Stocker

Abstract

To make it possible to appropriately deal with a state that has occurred at a stocker.SOLUTION: If a stocker detects opening of a door by unlocking control of the door of a delivery room of the stocker (100), the stocker starts measuring a time while the door is kept open (S110), and transmits notice indicating continuation of the open state of the door to a stocker management device (S150) if it keeps detecting the open state of the door for a prescribed open time or more (S120, S130). This allows a staff to appropriately deal with the state of the door left open.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stocker. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been known that includes a locker (storage unit) that has multiple boxes (delivery warehouses) into which parcels delivered by a delivery person can be placed, and a management device that manages the lockers (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, if a box selected by a delivery person is available, it is registered as a reserved box. When the delivery person is about to place a parcel in the reserved box, an unlocking signal is sent to the reserved box to open the door, and if the door does not open after a predetermined number of attempts, an error message is displayed indicating that a door opening malfunction has occurred. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-151154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although the above-mentioned system is described as being able to respond to door opening failures, it does not take into consideration other situations that may occur, making it difficult to respond appropriately to various situations other than door opening failures.

[0005] A main object of the present invention is to enable appropriate responses to situations that occur in a stocker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main object, the present invention employs the following means.

[0007] The first stocker of the present invention comprises: A stocker used in a stocker system including a stocker having a delivery warehouse with a lockable door and a management device that manages the stocker, an open / closed state detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the door; a control device capable of communicating with the management device and controlling locking and unlocking of the door; Equipped with The control device controls the door to be unlocked, and when the door continues to be detected as being open for a predetermined opening time or more after the door is detected as being open, the control device transmits a notification to the management device that the door remains open. The gist of this is as follows.

[0008] The first stocker of the present invention controls the door of the delivery warehouse to be unlocked, and if the door continues to be detected as being open for a predetermined time or longer after the door is detected as being open, it sends a notification to the management device, so that it can respond appropriately when the door remains open. Note that the door will remain open if, for example, the recipient forgets to close the door after taking out the goods delivered to the delivery warehouse by the supplier (deliverer).

[0009] The second stocker of the present invention comprises: A stocker used in a stocker system including a stocker having a delivery warehouse and a management device that manages the stocker, an imaging device capable of imaging a predetermined range in front of the stocker; a control device capable of communicating with the management device, which controls recording of an image captured by the imaging device based on detection of a moving object from the image; Equipped with When the control device has not executed the recording control for a predetermined non-recording time or more, the control device transmits a notification to the management device that an image has not been recorded. The gist of this is as follows.

[0010] The second stocker of the present invention sends a notification to the management device if image recording control is not performed for a predetermined non-recording time or longer, so that it can respond appropriately when images are not being recorded. Note that typically, when a supplier (deliverer) delivers an item or when a recipient receives an item, they enter a predetermined range in front of the stocker, and a moving object is detected from the image. Therefore, if images are not being recorded for a predetermined non-recording time or longer, there is a high possibility that some abnormality has occurred in the imaging device or the images being captured.

[0011] The third stocker of the present invention is A stocker used in a stocker system including a stocker having a delivery warehouse with a lockable door and a management device that manages the stocker, an open / closed state detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the door; a control device capable of communicating with the management device and controlling locking and unlocking of the door; Equipped with When the control device detects that the door has been opened without performing unlocking control on the door, the control device transmits a notification to the management device that the door has been opened without performing unlocking control. The gist of this is as follows.

[0012] The third stocker of the present invention, when the opening of the delivery warehouse door is detected without the unlocking control of the door, sends a notification to the management device, so that it can respond appropriately when the door is opened without the unlocking control. Note that the case where the door is opened without the unlocking control includes, for example, when the door is unlocked by a locking device using a physical key other than an electronic locking device controlled by the control device, and the door is unlocked by the locking device using the physical key. It also includes the case where the door is unlocked (opened) by fraudulent means.

[0013] The fourth stocker of the present invention is A stocker used in a stocker system including a stocker having a delivery warehouse and a management device that manages the stocker, a delivery certificate output device capable of outputting a delivery certificate in association with consumption of a consumable product; a control device that can communicate with the management device and controls the delivery certificate output device to output the delivery certificate when an article is delivered to the delivery warehouse by a supplier; Equipped with When the remaining amount of the consumable product falls below a predetermined amount, the control device transmits a notification to the management device that the remaining amount of the consumable product is below the predetermined amount. The gist of this is as follows.

[0014] The fourth stocker of the present invention sends a notification to the management device when the remaining amount of a consumable material used in a delivery proof output device capable of outputting delivery proof falls below a predetermined level, thereby enabling appropriate action to be taken when the remaining amount of the consumable material falls below the predetermined level. Examples of delivery proof output devices include a device that stamps a receipt on a delivery slip or the like held by a supplier, consuming ink, and a device that outputs a delivery slip with a printed delivery proof, consuming ink and paper. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a stocker system 10. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a stocker 40. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the door remains open. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when a non-recording state continues. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the door is opened under non-unlocking control. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the remaining amount of ink is low. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [First embodiment] Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a stocker system 10. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a stocker 40.

[0017] 1, the stocker system 10 includes a sales management system 20, a plurality of stockers 40, and a stocker management device 30 that manages the stockers 40. The sales management system 20, the plurality of stockers 40 (stockers 40A, 40B, etc.), and the stocker management device 30 are connected to networks 12 and 13 such as the Internet.

[0018] The sales management system 20 is a system managed by the store 21, and includes a sales management device 22. The sales management device 22 exchanges information with the mobile terminals 15 of the purchasers 14 via the network 12, and provides the purchasers 14 with product information about the products 17. The sales management device 22 stores, for example, a product database (DB) containing information about the products 17, a customer DB containing information about the customers (purchasers 14), and sales information including the order numbers of the purchased items (products 17) and information about the stockers 40 that receive the products 17.

[0019] The stocker 40 is used when handing over the products 17 delivered from the store 21 to the purchaser 14. The stocker 40 is installed in various places, such as offices, convenience stores, factories, train stations, schools, and apartment buildings. This stocker 40 is equipped with multiple lockable delivery warehouses 41. The delivery warehouse 41 has an internal space capable of storing items such as the products 17, and as shown in FIG. 2, is equipped with a front door 42, an electronic lock 43 that locks and unlocks the door 42, an item sensor 44 that detects the presence or absence of items in the delivery warehouse 41, and an opening / closing sensor 45 that detects whether the door 42 is open or closed.

[0020] The stocker 40 also includes a batch unlocking mechanism 46 that allows an operator to use a key (physical key) to collectively unlock multiple (e.g., a vertical row) delivery warehouses 41. A plurality of batch unlocking mechanisms 46 are provided, one for each row of delivery warehouses 41 (one is shown in FIG. 2), and each mechanism includes a cylinder lock 47 that is located below the lowest delivery warehouse 41 in each row and has a keyhole on the front, an unlocking rod 48 that moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation of a lock shaft (not shown) of the cylinder lock 47, and multiple unlocking levers 49 that are connected to the unlocking rod 48 and move up and down as the unlocking rod 48 moves up and down. The electronic locks 43 provided in each delivery warehouse 41 include an unlocking pin 43a that protrudes downward when in the locked state, and can also be unlocked by pushing up the unlocking pin 43a when in the locked state. The unlocking lever 49 of the batch unlocking mechanism 46 abuts against the lower end surface of the unlocking pin 43a, and by moving upward, pushes up the unlocking pin 43a. Therefore, a manager or the like of the installation location of the stocker 40 can insert a key into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 47 of the batch unlocking mechanism 46 and turn it in a predetermined direction to activate the unlocking pin 43a of the electronic lock 43 via the interlocking of the unlocking rod 48 and the unlocking lever 49, thereby unlocking multiple (vertical row) delivery warehouses 41 at once. Such batch unlocking can also be performed by a manager or the like of the installation location of the stocker 40 when, for example, a purchaser 14 who is to receive the products 17 accidentally loses (forgets) the receiving password.

[0021] Furthermore, the stocker 40 includes a control unit 51 configured to be the same size as the delivery warehouse 41. The control unit 51 includes a control unit 53, a memory unit 54, and a communication unit 55. The control unit 53 is configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and is responsible for controlling the entire device, including locking and unlocking the electronic lock 43. The control unit 53 also receives detection signals from the item sensor 44 and the open / close sensor 45. The memory unit 54 stores various application programs and various data files. The communication unit 55 communicates with external devices such as the stocker management device 30. The memory unit 54 stores delivery information, such as information on the products 17, the delivery warehouse number where the products 17 are stored, and a receiving password (receiving code) associated with the delivery information.

[0022] A display operation unit 56, a reading unit 57, an imaging unit 58, and a stamping unit 59 are arranged on the front panel 52 of the control unit 51. The display operation unit 56 is a touch panel display that displays various information to the deliverer 19 and the purchaser 14 of the product 17 and receives various inputs for operations from the deliverer 19 and the purchaser 14. The reading unit 57 is a code reader that reads various codes such as an authentication code printed on an authentication card held by the delivery person 19 and a password (receiving code) used by the purchaser 14 to receive the product 17. The imaging unit 58 is a camera that can capture images of a predetermined range in front of the stocker 40, for example, the range where the delivery person 19 and the purchaser 14 are located when putting the product 17 in and out of the delivery warehouse 41, and transmits the captured images to the control unit 53 at predetermined intervals. The control unit 53 processes the image captured by the imaging unit 58 to determine whether or not a person (moving object) is present in the image, and if a person (moving object) is detected in the image, executes recording control to record the images captured by the imaging unit 58 in chronological order in the memory unit 54 until a person (moving object) is no longer detected in the image. The stamping unit 59 is a stamp unit capable of stamping a receipt, and is configured with a replaceable ink cartridge for stamping. When the delivery person 19 has completed delivery of the product 17 to the delivery warehouse 41, the control unit 53 displays on the display operation unit 56 a screen prompting the delivery person 19 to insert a delivery receipt into the receipt stamp slot of the stamping unit 59, and controls the stamping unit 59 to stamp a receipt when the delivery receipt is inserted into the receipt stamp slot.

[0023] Stocker management device 30 exchanges information with stockers 40 and sales management device 22 via networks 12 and 13. Stocker management device 30 stores stocker information including information such as the identification number and location of stocker 40, as well as history information including information on products 17 delivered to stocker 40 and the usage status of delivery warehouse 41. Furthermore, stocker management device 30 is configured to be able to notify the manager of stocker system 10 or the like of an event that has occurred in stocker 40 by audio output, screen display, or the like, based on a notification from stocker 40.

[0024] In the stocker system 10 configured as described above, the product 17 ordered by the purchaser 14 is delivered to the delivery warehouse 41 of the stocker 40 as follows: First, the purchaser 14 operates the mobile terminal 15 or the like to select the desired product 17 from the product information provided by the sales management device 22, and places an order for the product 17 by inputting information such as the desired stocker 40 where the purchaser 14 wishes to receive the product 17. Upon receiving an order from the purchaser 14, the sales management device 22 stores the information about the purchaser 14 and the desired stocker 40 as sales information along with the order number of the product 17 (purchased item) and transmits this information to the stocker management device 30. The stocker management device 30 searches for an available delivery warehouse based on the usage status of the desired stocker 40 to determine the delivery destination delivery warehouse 41, and transmits the number of the delivery destination delivery warehouse 41 to the sales management device 22, as well as the number of the delivery destination delivery warehouse 41 and the order number to the desired stocker 40. An empty delivery warehouse is one in which the item sensor 44 detects that there are no items in the delivery warehouse 41 and the open / close sensor 45 detects that the door 42 is closed. If there is no empty delivery warehouse in the desired stocker 40, the stocker management device 30 sends a notification to the sales management device 22 that there is no vacancy. Upon receiving this notification, the sales management device 22 sends a notification to the mobile terminal 15 of the purchaser 14 to allow the purchaser 14 to change the desired stocker 40 or to cancel the order. Upon receiving the number of the delivery warehouse 41 as the delivery destination from the stocker management device 30, the sales management device 22 specifies the number of the delivery destination stocker 40 and the delivery warehouse 41 and instructs the deliverer 19 to deliver the product 17. The delivery person 19 delivers the product 17 to the stocker 40 at the delivery destination, and at the stocker 40 at the delivery destination, operates the display operation unit 56 to deliver the product 17 while having the reading unit 57 read the authentication code for authentication. Once the stocker 40 has authenticated the delivery person 19, it controls to unlock the electronic lock 43 of the specified delivery warehouse 41. This allows the delivery person 19 to open the unlocked door 42 and deliver the product 17 to the delivery warehouse 41. Once the delivery person 19 has completed delivery of the product 17 and the door 42 is closed, the stocker 40 controls to lock the electronic lock 43.Furthermore, when the delivery person 19 inserts the delivery receipt into the receipt stamp opening of the stamping unit 59, the stocker 40 causes the stamping unit 59 to stamp a receipt on the delivery receipt.

[0025] Once the product 17 is delivered to the delivery warehouse 41 in this manner, the product 17 is received by the purchaser 14 as follows: First, the stocker 40 generates a password (receive code) for receiving the product 17 and transmits it to the stocker management device 30. The stocker management device 30 transmits the receive password and order number to the sales management device 22. The receive password may be generated by the stocker management device 30 or the sales management device 22. The sales management device 22 transmits to the mobile terminal 15 of the purchaser 14 a message that the product 17 has been delivered to the desired stocker 40, along with the received receive password and order number. At the stocker 40 where the product 17 has been delivered, the purchaser 14 operates the display operation unit 56 to perform the receive operation while having the reading unit 57 read the receive password (receive code) for authentication. After authenticating the purchaser 14, the stocker 40 unlocks the electronic lock 43 of the specified delivery warehouse 41. This allows the purchaser 14 to open the unlocked door 42 and receive the product 17 from the delivery warehouse 41. When the purchaser 14 has completed receiving the product 17 and the door 42 is closed, the stocker 40 controls the electronic lock 43 to lock. When the purchaser 14 has completed receiving the product 17 and the door 42 is closed, the product sensor 44 detects that there are no products in the delivery warehouse 41 and the open / close sensor 45 detects that the door 42 is closed, and the usage status of the delivery warehouse 41 becomes an empty delivery warehouse, making it possible to determine a new delivery destination.

[0026] Next, the operation of the stocker system 10 of the first embodiment will be described, particularly the operation when the door 42 of the stocker 40 remains open. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for when the door 42 remains open. In this process for when the door remains open, the control unit 53 of the control unit 51 first determines whether the door 42 is open (S100). This process can be performed by the control unit 53 controlling the electronic lock 43 to be unlocked and then determining whether the door 42 is open based on a detection signal from the opening / closing sensor 45. Note that this may also include a case where the door 42 remains open after the electronic lock 43 is unlocked by the collective unlocking mechanism 46. If the control unit 53 determines that the door 42 is open in S100, it starts measuring the open time (S110). Then, the control unit 53 determines whether the door 42 has been closed (S120) and whether a predetermined open time has elapsed (S130). Note that the predetermined open time can be set to several tens of seconds, such as 30 seconds.

[0027] If the control unit 53 determines in S120 that the door 42 has been closed before determining in S130 that the predetermined open time has elapsed, the control unit 53 ends measurement of the open time (S140) and ends this process. On the other hand, if the control unit 53 determines in S130 that the predetermined open time has elapsed before determining in S120 that the door 42 has been closed, the control unit 53 transmits a notification to the stocker management device 30 that the door 42 remains open (S150) and ends this process. Upon receiving this notification, the stocker management device 30 can notify the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like that the door 42 remains open. Therefore, the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like can take action such as visiting the stocker 40 to close the door 42 that remains open, or contacting the manager of the installation location of the stocker 40 or the like to request that the door 42 that remains open be closed. Here, the door 42 may remain open if the purchaser 14 forgets to close the door 42 after receiving the product 17. In this case, even if the product 17 is received from the delivery warehouse 41, the delivery warehouse 41 does not become an empty delivery warehouse, and therefore cannot be selected as a new delivery destination. Therefore, depending on the usage status of other delivery warehouses 41 in the stocker 40, the stocker management device 30 may determine that there is no empty delivery warehouse in the stocker 40 and may not be able to appropriately accommodate the purchaser 14's request for delivery. In the first embodiment, a notification that the door 42 remains open is sent to the stocker management device 30, thereby preventing such a situation from occurring. Note that the stocker management device 30 may also send the notification sent from the stocker 40 to the sales management device 22 or the like, so that the manager of the store 21, the delivery person 19, or the like can respond.

[0028] Here, the correspondence between the components of the first embodiment and the components of the first stocker of the present invention will be clarified. Stocker 40 of the first embodiment corresponds to the first stocker of the present invention, stocker management device 30 corresponds to the management device, open / close sensor 45 corresponds to the open / close state detection means, and control unit 53 corresponds to the control device.

[0029] The stocker 40 of the first embodiment described above controls the unlocking of the door 42 of the delivery warehouse 41, and if the door 42 continues to be detected as open for a predetermined opening time or more after the door 42 is detected as open, it sends a notification to the stocker management device 30 that the door 42 remains open, thereby making it possible to appropriately respond to a situation in which the door 42 remains open.

[0030] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configurations of the stocker system 10 and each stocker 40 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the components of the stocker system 10 and the stocker 40, and a description of the configuration will be omitted, and only the operation (processing) will be described. The same applies to the third and fourth embodiments described below.

[0031] As an example of the operation of the stocker system 10 of the second embodiment, the operation when the image captured by the imaging unit 58 of the stocker 40 is not recorded normally will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process when the non-recording state continues. In this process when the non-recording state continues, the control unit 53 of the control unit 51 first determines whether image recording control is being executed (S200). As described above, the control unit 53 processes the image captured by the imaging unit 58 to determine whether a person is present in the image. If a person is detected in the image, the control unit 53 executes recording control to record the image in the storage unit 54 in chronological order until the person is no longer detected in the image. Therefore, the control unit 53 determines in S200 that recording control is being executed from the time when a person is detected in the image until the person is no longer detected.

[0032] If the control unit 53 determines in S200 that recording control is not being executed, it determines whether or not non-recording time is being measured (S210). If the control unit 53 determines that non-recording time is not being measured, it starts measuring the non-recording time (S220). If the control unit 53 determines that non-recording time is being measured, it skips the process of S220. Then, the control unit 53 determines whether a predetermined non-recording time has elapsed (S230). If the control unit 53 determines that the predetermined non-recording time has not elapsed, it returns to S200 and repeats the process. The predetermined non-recording time can be set to a time of several hours, such as one hour. Note that the frequency with which people approach the stocker 40, i.e., the frequency with which people are detected in images, varies depending on the number of delivery warehouses 41 included in the stocker 40, the installation location of the stocker 40, the time of day, and the like. Therefore, different times may be used as the predetermined non-recording time depending on the installation location of the stocker 40 and the time of day. Furthermore, if the control unit 53 determines in S200 that recording control is being executed, it determines whether or not non-recording time is being measured (S240). If the control unit 53 determines that non-recording time is being measured, it ends the measurement of non-recording time (S250) and ends this process, and if it determines that non-recording time is not being measured, it skips the process of S250 and ends this process.

[0033] Then, if the control unit 53 determines in S230 that the predetermined non-recording time has not elapsed and returns to S200 to repeat the process, and if it determines in S230 that the predetermined non-recording time has elapsed without any images being recorded, it sends a notification to the stocker management device 30 that the non-recording state is continuing (S260) and terminates this process. Upon receiving this notification, the stocker management device 30 can notify the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like that the non-recording state has continued for the predetermined non-recording time. Therefore, the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like can take action, such as visiting the stocker 40 to check the status of the imaging unit 58 or contacting the manager of the installation location of the stocker 40 and requesting that the status of the imaging unit 58 be checked. Here, every time a product 17 is delivered to or received from the delivery warehouse 41 of the stocker 40, people will enter and leave the imaging range of the imaging unit 58. Furthermore, depending on the installation location of the stocker 40, people passing by will enter and leave the imaging range of the imaging unit 58. Therefore, if an image is captured normally by the imaging unit 58, the control unit 53 detects a person (moving object) from the image and controls the recording of the image. However, there are cases where a malfunction occurs in the imaging unit 58 and images are not captured normally. Furthermore, there are also cases where an individual attempting to steal a product 17 from the delivery warehouse 41 covers the lens of the imaging unit 58 to prevent the product 17 from appearing in the image and images are not captured normally. In such cases, the control unit 53 does not detect a person (moving object) from the image captured by the imaging unit 58, and therefore does not control the recording of images for a predetermined non-recording time. In the second embodiment, if such a situation occurs in which image recording control is not performed, a notification to that effect is sent to the stocker management device 30, thereby enabling appropriate responses to the situation in which images are not recorded.

[0034] Here, the correspondence between the components of the second embodiment and the components of the second stocker of the present invention will be clarified. Stocker 40 of the second embodiment corresponds to the second stocker of the present invention, stocker management device 30 corresponds to the management device, imaging unit 58 corresponds to the imaging device, and control unit 53 corresponds to the control device.

[0035] The stocker 40 of the second embodiment described above sends a notification to the stocker management device 30 if no images are recorded for a specified non-recording time, so that it can appropriately respond to a situation where no images are recorded.

[0036] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As an example of the operation of the stocker system 10 of the third embodiment, the operation when the door 42 of the stocker 40 is opened without the control unit 53 controlling the electronic lock 43 to unlock is described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the door opening process under non-unlocking control. In this door opening process under non-unlocking control, the control unit 53 of the control unit 51 first determines whether the door 42 is open (S300). If it determines that the door 42 is not open, the control unit 53 immediately ends the process. If it determines that the door 42 is open, the control unit 53 then determines whether the electronic lock 43 has already been unlocked for the open door 42 (S310). If it determines that the electronic lock 43 has already been unlocked, the control unit 53 determines that the door 42 is normally open and ends the process.

[0037] Furthermore, if the control unit 53 determines that the unlocking control of the electronic lock 43 has not been executed for the door 42 that was opened in S310, the control unit 53 transmits a notification to the stocker management device 30 that the door 42 has been opened under non-unlocking control (S320), and ends this process. The stocker management device 30, which has received this notification, can notify the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like that the door 42 has been opened under non-unlocking control. Therefore, the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like can take action such as visiting the stocker 40 to check the status of the delivery warehouse 41 (door 42) or contacting the manager of the installation location of the stocker 40 and requesting that the status of the delivery warehouse 41 (door 42) be checked. Here, the door 42 may be opened without the control unit 53 executing the unlocking control of the electronic lock 43 if the door 42 is unlocked and opened by the batch unlocking mechanism 46 or if the door 42 is forced open by someone attempting to steal the products 17 from the delivery warehouse 41. In the former case, if the door 42 has been unlocked all at once by a manager of the installation location of the stocker 40, it is not an abnormal situation, but since the door 42 has been opened by an unusual method, it is necessary to check the status of the stocker 40. In the latter case, a prompt response is required. In the third embodiment, when the door 42 is opened under non-unlocking control, a notification to that effect is sent to the stocker management device 30, so that a situation in which the door 42 has been opened under non-unlocking control can be appropriately responded to.

[0038] Here, the correspondence between the components of the third embodiment and the components of the third stocker of the present invention will be clarified. Stocker 40 of the third embodiment corresponds to the third stocker of the present invention, stocker management device 30 corresponds to the management device, open / close sensor 45 corresponds to the open / close state detection means, and control unit 53 corresponds to the control device.

[0039] The stocker 40 of the third embodiment described above sends a notification to the stocker management device 30 when the opening of the door 42 of the delivery warehouse 41 is detected while the control unit 53 is not controlling the unlocking of the electronic lock 43, so that it can appropriately respond to a situation in which the door 42 is opened without the control unit 53 controlling the unlocking.

[0040] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The operation of the stocker system 10 of the fourth embodiment when the ink level in the ink cartridge of the stamping unit 59 in the stocker 40 becomes low will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process when the ink level becomes low. In this process when the ink level becomes low, the control unit 53 of the control unit 51 first determines whether a receipt stamp has been stamped by the stamping unit 59 (S400). If it determines that a receipt stamp has not been stamped, the control unit 53 ends the process. If it determines that a receipt stamp has been stamped by the stamping unit 59, the control unit 53 increments the number of stamps N by 1 (S410) and determines whether the number of stamps N is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of stamps Nref (S420). If it determines that the number of stamps N is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number of stamps Nref, the control unit 53 determines that the ink level in the ink cartridge is sufficient, and ends the process. Note that the number of stamps N is reset to 0 when the ink cartridge is replaced. The predetermined number of impressions Nref is determined in advance through experiments or the like as a threshold value for determining that the remaining amount of ink has fallen below a predetermined amount and that it is near time to replace the ink cartridge.

[0041] Furthermore, if the control unit 53 determines in S420 that the number of impressions N is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of impressions Nref, it determines that the remaining ink level in the ink cartridge is equal to or less than the predetermined level, sends a notification to the stocker management device 30 that the remaining ink level in the ink cartridge is low (S430), and ends this process. Upon receiving this notification, the stocker management device 30 can notify the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like that the remaining ink level has fallen below the predetermined level. This allows the manager of the stocker system 10 or the like to take action, such as visiting the stocker 40 and replacing the ink cartridge in the stamping unit 59. This prevents the ink cartridge in the stamping unit 59 from running out of ink, which prevents the deliverer 19 from being able to stamp a receipt when delivering the product 17.

[0042] Here, the correspondence between the components of the fourth embodiment and the components of the fourth stocker of the present invention will be clarified. Stocker 40 of the fourth embodiment corresponds to the fourth stocker of the present invention, stocker management device 30 corresponds to the management device, stamp unit 59 corresponds to the delivery certificate output device, and control unit 53 corresponds to the control device.

[0043] The stocker 40 of the fourth embodiment described above sends a notification to the stocker management device 30 when the ink level in the ink cartridge used in the stamping section 59 capable of stamping a receipt stamp falls below a predetermined level, thereby enabling appropriate response to a situation in which the ink level falls below the predetermined level.

[0044] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0045] In the above-described embodiments, the stocker 40 (delivery warehouse 41, control unit 51) has a common configuration and is provided with an opening / closing sensor 45, a batch unlocking mechanism 46, an imaging unit 58, and a stamping unit 59, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the first and third embodiments, it is sufficient to have at least the opening / closing sensor 45, and it may not have the batch unlocking mechanism 46, the imaging unit 58, or the stamping unit 59. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, it is sufficient to have at least the imaging unit 58, and it may not have the batch unlocking mechanism 46 or the stamping unit 59. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, it is sufficient to have at least the stamping unit 59, and it may not have the batch unlocking mechanism 46 or the imaging unit 58.

[0046] In the fourth embodiment described above, whether the remaining ink level (remaining amount of consumable goods) has fallen below a predetermined level is determined based on the number of times N of stamping receipt stamps (number of outputs) by the stamping unit 59. However, this is not limiting. For example, a sensor (such as an optical sensor or a weight sensor) capable of detecting the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge may be provided, and whether the remaining ink level has fallen below a predetermined level may be detected based on the value detected by the sensor. Furthermore, the stamping unit 59 is not limited to a replaceable ink cartridge, but may be one that replenishes the ink as consumed. Furthermore, the stamping unit 59 is not limited to a unit that stamps a receipt on a delivery receipt, but may be a printing unit that consumes ink or paper and outputs a slip on which a delivery certificate is printed. In this case, when the remaining amount of either the ink or the paper falls below a predetermined level, a notification to that effect may be sent to the stocker management device 30.

[0047] Furthermore, the stocker 40 may be capable of executing all of the aspects (transmission of notifications) of the above-described embodiments, or may be capable of executing any two or three of the aspects. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] The present invention can be used in the technical field of a product distribution system that delivers products to a stocker. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10 Stocker system, 12, 13 Network, 14 Purchaser, 15 Mobile terminal, 17 Product, 19 Deliverer, 20 Sales management system, 21 Store, 22 Sales management device, 30 Stocker management device, 40, 40A, 40B Stocker, 41 Delivery warehouse, 42 Door, 43 Electronic lock, 43a Unlocking pin, 44 Item sensor, 45 Opening / closing sensor, 46 Bulk unlocking mechanism, 47 Cylinder lock, 48 Unlocking rod, 49 Unlocking lever, 51 Control unit, 52 Front panel, 53 Control unit, 54 Memory unit, 55 Communication unit, 56 Display operation unit, 57 Reading unit, 58 Imaging unit, 59 Stamping unit.

Claims

[Claim 1] A stocker used in a stocker system including a stocker having a delivery warehouse and a management device that manages the stocker, an imaging device capable of capturing an image of an imaging range including people delivering to or receiving from the delivery warehouse and people passing by in a predetermined range in front of the stocker; a control device capable of communicating with the management device, which controls recording of an image captured by the imaging device based on detection of a moving object from the image; Equipped with When the control device has not executed the recording control for a predetermined non-recording time or more, the control device transmits a notice to the management device that an image is not being recorded, and the non-recording time is set to a different time depending on the installation location or time period of the stocker. Stocker.