Rental space use management device and rental space use management method

Abstract

To provide a rental space use management device and a rental space use management method capable of providing a service for efficiently using a rental space in which distribution companies temporarily store deliveries, according to business progress.SOLUTION: A rental space use management device comprises: a storage / retrieval information acquisition unit that acquires information on a scheduled storage time for each storage process in which a distribution company using a rental space stores deliveries in the rental space by intermittently repeating processes of storing and retrieving the deliveries; and a rental space use management unit that sets at least one of rental spaces to be managed set in advance as a secure space secured by the distribution company, when there is an empty secure space in a case where the distribution company stores deliveries in the secure space or retrieves deliveries from the secure space, and a time until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, temporarily changes the empty secure space into a temporary free space that can be used by others and manages it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rental space utilization management device and a rental space utilization management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Logistics companies that provide home delivery services secure space to temporarily store deliveries near the delivery destination to carry out the last mile of logistics. By using hourly rental space for such temporary storage of deliveries, they can efficiently secure rental space in desired locations to carry out delivery operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-515081 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The amount of space required by logistics companies to store deliveries near their destinations changes when deliveries arrive, when deliveries are removed for delivery, when redelivery items are required, etc. Therefore, by checking the number of rental spaces required and carrying out the procedures for renting and returning the space in response to these changes in circumstances, costs can be reduced. However, carrying out such procedures every time the number of rental spaces required changes is problematic in that it is time-consuming.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a rental space utilization management device and a rental space utilization management method that are capable of providing a service for logistics companies to efficiently utilize rental space where they temporarily store deliveries according to the progress of their work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the rental space utilization management device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a storage / retrieval information acquisition unit that manages a plurality of rental spaces and acquires information on the scheduled storage time for each storage process in which a logistics company that uses the rental space stores delivery items in the rental space by intermittently repeating the process of storing and retrieving delivery items, and a rental space utilization management unit that sets at least one predetermined rental space among the rental spaces under management as a reserved space to be reserved by the logistics company, and when the logistics company stores a delivery item in the reserved space or retrieves a delivery item from the reserved space and there is an empty reserved space when the logistics company stores a delivery item in the reserved space or retrieves a delivery item from the reserved space and the time until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, temporarily changes the empty reserved space to a temporary free space that can be used by others and manages it.

[0007] The storage / retrieval information acquisition unit of the rental space utilization management device may further acquire storage volume information of the delivery items for each storage process and retrieval volume information of the delivery items for each retrieval process, and may further include a redelivery volume calculation unit that calculates, for each retrieval process, the volume of delivery items that are predicted to require redelivery among the delivery items to be retrieved based on the retrieval volume information acquired by the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit, as a redelivery volume. The rental space utilization management unit may set a plurality of rental spaces as secured spaces for the logistics company, and when there is an empty secured space when the logistics company retrieves the delivery items from the secured space and the time until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, may maintain, as secured spaces for the logistics company, a number of rental spaces necessary to store the delivery items in the redelivery volume calculated by the redelivery volume calculation unit, while changing the remaining empty secured spaces to the temporary free spaces for management.

[0008] The rental space utilization management device may further include a used rental space number calculation unit that calculates the number of rental spaces to be used by the logistics company during the next storage process based on the storage volume information acquired by the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit and the redelivery volume calculated by the redelivery volume calculation unit, and when the number of rental spaces calculated by the used rental space number calculation unit is greater than the number of secured spaces, the rental space utilization management unit may temporarily change the rental spaces other than the secured spaces among the multiple rental spaces into temporary secured spaces to be used by the logistics company and manage them.

[0009] In addition, the rental space utilization management method of the present invention is characterized in that a rental space utilization management device that manages a plurality of rental spaces intermittently repeats the process of storing and retrieving delivery items, thereby obtaining information on the scheduled storage time for each storage process in which a logistics company that uses the rental space stores delivery items in the rental space, and at least one predetermined rental space among the managed rental spaces is designated as a reserved space to be reserved by the logistics company, and when the logistics company stores the delivery item in the reserved space or retrieves the delivery item from the reserved space and there is an empty reserved space when the logistics company stores the delivery item in the reserved space or retrieves the delivery item from the reserved space, and when the time until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, the empty reserved space is temporarily changed to a temporary free space that can be used by others and managed. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the rental space utilization management device and rental space utilization management method of the present invention, a service can be provided that enables logistics companies to efficiently utilize rental space where they temporarily store deliveries according to the progress of their work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rental space management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation executed when managing the use of parking lot X without taking into consideration the storage of redelivery items in a rental space management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change in the type of pallet management form when managing the use of parking lot X without taking into account the storage of redelivery items in a rental space management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing changes in pallet usage when managing the usage of parking lot X without taking into account the storage of redelivery items in a rental space management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a rental space management system according to an embodiment when managing rental space taking into consideration the storage of redelivery items (when logistics company Y has three reserved spaces). [Figure 5B] 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of managing a rental space in consideration of storage of redelivery items in a rental space management system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] This figure shows the change in the type of pallet management format when managing rental space taking into account the storage of redelivery items (when logistics company Y has secured three spaces) in a rental space management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing changes in pallet usage when managing rental space taking into account the storage of redelivery items in a rental space management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows the change in the type of pallet management format when managing rental space taking into account the storage of redelivery items (when logistics company Y has secured two spaces) in a rental space management system according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Configuration of a rental space management system using a rental space utilization management device according to an embodiment The configuration of a rental space management system using a rental space usage management device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The rental space management system 1 according to this embodiment manages a parking lot X, which is one form of rental space equipment, and includes a parking lot management device 10 managed by an administrator of the parking lot X, a logistics company terminal 20 managed by a logistics company Y that uses the parking lot X, a user terminal 30 operated by a user Z that uses the parking lot X, and a parking lot usage management device 40 as a rental space usage management device that is communicatively connected to the parking lot management device 10, the logistics company terminal 20, and the user terminal 30.

[0013] Parking lot X has multiple pallets as parking spaces (rented spaces). Logistics company Y provides logistics services to areas including the residences of users of parking lot X, and uses the pallets in parking lot X to temporarily store deliveries during the last-mile delivery process, which is the final stage of logistics, by intermittently repeating the process of storing and retrieving deliveries.

[0014] The parking lot management device 10 manages the usage status of pallets in the parking lot X. The distributor terminal 20 and the user terminal 30 transmit and receive information related to the usage of the parking lot X to and from the parking lot usage management device 40, respectively.

[0015] The parking lot usage management device 40 has a storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41, a redelivery volume calculation unit 42, a usage pallet number calculation unit 43 as a usage rental space number calculation unit, and a pallet usage pattern management unit 44 as a rental space usage pattern management unit.

[0016] The storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires in advance from the logistics company terminal 20 information on the scheduled storage time for each storage process in which logistics company Y stores delivery items in parking lot X. In addition, the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires storage volume information indicating the volume (number) of packages stored when a storage process is actually performed, and acquires removal volume information indicating the volume (number) of packages removed when a removal process is performed.

[0017] The redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates the quantity of parcels that are predicted to require redelivery among the parcels taken out at the timing when the parcels are taken out of the parking lot X as a predicted redelivery quantity.

[0018] The pallet usage number calculation unit 43 calculates the number of pallets required to store the redelivery pieces based on the predicted amount of redelivery pieces calculated by the redelivery amount calculation unit 42.

[0019] The pallet usage mode management unit 44 holds information on the type of management mode, which will be described later, for each pallet in the managed parking lot X. The pallet usage mode management unit 44 registers at least one preset pallet among the pallets in the parking lot X as a reserved space reserved by the logistics company Y. When the logistics company Y stores a delivery in the reserved space or removes a delivery from the reserved space and there is an empty reserved space and there is a predetermined value or more until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process, the pallet usage mode management unit 44 changes the empty reserved space to a temporary free space that can be temporarily used by others and manages it.

[0020] In addition, when changing an empty secured space into a temporary free space, the pallet usage management unit 44 maintains the number of pallets calculated by the usage pallet number calculation unit 43 as secured space for storing redelivery items, and changes the other empty secured spaces into temporary free spaces and manages them.

[0021] In addition, when the number of pallets calculated by the pallet usage number calculation unit 43 is greater than the number of secured spaces, the pallet usage management unit 44 changes the pallets among the multiple pallets other than the secured spaces into temporary secured spaces to be used by logistics company Y, and manages them accordingly.

[0022] <Operation of the rental space management system according to one embodiment> The operation of the rental space management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the parking lot X has three pallets P1, P2, and P3 as parking spaces. Each pallet can store five pieces of luggage. The parking lot management device 10 acquires and holds information on the presence or absence of stored luggage and vehicles as the usage status of these pallets P1, P2, and P3. Note that the number of pallets and the number of pieces of luggage that can be stored in a pallet are not limited to this. For example, the parking lot X may have two or four or more pallets. Also, each pallet may be capable of storing one to four pieces of luggage, or six or more pieces of luggage.

[0023] The storage / removal information acquisition unit 41 of the parking lot usage management device 40 also acquires information from the logistics company terminal 20 of logistics company Y indicating that, as the usage pattern of parking lot X, the timing of the storage process for storing packages to be delivered on pallets is twice a day, at 8:00 and 13:00, and the timing of the removal process for removing packages from the pallets for delivery is three times a day, at 9:00, 15:00, and 17:00, and sends this information to the pallet usage pattern management unit 44. The pallet usage pattern management unit 44 holds the information acquired from the storage / removal information acquisition unit 41.

[0024] The pallet usage management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 holds information on the management type of each pallet, such as "free vacant space," "free use space," "secured space," "temporarily secured space," or "temporary free space." The type "free vacant space" indicates that the corresponding pallet is a free space available for general use with no restrictions on users, usage period, usage purpose, etc., and is currently vacant. The type "free use space" indicates that the corresponding pallet is a free space that is currently in use. The type "secured space" indicates that the corresponding pallet has been secured by a specific user as described below, and general use is restricted. The type "temporary secured space" indicates that the corresponding pallet is a free space, but its use is temporarily restricted as a secured space for a specific user. The type "temporary free space" indicates that the corresponding pallet has been secured by a specific user, but its use is temporarily lifted as a free space.

[0025] Below, three examples will be described in which the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of the parking lot X by the logistics company Y, in which 8 parcels are stored by the first storage process at 8:00, all 8 parcels are removed by the first removal process at 9:00, 10 parcels are stored by the second storage process at 13:00, 5 parcels are removed by the second removal process at 15:00, and 5 parcels are removed by the third removal process at 17:00. The first is an example in which the parking lot usage management device 40 (i) manages the use of the parking lot X without considering the storage of redelivery items, the second is (ii) an example (1) in which the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of the parking lot X while considering the storage of redelivery items (when the number of spaces reserved by the logistics company Y is three), and the third is (iii) an example (2) in which the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of the parking lot X while considering the storage of redelivery items (when the number of spaces reserved by the logistics company Y is two).

[0026] (i) When managing the use of Parking Lot X without taking into account the storage of redelivery packages An example of the case where the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of the parking lot X by the logistics company Y without considering the storage of redelivery items will be described with reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the parking lot usage management device 40 in this embodiment, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the change in the type of management form of the pallets P1, P2, and P3 in the parking lot X managed by the pallet usage form management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40, and Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the change in the usage status of the pallets P1, P2, and P3 in the parking lot X. In Fig. 3, "guaranteed" indicates a reserved space, and "Fa" indicates a temporary free space. In Fig. 4, "baggage [1]" indicates a baggage stored in the first storage process, and "baggage [2]" indicates a baggage stored in the second storage process.

[0027] In this embodiment, the pallet usage management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 manages three pallets P1, P2, and P3 as reserved spaces reserved by logistics company Y, based on instructions transmitted in advance from the logistics company terminal 20. The pallet usage management unit 44 manages the parking spaces reserved by logistics company Y as parking spaces unavailable to general users.

[0028] When the first storage process is performed at 8:00 and five pieces of luggage are stored on pallet P1 and three pieces of luggage are stored on pallet P2 (Figure 4(a)), the parking lot management device 10 recognizes that pallets P1 and P2 are in use and pallet P3 is not in use (is empty), and transmits usage status information indicating this to the parking lot usage management device 40.

[0029] In the parking lot usage management device 40, the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires the usage status information transmitted from the parking lot management device 10. Based on the acquired information, the pallet usage management unit 44 judges whether or not there is an empty pallet in the reserved space after the first storage process is executed ("YES" in S1 -> S2). In this case, pallet P3 is empty, so the process moves to step S3, and the pallet usage management unit 44 judges whether or not the time length T0 until the start of the next storage process exceeds a preset threshold T1 (S3). The threshold T1 is a value for judging whether or not it is possible to temporarily make an empty pallet free space, and in this embodiment, T1=2 hours.

[0030] In this case, the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 13:00 is 5 hours, which exceeds the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S3), so the pallet usage pattern management unit 44 changes the management pattern type of the pallet P3 from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S4; changing the management pattern type of pallet P3 in Fig. 3 from 8:00 onwards to "Fa"). By changing the management pattern type to "temporary free space", pallet P3 becomes available for general use.

[0031] Thereafter, the pallet usage management unit 44 determines whether the time length T0 until the start of the next storage process is less than a preset threshold T2 (S5). The threshold T2 is a time for reserving the pallet so that distributor Y can use it even if the start time of the next storage process is brought forward to some extent. In this embodiment, the threshold T2=1 hour, and the time at which the time length T0 until the scheduled start time of the next storage process at 13:00 becomes less than the threshold T2 is 12:00.

[0032] Before 12:00 ("NO" in S5), the first removal process is executed at 9:00, and when all five packages from pallet P1 and three packages from pallet P2 have been removed ("YES" in S1, Figure 4(b)), the pallet usage management unit 44 recognizes that pallets P1 and P2 have become empty based on the usage status information sent from the parking lot management device 10 ("YES" in S2).

[0033] At this time, because the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 13:00 is 4 hours, exceeding the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S3), the pallet usage pattern management unit 44 changes the management pattern type of the pallets P1 and P2 from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S4; changing the management pattern type of pallets P1 and P2 in Figure 3 from 9:00 onwards to "Fa").

[0034] After that, when the time length T0 passes 12:00 and falls below the threshold value T2 ("YES" in S5, FIG. 4(c)), the pallet usage management unit 44 judges whether or not there is a pallet that is managed as "temporary free space" (S6). Here, all pallets P1, P2, and P3 are managed as "temporary free space" ("YES" in S6), and the pallet usage management unit 44 changes the management type of these pallets P1, P2, and P3 from "temporary free space" to "secured space" (S7; the management type of pallets P1, P2, and P3 after 12:00 in FIG. 3 is changed to "secured"). By changing the management type of pallets P1, P2, and P3 back to "secured space", logistics company Y can reliably use these pallets P1, P2, and P3.

[0035] At 13:00, the second storage process is executed ("YES" in S1), and five pieces of luggage are stored on pallet P1 and five pieces of luggage are stored on pallet P2 (Figure 4(d)). Based on the usage status information sent from the parking lot management device 10, the pallet usage management unit 44 recognizes that pallet P3 is empty ("YES" in S2).

[0036] At this time, because the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 8:00 the following day exceeds the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S3), the pallet usage pattern management unit 44 changes the management pattern type of the pallet P3 from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S4; changing the management pattern type of pallet P3 in Figure 3 from 13:00 onwards to "Fa").

[0037] Thereafter, at 15:00, a second removal process is executed and the five pieces of luggage in pallet P1 are removed ("NO" in S5 → "YES" in S1, Figure 4(e)), and based on the usage status information sent from the parking lot management device 10, the pallet usage management unit 44 recognizes that pallet P1 has become empty ("YES" in S2).

[0038] At this time, because the time length T0 until the start time of the storage process on the following day, 8:00, exceeds the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S3), the pallet usage pattern management unit 44 changes the management pattern type of the pallet P1 from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S4; changing the management pattern type of pallet P1 in Figure 3 from 15:00 onwards to "Fa").

[0039] Thereafter, at 17:00, the third removal process is executed and the five pieces of luggage in pallet P2 are removed ("NO" in S5 → "YES" in S1, Figure 4(f)), and based on the usage status information sent from the parking lot management device 10, the pallet usage management unit 44 recognizes that pallet P2 has become empty ("YES" in S2).

[0040] At this time, because the time length T0 until the start time of the storage process on the following day, 8:00, exceeds the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S3), the pallet usage pattern management unit 44 changes the management pattern type of the pallet P2 from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S4; changing the management pattern type of pallet P1 in Figure 3 from 17:00 onwards to "Fa").

[0041] When the time length T0 becomes less than the threshold value T2 after 7:00 the next day (NO in S1 → YES in S5), the pallet usage management unit 44 changes the management type of pallets P1, P2, and P3, which are managed as "temporary free space," from "temporary free space" to "secured space," making them available for use by logistics company Y. After that, the process returns to step S1 and is repeated.

[0042] (ii) Example (1) of managing the use of parking lot X in consideration of the storage of redelivery items (when logistics company Y has three parking spaces) An example in which the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of parking lot X by logistics company Y taking into consideration the storage of redelivery items and logistics company Y has three reserved spaces will be described with reference to Figures 5A, 5B, 6, and 7. Figures 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing the operation of the parking lot usage management device 40 in this embodiment, Figure 6 is a diagram showing changes in the type of management form of pallets P1, P2, and P3 in parking lot X managed by the pallet usage form management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing changes in the usage status of pallets P1, P2, and P3 in parking lot X.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pallet usage management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 manages three pallets P1, P2, and P3 as reserved space reserved by logistics company Y based on instructions from logistics company Y in advance. In addition, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 of the parking lot usage management device 40 holds information indicating that the predicted quantity of deliveries that will require redelivery out of the deliveries taken from the pallets P1, P2, and P3 in parking lot X is 15% of the delivered deliveries taken out.

[0044] When the first storage process is performed at time 8:00, and five packages are stored on pallet P1 and three on pallet P2 (FIG. 7(a)), the parking lot management device 10 recognizes that pallets P1 and P2 are in use and pallet P3 is not in use (empty), and transmits usage status information indicating this to the parking lot usage management device 40. At that time, information is added indicating that all eight packages to be stored in this storage process have been stored in the pallets secured in advance by logistics company Y.

[0045] Based on the acquired information, the pallet usage form management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 recognizes that all eight packages to be stored in the first storage process have been stored in the secured pallet ("YES" in S11 → "YES" in S12), and judges whether there is an empty pallet in the secured space at this stage (S13). In this case, since pallet P3 is empty, the process proceeds to step S14, and since the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 13:00 is 5 hours, which exceeds the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S14), the pallet usage form management unit 44 changes the management form type of the pallet P3 from "secured space" to "temporary free space" (S15; the management form type of pallet P3 in FIG. 6 after 8:00 is changed to "Fa").

[0046] Thereafter, at time 9:00, the first removal process is executed ("NO" in S16→"NO" in S11→"YES" in S19), and a total of eight packages are removed: the five packages on pallet P1 and the three packages on pallet P2. Here, information indicating that the removal process of the eight packages has been completed is transmitted from the distributor terminal 20 to the parking lot utilization management device 40.

[0047] In the parking lot utilization management device 40 , the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires the information transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 , and sends it to the pallet utilization mode management unit 44 .

[0048] When the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires information indicating that eight parcels have been removed, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates the predicted amount of redelivery parcels based on the acquired information. Here, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates "1.2", which is 15% of the eight parcels removed, based on pre-stored information on the predicted amount of parcels that will require redelivery, and sets the number of parcels indicated by the smallest integer "2" that includes this "1.2" as the predicted amount of redelivery parcels. Next, the pallet usage number calculation unit 43 calculates "1", the number of pallets required to store the calculated predicted amount of redelivery parcels of "2" (S20).

[0049] The pallet usage management unit 44 maintains the management type of one pallet P1, which corresponds to the number of pallets required to store the redelivery items, of the two vacant pallets P1 and P2, as "reserved space" for storing the redelivery items (S21, Figure 7 (b)).

[0050] Here, as a result of the first removal process, a newly vacant pallet P2 has been created in addition to the space reserved for redelivery items (YES in S22), but since there is no temporary reserved space on the pallets in parking lot X at this point (NO in S23), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0051] In this example, the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 13:00 is 4 hours, exceeding the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S24). As a result, the management type of the vacant pallet P2 is changed from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S25; the management type of pallet P2 in FIG. 6 from 9:00 onwards is changed to "Fa").

[0052] Moving on to step S16, when the time length T0 passes 12:00 and falls below the threshold value T2 ("YES" in S16, FIG. 7(c)), the pallet usage form management unit 44 determines whether or not there is a pallet that is being managed as a "temporary free space" (S17). Here, pallets P2 and P3 are managed as "temporary free space" ("YES" in S17), and the pallet usage form management unit 44 changes the management form type of these pallets P2 and P3 from "temporary free space" to "secured space" (S18; the management form type of pallets P2 and P3 after 12:00 in FIG. 6 is changed to "secured"). By changing the management form type of pallets P2 and P3 back to "secured space", logistics company Y is able to reliably use pallets P1, P2, and P3.

[0053] When the time reaches 13:00 and the second storage process is executed ("YES" in S11), and three pieces of luggage are stored on pallet P1, five on pallet P2, and two on pallet P3 (Figure 7(d)), the pallet usage management unit 44 recognizes based on the usage status information sent from the parking lot management device 10 that all ten pieces of luggage to be stored in the second storage process have been stored within the secured pallets ("YES" in S11 → "YES" in S12), and determines whether there are any empty pallets in the secured space at this stage (S13).

[0054] Here, the pallet usage mode management unit 44 determines that there are no empty pallets in the reserved space ("NO" in S13), and the management mode types of pallets P1, P2, and P3 are maintained as "reserved space."

[0055] Thereafter, at time 15:00, a second removal process is executed ("NO" in S16 -> "NO" in S11 -> "YES" in S19), and of the packages stored in the second storage process, a total of five packages are removed: three from pallet P1 and two from pallet P2. Here, information indicating that the removal process of the five packages has been completed is transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 to the parking lot utilization management device 40.

[0056] In the parking lot utilization management device 40 , the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires the information transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 , and sends it to the pallet utilization mode management unit 44 .

[0057] When the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires information indicating that five packages have been removed, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates the predicted redelivery quantity based on the acquired information. Here, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates "0.75", which is 15% of the five packages removed, based on information stored in advance, and sets the number indicated by the smallest integer "1" including this "0.75" as the predicted redelivery quantity.

[0058] Next, the utilization pallet number calculation unit 43 calculates the number of pallets required to store "1" for the total amount of "3" parcels, which is the total amount of "2" redelivery parcels calculated during the first pick-up process and the total amount of "1" redelivery parcels calculated during the second pick-up process (S20, FIG. 7(e)). Since there are no newly vacant pallets other than the reserved space for redelivery parcels ("NO" in S22), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0059] Thereafter, at time 17:00, a third removal process is executed ("NO" in S16 -> "NO" in S11 -> "YES" in S19), and of the packages stored in the second storage process, a total of five packages are removed: three from pallet P2 and three from pallet P3. Here, information indicating that the removal process of the five packages has been completed is transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 to the parking lot utilization management device 40.

[0060] In the parking lot utilization management device 40 , the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires the information transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 , and sends it to the pallet utilization mode management unit 44 .

[0061] When the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires information indicating that five packages have been removed, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates the predicted redelivery quantity based on the acquired information. Here, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates "0.75", which is 15% of the five packages removed, based on information stored in advance, and sets the number indicated by the smallest integer "1" including this "0.75" as the predicted redelivery quantity.

[0062] Next, the pallet number calculation unit 43 calculates the number of pallets to be used, "1", required to store the total amount of "4 pieces" of parcels, which is the estimated amount of redelivery items "2 pieces" calculated during the first retrieval process, the estimated amount of redelivery items "1 piece" calculated during the second retrieval process, and the estimated amount of redelivery items "1 piece" calculated during the third retrieval process (S20).

[0063] The pallet usage management unit 44 maintains the management type of one pallet P1 corresponding to the number of pallets required to store the redelivery items as "allocated space" for storing the redelivery items (S21, FIG. 7(f)).

[0064] Here, as a result of the third removal process, newly vacant pallets P2 and P3 are available in addition to the reserved space for the redelivery items (YES in S22), but since there is no temporary reserved space on the pallets in parking lot X at this point (NO in S23), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0065] In this example, the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 8:00 the following day is 4 hours, exceeding the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S24). As a result, the management type of vacant pallets P2 and P3 is changed from "secured space" to "temporary free space" (S25; the management type of pallets P2 and P3 in FIG. 6 from 17:00 onwards is changed to "Fa"). After this, the process returns to step S11 and is repeated.

[0066] (iii) Example (2) of managing the use of parking lot X in consideration of the storage of redelivery items (when logistics company Y has two parking spaces) An example in which the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of parking lot X by logistics company Y taking into consideration the storage of redelivery items and logistics company Y has two reserved spaces will be described with reference to Figs. 5A, 5B, 7, and 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing changes in the type of management form of pallets P1, P2, and P3 in parking lot X managed by the pallet usage form management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 in this embodiment. "F" in Fig. 8 indicates a free vacant space, and "F confirmed" indicates a temporarily reserved space.

[0067] In this embodiment, the pallet usage management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 manages two pallets P1 and P2 as reserved space reserved by logistics company Y based on instructions from logistics company Y in advance. In addition, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 of the parking lot usage management device 40 holds information indicating that the predicted quantity of deliveries that will require redelivery out of the deliveries taken from pallets P1, P2, and P3 in parking lot X is 15% of the delivered deliveries taken out.

[0068] When the first storage process is performed at time 8:00, and five packages are stored on pallet P1 and three on pallet P2 (FIG. 7(a)), the parking lot management device 10 recognizes that pallets P1 and P2 are in use, and transmits usage status information indicating this to the parking lot usage management device 40. At that time, information is added indicating that all eight packages to be stored in this storage process have been stored in the pallets secured in advance by logistics company Y.

[0069] Based on the acquired information, the pallet usage management unit 44 of the parking lot usage management device 40 recognizes that all eight pieces of luggage to be stored in the first storage process have been stored within the secured pallets ("YES" in S11 -> "YES" in S12), and determines whether or not there are any empty pallets in the secured space at this stage (S13). Here, the pallet usage management unit 44 determines that there are no empty pallets in the secured space ("NO" in S13), and proceeds from step S16 to S11.

[0070] Thereafter, at time 9:00, the first removal process is executed ("NO" in S11→"YES" in S19), and a total of eight packages are removed: five packages from pallet P1 and three packages from pallet P2. Here, information indicating that the removal process of the eight packages has been completed is transmitted from the distributor terminal 20 to the parking lot utilization management device 40.

[0071] In the parking lot utilization management device 40 , the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires the information transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 , and sends it to the pallet utilization mode management unit 44 .

[0072] When the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires information indicating that eight packages have been removed, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates a predicted redelivery quantity of "2 packages" based on the acquired information, and based on this, the pallet usage number calculation unit 43 calculates the number of pallets "1" required to store the predicted redelivery quantity of "2 packages" (S20).

[0073] The pallet usage management unit 44 maintains the management type of one pallet P1, which corresponds to the number of pallets required to store the redelivery items, of the two vacant pallets P1 and P2, as "reserved space" for storing the redelivery items (S21, Figure 7 (b)).

[0074] Here, as a result of the first removal process, a newly vacant pallet P2 has been created in addition to the space reserved for redelivery items (YES in S22), but since there is no temporary reserved space on the pallets in parking lot X at this point (NO in S23), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0075] In this example, the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 13:00 is 4 hours, exceeding the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S24). As a result, the management type of the vacant pallet P2 is changed from "reserved space" to "temporary free space" (S25; the management type of pallet P2 in FIG. 8 from 9:00 onwards is changed to "Fa").

[0076] Moving on to step S16, when the time length T0 passes 12:00 and falls below the threshold value T2 ("YES" in S16, FIG. 7(c)), the pallet usage form management unit 44 determines whether or not there is a pallet that is being managed as "temporary free space" (S17). In this case, pallet P2 is managed as "temporary free space" ("YES" in S17), and the pallet usage form management unit 44 changes the management form type of pallet P2 from "temporary free space" to "secured space" (S18; the management form type of pallets P2 and P3 in FIG. 8 after 12:00 is changed to "secured"). By changing the management form type of pallet P2 back to "secured space", pallets P1 and P2 can be used reliably by logistics company Y.

[0077] When the time reaches 13:00 and the second storage process is to be performed ("YES" in S11), the predicted amount of redelivery items from the first retrieval process is calculated to be "2 items," so the pallet usage management unit 44 determines that the 10 items to be stored in the second storage process cannot be stored on the two secured pallets P1 and P2 ("NO" in S12).

[0078] Therefore, the pallet usage management unit 44 changes the management type of pallet P3, which is managed as "free empty space," to "temporarily secured space" temporarily used by logistics company Y (S26; the management type of pallet P3 in FIG. 8 is changed from "F" to "F secured"). The delivery person of logistics company Y stores three packages on pallet P1, five packages on pallet P2, and two packages on pallet P3 (FIG. 7(d)).

[0079] Thereafter, at time 15:00, a second removal process is executed ("NO" in S16 -> "NO" in S11 -> "YES" in S19), and of the packages stored in the second storage process, a total of five packages are removed: three from pallet P1 and two from pallet P2. Here, information indicating that the removal process of the five packages has been completed is transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 to the parking lot utilization management device 40.

[0080] In the parking lot utilization management device 40 , the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires the information transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 , and sends it to the pallet utilization mode management unit 44 .

[0081] When the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires information indicating that five packages have been removed, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates the predicted redelivery quantity of "1" based on the acquired information. Then, the usage pallet number calculation unit 43 calculates the number of pallets required to store "1" packages, which is the total quantity of "3" packages, consisting of the predicted redelivery quantity of "2" calculated during the first removal process and the predicted redelivery quantity of "1" calculated during the second removal process (S20). Here, since there are no newly vacant pallets other than the reserved space for redelivery packages ("NO" in S22), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0082] Thereafter, at time 17:00, a third removal process is executed ("NO" in S16 -> "NO" in S11 -> "YES" in S19), and of the packages stored in the second storage process, a total of five packages are removed: three from pallet P2 and three from pallet P3. Here, information indicating that the removal process of the five packages has been completed is transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 to the parking lot utilization management device 40.

[0083] In the parking lot utilization management device 40 , the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit 41 acquires the information transmitted from the logistics company terminal 20 , and sends it to the pallet utilization mode management unit 44 .

[0084] When the pallet usage management unit 44 acquires information indicating that five packages have been removed, the redelivery quantity calculation unit 42 calculates a predicted redelivery quantity of "1" based on the acquired information. Then, the utilization pallet number calculation unit 43 calculates the number of pallets "1" required to store the total quantity of "4" packages, which is the predicted redelivery quantity "2" calculated during the first removal process, the predicted redelivery quantity "1" calculated during the second removal process, and the predicted redelivery quantity "1" calculated during the third removal process (S20).

[0085] Here, in addition to the one reserved space P1 for redelivery items, there are newly vacant pallets P2 and P3 ("YES" in S22), and since pallet P3 is a temporary reserved space, the pallet usage management unit 44 reverts the management type of pallet P3 from "temporary reserved space" to "free vacant space" (S27; reverts the management type type of pallet P3 in Figure 8 after 5 p.m. from "F confirmed" to "F").

[0086] The pallet usage mode management unit 44 further recognizes that there is an empty pallet P2 ("YES" in S28), and because the time length T0 until the start time of the next storage process at 8:00 the following day is 4 hours, exceeding the threshold value T1 of 2 hours ("YES" in S24), changes the management mode type of the pallet P2 from "secured space" to "temporary free space" (S25; the management mode type of pallet P2 in Fig. 8 from 17:00 onwards is changed to "Fa").The process then returns to step S11 and is repeated.

[0087] As described above, the parking lot usage management device 40 manages the use of the parking lot X by the logistics company Y, so that the logistics company Y can efficiently use the rented space for temporarily storing deliveries according to the progress of its business. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Rental space management system 10 Parking lot management device 20 Logistics company terminal 30 User terminal 40 Parking lot usage management device 41 Storage and Retrieval Information Acquisition Unit 42 Redelivery volume calculation section 43 Calculation of number of pallets used 44 Pallet Usage Management Department

Claims

1. Manage multiple rental spaces, a storage / removal information acquisition unit that acquires information on a scheduled storage time for each storage process in which a logistics company that uses the rental space stores delivery items in the rental space by intermittently repeating a process of storing delivery items and a process of removing delivery items, information on the amount of delivery items stored for each storage process, and information on the amount of delivery items removed for each removal process; a redelivery quantity calculation unit that calculates, for each of the retrieval processes, the quantity of deliveries that are predicted to require redelivery among the deliveries to be retrieved, as a redelivery quantity, based on the retrieval quantity information acquired by the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit; a rental space usage management unit which manages a plurality of rental spaces set in advance among the rental spaces to be managed as secured spaces secured by the logistics company, and when there is an empty secured space when the logistics company removes the delivery from the secured space and the time until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, maintains as the secured spaces of the logistics company a number of rental spaces necessary to store the delivery items of the redelivery amount calculated by the redelivery amount calculation unit as the secured spaces of the logistics company, and changes the remaining empty secured spaces to temporary free spaces that can be temporarily used by others; A rental space utilization management device comprising:

2. The storage device further includes a used rental space number calculation unit that calculates the number of rental spaces to be used by the logistics company in the next storage process based on the storage volume information acquired by the storage / retrieval information acquisition unit and the redelivery volume calculated by the redelivery volume calculation unit, The rental space utilization management device of claim 1, characterized in that when the number of rental spaces calculated by the used rental space number calculation unit is greater than the number of secured spaces, the rental spaces other than the secured spaces among the multiple rental spaces are temporarily changed into temporary secured spaces to be used by the logistics company, and managed thereby.

3. A rental space utilization management device for managing a plurality of rental spaces, A logistics company that uses the rental space by intermittently repeating a process of storing and removing deliveries acquires information on a scheduled storage time for each storage process of storing deliveries in the rental space, information on the amount of delivery deliveries stored for each storage process, and information on the amount of delivery deliveries removed for each removal process, Based on the obtained removal amount information, for each removal process, calculate the amount of deliveries that are predicted to require redelivery among the deliveries to be removed as a redelivery amount; A plurality of preset rental spaces among the rental spaces to be managed are set as reserved spaces reserved by the logistics company, and when there is an empty reserved space when the logistics company takes out the delivery from the reserved space and the time until the scheduled storage time of the next storage process is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, among the reserved spaces of the logistics company, the rental spaces of the number necessary to store the delivery of the calculated amount of redelivery are maintained as the reserved spaces of the logistics company, while the remaining empty reserved spaces are changed to temporary free spaces that can be temporarily used by others for management. A method for managing rental space utilization.

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