System and method for supporting pinpoint provision of target such as object or information

Abstract

To provide an object such as an object or information in a pinpoint manner.SOLUTION: The system receives a designation of a time or a sufficiently short time period from a recipient, and determines a schedule for delivery to each of one or more delivery destinations in a delivery area at the designated time or time period, for each of a plurality of delivery areas that constitute the area and are each sufficiently small. The system also allows the community to pre-purchase the fixed costs of the product and provide the pre-purchased fixed product to the community. In addition, the system provides information on products or services to members of the community via the community.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to data processing, and more particularly to a novel technique for pinpointing an object or piece of information. [Background technology]

[0002] It is desirable to realize the infrastructure necessary for people of all ages and genders, regardless of whether they live in rural or urban areas, to live fulfilling lives without feeling isolated. However, achieving this is not easy.

[0003] For example, the need for redelivery of parcels has exacerbated the driver shortage, becoming a serious social problem (Non-Patent Document 1). The driver shortage leads to stagnation in logistics, which can result in the isolation of elderly people who rely on parcel delivery services. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Toward reducing redelivery of parcels" https: / / www.mlit.go.jp / seisakutokatsu / freight / re_delivery_reduce.html Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Non-Patent Document 1 lists "utilizing time slot designation" as one means of reducing redelivery, but as Non-Patent Document 1 states, "there are cases where packages are not delivered even when a time slot is designated," users may not be able to wait for redelivery and may not be able to deliver. Possible reasons for not being able to wait for redelivery include the long time slots that can be designated, or redelivery not being carried out as scheduled. As such, existing time slot designations have not contributed much to reducing redelivery.

[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 lists "utilizing communication tools (email, apps, etc.) provided by each business operator" as another means of reducing redelivery. However, even when using such tools, the above-mentioned problems with existing time slot designations persist, so this method has not contributed much to reducing redelivery.

[0007] As another way to reduce redelivery, Non-Patent Document 1 lists "utilizing various collection methods such as picking up at convenience stores, delivery lockers at train stations, and leaving parcels at the door." However, this method is less effective in areas with few convenience stores or delivery lockers, and leaving parcels at the door poses the risk of theft, so it creates problems other than redelivery.

[0008] As described above, currently, the optimal means for reducing redelivery is unknown.

[0009] Furthermore, while redelivery issues are related to the provision of goods, there can also be issues specific to the object being provided when providing something other than goods, such as information. For example, if the object is information, and the information and its recipient do not match, it will result in unnecessary costs for the information provider and inconvenience for the information recipient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The system receives a time or a sufficiently short time period specified by a recipient and determines a delivery schedule for each of a plurality of sufficiently small delivery zones that make up an area, for delivery to one or more delivery destinations in the delivery zone at the specified time or time period. The system also enables the community to purchase in advance the fixed cost of a product and enables the community to provide the product for which the fixed cost has been purchased in advance. The system also provides information on products or services to members of the community via the community. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a target such as an object or information with pinpoint accuracy. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a pinpoint support server. [Figure 3] An example of logistics support is shown schematically. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of multiple delivery zones. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of multiple delivery zones. [Figure 5] An example of distribution support is shown schematically. [Figure 6] An example of information support is shown schematically below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In the following description, an "interface apparatus" may refer to one or more interface devices. The one or more interface devices may be at least one of the following: An I / O interface device is one or more I / O (Input / Output) interface devices. The I / O (Input / Output) interface devices are interface devices for at least one of an I / O device and a remote display computer. The I / O interface device for the display computer may be a communications interface device. The at least one I / O device may be a user interface device, for example, either an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device, or an output device such as a display device. A communication interface apparatus that is one or more communication interface devices. The one or more communication interface devices may be one or more homogeneous communication interface devices (e.g., one or more NICs (Network Interface Cards)) or two or more heterogeneous communication interface devices (e.g., an NIC and an HBA (Host Bus Adapter)).

[0014] In the following description, "memory" refers to one or more memory devices, which are an example of one or more storage devices, and may typically be a primary storage device. At least one memory device in the memory may be a volatile memory device or a non-volatile memory device.

[0015] In the following description, a "persistent storage device" may refer to one or more persistent storage devices, which are an example of one or more storage devices. A persistent storage device may typically be a non-volatile storage device (e.g., an auxiliary storage device), and specifically may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a non-volatile memory express (NVME) drive, or a storage class memory (SCM).

[0016] In the following description, the term "storage device" may refer to at least one of memory and persistent storage device.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following description, a "processor" may refer to one or more processor devices. The at least one processor device may typically be a microprocessor device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be another type of processor device such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The at least one processor device may be a single-core or multi-core. The at least one processor device may also be a processor core. The at least one processor device may also be a processor device in a broader sense, such as a circuit that is a collection of gate arrays written in a hardware description language that performs some or all of the processing (for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)).

[0018] In the following description, functions are sometimes described using the expression "yyy unit." However, the functions may be realized by one or more computer programs executed by a processor, by one or more hardware circuits (e.g., FPGAs or ASICs), or by a combination thereof. When a function is realized by a program executed by a processor, the specified processing is performed using a storage device and / or an interface device, etc., as appropriate, and therefore the function may be considered to be at least a part of the processor. Processing described using a function as the subject may be processing performed by a processor or a device having the processor. A program may be installed from a program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution computer or a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium). The description of each function is merely an example; multiple functions may be combined into one function, or one function may be divided into multiple functions.

[0019] An embodiment will be described below.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment.

[0021] A pinpoint support server 100 is constructed. The pinpoint support server 100 can communicate with at least one of an EC (Electronic Commerce) site 110, a producer system 120, a seller system 130, a community system 170, a consumer terminal 160, and a distributor system 140 via a communication network (not shown). The communication network is, for example, the Internet or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Any of the pinpoint support server 100, the EC site 110, the producer system 120, the seller system 130, the community system 170, and the distributor system 140 may be computer systems. The computer system may be, for example, a physical computer system or a logical computer system based on a physical computer system. The physical computer system may be composed of one or more physical computers and may include an interface device, a storage device, and a processor connected to the physical computers. The logical computer system may include a system as a cloud computing service. All or part of the functions of the pinpoint support server 100 may be included in at least one of the EC site 110, the producer system 120, the seller system 130, the community system 170, and the logistics company system 140. In other words, the pinpoint support server 100 may be included in at least one of the EC site 110, the producer system 120, the seller system 130, the community system 170, and the logistics company system 140.

[0022] The producer system 120 is a computer system of a producer who produces goods in a factory, farm, etc. The seller system 130 is a computer system of a seller who sells goods. The community system is a computer system of a community made up of consumers, etc. The consumer terminal 160 is an information processing terminal of a consumer (e.g., a personal computer or smartphone). The logistics company system 140 is a computer system of a logistics company, and communicates with at least the carrier terminal 150, for example, via a communication network. The carrier terminal 150 is an information processing terminal of a carrier (driver). The carrier terminal 150 may communicate with the pinpoint support server 100 via or without the logistics company system 140.

[0023] In this embodiment, each of the consumer terminal 160 and the carrier terminal 150 is a mobile information processing terminal (typically a smartphone). A predetermined application (hereinafter referred to as a support application) 165 is installed on the consumer terminal 160. A predetermined application (hereinafter referred to as a transportation application) 155 is installed on the carrier terminal 150. The transportation application 155 communicates with the logistics company system 140. Furthermore, communication between the support application 165 and the transportation application 155 is possible via at least one of the pinpoint support server 100 and the logistics company system 140 (for example, at least the pinpoint support server 100).

[0024] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the pinpoint support server 100.

[0025] The pinpoint assistance server 100 includes an interface device 201, a storage device 202, and a processor 203 connected to them. As described above, the pinpoint assistance server 100 may be a logical computer system based on a physical computer system having these devices 201 to 203.

[0026] The interface device 201 communicates with at least one of the EC site 110, the producer system 120, the seller system 130, the community system 170, the consumer terminal 160, and the distributor system 140 via a communication network.

[0027] The storage device 202 stores data and programs. The data includes at least one of consumer management data 221, carrier management data 222, production management data 223, sales management data 224, logistics management data 225, community management data 226, map data 227, delivery area management data 228, and schedule management data 229. At least a portion of the data 221 to 229 may be data acquired through communication or may be data prepared in advance.

[0028] When the processor 203 executes the program in the storage device 202, at least one function of a logistics support unit 231, a distribution support unit 232, and an information support unit 233 is realized.

[0029] In this embodiment, at least one of logistics support, distribution support, and information support is provided. Each of these will be described in detail below. <Logistics support>

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a schematic example of logistics support.

[0031] Logistics support can achieve so-called just-in-time delivery to the recipient. An example will be described in detail below.

[0032] Logistics management data 225 includes data collected from e-commerce site 110, and includes, for example, for each package (item) to be delivered, data representing the package's ID (and / or product name) and details (e.g., weight, etc.), the package's delivery destination (typically the consumer's name, address, and phone number), and a designated time period at e-commerce site 110 or other location.

[0033] The consumer management data 221 includes data registered in advance by the consumer (for example, data registered via a membership registration UI (User Interface) provided by the pinpoint support server 100 or another site). For example, the consumer management data 221 includes, for each consumer, the consumer's personal information (for example, name, address, telephone number, and email address) and the ID of the support app 165 installed on the consumer's consumer terminal 160.

[0034] The logistics support unit 231 notifies the consumer terminal 160 of the consumer of delivery information at a first timing (S301). The "first timing" may be, for example, when data of a new package addressed to the consumer is added to the logistics management data 225, or when an inquiry (e.g., an inquiry about an undelivered package or a change in the designated delivery time) is received from the consumer terminal 160. The delivery information is information about one or more undelivered packages, including the new package, identified from the logistics management data 225, and may include, for example, the package ID (and / or product name) and details (e.g., weight) of the package, and information indicating the delivery time slot specified by the sender. The consumer terminal 160 to which the delivery information is to be notified may be identified by the logistics support unit 231 from the consumer management data 221 using the delivery destination of the package indicated by the delivery information (e.g., the above-mentioned (225b)) as a key. The delivery information may be sent by email or to the support app 165 of the consumer terminal 160.

[0035] The notification of delivery information may be associated with an inquiry about the designated time for the package represented by the delivery information. For example, at least a portion of the delivery information and a UI component for accepting the consumer's desired delivery time may be displayed on a web browser (not shown) of the consumer terminal 160 or a UI (User Interface) screen of the support application 165. Alternatively, the consumer may display a UI screen for inputting the designated time on the web browser (not shown) of the consumer terminal 160 or the support application 165, and input information (e.g., an ID) of the package represented by the delivery information and the designated time through the input UI screen.

[0036] Here, in the service according to this embodiment, consumers can specify a time instead of a time slot. A time slot may be specified instead of a time, but the specified time slot is a time slot (e.g., a 30-minute or 15-minute time slot) that is sufficiently shorter than the time slots that can be specified in existing time slot specification methods. This is because, as will be described later, the service according to this embodiment can realize so-called just-in-time delivery, in which packages are delivered to recipients (consumers) at a specified time (or a specified time slot that is sufficiently shorter). In this way, in this embodiment, the time slot that can be specified can be made sufficiently shorter than conventional time slots, thereby increasing the probability that recipients will be at home and thereby reducing redelivery. Note that, instead of or in addition to a time (or a sufficiently short time slot), delivery dates for packages for a certain period (e.g., one week or one month) can also be specified. Delivery of packages for a certain period can be called a "consolidated delivery," and the day on which packages are delivered to recipients through the consolidated delivery can be called a "consolidated delivery date."

[0037] The logistics support unit 231 receives a time (or a sufficiently short time period) from the consumer terminal 160 and records the specified time (or a sufficiently short time period) in the logistics management data 225 for the package represented by the delivery information notified in S301 (S302). If a consolidated delivery date is specified, the consolidated delivery date is also recorded in the logistics management data 225. For example, a date such as "Saturday night from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM" can be specified. Furthermore, for consumers who desire consolidated delivery, the consolidated delivery date (e.g., day of the week or time period) may be registered in advance (e.g., recorded in the consumer management data 221 or the logistics management data 225), and permission for consolidated delivery may be specified via a UI that allows specification for the package represented by the delivery information. All packages from the previous consolidated delivery date to the consolidated delivery date are delivered together. Conditions for disabling consolidated delivery may exist, and permission for consolidated delivery may not be granted for packages that meet such conditions. The conditions under which consolidated delivery is not possible may include conditions related to the parcel (for example, the parcel must be frozen), or may include conditions related to the parcel warehouse. The conditions under which consolidated delivery is not possible may be recorded in advance in the logistics management data 225, for example. A "parcel warehouse" may be any location that is designated in advance as a parcel warehouse and that can temporarily store parcels to be delivered, such as a collection and delivery center, post office, parcel locker, or convenience store.

[0038] The logistics support unit 231 adjusts the delivery area based on at least some of the time (or time zone) specified in S302, the logistics management data 225, the carrier management data 222, the schedule management data 229, the delivery area management data 228, and the map data 227 (S303). The carrier management data 222 includes, for each carrier, data indicating the carrier's ID (e.g., name, etc.), the ID of the transportation app 155 in the carrier terminal 150, the transportation company to which the carrier belongs, the ID of the transportation vehicle used by the carrier (e.g., vehicle license plate number), the address of the warehouse of the transportation vehicle used by the carrier (e.g., the same warehouse as the baggage warehouse or a different warehouse), and the carrier's current location (e.g., the current location identified from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data received by the carrier's carrier terminal 150 and notified by the carrier terminal 150). The schedule management data 229 is data representing delivery schedules, and includes, for example, data representing, for each delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle ID, the carrier ID, the delivery area ID, and the package arrival time for each address in the delivery area. The delivery area management data 228 is data representing delivery areas, and includes, for example, for each delivery area, the ID of the area to which the delivery area belongs, the delivery area ID, and data representing the range of the delivery area. The map data 227 is data representing a map, and the areas divided into delivery areas may be areas identified from the map data 227. The "range of the delivery area" may be defined, for example, by the address of the base point, and the shape and size based on the base point. The base point may typically be a package warehouse.

[0039] Here, a "delivery area" refers to the area covered by a single delivery vehicle, and multiple delivery areas are formed by dividing an area (e.g., a prefecture, city, town, or village). "Delivery area adjustment" refers to adjusting the division of an area into multiple delivery areas. In other words, it includes at least one of adjusting the shape of the delivery area, adjusting the number of delivery areas, and adjusting the size of the delivery area. For example, if at least a portion of an area is divided into multiple delivery areas, each indicated by a dashed frame, as illustrated in Figure 4A, S303 (Adjust delivery area) adjusts the delivery area as illustrated in Figure 4B (each block in Figures 4A and 4B represents one section). The delivery area may be sufficiently narrow. For example, the condition for a delivery area to be "sufficiently narrow" may be at least one of the following conditions: It is possible to deliver more than 150 or 200 parcels in an 8-hour period. Each parcel can be packaged in one package. - It is a circle with a radius of N meters or less, centered on the luggage warehouse, or an area of ​​similar size. The shape of the area does not matter. The conditions for "similar size" can be predetermined. For example, it can be a square area that surrounds the circle and has each side touching the circumference of the circle. The value of N can be 100 or 200 or less.

[0040] The logistics support unit 231 identifies the area to which the delivery address indicated by the delivery information belongs from the map data 227, identifies multiple delivery zones in that area from the delivery zone management data 228, and identifies a schedule for each delivery zone in that area from the schedule management data 229. The logistics support unit 231 adjusts the delivery zone based on the multiple delivery zones in the identified area and their respective schedules (i.e., based on the delivery destination and designated time of each package that needs to be delivered to the identified area) in accordance with at least one of the following (Perspective 1) to (Perspective 4). Each of (Perspective 1) to (Perspective 4) is aimed at improving delivery efficiency by increasing the rate at which people are at home (reducing redelivery). (Point 1) Narrow the delivery area per carrier (or per transportation vehicle such as a truck) as much as possible. (Point 2) Expand the range of options. Specifically, in addition to daily delivery (short-term delivery), it will also be possible to deliver packages on a weekly basis (long-term delivery). (Point 3) By delivering packages to the same recipient in three-day or one-week intervals (long-term example) instead of one day (short-term example), the amount of packages delivered to the same recipient can be increased. (Point 4) By carrying out so-called joint deliveries, in which carriers deliver packages managed by other companies in addition to their own packages, the amount of packages delivered to the same recipient (and / or the recipient's neighborhood) can be increased.

[0041] The delivery area may be adjusted each time S302 is performed, or may be adjusted periodically.

[0042] In adjusting the delivery area, the logistics support unit 231 may determine multiple delivery areas that constitute an area and each meet the condition of being sufficiently small, based on the delivery addresses of multiple packages for a period (e.g., a few hours or a day) that corresponds to the delivery time or delivery time slot specified by the recipient, the number of transport vehicles that can be assigned, and the transport capacity of each transport vehicle (e.g., the type and size of the transport vehicle). The number of transport vehicles and the transport capacity of the transport vehicles may be identified from at least one of information from the logistics company system 140, the carrier management data 222, and information from a predetermined website.

[0043] The delivery area may be adjusted based on a provisional delivery schedule (schedule management data 229) and a plurality of provisional delivery areas (delivery area management data 228), or may be adjusted periodically (e.g., at the delivery schedule determination cycle) together with the determination of the delivery schedule. In other words, the delivery area and delivery schedule may be determined periodically.

[0044] Furthermore, the adjustment (determination) of the delivery area may be performed using a delivery area model, which is a machine learning model or a statistical model. The delivery area model may be prepared for each area. The delivery area model may be, for example, a mathematical model or a model based on a neural network. The delivery area model may output data related to the delivery area, such as the number and size of delivery areas, and the input of the delivery area model may be various parameters used to adjust the delivery area. In the adjustment (e.g., calculation) using the delivery area model, multiple parameters according to (Aspect 1) to (Aspect 4) may be used. For example, for each of all packages whose designated time or consolidated delivery date falls within the target period, multiple delivery areas are adjusted (determined) to enable the creation of a delivery schedule that enables all packages to arrive at the designated time (or time zone) or consolidated delivery date based on the recipient's address (the delivery destination designated by the recipient is not limited to the recipient's address), the designated time (or time period) or consolidated delivery date, whether consolidated delivery is possible, and the address of the package warehouse (delivery origin), etc. The adjustment may further be based on the correlation between the size of the delivery area and the required delivery time. This correlation may also include the population of the delivery area. For example, the population of each area may be included in map data 227 or other data, or the population of each delivery area may be calculated from the population of the area and the number of delivery areas that make up that area. Adjustment of the delivery area may involve determining a delivery area large enough to deliver N parcels (N, for example, between 150 and 200) at a specified time per day, determining a delivery area with a specified size (for example, a 100-meter radius), or determining a delivery area with a required delivery time per unit of parcels that is less than a specified value (for example, 2.4 minutes per parcel). The size of the delivery area may also be determined based on the volume of parcels to be delivered within the area for a given period of time, the number of people transporting them (for example, the number of transportation vehicles), etc. The base point of the delivery area may be a parcel warehouse such as a collection and distribution center. In this case, the number of delivery areas may be equal to or less than the number of parcel warehouses. The address of each baggage warehouse may be identified from carrier management data 222, map data 227, or logistics management data 225.

[0045] Furthermore, adjusting the delivery area may be optional. That is, adjusting the delivery area may not be necessary. For example, the size of the delivery area may be predetermined to be sufficiently small.

[0046] For each area, data representing the multiple delivery zones adjusted (determined) by S303 or multiple predetermined delivery zones is recorded in the delivery zone management data 228. For example, when a delivery zone adjustment is made for an area, the data corresponding to that area in the delivery zone management data 228 is updated to data representing the adjusted multiple delivery zones. In addition, data representing the multiple delivery zones and the results of deliveries made in accordance with the multiple delivery zones (for example, whether or not the delivery arrived at the specified time) may be accumulated as a history in the storage device 202, and a model may be constructed or updated through statistical processing or machine learning processing using the historical data, and the constructed or updated model may be used to adjust the delivery zones.

[0047] The logistics support unit 231 determines a delivery schedule based on at least a portion of the logistics management data 225, map data 227, delivery area management data 228, carrier management data 222, and consumer management data 221 (S304). For example, the logistics support unit 231 may identify, for each area, a plurality of delivery areas for a target period from the delivery area management data 228, and identify packages whose designated times fall within the target period from the logistics management data 225. The logistics support unit 231 assigns one delivery vehicle to each delivery area based on the plurality of delivery areas, the current location of each carrier (or delivery vehicle), and the designated time and delivery address of each package, and creates a schedule for the delivery vehicle assigned to each delivery area (a schedule for delivering all packages whose delivery destinations are within the delivery area to their delivery addresses at the designated times). In creating this schedule, a schedule model (e.g., a machine learning model or a statistical model) separate from the delivery area model may be used. For each delivery area, the output of the scheduling model may be the order of delivery addresses of parcels and the arrival time for each delivery address, and the input of the scheduling model may be parameters that form the basis of schedule creation (e.g., the designated time and delivery address for each parcel). Data representing the determined schedule is recorded in the schedule management data 229 by the logistics support unit 231. For each delivery vehicle, the schedule may list the delivery addresses and estimated arrival times in delivery order. For each delivery address, the estimated arrival time is the same as the time or time slot designated by the recipient (or within a certain margin of error, e.g., a few minutes). Data representing the relationship between delivery areas and delivery vehicles (assignment results) (e.g., data including pairs of delivery area IDs and delivery vehicle IDs) is recorded in at least one of the delivery area management data 228, the schedule management data 229, and the carrier management data 222. The delivery schedule may be determined based on multiple parameters based on at least one of (Perspective 2) to (Perspective 4) among the above-mentioned (Perspective 1) to (Perspective 4). For example, in determining a delivery schedule (and / or adjusting a delivery area), the multiple parameters based on at least one of (Aspect 2) to (Aspect 4) may include at least one of the following: - The time interval between deliveries (e.g., half a day, every day, every other day, etc.) · Delivery frequency to the same recipient (e.g., every day, every three days, every week, etc.) Delivery schedules for other companies' transport vehicles

[0048] When determining the delivery schedule, the logistics support unit 231 assigns a transportation vehicle to each delivery area. Which transportation vehicle is assigned to which delivery area may be determined based on information identified from the carrier management data 222. For example, for each delivery area, a transportation vehicle belonging to a transportation company that owns a baggage warehouse in that delivery area may be assigned.

[0049] Furthermore, the determination of delivery schedules (and / or adjustment of delivery areas) may be performed for each of multiple logistics companies (transport companies). That is, for the same area, multiple delivery areas may be defined for each logistics company, and a delivery schedule may be determined for each delivery area.

[0050] Furthermore, the determination of the delivery schedule (and / or the adjustment of the delivery area) may be performed in accordance with the above (Aspect 4). That is, from the viewpoint of joint delivery, for example, multiple delivery areas may be common to each area for multiple logistics companies. Specifically, for example, the logistics support unit 231 may receive information on multiple packages to be delivered by multiple different logistics companies from multiple e-commerce sites 110 or the logistics company systems 140 of multiple logistics companies (transport companies), and the logistics support unit 231 may determine the delivery area for each package and the delivery schedule for each delivery area based on the delivery address of the package, regardless of which logistics company is responsible for delivering which package.

[0051] As one option, processing to eliminate the need for redelivery in accordance with the package authority may be performed by the logistics support unit 231 (S305). Examples of processing to eliminate the need for redelivery in accordance with the package authority include having another person (e.g., the carrier or a neighbor of the recipient) pick up the package, or buying and selling the package.

[0052] For example, assume that the UI provided to the consumer terminal 160 in S301 is a UI that can accept package authority (conditions for eliminating the need for redelivery of the package) and a method for eliminating the need for redelivery of the package. For example, the logistics management data 225 may record, for each package, the expiration date of the package itself (for example, the expiration date for food products) in addition to the storage period at the package warehouse. When the recipient (consumer) who has seen the delivery information notification finds that the package indicated by the delivery information contains food products with an expiration date and cannot receive the package by the expiration date, the recipient (consumer) may specify at least one of the conditions for eliminating the need for redelivery of the package and the method for eliminating the need for redelivery via the web browser of the consumer terminal 160 or the UI of the support application 165, instead of specifying a time or a time zone.

[0053] For example, a condition for eliminating the need for redelivery may be specified as providing the recipient with feedback, such as their impressions about the package. A method for eliminating the need for redelivery may be specified as having the package picked up by another person. The recipient may specify a carrier or a neighbor as the other person. The logistics support unit 231 may provide the carrier with a UI that accepts feedback about the package from the carrier (e.g., if the package is a food item, their impressions about the taste, etc.) (for example, the UI may be provided via a web browser on the carrier terminal 150 or the support app 165). The feedback input by the carrier via the UI may be provided to the recipient by the logistics support unit 231. The ID of the recipient, the ID of the package for which redelivery is no longer required, the feedback from the carrier, etc. are associated with the logistics management data 225, the consumer management data 221, etc., and from these data, it is determined which carrier will provide feedback for which package and which recipient the feedback will be provided to.

[0054] Alternatively, for example, a condition for eliminating the need for redelivery may simply be permission to eliminate the need for redelivery. A method for eliminating the need for redelivery may be specified as parcel buying and selling (e.g., a parcel auction). For parcels designated as being subject to buying and selling, the logistics support unit 231 may record data indicating that the parcel is subject to buying and selling in the logistics management data 225. The logistics support unit 231 may periodically (e.g., daily) inform consumers about the parcels to be bought and sold by posting the parcels to a web page for intermediary buying and selling and / or by sending a notification to the support app on each consumer terminal 160. The validity period for buying and selling parcels may be a predetermined period before the parcel's expiration date. For parcels that are purchased within the validity period for buying and selling, the logistics support unit 231 may record data indicating the address and time (or a sufficiently short time period) designated by the buyer in the logistics management data 225 (the parcel may be excluded from notifications of delivery information). The parcel may be included as one of the parcels to be delivered when determining a delivery schedule. For packages that have not been purchased within the valid sale period, the logistics support unit 231 may notify the sender of the package or perform a predetermined process such as having another person receive the package. The price of the package may be determined by the recipient (the person who has approved the package as a sale item) or may be determined in an auction format by one or more potential buyers. The price determined by the recipient may be recorded in the logistics management data 225 and may be notified to the consumer when the package is introduced. The price determined in an auction format may be notified to the original recipient's consumer terminal 160 by the logistics support unit 231. The price may be notified via the web browser of the consumer terminal 160 or the support app 165.

[0055] The combination of package authority (conditions for making redelivery unnecessary) and the method for making redelivery unnecessary may be predetermined or may be arbitrary.

[0056] The logistics support unit 231 communicates with the carrier based on at least a part of the carrier management data 222 and the schedule management data 229 (S306). For example, the logistics support unit 231 may identify, for each of a plurality of delivery areas, the schedule of a transportation vehicle assigned to the delivery area from the schedule management data 229, and notify the carrier terminal 150 of the carrier riding in the identified transportation vehicle of the identified schedule, either via or without the logistics company system 140. The schedule may be notified via a web browser on the carrier terminal 150 or a transportation app 155. By making deliveries according to the notified schedule, the carrier can deliver packages to each delivery address within the delivery area assigned to the carrier's transportation vehicle at the time (or time zone) specified by the recipient who specified the delivery address.

[0057] In this embodiment, communication with the carrier may be performed through the logistics provider system 140. The logistics provider system 140 may receive delivery information for a package (e.g., a product) from the EC site 110 or the like. The delivery information may include information indicating the contents of the package and the delivery address. The logistics provider system 140 may be configured to send information to a shipping app 155 of the carrier terminal 150 or to communicate with the carrier through the shipping app 155. The schedule from the pinpoint support server 100 may be notified to the carrier through this communication channel. The logistics support unit 231 of the pinpoint support server 100 may be configured to communicate with the carrier through the web browser of the carrier terminal 150 or the shipping app 155, without going through the logistics provider system 140.

[0058] The logistics support unit 231 can mediate communication between the carrier and the recipient (S307). For example, the logistics support unit 231 identifies a map including the delivery destination designated by the recipient or the recipient's current location (e.g., the current location determined based on the GNSS signals received by the recipient's consumer terminal 160 and notified by the consumer terminal 160) from the map data 227, and provides the map to the recipient's consumer terminal 160. The logistics support unit 231 may also identify a delivery area including the delivery destination designated by the recipient (e.g., from the delivery area management data 228), identify a delivery vehicle assigned to the delivery area (e.g., from the schedule management data 229), and provide the recipient's consumer terminal 160 with the current location of the carrier of the identified delivery vehicle (e.g., the current location determined based on the GNSS signals received by the carrier's carrier terminal 150 and notified by the carrier terminal 150). The map provided to the consumer terminal 160 may be displayed on the web browser or the UI of the support application 165, and if the carrier's current location is within the display range of the map in the UI, the carrier's current location may be displayed on the map. The logistics support unit 231 may monitor the distance between the carrier's current location and the recipient's address (or current location), and when the distance falls below a certain distance, may accept voice or text input from the recipient and the carrier, and provide the accepted voice or text to the other party.

[0059] The above is an example of logistics support. The logistics support according to this embodiment can reduce the rate of absence compared to the existing time slot designation, thereby contributing to reducing redelivery. In addition, since the delivery area is narrow, it can contribute to reducing transportation costs and energy.

[0060] At least part of the personal information of the recipient (consumer) may be anonymized in at least one of the consumer management data 221 and the logistics management data 225, and in the delivery schedule notified to the carrier.

[0061] The transportation vehicle may also be an autonomous vehicle. In this case, for example, the vehicle may be equipped with the functionality of the carrier terminal 150, and the transportation vehicle may receive delivery schedule data and perform autonomous driving according to the delivery schedule represented by the data.

[0062] Furthermore, the top screen displayed by the logistics support unit 231 through the web browser or support application 165 of the consumer terminal 160 may be a map screen. For example, a map screen centered on the consumer's address may be displayed. The current location of a carrier within a certain range (e.g., a delivery area including the address) with the address as the base point (e.g., the center) may be displayed on the map screen. Furthermore, the map screen as the top screen may be the top screen for distribution support, information support, etc., instead of or in addition to logistics support. <Distribution support>

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a schematic example of distribution support.

[0064] Distribution support involves dynamic overall optimization calculations between producers and consumers, which can contribute to eliminating wasted food, products, etc. An example is described in detail below.

[0065] The production management data 223 includes data obtained from the producer system 120, and includes, for example, data representing the product ID (e.g., the ID of the entire production lot or the product name), the production schedule, and the production cost for each product. The production management data 223 may also include data representing the history of past production (e.g., the number of products, the number of days required for production, the production cost, etc.). The products may be so-called luxury goods or commodity goods (e.g., some daily necessities). The production management data 223 may also include data representing the history of past demand (e.g., sales performance) for each product. The demand performance may include the number of products sold and the period of time.

[0066] The community management data 226 includes data related to the community, and may include, for each community, the community ID, the IDs of the community members (e.g., consumers), and data representing an overview of the community. The overview of the community may include products and information desired by the community. The detailed data of the members may be obtained from the consumer management data 221 using the member ID as a key.

[0067] The distribution support unit 232 identifies fixed costs for producing the product from the production management data 223 (S501). For example, the distribution support unit 232 may calculate the fixed costs using multiple production-related parameters. For example, a model such as a machine learning model or a statistical model may be used to calculate the fixed costs. The fixed costs may also be identified depending on the variation in the number of products. The fixed costs may also be calculated depending on the number of days required to produce the product. The fixed costs may also be based on a demand forecast for the product. For example, a demand forecast for the product may be made from the production management data 223, a production schedule for the product may be created based on the demand source, and the fixed costs may be identified based on the created production schedule.

[0068] The distribution support unit 232 publishes the fixed cost of the product (S502). Publication may be by posting it on a web page viewable by an unspecified number of people, or by notifying specific individuals. For example, the distribution support unit 232 may identify communities that purchase or are expected to purchase the product from the community management data 226 and notify the community system 170 of the identified community of the fixed cost of the product. The community system 170 may be a community system in a social networking service (SNS), and the notification destination of the fixed cost of the product may be that system. Any method may be used for approving the fixed cost in the community. Furthermore, the published cost may be a total amount for purchasing the product determined based on the fixed cost, instead of or in addition to the fixed cost. Furthermore, the community may be a for-profit or non-profit organization, such as a local government.

[0069] The distribution support unit 232 receives an order from the community system 170 to purchase the product at the disclosed fixed cost base amount, and records the received order in the production management data 223 (S503). The distribution support unit 232 notifies the producer system 120 of the producer of the content of the order (S504).

[0070] In this way, in this embodiment, a technical mechanism for advance purchase of fixed costs is established to connect consumers (end users) and producers, and to consider the producers' perspective and allow them to produce with peace of mind. Advance purchase of fixed costs makes it possible to produce high-quality products at reasonable prices. Furthermore, since the delivery destination of the products is the community, it is expected that transportation costs to the community can be optimized based on the advance shipment volume associated with advance purchase of fixed costs. Note that the above-mentioned logistics support may be applied to the delivery of products to each member of the community. In other words, each member can receive the products at a specified time (or within a sufficiently short time period). <Information support>

[0071] FIG. 6 shows a schematic example of information support.

[0072] In information support, information is provided to members of a community consisting of one or more members who share common goals, interests, etc., so that only the information the community desires is provided to each individual in the community. An example is described in detail below.

[0073] The sales management data 224 includes data obtained from the seller system 130, and includes, for example, data indicating the ID, summary, details, sales location, and price of each item sold. A "item sold" may be a product or a service.

[0074] The information support unit 233 performs selection (S601), which involves matching communities with products for sale.

[0075] For example, in the selection, community data is extracted from the community management data 226, community attributes are identified from the extracted data, and products for sale whose product attributes match the community attributes are identified from the sales management data 224. For example, the community attributes may include the purpose and preferences of the community, such as car enthusiasts or driving enthusiasts, and may further include preferred car types and manufacturers for each community (or each member). If the product attributes (e.g., type, manufacturer, etc.) match the community attributes, information about the community is notified to the product seller's system in a later step S602.

[0076] In addition, during the selection, members belonging to the community are identified, and the members' personal information (e.g., name and contact information (email address, etc.)) is identified from the consumer management data 221. The members' personal information is anonymized. The consumer management data 221 or the community management data 226 may include data indicating the preferences of each member, and the annual income, preferences, etc. of each member may also be identified.

[0077] The information support unit 233 provides information indicating the selected product and a community having community attributes that match the product attributes of the product to the seller system 130 of the identified product. The provided information may include anonymized personal information of each member belonging to the community. The provided information may also include each member's annual income, preferences, etc. The seller system 130 that receives the information prepares information to be notified about the product and determines whether the information should be notified to all members of the community, members of the community that meet certain conditions, or members selected by the seller. Because the members' personal information is anonymized, the seller cannot uniquely identify the members.

[0078] The information support unit 233 receives information from the seller system 130, transmits the received information to the community system 170, and designates to the community system 170 the recipients of the information (all members of the community, members of the community who satisfy predetermined conditions, or members selected by the seller) (S603). When the community system 170 receives a member designation (specifically, anonymized information of the recipient member) from the seller system 130, it identifies the member's personal information, etc. from the anonymized information of the designated member in the community management data 226 and / or consumer management data 221. The community system 170 provides the information from the seller system 130 to the recipient member.

[0079] In this manner, information is provided to members through the community. For this reason, the community system 170 functions as a so-called gateway. For example, the information provided to members of the community is information provided through the community system 170, that is, so-called opt-in information. In other words, unauthorized data such as emails and flyers, spam emails, etc. are not sent to community members. In addition, because the personal information of members is anonymized, it is possible to provide reliable information targeted specifically to each individual so that the individual cannot be uniquely identified by the seller.

[0080] The information support unit 233 tracks the provided information (S604) and can provide feedback on the results (S605). For example, in the tracking, the information support unit 233 receives member behavior, such as whether the information led to the purchase of a product or whether the member visited a store as a result of receiving the information, from the community system 170 or the member's consumer terminal 160. When such member behavior is identified, the information support unit 233 may notify the seller system 130 of the member behavior in the feedback. Furthermore, when such member behavior is obtained, the information support unit 233 may charge the seller in the feedback according to the number and content of the member behaviors.

[0081] Although one embodiment has been described above, this is merely an example for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. The pinpoint assistance server 100 may be a sharing economy platform. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100: Pinpoint support server

Claims

1. means for receiving recipient designations from each of a plurality of recipients of a plurality of packages, the designation including a designation of a delivery time or a sufficiently short delivery time slot for one or more packages addressed to the recipient; a means for determining a delivery schedule for a transportation vehicle assigned to each of a plurality of sufficiently small delivery zones that constitute an area based on recipient designations received from the plurality of recipients for the plurality of packages; a means for notifying, for each of the plurality of delivery zones, a determined delivery schedule of a transportation vehicle assigned to the delivery zone; Equipped with For each of the plurality of delivery areas, The delivery schedule of the transportation vehicle assigned to the delivery area includes one or more delivery destinations in the delivery area and a delivery time or delivery time slot for each delivery destination; The delivery schedule is notified to at least one of a transport vehicle assigned to the delivery area, a computer system of a company that manages the transport vehicle, and a carrier terminal that is an information processing terminal of a carrier that drives the transport vehicle. system.

2. The sufficiently short delivery window is one hour or less, 30 minutes or less, or 15 minutes or less. The system of claim 1 .

3. The size of the sufficiently small delivery area is a size that satisfies at least one of the following conditions: -A space large enough to deliver 150 or more parcels or 200 or more parcels in an 8-hour period, - A circle with a radius of N meters or less (N is 100 or less or 200 or less) centered on a specified base point, or an area that meets the specified conditions as an area of ​​similar size, The system of claim 1 .

4. A means for determining the plurality of delivery zones that constitute the area and each meet the condition of being sufficiently small, based on the delivery addresses of the plurality of packages during the period covered by the delivery time or delivery time slot designated by the recipient, the number of transport vehicles that can be assigned, and the transport capacity of each transport vehicle; The system of claim 1 further comprising:

5. The delivery frequency of the package addressed to at least one of the plurality of recipients is once every three days to one week. The system of claim 1 .

6. The plurality of delivery zones constituting the area are common to a plurality of carriers in charge of delivering the plurality of packages. The system of claim 1 .

7. a means for determining that a package satisfying a first condition among the plurality of packages will be received by a person other than the recipient of the package when the package satisfies a second condition; Further provided with The first condition is that the expiration date expires during a period when the recipient is unable to receive the package; the second condition includes being accepted by the recipient; Receipt by a person other than the recipient means that the package is provided by the carrier or to another person designated by the recipient, free of charge or for a fee. The system of claim 1 .

8. The second condition further includes inputting feedback for the package that satisfies the first condition to the recipient of the package. The system of claim 7.

9. A means for monitoring the distance between the delivery address of the parcel or the current location of the recipient and the current location of the delivery vehicle delivering the parcel or the carrier driving the delivery vehicle, and when the distance falls below a certain distance, enabling voice or text communication between the recipient and the carrier via a predetermined application on the recipient's terminal and a predetermined application on the carrier's terminal, or voice or text communication via a predetermined website; The system of claim 1 further comprising:

10. a means for notifying a community of consumers of a target cost, the target cost being at least one of a fixed cost of the producer's product and a cost based on the fixed cost; means for accepting orders from said community at said eligible costs; means for notifying the producer of the contents of the order; Equipped with The products produced at the fixed cost in accordance with the order are provided to the community. system.

11. A means for identifying a community whose attributes match the attributes of a product or service to be introduced from among a plurality of communities each made up of a plurality of consumers; a means for providing information representing the attributes of the identified community or information including attributes and anonymized information about consumers belonging to the identified community to a seller of the product or service to be introduced; A means for providing information from the seller about the product or service to be introduced to consumers as members of the community through the identified community; A system comprising:

12. receiving a recipient designation from each of a plurality of recipients of a plurality of packages, the designation including a designation of a delivery time or a sufficiently short delivery time slot for one or more packages addressed to the recipient; determining a delivery schedule for a transportation vehicle assigned to each of a plurality of sufficiently small delivery zones that constitute an area based on recipient designations received from the plurality of recipients for the plurality of packages; notifying, for each of the plurality of delivery zones, a determined delivery schedule for a transportation vehicle assigned to the delivery zone; This is carried out by a computer, For each of the plurality of delivery areas, The delivery schedule of the transportation vehicle assigned to the delivery area includes one or more delivery destinations in the delivery area and a delivery time or delivery time slot for each delivery destination; The delivery schedule is notified to at least one of a transport vehicle assigned to the delivery area, a computer system of a company that manages the transport vehicle, and a carrier terminal that is an information processing terminal of a carrier that drives the transport vehicle. method.

13. notifying a community of consumers of a target cost, the target cost being at least one of a fixed cost of the producer's product and a cost of the fixed cost base; Accept orders from the community for the applicable fees; notify the producer of the contents of the order; This is carried out by a computer, The products produced at the fixed cost in accordance with the order are provided to the community. method.

14. Identifying a community whose attributes match the attributes of the product or service to be introduced from among a plurality of communities each consisting of a plurality of consumers; providing information representing the attributes of the identified community or information including attributes and anonymized information about consumers belonging to the identified community to a seller of the product or service to be introduced; providing information from the seller about the product or service to be introduced to consumers as members of the identified community through the identified community; A method for performing this by a computer.

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