41 receives order information related to an order for a product in units of a specified amount determined based on the height of the platform of the mobile body used by the sender.

[0083] The receiving unit 41 may also receive order information in units determined based on the type of nonwoven fabric product. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the receiving unit 41 receives order information related to an order for a product in units of a specified amount determined based on the size of the diaper.

[0084] In addition, the reception unit 41 may receive order information related to orders for nonwoven fabric products from a wholesaler that receives orders for nonwoven fabric products from each store. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the reception unit 41 receives information related to orders for products from stores #1, #2, ... from wholesaler #1.

[0085] The reception unit 41 may also receive order information based on information about the stock of nonwoven fabric products at the delivery destination store. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, when the stock of nonwoven fabric products at the store falls below a predetermined threshold, the reception unit 41 transmits information about a proposal to order nonwoven fabric products to the store terminal 100 or the wholesale store terminal, and receives order information based on the information.

[0086] (Regarding the decision unit 42) The determination unit 42 determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body will deliver the carrier based on the order information received by the reception unit 41 and the number of carriers that the mobile body that delivers the nonwoven fabric product can carry. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the determination unit 42 refers to the store information database 31 and the sender information database 32, and determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body will deliver the carrier based on the order information and the number of carriers that the mobile body used by the sender for delivery can carry.

[0087] The determination unit 42 may also determine the delivery mode based on the number of carriers that the mobile body can carry, which is determined based on the area of the platform on which the mobile body carries the carriers. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the number of carriers to be loaded onto the mobile body is determined based on the area of the platform of the mobile body, and the delivery mode is determined. The determination unit 42 also determines the number of carriers to be loaded onto the mobile body based on the area of the products loaded onto the carriers and the area of the platform of the mobile body, and the delivery mode is determined.

[0088] In addition, the determination unit 42 may determine a delivery mode in which the mobile body delivers the carry to the wholesale store based on order information related to a store linked to the wholesale store. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the determination unit 42 determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body delivers the carry to the wholesale store #1.

[0089] The determination unit 42 may also determine, for each unit, a delivery mode in which a mobile body delivers a carrier used to deliver the nonwoven fabric product from the sender to a wholesaler and from the wholesaler to a store. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the determination unit 42 determines a delivery mode in which a mobile body delivers a carrier used to deliver the product to wholesaler #1 and from wholesaler #1 to a store linked to wholesaler #1.

[0090] Furthermore, when the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information includes a nonwoven fabric product of a predetermined type, the determination unit 42 further determines the delivery mode based on the weight of the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information, and when the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information does not include a nonwoven fabric product of a predetermined type, the determination unit 42 does not need to determine the delivery mode based on the weight of the nonwoven fabric product indicated by the order information. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when determining the delivery mode of a product that is packed with a nonwoven fabric product that is very light compared to the loading capacity, the determination unit 42 does not determine the delivery mode based on the weight of the product. On the other hand, when determining the delivery mode of a product that is packed with a nonwoven fabric product that is heavy compared to the loading capacity, the determination unit 42 selects order information so that the weight of the product does not exceed the loading limit of the moving body, and determines the delivery mode.

[0091] (Regarding Management Department 43) The management unit 43 manages the location of the carrier based on the identification information given to the carrier. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the management unit 43 manages information linking the identification information of the carrier received from a terminal device used by a worker performing delivery-related work with the location of the carrier.

[0092] [4. Information Processing Procedures] Next, the procedure of information processing executed by the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0093] 5, the information processing device 10 determines whether or not it has received order information for ordering nonwoven fabric products, based on a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products for a movable carrier that includes a movable part, or the number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded onto the carrier (step S101). If it has not received order information (step S101; No), the information processing device 10 waits until it receives order information. On the other hand, if it has received order information (step S101; Yes), the information processing device 10 determines a delivery mode in which the mobile body that delivers the nonwoven fabric products will deliver the carrier, based on the order information and the number of carriers that the mobile body can load, and ends the process.

[0094] 5. Modifications The above-described information processing device 10 may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiment.

[0095] [5-1. Nonwoven products] In the above embodiment, the nonwoven fabric product is a diaper or a baby wipe, but the nonwoven fabric product is not limited to such examples and may be any product. For example, the nonwoven fabric product may be a mask, a sanitary product, a pet sheet, etc.

[0096] [5-2. Delivery address] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the destination of the nonwoven fabric product from the sender is a wholesaler, but the destination of the nonwoven fabric product from the sender is not limited to this. For example, the destination may be a store (retailer).

[0097] [5-3. Products that do not require carrying] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 may receive order information related to an order for a product that does not require a carrier. When receiving order information related to such a product, the information processing device 10 determines the concept of the product that does not require a carrier.

[0098] [5-4. Processing mode] Among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, and conversely, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above text and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0099] In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0100] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents are not contradictory.

[0101] [6. Hardware Configuration] The information processing device 10, the store terminal 100, and the sender terminal 200 in the above-described embodiment are realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and a calculation device 1030, a cache 1040, a memory 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0102] The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in a cache 1040 or memory 1050, programs read from the input device 1020, etc., and executes various processes. The cache 1040 is a cache such as a RAM that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The memory 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is a memory realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, etc.

[0103] The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 that outputs various types of information, such as a monitor or a printer, and may be realized by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). On the other hand, the input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc., and is realized by, for example, a USB.

[0104] For example, the input device 1020 may be realized by a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory, etc. The input device 1020 may also be realized by an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0105] The network IF 1080 has a function of receiving data from other devices via the network N and sending it to the arithmetic device 1030, and also has a function of transmitting data generated by the arithmetic device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

[0106] Here, the arithmetic device 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic device 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the memory 1050 onto the cache 1040 and executes the loaded program. For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 10, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 executes the program loaded onto the cache 1040 to realize the function of the control unit 40.

[0107] The embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in other forms that include the forms described in the section of the disclosure of the invention, as well as in other forms that include various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In addition, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Information processing device 20 Communications Department 30 Storage section 31 Store Information Database 32 Shipment information database 40 Control section 41 Reception 42 Decision Section 43 Management Department 100 store terminals 200 Source terminal

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives order information regarding an order for nonwoven fabric products in units of a predetermined number of nonwoven fabric products for a movable carrier that includes a movable part, or a number of nonwoven fabric products that can be loaded onto the carrier; a determination unit that determines a delivery mode in which a mobile body that delivers the nonwoven fabric products will deliver the carriers based on the order information received by the reception unit and the number of carriers that the mobile body can load; 13. An information processing device comprising:

2. The reception unit is The order information is received in the unit determined based on the height of a platform on which the mobile body carries the carriers.