Delivery locker system and control method

Abstract

To provide a home delivery box system capable of reducing a burden on a delivery company.SOLUTION: A delivery locker system (100) includes a plurality of delivery lockers (3) each having one or more storages (31) in which a delivery item can be deposited, the plurality of delivery lockers being movable in a hoistway extending over a plurality of floors of a building, a delivery locker control unit (113) configured to control each of the plurality of delivery lockers, and one or more operation input units (41) configured to receive an input of a deposit operation for depositing a delivery item in a storage, wherein when the operation input unit receives the deposit operation, the delivery locker control unit moves one of the plurality of delivery lockers to the floor on which the operation input unit has received the deposit operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery box system having a plurality of delivery boxes and a control method for the delivery box system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, delivery lockers with multiple storage compartments capable of storing deliveries intended for residents of the apartment building are installed within the premises of an apartment building. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which delivery lockers are installed in a shared section of an apartment building. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-224243 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If it were possible to leave a delivery item in a delivery locker, it would be possible to reduce the delivery company's effort to redeliver the item even if the recipient is not present at the time the delivery item is delivered. However, if there are not enough delivery lockers in a building (for example, an apartment building) and there are no available delivery lockers, the delivery item will need to be redelivered. The need to redeliver a delivery item places a burden on the delivery company.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a delivery box system that can reduce the burden on delivery companies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a delivery box system that has one or more storage facilities where deliveries can be deposited and that includes a plurality of delivery boxes that can move within an elevator shaft spanning multiple floors of a building, a delivery box control unit that controls each of the plurality of delivery boxes, and one or more operation input units that accept input of a deposit operation to deposit the delivery items in the storage facilities, and when the operation input unit accepts the deposit operation, the delivery box control unit moves one of the plurality of delivery boxes to the floor where the operation input unit accepted the deposit operation.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a control method for a delivery box system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a delivery box system executed by one or more computers, and includes a delivery box control step of controlling each of a plurality of delivery boxes which have one or more storage facilities in which deliveries can be deposited and which can move within an elevator shaft spanning a plurality of floors of a building, and an operation input reception step of receiving input of a deposit operation to deposit the delivery item in the storage facility, and in the delivery box control step, if the deposit operation is received in the operation input reception step, one of the plurality of delivery boxes is moved to the floor for which the deposit operation was received in the operation input reception step.

[0008] The delivery box system according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by one or more computers. In this case, the control program for the delivery box system that realizes the delivery box system on a computer by causing one or more computers to operate as each part (software element) of the delivery box system, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a delivery box system that can reduce the burden on delivery companies. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a delivery box system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of each part of the delivery box system. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the delivery box has arrived at the operating floor and the door is open. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an overview of a first control panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a second control panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a storage information DB. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a password DB. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control panel DB. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a comment DB. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box system when depositing a delivery item. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box system when depositing a delivery item. [Figure 13] A sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the delivery box system when depositing a delivery item. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box system when receiving a delivery item. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box system when receiving a delivery item. [Figure 16] 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the delivery box system according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the delivery box system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of storage warehouse information according to Modification 4. [Figure 19] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of installation of a first operation panel in a delivery box system according to Modification 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment 1] <Outline of the Delivery Box System 100> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of delivery box system 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of each part provided in delivery box system 100. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of entrance / exit P1 (or PX).

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, delivery box system 100 includes delivery box control device 1, unit control device 2, delivery box 3, first operation panel 4 having operation input unit 41, and door 5. Delivery box system 100 according to this embodiment is a system in which a deliverer who delivers a delivery item deposits the delivery item in delivery box 3 through entrance / exit P1 (or PX) provided in a building, and a recipient of the delivery item picks up the deposited delivery item from delivery box 3. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the deliverer and the recipient, they will be referred to as the "user."

[0013] Delivery locker system 100 includes a plurality of delivery lockers 3, each having one or more storage units 31 in which deliveries can be deposited. As shown in FIG. 2 , each of the plurality of delivery lockers 3 is movable within an elevator shaft Q that spans multiple floors of a building. Delivery locker system 100 also includes a delivery locker control unit 113 that controls each of the plurality of delivery lockers 3, and one or more operation input units 41 that accept inputs for depositing operations to deposit deliveries in storage units 31 or receiving operations to receive deliveries from storage units 31.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the multiple delivery boxes 3 may be connected at regular intervals to an endless chain that is arranged in a circulating manner within the elevator shaft Q, and may move along the chain. In this case, the movement of one delivery box 3 causes the other delivery boxes 3 to move in conjunction with each other. Alternatively, the multiple delivery boxes 3 may be able to move individually within the elevator shaft Q, without the operations of each of the multiple delivery boxes 3 being linked together.

[0015] 3, when no operation is being performed, the door 5 is closed. In this state, the user can perform input operations on the first operation panel 4 provided near the door 5.

[0016] In the delivery locker system 100 according to this embodiment, when the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4 accepts a deposit operation, the delivery locker control unit 113 moves one of the multiple delivery lockers 3 to the floor on which the operation input unit 41 accepted the deposit operation. In the following description, the floor on which the operation input unit 41 accepted the deposit operation will be referred to as the "operation floor."

[0017] For example, when the operation input unit 41 receives a deposit operation, the delivery locker control unit 113 moves the delivery locker 3 having a storage 31 in which no delivery has been deposited to the operation floor.

[0018] Figure 4 shows the state in which the delivery locker 3 has arrived at the operating floor and the door 5 is open. In the state shown in Figure 4, the deliverer can deposit the delivery item in the storage warehouse 31. Note that, hereinafter, a storage warehouse 31 in which no delivery item has been deposited (reference numeral 31X in Figure 4) will be referred to as an "empty storage warehouse 31."

[0019] Furthermore, in the delivery box system 100 according to this embodiment, when the operation input unit 41 receives a receiving operation, the delivery box control unit 113 moves one of the multiple delivery boxes 3 to the floor on which the operation input unit 41 received the receiving operation. This allows the recipient to receive the delivery from the storage 31.

[0020] For example, when the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4 on the first floor receives a deposit operation or a receiving operation, the delivery box system 100 moves the delivery box 3 to the entrance / exit P1 on the first floor. Also, when the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4 on the Xth floor receives a deposit operation or a receiving operation, the delivery box system 100 moves the delivery box 3 to the entrance / exit PX on the Xth floor.

[0021] According to the above configuration, delivery box system 100 is provided with a plurality of delivery boxes 3 that can be moved within elevator shaft Q that spans multiple floors of a building. This allows delivery box system 100 to utilize the space within elevator shaft Q to install a plurality of delivery boxes 3.

[0022] Furthermore, with the above configuration, by installing multiple delivery lockers 3, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation where a deliverer (such as a delivery person delivering a delivery item) is unable to deposit a delivery item due to a lack of available delivery lockers 3. This reduces the possibility of needing to redeliver a delivery item or requesting redelivery.

[0023] Furthermore, with the above configuration, one of the delivery lockers 3 is moved to the floor where the deliverer inputs the deposit operation, thereby reducing the effort required for the deliverer to travel to the location of the delivery locker 3. As described above, with the delivery locker system 100 according to the present invention, the burden on the deliverer can be reduced.

[0024] Furthermore, with the above configuration, one of the delivery lockers 3 is moved to the floor where the recipient inputs the receiving operation, which reduces the recipient's effort to travel to the location of the delivery locker 3 that contains the delivery item they are going to receive. As described above, the delivery locker system 100 according to the present invention can improve convenience for recipients.

[0025] Furthermore, the delivery box system 100 can perform processes related to deposit work and receiving work. Deposit work is work in which the deliverer of the delivery item deposits the delivery item in the storage 31 of the delivery box 3. Deposit work includes either a first deposit work or a second deposit work. Furthermore, the process related to the first deposit work is referred to as the first deposit process, and the process related to the second deposit work is referred to as the second deposit process.

[0026] In the first deposit process, the first box, which is the delivery box 3 where the deliverer deposits the delivery item, is determined based on the number of storage units 31 used to store the delivery items. The deliverer of the delivery item deposits the delivery item in the determined storage unit 31 of the first box. In the first deposit process, input of delivery item information, which is information regarding at least one of the quantity, dimensions, and number of delivery destinations of the delivery items to be deposited in the storage unit 31, is accepted. In addition, in the first deposit process, one or more first boxes necessary to deposit all the delivery items are selected based on the delivery item information and the number of available storage units 31 in the delivery box 3. Note that the dimensions of the delivery item can also be said to be the dimensions of the storage unit 31 where the delivery item is deposited.

[0027] For example, in the first deposit process, if five new deliveries are to be deposited in different storage warehouses 31, delivery information indicating that the number of storage warehouses 31 to be used is five is input. In this case, a first box is selected so that all of the deliveries to be deposited can be deposited. For example, one delivery box 3 with five or more available storage warehouses 31 is selected as the first box. Alternatively, a combination of multiple delivery boxes 3 with five or more available storage warehouses 31 is selected as the first box.

[0028] This allows the deliverer to deposit deliveries in a fewer number of delivery boxes 3. Therefore, the delivery box system 100 can reduce the time that the deliverer has to wait after depositing one delivery item for another delivery box 3 to move in order to deposit the next delivery item. In this way, the delivery box system 100 can reduce the burden on the deliverer by performing the first deposit processing.

[0029] In the second deposit process, a first box, which is a home delivery box 3 where the deliverer deposits the delivery item, is determined based on the delivery destination of the delivery item. The deliverer of the delivery item deposits the delivery item in the storage 31 of the determined first box. In the second deposit process, input of delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of one delivery item is accepted, and a first box is selected based on the delivery destination information.

[0030] For example, in the second deposit process, if a delivery item with the same destination as the newly deposited delivery item has already been deposited in one of the delivery boxes 3, the new delivery item is controlled so that it is deposited in the same delivery box 3 as the already deposited delivery item. Note that if there are multiple deliveries that the deliverer plans to deposit, the second deposit process may be repeated multiple times.

[0031] The second deposit process increases the likelihood that deliveries addressed to the same recipient will be deposited in the same delivery box 3. This increases the likelihood that when a recipient receives multiple deposited deliveries, the deliveries will be received from different storage compartments 31 of the same delivery box 3. Therefore, the delivery box system 100 can reduce the time required for a recipient to wait at another delivery box 3 to receive the next delivery after receiving a delivery from one delivery box 3. In this way, the delivery box system 100 can improve convenience for recipients by performing the second deposit process.

[0032] The receiving operation is an operation performed by the recipient of a delivery item to receive the delivery addressed to them from the storage 31 of the delivery box 3. In the process related to the receiving operation (receiving process), input of recipient information for specifying the delivery item by the recipient is accepted, and a second box, which is the delivery box 3 where the recipient will receive the delivery item, is determined based on the recipient information and the delivery destination information of the delivery item that has already been deposited. For example, the recipient inputs information indicating the delivery destination of the delivery item that they plan to receive as recipient information, and the delivery box 3 that contains the delivery item registered with delivery destination information that matches the recipient information is selected as the second box. This allows the recipient to receive the delivery item that they plan to receive.

[0033] <Details of the Delivery Box System 100> The following describes in detail each unit included in delivery box system 100 according to this embodiment. Delivery box system 100 is capable of performing first deposit processing, second deposit processing, and processing related to receiving work.

[0034] In the following, an example will be described in which the delivery destination of the delivery item is the room number of the recipient of the delivery item. The recipient's room number is a number indicating the room used by the recipient who is to receive the delivery item. For example, if the delivery box 3 is installed in an apartment building, the recipient's room number may be the room number of the residence where the recipient lives. Furthermore, for example, if the delivery box 3 is installed in an office building, the recipient's room number may be the room number of the room that the recipient primarily uses. In the following, an example will be described in which the recipient information entered by the recipient to specify the delivery item is the recipient's room number. Furthermore, in the following, a delivery item whose delivery destination is the recipient's room number will be referred to as a delivery item addressed to the recipient or a delivery item that the recipient plans to receive.

[0035] <1st operation panel 4> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an overview of the first operation panel 4. The first operation panel 4 is an operation panel provided near the entrance / exit P1 (or PX). By operating the first operation panel 4, a user can start depositing a delivery item into the delivery box 3 or receiving a delivery item from the delivery box 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the first operation panel 4 includes an operation input unit 41, a control unit 42, and a display unit 43.

[0036] As an example, in the delivery locker system 100, a first operation panel 4 having an operation input unit 41 may be provided on each of multiple floors of a building. The operation input unit 41 can accept a first deposit operation, a second deposit operation, and a receiving operation. With this configuration, the delivery company and the recipient can use any operation input unit 41 to perform a deposit operation or a receiving operation.

[0037] The operation input unit 41 is an input unit that can accept input operations by the user of the delivery box 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation input unit 41 may have multiple buttons. The operation input unit 41 has a button for accepting a deposit operation. Specifically, the operation input unit 41 has a button (symbol 412) for accepting a first deposit start operation, which is an operation for starting the first deposit process, and a button (symbol 411) for accepting a second deposit start operation, which is an operation for starting the second deposit process.

[0038] The operation input unit 41 also has a button (reference numeral 413) for accepting an operation to specify the dimensions of the delivery or the storage 31 where the delivery is to be deposited. The operation input unit 41 also has a button (reference numeral 414) for accepting input of delivery destination information or delivery information. The operation input unit 41 also has a button (reference numeral 415) for accepting a receiving operation, which is an operation to start the receiving process. The operation input unit 41 may also have a button (reference numeral 416) for accepting a door open instruction and a button (reference numeral 417) for accepting a door close instruction.

[0039] When the operation input unit 41 receives an input operation from a user, it outputs a signal indicating the content of the received input operation to the control unit 42.

[0040] The display unit 43 is a display capable of displaying a predetermined screen in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 42. For example, the display unit 43 displays a comment to be notified to the user based on an instruction obtained from the control unit 42.

[0041] The control unit 42 transmits information indicating the content of the input operation received by the operation input unit 41 to the delivery box control device 1. In addition, the control unit 42 controls the display on the display unit 43 based on the information received from the delivery box control device 1.

[0042] When depositing a delivery, the deliverer performs a first deposit operation or a second deposit operation on the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4.

[0043] The first deposit operation includes a first deposit start operation, which is an operation for starting the deposit of a delivery, and an operation for inputting delivery information related to at least one of the quantity, dimensions, and number of destinations of the delivery to be deposited in the storage warehouse 31. For example, the deliverer performs the first deposit start operation by pressing the button indicated by reference numeral 411 in FIG. 5, and the operation input unit 41 outputs a signal indicating that the operation has been accepted to the control unit 42. The control unit 42 determines whether the operation input unit 41 has accepted the first deposit start operation. If the operation input unit 41 accepts the first deposit start operation, the first operation panel 4 displays a comment or the like on the display unit 43, prompting the user to enter delivery information.

[0044] After performing the first deposit start operation, the deliverer inputs delivery information to the operation input unit 41. The delivery information is information regarding at least one of the quantity, dimensions, and number of destinations of the deliveries to be deposited in the storage warehouse 31, and is information for specifying the number of storage warehouses 31 to be used for depositing deliveries.

[0045] For example, if a deliverer plans to deposit five deliveries in different storage warehouses 31, "5" is entered as the delivery item information indicating the quantity of deliveries. Alternatively, if a deliverer plans to deposit five deliveries in a total of three storage warehouses 31, "3" is entered as the delivery item information indicating the number of delivery destinations. By entering delivery item information in this manner, the home delivery locker system 100 can identify the number of storage warehouses 31 to be used by the deliverer in a series of depositing operations. Hereinafter, the number of storage warehouses 31 to be used by the deliverer identified based on the delivery item information is also referred to as the "number of storage warehouses 31 to be used."

[0046] When delivery information is input to the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 transmits first deposit information to the delivery box control device 1. The first deposit information includes identification information of the first operation panel 4 that accepted the first deposit operation and the input delivery information.

[0047] The second deposit operation includes a second deposit start operation, which is an operation for starting the deposit of a delivery item, and an operation for inputting one or more delivery destination information indicating each delivery destination of the delivery item. If the operation input unit 41 has not accepted the first deposit start operation, the control unit 42 determines whether the operation input unit 41 has accepted the second deposit start operation. If the operation input unit 41 has accepted the second deposit start operation, the control unit 42 causes the display unit 43 to display a comment or the like prompting the input of delivery destination information for the delivery item.

[0048] After performing the second deposit start operation, the deliverer inputs the delivery destination information of the delivery item into the operation input unit 41. When the delivery destination information is input into the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 transmits the second deposit information to the delivery box control device 1. The second deposit information includes the identification information of the first operation panel 4 that accepted the second deposit operation and the delivery destination information of the input delivery item.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 42 of the first operation panel 4 determines whether or not a receiving operation has been accepted. When the operation input unit 41 accepts the receiving operation, the control unit 42 causes the display unit 43 to display a screen prompting the user to enter recipient information. When the recipient information is entered into the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 transmits the receiving information to the delivery box control device 1. The receiving information includes identification information of the first operation panel 4 that accepted the receiving operation and the entered recipient information.

[0050] After transmitting the first deposit information, the second deposit information, or the receiving information to the delivery box control device 1, the control unit 42 causes the display unit 43 to display a message urging the deliverer to wait. For example, the display unit 43 displays a message such as "Please wait a moment."

[0051] When the delivery box control device 1 receives the first deposit information, second deposit information, or receipt information, it controls the operation of the delivery box 3 based on the received information. In addition, the delivery box control device 1 determines a comment to be displayed on the first operation panel 4, and transmits comment information including information indicating the determined comment to the first operation panel 4. When the control unit 42 of the first operation panel 4 receives the comment information from the delivery box control device 1, it causes the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4 to display the comment included in the comment information.

[0052] When the delivery box control device 1 determines the comment information based on the first deposit information or the second deposit information, the comment information includes a comment to be presented to the deliverer who will be depositing the delivery. For example, the comment information includes a comment encouraging the delivery person to deposit the delivery, such as "Your package can be deposited."

[0053] When the delivery box control device 1 determines the comment information based on the receipt information, the comment information includes a comment to be presented to the recipient who receives the delivery. For example, the comment information includes a comment such as "Please remove the package from the box" to encourage the recipient to receive the delivery.

[0054] Furthermore, after the delivery item is received from the storage 31 of the delivery box 3, the delivery box control device 1 determines a comment to be presented to the recipient and transmits comment information including information indicating the determined comment to the first operation panel 4. When the control unit 42 of the first operation panel 4 receives the comment information from the delivery box control device 1, it causes the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4 to display the comment included in the comment information.

[0055] For example, if there are no other deliveries addressed to the recipient who has received the delivery, the control unit 42 displays a comment such as "That's all for the package" on the display unit 43. This allows the recipient to understand that there are no other deliveries that they should receive.

[0056] Furthermore, if another delivery addressed to the recipient who has received the delivery has been deposited and the other delivery has been deposited in a delivery locker other than the delivery locker 3 located on the operating floor, the control unit 42 will display a comment such as "There is a package left in another unit" on the display unit 43. This allows the recipient to understand that there is still another delivery that they should receive and that this delivery has been deposited in a delivery locker 3 other than the delivery locker 3 from which they received the previous delivery.

[0057] Furthermore, if another delivery addressed to the recipient who has received the delivery has been deposited elsewhere, and the other delivery has been deposited in a delivery locker 3 located on the operation floor, the control unit 42 will display a comment such as "There is a package left in another locker" on the display unit 43. This allows the recipient to understand that there is still another delivery that they should receive, and that this delivery has been deposited in the same delivery locker 3 as the delivery locker 3 from which they received the previous delivery.

[0058] The control unit 42 may not only display the comment included in the comment information on the display unit 43, but also output the comment from an audio output device such as a speaker (not shown).

[0059] <Delivery Box 3> The delivery box 3 is a device that allows a deliverer to deposit a delivery item and for a recipient (e.g., a resident of a building) at the delivery destination to receive the delivery item, and is used for so-called drop-off delivery, etc. As shown in Fig. 1, the delivery box system 100 is provided with a plurality of delivery boxes 3.

[0060] Each of the delivery boxes 3 includes at least one storage 31 where deliveries can be deposited and a second operation panel 32, and operates under the control of the delivery box control device 1.

[0061] The second operation panel 32 is an operation panel for receiving operations related to depositing or receiving a delivery. As shown in Fig. 4, when the delivery locker 3 has a plurality of storage compartments 31, a plurality of second operation panels 32 corresponding to each of the plurality of storage compartments 31 are provided.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second operation panel 32. As shown in Fig. 6, the second operation panel 32 includes an input unit 33 and a display unit 34. The input unit 33 accepts input operations by the deliverer or recipient, and outputs a signal indicating the content of the accepted input operation to the unit control device 2. The display unit 34 performs display according to the control of the unit control device 2. The display unit 34 also performs display according to the input operation to the input unit 33. For example, when a user enters numbers using the input unit 33, the display unit 34 may display the entered numbers.

[0063] The input unit 33 of the second operation panel 32 accepts locking operations by the deliverer and unlocking operations by the recipient. A locking operation is an operation performed by the deliverer after the delivery item has been deposited, and includes, for example, an operation of inputting delivery destination information for the delivery item and an operation of pressing a button to instruct locking of the storage facility 31 (the button labeled "Unlock / Lock" in FIG. 6). When the input unit 33 accepts a locking operation, it transmits information indicating that the locking operation has been accepted and the entered delivery destination information to the unit control device 2.

[0064] The unlocking operation is an operation performed by the recipient to receive the delivery, and includes, for example, an operation of inputting authentication information for authenticating the recipient and an operation of pressing a button (the button labeled "Unlock / Lock" in FIG. 6) to instruct unlocking of the storage facility 31. When the input unit 33 receives the unlocking operation, it transmits to the unit control device 2 information indicating that the unlocking operation has been received and the input authentication information.

[0065] <Unit control device 2> The unit control device 2 controls the delivery boxes 3 based on instructions from the delivery box control device 1 or input operations performed on the second operation panel 32. As shown in FIG. 1 , a unit control device 2 corresponding to each of the multiple delivery boxes 3 is provided, and each unit control device 2 controls the corresponding delivery box 3.

[0066] 1, the unit control device 2 includes a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the unit control device 2. The storage unit 22 stores a storage information DB (database) 221 and a password DB (database) 222.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the storage information DB221. The storage information DB221 is a database that stores storage information indicating the usage status of each storage unit 31 provided in the delivery box 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage information stored in the storage information DB221 includes information that associates the identification information (UNIT_NO) of the delivery box 3, registered delivery destination information (ROOM_NO) that is delivery destination information for each delivery item deposited in the storage unit 31, and identification information (BOX_NO) unique to each storage unit 31 in which the delivery item is deposited. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the storage information DB221 stores storage information for multiple delivery boxes 3. Each storage unit 31 included in the delivery box system 100 can be uniquely identified by the identification information of the delivery box 3 and the identification information of the storage unit 31 of the delivery box 3. Hereinafter, the identification information of the delivery box 3 and the identification information of the storage unit 31 of the delivery box 3 will be collectively referred to as the "identification information of the storage unit 31." Moreover, the delivery destination information registered in the storage information DB 221 is also referred to as "registered delivery destination information."

[0068] As one example, the identification information of the delivery box 3 may be a serial number (unit number) assigned to each delivery box 3. As one example, the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 may be a serial number (box number) assigned to each storage warehouse 31. As another example, as shown in FIG. 7, the delivery destination information may be a room number in a building to which the delivery item is to be delivered. Note that if no delivery item is stored in a storage warehouse 31, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of that storage warehouse 31, i.e., an empty storage warehouse 31, is blank (the delivery destination information is "-" in FIG. 7).

[0069] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the password DB 222. The password DB 222 is a database that stores authentication information used to authenticate a recipient in the receiving process. As shown in Fig. 8, the password DB 222 stores authentication information in association with each delivery destination. As shown in Fig. 8, the authentication information may be, for example, a number consisting of several digits. Furthermore, the delivery destination may be a room number in a building.

[0070] The control unit 21 controls the delivery box 3 based on information received from the delivery box control device 1 and input operations performed on the second operation panel 32. The control unit 21 also transmits to the delivery box control device 1 information regarding the storage facility 31 where deposit or pickup has been completed.

[0071] When the first box, which is the delivery box 3 used to deposit the delivery item, arrives at the operation floor, the control unit 21 receives information indicating that the first box has arrived at the operation floor from the delivery box control device 1. Upon receiving this information, the control unit 21 refers to the storage information DB 221, identifies an available storage box 31, and unlocks the identified available storage box 31. This allows the deliverer to deposit the delivery item in the available storage box 31.

[0072] In addition, the empty storage compartments 31 in the delivery lockers 3 may be unlocked in advance. In this case, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 34 of the second operation panel 32 corresponding to the empty storage compartment 31 to display a screen indicating that the storage compartment 31 is an empty storage compartment 31. In this case, the delivery person selects any empty storage compartment 31 of the delivery lockers 3 that has arrived at the operation floor, manually opens the empty storage compartment 31, and deposits the delivery item.

[0073] After depositing the delivery item, the deliverer performs a locking operation on the second operation panel 32. For example, the deliverer performs an operation to input the delivery destination of the delivery item and an operation to press a button labeled "Lock / Unlock" on the input unit 33 of the second operation panel 32 shown in FIG. 6. When the control unit 21 receives information indicating that the locking operation has been accepted from the second operation panel 32, it locks the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the locking operation. The control unit 21 also stores, in the storage unit information DB 221, the identification information of the storage unit 31 that was locked based on the locking operation, in association with the delivery destination information of the delivery item.

[0074] When the control unit 21 locks the storage unit 31, it transmits a locking signal indicating that the storage unit 31 has been locked to the delivery box control device 1. In addition, the control unit 21 transmits, along with the locking signal, identification information of the locked storage unit 31, i.e., the storage unit 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited, and delivery destination information of the deposited delivery item to the delivery box control device 1. As a result, the storage unit information DB 121 is updated in the delivery box control device 1.

[0075] Meanwhile, when the second box, which is the delivery box 3 used to receive deliveries, arrives at the operating floor, the recipient unlocks the second operating panel 32 installed in the storage room 31 where the deliveries to be received are stored.

[0076] For example, the recipient operates the input unit 33 of the second operation panel 32 shown in Fig. 6 to input authentication information, such as a password, corresponding to the delivery destination of the delivery item, for example the recipient's room number, and presses a button labeled "Lock / Unlock." When the control unit 21 receives information from the second operation panel 32 indicating that the unlocking operation has been accepted, it refers to the password DB 222 and identifies the authentication information associated with the identification information of the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the unlocking operation.

[0077] The control unit 21 refers to the storage information DB 221 and identifies the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the unlocking operation. The control unit 21 also refers to the password DB 222 and identifies the registered authentication information corresponding to the identified delivery destination information. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the storage information DB 221, the storage unit 31 having the unit number "A" and the box number "5" has the room number "101" stored as the delivery destination. As shown in FIG. 8, in the password DB 222, the room number "101" is associated with the number "1860" as the registered authentication information. Therefore, when the second operation panel 32 provided in the storage unit 31 having the unit number "A" and the box number "5" accepts the unlocking operation, the control unit 21 identifies the registered authentication information "1860."

[0078] The control unit 21 determines whether the authentication information entered in the unlocking operation matches the identified registered authentication information. In other words, the control unit 21 determines whether the recipient has entered correct authentication information.

[0079] If the input authentication information does not match the registered authentication information, that is, if incorrect authentication information is input, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 34 of the second operation panel 32 to display a comment indicating that the input authentication information is incorrect. For example, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 34 to display a comment such as "Incorrect password" or "ERROR" and also causes the second operation panel 32 to announce the comment.

[0080] On the other hand, if the input authentication information matches the registered authentication information, the control unit 21 unlocks the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that received the unlocking operation. This allows the recipient to receive the delivery from the storage unit 31.

[0081] When the control unit 21 unlocks the storage unit 31, it transmits an unlock signal indicating that the storage unit 31 has been unlocked to the delivery box control device 1. In addition, the control unit 21 transmits, along with the unlock signal, identification information of the unlocked storage unit 31, i.e., the storage unit 31 where the delivery item will be received, and delivery destination information of the received delivery item to the delivery box control device 1. As a result, the storage unit information DB 121 is updated in the delivery box control device 1.

[0082] <Delivery box control device 1> Delivery box control device 1 is a device that controls delivery box 3 based on input operations performed on first operation panel 4 or information received from unit control device 2.

[0083] 1, the delivery box control device includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13. The input / output interface 13 is a communication module for transmitting and receiving information between the delivery box control device 1 and each device included in the delivery box system 100.

[0084] The storage unit 12 stores a storage information DB 121, an operation panel DB (database) 122, and a comment DB (database) 123. The storage information DB 121 is a database similar to the storage information DB 221 stored in the unit control device 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0085] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the control panel DB 122. The control panel DB 122 is a database for identifying the floor on which the first control panel 4 on which the user has performed an input operation is installed. As shown in Fig. 9, in the control panel DB 122, the identification information of the first control panel 4 and the floor on which the first control panel 4 is installed are associated with each first control panel 4.

[0086] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the comment DB 123. The comment DB 123 is a database for specifying a comment to be displayed on the first operation panel 4. As shown in Fig. 10, the comment DB 123 associates comment identification information with comment text corresponding to the identification information.

[0087] The control unit 11 includes an acquisition unit 111, a storage information management unit 112, and a delivery box control unit 113.

[0088] (Acquisition part 111) The acquisition unit 111 acquires information indicating the content of the input operation received by the first operation panel 4.

[0089] The acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not first deposit information has been received from the first operation panel 4. The first deposit information includes identification information of the first operation panel 4 that accepted the first deposit operation and the input delivery information. When the acquisition unit 111 receives the first deposit information, it stores the received second deposit information in a temporary storage area of ​​the storage unit 12 and outputs information indicating that the first deposit information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0090] Furthermore, if the acquisition unit 111 has not received first deposit information from the first operation panel 4, it determines whether or not it has received second deposit information. The second deposit information includes identification information of the first operation panel 4 that accepted the second deposit operation and delivery destination information for the input delivery item. If the acquisition unit 111 has received second deposit information, it stores the received second deposit information in a temporary storage area of ​​the storage unit 12 and outputs information indicating that the second deposit information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0091] The acquisition unit 111 also determines whether or not receipt information has been received from the first operation panel 4. The receipt information includes identification information of the first operation panel 4 that accepted the receipt operation and the input recipient information. When the acquisition unit 111 receives the receipt information, it stores the received receipt information in a temporary storage area of ​​the storage unit 12 and outputs information indicating that the receipt information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0092] (Storage Information Management Unit 112) The storage information management unit 112 manages the storage information DB 121. For example, the storage information management unit 112 acquires information indicating the content of an input operation, such as a deposit operation, received by the second operation panel 32, and updates the storage information stored in the storage information DB 121 based on the acquired information.

[0093] When a delivery is deposited in the storage warehouse 31 and a locking operation is performed on the second operation panel 32, the storage warehouse information management unit 112 receives a locking signal from the unit control device 2. When the storage warehouse information management unit 112 receives the locking signal from the second operation panel 32, it identifies the storage warehouse 31 where the delivery has been deposited based on the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 received along with the locking signal. The storage warehouse information management unit 112 registers the received delivery destination information in the storage warehouse information DB 121 in association with the identification information of the identified storage warehouse 31, and updates the storage warehouse information DB 121. After registering the delivery destination information in the storage warehouse information DB 121, the storage warehouse information management unit 112 deletes information about the delivery corresponding to the registered delivery destination information from the first deposit information or second deposit information stored in the temporary storage area. When the update of the storage warehouse information DB 121 is completed, the storage warehouse information management unit 112 outputs information indicating that the storage warehouse information DB 121 has been updated to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0094] When an unlocking operation is performed on the second operation panel 32 and the recipient is successfully authenticated, the storage warehouse information management unit 112 receives an unlocking signal from the unit control device 2. Upon receiving the unlocking signal from the unit control device 2, the storage warehouse information management unit 112 identifies the storage warehouse 31 where the delivery item was received based on the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 received along with the unlocking signal. The storage warehouse information management unit 112 deletes the delivery destination information associated with the identification information of the identified storage warehouse 31 from the storage warehouse information DB 121, and updates the storage warehouse information DB 121. Furthermore, upon completing the update of the storage warehouse information DB 121, the storage warehouse information management unit 112 outputs information indicating that the storage warehouse information DB 121 has been updated to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0095] (Delivery box control unit 113) Delivery box control unit 113 controls delivery box 3.

[0096] Based on the first deposit information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a first box, which is at least one delivery box 3 where the deliverer will deposit the delivery. When the operation input unit 41 accepts a deposit operation, the delivery box control unit 113 selects, from the multiple delivery boxes 3, a delivery box 3 that has at least one available storage box 31 as the first box, based on the storage box information stored in the storage box information DB121.

[0097] When a first deposit operation is performed on the first operation panel 4, the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 receives the first deposit information and stores it in the memory unit 12. The acquisition unit 111 also outputs information indicating that the first deposit information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113. Upon receiving the information, the delivery box control unit 113 references the storage information DB 121 in the memory unit 12 and identifies the number of available storage units 31 in each of the multiple delivery boxes 3. The delivery box control unit 113 also acquires the delivery item information included in the first deposit information. The delivery box control unit 113 selects one or more first boxes required to deposit all of the deliveries based on the number of available storage units 31 and the number of storage units 31 to be used, which is identified based on the delivery item information.

[0098] Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31 as the first box. Here, if the number of available storage units 31 in the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31 is equal to or greater than the number of storage units 31 planned to be used, the delivery box control unit 113 selects only that delivery box 3 as the first box.

[0099] If the number of available storage units 31 in the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31 is less than the number of storage units 31 to be used, the delivery box control unit 113 identifies the delivery box 3 with the next largest number of available storage units 31. If the total number of available storage units 31 in the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31 and the delivery box 3 with the second largest number of available storage units 31 is equal to or greater than the number of storage units 31 to be used, the delivery box control unit 113 selects these two delivery boxes 3 as the first boxes.

[0100] If the total number of available storage compartments 31 in the two delivery boxes 3 is less than the number of storage compartments 31 to be used, the delivery box control unit 113 repeats the same process until the total number of available storage compartments 31 in the delivery boxes 3 becomes equal to or greater than the number of storage compartments 31 to be used.

[0101] In this way, the delivery box control unit 113 selects one delivery box 3 or a combination of multiple delivery boxes 3 as the first box, where the total number of available storage units 31 is greater than or equal to the number of storage units 31 to be used.

[0102] If only information indicating the dimensions of the delivery item or storage warehouse 31 is acquired as delivery information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects the first box with the number of storage warehouses 31 to be used set to 1. Here, the delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 with the most available storage warehouses 31 of the specified dimensions as the first box. Furthermore, if information indicating the dimensions of the delivery item or storage warehouse 31 and information indicating the number of storage warehouses 31 to be used are acquired as delivery information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects at least one delivery box 3 such that the total number of available storage warehouses 31 of the specified dimensions is equal to or greater than the specified number as the first box.

[0103] For example, when an input operation is performed on the first operation panel 4 shown in Fig. 5 by pressing the "S" button among the buttons for specifying the dimensions of the storage warehouse 31 indicated by the reference numeral 413, the delivery information includes information indicating "S" as the dimension of the storage warehouse 31. In this case, the delivery box control unit 113 selects, as the first box, one delivery box 3 having the largest number of S-sized empty storage warehouses 31 from among the delivery boxes 3 having S-sized storage warehouses 31.

[0104] 5, when an input operation is performed to press the "S" and "5" buttons on the first operation panel 4, the delivery information includes information indicating "S" as the size of the storage unit 31 and information indicating "5" as the number of available storage units 31 to be used. In this case, the delivery box control unit 113 selects as the first box at least one delivery box 3 where the total number of available S-size storage units 31 is 5 or more.

[0105] Furthermore, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a first box, which is at least one delivery box 3 where the deliverer will deposit the delivery item, based on the second deposit information. For example, when the operation input unit 41 accepts the second deposit operation, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a first box from the multiple delivery boxes 3 based on the result of determining whether or not the storage information contains registered delivery destination information that matches the delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of the delivery item.

[0106] When a second deposit operation is performed on the first operation panel 4, the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 receives the second deposit information and stores it in the memory unit 12. The acquisition unit 111 also outputs information indicating that the second deposit information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113. Upon acquiring the information, the delivery box control unit 113 references the storage information DB 121 in the memory unit 12 and determines whether there is storage information in which the registered delivery destination information stored in the storage information DB 121 matches the newly received delivery destination information. If there is storage information in the storage information DB 121 in which the registered delivery destination information matches the newly received delivery destination information, this means that a delivery item has already been deposited with the same destination as the delivery item to be newly deposited.

[0107] If the storage warehouse information DB121 contains storage warehouse information in which the registered delivery destination information matches the newly received delivery destination information, the delivery box control unit 113 acquires the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 corresponding to the registered delivery destination information that matches the newly received delivery destination information. The delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 having the storage warehouse 31 identified by the acquired identification information as the first box. In other words, if the storage warehouse information contains registered delivery destination information that matches the delivery destination information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 having the storage warehouse 31 identified by the identification information associated with the registered delivery destination information as the first box.

[0108] In addition, if there are multiple registered delivery destination information that match the newly received delivery destination information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects all delivery boxes 3 that have storage facilities 31 identified by identification information corresponding to the multiple registered delivery destination information as the first box.

[0109] According to the above configuration, if a delivery item with the same delivery destination as the delivery item has already been deposited, the deliverer deposits the delivery item in the same home delivery box 3 as the deposited delivery item. This allows the recipient, if there are multiple deliveries to receive, to receive these deliveries all at once from the first box.

[0110] Furthermore, if there is no storage warehouse information that matches the registered delivery destination information and the newly received delivery destination information, in other words, if the storage warehouse information does not contain any registered delivery destination information that matches the delivery destination information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a delivery box 3 that has at least one vacant storage warehouse 31 as the first box.

[0111] According to the above configuration, if there is no other delivery item with the same destination as the delivery item, the delivery company can deposit the delivery item in any of the delivery box 3 with available storage space. The recipient can receive the delivery item from the delivery box 3 where the delivery company deposited the delivery item.

[0112] Also, in the above case, if there are multiple delivery boxes 3 with available storage spaces 31, the delivery box control unit 113 identifies the number of available storage spaces 31 in each of the multiple delivery boxes 3, and selects the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage spaces 31 as the first box.

[0113] According to the above configuration, when one delivery company deposits an item and then another delivery company deposits an item to the same destination, the likelihood that an available storage space 31 will be available in the same delivery locker 3 increases. This increases the likelihood that the recipient will be able to receive all of their deliveries addressed to them from a single first delivery locker.

[0114] When the delivery box control unit 113 selects the first box, it identifies the floor (operation floor) on which the first operation panel 4 that accepted the first deposit operation or the second deposit operation is located. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 references the operation panel DB 122 and identifies identification information that matches the identification information of the first operation panel 4 included in the first deposit information or the second deposit information. Next, the delivery box control unit 113 identifies the floor associated with the identified identification information, i.e., the floor on which the first operation panel 4 is located, as the operation floor.

[0115] The delivery box control unit 113 moves the selected first box to the operation floor. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 sends a signal to the unit control device 2 that controls the selected first box, instructing it to move the delivery box 3 to the operation floor. As a result, the unit control device 2 that controls the first box moves the first box to the operation floor. Note that if multiple delivery boxes 3 have been selected as first boxes, the delivery box control unit 113 moves one of the multiple delivery boxes 3 selected as the first box, for example, the delivery box 3 that takes the shortest travel time, to the operation floor.

[0116] According to the above configuration, when the delivery box system 100 receives a deposit operation to deposit a delivery item in a delivery box 3, it moves one or more first boxes having at least one available storage space 31 from the multiple delivery boxes 3 to the operation floor. This allows the deliverer delivering the delivery item to deposit the delivery item in the first box reliably, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery box 3 for the delivery company.

[0117] When the first box arrives at the operating floor, the delivery box control unit 113 receives a signal indicating that the first box has arrived from the unit control device 2. Upon receiving this signal, the delivery box control unit 113 opens the door 5 on the operating floor.

[0118] Next, the delivery box control unit 113 determines a comment to be displayed on the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4, and transmits comment information including information indicating the determined comment to the first operation panel 4 that accepted the deposit operation. For example, the delivery box control unit 113 references the comment DB 123 and determines a comment encouraging the deliverer to deposit the delivery item (a comment corresponding to "MSG2" in FIG. 10) as the comment to be displayed on the display unit 43. When the delivery box control unit 113 transmits the comment information to the first operation panel 4 and the comment is displayed on the first operation panel 4, the deliverer can know that they can deposit the delivery item in the delivery box 3.

[0119] After the deliverer deposits the delivery items in storage 31 of delivery box 3 and then locks the box, storage information management unit 112 updates storage information DB 121. Delivery box control unit 113 also obtains information indicating that storage information DB 121 has been updated from storage information management unit 112. Upon obtaining this information, delivery box control unit 113 determines whether all of the deliveries that the deliverer planned to deposit have been deposited, based on whether first deposit information or second deposit information is stored in memory unit 12.

[0120] For example, if the first deposit information is stored in the memory unit 12, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that there are deliveries remaining that have not been deposited. Specifically, if the number of storage warehouses 31 entered as delivery information in the first deposit process is five and the number of storage warehouses 31 that have completed deposits since the second deposit start operation was performed is one, there are still deliveries that the deliverer plans to deposit. In this case, the number of remaining storage warehouses 31 that are scheduled to be used is four, and the memory unit 12 stores first deposit information related to deliveries that are scheduled to be stored in four storage warehouses 31. In such a case, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that all deliveries that the deliverer planned to deposit have not been deposited.

[0121] Furthermore, if the first deposit information is not stored in the memory unit 12, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that all deliveries have been deposited. Specifically, if the number of storage warehouses 31 entered as delivery information in the first deposit process is 5 and the number of storage warehouses 31 in which deposits have been completed since the first deposit start operation was performed is 5, there are no deliveries remaining that the deliverer plans to deposit. In this case, the number of remaining storage warehouses 31 to be used is 0, and the memory unit 12 is not storing the first deposit information. In such a case, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that all deliveries that the deliverer plans to deposit have been deposited.

[0122] If it is determined that all of the deliveries have been deposited, delivery box control unit 113 ends the process. This ends the first deposit process in delivery box system 100.

[0123] On the other hand, if it is determined that all deliveries have not been deposited, i.e., if there are deliveries that have not been deposited, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether or not it is necessary to move the delivery box 3. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether or not it is necessary to move the delivery box 3 based on whether or not there is an empty storage space 31 remaining in the first box used in the most recent deposit, i.e., the delivery box 3 located on the operating floor.

[0124] If there is an available storage space 31 remaining in the delivery locker 3 located on the operation floor, the deliverer can deposit the next delivery item in the first locker located on the operation floor. Therefore, if there is an available storage space 31 remaining in the delivery locker 3 located on the operation floor, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that there is no need to move the delivery locker 3. If it determines that there is no need to move the delivery locker 3, the delivery locker control unit 113 sends comment information to the first operation panel 4, including a comment indicating that the delivery item can be deposited. This allows the deliverer to understand that the delivery item can be deposited in the delivery locker 3 currently located on the operation floor, and can carry out the depositing operation.

[0125] On the other hand, if there are no vacant storage spaces 31 remaining in the first box located on the operation floor, the next delivery cannot be deposited in that first box. Therefore, the delivery box system 100 must have the deliverer use the delivery box 3 as the next first box. Therefore, if there are no vacant storage spaces 31 remaining in the delivery box 3 located on the operation floor, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that the delivery box 3 needs to be moved.

[0126] If it is determined that a delivery locker 3 needs to be moved, the delivery locker control unit 113 moves any of the selected first lockers 3 that have not yet been moved to the operation floor to the operation floor. When the new first locker arrives at the operation floor, the delivery locker control unit 113 sends comment information to the first operation panel 4, including a comment encouraging the delivery person to deposit the delivery. This lets the delivery person know that they can deposit the next delivery in the newly arrived delivery locker 3, and allows them to carry out the depositing work.

[0127] The delivery box control unit 113 selects first boxes so that the total number of available storage units 31 is equal to or greater than the number of storage units 31 that the deliverer plans to use. Furthermore, if there are no available storage units 31 in one first box, another first box is moved to the operation floor, and the deliverer deposits the delivery items in the moved first box. In this way, by sequentially moving the first boxes selected by the delivery box control unit 113 and having the deliverer use them, the deliverer can deposit all of the delivery items that they plan to deposit in the first boxes.

[0128] In the second deposit process, only one delivery item can be deposited per operation. Therefore, when the deposit for one delivery item is completed and the delivery destination information is registered, all of the second deposit information stored in the memory unit 12 is deleted. Therefore, in the second deposit process, when information indicating that the storage information DB 121 has been updated is obtained from the storage information management unit 112, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that all of the deliveries have been deposited and terminates the process.

[0129] In this way, the delivery box system 100 allows the deliverer to deposit all deliveries in the delivery box 3, registers the delivery destination information of the deposited deliveries, and updates the storage information.

[0130] Based on the receiving information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a second box, which is at least one delivery box 3 that will allow the recipient to receive the delivery. When the operation input unit 41 accepts a receiving operation, the delivery box control unit 113 selects, based on the storage information, from the multiple delivery boxes 3, one or more second boxes that are one or more delivery boxes 3 that have at least one storage box 31 in which the delivery to be received by the recipient who performed the receiving operation has been deposited.

[0131] When a receiving operation is performed on the first operation panel 4, the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 receives the receiving information and stores it in the memory unit 12. The acquisition unit 111 also outputs information indicating that the receiving information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113. Upon acquiring the information, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether there is warehouse information in which the registered delivery destination information matches the newly received delivery destination information. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 references the warehouse information DB 121 and determines whether there is warehouse information in which the registered delivery destination information stored in the warehouse information DB 121 matches the recipient information. When there is warehouse information in the warehouse information DB 121 in which the registered delivery destination information matches the recipient information, this means that a delivery item addressed to the recipient whose recipient information was entered has been deposited.

[0132] If there is storage warehouse information in the storage warehouse information DB121 where the registered delivery destination information matches the recipient information, the delivery box control unit 113 acquires the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 corresponding to the registered delivery destination information that matches the recipient information. The delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 having the storage warehouse 31 identified by the acquired identification information as the second box. Note that if there is multiple registered delivery destination information that matches the recipient information, the delivery box control unit 113 selects all delivery boxes 3 having storage warehouses 31 identified by identification information corresponding to multiple registered delivery destination information as the second boxes.

[0133] On the other hand, if there is no storage information that matches the registered delivery destination information and recipient information, the delivery box control unit 113 displays a comment indicating that no delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited on the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4. If there is no storage information that matches the registered delivery destination information and recipient information, this means that no delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited, or the recipient has entered incorrect recipient information.

[0134] In this case, delivery box control section 113 determines the comment to be displayed on first operation panel 4. Of the comments stored in the comment DB 123, a comment indicating that a delivery item addressed to the recipient has not been deposited is selected, and comment information including that comment is sent to the first operation panel 4 that accepted the receiving operation. Upon receiving the comment information, the first operation panel 4 displays the comment included in the received comment information. For example, the first operation panel 4 displays a comment such as "No parcels are being stored" on the display unit 43. This allows the recipient to know that a delivery item addressed to them has not been deposited or that they have entered incorrect recipient information.

[0135] When the delivery box control unit 113 selects the second box, it identifies the floor (operation floor) on which the first operation panel 4 that accepted the receiving operation is located. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 references the operation panel DB 122 and identifies identification information that matches the identification information of the first operation panel 4 included in the receiving information. Next, the delivery box control unit 113 identifies the floor associated with the identified identification information, i.e., the floor on which the first operation panel 4 is located, as the operation floor.

[0136] The delivery box control unit 113 moves the selected second box to the operation floor. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 sends a signal to the unit control device 2 that controls the selected second box, instructing it to move the delivery box 3 to the operation floor. As a result, the unit control device 2 that controls the second box moves the second box to the operation floor. Note that if multiple delivery boxes 3 have been selected as second boxes, the delivery box control unit 113 moves one of the multiple delivery boxes 3 selected as the second box, for example, the delivery box 3 that takes the shortest travel time, to the operation floor.

[0137] According to the above configuration, when a receiving operation is accepted, the delivery box system 100 moves one or more second boxes, each having at least one storage 31 where the delivery item to be received by the recipient who performed the receiving operation, from the multiple delivery boxes 3 to the operation floor. This allows the recipient to receive the delivery item from the second box without having to move between floors. This improves the convenience of the delivery box 3 for the recipient.

[0138] If there are multiple second boxes, the delivery box control unit 113 moves all of the second boxes to the operation floor in sequence. With this configuration, even if deliveries with the same delivery destination are deposited in multiple delivery boxes, the recipient can retrieve the deliveries from the storage units 31 of all of the second delivery boxes simply by entering the delivery destination (room number).

[0139] When the second box arrives at the operating floor, the delivery box control unit 113 receives a signal indicating that the second box has arrived from the unit control device 2. Upon receiving this signal, the delivery box control unit 113 opens the door 5 on the operating floor.

[0140] Next, the delivery box control unit 113 determines a comment to be displayed on the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4, and transmits comment information including information indicating the determined comment to the first operation panel 4 that accepted the receiving operation. For example, the delivery box control unit 113 references the comment DB 123 and determines a comment urging the recipient to receive the delivery (a comment corresponding to "MSG1" in FIG. 10) as the comment to be displayed on the display unit 43. When the delivery box control unit 113 transmits the comment information to the first operation panel 4 and the comment is displayed on the first operation panel 4, the recipient can know that they can receive the delivery from the delivery box 3.

[0141] After the deliverer deposits the delivery item in the storage 31 of the delivery box 3, the recipient unlocks the locker. If the recipient is successfully authenticated, the storage information management unit 112 receives an unlock signal from the unit control device 2, and the storage information DB 121 is updated. The delivery box control unit 113 also obtains information indicating that the storage information DB 121 has been updated from the storage information management unit 112. Upon obtaining this information, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether all of the deliveries scheduled for the recipient have been received. The delivery box control unit 113 determines whether all of the deliveries scheduled for the recipient have been received based on whether registered delivery destination information matching the recipient information is stored in the storage information DB 121.

[0142] For example, if the storage information DB 121 stores registered delivery destination information that matches the recipient information, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that there are deliveries remaining that the recipient is scheduled to receive but has not yet received. Specifically, if, during the receiving process, the number of storage units 31 storing deliveries addressed to the recipient identified based on the recipient information is five, and there is one storage unit 31 that has completed receiving since the receiving operation was performed, there are still deliveries remaining that the recipient is scheduled to receive. In this case, there are four storage units 31 storing deliveries addressed to the recipient, and the storage information DB 121 associates registered delivery destination information that matches the recipient information with the identification information of each of the four storage units 31. In such a case, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that there are still deliveries remaining that the recipient is scheduled to receive.

[0143] Furthermore, if the storage information DB 121 does not store registered delivery destination information that matches the recipient information, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that all deliveries addressed to the recipient have been received. Specifically, if the number of storage units 31 storing deliveries addressed to the recipient identified based on the recipient information during the receiving process is five, and the number of storage units 31 that have completed receiving since the receiving operation was performed is five, there are no deliveries remaining that the recipient is scheduled to receive. In this case, the number of storage units 31 storing deliveries addressed to the recipient is zero, and the storage information DB 121 does not store registered delivery destination information that matches the recipient information. In such a case, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that all deliveries scheduled for the recipient have been received.

[0144] If it is determined that all deliveries addressed to the recipient have been received, delivery box control unit 113 ends the process. This ends the receiving process in delivery box system 100.

[0145] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a delivery remaining that has not been received by the recipient, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether or not it is necessary to move the delivery box 3. Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether or not it is necessary to move the delivery box 3 based on whether or not there is a delivery addressed to the recipient remaining in the second box used in the previous reception, i.e., in any of the storage units 31 of the delivery box 3 located on the operation floor.

[0146] If a delivery addressed to the recipient remains in one of the storage units 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the recipient can receive the next delivery from the second locker located on the operation floor. Therefore, if a delivery addressed to the recipient remains in one of the storage units 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that it is not necessary to move the delivery locker 3. If it determines that it is not necessary to move the delivery locker 3, the delivery locker control unit 113 sends comment information to the first operation panel 4, including a comment indicating that the delivery can be received from the second locker located on the operation floor. Here, the delivery locker control unit 113 displays a comment on the first operation panel 4 indicating that the delivery addressed to the recipient has been deposited in a storage unit 31 different from the storage unit 31 where the recipient received the delivery, in the second locker located on the operation floor. This allows the recipient to understand that another delivery has been deposited in a storage unit 31 different from the storage unit 31 where the recipient received the delivery, in the delivery locker 3 currently located on the operation floor, and can perform the authentication operation.

[0147] On the other hand, if there are no deliveries addressed to the recipient left in any of the storage compartments 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the recipient will not be able to receive the next delivery from that second locker. Therefore, the delivery locker system 100 must allow the recipient to use the delivery locker 3 as the next second locker. Therefore, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that the delivery locker 3 needs to be moved if there are no deliveries addressed to the recipient left in any of the storage compartments 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor.

[0148] If it is determined that the delivery box 3 needs to be moved, the delivery box control unit 113 sends comment information to the first operation panel 4, including a comment indicating that a delivery item addressed to the recipient has been left in a delivery box 3 different from the delivery box 3 located on the operation floor. This allows the recipient to know that a delivery item addressed to them still remains and that the delivery item has been left in a different delivery box 3.

[0149] Furthermore, the delivery box control unit 113 moves any of the selected second boxes 3 that have not yet been moved to the operation floor to the operation floor. When the new second box arrives on the operation floor, the delivery box control unit 113 sends comment information including a comment encouraging the recipient to receive the delivery to the first operation panel 4. This allows the recipient to understand that they can receive the next delivery from the newly arrived delivery box 3, and they can perform the authentication operation.

[0150] The delivery box control unit 113 selects all delivery boxes 3 having storage 31 in which deliveries addressed to the recipient are deposited as second boxes. Furthermore, when all deliveries addressed to the recipient have been received in one second box, another second box is moved to the operation floor, and the recipient receives the deliveries from the second box that has been moved. In this way, by sequentially moving the second boxes selected by the delivery box control unit 113 and allowing the recipient to use them, the recipient can receive all deliveries addressed to him or her.

[0151] In this way, the delivery box system 100 allows the recipient to receive all deliveries from the delivery box 3, deletes the delivery destination information of the received deliveries, and updates the storage information.

[0152] The recipient can also check whether or not a delivery has been deposited by using the delivery locker system 100. For example, when the recipient performs a receiving operation and inputs recipient information on the first operation panel 4 on any floor, the delivery locker system 100 determines whether or not a delivery addressed to that recipient has been deposited.

[0153] If a delivery item addressed to the recipient has not been deposited, a comment indicating that a delivery item addressed to the recipient has not been deposited is displayed on the first operation panel 4. Also, if a delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited, the delivery locker 3 in which the delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited is moved to the operation floor. Also, a comment indicating that a delivery item addressed to the recipient can be received is displayed on the first operation panel 4.

[0154] In this way, the recipient can check whether or not a delivery item addressed to them has been deposited by performing the receiving operation, and if the delivery item has been deposited, they can receive the delivery item from the delivery box 3 where it has arrived.

[0155] <Processing flow of delivery box system 100> The flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 will be described below with reference to Figs. 11 to 15. The processing performed by delivery box system 100 is executed by one or more computers. Figs. 11 to 13 are a flowchart and a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 when depositing a delivery. Figs. 14 to 15 are a flowchart and a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 when receiving a delivery.

[0156] (Processing when depositing delivery items) First, the flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 when a delivery is deposited will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0157] When depositing a delivery, the deliverer performs a first deposit start operation or a second deposit start operation on the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4. As shown in Figure 11, the first operation panel 4 determines whether or not the first deposit start operation has been accepted (S1).

[0158] When the first operation panel 4 receives the first deposit start operation (YES in S1: operation input reception step), the first operation panel 4 displays a screen prompting the input of delivery information on the display unit 43. As a result, the deliverer performs the first deposit start operation and then inputs the delivery information into the operation input unit 41. The control unit 42 waits for processing until the delivery information is input (until YES in S2).

[0159] When delivery information is input to the first operation panel 4 (YES in S2: operation input reception step), the first operation panel 4 transmits first deposit information to the delivery box control device 1, which includes the identification information of the first operation panel 4 that received the first deposit start operation and the input delivery information (S3).

[0160] On the other hand, if the first operation panel 4 has not received the first deposit start operation (NO in S1), the first operation panel 4 determines whether or not the second deposit start operation has been received (S4). If NO in S4, the process returns to S1.

[0161] When the first operation panel 4 receives the second deposit start operation (YES in S4: operation input reception step), the first operation panel 4 displays a screen prompting the input of delivery destination information for the delivery item on the display unit 43. As a result, after the deliverer performs the second deposit start operation, they input the delivery destination information for the delivery item into the operation input unit 41. The first operation panel 4 waits for processing until the delivery destination information is input (until YES is selected in S5).

[0162] When delivery destination information is input to the first operation panel 4 (YES in S5: operation input reception step), the first operation panel 4 transmits second deposit information to the delivery box control device 1, which includes identification information of the first operation panel 4 that has received the second deposit start operation and the delivery destination information of the input delivery item (S6).

[0163] After S3 or S6, i.e., after transmitting the first deposit information or second deposit information to the delivery box control device 1, the first operation panel 4 may display a comment (not shown) on the display unit 43 urging the deliverer to wait. For example, the display unit 43 may display a comment such as "Please wait a moment." The first operation panel 4 then waits until it receives comment information from the delivery box control device 1 (until YES is returned in S7).

[0164] As shown in FIG. 12, the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 determines whether or not first deposit information has been received from the first operation panel 4 (S11).

[0165] If the first deposit information is received (YES in S11), the acquisition unit 111 stores the received first deposit information in a temporary memory area of ​​the memory unit 12 and outputs information indicating that the first deposit information has been acquired to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0166] Upon acquiring this information, the delivery box control unit 113 identifies the number of available storage units 31 in each of the multiple delivery boxes 3. Then, the delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31 as the first box (S12). Note that if the number of available storage units 31 in the first box is less than the number of storage units 31 scheduled for use based on the first deposit information, the delivery box control unit 113 repeats the process of S12, excluding the delivery box 3 selected as the first box. If the total number of available storage units 31 in the first boxes is equal to or greater than the number of storage units 31 scheduled for use based on the first deposit information, the process proceeds to S16.

[0167] If NO in S11, the acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the second deposit information has been received (S13). If the second deposit information has not been received (NO in S13), the process returns to S11.

[0168] When the acquisition unit 111 receives the second deposit information (YES in S13), it stores the received second deposit information in a temporary storage area of ​​the storage unit 12 and outputs information indicating that the second deposit information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0169] When the delivery box control unit 113 acquires the information, it determines whether there is warehouse information in which the registered delivery destination information matches the newly received delivery destination information (S14). If there is warehouse information in which the registered delivery destination information matches the newly received delivery destination information (YES in S14), the delivery box control unit 113 acquires identification information of the warehouse 31 associated with the registered delivery destination information that matches the received delivery destination information. The delivery box control unit 113 selects the storage unit 31 identified by the acquired identification information as the first box (S15).

[0170] If there is no storage warehouse information that matches the registered delivery destination information and the newly received delivery destination information (NO in S14), the delivery box control unit 113 refers to the storage warehouse information DB 121 and identifies the number of available storage warehouses 31 in each of the multiple delivery boxes 3. Then, the delivery box control unit 113 selects the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage warehouses 31 as the first box (S12).

[0171] After S12 or S15, i.e., after selecting the first box, delivery box control unit 113 refers to operation panel DB 122 and identifies the floor where first operation panel 4 that accepted the deposit operation is located, i.e., the operation floor (S16). Next, delivery box control unit 113 moves the selected first box to the operation floor (S17: delivery box control step).

[0172] Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 sends a signal to the unit control device 2 that controls the selected first box to instruct it to move the delivery box 3 to the operation floor. The unit control device 2 that controls the first box moves the first box to the operation floor. The delivery box control device 1 waits to process until the first box arrives at the operation floor (until YES is returned in S18).

[0173] When the first box arrives at the operation floor (YES in S18), the unit control device 2 sends a signal indicating that the first box has arrived to the delivery box control device 1. When the delivery box control unit 113 receives this signal, it opens the door 5 to the operation floor (S19). In addition, the control unit 21 of the unit control device 2 unlocks one of the empty storage compartments 31 in the delivery box 3. This allows the deliverer to deposit the delivery item in the delivery box 3.

[0174] Next, the delivery box control unit 113 refers to the comment DB 123 and determines the comment to be displayed on the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4. When determining the comment when the first box arrives at the operation floor, the delivery box control unit 113 determines a comment to encourage the deliverer to deposit the delivery, specifically a comment such as "Your package can be deposited," as the comment to be displayed on the display unit 43. The delivery box control unit 113 transmits comment information including information indicating the determined comment to the first operation panel 4 that accepted the deposit operation (S20).

[0175] Returning to FIG. 11, when the first operation panel 4 receives comment information from the delivery box control device 1 (YES in S7), it displays the comment included in the comment information on the display unit 43 (S8). Here, the comment information includes a comment encouraging the delivery to be deposited, such as "Your package can be deposited." Therefore, by checking the comment displayed on the display unit 43, the deliverer can understand that the delivery can be deposited in the delivery box 3.

[0176] Next, referring to FIG. 13, the process performed after the deliverer deposits the delivery item will be described. After depositing the delivery item, the deliverer performs a locking operation on the second operation panel 32. For example, the deliverer performs an operation to input the delivery destination of the delivery item and an operation to press the button labeled "Lock / Unlock" on the input unit 33 of the second operation panel 32 shown in FIG. 6. When the control unit 21 receives information indicating that the locking operation has been accepted from the second operation panel 32 (S21), it locks the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the locking operation (S22). Furthermore, the control unit 21 stores, in the storage unit information DB 221, the identification information of the storage unit 31 that was locked based on the locking operation, in association with the delivery destination information of the delivery item.

[0177] When the control unit 21 locks the storage unit 31, it transmits a locking signal indicating that the storage unit 31 has been locked to the delivery box control device 1 (S23). In addition, the control unit 21 transmits, together with the locking signal, identification information of the locked storage unit 31, i.e., the storage unit 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited, and delivery destination information of the deposited delivery item to the delivery box control device 1.

[0178] The storage warehouse information management unit 112 of the delivery box control device 1 waits to process until it receives a locking signal (until YES is returned in S31). When the storage warehouse information management unit 112 receives the locking signal (YES in S31), it identifies the storage warehouse 31 where the delivery item has been deposited based on the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 received along with the locking signal. The storage warehouse information management unit 112 registers the received delivery destination information in the storage warehouse information DB 121 in association with the identification information of the identified storage warehouse 31 (S32), and updates the storage warehouse information DB 121. The storage warehouse information management unit 112 outputs information indicating that the storage warehouse information DB 121 has been updated to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0179] When the delivery locker control unit 113 obtains information indicating that the storage information DB 121 has been updated from the storage information management unit 112, it determines whether all of the deliveries that the deliverer planned to deposit have been deposited (S33). If all of the deliveries have been deposited (YES in S33), the delivery locker control unit 113 terminates processing. After depositing the deliveries, the deliverer creates a delivery slip or the like indicating that the deliveries have been deposited and the number of the storage unit 31 where the deliveries have been deposited, and places the delivery slip in a postbox or the like at the delivery destination of each deliveries. By checking the delivery slip, the recipient can know that the deliveries have been deposited.

[0180] If all of the deliveries have not been deposited (NO in S33), that is, if there are deliveries remaining that the deliverer planned to deposit, the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether or not the delivery box 3 needs to be moved (S34).

[0181] If there are no free storage compartments 31 remaining in the delivery locker 3 located on the operation floor and a new delivery cannot be deposited in that delivery locker 3, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that the delivery locker 3 needs to be moved. If the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that the delivery locker 3 needs to be moved (YES in S34), the process returns to S17. Here, the delivery locker control unit 113 moves any delivery lockers 3 of the selected first lockers 3 that have not yet been moved to the operation floor to the operation floor. This allows the deliverer to deposit the next delivery in the first locker that has just arrived at the operation floor.

[0182] On the other hand, if there is an empty storage space 31 remaining in the delivery box 3 located on the operation floor and a new delivery can be deposited in that delivery box 3, the delivery box control unit 113 determines that it is not necessary to move the delivery box 3. If the delivery box control unit 113 determines that it is not necessary to move the delivery box 3 (NO in S34), it returns to the processing of S20 and sends comment information including a comment encouraging the delivery person to deposit the delivery to the unit control device 2. As a result, the unit control device 2 displays the comment on the second operation panel 32, and the deliverer can understand that they can deposit the next delivery in the first box located on the operation floor.

[0183] (Processing upon receipt of delivery) Next, the flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 when a delivery is received will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0184] When receiving a delivery, the recipient performs a receiving operation on the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4. As shown in Fig. 14, the first operation panel 4 determines whether or not the receiving operation has been accepted on the operation input unit 41 (S41).

[0185] When the operation input unit 41 accepts the receiving operation (YES in S41: operation input accepting step), the control unit 42 causes the display unit 43 to display a screen prompting the recipient to input information about the recipient. As a result, the recipient performs the receiving operation and then inputs the recipient information into the operation input unit 41. The first operation panel 4 waits for processing until the recipient information is input (until YES in S42).

[0186] When recipient information is input to the operation input unit 41 (YES in S42: operation input reception step), the control unit 42 transmits reception information to the delivery box control device 1, including the identification information of the first operation panel 4 that received the reception operation and the input recipient information (S43). After transmitting the reception information to the delivery box control device 1, the control unit 42 causes the display unit 43 to display a comment urging the deliverer to wait. For example, the display unit 43 displays a comment such as "Please wait a moment." Thereafter, the first operation panel 4 waits for processing until it receives comment information from the delivery box control device 1 (until YES in S44).

[0187] When the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 receives receipt information from the first operation panel 4 (YES in S51), it stores the receipt information in a temporary memory area of ​​the memory unit 12 and outputs information indicating that the receipt information has been received to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0188] When the delivery box control unit 113 acquires the information, it determines whether there is any storage information in which the registered delivery destination information matches the newly received delivery destination information (S52).

[0189] If there is no storage warehouse information that matches the registered delivery destination information and the newly received delivery destination information (NO in S52), that is, if a delivery item addressed to the recipient has not been deposited, the delivery box control unit 113 determines a comment to be displayed on the first operation panel 4. For example, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a comment indicating that a delivery item addressed to the recipient has not been deposited from among the comments stored in the comment DB 123, and sends comment information including that comment to the first operation panel 4 that accepted the receiving operation (S58).

[0190] When the first operation panel 4 receives the comment information (YES in S44), it displays the comment included in the received comment information on the display unit 43 (S45). For example, the first operation panel 4 displays a comment indicating that no delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited, such as "No parcels are being accepted," on the display unit 43.

[0191] On the other hand, if there is storage warehouse information that matches the registered delivery destination information and the newly received delivery destination information (YES in S52), that is, if a delivery addressed to the recipient has been deposited, the delivery box control unit 113 selects a second box (S53). Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 references the storage warehouse information DB 121 and identifies a storage warehouse 31 that corresponds to the registered delivery destination information that matches the delivery destination identified based on the recipient information. Then, the delivery box control unit 113 selects all delivery boxes 3 that have the identified storage warehouses 31 as second boxes.

[0192] After selecting the second box, the delivery box control unit 113 identifies the floor on which the first operating panel 4 that accepted the deposit operation is located, i.e., the operating floor (S54). Then, the delivery box control unit 113 moves the selected second box to the operating floor (S55: delivery box control step).

[0193] Specifically, the delivery box control unit 113 sends a signal to the unit control device 2 that controls the selected second box to instruct it to move the delivery box 3 to the operation floor. The unit control device 2 that controls the second box moves the second box to the operation floor. The delivery box control device 1 waits to process until the second box arrives at the operation floor (until YES is returned in S56).

[0194] When the second box arrives at the operation floor (YES in S56), the unit control device 2 sends a signal indicating that the second box has arrived to the delivery box control device 1. When the delivery box control unit 113 receives this signal, it opens the door 5 on the operation floor (S57). This allows the recipient to unlock the delivery box 3.

[0195] Next, the delivery box control unit 113 refers to the comment DB 123 and determines a comment to be displayed on the display unit 43 of the first operation panel 4. When determining a comment when the second box arrives at the operation floor, the delivery box control unit 113 determines a comment to be displayed on the display unit 43 that urges the recipient to receive the delivery, specifically a comment such as "Please remove the package from the box." The delivery box control unit 113 sends comment information including information indicating the determined comment to the first operation panel 4 that accepted the deposit operation (S58).

[0196] When the first operation panel 4 receives the comment information from the delivery box control device 1 (YES in S44), it displays the comment included in the comment information on the display unit 43 (S45). Here, the comment information includes a comment encouraging the recipient to receive the delivery. Therefore, by checking the comment displayed on the display unit 43, the recipient can understand that they can receive the delivery from the delivery box 3.

[0197] After S45, the recipient performs an unlocking operation on the second operation panel 32 provided in the storage 31 where the delivery to be received is stored. Specifically, the operation input unit 41 of the second operation panel 32 accepts, as the unlocking operation, an operation of inputting authentication information corresponding to the recipient's room number and an operation of pressing a button labeled "Lock / Unlock." The recipient can determine which storage 31 the delivery addressed to them is being stored in by, for example, checking the absence notice left by the deliverer.

[0198] When the control unit 21 of the unit control device 2 receives information from the second operation panel 32 indicating that the unlocking operation has been accepted (YES in S61), it performs authentication of the recipient.

[0199] Specifically, the control unit 21 refers to the storage information DB 221 and identifies the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the unlocking operation (S62). Next, the control unit 21 refers to the password DB 222 and identifies the registered authentication information associated with the identification information of the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the unlocking operation (S63). Then, the control unit 21 determines whether the authentication information entered in the unlocking operation matches the identified registered authentication information (S64).

[0200] If the input authentication information does not match the registered authentication information (NO in S64), i.e., if incorrect authentication information has been input, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 34 of the second operation panel 32 to display a message indicating that the input authentication information is incorrect (S65). On the other hand, if the input authentication information matches the registered authentication information (YES in S64), the control unit 21 unlocks the storage unit 31 corresponding to the second operation panel 32 that accepted the unlocking operation (S66). This allows the recipient to receive the delivery from the storage unit 31. Furthermore, upon unlocking the storage unit 31, the control unit 21 transmits an unlock signal indicating that the storage unit 31 has been unlocked to the delivery box control device 1 (S67). Furthermore, the control unit 21 transmits the unlock signal together with identification information of the unlocked storage unit 31, i.e., the storage unit 31 where the delivery will be received, and delivery destination information for the delivery to be received.

[0201] When the storage warehouse information management unit 112 receives an unlock signal from the unit control device 2 (YES in S71), it deletes the delivery destination information associated with the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 where the recipient received the delivery (S72), and updates the storage warehouse information DB 121. Furthermore, when the storage warehouse information management unit 112 has completed updating the storage warehouse information DB 121, it outputs information indicating that the storage warehouse information DB 121 has been updated to the delivery box control unit 113.

[0202] When the delivery box control unit 113 acquires the information, it determines whether or not all of the deliveries scheduled to be received by the recipient have been received (S73). If all of the deliveries scheduled to be received by the recipient have been received (YES in S73), the delivery box control unit 113 ends the process.

[0203] If there are any deliveries that the recipient is scheduled to receive but have not yet received (NO in S73), the delivery box control unit 113 determines whether or not the delivery box 3 needs to be moved (S74).

[0204] On the other hand, if there are no deliveries addressed to the recipient remaining in any of the storage compartments 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the recipient will not be able to receive the next delivery from that delivery locker 3. Therefore, the delivery locker system 100 must allow the recipient to use the next delivery locker 3 as the second locker. Therefore, if there are no deliveries addressed to the recipient remaining in any of the storage compartments 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that the delivery locker 3 needs to be moved (YES in S74).

[0205] If it is determined that the delivery locker 3 needs to be moved, comment information including a comment indicating that a delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited in a delivery locker 3 different from the delivery locker 3 located on the operation floor is sent to the first operation panel 4. This allows the recipient to know that there is still a delivery item addressed to them and that the delivery item has been deposited in another delivery locker 3.

[0206] The process then returns to S55. In S55, the delivery box control unit 113 moves any of the selected second boxes 3 that have not yet been moved to the operation floor to the operation floor. When the new second box arrives on the operation floor, the delivery box control unit 113 sends comment information to the first operation panel 4, including a comment encouraging the recipient to receive the delivery. This lets the recipient know that they can receive the next delivery from the newly arrived delivery box 3, and they can then perform the authentication operation and receive the delivery.

[0207] On the other hand, if a delivery addressed to the recipient remains in one of the storage units 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the deliverer can receive the next delivery from the delivery locker 3 located on the operation floor. Therefore, if a delivery addressed to the recipient remains in one of the storage units 31 of the delivery lockers 3 located on the operation floor, the delivery locker control unit 113 determines that it is not necessary to move the delivery locker 3 (NO in S74). If it is determined that it is not necessary to move the delivery locker 3, the process returns to S58. In S58, the delivery locker control unit 113 sends comment information to the first operation panel 4, including a comment indicating that the delivery can be received from the second locker located on the operation floor. Here, the delivery locker control unit 113 causes the first operation panel 4 to display a comment indicating that the delivery addressed to the recipient has been deposited in a storage unit 31 different from the storage unit 31 from which the recipient received the delivery, in the second locker located on the operation floor. This allows the deliverer to understand that another delivery item has been deposited in a storage facility 31 different from the storage facility 31 where the delivery item was received in the delivery box 3 currently located on the operating floor, perform authentication operations, and receive the delivery item.

[0208] In this way, the delivery box system 100 allows the recipient to receive all deliveries addressed to that recipient from the delivery box 3, deletes the delivery destination information of the received deliveries, and updates the storage information.

[0209] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0210] Delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment performs the first deposit process and the receiving process, but does not perform the second deposit process. Therefore, in delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment, first operation panel 4 does not include a button (reference numeral 411) for performing the second deposit operation.

[0211] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 according to embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 16, first, first, the first operating panel 4 determines whether or not a first deposit start operation has been received (S81). Here, if the first operating panel 4 has not received the first deposit start operation (NO in S81), it does not determine whether or not a second deposit start operation has been received, and returns to the processing of S81. If the first operating panel 4 has received the first deposit start operation (YES in S81), the first operating panel 4 performs processing similar to the processing of S2 to S3 and S7 to S8 in FIG. 11.

[0212] Furthermore, in the delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment, if the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 has not received the first deposit information (NO in S91), it does not determine whether or not the second deposit information has been received, and repeats the process of S91 until the first deposit information is received. If the acquisition unit 111 has received the first deposit information (YES in S91), the delivery box control device 1 performs the same processes as S12 and S16 to S20 in Fig. 12. As a result, in the delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment, when the deliverer deposits a delivery, only the first deposit process is performed.

[0213] After the first box arrives at the operation floor and a comment is displayed on the first operation panel 4, the delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment waits for a locking operation to be received. When a locking operation is performed on the delivery box 3, the delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment performs the following processes: locking the storage 31, registering the delivery destination information, determining whether all deliveries have been deposited, and determining whether the delivery box 3 needs to be moved. These processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment using FIG. 13. Furthermore, when the delivery box system 100 according to the second embodiment receives a receiving operation, it performs a receiving process. This receiving process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment using FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0214] According to the above configuration, deliveries are deposited based on the first deposit process. Therefore, when a deliverer deposits multiple deliveries, it is possible to reduce the possibility that each deliverie will need to be deposited in a different delivery locker 3. This allows the deliverer to deposit deliveries in fewer delivery lockers 3, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery lockers 3 for the deliverer.

[0215] [Embodiment 3] Delivery box system 100 according to embodiment 3 performs the second deposit process and the receiving process, but does not perform the first deposit process. Therefore, in delivery box system 100 according to embodiment 2, first operation panel 4 does not include a button (reference numeral 412) for performing the first deposit operation.

[0216] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by delivery box system 100 according to embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. 17, first, first operation panel 4 determines whether a second deposit start operation has been accepted, without determining whether a first deposit start operation has been accepted (S101). Here, if the first operation panel 4 has not accepted the second deposit start operation (NO in S101), it returns to the processing of S101. If the first operation panel 4 has accepted the second deposit start operation (YES in S101), the first operation panel 4 performs processing similar to the processing of S4 to S5 and S7 to S8 in FIG. 11.

[0217] Furthermore, in the delivery box system 100 according to the third embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 of the delivery box control device 1 does not determine whether first deposit information has been received, but determines whether second deposit information has been received (S111), and repeats the process of S111 until the second deposit information is received. If the acquisition unit 111 has received the second deposit information (YES in S111), the delivery box control device 1 performs the same processes as S12 and S14 to S20 in Fig. 12. As a result, in the delivery box system 100 according to the third embodiment, when a deliverer deposits a delivery, only the second deposit process is performed.

[0218] After the first box arrives at the operation floor and a comment is displayed on the first operation panel 4, the delivery box system 100 according to the third embodiment waits for a locking operation to be received. When a locking operation is performed on the delivery box 3, the delivery box system 100 according to the third embodiment performs the following processes: locking the storage 31, registering the delivery destination information, determining whether all deliveries have been deposited, and determining whether the delivery box 3 needs to be moved. These processes are the same as those described in the first embodiment using FIG. 13. Furthermore, when the delivery box system 100 according to the third embodiment receives a receiving operation, it performs a receiving process. This receiving process is the same as the process described in the first embodiment using FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0219] According to the above configuration, the delivery item is deposited based on the second deposit process. Therefore, when a new delivery item is deposited with the same destination as an already deposited delivery item, the likelihood that these deliveries will be deposited in the same delivery locker 3 increases. This allows the recipient to receive multiple deliveries from the same delivery locker 3, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery locker 3 for the recipient.

[0220] [Modification] (Variation 1) In the above-described first and second embodiments, when the delivery box control unit 113 received first deposit information, it selected as the first box the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31. Also, in the above-described first and third embodiments, when the delivery box control unit 113 received second deposit information and there was no storage unit information that matched the registered delivery destination information and the newly received delivery destination information, it selected as the first box the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage units 31.

[0221] However, in the above case, delivery box control unit 113 may select a delivery box 3 other than the delivery box 3 with the largest number of available storage compartments 31 as the first box.

[0222] For example, the delivery box control unit 113 may select as the first box a delivery box 3 that has one or more vacant storage units 31 and that has the shortest travel time to the operating floor. Furthermore, if the number of vacant storage units 31 of that delivery box 3 is less than the number of storage units 31 to be used, the delivery box control unit 113 may also select as the first box a delivery box 3 adjacent to that delivery box 3. The delivery box control unit 113 may repeat the same process until the number of vacant storage units 31 is equal to or greater than the number of storage units 31 to be used.

[0223] Alternatively, if the number of available storage compartments 31 in the delivery compartment 3 with the shortest travel time to the operating floor is equal to or greater than the number of storage compartments 31 to be used, the delivery compartment control unit 113 may select that delivery compartment 3 as the first box, and if the number of available storage compartments 31 in the delivery compartment 3 is less than the number of storage compartments 31 to be used, the delivery compartment control unit 113 may select the delivery compartment 3 with the largest number of available storage compartments 31 as the first box.

[0224] According to the above configuration, the travel time of the delivery box 3 selected as the first box can be shortened, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery box 3 for the deliverer.

[0225] Furthermore, in the first and third embodiments, the floor of a building may be associated with the identification information of the delivery box 3, and the delivery box control unit 113 may select the first box based on this association. For example, information indicating the second floor of a building may be associated with the identification information of one delivery box 3. In this case, when a delivery item is to be deposited with its destination being a room on the second floor of the building, the delivery box control unit 113 may preferentially select the delivery box 3 identified by the identification information corresponding to the second floor as the first box.

[0226] This configuration increases the likelihood that deliveries addressed to recipients who live on the same floor will be deposited in the same delivery locker 3. Therefore, if these recipients retrieve deliveries in succession, the time required for the second recipient to receive a delivery to wait for the delivery locker 3 to be moved can be reduced.

[0227] (Variation 2) In the above-described first to third embodiments, the recipient knows that the delivery item has been deposited and the storage facility 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited by checking the delivery notice left by the deliverer, but this is not limited to this. In the delivery locker system 100, the recipient may be notified of the deposit of the delivery item by other methods. For example, in the delivery locker system 100, the unit control device 2 may be equipped with a notification unit that, when the delivery item is deposited, outputs a deposit notification notifying the recipient who receives the delivery item that the delivery item has been deposited. Furthermore, the delivery locker control device 1 may pre-store contact information for the recipient corresponding to the delivery destination. The recipient's contact information may be, for example, an email address for a terminal device such as a smartphone owned by the recipient.

[0228] When a delivery is deposited, the notification unit identifies the recipient's contact information based on the delivery destination of the delivery. The notification unit may also send a deposit notification to the identified contact information, including information indicating that the delivery has been deposited and the box number of the storage warehouse 31 where the delivery has been deposited.

[0229] This allows the recipient to immediately know that the delivery has been deposited, and the deliverer does not need to write a non-delivery slip.

[0230] In addition, if the delivery is still deposited in the storage warehouse 31 after a predetermined period of time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed since the deposit notification was output, the notification unit may output the deposit notification again.

[0231] (Variation 3) In the above-described first and third embodiments, when a deliverer performs a second deposit operation to deposit a delivery item, the process ends when the deposit of one delivery item is completed. Therefore, when performing a second deposit operation to deposit multiple deliveries, the deliverer must perform the second deposit operation again after depositing one delivery item. Here, in the above-described first and third embodiments, the operation input unit 41 may accept an operation to input multiple delivery destination information as the second deposit operation. In this case, the delivery box control unit 113 may determine whether each of the input multiple delivery destination information matches registered delivery destination information. Furthermore, the delivery box control unit 113 may select all delivery boxes 3 identified based on registered delivery destination information that matches the input multiple delivery destination information as the first box.

[0232] According to the above configuration, when a deliverer inputs delivery destination information for multiple deliveries, first boxes containing deposited deliveries with the same delivery destination as each of the deliveries are transported sequentially. The deliverer then stores each of the deliveries in the transported first boxes. This allows each recipient of multiple deliveries to receive these deliveries collectively from the same first box if they have multiple deliveries to receive.

[0233] (Variation 4) In the above-described first to third embodiments, the authentication information for authenticating the recipient is set in advance, but this is not limited to this. For example, the authentication information may be set each time a delivery is deposited. In this case, the unit control device 2 does not store the password DB 222. For example, the deliverer may determine authentication information corresponding to the delivery and input the determined authentication information into the second operation panel 32, which then outputs the input authentication information to the unit control device 2.

[0234] Alternatively, the unit control device 2 may be provided with a setting unit that sets authentication information, and the setting unit may determine the authentication information when a delivery is deposited. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a storage information DB221A according to this modified example. As shown in FIG. 18, when the unit control device 2 acquires authentication information or sets authentication information in the setting unit, the unit stores the authentication information in the storage information DB221A in association with the delivery destination information of the deposited delivery. The setting unit may set the same authentication information for deliveries with the same destination. Note that the storage unit 12 of the home delivery box control device 1 may also store a storage information DB121A, which is a database similar to the storage information DB221A.

[0235] Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the unit control device 2 may be equipped with the notification unit described in Variation 2, and the notification unit may notify the recipient of the authentication information in addition to the deposit notification. For example, the notification unit notifies the deliverer of the authentication information by displaying the authentication information on the display unit 34 of the second operation panel 32. The deliverer then writes the notified authentication information on a delivery slip, allowing the recipient to know that a delivery addressed to them has been deposited as well as the authentication information corresponding to the delivery.

[0236] Alternatively, the notification unit may send authentication information along with a notification indicating that the delivery item has been deposited to the recipient's contact information, which is pre-assigned to each delivery destination, such as the email address of the recipient's terminal device.

[0237] The control unit 21 of the unit control device 2 refers to the storage information DB 221A and performs authentication based on the authentication information associated with the delivery destination information of the delivery item identified based on the recipient information and the authentication information input by the recipient.

[0238] (Variation 5) In the above-described first to third embodiments, the operation input unit 41 of the first operation panel 4 can accept the first deposit operation, the second deposit operation, and the receiving operation, but this is not limited to this. For example, a first operation panel 4A having a first operation input unit 41A that accepts the first deposit operation and the second deposit operation, and a first operation panel 4B having a second operation input unit 41B that accepts the receiving operation may be provided separately.

[0239] Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of installation of first operation panel 4 in delivery box system 100 according to Modification 5. As shown in Fig. 19, first operation panel 4A having first operation input unit 41A may be provided at a first location in the building, and first operation panel 4B having second operation input unit 41B may be provided at a second location different from the first location.

[0240] Specifically, a first operation panel 4A capable of accepting the first and second deposit operations may be provided outside the building, and a first operation panel 4B capable of accepting the receiving operation may be provided inside the building. With this configuration, the deliverer deposits the delivery without entering the building. Furthermore, because the first operation panel 4B operated by the recipient is provided inside the building, the possibility of an outsider operating it is reduced. In this way, by providing the first operation panel 4A capable of accepting the first and second deposit operations and the first operation panel 4B capable of accepting the receiving operation as separate first operation panels 4, the security of the delivery locker system 100 can be improved.

[0241] (Variation 6) In the above-described first to third embodiments, the first operating panel 4 is configured to be provided on each floor of the building, but the first operating panel 4 may be configured to be provided on only one floor, for example, the first floor. With this configuration, there is no need to provide entrance / exit P1 (or PX) on floors other than the first floor. Furthermore, with this configuration, the delivery box control unit 113 does not need to specify the operating floor, which simplifies processing.

[0242] (Variation 7) In the above-described first to third embodiments, in the receiving process, the first operation panel 4 accepts input of recipient information by the recipient, and then the delivery box control unit 113 moves the second box selected based on the recipient information to the operation floor. After that, the second operation panel 32 accepts input of authentication information by the recipient, and the unit control device 2 authenticates the recipient.

[0243] However, in the receiving process, after the first operation panel 4 accepts input of recipient information by the recipient, it may subsequently accept input of authentication information before moving the second box to the operation floor. Also, if the unit control device 2 successfully authenticates the recipient based on the authentication information entered, the delivery box control unit 113 may move the second box to the operation floor. In this case, the unit control device 2 may unlock the storage room 31 in which the delivery addressed to the recipient is deposited when the second box arrives at the operation floor.

[0244] According to this configuration, the recipient can input the recipient information and authentication information into the first operation panel 4 consecutively, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery box 3.

[0245] (Variation 8) In the above-described first to third embodiments, the recipient knows the box number of the storage 31 where the delivery item has been deposited by checking the non-delivery slip created by the deliverer, but this is not limited to this. For example, each storage 31 of the home delivery box 3 may be provided with a lamp that can be turned on based on an instruction from the unit control device 2. Furthermore, after the second box arrives at the operation floor, the unit control device 2 may turn on or flash a lamp provided in the storage 31 where the delivery item addressed to the recipient has been deposited.

[0246] According to this configuration, the deliverer does not need to write the box number of the storage warehouse 31 where the delivery item was deposited on the delivery slip. Also, the recipient can know which storage warehouse 31 the delivery item addressed to them has been deposited in without checking the delivery slip.

[0247] (Variation 9) In the above-described first to third embodiments, a configuration in which one first operation panel 4 is operated by one user has been described, but this is not limiting. For example, multiple first operation panels 4 may be operated simultaneously by different users. Note that "operated simultaneously" means that at least a portion of the period from when one user performs a deposit operation or a receiving operation to when the users complete the deposit or receiving of all deliveries overlaps between the two users.

[0248] When multiple first operation panels 4 are operated simultaneously, the delivery box control device 1 performs the deposit or receipt process in the order in which they were operated. For example, when two users each operate a different first operation panel 4, the delivery box control device 1 first performs the deposit or receipt process based on the information received from the first operation panel 4 that was operated first. After the deposit or receipt process is completed, the delivery box control device 1 performs the deposit or receipt process based on the information received from the first operation panel 4 that was operated next.

[0249] Furthermore, while one first operation panel 4 is performing a process based on an operation received, the delivery box control device 1 may display a comment indicating that a deposit or receipt process is in progress on the display unit 43 of the other first operation panel 4. For example, the delivery box control device 1 may display a comment such as "Loading / unloading work in progress" on the display unit 43. The delivery box control device 1 may also display a comment such as "Depositing luggage" on the display unit 43 while performing a deposit process, or "Unloading luggage" on the display unit 43 while performing a receipt process. This allows the user to understand that a first operation panel 4 other than the one closest to the user is being operated and that the user must wait their turn to perform their task. Therefore, the user can determine whether or not to use the delivery box system 100 before operating the first operation panel 4, thereby reducing wasted time.

[0250] As described above, the delivery locker system 100 according to the present invention can provide multiple delivery lockers 3 that can move within the elevator shaft Q that spans multiple floors of a building. This allows the delivery locker system 100 to utilize the space within the elevator shaft Q to install multiple delivery lockers 3. By installing multiple delivery lockers 3 in this way, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of situations where a delivery person is unable to leave their delivery because there are no available delivery lockers 3. This reduces the possibility of needing to redeliver the delivery, reduces the energy consumed during redelivery, and reduces carbon dioxide and other emissions. These effects also contribute to achieving, for example, Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations, "Affordable and Clean Energy."

[0251] [Software implementation example] The functions of the delivery box system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "system") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the system, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control units 11, 21, 42).

[0252] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0253] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the system. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0254] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0255] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0256] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0257] 〔summary〕 The delivery box system of aspect 1 of the present invention has one or more storage facilities where deliveries can be deposited, and comprises a plurality of delivery boxes that can move within an elevator shaft spanning multiple floors of a building, a delivery box control unit that controls each of the plurality of delivery boxes, and one or more operation input units that accept input of a deposit operation to deposit the delivery items in the storage facilities, and when the operation input unit accepts the deposit operation, the delivery box control unit moves one of the plurality of delivery boxes to the floor where the operation input unit accepted the deposit operation.

[0258] The delivery box system of aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, further includes a storage information management unit that updates storage information indicating the usage status of each of the storage units of the multiple delivery boxes based on the deposit operation input to the operation input unit, and when the operation input unit accepts the deposit operation, the delivery box control unit may select a first box from the multiple delivery boxes based on the storage information, which is the delivery box that has at least one vacant storage unit where the delivery item has not been deposited, and move the first box to the floor where the operation input unit accepted the deposit operation.

[0259] In the delivery box system of aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 2 above, the delivery box control unit may select the delivery box with the largest number of available storage spaces as the first box when there are multiple delivery boxes with available storage spaces.

[0260] In the delivery box system of aspect 4 of the present invention, in aspect 2 above, the delivery box control unit may, when there are multiple delivery boxes with the available storage space, select as the first box the delivery box with the available storage space that has the shortest travel time to the floor where the operation input unit accepted the deposit operation.

[0261] A delivery box system according to aspect 5 of the present invention is such that, in any of aspects 2 to 4 above, the deposit operation includes an operation of inputting delivery item information regarding at least one of the quantity, dimensions, and number of delivery destinations of the delivery items to be deposited in the storage facility, and the delivery box control unit may select one or more first boxes required to deposit all of the delivery items based on the input delivery item information.

[0262] A delivery box system according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 5 above, may include a plurality of the operation input units, and the plurality of operation input units may be provided on each of the plurality of floors.

[0263] A delivery box system according to aspect 7 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 6 above, may be such that the operation input unit is provided at a first location in the building and comprises a first operation input unit that accepts the deposit operation, and a second operation input unit that is provided at a second location different from the first location in the building and accepts a receiving operation to receive the delivery item from the storage facility.

[0264] The delivery box system according to aspect 8 of the present invention may be provided with a notification unit that, when the delivery item is deposited in any of aspects 1 to 7 above, outputs a deposit notification to notify the recipient who receives the delivery item that the delivery item has been deposited.

[0265] The delivery box system of aspect 9 of the present invention, in accordance with aspect 8 above, further includes a setting unit that sets authentication information, which is information for authenticating the recipient, when the delivery item is deposited, and the notification unit may output the authentication information in addition to the deposit notification.

[0266] In the delivery box system of aspect 10 of the present invention, in aspect 8 or 9 above, the notification unit may output the deposit notification again if the delivery item is still deposited in the storage facility after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the deposit notification was output.

[0267] A control method for a delivery box system according to aspect 11 of the present invention is a control method for a delivery box system executed by one or more computers, and includes a delivery box control step of controlling each of a plurality of delivery boxes that have one or more storage facilities in which deliveries can be deposited and that can move within an elevator shaft spanning a plurality of floors of a building, and an operation input reception step of receiving input of a deposit operation to deposit the delivery item in the storage facility, and in the delivery box control step, if the deposit operation is received in the operation input reception step, one of the plurality of delivery boxes is moved to the floor for which the deposit operation was received in the operation input reception step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0268] 1. Delivery box control device 3. Delivery box 31 Containment 41 Operation input section 41A First operation input section 41B Second operation input unit 100 Delivery Box System 113 Delivery box control unit S1, S2, S4, S5, S41 Operation input reception steps S17, S55 Delivery box control steps

Claims

1. a plurality of delivery boxes having one or more storage areas in which delivery items can be deposited and movable within an elevator shaft spanning a plurality of floors of a building; a delivery box control unit that controls each of the plurality of delivery boxes; one or more operation input units that accept input of a deposit operation for depositing the delivery in the storage facility; Equipped with The delivery box control unit When the operation input unit receives the deposit operation, the operation input unit moves one of the plurality of delivery boxes to the floor on which the operation input unit receives the deposit operation. Delivery box system.

2. a storage information management unit that updates storage information indicating the usage status of each of the storage units of the plurality of delivery boxes based on the deposit operation input to the operation input unit, The delivery box control unit When the operation input unit receives the deposit operation, a first box is selected from the plurality of delivery boxes based on the storage information, the first box being the delivery box having at least one empty storage box being the storage box in which the delivery item has not been deposited; The operation input unit moves the first box to the floor where the deposit operation is accepted. The delivery box system according to claim 1.

3. The delivery box control unit If there are a plurality of delivery boxes having the vacant storage compartments, the delivery box with the largest number of vacant storage compartments is selected as the first box. The delivery box system according to claim 2.

4. The delivery box control unit When there are a plurality of delivery boxes having the vacant storage space, the operation input unit selects, from among the delivery boxes having the vacant storage space, the delivery box having the shortest travel time to the floor where the deposit operation is accepted, as the first box. The delivery box system according to claim 2.

5. The deposit operation includes an operation of inputting delivery information regarding at least one of the quantity, dimensions, and number of delivery destinations of the delivery to be deposited in the storage warehouse; The delivery box control unit selecting one or more of the first boxes necessary to deposit all of the deliveries based on the input delivery information; The delivery box system according to claim 2.

6. A plurality of the operation input units are provided, The plurality of operation input units are provided on each of the plurality of floors, The delivery box system according to claim 1.

7. The operation input unit a first operation input unit provided at a first location in the building and configured to accept the deposit operation; a second operation input unit that is provided at a second location different from the first location of the building and that accepts a receiving operation for receiving the delivery from the storage facility; Equipped with The delivery box system according to claim 1.

8. a notification unit that outputs a deposit notification when the delivery item is deposited, to notify a recipient who receives the delivery item that the delivery item has been deposited; The delivery box system according to claim 1.

9. a setting unit that sets authentication information, which is information for authenticating the recipient, when the delivery is deposited; The notification unit outputting the authentication information in addition to the deposit notification; The delivery box system according to claim 8.

10. The notification unit If the delivery is still deposited in the warehouse when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the deposit notice was output, the deposit notice is output again. The delivery box system according to claim 8.

11. A control method for a delivery box system executed by one or more computers, comprising: a delivery box control step for controlling each of a plurality of delivery boxes that have one or more storage areas in which delivery items can be deposited and that are movable within an elevator shaft that spans a plurality of floors of a building; an operation input receiving step of receiving an input of a deposit operation for depositing the delivery in the storage; Including, In the delivery box control step, When the deposit operation is received in the operation input receiving step, one of the plurality of delivery boxes is moved to the floor where the deposit operation is received in the operation input receiving step. A method for controlling a delivery box system.

Images