Stocker system

Abstract

To improve the delivery efficiency of luggage.SOLUTION: A stocker system comprises: a mobile stocker which has a stocker body which includes a plurality of delivery warehouses, a drive part which moves the stocker body, and a control part controlling the drive part according to a travel route so set to pass through reception places of respective pieces of luggage delivered to the respective delivery warehouses; a storage part which stores recipient information at least including a notification destination of a recipient who receives luggage delivered to the delivery warehouse and a reception place of the luggage; a notification part which notifies the recipient of a delivery schedule for the luggage; a reception part which receives whether to receive the luggage from the recipient and also receives at least one of an alternative reception place and reception time when the reception is denied; an update part which updates the recipient information stored in the storage part based upon a reception result of the reception part; and a setting part which sets a travel route based upon the recipient information stored in the storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification discloses a stocker system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a stocker system that uses a mobile stocker to deliver parcels to recipients of parcels is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that includes a parcel locker vehicle that travels along a preset route within a specific area, and when the location of a recipient terminal (e.g., a smartphone) is detected within the specific area, the parcel locker vehicle changes the route so that the parcel locker vehicle travels near the recipient terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 039014 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned stocker system, the delivery locker vehicle travels along its route with the parcel stored in the locker until a recipient terminal is detected within the specific area. In other words, if there is no recipient terminal within the specific area, the delivery locker vehicle travels along its route with the parcel delivered to the locker that will not be received by the recipient, which may reduce the efficiency of parcel delivery.

[0005] The primary objective of the present disclosure is to improve parcel delivery efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The stocker system of the present disclosure employs the following measures to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The stocker system of the present disclosure comprises: a mobile stocker including a stocker body including a plurality of delivery warehouses, a drive unit for moving the stocker body, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit according to a travel route set to pass through each receiving location of each package delivered to each delivery warehouse; A storage unit that stores recipient information including at least a notification destination of a recipient who receives the package delivered to the delivery warehouse and a receiving location of the package; a notification unit that notifies the recipient of a delivery schedule of the package; a reception unit that receives a notification from the recipient as to whether or not the recipient is willing to receive the package, and if the recipient is not willing to receive the package, receives at least one of an alternative receiving location and a receiving time; an update unit that updates the recipient information stored in the storage unit based on a reception result of the reception unit; A setting unit that sets the travel route based on the recipient information stored in the storage unit; The gist of the invention is to provide the following:

[0008] When the mobile stocker system of the present disclosure receives at least one of an alternative pick-up location and pick-up time from the recipient in the case where the recipient is unable to pick up the package, the system reflects the received information in the travel route and delivers the package. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the recipient is absent when the mobile stocker arrives at the pick-up location, thereby improving the efficiency of package delivery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a stocker system 1. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections in the stocker system 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of recipient management information 50a. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a delivery process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of delivery warehouse information 44a. [Figure 6]13 is a flowchart showing an example of a delivery notification process. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of delivery management information 14a. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a receipt confirmation email M1. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a receipt availability information acquisition process. [Figure 10] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a receipt availability confirmation screen Sc1. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a receiving location change screen Sc2 and a receiving time designation screen Sc3. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a receipt availability information notification process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a retrieval instruction email M2. [Figure 14] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a receipt availability information notification email M3. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a delivery process. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a route setting process. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a route change process. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a removal instruction process. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a retrieval instruction mail M4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a stocker system 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections in the stocker system 1. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of recipient management information 50a.

[0011] 1, the stocker system 1 includes a management device 10, a mobile stocker 20, and a data server 50. The stocker system 1 is used to deliver packages such as documents from a deliverer 16 to a recipient 17 within a facility A such as a company or a hospital, using the mobile stocker 20.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 10 is a computer having a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a storage (e.g., HDD or SSD) 14, a communication unit 15, etc. The management device 10 is responsible for managing the entire stocker system 1. The management device 10 creates a travel route R for the mobile stocker 20 to travel within facility A. The storage 14 stores various information required to deliver packages to recipients 17 using the mobile stocker 20. The storage 14 stores map information of facility A. The communication unit 15 communicates with recipient terminals 70 such as smartphones, the mobile stockers 20, and the data server 50 via networks N1, N2, N3 such as the Internet.

[0013] Mobile stocker 20 has stocker body 21, running section 30 (see FIG. 2), control device 40 (see FIG. 2), display input device 27, and reading device 28. Mobile stocker 20 departs from delivery area B within facility A, and delivers each package delivered to each delivery warehouse 22 by deliverer 16 to each receiving location. Delivery area B is the area where deliverers 16 deliver packages to delivery warehouse 22.

[0014] The stocker body 21 has a plurality of delivery warehouses 22. Each delivery warehouse 22 is for storing luggage. Each delivery warehouse 22 has an internal space as shown in FIG. 1. The delivery warehouse 22 has a door 23 at the front, a locking mechanism 24 for locking and unlocking the door 23, an item detection sensor 25 for detecting the presence or absence of an item in the delivery warehouse 22, and an opening / closing detection sensor 26 for detecting the opening / closing of the door 23. One of the delivery warehouses 22 houses a control device 40 (see FIG. 2), and the door 23 is provided with a display / input device 27 and a reading device 28 as shown in FIG. 1. The display / input device 27 is configured as, for example, a touch panel disposed on the front of the mobile stocker 20. The reading device 28 is a code reader for reading a deliverer code for identifying the deliverer 16, an unlocking code used by the recipient 17 to unlock the delivery warehouse 22, and the like.

[0015] The traveling unit 30 includes wheels (not shown), a motor 31 for driving the wheels, and a position sensor 32. The position sensor 32 is for detecting surrounding obstacles and estimating the vehicle's position. In this embodiment, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensor is used as the position sensor 32.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 40 is a computer having a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a storage 44, a communication unit 45, and the like. The control device 40 is responsible for controlling the entire mobile stocker 20. The control device 40 inputs an article detection signal from the article detection sensor 25, an open signal and a close signal from the open / close detection sensor 26, an input signal from the display input device 27, a reading signal from the reading device 28, and a distance signal from the position sensor 32 of the traveling unit 30. The control device 40 also outputs an image signal to the display input device 27, a control signal to the motor 31 of the traveling unit 30, and the like. The storage 44 also stores map information within the facility A, various information for managing the delivery warehouse 22, and the like. The communication unit 45 communicates with external devices such as the management device 10 via the network N1, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] The data server 50 is a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage, a communication unit, and the like. The storage of the data server 50 stores the recipient management information 50a used in the stocker system 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the recipient management information 50a includes the ID of the recipient 17, the email address of the recipient 17, and the receiving location where the recipient 17 wishes to receive the package. The receiving location registered in the recipient management information 50a is selected, for example, from a plurality of options (locations A to H) that are set in advance when the recipient management information 50a is registered. For example, the recipient 17 selects an option close to the place where the recipient 17 mainly stays, such as his / her office, as the receiving location, and the selected option is registered in the recipient management information 50a as the receiving location. As will be described later, if the recipient 17 wishes to receive the package at a location other than the receiving location registered in the recipient management information 50a, the recipient 17 can change the receiving location in the receiving availability confirmation email M1. The communication unit communicates with the management device 10 and a supplier terminal 60 such as a smartphone via the networks N1 and N4.

[0018] Next, the operation of the stocker system 1 will be described. In the stocker system 1, the deliverer 16 delivers the parcel to the delivery warehouse 22 of the mobile stocker 20 waiting in the delivery area B. When the parcel is delivered to the delivery warehouse 22 of the mobile stocker 20, the control device 40 transmits information to the management device 10 that the parcel has been delivered to the delivery warehouse 22. The management device 10 acquires the email address and the receiving location of the recipient 17 based on the information, and notifies the recipient terminal 70 that the parcel has been delivered. In addition, the management device 10 creates a travel route R for the mobile stocker 20 to pass through the receiving locations of each parcel delivered to each delivery warehouse 22, and transmits it to the control device 40. The control device 40 controls the travel unit 30 so that the mobile stocker 20 travels according to the received travel route R, and delivers the parcel delivered to the delivery warehouse 22 to the recipient 17. Details will be described below.

[0019] First, the delivery process executed by the CPU 41 of the control device 40 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the delivery process. The delivery process is started after the deliverer 16 instructs delivery based on the operation of the display input device 27. When the delivery process is started, the CPU 41 first authenticates the deliverer 16 (S100). This process is performed by acquiring the ID of the deliverer 16 from the authentication code read by the reading device 28, and comparing the acquired ID of the deliverer 16 with the ID of the deliverer 16 stored in the storage 44. Note that a two-dimensional code or a barcode can be used as the authentication code. If the authentication of the deliverer 16 is successful, the CPU 41 waits for the receiver information (the ID of the receiver 17) to be input from the deliverer 16 via the display input device 27 (S102). Then, the CPU 41 controls the lock mechanism 24 to unlock the door 23 of the vacant delivery warehouse 22 (S104).

[0020] Next, the CPU 41 waits until a detection signal is input from the article detection sensor 25 and a closing signal for the door 23 is input from the open / close detection sensor 26 (S106). When the CPU 41 determines that a detection signal is input from the article detection sensor 25 and a closing signal for the door 23 is input from the open / close detection sensor 26, it determines that the delivery of the package to the delivery warehouse 22 is completed, and controls the lock mechanism 24 to lock the door 23 of the delivery warehouse 22 to which the package has been delivered (S108). Next, the CPU 41 generates an unlocking password that is used when the recipient 17 takes out the package from the delivery warehouse 22 (S110). Next, the CPU 41 stores the delivery warehouse information 44a (S112). 5, the CPU 41 changes the status corresponding to the delivery warehouse number of the delivery warehouse 22 to which the package has been delivered from vacant to delivered, sets the ID corresponding to the delivery warehouse 22 with that delivery warehouse number to the ID of the recipient 17 entered in S102, and sets the unlocking password generated in S110 to the unlocking password corresponding to the delivery warehouse 22 with that delivery warehouse number. Then, the CPU 41 transmits information that the package has been delivered to the delivery warehouse 22 and the delivery warehouse information 44a to the management device 10 (S114), and ends the delivery process.

[0021] Next, a description will be given of the delivery notification process executed by the CPU 11 of the management device 10. The delivery notification process is a process for notifying the recipient 17 that a package has been delivered to the delivery warehouse 22. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the delivery notification process.

[0022] When the CPU 11 starts the delivery notification process, it first judges whether or not the delivery warehouse information 44a has been received (S200). When the CPU 11 judges that the delivery warehouse information 44a has not been received, it ends the delivery notification process. On the other hand, when the CPU 11 judges that the delivery warehouse information 44a has been received, it stores the delivery warehouse number, status, the ID of the recipient 17, and the unlock password of the delivery warehouse information 44a in the delivery management information 14a as shown in FIG. 7 (S202). Next, the CPU 11 obtains the email address and the receiving location of the recipient 17 from the data server 50 using the ID of the recipient 17 (S204). Specifically, the CPU 11 transmits the ID of the recipient 17 to the data server 50. The CPU of the data server 50 extracts the email address and the receiving destination corresponding to the received ID of the recipient 17 from the recipient management information 50a (see FIG. 3) and transmits them to the management device 10. The CPU 11 of the management device 10 stores the received email address and the receiving location in the delivery management information 14a as shown in Fig. 7. The CPU 11 stores the received receiving location as a default receiving location in the delivery management information 14a shown in Fig. 7.

[0023] Next, the CPU 11 creates a code for an unlocking password (unlocking code) (S206). Then, the CPU 11 sends to the recipient 17's email address a receipt availability confirmation email M1 (see FIG. 8) including a message informing the recipient 17 that the package will be delivered, a URL for displaying a receipt availability confirmation screen Sc1 that allows the recipient 17 to respond as to whether or not the package can be received based on the operation of the recipient terminal 70, and the unlocking code (S208), and ends the delivery notification process. The URL for displaying the receipt availability confirmation screen Sc1 is determined for each combination of the delivery warehouse number and the recipient 17's ID.

[0024] Next, a description will be given of the receipt availability information acquisition process executed by the CPU 11 of the management device 10. The receipt availability information acquisition process is a process for accepting from the recipient 17 whether or not the recipient 17 is able to receive the package via the recipient terminal 70, accepting from the recipient 17 a change in the package receiving location, and accepting from the recipient 17 a designated package receiving time. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the receipt availability information acquisition process. The receipt availability information acquisition process is started after the recipient terminal 70 accesses the URL of the receipt availability confirmation email.

[0025] When the CPU 11 starts the receipt availability information acquisition process, it displays on the recipient terminal 70 a receipt availability confirmation screen Sc1 (see FIG. 10) for the parcel delivered to the delivery warehouse 22 of the corresponding delivery warehouse number (S300). The receipt availability confirmation screen Sc1 includes a message asking the recipient 17 whether or not they can receive the parcel. The receipt availability confirmation screen Sc1 also includes a receipt "Yes" selection box that is selected when the recipient 17 can receive the parcel (hereinafter, "receive available"), a receipt "No" selection box that is selected when the recipient 17 cannot receive the parcel (hereinafter, "receive unavailable"), and an OK button that is selected after either of them is selected. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the receipt is selected (S302). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the OK button is selected with the receipt "No" selection box selected. When the CPU 11 determines that the receipt is selected, it determines that the recipient 17 can receive the parcel, and proceeds to S308.

[0026] When the CPU 11 determines that "no receipt" has been selected, it causes the recipient terminal 70 to display a receipt location change screen Sc2 (see FIG. 11), a receipt time designation screen Sc3 (see FIG. 11), and an OK button (see FIG. 11) in order to accept a change of receipt location and a designation of a receipt time by the recipient 17 (S304). The receipt location change screen Sc2 includes a message asking the recipient 17 whether or not to change the receipt location of the package, a receipt location change "Yes" selection box selected when the recipient 17 changes the receipt location of the package, a receipt location change "No" selection box selected when the recipient 17 does not change the receipt location of the package, and a receipt location selection box that allows the recipient 17 to select the receipt location of the package from multiple receipt locations when the recipient 17 selects the receipt location change "Yes" selection box. The receipt time designation screen Sc3 includes a message asking the recipient 17 whether or not to designate a package receipt time, a receipt time designation "Yes" selection box selected when the recipient 17 designates a package receipt time, a receipt time designation "No" selection box selected when the recipient 17 does not designate a package receipt time, and a receipt time selection box that allows the recipient 17 to select the package receipt time from multiple receipt times (time zones) when the recipient 17 selects the receipt time designation "Yes" selection box. In addition, the OK button is selected after various selections have been completed on the receipt location change screen Sc2 and the receipt time designation screen Sc3.

[0027] The receiving location selectable in the receiving location selection box is a receiving location that is different from the default receiving location in the delivery management information 14a. Also, the receiving time selectable in the receiving time selection box is a time (time period) that is later than the current time by a predetermined time or more, taking into consideration the time required for the mobile stocker 20 to deliver the package.

[0028] Next, the CPU 11 waits until the change of the receiving location and the designation of the receiving time are completed (S306). Specifically, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the OK button is selected on the screen on which the receiving location change screen Sc2 and the receiving time designation screen Sc3 are displayed. After judging that the receiving location is available in S302 or after judging that the receiving location change and the designation of the receiving time are completed in S306, the CPU 11 updates the delivery management information 14a shown in FIG. 7 (S308). The delivery management information 14a is updated based on the selection results on the receiving availability confirmation screen Sc1, the receiving location change screen Sc2, and the receiving time designation screen Sc3. That is, if the receiving "Yes" selection box is selected, the CPU 11 sets the receiving availability to receiving available, and if the receiving "No" selection box is selected, the CPU 11 sets the receiving availability to not receiving. Also, if the receiving location change "Yes" selection box is selected, the CPU 11 sets the receiving location change to changing. Furthermore, if the "Yes" selection box for changing the receiving location is selected, the CPU 11 sets the changed receiving location to the receiving location corresponding to the selection result of the receiving location selection box. Furthermore, if the "Yes" selection box for specifying the receiving time is selected, the CPU 11 sets the receiving time designation to "specified". If the "Yes" selection box for specifying the receiving time is selected, the CPU 11 sets the receiving time to the receiving time corresponding to the selection result of the receiving time selection box. Then, the CPU 11 transmits the updated delivery management information 14a to the data server 50 (S310) and ends the receiving availability confirmation process. The data server 50 receives and stores the delivery management information 14a.

[0029] Next, a description will be given of the receipt availability information notification process executed by the CPU of the data server 50. The receipt availability information notification process is a process for notifying the recipient 17 of information on whether or not the recipient can receive the package, which is included in the delivery management information 14a. Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the receipt availability information notification process. The receipt availability information notification process is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, every few [ms]).

[0030] When the CPU of the data server 50 starts the receipt availability information notification process, it first judges whether or not it has received the delivery management information 14a from the management device 10 (S400). When the CPU judges that it has not received the delivery management information 14a, it proceeds to S410. On the other hand, when the CPU judges that it has received the delivery management information 14a, it judges whether or not the receipt availability is "receive unavailable" in the delivery management information 14a (S402). When the CPU judges that the receipt availability is "receive available" or that the receipt availability is not set, it proceeds to S410. When the CPU judges that the receipt availability is "receive unavailable", it judges whether or not the receipt location has been changed (S404). Specifically, the CPU judges whether or not the changed receipt location has been set in the received delivery management information 14a. Note that the case where the receipt location has not been changed is, for example, when the "No" selection box for changing the receipt location is selected and the OK button is selected. When the CPU judges that the receipt location has been changed, it proceeds to S410. On the other hand, if the CPU determines that the receiving location has not been changed, it determines whether or not the receiving time has been specified (S406). Specifically, the CPU determines whether or not the receiving time has been set in the received delivery management information 14a. Note that a receiving time is not specified when, for example, the "No" receiving time selection box is selected and the OK button is selected. If the CPU determines that a receiving time has been specified, it proceeds to S410. If the CPU determines that a receiving time has not been specified, it sends a pick-up instruction email M2 (see FIG. 13) including a message instructing the deliverer 16 to pick up the package to the deliverer terminal 60 (S408), and ends the receiving availability information notification process.

[0031] In this way, when the receipt availability from the recipient 17 is "no receipt" and an alternative receiving location or receiving time is not accepted, the CPU of the data server 50 automatically transmits an instruction to remove the package to the deliverer terminal 60. This allows the deliverer 16 to easily determine whether or not to remove the package that is not to be received by the recipient 17 from the delivery warehouse 22.

[0032] After determining in S400 that the delivery management information 14a has not been received, after determining in S402 that the receipt availability is available or that the receipt availability has not been set, after determining in S404 that the receipt location has been changed, or after determining in S406 that the receipt time has been specified, the CPU of the data server 50 determines whether or not a viewing request has been received from the deliverer terminal 60 (S410). If the CPU determines that a viewing request has not been received from the deliverer terminal 60, it ends the receipt availability information notification process. If the CPU determines that a viewing request has been received from the deliverer terminal 60, it sends to the deliverer terminal 60 a receipt availability information notification email M3 (see FIG. 14) including a message informing the deliverer 16 of information regarding the receipt availability of the package (S412), and ends the receipt availability information notification process.

[0033] In this way, the CPU of the data server 50 transmits information regarding the availability of the package delivered to the delivery warehouse 22 to the deliverer terminal 60 in response to a viewing request from the deliverer 16. Therefore, the deliverer 16 can know in advance whether the package can be received.

[0034] Next, a delivery process executed by the CPU 41 of the control device 40 will be described. The delivery process is a process for delivering a parcel delivered to the delivery warehouse 22 to a receiving location. Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the delivery process. The delivery process starts after a predetermined departure time.

[0035] When the CPU 41 starts the delivery process, it first transmits information (delivery start information) to the management device 10 to the effect that delivery is to start (S500). Next, the CPU 41 of the control device 40 waits to receive from the management device 10 a travel route R that passes through each receiving location of each package delivered to each delivery warehouse 22 (S502). When the CPU 41 receives the travel route R, it stores it in the storage 44. Next, the CPU 41 sets the next (first) waypoint as the destination according to the received travel route R (S504). Then, the CPU 41 controls the travel unit 30 (motor 31) so that the mobile stocker 20 starts traveling (S506).

[0036] Here, the driving route R is created by executing a driving route creation process after the management device 10 receives the delivery start information. Here, the explanation of the delivery process will be temporarily suspended, and the driving route creation process executed by the CPU 11 of the management device 10 will be explained. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the driving route creation process.

[0037] When the CPU 11 of the management device 10 starts the travel route creation process, it sets the shortest route among the routes that depart from the delivery area B, pass through the receiving location of the parcel delivered to the delivery warehouse 22, and return to the delivery area B as the travel route R based on the map information and the location of the receiving location (S600). Next, the CPU 11 judges whether or not there is a parcel with a specified receiving time (hereinafter, time-specified parcel) (S602). If the CPU 11 judges that there is no time-specified parcel, it proceeds to S616. If the CPU 11 judges that there is time-specified parcel, it sorts the time-specified parcel in order of the earliest receiving time (S604). Next, the CPU 11 sets the value of the time-specified parcel number i to a value of 1 (S606). Then, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the mobile stocker 20 will be able to travel the travel route R and make it in time to deliver the time-specified parcel with number i (hereinafter, i-th time-specified parcel) (S608). This process is performed by estimating the expected delivery time when the mobile stocker 20 delivers the package along the current travel route, and comparing it with the receipt time. The expected delivery time is calculated based on the sum of the time required for the i-th time-designated package to travel to the receipt location (=travel distance / average travel speed) and the time required for the package to be delivered before the i-th time-designated package (prescribed time).

[0038] If CPU 11 determines that mobile stocker 20 will not be able to make the delivery of the i-th time-specified package by traveling along travel route R, it sets a travel route R that moves the delivery order of the i-th time-specified package up by one (S610) and returns to S608. If CPU 11 determines that mobile stocker 20 will be able to make the delivery of the i-th time-specified package by traveling along travel route R, it increments the value of the time-specified package number i by 1 (S612). In this way, by moving the delivery order up by one, CPU 11 can set a travel route R that allows the i-th time-specified package to make its specified delivery time.

[0039] Next, CPU 11 determines whether the value of time-specified baggage number i is greater than the number of time-specified baggage (S614). If CPU 11 determines that the value of time-specified baggage number i is equal to or less than the number of time-specified baggage, it determines that setting of travel route R is not yet complete, and returns to S608. If CPU 11 determines that the value of time-specified baggage number i is greater than the number of time-specified baggage, it determines that setting of travel route R is complete. In this way, CPU 11 sets travel route R such that all time-specified baggage is delivered by the specified pick-up time by repeatedly executing the processes of S608 to S614.

[0040] After determining in S602 that there is no time-specified baggage or after determining in S614 that the value of the time-specified baggage number i is greater than the number of time-specified baggage, the CPU 11 transmits the driving route R to the control device 40 (S616) and terminates the driving route setting process.

[0041] In this way, the CPU 11 sets the travel route R based on whether the recipient 17 can receive the package, the change of the receiving location, and the designated receiving time, which are received at the time of receiving the delivery start information. Therefore, if the CPU 11 receives such information by the departure time, it can deliver the package by reflecting the whether the recipient 17 can receive the package, the change of the receiving location, and the designated receiving time in the creation of the travel route R.

[0042] Returning to the description of the delivery process shown in FIG. 15, in the delivery process, the CPU 41 judges whether or not the destination set in S504 is a receiving location (S508). When the CPU 41 judges that the set destination is a receiving location, it sets the operation state of the mobile stocker 20 to "delivering" (S510). During delivery, the mobile stocker 20 is moving toward the receiving location. When the CPU 41 judges that the set destination is delivery area B, it sets the operation state of the mobile stocker 20 to "returning" (S512). During return, the mobile stocker 20 is moving toward the delivery area B after completing delivery. In addition, the operation state of the mobile stocker 20 includes "receiving" in which the mobile stocker 20 arrives at the receiving location and stops, waiting for the recipient 17 to receive the package from the delivery warehouse 22. Next, the CPU 41 judges whether or not the changed travel route R has been received (S514). If the CPU 41 determines that the changed travel route R has not been received, the process proceeds to S526. If the CPU 41 determines that the changed travel route R has been received, the CPU 41 stores the changed travel route R in the storage 44 (S516). Then, the CPU 41 sets the next destination according to the changed travel route R (S518). Next, the CPU 41 determines whether the destination is a pick-up location (S520). If the CPU 41 determines that the set destination is a pick-up location, the CPU 41 sets the operation state of the mobile stocker 20 to "delivering" (S522). If the CPU 41 determines that the set destination is delivery area B, the CPU 41 sets the operation state of the mobile stocker 20 to "returning" (S524).

[0043] Here, the changed driving route R is created by the management device 10 executing a driving route change process. Here, the explanation of the delivery process will be temporarily interrupted and the driving route change process will be explained. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the driving route change process. The driving route change process is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, every few [ms]).

[0044] When the CPU 11 of the management device 10 starts the travel route change process, it first determines whether or not the control device 40 of the mobile stocker 20 is executing delivery processing (from when the delivery start information is received from the mobile stocker 20 until the mobile stocker 20 returns to the delivery area B) (S700). When the CPU 11 determines that the control device 40 of the mobile stocker 20 is not executing delivery processing, it ends this process. On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the control device 40 of the mobile stocker 20 is executing delivery processing, it determines whether or not the delivery management information 14a has been updated (S702). When the CPU 11 determines that the delivery management information 14a has not been updated, it determines that the recipient 17 has not accepted the request for receipt of the package, the change of the receipt location, or the specification of the receipt time, and ends the travel route change process. When the CPU 11 determines that the delivery management information 14a has been updated, it determines that the recipient 17 has accepted either the receipt availability of the parcel, the change of the receipt location, or the designation of the receipt time, and determines whether the receipt availability is "receive unavailable" in the updated delivery management information 14a (S704). When the CPU 11 determines that the receipt availability is "receive available" or that the receipt availability is not set, it ends the travel route change process. On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the receipt availability is "receive unavailable", it determines whether the receipt location has been changed in the updated delivery management information 14a (S706). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether the receipt location has been set in the changed receipt location in the updated delivery management information 14a. When the CPU 11 determines that the receipt location has not been changed, it proceeds to S710. When the CPU 11 determines that the receipt location has been changed, it sets the shortest route among the routes that pass through all the receipt locations of the undelivered parcels and return to the delivery area B as the travel route R (S708).

[0045] After determining in S706 that the receiving location has not been changed or after S708, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a receiving time has been specified (S710). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a receiving time has been set in the updated delivery management information 14a. If the CPU 11 determines that a receiving time has not been specified, the CPU 11 proceeds to S716. If the CPU 11 determines that a receiving time has been specified, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the mobile stocker 20 will be able to travel along the travel route R and make the delivery of the parcel with the specified receiving time (S712). This process is the same as S608 in the travel route setting process shown in FIG. 16. If the CPU 11 determines that the mobile stocker 20 will not be able to travel along the travel route R and make the delivery of the parcel with the specified time, the CPU 11 advances the delivery order of the parcel with the specified time by one (S714) and returns to S712. This process is the same as S610 in the travel route setting process shown in FIG. 16. After determining in S710 that no pick-up time has been specified or after determining in S712 that the parcel with a specified pick-up time will be delivered in time, the CPU 11 transmits the changed driving route R to the control device 40 (S716) and terminates the driving route change process.

[0046] In this way, when the CPU 11 of the management device 10 receives information on whether the recipient 17 can receive the package, a change in the receiving location, and a designated receiving time, the CPU 11 changes the travel route R of the operating mobile stocker 20 based on that information. Therefore, after the mobile stocker 20 departs for delivery, the CPU 11 can deliver the package by reflecting the information on whether the recipient 17 can receive the package, a change in the receiving location, and a designated receiving time in the travel route R of the mobile stocker 20.

[0047] Returning to the description of the delivery process shown in Fig. 15, in the delivery process, the CPU 41 of the control device 40 acquires the current position of the mobile stocker 20 in facility A based on the position signal from the position sensor 32 (S526). Specifically, the CPU 41 grasps the shape of the surroundings based on the data measured by the position sensor 32, and compares (collates) the grasped shape of the surroundings with the map information of facility A stored in the storage 44 to acquire the current location of the vehicle.

[0048] Next, the CPU 41 transmits the current location and the operation status to the management device 10 (S528). Then, the CPU 41 judges whether the operation status is in delivery or not (S530). When the CPU 41 judges that the operation status is in delivery, it judges whether the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the destination or not (S532). When the CPU 41 judges that the mobile stocker 20 has not yet arrived at the destination, it returns to S514. When the CPU 41 judges that the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the destination, it controls the traveling unit 30 (motor 31) to stop the traveling of the mobile stocker 20 (S534) and waits for the recipient 17 to come and receive the package. Next, the CPU 41 sets the operation status to waiting for reception (S536) and starts measuring the stop time Ts (S538). Then, the CPU 41 notifies the recipient 17 that the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the receiving location (S540) and returns to S514. For example, the CPU 41 generates a notification sound from a speaker (not shown).

[0049] When the CPU 41 determines in S530 that the operation state is not in delivery, it determines whether the operation state is waiting for receipt (S542). When the CPU 41 determines that the operation state is waiting for receipt, it determines whether the receipt of the parcel is incomplete (S544). The determination of whether the receipt of the parcel is incomplete is made based on whether a detection signal is input from the object detection sensor 25. When the CPU 41 determines that the receipt of the parcel is incomplete, it determines whether the stop time Ts is less than the waiting time Tref (S546). Here, the waiting time Tref is a time during which the receipt process based on the operation of the display input device 27 by the recipient 17 can be accepted with the mobile stocker 20 stopped at the receiving place, and is determined in advance. The waiting time Tref is a time of several minutes to several tens of minutes (for example, 15 minutes).

[0050] If the CPU 41 determines that the stop time Ts is less than the waiting time Tref, it determines that the recipient 17 may still receive the package in the delivery warehouse 22 and that the mobile stocker 20 must be stopped, and returns to S514. If the CPU 41 determines that the stop time Ts is equal to or greater than the waiting time Tref, it determines that the recipient 17 has not received the package, and ends the measurement of the stop time Ts and resets the value of the stop time Ts to 0 (S550). Thereafter, the CPU 41 returns to S504, sets the next destination, and starts traveling. On the other hand, if the CPU 41 determines in S542 that the package has been received, it updates the delivery warehouse information 44a and instructs the management device 10 to update the delivery management information 14a (S548). Specifically, the CPU 41 sets the status corresponding to the delivery warehouse number of the delivery warehouse 22 where the package was received to vacant in the delivery warehouse information 44a, and clears the ID and unlock password of the recipient 17 corresponding to that delivery warehouse number. Upon receiving the update instruction, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 clears the delivery warehouse number of the delivery warehouse 22 where the package was received and various information corresponding to that delivery warehouse number in the delivery management information 14a shown in Fig. 7. After instructing the management device 10 to update the delivery management information 14a, the CPU 41 ends measurement of the downtime Ts and resets the value of the downtime Ts to 0 (S550).

[0051] When the CPU 41 determines in S542 that the operating state is not waiting for receipt, it determines that the operating state is returning and determines whether the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the destination (delivery area B) (S552). When the CPU 41 determines that the mobile stocker 20 has not arrived at the destination, it returns to S514. When the CPU 41 determines that the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the destination, it controls the traveling unit 30 (motor 31) to stop the traveling of the mobile stocker 20 (S554) and ends the delivery process. After determining that the mobile stocker 20 has returned to the delivery area B based on whether the current position acquired from the control device 40 is the delivery area B or not, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 transmits the delivery management information 14a and information indicating that the delivery process has ended to the data server 50.

[0052] In this way, the CPU 41 of the control device 40 repeatedly executes the processes from S504 to S552, and then ends the delivery process. As a result, the mobile stocker 20 returns to the delivery area B via the receiving locations of all the parcels delivered to the delivery warehouse 22. However, for a parcel whose receiving status is "receiving not possible" in the delivery management information 14a, whose receiving location has not been changed, and whose receiving time has not been specified, the parcel may not be sent via the default receiving location set for the parcel. If the CPU 41 receives a changed travel route R during the process of performing such a process (YES in S514), the CPU 41 sets the next destination according to the changed travel route R (S520, S522) and controls the travel unit 30 (motor 31) so that the mobile stocker 20 moves toward the destination. The travel route R is changed based on the input of receiving status by the recipient 17 after the start of the delivery process, the change of the receiving location, and the specification of the receiving time. Therefore, even if the management device 10 receives input from the recipient 17 regarding whether or not they will receive the parcel, a change in the receiving location, or a designated receiving time after the delivery process has started, the parcel can be delivered accordingly.

[0053] Next, the receiving process executed by the CPU 41 of the control device 40 will be described. The receiving process is started after the mobile stocker 20 arrives at the receiving location of the package and the recipient 17 operates the display input device 27 to instruct the recipient 17 to receive the package. When the receiving process is started, the CPU 41 authenticates the unlocking password. The unlocking password is authenticated by reading the unlocking code attached to the receiving confirmation email M1 with the reading device 28 and comparing it with the unlocking password stored in the delivery warehouse information 44a. Next, the CPU 41 controls the locking mechanism 24 to unlock the door 23 of the delivery warehouse 22 with the delivery warehouse number corresponding to the unlocking password. Next, the CPU 41 waits until the package is taken out of the delivery warehouse 22. This process is performed by confirming that no detection signal is input from the item detection sensor 25 and a closing signal is input from the open / close detection sensor 26. Next, the CPU 41 controls the locking mechanism 24 to lock the door 23 of the delivery warehouse 22 to which the package has been delivered. Then, the CPU 41 ends the receiving process.

[0054] Next, the removal instruction process executed by the CPU of the data server 50 will be described. This process instructs the deliverer 16 to remove packages (packages not received by the recipient 17, hereinafter referred to as undelivered packages) remaining in the delivery warehouse 22 when the mobile stocker 20 returns to the delivery area B. The removal instruction process is started after receiving information indicating that the delivery process has been completed and the delivery management information 14a from the management device 10.

[0055] When the CPU of the data server 50 starts the retrieval instruction process, it first extracts undelivered parcels from the updated delivery management information 14a (S800). Next, the CPU determines whether there are any undelivered parcels. Information about undelivered parcels is included in the delivery management information 14a. Every time a parcel is delivered to the receiving location and received by the recipient 17, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 receives an instruction to update the delivery management information 14a and clears information about the received parcel in the delivery management information 14a. Therefore, the delivery management information 14a received by the CPU of the data server 50 includes information about undelivered parcels, and the CPU uses this information to determine whether there are any undelivered parcels. If the CPU of the data server 50 determines that there are no undelivered parcels, it ends this process. On the other hand, when the CPU determines that there is undelivered parcel, it sends a removal instruction email M4 (see FIG. 19) to the deliverer terminal 60, which includes information indicating the delivery warehouse 22 to which the undelivered parcel has been delivered and a message instructing the deliverer 16 to remove the undelivered parcel from the delivery warehouse 22, and ends the removal instruction process. The mobile stocker 20 returns to delivery area B with the doors 23 of each delivery warehouse 22 closed. However, the deliverer 16 can easily recognize from the removal instruction email M4 which delivery warehouse 22 the undelivered parcel to be removed has been delivered to.

[0056] Here, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the present disclosure will be described. That is, the stocker system 1 corresponds to the stocker system, the mobile stocker 20 corresponds to the mobile stocker, the stocker body 21 corresponds to the stocker body, the motor 31 corresponds to the drive unit, the CPU 41 of the control device 40 that executes the delivery process corresponds to the control unit, the storage 14 that stores the delivery management information 14a corresponds to the storage unit, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 that executes the delivery notification process corresponds to the notification unit, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 that executes the processes of S300 to S306 of the receipt availability information acquisition process corresponds to the reception unit, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 that executes the process of S308 of the receipt availability information acquisition process corresponds to the update unit, and the CPU 11 of the management device 10 that executes the route setting process corresponds to the setting unit. Also, the CPU of the data server 50 that executes the take-out instruction process corresponds to the instruction unit.

[0057] It goes without saying that the present disclosure is in no way limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the delivery notification process, the receipt availability information acquisition process, the receipt availability information notification process, the route setting process, and the route change process are executed by the CPU 11 of the management device 10. However, one or more of these processes may be executed by the CPU 41 of the control device 40.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the take-out instruction process is executed by the CPU of the data server 50. However, this process may be executed by either the CPU 11 of the management device 10 or the CPU 41 of the control device 40.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the route change process may not be executed. In this case, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 may set the travel route R in the route setting process in accordance with the next and subsequent delivery processes so that the parcel for which at least one of the change of the receiving location and the designation of the receiving time is accepted is delivered in the next and subsequent deliveries after the mobile stocker 20 returns to the delivery area B.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the travel route R was a route in which the mobile stocker departs from one delivery area B provided in facility A, passes through the respective receiving locations of each package delivered to each delivery warehouse 22, and then returns to the delivery area B. However, the travel route R may be set as a route in which the mobile stocker departs from one of a plurality of delivery areas B provided in facility A, passes through the respective receiving locations of each package delivered to each delivery warehouse 22, and then heads toward a delivery area B other than the delivery area B from which the mobile stocker departed.

[0062] In the embodiment described above, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 transmits the receipt confirmation email to the recipient terminal 70 after receiving the information that the package has been delivered and the delivery warehouse information 44a. However, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 may transmit the receipt confirmation email M1 to the recipient terminal 70 after receiving the information that the mobile stocker 20 has departed from the delivery area B, or after receiving the information that the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the receiving location.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the unlocking password used by the recipient 17 to unlock the delivery storehouse 22 is generated by the CPU 41 of the control device 40. However, the unlocking password may be generated by the CPU 11 of the management device 10. Alternatively, the ID of the recipient 17 may be used to unlock the door 23 instead of the unlocking password.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the process of notifying the recipient 17 that the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the receiving location (S540 of the delivery process) is executed by the CPU 41 of the control device 40. However, this process may also be executed by the CPU 11 of the management device 10. In that case, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 may determine whether or not the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the receiving location based on the current location received from the CPU 41 of the control device 40, and may send an email to the recipient terminal 70 when it is determined that the mobile stocker 20 has arrived at the receiving location.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 changes the travel route R in the travel route change process so as to deliver all parcels delivered to the delivery warehouse 22, including parcels whose receipt times are specified in the delivery management information 14a. However, the CPU 11 of the management device 10 may not take into consideration a specific parcel in the travel route change process. For example, among the parcels whose receipt times are specified in the delivery management information 14a, parcels whose receipt times are calculated to be later than a predetermined time from a reference time (for example, the current time when the CPU 11 of the management device 10 is performing the travel route change process) may not be taken into consideration in the travel route change process. In this case, the management device 10 or a device other than the management device 10 of the stocker system 1 has a clock function, and the management device 10 may obtain the current time by its own clock function or by communicating with another device having a clock function. The predetermined time may be determined based on, for example, a time expected to be required for one delivery process, the start time of the current delivery process, and the current time. In this case, the management device 10 or a device other than the management device 10 of the stocker system 1 stores the time estimated to be required for one delivery process, and the management device 10 may obtain the time estimated to be required for one delivery process from its own memory or by communication with other devices.

[0066] In the above embodiment, when the CPU of the data server 50 determines that there is undelivered parcel in the take-out instruction process, it sends the take-out instruction email M4 including a message instructing the delivery of all undelivered parcels to the deliverer terminal 60. However, the CPU of the data server 50 may instruct the take-out of only specific undelivered parcels. For example, the CPU of the data server 50 may not instruct the take-out of undelivered parcels whose receipt time specified in the delivery management information 14a is within a predetermined time calculated from a reference time (for example, the current time when the CPU of the data server 50 is performing the take-out instruction process), but may instruct the take-out of only undelivered parcels whose receipt time is later than the predetermined time from the reference time. In this case, the data server 50 or a device other than the data server 50 of the stocker system 1 has a clock function, and the data server 50 may obtain the current time by its own clock function or by communication with another device having a clock function. The predetermined time may be determined based on the time expected to be required for one delivery process, for example. For example, it may be determined to be longer than the time expected to be required for one delivery process. Information regarding undelivered parcels for which removal was not instructed is not cleared from the delivery management information 14a, and the parcels will be subject to the route setting process for the next delivery process.

[0067] The above-described stocker system of the present disclosure receives at least one of an alternative pick-up location and pick-up time from the recipient when the recipient's pick-up availability is determined to be unacceptable, and delivers the package while reflecting the received information in the travel route. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the recipient is absent when the mobile stocker arrives at the pick-up location, thereby improving the efficiency of package delivery.

[0068] In the stocker system of the present disclosure, the notification unit notifies the delivery schedule during a period from when the package is delivered to the delivery warehouse until when the mobile stocker departs to deliver the package, The setting unit may set the travel route based on the recipient information stored in the storage unit when the mobile stocker departs to deliver the package. In this way, the travel route setting can be reflected in the availability of pickups, alternative pickup locations, pickup times, and the like that have been accepted up until the time of departure.

[0069] In the stocker system of the present disclosure, when at least one of the alternative pick-up time and the alternative pick-up time is accepted by the acceptance unit after the mobile stocker departs to deliver the package, the setting unit may change the travel route based on the acceptance result. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent a situation in which a recipient is absent when the mobile stocker arrives at the pick-up location, and further improves the efficiency of package delivery.

[0070] In the stocker system of the present disclosure, when the reception unit receives at least one of the alternative receiving location and receiving time from the recipient of the parcel, the notification unit may notify the deliverer of the receipt result. In this way, the deliverer can easily know the alternative receiving location and receiving time, and can understand the delivery schedule of the parcel.

[0071] The stocker system of the present disclosure may further include an instruction unit that instructs the deliverer of the parcel to remove the parcel when the mobile stocker ends delivery without the parcel being removed by the recipient from the delivery warehouse. In this way, the deliverer can remove the undelivered parcel from the delivery warehouse.

[0072] This specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the stocker system according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 4 originally filed to "the stocker system according to any one of claims 1 to 3." This specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the stocker system according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 5 originally filed to "the stocker system according to any one of claims 1 to 4." [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] The present disclosure can be used in industries such as the manufacturing industry of stockers and stocker systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Stocker system, 10 Management device, 11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 14 Storage, 14a Delivery management information, 15 Communication unit, 16 Deliverer, 17 Recipient, 20 Mobile stocker, 21 Stocker body, 22 Delivery warehouse, 23 Door, 24 Locking mechanism, 25 Item detection sensor, 26 Opening / closing detection sensor, 27 Display input device, 28 Reading device, 30 Travel unit, 31 Motor, 32 Position sensor, 40 Control device, 41 CPU, 42 ROM, 43 RAM, 44 Storage, 44a Delivery warehouse information, 45 Communication unit, 50 Data server, 50a Recipient management information, 60 Deliverer terminal, 70 Recipient terminal, A Facility, B Delivery area, M1 Receipt availability confirmation email, M2 Pick-up instruction email, M3 Receipt availability information notification email, M4 Pick-up instruction email, N1~N4 network, R driving route, Sc1 pickup availability confirmation screen, Sc2 pickup location change screen, Sc3 pickup time selection screen.

Claims

1. a mobile stocker including a stocker body including a plurality of delivery warehouses, a drive unit for moving the stocker body, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit according to a travel route set to pass through each receiving location of each package delivered to each delivery warehouse; A storage unit that stores recipient information including at least a notification destination of a recipient who receives the package delivered to the delivery warehouse and a receiving location of the package; a notification unit that notifies the recipient of a delivery schedule of the package; a reception unit that receives a notification from the recipient as to whether or not the recipient is willing to receive the package, and if the recipient is not willing to receive the package, receives at least one of an alternative receiving location and a receiving time; an update unit that updates the recipient information stored in the storage unit based on a reception result of the reception unit; A setting unit that sets the travel route based on the recipient information stored in the storage unit; A stocker system comprising:

2. 2. The stocker system according to claim 1, the notification unit notifies the delivery schedule during a period from when the package is delivered to the delivery warehouse until when the mobile stocker departs to deliver the package, the setting unit sets the travel route based on the recipient information stored in the storage unit when the mobile stocker departs to deliver the package. Stocker system.

3. 3. The stocker system according to claim 1, when at least one of the alternative pick-up time and the alternative delivery time is accepted by the acceptance unit after the mobile stocker departs for delivery of the package, the setting unit changes the travel route based on a result of the acceptance. Stocker system.

4. 3. The stocker system according to claim 1, the notification unit notifies a deliverer of the parcel of a result of reception when the reception unit receives at least one of the alternative receiving location and the alternative receiving time from the parcel recipient. Stocker system.

5. 3. The stocker system according to claim 1, and an instruction unit that instructs a deliverer of the parcel to pick up the parcel when the mobile stocker finishes delivery without the parcel being picked up by a recipient, Stocker system.

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