Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables efficient delivery of cargoes.SOLUTION: An information processing device determines one or more first delivery destinations to which a cargo is delivered by a vehicle and one or more second delivery destination to which a cargo is delivered by a drone mounted on a vehicle, on the basis of position information related to positions of a plurality of delivery destinations to which cargoes are delivered. The information processing device also determines a traveling path including a path on which the vehicle delivers cargoes to the one or more first delivery destinations, a first point on the traveling path where the drone starts a flight to the one or more second delivery destinations from the vehicle, and a second point on the traveling path where the drone returns to the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle that delivers packages to multiple delivery destinations. The vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 houses a moving body that delivers packages from a destination to a delivery destination. The vehicle sets one or more destinations based on the extent of the multiple delivery destinations. The vehicle then travels from the current position toward the set one or more destinations in order. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-128287 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide technology that enables efficient delivery of packages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: Based on location information regarding the locations of multiple destinations to which the luggage is delivered, determining one or more first destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a vehicle, one or more second destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a drone mounted on the vehicle, a driving route including a route along which the vehicle delivers the luggage to the one or more first destinations, a first point on the driving route from which the drone starts flying from the vehicle to the one or more second destinations, and a second point on the driving route at which the drone returns to the vehicle; The control unit includes:

[0006] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Based on location information regarding the locations of multiple destinations to which the luggage is delivered, determining one or more first destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a vehicle, one or more second destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a drone mounted on the vehicle, a driving route including a route along which the vehicle delivers the luggage to the one or more first destinations, a first point on the driving route from which the drone starts flying from the vehicle to the one or more second destinations, and a second point on the driving route at which the drone returns to the vehicle; Includes.

[0007] The program according to the third aspect of the present disclosure comprises: A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, The information processing method includes: Based on location information regarding the locations of multiple destinations to which the luggage is delivered, determining one or more first destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a vehicle, one or more second destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a drone mounted on the vehicle, a driving route including a route along which the vehicle delivers the luggage to the one or more first destinations, a first point on the driving route from which the drone starts flying from the vehicle to the one or more second destinations, and a second point on the driving route at which the drone returns to the vehicle; Includes. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure enables efficient delivery of packages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system. [Diagram 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an overview of package delivery using vehicles and drones. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of delivery destination information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route, a flight start point, and a return point determined by the management server in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the determination process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route, a flight start point, and a return point determined by the management server in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The information processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device that manages delivery of luggage. Here, the delivery of the luggage is performed by a vehicle and a drone mounted on the vehicle. The drone mounted on the vehicle carries the luggage and delivers the luggage by taking off from the vehicle. A control unit in the information processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure determines one or more first delivery destinations and one or more second delivery destinations based on location information regarding the locations of the multiple delivery destinations. Here, the first delivery destination is a delivery destination to which the luggage is delivered by the vehicle among the multiple delivery destinations. Also, the second delivery destination is a delivery destination to which the luggage is delivered by the drone mounted on the vehicle among the multiple delivery destinations.

[0011] Moreover, the control unit in the information processing device determines a driving route, a first position, and a second position. Here, the driving route is a route including a route along which the vehicle delivers packages to one or more first delivery destinations. Moreover, the first point is a point on the driving route from which the drone starts flying from the vehicle to one or more second delivery destinations. Moreover, the second point is a point on the driving route from which the drone returns to the vehicle. In this manner, the control unit determines the first point, whereby the drone starts flying from the vehicle to one or more second delivery destinations. Moreover, the vehicle travels along the driving route. Then, the drone can return to the vehicle at the return point.

[0012] As described above, the information processing device determines one or more first delivery destinations and one or more second delivery destinations based on the location information. The information processing device also determines a driving route and a first point and a second point. This allows a package to be delivered by vehicle to a delivery destination located in a position suitable for delivery by vehicle. Furthermore, a package can be delivered by drone to a delivery destination located in a position suitable for delivery by drone. In this way, the information processing device makes it possible to efficiently deliver packages.

[0013] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise specified.

[0014] First Embodiment (System Overview) A management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management system 1. The management system 1 includes a vehicle 100, a drone 200, and a vehicle control system. , and a management server 300. In the management system 1, the vehicle 100, the drone 200, and the management server 300 are connected to each other via a network N1. The network N1 may be, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone.

[0015] (vehicle) The vehicle 100 is a vehicle used for delivering luggage. The vehicle 100 travels to the vicinity of the delivery destination. Then, the luggage is delivered to the delivery destination by the driver of the vehicle 100 transporting the luggage to the delivery destination. Note that the method of delivering the luggage may be a method other than the method in which the vehicle 100 travels to the vicinity of the delivery destination and the driver of the vehicle 100 transports the luggage to the delivery destination. For example, the vehicle 100 may autonomously travel directly to the delivery destination and deliver the luggage loaded on the vehicle 100 to the delivery destination. In this case, if the delivery destination of the luggage is inside a building, the vehicle 100 autonomously travels inside the building and delivers the luggage to the delivery destination.

[0016] (Drone) The drone 200 is a drone used to deliver luggage. The drone 200 is also a drone mounted on the vehicle 100. The drone 200 carries luggage and flies from the vehicle 100 to a delivery destination of the luggage. In this manner, the drone 200 delivers the luggage to the delivery destination.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of luggage delivery by the vehicle 100 and the drone 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the drone 200 is mounted on the vehicle 100. The drone 200 starts flying from the vehicle 100 to a luggage delivery destination in order to deliver the luggage. Then, when the delivery of the luggage is completed, the drone 200 returns to the vehicle 100. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 100 is moving for the delivery of the luggage. Therefore, the point where the drone 200 takes off from the vehicle 100 and the point where the drone 200 returns to the vehicle 100 may be different points. Details of luggage delivery between the vehicle 100 and the drone 200 will be described later.

[0018] (Management Server) The management server 300 is a server that manages the delivery of packages by the vehicle 100 and the drone 200. The management server 300 includes a computer having a processor 310, a main memory unit 320, an auxiliary memory unit 330, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 340. The processor 310 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The main memory unit 320 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The auxiliary memory unit 330 is, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The auxiliary memory unit 330 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. The auxiliary memory unit 330 may be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Here, examples of the removable medium include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 340 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0019] In the management server 300, an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, etc. are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 330. In the management server 300, the processor 310 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 330 into the main storage unit 320 and executes them, thereby realizing various functions as described below. However, some or all of the functions of the management server 300 may be implemented by ASIC or F It may be realized by a hardware circuit such as a PGA. The management server 300 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be configured by a plurality of computers that cooperate with each other. The vehicle 100 and the drone 200 are also configured to include a computer, like the management server 300.

[0020] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the management server 300 constituting the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 300. The management server 300 includes a control unit 301, a communication unit 302, a delivery destination information database (delivery destination information DB) 303, and a map information database (map information DB) 304. The communication unit 302 has a function for connecting the management server 300 to the network N1. The communication unit 302 can be realized by a communication I / F 340 in the management server 300.

[0021] The delivery destination information DB303 has a function of storing delivery destination information. The delivery destination information is information regarding the location of the delivery destination of the parcel delivered by the vehicle 100 and the drone 200. The delivery destination information is input, for example, by an administrator of the management server 300. The delivery destination information DB303 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 330 in the management server 300. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of the delivery destination information. As shown in FIG. 4, the delivery destination information includes a parcel ID field and a delivery destination field.

[0022] An identifier (baggage ID) for identifying a baggage is input in the baggage ID field. In this embodiment, the delivery destination information has multiple records for inputting the baggage IDs of multiple bags. In other words, multiple bags are delivered to multiple delivery destinations by the vehicle 100 and the drone 200. Information for identifying the location of the delivery destination of the baggage corresponding to the baggage ID input in the baggage ID field is input in the delivery destination field. For example, the address of the delivery destination is input in the delivery destination field.

[0023] The map information DB 304 has a function of storing map information. The map information is information including a map of roads and buildings in an area where the vehicle 100 and the drone 200 deliver packages. The map information DB 304 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 330 in the management server 300.

[0024] The control unit 301 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the management server 300. The control unit 301 can be realized by the processor 310 in the management server 300. The control unit 301 acquires delivery destination information stored in the delivery destination information DB 303. Based on the acquired delivery destination information, the control unit 301 determines a delivery destination (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "first delivery destination") to which the vehicle 100 will deliver the package. Based on the acquired delivery destination information, the control unit 301 also determines a delivery destination (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "second delivery destination") to which the drone 200 will deliver the package.

[0025] Specifically, the control unit 301 determines an area where delivery destinations are densely concentrated (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "dense area") based on the delivery destination information. The control unit 301 calculates the number of delivery destinations per unit area based on the location information of the multiple delivery destinations input in the delivery destination fields in the delivery destination information. The control unit 301 determines the dense area based on the calculated number of delivery destinations per unit area. Then, the control unit 301 determines a delivery destination within the dense area as a first delivery destination. In addition, the control unit 301 determines a delivery destination outside the dense area as a second delivery destination. In this embodiment, the control unit 301 determines multiple first delivery destinations and one second delivery destination.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit 301 determines a driving route, a flight start point, and a return point based on the positions of the first delivery destination and the second delivery destination. Here, the driving route is a route that includes a route along which the vehicle 100 delivers packages to multiple first delivery destinations in a densely populated area. Furthermore, the flight start point is a point on the driving route from which the drone 200 starts flying from the vehicle 100 to the second delivery destination. Furthermore, the return point is a point on the driving route from which the drone 200 returns to the vehicle 100.

[0027] In this embodiment, the control unit 301 first calculates the most efficient route for delivering packages to multiple first delivery destinations as a travel route. Then, the control unit 301 determines a flight start point and a return point on the calculated travel route. Here, the control unit 301 determines the flight start point and the return point based on the range of the drone 200. That is, the control unit 301 calculates the distance (flight distance) from when the drone 200 starts flying from the flight start point, delivers the package to the second delivery destination, and arrives at the return point. Then, the control unit 301 determines the flight start point and the return point so that the flight distance of the drone 200 is equal to or less than the range of the drone 200.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a travel route, a flight start point, and a return point determined by the management server 300 in this embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a map of an area where the vehicle 100 and the drone 200 deliver packages. As shown in FIG. 5, a dense area is determined by the management server 300. Here, the dense area shown in FIG. 5 is an area where the number of delivery destinations per unit area is greater than a predetermined threshold. In FIG. 5, the first delivery destination is indicated by a black star. The vehicle 100 delivers packages to multiple first delivery destinations in the dense area along the travel route shown in FIG. 5.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the drone 200 delivers the package to a second delivery destination, which is a delivery destination outside the densely populated area. In FIG. 5, the second delivery destination is indicated by a white star. The drone 200 starts flying from the flight start point shown in FIG. 5 and delivers the package to the second delivery destination. The drone 200 then returns to the vehicle 100 at the return point. In this way, the drone 200 flies a flight route from the flight start point to the return point via the second delivery destination, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] When the driving route, the flight start point, and the return point are determined, the control unit 301 generates driving information regarding the driving route and flight information regarding the flight route. Here, the flight information includes information on the flight start point and the return point. The flight information also includes location information of the second delivery destination. Then, the control unit 301 transmits the driving information to the vehicle 100 via the communication unit 302. The control unit 301 also transmits the flight information to the drone 200 via the communication unit 302.

[0031] (Decision making process) Next, the determination process executed by the control unit 301 in the management server 300 in the management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The determination process is a process for determining a travel route, a flight start point, and a return point. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the determination process.

[0032] In the determination process, first, in S101, delivery destination information is acquired from the delivery destination information DB 303. Next, in S102, a plurality of first delivery destinations and a second delivery destination are determined based on the location of the delivery destination in the acquired delivery destination information. Specifically, in S102, a densely populated area is determined, and a delivery destination within the densely populated area is determined as the first delivery destination, and a delivery destination outside the densely populated area is determined as the second delivery destination. Then, in S103, a driving route for the vehicle 100 and a flight start point and a return point for the drone 200 are determined. Next, in S104, driving information is generated based on the determined driving route. Also, in S104, Then, flight information is generated based on the flight start point and the return point. Next, in S105, the travel information is transmitted to the vehicle 100, and the flight information is transmitted to the drone 200. Then, the vehicle 100 travels along the travel route based on the received travel information. Also, the drone 200 flies along the flight route based on the received flight information. Then, the determination process is terminated.

[0033] As described above, the management server 300 in the management system 1 determines a plurality of first delivery destinations and a second delivery destination. Then, the management server 300 determines a travel route, a flight start point, and a return point. This allows the vehicle 100 to deliver the parcel to the first delivery destination located in a position suitable for delivery by the vehicle. In addition, the drone 200 can deliver the parcel to the second delivery destination located away from the crowded area. This allows the vehicle 100 to deliver the parcel to the second delivery destination without moving to the second delivery destination located away from the crowded area. In this way, the management system 1 makes it possible to efficiently deliver the parcel.

[0034] (Variation 1) In this embodiment, the drone 200 delivers the package to one second delivery destination. However, there may be multiple second delivery destinations to which the drone 200 delivers the package. Also, in this embodiment, the vehicle 100 delivers the package to multiple first delivery destinations. However, there may be only one first delivery destination to which the vehicle 100 delivers the package.

[0035] (Variation 2) In this embodiment, the management server 300 determines the first delivery destination and the second delivery destination based on the dense area. However, the management server 300 does not necessarily have to determine the first delivery destination and the second delivery destination based on the dense area. For example, the management server 300 may determine a delivery destination within a predetermined area along a predetermined road as the first delivery destination, and a delivery destination outside the predetermined area along the predetermined road as the second delivery destination. Here, the predetermined road is, for example, a road whose width is equal to or greater than a predetermined width, making it easy for the vehicle 100 to deliver packages. This makes it possible for the drone 200 to deliver packages to delivery destinations along roads that are inconvenient for the vehicle 100 to deliver packages (roads whose width is equal to or less than a predetermined width). This also makes it possible to efficiently deliver packages.

[0036] (Variation 3) The management server 300 may determine the return point based on the time (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "scheduled time") when the drone 200 is scheduled to complete delivery of the package to the second delivery destination. Specifically, the management server 300 calculates the time it takes for the drone 200 to deliver the package from the flight start point to the second delivery destination, and calculates the scheduled time. Then, the management server 300 calculates the return point based on the position where the vehicle 100 is predicted to be at the scheduled time and the position of the second delivery destination. For example, the management server 300 calculates the return point based on the travel speed of the vehicle 100 and the flight speed of the drone 200 so that the difference between the time when the vehicle 100 is predicted to arrive at the return point and the time when the drone 200 is predicted to arrive at the return point is within a predetermined range. This makes it possible to reduce the time that the vehicle 100 that arrives at the return point first waits until the drone 200 arrives at the return point. It is also possible to reduce the time that the drone 200 that arrives at the return point first waits until the vehicle 100 arrives at the return point. As a result, the power or fuel consumption used by the drone 200 can be reduced.

[0037] (Variation 4) In this embodiment, the drone 200 returns while the vehicle 100 is delivering the package. However, the drone 200 does not necessarily return while the vehicle 100 is delivering the package. The management server 300 may determine a return point on the travel route of the vehicle 100 before the vehicle 100 delivers the package or after the vehicle 100 delivers the package. In the present embodiment, the flight start point and the return point are determined on a road. However, the flight start point and the return point do not necessarily have to be determined on a road. For example, the flight start point and the return point may be determined at a predetermined location such as an open space where the vehicle 100 can travel. In this case, the travel route of the vehicle 100 is set to travel in a predetermined location.

[0038] <Second embodiment> In this embodiment, an area where the drone 200 can start flying from the vehicle 100 and return to the vehicle 100 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "possible takeoff and landing area") is defined in the area where the package is delivered by the vehicle 100 and the drone 200. In this embodiment, the management server 300 determines the travel route, the flight start point, and the return point based on the possible takeoff and landing area. Only the points that differ from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0039] The possible takeoff and landing area is, for example, an area where the vehicle 100 is assumed to be moving at a speed equal to or lower than a predetermined speed at which the drone 200 can safely take off and land on the vehicle 100. In this case, for example, on a road (e.g., a highway) where the vehicle 100 is assumed to be traveling at a speed exceeding the predetermined speed, the drone 200 cannot safely take off and land on the vehicle 100. Therefore, there are cases where the highway is not a possible takeoff and landing area.

[0040] The control unit 301 acquires the possible departure and arrival areas from the map information stored in the map information DB 304. Then, the control unit 301 determines the travel route, the flight start point, and the return point based on the positions of the first delivery destinations, the position of the second delivery destination, and the possible departure and arrival areas. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the travel route, the flight start point, and the return point determined by the management server 300 in this embodiment.

[0041] Here, the positions of the multiple first delivery destinations and the positions of the second delivery destinations in Fig. 7 are the same as the positions of the multiple first delivery destinations and the positions of the second delivery destinations shown in Fig. 5. As for the multiple first delivery destinations, a delivery destination within a densely populated area is determined as the first delivery destination, as in the first embodiment.

[0042] In addition, since the possible takeoff and landing area is set to the range shown in FIG. 7, the travel route shown in FIG. 5 is not included in the possible takeoff and landing area. Therefore, when the vehicle 100 travels along the travel route shown in FIG. 5, the drone 200 cannot take off or land on the vehicle 100. Therefore, the control unit 301 determines the travel route so that the travel route is included in the possible takeoff and landing area. Then, points on the travel route that are included in the possible takeoff and landing area are determined as the flight start point and return point. In this way, even if the possible flight area is fixed in the management system 1, it is possible to efficiently deliver packages.

[0043] (Modification) In this embodiment, the possible takeoff and landing area is an area where the vehicle 100 is assumed to be moving at a speed that allows the drone 200 to safely take off and land on the vehicle 100. However, the possible takeoff and landing area may be an area other than the area where the vehicle 100 is assumed to be moving at a speed that allows the drone 200 to safely take off and land on the vehicle 100. The possible takeoff and landing area may be an area having a predetermined width around which the drone 200 can start flying from the vehicle 100. This makes it possible to prevent danger from occurring when the drone 200 takes off and land on the vehicle 100 due to an area that does not have enough width for the drone 200 to take off and land.

[0044] The possible departure and arrival area is, for example, an area where the vehicle 100 can stop temporarily. In this case, the management server 300 determines two points where the vehicle 100 can stop temporarily as a flight start point and a return point. In this way, the vehicle 100 stops temporarily in the possible takeoff and landing area, so that the drone 200 can safely take off and land on the vehicle 100.

[0045] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment, the management server 300 determines the first and second delivery destinations based on the dense area. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the management server 300 determines the first and second delivery destinations based on the altitude of the delivery destination. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0046] (Management Server) The delivery destination information stored in the delivery destination information DB 303 in the management server 300 includes information on the altitude of the delivery destination. Specifically, the delivery destination field in the delivery destination information stored in the delivery destination information DB 303 includes information on the altitude of the delivery destination in addition to the address of the delivery destination. The information on the altitude of the delivery destination is, for example, information on the floor of the building of the delivery destination. Furthermore, the information on the altitude of the delivery destination may be information on the altitude of the delivery destination relative to the altitude, sea level, or road.

[0047] The control unit 301 in the management server 300 determines multiple first delivery destinations and multiple second delivery destinations from multiple delivery destinations to which the package is to be delivered, further based on information regarding the altitude of each delivery destination. Specifically, the control unit 301 determines delivery destinations whose hierarchical level is equal to or higher than a predetermined hierarchical level as second delivery destinations, based on information regarding the altitude of each delivery destination. In addition, the control unit 301 determines delivery destinations whose hierarchical level is lower than the predetermined hierarchical level as first delivery destinations.

[0048] As described above, the management server 300 in the management system 1 determines a delivery destination whose floor is a predetermined floor or higher as the second delivery destination. This prevents the driver of the vehicle 100 from traveling to the floor where the delivery destination is located in order to deliver the package to the delivery destination located on the upper floor of the building. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time required to deliver packages to multiple delivery destinations. This also makes it possible to efficiently deliver packages.

[0049] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0050] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0051] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (such as a floppy disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), a readable medium, or the like. This includes any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic cards, flash memory, or optical cards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Management System 100 Vehicles 200··Drone 300 Management Server 301 Control section 302 Communications Department 303··Shipping destination information DB 304··Map Information Database 310 Processor 320 Main memory 330...Auxiliary storage unit 340··Communication I / F

Claims

1. Based on location information regarding the locations of multiple destinations to which the luggage is delivered, determining one or more first destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a vehicle, one or more second destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a drone mounted on the vehicle, a driving route including a route along which the vehicle delivers the luggage to the one or more first destinations, a first point on the driving route from which the drone begins flying from the vehicle to the one or more second destinations, and a second point on the driving route at which the drone returns to the vehicle; A control unit that executes The control unit is Calculating the number of delivery destinations per unit area based on the location information; determining a predetermined first area based on the number of delivery destinations per unit area; Among the plurality of delivery destinations, delivery destinations within the determined predetermined first area are determined as the one or more first delivery destinations, and one or more delivery destinations outside the determined first area are determined as the one or more second delivery destinations; Information processing device.

2. The predetermined first area is an area along a predetermined road. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit is determining the first location and the second location based on a range of the drone; 3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit is The driving route, the first location, and the second location are further based on a predetermined second area in which the drone can start flying from the vehicle and return to the vehicle. Determine, The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit is determining the second location based on an estimated time when the drone will complete delivery to the one or more second delivery destinations; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Based on location information regarding the locations of multiple destinations to which the luggage is delivered, determining one or more first destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a vehicle, one or more second destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a drone mounted on the vehicle, a driving route including a route along which the vehicle delivers the luggage to the one or more first destinations, a first point on the driving route from which the drone begins flying from the vehicle to the one or more second destinations, and a second point on the driving route at which the drone returns to the vehicle; Including, Calculating the number of delivery destinations per unit area based on the location information; determining a predetermined first area based on the number of delivery destinations per unit area; Among the plurality of delivery destinations, delivery destinations within the determined predetermined first area are determined as the one or more first delivery destinations, and one or more delivery destinations outside the determined first area are determined as the one or more second delivery destinations; Information processing methods.

7. The predetermined first area is an area along a predetermined road. The information processing method according to claim 6.

8. determining the first location and the second location based on a range of the drone; The information processing method according to claim 6 or 7.

9. determining the driving route, the first point, and the second point further based on a second predetermined area in which the drone can start flying from the vehicle and return to the vehicle; The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. determining the second location based on an estimated time when the drone will complete delivery to the one or more second delivery destinations; The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method, The information processing method includes: Based on location information regarding the locations of multiple destinations to which the luggage is delivered, determining one or more first destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a vehicle, one or more second destinations to which the luggage is delivered by a drone mounted on the vehicle, a driving route including a route along which the vehicle delivers the luggage to the one or more first destinations, a first point on the driving route from which the drone begins flying from the vehicle to the one or more second destinations, and a second point on the driving route at which the drone returns to the vehicle; Including, Calculating the number of delivery destinations per unit area based on the location information; determining a predetermined first area based on the number of delivery destinations per unit area; Among the plurality of delivery destinations, the delivery destination within the determined predetermined first area is selected as one or determining a plurality of first delivery destinations, and determining one or more delivery destinations outside the predetermined first area as the one or more second delivery destinations; program.

Images