Delivery management system

Abstract

To propose a delivery management system that can improve the security in a delivery process of delivering a package between a specified place and a storage warehouse according to a request from a client, by managing the delivery process.SOLUTION: A delivery management system comprises: first and second collation devices 11, 12 that collates a package to generate collation log information when a delivery company carries in a package to a storage of a storage warehouse 52 and carries out the package from the storage; and a management server 21 that inputs the collation log information from these collation devices 11, 12, and when the management server 21 confirms the carrying-in and out of the package, it outputs the collation log information to a client terminal 32. According to such a configuration, the security in a delivery process can be improved, and a client can feel an improved sense of security and trust.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery management system that manages a delivery process for delivering a package between a location designated by a requester and a storage facility based on the request of the requester. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known services that provide storage facilities for storing household goods and other items that cannot be stored at home, items that will not be used for a relatively long period of time, items that will not be used for a certain period of time, etc. Generally, the owner of the item carries the item in and out of the storage facility.

[0003] On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a service in which when a user wants to deposit luggage at a rental warehouse or when the user uses luggage deposited at the rental warehouse, luggage is transported between the user's home (designated location) and the rental warehouse. In this service, a user accesses a server computer from a terminal and requests the deposit or removal of luggage, and instructions for delivering the luggage (arrangements for delivery date and time, delivery vehicle, worker, etc.) are generated, and the luggage is delivered in accordance with these instructions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-279050 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional service disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, workers (delivery companies) deposit and remove packages from warehouses, raising security concerns about the packages being removed and stored in the warehouse. Specifically, there are concerns that problems may arise, such as the wrong package being removed from the warehouse, the wrong package being brought into the warehouse, or the loss of packages being removed and stored.

[0006] The present invention relates to a delivery management system that can improve the security of a package when delivering the package between a designated location specified by a requester and a storage facility, and can prevent the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a delivery management system that manages a delivery process for delivering a package between a storage facility that stores a package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, the delivery process including an inbound delivery process for storing a package transported from the designated location into the storage facility based on a request from the requester, and an outbound delivery process for retrieving the package from the storage facility for transport to the designated location based on a request from the requester. The delivery management system comprises: a matching information output means that, when the package is received in the inbound delivery process and when the package is shipped in the outbound delivery process, verifies the package based on the request of the requester and outputs matching log information including matching data indicating the match and date and time data indicating the date and time of the match; and a management server that is connectable to the matching information output means and a terminal of the requester via a network, wherein the management server comprises: a log information input means that inputs the matching log information output from the matching information output means via the network, and a log information output means that outputs the matching log information input by the log information input means to the terminal of the requester when a predetermined output condition is met.

[0008] Here, the storage facility may be a relatively small warehouse that stores only the belongings of each requester, or a space or storage unit provided within a relatively large warehouse. The verification information output means may be a device installed in the storage facility (or near the storage facility), or a device (terminal) that can be carried by the delivery company. The output conditions may be, for example, a request for verification log information from the requester, input of verification log information by the log information input means of the management server, or a predetermined period of time having passed since input of the verification log information to the log information input means. The requester's terminal may be any terminal that can be used by the requester, such as a PC, tablet, smartphone, or mobile phone.

[0009] In the configuration of the first invention, when a package is stored in or removed from the storage facility, the verification information output means performs verification of the package, thereby preventing mistakes in the storage or removal of the package and preventing the loss of the package. Furthermore, by inputting the verification log information to the management server, the management server can accurately and stably manage the storage and removal of the package based on the verification log information. Furthermore, by outputting the verification log information to the requester's terminal, the requester can confirm the storage and removal of the package using the verification log information. Thus, the configuration of the present invention not only prevents mistakes in the storage of the package but also manages the storage and removal of the package, thereby dramatically improving the security of the delivery process in which the requester's package is delivered between the storage facility and the designated location, and providing the requester with a sense of security and increasing trust in the delivery process.

[0010] On the other hand, a second aspect of the present invention is a delivery management system for managing a delivery process for delivering a package between a storage warehouse storing a package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, the delivery process including an inbound delivery process for storing the package transferred from the designated location into the storage warehouse based on a request from the requester, and an outbound delivery process for transferring the package from the storage warehouse to the designated location based on a request from the requester, the delivery management system collating authentication information used in the inbound delivery process and the outbound delivery process, and outputting authentication log information including authentication data indicating the collation of the authentication information and date and time data indicating the date and time of the collation to a management server via the network. a terminal of a delivery company that delivers the package between the storage facility and a specified location, the authentication information output means, and a management server that can be connected via a network to the terminal of the requester, wherein the management server comprises: an authentication information providing means that outputs the authentication information to the terminal of the delivery company via the network; a log information input means that inputs the authentication log information output from the authentication information output means via the network; and a log information output means that outputs the authentication log information input by the log information input means to the terminal of the requester when a predetermined output condition is met.

[0011] Here, the authentication information output means is preferably configured to be installed at (or near) the location where the package is stored in and removed from the storage facility, or at (or near) the storage facility. The delivery company's terminal may be any terminal that can be used by the delivery company, such as a PC, tablet, smartphone, or mobile phone. The storage facility and output conditions are the same as those of the first invention described above.

[0012] In the configuration of the second invention, when a package is stored in or removed from the storage facility, the authentication information acquired by the delivery company's terminal is authenticated by the authentication information output means, thereby confirming that the delivery company is a legitimate delivery company delivering the package based on the request of the requester. This prevents package mistakes and loss, and dramatically improves security in the delivery process. Furthermore, since the requester can check the authentication log information, the requester's sense of security and trust can be further improved.

[0013] The delivery management system of the first invention described above is capable of managing a delivery process in which the client's package is delivered from a first storage facility storing the package to another second storage facility and stored therein when a predetermined inter-storage delivery condition is met, In the outgoing delivery process in the first storage warehouse, the parcel is verified by the verification information output means and verification log information is output to the management server; In the receiving and delivery process in the second warehouse, the parcel is verified by the verification information output means and verification log information is output to the management server; The management server may have a process for outputting the collation log information obtained from the outgoing delivery process and the incoming delivery process to the client's terminal. On the other hand, the delivery management system of the second invention described above is capable of managing a delivery process in which the client's package is delivered from a first storage facility storing the package to another second storage facility and stored therein when a predetermined inter-storage delivery condition is met, In the outgoing delivery process in the first storage warehouse, the authentication information output means collates the authentication information acquired by the terminal of the delivery company and outputs authentication log information to the management server; In the receiving and delivery process in the second storage facility, the authentication information output means collates the authentication information acquired by the terminal of the delivery company and outputs authentication log information to the management server; The management server may have a process for outputting the authentication log information obtained from the outgoing delivery process and the incoming delivery process to the client's terminal. Here, the inter-storage delivery conditions can be set such as the requester requesting a change of storage facility, the management server (and the person operating the management server) deciding whether to change the storage facility, or circumstances arising that make it impossible to store the package at the storage facility where the package is stored.

[0014] According to these configurations, the client's cargo stored in the first storage facility can be transferred to and stored in another second storage facility when the inter-storage facility delivery conditions are met, and security can be improved in the delivery process from the first storage facility to the second storage facility. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the first and second delivery management systems of the present invention, it is possible to dramatically improve security in the delivery process of delivering a client's package between a storage facility and a designated location, and to increase the client's sense of security and trust. Either of the configurations of the first and second inventions has higher security and is superior to the conventional configurations described above as a means of managing the delivery process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing delivery of a package 50 by a delivery management system 1 of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage warehouse 52. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a delivery management system 1. [Figure 4] 10 is a flow diagram showing the receiving and delivery process of storing cargo 50 in storage 53. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flow diagram showing a pick-up and delivery process for taking out the package 50 from the storage 53. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the delivery of a package 50 managed by a delivery management system 1 of this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage warehouse 52 where the inbound and outbound of the package 50 is managed by the delivery management system 1. In this embodiment, the package 50 may be the item itself stored in the storage warehouse 52, or the item may be stored in a case such as a cardboard box. If the package 50 is stored in a cardboard box, the contents can be kept secret from anyone other than the sender (such as the delivery company or workers at the storage warehouse).

[0018] The delivery process of this embodiment for delivering the package 50 includes a process in which a delivery company delivers the package 50 between a designated location 51 designated by the requester (for example, the requester's home) and a storage warehouse 52 in which the package 50 is stored. The storage warehouse 52 is provided with a plurality of storages (carts) 53 for accommodating the package 50 for each requester, and the package 50 is stored in the storage 53. That is, the delivery process of this embodiment delivers the package 50 between the designated location 51 and the storage 53 in the storage warehouse 52. In this embodiment, the storage 53 corresponds to the storage of the present invention.

[0019] The designated location 51 is a location designated by the requester, and can be arbitrarily designated by the requester. Therefore, the designated location 51 to which the package 50 stored in the storage 53 is sent and the designated location 51 to which the package 50 is sent from the storage 53 may be the same or different from each other.

[0020] The delivery process includes an acceptance delivery process in which the delivery company transports the package 50 from the designated location 51 to the storage warehouse 52 and stores it in storage 53, and an eviction delivery process in which the delivery company retrieves the package 50 from storage 53 and transports it from the storage warehouse 52 to the designated location 51. The acceptance delivery process includes a process in which the delivery company receives the package 50 at the designated location 51, a process in which the package 50 is transported from the designated location 51 to the storage warehouse 52, and an acceptance delivery process in which the storage warehouse 52 stores the package 50 in storage 53. On the other hand, the eviction delivery process includes an eviction delivery process in which the storage warehouse 52 retrieves the package 50 from storage 53, a process in which the storage warehouse 52 transports the package 50 from the storage warehouse 52 to the designated location 51, and a process in which the package 50 is handed over at the designated location 51.

[0021] The storage warehouse 52 performs the above-described incoming delivery process and outgoing delivery process. As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of storage units 53 are movably placed within the storage warehouse 52, and each storage unit 53 stores a package 50 (see Fig. 1). Each storage unit 53 is attached with an RFID tag (not shown) for identifying the respective unit, and each package 50 stored in each storage unit 53 is similarly attached with an RFID tag (not shown) for identifying the respective unit. The RFID tag of each storage unit 53 and the RFID tag of the package 50 stored in the storage unit 53 are associated with each other and stored in the management server 21, which will be described later.

[0022] The storage warehouse 52 includes a storage location 56 where a plurality of storage units 53 are stored in an aligned manner, an entry / exit location 57 where packages 50 are received and removed from the storage units 53, and a path (not shown) for moving the storage units 53 between the storage location 56 and the entry / exit location 57. A first verification device 11 is provided on this path for verifying the storage units 53 (and packages 50) moving on the path. An authentication device 13 for authenticating the delivery company and a second verification device 12 for verifying the packages 50 being received and removed are provided at the entry / exit location 57.

[0023] The first verification device 11 includes a reading device (not shown) that reads the RFID tags of the storage 53 and the luggage 50, and a clock function (not shown) that counts the date and time. When a storage 53 passes along the movement path, the first verification device 11 uses the reading device to read the RFID tag of the storage 53 and the RFID tag of the luggage 50 stored in the storage 53, and uses the clock function to read the date and time when these RFID tags are read. The first verification device 11 then generates first verification log information that includes the verification data read from the RFID tags and the date and time data read by the clock function. When luggage 50 is to be shipped out from the storage 53, the first verification log information is generated when the storage 53 moves from the storage location 56 to the loading / unloading location 57. When luggage 50 is to be stored in the storage 53, the first verification log information is generated when the storage 53 moves from the loading / unloading location 57 to the storage location 56.

[0024] The second verification device 12 includes a reader (not shown) that reads the RFID tag of the package 50 that is brought in and out by the delivery company at the loading / unloading site 57, and a clock function (not shown) that counts the date and time. When the delivery company brings in and out the package 50 at the loading / unloading site 57, the second verification device 12 generates second verification log information that includes verification data read from the RFID tag of the package 50 and date and time data read by the clock function.

[0025] The authentication device 13 includes a reading device (not shown) that reads the two-dimensional code from the terminal (delivery company terminal) 31 held by the delivery company, and a clock function (not shown) that counts the date and time. When the delivery company stores or retrieves the package 50 at the storage / retrieval area 57, the authentication device 13 generates authentication log information that includes authentication data read from the two-dimensional code of the delivery company terminal 31 by the reading device and date and time data read by the clock function.

[0026] The storage warehouse 52 is provided with a warehouse management device 14 that transmits and receives information (data) to and from the first verification device 11, the second verification device 12, and the authentication device 13. The warehouse management device 14 stores and manages this information and manages the luggage 50 stored in the storage warehouse 52 based on this information. The warehouse management device 14 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU and a storage device, and has a communication function for communicating signals, data, etc. with a management server 21 via a communication network (e.g., the Internet) described below. Through this communication function, the warehouse management device 14 outputs information input from the first verification device 11, the second verification device 12, and the authentication device 13 to the management server 21, and receives signals and information (data) from the management server 21.

[0027] The delivery management system 1 of this embodiment is composed of a management server 21 that manages the delivery process, a first verification device 11, a second verification device 12, an authentication device 13, and a warehouse management device 14 that are arranged in the storage warehouse 52, the delivery company terminal 31, and a terminal carried by the requester (requester terminal) 32. The delivery company terminal 31 and the requester terminal 32 are personal computers, tablets, smartphones, or the like that have the function of communicating via the communication network, and have application software that can access the management server 21 installed.

[0028] The management server 21 is configured with one or more computers and includes a control device 22 having a CPU, a storage device 23 for storing data, and a transmission / reception device 24 for communicating via a communication network. The storage device 23 stores identification information (name, address, ID, etc.) for identifying a requester, identification information indicating the package 50 to be stored at the request of the requester, identification information indicating the storage 53 in which the package 50 is stored, receipt information indicating the delivery receipt received from the requester, and the first verification log information, the second verification log information, and the authentication log information obtained from the warehouse management device 14. The storage device 23 stores each of the above information linked to the requester's identification information.

[0029] The management server 21 includes a delivery instruction means for instructing a delivery company to perform delivery in accordance with the reception information received from the requester terminal 32, a warehouse operation instruction means for instructing the storage warehouse 52 to perform receiving and retrieval operations in accordance with the reception information, an entry / exit confirmation means for confirming the entry / exit of the package 50, and an information output means for transmitting information related to the entry / exit to the requester terminal 32. Here, the entry / exit confirmation means inputs the first verification log information, second verification log information, and authentication log information, and confirms the entry / exit by determining the consistency of each piece of information. Each of these means is executed by the control device 22 using programs, data, etc. pre-stored in the storage device 23.

[0030] Next, the management of the delivery process by the delivery management system 1 of this embodiment will be described. When a request to store the package 50 in the storage warehouse 52 (storage 53) is received from the requester terminal 32, the above-mentioned receiving and delivery process is carried out. Here, the requester accesses (logs in to) the management server 21 using the requester terminal 32 and requests storage of the package 50 by inputting information necessary for storing the package 50. The information to be input in this storage request includes information on the date and time of receipt, information on the designated location 51 (address, etc.), information on the package 50 (contents and size of the package), etc.

[0031] The management flow of the receiving and delivery process is shown in Figure 4. When the management server 21 accepts a storage request from the requester terminal 32, it sends a delivery work instruction to the delivery company terminal 31 via the delivery work instruction means, and sends a storage work instruction to the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52 via the warehouse work instruction means. Then, reception information indicating the contents of the storage request is stored in the storage device 23. The delivery work instruction includes information on the date and time of receipt, information on the specified location 51, information on the package 50, identification information for the package 50, and authentication information for identifying the delivery company, and is sent to the delivery company terminal 31. Meanwhile, the storage work instruction includes information on the package 50, identification verification information for verifying the identification information of the package 50, authentication verification information for verifying the authentication information of the delivery company, and identification information of the storage 53 storing the package 50. Each piece of information in the storage work instruction is sent from the warehouse management device 14 to the first verification device 11, the second verification device 12, and the authentication device 13.

[0032] When the delivery company receives the delivery work instruction, it prepares an RFID tag on which the identification information of the package 50 included in the delivery work instruction is written. When the delivery company receives the package 50 at the designated location 51 on the date and time of receipt in accordance with the delivery work instruction, it affixes the RFID tag to the package 50. After this, the delivery company transports the package 50 from the designated location 51 to a storage warehouse 52.

[0033] A delivery company that has arrived at the storage warehouse 52 performs a warehousing and delivery process in which the package 50 is stored in the storage 53. At the loading / unloading area 57, the delivery company has the authentication information displayed on the delivery company terminal 31 read into the authentication device 13. The authentication device 13 authenticates (verifies) the authentication information using the authentication verification information included in the storage work instruction, and generates authentication log information including authentication data indicating the authentication result (verification result) and date and time data of the authentication. This authentication log information is then sent to the warehouse management device 14. Furthermore, the delivery company has the second verification device 12 read the RFID tag of the package 50. The second verification device 12 reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the package 50, verifies it against the identification verification information of the package 50 included in the storage work instruction, and generates second verification log information including verification data indicating the verification result and date and time data. This second verification log information is then sent to the warehouse management device 14.

[0034] Once the warehouse management device 14 has confirmed the authentication log information (authentication of the delivery company) and the second verification log information (verification of the package 50) in this way, a worker at the storage warehouse 52 moves the storage 53 from the storage location 56 to the loading / unloading location 57 in accordance with the storage work instruction. During this movement, when the storage 53 passes the first verification device 11, the first verification device 11 reads identification information from the RFID tag of the storage 53. The first verification device 11 verifies the read identification information against the identification information of the storage 53 included in the storage work instruction.

[0035] When the storage 53 arrives at the loading / unloading area 57, the delivery company stores the package 50 in the storage 53. Once the package 50 has been stored in the storage 53, the storage 53 is moved from the loading / unloading area 57 to the storage location 56. During this movement, the storage 53 passes the first verification device 11, which reads the RFID tags of the storage 53 and the RFID tags of the package 50 stored in the storage 53. The first verification device 11 verifies the identification information of the storage 53 with the identification information in the storage work instruction, and also verifies the identification information of the package 50 with the identification verification information in the storage work instruction. The first verification log information includes verification data (data indicating the verification result) and date and time data for the package 50, and sends the first verification log information to the warehouse management device 14. When the storage 53 is moved to the storage location 56, storage of the requester's package 50 begins. This completes the warehousing and delivery process.

[0036] The warehouse management device 14 confirms that the package 50 has been received and stored in the storage 53 based on the first collation log information obtained from the first collation device 11, the second collation log information obtained from the second collation device 12, and the authentication log information obtained from the authentication device. Then, the warehouse management device 14 stores these pieces of information in association with each other, and transmits the pieces of information to the management server 21 via the communication network.

[0037] In the warehousing and delivery process of this embodiment, the first verification log information is acquired on the moving path, and the second verification log information is acquired at the loading / unloading site 57, and thus high security is achieved by checking the first verification log information and the second verification log information in the warehouse management device 14. Furthermore, there is also the excellent advantage that if the first verification log information and the second verification log information cannot be correctly checked (for example, when the respective verification data do not match or when one of the verification log information cannot be acquired), it is easy to determine the occurrence of loss or theft, and it is easy to identify who is responsible for the loss, etc.

[0038] When the management server 21 receives the various information from the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52, it uses the storage request (reception information), delivery work instructions, and storage work instructions received from the requester to confirm whether the delivery process has been carried out correctly. Specifically, it uses the authentication log information, first verification log information, and second log information to confirm whether the package 50 received from the requester has been stored correctly (warehousing confirmation). This warehousing confirmation is performed by the warehousing / receiving confirmation means described above.

[0039] After such warehousing confirmation is performed, the information output means transmits a warehousing completion notice including the first collation log information, second collation log information, and authentication log information to the requester terminal 32. Furthermore, each piece of information is linked to the storage request information and stored in the storage device 23. This completes the management of the receiving and delivery process.

[0040] When the requester receives the warehousing completion notice at the requester terminal 32, the requester can confirm from the warehousing completion notice that the cargo 50 has been properly stored in the storage 53 (storage warehouse 52).

[0041] On the other hand, when a request to retrieve a package 50 stored in the storage warehouse 52 (storage 53) is received from the requester terminal 32, the above-mentioned retrieval and delivery process is carried out. Here, the requester accesses the management server 21 with the requester terminal 32, selects the stored package 50, and inputs the information required for retrieval to request retrieval of the package 50. The information input in this retrieval request includes information on the package 50 to be retrieved, information on the delivery date and time, information on the specified location 51 (address), etc. The management server 21 determines the identification information of the package 50 requested by the requester based on this retrieval request.

[0042] The management flow of the retrieval and delivery process is shown in Figure 5. When the management server 21 receives a retrieval request from the requester terminal 32, it sends a delivery instruction to the delivery company terminal 31 via the delivery instruction means, and also sends a retrieval instruction to the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52 via the warehouse instruction means. Then, reception information indicating the contents of the retrieval request is stored in the storage device 23. The delivery instruction includes information on the delivery date and time, information on the specified location 51, identification information of the package 50, and authentication information identifying the delivery company, and is sent to the delivery company terminal 31. Meanwhile, the retrieval instruction includes identification verification information for verifying the identification information of the package 50, authentication verification information for verifying the authentication information of the delivery company, and identification information of the storage 53 storing the package 50. The information for the retrieval instruction is sent from the warehouse management device 14 to the first verification device 11, the second verification device 12, and the authentication device 13.

[0043] When the delivery company receives the delivery work instruction, it retrieves the package 50 from the storage 53 in the storage warehouse 52 before the delivery date and time so that the package 50 can be delivered at the specified location 51 on the delivery date and time in accordance with the delivery work instruction. In this way, the outbound delivery process is carried out by the delivery company.

[0044] In the outgoing delivery process, the delivery company reads the authentication information displayed on the delivery company terminal 31 at the warehouse entry / exit site 57 into the authentication device 13. The authentication device 13 compares the authentication information with the authentication verification information included in the removal work instruction, and generates authentication log information including verification data indicating the verification and the date and time of the verification. This authentication log information is sent from the authentication device 13 to the warehouse management device 14.

[0045] When the warehouse management device 14 confirms the authentication log information, a worker at the storage warehouse 52 moves the storage unit 53 containing the luggage 50 from the storage location 56 to the loading / unloading location 57 in accordance with the removal work instruction. During this movement, when the storage unit 53 passes the first verification device 11, the first verification device 11 reads identification information from the RFID of the storage unit 53 and the RFID of the luggage 50. The first verification device 11 verifies the read identification information of the storage unit 53 with the identification information of the storage unit 53 included in the removal work instruction, and also verifies the read identification information of the luggage 50 with the identification verification information of the luggage 50 included in the removal work instruction.

[0046] When the storage 53 moves to the loading / unloading area 57, the delivery company retrieves the package 50 from the storage 53 and has the second verification device 12 read the RFID of the package 50. The second verification device 12 then reads the identification information of the package 50 and verifies it against the identification verification information included in the retrieval work instruction. The second verification device 12 then generates second verification log information including verification data indicating the verification result of the retrieved package 50 and date and time data indicating the date and time of the verification. The second verification log information is then sent to the warehouse management device 14.

[0047] When the second verification log information for the package 50 removed from the storage 53 is generated, the storage 53 is moved from the loading / unloading area 57 to the storage location 56. During this movement, the storage 53 passes the first verification device 11, which reads and verifies the RFID tag of the storage 53 and generates first verification log information. This first verification log information is then sent to the warehouse management device 14. The storage 53 is moved to the storage location 56 and stored there. This completes the outbound delivery process.

[0048] The warehouse management device 14 confirms that the package 50 has been removed from the storage 53 based on the authentication log information obtained from the authentication device 13, the second verification log information obtained from the second verification device 12, and the first verification log information obtained from the first verification device 11. Then, the warehouse management device 14 stores these pieces of information in association with each other, and transmits the pieces of information to the management server 21 via the network.

[0049] Here, in the shipping and delivery process of this embodiment, high security is achieved by checking the authentication log information, first verification log information, and second verification log information by the warehouse management device 14. Furthermore, by not being able to correctly check each piece of information, there is also the excellent advantage that it is easy to determine the occurrence of loss or theft, and it is easy to clarify where the responsibility for the loss or theft occurs.

[0050] When the management server 21 receives the above-mentioned various information from the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52, it uses the retrieval request (reception information), delivery work instructions, and retrieval work instructions received from the requester to confirm whether the outbound delivery process has been carried out correctly. Specifically, it uses the authentication log information, second verification log information, and first verification log information to confirm whether the package 50 to be sent to the requester has been properly shipped out (outbound confirmation). This outbound confirmation is performed by the above-mentioned inbound / outbound confirmation means.

[0051] After such delivery confirmation is performed, the information output means transmits a delivery completion notice including the second verification log information, the authentication log information, and the first verification log information to the requester terminal 32. Furthermore, each piece of information is linked to the storage request information and stored in the storage device 23.

[0052] When the requester receives the delivery completion notice at the requester terminal 32, the requester can confirm from the delivery completion notice that the package 50 has been correctly delivered from the storage 53 (storage warehouse 52).

[0053] As described above, the delivery company receives the package 50 at the loading / unloading area 57 of the storage warehouse 52 and transports the package 50 to the designated location 51 on the delivery date and time in accordance with the delivery work instructions. When the package 50 is handed over at the designated location 51, the delivery company receives a delivery certificate and transmits the certificate data to the management server 21. When the management server 21 receives this certificate data, it compares it with the retrieval request and confirms that the delivery process has been carried out correctly. This completes the management of the retrieval delivery process.

[0054] Furthermore, the package 50 may be moved between multiple storage warehouses 52 storing the package 50. In this case, a storage change delivery process is performed by a delivery company to transfer the package 50 from one storage warehouse 52 to another storage warehouse 52 for storage. This storage change delivery process is included in the delivery process and is managed by the delivery management system 1 of the present embodiment described above. This storage change delivery process includes the outbound delivery process described above, a process of transferring the package from one storage warehouse 52 to another storage warehouse 52, and the inbound delivery process described above. Examples of cases in which the package 50 is transferred between storage warehouses 52 include when a requester requests a change in the storage warehouse 52, or when the management server 21 (or an administrator) decides to change the storage warehouse 52. The management server 21 may make the decision when a storage warehouse 52 more suitable for the package 50 becomes available, or when circumstances arise that make it impossible to store the package in the storage warehouse 52 currently being stored. In this way, the transport of the cargo 50 can be carried out when the conditions for transport between the storage warehouses 52 (inter-storage delivery conditions) are met. The management flow of this storage change delivery process will be explained below.

[0055] When changing the storage warehouse 52 for the package 50, the management server 21 sends a removal work instruction to one storage warehouse 52 (warehouse management device 14) storing the package 50, and sends a storage work instruction to another storage warehouse 52 (warehouse management device 14) that will store the package 50. Then, it sends a delivery work instruction to the delivery company terminal 31. Here, the removal work instruction includes identification and matching information for the package 50 and authentication and matching information for the delivery company, as in the removal and delivery process described above. The storage work instruction includes identification and matching information for the package 50 and authentication and matching information for the delivery company, as in the receipt and delivery process described above. In addition, the delivery work instruction includes information on the storage warehouse 52 from which the package 50 is to be shipped and the storage warehouse 52 to which the package 50 is to be received, the identification information for the package 50, and authentication information for the delivery company, etc.

[0056] When the delivery company receives the delivery work instruction, it performs an outbound delivery process in accordance with the delivery work instruction at one of the storage warehouses 52 where the package 50 is being stored. This outbound delivery process is performed in the same manner as the pick-up delivery process described above. That is, when the authentication device 13 authenticates the delivery company and generates authentication log information at the loading / unloading site 57 of the first storage warehouse 52, the storage 53 is moved from the storage location 56 to the loading / unloading site 57 in accordance with the removal work instruction. At the loading / unloading site 57, the delivery company removes the package 50 from the storage 53, and the second verification device 12 verify the package 50. This generates second verification log information. The storage 53 is moved to the storage location 56, and during this movement, the first verification device 11 generates first verification log information. The warehouse management device 14 of the first storage warehouse 52 confirms that the package 50 has been properly removed from the warehouse based on the authentication log information, the second verification log information, and the first verification log information, and stores this information while transmitting it to the management server 21.

[0057] The delivery company that receives the package 50 at the one storage warehouse 52 transfers the package 50 to another storage warehouse 52 in accordance with the delivery instruction information. Then, the other storage warehouse 52 performs a warehousing delivery process. This warehousing delivery process is performed in the same manner as the receiving delivery process described above. That is, at the loading / unloading site 57 of the other storage warehouse 52, the authentication device 13 authenticates the delivery company and generates authentication log information, and the second verification device 12 verifies the package 50 and generates second verification log information, and then the storage 53 is moved from the storage place 56 to the loading / unloading site 57 in accordance with the storage work instruction. At the loading / unloading site 57, the delivery company stores the package 50 in the storage 53. The storage 53 is then moved to the storage place 56, and the first verification log information is generated by the first verification device 11 during this movement. The package 50 is then stored in the storage 53 that has arrived at the storage place 56. The warehouse management device 14 of this other storage warehouse 52 confirms that the package 50 has been properly unloaded based on the authentication log information, the second verification log information, and the first verification log information, and stores this information and transmits it to the management server 21.

[0058] The management server 21 confirms that the storage location of the package 50 has been changed correctly based on the authentication log information, second verification log information, and first verification log information obtained from the warehouse management device 14 of the one storage warehouse 52, and the authentication log information, second verification log information, and first verification log information obtained from the warehouse management device 14 of the other storage warehouse 52. Then, the management server 21 associates each piece of information with the storage request information and stores it in the storage device 23, and sends a notification including each piece of information to the requester terminal 32 of the person who requested the package 50.

[0059] When the requester of the package 50 receives the notification, he or she can confirm that the storage location of the package 50 has been changed.

[0060] As described above, the delivery management system 1 of this embodiment manages the delivery process for delivering the package 50 between the specified location 51 and the storage 53 in the storage warehouse 52 in accordance with a request from a requester. By generating the authentication log information, first verification log information, and second verification log information when the package 50 is stored in the storage 53 and when the package 50 is removed from the storage 53, the security of the delivery process can be dramatically improved. Specifically, the authentication log information allows the delivery company that receives or removes the package 50 to be identified, and the first verification log information and second verification log information allow the user to confirm that the correct package 50 has been received or removed. By transmitting each of these pieces of log information to the requester terminal 32, the requester can confirm that the requested package 50 has been received or removed correctly. This gives the requester a sense of security regarding the receipt and removal of the package 50, thereby enhancing the sense of reliability of the delivery process.

[0061] Furthermore, even in a delivery process (storage change delivery process) in which the package 50 stored in the storage warehouse 52 is transferred to another storage warehouse 52 for storage, it can be managed in the same way as the delivery process between the specified location 51 and the storage warehouse 52. This makes it possible to dramatically improve security even in a delivery process for changing the storage warehouse 52, and to increase the sense of security and trust of the client who has requested storage of the package 50.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the first verification device 11 and the second verification device 12 correspond to the verification information output means of the present invention, and the first verification log information and the second verification log information correspond to the verification log information of the present invention. The requester terminal 32 corresponds to the requester's terminal of the present invention. The control device 22 and the transmission / reception device 24 of the management server 21 correspond to the log information input means of the present invention. The fact that the receiving / shipping confirmation means of the management server 21 has performed receiving / shipping confirmation corresponds to the output condition of the present invention. The delivery company terminal 31 corresponds to the delivery company's terminal of the present invention. The authentication device 13 corresponds to the authentication information output means of the present invention, and the delivery work instruction means of the management server 21 corresponds to the authentication information granting means of the present invention.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment, an RFID tag is attached to each package and used for management, but this is not limiting, and an optical code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) may be attached to each package for management, or both such an optical code and an RFID tag may be used to manage each package. Here, whether to use optical codes or RFID tags can be selected appropriately by the business operator introducing the delivery management system of the present invention. For example, a configuration using only optical codes can be provided for businesses (relatively small businesses) seeking low-cost and simple implementation, while a configuration using RFID tags can be provided for businesses (relatively large businesses) seeking greater convenience. Furthermore, for the latter type of business operator, using a configuration using both optical codes and RFID tags can improve management accuracy and respond flexibly and appropriately to various environments.

[0065] In addition, although the embodiment is configured to store luggage in a plurality of storages (carts) arranged in a storage warehouse, the present invention is not limited to this, and luggage may be stored in shelves or spaces arranged in the storage warehouse. Alternatively, a dedicated storage warehouse (for example, a rental warehouse) may be provided for each requester (or a group of multiple requesters), and luggage may be delivered between the storage warehouse and a designated location.

[0066] In another example configuration in which packages are stored in a storage warehouse having the shelves or spaces described above, work and devices are required to transfer packages between the shelves or spaces and delivery companies. For example, by configuring the warehouse with a conveyor that transports packages between the shelves or spaces and the loading / unloading area and a verification device that verifies the RFID (or the optical code) of the packages transported by the conveyor, the inbound delivery process and the outbound delivery process can be managed in the same way as in the embodiment.

[0067] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the delivery company affixes an RFID tag to the package during the receiving and delivery process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the requester may affix an RFID tag to the package, or the delivery company or a warehouse worker may affix an RFID tag to the package at the storage warehouse. Alternatively, in the receiving and delivery process, the requester may print a barcode or QR code from the Internet or the like and affix it to the package, thereby managing the delivery process. Furthermore, the delivery company may verify the package using the barcode affixed by the requester, and then affix an RFID tag to the package when storing it in the storage warehouse, thereby managing the package using the RFID tag. If the requester affixes an RFID tag or barcode, as in this alternative example, the delivery company can verify the RFID tag or barcode when receiving the package.

[0068] In addition, in the embodiment, a first matching device and a second matching device are provided in the storage warehouse to match the luggage, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to provide either the first matching device or the second matching device and match the luggage using one of the matching devices.

[0069] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the delivery of a package to a storage warehouse (storage) is permitted through authentication by the delivery company. However, this is not limiting. Instead of authenticating the delivery company, permission information (such as a permission key or ID) that permits the delivery of a package to be stored or retrieved may be sent to the delivery company. The permission information may be verified at the storage warehouse's storage / retrieval site to permit the delivery or retrieval of a package. This alternative example can be implemented in the same way as the embodiment by substituting the permission information for the delivery company's authentication information in the embodiment. In other words, the permission information in the alternative example can be said to be substantially the same as the authentication information in the embodiment.

[0070] In the embodiment, when the management server confirms receipt or delivery, it is configured to send a notification of the collation log information or the like to the requester terminal, but this is not limiting, and the output conditions for sending the notification can be changed as appropriate. For example, it can be when a predetermined time has passed since receipt or delivery confirmation, or when the requester requests a notification, etc.

[0071] In addition, in the embodiment, the delivery company retrieves the parcel from the storage and stores it in the storage at the loading / unloading area of ​​the storage warehouse, but this is not limited to this. The storage warehouse worker may hand over the parcel retrieved from the storage to the delivery company, or store the parcel received from the delivery company in the storage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Delivery management system 11 First verification device (verification information output means) 12 Second verification device (verification information output means) 13 Authentication device (authentication information output means) 21 Management Server 31 Delivery company terminal 32 Client terminal 50 luggage 53 Storage

Claims

1. A system that manages a delivery process for delivering a package between a warehouse that stores the package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, The delivery step includes: a warehousing and delivery process of storing the package transported from the designated location into the storage warehouse based on a request from the requester; a shipping and delivery process of shipping the package from the storage facility to the designated location based on the request of the requester; In a delivery management system that includes a verification information output means for verifying the parcel based on a request from the requester when the parcel is received in the receiving delivery process and when the parcel is shipped in the outgoing delivery process, and outputting verification log information including verification data indicating this verification and date and time data indicating the date and time of the verification; a management server connectable to the verification information output means and the client's terminal via a network; It is equipped with The management server a log information input means for inputting the collation log information output from the collation information output means via the network; a log information output means for outputting the collation log information input by the log information input means to the terminal of the client when a predetermined output condition is met; A delivery management system comprising:

2. A system that manages a delivery process for delivering a package between a warehouse that stores the package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, The delivery step includes: a warehousing and delivery process of storing the package transported from the designated location into the storage warehouse based on a request from the requester; a shipping and delivery process of shipping the package from the storage facility to the designated location based on the request of the requester; In a delivery management system that includes an authentication information output means for comparing authentication information used in the incoming delivery process and the outgoing delivery process, and outputting authentication log information including authentication data indicating the comparison of the authentication information and date and time data indicating the date and time of the comparison to a management server via the network; a terminal of a delivery company that delivers the package between the storage facility and a designated location, the authentication information output means, and a management server that can be connected to the client's terminal via a network; It is equipped with The management server an authentication information providing means for outputting the authentication information to the terminal of the delivery company via the network; a log information input means for inputting the authentication log information output from the authentication information output means via the network; a log information output means for outputting the authentication log information input by the log information input means to the terminal of the client when a predetermined output condition is met; A delivery management system comprising:

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