Unlocking Management System, Unlocking Management Server, Unlocking Management Method, and Program

Abstract

To provide an unlocking management system, an unlocking management server, an unlocking management method, and a program that improve the efficiency of package delivery.SOLUTION: In an unlocking management system including a delivery person terminal 1 and an unlocking management server 2, the unlocking management server 2 includes: a request receiving unit 220 that receives unlocking request information, which is information indicating a request to unlock an electronic lock and including an invoice number, from the delivery person terminal 1; an address acquisition unit 221 that acquires the destination address of a package corresponding to the invoice number included in the unlocking request information; a digital key acquisition unit 222 that acquires API information and a digital key of an electronic lock at the destination address of the package by referring to a digital key database that associates and manages an address, an electronic lock existing at that address, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information; and a key operation unit 223 that unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the destination address of the package.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an unlocking management system, an unlocking management server, an unlocking management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid expansion of the EC (Electronic Commerce) market, the demand for package delivery has been increasing rapidly. Many users of EC sites are individuals, and the diversification of users' life patterns has advanced, resulting in an increase in the number of cases where users are absent at the time of delivery. As a result, re-delivery occurs, leading to a decrease in the delivery efficiency of packages.

[0003] To improve the convenience of receiving packages, a so-called "leave-at-door" service has been put into practical use, where packages are placed at a predetermined location such as in front of the entrance without meeting the recipient. However, for example, in an apartment building equipped with an auto-lock, there is a problem that delivery users responsible for package delivery cannot access the entrance. In such apartment buildings, there may be a parcel box, but when the parcel box is full, delivery users cannot use the parcel box and re-delivery occurs.

[0004] As a means to safely deliver packages even when the recipient is absent, a technology for using a vehicle as a package storage location has also been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vehicle equipped with a dedicated device for unlocking a storage unit in response to an instruction from a delivery user is used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to utilize the above-described technology, it is premised that the recipient of the package can use a vehicle for receiving the package, such as the recipient possessing a vehicle. The recipient of the package does not necessarily have access to a vehicle, and even if the recipient possesses a vehicle, it is not always the case that a dedicated device is attached to the vehicle. Thus, there is room for improvement in the efficiency of package delivery services.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a technology for improving the efficiency of package delivery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is an unlocking management system including: a delivery user terminal used by a delivery user who delivers packages, an address, an electronic lock existing at the address, API (Application Programming Interface) information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key database that records by associating the API identified by the API information with the digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API; and an unlocking management server that unlocks the electronic lock using the digital key and the API information. In this system, the delivery user terminal includes: a waybill number reading unit that reads a waybill number attached to a package to be delivered; and an unlocking request unit that transmits unlocking request information, which is information indicating a request to unlock the electronic lock and includes the waybill number, to the unlocking management server. The unlocking management server includes: a request receiving unit that receives the unlocking request information from the delivery user terminal; an address acquisition unit that acquires the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the waybill number included in the unlocking request information; a digital key acquisition unit that refers to the digital key database and acquires the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package; and a key operation unit that unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package.

[0009] The unlocking management server may further include a log management unit that acquires information indicating the success or failure of unlocking the digital key from the electronic lock and generates log information associated with the invoice number and information indicating the presence or absence of delivery completion. The key operation unit of the unlocking management server may unlock the electronic lock on the condition that the invoice number received from the delivery person's terminal is not included in the log information or the delivery of the package corresponding to the invoice number is not completed.

[0010] The address acquisition unit of the unlocking management server may transmit the invoice number included in the unlocking request to a delivery management server that manages delivery information including the invoice number, which is information related to the delivery of a package, and acquire the delivery address of the package corresponding to the invoice number from the delivery management server.

[0011] The delivery person's terminal may further include a position acquisition unit that acquires terminal position information indicating the position of the delivery person's terminal. The unlocking request unit of the delivery person's terminal may include the terminal identifier for identifying the delivery person's terminal, the terminal position information, and the invoice number in the unlocking request information and transmit it to the unlocking management server. The unlocking management server may further include a legitimacy acquisition unit that transmits the terminal identifier, the invoice number, and the terminal position information to the delivery management server to acquire the legitimacy of the delivery of the package specified by the invoice number from the delivery management server. The key operation unit may unlock the electronic lock on the condition that the delivery of the package specified by the invoice number is legitimate.

[0012] The delivery person's terminal may further include a consent acquisition unit that acquires unlocking consent information indicating that the recipient of the package has agreed to unlock the electronic lock existing at the delivery address of the package with a digital key. The unlocking request unit of the delivery person's terminal may transmit the unlocking request information to the unlocking management server on the condition that the unlocking consent information has been acquired in advance.

[0013] The second aspect of the present invention is an unlocking management server. This server includes a request receiving unit that receives unlocking request information indicating an unlocking request for an electronic lock from a delivery person terminal that has read the bill number attached to the package to be delivered, the unlocking request information including the bill number; an address acquisition unit that acquires the delivery address of the package corresponding to the bill number included in the unlocking request information; a digital key database that manages the association of an address, an electronic lock existing at the address, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information, and a digital key acquisition unit that acquires the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery address of the package by referring to the digital key database; and a key operation unit that unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery address of the package.

[0014] The third aspect of the present invention is an unlocking management method. In this method, a processor performs a step of receiving unlocking request information indicating an unlocking request for an electronic lock from a delivery person terminal that has read the bill number attached to the package to be delivered, the unlocking request information including the bill number; a step of acquiring the delivery address of the package corresponding to the bill number included in the unlocking request information; a step of acquiring the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery address of the package by referring to a digital key database that manages the association of an address, an electronic lock existing at the address, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information; and a step of unlocking the electronic lock using the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery address of the package.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a program. This program causes a computer to have a function of receiving, from a delivery person terminal that has read a bill number attached to a package to be delivered, unlocking request information indicating an unlocking request for an electronic lock and including the bill number, a function of obtaining a delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the bill number included in the unlocking request information, a function of referring to a digital key database that manages, in association with each other, an address, an electronic lock existing at the address, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information, and obtaining API information and a digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package, and a function of unlocking the electronic lock using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package.

[0016] To provide this program, or to update a part of the program, a computer-readable recording medium recording this program may be provided, or this program may be transmitted via a communication line.

[0017] Note that any combination of the above-described components, and those obtained by converting the expression of the present invention among a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a data structure, a recording medium, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for improving the efficiency of package delivery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] <Overview of the Embodiment> The unlocking management system according to the embodiment is a system for managing an electronic lock that can be locked and unlocked remotely by electric power in, for example, an auto-lock provided at the entrance of an apartment house such as a condominium, locks for each room in an apartment house, a lock for the entrance of a detached house, a lock for a locker, etc. Here, the "electronic lock" is provided with a physical locking mechanism for locking and unlocking a door, and the locking mechanism can be operated by electric power using a servo motor or the like. The electronic lock used in the unlocking management system according to the embodiment is connected to a network such as the Internet, for example, and it is possible to operate the locking mechanism according to a command from an external device. When operating the locking mechanism of the electronic lock from the outside, a "key" which is electronic information is used, and in this specification, this electronic key is described as a "digital key".

[0021] The unlocking management system according to the embodiment is, more specifically, a system for managing the unlocking of an electronic lock that needs to be unlocked for a delivery user to complete the delivery of a package. The unlocking management system according to the embodiment stores in advance, in association with each other, address information indicating the location of a plurality of electronic locks, information on digital keys for remotely unlocking the electronic locks, and the like, and can unlock the electronic locks in response to a request from the delivery user. As a result, even if the delivery location designated by the recipient of the package is a location where unlocking of the electronic lock is required and the recipient is absent, the delivery user can complete the delivery of the package.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the unlocking management system S according to the embodiment, and shows an example in the case where the electronic lock L is an auto-lock of an apartment. The unlocking management system S according to the embodiment includes a delivery person terminal 1, an unlocking management server 2, a delivery management server 3, a digital key database Dk, and a delivery management database Dd. In this specification, delivering a package to a destination is described as "delivery", and the entire process including "shipping" where the sender sends out the package to "delivery" is described as "distribution".

[0023] The delivery person terminal 1 is a terminal used by a delivery user U who delivers packages. A shipping bill number, which is a number for uniquely identifying each package, is assigned to each package, and the delivery person terminal 1 can read the shipping bill number attached to the package. Although not limited, the shipping bill number is a number of a dozen or so digits. Further, the shipping bill number may include a combination of characters such as letters or symbols instead of or in addition to numbers.

[0024] The digital key database Dk is a database that records, in association with each other, an address, an electronic lock existing at the address, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information. The unlocking management server 2 is a server that unlocks the electronic lock remotely via a communication network such as the Internet using the digital key and the API information.

[0025] The delivery management database Dd is a database that records the shipping note number assigned to each piece of luggage and information regarding the delivery of the luggage. Here, the information regarding the delivery of the luggage includes the address indicating the location designated by the recipient as the delivery location of the luggage, the identifier of the terminal possessed by the delivery user who delivers the luggage to the designated location, and the desired delivery date and time zone. The delivery management server 3 is a server that manages information regarding the delivery of each piece of luggage by referring to the delivery management database Dd.

[0026] Hereinafter, the outline of the processing executed in the unlocking management system S will be described in the order from (1) to (10) with reference to FIG. 1, and the numbers correspond to (1) to (10) in FIG. 1.

[0027] (1) The delivery user U who delivers the luggage reads the shipping note number attached to the luggage with the delivery person terminal 1 in the vicinity of the electronic lock L existing at the delivery address of the luggage. (2) On the condition that consent has been obtained in advance from the recipient of the luggage corresponding to the shipping note number to unlock the electronic lock L, the delivery person terminal 1 displays a GUI for requesting unlocking to the unlocking management server 2.

[0028] (3) The delivery user U operates the GUI displayed on the delivery person terminal 1 to request the unlocking management server 2 to unlock the electronic lock L. The unlocking request information transmitted from the delivery person terminal 1 to the unlocking management server 2 includes the shipping note number read by the delivery person terminal 1 from the luggage. (4) The unlocking management server 2 uses the shipping note number included in the unlocking request received from the delivery person terminal 1 to inquire of the delivery management server 3 about the delivery address of the luggage corresponding to the shipping note number.

[0029] (5) The delivery management server 3 refers to the delivery management database Dd using the shipping note number received from the unlocking management server 2 and acquires the delivery address of the luggage corresponding to the shipping note number. (6) The delivery management server 3 transmits the acquired delivery address to the unlocking management server 2, and the unlocking management server 2 receives and acquires the delivery address from the delivery management server 3.

[0030] (7) The unlocking management server 2 refers to the digital key database Dk using the delivery address obtained from the delivery management server 3, and acquires a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock L and API information for accessing the unlocking API used for unlocking the electronic lock L. The unlocking API is realized using, for example, known Web API technology. (8) The unlocking management server 2 unlocks the electronic lock L using the acquired digital key and API information.

[0031] (9) The unlocking management server 2 acquires information indicating the success or failure of unlocking by the digital key from the electronic lock L, and generates and records log information associating the delivery note number with information indicating the presence or absence of delivery completion. (10) The unlocking management server 2 transmits information indicating the success or failure of unlocking the electronic lock L by the digital key to 1.

[0032] In this way, by using the unlocking management system S, the delivery user U can unlock the electronic lock L that needs to be unlocked for delivering the package even if the recipient of the package is absent, and complete the delivery of the package. As a result, the unlocking management system S can improve the efficiency of package delivery.

[0033] <Functional configurations of the delivery person terminal 1 and the unlocking management server 2 according to the embodiment> FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the respective functional configurations of the delivery person terminal 1 and the unlocking management server 2 according to the embodiment. The delivery person terminal 1 includes a storage unit 10, a communication unit 11, and a control unit 12. The unlocking management server 2 includes a storage unit 20, a communication unit 21, and a control unit 22.

[0034] In FIG. 2, the arrows indicate the main data flow, and there may be data flows not shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, each functional block represents a configuration in terms of functional units rather than hardware (device) units. Therefore, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 may be implemented within a single device or may be divided and implemented in multiple devices. The exchange of data between functional blocks may be performed via any means such as a data bus, a network, a portable storage medium, etc.

[0035] The storage unit 10 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that realizes the delivery person terminal 1, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of the delivery person terminal 1, an OS (Operating System), an application program that reads the waybill number attached to the package or displays a GUI for requesting the unlocking of the electronic lock L to the unlocking management server 2, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various information referred to when the application program is executed.

[0036] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface used when the delivery person terminal 1 communicates with an external device such as the unlocking management server 2, and is realized by a known wireless communication module such as a communication module for communicating using a mobile phone line, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) module, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module. Hereinafter, when the delivery person terminal 1 communicates with an external device, the description may be omitted on the premise that it is via the communication unit 11.

[0037] The control unit 12 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) of the delivery person terminal 1, and functions as a waybill number reading unit 120, an unlocking request unit 121, a position acquisition unit 122, and a consent acquisition unit 123 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 10.

[0038] The storage unit 20 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM that stores the BIOS etc. of the computer that realizes the unlocking management server 2, a RAM that serves as the working area of the unlocking management server 2, an HDD or SSD that stores an OS, application programs, and various information referred to when the application programs are executed.

[0039] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for the unlocking management server 2 to communicate with external devices such as the deliverer terminal 1 and the delivery management server 3, and with the unlocking API, and is realized by a known communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) module etc. Hereinafter, when the unlocking management server 2 communicates with an external device, the description may be omitted on the premise that it is via the communication unit 21.

[0040] The control unit 22 is a processor such as a CPU or GPU of the unlocking management server 2, and functions as a request receiving unit 220, an address acquisition unit 221, a digital key acquisition unit 222, a key operation unit 223, a log management unit 224, and a validity acquisition unit 225 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 20.

[0041] Note that FIG. 2 shows an example when the unlocking management server 2 is configured by a single device. However, the unlocking management server 2 may be realized by computing resources such as a plurality of processors and memories like a cloud computing system. In this case, each part constituting the control unit 22 is realized by at least one of the plurality of different processors executing a program.

[0042] The consignment note number reading unit 120 of the delivery terminal 1 reads the consignment note number attached to the consignment item. The consignment note number is attached to the consignment item in a code format such as characters and barcodes or QR (Quick Response) codes (registered trademarks). When the delivery user U holds a code reader (not shown) provided in the delivery terminal 1 over the code, the consignment note number reading unit 120 reads the consignment note number. Triggered by the consignment note number reading unit 120 reading the consignment note number, the unlocking request unit 121 displays a GUI for requesting unlocking to the unlocking management server 2.

[0043] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the GUI for requesting unlocking. Figure 3 shows an example where the GUI for the delivery user U to request unlocking of the electronic lock L to the unlocking management server 2 is the unlocking request icon I1. When the delivery user U taps the unlocking request icon I1, the unlocking request unit 121 transmits the unlocking request information to the unlocking management server 2. At this time, the unlocking request unit 121 includes, in the unlocking request information, information indicating the unlocking request of the electronic lock L and the consignment note number read by the consignment note number reading unit 120 from the consignment item, and transmits it to the unlocking management server 2. When the delivery user U taps the cancel icon I2, the unlocking operation of the electronic lock L is cancelled.

[0044] The request receiving unit 220 of the unlocking management server 2 receives the unlocking request from the unlocking request unit 121 of the delivery terminal 1. The address acquisition unit 221 acquires the delivery address of the consignment item corresponding to the consignment note number included in the unlocking request information received by the request receiving unit 220. The digital key acquisition unit 222 refers to the digital key database Dk using the consignment note number, and acquires the API information and the digital key for unlocking the electronic lock L at the delivery address of the consignment item.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the digital key database Dk according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the digital key database Dk stores, in association with each other, the address of the location where the electronic lock L exists, the digital key used to unlock the electronic lock L, and the API information. Here, the API information is information including the vendor of the electronic lock L and the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the Web API for remotely unlocking the electronic lock L.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the digital key database Dk stores a plurality of different digital keys for unlocking a plurality of different electronic locks L manufactured by a plurality of different vendors. Also, for example, in the case of an auto-lock at the shared entrance of an apartment building, not only the vendor of the electronic lock L but also the vendor of the intercom may provide an API for unlocking the electronic lock L. For example, the electronic lock L of the auto-lock of Mansion C existing in City B, Prefecture A in FIG. 4 can be unlocked with either the digital key (DK0000001) provided by Company X or the digital key (DK000002) provided by Company Y. Therefore, both digital keys and API information are stored in the digital key database Dk.

[0047] The key operation unit 223 remotely unlocks the electronic lock L at the delivery destination address of the luggage using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock L acquired by the digital key acquisition unit 222.

[0048] Thus, since the digital key database Dk according to the embodiment stores the digital keys and the API information of a plurality of different vendors corresponding to each electronic lock L, the unlocking management server 2 can unlock the electronic lock L even if the electronic locks L at the delivery destinations of the luggage are manufactured by different vendors. Thereby, the unlocking management system S can improve the efficiency of delivering the luggage by the delivery user U.

[0049] (Invalidation of unlocking request including delivered delivery note number) The unlocking management server 2 according to the embodiment unlocks the electronic lock L at the request of the delivery user U who originally has no authority to unlock the electronic lock L, which can be said to be an exceptional unlocking process from the perspective of the security of the electronic lock L. Therefore, when the delivery of the package by the delivery user U is completed, even if there is an unlocking request including the consignment note number corresponding to the package, it is not preferable from the perspective of security for the unlocking management server 2 to unlock the electronic lock L.

[0050] Therefore, the unlocking management server 2 generates and manages log information associating the presence or absence of package delivery completion with the consignment note number corresponding to the package, and uses it to determine whether to unlock the electronic lock L. Specifically, the log management unit 224 acquires information indicating the success or failure of unlocking the electronic lock L with the digital key from the electronic lock L, and generates log information associating it with the consignment note number and the information indicating the presence or absence of delivery completion.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the log information generated by the log management unit 224. The log information is stored in the storage unit 20 of the unlocking management server 2 and is managed by the log management unit 224. As shown in FIG. 5, the log management unit 224 generates log information by associating the consignment note number, the terminal identifier for identifying the delivery terminal 1 possessed by the delivery user U who delivers the package corresponding to the consignment note number, and the digital key used for unlocking the electronic lock L.

[0052] In the example of the log information shown in FIG. 5, the consignment note number is represented by 12 - digit numbers. The terminal identifier of the delivery terminal 1 possessed by the delivery user U who delivered the package with the consignment note number 1234 - 5678 - 9012 is IDT000001. The electronic lock L was unlocked using the digital key specified by DK000001 at 12:34 on January 23, 2021, indicating that the delivery was completed. Also, for the package with the consignment note number 3456 - 7890 - 1234, although the electronic lock L was unlocked by the delivery user U, for some reason (for example, the package may get wet in case of rain when placed at the location designated by the recipient), it was taken back, indicating that the delivery could not be completed.

[0053] Furthermore, for the package with the consignment note number 5678-9012-3456, the delivery has been completed without unlocking the electronic lock L using the digital key. This can occur, for example, when the electronic lock L is an auto-lock installed at the entrance of an apartment building or the like and a moving operation is being carried out, and the electronic lock L is unlocked at the timing when the delivery user U comes to deliver the package.

[0054] The key operation unit 223 unlocks the electronic lock on the condition that the consignment note number received from the delivery person terminal 1 is not included in the log information or the delivery of the package corresponding to the consignment note number is not completed. That is, when the consignment note number is included in the log information generated by the log management unit 224 and the delivery of the package corresponding to the consignment note number is completed, the key operation unit 223 does not unlock the electronic lock L even if there is an unlocking request from the delivery user U.

[0055] As a result, after the delivery of the package is completed, even if the delivery user U who was in charge of the delivery of that package uses the consignment note number, it becomes impossible to unlock the electronic lock L, so the safety of the electronic lock L can be ensured.

[0056] Note that the consignment note number may be reused. In that case, the same consignment note number attached to different packages whose deliveries were completed in the past will remain in the log information. As a result, when delivering the package related to the latest consignment note number, the key operation unit 223 will not unlock the electronic lock L. To avoid this situation, the key operation unit 223 does not consider the log information as a condition for operating the electronic lock L even when the delivery of the package corresponding to the consignment note number in the log information is completed, provided that a predetermined number of days have passed since the delivery was completed. Alternatively, the log management unit 224 may delete the log information corresponding to the package after a predetermined number of days have passed since the delivery of the package was completed.

[0057] That is, the "predetermined number of days" is the "number of days for excluding past consignment note numbers" used to exclude log information regarding consignment note numbers used in the past when the unlocking management server 2 determines whether or not to unlock the electronic lock L. The specific value of the predetermined number of days may be determined in consideration of factors such as the frequency of reuse of the consignment note number. For example, it may be several tens of days, more specifically, 40 days, or it may be several months or one year. As a result, even if the consignment note number is reused, the key operation unit 223 can appropriately determine whether or not the electronic lock L can be unlocked.

[0058] (Verification of Address Acquisition and Delivery Legitimacy) As described above, the address acquisition unit 221 transmits the consignment note number to the delivery management server 3 that manages delivery information, and acquires the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the consignment note number from the delivery management server 3. Specifically, the delivery management server 3 refers to the delivery management database Dd that records the consignment note number and the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the consignment note number in association with each other, and acquires the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the consignment note number.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the delivery management database Dd according to the embodiment. The delivery management database Dd shown in FIG. 6 stores, in addition to the consignment note number and the delivery destination address, the delivery desired date and time of the recipient and the terminal identifier of the delivery user terminal 1 possessed by the delivery user U in charge of delivering the package in association with each other.

[0060] Therefore, when there is an inquiry about the delivery destination address from the unlocking management server 2, the delivery management server 3 can verify whether or not the delivery of the package corresponding to the transmitted consignment note number is legitimate. Here, the delivery management server 3 verifies the legitimacy of the delivery of the package by determining whether or not the delivery user U assigned as the person in charge of delivering the package is delivering the package to the delivery destination address of the package. Hereinafter, the verification of the legitimacy of the delivery of the package will be specifically described.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery person terminal 1 includes a position acquisition unit 122 that acquires terminal position information indicating the position of the delivery person terminal 1. The position acquisition unit 122 is realized by, for example, a known GPS (Global Positioning System) module.

[0062] When verifying the legitimacy of the delivery of the package, the unlocking request unit 121 includes the terminal identifier for identifying the delivery person terminal 1, the terminal position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 122, and the bill of lading number in the unlocking request information and transmits it to the unlocking management server 2.

[0063] The legitimacy acquisition unit 225 of the unlocking management server 2 transmits the terminal identifier, the bill of lading number, and the terminal position information to the delivery management server 3. The delivery management server 3 refers to the delivery management database Dd using the bill of lading number acquired from the unlocking management server 2, and verifies whether the terminal identifier associated with the bill of lading number matches the terminal identifier acquired from the unlocking management server 2. The delivery management server 3 further verifies whether there is a position indicated by the position information acquired from the unlocking management server 2 within a predetermined range from the location indicated by the delivery address associated with the bill of lading number.

[0064] The delivery management server 3 determines that the delivery of the package is legitimate when the terminal identifier associated with the bill of lading number matches the terminal identifier acquired from the unlocking management server 2 and there is a position indicated by the terminal position information acquired from the unlocking management server 2 within a predetermined range from the location indicated by the delivery address associated with the bill of lading number. Here, the "predetermined range" is a distance condition between the delivery user U and the electronic lock L that the delivery management server 3 refers to when evaluating the legitimacy of the delivery of the package, and is determined by experiments considering the GPS error and the security of the electronic lock L. An example of the predetermined range is a range with a radius of 40 meters centered on the location indicated by the delivery address.

[0065] The delivery management server 3 transmits the verification result of the legitimacy of the delivery of the package to the unlocking management server 2. The unlocking management server 2 acquires the legitimacy of the delivery of the package specified by the bill of lading number from the delivery management server 3. The key operation unit 223 unlocks the electronic lock L on the condition that the delivery of the package specified by the bill of lading number is legitimate. Thereby, the unlocking management system S according to the embodiment can guarantee that the electronic lock L is unlocked only when the delivery user U in charge of the delivery of the package makes an unlocking request near the electronic lock L to be unlocked, so that the safety of the electronic lock L can be ensured.

[0066] In addition, the delivery management server 3 may add as a condition for the legitimacy of the delivery of the package that the time when information such as the bill of lading number is transmitted from the legitimacy acquisition unit 225 of the unlocking management server 2 is included in the desired delivery date and time associated with the bill of lading number. Thereby, since the conditions for unlocking the electronic lock L by the unlocking management server 2 become stricter, the safety of the electronic lock L can be further ensured.

[0067] (Obtaining the Consent of the Recipient to Unlock) As described above, the unlocking of the electronic lock L by the unlocking management server 2 is an exceptional unlocking process from the viewpoint of the safety of the electronic lock L. Therefore, as a major premise for the unlocking management server 2 to unlock the electronic lock L, it is preferable that the consent of the recipient of the package to unlock the electronic lock L has been obtained.

[0068] Therefore, the delivery person terminal 1 is provided with a consent acquisition unit 123 that acquires unlocking consent information indicating that the recipient of the package has agreed to unlock the electronic lock L existing at the delivery address of the package using a digital key. For example, when the recipient purchases a product on an EC site, the recipient makes a display of the intention to give unlocking consent along with the input of the delivery address of the product. In this case, the consent acquisition unit 123 receives and acquires the unlocking consent information of the recipient from the EC site. Alternatively, the consent acquisition unit 123 may receive the unlocking consent information from the recipient via a communication means such as an email or SNS (Social Networking Service) after the recipient purchases a product on the EC site. In any case, the consent acquisition unit 123 stores the unlocking consent information given by the recipient of the package in the storage unit 10 in association with the consignment note number of the package.

[0069] The unlocking request unit 121 transmits unlocking request information to the unlocking management server 2 on the condition that the unlocking consent information given by the recipient has been acquired in advance. When the unlocking consent information given by the recipient has not been acquired, the unlocking request unit 121 does not display the unlocking request icon I1 on the display unit of the delivery person terminal 1. As a result, when consent has not been obtained for unlocking the electronic lock L by the recipient, the unlocking management server 2 will not unlock the electronic lock L, so that the unlocking management system S can ensure the security of the electronic lock L.

[0070] <Processing flow of the unlocking management method executed in the unlocking management system S> FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of the unlocking management process executed in the unlocking management system S according to the embodiment.

[0071] The consignment note number reading unit 120 of the delivery person terminal 1 reads the consignment note number attached to the package to be delivered (S2). When there is unlocking consent for the electronic lock L by the recipient of the package (Yes in S4), the unlocking request unit 121 causes the unlocking request icon I1 to be displayed on the display unit of the delivery person terminal 1 (S6).

[0072] Until the delivery user U presses the unlock request icon I1 (No in S8), the unlock request unit 121 continues to display the unlock request icon I1. When the delivery user U presses the unlock request icon I1 (Yes in S8), the unlock request unit 121 transmits unlock request information including information such as the invoice number to the unlock management server 2 (S10).

[0073] The request receiving unit 220 of the unlock management server 2 receives the unlock request information transmitted from the delivery person terminal 1 (S12). The unlock management server 2 determines whether to unlock the electronic lock L based on the unlock request information received from the delivery person terminal 1 (S14). When unlocking of the electronic lock L is permitted (Yes in S16), the key operation unit 223 unlocks the electronic lock L for which an unlock request has been made from the delivery person terminal 1 (S18).

[0074] The log management unit 224 transmits a processing result indicating whether the unlocking process of the electronic lock L by the key operation unit 223 has been successful to the delivery person terminal 1 (S20). The unlock request unit 121 of the delivery person terminal 1 receives the processing result from the unlock management server 2 (S22) and displays it on the display unit of the delivery person terminal 1.

[0075] If there is no consent from the recipient to unlock the electronic lock L (No in S4), or if unlocking of the electronic lock L by the unlock management server 2 is not permitted (No in S16), the unlocking management process in this sequence diagram ends.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the unlocking permission determination process executed by the unlocking management server 2 according to the embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the unlocking permission determination step S14 in FIG. 7 in more detail.

[0077] The legitimacy acquisition unit 225 confirms the legitimacy of the delivery of the package specified by the invoice number from the delivery management server 3 by transmitting the terminal identifier, invoice number, and terminal position information included in the unlock request information acquired from the delivery person terminal 1 to the delivery management server (S140). When the delivery of the package is legitimate (Yes in S141), the address acquisition unit 221 acquires the delivery destination address corresponding to the invoice number from the unlock management server 2 (S142).

[0078] The digital key acquisition unit 222 refers to the digital key database Dk using the delivery destination address acquired by the address acquisition unit 221 as a query, and searches for the corresponding API information and digital key (S143). When the API information and digital key corresponding to the delivery destination address exist in the digital key database Dk (Yes in S144), the key operation unit 223 refers to the log information to confirm whether the delivery of the package specified by the consignment note number is completed (S145).

[0079] If the delivery is not completed (Yes in S146), unlocking of the electronic lock L is permitted (S147). If the delivery of the package is not legitimate (No in S141), if the API information and digital key corresponding to the delivery destination address do not exist in the digital key database Dk (No in S144), or if the delivery of the package specified by the consignment note number is completed (No in S146), unlocking of the electronic lock L is prohibited (S148).

[0080] <Effects achieved by the unlocking management system S according to the embodiment> As described above, according to the unlocking management system S according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a technology for improving the efficiency of package delivery.

[0081] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically dispersing and integrating it in an arbitrary unit. Also, new embodiments resulting from an arbitrary combination of a plurality of embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination have the effects of the original embodiments combined.

[0082] <First modification example> In the above, the case where the legitimacy acquisition unit 225 transmits information such as the invoice number to the delivery management server 3 to acquire whether the delivery of the package is legitimate has been described. This is based on the premise that the unlocking management server 2 and the delivery management server 3 belong to related organizations. Typically, it is the case where the delivery terminal 1 possessed by the delivery user U, the unlocking management server 2, and the delivery management server 3 are managed by the same organization.

[0083] It is natural that the delivery terminal 1 and the delivery management server 3 are managed by the same organization, but the unlocking management server 2 may be managed by a different organization. For example, when the unlocking management server 2 is managed by a certain delivery company, it is a case where the delivery user U belonging to another delivery company requests the unlocking management server 2 to unlock the electronic lock L.

[0084] In such a case, the delivery terminal 1 transmits a terminal identifier for identifying the delivery terminal 1 to the unlocking management server 2 and requests the unlocking of the electronic lock L. At the same time, the delivery terminal 1 requests the delivery management server 3 to transmit the legitimacy of the delivery of the package and the delivery address to the unlocking management server 2. The unlocking management server 2 reads out the API information corresponding to the delivery address of the package and the digital key from the digital key database Dk on the condition that it acquires information indicating that it is legitimate for the delivery user U, who is the owner of the delivery terminal 1, to deliver the package from the delivery management server 3. As a result, the unlocking management server 2 can acquire the legitimacy of the delivery of the package and the delivery address even if the unlocking management server 2 and the delivery management server 3 are managed by different organizations respectively. As a result, the unlocking management server 2 can unlock the electronic lock L in response to a request from the delivery user U.

[0085] <Second Modified Example> In the above, the case where the unlocking management server 2 records the log information has been described. Instead of this, the delivery management server 3 may hold the log information. In this case, the delivery management server 3 may acquire information indicating whether or not the unlocking of the electronic lock L is successful from the unlocking management server 2, and may acquire information indicating whether or not the delivery has been completed from the delivery person terminal 1. The unlocking management server 2 may acquire information on whether or not the delivery of the package corresponding to the invoice number included in the unlocking request information has been completed by inquiring of the delivery management server 3.

Explanation of Signs

[0086] 1 ··· Delivery person terminal 10 ··· Storage unit 11 ··· Communication unit 12 ··· Control unit 120 ··· Invoice number reading unit 121 ··· Unlocking request unit 122 ··· Position acquisition unit 123 ··· Consent acquisition unit 2 ··· Unlocking management server 20 ··· Storage unit 21 ··· Communication unit 22 ··· Control unit 220 ··· Request receiving unit 221 ··· Address acquisition unit 222 ··· Digital key acquisition unit 223 ··· Key operation unit 224 ··· Log management unit 225 ··· Legitimacy acquisition unit 3 ··· Delivery management server Dd ··· Delivery management database Dk ··· Digital key database S ··· Unlocking management system

Claims

1. A delivery person terminal used by a delivery user who delivers goods, A digital key database that associates and records an address, an electronic lock existing at the address, API (Application Programming Interface) information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information, An unlocking management system comprising: an unlocking management server that unlocks an electronic lock using the digital key and the API information, The delivery person terminal A waybill number reading unit that reads a waybill number attached to a goods to be delivered, An unlocking request unit that transmits unlocking request information, which is information indicating a request to unlock an electronic lock and includes the waybill number, to the unlocking management server, The unlocking management server A request receiving unit that receives the unlocking request information from the delivery person terminal, An address acquisition unit that acquires a delivery destination address of the goods corresponding to the waybill number included in the unlocking request information, A digital key acquisition unit that refers to the digital key database and acquires API information and a digital key of an electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the goods, A key operation unit that unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the goods, Unlocking management system.

2. The unlocking management server further includes a log management unit that acquires information indicating whether or not the electronic lock has been successfully unlocked by the digital key from the electronic lock and generates log information in association with the waybill number and information indicating whether or not delivery has been completed, The key operation unit of the unlocking management server unlocks the electronic lock on the condition that the waybill number received from the delivery person terminal is not included in the log information or the delivery of the goods corresponding to the waybill number has not been completed. The unlocking management system according to claim 1.

3. The address acquisition unit of the unlocking management server transmits the bill of lading number included in the unlocking request to a delivery management server that manages delivery information regarding the delivery of the package, including the bill of lading number, and acquires the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the bill of lading number from the delivery management server. The unlocking management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The delivery person terminal further includes a position acquisition unit that acquires terminal position information indicating the position of the delivery person terminal. The unlocking request unit of the delivery person terminal includes the terminal identifier for identifying the delivery person terminal, the terminal position information, and the bill of lading number in the unlocking request information and transmits it to the unlocking management server. The unlocking management server further includes a legitimacy acquisition unit that acquires the legitimacy of the delivery of the package specified by the bill of lading number from the delivery management server by transmitting the terminal identifier, the bill of lading number, and the terminal position information to the delivery management server. The key operation unit unlocks the electronic lock on the condition that the delivery of the package specified by the bill of lading number is legitimate. The unlocking management system according to claim 3.

5. The delivery person terminal further includes a consent acquisition unit that acquires unlocking consent information indicating that the recipient of the package has consented to unlocking the electronic lock existing at the delivery destination address of the package with a digital key. The unlocking request unit of the delivery person terminal transmits the unlocking request information to the unlocking management server on the condition that the unlocking consent information has been acquired in advance. The unlocking management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A request receiving unit that receives unlocking request information indicating a request to unlock an electronic lock, including the bill of lading number, from a delivery person terminal that has read the bill of lading number attached to the package to be delivered. An address acquisition unit that acquires the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the bill of lading number included in the unlocking request information. Referring to a digital key database that manages by associating a residence, an electronic lock existing at the residence, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information, a digital key acquisition unit that acquires the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package, and a key operation unit that unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package. An unlocking management server.

7. The processor receives unlocking request information including the bill of lading number, which is information indicating an unlocking request for the electronic lock, from a delivery person terminal that has read the bill of lading number attached to the package to be delivered; acquires the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the bill of lading number included in the unlocking request information; referring to a digital key database that manages by associating a residence, an electronic lock existing at the residence, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information, acquires the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package; and unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery destination address of the package. An unlocking management method.

8. The computer has a function of receiving unlocking request information including the bill of lading number, which is information indicating an unlocking request for the electronic lock, from a delivery person terminal that has read the bill of lading number attached to the package to be delivered; has a function of acquiring the delivery destination address of the package corresponding to the bill of lading number included in the unlocking request information; Referring to a digital key database that manages by associating a residence, an electronic lock existing at the residence, API information for operating the electronic lock, and a digital key for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information, a function of acquiring the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery address of the package, A function of unlocking the electronic lock using the API information and the digital key of the electronic lock at the delivery address of the package, Program.

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