Information Processing System, Server, Information Processing Method, Program

Abstract

To provide a management server, an information processing system and method, and a program for standardizing and managing deliveries (for example, loads such as baggage) by using storage container type identification information, thereby facilitating comprehensive grasp of the amount of the deliveries and allowing efficient storage of the deliveries in various storage spaces.SOLUTION: In an information processing system in which a management server, a user terminal, and an operator terminal are communicably connected with each other via a network, a control unit 10 of the management server comprises: a remaining space calculation unit 151 that, based on storage container type information indicating the type for every capacity of a storage container storing a delivery to a user, and reference storage space capacity information indicating the capacity of a storage space storing one or more storage containers, calculates remaining space information indicating a remaining space in the storage space; and a mixed loading target delivery extraction unit 152 that extracts mixed loading target delivery information indicating delivery to another user that allows mixed loading of the delivery to the user in a remaining space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, mobile bodies capable of autonomous control, such as flying bodies like drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and running bodies like unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), have begun to be used in the industry. Patent Document 1 discloses the delivery of delivery items by a flying body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a delivery system, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, although it is assumed that a plurality of mobile bodies are delivery control targets, in the demonstration experiment, virtual delivery goods (for example, daily necessities and food) are set within the range that can be loaded on one mobile body, and a test delivery flight is performed at the timing when a predetermined route can be flown.

[0005] However, in reality, users do not place orders while being aware of the loading capacity of a single moving body. Instead, it is normal to place orders for the desired quantity of the desired items at the desired timing. Therefore, there is no predictability regarding how much can fit in a single moving body (in other words, how much remaining space there is in the storage space such as the moving body loading section). On the other hand, since it is known that higher delivery efficiency leads to lower delivery costs (and ultimately delivery fees), it is desirable for both service providers and users to load as many goods as possible onto a single moving body. Such issues are not limited to moving bodies but are also the same in conventional delivery methods.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a background. By standardizing and managing delivery items (such as loaded items like luggage) using storage container type identification information, it aims to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that facilitate grasping the overall quantity of delivery items and enable efficient storage in various storage spaces.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is a residual space calculation unit that calculates residual space information indicating the residual space in the storage space based on storage container type identification information indicating the type for each volume of a storage container for storing delivery items to a user and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers, and a mixed loading target delivery extraction unit that extracts mixed loading target delivery information indicating deliveries of other users whose deliveries of the user's delivery items can be mixed in the residual space. It is an information processing system or the like equipped with these.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, by standardizing and managing delivery items (such as loaded items like luggage) using storage container type identification information, it is possible to provide an information processing system, server, information processing method, and program that facilitate grasping the overall quantity of delivery items and enable efficient storage in various storage spaces.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[0010] The contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. An information processing system and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention have the following configuration. [Item 1] A remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating the remaining space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the types for each volume of a storage container that stores a delivery to a user, and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers; A mixed loading target delivery extraction unit that extracts mixed loading target delivery information indicating a delivery of another user whose delivery to the user can be mixed loaded in the remaining space; An information processing system, characterized by comprising: [Item 2] The storage container type information is made distinguishable from each other based on a volume obtained by dividing the reference storage space volume by a predetermined number, with the predetermined storage space volume as the reference storage space volume. The information processing system according to item 1, characterized in that... [Item 3] The remaining space information is remaining converted storage container type information obtained by converting the remaining space into storage container types. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 or 2, characterized in that... [Item 4] Further comprising a data management unit that transmits the extracted mixed-loading target delivery information to a worker terminal. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that... [Item 5] A remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating the remaining space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the types for each volume of the storage container storing the user's delivery items and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space storing one or more storage containers; A mixed-loading target delivery extraction unit that extracts mixed-loading target delivery information indicating deliveries of other users whose deliveries can be mixed with the user's delivery items in the remaining space; A server, characterized by comprising the above. [Item 6] A step of calculating, by a remaining space calculation unit, remaining space information indicating the remaining space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the types for each volume of the storage container storing the user's delivery items and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space storing one or more storage containers; A step of extracting, by a mixed-loading target delivery extraction unit, mixed-loading target delivery information indicating deliveries of other users whose deliveries can be mixed with the user's delivery items in the remaining space, the method including the above steps. An information processing method, characterized in that... [Item 7] A step of calculating, by a remaining space calculation unit, remaining space information indicating the remaining space in the storage space based on storage container type information indicating the types for each volume of the storage container storing the user's delivery items and reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space storing one or more storage containers; Causing the computer to execute a step of extracting, by a co-loading target delivery extraction unit, co-loading target delivery information indicating deliveries of other users whose deliveries of the user can be co-loaded in the remaining space. A program characterized by the above.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information system or the like according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements are given the same or similar reference numerals and names, and redundant descriptions regarding the same or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. Further, the features shown in this embodiment are applicable to other embodiments as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0012] <Configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system in this embodiment has a management server 1, one or more user terminals 2, and one or more operator terminals 3. The management server 1, the user terminal 2, and the operator terminal 3 are communicably connected to each other via a network. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example and is not limited thereto.

[0013] <Management Server 1> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 1. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and it may have other configurations.

[0014] As shown in the figure, the management server 1 is connected to one or more user terminals 2 and one or more operator terminals 3 and constitutes a part of this system. The management server 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0015] The management server 1 includes at least a control unit 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a transmission / reception unit 13, an input / output unit 14, etc., and these are electrically connected to each other through a bus 15.

[0016] The control unit 10 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire management server 1, performs control of data transmission and reception between each element, and performs information processing necessary for execution and authentication processing of applications. For example, the control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and / or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 12 and expanded in the memory 11 to perform each information processing.

[0017] The memory 11 includes a main memory composed of a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary memory composed of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The memory 11 is used as a work area of the processor 10, and stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed at the time of startup of the management server 1 and various setting information.

[0018] The storage 12 stores various programs such as application programs. A database storing data used for each process may be constructed in the storage 12.

[0019] The transmission / reception unit 13 connects the management server 1 to a network and a blockchain network. Note that the transmission / reception unit 13 may be provided with a short-range communication interface for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0020] The input / output unit 14 is an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display.

[0021] The bus 15 is commonly connected to the above elements, and transmits, for example, an address signal, a data signal, and various control signals.

[0022] <User terminal 2, Operator terminal 3> The user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 3 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a PDA, etc. that the user possesses. The user terminal 2 also includes a control unit 20, a memory 21, a storage 22, a transmission / reception unit 23, an input / output unit 24, etc., and these are electrically connected to each other through a bus 25. Since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same manner as the management server 1 described above, detailed descriptions of each element are omitted. Also, the operator terminal 3 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a PDA, etc. that an operator who manages the delivered goods at a consolidation yard or the like possesses. Since the main functions of each element can be configured in the same manner as the user terminal 2 described above, detailed descriptions of each element are omitted.

[0023] <Functions of the management server> FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the functions implemented in the control unit 10 of the management server 1, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the information stored in the storage 12. In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 of the management server 1 includes an information transmission / reception unit 100, a screen information generation unit 110, a data management unit 120, and a delivery management unit 150 as functional units. The delivery management unit 150 includes a remaining space calculation unit 151 and a mixed-loading target delivery extraction unit 152. Also, the storage 12 includes various databases such as a user information storage unit 121, a delivered goods information storage unit 122, and a delivery information storage unit 123.

[0024] Regarding the user information stored in the user information storage unit 121, for example, it may include the user's basic information (such as the user's name, username, email address, address, phone number, etc.), user identification information, external application account information, etc., but is not limited thereto. For example, when conducting an e-commerce transaction on this information processing system or on an external system that transmits or receives related information to and from this information processing system and cooperates with each other, the user information may include payment information (such as credit card information), purchased product information (including purchase cost information), purchase history information, product information to be purchased (so-called favorite registered product information, product information in the wish list, etc.), regularly purchased product information (described later), etc.

[0025] Regarding the delivery item information stored in the delivery item information storage unit 122, for example, it may include delivery item identification information, user identification information, storage container type information, size information (depth, width, height), weight information, management temperature zone information, stacking availability information (top stacking availability information or bottom stacking availability information), scheduled delivery time information (scheduled start delivery time information, scheduled end delivery time information, scheduled delivery time zone information), mixed loading target delivery information, mixed loading acceptance availability information, delivery cost information, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0026] Regarding the delivery information stored in the delivery information storage unit 123, for example, it may include delivery identification information, user identification information, delivery item identification information, remaining space information, mixed loading target delivery item information, delivery type information, scheduled delivery time information (scheduled start delivery time information, scheduled end delivery time information, scheduled delivery time zone information), etc., and may include storage container type information, weight information, management temperature zone information, mixed loading acceptance availability information, delivery cost information, etc. associated with the delivery item identification information, but is not limited thereto.

[0027] The information transmission / reception unit 100 transmits various information (including requests) to external devices (such as the user terminal 2, the operator terminal 3, etc.) that are directly or indirectly connected to the management server 1 via at least the network, and receives various information (including requests) from the external devices.

[0028] The screen information generation unit 110 generates screen information to be displayed via the user interfaces of the user terminals 2 and the operator terminals 3. The screen information can be, for example, user interface screen information generated by arranging various images and texts based on a predetermined layout rule using the images and text data stored in the storage 12 as materials. Note that the screen information generation unit 110 may be a functional unit executed by the control unit 20 by an application (including a web browser) stored in each user terminal 2 or the like. That is, it is also possible to transmit information necessary for generating a user interface screen such as image data from the management server 1, and generate a user interface screen based on the necessary information according to a predetermined layout rule by an application such as the user terminal 2 and display it on the user terminal 2. The processing related to the screen information generation unit 110 can also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0029] The data management unit 120 performs data management such as transmitting various information received by the information transmission / reception unit 100 to various functional units and acquiring various information from various functional units. The predetermined processing in the data management unit 120 includes, for example, a remaining space calculation process for calculating the remaining space in the storage space based on the user delivery information including the storage container type information indicating the type for each volume of the storage container for storing the user's delivered items and the reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space for storing one or more storage containers, a mixed loading target delivery extraction process for extracting the mixed loading target delivery information indicating the deliveries of other users whose delivered items can be mixed with the user's delivered items in the remaining space, a delivery information update process for updating (including adding) the mixed loading target delivery item information (such as the delivery item identification information that has become the mixed loading target) included in the delivery information, and the like, and includes various processes, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] The shape of the storage container is, for example, a three-dimensional container with a geometric shape, and it is desirable that it be a rectangular parallelepiped (including a cube) considering storage and stacking in the storage space. The material of the storage container may be any material, such as paper, plastic, metal, etc., and it is particularly desirable that it be a cardboard made of paper or a cardboard made of plastic from the viewpoints of ease of production and weight. Here, in the present invention, storage container type information is set so that the type of the storage container can be identified with respect to stored items such as items to be delivered. The storage container types are, for example, a plurality of storage container volume types (e.g., when the reference storage space volume is divided by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) and multiplied by a number equal to or less than the predetermined number) set so as to be distinguishable from each other based on the volume obtained by dividing the reference storage space volume by a predetermined number (e.g., an integer) as the reference storage space volume (e.g., 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1, or 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 3 / 4, 1, etc.), or a plurality of storage container volume types (e.g., 1 / 2, 1 / 4, 1 / 8...) set so as to be distinguishable from each other for each storage container volume divided by a predetermined number (which may be an integer, particularly may be a power of 2 (n is an integer and may include 0)), and is not limited to these. Also, more specifically, regarding the volume of the storage container, for example, when the reference storage space volume is divided by 4 (i.e., when it is 1 / 4), it may be a storage container with a volume obtained by dividing any one of the depth, width, and height of the storage space by 4, or it may be a storage container with a volume obtained by dividing two of the depth, width, and height of the storage space by 2.

[0031] Note that the reference storage space volume may not be the same volume as the predetermined storage space volume, but may be a substantially the same (substantially identical) volume, and particularly may be a volume obtained by reducing the necessary surplus space (e.g., a few millimeters, a few centimeters) in view of the storage operation of the container into the storage space, or when a partition is provided in the storage container, it may be a volume obtained by reducing the partition (e.g., a few millimeters, a few centimeters) (or the storage space may have a volume substantially the same as the reference storage space volume and the partition may be large).

[0032] The storage space for storing the user's stored items and / or the storage space targeted for the reference storage space volume may be any space as long as it has a predetermined volume. However, it is preferably a storage space for receiving stored items. More specifically, for example, it is a facility used by the user, such as a storage space for the user, the storage space of a delivery box with a smart lock installed in a private house, or a delivery box arranged in a shared area for condominiums (the position of the space may be determined in advance in association with information related to the user, or it may be the position where the luggage is stored by associating information related to the user by the delivery person), a storage space such as a shelf, locker, private mailbox, or cooler box that does not involve electrical locking and unlocking control. Also, it may be based on the storage space for delivery, such as the delivery item storage section of a moving body (such as a UAV or UGV, especially a self-controlled moving body) for delivering luggage, the loading platform used by the delivery person for delivery (such as a truck loading platform, the rear box of a motorcycle, a box cart, a basket cart, etc.), or a movable object such as a delivery bag. Furthermore, the space with a predetermined volume may be a space whose lengths in the depth direction, width direction, and height direction are determined as described above. However, for an area where the lengths in the depth direction and width direction are determined, such as a pallet, it may also be a space with a volume obtained by virtually setting the length in the height direction, that is, a space with a volume in which some of the lengths in the depth direction, width direction, and height direction are virtually set. Note that it is not limited to these. Also, the storage space to be stored and the reference storage space may be the same, or the storage space to be stored may be a size obtained by multiplying the reference storage space by a predetermined number (especially an integer).

[0033] The delivery management department 150 performs information registration such as adding delivery identification information and associating user identification information in the delivery information storage unit 123 according to, for example, reading the identification code attached to the delivered item by a reader (such as a reader operated by an operator, an installed reader, a reader equipped on a work robot (especially an autonomous control work robot)), or input operations of storage item information regarding the stored item by workers, etc., in the delivery item acceptance process, or according to purchase processing in e-commerce by users, specifying the delivery scheduled time, etc.

[0034] The remaining space calculation unit 151 calculates the remaining space (so-called free space) in the target storage space based on the reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space for storing one or more storage containers and the storage container type information acquired according to the delivery information (that is, including the storage container type information as the delivery item information associated with the delivery information). The method for calculating the remaining space is to calculate the remaining space by a known packing calculation algorithm for storing a predetermined object in a space of a predetermined volume. Here, the calculation result of the remaining space is, especially when the storage container is specified by the storage container type for each predetermined volume with respect to the reference storage space volume according to a predetermined law as described above, the remaining space also becomes a volume value that is easy to convert into the storage container type, and it becomes easier to obtain the remaining converted storage container type information obtained by converting the remaining space into the storage container type. In particular, when any one of the depth, width, and height of the storage space is set to be divisible by a predetermined number and multiplied by a number less than the predetermined number, and includes a plurality of types of storage container volumes that can be identified for each storage container volume, or when it includes a plurality of types of storage container volumes that can be identified for each storage container volume divided by a predetermined number, it becomes easier to calculate the remaining space in the storage space. Also, when the inside of the storage space is partitioned so as to correspond to any one of the storage container types by partitions or the like, in the delivery information storage unit 124, the divided area identification information that can be identified for each area divided by partitions or the like in the target storage space and the corresponding storage container type information corresponding to the divided area identification information are stored in association with the delivery identification information, and the remaining space calculation unit 151 may use the dividable divided area identification information as the remaining space information.

[0035] Here, an example of calculating the remaining space in the case where storage container types are defined for each predetermined volume with respect to the reference storage space volume will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 6. The storage containers will be exemplified for a plurality of storage container volume types (for example, 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1) that are set to be distinguishable for each storage container volume obtained by dividing the height by 3 and multiplying by a number equal to or less than 3 with respect to the reference storage space volume.

[0036] First, in the storage space associated with the delivery identification information "0001", user information "U0001" is associated. Here, when the delivery item (delivery item information "N0001") stored in a container with 1 / 3 of the reference storage space volume (storage container type "S033") is stored, in order to store it in the storage space where the delivery item is not stored, the remaining space information is updated by subtracting 1 / 3 from 1 to "2 / 3", and the remaining conversion storage container type information is updated as information indicating two "S033"s and / or one "S066" (storage container type indicating a container with 2 / 3 of the reference storage space volume).

[0037] Similarly, when the delivery item (delivery item information "N0010") stored in a container with 1 / 3 of the reference storage space volume (storage container type "S033") is further stored, since it is further stored in the storage space where the delivery item (N0001) is already stored, the remaining space information is updated by subtracting 1 / 3 from 2 / 3 to "1 / 3", and the remaining conversion storage container type information is updated as information indicating one "S033".

[0038] In this way, the remaining space is calculated. As particularly exemplified, when any one of the depth, width, and height of the storage space is divided by a predetermined number, it can be executed more simply. As described above, a more advanced calculation of the remaining space is possible by a known packing calculation algorithm. In that case, the storage positions of the stored delivery items may also be rearranged.

[0039] Further, instead of storing in the common area within the storage space as in the above example, when the storage space is divided into divided areas corresponding to any of the storage container types by partitions or the like, the remaining space information may be divided area identification information not associated with the stored items, and the remaining converted storage container type information may be corresponding storage container type information corresponding to the divided area identification information not associated with the stored items. Note that the position of the partition may be movable and the corresponding storage container type information may be changeable (for example, changing from two of "S033" to "S066", or vice versa), and the corresponding storage container type information corresponding to each divided area identification information may be not only one (for example, "S066"), but instead of, or in addition to, a plurality of corresponding storage container type information (two of "S033") may be associated.

[0040] Here, an example of the information (particularly the remaining space information) stored in the delivery information storage unit 123 is shown using FIG. 7. First, in the delivery identification information "0001", the associated delivery item information is "N0001" and the user information is "U0001". As the storage container type information, it is shown that one "S025" indicating the container type of one-fourth of the reference storage space volume is stored. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "3 / 4" (the remaining converted storage container type information is "S075" indicating the container type of three-fourths of the reference storage space volume).

[0041] Next, in the delivery identification information "0002", the associated delivery item information is "N0002" and the user information is "U0011". As the storage container type information, it is shown that one "S050" indicating the container type of one-half of the reference storage space volume is stored. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "1 / 2" (the remaining converted storage container type information is "S050" indicating the container type of one-half of the reference storage space volume).

[0042] Next, in the delivery identification information "0003", the associated delivery item information is "N0003", the user information is "U0005", and as the storage container type information, one "S100" indicating a container type approximately the same as the reference storage space volume is stored. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "0" (i.e., there is no space available).

[0043] Next, in the delivery identification information "0004", the associated delivery item information is "N0004", the user information is "U0003", and as the storage container type information, one of the above-mentioned "S025" (for example, the vertical stacking permission information indicates strict prohibition of stacking) and one "S050" are stored. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "1 / 4" (the remaining conversion storage container type information indicates "S025", which is a container type with a volume of one-fourth of the reference storage space volume).

[0044] Finally, in the delivery identification information "0005" and "0006", the associated delivery item information is "N0005" and "N0006", the user information is "U0009", and as the storage container type information, one of the above-mentioned "S100" and one "S050" are stored. Therefore, the remaining space information is calculated as "0" and "1 / 2". In this case, it can be said that the actual remaining space for the delivery to the user of the user information "U0009" is "1 / 2" (the remaining conversion storage container type information indicates "S050", which is a container type with a volume of one-half of the reference storage space volume).

[0045] In this way, the remaining space calculation unit 151 can calculate the remaining space in the target storage space based on the reference storage space volume information indicating the volume of the storage space for storing one or more storage containers and the storage container type information indicating the types for each volume of the storage containers for storing the delivery items to the user. In particular, as the storage container type information, identification information is set so as to be distinguishable for each storage container volume obtained by dividing a predetermined storage space volume by a predetermined number using the predetermined storage space volume as the reference storage space volume. Thus, it becomes possible to efficiently store the delivery items in the storage space like a puzzle, and the remaining space volume can be clarified as the remaining conversion storage container type information. Utilizing this, it becomes possible to extract the mixed loading target delivery information indicating the delivery that can be mixed with the user's delivery items in the remaining space. This will be described in detail below.

[0046] The mixed loading target delivery extraction unit 152 extracts the mixed loading target delivery information indicating the delivery of other users whose delivery items can be mixed with the user's delivery items in the remaining space. More specifically, for example, the mixed loading target delivery extraction unit 152 extracts the mixed loading target delivery information indicating the delivery that can be mixed with the user's delivery items in the remaining space based on the storage container type information associated with the user identification information and the remaining space information associated with the delivery information of other users. In particular, by comparing the storage container type information associated with the user identification information with the remaining space information (especially the remaining conversion storage container type information) associated with the delivery information of other users, the mixed loading target delivery information corresponding to the remaining conversion storage container type information having a volume equal to or greater than the volume indicated by the storage container type information associated with the user identification information is extracted. The remaining conversion storage container type information may be selectable in multiple, for example, the combination information of the remaining conversion storage container type information is calculated by the remaining space calculation unit 151 (for example, a combination that allows storing two mixed loading target items of storage container type 1 / 4 for a remaining space of 1 / 2, or a combination that allows storing one mixed loading target item of storage container type 1 / 4 and two mixed loading target items of storage container type 1 / 8, a combination that allows storing four mixed loading target items of storage container type 1 / 8, etc.), and the extraction of the mixed loading target delivery information (more specifically, the above comparison) may be executed based on the combination information.

[0047] Here, another user is a user corresponding to another user identification information associated with user identification information. The another user identification information may be, for example, cohabitant user identification information set as a family member or a partner, or proxy user identification information set by the user as a proxy recipient user. In this example, for such association, for example, the registration process of the identification information of another user may be executed on the application on the user side, and / or the process of selecting whether to permit the association with the identification information of the user may be executed on the application on the other user side, and so on.

[0048] For example, a list of the extracted another user delivery information may be presented to the user or the operator on the application, and one may be selected from the list. Here, the extraction by the mixed-loading target delivery extraction unit 152 may be further conditioned in addition to the remaining space information. For example, when each delivery information includes delivery type information indicating individual delivery or mixed-loading delivery, the delivery information indicating individual delivery may be the extraction target. Or, for example, when each delivery information includes delivery type information indicating normal delivery or urgent delivery (delivery with a shorter period until delivery completion than normal delivery), either the delivery information indicating normal delivery or the delivery information indicating urgent delivery may be selected as the extraction target. Or, for example, when in each delivery information, the weight information associated with the delivery of another user exceeds the reference weight information in mixed-loading delivery, or when the management temperature zone information associated with the delivery of another user is higher or lower than the reference temperature zone (for example, when including hot products or frozen foods), or when the mixed-loading acceptance / rejection information indicates rejection of mixed-loading acceptance, etc., it may not be set as the extraction target. The conditioning may satisfy at least any of these.

[0049] In addition, for other users related to other user delivery information selected by the user or operator, a confirmation of co-loading delivery permission may be presented. If the other user selects co-loading permission, the co-loading delivery will proceed as scheduled. However, if the other user selects non-permission, the user or operator may be allowed to select other user delivery information again on the application, and / or the delivery type information may be set as individual delivery without co-loading. In this regard, it may be possible to set whether other users need prior permission confirmation or not, or to set that permission confirmation from associated users is not required (or permission confirmation from non-associated users is required).

[0050] In this way, by considering the remaining space in the storage space during the delivery of other users and extracting other user delivery item information to co-load the user's delivery items, it becomes possible to deliver together with the delivery items of other users considering the delivery unit (i.e., the number of deliveries determined according to whether it fits within the standard storage space volume).

[0051] <Flow of processing> With reference to FIG. 8, the flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information processing system of FIG. 1.

[0052] Here, the user or operator provided by this information processing system accesses the management server 1 using an application (including a web browser), etc. When using the service for the first time, a usage registration process may be performed to log in. If the user has already obtained an account, the service may be made available by receiving a predetermined authentication such as entering an ID and password to log in. Instead of an account, the service may be made available using a unique application ID related to the application downloaded to the user terminal 2 or the operator terminal 3 as user identification information (ID). After this login authentication, service usage is started via an application (including a web browser), etc.

[0053] First, in this example, the data management unit 120 (particularly the delivery management unit 150) of the management server 1 generates new delivery item identification information and delivery identification information in response to, for example, the acceptance process of a delivery item such as reading an identification code attached to the delivery item by a reader, and executes the registration of delivery item information and delivery information (S101).

[0054] Next, the consolidated delivery extraction unit 152 extracts consolidated delivery target information indicating deliveries of other users whose delivery items of the user can be consolidated into the remaining space, and as shown in FIG. 9, displays a list of the consolidated delivery target information 910 on the application, and allows the user or the operator to select the desired consolidated delivery target information (step S102). The consolidated delivery target information 910 displayed on the application may be, for example, delivery scheduled time information, remaining space information, corresponding user information, etc., but is not limited thereto, and may include weight information, management temperature zone information, stacking availability information, etc. In this display example, the consolidated delivery target information with the delivery scheduled time information "10:00 - 10:15" is shown as having a different display and a changed display from the unselected consolidated delivery target information selected by the user or the operator. Here, the "delivery scheduled time information" may be the delivery scheduled time information that can be included in the delivery information, or may be the differential delivery scheduled time calculated from the difference between the delivery scheduled time information and the current time (for example, when the scheduled delivery start time is "10 o'clock" and the current time is "9:30", the differential delivery scheduled time is "30 minutes later", etc.). Also, if the corresponding consolidated delivery target information becomes unselectable because another user or operator has previously transmitted the same consolidated delivery target information to the management server 1 before the decision operation of the user or operator, a notification prompting re-selection may be presented to the subsequent user or operator.

[0055] Instead of presenting the list information of the items to be co-loaded in a specific format, a predetermined number of co-loading target delivery information extracted by the co-loading target delivery extraction unit 152 can be presented as options on the user's or operator's application, allowing the user or operator to perform a selection operation to determine the co-loading target delivery. Or, a predetermined number of co-loading target delivery information extracted by the co-loading target delivery extraction unit 152 can be presented as a co-loading confirmation notice on the user's or operator's application, allowing the user or operator to perform a selection operation on whether co-loading is possible to determine the co-loading target delivery. Or, the co-loading target delivery can be determined by the system without going through the user operation and operator operation from among the co-loading target delivery candidates extracted by the co-loading target delivery extraction unit 152. In addition, even when the co-loading target delivery information is selected on the operator's application, a co-loading confirmation notice can be presented to allow the user to perform a selection operation on whether co-loading is possible to determine the co-loading target delivery. Also, when the co-loading target delivery is determined on the user's application or this system, the co-loading target delivery information can be displayed on the operator terminal 3 so that the operator can confirm it during the storage operation. Furthermore, based on the co-loading target delivery information, storage operation equipment for storing the delivered goods (such as a storage operation robot, a storage operation arm, a storage operation movable platform, etc.) can be autonomously controlled to take out the user's delivered goods from the delivery goods management space (such as a shelf) and store them in the storage space related to the co-loading target delivery.

[0056] Next, for example, when the consolidated shipment target delivery information is selected in response to the determination operation to the delivery schedule determination area 920 (YES), the data management unit 120 (particularly the delivery management unit 150) of the management server 1, based on the consolidated shipment target delivery information received from the user terminal 2, updates the delivery information related to the user's shipments (particularly, the updated delivery schedule information, the consolidated shipment target delivery information, and the consolidated shipment acceptance / rejection information (information indicating consolidated shipment rejection)) and the delivery information related to other users' shipments (particularly, the consolidated shipment target shipment information and the delivery type information (information indicating consolidated shipment)) (step S103). When further consolidation is not allowed in other users' shipments (for example, when consolidation is not allowed based on a reference value such that the remaining space volume after consolidation is below the reference value, or the weight after consolidation exceeds the reference value, or when consolidation is not allowed based on settings such as the user's settings or pre-set settings in this information processing system where multiple consolidations are not allowed, etc.), the consolidated shipment acceptance / rejection information may also be updated to information indicating consolidated shipment rejection in the delivery information and shipment information of other users.

[0057] Note that particularly when performing settlement processing related to the delivery fee before and after step S103, the delivery fee indicated by the delivery fee information related to other users' shipments may be apportioned (for example, divided into two parts) between the user and a predetermined ratio, and the apportioned delivery fee information is stored associated with each, and each user may perform the settlement processing accordingly. Or, only the delivery fee for one delivery may be stored associated with either the user or another user, and the settlement processing may be performed.

[0058] Thereafter, if the user's shipment has already been stored in the storage container corresponding to this system, it is stored in the storage space associated with the consolidated shipment target delivery as it is. If it has not been stored yet, it is stored in a storage container of the storage container type calculated by the data management unit 120 based on the size information of the shipment, etc., and then stored in the storage space associated with the consolidated shipment target delivery, and delivered to other users.

[0059] On the other hand, when there is no appropriate item among the consolidated shipment target delivery information 910 displayed on the application and there is a decision operation to the consolidated shipment rejection decision area 930, or when there is no delivery information that can be a candidate for consolidated shipment, or when there is no selection of the consolidated shipment target delivery information by the predetermined period before the user's scheduled delivery time (NO), the data management unit 120 (especially the delivery management unit 150) updates the delivery type information to individual delivery information indicating individual delivery without consolidation, calculates the remaining space, and updates the remaining space information included in the delivery information, etc., to update the user's shipment information and delivery information (S104).

[0060] As a result, when the consolidated shipment target delivery is not selected, the user's shipments can be made the target of extraction by the consolidated shipment target extraction unit 152. Note that a configuration that allows multiple consolidations may also be used.

[0061] As described above, by standardizing and managing shipments (for example, loaded items such as packages) using the storage container type identification information, it is possible to easily grasp the total quantity of shipments and enable efficient storage in various storage spaces, and to provide an information processing system, a server, an information processing method, and a program.

[0062] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit and interpret the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and it goes without saying that equivalents of the present invention are included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 1 Management Server 2 User Terminal

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores storage space volume information indicating the storage space volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers for storing deliveries to each user, and delivery volume information indicating the delivery volume of the deliveries; A remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating the remaining space volume of the remaining space in the storage space by subtracting the delivery volume indicated by the delivery volume information from the storage space volume indicated by the storage space volume information; A mixed-load target delivery extraction unit that extracts mixed-load target delivery information indicating a delivery of another second user having a remaining space capable of accommodating the delivery of the first user; Comprising: The mixed-load target delivery extraction unit extracts the mixed-load target delivery information without using the location information of the delivery source of the first user and the receipt location information of the delivery of the first user as extraction conditions, and presents the extracted mixed-load target delivery information of the second user on an operator terminal possessed by an operator different from the first and second users, and determines the delivery of the second user to be the target of mixed-load delivery according to a selection operation of the delivery of the second user that becomes the mixed-load target candidate on the operator terminal. An information processing system characterized by the above.

2. A storage unit that stores storage space volume information indicating the storage space volume of a storage space that stores one or more storage containers for storing deliveries to each user, and delivery volume information indicating the delivery volume of the deliveries; A remaining space calculation unit that calculates remaining space information indicating the remaining space volume of the remaining space in the storage space by subtracting the delivery volume indicated by the delivery volume information from the storage space volume indicated by the storage space volume information; A mixed-load target delivery extraction unit that extracts mixed-load target delivery information indicating a delivery of another second user having a remaining space capable of accommodating the delivery of the first user; Comprising: The mixed-load target delivery extraction unit extracts the mixed-load target delivery information without using the location information of the delivery source of the first user and the receipt location information of the delivery of the first user as extraction conditions, and presents the extracted mixed-load target delivery information of the second user on an operator terminal possessed by an operator different from the first and second users, and determines the delivery of the second user to be the target of mixed-load delivery according to a selection operation of the delivery of the second user that becomes the mixed-load target candidate on the operator terminal. A server characterized by the above.

3. A step of storing, by a storage unit, storage space volume information indicating the storage space volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers for delivering items to each user, and item volume information indicating the item volume of the items; A step of calculating, by a remaining space calculation unit, remaining space information indicating the remaining space volume of the remaining space in the storage space by subtracting the item volume indicated by the item volume information from the storage space volume indicated by the storage space volume information; A step of extracting, by a co-loading target delivery extraction unit, co-loading target delivery information indicating a delivery of another second user having a remaining space capable of co-loading the delivery of the first user, and The step of extracting the co-loading target delivery information extracts the co-loading target delivery information without using the position information of the delivery source of the first user and the receiving position information of the delivery of the first user as extraction conditions, presents the extracted co-loading target delivery information of the second user on an operator terminal possessed by an operator different from the first and second users, and determines the delivery of the second user to be the target of co-loading delivery according to a selection operation of the delivery of the second user that is a co-loading target candidate on the operator terminal. An information processing method characterized by the above.

4. A step of storing, by a storage unit, storage space volume information indicating the storage space volume of a storage space for storing one or more storage containers for delivering items to each user, and item volume information indicating the item volume of the items; A step of calculating, by a remaining space calculation unit, remaining space information indicating the remaining space volume of the remaining space in the storage space by subtracting the item volume indicated by the item volume information from the storage space volume indicated by the storage space volume information; A step of causing a computer to execute extracting, by a co-loading target delivery extraction unit, co-loading target delivery information indicating a delivery of another second user having a remaining space capable of co-loading the delivery of the first user, and The step of extracting the co-loading target delivery information extracts the co-loading target delivery information without using the position information of the delivery source of the first user and the receiving position information of the delivery of the first user as extraction conditions, presents the extracted co-loading target delivery information of the second user on an operator terminal possessed by an operator different from the first and second users, and determines the delivery of the second user to be the target of co-loading delivery according to a selection operation of the delivery of the second user that is a co-loading target candidate on the operator terminal. A program characterized by the above.

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