Delivery support device, delivery support method, and program

Abstract

To facilitate the determination of the loading position of goods onto a delivery vehicle when using a delivery vehicle. [Solution] The delivery support device comprises a determination unit and an output unit. The determination unit determines the loading position of packages in a delivery means where packages of different temperature ranges may be loaded, based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during delivery to a customer over a predetermined period. The output unit outputs information about the loading position determined by the determination unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delivery support device and the like.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a delivery is performed in which a truck travels around a plurality of delivery destinations, and a delivery worker picks up the packages to be delivered to each destination on the truck bed. The packages may be stored in various temperature zones. For example, Patent Document 1 describes managing the internal temperature of a heat-insulating box loaded on the truck bed of a vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there are cases where packages in different temperature zones are delivered by the same delivery means. Even in such cases, each delivery worker appropriately determines where to load the packages in the delivery means. In particular, when a delivery worker delivers packages in different temperature zones using the same delivery means, it may be difficult to determine where each package should be loaded.

[0005] An example of the object of the present disclosure is to provide a delivery support device and the like that can facilitate the determination of the position where a package is loaded into a delivery means when delivering a package using the delivery means.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The delivery support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is A determination means for determining the loading position of cargo in a delivery method where cargo at different temperature ranges may be loaded, based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during delivery to a customer over a predetermined period, An output means for outputting information regarding the determined loading position, It is equipped with.

[0007] A delivery support method in one aspect of this disclosure involves at least one computer, Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position for packages in a delivery method where packages at different temperature ranges may be loaded is determined. Output information regarding the determined loading position. Execute the process.

[0008] A program in one aspect of this disclosure is installed on at least one computer. Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position for packages in a delivery method where packages at different temperature ranges may be loaded is determined. Output information regarding the determined loading position. Execute the process.

[0009] Each program may be stored on a non-temporary storage medium that is readable by at least one computer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to make it easier to determine the position where packages are loaded onto a delivery means when delivering packages using a delivery means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a delivery support system, including a delivery support device. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a delivery support device. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display of the terminal. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the delivery support device. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the delivery support device. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the delivery support device. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of a delivery support device, a delivery support method, a program, and a non-temporary recording medium for recording the program according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment does not limit the disclosed technology.

[0013] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings regarding the basic functions of the delivery support device. [[ID= 29]]

[0014] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a delivery support system including a delivery support device. The delivery support system 1 includes, for example, a delivery support device 10 and a terminal 11. The delivery support device 10 supports the delivery of parcels. Specifically, the delivery support system 1 supports determining the position of parcels in a delivery means that delivers parcels in different temperature zones together. Parcels in different temperature zones can be loaded into the delivery means. Here, the temperature zone represents, for example, the temperature zone for storing parcels. The method of expressing the temperature zone is not particularly limited, but the temperature zone will be described using, for example, three stages of normal temperature, refrigeration, and freezing. [[ID= 33]]

[0015] Here, the means of delivery are not particularly limited to vehicles, ships, airplanes, etc. Vehicles are not particularly limited to trains, cars, bicycles, etc. For example, in some organizations such as consumer cooperatives, it is common for delivery trucks to go around to multiple houses, and delivery personnel pick up the goods to be delivered to each house from the truck bed. Also, taking consumer cooperatives as an example, if customers order goods at various temperature ranges, such as refrigerated goods, room temperature goods, and frozen goods, several weeks in advance, the ordered goods will be delivered to their homes together on a specific day of the week. In particular, organizations such as consumer cooperatives have generally the same delivery route every week, so the delivery routes are planned efficiently without waste. The goods are not particularly limited to food, daily necessities, furniture, home appliances, etc. In such cases, goods at different temperature ranges are packed into the same truck and delivered.

[0016] Furthermore, multiple products of the same temperature range may be packed into bags or containers, and these bags or containers may be loaded onto trucks. Bags and containers are sometimes collectively referred to as storage containers. For this reason, in each embodiment, the unit of cargo may be each individual product, a bag or container containing one or more products, or a combination of these. Therefore, the delivery support device 10 may determine the loading position in the delivery means on a single product basis, or it may determine the loading position on a container basis. The acquisition of cargo information, such as the number of containers for each temperature range, will be explained using the second embodiment.

[0017] The delivery support device 10 is connected to the terminal 11 etc. via a communication network. The terminal 11 may be, for example, a terminal 11 used by a delivery person or a staff member who loads luggage onto the delivery means. The terminal 11 may be a device that outputs information from the delivery support device 10, or may be a device that inputs information to the delivery support device 10. For example, the terminal 11 may have an application program installed in advance that can output information from the delivery support device 10 or transmit information to the delivery support device 10. For example, the terminal 11 may access the website of the delivery support device 10, which is a website, via the communication network NT. The type of the terminal 11 is not particularly limited, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet-type device, an HMD (Head Mounted Display), etc. The number of terminals 11 may be prepared for each delivery person or is not particularly limited.

[0018] Note that the type of the communication network is not particularly limited, such as wired or wireless, and may be composed of a plurality of communication networks. The configuration of the communication network by which the delivery support device 10 is connected to the terminal 11 etc. is not particularly limited.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the delivery support device 10. The delivery support device 10 includes a determination unit 105 and an output unit 107.

[0020] The determination unit 105 determines the position where the luggage is loaded in the delivery means on which the luggage in different temperature zones can be loaded, based on the information on the environment included in the delivery route for delivering to customers during a predetermined period. The predetermined period here is not particularly limited, such as one year, half a year, three months, one month, or one season such as summer or winter. The information on the environment may be information for the previous three months etc., or may be information of the past year in the same period. As described above, in an organization such as a consumer cooperative, since the delivery route is generally the same every week, it is expected that the acquisition of information on the environment is easy.

[0021] Furthermore, the method of representing the loading location is not particularly limited. For example, the loading location may be represented by numbers assigned to each of several areas of a predetermined size that are partitioned off from the cargo bed of the delivery vehicle. Alternatively, the loading location may be represented by, for example, the rear door side, the driver's side, the back of the cargo bed, the exit side of the cargo bed, the left side, the right side, the front side, the back side, the front right side, the front left side, the back right side, the back left side, etc. Environmental information may be information about the amount of sunlight according to the delivery time, or information about the temperature according to the delivery time. Information about the amount of sunlight may be information about the amount of solar radiation measured by solar radiation sensors installed inside or outside the delivery vehicle. Alternatively, information about the amount of sunlight may be specified by weather information at the location where the delivery vehicle is stopped, or information about surrounding buildings. An example of this specification will be explained in the second embodiment. Temperature information may be information about the temperature measured by temperature sensors installed inside or outside the delivery vehicle. For example, each location where cargo is placed inside the truck may be measured by temperature sensors, or each location outside the truck may be measured by temperature sensors. Information regarding temperature may be a numerical value of the temperature itself, or it may be a temperature range such as high temperature, low temperature, or medium temperature, and is not particularly limited.

[0022] Specifically, for example, the decision unit 105 determines the loading location based on, for example, environmental information and the temperature range of the cargo. More specifically, for example, if the environmental information includes information on the amount of sunlight, the decision unit 105 determines the loading location of the cargo based on the environmental information and the temperature range of the cargo, such that cargo with a lower temperature range is loaded in the part of the delivery means that receives less sunlight. The decision unit 105 may calculate statistics on the amount of sunlight at each location of the delivery means based on information on the amount of sunlight over a predetermined period. The statistics are not particularly limited and may include the mean, median, mode, maximum, and minimum values. For example, the decision unit 105 determines the loading location for cargo with the lowest temperature range in the part that receives statistically less sunlight over a predetermined period. Taking three temperature ranges—room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen—as examples, the decision unit 105 may determine the loading location for frozen cargo to be the part that receives statistically the least sunlight over a predetermined period. Furthermore, taking the three temperature zones of ambient temperature, refrigerated, and frozen as examples, the determination unit 105 may determine the loading location for ambient temperature cargo to be the part that is statistically most likely to receive sunlight over a predetermined period.

[0023] Furthermore, more specifically, for example, if the environmental information includes temperature information, the determination unit 105 determines the loading location of the cargo so that cargo with a low temperature range is loaded into the section corresponding to the low temperature location. More specifically, for example, the determination unit 105 may calculate statistical data on temperature at each location of the delivery means based on the temperature information over a predetermined period. The statistical data is not particularly limited and may include the mean, median, mode, maximum, minimum, etc. Then, for example, the determination unit 105 determines the loading location of the cargo so that cargo with a low temperature range is loaded into the section corresponding to the section where the temperature statistics over the predetermined period are low. Whether a temperature is low may be evaluated relatively or absolutely. For example, the determination unit 105 may identify a section that is lower in temperature than other sections as a low-temperature section, or it may identify a section below a predetermined temperature as a low-temperature section. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 105 determines the loading location for the cargo with the lowest temperature range to be the section corresponding to the lowest temperature location. Taking frozen, refrigerated, and room temperature as examples, the determination unit 105 determines the loading position for frozen goods to be the part corresponding to the lowest temperature. For example, if the lowest temperature is in the center of the truck bed relative to the driver and the rear door, and on the right side of the truck, the determination unit 105 determines the loading position for frozen goods to be that part.

[0024] Furthermore, the temperature information may include information about temperature changes. For example, the determination unit 105 may determine the loading location for frozen goods in areas with low temperatures and small temperature changes. For example, the determination unit 105 may determine the loading location for room-temperature goods in areas with large temperature changes.

[0025] Furthermore, information regarding temperature and information regarding sunlight exposure may be used in combination. For example, the determination unit 105 may determine that the location with the lowest temperature range is the loading location for cargo that is in a location with low temperature and little sunlight.

[0026] The determination unit 105 may prioritize cargo with lower temperature zones when determining the loading location for the cargo. If the cargo is in container units, the determination unit 105 may determine the loading locations for each container based on its temperature zone, rather than for individual containers.

[0027] For example, if there are 10 containers in the ambient temperature range, 2 containers in the refrigerated temperature range, and 2 containers in the frozen temperature range, the determination unit 105 first determines two locations for the frozen temperature range containers: one in a place that is not easily exposed to sunlight and the other in a place with a low temperature.

[0028] The output unit 107 outputs information regarding the determined loading location. For example, the output unit 107 may present the determined loading location as a recommended loading location. This allows the loading staff to check the candidate loading locations. The output device to which the output unit 107 outputs is not particularly limited and may include a display device, a printing device, an audio output device, etc. The information regarding the loading location may be information representing the loading location for each type of cargo, and is not particularly limited. The output device may be provided on the terminal 11. For example, the output unit 107 may display information regarding the determined loading location on the terminal 11.

[0029] Furthermore, the output unit 107 may output information relating the loading location to environmental information. Specifically, for example, the output unit 107 may output information such as which parts of the delivery vehicle are exposed to sunlight and which parts are in low-temperature areas, along with information regarding the loading location.

[0030] For example, the output unit 107 may highlight the loading location of the cargo in a diagram representing the interior of the delivery vehicle. Alternatively, for example, the output unit 107 may display a diagram of a container with a temperature zone at the determined loading location in the diagram representing the interior of the delivery vehicle.

[0031] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display on terminal 11. The output unit 107 displays information regarding the determined loading location on the touch panel display of terminal 11. In Figure 3, there are 18 containers to be loaded onto the truck. Terminal 11 displays a diagram resembling a truck, with shapes of cargo labeled with temperature zones. Terminal 11 also displays areas that are easily exposed to sunlight.

[0032] According to Figure 3, for example, it is recommended to load three refrigerated containers in the central right section. According to Figure 3, for example, it is recommended to load three refrigerated containers in the right section on the driver's side. According to Figure 3, for example, it is recommended to load three ambient temperature containers in the right section on the rear door side. According to Figure 3, for example, it is recommended to load nine ambient temperature containers on the left side.

[0033] (flowchart) Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the delivery support device 10. The determination unit 105 determines the loading position of the cargo based on environmental information (step S101). The output unit 107 outputs information regarding the loading position (step S102). The delivery support device 10 then completes the series of processes shown in Figure 4.

[0034] As described above, in the first embodiment, the delivery support device 10 determines the loading position of the cargo based on environmental information. The delivery support device 10 outputs information regarding the loading position. This makes it easier to determine the loading position of the cargo onto the delivery means. Furthermore, the delivery support device 10 can determine the loading position according to the environment of each delivery route. This reduces the burden on delivery personnel and improves delivery efficiency. Ultimately, the delivery support device 10 can improve the maintenance of cargo quality.

[0035] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, an example of identifying information about sunlight exposure included in environmental information will be described. To the extent that the description of the second embodiment does not become unclear, explanations that overlap with the above description will be omitted.

[0036] An example of a delivery support system including a delivery support device may be the same as the example shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the delivery support device 10 shown in Figure 1 may be replaced with a delivery support device 20, and the explanation of an example of a delivery support system including a delivery support device 20 will be omitted.

[0037] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a delivery support device. The delivery support device 20 comprises an acquisition unit 201, a identification unit 203, a determination unit 205, and an output unit 207.

[0038] The determination unit 205 has the functions of the determination unit 105 shown in Figure 2 as its basic functions. The output unit 207 has the functions of the output unit 107 shown in Figure 2 as its basic functions.

[0039] The acquisition unit 201 acquires information about the cargo to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle. The cargo information may include information about the temperature zone for each cargo. If the cargo unit is a container, the cargo information may include information about the size and number of containers for each temperature zone. If all containers are the same size, the cargo information may also include information about the number of containers for each temperature zone.

[0040] The acquisition unit 201 may accept input of information about the luggage by a staff member operating the terminal 11. More specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 201 may accept input of the number of containers by temperature zone via the terminal 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire information about the package from the image captured by the terminal 11. Specifically, for example, a staff member may use the imaging device provided on the terminal 11 to image the container after the goods have been packed into it and before it is loaded onto the delivery vehicle. The acquisition unit 201 acquires the image captured by the imaging device provided on the terminal 11 from the terminal 11. The acquisition unit 201 may then acquire information about the package, such as the number of containers in each temperature zone, from the captured image.

[0042] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire information about packages predicted based on customer order information for deliveries scheduled using a delivery method. The acquisition unit 201 may acquire information about packages by making predictions, or the acquisition unit 201 may acquire information about packages obtained from predictions made by other devices.

[0043] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire information about the environment over a predetermined period. As mentioned above, the information about the environment may include information about the amount of sunlight and information about temperature.

[0044] Furthermore, information regarding the amount of sunlight may be specified. For this reason, the acquisition unit 201 may first acquire information such as temperature and weather information for each location included in the delivery route during a predetermined period. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire information such as temperature and weather information for each location included in the delivery route during a predetermined period from a weather forecasting system via a communication network.

[0045] For example, the identification unit 203 identifies information regarding sunlight exposure based on surrounding building information identified from surrounding map information that includes at least one of the location of the parking lot where the delivery vehicle stops and the location where the delivery vehicle stops. For example, the location of the parking lot where the delivery vehicle stops and the location where the delivery vehicle stops may be identified by the delivery route or by positioning using GPS (Global Positioning System) installed on the delivery vehicle. Alternatively, for example, the identification unit 203 may identify information regarding sunlight exposure to the stopped delivery vehicle based on the direction the delivery vehicle is facing. More specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire information such as temperature and weather, and the identification unit 203 may identify information regarding sunlight exposure to each location of the delivery vehicle based on the direction the delivery vehicle is facing, the time it is stopped, and the temperature and weather information. The direction the delivery vehicle is facing may be identified by a gyro sensor or an on-board compass installed on the delivery vehicle.

[0046] Information regarding the environment during a specified period can be stored in a database or similar system as appropriate.

[0047] Then, the determination unit 205 determines the loading position of the cargo based on the environmental information and the cargo information, as described in the first embodiment.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, the decision unit 205 may determine the loading location of the cargo based on environmental information obtained by excluding environmental information during a disaster from environmental information for a predetermined period. Here, disaster refers to severe weather such as heavy rain or typhoons. For example, the decision unit 205 excludes environmental information during a disaster from environmental information for a predetermined period based on weather information acquired by the acquisition unit 201. Then, the decision unit 205 may determine the loading location of the cargo based on the environmental information after the exclusion.

[0049] The timing at which the decision unit 205 excludes information about the environment during a disaster is not particularly limited; it may be at the time when information about each environment is stored in the database, or at the time when the loading location of the cargo is determined. For example, if the exclusion is performed at the time when information about each environment is stored in the database, the decision unit 205 can simply store the excluded information about the environment in the database.

[0050] Furthermore, when the specific unit 203 identifies information regarding the amount of sunlight, the specific unit 203 may also identify information regarding the amount of sunlight other than that related to disasters.

[0051] Furthermore, if there are multiple delivery destinations, the determination unit 205 may also determine the loading position of the packages based on the delivery order. For example, the determination unit 205 determines the loading position of the packages based on information regarding sunlight exposure and the delivery order of the packages. More specifically, for example, the determination unit 205 determines the loading position of the container with the lowest temperature and the earliest delivery order to be a position that is less exposed to sunlight and easy to retrieve, based on information regarding sunlight exposure and the delivery order of the packages. In Figure 3, for example, the determination unit 205 determines the loading position of the frozen container, which is delivered early, to be in the center on the right side, where it is least exposed to sunlight, and on the top shelf, which is the easiest to retrieve within the center on the right side. In this way, the delivery support device 20 can improve delivery efficiency by determining the loading position according to the temperature range of the packages and the order of delivery destinations.

[0052] As described in the first embodiment, the output unit 207 outputs information regarding the loading position determined by the determination unit 205.

[0053] (flowchart) Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the delivery support device 20. The acquisition unit 201 acquires information about the package (step S201). Next, the identification unit 203 identifies information about the amount of sunlight on the package during a predetermined period (step S202).

[0054] The determination unit 205 excludes disaster information from the information regarding sunlight exposure during a predetermined period (step S203). Then, the determination unit 205 determines the loading position of the cargo based on the information regarding sunlight exposure after the exclusion (step S204). The output unit 207 outputs the information regarding the loading position of the cargo determined by the determination unit 205 (step S205), and the delivery support device 20 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 6.

[0055] In the second embodiment described above, the delivery support device 20 identifies information regarding sunlight exposure based on the location of the parking lot where the delivery vehicle is parked, or information about buildings in the vicinity of that location, which is identified from map information including the location where the delivery vehicle is parked. More specifically, the delivery support device 20 identifies information regarding sunlight exposure to the parked delivery vehicle based on the direction the delivery vehicle is facing. This allows the delivery support device 20 to identify sunlight exposure that takes into account the surrounding buildings. Therefore, the delivery support device 20 can improve the maintenance of the quality of the cargo.

[0056] This concludes the description of the embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments are not limited to the examples described above and can be modified in various ways. For example, the embodiments may be used in a modified form.

[0057] Furthermore, the configuration of the delivery support devices 10 and 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the functional units of the delivery support devices 10 and 20 may be implemented by a single device. Alternatively, for example, each functional unit or database of the delivery support devices 10 and 20 may be implemented by different devices and configured as a system. For example, the functional units of the delivery support devices 10 and 20 may be made up of multiple devices. For example, a system may be implemented that includes a database server containing each database and a device having each functional unit. A system may be implemented that includes a device equipped with some of the functional units of the delivery support devices 10 and 20 and another device equipped with other parts of the functional units of the delivery support devices 10 and 20. The number of devices is not particularly limited.

[0058] Furthermore, the various pieces of information are examples only, and may include other information or omit some of it. Also, the user interface in each embodiment is an example only, and can be modified in various ways. In addition, the process of generating information to be displayed on terminal 11 may be performed by output units 107 and 207. Alternatively, this process may be performed by terminal 11. That is, terminal 11 may generate screen information to be displayed on terminal 11 based on data received from delivery support devices 10 and 20, and display the screen based on the screen information.

[0059] (Example of computer hardware configuration) Next, we will describe an example of a hardware configuration when each of the devices, such as the delivery support devices 10 and 20 and the terminal 11, is implemented using a computer.

[0060] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a computer hardware configuration. For example, some or all of each device can be implemented using any combination of computer 80 and programs as shown in Figure 7.

[0061] Computer 80 includes, for example, a processor 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, and a storage device 804. Computer 80 also includes a communication interface 805 and an input / output interface 806. Each component is connected, for example, via a bus 807. The number of components is not particularly limited, and each component may be one or more.

[0062] The processor 801 controls the entire computer 80. The processor 801 can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), a quantum processor, or a combination thereof, and is not particularly limited.

[0063] The computer 80 also includes a ROM 802, a RAM 803, and a storage device 804. The storage device 804 may be a semiconductor memory such as flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). For example, the storage device 804 stores the OS (Operating System) program, application programs, and programs according to each embodiment. Alternatively, the ROM 802 stores the application program, programs according to the embodiment, and so on. The RAM 803 is used as the work area of ​​the processor 801.

[0064] The processor 801 also loads programs stored in the memory device 804, ROM 802, etc. Then, the processor 801 executes each process coded in the program. The processor 801 may also download various programs via the communication network NT. Furthermore, the processor 801 functions as part or all of the computer 80. The processor 801 may also execute processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0065] The communication interface 805 is connected to a communication network NT, such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network), via a wireless or wired communication line. The communication network NT may be composed of multiple communication networks NT. This allows the computer 80 to connect to external devices and external computers 80 via the communication network NT. The communication interface 805 manages the interface between the communication network NT and the internal workings of the computer 80. Furthermore, the communication interface 805 controls the input and output of data from external devices and external computers 80.

[0066] Furthermore, the input / output interface 806 is connected to at least one of the input device, output device, and input / output device. The connection method may be wireless or wired. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mice, and microphones. Examples of output devices include display devices, lighting devices (such as lamps), and audio output devices that output sound. Examples of input / output devices include touch panel displays. The input devices, output devices, and input / output devices may be built into the computer 80 or attached to the computer 80 externally. That is, for example, the computer 80 may have input devices such as keyboards and mice. The computer 80 may have output devices such as displays. The computer 80 may also have input devices, output devices, and input / output devices.

[0067] The hardware configuration of computer 80 is an example. Computer 80 may have some of the components shown in Figure 7. Computer 80 may have components other than those shown in Figure 7. For example, computer 80 may have a drive device. The processor 801 may read programs and data stored on a recording medium mounted on the drive device or the like into RAM 803. Examples of non-temporary tangible recording media include optical discs, flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

[0068] Furthermore, the computer 80 may have various sensors (not shown). The type of sensor is not particularly limited. Also, the computer 80 may be equipped with an imaging device capable of capturing images or videos.

[0069] This concludes the description of the hardware configuration of each device. Furthermore, there are various variations in how each device can be implemented. For example, each device may be implemented by any combination of different computers and programs for each component. Alternatively, the multiple components of each device may be implemented by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0070] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be implemented using application-specific circuits. Alternatively, some or all of the components of each device may be implemented using general-purpose circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be implemented using a combination of application-specific circuits and general-purpose circuits. These circuits may also be a single integrated circuit, or they may be divided into multiple integrated circuits. These multiple integrated circuits may be connected via a bus or the like.

[0071] Furthermore, if some or all of the components of each device are implemented by multiple computers or circuits, these computers or circuits may be centrally located or distributed.

[0072] The delivery support methods described in each embodiment may be implemented by a computer such as a delivery support device 10.

[0073] Each program described in each embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or USB memory. Each program is then executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer. Furthermore, each program may be distributed via a communication network NT.

[0074] Each component of the delivery support device 10 described above may be implemented using dedicated hardware, such as a computer. Alternatively, each component may be implemented using software. Alternatively, each component may be implemented using a combination of hardware and software.

[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. The structure and details of the present disclosure may include embodiments that apply various modifications that can be grasped by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may include embodiments that combine or substitute the matters described herein as appropriate. For example, matters described using a particular embodiment may be applied to other embodiments to the extent that they do not cause a contradiction. For example, although several operations are described sequentially in the form of a flowchart, the order in which they are described does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing an embodiment, the order of the operations can be changed to the extent that it does not impair the content.

[0076] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows. However, some or all of the above embodiments are not limited to the following.

[0077] (Note 1) A determination means for determining the loading position of cargo in a delivery method where cargo at different temperature ranges may be loaded, based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during delivery to a customer over a predetermined period, An output means for outputting information regarding the determined loading position, A delivery support device equipped with the following features.

[0078] (Note 2) The determination means determines the loading location based on the information regarding the environment and the temperature range of the cargo. Delivery support device as described in Appendix 1.

[0079] (Note 3) The aforementioned environmental information includes information regarding how sunlight hits the delivery means, The system further comprises a means for identifying information regarding the amount of sunlight, based on the location of the parking lot where the delivery means stops, or information about buildings in the vicinity of the location identified from map information including the location where the delivery means stops. Delivery support device as described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0080] (Note 4) The identifying means identifies information regarding how sunlight is hitting the stopped delivery means, based on the direction the delivery means is facing. Delivery support device as described in Appendix 3.

[0081] (Note 5) The aforementioned environmental information includes information regarding how sunlight hits the delivery means, The determination means determines the loading position such that packages with a low temperature range are loaded in the part of the delivery means that is not easily exposed to sunlight. A delivery support device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 4.

[0082] (Note 6) The amount of sunlight at each position of the delivery means is determined by the amount of solar radiation measured by a solar radiation sensor attached to at least one of the outside and inside of the delivery means. Delivery support device as described in Appendix 5.

[0083] (Note 7) The information relating to the environment includes information relating to the temperature at each location of the delivery means, The determination means determines the loading position such that cargo with a lower temperature zone is loaded into the portion corresponding to the position where the temperature statistic is low during the predetermined period. A delivery support device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 6.

[0084] (Note 8) The temperature at each position of the delivery means is the temperature measured by a temperature sensor attached to at least one of the outside and inside of the delivery means. Delivery support device as described in Appendix 7.

[0085] (Note 9) The determination means determines the loading location based on environmental information obtained by excluding environmental information during a disaster from environmental information during the predetermined period. A delivery support device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 8.

[0086] (Note 10) The aforementioned package is a container holding the goods ordered by the customer. A delivery support device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 9.

[0087] (Note 11) At least one computer, Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position for packages in a delivery method where packages at different temperature ranges may be loaded is determined. Output information regarding the determined loading position. A delivery support method that performs processing.

[0088] (Note 12) On at least one computer, Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position for packages in a delivery method where packages at different temperature ranges may be loaded is determined. Output information regarding the determined loading position. A program that executes a process.

[0089] (Note 13) On at least one computer, Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position for packages in a delivery method where packages at different temperature ranges may be loaded is determined. Output information regarding the determined loading position. A non-temporary recording medium readable by the computer, which records a program that executes a process.

[0090] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 to 10, which are dependent on Appendice 1 above, may also be dependent on Appendices 11, 12, and 13 in the same way as those described in Appendices 2 to 10. Moreover, not limited to Appendices 1, 11, 12, and 13, some or all of the configurations described as appendices may also be dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, without departing from the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1. Delivery support system 10, 20 Delivery support equipment 11 devices 80 Computers 201 Acquisition Department 203 Specific section 105, 205 Decision Section 107, 207 Output section 801 Processor 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 Storage device 805 Communication Interface 806 Input / Output Interface 807 Bus NT communication network

Claims

1. A determination means for determining the loading position of cargo in a delivery method where cargo at different temperature ranges may be loaded, based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during delivery to a customer over a predetermined period, An output means for outputting information regarding the determined loading position, A delivery support device equipped with the following features.

2. The determination means determines the loading location based on the information regarding the environment and the temperature range of the cargo. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned environmental information includes information regarding how sunlight hits the delivery means, The system further comprises a means for identifying information regarding the amount of sunlight, based on the location of the parking lot where the delivery means stops, or information about buildings in the vicinity of the location identified from map information including the location where the delivery means stops. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

4. The identifying means identifies information regarding how sunlight is hitting the stopped delivery means, based on the direction the delivery means is facing. The delivery support device according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned environmental information includes information regarding how sunlight hits the delivery means, The determination means determines the loading position such that packages with a low temperature range are loaded in the part of the delivery means that is not easily exposed to sunlight. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

6. The information relating to the environment includes information relating to the temperature at each location of the delivery means, The determination means determines the loading position such that cargo with a lower temperature zone is loaded into the portion corresponding to the position where the temperature statistic is low during the predetermined period. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

7. The temperature at each position of the delivery means is the temperature measured by a temperature sensor attached to at least one of the outside and inside of the delivery means. The delivery support device according to claim 6.

8. The determination means determines the loading location based on environmental information obtained by excluding environmental information during a disaster from environmental information during the predetermined period. The delivery support device according to claim 1.

9. At least one computer, Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position of the cargo is determined for a delivery method in which cargo at different temperature ranges may be loaded. Output information regarding the determined loading position. A delivery support method that performs processing.

10. On at least one computer, Based on information about the environment included in the delivery route during deliveries to customers over a predetermined period, the loading position of the cargo is determined for a delivery method in which cargo at different temperature ranges may be loaded. Output information regarding the determined loading position. A program that executes a process.

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