Location identification device

Abstract

Even if the recipient is not registered in the seat location data, the system will still identify the delivery location for that item. [Solution] The identification unit 15B searches for a first seat location for the subject based on the seat location data 14A, obtains the subject's agent based on the agent data 14C, searches for a second seat location for the agent based on the seat location data 14A, identifies the first seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is obtained, identifies the second seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is not obtained, and the distribution unit 15C generates a seating chart showing the seats installed in the free-address office and the delivery locations identified by the identification unit 15B, and distributes it to the information terminal 20 via the communication network.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery location specifying technology for specifying a delivery location for a delivery item to a user based on the user's seat position data existing in a free address office. [Background Art]

[0002] In recent years, as an office work style, the introduction of free address offices has been progressing, in which users such as company employees and staff members do not have their own fixed seats and freely select an available seat to perform work. In such a free address office, since there are no fixed seats, it is necessary to grasp who is sitting in which seat.

[0003] Conventionally, for example, in Patent Document 1, as a technique for acquiring seat information of users present in such a free address office, seat usage information including the seat ID where the user has sat or left and the user's identification information is notified from the user's information terminal to a seat management server, thereby specifying the relationship between seat positions and users in the free address office, and a technique for generating seat position data indicating these relationships has been proposed.

[0004] At this time, a card reader may be fixedly installed at each seat in the free address office, the user's identification information recorded on an identification card carried by the user is read by the card reader, and the seat usage information including the seat ID and the user's identification information is notified to the seat management server. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6924909 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] When delivering items to users in a free-address office, it's impossible to pinpoint the recipient's seat location, i.e., the delivery location, because users don't have assigned seats. Therefore, some facilities in free-address offices have collection and delivery facilities such as lockers, mailboxes, and mailrooms. However, this creates a burden for users, who must go to the collection and delivery facility to check for their deliveries, and in some cases, deliveries may be left unattended.

[0007] In contrast, by using the aforementioned seat location data that shows the relationship between seat locations within a free-address office and the users, it is possible to easily identify the seat location of the person to whom the delivered item will be delivered, i.e., the delivery location.

[0008] However, there are cases where the recipient is not registered in the seat location data for various reasons. For example, the recipient may not be present in the free-address office due to a meeting or urgent matter. In such cases, it was impossible to identify the delivery location, and thus the delivery of the item could not be completed.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve these problems and provides a delivery location identification technology that can identify the delivery location for a delivery item even when the target person is not registered in the seat location data, which shows the relationship between seat locations and users in a free-address office. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve this objective, the location identification device according to the present invention comprises: a storage circuit configured to store seat location data indicating the seat locations of users in a free-address office; a control circuit configured to, in response to a location identification request from an information terminal connected via a communication network, identify the delivery location of an item to be delivered to a recipient designated in the location identification request among the users, based on the seat location data, and distribute it to the information terminal; wherein the storage circuit is configured to store agent data indicating an agent who will receive the item to be delivered to that user for each user; the control circuit comprises: an identification unit configured to search for a first seat location relating to the target person based on the seat location data, obtain the target person's agent based on the agent data, search for a second seat location relating to the agent based on the seat location data, identify the first seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is obtained, and identify the second seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is not obtained; and a distribution unit configured to generate a seating chart showing the seats installed in the free-address office and the delivery locations identified by the identification unit, and distribute it to the information terminal via the communication network.

[0011] Furthermore, in one example of the configuration of the above-mentioned location identification device, the identification unit is configured to identify the first seat location as the first delivery location and the second seat location as the second delivery location, and the distribution unit is configured to generate a seating chart that distinguishes between the first and second delivery locations and distribute it to the information terminal.

[0012] Furthermore, in one example configuration of the above-mentioned location identification device, the memory circuit is configured to store location data indicating the location of the user in the free-address office, and the identification unit is configured to acquire a first location indicating the location of the target person based on the location data, and to identify the second seat location as the delivery location if the distance between the first seat location and the first location exceeds a threshold.

[0013] Furthermore, in one example configuration of the above-mentioned location identification device, the memory circuit is configured to store location data indicating the location of the user in the free-address office, and the identification unit, when multiple agents are obtained, searches for a second seat location for each agent based on the seat location data, and acquires a second location for each agent based on the location data, and selects an agent from among the agents whose distance from the second seat location to the second location is less than or equal to a threshold, and whose second seat location is closest to the first seat location, and identifies the second seat location for the selected agent as the delivery location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, even if the target person is not registered in the seat location data that shows the relationship between seat locations and users in a free-address office, it is possible to identify the delivery location to which the delivery item should be delivered, and to complete the delivery of the item efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the location identification device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of seat location data. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of agent data. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of location data. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a seating chart configuration (when the target person is present). [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the location identification device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a seating chart configuration (when the target person is absent). [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a seating chart (for both the subject and the agent).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Location Identification Apparatus] First, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, the location identification apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0017] This location identification apparatus 10 is generally constituted by a computer such as a server apparatus or a personal computer, and is connected for data communication with an information terminal 20, a seating management server 30, a location management server 31, and a staff management server 32 via a communication network NW such as the Internet or a LAN.

[0018] The location identification apparatus 10 is configured to, in response to a location identification request related to a delivery location of a delivery notified from the information terminal 20 connected via the communication network NW, identify the delivery location of the delivery to be delivered to the target person who is the recipient specified in the location identification request among users present in a free address office, and deliver the identified delivery location to the information terminal 20.

[0019] The information terminal 20 is constituted by an information terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer used by a deliverer who delivers a delivery, and is configured to notify a location identification request including delivery information related to the recipient of the delivery to the location identification apparatus 10 via the communication network NW, and display the delivery location returned from the location identification apparatus 10 on a screen.

[0020] The seating management server 30 is generally constituted by a computer such as a server apparatus or a personal computer, and is configured to manage the relationship between users who use a free address office and seat positions based on common known techniques. Regarding the specific configuration of the seating management server 30, for example, as in the above-mentioned conventional technology, a configuration is conceivable in which seat usage information including a seat ID where a user has sat or left and the user's identification information is notified to the seating management server 30 from the user's information terminal (not shown).

[0021] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the seat management server 30 may be such that seat usage information, including the user's identification information and seat ID read by a card reader fixed to each seat, is notified to the seat management server 30 from the user's information terminal (not shown). Alternatively, based on the location data of each user within the free-address office obtained from the location management server 31 (described later), the main locations where the user is staying are extracted from the user's dwelling status, and seat usage information, including the seat ID of the seat corresponding to that location and the user's identification information, is notified to the seat management server 30 from the user's information terminal (not shown).

[0022] The location management server 31 consists of a server device and a computer such as a PC, and is configured using commonly known technologies to manage the location of users in a free-address office. Regarding the specific configuration of the location management server 31, for example, a configuration is conceivable in which wireless tags embedded in employee ID cards or other cards held by users are detected by wireless readers installed throughout the free-address office, and the location is notified to the location management server 31.

[0023] The staff management server 32 consists of a server device and computers such as PCs, and is installed in an organization such as a company or government office. It is configured to manage staff information about employees and staff belonging to that organization. This staff information includes data indicating the department or group to which each user belongs.

[0024] [Principle of the invention] When delivering items to users in a free-address office, if seat location data showing the relationship between seat locations and users within the free-address office is generated based on the conventional seat location identification technologies mentioned above, the seat location of the target person, i.e., the delivery location, can be easily identified.

[0025] However, there are cases where the recipient is not registered in the seat location data. For example, the recipient may not be present in the free-address office due to a meeting or urgent matter. Alternatively, the recipient may be present in the free-address office, but information about their seat usage has not been provided. In such cases, the delivery location cannot be identified, and the delivery of the item cannot be completed.

[0026] On the other hand, in traditional fixed-address offices where each user has a designated seat, seats are generally grouped by department or other group. Therefore, when delivering something to a target person, even if the target person is away from their seat, it is possible to deliver the item to a representative belonging to the same group as the target person by confirming with a user sitting near the target person's seat.

[0027] This invention focuses on the relationship between a subject and their representative in a fixed-address office, and is configured to identify the seating position of the subject's representative within a free-address office as the delivery location when the subject's seating position within the free-address office cannot be determined.

[0028] In other words, the location identification device 10 according to the present invention stores agent data for each user of the free-address office, indicating an agent who will receive deliveries on behalf of that user. The device retrieves the agent of the recipient specified by the location identification request from the information terminal 20 from the agent data, searches for the seat locations of the recipient and their agent within the free-address office from the seat location data of the seat management server 30, and if a first seat location for the recipient is obtained, identifies the first seat location as the delivery location and delivers it to the information terminal 20. If a first seat location is not obtained, identifies a second seat location for the agent as the delivery location and delivers it to the information terminal 20.

[0029] This allows for the identification of the delivery location for a package even if the recipient is not registered in the seat location data, which shows the relationship between seat locations and users within a free-address office. This enables efficient delivery of packages.

[0030] [Configuration of this embodiment] Next, with reference to the block diagram in Figure 1 mentioned above, the configuration of the location identification device 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. The location identification device 10 comprises, as its main circuit configuration, a communication interface 11, an operation input unit 12, a screen display unit 13, a memory circuit 14, and a control circuit 15.

[0031] [Communication Interface] The communication interface 11 is configured to communicate data with the seat management server 30, the location management server 31, and the information terminal 20 via the communication line L1 and the communication network NW. [Operation Input Section] The operation input unit 12 consists of operation input devices such as a keyboard or mouse, and is configured to detect operator operations and output them to the control circuit 15. [Screen display] The screen display unit 13 consists of a screen display device such as an LCD and is configured to display various screens output from the control circuit 15, such as an operation menu screen, a settings screen, and a seat map screen which is the result of identifying the delivery location.

[0032] [Memory circuit] The memory circuit 14, as a whole, consists of a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk, and is configured to store processing data and programs for realizing the delivery location identification process executed by the control circuit 15. The main processing data stored in the memory circuit 14 includes seat location data 14A, location data 14B, and agent data 14C.

[0033] [Seat location data] The seat location data 14A is data indicating the seat location of a user in a free-address office. As shown in Figure 2, it consists of a pair of an identification ID unique to each user and a seat ID unique to each seat provided in the free-address office. The seat location data 14A is acquired from the seat management server 30 by the control circuit 15 and stored in the memory circuit 14.

[0034] [Location data] Location data 14B is data indicating the location of users in the free-address office. As shown in Figure 3, it consists of a pair of a unique identification ID for each user and their location, indicated by coordinates set within the free-address office. Location data 14B is acquired from the location management server 31 by the control circuit 15 and stored in the storage circuit 14.

[0035] [Agent Data] Agent data 14C is data that identifies the agent of a user using the free-address office. As shown in Figure 4, it consists of a pair of unique identification IDs for each user and the identification ID of the user who will receive deliveries on behalf of that user, i.e., the agent. For example, if a user is a staff member belonging to an organization such as a company or government office, the agent data 14C can be generated by extracting staff members belonging to the same group as agents from the staff information managed by the staff management server 32 installed in that organization. In this case, the agent data 14C can be generated by the staff management server 32 or the control circuit 15 and stored in the memory circuit 14.

[0036] Alternatively, the system may monitor the emails of users using the free-address office, extract other users who frequently exchange emails with the user as agents, and generate agent data 14C. In this case, the agent data 14C can be generated by the mail server (not shown) or control circuit 15 that manages the user's emails and stored in the memory circuit 14. Furthermore, in cases where staff information and emails are managed by the telephone control unit or UTM (Unified Threat Management) device of the business phone system, the staff information and emails may be obtained from these telephone control units or UTM devices to generate the agent data 14C.

[0037] [program] Program 14P is a program for implementing the delivery location identification process executed by the control circuit 15, and is read from an external device or recording medium (neither of which are shown) and stored in the memory circuit 14 in advance.

[0038] [control circuit] The control circuit 15 has a CPU and its peripheral circuits, and is configured to implement various processing units for executing delivery location identification processing by reading the program 14P from the memory circuit 14 and coordinating the CPU and program 14P. By executing delivery location identification processing, the control circuit 15, in response to a location identification request from an information terminal 20 connected via a communication network NW, identifies the delivery location of the delivery item to be delivered to the recipient specified in the location identification request among the users, based on seat location data 14A, and distributes it to the information terminal 20.

[0039] The main processing units implemented in the control circuit 15 include the acquisition unit 15A, the identification unit 15B, and the distribution unit 15C.

[0040] [Acquisition Department] The acquisition unit 15A is configured to access the communication network NW via the communication I / F 11, sequentially acquire various data used for delivery location identification processing from various servers on the communication network NW, process the acquired data as necessary, and store and update it as processed data in the memory circuit 14. For example, the acquisition unit 15A is configured to acquire seat location data 14A, which indicates the seat location of a user in a free-address office, as shown in Figure 2 above, from the seat management server 30, and store it in the memory circuit 14. The acquisition unit 15A also acquires location data 14B, which indicates the location of a user in a free-address office, as shown in Figure 3 above, from the location management server 31, and store it in the memory circuit 14.

[0041] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 15A acquires agent data 14C from the staff management server 32, which indicates the agent of a user using the free-address office, as shown in Figure 4 above, and stores it in the memory circuit 14. At this time, the acquisition unit 15A may acquire staff information, including the group to which each user belongs, from the staff management server 32, and generate agent data 14C by considering users belonging to the same group as each other's agents. The acquisition unit 15A may also generate agent data 14C in response to operation input from the operation input unit 12.

[0042] [Specific part] The identification unit 15B is configured to respond to a location identification request from the information terminal 20 by searching for a first seat location for the recipient specified in the location identification request from the seat location data 14A of the memory circuit 14, obtaining the recipient's agent based on the agent data 14C of the memory circuit 14, searching for a second seat location for the agent based on the seat location data 14A, identifying the first seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is obtained, and identifying the second seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is not obtained. In this case, the identification unit 15B may be configured to search for the second seat location if the first seat location is not obtained, or to search for both the first and second seat locations first regardless of whether the first seat location is obtained or not.

[0043] [Distribution Department] The distribution unit 15C is configured to generate a seating chart indicating the delivery location of the delivered items within the free-address office based on the identification result obtained by the identification unit 15B, and to distribute it from the communication I / F 11 to the information terminal 20, which is the source of the location identification request, via the communication network NW.

[0044] The seating chart generated by the distribution unit 15C is a typical seat map showing the seating arrangements in a diagram. In the example in Figure 5, the users occupying each seat in the free-address office are shown. Additionally, the seating chart highlights the seating location of the person specified in the location identification request using common methods such as hatching, indicating it as a delivery location.

[0045] In this example, the user's location is indicated by a circle. The distribution unit 15C can identify each user's location based on the location data 14B in the memory circuit 14 and record it on the seating chart.

[0046] [Operation of this embodiment] Next, the operation of the location identification device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 6.

[0047] The control circuit 15 of the location identification device 10 executes the location identification process shown in Figure 6 in response to a location identification request received from the information terminal 20 via the communication network NW and communication interface 11. Here, it is assumed that prior to the location identification process, the latest seat location data 14A, location data 14B, and agent data 14C are stored in the memory circuit 14 by the acquisition unit 15A.

[0048] The identification unit 15B obtains the recipient of the delivered item from the location identification request from the delivery person's information terminal 20 (step 100). At this time, the information terminal 20 may extract the recipient from the label image of the delivered item taken with its camera and notify it in the location identification request, or it may attach the label image to the location identification request and the identification unit 15B extracts the recipient from that label image.

[0049] Next, the identification unit 15B searches for the subject's seat location (first seat location) from the seat location data 14A of the memory circuit 14, and also searches for the subject's location from the location data 14B of the memory circuit 14 (step 101). By comparing the subject's seat location and location, it confirms whether the subject is seated at the designated seat location (step 102).

[0050] In this case, if the distance between the subject's seat location and their current location is within a threshold, they should be considered present; if it is greater than the threshold, they should be considered absent. Furthermore, if the subject's seat location or current location cannot be detected, they should also be considered absent.

[0051] If the presence of the person in question is confirmed at this point (Step 102: YES), the identification unit 15B identifies the person's seat location as the delivery location for the item (Step 103).

[0052] On the other hand, if the presence of the subject is not confirmed (Step 102: NO), the identification unit 15B obtains the subject's agent from the agent data 14C of the memory circuit 14 (Step 105), searches for the agent's seat location (second seat location) from the seat location data 14A, and searches for the agent's location from the location data 14B (Step 106).

[0053] Next, if there are multiple agents, the identification unit 15B checks whether each agent is present at their seat by comparing their seat location and location, selects an agent whose presence has been confirmed (step 107), and identifies the selected agent's seat location as the delivery location (step 108).

[0054] After this, the distribution unit 15C generates a seating chart showing the seats installed in the free-address office and the delivery locations identified by the identification unit 15B, and distributes it from the communication I / F 11 to the information terminal 20, which is the source of the location identification request (step 110), thus ending the series of location identification processes.

[0055] As a result, a seating chart showing the seats in the free-address office and the delivery locations identified by the specific unit 15B is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 20.

[0056] Therefore, in the seating chart, if user A is detected to be present at a seat location, seat #21, which user A is using, will be highlighted as the delivery location, as shown in Figure 5 above.

[0057] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, if, for example, user A has temporarily moved to conference room 1 and their presence at their original seat location is not detected, then seats #12 and #33, where users D and E (who are acting as agents for user A) are seated, will be highlighted as delivery locations on the seating chart.

[0058] In this case, if multiple agents are confirmed to be present, the agents may be highlighted in order of priority based on the distance between the target person's seat and the agent's seat. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the seat of user D, #12, which is relatively close to the target person's seat #21 (user A), may be highlighted in a darker color, while the seat of user E, #33, which is relatively far from seat #21, may be highlighted in a lighter color.

[0059] Regarding the priority of agents, in addition to the seating distance between the target person and the agent, the priority of each agent pre-set for each user in agent data 14C may also be used. This allows each user to decide which user they want to receive deliveries on their behalf.

[0060] Thus, in this embodiment, in step 102 of Figure 6, the system determines whether or not the subject is seated based on the subject's seating position and location, allowing for the accurate selection of subjects seated and the precise identification of the delivery location. Similarly, in step 107 of Figure 6, the system selects agents seated based on the agent's seating position and location, allowing for the accurate selection of agents seated and the precise identification of the delivery location.

[0061] This makes it possible to identify the delivery location for the item not only in cases where the person is not registered in the seat location data 14A, but also in cases where the person is registered in the seat location data 14A but is not at the identified seat location, thereby enabling efficient delivery of the item.

[0062] However, according to the configuration of steps 102 and 107, not only the seating positions of the subjects and their representatives but also their respective locations need to be updated in real time.

[0063] On the other hand, regarding step 102 in Figure 6 mentioned above, a configuration is conceivable in which only the seat location of the subject is detected, without using the subject's physical location. In this configuration, if the subject is present in the free-address office, the subject's seat location is identified as the delivery location, and if the subject is not present in the free-address office, the seat location of the agent is identified as the delivery location. With this configuration, although it cannot handle cases where the subject is registered in the seat location data 14A but is not present at the identified seat location, it is possible to identify the delivery location for the item in cases where the subject is not registered in the seat location data 14A, thereby achieving the desired effect.

[0064] Similarly, for step 107 in Figure 6 mentioned above, a configuration is also conceivable in which an agent whose seating position has been detected is selected without using the agent's physical location. This would not address cases where the target person is registered in the seating position data 14A but no agent is present at the identified seating position. However, in cases where no agent is registered in the seating position data 14A, that seating position will be identified as the delivery location, thus achieving the desired effect.

[0065] In steps 102 and 107, using this configuration eliminates the need to use the location of the subject or their representative, thus eliminating the need to store the location data 14B in the memory circuit 14, and simplifying the configuration and processing of the location identification device 10.

[0066] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes an example where the seating positions of the subject and the agent are displayed on separate seating charts, it is not limited to this. For example, the identification unit 15B may search for both the subject's seating position (first seating position) and the agent's seating position (second seating position) and identify them as delivery locations (first and second delivery locations), and the distribution unit 15C may generate and distribute seating charts that distinguish between these delivery locations (first and second delivery locations), as shown in Figure 8.

[0067] As a result, the seating chart in Figure 8 displays the contents of both Figures 5 and 7 together. Specifically, in Figure 8, the seat #21 of user A is highlighted with diagonal hatching as the delivery location (first delivery location). Also, the seat #12 of agent user D is highlighted with a dark vertical hashing as the delivery location (second delivery location) because it is relatively close to user A's seat #21, and the seat #33 of agent user E is highlighted with a light vertical hashing as the delivery location (third delivery location) because it is relatively close to user A's seat #21.

[0068] Therefore, delivery personnel can collectively determine the seating locations of the recipient and their representative from the distributed seating chart, and even if the recipient or representative happens to be absent, they can deliver the package to the next delivery location, which is the seating location of another representative, based on the same seating chart, thereby increasing the efficiency of the delivery work.

[0069] Furthermore, when selecting a representative, if the location tracking device 10 can sequentially access the emails exchanged by each user, the representative may be selected based on the email search results instead of the representative data 14C.

[0070] For example, delivery information such as sender, recipient, tracking number, and item details can be extracted from the delivery label, and emails related to that delivery information can be searched for. Users other than the target recipient included in the recipient list of those emails can then be selected as agents. Alternatively, users belonging to the same department, users who frequently send and receive emails with the target, users who frequently appear in the same email recipient list, or users who joined the company at the same time can be selected as agents, extracted from the user's address book.

[0071] Furthermore, if, after receiving a location identification request, the subject's seat location cannot be detected from the seat location data 14A and the subject is not using a free-address office, the identification unit 15B may inquire about a proxy at the subject's information terminal (not shown) and select a user designated by the subject as the proxy. In this case, a designation screen for specifying the proxy can be distributed via a specific URL from the distribution unit 15C using a web service, and the subject can access that URL to designate a proxy.

[0072] Alternatively, the delivery person may notify the location identification device 10 of the delivery status from the information terminal 20 upon completion of delivery, and the distribution unit 15C may notify the recipient of the received delivery status using a medium such as email. Specific examples of delivery status include the delivery date and time, delivery location, recipient (recipient / agent), distinction between hand-delivered and unattended delivery, and a photo of the unattended delivery.

[0073] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, in this embodiment, the control circuit 15 of the location identification device 10 is configured such that the identification unit 15B searches for a first seat location for the target person based on seat location data 14A, obtains the target person's agent based on agent data 14C, searches for a second seat location for the agent based on seat location data 14A, identifies the first seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is obtained, identifies the second seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is not obtained, and the distribution unit 15C generates a seating chart showing the seats installed in the free-address office and the delivery locations identified by the identification unit, and distributes it to the delivery person's information terminal 20 via the communication network NW.

[0074] This makes it possible to identify the delivery location for a delivery item even if the target person is not registered in the seat location data 14A, which shows the relationship between seat locations and users in a free-address office, and to complete the delivery of the delivery item efficiently.

[0075] [Expansion of the embodiment] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the configuration and details of the present invention can be made that will be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10...Location identification device, 11...Communication I / F, 12...Operation input unit, 13...Screen display unit, 14...Memory circuit, 14A...Seat location data, 14B...Location data, 14C...Agent data, 15...Control circuit, 15A...Acquisition unit, 15B...Identification unit, 15C...Distribution unit, 20...Information terminal, 30...Seat management server, 31...Location management server, 32...Staff management server, L1...Communication line, NW...Communication network.

Claims

1. A memory circuit configured to store seat location data indicating the seating positions of users in a free-address office, The system includes a control circuit configured to, in response to a location identification request from an information terminal connected via a communication network, identify the delivery location of a delivery item to be delivered to a recipient among the users specified in the location identification request, based on the seat location data, and distribute it to the information terminal, The memory circuit is configured to store agent data for each user, indicating an agent who will receive deliveries on behalf of that user. The aforementioned control circuit is A identification unit is configured to search for a first seat location for the subject based on the seat location data, obtain the subject's agent based on the agent data, search for a second seat location for the agent based on the seat location data, identify the first seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is obtained, and identify the second seat location as the delivery location if the first seat location is not obtained. The system includes a distribution unit configured to generate a seating chart showing the seats installed in the free-address office and the delivery locations identified by the specific unit, and to distribute it to the information terminal via the communication network. A location identification device characterized by the following features.

2. In the location identification device described in claim 1, The identification unit is configured to identify the first seat location as the first delivery location and to identify the second seat location as the second delivery location. The distribution unit is configured to generate a seating chart that distinguishes between the first and second delivery locations and to distribute it to the information terminal. A location identification device characterized by the following features.

3. In the location identification device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The memory circuit is configured to store location data indicating the location of the user present in the free-address office. The identification unit is configured to acquire a first location indicating the location of the subject based on the location data, and to identify the second seat location as the delivery location if the distance between the first seat location and the first location exceeds a threshold. A location identification device characterized by the following features.

4. In the location identification device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The memory circuit is configured to store location data indicating the location of the user present in the free-address office. The identification unit is configured such that, when multiple agents are obtained, it searches for a second seating position for each agent based on the seating position data, obtains a second location for each agent based on the location data, selects an agent from among the agents whose distance from the second seating position to the second location is less than or equal to a threshold, and whose second seating position is closest to the first seating position, and identifies the second seating position for the selected agent as the delivery location. A location identification device characterized by the following features.

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