Home delivery box

Abstract

To provide a home delivery box which allows home delivery using a drone, even a space of a site of a home delivery destination is restricted.SOLUTION: A home delivery box 1 comprises: a storage part 2 which has a storage space S for storing a stored object L which can be home-delivered, is provided across the inside and outside of an outer wall of a building B, enables home delivery from above by a flying drone, protrudes outward from the outer wall of the building B, has a storage space S capable of cooling the interior of the space by a cooling unit formed therein, and having openings 21 through which the stored object L can be taken out / inserted into the storage space S, on the inside and outside of the building B; and an opening / closing part 3 which opens and closes each opening 21. The opening 21 arranged on the outside of the building B is opened upward. The opening 21 arranged on the inside of the building B is formed in a box-shape whose upper part is opened, and is opened and closed by a drawer which can draw the stored object L in the storage space S formed on the outside of the outer wall of the building B, into inside from the outer wall of the building B, the stored object capable of being taken out / inserted into the storage space S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery box having a storage space for storing a deliverable item.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to the progress of technology related to flying drones, it has become possible to deliver packages by flying drones. As a technology that enables such drone delivery, Patent Document 1 proposes a loading facility provided with a drone port provided in a building and a cover that covers the drone port, the cover having an opening that allows the passage of a drone and that opens on an outer wall surface of the building or on an extension of the outer wall surface that extends above the outer wall surface of the building, and a human entrance and an unlockable door that opens and closes the entrance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case where the space of the delivery destination site is limited, such as in a general house, it is difficult to provide a drone port for receiving drones and a space for drones to land. On the other hand, even when the space of the delivery destination site is limited, a technology that enables drone delivery is required.

[0005] In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a delivery box that enables drone delivery even when the space of the delivery destination site is limited.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides the following solution means. A delivery box having a storage space for storing a deliverable item, provided across the inside and outside of the outer wall of a building, and capable of being delivered from above by a flying drone, a storage part that protrudes outward from the outer wall of the building, forms the storage space that can be cooled inside by a cooling device, and has openings on the inside and outside of the building through which the item to be stored can be put in and taken out of the storage space, and an opening / closing part that opens and closes the opening. The opening arranged outside the building is open upward. The opening arranged inside the building is formed in a box shape with an open upper part, is accessible to the storage space, and is opened and closed by a drawer that can pull the item to be stored in the storage space formed outside the outer wall of the building to the inside of the outer wall of the building. A delivery box characterized by this.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a delivery box that enables delivery by drone even when the space on the delivery destination site is limited.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, embodiments) will be described in detail. In the following drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0010] (External Appearance Configuration) FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining the external appearance configuration of a delivery box according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an example in which a delivery box 1 is attached to a detached building such as a house. FIG. 1 is a view of the delivery box 1 seen from the outside of the building B, and FIG. 2 is a view of the delivery box 1 seen from the inside of the building B. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an example in which a delivery box 1 is attached to a high-rise building B (for example, an apartment building, etc.) compared to a detached house. FIG. 3 is a view of the delivery box 1 seen from the outside of the building B, and FIG. 4 is a view of the delivery box 1 seen from the inside of the building B.

[0011] In the examples shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the delivery box 1 accommodates the goods (the object L to be accommodated) delivered by a delivery person device 150 (for example, a flying drone, etc.) that transports the goods (the object L to be accommodated) ordered by the user from a cargo collection point W operated by a delivery company.

[0012] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an example is shown where a delivery service provider uses a delivery person device 150 (e.g., a flying drone, etc.). However, the item to be contained in the delivery box 1 may be delivered by a person. Also, in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an example is shown where the delivery person device 150, which is a flying drone, suspends the item to be contained L with a wire and puts it into the delivery box 1. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the item to be contained L is a relatively lightweight object like medicine, without using a wire, the item to be contained L may be directly held by the delivery person device 150, the delivery person device 150 may be lowered to near the delivery box 1, and then the holding of the item to be contained L may be released and the item to be contained L may be dropped into the delivery box 1. Also, the delivery person device 150 is not limited to a flying drone and may be any device such as an automatically driven automobile.

[0013] The delivery box 1 has an accommodation space S for accommodating items that can be delivered, and includes an accommodation part 2 and an opening / closing part 3.

[0014] The accommodation part 2 forms the accommodation space S inside, and has an opening 21 through which the item to be contained L can be put in and taken out of the accommodation space S. It is desirable that the accommodation part 2 forms the accommodation space S with an exterior member having heat insulation properties. Thereby, it becomes possible to store the item to be contained L accommodated in the accommodation space S under frozen storage, refrigerated storage, etc. Also, the accommodation part 2 may be provided with a cooling device for cooling the accommodation space S.

[0015] Also, the delivery box 1 is preferably provided, for example, across the inside and outside of the outer wall of the building B. In this case, it is desirable that the accommodation part 2 is provided with openings 21 on the inside and outside of the building B, respectively. The opening 21 provided on the outside of the building B is open upward. Also, the opening 21 provided on the inside of the building B is open in the horizontal direction.

[0016] The opening / closing part 3 includes an opening / closing door 31 for opening and closing the opening 21 provided on the outside of the building B, and a drawer 32 for opening and closing the opening 21 provided on the inside of the building B and enabling access to the accommodation space S.

[0017] The opening / closing door 31 is connected to the accommodating part 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis with a part of its side edge extending in the horizontal direction, and by rotating upward, it releases the opening 21 upward. Further, the opening / closing door 31 may open and close the opening 21 under the control of a control part 10 (see FIG. 5) described later.

[0018] The drawer 32 is formed in a box shape with an open top, and includes a bottom plate that is inserted into and removed from the accommodation space S, side plates that stand upright upward from the side edges of the bottom plate, a front plate that stands upright upward from the tip of the bottom plate, and a front plate that stands upright upward from the front side end of the bottom plate and opens and closes the opening 21 provided inside the building B.

[0019] By configuring the opening / closing part 3 in this way, outside the building B, when the opening / closing door 31 opens, the user can take out the object L to be accommodated accommodated in the accommodation space S from above the opening 21 by pulling out the drawer 32 from the accommodation space S inside the building B.

[0020] (Functional configuration) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the home delivery box according to the embodiment of the present invention. The home delivery box 1 includes a control part 10, an operation reception part 20, and a weighing part 30, and can be connected via a network to an order reception server 100 that receives an order for an article (object L to be accommodated) for which home delivery is desired from a user, a home delivery person device 150 (for example, a flying drone, etc.) that transports the luggage (object L to be accommodated) ordered by the user, and a user terminal 50 (for example, a smartphone, etc.) operated by the user.

[0021] The control part 10 includes an order reception part 11, a communication part 12, an opening / closing part 13, and a notification part 14.

[0022] The order reception part 11 receives the order content of the object L to be accommodated based on the user's operation by the operation reception part 20 (see FIG. 2) or the user terminal 50, and the weighing result of the weighing part 30, generates order information indicating the order content, and stores it in the storage means.

[0023] The communication unit 12 transmits the order information generated by the order reception unit 11 to the order reception server 100. The order information includes product information indicating the product that becomes the object L to be contained, quantity information indicating the quantity of the product, position information indicating the place for home delivery (position information indicating the position of the home delivery box 1), and the like. When the home delivery operator receives the order information in the order reception server 100, based on the order information, the object L to be contained is home-delivered to the home delivery box 1 by, for example, the home delivery person device 150. Note that if position information indicating the place for home delivery in advance (position information indicating the position of the home delivery box 1) is registered in the order reception server 100, the order information may not include the position information.

[0024] The opening / closing unit 13 includes an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the opening / closing door 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The opening / closing mechanism includes a motor, a link mechanism that rotates the opening / closing door 31 by the driving force of the motor, and a door control unit that controls the motor. The door control unit drives the motor based on the operations of the user or the home delivery operator in the operation reception unit 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) to open and close the opening / closing door 31. Further, the door control unit may receive, for example, request information for opening the opening / closing door 31 from the home delivery person device 150 (such as a flying drone) and open and close the opening / closing door 31 when the request information is received.

[0025] The notification unit 14 notifies that the object L to be contained has been contained in the storage space S of the storage unit 2. For example, when the object L to be contained is contained in the storage space S, the notification unit 14 transmits delivery completion information indicating that the delivery of the object L has been completed to the operation reception unit 20 (see FIG. 2) or the user terminal 50. When the operation reception unit 20 or the user terminal 50 receives the delivery completion information, it displays on the display means or outputs a voice from the voice output means that the delivery of the object L has been completed. Thereby, it is possible to notify the user that the delivery of the object L has been completed.

[0026] The operation reception unit 20 includes reception means (such as buttons and touch panels, etc.) for receiving operations of users and delivery companies, display means (such as touch panels and displays, etc.) for displaying screens based on the operations of users and delivery companies, voice output means (such as speakers, etc.) for emitting voices, voice acquisition means (such as microphones, etc.) for acquiring voices, transmission means for transmitting various information received by the reception means to the control unit 10 by wire or wirelessly, control means for controlling these various means, and the like.

[0027] Also, for example, the operation reception unit 20 may acquire an order by a user's voice using the voice acquisition means, analyze the acquired voice in the control means, and transmit the analyzed order content to the order reception unit 11 of the control unit 10 by the transmission means.

[0028] Also, the operation reception unit 20 may be connected to the Internet, acquire information on various products and information indicating advertisements from external devices, and display this information on the display means. Further, when information on a product displayed on the display means (such as a touch panel, etc.) is selected, the operation reception unit 20 may transmit the order content for ordering these products to the order reception unit 11 of the control unit 10 by the transmission means.

[0029] For example, in the operation reception unit 20, under the control of the control means, regular buttons (buttons that can be customized by the user and are associated with preset products (such as eggs, milk, pork, beer, mayonnaise, soy sauce, sugar, flour, toilet paper, etc.)) are displayed on the display means. When a regular button is operated by the user, the operation reception unit 20 may transmit the order content for ordering the product associated with the regular button to the order reception unit 11 of the control unit 10 by the transmission means.

[0030] Also, in the operation reception unit 20, under the control of the control means, price information indicating the prices of products of a plurality of stores (for example, an online supermarket with which a cooperation contract has been concluded, etc.) is acquired from an external device, and on the display means, for example, buttons for accessing the stores are displayed in ascending order of price in a ranking format. When a button is operated by the user, an order content for ordering products from the store associated with the button may be transmitted by the transmission means to the order reception unit 11 of the control unit 10.

[0031] Further, the operation reception unit 20 may store in the storage means a menu table in which products (for example, foods, etc.) necessary for realizing the menu are associated with the menu. This menu table may further have the amount of money required for realizing each menu and the amount of nutrients when the menu is ingested, etc., associated with each menu.

[0032] The operation reception unit 20, under the control of the control means, refers to the menu table, extracts a menu corresponding to the total amount specified by the user, displays the extracted menu on the display means, and when the menu is selected by the user, an order content for ordering the products associated with the menu may be transmitted by the transmission means to the order reception unit 11 of the control unit 10.

[0033] Also, the operation reception unit 20, under the control of the control means, refers to the menu table, extracts a menu including the amount of nutrients corresponding to the result of a health check input by the user, displays the extracted menu on the display means, and when the menu is selected by the user, an order content for ordering the products associated with the menu may be transmitted by the transmission means to the order reception unit 11 of the control unit 10.

[0034] Note that the operation reception unit 20 may be a single device or may be a function of various household appliances (for example, a refrigerator, etc.). Also, the operation reception unit 20 may be attached to the storage unit 2 or may be integrated with the weighing unit 30.

[0035] By providing such an operation reception unit 20, it is possible to order a product simply by operating the button of the operation reception unit 20, which contributes to preventing forgetting to buy products, assisting those with difficulty shopping, and shortening the time spent on shopping. In addition, during a pandemic caused by a virus, it is possible to prevent infection during shopping and face-to-face delivery. Also, when the spread of virus infection occurs, it is expected that infections in hospitals, shopping, and face-to-face delivery will decrease, and the overall spread of infection will be delayed, leading to a reduction in the total number of infection-related deaths until the development of vaccines and drugs.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the external configuration of the weighing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The weighing unit 30 has the object to be contained placed thereon and generates weighing information indicating the weight of the object to be contained L. Specifically, the weighing unit 30 includes a placement unit 301 on which the object to be contained L is placed, and a weighing unit 302 that generates weighing information indicating the weight of the object to be contained L placed on the placement unit 301.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the placement unit 301 is formed in a box shape with an open top, but it can have any shape such as a plate shape or a ball shape as long as the object to be contained can be placed thereon.

[0038] The weighing unit 302 includes a weight sensor (pressure sensor) that detects the weight of the object to be contained L placed on the placement unit 301, a control means that generates weighing information indicating the weight of the object to be contained L based on the signal detected by the weight sensor, and a transmission means that transmits the weighing information to the control unit 10 by wire or wirelessly.

[0039] FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the usage mode of the weighing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The weighing unit 30 can be arranged, for example, inside a refrigerator as shown in FIG. 7, but can be arranged at any location such as in a food shelf or within the storage space S of the storage unit 2.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, the weighing unit 30 weighs the weight of the object L placed on the placement unit 301 by the weighing unit 302. Then, for example, when the weight of the weighed object L becomes equal to or less than a weight preset by the user, the weighing unit 302 generates weighing information and transmits the weighing information to the control unit 10.

[0041] Note that in the delivery box 1, the weighing unit 30 detects the weight of the object L at predetermined intervals (for example, once a day) and transmits the weighing information. When the weight indicated by the weighing information becomes equal to or less than a weight preset by the user, the order receiving unit 11 of the control unit 10 may generate order information indicating the order content of the object L.

[0042] Further, the weighing unit 30 may have identification information for identifying each one. The order receiving unit 11 of the control unit 10 may store a weighing unit table associating this identification information with the ordered product in the storage means. In this case, the weighing unit 30 transmits the identification information and the weighing information to the order receiving unit 11. Then, the order receiving unit 11 may refer to the weighing unit table and generate order information indicating the order content of the product (object L) associated with the received identification information based on the identification information and the weighing information.

[0043] The functional configurations of the above-described control unit 10, operation reception unit 20, and metering unit 30 are merely examples, and one functional block (database and functional processing unit) may be divided, or a plurality of functional blocks may be combined into one functional block. Each functional processing unit is realized by a computer program (for example, core software or an application that causes the CPU to execute the above-described various processes) stored in a storage device (storage means) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), or hard disk, which is read by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) built into each device and executed by the CPU. That is, each functional processing unit is realized by the computer program reading and writing necessary data such as a table from a database (DB; Data Base) stored in the storage device or a storage area in the memory, and in some cases, controlling related hardware (for example, an input / output device, a display device, a communication interface device). Also, the database (DB) in the embodiment of the present invention may be a commercial database, but also means a mere collection of tables or files, and the internal structure of the database itself is not limited.

[0044] According to such a delivery box 1, the following operational effects are achieved. According to the delivery box 1, since the opening 21 of the storage unit 2 is opened upward, the object L to be stored dropped from a delivery person device 150 (for example, a flying drone) hovering in the air can be stored in the storage space S of the storage unit 2 through the opening 21. Therefore, even if the space of the delivery destination site is limited, a delivery box that enables delivery by drone can be provided.

[0045] In addition, by opening the opening 21 of the accommodating portion 2 upward and taking out the receiving plate, the number of parts of various sensors and drive mechanisms can be reduced compared to the form of receiving luggage from the drone, so that an inexpensive delivery box compatible with the drone can be provided. Further, in the form of taking out the receiving plate, the weight of the received luggage is relatively limited. However, according to the delivery box 1, since the luggage can be directly received in the accommodating portion 2, the possibility of mechanical failure can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, according to the delivery box 1, the accommodating portion 2 forms the accommodating space S with an exterior member having heat insulation properties and can be provided with a cooling device. Thereby, in the delivery of food and medicine compatible with drones to refrigerators and freezers, it becomes possible to reduce the number of deaths from future pandemics and to respond to super-aged areas. In particular, drug delivery in areas with a chronic shortage of manpower can be supported by drone delivery, and the delivery box 1 having a refrigeration and freezing function is likely to be active. In addition, the delivery box 1 having a refrigeration and freezing function is very suitable for the delivery of drugs that require refrigeration when the user is absent or when it is difficult to meet due to illness. Further, the delivery box 1 having a refrigeration and freezing function can be used as a secondary refrigerator or freezer, is suitable for stockpiling, etc., and improves the quality of life. In current delivery, products that require refrigeration and freezing often require face-to-face delivery, and when the user is absent, it is often handled with a note of the absence of the delivery company. In addition, according to the delivery box 1 having a refrigeration and freezing function, products that require refrigeration and freezing can be accommodated, so that the trouble of redelivery by the delivery company can be reduced, and it is possible to consider the environment in terms of all of the labor cost, gasoline cost, and communication cost of redelivery. Further, according to the delivery box 1 having a refrigeration and freezing function, even when the user orders a product that requires refrigeration and freezing, there is no need to set the receiving time of the product, and the user's schedule is not restricted by the receiving time of the product.

[0047] In addition, according to the delivery box 1, the accommodating portion 2 is provided across the inside and outside of the outer wall of the building B. This eliminates the need for the user to go outside the house and carry the delivered items into the house, reducing the user's burden on rainy or snowy days and during illness or convalescence when the user's physical condition is poor and movement is restricted. Also, by providing it across the inside and outside of the outer wall of Building B, it becomes possible to supply power for operating the delivery box 1 from indoors using electricity, improving safety compared to the case of providing the power externally.

[0048] Also, according to the delivery box 1, it is provided with a drawer 32 that opens and closes an opening 21 provided inside Building B and can be taken in and out of the storage space S. This enables it to be used in factories and the like. For example, the lower part of the drawer 32 is configured by a belt conveyor, and it is also possible to carry the luggage and materials from the storage space S into the room by the belt conveyor and move them to the mail storage area. According to such a configuration, it is possible to receive luggage even on days when the factory is closed, when there is no one present, or at night, making the delivery of luggage smoother and also making it possible to eliminate a shortage of manpower.

[0049] Also, according to the delivery box 1, by the user performing an operation on the delivery box, an order for the item to be stored can be placed with the order receiving server, and the ordered item to be stored can be received by the delivery box. This completes the order and receipt of the item to be stored only with the delivery box. Therefore, compared to the case where the order is placed using another device (for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, etc.), the device and procedure can be simplified, improving usability.

[0050] Also, according to the delivery box 1, according to the weight of the item to be stored generated by the weighing unit, an order for the item to be stored can be placed with the order receiving server, and the ordered item to be stored can be received by the delivery box. This enables, for example, when the item to be stored placed on the weighing unit is used and the weight becomes less than the preset weight, the item to be stored to be automatically ordered and received, improving usability.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Also, it is clear from the description of the claims that forms with such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0052] [Supplementary Note] In the present invention, the following solutions may be provided. In the invention of (1), a delivery box having a storage space for storing a deliverable item to be delivered includes a storage unit and an opening / closing unit. The storage unit forms a storage space inside and has an opening through which the item to be stored can be put in and taken out of the storage space. The opening / closing unit opens and closes the opening. And the opening is open upward.

[0053] Here, when delivery by drone is realized, if there is no space for the drone to land at the delivery destination, the drone is hovered in the air above the delivery box, and only the item being delivered is dropped downward for delivery.

[0054] According to the invention of (1), since the opening of the delivery box is open upward, it is possible to store the item dropped from the drone hovering in the air into the storage space of the storage unit through the opening. Therefore, even if the space of the delivery destination site is limited, a delivery box that enables delivery by drone can be provided.

[0055] (2) An order reception unit that receives the order content of the item to be delivered based on the operation of the user and generates order information indicating the order content, An order reception server that is operated by the person who sends the item to be delivered based on the order information, and a communication unit that can communicate via a network are further provided. The delivery box according to (1), wherein the communication unit transmits the order information to the order reception server.

[0056] (2) In the invention of (2), the delivery box further includes an order reception unit and a communication unit. The order reception unit receives the order details of the item to be contained based on the user's operation and generates order information indicating the order details. The communication unit can communicate via a network with an order reception server used by the person who ships the item to be contained based on the order information. And the communication unit transmits the order information to the order reception server.

[0057] (2) According to the invention of (2), by the user operating the delivery box, the order reception server can be ordered for the item to be contained, and the ordered item to be contained can be received by the delivery box. Thereby, with only the delivery box, the order and reception of the item to be contained are completed. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the order is made by another device (such as a smartphone or a personal computer, etc.), the device and procedures can be simplified, improving usability.

[0058] (3) A weighing unit on which the item to be contained is placed and which generates weighing information indicating the weight of the item to be contained, An order reception unit that receives the order details of the item to be contained according to the weighing information and generates order information for the order details, Further comprising a communication unit that can communicate via a network with an order reception server used by the person who ships the item to be contained based on the order information, The delivery box according to (1), wherein the communication unit transmits the order information to the order reception server.

[0059] (3) In the invention of (3), the delivery box further includes a weighing unit, an order reception unit, and a communication unit. The weighing unit has the item to be contained placed thereon and generates weighing information indicating the weight of the item to be contained. The order receiving unit receives the order details of the contained item according to the measurement information and generates order information for the said order details. The communication unit can communicate via a network with an order receiving server used by the person who ships the contained item based on the order information. Then, the communication unit transmits the order information to the order receiving server.

[0060] According to the invention of (3), the contained item can be ordered from the order receiving server according to the weight of the contained item generated by the weighing unit, and the ordered contained item can be received by the delivery box. Thereby, for example, when the contained item placed on the weighing unit is used and its weight becomes less than the preset weight, the contained item can be automatically ordered and received, thus improving the usability.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0061] Building B Contained item L Accommodation space S Goods collection point W Delivery box 1 Accommodation unit 2 Opening / closing unit 3 Control unit 10 Order receiving unit 11 Communication unit 12 Opening / closing unit 13 Notification unit 14 Operation receiving unit 20 Opening 21 Weighing unit 30 Opening / closing door 31 Drawer 32 User terminal 50 Order receiving server 100 Delivery person's device 150 Placement unit 301 Weighing unit 302

Claims

[Claim 1] A delivery box having a storage space for storing items that can be delivered, which is installed on both the inside and outside of an exterior wall of a building, and which can be delivered from above by a flying drone, a storage section that protrudes outward from the outer wall of the building, forms the storage space whose inside can be cooled by a cooling device, and has openings on the inside and outside of the building through which the object to be stored can be put in and taken out of the storage space; an opening / closing unit that opens and closes the opening, The opening disposed on the outside of the building is open upward, The opening located inside the building is formed in a box shape open at the top, can be inserted and removed from the storage space, and is opened and closed by a drawer that can pull the items stored in the storage space formed outside the exterior wall of the building inward from the exterior wall of the building.

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