Delivery system

Abstract

To provide a management server for enabling non-face-to-face delivery, thereby reducing the burden of a sender and a package collector.SOLUTION: A sender uses his or her own terminal to record a request for collecting a package and delivery address information such as an address of a delivery destination on a server. The sender puts a package 50 in front of an entrance door 32 of a house 31. A mobile terminal 21a of a package collector sequentially reads a bar-code 52 attached to the package 50 and a bar-code 344r of a sign 34 for declaration of intention hung on the entrance door 32. The read information is transmitted to the server. When identification information registered in the bar-code 344r and delivery information are transmitted simultaneously, a completion of collection is determined. A collection completion e-mail message is transmitted to the sender's terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention Delivery system relates to a method for reliably delivering a package without face-to-face contact during collection. Delivery system Specifically, it is related to the above.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the delivery service, the collection of packages at the recipient's home has become a problem. Conventionally, when there is a request for collection, the delivery company visits the sender's residence to receive the package, or the sender brings the package to the delivery company's business office and goes through the procedures for sending.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the delivery company goes to the sender's residence for collection, the sender needs to wait at home until the delivery company arrives, and the sender's activities are restricted until the collection is completed. Also, even when at home, there are situations where the package cannot be handed over to the delivery company when the delivery company comes for collection, such as when gardening, taking a bath, on the phone, or when hands are occupied with housework. On the other hand, in the case of a single female living alone, there may be a risk in directly facing the delivery company to hand over the package. Furthermore, in recent years, due to the prevalence of infectious diseases, there is also a concern that face-to-face package delivery may increase the risk of establishing an infection of an infectious disease. By the way, the packages sent by the sender are not always valuable. Depending on the contents of the package, there are some that do not need to be handed directly to the delivery person. Instead, they can be left at the front door, and the delivery person can pick them up at a time of their choosing. Such packages are not particularly valuable, and even if they were to be taken by a third party, it would not cause any particular problems.

[0005] This invention is a non-face-to-face invention Delivery system The purpose is to provide this service, thereby reducing the burden on delivery personnel and facilitating convenience for senders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, has the following configuration. (1) Information on requests for collection of delivered items From the sender A sender terminal having a means for transmitting collection request information that acquires the collection request information and transmits it to a server, If the sender wishes to have the package delivered to the delivery company without face-to-face contact, the delivery company will be provided with a delivery service at a location of the sender's choosing, including the sender's address. Former address Information and, Information indicating the sender's desire for non-face-to-face delivery and A sign of intent having a means of carrying a sign, A delivery item information carrying means that is assigned to a delivery item to be delivered to a pre-specified delivery destination and carries delivery item identification information set for each delivery item, A reading means for reading the declaration of intent information requesting non-face-to-face delivery from the declaration of intent sign, and for reading the delivery item identification information from the delivery item information carrying means, A portable terminal having a transmission means for transmitting the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information read by the reading means to a server, A collection information receiving means that receives the collection request information from the sender terminal, Receiving means for receiving the intention indication information and the delivery item identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal; Origin information storage means for storing origin information associated with the intention indication information; address Origin information storage means; address And; Delivery information storage means for storing the origin of the delivery item associated with the delivery item identification information; address And; When the receiving means receives the intention indication information and the delivery item identification information, In the origin identification information storage means, the origin address information stored in association with the received intention indication information; The address listed And; ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ According to the invention described in claim 1, it enables non-face-to-face delivery, reduces the burden on the deliverer, and provides convenience for the sender. At the same time, the comments of the delivery requester can be sent to the delivery destination when the delivery is completed.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 4, further, when the delivery item information received from the collector terminal matches the delivery item information stored in the storage means, the collection completion information is sent to the sender terminal. Therefore, when the delivery item is correctly collected more than in the invention of claim 3, the collection completion information can be sent to the sender terminal. According to the invention described in claim 5, the slip information is sent from the management server to the collector terminal, and the slip information is printed by the collector terminal. Therefore, the burden on the sender and the collector of writing the slip information on the slip paper can be eliminated. According to the invention described in claim 6, since the sender information is encrypted and carried on the intention display label, it is possible to prevent the sender information from being read from the intention display label and misused.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [[ID=1十七]] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the usage situation of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an overall front view showing the configuration of the surface of the intention display label. [Figure 3] It is a conceptual diagram showing the system configuration of the system in the present embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the deliverer's mobile terminal and the server of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the mobile terminal of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the server of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the content of the screen displayed on the recipient terminal. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the content of the screen displayed on the recipient terminal. [Figure 9]This diagram shows the contents of the screen displayed on the recipient's device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an image generated as delivery completion information. [Figure 11] This is an overall rear view showing the structure of the back of the intention sign. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the contents of the screen displayed on the sender's terminal. [Figure 13] This diagram shows the contents of the screen displayed on the sender's terminal. [Figure 14] This is an overall plan view showing an example of a document that is output based on the document information generated on the server. [Figure 15] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first modified delivery system. [Figure 16] This diagram illustrates how, when a user purchases a declaration of intent sign, they register their information and the designated delivery company with the management server (member registration), and the management server then stores the user's information in a barcode on the declaration of intent sign. [Figure 17] This diagram shows the information stored in the management server's memory during member registration. [Figure 18] This is a timing chart of the first modified delivery system. [Figure 19] This is a flowchart of the expiration determination process program executed by the management server. [Figure 20] This diagram shows the information stored in the management server's memory when a pickup request is made. [Figure 21] This diagram shows the collection requester's information displayed on the collection terminal, along with a message prompting the collection worker to scan two barcodes. [Figure 22] This diagram shows how a barcode containing information about the delivered item, printed out by the user's terminal when they requested the pickup of the item, is affixed to the package. [Figure 23] This is a flowchart of the member registration solicitation processing program executed by the management server. [Figure 24] This diagram shows the information that the management server compares in its information matching determination. [Figure 25] This diagram shows the error information displayed on the collector's terminal when the management server determines that the information does not match during the information matching process. [Figure 26] This diagram shows a message prompting the collector's terminal to print out the slip, displayed when the management server determines that the information matches. [Figure 27] This diagram shows a message prompting the user to print out the shipping label, the collector's terminal printing out the label as instructed by the collector, and the collector attaching the label to the package. [Figure 28] This is a timing chart of the second modified version of the delivery system. [Figure 29] In the third modified example, this figure shows how, when a user purchases a declaration of intent sign, the user's information is encrypted using a key and stored in the barcode of the declaration of intent sign. [Figure 30] This is a timing chart for the third modified version of the delivery system. [Figure 31] This is a timing chart for the fourth modified example of the delivery system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The following describes in detail, with reference to the attached drawings, the delivery system of the present invention, one preferred embodiment of the server, the indicator sign, and the portable terminal, and the delivery system associated therewith. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the use of the present invention. The present invention is a delivery system that allows for confirmation of receipt and confirmation of delivery by placing a package 50, which is a delivery item, in front of the front door 32 of the sender's or recipient's house 31, without direct handover between the sender or recipient and the delivery person. A slip 51 containing the address and name (company name), which are the location information of the delivery destination, is attached to the package 50. On the same side as the slip attached, a barcode 52, which is a means of carrying delivery identification information, is displayed. This barcode 52 may be printed on a sticker and attached to the package 50, or it may be printed directly on the surface of the package. The means of carrying identification information does not have to be a coded identifier; it may be represented by a sequence of numbers or letters.

[0016] The front door 32 of house 31, which is a potential delivery destination for packages, is equipped with a mailbox slot 33, allowing mail and other items to be placed inside the house. The front door 32 has an open / close sensor that detects when the door is open and closed. A camera 351 is positioned near the top of the front door 32. The camera 351 has a field of view of the outside of the front door 32 and is positioned to capture images of packages 50 left unattended and the actions of delivery personnel. A motion sensor 352 is also positioned near the front door 32. The motion sensor detects people, and the camera 351 takes pictures from the time the motion sensor detects a person until a predetermined time has elapsed after it stops detecting people.

[0017] The motion sensor may use any of the following methods: detecting infrared radiation emitted by humans, continuously emitting infrared radiation and reacting when someone crosses the infrared field, or detecting humans by detecting changes in light or sound. The motion sensor 352 may also be installed on the outside of the entrance door 32. The above-mentioned motion sensor 352 and camera 351 are controlled by a control device (not shown). The control device has a control unit, a communication unit, and a recording unit, and is connected to a communication network (described later) via the communication unit, and receives shooting instruction signals supplied from the communication network. The recording unit records the video captured by the camera 351 along with the time of capture. Based on the shooting instruction signal received via the communication unit, the control unit switches the motion sensor 352 to the operating state, and takes pictures with the camera 351 from the time the motion sensor 352 detects a person until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when it stops detecting a person.

[0018] A sign indicating intent 34 is hung on the doorknob of the front door 32. As shown in Figure 2, the sign indicating intent 34 is made of a vertically elongated rectangular plate 341, with an insertion hole 342a formed therein for hanging on the doorknob, and a recess 342b formed at the top of the insertion hole for fitting the shaft of the doorknob. Furthermore, multiple holes 343 are formed above the insertion hole 342a, and a string is passed through these holes 343 to form a loop, so that it can be hung in places other than the doorknob, i.e., any place, and the sign indicating intent 34 can be hung in any location.

[0019] At the bottom of the intention indicator 34, there is a designated area 345 for the recipient to indicate their consent to leaving the package unattended. Further nearby, a barcode 344 is displayed, which serves as an information-carrying means and carries unique identification information specific to each intention indicator 34. For example, a different variable barcode can be used for each intention indicator 34.

[0020] Furthermore, multiple delivery company identification information is placed between the delivery intention indication area 345 and the barcode 344. This delivery company identification information is information for identifying the company that delivers the delivery from the sender to the recipient, and has visual information 347a to c consisting of characters, figures, or symbols set individually for each company, and two-dimensional barcodes 346a to c which are means of carrying company identification information unique to each delivery company. The company identification information is information that identifies the company that delivers the delivery, and indicates the company that uses this intention indication mark 34. The visual information 347a to c consists of figures or symbols that symbolize each company, or characters that indicate the name of the company. By visually viewing this visual information 347a to c, the delivery person can recognize that the recipient has instructed the delivery company to deliver the delivery to leave it unattended using the intention indication mark 34. The two-dimensional barcodes 346a to c are provided in correspondence with the visual information 347a to c, and each barcode carries unique identification information assigned to each delivery company indicated by the visual information 347a to c. When this identification information is read by the mobile terminal 2na, it is identified, and based on this identification information, the destination to which the unique identification information of each intention indicator 34 is transmitted is determined. In other words, it is distributed and transmitted to the server of each delivery company. In the illustrated example, three types of delivery company identification information are displayed, which indicates that the recipient can indicate their intention to leave the package at the door for three different delivery companies. For example, if the recipient agrees to leave the package at the door for one delivery company, one delivery company identification information will be displayed.

[0021] Furthermore, even in the case of delivery companies that do not display delivery company identification information, it is possible to use the declaration of intent mark 34 as evidence of delivery completion by taking a photograph of it, as will be described later. The area 345 for indicating the intention to leave the package at the door displays a message such as, "Please leave the package here," and below it is an arrow indicating where to place the package. By placing this indication sign 34 in a location easily visible to the delivery person, the customer expresses their consent to leaving the package at the door. It should be noted that even without the area 345 for indicating the intention to leave the package at the door, simply placing the indication sign 34 on the outside of the door 32 is sufficient to indicate consent (or a request) to leave the package at the door.

[0022] Multiple indication signs 34 may be provided, each with different content for the delivery intention area 345 and a barcode 344. The reason for providing multiple signs is that the information displayed in the delivery intention area 345 can be different. For example, as mentioned above, the delivery intention area 345 on the front could say, "Please leave the package here," and the delivery intention area 345 on the back could say, "Please leave the package here. Please ring the doorbell when you have finished leaving the package." In this way, multiple ways of use are possible depending on the purpose of use. Alternatively, the delivery intention area 345 may have a surface treatment that allows for erasable ink, so that any message can be written each time it is used. With this configuration, the recipient can convey different messages to the delivery person depending on the situation each time they use the delivery service.

[0023] As a means of carrying information, the recipient's signature may be used instead of the barcode 344. The recipient's signature may be stored as image information, and the signature identification information may be associated with and stored in this image information. The server uses signature authentication software to compare the stored signature image with the signature image sent from the mobile terminal and determines whether the two signatures belong to the same person.

[0024] The delivery person, carrying a mobile terminal 21b, places the package 50 in front of the front door 32 of an unoccupied house 31, and then reads the barcode 52 of the package 50 and the barcode 344 of the indicator sign 34 with the mobile terminal 21b. The order in which they are read does not matter; or, the indicator sign 34 may be removed from the doorknob of the door 32, placed near the barcode 52 of the package 50, and both barcodes 344 and 52 may be photographed and read simultaneously.

[0025] The reading of the barcode 344 on the intention sign 34 and the reading of the barcode 52 on the package 50 may be performed by simply capturing the images without reading each code, saving the captured images, and sending them to the server. The identification information (or, if the information carrying means is an unencoded identifier or sign, image information) carried in each barcode 52, 34 is read within the mobile terminal 21b, and the read identification information is transmitted to the server via a wireless communication line. In addition to barcodes, which are one-dimensional codes, two-dimensional codes (for example, matrix-type two-dimensional codes) may also be used as means for carrying information or means for carrying delivery identification information.

[0026] Within the server, the delivery location information of the package, which is stored in association with the delivery identification information, is extracted based on the received delivery identification information. In addition, the delivery destination identification information, which is stored in the delivery destination identification information storage unit in advance in association with the identification information, is extracted and compared with the extracted delivery destination identification information to determine if they match. If they match, delivery completion information is sent to the mobile terminal 21b, and a delivery completion notification and completion date and time information are sent to the recipient's terminal.

[0027] Even if the delivery address information corresponding to the identification information is not stored in the delivery address information storage unit, the fact that the identification information has been sent to the server means that an expression of intent has been sent, indicating that the intention to leave the package at the door has been confirmed. Therefore, delivery can be considered complete upon receipt of both the identification information and the delivery item identification information. When the mobile terminal 21b is notified that delivery is complete, information such as the date and time of delivery is printed (output) from the printer, and the delivery person puts the printed delivery slip into the mailbox slot 33.

[0028] The above-described delivery procedure will be explained in detail below using flowcharts and other diagrams. Note that barcodes 34 and 52 may use RFID (radio frequency identifier), which exchanges information via short-range wireless communication using electromagnetic fields or radio waves from an RF tag embedded with ID information, as exemplified by IC tags. Alternatively, identification information composed of text information may be read optically. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, image information such as the recipient's signature or facial image may also be used.

[0029] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the system configuration of the delivery system 100. The delivery system in this embodiment, which has a server and a mobile terminal, is intended for cases where a person who has registered in advance to allow unattended delivery is a member and packages are delivered to that member. However, the system can also be used by unregistered users who do not register as a member and simply use only the declaration of intent sign 34. Members register their name (personal name, company name, corporate name, etc.), location information of the place where the package may be delivered (e.g., address information, latitude and longitude information), and conditions for allowing unattended delivery (e.g., specification of date and time: unattended delivery is permitted only on days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and during the hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning / specification of weight: limited to packages weighing 20 kg or more / specification of size: limited to packages weighing 30 liters or more / specification of contents of package: limited to non-perishable goods, etc.).

[0030] Server 2 stores this information by setting the sign identification information provided for each sign 34, and associating it with the location information, conditions for permitting delivery, name, unique identification information (ID, password) assigned to each unique identification information assigned to each member, and contact information (email address, telephone number, etc.). This information is entered into the server's memory when a sign 34 is purchased, but it is not necessary to enter the above information just by purchasing it.

[0031] If information is not entered at the time of purchase, the delivery destination information associated with the delivery item identification information attached to the delivered item will be entered as information associated with the mark identification information when the delivery destination is first made using the designation mark 34. For example, the recipient's name stored as delivery destination information will be entered as the member's name, and the address stored as delivery destination information will be entered as location information of the place where the member's package may be delivered. In addition, the contents of the package, the size of the package, the weight of the package, and the date and time of actual delivery, which were stored as delivery destination information, may also be stored as delivery conditions.

[0032] Such delivery conditions may be automatically set based on the accumulated information of each package left at the door (contents, size, weight, and actual delivery date and time) and the consent information for leaving the package at the door, and the conditions for consenting to leaving the package at the door are set based on this accumulated information and the consent information. Alternatively, if the user of the declaration of intent sign 34 does not wish to register, no information accumulation will be performed at the end of delivery as described above.

[0033] Furthermore, the server also holds the registration information of delivery personnel. These delivery personnel are, for example, those who applied when the sender recruited delivery personnel, and their registration information includes terminal information, information that identifies the delivery person (name, age, gender, address, email address, mobile phone number and other terminal information, and unique identification information (ID, password) assigned to each delivery person).

[0034] Similarly, the server also holds the registration information of the sender. The sender is the person who sends the package, and their terminal information, information that identifies the sender (terminal information such as name, age, gender, address, email address, mobile phone number, and unique identification information (ID, password) assigned to each delivery person) are registered as registration information. In addition, the delivery item identification information of the package sent by the sender is also stored in association with it. The unique delivery item identification information assigned to the package being sent is stored in association with information about the recipient, information about the delivery person who delivers the package, and information about the completion of delivery. Information about the completion of delivery includes information about the time of delivery completion, location information at the time of delivery completion, and evidence information indicating delivery completion (for example, image information of the package and the declaration of intent sign, information combining the identification information of the package and the identification information of the declaration of intent sign, etc.).

[0035] When a delivery person receives a request to ship a package and accepts it, the sender's terminal registers information about the recipient (delivery address, recipient name, phone number), information about the delivery person (delivery person's unique identification number, mobile phone number, etc.), and information about the package (tracking number, contents, desired delivery date and time, etc.) with Server 2. Server 2 then records the sender information in relation to each of the above-mentioned entered pieces of information. Furthermore, each delivery company may have its own server 2. Each delivery company is assigned unique identification information, and delivery completion information is sent from the mobile terminals 21a, 22a-2na to each server.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the delivery system 100 is configured by connecting the mobile terminals 21a, 22a-2na held by the delivery person, the terminals 21b, 22b-2nb held by the recipient, the terminals 21c, 22c-2nc held by the sender, and the server 2 via the network Ne. Network Ne includes various wireless communication lines and Internet service provider base stations that connect them. Network Ne only needs to be connectable at any time; it does not need to be constantly connected. The terminals 21b, 22b~2nb held by the recipient consist of, for example, a general-purpose personal computer (PC) 1a, a notebook PC 1b, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 1c, a mobile phone 1d, a smartphone, or other multifunctional mobile terminals such as tablet devices, and have at least the functionality to receive delivery notifications, such as email software.

[0037] The delivery personnel's mobile terminals 21a, 22a-2na all have the same configuration, and multiple delivery personnel each possess a mobile terminal 2na. Furthermore, the delivery personnel's mobile terminals may be, for example, smartphones (mobile terminals equipped with a mobile operating system). They may also be terminals with pre-installed application software for delivery personnel. Such terminals must have at least a camera function as a reading unit.

[0038] Referring to Figure 4, an example of the internal configuration of the mobile terminal 2na will be explained. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main components of the mobile terminal 2na as a communication terminal. The user terminal 1 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control means, an input unit 12, a display unit 13 as a display means, a communication unit 14 as a transmission and reception means, a position detection unit 141, RAM 15, a storage unit 16, a reading unit 17, a printer 19, etc., and each unit is connected by a bus 17. The CPU 11 loads a specified program from among various application programs such as system programs stored in the storage unit 16 into a work area in RAM (not shown), executes various processes according to the program in accordance with the data input from the input unit 12, and stores the processing results in the work memory in RAM 15.

[0039] Furthermore, display information for displaying the processing results is generated and output to the display unit 13. The CPU 11 loads the barcode reading program from the storage unit 16 into the work memory, and using this barcode reading program, extracts the identification information carried in the barcode information from the barcode information read via the reading unit 17, and stores the identification information in the storage unit 16. In addition, when delivery completion information is received via the communication unit 14, the delivery completion information is displayed on the display unit 13, and a delivery completion notice is printed from the printer 19.

[0040] Alternatively, if specific location information or delivery location information is obtained directly from the IC tag, the working memory compares both location pieces to determine if they match, generates information regarding delivery completion, outputs it to the display unit 13 and printer 19, and notifies the server 2 via the communication unit 14.

[0041] The input unit 12 is comprised of a keyboard (input means) equipped with kana / alphanumeric input keys, cursor keys, and various function keys, and a mouse (selection means) which is a pointing device. The display unit 13 is composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various display data on the screen according to the instructions of the display signals input from the CPU 11. The communication unit 14 connects to an external network via wireless communication and ultimately communicates with the server 2.

[0042] The RAM (Random Access Memory) 15 forms a work area that temporarily stores various programs executed by the CPU 11 and data processed by these programs. The memory unit 16 has a storage medium in which programs and data are pre-stored, and this storage medium is made up of, for example, semiconductor memory. This storage medium stores system programs, various processing programs corresponding to the system, and data processed by the various processing programs.

[0043] The reading unit 17 is comprised of either a reading device that optically reads barcodes or a reading device that reads information by short-range wireless communication using electromagnetic fields or radio waves, or both. Alternatively, the reading unit 17 may have a photographic means such as a camera that reads signs, character signs, etc., as images, an auditory information acquisition means such as a microphone that acquires sound or voice, and a voice recognition means that consists of a voice conversion means that converts the auditory information acquired by the microphone into character information.

[0044] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 2na may have a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the mobile terminal's current location. The location information acquisition unit can, for example, use a system in which a GPS receiver receives signals from several satellites in orbit out of approximately 30 GPS satellites, allowing the receiver to determine its current location.

[0045] The recipient terminals 21b, 22b, etc., possessed by the recipient of the package are, for example, desktop or notebook personal computers, or mobile terminals such as smartphones, and are terminal devices that can connect to a communication network such as the Internet. Similar to the mobile terminal 2na described above, the recipient terminal has a CPU 41, an input unit 42, a display unit 43, a communication unit 44, RAM 45, a storage unit 46, and software (browser) for connecting to a communication network. The recipient terminal can use the browser to view desired pages on the Internet, and on those pages, it can perform desired input tasks via the input unit 42.

[0046] Next, we will describe Server 2. Note that the main components of Server 2 are substantially the same as those of the mobile terminal 2na described above; therefore, each component is denoted by the same reference numeral (see Figure 4), and the illustration and explanation of its configuration are omitted. Below, we will describe in detail the characteristic functions of Server 2 and the database it contains. Server 2 is configured with a CPU 21 as a processing unit, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24 as a transmission / reception unit, RAM 25, a storage unit 26 as a storage unit, and the other components are connected by a bus 27.

[0047] The storage unit 26 includes various databases that store system programs, signature matching programs, various processing programs corresponding to the system, and information supplied from the mobile terminal 2na, which will be described later. In addition, the storage unit 26 has a database for storing data. The database has multiple storage areas. The first storage area is a delivery information storage area, which serves as a means for storing delivery information. Various information is stored in the delivery information storage area when a package is dispatched. The information stored includes delivery item identification information, which is set for each package. Associated with this delivery item identification information, the following information is stored: location information of the delivery destination (address, recipient name), information about the attributes of the package contents (documents, perishable goods, fragile goods, refrigerated goods, etc.), information about the weight of the package, information about the size of the package, information about the dispatch location, and information about the dispatcher (dispatcher's name, address, contact information (email address)). This information is entered at the dispatch center or collection center and supplied to the server 2 via the communication network Nc. At the same time, the delivery item identification information is determined during data entry, and a barcode 52, which serves as a means for carrying delivery item information and carries the delivery item identification information, is issued.

[0048] The issued barcode 52 is printed on a sticker, for example, and affixed to the surface of the package 50. If an IC tag is issued instead of a barcode as a means of carrying delivery information, all the information stored in the first storage area may be stored in the IC tag. When an IC tag is issued, it is preferable that it is affixed to the inside of the box in which the package is packed, or to the back of the attached slip 51, rather than to the surface of the package 50. This helps to prevent damage to the IC tag due to contact with other packages during the transportation of the package 50.

[0049] The second storage area is a delivery destination identification information storage area, which serves as a means for storing delivery destination identification information. The delivery destination identification information storage area stores location information (address information, latitude and longitude information) of a place that can be designated as the delivery destination of a package, associated with the sign identification information. The sign identification information is already carried on the barcode 344 printed on the plate material 341. The information stored associated with the sign identification information includes the name (personal name, company name, etc.) of the owner of the sign identification information, contact information (email address, telephone number), and information on conditions for permitting delivery (for example, date and time conditions: days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are permitted, time period conditions are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning, etc. / weight conditions: limited to packages weighing 20 kg or more, etc. / size conditions: limited to items of 30 liters or more / attribute conditions: limited to items that do not require refrigeration, limited to non-perishable items). This information is stored and input by the purchaser (recipient of the package) via the input unit 22 when purchasing a sign indicating intent. When an IC tag is issued instead of a barcode as a means of carrying information, all the information stored in the first storage area may be stored in the IC tag. In addition to the above, the recipient's signature may be stored as image information instead of a barcode, and the signature image may carry the identification information.

[0050] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained based on the flowcharts shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the mobile terminal, and Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server 2. As shown in Figure 1, when the delivery person places the package 50 in front of the entrance of an unoccupied house 31 and confirms that no one is home, they input whether no one is home or not into the mobile terminal (step S101). If the homeowner is home, the package can be handed over as is, and the delivery is completed (step S105). If the homeowner is not home, they check whether there is an indication of intent sign 34 around the front door 32. If there is no indication of intent sign 34, they send a message to the server indicating that the homeowner is absent (step S109). At this time, the date and time when the homeowner's absence was confirmed is also sent. After sending the message indicating that the homeowner is absent, redelivery will be made at a later date.

[0051] If there is an indication of intent 34, the barcode 52 of the package 50, which is the delivery item, is read by the reader 17 of the mobile terminal 21a (step S111). The CPU 11 detects the delivery item identification information from the barcode 52 and stores the delivery item identification information in the storage unit 16 (at this time, the information of the time it was read is also stored) (step S113). Before a predetermined time has elapsed since step S111, the barcode 344 is read (at this time, the information of the time it was read is also stored) (steps S115, steps S119). This predetermined time is set to a range of, for example, 15 to 60 seconds. This is to ensure that the location of the package 50 and the location of the delivery destination are in the same place. If this predetermined time has elapsed, an error message is displayed on the display unit 13 (step S117), and the process must be retried from step S111.

[0052] The reading order can be reversed. Barcode 344 is read first, and barcode 52 is read within a predetermined time. In other words, step S119 may be executed first, followed by step S115, and then step S111. If the interval between the reading times of barcode 52 and barcode 344 is within the predetermined time in step S115, the processing from step S121 onwards will be executed. In step S111, when reading barcode 52 of the delivered item, the location information of the mobile terminal 21a may be detected and stored. Furthermore, if the delivery person visually checks the delivery company identification information assigned to each delivery company on the intention mark 34 and finds that it includes the identification information of the delivery company to which they belong, then in step S119, the two-dimensional barcode of the delivery company to which they belong is also read from among the two-dimensional barcodes 346a to c.

[0053] After step S119, the CPU 11 detects the identification information from the barcode 344 and the two-dimensional barcode, and stores the identification information in the storage unit 16 (step S121). (If a signature is present instead of the barcode 344, the signature is photographed and the image is stored.) In steps S113 and S121, the stored delivery item identification information and sign identification information (or sign image) are transmitted to the server 2 via the communication unit 14 (step S123). The information transmitted to the server 2 may include, in addition to the delivery item identification information and sign identification information (or sign image), information indicating the date and time of reading, and location information of the mobile terminal at the time of reading. Furthermore, based on the unique identification information of the delivery company read from the two-dimensional barcodes 346a to c, the company handling the delivery item is determined, the server of the determined delivery company is selected, and the information is transmitted to that server.

[0054] The terminal receives the judgment result from the destination server 2 (step S125). If the judgment is that delivery is complete (step S127), the display unit 13 displays "delivery complete" (step S131), and the printer 19 prints a delivery completion notice (step S133). If the terminal does not have a printer, the notice is converted to an image file or the like and stored. The delivery completion notice displays, for example, delivery address information, delivery address identification information, and delivery completion date and time. If delivery address identification information is not stored, the delivery address information and delivery completion date and time are displayed. The display performed in step S131 includes a display indicating the method of leaving the package at the door. That is, either simply leaving the package 50 at the door, or placing the package 50 at the door and then ringing the doorbell. If the latter method is displayed, the delivery person places the package 50 and then presses the doorbell. Even if such instructions are not displayed, if there is an instruction to press the buzzer in the delivery intention declaration area 345 of the intention declaration sign 34, the same method of leaving the package at the door will be performed.

[0055] If the judgment result is not that delivery is complete, an error is displayed on the display unit 13 (step S129). When an error is displayed, the delivery person is notified that there is a high possibility that the delivery location is incorrect and is prompted to reconfirm the delivery address. The content of the error display may include that the delivery destination information stored in association with the sign identification information does not match the delivery destination information, or that the conditions for permitting unattended delivery stored in association with the sign identification information are not met.

[0056] The following describes the processing of the server 2 in response to the processing of the mobile terminal 21a as described above. When the server 2 is in the process of dispatching the package 50, it receives delivery identification information from the sender and stores it in the delivery information storage means (step S201). Subsequently, it obtains the destination information and package information that are sent (step S203) and stores them in the delivery information storage means in association with the delivery identification information stored in step S201 (step S205). The destination information includes location information (address, etc.) and recipient name. The package information includes information on whether or not to allow delivery to be made to a designated location, weight information, size information, and attribute information (type of package: perishable goods, documents, clothing, etc. / handling information: fragile, do not fold, this side up, handle with care, refrigerate, freeze, etc.).

[0057] A delivery notification is sent to the recipient's terminal via email (step S207). However, if the recipient's information is not stored, this email will not be sent. Figure 7 shows the screen 6 of the recipient's terminal where the delivery notification email is displayed. As shown in Figure 7, the email displays an area 61 that shows the scheduled delivery date and time, an area 62 that contains delivery information such as the contents of the package and the sender's name, and, if the recipient requests contactless delivery, an address display area 63 (contactless delivery consent information input instruction area) that displays the address of an online input page for entering contactless delivery consent information.

[0058] Figure 8 shows the online page for entering delivery consent information linked from the address display area 63. The input page 7 displays a delivery consent information input area 71 for entering delivery consent information, a delivery condition input area 72 for entering the conditions for accepting delivery, and a delivery content specification information input area 73. In the delivery consent information input area 71, options for accepting delivery are displayed, and the user selects one of these options if they agree. In the delivery condition input area 72, the user enters the conditions for accepting delivery. For example, there are options for time period conditions: to enter the time period for which delivery is accepted, weight conditions: an input area for the weight of the package to be accepted (e.g., 10 kg or less), and volume conditions: an input area for the volume of the package to be accepted (e.g., 5 liters or less). In the delivery content specification information input area 73, options for the delivery method are displayed. Two options are displayed: simply leaving the package at the front door, and leaving the package at the front door and then pressing the call buzzer. After entering the information, the user presses the send button 76.

[0059] On input page 7, it is determined whether the delivery confirmation information has been entered (step S209). If it has been entered, the entered conditions are stored (step S210). If it has not been entered, it is determined whether an absence report based on step S109 of the mobile terminal processing has been received (step S211). If it has not been received, step S219 is executed. If it has been received, a delivery absence notification is sent simultaneously to the recipient's terminal and the sender's terminal to inform the recipient that delivery was attempted but was unsuccessful due to the recipient's absence (step S213).

[0060] This notification is sent via email. Figure 9 shows the screen 8 of the recipient's terminal, where the email notification of missed delivery is displayed. As shown in Figure 9, the email displays a delivery failure information display area 81 that indicates the recipient was absent at the time of delivery and therefore delivery was not possible, an area 82 that displays the date and time of delivery, an area 83 that contains information about the delivered package, such as the contents of the package and the sender's name, and an address display area 84 (leave-at-door delivery consent information input instruction area) that displays the address of an online input page for entering consent information for the next redelivery if the recipient wishes to leave the package at the door. The online leave-at-door delivery consent information input page linked to the address display area 84 is the same as the one shown in Figure 8. The system determines whether information has been entered on the leave-at-door delivery consent information input page linked to the address display area 84 (step S215), and if so, the entered conditions are stored (step S217). If leave-at-door delivery consent information has already been entered in step S209, it is updated with the information entered in step S215.

[0061] Furthermore, based on step S213, when the sender receives the delivery failure notification by email, the terminal on which the sender receives the notification displays an area 81 showing the delivery failure information, an area 82 showing the date and time of delivery, and an area 83 that is essentially the same as the area shown in Figure 9, which displays the contents of the delivered package, the sender's name, and other delivery information. However, in area 83, the recipient's name is displayed instead of the sender's name.

[0062] Upon receiving delivery identification information and mark identification information through the processing in step S123 of the mobile terminal 21a (step S219), the received delivery identification information is compared with the delivery identification information stored in the delivery information storage means to identify the location information of the delivery destination and information related to the package that was specified at the time of dispatch (step S221). It is determined whether or not the item has been delivered (step S223). If it has not been delivered, the delivery address information, which is stored in association with the delivery item identification information received at the same time as the identification information, is stored as delivery address identification information and associated with the identification information (step S225). Step S225 can also be set not to be executed by the recipient's choice. Receiving the identification information means that the recipient has expressed their consent to leaving the package at the door, so step S235 is executed.

[0063] If the delivery destination identification information associated with the received sign identification information is stored in the delivery destination identification information storage means, the location information where the sign indicating intent is placed is identified by comparing it with the delivery destination identification information stored in the delivery destination identification information storage means based on the received sign identification information (step S227). Here, it is determined whether the location information of the delivery destination identified in step S221 matches the location information of the sign indicating intent at the delivery destination that was actually delivered, which was identified in step S227 (step S229). If they do not match, error information is sent to the mobile terminal 21a (step S231). If they do match, it is clear that the delivery has been made to the delivery destination specified at the time of delivery, and it can be determined that the delivery has been completed.

[0064] In this case, there may be conditions for accepting unattended delivery. That is, if the location information matches, the following process is performed: The conditions for accepting unattended delivery stored in association with the sign identification information are compared with the information about the package stored in association with the delivery item identification information to determine if the package conditions and delivery date and time match the conditions for accepting unattended delivery (step S233). If they do not match, error information is sent to the mobile terminal 21a (step S231). This error information also includes the details of the error. For example, the delivery location is different, it is outside the unattended delivery acceptance time period, the weight is not sufficient for unattended delivery, etc.

[0065] If such error information is received, the recipient can connect to server 2 via a communication line such as the internet and cancel or change the conditions for accepting unattended delivery. For example, the condition of "until 8 p.m." may be changed to "until 10 p.m." In addition to the conditions for accepting unattended delivery stored in association with the identification information as described above, if there are conditions stored in step S217, the conditions stored in step S217 will take precedence. In other words, the most recently set conditions take precedence.

[0066] If a match is found, it is clear that the delivery has been made to the delivery address specified at the time of delivery, so it can be determined that the delivery is complete, and a message indicating delivery completion is sent to the mobile terminal 21a (step S235 → step S125). Step S125 is executed on the mobile terminal based on this message. This message also includes information regarding the method of leaving the package at the door. If, by the recipient's selection, delivery address information associated with the identification information is not recorded, steps S229, S233, S237, and S239 will not be performed. Additionally, upon completion of delivery, a notification of delivery completion is sent to the recipient's terminal (step S237).

[0067] The recipient is the email address associated with the identification information in the delivery address identification information storage means. Similarly, an activation signal is sent to the control device that controls the motion sensor 352 and the camera 351 (step S239). As a result, the motion sensor 352 becomes activated, and if the package 50 that was left unattended is stolen, the camera 351 can record the theft in video. Email notifications to such email addresses allow recipients to immediately know that their delivery via contactless delivery has been completed. This means that, for example, if they are at home, they can immediately open the door and retrieve their package. This helps to prevent problems such as carelessly leaving packages outdoors.

[0068] The sign indicating intent 34 does not have to be made of a board; for example, it may be integrated with the front door, or a window may be provided on the surface of the door 32, and when the window is opened, the sign identification information may be displayed inside. If the window on the door 32 is open, the delivery person can recognize that "leaving the package unattended has been agreed to" and read the displayed sign identification information. If the window is closed, the delivery person can recognize that "leaving the package unattended has not been agreed to".

[0069] Next, the process of step S233 will be explained. Step S233 is the process of approving whether or not to accept unattended delivery. First, it is determined whether any conditions restricting unattended delivery are set. If no conditions are set, step S235 is executed. If conditions are set, each of the conditions for accepting unattended delivery stored in association with the signage identification information is compared with the information about the package. All conditions for accepting unattended delivery, such as the date and time, weight, size, and other attribute conditions, are compared with the information about the package. If all conditions are met, step S235 is executed; if even one condition is not met, step S231 is executed.

[0070] In addition to the configuration examples described above, the process when the delivery person's mobile terminal 21a does not have a function to decode barcodes will be explained based on the flowchart shown in Figure 5. As part of the processing on the mobile terminal 21a side, in step S111, the barcode 52, which serves as the means for carrying delivery information, is photographed by the camera, which is the imaging means of the mobile terminal 21a. The means for carrying delivery information that is photographed is not limited to the barcode 52. Any information that can specifically identify the delivery item is acceptable, such as the slip attached to the package 50, the slip number written on the slip, the recipient address, the sender address, and the contents. During shooting, the date and time of shooting and location information are also acquired and stored in the memory unit 16 in step S113 along with the image information acquired by shooting.

[0071] Before a predetermined time has elapsed (step S115), in step S119, an image of the area where the information-carrying means of the declaration of intent sign 34 is displayed is acquired. That is, an image is taken using the camera, which is the imaging means provided in the mobile terminal 21a. The information-carrying means is not limited to the barcode described above, but can be any unique identification information that can be recognized visually. For example, it could be a combination code of numbers or letters assigned to each declaration of intent sign 34, a signature, or a facial photograph. In step S121, these images are stored in the storage unit 16. At this time, the date and time of simultaneous capture are also acquired and stored in the same manner.

[0072] Then, although not shown in the diagram, in step S122, the image information stored in step S113 and step S121, namely the image of the delivery item information carrying means for package 50 and the image of the information carrying means for the intention indicator 34, are combined into a single image. As shown in Figure 10, a single image information 9 is generated that includes the image area 91 of the information carrying means and the image area 92 of the delivery item information carrying means. This image is provided with a display area 93 in which the time information and location information at the time of execution of step S111, or the time information and location information at the time of execution of step S119, are displayed as visual information superimposed on the generated image information. For example, the time information is combined numerically in the order of year, month, day, and time. Also, the location information is displayed numerically, for example, as latitude and longitude. These dates and times are shown to indicate the date, time and place of delivery completion. Note that the reading order may be reversed. Barcode 344 is read first, and then barcode 52 is read within a predetermined time. In other words, step S119 may be performed first, followed by step S115, and then step S111.

[0073] Furthermore, when combining the image of the delivery item information carrying means for package 50 and the image of the information carrying means for the declaration of intent sign 34 into a single image, the image of the delivery item information carrying means may be overlaid with the time and location information of when the delivery item was photographed, and the image of the information carrying means for the declaration of intent sign 34 may be overlaid with the time and location information of when the declaration of intent sign 34 was photographed.

[0074] In step S123, the generated image information, which is the delivery completion information, is sent to server 2. Server 2 receives the image information, associates it with the delivery person's unique identification information, records it in the storage unit 26, and also sends the image to the sender's terminal. In the delivery completion email shown in Figure 9, the image information generated in step S122 is attached to the email sent to the sender. The image generated in step S122 is stored in the storage unit 16 of the delivery person's mobile terminal as proof that the delivery has been completed. If the recipient later complains that the package was not delivered, this can be used as proof that the delivery was completed. Similarly, the sender can also retain proof of delivery completion. Furthermore, since the generated image remains on server 2 as delivery completion information, even if the delivery person, recipient, or sender tampers with the generated image, the original image remains on server 2, which has the effect of deterring fraudulent activity.

[0075] Furthermore, if the image acquired in step S119 is a barcode, a step may be provided in the processing of the mobile terminal or server to read the information carried on the barcode, extract information about the recipient from the unique identification information carried on the barcode 344, and send an email as shown in Figure 9 to the recipient's email address, attaching the image information generated in step S122 to the email. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the system so that the image information stored in steps S113 and S121 is sent to server 2, where the two images are combined.

[0076] In the above configuration, instead of photographing the information carrying means and the delivery item information carrying means separately, the intention indicator 34 may be removed from the door handle 32 and placed near the delivery item information carrying means (barcode 52) of the package 50, and the information carrying means and the delivery item information carrying means may be photographed simultaneously to capture both in a single image. In this case, step S122 will be configured to combine the date and time of photography with location information.

[0077] Next, we will explain how it can be used as a delivery system. The components shown in Figures 1 to 4 are the same, but the reverse side of the intention indicator 34 is used. Figure 11 shows the configuration of the reverse side of the intention indicator 34. At the bottom of the intention indicator 34, there is a non-face-to-face delivery intention expression area 345r where the sender expresses their intention to request non-face-to-face delivery, and further nearby, a barcode 344r is displayed as an information carrying means that carries unique indicator identification information for each intention indicator 34.

[0078] Furthermore, multiple delivery company identification information is placed between the non-face-to-face delivery intention declaration area 345r and the barcode 344r. This delivery company identification information is used to identify the company that delivers the package from the sender to the recipient, and includes visual information 347ar~cr consisting of characters, figures, or symbols, etc., individually set for each company, and a two-dimensional barcode 346ar~cr, which is a means of carrying company identification information unique to each delivery company. When this identification information 346ar~cr is read by the mobile terminal 2na, it is identified, and based on this identification information, the destination to which the unique mark identification information of each intention declaration mark 34 is transmitted is determined. In other words, it is distributed and transmitted to the server of each delivery company.

[0079] The area 345r for indicating intent to receive a package without face-to-face interaction displays a message such as, "Please pick up this package," and below it is an arrow indicating where to place the package. By placing this indication sign 34 in a location easily visible to the delivery person, the customer expresses their consent to receiving the package without face-to-face interaction. Alternatively, even without providing the area 345r for indicating intent to receive a package without face-to-face interaction, simply placing the indication sign 34 on the outside of the door 32 can be considered as acceptance (or request) of receiving the package without face-to-face interaction.

[0080] Furthermore, the server side includes a sender identification information storage means that stores sender identification information in association with the declaration of intent information; a delivery-related information acquisition means that obtains delivery information about the delivered item and delivery destination information about the delivered item from the sender; a delivery-related information storage means that stores delivery information about the delivered item and delivery destination information about the delivered item entered by the sender in association with the declaration of intent information; a delivery information storage means in which the sender information of the delivered item is stored in association with the delivery identification information; and a delivery identification-related information storage means. Sender identification information includes the sender's name, address, phone number, and email address. Delivery item information includes the attributes of the delivery item (including perishable goods, must be frozen, this side up, fragile, precision equipment, size, weight, waterproof, etc.). Recipient information includes the recipient's name, address, phone number, and email address.

[0081] When the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, the server extracts the sender information of the delivery item from the delivery information storage means based on the received delivery item identification information, and also extracts the delivery item information and delivery destination information from the delivery item related information storage means based on the received declaration of intent information. The server then stores the extracted delivery item information, delivery destination information, and sender information in the delivery item identification related information storage means, associating them with the delivery item identification information.

[0082] Furthermore, the server has a determination means that determines that delivery is complete when it receives from the mobile terminal 2na the sender-specific identification code carried in the barcode 344r read by the mobile terminal 2na, and the delivery item identification information also read by the mobile terminal 2na. This determination is made on the condition that it is confirmed that the sender information associated with the identification information carried in the barcode 344r matches the sender information entered by the sender, along with the delivery item information and the delivery destination information. Furthermore, the server has a document information generation means that generates document information based on the information stored in the delivery identification-related information when the determination means determines that the delivery has been completed.

[0083] Figure 12 shows an online page for inputting collection information (hereinafter, "delivery" will be referred to as "collection"). The input page 10A is displayed on the screen by entering specific information such as an ID that identifies the sender and a password from a specific portal site. Input page 10A displays a collection schedule information input area 101A for entering non-face-to-face collection schedule information, a time slot input area 102A for entering the desired collection time slot, and a non-face-to-face collection details specification information input area 103A. In the collection acceptance information input area 101A, the user enters the desired month and day for collection. Entering this month and day indicates acceptance of non-face-to-face collection. In the non-face-to-face collection details specification information input area 103A, there is a specification area 104A for specifying the collection method.

[0084] Two options are available: collection only, or collection and notification of collection to the sender via a doorbell. For those who are at home but prefer non-face-to-face interaction, notification of collection completion via a doorbell is useful. After completing the input of collection information, the user presses button 105A to move to the screen for entering the delivery address. Next, the user enters the delivery address information and the delivery item information, which is information about the attributes of the delivered item. The attributes of the delivered item refer to information about the contents of the delivered item, such as whether it is perishable, a document, its size, and its weight. These input items are linked to the intention information that identifies the sender and stored in the delivery item-related information storage device.

[0085] When a request for pickup is received from the sender, the delivery person's terminal displays the address (sender address) stored in relation to the identification information of the declaration of intent mark 34, and the delivery person proceeds to that address. As shown in Figure 1, when the package 50, which is the delivery item, is placed at the doorstep, the sender reads the barcode (delivery item identification information carrying means) that carries the pre-distributed delivery item identification information attached to the package, as well as the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent mark 34, and transmits the read information to the server.

[0086] The server determines whether the sender information identified by barcode 344r matches the information of the sender who requested the pickup, including the delivery item information and delivery address information. If they do not match, an error message is sent to the delivery person's mobile device to inform them that the pickup location is incorrect. If they do match, the following process is performed. If a barcode (means for carrying delivery item identification information) is not affixed to the package, when the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34 is read, the delivery person's mobile terminal generates delivery item identification information and transmits the generated delivery item identification information and declaration of intent identification information to the server. In this case, the server generates slip information based on the received delivery item identification information and declaration of intent identification information and transmits the generated slip information to the delivery person's mobile terminal. The delivery person's mobile terminal prints the slip based on the received slip information and affixes the slip to the package 50.

[0087] The server simultaneously sends an email to the sender's terminal informing them that the pickup has been completed. Figure 13 shows the display screen of the sender's terminal, which displays the pickup completion notification email. Screen 10B displays the pickup completion date and time display area 101B and the delivery item related information display area 102B which displays information related to the delivered item. The delivery slip 10C printed by the delivery person's mobile terminal includes, for example, a delivery slip number (delivery item identification information) display area 102C, a delivery destination information display area 103C, a sender information display area 104C, a delivery item information display area 105C, and an identification information carrying means display area 106C, as shown in Figure 14.

[0088] (First variation) Next, a first modified example of the present invention's delivery system will be described. Since the first modified example's delivery system has the same configuration as the delivery system of the previously described embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and their descriptions will be omitted. Figure 15 shows the configuration of the first modified delivery system. As shown in Figure 15, the first modified delivery system comprises a management server device (hereinafter referred to as the "management server") 300, multiple user terminals 302N1, 302N2, etc., and multiple delivery company systems 304N1, 304N2, etc. These management server 300, multiple user terminals 302N1, 302N2, etc., and multiple delivery company systems 304N1, 304N2, etc., are interconnected via a network Ne.

[0089] The management server 300 manages multiple delivery company systems 304N1, 304N2, etc. For example, the management server 300 can instruct the delivery company system of a designated delivery company from a user terminal 302N1 to collect packages and deliver them. Multiple delivery company systems 304N1, 304N2... are delivery company systems for multiple delivery companies pre-selected from a large number of delivery companies. Delivery company system 304N1... includes a delivery company server device (hereinafter referred to as "delivery company server") 306, multiple collection terminals 321N1..., and multiple delivery terminals 322N1.... Collection terminals 321N1... and delivery terminals 322N1... have similar configurations. Delivery terminal 322N1... functions as a collection terminal during collection. Collection terminal 321N1... functions as a delivery terminal during package delivery. Delivery company server 306 manages the multiple collection terminals 321N1... and the multiple delivery terminals 322N1.... Specifically, the delivery company server 306 keeps track of which collection terminal 321N1... is responsible for collection in each region, and which delivery terminal 322N1... is responsible for delivering packages in each region, and instructs the corresponding terminal to collect or deliver the packages. The other delivery company systems 304N2... have the same configuration as the delivery company system 304N1, so their explanation is omitted. Note that the number of delivery terminals and collection terminals may differ for each delivery company.

[0090] Multiple user terminals 302N1, 302N2, etc., have a similar configuration and are equipped with a computer having the aforementioned CPU 21 (see Figure 4), ROM, RAM 25, and input / output ports. An input unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, a storage unit 26, and a printer 19 are connected to the input / output ports. The management server 300 and the delivery company server 306 have the same configuration as the user terminal 302N1, so their explanation will be omitted. As mentioned above, the collection terminal 321N1... and the delivery terminal 322N1... have similar configurations, and are the same as the mobile terminal 2na shown in Figure 4, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0091] Next, we will describe the member registration process when a user purchases the intention mark 34 in the first modified example. The intention mark 34 in the first modified example is substantially the same as the intention mark 34 of the embodiment described above (see Figure 11), but it does not have the visual information 347a-c and the two-dimensional barcode 346a-c of the intention mark 34 of the embodiment described above (see Figure 11). Figure 16 shows how, when a user purchases a declaration of intent sign 34, the user registers their information and the designated delivery company with the management server 300 (member registration), and the management server 300 then stores the user's (i.e., the purchaser of the declaration of intent sign 34) information in the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34. As shown in Figure 16, when a user purchases a declaration of intent sign 34 and registers as a member, the user terminal 302N1 first accesses the homepage (Hp) of the management server 300. The user terminal 302N1 transmits its ID and password, user (purchaser of the declaration of intent sign 34) information, and the designated delivery company information to the management server 300 via the homepage (Hp).

[0092] An ID is a code that distinguishes each individual user, and a password is a code used in combination with the ID to verify the user. User information includes the user's address, name, age, email address, and other information. Other information may include, for example, a mobile phone number, gender, date of birth, and occupation. Information specifying a delivery company may include, for example, information specifying a company to request pickup from or deliver the package from among predetermined delivery companies (for example, company A, company B, and company C), such as company A.

[0093] The management server 300 affixes or prints a barcode 344r containing user information onto the intention indicator 34. The declaration of intent sign 34 manufactured in this manner is mailed to the user's home. Figure 17 shows the information stored in the storage area 316 of the storage unit 26 of the management server 300 during member registration. As described above, during member registration, the user terminal 302N1 transmits the ID and password, user information, and information specifying the delivery company to the management server 300. The management server 300 stores the member registration information, including the ID and password, user information, and the specified delivery company (for example, Company A), along with the date of member registration, in the corresponding storage area 316M1 of the storage area 316 for that user. This completes the member registration for that user. The storage area 316 also contains storage areas 316M2... where the member registration information of other users is stored.

[0094] The management server 300 manages the member registration information stored in the memory area 316 based on the date of member registration. Specifically, the management server 300 deletes (erases) the member registration information stored in the memory area 316 if a predetermined period has passed from the date of member registration, for example, one year. Since the member registration information is erased after a predetermined period has elapsed, it is possible to alleviate users' concerns that their personal information may be used without their permission after they stop using this system.

[0095] Next, the operation of the first modified delivery system will be explained. Figure 18 shows the timing chart of the first modified delivery system. For the purposes of this explanation, we will use the case where the user terminal of the pickup requestor is user terminal 302N1, the user terminal of the delivery destination is user terminal 302N2, and the delivery company A's delivery company system is delivery company system 304N1 as an example.

[0096] In step 352, the user terminal 302N1 submits a pickup request to the management server 300. Specifically, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 302N1 accesses the management server 300's homepage via the communication unit 24 and sends the ID, password, and pickup request information to the management server 300. The pickup request information includes the pickup date and time, the recipient's address and name, a comment for the recipient, the recipient's email address, and information about the package. When a collection request is made to the management server 300, in step 353, it determines whether the member's membership has expired. Figure 19 shows a flowchart of the expiration determination processing program executed by the management server 300. As shown in Figure 19, in step 353A, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether or not the ID and PW are stored in the storage area 316 of the management server 300. If the judgment in step 353A is affirmative, the expiration determination process proceeds to step 353D.

[0097] As described above, the management server 300 deletes member registration information stored in the storage area 316 if one year has passed since the date of member registration. Therefore, for example, even if member registration information is stored in the storage area 316, it will be deleted one year after registration, so the judgment in step 353A will be negative.

[0098] If the determination in step 353A is negative, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 sends a message indicating non-registration or membership registration to the user terminal 302N1 via the communication unit 24 in step 353B. The content of the message is, for example, "Membership registration has not been completed or has expired. Please register as a member." This message is displayed on the display unit 23 of the user terminal 302N1, and the user learns that membership registration has not been completed or has expired, and sends membership registration information to the management server 300. Upon receiving the member registration information, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 performs the member registration process in step 353C. As a result, the member registration information is stored in the storage area 316, as shown in Figure 17. After step 353C, the expiration determination process proceeds to step 353D.

[0099] In step 353D, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 stores the collection request information in the user's storage area 316M1 of the storage area 316, as shown in Figure 20. Once the processing in step 353D is executed, the expiration determination process in step 353 of Figure 18 is completed. When the expiration determination process in step 353 of Figure 18 is completed, in step 354, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 transmits the pickup request information and the pickup requester's information (user's address and name) to the designated delivery company A's delivery company server 306 via the communication unit 24.

[0100] In step 356, the CPU 2121 of the delivery company server 306 transmits the pickup date and time and the pickup requester's information to the pickup terminal 321N1 of the pickuper responsible for the area including the pickup requester's address. In step 358, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 displays the collection date and time and the collection requester's information on the display unit 13 of the collection terminal 321N1. Figure 21 shows the collection prompting message 321D1 and the collection prompting message 321D2 displayed on the display screen 321D of the display unit 13 of the collection terminal 321N1, prompting the collection to scan two barcodes. As shown in Figure 21, the content of the collection prompting message 321D1 is, for example, as follows: "Please collect the goods." Collection date and time: Month A, Day B, 2022, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Collection address: Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Name: XX XX Therefore, the collector can understand when and where to collect the goods.

[0101] Furthermore, the content of message 321D2, which prompts the scanning of the two barcodes, is as follows, for example: "Please scan the following barcode at the pickup location." Intention sign luggage"

[0102] The icon 321D21 of the declaration of intent sign is an icon that notifies the collection terminal 321N1 to read the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34, and the icon 321D22 of the package is an icon that notifies the collection terminal 321N1 to read the barcode 52 of the package 50. In step 355 of Figure 18, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 creates an image of a barcode that carries the package information and transmits the data of that image to the user terminal 302N1.

[0103] Figure 22 shows how a barcode containing information about the package, printed out by the user terminal 302N1 that requested the pickup, is affixed to the package. As shown in Figure 22, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 302N1 causes the printer 19 to print out a barcode image 52 based on the barcode image data. The user affixes the printed barcode image 52 to the package 50 and places the package 50 near the door where the intention sign 34 is attached.

[0104] In step 400, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 executes the member registration solicitation process. Figure 23 shows a flowchart of the member registration solicitation process program executed by the management server 300. As shown in Figure 23, in step 402, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether the recipient is a member. Specifically, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether the recipient's address and name are stored in the storage area 316 of the storage unit 26 of the management server 300.

[0105] If the recipient is not a member, the judgment in step 402 will be negative, and in step 404, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 will send a membership registration invitation email to the recipient's email address in the pickup request information via the communication unit 24. The content of the membership registration invitation email will include the following: that the pickup requester has requested delivery of the package, that the package will be delivered in the near future, and that the pickup request form may belong to a member. It may also include that the recipient is not a member, that they are encouraged to become a member, points to note if they become a member, and that the membership registration will be deleted after a certain period of time and will require re-registration.

[0106] Once step 404 is executed, the membership registration solicitation processing program terminates. If the delivery address is that of a member, the determination in step 402 becomes positive, and the membership registration solicitation processing program terminates. As described above, in step 358 of Figure 18, a message 321D1 prompting collection is displayed on the display screen 321D of the collector terminal 321N1 (see Figure 21). For example, in the above example, the collector understands that they should go to the collection house at XX XX, XXX, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on day B of month A, 2022. The collector travels to the collection house while carrying the collector terminal 321N1.

[0107] As described above, the display screen 321D of the collection terminal 321N1 (see Figure 21) shows a message 321D2 prompting the collection worker to read two barcodes: the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34 and the barcode 52 of the package 50. Therefore, when the collection worker arrives at the collection house, the reader 17 of the collection terminal 321N1 reads the two barcodes. Specifically, for example, the collection worker first touches the declaration of intent sign icon 321D21 to inform the collection terminal 321N1 that it wants to read the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34. The collection worker brings the reader 17 of the collection terminal 321N1 close to the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34. The reader 17 of the collection terminal 321N1 reads the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34. Next, the collector touches the package icon 321D22 to notify the collector terminal 321N1 that the barcode 52 of package 50 should be read. The collector brings the reader 17 of the collector terminal 321N1 close to the barcode 52 of package 50. The reader 17 of the collector terminal 321N1 reads the barcode 52 of package 50.

[0108] Once the two barcodes 344r and 52 have been read, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 transmits the information of each barcode directly to the management server 300 via the communication unit 14 in step 362. Alternatively, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 may transmit the information of each barcode to the management server 300 indirectly via the delivery company server 306 through the communication unit 14.

[0109] In step 364, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether the collector will correctly collect the package from the collection requester's home by performing an information matching judgment. Figure 24 shows the information that the CPU 21 of the management server 300 compares in the information matching judgment. Specifically, firstly, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether the information of the collection requester (user information) stored in the memory area 316 matches the information of the collection requester obtained by the reader unit of the collector terminal 321N1 reading the barcode 344r of the intention indicator 34.

[0110] Secondly, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether the information about collected packages stored in the memory area 316 matches the information about collected packages obtained by the reader unit of the collector terminal 321N1 reading the barcode 52 of the package 50. If at least one of these pieces of information does not match (364N), the CPU 21 of the management server 300 sends error information to the collector terminal 321N1.

[0111] Figure 25 shows the error information displayed on the display screen 321D of the collection terminal 321N1 when the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines that the information does not match (364N) in the information matching judgment. Figure 25 shows an example where the information of the collection requester (user information) stored in the memory area 316 of the management server 300 does not match the information of the collection requester obtained by the reader unit of the collection terminal 321N1 reading the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent sign 34. Specifically, the collection agent finds that the collection requester's address does not match, and the error information 321D3, "Incorrect collection address," is displayed on the display screen 321D of the collection terminal 321N1.

[0112] As a result, the collector understands that the collection address they thought they had arrived at is not the collection requester's home, and they reconfirm the collection address in message 321D1 displayed on the display screen 321D of the collector terminal 321N1, and move to the correct address. Once the collector has moved to the correct address, the reader unit 17 of the collector terminal 321N1 reads each barcode again, and the communication unit 14 transmits the information of each barcode to the management server 300. In step 364, the management server 300 makes a determination of whether the information matches.

[0113] If the above information matches (364Y), in step 368A, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 sends a collection completion notification email (see Figure 13) to the user terminal 302N1 via the communication unit 24, informing it that the collection has been completed. Thus, the person who requested the collection can be informed that the collection has been completed. Thus, even in this first modified example, the person requesting the pickup can request pickup and hand over the goods in a non-face-to-face manner.

[0114] Therefore, it is possible to provide convenience to those requesting pickup. For example, those requesting pickup do not need to wait at home until the pickup is completed, so their actions are not restricted until pickup is finished. Also, even if they are at home, they can receive their package while gardening, bathing, on the phone, or doing household chores and their hands are busy. Furthermore, for women living alone, there is no risk of direct face-to-face contact with the pickup person during the handover. In addition, there is no risk of infection from infectious diseases that have become prevalent in recent years due to direct face-to-face handover.

[0115] Furthermore, it offers convenience to the collector. For example, collection can be made even if the person requesting collection is not home. Also, even if the person requesting collection is at home, collection can be made if they are busy gardening, bathing, on the phone, or doing household chores and are unable to attend to the collection. In addition, it eliminates the risk of infection from infectious diseases that have become prevalent in recent years due to direct face-to-face handover.

[0116] In step 368B of Figure 18, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 transmits slip information to the collection terminal 321N1 via the communication unit 24. The slip information includes, for example, the address and name of the collection requester, the address and name of the delivery destination, information about the package, and the date and time of delivery of the package. In step 370, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1, upon receiving the slip information, executes the slip printing process. Specifically, when the slip information is received, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 displays a message prompting the user to print the slip. Figure 26 shows the message 321D4 prompting the user to print the slip, which is displayed on the display unit 13 of the collection terminal 321N1. As shown in Figure 26, the content of message 321D4 is, for example, as follows: "We have received the invoice information, please print it out." "Print"

[0117] The print icon 321D41 is used to instruct the collection terminal 321N1 to print out the shipping label. The collection worker instructs the collection terminal 321N1 to print out the shipping label by touching icon 321D41. The CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 causes the printer 19 to print out the shipping label. Figure 27 shows a message prompting the collection worker to print out the shipping label, the collection terminal printing out the shipping label after being instructed to do so by the collection worker, and the collection worker attaching the shipping label to the package. As shown in Figure 27, the shipping label 51 printed out by the collection terminal 321N1 is attached to the package 50 by the collection worker.

[0118] Since the shipping label 51 is attached to the package 50 by the collector, the burden on the person requesting the collection, who has to create the shipping label 51 and attach it to the package 50, is eliminated. However, the method of attaching the slip 51 to the package 50 is not limited to this. For example, it may be printed at the sales office or prepared and attached to the package 50 by the person requesting the pickup.

[0119] The package 50 with the shipping label 51 attached is transported to the delivery destination's branch office according to the delivery route of delivery company A. After that, the delivery person travels with the package 50 to the delivery address indicated on the shipping label 51 and delivers the package to the recipient's address. Upon delivering the package to the recipient's address, the delivery person sends a notification (i.e., reports) to the management server 300 via the delivery terminal 322N1 that the delivery has been completed. Upon receiving the notification that the delivery has been completed, the management server 300 sends a delivery completion email to the user terminal 3402N2. This email includes comments entered by the person requesting the pickup from the pickup request information.

[0120] Comments can include, for example, a message attached to the package or information about the package. A message might be, for example, "Happy Birthday" if the package is a birthday present for the recipient. Package information might include, for example, the expiration date or cooking instructions if the package contains food.

[0121] (Second variation) Next, a second modified version of the first invention's delivery system will be described. Since the second modified version's delivery system has the same configuration as the first modified version's delivery system described above, its explanation will be omitted, and the operation of the second modified version's delivery system will be described. The operation of the second modified version is almost identical to that of the first modified version, so only the differences will be described below.

[0122] Figure 28 shows a timing chart of the delivery system for a second modified example. In the first modified example (see Figure 18), in step 364, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 determines whether the collector will correctly collect the package from the collection requester's home by making an information matching determination. If the above information matches (364Y), in step 368A, the CPU 21 of the management server 300 sends a collection completion notification email to the user terminal 302N1 via the communication unit 24, notifying that the collection has been completed.

[0123] In contrast, in the second modified example (see Figure 28), the information of the pickup requester transmitted in step 354 includes the pickup requester's (i.e., user's) address and name, as well as the user's email address. After the slip printing process in step 370, the CPU 11 of the pickup terminal 321N1 sends a pickup completion notification email to the pickup requester's email address via the communication unit 14 in step 370M, notifying them that the pickup has been completed. Thus, the pickup requester can be informed that the pickup has been completed. Receiving the slip information means that the pickuper has arrived at the correct pickup requester's home and was able to complete the pickup, so the pickup terminal 321N1 can send a pickup completion notification email to the user terminal 302N1.

[0124] In this second modified example, once the collector has successfully collected the goods, the collector's terminal 321N1 can send a collection completion notification email to the user terminal 302N1, in accordance with the collector's wishes. If the shipping label information is received, the collection completion notification email may be sent before the shipping label printing process in step 370.

[0125] (Third variation) Next, a third modified example of the first invention's delivery system will be described. Note that the third modified example's delivery system has the same configuration as the first modified example's delivery system described above, so its description will be omitted.

[0126] Figure 29 shows a third modified example in which, when a user purchases a declaration of intent sign, the user's information is encrypted using a key and stored in the barcode of the declaration of intent sign. As shown in Figure 29, the management server 300 encrypts the user's information using a key, for example, a symmetric key encryption method, and stores the encrypted user information in the barcode 344r.

[0127] In this way, user information encrypted using a key is stored on the barcode 344r, preventing user information from being known to others, used without permission, or reused by other companies. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate users' concerns about their personal information being used without their consent.

[0128] Next, we will explain the operation of the third modified delivery system. Since the operation of the third modified system is almost the same as that of the first modified system, we will explain only the differences below. Figure 30 shows a timing chart of the delivery system for a third modified example. In step 362, among the information of the two barcodes transmitted from the delivery terminal 321N1, the information of the barcode 344r of the intention indicator 34 read by the reader 17 of the collection terminal 321N1 is encrypted using the above key.

[0129] Therefore, in step 363, the management server 300 decrypts the information of the barcode 344r of the intention indicator 34, which was read by the reader 17 of the collection terminal 321N1, from the information of the two barcodes transmitted from the delivery terminal 321N1, using the key mentioned above.

[0130] (Fourth variation) Next, a fourth modified example of the first invention's delivery system will be described. Note that the fourth modified example's delivery system has the same configuration as the first modified example's delivery system described above, so its description will be omitted. In the fourth modification, as in the third modification, as shown in Figure 29, the management server 300 encrypts the user information using a key and a symmetric key encryption scheme, and then stores the encrypted user information in the barcode 344r. Next, we will explain the operation of the fourth modified delivery system. The operation of the fourth modified system is almost the same as that of the second and third modified systems, so we will only explain the differences below. Figure 31 shows a timing chart of the delivery system for a fourth modified example.

[0131] In the fourth modified example, in step 363, the management server 300 decrypts the information of the barcode 344r of the intention indicator 34, which was read by the reader 17 of the collection terminal 321N1, from the information of the two barcodes transmitted from the delivery terminal 321N1, using the key described above.

[0132] In the fourth modification, unlike the third modification, the management server 300 does not send a collection completion notification email. In the fourth modification, as with the second modification, the collector terminal 321N1 sends a collection completion notification email to the user terminal 302N. However, in step 360, among the information of the two barcodes read by the reader unit 17 of the collector terminal 321N1, the information of the barcode 344r of the intention indicator 34 is encrypted using the above key.

[0133] Therefore, in step 371, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 accesses the homepage (Hp) of the management server 300 via the communication unit 14 and receives the above key from the management server 300. In step 374, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 decrypts the information of the barcode 344r of the declaration of intent mark 34 using the above key.

[0134] In step 375, the CPU 11 of the collection terminal 321N1 sends a collection completion notification email to the collection requester's email address via the communication unit 14, informing them that the collection has been completed. Thus, the collection requester is able to know that the collection has been completed.

[0135] In the fourth modification, the user accesses the homepage (Hp) of the management server 300 and receives the key from the management server 300, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the management server 300 may send the key to the delivery server 306 when it transmits information in step 354, and the delivery server 306 may send the key to the delivery terminal 321N1 when it transmits information in step 356.

[0136] In the first to fourth modified examples described above, as in the previously mentioned embodiment, the delivery terminal 322N1 may send a delivery notification email (see Figure 7) to the user terminal 302N2 before arriving at the delivery destination.

[0137] Furthermore, in the first to fourth modified examples, as in the embodiments described above, the delivery terminal 322N1 may send a delivery absence notification email (see Figure 9) to the user terminal 302N2 if it arrives at the delivery destination but the recipient is not home.

[0138] This specification discloses the following: [1] A sign indicating intent that is selectively placed at the delivery location of a delivery item and carries information indicating consent to leaving the item at the delivery location, A delivery item information carrying means that is held in the delivery item to be delivered to a pre-specified delivery destination and carries delivery item identification information set for each delivery item, A reading means that reads information indicating consent to leaving the package from the aforementioned sign, and reads delivery identification information from the delivery information carrying means, A portable terminal having a transmission means for transmitting the declaration of intent information and delivery identification information read by the aforementioned reading means to a server, A receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and delivery identification information transmitted from the aforementioned mobile terminal. A server having a determination means that determines delivery is complete when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, A delivery system equipped with [features / equipment].

[0139] [2] The delivery system according to [1] above, wherein the server has a notification transmission means that, when the determination means determines that the delivery has been completed, transmits information to the recipient or sender of the delivered item notifying them that the delivery has been completed.

[0140] [3] The server is A delivery destination identification information storage means that stores delivery destination identification information in association with the declaration of intent information, A delivery information storage means that stores delivery destination information of a delivery item in association with the delivery item identification information, A delivery destination identification information acquisition means that extracts delivery destination identification information from a delivery destination identification information storage means based on the intention declaration information received by the receiving means, The receiving means has a delivery destination information acquisition means that acquires delivery destination information from the delivery information storage means based on the delivery item identification information received by the receiving means, The delivery system according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the determination means determines that delivery is complete when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, provided that the relationship between the delivery destination identification information obtained by the delivery destination identification information acquisition means and the delivery destination information obtained by the delivery destination information acquisition means is a predetermined relationship.

[0141] [4] The information of intent carried on the intent sign is carried in relation to the individual sign identification information assigned to each intent sign, The aforementioned server, The delivery system according to [3] above, further comprising a delivery destination information writing means that, when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, if the delivery destination information storage means does not store delivery destination information associated with the received declaration of intent information, writes the delivery destination information acquired by the delivery destination information acquisition means to the delivery destination information storage means as delivery destination information.

[0142] [5] A receiving means that receives from a mobile terminal the following: information read from an indication of intent sign that is selectively placed at the delivery location of a delivery item and carries information indicating consent to leave the item at the delivery location; and information read from a delivery item information carrying means that is held in the delivery item delivered to a predetermined delivery location and carries delivery item identification information set for each delivery item. A delivery information storage means that stores, in association with the information of the designated delivery address of the delivery item and the identification information of the delivery item, which were provided before the delivery of the delivery item. A server that determines that delivery is complete when the delivery identification information received by the receiving means is the same as the delivery identification information stored in the delivery information storage means.

[0143] [6] The server described in [5] above, which has a notification transmission means for transmitting information to the recipient or sender of the delivered item notifying them that the delivery has been completed when the determination means determines that the delivery has been completed.

[0144] [7] A delivery destination identification information storage means that stores delivery destination identification information in association with the declaration of intent information, A delivery information storage means that stores delivery destination information of a delivery item in association with the delivery item identification information, A delivery destination identification information acquisition means that extracts delivery destination identification information from a delivery destination identification information storage means based on the intention declaration information received by the receiving means, The receiving means further comprises a delivery destination information acquisition means that acquires delivery destination information from the delivery information storage means based on the delivery item identification information received by the receiving means, The determination means is the server described in [5] or [6] above, which determines that delivery is complete when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, provided that the relationship between the delivery destination identification information obtained by the delivery destination identification information acquisition means and the delivery destination information obtained by the delivery destination information acquisition means is a predetermined relationship.

[0145] [8] The information of intent carried on the intent sign is carried in relation to the individual sign identification information assigned to each intent sign, The server according to [7] above, further comprising a delivery destination information writing means that, when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, if the delivery destination information storage means does not store the delivery destination information associated with the received declaration of intent information, writes the delivery destination information acquired by the delivery destination information acquisition means to the delivery destination information storage means as the delivery destination information.

[0146] [9] A first reading means that reads information from an indication of intent sign that is selectively placed at the delivery location of a delivery item and carries information indicating consent to leaving the item at the delivery location, A second reading means reads delivery identification information from a delivery information carrying means that is held in a delivery item to be delivered to a predetermined delivery location and carries delivery identification information set for each delivery item, A portable terminal having a transmission means for transmitting to a server the intention declaration information read by the first reading means and the delivery item identification information read by the second reading means.

[0147]

[10] A sign of intent that is selectively placed at the delivery location of a delivery item and carries information indicating consent to leaving the item at the delivery location, It has an information carrying means that carries the mark identification information determined individually for each mark indicating intent, The identification information of the sign read by the mobile device is a sign of intent that is transmitted to the server.

[0148]

[11] The sign identification information is stored in the server in association with delivery destination identification information that may be the delivery destination, as described in

[10] above.

[12] An indication of intent sign is an indication of intent sign as described in

[10] or

[11] above, which is a sign that is selectively placed outside the delivery location.

[0149]

[13] A step of reading intention information from an intention sign that is selectively placed at the delivery location of the delivered item and carries intention information indicating consent to leave the item at the door, and reading the intention information indicating consent to leave the item at the door using a mobile device, A delivery item identification information reading step involves reading the delivery item identification information from a delivery item information carrying means, which is held in the delivery item to be delivered to a pre-specified delivery location and carries delivery item identification information set for each delivery item, using a mobile terminal. A transmission step in which the declaration of intent information read in the declaration of intent information reading step and the delivery item identification information read in the delivery item identification information reading step are transmitted from the mobile terminal to the server, The process involves receiving the declaration of intent information and delivery identification information transmitted from the aforementioned mobile terminal, A delivery completion confirmation method comprising a determination step which determines that delivery is complete when the intention declaration information and delivery item identification information are received in the aforementioned receiving step.

[14] The delivery completion confirmation method described in

[13] above, which, if it is determined in the determination step that delivery has been completed, has a notification transmission step of sending information to the recipient or sender of the delivered item notifying them that delivery has been completed.

[0150]

[15] A sign of intent which is selectively displayed by the sender of a delivery and carries information of intent regarding the sender's intention to request a non-face-to-face delivery of the package from the sender to the delivery company, A delivery item information carrying means that is assigned to a delivery item to be delivered to a pre-specified delivery destination and carries delivery item identification information set for each delivery item, A reading means that reads information indicating the intention to request non-face-to-face delivery from the aforementioned intention indication sign, and reads information identifying the delivered item from the delivered item information carrying means, A portable terminal having a transmission means for transmitting the declaration of intent information and delivery identification information read by the aforementioned reading means to a server, A receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and delivery identification information transmitted from the aforementioned mobile terminal. A server having a determination means that determines that the delivery has been completed when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery identification information, A cargo transfer system equipped with the following features.

[0151]

[16] A sign of intent which is selectively displayed by the sender of a delivery and carries information of intent regarding the sender's intention to request a non-face-to-face delivery of the package from the sender to the delivery company, A delivery item identification information generation means generates delivery item identification information set for each delivery item to be delivered to a pre-specified delivery destination, A reading means for reading information indicating the intention to request non-face-to-face delivery from the aforementioned intention indication sign, A transmission means that transmits the declaration of intent information read by the reading means and the delivery item identification information generated by the delivery item identification information generation means to a server. A mobile terminal having a slip output means that outputs a slip containing delivery item identification information based on slip information received from a server, and a delivery item identification information carrying means that carries delivery item identification information. A receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and delivery identification information transmitted from the aforementioned mobile terminal. A determination means that determines that delivery is complete when the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information, If the determination means determines that the delivery is complete, the document generation means generates document information including delivery identification information, A server having a slip information transmission means for transmitting slip information generated by the slip generation means to a mobile terminal, A cargo transfer system equipped with the following features.

[0152]

[17] The delivery system according to

[15] or

[16] above, wherein the server has a notification transmission means that transmits information to the sender notifying that the delivery has been completed when the determination means determines that the delivery has been completed.

[18] The server said to be, A sender identification information storage means that stores sender identification information in association with the declaration of intent information, A means for obtaining delivery-related information, which obtains delivery information about the delivery item and delivery destination information about the delivery destination of the delivery item from the sender. A delivery-related information storage means that stores delivery information about the delivery item entered by the sender and delivery address information about the delivery address of the delivery item, in association with the declaration of intent information. A delivery information storage means that stores the origin information of the delivered item in association with the delivery item identification information, A delivery item identification-related information storage means extracts delivery item information and delivery destination information from the delivery item-related information storage means based on the intention declaration information and delivery item identification information received by the receiving means, extracts the delivery item dispatcher information from the delivery information storage means, and stores the extracted delivery item information, delivery destination information and dispatcher information in association with the delivery item identification information. If the determination means determines that the delivery is complete, The delivery system according to

[15] or

[16] above, wherein the slip information generation means generates slip information based on the information stored in the delivery item identification related information.

[0153] According to the inventions described in [1], [5] and

[13] above, if the recipient of a delivery agrees to leave the package at the door, they display an indication of intent sign outside their home. The delivery person then reads the indication of intent information and delivery identification information from the delivery package carrying means and the indication of intent sign into a mobile terminal and transmits the read indication of intent information and delivery identification information to a server. The server determines that the delivery is complete based on the received indication of intent information and delivery identification information. This configuration allows for the completion of delivery without directly handing the package to the recipient, thus improving the efficiency of delivery operations for the delivery person. For the recipient, it allows them to receive the package without being restricted in their actions regarding the handover of the package. Since the indication of intent sign can be selectively displayed outside the home, the recipient has the right to choose whether or not to leave the package at the door.

[0154] According to the inventions described in [2], [6] and

[14] above, when it is determined that delivery is complete, the recipient and sender's terminals are notified of the completion of delivery, so that they can know immediately after completion that the delivery has been made to a designated location. This makes it possible to retrieve the delivered items that have been left at the designated location as soon as possible.

[0155] According to the inventions described in [3] and [7] above, delivery completion is determined when the delivery address identification information and the delivery address information have a predetermined relationship, so the completion of delivery can be determined more reliably. According to the inventions described in [4] and [8] above, if the identification information assigned to each intention sign upon completion of delivery does not contain delivery destination identification information, the delivery destination information obtained based on the delivery item identification information transmitted together with the intention information is written directly as delivery destination identification information, thus eliminating the need to write information to each intention sign.

[0156] According to the invention described in [9] above, it is possible to guarantee that a delivery has actually been made by reading the declaration of intent information and the delivery identification information with a single mobile terminal and transmitting them simultaneously to a server. According to the invention described in

[10] above, by indicating to the delivery person that the recipient agrees to leave the package at the door using an indication of intent sign, the delivery person can leave the package outside without handing it directly to the recipient. The completion of the delivery can be proven by reading the individual identification sign set for each indication of intent sign and sending it to the server when the delivery is completed.

[0157] According to the invention described in

[11] above, the server stores in association with the sign identification information, which is the delivery destination identification information that may be the delivery destination. Therefore, by comparing it with the delivery item identification information read when the delivery is completed, it is possible to reliably confirm whether or not the item was indeed delivered to the correct delivery destination. According to the invention described in

[12] above, the indication of intent is a display piece that is selectively placed outside the delivery location. Therefore, if the recipient does not consent to delivery, the display piece is not placed outside, and only if consent is given is it possible to display it outside. Furthermore, it can be manufactured at low cost.

[0158] According to the invention described in

[15] above, the delivery person is informed from the indication mark that a non-face-to-face delivery is requested. Then, by reading the unique identification information from the indication mark and sending the delivery item identification information attached to the delivery item to the server, the delivery person can know that the delivery has been completed. The sender is not restricted in their actions for the delivery of the package. According to the invention described in

[16] above, in addition to the effects of claim 1, there is the advantage that if the delivery destination data is entered, it is not necessary to fill out a slip to be attached to the delivery item.

[0159] According to the invention described in

[17] above, a notification of completion of receipt is received, so the completion of delivery can be known. According to the invention described in

[18] above, the server associates delivery information and delivery destination information with the delivery identification information, making it easy to monitor the delivery status of the delivery via the delivery identification information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0160] 1. Delivery System 2 servers 31 house 32 Front door 34 Sign indicating intention 344 barcodes 50 pieces of luggage 52 barcodes 2na mobile devices 2nb Recipient terminal 300 Management Servers 302N1, 302N2 user terminals 304N1, 304N2 Delivery Service System 306 Delivery Company Server 321N1 Collector Terminal 322N1 Delivery Terminal 316, 316M1, 316M2 storage area 321D display screen 321D1 Message prompting pickup 321D2 Message prompting scanning of two barcodes 321D21 Icon for a sign indicating intent 321D22 Luggage icon 321D3 Error Information 321D4 Message prompting you to print out the slip

Claims

[Claim 1] A sender terminal having a means for transmitting collection request information that obtains collection request information for delivered items from the sender and transmits the collection request information to a server, When the sender desires a non-face-to-face delivery of the package from the sender to the delivery company, a sign of intent is provided, which is installed at a location of the sender's home and has a carrying means that carries sender address information including the sender's address and information indicating the sender's desire for a non-face-to-face delivery. A delivery item information carrying means that is assigned to a delivery item to be delivered to a pre-specified delivery destination and carries delivery item identification information set for each delivery item, A reading means for reading the declaration of intent information requesting non-face-to-face delivery from the declaration of intent sign, and for reading the delivery item identification information from the delivery item information carrying means, A portable terminal having a transmission means for transmitting the declaration of intent information and the delivery item identification information read by the reading means to a server, A collection information receiving means that receives the collection request information from the sender terminal, A receiving means that receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal, A sender address information storage means that stores sender address information in association with the aforementioned declaration of intent information, A delivery information storage means that stores the sender address of the delivery in association with the delivery identification information, When the receiving means receives the declaration of intent information and the delivery identification information, In the aforementioned sender identification information storage means, the address included in the sender address information stored in association with the received declaration of intent information, A server having a delivery information storage means that determines whether delivery is complete on the condition that the received delivery identification information matches the sender address of the delivery item stored in association with it, The recipient's terminal, which is owned by the recipient of the aforementioned delivery, The delivery terminal owned by the delivery person of the aforementioned delivery item, A delivery system having, The delivery terminal has a delivery completion information transmission means that transmits delivery completion information to the server when the delivery person has completed the delivery. The server has a completion information transmission means that, upon receiving the delivery completion information, transmits the delivery completion information to the recipient's terminal. The aforementioned collection request information includes comments from the sender. A delivery system characterized in that the delivery completion information includes the comment.

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