Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023149438
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-27
Smart Images
Figure 2025042425000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there exists a system that allows a user to reserve a locker when the locker is used for storing luggage for a specified period of time (one use) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-166043 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, there is a demand for a system that enables the reservation of lockers so that they can be used efficiently when they are used for multiple purposes (not only traditional luggage storage, but also purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage), but conventional technologies, including the technology of Patent Document 1, are unable to adequately meet this demand.
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to enable reservations of lockers so that they can be used efficiently when used for multiple purposes (not only for traditional luggage storage, but also for purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage). [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: An information processing device that manages securing of a plurality of closed spaces in a facility having a plurality of closed spaces in which an item can be deposited or removed, a reference time acquisition means for acquiring a reference time for depositing or removing an item by a user in a predetermined closed space among the plurality of closed spaces, the reference time being variable depending on the purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item; a predetermined time acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined time that is variably set according to a purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item as a time during which the item can be deposited in the predetermined closed space; an acquisition time slot management means for managing a predetermined time slot having the length of the predetermined time including the reference time point as an acquisition time slot for the item; Equipped with.
[0007] An information processing method and a program according to one aspect of the present invention are a method and a program corresponding to an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to reserve a locker so that the locker can be used efficiently when it is used for multiple purposes (not only for traditional luggage storage, but also for purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage). [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a service that can be realized by an information processing system to which a server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the four application patterns of the present service shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system to which a server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server in the information processing system of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server in FIG. 4 that constitutes the information processing system in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011] First, referring to FIG. 1, an overview of a service (hereinafter referred to as "this service") that can be realized by an information processing system (see FIG. 3 described later) to which a server according to one embodiment of an information processing device of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the present service that can be realized by an information processing system to which a server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention is applied.
[0012] This service enables reservations for lockers so that they can be used efficiently when they are used for multiple purposes (not only traditional luggage storage, but also purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage). In this specification, terms relating to time have the following meanings. A "time point" refers to a point on a time axis in a predetermined unit. For example, if the predetermined unit is a "day", the time point refers to the predetermined "day", and if the predetermined unit is a "minute", the time point refers to the predetermined "minute". "Time" means the width of time (length of time). A "time period" specifically means a width (length of time) of a given point on a time axis, specifically from a certain time (absolute time) to a certain time (absolute time).
[0013] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the locker device 3 has lockers R1 to Rq (q is an integer value of 1 or more) each functioning as a closed space in which an article can be deposited or removed. When there is no need to distinguish between the lockers R1 to Rq, they will be collectively referred to as "locker R." The server 1 managed by the provider of this service manages the reservation of each time slot of the lockers R1 to Rq using a specified DB 61 (hereinafter referred to as "locker facility reservation management DB 513"). Therefore, the server 1 has a reference time acquisition unit 511, a specified time acquisition unit 512, and a reserved time slot management unit 513, the details of which will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0014] The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires a reference time for a user's deposit or withdrawal of an item at a specified locker Rk (k=2 in the example of Figure 1) among the multiple lockers R1 to Rq, and acquires a reference time that varies depending on the purpose of use of the specified locker Rk for the item. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, 11:00 is acquired as the reference time point for a given locker R2.
[0015] The predetermined time acquisition unit 512 acquires a predetermined time that is variably set according to the purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item as the time during which the item can be deposited in the predetermined locker Rk. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, a total of 5 hours, which is the sum of 1 hour before the reference time point and 4 hours after the reference time point, is acquired as the reference time.
[0016] The reserved time zone management unit 513 stores and manages a specified time zone having a specified length including a reference time point (for example, 10:00 to 15:00 in the example of Figure 1) as a reserved time zone for an item in the locker equipment reservation management DB 61, thereby realizing a reservation that allows only the item in question to be stored during that reserved time zone.
[0017] This enables efficient use of Locker R when it is used for multiple purposes (not only for traditional luggage storage, but also for purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage; in the example shown in Figure 2, this is four purposes). FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the four application patterns of the service shown in FIG.
[0018] The first pattern (pattern circled 1 in the figure) is a pattern in which a third party (eg, delivery person H) deposits an item in a specified locker Rk, and a user U removes (receives) the item at the specified locker Rk. Specifically, for example, in the first pattern, a user U purchases a specified product (item) on an EC site not shown, and a delivery person H who receives a request from the EC site deposits the specified product (item) in a specified locker Rk, and the user U can remove (receive) the item from the specified locker Rk. For example, in the first pattern, a user U requests a specified garment (item) to be cleaned at a dry cleaning shop (not shown), and after cleaning, a delivery person H who has received a request from the dry cleaning shop deposits the specified product (item) in a specified locker Rk, and the user U can take out (receive) the item at the specified locker Rk.
[0019] The method for enabling two or more persons, such as the delivery person H and the user U, to respectively unlock and lock the specified locker Rk is not particularly limited. For example, this service employs a method that uses an "electronic key" issued and managed by the server 1. Details of the electronic key will be described later with reference to Fig. 5, but in the first pattern, when the deliverer H deposits the item in a specified locker Rk and locks it, an electronic key is generated and sent to the terminal of the user U (for example, the user terminal 5 in Fig. 3 described later). The user U uses this electronic key to unlock the specified locker Rk and remove (receive) the item.
[0020] Therefore, in the first pattern, the purpose of use is for another person (delivery person H) to deposit the item in a specified locker Rk, and for the user U to retrieve the item at a specified time. The designated time means the scheduled time (reserved time) when a user operates his / her own terminal (for example, user terminal 5 in Figure 3 described below) to specify the scheduled time (reserved time) for picking up (receiving) an item. The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires, as a reference time, a designated time designated by the user U. In the example of Fig. 2, 12:00 is acquired as the reference time (designated time). The specified time is set based on the deposit time for another person (delivery person H) to deposit the item in the specified locker Rk, and the buffer time after the specified time. The buffer time is a margin of time that takes into account the possibility of delays, as the user U does not necessarily take out the item (unlock the specified locker Rk) exactly at the specified time. In the example of Figure 2, the deposit time is set to 2 hours, and the buffer time is set to 3 hours. The secured time slot management unit 513 manages secured time slots in which the deposit time is placed before the reference time and the buffer time is placed after the reference time as shown in Fig. 2. For example, in the example of Fig. 2, the period from 10:00 to 15:00 is managed as the secured time slot.
[0021] In this case, the server 1 notifies the terminal of the deliverer H (for example, the deliverer terminal 4 in FIG. 3 described later) of the time period within the reserved time period that corresponds to the deposit time (hereinafter, referred to as the "deposit time period"). For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the server 1 notifies the deliverer H that the deposit time period is from 10:00 to 12:00.
[0022] The second pattern (pattern 2 in the figure) is one in which the user U deposits the item in a designated locker Rk and has it sent to a designated location via that designated locker Rk (someone else (e.g., delivery person H) picks up the item from the designated locker Rk and sends it to the designated location).
[0023] Specifically, for example, in the past, when an item put up for auction on the Internet was sold to a third party, the buyer had to package and mail the item to the third party himself, which was inconvenient. In contrast, in the second pattern, the user U goes to a locker facility 3 located in a convenient location for the user U, such as near his / her home, and simply deposits the item he / she won from a third party in a designated locker Rk without packing it. Then, a delivery person H requested by the operator of the online auction, etc., takes the item out of the designated locker Rk and delivers it to a location designated by the operator, etc. Then, the operator, etc. packs the item and mails it to the third party.
[0024] Also, for example, in the second pattern, the following can be done. That is, if a locker facility 3 is installed at the station of the travel destination, the user U deposits his / her luggage in a specified locker Rk when he / she arrives at the station. In this case, the user U inputs "Destination: ◎◎ Hotel" into a touch panel or the like (not shown) installed in the locker facility 3, and a message such as "If it is ◎◎ Hotel, it will be delivered in a certain number of minutes / at a certain time" is displayed on the touch panel or the like. If there are no problems with this, the user U locks the specified locker Rk. After that, a certain number of minutes / at a certain time, a delivery person requested by ◎◎ Hotel unlocks the specified locker Rk, removes the user U's luggage, and delivers it to ◎◎ Hotel.
[0025] In the second pattern, for example, the following can be done: A user U deposits a certain amount of clothing (item) to be dry-cleaned in a certain locker Rk. After that, a delivery person who has received a request from the dry cleaner unlocks the certain locker Rk, takes out the user U's item, and delivers it to the dry cleaner.
[0026] As in the first pattern, the method for enabling two or more persons, such as the delivery person H and the user U, to respectively unlock and lock the specified locker Rk is not particularly limited. For example, as described above, this service employs a method that uses an "electronic key" issued and managed by the server 1. Details of the electronic key will be described later with reference to Fig. 5, but in the second pattern, when the user U deposits the item in a specified locker Rk and locks it, an electronic key is generated and sent to the terminal of the deliverer H (for example, the deliverer terminal 4 in Fig. 3 described later). The deliverer H uses this electronic key to unlock the specified locker Rk and remove (receive) the item.
[0027] Therefore, in the second pattern, the purpose of use is for a user U to directly visit the locker facility 3 and deposit an item in a designated locker Rk, and for another person (e.g., delivery person H) to pick up the item from the designated locker Rk and send it to another location. The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires the time when a user deposits an item in a specific locker Rk (for example, the time when the locker is locked) as the reference time. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, 13:00 is acquired as the reference time. The predetermined time is set based on the time required for another person (delivery person H) to take out the item from the predetermined locker Rk. For example, in the above example of sending a package to the ◎◎ Hotel, the time set in advance based on the message "It will be delivered to the ◎◎ Hotel in a certain number of minutes / at a certain time" displayed on the touch panel or the like, that is, the time obtained by adding a margin to the time understood from "a certain number of minutes / at a certain time", is acquired as the predetermined time (take-out time). Also, for example, in the example of FIG. 2, 3 hours is acquired as the predetermined time (take-out time). The secured time slot management unit 513 manages secured time slots in which the take-out time is set after the reference time point. For example, in the example of FIG. 2 in which 13:00 is acquired as the reference time point and 3 hours is acquired as the predetermined time, 13:00 to 16:00 is managed as the secured time slot.
[0028] In this case, the server 1 notifies the terminal of the deliverer H (for example, the deliverer terminal 4 in FIG. 3 described later) of the time period within the reserved time period that corresponds to the pick-up time (hereinafter, referred to as the "pick-up time period"). For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the server 1 notifies the deliverer H that the pick-up time period is from 13:00 to 15:00.
[0029] The third pattern (pattern marked with circle 3 in the figure) is one in which the user U reserves a time (reservation time) to deposit the item from outside, deposits the item in a designated locker Rk at the reserved time, and has the item delivered to a designated location via that designated locker Rk (someone else (e.g., delivery person H) picks up the item from that designated locker Rk and delivers it to the designated location). A specific example of the third pattern is basically the same as the second pattern, except that user U operates his / her own terminal (e.g., user terminal 5 in Figure 3 described below) away from locker device 3 to specify a reserved time for depositing an item, and then goes to locker device 3 at the reserved time.
[0030] That is, in the third pattern, the purpose of use is for the user U to specify in advance the time at which he or she plans to deposit an item as the reservation time, for the user U to deposit the item in a designated locker Rk at the reserved time, and for another person (for example, delivery person H) to pick up the item from the designated locker Rk and send it to another location. The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires, as a reference time, the reservation time designated by the user U. For example, in the case of Rewi in Fig. 2, 14:00 is acquired as the reference time. The specified time is the buffer time after the reserved time and the removal time for another person (delivery person H) to remove the item from the designated locker Rk. The buffer time is a margin of time that takes into account the possibility of delays, as the user U does not necessarily deposit the item (lock the designated locker Rk) exactly at the reserved time. In the example of Figure 2, the buffer time is set to 1 hour, and the removal time is set to 2 hours. The secured time slot management unit 513 manages secured time slots in which buffer times and take-out times are allocated after the reference time point. For example, in the example of Fig. 2, 14:00 to 17:00 is managed as the secured time slot.
[0031] In this case, the server 1 notifies the terminal of the deliverer H (for example, the deliverer terminal 4 in FIG. 3 described later) of the pick-up time period. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the deliverer H is notified that the pick-up time period is from 15:00 to 17:00.
[0032] The fourth pattern (pattern 4 in the figure) is the traditional temporary care pattern. That is, in the fourth pattern, the purpose of use is for the user U to directly visit the locker facility 3 to deposit an item in a specific locker Rk, and then for the user U to retrieve the item from the specific locker Rk. The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires the time when the user U deposits an item in a predetermined locker Rk as the reference time. For example, in the example of Fig. 2, the reference time 13:00 is acquired. The predetermined time is the maximum time during which deposit of an item is permitted, set by the manager of the locker facility Rk, and is set to 18 hours in the example of FIG. The reserved time slot management unit 513 manages reserved time slots that are allocated a predetermined time after the reference time point. For example, in the example of Fig. 2, 13:00 to 7:00 the next morning is managed as the reserved time slot.
[0033] Furthermore, in this service, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the server 1 may execute efficient scheduling of the reserved time slots as follows. That is, if an article is removed from a specific locker Rk before the end of the reserved time slot, the reserved time slot management unit 513 can end management of the reserved time slot for that specific locker Rk. This makes it possible to set and manage a new reserved time from a time earlier than the scheduled time (the end time of the original reserved time).For example, in the example of Fig. 1, if an item is removed from locker R2 at 13:00 on August 16th (locker R2 is unlocked), by ending management of the reserved time period from 10:00 to 15:00, it becomes possible to set and manage a new reserved time period from 13:00 on August 16th onwards (not shown).
[0034] Furthermore, in this service, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the server 1 can handle accidents in the following manner. That is, if an article has not been deposited or removed during the reserved time period when a predetermined condition, which is variably set according to the purpose of use, is met, the server 1 can notify this fact by issuing an alert. For example, in the case of the first pattern in Figure 2, the specified conditions can be that the item is not deposited until XX minutes before the reference time (designated time), or that the item is not removed even after △ minutes have passed since the reference time (designated time). Also, for example, in the case of the second pattern in FIG. 2, a condition that the article has not been removed even after x minutes have passed since the reference time point can be adopted as the predetermined condition. Also, for example, in the case of the third pattern, the specified condition can be that the item has not been deposited even though ◎ minutes have passed since the reference time (reservation time), or that the item has not been removed even though ▲ minutes have passed since the item was deposited.
[0035] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of the configuration of an information processing system that realizes the provision of the above-mentioned service, that is, an information processing system to which a server according to an embodiment of an information processing device of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system to which a server according to an embodiment of the information processing device of the present invention is applied.
[0036] The information processing system shown in Figure 3 is configured to include a server 1, a locker management system 2, a locker device 3, delivery person terminals 4-1 to 4-n (n is an integer value of 1 or more), and user terminals 5-1 to 5-m (m is an integer value of 1 or more independent of n).
[0037] The server 1, the locker management system 2, the deliverer terminals 4-1 to 4-n, and the user terminals 5-1 to 5-m are connected to one another via a network such as the Internet.
[0038] The server 1 is an information processing device managed by the provider of this service (FIGS. 1 and 2). The server 1 executes various processes to realize this service while appropriately communicating with the locker management system 2, the deliverer terminals 4-1 to 4-n, and the user terminals 5-1 to 5-m.
[0039] The locker management system 2 includes a management server (not shown) that manages one or more locker devices including the locker device 3 . Each of the locker devices 3 includes a main body having a plurality of lockers R (see FIG. 1), a temperature adjustment unit that controls, for example, the temperature state of each of the plurality of lockers R, and a lock / unlock control unit that controls the locking / unlocking of the entrances and exits of each of the plurality of lockers R. The plurality of lockers R are an example of a closed space for storing items, etc.
[0040] The deliverer terminals 6-A1 to 6-An are information processing devices operated by deliverers KAH1 to KAHn (n is an integer value greater than or equal to 1) belonging to affiliated stores KA1 to KAn, respectively, and are composed of a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc.
[0041] The deliverer terminals 4-1 to 4-n are information processing devices operated by each of the n deliverers, and are configured with a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, or the like. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the deliverer terminals 4-1 to 4-n, they will be collectively referred to as the "delivery terminal 4."
[0042] The user terminals 5-1 to 5-m are information processing devices operated by each of the m delivery persons, and are configured with a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, or the like. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the user terminals 5-1 to 5-m, they will be collectively referred to as the "user terminal 5."
[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server in the information processing system shown in FIG.
[0044] The server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an input unit 16, an output unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.
[0045] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13 . The RAM 13 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.
[0046] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An input unit 16, an output unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.
[0047] The input unit 16 is configured with, for example, a keyboard and is used to input various information. The output unit 17 is configured with a display such as a liquid crystal display, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information as images and sounds. The storage unit 18 is configured with a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like, and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices (for example, the locker management system 2, the deliverer terminal 4, and the user terminal 5 in FIG. 3) via a network N including the Internet.
[0048] Removable media 40, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately loaded into the drive 20. A program read from the removable media 40 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Further, the removable medium 40 can store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18 .
[0049] Although not shown, the locker management system 2 (management server), the deliverer terminal 4, and the user terminal 5 in Fig. 3 can also have a configuration basically similar to the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, a description of the hardware configuration of the locker management system 2 (management server), the deliverer terminal 4, and the user terminal 5 will be omitted.
[0050] Various processes for providing the present service of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be executed by cooperation of various hardware and software constituting the information processing system of FIG. 3 including the server 1 of FIG.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server of FIG. 4 in the information processing system of FIG.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, in the CPU 11 of the server 1, a locker management unit 51 and an electronic key control unit 52 function. In addition, a locker facility reservation management DB 61 and an electronic key DB 62 are provided in one area of the storage unit 18 of the server 1.
[0053] The locker management unit 51 manages the reservation of a plurality of closed spaces (for example, lockers R1 to Rq in FIG. 1) in which articles can be deposited or removed, in a facility (for example, the locker facility 3 in FIGS. 1 to 3) that includes the plurality of closed spaces. The locker management unit 51 includes a reference time acquisition unit 511 , a predetermined time acquisition unit 512 , an allocated time slot management unit 513 , a others notification unit 514 , and an alert unit 515 .
[0054] The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires a reference time (for example, the reference time in FIG. 1) for a user (for example, user U in FIG. 2) depositing or retrieving an item in a specified closed space (for example, a specified locker Rk (k=2 in the examples of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)) among the multiple closed spaces, and which varies depending on the purpose of use of the specified closed space for the item. The predetermined time acquisition unit 512 acquires a predetermined time (for example, the predetermined time in FIG. 1) that is variably set depending on the purpose of use of the specified closed space for the item as the time during which the item can be deposited in the specified closed space. The reserved time zone management unit 513 stores and manages a predetermined time zone having the predetermined length including the reference time point (for example, the time zone from 10:00 to 15:00 in FIG. 1) as a reserved time zone for the item in the locker facility summary management DB 61.
[0055] This enables efficient use of Locker R when it is used for multiple purposes (not only for traditional luggage storage, but also for purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage; in the example shown in Figure 2, this is four purposes).
[0056] For example, the intended use is for another person (e.g., delivery person H in Figure 2) to deposit the item in the specified closed space and for the user (e.g., user U in Figure 1) to retrieve the item at a specified time (the intended purpose of the first pattern (pattern 1 in circle 1 in Figure 2)). The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires the designated time designated by the user (for example, 12:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time. Here, the specified time is set based on the deposit time for the other person to deposit the item in the specified closed space (e.g., 2 hours in the example of Figure 2) and the buffer time after the specified time (e.g., 3 hours in the example of Figure 2). The reserved time slot management unit 513 manages the reserved time slot (for example, the reserved time slot from 10:00 to 15:00 in the example of Figure 2) in which the deposit time is placed before the reference time point and the buffer time is placed after the reference time point.
[0057] In this case, the other person notification unit 514 notifies the other person (i.e., transmits to the deliverer terminal 4) of the time period within the reserved time period that corresponds to the deposit time (for example, 10:00 to 12:00 in the example of FIG. 2).
[0058] For example, the purpose of use may be for the user to directly visit the facility and deposit the item in the designated closed space, and for another person to remove the item from the designated closed space and send it to another location (for example, the purpose of the second pattern (pattern 2 in circle 2 in Figure 2)). The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires the time when the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space (for example, 13:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time. The predetermined time is set based on the time (eg, 3 hours) required for the other person to remove the item from the predetermined closed space. The reserved time slot management unit 513 manages the reserved time slot in which the take-out time is placed after the reference time point (for example, the reserved time slot from 13:00 to 16:00 in the example of FIG. 2).
[0059] In this case, the other person notification unit 514 notifies the other person (i.e., transmits to the deliverer terminal 4) of the time period within the reserved time that corresponds to the pick-up time (for example, the pick-up time period from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the example of FIG. 2).
[0060] For example, the purpose of use may be for the user to specify in advance the time at which he or she plans to deposit the item as a reservation time, for the user to deposit the item in the designated closed space at the reservation time, and for another person to remove the item from the designated closed space and send it to another location (for example, the purpose of the third pattern (pattern 3 in circle in Figure 2)). The reference time point acquisition unit 511 acquires the reservation time designated by the user (for example, 14:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time point. The specified time is set based on the buffer time after the reservation time (e.g., 1 hour in the example of Figure 2) and the removal time for the other person to remove the item from the specified closed space (e.g., 2 hours in the example of Figure 2). The reserved time slot management unit 513 manages the reserved time slot in which the buffer time and the take-out time are allocated after the reference time point (for example, the reserved time slot from 14:00 to 17:00 in the example of FIG. 2).
[0061] In this case, the other person notification unit 514 notifies the other person (i.e., transmits to the deliverer terminal 4) of the time period within the reserved time that corresponds to the pick-up time (for example, the pick-up time period from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the example of FIG. 2).
[0062] For example, the purpose of use may be for the user to directly visit the facility and deposit the item in the designated closed space, and then for the user to retrieve the item from the designated closed space (for example, the purpose of the fourth pattern (pattern 4 in circle 4 in Figure 2)). The reference time acquisition unit 511 acquires the time when the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space (for example, 13:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time. The predetermined time is the maximum time set by the manager of the facility during which deposit of the item is permitted (for example, 18 hours in the example of FIG. 2). The reserved time slot management unit 513 manages the reserved time slot in which the predetermined time is placed after the reference time point (for example, the reserved time slot from 13:00 to 17:00 in the example of FIG. 2).
[0063] Here, in order to efficiently manage the specified closed space, if the item is removed from the specified closed space before the end of the secured time period, the secured time period management unit 513 can terminate management of the secured time period for the specified closed space.
[0064] In addition, from the perspective of accident response, if the item has not been deposited or removed during the secured time period when certain conditions, which are variably set depending on the purpose of use, are met, the alert unit 515 will issue an alert to that effect.
[0065] When the electronic key control unit 52 recognizes that the item has been stored in a predetermined locker Rk and locked, it provides an electronic key to the deliverer terminal 4 or the user terminal 5. The electronic key control unit 52 includes an electronic key generation unit 521 , an electronic key management unit 522 , and an electronic key provision unit 523 .
[0066] The electronic key generation unit 521 generates an electronic key (for example, a URL key) for unlocking a given locker Rk that is in a locked state. The electronic key management unit 522 associates the generated electronic key with other information and stores them in the electronic key DB 77. Specifically, the electronic key management unit 522 stores and manages the URL key generated by the electronic key generation unit 521 in the electronic key DB 62 in association with an ID that can identify the user U (hereinafter, referred to as a "user ID"). That is, information on electronic keys such as URL keys is stored in the electronic key DB 62. Specifically, the electronic key DB 62 stores information such as a locker facility ID, a locker number (box number), and a purchaser ID in association with each URL key. When certain conditions are met, the electronic key providing unit 523 provides the electronic key via the network to the terminal of the person to whom the message is to be sent (if the person to whom the message is to be sent is user U, it is the user terminal 5, and if the person to whom the message is to be sent is the deliverer's terminal 6).
[0067] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are considered to be included in the present invention.
[0068] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the "closed space" is a locker Rk provided in the locker equipment 3, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if it is a "closed space" in equipment that has multiple closed spaces in which items can be deposited or removed. In addition, in the above embodiment, the person who deposits or retrieves an item from a "designated closed space" for user U is delivery person H, but this is not limited to this and it is sufficient that the person is a stranger from the perspective of user H.
[0069] Furthermore, the system configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the hardware configuration of the server 1 shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention, and are not particularly limited.
[0070] In addition, the functional block diagram shown in Fig. 5 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the information processing system in Fig. 3 is provided with a function capable of executing the above-mentioned various processes as a whole, and the functional blocks and databases used to realize this function are not particularly limited to the example in Fig. 5.
[0071] Furthermore, the locations of the functional blocks and databases are not limited to those shown in FIG. 5 and may be arbitrary. For example, at least some of the functional blocks and databases arranged on the server 1 side may be provided on the locker management system 2 side, the locker equipment 3 side, the delivery person terminal 4 side, the user terminal 5 side, or on another information processing device not shown.
[0072] Furthermore, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination of both.
[0073] When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer implemented with dedicated hardware. Furthermore, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs thereon, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.
[0074] A recording medium containing such a program may be composed not only of a removable medium (not shown) that is distributed separately from the device body in order to provide the program to the user, but also of a recording medium that is provided to the user in a pre-installed state in the device body.
[0075] In this specification, the steps of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium include not only processes that are performed chronologically according to the order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically but are executed in parallel or individually.
[0076] In summary, it is sufficient for an information processing device to which the present invention is applied to have the following configuration, and various embodiments can be adopted. That is, an information processing device to which the present invention is applied (for example, the server 1 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 to FIG. 5) In an information processing device that manages the reservation of a plurality of closed spaces (e.g., lockers R1 to Rq in FIG. 1) in a facility (e.g., locker facility 3 in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) having a plurality of closed spaces in which an article can be deposited or removed, A reference time acquisition means (e.g., the reference time acquisition unit 511 in FIG. 5) for acquiring a reference time (e.g., the reference time in FIG. 1) for a user (e.g., the user U in FIG. 2) depositing or removing an item in a predetermined closed space (e.g., a predetermined locker Rk (k=2 in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2)) among the multiple closed spaces, the reference time being variable depending on the purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item; A predetermined time acquisition means (e.g., a predetermined time acquisition unit 512 in FIG. 5) that acquires a predetermined time (e.g., the predetermined time in FIG. 1) that is variably set according to the purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item as the time during which the item can be deposited in the predetermined closed space; a time slot management unit (e.g., the time slot management unit 513 in FIG. 5) for managing a time slot having the predetermined length including the reference time point (e.g., the time slot from 10:00 to 15:00 in FIG. 1) as a time slot for securing the item; It will be enough to have this.
[0077] This enables efficient use of a closed space (e.g., Locker R) when it is used for multiple purposes (not only traditional baggage storage, but also purposes where different people deposit and retrieve luggage, etc., in the example of Figure 2, there are four purposes).
[0078] For example, the purpose of use is that another person (e.g., delivery person H in FIG. 2) deposits the item in the specified closed space, and the user (e.g., user U in FIG. 1) retrieves the item at a specified time (the purpose of the first pattern (pattern 1 in FIG. 2)), The reference time acquisition means acquires the designated time designated by the user (for example, 12:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time; The predetermined time is set based on a deposit time (e.g., 2 hours in the example of FIG. 2) for the other person to deposit the item in the predetermined closed space, and a buffer time after the designated time (e.g., 3 hours in the example of FIG. 2), The reserved time slot management means manages the reserved time slot (for example, the reserved time slot from 10:00 to 15:00 in the example of FIG. 2) in which the deposit time is placed before the reference time point and the buffer time is placed after the reference time point. It is possible.
[0079] In this case, a third party notification means (e.g., third party notification unit 514 in FIG. 5) notifies the third party (i.e., transmits to the deliverer terminal 4) of the time period corresponding to the deposit time (e.g., 10:00 to 12:00 in the example of FIG. 2) among the reserved time periods. The sensor may further include:
[0080] For example, the purpose of use is a purpose in which the user directly visits the facility and deposits the item in the predetermined closed space, and another person takes the item out of the predetermined closed space and sends it to another location (for example, the purpose of the second pattern (pattern 2 in FIG. 2 )), The reference time acquisition means acquires the time when the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space (for example, 13:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time; The predetermined time is set based on a time (e.g., 3 hours) required for the other person to remove the item from the predetermined closed space, The reserved time slot management means manages a reserved time slot in which the pick-up time is set after the reference time point (for example, a reserved time slot from 13:00 to 16:00 in the example of FIG. 2 ). It is possible.
[0081] In this case, the other person notification means notifies the other person (i.e., transmits to the deliverer terminal 4) the time period of the reserved time that corresponds to the pick-up time (for example, the pick-up time period from 13:00 to 16:00 in the example of FIG. 2). It is possible.
[0082] Furthermore, for example, the purpose of use is a purpose in which the user designates in advance the time when he or she plans to deposit the item as a reservation time, the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space at the reservation time, and another person removes the item from the predetermined closed space and sends it to another location (for example, the purpose of a third pattern (pattern 3 in FIG. 2 )), The reference time acquisition means acquires the reservation time designated by the user (for example, 14:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time, The predetermined time is set based on a buffer time after the reservation time (e.g., 1 hour in the example of FIG. 2) and a removal time for the other person to remove the item from the predetermined closed space (e.g., 2 hours in the example of FIG. 2), the reserved time slot management means manages a reserved time slot in which the buffer time and the take-out time are allocated after the reference time point (for example, a reserved time slot from 14:00 to 17:00 in the example of FIG. 2 ); It is possible.
[0083] In this case, the other person notification means notifies the other person (i.e., transmits to the deliverer terminal 4) the time period of the reserved time that corresponds to the pick-up time (for example, the pick-up time period from 15:00 to 17:00 in the example of FIG. 2). It is possible.
[0084] For example, the purpose of use is a purpose in which the user directly visits the facility, deposits the item in the predetermined closed space, and then the user takes out the item from the predetermined closed space (for example, the purpose of the fourth pattern (pattern 4 in FIG. 2 )), The reference time acquisition means acquires the time when the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space (for example, 13:00 in the example of FIG. 2) as the reference time; The predetermined time is a maximum time set by an administrator of the facility for which deposit of the item is permitted (e.g., 18 hours in the example of FIG. 2 ); the reserved time slot management means manages the reserved time slot in which the predetermined time is arranged after the reference time point (for example, the reserved time slot from 13:00 to 17:00 in the example of FIG. 2 ); It is possible.
[0085] Here, in order to efficiently manage the specified closed space, the secured time zone management means can terminate management of the secured time zone for the specified closed space if the item is removed from the specified closed space before the end of the secured time zone.
[0086] In addition, from the viewpoint of accident response, if the item has not been deposited or removed when a predetermined condition that is variably set according to the purpose of use is satisfied during the secured time period, an alerting means (e.g., the alerting unit 515 in FIG. 5) is provided to notify the fact as an alert; The sensor may further include: [Explanation of symbols]
[0087] 1...server, 2...locker management system, 3...locker equipment, 4, 4-1 to 4-n...delivery terminal, 5, 5-1 to 5-m...user terminal, 11...CPU, 12...ROM, 13...RAM, 14...bus, 15...input / output interface, 16...input section, 17...output section, 18...memory section, 19...communication section, 20...drive, 40...relay Movable media, 51... locker management unit, 52... electronic key control unit, 61... locker facility reservation management, 62... electronic key, 511... reference time acquisition unit, 512... specified time acquisition unit, 513... reserved time zone management unit, 514... other person notification unit, 515... alert unit, 521... electronic key generation unit, 522... electronic key management unit, 523... electronic key provision unit, R1 to Rq... locker
Claims
1. An information processing device that manages securing of a plurality of closed spaces in a facility having a plurality of closed spaces in which an item can be deposited or removed, a reference time acquisition means for acquiring a reference time for depositing or removing an item by a user in a predetermined closed space among the plurality of closed spaces, the reference time being variable depending on the purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item; a predetermined time acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined time that is variably set according to a purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item as a time during which the item can be deposited in the predetermined closed space; an acquisition time slot management means for managing a predetermined time slot having the length of the predetermined time including the reference time point as an acquisition time slot for the item; An information processing device comprising:
2. The purpose of use is for another person to deposit the item in the specified closed space and for the user to retrieve the item at a specified time, The reference time point acquisition means acquires the designated time designated by the user as the reference time point, The predetermined time is set based on a deposit time for the other person to deposit the item in the predetermined closed space and a buffer time after the designated time, the secured time slot management means manages the secured time slot by arranging the deposit time before the reference time point and arranging the buffer time after the reference time point; The information processing device according to claim 1 .
3. a notification means for notifying the other person of a time period corresponding to the deposit time among the secured time periods; The information processing device according to claim 2 , further comprising:
4. The purpose of use is for the user to directly visit the facility and deposit the item in the predetermined closed space, and for another person to take the item out of the predetermined closed space and send it to another location, The reference time acquisition means acquires, as the reference time, a time when the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space; the predetermined time is set based on a time required for the other person to remove the item from the predetermined closed space, The reserved time slot management means manages a reserved time slot in which the take-out time is set after the reference time point. The information processing device according to claim 1 .
5. The purpose of use is for the user to designate in advance the time at which the user plans to deposit the item as a reservation time, for the user to deposit the item in the specified closed space at the reservation time, and for another person to take out the item from the specified closed space and send it to another location, The reference time point acquisition means acquires the reservation time designated by the user as the reference time point, the predetermined time is set based on a buffer time after the reservation time and a removal time required for the other person to remove the item from the predetermined closed space, the secured time slot management means manages a secured time slot in which the buffer time and the take-out time are allocated after the reference time point; The information processing device according to claim 1 .
6. a notification means for notifying the other person of a time period corresponding to the pick-up time within the reserved time period; The information processing device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising:
7. The purpose of use is for the user to personally visit the facility, deposit the item in the predetermined closed space, and then for the user to retrieve the item from the predetermined closed space; The reference time acquisition means acquires, as the reference time, a time when the user deposits the item in the predetermined closed space; The predetermined time is a maximum time set by an administrator of the facility during which deposit of the item is permitted, the reserved time slot management means manages the reserved time slot in which the predetermined time is arranged after the reference time point; The information processing device according to claim 1 .
8. the secured time slot management means terminates management of the secured time slot for the specified closed space when the item is removed from the specified closed space before the end of the secured time slot. The information processing device according to claim 1 .
9. an alert means for notifying an alert if the article has not been deposited or removed during the secured time period at a point in time when a predetermined condition that is variably set according to the purpose of use is satisfied; The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
10. An information processing method executed by an information processing device that manages securing of a plurality of closed spaces in a facility having a plurality of closed spaces in which an item can be deposited or removed, comprising: a reference time acquisition step of acquiring a reference time for depositing or removing an item by a user in a predetermined closed space among the plurality of closed spaces, the reference time being variable depending on a purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item; a predetermined time acquisition step of acquiring a predetermined time that is variably set according to a purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item as a time during which the item can be deposited in the predetermined closed space; a securing time slot management step of managing a predetermined time slot having the length of the predetermined time including the reference time point as a securing time slot for the item; An information processing method comprising:
11. A computer that manages the securing of a plurality of closed spaces in a facility having a plurality of closed spaces in which an article can be deposited or removed, a reference time acquisition step of acquiring a reference time for depositing or removing an item by a user in a predetermined closed space among the plurality of closed spaces, the reference time being variable depending on a purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item; a predetermined time acquisition step of acquiring a predetermined time that is variably set according to a purpose of use of the predetermined closed space for the item as a time during which the item can be deposited in the predetermined closed space; a securing time slot management step of managing a predetermined time slot having the length of the predetermined time including the reference time point as a securing time slot for the item; A program that executes control processing including:
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Information processor
JP2021166043A