Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a novel and improved information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program, which contribute to further streamlining of package delivery or collection.SOLUTION: An information processing system is provided, comprising a control unit configured to generate one or more delivery plans including package delivery route and delivery means, and a candidate determination unit configured to designate one or more users expected to be capable of providing collection and delivery service for the package as service provider candidates. Upon approval of one of the users designated as candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves a delivery plan to a package collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, the spread of e-commerce, changes in consumer demand, and changes in the social environment have led to a rapid increase in demand for logistics services such as the delivery and collection of parcels. As a result of this rapid increase in demand, labor shortages in logistics have become a fundamental challenge for maintaining stable logistics functions. Therefore, various technologies for efficiently delivering and collecting parcels have been considered. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for parcel delivery logistics that acquires the load volume of one or more circular flights that circulate between three bases and determines whether to change the operation plan of the circular flights based on the acquired load volume. Such conventional delivery systems employ a hub-and-spoke approach, in which parcels are collected at a base such as a large warehouse and then delivered to various destinations from the base.

[0003] In recent years, new logistics players, such as food delivery services where users use smartphones to request delivery of groceries, have begun to utilize delivery services provided by workers who undertake one-off jobs via the Internet (so-called gig workers). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-52525 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, technology that contributes to further efficiency in package delivery or collection is desirable.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program that can contribute to further improving the efficiency of package delivery or collection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided, which includes a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, and a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for service providers, and when the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidate as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans that leads to the package collection point of the service provider.

[0008] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package; and a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for service providers, wherein the control unit, when approving one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans that extends to the package collection point of the service provider.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes generating one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, determining one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidate service providers, and when one user from the users determined as the candidate is approved as the service provider, selecting and approving one of the generated delivery plans to the package collection point of the service provider.

[0010] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and delivery means for the package, and a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for service providers, wherein when the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans that leads to the package collection point of the service provider.

[0011] As described above, the present invention can contribute to further improving the efficiency of package delivery or collection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a delivery slot according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server 30 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of an information terminal 50 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment in determining candidates for service providers and approving delivery plans. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server 30 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The details of the embodiments of the present invention will be described below. An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. [Item 1] a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated to the package collection point of the service provider. Information processing system. [Item 2] a notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider; the control unit approves the user determined as the candidate as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 3] the control unit acquires service provision availability conditions indicating conditions under which a service can be provided to each of the users; selecting a user who satisfies the service provision availability conditions from among the users determined as the candidates, and approving the user as the service provider; Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 4] the candidate designation unit determines, as a candidate service provider, a user who is estimated to be able to provide the service based on a baggage collection time period at the baggage collection point, a current location of the user, a means of transportation of the user, and a determined service provision schedule status of the user; Item 2 or 3, an information processing system. [Item 5] the candidate designation unit, based on the current location of the user and the determined service provision schedule status, estimates an estimated location of the user at each time and a travel route from the current location of the user to the luggage collection point; determining, as candidates for a service provider, one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service based on the estimated location and the estimated movement route of the user; Item 4. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 6] the candidate designation unit designates, as candidates for the service provider, one or more users who are estimated to be able to travel to the luggage collection point and deliver the luggage to the delivery destination during the luggage collection time period, in order of the shortest travel route to the luggage collection point; Item 5. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 7] the candidate designation unit designates, as candidates for the service provider, one or more users who are estimated to be able to travel to the luggage collection point and deliver the luggage to the delivery destination during the luggage collection time period, in descending order of estimated arrival time at the luggage collection point. Item 5. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 8] the candidate designator acquires a waiting time indicating a time during which the luggage can wait at the luggage collection point, the waiting time being determined based on the management temperature range of the luggage; determining, as a candidate for the service provider, the user who is estimated to be able to arrive at the luggage collection point during the period from the estimated arrival time of the luggage at the luggage collection point until the available waiting time has elapsed; Item 5. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 9] a notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider; The control unit notifies one user of the users determined as the candidates of the recruitment. The information processing system according to any one of items 5 to 8. [Item 10] a notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider; The control unit notifies one or more predetermined number of users among the users determined as the candidates of the recruitment. The information processing system according to any one of items 5 to 8. [Item 11] the control unit approves, as the service provider, one of the users who has been determined as the candidate and who has been notified of the recruitment and who has responded to the recruitment earliest; Item 11. The information processing system according to item 10. [Item 12] the control unit approves, as the service provider, the user who responds to the recruitment within a predetermined time limit after being notified of the recruitment. Item 12. The information processing system according to item 11. [Item 13] When no user responds to the recruitment within a certain time after the notification of the recruitment, the candidate determination unit determines candidates of the service provider related to another delivery plan having a different package collection point and a different package collection time period; the control unit approves the user determined as the candidate as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. Item 13. The information processing system according to item 12. [Item 14] If no user responds to the solicitation within a certain time after notification of the solicitation, the control unit selects and approves another delivery plan that does not include collection and delivery of the package by the service provider. Item 13. The information processing system according to item 12. [Item 15] The control unit acquires a delivery slot availability status indicating a time period during which delivery by the delivery means is possible, the time period being divided into predetermined time slots, and a delivery possible location indicating a location where delivery by the delivery means is possible, generating the delivery plan by specifying the delivery means, the delivery slots, the available delivery locations, and the delivery routes based on the availability of the delivery slots and the available delivery locations for each of the delivery means; Item 15. The information processing system according to item 13 or 14. [Item 16] Item 16. The information processing system according to item 15, wherein the control unit generates the delivery plan based on a weather forecast for the delivery route. [Item 17] Item 17. The information processing system according to item 16, wherein the delivery means includes an unmanned vehicle. [Item 18] Item 18. The information processing system according to item 17, wherein the unmanned vehicle includes a vehicle that moves autonomously on land or an aerial vehicle that flies autonomously in the air. [Item 19] a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated to the package collection point of the service provider. Information processing device. [Item 20] generating one or more delivery plans including delivery routes and delivery means for the packages; determining one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When one user is approved as the service provider from among the users determined as the candidates, selecting and approving one of the delivery plans to the package collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans; 2. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: [Item 21] Computer, a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, it selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated to the package collection point of the service provider. A program to function as a

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0015] In addition, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different numbers or letters after the same reference numeral. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is used for each of the multiple components.

[0016] <1. Overview of an Information Processing System According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention> An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that can contribute to further improving the efficiency of package delivery or collection. More specifically, the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention can realize a more efficient delivery system that includes delivery by delivery means such as unmanned vehicles and service providers such as gig workers, instead of or in addition to delivery by a hub-and-spoke method like conventional delivery systems.

[0017] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system according to this embodiment includes a mobile object 10, a server 30, and an information terminal 50. The mobile object 10, the server 30, and the information terminal 50 are connected to each other via a network.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 50 is a terminal used by a service provider U that provides the service of collecting a package L that has been transported by a mobile object 10 to a package collection point CP1 and delivering it to a delivery destination D. The service provider U carries the information terminal 50. The service provider U provides the service of collecting and delivering (delivering and collecting) the package L in response to a call for package collection and delivery services notified to the information terminal 50 by the server 30. Such a service provider U is also generally referred to as a gig worker.

[0019] (Mobile 10) The mobile object 10 is a mobile object used in delivery work to deliver or collect a package L. For example, the mobile object 10 is used when delivering a package L for which delivery has been requested from a warehouse WH where the package L is stored. Note that the mobile object 10 is not essential for delivery work, and for example, the mobile object 10 may make delivery on foot together with a cart (e.g., a box cart or a basket cart). Furthermore, the mobile object 10 is not limited to a warehouse, and may also be a store such as a retail store or a restaurant.

[0020] The mobile body 10 includes an unmanned mobile body 10A that moves by autonomous control or remote control. The unmanned mobile body 10A may move by autonomous control using input information such as two positions, such as a start point (e.g., a delivery start position of the package L or a movement start position of the unmanned mobile body 10B) and an end point (e.g., a delivery point of each delivery means such as a drone stand), or three or more positions including a relay point (e.g., a collection position of the package L in the case of a delivery that involves collection of the package L) and a return point (e.g., a position that is the same as the movement start position of the unmanned mobile body 10 or a different waiting position). Note that the input information used for autonomous control may also include various information such as other intermediate points or delivery routes.

[0021] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body 10A may move according to remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body 10A. For example, the unmanned mobile body 10A may be an air vehicle as shown in Fig. 1. The air vehicle may be a drone that flies by autonomous control, or may be a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that flies by remote control by an administrator.

[0022] The unmanned mobile body 10A according to this embodiment is not limited to an air vehicle. For example, the unmanned mobile body 10A may be a vehicle that travels on land, such as an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), or a ship that travels on waterways, such as seaways or riverways.

[0023] The mobile object 10 also includes a manned mobile object 10B used by a delivery person who delivers or collects the package L. The manned mobile object 10B may be, for example, a vehicle that travels on land as shown in FIG. 1 (for example, a passenger car, a light truck, a light van or other freight vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a kick scooter, etc.). However, the manned mobile object 10B is not limited to a vehicle. The manned mobile object 10B may be, for example, an aircraft that flies in the air, or a ship that travels on a waterway such as a seaway or a riverway.

[0024] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body 10A and the manned mobile body 10B may be mobile bodies that can travel on at least two or more routes, including land routes, water routes, and air routes.

[0025] (Server 30) Server 30 is an example of an information processing device and has a function of receiving a request for delivery or collection of a package (hereinafter, a "delivery request") from a requester and generating a delivery plan including information such as the delivery means and delivery route of the package. Server 30 also has a function of managing the operation of mobile object 10 based on the generated delivery plan. For example, server 30 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or PC, or a cloud server. Note that the method by which server 30 receives a delivery request is not particularly limited. For example, server 30 may receive a delivery request by communicating with a smartphone used by a general consumer or an external terminal installed in a store such as a retail store or a restaurant, which are not shown in FIG. 1 . Alternatively, an operator of server 30 may input the delivery request received from the requester into server 30, thereby causing server 30 to receive the delivery request.

[0026] When such a server 30 receives a delivery request, it first generates the above-mentioned delivery plan. At this time, the server 30 may generate multiple delivery plans from the delivery start location to the delivery end location of the package L by combining multiple different delivery means, delivery routes, and time periods. Furthermore, the server 30 may generate a delivery plan that combines multiple delivery means, such as an unmanned mobile body 10A and a manned mobile body 10B, for one delivery plan. Furthermore, the server 30 may generate a delivery plan that combines delivery by the above-mentioned delivery means to a delivery point (relay point) and collection and delivery of the package by the service provider U from the delivery point to the delivery destination. Note that a delivery point is a point where each mobile body 10 can make a delivery, and is determined by the stopping point of the mobile body 10 (for example, a takeoff and landing pad prepared in advance for an aircraft) or the area of ​​responsibility of the delivery person using the mobile body 10. In this specification, a delivery point is also referred to as a package collection point.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 generates a delivery plan that combines a delivery route R1 in which the unmanned mobile unit 10A delivers the package L to the package collection point CP1, and collection and delivery of the package L by the service provider U from the package collection point CP1 to the delivery destination D. Furthermore, the server 30 generates a delivery plan for a delivery route R2 in which the manned mobile unit 10B delivers the package L to the delivery destination D as another delivery plan to the same delivery destination. The server 30 selects and approves any one of the multiple delivery plans that have been generated. Alternatively, if the server 30 has generated one delivery plan, it approves that one delivery plan.

[0028] The server 30 also has a matching function that determines candidate service providers who can provide services related to the collection and delivery of the package L from the package collection point. The server 30 determines candidate service providers from among a plurality of pre-registered users. The server 30 then notifies the users determined as candidate service providers of the solicitation of service offers. When any user responds to the solicitation of service offers, the server 30 can select and approve from the generated delivery plans a delivery plan that combines the collection and delivery of the package by the service provider with other delivery means.

[0029] When the server 30 approves a delivery plan, it manages various schedules related to delivery or collection related to the delivery plan, such as specifying a delivery means related to the delivery plan and reserving a delivery slot. For example, the server 30 may register a delivery schedule related to the delivery or collection of the package L in a delivery slot for the delivery person or unmanned mobile unit 10A that delivers the package L. Note that, in this specification, a delivery slot refers to a time period during which delivery is possible by each delivery means, such as the delivery person or the unmanned mobile unit 10A. Furthermore, based on the approved delivery plan, the server 30 generates delivery instruction information to instruct the mobile unit 10 or the delivery person on information such as the delivery destination or delivery route. The server 30 may transmit the generated delivery instruction information directly to the mobile unit 10 or to a delivery person terminal (not shown) used by the delivery person using the mobile unit 10. The mobile unit 10 or the delivery person delivers and collects the package L in accordance with the delivery instruction information.

[0030] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a delivery slot according to this embodiment. For example, the daily delivery plan DS of the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer) is divided into predetermined delivery slots (for example, 15 minutes), and the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer) delivers the parcels L registered for each delivery slot at the time indicated by the delivery slot. Such a combination of delivery plan DS and delivery slot may be set for each of a plurality of candidate delivery points (parcel collection points).

[0031] For example, a delivery plan DS set for a certain delivery point (such as the parcel collection point CP1 shown in Figure 1) includes two types of delivery slots: a "full" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as a "full slot DF") indicating that the delivery schedule by the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer) is already filled, and an "empty" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as an "empty slot DE") indicating that there is a vacant delivery slot in the delivery schedule by the unmanned mobile unit 10B (or the deliverer).

[0032] (Information terminal 50) The information terminal 50 is a terminal used by the service provider U. The information terminal 50 is realized by, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0033] The information terminal 50 receives a notification of a solicitation for the provision of services for collection and delivery of package L from the server 30. The service provider U can view the notification of the solicitation by operating the information terminal 50. Furthermore, the service provider U can respond to the solicitation by operating the information terminal 50. When the service provider U performs an operation on the information terminal 50 to respond to the solicitation, the information terminal 50 notifies the server 30 that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation.

[0034] Furthermore, the information terminal 50 has a function of displaying various information related to the recruitment to the service provider U. For example, the information terminal 50 can display to the service provider U information such as the location of the luggage collection point related to the task for which the provision of the service has been decided, the current location of the service provider U, or a travel route from a waypoint.

[0035] The information processing system according to this embodiment has been outlined above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0036] <2. Example of functional configuration> <2-1.Server 30> 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 30 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a control unit 330, a candidate designation unit 340, and a notification generation unit 350.

[0037] The control unit 330, candidate designator 340, and notification generator 350 each include a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and their functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being expanded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded may also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware or implemented by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0038] Data necessary for the calculations by the calculation device is stored as appropriate in the storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 may be configured by a memory such as a RAM, a hard disk drive, or a flash memory.

[0039] (Communication unit 310) The communication unit 310 performs various communications between the mobile object 10 and external terminals such as the information terminal 50. For example, the communication unit 310 transmits a service solicitation notification generated by the notification generation unit 350 to the information terminal 50 under the control of the control unit 330. The communication unit 310 also receives a notification from the information terminal 50 that a service provider U has responded to the service solicitation. The communication unit 310 also receives, from the information terminal 50, location measurement information such as the current location of the service provider U, and information on the execution status of the current service provision task input into the information terminal 50 by operation of the service provider U. The communication unit 310 also accepts delivery requests by communicating with the smartphone used by the general consumer (requester) described above or an external terminal installed in a store or the like.

[0040] (Storage unit 320) The storage unit 320 stores software and various data. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information about pre-registered users to whom package collection and delivery services can be provided. The user information includes, for example, the means of transportation used by each service provider U and information about the areas in which the service can be provided. The storage unit 320 also stores various information related to the generation of delivery plans. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information about each delivery means, delivery locations for each delivery means, availability of each delivery location, availability of delivery slots for each delivery means, and information about delivery requests (for example, location information such as the delivery destination address included in the delivery request, the type and number of packages L, etc.).

[0041] (control unit 330) The control unit 330 controls the overall operation of the server 30. For example, the control unit 330 controls the communication unit 310 to send a notification of a service solicitation to the information terminal 50. The control unit 330 also has a function of generating one or more delivery plans for the delivery of the package L when the communication unit 310 receives a delivery request for the package L. The control unit 330 also has a function of approving a user who has been determined as a candidate for the service provider by the candidate designation unit 340 (described later) as a service provider based on the user's response to the solicitation for the provision of services. When the control unit 330 approves one user as a service provider, the control unit 330 selects and approves one delivery plan from the generated delivery plans that extends to the service provider's possible delivery location (the package collection point as seen from the service provider U).

[0042] The control unit 330 refers to the storage unit 320 to acquire the availability of delivery slots for each delivery means and the delivery locations for each delivery means. The control unit 330 generates a delivery plan by specifying delivery means, delivery slots, delivery locations, and delivery routes based on the acquired availability of delivery slots and the delivery locations for each delivery means. At this time, the control unit 330 may also generate the delivery plan based on a weather forecast for the delivery route. For example, if the weather forecast for a certain delivery route indicates bad weather, the control unit 330 may specify, as a delivery means for the delivery route, a delivery means other than an autonomous mobile object that travels by air and is affected by bad weather (especially weather with high wind speeds).

[0043] When the control unit 330 selects and approves one delivery plan, it generates delivery instruction information based on the delivery plan, including information specifying a delivery means and a delivery slot. Furthermore, the control unit 330 may transmit the delivery instruction information to a delivery person terminal (not shown in FIG. 1) used by a delivery person. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may communicate directly with the unmanned mobile body 10A and transmit the delivery instruction information. Alternatively, if there is a manager who operates the unmanned mobile body 10A from a remote location, the control unit 330 may transmit the delivery instruction information to an information terminal (e.g., a PC) used by the manager. As a result, the package L is delivered based on the delivery plan generated and approved by the server 30.

[0044] (Candidate determination unit 340) The candidate designation unit 340 has a function of designating one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing the service of collecting and delivering packages from the package collection point as candidates for service providers. More specifically, when the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330 includes a delivery plan that combines delivery by the mobile object 10 to a delivery location where delivery is possible and collection and delivery by a service provider from the delivery location (package collection point), the candidate designation unit 340 designates candidates for service providers related to the delivery plan from among pre-registered users. Hereinafter, in this specification, a user refers to a user who has been pre-registered as a user who may be a candidate for a service provider. User registration may be performed by transmitting user information entered by each user operating the information terminal 50 to the server 30 and storing it in the storage unit 320. Alternatively, the storage unit 320 may previously hold user information.

[0045] The candidate designator 340 designates users who are presumed to be able to provide the above-mentioned services as candidates for service providers based on the luggage collection time slot at the luggage collection point, the user's current location, the user's means of transportation, and the user's previously determined scheduled service provision status (including, for example, the distance between the delivery destination and the current location and the required time). The luggage collection time slot may be determined based on the delivery slot of the mobile object 10 and the availability of the luggage collection point when the delivery plan is generated by the control unit 330. Alternatively, if the delivery request for luggage L includes the collection of luggage L, the luggage collection time slot may be the desired collection time. In addition, the candidate designator 340 acquires each user's current location and the user's previously determined scheduled service provision status from the information terminal 50 via the communication unit 310.

[0046] In the process of determining candidates for service providers, the candidate designator 340 estimates the user's estimated location at each time and a travel route from the user's current location to the baggage collection point based on the user's current location and the determined scheduled service provision status. The candidate designator 340 determines a predetermined number of users who are estimated to be able to provide services as candidates for service providers based on the estimated location and travel route. At this time, the upper limit of the number of users to be determined as candidates may be set in advance by the operator of the server 30.

[0047] For example, the candidate designation unit 340 may determine, as service provider candidates, users who are estimated to be able to travel to the luggage collection point and deliver the luggage to its destination during the luggage collection time period, starting with the user with the shortest travel route from their current location to the luggage collection point. Alternatively, the candidate designation unit 340 may determine, as service provider candidates, one or more users in descending order of estimated arrival time at the luggage collection point. Alternatively, if the luggage L is a luggage for which a controlled temperature range is set, such as a refrigerated product, the candidate designation unit 340 may acquire a waiting time indicating the time during which the luggage L can wait at the luggage collection point, determined based on the controlled temperature range. The waiting time may be determined in advance for each type of luggage L and stored in the storage unit 320. The candidate designation unit 340 may determine, as service provider candidates, users who are estimated to be able to arrive at the luggage collection point within the waiting time from the estimated arrival time of the luggage at the luggage collection point.

[0048] (Notification generation unit 350) The notification generation unit 350 has a function of generating a notification of recruitment of service providers. The recruitment notification generated by the notification generation unit 350 is transmitted to the information terminal 50 used by the user who has been determined as a candidate for the service provider under the control of the control unit 330. Alternatively, the server 30 may be provided with a display unit not shown in Fig. 3, and in that case, the recruitment notification may be displayed on the display unit under the control of the control unit 330.

[0049] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 3. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0050] <2-2. Information terminal 50> 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 50 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the information terminal 50 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 510, a control unit 530, and an operation display unit 540.

[0051] (Communication unit 510) The communication unit 510 performs various communications with the server 30. For example, the communication unit 510 receives a notification of a service solicitation from the server 30. Furthermore, the communication unit 510 transmits to the server 30 a notification that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation, based on an operation by the service provider U.

[0052] (Control unit 530) The control unit 530 controls the overall operation of the information terminal 50. For example, the control unit 530 controls the transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 510. For example, the control unit 530 causes the communication unit 510 to transmit to the server 30 information relating to the execution status of the currently determined service of the service provider U, which information is input via the operation display unit 540.

[0053] (Operation display section 540) The operation display unit 540 functions as an operation unit that can input information regarding the status of the service provided by the service provider U, such as collection or delivery of the package L. For example, the service provider U can respond to a service recruitment notice by operating the operation display unit 540. The operation of responding to the service recruitment notice may be, for example, pressing an apply button displayed on the operation display unit 540. The service provider U can also notify the server 30 of the start or completion of a decided service by operating the operation display unit 540. Alternatively, the service provider U can view information related to the service being offered or decided (such as the location of the package collection point or the travel route) by operating the operation display unit 540.

[0054] The function of operation display unit 540 as an operation unit can be realized by, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard. Also, the function of the display unit can be realized by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. Note that the function as a display unit and the function as an operation unit may be configured separately.

[0055] The information terminal 50 may also be equipped with a microphone not shown in Fig. 4, in which case the service provider U may use the microphone to input by voice the status of the service being performed, such as delivery or collection of the package L. The information terminal 50 may also be equipped with a speaker not shown in Fig. 4, in which case the service provider U may confirm information about the service by the voice output from the speaker.

[0056] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 has been described above with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0057] <3. Example of operation> FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment in determining candidates for service providers and approving delivery plans.

[0058] First, the communication unit 310 of the server 30 receives a request (delivery request) to deliver or collect a package (S101). When the delivery request is received, the control unit 330 of the server 30 generates a delivery plan (S103). Of the generated delivery plans, for example, one or more delivery plans with a short total delivery time or a low total delivery fee may be preferentially stored as the generated delivery plan and proceed to the next step.

[0059] If the generated delivery plans do not include a delivery plan that combines the collection and delivery of the package by the service provider with another delivery means (S107 / NO), the control unit 330 selects and approves one of the generated delivery plans (S119). At this time, the control unit 330 may, for example, prioritize the selection of a delivery plan in which the delivery means is the unmanned mobile unit 10A over a delivery plan in which the delivery means is a delivery person using the manned mobile unit 10B. This promotes the use of the unmanned mobile unit 10A and allows the selection of a delivery plan with higher delivery efficiency. Furthermore, instead of the determination in step S107, when the delivery destination location included in the delivery request is outside a predetermined range from the location where the mobile unit 10 starts delivery (e.g., warehouse WH, the current location of the mobile unit 10, or the current area of ​​responsibility), a delivery plan may be generated that combines delivery by the delivery means to a delivery point (relay point) and collection and delivery by the service provider U from the delivery point to the delivery destination. In that case, the process may proceed to step S109 without going through step S107.

[0060] In S107, if the generated delivery plans include a delivery plan that combines collection and delivery of packages by a service provider with other delivery means (S107 / YES), the candidate designator 340 of the server 30 designates candidate service providers (S109). The notification generator 350 generates a notification of the recruitment of services. The controller 330 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit the recruitment notification to the information terminal 50 used by the user selected as a candidate (S111).

[0061] If the user does not respond to the solicitation (S113 / NO), the control unit 330 changes the originally specified delivery slot or package collection point in the delivery plan that combines package collection and delivery by the service provider with other delivery means (S115). Next, the server 30 repeatedly executes the processes of S115 and S107 to S113 until one of the users responds to the solicitation of service in S113. As a result, if no user responds to the solicitation of service provision, matching of candidate service providers is performed again using the same delivery means but a different delivery slot or package collection point. Note that if there is a deadline for the arrival time of the package at the delivery destination, the server 30 may repeat the processes of S115 and S107 to S113 within a certain limited number of times or a certain limited time within which the matching process can be repeated until the user responds to the solicitation of service. If the number of times the process is repeated exceeds the above-mentioned limit number of times and time limit, the server 30 may select another delivery plan that does not require the service provider to provide the service, or may generate a new delivery plan and select and approve that new delivery plan.

[0062] In S113, if the user responds to the recruitment (S113 / YES), the control unit 330 approves the user who responded to the recruitment as a service provider (S117). At this time, the control unit 330 may cause the communication unit 310 to transmit a notification that the provision of the service has been decided to the information terminal 50 used by the user.

[0063] The control unit 330 selects and approves one delivery plan to the package collection point, which combines collection and delivery of the package L by the service provider with other delivery means (S119).

[0064] An example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment for determining candidates for service providers and approving delivery plans has been described above with reference to FIG.

[0065] <4. Hardware configuration example> The information processing described above is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware of the server 30, which will be described below. The hardware configuration described below can also be applied to the information terminal 50.

[0066] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 30 includes a control unit 330, a memory 31, a storage 32, a transmission / reception unit 33, an input / output unit 34, and the like, which are electrically connected to one another via a bus 35.

[0067] The control unit 330 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the server 30, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing necessary for application execution and authentication processing, etc. For example, the control unit 330 is a CPU and / or GPU, and executes programs for this system stored in the storage 32 and deployed in the memory 31 to perform various information processing as described above.

[0068] The memory 31 includes a main memory configured with a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory configured with a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The memory 31 is used as a work area for the control unit 330, and also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is executed when the server 30 is started, various setting information, etc.

[0069] The storage 32 stores various programs such as application programs, etc. A database that stores data used for each process may be constructed in the storage 32.

[0070] The transceiver 33 connects the server 30 to a network and / or a blockchain network. The transceiver 33 may include a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0071] The input / output unit 34 includes information input devices such as a keyboard, a microphone, and a mouse, and output devices such as a display and a speaker.

[0072] A bus 35 is commonly connected to the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0073] <5. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0074] For example, in the above embodiment, the candidate designation unit 340 determines users who are presumed to be able to provide services as candidate service providers based on the luggage collection time zone at the luggage collection point, the user's current location, the user's mode of transportation, and the user's previously determined service provision schedule. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the candidate designation unit 340 may preliminarily acquire service provision availability conditions indicating the conditions under which each user is able to provide services. Possible service provision availability conditions include, for example, the area in which each user can collect and deliver luggage, or the time period during which each user can respond to a service request without receiving a solicitation notification. In this case, the candidate designation unit 340 may immediately approve users who meet the service provision availability conditions as service providers without notifying users selected as candidate service providers of the solicitation. This allows the control unit 330 to immediately approve any user as a service provider without waiting for the user to respond to the solicitation. This further reduces the time required for the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330 to be approved.

[0075] Furthermore, the steps in the processing of the operations of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 according to this embodiment do not necessarily need to be processed in chronological order according to the order depicted in the explanatory diagrams. For example, the steps in the processing of the operations of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 may be processed in an order different from the order depicted in the explanatory diagrams, or may be processed in parallel.

[0076] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present invention may achieve other effects that will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification, in addition to or in place of the above-described effects.

[0077] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes the hardware, such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM, built into the server 30 and the information terminal 50 to perform functions equivalent to those of the respective components of the server 30 and the information terminal 50 described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Mobile 30 servers 310 Communications Department 320 Storage section 330 Control Unit 340 Candidate Decision Department 350 Notification generator 50 Information terminal 510 Communications Department 530 Control Unit 540 Operation display section

Claims

1. a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated to a package collection point of the service provider. Information processing system.

2. a notification generating unit that generates a notification of the recruitment of the service provider; the control unit approves the user determined as the candidate as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit acquires service provision availability conditions indicating conditions under which a service can be provided to each of the users; selecting a user who satisfies the service provision availability conditions from among the users determined as the candidates, and approving the user as the service provider; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. the candidate designation unit determines, as a candidate service provider, a user who is estimated to be able to provide the service based on a baggage collection time period at the baggage collection point, a current location of the user, a means of transportation of the user, and a determined service provision schedule status of the user; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated to a package collection point of the service provider. Information processing device.

6. generating one or more delivery plans including delivery routes and delivery means for the packages; determining one or more users who are estimated to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When one user is approved as the service provider from among the users determined as the candidates, selecting and approving one of the delivery plans to a package collection point of the service provider from among the generated delivery plans; 2. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising:

7. Computer, a control unit that generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package; a candidate determination unit that determines one or more users who are presumed to be able to provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as candidates for the service provider; When the control unit approves one user from the users determined as the candidates as the service provider, the control unit selects and approves one of the delivery plans generated to a package collection point of the service provider. A program to function as a

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