Delivery support apparatus and delivery support program

Abstract

To provide a delivery support apparatus capable of improving delivery efficiency.SOLUTION: A delivery support apparatus 1 includes: a calculation unit which calculates travel time required for each of deliverers who can deliver a commodity ordered by a customer out of commodities available at a real store, to a destination designated by the customer, to move from their current location to the real store; a receiving unit which receives entries to be in charge of delivering the commodity ordered by the customer from the real store to the destination, from among deliverers who are to travel within an upper limit time; a notification unit which notifies deliverers who are to travel within a notification time about eligibility for entry; and a determination unit which determines a deliverer who is in charge of delivery on the basis of the received entries. The notification unit notifies the deliverers, when no entry is received, while gradually increasing the notification time on the basis of the elapsed time since the acceptance for the entry started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery assistance device and a delivery assistance program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a system that provides a service for delivering packages to a delivery destination specified by a requester. In this system, when a requester requests delivery of a package, the closest collection location to the requester's current location is selected, a deliverer closest to that collection location is selected, and a delivery request including package delivery information is sent to that deliverer. Then, when the deliverer accepts the delivery request, they meet up with the requester at the collection location, pick up the requester's package, and deliver it to the specified delivery destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-64197 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, a delivery request is sent to the deliverer closest to the collection location, and if that deliverer accepts the delivery request, that deliverer becomes the person in charge of delivery. However, since the time required for delivery varies depending on the delivery status of each deliverer, the deliverer closest to the collection location may not necessarily be the fastest. Therefore, if the deliverer closest to the collection location is assigned as the delivery person, delivery efficiency may decrease depending on the status of the deliverer at that time.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a delivery support device and a delivery support program that can improve delivery efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A delivery support device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a calculation unit that calculates the travel time required for each delivery person capable of delivering products ordered by a customer from products available at the physical store to a destination specified by the customer, to travel from their current location to the physical store; a reception unit that accepts entries for delivery personnel to deliver the products ordered by the customer from the physical store to the destination from among delivery personnel whose travel time is within a predetermined upper limit time; a notification unit that notifies delivery personnel whose travel time is within a predetermined notification target time that they are eligible to enter; and a determination unit that determines a delivery person based on the entries accepted by the reception unit, and if no entries are accepted, the notification unit gradually extends the notification target time based on the time elapsed since entry acceptance began, and notifies delivery personnel whose travel time is within the extended notification target time that they are eligible to enter.

[0007] Another aspect of the delivery support program of the present invention causes a computer to function as: a calculation unit that calculates the travel time required for each delivery person who is capable of delivering products ordered by a customer from the products available at the physical store to the destination specified by the customer, from their current location to the physical store; a reception unit that accepts entries for delivery personnel to deliver the products ordered by the customer from the physical store to the destination from among delivery personnel whose travel time is within a specified upper limit time; a notification unit that notifies delivery personnel whose travel time is within a specified notification target time that they are eligible to enter; and a determination unit that determines a delivery person based on the entries accepted by the reception unit, and if no entries are accepted, the notification unit gradually extends the notification target time based on the time elapsed since entry acceptance began, and notifies delivery personnel whose travel time is within the extended notification target time that they are eligible to enter.

[0008] According to these aspects, when determining delivery personnel based on entries from delivery personnel, entries are accepted from delivery personnel whose travel time from their current location to the physical store is within a maximum time limit, and delivery personnel who can travel within the notification target time, which gradually increases depending on the time elapsed since the start of acceptance, can be notified that they are eligible to enter.

[0009] This allows only delivery personnel who can travel to the physical store within the maximum time limit and are able to travel within the notification time to be notified that they are eligible to enter, making it possible to encourage delivery personnel who have a short travel time to the physical store to enter preferentially.

[0010] In the above aspect, if the delivery person is currently in charge of delivering other products, the calculation unit may calculate the travel time including the time required to deliver the other products.

[0011] According to this aspect, when calculating the travel time to the physical store, it is possible to calculate a travel time that more accurately reflects the delivery person's current delivery status.

[0012] In the above aspect, the notification unit may repeatedly notify the user that entry is possible at predetermined time intervals.

[0013] According to this embodiment, it is possible to increase the degree to which delivery personnel notice the notification, and it is possible to further increase the effect of encouraging entry.

[0014] In the above aspect, if there is no delivery person whose travel time is within the notification target time, the notification unit may extend the notification target time and notify delivery people whose travel time is within the extended notification target time that they are eligible to enter.

[0015] According to this aspect, even if the travel time exceeds the initial notification target time, delivery personnel who can deliver within a time close to the notification target time can be notified that entry is possible and encouraged to enter.

[0016] In the above aspect, the notification unit may notify delivery personnel that entry is possible, excluding delivery personnel who have stopped receiving notifications.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the delivery person can avoid receiving notifications by stopping the receipt of notifications according to his / her own convenience.

[0018] In the above aspect, the determination unit may determine the delivery person to be the candidate for delivery person corresponding to the first entry received after the entry acceptance has begun.

[0019] According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the delivery person on a first-come, first-served basis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a delivery assistance device and a delivery assistance program that can improve delivery efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a delivery support system including a delivery support device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a delivery support device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a delivery person terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a delivery support device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a notification state to a delivery person. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a notification state to a delivery person. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a notification state to a delivery person. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a notification state to a delivery person. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a notification state to a delivery person. [Figure 10] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of an operation in the delivery support system. [Figure 11] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of an operation in the delivery support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0023] [Delivery Support System Overview] In this embodiment, a delivery support system will be described as an example, in which a customer uses an online convenience store to order a product and a delivery person delivers the ordered product. The online convenience store is a service that sells products sold at a physical convenience store via a network and delivers products ordered by a customer from the physical store to a delivery address specified by the customer. The customer can order a desired product from the online convenience store among the products available at the physical store.

[0024] The configuration of a delivery support system including a delivery support device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The delivery support system includes, for example, the delivery support device 1 and a delivery person terminal 2 used by a delivery person.

[0025] The delivery support device 1 is a server device that manages, for example, information about delivery personnel, information about orders at online convenience stores, information about physical stores, information about delivery companies, etc. This delivery support device 1 executes, for example, a process for determining a delivery person who will deliver a product from a physical store to a destination specified by a customer.

[0026] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a case will be described in which the delivery support device 1 is configured by one server device. However, the server device configuring the delivery support device 1 does not necessarily have to be one device, and may be configured by multiple server devices provided according to roles, functions, etc.

[0027] The deliveryman terminal 2 may be, for example, a smartphone, but is not limited to this and may be any portable terminal.

[0028] The delivery support device 1 and the deliveryman terminal 2 are configured to be able to communicate via a network N. The network N may be, for example, the Internet, a LAN, a dedicated line, a telephone line, an in-house network, a mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), other communication lines, or a combination thereof, and may be wired or wireless.

[0029] [Configuration of delivery support device] As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery support device 1 includes, for example, a processor 11, a storage device 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0030] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The processor 11 functions as a control unit that realizes various functions of the delivery support device 1 by executing a program 121 stored in the storage device 12.

[0031] The storage device 12 is a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or a semiconductor memory, etc. The storage device 12 stores, for example, a program 121 and data 122 used by the program 121.

[0032] The data 122 includes, for example, delivery person information about the delivery person, order information about orders placed at online convenience stores, store information about physical stores, delivery company information about delivery companies, and delivery person information about the delivery person who will deliver the product.

[0033] The communication unit 13 is an interface that connects to the network N and communicates with other devices and terminals on the network N.

[0034] [Delivery staff terminal configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, the deliveryman terminal 2 includes, for example, a processor 21, a storage device 22, a communication unit 23, a display unit 24, and an input unit 25.

[0035] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc. The processor 21 executes a program 221 stored in the storage device 22, thereby functioning as a control unit that realizes various functions of the delivery person terminal 2.

[0036] The storage device 22 is a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory or a disk drive, etc. The storage device 22 stores, for example, a program 221 and data used by the program 221.

[0037] The program 221 may include, for example, a delivery person application (hereinafter also referred to as a "delivery person app") for supporting the work of delivery people. A delivery person can, for example, register as a delivery person using various screens displayed by executing the delivery person app on the delivery person terminal 2. A delivery person is a person who delivers products ordered by a customer at an online convenience store from a physical store to a delivery address specified by the customer.

[0038] In this embodiment, for example, a deliveryperson application is installed on the deliveryperson terminal 2, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where a deliveryperson application is not installed on the deliveryperson terminal 2. In this case, it is preferable to support the work of the deliveryperson by exchanging data between the deliveryperson terminal 2 and the delivery support device 1 using various screens displayed on the deliveryperson terminal 2 by connecting the deliveryperson terminal 2 to a specific site of the delivery support device 1.

[0039] The communication unit 23 is an interface that connects to the network N and communicates with other terminals and devices on the network N.

[0040] The display unit 24 is, for example, a display having a touch panel, and displays images, screens, and the like.

[0041] The input unit 25 is, for example, a touch panel, a pen tablet, a keyboard, or a microphone, and receives inputs such as operation instructions from a delivery person.

[0042] [Functions of the delivery support device] 4, a description will be given of functions realized by executing the program 121 of the delivery support device 1. The delivery support device 1 has, as functional components, for example, a calculation unit 111, a reception unit 112, a notification unit 113, and a determination unit 114. Each unit will be described below.

[0043] The calculation unit 111 calculates the travel time required for each delivery person to travel from their current location to the physical store when a customer orders a product from an online convenience store.

[0044] The travel time may be calculated, for example, by passing the location information of the current location, the physical store, and the delivery destination to an external system that calculates travel time using map information, or may be calculated as follows.

[0045] The calculation unit 111 calculates the travel time by dividing the distance from the current location of the delivery person to the physical store by a predetermined travel speed.

[0046] The distance from the delivery person's current location to the physical store may be calculated by multiplying the straight-line distance from the delivery person's current location to the physical store by a predetermined coefficient, which is preferably set to a value such as 1.5, taking into account the additional distance that would be added if the delivery person were to travel along actual roads.

[0047] The predetermined travel speed is preferably determined for each region or store based on the means of transportation of the delivery person and regional characteristics, etc. The means of transportation may include, for example, walking, bicycle, motorcycle, passenger car, etc. Regional characteristics are characteristics due to differences in natural conditions and topography.

[0048] If the delivery person is currently in charge of delivering other products, the calculation unit 111 preferably calculates the travel time by further including the time required to deliver the other products. This makes it possible to calculate the travel time that reflects the current delivery status of each delivery person.

[0049] The delivery personnel whose travel time is to be calculated may be, for example, delivery personnel belonging to a delivery company or a physical store who work within the delivery area of ​​the physical store, or delivery personnel who work within a specified distance from the physical store.

[0050] Here, when calculating the travel time, the travel time from the physical store to the delivery destination may also be added. The reason why the travel time from the physical store to the delivery destination is not taken into account above is because the travel time from the physical store to the delivery destination is a time common to all delivery personnel and is not a necessary factor in determining the delivery person. On the other hand, if the travel time from the physical store to the delivery destination varies depending on the delivery personnel, for example, because each delivery personnel uses a different means of transportation, it is preferable to take the travel time from the physical store to the delivery destination into consideration. The travel time from the physical store to the delivery destination can be calculated in the same way as the travel time from the delivery personnel's current location to the physical store described above.

[0051] The reception unit 112 accepts applications for delivery from eligible delivery personnel. It is preferable to limit applications for delivery personnel to those whose calculated travel time is within a predetermined upper limit time. This prevents applications from being submitted by delivery personnel who exceed the upper limit time, thereby shortening the time required to deliver the product to the destination. It is preferable to set the predetermined upper limit time within an acceptable range for the time required to deliver the product to the destination.

[0052] Entry into the delivery job is carried out, for example, by an eligible delivery person operating the delivery person terminal 2 to apply for entry. The entry application may be made, for example, by selecting the target order from a list of eligible orders and executing it. The eligible order list can be referenced on the delivery person terminal 2 of the delivery person who is a candidate for entry. This allows the delivery person to check whether they are a candidate for entry by referring to the order list.

[0053] The notification unit 113 notifies delivery personnel whose calculated travel time is within a predetermined notification time that they can be entered as a delivery representative. The notification to the delivery personnel may be a message or an email. The predetermined notification time may be set to, for example, 30 minutes, but is not limited to this. It is preferable to set a time that is more likely to improve delivery efficiency by analyzing the relationship between the notification time and delivery results. This notification allows delivery personnel with short travel times to be given priority in entry, thereby shortening the time it takes to deliver the product to the destination.

[0054] It is preferable that the notification unit 113 repeatedly notifies the delivery person that entry is possible at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval can be set to, for example, 30 seconds, but is not limited to this, and it is preferable to set a time interval that is more likely to improve delivery efficiency by analyzing the relationship between the time interval and delivery performance. By repeatedly notifying the delivery person, it is possible to increase the degree to which the delivery person notices the notification, and it is possible to further promote entry.

[0055] If no entries are accepted after entry acceptance begins, the notification unit 113 gradually extends the notification target time based on the time elapsed since entry acceptance began. For example, if the time elapsed since entry acceptance began is a predetermined time, the notification unit 113 gradually extends the notification target time. The predetermined time can be set to, for example, three minutes, but is not limited to this. It is preferable to set the predetermined time so that it is more likely to improve delivery efficiency by analyzing the relationship between the elapsed time and delivery performance. By extending the notification target time, it is possible to increase the number of delivery personnel to be notified, thereby shortening the time required to select a delivery person.

[0056] When extending the notification target time, the notification unit 113 preferably extends the notification target time ultimately to a predetermined upper limit time. This allows the target to be expanded to the range of the allowable upper limit time, even if a delivery person has not been decided, and the number of entry candidates can be maximized. This reduces the risk of not being able to decide on a delivery person. The number of stages by which the notification target time is extended is preferably determined taking into consideration the risk of not being able to decide on a delivery person and delivery efficiency.

[0057] The notification unit 113 may extend the notification time if there is no delivery person whose travel time is within the notification time. This makes it possible to notify delivery people who can deliver within a time close to the notification time that they can enter the delivery even if their travel time exceeds the initial notification time, and encourage them to enter the delivery.

[0058] The notification unit 113 may notify delivery personnel that entry is possible, excluding delivery personnel who have stopped receiving notifications. In this way, if a delivery personnel who has received a notification that entry is possible performs an operation to stop receiving notifications according to his or her own convenience, notifications that entry is possible will no longer be sent to the delivery personnel terminal 2 of that delivery personnel.

[0059] The determination unit 114 determines a delivery person based on the entry accepted by the acceptance unit 112. Specifically, the determination unit 114 determines the delivery person who applied for the first accepted entry since the acceptance of entries began.

[0060] The notification unit 113 may notify the candidate determined as the delivery person by the determination unit 114 that he or she has been determined as the delivery person.

[0061] An example of a pattern for notifying a delivery person will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0062] Figures 5 to 9 illustrate, as an example, a case in which notification that entry is possible is given every 30 seconds, and after 3 minutes (180 seconds) have elapsed from the start, the notification target time is extended from the first stage notification target time (30 minutes) to the second stage notification target time (upper limit time).

[0063] 5 to 9, S indicates a physical store, and Da to Dm indicate delivery personnel. Similarly, Ra indicates a first range in which the travel time to physical store S is within the first-stage notification target time, and Rb indicates a second range in which the travel time to physical store S is within the second-stage notification target time. Below, as an example, a case where the notification target time reaches the upper limit time in two stages will be described, but the same explanation can also be applied to cases where the notification target time reaches the upper limit time in three or more stages.

[0064] 5 shows that at the start of entry acceptance, delivery persons Da and Db are in a first range Ra, delivery persons Dc and Dd are in a second range Rb, and delivery person De is outside the second range Rb. Delivery person De is excluded from the entry candidates because the travel time to physical store S exceeds the upper limit time.

[0065] In this situation, at 0 and 30 seconds from the start, only deliverymen Da and Db who are in the first range Ra will receive notifications. If deliverymen Da stops receiving notifications between 30 and 60 seconds, deliverymen Da will no longer receive notifications. After that, at 60 and 90 seconds, only deliverymen Db will receive notifications.

[0066] If delivery person Db stops receiving notifications between 90 and 120 seconds, delivery person Db will no longer receive notifications. Similarly, if delivery person Dc moves from the second range Rb to the first range Ra between 90 and 120 seconds, only delivery person Dc who is in the first range Ra will receive notifications at 120 and 150 seconds.

[0067] In this case, because entries are not accepted within three minutes of the start, the notification target time is extended from the first stage notification target time to the second stage notification target time. In other words, after 180 seconds from the start, the notification range is expanded from the first range Ra to the second range Rb.

[0068] At 180 seconds and 210 seconds after that, delivery person Dc, who is in the first range Ra, and delivery person Dd, who is in the second range Rb, receive notifications. Then, delivery person Dc enters the list between 210 seconds and 240 seconds. As a result, delivery person Dc, who is in the first range Ra, is selected as the delivery person.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows that at the time entry acceptance begins, delivery person Df is in the first range Ra and delivery person Dg is in the second range Rb.

[0070] Delivery person Df is currently in charge of delivering another product to another customer's destination C. If the delivery time to destination C is added, delivery person Df's travel time to physical store S exceeds the upper limit time. Therefore, delivery person Df is excluded from the entry candidates even if he or she is in the first range Ra.

[0071] When delivery person Df is excluded from the entry candidates, there are no delivery people in the first range Ra. As a result, the notification target time is extended from the first stage notification target time to the second stage notification target time. In other words, the notification range at the start of notification is expanded from the first range Ra to the second range Rb.

[0072] Therefore, at the start of the notification, only delivery person Dg who is in the second range Rb will receive the notification. Then, delivery person Dg will enter the notification between 0 and 30 seconds. As a result, delivery person Dg who is in the second range Rb will be selected as the delivery person.

[0073] FIG. 7 shows that at the time entry acceptance begins, delivery person Dh is in the first range Ra and delivery person Di is in the second range Rb.

[0074] In this situation, only delivery personnel Dh who are in the first range Ra will continue to receive notifications repeatedly at 30-second intervals between 0 and 150 seconds.

[0075] In this case, because entries are not accepted within three minutes of the start, the notification target time is extended from the first stage notification target time to the second stage notification target time. In other words, after 180 seconds from the start, the notification range is expanded from the first range Ra to the second range Rb.

[0076] At 180 seconds later, delivery person Dh, who is in the first range Ra, and delivery person Di, who is in the second range Rb, receive a notification. Then, delivery person Di enters the list between 180 seconds and 210 seconds. As a result, delivery person Di, who is in the second range Rb, is selected as the delivery person.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows that at the start of entry acceptance, delivery person Dk is not present anywhere, and only delivery person Dj is present in the second range Rb.

[0078] In this case, since there is no delivery person in the first range Ra at the start, the notification target time is extended from the first stage notification target time to the second stage notification target time. In other words, the notification range at the start of notification is expanded from the first range Ra to the second range Rb.

[0079] Therefore, at the start of the process, 0 seconds later, only delivery person Dj who is in the second range Rb receives the notification. Then, 20 seconds later, delivery person Dk begins work and appears in the first range Ra.

[0080] At the 30-second mark, delivery person Dk in the first range Ra and delivery person Dj in the second range Rb receive the notification. Then, delivery person Dj enters the list between 30 and 60 seconds. As a result, delivery person Dj in the second range Rb is selected as the delivery person.

[0081] 9 shows that at the start of entry acceptance, there are no delivery personnel in either the first range Ra or the second range Rb. In this case, at the start, the notification target time is extended from the first stage notification target time to the second stage notification target time. In other words, the notification range at the start of notification is expanded from the first range Ra to the second range Rb.

[0082] After that, the system waits for the delivery person to move into the first range Ra or the second range Rb. Then, for example, when delivery person Dm moves into the second range Rb, delivery person Dm will receive a notification.

[0083] [Delivery support system operation] With reference to FIG. 10, an example of the operation of the delivery support system when an entry is accepted when the notification target time is the first-stage notification target time will be described.

[0084] First, the delivery support device 1 receives a delivery request transmitted as a result of an order placed at an online convenience store (step S101).

[0085] Next, the calculation unit 111 of the delivery support device 1 calculates the travel time required for each delivery person to travel from their current location to the physical store (step S102).

[0086] Next, the notification unit 113 of the delivery support device 1 repeatedly notifies the delivery person terminal 2 of the delivery person whose travel time calculated in step S102 is within the first stage notification time at predetermined time intervals that entry into the delivery department is possible (step S103).

[0087] Next, it is assumed that an operation to enter the delivery person is performed on any of the deliveryperson terminals 2 notified in step S103 (step S104).

[0088] Next, the receiving unit 112 of the delivery support device 1 receives the entry from the deliveryperson terminal 2 on which the entry operation was executed in step S104 (step S105).

[0089] Next, the determination unit 114 of the delivery support device 1 determines a delivery person based on the entry accepted in step S105 (step S106). Specifically, the determination unit 114 determines the delivery person of the entry that is accepted first after the acceptance of entries begins.

[0090] Next, the notification unit 113 of the delivery support device 1 notifies the delivery person terminal 2 of the delivery person selected as the delivery person in step S106 that the delivery person has been selected as the delivery person (step S107).

[0091] An example of the operation of the delivery support system when accepting entries after the notification target time has been extended to the second-stage notification target time will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Here, the processing from step S201 to step S203 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S103 in Fig. 10.

[0092] First, the delivery support device 1 receives a delivery request transmitted as a result of an order placed at an online convenience store (step S201).

[0093] Next, the calculation unit 111 of the delivery support device 1 calculates the travel time required for each delivery person to travel from their current location to the physical store (step S202).

[0094] Next, the notification unit 113 of the delivery support device 1 repeatedly notifies the delivery person terminal 2 of the delivery person whose travel time calculated in the above step S202 is within the first stage notification time, at predetermined time intervals, that entry into the delivery department is possible (step S203).

[0095] Next, the notification unit 113 of the delivery support device 1 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of acceptance without the entry being accepted (step S204). If this determination is NO (step S204; NO), this determination is repeated or the device waits until it becomes YES.

[0096] If it is determined in step S204 above that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of entry acceptance (step S204; YES), the notification unit 113 extends the notification target time to a second-stage notification target time (step S205).

[0097] Next, the notification unit 113 of the delivery support device 1 repeatedly notifies the deliveryperson terminal 2 of the deliveryperson notified in step S203 above that the deliveryperson can continue to enter at predetermined time intervals (step S206).

[0098] In parallel with the processing of step S206, the notification unit 113 notifies the delivery person terminal 2 of the newly notified delivery person repeatedly at predetermined time intervals that the calculated travel time is within the second stage notification target time and that the delivery person can be entered into the delivery department (step S207).

[0099] Next, it is assumed that an operation to enter the delivery person is performed on any of the deliveryperson terminals 2 that received the notification in step S207 (step S208).

[0100] Next, the receiving unit 112 of the delivery support device 1 receives the entry from the deliveryperson terminal 2 on which the entry operation was executed in step S208 (step S209).

[0101] Next, the determination unit 114 of the delivery support device 1 determines a delivery person based on the entry accepted in step S209 (step S210). Specifically, the determination unit 114 determines the delivery person to be the delivery person for the entry that is accepted first after the acceptance of entries begins.

[0102] Next, the notification unit 113 of the delivery support device 1 notifies the deliveryperson terminal 2 of the deliveryperson selected as the delivery person in step S210 that the deliveryperson has been selected as the delivery person (step S211).

[0103] As described above, according to the delivery support system including the delivery support device 1 of the embodiment, when accepting entries from delivery personnel and determining who will be in charge of delivery, entries are accepted from delivery personnel whose travel time from their current location to the physical store is within the upper limit time, and delivery personnel who can travel within the notification target time, which gradually increases depending on the time elapsed since the start of acceptance, can be notified that they are eligible to enter.

[0104] This allows only delivery personnel who can travel to the physical store within the maximum time limit and are able to travel within the notification time to be notified that they are eligible to enter, making it possible to encourage delivery personnel who have a short travel time to the physical store to enter preferentially.

[0105] Therefore, the delivery support system including the delivery support device 1 according to the embodiment can improve delivery efficiency.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system including the delivery support device 1 of the embodiment, if the delivery person is currently in charge of delivering other products, the travel time can be calculated including the time required to deliver the other products. This makes it possible to calculate a travel time to a physical store that more accurately reflects the delivery person's current delivery status.

[0107] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting. For example, the order of the above-described processing steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, the calculation unit 111 calculates the travel time for delivery personnel who are currently working. However, delivery personnel who are currently working but have requested that delivery assignments be temporarily suspended may be excluded from the calculation of travel time. Whether a request to temporarily suspend delivery assignments has been made may be determined based on, for example, the content of the delivery availability status. The delivery availability status is an item set by the delivery personnel themselves to determine whether delivery assignments are temporarily suspended.

[0109] Specifically, when a delivery person sets their delivery availability status to "unable to deliver," which indicates that delivery assignments will be temporarily suspended, the delivery person is excluded from the calculation of travel time. This removes the delivery person from the list of candidates for entry as a delivery person and makes them unable to be entered as a delivery person. On the other hand, when a delivery person sets their delivery availability status to "enabled to deliver," which indicates that delivery assignments will resume, the delivery person is restored to the list of candidates for entry as a delivery person. This allows the delivery person to become a candidate for entry as a delivery person. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1...Delivery support device, 2...Deliveryperson terminal, 11...Processor, 12...Storage device, 13...Communication unit, 21...Processor, 22...Storage device, 23...Communication unit, 24...Display unit, 25...Input unit, 111...Calculation unit, 112...Reception unit, 113...Notification unit, 114...Determination unit, 121...Program, 122...Data, 221...Program, Da to Dm...Deliveryperson, N...Network, Ra...First range, Rb...Second range, S...Physical store

Claims

1. a calculation unit that calculates travel times required for delivery personnel who can deliver products ordered by a customer from products available at the physical store to a destination designated by the customer to travel from their current locations to the physical store; a reception unit that receives an entry for a delivery person who will deliver the product ordered by the customer from the physical store to the delivery destination from among the delivery persons whose travel time is within a predetermined upper limit time; a notification unit that notifies a delivery person whose travel time is within a predetermined notification time that the entry is possible; a determination unit that determines the delivery person based on the entry accepted by the acceptance unit; Equipped with When the entry is not accepted, the notification unit gradually extends the notification target time based on the time elapsed since the entry acceptance started, and notifies the delivery person whose travel time is within the extended notification target time that the entry is possible. Delivery support equipment.

2. When the delivery person is currently in charge of delivering another product, the calculation unit calculates the travel time including a time required to deliver the other product. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

3. the notification unit repeatedly notifies the user that the entry is possible at predetermined time intervals. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

4. When there is no delivery person whose travel time is within the notification target time, the notification unit extends the notification target time and notifies the delivery person whose travel time is within the extended notification target time that the entry is possible. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

5. The notification unit notifies the delivery person that the entry is possible, excluding the delivery person who has stopped receiving notifications. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

6. the determination unit determines the delivery person corresponding to the entry that is first accepted after the acceptance of the entries begins as the delivery person; The delivery support device according to claim 1.

7. Computer, a calculation unit that calculates travel times required for delivery personnel capable of delivering products ordered by a customer from products available at the physical store to travel from their current locations to the physical store to the destination designated by the customer; a reception unit that receives an entry for a delivery person who will deliver the product ordered by the customer from the physical store to the delivery destination from among the delivery persons whose travel time is within a predetermined upper limit time; a notification unit that notifies a delivery person whose travel time is within a predetermined notification time that the entry is possible; a determination unit that determines the delivery person based on the entry accepted by the acceptance unit; It functions as When the entry is not accepted, the notification unit gradually extends the notification target time based on the time elapsed since the entry acceptance started, and notifies the delivery person whose travel time is within the extended notification target time that the entry is possible. Delivery assistance program.

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