Delivery Management System

Abstract

To propose a delivery management system capable of improving security of a delivery process by managing a delivery process for delivering a package between a designated place and a warehouse at the request of a client. [Solution] The system includes first and second verification devices 11, 12 that verify packages and generate verification log information when a delivery company receives and releases packages from the storage warehouse 52, and a management server 21 that inputs the verification log information from these verification devices 11, 12. When the management server 21 confirms the receipt or release of a package, it outputs the verification log information to a requester terminal 32. This configuration can improve security in the delivery process and can also improve the requester's sense of security and trust.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery management system that manages a delivery process for delivering a package between a location designated by a requester and a storage facility based on the request of the requester. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a service that provides a storage facility for storing household goods and other items that cannot be stored at home, items that will not be used for a relatively long period of time, items that will not be used for a certain period of time, etc. Generally, the work of carrying items in and out of the storage facility is performed by the owner of the items.

[0003] On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a service in which, when a user wants to deposit luggage at a rental warehouse or when the user uses luggage deposited at the rental warehouse, the luggage is transported between the user's home (designated location) and the rental warehouse. In this service, a user accesses a server computer from a terminal and requests the deposit or removal of luggage, etc., and instructions for delivering the luggage (arrangements for delivery date and time, delivery vehicle, workers, etc.) are generated, and the luggage is delivered according to these instructions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-279050 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional service disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, workers (delivery companies) deposit packages in and take them out of the warehouse, and this raises security concerns about packages being taken in and out and packages stored in the warehouse. Specifically, there are concerns that problems may occur, such as the wrong package being taken out of the warehouse, the wrong package being brought into the warehouse, or packages being taken in and out or packages being lost.

[0006] The present invention relates to a delivery management system that can improve the security of a package when delivering the package between a designated location specified by a requester and a storage facility, and can prevent the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a delivery management system for managing a delivery process for delivering a package between a storage facility for storing a package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, the delivery process including an inbound delivery process for storing a package transferred from the designated location into the storage facility based on a request from the requester, and an outbound delivery process for unloading the package from the storage facility for transport to the designated location based on a request from the requester. The delivery management system comprises: a matching information output means for matching the package when the package is stored in the inbound delivery process and when the package is shipped in the outbound delivery process, based on the request of the requester, and outputting matching log information including matching data indicating this matching and date and time data indicating the date and time of the matching; and a management server connectable to the matching information output means and a terminal of the requester via a network, the management server comprising: a log information input means for inputting the matching log information output from the matching information output means via the network, and a log information output means for outputting the matching log information input by the log information input means to the terminal of the requester when a predetermined output condition is met.

[0008] Here, the storage may be a relatively small warehouse that stores only the belongings of each requester, or a space or storage provided in a relatively large warehouse. The matching information output means may be a configuration disposed in the storage (or near the storage), or a configuration (terminal) that can be carried by a delivery company. The output conditions may be set, for example, such as a request for matching log information by the requester, input of matching log information by the log information input means of the management server, or a predetermined period of time having passed since input of the matching log information to the log information input means. The terminal of the requester may be any terminal that can be used by the requester, and may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a mobile phone.

[0009] In the configuration of the first invention, when a parcel is entered into or removed from the storage facility, the parcel is verified by the verification information output means, thereby preventing the occurrence of mistakes in taking the parcel to be entered or removed, or the loss of the parcel. Then, the verification log information is input to the management server, so that the management server can accurately and stably manage the entry and exit of the parcel based on the verification log information. Furthermore, the verification log information is output to the requester's terminal, so that the requester can confirm the entry and exit of the parcel using the verification log information. In this way, according to the configuration of the present invention, in addition to preventing mistakes in taking the parcel, the entry and exit of the parcel can be managed, so that the security of the delivery process in which the requester's parcel is delivered between the storage facility and the designated location can be dramatically improved, and the requester can feel at ease and increase the reliability of the delivery process.

[0010] On the other hand, a second aspect of the present invention is a delivery management system for managing a delivery process for delivering a package between a warehouse for storing a package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, the delivery process including an inbound delivery process for storing the package transferred from the designated location into the warehouse based on a request from the requester, and an outbound delivery process for unloading the package from the warehouse to be transferred to the designated location based on a request from the requester, the delivery management system collating authentication information used in the inbound delivery process and the outbound delivery process, and outputting authentication log information including authentication data indicating the collation of the authentication information and date and time data indicating the date and time of the collation to a management server via the network. a terminal of a delivery company which delivers the package between the storage facility and a designated location, the authentication information output means, and a management server which can be connected via a network to the terminal of the requester, wherein the management server comprises an authentication information granting means which outputs the authentication information to the terminal of the delivery company via the network, a log information input means which inputs, via the network, the authentication log information output from the authentication information output means, and a log information output means which outputs the authentication log information input by the log information input means to the terminal of the requester when a predetermined output condition is met.

[0011] Here, the authentication information output means is preferably configured to be disposed at a location (or near the location) where the package is stored in the warehouse and removed from the warehouse, or at the warehouse (or near the warehouse). The terminal of the delivery company may be any terminal that can be used by the delivery company, and may be, for example, a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, or mobile phone. The warehouse and output conditions are the same as those of the first invention described above.

[0012] In the configuration of the second invention, when a package is entered into or removed from the warehouse, the authentication information acquired by the delivery company's terminal is authenticated by the authentication information output means, so that it is possible to confirm that the delivery company is a legitimate delivery company that delivers the package based on the request of the requester. This makes it possible to prevent mistakes such as package mishandling and package loss, and to dramatically improve security in the delivery process. Furthermore, since the requester can check the authentication log information, the requester's sense of security and trust can be further improved.

[0013] The delivery management system of the first invention described above is capable of managing a delivery process in which the client's package is delivered from a first storage facility storing the package to another second storage facility and stored therein when a predetermined inter-storage delivery condition is met, In the outgoing delivery process in the first storage facility, the parcel is collated by the collation information output means and collation log information is output to the management server; In the storage and delivery process in the second warehouse, the parcel is verified by the verification information output means and verification log information is output to the management server; The management server may have a process for outputting the collation log information obtained from the outgoing delivery process and the incoming delivery process to a terminal of the client. On the other hand, the delivery management system of the second invention described above is capable of managing a delivery process in which the client's package is delivered from a first storage facility storing the package to another second storage facility and stored therein when a predetermined inter-storage delivery condition is met, In the outgoing delivery process in the first storage facility, the authentication information output means collates the authentication information acquired by the terminal of the delivery company and outputs authentication log information to the management server; In the storage and delivery process in the second storage, the authentication information output means collates the authentication information acquired by the terminal of the delivery company and outputs authentication log information to the management server; The management server may have a process for outputting the authentication log information obtained from the outgoing delivery process and the incoming delivery process to a terminal of the client. Here, the inter-storage delivery conditions can be set as follows: the requester has requested a change of storage facility; the management server (and the person who operates the management server) decides to change the storage facility; circumstances have arisen that make it impossible to store the package at the storage facility where the package is stored; etc.

[0014] According to these configurations, the client's luggage stored in a first storage facility can be transferred to and stored in another second storage facility when the inter-storage facility delivery conditions are met, and the security of the delivery process from the first storage facility to the second storage facility can be improved. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the first and second delivery management systems of the present invention, it is possible to dramatically improve security in the delivery process of delivering the client's package between the storage facility and the designated location, and to increase the client's sense of security and trust. Either of the configurations of the first and second inventions has higher security and the like than the conventional configuration described above, and is superior to the conventional configuration in terms of managing the delivery process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the delivery of a package 50 by the delivery management system 1 of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage warehouse 52. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a delivery management system 1. [Figure 4] 13 is a flow diagram showing the receiving and delivery process of storing luggage 50 in storage 53. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flow diagram showing a pick-up and delivery process for removing luggage 50 from storage 53. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the delivery of parcels 50 managed by a delivery management system 1 of this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage warehouse 52 where the inbound and outbound of parcels 50 is managed by the delivery management system 1. In this embodiment, parcels 50 may be the items themselves stored in the storage warehouse 52, or may be items housed in a case such as a cardboard box. If parcels 50 are items housed in a cardboard box, the contents can be concealed from anyone other than the sender (such as the delivery company or workers at the storage warehouse).

[0018] The delivery process of this embodiment for delivering the package 50 includes a process in which a delivery company delivers the package 50 between a designated location (e.g., the home of the requester) 51 designated by the requester and a storage warehouse 52 in which the package 50 is stored. In the storage warehouse 52, a plurality of storages (cage cars) 53 for accommodating the packages 50 for each requester are arranged, and the packages 50 are stored in the storage 53. That is, the delivery process of this embodiment delivers the package 50 between the designated location 51 and the storage 53 in the storage warehouse 52. In this embodiment, the storage 53 corresponds to the storage of the present invention.

[0019] The above-mentioned designated place 51 is a place designated by the requester, and can be arbitrarily designated by the requester. Therefore, the designated place 51 to which the package 50 stored in the storage 53 is shipped and the designated place 51 to which the package 50 is sent from the storage 53 may be the same or different from each other.

[0020] The delivery process includes an acceptance delivery process in which the delivery company transports the parcel 50 from the designated location 51 to the storage warehouse 52 and stores it in the storage 53, and an extraction delivery process in which the delivery company retrieves the parcel 50 from the storage 53 and transports it from the storage warehouse 52 to the designated location 51. The acceptance delivery process includes a process in which the delivery company receives the parcel 50 at the designated location 51, a process in which the parcel 50 is transported from the designated location 51 to the storage warehouse 52, and an entry delivery process in which the parcel 50 is stored in the storage 53 at the storage warehouse 52. On the other hand, the extraction delivery process includes an exit delivery process in which the parcel 50 is retrieved from the storage 53 at the storage warehouse 52, a process in which the parcel 50 is transported from the storage warehouse 52 to the designated location 51, and a process in which the parcel 50 is handed over at the designated location 51.

[0021] In the storage warehouse 52, the above-mentioned incoming delivery process and outgoing delivery process are carried out. In the storage warehouse 52, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of storage units 53 are movably placed within the storage warehouse 52, and each storage unit 53 stores a package 50 (see Fig. 1). Here, each storage unit 53 is attached with an RFID (not shown) for identifying each unit, and each package 50 stored in each storage unit 53 is similarly attached with an RFID (not shown) for identifying each unit. The RFID of each storage unit 53 and the RFID of the package 50 stored in the storage unit 53 are associated with each other and stored in the management server 21 described later.

[0022] The storage warehouse 52 includes a storage location 56 where a plurality of storage units 53 are stored in an aligned manner, an entry / exit location 57 where luggage 50 is entered and removed from the storage units 53, and a path (not shown) for moving the storage units 53 between the storage location 56 and the entry / exit location 57. A first verification device 11 for verifying the storage units 53 (and luggage 50) moving along the path is provided on the path. An authentication device 13 for authenticating the delivery company and a second verification device 12 for verifying the luggage 50 entering and leaving the warehouse are provided at the entry / exit location 57.

[0023] The first collation device 11 includes a reading device (not shown) for reading the RFID of the storage 53 and the RFID of the baggage 50, and a clock function (not shown) for counting date and time. When the storage 53 passes through the moving path, the first collation device 11 reads the RFID of the storage 53 and the RFID of the baggage 50 stored in the storage 53 by the reading device, and reads the date and time when these RFIDs are read by the clock function. Then, first collation log information including the collation data read from these RFIDs and the date and time data read by the clock function is generated. Here, when the baggage 50 is to be shipped out from the storage 53, the first collation log information is generated when the storage 53 moves from the storage place 56 to the loading / unloading place 57, while when the baggage 50 is to be stored in the storage 53, the first collation log information is generated when the storage 53 moves from the loading / unloading place 57 to the storage place 56.

[0024] The second collation device 12 includes a reader (not shown) that reads the RFID of the package 50 that is loaded or unloaded by the delivery company at the loading / unloading site 57, and a clock function (not shown) that counts the date and time. When the delivery company loads or unloads the package 50 at the loading / unloading site 57, the second collation device 12 generates second collation log information including collation data read from the RFID of the package 50 and date and time data read by the clock function.

[0025] The authentication device 13 includes a reader (not shown) that reads the two-dimensional code from the terminal (delivery company terminal) 31 held by the delivery company, and a clock function (not shown) that counts the date and time. When the delivery company stores or retrieves the package 50 at the storage / retrieval area 57, the authentication device 13 generates authentication log information including authentication data read from the two-dimensional code of the delivery company terminal 31 by the reader and date and time data read by the clock function.

[0026] The storage warehouse 52 is provided with a warehouse management device 14 that transmits and receives information (data) to and from the first verification device 11, the second verification device 12, and the authentication device 13, and the warehouse management device 14 stores and manages the information, and manages the luggage 50 stored in the storage warehouse 52 based on the information. The warehouse management device 14 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU and a storage device, and has a communication function for communicating signals, data, and the like with a management server 21 via a communication network (e.g., the Internet) described later. By this communication function, the information input from the first verification device 11, the second verification device 12, and the authentication device 13 is output to the management server 21, and signals and information (data) are input from the management server 21.

[0027] The delivery management system 1 of this embodiment is composed of a management server 21 that manages the delivery process, a first verification device 11, a second verification device 12, an authentication device 13, and a warehouse management device 14 that are arranged in the storage warehouse 52, the delivery company terminal 31, and a terminal carried by the requester (requester terminal) 32. The delivery company terminal 31 and the requester terminal 32 are personal computers, tablets, smartphones, or the like that have a function of communicating via the communication network, and have application software that can access the management server 21 installed.

[0028] The management server 21 is equipped with a control device 22 having a CPU, a storage device 23 for storing data, a transmission / reception device 24 for communicating via a communication network, and the like, and is configured with one or more computers. The storage device 23 stores identification information (name, address, ID, etc.) for identifying a requester, identification information indicating the package 50 to be stored at the request of the requester, identification information indicating the storage 53 storing the package 50, reception information indicating the reception content of the delivery received from the requester, and the first matching log information, the second matching log information, and the authentication log information obtained from the warehouse management device 14. Note that the storage device 23 stores each of the above information in association with the identification information of the requester.

[0029] The management server 21 includes a delivery work instruction means for instructing the delivery company to perform delivery according to the reception information received from the requester terminal 32, a warehouse work instruction means for instructing the storage warehouse 52 to perform receiving and removing work according to the reception information, an entry / exit confirmation means for confirming the entry / exit of the luggage 50, and an information output means for transmitting information related to the entry / exit to the requester terminal 32. Here, the entry / exit confirmation means inputs the first collation log information, second collation log information, and authentication log information, and confirms the entry / exit by determining the consistency of each piece of information. Each of these means is executed by the control device 22 using programs, data, etc. previously stored in the storage device 23.

[0030] Next, the management of the delivery process by the delivery management system 1 of this embodiment will be described. When a request to store the package 50 in the storage warehouse 52 (storage 53) is received from the requester terminal 32, the above-mentioned receiving and delivery process is carried out. Here, the requester accesses (logs in to) the management server 21 with the requester terminal 32 and requests storage of the package 50 by inputting information required for storage of the package 50. Information to be input in this storage request includes information on the date and time of receipt, information on the designated location 51 (address, etc.), information on the package 50 (contents and size of the package), etc.

[0031] The flow of management of the receiving and delivering process is shown in FIG. 4. When the management server 21 accepts a storage request from the requester terminal 32, the management server 21 sends a delivery work instruction to the delivery company terminal 31 by the delivery work instruction means, and sends a storage work instruction to the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52 by the warehouse work instruction means. Then, the reception information indicating the contents of the storage request is stored in the storage device 23. The delivery work instruction includes information on the receipt date and time, information on the specified place 51, information on the parcel 50, identification information on the parcel 50, and authentication information for identifying the delivery company, and is sent to the delivery company terminal 31. On the other hand, the storage work instruction includes information on the parcel 50, identification matching information for matching the identification information of the parcel 50, authentication matching information for matching the authentication information of the delivery company, and identification information of the storage 53 storing the parcel 50. The information of the storage work instruction is sent from the warehouse management device 14 to the first matching device 11, the second matching device 12, and the authentication device 13.

[0032] When the delivery company receives the delivery work instruction, it prepares an RFID tag on which the identification information of the package 50 included in the delivery work instruction is written. When the delivery company receives the package 50 at the designated location 51 on the receiving date and time in accordance with the delivery work instruction, it affixes the RFID tag to the package 50. After that, the delivery company transports the package 50 from the designated location 51 to a storage warehouse 52.

[0033] A delivery company that has arrived at the storage warehouse 52 performs a warehousing and delivery process of storing the parcel 50 in the storage 53. At the warehousing and delivery site 57, the delivery company has the authentication device 13 read the authentication information displayed on the delivery company terminal 31. The authentication device 13 authenticates (verifies) the authentication information with the authentication verification information included in the storage work instruction, and generates authentication log information including authentication data indicating the authentication result (verification result) and the date and time data of the authentication. Then, this authentication log information is sent to the warehouse management device 14. Furthermore, the delivery company has the second verification device 12 read the RFID of the parcel 50. The second verification device 12 reads the identification information from the RFID of the parcel 50, verifies it with the identification verification information of the parcel 50 included in the storage work instruction, and generates second verification log information including the verification data indicating the verification result and the date and time data. Then, this second verification log information is sent to the warehouse management device 14.

[0034] When the warehouse management device 14 confirms the authentication log information (authentication of the delivery company) and the second verification log information (verification of the luggage 50) in this manner, a worker at the storage warehouse 52 moves the storage 53 from the storage place 56 to the loading / unloading area 57 in accordance with the storage work instruction. During this movement, when the storage 53 passes the first verification device 11, the first verification device 11 reads the identification information from the RFID of the storage 53. The first verification device 11 verifies the read identification information against the identification information of the storage 53 included in the storage work instruction.

[0035] When the storage 53 arrives at the loading / unloading area 57, the delivery company stores the luggage 50 in the storage 53. When the luggage 50 is stored in the storage 53, the storage 53 is moved from the loading / unloading area 57 to the storage storage area 56. During this movement, when the storage 53 passes the first collation device 11, the first collation device 11 reads the RFID of the storage 53 and the RFID of the luggage 50 stored in the storage 53. The first collation device 11 collates the identification information of the storage 53 with the identification information of the storage work instruction, and also collates the identification information of the luggage 50 with the identification collation information of the storage work instruction. Then, it generates first collation log information including the collation data of the luggage 50 (data indicating the collation result) and date and time data, and sends the first collation log information to the warehouse management device 14. When the storage 53 is moved to the storage storage area 56, the requester's luggage 50 starts to be stored. This ends the warehousing and delivery process.

[0036] The warehouse management device 14 confirms that the luggage 50 has been received and stored in the storage 53 based on the first collation log information obtained from the first collation device 11, the second collation log information obtained from the second collation device 12, and the authentication log information obtained from the authentication device. Then, the warehouse management device 14 stores these pieces of information in association with each other, and transmits the pieces of information to the management server 21 via the communication network.

[0037] In the warehousing and delivery process of this embodiment, the first matching log information is acquired on the moving path, and the second matching log information is acquired at the warehousing and delivery site 57, and therefore high security is achieved by checking the first matching log information and the second matching log information in the warehouse management device 14. Furthermore, there is also the excellent advantage that the occurrence of loss or theft can be easily determined and it is easy to clarify the location of responsibility for the loss, etc., when the first matching log information and the second matching log information cannot be correctly checked (when the respective matching data do not match, or when one of the matching log information cannot be acquired, etc.).

[0038] When the management server 21 receives the various information from the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52, it confirms whether the delivery process has been performed correctly using the storage request (reception information) received from the requester, the delivery work instruction, and the storage work instruction. Specifically, it confirms whether the package 50 received from the requester has been stored correctly (warehousing confirmation) using the authentication log information, the first collation log information, and the second log information. This warehousing confirmation is performed by the warehousing / return confirmation means described above.

[0039] After such warehousing confirmation is performed, the information output means transmits a warehousing completion notice including the first collation log information, the second collation log information, and the authentication log information to the requester terminal 32. Furthermore, each piece of information is linked to the storage request information and stored in the storage device 23. This completes the management of the receiving and delivery process.

[0040] When the requester receives the warehousing completion notice at the requester terminal 32, the requester can confirm from the warehousing completion notice that the cargo 50 has been properly stored in the storage 53 (storage warehouse 52).

[0041] On the other hand, when a request to retrieve the package 50 stored in the storage warehouse 52 (storage 53) is received from the requester terminal 32, the above-mentioned retrieval and delivery process is carried out. Here, the requester accesses the management server 21 with the requester terminal 32, selects the stored package 50, and inputs the information required for retrieval, thereby making a retrieval request for the package 50. The information input in this retrieval request includes information on the package 50 to be retrieved, information on the delivery date and time, information on the specified location 51 (address), etc. The management server 21 determines the identification information of the package 50 requested by the requester based on this retrieval request.

[0042] The flow of management of the take-out delivery process is shown in FIG. 5. When the management server 21 accepts a take-out request from the requester terminal 32, the management server 21 sends a delivery work instruction to the delivery company terminal 31 by the delivery work instruction means, and sends a take-out work instruction to the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52 by the warehouse work instruction means. Then, reception information indicating the contents of the take-out request is stored in the storage device 23. The delivery work instruction includes information on the delivery date and time, information on the specified place 51, identification information of the parcel 50, and authentication information for identifying the delivery company, and is sent to the delivery company terminal 31. On the other hand, the take-out work instruction includes identification matching information for matching the identification information of the parcel 50, authentication matching information for matching the authentication information of the delivery company, and identification information of the storage 53 storing the parcel 50. The information of the take-out work instruction is sent from the warehouse management device 14 to the first matching device 11, the second matching device 12, and the authentication device 13.

[0043] When the delivery company receives the delivery work instruction, the delivery company retrieves the package 50 from the storage 53 in the storage warehouse 52 before the delivery date and time so that the package 50 can be delivered at the specified location 51 on the delivery date and time in accordance with the delivery work instruction. In this manner, the outbound delivery process is carried out by the delivery company.

[0044] In the outgoing delivery process, the delivery company reads the authentication information displayed on the delivery company terminal 31 at the warehouse entry / return site 57 into the authentication device 13. The authentication device 13 compares the authentication information with the authentication verification information included in the removal work instruction, and generates authentication log information including verification data indicating the verification and the date and time of the verification. This authentication log information is sent from the authentication device 13 to the warehouse management device 14.

[0045] When the warehouse management device 14 confirms the authentication log information, a worker at the storage warehouse 52 moves the storage 53 containing the luggage 50 from the storage place 56 to the loading / unloading place 57 in accordance with the removal work instruction. During this movement, when the storage 53 passes the first verification device 11, the first verification device 11 reads identification information from the RFID of the storage 53 and the RFID of the luggage 50. The first verification device 11 verifies the read identification information of the storage 53 with the identification information of the storage 53 included in the removal work instruction, and verifies the read identification information of the luggage 50 with the identification verification information of the luggage 50 included in the removal work instruction.

[0046] When the storage 53 moves to the loading / unloading area 57, the delivery company removes the package 50 from the storage 53 and has the second verification device 12 read the RFID of the package 50. The second verification device 12 then reads the identification information of the package 50 and verifies it against the identification verification information included in the removal work instruction. Then, the second verification device 12 generates second verification log information including verification data indicating the verification result of the removed package 50 and date and time data indicating the date and time of the verification. Then, the second verification log information is sent to the warehouse management device 14.

[0047] When the second collation log information of the luggage 50 taken out of the storage 53 is generated, the storage 53 is moved from the loading / unloading area 57 to the storage location 56. During this movement, when the storage 53 passes the first collation device 11, the first collation device 11 reads and collates the RFID of the storage 53, and generates first collation log information. This first collation log information is then sent to the warehouse management device 14. The storage 53 is moved to the storage location 56 and stored there. This completes the outgoing delivery process.

[0048] The warehouse management device 14 confirms that the luggage 50 has been removed from the storage 53 based on the authentication log information obtained from the authentication device 13, the second verification log information obtained from the second verification device 12, and the first verification log information obtained from the first verification device 11. Then, the warehouse management device 14 stores these pieces of information in association with each other, and transmits the pieces of information to the management server 21 via the network.

[0049] Here, in the outgoing delivery process of this embodiment, high security is achieved by checking the authentication log information, the first verification log information, and the second verification log information by the warehouse management device 14. And, by not being able to correctly check each piece of information, there is also the excellent advantage that the occurrence of loss or theft can be easily determined and it is easy to clarify where the responsibility for the loss or theft occurs.

[0050] When the management server 21 receives the various information from the warehouse management device 14 of the storage warehouse 52, it confirms whether the outbound delivery process has been performed correctly using the take-out request (reception information), delivery work instructions, and take-out work instructions received from the requester. Specifically, it confirms whether the package 50 to be sent to the requester has been correctly taken out (outbound confirmation) using the authentication log information, second collation log information, and first collation log information. This outbound confirmation is performed by the above-mentioned incoming / outbound confirmation means.

[0051] After such delivery confirmation is performed, the information output means transmits a delivery completion notice including the second verification log information, the authentication log information, and the first verification log information to the requester terminal 32. Furthermore, each piece of information is stored in the storage device 23 in association with the storage request information.

[0052] When the requester receives the delivery completion notice at the requester terminal 32, the requester can confirm from the delivery completion notice that the cargo 50 has been properly delivered from the storage 53 (storage warehouse 52).

[0053] As described above, the delivery company receives the package 50 at the loading / unloading area 57 of the storage warehouse 52, and transports the package 50 to the designated location 51 at the delivery date and time in accordance with the delivery work instructions. When the package 50 is handed over at the designated location 51, a delivery certificate is received and the certificate data is transmitted to the management server 21. When the management server 21 receives this certificate data, it compares it with the retrieval request and confirms that the delivery process has been carried out correctly. This ends the management of the retrieval delivery process.

[0054] Also, the luggage 50 may be moved between a plurality of storage warehouses 52 storing the luggage 50. In this case, a storage change delivery process is performed by a delivery company to transfer the luggage 50 to another storage warehouse 52 while it is being stored in one storage warehouse 52. This storage change delivery process is included in the delivery process and is managed by the delivery management system 1 of the present embodiment described above. This storage change delivery process performs the outbound delivery process described above, a process of transferring the luggage from one storage warehouse 52 to another storage warehouse 52, and the inbound delivery process described above. Incidentally, the case of transferring the luggage 50 between storage warehouses 52 may be, for example, when a requester requests to change the storage warehouse 52, when the management server 21 (or the administrator) decides to change the storage warehouse 52, etc. Then, the decision of the management server 21 may be, for example, when it becomes possible to store the luggage 50 in a storage warehouse 52 that is more suitable for storage, when a situation occurs in which it is not possible to store the luggage 50 in the storage warehouse 52 currently being stored, etc. In this way, the transport of the cargo 50 can be carried out by satisfying the conditions for transport between the storage warehouses 52 (inter-storage delivery conditions). The management flow of this storage change delivery process will be described below.

[0055] When changing the storage warehouse 52 for the package 50, the management server 21 transmits a removal work instruction to one storage warehouse 52 (warehouse management device 14) storing the package 50, and transmits a storage work instruction to another storage warehouse 52 (warehouse management device 14) storing the package 50. Then, transmits a delivery work instruction to the delivery company terminal 31. Here, the removal work instruction includes identification and matching information of the package 50 and authentication and matching information of the delivery company, etc., similar to the removal and delivery process described above. The storage work instruction includes identification and matching information of the package 50 and authentication and matching information of the delivery company, etc., similar to the receipt and delivery process described above. In addition, the delivery work instruction includes information on the storage warehouse 52 from which the package 50 is to be shipped and the storage warehouse 52 to which the package 50 is to be received, the identification information of the package 50, and authentication information of the delivery company, etc.

[0056] When the delivery company receives the delivery work instruction, it performs an outbound delivery process in accordance with the delivery work instruction at one of the storage warehouses 52 where the package 50 is being stored. This outbound delivery process is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned pick-up delivery process. That is, when the authentication device 13 authenticates the delivery company and generates authentication log information at the entry / exit site 57 of the first storage warehouse 52, the storage 53 is moved from the storage place 56 to the entry / exit site 57 in accordance with the removal work instruction. At the entry / exit site 57, the delivery company removes the package 50 from the storage 53, and the package 50 is verified by the second verification device 12. This generates second verification log information. The storage 53 is moved to the storage place 56, and during this movement, the first verification log information is generated by the first verification device 11. The warehouse management device 14 of the first storage warehouse 52 confirms that the package 50 has been correctly removed from the warehouse based on the authentication log information, the second verification log information, and the first verification log information, and stores and transmits each of these pieces of information to the management server 21.

[0057] The delivery company that receives the package 50 at the one storage warehouse 52 transfers the package 50 to another storage warehouse 52 according to the delivery instruction information. Then, a warehousing delivery process is performed at the other storage warehouse 52. This warehousing delivery process is performed in the same manner as the receiving delivery process described above. That is, at the entrance / exit site 57 of the other storage warehouse 52, the authentication device 13 authenticates the delivery company and generates authentication log information, and the second verification device 12 verifies the package 50 and generates second verification log information, and then the storage 53 is moved from the storage place 56 to the entrance / exit site 57 in accordance with the storage work instruction. At the entrance / exit site 57, the delivery company stores the package 50 in the storage 53. After that, the storage 53 is moved to the storage place 56, and the first verification log information is generated by the first verification device 11 during this movement. Then, the package 50 is stored in the storage 53 that has arrived at the storage place 56. The warehouse management device 14 of the other storage warehouse 52 confirms that the package 50 has been properly taken out of the warehouse based on the authentication log information, the second verification log information, and the first verification log information, and stores and transmits each of these pieces of information to the management server 21.

[0058] The management server 21 verifies that the storage location of the package 50 has been changed correctly based on the authentication log information, second verification log information, and first verification log information obtained from the warehouse management device 14 of the one storage warehouse 52 and the authentication log information, second verification log information, and first verification log information obtained from the warehouse management device 14 of the other storage warehouse 52. Then, the management server 21 associates each piece of information with the storage request information and stores it in the storage device 23, and transmits a notification including each piece of information to the requester terminal 32 of the requester of the package 50.

[0059] When the requester of the package 50 receives the notification, the requester can confirm that the storage location of the package 50 has been changed.

[0060] As described above, the delivery management system 1 of this embodiment manages the delivery process of delivering the parcel 50 between the specified location 51 and the storage 53 of the storage warehouse 52 in accordance with a request from a requester, and by generating the above-mentioned authentication log information, first matching log information, and second matching log information when the parcel 50 is stored in the storage 53 and when the parcel 50 is removed from the storage 53, the security in the delivery process can be dramatically improved. In detail, the authentication log information allows the delivery company that stores and removes the parcel 50 to be confirmed, and the first matching log information and second matching log information allow the confirmation that the correct parcel 50 has been stored and removed. Then, by transmitting each of these log information to the requester terminal 32, the requester can confirm that the requested parcel 50 has been stored and removed correctly. This allows the requester to feel reassured about the storage and removal of the parcel 50, and can increase the sense of reliability in the delivery process.

[0061] Furthermore, even in a delivery process (storage change delivery process) in which the luggage 50 stored in the storage warehouse 52 is transferred to another storage warehouse 52 for storage, it can be managed in the same way as the delivery process between the specified location 51 and the storage warehouse 52. This makes it possible to dramatically improve security even in a delivery process for changing the storage warehouse 52, and to increase the sense of security and trust of the client who has requested storage of the luggage 50.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the first verification device 11 and the second verification device 12 correspond to the verification information output means of the present invention, and the first verification log information and the second verification log information correspond to the verification log information of the present invention. The requester terminal 32 corresponds to the requester's terminal of the present invention. The control device 22 and the transmission / reception device 24 of the management server 21 correspond to the log information input means of the present invention. The fact that the incoming / outgoing confirmation has been made by the incoming / outgoing confirmation means of the management server 21 corresponds to the output condition of the present invention. The delivery company terminal 31 corresponds to the delivery company's terminal of the present invention. The authentication device 13 corresponds to the authentication information output means of the present invention, and the delivery work instruction means of the management server 21 corresponds to the authentication information granting means of the present invention.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment, an RFID tag is attached to the luggage and the luggage is managed by the RFID tag, but the present invention is not limited to this. An optical code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) may be attached to the luggage to manage the luggage. Alternatively, the luggage may be managed by using both such an optical code and an RFID tag. Here, whether to use the optical code or RFID can be appropriately selected by the business that introduces the delivery management system of the present invention. For example, a configuration using only the optical code can be provided to a business (relatively small-scale business) that wants low-cost and easy introduction, while a configuration using RFID can be provided to a business (relatively large-scale business) that wants greater convenience. Furthermore, the latter business can improve the accuracy of management and flexibly and appropriately respond to various environments by using a configuration using both the optical code and RFID.

[0065] In addition, although the embodiment is configured to store luggage in a plurality of storages (carts) arranged in the storage warehouse, the present invention is not limited to this, and luggage may be stored in shelves or spaces arranged in the storage warehouse. Alternatively, a dedicated storage warehouse (for example, a rental warehouse) may be provided for each requester (or a group of multiple requesters), and luggage may be delivered between the storage warehouse and a designated location.

[0066] In another example configuration in which luggage is stored in a storage warehouse having the above-mentioned shelves and spaces, work and devices are required to transfer luggage between the shelves or spaces and a delivery company. For example, by configuring the storage warehouse to include a conveyor that transfers luggage between the shelves or spaces and a loading / unloading area, and a verification device that verifies the RFID (or the optical code) of luggage transferred by the conveyor, the inbound delivery process and the outbound delivery process can be managed in the same way as in the embodiment.

[0067] In addition, in the embodiment, the delivery company affixes an RFID to the parcel in the receiving and delivering process, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the requester may affix an RFID to the parcel, or the delivery company or a worker at the storage warehouse may affix an RFID to the parcel at the storage warehouse. Alternatively, in the receiving and delivering process, the requester may print a barcode or QR code from the Internet or the like and affix it to the parcel, thereby managing the delivery process. Furthermore, the delivery company may verify the parcel with the barcode affixed by the requester, and affix an RFID to the parcel when storing it in the storage warehouse, and manage the parcel using the RFID. If the requester affixes an RFID or barcode as in this other example, the delivery company can verify the RFID or barcode when receiving the parcel from the requester.

[0068] In addition, in the embodiment, a first matching device and a second matching device for matching luggage are provided in the storage warehouse, but this is not limited to the above. It is also possible to provide either the first matching device or the second matching device and match luggage using one of the matching devices.

[0069] In addition, in the embodiment, the entry and exit of the parcel into the storage warehouse (storage) is permitted by authentication of the delivery company, but this is not limiting. Instead of authenticating the delivery company, permission information (such as an authorization key or ID) that permits the entry and exit of the parcel may be sent to the delivery company. The entry and exit of the parcel may be permitted by checking this permission information at the entry and exit point of the storage warehouse. This alternative example can be implemented in the same way as the embodiment by replacing the permission information with the authentication information of the delivery company in the embodiment. In other words, the permission information in the alternative example can be said to be substantially the same as the authentication information in the embodiment.

[0070] In the embodiment, when the management server confirms receipt or delivery, the management server transmits a notification such as collation log information to the client terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this and the output condition for transmitting the notification can be changed as appropriate. For example, the output condition can be a predetermined time that has passed since receipt or delivery confirmation, a request for notification has been made by the client, etc.

[0071] In addition, in the embodiment, the delivery company removes the package from the storage and stores it in the storage at the loading / unloading area of ​​the storage warehouse, but this is not limited to the above, and the package removed by a worker at the storage warehouse may be handed over to the delivery company, or the package received from the delivery company may be stored in the storage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Delivery management system 11 First verification device (verification information output means) 12 Second verification device (verification information output means) 13 Authentication device (authentication information output means) 21 Management Server 31 Delivery company terminal 32 Client terminal 50 Baggage 53 Storage

Claims

[Claim 1] A system that manages a delivery process in which a delivery company delivers a package between a warehouse that stores the package of a requester and a designated location designated by the requester, The delivery step includes: a warehousing and delivery process of storing the package transferred from the designated location in the storage warehouse based on a request from the requester; a delivery process of delivering the package from the storage facility to the designated location based on a request from the client; In a delivery management system including: a verification information output means for verifying the parcel based on a request from the requester when the parcel is received in the receiving delivery process and when the parcel is shipped in the outgoing delivery process, and outputting verification log information including verification data indicating the verification and date and time data indicating the date and time of the verification; a management server that can be connected to the matching information output means and the client's terminal via a network; Equipped with The management server includes: a log information input means for inputting the collation log information output from the collation information output means via the network; a log information output means for outputting the collation log information inputted by the log information input means to the terminal of the client when a predetermined output condition is satisfied; In the delivery management system, an authentication information output means for comparing authentication information acquired by a terminal of the delivery company and used to identify the delivery company in the incoming delivery process and the outgoing delivery process, and outputting authentication log information including authentication data indicating the matching of the authentication information and date and time data indicating the date and time of the matching to a management server via the network; Equipped with the management server has an authentication information providing means that is connectable via a network to a terminal of a delivery company that delivers the package between the storage facility and a specified location, the authentication information output means, and the client's terminal, and outputs the authentication information to the delivery company's terminal via the network; the log information input means inputs the authentication log information output from the authentication information output means via the network; The log information output means outputs the authentication log information inputted by the log information input means to the terminal of the client when a predetermined output condition is satisfied. A delivery management system characterized by:

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