Management device, storage system, goods delivery system, and management method

Abstract

To provide a management device, an accommodation system, an article delivery system, and a management method with which it is possible to expand the scope of uses of the accommodation system.SOLUTION: A management device manages an accommodation system that includes a plurality of storerooms constructed so as to be capable of controlling the temperature independently of each other, and a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature per storeroom. This management device comprises: an acceptance unit for accepting the designation of a precooling temperature or a precooling time and an article to be precooled; a selection unit for selecting a prescribed storeroom as a storeroom for precooling, on the basis of a result of detection of the temperature per storeroom; a calculation unit for calculating a precooling completion period from the start to the end of a precooling process based on the precooling temperature or the precooling time, on the basis of the set temperature of the storeroom for precooling or a result of detection of the temperature and the physical properties of the article; and a precooling control unit for instructing the accommodation system to precool the article at the set temperature for the precooling completion period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a storage system, an article delivery system, and a management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, configurations used for delivering and receiving goods are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery box that is shared by each dwelling unit in an apartment building. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for managing a storage box used for delivering and receiving goods. The configurations in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used for temporarily storing delivered goods at freezing or refrigerated temperatures until they are received by the recipient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-152383 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-95720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a management device, a storage system, an item delivery system, and a management method that can expand the uses of storage systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The management device of the present disclosure is a management device that manages a storage system having a plurality of storage cabinets each configured to be able to adjust the temperature independently, and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each storage cabinet, and includes: a reception unit that receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is stored in the storage facility;A selection unit selects a predetermined storage cabinet from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each storage cabinet, and a selection unit sets a cooling time internal temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time. , selection Before entering the designated pre-cooling storage The above-mentioned item The storage system is equipped with a calculation unit that calculates a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling internal temperature, based on the temperature and the heat capacity of the item, and calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time, and a pre-cooling control unit that instructs the storage system to pre-cool the item stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet at the cooling internal temperature for the pre-cooling completion period.

[0007] The storage system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of storage cabinets, a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of each of the plurality of storage cabinets, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the storage cabinets, and a reception unit that receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled. an acquisition unit that acquires information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is stored in the storage facility; A selection unit selects a predetermined storage cabinet from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each storage cabinet, and a selection unit sets a cooling time internal temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time. , selection Before entering the designated pre-cooling storage The above-mentioned item The storage device is equipped with a calculation unit that calculates a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling internal temperature, based on the temperature and the heat capacity of the item, and calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time, and a pre-cooling control unit that controls the temperature adjustment unit so that the item stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet is pre-cooled at the cooling internal temperature for the pre-cooling completion period.

[0008] The item delivery system of the present disclosure is an item delivery system including a storage system having a plurality of storage cabinets each configured to be able to adjust the temperature independently, and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the storage cabinets, and a management device that is connected to the storage system via a communication network and manages the storage system, wherein the management device includes a reception unit that receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is stored in the storage facility; A selection unit selects a predetermined storage cabinet from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each storage cabinet, and a selection unit sets a cooling time internal temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time. , selection Before entering the designated pre-cooling storage The above-mentioned item The storage system is equipped with a calculation unit that calculates a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling internal temperature, based on the temperature and the heat capacity of the item, and calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time, and a pre-cooling control unit that instructs the storage system to pre-cool the item stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet at the cooling internal temperature for the pre-cooling completion period.

[0009] The management method disclosed herein is a management method performed by a management device that manages a storage system having a plurality of storage cabinets each configured to be able to adjust the temperature independently, and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each storage cabinet, wherein the management device receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled; Acquire information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is placed in the storage facility; Based on the temperature detection result for each of the storage cabinets, a predetermined storage cabinet is selected from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet, and a cooling internal temperature and a pre-cooling set time are set based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time. , selection Before entering the designated pre-cooling storage The above-mentioned item Based on the temperature and the heat capacity of the item, a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling temperature inside the cabinet, is calculated, a pre-cooling completion period is calculated based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time, and the storage system is instructed to pre-cool the item stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet at the cooling temperature inside the cabinet for the pre-cooling completion period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the management device, storage system, item delivery system, and management method of the present disclosure, the uses of the storage system can be expanded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an article delivery system according to first to third embodiments. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a storage system according to first to third embodiments; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a storage unit according to the first to third embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a storage system according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management server in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the cooling control process of the storage unit in the first to third embodiments. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring pre-cooling objects in the first embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring pre-cooling objects in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring an item to be pre-cooled in the first to third embodiments. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing a reservation process for a pre-cooling storage unit in the first and second embodiments. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing a process for calculating a pre-cooling completion period in the first to third embodiments. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring pre-cooling objects in a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a storage system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring pre-cooling objects in a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [Embodiment] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0014] First Embodiment <Configuration of the goods delivery system> First, the configuration of an article delivery system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the article delivery system.

[0015] The item delivery system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that allows a user to request delivery of an item from a delivery company or to shop online. In the present disclosure, items that a user can request delivery of or shop for are items that need to be stored at refrigerated temperatures (e.g., between -5°C and +10°C) or frozen temperatures (e.g., between -30°C and -20°C). Examples of such items include fresh foods and frozen foods. The item delivery system 1 includes multiple user terminals 2, a delivery management device 3, an e-commerce site server 4, a management server 5, and multiple storage systems 8. Here, at least one of the delivery management device 3 and the e-commerce site server 4 of the item delivery system 1 may be multiple. The item delivery system 1 may also include a single storage system 8.

[0016] Next, an overview of the item delivery system 1 will be described. Each user terminal 2 is connected to the delivery management device 3 or the EC site server 4 via a communication network N so as to be able to communicate with the delivery management device 3 or the EC site server 4. The delivery management device 3 and the EC site server 4 are connected to the management server 5 via the communication network N so as to be able to communicate with the management server 5. Each storage system 8 is connected to the management server 5 via the communication network N so as to be able to communicate with the management server 5.

[0017] The multiple storage systems 8 are installed in locations separate from one another. For example, the storage systems 8 are installed outdoors, in or near train stations, in or near commercial facilities such as convenience stores or supermarkets, in or near factories or office buildings, or in residential areas (specifically, near the entrances of apartment buildings or detached houses). The storage system 8 includes multiple storage units 80. Each storage unit 80 includes multiple storage cabinets 814 and a freezer 82.

[0018] The storage 814 pre-cools items (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "items to be pre-cooled") at refrigeration or freezing temperatures before delivery to the destination. Pre-cooling refers to cooling the items to be pre-cooled at a pre-cooling temperature for a pre-cooling time in advance to prevent the temperature of the items to be pre-cooled from rising during delivery, resulting in a deterioration in quality or melting of the frozen items to be pre-cooled. The storage 814 temporarily stores purchased items that are not pre-cooled (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "items not to be pre-cooled") at refrigeration or freezing temperatures. The refrigeration device 82 performs a cooling process inside the storage 814 for each storage unit 80.

[0019] A delivery requester of an item, who is a user of the item delivery system 1, uses such a storage system 8 to request delivery of an item to be pre-cooled. For example, the delivery requester uses a user terminal 2 to request delivery of the item to be pre-cooled from the delivery management device 3. The delivery management device 3 requests the management server 5 to reserve a storage cabinet 814 for the item to be pre-cooled (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "pre-cooling storage cabinet 814"). The management server 5 notifies the delivery management device 3 of the installation location (designated receiving location) of the storage system 8 including the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The delivery management device 3 notifies the user terminal 2 of the designated receiving location and arranges for a deliverer of the item to be pre-cooled. The delivery requester stores the item to be pre-cooled in the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 at the designated receiving location. Once the storage of the item to be pre-cooled is complete, the storage system 8 starts the pre-cooling process. Once the pre-cooling process is complete, the deliverer removes the item to be pre-cooled and delivers it to the delivery destination.

[0020] Furthermore, a purchaser of an item, who is a user of the item delivery system 1, uses the storage system 8 to receive the purchased item via the EC site server 4. For example, the purchaser uses the user terminal 2 to purchase an item from the EC site server 4. The EC site server 4 requests the management server 5 to reserve a storage cabinet 814 for receiving and delivering items that do not require pre-cooling (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "non-pre-cooling storage cabinet 814"). The management server 5 notifies the delivery management device 3 of the installation location (designated receiving location) of the storage system 8 including the non-pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The delivery management device 3 arranges for the storage of the items that do not require pre-cooling, while also notifying the user terminal 2 of the designated receiving location. Once the storage of the items that do not require pre-cooling is complete, the storage system 8 begins cooling the items until the purchaser comes to pick them up. The purchaser goes to the designated receiving location and picks up the items that do not require pre-cooling.

[0021] Next, each component of the goods delivery system 1 will be described.

[0022] The user terminal 2 includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a communication unit, none of which are shown. The user terminal 2 transmits information corresponding to input operations on the operation unit to the delivery management device 3 or the EC site server 4 via the communication unit. The user terminal 2 displays the information received from the delivery management device 3 or the EC site server 4 via the communication unit on the display unit.

[0023] The delivery management device 3 is managed by a delivery company. The delivery management device 3 manages the delivery of items requested via the user terminal 2. The delivery management device 3 includes a delivery DB (database) 31 and a delivery management unit 32.

[0024] The delivery DB 31 stores delivery management information relating to the delivery of each pre-cooling target item and pre-cooling condition information.

[0025] The delivery management information includes, for example, a delivery ID (identification), delivery request information, pre-cooling-related information, and unlocking information. The delivery request information includes information related to the delivery request. Examples of information included in the delivery request information include personal information, the type, size, weight, type of pre-cooling treatment, desired storage location, desired storage date and time, and delivery destination. Examples of information included in the personal information include the name, address, and email address of the delivery requester. Examples of types of pre-cooling items include meat, vegetables, fish, and frozen foods. The type of pre-cooling treatment is either refrigerated or frozen. The desired storage location is the installation location of the storage system 8 that the delivery requester wishes to use. The pre-cooling-related information includes information related to the pre-cooling treatment of the pre-cooling items. Examples of information included in the pre-cooling-related information include the specified storage location and specified storage date and time for the pre-cooling items. The unlocking information is used to unlock the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. In this embodiment, the unlocking information is configured by a QR code (registered trademark), but the unlocking information may be configured by a one-dimensional barcode, a personal identification number, or the like.

[0026] The pre-cooling condition information indicates the pre-cooling conditions recommended by the delivery company. The pre-cooling condition information indicates the temperature (pre-cooling temperature) and the time (pre-cooling time) required for pre-cooling the items to be pre-cooled. The pre-cooling temperature and pre-cooling time are preferably set for each type of item to be pre-cooled and each type of pre-cooling process.

[0027] The delivery management unit 32 manages the delivery of the pre-cooling target items. Details of the processing performed by the delivery management unit 32 will be described later.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the storage system 8 as seen from the outside will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage system. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage system 8 includes four storage units 80 and one control unit 90. The storage system 8 may include one, two, three, or even five or more storage units 80. The front side is the side that a user of the storage system 8 faces when putting items in or taking items out of the storage units 80, and the rear side is the side opposite the front side. The right side, left side, upper side, and lower side are the right side, left side, upper side, and lower side as seen from the user when putting items in or taking items out of the storage units 80.

[0029] The four storage units 80 are arranged, for example, two on each side of the control unit 90. Note that hereinafter, the four storage units 80 may be referred to as the first storage unit 801, the second storage unit 802, the third storage unit 803, and the fourth storage unit 804, from left to right in FIG. 2 . Each storage unit 80 includes a storage section 81. The storage section 81 stores items. The storage section 81 includes one outer box 811 and five outer doors 812. The outer box 811 is formed in the shape of a vertically long rectangular box with an opening on the front. The outer doors 812 open and close the opening on the front of the outer box 811. The outer doors 812 are arranged in a vertical line. The outer doors 812 are rotatably attached to the edge of the opening of the outer box 811. A cover 813 with an opening on the bottom is arranged above the storage section 81.

[0030] The control unit 90 has a main body 91 in the shape of a vertically long rectangular box. A touch panel 92 and a QR reader 93 are arranged on the front of the main body 91. The touch panel 92 is operated, for example, when an item is stored in the storage unit 80 or when an item is removed from the storage unit 80. The QR reader 93 reads unlocking information for unlocking the outer box 811.

[0031] Next, the internal configuration of the storage unit 80 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the storage unit. As shown in Figure 3, the storage section 81 of the storage unit 80 includes the outer box 811 and outer door 812 described above, and five storage compartments 814.

[0032] The outer box 811 has a heat-insulating housing 815 whose front and top are open. Exterior side panels 816 are fixed to both the left and right sides of the heat-insulating housing 815. An outer door 812 is rotatably attached to the front end of the right outer front panel.

[0033] The five storage cabinets 814 are arranged in a vertical line inside the heat-insulating housing 815. Each storage cabinet 814 is arranged at approximately the same height as each outer door 812. Each storage cabinet 814 includes an inner box 817 and an inner door 818.

[0034] The inner box 817 is formed in the shape of a square box with an opening on the front. Items are stored inside the inner box 817. The inner box 817 is arranged so that a rear flow path F1 is formed between it and the back plate portion of the heat-insulating housing 815. The rear flow path F1 is an example of a cooling path of the present disclosure. The inner box 817 is arranged so that side flow paths (not shown) are formed between it and the left and right side plate portions of the heat-insulating housing 815. A plurality of rear slits 817A are formed in the back plate portion of the inner box 817. A plurality of side slits 817B are formed in the left and right side plate portions of the inner box 817.

[0035] With this configuration, cooled air C generated by refrigeration device 82, which will be described later, flows downward through rear flow path F1 and enters the interior of storage 814 through rear slit 817A. After exchanging heat with the items inside storage 814, cooled air C flows out through side slit 817B, ascends through the side flow path, and returns to refrigeration device 82, which will be described later. The cooled air C that has returned to refrigeration device 82 is cooled by refrigeration device 82 and again flows into rear flow path F1. In other words, the inside of storage 814 is cooled by the circulation of cooled air C inside heat-sealed housing 815.

[0036] An auxiliary fan 83 is disposed in each inner box 817 so as to cover a portion of the rear slit 817A. The auxiliary fan 83 is an example of a cooling adjustment unit of the present disclosure. The drive of each auxiliary fan 83 is independently controlled. The auxiliary fan 83 is configured to continuously adjust the intake of cooled air C. The higher the rotation speed of the auxiliary fan 83, the greater the amount of cooled air C taken into the inner box 817 through the rear slit 817A, thereby increasing the cooling capacity of the storage compartment 814 in which the auxiliary fan 83 is disposed. Furthermore, when the auxiliary fan 83 is stopped, cooled air C is not taken into the storage compartment 814 through the auxiliary fan 83, but cooled air C is taken into the storage compartment 814 through the rear slit 817A that is not covered by the auxiliary fan 83. Therefore, the storage compartment 814 is cooled even when the auxiliary fan 83 is stopped. In this way, the refrigeration device 82, the rear flow path F1, and each auxiliary fan 83 function as a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of each storage compartment 814 individually.

[0037] In the first embodiment and the second and third embodiments described below, the set temperature (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "refrigeration unit set temperature") in a storage unit 80 that stores items at refrigeration temperatures when all auxiliary fans 83 are stopped is set to 2°C. Also, the set temperature (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "freezer unit set temperature") in a storage unit 80 that stores items at freezer temperatures when all auxiliary fans 83 are stopped is set to -20°C. In the following description, the refrigeration unit set temperature and the freezer unit set temperature may be collectively referred to as the "unit set temperature." The unit set temperature is an example of the first temperature in this disclosure.

[0038] When the cooling mode of the storage cabinet 814 is set to the pre-cooling mode, normal cooling mode, or weak cooling mode described above, the auxiliary fan 83 of the storage cabinet 814 is driven so that the set temperature of the storage cabinet 814 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "set temperature inside the cabinet") becomes the temperature shown below. Pre-cooling mode at refrigerated temperatures Chamber temperature setting = Unit temperature setting -10°C Normal cooling mode at refrigerated temperatures Chamber temperature setting = Unit temperature setting - 5°C - Weak cooling mode at refrigerated temperature Chamber temperature setting = Refrigeration unit temperature setting Freezer temperature pre-cooling mode Chamber temperature setting = Unit temperature setting -10°C Normal cooling mode at freezing temperatures Chamber temperature setting = Unit temperature setting - 5°C - Weak cooling mode at freezing temperature Chamber temperature setting = Refrigeration unit temperature setting The internal temperature setting in the normal cooling mode of the refrigeration temperature or the freezing temperature is an example of the second temperature in the present disclosure. In the following description, the internal temperature setting in the pre-cooling mode of at least one of the refrigeration temperature and the freezing temperature may be referred to as the "pre-cooling temperature setting."

[0039] The cooling mode of each storage cabinet 814 is individually set by a system control unit 94 (described later) of the control unit 90. The cooling mode of each storage cabinet 814 is set as shown in (A), (B), and (C) below. (A) When set to pre-cooling mode (A-1) When the goods stored in storage 814 are pre-cooled goods (B) When set to normal cooling mode (B-1) When the goods stored in the storage 814 are not subject to pre-cooling (B-2) When a storage room 814 that does not contain any goods is reserved as a pre-cooling storage room 814 (C) When set to weak cooling mode (C-1) When a storage room 814 in which no goods are stored is not reserved as a pre-cooling storage room 814

[0040] Of the multiple storage systems 8 that make up the item delivery system 1, the reference set temperature in at least one storage system 8 may be different from the reference set temperatures in the other storage systems 8. Furthermore, of the four storage units 80 that make up one storage system 8, for example, the first and second storage units 801, 802 may be used for cooling at refrigeration temperatures, and the third and fourth storage units 803, 804 may be used for cooling at freezing temperatures.

[0041] An internal temperature sensor 84 is disposed in each inner box 817. The internal temperature sensor 84 is an example of a temperature detection unit of the present disclosure. The internal temperature sensor 84 detects the temperature inside the storage cabinet 814 and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature.

[0042] The inner door 818 opens and closes the opening on the front surface of the inner box 817. The inner door 818 is attached to the edge of the opening of the inner box 817 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0043] The storage unit 81 is provided with a locking / unlocking mechanism 85 (see FIG. 4) that can independently lock and unlock the five outer doors 812. On the other hand, the storage unit 81 is not provided with a mechanism for locking and unlocking the inner doors 818. Therefore, a user of the storage system 8 can put items in and take items out of the storage unit 814 by unlocking the outer door 812 located in front of the storage unit 814 they are using.

[0044] The storage unit 80 is also provided with a refrigeration system 82. The refrigeration system 82 generates cooled air C and introduces the generated cooled air C into the storage compartments 814 to cool the items in the storage compartments 814. The refrigeration system 82 includes a compressor 821, a condenser 822, a condensation fan 823, a throttle section (not shown), an evaporator 824, and a cooling fan 825. The cooling fan 825 circulates the cooled air C generated by the evaporator 824 among the rear flow path F1, each storage compartment 814, the side flow paths, and the evaporator 824.

[0045] A unit temperature sensor 86 (see FIG. 4) is disposed in the storage section 81. The unit temperature sensor 86 detects the temperature of the cooled air C taken in from below via the cooling fan 825, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature. The temperature detected by the unit temperature sensor 86 is the temperature of air mixed with the cooled air C that has passed through each of the five storage compartments 814, and is therefore approximately the same as the average temperature of the five storage compartments 814.

[0046] Next, the control system of the storage system 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the storage system.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, the storage system 8 further includes four unit controllers 88, a system controller 94, a communication unit 95, and a storage unit DB (database) 96. For simplicity's sake, Fig. 4 only shows one unit controller 88, one auxiliary fan 83, and one internal temperature sensor 84.

[0048] Four unit control units 88 are disposed in each storage unit 80. The unit control unit 88 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the functions of the unit control unit 88 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a memory unit (not shown). The unit control unit 88 is configured to be able to communicate with the refrigeration unit 82, each of the five auxiliary fans 83 and the interior temperature sensors 84, the locking / unlocking mechanism 85, the unit temperature sensor 86, and the system control unit 94. The unit control unit 88 controls the refrigeration unit 82 and the locking / unlocking mechanism 85. The unit control unit 88 controls each of the five auxiliary fans 83 independently.

[0049] The system control unit 94 is disposed in the main body 91 of the control unit 90. The system control unit 94 has a CPU, and the functions of the system control unit 94 are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). The system control unit 94 is configured to be able to communicate with the touch panel 92, the QR reader 93, and a communication unit 95 disposed in the main body 91. The system control unit 94 controls the unit control unit 88 based on instructions from the management server 5 received via the communication unit 95 and the communication network N.

[0050] The storage unit DB 96 is located inside the main body 91 of the control unit 90, and is configured to be able to send and receive various information to and from the system control unit 94. The storage unit DB 96 may also be located outside the main body 91. The storage unit DB 96 has registered therein a plurality of pieces of first unit management information corresponding to the plurality of storage units 80, respectively. Each piece of first unit management information includes first set temperature range information and a plurality of pieces of first storage cabinet information corresponding to the plurality of storage cabinets 814, respectively.

[0051] The first set temperature range information indicates that the set temperature range of the storage unit 80 is refrigeration temperature or freezing temperature. The first storage cabinet information includes information related to each storage cabinet 814. The first storage cabinet information includes first usage status information and unlocking information. The first usage status information includes information related to the usage status of the storage cabinet 814. Examples of information included in the first usage status information include whether the storage cabinet 814 is reserved or used as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 or a non-pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, the designated entry date and time, and the pre-cooling completion period. The reservation status, usage status, and pre-cooling completion period of the storage cabinet 814 included in the first usage status information are updated as appropriate by the system control unit 94.

[0052] Next, the configuration of the management server 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server.

[0053] 5 manages a plurality of storage systems 8. The management server 5 includes a management DB (database) 51 and a management device 52.

[0054] In the management DB 51, a plurality of storage system management information items corresponding to a plurality of storage systems 8 are registered.

[0055] Each storage system management information includes pre-cooling setting time information, storage system identification information, and a plurality of second storage unit management information corresponding to the plurality of storage units 80, respectively.

[0056] The pre-cooling set time information is used to set the pre-cooling set time for the pre-cooling target item. The pre-cooling set time information indicates the relationship between the pre-cooling set temperature and pre-cooling set time in the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and the pre-cooling temperature and pre-cooling time recommended by the delivery company. Here, the pre-cooling set time is a time that results in approximately the same cooling state of the pre-cooling target item when cooled at the pre-cooling set temperature for the pre-cooling set time as the cooling state of the pre-cooling target item when cooled at the pre-cooling temperature for the pre-cooling time recommended by the delivery company.

[0057] For example, if the pre-cooling setting temperature for the freezing temperature is set to -25°C, and the pre-cooling temperature and pre-cooling time are set to -15°C and 12 hours, respectively, the pre-cooling setting time is set to 7 hours and 30 minutes based on the pre-cooling setting time information. Also, if the pre-cooling temperature and pre-cooling time are set to -10°C and 10 hours, respectively, the pre-cooling time is set to 5 hours. In this way, if the pre-cooling setting temperature is lower than the pre-cooling temperature, the pre-cooling setting time is set to a time shorter than the pre-cooling time.

[0058] Furthermore, if the pre-cooling temperature is the same, the shorter the pre-cooling time, the shorter the pre-cooling set time is set. The pre-cooling set time when pre-cooling at refrigeration temperature is also set based on the same relationship as the pre-cooling set time when pre-cooling at freezing temperature. By setting the pre-cooling set temperature lower than the pre-cooling temperature in this way, the pre-cooling completion period can be shortened compared to when the pre-cooling set temperature is set to the same temperature as the pre-cooling temperature. The pre-cooling set temperature may also be set to the same temperature as the pre-cooling temperature.

[0059] The storage system identification information indicates the name, place name, address, etc. of the installation location. Each second storage management information includes second set temperature range information and second storage unit information corresponding to each of the multiple storage units 814. The second set temperature range information indicates the same content as the first set temperature range information in the storage unit DB 96. The second storage unit information includes storage unit location information, second usage status information, unlocking information, and a delivery ID.

[0060] The storage cabinet location information indicates the position of the storage cabinet 814 from the top of the storage unit 80. The second usage status information includes information related to the usage status of the storage cabinet 814. Examples of information included in the second usage status information include whether the storage cabinet 814 is reserved or used as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 or a non-pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, the cooling mode of the storage cabinet 814, the designated entry date and time, and the pre-cooling completion period. The reservation status, usage status, cooling mode, designated entry date and time, and pre-cooling completion period of the storage cabinet 814 included in the second usage status information are updated as appropriate by the management device 52.

[0061] The management device 52 has a CPU, and the functions of the management device 52 are realized by the CPU executing a management program stored in a storage unit (not shown). The management device 52 includes a reception unit 521, a selection unit 522, a calculation unit 523, a pre-cooling control unit 524, and a pre-cooling management unit 525. Note that the management device 52 also performs processing related to items purchased via the EC site server 4, but a description of the processing related to the EC site server 4 will be omitted.

[0062] The receiving unit 521 receives, from the delivery management device 3, designation of at least one of the pre-cooling target items, the pre-cooling temperature, and the pre-cooling time. The selecting unit 522 selects and reserves a specific storage cabinet 814 from among the multiple storage cabinets 814 as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 in which the pre-cooling target items will be stored, based on the temperature detection results for each storage cabinet 814. In this embodiment, the selecting unit 522 selects the storage cabinet 814 with the lowest temperature as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, but a storage cabinet 814 other than the storage cabinet 814 with the lowest temperature may also be selected as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The calculating unit 523 calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on at least one of the pre-cooling setting temperature and the temperature detection results of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and the physical properties of the pre-cooling target items. The pre-cooling completion period is the time from the start to the end of the pre-cooling process based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time in the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. In other words, the pre-cooling completion period is the sum of the time from when the pre-cooling process of the pre-cooling target item starts until the temperature of the pre-cooling target item reaches the pre-cooling set temperature (set temperature arrival time) and the pre-cooling set time. The pre-cooling control unit 524 commands the storage systems 8 to pre-cool the pre-cooling target item at the pre-cooling set temperature for the pre-cooling completion period. The pre-cooling management unit 525 manages the implementation status of the pre-cooling process in each storage system 8, and notifies the delivery management device 3 of the pre-cooling start date and time and the pre-cooling completion period.

[0063] In this way, the management device 52 controls the storage system 8 to perform pre-cooling processing, which has not been performed using the storage system 8 in the past. This broadens the range of uses for the storage system 8. Furthermore, the delivery requester no longer needs to pre-cool the items to be pre-cooled in their own refrigerator, thereby increasing the available refrigerator capacity. Furthermore, the management device 52 selects the storage cabinet 814 with the lowest temperature from among the multiple storage cabinets 814 as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. By performing pre-cooling processing using the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 with the lowest temperature in this way, the time required to reach the set temperature can be shortened, which in turn shortens the time required to complete pre-cooling and also increases the utilization efficiency of the storage cabinets 814.

[0064] The processes performed by the reception unit 521, the selection unit 522, the calculation unit 523, the pre-cooling control unit 524, and the pre-cooling management unit 525 will be described in detail later.

[0065] <Operation of the goods delivery system> Next, the operation of the goods delivery system 1 will be described.

[0066] <Storage unit cooling control process> First, a description will be given of the storage unit cooling control process as part of the operation of the item delivery system 1. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the storage unit cooling control process.

[0067] The storage unit cooling control process shown in Figure 6 is performed each time a pre-cooling item or a non-pre-cooling item is stored in a specific storage cabinet 814. The storage process is performed, for example, as follows: When the QR reader 93 of the storage system 8 reads the unlocking information displayed on the user terminal 2, the system control unit 94 identifies the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 corresponding to the read unlocking information based on the first storage cabinet information, and commands the storage unit 80 to unlock the identified pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The unit control unit 88 of the storage unit 80 unlocks the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 to be unlocked, and locks the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 once the item is stored.

[0068] First, when an entry process is performed for a specific storage cabinet 814 (step S101), the system control unit 94 of the storage system 8 determines whether the storage cabinet 814 for which the entry process has been performed is a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 based on the first usage status information including unlocking information (step S102).

[0069] If the system control unit 94 determines that the storage cabinet 814 is a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S102: YES), it starts the pre-cooling process of the storage cabinet 814 (step S103). In the process of step S103, the system control unit 94 commands the unit control unit 88 of the storage unit 80 that has the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 to perform the pre-cooling process. Upon receiving the command, the unit control unit 88 sets the internal temperature setting to "unit temperature setting -10°C" (pre-cooling temperature setting), adjusts the driving state of the auxiliary fan 83 so that the internal temperature becomes the pre-cooling temperature setting, and starts the pre-cooling process.

[0070] If the unit control unit 88 determines, based on the first usage status information, that the pre-cooling completion period has elapsed since the start of the pre-cooling process, it ends the pre-cooling process and cools the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 in normal cooling mode (step S104). At this time, the unit control unit 88 changes the set temperature inside the storage cabinet from "unit set temperature -10°C" to "unit set temperature -5°C" and adjusts the driving state of the auxiliary fan 83 so that the temperature inside the storage cabinet becomes the normal cooling temperature. In this way, by cooling the storage cabinet 814 for which the pre-cooling process has been completed in normal cooling mode rather than weak cooling mode, it is possible to suppress a drop in the temperature of the pre-cooled items that have been pre-cooled.

[0071] On the other hand, if the system control unit 94 determines that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is not one for which storage processing has been performed (step S102: NO), it starts normal cooling of the storage cabinet 814 (step S105). In the processing of step S105, the system control unit 94 commands the unit control unit 88 of the storage unit 80 that has the storage cabinet 814 to be normal cooled to perform normal cooling. Upon receiving the command, the unit control unit 88 adjusts the drive state of the auxiliary fan 83 to start normal cooling.

[0072] Next, the system control unit 94 determines, based on the first usage status information, whether or not there is an unused storage cabinet 814 in the storage unit 80 (same storage unit 80) that includes the storage cabinet 814 for which the storage process was performed (step S106). If the system control unit 94 determines that there is no unused storage cabinet 814 (step S106: NO), it terminates the cooling control process. On the other hand, if the system control unit 94 determines that there is an unused storage cabinet 814 (step S106: YES), it determines whether or not there is a storage cabinet 814 that has been reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 among the unused storage cabinets 814 (step S107).

[0073] If the system control unit 94 determines that there are no storage units 814 reserved as pre-cooling storage units 814 (step S107: NO), it starts weak cooling of all unused storage units 814 (step S108). In the processing of step S108, the system control unit 94 issues a command to weak cooling to the unit control unit 88 of the storage unit 80 that has the storage unit 814 to be weakly cooled. Upon receiving the command, the unit control unit 88 adjusts the driving state of the auxiliary fan 83 to start weak cooling.

[0074] On the other hand, if the system control unit 94 determines that a storage cabinet 814 reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 exists (step S107: YES), it starts normal cooling of the storage cabinet 814 reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S109). The processing of step S109 is substantially the same as the processing of step S105. In this way, by previously performing normal cooling on the storage cabinet 814 reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, it is possible to lower the temperature when the items to be pre-cooled are stored in the storage cabinet 814. Thereafter, if there is a storage cabinet 814 that is unused and not reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, the system control unit 94 starts weak cooling of the unused storage cabinet 814 (step S110).

[0075] <Delivery process of pre-cooled items> Next, as an operation of the item delivery system 1, a delivery process for items to be pre-cooled when a delivery requester specifies a desired storage date and time will be described. Figures 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing the delivery process for items to be pre-cooled in the first embodiment. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the reservation process for a pre-cooling storage cabinet. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the calculation process for the pre-cooling completion period.

[0076] The delivery requester operates the user terminal 2 to access a site managed by the delivery management device 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 2 generates delivery request information specifying the desired receiving date and time based on input operations by the delivery requester, and transmits the information to the delivery management device 3 (step S201). The delivery request information includes personal information, the type, size, weight, type of pre-cooling process, desired receiving location, desired receiving date and time, and information indicating the delivery destination. The type or size of the pre-cooling item may be selected by the delivery requester from options displayed on the site. The size of the pre-cooling item may be the size of the pre-cooling item itself or the size of the package. The information indicating the desired receiving location may be GPS (Global Positioning System) information from the user terminal 2.

[0077] When the delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 receives the delivery request information, it associates a delivery ID with the delivery request information. The delivery management unit 32 searches the delivery DB 31 for pre-cooling condition information corresponding to the type of pre-cooling target item and the type of pre-cooling treatment. The delivery management unit 32 requests the management server 5 to reserve the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 for the pre-cooling target item (step S202). This request includes information indicating the delivery ID, the type, size, weight, type of pre-cooling treatment, desired storage location, and desired storage date and time of the pre-cooling target item, as well as the searched pre-cooling condition information. Note that the desired storage location may not be specified by the delivery requester, and the delivery management unit 32 may set the desired storage location based on the address of the delivery requester.

[0078] The reception unit 521 of the management device 52 of the management server 5 receives a reservation request for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. That is, the reception unit 521 receives specifications of the pre-cooling target items, the pre-cooling temperature, and the pre-cooling time. The selection unit 522 of the management device 52 determines whether the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved at the desired storage location (Step S203). In the processing of Step S203, the selection unit 522 searches the management DB 51 for storage system management information corresponding to the storage system 8 at the desired storage location. If the selection unit 522 determines, based on the second usage status information in the searched storage system management information, that a storage cabinet 814 exists that has not been reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 or a non-pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and is not currently being used, the selection unit 522 determines that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved. On the other hand, if the selection unit 522 determines that such a storage cabinet does not exist, the selection unit 522 determines that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 cannot be reserved.

[0079] If the selection unit 522 determines that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved at the desired storage location (step S203: YES), it performs reservation processing for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 based on the storage system management information corresponding to the desired storage location (step S204).

[0080] Here, the processing of step S204 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 10, in the reservation processing of pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 in step S204, the selection unit 522 acquires the internal temperature detection results of each storage cabinet 814 from the storage systems 8 that can reserve pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 (step S301). Next, the selection unit 522 determines, based on the second unit management information, whether there is a storage unit 80 that does not include a storage cabinet 814 that has been reserved as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 or is in use as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "storage unit 80 that does not include a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814") (step S302). If the selection unit 522 determines that there is a storage unit 80 that does not include a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S302: YES), it reserves the storage cabinet 814 that is the lowest in temperature and located at the top (highest shelf) among the storage cabinets 814 that are unused and not reserved as pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 or non-pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 in that storage unit 80 as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S303). In other words, the selection unit 522 reserves the storage cabinet 814 that is located most upstream in the flow of cooled air C as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814.

[0081] When the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is reserved by the processing of step S303, one pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 exists in one storage unit 80. The reason for performing the reservation processing for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 in this manner is as follows.

[0082] The amount of cooled air C flowed by the refrigeration device 82 through the rear flow path F1 is constant regardless of the number of pre-cooling storage cabinets 814. When multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 exist in one storage unit 80, the amount of cooled air C taken into each pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 may be less than when one storage unit 80 has only one pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. As a result, the cooling capacity of each pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 may be reduced, and the items to be pre-cooled may not be able to be properly pre-cooled.

[0083] In this embodiment, one storage unit 80 has one pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, which prevents a decrease in the cooling capacity of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and allows the items to be pre-cooled to be pre-cooled appropriately. In particular, the storage cabinet 814 located most upstream in the flow of cooled air C is reserved as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, which makes it easier to lower the temperature of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814.

[0084] On the other hand, if the selection unit 522 determines that there are no storage units 80 that do not include a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S302: NO), that is, if it determines that all storage units 80 include storage cabinets 814 that have been reserved or are in use as pre-cooling storage cabinets 814, it reserves the storage cabinet 814 in all storage units 80 that has the lowest temperature and is located on the top shelf as a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 among the storage cabinets 814 that are unused and not reserved as pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 or non-pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 (step S304). If a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is reserved by the processing of step S304, multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 will exist in one storage unit 80.

[0085] Returning to FIG. 7 , if the management device 52 determines that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 cannot be reserved at the desired storage location (step S203: NO), it determines whether the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved at a location near the desired storage location (step S205). Examples of a location near the desired storage location include a location within a predetermined range that includes or is centered around the desired storage location, or a location within a city, ward, town, or village that includes the desired storage location. In the processing of step S205, the selection unit 522 searches the management DB 51 for storage system management information corresponding to a storage system 8 installed near the desired storage location, based on the storage system identification information. Using the searched storage system management information, the selection unit 522 performs processing similar to that of step S203 to determine whether the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved.

[0086] If the selection unit 522 determines that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved at a location near the desired entry location (step S205: YES), it performs reservation processing for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 at a location near the desired entry location (step S204). Note that if it is determined in the processing of step S205 that the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 can be reserved at multiple locations near the desired entry location, it may also be possible to obtain detection results of the internal temperatures of the storage cabinets 814 at each location from each storage system 8 in the processing of step S204, and perform reservation processing for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 at a location including the storage cabinet 814 with the lowest temperature. By the processing of step S203 or step S204 after step S205, the desired entry location or a location near the desired entry location is set as the specified entry location, and the desired entry date and time is set as the specified entry date and time. On the other hand, if the selection unit 522 determines that the pre-cooling storage 814 cannot be reserved at a location near the desired storage location (step S205: NO), the selection unit 522 transmits a reservation incomplete notice to the delivery management device 3 (step S206). The reservation incomplete notice transmitted to the delivery management device 3 includes the delivery ID.

[0087] When the delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 receives the reservation incomplete notification, it identifies the delivery requester based on the delivery ID included in the reservation incomplete notification, and sends the reservation incomplete notification to the user terminal 2 of the identified delivery requester (step S207). The reservation incomplete notification sent to the user terminal 2 includes delivery request information.

[0088] On the other hand, when the reservation process for the pre-cooling storage 814 in step S4 is completed, the calculation unit 523 of the management device 52 calculates the pre-cooling completion period (step S208).

[0089] Here, the processing of step S8 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 11, in the calculation process of the pre-cooling completion period in step S208, the calculation unit 523 calculates the heat capacity of the pre-cooling target items based on the type, size, and weight of the pre-cooling target items (step S401). The type, size, and weight of the pre-cooling target items represent the physical properties of the pre-cooling target items. The calculation unit 523 estimates the temperature of the pre-cooling target items before they are stored (pre-storage item temperature) (step S402). The calculation unit 523 may regard the measurement result of the outside air temperature at the specified storage location as the pre-storage item temperature, or may estimate the pre-storage item temperature based on the current season or time. The calculation unit 523 calculates the time (set temperature arrival time) from when operation in pre-cooling mode begins in the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 in which the pre-cooling target items have been stored until at least the surface of the pre-cooling target items reaches the pre-cooling set temperature, based on the heat capacity of the items to be pre-cooled, the temperature of the items before entry, the detection result of the temperature inside the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 before entry (pre-entry storage cabinet temperature), and the cooling capacity of the auxiliary fan 83 in pre-cooling mode (pre-cooling set temperature) (step S403).

[0090] Next, the calculation unit 523 sets a pre-cooling set time based on the type of pre-cooling process, the pre-cooling set time information, and the pre-cooling condition information (step S404).The calculation unit 523 calculates a time longer than the sum of the set temperature reaching time and the pre-cooling set time as the provisional pre-cooling completion period (step S405).

[0091] Next, the calculation unit 523 determines whether multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 exist in the storage unit 80 that includes the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S406). If the calculation unit 523 determines that multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 exist (step S406: YES), it sets the pre-cooling completion period to a time obtained by adding a predetermined amount of additional time to the preliminary pre-cooling completion period (step S407). On the other hand, if the calculation unit 523 determines that multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 do not exist (step S406: NO), it sets the pre-cooling completion period to the preliminary pre-cooling completion period (step S408).

[0092] The reason for setting the pre-cooling completion period as in steps S407 and S408 is as follows. As described above, when multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 are present in one storage unit 80, the amount of cooled air C flowing into each pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is smaller than when only one pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is present. Therefore, when multiple pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 are present in one storage unit 80, the cooling capacity of each pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is lower than when only one pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is present. As a result, the actual time to reach the set temperature is longer than the time calculated in step S403, and as a result, the actual pre-cooling completion period is also longer. By setting the pre-cooling completion period as in steps S407 and S408, the pre-cooling completion period can be set to a time that corresponds to the actual cooling capacity of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814.

[0093] Note that the more pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 there are in one storage unit 80, the lower the cooling capacity of each pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, so it is preferable that the additional time be longer the more pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 there are. Also, the additional time added to the pre-cooling completion period set for a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 already undergoing pre-cooling processing may be set as a new pre-cooling completion period, and the pre-cooling processing of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 already undergoing pre-cooling processing may be terminated based on the new pre-cooling completion period.

[0094] Returning to FIG. 7, when the calculation process for the pre-cooling completion period in step S208 is completed, as shown in FIG. 8, the pre-cooling control unit 524 of the management device 52 transmits a reservation completion notice to the storage system 8 at the specified storage location (step S209). The reservation completion notice transmitted to the storage system 8 includes information indicating the type of pre-cooling process, the pre-cooling completion period, the specified storage date and time, and the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, as well as unlock information for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The pre-cooling management unit 525 of the management device 52 transmits a reservation completion notice to the delivery management device 3 (step S210). The reservation completion notice transmitted to the delivery management device 3 includes information indicating the delivery ID, the specified storage date and time, and the specified storage location, as well as unlock information for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814.

[0095] When the delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 receives the reservation completion notification, it identifies the delivery requester based on the delivery ID included in the reservation completion notification, and sends a reservation completion notification to the user terminal 2 of the identified delivery requester (step S211). The reservation completion notification sent to the user terminal 2 includes information indicating the specified storage date and time and the specified storage location, and unlocking information for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The delivery management unit 32 associates the delivery request information received from the user terminal 2 with the delivery ID, the information indicating the specified storage date and time and the specified storage location, and the unlocking information for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, and registers them in the delivery DB 31 as delivery management information.

[0096] When the user terminal 2 receives a reservation incomplete notification transmitted from the delivery management device 3 in step S207 or a reservation complete notification transmitted from the delivery management device 3 in step S211, the user terminal 2 displays the received notification on its display unit. The user terminal 2 determines whether the delivery requester who confirmed the reservation incomplete notification has performed a change to the delivery request details (for example, a change to the desired delivery date and time or the desired delivery location) (step S212). If the user terminal 2 determines that a change to the delivery request details has been performed (step S212: YES), the user terminal 2 generates delivery request information based on the change and transmits it to the delivery management device 3 (step S201). On the other hand, if the user terminal 2 determines that a change to the delivery request details has not been performed, that is, that the delivery requester who confirmed the reservation complete notification has performed an operation to terminate the delivery request (step S212: NO), the user terminal 2 terminates the delivery request (step S213).

[0097] Meanwhile, when the system control unit 94 of the storage system 8 receives the reservation completion notification sent from the management server 5 in step S209, it updates the pre-cooling completion period, designated entry date and time, information indicating that the storage unit 814 has been reserved as a pre-cooling storage unit, and unlocking information in the first storage unit information of the storage unit 814 identified by the reservation completion notification.

[0098] When the system control unit 94 detects a loading operation for a predetermined pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, it performs loading processing for that pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S214). Next, the system control unit 94 starts pre-cooling processing of the items to be pre-cooled in the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 (step S215). That is, the system control unit 94 performs the processing of step S215 based on a command from the management server 5 to start pre-cooling processing only in the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. Therefore, it is possible to store items at a temperature higher than the pre-cooling set temperature in storage cabinets 814 other than the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The processing of steps S214 and S215 is the same as the processing of steps S101 and S103 described above. In principle, the pre-cooling processing is performed from the start of the pre-cooling processing until the pre-cooling completion period has elapsed.

[0099] Thereafter, the system control unit 94 notifies the management server 5 of the start of the pre-cooling process (step S216). Note that if the system control unit 94 does not detect a warehousing operation for the pre-cooling target item even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the specified warehousing date and time, the system control unit 94 may send a warehousing urging request to the user terminal 2 of the delivery requester of the pre-cooling target item via the management server 5 and the delivery management device 3.

[0100] When the pre-cooling management unit 525 of the management server 5 receives the notification of the start of the pre-cooling process, it notifies the delivery management device 3 of the pre-cooling start date and time contained in the notification, the pre-cooling completion period calculated in step S208, and the delivery ID (step S217).

[0101] If the storage system 8 is equipped with a weight sensor that measures the weight of the items stored in the storage cabinet 814, the system control unit 94 may calculate the pre-cooling completion period after the pre-cooling target items have been stored and transmit the calculated pre-cooling completion period to the delivery management device 3 via the management server 5. For example, the system control unit 94 may calculate the pre-cooling completion period based on the heat capacity of the pre-cooling target items, which is obtained based on the measurement results of the weight sensor and the type and size of the pre-cooling target items. This configuration allows for more accurate calculation of the pre-cooling completion period based on the weight of the pre-cooling target items actually stored. Furthermore, the pre-cooling completion period may be calculated based on the temperature inside the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 at the start of the pre-cooling process. This configuration allows for even more accurate calculation of the pre-cooling completion period.

[0102] The delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 calculates the designated delivery date and time for the pre-cooling target items based on the pre-cooling start date and time and the pre-cooling completion period notified by the management server 5 (step S218). For example, the delivery management unit 32 calculates the designated delivery date and time by adding a predetermined time to the date and time when the pre-cooling completion period has elapsed from the pre-cooling start date and time. The delivery management unit 32 makes delivery arrangements for the deliverer (step S219). When making delivery arrangements, the delivery management unit 32 notifies, for example, the deliverer's mobile terminal, of the designated delivery date and time, the designated receiving location, the delivery destination, and unlocking information. The delivery company ships the pre-cooling target items based on the notified information.

[0103] On the other hand, if the system control unit 94 of the storage system 8 determines that the pre-cooling completion period has elapsed since the start of the pre-cooling process, it terminates the pre-cooling process (step S220). The process of step S220 is the same as the process of step S104 described above. Note that if the system control unit 94 detects a removal operation from the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 before the pre-cooling completion period has elapsed since the start of the pre-cooling process, it may stop the auxiliary fan 83 of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and forcibly terminate the pre-cooling process. In this case, the system control unit 94 may further notify the deliverer that the pre-cooling process is incomplete, for example, by displaying on the touch panel 92.

[0104] When the system control unit 94 detects a retrieval operation for the pre-cooling target item after the pre-cooling process is completed, it performs the retrieval process for the pre-cooling storage 814 (step S221). The retrieval process is the same as the receiving process described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Thereafter, the system control unit 94 notifies the management server 5 of the completion of retrieval (step S222). When the pre-cooling management unit 525 of the management server 5 receives the retrieval completion notification, it notifies the delivery management device 3 of the retrieval completion date and time and the delivery ID contained in the notification (step S223). The delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 transmits the retrieval completion date and time notified by the management server 5 to the user terminal 2 of the delivery requester (step S224). This completes the delivery process for the pre-cooling target item.

[0105] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration and operation as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0106] <Configuration of the goods delivery system> The configuration of an item delivery system of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, in an item delivery system 1A of the second embodiment, the configurations of a delivery management device 3A and a management server 5A are different from those of the delivery management device 3 and management server 5 of the first embodiment. In the delivery management device 3A of the second embodiment, the configuration of a delivery management unit 32A is different from that of the delivery management unit 32 of the first embodiment. In the management server 5A of the second embodiment, the configuration of a pre-cooling management unit 525A is different from that of the pre-cooling management unit 525 of the first embodiment.

[0107] <Operation of the goods delivery system> Next, as an operation of the item delivery system 1A, a delivery process of an item to be pre-cooled when a delivery requester specifies a desired arrival date and time will be described with reference to Figures 12, 8, and 9. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the delivery process of an item to be pre-cooled in the second embodiment.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 12, the user terminal 2 generates delivery request information specifying a desired arrival date and time based on input operations by the delivery requester, and transmits the information to the delivery management device 3A (step S501). The delivery request information includes personal information, the type, size, weight, type of pre-cooling treatment, desired storage location, desired arrival date and time, and information indicating the delivery destination. As such, the content of the delivery request information of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that it includes information indicating a desired arrival date and time instead of the desired storage date and time of the first embodiment. The desired arrival date and time is the desired date and time at which the delivery destination receives the pre-cooling items.

[0109] When the delivery management unit 32A of the delivery management device 3A receives the delivery request information, it calculates the required delivery time required for delivery from the desired storage location to the delivery destination. As will be described in detail later, the specified storage location may be set to a location other than the desired storage location. Therefore, the delivery management unit 32 may set the required delivery time longer than the time required for delivery from the desired storage location to the delivery destination. The delivery management unit 32A requests the management server 5A to reserve the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 for the items to be pre-cooled (step S502). This request includes information indicating the delivery ID, the type, size, weight, type of pre-cooling process, desired storage location, desired arrival date and time, and required delivery time for the items to be pre-cooled, as well as pre-cooling condition information.

[0110] When the calculation unit 523 of the management device 52A of the management server 5A receives the reservation request for the pre-cooling storage 814, it calculates the pre-cooling completion period as in the first embodiment (step S208). Next, the pre-cooling management unit 525A sets the desired arrival date and time (step S503). In the processing of step S503, the pre-cooling management unit 525A sets the desired arrival date and time to a date and time that is earlier than the desired arrival date and time by the sum of the pre-cooling completion period and the delivery time.

[0111] The selection unit 522 performs the processes of steps S203 to S206 related to the reservation of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, based on the desired storage location specified by the delivery requester and the desired storage date and time set in step S503. By the process of step S203 or step S204 after step S205, the desired storage location or a location close to the desired storage location is set as the designated storage location, and the desired storage date and time is set as the designated storage date and time.

[0112] Thereafter, the processes of steps S207, S209 to S224 shown in Figures 12, 8, and 9 are performed. Note that the change operation of the delivery request contents determined in step S212 is, for example, an operation to change the desired arrival date and time or the desired storage location. This completes the delivery process of the pre-cooling target items.

[0113] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration and operation as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0114] <Configuration of the goods delivery system> The configuration of the goods delivery system of the third embodiment will be described below. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the storage system.

[0115] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the goods delivery system 1B of the third embodiment, the configurations of the delivery management device 3B, management server 5B, and storage system 8B are different from the configurations of the delivery management device 3, management server 5, and storage system 8 of the first embodiment. In the delivery management device 3B of the third embodiment, the configuration of the delivery management unit 32B is different from the delivery management unit 32 of the first embodiment. In the management server 5B of the third embodiment, the configurations of the management DB and management device (not shown) are different from the management DB 51 and management device 52 of the first embodiment. Note that detailed configurations of the management DB and management device will not be described.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 13, a storage system 8B of the third embodiment differs from the system control unit 94 of the first embodiment in the configuration of a system control unit 94B. The system control unit 94B includes a reception unit 941B, a selection unit 942B, a calculation unit 943B, a pre-cooling control unit 944B, and a pre-cooling management unit 945B. As will be described in detail later, the system control unit 94B of the third embodiment is configured to be able to perform the calculation process of the pre-cooling completion period that was performed by the management server 5 of the first embodiment.

[0117] <Operation of the goods delivery system> Next, as an operation of the item delivery system 1B, a delivery process of the pre-cooling target items when the delivery requester directly stores the pre-cooling target items in the storage system will be described with reference to Figures 14, 11 and 9. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the delivery process of the pre-cooling target items in the third embodiment.

[0118] A delivery requester operates the touch panel 92 of a specific storage system 8B to store pre-cooling items in a specific storage cabinet 814 of the storage system 8B. As shown in FIG. 14 , when storing these pre-cooling items, a reception unit 941B of the system control unit 94B of the storage system 8B receives storage information for the pre-cooling items (step S601). The storage information includes personal information, the type, size, and weight of the pre-cooling items, and information indicating the type of pre-cooling treatment. The type, size, and weight of the pre-cooling items indicate the physical properties of the pre-cooling items. Here, in the third embodiment, the reception unit 941B does not receive pre-cooling condition information regarding the pre-cooling temperature and pre-cooling time from the delivery management device 3B as in the first embodiment. However, once the type of pre-cooling treatment is identified, the pre-cooling set temperature and pre-cooling time are set, as described below. In other words, receiving the type of pre-cooling treatment by the reception unit 941B is equivalent to receiving at least one of the pre-cooling temperature and pre-cooling time. If a weight sensor is provided in the storage system 8B, the accepting unit 941B may accept the measurement result of the weight sensor as the weight of the item to be pre-cooled.

[0119] The selection unit 942B acquires the results of internal temperature detection for each storage cabinet 814 corresponding to the received type of pre-cooling process, and selects the storage cabinet 814 with the lowest temperature as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The pre-cooling management unit 945B then unlocks the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and allows the delivery requester to store the items to be pre-cooled. At this time, the pre-cooling management unit 945B associates a storage ID with the storage information. The system control unit 94 then displays the storage ID on the touch panel 92 for the delivery requester to confirm. Once the items to be pre-cooled have been stored, the pre-cooling management unit 945B locks the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The pre-cooling control unit 944B then controls the auxiliary fan 83 of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 to start the pre-cooling process for the items to be pre-cooled (step S602).

[0120] Next, the calculation unit 943B calculates the pre-cooling completion period (step S603). As shown in FIG. 11, in the calculation process of the pre-cooling completion period in step S603, the calculation unit 943B performs the same processes as in the first embodiment: calculating the heat capacity of the pre-cooling target item (step S401), estimating the item temperature before storage (step S402), and estimating the set temperature arrival time (step S403). The pre-cooling set temperature at the freezing temperature is −25° C., the same as in the first embodiment. Next, the calculation unit 943B sets a pre-cooling set time based on the type of pre-cooling process (step S701). In the third embodiment, the pre-cooling set time for each type of pre-cooling process is preset to a fixed value. For example, the pre-cooling set time at the freezing temperature is 7 hours and 30 minutes. Then, the calculation unit 943B calculates the pre-cooling completion period to be a time longer than the sum of the set temperature arrival time and the pre-cooling set time (step S405).

[0121] 14, the pre-cooling management unit 945B updates the pre-cooling completion period in the first storage unit information of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and information indicating that it has been used as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. The pre-cooling management unit 945B sends an entry acceptance notification for the items to be pre-cooled to the management server 5B (step S604). The entry acceptance notification sent to the management server 5B includes the entry ID, entry information, pre-cooling completion period, and information indicating the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814.

[0122] When the management device of the management server 5B receives the receiving acceptance notification, it sets the unlocking information for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 and transmits the set unlocking information and the receiving ID to the storage system 8B that sent the receiving acceptance notification (step S605). The pre-cooling management unit 945B of the storage system 8B that received the unlocking information and the receiving ID updates the unlocking information in the first storage cabinet information of the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 to the received content.

[0123] The management device 52 transmits a warehousing receipt notification of the pre-cooling target items to the delivery management device 3 (step S606). The warehousing receipt notification transmitted to the delivery management device 3 includes a warehousing ID, a pre-cooling completion period, information indicating the location (warehousing location) of the storage system including the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, warehousing information, and unlocking information for the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. When the delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 receives the warehousing receipt notification, it associates the delivery ID with the received warehousing receipt notification and registers it in the delivery DB 31 as delivery management information.

[0124] Meanwhile, the delivery requester operates the user terminal 2 to access a site managed by the delivery management device 3 and request delivery of the pre-cooling target items stored in the pre-cooling storage 814. The user terminal 2 generates delivery request information based on the input operation by the delivery requester and transmits it to the delivery management device 3 (step S607). The delivery request information includes information indicating an inventory ID and a delivery destination. Upon receiving the delivery request information, the delivery management unit 32 of the delivery management device 3 updates the delivery destination in the delivery management information specified based on the inventory ID included in the delivery request information to the received content. Then, the processes of steps S218 to S224 shown in FIG. 9 are performed.

[0125] [Modification of the embodiment] It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above embodiments and the modifications described below may be combined in any way as long as they function properly.

[0126] For example, in the processing of steps S301 and S302 in the first and second embodiments, a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 is preferentially selected from storage units 80 that do not include a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, but any storage cabinet 814 may be selected as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 regardless of whether the storage unit 80 includes a pre-cooling storage cabinet 814. Also, in the processing of step S302, of the available storage cabinets 814, a storage cabinet 814 located below the uppermost storage cabinet 814 may be reserved as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814.

[0127] In the first to third embodiments, a configuration has been exemplified in which unused storage cabinets 814 and storage cabinets 814 reserved as pre-cooling storage cabinets 814 are normally cooled, but weak cooling may also be performed. Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, the pre-cooling management unit 525 may present at least one of the pre-cooling start date and time and the pre-cooling end date and time as information specifying the pre-cooling completion period.

[0128] In the first and second embodiments, the functions of the management servers 5 and 5A may be provided in the delivery management devices 3 and 3A.

[0129] For example, in the first embodiment, instead of a configuration in which the temperature can be adjusted for each storage cabinet 814, a configuration in which the temperature can be adjusted for each storage unit 80 may be used, and the following processing may be performed. Here, examples of configurations in which the temperature cannot be adjusted for each storage cabinet 814 but can be adjusted for each storage unit 80 include the following first and second configurations. In the first configuration, all of the auxiliary fans 83 arranged in one storage unit 80 can only be simultaneously set to "high," "low," or "off." In this first configuration, the pre-cooling temperature setting can be set by adjusting the mode of the auxiliary fans 83. In the second configuration, no auxiliary fans 83 are arranged in the storage unit 80. In this second configuration, the pre-cooling temperature setting can be set by adjusting the operating state of the refrigeration device 82.

[0130] The selection unit 522 selects and reserves a storage cabinet 814 in a specific storage unit 80 from among the multiple storage units 80 as the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 based on the temperature detection results of each storage unit 80 by the unit temperature sensor 86. During this selection, the selection unit 522 may select the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 from the storage unit 80 with the lowest temperature, or may select the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 from a storage unit 80 other than the storage unit 80 with the lowest temperature. The calculation unit 523 calculates the pre-cooling completion period based on at least one of the pre-cooling setting temperature and the temperature detection results of the storage unit 80 that has the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814, as well as the physical properties of the items to be pre-cooled. The pre-cooling control unit 524 instructs the storage system 8 to pre-cool the items to be pre-cooled at the pre-cooling setting temperature for the pre-cooling completion period. The system control unit 94 of the storage system 8 may perform pre-cooling processing by controlling all auxiliary fans 83 (in the first configuration) or the refrigeration device 82 (in the second configuration) so that the temperature of the storage unit 80 having the pre-cooling storage cabinet 814 becomes the pre-cooling set temperature. Note that a similar configuration may also be applied to the second and third embodiments.

[0131] The item delivery system of the present disclosure may be a system for delivering items without the exchange of money. [Industrial Applicability]

[0132] The present disclosure can be applied to a management device, a storage system, an item delivery system, and a management method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1,1A,1B Goods Delivery System 2. User terminal 3,3A,3B Delivery management device 4. EC site server 5,5A,5B Management Server 8,8B Storage System 31 Delivery DB 32,32A,32B Delivery Management Department 51 Management DB 52,52A Management device 80 Storage Units 81 Storage area 82 Refrigeration equipment 83 Auxiliary fan 84 Internal temperature sensor 85 Locking / unlocking mechanism 86 Unit Temperature Sensor 88 Unit control section 90 Control Unit 91 Main Unit 92 Touch Panel 93 QR Reader 94,94B System control section 95 Communications Department 96 Storage Unit DB 521,941B Reception Department 522,942B Selection Department 523,943B Calculation part 524,944B Pre-cooling control unit 525,525A,945B Pre-cooling management section 801 Storage Unit 1 802 Second Storage Unit 803 Third Storage Unit 804 4th Storage Unit 811 outer box 812 Outer door 813 Cover 814 Storage (non-pre-cooled storage, pre-cooled storage) 815 Insulated housing 816 Exterior side plate 817 Inner box 817A Rear slit 817B Side slit 818 Inner door 821 Compressor 822 Condenser 823 Condenser Fan 824 Evaporator 825 Cooling Fan C. Cooling air F1 rear flow passage N Communication Network

Claims

1. A management device for managing a storage system having a plurality of storage cabinets each configured to be able to adjust the temperature independently, and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each storage cabinet, a reception unit that receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is stored in the storage facility; a selection unit that selects a predetermined storage cabinet from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each storage cabinet; a calculation unit that sets a cooling chamber temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time, calculates a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling chamber temperature, based on the temperature of the item before it is placed in the selected pre-cooling storage chamber and the heat capacity of the item, and calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time; and a pre-cooling control unit that instructs the storage system to pre-cool the items stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet at the cooling cabinet temperature for the pre-cooling completion period. Management device.

2. The pre-cooling control unit instructs the storage system to set the cooling internal temperature of only the pre-cooling storage cabinet to a temperature lower than the pre-cooling temperature, The calculation unit calculates the pre-cooling completion period based on the cooling-time inside temperature that is lower than the pre-cooling temperature. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. The storage system comprises a plurality of storage units; The plurality of storage units include a plurality of the storage cabinets and a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of each of the storage cabinets, The selection unit selects the pre-cooling storage cabinet from storage units that do not include a storage cabinet that has already been selected as the pre-cooling storage cabinet. The management device according to claim 1 .

4. When there is no storage unit that does not include a storage unit that has been selected as the pre-cooling storage unit, the selection unit selects the pre-cooling storage unit from the plurality of storage units, When pre-cooling processing is performed simultaneously in two or more pre-cooling storage cabinets of one storage unit, the calculation unit calculates the pre-cooling completion period to be a time longer than the pre-cooling completion period calculated when pre-cooling processing is performed in one pre-cooling storage cabinet. The management device according to claim 3 .

5. the temperature adjustment unit includes a refrigeration device that generates cooled air, a cooling path that sends the cooled air to the plurality of storage compartments, and a cooling adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of the cooled air taken in from the cooling path to the plurality of storage compartments for each storage compartment; The selection unit selects a storage cabinet located most upstream in the flow of the cooling air as the pre-cooling storage cabinet. The management device according to claim 3 .

6. a pre-cooling management unit that externally presents information for identifying the pre-cooling completion period; The management device according to claim 1 .

7. Multiple storage compartments and a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of each of the plurality of storage cabinets; a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the storage compartments; a reception unit that receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is stored in the storage facility; a selection unit that selects a predetermined storage cabinet from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each storage cabinet; a calculation unit that sets a cooling chamber temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time, calculates a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling chamber temperature, based on the temperature of the item before it is placed in the selected pre-cooling storage chamber and the heat capacity of the item, and calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time; A pre-cooling control unit that controls the temperature adjustment unit so that the items stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet are pre-cooled at the cooling cabinet temperature for the pre-cooling completion period. Storage system.

8. a storage system having a plurality of storage cabinets each configured to be able to adjust the temperature independently, and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each of the storage cabinets; a management device connected to the storage system via a communication network and managing the storage system, The management device a reception unit that receives designation of a pre-cooling temperature, a pre-cooling time, and an item to be pre-cooled; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is stored in the storage facility; a selection unit that selects a predetermined storage cabinet from the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each storage cabinet; a calculation unit that sets a cooling chamber temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time, calculates a set temperature arrival time, which is the time it takes for the item to reach the cooling chamber temperature, based on the temperature of the item before it is placed in the selected pre-cooling storage chamber and the heat capacity of the item, and calculates a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the set temperature arrival time; and a pre-cooling control unit that instructs the storage system to pre-cool the items stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet at the cooling cabinet temperature for the pre-cooling completion period. Goods delivery system.

9. The storage system further includes a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of each of the storage cabinets, The temperature adjustment unit is The temperature of a storage compartment that is not selected as the pre-cooling storage compartment and is vacant is adjusted to a first temperature that is higher than the temperature inside the storage compartment during cooling during the pre-cooling process, while The temperature of the storage selected as the pre-cooling storage and vacant is adjusted to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature and higher than the internal temperature of the storage during cooling during the pre-cooling process. The article delivery system according to claim 8.

10. Further provided is a delivery management device that manages delivery of the items to be pre-cooled, the receiving unit receives, from the delivery management device, designation of the items to be pre-cooled, the pre-cooling temperature, and the pre-cooling time.

10. The goods delivery system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. A management method performed by a management device that manages a storage system having a plurality of storage cabinets that are each configured to be able to adjust the temperature independently and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of each storage cabinet, The management device Accept the specification of pre-cooling temperature, pre-cooling time and items to be pre-cooled, Acquire information on the heat capacity of the specified item and information on the temperature of the item before it is placed in the storage facility; selecting a predetermined storage cabinet from among the plurality of storage cabinets as a pre-cooling storage cabinet based on the temperature detection result for each of the storage cabinets; a setting of a cooling chamber temperature and a pre-cooling set time based on the pre-cooling temperature and the pre-cooling time, a setting temperature arrival time which is the time required for the item to reach the cooling chamber temperature based on the temperature of the item before being placed in the selected pre-cooling storage chamber and the heat capacity of the item, and a pre-cooling completion period based on the sum of the pre-cooling set time and the setting temperature arrival time; Instruct the storage system to pre-cool the items stored in the selected pre-cooling storage cabinet at the cooling cabinet temperature for the pre-cooling completion period. Management method.

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