Packaging box selection system, user terminal, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide a packaging box selection system that can easily select a packaging box appropriate for delivery of an article, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.SOLUTION: A packaging system comprises: a cutter that automatically cuts out paperboard of a special packaging box made from cardboard base paper; a user terminal that performs the operation of the cutter; and a measuring device that can measure the dimensions of various articles to be packaged. The user terminal 5 selecting a packaging box applied to a packaging object includes: an acquisition unit 51 that acquires information on the dimensions of the packaging object; a specification unit 52 that, based on information on the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes, specifies an existing packaging box that can be used for packaging the packaging object; a calculation unit 53 that calculates the dimensions of a non-existing packaging box adjusted to the size of the packaging object based on the information on the dimensions of the packaging object; and a determination unit 54 that selects any one of delivery using the existing packaging box specified by the specification unit 52 and delivery using the non-existing packaging box calculated by the calculation unit 53 based on a delivery cost including the packaging box.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging box selection system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the volume of goods handled in logistics has been steadily increasing with the spread of online shopping. Most of the goods handled in logistics are usually packed in various types of packaging boxes made of appropriate sizes of corrugated cardboard or cardboard (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-510100 [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-183964 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-184295 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The shipping fee for an item varies depending on the delivery company, but it basically depends on the size and weight of the packaging box that contains the item. Therefore, it is desirable for the packaging box used for delivery to be as small as possible. However, since the packaging box is required to have dimensions that exceed all of the long side, short side, and height of the item to be packaged, if an existing packaging box is used, one of these dimensions may be too large, and empty space may unavoidably occur in the packaging box.

[0005] Therefore, as a measure to reduce the delivery cost, it is possible to prepare a specially made packaging box to match the packaged item. However, the newly prepared packaging box may be more expensive than the existing packaging box. Therefore, preparing a specially made packaging box to match the packaged item may increase the total delivery cost.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaging box selection system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can easily select a packaging box suitable for delivering an item. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention, when information regarding the dimensions of the item to be packaged is obtained, a selection is made between delivery using an existing packaging box or delivery using a non-existent packaging box based on the delivery cost including the packaging box.

[0008] In detail, the present invention is a packaging box selection system comprising a cutting machine that cuts out paperboard for a packaging box from base paper for the packaging box, and an information processing device that selects a packaging box to be applied to an object to be packaged. The information processing device has a first processing unit that, when it acquires information regarding the dimensions of the object to be packaged, identifies an existing packaging box that can be used to package the object to be packaged based on information regarding the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes, a second processing unit that calculates the dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that matches the size of the object to be packaged based on the information regarding the dimensions of the object to be packaged, and a third processing unit that selects either delivery using the existing packaging box identified by the first processing unit or delivery using the non-existent packaging box calculated by the second processing unit, based on the delivery cost including the packaging box.

[0009] In addition, when the third processing section selects delivery in a non-existent packaging box, the non-existent packaging box is cut by the cutter. You may start creating a box.

[0010] In addition, when the item to be packaged requires cushioning material, the first processing unit may identify an existing packaging box that can be used to package the item to be packaged by adding the dimensions of the item to the thickness of the cushioning material, and when the item to be packaged requires cushioning material, the second processing unit may calculate the dimensions of a non-existent packaging box by adding the dimensions of the item to the thickness of the cushioning material.

[0011] In addition, the third processing unit may select either delivery using the existing packaging box identified by the first processing unit or delivery using a non-existing packaging box calculated by the second processing unit based on a delivery cost calculated based on the unit price of existing packaging boxes, the delivery fee indicated for each size, and the cost of creating a non-existing packaging box.

[0012] The system may also include a first processing unit that, when information regarding the dimensions of the packaging object is acquired, identifies an existing packaging box that can be used to package the packaging object based on information regarding the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes; a second processing unit that calculates the dimensions of a non-existing packaging box that matches the size of the packaging object based on the information regarding the dimensions of the packaging object; and a third processing unit that selects between delivery using the existing packaging box identified by the first processing unit and delivery using the non-existing packaging box calculated by the second processing unit based on the delivery cost including the packaging box.

[0013] The present invention can also be understood from the aspect of a method. For example, the present invention may be an information processing method in which, when a computer acquires information on the dimensions of an object to be packaged, a first process is performed to identify an existing packaging box that can be used to package the object to be packaged based on information on the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes, a second process is performed to calculate the dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that matches the size of the object to be packaged based on the information on the dimensions of the object to be packaged, and a third process is performed to select either delivery using the existing packaging box identified in the first process or delivery using the non-existent packaging box calculated in the second process based on a delivery cost including the packaging box.

[0014] The present invention can also be understood from the aspect of a program. For example, the present invention may be an information processing program that causes a computer to execute a first process of identifying an existing packaging box that can be used to package the packaging object based on information about the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes when information about the dimensions of the packaging object is acquired, a second process of calculating the dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that matches the size of the packaging object based on the information about the dimensions of the packaging object, and a third process of selecting either delivery using the existing packaging box identified in the first process or delivery using the non-existent packaging box calculated in the second process based on a delivery cost including the packaging box. Effect of the Invention

[0015] With the above-described packaging box selection system, information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program, it is possible to easily select a packaging box suitable for delivery of an item. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a packaging system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the packaging process that can be realized by the packaging system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram realized in the user terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow realized in the user terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an example of a table for managing information about existing packaging boxes. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of delivery fees set by a delivery company. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a modified example of the packaging system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a packaging system. As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging system 1 includes a cutting machine 4 that automatically cuts out paperboard for a special packaging box 3 (an example of a "non-existing packaging box" in the present application) made from a cardboard base paper 2, a user terminal 5 (an example of an "information processing device" in the present application) handled by a user of the packaging system 1 who operates the cutting machine 4, and a measuring device 6 that can measure the dimensions of various items such as an object to be packaged 8. The user of the packaging system 1 has one or more sizes of existing packaging boxes 7 (an example of an "existing packaging box" in the present application) that can be used to package the object to be packaged 8, and uses the existing packaging box 7 or the special packaging box 3 to package the object to be packaged when delivering the object to be packaged by a home delivery service or the like. The existing packaging box 7 is a so-called ready-made packaging box. The special packaging box 3 is a special packaging box made to fit the size of the object to be packaged 8. In the packaging system 1, the user terminal 5 selects a packaging box to be used for delivering the packaged item 8, thereby reducing the workload of the user of the packaging system 1.

[0019] In addition, in FIG. 1, the base paper 2 is shown as a continuous line of cardboard sheets folded in an accordion-like shape (also referred to as "continuous cardboard"); however, the base paper 2 used in the packaging system 1 of this embodiment is not limited to this form. The base paper 2 may be, for example, in the form of a roll in which a cardboard sheet is wrapped around a core, or in the form of pre-cut sheets of cardboard. When sheets of cardboard are used as the base paper 2, the cutter 4 may be a device in the form of manual paper feeding by a user, or may be an automatic paper feeding device in which stacked sheets of cardboard are automatically taken into the machine.

[0020] 1 shows the cutter 4 in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the cutter 4 used in the packaging system 1 of the present embodiment is not limited to this shape. The cutter 4 may be, for example, a device without a housing, or may be a large-scale facility having a system configuration including multiple devices.

[0021] In addition, although Figure 1 illustrates an existing packaging box 7 assembled into a box shape, the existing packaging box 7 used by a user of the packaging system 1 of this embodiment may be stored in a flat cardboard state before assembly.

[0022] 2 is a diagram showing an overview of a packaging process that can be realized by the packaging system 1. When the packaged object 8 is delivered, the packaged object 8 is shipped in a packaging box to prevent the packaged object 8 from being damaged or soiled. Then, the delivery item 9 containing the packaged object 8 packed in the packaging box is transported by a delivery company 10.

[0023] The delivery fee collected by the delivery company 10 basically depends on the size and weight of the delivery item 9. Therefore, it is desirable that the packaging box used to deliver the packaged object 8 is as small as possible. However, in order to accommodate the packaged object 8, the packaging box is required to have dimensions that exceed all of the long sides, short sides, and height of the packaged object 8. Therefore, if an existing packaging box 7, which is an existing packaging box, is used, one of these dimensions may be excessively large, and empty space or the like may inevitably occur within the existing packaging box 7.

[0024] Therefore, the packaging system 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a cutter 4 for creating a special packaging box 3 that matches the size of the packaging object 8 to be packaged as a measure to reduce shipping costs. However, the creation of the special packaging box 3 may be more expensive than the creation of the existing packaging box 7. 2, in the packaging system 1, a packaging box to be used for packaging an object 8 is selected from an existing packaging box 7 and a special packaging box 3. The selection of the packaging box is performed by a user terminal 5. Therefore, the user terminal 5 will be described in detail below.

[0025] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram realized in the user terminal 5. The user terminal 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a main storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an input / output interface, a communication The user terminal 5 is a computer having an interface and the like. The user terminal 5 realizes various functional units, such as an acquisition unit 51, a specification unit 52 (an example of the "first processing unit" in the present application), a calculation unit 53 (an example of the "second processing unit" in the present application), and a determination unit 54 (an example of the "third processing unit" in the present application), by the CPU executing a computer program loaded from the main storage device to the memory. In addition, a database 55 having various information is stored in the main storage device of the user terminal 5.

[0026] The acquisition unit 51 is a functional unit that controls a process of acquiring data on the size of the packaging object 8. The size of the packaging object 8 can be acquired, for example, by manual measurement using a measuring tool such as a tape measure, electronic measurement using the measuring device 6, or by referring to design data of the packaging object 8. Therefore, the acquisition unit 51 realizes an appropriate input interface according to the user's desire. For example, the acquisition unit 51 displays an input screen for inputting the results of manual measurement, displays an operation screen for operating the measuring device 6 to confirm the measurement results, or displays an operation screen for referring to the design data of the packaging object 8. Then, the acquisition unit 51 executes a process according to a selection operation by the user, and accepts the value input by the user, the value measured by the measuring device 6, or the dimensional value obtained from the design data of the packaging object 8 as data on the size of the packaging object 8.

[0027] The identification unit 52 is a functional unit that controls a process of identifying an existing packaging box 7 that can be used to package the packaging object 8. The existing packaging box 7 that can be used to package the packaging object 8 is determined based on the relationship between the size of the packaging object 8 and the size of the existing packaging box 7, the presence or absence of a cushioning material, whether or not a plurality of packaging objects 8 are to be put into one existing packaging box 7, and the like. Therefore, the identification unit 52 identifies an existing packaging box 7 that can be used to package the packaging object 8 based on data on the size of the packaging object 8 acquired by the acquisition unit 51, data on the size of the existing packaging box 7 that has been acquired in advance, data on the thickness of the cushioning material, and the like. The data on the size of the existing packaging box 7 may be stored in advance in the database 55, for example, or may be stored in another storage area (for example, a cloud), etc.

[0028] The calculation unit 53 is a functional unit that controls the process of calculating the dimensions of the special packaging box 3 that matches the size of the object 8 to be packaged, based on information on the dimensions of the object 8 to be packaged. The dimensions of the special packaging box 3 that matches the size of the object 8 to be packaged are basically the same as the dimensions of the object 8 to be packaged, but also depend on the presence or absence of cushioning material, whether multiple objects 8 to be packaged are placed in one special packaging box 3, etc.

[0029] The determination unit 54 is a functional unit that controls the process of selecting either delivery using the existing packaging box 7 or delivery using the special packaging box 3. As described above, it is desirable from the viewpoint of delivery costs that the packaging box used to deliver the packaged object 8 be as small as possible, but the selection must also take into consideration the cost of producing the special packaging box 3 and the unit price of the existing packaging box 7. Therefore, the determination unit 54 refers to data related to delivery costs, data related to the cost of producing the special packaging box 3, and data related to the unit price of the existing packaging box 7. Then, the determination unit 54 selects either delivery using the existing packaging box 7 or delivery using the special packaging box 3 based on these data.

[0030] The database 55 is a database for storing various types of information. The database 55 stores, for example, data on delivery charges, data on the dimensions and unit prices of existing packaging boxes 7, data on the cost of cushioning materials, data on the dimensions of the object 8 to be packaged, accumulated data such as dimensions when special packaging boxes 3 were created in the past, and various other data. Note that in this embodiment, the database 55 is provided in the user terminal 5, but the packaging system 1 is not limited to this form. The packaging system 1 may have a system configuration in which the database 55 is separate from the user terminal 5, for example, the database 55 is stored in a storage device on a network.

[0031] The user terminal 5 may be a dedicated computer provided in the packaging system 1, or may be a computer constituting part of the control device of the cutter 4, or may be a computer used in the normal business operations of an employee of a business that uses the packaging system 1. A computer program that realizes the above-mentioned various functional units in the user terminal 5 may be distributed to users as application software by the business that provides the packaging system 1.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of a process flow realized in the user terminal 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow realized in the user terminal 5. The user terminal 5 realizes the following process flow by the cooperation of the above-mentioned functional units.

[0033] <Step S101> When a user of the packaging system 1 performs an operation to start processing on the user terminal 5, the user terminal 5 executes processing to acquire dimensional information, which is data related to the size of the packaging object 8. More specifically, the user terminal 5, for example, displays a selection button on the screen to select a method for acquiring dimensional information, and prompts the user to perform an operation. Then, the user terminal 5 displays a screen corresponding to the acquisition method selected by the user. If the user of the packaging system 1 selects, for example, manual measurement, the user terminal 5 displays an input screen for inputting the measurement results. If the user of the packaging system 1 selects, for example, measurement using the measuring device 6, the user terminal 5 displays an operation screen for operating the measuring device 6 and allowing the user to confirm the measurement results. If the user of the packaging system 1 selects, for example, use of design data of the packaging object 8, the user terminal 5 displays an operation screen for referring to the design data of the packaging object 8. Then, the user terminal 5 performs acquisition processing according to any of the selected acquisition methods. For example, when manual measurement is selected, the user terminal 5 acquires the measurement result value input by the user on the input screen as dimensional information. Also, when measurement by the measuring device 6 is selected, the user terminal 5 acquires the value measured by the measuring device 6 as dimensional information. Also, when use of design data of the packaging object 8 is selected, the user terminal 5 acquires the dimensional value obtained from the referenced design data by accessing a database 55 or the like as dimensional information.

[0034] In this embodiment, the length in the up-down direction of the packaging object 8 is defined as the height (H), and the longer of the lengths in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the packaging object 8 is defined as the long side (L), and the shorter of the lengths is defined as the short side (W). Therefore, the dimensional information is composed of three values ​​of the long side (L), short side (W), and height (H) of the packaging object 8.

[0035] The user terminal 5 is not limited to the form of requesting the user to perform a selection operation in step S101. For example, when a measurement start operation is performed on the measuring device 6, the user terminal 5 may automatically select measurement using the measuring device 6 by detecting the operation. Also, when the user terminal 5 receives design data or the like of the packaging object 8 from an external device, the user terminal 5 may automatically accept the received data as dimensional information.

[0036] <Step S102> After executing the process of step S101, the user terminal 5 executes a process to determine whether or not cushioning material is needed. The user terminal 5 determines whether or not cushioning material is needed, for example, by the following process. That is, the user terminal 5 displays a selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not cushioning material is needed, and determines whether or not cushioning material is needed based on the user's selection operation. Alternatively, the user terminal 5 displays a selection screen that allows the user to select the type of the packaged object 8, and automatically determines whether or not cushioning material is needed based on the type of packaged object 8 selected by the user. Alternatively, when information on whether or not cushioning material is needed is included in the design data of the packaged object 8, the user terminal 5 determines whether or not cushioning material is needed based on the information. Whether or not cushioning material is needed also depends on the type and thickness of the paper that constitutes the packaging box.

[0037] <Step S103> When the user terminal 5 makes a positive determination in the process of step S102, it adds the dimensions of the space for the cushioning material to the dimensional information acquired in step S101. Examples of cushioning materials include a vinyl sheet with air bubbles arranged vertically and horizontally, granular foam, powder made by crushing wood or paper, a molded product formed to fit the shape of the packaged object 8, and various other materials. Therefore, the value to be added to the dimensional information in this step S102 depends on the type of cushioning material used. For example, if the packaged object 8 is wrapped in a vinyl sheet with air bubbles arranged vertically and horizontally, the thickness of the cushioning material is approximately 25 mm, so 50 mm is added to each of the long side (L), short side (W), and height (H) of the packaged object 8. The value to be added to the dimensional information in this step S102 may be a value arbitrarily set by the user of the packaging system 1, may be a preset value according to the type of cushioning material selected by a selection operation, or may be a uniformly fixed value regardless of the type of cushioning material.

[0038] <Step S104> When the user terminal 5 makes a negative determination in the process of step S102 or after executing the process of step S103, the user terminal 5 executes a process of determining whether or not the existing packaging box 7 can be applied. The determination of whether or not the existing packaging box 7 can be applied to packaging the packaging object 8 can be made based on a comparison between information on the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 and the above-mentioned dimension information. As described above, information on the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 is stored in the database 55. FIG. 5 is an example of a table for managing information on the existing packaging box 7. The information shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the database 55 as an existing box information management table. The existing box information management table shows, for example, information on the dimensions and unit price of the existing packaging box 7, as shown in FIG. 5. Information on the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 is composed of three items: long side (L), short side (W), and height (H). Therefore, the user terminal 5 searches the existing box information management table for an existing packaging box 7 that exceeds the dimensions of the packaging object 8 (including the thickness of the cushioning material if present) in any of the long side (L), short side (W), and height (H). Then, if a corresponding existing packaging box 7 is found, the user terminal 5 determines that the existing packaging box 7 can be applied. If a corresponding existing packaging box 7 is not found, the user terminal 5 determines that the existing packaging box 7 cannot be applied. For example, in the case of a long item such as a fishing rod or golf club, there is a high possibility that the existing packaging box 7 cannot be applied.

[0039] Whether or not an item will fit into the existing packaging box 7 depends on the inside dimensions (internal dimensions) of the existing packaging box 7. Therefore, the judgment process in step S104 is performed based on the internal dimensions of the existing packaging box 7. When the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 shown in FIG. 5 are internal dimensions, information on the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 is used as is in the judgment process. When the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 shown in FIG. 5 are external dimensions, a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the paper that makes up the existing packaging box 7 from the information on the dimensions of the existing packaging box 7 is used in the judgment process.

[0040] The thickness of the paper is diverse. Examples of the paper that constitutes the existing packaging box 7 include cardboard and corrugated board, and there are various types of corrugated board. For example, corrugated board includes one-ply, two-ply, three-ply, etc., cores that form a flute structure. The thickness of the flute structure formed by the above also varies widely, with some having a single layer thickness of about 5 mm, and others having a single layer thickness of 3 mm, 1.5 mm, or 0.8 mm. Thus, there is a wide variety of cardboard, ranging from about 0.8 mm to about 15 mm. Therefore, when performing a process to subtract the paper thickness, the user terminal 5 executes a process to specify the paper thickness. Examples of the process to specify the paper thickness include having the user input the paper thickness, having the user input the paper type, or referring to data related to the paper thickness.

[0041] <Step S105> If the user terminal 5 makes a positive determination in the processing of step S104, it executes processing to identify an existing packaging box 7 that can be applied to packaging the packaging object 8. It can be said that the existing packaging box 7 suitable for packaging the packaging object 8 is the existing packaging box 7 with the smallest size among the existing packaging boxes 7 retrieved in the processing of step S104. Therefore, in this step S105, the user terminal 5 identifies the existing packaging box 7 with the smallest size among the existing packaging boxes 7 retrieved in the processing of step S104 as the existing packaging box 7 that can be applied to packaging the packaging object 8.

[0042] <Step S106> After executing the process of step S105, the user terminal 5 executes a process to determine whether the delivery size can be reduced. The delivery fee set by the delivery company 10 is determined according to the size and weight of the delivery item 9. The size of the delivery item 9 is set in stages based on the total value of the long side (L), short side (W), and height (H). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery fee set by the delivery company 10. The information on the delivery fee shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the database 55 as a delivery fee management table. The delivery fee set by the delivery company 10 usually takes into account the positional relationship between the sender and the delivery destination. However, the positional relationship between the sender and the delivery destination does not usually affect the size of the packaging box to be selected. Therefore, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, FIG. 6 only shows the relationship between size and delivery fee.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the delivery fee set by the delivery company 10 is set in stages according to the total value of the long side (L), short side (W), and height (H) of the delivery item 9. Therefore, if the size of the packaging box applied to packaging the packaging object 8 is small, the delivery fee can be reduced. Therefore, in this step S106, the user terminal 5 determines whether the total cost required for delivery can be reduced by selecting either the case of creating a special packaging box 3 according to the size of the packaging object 8 or the case of using the existing packaging box 7 identified in step S105. Then, the user terminal 5 determines that the delivery size can be reduced if the total cost required for delivery can be reduced by creating a special packaging box 3 according to the size of the packaging object 8 compared to using the existing packaging box 7 identified in step S105. Also, the user terminal 5 determines that the delivery size cannot be reduced if the total cost required for delivery can be reduced by using the existing packaging box 7 identified in step S105 compared to creating a special packaging box 3 according to the size of the packaging object 8.

[0044] The user terminal 5 calculates the delivery cost when an existing packaging box 7 is used to deliver the packaging object 8 as follows. That is, the user terminal 5 refers to the existing box information management table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the unit price of the existing packaging box 7 identified in step S105. The user terminal 5 also refers to the delivery fee management table shown in FIG. 6 and acquires the delivery fee corresponding to the size of the existing packaging box 7 identified in step S105. The user terminal 5 then calculates the total cost when the existing packaging box 7 is used to deliver the packaging object 8 as the sum of the unit price of the existing packaging box 7 and the delivery fee.

[0045] In addition, the user terminal 5 can display a delivery cost when the special packaging box 3 is used to deliver the packaged item 8. is calculated as follows. That is, the user terminal 5 calculates the production cost of the special packaging box 3. The production cost of the special packaging box 3 can be calculated by multiplying the unit price per unit length of the cardboard base paper 2 by the amount (length) of the cardboard base paper 2 used to produce the special packaging box 3. In this calculation, running costs such as the cost of the cushioning material and the power consumption and maintenance costs of the cutter 4 may be taken into consideration. The unit price per unit length of the cardboard base paper 2 is, for example, input in advance by the user of the packaging system 1 and stored in the database 55. The amount (length) of the cardboard base paper 2 used to produce the special packaging box 3 is calculated, for example, from the lengths of the three sides of the object 8 to be packaged, namely the long side (L), the short side (W), and the height (H) (if cushioning material is used, the thickness of the cushioning material is also added). 6, and obtains the delivery fee corresponding to the size of the special packaging box 3 from the total value of the long side (L), short side (W), and height (H) of the object 8 to be packaged (including the thickness of the cushioning material if any).The user terminal 5 then calculates the total value of the manufacturing cost of the special packaging box 3 and the delivery fee as the total cost when using the special packaging box 3 to deliver the object 8 to be packaged.

[0046] Then, the user terminal 5 compares the total cost when an existing packaging box 7 is used to deliver the packaged object 8 with the total cost when a special packaging box 3 is used to deliver the packaged object 8, and determines whether the delivery size can be reduced by using the special packaging box 3.

[0047] <Step S107> If the user terminal 5 makes a negative determination in the processing of step S106, it determines that the existing packaging box 7 will be the packaging box to be used for delivering the packaging object 8. Then, the user terminal 5 displays on a screen information about the existing packaging box 7 identified in step S105 as the existing packaging box 7 suitable for delivering the packaging object 8. Based on the information displayed on the screen of the user terminal 5, the user of the packaging system 1 packages the packaging object 8 using the existing packaging box 7, and requests the delivery company 10 to deliver the delivery item 9.

[0048] <Step S108> When the user terminal 5 makes a positive determination in the process of step S106 or a negative determination in the process of step S104, the user terminal 5 determines the special packaging box 3 to be used for delivery of the packaging object 8. Then, the user terminal 5 transmits data on the lengths of the three sides of the packaging object 8, namely, the long side (L), the short side (W), and the height (H) (including the thickness of the cushioning material if any), to the cutter 4, and causes the cutter 4 to start creating the special packaging box 3. The user of the packaging system 1 uses the special packaging box 3 created by the cutter 4 to package the packaging object 8, and requests the delivery company 10 to deliver the delivery item 9. When creating the special packaging box 3 in this step S108, the user terminal 5 may refer to the accumulated data stored in the database 55 and present to the user the dimensions of a box suitable for packaging the packaging object 8 from among the special packaging boxes 3 created in the past. This makes it possible to prepare special packaging boxes 3 of the same dimensions for packaging objects 8 of similar size, facilitating the accumulation and transportation of the boxes.

[0049] The above is an explanation of the processing flow realized in the user terminal 5. According to the packaging system 1, the user terminal 5 selects the packaging box to be used for delivering the packaging object 8, thereby reducing the workload of the user of the packaging system 1. Furthermore, the packaging system 1 does not uniformly create a special packaging box 3 to match the packaging object 8, but determines whether to use the special packaging box 3 or an existing packaging box 7, taking into account the total cost required for delivery. Therefore, according to the packaging system 1, it is possible to suppress the total cost required for delivery as much as possible.

[0050] Such a packaging system 1 is suitable for businesses that handle a variety of packaging objects 8. For example, there are many stores on the Internet that handle a wide variety of products in small quantities. Businesses that operate such stores handle a wide variety of products in small quantities, and therefore, delivery For businesses that handle large quantities of products, it is important to reduce the work required to select packaging boxes and the total costs required for delivery. The packaging system 1 is extremely useful.

[0051] The packaging system 1 may be modified as follows.

[0052] For example, in the above embodiment, the cutter 4 was located at a location where the users of the packaging system 1 were located, but each device that makes up the packaging system 1 may be located at multiple locations or across multiple businesses.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the packaging system 1. The packaging system 1 may be in a form in which, for example, a cutter 4 that uses the packaging system 1 to package an object 8 to be packaged outsources the manufacture of a special packaging box 3 to an external packaging box manufacturer 12 that has a business relationship with the cutter 4. In this case, the cutter 4 is owned by the packaging box manufacturer 12. In the packaging system 1, for example, the above series of processes (S101 to S108) are executed by the user terminal 5 of the cutter 4, and when sending data in the process of step S108, the data is sent from the user terminal 5 to the server 13 of the packaging box manufacturer 12 via the Internet 11. Then, the server 13 that has received the data from the user terminal 5 sends the data to the cutter 4 located in the facility of the packaging box manufacturer 12. As a result, the special packaging box 3 is produced by the cutter 4 of the packaging box manufacturer 12. The packaging box manufacturer 12 sends the special packaging box 3 produced by the cutter 4 to the cutter 4 using the delivery company 10. If the packaging system 1 has such a configuration, a business operator who wants to use the packaging system 1 does not need to own the cutter 4. Therefore, even a business operator whose transaction volume is not large enough to own a cutter 4 can use the packaging system 1. In addition, in the case of such a configuration, it is desirable to make a determination in the process of step S106 that also takes into consideration the ordering fee paid by the user who receives the special packaging box 3 to the packaging box manufacturer 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the packaging system 1 of the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the invention disclosed in this application.

[0055] <Computer-readable recording medium> A program for causing a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter, referred to as a computer, etc.) to realize any of the above functions can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer, etc. Then, the computer, etc. can provide the function by reading and executing the program from the recording medium.

[0056] Here, a computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs through electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read by a computer. Among such recording media, those that can be removed from a computer include, for example, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-R / Ws, DVDs, Blu-ray disks (Blu-ray is a registered trademark), DAT, 8 mm tapes, memory cards such as flash memory, etc. Furthermore, examples of recording media that are fixed to a computer include hard disks and ROMs (read-only memories). [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Packaging System 2. Corrugated cardboard 3.Special packaging box 4. Cutter 5. User terminal 6. Measurement equipment 7. Existing packaging box 8. Packaging items 9...Delivery item 10...Delivery company 11. Internet 12·Packaging box manufacturer 13. Server 51...Acquisition part 52...Specific part 53 Calculation section 54 Decision section 55··Database

Claims

1. A server of a packaging box manufacturer that manufactures packaging boxes using a cutting machine that cuts out paperboard for packaging boxes from base paper for packaging boxes; A user terminal for a business operator handling the packaging object, which selects a packaging box to be applied to the packaging object, The user terminal includes: a first processing unit that, when acquiring information on the dimensions of the packaging object, identifies an existing packaging box that can be used to package the packaging object based on information on the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes; A second processing unit calculates dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that is adapted to the size of the packaging object based on information regarding the dimensions of the packaging object; A third processing unit that selects either delivery using the existing packaging box identified by the first processing unit or delivery using a non-existent packaging box calculated by the second processing unit based on a delivery cost including the packaging box; A fourth processing unit that transmits data on dimensions of the packaging box to a server of the packaging box manufacturer when the third processing unit selects delivery using the non-existent packaging box, The third processing unit performs the selection by including an ordering cost of the non-existent packaging box, which is to be paid to the packaging box manufacturer, in the delivery cost. Packaging box selection system.

2. The third processing unit, when selecting delivery using the non-existing packaging box, causes the cutter to start creating the non-existing packaging box. The packaging box selection system according to claim 1 .

3. The first processing unit, when the packaging object requires a cushioning material, identifies an existing packaging box that can be used to package the packaging object by adding a thickness of the cushioning material to a dimension of the packaging object; The second processing unit calculates the dimensions of the non-existent packaging box by adding a thickness of the cushioning material to the dimensions of the packaging object when the packaging object requires a cushioning material. The packaging box selection system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The third processing unit selects either delivery using the existing packaging box specified by the first processing unit or delivery using the non-existing packaging box calculated by the second processing unit based on a delivery cost calculated based on a unit price of the existing packaging box, a delivery fee indicated for each size, and a production cost of the non-existing packaging box. The packaging box selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A user terminal for a business that handles packaging objects, a first processing unit that, when acquiring information on the dimensions of the packaging object, identifies an existing packaging box that can be used to package the packaging object based on information on the dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes; A second processing unit calculates dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that is adapted to the size of the packaging object based on information regarding the dimensions of the packaging object; A third processing unit that selects either delivery using the existing packaging box identified by the first processing unit or delivery using a non-existent packaging box calculated by the second processing unit based on a delivery cost including the packaging box; A fourth processing unit that, when the third processing unit selects delivery using the non-existent packaging box, sends data on the dimensions of the packaging box to a server of a packaging box manufacturer that manufactures packaging boxes using a cutting machine that cuts out the paperboard for the packaging box from base paper for the packaging box, The third processing unit performs the selection by including an ordering cost of the non-existent packaging box, which is to be paid to the packaging box manufacturer, in the delivery cost. User terminal.

6. A user terminal which is a computer for a business that handles packaging objects, a first process of identifying an existing packaging box that can be used to package the object based on information about dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes when information about dimensions of the object is acquired; A second process of calculating dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that is adapted to the size of the packaging object based on information about the dimensions of the packaging object; A third process of selecting either delivery using the existing packaging box identified in the first process or delivery using the non-existent packaging box calculated in the second process based on a delivery cost including the packaging box; If delivery using the non-existent packaging box is selected in the third process, a fourth process is executed to send data on dimensions of the packaging box to a server of a packaging box manufacturer that manufactures packaging boxes using a cutting machine that cuts out the paperboard for the packaging box from base paper for the packaging box, In the third process, the selection is performed by including a cost of ordering the non-existent packaging box, which is to be paid to the packaging box manufacturer, in the delivery cost. Information processing methods.

7. A user terminal which is a computer for a business that handles packaging objects, a first process of identifying an existing packaging box that can be used to package the object based on information about dimensions of a plurality of existing packaging boxes when information about dimensions of the object is acquired; A second process of calculating dimensions of a non-existent packaging box that is adapted to the size of the packaging object based on information about the dimensions of the packaging object; A third process of selecting either delivery using the existing packaging box identified in the first process or delivery using the non-existent packaging box calculated in the second process based on a delivery cost including the packaging box; and a fourth process of sending data on dimensions of the packaging box to a server of a packaging box manufacturer that manufactures packaging boxes using a cutting machine that cuts out the paperboard for the packaging box from base paper for the packaging box, when the delivery using the non-existent packaging box is selected in the third process. In the third process, the selection is made by including a cost of ordering the non-existent packaging box, which is to be paid to the packaging box manufacturer, in the delivery cost. Information processing program.

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