Management method and management device

Abstract

To provide a management method and management device, which improve efficiency of overall delivery work by a vehicle.SOLUTION: A management system comprising a management device in communication with an external device, such as a vehicle or terminal device, via a network is provided, the management system being configured to implement a management method involving causing the management device to perform processing comprising determining an acceptable delivery time range based on delivery conditions for products ordered from stores, and determining products to be loaded on a vehicle on the basis of the acceptable delivery time range and vehicle class data of the vehicle used to deliver the products.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management method and a management device. [Background technology]

[0002] A method is known in which the vehicle route problem and the package state are simultaneously calculated to increase the loading rate of a delivery plan and reduce the travel distance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-173789 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need to improve the efficiency of all vehicle delivery operations.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of such circumstances, is to improve the efficiency of the entire delivery operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes determining, by a management device, an acceptable range of delivery times based on delivery conditions for products ordered from a store, and determining, by the management device, products to be loaded onto a vehicle based on the acceptable range of delivery times and vehicle rating data of the vehicle that will deliver the products.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a management device includes a control unit that determines an acceptable range of delivery times based on delivery conditions for products ordered from a store, and determines products to be loaded onto a vehicle based on the acceptable range of delivery times and vehicle rating data for the vehicle that will deliver the products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to a management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the overall efficiency of delivery operations using vehicles can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a management method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Configuration example of management system 1) As shown in FIG. 1 , a management system 1 according to one embodiment includes a management device 10 and a vehicle 40. The vehicle 40 transports goods to be delivered to a store. The vehicle 40 is also referred to as a delivery vehicle. The management device 10 manages the operation of the vehicle 40 to increase the efficiency of delivery of goods. The management device 10 determines goods to be loaded onto the vehicle 40 to increase the efficiency of delivery of goods. Information about the goods to be loaded onto the vehicle 40 is also referred to as product information.

[0011] The management system 1 further includes a terminal device 20, although this is not essential. The terminal device 20 may be mounted on the vehicle 40, or may be carried by the driver of the vehicle 40. The terminal device 20 may be configured to notify the worker loading the luggage into the vehicle 40 or the driver of the vehicle 40 of the luggage information determined by the management device 10. The terminal device 20 may be installed in a store, or may be carried by a person in charge of ordering goods or a person in charge of inventory management of goods at the store. An example configuration of the management system 1 will be described below.

[0012] <Management device 10> The management device 10 includes a control unit 12 and an interface 14 .

[0013] The control unit 12 controls at least one component of the management device 10. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more processors. In this embodiment, the "processor" may include, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may include, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 12 may be configured to include a dedicated circuit instead of a processor, or may be configured to include a dedicated circuit together with a processor.

[0014] The management device 10 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. The storage unit may function as, for example, a main storage unit, an auxiliary storage unit, or a cache memory. The storage unit may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The storage unit may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The storage unit stores any information used in the operation of the management device 10. For example, the storage unit may store a system program, an application program, or the like. The storage unit may be included in the control unit 12.

[0015] The interface 14 outputs information, data, etc. from the control unit 12 to an external device, and inputs information, data, etc. acquired from an external device to the control unit 12. The interface 14 may include a communication module configured to be able to communicate with an external device such as the vehicle 40 or the terminal device 20 via the network 30. The communication module may be compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may be compatible with communication standards such as LAN (Local Area Network). The communication module may be compatible with wired or wireless communication standards. The communication module is not limited to these and may be compatible with various communication standards. The interface 14 may be configured to be connectable to the communication module.

[0016] The interface 14 may include an input device that accepts input of information, data, etc. from a user. The input device may include, for example, a touch panel or touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may include physical keys. The input device may also include an audio input device such as a microphone.

[0017] The interface 14 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to the user. The output device may include, for example, a display device that outputs visual information such as images, characters, or graphics. The display device may include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The display device is not limited to these displays and may include various other types of displays. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The display device may include various other devices. The output device may include, for example, an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs audio information such as sound. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices.

[0018] The management device 10 may include one or more server devices that can communicate with each other.

[0019] <Vehicle 40> The vehicle 40 includes a vehicle body and a drive unit. The vehicle 40 is configured to load the goods to be delivered onto the vehicle body. The vehicle 40 may further include a control unit that controls the drive unit. The vehicle 40 may further include a location information detection unit that acquires location information of the vehicle 40 itself. The vehicle 40 may output the location information of the vehicle 40 itself to the management device 10. The location information detection unit may be configured to include a receiver compatible with a satellite positioning system. The receiver compatible with the satellite positioning system may include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like.

[0020] The number of vehicles 40 managed by the management system 1 may be two or more. The vehicle 40 may be configured to be operated by a driver, or may be configured to travel in an autonomous driving manner. When the vehicle 40 is operated by a driver, the vehicle 40 may be equipped with an on-board device such as a navigation device that acquires an operation schedule from the management device 10 and notifies the driver of the operation schedule. The operation schedule may be notified to the driver by a terminal device 20, which will be described later. When the vehicle 40 travels in an autonomous driving manner, the vehicle 40 may travel based on the operation schedule acquired from the management device 10.

[0021] <Terminal device 20> The terminal device 20 may be configured to include one or more processors or one or more dedicated circuits. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a storage unit. The storage unit of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the storage unit of the management device 10. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an interface or a communication module. The interface or communication module of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the interface or communication module of the management device 10.

[0022] The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an input device that accepts input of information, data, etc. from a user. The input device may be configured to include various devices described as the interface 14. The terminal device 20 may also be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to the user. The output device may be configured to include various devices described as the interface 14.

[0023] The number of terminal devices 20 included in the management system 1 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a PC such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet PC. The terminal device 20 is not limited to these examples, and may be configured to include various devices.

[0024] (Example of operation of management system 1) In the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 12 of the management device 10 determines the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle. An example of the operation for determining the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle will be described below.

[0025] <Determining acceptable delivery time range> In the management system 1, a store orders a product. The store may order the product using a terminal device 20. The control unit 12 of the management device 10 accepts the order from the store. Information accepting the order from the store is also referred to as order information. The order information includes information about the product ordered by the store. The order information includes delivery conditions for the product ordered by the store.

[0026] The product delivery conditions may include information specifying the time or time period for delivering the product to the store. The product delivery conditions may include product attributes. The product attributes may include, for example, a sell-by date or expiration date for the product. The product attributes may include a time period during which demand for the product is high. For example, if the product is a bento box or sandwiches, the time period during which demand for the product is high may be a specific time period such as between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The product attributes may include the storage temperature of the product. The product attributes may include whether the product is refrigerated or frozen.

[0027] The product delivery conditions may include information about the destination of the product, that is, the store that orders and receives the product. The store information may include, for example, the store's business type. The store's business type may be classified, for example, into large or small supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. The store information may include, for example, the size of the store's back-of-house area. The store information may include whether the arriving products are temporarily stored in the back-of-house area or displayed directly in front of the store. The store information may include, for example, the number of staff available to handle product reception when the products arrive at the store. The store information may include information predicting the number of staff available to handle product reception by time of product arrival.

[0028] The control unit 12 determines an acceptable range of delivery times based on the delivery conditions for the products ordered from the store. The acceptable range of delivery times may correspond to the range of time periods during which a delivery vehicle is allowed to arrive at the store. For example, the control unit 12 may determine an acceptable range of delivery times within the time periods specified in the delivery conditions as the time periods during which products are delivered to the store. The control unit 12 may determine an acceptable range of delivery times for a time period before a time period during which demand for the product is high. The control unit 12 may determine an acceptable range of delivery times for a time period at least a predetermined time before a product's sell-by date, expiration date, or other expiration date. The control unit 12 may determine an acceptable range of delivery times for a time period during which the store can secure a predetermined number of staff members to handle product reception. The control unit 12 may determine an acceptable range of delivery times for a time period during which the store is not crowded, when the delivered products are to be displayed in the store as they are. In other words, the control unit 12 may determine an acceptable range of delivery times for a time period during which the number of customers in the store is less than a predetermined number.

[0029] <Determining which products to load onto delivery vehicles> The control unit 12 acquires vehicle rating data of the vehicle 40 serving as a delivery vehicle. The vehicle rating data of the vehicle 40 may include, for example, a classification based on the body size of the vehicle 40. The vehicle 40 may be classified into any of the following classifications based on the body size: ultra-compact, small, medium, large, or extra-large. The vehicle rating data of the vehicle 40 may include, for example, the external size or weight of the vehicle 40. The vehicle rating data may include, for example, the capacity, size, or position of the loading platform. The vehicle rating data may include the specifications of the loading platform. The specifications of the loading platform may include the temperature control range of the space in which the cargo is loaded. The specifications of the loading platform may include, for example, a specification that allows refrigerated goods to be loaded or a specification that allows frozen goods to be loaded. The vehicle rating data may include, for example, the minimum turning radius of the vehicle 40, or the difference between the inner and outer wheels. The vehicle rating data may also include, for example, the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle 40. The position of the center of gravity of the vehicle 40 is determined by the position of heavy components such as the engine or battery installed in the vehicle 40. The vehicle rating data is information that does not change over time. The control unit 12 may store the vehicle rank data of each vehicle 40 in advance in the storage unit.

[0030] The control unit 12 determines the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle based on the allowable delivery time range and the vehicle rating data of the delivery vehicle. The control unit 12 may generate product information regarding the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle and output it to the terminal device 20 or the like or notify the user.

[0031] For example, the control unit 12 may determine which products to load onto a delivery vehicle so that products designated to be delivered during the same time period are loaded onto one delivery vehicle. The control unit 12 may determine which products to load onto a delivery vehicle so that products with the same storage temperature are loaded onto one delivery vehicle.

[0032] For example, if there is free space in a delivery vehicle after loading items designated to be delivered during a specific time period onto one delivery vehicle, the control unit 12 may determine to load additional items onto the delivery vehicle. The control unit 12 may also determine that items for which no delivery time period is specified or for which a wide range of delivery time periods is specified are to be additionally loaded onto the delivery vehicle.

[0033] When the allowable range for delivery times is narrow, the control unit 12 may determine the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle by prioritizing the delivery vehicle's arrival at the store within that allowable range. For example, when the arrival of ordered products is delayed, the control unit 12 may determine the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle as products that will arrive by the departure time of the delivery vehicle and can be loaded onto the delivery vehicle. When the allowable range for delivery times is wide, the control unit 12 may determine the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle by waiting for the arrival of ordered products before loading them onto the delivery vehicle.

[0034] After the control unit 12 determines the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle, the arrival status of the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle may change. Furthermore, the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle may become unable to be shipped. If the status of the products to be loaded changes, the control unit 12 may change at least one of the allowable delivery time range and the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle. In other words, the control unit 12 may change at least one of the allowable delivery time range and the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle based on a change in the status of the products to be loaded, such as a change in the types or quantity of products that can be shipped to a store, or a change in the time when the products will be available for shipping.

[0035] The control unit 12 may determine the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle so that the acceptable range of delivery times conforms to the order information. The control unit 12 may determine the acceptable range of delivery times so that the ordered products can be loaded onto the delivery vehicle. The control unit 12 may widen the acceptable range of delivery times for the delivery time or time slot specified in the order information, the wider the acceptable range of the difference between the ordered products and the products actually loaded onto the delivery vehicle. When the acceptable range of delivery times is narrow, strict adherence to the delivery vehicle operating schedule takes priority. Therefore, the control unit 12 may determine the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle so as to adhere to the delivery vehicle operating schedule, even if it means accepting that the products loaded onto the delivery vehicle may be insufficient compared to the ordered products. Adhering to the delivery vehicle operating schedule allows the delivered products to be accepted smoothly. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery operation can be improved.

[0036] The control unit 12 may change the order contents from the store to match the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle. Specifically, if the amount of products that can be loaded onto the delivery vehicle is less than the ordered amount, the control unit 12 may cancel part of the order to reduce the order amount. Furthermore, if there is an item that cannot be loaded onto the delivery vehicle, the control unit 12 may cancel the order for that item. The control unit 12 may notify the store of the cancellation of at least part of the order. Furthermore, the control unit 12 may notify the store of the possibility of a shortage due to the widening of the tolerance for the difference between the ordered products and the products actually loaded onto the delivery vehicle. Depending on the cancellation of the order or the possibility of a shortage, the store staff can order other products or place orders with another delivery company. In this way, the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle can be determined taking into account the circumstances of both the product recipient and the product delivery party.

[0037] <Operation instructions> When the control unit 12 determines the allowable range of delivery times and the products to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle, it may determine an operation schedule for the delivery vehicle so that the loaded products can be delivered to the store within the determined allowable range of delivery times. If the status of the products to be loaded changes, the control unit 12 may change the determined operation schedule in accordance with the change in status. The control unit 12 may instruct the delivery vehicle to operate based on the determined or changed operation schedule.

[0038] <Example of management procedure> As described above, in the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the control unit 12 of the management device 10 may execute a management method including, for example, the steps of the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 2 in order to determine the products to be loaded onto a delivery vehicle and instruct the operation of the delivery vehicle. The management method may be realized as a management program executed by the control unit 12. The management program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0039] The control unit 12 acquires order information (step S1). The control unit 12 determines an allowable range for delivery times based on the order information (step S2). The control unit 12 determines products to be loaded onto a delivery vehicle based on the order information (step S3). The control unit 12 determines an operation schedule for the delivery vehicle so that the loaded products can be delivered to the store within the determined allowable range for delivery times (step S4).

[0040] The control unit 12 determines whether the status of the product decided to be loaded has changed (step S5). If the status of the product has changed (step S5: YES), the control unit 12 changes at least one of the allowable delivery time range and the product to be loaded onto the delivery vehicle based on the changed status (step S6). The control unit 12 changes the operation schedule of the delivery vehicle (step S7). The control unit 12 instructs the delivery vehicle to operate according to the operation schedule changed in the procedure of step S7 (step S8). If the status of the product has not changed (step S5: NO), the control unit 12 proceeds to the procedure of step S8, instructing the delivery vehicle to operate according to the operation schedule determined in the procedure of step S4. After executing the procedure of step S8, the control unit 12 ends execution of the procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 2. The procedure of the management method is not limited to the example procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 2 and may include other procedures. Some steps in the example procedure of FIG. 2 may be omitted or the order may be changed.

[0041] (summary) As described above, the management system 1 and management device 10 according to this embodiment can determine the products to be loaded onto the vehicle 40, taking into account the allowable range of delivery times. In this way, the efficiency of loading products onto the vehicle 40 can be improved. As a result, the efficiency of delivering products by the vehicle 40 can be improved. In other words, the efficiency of the entire delivery operation can be improved.

[0042] Furthermore, the products loaded onto vehicle 40 can be changed depending on changes in the product status. By doing so, the circumstances of both the recipient and the deliverer of the product can be taken into consideration during delivery work. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery work can be improved. Also, by doing so, the operation schedule can be adhered to. By adhering to the operation schedule, the delivered products can be accepted smoothly. In other words, the efficiency of the product acceptance work can be improved. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery work can be improved.

[0043] Furthermore, the allowable range of delivery times can be determined depending on the type of store. This allows for smooth acceptance of delivered products. In other words, the efficiency of product acceptance work can be improved. As a result, the efficiency of the entire delivery work can be improved.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means or steps can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Management System 10 Management device (12: control unit, 14: interface) 20 Terminal equipment 30 Network 40 vehicles

Claims

1. A management method executed by a management device, comprising: determining an acceptable range of delivery times based on delivery conditions for the products ordered from the store; The narrower the tolerance range of the delivery time, the wider the tolerance range of the goods, which is the tolerance range of the difference between the quantity of goods ordered from the store and the quantity of goods loaded on the vehicle that delivers the goods to the store; determining the products to be loaded onto the vehicle based on the allowable range of the delivery time, the allowable range of the products, and vehicle rating data of the vehicle that will deliver the products; Management methods, including:

2. A management method executed by a management device, comprising: determining an acceptable range of delivery times based on delivery conditions for the products ordered from the store; changing at least one of the allowable range of delivery time, the products to be loaded onto the vehicle that delivers the products to the store, or the order contents from the store in response to a change in the type of product or the quantity of products that can be delivered to the store, or a change in the time when the products can be delivered to the store; determining the products to be loaded onto the vehicle based on the allowable range of delivery times and vehicle rating data of the vehicle that will deliver the products to the store; Management methods, including:

3. The management method according to claim 1 , wherein the product delivery conditions include the type of business of the store.

4. A control unit is provided, The control unit Determine the acceptable range of delivery time based on the delivery conditions of the products ordered from the store, The narrower the tolerance range of the delivery time, the wider the tolerance range of the goods, which is the tolerance range of the difference between the quantity of goods ordered from the store and the quantity of goods loaded on the vehicle that delivers the goods to the store, is set; a management device that determines the products to be loaded onto the vehicle based on the allowable range of the delivery time, the allowable range of the products, and vehicle rating data of the vehicle that will deliver the products;

5. A control unit is provided, The control unit Determine the acceptable range of delivery time based on the delivery conditions of the products ordered from the store, changing at least one of the allowable range of delivery times, the products to be loaded onto a vehicle that delivers the products to the store, or the order contents from the store in response to a change in the type of product or the quantity of products that can be delivered to the store, or a change in the time when the products can be delivered to the store; a management device that determines the products to be loaded onto the vehicle based on the allowable range of delivery times and vehicle rating data of the vehicle that will deliver the products to the store;

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