Information processing device

The information processing apparatus addresses the challenge of creating efficient delivery plans by determining rest locations and times based on driver compliance, ensuring compliance with working hour limits and improving driver working conditions.

JP7833205B2Active Publication Date: 2026-03-19MARUICHI WAREHOUSE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-01
Publication Date
2026-03-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional logistics systems struggle to create efficient delivery plans that consider driver compliance, leading to poor working environments for truck drivers, and there is a need to address compliance restrictions in determining rest content and rest times.

Method used

An information processing apparatus that determines rest locations and rest times for drivers based on compliance restrictions, incorporating a rest content determination unit to ensure that working hours do not exceed predefined limits.

Benefits of technology

The apparatus enables the creation of delivery plans that adhere to driver compliance restrictions, improving working conditions by ensuring rest periods and breaks are appropriately scheduled, thereby enhancing driver welfare and compliance with regulations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of determining contents of a rest or the like by taking compliance limitations of a driver into account.SOLUTION: A route determination part 61 determines a transport route for traveling from a departure point of truck or the like for transporting prescribed articles (e.g., coffee or the like) to an arrival point. By an article addition reception part 62, the truck or the like transporting the prescribed articles (e.g., coffee or the like) receives addition of transport of articles (e.g., tea or the like) other than the prescribed articles. A rest or like content determination part 63 determines one or more pieces of information of rest or the like to be needed to adhere to compliance restrictions in the transport route on the compliance restrictions applied to a driver of a truck. A display control part 64 generates an image to be displayed on a display part 81 of a server 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, logistics has been closely related to people's lives, and efficiently performing logistics is a very important issue. In this regard, there is a technology that provides a delivery plan support system for optimizing the collection and delivery plan to multiple customers, such as round-robin collection and delivery by trucks (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, it relates to an apparatus for supporting the determination of an optimal delivery order when delivering to multiple customers using a truck, and particularly to a technology for dealing with the case where additional delivery operations occur after the delivery plan is created.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=三十八]] However, only the conventional technologies including Patent Document 1 can deal with the case where additional delivery operations occur after the delivery plan is created, but it is difficult to create a truly efficient delivery plan in consideration of driver compliance and the like. In particular, in recent years, there have been pointed out that the working environment of logistics-related personnel (such as truck drivers) is poor, and compliance restrictions for improving the working environment of logistics-related personnel (such as truck drivers) are very important. [[ID=四十三]]

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to determine the rest content (rest place and rest time) in consideration of restrictions on driver compliance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is: A rest content determination means that determines one or more pieces of rest information, including rest locations and rest times, based on compliance restrictions imposed on the driver of a vehicle transporting specified goods along a transport route from a departure point to an arrival point. It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that can determine the content of rest periods (rest locations and rest periods) while also taking into account the driver's compliance restrictions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the functional configuration of the server in Figure 1, specifically the functional configuration for executing content determination processes such as breaks. [Figure 3] This was deleted in an amendment made immediately before filing the divisional application of the original application. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of processes performed by the server to determine the content of breaks, etc. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows a specific example of the break / rest content determination process performed by the server, and is a different example from Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 2 shows a specific example of the result of the break / rest content determination process performed by the server, and is a different example from Figure 5. [Figure 7] This diagram shows a specific example of an input form used by a user to request the transportation of their belongings. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a specific example of an input form used by a user to request the transportation of their belongings. [Figure 9]FIG. showing a specific example of an input form when a user requests the transportation of luggage. [Figure 10] FIG. showing a specific example of an operation plan calculated and displayed based on the content input into the input form. [Figure 11] FIG. showing a specific example of an operation plan calculated and displayed based on the content input into the input form.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. In the RAM 13, data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes are also appropriately stored.

[0013] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via the bus 14. The input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. The output unit 16, input unit 17, storage unit 18, communication unit 19, and drive unit 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0014] The output unit 16 is composed of various liquid crystal displays and the like, and outputs various information. The input unit 17 is composed of various hardware and the like, and inputs various information. The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 controls communication with other devices (in the example of FIG. 1, the driver terminal 2 and the user terminal 3) via a network N including the Internet.

[0015] The drive 20 is provided as needed. A removable medium 21 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, etc. is appropriately mounted on the drive 20. The program read from the removable medium 21 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as needed. Also, the removable medium 21 can store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0016] Through the cooperation of the various hardware and various software of the server 1 in FIG. 1 like this, various processes described later are realized.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 1 in FIG. 1. Here, the "rest etc. content determination process" refers to a series of processes for determining one or more pieces of rest etc. information including rest or break places and rest or break times based on compliance restrictions imposed on drivers etc.

[0018] In the CPU 11 of the server 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a route determination unit 61, an article addition reception unit 62, a rest etc. content determination unit 63, and a display control unit 64 function. Also, a restriction information DB 300 is provided in an area of the storage unit 18. Here, the restriction information DB 300 holds information regarding driver compliance restrictions and information regarding quantity restrictions of articles that can be transported such as trucks etc. as "restriction information", respectively.

[0019] The route determination unit 61 of server 1 determines the transport route for a mobile body that transports a predetermined item, from the departure point to the arrival point. In other words, the route determination unit 61 determines the transport route for a truck or other vehicle transporting a predetermined item (e.g., coffee) from its departure point to its arrival point. This transport route is modified and determined as needed in response to driver compliance restrictions, additions to the items being transported, etc.

[0020] The item addition acceptance unit 62 accepts the addition of items other than the specified items from a mobile vehicle that is currently transporting the specified items. In other words, the item addition acceptance unit 62 accepts requests from trucks or the like that are transporting designated items (e.g., coffee) to add items other than the designated items (e.g., tea). Here, "items other than the specified items" do not necessarily have to be of a different type than the specified items; they may be the same items (for example, coffee of the same type as the specified items).

[0021] The rest content determination unit 63 determines one or more pieces of rest information, including rest or rest time, for each rest or rest location, based on the compliance restrictions imposed on the driver of the moving vehicle. In other words, the rest content determination unit 63 determines one or more rest information items necessary to comply with the compliance restrictions imposed on truck drivers, etc., along the aforementioned transport route.

[0022] The display control unit 64 generates images to be displayed on the display unit 81 of the server 1. Specifically, for example, it generates images to be displayed on the display unit 81 based on the content of the break, etc., determined by the break, etc., content determination unit 63.

[0023] It was deleted in an amendment made immediately before filing the divisional application of the original application.

[0024] Before explaining specific examples of the process for determining the content of rest, etc., let's first briefly explain the difference between rest and relaxation in this embodiment. Rest refers to four hours or more of rest during which no work is performed (non-working time). This rest is not considered working time. A break refers to a short rest taken during working hours to prevent prolonged periods of continuous work. For example, if a driver has been driving for four hours straight, a break would be taken to stop the truck for 30 minutes to rest. In this embodiment, the concepts of rest and break will be explained separately. Furthermore, when the break content determination unit 63 determines one or more pieces of rest information, it may separately determine the number and duration of rests and breaks, for example, "Route A has one rest and one break," and "Route B has zero rests and two breaks."

[0025] In this example, it is assumed that the route determination unit 61 of server 1 pre-determines the transport route for truck T traveling from Sendai (starting point) to Osaka (destination point). Furthermore, as a compliance restriction for drivers, a maximum of 8 hours of work is set. In this example, if truck T travels in a straight line from Sendai (starting point) to Osaka (destination point), the travel time will exceed 8 hours. In other words, if the truck travels from Sendai (starting point) to Osaka (destination point) without any breaks, the driver's working hours will exceed 8 hours, and therefore the driver's compliance restrictions will not be met. Therefore, in such cases, the rest content determination unit 63 can appropriately determine the content of rest periods so that the driver's working hours do not exceed 8 hours, and incorporate them into the aforementioned transport route.

[0026] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of steps involved in determining the content of breaks, etc., performed by Server 1 in Figure 2.

[0027] In step S1, the route determination unit 61 determines a transport route for a truck or other vehicle transporting a predetermined item (e.g., coffee) from its departure point to its arrival point.

[0028] In step S2, the item addition reception unit 62 determines whether a truck or the like that is transporting a predetermined item (e.g., coffee) has an additional instruction to transport an item other than the predetermined item (e.g., tea). If there are no additional instructions to transport items other than the specified items, the result in step S2 is determined to be NO, and the process proceeds to step S4. In response to this, if there is an additional instruction to transport items other than the specified items, the result is determined to be YES in step S2, and the process proceeds to step S3.

[0029] In step S3, the route determination unit 61 determines a new transport route by adding collection points for items other than the specified items for which additional transport instructions were given in step S2.

[0030] In step S4, the rest content determination unit 63 determines one or more rest information items necessary to comply with compliance restrictions imposed on truck drivers, etc., along the transport route.

[0031] In step S5, the display control unit 64 displays, for example, rest information determined in step S4 on the display unit 81.

[0032] In step S6, the CPU 11 of server 1 determines whether or not a processing termination instruction has been received. Here, the instruction to terminate processing is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, an instruction to transition Server 1 to a so-called sleep state is used. In other words, unless an instruction to transition Server 1 to a sleep state is given, the result in step S6 is determined to be NO, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processing is repeated. In response to this, if a command to transition to sleep mode or the like is issued to server 1, it is determined to be YES in step S6, and the rest / content determination process is terminated.

[0033] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any modifications, improvements, etc. that can achieve the objectives of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0034] In the embodiments described above, the explanation was based on the premise that no additional items for transport are accepted after the transport route has been determined, but the invention is not limited to this. In other words, the item addition acceptance unit 62 can accept the addition of items for transport even if a transport route has already been determined. In this case, the item addition acceptance unit 62 can determine a new transport route that includes the transport of the additional items.

[0035] Therefore, referring to Figure 5, we will now explain an example of the process when an additional request for the transport of goods is received. Figure 5 shows an example of a case where the transport route is changed during the break and other content determination process performed by the server in Figure 2.

[0036] For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, truck T is carrying seven pallets loaded with goods (e.g., canned coffee) from a shipper S in Tokyo. Truck T departed from shipper S at 9:00 AM on January 23rd and is currently transporting the goods to customer C in Osaka. The delivery date for the goods to customer C is 5:00 PM on January 24th. Here, truck T has a limit of 10 pallets it can transport, and the driver of truck T is subject to compliance restrictions, with a daily working time of 8 hours (for example, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 23rd). In other words, since truck T has a limit of 10 pallets it can transport, and currently carries 7 pallets, it can transport an additional 3 pallets. Here, the estimated travel time from consignor S to customer C via the shortest route is approximately 5 hours. In other words, if truck T departs from consignor S at 9:00 AM on January 23rd, the estimated arrival time at customer C is 2:00 PM on January 23rd.

[0037] Let's say user U in Hamamatsu wanted to transport three additional pallets loaded with goods (for example, canned goods). In this case, assuming that truck T is transporting the goods subject to additional transport, the time required to transport them via user U from shipper S to customer C by the shortest route is approximately 7 hours. In other words, if truck T departs from shipper S at 9:00 AM on January 23rd, the estimated arrival time at customer C is 4:00 PM on January 23rd.

[0038] As a compliance restriction, the driver's working hours are 8 hours, while the time required for transporting goods via User U from Shipper S to Customer C via the shortest route is approximately 7 hours. In other words, this travel time falls within the compliance restrictions related to the driver's working hours. Furthermore, while truck T has a limit of 10 pallets it can transport, it is currently transporting 7 pallets, and user U plans to add 3 more. In other words, it is within the limit of the number of pallets that truck T can transport. Furthermore, the delivery deadline for the goods to customer C is 5:00 PM on January 24th. If truck T departs from shipper S at 9:00 AM on January 23rd, the estimated arrival time at customer C is 4:00 PM on January 23rd. In other words, this is within the timeframe for the delivery deadline to customer C. As explained above, in the example shown in Figure 5, truck T stops at user U and transports three pallets loaded with goods (e.g., canned goods) from user U, along with seven pallets loaded from shipper S, to customer C. In addition, even in the example shown in Figure 5, the break content determination unit 63 can also determine breaks as appropriate to ensure that the driver's compliance restrictions are observed. Furthermore, the following methods can be considered for the rest content determination unit 63 to determine a new transport route. Next, an example of a method for the rest content determination unit 63 to determine a new transport route will be explained using Figure 6.

[0039] Figure 6 shows a specific example of the result of the break content determination process performed by the server in Figure 2, and is a different example from Figure 5.

[0040] Figure 6 illustrates an example of how the normal route, alternative route, and rest stops are determined within a predetermined area (for example, from Tokyo to Hamamatsu) that includes the shipper's base KT, shipper's base KH, warehouse SY for goods storage, and warehouse SA for goods storage.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 6, the route determination unit 61 of server 1 determines a transport route from base KT to base KH via warehouse SA in order to transport a predetermined item (e.g., coffee). Let's assume that it takes 10 hours to transport a specified item (e.g., coffee) from base KT to base KH via warehouse SA by truck. In other words, if the driver travels from base KT to base KH via warehouse SA without taking a break, the driver's working hours will exceed 8 hours, and the driver's compliance limits will not be met. Therefore, as described above, the rest and break content determination unit 63 determines the content of rest and breaks as appropriate so that the driver's working hours do not exceed 8 hours, and determines a new transportation route. In the example in Figure 6, a new transport route was determined in which the driver would travel from base KT to warehouse SY, then rest for four hours, and finally return to base KH. Thus, the break content determination unit 63 determines a new transportation route that complies with compliance restrictions when the driver's working hours exceed 8 hours (i.e., when compliance restrictions are not observed).

[0042] For example, in one embodiment described above, "restriction information" may include information regarding driver compliance restrictions, but it is not limited to this. Other information may also be used.

[0043] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, for example, "rest" and "break" were used as examples of "contents of breaks, etc.," but the definition is not limited to these. The provider of this service may adopt various items related to rest and relaxation other than "rest" and "break" as content for rest and relaxation. Furthermore, the definitions of "rest" and "break" are merely examples, and the service provider can decide them at their discretion.

[0044] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment explains the driver compliance limit as 8 hours of work, it is not limited to this. The provider of this service may set compliance restrictions at its discretion in order to improve the working conditions of drivers. Furthermore, the service provider may determine the transport route by considering not only driver compliance restrictions but also, for example, costs (such as highway tolls and fuel consumption).

[0045] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, for example, the determination of whether or not an additional transport condition can be added to the current transport condition is based on one additional transport condition presented by one user, but the system is not particularly limited to this. It may also be possible to determine whether or not N additional transport conditions (N being any integer less than or equal to M) can be added to the current transport condition based on M or more additional transport conditions (M being any integer greater than or equal to 2) presented by multiple users.

[0046] Furthermore, the information processing device of the present invention can also formulate an optimal operation plan that takes compliance into consideration by performing the following processing. In other words, conventional transportation systems typically determined which vehicle to use for transporting goods based on the distance from the origin to the destination and the weight of the goods. This was partly because conventional transportation systems were designed to process transactions based on logistics contracts between shippers and transportation companies. As a result, conventional transportation systems could not take into account compliance regarding drivers' working hours, so dispatch staff at transportation companies had to handle dispatching operations while considering the circumstances of the transportation company and the drivers. However, with the dramatic increase in logistics volume and the widespread acceptance of compliance today, it is no longer appropriate to leave all compliance considerations to the dispatch staff. Therefore, the information processing device of the present invention makes it possible to determine an optimal operation plan that takes compliance into consideration. This makes it possible to easily respond to unannounced inspections by government agencies (e.g., labor standards inspection offices in Japan) regarding compliance. Specifically, it is also possible to easily generate evidence such as documents to prove compliance.

[0047] Furthermore, compliance from an international perspective can be ensured. Specifically, operational plans can be determined that take into account not only the driver's working hours but also their working conditions. For example, in Europe, there are regulations on the maximum weight a driver can lift alone, and this can be accommodated. In other words, by considering the maximum weight a driver can lift alone as a working condition, operational plans can be determined that take into account the driver's physical strength and health.

[0048] Furthermore, it becomes possible to determine operational plans that take into account drivers' overtime hours. Previously, dispatching operations were carried out without sharing information such as the amount of overtime available for the current month, which posed compliance issues. However, it is now possible to determine operational plans that take into account such as the amount of overtime available.

[0049] Figures 7 to 9 show specific examples of input forms used by users when requesting the transportation of their packages.

[0050] Once various information is entered into the input forms shown in Figures 7 to 9, a route plan is determined that takes into account compliance regarding the driver's working hours, breaks, rest periods, sleep time, and workload.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the input field (1) includes a field for "Cargo Information" where the weight (kg) of the cargo to be transported is entered. Entering "4900" (kg) in this field displays a list of trucks that can be used to transport the cargo. The truck candidates are displayed with information on "Vehicle Number," "Vehicle Class," "Load Capacity," "Cargo Weight," "Possible Weight," and "Weight Judgment." Specifically, a truck with the vehicle number "Yamanashi 100 ka XX-XX," vehicle class "13t Wing Truck," load capacity "13000" (kg), cargo weight "4900" (kg), possible weight "8100" (kg), and weight judgment "●" (i.e., passed) is displayed as a candidate, along with two other trucks. The information for the other two trucks is as shown in Figure 7. The user selects the desired track from the displayed list of options. Specifically, they select the track by checking the box in the "Select" column.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the input field (2) includes fields for "Delivery Information," where the "Departure Point" and "Destination Point" of the cargo to be transported are entered. If you enter "Kodaira City, Tokyo" in the "Departure Point" field and "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture" in the "Destination Point" field, the total transport distance will be automatically calculated and displayed. Specifically, "347km" will be displayed in the "Distance" field. In addition, information indicating the transportation conditions is automatically calculated and displayed along with the total distance to be transported. The displayed transportation conditions include "outbound driving time," "breaks," "rest period," "waiting time," and "loading" for the outbound journey, and various information including "return driving time," "breaks," "rest period," and "working time" for the return journey. Specifically, for the outbound journey, the outbound driving conditions are displayed as "240" minutes, breaks as "30" minutes, rest period as "0" minutes, waiting time as "30" minutes, and loading as "60" minutes. Similarly, for the return journey, the return driving conditions are displayed as "240" minutes, breaks as "30" minutes, rest period as "0" minutes, and working time as "630" minutes. Furthermore, various information regarding "working hours," which consist of "working time" and "waiting time," and "break time" is displayed. Specifically, it shows "540" minutes for working time, "30" minutes for waiting time, and "60" minutes for break time. "Waiting time" refers to the time spent waiting when no work is actually being performed, although it is included in working hours.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the input field in (3) includes a field for entering the "arrival time" of the cargo to be transported in order to specify the delivery time. If you enter, for example, "9:30" in the "arrival time" field, the departure time will be automatically calculated and displayed. Specifically, "4:30" will be displayed in the "departure time" field, and candidate drivers will be displayed. In other words, when the arrival time is entered, the departure time is automatically calculated based on the transport conditions automatically calculated in (2). Once the departure time is automatically calculated, candidate drivers who meet the transport conditions, including the rest period, sleep time, and license requirements described later, will be displayed. Specifically, the displayed candidate drivers will be shown with various information such as "return time to company," "assessment," "rest period," "name," "age," "license," and "driving history." Specifically, the driver whose most recent return time to the office was "18:00", whose assessment was "○" (i.e., met the transportation conditions), whose rest period was "10 hours 30 minutes", whose name was "Taro Yamada", whose age was "35", whose license was for "large vehicles", and whose driving experience was "13 years", along with two other candidates, are displayed as driver candidates. The information for each of the other two candidates is shown in Figure 8.

[0054] Here, although they are not shown on the screen, I will explain using four examples of individuals who were excluded from the driver selection process because they did not meet the transportation requirements. Specifically, a person whose most recent return time to the office was "21:00", whose rest period was "7 hours and 30 minutes", whose name is "Akiyama Rokuro", whose age is "25", whose license is for "large vehicles", and whose driving experience is "5 years", has been judged as having a "×" (i.e., does not meet the transportation conditions) for their rest period. Similarly, a person whose most recent return time to the office was "23:00", whose rest period was "5 hours and 30 minutes", whose name is "Haneda Shichiro", whose age is "27", whose license is for "large vehicles", and whose driving experience is "7 years", has also been judged as having a "×" (i.e., does not meet the transportation conditions) for their rest period. This is because, in both cases, the transportation conditions for rest periods, which require a continuous rest period of 8 hours or more, are not met. In contrast, a person whose most recent return time to the office was "18:00", with a rest period of "10 hours and 30 minutes", named "Sato Shiro", aged "25", with a "medium-sized" license and "3 years" of driving experience, has been judged as having a "○" (i.e., meeting the transportation requirements). Similarly, a person whose most recent return time to the office was "18:00", with a rest period of "10 hours and 30 minutes", named "Hayashi Goro", aged "18", with a "semi-medium-sized" license and "1 year" of driving experience, has also been judged as having a "○" (i.e., meeting the transportation requirements). However, these two individuals are excluded from the driver candidates because their licenses do not match.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the input item (4) includes a field for "Cargo Information" where the specific contents of the cargo are entered in order to calculate the workload and difficulty of the work. If, for example, "Beverages (paper cartons)" and "980 cases" are entered or selected in the "Cargo Information" field, the cargo weight (4900 kg) will be automatically displayed, and the workload and difficulty of the work will be automatically calculated and displayed using the information for "Difficulty," "Working Conditions," "Work Volume," and "Work Weight." Specifically, the following options will be displayed for selection: a task with difficulty "A," working conditions "manual loading and unloading," work volume "1960 cases," and work weight "9800 kg"; a task with difficulty "B," working conditions "palletized loading and unloading," work volume "980 cases," and work weight "4900 kg"; and a task with difficulty "C," working conditions "palletized loading and unloading," work volume "0 cases," and work weight "0 kg."

[0056] Here, as shown in Figure 9, when difficulty level B is selected, candidates who can perform the "pallet loading and unloading" work condition are displayed as drivers. Specifically, the driver candidates are displayed with various information such as "time to return to the office," "time at home (estimated sleep time)," "name," "age," "health status," and "workload." Specifically, the system displays three selectable individuals: one whose most recent return time to the office was "18:00", whose time spent on standby at home (estimated sleep time) was "10 hours 30 minutes", whose name is "Taro Yamada", whose age is "35", whose health status is "◎", and whose workload is "manual loading possible"; another whose most recent return time to the office was "19:00", whose time spent on standby at home (estimated sleep time) was "9 hours 30 minutes", whose name is "Jiro Kimura", whose age is "45", whose health status is "○", and whose workload is "manual loading possible"; and a third whose most recent return time to the office was "17:30", whose time spent on standby at home (estimated sleep time) was "11 hours", whose name is "Saburo Suzuki", whose age is "55", whose health status is "△", and whose workload is "back pain confirmed". Here, among the symbols indicating the candidates' health status, "◎" indicates that they can perform any task of difficulty levels A, B, and C. "○" indicates that they can perform either task of difficulty levels B or C, and "△" indicates that they can only perform task of difficulty level C. In other words, of the three candidates displayed as drivers, the candidate named "Saburo Suzuki" has confirmed that he suffers from lower back pain, and therefore can only perform task of difficulty level C (pallet loading and unloading). Thus, the compliance-enhanced route determination process allows for proper management of labor relations, including not only compliance but also the management of the individual driver's health condition.

[0057] Once the input forms shown in Figures 7 to 9 are completed, the operation plan based on the entered information is automatically calculated and displayed. Figures 10 and 11 show specific examples of operation plans calculated and displayed based on the information entered in the input form.

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, (5) the operation plan is displayed with various information of "vehicle information" consisting of "driver's name," "vehicle number," and "vehicle class," as well as various information of "departure time," "start of break," "end of break," "arrival time," "start of waiting," "end of waiting," "start of loading," "end of loading," "departure time," "start of break," "end of break," and "return to the office time." Specifically, the detailed operational plan from departure to arrival at the destination is as follows: "Departure Time" indicates that the bus will depart from "Kodaira City, Tokyo" at "4:30" on "October 28th"; "Break Start" indicates that the bus will begin its break at "○○ Parking" at "7:30" on "October 28th"; "Break End" indicates that the break at "○○ Parking" will end at "8:00" on "October 28th"; and "Arrival Time" indicates that the bus will arrive in "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture" at "9:00" on "October 28th". Next, regarding the specific operational plan from arrival at the site until the completion of loading work, "Waiting Start" indicates that waiting will begin at "9:00" on "October 28" in "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture," "Waiting End" indicates that waiting in "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture" will end at "9:30" on "October 28," "Loading Start" indicates that loading work will begin at "9:30" on "October 28" in "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture," and "Loading End" indicates that loading work in "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture" will end at "10:30" on "October 28." Furthermore, the detailed operational plan from the completion of loading until returning to the company is shown, with "Departure Time" indicating departure from "Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture" at "10:30" on "October 28th", "Break Start" indicating a break to begin at "○○ Parking" at "13:30" on "October 28th", "Break End" indicating the break at "○○ Parking" to end at "14:00" on "October 28th", and "Return to Company Time" indicating arrival in "Kodaira City, Tokyo" at "15:30" on "October 28th". In addition, "Total Time on Duty" indicating the driver's time on duty is shown as "11 hours", and "Overtime Hours" indicating the driver's time to work overtime is shown as "3 hours".

[0059] Furthermore, Figure 11 shows the calculation results regarding the potential impact if the operational plan shown in Figure 10 were to be implemented. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the cumulative overtime hours for driver Yamada Taro in October, which is shown as "38 hours," and the remaining overtime hours for driver Yamada Taro in October, which is shown as "1 hour," are displayed. Furthermore, Figure 10 shows the impact on regular services after the execution of the flight plan. Specifically, "Yamada Taro Regular Service" is shown in the "Operating Day" and "Decision" sections. That is, both the regular service on "October 29th" and the regular service on "October 30th" are shown as "×" (i.e., impossible to operate). Here, the content of the "determination" shown in Figure 11 is determined based on various information from working conditions, the monthly operation schedule, and time cards. Working conditions can include, for example, information from labor-management agreements based on the provisions of Article 36 of the Labor Standards Act. Specifically, this can include information such as the amount of overtime that can be extended is 3 hours per day, 25 hours for a two-week period, 42 hours for a month, and 320 hours for a year. The monthly operation schedule can include, for example, information about the driver's regular routes. Specifically, this can include information such as the daily working hours being 10 hours and the amount of overtime being 2 hours. The time cards can include, for example, information about the driver's actual working hours. Based on this information, in the example above, driver "Yamada Taro" has a route set up that requires 2 hours of overtime per day for his regular route operations. That is, if driver "Yamada Taro" performs his operations on October 28th according to the operation plan shown in Figure 10, his available overtime for this month will be 1 hour. As a result, it will be impossible to operate the scheduled flights on October 29th and October 30th, both of which require two hours of overtime per day. In other words, if Taro Yamada operates the flight on October 28th, the judgment for his scheduled flights on the following day (October 29th) and the day after (October 30th) will be "X," indicating that another driver will need to step in to help or the work will need to be outsourced. In this way, the operational plan is displayed along with the subsequent impacts of implementing that plan, enabling planned operations that comply with regulations. Furthermore, although the operational plan shown in Figure 10 is a one-day operational plan, it is also possible to create long-term operational plans for one week, one month, and one year based on this operational plan.

[0060] Furthermore, the hardware configuration shown in Figure 1 is merely an example for achieving the objectives of the present invention and is not particularly limited.

[0061] Furthermore, the functional block diagram shown in Figure 2 is merely illustrative and not particularly limiting. In other words, it is sufficient for Server 1 to have the functionality to execute the series of processes described above as a whole, and the functional blocks used to realize this functionality are not particularly limited to the example in Figure 2.

[0062] Furthermore, the location of the functional blocks is not limited to Figure 2, but can be any location. Furthermore, a single functional block may consist of hardware alone, software alone, or a combination of both.

[0063] When the processing of each functional block is to be executed by software, the programs that make up that software are installed on a computer or other device from a network or storage medium. A computer may be a computer built into dedicated hardware. Alternatively, a computer may be a computer capable of performing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0064] Such recording media containing programs consist not only of removable media 21 shown in Figure 2, which are distributed separately from the main unit of the device to provide the program to the user, but also of recording media provided to the user in a state where they are pre-installed in the main unit of the device. Removable media 21 consists of, for example, magnetic disks (including floppy disks), optical disks, or magneto-optical disks. Optical disks consist of, for example, CD-ROMs (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), etc. Magneto-optical disks consist of, for example, MDs (Mini-Disks), etc. Recording media provided to the user in a state where they are pre-installed in the main unit of the device consist of, for example, ROM 12 shown in Figure 1 on which the program is recorded, or hard disks included in the storage unit 18 shown in Figure 1, etc.

[0065] In this specification, the step of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes that are performed chronologically in that order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically, but are executed in parallel or individually. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall system composed of multiple devices, means, etc.

[0066] In summary, the information processing device to which the present invention applies only needs to have the following configuration, and various embodiments can be adopted. In other words, the information processing device to which the present invention is applied (for example, Server 1 in Figure 1, etc.) is: In a transport route for a mobile vehicle carrying a specified item, from a departure point to an arrival point, a rest content determination means (for example, the rest content determination unit 63 in Figure 2) determines one or more pieces of rest information, including rest locations and rest times, based on compliance restrictions imposed on the driver of the mobile vehicle. Any information processing device that can handle this will suffice. This allows us to provide technology that can determine the content of breaks and other activities while also taking into account the driver's compliance requirements.

[0067] Furthermore, the above-mentioned information processing device is The route determination means for determining the aforementioned transport route (for example, the route determination unit 61 in Figure 2) You may also want to provide additional equipment. This allows the aforementioned information processing device to determine a transportation route. Furthermore, the same device can also determine a new transportation route, taking into account the determined rest periods and other details.

[0068] Furthermore, the transport route may be determined when the mobile vehicle currently transporting the specified items accepts an additional request for the transport of items other than the specified items. This allows the mobile vehicle to accept additional shipments of new goods. Furthermore, when new goods are accepted, a new transport route can be determined while taking driver compliance into consideration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1...Server, 11...CPU, 61...Route determination unit, 62...Item addition acceptance unit, 63...Break / rest content determination unit, 64...Display control unit, 300...Restriction information DB

Claims

1. An information processing device for creating a schedule for a mobile vehicle that transports a specified item, A means for selecting one or more driver candidates from among multiple driver candidates who do not violate the compliance restrictions, based on the departure time, rest locations and rest times, and rest locations and rest times for the transport route in which the transport route is individually determined based on the departure time and the work status prior to the departure time, for a transport route in which the transport vehicle travels from a departure point to an arrival point, and based on compliance restrictions including the daily working hours and rest times imposed on the driver of the transport vehicle, the travel time of the transport vehicle along the transport route, and the delivery date for the transport vehicle to arrive at the arrival point, An impact estimation means for estimating the subsequent impact on the designated candidate, including whether or not the operation of each scheduled task can be carried out, by determining whether or not the operation of each scheduled task can be carried out with the designated candidate's available overtime hours, based on the maximum overtime hours stipulated in the working conditions and the overtime hours required for each scheduled task on the following day and beyond that the designated candidate is scheduled to be in charge of, and by determining whether or not the operation of each scheduled task on the following day and beyond that the designated candidate is scheduled to be in charge of, Display control means that performs control to display on a predetermined display device information that can identify one or more driver candidates and information indicating the results inferred by the influence estimation means, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. In the aforementioned transport route, waiting times are further determined. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. In the aforementioned transport route, the time spent is further determined. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned transport route is the route determined when the mobile vehicle currently transporting the specified items accepts an additional request for the transport of items other than the specified items. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned transportation route is a route that includes at least one of the multiple locations from which the specified goods are picked up from or delivered to the user, and one of the multiple warehouses from which the specified goods are stored. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In an information processing method executed by an information processing device that creates a schedule for a mobile body that transports a specified item, A transport route for the aforementioned mobile object from a departure point to an arrival point, wherein the departure time, rest locations and rest times, and rest locations and rest times are individually determined based on compliance restrictions including daily working hours and rest times imposed on the driver of the mobile object, the travel time of the mobile object along the transport route, and the delivery date for the mobile object to arrive at the arrival point, and a driver candidate selection step of selecting one or more driver candidates from among multiple driver candidates who do not violate the compliance restrictions, based on the departure time and the work status prior to the departure time. An impact estimation step is performed in which, when one or more of the selected driver candidates act as the driver and the schedule of the moving object is executed via the determined transport route, the cumulative overtime hours of the designated candidate are calculated, and based on the maximum allowable overtime hours stipulated in the working conditions and the overtime hours required for each scheduled task on the following day and beyond that which the designated candidate is scheduled to be in charge of, it is determined whether or not each scheduled task can be performed with the designated candidate's available overtime hours, thereby estimating the subsequent impact on the designated candidate, including whether or not each scheduled task on the following day and beyond that which the designated candidate is scheduled to be in charge of can be operated; A display control step that performs control to display information that can identify one or more driver candidates and information that shows the processing results of the influence estimation step on a predetermined display device, Information processing methods including

7. A computer that creates a schedule for a mobile vehicle transporting specified items, A transport route for the aforementioned mobile object from a departure point to an arrival point, wherein the departure time, rest locations and rest times, and rest locations and rest times are individually determined based on compliance restrictions including daily working hours and rest times imposed on the driver of the mobile object, the travel time of the mobile object along the transport route, and the delivery date for the mobile object to arrive at the arrival point, and a driver candidate selection step of selecting one or more driver candidates from among multiple driver candidates who do not violate the compliance restrictions, based on the departure time and the work status prior to the departure time. An impact estimation step is performed in which, when one or more of the selected driver candidates act as the driver and the schedule of the moving object is executed via the determined transport route, the cumulative overtime hours of the designated candidate are calculated, and based on the maximum allowable overtime hours stipulated in the working conditions and the overtime hours required for each scheduled task on the following day and beyond that which the designated candidate is scheduled to be in charge of, it is determined whether or not each scheduled task can be performed with the designated candidate's available overtime hours, thereby estimating the subsequent impact on the designated candidate, including whether or not each scheduled task on the following day and beyond that which the designated candidate is scheduled to be in charge of can be operated; A display control step that performs control to display information that can identify one or more driver candidates and information that shows the processing results of the influence estimation step on a predetermined display device, A program that executes control processes, including those mentioned above.

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