Information provision method

Abstract

To effectively prevent redelivery by accurately calculating an estimated arrival time at which a user will return from his or her current place to a delivery destination.SOLUTION: An information providing method includes determining a period of stay corresponding to a first current place (S3), calculating a first travel time required for a user to travel from the first current place to a delivery destination on the basis of the first current place and the delivery destination (S4), calculating a first estimated arrival time on the basis of a first time, the period of stay corresponding to the first current place, and the first travel time (S5), calculating a first difference on the basis of a first scheduled delivery time and the first estimated arrival time (S6), transmitting a first message corresponding to the first difference to a first information terminal of the user (S7), and displaying the first message on the first information terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing information to a user regarding delivery of a package. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that accumulates a user's behavior log from sensing data from various sensor devices, predicts the user's behavior based on the user's current location and behavior log, determines a delivery location and delivery time for the goods to be delivered along the predicted route of the user's behavior, and has a delivery truck deliver the goods at the delivery location and delivery time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 182200 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 differs from the present disclosure in that its purpose is to deliver products to a delivery location and at a delivery time that is convenient for the user, and not to prompt the user to return to the delivery location.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technology for accurately calculating the estimated arrival time when a user will return to a delivery destination from their current location, and effectively preventing redelivery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information providing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: An information providing method in The computer of the information providing system acquiring a first current location of the user and a first time when the first current location was detected via a network; reads out from a memory a delivery destination of the package addressed to the user, type information indicating a type of the first current location, a stay time associated with the type information, and a first scheduled delivery time; determining the stay time corresponding to the first current location based on the type information and the stay time; calculating a first travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination based on the first current location and the delivery destination; calculating a first estimated arrival time based on the first time, the stay time corresponding to the first current location, and the first travel time; calculating a first difference based on the first scheduled delivery time and the first expected arrival time; The first message corresponding to the first difference is transmitted to a first information terminal of the user, and the first message is displayed on the first information terminal.

[0007] The general or specific aspects may be realized by an apparatus, a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium, or by any combination of an apparatus, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a non-volatile recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory). [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately calculate the estimated arrival time when a user will return to the delivery destination from their current location, and effectively prevent redelivery. Further advantages and effects of one aspect of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or effects are provided by each of the features described in some embodiments and the specification and drawings, but not all of them are necessarily provided to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a current location DB and a type DB stored in the memory of the server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a stay time DB, a delivery destination DB, and a package DB stored in the memory of the server. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a customer message DB and a delivery person message DB stored in the memory of the server. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of data transmission and reception between a user terminal and a server in the information providing system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] A sequence diagram showing an example of data transmission and reception between the delivery person terminal and the server in the information providing system of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the information providing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a message display screen that displays a message requesting an answer as to whether or not the package can be received. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a message display screen that displays a message from a delivery person. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a parcel DB according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a parcel DB according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a delivery destination DB and a user DB according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a parcel DB according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a stay time DB according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing of an information providing system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing of the information providing system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing a third example of the processing of the information providing system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a message transmission history DB and a threshold DB according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of an address book DB and a threshold DB according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a parcel DB and a threshold DB of the information providing system according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a parcel DB and a threshold DB according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 30] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a parcel DB and a threshold DB according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a parcel DB and a threshold DB according to a modification of the tenth embodiment. [Figure 33] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a stay time DB according to the eleventh embodiment; [Figure 35] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a stay time DB according to the twelfth embodiment; [Figure 37] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a stay time DB according to the thirteenth embodiment; [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a current location DB that stores the current location of a user. [Figure 39] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 40] FIG. 23 shows an example of a display screen of a process list notified to a user in the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 41] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 42] Flowchart showing details of the process list generation routine [Figure 43] FIG. 23 shows an example of a display screen of a process list notified to a user in the sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a station information DB according to a sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 45] Flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a sixteenth embodiment [Figure 46] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a type DB according to the seventeenth embodiment; [Figure 47] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a type DB according to the eighteenth embodiment; [Figure 49] 23 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by an information processing system according to an eighteenth embodiment. [Figure 50]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a type DB according to the nineteenth embodiment; [Figure 51] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to a nineteenth embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a stay history DB according to the twenty-first embodiment. [Figure 53] A histogram calculated using the stay history DB [Figure 54] A diagram showing the travel route registered in the second row of the travel route DB as a graph using nodes and edges. [Figure 55] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a travel route DB according to the twenty-second embodiment. [Figure 56] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a movement history DB that stores the movement history of a certain user. [Figure 57] 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of an information providing system according to a twenty-second embodiment. [Figure 58] A diagram showing the expected arrival time of the recipient user and the expected delivery time of the delivery person. [Figure 59] Flowchart showing an example of processing of an information providing system according to the twenty-third embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Background to this disclosure) In recent years, the logistics industry has been concerned about the increasing number of parcels that cannot be delivered due to the user being absent. In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted a survey of users regarding redelivery of parcels in 2016, and found that nearly 40% of users knowingly choose not to be present when a parcel is to be delivered.

[0011] The psychological reasons behind this deliberate crime are thought to be: (1) it is a hassle to go to the trouble of contacting the delivery company to inform them that you will no longer be able to receive your package; (2) it is difficult to predict whether you will actually be absent until just before the scheduled delivery time; and (3) if asked why you were unable to receive the package, you can just pretend you don't know, and there is no charge for redelivery, so you feel less guilty about being absent.

[0012] Incidentally, according to a report by the Study Group on Reducing Redelivery of Home Delivery Services (September 2015), a certain number of people said that if they were notified in advance, they would be at home at the scheduled delivery time to receive their package.

[0013] Therefore, it is thought that redelivery can be prevented by effectively pressuring the user by sending a message about delivery before delivery. In this case, rather than simply notifying the user of the message, if the user is required to respond whether or not they can receive the package, this will have the psychological effect of making the user feel that they must keep their promise, which is expected to prevent redelivery.

[0014] However, if such a message requesting an answer is uniformly sent to all users, some users may find it annoying, which is undesirable. For example, if a message requesting an answer is sent to a user whose estimated arrival time back to the delivery destination from their current location will be significantly later than the scheduled delivery time, it will only cause annoyance and will not be effective in preventing redelivery. Furthermore, such a message will also be annoying to users who plan to return to the delivery destination with plenty of time to spare before the scheduled delivery time.

[0015] Therefore, the inventor has discovered that redelivery can be effectively prevented by picking up borderline customers who return to the delivery destination around the scheduled delivery time, i.e., exactly at the delivery time, just before the delivery time, or just after the delivery time, and notifying these borderline customers of a message requiring them to respond as to whether or not they are able to receive the package.

[0016] However, to achieve this, a technical challenge arises: how to accurately calculate the estimated arrival time when the customer will return to the delivery destination from their current location.

[0017] Patent Document 1 is a technology for delivering packages in accordance with the user's behavior, and is not a technology for picking up borderline customers, so it cannot solve the problem of accurately calculating the estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination.

[0018] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can accurately calculate the estimated arrival time when a user will return to a delivery destination from their current location and effectively prevent redelivery.

[0019] An information providing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information providing system that provides information to a user, comprising: The computer of the information providing system acquiring a first current location of the user and a first time when the first current location was detected via a network; reads out from a memory a delivery destination of the package addressed to the user, type information indicating a type of the first current location, a stay time associated with the type information, and a first scheduled delivery time; determining the stay time corresponding to the first current location based on the type information and the stay time; calculating a first travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination based on the first current location and the delivery destination; calculating a first estimated arrival time based on the first time, the stay time corresponding to the first current location, and the first travel time; calculating a first difference based on the first scheduled delivery time and the first expected arrival time; The first message corresponding to the first difference is transmitted to a first information terminal of the user, and the first message is displayed on the first information terminal.

[0020] According to this configuration, the user's stay time is determined from the type of the user's first current location (e.g., supermarket, workplace, etc.), and the first estimated arrival time at the delivery destination is calculated taking that stay time into consideration, so the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0021] Then, various first messages are selected based on the first difference between the first estimated arrival time and the first scheduled delivery time read from the memory, and are sent to the user's first information terminal. Therefore, an appropriate message is notified to the user according to the first difference, thereby effectively preventing redelivery.

[0022] In the above aspect, determining whether the first difference is equal to or less than a first threshold value; If the first difference is equal to or smaller than the first threshold, transmitting the first message regarding receipt of the package to the first information terminal; The first message may be displayed on the first information terminal.

[0023] According to this configuration, users whose first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold, i.e., borderline customers who have a small difference between the first estimated delivery time and the first estimated arrival time, are extracted, and a message regarding receiving the package is sent to these borderline customers. Therefore, compared to a case in which the same message is uniformly sent to all users, it is possible to more efficiently pressure users to stay at home.

[0024] In the above aspect, a customer list is read from the memory, the customer list being stored in association with the delivery destination and the user's housemates who reside at the delivery destination; acquiring, via the network, a second current location of the housemate and a second time when the second current location was detected; determining the stay time corresponding to the second current location based on the type information and the stay time; calculating a second travel time required for the housemate to travel from the second current location to the delivery destination based on the second current location and the delivery destination; calculating a second estimated arrival time based on the second time, the stay time corresponding to the second current location, and the second travel time; calculating a second difference based on the first estimated delivery time and the second estimated arrival time; determining whether the second difference is equal to or less than the first threshold; If the second difference is equal to or smaller than the first threshold, the first message regarding receipt of the package is sent to a second information terminal of the housemate; The first message may be displayed on the second information terminal.

[0025] According to this configuration, the second estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination for the user's housemate, who is the recipient of the package, is calculated taking into account the time spent at the second current location, just like for the recipient. Therefore, the estimated time of arrival for the housemate can also be calculated with high accuracy. In addition, a second difference between the second estimated time of arrival and the first scheduled delivery time is calculated, and if the second difference is equal to or less than a first threshold, a first message regarding receiving the package is sent. Therefore, even if the recipient is unable to receive the package, if the housemate is a borderline customer, pressure can be effectively applied to encourage them to be at home, thereby increasing the effectiveness of reducing redelivery.

[0026] In the above aspect, the staying time is associated with availability information indicating whether the staying time is adjustable, determining whether the stay time corresponding to the first current location is adjustable based on the availability information; If the stay time corresponding to the first current location is adjustable, determining whether the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time; If the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time, calculating the first estimated arrival time by assuming that the stay time corresponding to the first current location is 0; determining whether the first difference calculated based on the first estimated arrival time and the first scheduled delivery time calculated assuming the stay time to be 0 is equal to or less than 0; When the first difference is equal to or less than 0, sending a second message to the first information terminal to confirm whether the user can immediately depart from the first current location; When information indicating that the user can depart the first current location immediately is obtained from the first information terminal via the network, the stay time may be set to 0 and the first estimated arrival time may be calculated.

[0027] According to this configuration, even if a user is determined not to be able to return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time based on the first estimated arrival time calculated using the original stay time, if the stay time is assumed to be 0, the second message asking whether or not the user can depart immediately from the first current location is sent to the user, so that the first difference is 0 or less. If the user replies that they can depart immediately, the first estimated arrival time calculated with the stay time set to 0 is set as the user's estimated arrival time. In this way, this configuration can reduce the possibility of redelivery for users who can make the first difference 0 or less by adjusting the stay time, i.e., who can return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time, by prompting them to adjust their stay time.

[0028] In the above aspect, the staying time is associated with availability information indicating whether the staying time is adjustable, determining whether the stay time corresponding to the first current location is adjustable based on the availability information; If the stay time corresponding to the first current location is adjustable, determining whether the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time; If the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time, calculating a departure time at which the user should depart from the first current location based on the first travel time and the first scheduled delivery time so that the first difference is equal to or less than 0; sending a second message to the first information terminal to confirm whether the user can depart from the first current location by the departure time; When the user obtains departure possibility information from the first information terminal via the network indicating that the user is able to depart from the first current location by the departure time, the first estimated arrival time may be calculated using the second difference between the departure time and the second time when the departure possibility information was obtained as the stay time.

[0029] According to this configuration, for a user who is determined not to be able to return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time based on the first estimated arrival time calculated using the original stay time, a departure time at which the user must depart from the first current location to make the first difference equal to or less than 0 is calculated, and a second message is sent informing the user whether or not the user can depart from the first current location by that departure time. If the user then replies that they can depart by that departure time, the second difference between that departure time and the second time at which they gave their reply is set as the stay time, and the first estimated arrival time is calculated. In this way, this configuration can reduce the first difference to equal to or less than 0 by adjusting the stay time, i.e., for users who can return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time, by encouraging them to adjust their stay time, the possibility of redelivery can be reduced.

[0030] In the above aspect, the staying time is associated with availability information indicating whether the staying time is adjustable, If it is determined based on the availability information that the stay time corresponding to the first current location can be adjusted, it is determined whether the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time; If the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time, calculating a departure time at which the user should depart from the first current location based on the first travel time and the first scheduled delivery time so that the first difference is equal to or less than 0; calculating a second difference between the first time and the departure time; The remaining time that the user can stay at the first current location may be calculated based on the second difference, and the calculated time may be transmitted to the first information terminal.

[0031] According to this configuration, for a user who is determined not to be able to return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time based on the first estimated arrival time calculated using the original stay time, a departure time at which the user must depart from the first current location to make the first difference equal to or less than 0 is calculated, and the remaining time the user can stay at the first current location is calculated based on a second difference between that departure time and the first time, and notified to the user. In this way, this configuration makes it possible to make the first difference equal to or less than 0 by adjusting the stay time, i.e., for users who can return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time, the possibility of redelivery can be reduced by prompting them to adjust their stay time.

[0032] In the above aspect, if information indicating that the user has read a second message notifying the first scheduled delivery time is received via the network before the first scheduled delivery time, the value of the first threshold may be reduced.

[0033] According to this configuration, a second message notifying the first estimated delivery time is sent in advance, and a user who reads the second message is treated as a user who is aware of the first estimated delivery time and is likely to receive the package, and the first threshold is set small. This reduces the possibility that the user will be treated as a borderline customer, and reduces the possibility that the first message regarding receipt will be notified to the user. Therefore, the user can be spared the trouble of checking the first message.

[0034] In the above aspect, information indicating the sender of the package and a list of past customers are read from the memory, determining whether the sender is included in the past customer list; If the sender is included in the past customer list, the first threshold may be increased.

[0035] According to this configuration, if the sender of a package is included in the user's customer list, the sender is treated as an acquaintance of the user, and the first threshold is set to a high value. Therefore, the user receiving a package from an acquaintance is more likely to be treated as a borderline customer, and the first message regarding receiving the package is more likely to be sent. This encourages the user to receive important packages from acquaintances, reducing the likelihood that the important package will be treated as a package for redelivery.

[0036] In the above aspect, the type information of the package may be read from the memory, and the first threshold value may be changed in accordance with the type information.

[0037] According to this configuration, the first threshold is changed depending on the type of package. Therefore, an appropriate first threshold can be set depending on the type of package. As a result, for example, if the package is a package that is highly important to receive, such as fresh food, the recipient user is more likely to be treated as a borderline customer, and the first message regarding receiving the package is more likely to be sent. This encourages the user to receive packages that are highly important to receive, reducing the possibility of redelivery.

[0038] In the above aspect, the second threshold value related to the size or the third threshold value related to the weight is read from the memory, determining whether the size of the package exceeds the second threshold or whether the weight of the package exceeds the third threshold; If the size of the package exceeds the second threshold or if the weight of the package exceeds the third threshold, the first threshold may be increased.

[0039] According to this configuration, the first threshold is set to a large value for packages whose size exceeds the second threshold or whose weight exceeds the third threshold. This increases the likelihood that users who receive packages with high redelivery costs will be treated as borderline customers, encouraging these users to accept their packages. As a result, the likelihood that packages with high redelivery costs will be redelivered can be reduced.

[0040] In the above aspect, a fourth threshold value related to distance or a fifth threshold value related to time is read from the memory; determining whether the delivery distance of the package exceeds the fourth threshold or whether the delivery time of the package exceeds the fifth threshold; If the delivery distance exceeds the fourth threshold or if the required delivery time exceeds the fifth threshold, the first threshold may be increased.

[0041] According to this configuration, the first threshold is set to a large value for packages whose delivery distance exceeds the fourth threshold or whose delivery time exceeds the fifth threshold. This increases the likelihood that a user who is the recipient of such a package with a high redelivery cost will be treated as a borderline customer, encouraging this user to accept the package. As a result, the likelihood that a package with a high redelivery cost will be redelivered can be reduced.

[0042] In the above aspect, the staying time is determined for at least one of one or more time periods and one or more days of the week, The first travel time may be calculated using the stay time corresponding to the first time.

[0043] Generally, even at the same location, the length of stay is thought to vary depending on either the time of day or the day of the week. With this configuration, the length of stay determined for each time of day and day of the week is used, so the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy. As a result, the possibility of redelivery of the package can be further reduced.

[0044] In the above aspect, the staying time is determined for each of one or more first users, The first travel time may be calculated using the stay time corresponding to the one user.

[0045] Generally, it is thought that the length of stay varies depending on the user, even at the same location. With this configuration, the length of stay determined for each first user is used, so the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy. As a result, the possibility of redelivery of the package can be further reduced.

[0046] In the above aspect, the stay time is determined based on a past movement history of the user, in accordance with a stay location, a time period during which the user stayed at the stay location, and a day of the week during which the user stayed at the stay location; the first time includes information indicating a day of the week; The first travel time may be calculated using the stay time corresponding to the first time.

[0047] In this configuration, instead of using a common stay time for all users, a stay time determined by taking into account the user's movement history is used, so the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy, which further reduces the possibility of redelivery of the package.

[0048] In the above aspect, reading time-series information indicating the location of the user from the memory, Calculating the remaining time that the user will stay at the first current location based on the stay time and the time-series information; The first estimated arrival time may be calculated using the remaining time as the stay time.

[0049] According to this configuration, the user's stay time at the first current location up to the first time is determined from the time-series information, the remaining stay time at the first current location (i.e., the remaining time) is calculated, and the first estimated arrival time is calculated using this remaining time. Therefore, the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy. As a result, the possibility of redelivery can be reduced.

[0050] In the above aspect, acquiring information indicating the nearest station to the first current location, acquire, based on the information indicating the nearest station, process information of public transportation from the nearest station to the delivery destination, the process information having a third estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination that is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time; The first message may include the process information.

[0051] According to this configuration, the user is notified of process information for public transportation from the nearest station to the delivery destination, where the third estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time. Therefore, this configuration can provide the user with information to determine how much longer they can stay at the first current location, making it possible to more reliably prevent redelivery.

[0052] In the above aspect, station information indicating the locations of a plurality of stations and the departure times of public transportation at each station is read from the memory; Identifying a first nearest station to the first current location based on the first current location and the station information; calculating a second travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the first nearest station; calculating a second time of arrival at the first nearest station based on the first time and the second travel time; Identifying a second nearest station to the delivery destination based on the delivery destination and the station information; calculating a third travel time from the second nearest station to the delivery destination; calculating a third time at which the user must arrive at the second nearest station at the latest based on the third travel time and the first scheduled delivery time; based on the station information, identify process information of the public transportation means that can arrive at the second nearest station between the time of departure from the first nearest station after the second time and the time of departure from the first nearest station by the third time, the process information including at least a departure time from the first nearest station; A second message indicating the process information may be transmitted to the first information terminal before the second time.

[0053] According to this configuration, the user is notified of process information for public transportation that will allow the user to arrive at the second nearest station by a third time at the latest when the user must arrive at the second nearest station to the delivery destination, from a second time when the user departs from the first nearest station and arrives at the first nearest station to the first current location. This process information includes at least the departure time from the first nearest station. Therefore, this configuration can provide the user with information to determine what time to arrive at the first nearest station, and can more reliably prevent redelivery.

[0054] In the above aspect, the process information may further include an arrival time at the second nearest station.

[0055] According to this configuration, the arrival time at the second nearest station can also be notified to the user.

[0056] In the above aspect, when the process information includes a transfer station of the public transportation system, the process information may further include at least one of an arrival time and a departure time at the transfer station.

[0057] According to this configuration, if there is a transfer station on the route from the first nearest station to the second nearest station, at least one of the arrival time and departure time at the transfer station can be notified to the user.

[0058] In the above aspect, the luggage includes a plurality of first luggage, The users include a plurality of first users corresponding to the plurality of first packages, Detecting a first timing when all of the first packages have been loaded onto the delivery vehicle; At the first timing, the first current location and the first time of each of the plurality of first users are acquired; The first estimated arrival time may be calculated for each of the first packages at the first timing.

[0059] According to this configuration, at the first timing when all packages to be delivered have been loaded onto the delivery vehicle, the first current location and the first time of day of each first user are acquired, and the first estimated arrival time of each first user is calculated. Therefore, compared to a mode in which the first estimated arrival time is calculated before loading of all the first packages onto the delivery vehicle is completed, the first estimated delivery time can be calculated at a timing closer to the first estimated delivery time, and even if it takes time to load the packages onto the delivery vehicle, the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0060] In the above aspect, the delivery destination includes one or more first delivery destinations corresponding to the plurality of first packages, Detecting a second timing indicating that each of the plurality of first packages has been delivered to the first delivery destination; At each of the second timings, the first current location and the first time of the first user of the first package that is next in the delivery order are acquired, and the first estimated arrival time and the first difference are calculated; The first message may be transmitted to the first information terminal of the first user of the next first package at the second timing.

[0061] According to this configuration, each time a first package is delivered, a first estimated arrival time and a first difference for the next first package at the first user are calculated, and a first message corresponding to the first difference is transmitted to the first information terminal of the first user. Therefore, the first estimated arrival time for each first user can be calculated closer to the first scheduled delivery time, and the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0062] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information providing system that provides information to a user, comprising: The computer of the information providing system acquiring, via a network, a current location of the user and a first time when the current location was detected; reads from a memory a delivery destination of the package addressed to the user, type information indicating a type of the current location, a plurality of stay times associated with the type information, and an estimated delivery time; determining the plurality of stay times corresponding to the current location based on the type information and the plurality of stay times; Calculating a travel time required for the user to travel from the current location to the delivery destination based on the current location and the delivery destination; calculating a plurality of predicted arrival times based on the first time, the plurality of stay times corresponding to the current location, and the travel time; determining whether the scheduled delivery time is between the plurality of expected arrival times; If the scheduled delivery time is between the plurality of expected arrival times, a message regarding the delivery of the package is sent to the information terminal of the user, and the message is displayed on the information terminal.

[0063] The amount of time spent at the current location is not uniformly the same, but multiple amounts of time are assumed. According to this configuration, multiple amounts of time spent corresponding to the current location are determined based on type information indicating the type of the current location and multiple amounts of time spent associated with the type information. Then, multiple estimated arrival times for the user at the delivery destination are calculated based on the multiple amounts of time spent and the user's travel time from the current location to the delivery destination. If the scheduled delivery time of the package falls between the multiple estimated arrival times, a delivery-related message is presented to the user. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the user is a borderline customer. Furthermore, because a delivery-related message is sent to a user determined to be a borderline customer, it is possible to effectively pressure the user to return to the delivery destination, thereby effectively preventing redelivery.

[0064] In the above aspect, the type information includes information indicating a probability that the user can immediately depart from the current location, according to an elapsed time from when the user arrived at the current location to the first time point; acquiring, via the network, a second time when the user arrives at the current location; calculating the elapsed time based on the first time and the second time; Identifying the probability corresponding to the elapsed time based on the information indicating the probability and the elapsed time; determining whether the determined probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; If the probability is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the plurality of stay times may be set to zero.

[0065] For example, in an English conversation school, if a user makes a reservation without taking a lesson, they tend to leave within about 10 minutes of arriving, whereas if they take a lesson, they tend not to leave until about 50 minutes have passed. Therefore, based on this tendency, it is possible to calculate the probability that the user will leave their current location immediately depending on the time that has passed since the user arrived at their current location.

[0066] According to this configuration, the time elapsed since the second time the user arrived at the current location is calculated based on the second time the user arrived at the current location and the first time the user was detected to be at the current location, the probability that the user can immediately depart the current location is determined based on the elapsed time, and if the probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the stay time at the stay location is considered to be 0, that is, the user can immediately depart the current location, and the estimated arrival time is calculated. In this way, the estimated arrival time is calculated using the probability that the user can immediately depart the current location according to the time elapsed since arriving at the current location, so it is possible to calculate an appropriate estimated arrival time taking into account the user's stay characteristics.

[0067] In the above aspect, the type information includes information indicating a probability that the user can immediately depart from the current location, according to an elapsed time from when the user arrived at the current location to the first time point; acquiring, via the network, a second time when the user arrives at the current location; calculating the elapsed time based on the first time and the second time; Identifying the probability corresponding to the elapsed time based on the information indicating the probability and the elapsed time; determining whether the determined probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; If the probability is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, at least one of the plurality of stay times, excluding the longest stay time, may be set to 0.

[0068] According to this configuration, the elapsed time from the second time when the user arrived at the current location is calculated based on the second time when the user arrived at the current location and the first time when the user was detected to be at the current location, and the probability that the user can leave the current location immediately is determined based on the elapsed time, and if the probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, at least one of the multiple stay times except for the longest stay time is considered to be 0, i.e., the user can leave the current location immediately, and an estimated arrival time is calculated. In this manner, in this aspect, the estimated arrival time calculated assuming that at least the current location can be left immediately and the longest stay time are used as the multiple estimated arrival times, making it possible to appropriately identify borderline customers taking into account the user's stay characteristics.

[0069] In the above aspect, the probability may be calculated from the user's past stay history.

[0070] According to this configuration, the probability is calculated using the user's past stay history, so that the probability can be calculated accurately.

[0071] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information providing system that provides information to a user, comprising: The computer of the information providing system acquiring the user's current location and the time when the current location was detected via a network; reads from a memory a delivery destination of a package addressed to the user, a movement route of the user, a movement history of the user, type information indicating types of points that the user may pass through on the way to the delivery destination, a plurality of stay times associated with the type information, and an estimated delivery time; extracting the location based on the current location, the user's movement route, and the user's movement history; determining the plurality of stay times corresponding to the extracted points based on the type information and the plurality of stay times; Calculating a travel time required for the user to travel from the current location to the delivery destination via the location based on the current location, the location, and the delivery destination; calculating a plurality of predicted arrival times based on the time, the plurality of stay times corresponding to the extracted points, and the travel time; determining whether the scheduled delivery time is between the plurality of expected arrival times; If the scheduled delivery time is between the plurality of expected arrival times, a message regarding the delivery of the package is sent to the information terminal of the user, and the message is displayed on the information terminal.

[0072] According to this configuration, points that the user may pass through on the way to the delivery destination are extracted from the user's travel route and travel history, and multiple estimated arrival times for the user at the delivery destination are calculated from multiple stay times at the extracted points. Therefore, if the user makes a detour from their current location, multiple estimated arrival times for the user at the delivery destination can be accurately calculated taking into account the detour points. Then, if the scheduled delivery time of the package falls between the multiple arrival times, a delivery-related message is presented to the user. This effectively pressures users who make such detours to return to the delivery destination, effectively preventing redelivery.

[0073] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information providing system that provides information to a user, comprising: The computer of the information providing system Acquiring, via a network, a first current location of the user, a first time when the first current location was detected, a second current location of a delivery person delivering a package addressed to the user, a second time when the second current location was detected, and traffic information; reading out from a memory a delivery destination of the package, type information indicating a type of the first current location, and a plurality of stay times associated with the type information; determining the plurality of stay times corresponding to the first current location based on the type information and the plurality of stay times; calculating a first travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination based on the first current location and the delivery destination; calculating an earliest first estimated arrival time and a latest second estimated arrival time based on the first time, the plurality of stay times corresponding to the first current location, and the first travel time; calculating a second shortest travel time and a third longest travel time required for the delivery person to travel from the second current location to the delivery destination based on the second current location, the traffic information, and the delivery destination; calculating an earliest first estimated delivery time based on the second time and the second travel time; calculating a second latest estimated delivery time based on the second time and the third travel time; determining whether the first estimated delivery time or the second estimated delivery time is between the first estimated arrival time and the second estimated arrival time; If the first estimated delivery time or the second estimated delivery time is between the first estimated arrival time and the second estimated arrival time, a message urging the user to arrive at the delivery destination is sent to the user's information terminal, and the message is displayed on the information terminal.

[0074] According to this configuration, the earliest first estimated arrival time and the latest second estimated arrival time for the user to arrive at the delivery destination are calculated based on multiple stay times at the first current location, etc. Furthermore, the earliest first estimated delivery time and the latest second estimated delivery time for the package to arrive at the delivery destination are calculated based on the second current location, traffic information, and the delivery destination. If the first estimated delivery time or the second estimated delivery time is between the first estimated arrival time and the second estimated arrival time, a delivery-related message is presented to the user. Therefore, even if the estimated delivery time of the package to the delivery destination fluctuates due to factors such as traffic congestion, it is possible to accurately determine whether the user is a borderline customer and effectively pressure users determined to be borderline customers to return to the delivery destination, thereby preventing the package from being redelivered.

[0075] The present disclosure can also be realized as a computer program that causes a computer to execute each of the characteristic steps included in such a method, or as a system operated by this computer program. Needless to say, such a computer program can be distributed on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0076] Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, and step orders shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept are described as optional components. Furthermore, in all of the embodiments, the respective contents can be combined.

[0077] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The information providing system provides a service that urges a user, who is a recipient, to be at the delivery destination at the scheduled delivery time of the package and prevents the package from being redelivered. The information providing system includes a server 1, a user terminal 2 (an example of a first information terminal), and a deliveryman terminal 3. The server 1 to the deliveryman terminal 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT may be, for example, an Internet communication network or a mobile phone communication network. The server 1 may also be called an information providing device.

[0078] The server 1 is composed of, for example, one or more computers, and is responsible for overall control of the information provision system. The user terminal 2 is composed of, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and is carried by a user to whom the services of the information provision system are applied. The user terminal 2 periodically detects its own location and transmits it to the server 1, and displays various messages notified by the server 1.

[0079] The delivery person terminal 3 is configured as a portable information processing device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and displays various messages to the delivery person delivering the package. Here, the delivery person terminal 3 may be configured as an information processing device installed in the delivery vehicle in which the delivery person rides, and may be implemented, for example, in the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or car navigation system equipped in the delivery vehicle. The delivery person terminal 3 may also be configured as a dedicated portable information processing device developed for package delivery persons.

[0080] For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates only one user terminal 2, but this is just an example, and multiple user terminals 2 may be included. In this case, data transmitted from these user terminals 2 is managed for each user using the user ID of the user who owns the user terminal 2. Similarly, FIG. 1 illustrates only one deliveryperson terminal 3, but multiple deliveryperson terminals 3 may be included. In this case, data transmitted from the deliveryperson terminal 3 is managed for each deliveryperson using a deliveryperson ID individually assigned to the deliveryperson terminal 3.

[0081] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing system shown in FIG. 1. The server 1 includes a memory 11, a travel time calculation unit 12, a difference calculation unit 13, a difference determination unit 14, a communication unit 15, a stay time determination unit 16, an estimated arrival time calculation unit 17, a message selection unit 18, and a control unit 19. The travel time calculation unit 12, the difference calculation unit 13, the difference determination unit 14, the stay time determination unit 16, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17, the message selection unit 18, and the control unit 19 may be configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU, or may be configured by a dedicated hardware circuit. In this case, these components may be configured as separate hardware, or may be configured by a single processor executing a predetermined program.

[0082] The memory 11 is configured, for example, by a semiconductor memory, and stores in advance the delivery destination of the package addressed to the user, type information indicating the type of the user's current location, the stay time associated with the type information, and the scheduled delivery time of the package.

[0083] The staying time determination unit 16 determines the staying time of the user at the first current location using the first current location of the user received by the communication unit 15 from the user terminal 2 and the type information and staying time stored in the memory 11.

[0084] The travel time calculation unit 12 calculates a first travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination using the user's first current location and the delivery destination stored in the memory 11. Here, the travel time calculation unit 12 may, for example, identify an optimal route connecting the first current location and the delivery destination from map information using a route search algorithm, and calculate the first travel time by dividing the identified optimal route by a predetermined travel speed. For example, if the optimal route is a route expected to be traveled on foot, the walking speed is used; if the optimal route is a route expected to be traveled by car, the travel speed of a car is used; and if the route is expected to be traveled by public transportation such as a train or bus, the travel speed of public transportation is used.

[0085] Alternatively, the travel time calculation unit 12 may request the route search application to calculate the travel time by specifying the first current location and the delivery destination, and use the output travel time as the first travel time. Note that the route search application may be, for example, a route search site published on the Internet.

[0086] The estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates the first estimated arrival time using the first time, which is the detection time of the user terminal 2 at the first current location received by the communication unit 15, the stay time determined by the stay time determination unit 16, and the first travel time calculated by the travel time calculation unit 12. Here, the first estimated arrival time is calculated by adding the stay time and the first travel time to the first time.

[0087] The difference calculation unit 13 calculates a first difference between the first scheduled delivery time of the package to the delivery destination stored in the memory 11 and the first estimated arrival time calculated by the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17.

[0088] The difference determination unit 14 determines whether the first difference calculated by the difference calculation unit 13 is equal to or less than a first threshold. If the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold, the corresponding user is identified as a borderline customer, who returns to the delivery destination around the scheduled delivery time, i.e., exactly at the delivery time, just before the delivery time, or just after the delivery time. Here, the difference determination unit 14 determines whether the absolute value of the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold. As a result, a user whose first estimated arrival time falls within a time period determined by the first threshold before and after the first scheduled delivery time is identified as a borderline customer. For example, 10 minutes can be used as the first threshold. In this case, a user whose first estimated arrival time falls within a period 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after the first scheduled delivery time is identified as a borderline customer. However, this is just an example, and a value other than 10 minutes, such as 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or 15 minutes, can also be used as the first threshold.

[0089] The message selection unit 18 selects the type of message (an example of a first message) to be notified to the user in accordance with the first difference calculated by the difference calculation unit 13. The control unit 19 controls the entire server 1.

[0090] The communication unit 15 is composed of a communication device that connects the server 1 to the network NT, and, for example, receives the first current location and first time sent from the user terminal 2, and sends the message selected by the message selection unit 18 to the user terminal 2.

[0091] The user terminal 2 includes a memory 21, a time management unit 22, a GPS (Global Positioning System sensor) 23, a communication unit 24, a display unit 25, an input unit 26, and a control unit 27. The memory 21 is configured, for example, by a semiconductor memory, and stores applications and the like required for displaying messages.

[0092] The time management unit 22 is configured by, for example, a clock and keeps track of time. The GPS 23 calculates the current location of the user terminal 2 using radio waves from GPS satellites. Here, the GPS 23 may calculate the current location at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.).

[0093] The communication unit 24 is configured with a communication device that connects the user terminal 2 to the network NT, and transmits the current location calculated by the GPS 23 to the server 1 as the user's first current location. At this time, the communication unit 24 associates the first time measured by the time management unit 22 with the first current location and transmits it to the server 1. The communication unit 24 also receives a message transmitted from the server 1. The first time is the time when the GPS 23 calculated the current location of the user terminal 2, i.e., the first time is the time when the GPS 23 calculated the first time. The calculated time may also be referred to as the detected time. The display unit 25 is configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various images including messages, etc. The input unit 26 is configured with, for example, a touch panel, and accepts various operations from the user. The control unit 27 is configured with a processor such as a CPU, and is responsible for overall control of the user terminal 2.

[0094] The delivery person terminal 3 includes a memory 31, a time management unit 32, a GPS 33, a reading unit 34, a communication unit 35, a display unit 36, an input unit 37, and a control unit 38. The memory 31 is configured, for example, by a semiconductor memory, and stores applications for displaying various messages sent from the server 1.

[0095] The time management unit 32 is configured, for example, by a clock and keeps track of time. The GPS 33 uses radio waves from GPS satellites to calculate the current location of the delivery person terminal 3. Here, the GPS 33 may calculate the current location at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.).

[0096] The reading unit 34 is configured, for example, with a barcode reader that reads a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) written on a package slip attached to the package. Here, the barcode or QR code (registered trademark) includes at least a package ID, which is an identifier for the package. When a delivery person loads a package into a delivery vehicle at a distribution center, the delivery person has the reading unit 34 read the barcode or QR code (registered trademark) written on the package slip of the loaded package. As a result, the delivery person terminal 3 can obtain package information such as the delivery destination, recipient, and scheduled delivery time from the server 1 using the package ID read by the reading unit 34 as a key, and manage the packages to be delivered.

[0097] The communication unit 35 is configured with a communication device that connects the deliveryman terminal 3 to the network NT, and transmits the current location detected by the GPS 33 and the time measured by the time management unit 32 to the server 1 in association with each other.

[0098] The display unit 36 ​​is configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various images including messages sent from the server 1. The input unit 37 is configured with, for example, a touch panel, and accepts various operations from the user. The control unit 38 is configured with a processor such as a CPU, and is responsible for overall control of the delivery person terminal 3.

[0099] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the current location DB 31 and the type DB 32 stored in the memory 11 of the server 1. The current location DB 31 is a database that stores the first current location of the user, and one record stores the first current location detected by the user terminal 2.

[0100] Specifically, the current location DB 31 stores "time," "user ID," "location information," and "current location" in association with each other. "Time" indicates the detection time of the first current location detected by the user terminal 2. Here, the "time" column stores the time transmitted in association with the first current location.

[0101] "User ID" indicates the identifier of the user whose first current location has been detected. Here, the "user ID" may be a user ID that is previously associated with the communication address of the user terminal 2 that transmitted the first current location, or if the user ID is included in the first current location transmitted from the user terminal 2, that user ID may be used. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the first current location of a user whose user ID is "GUEST0020" is shown here, but this is just an example, and if the server 1 has also received the first current locations of other users, the first current locations of these other users will also be stored in the current location DB 31.

[0102] "Location information" indicates location information of the first current location. Here, the location information is composed of two-dimensional data of latitude and longitude, but this is just an example and may also be composed of three-dimensional data including height. "Current location" indicates the location of the first current location, such as "Oimachi Station platform." Note that the "current location" may be identified by the server 1, for example, by referencing map information from the location information of the first current location transmitted from the user terminal 2, or if the current location is transmitted from the user terminal 2 in association with the first current location, the transmitted current location may be used.

[0103] The type DB 32 is used to identify the type corresponding to the first current location, and is a database that stores a "current location" in association with a "type," with one current location associated with one record. The "current location" is the same as the "current location" in the current location DB 31. The "type" indicates the type of the "current location," and indicates, for example, the type of facility located at the current location. Here, "station" indicating a public transportation station, "gym" indicating a sports gym such as a yoga studio, and "supermarket" indicating a supermarket are stored in the "type" column. The type DB 32 is created in advance.

[0104] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the stay time DB 41, delivery destination DB 42, and package DB 43 stored in the memory 11 of the server 1. The stay time DB 41 is used to identify the stay time of the user at the first current location, and is a database that stores "type" and "stay time" in association with each other. The "type" is the same as the "type" in the type DB 32. The "stay time" indicates the stay time that the user is expected to stay at the current location indicated by the type. Here, the stay time is calculated by analyzing past statistical data or by machine learning. Here, times such as "5 minutes" for a "station" and "20 minutes" for a "supermarket" are used.

[0105] The delivery destination DB 42 is a database that stores the delivery destinations of packages, with one delivery destination assigned to one record. Specifically, the delivery destination DB 42 stores a "user ID," a "delivery address," and a "message destination" in association with each other. The "user ID" is the identifier of the user who will receive the package. The "delivery address" is the address of the destination of the package. The "message destination" is a communication address such as the email address of the user terminal 2 of the recipient user.

[0106] The package DB 43 is a database used to determine the first scheduled delivery time of a package to a delivery destination, and one package is assigned to one record. Specifically, the package DB 43 stores a "user ID," a "package ID," a "scheduled delivery time," and a "sender" in association with each other. The "user ID" indicates the user ID of the user who is the recipient of the package. The "package ID" indicates the package ID, which is an identifier that uniquely identifies the package. The "scheduled delivery time" is the first scheduled delivery time of the package to the delivery destination. In this example, the first scheduled delivery time is composed of the year, month, date, and time, such as "January 1, 2018, 13:00." Note that the first scheduled delivery time is a scheduled delivery time calculated in advance taking into consideration the user's desired delivery time, the delivery destination, the delivery route of the delivery vehicle, and the like. The "sender" indicates the user ID of the sender of the package.

[0107] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the customer message DB 51 and delivery person message DB 52 stored in the memory 11 of the server 1. The customer message DB 51 is a database that stores messages selected by the message selection unit 18, with one message assigned to one record. Specifically, the customer message DB 51 stores a "message ID" and a "message" in association with each other. The "message ID" indicates the identifier of the message. The "message" column stores the content of the message. In the messages listed here, the "XX:XX" section contains the first scheduled delivery time.

[0108] The message on the first line, "Your package will be delivered at around XX:XX," is a message that is sent to, for example, a user whose first estimated arrival time is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time by the first threshold value, i.e., a user who is expected to be at home.

[0109] The message on the second line, "Your package will be delivered at around XX:XX. Will you be home?" is a message sent to, for example, a user who falls under the category of borderline customer described above. This message includes the phrase "Will you be home?" and requests a response from the user. Therefore, when the user receives this message, the user operates the user terminal 2 to input a response indicating whether or not they will be home, and sends the response to the server 1.

[0110] The message on the third line, "Your package will be delivered around XX:XX. If there is a delivery box available, we will put it in." is a message that is notified to, for example, a user whose first estimated arrival time is after the first scheduled delivery time plus the first threshold, i.e., a user who is certain to be absent.

[0111] The delivery person message DB 52 is a database that stores messages selected by the message selection unit 18, with one message assigned to one record. Specifically, the delivery person message DB 52 stores a "message ID" and a "message" in association with each other. The "message ID" indicates the identifier of the message. The "message" indicates the content of the message. In the messages listed here, the "XX:XX" part indicates the first estimated arrival time.

[0112] The message on the first line, "The estimated arrival time is XX:XX. There is a high possibility that the user will be at home," is, for example, a delivery person message that is notified to a delivery person who delivers a package for a user who is certain to be at home at the first scheduled delivery time.

[0113] The message on the second line, "Estimated arrival time is XX:XX. We are currently checking whether you can receive it," is, for example, a delivery person message sent to a delivery person who delivers a package for a borderline customer.

[0114] The message on the third line, "The estimated arrival time is XX:XX. There is a high possibility that the user will not be at home," is, for example, a delivery person message that is notified to a delivery person who delivers a package to a user who is certain to be at home at the first scheduled delivery time.

[0115] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of data transmission and reception between the user terminal 2 and the server 1 in the information providing system shown in FIG.

[0116] The user terminal 2 associates the first current location detected by the GPS 23 with the first time, which is the time when the GPS 23 detected the first current location, and transmits them to the server 1. This transmission is performed periodically, and the transmitted first current location and first time are stored in the current location DB 31 shown in FIG.

[0117] Next, when the specified processing timing arrives, the server 1 selects a message from the customer message DB 51 shown in Figure 5 according to the comparison result between the first difference between the first estimated arrival time and the first scheduled delivery time and the first threshold value, and sends it to the user terminal 2.

[0118] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of data transmission and reception between the deliveryman terminal 3 and the server 1 in the information provision system of Fig. 1. The deliveryman terminal 3 associates the current location of the deliveryman detected by the GPS 33 with the time of detection and transmits the information to the server 1. This transmission is performed periodically, and the server 1 grasps the current location of the deliveryman.

[0119] Next, when the specified processing timing arrives, the server 1 selects a delivery person message from the delivery person message DB 52 shown in Figure 5 according to the comparison result between the first difference between the first estimated arrival time and the first scheduled delivery time and the first threshold value, and sends it to the delivery person terminal 3.

[0120] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to embodiment 1. In S1, the communication unit 15 acquires the first current location and the first time transmitted from the user terminal 2. In S2, the control unit 19 acquires the type DB 32, the package DB 43, the delivery destination DB 42, and the stay time DB 41 from the memory 11.

[0121] In S3, the stay time determination unit 16 determines the stay time. For example, assume that the first current location acquired in S1 is "Oimachi Station platform." In this case, "station" is identified as the type from the type DB 32 shown in Fig. 3, and "5 minutes" is identified from the stay time DB 41 shown in Fig. 4.

[0122] In S4, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates a first travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location acquired in S1 to the delivery destination. For example, if the user ID of the user located at the first current location acquired in S1 is "GUEST0020," the delivery destination "Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City..." is identified from the delivery destination DB 42. Then, an optimal route between the first current location and the delivery destination is identified, and the first travel time is calculated by dividing the optimal route by an expected travel speed or by requesting a route search application to calculate the travel time.

[0123] In S5, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates a first estimated time of arrival at the user's delivery destination by adding the stay time at the first current location determined in S3 and the first travel time calculated in S4 to the first time acquired in S1. In the example of the Oimachi Station platform described above, if the current time is 18:55, the stay time at the "station" is "5 minutes," and the first travel time from the Oimachi Station platform to the delivery destination is calculated to be "20 minutes," the first estimated time of arrival is calculated to be 19:20 by adding 5 minutes and 20 minutes to 18:55.

[0124] In S6, the difference calculation unit 13 calculates a first difference by subtracting the first scheduled delivery time of the corresponding package stored in the package DB 43 from the first estimated arrival time calculated in S5. For example, in the example of the Oimachi Station platform described above, if the first scheduled delivery time is "19:25," the first estimated arrival time is "19:20," and therefore the first difference is "-5 minutes," which is the difference between "19:20" and "19:25."

[0125] In S7, the message selection unit 18 selects a message according to the first difference and transmits it to the user terminal 2 of the corresponding user using the communication unit 15. For example, if the absolute value of the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold, that is, if the corresponding user is a borderline customer, the message selection unit 18 transmits a message written in the second row of the customer message DB 51 requesting an answer as to whether or not the item can be picked up.

[0126] In this case, the message selection unit 18 first sends a message to the deliveryperson terminal 3 indicating that the availability of pickup is being confirmed, which is shown in the second row of the deliveryperson message DB 52. Then, if the user replies that pickup is possible, the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the deliveryperson terminal 3 indicating that pickup is possible. On the other hand, if the user replies that pickup is not possible, the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the deliveryperson terminal 3 indicating that pickup is not possible.

[0127] Furthermore, if the absolute value of the first difference is greater than the first threshold value and the first estimated arrival time is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time, the message selection unit 18 transmits a message to be sent to the user who is expected to be at home, which is written in the first row of the customer message DB 51. In this case, the message selection unit 18 may transmit, for example, a message indicating that the user is likely to be at home, which is written in the first row of the delivery person message DB 52, to the delivery person terminal 3. This allows the delivery person to deliver the package with peace of mind without worrying about redelivery.

[0128] Furthermore, if the absolute value of the first difference is greater than the first threshold value and the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time, the message selection unit 18 transmits a message to be sent to the user who is likely to be absent, as described in the third line of Fig. 5. In this case, the message selection unit 18 may transmit, for example, a message indicating a high possibility of absence, as described in the third line of the delivery person message DB 52, to the delivery person terminal 3. This allows the delivery person to skip the delivery destination of the corresponding package and head to the next delivery destination, thereby enabling efficient delivery of packages.

[0129] In the flow diagram of FIG. 8, a message requesting an answer is sent to users who are borderline customers, but no message requesting an answer is sent to other users. This reduces the inconvenience to users. On the other hand, a message requesting an answer is sent to users who are borderline customers. This gives users who respond that they are available to receive the parcel the psychological effect of "keeping their promise," which is expected to prevent redelivery. On the other hand, for users who respond that they are unable to receive the parcel, a message indicating that they are unable to receive the parcel is sent to the delivery person, which prevents the delivery person from delivering the parcel to the destination, thereby preventing redelivery.

[0130] 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 1. In this flow, a message is sent to a user who is a borderline customer.

[0131] In S11, process A is executed. Process A is the process shown in S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. In S12, difference determination unit 14 determines whether the absolute value of the first difference is equal to or less than a first threshold. If the absolute value of the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S13, and if the absolute value of the first difference is greater than the first threshold (NO in S12), the process ends.

[0132] In S13, the message selection unit 18 uses the communication unit 15 to send a message prompting the user terminal 2 to respond to the question of whether or not the item can be picked up, which is written in the second line of the customer message DB 51, and also uses the communication unit 15 to send a message to the delivery person terminal 3 indicating that the question of whether or not the item can be picked up, which is written in the second line of the delivery person message DB 52, is currently being confirmed.

[0133] If the user notifies the delivery person terminal 3 that the parcel is available for pickup, the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the delivery person terminal 3 that the parcel is available for pickup. On the other hand, if the user notifies the delivery person terminal 3 that the parcel is unavailable for pickup, the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the delivery person terminal 3 that the parcel is unavailable for pickup.

[0134] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a message display screen G1 that displays a message requesting an answer as to whether or not you will receive the package. The message display screen G1 has a display field R1 that displays the message "The package will be delivered around 20:05. Will you be at home?" and a button B1 with "Yes" written on it and a button B2 with "No" written on it.

[0135] The "20:05" in the message in display field R1 indicates the first scheduled delivery time. Button B1 is selected when the package can be received at the first scheduled delivery time, and button B2 is selected when the package cannot be received at the first scheduled delivery time.

[0136] By looking at the message written in display field R1, the user decides whether or not to receive the package at 8:05 p.m. If the user wishes to receive the package, the user selects button B1; if the user does not wish to receive the package, the user selects button B2.

[0137] In the user terminal 2, when the input unit 26 detects an operation by the user to select button B1, the control unit 27 sends a response to the server 1 that the package is available for pickup using the communication unit 24. On the other hand, when the input unit 26 detects an operation by the user to select button B2, the control unit 27 sends a response to the server 1 that the package is not available for pickup using the communication unit 24. This allows the server 1 to determine whether or not the package is available for pickup by the borderline customer.

[0138] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a message display screen G2 that displays a delivery person message. This message display screen G2 is a screen that is displayed on the delivery person terminal 3 when the user replies that they are available to receive the package. The message display screen G2 has a display field R2. The display field R2 displays a message that reads, "Mr. / Ms. XX is expected to arrive at the delivery destination around 20:05." Here, "Mr. / Ms. XX" is the name of the user who replied that they are available to receive the package. "20:05" is the first estimated arrival time for Mr. / Ms. XX.

[0139] Furthermore, the display field R2 displays the package ID. This package ID is data identified from the package DB 43, and is included in the message sent from the server 1 to the delivery person terminal 3.

[0140] When the delivery person sees this message display screen G2, he or she will determine that "Mr. / Ms. XX" is available to receive the package, and can deliver the package with peace of mind.

[0141] According to embodiment 1, the user's stay time is determined from the type of the user's first current location (e.g., supermarket, workplace, etc.), and the first estimated arrival time at the delivery destination is calculated taking into account that stay time, so the estimated arrival time can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0142] (Embodiment 2) The information provision system according to the second embodiment starts the processing shown in the first embodiment at a first timing when loading of all packages onto the delivery vehicle is completed at the delivery center. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the overall configuration diagram and block diagram are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0143] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the parcel DB 12 in the second embodiment. The parcel DB 12 further includes columns for "delivery slot" and "loading completion" in comparison with the parcel DB 43. A "delivery slot" refers to the time period from when a delivery vehicle departs from a distribution center, delivers the loaded parcels, and returns to the distribution center. Here, time periods such as "13:00-15:00" and "16:00-18:00" are used as delivery slots. The parcel in the first line has a scheduled delivery time of 13:00, so the delivery slot is 13:00-15:00, and the parcel in the second line has a scheduled delivery time of 13:10, so the delivery slot is 13:00-15:00.

[0144] "Loading Completed" is set to "Complete" to indicate that loading is complete when the corresponding cargo has been loaded onto the delivery vehicle at the distribution center, and is left blank if loading of the corresponding cargo onto the delivery vehicle has not been completed.

[0145] In the example of FIG. 12, for the package in the second row, which has a delivery slot from 13:00 to 15:00, the "Loading Completed" column is blank, so loading of all packages for this delivery slot has not been completed.

[0146] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to embodiment 2. The flow in Fig. 13 starts, for example, a certain time before the start time of the delivery slot to be processed. In S21, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the parcel DB 12 from the memory 11.

[0147] In S22, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires a list of packages for the delivery slot to be loaded from the package DB 12. For example, if the delivery slot to be processed is 13:00-15:00, a list of packages for the delivery slot from 13:00-15:00 is acquired from the package DB 12.

[0148] In S23, the control unit 19 of the server 1 uses the communication unit 15 to obtain the package information read by the reading unit 34 of the delivery person terminal 3.

[0149] Here, at the delivery center, the delivery person loads the package into the delivery vehicle after having the reading unit 34 read the barcode or QR code (registered trademark) written on the package slip attached to the package and having the delivery person terminal 3 acquire package information. The package information acquired by the delivery person terminal 3 is sent to the server 1. Here, the package information includes at least the package ID.

[0150] In S24, the control unit 19 of the server 1 sets "loading completed" of the corresponding cargo in the cargo DB 12 to "completed", thereby setting a "loading completed" flag for the corresponding cargo.

[0151] In S25, the control unit 19 of the server 1 determines whether all the packages in the corresponding delivery slot have been loaded. Here, if "Completed" is written in the "Loading Completed" column for all the packages in the corresponding delivery slot, it is determined that all the packages have been loaded.

[0152] If loading of all packages has not been completed (NO in S25), the process returns to S23, and the delivery person continues loading the packages. On the other hand, if loading of all packages has been completed (YES in S25), the process proceeds to S26. In S26, process A is executed for each package that belongs to the target delivery slot. In S27, a message is sent, similar to S7 in FIG. 8 or S13 in FIG. 9.

[0153] In this way, in the second embodiment, the process A is executed to calculate the first estimated arrival time for each user at the first timing when all packages for the delivery slot have been loaded onto the delivery van. Therefore, compared to the mode in which the first estimated arrival time is calculated before all packages have been loaded onto the delivery van, the first estimated delivery time can be calculated closer to the first estimated delivery time, and even if it takes time to load the packages onto the delivery van, the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0154] (Embodiment 3) The information provision system of embodiment 3 starts the processing shown in embodiment 1 at the first timing when all packages have been loaded onto the delivery vehicle at the delivery center, and also at the second timing each time each package has been handed over to the user.

[0155] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the package DB 14 in the third embodiment. The package DB 14 further includes a "visit completed" column in addition to the package DB 43. When the delivery person hands over the package to the user and completes the visit to the delivery destination, "visit completed" is set to "completed," indicating the completion of the visit, and is left blank if the visit is not completed.

[0156] In the example of Figure 14, the package in the first line has been handed over to the user, so "visit completed" is set to "Done," while the package in the second line has not been handed over to the user, so "visit completed" is blank. In the example of Figure 14, the delivery truck is currently delivering packages for the delivery slot of 13:00-15:00, so "loading completed" for the packages in the first and second lines is set to "Done."

[0157] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the third embodiment. The flow in Fig. 14 starts, for example, a certain time before the start time of the delivery slot to be processed. In S31, processing B is executed. Here, processing B is the processing of S21 to S25 in Fig. 13. However, here, the parcel DB 14 is used instead of the parcel DB 12.

[0158] In S32, the control unit 19 of the server 1 determines whether or not the delivery of the package has been completed. Here, when the delivery person hands over the package to the user, the reading unit 34 reads the barcode or QR code (registered trademark) written on the package slip, causing the delivery person terminal 3 to acquire package information and send it to the server 1. Therefore, when the communication unit 15 receives package information from the delivery person terminal 3, the control unit 19 of the server 1 can determine that the delivery of the package has been completed.

[0159] If the delivery of the package is complete (YES in S32), the process proceeds to S33, and if the delivery of the package is not complete (NO in S32), the process proceeds to S37. In S33, process A is executed. In S33, the user whose package is next in the delivery order is targeted for processing, and process A is executed. In the example of FIG. 14, it is assumed that the delivery order of the packages is user GUEST0020 (hereinafter referred to as user U1) and then user GUEST0030 (hereinafter referred to as user U2). In this case, when the delivery of the package to user U1 is complete, user U2 is targeted for processing, and process A is executed. It is assumed that in FIG. 14, the packages are sorted in delivery order.

[0160] In S34, a message is sent to user U2, similar to S7 in FIG. 8 or S13 in FIG. 9. In S35, the control unit 19 of the server 1 obtains a list of packages for delivery slots from the package DB 14. Here, it is assumed that a list of packages for the delivery slots from 13:00 to 15:00 is obtained. In S36, the control unit 19 of the server 1 sets the "visit completed" field for user U1's package to "completed," thereby setting the "visit completed" flag for the corresponding package.

[0161] In S37, the control unit 19 of the server 1 determines whether or not all parcels in the delivery slot have been handed over. If all parcels have been handed over (YES in S37), the process ends, and if not all parcels have been delivered (NO in S37), the process returns to S32, where it is determined whether or not parcels have been handed over to the next user.

[0162] According to the third embodiment, each time a package is delivered, process A is executed for the user of the next package to calculate the first estimated arrival time and the first difference, and a message according to the first difference is sent to the user terminal 2 of the corresponding user. Therefore, the first estimated arrival time for each user can be calculated closer to the first scheduled delivery time, and the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0163] (Fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, the determination of whether or not a person living with the user who is the recipient of the package is a borderline customer is also applied. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a delivery destination DB 161 and a user DB 162 according to the fourth embodiment. Unlike the delivery destination DB 42, the delivery destination DB 161 has a "delivery destination ID" instead of a "user ID" and a "user list" instead of a "message destination." The "delivery destination ID" is an identifier for the delivery destination of the package. The "user list" stores the user IDs of users residing at each delivery destination. In the example of the delivery destination in the first row, the user IDs of "GUEST0020" and "GUEST0021" are stored in the user list column, so it can be seen that the users indicated by these user IDs reside at this delivery destination.

[0164] The user DB 162 is a database that stores personal information of users, with one user assigned to one record. Specifically, the user DB 162 stores a "user ID," a "name," and a "message destination" in association with each other. The delivery destination DB 161 is an example of a customer list.

[0165] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the package DB 17 according to the fourth embodiment. The package DB 17 further includes a "delivery destination ID" in addition to the package DB 43. The package delivery destination ID and the recipient's user ID are identified by referring to the package DB 17 from the package ID, and housemates are identified by referring to the user list in the delivery destination DB 161 from the delivery destination ID. Furthermore, message destinations for the recipient and housemates are identified by referring to the user DB 162 from the user IDs of the identified recipient and housemate.

[0166] 18 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to the fourth embodiment. In S41, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the delivery destination DB 161, the user DB 162, and the package DB 17 from the memory 11. In S42, the control unit 19 of the server 1 refers to the package DB 17 from the package ID of the package in question to identify the delivery destination ID, and then refers to the delivery destination DB 161 from the identified delivery destination ID to acquire a user list. This identifies the recipient and any cohabitants who reside at the delivery destination of the package in question.

[0167] In S43, the control unit 19 of the server 1 repeats the processes of S44 and S45 for all users, including the recipient and housemates, included in the user list acquired in S42. In S44, process A is executed. Process A is the process of S1 to S6 in FIG. 8. In process A, the current location of the housemate is an example of a second current location, and the detection time of the second current location is an example of a second time. In process A, the first travel time, first estimated arrival time, and first difference calculated for the housemate are examples of a second travel time, second estimated arrival time, and second difference, respectively.

[0168] In S45, the message selection unit 18 uses the communication unit 15 to transmit a message according to the first difference to the user terminals 2 of the individual users included in the user list, similar to S6 in FIG. 8 or S13 in FIG.

[0169] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination for the user's housemate who is the recipient of the package is calculated taking into account the time spent at the current location, just like for the recipient. Therefore, the estimated time of arrival for the housemate can also be calculated with high accuracy. In addition, a message is sent to the housemate based on the comparison result between the first threshold and the first difference. Therefore, even if the recipient is unable to receive the package, if the housemate is a borderline customer, it is possible to effectively pressure the housemate to be at home, thereby increasing the effectiveness in reducing redelivery.

[0170] (Embodiment 5) In the fifth embodiment, even if a user is judged not to be able to return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time based on the first estimated arrival time calculated using the initial stay time, if it is possible to make the user a borderline customer by adjusting the stay time, a message is sent to the user encouraging the user to stay at home.

[0171] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the stay time DB 19 according to the fifth embodiment. The stay time DB 19 further includes "adjustable" in addition to the stay time DB 41. "Adjustable" indicates whether or not the stay time is adjustable. For example, at a supermarket, it is possible to finish shopping and go home immediately. Therefore, "OK" indicating that the stay time is adjustable is stored for the "supermarket." On the other hand, it is considered difficult to finish training and go home immediately at a training gym. Therefore, "NO" indicating that the stay time is not adjustable is stored for the "gym." Note that whether or not the stay time is adjustable as shown in FIG. 19 is just an example, and other aspects may be adopted.

[0172] 20 is a flowchart showing a first example of the processing of the information providing system according to the embodiment 5. In S101, processing A is executed. Processing A is the processing of S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. However, here, the staying time DB 19 is used as the staying time DB.

[0173] In S102, the control unit 19 of the server 1 determines whether the user's stay time at the first current location is adjustable by referring to the stay time DB 19. If it is adjustable (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S103, and if it is not adjustable (NO in S102), the process ends.

[0174] In S103, the control unit 19 determines whether the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time based on the calculation result of S101. If the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time (YES in S103), the process proceeds to S104, and if the first estimated arrival time is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time (NO in S103), the process ends.

[0175] In S104, the control unit 19 assumes that the stay time identified in process A is 0. In S105, process C is executed. Process C is the process of S3 to S6 in FIG. 8. That is, a first travel time from the first current location to the delivery destination is calculated, and a first estimated arrival time is recalculated by adding the first travel time to the first time without adding the stay time. Then, a first difference between the first estimated arrival time and the first scheduled delivery time is recalculated.

[0176] In S106, it is determined whether the recalculated first difference is less than or equal to 0. If the first difference is less than or equal to 0 (YES in S106), the process proceeds to S107, and if the first difference is greater than 0 (NO in S106), the process ends.

[0177] That is, if the user's first estimated arrival time would be earlier than the first scheduled delivery time if he or she were to cut short his or her stay at the first current location and immediately return home, the determination in S106 is YES.

[0178] In S107, the message selection unit 18 uses the communication unit 15 to transmit to the user terminal 2 a message (an example of a second message) that asks the user whether or not the user is able to depart immediately.

[0179] In S108, the control unit 19 determines whether the communication unit 15 has received information indicating that departure is possible immediately from the user terminal 2. If information indicating that departure is possible has been received (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S109, and if information indicating that departure is possible has not been received (NO in S108), the process ends. Here, if the control unit 19 receives information indicating that departure is impossible within a certain time period after sending the message in S107, or if no information has been received, it may determine NO in S108.

[0180] In S109, the control unit 19 sets the first estimated arrival time calculated in process C as the user's first estimated arrival time, and the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the delivery person terminal 3 using the communication unit 15 indicating that the delivery person will be at home at the first estimated arrival time.

[0181] 21 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 5. The processing of S201 to S203 is the same as the processing of S101 to S103 in FIG.

[0182] In S204, the control unit 19 uses the calculation result of process A to calculate a departure time that makes the first difference equal to or less than 0. Here, the departure time is the time at which the first estimated arrival time will be earlier than the first scheduled delivery time if the vehicle departs from the first current location. Therefore, the departure time is calculated using the following formula.

[0183] Departure time = 1st time + (stay time - 1st difference) The first time is the time when it is detected that the user is at the first current location. The first difference is the first estimated arrival time - the first scheduled delivery time. In this case, the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time due to the determination of YES in S203, so the first difference is positive. If the stay time - the first difference is negative, it is not possible to set the first estimated arrival time to the first scheduled delivery time. In this case, the processing from S205 onwards is not performed, and the processing can be terminated.

[0184] In S205, the message selection unit 18 uses the communication unit 15 to transmit to the user terminal 2 a message (an example of a second message) confirming whether it is possible to depart from the first current location by the departure time.

[0185] In S206, the control unit 19 determines whether the communication unit 15 has received information from the user terminal 2 indicating that departure is possible by the departure time. If information indicating that departure is possible has been received (YES in S206), the process proceeds to S207, and if information indicating that departure is possible has not been received (NO in S206), the process ends. Here, the control unit 19 may determine NO in S206 if it receives information indicating that departure is impossible within a certain time period after sending the message in S206, or if it has not received any information.

[0186] In S207, the stay time determination unit 16 determines the departure time calculated in S204 - the time of reception of the information in S206 as the new stay time.

[0187] In S208, the process C is executed using the stay time determined in S207. Process C is the process of S4 to S6 in Fig. 8. This calculates the first estimated arrival time in the case where the vehicle returns to the delivery destination after staying at the first current location for the new stay time.

[0188] In S209, the control unit 19 sets the first estimated arrival time calculated in process C as the user's first estimated arrival time, and the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the delivery person terminal 3 using the communication unit 15 indicating that the delivery person will be at home at the first estimated arrival time.

[0189] 22 is a flowchart showing a third example of the processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 5. The processing of S301 to S304 is the same as the processing of S201 to S204 in FIG.

[0190] In S305, the control unit 19 calculates the remaining time (an example of a second difference) that the user can stay at the first current location. Here, the remaining time is calculated by subtracting the departure time calculated in S304 from the first time.

[0191] In S306, the message selection unit 18 transmits the remaining time to the user terminal 2 using the communication unit 15. This allows the user to know how long he or she can stay at the first current location in order to receive the package.

[0192] Thus, according to embodiment 5, by adjusting the stay time, the first difference can be made to be 0 or less. In other words, for users who can return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time, the possibility of redelivery can be reduced by encouraging them to adjust their stay time.

[0193] (Sixth embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, when the user is aware of the first scheduled delivery time, the value of the first threshold is reduced.

[0194] 23 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the message transmission history DB 231 and the threshold DB 232 according to Embodiment 6. The message transmission history DB 231 is a database that stores the transmission history of advance messages (an example of second messages) for notifying the user of the first scheduled delivery time.

[0195] The message sending history DB231 stores "user ID," "sent time," "message ID," and "read or not," in association with each other. "User ID" is the user ID of the user to whom the advance message is to be sent. "sent time" is the time the advance message was sent. "Message ID" is the identifier of the message sent to the user. Here, the message in the first row of the customer message DB51 is used as the advance message. "Read or not" is information indicating whether the user has opened the advance message, and is set to "opened" if the message has been opened, and blank if the message has not been opened. Here, the advance message is sent, for example, at a specified time one day before the first scheduled delivery time.

[0196] The threshold DB 232 is a database that stores a first threshold that is set depending on whether the prior message has been read or not. In this example, the first threshold is set to 20 minutes if the prior message is not read, and 10 minutes if the prior message has been read (already), but this is just an example.

[0197] 24 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 7. In S51, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the message transmission history DB 231 and the threshold DB 232 from the memory 11.

[0198] In S52, the control unit 19 determines whether the user of the target package has read the advance message by referring to the message transmission history DB 231. If the advance message has been read (YES in S52), the process proceeds to S53, and if the advance message has not been read (NO in S52), the process proceeds to S54.

[0199] In S53, since the advance message has been read, the control unit 19 refers to the threshold DB 232, selects the first threshold for read (=10 minutes), and proceeds to S55. In S54, since the advance message has not been read, the control unit 19 refers to the threshold DB 232, selects the first threshold for unread (=20 minutes), and proceeds to S55.

[0200] In S55, process A is executed using the selected first threshold. Process A is the process of S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. In S56, a message according to the first difference calculated in process A is transmitted to the user terminal 2, similar to S7 in Fig. 8 or S13 in Fig. 9.

[0201] A user who has read the advance message is aware of the first scheduled delivery time and is considered to be a user who is likely to receive the package. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first threshold is set small for users who have read the advance message. This reduces the possibility that this user will be treated as a borderline customer. Therefore, this user can be spared the trouble of checking messages sent to borderline customers.

[0202] (Embodiment 7) In the seventh embodiment, the first threshold is set to a large value when the sender of the package is an acquaintance of the recipient of the package and the two have a close relationship. Acquaintances include family, friends, relatives, etc. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of an address book DB251 and a threshold DB252 according to the seventh embodiment. The address book DB251 is a database that stores a correspondence between a recipient and a sender who has sent a package to the recipient in the past, and includes an "address book owner user ID" and a "registered user ID." The "address book owner user ID" is the user ID of the recipient. The "registered user ID" is the user ID of the sender.

[0203] In the example of FIG. 25, a user indicated as GUEST0020 has previously received a package from a user indicated as GUEST0050, and the latter is considered to be an acquaintance of the former.

[0204] The threshold DB 252 is a database that stores a first threshold that is set depending on whether the sender is an acquaintance of the recipient or not. In this example, the first threshold is set to 30 minutes if the sender is an acquaintance, and 20 minutes if the sender is not an acquaintance, but this is just an example.

[0205] 26 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 7. In S61, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the address book DB 251, the threshold DB 252, and the package DB 43 from the memory 11.

[0206] In S62, the control unit 19 determines whether the sender of the target package is an acquaintance of the recipient. Here, the user IDs of the sender and recipient of the target package are identified from the package DB 43, and the address book DB 251 is referenced based on these user IDs. If the sender's user ID is stored in the "registered user ID" field, the sender is determined to be an acquaintance of the recipient. On the other hand, if the sender's user ID is not stored in the "registered user ID" field, the sender is determined to be not an acquaintance of the recipient.

[0207] If it is determined that the sender is an acquaintance of the recipient (YES in S62), the process proceeds to S63, and if it is determined that the sender is not an acquaintance of the recipient (NO in S62), the process proceeds to S64.

[0208] In S63, the control unit 19 refers to the threshold DB 252 because the sender is an acquaintance of the recipient, selects the first threshold for acquaintances (=30 minutes), and proceeds to S65. In S64, the control unit 19 refers to the threshold DB 252 because the sender is not an acquaintance of the recipient, selects the first threshold for non-acquaintances (=20 minutes), and proceeds to S65. S65 is the same as S55 and S56 in FIG. 24.

[0209] Thus, according to this embodiment, when the sender of a package is an acquaintance of the recipient, the first threshold is set to a higher value than when the sender is not an acquaintance. This increases the likelihood that a user receiving a package from an acquaintance will be treated as a borderline customer. This encourages users to receive important packages from acquaintances, reducing the likelihood that such important packages will be treated as packages requiring redelivery.

[0210] (Embodiment 8) In the eighth embodiment, the first threshold is changed depending on the type of luggage. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a luggage DB 271 and a threshold DB 272 of an information provision system according to the eighth embodiment. Unlike the luggage DB 43, the luggage DB 271 includes a "delivery destination ID" instead of a "user ID", and further includes a "type of luggage". The "type of luggage" is type information indicating the type of luggage, such as general, cool, or golf. "General" indicates that the luggage is a normal luggage. "Cool" indicates that the luggage is fresh food (perishable food). "Golf" indicates that the luggage is a golf bag.

[0211] The threshold DB 272 is a database that stores first thresholds according to the type of package. In this example, the first threshold is set to a larger value for packages that are more important to receive.

[0212] 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 8. In S71, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the package DB 271 and the threshold DB 272 from the memory 11.

[0213] In S72, the control unit 19 acquires the type of the target package from the package DB 271. In S73, the control unit 19 sets the first threshold value corresponding to the type from the threshold DB 272.

[0214] In S74, a process A is executed using the first threshold value set in S73. The process A is the process of S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. S75 is the same as S66 in Fig. 26.

[0215] In this way, in this embodiment, for packages that are highly important to receive, such as golf bags and fresh food, the likelihood that the recipient user will be treated as a borderline customer is increased. This encourages users to receive packages that are highly important to receive, reducing the likelihood of redelivery.

[0216] (Embodiment 9) In the ninth embodiment, the first threshold is changed depending on the size and weight of the package. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a package DB 291 and a threshold DB 292 according to the ninth embodiment. Unlike the package DB 271, the package DB 291 includes a "package category" and a "weight category" instead of a "package type." The "package category" indicates the category of package determined by the sum of the three sides of the package. The sum of the three sides of the package is the sum of the height, width, and depth of the package. For example, for package packed in a rectangular box, the sum of the height, width, and depth of the box is the sum of the three sides. Furthermore, for package other than a rectangular box, when a rectangular parallelepiped circumscribing the package is fitted, the sum of the height, width, and depth of the rectangular parallelepiped is the sum of the three sides.

[0217] Here, the classification of luggage is as follows: luggage with a total of three sides of 60 cm or less is given a value of 60; luggage with a total of three sides of more than 60 cm but less than 100 cm is given a value of 100; and luggage with a total of three sides of more than 100 cm but less than 140 cm is given a value of 140.

[0218] The weight category indicates a category of luggage determined by the weight of the luggage. Here, the weight categories are categorized as 2 kg or less, between 2 kg and 10 kg, and between 10 kg and 15 kg.

[0219] The threshold DB 292 is a database that stores first thresholds corresponding to combinations of "baggage classification" (an example of a second threshold) and "weight classification" (an example of a third threshold). Here, the larger the baggage classification and the heavier the baggage weight classification, the larger the first threshold is set.

[0220] 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 9. In S81, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the package DB 291 and the threshold DB 292 from the memory 11.

[0221] In S82, the control unit 19 acquires the category and weight category of the target package from the package DB 271. In S83, the control unit 19 sets a first threshold corresponding to the category and weight category of the package from the threshold DB 292. For example, since the package in the first row of the package DB 291 has a package category of 60 and a weight category of 2 kg or less, the first threshold is set to 20 minutes.

[0222] In S84, the process A is executed using the first threshold value set in S83. The process A is the process from S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. S85 is the same as S66 in Fig. 26.

[0223] Thus, according to this embodiment, the first threshold is set to a large value for large and heavy packages. Therefore, it is possible to increase the likelihood that a user who is the recipient of such a package with a high redelivery cost will be treated as a borderline customer, and encourage this user to accept the package. As a result, it is possible to reduce the likelihood that a package with a high redelivery cost will be redelivered.

[0224] In the ninth embodiment, the first threshold value is determined using the baggage category and the weight category, but the first threshold value may be determined using either one of the categories.

[0225] (Embodiment 10) In the tenth embodiment, the longer the required time for delivering a package, the larger the first threshold value is set. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the package DB 311 and threshold DB 312 according to the tenth embodiment. Unlike the package DB 271, the package DB 311 includes a "required time" field instead of a "package type." The "required time" indicates the time required for package delivery. Here, the "required time" field stores the time required to deliver the first package from the delivery center and the time required to deliver the next package after delivering the previous package in the delivery order. The required time is calculated according to the delivery route determined when the delivery vehicle delivers all packages belonging to the delivery slot. Here, the delivery route is calculated using a route search algorithm by setting the delivery destinations of the packages belonging to the delivery slot in map information.

[0226] The threshold DB 312 is a database that stores a first threshold corresponding to a "required time" (an example of a fifth threshold). Here, the first threshold is set to be larger as the required time increases.

[0227] 33 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the information providing system according to Embodiment 10. In S91, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the package DB 311 and the threshold DB 312 from the memory 11.

[0228] In S92, the control unit 19 acquires the required time for the target package from the package DB 311. In S93, the control unit 19 sets a first threshold for the required time for the package from the threshold DB 312. For example, since the required time for the package in the second row of the package DB 311 is 10 minutes, the first threshold is set to 30 minutes.

[0229] In S94, a process A is executed using the first threshold value set in S93. The process A is the process of S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. S95 is the same as S66 in Fig. 26.

[0230] In this embodiment, the first threshold may be set according to the delivery distance instead of the required time. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the package DB 321 and the threshold DB 322 according to a modification of the tenth embodiment. Unlike the package DB 311, the package DB 321 includes a "delivery distance" instead of a "required time." The "delivery distance" indicates the delivery distance of a package, and in this case, the "delivery distance" column stores the delivery distance from the delivery center to the delivery of the first package and the delivery distance from the delivery destination of the previous package to the delivery destination of the next package. The delivery distance is calculated according to the delivery route determined using a route search algorithm when the delivery vehicle delivers all packages belonging to a delivery slot.

[0231] The threshold DB 322 is a database that stores a first threshold corresponding to a "delivery distance" (an example of a fourth threshold). Here, the first threshold is set to be larger as the delivery distance increases.

[0232] Thus, according to this embodiment, the first threshold is set to a larger value for parcels that require a longer delivery time or a longer delivery distance. This increases the likelihood that a user who is the recipient of such a parcel with a high redelivery cost will be treated as a borderline customer, and encourages this user to accept the parcel. As a result, the likelihood that a parcel with a high redelivery cost will be redelivered can be reduced.

[0233] (Embodiment 11) In the eleventh embodiment, the staying time is changed depending on the time zone and day of the week that the user is in the first current location. Fig. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the staying time DB 34 according to the eleventh embodiment.

[0234] The stay time DB 34 is a database that stores stay times according to the day of the week and time period for each type of first current location. The stay time DB 34 stores "type," "stay time (weekdays)," "stay time (Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday - 1 PM)," and "stay time (Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday - 1 PM)" in association with each other.

[0235] "Type" indicates the type of the first current location. "Staple time (weekdays)" indicates the duration of stay on weekdays. "Staple time (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays - 1pm)" indicates the duration of stay until 1pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. "Staple time (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays - 1pm)" indicates the duration of stay after 1pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

[0236] Here, based on the idea that users have more time in their schedules on weekends and holidays than on weekdays, the overall stay time on weekends and holidays is set to be longer than the stay time on weekdays. Also, based on the idea that users have more time in their schedules in the afternoons on weekends and holidays than in the mornings, the overall stay time on weekends and holidays after 1:00 PM is set to be longer than the stay time on weekends and holidays. However, this is just one example, and for a first current location where stay times tend to be longer on weekdays than on weekends and holidays, the stay time on weekdays may be set to be longer than the stay time on weekends and holidays. Also, while the stay time is not set by time period on weekdays here, it may be set by time period. Also, while the stay time is set by two time periods, before 1:00 PM and after 1:00 PM here, this is just one example, and the stay time may be set by three or more time periods. Furthermore, although the stay time is broadly divided into two, weekdays and weekends and holidays, it may also be divided by day of the week, such as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.

[0237] 35 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to embodiment 11. In S401, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the staying time DB 34 from the memory 11. In S402, the control unit 19 acquires the current time and the day of the week using a clock provided in the server 1.

[0238] In S403, the stay time corresponding to the current time and day of the week is obtained from the stay time DB 34. For example, if the current time is 10:00 and the day of the week is Saturday, the stay time stored in the column "stay time (Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday - 1:00 PM)" is obtained, and if the day of the week is a weekday, the stay time stored in the column "stay time (weekday)" is obtained.

[0239] In S404, a process A is executed using the stay time acquired in S403. The process A is the process of S1 to S6 in Fig. 8. S405 is the same as S66 in Fig. 26.

[0240] In this way, according to the present embodiment, the stay time determined for each time period and day of the week is used, so the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy, which further reduces the possibility of redelivery of the package.

[0241] In the eleventh embodiment, the stay time is determined for each time period and day of the week, but the stay time may be determined using either one of them.

[0242] (Embodiment 12) In the twelfth embodiment, a different staying time is set for each user. Fig. 36 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the staying time DB 36 according to the twelfth embodiment. The staying time DB 36 is a database that stores the staying time at the first current location for each user. The staying time DB 36 further includes a "user ID" in addition to the staying time DB 41.

[0243] For example, at "Supermarket," a user with user ID "GUEST0020" tends to stay longer than a user with user ID "GUEST0021," so the stay time of the former is set longer than that of the latter. Here, the stay time stored in the stay time DB 36 may be calculated from the movement history of each user, or a value set by the user himself may be used.

[0244] The flow of this embodiment may be the flow of Fig. 35. In this case, the staying time DB 41 is acquired in S401, the user ID of the user at the delivery destination is acquired in S402, and the staying time of the user is acquired from the staying time DB 36 in S403.

[0245] In this way, according to the present embodiment, since the stay time determined for each user is used, the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy, which further reduces the possibility of redelivery of the package.

[0246] (Embodiment 13) In the thirteenth embodiment, the stay time at the first current location is determined based on the user's past movement history. Fig. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the stay time DB 37 according to the thirteenth embodiment. The stay time DB 37 further includes a "user ID" in addition to the stay time DB 34, and stores the stay time for each first current location calculated from the user's past movement history.

[0247] The stay time DB 37 is determined, for example, by calculating, for each "type" of location from each user's past movement history, the average stay time on weekdays, the average stay time until 1:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and the average stay time after 1:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. For example, when the past movement history of a user with user ID "GUEST0020" is analyzed, the average stay time on weekdays in the "supermarket" category is 20 minutes, so "20 minutes" is stored in the first row of the stay time DB 37 as the stay time on weekdays. The stay time in each time period for other time periods and other users is calculated in this manner using the past movement history.

[0248] In the stay time DB37, stay time is calculated for three time periods, but stay time may also be calculated from past movement history for each day of the week, such as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc., or stay time may also be calculated from past movement history for each day of the week and four or more time periods.

[0249] Furthermore, the control unit 19 of the server 1 may manage the movement history for each user by storing the location information periodically transmitted from the user terminal 2 in the memory 11 for each user.

[0250] In this way, according to the present embodiment, the stay time determined by taking the user's movement history into consideration is used, so the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy, which further reduces the possibility of redelivery of the package.

[0251] (Embodiment 14) In the fourteenth embodiment, the remaining stay time is estimated taking into consideration the time elapsed since the user arrived at the first current location. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a current location DB 39 that stores the current locations of users. The current location DB 39 (an example of time-series information) is a database that stores "time," "user ID," "location information," "current location," and "elapsed time" in association with each other. In this example, location information for user ID "GUEST0020" is stored every minute. This example shows that the user arrived at the Oimachi Station platform at 7:00 PM, arrived at △△ Yoga Studio Oimachi at 7:20 PM, and arrived at XX Mart Oimachi store at 8:45 PM.

[0252] The "current location" field stores the location determined by the control unit 19 of the server 1 by comparing the location information transmitted from the user terminal 2 with map information. The "elapsed time" field stores the time elapsed since the control unit 19 arrived at the location stored in the "current location."

[0253] 39 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 14. In S501, the control unit 19 of the server 1 acquires the current location DB 39, the type DB 32, the package DB 43, the delivery destination DB 42, and the stay time DB 41 from the memory 11.

[0254] In S502, the control unit 19 acquires the time that has elapsed since the user arrived at the first current location from the current location DB 39. For example, if the current time is 19:01, the acquired elapsed time is 1 minute.

[0255] In S503, the stay time determination unit 16 determines the stay time according to the type of the first current location by referring to the type DB 32 and the stay time DB 41. In the previous example, since the user is on the platform of Oimachi Station, the stay time of "5 minutes" for the type "station" is determined from the stay time DB 41.

[0256] In S504, the stay time determination unit 16 updates the stay time by subtracting the elapsed time acquired in S502 from the stay time determined in S503. In the previous example, the updated stay time is "4 minutes" obtained by subtracting the elapsed time "1 minute" from the stay time "5 minutes."

[0257] In S505, a process C is executed using the stay time updated in S504. Process C is the process of S4 to S6 in Fig. 8. In S506, a message according to the first difference calculated in process C is transmitted to the user terminal 2, similar to S7 in Fig. 8 or S13 in Fig. 9.

[0258] As described above, according to this embodiment, the elapsed time since the user arrived at the first current location is acquired from the current location DB 39, and the value (remaining time) is calculated by subtracting the elapsed time from the default stay time at the first current location (stay time stored in the stay time DB 41), and this remaining time is used as the stay time to calculate the first estimated arrival time. Therefore, the first estimated arrival time can be calculated with higher accuracy. As a result, the possibility of redelivery can be reduced.

[0259] (Embodiment 15) In the fifteenth embodiment, a message sent to a user who is a borderline customer includes a public transportation itinerary for returning to the delivery destination from the first nearest station to the first current location. The itinerary list is information including a list of public transportation itineraries that can be used to return to the delivery destination from the first nearest station by public transportation by the first scheduled delivery time. Public transportation includes trains, buses, etc.

[0260] 40 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen G3 of a process list notified to a user in embodiment 15. In the example of display screen G3, "AA Station" is specified as the first nearest station, and a process list is included in which three processes that can be completed by using public transportation from "AA Station" to return home by the first scheduled delivery time are displayed in order of earliest expected arrival time.

[0261] For example, the first process shows that if you take the J Railways KT Line, which departs from "AA Station" at 19:03, and take 25 minutes, you will arrive at "BB Station," the nearest station to the delivery destination, at 19:28, and then it will be an 11-minute walk from "BB Station" to the delivery destination, "Home," at 19:39.

[0262] The third step shows that if you take the J-rail KT line departing from AA Station at 7:13 PM, you will be able to get home by the first scheduled delivery time.

[0263] Therefore, the user can determine how much time they have left to stay at the first current location by viewing the process list displayed on the display screen G3. For example, if an important package is to be delivered, the user can decide to leave at the first process to allow for ample time, or if they want to prioritize staying at the first current location as much as possible, they can decide to leave at the last possible third process.

[0264] 41 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information providing system according to the fifteenth embodiment. In S601, processing A is executed. Processing A corresponds to the processing of S1 to S6 in FIG. 8. In S602, the difference determination unit 14 determines whether or not the first difference calculated in processing A is equal to or less than the first threshold. If the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold (YES in S602), the processing proceeds to S603, and if the first difference is greater than the first threshold (NO in S602), the processing ends. In other words, the processing from S603 onwards is applied to a user identified as a borderline customer.

[0265] In S603, a process list generation routine is executed. Details of this process will be explained later. In S604, the message selection unit 18 uses the communication unit 15 to send a message prompting the user terminal 2 to respond as to whether or not the user intends to be at home at the first estimated arrival time described in FIG. 10. In S605, the message selection unit 18 sends the process list to the user terminal 2 using the communication unit 15.

[0266] 42 is a flowchart showing details of the process list generation routine. In S701, the control unit 19 clears the process chart for storing process information to be included in the process list. In S702, the control unit 19 determines whether the first estimated arrival time calculated in process A is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time stored in the package DB 43. If the first estimated arrival time is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time (YES in S702), the process proceeds to S703, and if the first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time (NO in S702), the process returns. That is, in this flow, even if a user is a borderline customer, the process excludes users whose first estimated arrival time is later than the first scheduled delivery time.

[0267] In S703, the control unit 19 sets a variable N, which indicates the number of times to loop from S704 to S708, to an initial value of 1.

[0268] In S704, the control unit 19 acquires Nth step information including an Nth travel route, travel time, and Nth arrival time to the delivery destination, with the departure point as the first current location and the departure time as the Nth time.

[0269] Specifically, the control unit 19 transmits a process search request to the route search site, specifying the first current location as the departure point, the Nth time as the departure time, and the delivery destination as the destination, using the communication unit 15. Then, the control unit 19 receives the process information transmitted as a response from the route search site, thereby acquiring the Nth process information.

[0270] Here, the response from the route search site includes the first nearest station to the first current location, the departure time of public transportation from the first nearest station, the type of public transportation and travel time from the first nearest station to the second nearest station to the delivery destination, the arrival time at the second nearest station, the travel time from the second nearest station to the delivery destination, and the arrival time at the delivery destination (an example of a third estimated arrival time).

[0271] In the example of the first step in Figure 40, the first nearest station is AA station, the Nth time is 19:03, the travel route is J Electric Railway KT Line, the travel time is 25 minutes, the second nearest station is BB station, and the Nth arrival time is 19:39.

[0272] If a public transportation transfer station is included between the first nearest station and the second nearest station, the response from the route search site may include the transfer station and the arrival and departure times at the transfer station. In this case, the display screen G3 may include the arrival and departure times at the transfer station.

[0273] In S705, the control unit 19 determines whether the Nth arrival time is before the first scheduled delivery time. If the Nth arrival time is before the first scheduled delivery time (YES in S705), the process proceeds to S706. On the other hand, if the Nth arrival time is after the first scheduled delivery time (NO in S705), the process indicated by the Nth process information acquired in S704 does not allow the user to return to the delivery destination by the first scheduled delivery time, and there is no point in presenting this information to the user, so the process ends.

[0274] In S706, the control unit 19 determines whether or not process information including a public transportation route with the same content as the Nth process information has not been acquired. Note that a public transportation route with the same content refers to a public transportation route and time period taken from the first nearest station to the second nearest station.

[0275] If the answer is YES in S706, the process proceeds to S707, and if the answer is NO in S706, the process proceeds to S708. In S707, the control unit 19 adds the Nth process information to the process list. In S708, the control unit 19 increments the variable N by 1 and returns the process to S704.

[0276] That is, this flow is a process of acquiring the Nth step information (S704) while incrementing N of the Nth time, which is the departure time from the first current location, by 1 (for example, 1 minute) at a time (S708). Therefore, when the Nth time is incremented by 1, it is expected that step information including the same public transportation route will be acquired consecutively. Therefore, this flow includes a process of S706, and if step information including the same public transportation route has already been acquired, that step information is discarded (NO in S706), preventing multiple steps including the same public transportation route from being presented to the user.

[0277] In this way, in the flow of Fig. 42, the Nth process information for which the user can return home by the first scheduled delivery time is ultimately entered in the process list. Therefore, by transmitting the process list to the user terminal 2 in S605 of Fig. 41, the user terminal 2 can display the display screen G3 including the process list for which the user can return home by the first scheduled delivery time on the display unit 25.

[0278] In this way, according to this embodiment, the user is notified of process information for public transportation from the first nearest station to the delivery destination, where the estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination is earlier than the first scheduled delivery time. This allows the user to determine how much longer they can stay at the first current location, making it possible to more reliably prevent redelivery.

[0279] (Embodiment 16) In the sixteenth embodiment, a process list including public transportation processes that will allow the user to return home by the first scheduled delivery time is presented to the user. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen G4 of the process list notified to the user in the sixteenth embodiment. The display screen G4 differs from the display screen G3 in that it displays public transportation process information from the first nearest station "AA Station" to the second nearest station "BB Station," but does not display the travel time from the second nearest station to the delivery destination. Note that, if there is a transfer station between the first nearest station and the second nearest station, the process list on the display screen G4 may also display the arrival time and departure time at the transfer station.

[0280] FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a station information DB 45 according to the sixteenth embodiment. The station information DB 45 is a database that stores station information indicating the locations of multiple stations and the departure times of public transportation at each station. The station information DB 45 stores "railway company," "line name," "station name," "location," "departure time 1," "departure time 2," and so on, in association with each other. In the example of the first line, multiple departure times for one day on the KT line of J Electric Railways at "AA Station" are stored as "departure time 1," "departure time 2," and so on. The station information DB 45 also stores location information indicating the location of each station using latitude and longitude. Furthermore, since the main line of K Electric Railways also passes through "AA Station," the departure times for one day for this line are also stored.

[0281] In the example of Figure 44, the J Railway KT Line, listed consecutively in the "Departure time 1" column on the first and second lines, indicates the same train departing from AA station at 5:03 and from BB station at 5:28. Also, the K Railway Main Line, listed consecutively in the "Departure time 1" column on the fourth and fifth lines, indicates the same train departing from AA station at 5:50 and from CC station at 6:14. This is also true for the other departure time columns.

[0282] The station information DB 45 may store station information about all stations within the area to which the information providing service is applied, which may be within Japan, a region such as the Kinki region, or a prefecture.

[0283] 45 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information providing system according to Embodiment 16. In S801, processing A is executed. Processing A corresponds to the processing of S1 to S6 in FIG.

[0284] In S802, the difference determination unit 14 determines whether the first difference calculated in process A is equal to or less than the first threshold. If the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold (YES in S802), the process proceeds to S803. If the first difference is greater than the first threshold (NO in S802), the process ends. In other words, the processes from S803 onwards are applied to the user identified as a borderline customer.

[0285] In S803, the control unit 19 acquires the station information DB 45 from the memory 11. In S804, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates a second travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the first nearest station. Here, the travel time calculation unit 12 first compares the location information of the first current location with the location information of each station stored in the station information DB 45, and identifies the station closest to the first current location as the first nearest station. Then, the travel time calculation unit 12 identifies an optimal route from the first current location to the first nearest station from the map information, and calculates the second travel time by dividing the distance of the optimal route by the user's travel speed (here, walking speed). Note that the travel time calculation unit 12 may calculate the second travel time by assuming that the distance of the optimal route is the straight-line distance from the first current location to the first nearest station plus a predetermined margin.

[0286] In S805, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates the arrival time at the first nearest station as the second time. Here, the travel time calculation unit 12 may calculate the second time by adding the second travel time to the first time.

[0287] In S806, a third travel time required for the user to travel from the second nearest station to the delivery destination is calculated. Here, the travel time calculation unit 12 compares the location information of the delivery destination with the location information of each station stored in the station information DB 45, identifies the station closest to the delivery destination as the second nearest station, and calculates the third travel time using the same method as for the second travel time.

[0288] In S807, the travel time calculation unit 12 uses the third travel time and the first scheduled delivery time to calculate a third time by which the user must arrive at the second nearest station at the latest. Here, the travel time calculation unit 12 may calculate the third time as, for example, the time obtained by subtracting the third travel time from the first scheduled delivery time or the time obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from that time.

[0289] In S808, the control unit 19 uses the station information DB 45, the second time, and the third time to generate a process list including process information for public transportation that can arrive at the second nearest station from the time that is after the second time until the third time.

[0290] Here, the control unit 19 extracts from the station information DB 45 all lines that depart from "AA Station" after the second time and arrive at "BB Station" by the third time. In the example of FIG. 44, the second time is 5:00 and the third time is 6:00. In this case, trains that depart from AA Station after 5:00 and can arrive at BB Station by 6:00 are the KT Line of J Electric Railway, which departs from AA Station at 5:03 and departs BB Station at 5:28, as shown in the first and second rows, and the KT Line of J Electric Railway, which departs AA Station at 5:15 and departs BB Station at 5:40, as shown in the first and second rows. Therefore, in this case, a process list is generated that includes two pieces of process information that respectively represent these two trains.

[0291] In S809, the message selection unit 18 uses the communication unit 15 to send to the user terminal 2 a message prompting the user to answer whether or not to accept the item, which is written in the second row of the customer message DB 51.

[0292] In S810, the message selection unit 18 transmits the process list generated in S808 to the user terminal 2 using the communication unit 15. As a result, the display screen G4 is displayed on the user terminal 2.

[0293] In this way, according to this embodiment, the user is notified of the schedule information of public transportation that can arrive at the second nearest station by the third time at the latest, after departing from the first nearest station at the second time when the delivery arrives at the first nearest station. Therefore, this configuration can provide the user with information to determine what time the delivery should arrive at the first nearest station, and can more reliably prevent redelivery.

[0294] In this embodiment, it may not be possible to travel from the first nearest station to the second nearest station via a single line. In this case, the control unit 19 extracts, from the station information DB 45, multiple lines and transfer stations that allow a train to depart from the first nearest station after the second time and arrive at the second nearest station by the third time. The control unit 19 then generates process information that includes the extracted multiple lines, transfer stations, and the arrival and departure times at the transfer stations.

[0295] Alternatively, if the control unit 19 determines that it is not possible to travel from the first nearest station to the second nearest station via a single line, it may access a route search site, send a route search request with the first nearest station as the departure point and the second time as the departure time, and include in the process list, from the process information found, process information that allows arrival at the second nearest station by the third time.

[0296] (Embodiment 17) In embodiment 17, multiple estimated arrival times of the user at the delivery destination are calculated for each of the multiple expected stay times of the user at the current location, and if the scheduled delivery time of the package falls between the multiple estimated arrival times, the user is treated as a borderline customer.

[0297] FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the type DB 460 according to the seventeenth embodiment. The type DB 460 is a database in which multiple stay times at a current location are registered for each user, and one record is associated with one current location of one user. Specifically, the type DB 460 further includes a "user ID" and a "stay time" in addition to the type DB 32 shown in FIG. 3. The "stay time" field stores multiple stay times of the user at the current location. Here, the multiple stay times include "short case" and "long case." The "short case" field stores a short stay time of the user at the current location. The "long case" field stores a long stay time of the user at the current location. Here, the short stay time and the long stay time are preset times based on the user's past stay history. The stay history is created, for example, by the server 1 constantly monitoring the location information of the user terminal 2. For example, the shortest stay time is the shortest stay time in the user's stay history at the current location, and the longest stay time is the longest stay time in the user's stay history at the current location.

[0298] In the example of the first line of the type DB 460, the length of stay of the user with user ID "GUEST0020" at "△△ English Conversation School □□ Station Branch" is stored as "8 minutes" for the shortest time and "60 minutes" for the longest time. Also, "English Conversation School" is stored as the type of "△△ English Conversation School □□ Station Branch."

[0299] 47 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to the seventeenth embodiment. Here, it is assumed that processing for one user is shown. It is also assumed that this flow starts when the user arrives at the current location. In S4701, the communication unit 15 acquires the current location transmitted from the user terminal 2 and the first time which is the detection time of the current location.

[0300] In S4702, the control unit 19 acquires the type DB 460, the package DB 43, and the delivery destination DB 42 from the memory 11. In S4703, the stay time determination unit 16 refers to the type DB 460 and determines the shortest and longest stay times at the current location of the user in question. For example, if the current location of the user with user ID "GUEST0020" is "△△ English Conversation School □□ Station Front Branch," the shortest stay time is determined to be "8 minutes" and the longest stay time is determined to be "60 minutes."

[0301] In S4704, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates the travel time required for the user to travel from the current location acquired in S4701 to the delivery destination. Details of this travel time calculation are the same as in S4 of FIG.

[0302] In S4705, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates two estimated arrival times: an estimated arrival time (short) corresponding to the short stay time, and an estimated arrival time (long) corresponding to the long stay time. Specifically, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates the estimated arrival time (short) by adding the short stay time determined in S4703 and the first travel time calculated in S4704 to the first time. In addition, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates the estimated arrival time (long) by adding the long stay time determined in S4703 and the first travel time calculated in S4704 to the first time.

[0303] In S4706, the message selection unit 18 determines whether the scheduled delivery time of the package is between two expected arrival times, i.e., between the expected arrival time (shorter) and the expected arrival time (longer). Here, the message selection unit 18 may identify the scheduled delivery time of the relevant package by referring to the “scheduled delivery time” in the package DB 43.

[0304] If the scheduled delivery time is between the two estimated arrival times (YES in S4706), the message selection unit 18 determines that the user is a borderline customer and sends a message to the user (S4707). In this case, the message selection unit 18 sends a message stored in the second row of the customer message DB 51 requesting an answer as to whether or not the user is available for pickup. On the other hand, if the scheduled delivery time is not between the two estimated arrival times (NO in S4706), the message selection unit 18 ends the process without sending a message.

[0305] Although it has been described that if S4706 is NO, no message is sent, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, if the scheduled delivery time is before the expected arrival time (shorter), the message selection unit 18 may transmit a message to be notified to the user who is certain to be absent and stored in the third row of the customer message DB 51. On the other hand, if the scheduled delivery time is after the expected arrival time (longer), the message selection unit 18 may transmit a message to be notified to the user who is certain to be at home and stored in the first row of the customer message DB 51.

[0306] In this manner, in this embodiment, two estimated arrival times are calculated taking into account multiple stay times at the current location, and if the scheduled delivery time of the package falls between the two estimated arrival times, a message is sent, effectively putting pressure on the user to return to the delivery destination and effectively preventing redelivery. Also, because type DB 460 stores two stay times for each user, the two estimated arrival times can be accurately calculated.

[0307] (Embodiment 18) The eighteenth embodiment differs from the seventeenth embodiment in the type DB used. Fig. 48 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the type DB 480 in the eighteenth embodiment. The type DB 480 further adds "average value" to "stay time" in comparison with the type DB 460. The "average value" is the average value of stay time.

[0308] 49 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information processing system according to Embodiment 18. In S4901, processing E is executed. Processing E corresponds to S4701 to S4702 in Fig. 47. However, in S4901, type DB 480 is acquired from memory 21 instead of type DB 460.

[0309] In S4902, the stay time determination unit 16 refers to the type DB 480 and determines the stay times of the corresponding user in the short, average, and long cases. In S4903, similar to S4704, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates the travel time required for the user to travel from the current location to the delivery destination.

[0310] In S4904, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates an estimated arrival time (short) corresponding to the short stay time, an estimated arrival time (average) corresponding to the average stay time, and an estimated arrival time (late) corresponding to the long stay time. Here, the estimated arrival time (average) is calculated by adding the average stay time and the travel time calculated in S4903 to the first time. The estimated arrival time (short) and the estimated arrival time (long) are calculated in the same manner as in S4705 of FIG. 47.

[0311] In S4905, the message selection unit 18 determines whether the scheduled delivery time is within a first period between the expected arrival time (shorter) and the average value. If the scheduled delivery time is within the first period (YES in S4905), the message selection unit 18 transmits the first message to the user terminal 2 of the corresponding user (S4906). On the other hand, if the scheduled delivery time is not within the first period (NO in S4905), the processing ends.

[0312] In S4907, the message selecting unit 18 determines whether the estimated delivery time is within a second period between the average value and the estimated arrival time (long).

[0313] If the scheduled delivery time falls within the second period (YES in S4907), the message selection unit 18 transmits the second message to the user terminal 2 of the corresponding user (S4908). On the other hand, if the scheduled delivery time does not fall within the second period (NO in S4907), the processing ends.

[0314] For example, if the scheduled delivery time falls within the first period, there is a high possibility that the user will not be able to receive the package unless they return home immediately. Therefore, it is advisable to increase the pressure on the user to return home. On the other hand, if the scheduled delivery time falls within the second period, there is a high possibility that the user will be able to return to the delivery destination without returning home immediately. Therefore, the pressure on the user to return home may be lower than when the scheduled delivery time falls within the first period.

[0315] Therefore, in this embodiment, the message selection unit 18 sends a message to the relevant user requesting an answer as to whether or not the user is available to receive the package, both when the scheduled delivery time falls in the first period and when the scheduled delivery time falls in the second period. However, when the scheduled delivery time falls in the first period, the message selection unit 18 sends a first message that puts more pressure on the user to go home than when the scheduled delivery time falls in the second period. An example of the first message is, "The package will be delivered around XX:XX. Are you planning to be home? You need to go home immediately to receive the package." Furthermore, an example of the second message that is sent when the scheduled delivery time falls in the second period is, "The package will be delivered around XX:XX. Are you planning to be home? You need to go home early to receive the package."

[0316] In this way, in the eighteenth embodiment, the first message or the second message is sent with different pressures to urge the user to return home depending on whether the scheduled delivery time falls in the first period or the second period, so the user can roughly grasp the urgency of the journey from the current location to the delivery destination. As a result, it is possible to avoid situations where the user leaves the current location unnecessarily early or late and is unable to receive the package.

[0317] (Embodiment 19) In the nineteenth embodiment, whether or not to send a message is determined based on the probability of whether or not the user can immediately depart from the current location, which is determined based on the time that has elapsed since the user arrived at the current location.

[0318] FIG. 50 illustrates an example of a data configuration of the type DB 500 according to the nineteenth embodiment. The type DB 500 includes a column 501 for "probability of immediate departure according to elapsed time" instead of the "stay duration" column in the type DB 460. The type DB 500 stores multiple current locations and the probabilities according to elapsed time at each current location, in association with each user. The column 501 stores the probabilities according to elapsed time at 10-minute intervals. For example, for a user with user ID "GUEST0020," the column 501 stores the probabilities according to elapsed time, such as "60%" if the elapsed time since arrival at the current location "△△ English Conversation School □□ Station Branch" is 10 minutes or less, "12%" if the elapsed time is more than 10 minutes but less than 20 minutes, and "3%" if the elapsed time is more than 20 minutes but less than 30 minutes. The type DB 500 is created in advance based on the user's stay history, which will be described later in the twenty-first embodiment.

[0319] 51 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to the nineteenth embodiment. Here, it is assumed that processing is performed for one user. In S5101, the communication unit 15 acquires the current location and a first time indicating the current time transmitted from the user terminal 2, and a second time indicating the time when the user arrived at the current location.

[0320] In S5102, the stay time determination unit 16 acquires the type DB 500, the package DB 43, and the delivery destination DB 42 from the memory 11. In S5103, the stay time determination unit 16 calculates the elapsed time since the user arrived at the current location by subtracting the second time from the first time. In S5104, the stay time determination unit 16 reads out the probability corresponding to the elapsed time from the type DB 500, and thereby identifies the probability that the corresponding user can immediately depart from the corresponding current location.

[0321] In S5105, the stay time determination unit 16 determines whether the identified probability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be any suitable value, such as 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%. If the probability is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES in S5105), the stay time determination unit 16 determines that the user can immediately depart from the current location and sets the stay time to 0. In S5107, process D is executed to determine whether or not to send a message. Process D is the same as S4704 to S4707 in FIG. 47. However, in S4705 referenced in process D, a single estimated arrival time (0) calculated by regarding the stay time as 0 is used instead of the estimated arrival time (short) and estimated arrival time (long). Then, in S4706, a user whose estimated arrival time (0) matches the scheduled delivery time is determined to be a borderline customer, and a message is sent to that user. The message sent here requests a response as to whether the user is available for pickup. Here, a user whose estimated arrival time (0) matches the scheduled delivery time is considered to be a borderline customer, but instead, a user whose estimated arrival time (0) falls within a range of the first threshold value after the scheduled delivery time, or falls within a range of the first threshold value before and after the scheduled delivery time, may be considered to be a borderline customer.

[0322] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 18, the estimated arrival time (0) calculated in this embodiment may be used instead of the estimated arrival time (average) to determine whether or not to send a message.

[0323] Furthermore, in S5105, if the probability is smaller than a predetermined value (NO in S5105), the process is terminated, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and process D may be executed. In this case, the estimated arrival time (0) is not used, and if the estimated delivery time falls between the estimated arrival time (short) and the estimated arrival time (long), the user is considered to be a borderline customer.

[0324] In this way, according to this embodiment, the estimated arrival time is calculated using the probability of being able to leave the current location immediately based on the elapsed time since arriving at the current location, so that an appropriate estimated arrival time can be calculated taking into account the user's stay characteristics.

[0325] (Embodiment 20) The 20th embodiment differs from the 19th embodiment in the way borderline customers are identified. That is, in the 19th embodiment, in S4705 referenced in process D (S5107) of FIG. 51, a single estimated arrival time (0) is used instead of the estimated arrival time (short) and estimated arrival time (long). On the other hand, in the 20th embodiment, in S4705 referenced in process D (S5107) of FIG. 51, the estimated arrival time (0) is used instead of the estimated arrival time (short). That is, here, two estimated arrival times are used: the estimated arrival time (long) and the estimated arrival time (0).

[0326] Then, in S4706, if the estimated delivery time is between the estimated arrival time (0) and the estimated arrival time (long), the user is considered a borderline customer and a message is sent to the user requesting an answer as to whether or not the user is available to receive the package.

[0327] In the 20th embodiment, similarly to the 19th embodiment, if the probability is smaller than a predetermined value in S5105 (NO in S5105), process D may be executed. In this case, the estimated arrival time (0) is not used, and if the estimated delivery time falls between the estimated arrival time (short) and the estimated arrival time (long), the user is considered to be a borderline customer.

[0328] Thus, according to this embodiment, a user whose scheduled delivery time falls between the estimated arrival time (0) and the estimated arrival time (long) is considered a borderline customer, and therefore borderline customers can be appropriately identified taking into account the user's stay characteristics.

[0329] (Embodiment 21) In the twenty-first embodiment, the probability stored in the column 501 of the type DB 500 is calculated using the user's past stay history. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the stay history DB 520 according to the twenty-first embodiment. The stay history DB 520 is a database that chronologically stores the stay history of the user at the current location, with one stay history stored per record. Specifically, the stay history DB 520 stores "user ID," "current location," "arrival date and time," "type," and "stay duration" in association with each other. "User ID" is a user identifier. "Current location" is the place where the user stayed. "Arrival date and time" is the date and time when the user arrived at the current location. "Type" is the type of the current location. "Stay duration" is the length of time the user stayed at the current location.

[0330] For example, the first line stores that a user with user ID "GUEST0020" arrived at English conversation class A at 17:58 on November 5, 2017, and stayed there for 65 minutes.

[0331] FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a histogram calculated using the visit history DB 520. This figure shows a histogram of the stay time of a user with user ID "GUEST0020" at English conversation school A. In this histogram, the horizontal axis represents the user's stay time at English conversation school A, and the vertical axis represents the number of stays when the stay time is divided into multiple categories at 10-minute intervals. From this histogram, it can be seen that the number of stays by this user at English conversation school A first peaks at 10 minutes, then decreases significantly after 10 minutes, starts to increase after 40 minutes, peaks again at 50 minutes, and decreases significantly after 70 minutes. The 10-minute peak represents a case where the user visits English conversation school A to book a lesson. The 50-minute peak represents a case where the user visits English conversation school A to take a lesson. In this way, the histogram of a user's visit history shows the user's stay characteristics.

[0332] The probability of being able to depart immediately for a certain class can be calculated by dividing the total number of times for that class by the total number of times for all classes above that class.

[0333] For example, if the stay time is 25 minutes, the probability is obtained by dividing the number of times for the class "20-30" by the sum of the numbers for the classes "20-30," "30-40," "40-50," ..., and "70-." In this way, the probability for each class is calculated and stored in column 501 of the type DB 500.

[0334] As described above, according to this embodiment, the probability in the column 501 of the type DB 500 is calculated using the user's past stay history, so that the probability can be calculated accurately.

[0335] (Embodiment 22) In embodiment 22, based on the user's travel route and travel history, intermediate points that the user may pass through on the way to the delivery destination are extracted, and multiple estimated arrival times are calculated taking into account multiple stay times at the intermediate points.

[0336] Fig. 55 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a travel route DB 550 according to the twenty-second embodiment. The travel route DB 550 is a database that stores a list of travel routes frequently used by users, and one travel route of a user is assigned to one record. Specifically, the travel route DB 550 stores a "user ID" and a "travel route" in association with each other. The "user ID" is an identifier of a user. The "travel route" indicates the travel route of the user.

[0337] FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a travel route registered in the second row in the travel route DB 550, graphed using nodes and edges. This travel route is a travel route in which a user with user ID "GUEST0020" starts from "workplace," travels on foot along Route 1, passes through Shop A, arrives at Station B, takes a train on the XX Line to Station C, travels by bus along Wangan Dori, and arrives at home. The multiple travel routes stored in the travel route DB 550 are created in advance by monitoring the user's travel history. In this embodiment, Shop A on Prefectural Route 40 is set as a waypoint, as shown in FIG. 54.

[0338] FIG. 56 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a movement history DB 560 that stores the movement history of a certain user. The movement history DB 560 is a database that stores the current location of a user in chronological order, and stores a "user ID," "date and time," and "current location" in association with each other. The "user ID" is a user identifier. The "date and time" indicates the date and time that the user was at the "current location." In this case, the movement history is accumulated every 10 minutes, so the "date and time" stores the year / month / day / time every 10 minutes.

[0339] "Current location" indicates the location where the user was. In the example of the movement history DB 560, the movement history indicating that the user with user ID "GUEST0020" was at work at 17:50 on November 10, 2017, the movement history indicating that the user was at work 10 minutes later at 18:00, and the movement history indicating that the user was along Prefectural Route 40 10 minutes later at 18:10 are stored. Here, the "current location" is a location determined by, for example, comparing location information transmitted from the user terminal 2 every 10 minutes with map information. This location refers to an area such as a station, school, workplace, community center, residence, or road that is predetermined on the map information.

[0340] The movement history DB560 stores movement history indicating that the user is on Prefectural Road 40 after leaving work. Therefore, when this movement history DB560 is compared with the movement route DB550, it is inferred that the user is following the movement route in the second row. In the movement route in the second row, the node of Shop A is registered after Prefectural Road 40. Therefore, in this case, it is inferred that the user is heading to Shop A. Furthermore, since Shop A is a location that has been predetermined as a waypoint, Shop A is extracted as a waypoint.

[0341] On the other hand, if the latest travel history shows the user walking along Route 1 after leaving work, it is inferred that the user followed the travel route in the first line or the travel route in the third line. Furthermore, if the user's travel history is accumulated and the latest travel history shows the user traveling by bus on Route 246 after leaving Station C, it is inferred that the user followed the travel route in the third line. On the other hand, if the latest travel history shows the user traveling by bus along Wangan Dori after leaving Station C, it is inferred that the user followed the travel route in the first line. In this way, in this embodiment, the travel routes stored in the travel route DB 550 are narrowed down from the user's travel history, and if the narrowed down travel route includes a predetermined waypoint beyond the current location, the waypoint is extracted.

[0342] 57 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to the twenty-second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that processing for one user is shown. Furthermore, it is assumed that this flow is executed, for example, every time location information is acquired from the user terminal 2. In S5701, the communication unit 15 acquires the current location and the detection time of the current location transmitted from the user terminal 2. In S5702, the control unit 19 acquires the type DB DB460, the package DB 43, the delivery destination DB 42, the travel route DB 550, and the travel history DB 560.

[0343] In S5703, the stay time determination unit 16 extracts the user's waypoints from the movement history DB 560 and the movement route DB 550. For example, if the current location acquired in S5701 indicates that the user is on Prefectural Road 40, the stay time determination unit 16 accumulates a movement history indicating this in the movement history DB 560. Then, the stay time determination unit 16 determines, from the movement history accumulated in the movement history DB 560, that the user has left work and is currently traveling on foot along Prefectural Road 40. In this case, the stay time determination unit 16 extracts Shop A as a waypoint because the user is following the movement route in the second row of the movement route DB 550 and is currently traveling on foot along Prefectural Road 40.

[0344] In S5704, the multiple stay times at the waypoints extracted in S5703 are determined by referring to the type DB 460. In S5705, process D is executed to determine whether or not to send a message. Process D is the same as S4704 to S4707 in Fig. 47. That is, the estimated arrival time (short) and estimated arrival time (long) are calculated from the stay time at the waypoint (shop A) in the short case and the long case, and if the scheduled delivery time of the package is between the estimated arrival time (short) and estimated arrival time (long), the user in question is considered to be a borderline customer, and a message is sent to that user.

[0345] The estimated arrival time is calculated, for example, as follows. In the example of FIG. 54, if the user is currently located between the workplace and Shop A, first, the travel time from the current location to the home (delivery destination) via Shop A, Station B, and Station C is calculated. Next, the estimated arrival time (short) is calculated by adding the travel time and the short stay time at Shop A to the current time. The estimated arrival time (long) is also calculated in the same way. Here, the server 1 may obtain the travel time by, for example, sending a request to an external route search system via a network to calculate the travel time. Alternatively, the server 1 may calculate the travel time using its own route search system.

[0346] In the above description, it has been described that one travel route has at least one waypoint, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and one travel route may have multiple waypoints.

[0347] For example, in the travel route in the third row of the travel route DB 550, Hospital D and Pharmacy E are listed as waypoints. In this case, assuming that the user is currently on Route 246, the server 1 calculates the travel time from the current location to the user's home via Hospital D, Pharmacy E, and the coastal road. The server 1 then references the type DB 460 and acquires the shortest and longest stay times at Hospital D and Pharmacy E, respectively. The server 1 then calculates the estimated arrival time (short) by adding the travel time, the shortest stay time at Hospital D, and the shortest stay time at Pharmacy E to the current time. The server 1 also calculates the estimated arrival time (long) by adding the travel time, the longest stay time at Hospital D, and the longest stay time at Pharmacy E to the current time.

[0348] In this way, according to this embodiment, when a user makes a detour from their current location, multiple estimated arrival times at the user's delivery destination can be accurately calculated, taking into account the detour points. If the scheduled delivery time of the package falls between the multiple arrival times, a delivery-related message is presented to the user. This effectively puts pressure on users who make such detours to return to the delivery destination, effectively preventing redelivery.

[0349] (Embodiment 23) In embodiment 23, in addition to taking into account multiple stay times at the current location, the system also takes into account the range of expected delivery times for packages to determine whether the user is a borderline customer.

[0350] 58 is a diagram showing the estimated arrival time T580 of the user who is the recipient and the estimated delivery time T581 of the delivery person. The estimated arrival time T580 indicates the time from the first estimated arrival time to the second estimated arrival time. Here, the first estimated arrival time and the second estimated arrival time are the estimated arrival time (shorter) and estimated arrival time (longer) shown in the seventeenth embodiment, respectively. In this example, the first estimated arrival time is 20:20 and the second estimated arrival time is 20:40, so the 20 minutes between the two estimated arrival times is the estimated arrival time T580.

[0351] The estimated delivery time T581 indicates the time from the first estimated delivery time when it is estimated that the delivery person's travel time to the delivery destination is the shortest to the second estimated delivery time when it is estimated that the delivery person's travel time to the delivery destination is the longest. The first estimated delivery time is, for example, the estimated delivery time when it is assumed that there is no traffic congestion. The second estimated delivery time is, for example, the estimated delivery time when it is assumed that there is traffic congestion. In this example, the first estimated delivery time is 20:30 and the second estimated delivery time is 21:00, so the 30 minutes between the two estimated delivery times is the estimated delivery time T581.

[0352] Here, the overlapping section T582 between the estimated arrival time T580 and the estimated delivery time T581 is from 20:30 to 20:40. Thus, in this embodiment, if there is an overlapping section T582, the recipient user is determined to be a borderline customer. In other words, if at least one of the first estimated delivery time and the second estimated delivery time is within the estimated arrival time T580, the user will be able to receive the package depending on the departure time from their current location, and therefore is determined to be a borderline customer.

[0353] 59 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information providing system according to the twenty-third embodiment. This flow is assumed to be started, for example, when the user arrives at a first current location. In S5901, the communication unit 15 acquires the first current location and first time transmitted from the user terminal 2, the second current location and second time transmitted from the delivery person terminal 3, and traffic information transmitted from an external server. The first current location is the location where the user has arrived. The first time is the detection time of the first current location. The second current location is the current location of the delivery person. The second time is the detection time of the second current location. The traffic information is, for example, VICS (registered trademark) information.

[0354] In S5902, the control unit 19 acquires from the memory the type DB 460 and the delivery destination DB 42. In S5903, the stay time determination unit 16 refers to the type DB 460 and determines a plurality of stay times of the relevant user at the first current location.

[0355] In S5904, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates a first travel time required for the user to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination. Details of the calculation of this first travel time are the same as in S4 of FIG. 8.

[0356] At S5905, a first estimated time of arrival and a second estimated time of arrival at the delivery destination for the user who is the recipient are calculated. Details of the calculation of the first estimated time of arrival and the second estimated time of arrival are the same as those at S4705 in FIG. 47. At S5906, the travel time calculation unit 12 calculates a second travel time and a third travel time for the delivery person from the current location to the delivery destination. The second travel time is, for example, the travel time calculated assuming there is no traffic congestion from the second current location to the delivery destination, and the third travel time is, for example, the travel time calculated assuming there is traffic congestion from the second current location to the delivery destination.

[0357] However, this is just one example, and the second travel time may be, for example, the shortest travel time among travel times from the second current location to the delivery destination calculated by multiple navigation systems. Furthermore, the third travel time may be, for example, the longest travel time among travel times from the second current location to the delivery destination calculated by multiple navigation systems. The multiple navigation systems may be provided in the server 1, or may be provided in multiple external servers.

[0358] In S5907, the estimated arrival time calculation unit 17 calculates a first estimated delivery time and a second estimated delivery time when the delivery person will arrive at the delivery destination. Here, the first estimated delivery time is calculated, for example, by adding the second travel time to the second time, and the second estimated delivery time is calculated, for example, by adding the third travel time to the second time.

[0359] In S5908, the message selection unit 18 determines whether the first estimated delivery time or the second estimated delivery time is between the first estimated arrival time and the second estimated arrival time. That is, it is determined whether there is an overlapping section T582 shown in FIG. 58. If there is an overlapping section T582 (YES in S5908), the message selection unit 18 determines that the corresponding user is a borderline customer and sends a message. In this case, the message selection unit 18 sends a message stored in the second row of the customer message DB 51 requesting an answer as to whether pickup is possible. On the other hand, if there is no overlapping section T582 (NO in S5908), the message selection unit 18 ends the process without sending a message.

[0360] Although it has been described that a message is not sent if S5908 is NO, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, if the first estimated arrival time is after the second estimated delivery time, the message selection unit 18 may transmit a message to be notified to the user who is certain to be absent and stored in the third row of the customer message DB 51, since the user is certain to be absent. On the other hand, if the second estimated arrival time is before the first estimated delivery time, the message selection unit 18 may transmit a message to be notified to the user who is certain to be at home and stored in the first row of the customer message DB 51, since the user is certain to be at home.

[0361] Thus, according to this embodiment, even if there is a fluctuation in the estimated delivery time of the package to the delivery destination due to factors such as traffic congestion, it is possible to accurately determine whether the user is a borderline customer or not, and effectively pressure users who are determined to be borderline customers to return to the delivery destination, thereby preventing the package from being redelivered. [Industrial Applicability]

[0362] The present disclosure is useful in effectively preventing redelivery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0363] 1: Server 2: User terminal 3: Delivery person terminal 11: Memory 12: Travel time calculation section 13: Difference calculation part 14: Difference judgment part 15: Communications Department 16: Stay time determination unit 17: Estimated arrival time calculation section 18: Message selection section 19: Control section NT: Network

Claims

1. An information providing method in an information providing system that provides information, The computer of the information providing system Obtain the first current location of the recipient of the package; acquiring a stay time corresponding to the first current location of the recipient and a first scheduled delivery time of the package to the delivery destination by referring to a database in which types of stay locations and stay times are linked; a message including the first estimated arrival time is sent to an information terminal of the recipient or a delivery person according to a first difference between a first estimated arrival time of the recipient, which is calculated using a first time when the first current location is acquired, a stay time of the recipient at the first current location, and a first travel time required for the recipient to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination, and the first scheduled delivery time; Information provision method.

2. 2. The information providing method according to claim 1, changing the message depending on whether the first estimated arrival time is earlier or later than the first scheduled delivery time, and transmitting the message to the information terminal of the recipient or the delivery person; Information provision method.

3. 2. The information providing method according to claim 1, transmitting a message including the first estimated arrival time to an information terminal of the recipient or the delivery person in accordance with a first difference between the first estimated arrival time of the recipient and the first scheduled delivery time; Information provision method.

4. 4. The information providing method according to claim 3, acquire a travel route indicating a route that the recipient will take from the first current location to the delivery destination; Calculating a first travel time required for the recipient to travel from the first current location to the delivery destination based on the travel route; calculating a first estimated arrival time of the recipient based on the first time, a stay time corresponding to the first current location, and the first travel time; transmitting a message including the first estimated arrival time to an information terminal of the recipient or the delivery person in accordance with a first difference between the first estimated arrival time and the first scheduled delivery time; Information provision method.

5. 5. The information providing method according to claim 4, Based on the travel route, a first point that the recipient may pass through on the way from the first current location to the delivery destination and a stay time corresponding to the first point are acquired; calculating a first estimated arrival time based on the first time, the stay time corresponding to the first current location, the stay time corresponding to the first point, and the first travel time; Information provision method.

6. 5. The information providing method according to claim 4, Further, a movement history is acquired that stores the current location of the recipient and the time when the current location was detected; Identifying the travel route based on the travel history. Information provision method.

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