Delivery Support System

Abstract

To provide a technology that can notify administrators and the like of a delivery vehicle that should be prioritized.SOLUTION: A delivery support system comprises: a delay time acquisition unit that acquires a delay time for each of a plurality of delivery points in a plurality of delivery vehicles, the delay time being a time during which deliveries to the plurality of delivery points in a delivery vehicle are delayed relative to a predetermined delivery time; a maximum delay time acquisition unit that acquires a maximum delay time which is the largest delay time for each of the plurality of delivery vehicles; and a guidance control unit that causes a guidance unit to give a priority to the delivery vehicle with a larger maximum delay time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery assistance system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, packages are delivered according to a delivery plan. When a delivery vehicle actually delivers a package, delays from the plan may occur. There is known a technology that notifies a user of a delay when a delay from the plan occurs (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-104559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a delay occurs, a manager or the like notifies the delivery destination or the like, and measures are taken to address the delay. When delivery plans are created and implemented for each of a plurality of delivery vehicles, delays may occur in multiple delivery vehicles. When a delay occurs, the longer the delay time, the greater the likelihood of the delay having a significant impact, and measures should be taken as a priority. However, since the delay time for multiple delivery vehicles may differ depending on the delivery point of each delivery vehicle, even if a notification is simply issued that a delay has occurred, it is difficult to take effective measures if it is unclear which delivery vehicle should be given priority for measures. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can notify delivery vehicles that should be addressed as a priority. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the delivery assistance system includes a delay time acquisition unit that acquires, for each of a plurality of delivery points in a plurality of delivery vehicles, a delay time, which is the time that delivery to the plurality of delivery points in a delivery vehicle is delayed from a predetermined delivery time; a maximum delay time acquisition unit that acquires, for each of a plurality of delivery vehicles, a maximum delay time, which is the longest of the delay times; and a guidance control unit that causes the guidance unit to give priority to delivery vehicles with longer maximum delay times.

[0006] That is, the delivery support system acquires the maximum delay time, which is the longest delay time relative to the delivery time to the delivery point, for each delivery vehicle. Then, the delivery vehicle with the larger maximum delay time is given priority by the guidance unit. Therefore, the delivery support system can notify the manager or the like of the delivery vehicle with the largest maximum delay time, and can notify the delivery vehicle that should be addressed as a priority. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] and shipping charges [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a delivery support system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of delivery plan information. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of guidance. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the delivery assistance system and the server. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of guidance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Here, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. (1) System configuration: (1-1) Server configuration: (1-2) Delivery support system configuration: (2) Management information display processing: (3) Other embodiments:

[0009] (1) System configuration: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a delivery support system 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the delivery support system 10 cooperates with a server 100 via communication. The delivery support system 10 is a terminal used by a manager who manages the operation of multiple delivery vehicles. In this embodiment, the delivery support system 10 is a stationary computer, but of course the delivery support system 10 may take any form. The server 100 is also capable of communicating with a delivery vehicle terminal 101. In this embodiment, delivery vehicles to be driven by multiple drivers are determined in advance, and the delivery points to be visited by each delivery vehicle, the order in which they should be visited, and the packages to be delivered to each delivery point are determined in advance.

[0010] The delivery vehicle terminal 101 is a terminal used in each delivery vehicle. The delivery vehicle terminal 101 may be mounted on the delivery vehicle or may be a portable terminal. While one delivery vehicle terminal 101 is shown in FIG. 1 , since there are multiple delivery vehicles, multiple delivery vehicle terminals 101 may be operational in practice. The delivery vehicle terminal 101 includes a control unit 102 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., a user I / F unit 103, a position measurement unit 104, and a communication unit 105. The user I / F unit 103 is an interface unit for inputting instructions from the user (driver) and providing various information to the user, and includes a display unit consisting of a touch panel display (not shown), an input unit such as a switch, and an audio output unit such as a speaker. Under the control of the control unit 102, the user I / F unit 103 displays, on the display unit, a route for the delivery vehicle to travel according to the delivery plan, a map of the area around the current location, etc.

[0011] The position measurement unit 104 is a device that measures the current location of the delivery vehicle. The position measurement unit 104 may acquire the current location using various methods. In this embodiment, the device includes a GNSS receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, and a gyro sensor (not shown). The GNSS receiver is a device that receives signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System, receives radio waves from navigation satellites, and outputs a signal for calculating the current location of the vehicle via an interface (not shown). The vehicle speed sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the wheels of the vehicle. The gyro sensor detects the angular acceleration of the vehicle's turning in a horizontal plane and outputs a signal corresponding to the orientation of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor, gyro sensor, etc. are used to identify the vehicle's traveling trajectory. In this embodiment, the current location is identified based on the vehicle's starting position and traveling trajectory, and the current location of the vehicle identified based on the starting position and traveling trajectory is corrected based on the output signal of the GNSS receiver.

[0012] The communication unit 105 is a device for communicating with other devices. In this embodiment, the control unit 102 can communicate with the server 100 via the communication unit 105. The control unit 102 can execute a program (not shown). In this embodiment, the control unit 102 uses the function of the program to display information indicating the delivery plan transmitted from the server 100 on the display of the user I / F unit 103. The display format of the information indicating the delivery plan may be various, for example, a configuration in which the current location of the delivery vehicle and the delivery route from the current location to the next delivery point are displayed on a map. In addition, the control unit 102 uses the function of the program (not shown) to periodically identify the current location of the delivery vehicle and transmits the current location to the server 100 via the communication unit 105.

[0013] (1-1) Server configuration: The server 100 includes a control unit 200 equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., a recording medium 300, and a communication unit 400. The communication unit 400 includes a circuit for transmitting and receiving information with the delivery support system 10 and the delivery vehicle terminal 101. The control unit 200 can communicate with the delivery support system 10 and the delivery vehicle terminal 101 via the communication unit 400.

[0014] Furthermore, delivery plan information 300a and map information 300b are recorded on the recording medium 300. The delivery plan information 300a is information indicating a delivery plan for each of a plurality of delivery vehicles, and is generated, for example, by an administrator operating and inputting the delivery support system 10. Of course, the delivery plan information 300a may also be generated by solving a delivery plan problem based on delivery conditions.

[0015] In this embodiment, the delivery plan information 300a includes information related to delivery vehicles, information related to delivery points, and information related to packages. Specifically, the information related to delivery vehicles is identification information for the delivery vehicles. The information related to delivery points includes the location of each delivery point to be delivered by each delivery vehicle, the name of each delivery point, the delivery time to be delivered to each delivery point, the delivery route between points, and information indicating whether the delivery point is a priority delivery point where delays should be prevented with priority. The information related to packages includes information indicating packages to be delivered to each delivery point.

[0016] Each piece of information may be recorded in various ways. FIG. 2 shows an example of delivery plan information 300a. In FIG. 2, a delivery vehicle "T001" is associated with a delivery plan for delivery to delivery points named stores 11, 12, 13, ..., store 1e in that order, and the location of each delivery point is defined by coordinates. The delivery time is the scheduled time of arrival at each delivery point. Of course, the delivery plan information 300a may also include scheduled arrival times, work periods, departure times, and other information. The delivery route is information indicating a route between points. In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is defined by a sequence of nodes (nodes N1, N2, etc.), but it may also be a sequence of links, or a sequence of nodes and links. The point is either a departure point, a delivery point, or a movement end point. For example, the delivery route to the first delivery point is a sequence of nodes that must be passed from the departure point to the delivery point. Note that the departure point and movement end point of the delivery vehicle may be the same or different.

[0017] The priority delivery point is information indicating whether the delivery point is a delivery point where delays should be prevented with priority, and is assigned a value of 1 if the delivery point is a priority delivery point, and a value of 0 if the delivery point is not a priority delivery point. Examples of delivery points where delays should be prevented with priority include when the shipper at the delivery point requests that delays not be tolerated for delivery times, or when a delay at that delivery point would have a significant impact on subsequent processes. An example of the latter is when the parcel is a part and a delay in delivery of the parcel to a specific delivery point would have a significant impact on production using the parts at that delivery point. Another example would be when parts are picked up at a delivery point and not delivered to another delivery point, which would have a significant impact on production at that other delivery point. Parcels are identification information for parcels to be delivered to each delivery point or parcels to be picked up from each delivery point.

[0018] The map information 300b includes node data, shape interpolation point data, link data, and feature data indicating the positions of roads and surrounding features. The link data is associated with statistical information indicating the congestion level for each road section and time period indicated by the link data. The congestion level may be the congestion level for each road section and time period transmitted from a congestion information management system and acquired by the server 100. The data indicating the features includes the attributes of the features (such as the type of facility). In this embodiment, these features can be delivery points.

[0019] The control unit 200 can execute a program stored in the recording medium 300 or ROM. In this embodiment, the control unit 200 can execute an information management program 210 as this program. The information management program 210 is a program that causes the control unit 200 to execute functions for receiving information from an external device and transmitting information to an external device. When the information management program 210 is executed, the control unit 200 functions as an information transmission / reception unit 210a and a delay time calculation unit 210b.

[0020] The information transmitting / receiving unit 210a has a function of controlling the communication unit 400 and transmitting and receiving information to and from the delivery vehicle terminal 101 and the delivery support system 10. For example, the control unit 200 periodically collects the current location of the delivery vehicle from the delivery vehicle terminal 101 using the function of the information transmitting / receiving unit 210a. Furthermore, the control unit 200 transmits information such as the current location of the delivery vehicle, delivery plan information 300a, and the delay time calculated by the function of the delay time calculation unit 210b to the delivery support system 10 using the function of the information transmitting / receiving unit 210a.

[0021] The delay time calculation unit 210b is a function that calculates the delay time, which is the amount of time a delivery vehicle's delivery to a plurality of delivery points is delayed relative to a predetermined delivery time, for each of the plurality of delivery points for the plurality of delivery vehicles. In this embodiment, the delay time is calculated based on the driving time required for each delivery vehicle from its current location. Specifically, when calculating the delay time for a certain delivery vehicle, the control unit 200 references the delivery plan information 300a to identify the delivery point and delivery time of the delivery vehicle to be calculated. The control unit 200 also references the delivery plan information 300a to obtain the driving time required for the delivery vehicle to travel along the delivery route from its current location to each delivery point, based on the delivery route.

[0022] That is, the control unit 200 obtains the distance of the road sections included in the driving route based on the map information 300b, and obtains the required driving time for each road section by dividing the distance of each road section by the average vehicle speed of the delivery vehicle in each road section. If the current location or delivery point is located midway between road sections, the required driving time will be shorter than the time required for one road section, so the required driving time for each road section may be corrected by multiplying the required driving time by a coefficient according to the distance, etc.

[0023] The control unit 200 acquires the estimated delivery time to each delivery point by adding the driving time required for each road section from the delivery vehicle's current location to the current time. When acquiring the average vehicle speed, the control unit 200 acquires the average vehicle speed based on the congestion level for each road section indicated by the map information 300b or the congestion level for each road section transmitted from an external congestion information management system. Therefore, the driving time acquired in this embodiment reflects the congestion level for each road, and the estimated delivery time also reflects the congestion level for each road.

[0024] When the estimated delivery time to each delivery point is acquired, the control unit 200 subtracts the delivery time from the estimated delivery time to each delivery point to calculate the length of delay relative to the delivery time. That is, the control unit 200 subtracts the delivery time from the estimated delivery time to each delivery point, and if a positive value is calculated, the value is set as the delay time. The control unit 200 performs the above process for all delivery vehicles whose identification information is registered in the delivery plan information 300a. As a result, the delay time for each delivery vehicle in the event of an expected delay at each delivery point is calculated. Once the delay time is calculated, the control unit 200 transmits information indicating the delay time to the delivery support system 10 via the communication unit 400.

[0025] (1-2) Delivery support system configuration: The delivery support system 10 according to this embodiment is a terminal that provides various information related to delivery plans to an administrator. The delivery support system 10 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., a recording medium 30, a communication unit 40, and a user I / F unit 41.

[0026] The communication unit 40 has a circuit for communicating with other devices. The control unit 20 can communicate with the server 100 via the communication unit 40. The user I / F unit 41 is an interface unit for inputting instructions from the user (administrator) and providing various information to the user, and is equipped with a display unit consisting of a touch panel display (not shown), input units such as a keyboard and mouse, and an audio output unit such as a speaker. The display unit and audio output unit of the user I / F unit 41 are examples of a guidance unit for providing various types of guidance regarding delivery vehicles. Here, an example will be described in which the guidance unit is a display unit.

[0027] Various types of information can be recorded on the recording medium 30. In this embodiment, delay time information 30a and map information 30b are recorded. The delay time information 30a is information indicating the maximum delay time for each delivery vehicle, and is generated based on the delay time acquired from the server 100. The maximum delay time will be described later.

[0028] The map information 30b includes node data, shape interpolation point data, link data, and feature data indicating the positions of roads and surrounding features, etc. The map information 30b also includes information for drawing intersections indicated by the node data, road sections indicated by the shape interpolation point data and link data, and features indicated by the feature data.

[0029] The control unit 20 can realize various functions by executing programs (not shown) recorded on the recording medium 30. These programs include a delivery support program 21. When the delivery support program 21 is executed, the control unit 20 performs a function of providing the administrator with various information related to the delivery plan. The various information related to the delivery plan includes delivery plan information 300a and information indicating the current location of the delivery vehicle. In other words, when the user inputs an instruction to display the management screen via the user I / F unit 41, the control unit 20 requests the server 100 to send management information via the communication unit 40.

[0030] The management information includes delivery plan information 300a and information indicating the current location of the delivery vehicle. When a request to send the management information is made, the control unit 200 of the server 100 uses the function of the information transmission / reception unit 210a to send the requested information to the delivery support system 10. The control unit 20 acquires the management information via the communication unit 40. The control unit 20 then displays the management information on the display unit of the user I / F unit 41. The display format of the delivery plan information 300a may be various. In this embodiment, a format is assumed in which a map including the current location of the delivery vehicle, an icon indicating the current location of the delivery vehicle, and information indicating the delivery vehicle whose current location is included in the map are displayed by default. The user can issue instructions to display various information in various formats via the input unit of the user I / F unit 41.

[0031] In this embodiment, if a delivery vehicle is delayed relative to the delivery plan, the user can issue an instruction to display information about the delayed delivery vehicle. Figure 1 shows functions related to the display of information about the delayed delivery vehicle, among the functions realized by the delivery support program 21. That is, the delivery support program 21 causes the control unit 20 to function as a delay time acquisition unit 21a, a maximum delay time acquisition unit 21b, a guidance control unit 21c, and an input reception unit 21d.

[0032] The delay time acquisition unit 21a is a function that acquires, for each of a plurality of delivery points in a plurality of delivery vehicles, a delay time, which is the time that a delivery to a plurality of delivery points in a delivery vehicle is delayed relative to a predetermined delivery time. That is, the control unit 20 acquires the delay time for each delivery vehicle calculated by the server 100 via the communication unit 40 using the function of the delay time acquisition unit 21a. The delay time is associated with identification information that indicates the delivery vehicle and the delivery point, and the delay time associated with this identification information is recorded on the recording medium 30 as delay time information 30a.

[0033] The maximum delay time acquisition unit 21b has a function of acquiring the maximum delay time, which is the longest delay time, for each of multiple delivery vehicles. That is, the control unit 20 uses the function of the maximum delay time acquisition unit 21b to reference the delay time information 30a and extract the delay time for the same delivery vehicle based on the identification information. Then, the control unit 20 uses the function of the maximum delay time acquisition unit 21b to compare the delay times for the same delivery vehicle and acquire the longest delay time as the maximum delay time. The control unit 20 performs the above process for each delivery vehicle.

[0034] The guidance control unit 21c has a function of causing the guidance unit to give priority to delivery vehicles with longer maximum delay times. The input receiving unit 21d has a function of receiving various inputs from users. The control unit 20 can change the display content of the above-mentioned management screen depending on the input content in the input receiving unit 21d. When the control unit 20 receives an instruction to sort delivery vehicles using the function of the input receiving unit 21d, the control unit 20 sorts the delivery vehicles based on the maximum delay time using the function of the guidance control unit 21c, and controls the display unit of the user I / F unit 41 to display them in order of largest maximum delay time. Various display modes are possible, and in this embodiment, the control unit 20 displays the identification information of the delivery vehicles on the display unit.

[0035] 3A is an example of a display mode in which delivery vehicles are prioritized according to their maximum delay time. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a map is displayed on the right side of the screen displayed on the display unit. This screen partially matches the display content of the management screen described above. That is, in the default display content of the management screen, delivery vehicles are not sorted based on their maximum delay time, but the display content in other areas is the same as the default display content.

[0036] The default display content includes a sort instruction button Bs, and the control unit 20, using the function of the input receiving unit 21d, determines whether the user has input a sort instruction using the sort instruction button Bs by operating the input unit of the user I / F unit 41. When a sort instruction is given using the sort instruction button Bs, the control unit 20 sorts and displays the results based on the maximum delay time. The sorted results are displayed on the screen to the left of the map. That is, on the screen to the left of the map, one rectangular box corresponds to the display unit for information about one delivery vehicle, and multiple boxes are arranged vertically to display information about the delivery vehicles. In the boxes shown in FIG. 3A, delivery vehicles are distinguished by their identification information, and their maximum delay times are also listed. For example, the maximum delay time of a delivery vehicle with identification information T005 is 70 minutes.

[0037] These delivery vehicles are also sorted from top to bottom in descending order of maximum delay time. In other words, the longer the maximum delay time, the higher the display position is given priority. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the delivery vehicle with identification information T005, which has a maximum delay time of 70 minutes, is displayed at the top. Following this are three delivery vehicles with a maximum delay time of 40 minutes, one delivery vehicle each with a maximum delay time of 20 minutes and 10 minutes, and two delivery vehicles each with a maximum delay time of 5 minutes.

[0038] The map shown in FIG. 3A also displays the current location of the delivery vehicle. The control unit 20 draws an image showing the map based on the map information 30b and displays it on the display unit. The control unit 20 then identifies the current location of the delivery vehicle contained in the management information and superimposes an icon indicating the current location on the map. Furthermore, the control unit 20 displays the identification information of the delivery vehicle alongside the icon. Of course, the scale and display range of the map can be changed depending on operations performed on the input unit of the user I / F unit 41. In FIG. 3A, the icon indicating the current location of the delivery vehicle is indicated by a white circle. In this example, the range of the displayed map shows the current locations of delivery vehicles with identification information T005, T008, T010, and T001.

[0039] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify a manager or the like of delivery vehicles with long maximum delay times. When deliveries are made in parallel by multiple delivery vehicles, delays may occur simultaneously in multiple delivery vehicles. In this case, measures are taken, such as notifying the delivery point, which is the delivery destination, of the delay or transferring the cargo of the delayed delivery vehicle to another delivery vehicle. The greater the maximum delay time, the greater the necessity and urgency of measures. Therefore, by preferentially displaying delivery vehicles with long maximum delay times, it is possible to notify delivery vehicles that require priority measures. According to the above display, users can easily identify delivery vehicles that require high urgency and require high necessity of measures.

[0040] Of course, the display format is merely an example, and any information may be displayed as information related to the delivery vehicle. For example, the maximum delay time does not need to be displayed, and other information, such as information indicating whether the vehicle is parked, may be displayed. Furthermore, the current location of the delivery vehicle shown on the map does not need to be displayed with identification information. However, in this case, it is preferable that the identification information be displayed in response to a display instruction, such as overlaying the mouse pointer.

[0041] (2) Management information display processing: Next, the management information display process will be explained. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the management information display process carried out by the delivery support system 10 and the server 100 in cooperation with each other. A user of the delivery support system 10 operates the input unit of the user I / F unit 41 to execute the delivery support program 21 at any timing. As a result, the control unit 20 starts the process shown on the left side of Fig. 4. In the server 100, the control unit 200 executes the information management program 210. As a result, the control unit 200 executes the process shown on the right side of Fig. 4.

[0042] When this process starts, the control unit 200 of the server 100 acquires the current location of the delivery vehicle via the communication unit 400 (step S200). That is, the control unit 200 starts the process of acquiring the current location periodically transmitted from each delivery vehicle. As a result, the control unit 200 continues to identify the latest current location of the delivery vehicle. The acquired current location is saved in RAM (not shown) or the like.

[0043] When the execution of the delivery assistance program 21 starts, the control unit 20 requests management information via the communication unit 40 (step S100). The control unit 200 waits until it determines, through the function of the information transmitting / receiving unit 210a, that a request for management information has been received via the communication unit 400 (step S205). If it is determined in step S205 that a request for management information has been made, the control unit 200 uses the function of the information transmitting / receiving unit 210a to transmit the management information via the communication unit 400 (step S210). That is, the control unit 200 transmits management information including the delivery plan information 300a and the latest current location of the delivery vehicle to the delivery assistance system 10. When the management information is transmitted, the control unit 20 receives the management information via the communication unit 40 (step S105).

[0044] When the management information is received, the control unit 20 displays the management screen (step S110). That is, the control unit 20 controls the display unit of the user I / F unit 41 to display the management screen. As a result, a screen showing at least a part of the delivery plan information 300a, the current location of the delivery vehicle, etc. is displayed on the display unit. Here, we will assume an example in which the screen shown in FIG. 3A, shown on the left, shows the sorting results of the delivery vehicles, but is not displayed, as the management screen.

[0045] Meanwhile, once the server 100 has sent the management information, the control unit 200 then acquires the estimated delivery time using the function of the delay time acquisition unit 21a (step S215). That is, the control unit 200 acquires the estimated delivery time, which is the time when each delivery vehicle is expected to arrive at each delivery point, based on the current location of each delivery vehicle. Then, the control unit 200 acquires the delay time by subtracting the delivery time from the estimated delivery time for each delivery point using the function of the delay time acquisition unit 21a (step S220). As a result, if a delay is expected for each delivery vehicle at each delivery point, the delay time, which is the length of that delay, is identified.

[0046] Meanwhile, in the delivery support system 10, when the management screen is displayed on the display unit by the processing of step S110, the control unit 20 requests the delay time via the communication unit 40 using the function of the delay time acquisition unit 21a (step S115). The control unit 200 of the server 100 determines whether or not the request for the delay time has been received (step S225), and if it is determined that the request for the delay time has not been received, the control unit 200 repeats the processing from step S200 onwards.

[0047] If it is determined in step S225 that a request for delay time has been received, the control unit 200 transmits the delay time via the communication unit 400 using the function of the information transmitting / receiving unit 210a (step S230). Once the delay time has been transmitted, the server 100 repeats the processes from step S200 onwards. Meanwhile, the control unit 20 of the delivery support system 10 receives the delay time via the communication unit 40 using the function of the delay time obtaining unit 21a (step S120).

[0048] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the user has issued a sort instruction using the sort instruction button Bs, using the function of the input receiving unit 21d (step S125). If it is determined in step S125 that a sort instruction has been issued, the control unit 20 acquires the maximum delay time using the function of the maximum delay time acquisition unit 21b (step S130). That is, the control unit 20 compares the delay times of the same delivery vehicle and regards the longest delay time as the maximum delay time. The control unit 20 performs the above process for each delivery vehicle and associates the maximum delay time with the identification information of the delivery vehicle.

[0049] Next, the control unit 20 uses the function of the guidance control unit 21c to display the delivery vehicles in order of the largest maximum delay time (step S135). That is, the control unit 20 compares the largest delay time acquired in step S130 for each delivery vehicle and sorts them in order of largest delay time. The control unit 20 then controls the display of the user I / F unit 41 to display information indicating the delivery vehicles in the sorted order. As a result, a list of the sorted delivery vehicles is displayed on the display unit, as shown on the left side of FIG. 3A. Note that if it is not determined in step S125 that a sorting instruction has been issued, the control unit 20 repeats the processing from step S100 onwards.

[0050] The above configuration allows sorting and display based on the maximum delay time, but the management screen may also display information in various other ways. In this embodiment, it is possible to highlight based on the magnitude of the maximum delay time, sort based on the priority delivery point, and sort based on the delay time at the delivery point next to the delivery vehicle's current location. These aspects will be described below.

[0051] When step S135 is executed, the control unit 20 determines whether a threshold value has been input using the function of the input receiving unit 21d (step S140). The threshold value is a value that specifies whether or not the maximum delay time should be emphasized. A user of the delivery support system 10 can input the threshold value by operating the input unit of the user I / F unit 41. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a user can input a threshold value into the threshold value input unit Bt by operating the input unit of the user I / F unit 41. FIG. 3A shows an example in which 50 minutes has been input as the threshold value.

[0052] If it is determined in step S140 that a threshold value has been input, the control unit 20, using the function of the guidance control unit 21c, highlights delivery vehicles whose maximum delay time is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S145). That is, the control unit 20 compares the maximum delay time of each delivery vehicle with the threshold value and identifies the identification information of delivery vehicles whose maximum delay time is greater than the threshold value. The control unit 20 then controls the display unit of the user I / F unit 41 to highlight the delivery vehicle with the identified identification information more than other delivery vehicles. Various highlighting methods are possible, and in this embodiment, the current location of the delivery vehicle is highlighted on the map. FIG. 3B shows an example in which delivery vehicles whose maximum delay time is greater than the threshold value of 50 minutes are highlighted in the content shown in FIG. 3A. In this example, the icon indicating the current location of the delivery vehicle is highlighted by coloring it black. Of course, the highlighting method is not limited to this example. For example, the frame of the delivery vehicle displayed sorted on the left side of the map or the color within the frame may be highlighted. If it is not determined in step S140 that a threshold value has been input, the control unit 20 skips step S145.

[0053] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether to sort by priority delivery point using the function of the input receiving unit 21d (step S150). In this embodiment, a priority delivery point is a delivery point where delays should be prevented as a priority. A user of the delivery support system 10 can operate the input unit of the user I / F unit 41 to instruct whether to display delivery vehicles that are experiencing delays at the priority delivery point as a priority. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the user can issue this instruction by operating the input unit of the user I / F unit 41 to select the sort by priority delivery point instruction button Bp.

[0054] If it is determined in step S150 that sorting should be performed by priority delivery point, the control unit 20, using the function of the guidance control unit 21c, displays the delivery vehicles in a list with delivery vehicles that will be delayed at the priority delivery point at the top (step S155). That is, the control unit 20 refers to the delivery plan information 300a and determines whether a 1 is associated with the priority delivery point, thereby identifying delivery vehicles that have priority delivery points. Next, the control unit 20 identifies whether a delay will occur at the priority delivery point. Then, if a delay occurs at the priority delivery point of each delivery vehicle, the control unit 20 compares the delay times and sorts the delivery vehicles in descending order of the delay time at the priority delivery point. Furthermore, the control unit 20 classifies delivery vehicles with the same delay time at the priority delivery point into the same group, and sorts delivery vehicles belonging to the same group based on the maximum delay time of each delivery vehicle.

[0055] 5A is a diagram showing an example of a case where delivery vehicles are prioritized and sorted based on the magnitude of delay time at such priority delivery points. In this example, it is assumed that delivery vehicles with identification information T001 and T002 experience a delay at a priority delivery point, while delivery vehicles with other identification information do not have a priority delivery point or experience no delay at a priority delivery point. It is also assumed that the delay time at the priority delivery point of the delivery vehicle with identification information T001 is greater than the delay time at the priority delivery point of the delivery vehicle with identification information T002.

[0056] In this case, as shown in the left screen of FIG. 5A, the delivery vehicle with identification information T001 is given the highest priority, followed by the delivery vehicle with identification information T002. Furthermore, for other delivery vehicles, the priority of the delivery vehicle is determined based on the maximum delay time. With this configuration, the user can easily identify delivery vehicles that are experiencing delays at priority delivery points where delays should be prevented as a priority. Furthermore, among delivery vehicles experiencing delays at priority delivery points, the user can easily identify delivery vehicles that should be addressed as a priority.

[0057] The above display mode is an example, and other configurations are also possible. For example, the delivery vehicles may be sorted based on the maximum delay time, and further, among delivery vehicles with the same maximum delay time, the delivery vehicles may be sorted according to the delay time at the priority delivery point. Furthermore, when displaying delivery vehicles with priority, the delivery vehicles to be displayed with priority may be highlighted, or the degree of highlighting may be changed according to the priority. Furthermore, the delay time at the priority delivery point may be displayed within a frame showing the delivery vehicle. Of course, the display content of the map may also be changed. Note that, if it is not determined in step S150 that sorting by priority delivery point is to be performed, the control unit 20 skips step S155.

[0058] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether to sort by nearest delivery point using the function of the input receiving unit 21d (step S160). Here, the nearest delivery point is the delivery point to which each delivery vehicle will make delivery after the current location (the delivery point in the next delivery order). A user of the delivery support system 10 can operate the input unit of the user I / F unit 41 to instruct whether to prioritize display of delivery vehicles based on the length of delay time at the nearest delivery point. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the user can issue this instruction by operating the input unit of the user I / F unit 41 to select the sort by nearest delivery point instruction button Bn.

[0059] If it is determined in step S160 that sorting should be performed by the nearest delivery point, the control unit 20, using the function of the guidance control unit 21c, displays the delivery vehicles in order of the longest delay time at the nearest delivery point (step S165). That is, the control unit 20 references the delivery plan information 300a and identifies the nearest delivery point to which each delivery vehicle should deliver after its current location. Next, the control unit 20 identifies whether a delay will occur at the nearest delivery point. Then, if a delay will occur at the nearest delivery point of each delivery vehicle, the control unit 20 compares the delay times and sorts the delivery vehicles in order of the longest delay time at the nearest delivery point. Furthermore, the control unit 20 classifies delivery vehicles with the same delay time at the nearest delivery point into the same group, and sorts delivery vehicles belonging to the same group based on the maximum delay time of each delivery vehicle.

[0060] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a case where delivery vehicles are prioritized and sorted based on the magnitude of delay time at the nearest delivery point. A similar example to the situation of delivery vehicles shown in FIG. 3A is assumed, and the order of delay time at the nearest delivery point does not match the order of maximum delay time. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, delivery vehicles are displayed in a different order from the example shown in FIG. 3A. This configuration allows users to easily identify delivery vehicles that are experiencing significant delays to the nearest delivery point.

[0061] The above display mode is an example, and other configurations are also possible. For example, the delivery vehicles may be sorted based on the maximum delay time, and further, among delivery vehicles with the same maximum delay time, the delivery vehicles may be sorted according to the delay time at the nearest delivery point. Furthermore, when displaying delivery vehicles with priority, the delivery vehicle to be displayed with priority may be highlighted, or the degree of highlighting may be changed according to the priority. Furthermore, the delay time at the nearest delivery point may be displayed within a frame showing the delivery vehicle. Of course, the display content of the map may also change. Note that, if it is not determined in step S160 that sorting by the nearest delivery point is to be performed, the control unit 20 skips step S165 and repeats the processing from step S100 onwards.

[0062] (3) Other embodiments: The above embodiment is one example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, each system constituting the above embodiment may be configured with fewer devices. Such an example includes a case where at least one device shown in FIG. 1 is configured with the same device as one or more other devices. For example, the delivery support system 10 and the server 100 may be configured as an integrated device, or some of the functions of the delivery support system 10 may be realized by the server 100, or some of the functions of the server 100 may be realized by the delivery support system 10. For example, the maximum delay time may be acquired by the server 100, or the sorting of delivery vehicles may be performed by the server 100.

[0063] Of course, the delivery support system 10 may be installed in a vehicle or may be a portable terminal, etc. Furthermore, the system shown in Fig. 1 may be configured with a larger number of systems. For example, at least some of the functions of the delivery support system 10 and the server 100 may be configured with a cloud server.

[0064] Furthermore, at least some of the components constituting the server 100 (delay time calculation unit 210b) and the components constituting the delivery support system 10 (delay time acquisition unit 21a, maximum delay time acquisition unit 21b, guidance control unit 21c, input reception unit 21d) may be separated into multiple devices. It is also possible to imagine a configuration in which some of the components of the above-described embodiment are omitted, or a configuration in which processing is changed or omitted. Furthermore, loading (collection, etc.) of packages may be performed at a delivery point or another facility.

[0065] The delay time acquisition unit is only required to acquire the delay time, which is the amount of time a delivery vehicle is delayed from a predetermined delivery time to a plurality of delivery points, for each of the plurality of delivery points for the plurality of delivery vehicles. In other words, during the operation of a delivery plan, a delay time may occur in which delivery to a delivery point is delayed from the delivery time, and the delay time may vary for each delivery point. Therefore, the delay time acquisition unit performs a process of acquiring the delay time for each of the plurality of delivery points for each of the plurality of delivery vehicles.

[0066] A delivery point is a stopover or destination of a delivery vehicle, and these locations are defined as delivery points. A delivery point may be a point where a package is delivered or a point where a package is collected. The delivery time only needs to correspond to the time when work or the like is performed at the delivery point, and may be the time of arrival at the delivery point, the time of departure from the delivery point, or a time between the arrival time and the departure time.

[0067] The maximum delay time acquisition unit is only required to acquire the maximum delay time, which is the longest delay time, for each of multiple delivery vehicles. In other words, even if the delivery points are delivered by the same delivery vehicle, the delay time may differ depending on the delivery point. Therefore, the maximum delay time acquisition unit is only required to acquire the longest delay time among the delay times for each delivery point as the maximum delay time. Furthermore, the maximum delay time is acquired for each delivery vehicle. In other words, if a delay occurs, measures to address the delay are taken for each delivery vehicle. Therefore, the maximum delay time is acquired for each delivery vehicle.

[0068] The guidance control unit may instruct the guidance unit to prioritize delivery vehicles with longer maximum delay times. In other words, the guidance control unit prioritizes delivery vehicles with relatively longer maximum delay times over delivery vehicles with relatively shorter maximum delay times. Various modes for preferentially guiding delivery vehicles can be adopted in addition to sorting as in the above-described embodiment. For example, the priority of guidance may be changed by changing the size or emphasis of an image or text, such as an icon, representing a delivery vehicle. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which delivery vehicles with priority guidance are displayed, but delivery vehicles that are not priority guidance are not displayed. Guidance may be provided in various modes other than display, such as audio guidance.

[0069] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied as a program or method. The above-described systems, programs, and methods may be realized as standalone devices or may be realized using components shared with various vehicle components, and thus encompass a variety of embodiments. For example, it is possible to provide a method or program realized by the above-described system. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented as a recording medium for a program that controls the device. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in the same manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10...Delivery support system, 20...Control unit, 21...Delivery support program, 21a...Delay time acquisition unit, 21b...Maximum delay time acquisition unit, 21c...Guidance control unit, 21d...Input acceptance unit, 30...Recording medium, 30a...Delay time information, 30b...Map information, 40...Communication unit, 41...User I / F unit, 100...Server, 101...Delivery vehicle terminal, 102...Control unit, 103...User I / F unit, 104...Location measurement unit, 105...Communication unit, 200...Control unit, 210...Information management program, 210a...Information transmission and reception unit, 210b...Delay time calculation unit, 300...Recording medium, 300a...Delivery plan information, 300b...Map information, 400...Communication unit

Claims

1. a delay time acquisition unit that acquires a delay time, which is a delay time for delivery to a plurality of delivery points by a delivery vehicle relative to a predetermined delivery time, for each of the plurality of delivery points by the plurality of delivery vehicles; a maximum delay time acquisition unit that acquires a maximum delay time, which is the longest delay time, for each of the plurality of delivery vehicles; a guidance control unit that controls the guidance unit to notify the user of the delivery vehicle by giving priority to the delivery vehicle having the longer maximum delay time; A delivery support system equipped with:

2. The delay time is the length of time by which the estimated delivery time to the delivery point, acquired based on the current location of the delivery vehicle, is delayed relative to the delivery time; The delivery support system according to claim 1 .

3. further comprising an input receiving unit that receives an input of a threshold value; The guidance control unit emphasizes guidance regarding the delivery vehicle whose maximum delay time is equal to or greater than a threshold value more than guidance regarding the delivery vehicle whose maximum delay time is less than the threshold value.

3. The delivery support system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A delay time acquisition unit that acquires a delay time, which is the time that delivery to a plurality of delivery points in a delivery vehicle that is associated with information indicating whether the delivery point is a priority delivery point, from a predetermined delivery time, for each of the plurality of delivery points in the delivery vehicle; a maximum delay time acquisition unit that acquires a maximum delay time, which is the longest delay time, for each of the plurality of delivery vehicles; a guidance control unit that controls the guidance unit to give priority to the delivery vehicle with the larger maximum delay time, and among the delivery vehicles with the same maximum delay time, gives priority to the delivery vehicle that will be delayed at the priority delivery point over the delivery vehicle that will not be delayed at the priority delivery point, and notifies the user of the delivery vehicle; A delivery support system equipped with:

5. A delay time acquisition unit that acquires delay times, which are times that deliveries to a plurality of delivery points in a delivery vehicle are delayed from a predetermined delivery time, for each of a plurality of delivery points in a plurality of delivery vehicles; a maximum delay time acquisition unit that acquires a maximum delay time, which is the longest delay time, for each of the plurality of delivery vehicles; a guidance control unit that controls the guidance unit to give priority to the delivery vehicle with the larger maximum delay time, and among the delivery vehicles with the same maximum delay time, give priority to the delivery vehicle with the larger delay time at the delivery point where delivery is to be made next from the current location of the delivery vehicle, and notify the user of the delivery vehicle; A delivery support system equipped with:

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