Delivery Management System

Abstract

To suggest new shipping locations to delivery companies that they do not own.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus (10) that is capable of communicating with a terminal apparatus of a delivery company for packages, comprises: storage means 30 for storing station information including address information in association with each of a plurality of energy stations; reception means 32 for receiving from the terminal apparatus a search request that is a search request for a package delivery base and includes the address information of a package delivery destination; search means 36 for searching for one or more energy stations from among the plurality of energy stations based on the address information included in the search request and the address information included in the station information if the reception means 32 receives the search request; and notification means 38 for notifying the terminal apparatus of one or more energy stations searched by the search means 36 as the package delivery base.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides Delivery Management System Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of parcel deliveries has increased due to the rapid growth of e-commerce. As a result, the burden on parcel delivery companies has increased, becoming a social problem. To reduce this burden, delivery companies consolidate parcels to be delivered to a certain area at a delivery center, and then deliver the parcels to each destination in the area from the delivery center.

[0003] Regarding this delivery base, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery management system that determines whether the total volume of deliveries for each inter-base route connecting each delivery base exceeds a standard capacity determined based on the available capacity of the delivery means, and instructs the delivery of deliveries on inter-base routes where the total volume of deliveries exceeds the standard capacity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-081831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the conventional technology including the delivery management system, if the distance from the delivery base to the delivery destination is long, the delivery time may increase. In this case, it is possible to set up delivery bases in each area, but it is difficult to achieve this by the delivery company alone.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a system that can propose new delivery bases that are not owned by the delivery company to the delivery company. Delivery Management System The purpose is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, an information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a terminal device of a parcel delivery company, and comprises: a storage means for storing station information including address information for each of a plurality of energy stations in association with each other; a reception means for receiving from the terminal device a search request for a parcel delivery base, the search request including address information of the parcel delivery destination; a search means for, when the reception means receives the search request, searching for one or more energy stations from among the plurality of energy stations based on the address information included in the search request and the address information included in the station information; and a notification means for notifying the terminal device of the one or more energy stations searched by the search means as the parcel delivery base.

[0008] In addition, in the information processing device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the station information includes storage location information of the luggage set for each of the energy stations, and the notification means notifies the storage location information set for the one or more energy stations searched by the search means.

[0009] In addition, in the information processing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the distance between the storage location indicated by the storage location information and the fixed refueling equipment and / or fixed refueling equipment installed at the energy station is set to a predetermined distance or greater.

[0010] In addition, in the information processing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the notification means transmits an image of the energy station including the storage location information set in the one or more energy stations, and further includes image processing means that processes the image so that locations where storage of the luggage is prohibited are clearly indicated in the image before the notification means transmits it.

[0011] In addition, in the information processing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the station information includes the business hours of the energy station, and the search means searches for the energy station based on the business hours included in the station information.

[0012] In addition, in an information processing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the station information includes event information for events being held at the energy station, and the search means searches for the energy station based on the event information included in the station information.

[0013] In addition, in an information processing device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the station information includes the date and time of oil filling at the energy station, and the search means searches for the energy station based on the date and time of oil filling included in the station information.

[0014] In addition, an information processing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention further includes an acquisition means for acquiring environmental information at an address indicated by address information included in the station information, and the search means searches for the energy station based on the environmental information.

[0015] In addition, in an information processing device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the terminal device is a first terminal device, the information processing device can communicate with a second terminal device of each of the plurality of energy stations, and the notification means notifies the second terminal device of one or more energy stations searched by the search means that the package is being stored. Pipe To be able to Is it possible? and based on the result of the inquiry from the second terminal device, Pipe The first terminal device is notified of an energy station that can deliver the package as a delivery base for the package.

[0016] In addition, in an information processing device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the station information includes value information of an energy station set for each of the delivery companies' company IDs, the search request includes the company ID of the delivery company of the parcel to be delivered, and the search means acquires value information corresponding to the company ID included in the search request from the storage means and searches for the energy station based on the acquired value information.

[0017] In addition, in an information processing device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the station information includes a type ID indicating the type of luggage that can be stored, the search request includes a type ID of the luggage to be delivered, and the search means searches for the energy station based on the type ID included in the search request and the type ID included in the station information.

[0018] In addition, in an information processing device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores base information including address information for each of a plurality of delivery company bases established by the delivery company, and when the reception means receives the search request, the search means searches for one or more locations from among the plurality of energy stations and the delivery company bases based on the address information included in the search request and the address information included in the station information and the base information, and the notification means notifies the delivery company base as a priority if the delivery company base is included in the locations searched by the search means.

[0019] In addition, a program related to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer capable of communicating with a terminal device of a parcel delivery company to function as: a storage means for storing station information including address information for each of a plurality of energy stations in association with each other; a reception means for receiving from the terminal device a search request for the parcel including address information of the delivery destination of the parcel; a search means for, when the reception means receives the search request, searching for one or more energy stations from among the plurality of energy stations based on the address information included in the search request and the address information included in the station information; and a notification means for notifying the terminal device of the one or more energy stations searched by the search means as delivery bases for the parcel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to propose to a delivery company a new delivery base that is not owned by the delivery company. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a delivery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a management server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management server. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram for explaining an example of station information described in a gas station management table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gas station image. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of search processing in the delivery management system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a subroutine for searching for gas stations in step SP18 shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the gas station search subroutine in step SP18 shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9A]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a gas station image in which areas where storing luggage is prohibited are clearly indicated. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which areas where storing luggage is prohibited are clearly indicated in a gas station image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0023] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the delivery management system 1 includes a management server 10, a first terminal device 12, and a second terminal device 14. These devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network NT such as the Internet or a telephone line.

[0025] The management server 10 is an information processing device managed by a management company affiliated with, for example, multiple gas stations (SS) serving as energy stations and one or more delivery company DCs. The management server 10 executes a search process for gas stations (SS). Specifically, when the management server 10 receives a search request from the first terminal device 12, it searches for one or more gas stations from the multiple gas stations (SS) and notifies the first terminal device 12 of the searched gas stations as delivery bases for the package. Note that gas stations (SS) are also sometimes called service stations, gas stations, or gas stations. The delivery company DC is one or more companies that deliver packages. In addition to gas stations (SS), energy stations include hydrogen stations that refuel fuel cell vehicles, EV charging stations that charge electric vehicles, LP gas storage facilities that stock LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders, and LP gas production plants that produce LP gas and refill cylinders. The following description uses a gas station (SS) as an example of an energy station.

[0026] The first terminal device 12 is a terminal device managed by the delivery company DC. The first terminal device 12 requests the management server 10 to search for a delivery base for a package, and receives a notification of the search result from the management server 10.

[0027] The second terminal device 14 is a terminal device managed by the gas station SS. The second terminal device 14 has a function of responding to inquiries from the management server 10 and a function of appropriately transmitting information about the gas station SS, such as the address information and business hours of the gas station SS (hereinafter referred to as "station information"), to the management server 10.

[0028] Examples of the first terminal device 12 and the second terminal device 14 include personal computers, notebook computers, tablet terminals, wearable terminals, smartphones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

[0029] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 10. As shown in FIG.

[0030] 2, the management server 10 includes a control device 20, a communication device 22, and a storage device 24. The control device 20 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 26 and a memory .

[0031] In the control device 20, the CPU 26 executes predetermined programs stored in the memory 28 or the storage device 24, etc., thereby functioning as various functional components. Details of these functional components will be described later.

[0032] The communication device 22 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with an external device, etc. The communication device 22 transmits and receives various information to and from the first terminal device 12, for example.

[0033] The storage device 24 is configured with a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a solid state drive, a memory, etc. This storage device 24 stores various programs and information required for executing processes in the control device 20, as well as information on the processing results.

[0034] The management server 10 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. The management server 10 may be configured from a single information processing device or from multiple information processing devices distributed over a communication network NT. FIG. 2 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the management server 10, and the management server 10 may also have other components that are generally included in a server. The hardware configuration of the first terminal device 12 and the second terminal device 14 may also have the same configuration as the management server 10, except for including, for example, an operating means, a display device, and a sound output device.

[0035] <Functional configuration> FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 10. As shown in FIG.

[0036] 3, the management server 10 has, as its functional components, a storage unit 30, a reception unit 32, an acquisition unit 34, a search unit 36, a notification unit 38, and an image processing unit 40. These functional components are realized by the control device 20 executing a program stored in the storage device 24.

[0037] The storage means 30 has a function of storing station information including address information for each of a plurality of gas stations in association with each other. This station information includes information on the luggage storage location set for each gas station, the business hours of the gas station, event information for events held at the gas station, the arrival date and time of the fuel truck at the gas station, value information of the gas station set for each company ID of the delivery company DC, a type ID indicating the type of luggage that can be stored, the congestion status of the gas station, information on the size of the gas station, information on the size of the luggage storage location set for each gas station, the name of the person in charge of luggage at the gas station, contact information for the person in charge of luggage at the gas station, the name of the person in charge of the gas station, contact information for the person in charge of the gas station, etc. The storage location information may be included in an image of a gas station (hereinafter referred to as a "gas station image"). The event information may include events where users are expected to be busy, such as sale days, local events, and point campaigns, and events where users are not expected to be busy, such as inspection days and renewals. The gas station image is generated using a diagram or a photograph. The gas station image may include, in addition to the storage location, an office, fixed gas supply equipment, fixed oil filling equipment, car wash equipment, etc.

[0038] The storage means 30 stores, for example, a company management table 30A, a gas station management table 30B, a delivery management table 30C, and a gas station image 30D. The company management table 30A contains, for example, the name of the delivery company DC, the company ID of the delivery company DC, a password, contact information for the delivery company DC, address information for the delivery base of the delivery company DC, and contact information for the delivery company DC. The gas station management table 30B contains, for example, various types of station information associated with each gas station of a plurality of gas stations SS. The delivery management table 30C contains a delivery base for each package. A gas station image 30D is provided for each gas station.

[0039] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the station information 100 described in the gas station management table 30B.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the gas station management table 30B stores station information 100 for each gas station ID, including address information 102, business hours 104, a file name 106 of a gas station image, a refueling date and time 108, event information 110, and value information 112. The file indicated by the file name 106 of the gas station image 30D may be stored in any suitable location, such as the storage unit 30 or a database server. The refueling date and time 108 is the date and time when the refueling truck refuels at the gas station SS. The refueling date and time 108 may also be the arrival date and time when the refueling truck arrives at the gas station SS. The value information 112 is expressed as a number, symbol, character, or the like. In FIG. 4, the value information 112 is expressed as a number, with a lower number indicating a higher value. The value information 112 may differ depending on the delivery company DC, depending on whether the delivery base is located in a city center or a suburban area. The station information 100 may also include contact information such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address or email address of the second terminal device 14 at the gas station SS, and the congestion status of users and cars at the gas station SS.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a gas station image 30D.

[0042] 5, gas station image 30D includes, in addition to storage location image 122 as storage location information, image 124 of an office or the like, image 126 of a fueling area where fixed fueling equipment 126A is installed, image 128 of a fueling area where fixed fueling equipment 128B is installed, and image 130 of a car wash area where a car wash facility is installed. As shown in storage location image 122, distance D between the storage location and fixed fueling equipment 126A and / or fixed fueling equipment 128B is set to a distance equal to or greater than a distance predetermined by law or government ordinance, such as 3 m.

[0043] Returning to Fig. 3, the receiving means 32 has a function of receiving a search request from the first terminal device 12, which is a search request for a package delivery base and includes address information of the package delivery destination. This search request may include the company ID of the delivery company DC of the package to be delivered. The search request may also include the type ID of the package to be delivered.

[0044] The acquisition means 34 has a function of acquiring environmental information for the address indicated by the address information 102 included in the station information 100. This environmental information includes the congestion status of the gas station, the weather conditions near the gas station, the topography conditions near the gas station, and the like.

[0045] When the receiving means 32 receives a search request, the search means 36 has a function of searching for one or more gas stations from among a plurality of gas stations SS based on the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100. Specifically, the search means 36 searches for gas stations SS where the distance between the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100 is within a reference distance. The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS where the distance between the address information corresponding to the vendor ID included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100 is within a reference distance. The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS where the delivery time between the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100 is within a reference time. The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS where the delivery time between the address information corresponding to the vendor ID included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100 is within a reference time.

[0046] The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS based on business hours 104 included in the station information 100. Specifically, the search means 36 calculates the expected arrival date and time of the package based on the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100, and searches for gas stations SS where the calculated expected arrival date and time is within the business hours 104. Alternatively, the search means 36 may assume that the expected arrival date and time of the package is a predetermined time from the present, and search for gas stations SS where the expected arrival date and time is within the business hours 104. Conversely, the search means 36 may search for gas stations SS where the expected arrival date and time is outside the range of the business hours 104.

[0047] The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS based on event information 110 included in the station information 100. Specifically, the search means 36 searches for gas stations SS that do not have event information 110 indicating an event where user congestion is expected at the expected date and time of package arrival. The search means 36 also searches for gas stations SS that have event information 110 indicating an event where user congestion is not expected at the expected date and time of package arrival.

[0048] The search means 36 may also search for a gas station SS based on the refueling date and time 108 included in the station information 100. Specifically, the search means 36 searches for a gas station SS where the expected arrival date and time of the package does not match the refueling date and time 108 included in the station information 100. When searching for a gas station SS, a margin for the refueling time for the refueling truck may be added.

[0049] The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS based on the environmental information acquired by the acquisition means 34. Specifically, the search means 36 searches for gas stations SS for which the weather conditions acquired by the acquisition means 34 indicate sunny weather at the expected date and time of arrival of the package. The search means 36 may also search for gas stations SS for which the congestion conditions acquired by the acquisition means 34 indicate uncrowded weather at the expected date and time of arrival of the package.

[0050] Furthermore, the search means 36 may obtain, from the storage means 30, value information 112 corresponding to the dealer ID included in the search request, and search for a gas station SS based on the obtained value information 112. Specifically, the search means 36 searches for a gas station SS where the value indicated by the value information 112 satisfies a criterion.

[0051] Furthermore, the search means 36 searches for a gas station SS based on the luggage type ID included in the search request and the type ID included in the station information 100. Specifically, the search means 36 searches for a gas station SS where the luggage type ID included in the search request matches the type ID included in the station information 100. Conversely, the search means 36 may search for a gas station SS where the luggage type ID included in the search request does not match the type ID included in the station information 100.

[0052] The notification means 38 has a function of notifying the first terminal device 12 of one or more gas stations SS found by the search means 36 as delivery bases for luggage. In addition to this function, the notification means 38 may notify the first terminal device 12 of storage location information set for one or more gas stations SS found by the search means 36. The notification means 38 may also notify the first terminal device 12 of a gas station image 30D that has been image-processed to clearly indicate areas where luggage storage is prohibited.

[0053] The notification means 38 also inquires of the second terminal device 14 of one or more gas stations SS found by the search means 36 whether or not it is possible to store the luggage, and based on the inquiry result from the second terminal device 14, notifies the second terminal device 14 whether or not it is possible to store the luggage. Pipe The first terminal device 12 may be notified of a gas station SS that can store the cargo as a delivery base for the cargo. The inquiry result from the second terminal device 14 may include information on the number of cargoes that can be stored, calculated according to the available capacity and area of ​​the storage location. This allows the delivery company DC to know the number of cargoes that can be stored at the gas station SS. Ruko This allows the user to determine whether or not to deliver the package to the gas station SS.

[0054] The image processing means 40 has a function of performing image processing so that areas where luggage storage is prohibited are clearly indicated in the gas station image 30D before the notification means 38 issues a notification. For example, the image processing means 40 performs image processing on the gas station image 30D to mark prohibited areas with an X or color them red. The image processing means 40 may also perform image processing on the gas station image 30D to highlight prohibited areas compared to other areas. For example, the image processing means 40 may perform image processing on the gas station image 30D to make areas where luggage storage is prohibited brighter than storage locations indicated by the storage location information, or may perform image processing to change the color of areas where luggage storage is prohibited so that they are displayed in a more highlighted color compared to storage locations indicated by the storage location information.

[0055] <Search process flow> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of search processing in the delivery management system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0056] (Step SP10) The first terminal device 12 transmits a search request including, for example, the package ID, the address information of the package delivery destination, the address information of the delivery company where the package is located, and the company ID of the delivery company to the management server 10. Then, the process proceeds to step SP12.

[0057] (Step SP12) The reception means 32 of the management server 10 receives a search request from the first terminal device 12. Next, the reception means 32 determines whether the vendor ID included in the received search request is in the vendor management table 30A. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP16, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP14. At this time, the reception means 32 may also receive a password from the first terminal device 12 to perform password authentication.

[0058] (Step SP14) The reception means 32 returns an error to the first terminal device 12. Then, the process returns to the process of step SP10.

[0059] (Step SP16) The receiving means 32 determines whether the package ID included in the received search request is in the delivery management table 30C. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP14, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP18.

[0060] (Step SP18) The search means 36 of the management server 10 searches for one or more gas stations SS from among the plurality of gas stations SS based on the search request received by the reception means 32. The specific processing of this search will be described later. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP20.

[0061] (Step SP20) The notification means 38 of the management server 10 acquires the IP addresses of the second terminal devices 14 of one or more gas stations searched by the search means 36 from the gas station management table 30B. Next, the notification means 38 inquires of the second terminal device 14 whether or not it is possible to store the package (storage possibility) based on the acquired IP addresses. At this time, the notification means 38 may transmit the package type ID and the expected arrival date and time of the package to the second terminal device 14. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP22.

[0062] (Step SP22) The second terminal device 14 receives an inquiry about storage availability from the management server 10. Next, the second terminal device 14 creates a response to the received inquiry, such as "yes" or "no," either automatically or through an operation by the user of the second terminal device 14, and returns the response as the inquiry result to the management server 10. Then, the process proceeds to step SP24.

[0063] (Step SP24) The receiving means 32 receives a response from the second terminal device 14. In response to this, the notification means 38 determines whether the response received by the receiving means 32 indicates that delivery of the package is possible, for example, whether the response indicates "possible." If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP26, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP12.

[0064] (Step SP26) The notification means 38 acquires storage location information set for one or more gas stations SS searched by the search means 36. Specifically, the notification means 38 acquires file names 106 associated with one or more gas stations SS via the gas station management table 30B, and acquires the gas station image 30D of the acquired file name 106 from the storage means 30. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP28.

[0065] (Step SP28) The notification means 38 notifies the first terminal device 12 that made the search request of one or more gas stations SS searched by the search means 36 as delivery bases for the package. Specifically, the notification means 38 notifies (transmits) the gas station IDs of the one or more gas stations SS, the address information 102, and the gas station image 30D acquired in step SP26. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP30.

[0066] (Step SP30) The first terminal device 12 receives the notification from the management server 10. In response to this, the first terminal device 12 determines whether or not the gas station SS indicated by the notified gas station ID is suitable as a delivery base, based on the notified gas station ID and address information 102. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP32, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP10.

[0067] (Step SP32) The first terminal device 12 selects one of the notified gas station IDs and stores the gas station SS indicated by the selected gas station ID as a delivery base for the package. The first terminal device 12 also stores address information 102 and a gas station image 30D corresponding to the selected gas station ID. Next, the first terminal device 12 instructs a delivery driver belonging to the delivery company DC to deliver the package by forwarding the notification content to the delivery driver, and the instructed delivery driver delivers the package to the storage location of the gas station SS in accordance with the notification content. Next, the first terminal device 12 transmits package delivery information, including the gas station ID and company ID of the selected gas station SS, to the management server 10. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP34.

[0068] (Step SP34) The management server 10 receives the delivery information from the first terminal device 12. In response to this, the reception means 32 updates the delivery management table 30C by adding the received delivery information to the delivery management table 30C. Then, the process proceeds to step SP36.

[0069] (Step SP36) The notification means 38 notifies the second terminal device 14 of the received delivery information, and the process then proceeds to step SP38.

[0070] (Step SP38) The second terminal device 14 receives the delivery information from the management server 10. In response to this, the second terminal device 14 stores the received delivery information. Next, the second terminal device 14 transmits to the management server 10 a message indicating that the delivery information has been stored. Then, the process proceeds to step SP40.

[0071] (Step SP40) The management server 10 determines, for example, whether the current date is the end of the month. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP42, and if the determination is negative, the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0072] (Step SP42) The acquisition means 34 of the management server 10 calculates the total number of packages stored in all gas stations SS for the month based on the delivery management table 30C. Then, the process proceeds to step SP44.

[0073] (Step SP44) The acquisition means 34 calculates the amount to be charged to the delivery company DC from the calculated total number of items stored for the month, and then the process proceeds to step SP46.

[0074] (Step SP46) The notification means 38 notifies the calculated billing amount to the first terminal device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step SP48.

[0075] (Step SP48) The first terminal device 12 receives the notification of the billing amount from the management server 10. In response to this, the first terminal device 12 executes payment processing for the notified billing amount, and the processing shown in Figure 6 then ends.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the subroutine for searching for gas stations in step SP18 shown in FIG.

[0077] (Step SP18A) The search means 36 of the management server 10 searches for one or more gas stations SS from among the multiple gas stations SS described in the gas station management table 30B based on the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100. Specifically, the search means 36 calculates the distance between the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in each station information 100, and searches for gas stations SS where the calculated distance is within a reference distance. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP18B.

[0078] (Step SP18B) The search means 36 determines whether or not there are multiple gas stations SS in the search results. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP18C, and if the determination is negative, the subroutine shown in FIG. 7 is terminated.

[0079] (Step SP18C) The search means 36 searches for a gas station SS from the searched plurality of gas stations SS for which the value indicated by the value information 112 corresponding to the supplier ID included in the search request in the gas station management table 30B is, for example, "2" or less. The search means 36 may also calculate the expected arrival date and time of the package based on the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100, and search for a gas station SS for which the calculated expected arrival date and time is within the business hours 104. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP18D.

[0080] (Step SP18D) If there are multiple gas stations SS found, the search means 36 calculates the delivery efficiency of the parcels for each of the multiple gas stations SS from the number of parcels at each gas station SS, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step SP18E.

[0081] (Step SP18E) The search means 36 extracts the gas station with the highest calculated delivery efficiency from the searched gas stations SS, and then the subroutine shown in FIG.

[0082] <Effects> As described above, the management server 10 according to this embodiment is a management server 10 capable of communicating with the first terminal device 12 of the package delivery company DC, and includes a storage means 30 that stores station information 100 including address information 102 in association with each of a plurality of gas stations SS. The management server 10 also includes a reception means 32 that receives from the first terminal device 12 a search request for a package delivery base that includes address information for the package delivery destination, a search means 36 that, when the reception means 32 receives the search request, searches for one or more gas stations from the plurality of gas stations SS based on the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100, and a notification means 38 that notifies the first terminal device 12 of the one or more gas stations found by the search means 36 as package delivery bases.

[0083] According to this configuration, the search means 36 notifies the first terminal device 12 of one or more gas stations SS that it has found as delivery bases for the package, so that a gas station SS that is not owned by the delivery company DC can be proposed to the delivery company as a new delivery base. In addition, the search means 36 searches for a gas station SS based on the address information included in the search request and the address information 102 included in the station information 100, so that a gas station SS that is appropriate for the delivery company DC can be proposed.

[0084] In addition, in the management server 10 according to this embodiment, the station information 100 includes luggage storage location information set for each gas station SS, and the notification means 38 notifies the storage location information set for one or more gas stations SS searched by the search means 36.

[0085] This configuration reduces the chance that the delivery company DC will be confused about where to store the package when delivering it to the suggested gas station SS.

[0086] In addition, in the management server 10 of this embodiment, the distance D between the storage location indicated by the storage location information and the fixed refueling equipment 126A and / or fixed refueling equipment 128A installed at the gas station SS is set to a predetermined distance or greater.

[0087] According to this configuration, it is possible to suggest an appropriate location as a storage location.

[0088] In addition, in the management server 10 of this embodiment, the notification means 38 transmits a gas station image 30D including storage location information set at one or more gas stations SS, and further includes an image processing means 40 that processes the image so that locations where luggage storage is prohibited are clearly indicated in the gas station image 30D before the notification means 38 transmits it.

[0089] According to this configuration, for example, places that are prohibited as places for storing luggage can be identified at a glance, so luggage can be stored appropriately.

[0090] Furthermore, in the management server 10 according to this embodiment, the station information 100 includes the business hours 104 of the gas station SS, and the search means 36 searches for the gas station SS based on the business hours 104 included in the station information 100.

[0091] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to propose a gas station SS that is open or closed, depending on the convenience of the delivery company DC or the gas station SS.

[0092] In addition, in the management server 10 of this embodiment, the station information 100 includes event information 110 of events held at gas stations SS, and the search means 36 searches for gas stations SS based on the event information 110 included in the station information 100.

[0093] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to suggest gas stations SS that are not crowded with users, cars, etc.

[0094] In addition, in the management server 10 of this embodiment, the station information 100 includes the refueling date and time 108 when the gas station SS is refueled, and the search means 36 searches for the gas station SS based on the refueling date and time 108 included in the station information 100.

[0095] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to suggest a gas station SS where the expected arrival date and time of the cargo at the gas station SS does not overlap with the refueling date and time 108.

[0096] In addition, the management server 10 of this embodiment further includes an acquisition means 34 that acquires environmental information for the address indicated by the address information 102 included in the station information 100, and a search means 36 searches for gas stations SS based on the environmental information.

[0097] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to propose a gas station SS that is suited to the environment.

[0098] In addition, in the management server 10 according to this embodiment, the notification means 38 notifies the second terminal device 14 of one or more gas stations SS searched by the search means 36 that the cargo is being stored. Pipe To be able to Is it possible? Based on the result of the inquiry from the second terminal device 14, the second terminal device 14 Pipe The first terminal device 12 is notified of a gas station SS that can be delivered as a delivery base for the package.

[0099] According to this configuration, the search for gas stations SS can reflect the real-time status of gas stations SS, so that gas stations SS that are appropriate for the delivery company DC can be proposed.

[0100] Furthermore, in the management server 10 according to this embodiment, the station information 100 includes value information 112 of the gas station SS set for each vendor ID of the delivery company DC, and the search request includes the vendor ID of the delivery company DC of the parcel to be delivered. The search means 36 acquires the value information 112 corresponding to the vendor ID included in the search request from the storage means 30, and searches for the gas station SS based on the acquired value information 112.

[0101] This configuration makes it possible to propose a suitable gas station SS for the delivery company DC.

[0102] In addition, in the management server 10 of this embodiment, the station information 100 includes a type ID indicating the type of luggage that can be stored, the search request includes the type ID of the luggage to be delivered, and the search means 36 searches for a gas station SS based on the type ID included in the search request and the type ID included in the station information 100.

[0103] This configuration makes it possible to propose a gas station SS that can store appropriate types of luggage.

[0104] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described specific examples. In other words, designs that are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art from the above-described specific examples are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

[0105] For example, in the above embodiment, it was described that the gas station SS stores luggage, but instead of storing luggage, the gas station SS may lend space to the delivery company DC to store luggage.

[0106] In addition, in the above embodiment, the program is described as being stored in the storage device 24 of the management server 10, but it may also be stored in a portable storage device that can be connected to the management server 10, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a memory card.

[0107] Furthermore, although the image processing means 40 has been described as performing image processing so as to clearly indicate areas where luggage storage is prohibited in the gas station image 30D, the gas station image 30D may already be image-processed so as to clearly indicate areas where luggage storage is prohibited, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, for example. In this case, the image processing means 40 may be omitted.

[0108] Furthermore, although the search means 36 has been described as searching for one or more gas stations SS from among a plurality of gas stations SS, it may also search for one or more locations from among a plurality of gas stations SS and delivery company bases installed (owned) by the delivery company DC. Specifically, the storage means 30 stores base information including address information for each of a plurality of delivery company bases installed by the delivery company DC in association with each other, and when the reception means 32 receives a search request, the search means 36 searches for one or more locations from among the plurality of gas stations SS and a plurality of delivery company bases based on the address information included in the search request and the address information included in the station information 100 and the base information, and when a delivery company base is included in the locations searched by the search means 36, the notification means 38 notifies the delivery company base with priority.

[0109] This configuration allows the number of delivery bases to be proposed to be increased. Also, if a delivery company base is included in the locations searched by the search means 36, the delivery company base is given priority in notification, so that a delivery base that is more convenient for the delivery company DC can be proposed.

[0110] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the gas station search subroutine in step SP18 shown in FIG.

[0111] (Step SP18V) The search means 36 of the management server 10 searches for one or more locations from among the plurality of gas stations SS and the plurality of delivery company bases based on the address information included in the search request, the address information 102 included in the station information 100, and the address information included in the base information of the delivery company base installed by the delivery company DC. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP18W.

[0112] (Step SP18W) The search means 36 determines whether or not there are multiple locations in the search results. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP18X, and if the determination is negative, the subroutine shown in FIG. 8 is terminated.

[0113] (Step SP18X) The notification means 38 determines whether or not a delivery company base is found in the search results. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP18Y, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP18Z.

[0114] (Step SP18Y) The notification means 38 determines one of the delivery company bases from the search results as the delivery base to be notified, and then the subroutine shown in FIG.

[0115] (Step SP18Z) The notification means 38 determines one of the gas stations in the search results as the delivery base to be notified, and then the subroutine shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 10: Management server (computer, information processing device), 30: Storage means, 32: Reception means, 36: Search means, 38: Notification means

Claims

1. a first terminal device used by a package delivery company; a second terminal device disposed in each of the plurality of energy stations; an information processing device capable of communicating with the first terminal device and the second terminal device; Equipped with The information processing device includes: a storage means for storing station information including first address information indicating addresses of the plurality of energy stations in association with each other for each of the plurality of energy stations that are different from delivery company bases owned by the delivery company; a receiving means for receiving, from the first terminal device, a search request for a delivery base for the package, the search request including second address information indicating an address of a delivery destination of the package; a search means for searching, when the reception means receives the search request, one or more energy stations that store the package from among the plurality of energy stations based on the second address information included in the search request and the first address information included in the station information; a notification means for notifying the first terminal device of an energy station that can store the package among the one or more energy stations searched by the search means as a delivery base for the package; Equipped with the first terminal device notifies the information processing device and the delivery driver of delivery information including information on one energy station selected from the energy stations notified by the notification means; the information processing device notifies the second terminal device of the received delivery information; Delivery management system.

2. the station information includes storage location information indicating a storage location of the cargo within the energy station, the storage location information being set for each of the energy stations; The notification means notifies the one or more energy stations searched by the search means of the storage location information set thereto. The delivery management system according to claim 1 .

3. The distance between the storage location indicated by the storage location information and the fixed fueling equipment and / or fixed fuel supply equipment installed in the energy station is set to a predetermined distance or more. The delivery management system according to claim 2 .

4. the notification means transmits an image of the energy station including the storage location information set in the one or more energy stations, the image clearly indicating locations where storage of the luggage is prohibited. The delivery management system according to claim 2 .

5. the station information includes business hours of the energy station; the search means searches for the energy station whose expected arrival date and time of the package is within the business hours included in the station information; The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The station information includes event information of an event to be held at the energy station, the search means searches for the energy station for which no event information is included in the station information at the expected arrival date and time of the package. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The station information includes a lubrication date and time when the energy station is lubricated; the search means searches for the energy station where the expected arrival date and time of the package does not match the oil filling date and time included in the station information. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring environmental information for the address indicated by the first address information; the search means searches for the energy station for which the weather conditions indicated by the environmental information are sunny at the expected arrival date and time of the package. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The notification means inquires of the second terminal device of the one or more energy stations searched by the search means as to whether or not the luggage can be stored therein, and based on the inquiry result from the second terminal device, notifies the first terminal device of the energy station that can store the luggage as a delivery base for the luggage. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The station information includes value information of an energy station set for each company ID of the delivery company, The search request includes a company ID of a delivery company of the package to be delivered, the search means acquires, from the storage means, value information corresponding to the provider ID included in the search request, and searches for the energy station based on the acquired value information. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. The station information includes a type ID indicating a type of luggage that can be stored, The search request includes a type ID of the package to be delivered, the search means searches for the energy station based on a type ID included in the search request and a type ID included in the station information. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. The storage means stores base information (third address information) including address information for each of a plurality of delivery company bases established by the delivery company in association with the delivery company, When the receiving means receives the search request, the searching means searches for one or more locations from among the plurality of energy stations and the delivery company bases based on the first address information, the second address information, and the third address information; When the delivery company base is included in the locations searched by the search means, the notification means notifies the delivery company base with priority. The delivery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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