Item delivery system and item delivery method

Abstract

To receive an article delivered by a drone based on a receiver's intention.SOLUTION: Provided is an article delivery system 1 including a drone 10 that delivers an article and an article delivery control device 50, comprises: a communication control unit 69 that transmits a delivery code of the article to a terminal device 70 having accepted an order of delivery of the article; a radiation control unit 25 that radiates light with the delivery code superimposed thereon from the drone when the drone 10 reaches a delivery destination; a drone control unit that in a case where the delivery code which the terminal device 70 has acquired by transmission from the communication control unit 69 and the delivery code acquired by receiving the light radiated from the drone 10 coincide with each other, permits the terminal device 70 to perform a release operation of the article by the drone 10, and instructs the drone 10 to release the article based on information indicating release of the article from the terminal device 70; and a release control unit that in a case where the information indicating the instruction to release the article is received, exerts control to perform the release operation of the article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an item delivery system and an item delivery method. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of drones to deliver goods has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-531174 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0094962 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when a drone is used to deliver an item, there is a risk that the item released from the drone may fall unintentionally or be placed in an inappropriate location. In addition, depending on the impact resistance of the item, the recipient may wish to secure the item by hand. Therefore, it is desirable for the recipient to be able to specify the release of the item by the drone.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to enable the recipient to receive items delivered by drone based on their wishes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the item delivery system of the present invention is an item delivery system including a drone that delivers an item to a specified delivery location of the item as a destination, and an item delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device specified by an orderer of the item, and is equipped with a communication control unit that transmits a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when an order for delivery of the item is received, an irradiation control unit that causes the drone to irradiate light on which the delivery code is superimposed when the drone reaches the destination, a drone control unit that allows the terminal device to release the item if the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by being transmitted by the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving the light irradiated from the drone, and instructs the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device, and a release control unit that controls the drone to perform the release operation of the item when information indicating an instruction to release the item is received from the item delivery control device.

[0007] The item delivery method of the present invention is an item delivery method for an item delivery system including a drone that delivers an item to a specified delivery location of the item as a destination, and an item delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device specified by an orderer of the item, wherein a computer that operates the item delivery system executes the following steps when an order for delivery of the item is received: sending a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when the drone reaches the destination; causing the drone to irradiate light on which the delivery code is superimposed when the drone reaches the destination; allowing the terminal device to release the item by the drone if the delivery code acquired by the terminal device when the terminal device ordered the item matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving the light irradiated from the drone, and instructing the drone to release the item based on information indicating the item release operation from the terminal device; and controlling the drone to perform the item release operation when information indicating an instruction to release the item is received from the item delivery control device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the effect of allowing the recipient to receive items delivered by drone based on their wishes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an item delivery system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a drone. [Diagram 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a drone. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the goods delivery control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the terminal device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a release instruction screen displayed on the display screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of order processing in the terminal device of the goods delivery system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of order processing in the goods delivery control device of the goods delivery system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of a delivery process in the terminal device of the article delivery system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a delivery process in the goods delivery control device of the goods delivery system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of the delivery process in the drone of the item delivery system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a drone according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an item delivery system and an item delivery method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0011] [First embodiment] (Goods Delivery System) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an item delivery system 1 according to a first embodiment. The item delivery system 1 is a system that delivers items using a drone 10. In the item delivery system 1, when releasing an item from the drone 10 at a destination, the release of the item is controlled by a recipient. The item delivery system 1 includes a drone 10 and an item delivery control device 50. In this embodiment, the item delivery system 1 includes the drone 10, the item delivery control device 50, and a terminal device 70. The drone 10, the item delivery control device 50, and the terminal device 70 are capable of communicating information via a network.

[0012] (Drone) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the drone 10. The drone 10 includes a drive unit 15 for flying, a light source unit 14 for performing optical wireless communication, and a release mechanism 16 for releasing an article from a state in which the drone 10 is holding the article. FIG. 2 shows a state in which an article 100 is being held. The drone 10 is an unmanned flying object that delivers an article to a destination. The drone 10 delivers the article to a destination that is specified delivery location information indicating a specified delivery location of the article. The drone 10 may, for example, fly autonomously to the destination. The drone 10 may fly to the destination by being operated by a pilot via a remote controller. The drone 10 may fly to the destination by combining autonomous flight and operation by a pilot. In the following description, the drone 10 will be described as flying autonomously to the destination.

[0013] The drone 10 flies to the destination with the item held on the main body. The item is held, for example, by an arm extending from the main body. The method by which the drone 10 holds the item can be any known method and is not limited thereto. When the drone 10 reaches the destination, it is controlled by a terminal device 70 used by the recipient to release the item.

[0014] For example, the item may be transported from a delivery source or a delivery company's office to a destination by the drone 10. For example, the item may be transported by vehicle from the delivery company's office to a location several kilometers before the destination, and then transported by drone 10 to the destination.

[0015] 3 is a block diagram of the drone 10. The drone 10 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 11, a camera 13, a light source unit 14, a drive unit 15, a release mechanism 16, a communication unit 19, and a control unit 20. The drone 10 can communicate information with an item delivery control device 50 via a network using the communication unit 19 controlled by a communication control unit 29.

[0016] The GNSS receiver 11 receives GNSS signals from GNSS satellites. The GNSS receiver 11 outputs the received GNSS signals to a position information acquisition unit 21 of the control unit 20. The GNSS receiver 11 is composed of, for example, a GNSS receiving circuit and an antenna capable of receiving GNSS signals.

[0017] The camera 13 is a camera that captures video of the surroundings of the drone 10. The camera 13 captures images of the surroundings of the destination. In this embodiment, the camera 13 captures video used to control the autonomous flight of the drone 10. The camera 13 is mounted on the drone 10. The camera 13 is disposed, for example, facing downward on the main body of the drone 10. The camera 13 captures video at all times, for example, from when the drone 10 starts flying to when it ends flying. The camera 13 outputs the captured video to the video acquisition unit 23 of the control unit 20.

[0018] The light source unit 14 is a light source that performs optical wireless communication. The light source unit 14 is, for example, a light source of LED (Light Emitting Diode) light. The light source unit 14 is a light source that irradiates light from the drone 10. More specifically, the light source unit 14 irradiates light on which a delivery code is superimposed (hereinafter referred to as "delivery code superimposed light"). In this embodiment, the light source unit 14 irradiates the delivery code superimposed light received from the goods delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 29. The light source unit 14 irradiates light around the drone 10 and downward from the horizontal direction. For example, the light source unit 14 encodes the delivery code on the light emitted from the LED light source with a signal of, for example, 4 bits or 8 bits. In addition, when the light source unit 14 performs PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming of the LED light at, for example, 100 Hz, the light source unit 14 superimposes the delivery code on the dimming pulse. The delivery code superimposed light may include header information indicating that the light includes a delivery code.

[0019] The delivery code is a code that uniquely identifies an order for an item, and may include designated delivery location information that indicates a designated delivery location for the item. The designated delivery location is indicated, for example, by latitude and longitude. The delivery code may include, for example, information indicating at least one of a recipient and a delivery date and time. The delivery code may include, for example, the weight, size, and type of the item. The designated delivery location is the destination of the drone 10.

[0020] The driving unit 15 is a motor that causes the drone 10 to fly. The driving unit 15 is, for example, a motor that controls the rotation of the propellers of the drone 10. The rotation of the driving unit 15 is controlled by a control signal from a drive control unit 27 of the control unit 20. By controlling the rotation of the driving unit 15, the drone 10 performs various flight operations such as takeoff and landing, moving forward, turning, ascending, descending, and hovering.

[0021] The release mechanism 16 is a drive mechanism including an actuator or a motor that operates a holding part that holds an item of the drone 10. The release mechanism 16 is, for example, an actuator that operates an arm that holds an item of the drone 10. The release mechanism 16 is controlled by a control signal from a release control part 28 of the control part 20. By controlling the release mechanism 16, the mechanism switches between holding and releasing the item.

[0022] The communication unit 19 is a communication unit that performs wide-area wireless communication. The communication unit 19 communicates information with the goods delivery control device 50, for example, via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this. The communication unit 19 is, for example, configured with a wide-area wireless communication module for a mobile phone network. The communication unit 19 is configured with a communication module such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and may be connected to any access point or another smartphone to realize wide-area wireless communication.

[0023] (Control unit) The control unit 20 is an arithmetic processing device (control device) configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 20 loads a stored program into memory and executes instructions included in the program. The control unit 20 includes an internal memory (not shown), which is used for temporary storage of data in the control unit 20, and the like. The control unit 20 controls the drone 10. The control unit 20 includes a position information acquisition unit 21, an image acquisition unit 23, an item weight acquisition unit 24, an irradiation control unit 25, an autonomous flight control unit 26, a drive control unit 27, a release control unit 28, a communication control unit 29, and a memory unit 31.

[0024] The location information acquisition unit 21 calculates the current location information of the drone 10 based on the radio waves received by the GNSS receiving unit 11 using a known method.

[0025] The image acquisition unit 23 acquires the image captured by the camera 13. The image acquisition unit 23 outputs the acquired image to the irradiation control unit 25 and the autonomous flight control unit 26. The image acquisition unit 23 may store the acquired image in a storage device (not shown) or output the image to an external device such as a remote monitoring facility of a delivery company.

[0026] The item weight acquisition unit 24 acquires the weight of the item held by the drone 10. The item weight acquisition unit 24 may acquire the weight of the item from, for example, a weight sensor (not shown) arranged around the release mechanism 16. The item weight acquisition unit 24 may acquire the weight of the item together with a delivery code from, for example, a delivery company.

[0027] The irradiation control unit 25 causes the drone 10 to emit light. More specifically, when the drone 10 reaches the destination, the irradiation control unit 25 causes the light source unit 14 of the drone 10 to emit the delivery code superimposed light acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 29.

[0028] When the drone 10 reaches the destination and performs image processing on the video captured by the camera 13 to recognize the terminal device 70 or a person, the illumination control unit 25 may cause the drone 10 to illuminate the delivery code superimposed light. The process of recognizing objects such as the terminal device 70 or a person from the video can use known technology and is not limited.

[0029] The autonomous flight control unit 26 controls the drone 10 to fly autonomously to a designated delivery location of the goods as a destination based on the position information of the current location of the drone 10 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21. More specifically, when the autonomous flight control unit 26 receives information indicating a delivery instruction from the goods delivery control device 50, the autonomous flight control unit 26 starts an autonomous flight to the destination. First, the autonomous flight control unit 26 acquires the designated delivery location of the goods from, for example, a delivery code acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 29. The autonomous flight control unit 26 searches for a flight route from the current location to the destination based on, for example, map information (not shown). The autonomous flight control unit 26 outputs a control signal to the drive control unit 27 so that the drone 10 flies autonomously to the destination along the searched flight route. The autonomous flight control unit 26 outputs a control signal including, for example, the searched flight route and flight altitude to the drive control unit 27.

[0030] When the drone 10 reaches the destination, the autonomous flight control unit 26 transmits information indicating that the delivery possible conditions are satisfied to the item delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 29. More specifically, the autonomous flight control unit 26 determines whether the delivery possible conditions are satisfied based on the current position of the drone 10 and the designated delivery position. When the position information of the drone 10 matches the designated delivery position information indicating the latitude and longitude of the destination based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21 and the designated delivery position information, the autonomous flight control unit 26 determines that the drone 10 has reached the destination, in other words, that the delivery possible conditions are satisfied.

[0031] The autonomous flight control unit 26 may control the drone 10 to fly autonomously to the destination based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 23 in addition to the position information. For example, the autonomous flight control unit 26 performs image processing on the image, and when an obstacle is recognized on the path of the drone 10, outputs a control signal to control the drone 10 to avoid the obstacle. For example, when an obstacle is recognized from the image, the autonomous flight control unit 26 outputs a control signal to control the drone 10 to turn, ascend, or descend.

[0032] In this embodiment, the autonomous flight control unit 26 may fly the drone 10 slowly while turning so as to find the terminal device 70 around the destination. More specifically, when it is determined that the drone 10 has reached the destination, the autonomous flight control unit 26 outputs a control signal to control the drone 10 to fly slowly around the destination while turning.

[0033] In this embodiment, the autonomous flight control unit 26 may hover the drone 10 or descend to a height of about 1 to 3 meters above the ground in order to irradiate the delivery code superimposed light to the terminal device 70 at the destination. Furthermore, when the autonomous flight control unit 26 performs image processing on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 23 and determines that the terminal device 70 has been recognized, it outputs a control signal to hover the drone 10 above the terminal device 70 or a control signal to descend to a height of about 1 m above the terminal device 70.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the autonomous flight control unit 26 receives operation information from the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 29 from the goods delivery control device 50, it performs control of the autonomous flight of the drone 10 by adding the operation information from the terminal device 70.

[0035] The drive control unit 27 outputs a control signal to control the drive unit 15. More specifically, the drive control unit 27 outputs a control signal to control the rotation of the propellers of the drone 10. Based on the control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26, the drive control unit 27 controls the drive unit 15 so that the drone 10 performs an autonomous flight to position information indicating the latitude and longitude of the address of the destination.

[0036] In this embodiment, the drive control unit 27 flies the drone 10 to the destination. More specifically, the drive control unit 27 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 15 to fly the drone 10 to the destination based on a control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26. The drive control unit 27 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 15 to control the drone 10 to turn, ascend, or descend based on the control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26.

[0037] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the drive control unit 27 causes the drone 10 to fly slowly while turning around the destination so that the terminal device 70 can easily receive the delivery code superimposed light around the destination, based on a control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26. More specifically, the drive control unit 27 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 15 based on the control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26, for controlling the drone 10 to fly slowly while turning around the destination.

[0038] In this embodiment, the drive control unit 27 causes the drone 10 to hover in order to irradiate the terminal device 70 with delivery code superimposed light at the destination based on a control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26. More specifically, the drive control unit 27 outputs, based on a control signal from the autonomous flight control unit 26, to the drive unit 15 a control signal for hovering the drone 10 above the terminal device 70 or a control signal for descending.

[0039] The release control unit 28 causes the release mechanism 16 to hold the item while the drone 10 flies to the destination. When the release control unit 28 receives operation information instructing an operation to release the item from the terminal device 70 via the item delivery control device 50, it controls the release control unit 28 to perform the operation to release the item.

[0040] When the release control unit 28 receives operation information of the release operation from the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 29 from the goods delivery control device 50, the release control unit 28 outputs a control signal to control the release mechanism 16. More specifically, when the release control unit 28 receives operation information of the release operation from the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 29 from the goods delivery control device 50, the release control unit 28 outputs, for example, a control signal to switch between holding and releasing the goods to an actuator that operates an arm that holds the goods of the drone 10. In this embodiment, when the release control unit 28 receives operation information of the release operation from the terminal device 70 from the goods delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 29, the release control unit 28 outputs a control signal to release the goods to the release mechanism 16. For example, the release control unit 28 outputs a control signal to release the goods to an actuator that operates an arm that holds the goods of the drone 10.

[0041] When the release control unit 28 receives operation information indicating an operation for fine-adjusting the article delivery position from the terminal device 70, the release control unit 28 performs control so that the release operation is performed after fine-adjusting the article delivery position.

[0042] The communication control unit 29 controls the communication unit 19 to control communication with the goods delivery control device 50. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 29 receives a delivery code from the goods delivery control device 50. When the delivery preparation of the goods is completed, the communication control unit 29 transmits delivery preparation completion information indicating that the delivery preparation is completed to the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 29 receives information indicating a delivery instruction from the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 29 transmits information indicating that the handover possible conditions are met to the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 29 receives operation information inputted at the terminal device 70 from the goods delivery control device 50, for example, operation information indicating an instruction for a release operation.

[0043] The storage unit 31 is a storage device that stores programs and data used by the control unit 20. The storage unit 31 is, for example, at least one of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM.

[0044] (Goods delivery control device) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the goods delivery control device 50. The goods delivery control device 50 is a server device managed or used by an e-commerce business operator or a goods delivery business operator, and may be composed of multiple server devices. The goods delivery control device 50 is capable of communicating information with the drone 10 and the terminal device 70 via a network. The goods delivery control device 50 processes orders for goods delivery and delivers goods. The goods delivery control device 50 has a communication unit 59 and a control unit 60.

[0045] The communication unit 59 is a communication unit that performs wide-area wireless communication. The communication unit 59 communicates information with the drone 10 and the terminal device 70, for example, via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this. The communication unit 59 is, for example, configured with a wide-area wireless communication module for a mobile phone network. The communication unit 59 is configured with a communication module such as Wi-Fi, and may be connected to any access point or another smartphone to realize wide-area wireless communication.

[0046] (Control unit) The control unit 60 is, for example, an arithmetic processing device (control device) configured with a CPU and the like. The control unit 60 loads stored programs into memory and executes instructions contained in the programs. The control unit 60 includes an internal memory (not shown) that is used for temporary storage of data in the control unit 60, etc. The control unit 60 controls the item delivery control device 50. The control unit 60 has an order processing unit 61, a delivery code generation unit 62, a drone control unit 63, a storage unit 68, and a communication control unit 69.

[0047] The order processing unit 61 receives an order for delivery of an item, for example, from the terminal device 70 or an external device. When receiving the order, the order processing unit 61 acquires designated delivery location information indicating the designated delivery location of the item from the terminal device 70 or an external device. When receiving the order, the order processing unit 61 may acquire, together with the designated delivery location information, information indicating at least any one of the recipient of the item, the delivery date and time, the weight, size, and type of the item, for example, from the terminal device 70 or an external device.

[0048] The delivery code generation unit 62 generates a delivery code after receiving an order for delivery of an item by the order processing unit 61. The delivery code generated by the delivery code generation unit 62 is transmitted via the communication control unit 69 to the drone 10 that delivers the item and to the terminal device 70 designated by the orderer of the item.

[0049] When delivery of an item begins, the drone control unit 63 outputs information indicating delivery instructions to the drone 10 designated for delivery.

[0050] When handing over the item, the drone control unit 63 transmits a delivery possible notification indicating that the item can be delivered to the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 69. When the drone control unit 63 receives information indicating that the delivery possible conditions are satisfied from the drone 10 via the communication control unit 69, it transmits a delivery possible notification to the terminal device 70.

[0051] The drone control unit 63 grants the release right to the terminal device 70 when the goods are handed over. In this embodiment, when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by transmitting it via the communication control unit 69 matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by receiving light irradiated from the drone 10, the drone control unit 63 permits the terminal device 70 to perform the release operation of the goods by the drone 10, and instructs the drone 10 to release the goods based on the information indicating the release operation of the goods from the terminal device 70. More specifically, when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by receiving light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10 via the light receiving control unit 81, the drone control unit 63 transmits release operation permission information indicating that the release right of the goods is granted to the terminal device 70. When the two delivery codes acquired from the terminal device 70 match, the drone control unit 63 transmits release operation permission information to the terminal device 70.

[0052] The drone control unit 63 may grant the terminal device 70 the right to fine-tune the position of the drone 10 in addition to the right to release the item. In this embodiment, when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by transmission by the communication control unit 69 matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by receiving light irradiated from the drone 10, the drone control unit 63 permits the terminal device 70 to perform a fine adjustment operation for the delivery position of the item by the drone 10.

[0053] The drone control unit 63 transmits a control signal for controlling the drone 10 to the drone 10 that delivers the goods. When the drone control unit 63 receives operation information from the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 69, it transmits the operation information to the drone 10 via the communication control unit 69.

[0054] The drone control unit 63 may send information indicating an instruction for a release operation under specified conditions to the drone 10 via the communication control unit 69.

[0055] The specified conditions are conditions for performing a predetermined release operation, such as a condition for releasing the goods when the drone 10 arrives at the specified delivery location, which is the destination, and the altitude of the drone 10 at the destination is, for example, 50 cm above the ground, in a case where handing over of the goods to the recipient is not specified.

[0056] The storage unit 68 is a storage device that stores programs and data used by the control unit 60. The storage unit 68 is, for example, at least one of a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as an EPROM or an EEPROM, and a magnetic disk.

[0057] The communication control unit 69 controls the communication unit 59 to control communication with the drone 10 and the terminal device 70. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the order processing unit 61 receives an order for delivery of an item, the communication control unit 69 acquires delivery specified location information and various information from the terminal device 70 or an external device.

[0058] The processing performed by the communication control unit 69 when receiving an order for delivery of an item will be described. When receiving an order for delivery of an item by the order processing unit 61 or after receiving the order, the communication control unit 69 transmits a delivery code to the terminal device 70 designated by the orderer of the item. The terminal device 70 designated by the orderer of the item may be the terminal device where the order for the item was placed. When receiving an order for delivery of an item by the order processing unit 61 or after receiving the order, the communication control unit 69 transmits the delivery code to the drone 10 designated for delivery.

[0059] The process performed by the communication control unit 69 during delivery of an item will be described. The communication control unit 69 receives delivery preparation completion information from the drone 10 designated for delivery. The communication control unit 69 transmits information indicating a delivery instruction to the drone 10 designated for delivery. The communication control unit 69 receives information indicating that the delivery possible conditions are met from the drone 10. When the communication control unit 69 receives information indicating that the delivery possible conditions are met from the drone 10, it transmits a delivery possible notification to the terminal device 70. The communication control unit 69 receives information from the terminal device 70 indicating that the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 from the item delivery control device 50 and the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by receiving the light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10 via the light receiving control unit 81 match or do not match. The communication control unit 69 transmits release operation permission information indicating that the release right of the item is granted to the terminal device 70. The communication control unit 69 receives, for example, an instruction for a release operation as operation information from the terminal device 70. The communication control unit 69 transmits, as the operation information from the drone control unit 63, for example, operation information indicating an instruction for a release operation to the drone 10. When the delivery process of the item is completed, the communication control unit 69 transmits a delivery completion notification to the terminal device 70.

[0060] (Terminal Device) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the terminal device 70. More specifically, the terminal device 70 is a terminal device operated by a recipient who receives an item at a destination. The terminal device 70 is, for example, a portable electronic device such as a smartphone. When the terminal device 70 receives a notification that the item can be delivered, the terminal device 70 is able to receive the item. The terminal device 70 can operate the drone 10 when receiving the item. More specifically, the terminal device 70 is granted the right to release the item when receiving the item. In this embodiment, the terminal device 70 may be granted the right to fine-tune the position of the drone 10 in addition to the right to release the item. The terminal device 70 can communicate information with the item delivery control device 50 via a network. The terminal device 70 includes a light receiving unit 71, a display unit 72, an operation unit 73, a communication unit 79, and a control unit 80.

[0061] The light receiving unit 71 is a light receiving unit for optical wireless communication. The light receiving unit 71 receives, for example, LED light. The light receiving unit 71 receives light irradiated from the drone 10. More specifically, the light receiving unit 71 receives light superimposed with a delivery code. The light receiving unit 71 may be a camera provided in the terminal device 70.

[0062] The display unit 72 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 72 displays an image based on a video signal output from a display control unit 82 of the control unit 80. For example, when the right to release an item is granted, the display unit 72 displays a release instruction screen for the drone 10.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a release instruction screen 110 displayed on a display screen. The release instruction screen shown in FIG. 6 allows fine adjustment of the position of the drone 10. The release instruction screen 110 includes, for example, a horizontal arrow image 111 for fine adjustment of the position of the drone 10 in a horizontal plane, an up-down arrow image 112 for fine adjustment of the position in the up-down direction, and a release button image 113 for releasing an item. The horizontal arrow image 111 is an image of an arrow pointing north, south, east, and west. When moving the drone 10 in a predetermined horizontal direction, the moving direction is touched in the horizontal arrow image 111. The up-down arrow image 112 is an image of an arrow pointing up and down. When moving the drone 10 in the up-down direction, the moving direction in the up-down arrow image 112 is touched. When releasing an item from the drone 10, the release button image 113 is touched.

[0064] For example, when the right to release an item is granted, the operation unit 73, which is a touch panel provided on the display unit 72, can receive various operations to remotely control the drone 10. For example, the operation unit 73 can receive an operation to move the drone 10 in a predetermined horizontal direction. For example, the operation unit 73 can receive an operation to move the drone 10 in an up-down direction. For example, the operation unit 73 can receive an operation to release an item from the drone 10. The operation unit 73 outputs operation information to an operation control unit 83 of the control unit 80.

[0065] The recipient of the item operates the drone 10 via the release instruction screen displayed on the display unit 72 to move it over the location where the item is to be placed and release the item.

[0066] The range of adjustment of the drone 10 by the terminal device 70 is limited to, for example, less than 1 m in the horizontal direction and less than 1 m in the vertical direction. Naturally, collision prevention by the camera 13 of the drone 10 and an altitude sensor (not shown) is given priority.

[0067] The communication unit 79 is a communication unit that performs wide-area wireless communication. The communication unit 79 communicates information with the goods delivery control device 50, for example, via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this. The communication unit 79 is, for example, configured with a wide-area wireless communication module for a mobile phone network. The communication unit 79 is configured with a communication module such as Wi-Fi, and may be connected to any access point or another smartphone to realize wide-area wireless communication.

[0068] (Control unit) The control unit 80 is, for example, an arithmetic processing device (control device) configured with a CPU and the like. The control unit 80 loads a stored program into memory and executes instructions included in the program. The control unit 80 includes an internal memory (not shown), which is used for temporary storage of data in the control unit 80, and the like. The control unit 80 controls the terminal device 70. The control unit 80 has a light receiving control unit 81, a display control unit 82, an operation control unit 83, a storage unit 88, and a communication control unit 89.

[0069] The light-receiving control unit 81 causes the light-receiving unit 71 to receive light irradiated from the drone 10. More specifically, the light-receiving control unit 81 causes the light-receiving unit 71 to receive the delivery code superimposed light from the drone 10. The light-receiving control unit 81 acquires a delivery code from the delivery code superimposed light received by the light-receiving unit 71.

[0070] The display control unit 82 controls the display of the image on the display unit 72. The display control unit 82 outputs a video signal that causes the image to be output to the display unit 72. More specifically, when placing an order for delivery of an item, the display control unit 82 outputs a video signal that displays an image of a screen for performing the order processing.

[0071] When the right to release the goods is granted, the display control unit 82 outputs a video signal to display on the display unit 72 a release instruction screen instructing the release of the goods from the drone 10. When the delivery code acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by receiving the light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10 via the light reception control unit 81, the display control unit 82 outputs a video signal to display a release instruction screen instructing the release of the goods, instructing the release of the goods, instructing the release of the goods when the right to release the goods is granted from the goods delivery control device 50. In this embodiment, when the right to release the goods is granted from the goods delivery control device 50, the display control unit 82 outputs a video signal to display a release instruction screen instructing the release of the goods.

[0072] When the delivery code acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by receiving light irradiated by the irradiation control device 25 of the drone 10 via the light reception control device 81, the display control device 82 may be granted the right to fine-tune the position of the drone 10 and output a video signal to display a release instruction screen for fine-tuning the position on the display unit 72. In this embodiment, when the display control device 82 is granted the right to fine-tune the position of the drone 10 by the goods delivery control device 50, it may output a video signal to display a release instruction screen that allows fine-tuning the position of the drone 10.

[0073] The operation control unit 83 accepts an operation for performing an order process when placing an order for delivery of an item. In this embodiment, the operation control unit 83 accepts, for example, an operation for inputting delivery designated position information and various information.

[0074] When the delivery code acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by receiving light irradiated by the irradiation control device 25 of the drone 10 via the light reception control device 81, the operation control device 83 accepts an operation to instruct the drone 10 to perform an operation to release the goods on the terminal device 70 when the right to release the goods is granted by the goods delivery control device 50. In this embodiment, the operation control device 83 accepts an operation to instruct the drone 10 to perform an operation to release the goods on the terminal device 70 when the right to release the goods is granted by the goods delivery control device 50.

[0075] In this embodiment, the operation control unit 83 may acquire operation information indicating an operation of fine-adjusting the position when the right to fine-adjust the position of the drone 10 is granted by the goods delivery control device 50. More specifically, the operation control unit 83 may acquire operation information indicating, for example, an operation of fine-adjustment in the horizontal plane for moving the drone 10 to the release position of the goods and an operation of fine-adjustment in the up-down direction, and output a control signal.

[0076] The operation control unit 83 outputs the acquired operation information as a control signal. The operation information acquired by the operation control unit 83 is output from the terminal device 70 to the goods delivery control device 50.

[0077] The storage unit 88 is a storage device that stores programs and data used by the control unit 80. The storage unit 88 uses at least one of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM.

[0078] The communication control unit 89 controls the communication unit 79 to control communication with the goods delivery control device 50. In this embodiment, when ordering the delivery of goods, the communication control unit 89 transmits various information such as delivery designated position information and goods information to the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 89 receives a delivery code from the goods delivery control device 50. When the delivery code acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by receiving the light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10 via the light reception control unit 81, the communication control unit 89 transmits information indicating the match to the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 89 receives a delivery possible notification from the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 89 receives release operation permission information from the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 89 transmits the operation information acquired by the operation control unit 83 to the goods delivery control device 50. For example, the communication control unit 89 transmits the operation information acquired by the operation control unit 83 to the goods delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 89, for example, transmits operation information indicating an instruction for a release operation to the item delivery control device 50. The communication control unit 89 transmits operation information indicating an operation for fine adjustment to the item delivery control device 50. When the item delivery process is completed, the communication control unit 89 receives a delivery completion notification from the item delivery control device 50.

[0079] (Information processing in goods distribution systems) Next, information processing in the goods delivery system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 11. First, goods ordering processing and order receipt processing will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of order processing in a terminal device 70 that orders goods to the goods delivery control device 50 of the goods delivery system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0080] The terminal device 70 places an order for delivery of an item (step S101). More specifically, the control unit 80 causes the display control unit 82 to display an image of a screen for carrying out the order processing on the display unit 72. The control unit 80 accepts an operation for carrying out the order processing via the operation control unit 83. The control unit 80 accepts an operation for inputting, for example, designated delivery location information and various information via the operation control unit 83. When placing an order for delivery of an item, the control unit 80 transmits various information such as designated delivery location information and item information to the item delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 89. The control unit 80 proceeds to step S102.

[0081] The terminal device 70 receives and stores the delivery code from the goods delivery control device 50 that accepted the order placed in step S101 (step S102). More specifically, the terminal device 70 receives from the goods delivery control device 50 a delivery code that can uniquely identify the order contents.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of order processing in the goods delivery control device 50 of the goods delivery system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0083] The control unit 60 determines whether an order has been received (step S201). More specifically, the control unit 60 determines whether various information such as delivery designated location information and item information has been acquired from the terminal device 70 by the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 determines that an order has been received when online order processing has been performed, such as when various information such as delivery designated location information and item information has been acquired from the terminal device 70. If the control unit 60 determines that an order has been received (Yes in step S201), it proceeds to step S202. If the control unit 60 does not determine that an order has been received (No in step S201), it ends the process.

[0084] When an order is received (Yes in step S201), the control unit 60 transmits the delivery code to the terminal device 70 of the orderer (step S202). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits the delivery code to the terminal device 70 of the orderer via the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S203.

[0085] The control unit 60 transmits the destination information and the delivery code to the drone 10 that has been designated for delivery (step S203). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits the delivery code to the drone 10 that has been designated for delivery via the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S204.

[0086] The control unit 60 determines whether or not delivery preparation completion information has been acquired (step S204). The control unit 60 determines whether or not delivery preparation completion information has been received from the drone 10 specified for delivery, via the communication control unit 69. Completion of delivery preparation means that the drone 10 is holding the item to be delivered and is ready for delivery. If the control unit 60 determines that delivery preparation completion information has been acquired (Yes in step S204), it proceeds to step S205. If the control unit 60 does not determine that delivery preparation completion information has been acquired (No in step S204), it executes the process of step S204 again.

[0087] The control unit 60 issues a delivery instruction when the delivery preparation of the drone 10 specified for delivery is completed (step S205). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits information indicating the delivery instruction to the drone 10 specified for delivery via the communication control unit 69. The delivery instruction is an instruction for the drone 10 to start flying to the destination.

[0088] Next, the delivery process will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 11. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of the delivery process in the terminal device 70 that has placed an order for an item to the item delivery control device 50 of the item delivery system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0089] The control unit 80 receives the delivery possible notification (step S111). More specifically, the control unit 80 receives the delivery possible notification from the goods delivery control device 50 by the communication control unit 89. The delivery possible notification is transmitted from the goods delivery control device 50 to the terminal device 70 when the drone 10 arrives at the destination or near the destination. When the user of the terminal device 70 receives the delivery possible notification, the user confirms the drone 10 at the designated delivery location, which is the destination of the drone 10, and points the terminal device 70 toward the drone 10 so that the terminal device 70 can receive the delivery code superimposed light. The delivery possible notification may include a notification indicating a request to receive the delivery code superimposed light in addition to a notification indicating that the drone 10 has arrived at or near the designated delivery location. The control unit 80 proceeds to step S112.

[0090] The control unit 80 determines whether or not the light superimposed with the shipping code has been received (step S112). More specifically, the control unit 80 confirms that the light received by the light reception control unit 81 includes a shipping code, and determines that the light superimposed with the shipping code has been received if the light includes a shipping code. The control unit 80 proceeds to step S113.

[0091] The control unit 80 acquires and transmits the delivery code (step S113). More specifically, the control unit 80 acquires the delivery code by decoding the coded delivery code in the received delivery code superimposed light using the light reception control unit 81. After acquiring the delivery code from the delivery code superimposed light, the control unit 80 compares it with the delivery code transmitted from the goods delivery control device 50 and determines whether they match. If the delivery code acquired from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by receiving the light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10, the control unit 80 transmits information indicating that they match to the goods delivery control device 50 using the communication control unit 89. The control unit 80 proceeds to step S114.

[0092] The control unit 80 displays a release instruction screen (step S114). More specifically, the control unit 80 outputs a video signal to display, via the display control unit 82, a release instruction screen that instructs the release operation of the item from the drone 10 on the display unit 72. If the delivery code acquired from the item delivery control device 50 does not match the delivery code acquired by receiving the light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10, the control unit 80 does not display the release instruction screen. The control unit 80 proceeds to step S115.

[0093] The control unit 80 determines whether or not a release operation has been performed (step S115). More specifically, when the control unit 80 receives an operation from the operation control unit 83 to support the release operation of the item by the drone 10, the control unit 80 determines that the release operation has been performed. When the control unit 80 determines that the release operation has been performed (Yes in step S115), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S116. When the control unit 80 does not determine that the release operation has been performed (No in step S115), the control unit 80 executes the process of step S115 again.

[0094] The control unit 80 transmits an instruction for the release operation (step S116). More specifically, the control unit 80 transmits, for example, operation information indicating an instruction for the release operation to the goods delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 89. The control unit 80 proceeds to step S117.

[0095] The control unit 80 receives the delivery completion notification (step S117). More specifically, the control unit 80 receives the delivery completion notification from the goods delivery control device 50 via the communication control unit 89.

[0096] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a delivery process in the goods delivery control device 50 of the goods delivery system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0097] The control unit 60 determines whether the position information of the drone 10 satisfies the transfer possible condition (step S211). More specifically, when the control unit 60 receives information indicating that the transfer possible condition is satisfied from the drone 10 via the communication control unit 69, the control unit 60 determines that the transfer possible condition is satisfied. When the control unit 60 determines that the transfer possible condition is satisfied (Yes in step S211), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S212.

[0098] The control unit 60 transmits a delivery possible notification (step S212). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits the delivery possible notification to the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S213.

[0099] The control unit 60 receives information indicating that the delivery codes match (step S213). More specifically, the control unit 60 receives information from the terminal device 70, by the communication control unit 69, indicating that the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 from the goods delivery control device 50 and the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by receiving the light irradiated by the irradiation control unit 25 of the drone 10 via the light reception control unit 81 match. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S214. In step S213, the control unit 60 may receive from the terminal device 70 the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 from the goods delivery control device 50 and the delivery code acquired by receiving the light irradiated by the drone 10, and determine whether the two delivery codes match.

[0100] The control unit 60 transmits release operation permission information (step S214). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits release operation permission information indicating that the release right for the article is granted to the terminal device 70 via the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S215.

[0101] The control unit 60 determines whether or not an instruction for a release operation has been received (step S215). More specifically, the control unit 60 determines whether or not an instruction for a release operation has been received as operation information from the terminal device 70 by the communication control unit 69. If the control unit 60 determines that an instruction for a release operation has been received (Yes in step S215), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S216. If the control unit 60 does not determine that an instruction for a release operation has been received (No in step S215), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S217. The process of step S215 may be a determination as to whether or not an instruction for a release operation has been received within a predetermined time, such as 60 seconds, after the release operation permission information has been transmitted in step S214.

[0102] When it is determined that the instruction for the release operation has been received (Yes in step S215), the control unit 60 transmits the instruction for the release operation (step S216). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits, for example, operation information indicating the instruction for the release operation to the drone 10 as operation information from the drone control unit 63 via the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S218.

[0103] If it is not determined that a release operation instruction has been received (No in step S215), the control unit 60 transmits a release operation instruction under specified conditions (step S217). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits operation information indicating a release operation instruction to the drone 10 as operation information from the drone control unit 63, for example, on condition that the specified conditions are satisfied, via the communication control unit 69. The control unit 60 proceeds to step S218.

[0104] The control unit 60 transmits a delivery completion notification (step S218). More specifically, the control unit 60 transmits the delivery completion notification to the terminal device 70 by the communication control unit 69.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of a delivery process in the drone 10 of the item delivery system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0106] The control unit 20 determines whether the delivery possible condition is satisfied based on the current location and the designated delivery location (step S301). More specifically, the control unit 20 determines that the drone 10 has reached the destination, in other words, that the delivery possible condition is satisfied, when the location information of the drone 10 matches the delivery specified location information indicating the latitude and longitude of the destination based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 21 and the delivery specified location information included in the delivery code by the autonomous flight control unit 26. When the control unit 20 determines that the current location and the designated delivery location satisfy the delivery possible condition (Yes in step S301), it proceeds to step S302. When the control unit 20 does not determine that the current location and the designated delivery location satisfy the delivery possible condition (No in step S301), it executes the process of step S301 again.

[0107] The control unit 20 transmits information indicating that the delivery possible conditions are satisfied (step S302). More specifically, the control unit 20 transmits, via the communication control unit 29, to the goods delivery control device 50, information indicating that the delivery possible conditions are satisfied.

[0108] The control unit 20 starts emitting the shipping code superimposed light (step S303). More specifically, the control unit 20 causes the light source unit 14 of the drone 10 to emit the shipping code superimposed light by the irradiation control unit 25. The control unit 20 proceeds to step S304.

[0109] The control unit 20 determines whether or not an instruction for a release operation has been received (step S304). More specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether or not operation information input from the goods delivery control device 50 to the terminal device 70, for example, operation information indicating an instruction for a release operation, has been received by the communication control unit 29. If the control unit 20 determines that an instruction for a release operation has been received (Yes in step S304), it proceeds to step S305. If the control unit 20 does not determine that an instruction for a release operation has been received (No in step S304), it proceeds to step S306.

[0110] The control unit 20 determines whether or not an instruction for a release operation under a specified condition has been received (step S305). If the control unit 20 determines that an instruction for a release operation under a specified condition has been received (Yes in step S305), the control unit 20 proceeds to step S306. If the control unit 20 does not determine that an instruction for a release operation under a specified condition has been received (No in step S305), the control unit 20 executes the process of step S304 again.

[0111] The control unit 20 releases the article (step S306). More specifically, the control unit 20 controls the release control unit 28 to perform the release operation of the article based on the operation information indicating the received instruction for the release operation.

[0112] (effect) As described above, in this embodiment, if the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 from the goods delivery control device 50 matches the delivery code acquired by receiving the light emitted by the drone 10, the terminal device 70 can receive an operation to instruct the drone 10 to release the goods. According to this embodiment, the goods delivered by the drone 10 can be received based on the recipient's intention via the terminal device 70. This embodiment can prevent the goods released from the drone 10 from falling unintentionally or from being placed in an inappropriate location. This embodiment allows the recipient to secure the goods in a safe place, such as in a person's hand, when the goods have low impact resistance.

[0113] In this embodiment, the terminal device 70 can receive an operation for fine-tuning the delivery position of the item as well as an operation for instructing the drone 10 to release the item. According to this embodiment, the item can be received at an appropriate position by fine-tuning the position.

[0114] [Second embodiment] The goods delivery system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a drone 10A according to a second embodiment. The drone 10A according to the second embodiment has a basic configuration similar to that of the drone 10 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same or corresponding reference numerals are used for components similar to those of the drone 10 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The drone 10A differs from the first embodiment in that it includes an altitude sensor 12A and an altitude information acquisition unit 22A, and in the processing in the irradiation control unit 25A and the release control unit 28A.

[0115] The altitude sensor 12A is a sensor that detects the flight altitude of the drone 10A from the ground. The altitude sensor 12A is, for example, an ultrasonic or infrared sensor arranged facing downward of the drone 10A. The altitude sensor 12A may also use the light source unit 14 as a sensor that detects the flight altitude. The altitude sensor 12A outputs the detected sensor data to the altitude information acquisition unit 22A.

[0116] The altitude information acquisition unit 22A acquires flight altitude information of the drone 10A. More specifically, the altitude information acquisition unit 22A acquires sensor data from the altitude sensor 12A. The altitude information acquisition unit 22A may acquire the flight altitude from, for example, the reflection time of ultrasonic waves or infrared rays emitted toward the ground. The altitude information acquisition unit 22A may acquire the flight altitude from, for example, the reflection time of the delivery code superimposed light irradiated from the light source unit 14.

[0117] The illumination control unit 25A changes the altitude at which light is irradiated based on the weight of the item acquired by the item weight acquisition unit 24A. When the weight of the item is heavy, the illumination control unit 25A causes the light source unit 14 of the drone 10A to irradiate the delivery code superimposed light from a lower flight altitude than when the weight of the item is light. For example, when the weight of the item is less than 1 kg, the illumination control unit 25A causes the light source unit 14 of the drone 10A to irradiate the delivery code superimposed light when the flight altitude of the drone 10A is 150 cm. For example, when the weight of the item is 1 kg or more but less than the drone delivery weight, the illumination control unit 25A causes the light source unit 14 of the drone 10A to irradiate the delivery code superimposed light when the flight altitude of the drone 10A is 50 cm.

[0118] The release control unit 28A changes the altitude at which the release operation of the item becomes effective based on the weight of the item acquired by the item weight acquisition unit 24A. The release control unit 28A determines whether the release control unit 28A allows the release of the item at a lower flight altitude when the weight of the item is heavy, compared to when the weight of the item is light. For example, when the weight of the item is less than 1 kg, even if the release operation is received when the flight altitude of the drone 10A is above 150 cm, the release control unit 28A does not enable the release operation until the altitude reaches 150 cm, and enables the release operation when the flight altitude reaches 150 cm or less. For example, when the weight of the item is 1 kg or more but less than the drone delivery weight, the release control unit 28A does not enable the release operation until the altitude reaches 50 cm, even if the release operation is received above 50 cm, and enables the release operation when the flight altitude reaches 50 cm or less.

[0119] As described above, in this embodiment, the altitude at which the delivery code superimposed light is irradiated can be changed based on the weight of the item. According to this embodiment, the package can be received more safely according to the weight of the item.

[0120] In this embodiment, the altitude at which the release operation of the article is valid can be changed based on the weight of the article. According to this embodiment, the baggage can be received more safely according to the weight of the article.

[0121] [Third embodiment] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the configuration and processing of the goods delivery system 1 including the drone 10 and the goods delivery control device 50 have been described as an example of the goods delivery system 1 according to the present invention. The processing according to the above-described first and second embodiments can also be performed by the goods delivery control device 50.

[0122] Specifically, when the drone 10 reaches the destination, the illumination control unit 25 may cause the drone 10 to illuminate the delivery code superimposed light, or the drone control unit 63 of the goods delivery control device 50 may determine that the drone 10 has reached the destination based on the position information and destination information of the drone 10, and instruct the illumination control unit 25 of the drone 10 to illuminate the delivery code superimposed light from the drone 10.

[0123] In addition, the flight altitude information acquired by the altitude information acquisition unit 22A of the drone 10 can be acquired by the goods delivery control device 50, so that the drone control unit 63 of the goods delivery control device 50 can control the altitude at which the delivery code superimposed light is irradiated based on the weight of the goods, or the altitude at which the release operation is effective.

[0124] As described above, by making the goods delivery control device 50 the execution subject of the process, the goods delivery control device 50 according to this embodiment is shown in the following configuration. The goods delivery control device 50 includes a terminal device 70 designated by an orderer who orders the delivery of goods, a communication control unit 69 that controls communication with the drone 10 that delivers the goods, and a drone control unit 63 that controls the operation of the drone 10 by communication with the communication control unit 69. When an order for delivery of goods is received, the communication control unit 69 transmits a delivery code including the specified delivery location information of the goods to the terminal device 70 designated by the orderer of the goods, and when the drone 10 that delivers the goods reaches a destination based on the specified delivery location information of the goods, the drone control unit 63 causes the drone 10 to irradiate light on which the delivery code is superimposed, and when the terminal device 70 acquires information indicating that the delivery code acquired by the communication control unit 69 matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device 70 by receiving the light irradiated from the drone 10, the drone control unit 63 permits the terminal device 70 to perform an operation to release the goods by the drone 10, and controls the drone 10 to instruct the drone 10 to perform an operation to release the goods based on the information indicating the operation to release the goods from the terminal device 70.

[0125] As another configuration, in the above-mentioned item delivery control device 50, the drone control unit 63 performs control to change the flight altitude at which the drone 10 irradiates light with a delivery code superimposed thereon, based on the weight of the item being delivered by the drone 10. Alternatively, in the above-mentioned item delivery control device 50, the drone control unit 63 performs control to change the flight altitude at which the release operation of the item being delivered by the drone 10 becomes effective, based on the weight of the item being delivered by the drone 10.

[0126] In yet another configuration, when the delivery code obtained by the terminal device 70 through transmission by the communication control unit 29 matches the delivery code obtained by the terminal device 70 through receiving light irradiated from the drone 10, the drone control unit 63 allows the terminal device 70 to perform a fine-tuning operation of the item delivery position by the drone 10, and based on the information indicating the fine-tuning operation of the delivery position received from the terminal device 70, controls the drone 10 to fine-tune the item delivery position and then perform a release operation.

[0127] Each component of the illustrated goods delivery system is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of the device may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the processing load and usage status of each device.

[0128] The configuration of the goods delivery system is realized, for example, as software, by a program loaded into a memory. In the above embodiment, the functional blocks are described as being realized by the cooperation of these hardware and software. In other words, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

[0129] The components described above include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0130] For example, each part of the control unit 60 of the goods delivery control device 50 may be distributed and implemented in the drone 10 and the terminal device 70. More specifically, each part of the control unit 60 of the goods delivery control device 50 may be partly provided in the control unit 20 of the drone 10, and the remaining parts may be provided in the control unit 80 of the terminal device 70.

[0131] In the above, the drone 10 has been described as flying autonomously, but when a pilot operates the drone 10, the pilot simply views the images captured by the camera 13 mounted on the drone 10 and operates a remote controller to fly the drone to its destination.

[0132] This disclosure will contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "Create the infrastructure for industry and technological innovation" and includes matters that contribute to value creation through IoT solutions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Goods delivery system 10. Drone 11 GNSS receiver 13. Camera 14 Light source section 15 Drive unit 16 Release mechanism 19 Communications Department 20 Control section 21 Location information acquisition section 23 Video Acquisition Unit 24 Goods weight acquisition department 25 Irradiation control unit 26 Autonomous flight control unit 27 Drive control unit 28 Release control section 29 Communication control section 50 Goods delivery control device 59 Communications Department 60 Control section 61 Order Processing Department 62 Delivery Code Generation Unit 63 Drone control unit 68 Memory section 69 Communication control section 70 Terminal Equipment 71 Light receiving part 72 Display section 73 Operation section 79 Communications Department 80 Control section 81 Light receiving control section 82 Display control section 83 Operation control section 88 Memory section 89 Communication control section

Claims

1. An item delivery system including a drone that delivers an item to a designated delivery location of the item, and an item delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device designated by an orderer of the item, a communication control unit that transmits a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an illumination control unit that illuminates the drone with light having the delivery code superimposed thereon when the drone reaches the destination; a drone control unit that, when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by being transmitted by the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, permits the terminal device to release the item using the drone, and instructs the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; a release control unit that controls the release operation of the item when information indicating an instruction to perform the release operation of the item is received from the item delivery control device; Equipped with The drone includes an altitude information acquisition unit that acquires flight altitude information, An item delivery system, wherein the illumination control unit changes the altitude at which the light is illuminated based on the weight of the item.

2. An item delivery system including a drone that delivers an item to a designated delivery location of the item, and an item delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device designated by an orderer of the item, a communication control unit that transmits a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an illumination control unit that illuminates the drone with light having the delivery code superimposed thereon when the drone reaches the destination; a drone control unit that, when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by being transmitted by the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, permits the terminal device to release the item using the drone, and instructs the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; a release control unit that controls the release operation of the item when information indicating an instruction to perform the release operation of the item is received from the item delivery control device; Equipped with The drone includes an altitude information acquisition unit that acquires flight altitude information, The release control unit changes the altitude at which the release operation of the item is effective based on the weight of the item.

3. An item delivery system including a drone that delivers an item to a designated delivery location of the item, and an item delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device designated by an orderer of the item, a communication control unit that transmits a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an illumination control unit that illuminates the drone with light having the delivery code superimposed thereon when the drone reaches the destination; a drone control unit that, when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by being transmitted by the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, permits the terminal device to release the item using the drone, and instructs the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; a release control unit that controls the release operation of the item when information indicating an instruction to perform the release operation of the item is received from the item delivery control device; Equipped with When the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by being transmitted by the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, the drone control unit permits the terminal device to perform a fine adjustment operation for a delivery position of the item by the drone; An item delivery system, wherein the release control unit, when receiving information indicating an operation of fine-tuning the delivery position, controls the release control unit to perform fine-tuning of the delivery position of the item before performing a release operation.

4. A method for delivering goods in a goods delivery system including a drone that delivers goods to a designated delivery location of the goods, and a goods delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device designated by an orderer of the goods, a transmission step of transmitting a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an irradiation step of irradiating light having the delivery code superimposed thereon from the drone when the drone reaches the destination; a release instruction step of permitting the terminal device to release the item by the drone when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device when ordering the item matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, and instructing the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; a release control step of controlling to perform a release operation of the item when information indicating an instruction to perform a release operation of the item is received from the item delivery control device; A flight altitude acquisition step of acquiring flight altitude information of the drone; An article delivery method implemented by a computer that operates an article delivery system, comprising: In the irradiation step, an altitude at which the light is irradiated is changed based on a weight of the article. Goods delivery method.

5. A method for delivering goods in a goods delivery system including a drone that delivers goods to a designated delivery location of the goods, and a goods delivery control device capable of communicating with the drone and a terminal device designated by an orderer of the goods, a transmission step of transmitting a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an irradiation step of irradiating light having the delivery code superimposed thereon from the drone when the drone reaches the destination; a release instruction step of permitting the terminal device to release the item by the drone when the delivery code acquired by the terminal device when ordering the item matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, and instructing the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; a release control step of controlling to perform a release operation of the item when information indicating an instruction to perform a release operation of the item is received from the item delivery control device; A flight altitude acquisition step of acquiring flight altitude information of the drone; An article delivery method implemented by a computer that operates an article delivery system, comprising: In the release control step, an altitude at which a release operation of the article is effective is changed based on a weight of the article. Goods delivery method.

6. A communication control unit that controls communication between a terminal device designated by an orderer who orders the delivery of an item and a drone that delivers the item; A drone control unit that controls the operation of the drone through communication by the communication control unit, the communication control unit transmits a delivery code including information on a delivery designated location of the item to the terminal device designated by an orderer of the item when receiving an order for delivery of the item; When the drone delivering the item reaches a destination based on the specified delivery location information of the item, the drone control unit causes the drone to irradiate light having the delivery code superimposed thereon, and when the drone control unit obtains information indicating that the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by transmission from the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving the light irradiated from the drone, the drone control unit permits the terminal device to perform an item release operation by the drone, and performs control to instruct the drone to perform an item release operation based on the information indicating the item release operation from the terminal device, The communication control unit acquires flight altitude information of the drone, The drone control unit changes the altitude at which the drone irradiates the light based on the weight of the item. Goods delivery control device.

7. A communication control unit that controls communication between a terminal device designated by an orderer who orders the delivery of an item and a drone that delivers the item; A drone control unit that controls the operation of the drone through communication by the communication control unit, the communication control unit transmits a delivery code including information on a delivery designated location of the item to the terminal device designated by an orderer of the item when receiving an order for delivery of the item; When the drone delivering the item reaches a destination based on the specified delivery location information of the item, the drone control unit causes the drone to irradiate light having the delivery code superimposed thereon, and when the drone control unit obtains information indicating that the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by transmission from the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving the light irradiated from the drone, the drone control unit permits the terminal device to perform an item release operation by the drone, and performs control to instruct the drone to perform an item release operation based on the information indicating the item release operation from the terminal device, The communication control unit acquires flight altitude information of the drone, The drone control unit causes the drone to change an altitude at which a release operation of the item is effective based on the weight of the item. Goods delivery control device.

8. A communication control unit that controls communication between a terminal device designated by an orderer who orders the delivery of an item and a drone that delivers the item; A drone control unit that controls the operation of the drone through communication by the communication control unit, the communication control unit transmits a delivery code including information on a delivery designated location of the item to the terminal device designated by an orderer of the item when receiving an order for delivery of the item; When the drone delivering the item reaches a destination based on the specified delivery location information of the item, the drone control unit causes the drone to irradiate light having the delivery code superimposed thereon, and when the drone control unit obtains information indicating that the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by transmission from the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving the light irradiated from the drone, the drone control unit permits the terminal device to perform an item release operation by the drone, and performs control to instruct the drone to perform an item release operation based on the information indicating the item release operation from the terminal device, When the drone control unit acquires information indicating that the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by transmission via the communication control unit matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device by receiving light irradiated from the drone, the drone control unit permits the terminal device to operate fine-tuning the delivery position of the item by the drone, and when the drone control unit receives information indicating an operation to fine-tune the delivery position from the terminal device, controls the drone to instruct the drone to fine-tune the delivery position of the item. Goods delivery control device.

9. An item delivery method executed by an item delivery control device capable of communicating with a terminal device designated by an orderer who orders the delivery of an item and a drone that delivers the item, a transmission step of transmitting a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an irradiation step of irradiating light having the delivery code superimposed thereon from the drone when the drone reaches the destination; a release instruction step of permitting the terminal device to release the item using the drone when the terminal device acquires information indicating that the delivery code acquired when the terminal device ordered the item matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device receiving light irradiated from the drone, and instructing the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; A flight altitude acquisition step of acquiring flight altitude information of the drone; Including, In the irradiation step, the altitude at which the drone irradiates the light is changed based on the weight of the item. Goods delivery method.

10. An item delivery method executed by an item delivery control device capable of communicating with a terminal device designated by an orderer who orders the delivery of an item and a drone that delivers the item, a transmission step of transmitting a delivery code of the item to the terminal device when receiving an order for delivery of the item; an irradiation step of irradiating light having the delivery code superimposed thereon from the drone when the drone reaches the destination; a release instruction step of permitting the terminal device to release the item using the drone when the terminal device acquires information indicating that the delivery code acquired when the terminal device ordered the item matches the delivery code acquired by the terminal device receiving light irradiated from the drone, and instructing the drone to release the item based on information indicating the release operation of the item from the terminal device; A flight altitude acquisition step of acquiring flight altitude information of the drone; Including, In the release instruction step, the drone is caused to change an altitude at which a release operation of the article is effective based on a weight of the article. Goods delivery method.

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