Delivery locker management system

Abstract

To increase an operation rate of a home delivery locker and improve convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A home delivery locker management system includes: a home delivery box including two or more home delivery lockers having different sizes; and a server communicating with the home delivery box. The server acquires size information of delivered shipment (S200). The server extracts a home delivery locker having a size suitable for the shipment from available home delivery lockers of the home delivery lockers (S204). The server assigns one of the extracted home delivery lockers to the shipment (S210). The server notifies a person delivering the shipment of information for identifying a home delivery locker assigned to the shipment (S212).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a home delivery locker management system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a home delivery locker reservation system. The home delivery locker reservation system includes a plurality of home delivery boxes and a management center that manages the plurality of home delivery boxes via a communication network. Each home delivery box includes a plurality of home delivery lockers. A user who wishes to use a home delivery locker can access the management center to make a reservation for using the home delivery locker. The user is, for example, a delivery person of a home delivery company.

[0003] The management center can determine whether each home delivery locker is in use. When a user makes a reservation to use a home delivery locker included in a certain home delivery box, all of the plurality of home delivery lockers included in the home delivery box may be in use. In such a case, after receiving the reservation, when a home delivery locker becomes available, the management center locks the available home delivery locker and notifies the user that the home delivery locker is available.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A single delivery box may contain multiple delivery lockers of different sizes. These sizes might include, for example, two different sizes, large and small. Sometimes, even if there are still small lockers available, packages that would fit in the small lockers are placed in the large lockers. This quickly fills up the large lockers, preventing larger packages that wouldn't fit in the small lockers from being stored. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following describes the means and effects of solving the above problems. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a delivery locker management system is provided, comprising: a delivery box including a plurality of delivery lockers of two or more different sizes; and a processing unit configured to communicate with the delivery box, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform the following actions: acquire information on the size of a package to be deposited; extract a delivery locker of a size suitable for the package from among the available delivery lockers of the plurality of delivery lockers; assign one of the extracted delivery lockers to the package; notify the person depositing the package of information identifying the delivery locker assigned to the package; and unlock the delivery locker assigned to the package so that the person depositing the package can deposit the package in the delivery locker assigned to the package. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above configuration, the utilization rate of delivery lockers will improve, and user convenience will also be enhanced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a parcel locker management system according to one embodiment, which communicates with depositors and recipients via a network. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the delivery locker management system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the process by which the parcel locker management system in Figure 1 notifies the recipient before the storage period for the package expires. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process by which the parcel locker management system in Figure 1 sends a notification to the depositor prompting them to pick up their package after the storage period has expired. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing what happens when the recipient picks up the package before the storage period expires. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing what happens if the recipient does not pick up the package before the storage period expires. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A delivery locker management system according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Overall Structure> Figure 1 shows a delivery locker management system according to one embodiment, which communicates with depositors 300 and recipients 400 via a network 500. Each of the depositors 300 and recipients 400 has a computer equipped with communication capabilities. The delivery locker management system comprises a delivery box 100 which includes two or more delivery lockers 12-18 (hereinafter referred to as lockers 12-18) of different sizes. The delivery locker management system further comprises a server 200 configured to communicate with the delivery box 100. The delivery box 100 and the server 200 exchange information as needed. The delivery box 100 is installed, for example, in the entrance hall of an apartment building. The depositor 300 is, for example, a delivery person of a delivery company. The depositor 300 can deposit a package in one of the lockers 12-18. The recipient 400 is the person who receives the package.

[0010] The delivery box 100 is equipped with a computer 10 having an input interface and an output interface. The computer 10 can communicate with a server 200 via a network 500. Both the computer 10 and the server 200 are equipped with a CPU, RAM, and ROM. Both the computer 10 and the server 200 perform software processing. The computer 10 can also communicate with lockers 12 to 18. Lockers 12 to 14 are small lockers 12 to 14. Lockers 15 and 16 are medium lockers 15 and 16. Lockers 17 and 18 are large lockers 17 and 18.

[0011] If depositors 300 can freely choose any of the available lockers 12-18, the following problems arise. For example, even if small lockers 12-14 are available, a package that would fit in one of the small lockers 12-14 may be deposited in large locker 17. In this case, if large locker 18 is full, packages that only fit in large lockers 17 or 18 cannot be deposited in the delivery box 100. The inventors focused on this point and designed a delivery locker management system.

[0012] <Process until the delivery of the package to the delivery box 100 is completed> The process performed by the parcel locker management system will be explained with reference to Figure 2. In the explanation with reference to Figure 2, the luggage deposited by depositor 300 is small enough to fit into small lockers 12 to 14.

[0013] As mentioned above, depositor 300 is, for example, a delivery person for a courier company. Prior to depositor 300 going to the delivery box 100, the delivery locker management system assigns one of the lockers 12-18 to depositor 300's package.

[0014] First, in step S200, the server 200 receives a request from the depositor 300 to use the delivery box 100, which includes information about the size of the package. The depositor 300 determines the size of the package and sends the package size information to the server 200. Alternatively, the depositor 300 may send the server 200 an image of the package taken so that its size can be seen. In this case, the server 200 determines the size of the package based on the received image. Next, in step S202, the server 200 determines whether there is an available locker among the lockers 12 to 18.

[0015] If the server 200 determines in step S202 that it is positive (S202: YES), it proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the server 200 extracts a locker of a suitable size from the available lockers that the depositor 300 will deposit. Here, "available locker" means one that is empty and not reserved. For example, if all small lockers 12-14 are available and the depositor 300's luggage will fit in small lockers 12-14, the server 200 extracts small lockers 12-14. In other words, the server 200 is configured to extract the smallest lockers 12-14 that will fit the depositor 300's luggage from among the available lockers 12-18, and selects them as the appropriately sized lockers 12-14. Next, in step S206, the server 200 presents the extracted small lockers 12-14 to the depositor 300. Next, in step S208, the server 200 receives the selection of a locker 12 from the luggage depositor 300. Then, in step S210, the server 200 assigns the selected locker 12 to the luggage that the depositor 300 is depositing. Next, in step S212, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 of information identifying the locker 12 assigned to the luggage that the depositor 300 is depositing. The server 200 also notifies the depositor 300 of the information necessary to unlock the locker 12 assigned to the luggage that the depositor 300 is depositing. The information necessary to unlock the locker 12 is, for example, a PIN or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0016] Next, the depositor 300 goes to the delivery box 100. The depositor 300 inputs the information necessary to unlock the locker 12 into the input interface of the computer 10. That is, the delivery box 100 receives an instruction to unlock the locker 12 from the depositor 300 in step S214. Next, the delivery box 100 unlocks the locker 12 in step S216. Next, the depositor 300 puts the luggage into the locker 12 and closes the door of the locker 12. That is, the delivery box 100 accommodates and locks the luggage in the locker 12 in step S218. Along with this, the delivery box 100 notifies the server 200 that the luggage has been accommodated and the locker 12 has been locked. Next, in step S220, the server 200 notifies the recipient 400 that the luggage has been stored in the locker 12. In other words, the server 200 is configured to send a notification to the recipient 400 of the luggage to inform that the luggage has been deposited in the delivery box 100 after the depositor 300 has deposited the luggage in the locker 12. Here, the information necessary to unlock the locker 12 is also notified to the recipient 400.

[0017] As described above, in the description referring to FIG. 2, the luggage deposited by the depositor 300 is sized to fit in the small lockers 12 to 14. The server 200 is configured to acquire information on the size of the deposited luggage (step S200), extract lockers 12 to 14 of a size suitable for the luggage from among the available lockers among the plurality of lockers 12 to 18 (step S204), assign one of the extracted lockers 12 to 14, i.e., locker 12, to the luggage deposited by the depositor 300 (step S210), and notify the depositor 300 of the luggage of the information identifying the locker 12 assigned to the luggage (step S212). Also, according to step S216, the computer 10 is configured to execute unlocking the locker 12 assigned to the luggage so that the depositor 300 can deposit the luggage in the locker 12 assigned to the luggage.

[0018] As described above, in step S202, the server 200 determines whether there is an available locker among lockers 12 to 18. If the server 200 makes a negative determination in step S202 (S202: NO), it proceeds to step S222. In step S222, the server 200 extracts lockers of a size suitable for the luggage from among lockers 12 to 18. For example, if the luggage deposited by the depositor 300 fits in small lockers 12 to 14, the server 200 extracts small lockers 12 to 14. Next, in step S224, the server 200 presents the extracted small lockers 12 to 14 to the depositor 300. Then, in step S226, the server 200 receives the selection of locker 12 from the depositor 300 of the luggage. Instead of this, the server 200 may receive a request for the earliest available small locker among small lockers 12 to 14. Next, in step S228, the server 200 reserves the selected locker 12 for the luggage deposited by the depositor 300. Then, in step S230, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 of information identifying the reserved locker 12. The server 200 also notifies the depositor 300 of the information necessary to unlock the reserved locker 12.

[0019] The server 200 monitors whether the reserved locker 12 has become available. That is, in step S232, the server 200 determines whether the reserved locker 12 has become available. If the server 200 makes a negative determination in step S232 (S232: NO), it repeats the process of step S232. If the server 200 makes an affirmative determination in step S232 (S232: YES), it proceeds to step S234. In step S234, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 that the reserved locker 12 has become available. Then, steps S214 to S220 described above are executed.

[0020] <Processing to be performed when the luggage has not been picked up when the storage period is approaching> Referring to Figure 3, the process by which the delivery locker management system notifies the recipient 400 before the storage period for the package expires will be explained. As described above, in step S220, the recipient 400 is notified that the package has been placed in the locker 12. In step S300, the server 200 starts measuring the elapsed time since the package was placed in the locker 12. The server 200 then proceeds to step S302.

[0021] In step S302, server 200 determines whether the package has been picked up. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S302:YES), it terminates this flow. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S302:NO), it proceeds to step S304. In step S304, server 200 determines whether the notification period has arrived. The notification period is a specified period before the storage deadline. For example, the notification period is one day before the storage deadline. If server 200 determines that the notification period has been picked up (S304:NO), it returns to step S302. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S304:YES), it proceeds to step S306. In step S306, server 200 sends a notification to recipient 400 urging them to pick up the package.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the server 200 is configured to send a notification to the recipient 400 urging them to pick up the package if the recipient has not completed picking up the package before the specified storage period for the package.

[0023] <Processing taken when a package has not been claimed after the storage period has expired> Figure 4 shows the process by which the parcel locker management system of Figure 1 notifies the depositor 300 to pick up their parcel after the storage period has expired. In step S400, the server 200 starts measuring the elapsed time since the parcel was placed in the locker 12. The server 200 then proceeds to step S402.

[0024] In step S402, server 200 determines whether the package has been picked up. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S402:YES), it terminates this flow. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S402:NO), it proceeds to step S404. In step S404, server 200 determines whether the storage period has expired. If server 200 determines that the storage period has expired (S404:NO), it returns to step S402. If server 200 determines that the storage period has expired (S404:YES), it proceeds to step S406. In step S406, server 200 notifies depositor 300 to pick up the package. Next, server 200 proceeds to step S408. In step S408, server 200 waits for a predetermined period. For example, the predetermined period is 24 hours. Next, server 200 proceeds to step S410. In step S410, server 200 determines whether or not the package has been picked up. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S410: NO), it returns to step S406. If server 200 determines that the package has been picked up (S410: YES), it terminates this flow.

[0025] <What happens if recipient 400 picks up the package before the storage period expires?> Refer to Figure 5 to explain the consequences of recipient 400 picking up the package before the storage period expires.

[0026] First, the depositor 300 sends a request to the server 200 to use the delivery box 100 (step S200). In response, the server 200 presents the selected lockers 12-14 to the depositor 300 (step S206). Next, the depositor 300 sends their selection of locker 12 to the server 200 (step S208). In response, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 of information identifying the assigned locker 12 (step S212).

[0027] Next, the depositor 300 goes to the delivery box 100. The depositor 300 requests the delivery box 100 to unlock the locker 12 (step S214). In response, the delivery box 100 notifies the depositor 300 that it has unlocked the locker 12 (step S216). Next, the depositor 300 requests the delivery box 100 to lock the locker 12 by closing the door of the locker 12. In response, the delivery box 100 notifies the depositor 300 that it has locked the locker 12 (step S218).

[0028] Next, the delivery box 100 notifies the server 200 that it has placed the package inside and locked the locker 12. In response, the server 200 notifies the recipient 400 that the package has been placed in the locker 12 (step S220).

[0029] Figure 5 shows the case where the recipient 400 does not pick up the package before the notification period arrives. The server 200 sends a notification to the recipient 400 urging them to pick up the package (step S306). The recipient 400 then requests the delivery box 100 to unlock the locker 12. In response, the delivery box 100 notifies the recipient 400 that the locker 12 has been unlocked. The recipient 400 then takes out the package and closes the door of the locker 12. Based on this, the delivery box 100 locks the locker 12.

[0030] <What happens if recipient 400 does not pick up the package before the storage period expires?> Refer to Figure 6 to explain the consequences if recipient 400 does not pick up the package before the storage period expires.

[0031] First, the depositor 300 sends a request to the server 200 to use the delivery box 100 (step S200). In response, the server 200 presents the selected lockers 12-14 to the depositor 300 (step S206). Next, the depositor 300 sends their selection of locker 12 to the server 200 (step S208). In response, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 of information identifying the assigned locker 12 (step S212).

[0032] Next, the depositor 300 goes to the delivery box 100. The depositor 300 requests the delivery box 100 to unlock the locker 12 (step S214). In response, the delivery box 100 notifies the depositor 300 that it has unlocked the locker 12 (step S216). Next, the depositor 300 requests the delivery box 100 to lock the locker 12 by closing the door of the locker 12. In response, the delivery box 100 notifies the depositor 300 that it has locked the locker 12 (step S218).

[0033] Next, the delivery box 100 notifies the server 200 that it has placed the package inside and locked the locker 12. In response, the server 200 notifies the recipient 400 that the package has been placed in the locker 12 (step S220).

[0034] As explained with reference to Figure 5, when the notification period arrives, the server 200 notifies the recipient 400 to pick up the package (step S306). Figure 6 shows an example where the package was not picked up before the storage period expired. First, before the storage period expires, the server 200 repeats the negative determination in step S402 and the negative determination in step S404. Immediately after the storage period expires, the server 200 makes a positive determination in step S404. Therefore, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 to pick up the package (step S406).

[0035] Figure 6 shows an example where the retrieval of luggage is completed before a predetermined period has elapsed since the server 200 sent a second notification to the depositor 300 urging them to retrieve their luggage. First, the server 200 sends a first notification to the depositor 300 urging them to retrieve their luggage, and then waits for a predetermined period in step S408. At the predetermined period that has elapsed since the server 200 sent the first notification to the depositor 300 urging them to retrieve their luggage, the retrieval of luggage has not been completed. Therefore, the server 200 makes a negative determination in S410. Next, the server 200 sends a second notification to the depositor 300 urging them to retrieve their luggage (step S406). After sending the second notification to the depositor 300 urging them to retrieve their luggage, the server 200 waits for a predetermined period in step S408. Next, the server 200 determines in step S410 that the retrieval of luggage has been completed. Therefore, the server 200 terminates the flow shown in Figure 4.

[0036] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The delivery locker management system comprises a delivery box 100 including two or more lockers 12 to 18 of different sizes, and a server 200 configured to communicate with the delivery box 100. The server 200 is configured to obtain information on the size of the package to be deposited, extract lockers 12 to 14 of a suitable size for the package from among the available lockers 12 to 18, assign one of the extracted lockers 12 to 14 to the package, and notify the package depositor 300 of information identifying the locker 12 assigned to the package. The computer 10 is configured to unlock the locker 12 assigned to the package so that the depositor 300 can deposit the package in the assigned locker 12.

[0037] According to the above configuration, lockers 12 are assigned to luggage based on information about the size of the luggage being deposited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent luggage from being placed in larger lockers 15-18, which are designed to accommodate larger luggage, even if smaller lockers 12-14 that can accommodate the luggage remain available. Thus, the utilization rate of lockers 12-18 is improved, and user convenience is enhanced. For example, it becomes easier for recipient 400 to retrieve large luggage that can only fit in large lockers 17 and 18.

[0038] (2) The server 200 is configured to extract the smallest locker 12-14 that can accommodate luggage from among the multiple lockers 12-18, and to select the appropriate size locker 12-14.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the smallest lockers, 12-14, will be given priority for luggage. Therefore, the utilization rate of lockers 12-18 can be increased. (3) The server 200 is configured to notify the depositor 300 to pick up the package if the storage period for the package has expired and the recipient 400 has not yet picked up the package.

[0040] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent situations where luggage is left unattended in the locker 12 for extended periods. This reduces situations where the locker 12 is unusable. (4) The server 200 is configured to notify the recipient of the package 400 that the package has been placed in the delivery box 100 after the depositor 300 has placed the package in the locker 12.

[0041] According to the above configuration, the recipient 400 can be notified that a package has arrived in the locker 12. This provides an opportunity for the recipient 400 to come to the locker 12 to pick up the package.

[0042] (5) The server 200 is configured to notify the recipient 400 to pick up the package if the recipient has not completed picking up the package before the specified storage period for the package.

[0043] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent situations where luggage is left unattended in the locker 12 for extended periods. This reduces situations where the locker 12 is unusable. <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0044] In the above embodiment, one of the lockers 12-18 is assigned to the depositor 300's package before the depositor 300 goes to the delivery box 100. However, this is merely an example. For example, one of the lockers 12-18 may be assigned to the depositor 300's package when the depositor 300 goes to the delivery box 100. According to the above embodiment, the smallest lockers 12-14 are given priority for package assignment. This reduces the situation where redelivery is necessary because a package that would fit in a small locker 12-14 is placed in a locker 15-18. In other words, it is possible to reduce the workload on delivery personnel.

[0045] In the above embodiment, in step S208, the depositor 300 selects locker 12. However, this is merely illustrative. For example, the server 200 may automatically assign locker 12 to the luggage without requiring the depositor 300 to select it. In such a case, steps S206 and S208 may be omitted.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the server 200 is configured to extract the smallest lockers 12-14 that can accommodate the luggage from among the multiple lockers 12-18, as the appropriately sized lockers 12-14. However, this is merely an example. For example, the server 200 may extract the small lockers 12-14 and the medium lockers 15 and 16 as appropriately sized lockers 12-16 for luggage that will fit in the small lockers 12-14.

[0047] For example, there may be a situation where none of the small lockers 12-14 are available. In such a situation, server 200 may assign one of the available medium lockers 15 or 16 to luggage that would fit in one of the small lockers 12-14. Then, one of the small lockers 12-14 may become available before the depositor 300 deposits their luggage into one of the assigned medium lockers 15 or 16. In this case, server 200 may assign one of the available small lockers 12-14 to the luggage and cancel the assignment of one of the medium lockers 15 or 16 to the luggage. In other words, if, after assigning a locker larger than the smallest locker that can fit the luggage from among the available lockers 12-18 to the luggage, the smallest locker that can fit the luggage becomes available before the luggage is deposited into the assigned locker, server 200 may cancel the locker larger than the smallest locker that can fit the luggage and assign the smallest locker that can fit the luggage to the luggage.

[0048] In the above embodiment, as shown in step S406 of Figure 4, the server 200 notifies the depositor 300 to pick up the package. However, this is merely an example. For example, the server 200 may also notify the manager of the delivery box 100 to pick up the package. That is, the server 200 may be configured to notify the depositor 300 or the manager of the delivery box 100 to pick up the package if the storage period for the package has expired and the recipient 400 has not completed picking up the package.

[0049] Step S220 shown in Figure 2 may be omitted. Steps S222 to S234 shown in Figure 2 may be omitted. In this case, if there are no available lockers (S202: NO), the server 200 may notify the depositor 300 that there are no available lockers and complete the flow shown in Figure 2.

[0050] The process shown in Figure 3 may be omitted. The process shown in Figure 4 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the delivery box 100 and the server 200 communicate with each other via the network 500. For example, it is possible to give the delivery box 100 the functionality of the server 200, or to omit the server 200 altogether.

[0051] In the above embodiment, each of the computer 10 and server 200 includes a CPU, RAM, and ROM. Each of the computer 10 and server 200 executes software processing. However, this is merely an example. For example, each of the computer 10 and server 200 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that processes at least a portion of the software processing performed in the above embodiment. That is, each of the computer 10 and server 200 may have one of the following configurations (a) to (c): (a) Each of the computer 10 and server 200 includes a processing unit that executes all processing according to a program and a program storage device such as ROM that stores the program. That is, each of the computer 10 and server 200 includes a software execution unit. (b) Each of the computer 10 and server 200 includes a processing unit that executes a portion of the processing according to a program and a program storage device. Furthermore, each of the computer 10 and server 200 includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processing. (c) Each of the computer 10 and server 200 includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes all processing. Here, there may be multiple software execution devices and / or dedicated hardware circuits. That is, the above processing may be performed by a processing circuitry comprising at least one of a software execution device and a dedicated hardware circuitry. There may be multiple software execution devices and dedicated hardware circuits included in the processing circuitry. The program storage device, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes a storage device which is any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 12-18…Delivery locker, 100…Delivery box, 300…Depositor, 400…Recipient

Claims

1. It is a delivery locker management system, A delivery box including two or more delivery lockers of different sizes, The system comprises a processing unit configured to communicate with the aforementioned delivery box, The aforementioned processing apparatus is To obtain information on the size of checked baggage, From among the multiple delivery lockers mentioned above, the smallest delivery locker that can accommodate the package is selected from the available delivery lockers. Assigning one of the selected delivery lockers to the package, To notify the person who deposited the package of information that identifies the delivery locker assigned to the package, Unlock the delivery locker assigned to the package so that the depositor can leave the package in the delivery locker assigned to the package, After a delivery locker has been assigned to the package, and before the package is deposited into the delivery locker, if another delivery locker that is smaller in size than the assigned delivery locker becomes available, the system is configured to cancel the delivery locker assigned to the package and newly assign the other delivery locker to the package. Delivery locker management system.

2. The processing device is configured to notify the depositor or the manager of the delivery box to pick up the package if the storage period for the package has expired and the recipient of the package has not yet completed the pickup of the package. The delivery locker management system according to claim 1.

3. The processing device is configured to notify the recipient of the package that the package has been placed in the delivery locker after the depositor has placed the package in the delivery locker. The delivery locker management system according to claim 1.

4. The processing device is configured to notify the recipient of the package urging them to pick up the package if the recipient has not completed picking up the package before the specified storage period for the package. The delivery locker management system according to claim 1.

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