Guidance device, guidance method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a technique for supporting delivery operations and contributing to reduction of delayed delivery of time slot-specified packages.SOLUTION: A guidance device comprises a guidance unit configured to cause a terminal of a user to display a map with multiple delivery destination pins provided thereon, respectively indicating delivery destinations of multiple packages to be delivered by the user. Each of the multiple delivery pins contains information on a specified time slot for delivering a package. The guidance unit changes display modes of the multiple delivery destination pins on the map depending on comparison results between a current time and details of time slot designation for each of the multiple delivery destination pins.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guiding device, a guiding method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of Internet shopping, the demand for logistics services has increased, and the number of people engaged in the business of delivering goods such as products to designated delivery destinations (hereinafter also referred to as "delivery persons") has been increasing. From the perspective of work efficiency, delivery persons have a predetermined assigned area and deliver goods to private houses and the like within the assigned area. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery management device for assisting an administrator in assigning delivery persons. In the device described in Patent Document 1, an image showing a delivery destination, a scheduled delivery time to the delivery destination, and an allocation state of a moving body to the delivery destination is displayed in association with the location of the delivery destination on a map image. Patent Document 2 discloses an information processing device that presents whether the scheduled arrival time at a destination is in time for a schedule. In the device described in Patent Document 2, marks representing the date and time of schedule information, the current time, and the scheduled arrival time are displayed in association with the time axis Z.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In delivery services, it is common for recipients to specify a delivery time slot for their packages. Therefore, delivery personnel must complete deliveries of all packages assigned to them each day according to the specified time slot. In this regard, the technology described in Patent Document 1 displays pin-shaped delivery destination icons (hereinafter also referred to as "delivery destination pins") on a map in colors corresponding to the delivery status, making it easy to confirm the delivery destination of a package. However, since delivery personnel have a large number of packages to deliver each day, and the delivery destinations are scattered throughout their assigned area, even when using delivery destination pins as in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of overlooking the delivery destination pins themselves and failing to comply with the specified delivery time slot. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 does not consider any support for the work of delivery personnel.

[0005] Therefore, the aim is to provide technology that supports delivery operations and contributes to reducing the number of missed time slots for deliveries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be realized in the following forms. A guidance device comprising a guidance unit that displays a map on a user's terminal, on which a plurality of delivery destination pins are placed, each of which is a marker indicating the delivery destination of a plurality of packages to be delivered by the user, wherein each of the plurality of delivery destination pins contains information specifying a time period for which the packages should be delivered, and when the time period including the current time is defined as the current time period, the guidance unit displays the delivery destination pins on the map whose time period specification is for a time period earlier than the current time period in a more prominent display manner than the other delivery destination pins, and if there are delivery destination pins outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal that satisfy the condition that the time period specification is for a time period earlier than the current time period, the guidance unit displays a guidance message on the map indicating that such delivery destination pins exist. In addition, the present invention can also be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a guidance device is provided. This guidance device includes a guidance unit that displays a map on the user's terminal, on which a plurality of delivery destination pins are placed, each of which is a marker indicating the delivery destination of a plurality of packages to be delivered by the user, each of the plurality of delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time period in which the packages should be delivered, and the guidance unit changes the display manner of the plurality of delivery destination pins on the map according to the result of comparing the current time with the content of the time period specified for each of the plurality of delivery destination pins.

[0008] In this configuration, the guidance unit displays a map on the user's terminal with markers (delivery destination pins) representing the delivery destinations of multiple packages that the user is to deliver. Therefore, by checking the map, the user can quickly grasp the locations of the multiple delivery destinations and their relative positions, thus supporting the user's delivery work. Furthermore, the guidance unit changes the display of the multiple delivery destination pins on the map based on a comparison between the current time and the time slot specifications for each of the multiple delivery destination pins. Therefore, the user can quickly grasp the relationship between the current time and the time slot specifications for each of the multiple delivery destination pins based on the display of the delivery destination pins, thus reducing the likelihood of packages missing their time slots. As a result, this configuration supports delivery work and contributes to reducing the number of packages missing their time slots, thereby improving the efficiency of delivery operations.

[0009] (2) In the guidance device of the above form, when the time period specification includes the current time, the guidance unit may hide the display of the delivery destination pins on the map whose time period specification is later than the current time. In this configuration, the guidance unit hides the display of delivery destination pins on the map whose time slots are later than the current time slot. By hiding delivery destination pins that the user does not need to pay attention to at the current time, the user's attention can be directed only to the necessary delivery destination pins. As a result, this configuration can further reduce the number of missed delivery time slots.

[0010] (3) In the guidance device of the above form, when the time period specification includes the current time, the guidance unit may display the delivery destination pins on the map in a way that makes them more prominent than the display ways of the other delivery destination pins, for the delivery destination pins whose time period specification is earlier than the current time. Delivery destination pins with a specified time slot earlier than the current time slot indicate destinations where the specified time slot has already expired (delivery is delayed). With this configuration, by making such delivery destination pins more conspicuous than other delivery destination pins, the user's attention is drawn to them, thereby reducing the margin (time window) of packages that have expired their specified time slots.

[0011] (4) In the guidance device of the above form, if there is a delivery destination pin outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal that satisfies the condition that the content of the time period specification is an earlier time period than the current time period, the guidance unit may display a guidance message on the map indicating that there is a delivery destination pin that satisfies the condition. In this configuration, the guidance unit displays a notification on the map if there are delivery destination pins that have already exceeded the time limit (resulting in a delivery delay) outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal. In this way, by alerting users to the existence of delivery destination pins that are overlooked because they are outside the display range due to map scale settings, etc., and are experiencing delivery delays, the margin (time range) of packages exceeding the time limit can be reduced.

[0012] (5) In the guidance device of the above form, the guidance unit may display, as the guidance display, at least one of the following: the direction in which the delivery destination pin that satisfies the above conditions exists on the map, and the distance to the delivery destination pin that satisfies the above conditions. With this configuration, the guidance unit alerts users by displaying at least one of the directions where the delayed delivery destination pin is located and the distance to the delayed delivery destination pin, making it easier for users to find the delayed delivery destination pin.

[0013] (6) In the guidance device of the above form, when specifying a time period, the time period including the current time is set as the current time period, and the delivery destination pin whose content of the time period specification is earlier than the current time period is set as a delay pin, the guidance unit may further, when it obtains the user's operation to identify the delay pin on the map, automatically make a phone call to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin, or automatically send a predetermined message to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin. With this configuration, when the guidance unit detects a user's operation to identify a delay pin (a delivery destination pin indicating a delivery delay) on the map, it automatically makes a phone call to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin, or automatically sends a predetermined message to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin. This assists in informing recipients of delays and further improves the efficiency of delivery operations.

[0014] (7) In the guidance device of the above form, when the time period is specified and the time period including the current time is set as the current time period, the guidance unit may further display on the map at least one of the remaining time from the current time until the end time of the current time period and the remaining number of packages that should be delivered within the current time period. In this configuration, the guidance unit further displays on the map at least one of the following: the remaining time from the current time until the end of the current time slot, and the remaining number of packages that need to be delivered within the current time slot. Therefore, users can smoothly schedule deliveries within the current time slot by referring to the remaining time and / or the number of remaining packages. As a result, this configuration can further improve the efficiency of delivery operations.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, as a guidance device, a navigation device, a map display device, a delivery support device, a computer program for realizing the functions of each of these devices or a system including each of these devices, a server device for distributing the computer program, a non-temporary storage medium storing the computer program, and so on. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a delivery support system as an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of a luggage information DB. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure of the delivery support process. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a map display screen. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing a variation of the alert display of the delay pin. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of a luggage list screen. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of a luggage information details screen. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination information screen. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of a navigation screen. [Figure 10] This is a diagram for explaining the current time filter mode. [Figure 11] This is a diagram for explaining a variation of the current time filter mode. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of a luggage narrowing-down screen. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of a map display screen after pin narrowing-down has been performed. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing an example of a management screen. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the delivery support system of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing an example of the map display screen of the second embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a diagram for explaining the guidance display. ​​​​​​​​​​ Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of a delivery support system 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The delivery support system 1 is a system whose users are delivery personnel engaged in logistics operations, particularly the operation of delivering goods and other packages to designated delivery destinations. The delivery support system 1 uses information on packages that the user is to deliver (hereinafter also referred to as "packages to be delivered" or simply "packages") to support the user in delivering packages to be delivered.

[0018] The delivery support system 1 comprises a server 10 and a user terminal 30. The server 10 is connected to the Internet (INT) via wired communication. The user terminal 30 is connected to the Internet (INT) via wireless communication through a communication carrier (BS). The communication carrier (BS) includes transmitting and receiving antennas, wireless base stations, and switching stations. In other words, the server 10 and the user terminal 30 can communicate with each other via the Internet (INT).

[0019] Server 10 comprises a CPU 110, a communication unit 120, a ROM / RAM 130, a storage unit 140, and an input / output unit 150, and each unit is interconnected by a bus (not shown). Server 10 corresponds to a "guidance device".

[0020] The CPU 110 controls various parts of the server 10 by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 130 into the RAM 130 and executing them. The CPU 110 also functions as a guidance unit 111. The guidance unit 111 works in cooperation with the user terminal 30 to perform the delivery support processing described later. In the delivery support processing, the guidance unit 111 displays a map with multiple delivery destination pins and changes the display pattern of these multiple delivery destination pins according to the result of comparing the current time with the time slot specified for each of the multiple delivery destination pins, thereby reducing the time slot overruns for packages that need to be delivered. Here, "delivery destination pins" are markers that represent the delivery destinations of packages that need to be delivered. Furthermore, "reduction of time slot overruns" includes both suppressing the occurrence of time slot overruns themselves and reducing the extent of the overrun (time span) when a time slot overrun occurs. Details of the delivery support processing will be described later.

[0021] The communication unit 120 controls communication between the user terminal 30 and other devices via a communication interface (not shown).

[0022] The storage unit 140 consists of a hard disk, flash memory, memory card, etc. The storage unit 140 pre-stores a luggage information database 141 and a map information database 142. In the following explanation, the database will also be simply referred to as "DB".

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of the package information DB 141. The package information DB 141 stores information about packages to be delivered by each user of the user terminal 30 on that day (hereinafter also referred to as "package information"). As shown in Figure 2, each package information includes, for example, the information shown in a1 to a11 below. Note that information a1 to a11 is registered in advance prior to the delivery support process and can be updated at any time during the delivery support process. (a1) Delivery address: Represents the delivery address. (a2) Latitude and Longitude of Delivery Destination: Represents the latitude and longitude of the delivery destination. The latitude and longitude of the delivery destination can be substituted with the delivery address and may be omitted. (a3) Presence or absence of a delivery box at the delivery destination: Indicates whether or not a delivery box exists at the delivery destination. (a4) Nameplate Information / Building / Tenant Information: Either information representing the nameplate of the delivery address (for example, "Yamada" for non-apartment buildings, "101 Yamada" for apartment buildings, etc.) or information representing the building name and tenant name where the delivery address is located (for example, "XYZ Building XX Restaurant," etc.). (a5) Remarks Information: Indicates important notes regarding delivery. (a6) Time slot specification: This indicates the specified delivery time slot for each individual package that needs to be delivered. (a7) Availability of delivery box: Indicates whether or not the designated delivery box can be used for each individual package requiring delivery. (a8) Package Status: Indicates the status of each package to be delivered (e.g., delivered, undelivered, redelivered, picked up, cash on delivery / payment on delivery, etc.). (a9) Size information: Indicates the size of the package to be delivered (small, medium, large, extra-large, etc.) and the number of packages to be delivered. (a10) Delivery information: This may include whether or not delivery is possible, the designated delivery location, and the conditions for carrying out delivery (date and time, weather, etc.). (a11) Delivery order: A number that indicates the order in which a package to be delivered will be delivered when there are n packages (where n is any natural number) that the user needs to deliver on a given day. In other words, a number that represents the delivery order. The delivery order may be set automatically according to the order in which the package information is registered, or it may be set and changed in the delivery support process described later.

[0024] Note that some of the items mentioned above may be omitted from the package information, and other information not exemplified may be included. Figure 2 shows an example of package information for a user A, but the information on packages requiring delivery (package information) for other users B, C, etc., is also stored in the package information DB141 in advance.

[0025] Returning to Figure 1, let's continue the explanation. Map information DB142 is a database that stores data representing map images. The data representing map images includes information necessary for map display, such as terrain, buildings, and road shapes.

[0026] The input / output unit 150 is a set of various interfaces used for inputting and outputting information between the server 10 and the administrator of the server 10. Examples of input / output units 150 include a keyboard, touch panel, and microphone as input units, and a touch panel, liquid crystal panel, etc., as display units (output units).

[0027] The user terminal 30 can be configured as any device, such as a smartphone as shown in the diagram, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, or a wearable device. The user terminal 30 includes a CPU 310, a communication unit 320, a ROM / RAM 330, a storage unit 340, an input / output unit 350, and a current location acquisition unit 360, and each unit is interconnected by a bus (not shown).

[0028] The CPU 310 controls various parts of the user terminal 30 by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 330 into the RAM 330 and executing them, and also functions as a processing unit 311. The processing unit 311 works in cooperation with the server 10 to perform the delivery support processing described later. The communication unit 320 controls communication with other devices such as the server 10 via a communication interface (not shown).

[0029] The storage unit 340 consists of a hard disk, flash memory, memory card, etc. The input / output unit 350 is a variety of interfaces used for inputting and outputting information between the user terminal 30 and the user. For example, the input / output unit 350 can be a camera or touch panel as an input unit, and a touch panel or liquid crystal panel as a display unit (output unit). The current location acquisition unit 360 receives radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites that make up the GPS (Global Positioning System) or QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) and acquires current location information (latitude and longitude) representing the current location of the user terminal 30. Here, since the user terminal 30 is carried around by the user, the current location acquired by the current location acquisition unit 360 can be considered equivalent to the user's current location.

[0030] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure for delivery support processing. In Figure 3, the components of server 10 are enclosed in dashed lines, and the user terminal 30 is simply referred to as "terminal 30". The delivery support processing in this embodiment is a process that supports the delivery of packages requiring delivery by the user using a pre-prepared package information DB 141 and map information DB 142. The delivery support processing can be executed at any time. In the example in Figure 3, the delivery support processing is executed when a predetermined application installed on the user terminal 30 is launched.

[0031] In step S10, upon launching a predetermined application, the processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 transmits a user ID to the server 10. The user ID is a unique ID assigned to distinguish each user.

[0032] In step S12, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 searches the package information DB 141 using the user ID as the key and obtains information (package information, information a1 to a11) of packages to be delivered by that user on that day.

[0033] In step S14, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 generates a series of data (display data) used for screen display on the user terminal 30. In step S16, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 transmits the generated display data to the user terminal 30. In step S18, the processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 uses the received display data to display a screen on the input / output unit 350. The following describes a series of screens displayed on the user terminal 30 using the display data. Note that the server 10 and the user terminal 30 may repeatedly execute the processes in steps S14 to S18 in order to realize the screen transitions described later.

[0034] Figure 4 shows an example of the map display screen W1. The map display screen W1 is the screen that is initially displayed on the user terminal 30 in step S18 of Figure 3. The map display screen W1 includes a map, multiple pins P1 to P11 placed on the map, a current location symbol PL, buttons B1 to B7, button B11, and a remaining luggage display ST1. The center position and scale of the map displayed on the map display screen W1 can be arbitrarily determined.

[0035] Pins P1 to P11 are markers plotted on the map at locations corresponding to the delivery destinations of packages requiring delivery. In other words, pins P1 to P11 represent the delivery destinations of multiple packages that the user must deliver. Each pin is color-coded according to the time slot specified in the package information (information a6). Inside each pin, there is text representing the package status (information a8). That is, each pin contains both the time slot information a6 and the package status information a8. In cases where there are multiple delivery destinations in a single apartment building, such as pins P1 and P6, the pin is adorned with a badge indicating the number of delivery destinations. Each pin corresponds to a "delivery destination pin".

[0036] In this embodiment, the time zone specification for the package information (information a6) is divided into eight time zones: no specification, morning, 12-14:00, 14-16:00, 16-18:00, 18-20:00, 19-21:00, and 20-21:00. In this time zone specification, the time zone that includes the current time is also called the "current time zone".

[0037] In step S20 of the delivery support process (Figure 3), the processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 calculates delay pins from multiple pins P1 to P11 placed on the map on the map display screen W1, and displays an alert for the calculated delay pins. Here, "delay pin" refers to a delivery destination pin whose time slot specification (information a6) in the package information is earlier than the current time slot. In other words, a delay pin represents a delivery destination where the time slot specification has already expired (delivery is delayed) when compared to the current time. The alert is displayed by making the display of the delay pin more conspicuous than the display of other delivery destination pins (non-delay pins).

[0038] For example, if the current time is 12:40, the current time zone is 12-14:00. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, among the multiple pins P1-P11 on the map display screen W1, the delivery destination pins P1, P3, and P9, whose time zone specification is earlier than the current time zone (i.e., 12-14:00), are displayed in a flashing manner, making them more conspicuous than the other delivery destination pins P2, P4-P8, P10, and P11. In other words, in the example in Figure 4, an alert is displayed by making the delayed pins flash. Step S20 in Figure 3 is executed repeatedly at predetermined intervals. This allows for the calculation of the latest delayed pin according to the current time and the display of an alert for that delayed pin.

[0039] Button B1 is used to transition to the menu screen. On the menu screen, users can check and change their personal settings (name, contact information, etc.) and general application settings (various default values, etc.). Button B2 displays the total number of packages that user A must deliver on the day. Tapping button B2 transitions to the package list screen W2. Button B3 is used to change the map scale so that all of user A's packages that must be delivered on the day fit on one screen. For example, if button B2 displays "150" as the total number of packages to be delivered, tapping button B3 will display a wide-area map on map display screen W1 with all 150 pins fitting on one screen. Button B4 is used to filter the displayed pins. Tapping button B4 transitions to the package filtering screen W6. Button B5 is used to toggle the display / hide of pins on the map. Button B6 is used to change the center position of the map so that the current location symbol PL is at the center of the map. Button B7 is used to enlarge (+ tap) or reduce (- tap) the map scale on the map display screen W1.

[0040] Button B11 is used to switch to the current time filter mode. In current time filter mode, among the multiple pins P1 to P11 on the map, delivery destination pins whose time zone specification (content of information a6) is later than the current time zone will be hidden from display. Further details will be described later.

[0041] The remaining packages display ST1 includes a remaining time display and a remaining number of packages display. The remaining time display shows the remaining time (in minutes) from the current time until the end of the current time slot. For example, if the current time is 12:40, it will display 80 minutes, which is the remaining time until 14:00, the end of the current time slot (i.e., 12-14:00). The remaining number of packages display shows the remaining number of packages that need to be delivered within the current time slot. In other words, the remaining number of packages display represents the number of packages that user A needs to deliver on the day that have been delivered within the current time slot and have not yet been delivered. That is, the remaining packages display ST1 shown in Figure 4 indicates that there are 80 minutes remaining until the end of the current time slot (i.e., 12-14:00), and that 15 packages need to be delivered within that time. Note that either the remaining time display or the remaining number of packages display in the remaining packages display ST1 may be omitted.

[0042] Figure 5 shows variations in the alert display for delayed pins. In Figure 5(A), similar to Figure 4, the alert is displayed by making the display mode of the delayed pin DP blink. However, the display mode when an alert is displayed for a delayed pin DP can be arbitrarily changed as long as it makes the delayed pin DP more conspicuous than other delivery destination pins P. For example, as shown in Figure 5(B), the alert may be displayed by making at least one of the following (both are shown in the illustrated example) larger than other delivery destination pins P: the size of the delayed pin DP and the size of the characters displayed within the delayed pin DP. For example, as shown in Figure 5(C), the alert may be displayed by adding an icon to the delayed pin DP indicating that it is "delayed". For example, as shown in Figure 5(D), the alert may be displayed by adding a border to the outside of the delayed pin DP or by making the thickness of the outer frame of the delayed pin DP thicker than other delivery destination pins P. Alternatively, the alert may be displayed by making the outer frame or text color of the delayed pin DP more conspicuous than other delivery destination pins P.

[0043] Figure 5(E) is an explanatory diagram of additional functions for the delayed pin that is displayed as an alert. As shown in Figure 5(E), when user A taps the delayed pin DP, a sub-window SW may be displayed. The sub-window SW is configured to automatically make a phone call to the recipient from the user terminal 30 when it detects a tap of the upper "Call recipient" button. The sub-window SW is configured to automatically send a short message to the recipient from the user terminal 30 when it detects a tap of the lower "Delayed SMS" button. The content of the short message can be determined arbitrarily, but may include package information (any part of information a1 to a11) and a statement that the package is delayed. As the recipient's contact information, if the recipient's phone number is included in the remarks information (information a5), that phone number can be used. In addition to the information a1 to a11 mentioned above, a recipient's phone number field may be provided in the package information to implement this function. Note that the operation of tapping the delayed pin DP and then tapping "Call recipient" or "Delayed SMS" as described in Figure 5(E) corresponds to the user identification operation.

[0044] Figure 6 shows an example of the package list screen W2. The package list screen W2 is displayed when button B2 is tapped on the map display screen W1. The package list screen W2 includes button B100 displayed on the time slider bar, package information BI1 to BI4, and a cancel button BC. In the example in Figure 6, only four package information entries are displayed on the package list screen W2. However, by scrolling the screen on the package list screen W2, all package information for packages that user A must deliver on the day can be viewed.

[0045] Button B100 is used to filter the luggage information displayed in luggage information BI1~BI4 by specifying a time period (information a6) by sliding button B100 to each time period displayed on the bar. The cancel button BC is used to close the luggage list screen W2 and transition to the map display screen W1.

[0046] Package information BI1-BI4 displays individual package information for packages that user A must deliver on the day. Package information BI1-BI4 are sorted in descending order of their delivery order (information a11), or in other words, in order of earliest delivery order (information a11), under the filtering conditions using button B11. In the example shown, package information BI1 has the earliest delivery order, followed by package information BI2, package information BI3, and package information BI4 in that order.

[0047] For example, display D1 in Figure 6 shows the time slot specification (information a6) and package status (information a8) of the package to be delivered, as indicated by package information BI1. Display D2 shows the delivery address (information a1) of the package to be delivered, as indicated by package information BI1. Display D3 shows the nameplate information / building tenant information (information a4) of the package to be delivered, as indicated by package information BI1. Display D4 shows the size and number of packages (information a9) of the package to be delivered, as indicated by package information BI1. Display D5 shows whether the package to be left at the door (information a10) and whether a delivery box can be used (information a7) of the package to be delivered, as indicated by package information BI1. Displays D6 and D7 show the remarks information (information a5) of the package to be delivered, as indicated by package information BI4.

[0048] The display ST2 shown in Figure 6 indicates that the delivery time specified in the delivery information BI1 has been missed (delivery is delayed). Note that display ST2 may be omitted. Furthermore, the display method of display ST2 can be changed as desired, and instead of the icon display shown in Figure 6, the display method of the delivery information BI1 itself may be changed. Changing the display method of the delivery information BI1 can include, for example, making the delivery information BI1 itself blink, adding an outer frame to the delivery information BI1, or changing the text color or background color of the delivery information BI1.

[0049] Figure 7 shows an example of the package information details screen W3. The package information details screen W3 is displayed when any one of the package information BI1 to BI4 is tapped on the package list screen W2. Figure 7 shows an example of the package information details screen W3 displayed when package information BI1 from Figure 6 is tapped. The package information details screen W3 includes package information BI1 and buttons B111, B112, and B113. Above package information BI1 is a display ST2 similar to that described in Figure 6, namely a display ST2 indicating that the time slot has been missed (delivery is delayed).

[0050] The Package Information Details screen W3 corresponds to a screen that displays the details of a specific Package Information BI (BI1 in the illustrated example), and users can refer to and edit the Package Information BI using the Package Information Details screen W3. Package Information BI1 displays package information based on the current Package Information DB141. For example, users can change the availability of the delivery box (information a7) by changing the check box in the delivery box checkbox in the Package Information BI (BI1 in the illustrated example) column. Users can also change the nameplate information / building / tenant information (information a4) and remarks information (information a5) by entering text into the nameplate information and remarks information text boxes. Users can change the time slot specification (information a6) by moving the time selection mark. Furthermore, when the delivery of a package requiring delivery is completed, users can change the package status (information a8) by moving the delivery status selection mark to "Completed".

[0051] Button B111 is used to increase or decrease the amount of information displayed in the package information BI (BI1 in the example shown). Button B112 is used to navigate to the delivery destination represented by the package information BI (BI1 in the example shown). Details on navigation to the delivery destination will be described later.

[0052] Button B113 is used to confirm changes made using the input content for the checkbox, text box, and selection mark mentioned above. When a tap of button B113 is detected, the user terminal 30 sends the input content (values ​​of the checkbox, text box, and selection mark) from the package information details screen W3 to the server 10. Subsequently, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 updates the package information DB 141 using the received information.

[0053] Figure 8 shows an example of the delivery destination information screen W4. The delivery destination information screen W4 is displayed when any one pin is tapped on the map display screen W1. Figure 8 shows an example of the delivery destination information screen W4 displayed when pin P1 is tapped. The delivery destination information screen W4 includes an enlarged map W41 and an information display W42.

[0054] The enlarged map W41 is a narrow-area map that shows a magnified view of the area around the building with the tapped pin (in the illustrated example, building BU1 with pin P1). As shown in Figure 8, in the enlarged map W41 as well, if a delivery destination pin included in the map is a delayed pin, an alert is displayed on that delayed pin (flashing in the illustrated example).

[0055] Information display W42 includes an information BUI representing information about the building to which the tapped pin is attached (in the illustrated example, building BU1 to which pin P1 is attached), and package information BI1 and BI2 for packages to be delivered to residents within that building. Package information BI1 and BI2 display the same information as in Figure 7 (package list screen W2). Package information BI1 and BI2 also have a display ST2 similar to that explained in Figure 6, namely, a display ST2 indicating that the time slot has been missed (delivery is delayed). Information BUI includes a display of the address and name of the building to which the tapped pin is attached (in the illustrated example, building BU1 to which pin P1 is attached), and buttons B101 and B102.

[0056] Button B101 is used to initiate navigation to the delivery destination (building) represented by the Information BUI when it is tapped. Details about navigation to the delivery destination will be described later. Button B102 is used to change the setting of whether or not there is a delivery box (information a3) in the building represented by the Information BUI.

[0057] Navigation to the delivery destination will now be explained. When the user terminal 30 detects a tap of button B112 on the package information details screen W3 (Figure 7) or a tap of button B101 on the delivery destination information screen W4 (Figure 8), it sends a route search request to the server 10, including the current location (current location information obtained by the current location acquisition unit 360) and the delivery destination address, as shown in step S30 of Figure 3. Note that if the trigger is a tap of button B101 on the delivery destination information screen W4, the identification information of PIN P1 may be sent in step S30 instead of the delivery destination address.

[0058] As shown in step S32, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 obtains a route (a driving route from departure to destination) with the received current location as the departure point and the delivery address as the destination. In this case, the guidance unit 111 may obtain the route from an external route search server connected via the Internet INT, or if the server 10 itself has a route DB and a route search unit, it may obtain the route from the route search unit.

[0059] In step S34, the guidance unit 111 transmits the acquired route to the user terminal 30. Then, in step S36, the user terminal 30 performs navigation using the received route.

[0060] Figure 9 shows an example of the navigation screen W5. The navigation screen W5 is the screen displayed when the button B112 on the package information details screen W3 or the button B101 on the delivery destination information screen W4 is tapped; in other words, it is the screen displayed on the user terminal 30 in step S36 of Figure 3. The navigation screen W5 includes a destination display W51 and an enlarged map W52. The destination display W51 is a guidance display that shows the next right or left turn or straight point with an enlarged diagram. The enlarged map W52 is a narrow-area map that shows the route to the delivery destination (driving route) and the current location symbol PL, and shows an enlarged view of the area near the current location.

[0061] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the current time filter mode. Upon detecting a tap of button B11 on the map display screen W1 (Figure 4), the user terminal 30 filters the multiple delivery pins P1 to P11 on the map by the current time, as shown in step S40 of Figure 3, and redisplays the filtered map display screen W11 (Figure 10). Specifically, the processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 generates a map display screen W11 in which, among the multiple pins P1 to P11 placed on the map, the display of delivery destination pins whose time zone specification (information a6) for the package information is later than the current time zone is hidden, and displays the map display screen W11.

[0062] For example, if the current time is 12:40, the current time zone is 12-14:00. In this case, as shown in Figure 10, among the multiple pins P1-P11 on the map display screen W1, the delivery destination pins P4-P7 and P10 whose time zones are later than the current time zone (i.e., 12-14:00), namely "14-16:00, 16-18:00, 18-20:00, 19-21:00, 20-21:00," are hidden. The screen layout of the filtered map display screen W11 (Figure 10) is the same as that of the map display screen W1. Therefore, the processing unit 311 also executes step S40 in Figure 3 when it detects a tap of button B11 on the map display screen W11.

[0063] Figure 11 illustrates a variation of the current time filter mode. The processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 may, instead of hiding the display of delivery destination pins whose time zone specification (information a6) is later than the current time zone, display them in a manner that is less visible (less conspicuous) than other pins. In the illustrated example, the visibility is reduced by changing the shape of the delivery destination pin to a small circle. In addition, visibility can be reduced by employing any means such as lowering the transparency of the delivery destination pin or reducing the size of the delivery destination pin.

[0064] In addition, in the filtered map display screen W11 shown in Figures 10 and 11, pins P8 and P11, where the time slot specification (information a6) for the package information is "not specified," are displayed, or in other words, they are not hidden. However, pins P8 and P11 without a time slot specification may be hidden, or their display / hide settings may be made available to the user. Furthermore, in the filtered map display screen W11 shown in Figures 10 and 11, the delivery destination pins for the next time slot after the current time slot (if the current time slot is 12-14:00, then 14-16:00) may be displayed in a manner that gradually increases visibility as the next time slot approaches.

[0065] Figure 12 shows an example of the luggage filtering screen W6. Figure 12 illustrates the screen displayed when button B4 is tapped on the filtered map display screen W11 (Figures 10 and 11). The luggage filtering screen W6 includes two types of candidates C1 and C2 for narrowing down the pins on the map display screen W11, and a cancel button BC.

[0066] Candidate C1 is a group of icons used to narrow down the pins on the map display screen W11 using the luggage status (information a8) from the luggage information. Candidate C2 is a group of icons used to narrow down the pins on the map display screen W11 using the time zone specification (information a6) from the luggage information. The user taps one icon from candidates C1 and C2 that they intend to use to narrow down the pins. As a result, the screen displayed on the input / output unit 350 of the user terminal 30 is updated, and the map display screen W11 is displayed with only the pins that match the conditions selected from candidates C1 and C2. Note that the luggage filtering screen W6 may be configured to allow the selection of multiple icons (multiple conditions) from candidates C1 and C2.

[0067] In the illustrated example, among the candidates C2, "14-16:00, 16-18:00, 18-20:00, 19-21:00, 20-21:00" are grayed out and cannot be selected. This is because, in the current time filter mode, the delivery destination pins for those time slots are hidden. Therefore, if button B4 is tapped on the map display screen W1 (Figure 4) before switching to the current time filter mode, the candidates C2 in the package filtering screen W6 in Figure 12 will not be grayed out, and all candidates C2 can be selected.

[0068] Figure 13 shows an example of the map display screen W12 after pin filtering has been performed. In the example in Figure 13, the map display screen W12 is shown when the user selects "morning" from candidate C2 in the package filtering screen W6 shown in Figure 12. In the map display screen W12, as shown in the figure, only pins that match the conditions selected from candidates C1 and C2 in terms of package status (information a8) or time slot specification (information a6) are placed on the map.

[0069] Next, the management screen displayed on server 10 will be described. In step S50 of the delivery support process (Figure 3), the guidance unit 111 generates data for displaying the management screen when the administrator of server 10 starts a predetermined management application. Specifically, in step S52, the guidance unit 111 searches the package information DB 141 to obtain information (package information, information a1 to a11) of packages to be delivered on that day by all users (i.e., all delivery personnel managed by server 10, hereafter also referred to as "all users").

[0070] In step S54, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 generates display data, which is data for displaying the management screen W100 described later. In step S56, the guidance unit 111 transmits the generated display data to the input / output unit 150. In step S58, the input / output unit 150 uses the received display data to display the management screen W100. In step S60, the input / output unit 150 filters the multiple delivery pins on the map of the management screen W100 by the current time and redisplays the filtered management screen W100. The details of the filtering by current time are the same as in step S40.

[0071] Figure 14 shows an example of the management screen W100. The management screen W100 is the screen displayed on the input / output unit 150 in step S58 of Figure 3. The person who accesses the management screen W100 is not the delivery person, but the administrator of the server 10. The management screen W100 includes a map W101, a list of responsible persons W102, a list of packages W103, and details W104.

[0072] Map W101 is a map on which all delivery destination pins for all users are arranged. The delivery destination pins arranged on map W101 are generated using the package information acquired in step S52. In the example of FIG. 14, for the sake of illustration, only a smaller number of delivery destination pins than the actual number are drawn, but in reality, a larger number of delivery destination pins corresponding to all users will be drawn. Each of the delivery destination pins arranged on map W101 is color-coded according to the time zone specification, similar to pins P1 to P11 on the map display screen W1 (FIG. 4), with characters indicating the package status described thereon, and an alert display for the delayed pins is provided. Note that a symbol representing the current location of all users may be displayed on map W101.

[0073] The person-in-charge list W102 is a screen for displaying information of users (delivery persons managed by server 10). The package list W103 is a screen for displaying a list of packages to be delivered by all users on that day. The details W104 is a screen for displaying information of one or a predetermined number of packages selected in the package list W103 (package information, information a1 to a11). Note that it may be possible to perform a filter operation on the delivery destination pins displayed on map W101 from the person-in-charge list W102 or the package list W103.

[0074] By referring to the management screen W100, the administrator of server 10 can quickly grasp the status of the delivery operations of all users. Also, on the management screen W100, similar to the map display screen W1 (FIG. 4), an alert display for the delayed pins is provided, so the administrator of server 10 can easily grasp the delivery destinations where the time zone specification has already expired (delivery is delayed) and the persons-in-charge responsible for those delivery destinations.

[0075] As described above, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 displays a map on the user's terminal (user terminal 30) with markers (delivery destination pins P1 to P11) representing the delivery destinations of multiple packages that the user is to deliver (Figure 4). Therefore, by checking the map, the user can grasp at a glance the locations of the multiple delivery destinations and the positional relationship between each delivery destination, thus supporting the user's delivery work. In addition, the guidance unit 111 changes the display pattern of the multiple delivery destination pins P1 to P11 on the map according to the result of comparing the current time with the content of the time slot specification for each of the multiple delivery destination pins (Figures 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 13). Therefore, the user can grasp at a glance the relationship between the current time and the time slot specification for each of the multiple delivery destination pins P1 to P11 by looking at the display pattern of the delivery destination pins P1 to P11, thus reducing the chances of packages missing their time slot specification. As a result, the delivery support system 1 can support delivery operations and help reduce the number of packages that miss their specified delivery time slot, thereby making delivery operations more efficient.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 hides the display of delivery destination pins P4-P7 and P10, which are among the multiple delivery destination pins P1-P11 on the map, if their time slot specification is later than the current time slot (Figure 10). By hiding delivery destination pins P4-P7 and P10, which the user does not need to pay attention to at the current time, the user's attention can be directed only to the necessary delivery destination pins P1-P3 and P9. As a result, the delivery support system 1 can further reduce the number of packages whose time slots have been missed.

[0077] Delivery destination pins P1, P3, and P9, whose time slots are earlier than the current time slot, represent destinations where the time slot has already expired (delivery is delayed). According to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, by making the display of these delivery destination pins P1, P3, and P9 more conspicuous than the display of other delivery destination pins P2, P4~P8, P10, and P11, the user's attention is drawn, and the range (time window) of time slot expiration for packages can be reduced (Figures 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 13).

[0078] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, when the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 receives a user's operation to identify delay pins P1, P3, and P9 (delivery destination pins indicating delivery delays) on the map, it automatically makes a phone call to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin, or automatically sends a predetermined message to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin (Figure 5(E)). This makes it possible to assist in notifying recipients of delays and further improve the efficiency of delivery operations.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the guidance unit 111 of the server 10 further displays on the map at least one of the remaining time from the current time until the end of the current time slot, and the remaining number of packages that should be delivered within the current time slot (remaining package display ST1). As a result, users can smoothly schedule deliveries within the current time slot by referring to the remaining time and / or the remaining number of packages. Consequently, the delivery support system 1 can further improve the efficiency of delivery operations.

[0080] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 15 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a configuration capable of guiding the presence of delay pins outside the map display range will be described. In the configuration described in the first embodiment, the delivery support system 1A is equipped with CPU 110A instead of CPU 110. CPU 110A performs the functions of the guidance unit 111A. The guidance unit 111A displays the following map display screen W1A instead of the map display screen W1 described in Figure 4.

[0081] Figure 16 shows an example of the map display screen W1A of the second embodiment. In addition to the displays and buttons described in Figure 4, the map display screen W1A further includes button B12 and guidance displays ST4 and ST5.

[0082] Button B12 is for extracting and displaying only the delay pins. When button B12 is tapped, (while maintaining the map scale) only the delay pins are displayed from among the multiple pins P1 to P11 currently placed on the map, and the other pins are hidden. The map scale may also be automatically changed when button B12 is tapped. In this case, all delay pins for user A will be displayed on a map scale that includes all delay pins for user A, and the other pins will be hidden. The map display screen W1A may also have a separate button for automatically calculating and displaying a route (driving route) that visits only the delivery destinations indicated by the delay pins extracted by button B12.

[0083] The guidance displays ST4 and ST5 indicate that there are delay pins outside the map display range. Here, "delay pins outside the map display range" refers to delay pins (pins whose time zone specification is for a time zone earlier than the current time zone) that are located outside the range of the map currently displayed on the map display screen W1A of the user terminal 30. Both guidance displays ST4 and ST5 include an arrow indicating the direction in which the delay pins outside the map display range are located, and a distance indicator to the delay pins outside the map display range.

[0084] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating the guidance displays ST4 and ST5. Figure 17 shows multiple delivery destination pins representing the delivery destinations of packages that user A must deliver on that day, the current map display range MA on the map display screen W1A, and user A's current location PL. In Figure 17, among the multiple delivery destination pins, the delayed pins are marked with diagonal hatching.

[0085] The guidance indicator ST4 displays a distance of "500m" within a left-pointing arrow and is positioned near the bottom center of the left edge of the map on the map display screen W1A. The guidance indicator ST5 displays a distance of "300m" within a right-pointing arrow and is positioned at the top of the right edge of the map on the map display screen W1A. The display direction of guidance indicators ST4 and ST5 relative to the four corners (edges of the four sides) of the map, and the direction of the arrows, are determined by the positional relationship between the map display range MA and the delay pins DP1 and DP2, which are outside the range MA, as shown in Figure 17. For example, since delay pin DP1 is located near the bottom center to the left of the map display range MA, guidance indicator ST4 is positioned near the bottom center of the left edge of the map on the map display screen W1A. Thus, the guidance indicator for delay pins in the D1 direction is a downward arrow positioned at the bottom edge of the map, the guidance indicator for delay pins in the D2 direction is an upward arrow positioned at the top edge of the map, the guidance indicator for delay pins in the D3 direction is a leftward arrow positioned at the left edge of the map, and the guidance indicator for delay pins in the D4 direction is a rightward arrow positioned at the right edge of the map.

[0086] Furthermore, the distance display for the guidance displays ST4 and ST5 can use either the straight-line distance LA1 from the current position PL to the delay pin DP1, or the straight-line distance LB1 from the edge of the map display area MA to the delay pin DP1. Alternatively, the distance traveled from the current position PL to the delay pin DP1 (the distance traveled as a result of route searching) may also be used for the distance display of the guidance displays ST4 and ST5.

[0087] Furthermore, the guidance displays ST4 and ST5 may consist of either a directional arrow or a distance display. Also, for example, when a tap on the guidance display ST4 is detected, the center of the map on the map display screen W1A may be moved to the delay pin DP1 associated with the guidance display ST4. For example, when a tap on the guidance display ST4 is detected, the screen may transition to the delivery destination information screen W4 (Figure 8), which is centered on the delay pin DP1 associated with the guidance display ST4.

[0088] Thus, the configuration of the delivery support system 1A can be modified in various ways, and the map display screen W1A may be used to inform users of the presence of delayed pins outside the map display range. The delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment, if there are delivery destination pins DP1 and DP2 that have already exceeded the time limit (are delayed) outside the range of the map currently displayed on the user terminal 30, the guidance unit 111A of the server 10A will display guidance displays ST4 and ST5 on the map to that effect. In this way, by using guidance displays ST4 and ST5 to alert users to the presence of delivery destination pins DP1 and DP2 that are delayed and have been overlooked because they are outside the display range due to map scale settings, etc., the margin of time limit exceeding for packages can be reduced.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment, the guidance unit 111A of the server 10A provides a warning by displaying at least one of the directions in which the delayed delivery destination pins DP1 and DP2 are located, and the distance to the delayed delivery destination pins DP1 and DP2, making it easier for users to find the delayed delivery destination pins DP1 and DP2.

[0090] C. Third Embodiment: Figure 18 shows a schematic configuration of the delivery support system 1B of the third embodiment. The delivery support system 1B of the third embodiment includes a user terminal 30B instead of a user terminal 30, and does not include a server 10. The user terminal 30B of the third embodiment performs delivery support processing without cooperating with the server 10. In this embodiment, the user terminal 30B corresponds to a "guidance device".

[0091] The CPU 310B of the user terminal 30B is further equipped with a guidance unit 312 in addition to the processing unit 311. The guidance unit 312 performs the same functions as the guidance unit 111 described in the first embodiment, or the same functions as the guidance unit 111A described in the second embodiment. The storage unit 340B of the user terminal 30B stores a luggage information DB 341 and a map information DB 342. The luggage information DB 341 is the same as the luggage information DB 141 described in the first embodiment, and the map information DB 342 is the same as the map information DB 142 described in the first embodiment.

[0092] Thus, the configuration of the delivery support system 1B can be modified in various ways, and the user terminal 30B may be configured as a guidance device. Furthermore, at least a portion of the package information DB 341 and map information DB 342 may be stored on an external data server. In this case, the guidance unit 312 only needs to connect to the data server each time during the delivery support process (Figure 3) to obtain the necessary data. The same effects as those of the first and second embodiments described above can be obtained with this third embodiment of the delivery support system 1B.

[0093] D. Variations: In the above embodiment, some of the configuration implemented by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, some of the configuration implemented by software may be replaced with hardware. Other modifications are also possible, as follows.

[0094] · Variation 1: The above embodiment shows an example of the configuration of the delivery support system, server, and user terminal. However, any configuration can be adopted for each device.

[0095] For example, server 10 may be configured as a device that only has the function of displaying multiple delivery destination pins on a map and changing the display mode of delayed pins from the display mode of non-delayed pins. In other words, server 10 does not need to have functions to support the delivery of packages that need to be delivered (such as functions for registering and editing package information, display support functions such as filters, and navigation functions from the current location to the delivery destination).

[0096] For example, at least one of the package information DB141 and map information DB142 of server 10 may be stored on the user terminal 30 or on an external server connected via the Internet INT. For example, the configuration of the package information DB141 and map information DB142 described above is merely an example, and some of the information exemplified may be omitted, other information not exemplified may be included, and the information may be divided and stored in multiple databases.

[0097] • Variation 2: In the above embodiment, an example of the processing procedure for the delivery support process (Figure 3) was described. However, these processing procedures can be modified in various ways, and the processing content in each step may be added, omitted, or changed, and the execution order of each step may be changed. Note that the commands for the user terminal 30 to execute steps S18, 20, 36, and 40 are included in the display data generated by the server 10 in step S14. Therefore, it can be said that these steps are executed by the server 10 on the user terminal 30.

[0098] For example, the calculation of the delay pin and the display of the alert (steps S20, S60) and the current time filter mode (step S40) may be performed by only one of them, while the other is omitted. For example, the series of processes that display the management screen W100 (steps S50-S60) may be omitted.

[0099] • Modification 3: In the above embodiment, examples of screen configurations and screen transitions were given for various screens displayed on the user terminal 30. However, these screen configurations and screen transitions can be modified in various ways, and items placed on each screen may be added, omitted, or changed, and the transition order of each screen may also be changed.

[0100] · Modification 4: The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, examples, and modifications described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

[0101] The present invention can also be realized in the following forms. [Application Example 1] A guidance device, The system includes a guide unit that displays a map on the user's terminal, on which multiple delivery destination pins are placed, each representing a different delivery destination for multiple packages that the user is to deliver. Each of the aforementioned delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time slot in which the package should be delivered. The aforementioned guide section is A guidance device that changes the display configuration of the multiple delivery destination pins on a map according to the result of comparing the current time with the content of the time slot specified for each of the multiple delivery destination pins. [Application Example 2] The guidance device described in Application Example 1, In the aforementioned time zone specification, when the time zone that includes the current time is defined as the current time zone, The aforementioned guidance unit is a guidance device that hides the display of delivery destination pins on a map whose time slot specification is later than the current time slot. [Application Example 3] A guide device as described in Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, In the aforementioned time zone specification, when the time zone that includes the current time is defined as the current time zone, The guidance unit is a guidance device that displays, among the multiple delivery destination pins on the map, the delivery destination pin whose time slot specification is earlier than the current time slot in a more prominent display manner than the display manner of the other delivery destination pins. [Application Example 4] A guide device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, The aforementioned guide section is If, outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal, there exists a delivery destination pin that satisfies the condition that the specified time period is earlier than the current time period, A guidance device that displays a notification on a map indicating that the delivery destination pin that satisfies the aforementioned conditions exists. [Application Example 5] A guide device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, The aforementioned guide section, as the guide display, The direction in which the delivery destination pin that satisfies the above conditions exists on the map, The distance to the delivery destination pin that satisfies the above conditions, A guide device that displays at least one of the following. [Application Example 6] A guide device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, In the aforementioned time zone specification, the time zone including the current time is defined as the current time zone. When the delivery destination pin whose time slot specification is earlier than the current time slot is designated as a delay pin, The guidance unit further includes a guidance device that, upon obtaining a user's specific operation on the delay pin on the map, automatically dials the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin, or automatically sends a predetermined message to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin. [Application Example 7] A guide device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, In the aforementioned time zone specification, when the time zone that includes the current time is defined as the current time zone, The aforementioned guide section further, From the current time until the end of the aforementioned current time period, The remaining number of packages that should be delivered within the current time frame, A navigation device that further displays at least one of the following on a map. [Application Example 8] A method of guidance, in which an information processing device The system includes a guidance step that displays a map on the user's terminal, on which multiple delivery destination pins are placed, each representing a different delivery destination for multiple packages that the user is to deliver. Each of the aforementioned delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time slot in which the package should be delivered. In the aforementioned guidance process, A guidance method that changes the display manner of the multiple delivery destination pins on a map according to the result of comparing the current time with the content of the time slot specified for each of the multiple delivery destination pins. [Application Example 9] A computer program, for use in an information processing device. A computer program that causes a user's terminal to execute a guidance step that displays a map on which multiple delivery destination pins, which are markers representing the delivery destinations of multiple packages that the user is to deliver, are placed, Each of the aforementioned delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time slot in which the package should be delivered. In the aforementioned guidance step, A computer program that changes the display configuration of the multiple delivery destination pins on a map according to the result of comparing the current time with the content of the time zone specified for each of the multiple delivery destination pins. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1,1A,1B…Delivery support system 10,10A…Server 30,30B…User terminals 110, 110A…CPU 111,111A…Information Department 120... Communications Department 130...ROM / RAM 140...Storage section 141... Package Information Database 142…Map Information Database 150…Input / output section 310, 310B…CPU 311... Processing Unit 312…Information Department 320... Communications Department 330...ROM / RAM 340,340B…Storage unit 350…Input / output section 360…Current position acquisition unit

Claims

1. A guidance device, The system includes a guide unit that displays a map on the user's terminal, on which multiple delivery destination pins are placed, each representing a different delivery destination for multiple packages that the user is to deliver. Each of the aforementioned delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time slot in which the package should be delivered. In the aforementioned time zone specification, when the time zone that includes the current time is defined as the current time zone, The guidance unit displays, among the multiple delivery destination pins on the map, the delivery destination pin whose time slot specification is earlier than the current time slot in a more prominent display manner than the other delivery destination pins. The guidance unit is a guidance device that, if a delivery destination pin exists outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal that satisfies the condition that the time period specified is earlier than the current time period, displays a guidance message on the map indicating that a delivery destination pin that satisfies the condition exists.

2. A guide device according to claim 1, The aforementioned guide section, as the guide display, The direction in which the delivery destination pin that satisfies the above conditions exists on the map, The distance to the delivery destination pin that satisfies the above conditions, A guide device that displays at least one of the following.

3. A guide device according to claim 1 or claim 2, When the delivery destination pin whose time slot specification is earlier than the current time slot is designated as a delay pin, The guidance unit further includes a guidance device that, upon obtaining a user's specific operation on the delay pin on the map, automatically dials the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin, or automatically sends a predetermined message to the delivery destination indicated by the delay pin.

4. A guide device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned guide section further, From the current time until the end of the aforementioned current time period, The remaining number of packages that should be delivered within the current time frame, A navigation device that further displays at least one of the following on a map.

5. A method of guidance, in which an information processing device The system includes a guidance step that displays a map on the user's terminal, on which multiple delivery destination pins are placed, each representing a different delivery destination for multiple packages that the user is to deliver. Each of the aforementioned delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time slot in which the package should be delivered. In the aforementioned time zone specification, when the time zone that includes the current time is defined as the current time zone, In the guidance process, among the multiple delivery destination pins on the map, the display mode for the delivery destination pin whose time slot specification is earlier than the current time slot is set to be more prominent than the display mode for the other delivery destination pins. The guidance method, in the guidance step, if there is a delivery destination pin outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal that satisfies the condition that the time period specified is earlier than the current time period, displays a guidance message on the map indicating that a delivery destination pin that satisfies the condition exists.

6. A computer program, for use in an information processing device. A computer program that causes a user's terminal to execute a guidance step that displays a map on which multiple delivery destination pins, which are markers representing the delivery destinations of multiple packages that the user is to deliver, are placed, Each of the aforementioned delivery destination pins contains information specifying the time slot in which the package should be delivered. In the aforementioned time zone specification, when the time zone that includes the current time is defined as the current time zone, In the guidance step described above, among the multiple delivery destination pins on the map, the display mode for the delivery destination pin whose time slot specification is earlier than the current time slot is set to be more prominent than the display mode for the other delivery destination pins. In the guidance step, if there is a delivery destination pin outside the range of the map currently displayed on the terminal that satisfies the condition that the time period specified is earlier than the current time period, the computer program displays a guidance message on the map indicating that a delivery destination pin that satisfies the condition exists.

Images