Information processing device, information processing method, program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device that can improve the convenience of transporting goods via multiple means of transport. [Solution] The information processing device 60 comprises a schedule information acquisition unit 630, a search operation reception unit 631, a search unit 633, and a reservation request unit 634. The search operation reception unit 631 receives search operations from the user regarding the reservation of cargo transport. The schedule information acquisition unit 630 acquires schedule information for the regular transport of each of the multiple candidate transport means. The search unit 633 searches for combinations of multiple actual transport means that will transport the user's cargo from among the multiple candidate transport means based on the contents of the transport reservation and the schedules of the regular transport of each of the multiple transport means. The reservation request unit 634 makes a cargo transport reservation for each of the multiple actual transport means obtained by the search unit 633.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a delivery system described in Patent Document 1 below. In this delivery system, when a shipper brings a package to a window store of a transportation company, the package is delivered by the transportation company to the recipient.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The delivery system described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of convenience when transporting packages via multiple transportation means.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of improving convenience when transporting packages via multiple transportation means.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device that solves the above problems comprises a search operation reception unit, a schedule information acquisition unit, a search unit, and a reservation request unit. The search operation reception unit receives search operations from the user regarding cargo transportation reservations. The schedule information acquisition unit acquires schedule information for each of the multiple candidate transportation methods from the transportation management device. The search unit searches for combinations of multiple actual transportation methods that will transport the cargo from among the multiple candidate transportation methods based on the contents of the transportation reservation and the schedule information for each of the multiple candidate transportation methods. The reservation request unit requests the transportation management device to make cargo transportation reservations for each of the multiple actual transportation methods obtained by the search unit's search.

[0007] In the information processing method that solves the above problem, a computer receives a search operation from a user regarding a cargo transport reservation, obtains schedule information for the regular transport of each of the multiple candidate transport methods from multiple transport management devices, searches for combinations of multiple actual transport methods to transport the cargo from among the multiple candidate transport methods based on the contents of the transport reservation and the schedule information for each of the multiple actual transport methods, and requests the transport management device to make a cargo transport reservation for each of the multiple actual transport methods.

[0008] The information processing method that solves the above problem involves having a computer receive a search operation from a user regarding a cargo transport reservation, obtaining schedule information for the regular transport of each of the multiple candidate transport methods from multiple transport management devices, searching for combinations of multiple actual transport methods to transport the cargo from among the multiple candidate transport methods based on the contents of the transport reservation and the schedule information for each of the multiple candidate transport methods, and requesting a cargo transport reservation for each of the multiple actual transport methods from the transport management device.

[0009] According to these methods, it becomes easy to find combinations of multiple transportation methods that correspond to luggage shipping reservations, and it also becomes easy to make reservations for each of these transportation methods, thereby improving convenience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of transporting goods via multiple means of transport. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing system in this embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing an example of the schedule information for a transport truck in this embodiment. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing device of the embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of user status information in an embodiment. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing the aircraft schedule information and warehouse availability information, respectively, for the embodiment. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transportation schedule for an embodiment. [Figure 8] A sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 9] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the computer in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program will be described with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the explanation, the same reference numerals are used for identical components in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0013] <Embodiment> First, we will describe the overview of the information processing system of this embodiment.

[0014] (Overview of the Information Processing System) As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 10 of this embodiment includes terminal devices 21, 22, land transport management devices 31, 32, air transport management device 40, warehouse management device 50, and information processing device 60. These devices 21, 22, 31, 32, 40, 50, and 60 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a communication network N10. The communication network N10 includes mobile phone networks, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), LTE (Long Term Evolution), wired LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)®, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) communication, and cloud-based connections via the display and reading of QR codes®.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, terminal device 21 is a device used by first user U1. First user U1 is the consignor who requests the shipment of package B, which is to be delivered. Figure 2 illustrates a case where first user U1 requests the information processing device 60 to transport package B to second user U2. First user U1 is not limited to a natural person, but may also be a legal entity, etc. Terminal device 21 is, for example, a personal computer, a server device, a tablet terminal, etc. Terminal device 21 receives various operations from first user U1 and displays various screens based on the operations of first user U1. Terminal device 21 has applications that can receive various operations and display various screens, as well as a web browser for displaying websites provided by the information processing device 60 installed. First user U1 can perform various operations related to the transportation of the package and receive various notifications on terminal device 21. Various operations include, for example, searching for a transport company to transport package B, viewing the search results, and arranging the transport of the package with the transport company obtained from the search results. The functions of receiving various operations from the first user U1 and displaying various screens are not limited to applications or web browsers, but may also be performed via software incorporated by an SDK (Software Development Kit) or the like in an application provided by a company other than the company managing the information processing device 60, or via direct reading from the first user U1 through a system connection such as an API (Application Programming Interface) or through system cooperation from an intermediary company.

[0016] The terminal device 22 is a device used by the second user U2. The second user U2 is the consignee who receives the package B shipped from the first user U1. The terminal device 22 is, for example, a personal computer, a server device, a tablet terminal, or the like. Note that the second user U2 is not limited to a natural person and may be a corporation or the like. The terminal device 22 accepts various operations of the second user U2 and displays various screens based on the operations of the second user U2. Since the terminal device 22 has the same or similar functions as the terminal device 21, a detailed description thereof is omitted. The second user U2 can perform various operations related to receiving the package and receive various notifications on the terminal device 22. The various notifications include, for example, a shipping notification of the package, a notification of the receiving location of the package, a notification of the receiving time, and the like.

[0017] The land transportation management device 31 is a device used by the land transportation carrier C10. The land transportation carrier C10 manages the schedule of the transport truck T10 that regularly travels on a predetermined route R10. In FIG. 1, an example is illustrated in which the route R10 on which the transport truck T10 regularly travels is a circular route that starts from a predetermined point P101, passes through a plurality of points P102 to P110, and then returns to the predetermined point P101. Note that the route R10 on which the transport truck T10 regularly travels is not limited to a circular route, and any route from a predetermined departure point to a predetermined arrival point can be adopted. The transport truck T10 travels on the route R10 while collecting packages at each of the points P101 to P110. As shown in FIG. 3, at each of the plurality of points P101 to P110, a deadline time at which a package can be collected, an arrival time of the transport truck T10, a departure time of the transport truck T10, and the like are predetermined. The transport truck T10 travels unmanned or manned according to the schedule Sc10 shown in FIG. 3. Note that in FIG. 1, only one transport truck T10 is illustrated as the transport truck managed by the land transportation management device 31, but the land transportation management device 31 may manage the schedules of a plurality of transport trucks including the transport truck T10. In the present embodiment, the land transportation management device 31 is an example of a transportation management device.

[0018] The land transportation management device 32 is a device used by the land transportation carrier C20. The land transportation carrier C20 manages the schedule etc. of the transport truck T20 that regularly travels on a predetermined route R20. The route R20 of the transport truck T20 is different from the route R10 of the transport truck T10. In FIG. 1, an example is illustrated in which the route R20 on which the transport truck T20 regularly travels is a circular route that starts from a predetermined point P201, passes through a plurality of points P202 to P210, and then returns to the predetermined point P201. Since the configurations of each of the land transportation management device 32 and the transport truck T20 are the same as or similar to the configurations of each of the land transportation management device 31 and the transport truck T10, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. In the present embodiment, the land transportation management device 32 is an example of a transportation management device.

[0019] Note that the land transportation carrier C10 that manages the transport truck T10 and the land transportation carrier C20 that manages the transport truck T20 may be the same carrier. Also, when the land transportation carrier C10 and the land transportation carrier C10 are the same carrier, the land transportation management device 31 and the land transportation management device 32 may be the same management device.

[0020] The air transportation management device 40 is a device used by the air transportation carrier C30. The air transportation carrier C30 manages the schedule etc. of the airplane AP. The airplane AP regularly flies between the point P110 included in the route R10 of the transport truck T10 and the point P205 included in the route R20 of the transport truck T20, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the point P110 and the point P2(此处疑似有误,应为P205) are set as at least one of the departure place and the destination of the airplane AP. Note that in FIG. 1, only one airplane AP is illustrated as the airplane managed by the air transportation management device 40, but the air transportation management device 40 may manage a plurality of airplanes. In the present embodiment, the air transportation management device 40 is an example of a transportation management device.

[0021] The warehouse management device 50 is used by the warehouse management operator C40. The warehouse management operator C40 manages the temporal availability of warehouse W. Warehouse W is located at point P205, which is included in the route R20 of transport truck T20, as shown in Figure 1, and is capable of temporarily storing goods transported by air by airplane AP. Note that warehouse W is not limited to point P205, but may be located at least one of the other points P101-P110, P201-204, or P206-P210. In that case, the warehouse management device 50 may manage one or more warehouses located at at least one of the points P101-P110 or P201-P210.

[0022] In Figure 1, when the first user U1 brings cargo B to point P102, which is on the route of transport truck T10, cargo B is collected by transport truck T10 at point P102. Then, the cargo is transported by transport truck T10 to point P110, where it is handed over from transport truck T10 to airplane AP. From point P110, it is airlifted by airplane AP to point P205, where cargo B is temporarily stored in warehouse W. Subsequently, when transport truck T20 arrives at point P205, cargo B is collected by transport truck T20. Subsequently, when the second user U2 arrives at point P203, and the transport truck T20 that transported cargo B also arrives at point P203, the second user U2 can receive cargo B.

[0023] The information processing device 60 searches for a suitable transport schedule for delivering cargo B from point P102 to point P203, based on the regular transport schedules of transport trucks T10, T20 and airplane AP, and the time availability of warehouse W. The information processing device 60 also makes the first user U1 aware of the search results by displaying them on terminal device 21. If the first user U1 accepts the transport schedule, for example by selecting a transport schedule corresponding to the search results, the information processing device 60 requests transport reservations for cargo B by transport trucks T10, T20 and airplane AP according to that transport schedule from land transport management device 31, land transport management device 32, and air transport management device 40, respectively, and also requests storage reservations for cargo B at warehouse W from warehouse management device 50.

[0024] In this embodiment, transport trucks, airplanes, and warehouses are given as examples of means of transport for transporting cargo B, but the means of transport are not limited to these and may include, for example, trains and ships. Hereafter, transport trucks, airplanes, and warehouses will be collectively referred to as "means of transport."

[0025] (Configuration of information processing device) Next, we will specifically describe the configuration of the information processing device 60.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the information processing device 60 includes a communication unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a control unit 63.

[0027] The communication unit 61 transmits and receives various information to and from terminal devices 21, 22, land transport management devices 31, 32, air transport management device 40, and warehouse management device 50 via the communication network N10.

[0028] The storage unit 62 stores various types of information held by the information processing device 60. For example, the storage unit 62 stores various programs for operating the information processing device 60. The storage unit 62 also stores the user database 620, the land transport operator database 621, the air transport operator database 622, and the warehouse management operator database 623.

[0029] User DB620 stores information for each of the multiple users who can use System 10, including the user's identification number, attribute information, status information, and information about package B that the user has requested to be delivered. Users registered in User DB620 may include not only the first user U1, who is the shipper, but also the second user U2, who is the recipient. User attribute information includes name, company name, trade name, address, location, and contact information. Status information includes one of several classes, such as General, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, as shown in Figure 5. Status information assigns one of the General, Silver, Gold, and Platinum classes based on factors such as the user's usage history of System 10 and whether certain conditions are met. Certain conditions include whether an annual fee is paid and the size of the company. Users are granted various benefits according to their class. For example, users belonging to the Gold class are granted benefits such as a 10% discount on delivery fees and the ability to receive some services free of charge. In contrast, users belonging to the General class are not granted such benefits. The benefits granted to each class—General, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—are prioritized in the order of General, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Note that user status information may be managed, for example, by a score calculated based on the user's usage history within System 10.

[0030] The land transport operator DB621 stores, for each of multiple land transport operators, associated information such as the land transport operator's identification number, attribute information, transport truck's route, transport truck's transport schedule (timetable), delivery target, transport truck availability, shipping fee, land transport operator's license information, system connection information, type of service handled, settlement method, and contract information. The land transport operators registered in the land transport operator DB621 include land transport operators C10 and C20, which manage transport trucks T10 and T20 shown in Figure 1, respectively. The transport schedules for transport truck T10 of land transport operator C10 and transport truck T20 of land transport operator C20 are, for example, the information shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the multiple transport trucks registered in the land transport operator DB621 are an example of multiple candidate means of transport.

[0031] The Air Transporter DB622, shown in Figure 4, stores associated information for each of multiple air transporters, including the air transporter's identification number, attribute information, aircraft flight routes, aircraft transport schedules (timetables), delivery targets, flight availability, shipping costs, air transporter's license information, system connection information, types of services handled, settlement methods, and contract information. The air transporters registered in the Air Transporter DB622 include air transporter C30, which manages aircraft APs as shown in Figure 1. The transport schedule for aircraft APs in the Air Transporter DB622 is information such as that shown in Figure 6(A). In this embodiment, the multiple aircraft registered in the Air Transporter DB622 are an example of multiple candidate means of transport.

[0032] The warehouse management provider DB623, shown in Figure 4, stores information for each of multiple warehouse management providers, including their identification number, attribute information, warehouse location, warehouse availability, usage fees, license information, system connection information, type of services provided, settlement method, and contract information. Warehouse management providers registered in the warehouse management provider DB623 include warehouse management provider C40, shown in Figure 1. The availability of warehouse W for warehouse management provider C40 is information such as that shown in Figure 6(B).

[0033] The control unit 63 shown in Figure 4 controls the information processing device 60. The control unit 63 has a functional configuration realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 62, and includes a schedule information acquisition unit 630, a search operation reception unit 631, a user information acquisition unit 632, a search unit 633, a reservation request unit 634, and a settlement processing unit 635.

[0034] The schedule information acquisition unit 630 updates the information stored in each DB 621-623 by communicating with multiple land transport management devices, multiple air transport management devices, and multiple warehouse management devices at predetermined intervals. For example, the schedule information acquisition unit 630 periodically communicates with land transport management devices 31 and 32 to acquire the latest information on the transport schedules and availability of transport trucks T10 and T20 from land transport management device 31, and stores this acquired latest information in land transport operator DB 621. In this way, the schedule information acquisition unit 630 maintains the information stored in land transport operator DB 621 as up-to-date. The schedule information acquisition unit 630 performs the same processing for air transport management device 40 and warehouse management device 50, thereby maintaining the information stored in air transport operator DB 622 and warehouse management operator DB 623 as up-to-date. In this embodiment, the transport schedules and availability information of transport trucks T10 and T20 are an example of schedule information. Alternatively, only the individual transport schedules for transport trucks T10 and T20 may be used as schedule information.

[0035] The search operation reception unit 631 receives a user's search operation regarding the transportation reservation of package B. For example, when a first user U1 operates the terminal device 21 and inputs the transportation reservation information for package B, reservation search information including various information about the transportation reservation for package B and the user's identification number is transmitted from the terminal device 21 to the information processing device 60. The various information about the transportation reservation for package B includes, for example, the shape, weight, number of packages, transportation route, dispatch date, and arrival date of package B. The transportation route includes, for example, the dispatch point of package B and the destination of package B. When the information processing device 60 receives the reservation search information transmitted from the terminal device 21, the search operation reception unit 631 determines that a user's search operation has been performed and accepts the search operation.

[0036] When a user's search operation is received by the search operation reception unit 631, the user information acquisition unit 632 acquires the user's status information from the user database 620. For example, the user information acquisition unit 632 acquires the user identification information contained in the reservation search information received by the search operation reception unit 631, and reads the status information corresponding to the acquired user identification information from the user database 620.

[0037] The search unit 633 executes a search process to search for a transportation schedule corresponding to the reservation search information obtained by the search operation reception unit 631 and the user status information obtained by the user information acquisition unit 632.

[0038] For example, based on the shape, weight, number, and transport route of package B included in the reservation search information, the search unit 633 selects one or more transport trucks, one or more aircraft, and one or more warehouses from among the candidates of multiple transport trucks, multiple aircraft, and multiple warehouses registered in the land transport operator DB621, air transport operator DB622, and warehouse management operator DB623, respectively, that can transport package B from the origin to the destination. Next, the search unit 633 obtains the latest transport schedules for the selected one or more transport trucks and one or more aircraft from the land transport operator DB621 and air transport operator DB622, and obtains the latest availability of one or more warehouses from the warehouse management operator DB623. Then, the search unit 633 selects one or more transport trucks, one or more aircraft, and one or more warehouses that can meet the shipment and arrival times of the package. In this case, the search unit 633 may, based on the status information of the first user U1, prioritize selecting a means of transport that offers benefits such as a discount on delivery fees.

[0039] For example, suppose the shipping date for package B is set to 9:45 AM on February 1, 2024, and the arrival date for package B is set to 6:00 PM on February 2, 2024. In this case, if transport trucks T10, T20, airplane AP, and warehouse W are selected as means of transport capable of transporting package B from the shipping point to the destination, as shown in Figure 7, the search unit 633 selects transport schedule St10, as shown by dot hatching in Figure 7, as an example of a transport schedule that satisfies the above-mentioned shipping and arrival dates for package B.

[0040] The search unit 633 transmits the information of one or more selected transportation schedules as search results to the terminal device 21. As a result, the terminal device 21 displays one or more search results for transportation schedules corresponding to the reservation search information entered by the first user U1. This allows the first user U1 to select the transportation schedule they desire from the search results.

[0041] Furthermore, if the search unit 633 is unable to find a transportation schedule corresponding to the reservation search information and user status information through the search process, it will display a message to that effect on the terminal device 21.

[0042] The reservation request unit 634 shown in Figure 4 requests the land transport management devices 31, 32 and the air transport management device 40 to make a transport reservation for cargo B corresponding to the transport schedule when the first user U1 selects a predetermined transport schedule from one or more search results for transport schedules, and also requests the warehouse management device 50 to make a storage reservation for cargo B corresponding to the transport schedule. For example, if the first user U1 selects transport schedule St10, which is shown as dot hatching in Figure 7, the unit makes transport reservations for transport truck T10, aircraft AP, and transport truck T20 corresponding to transport schedule St10 to the land transport management device 31, the air transport management device 40, and the land transport management device 32, respectively, and also makes a storage reservation for warehouse W corresponding to transport schedule St10 to the warehouse management device 50. As a result, if the first user U1 brings in cargo B according to the transport schedule St10, specifically cargo B will be collected by transport truck T10 at point P102, then cargo B will be transported to point P202 according to the transport schedule St10. Therefore, the second user U2 will be able to receive cargo B at point P202.

[0043] The settlement processing unit 635 performs settlement processing for the costs related to the transportation of goods. For example, if the settlement processing unit 635 makes a transportation reservation or storage reservation with the land transportation management devices 31, 32, the air transportation management device 40, and the warehouse management device 50 based on the transportation schedule St10 for goods B, it performs billing processing to invoice the first user U1, who is the consignor, or the second user U2, who is the consignee, for the total cost related to the transportation of goods B. Alternatively, the settlement processing unit 635 may perform billing processing after the transportation of goods B to the second user U2 is completed. The total cost may include fees and other charges associated with using this system 10. After obtaining the total cost related to the transportation of goods B through billing processing, the settlement processing unit 635 performs processing to pay the transportation costs to the land transportation operators C10, C20, the air transportation operator C30, and the warehouse management operator C40, respectively. The cost settlement processing may be performed for each individual transaction, or it may be performed to settle the costs for a predetermined period all at once. Furthermore, instructions for settlement to each business operator may be given by prompting them to settle by printing a report, or by managing settlement accounts using the information processing device 60 and instructing financial institutions to settle through those settlement accounts. A settlement account is, for example, account information that can be used for settlement, such as a bank account, card, or other payment account.

[0044] (Example of information processing system operation) Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, first, when the first user U1 operates the terminal device 21 to perform a search operation for the transport reservation of luggage B (step S10), the terminal device 21 transmits the reservation search information to the information processing device 60 (step S11).

[0046] In the information processing device 60, when the search operation reception unit 631 receives the reservation search information transmitted from the terminal device 21 (step S20), the user's search operation is accepted. As a result, the user information acquisition unit 632 of the information processing device 60 acquires status information corresponding to the user's identification information included in the reservation search information from the user DB 620 (step S21). Then, the search unit 633 of the information processing device 60 searches for a transportation schedule corresponding to the reservation search information and the user's status information (step S22). The search unit 633 then determines whether or not it was able to find a transportation schedule, and if it was able to find a transportation schedule, it displays the search results on the terminal device 21 (step S23). If the search unit 633 was unable to find a transportation schedule, it displays a message to that effect on the terminal device 21.

[0047] Next, when the first user U1 performs an operation on the terminal device 21 to select one or more search results for transportation schedules (step S12), the terminal device 21 transmits the information of the predetermined transportation schedule selected by the first user U1 to the information processing device 60 (step S13). As a result, the reservation request unit 634 of the information processing device 60 requests the land transport management devices 31, 32 and the air transport management device 40 to make a transportation reservation for cargo B corresponding to the predetermined transportation schedule (step S24), and also requests the warehouse management device 50 to make a storage reservation for cargo B corresponding to the transportation schedule (step S25). Subsequently, the settlement processing unit 635 of the information processing device 60 performs settlement processing for the costs related to the transportation of cargo B (step S26).

[0048] (Hardware configuration of the information processing system) Next, we will describe an example of a hardware configuration when each of the devices 21, 22, 31, 32, 40, 50, and 60 included in the information processing system 10 is implemented using a computer. Note that the functions of each device can also be implemented by dividing them among multiple devices.

[0049] As shown in Figure 9, the computer 70 includes a processor 700, a storage device 702, an input interface 704, a data interface 706, a communication interface 708, and a display device 710.

[0050] The processor 700 controls various processes in the computer 70 by executing programs stored in the storage device 702. For example, the various functional units of each device 21, 22, 31, 32, 40, 50, and 60 can be realized by the processor 700 executing programs stored in the storage device 702.

[0051] The storage device 702 is a storage medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 700, as well as data required during program execution.

[0052] The storage device 702 may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 702 stores the operating system and various programs for realizing the above configurations. The storage medium storing these various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium that can be read by the computer 70. In addition, the storage device 702 may also store tables for registering various information and a database for managing these tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage device 702 as needed and accessed by the processor 700.

[0053] The input interface 704 is a device for receiving input from the user. Specific examples of the input interface 704 include cameras, buttons, microphones, keyboards, mice, touch panels, various sensors, and wearable devices. The input interface 704 may be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0054] The data interface 706 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 70. Specific examples of the data interface 706 include drive devices for reading data stored on various storage media. The data interface 706 may also be located outside the computer 70. In that case, the data interface 706 would be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as USB.

[0055] The communication interface 708 is a device for performing data communication with external devices of the computer 70 via the communication network N10, either by wire or wireless connection. The communication interface 708 may also be located outside the computer 70. In that case, the communication interface 708 would be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as USB.

[0056] The display device 710 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 710 include liquid crystal displays, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) displays, and displays for wearable devices. The display device 710 may be located outside the computer 70. In that case, the display device 710 is connected to the computer 70 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, if a touch panel is used as the input I / F 704, the display device 710 can be configured as an integrated unit with the input I / F 704.

[0057] Each component of the device included in the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment may be such that a program stored in the storage device 702 is executed by the processor 700, thereby realizing a defined process in cooperation with other hardware. In other words, these components are conceived as software or firmware, and also as corresponding hardware. Furthermore, these components are also described and interpreted as "function," "means," "part," "processing circuit," "unit," or "module" in both of these concepts.

[0058] (Operation and effects of information processing devices) As described above, the information processing device 60 comprises a schedule information acquisition unit 630, a search operation reception unit 631, a search unit 633, and a reservation request unit 634. The search operation reception unit 631 receives a search operation from the first user U1 regarding the transport reservation of cargo B. The schedule information acquisition unit 630 acquires schedule information for the regular transport of multiple candidate transport trucks and multiple candidate airplanes (multiple transport operators) from multiple land transport management devices and multiple air transport management devices (multiple transport management devices). Based on the contents of the transport reservation and the regular transport schedules of the multiple candidate transport trucks and multiple candidate airplanes, the search unit 633 searches for a combination of transport trucks T10, T20 and airplane AP (combination of actual transport means) to transport cargo B of the first user U1 from among the multiple candidate transport trucks and multiple candidate airplanes. The reservation request unit 634 requests the land transport management devices 31, 32 and the air transport management device 40 to make transport reservations for cargo B for transport trucks T10, T20 and airplane AP, respectively, which were obtained through the search by the search unit 633.

[0059] This configuration makes it easy to find combinations of multiple transportation methods corresponding to the transportation reservation for cargo B, and also makes it easy to make transportation reservations for each of the multiple transportation methods, thereby improving convenience.

[0060] Multiple transportation options include a transport truck T20 that passes through a designated warehouse W managed by the warehouse management device 50. The schedule information acquisition unit 630 further acquires information regarding the availability of the designated warehouse W from the warehouse management device 50. The reservation request unit 634 requests the warehouse management device 50 to temporarily store the cargo B in the designated warehouse W.

[0061] This configuration allows for the more efficient transportation of cargo B, as it enables the use of warehouses in addition to transport trucks and airplanes.

[0062] The search unit 633 searches for combinations of transport trucks, airplanes, and warehouses (combinations of multiple actual means of transport) that will transport cargo B from among multiple transport trucks, multiple airplanes, and multiple warehouses. The reservation request unit 634 requests the land transport management devices 31, 32, air transport management device 40, and warehouse management device 50 to make transport reservations for cargo B for the transport trucks T10, T20, airplane AP, and warehouse W, respectively, corresponding to the search results selected by the user from among the multiple search results regarding the combinations of multiple actual means of transport.

[0063] This configuration allows users to choose a mode of transportation that suits their preferences, further improving convenience.

[0064] The information processing device 60 further includes a user information acquisition unit 632. The user information acquisition unit 632 acquires status information related to the benefits granted to the first user U1 in connection with the transportation of cargo B. The search unit 633 further takes into account the status information of the first user U1 to search for combinations of multiple actual transportation methods.

[0065] This configuration allows for the selection of a more appropriate mode of transport based on the status information of the first user U1, thereby further improving convenience.

[0066] The information processing device 60 further comprises a settlement processing unit 635. The settlement processing unit 635 performs settlement processing to bill the first user U1 or the second user U2 (the respondent) for the costs associated with the transportation of cargo B by each of the multiple actual means of transport.

[0067] This configuration also makes settlement processing easier.

[0068] (First variation) Next, a first modified example of the information processing system 10 of the embodiment will be described.

[0069] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, in this modified information processing device 60, a value-added information DB 624 is further stored in the storage unit 62. The value-added information DB 624 stores the identification number of each operator and the value-added information associated with each of the multiple land transport operators, multiple air transport operators, and multiple warehouse management operators. The value-added information is information such as benefits granted to each transport operator in connection with the transport of goods. The value-added information includes, for example, insurance related to logistics and transport, information on comprehensive management, information on preferential services, information on priority handling, information on redelivery and rescheduling of delivery to an alternative route in case of delivery problems, and information on the provision of certain storage management functions. Information on comprehensive management includes, for example, information on temperature control and information on cargo tracing functions. Information on priority handling includes, for example, information on shortening transfer times during unloading. The information stored in the value-added information DB 624 may be updated by accepting registrations from each of the multiple land transport operators, multiple air transport operators, and multiple warehouse management operators as needed, or it may be fixed information that has been registered in advance.

[0070] The search unit 633 performs a search process to retrieve transportation schedules corresponding to the information obtained by the search operation reception unit 631, the user status information obtained by the user information acquisition unit 632, and the value-added information registered in the value-added information DB 624.

[0071] This configuration allows for the selection of more appropriate transportation methods that correspond to the added value provided by land transport operators, air transport operators, and warehouse management operators, thereby further improving convenience.

[0072] (Second variation) Next, a second modified example of the information processing system 10 of the embodiment will be described.

[0073] In this modified information processing system 10, if a malfunction occurs in the transport truck, airplane, or warehouse during the period when cargo B is actually being transported, the operator experiencing the malfunction sends a malfunction notification to the information processing device 60. For example, if a malfunction occurs in transport truck T20, making it impossible to retrieve cargo B which is temporarily stored in warehouse W, a malfunction notification is sent from the land transport management device 32 to the information processing device 60. At this time, the reservation request unit 634 of the information processing device 60 requests the land transport management device corresponding to the other transport truck to make a reservation for the transport of cargo B so that cargo B can be transported by a different transport truck than transport truck T20.

[0074] This configuration ensures that even if one of the multiple means of transport malfunctions, another transport truck can be used to more reliably deliver package B to its destination, replacing transport truck T20.

[0075] <Other Embodiments> This disclosure is not limited to the specific examples given above.

[0076] For example, the information processing system 10 may use only multiple land transport trucks as a means of transportation, and may not use airplanes or warehouses.

[0077] The reservation request unit 634 may, without user selection, automatically select the optimal transportation schedule from among multiple transportation schedules retrieved by the search unit 633, request transportation reservations for the selected transportation schedule from the land transportation management device and the air transportation management device, and may also request storage reservations for the selected transportation schedule from the warehouse management device. The reservation request unit 634 may use conditions such as the shortest transportation time, the lowest transportation cost, and the fastest arrival at the destination as criteria for determining whether the schedule is optimal.

[0078] The terminal device 21 may be used not only by the shipper, but also by, for example, a transportation arrangement company that connects the shipper and the information processing device 60. In this case, the connection between the terminal device 21 and the shipper's terminal device may be made via, for example, an application, SKD, and API.

[0079] The reservation request unit 634 may further have a function for managing the status of the shipment, for example. The status of the shipment includes various information such as receiving the shipment, receiving the shipment, storing the shipment, shipping the shipment, transporting the shipment, arriving the shipment, handing over the shipment, and completing the shipment.

[0080] The functional configurations of the terminal devices 21, 22 and the information processing device 60 may be provided separately for the terminal devices 21, 22 only, for the information processing device 60 only, or for each of them.

[0081] Even the above-mentioned examples, with appropriate design modifications by those skilled in the art, are included within the scope of this disclosure, as long as they possess the features of this disclosure. The elements, their arrangement, conditions, shapes, etc., of each of the above-mentioned examples are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the above-mentioned examples can be combined in different ways as appropriate, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 60: Information processing device, 70: Computer, 630: Schedule information acquisition unit, 631: Search operation reception unit, 632: User information acquisition unit, 633: Search unit, 634: Reservation request unit, 635: Settlement processing unit.

Claims

1. A search operation reception unit that receives search requests from users regarding luggage transport reservations, A schedule information acquisition unit that acquires schedule information for each of the candidate transportation methods from the transportation management device, A search unit searches for a combination of multiple actual transportation means to transport the cargo from among the multiple candidate transportation means based on the contents of the transportation reservation and the schedule information of the regular transportation for each of the multiple candidate transportation means. The system includes a reservation request unit that requests the transport management device to make a transport reservation for each of the plurality of actual transport means obtained by the search unit. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned list of candidate means of transport includes means of transport that pass through a predetermined warehouse managed by a warehouse management device, The schedule information acquisition unit further acquires information regarding the availability status of the predetermined warehouse from the warehouse management device, The reservation request unit requests the warehouse management device to reserve the temporary storage of the goods in the designated warehouse. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The search unit searches for multiple combinations of actual means of transporting the cargo from among the multiple candidate means of transport, The reservation request unit requests the transportation management device to make a reservation for the transportation of the cargo for each of the multiple actual transportation means corresponding to the search result selected by the user from among the multiple search results relating to the combination of the multiple actual transportation means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a user information acquisition unit that acquires user status information related to the benefits granted to the user in connection with the transportation of the aforementioned goods. The search unit further considers the user's status information to search for combinations of the multiple actual transportation means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The reservation request unit, in the event of a malfunction in any of the multiple actual transportation means, selects an alternative transportation means to replace the malfunctioning one, and requests a transportation reservation for the cargo from the transportation management device corresponding to the selected alternative transportation means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The system further comprises a settlement processing unit that performs settlement processing to bill the respondent for the costs associated with the transportation of the goods by each of the aforementioned multiple means of actual transport. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The means of transport include at least one of a transport truck that carries out scheduled transport by land, and an airplane that carries out scheduled transport by air. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. Computers We accept search requests from users regarding luggage transport reservations. Obtain schedule information for each of the multiple candidate transportation methods from multiple transportation management devices. Based on the contents of the transportation reservation and the schedule information of the regular transportation for each of the multiple candidate transportation methods, a combination of multiple actual transportation methods for transporting the cargo is searched from among the multiple candidate transportation methods. The transport management device is requested to make a transport reservation for the cargo for each of the plurality of actual transport means. Information processing methods.

9. On the computer, The system accepts search requests from users regarding luggage transport reservations. Obtain schedule information for each of the multiple candidate transportation methods from multiple transportation management devices. Based on the contents of the transportation reservation and the schedule information of the regular transportation for each of the multiple candidate transportation methods, the system searches for a combination of multiple actual transportation methods that will transport the cargo from among the multiple candidate transportation methods. The transport management device is instructed to request a transport reservation for each of the aforementioned multiple actual transport means. program.

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