Delivery support device

Abstract

To improve the usefulness of a technology of supporting delivery using vehicles.SOLUTION: A delivery support device according to the present disclosure includes a control unit. The control unit obtains vehicle-related information obtained by a vehicle used to deliver an item, determines an unloading place where the item is unloaded on the basis of the vehicle-related information, and generates information about a place where item unloading can be performed on the basis of the unloading place.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delivery assistance device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known technologies for supporting delivery by vehicles. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology for checking whether delivery by an autonomous vehicle is possible based on whether the delivery destination area is included in a no-parking zone defined by the Road Traffic Act. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-124676 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need for further improvements in the usability of technologies that support vehicle delivery, such as the ability to more accurately determine locations where vehicles can load and unload cargo.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of the above circumstances, is to improve the usefulness of technology that supports delivery by vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A delivery support device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a delivery support device equipped with a control unit, which is configured to acquire information about a vehicle acquired by the vehicle used to deliver luggage, determine a loading and unloading location where the luggage was loaded and unloaded based on the information about the vehicle, and generate information about a location where the luggage can be loaded and unloaded based on the loading and unloading location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the usefulness of technology for assisting vehicle delivery is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a delivery support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the delivery support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0010] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a delivery support system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the delivery support system 1. The delivery support system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a server 20, and a terminal device 30.

[0011] Vehicle 10 is a vehicle such as a truck used for delivering goods. However, vehicle 10 is not limited to a truck and may be any vehicle that can be used for delivering goods, such as a passenger car or a motorcycle. Vehicle 10 may be driven by a driver, or may be driven autonomously or remotely. The level of autonomous driving is, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

[0012] The server 20 is configured with one or more computers. In this embodiment, the server 20 is described as being configured with one computer. However, the server 20 may be configured with multiple computers that can communicate with each other, such as a cloud computing system.

[0013] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a smartphone, but is not limited to this and may be any computer such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal.

[0014] 1 shows only one vehicle 10, one server 20, and one terminal device 30. However, the delivery support system 1 may include any number of vehicles 10, servers 20, and terminal devices 30. The vehicles 10, the server 20, and the terminal devices 30 are communicatively connected to a network 40 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0015] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. A delivery support system 1 is used, for example, to support delivery by a vehicle 10. A server 20, which is a delivery support device, acquires information about the vehicle 10 acquired by the vehicle 10 used to deliver the package. Based on the information about the vehicle 10, the server 20 determines the unloading location where the package was loaded and unloaded. Based on the unloading location, the server 20 generates information about locations where the package can be unloaded.

[0016] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine a location where the vehicle 10 can be stopped and where cargo can be loaded and unloaded, based on past deliveries performed using the vehicle 10. Therefore, the usefulness of the technology for supporting delivery by the vehicle 10 is improved in that it is possible to more accurately determine a location where cargo can be loaded and unloaded.

[0017] Next, each component of the delivery support system 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle 10. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 20.

[0018] (Vehicle configuration) 3, vehicle 10 includes a communication unit 11, a positioning unit 12, a detection unit 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 17. Communication unit 11, positioning unit 12, detection unit 13, output unit 14, input unit 15, storage unit 16, and control unit 17 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a dedicated line.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes a communication module for connecting to the network 40. The communication module is a communication module compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may be a communication module compatible with standards such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) or wireless LAN. The communication module may be a communication module compatible with short-range wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or infrared communication. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is connected to the network 40 via the communication unit 11. This allows the vehicle 10 to communicate with the server 20, etc.

[0020] The positioning unit 12 includes one or more positioning devices capable of generating position information of the vehicle 10. The position information of the vehicle 10 is, for example, coordinates such as two-dimensional coordinates or three-dimensional coordinates of the location where the vehicle 10 is located. The position information of the vehicle 10 may also include the date and time when the information was generated.

[0021] The positioning unit 12 generates position information of the vehicle 10 by navigation using a satellite positioning system, autonomous navigation, or a combination thereof. The positioning unit 12 may include a receiver compatible with a satellite positioning system such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) in order to generate position information of the vehicle 10 by navigation using the satellite positioning system. The positioning unit 12 may include a sensor such as an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor in order to generate position information of the vehicle 10 by autonomous navigation.

[0022] The detection unit 13 includes one or more sensors capable of generating information about the vehicle 10. For example, the detection unit 13 may include a first detection unit 13A or a second detection unit 13B.

[0023] The first detection unit 13A is configured to generate door opening / closing information of the vehicle 10. The first detection unit 13A includes, for example, a displacement sensor, a contact sensor, an infrared sensor, an illuminance sensor, or the like, but is not limited to these. In the present disclosure, the door of the vehicle 10 is a door that can be used for loading and unloading luggage into the vehicle 10. For example, the door of the vehicle 10 may be a door of a luggage compartment of the vehicle 10. The door opening / closing information of the vehicle 10 is information that indicates whether the door of the vehicle 10 is in an open state or a closed state. The door opening / closing information of the vehicle 10 may include the date and time when the door was opened or the date and time when the door was closed.

[0024] The second detection unit 13B is configured to generate luggage load information for the vehicle 10. The luggage load information for the vehicle 10 may be information indicating the weight, volume, number, or the like of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10. As an example, the luggage load information may include the weight of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 as information indicating the luggage weight, or may include information from which the weight of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 can be calculated, such as the weight of the luggage compartment of the vehicle 10 or the weight of the vehicle 10 itself. The second detection unit 13B may include a weight sensor or the like to generate information indicating the luggage weight. As another example, the luggage load information may include the volume of an area occupied by luggage in the luggage compartment of the vehicle 10 as information indicating the volume of the luggage. The second detection unit 13B may include a camera, such as an image sensor or an infrared sensor, to generate information indicating the volume of the luggage. As yet another example, the luggage load information may include the number of electronic tags or code information attached to each luggage as information indicating the number of luggage. The second detection unit 13B may include a reader for electronic tags or code information to generate information indicating the number of packages. However, the information on the amount of luggage carried by the vehicle 10 is not limited to the information described above and may include any information that can indicate the amount of luggage. Furthermore, the information on the amount of luggage carried by the vehicle 10 may include the date and time when the information was generated.

[0025] The output unit 14 includes one or more output devices. The output devices included in the output unit 14 are, for example, a display, a speaker, a lamp, etc. The output unit 14 outputs an image, sound, light, etc.

[0026] The input unit 15 includes one input device. The input device included in the input unit 15 is, for example, a touch panel, a camera, a microphone, etc. The input unit 15 accepts input operations from a user.

[0027] The storage unit 16 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The storage unit 16 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 16 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 16 stores a system program, an application program, embedded software, or the like. The information stored in the storage unit 16 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0028] The control unit 17 includes one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The control unit 17 is not limited to a processor and may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 17 controls each component of the vehicle 10 to realize functions of the vehicle 10, including the functions of the components such as the communication unit 11, the positioning unit 12, the detection unit 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, and the memory unit 16 described above. The control unit 17 may be, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle 10.

[0029] (Server configuration) 3, the server 20 includes a communication unit 21, an output unit 22, an input unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25. The communication unit 21, the output unit 22, the input unit 23, the storage unit 24, and the control unit 25 are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0030] The communication unit 21 includes a communication module for connecting to the network 40. The communication module is a communication module compatible with a mobile communication standard such as 4G or 5G. The communication module may be a communication module compatible with a standard such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. The communication module may be a communication module compatible with a short-range wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or infrared communication. In this embodiment, the server 20 is connected to the network 40 via the communication unit 21. This allows the server 20 to communicate with the vehicle 10, the terminal device 30, etc.

[0031] The output unit 22 includes one or more output devices. The output devices included in the output unit 22 are, for example, a display, a speaker, a lamp, etc. The output unit 22 outputs an image, sound, light, etc.

[0032] The input unit 23 includes one input device. The input device included in the input unit 23 is, for example, a touch panel, a camera, a microphone, etc. The input unit 23 accepts input operations from the user.

[0033] The storage unit 24 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The storage unit 24 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 24 stores any information used in the operation of the server 20. For example, the storage unit 24 stores a system program, an application program, embedded software, or the like. The information stored in the storage unit 24 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0034] The control unit 25 includes one or more processors. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 25 is not limited to a processor and may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 25 controls each component to realize the functions of the server 20, including the functions of the components such as the communication unit 21, the output unit 22, the input unit 23, and the memory unit 24 described above.

[0035] (Delivery support system operation) The operation of the delivery support system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the delivery support system 1. The flowchart shown in Fig. 4 shows the operations of the vehicle 10, server 20, and terminal device 30 included in the delivery support system 1. Therefore, the description of this operation corresponds to a control method for the delivery support system 1, and also corresponds to a control method for each of the vehicle 10, server 20, and terminal device 30 included in the delivery support system 1.

[0036] In step S101, the control unit 19 of the vehicle 10 transmits, via the communication unit 11, information about the vehicle 10 acquired by the vehicle 10 to the server 20.

[0037] The control unit 19 of the vehicle 10 generates information about the vehicle 10 using the positioning unit 12 or the detection unit 13. The information about the vehicle 10 may include, for example, location information about the vehicle 10 generated by the positioning unit 12, door opening / closing information about the vehicle 10 generated by the first detection unit 13A, or cargo load information about the vehicle 10 generated by the second detection unit 13B. However, the information about the vehicle 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned information and may also include log information about control of each function of the vehicle 10 by the control unit 17. The information about the vehicle 10 may be probe data. The control unit 19 may periodically and repeatedly transmit the information about the vehicle 10 via the communication unit 11, or may transmit the information at any timing. In this embodiment, the information about the vehicle 10 acquired by the vehicle 10 will be described as being transmitted directly from the vehicle 10 to the server 20. However, the information about the vehicle 10 acquired by the vehicle 10 may be transmitted indirectly from the vehicle 10 to the server 20 via a data collection service or the like.

[0038] In step S102, the control unit 25 of the server 20 acquires information about the vehicle 10 acquired by the vehicle 10 used to deliver the package via the communication unit 21. The control unit 25 may store the acquired information about the vehicle 10 in the memory unit 24.

[0039] In step S103, the control unit 25 of the server 20 determines the unloading location where the luggage was loaded and unloaded based on the information about the vehicle 10. The unloading location includes a location where the luggage was loaded onto the vehicle 10 or a location where the luggage was unloaded from the vehicle 10.

[0040] Any method can be employed to determine the loading and unloading location. As a first determination method, the control unit 25 of the server 20 can determine that the vehicle 10 has stopped and unloaded luggage when the coordinates of the location where the vehicle 10 is located have not moved for a predetermined time or longer, based on the location information of the vehicle 10 included in the information related to the vehicle 10. Thus, the control unit 25 may determine, based on the location information of the vehicle 10, that a location where the vehicle 10 has stopped for a predetermined time or longer is the loading and unloading location. The predetermined time is, for example, 10 minutes, but is not limited to this.

[0041] As a second determination method, the control unit 25 of the server 20 can determine that loading and unloading of luggage has been performed when the door of the vehicle 10 is opened, based on the door opening / closing information of the vehicle 10 included in the information related to the vehicle 10. Thus, the control unit 25 may determine, based on the door opening / closing information of the vehicle 10, that the location where the door of the vehicle 10 is opened is the loading and unloading location.

[0042] As a third determination method, the control unit 25 of the server 20 can determine that loading and unloading of luggage has been performed when the amount of luggage (weight, volume, number, etc.) loaded on the vehicle 10 has changed based on luggage load information on the vehicle 10 included in the information related to the vehicle 10. As a result, the control unit 25 may determine, based on the luggage load information on the vehicle 10, that the location where the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 has changed is the loading and unloading location.

[0043] In this embodiment, in step S103, the control unit 25 of the server 20 determines a loading and unloading location based on information about the vehicle 10 using at least one of the three determination methods described above. For example, the control unit 25 may determine, based on the information about the vehicle 10, a location where the vehicle 10 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time or more, the door of the vehicle 10 has been opened, and the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 has changed, as the loading and unloading location. By combining multiple determination methods in this way, erroneous detection of the loading and unloading location is prevented, and the accuracy of determining the loading and unloading location is improved. Also, for example, the control unit 25 may determine, based on the information about the vehicle 10, a location where the vehicle 10 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time or more and the door of the vehicle 10 has been opened, as the loading and unloading location. Alternatively, the control unit 25 may determine, based on the information about the vehicle 10, a location where the vehicle 10 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time or more and the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 has changed, as the loading and unloading location. The control unit 25 may determine, based on the information about the vehicle 10, a location where the door of the vehicle 10 is opened and the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 has changed, as a loading and unloading location. This improves the accuracy of determining the loading and unloading location, while reducing the processing load required for the determination process.

[0044] In step S103, the control unit 25 of the server 20 may further determine a loading failure location where loading and unloading of luggage has not been performed, based on the information about the vehicle 10. Specifically, the control unit 25 may determine a loading failure location based on the information about the vehicle 10 using at least one of the three determination methods described above. For example, the control unit 25 may determine a location where the vehicle 10 has been stopped for less than a predetermined time, based on the information about the vehicle 10, as a loading failure location. For example, the control unit 25 may determine a location where the vehicle 10 has been stopped for more than a predetermined time but the door of the vehicle 10 has not been opened, based on the information about the vehicle 10, as a loading failure location. The control unit 25 may determine a location where the vehicle 10 has been stopped for more than a predetermined time but the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 has not changed, based on the information about the vehicle 10, as a loading failure location. Alternatively, the control unit 25 may determine a location where the door of the vehicle 10 has been opened but the amount of luggage loaded on the vehicle 10 has not changed, based on the information about the vehicle 10, as a loading failure location.

[0045] In step S104, the control unit 25 of the server 20 generates information about locations where cargo can be unloaded, based on the unloading locations.

[0046] Specifically, the control unit 25 of the server 20 stores information about the unloading location determined in step S103 in the memory unit 24 as information about a location where cargo can be unloaded. The information about the unloading location may include, for example, information such as the coordinates of the unloading location, the time period when unloading was performed, the stopping time, the type of cargo, and the type of vehicle 10. The information about locations where cargo can be unloaded may include information about the unloading locations of multiple vehicles 10. Furthermore, if information about locations where cargo can be unloaded is already stored in the memory unit 24, the control unit 25 may add the information about the unloading location determined in step S103 to that information. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to accurately determine a location where the vehicle 10 can be stopped and cargo can be unloaded, based on the track record of unloading in past deliveries.

[0047] In step S104, the control unit 25 of the server 20 may further generate information about locations where the cargo can be unloaded, based on the unloading location and the location where unloading failed. The control unit 25 may store the information about the unloading location determined in step S103 and the information about the location where unloading failed in the storage unit 24 in a distinguishable manner as information about locations where the cargo can be unloaded. The information about the location where unloading failed may include, for example, information such as the coordinates of the location where unloading failed, the time period when unloading did not occur, the stopping time, the type of cargo, and the type of vehicle 10. This makes it possible to more accurately determine a location where the vehicle 10 can be stopped to unload the cargo, based on the history of successful and unsuccessful unloading attempts in past deliveries.

[0048] In step S105, the control unit 25 of the server 20 outputs information about locations where luggage can be loaded and unloaded.

[0049] Any method can be used to output information about locations where cargo can be loaded and unloaded. For example, the control unit 25 of the server 20 may output the information about locations where cargo can be loaded and unloaded directly via the output unit 22, such as a display, or may transmit the information to the vehicle 10, the terminal device 30, or the like via the communication unit 21. Alternatively, the control unit 25 of the server 20 may generate a mapping image in which the information about locations where cargo can be loaded and unloaded is mapped onto an image, such as a map, photograph, or video. The unloading locations may be mapped on the mapping image. Alternatively, in addition to the unloading locations, locations where unloading has failed may be mapped on the mapping image so that they can be distinguished, for example, using different icons. The control unit 25 may output the mapping image as information about locations where cargo can be unloaded via the output unit 22, such as a display, or may transmit the mapping image to the vehicle 10, the terminal device 30, or the like via the communication unit 21. This makes it easier for users of the delivery support system 1 to more accurately determine locations where cargo can be unloaded.

[0050] As described above, the server 20, which is the delivery support device according to this embodiment, acquires information about the vehicle 10 acquired by the vehicle 10 used to deliver the package. The server 20 determines the unloading location where the package was loaded and unloaded based on the information about the vehicle 10. The server 20 generates information about locations where the package can be unloaded based on the unloading location.

[0051] According to this configuration, it is possible to determine a location where the vehicle 10 can be stopped and where cargo can be loaded and unloaded, based on past deliveries performed using the vehicle 10. Therefore, the usefulness of the technology for supporting delivery by the vehicle 10 is improved in that it is possible to more accurately determine a location where cargo can be loaded and unloaded.

[0052] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0053] For example, in the above-described embodiment, all or part of the functions or processes described as functions or processes of server 20 may be realized as functions or processes of vehicle 10. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing all or part of the functions or processes of server 20 according to the embodiment may be stored in storage unit 16 of vehicle 10, and the program may be read and executed by control unit 17. Similarly, all or part of the functions or processes described as functions or processes of vehicle 10 may be realized as functions or processes of server 20.

[0054] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the control unit 17 or server 20 of the vehicle 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the control unit 17 or server 20 of the vehicle 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Delivery support system 10 vehicles 11 Communications Department 12 Positioning unit 13 detection unit (13A first detection unit, 13B second detection unit) 14 Output section 15 Input section 16 Memory section 17 Control Unit 20 servers 21 Communications Department 22 Output section 23 Input section 24 Memory section 25 Control Unit 30 Terminal Equipment 40 Network

Claims

1. A delivery support device including a control unit, The control unit acquiring information about a vehicle acquired by a vehicle used for delivering luggage, the information including location information of the vehicle and door opening / closing information of the vehicle; determining an unloading location where the cargo was unloaded based on information about the vehicle; Based on the information about the vehicle, a location where the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time or more but the door of the vehicle has not been opened is determined to be a loading / unloading failure location; The system is configured to generate information about a location where cargo can be unloaded based on the unloading location and the unloading failure location, The determining of the unloading location includes determining, based on the location information, a first location where the vehicle has been parked for a predetermined time or longer as the unloading location, or determining, based on the opening / closing information, a second location where the door of the vehicle has been opened as the unloading location.

2. The information about the vehicle includes information about the load of luggage on the vehicle, The delivery assistance device according to claim 1 , wherein determining the unloading location includes determining, based on the load information, a third location where the amount of cargo loaded on the vehicle has changed, as the unloading location.

3. The delivery assistance device described in Claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to determine that a location that is the first location, the second location, and the third location is the loading and unloading location.

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