Information Processing Method

Abstract

To provide an information processing method for reducing cases where empty boxes cannot be collected because there is no space on the loading platform.SOLUTION: An information processing method is a method that generates a delivery plan for cargo by a vehicle 2 in an information processing system S. An information processor 1 acquires a piece of information regarding the collection of empty boxes from a destination user and generates a delivery plan on the basis of the acquired information regarding empty box collection. The information processor 1 acquires information of a size of the empty box (for example in cm unit, it may be "large", "medium" or "small"), weight of the empty box, the number of empty boxes, etc. as the information on collecting empty boxes, from a terminal operated by the destination user. The information processor 1 also predicts users who are likely to request the collection of empty boxes on the basis of past historical data and arranges the deliveries to users with a high likelihood of requesting the collection of empty boxes to the later order of the delivery plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method for managing the transportation of recyclable packaging containers such as pallets or racks is known, which is characterized by incorporating a collection route into the delivery route of the recyclable packaging container to be collected based on return information of the recyclable packaging container to be collected (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-151684 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the background art described above, the collection of empty boxes is not taken into consideration when generating a delivery plan, so there may be cases where there is no space on the loading platform and empty boxes cannot be collected.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of such circumstances, is to reduce the number of cases where there is no space in the loading platform and empty boxes cannot be collected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing method for generating a delivery plan for a package by vehicle, comprising: Information regarding the collection of empty boxes is acquired from the delivery destination user, and a delivery plan is generated based on the acquired information regarding the collection of empty boxes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the number of cases where empty boxes cannot be collected because there is no space in the loading platform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system S according to this embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device 1 and a vehicle 2. The information processing device 1 is capable of communicating with the vehicle 2 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, a mobile communication network or the Internet.

[0010] 1, for ease of explanation, one information processing device 1 and one vehicle 2 are illustrated. However, the number of information processing devices 1 is not limited to this. For example, the processing executed by the information processing device 1 may be executed by multiple information processing devices 1 that are distributed.

[0011] The information processing device 1 may be a server that supports the provision of services by a business operator. The information processing device 1 may be installed, for example, in a facility dedicated to the business operator or in a shared facility including a data center. As an alternative example, the information processing device 1 may be installed in a vehicle 2.

[0012] Vehicle 2 may be any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The operation of vehicle 2 may be automated at any level. The level of automation may be, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Vehicle 2 may be a dedicated MaaS vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service. Alternatively, vehicle 2 may be driven by a driver.

[0013] The following describes in detail the internal configuration of the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0014] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Instead of including a processor, the control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0015] The communication unit 12 includes a communication module compatible with one or more wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards for connecting to a network. The communication unit 12 may include a module compatible with one or more mobile communication standards including LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include a communication module compatible with one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives any information via the network.

[0016] The memory unit 13 may include, but is not limited to, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory may be, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM may be, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM may be, for example, an EEPROM. The memory unit 13 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 may store information resulting from analysis or processing by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 may store various information related to the operation or control of the information processing device 1. The memory unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The memory unit 13 may be provided outside the information processing device 1 and may be accessed by the information processing device 1.

[0017] The following describes in detail the internal configuration of the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The components of the vehicle 2 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0018] The hardware configuration of the control unit 21, communication unit 22, and storage unit 23 of the vehicle 2 may be the same as the hardware configuration of the control unit 11, communication unit 12, and storage unit 13 of the information processing device 1. A description thereof will be omitted here.

[0019] The processing executed by the information processing system S of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0020] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 generates a delivery plan for packages by vehicle 2. The control unit 11 acquires information about collection of empty boxes from the delivery destination user, and generates a delivery plan based on the information about collection of empty boxes.

[0021] For example, the control unit 11 acquires information on the collection of empty boxes, such as the size of the empty boxes (for example, in centimeters, which may be "large," "medium," or "small"), the weight of the empty boxes, the number of empty boxes, etc. If the empty boxes are larger than a reference value, if the empty boxes are heavier than a reference value, or if the number of empty boxes is greater than a reference value, the control unit 11 postpones the delivery of the package to the user to the latter half of the delivery plan.

[0022] The control unit 11 predicts users who are likely to request collection of empty boxes based on past history data. In this case, the control unit 11 may postpone delivery to users who are likely to request collection of empty boxes to the latter half of the delivery plan.

[0023] As described above, according to this embodiment, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 acquires information about the collection of empty boxes from the delivery destination user and generates a delivery plan based on the information about the collection of empty boxes. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 takes into account the information about the collection of empty boxes, thereby reducing cases where empty boxes cannot be collected because there is no space in the loading platform or luggage compartment of the vehicle 2.

[0024] Although the present disclosure will be described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step may be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means or steps may be combined or divided into one.

[0025] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device 1 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include non-transitory computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or semiconductor memories. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transmitting the program from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0026] A computer temporarily stores a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that does not directly instruct a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "equivalent to a program." [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1. Information processing equipment

Claims

1. An information processing method for generating a delivery plan for a package by vehicle, comprising: By the information processing device, Obtaining information regarding collection of empty boxes from a terminal operated by a delivery destination user; If at least one physical attribute of the empty box included in the acquired information on collection of the empty box exceeds a reference value, a delivery plan is generated in which delivery to the delivery destination user is postponed to the latter half of the delivery plan. Information processing methods.

2. The physical attributes of the empty boxes include at least one of the size of the empty boxes, the weight of the empty boxes, or the number of the empty boxes. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

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