Location management device, location management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a location management device capable of properly managing location information.SOLUTION: A location management device 10 comprises: a first input / output part 12 which, for a location information storage part 11 that stores label information 112 corresponding to a user 20 or an article, location information 114 representing a location corresponding to the label information 112, and access right information 116 representing an access right corresponding to the label information 112, updates the location information 114 and / or the access right information 116 on the basis of a received update request RU; and a second input / output part 13 which when receiving a reference request RR for specifying the label information 112 and requesting the location information 114 corresponding to the label information, determines whether or not the reference request RR has been outputted from a referring person 30 or a referring terminal 31 having the access right, and when a determination result is positive, returns a response signal RS with the corresponding location information 114 to the referring person 30 or the referring terminal 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a location management device, a location management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] As background art in this technical field, the abstract of the following Patent Document 1 states that "the address data management method includes the steps of acquiring address data to be the delivery destination from a purchaser, setting an address ID that uniquely corresponds to the address data and notifying the purchaser, managing a correspondence table that shows the correspondence between address data and address ID, accepting delivery request data generated by the seller of the item, extracting address data that corresponds to the address ID, and executing delivery processing for the item based on the extracted address data." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-123004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned technology, there is a demand for more appropriate management of location information. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a location management device, a location management method, and a program that can appropriately manage location information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, a location management device of the present invention includes a first input / output unit that updates the location information and / or the access right information based on a received update request in a location information storage unit that stores label information corresponding to a user or an object, location information indicating a location corresponding to the label information, and access right information indicating an access right corresponding to the label information and including a validity period during which a referrer is permitted to refer to the location information; a second input / output unit that, upon receiving a reference request specifying the label information and requesting the corresponding location information, determines whether the reference request has been output from the referrer or reference terminal that has the access right, and if the determination result is positive, returns a response signal including the corresponding location information to the referrer or the reference terminal; and a function that deletes the reference permission for the referrer when the validity period has expired, wherein the first input / output unit can update the location information and / or the access right information at any time based on the update request from the user, and the second input / output unit can output the response signal at any time based on the reference request from the referrer. and can request the user to add or update the location information based on a request from the user. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, location information can be managed appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a location management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a location management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a location management system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a location management system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Outline of the embodiment] By applying the content of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a user can obtain an address ID issued by a delivery company. Then, when the user purchases an item through mail order from a mail order company, the user can notify the mail order company of the address ID. This allows the user to use mail order services without their address, which is personal information, being known to anyone other than the delivery company.

[0009] However, the location of a person changes as they move, and the location of an object changes dynamically due to relocation, etc. In the following description, the term "object" is a concept that includes mobile objects such as airplanes, vehicles, and ships, as well as corporations. There is a demand for transporting goods to such changing locations, but if the location of a person or object is assumed to be fixed, it becomes difficult to respond to changing locations. Therefore, the embodiment described below provides information for transporting a person or object to the location of the person or object without requiring effort from either the transporter or the recipient.

[0010] [First embodiment] Various embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a location management system 101 according to the first embodiment. 1, the location management system 101 includes a location management device 10 (computer), an input terminal 21, and a reference terminal 31. The input terminal 21 and the reference terminal 31 communicate with the location management device 10 via wired or wireless two-way communication. The input terminal 21 is operated by a user 20 who is, for example, a purchaser of an item, and the reference terminal 31 is operated by a referrer 30 who is, for example, a transporter of the item. The input terminal 21 and the reference terminal 31 are not particularly limited as long as they can input and output information to and from the location management device 10, but for example, a mobile information terminal can be used.

[0011] The location management device 10 is equipped with general computer hardware (all not shown), such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and SSD (Solid State Drive), and the HDD or SSD stores an OS (Operating System), application programs, various data, etc. The OS and application programs are deployed in the RAM and executed by the CPU. The location management device 10 may be realized by a single computer, or by multiple computers installed at multiple locations.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the internal structure of the location management device 10 is shown as blocks, each representing a function realized by an application program or the like. Specifically, the location management device 10 includes a location information storage unit 11, a first input / output unit 12 (first input / output means, update process), and a second input / output unit 13 (second input / output means, response process). The first and second input / output units 12 and 13 each access the location information storage unit 11 and are capable of writing and reading information. The first input / output unit 12 communicates with an input terminal 21, and the second input / output unit 13 communicates with a reference terminal 31. Therefore, a user 20 can communicate with the first input / output unit 12 via the input terminal 21, and a referrer 30 can communicate with the second input / output unit 13 via the reference terminal 31.

[0013] The location information storage unit 11 stores a plurality of records 2. Each record 2 includes label information 112, location information 114, and access right information 116. The label information 112 is information that uniquely identifies the record 2, and may be a character string or the like determined by the user 20. The location information 114 is information that indicates a specific location, such as an address or latitude and longitude. The location information 114 may also be the label information 112 of another record 2.

[0014] The access rights information 116 may include the following information: Information that identifies the user 20 or input terminal 21 that can update the location information 114. For example, the name of the user 20, the identification number of the input terminal 21, an identification number determined by the location management device 10, etc. can be applied as this information. Information that identifies the referrer 30 or the referencing terminal 31 that is permitted to refer to the location information 114. This information can be, for example, the name of the referrer 30, the identification number of the referencing terminal 31, an identification number determined by the location management device 10, or the like.

[0015] Record 2 does not need to be unique for a user 20 or a property. In other words, multiple records 2 may be created for one user 20 or one property. For example, even for a record 2 corresponding to a specific user 20, a record 2 for the location during work hours and a record 2 for the location in private may be created.

[0016] A user 20 may wish to create a new record 2 in the location information storage unit 11. In this case, the user 20 outputs a record creation request RC to the first input / output unit 12 via the input terminal 21, specifying the label information 112, the location information 114, and the access right information 116. The first input / output unit 12 identifies whether the user 20 or the input terminal 21 is a user or terminal that is permitted to create a new record 2. Then, only if the identification result is positive, the first input / output unit 12 creates a new record 2 in the location information storage unit 11 in accordance with the record creation request RC.

[0017] Furthermore, when the user 20 wishes to update an existing record 2 in the location information storage unit 11, the user 20 outputs an update request RU to the first input / output unit 12 via the input terminal 21. This update request RU includes the label information 112 of the record 2 and the desired update content.

[0018] Here, the "requested update content" refers to one or more pieces of information among updated label information 112, updated location information 114, and updated access right information 116. When the first input / output unit 12 receives the update request RU, it identifies whether the user 20 or the input terminal 21 is permitted to update the record 2. Then, only when the identification result is positive, the first input / output unit 12 updates the content of the corresponding record 2 in accordance with the update request RU.

[0019] Furthermore, when a referrer 30 wishes to refer to the location information 114 in any record 2 contained in the location information storage unit 11, the referrer 30 specifies the label information 112 in the record 2 and outputs a reference request RR to the second input / output unit 13. The second input / output unit 13 determines whether the referrer 30 or the reference terminal 31 is permitted to refer to the location information 114 based on the access right information 116 of the record 2. The second input / output unit 13 then outputs the contents of the location information 114 of the record to the reference terminal 31 as a response signal RS only if the determination result is positive. In this way, the referrer 30 can always refer to the latest location information 114 when permitted to do so. Therefore, the referrer 30 does not need to independently store the location information 114 of the user 20, which is personal information. This allows the referrer 30 to reduce the costs required for security measures.

[0020] Furthermore, when the referrer 30 acquires the location information 114 via the second input / output unit 13, the location information 114 may be ambiguous, for example, because the room number is missing. Therefore, if the referrer 30 determines that the location information 114 is ambiguous, the referrer 30 may output an update request to the input terminal 21 via the reference terminal 31, the second input / output unit 13, and the first input / output unit 12, requesting an addition or update of the location information 114. That is, in this case, the second input / output unit 13 has a function of supplying the update request received from the reference terminal 31 to the input terminal 21 via the first input / output unit 12. This allows the referrer 30 to easily confirm the accurate location information 114 when the location information 114 is ambiguous.

[0021] The first input / output unit 12 may also have a function of periodically outputting a confirmation request to the input terminal 21 to request confirmation of the location information 114. This allows the user 20 to notice and update the location information 114 on his or her own if the location information 114 is unclear.

[0022] Furthermore, in the above example, when the second input / output unit 13 receives a reference request RR from the referrer 30 or the reference terminal 31 who is permitted to refer to the location information 114, the second input / output unit 13 transmits a response signal RS to the reference terminal 31 without imposing any other conditions. However, even when a reference request RR is supplied from the referrer 30 or the reference terminal 31 who is permitted to refer to the location information 114, the second input / output unit 13 may again request additional reference permission from the user 20. That is, in this case, when the second input / output unit 13 receives the reference request RR, the second input / output unit 13 may transmit a message requesting additional reference permission to the input terminal 21 via the first input / output unit 12. Then, when the second input / output unit 13 receives a message from the input terminal 21 via the first input / output unit 12 permitting reference, the second input / output unit 13 may transmit a response signal RS to the reference terminal 31. This prevents the referrer 30 from acquiring location information at a time unintended by the user 20, thereby further protecting the privacy of the user 20.

[0023] Furthermore, in the above example, the access right information 116 is updated by an update request RU from the input terminal 21. In addition, the location management device 10 may have a function to automatically update the access right information 116. For example, when the user 20 sets the access right information 116 to permit a certain referrer 30 to refer to the location information 114, the user 20 may be able to set a validity period. In this case, when the validity period expires, the location management device 10 automatically revokes the referrer 30's permission to refer. By setting a validity period in this way, the user 20 can prevent his / her location information from being unintentionally obtained by the referrer 30 or the referencing terminal 31 for a long period of time.

[0024] [Second embodiment] 2 is a block diagram of a location management system 102 according to the second embodiment. In the following description, parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. The location management system 102 of this embodiment includes a location management device 10, an input terminal 21, and a reference terminal 31. These components are similar to those of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). However, the location management system 102 of this embodiment includes an automated delivery vehicle 32 that delivers items 36 by unmanned operation.

[0025] The automated delivery vehicle 32 has the same functions as the reference terminal 31. This allows the automated delivery vehicle 32 to send a reference request RR to the second input / output unit 13 and receive a response signal RS from the second input / output unit 13. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the location information storage unit 11 stores multiple records 2. However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the location information 114 of the records 2 is updated relatively frequently according to the current location of the user 20. As a method of updating the location information 114, similar to the first embodiment, the user 20 may send an update request RU to the first input / output unit 12 using the input terminal 21.

[0026] Furthermore, if the input terminal 21 has a position measurement function using a GPS (Global Positioning System), the input terminal 21 may automatically transmit an update request RU so that the input terminal 21 sets its own position in the location information 114. In the illustrated example, one input terminal 21 transmits both the record creation request RC and the update request RU, but the input terminal 21 that transmits the record creation request RC and the input terminal 21 that transmits the update request RU may be different terminals.

[0027] An example of the operation of this embodiment will be described below. Step S1: First, the user 20 uses the input terminal 21 to send a record creation request RC to the first input / output unit 12 to have the location management device 10 create a record 2 indicating the user's current location. In response to this, the first input / output unit 12 creates the record 2 in the location information storage unit 11.

[0028] Step S2: Next, the user 20 sends an update request RU to the first input / output unit 12 to permit the referrer 30, such as a delivery company, to refer to the location information 114. As a result, the first input / output unit 12 updates the contents of the access right information 116 based on the update request RU to permit the referrer 30 to refer to the location information 114.

[0029] Step S3: Next, the user 20 notifies the referrer 30 of the contents of the label information 112 of the record 2 and requests delivery of the item 36. Step S4: The user 30 registers the contents of the label information 112 in the automated delivery vehicle 32 and instructs the automated delivery vehicle 32 to deliver the item 36.

[0030] Step S5: The automatic delivery vehicle 32 transmits a reference request RR to the second input / output unit 13 at predetermined time intervals, inquiring about the location information 114 of the user 20. Step S6: The second input / output unit 13 outputs the contents of the location information 114 to the automatic delivery vehicle 32 as a response signal RS based on the reference request RR.

[0031] Here, when the user 20 moves, the user 20 can operate the input terminal 21 to send an update request RU to the first input / output unit 12, which updates the location information 114. Furthermore, if the input terminal 21 has a function for automatically sending an update request RU, the input terminal 21 automatically sends an update request RU that sets the location of the input terminal 21 in the location information 114. The automated delivery vehicle 32 acquires the current location of the user 20 by repeating the operations of steps S5 and S6 described above at predetermined time intervals.

[0032] As a result, even if the user 20 moves, the automatic delivery vehicle 32 can move along with the user 20 and deliver the item 36. In the above example, the item 36 was delivered to the user 20 using an automated delivery vehicle 32, but instead of the automated delivery vehicle 32, any mobile object on land, sea, or air that can deliver the item 36, such as an aerial vehicle or a ship, can be used.

[0033] Furthermore, the location management device 10 may suggest a location at the scheduled delivery time to the user 20 via the input terminal 21 in response to a request from the referrer 30 or the reference terminal 31. The location management device 10 may also have a function of responding to the referrer 30 or the reference terminal 31 with information such as whether the user 20 accepts or rejects the suggestion and an alternative suggested location.

[0034] As described above, the location information 114 may be ambiguous, and if the location information 114 indicates the inside of a building, the automated delivery vehicle 32 may not be able to enter that location. In such cases, the location management device 10 can suggest to the user 20 a clear location that the automated delivery vehicle 32 can reach, thereby enabling the item 36 to be delivered more reliably.

[0035] In the above example, location information 114 indicates the current location of the person or object corresponding to label information 112. However, location information 114 may also be information that combines multiple times or time periods, including future times, with the planned location at each time or time period. This allows reference person 30, reference terminal 31, or automated delivery vehicle 32 to plan a delivery route that takes into account the time required to deliver item 36 and the planned location of user 20 at the end of that time, making it possible to reduce energy consumption and travel time.

[0036] Here, a possible method for the user 20 to register a future time and a planned location at that time is for the user 20 to manually transmit an update request RU from the input terminal 21. Furthermore, the input terminal 21 may estimate the location of the user 20 in the future based on one or more pieces of information listed below, and automatically transmit an update request RU based on the estimation result.

[0037] If the input terminal 21 has a schedule management function, a schedule registered by the user 20 on the input terminal 21. If the input terminal 21 has a navigation function, a destination registered by the user 20 in the input terminal 21. If the input terminal 21 manages the purchase history of train, plane, or other tickets, the destination and estimated arrival time based on these tickets, and the route traveled up to the present time.

[0038] [Third embodiment] 3 is a block diagram of a location management system 103 according to the third embodiment. In the following description, parts corresponding to those in the other embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. The location management system 102 of this embodiment includes a location management device 40 (computer), an input terminal 21, and a reference terminal 31. The hardware configuration of the location management device 40 is similar to that of the location management device 10 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment.

[0039] The location management device 40 includes a location information storage unit 41, a logistics information storage unit 42, a first input / output unit 43 (first input / output means, update process), and a second input / output unit 44 (second input / output means, response process). The first and second input / output units 43 and 44 have the same functions as the first and second input / output units 12 and 13 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment described above, respectively.

[0040] That is, the first and second input / output units 43, 44 each access the location information storage unit 41 and are able to write and read information. Furthermore, the first input / output unit 43 communicates with the input terminal 21, and the second input / output unit 44 communicates with the reference terminal 31. Therefore, the user 20 can communicate with the first input / output unit 43 via the input terminal 21, and the referrer 30 can communicate with the second input / output unit 44 via the reference terminal 31. The first input / output unit 43 accesses the location information storage unit 41 and is able to write information. Furthermore, the second input / output unit 44 is able to read information from the location information storage unit 41 and write and read information to and from the logistics information storage unit 42.

[0041] The location information storage unit 41 stores a plurality of records 4. Each record 4 includes label information 412, location information 414, and access right information 416. The contents of these are similar to the label information 112, location information 114, and access right information 116 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), respectively.

[0042] The logistics information storage unit 42 stores a plurality of pieces of logistics base information 422 indicating logistics bases available to the viewer 30, and transport means information 424 regarding transport means available for transport between the logistics bases. The logistics base information 422 is information indicating logistics bases such as airports, ports, train stations, and collection and distribution centers. The transport means information 424 is information indicating transport means such as airplanes, ships, railroad cars, and trucks, their estimated travel times, and scheduled flight schedules. Of the transport means information 424, the estimated travel time in particular varies depending on road congestion, etc. The viewer 30 can view and update the contents stored in the logistics information storage unit 42 via the reference terminal 31 and the second input / output unit 44.

[0043] Furthermore, the second input / output unit 44 calculates an optimal transportation route for the goods based on the location information 414 acquired from the location information storage unit 41, and the logistics base information 422 and transportation means information 424 acquired from the logistics information storage unit 42. Then, the second input / output unit 44 transmits the contents of the calculated transportation route to the reference terminal 31 as recommended transportation route information RI. As described above, according to this embodiment, the reference person 30 can select an appropriate transportation route in response to changes in road congestion and changes in the location of the user 20, thereby realizing a reduction in transportation time and transportation costs.

[0044] [Fourth embodiment] 4 is a block diagram of a location management system 104 according to the fourth embodiment. In the following description, parts corresponding to those in the other embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. The location management system 104 of this embodiment includes a location management device 50 and a location reference device 60. The hardware configurations of the location management device 50 and the location reference device 60 are the same as those of the location management device 10 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment. Note that the meaning of "location" in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, but it is particularly preferable for the "location" to be an "address."

[0045] The location management device 50 includes a location information storage unit 51, a first input / output unit 52, and a second input / output unit 53. The first and second input / output units 52 and 53 have the same functions as the first and second input / output units 12 and 13 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), respectively. The location information storage unit 51 stores a plurality of records 5. Each record 5 includes name information 512, location information 514, and label information 516.

[0046] The location information 514 and the label information 516 are respectively similar to the location information 114 and the label information 112 in the location information storage unit 11 (see FIG. 1 ) of the first embodiment. The name information 512 is information indicating the name of the user 20 corresponding to the record 5. As a result, the location management device 50 manages the name information 512 and the location information 514 of the user 20 in association with the label information 516.

[0047] The location reference device 60 also includes a user information storage unit 61. The user information storage unit 61 stores a plurality of records 6. Each record 6 includes name information 612, location information 614, and label information 616.

[0048] The contents of the name information 612, location information 614, and label information 616 are respectively the same as those of the name information 512, location information 514, and label information 516 in the location management device 50. However, in the location reference device 60, the contents of the location information 614 may be blank. The location reference device 60 is a device for a membership service that provides location information 614, etc. to members 70, such as shipping companies, who require location information 614 of users 20. The location reference device 60 corresponds to the reference terminal 31 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).

[0049] An example of the operation of this embodiment will be described below. Step S10: First, the user 20 registers his / her own name information 612 and label information 616 in the location reference device 60. As a result, a record 6 corresponding to the user 20 is created in the location reference device 60. However, since the location information 614 is not registered at this time, the location information 614 is left blank at this point.

[0050] Step S11: Next, the user 20 registers his / her name information 512, label information 516, and location information 514 in the location management device 50. As a result, a record 5 corresponding to the user 20 is created in the location management device 50. Also, if the address information of the user 20 changes due to moving, etc., the user 20 updates the location information 514 in the corresponding record 5 in the location management device 50. The order of steps S10 and S11 may be reversed.

[0051] Step S12: Next, suppose that the member 70, for the purpose of transporting an item or the like, inquires of the location reference device 60 about the location information 614 of the user 20 by specifying the name information 612 and the label information 616. Then, the location reference device 60 inquires of the location management device 50 about the location information 514 of the user 20 by specifying the name information 512 and the label information 516.

[0052] Step S13: The location management device 50 determines whether the location reference device 60 has the authority to refer to the location information 514 of the user 20. The location information storage unit 51 stores a list of location reference devices 60 that have the authority to refer (not shown). If the determination result is positive, the location management device 50 transmits the location information 514 of the user 20 to the location reference device 60. The location reference device 60 writes the content of the received location information 514 into the location information 614.

[0053] Step S14: The member 70 obtains the location information 614 of the user 20 from the location reference device 60 and delivers goods, etc. to the user 20. As described above, according to this embodiment, the location reference device 60 can continue its operations, such as mail delivery, even if the location of the user 20 changes. Furthermore, even if a user 20 whose name and label are registered in multiple location reference devices 60 changes their address, the user only needs to carry out address change procedures in the location management device 50. This allows the member 70 of each location reference device 60 to obtain the changed address from the location management device 50. This relieves the user 20 from the trouble of carrying out address change procedures for each location reference device 60.

[0054] [Hardware configuration of location management device, etc.] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the location management devices 10, 40, 50, the input terminal 21, the reference terminal 31, the location reference device 60, and the like. The location management device 10, the input terminal 21, etc. include a CPU 901, a RAM 902, a ROM 903, an HDD 904, a communication I / F 905, an input / output I / F 906, and a media I / F 907. The communication I / F 905 is connected to an external communication device 915. The input / output I / F 906 is connected to an input / output device 916. The media I / F 907 reads and writes data from a recording medium 917. Furthermore, the CPU 901 executes a program (an application, also called an app for short) loaded into the RAM 902, thereby realizing the location management device 10, the input terminal 21, etc.

[0055] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the location management device 10, 40, 50 requests the location information storage unit 11, 41, 51 that stores the label information 112, 412, 516 corresponding to the user 20 or the property, the location information 114, 414, 514 indicating the location corresponding to the label information 112, 412, 516, and the access right information 116, 416 indicating the access right corresponding to the label information 112, 412, 516, by specifying the label information 112, 412, 516. and a second input / output unit 13, 44, 53 which, upon receiving a reference request RR, determines whether the reference request RR has been output from a referrer 30 or a reference terminal (31, 60) that has access rights, and if the determination result is positive, returns a response signal RS with corresponding location information 114, 414, 514 to the referrer 30 or the reference terminal (31, 60), wherein the first input / output unit 12, 43, 52 is capable of updating the location information 114, 414, 514 and / or the access right information 116, 416 at any time based on an update request RU from the user 20, and the second input / output unit 13, 44, 53 is capable of outputting a response signal RS at any time based on the reference request RR from the referrer 30.

[0056] This allows the user 20 to update the location information 114, 414, 514 and / or the access right information 116, 416 at any time, and the viewer 30 to obtain the location information 114, 414, 514 at any time, thereby enabling the location information 114, 414, 514 to be managed appropriately.

[0057] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the location information 114, 414, 514 includes any time or time period, including in the future, and the planned location at that time or time period. This allows the user 30 to know the planned location at any time or time period, including in the future, and plan a delivery route taking this information into account, thereby reducing energy consumption and travel time.

[0058] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the second input / output unit 44 further comprises a function of storing logistics base information 422 representing a logistics base and transportation means information 424 representing a transportation means in the logistics information storage unit 42 based on an instruction from the reference user 30, and a function of transmitting recommended transportation route information RI representing a recommended transportation route to the reference terminal 31 based on the location information 414, the logistics base information 422, and the transportation means information 424. This allows the reference user 30 to easily plan an appropriate transportation route based on the recommended transportation route information RI.

[0059] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications are possible. The above-described embodiments are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to delete part of the configuration of each embodiment, or to add or replace other configurations. Furthermore, the control lines and information lines shown in the figures are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all control lines and information lines necessary for the product. In reality, it is acceptable to consider that almost all components are interconnected. Possible modifications of the above-described embodiments include, for example, the following:

[0060] (1) The hardware of the location management devices 10, 40, and 50 in the above embodiments can be realized by a general computer, and therefore, programs for executing the various processes described above may be stored on a storage medium or distributed via a transmission line.

[0061] (2) In the above embodiment, each of the above processes has been described as software-based processing using a program, but some or all of it may be replaced with hardware-based processing using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0062] (3) The various processes executed in the above embodiment may be executed by a server computer via a network (not shown), and the various data stored in the above embodiment may also be stored in the server computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10, 40, 50 Location management device (computer) 11,41,51 Location information storage unit 12, 43, 52 First input / output unit (first input / output means, update process) 13, 44, 53 Second input / output unit (second input / output means, response process) 20 users 30 Referrer 31 Reference Terminal 42 Logistics information storage section 60 Location reference device (reference terminal) 112,412,516 Label Information 114,414,514 Location information 116,416 access rights information 422 Logistics Base Information 424 Transportation Information RI Recommended Transport Route Information RR reference request RS response signal RU update request

Claims

1. a first input / output unit configured to update a location information storage unit that stores label information corresponding to a user or a property, location information indicating a location corresponding to the label information, and access right information indicating an access right corresponding to the label information and including a validity period during which a referrer is permitted to refer to the location information, based on a received update request; a second input / output unit that, when receiving a reference request specifying the label information and requesting the corresponding location information, determines whether the reference request has been output from the referrer or the referencing terminal that has the access right, and if the determination result is positive, returns a response signal including the corresponding location information to the referrer or the referencing terminal; a function of deleting the access permission for the user when the validity period has expired; the first input / output unit is capable of updating the location information and / or the access right information at any time based on the update request from the user; The second input / output unit can output the response signal at any time based on the reference request from the person who refers to the information, and can request the user to add or update the location information based on the request from the person who refers to the information. A location management device characterized by:

2. The location information is information including any time or time period, including a future time, and a planned location at the time or time period, When the second input / output unit receives the reference request from the reference person or reference terminal having the access right, the second input / output unit requests the user for additional reference permission again.

2. The location management device according to claim 1.

3. The second input / output unit has a function of storing, in a logistics information storage unit, logistics base information representing a logistics base and transportation means information representing a transportation means based on an instruction from the user; and a function of transmitting recommended transportation route information representing a recommended transportation route to the reference terminal based on the location information, the logistics base information, and the transportation means information.

3. The location management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The computer an updating process for updating a location information storage unit that stores label information corresponding to a user or an object, location information indicating a location corresponding to the label information, and access right information indicating an access right corresponding to the label information and including a validity period during which a referrer is permitted to refer to the location information, based on the received update request; a response step of determining whether the reference request is output from a referrer or a referencing terminal having the access right when receiving a reference request specifying the label information and requesting the corresponding location information, and returning a response signal including the corresponding location information to the referrer or the referencing terminal if the determination result is affirmative; When the validity period has expired, the access permission of the viewer is deleted; the updating step is a step of updating the location information and / or the access right information at any time based on the update request from the user; The response step is a step of outputting the response signal at an arbitrary time based on the reference request from the referrer, and requesting the user to add or update the location information based on the request from the referrer. A location management method characterized by:

5. Computer, a first input / output means for updating, based on a received update request, the location information and / or the access right information stored in a location information storage unit that stores label information corresponding to a user or an object, location information indicating a location corresponding to the label information, and access right information indicating an access right corresponding to the label information and including a validity period during which a referrer is permitted to refer to the location information; a second input / output means for, when receiving a reference request specifying the label information and requesting the corresponding location information, determining whether the reference request has been output from a referrer or a referrer terminal having the access right, and, if the determination result is affirmative, returning a response signal including the corresponding location information to the referrer or the referrer terminal; means for deleting the access permission for the accessor when the validity period has expired; A program for functioning as the first input / output means is capable of updating the location information and / or the access right information at any time based on the update request from the user; The second input / output means is capable of outputting the response signal at any time based on the reference request from the person who refers to the information, and is capable of requesting the user to add or update the location information based on a request from the person who refers to the information. A program characterized by:

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