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

Abstract

To provide a technique that contributes to further streamlining of package delivery or collection.SOLUTION: An information processing system is provided, comprising a communication unit configured to make a service recruitment notification to a service provider terminal used by a service provider candidate for providing collection and delivery service for a package, the candidate being expected to be able to provide collection and delivery service for the package according to conditions related to collection and delivery of the package by other different delivery means; a control unit configured to approve the service provider candidate as the service provider; and a screen generation unit configured to generate a notification of information related to the collection and delivery service for the package.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 the social environment, and other factors have led to a rapid increase in demand for logistics services such as the delivery and collection of packages. With this sudden increase in demand, labor shortages in logistics have become a fundamental challenge for maintaining stable logistics functions themselves. Therefore, various technologies for efficiently delivering or collecting packages 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 packages 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 communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the package collection and delivery services using other different delivery means, a control unit that approves the candidate service provider who can provide package collection and delivery services as a service provider, and a screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the package collection and delivery.

[0008] In addition, according to the present invention, an information processing device is provided which includes a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the package collection and delivery services by other different delivery means, a control unit that approves the candidate service provider who can provide package collection and delivery services as a service provider, and a screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the package collection and delivery.

[0009] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, which includes notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the package collection and delivery services by other different delivery means, approving the candidate service provider who can provide package collection and delivery services as a service provider, and generating a notification of information related to the package collection and delivery.

[0010] In addition, according to the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, which includes a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services in accordance with conditions related to the package collection and delivery services using other different delivery means, a control unit that approves the candidate service provider who can provide package collection and delivery services as a service provider, and a screen generation unit that generates a notification of information related to the package collection and delivery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [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] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server 30 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 to notify a customer of a package collection and delivery service offer. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333, showing a travel route from the current location of a candidate service provider to a baggage collection point. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 to notify a customer of a package collection and delivery service offer. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333, showing a travel route from a baggage collection point for a service that has been determined by a candidate service provider to a baggage collection point for another service. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a screen generated by the screen generation unit 333 to notify a customer of a package collection and delivery service offer. [Figure 10] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a holding device 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a first sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a second sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 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

[0012] 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 communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by a different delivery means; a control unit that approves candidate service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; a screen generating unit that generates a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; An information processing system comprising: [Item 2] The control unit acquiring location information of the candidate service provider and information on the determined service provision schedule status from the service provider terminal; determining a destination to which the notification of the recruitment is to be sent by the communication unit based on the location information of the candidate service provider, the scheduled status of service provision, and the means of transportation of the candidate service provider stored in advance in a storage unit; Item 1. An information processing system according to item 1. [Item 3] The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes current location base task information, which is information regarding the service that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide by the control unit based on at least one of a distance from the current location of the candidate service provider to a parcel collection point, a travel route, and a travel time. Item 2. An information processing system according to item 2. [Item 4] The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes determined task base point information, which is information regarding the service that the candidate service provider is estimated by the control unit to be able to provide, based on at least one of the distance, travel route, and travel time from a parcel collection point or delivery destination in the determined service of the service provider to a parcel collection point of another service. Item 3. The information processing system according to item 3. [Item 5] The control unit generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package by the other different delivery means to the package collection point; approve the user determined as a candidate for the service provider as the service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment; If the service provider is approved, select and approve one of the delivery plans; Item 4. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 6] the control unit acquires service provision availability conditions indicating conditions under which a service can be provided to each user; 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 4. An information processing system according to item 4. [Item 7] The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes irregular task information, which is information regarding a notification soliciting potential service providers for the service of collecting and delivering the parcel in the delivery section for which delivery by the other different delivery means is planned in the delivery plan generated by the control unit. Item 5. An information processing system according to item 5. [Item 8] The irregular task information is information regarding a notification of a solicitation for collection and delivery services of the package based on a delivery request in which the package delivery requester does not specify a collection or delivery time, or a delivery request in which there is a certain amount of time remaining from the current time until the specified delivery time of the package, Item 7. The information processing system according to item 7. [Item 9] Displaying the recruitment notice; an operation display unit that accepts an application operation by the user in response to the recruitment notice; Item 9. The information processing system according to item 8, further comprising: [Item 10] The system further includes an authentication unit that performs authentication processing to determine whether a request for package collection authentication, which is authentication for package collection by the service provider, is a request from the service provider approved by the control unit. Item 10. The information processing system according to item 9. [Item 11] When the authentication unit determines that the request for authentication to collect the package is a request from the service provider of the package, the control unit controls the package to be taken out from a holding device in which the package is held. Item 11. The information processing system according to item 10. [Item 12] the holding device is an unmanned moving body, When the authentication unit determines that the request for package collection authentication for the package is a request from the service provider of the approved package collection and delivery service, the control unit controls the unmanned mobile body to enable the package to be taken out. Item 12. The information processing system according to item 11. [Item 13] Item 12. The information processing system according to item 11, wherein the holding device holds the luggage released from the unmanned vehicle. [Item 14] The holding device the authentication unit; an authentication communication unit that receives information related to the authentication from the service provider terminal; Item 12. The information processing system according to Item 11, comprising: [Item 15] the communication unit receives identification information transmitted from the service provider terminal, The authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information. Item 11. The information processing system according to item 10. [Item 16] the authentication unit authenticates the collection of the package by the service provider in response to a request for authentication from the service provider terminal based on identification information related to a holding device on which the package is held; Item 16. The information processing system according to item 15. [Item 17] When the authentication unit has performed the package collection authentication of the service provider, the control unit acknowledges that the service provider has started providing the package collection and delivery service. Item 11. The information processing system according to item 10. [Item 18] the communication unit receives identification information transmitted from a recipient terminal used by a recipient of the package at the delivery destination of the package; the authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information in response to an authentication request for delivery of the package from the service provider terminal. Item 18. The information processing system according to item 17. [Item 19] When the authentication unit authenticates the delivery of the package by the service provider, the control unit acknowledges that the service provider has completed the collection and delivery service of the package and that the package has been delivered to the delivery destination. Item 19. The information processing system according to item 18. [Item 20] a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by a different delivery means; a control unit that approves candidate service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; a screen generating unit that generates a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; An information processing device comprising: [Item 21] Notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by other different delivery means; Approving potential service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; generating a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of said package; 2. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: [Item 22] Computer, a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by a different delivery means; a control unit that approves candidate service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; a screen generating unit that generates a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; A program for causing an information processing device to function as an information processing device.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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 particular need to distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is used to distinguish each of the multiple components.

[0015] <1. Overview of an Information Processing System According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention> One 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 one 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 using a hub-and-spoke method like conventional delivery systems. Furthermore, the present invention can improve convenience for service providers that provide package collection and delivery services.

[0016] 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 an information terminal 10, a holding device 20, and a server 30. The information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network.

[0017] (Information terminal 10) The information terminal 10 is a terminal used by a party involved in a delivery or collection service. For example, the information terminal 10 may be any of various terminals such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0018] The information terminal 10 also includes a service provider terminal 10A used by a service provider U that provides a service of collecting a package L that has been delivered to a specified package collection point by a different delivery means and delivering it to a delivery destination D. For example, the service provider U may use the service provider terminal 10A to view a notification regarding a solicitation for the provision of a service received from the server 30.

[0019] The service provider terminal 10A 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 service provider terminal 10A. Furthermore, the service provider U can respond to the solicitation by operating the service provider terminal 10A. When the service provider U performs an operation to respond to the solicitation on the service provider terminal 10A (for example, by operating the accept button displayed on the screen), the service provider terminal 10A notifies the server 30 that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation.

[0020] Furthermore, the service provider terminal 10A has a function of displaying various information related to the above recruitment to the service provider U under the control of the server 30. For example, the service provider terminal 10A can display to the service provider U information such as the location of the baggage collection point related to the service that has been decided to be provided, the current location of the service provider U, or the travel route from a stopover point.

[0021] Furthermore, based on the operation of the service provider U, the service provider terminal 10A requests the server 30 to authenticate the collection of luggage when the service provider U collects the luggage from the holding device 20 (hereinafter referred to as luggage collection authentication). If the server 30 determines that the authentication is successful, it controls the holding device 20 to enable the luggage held in the holding device 20 to be taken out, and acknowledges that the service provider U has started providing the service (hereinafter also referred to as a task). Hereinafter, luggage collection authentication is also referred to as authentication of the start of the service already decided by the service provider U.

[0022] Furthermore, based on the operation of the service provider U, the service provider terminal 10A requests the server 30 to authenticate the delivery of the package L when the service provider U delivers the package L to the recipient R (hereinafter referred to as package delivery authentication). At this time, the service provider terminal 10A may display an authentication image in response to the authentication request from the server 30. When the server 30 receives identification information read from the authentication image from the recipient terminal 10B, the server 30 performs authentication processing for package delivery authentication using the identification information. For example, the server 30 may perform the authentication processing by checking whether the package ID of the package L, which is an example of the identification information, and the service provider ID of the service provider U are linked to each other in the database of the server 30. If it is determined that the package delivery authentication is successful, the server 30 may acknowledge that the service provider U has completed the task for the package L. Hereinafter, package delivery authentication is also referred to as authentication of the completion of service provision. The baggage delivery authentication may be performed by the server 30 in response to the service provider U completing the delivery operation on the service provider terminal 10A (for example, by operating a completion button displayed on the screen).

[0023] The information terminal 10 also includes a recipient terminal 10B used by a recipient R who receives the package L at the delivery destination. For example, the recipient R may use the recipient terminal 10B to read an authentication image displayed on the screen of the service provider terminal 10A in accordance with instructions displayed on the service provider U or the service provider terminal 10A used by the service provider U. The server 30 may receive, from the recipient terminal 10B, identification information acquired by reading the authentication image. The server 30 may also perform authentication processing for package delivery authentication using the received identification information.

[0024] 1, the information processing system according to this embodiment includes two information terminals 10, the service provider terminal 10A and the recipient terminal 10B, but the number of information terminals 10 is not limited to two. The information processing system according to this embodiment may include two or more information terminals 10.

[0025] (Holding device 20) The holding device 20 is a device capable of holding luggage. The holding device 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can hold luggage. The holding device 20 may be an unmanned mobile body that moves by autonomous control using input information regarding two locations for delivering luggage, such as a start point (e.g., a delivery start position of the luggage L or a movement start position of the holding device 20) and an end point (e.g., a pickup position of the luggage L), or three or more locations including a relay point (e.g., a collection position of the luggage L in the case of a delivery that involves collection of the luggage 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). Furthermore, the holding device 20 may be an unmanned mobile body that moves by remote control using operation information remotely input by an administrator who manages the unmanned mobile body.

[0026] The unmanned moving body may be, for example, a drone that moves by autonomous control, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that moves by remote control by an administrator, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), or other vehicle that moves on land, or a ship that moves on water such as a sea or river. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the holding device 20A is a drone.

[0027] Furthermore, the unmanned mobile body may be a mobile body that can travel on at least two routes, namely, land, water, and air.

[0028] The holding device 20 may also be a delivery box installed outdoors and capable of storing delivered packages. The delivery box may hold packages released from an unmanned mobile object, and preferably has a mechanism for automatically taking packages into the delivery box, particularly for the unmanned mobile object 10B. The holding device 20 may also be a storage unit that is delivered together with the package and detached from the unmanned mobile object, or a storage unit with an electronic lock in which the package is stored. When the server 30 determines that authentication performed in response to an authentication request received from the service provider terminal 10A is successful, the holding device 20 allows the held package to be removed under the control of the server 30. If the delivery box has an electronic lock function, the storage unit in which the package is stored may be unlocked based on unlocking information transmitted from the server 30 to the service provider terminal 10A. The unlocking information may be an unlocking code, or the service provider may directly operate the storage box to input the unlocking code, or the service provider terminal 10A may input the unlocking code via communication.

[0029] (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 each delivery means, such as holding device 20A, 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. 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 allowing server 30 to receive the delivery request.

[0030] 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. The delivery means may be, for example, a drone, UAV, or UGV that realizes the holding device 20. Alternatively, the delivery means may be a delivery person who transports the package using a mobile object such as a vehicle (e.g., a passenger car, a light truck, a light van, or other cargo vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a kick scooter, etc.). In addition, the server 30 generates a delivery plan from the warehouse WH to the package collection point CP, which is the final point where each delivery means can deliver. At this time, the server 30 may solicit service providers U to collect and deliver the package L for the section from the package collection point CP to the delivery destination D. In this way, the server 30 can generate a delivery plan that combines delivery by a delivery means other than the service provider to the parcel collection point CP (relay point) and collection and delivery of the parcel by the service provider from the parcel collection point CP. Note that, if the delivery point available for each delivery means is the delivery destination of the parcel L, the server 30 may generate a delivery plan that does not use the service of collection and delivery of the parcel by the service provider. More specifically, the server 30 may specify only delivery means other than the service provided by the service provider, such as a drone, UAV, UGV, or delivery person, as the delivery means from the delivery start point of the parcel L to the delivery destination, which is the end point. Furthermore, the starting point is not limited to a warehouse, and may be, for example, a store such as a retail store or a restaurant.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 generates a delivery plan in which the holding device 20A delivers the package L in the section from the warehouse WH to the package collection point CP1. Furthermore, the server 30 designates a deliverable point, which is a point where delivery by the holding device 20A is possible, as the package collection point CP1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the package collection point CP1 is a point (drone stand) where the holding device 20A can take off and land and where the package L can be handed over.

[0032] Furthermore, the server 30 has a matching function for determining candidate service providers who can provide services related to the collection and delivery of the package L from the package collection point CP1. The server 30 determines candidate service providers from among a plurality of pre-registered users. Furthermore, the server 30 notifies users who have been determined as candidate service providers of the solicitation of service offers.

[0033] The service provider U can view the above-mentioned recruitment notification received from the server 30 on the service provider terminal 10A. In addition, the service provider U can respond to the recruitment (apply) by operating the service provider terminal 10A.

[0034] When any user responds to the solicitation for service provision, the server 30 can select and approve from the generated delivery plans a delivery plan that combines collection and delivery of the package by the service provider.

[0035] When the server 30 approves one delivery plan, it manages various schedules related to delivery or collection related to the delivery plan, such as specifying the delivery means related to the delivery plan and reserving time slots. For example, the server 30 may register a delivery schedule related to the delivery or collection of the package L in the delivery slot of the delivery person or holding device 20 that delivers the package L. 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 holding device 20.

[0036] 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 holding device 20 (e.g., an unmanned vehicle) or the deliverer is divided into predetermined delivery slots (e.g., 15 minutes), and the holding device 20A 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 multiple candidate delivery points (parcel collection points).

[0037] For example, a delivery plan DS set for a certain delivery point (such as the parcel collection point CP shown in Figure 1) includes two types of delivery slots: a "full" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as a "full slot DF"), which indicates that the delivery schedule by the holding device 20A or the deliverer has already been filled, and an "empty" delivery slot (hereinafter referred to as an "empty slot DE"), which indicates that there is a vacant delivery slot in the delivery schedule by the holding device 20A or the deliverer.

[0038] Furthermore, based on the approved delivery plan, the server 30 generates delivery instruction information for instructing the holding device 20A 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 holding device 20A or to a delivery person terminal (not shown) used by the delivery person. The holding device 20A or the delivery person performs the work of delivering and collecting the package L in accordance with the delivery instruction information. As a result, when a service provider capable of providing package collection and delivery services in a section beyond a delivery point by each delivery means is approved, the server 30 executes delivery of the package L by combining the provision of services by the service provider with other delivery means such as the holding device 20A. This allows for more efficient delivery using a variety of delivery means.

[0039] The information processing system according to this embodiment has been outlined above. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10, the server 30, and the holding device 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0040] <2. Functional configuration example> <2-1. Information terminal 10> 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal 10 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 130, an operation display unit 150, and a position measurement unit 170.

[0041] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 performs various communications with the server 30. For example, the communication unit 110A of the service provider terminal 10A receives a notification of a service solicitation from the server 30. Furthermore, the communication unit 110A transmits a notification to the server 30 that the service provider U has responded to the solicitation, based on an operation by the service provider U. Furthermore, the communication unit 110A transmits an authentication request to the server 30. At this time, the authentication request may include identification information used in the authentication process by the server 30. The identification information may be a service provider ID that uniquely identifies the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A, and identification information related to the holding device 20, which will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, when the communication unit 110B of the recipient terminal 10B reads the authentication image on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A that is presented when the package is handed over from the service provider U, the communication unit 110B transmits a notification that the authentication image has been read and the identification information read from the authentication image to the server 30. The identification information may be, for example, the package ID of the package L addressed to the recipient R.

[0043] (control unit 130) The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the information terminal 10. For example, the control unit 130 controls the transmission and reception of various information by the communication unit 110. For example, the control unit 130A of the service provider terminal 10A causes the communication unit 110A 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 150A.

[0044] (Operation display section 150) The operation display unit 150 functions as an operation unit capable of accepting various operations by users of the information terminal 10, such as the service provider U or the recipient R. For example, the operation display unit 150A accepts input operations for information regarding the status of the service provided by the service provider U to collect or deliver the package L. The service provider U can respond to the notice of the recruitment of services by operating the operation display unit 150A. The operation of responding to the notice of the recruitment of services may be, for example, an operation of pressing an apply button displayed on the operation display unit 150A.

[0045] Moreover, by operating the operation display unit 150A, the service provider U can request authentication of the start of the determined service (baggage collection authentication) or authentication of the completion of the service (baggage delivery authentication) from the server 30. Furthermore, by operating the operation display unit 150A, the service provider U can view information related to the currently recruited or determined service (such as the location of the baggage collection point or the travel route).

[0046] Furthermore, the operation display unit 150B can accept an operation to read an authentication image on the operation display unit 150A presented by the service provider U, based on an operation by the recipient R. In this case, the recipient terminal 10B may be equipped with a camera not shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the recipient terminal 10B may read identification information used for authentication from the authentication image using the camera, based on an operation on the operation display unit 150B.

[0047] The function of operation display unit 150 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.

[0048] The information terminal 10 may also be equipped with a microphone not shown in Fig. 3, 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 10 may also be equipped with a speaker not shown in Fig. 3, in which case the service provider U may confirm information about the service by the voice output from the speaker.

[0049] (Positioning unit 170) The positioning unit 170 has a function of calculating the absolute or relative position of the information terminal 10. For example, the positioning unit 170 may detect the current position based on an externally acquired signal. Specifically, for example, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) may be used, which receives radio waves from an artificial satellite to detect the current position of the information terminal 10. In addition to the GNSS, a method of detecting the position may be used, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), transmission and reception with a mobile phone, PHS, smartphone, or the like, or short-range communication. The positioning unit 170 may also estimate information indicating a relative change in the position of the information terminal 10 based on the detection results of an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or the like.

[0050] An example of the functional configuration of the information terminal 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 3. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0051] <2-2.Server 30> 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 30 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0052] The control unit 330 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) being loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or implemented by a combination of multiple pieces of hardware.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (Communication unit 310) The communication unit 310 performs various communications between the information terminal 10 and external terminals such as the holding device 20. For example, the communication unit 310 transmits a notification of a service solicitation to the service provider terminal 10A under the control of the control unit 330. The communication unit 310 also receives a notification from the service provider terminal 10A that a service provider U has responded to the service solicitation. The communication unit 310 also receives, from the service provider terminal 10A, positioning information such as the current location of the service provider U, information on the current task execution status input to the service provider terminal 10A by the operation of the service provider U, and an authentication request. The communication unit 310 also accepts delivery requests by communicating with the smartphone used by the general consumer (requester) or an external terminal installed in a store or the like.

[0055] (Storage unit 320) The storage unit 320 stores software and various data. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information on 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 on the areas in which the service can be provided.

[0056] The storage unit 320 also stores various information related to the generation of delivery plans. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information related to each delivery means, delivery locations for each delivery means, availability of each delivery location, availability of delivery slots for each delivery means, and information related to delivery requests (for example, location information such as the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery request, the type and number of packages L, etc.).

[0057] The storage unit 320 also stores a service provider ID, which is identification information for uniquely identifying a service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A.

[0058] The storage unit 320 also stores information about the package L. The information about the package L includes, for example, identification information of the package L, the estimated arrival time of the package L, whether the package L is a frozen product, whether the package L is a sensitive item that requires careful handling, such as upside down, must not be stacked, is perishable, or is fragile, the means of delivery of the package L, and information about the recipient R to whom the package L is addressed.

[0059] The memory unit 320 also stores a database of identification information of the package L and information on a service provider U approved as a service provider for providing collection and delivery services for the package L. For example, the database stored in the memory unit 320 may associate the service provider ID of the service provider U linked to the package ID, which is the identification information of the package L. The linking of the package ID and the service provider ID in the memory unit 320 may be performed under the control of the control unit 330 when the control unit 330 approves a service provider for the collection and delivery services of a certain package. The authentication unit 335, which will be described later, performs authentication processing for package collection authentication or package delivery authentication based on the database stored in the memory unit 320.

[0060] (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 recruitment to the service provider terminal 10A. The control unit 330 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.

[0061] The control unit 330 also controls the communication unit 310 to transmit a service recruitment notification to users who have been determined as service provider candidates by the candidate designation unit 331, which will be described later. The control unit 330 acquires, from each of the service provider terminals 10A used by the users who have been determined as service provider candidates, information regarding the location information of the service provider candidate and the determined service provision schedule status of the service provider candidate (including, for example, the distance between the delivery destination and the current location and the required time). Furthermore, the control unit 330 determines a destination to which the recruitment notification should be sent based on the location information of the service provider candidate, the service provision schedule status, and the means of transportation of the service provider candidate stored in the storage unit 320.

[0062] For example, the control unit 330 may determine a candidate service provider who is estimated to be able to provide a service as the recipient of the notification of the recruitment of the service, based on at least one of the distance from the current location of the candidate service provider to the baggage collection point, the travel route, and the travel time. Hereinafter, information about a service that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide, based on the current location of the candidate service provider, will be referred to as current location-based task information.

[0063] Alternatively, the control unit 330 may determine candidate service providers who are estimated to be able to provide a service as recipients of the notification of the solicitation for the service, based on at least one of the distance, travel route, and travel time from the package collection point or delivery destination of the service already determined by the service provider to the package collection point of another service. In other words, the control unit 330 calculates the estimated location of the service provider at each time based on information such as the package collection point, package collection time slot, and delivery destination of the task already determined by the service provider. Based on the calculated estimated location, the control unit 330 estimates whether the service provider can provide a task other than the already determined task. The control unit 330 then designates the service providers estimated to be able to provide the service for the other task as candidates for the service provider for the other task and notifies the candidates of the solicitation for the other task. Hereinafter, information regarding other services that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide, based on either the parcel collection point or delivery destination of the candidate service provider's determined service, will be referred to as determined task base information.

[0064] Furthermore, if certain conditions are met for a section of the generated delivery plan where collection and delivery of packages by delivery personnel or delivery means such as a holding device 20 such as a drone are planned, the control unit 330 may notify potential service providers of a recruitment for package collection and delivery services for that section.

[0065] The predetermined condition may be, for example, that the delivery request related to the delivery plan does not include time-designated pickup or delivery information from the requester. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be that the delivery request related to the delivery plan has a certain amount of time remaining between the current time when the communication unit 310 receives the delivery request and the designated delivery time of the package. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be that when the delivery destination location included in the delivery request is outside a predetermined range (i.e., outside the delivery area for the holding device 20 or the delivery person) from the location where the holding device 20 or the delivery person starts delivery (e.g., the warehouse WH, the current location of the holding device 20, the current area of ​​responsibility, etc.), a delivery plan is generated that combines delivery by a 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. In this case, step S107 may be skipped and the process may proceed to step S109. Hereinafter, information regarding the collection and delivery service of a package based on a delivery request that satisfies the predetermined condition is referred to as irregular task information.

[0066] By having a service provider undertake services related to such irregular task information, delivery by the service provider can be utilized even in delivery sections where delivery means such as delivery personnel or holding devices 20 such as drones are normally selected when there is little time to spare. This broadens the options for delivery means in the delivery section. This allows for further efficiency in package collection and delivery. Furthermore, by recruiting for services related to such irregular task information, work opportunities for potential service providers increase. This also improves convenience for service providers.

[0067] Note that examples of the current location base point task information, the determined task base point information, and the irregular task information will be described in detail later in the explanation of an example of a recruitment notice generated by the screen generation unit 333.

[0068] Furthermore, the control unit 330 has a function of approving a user who has been determined as a candidate for a service provider as a service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment. When the control unit 330 approves a user as a service provider, it selects and approves one delivery plan from the generated delivery plans that extends to a delivery location of the service provider (a package collection point as seen from the service provider U).

[0069] 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 cause the communication unit 310 to transmit the delivery instruction information to a delivery person terminal used by the delivery person. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may control the communication unit 310 to communicate directly with the holding device 20A and transmit the delivery instruction information. Alternatively, if there is a manager who operates the holding device 20A in a remote location, the control unit 330 may cause the communication unit 310 to transmit the delivery instruction information to an information terminal (e.g., a PC) used by the manager. Thus, the package L is delivered based on the delivery plan generated and approved by the server 30.

[0070] (Candidate determination unit 331) The candidate designation unit 331 has a function of designating candidates for service providers of the service of collection and delivery of the package in accordance with conditions for collection and delivery of the package by a delivery means other than the service provided by the service provider. The control unit 330 designates the service provider terminal 10A used by the user designated as a candidate service provider by the candidate designation unit 331 as the destination of the recruitment notification.

[0071] More specifically, the candidate designation unit 331 has a function of designating one or more users who are presumed to be capable of providing services for collection and delivery of the package L from the package collection point as candidates for service providers, based on conditions such as the delivery means, delivery route, package collection point, and package collection time period included in the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330. The candidate designation unit 331 designates candidates for service providers related to the delivery plan from among pre-registered users. Hereinafter, in this specification, a user refers to a person who has been pre-registered as a potential candidate for a service provider. User registration may be performed by transmitting user information entered by each user operating the information terminal 10 to the server 30 and storing it in the storage unit 320. Alternatively, the storage unit 320 may hold user information in advance.

[0072] The candidate designation unit 331 designates users who are presumed to be able to provide services as candidates for service providers based on the luggage collection time slots at the luggage collection point, the user's location information, the user's candidate means of transportation, and the user's candidate service provision schedule status that has already been determined. The luggage collection time slots can be determined based on the delivery slots of each delivery means, such as the holding device 20A, 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 collection of luggage L, the luggage collection time slot can be the desired collection time. In addition, the candidate designation unit 331 acquires each user's current location and the user's candidate service provision schedule status from the information terminal 10 via the communication unit 310.

[0073] In the process of determining candidates for service providers, the candidate designator 331 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 331 determines users who are estimated to be able to provide services as candidates for service providers based on the estimated location and travel route, within a predetermined upper limit. At this time, the upper limit number of users to be determined as candidates may be set in advance by the operator of the server 30.

[0074] Alternatively, if the package L is a package for which a controlled temperature range is set, such as a product that needs to be refrigerated, the candidate designator 331 may acquire an allowable waiting time indicating the time for which the package L can wait at the package collection point, which is determined based on the controlled temperature range. The allowable waiting time may be determined in advance for each type of package L and stored in the storage unit 320. The candidate designator 331 may designate, as a candidate for the service provider, a user who is estimated to be able to arrive at the package collection point within the allowable waiting time from the estimated arrival time of the package at the package collection point.

[0075] (Screen generation unit 333) The screen generation unit 333 has a function of generating various screens. For example, the screen generation unit 333 generates a notification of recruitment of service providers. The recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 is transmitted to the service provider terminal 10A used by the user 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. 4, and in that case, the recruitment notification may be displayed on the display unit under the control of the control unit 330.

[0076] Here, an example of a recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of a screen for a recruitment notification for package collection and delivery services generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a recruitment notification screen 610 generated by the screen generation unit 333 is displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. The recruitment notification screen 610 is an example of current location base point task information. Note that each screen example will be described below using an example in which the service provider U shown in Fig. 1 is a candidate service provider.

[0077] The recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 may include information such as the type of service being recruited (collection task or delivery task), information about the luggage collection point for the task, the luggage collection time period, the delivery destination, and the remuneration if the potential service provider accepts the service. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the recruitment notification screen 610 indicates that the type of service being recruited is a collection task, the luggage collection point is drone stand A, and the luggage collection time period is between 10:00 and 10:15. The recruitment notification screen 610 also indicates the address of the delivery destination and the remuneration.

[0078] 5, a button B1 is displayed at the bottom of the recruitment notification screen 610. The service provider U can respond to the recruitment displayed on the recruitment notification screen 610 by pressing the button B1.

[0079] Furthermore, a travel route display button MB1 is displayed in the middle of the recruitment notification screen 610. By pressing the travel route display button MB1, the service provider U may be able to view a map and travel route from the service provider U's current location to the baggage collection point for the service related to the recruitment notification screen 610.

[0080] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a travel route from the current location of a service provider candidate to a baggage collection point, generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 6 is a screen to which transition occurs after the service provider U presses the travel route display button MB1 in the recruitment notification screen 610 shown in Fig. 5.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 6, the travel route screen 620 is a map screen including a current location CL1, a package collection point CP1, and a delivery destination D1. The current location CL1 indicates the current location of the service provider U. The package collection point CP1 indicates the location of the package collection point for the service related to the recruitment notification screen 610 shown in Fig. 5. The delivery destination D1 indicates the location of the delivery destination for the service.

[0082] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the travel route from the current location CL1 to the parcel collection point CP1 is indicated by a dotted line. The travel route from the parcel collection point CP1 to the delivery destination D1 is also indicated by a dotted line. The screen generation unit 333 generates the travel route screen 620 based on the location information of the service provider U acquired from the service provider terminal 10A, the location information of the parcel collection point related to the generated delivery plan, and the location information of the delivery destination. The screen generation unit 333 may also update the display of the current location CL1 and the travel route on the travel route screen 620 in real time in response to changes in the location information of the service provider U. Such notification of the recruitment and display of map information related to the recruitment make it easier for the service provider U to decide whether to accept each service recruitment. This improves convenience for the service provider U.

[0083] An example of a recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 has been described above with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Next, another example of a recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0084] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a screen for notifying a user of a service recruitment for collecting and delivering packages, generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a recruitment notification screen 630 generated by the screen generation unit 333 is displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. The recruitment notification screen 630 is also an example of determined task base point information.

[0085] 7, the recruitment notification screen 630 indicates that the type of service being recruited is a collection task, the package collection location is drone stand B, and the package collection time is between 10:00 and 10:15. The recruitment notification screen 630 also indicates the delivery address and the remuneration.

[0086] 7, a button B1 is displayed at the bottom of the recruitment notification screen 630. The service provider U can respond to the recruitment displayed on the recruitment notification screen 630 by pressing the button B1.

[0087] Furthermore, a travel route display button MB2 is displayed in the middle of the recruitment notification screen 630. By pressing the travel route display button MB2, the service provider U may be able to view a map and travel route from the baggage collection point of the task that the service provider U has decided to perform to the baggage collection point of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 630.

[0088] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a screen of a travel route from a baggage collection point for a service already determined by a candidate service provider to a baggage collection point for another service, generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 8 is a screen to which the service provider U transitions after pressing the travel route display button MB1 on the recruitment notification screen 630 shown in Fig. 7.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 8, the travel route screen 640 is a map screen including a current location CL1, delivery destination D1, package collection point CP2, and delivery destination D2. The current location CL1 indicates the current location of the service provider U, as explained with reference to Fig. 6. Furthermore, the delivery destination D1 indicates the location of the delivery destination of the service related to the recruitment notification screen 610 shown in Fig. 5, as explained with reference to Fig. 6.

[0090] The package collection point CP2 indicates the location of the package collection point for the service related to the recruitment notification screen 630 shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the delivery destination D2 indicates the location of the delivery destination for the service.

[0091] 8, the dotted line shows the route from delivery destination D1 to package collection point CP2, not the route from current location CL1. That is, it can be understood that the route from the location of the delivery destination for the service already determined by service provider U to the package collection point for another service for which new recruitment is being conducted is shown on the route screen 640. The route from package collection point CP2 to delivery destination D2 is also shown by a dotted line.

[0092] The screen generation unit 333 generates the travel route screen 640 based on the location information of the service provider U acquired from the service provider terminal 10A, the location information of the package collection point related to the generated delivery plan, and the location information of the delivery destination. Furthermore, the screen generation unit 333 may update the display of the current location CL1 and the travel route on the travel route screen 640 in real time in accordance with changes in the location information of the service provider U.

[0093] By receiving such a notification of a job posting related to the determined task base point information and displaying the travel route related to the job posting, the service provider U can more easily decide whether to apply for another task while taking into account the scheduled provision status of the service that has already been determined. This improves convenience for the service provider U. Furthermore, since it becomes easier for the service provider U to apply for a job posting notified by the server 30, the collection and delivery of packages using a variety of delivery means is promoted. This contributes to further improving the efficiency of package collection and delivery.

[0094] 7 and 8, another example of the recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 has been described. Next, another example of the recruitment notification generated by the screen generation unit 333 will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

[0095] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a notification screen for soliciting package collection and delivery services, generated by the screen generation unit 333. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an irregular task notification 650, an irregular task notification 660, and an irregular task notification 670 generated by the screen generation unit 333, displayed on the operation display unit 150A of the service provider terminal 10A. Furthermore, the irregular task notification 650, the irregular task notification 660, and the irregular task notification 670 are examples of irregular task information.

[0096] 9, it can be seen that each of the irregular task notifications 650 to 670 displays information about the irregular task for which a request is being made, such as the collection time period, collection location, task type, and delivery destination, separated by a slash mark. With this display, the service provider U can see an overview of the irregular tasks available for application on the operation display unit 150A.

[0097] The control unit 330 of the server 30 may determine the irregular task to be notified to the service provider terminal 10A used by the service provider U based on the distance between the current location of the service provider U and the package collection point related to each irregular task.

[0098] Furthermore, for example, if service provider U performs an operation of quickly pressing either irregular task notification 650, irregular task notification 660, or irregular task notification 670 twice in succession in the example screen shown in FIG. 9, the screen displayed on operation display unit 150A may transition to a recruitment notification screen showing detailed information about each of irregular task notification 650, irregular task notification 660, or irregular task notification 670.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, when the service provider U presses one of the irregular task notification 650, irregular task notification 660, and irregular task notification 670 in the example screen shown in Fig. 9, the pressed irregular task notification may be placed in a selected state. Furthermore, when the button B1 is further pressed while any of the irregular task notifications is selected, the service provider terminal 10A may notify the server 30 that the service provider U has applied for any of the irregular tasks of the irregular task notification 650, irregular task notification 660, or irregular task notification 670.

[0100] Another example of the screen for notifying the solicitation of package collection and delivery services, generated by the screen generation unit 333, has been described above with reference to FIG.

[0101] (Authentication section 335) 4, we will continue to explain an example of the functional configuration of the server 30. The authentication unit 335 has a function of performing authentication processing in response to an authentication request received from the information terminal 10. For example, the authentication unit 335 performs package collection authentication or package delivery authentication in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A.

[0102] More specifically, when the communication unit 310 receives a request for authentication for collecting a package L from the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing to determine whether the request is from a service provider U who is approved as a service provider for a certain package L. The authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing by referring to a database stored in the storage unit 320 and comparing the package ID with the service provider ID associated with each service provider U. If the comparison shows that the package ID included in the authentication request is associated with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A, the authentication unit 335 determines that the request for authentication for collecting a package L is from the approved service provider U. In this case, the authentication unit 335 also determines that the authentication is successful. On the other hand, if the comparison shows that the package ID is not associated with the service provider ID of the service provider U, the authentication unit 335 determines that the request for authentication for collecting a package L is not authentication from the approved service provider U. In this case, the authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication has failed.

[0103] Furthermore, the authentication unit 335 may authenticate the service provider U in response to an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A based on identification information related to the holding device 20. The identification information may be, for example, an identification code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) printed on, attached to, or contained within the exterior of the holding device 20, or identification information that can uniquely identify each holding device 20 and that can be obtained by the service provider terminal 10A reading an RFID. In this case, the received identification information related to the holding device 20 may be linked to a baggage ID that is previously assigned to the baggage L held by the holding device 20. In this way, when the authentication unit 335 performs authentication based on the identification information related to the holding device 20, the identification information related to the holding device 20 and the baggage ID of the baggage L may be linked when the baggage L is held in the holding device 20, and stored in a database stored in the storage unit 320. The authentication unit 335 determines that the authentication is successful when it matches the luggage ID of the luggage L linked to the identification information related to the holding device 20 included in the authentication request with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A.

[0104] Furthermore, when the authentication unit 335 receives a request for package delivery authentication for package L from the service provider terminal 10A, it performs authentication processing based on identification information received from the recipient terminal 10B used by the recipient R who is the delivery destination of package L. For example, the authentication unit 335 performs authentication processing by comparing the identification information (e.g., package ID) received from the recipient terminal 10B with the service provider ID of the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A that has requested authentication.

[0105] An example of the functional configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 4. Next, an example of the functional configuration of the holding device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10.

[0106] <2-3. Holding device 20> 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the holding device 20 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the holding device 20 has a communication unit 210, a holding unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0107] (Communication unit 210) The communication unit 210 communicates with the server 30 via a network. For example, the communication unit 210 receives an instruction to control the storage unit 220 from the server 30.

[0108] (Holding part 220) The holding unit 220 holds a package L addressed to a recipient R. The holding unit 220 enables the service provider U to take out the package L based on a control instruction received from the server 30 by the communication unit 210. For example, the holding unit 220 may be box-shaped and have an openable / closable lid capable of storing the package L. In this case, the holding unit 220 may allow the service provider U to take out the package L by permitting the lid to be opened. The holding unit 220 may also hold the package L so that the package L is fixed by a fixed object such as a belt or a frame. In this case, the holding unit 220 may detach a portion of the fixed object to enable the service provider U to take out the package L. The configuration of the holding unit 220 is not limited to these examples, as long as it can hold the package L.

[0109] (control unit 230) The control unit 230 controls the overall operation of the holding device 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls the holding unit 220 in accordance with an instruction to control the holding unit 220 received from the server 30 by the communication unit 210 so that the baggage L can be taken out of the holding unit 220.

[0110] An example of the functional configuration of the holding device 20 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 10. Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0111] <3. Example of operation> FIG. 11 is a first sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment.

[0112] (Example of operations from delivery request to service provider approval and delivery plan approval) First, the communication unit 310 of the server 30 receives a request for delivery or collection of a package (delivery request) (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 the process may proceed to the next step. Furthermore, if it is determined that the task is an irregular task that satisfies the above-mentioned predetermined conditions, a delivery plan may be generated in step S103 that combines delivery by a delivery means to a delivery possible point (relay point) and collection and delivery of the package by the service provider U from the delivery possible point to the delivery destination.

[0113] If the delivery plans generated by the control unit 330 in S103 are all plans to complete delivery of packages by different delivery means without using the services provided by the service provider, the process of S103 is performed, followed by the processes of S123 to S127, which will be described later. In this case, the information processing system according to this embodiment completes a series of operations from receipt of a delivery request to completion of delivery after the process of S127 is performed.

[0114] If the delivery plans generated in S103 include a delivery plan that combines the collection and delivery services of a package by a service provider, the candidate determination unit 331 of the server 30 determines candidate service providers (S105).

[0115] The screen generation unit 333 of the server 30 generates a notification of the recruitment of services (S107). The control unit 330 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit the notification of the recruitment to the service provider terminal 10A used by the user who has been determined as a candidate for the service provider (S109).

[0116] The control unit 130 of the service provider terminal 10A displays the solicitation notification received from the server 30 on the operation display unit 150 (S111). Here, if the service provider U does not perform an operation to apply for the solicitation, the control unit 330 may change the delivery slot or the package collection point of the delivery plan combined with the service provided by the service provider generated in S103. Furthermore, the server 30 may repeat the processes of S105 to S109 within a predetermined limited number of times or a predetermined limited time until any candidate service provider responds to the solicitation for the service related to the changed delivery plan. If none of the candidate service providers responds to the solicitation within the limited number of times or the limited time, the server 30 may select and approve another delivery plan that does not require the provision of services by the service provider. In this operation example, it is assumed that the service provider U performs an operation to respond to the solicitation notification received by the service provider terminal 10A from the server 30 in S109.

[0117] The service provider U views the notification displayed on the operation display unit 150A and performs an operation to apply for the recruitment (S113). The service provider terminal 10A notifies the server 30 that an operation to respond to the recruitment has been performed (S115).

[0118] The control unit 330 of the server 30 approves the service provider U who responded to the solicitation 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 service provider terminal 10A used by the approved service provider U.

[0119] Based on the approval of service provider U as a service provider, the control unit 330 of server 30 selects and approves one delivery plan to the package collection point that combines collection and delivery of package L by service provider U (S119). Next, based on the approved delivery plan, the control unit 330 reserves a delivery slot for the delivery means specified in the delivery plan (S121). Next, the control unit 330 generates delivery instruction information (S123). Next, the operation continues to the second sequence diagram shown in FIG. 12.

[0120] 12 is a second sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Following the process of S123 shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 330 of the server 30 causes the communication unit 310 to transmit delivery instruction information to the holding device 20A (S125). The holding device 20A delivers the package L to the package collection point based on the received delivery instruction information (S127).

[0121] (Example of behavior when collecting luggage and starting a task) Next, based on an operation by the service provider U who has arrived at the package arrival point, the service provider terminal 10A reads the identification information related to the holding device 20A (S129, S131). For example, the service provider U may operate a camera included in the service provider terminal 10A to cause the service provider terminal 10A to read the above-mentioned identification information from an identification code printed on the exterior of the holding device 20A. Alternatively, the service provider terminal 10A may transmit the identification information received from the server 30 in response to approval of the application to the holding device 20A via short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0122] The service provider terminal 10A transmits an authentication request for luggage collection authentication to the server 30 (S133). At this time, the authentication request for luggage collection authentication includes the identification information read in S131. Alternatively, when the identification information is transmitted to the holding device 20A as described above, the holding device 20A may transmit the authentication request for luggage collection authentication to the server 30.

[0123] The server 30 performs authentication processing by comparing the package ID associated with the identification information received from the service provider terminal 10A with the service provider ID of the service provider U using the service provider terminal 10A (S135). If the authentication is successful, the server 30 controls the holding device 20A to enable the package L to be taken out of the holding device 20A (S137). The server 30 also approves the start of service provision by the service provider U, and transmits the authentication result to the service provider terminal 10A (S139).

[0124] The service provider U collects the package L from the holding device 20A (S141), and delivers the package L to the delivery destination (S143).

[0125] (Example of delivery of the package to the delivery destination and completion of the task) When the service provider U delivers the package L to the delivery destination, the service provider U operates the operation display unit 150 of the service provider terminal 10A to perform the package delivery process (S145). The operation of the package delivery process may be, for example, an operation by the service provider U to press a "package delivery process" button displayed on the operation display unit 150. Based on the operation, the service provider terminal 10A makes an authentication request for package delivery authentication to the server 30 (S147).

[0126] When the server 30 receives the authentication request for package delivery authentication from the service provider terminal 10A, it transmits a notice of an additional operation instruction to the service provider terminal 10A (S149). The additional operation instruction may be, for example, a notice such as "Please show the authentication image displayed on the screen to the recipient of the package and ask them to perform a reading operation."

[0127] The recipient R, who is the recipient of the package L, operates the recipient terminal 10B to have the recipient terminal 10B read the identification information displayed on the operation display unit 150 of the service provider terminal 10A (S151). The recipient terminal 10B transmits the read identification information to the server 30 (S153). The identification information may be, for example, package ID information of the package L obtained by reading an identification code printed on the exterior of the package L.

[0128] When the server 30 receives the identification information (package ID) from the recipient terminal 10B, it performs authentication processing by comparing the package ID with the service provider ID of the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A that made the authentication request for package delivery authentication in S147 (S155).

[0129] If the authentication is successful, the server 30 approves the completion of the provision of the service by the service provider U, and transmits the result of the authentication to the service provider terminal 10A (S157).

[0130] 4. Modifications of this embodiment An example of the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The technology according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. First, additional functions of the communication unit and the control unit among the components of the holding device 20 according to this modified example will be described.

[0131] The communication unit 210 according to this modification further has a function as an authentication communication unit capable of directly communicating with the service provider terminal 10A. The communication method used for communication with the service provider terminal 10A is not particularly limited, and examples include short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, and Wi-Fi. The communication unit 210 receives an authentication request from the service provider terminal 10A, which includes the service provider ID of the service provider U who uses the service provider terminal 10A.

[0132] The control unit 230 according to this modification further has a function as an authentication unit that performs authentication processing to determine whether a request for package collection authentication for package L is a request from a service provider U approved by the server 30 as a service provider for the collection and delivery of package L. The control unit 230 stores the service provider ID of the approved service provider U that is able to receive package L held in the holding device 20. The service provider ID may be transmitted from the server 30 to the communication unit 210 in advance, or may be stored when package L is held in the holding device 20.

[0133] The control unit 230 controls the holding unit 220 so that the luggage L can be taken out of the holding unit 220 when the stored service provider ID matches the service provider ID received from the service provider terminal 10A by the communication unit 210.

[0134] According to the information processing system of this modification, when the service provider U authenticates the collection of the luggage, the service provider terminal 10A is controlled to allow the luggage L to be taken out of the holding device 20 without communicating with the server 30. Therefore, if the holding device 20 is an unmanned mobile body and the holding device 20A is stopped in a place where the service provider terminal 10A and the server 30 cannot communicate, the service provider U can perform authentication and collect the luggage L.

[0135] <5. 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 10 and the holding device 20.

[0136] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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).

[0141] 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.

[0142] A bus 35 is commonly connected to the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

[0143] <6. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present invention can conceive of various modifications or alterations 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 invention.

[0144] For example, in the above embodiment, the candidate designation unit 331 designates users who are presumed to be able to provide services as candidate service providers based on the luggage collection time period 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. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the candidate designation unit 331 may acquire in advance service provision availability conditions indicating the conditions under which each user can 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 the provision of services without receiving a recruitment notice.

[0145] In this case, the candidate designation unit 331 may immediately approve a user who satisfies the above-mentioned service provision availability conditions as a service provider without notifying the user who has been selected as a candidate for the service provider of the recruitment. At this time, the control unit 330 of the server 30 may send a notification of the selection as a service provider from the communication unit 310 to the service provider terminal 10A. This allows the control unit 330 to immediately approve any user as a service provider without waiting for the user to respond to the recruitment. This further reduces the time required for the delivery plan generated by the control unit 330 to be approved. Furthermore, the service provider U can automatically apply for tasks that meet the conditions for which the service provider U can respond. This improves the convenience of the service provider in providing package collection and delivery services.

[0146] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the service provider U provides a service of delivering a package from a package collection point to a delivery destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The service provider U may also provide a service of collecting a package from a delivery requester. In this case, the service provider U may provide a service of collecting and delivering the package L from the specified collection location of the delivery requester to an intermediate point such as a warehouse WH or a drone stand.

[0147] Furthermore, the steps in the processing of the operations of the information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 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 information terminal 10, the holding device 20, and the server 30 may be processed in an order different from the order depicted in the explanatory diagrams, or may be processed in parallel.

[0148] 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.

[0149] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes hardware such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the information terminal 10, server 30, and holding device 20 to perform functions equivalent to those of the above-mentioned information terminal 10, server 30, and holding device 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10 Information terminals 110 Communications Department 130 Control Unit 150 Operation display section 170 Positioning unit 20 Holding device 210 Communications Department 220 Holding part 230 Control Unit 30 servers 310 Communications Department 320 Storage section 330 Control Unit 331 Candidate Decision Department 333 Notification generator 335 Authentication Department 339 Screen generation section

Claims

1. a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by a different delivery means; a control unit that approves a candidate service provider that can provide the service of collecting and delivering the package as a service provider; a screen generating unit that generates a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; Equipped with the control unit generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package by the other different delivery means from a current location of the candidate service provider as a base point to a package collection point; Information processing system.

2. The control unit acquiring location information of the candidate service provider and information on the determined service provision schedule status from the service provider terminal; determining a destination to which the notification of the recruitment is to be sent by the communication unit based on the location information of the candidate service provider, the scheduled status of service provision, and the means of transportation of the candidate service provider stored in advance in a storage unit; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes current location base task information, which is information regarding the service that the candidate service provider is estimated to be able to provide by the control unit based on at least one of a distance from the current location of the candidate service provider to a parcel collection point, a travel route, and a travel time. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes determined task base point information, which is information regarding the service that the candidate service provider is estimated by the control unit to be able to provide, based on at least one of the distance, travel route, and travel time from a parcel collection point or delivery destination in the determined service of the service provider to a parcel collection point of another service. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit approve the user determined as a candidate for the service provider as the service provider based on the user responding to the recruitment; If the service provider is approved, select and approve one of the delivery plans. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. the control unit acquires service provision availability conditions indicating conditions under which a service can be provided to each user; 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 .

7. The information regarding the service of collecting and delivering the parcel includes irregular task information, which is information regarding a notification soliciting potential service providers for the service of collecting and delivering the parcel in the delivery section for which delivery by the other different delivery means is planned in the delivery plan generated by the control unit. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. The irregular task information is information regarding a notification of a solicitation for collection and delivery services of the package based on a delivery request in which the package delivery requester does not specify a collection or delivery time, or a delivery request in which there is a certain amount of time remaining from the current time until the specified delivery time of the package, The information processing system according to claim 7 .

9. an authentication unit that performs authentication processing to determine whether a request for package collection authentication, which is authentication for package collection by the service provider, is a request from the service provider approved by the control unit, When the authentication unit determines that the request for authentication to collect the package is a request from the service provider of the package, the control unit controls the package to be taken out from a holding device in which the package is held. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

10. the holding device is an unmanned moving body, When the authentication unit determines that the request for package collection authentication for the package is a request from the service provider of the approved package collection and delivery service, the control unit controls the unmanned mobile body to enable the package to be taken out. The information processing system according to claim 9 .

11. The information processing system according to claim 9 , wherein the holding device holds the luggage released from an unmanned vehicle.

12. When the authentication unit has performed the package collection authentication of the service provider, the control unit acknowledges that the service provider has started providing the package collection and delivery service. The information processing system according to claim 9 .

13. the communication unit receives identification information transmitted from a recipient terminal used by a recipient of the package at the delivery destination of the package; the authentication unit performs authentication based on the identification information in response to an authentication request for delivery of the package from the service provider terminal; When the authentication unit authenticates the delivery of the package by the service provider, the control unit acknowledges that the service provider has completed the collection and delivery service of the package and that the package has been delivered to the delivery destination. The information processing system according to claim 9 .

14. a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by a different delivery means; a control unit that approves candidate service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; a screen generating unit that generates a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; Equipped with the control unit generates one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package by the other different delivery means from a current location of the candidate service provider as a base point to a package collection point; Information processing device.

15. Notifying a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers who can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by other different delivery means; Approving potential service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; generating a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of said package; generating one or more delivery plans including a delivery route and a delivery means for the package by the other different delivery means from a current location of the candidate service provider as a base point to a package collection point; 2. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising:

16. Computer, a communication unit that notifies a service provider terminal used by a candidate service provider of a call for service providers that can provide the collection and delivery service of the parcel according to conditions related to the collection and delivery service of the parcel by a different delivery means; a control unit that approves candidate service providers who can provide package collection and delivery services as service providers; a screen generating unit that generates a notification of information regarding collection and delivery of the package; Equipped with The control unit is a program that functions as an information processing device that generates one or more delivery plans including delivery routes and delivery means for the luggage using the other different delivery means, starting from the current location of the candidate service provider to a luggage collection point.

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