Delivery support device, system, and delivery support method

Abstract

To provide a delivery support device capable of identifying a transportation process in which loss or theft occurred.SOLUTION: A delivery support device 20 supports the delivery of goods. The delivery support device 20 includes a control unit that acquires first weight data representing the weight of the goods measured at a first point in the transportation process of the goods and second weight data representing the weight of the goods measured at a second point after the first point and determines whether to send a warning to a user 11 based on the comparison result of the weight shown in the first weight data and the weight shown in the second weight data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delivery assistance device, a system, and a delivery assistance method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for delivering parcels to multiple destinations in two stages using road vehicles and autonomous delivery vehicles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0379468 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] During the transportation of goods such as luggage, for example, an item may be lost due to falling out of the luggage, or may be stolen due to being removed. When such an item is lost or stolen, it is necessary to identify the transportation process in which the loss or theft occurred. However, it has been difficult to identify in which transportation process the loss or theft occurred, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] The objective of the present disclosure is to be able to identify the transit process in which the loss or theft occurred. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A delivery assistance device according to the present disclosure includes: A delivery support device that supports delivery of an item, Obtaining first weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a first time point during a transportation process of the item and second weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a second time point after the first time point; The device further includes a control unit that determines whether or not to notify a user of a warning based on a result of comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data.

[0007] The delivery assistance method according to the present disclosure includes: A delivery assistance method for assisting in delivery of an item, comprising: Acquiring, by a control unit, first weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a first time point in a transportation process of the item, and second weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a second time point after the first time point; A comparison between the weight indicated by the first weight data and the weight indicated by the second weight data by the control unit; determining whether to notify a user of a warning based on a determination result obtained by comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data by the control unit; Includes. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to identify the transportation process where the loss or theft occurred. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of delivery by a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a delivery support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a delivery support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] The configuration of a system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] The system 10 according to the present embodiment includes at least one delivery support device 20, at least one moving object 30, at least one vehicle 40, and at least one terminal device 50. The delivery support device 20 is capable of communicating with the moving object 30, the vehicle 40, and the terminal device 50 via a network 60.

[0014] The delivery support device 20 is installed in a facility such as a data center, and is operated by a business operator who manages the system 10. The business operator is, for example, a delivery company that receives items such as packages from customers and delivers them to a specified destination. The delivery support device 20 is a computer such as a server that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0015] One or more terminal devices 50 are held by one or more users 11, or installed at any location such as the home of the user 11, and used by the user 11. The terminal device 50 is, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet, or a PC. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer. In this embodiment, the user 11 is the addressee of the package LG, but the user 11 may also be the sender of the package LG. Alternatively, the user 11 may be an administrator of the system 10. If the user 11 is the administrator of the system 10, the terminal device 50 may be installed in a management room of the system 10 and used by the one or more users 11. Alternatively, the terminal device 50 installed in the management room may be shared by two or more users 11.

[0016] The vehicle 40 is any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The vehicle 40 is an AV in this embodiment, but may be driven by a driver or may be automated at any level. "AV" is an abbreviation for autonomous vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. The vehicle 40 may be a MaaS-only vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0017] In this embodiment, the vehicle 40 transports an item. In this embodiment, the item is a parcel LG that contains one or more items inside. The vehicle 40 is provided with a weight sensor WS1 that detects the weight of the parcel LG mounted on the vehicle 40. The vehicle 40 transports the parcel LG submitted by the sender to an intermediate delivery point. In this embodiment, the intermediate delivery point is a place where the vehicle 40 delivers a plurality of parcels including the parcel LG to the mobile body 30. Specifically, the intermediate delivery point is a waiting place for the mobile body 30 in an apartment building. Alternatively, the intermediate delivery point is an intermediate collection and delivery center for the delivery of a plurality of parcels including the parcel LG. At the intermediate delivery point, the parcel LG is delivered from the vehicle 40 to the mobile body 30.

[0018] The moving body 30 is a logistics robot 301 that autonomously delivers luggage LG. The moving body 30 includes any delivery vehicle that moves between points by autonomous driving. The moving body 30 may be, for example, a humanoid robot. Alternatively, the moving body 30 may be, for example, any unmanned aerial vehicle that flies autonomously, such as a drone. The moving body 30 may be positioned as a second vehicle with respect to the vehicle 40. The moving body 30 may be, for example, an in-house logistics robot that is installed in a collective housing such as an apartment or condominium, and that specializes in delivering luggage LG to each house (each house) in the collective housing.

[0019] In this embodiment, when the package LG is handed over from the vehicle 40, the moving body 30 autonomously delivers the package LG to a delivery destination. In this embodiment, the delivery destination is the home of the addressee of the package LG. When the moving body 30 arrives at the delivery destination, the moving body 30 delivers the package LG to the user 11 who is the addressee of the package LG. The moving body 30 is provided with a weight sensor WS2 that detects the weight of the package LG carried on the moving body 30. The moving body 30 may be provided with a door sensor CS that detects when a door CV of a storage unit that stores the package LG is opened.

[0020] Network 60 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 60 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad-hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0021] The present embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

[0022] In the system shown in FIG. 1, the delivery support device 20 that supports the delivery of an item acquires first weight data WD1 and second weight data WD2. The first weight data WD1 is data indicating the weight W1 of the item measured at a first time point T1 in the transportation process of the item. The second weight data WD2 is data indicating the weight W2 of the item measured at a second time point T2 after the first time point T1. The delivery support device 20 compares the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 with the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2. The item may be any item that can be transported by the vehicle 40 or the moving body 30, but in this embodiment, it is a package LG that contains one or more items inside. The first time point T1 may be any time point in the transportation process of the item, but in this embodiment, it is any time point in a first period P1 from when the package LG is delivered by the sender to when it is loaded onto the vehicle 40. The second point in time T2 may be any point in time later than the first point in time T1, but is any point in time during the second period P2 from when the cargo LG is handed over from the vehicle 40 to the mobile body 30 to when the mobile body 30 starts delivering the cargo LG.

[0023] The delivery support device 20 determines whether to notify the user 11 of an alert AL based on a determination result obtained by comparing the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 with the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2. Specifically, the delivery support device 20 determines to notify the user 11 of an alert AL when it is determined that the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2 is smaller than the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the loss or theft of an item contained in the package LG is detected based on the weight of the package LG being reduced during delivery. In addition, by comparing the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 with the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2, it is possible to estimate that the transportation process in which the loss or theft occurred was between the first time point T1 and the second time point T2. In other words, the transportation process in which the loss or theft occurred can be identified without constantly monitoring the item during transportation.

[0025] In this embodiment, a plurality of packages including the package LG are delivered to a door (house) in an apartment building (apartment, condominium, etc.) in the system 10. With reference to Fig. 2, a basic procedure until the package LG addressed to the user 11 is delivered to the user 11 at the house 121 in the apartment building 100 will be described.

[0026] In Fig. 2, an apartment building 100 has a plurality of houses 111, 112, 121, 122, 131, and 132. Furthermore, within the facilities of the apartment building 100, a logistics robot 301 is permanently installed as a mobile body 30 that delivers luggage to each of the houses. The apartment building 100 is equipped with a waiting space 101 where the logistics robot 301 waits, an elevator 102 for the logistics robot 301 to move between floors, and a temporary storage space 103 for temporarily storing luggage. Although one logistics robot 301 is illustrated in Fig. 2, the number of logistics robots 301 is not limited to one, and a plurality of logistics robots 301 to 30N may be permanently installed.

[0027] Based on a command from the delivery support device 20, the vehicle 40 loads a plurality of packages including the package LG and moves to the apartment house 100. In addition to the packages to be delivered to the apartment house 100, the vehicle 40 may also load packages to be delivered to another residence in a lump sum.

[0028] The vehicle 40 arrives at the waiting space 101 of the apartment building 100 and delivers the luggage LG to the logistics robot 301 waiting in the waiting space 101. In this embodiment, the waiting space 101 where the logistics robot 301 is waiting is an intermediate delivery point. In this embodiment, the intermediate delivery point is a place where the luggage LG is delivered from the vehicle 40 to the logistics robot 301. The delivery of the luggage LG is performed using a drive unit provided in the vehicle 40 or a drive unit provided in the logistics robot 301 as the moving body 30. The drive unit includes at least one of an arm mechanism driven by a motor and a slide mechanism capable of linearly sliding the luggage. Alternatively, the luggage LG may be delivered by a worker who has come into the vehicle 40.

[0029] The delivery support device 20 transmits the delivery details to the logistics robot 301. The delivery details include, for example, delivery information indicating a delivery destination, such as the address of the addressee of the package LG, and information on a delivery route. Note that if the logistics robot 301 can read the delivery destination from the display of the package LG, transmission of the delivery destination address may be omitted. The delivery route can be selected arbitrarily, but it is desirable to select a route that allows the logistics robot 301 to efficiently deliver the package LG, such as a route that has the shortest distance from the waiting space 101 to the delivery destination.

[0030] The logistics robot 301 moves autonomously within the apartment building 100 and delivers the package LG to the destination house 121. The delivery method may be a so-called drop-off method in which the package LG is placed in front of the destination house, but if the logistics robot 301 is equipped with an output unit, it is preferable to notify the user 11 of the arrival of the package LG by voice or the like and hand the package LG directly to the user 11.

[0031] The configuration of the delivery support device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] The delivery support device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0033] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the delivery support device 20 while controlling each part of the delivery support device 20.

[0034] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the delivery support device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the delivery support device 20.

[0035] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 23 communicates with one or more mobile objects 30, one or more vehicles 40, and one or more terminal devices 50. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the delivery support device 20, and transmits data obtained by the operation of the delivery support device 20.

[0036] The functions of the delivery support device 20 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the delivery support device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the delivery support device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the delivery support device 20. That is, the computer functions as the delivery support device 20 by executing the operations of the delivery support device 20 in accordance with the program.

[0037] The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as an SD card, DVD, or CD-ROM on which the program is stored. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring the program from the server to another computer. The program may be provided as a program product.

[0038] A computer temporarily stores in a main storage device, for example, a program stored in a portable medium or a program transferred from a server. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with a processor, and executes processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer may read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing according to the program. The computer may execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from the server to the computer. Processing may be executed by a so-called ASP-type service that realizes functions only by execution instructions and result acquisition without transferring a program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer, and includes those equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct command to a computer but has the property of defining computer processing falls under "those equivalent to a program."

[0039] A part or all of the functions of the delivery support device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. In other words, a part or all of the functions of the delivery support device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0040] The operation of the delivery support device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. This operation corresponds to the delivery support method according to this embodiment.

[0041] In step S1, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires first weight data WD1. The first weight data WD1 is data indicating a weight W1 of the package LG measured at a first time point T1 in the transportation process of the package LG. In this embodiment, the first time point T1 is any time point in a first period P1 from when the package LG is submitted by the sender to when it is loaded onto the vehicle 40. As an example, the time point when the package LG submitted to the user 11 as the addressee is loaded onto the vehicle 40 is set as the first time point T1. The first weight data WD1 may be acquired by any procedure, but in this embodiment, it is acquired by the following procedure.

[0042] When the luggage LG is loaded onto the vehicle 40, the weight sensor WS1 provided on the vehicle 40 detects the weight W1 of the luggage LG. The vehicle 40 transmits information indicating the value detected by the weight sensor WS1 as the first weight data WD1 to the delivery support device 20. Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 communicates with the weight sensor WS1 via the communication unit 23, and the information indicating the value detected by the weight sensor WS1 may be directly transmitted from the weight sensor WS1 to the delivery support device 20 as the first weight data WD1. Alternatively, a worker who loads the luggage LG onto the vehicle 40 may measure the weight W1 of the luggage LG. The worker inputs the measured weight W1 into a work terminal device held by the worker, and the work terminal device may transmit information indicating the input weight W1 to the delivery support device 20 as the first weight data WD1. The control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 receives the transmitted first weight data WD1 via the communication unit 23. In this manner, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires the first weight data WD1 measured at the first time point T1 in the transportation process of the package LG.

[0043] As a modified example of this embodiment, the time when the parcel LG is brought to the agency of the delivery company by the sender may be set as the first time T1. In this modified example, the parcel LG is brought to the agency of the delivery company by the sender and is received by a clerk at the agency. The clerk at the agency who receives the parcel LG measures the weight W1 of the parcel LG as part of the procedure for receiving the parcel LG, for example, and inputs the measured weight W1 into an agency terminal device installed at the agency. The agency terminal device transmits information indicating the input weight W1 to the delivery support device 20 as first weight data WD1. The control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 receives the first weight data WD1 transmitted from the agency terminal device via the communication unit 23. In this manner, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 may obtain the first weight data WD1 measured at the first time T1 in the transportation process of the parcel LG.

[0044] In step S2, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires second weight data WD2. The second weight data WD2 is data indicating a weight W2 of the package LG measured at a second time T2 after the first time T1 in the transportation process of the package LG. In this embodiment, the second time T2 is any time during a second period P2 from when the package LG is handed over from the vehicle 40 to the logistics robot 301 until the logistics robot 301 starts delivering the package LG. As an example, the time when the package LG handed over from the vehicle 40 to the logistics robot 301 as the moving body 30 is stored in the logistics robot 301 is set as the second time T2. The second weight data WD2 may be acquired by any procedure, but in this embodiment, it is acquired by the following procedure.

[0045] When the luggage LG delivered from the vehicle 40 is stored in the logistics robot 301, the weight sensor WS2 provided in the logistics robot 301 detects the weight W2 of the luggage LG. The logistics robot 301 transmits information indicating the value detected by the weight sensor WS2 as the second weight data WD2 to the delivery support device 20. Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 may communicate with the weight sensor WS2 via the communication unit 23, and transmit information indicating the value detected by the weight sensor WS2 directly to the delivery support device 20 from the weight sensor WS2 as the second weight data WD2. The control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 receives the transmitted second weight data WD2 via the communication unit 23. In this way, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires the second weight data WD2 measured at the second time point T2 in the transportation process of the luggage LG.

[0046] In step S3, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 compares the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 acquired in step S1 with the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2 acquired in step S2. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether the weight W2 is smaller than the weight W1. If the control unit 21 determines that the weight W2 is smaller than the weight W1, the process of step S4 is performed.

[0047] In step S4, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 decides to notify the user 11 of the warning AL. Specifically, the control unit 21 generates a message as the warning AL to notify that at least one of one or more items included in the package LG has been lost or stolen between the first time point T1 and the second time point T2. As an example, the control unit 21 creates a message saying, "The contents of the package may have been lost or stolen while the delivery company was transporting the package addressed to you. Please contact the delivery company." The control unit 21 transmits the generated message to the terminal device 50 of the user 11 via the communication unit 23. When the terminal device 50 receives the message transmitted from the delivery support device 20, it outputs the received message to an output unit such as a display. The terminal device 50 may output the received message by voice from an output unit of a speaker. This notifies the user 11 of the warning AL.

[0048] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 that supports the delivery of an item acquires first weight data WD1 indicating the weight W1 of the item measured at a first time point T1 in the transportation process of the item, and second weight data WD2 indicating the weight W2 of the item measured at a second time point T2 after the first time point T1. The control unit 21 compares the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 with the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2. The control unit 21 determines whether to notify the user 11 of an alert AL based on a determination result obtained by comparing the weight W1 indicated by the first weight data WD1 with the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2.

[0049] Suppose that one or more items are dropped or removed from the luggage LG during transportation to the apartment complex 100 by the vehicle 40. In this case, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect that the weight of the luggage LG has decreased. If the weight W2 measured at the second time T2 is smaller than the weight W2 measured at the first time T1, it is possible to estimate that the weight of the luggage LG has decreased between the first time T1 and the second time T2, and that the dropping or removal of the item occurred between the first time T1 and the second time T2. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to identify the transportation process in which the loss or theft occurred without constantly monitoring the goods during transportation. For example, by setting the time when the luggage LG is loaded onto the vehicle 40 as the first time T1 and the time when the moving body 30 receives the luggage LG from the vehicle 40 as the second time T2, it is possible to identify that the loss or theft of the item occurred during the transportation process of the luggage LG in the vehicle 40. By identifying at which stage of the transport the loss or theft of the goods occurred, responsibility can be clarified, thereby reducing the risk of loss or theft of the luggage LG.

[0050] As a modified example of this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 may further acquire third weight data WD3. The third weight data WD3 is data indicating the weight W3 of the package LG measured at a third time point T3, which is a time point during a third period P3 from when the moving body 30 starts delivering the package LG to the user 11 who is the addressee of the package LG. The control unit 21 may further determine whether to notify the user 11 of an alert AL' based on a result of comparing the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2 with the weight W3 indicated by the third weight data WD3. Specifically, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires the third weight data WD3 in step S5 of FIG. 4. The third weight data WD3 may be acquired by any procedure, but in this modified example, it is acquired by the following procedure.

[0051] In this modification, at a third time T3 after the logistics robot 301 containing the package LG starts traveling to the delivery destination of the package LG, the weight sensor WS2 provided on the logistics robot 301 detects the weight W3 of the package LG. In this modification, the third time T3 is the time when the elapsed time from when the logistics robot 301 as the moving body 30 starts delivering the package LG exceeds a threshold. The threshold can be set arbitrarily within a range not exceeding the length of the third period P3. As an example, it is assumed that the third period P3 is 20 minutes and the threshold is set to 10 minutes. When 10 minutes have elapsed since the logistics robot 301 started delivering the package LG, the weight sensor WS2 detects the weight of the package LG. The logistics robot 301 transmits information indicating the value detected by the weight sensor WS2 to the delivery support device 20 as third weight data WD3. Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 may communicate with the weight sensor WS2 via the communication unit 23, and information indicating the value detected by the weight sensor WS2 may be directly transmitted from the weight sensor WS2 to the delivery support device 20 as third weight data WD3. The control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 receives the transmitted third weight data WD3 via the communication unit 23. In this manner, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires the third weight data WD3 measured at the third time point T3 in the transportation process of the package LG.

[0052] In step S6, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 compares the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2 acquired in step S2 with the weight W3 indicated by the third weight data WD3 acquired in step S5. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether the weight W3 is smaller than the weight W2. If the control unit 21 determines that the weight W3 is smaller than the weight W2, the process of step S7 is performed.

[0053] In step S7, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 decides to notify the user 11 of an alert AL'. Specifically, the control unit 21 generates a message as the alert AL' to notify the user 11 that at least one of the one or more items included in the package LG has been lost or stolen between the second time point T2 and the third time point T3. The control unit 21 transmits the generated message to the terminal device 50 of the user 11 via the communication unit 23. As an example, the control unit 21 generates a message saying, "The contents of the package may have been lost or stolen while the in-house logistics robot was transporting the package addressed to you. Please contact the management company of the in-house logistics robot." The control unit 21 transmits the generated message to the terminal device 50 of the user 11 via the communication unit 23. The subsequent processing by the terminal device 50 of the user 11 is similar to the processing by the terminal device 50 of the user 11 in step S4, and therefore will not be described.

[0054] As described above, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 further acquires the third weight data WD3 indicating the weight W3 of the package LG at the third time point T3, which is any time point during the third period P3 from when the moving object 30 starts delivering the package LG to when the package LG is delivered to the addressee of the package LG. The control unit 21 determines whether to notify the user 11 of an alert AL' based on a result of comparing the weight W2 indicated by the second weight data WD2 with the weight W3 indicated by the third weight data WD3.

[0055] According to this modification, the weight of the package LG decreases between the second time T2 and the third time T3, and it can be estimated that the item was dropped or removed between the second time T2 and the third time T3. That is, according to this embodiment, the transportation process in which the loss or theft occurred can be specified without constantly monitoring the item during transportation. For example, by setting the time when the logistics robot 301 as the moving body 30 receives the package LG from the vehicle 40 as the second time T2 and the time when the elapsed time from when the logistics robot 301 starts delivering the package LG exceeds a threshold as the third time T3, it can be specified that the loss or theft of the item occurred during the transportation process of the package LG by the logistics robot 301. That is, even if one or more items are dropped or removed from among the items contained in the package LG while the package LG is being transported to the house 121 of the user 11 by the moving body 30, the loss or theft of the item can be detected. This allows the transportation process in which the loss or theft of the item occurred to be specified in more detail. This allows for greater accountability and, as a result, further reduces the risk of loss or theft.

[0056] As a further modification of this modification, the mobile object 30 may be provided with a door sensor CS that detects that the door CV of the storage unit that stores the package LG has been opened, and the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 may acquire data indicating that the door CV detected by the door sensor CS has been opened during the third period P3 together with a time stamp. The control unit 21 may identify the time when the door CV was opened based on the acquired data and time stamp, and may determine that the identified time is the time when the item was lost or stolen.

[0057] Data indicating that the door CV has been opened may be acquired by any procedure, but in this modified example, the data is acquired by the following procedure. In this modified example, the door sensor CS is provided, for example, on the door CV of the storage unit that stores the package LG of the logistics robot 301. The door sensor CS is, for example, a vibration sensor or an acceleration sensor. The door sensor CS detects an impact applied to the door CV. When the door CV of the storage unit that stores the package LG is opened during a third period P3 from when the logistics robot 301 that stores the package LG starts delivering the package LG to when the package LG is delivered to the addressee, the door CV vibrates and the door sensor CS detects the impact. When the door sensor CS detects the impact, the logistics robot 301 transmits information indicating that the impact has been detected by the door sensor CS to the delivery support device 20 together with a time stamp. Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 communicates with the door sensor CS via the communication unit 23, and the information indicating that the impact has been detected by the door sensor CS may be directly transmitted from the door sensor CS to the delivery support device 20 together with a time stamp. The control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 receives the transmitted information via the communication unit 23 as data indicating that the door CV detected by the door sensor CS has been opened, together with a time stamp. In this way, the control unit 21 obtains data indicating that the door CV detected by the door sensor CS has been opened during the third period P3, together with a time stamp.

[0058] When the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 acquires data indicating that the door CV has been opened during the third period P3 together with a timestamp, the control unit 21 refers to the acquired data and the timestamp to identify the time when the door CV of the storage unit was opened, and determines that the identified time is the time when the item was lost or stolen.

[0059] According to this modification, when one or more of the items contained in the package LG falls out or is removed while the package LG is being transported by the moving body 30 to the house 121 of the user 11, the time of loss or theft of the item can be identified. Since the time of loss or theft of the item can be identified, the cause of the loss or theft can be easily identified, for example, by identifying the position of the logistics robot 301 at the identified time and investigating the surrounding area of ​​the site. This further reduces the risk of loss or theft.

[0060] As a modified example of this embodiment, the user 11 who has been notified of the warning AL or AL' in step S4 or S7 may further be allowed to select a countermeasure against the loss or theft. Specifically, the control unit 21 of the delivery support device 20 may perform control to display a button for starting a desired countermeasure on the display of the terminal device 50 together with a warning message. The countermeasure includes, for example, calling the police and taking an image of the surrounding area. The user 11 selects the countermeasure by operating a touch panel as an input unit of the terminal device 50, for example, by touching an image of a button displayed on the display. The terminal device 50 transmits an identifier of the selected countermeasure to the delivery support device 20.

[0061] According to this modification, the user 11 who has been notified of the warning AL or AL' can more easily take measures against loss or theft, thereby further reducing the risk of loss or theft.

[0062] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0063] For example, the delivery assistance device 20 may be provided in a vehicle 40.

[0064] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] A delivery support device that supports delivery of an item, Obtaining first weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a first time point in a transportation process of the item and second weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a second time point after the first time point; A delivery support device comprising a control unit that determines whether to notify a user of a warning based on a result of comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data. [Appendix 2] An article is a package containing one or more items, The first time point is any time point during a first period from when the package is sent by the sender to when the package is loaded onto a vehicle that will carry the package, the second time point is any time point during a second period from when the package is handed over from the vehicle to a mobile object that delivers the package to a delivery destination to when the mobile object starts delivering the package; The control unit compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data, and if it is determined that the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, decides to notify the user of a warning. [Appendix 3] The control unit generates a message as a warning to notify the user that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between a first time point and a second time point. [Appendix 4] The control unit further acquires third weight data indicating a weight of the package measured at a third point in time during a third period from when the moving body starts delivering the package to when the package is delivered to the addressee of the package; A delivery support device as described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the control unit determines whether to notify the user of a warning based on a result of comparing the weight indicated by the second weight data with the weight indicated by the third weight data. [Appendix 5] A delivery support device as described in any of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the control unit generates a message as a warning to notify that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between the second time point and the third time point. [Appendix 6] A communication unit that communicates with a terminal device held by a user is further provided, 6. The delivery support device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits information indicating a warning to the terminal device via the communication unit. [Appendix 7] A delivery support device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6; Terminal device and A system comprising: [Appendix 8] The moving object is provided with a weight sensor that detects the weight of the luggage, Further comprising a communication unit for communicating with a mobile object, A delivery support device described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 7, wherein the control unit receives data indicating a value detected by a weight sensor transmitted from the mobile object via a communication unit, and acquires the received data as second weight data. [Appendix 9] The moving body is provided with a door sensor that detects when a door of a storage section that stores luggage is opened, Further comprising a communication unit for communicating with a mobile object, The control unit communicates with the mobile object via the communication unit, and acquires data indicating that the door detected by the door sensor during the third period has been opened together with a time stamp; The control unit determines the time when the door of the storage unit is opened based on the acquired data and the time stamp, 9. The delivery support device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the identified time is the time when the item is lost or stolen. [Appendix 10] A delivery support device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8; Mobile and A system comprising: [Appendix 11] A communication unit that communicates with a vehicle is further provided, 9. The delivery support device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives data indicating the weight of the package transmitted from the vehicle as first weight data. [Appendix 12] A delivery assistance device according to claim 11; Vehicle and A system comprising: [Appendix 13] A delivery assistance method for assisting in delivery of an item, comprising: Acquiring, by the control unit, first weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a first time point in a transportation process of the item, and second weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a second time point after the first time point; A control unit compares a weight indicated by the first weight data with a weight indicated by the second weight data; determining whether to notify a user of a warning based on a result of a comparison between the weight indicated by the first weight data and the weight indicated by the second weight data by the control unit; Delivery assistance methods, including: [Appendix 14] An article is a package containing one or more items, The first time point is any time point during a first period from when the package is sent by the sender to when the package is loaded onto a vehicle that will carry the package, the second time point is any time point during a second period from when the package is handed over from the vehicle to a mobile object that delivers the package to a delivery destination to when the mobile object starts delivering the package; The control unit compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data, and when it is determined that the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, determines to notify a user of a warning. The delivery assistance method according to claim 13, [Appendix 15] A delivery assistance method as described in Appendix 13 or Appendix 14, which includes generating a message by the control unit as a warning notifying that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen during a period from the first time to the second time. [Appendix 16] Further acquiring, by the control unit, third weight data indicating a weight of the package measured at a third point in time, which is any point in time during a third period from when the moving body starts delivering the package to when the package is delivered to the addressee of the package; and determining whether to notify a user of a warning based on a result of comparing the weight indicated by the second weight data with the weight indicated by the third weight data by the control unit. A delivery assistance method according to any one of appendixes 13 to 15, including: [Appendix 17] A delivery assistance method as described in any one of appendices 13 to 16, including the control unit generating a message as a warning to notify that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between the second time point and the third time point. [Appendix 18] communicating with a terminal device held by a user through a communication unit; transmitting information indicating a warning to the terminal device via the communication unit by the control unit; A delivery assistance method according to any one of appendix 13 to appendix 17, including: [Appendix 19] The moving object is provided with a weight sensor that detects the weight of the luggage, receiving data indicating a value detected by the weight sensor transmitted from the moving object by a communication unit; The control unit acquires the received data as second weight data. A delivery assistance method according to any one of appendixes 13 to 14, including: [Appendix 20] The moving body is provided with a door sensor that detects when a door of a storage section that stores luggage is opened, receiving data transmitted from the mobile object together with a time stamp by the communication unit, the data indicating that the door detected by the door sensor during a third period has been opened; acquiring the received data by a control unit, and identifying the time when the door of the storage unit was opened based on the acquired data and a time stamp; The control unit determines that the specified time is the time when the item was lost or stolen. A delivery assistance method according to any one of appendixes 13 to 19, including:

[0065] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10. System 11 users 20 Delivery support equipment 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 Mobile 40 vehicles 50 Terminal Equipment 60 Network 100 apartment complex 101 Waiting Space 102 Elevator 111, 112, 121, 122, 131, 132 units (houses)

Claims

1. A delivery support device that supports delivery of an item, Obtaining first weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a first time point during a transportation process of the item, and second weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a second time point after the first time point; A control unit that determines whether to notify a user of a warning based on a result of comparing a weight indicated by the first weight data with a weight indicated by the second weight data, The article is a package containing one or more items; The first time point is any time point during a first period from when the package is sent by a sender to when the package is loaded onto a vehicle that will accommodate and transport the package, the second time point is any time point during a second period from when the package is handed over from the vehicle to a mobile object that delivers the package to a delivery destination to when the mobile object starts delivering the package, The control unit compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data, and if it is determined that the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, decides to notify the user of a warning.

2. The delivery support device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit generates, as the warning, a message notifying that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between the first time point and the second time point.

3. The control unit further acquires third weight data indicating a weight of the package measured at a third point in time during a third period from when the moving body starts delivering the package to when the package is delivered to the addressee of the package, 3. The delivery support device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether to notify the user of a warning based on a result of comparing the weight indicated by the second weight data with the weight indicated by the third weight data.

4. The delivery support device of claim 3, wherein the control unit generates, as the warning, a message notifying that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between the second time point and the third time point.

5. A communication unit that communicates with a terminal device held by the user is further provided, The delivery support device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit transmits information indicating the warning to the terminal device via the communication unit.

6. The delivery support device according to claim 5 ; The terminal device A system comprising:

7. The moving body is provided with a weight sensor that detects the weight of the luggage, A communication unit that communicates with the mobile object is further provided, The delivery support device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit receives data indicating a value detected by the weight sensor transmitted from the moving body via the communication unit, and acquires the received data as the second weight data.

8. the movable body is provided with a door sensor that detects that a door of a storage unit that stores the luggage is opened; A communication unit that communicates with the mobile object is further provided, The control unit communicates with the moving object via the communication unit, and acquires data indicating that the door detected by the door sensor during the third period has been opened together with a time stamp; The control unit identifies the time when the door of the storage unit is opened based on the acquired data and a time stamp, The delivery support device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit determines the specified time as the time when the item was lost or stolen.

9. The delivery support device according to claim 7 ; The moving body and A system comprising:

10. A communication unit that communicates with the vehicle is further provided. The delivery support device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit receives data indicating a weight of the package transmitted from the vehicle as the first weight data.

11. The delivery support device according to claim 10; The vehicle and A system comprising:

12. A delivery assistance method for assisting in delivery of an item, comprising: Acquiring, by a control unit, first weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a first time point in a transportation process of the item, and second weight data indicating a weight of the item measured at a second time point after the first time point; comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data by the control unit; determining whether to notify a user of a warning based on a determination result obtained by comparing the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data by the control unit; In a delivery assistance method including: The article is a package containing one or more items; The first time point is any time point during a first period from when the package is sent by a sender to when the package is loaded onto a vehicle that will accommodate and transport the package, the second time point is any time point during a second period from when the package is handed over from the vehicle to a mobile object that delivers the package to a delivery destination to when the mobile object starts delivering the package, The control unit compares the weight indicated by the first weight data with the weight indicated by the second weight data, and when it is determined that the weight indicated by the second weight data is smaller than the weight indicated by the first weight data, determines to notify the user of a warning. including, delivery assistance methods.

13. The delivery assistance method of claim 12, further comprising generating, by the control unit, a message notifying the user that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between the first time point and the second time point, as the warning.

14. and further acquiring, by the control unit, third weight data indicating a weight of the package measured at a third point in time, which is any point in time during a third period from when the moving body starts delivering the package to when the package is delivered to the addressee of the package; determining whether to notify the user of a warning based on a result of comparing the weight indicated by the second weight data with the weight indicated by the third weight data by the control unit; The delivery support method according to claim 12 or 13, comprising:

15. The delivery assistance method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: generating, by the control unit, a message notifying the user that at least one of the one or more items has been lost or stolen between the second time point and the third time point, as the warning.

16. communicating with a terminal device held by the user through a communication unit; transmitting information indicating the warning to the terminal device via the communication unit by the control unit; The delivery assistance method according to claim 12, comprising:

17. The moving body is provided with a weight sensor that detects the weight of the luggage, receiving data indicating a value detected by the weight sensor transmitted from the moving object by a communication unit; acquiring the received data as the second weight data by the control unit; The delivery assistance method according to claim 12, comprising:

18. the movable body is provided with a door sensor that detects that a door of a storage unit that stores the luggage is opened; receiving, by a communication unit, data transmitted from the moving object together with a time stamp, the data indicating that the door detected by the door sensor during the third period has been opened; acquiring the received data by the control unit, and identifying the time when the door of the storage unit is opened based on the acquired data; determining by the control unit that the specified time is the time that the item was lost or stolen; The delivery assistance method according to claim 14, comprising:

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