Determination device, determination method, and computer program

Abstract

To efficiently deliver storage objects to containers in multiple locations.SOLUTION: A determination device for multiple containers includes an information acquisition part that acquires information about the remaining amount of predetermined objects stored in containers, a plan determination part that determines delivery plans including information indicating one or more containers as delivery destinations of the objects, based on the remaining amount of each container and the position of the container acquired by the information acquisition part, and an information provision part that transmits the delivery plans determined by the plan determination part to delivery terminal devices that are devices of people who deliver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for efficiently delivering objects to replenish objects stored in a container. [Background technology]

[0002] Farms are often scattered over a relatively large area. Each farm has a feed tank for storing livestock feed, and stockpiles an amount of feed that can be used for a certain period of time. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a tool using a sensor is provided for managing the remaining amount in the feed tank. There are also businesses that provide a service of delivering feed to multiple farms. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-71201 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such delivery businesses face many operational challenges due to personnel shortages that depend on the region in which the ranch is operated, delays in digitalization due to environmental factors, and other factors. In addition, much of the supply chain, such as understanding the pace of consumption and controlling feed production, relies on human experience and intuition. As a result, efficient delivery is not easy, and operation is often difficult. This problem is not necessarily limited to the delivery of feed, but is a common problem when delivering to replenish stored objects in containers installed at multiple locations.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables efficient delivery of stored objects to containers at multiple locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a determination device that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the remaining amount of a specified object stored in a plurality of containers, a plan determination unit that determines a delivery plan including information indicating one or more containers to which the object is to be delivered based on the remaining amount in each container acquired by the information acquisition unit and the position of the container, and an information provision unit that transmits the delivery plan determined by the plan determination unit to a delivery terminal device, which is a device of a person performing delivery.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned determination device, wherein the plan determination unit determines that a container in which the remaining amount of the object is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value is to be the delivery destination.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned determination device, wherein the plan determination unit determines new containers to be delivery destinations based on the total amount to be delivered to each container determined to be a container with a remaining amount below the first threshold, as well as the amount that can be further loaded onto the delivery vehicle used for delivery.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a determination method including an information acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the remaining amount of a specified object stored in a plurality of containers, a plan determination step of determining a delivery plan including information indicating one or more containers to which the object will be delivered based on the remaining amount of each container and the location of the container acquired in the information acquisition step, and an information provision step of transmitting the delivery plan determined in the plan determination step to a delivery terminal device, which is a device of a person performing delivery.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned determination device. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The present invention allows for efficient distribution of stored objects to containers at multiple locations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of a delivery support system 100 according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of an estimation device 50. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 40 based on the information provided by the information providing unit 533. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a terminal device 40. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of a determination device 60. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on a delivery terminal device 70. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of processing in the delivery support system 100. [Figure 8] 1 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of delivery support processing in the delivery support system 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, specific configuration examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a delivery support system 100 of the present invention.

[0014] The delivery support system 100 includes a feed tank 10, a sensor unit 20, a relay device 30, a terminal device 40, an estimation device 50, a determination device 60, and a delivery terminal device 70. The relay device 30 and the sensor unit 20 transmit and receive data by performing communication. The communication performed between the relay device 30 and the sensor unit 20 may be wireless communication or wired communication. In the example of FIG. 1, wireless communication is shown as an example. This wireless communication may be, for example, short-distance wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark)), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area).

[0015] The relay device 30, the terminal device 40, the estimation device 50, the determination device 60, and the delivery terminal device 70 communicate with each other via a network 90. ​​The network 90 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 90 may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

[0016] The relay device 30 transmits the data received from the sensor unit 20 to the estimation device 50. The estimation device 50 estimates the state of the feed in the feed tank based on the received data, and transmits data to the terminal device 40 and the determination device 60 based on the estimation result. The determination device 60 determines a feed delivery plan to the location where each feed tank 10 is installed based on information including the estimation result transmitted from the estimation device 50. The delivery plan includes, for example, information indicating the timing of delivery and information indicating the delivery route. The delivery plan may further include information indicating the type of material to be delivered, information indicating the delivery amount to each feed tank 10, and information indicating the delivery order to each feed tank 10.

[0017] A predetermined object (hereinafter referred to as the "stored object") is stored inside the feed tank 10. In this embodiment, the stored object stored inside the feed tank 10 is livestock feed. The livestock feed is, for example, a granular object. There may be multiple types of livestock feed. The type of feed stored for each feed tank 10 may be pre-stored in the determination device 60.

[0018] The sensor unit 20 is provided in the feed tank 10. The sensor unit 20 acquires a predetermined type of physical quantity that changes depending on the amount of feed in the feed tank 10, using a method predetermined between the sensor unit 20 and the estimation device 50. The sensor unit 20 transmits information indicating the acquired physical quantity to the estimation device 50 via the relay device 30. A specific example of the sensor unit 20 will be described below.

[0019] The sensor unit 20 is provided, for example, on the upper inside of the feed tank 10. The sensor unit 20 includes, for example, a control device and a sensor device. The control device acquires information on the measurement value from the sensor device at a predetermined timing and transmits the acquired information to the relay device 30. The sensor device is a device that measures a physical quantity related to the amount of feed in the feed tank 10. The sensor device may be configured, for example, using an ultrasonic sensor, may be configured using a laser sensor, or may be configured using a sensor device of another aspect. In the following description, an embodiment in which an ultrasonic sensor is used as a specific example of the sensor device will be described. The ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic waves downward from, for example, the upper inside of the feed tank 10. The ultrasonic sensor receives ultrasonic waves reflected by the inner wall of the feed tank 10 or the livestock feed that is the stored object. The ultrasonic sensor acquires a measurement value indicating the difference in height from the upper inside of the feed tank 10 to the point where the ultrasonic waves are reflected (hereinafter referred to as the "reflection point") based on the difference between the transmission timing and the reception timing of the ultrasonic waves. If the reflection point is the top surface of the stored object, the ultrasonic sensor acquires a measurement value indicating the difference in height from the upper inside of the container to the top surface of the stored object. The ultrasonic sensor outputs data indicating the acquired measurement value to the control device. The control device transmits information indicating the measurement value to the estimation device 50 via the relay device 30.

[0020] The relay device 30 is a communication device. The relay device 30 includes a first communication interface for communicating with the sensor unit 20 and a second communication interface for communicating with other devices via the network 90. ​​The relay device 30 receives data from the sensor unit 20 via the first communication interface. The relay device 30 transmits the received data to the estimation device 50 via the second communication interface.

[0021] The terminal device 40 is an information processing device used by a user associated with the feed tank 10. The terminal device 40 is, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a television receiver, a central control device, or other device. The terminal device 40 receives information about the stored objects in the feed tank 10 from the estimation device 50. The terminal device 40 outputs the received information. The terminal device 40 may output the information, for example, by outputting a sound, or may output the information by displaying a screen. The display of the screen may be performed, for example, by a browser or a specific application. The user can recognize the remaining amount of the stored objects in the feed tank 10 by perceiving the output of the terminal device 40.

[0022] The estimation device 50 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer, a server device, etc. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the estimation device 50. The estimation device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53.

[0023] The communication unit 51 is configured using a communication interface. The communication unit 51 is connected to a network 90 by wireless communication or wired communication, and performs data communication with other devices.

[0024] The storage unit 52 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 52 stores data recorded by the control unit 53. The data stored in the storage unit 52 is read by the control unit 53. The storage unit 52 stores, for example, a log of measurement values ​​transmitted from the sensor unit 20. The storage unit 52 stores, for example, information indicating a result estimated by the control unit 53.

[0025] The control unit 53 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 53 functions as a measurement value acquisition unit 531, a remaining capacity estimation unit 532, and an information provision unit 533 by the CPU executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 53 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (for example, an SSD: Solid State Drive), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0026] The measurement value acquiring unit 531 receives data transmitted from the sensor unit 20 via the communication unit 51. The measurement value acquiring unit 531 acquires the measurement values ​​of the ultrasonic sensor from the received data. The measurement value acquiring unit 531 records the acquired measurement values ​​as log data in the storage unit 52. For example, the measurement value acquiring unit 531 may record the acquired measurement values ​​and the times when each measurement value was acquired by the sensor unit 20 in association with each other in the storage unit 52.

[0027] The remaining amount estimation unit 532 estimates the remaining amount of livestock feed 14 in the feed tank 10 to which each sensor unit 20 is attached based on the measurement values ​​received from the sensor units 20. For example, the remaining amount estimation unit 532 may obtain the estimated value by performing a predetermined calculation that indicates the relationship between the measurement value and the estimated value. For example, the remaining amount estimation unit 532 may obtain the estimated value based on a lookup table of the measurement value and the estimated value. The above-mentioned calculation content and the lookup table may be stored in the storage unit 52 in advance. The remaining amount estimation unit 532 records the estimation result and the date and time when the measurement value on which the estimation result is based was obtained in association with each other in the storage unit 52.

[0028] The information providing unit 533 provides information to the terminal device 40 used by the person concerned with the feed tank 10. The information providing unit 533 provides the terminal device 40 with information obtained based on the measured value obtained by the sensor unit 20 attached to the feed tank 10 used by the person concerned. For example, the feed tank 10 and the terminal device 40 to which the information is provided may be previously associated and recorded in the storage unit 52. For example, the terminal device 40 may transmit request data together with an identifier indicating the feed tank 10, and information regarding the feed tank 10 indicated by the identifier included in the request data may be transmitted to the terminal device 40 as response information. In this case, it is desirable that authentication regarding the feed tank 10 is performed from the terminal device 40. The information provided by the information providing unit 533 may be, for example, an estimation result of the remaining amount. The information providing unit 533 may notify the terminal device 40 of the estimated value by push communication at a predetermined predetermined timing.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 40 based on information provided by the information providing unit 533. In the example of Fig. 3, a previous transition button 901, a tank-shaped body image 902, a remaining amount estimated value 903, a measured temperature 904, a measured humidity 905, a remaining battery amount value 906, a most recent opening / closing date and time 907, and a next transition button 908 are displayed on the display screen.

[0030] The previous transition button 901 is a button for instructing to transition the displayed information to information acquired at the previous timing. When the previous transition button 901 is operated, the terminal device 40 transmits data requesting information acquired at the timing immediately preceding the currently displayed information to the estimation device 50. The information providing unit 533 of the estimation device 50 reads data at the requested timing from the storage unit 52 and transmits it to the terminal device 40 that is the requester. When the terminal device 40 receives the data from the estimation device 50, it generates and displays a display screen based on the received data.

[0031] The tank-shaped body image 902 is an image showing the accumulation shape of livestock feed in the feed tank 10. When the estimation device 50 can obtain an estimation result of the accumulation shape of livestock feed in the feed tank 10, such an image may be displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0032] The remaining amount estimated value 903 indicates the value of the remaining amount that is the estimation result of the remaining amount estimation unit 532. The remaining amount estimated value 903 may be displayed in a larger character string than the other character strings. The temperature measurement value 904 indicates the measurement value of the temperature inside the feed tank 10. When such a display is made, a temperature sensor is provided in the sensor unit 20. The humidity measurement value 905 indicates the measurement value of the humidity inside the feed tank 10. When such a display is made, a humidity sensor is provided in the sensor unit 20. The battery remaining amount value 906 indicates the remaining amount of the battery provided in the sensor unit 20. When such a display is made, a sensor that measures the remaining amount of the battery is provided in the sensor unit 20. The most recent opening / closing date and time 907 indicates the date and time that the top cover of the feed tank 10 is estimated to have been opened and closed most recently. When such a display is made, an opening / closing detection sensor is provided in the sensor unit 20. The user can know when the top cover was opened and closed by looking at the value of the most recent opening / closing date and time 907.

[0033] The next transition button 908 is a button for instructing to transition the displayed information to information acquired one timing later. When the next transition button 908 is operated, the terminal device 40 transmits data requesting information acquired one timing later than the currently displayed information to the estimation device 50. The information providing unit 533 of the estimation device 50 reads data of the requested timing from the storage unit 52 and transmits it to the terminal device 40 that is the requestor. When the terminal device 40 receives the data from the estimation device 50, it generates and displays a display screen based on the received data.

[0034] In addition, the screen shown in Figure 3 displays the name of the feed tank 10 indicated by the displayed information, "Wagyu No. 1," the tank capacity, "2.0 t," the name of the livestock feed 14 in the feed tank 10, "Feed A," and so on.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the terminal device 40. On the terminal device 40 of a user who manages multiple feed tanks 10, information on multiple feed tanks 10 may be displayed on one screen as shown in Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 4, two images shown in Fig. 3 are displayed vertically side by side on one screen.

[0036] 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the determination device 60. The determination device 60 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. The determination device 60 includes a communication unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a control unit 63.

[0037] The communication unit 61 is configured using a communication interface. The communication unit 61 is connected to the network 90 by wireless communication or wired communication, and performs data communication with other devices.

[0038] The storage unit 62 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 62 stores data recorded by the control unit 63. The data stored in the storage unit 62 is read by the control unit 63. The storage unit 62 stores, for example, a log of the estimation result transmitted from the estimation device 50. The storage unit 62 stores, for example, information indicating the result determined by the control unit 63. The storage unit 62 may store information on all feed tanks 10 (hereinafter referred to as "delivery candidate tanks") that are candidates for delivery by the user (delivery person) of the delivery terminal device 70 to which the information is provided. Note that the deliverer may be a person who actually drives a delivery vehicle to make deliveries, or may be a natural person or a legal entity that employs one or more people to make deliveries.

[0039] The information about the feed tank 10 is, for example, information indicating the type of feed stored inside the feed tank 10, the content amount of the feed tank 10, and the installation location of the feed tank 10. The storage unit 62 may store information about a delivery vehicle that may be used by a deliverer. The information about the delivery vehicle may be information indicating the maximum amount of feed that the delivery vehicle can carry, or information indicating roads that the delivery vehicle can or cannot pass, or weather conditions in which the delivery vehicle cannot be driven.

[0040] The control unit 63 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 63 functions as an information acquisition unit 631, a plan determination unit 632, and an information provision unit 633 by the CPU executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 63 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (e.g., SSD), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0041] The information acquisition unit 631 acquires one or more pieces of information used by the plan determination unit 632. The information acquisition unit 631 records the acquired information in the memory unit 62. For example, the information acquisition unit 631 acquires information indicating an estimated value of the remaining amount of feed in a candidate delivery tank from the estimation device 50. It is desirable that the estimated value is information that is closer to the latest. For example, each estimated value may be updated at a predetermined timing (once a day, at a predetermined time multiple times a day, etc.). The update timing of the estimated value may be different for each feed tank 10.

[0042] For example, the information acquisition unit 631 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as "road information") indicating the condition of each road (hereinafter referred to as "candidate road") that is a candidate for use when delivering feed to each feed tank 10. The road information may include information indicating whether each road is passable or not. The road information may include, for example, information indicating the traffic volume on each road. For example, the information acquisition unit 631 may acquire information indicating the weather in the area where each feed tank 10 is installed or on the candidate road. Such information indicating the weather may be acquired from a specified server that distributes information regarding the weather. The information indicating the weather may be information indicating, for example, wind speed, amount of precipitation, amount of snowfall, and type of weather (sunny, rainy, snowy, etc.).

[0043] The plan determination unit 632 determines a delivery plan for feed to the multiple feed tanks 10 based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 631. A specific example of the process of the plan determination unit 632 will be described below.

[0044] For example, the plan determination unit 632 determines, among all feed tanks 10 included in the delivery candidate tanks, feed tanks 10 for which the estimated value of the remaining amount of feed is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold. The first threshold indicates, for example, the remaining amount of feed that is desirably replenished as soon as possible. For example, the first threshold indicates the remaining amount of feed that is desirably replenished within one day or within several days, or the remaining amount of feed that is desirably replenished at the next delivery timing. The plan determination unit 632 may determine all feed tanks 10 for which the estimated value of the remaining amount is equal to or less than the first threshold as feed tanks 10 to be delivered next. Then, the plan determination unit 632 determines the delivery order and delivery route to each feed tank 10 to be delivered as a delivery plan based on a predetermined routing algorithm.

[0045] The plan determination unit 632 may determine a predetermined amount for each feed tank 10 as the delivery amount to each feed tank 10. Such an amount may be determined, for example, as an absolute amount (weight of feed or a predetermined unit (number of bags, etc.)), or as a relative value with respect to the size of the feed tank 10 (for example, a value of 50%). The plan determination unit 632 calculates the total amount of delivery to each feed tank 10 that is the delivery target. Based on the calculated total amount, the plan determination unit 632 may determine a delivery vehicle that can carry the total amount. If the total amount exceeds the load capacity of the delivery vehicle with the largest load capacity, the delivery order and delivery route may be determined on the premise that the feed will be delivered by multiple delivery vehicles or multiple deliveries.

[0046] The plan determination unit 632 may determine delivery to the feed tank 10 that has not been determined as a delivery target at that time based on a value obtained by subtracting the total amount from the maximum load capacity of the delivery vehicle. For example, the plan determination unit 632 determines, among all feed tanks 10 included in the delivery candidate tanks, feed tanks 10 whose estimated remaining amount of feed is greater than a predetermined first threshold and is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold. The second threshold is a value greater than the first threshold. The plan determination unit 632 may determine a feed tank 10 that will be a new delivery destination from among the feed tanks 10 determined in this way. At this time, the delivery amount to the newly determined feed tank 10 may be a delivery amount (hereinafter referred to as a "second delivery amount") that is less than the delivery amount (hereinafter referred to as a "first delivery amount") determined when the remaining amount is equal to or less than the first threshold.

[0047] At this time, the plan determination unit 632 determines the feed tank 10 to be the destination of the second delivery amount so that the sum of the total amount of the first delivery amount and the total amount of the second delivery amount is not greater than the maximum load of the delivery vehicle. For example, the plan determination unit 632 may determine, as the destination of the second delivery amount, a feed tank 10 located within a predetermined distance (which may be a straight line distance or a road distance) from the delivery route to the feed tank 10 that is the destination of the first delivery amount, among the feed tanks 10 that are candidates for the destination of the second delivery amount. By determining the destination of the second delivery amount in this way, it becomes possible to deliver feed to a feed tank 10 located near the delivery route that is the destination of the first delivery amount while delivering the feed along the delivery route. As a result, the number of deliveries to the feed tank 10 can be reduced, and as a result, it becomes possible to reduce the time and fuel required for delivery.

[0048] The plan determination unit 632 may perform the following process. For example, the plan determination unit 632 may determine the feed tank 10 located farthest among the feed tanks 10 that are destinations of the first delivery amount as the reference feed tank. Then, among the feed tanks 10 that are candidates for the destination of the second delivery amount, the feed tank 10 located within a predetermined distance from the feed tank 10 of the reference feed tank may be determined as the destination of the second delivery amount. By determining the destination of the second delivery amount in this manner, it becomes possible to deliver feed to the feed tank 10 located farther away while delivering to the reference feed tank. In this case, it is possible to prevent the feed tank 10 located farther away from having a shortage of feed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of deliveries to the feed tanks 10 located farther away, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the time and fuel required for delivery.

[0049] When determining the destination of the second delivery amount based on the above-mentioned reference feed tank, a feed tank 10 (a candidate destination of the second delivery amount) located within a predetermined distance (which may be a straight-line distance or a road distance) from the delivery route to the destination of the second delivery amount may be determined as the destination of the second delivery amount.

[0050] The plan determination unit 632 may determine, based on road information, as a delivery destination, a feed tank 10 to which it is expected that it will be difficult to deliver feed for a predetermined period from the determination timing, or a feed tank 10 to which a detour is required for delivery for a predetermined period. For example, such a determination may be made based on roads that are closed to traffic for a predetermined period in winter, or roads that are difficult to pass due to bad weather (rain, snow, etc.).

[0051] The information providing unit 633 transmits information on the delivery plan, which is the determination result of the plan determining unit 632, to the delivery terminal device 70. The information providing unit 633 may transmit, for example, to the delivery terminal device 70, location information of each feed tank 10 that is the delivery destination in the delivery plan, information indicating the road (delivery route) to be used when delivering to each feed tank 10, and information indicating the delivery order to each feed tank 10.

[0052] The delivery terminal device 70 is an information processing device used by a deliverer who delivers feed to the feed tank 10. The delivery terminal device 70 is, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a television receiver, a central control device, or other device. The delivery terminal device 70 receives information on the delivery plan from the determination device 60. The delivery terminal device 70 outputs the received information. The delivery terminal device 70 may output information, for example, by outputting voice, or may output information by displaying a screen. The screen may be displayed, for example, by a browser or a specific application. The deliverer can recognize the information included in the delivery plan by perceiving the output of the delivery terminal device 70. For example, the delivery terminal device 70 may function as a car navigation device that notifies the deliverer of the route according to the delivery plan.

[0053] 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on the delivery terminal device 70. An image 81 showing the starting point of delivery and images 80a to 80d showing the feed tanks 10 determined as the delivery destinations are displayed. In addition to these images, images showing the delivery order, roads to be used during delivery, etc. may be further displayed.

[0054] 7 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the processing flow of the delivery support system 100. The control device of the sensor unit 20 acquires the measurement value of the ultrasonic sensor at a predetermined timing. The control device of the sensor unit 20 transmits data including the acquired measurement value to the relay device 30 (step S101). Upon receiving data from the sensor unit 20, the relay device 30 relays the received data to the estimation device 50 (step S102).

[0055] When the measurement value acquisition unit 531 of the estimation device 50 receives data including the measurement value of the ultrasonic sensor, it records the measurement value included in the received data as log data in the storage unit 52. The remaining amount estimation unit 532 of the estimation device 50 estimates the remaining amount of livestock feed based on the measurement value (step S103). The information provision unit 533 generates provided information data including the estimation result. The information provision unit 533 transmits the provided information data to the terminal device 40 associated with the feed tank 10 of the obtained estimation result (step S104). When the terminal device 40 receives the provided information data, it generates screen data based on the received data (step S105). Then, the terminal device 40 displays the generated screen (step S106).

[0056] FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of the delivery support process of the delivery support system 100. The estimation device 50 transmits information (remaining amount information) indicating the estimation result of the remaining amount to the determination device 60 (step S201). The information acquisition unit 631 acquires the remaining amount information transmitted from the estimation device 50 and records it in the storage unit 62 (step S202). The plan determination unit 632 determines the delivery plan based on the acquired information (step S203). The information provision unit 633 transmits information indicating the delivery plan determined by the plan determination unit 632 to the delivery terminal device 70 (step S204). When the delivery terminal device 70 receives the data of the information of the delivery plan, it generates screen data based on the received data (step S205). Then, the delivery terminal device 70 displays the generated screen (step S206).

[0057] In the delivery support system 100 configured in this way, it is possible to determine a delivery plan for replenishing the amount of a specific stored object (e.g., livestock feed) stored in a specific container (e.g., feed tank 10). Therefore, by transmitting this delivery plan to the deliverer, it is possible to provide efficient delivery support.

[0058] In addition, for those who deliver livestock feed, it will become possible to deliver livestock feed more efficiently, and it will be possible to lower the price of the feed itself and the price of feed delivery while maintaining high feed quality. Furthermore, for those who deliver feed, it will become easier to manage supply in the vast business area that is characteristic of dairy farming regions.

[0059] (Modification) In the example of FIG. 1, a feed tank is applied as a specific example of the container, and livestock feed is applied as a specific example of the object (stored object) stored in the container. However, the container and the stored object do not need to be limited to a feed tank and livestock feed, respectively. For example, specific examples of the stored object include sand, stones, granular polymers, and animal hair. The size of each stored object may be sufficiently small compared to the size of the container, and the shape (particularly the shape of the upper surface) of the stored object when it is piled up may change. In addition, the above-mentioned solids may be applied as specific examples of the stored object, or liquids such as water and oil may be applied. The stored object may be any object as long as it reflects ultrasonic waves.

[0060] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100...Delivery support system 100, 10...Feed tank, 20...Sensor unit, 30...Relay device, 40...Terminal device, 50...Estimation device, 51...Communication unit, 52...Memory unit, 53...Control unit, 531...Measurement value acquisition unit, 532...Remaining amount estimation unit, 533...Information provision unit, 60...Determination device, 61...Communication unit, 62...Memory unit, 63...Control unit, 631...Information acquisition unit, 632...Plan determination unit, 633...Information provision unit, 901...Previous transition button, 902...Tank-shaped body image, 903...Remaining amount estimation value, 904...Temperature measurement value, 905...Humidity measurement value, 906...Battery remaining amount value, 907...Latest opening / closing date and time, 908...Next transition button

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a remaining amount of a predetermined object stored in a plurality of containers; a plan determination unit that determines a delivery plan including information indicating one or more containers to be delivery destinations of the object based on the remaining amount of each container and the position of the container acquired by the information acquisition unit; An information providing unit that transmits the delivery plan determined by the plan determination unit to a delivery terminal device that is a device of a person who performs delivery; Equipped with The plan determination unit determines a container in which a remaining amount of the object is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold as a delivery destination, The plan determination unit is a determination device that determines new containers to be delivery destinations based on the total amount to be delivered to each container determined to be a container with a remaining amount below the first threshold, as well as the amount that can be further loaded onto the delivery vehicle used for delivery.

2. an information acquisition step of acquiring information regarding a remaining amount of a predetermined object stored in a plurality of containers; a plan determination step of determining a delivery plan including information indicating one or more containers to which the object is to be delivered, based on the remaining amount of each container and the position of the container acquired in the information acquisition step; An information providing step of transmitting the delivery plan determined in the plan determination step to a delivery terminal device which is a device of a person who performs delivery; having In the plan determination step, a container in which the remaining amount of the object is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold is determined as a delivery destination; This determination method further determines new containers to be delivery destinations based on the total amount to be delivered to each container determined in the planning determination step as a container with a remaining amount below the first threshold, plus the amount that can be further loaded onto the delivery vehicle used for delivery.

3. A computer program for causing a computer to function as the determination device according to claim 1.

Images