Support equipment for mixed transport

Abstract

To provide a device for supporting the realization of mixed-load transportation which is easy for a sender to request and places less of a burden on a carrier. [Solution] The mixed transport support device 1 of the present invention comprises a registrant management unit 111, a reservation management unit 112, a box pallet number management unit 113 that manages the number of box pallets 2 that a carrier can accept for transportation for each reservation slot, a screen display command unit 117 that commands the display of a reservation screen R, an application receiving unit 118 that receives data related to a reservation application based on the reservation screen R, a reservation acceptance unit 119 that accepts the reservation if the reservation is equal to or less than the number of box pallets 2 that the carrier can accept for transportation and is a transportation reservation within the transportation area related to the carrier, and a collection command unit 120 that commands the carrier to take the box pallet 2 and head to the collection point related to the reservation when the reservation related to the application is accepted.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for mixed transport. [Background technology]

[0002] Special combined cargo transportation (hereinafter simply referred to as "mixed transport") is being carried out, in which cargo from multiple senders is mixed and transported on one transport vehicle. Mixed transport increases the utilization efficiency of the transport vehicle by using cargo from multiple senders, and can achieve lower transport costs than charter flights (private transport), in which only cargo from a single sender is loaded on one transport vehicle.

[0003] One example of mixed-load transport is the mixed-load transport of medium-sized cargo. Medium-sized cargo refers to cargo that can be loaded onto a single loading platform called a pallet and has a total weight of 500 kg or less. In mixed-load transport of medium-sized cargo, pallets with various cargoes on them are loaded onto transport vehicles and transported.

[0004] In the case of orders for consolidated transport by telephone or facsimile (FAX), which is a common commercial practice in this type of transport in business-to-business transactions, complicated tasks such as confirming the contents of the request arise, placing a heavy burden on each person in charge of ordering. In addition, if internal communication is conducted verbally after the order is placed or received by telephone or FAX, there is a possibility of miscommunication due to inadequate communication. If confirmation work is done on paper to avoid this, the amount of work for the person in charge increases, and there are concerns about increased costs due to paper.

[0005] However, the charges for such transport are charged according to a fee system calculated from the weight, volume, and distance, for example, due to the fact that "standardized transport in logistics" has not been established. However, the above-mentioned fee system has issues such as being complex and difficult for senders to understand, as the calculation system or fee breakdown is difficult to understand and it is difficult to predict the fee. For these reasons, there is a demand for a means to support consolidated transport.

[0006] Regarding technologies for supporting mixed-load transport in conventional services and conventional technologies, Patent Document 1 discloses a transport reservation system that includes a cargo information acquisition unit that acquires cargo information including information indicating the size of the cargo to be transported, and an order management unit that determines, based on the cargo information, a unit into which the cargo space of a transport vehicle is partitioned, and accepts a transport reservation for the cargo.

[0007] The technology described in Patent Document 1 may increase the possibility of improving the efficiency of transportation operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-056587 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The technology in Patent Document 1 has the potential to improve the efficiency of transportation operations by determining the unit into which the cargo is loaded based on the size of the cargo and estimating the volume-related fee and transportation capacity before transportation. However, there are issues with the mixed transportation of medium-sized cargo, such as the complicated loading operation and the difficulty in determining the transportation unit, including both volume and weight.

[0010] Regarding loading operations, the technology of Patent Document 1 merely shows the use of pallets with a high circulation and pallets of different shapes for loading. When using pallets of different shapes for loading, the person performing the loading work is required to have advanced judgment and skills to fit pallets of different shapes into a transport vehicle. In addition, regarding the transport unit, the technology of Patent Document 1 suggests a difficult-to-understand transport unit using pallets of different shapes. Therefore, the technology of Patent Document 1 has room for further improvement in terms of making loading operations easier and realizing mixed transport that is easy to request by clarifying the transport unit, etc.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a device that supports the realization of mixed-load transportation that is easy for senders to request and places less of a burden on carriers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] As a result of intensive research into solving the above problem, the inventors have found that the above object can be achieved by making it possible to reserve mixed-load transport with a limited transport area per prefabricated box pallet, and by issuing various instructions to a carrier regarding transport, such as by bringing a prefabricated box pallet configured so that the four walls and lid can be removed.The inventors have then completed the present invention.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention includes a registration management unit that manages data related to registered users who use mixed transport using box pallets, a reservation management unit that manages data related to reservations for the mixed transport, a box pallet number management unit that manages the number of box pallets that a carrier can accept for transport for each reservation slot, a screen display command unit that commands the display of a reservation screen configured to allow a reservation for the mixed transport to be made, an application receiving unit that receives data related to an application for reservation for the mixed transport based on the reservation screen from the registered user, a reservation acceptance unit that accepts the reservation if the reservation related to the application is equal to or less than the number of box pallets that the carrier can accept for transport and is a transport reservation within the transport area of ​​the carrier, and a reception unit that receives the reservation related to the application when the reservation related to the application is equal to or less than the number of box pallets that the carrier can accept for transport and is a transport reservation within the transport area of ​​the carrier. and a collection command unit that commands the carrier to bring a box pallet and head to the collection point related to the reservation, wherein the reservation management unit updates data related to the reservation when the reservation is accepted, the box pallet number management unit manages the number of box pallets for each reservation slot divided by day or time period, and updates the number of box pallets when the reservation is accepted, the screen display command unit commands the display of a reservation screen showing reservation slots in which the registered person can reserve the mixed transport by the carrier, and the reservation slots that can be reserved are displayed based on the number of box pallets, and the collection command unit commands the carrier to bring a prefabricated box pallet that is configured so that all four walls and a lid can be later attached.

[0014] This aspect provides an environment where orders can be placed easily anytime, anywhere through automatic processing using the Internet, etc. This aspect of the present invention accepts reservations for consolidated transport through automatic processing using the Internet, etc., and therefore prevents the occurrence of cumbersome work that is required when accepting orders by telephone or fax. In addition, this aspect prevents mis-catching due to inadequate communication through automatic processing using the Internet, etc., and thus prevents various increased burdens associated with paper-based confirmation work.

[0015] This aspect of the present invention supports senders in making use of easy-to-understand mixed-loading transport in box pallet units by making it possible to reserve mixed-loading transport with a limited transport area in units of assembled box pallets. By consolidating complex product forms in logistics into box pallets and limiting the area, this type of mixed-loading transport makes it easier for carriers to grasp freight charges, etc.

[0016] Specifically, in this embodiment, the box pallet number management unit manages the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake to transport for each reservation slot, and updates this number of box pallets when a reservation is accepted. As a result, the screen display command unit of this embodiment can display reservation slots for mixed transport based on the number of box pallets. The application receiving unit of this embodiment receives data related to a reservation application for mixed transport based on this reservation screen from a registrant managed by the registrant management unit. Thereafter, the reservation acceptance unit of this embodiment executes a process to accept the reservation if the number of box pallets is equal to or less than the number that the carrier can undertake to transport and is a transport reservation within the transport area of ​​the carrier. Then, the collection command unit of this embodiment commands the carrier to bring the box pallets and head to the collection point related to the reservation when the reservation related to the application is accepted.

[0017] In the transportation using pallets, a procedure is used in which the cargo is stacked on a pallet and the cargo is wrapped with the pallet in a packaging material. In such a procedure, in addition to the cumbersome work of wrapping with packaging material, the cargo may be damaged by contact with other cargo through the packaging material. Through the above-mentioned series of processes, the support device of this aspect supports the transport company to perform transportation that is easy for the sender to understand, who transports the cargo in box pallet units and charges a fee. In addition, the support device of this aspect instructs the transport company to bring a prefabricated box pallet configured so that the four walls and the lid can be attached later, thereby eliminating the trouble of the transport company having to bring the box pallet in advance, realizing rapid loading, and preventing damage to the cargo. In this way, the support device of this aspect supports the realization of mixed transport that is easy for the sender to understand as described above, eliminates the trouble of the sender's side arranging pallets, etc., is easy for the sender to request, and places a smaller burden on the transport company.

[0018] Specifically, the box pallet according to this embodiment is placed on the ground or the like with the four walls and lid removed, thereby enabling rapid loading without being hindered by walls, etc. Furthermore, the box pallet according to this embodiment can reduce the risk of contamination or damage due to contact with other goods by attaching the four walls and lid after loading, without requiring the sender or carrier to expend the effort of special packaging to reduce such risk.

[0019] In addition, the support device of this embodiment accepts reservations only for transportation within the transportation area, thereby eliminating the burden of handing over to other carriers, and further standardizes the procedures for carrying the box pallets, reducing the burden on carriers and users. Such efficiency improvements can also be expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

[0020] In addition, the present invention can take various forms, such as increasing convenience for senders and reducing the burden on carriers by allowing them to specify a delivery location different from the registrant's address as the delivery destination, reducing the risk of redelivery and reducing the burden on carriers, proposing such delivery locations using AI, providing a dynamic fee system according to such delivery locations, and reflecting land prices around the delivery location in the dynamic fee system. These various forms of the present invention each have their own unique configuration, and thus support the realization of mixed transport that is easy for senders to request and places a smaller burden on carriers. Effect of the Invention

[0021] As described above, the present invention can provide a device that supports the realization of mixed transport that is easy for senders to request and places a smaller burden on carriers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and software configuration of a system S of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an example of the registrant database 131. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an example of the reservation database 132. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example of the transportation database 133. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an example of the delivery location database 134. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of a box pallet 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a main flowchart showing an example of a preferable flow of the support process of this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a continuation of the previous figure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a continuation of the previous figure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a continuation of the previous figure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an example of the reservation screen R. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] First, although the following disclosure, diagrams, and / or claims are described as being described alone or in combination with one or more other aspects, the subject matter of the immediate disclosure is not intended to be so limited. That is, the immediate disclosure, diagrams, and claims are intended to encompass the various aspects described herein, each alone or in one or more combinations with each other. For example, even if the immediate disclosure describes and illustrates a first embodiment, a second embodiment, and a third embodiment in such a manner that the first embodiment is described and illustrated in particular with respect to the second embodiment, or the second embodiment is described and illustrated only with respect to the third embodiment, the immediate disclosure and illustrations are not so limited and may include only the first embodiment, only the second embodiment, only the third embodiment, or one or more combinations of the first, second, and / or third embodiments, such as the first and second embodiments, the first and third embodiments, the second and third embodiments, or the first, second, and third embodiments.

[0024] The use of the phrase "or" in this document shall mean a "non-exclusive" arrangement unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, "item x is A or B" shall mean either: (1) item x is either A or B, but not both; or (2) item x is both A and B. In other words, the word "or" is not used to define an "exclusive" arrangement.

[0025] Additionally, as used herein, the phrases "comprising at least one of" and "comprising at least one of the following," when used in conjunction with a system or element, mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, if there are three types of elements, a first element, a second element, and a third element, the phrases "comprising at least one of" and "comprising at least one of the following" are to be interpreted as any of the following structural arrangements: a device including the first element, a device including the second element, a device including the third element, a device including the first and second elements, a device including the first and third elements, a device including the second and third elements, or a device including the first, second, and third elements.

[0026] A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase "used in at least one of the following" is used in this context. Additionally, "and / or" is used in this context as a verbal conjunction to indicate that one or more of the listed elements or conditions are included or occur. For example, a device that includes a first element, a second element, and / or a third element is to be interpreted as any of the following structural arrangements: a device that includes the first element, a device that includes the second element, a device that includes the third element, a device that includes the first element and the second element, a device that includes the first element and the third element, a device that includes the second element and the third element, or a device that includes the first element, the second element, and the third element.

[0027] In addition, the use of the phrase "and / or" in the text means a "non-exclusive" agreement, as stipulated in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) "Format and preparation method of standard sheets JIS Z 8301."

[0028] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] <System S> 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and software configuration of a system S of this embodiment. The system S of this embodiment is a support system for mixed transport. The system S is configured to include a support device 1 for mixed transport. The support device 1 is preferably configured to communicate with a terminal T used by an administrator of the support device 1, a sender of the mixed transport, a carrier, etc.

[0030] [Support device 1] The support device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The type of the support device 1 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a server device, a cloud server, or the like.

[0031] [Control unit 11] The control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and other hardware components.

[0032] The control unit 11 cooperates with at least one of the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14 as necessary to realize the software components of the program of this embodiment executed by the support device 1. The software components include a registrant management unit 111, a reservation management unit 112, a box pallet number management unit 113, a delivery location management unit 114, a delivery location candidate extraction unit 115, a billing amount calculation unit 116, a screen display command unit 117, an application receiving unit 118, a reservation acceptance unit 119, a collection command unit 120, and the like.

[0033] [Storage section 13] The memory unit 13 is a device in which data and / or files are stored, and includes a storage unit that non-temporarily stores data using a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a recording medium, a memory card, or other storage device. The memory unit 13 stores a program executed by the microcomputer, a registrant database 131, a reservation database 132, a transportation database 133, a delivery location database 134, a large-scale language model, and other data.

[0034] (Registered Person Database 131) The registrant database 131 stores data (registrant information) related to registrants who use mixed transport using box pallets via the support device 1 of this embodiment. The registrant database 131 is managed by the registrant management unit 111.

[0035] To facilitate database operations, the registrant information is preferably stored in association with information identifying the registrant information (e.g., "registrant ID"). To facilitate proper handling of reservations, the registrant information preferably includes data relating to, for example, the registrant's login information (account name, password, etc.), the registrant's corporate name, the person in charge at the registrant's corporate office, or the registrant's contact information (email address, etc.).

[0036] 2 is an example of the registrant database 131. The database in this example stores registrant information relating to registrant IDs "C0001," "C0002," and "C0003," and the like.

[0037] The registrant information for the registrant ID "C0001" includes data related to the account name "@TriangleBussinessOmiya", the corporate name "△ Kogyo Omiya Office", the person in charge "Tanaka △△", and the email address "desk@tbo.foo.bar". This registrant information indicates login information such as the account name, the corporate name, the person in charge, and contact information by email address for the registrant "△ Kogyo Omiya Office" located in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, which is included in the area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area for which reservations are accepted in the system S of this example. This allows the support device 1 to properly process reservations for mixed transport for the registrant in question within the transportation area.

[0038] The registrant information for the registrant ID "C0002" includes data related to the account name "@TriangleBussinessSakata", the corporate name "△ Kogyo Sakata Office", the person in charge "Sato △△", and the email address "desk@tbs.foo.bar". This registrant information indicates login information such as the account name, the corporate name, the person in charge, and contact information by email address for the registrant "△ Kogyo Sakata Office" located in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, which is included in the transportation area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area for which reservations are accepted in the system S of this example. This allows the support device 1 to properly process reservations for consolidated transport for the registrant in question within the transportation area.

[0039] The registrant information for registrant ID "C0003" includes data related to the account name "@DoubleTriangleBrewery", the corporate name "△△ Brewery", the person in charge "Suzuki △△", and the email address "suzuki@dtb.foo.bar". This registrant information indicates login information such as the account name, the corporate name, the person in charge, and contact information by email address for registrant "△△ Brewery" located in Yamagata prefecture, which is included in the transportation area between Yamagata prefecture and Saitama prefecture, which is the transportation area for which reservations are accepted in system S in this example. This allows the support device 1 to properly process reservations for consolidated transport for that registrant within the transportation area.

[0040] (Reservation database 132) Data relating to reservations for the above-mentioned mixed transport (reservation information) is stored in the reservation database 132. The reservation database 132 is managed by the reservation management unit 112.

[0041] To facilitate database operations, the reservation information is preferably stored in association with information identifying the reservation information (e.g., a "reservation ID"). To facilitate the appropriate handling of reservations, the reservation information preferably includes, for example, information identifying the registrant requesting consolidated transport (e.g., the above-mentioned registrant ID), collection date and time in units of a reservation slot, collection location, cargo quantity in units of the number of box pallets 2 required for consolidated transport (also simply referred to as the "number of box pallets"), delivery location, shipping fee, etc. The reservation slot is, for example, a reservation slot for each date, or a reservation slot for each date and time period (e.g., morning / afternoon).

[0042] 3 is an example of the reservation database 132. The database in this example stores reservation information related to reservation IDs "R0001", "R0002", "R0003", and "R0004".

[0043] The reservation information related to the reservation ID "R0001" includes data related to the registrant "C0002", collection date and time "20△△ year △△ month △△ day morning", collection location "△ Kogyo Sakata Office", quantity of luggage "1 box pallet", delivery location "△△ Community Center, Omiya Ward, Saitama City", and delivery fee "△△△△△ yen". This reservation information indicates the registrant requesting the mixed transport, collection date and time, collection location, quantity of luggage, delivery location stored in the delivery location database 134 described later, and delivery fee for a reservation of mixed transport from a collection location in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture to a delivery location in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, which is included in the area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transport area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport related to the registrant in question within the transport area.

[0044] The reservation information related to the reservation ID "R0002" includes data related to the registrant "C0001", collection date and time "20△△ year △△ month △△ day morning", collection location "△△ Community Center, Omiya Ward, Saitama City", the amount of luggage "2 box pallets", delivery location "△ Kogyo Sakata Office", and delivery fee "△△△△△ yen". This reservation information indicates the registrant requesting the mixed transport, the collection date and time, the collection location, the amount of luggage, the delivery location stored in the delivery location database 134 described later, and the delivery fee for a reservation of mixed transport from a collection location in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture to a delivery location in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, which is included in the area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport related to the registrant in question within the transportation area.

[0045] The reservation information related to the reservation ID "R0003" includes data related to the registrant "C0003", collection date and time "20△△ year △△ month △△ day afternoon", collection location "△△ warehouse", luggage quantity "1 box pallet", delivery location "△ Kogyo Sakata Office", and delivery fee "△△△△△ yen". This reservation information indicates the registrant requesting the mixed transport, the collection date and time in units of morning and afternoon, the collection location, the luggage quantity, the delivery location stored in the delivery location database 134 described later, and the delivery fee for a reservation of mixed transport from a collection location in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture to a delivery location in the same city, which is included in the transportation area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport related to the registrant in question within the transportation area.

[0046] The reservation information related to the reservation ID "R0004" includes data related to the registrant "C0003", collection date and time "20△△ year △△ month △△ day morning", collection location "△△ warehouse", luggage quantity "5 box pallets", delivery location "△△ Community Center, Omiya Ward, Saitama City", and delivery fee "△△△△△ yen". This reservation information indicates the registrant requesting the mixed transport, the collection date and time in units of morning and afternoon divisions, the collection location, the luggage quantity, the delivery location stored in the delivery location database 134 described later, and the delivery fee for a reservation of mixed transport from a collection location in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture to a delivery location in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, which is included in the area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport related to the registrant in question within the transportation area.

[0047] (Transportation Database 133) The number of box pallets that the transport company carrying out the above-mentioned mixed transport can undertake transport and other data related to the transport company (transport information) are stored in the transport database 133. The transport database 133 is managed by the box pallet number management unit 113.

[0048] To facilitate database operations, the transportation information is preferably stored in association with information that identifies the transportation information (e.g., a "transportation ID"). To enable confirmation of the transportation capacity of the carrier related to the reservation application and to ensure that mixed transport after reservation can be properly carried out, the transportation information preferably includes, for example, data relating to the name of the carrier and the number of box pallets that the carrier can transport per reservation slot. To facilitate the convenience of registrants by displaying this on the reservation screen described below, the data relating to the number of box pallets that the carrier can transport per reservation slot preferably includes a maximum number and a remaining number reflecting the number of box pallets reserved at that time.

[0049] 4 is an example of the transportation database 133. The database in this example stores transportation information related to transportation IDs "T0001", "T0002", and "T0003".

[0050] The transportation information related to the transportation ID "T0001" includes data related to the name of the carrier "△△ Transportation" and the transportation capacity for each reservation slot, such as "[Date and time, Yamagata direction, number of box pallets (maximum 6, 1 remaining)]" and "[Date and time, Saitama direction, number of box pallets (maximum 6, 5 remaining)]". This transportation information indicates the maximum number and remaining number of box pallets that can be transported for each reservation slot for the carrier "△△ Transportation", which performs transportation operations using 2-ton trucks between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area for which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport for the carrier in the transportation area.

[0051] The transportation information related to the transportation ID "T0002" includes data related to the name of the carrier "△△ Truck" and the transportation capacity for each reservation slot, such as "[Date and time, Yamagata direction, number of box pallets (maximum 10, 0 remaining)]" and "[Date and time, Saitama direction, number of box pallets (maximum 10, 7 remaining)]". This transportation information indicates the maximum number and remaining number of box pallets that can be transported for each reservation slot for the carrier "△△ Truck", which performs transportation operations using a 4-ton truck between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area for which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport for the carrier in the transportation area.

[0052] The transportation information related to the transportation ID "T0003" includes data related to the name of the carrier "△△ Co., Ltd." and the transportation capacity for each reservation slot, such as "[Date and time, Yamagata direction, number of box pallets (maximum 16, 2 remaining)]" and "[Date and time, Saitama direction, number of box pallets (maximum 16, 9 remaining)]". This transportation information indicates the maximum number and remaining number of box pallets that can be transported for each reservation slot for the carrier "△△ Co., Ltd.", which performs transportation operations using 10-ton trucks between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area for which reservations are accepted in the system S of this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage reservations for mixed transport for the carrier in the transportation area.

[0053] (Delivery location database 134) Data on a plurality of delivery locations (delivery location information) that are delivery destinations for the above-mentioned mixed transport is stored in the delivery location database 134. The delivery location database 134 is managed by the delivery location management unit 114.

[0054] In order to facilitate database operations, the delivery location information is preferably stored in association with information identifying the delivery location information (e.g., "delivery location ID"). In order to appropriately proceed with mixed transport related to reservations including the designation of a delivery location and deliveries after reservations, the delivery location information preferably includes, for example, data related to the name, address, and capacity of each reservation slot of the delivery location. In order to appropriately estimate the costs related to the use of the delivery location, the delivery location information preferably further includes a usage fee for the delivery location or information contributing to the calculation of the usage fee (e.g., surrounding land prices).

[0055] 5 is an example of the delivery place database 134. The database in this example stores delivery place information related to delivery place IDs "P0001", "P0002", and "P0003", and the like.

[0056] The delivery location information related to the delivery location ID "P0001" includes data related to the name "△△ Community Center, Omiya Ward, Saitama City," the address "△△ Town, △-△, Omiya Ward, Saitama City," the surrounding land price "△△ million yen / square meter," and the capacity for each reservation slot "[date and time, number of box pallets (maximum 6, 1 remaining)]." This delivery location information indicates the delivery location information (name, address) required by the carrier, information contributing to the calculation of the usage fee (surrounding land price), and information required to determine whether or not a reservation can be made for the delivery location, which is a community center in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, included in the area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage delivery locations within the transportation area.

[0057] The delivery location information for the delivery location ID "P0002" includes data related to the name "△△ warehouse", the address "△△ town △△, Sakata city", the surrounding land price "△ million yen / square meter", and the capacity "[date and time, number of box pallets (maximum 6, 1 remaining)]". This delivery location information indicates the delivery location information (name, address) required by the carrier, information contributing to the calculation of the usage fee (surrounding land price), and information required to determine whether or not a reservation can be made (capacity) for the delivery location, which is a warehouse in Sakata city, Yamagata prefecture, included in the transportation area between Yamagata prefecture and Saitama prefecture, which is the transportation area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage delivery locations within the transportation area.

[0058] The delivery location information related to the delivery location ID "P0003" includes data related to the name "△△ Parking Lot", the address "△△ Town △△-△, Omiya Ward, Saitama City", the surrounding land price "△△ million yen / square meter", and the capacity "[date and time, number of box pallets (maximum 20, 12 remaining)]". This delivery location information indicates the delivery location information (name, address) required by the carrier, information contributing to the calculation of the usage fee (surrounding land price), and information required to determine whether or not a reservation can be made (capacity) for the delivery location, which is a parking lot in Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, included in the transportation area between Yamagata Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, which is the transportation area in which reservations are accepted in the system S according to this example. This allows the support device 1 to appropriately manage delivery locations within the transportation area.

[0059] (Large-scale language models) The large-scale language model of this embodiment is configured to generate responses to inquiries from customers who use the above-mentioned consolidated transportation.

[0060] In order to generate an appropriate response according to the content and context of the inquiry, it is preferable that the large-scale language model has been pre-trained using training data that includes, as explanatory variables, the content of the inquiry, including, if necessary, the context that led to the inquiry, regarding inquiries from customers using the above-mentioned mixed transport, and that includes, as objective variables, responses according to the situation of the above-mentioned explanatory variables.

[0061] The data related to the large-scale language model may be stored in either the storage unit 13 or an external server. The large-scale language model in which data is stored in an external server provides the support device 1 with generated text or the like via, for example, an API or the like.

[0062] (Transportation Area) The transportation area of ​​the support device 1 of this embodiment preferably includes one administrative district (e.g., a prefecture) and another administrative district (e.g., a non-adjacent prefecture) that is distant from the administrative district. As a result, the support device 1 of this embodiment can flexibly manage schedules, enjoy the benefits of medium-distance transportation that is not too long and has high profitability, and can support mixed transportation with increased efficiency by specializing in the area. The above-mentioned one administrative district preferably includes the manufacturing or production area of ​​the luggage G. In this case, the above-mentioned other administrative district preferably includes the consumption area of ​​the luggage G. As a result, the support device 1 can support mixed transportation, which is in high demand, by transporting luggage G from the manufacturing or production area to the consumption area. In the following, an example will be described in which the transportation area is from Yamagata Prefecture to Saitama Prefecture.

[0063] (Baggage G) The luggage G related to the support device 1 of this embodiment is not particularly limited. In order to quickly load the luggage G onto the box pallet 2, it is preferable that the luggage G is stored in a box-shaped body exemplified by a cardboard box or the like. The size of the luggage G is not particularly limited. Since the luggage G is stored in the box pallet 2 having the wall 22 and the lid 23, the sizes of the multiple luggage G stored therein may be uneven. The total weight of the luggage G stored in one box pallet 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or less than a given weight upper limit. The given weight upper limit is, for example, 500 kg. When the total weight exceeds the given weight upper limit, it is preferable that the registrant provides the support device 1 with data indicating that the total weight exceeds the given weight upper limit via the terminal T. At this time, it is preferable that the support device 1 calculates the billing amount reflecting the weight excess by the billing amount calculation unit 116.

[0064] [Communications Section 14] The communication unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as it includes a member that connects the support device 1 to the network N and enables communication. Examples of such a member include a network card compatible with the Ethernet standard and a communication device compatible with wireless LAN.

[0065] [Box Palette 2] The box pallet 2 of this embodiment is an assembly type configured so that the four walls 22 and the lid 23 can be attached to the pallet 21 after the cargo G is placed on the pallet 21. The material of the pallet 21, the walls 22, and the lid 23 is not particularly limited. The material is preferably resin so as to achieve both light weight and robustness. The edges of the pallet 21, the walls 22, and the lid 23 may be reinforced with metal so as to increase robustness while maintaining light weight. The metal is preferably a lightweight metal such as an aluminum alloy.

[0066] Because the box pallet 2 is a prefabricated type, the four walls 22 and the lid 23 of the box pallet 21 can be removed to make it compact. This allows the box pallet 2 to take up less space when the carrier brings it to the collection point. This also allows the carrier's workers to transport the box pallet 2 with less effort than when transporting a large box pallet such as a roll box pallet.

[0067] The box pallet 2 can accommodate cargo G without having to lift the cargo G above the top ends of the walls 22, because the four walls 22 and the lid 23 can be attached to the pallet 21 with the cargo G placed on the pallet 21. This allows the box pallet 2 to reduce the labor required for the carrier's workers to load the cargo G.

[0068] 6 is an example of a box pallet 2. In this example, a package G in the form of a cardboard box is placed on a pallet 21. In this example, the back wall 22 (reference numerals 22a and 22b) of the four walls 22 is inserted into the pallet 21 from above before the package G is placed on it, and a fitting portion provided at the lower end fits into the pallet 21, thereby fixing it to the box pallet 2. The front wall 22 (reference numerals 22c and 22d) of the four walls 22 is inserted into the pallet 21 from above after the package G is placed on the pallet 21, and is attached later.

[0069] In order to increase the strength of the box pallet 2 as a box, the walls 22 in this example are configured so that when inserted from above, the edges of adjacent walls 22 fit together. This allows the carrier's worker to place the cargo G on the pallet 21 from the side and arrange it along the back wall 22 fixed to the box pallet 2 in advance, and then insert the front wall 22, which is lighter than the cargo G, to surround the box pallet 2 on all four sides.

[0070] Then, a worker from the transport company attaches the lid 23 so that its edges cover the outside of the four walls 22. The lid 23 prevents the luggage G from being soiled by foreign objects from above, and also increases the strength of the box pallet 2 as a box. Because the walls 22 and lid 23, which are attached later, are lighter than the luggage G, the worker from the transport company can store the luggage G inside the box pallet 2 with less effort than when placing the luggage G from above a non-assembled box pallet.

[0071] It should be noted that the box pallet 2 of this example can also be operated in such a way that the luggage G is placed on the pallet 21 without fixing the walls 22, and then the four walls 22 are attached. Similarly, the box pallet 2 of this example can also be operated in such a way that one or three walls 22 are fixed, and then the luggage G is placed on the pallet 21, and then the remaining walls 22 are attached. This allows the operator of the transport company to flexibly change the procedure for loading the luggage G onto the box pallet 2 depending on the type of luggage G or the situation at the collection location, etc.

[0072] The add-on walls 22 and lid 23 preferably have substantially the same dimensions as the pallet 21 when viewed from the outside when installed. This allows workers to carry the unassembled walls 22 and lid 23 stacked on top of the pallet 21. An example of the shape of such a box pallet 2 is a cube with inside dimensions of 110 cm on each side when assembled.

[0073] As a box pallet, a roll box pallet, which is a wheeled cart surrounded on three sides by a metal fence with a height about the same as the height of the worker, is used. However, since a roll box pallet does not have a handle like a handcart, it is usually carried by using the pipes at the four corners as handles. Therefore, there is a concern that a worker may be injured if his / her hand gets caught between the roll box pallet and the side wall of a building in a narrow passage such as a door. In addition, since the roll box pallet is tall and has a high center of gravity, there is a risk of it falling over due to the casters running away. The box pallet 2 as described above can be carried by stacking the wall 22 and the lid 23 before assembly on the pallet 21, so these risks can be reduced.

[0074] [Network N] The type of the network N is not particularly limited as long as it enables communication with the support device 1, etc. The type of the network N is, for example, the Internet, a mobile phone network, a wireless LAN, etc.

[0075] [Terminal T] The terminal T is used by an administrator of the support device 1, a registrant who uses the support device 1, a transport company, etc. The types of the terminal T include, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, or a fixed terminal such as a desktop computer. A registrant is a customer who has registered information in the support device 1 in order to use mixed transport using box pallets.

[0076] [Main Flowchart of Support Processing] Fig. 7 is a main flow chart showing an example of a preferred flow of the support processing of this embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 9 is a diagram continuing from the previous figure. Fig. 10 is a diagram continuing from the previous figure. Below, an example of a preferred flow of the support processing executed by the support device 1 of this embodiment will be shown using Figs. 7 to 10.

[0077] The support process includes a series of processes (registered person management steps) for managing data related to registered persons who utilize mixed transport using the box pallet 2. Steps S1 to S5 are an example of the process.

[0078] [Step S1: Determine whether to display the registration screen] The control unit 11 cooperates with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to operate the registrant management unit 111. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of determining whether to display a registration screen using the registrant management unit 111 (registration screen display determination step). The registration screen is a screen for registering customers (senders) who use mixed transport using box pallets 2 as registrants. If the control unit 11 determines that the screen should be displayed, it moves the process to step S2, and if not, it moves the process to step S3.

[0079] The procedure of determination in the registration screen display determination step includes, for example, a procedure of determining that the registration screen is to be displayed when data requesting display of the registration screen is received from terminal T.

[0080] [Step S2: Display the registration screen] The control unit 11 executes a process of displaying the above-mentioned registration screen using the registrant management unit 111 (registration screen display execution step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S3. The registration screen includes input fields for, for example, the registrant's login information (e.g., account name, password), the registrant's corporate name, the person in charge at the registrant's corporate name, or the registrant's contact information (e.g., email address). These input fields are configured so that the entered data is sent to the support device 1.

[0081] [Step S3: Determine whether to update registrant information] Control unit 11 executes a process of determining whether to update the registrant information using registrant management unit 111 (registrant information update determination step). If control unit 11 determines to update, it shifts the process to step S4, and if not, it shifts the process to step S5.

[0082] The procedure for determining whether to update the registrant information in the registrant information update determination step includes, for example, a procedure for determining that the registrant information is to be updated when registrant information input via the above-mentioned registration screen is received.

[0083] [Step S4: Update registrant information] Control unit 11 executes a process of updating the above-mentioned registrant information using registrant management unit 111 (registrant information update execution step). Control unit 11 moves the process to step S5. In the registrant information update execution step, registrant management unit 111 updates the registrant information stored in registrant database 131 using the above-mentioned input data.

[0084] [Step S5: Login process] The control unit 11 executes the login process for the above-mentioned registrant using the registrant management unit 111 (login process step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S6. The login process step displays a login screen in response to a command from the terminal T, for example, and places a registrant who has been successfully authenticated in a logged-in state. The login process step also displays the login screen when the support device 1 determines that login is required to execute the commanded process.

[0085] The support process includes a series of processes (reservation management steps) for managing reservations for mixed transport. Steps S6 to S11 are an example of the process.

[0086] [Step S6: Determine whether to display the reservation screen] The control unit 11 cooperates with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to operate the reservation management unit 112. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process using the reservation management unit 112 to determine whether to display a reservation screen (reservation screen display determination step). This reservation screen is configured to allow reservations for mixed transport to be made, and is configured to display reservation slots in which registrants can reserve mixed transport by a carrier. If the control unit 11 determines that the reservation screen should be displayed, it moves the process to step S7, and if not, it moves the process to step S12.

[0087] The procedure of determination in the reservation screen display determination step includes, for example, a procedure of determining that the reservation screen is to be displayed when data requesting the display of the reservation screen is received from terminal T.

[0088] [Step S7: Get the number of box pallets] The control unit 11 operates the box pallet number management unit 113 in cooperation with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process using the box pallet number management unit 113 to acquire the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake transportation for each reservation slot (box pallet number acquisition step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S8. In the box pallet number acquisition step, the box pallet number management unit 113 acquires the above-mentioned number of box pallets from the transportation information stored in the transportation database 133.

[0089] [Step S8: Identify available reservation slots] The control unit 11 executes a process of specifying a reservation slot in which a registrant can reserve mixed transport using a box pallet 2 (reservation slot specifying step) using the box pallet number management unit 113. The control unit 11 moves the process to step S9.

[0090] If a carrier is not specified, in the reservation slot identification step, the box pallet number management unit 113 identifies, for example, a reservation slot in which the number of box pallets that one or more carriers can undertake to transport is equal to or greater than the number of box pallets that the registrant is reserving for mixed transport, as a reservation slot in which mixed transport can be reserved. If a carrier is specified, in the reservation slot identification step, the box pallet number management unit 113 identifies, as a reservation slot in which mixed transport can be reserved, a reservation slot in which the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake to transport is equal to or greater than the number of box pallets that the registrant is reserving for mixed transport. Alternatively, the box pallet number management unit 113 may identify, as a reservation slot in which mixed transport can be reserved, a reservation slot in which multiple carriers can work together to transport the number of box pallets 2.

[0091] It is preferable that the reservation management step further includes a series of processes related to the display of a delivery location designation screen configured so that the registrant can designate a desired delivery location as a delivery destination from at least two or more delivery locations among a plurality of delivery locations that are delivery destinations of the mixed transport. Step S9 is an example of such processes.

[0092] [Step S9: Extract delivery location candidates] The control unit 11 operates the delivery location candidate extraction unit 115 in cooperation with the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of extracting delivery location candidates from a plurality of delivery locations that are delivery destinations of the mixed transport using the delivery location candidate extraction unit 115 (delivery location candidate extraction step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S10. In the delivery location candidate extraction step, the delivery location candidate extraction unit 115 extracts delivery location candidates from the delivery location database 134 managed by the delivery location management unit 114. The extraction includes, for example, a procedure of extracting delivery locations that fall within the area designated by the above-mentioned registrant as the destination of the mixed transport as delivery location candidates. In order to support delivery to a location different from the registrant's address and to leave the registrant with room for choice, it is preferable that the delivery location candidates are two or more locations including one or more locations different from the registrant's address.

[0093] At this time, it is preferable that the delivery location candidate extraction unit 115 executes a procedure of extracting one or more delivery locations suitable for the carrier or registrant from multiple delivery locations stored in the delivery location database 134 by processing using a machine learning model that inputs data related to the registrant and the carrier. At this time, it is preferable that the machine learning model includes multiple delivery locations and data identifying the carrier or registrant as explanatory variables, and is pre-trained using training data including one or more delivery locations as objective variables. As a result, the support device 1 can extract an appropriate delivery location based on the training data even if a delivery location suitable for the carrier or registrant cannot be identified by a simple requirement such as the distance from the delivery destination.

[0094] The learning data is preferably prepared based on communication from a carrier or a registrant. This allows the delivery place candidate extraction unit 115 to extract delivery places that reflect the convenience of the carrier or the registrant that cannot be calculated from publicly available data such as map data. Examples of such convenience include the convenience of the transport vehicle used by the carrier, the convenience of the carrier's collection means, the convenience of the registrant's entrance and exit, the convenience of the registrant's neighborhood relationships, etc.

[0095] It is preferable that the support process further includes a series of processes (a billing amount calculation step) for calculating the amount to be billed to the registrant for the consolidated transport related to the reservation. This allows the support device 1 to support dynamic pricing that dynamically determines the shipping fee. Step S10 is an example of this process.

[0096] [Step S10: Calculate the billing amount] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to operate the billing amount calculation unit 116. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of calculating the billing amount to be billed to the registrant for the mixed transport related to the above-mentioned reservation using the billing amount calculation unit 116 (billing amount calculation step). The control unit 11 shifts the process to step S11.

[0097] In order to adjust the invoice amount according to the busy and slow seasons of the transportation business, the invoice amount calculation unit 116 may calculate the invoice amount based on these periods in the invoice amount calculation step. Also, in order to realize dynamic pricing according to the busyness of the transportation company, the invoice amount calculation unit 116 may calculate the invoice amount according to the remaining number of box pallets that the transportation company can undertake transportation. In this case, the invoice amount calculation unit 116 calculates, for example, the invoice amount to be increased as the remaining number decreases.

[0098] When the delivery location candidate extraction step is being executed, it is preferable that the billing amount calculation unit 116 calculates a billing amount that is not affected by the weight of the packages G loaded on each box pallet 2 when the weights are all equal to or less than the upper limit, and that reflects the cost associated with using the delivery location candidate. In this way, when a registrant specifies one of the delivery location candidates as a desired delivery location, the support device 1 can calculate a billing amount that reflects the cost associated with using the delivery location candidate, in an easy-to-understand fee system that is not affected by the weight as long as the weight of the packages G per box pallet 2 is equal to or less than the upper limit.

[0099] At this time, it is preferable that the billing amount calculation unit 116 calculates, for each delivery place candidate, a billing amount that reflects the cost of using the delivery place estimated based on the land price of the delivery place candidate. In this way, when a registrant specifies one of the delivery place candidates as a desired delivery place, the support device 1 can calculate a billing amount that reflects the cost of using the desired delivery place estimated based on the land price of the desired delivery place.

[0100] [Step S11: Display the reservation screen] The control unit 11 operates the screen display command unit 117 in cooperation with the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of displaying a reservation screen R using the screen display command unit 117 (reservation screen display execution step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S12. The screen display command unit 117 commands the display of a reservation screen R configured to allow a reservation for mixed transport to be made. Specifically, the screen display command unit 117 commands the display of a reservation screen R showing a reservation slot in which a registrant can reserve mixed transport by a carrier. At this time, the reservation slot that can be reserved is shown based on the number of box pallets as specified in the reservation slot specification step. Note that the screen display command unit 117 may show a reservation slot accompanied by the number of box pallets that can be newly reserved. At this time, the number of box pallets that can be newly reserved may be an exact number or may be an approximate number. The screen display command unit 117 may collectively show the availability of a plurality of reservation slots by day, week, month, or the like.

[0101] When the delivery location candidate extraction step is being executed, it is preferable that the screen display command unit 117 executes a procedure (delivery location designation screen display step) of further commanding the display of a delivery location designation screen P configured so that the registrant can designate a desired delivery location as a delivery destination from two or more delivery location candidates extracted by the delivery location candidate extraction unit 115. This allows the registrant to designate a desired delivery location from two or more delivery location candidates, including a location different from the registrant's address, according to his / her convenience.

[0102] When the billing amount calculation step is being executed, the screen display command unit 117 preferably commands the display of a reservation screen R accompanied by the calculated billing amount. The screen display command unit 117 may display the billing amount for each reservation slot. The screen display command unit 117 may also display the billing amount for each desired delivery location. When both the delivery location candidate extraction step and the billing amount calculation step are being executed, the screen display command unit 117 preferably commands the display of a delivery location designation screen P showing delivery location candidates accompanied by the calculated billing amount.

[0103] The screen display command unit 117 is preferably configured to select a collection location from a plurality of collection location candidates including the address of the registrant and a common collection location. This allows the support device 1 to support the accumulation and transportation of the luggage G requested for mixed transportation by a plurality of registrants at different times at a common collection location. This allows the support device 1 to increase the utilization rate of the loading space of the transport vehicle.

[0104] The support device 1 executes a process of receiving data related to a reservation application for mixed transport based on the reservation screen from a registrant (application receiving step). Step S12 is an example of this process. After that, the support device 1 executes a series of processes to accept the reservation when the reservation related to the above-mentioned application is equal to or less than the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake to transport and is a transportation reservation within the transportation area related to the carrier (reservation accepting step). Steps S13 to S14 are an example of this process. When the support device 1 accepts the reservation related to the application, it executes a process of instructing the carrier to bring the box pallet 2 and head to the collection point related to the reservation (collection command step). Step S15 is an example of this process. Through this series of processes, the support device 1 supports the carrier to perform transportation that is easy for the sender to understand, that is, to perform transportation in units of box pallets 2 and charge a fee for each box pallet 2.

[0105] [Step S12: Determine whether a reservation has been made] The control unit 11 operates the application receiving unit 118 in cooperation with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14. The control unit 11 then uses the application receiving unit 118 to execute a process of determining whether a reservation application has been made (application reception determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that a reservation application has been made, it transfers the process to step S13, and if not, it transfers the process to step S16. In the application reception determination step, the application receiving unit 118 attempts to receive data related to a reservation application for mixed transport based on the reservation screen R from the registrant. Then, if this attempt is successful, it determines that a reservation application has been made.

[0106] [Step S13: Determine whether the application can be accepted] The control unit 11 operates the reservation acceptance unit 119 in cooperation with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process using the reservation acceptance unit 119 to determine whether the above-mentioned application can be accepted (reservation acceptance determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that the application can be accepted, it moves the process to step S14, and if not, it moves the process to step S16. In the reservation acceptance determination step, the reservation acceptance unit 119 determines that the reservation related to the above-mentioned application can be accepted if the reservation is equal to or less than the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake to transport and is a transportation reservation within the transportation area of ​​the carrier.

[0107] [Step S14: Accept application] The control unit 11 uses the reservation acceptance unit 119 to execute a process to accept the above-mentioned application (reservation acceptance execution step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S15. In the reservation acceptance execution step, the reservation acceptance unit 119 realizes the process to accept the above-mentioned application by, for example, updating the reservation database 132 managed by the reservation management unit 112. At this time, the box pallet number management unit 113 updates the number of box pallets stored in the transportation database 133, etc., according to the number of box pallets related to the reserved mixed transport.

[0108] [Step S15: Order collection] The control unit 11 operates the collection command unit 120 in cooperation with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14. Then, the control unit 11 executes a process of using the collection command unit 120 to command the carrier to collect items based on the reservation accepted in the above-mentioned procedure (collection command step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S16. That is, when the collection command unit 120 accepts a reservation related to the above-mentioned application, it commands the carrier to bring the box pallet 2 and head to the collection point related to the reservation. At this time, the collection command unit 120 commands the carrier to bring a prefabricated box pallet 2 configured so that the four walls 22 and the lid 23 can be attached later.

[0109] In order to expedite the timing of loading onto the pallet 21 and reduce the burden on the carrier, it is preferable that the collection command unit 120 instructs the carrier to bring only the four walls 22 and the lid 23 of the above-mentioned prefabricated box pallet 2, and also instructs the registrant to load the cargo G onto the pallet 21 prior to collection.

[0110] The support process preferably includes a series of processes for invoicing a delivery fee when the completion of delivery is reported, and instructing a carrier to distribute the delivery fee when the invoice is paid. Steps S16 to S19 are an example of the process.

[0111] [Step S16: Determine whether delivery completion has been reported] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to execute a process of determining whether or not the completion of delivery has been reported (delivery completion determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that the report has been received, the process proceeds to step S17, otherwise the process proceeds to step S18. In the delivery completion determination step, the control unit 11 determines that the completion of delivery has been reported, for example, when data reporting the completion of delivery is received.

[0112] [Step S17: Send request] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to execute a process of transmitting a bill for the completion of delivery (a bill transmission step). The control unit 11 moves the process to step S18. In the bill transmission step, the control unit 11 transmits, for example, data indicating a bill for the bill amount calculated in the bill amount calculation step to the terminal T of the registrant.

[0113] [Step S18: Determine whether payment has been made] The control unit 11 cooperates with the storage unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to execute a process of determining whether or not the above-mentioned bill has been paid (payment determination step). If the control unit 11 determines that the bill has been paid, it moves the process to step S19, and if not, it returns the process to step S1 and repeats the processes from step S1 to step S19. In the payment determination step, the control unit 11 determines that the payment has been made, for example, when data indicating the completion of the payment transmitted from the settlement service is received.

[0114] [Step S19: Command distribution of shipping fee] The control unit 11 cooperates with the memory unit 13 and the communication unit 14 to execute a process of issuing an instruction to distribute the delivery fee to the carrier or the like that performed the mixed transport related to the above-mentioned delivery completion (delivery fee distribution instruction step). The control unit 11 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the processes from step S1 to step S19. In the delivery fee distribution instruction step, the control unit 11 transmits data to the manager's terminal T instructing the carrier to pay the distribution amount, which is the payment amount multiplied by a predetermined distribution rate. In addition, if the delivery fee includes a usage fee for the delivery location, the control unit 11 transmits data to the manager's terminal T instructing the carrier to pay the fee from the delivery fee to the operator of the delivery location.

[0115] [Bidding Step] The support device 1 preferably executes a bidding step in which multiple carriers submit bids for the consolidated transport related to the accepted reservation. The bidding step is realized, for example, by a series of procedures in which data indicating the contents of the accepted reservation together with a bidding deadline is sent to multiple carriers, and data indicating a successful bid is sent to a carrier that meets the requirements for a successful bidder based on the data indicating the contents of the bids received from the carriers. The requirements for a successful bidder include, for example, submitting a bid earliest, submitting a bid with the lowest allocation amount, or being selected by lottery from among bidders who submitted bids by the bidding deadline. In this way, the support device 1 can appropriately assign transportation personnel even when multiple carriers are in charge of consolidated transport.

[0116] [Shipping status display step] It is preferable that the support device 1 executes a delivery status display step of receiving data related to the delivery status from the carrier for the above-mentioned mixed transport, and displaying the delivery status based on the data on the terminal T. In this way, the support device 1 can show the registrant the delivery status, such as whether the package G is being delivered, has arrived at the delivery location, or has been picked up by the recipient after arriving at the delivery location.

[0117] [Effects of Support Processing] The support device 1 that executes the above-mentioned support process displays a registration screen and manages the data of registrants through a series of processes that update the registrant database 131 based on input via this registration screen (steps S1 to S4). Then, the support device 1 executes a login process based on this data managed by the registrant management unit 111 (step S5). As a result, the support device 1 of this embodiment can manage so that only registrants who have registered and therefore have no concerns about payment can use mixed transport. Also, as a result, the support device 1 of this embodiment reduces the burden on the sender of inputting customer information required for using mixed transport one by one. Therefore, the above-mentioned series of processes contributes to the realization of mixed transport that is easy for senders to request and places a smaller burden on carriers.

[0118] The support device 1 executes a series of processes (steps S6 to S11) for displaying a reservation screen R indicating whether or not mixed transport in units of box pallets 2 can be reserved for each reservation slot, based on data on the number of box pallets stored in the transport database 133 managed by the box pallet number management unit 113. In this way, the support device 1 of this embodiment supports the transport company to perform transport that is easy to understand for the sender who transports and charges for the box pallet 2 unit.

[0119] The support device 1 executes a series of processes to accept a reservation when the reservation applied for via the above-mentioned reservation screen R is equal to or less than the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake to transport and is a reservation for transportation within the transport area of ​​the carrier (steps S12 to S14). In this way, the support device 1 of this embodiment accepts reservations only for the transportation of the number of box pallets that the carrier can undertake within the transport area, thereby preventing burdens associated with handing over to other carriers, etc., and reducing the burden on the carrier and the user. In this way, by limiting reservations to within the transport area and on a box pallet 2 basis, the carrier can easily grasp freight rates, workload, cost-effectiveness, etc.

[0120] After accepting the reservation, the support device 1 instructs the carrier to bring the box pallet 2 and head to the collection point related to the reservation (step S15). The box pallet 2 of this embodiment is placed on the ground or the like with the four walls 22 and the lid 23 removed, thereby realizing rapid loading without being hindered by the walls 22, etc. In addition, the four walls 22 and the lid 23 of this box pallet 2 can be attached after the luggage G is loaded, so that the sender or the carrier can reduce the risk of dirt or damage due to contact with other products without having to spend the effort of special packaging to reduce such risk. In addition, since the transportation using such a box pallet 2 is limited within the transportation area, the carrier can quickly grasp the amount of work and the work procedure related to the collection by bringing the box pallet 2. As a result, the support device 1 of this embodiment achieves both saving the carrier the effort of carrying the box pallet 2 in advance and realizing rapid loading.

[0121] As a result, the support device 1 that executes the above-mentioned support process supports the realization of mixed transport that is easy for the sender to understand as described above, eliminates the sender's need to arrange for pallets, etc., is easy for the sender to request, and places a smaller burden on the carrier.

[0122] Furthermore, the support device 1 of this embodiment may take an embodiment that further includes, as a support process, a series of processes (steps S9 to S11) relating to the display of a delivery location designation screen P configured to enable a registrant to designate a desired delivery location from at least two or more delivery locations among a plurality of delivery locations that are delivery destinations for mixed transport. By enabling a delivery location different from the registrant's address to be designated as a delivery destination for transport limited to a transport area, the support device 1 increases the convenience of the sender without increasing the effort of the transport company to grasp the delivery location, and reduces the risk of redelivery and the burden on the transport company.

[0123] A series of processes related to the display of the delivery location designation screen P may include a procedure of extracting one or more delivery locations suitable for the carrier or the registrant from a plurality of delivery locations stored in the delivery location database 134 by processing using a machine learning model with data related to the registrant and the carrier as input (step S9). As a result, the support device 1 can recommend an appropriate delivery location to the registrant, who is the sender, even if the delivery location suitable for the carrier or the registrant cannot be narrowed down by a simple condition such as the distance from the destination. Moreover, the support device 1 of this embodiment prevents the machine learning model from becoming bloated and the management costs and processing time from increasing by limiting the delivery location to mixed transportation within the transportation area. Therefore, the support device 1 can further increase the convenience of the sender by showing the delivery location extracted in this way, and further reduce the risk of redelivery and the burden on the carrier.

[0124] The support device 1 of this embodiment executes a procedure for calculating the invoice amount for mixed transport so as not to be affected by the weight when the weights of the cargo G loaded on each box pallet 2 are equal to or less than the upper limit (step S10). By using such a procedure and limiting the transport area, the support device 1 of this embodiment can calculate the invoice amount according to an easy-to-understand fee system that is not affected by the weight when the weight of the cargo G per box pallet 2 is equal to or less than the upper limit.

[0125] The support device 1 of this embodiment may take a form in which, when a delivery location is specified, it executes a procedure for calculating the billing amount for mixed transport, including the usage fee for the delivery location (step S10). By using such a procedure and limiting the service area, the support device 1 of this embodiment can calculate a billing amount that reflects the usage fee for the delivery location, while maintaining the easy-to-understand fee system described above. At this time, the support device 1 of this embodiment may take a form in which it calculates the usage fee based on the land price related to the delivery location. By calculating the usage fee in this way for transport limited to the transportation area, the support device 1 can propose use at an appropriate usage fee, even for delivery locations that do not specify the usage fee, without complicating the land price database and the usage fee calculation procedure.

[0126] The support device 1 of this embodiment can take a form of executing a series of processes to bill for delivery charges and distribute the paid delivery charges to a carrier, etc. (Steps S16 to S19). As a result, even when a delivery location different from the address of the registrant is specified as the delivery destination and the usage fee is included in the billing, the support device 1 of this embodiment can bill an appropriate delivery fee including the usage fee and distribute an appropriate amount of the paid delivery fee to the carrier and the operator of the delivery location.

[0127] As described above, the support device 1 of this embodiment shortens the time required to apply for mixed transport and makes it easy to check for missed orders. In addition, the support device 1 eliminates the stress associated with applying by phone. The support device 1 prevents problems such as not knowing how to request by making an easy-to-understand application for mixed transport using a reservation screen. The support device 1 makes it easy to understand freight calculations and reduces concerns about damage during transport by transporting in units of two box pallets limited to a transport area.

[0128] <Example of use of the support device 1 according to this embodiment> The following is an example of how the support device 1 of this embodiment is used.

[0129] [User Registration] A customer who wishes to use the mixed transport service for luggage G commands the support device 1 to display a registration screen via the terminal T. Then, the customer performs user registration via the registration screen.

[0130] [Login] A person who has completed user registration logs into the support device 1 via the terminal T. This enables the support device 1 to support mixed transport using various information previously registered via the registration screen.

[0131] [Book mixed transport] The logged-in registrant instructs the support device 1 to display a reservation screen R via terminal T. The support device 1 checks the number of box pallets 2 that the carrier can transport for mixed transport for each reservation slot, and causes terminal T to display a reservation screen R indicating the reservation slots in which the registrant can reserve the mixed transport of the desired number of box pallets 2. The registrant makes a reservation via the reservation screen R.

[0132] [Reservation screen R and delivery location selection screen P] FIG. 11 is an example of a reservation screen R. In this example, a reservation screen R for making a reservation by specifying a collection date is shown. At the top of the reservation screen R, text and the like are shown indicating that the screen is displayed after logging in, specifying the collection location and transportation direction, and specifying the number of box pallets 2 to be transported in a mixed load. In the center of the reservation screen R, a one-month calendar is shown with icons indicating "1 day available", "partially available", and "no availability" for each date that consolidates the morning and afternoon reservation slots. This allows the registrant to select the "1 day available" or "partially available" icon to reserve a mixed load transport. In addition, in this example, the shipping fee when the registrant's address is the delivery location is shown as the basic fee, and it is shown that an additional fee will be charged in the case of "leave at door", which is exemplified by the case where a delivery location other than the above is desired.

[0133] In this example, a delivery location designation screen P for designating a delivery location for mixed transport related to a designated reservation slot is superimposed on the reservation screen R. The delivery location designation screen P shows that, in the morning of the designated "△ day", the delivery destination "△ Kogyo Omiya Office" can be designated without additional charge, the "△△ Parking Lot" which is easy to enter a transport vehicle and highly convenient for pick-up can be designated at a relatively high additional charge of "△△△△ yen", and the "△△ Community Center in Omiya Ward, Saitama City" which has limited parking space and is inconvenient for pick-up can be designated at a relatively low additional charge of "△△△ yen". Furthermore, the delivery location designation screen P shows that, in the afternoon of the designated "△ day", the inexpensive "△△ Community Center in Omiya Ward, Saitama City" cannot be designated, but "△ Kogyo Omiya Office" can be designated without additional charge, and the "△△ Parking Lot" which is easy to enter a transport vehicle and highly convenient for pick-up can be designated at a relatively high additional charge of "△△△△ yen". This allows the registrant to consider the amount to be charged and designate a delivery location that suits his or her convenience.

[0134] The registrant specifies "△ day" from the calendar on the reservation screen R via terminal T, checks "△△ parking lot" under "△ day afternoon" on the pop-up delivery location specification screen P, and presses the "Reserve" button to reserve mixed transport with "△△ parking lot" in that reservation slot as the delivery location.

[0135] [Collection] When a mixed-load transport is booked and accepted, the support device 1 instructs the carrier to bring the box pallet 2 to collect the cargo. The carrier brings the box pallet 2 to the collection location, places the cargo G on the pallet 21, and later attaches the wall 22 and the lid 23. This allows the carrier to store the cargo G inside the box pallet 2 without expending the effort of lifting the cargo G up to the wall 22 or fence, and without having to perform the tiring task of moving the roll box pallet while being careful not to get injured by falling or colliding with it.

[0136] [Shipping] The carrier loads the box pallet 2 with the cargo G contained therein onto a truck or the like, and delivers it to the "△△ parking lot", the delivery location specified at the time of collection. The carrier removes the lid 23 and wall 22 from the box pallet 2, and places the cargo G in the designated area of ​​the "△△ parking lot". The carrier takes the box pallet 2 back and reuses it. Staff at the delivery destination collects the delivered cargo G. The carrier reports the completion of the mixed transport.

[0137] 〔settlement〕 When the support device 1 receives data reporting the completion of the mixed transport, it transmits an invoice for the mixed transport to the registrant. The registrant pays the shipping fee in response to the invoice. The support device 1 calculates the distribution amount to be distributed to the carrier from the shipping fee and pays the distribution amount.

[0138] It should be noted that within the scope of the concept of the present invention, a person skilled in the art may come up with various modifications and alterations. It is understood that such modifications and alterations fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or modifies the design of the above-described embodiment, or adds, omits, or modifies the conditions of a process, these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] S System 1 Support equipment 11 Control section 111 Registration Management Department 112 Reservation Management Department 113 Box Pallet Quantity Management Department 114 Delivery Location Management Department 115 Delivery location candidate extraction unit 116 Billing Amount Calculation Department 117 Screen display command section 118 Application Receiving Department 119 Reservation Reception Department 120 Collection Command Center 13 Storage section 131 Registrant Database 132 Reservation Database 133 Transportation Database 134 Delivery Location Database 14 Communications Department 2. Box Pallet 21 Palette 22 Wall 23 Lid G. Luggage R Reservation screen P Delivery location selection screen N Network T-Terminal

Claims

1. A registration management unit that manages data related to registered users who use mixed transport using box pallets; A reservation management unit that manages data related to reservations for the consolidated transportation; a box pallet number management unit that manages the number of box pallets that a carrier can undertake transportation for each reservation slot; A screen display command unit that commands the display of a reservation screen configured to allow the user to make a reservation for the consolidated transportation; an application receiving unit that receives data related to a reservation application for the consolidated transportation based on the reservation screen from the registrant; a reservation acceptance unit that accepts the reservation when the reservation related to the application is equal to or less than the number of box pallets that the carrier can transport and is a transportation reservation within the transportation area of ​​the carrier; a collection command unit that commands a carrier to bring the box pallet and head to the collection point related to the reservation when the reservation related to the application is accepted; Equipped with the reservation management unit updates data related to the reservation when the reservation is accepted; the box pallet number management unit manages the number of box pallets for each reservation frame divided by day or time period, and updates the number of box pallets when the reservation is accepted; The screen display command unit commands the display of a reservation screen showing a reservation frame in which the registrant can reserve the mixed transport by the carrier, and the reservation frame is displayed based on the number of box pallets, The collection command unit instructs the carrier to bring a prefabricated box pallet configured so that four walls and a lid can be attached later, A delivery location management unit that manages data on a plurality of delivery locations to which the mixed transport is delivered, The screen display command unit further commands the display of a delivery location designation screen configured so that the registrant can designate a desired delivery location that the registrant desires to be a delivery destination from at least two or more delivery locations among the plurality of delivery locations, and at this time, the two or more delivery locations include one or more locations different from the address of the registrant, The collection command unit commands the delivery to the desired delivery location, a billing amount calculation unit that calculates a billing amount to be billed to the registrant for the consolidated transport; the billing amount calculation unit calculates a billing amount that is not influenced by the weights when the weights of the packages loaded on each box pallet are equal to or less than an upper limit and that reflects the costs associated with using the desired delivery place; Support equipment for mixed transport.

2. the billing amount calculation unit calculates a billing amount reflecting a cost related to the use of the desired delivery place estimated based on a land price related to the desired delivery place; The device for supporting mixed transport according to claim 1.

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