Control method for a product delivery system

Abstract

To provide a non-face-to-face product delivery system that is easy for customers to use. [Solution] The product delivery system includes a hanger conveyor that stores products by hanging them between two partitions and moves the products, a delivery device installed adjacent to the hanger conveyor and equipped with a delivery port for delivering products, and a control device that controls the hanger conveyor and the delivery device, the delivery device further equipped with a sensor that measures the distance between the two partitions and generates distance data, the delivery port is equipped with a first door, and the control device controls the first door so that the delivery port has an opening width corresponding to the distance data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product delivery system for delivering products stored by a vendor to a customer. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, customer service has also become more non-face-to-face in order to prevent the spread of infections such as influenza or coronavirus. For example, in the field of cleaning services, methods have been proposed in which customers' laundry is collected and handed over via lockers (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or by using an unmanned delivery system installed in a store (see, for example, Patent Document 2). With these methods of providing cleaning services, the service provider does not need to directly interact with customers when collecting laundry or handing over the cleaned items. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-150000 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-178282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the method of providing cleaning services using lockers in Patent Document 1 has a limited number of lockers and cannot provide many products. Furthermore, the method of providing cleaning services using an unmanned delivery system in Patent Document 2 has a problem in that the picking machine may drop the product, making it difficult to deliver the product to the customer. Furthermore, it is not possible to deliver multiple products at once.

[0005] In view of the above problems, one object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a non-face-to-face product delivery system that is easy for customers to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a hanger conveyor that stores products by hanging them between two partitions and moves the products, a delivery device installed adjacent to the hanger conveyor and having a delivery port through which products are delivered, and a control device that controls the hanger conveyor and the delivery device, the delivery device further having a sensor that measures the distance between the two partitions and generates distance data, the delivery port being provided with a first door, and the control device controlling the first door so that the delivery port has an opening width corresponding to the distance data.

[0007] The opening width may vary in steps.

[0008] The hanger conveyor may be equipped with a first reader that acquires product identification information from product identifiers attached to the products, and the control device may generate a product storage identifier that includes the product identification information and transmit the product storage identifier to the customer's information terminal.

[0009] The delivery device may include a second reader that acquires identification information of the position where the product is hung from the product storage identifier, and the control device may control the hanger conveyor to move the product to the position of the first door based on the identification information.

[0010] The product delivery system further includes a collection device that collects the customer's goods before the product vendor provides the service, and the collection device includes a box body with an opening for inserting the goods, a second door provided at the opening, a flat plate portion installed inside the box body and on which the customer places the goods from the opening, side wall portions installed below the flat plate portion along two opposing sides of the flat plate portion, and a collection box from which the goods are collected, and when the second door is closed with the goods placed on the flat plate portion, the flat plate portion may be inclined so as to drop the goods into the collection box.

[0011] The product delivery system further includes a collection device that collects the customer's goods before the product vendor provides service, and the collection device includes a box body with an input port for inputting the goods, a second door provided at the input port, a flat plate portion installed inside the box body and on which the customer places the goods from the input port, a transport conveyor installed below the flat plate portion and transporting the goods, and a collection box connected to the transport conveyor and in which the goods are collected by the vendor, and when the second door is closed with the goods placed on the flat plate portion, the goods fall onto the transport conveyor and are transported to the collection box by the transport conveyor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention can deliver only the desired product to a customer and prevent delivery of the wrong product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a front view and a top view illustrating a configuration of a product delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control device of the product delivery system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between distance data generated by a sensor and the opening width of a delivery gate in a delivery device of a product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a delivery device of a product delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a take-off device of a product delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a take-off device of a product delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and any modifications that a person skilled in the art could easily make while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part more schematically than the actual embodiment. However, the shapes shown in the drawings are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0015] In this specification, "above" refers not only to an object or region that is directly above it, but also to an object or region that is sandwiched between them. The same applies to the term "below." Furthermore, the terms "above" and "below" indicate the relative hierarchical relationship between objects or regions, and do not refer to an absolute hierarchical relationship.

[0016] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, expressions such as "α includes A, B, or C," "α includes any one of A, B, and C," and "α includes one selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C" do not exclude cases where α includes multiple combinations of A to C. Furthermore, these expressions do not exclude cases where α includes other elements.

[0017] First Embodiment A product delivery system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. For convenience, the following description may take a cleaning service as an example. That is, the description may take a cleaning service example in which a service provider collects items (such as clothing) from a customer and delivers the cleaned items to the customer as merchandise using the product delivery system 10, but the use of the product delivery system 10 is not limited to cleaning services. The product delivery system 10 can also be used in applications other than cleaning services, such as delivery lockers, hotel cloakrooms, or clothing warehouses.

[0018] [1. Overview of the configuration of the product delivery system 10] 1(A) and 1(B) are a front view and a top view illustrating the configuration of a product delivery system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The product delivery system 10 includes a hanger conveyor 100, a delivery device 200, and a control device 300. The hanger conveyor 100 can suspend and move the suspended products 800. That is, the hanger conveyor 100 can suspend and store the products 800 and move the products 800 to a predetermined position as needed. The delivery device 200 is installed adjacent to the hanger conveyor 100. Although not shown, a partition is installed on the side of the delivery device 200, dividing the area into a product storage area where the products 800 are stored by the hanger conveyor 100 and a product delivery area where the delivery device 200 delivers the products 800 to customers. In the product delivery area, customers can remove products 800 suspended from the hanger conveyor 100 via the delivery device 200. In FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the control device 300 is installed near the hanger conveyor 100, but the installation location of the control device 300 is not limited to this. The control device 300 may be installed in the product storage area or in the product delivery area. The control device 300 is communicatively connected to the hanger conveyor 100 and the delivery device 200 so as to be able to control the hanger conveyor 100 and the delivery device 200. The control device 300 may be connected to the hanger conveyor 100 and the delivery device 200 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0019] [2. Configuration of the hanger conveyor 100] The hanger conveyor 100 includes a conveyor rail 110, a conveyor rack 120, and a reader 130. The conveyor rail 110 movably supports the conveyor rack 120. Therefore, the conveyor rack 120 can move along the conveyor rail 110. Since the products 800 are suspended from the conveyor rack 120, the conveyor rail 110 is supported by a conveyor rail support 111 so that the conveyor rail 110 is maintained at a certain height from the floor. Note that the conveyor rail support 111 may not only be configured to be installed on the floor, but may also be configured to be fixed to a ceiling or wall.

[0020] The conveyor rack 120 includes a plurality of conveyor fittings 121, and two adjacent conveyor fittings 121 are connected by a connecting movable part 122. The connecting movable part 122 is equipped with a drive mechanism and can move along the conveyor rail 110 by the drive mechanism. That is, in the conveyor rack 120, the conveyor fittings 121 can move as the connecting movable part 122 moves along the conveyor rail. Products 800 are hung from the conveyor rack 120 using hook-shaped fasteners. For example, if the products 800 are clothing, the products 800 are hung from the conveyor rack 120 using hangers. Therefore, each of the plurality of conveyor fittings 121 includes one or more openings 123 for hanging the products 800. The shapes of the openings 123 may be, but are not limited to, polygonal, circular, or elliptical. Each of the plurality of openings 123 is assigned opening identification information, and the opening 123 can be identified from the opening identification information.

[0021] The reader 130 is installed above the conveyor rail support portion 111 and can acquire product identification information from the product 800. Specifically, the reader 130 can acquire the product identification information from a product identifier 810 attached to the product 800 suspended in an opening 123 that passes through a predetermined position. The product identification information includes information about the product 800, the customer, or the vendor. The acquired product identification information is transmitted to the control device 300 along with the opening identification information of the opening 123 that passes through the predetermined position. The product identifier 810 can be, for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, a QR code (registered trademark), or an RFID. When a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a QR code (registered trademark) is used as the product identifier 810, a printed matter with the code printed thereon may be attached to the product 800. When the product identifier 810 is a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a QR code (registered trademark), the reader 130 can be a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code reader, or a QR code reader. Furthermore, if the product identifier 810 is an RFID, an RFID reader can be used as the reader 130. The reader 130 may include a camera, determine the product identifier 810 in an image captured by the camera, and acquire product identification information from the determined product identifier 810. The number of readers 130 may be one or more. By acquiring the product identification information of the product 800 passing a predetermined position from multiple directions, the accuracy of the product identification information can be improved. Furthermore, if there are multiple readers 130, the product identification information of the product 800 may be acquired at multiple positions. Note that the position where the reader 130 is installed is not limited to the top of the conveyor rail support portion 111. The reader 130 may be installed on the ceiling, floor, or wall.

[0022] 3. Configuration of Delivery Device 200 The delivery device 200 includes a box 210, a delivery opening 220, a display unit 230, a reader 240, and a sensor 250. The delivery opening 220, the display unit 230, and the reader 240 are arranged in front of the box 210, and the delivery opening 220 is provided with a door 221 that can be opened and closed. When the door 221 is open, the hanger conveyor 100 and the products 800 can be seen from the delivery opening 220. In other words, the customer can take out the products 800 stored on the hanger conveyor 100 from the delivery opening 220.

[0023] The display unit 230 can display a method for operating the delivery device 200. For example, a liquid crystal display or an OLED display can be used as the display unit 230. The display unit 230 may also include an input interface such as a touch panel. The customer can operate the touch panel of the display unit 230 to open or close the door 221 of the delivery gate 220.

[0024] The reader 240 can acquire product storage information from the product storage identifier displayed on the customer's information terminal. Details of the product storage information will be described later. The reader 240 may be any device that corresponds to the identifier. For example, a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code reader, or a QR code reader may be used as the reader 240. The product storage information acquired by the reader 240 is transmitted to the control device 300.

[0025] If a printed matter (e.g., a deposit slip) with an identifier printed thereon is issued when the item is picked up, the reader 240 can also acquire customer information, request information, etc. from the identifier on the printed matter. In this case, the customer information, request information, etc. acquired by the reader 240 is transmitted to the control device 300.

[0026] In product delivery system 10, product 800 to be delivered to a customer is separated from other products by first hanging partition board 500-1 and second hanging partition board 500-2. Sensor 250 is disposed on the rear surface of box 210 and can measure the distance between first hanging partition board 500-1 and second hanging partition board 500-2 to generate distance data. For example, sensor 250 measures a first distance from sensor 250 to first hanging partition board 500-1 and a second distance from sensor 250 to second hanging partition board 500-2, and generates distance data between first hanging partition board 500-1 and second hanging partition board 500-2 based on the first distance and the second distance. Markers may be provided on the first hanging partition board 500-1 and the second hanging partition board 500-2, and the distance may be measured based on the markers. Furthermore, the material of the first hanging partition board 500-1 and the second hanging partition board 500-2 may be different from the material of the hanging clasp that hangs the product 800, and the distance may be measured based on the reflectivity of the material. The sensor 250 may be, for example, a laser range finder, but is not limited to this. The distance data generated by the sensor 250 is transmitted to the control device 300.

[0027] 4. Configuration of control device 300 The control device 300 can control the hanger conveyor 100 and the delivery device 200. Here, the configuration of the control device 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control device 300 of the product delivery system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 300 includes an information processing unit 310, a conveyor control unit 320, a door control unit 330, and a memory unit 340. Each of the information processing unit 310, the conveyor control unit 320, and the door control unit 330 functions by executing a program on a computer. The computer includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a random access memory (RAM), or a read-only memory (ROM). The program is stored in, for example, the RAM or the ROM. The memory unit 340 is a storage device capable of storing data or information. For example, the memory unit 340 may be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), or a flash memory. The memory unit 340 stores a product storage database 341, a customer database 342, and a vendor database 343.

[0029] Furthermore, the product delivery system 10 can be connected to a customer's information terminal (customer information terminal 910) and a trader's information terminal (trader information terminal 920) via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but is not limited to these. Each of the customer information terminal 910 and the trader information terminal 920 is, for example, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer.

[0030] The information processing unit 310 receives the product identification information and the opening identification information, and can generate product storage information that links the product identification information with the opening identification information. The information processing unit 310 can also generate an identifier that represents the product storage information. The product storage information is compiled into a database and stored in the storage unit 340 as a product storage database 341.

[0031] When a trader uses the product delivery system 10, the trader hangs a product 800 with a product identifier 810 from the opening 123 of the conveyor rack 120. At this point, the product 800 is not linked to the position of the opening 123 from which the product 800 is hung. When the trader completes the work of hanging the product 800 from the conveyor rack 120, the conveyor rack 120 moves, and the reader 130 acquires product identification information from the product identifier 810, as described above. The control device 300 receives the product identification information, along with the opening identification information of the opening 123 at the predetermined position from which the product identification information was acquired, and the information processing unit 310 generates product storage information that associates the product identification information with the opening identification information. The generated product storage information includes product identification information that includes information about the trader. Therefore, the information processing unit 310 can search for information about the trader in the product storage information using the trader database 343 and identify the trader who stored the product 800. In the product delivery system 10, product storage information may be transmitted to the trader information terminal 920 of the identified trader, to notify that the product 800 is being stored.

[0032] The information processing unit 310 also generates a product storage identifier including the product storage information. The product storage information includes product identification information including customer information. Therefore, the information processing unit 310 can search for customer information in the product storage information using the customer database 342 and identify the customer to whom the product 800 will be handed over. The product storage identifier is sent to the customer information terminal 910 of the identified customer. The customer can remove the product 800 from the hanger conveyor 100 by displaying the product storage identifier on the customer information terminal 910 and having the reader 240 of the delivery device 200 read the product storage identifier.

[0033] When the reader 240 of the delivery device 200 reads the identifier of the printed matter, customer information, request information, etc. can be obtained. Therefore, this information can be searched using the customer database 342, and the customer and product 800 to be delivered can be identified.

[0034] The conveyor control unit 320 can control the movement of the conveyor rack 120 of the hanger conveyor 100. In other words, the conveyor control unit 320 can generate a conveyor control signal that controls the movement of the conveyor rack 120 and send the conveyor control signal to the hanger conveyor 100.

[0035] As described above, the conveyor rack 120 needs to be moved in order for the reader 130 to acquire the product identification information of the product 800. Therefore, when the contractor completes the work of hanging the product 800 on the conveyor rack 120, the conveyor control unit 320 can generate a conveyor control signal to move the conveyor rack 120 so that the conveyor rack 120 makes one revolution along the conveyor rail 110. Furthermore, when the product 800 is to be delivered to a customer, the product 800 needs to be moved to the position of the delivery opening 220 of the delivery device 200 (product delivery position). Therefore, when the control device 300 receives product storage information acquired by the reader 240 of the delivery device 200, the conveyor control unit 320 searches the received product storage information using the product storage database and identifies the opening identification information linked to the product storage information. Furthermore, the conveyor control unit 320 can generate a conveyor control signal to move the position of the opening 123 included in the identified opening identification information to the product delivery position.

[0036] The door control unit 330 can control the opening and closing of the door 221 of the delivery gate 220 of the delivery device 200. In other words, the door control unit 330 can generate a door control signal that controls the opening and closing of the door 221, and transmit the door control signal to the delivery device 200.

[0037] In the product delivery system 10, the opening width of the delivery gate 220 can be changed in stages or continuously depending on the size or number of the products 800. When the customer operates the delivery device 200 to move the product 800 to the delivery position, the sensor 250 of the delivery device 200 generates distance data between the first hanging partition board 500-1 and the second hanging partition board 500-2. When the control device 300 receives the distance data, the door control unit 330 evaluates the distance data and determines the opening width of the delivery gate 220. The door control unit 330 generates a door control signal to open the door 221 so that the delivery gate 220 has the determined opening width.

[0038] Here, the relationship between the distance data and the opening width will be described with reference to Figures 3(A) to 3(F). Figures 3(A) to 3(F) are schematic diagrams illustrating the relationship between the distance data d generated by the sensor 250 and the opening width w of the delivery gate 220 in the delivery device 200 of the product delivery system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] 3(A) to 3(D) show how the opening width w of the delivery port 220 of the delivery device 200 changes in stages. As shown in FIG. 3(A), when the distance data d is in the range of d≦d th (d th represents a preset threshold value. When the condition (d) is satisfied, the door 221 is controlled so that the opening width w of the delivery gate 220 has a first opening width w1, as shown in FIG. 3(B). Also, when the distance data d satisfies the formula d>d, as shown in FIG. 3(C), th is satisfied, the door 221 is controlled so that the opening width w of the delivery opening 220 has a second opening width w2 (w2>w1), as shown in FIG. 3(D). In the delivery device 200, the door 221 is opened to have an opening width w that matches the size or number of the products 800, allowing the customer to remove only the desired product 800 from the hanger conveyor 100 through the delivery opening 220. Furthermore, in the product delivery system 10, the product 800 is shielded and separated from other products by the first hanging partition board 500-1 and the second hanging partition board 500-2. This prevents other products from being removed by mistake or from being stolen.

[0040] In Figures 3(A) to 3(D), the delivery opening 220 has two levels of opening width (first opening width w1 and second opening width w2), but the door 221 may be controlled so that the delivery opening 220 has three or more levels of opening width.

[0041] 3(E) and 3(F) show an embodiment in which the opening width w of the delivery opening 220 of the delivery device 200 changes continuously. As shown in FIGS. 3(E) and 3(F), the opening width w of the delivery opening 220 may be an opening width w(d) in which the distance data d is a variable. That is, the door 221 is controlled to have an opening width w(d) corresponding to the distance data d. Even in this case, the door 221 is opened to have an opening width w(d) that matches the size or number of the products 800, allowing the customer to remove only the desired products 800 from the hanger conveyor 100 through the delivery opening 220.

[0042] As described above, the product delivery system 10 can adjust the opening width of the delivery opening 220 of the delivery device 200 depending on the size or number of the products 800 to be delivered to the customer. Furthermore, because the products 800 are separated from other products by the first hanging partition board 500-1 and the second hanging partition board 500-2, the customer can remove only the desired product 800 from the delivery opening 220. Therefore, even though the product delivery system 10 is a non-face-to-face system, it can prevent the wrong product from being delivered to the customer. Furthermore, the product delivery system 10 can deliver multiple products 800 to the customer at once by adjusting the distance between the first hanging partition board 500-1 and the second hanging partition board 500-2.

[0043] <Modification of the first embodiment> 4(A1) to 4(C2), the transfer devices 200A to 200C, which are modifications of the transfer device 200 of the product transfer system 10 according to the first embodiment, will be described. Note that, hereinafter, when the configurations of the transfer devices 200A to 200C are the same as the configuration of the transfer device 200, the description of the configurations of the transfer devices 200A to 200C may be omitted.

[0044] <Variation 1> FIGS. 4(A1) and 4(A2) are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of a delivery device 200A of a product delivery system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 4(A1) and 4(A2) respectively show a state in which a door 221A of the delivery device 200A is closed and an open state. The door 221A includes four sliding members 221A_a to 221A_d. The sliding members 221A_a to 221A_d ​​each extend vertically (perpendicular to the ground) and are connected in this order (see FIG. 4(A1)). The sliding members 221A_a to 221A_d ​​are each rotatable about their lower portions and configured to overlap one another. Therefore, the delivery device 200A can open the door 221A by sliding the sliding members 221A_a to 221A_d ​​so that they overlap one another while rotating (see FIG. 4(A2)). The rotation angles of the sliding portions 221A_a to 221A_d ​​may be different from one another. The rotation angles of the sliding portions 221A_a to 221A_d ​​can be adjusted according to the size or number of products 800 to be delivered to the customer. The number of sliding portions of the door 221A is not limited to four. The number of sliding portions of the door 221A may be determined according to the size of the delivery opening 220 of the delivery device 200A.

[0045] In the delivery device 200A, even when the door 221A is open, it is possible to shield the lower part of the delivery opening 220 or narrow the width of the lower part of the delivery opening 220. Therefore, when a customer takes out the product 800 from the delivery opening 220, it is possible to prevent the customer from entering the interior through the delivery opening 220.

[0046] <Variation 2> 4(B1) and 4(B2) are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of the delivery device 200B of the product delivery system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 4(B1) and 4(B2) respectively show the door 221B of the delivery device 200B in a closed state and an open state. The door 221B includes first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c, second sliding portions 221B_2a to 221B_2c, third sliding portions 221B_3a to 221B_3c, and fourth sliding portions 221B_4a to 221B_4c, and can shield the delivery opening 220 (i.e., the state in which the door 221B is closed; see FIG. 4(B1)). The first sliding portions 221B-1a to 221B-1c each extend vertically and are connected in this order. The first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c are configured to be slidable in the vertical direction and can overlap each other. The second sliding portions 221B_2a to 221B_2c, the third sliding portions 221B_3a to 221B_3c, and the fourth sliding portions 221B_4a to 221B_4c are configured similarly to the first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c. However, the first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c, the second sliding portions 221B_2a to 221B_2c, the third sliding portions 221B_3a to 221B_3c, and the fourth sliding portions 221B_4a to 221B_4c can slide independently. The number of sliding portions of the door 221B is not particularly limited. The number of slide portions of the door 221B may be determined according to the size of the delivery opening 220 of the delivery device 200B.

[0047] The door 221B can be opened by vertically sliding the first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c, the second sliding portions 221B_2a to 221B_2c, the third sliding portions 221B_3a to 221B_3c, and the fourth sliding portions 221B_4a to 221B_4c (see FIG. 4(B2)). Which of the first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c, the second sliding portions 221B_2a to 221B_2c, the third sliding portions 221B_3a to 221B_3c, and the fourth sliding portions 221B_4a to 221B_4c slides is determined depending on the size or number of products 800 to be delivered to a customer. This allows the opening width of the delivery opening 220 to be adjusted. Furthermore, the slid first sliding portions 221B_1a to 221B_1c, second sliding portions 221B_2a to 221B_2c, third sliding portions 221B_3a to 221B_3c, or fourth sliding portions 221B_4a to 221B_4c can shield the lower portion of the delivery opening 220. The height at which the lower portion of the delivery opening 220 is shielded may be determined according to the height of the customer detected by a camera (not shown), for example.

[0048] In delivery device 200B, even when door 221B is open, the lower part of delivery opening 220 can be shielded. In addition, the height of the shielding of the lower part of delivery opening 220 can be adjusted. Therefore, when a customer takes out product 800 from delivery opening 220, the customer can be prevented from entering the interior through delivery opening 220.

[0049] <Variation 3> 4(C1) and 4(C2) are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of a delivery device 200C of a product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 4(C1) and 4(C2) respectively show a state in which a door 221C of the delivery device 200C is closed and an open state. The door 221C includes first sliding portions 221C_1a and 221C_1b and a second sliding portion 221C_2, and can shield the delivery opening 220 (i.e., the state in which the door 221C is closed; see FIG. 4(C1)). The first sliding portions 221C_1a and 221C_1b each extend vertically and are connected horizontally (in a direction parallel to the ground). The second sliding portion 221C_2 is provided below the delivery opening 220 so as to be vertically slidable. At least one of the first sliding portions 221C_1a and 221C_1b is connected to the second sliding portion 221C_2. The number of first sliding portions of the door 221C is not particularly limited. The number of first sliding portions of the door 221C may be determined according to the size of the delivery opening 220 of the delivery device 200C.

[0050] The door 221C can be opened by first sliding portions 221C_1a and 221C_1b sliding horizontally while the second sliding portion 221C_2 sliding vertically (see FIG. 4(C2)). The first sliding portions 221C_1a and 221C_1b slide horizontally to adjust the opening width of the delivery opening 220 depending on the size or number of products 800 to be delivered to the customer. The second sliding portion 221C_2 slides vertically to cover the lower portion of the delivery opening 220. The second sliding portion 221C may adjust the height at which it covers the lower portion of the delivery opening 220 in accordance with the height of the customer detected by a camera (not shown), for example.

[0051] In the delivery device 200C, even when the door 221C is open, the lower part of the delivery opening 220 can be shielded. In addition, the height of the shielding of the lower part of the delivery opening 220 can be adjusted. Therefore, when a customer takes out the product 800 from the delivery opening 220, the customer can be prevented from entering the interior through the delivery opening 220.

[0052] Second Embodiment A product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C). The product delivery system according to this embodiment includes not only the hanger conveyor 100, delivery device 200, and control device 300 described above, but also a pickup device 400 that picks up items from customers for whom cleaning services are to be performed. In cleaning services, it is preferable to perform not only product delivery but also product pickup in a non-face-to-face manner. Therefore, the product delivery system according to this embodiment includes a non-face-to-face pickup device 400. The pickup device 400 is connected to and controlled by the control device 300. Therefore, by including the pickup device 400 in the product delivery system, a business can perform a series of processes from collecting items to providing the items using a non-face-to-face product delivery system.

[0053] 5(A) to 5(C) are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of a take-off device 400 of a product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5(A) is a schematic diagram illustrating the external configuration of the take-off device 400. As shown in FIG. 5(A), the take-off device 400 includes a container 410, an insertion slot 420, and an operation unit 430. The insertion slot 420 and the operation unit 430 are disposed in front of the container 410, and the insertion slot 420 has a door that can be opened and closed by operating the operation unit 430. A customer can open the door of the insertion slot 420 by operating the operation unit 430, place an item into the container 410 through the insertion slot 420, and then close the door of the insertion slot 420 by operating the operation unit 430. This allows the take-off device 400 to take the customer's item. Note that the door of the insertion slot 420 may be locked when it is closed. Locking the door of the slot 420 can prevent the theft of the customer's goods.

[0054] The operation unit 430 can be used not only to open and close the door of the insertion slot 420, but also to input customer information or service content information. For this reason, the operation unit 430 may be equipped with a display interface such as a display or an input interface such as a touch panel. For example, the customer information may be the customer's name or membership number, and the service content information may be, but is not limited to, the type of item or the type of treatment for the item, such as stain removal. In addition, the collection device 400 may be provided with an output unit (not shown), and a printed matter showing the input customer information or service content information may be output from the output unit.

[0055] The customer information or service content information may be acquired from the customer's information terminal. For example, the customer may input the customer information or service content information in advance using an application installed on the customer's information terminal. The input customer information or service content information is converted into an identifier including this information and can be displayed on the display screen of the customer's information terminal. Although not shown, the customer information or service content information can be acquired by reading the identifier displayed on the customer's information terminal using a reader provided in the collection device 400.

[0056] 5(B) and 5(C) are schematic diagrams showing the internal configuration of the box 410 of the take-up device 400. In FIGS. 5(B) and 5(C), for ease of explanation, some components are shown with dotted lines to indicate transparency, but in reality, they do not need to be transparent. As shown in FIG. 5(B), the take-up device 400 further includes a flat plate portion 440, a support portion 441, a cylinder 442, a side wall portion 443, an imaging unit 450, and a collection box 460. The flat plate portion 440 is supported at a certain height from the floor by the support portion 441 and the cylinder 442. The flat plate portion 440 is installed at the same height as or lower than the lower portion of the insertion port 420. One end of the flat plate portion 440 is rotatably attached to the box 410 by a hinge or hinged joint. A partition may be provided inside the insertion port 420 to divide the space. In this case, one of the partitions is flat plate section 440. A customer can open the door of insertion slot 420 and place an item on flat plate section 440. Furthermore, because flat plate section 440 has a flat surface with a certain area, customers can not only place an item on flat plate section 440 but also perform predetermined operations on the item on flat plate section 440. For example, a customer can place an item on flat plate section 440 and attach printed material containing customer information or service content information to the item.

[0057] When the door of the insertion slot 420 is closed, the imaging unit 450 captures an image of the item placed on the flat plate unit 440 and generates item image data. The control device 300 receives the item image data from the imaging unit 450 and the customer information or service content information from the operation unit 430, and can generate customer request information that links these data and information. The customer request information may be transmitted to the dealer's information terminal. This allows the dealer to know that a service has been requested by the customer. The control device 300 may also determine whether or not there is printed matter in the item image data. When it is determined that there is no printed matter on the item (i.e., no printed matter is attached to the item), the operation unit 430 may issue an alert. The alert allows the customer to know that there is no printed matter on the item.

[0058] Furthermore, when the door of the insertion port 420 is closed, as shown in FIG. 5(C), the cylinder 442 contracts so that the flat plate portion 440 is tilted. A collection box 460 is installed below the lower end of the tilted flat plate portion 440. Therefore, the articles placed on the flat plate portion 440 slide down the tilted flat plate portion 440 and fall into the collection box 460. At this time, the side wall portions 443 installed along the two opposing sides of the flat plate portion 440 function as guides for the sliding down articles. Therefore, the collection device 400 can reliably drop the articles into the collection box 460.

[0059] Furthermore, the imaging unit 450 may capture an image of an object on the inclined flat plate unit 440 and generate image data. In this case, the control device 300 can receive the image data from the imaging unit 450 and determine whether or not an object is present in the image. When it is determined that no object is present on the inclined flat plate unit 440, the control device 300 may control the cylinder 442 to extend.

[0060] The inclination direction of the flat plate portion 440 may be in the left-right direction of the insertion slot 420 or in the depth direction of the insertion slot 420 .

[0061] The product delivery system including the take-back device 400 according to this embodiment is provided with a flat plate portion 440 on which customers can work. This eliminates the need to provide a separate work table for customers to work on in the dry cleaning store, thereby saving space in the dry cleaning store. Furthermore, collected items are shielded so that they cannot be seen from the drop-in opening 420 even when the door of the drop-in opening 420 is open, preventing theft of items. In the product delivery system including the take-back device 400 according to this embodiment, the company can perform a series of processes from picking up items to providing the items without meeting the customer, thereby realizing a non-face-to-face environment in the dry cleaning store.

[0062] <Modification of the second embodiment> 6(A) and 6(B), a take-over device 400A, which is a modified example of the take-over device 400 of the product delivery system according to the second embodiment, will be described. Note that, in the following, when the configuration of the take-over device 400A is the same as that of the take-over device 400, the description of the configuration of the take-over device 400A may be omitted.

[0063] 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of a take-over device 400A of a product delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic diagrams illustrating the internal configuration of a box 410A of the take-over device 400A. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the take-over device 400A includes a flat plate section 440A, a conveying section 470A, an imaging section 450, and a collection box 460. The flat plate section 440A is installed at the same position as or lower than the lower portion of an insertion slot 420A provided in the box 410A. The flat plate section 440A includes two flat plate members. The two flat plate members are arranged with one of their long sides facing each other, and the other long sides are rotatably attached to the box 410A by, for example, a hinge. When the door of the insertion slot 420A is open, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the two flat plate members are controlled to be fixed substantially parallel to the floor surface. That is, the flat plate portion 440A forms a single plane. Therefore, customers can place items from the insertion slot 420A on the plane formed by the flat plate portion 440A.

[0064] Conveying section 470A is installed below flat plate section 440A. Conveying section 470A is, for example, a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. One end of conveying section 470A is connected to collection box 460. When the door of insertion port 420A is closed, the two flat plate members are controlled to rotate, as shown in FIG. 6(B), and the placed items fall onto conveying section 470A. That is, flat plate section 440A opens the two flat plate members from the center to the left and right, with both ends acting as axes. Conveying section 470A transports the fallen items to collection box 460. In this way, the items are collected in collection box 460.

[0065] The imaging unit 450 may capture an image of an item on the conveying unit 470A and generate image data. In this case, the control device 300 can receive the image data from the imaging unit 450 and determine whether or not an item is present in the image data. When it is determined that no item is present on the conveying unit 470A, the control device 300 may control the two flat plate members of the flat plate unit 440A to close.

[0066] In the product delivery system including the take-up device 400A according to this modification, the flat plate portion 440A can form a work surface (flat surface) on which customers can work. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate work table for customers to work at the dry cleaning store, which allows for space savings at the dry cleaning store. In addition, the take-up device 400A is provided with a conveying portion 470A, which can reliably convey items to the collection box 460. In the product delivery system including the take-up device 400A according to this modification, a series of processes from taking up items to providing the items can be performed without the dealer meeting the customer, thereby realizing a non-face-to-face approach at the dry cleaning store.

[0067] The embodiments of the present invention can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, even if a person skilled in the art adds or deletes components or modifies the design, or adds or omits steps or modifies conditions based on the embodiments, such combinations are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention.

[0068] Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the aspects of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, if they are clear from the description in this specification or can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art, they are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10: Product delivery system, 100: Hanger conveyor, 110: Conveyor rail, 111: Conveyor rail support part, 120: Conveyor rack, 121: Conveyor fitting, 122: Connecting movable part, 123: Opening, 130: Reader, 200: Delivery device, 210: Box body, 220: Delivery gate, 221, 221A, 221B, 221C: Door, 230: Display unit, 240: Reader, 250: Sensor, 300: Control device, 310: Information processing unit, 320: Conveyor control unit, 330: Door control unit, 340: Memory unit, 341: Product storage database, 342: Customer database, 343: Contractor database, 400, 400A: Pick-up device, 410, 410A: Box body, 420, 420A: Insertion port, 430: Operation unit, 440, 440A: Flat plate unit, 441: Support unit, 442: Cylinder, 443: Side wall unit, 450: Imaging unit, 460: Collection box, 470A: Transport unit, 500: Hanging partition board, 800: Product, 810: Product identifier, 910: Customer information terminal, 920: Trader information terminal

Claims

1. A method for controlling a product delivery system, comprising: a hanger conveyor for moving suspended products; and a delivery device installed adjacent to the hanger conveyor, which includes a delivery port for receiving the products and a reader for acquiring information associated with the products, When the information is acquired by the reader, the product is moved to the location of the handover port. A method for controlling a product delivery system, comprising opening the door of the delivery opening at the aforementioned position of the delivery opening such that the product is separated from other products by two partition plates.

2. The control method for a product delivery system according to Claim 1, wherein the material of the two partition plates is different from the material of the hanging fasteners for suspending the product.

3. Further comprising measuring the distance between the two partition plates, A method for controlling a product delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the door of the delivery port is opened based on the measured distance.

4. The control method for a product delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the distance is measured based on the material of the two partition plates.

5. The control method for a product delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the reader acquires the information from a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or RFID.

Images