Delivery systems, buildings, and delivery systems

Abstract

To deliver a delivery object in a short time without robbery.SOLUTION: A delivery system automatically delivers delivery objects to each of multiple dwelling units in a building through conveyance lanes provided in the building. The delivery system comprises: a control unit which moves delivery objects being delivered through the conveyance lanes from the conveyance lanes to delivery object placement spaces provided for dwelling units as destinations of the delivery objects when the delivery objects being delivered through the conveyance lanes pass through the delivery object placement spaces; and a lock mechanism which locks the delivery objects so that the delivery objects cannot be detached from the conveyance lanes and unlocks them in response to authentication processing. The building comprises the delivery system and the conveyance lanes. A distribution system comprises the delivery system and a server which manages conveyance of the delivery objects by an automatic running vehicle from a physical distribution base outside the building to the building.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery system, a building, and a distribution system.

Background Art

[0002] A community-based intermodal transportation system is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A metropolitan structure is known in which underground city tunnels covering transportation systems are arranged radially from a center to a plurality of surrounding super high-rise cities and circularly between each super high-rise city (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-530695 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-246005

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] It is desired to deliver a delivery item without theft and in a short time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a delivery system is provided. The delivery system automatically delivers a delivery item to each of a plurality of residential units in a building through a conveyance lane provided in the building. The delivery system includes a control unit that moves the delivery item being delivered through the conveyance lane from the conveyance lane to a delivery item storage area provided in the residential unit that is the destination of the delivery item when the delivery item being delivered through the conveyance lane passes through the delivery item storage area provided in the residential unit that is the destination of the delivery item, and a locking mechanism that locks the delivery item so that it cannot be removed from the conveyance lane and unlocks it in response to an authentication process.

[0005] The locking mechanism may perform an authentication process using a two-dimensional code presented by a resident.

[0006] The delivered item is equipped with a destination display unit that displays information indicating the destination of the delivered item, and the control unit may control the transport speed of the transport lane to decrease when the information on the destination display unit detected by a detection unit installed around the dwelling unit indicates that the dwelling unit is the destination.

[0007] The delivery tray is equipped with a destination display unit that displays information indicating the destination of the delivery, and the control unit may control the transport speed of the transport lane to decrease when the information on the destination display unit detected by a detection unit installed around the dwelling unit indicates that the dwelling unit is the destination.

[0008] Each position in the transport lane is provided with a rotating mechanism that rotates in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the control unit may control the system to push the delivered items to the delivered items located in the delivered items area of ​​the destination dwelling, using an extrusion device provided at a position corresponding to the delivered items area of ​​each of the plurality of dwelling units, which pushes the items in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport lane.

[0009] The delivered item is equipped with a content display unit that displays information about the delivered item, and the control unit may control the information from the content display unit detected by a detection unit installed around the dwelling unit to be transmitted to the terminal of the resident of the dwelling unit.

[0010] The building is provided with a storage facility for temporarily storing deliveries addressed to dwelling units within the building, which is equipped with refrigeration equipment. The control unit may, if the deliveries are food items that require refrigeration and the deliveries have been left in the delivery storage area for a certain period of time or longer, return the deliveries to the transport lane and move them to the storage facility.

[0011] The building is equipped with a storage area for temporarily storing deliveries addressed to dwelling units within the building. The control unit may have deliveries stored in the storage area if it is not possible to place the deliveries in the delivery area of ​​the dwelling unit to which they are addressed.

[0012] The control unit may move a delivery item from the storage facility to the transport lane when it becomes ready for delivery to the delivery item storage area at the recipient's residence.

[0013] Before dispatching a delivery from a logistics hub outside the building to a dwelling unit inside the building, the control unit may determine whether the delivery can be stored in the storage facility, and if it determines that the delivery can be stored in the storage facility, it may dispatch the delivery from the logistics hub.

[0014] Before dispatching a delivery from a logistics hub outside the building to a dwelling unit inside the building, the control unit may determine whether the delivery can be placed in the delivery storage area provided at the destination dwelling unit. If it determines that the delivery can be stored in the delivery storage area, it may dispatch the delivery from the logistics hub.

[0015] The control unit may, before dispatching a delivery from the logistics hub to a dwelling unit within the building, determine whether or not the delivery can be placed in the delivery storage area based on the delivery status of other deliveries addressed to that dwelling unit.

[0016] Before dispatching a delivery from a logistics hub to a dwelling unit within a building, the control unit may determine whether or not the delivery can be placed in the delivery storage area based on the delivery status of other deliveries addressed to that dwelling unit and the size of the delivery storage area.

[0017] The control unit may further determine whether the delivery item can be held in the transport lane before dispatching the delivery item from the logistics hub outside the building to a dwelling unit inside the building. If the control unit determines that the delivery item can be held in the transport lane, it may dispatch the delivery item from the logistics hub.

[0018] Before dispatching a predetermined type of delivery from a logistics hub outside the building to a dwelling unit within the building, the control unit may inquire with the resident of the dwelling unit whether or not they wish to receive the delivery, and if it receives a delivery instruction from the resident, it may dispatch the delivery from the logistics hub.

[0019] When the control unit sends a shipment from a residential unit, it may move the shipment placed at the delivery storage area to the transfer lane from the delivery storage area.

[0020] In a second form, a building is provided. The building includes the above-described delivery system and a transfer lane.

[0021] The building may include a plurality of floors. The transfer lane may include a lift lane that moves deliveries between different floors of the building.

[0022] In a third form, a delivery system is provided. The delivery system includes the above-described delivery system. The delivery system includes a server that manages the transportation of deliveries by an autonomous vehicle from a logistics base outside the building to the building.

[0023] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups may also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Shows the overall concept of system 10. [Figure 2] Schematically shows the road structure 100. [Figure 3] Schematically shows the connection part between the arterial road 110 and the branch road 120. [Figure 4] Schematically shows the connection structure between the connecting road 140 and the arterial road 110. [Figure 5] Schematically shows in elevation the state where a delivery vehicle 92 delivers a delivery to the apartment house 80. [[ID=३७]] [Figure 6] Schematically shows in plan view the arrangement of the residential unit 82 and the horizontal lane 501. [Figure 7] Schematically shows the delivery box 700. [Figure 8] Shows an example of the data structure of the delivery information managed by the server 40. [Figure 9] Schematically shows the locking mechanism 900. [Figure 10] The destination display unit 1000 is schematically shown. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the flow of the delivery process executed in System 10. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the delivery process flow executed in System 10. [Figure 13] A schematic example of the hardware configuration of Computer 1200 is shown below. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 shows the overall concept of system 10. System 10 comprises a server 40, a city structure 12, taxis 90, and delivery vehicles 92. The city structure 12 comprises multiple apartment buildings 80, logistics hubs 84, public facilities 86, and a road structure 100. The public facilities 86 include large commercial facilities, government offices, waste disposal sites, etc.

[0027] Road structure 100 is a road exclusively for autonomous driving. Road structure 100 comprises a main road 110, branch roads 120, and connecting roads 140. Taxis 90 are autonomous vehicles for passenger transport. Delivery vehicles 92 are autonomous vehicles for cargo transport. Logistics hub 84 includes logistics warehouses, delivery food manufacturing facilities, etc.

[0028] Main road 110 is a road exclusively for autonomous vehicles traveling at high speeds. Main road 110 is, for example, a road with a speed limit of 200 km / h. Branch road 120 is a road exclusively for autonomous vehicles traveling at medium to low speeds. Branch road 120 includes, for example, a lane with a speed limit of 100 km / h and a lane with a speed limit of 30 km / h. Apartment complex 80 is located within a living area 21 surrounded by branch road 120.

[0029] Living area 21 is, for example, an area for people to live in. Living area 21 is, for example, an area where people reside. Small shops may exist in living area 21. Public facilities 86 are located within public facilities area 20 surrounded by main roads 110. Public facilities area 20 is, in principle, an area where people do not reside. As will be described later, the road structure 100 does not have intersections or traffic lights. As will be described later, the road structure 100 is designed so that taxis 90 and delivery vehicles 92 can move between main roads 110 and branch roads 120 by changing lanes.

[0030] Server 40 manages transportation and delivery services provided to residents of the apartment building 80. For example, Server 40 uses AI to predict the demand for taxis in the urban structure 12 and deploys taxis 90 according to the demand. When Server 40 receives a request for a taxi from a resident of the apartment building 80, it dispatches a taxi 90 to the resident's vicinity.

[0031] Furthermore, server 40 manages the transportation of deliveries by delivery vehicles 92 from logistics hub 84 to apartment complex 80. Server 40 loads deliveries addressed to residents of apartment complex 80 onto delivery vehicles 92 at logistics hub 84 and delivers them to apartment complex 80 via delivery vehicles 92. For example, when server 40 receives a request for delivery food from a resident of apartment complex 80, it loads the delivery food manufactured at the delivery food manufacturing facility at logistics hub 84 onto delivery vehicles 92 and delivers the delivery food to apartment complex 80 via delivery vehicles 92. Also, when a package addressed to a resident of apartment complex 80 arrives at the logistics warehouse at logistics hub 84, server 40 loads the package onto delivery vehicles 92 and delivers the package to apartment complex 80 via delivery vehicles 92. As will be described later, apartment complex 80 is equipped with an automated transport lane for automatically delivering delivered items such as delivery food and packages to each dwelling unit. This allows for the automatic delivery of packages from logistics hub 84 to each dwelling unit.

[0032] According to the road structure 100, the time it takes for residents of the apartment complex 80 to travel between living areas and public facilities areas, or between multiple living areas, can be reduced. In addition, deliveries can be delivered from the logistics center 84 to the apartments of residents in the apartment complex 80 in a short amount of time.

[0033] Figure 2 schematically shows the road structure 100. The road structure 100 comprises main roads 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e, and connecting roads 140ab, 140ae, 140ad, 140bc, 140be, 140ce, 140cd, and 140de. In the following description, main roads 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e may be collectively referred to as "main road 110".

[0034] The road structure 100 includes branch roads 120a-1, 120a-2, 120a-3, 120a-4, and 120a-5, and branch roads 120b-1, 120b-2, 120b-3, 120b-4, and 120b-5, and branch roads 120c-1, 120c-2, and branch roads It comprises 120c-3, branch road 120c-4, and branch road 120c-5, branch road 120d-1, branch road 120d-2, branch road 120d-3, branch road 120d-4, and branch road 120d-5, and branch road 120e-1, branch road 120e-2, branch road 120e-3, branch road 120e-4, and branch road 120e-5.

[0035] Branch roads 120a-1, 120a-2, 120a-3, 120a-4, and 120a-5 connect to main road 110a. Branch roads 120b-1, 120b-2, 120b-3, 120b-4, and 120b-5 connect to main road 110b. Branch roads 120c-1, 120c-2, 120c-3, 120c-4, and 120c-5 connect to main road 110c. Branch roads 120d-1, 120d-2, 120d-3, 120d-4, and 120d-5 connect to main road 110d. Branch roads 120e-1, 120e-2, 120e-3, 120e-4, and 120e-5 connect to main road 110e. In the following explanation, branch roads 120a-1, 120a-2, 120a-3, 120a-4, and 120a-5 are referred to as branch roads 120b-1, 120b-2, 120b-3, 120b-4, and 120b-5, and branch roads 120c-1, 120c-2, 120c-3, and branch roads 120c-1, 120c-2, and 120c-3. Main road 120c-4 and branch road 120c-5, branch roads 120d-1, 120d-2, 120d-3, 120d-4, and 120d-5, and branch roads 120e-1, 120e-2, 120e-3, 120e-4, and 120e-5 may be collectively referred to as "branch road 120".

[0036] Main roads 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e are roads that enclose public facility areas 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, respectively. A public facility area is an example of a human activity area. Thus, main roads 110 are closed roads. Main roads 110 are so-called ring roads. In this embodiment, main roads 110 are assumed to be closed roads, but a configuration in which main roads 110 are not closed roads may be adopted.

[0037] Each branch road 120 encloses a separate living area 21. Branch roads 120 are enclosed roads. Branch roads 120 are what are known as ring roads.

[0038] A main road 110 is a road in which the direction of vehicle travel is restricted to a certain direction. For example, a main road 110 is a road in which the direction of vehicle travel is restricted to a clockwise direction. A main road 110 is an example of a first type of road.

[0039] A branch road 120 is a road in which the direction of vehicle travel is restricted to a certain direction. For example, a branch road 120 is a road in which the direction of vehicle travel is restricted to counterclockwise. A branch road 120 is an example of a second road, a third road, or a fifth road.

[0040] As shown by the travel route 200 in Figure 2, vehicles such as taxis 90 and delivery vehicles 92 can, for example, travel from main road 110e to main road 110a via connecting road 140ae, travel clockwise along main road 110a to branch road 120a-1, travel counterclockwise along branch road 120a-1 to main road 110a, and then travel clockwise again along main road 110a.

[0041] The main road 110 and the branch roads 120 are connected in such a way that vehicles can move between them by changing lanes. Multiple branch roads 120 are provided for each main road 110, and each of the main roads 110 and the multiple main roads 110 provided for it are connected in such a way that vehicles can move between the main road 110 and each of the multiple branch roads 120 by changing lanes. A specific example of the connection structure between the main roads 110 and the branch roads 120 will be explained in relation to Figure 3.

[0042] Figure 3 schematically shows the connection point between the main road 110 and the branch road 120. The main road 110 is a one-way, single-lane road. The main road 110 is, for example, a road with a speed limit of 200 km / h.

[0043] The branch road 120 is a one-way, multi-lane road. Specifically, the branch road 120 comprises a low-speed lane 121 and a medium-speed lane 122. The low-speed lane 121 and the medium-speed lane 122 are lanes in which the direction of vehicle travel is restricted to a certain direction. In the low-speed lane 121 and the medium-speed lane 122, the direction of vehicle travel is restricted to the same direction. The low-speed lane 121 is an example of a first lane, and the medium-speed lane 122 is an example of a second lane.

[0044] The low-speed lane 121 is a lane where the standard speed is restricted to 30 km / h. For example, the low-speed lane 121 is a lane where the maximum speed is restricted to 30 km / h. The medium-speed lane 122 is a lane where the standard speed is restricted to 100 km / h. For example, the medium-speed lane 122 is a lane where the maximum speed is restricted to 100 km / h. Thus, the medium-speed lane 122 is a lane for vehicles to travel at a higher speed than the low-speed lane 121. Also, the main road 110 is a road for vehicles to travel at a higher speed than the medium-speed lane 122.

[0045] Main road 110 is located outside of branch road 120. Main road 110 and branch road 120 are connected in such a way that vehicles can move between main road 110 and medium-speed lane 122 by changing lanes.

[0046] The branch road 120 includes a section 300 that runs parallel to the main road 110. Specifically, the medium-speed lane 122 includes a section 300 that runs parallel to the main road 110. Section 300 is the section where the main road 110 and the branch road 120 meet. In section 300, the direction of travel of vehicles restricted in the medium-speed lane 122 and the direction of travel of vehicles restricted in the main road 110 are the same. Therefore, in section 300, vehicles can move from the main road 110 to the medium-speed lane 122 by changing lanes. Also, in section 300, vehicles can move from the medium-speed lane 122 to the main road 110 by changing lanes.

[0047] The movement trajectory 390 in Figure 3 is the movement trajectory of taxi 90. Taxi 90, using autonomous driving, changes lanes from the main road 110 to the medium-speed lane 122 and enters the branch road 120. When taxi 90 approaches person 310 who requested a ride from server 40, it moves from the medium-speed lane 122 to the low-speed lane 121 and stops next to person 310. Once person 310 gets into taxi 90, taxi 90 starts from the low-speed lane 121, changes lanes to the medium-speed lane 122, and travels along the branch road 120. Then, in section 300, taxi 90 changes lanes to move back to the main road 110.

[0048] Figure 4 schematically shows the connection structure between connecting road 140 and main road 110. Specifically, Figure 4 schematically shows the connection structure between connecting road 140ae and main road 110a. Connecting road 140ae is a road that connects main road 110a and main road 110e.

[0049] Road 140ae comprises lane 141 and lane 142. As shown in vehicle movement path 491, lane 141 and main road 110a are connected in such a way that a vehicle can move from lane 141 to main road 110a by changing lanes. Also, as shown in vehicle movement path 492, lane 142 and main road 110a are connected in such a way that a vehicle can move from main road 110a to lane 142 by changing lanes.

[0050] Thus, the connecting road 140ae and the main road 110a are connected in such a way that vehicles can move from the connecting road 140ae to the main road 110a by changing lanes. Furthermore, the connecting road 140ae and the main road 110a are connected in such a way that vehicles can move from the main road 110a to the connecting road 140ae by changing lanes.

[0051] Similarly, the connection structure between the connecting road 140ae and the main road 110e is such that lane 141 and the main road 110e are connected in such a way that vehicles can move from the main road 110e to lane 141 by changing lanes. In addition, lane 142 and the main road 110e are connected in such a way that vehicles can move from lane 142 to the main road 110a by changing lanes.

[0052] In this way, vehicles can move between the main road 110a and the connecting road 140ae by changing lanes, and can also move between the main road 110e and the connecting road 140ae by changing lanes. Note that lanes 141 and 142 may be provided as separate roads. Also, the connecting road 140ae may be omitted if one of lanes 141 or 142 is not provided, as needed.

[0053] As explained in relation to Figures 1 to 4, with respect to the main road 110, it is possible to move between the main road 110 and the connecting road 140, and between the main road 110 and the branch road 120, by changing lanes. Therefore, there is no need to install traffic signals for traffic control. In addition, since vehicles only need to travel in one direction on the main road 110 and the branch road 120, the algorithm for the automated driving control of the vehicles does not become complex. As a result, high-speed driving of vehicles becomes possible while maintaining safety.

[0054] In System 10, multiple types of taxis with different passenger capacities are used as taxis 90. Furthermore, any mobile vehicle capable of carrying passengers is acceptable, and it is not limited to taxis. In System 10, for example, all types of taxis and buses, from small to large, may be used, and taxis and buses with different passenger capacities, such as 1-seater, 2-seater, 4-seater, 8-seater, or 50-seater, may be used. Server 40 predicts the passenger transport demand around the road structure 100 and deploys taxis 90 to the road structure 100 based on the predicted passenger transport demand.

[0055] The living area 21 may be a circular area. Preferably, the size of the living area 21 is such that a person can walk from the center of the living area 21 to the slow-speed lane 121. For example, the living area 21 may be an area with a radius of approximately 600m to 800m, and this value may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the area occupied by one main road 110 and one branch road 120 connected to the main road 110 may be an area of ​​approximately 5km square.

[0056] In the configuration described above, the branch road 120 is located outside the main road 110, and the branch road 120 is arranged to substantially circumscribe the main road 110. However, a configuration in which the branch road 120 is located inside the main road 110, and the branch road 120 is arranged to substantially circumscribe the main road 110, may also be adopted.

[0057] Next, the delivery system for packages will be described in relation to Figures 5 to 12. Figure 5 schematically shows, in elevation view, how packages are delivered to the apartment building 80 by a delivery vehicle 92. The apartment building 80 comprises multiple dwelling units 82, a transport lane 500, a storage area 510, and a control device 540.

[0058] The transport lane 500 and the dwelling units 82 are located within the apartment building 80. The transport lane 500 includes a horizontal lane 501 and an elevator lane 502. The apartment building 80 is an example of a building. Each of the dwelling units 82 is provided with a luggage storage area 83. The apartment building 80 has multiple floors. Multiple dwelling units 82 are located on multiple floors within the apartment building 80.

[0059] The delivery vehicle 92 automatically transports the delivery items 94, destined for apartment 82 within the apartment complex 80, from the logistics hub 84 to the apartment complex 80. Upon arriving at the apartment complex 80, the delivery vehicle 92 sends the delivery items 94 to the horizontal lane 501. The delivery items 94 sent to the horizontal lane 501 are then delivered to the destination apartment 82 via the horizontal lane 501 and the lifting lane 502.

[0060] The horizontal lane 501 may be formed by, for example, a roller conveyor. The horizontal lane 501 may also be formed by a belt conveyor. The lifting lane 502 may be formed by, for example, a roller conveyor that is provided to be able to move up and down. The control device 540 delivers the delivered items 94 to the destination dwelling 82 by controlling the operation of the horizontal lane 501 and the lifting lane 502.

[0061] The control device 540 constitutes part of a delivery system for automatically delivering items 94 to dwelling units 82 via a transport lane 500. The control device 540 and the server 40 work together to function as a control unit in the delivery system.

[0062] The control device 540 moves the delivered item 94, which is being delivered via the transport lane 500, from the transport lane 500 to the package storage area 83 located at the destination dwelling unit 82 of the delivered item 94 when the delivered item 94 passes through the package storage area 83 located at the destination dwelling unit 82. The means for moving the delivered item 94 from the transport lane 500 to the package storage area 83 will be described later.

[0063] The storage facility 510 temporarily stores deliveries 94 addressed to dwelling units 82 within the apartment building 80. The control device 540 stores deliveries 94 in the storage facility 510 if it is not possible to place the deliveries 94 in the delivery area 83 of the dwelling unit 82 to which the deliveries 94 are addressed. When the deliveries 94 stored in the storage facility 510 become ready for delivery to the delivery area 83 of the dwelling unit 82 to which the deliveries 94 are addressed, the control device 540 moves the deliveries 94 from the storage facility 510 to the transport lane 500. For example, the control device 540 stores the deliveries 94 in the storage facility 510 while they are placed on a movable roller conveyor. When the control device 540 delivers a delivery item 94 stored in the storage area 510 to a dwelling unit 82, it may move the roller conveyor carrying the delivery item 94 to the vicinity of the horizontal lane 501, and send the delivery item 94 from the roller conveyor to the horizontal lane 501, thereby moving the delivery item 94 to the transport lane 500.

[0064] Furthermore, the storage facility 510 is equipped with refrigeration equipment 550. The control device 540, if the delivered item 94 is a perishable product and the delivered item 94 has been in the cargo storage area 83 for a certain period of time or longer, returns the delivered item 94 to the transport lane 500 and moves the delivered item 94 to the storage facility 510. Thus, if the delivered item 94 is a product that requires refrigeration and remains in the package storage area 83 for a certain period of time, it can be determined that the recipient is absent, and the item can be returned to the transport lane 500 and then to the storage facility 510 equipped with refrigeration equipment 550.

[0065] Before dispatching a delivery item 94 from a logistics hub 84 outside the apartment complex 80 to a dwelling unit 82 inside the apartment complex 80, the server 40 determines whether the delivery item 94 can be stored in the storage facility 510. If it determines that the delivery item 94 can be stored in the storage facility 510, the server 40 may dispatch the delivery item 94 from the logistics hub 84.

[0066] Furthermore, before dispatching a delivery item 94 from the logistics base 84 to a dwelling unit 82 within the apartment building 80, the server 40 may determine whether the delivery item 94 can be placed in a storage area 83 provided at the destination dwelling unit 82, and if it determines that the delivery item 94 can be stored in the storage area 83, it may dispatch the delivery item 94 from the logistics base 84. For example, before dispatching a delivery item 94 from the logistics base 84 to a dwelling unit 82 within the apartment building 80, the server 40 may determine whether the delivery item 94 can be placed in the storage area 83 based on the delivery status of other delivery items 94 addressed to that dwelling unit 82. Specifically, before dispatching a delivery item 94 from the logistics base 84 to a dwelling unit 82 within the apartment building 80, the server 40 may determine whether the delivery item 94 can be placed in the storage area 83 based on the delivery status of other delivery items 94 addressed to that dwelling unit 82 and the size of the storage area 83. For example, if the package storage area 83 only has space for one delivery item 94, and there are other delivery items 94 addressed to the same dwelling unit 82 that have not yet been received, it is possible to determine that the delivery item 94 cannot be placed in the package storage area 83. The package may be delivered as the delivery item 94 in a delivery box of a predetermined size. The server 40 may determine whether or not the delivery item 94 can be placed in the package storage area 83 based on the size of the delivery box and the size of the package storage area 83.

[0067] Before shipping a delivery item 94 from a logistics hub 84 outside the apartment building 80 to a dwelling unit 82 inside the apartment building 80, the server 40 may further determine whether the delivery item 94 can be held in the transport lane 500. If the server 40 determines that the delivery item 94 can be held in the transport lane 500, it may ship the delivery item 94 from the logistics hub 84. For example, the server 40 manages the number of delivery items 94 on the transport lane 500 of the apartment building 80, and may determine that the delivery item 94 can be held in the transport lane 500 if the number of delivery items 94 on the transport lane 500 is less than a predetermined number.

[0068] Before shipping a predetermined type of delivery item 94 from a logistics hub 84 outside the apartment building 80 to an apartment unit 82 in the apartment building 80, the server 40 may inquire with the resident of the apartment unit 82 whether or not they want the delivery item 94 delivered, and if it receives a delivery instruction from the resident, it may ship the delivery item 94 from the logistics hub 84. For example, if the type of delivery item 94 to apartment unit 82 is perishable goods, the server 40 may inquire with the resident of apartment unit 82 whether or not they want the delivery item 94 delivered. The server 40 may send the inquiry to the mobile terminal of the resident of apartment unit 82 and receive a delivery instruction from the resident's mobile terminal. Alternatively, the server 40 may send an inquiry to the home server of apartment unit 82 and receive a delivery instruction from the home server.

[0069] Figure 6 schematically shows the arrangement of the dwelling unit 82 and the horizontal lane 501 in a plan view. Dwelling unit 82 is provided with a luggage storage area 83a and a luggage storage area 83b. Luggage storage area 83a is a luggage storage area for deliveries 94a as packages. Luggage storage area 83a is also a shipping area for deliveries sent out from dwelling unit 82 as packages. Luggage storage area 83b is a waste storage area. The waste storage area is a storage area for waste as packages destined for a waste disposal plant.

[0070] Delivery item 94a will be delivered as a package, placed inside a predetermined delivery box. The delivery box will be described later.

[0071] The horizontal lane 501 includes horizontal transport lanes 601 and 602 that transport the delivered items 94 in opposite directions. The apartment building 80 is equipped with an extrusion device 660 at a location corresponding to the luggage storage area 83a of each dwelling unit 82 that pushes the delivered items 94a toward the luggage storage area 83a. The apartment building 80 is equipped with an extrusion device 680 at a location corresponding to the luggage storage area 83b of each dwelling unit 82 that pushes the delivery boxes toward the luggage storage area 83b.

[0072] At each position of the horizontal transport lane 601 and horizontal transport lane 602, a rotating mechanism 692 is provided that does not rotate in the transport direction but rotates in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The control device 540 is an extrusion device 660 provided at a position corresponding to each of the luggage storage areas 83a of the multiple dwelling units 82, and controls the extrusion device 660, which pushes in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport lane 600, to push the delivered items 94 to the luggage storage area 83a provided in the dwelling unit 82 to which the delivered items 94 are addressed. At this time, when the luggage is pushed by the extrusion device 660, the delivered items 94 are pushed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport lane 500, so that they can be smoothly stored in the luggage storage area 83a by the rotating mechanism 692.

[0073] When the delivery item 94a addressed to dwelling unit 82 reaches the delivery area 83a, the control device 540 opens the opening / closing door 620a between the delivery area 83a and the horizontal lane 501, and drives the pusher 660 to push the delivery item 94a toward the delivery area 83a. In this way, the control device 540 moves the delivery item 94a toward the delivery area 83a. Once the delivery item 94a has been pushed toward the delivery area 83a, the control device 540 closes the opening / closing door 620a.

[0074] Dwelling unit 82 is equipped with an opening / closing door 622a between the living space of dwelling unit 82 and the luggage storage area 83a for the resident to access the luggage storage area 83a. The resident opens the opening / closing door 622a and takes out luggage from the delivery box. When the control device 540 detects that luggage has been taken out of the delivery box, it moves the empty delivery box to the transport lane 500. For example, the control device 540 opens the opening / closing door 620a and drives the pusher 670 provided in the luggage storage area 83a to push the empty delivery box toward the horizontal lane 501. In this way, the control device 540 moves the delivery box to the transport lane 500. The control device 540 either stores the empty delivery box in the storage area 510 of the apartment building 80 or delivers it to the logistics base 84 by the delivery vehicle 92. The control device 540 may keep a predetermined number of empty delivery boxes on the transport lane 500 at all times.

[0075] When sending a package from dwelling unit 82, the resident places the package in a delivery box and sends it off. Specifically, based on the delivery request from the resident, the control device 540 moves an empty delivery box through the transport lane 500 to the package storage area 83a. The resident places the package in the empty delivery box and enters the destination of the package. For example, the resident may enter the destination via a mobile terminal and register the destination with the server 40 via the mobile terminal. Once the destination of the package is entered, the control device 540 moves the delivery box to the transport lane 500. For example, the control device 540 opens the opening / closing door 620a and drives the pusher 670 to push the delivery box toward the horizontal lane 501. In this way, the control device 540 moves the package from dwelling unit 82 to the transport lane 500. The delivery box, as a package from dwelling unit 82, is delivered by the delivery vehicle 92 to the logistics center 84, or delivered by the delivery vehicle 92 to dwelling unit 82 of another apartment building 80.

[0076] Next, we will explain the process of sending waste from apartment 82 to the waste disposal site. The waste is sent in a special waste delivery box. The waste disposal site is pre-set as the destination on the special waste delivery box.

[0077] When an empty waste-only delivery box reaches the loading area 83a, the control device 540 opens the door 620b between the loading area 83b and the horizontal lane 501, and drives the pusher 680 to push the empty delivery box toward the loading area 83b. In this way, the control device 540 moves the empty delivery box toward the loading area 83b. Once the empty delivery box has been pushed toward the loading area 83b, the control device 540 closes the door 620b.

[0078] Dwelling unit 82 is equipped with an opening and closing door 622b between the living space and the storage area 83b, allowing the resident to access the storage area 83b. The storage area 83b is located, for example, near the kitchen 650 of dwelling unit 82. The resident opens the opening and closing door 622b and places household waste and other waste into a designated waste delivery box.

[0079] When the control device 540 receives a waste collection request from a resident, it moves a waste-specific delivery box to the transport lane 500. For example, the control device 540 opens the opening / closing door 620b and drives the pusher 690 located in the luggage storage area 83b to push the waste-specific delivery box toward the horizontal lane 501. In this way, the control device 540 moves the luggage containing the waste to the transport lane 500. The delivery box containing the waste is then delivered by the delivery vehicle 92 to the waste disposal site located in the public facilities area 20.

[0080] Figure 7 schematically shows a delivery box 700. The delivery box 700 includes a controller 710. The controller 710 stores identification information for the delivery box 700. The controller 710 has a function to detect whether or not there is a package inside the delivery box 700. The controller 710 may detect whether or not there is a package inside the delivery box 700 by analyzing images acquired by a camera installed inside the delivery box 700.

[0081] Server 40 manages the location information of the delivery box 700 in real time. For example, controller 710 has a wireless communication function and transmits status information to server 40 via wireless communication, including the current location of the delivery box 700, identification information of the delivery box 700, and information indicating whether or not there is a package in the delivery box 700. Controller 710 may also have a function to transmit status information via short-range wireless communication. In this case, the home server of the dwelling unit 82 or the resident's mobile terminal, control device 540, or delivery vehicle 92 may forward the status information transmitted from the delivery box 700 to server 40.

[0082] When a resident of dwelling unit 82 places a package into a delivery box 700 and sends it, the resident enters the destination into their mobile terminal, and the controller 710 transmits the identification information of the delivery box 700 to the mobile terminal. The resident's mobile terminal sends a shipping request to the server 40, which includes the identification information of the delivery box 700, the destination, the type of package to be placed in the delivery box 700, and the resident's identification information. Upon receiving the shipping request, the server 40 manages the identification information of the delivery box 700 in association with the destination and the type of package, and instructs the control device 540 to ship the delivery box 700 from the package storage area 83a of dwelling unit 82 corresponding to the resident's identification information.

[0083] Next, we will describe the case where the delivery box 700 is a delivery box exclusively for waste. When a resident requests waste collection using a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal sends a waste collection instruction containing the resident's identification information to the server 40. Upon receiving the waste collection instruction, the server 40 instructs the control device 540 to dispatch the delivery box 700 from the storage area 83b of the dwelling unit 82 corresponding to the resident's identification information.

[0084] Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure of delivery information managed by server 40. Server 40 manages the delivery box ID, type, cargo type, destination, current location, and delivery status in an associated manner.

[0085] The "Delivery Box ID" is the identification information for delivery box 700. The "Type" indicates the type of delivery box 700. The "Type" indicates either "delivery package" or "waste." The "Cargo Type" indicates the type of package placed inside delivery box 700. If delivery box 700 is a delivery box exclusively for waste, "Waste" is pre-set as the fixed value for both "Type" and "Cargo Type."

[0086] If delivery box 700 is not a delivery box exclusively for waste, the "Type" field is pre-set to indicate "delivery item". Additionally, the "Cargo Type" field is set to "Perishable Goods", "Non-Perishable Goods", or "Delivery Food" depending on the type of goods placed inside delivery box 700. "Perishable Goods" indicates, for example, that the delivered goods require quality preservation measures such as refrigeration or freezing. "Non-Perishable Goods" indicates that the delivered goods do not require quality preservation measures such as refrigeration or freezing. "Delivery Food" indicates that the delivered goods are delivery food.

[0087] "Destination" is the identification information of the delivery destination of the delivery box 700. "Current location" is information indicating the current location of the delivery box 700. "Delivery status" is information indicating the delivery status of the delivery box 700. Server 40 registers the "Destination" based on the delivery request from the resident's mobile terminal. Server 40 also updates the "Current location" and "Delivery status" in real time based on the status information transmitted from the delivery box 700.

[0088] "Current location" includes geographical information such as latitude and longitude. In addition to geographical information, "current location" may also include logical information to identify the current location of the delivery box 700, such as identification information for the delivery vehicle 92, identification information for the apartment building 80, and identification information for the dwelling unit 82.

[0089] The delivery status includes information such as "Not shipped," "In transit," "Not received," "Received," "In storage," and "Unused." "Not shipped" indicates that delivery box 700 has not been shipped. "Not shipped" also indicates that delivery box 700 has not been shipped from logistics center 84, or that delivery box 700 has not been shipped from storage area 83 of dwelling unit 82.

[0090] "In transit" indicates the state in which the delivery box 700 is being transported from the logistics center 84 or parcel storage 83 until it is delivered to its destination, and is not being stored in the storage facility 510. "Not received" indicates the state in which the delivery box 700 is in the parcel storage 83 and contains parcels. "Received" indicates the state in which the delivery box 700 is in the parcel storage 83 and does not contain parcels. "In storage" indicates the state in which the delivery box 700 is being stored in the storage facility 510. "Unused" indicates the state in which the delivery box 700 is not being used for delivery. For example, "Unused" indicates the state in which the delivery box 700 is being stored empty in the storage facility 510 or logistics center 84, etc.

[0091] Next, we will describe the configuration for preventing the theft of the delivered item 94. As shown in Figure 9(A), horizontal transport lanes 601 and 602 are equipped with a locking mechanism 900 that locks the delivered items 94 so that they cannot be removed from the horizontal transport lanes 601 and 602, and the locking mechanism 900 unlocks in accordance with the authentication process. The locking mechanism 900 comprises a locking control unit 910 and a reading unit 920. The reading unit 920 reads a two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code®) presented by the resident. The locking control unit 910 performs an authentication process that compares the information of the read two-dimensional code with predetermined information for the delivered items 94 held by the locking mechanism 900. Specifically, while the delivery item 94 is being transported in the horizontal transport lane 601 or the horizontal transport lane 602, the resident of the destination dwelling unit 82 presents a two-dimensional code (for example, a two-dimensional code displayed in a message received from the server 40) that has been previously acquired for the delivery item 94 to the reader unit 920 of the locking mechanism 900 that holds the delivery item 94, thereby performing authentication.

[0092] The locking mechanism 900 is configured to grip the delivery item 94 with two parts that are separated in the direction of transport, and to prevent the delivery item 94 from being opened while it is gripped.

[0093] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 900 is configured to be transported together with the delivered item 94 in the horizontal transport lane 601 or horizontal transport lane 602 while attached to the horizontal transport lane 601 or horizontal transport lane 602.

[0094] The lock control unit 910 unlocks the lock mechanism 900 when the authentication process is successful. In this way, the delivered items 94 being transported on the horizontal transport lanes 601 and 602 are held by the lock mechanism 900, making them impossible to remove from the horizontal transport lanes 601 and 602. Unless the owner verifies their identity using a two-dimensional code and unlocks the lock, no third party can take the delivered items 94 from the horizontal transport lanes 601 and 602.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(B), the locking mechanism 900 is unlocked by the control device 540 just before the delivery item 94 is pushed out to the luggage storage area 83a, and the delivery item 94 is pushed out to the luggage storage area 83a by the pusher 660.

[0096] The locking mechanism 900 is implemented by fitting a locking member for gripping luggage into a guide groove (T-slot) provided along the lane. However, this is not the only way to implement the locking mechanism; the locking member for gripping luggage may also be guided by a cable provided along the lane.

[0097] Next, we will explain how to control the speed of the transport lane 600. As shown in Figure 10(A), the delivery item 94 is equipped with a destination display unit 1000 that displays information indicating the destination of the delivery item 94. Figure 10(A) shows an example where the destination display unit 1000 is a two-dimensional code (for example, QR code®). As shown in Figure 5 above, cameras 560 are provided around each dwelling unit 82 as detection units. The control device 540 controls the transport speed of the transport lane 600 to decrease when the information on the destination display unit 1000 detected from the image captured by the camera 560 indicates that the destination is the dwelling unit 82, and stops the operation of the transport lane 600 when the delivery item 94 reaches the luggage storage area 83 of the dwelling unit 82. The delivery item 94 is then pushed out to the luggage storage area 83a by the extrusion device 660.

[0098] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10(B), the delivery item 94 may be transported on a tray 1010 specifically for the dwelling unit 82 to which the delivery item 94 is addressed. In this case, the tray 1010 is equipped with a destination indicator 1000 that shows that the destination of the delivery item 94 is the dwelling unit 82.

[0099] As described above, the delivery item 94 or tray 1010 is equipped with a destination display unit 1000 that can be read from any direction. When the delivery item 94 approaches the destination dwelling 82, the destination display unit 1000 is detected from the image captured by the camera 560 around the destination dwelling 82, and the transport speed of the transport lane 600 is reduced. Although the explanation has been given using the case where the destination display unit 1000 is a QR code (registered trademark), it is not limited to this. An IC chip or magnet may be used as the destination display unit 1000, and a sensor for reading the IC chip or magnet may be used instead of the camera 560.

[0100] Furthermore, the delivery item 94 or tray 1010 may have a content display unit that displays information about the delivery item instead of the address display unit 1000, or the address display unit 1000 may also function as a content display unit that displays information about the delivery item. In this case, the control device 540 may control the system to send a message containing information from the address display unit 1000 or content display unit detected from the image captured by the camera 560 to the terminal of the resident of the destination dwelling unit 82. This allows the system to read from the address display unit 1000 or content display unit when the delivery item 94 that has arrived at the luggage storage area 83a of each dwelling unit 82 was ordered by the resident of that dwelling unit, what the contents are, and whether it is the same as the ordered product, and inform the resident.

[0101] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the delivery process performed in system 10. The process in the flowchart in Figure 11 begins when a delivery addressed to dwelling unit 82 arrives at logistics center 84.

[0102] In S902, server 40 refers to the "shipping type" in the delivery information to determine the type of delivery item. If it determines that the type of delivery item is perishable goods, server 40 inquires with the resident in S930 whether it is perishable or not to ship the delivery item. For example, server 40 instructs a mobile terminal pre-registered for the delivery item's address to inquire whether it is perishable or not to ship the delivery item. Server 40 may also instruct the home server of the delivery item's address to inquire whether it is perishable or not to ship the delivery item.

[0103] Next, in S932, server 40 either dispatches the delivery or takes action to hold the delivery at logistics center 84, depending on the query result, and terminates the processing of this flowchart. If server 40 receives information indicating the delivery time in response to the query about whether or not to dispatch the delivery, it may schedule the dispatch time of the delivery so that the delivery arrives at the destination at the indicated delivery time, and dispatch the delivery according to the schedule. If server 40 does not receive information indicating the delivery time in response to the query about whether or not to dispatch the delivery, it may repeat the query at predetermined intervals.

[0104] If, in the determination in S902, it is determined that the type of delivery is a non-perishable item, then in S904, the server 40 obtains information on the capacity of the delivery at the destination. The capacity information includes information indicating whether or not it is possible to accommodate the new delivery in the luggage storage area 83 of the destination dwelling unit 82. The capacity information also includes information indicating whether or not it is possible to store the new delivery in the storage facility 510 of the destination apartment building 80. The capacity information may also include information indicating whether or not it is possible to hold the new delivery in the transport lane 500 of the destination apartment building 80.

[0105] In S906, if the server determines that the delivery can be received at the destination, in S908, the server 40 processes the delivery of the item. For example, the server 40 arranges for a delivery vehicle 92 to deliver the item, loads the item onto the delivery vehicle 92, and instructs the delivery vehicle 92 to depart. Once the delivery vehicle 92 departs, in S910, the server 40 notifies that the item has been dispatched. For example, the server 40 notifies the mobile terminal pre-registered for the delivery destination that the item has been dispatched. The server 40 also notifies the home server of the delivery destination that the item has been dispatched. Once the notification that the item has been dispatched is given, the processing in this flowchart ends.

[0106] If, in S906, the server 40 determines that the delivery item cannot be received at the destination, then in S920, the server 40 determines whether or not there is anyone at the destination dwelling. For example, the server 40 obtains location information of a mobile device that has been pre-registered for the destination of the delivery item, and determines whether or not there is anyone at the destination dwelling based on the obtained location information and the location information of the destination dwelling. The server 40 may determine whether or not there is anyone at the destination dwelling by querying the home server of the destination dwelling and receiving information from the home server indicating whether or not there is anyone at the destination dwelling.

[0107] If, in the judgment of S920, it is determined that there is someone at the destination dwelling, the server 40 proceeds to processing in S930. If, in the judgment of S920, it is determined that there is no one at the destination dwelling, the server 40 sets a query trigger in S922 to inquire whether it is permissible to send the package if a new person at the destination dwelling is detected, and then terminates the processing of this flowchart. When the server 40 sets a query trigger, it may instruct a mobile terminal that has been registered in advance for the destination of the delivery item to notify the server 40 when the location of the mobile terminal matches the location of the destination dwelling. The server 40 may also instruct the home server of the destination dwelling to notify the server 40 if a new person at the destination dwelling 82 is detected. When the server 40 receives a notification from the mobile terminal or the home server, it may perform the processing in S930 and S932 of the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0108] If S902 determines that the type of delivery item is "delivery food," server 40 proceeds to process S908.

[0109] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the delivery process performed in system 10. The process in the flowchart in Figure 12 begins when a delivery addressed to dwelling unit 82 arrives at logistics center 84.

[0110] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the delivery process performed in system 10. The process in the flowchart of Figure 12 begins when a delivery item 94 addressed to dwelling unit 82 is moved from the delivery vehicle 92 to the transport lane 500.

[0111] In S1202, the control device 540 starts transporting the delivery item 94 via the transport lane 500 so that it moves to the destination dwelling unit 82.

[0112] In S1204, the control device 540 acquires images captured by the camera 560 installed around the destination dwelling unit 82.

[0113] In S1206, the control device 540 determines whether a two-dimensional code, which is the destination display unit 1000 indicating that the dwelling unit 82 is the destination, has been detected in the captured image. If a two-dimensional code, which is the destination display unit 1000 indicating that the dwelling unit 82 is the destination, is not detected in the captured image, the process returns to S1204. On the other hand, if a two-dimensional code, which is the destination display unit 1000 indicating that the dwelling unit 82 is the destination, is detected in the captured image, the process proceeds to S1208.

[0114] In S1208, the control device 540 controls the transport speed of the transport lane 600 to decrease, and when the delivered item 94 reaches the luggage storage area 83 of the dwelling unit 82, it stops the operation of the transport lane 600.

[0115] In S1209, the control device 540 controls the locking mechanism 900 that is holding the delivery item 94 to be unlocked.

[0116] In S1210, the control device 540 controls the delivery item 94 to be pushed out to the luggage storage area 83a by the extrusion device 660.

[0117] In S1212, the control device 540 controls the transmission of a message containing information from the destination display unit 1000 detected from the image captured by the camera 560 to the terminal of the resident of the destination dwelling unit 82.

[0118] As explained in relation to Figures 5 to 12, System 10 allows deliveries to be made quickly and without theft. Therefore, residents of the apartment building 80 can have what they want delivered when they want it.

[0119] The luggage storage area 83 may be the space in front of the entrance of the dwelling unit 82. In addition, although the above description has shown a configuration in which the transport lane 500 is formed by a conveyor belt, a configuration in which a delivery robot delivers the items along the delivery lane may also be adopted.

[0120] Figure 13 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as a server 40 or a control device 540. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as one or more "parts" of the apparatus according to this embodiment, or to cause the computer 1200 to execute operations associated with the apparatus according to this embodiment or such one or more "parts", and / or to cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to this embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0121] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, a DVD drive 1226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive 1226 may be a DVD-ROM drive and a DVD-RAM drive, etc. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive and a solid-state drive, etc. The computer 1200 also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0122] The CPU 1212 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 1216 acquires the image data generated by the CPU 1212 and stores it in the frame buffer provided in RAM 1214 or within itself, so that the image data is displayed on the display device 1218.

[0123] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD drive 1226 reads programs or data from a DVD-ROM 1227, etc., and provides them to the storage device 1224. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0124] The ROM 1230 stores boot programs and / or hardware-dependent programs of the computer 1200, which are executed by the computer 1200 upon activation. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via USB ports, parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0125] The program is provided on a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM 1227 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable storage medium and installed on a storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which are examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0126] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 1214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 1214, storage device 1224, DVD-ROM 1227, or IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0127] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may read all or necessary parts of files or databases stored on external recording media such as the storage device 1224, DVD drive 1226 (DVD-ROM 1227), or IC card into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write the processed data back to the external recording media.

[0128] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the specified condition for the attribute value of the first attribute, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0129] The program or software module described above may be stored on or near the computer 1200 in a computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0130] In this embodiment, blocks in the flowchart and block diagram may represent a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or a "part" of a device that has the role of performing an operation. A particular stage and "part" may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and programmable logic arrays (PLAs), which include logical AND, logical OR, exclusive OR, negated AND, negated OR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0131] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein will comprise a product that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0132] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar languages.

[0133] Computer-readable instructions may be provided to a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or a programmable circuit, either locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet, so that the computer-readable instructions may be executed by the processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, in order to generate means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like.

[0134] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0135] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before" or "prior to," and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," and "next," for convenience, this does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0136] 10 System, 12 City structure, 20 Public facilities area, 21 Living area, 40 Server, 80 Apartment building, 82 Dwelling unit, 83 Luggage storage area, 84 Logistics hub, 86 Public facilities, 90 Taxis, 92 Delivery vehicles, 94 Deliveries, 100 Road structure, 110 Main roads, 120 Branch roads, 121 Slow-speed lane, 122 Medium-speed lane, 140 Connecting roads, 141 Lane, 142 Lane, 200 Movement route, 300 Section, 310 Person, 390 Movement trajectory, 491 Movement route, 492 Movement route, 500 Transport lane, 501 Horizontal lane, 502 Lifting lane, 510 Storage area, 540 Control device, 550 Refrigeration equipment, 560 Camera, 601 Horizontal transport lane, 602 Horizontal transport lane, 620; Opening / closing door, 622; Opening / closing door, 650; Kitchen, 660, 670, 680, 690; Extrusion device, 692; Rotating mechanism, 700; Delivery box, 710; Controller, 900; Locking mechanism, 910; Locking control unit, 920; Reading unit, 1000; Destination display unit, 1010; Tray, 1200; Computer, 1210; Host controller, 1212; CPU, 1214; RAM, 1216; Graphics controller, 1218; Display device, 1220; Input / output controller, 1222; Communication interface, 1224; Storage device, 1226; DVD drive, 1227; DVD-ROM, 1230; ROM, 1240; Input / output chip

Claims

1. A delivery system for automatically delivering items to each of multiple dwelling units within a building via a transport lane provided within the building, A control unit that moves a delivery item being delivered via the aforementioned transport lane from the transport lane to the delivery item storage area when the delivery item passes through the delivery item storage area located at the destination dwelling of the delivery item, A locking mechanism that locks the delivery item so that it cannot be removed from the transport lane and unlocks it according to the authentication process, A delivery system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism performs authentication processing using a two-dimensional code presented by the resident.

3. The aforementioned delivery item is equipped with a destination display unit that displays information indicating the destination of the delivery item. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transport speed of the transport lane to decrease when the information of the destination display unit detected by the detection unit provided around the dwelling unit indicates that the dwelling unit is the destination.

4. The tray for the delivery item is equipped with a destination display unit that displays information indicating the destination of the delivery item. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transport speed of the transport lane to decrease when the information of the destination display unit detected by the detection unit provided around the dwelling unit indicates that the dwelling unit is the destination.

5. At each position in the aforementioned transport lane, a rotating mechanism is provided that rotates in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is an extrusion device provided at a position corresponding to the delivery item storage area of ​​each of the plurality of dwelling units, and controls the extrusion device to push the delivery item to the delivery item storage area provided in the dwelling unit to which the delivery item is to be delivered, by pushing the delivery item in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying lane.

6. The aforementioned delivery item is equipped with a content display unit that displays information related to the delivery item. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the information of the content display unit detected by the detection unit installed around the dwelling unit to be transmitted to the terminal of the resident of the dwelling unit.

7. The aforementioned building is equipped with a storage facility for temporarily storing deliveries addressed to dwelling units within the building, and the storage facility is equipped with refrigeration equipment. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when the delivered item is a food item that requires refrigeration, and the delivered item has been placed in the delivery item storage area for a certain period of time or longer, returns the delivered item to the transport lane and moves the delivered item to the storage area.

8. The aforementioned building is equipped with a storage facility for temporarily storing deliveries addressed to the dwelling units within the building. The control unit, when it is not possible to place the delivered item in the delivery area at the recipient's residence, will cause the delivered item to be stored in the storage facility. The delivery system according to claim 1.

9. The control unit moves the delivery item from the storage facility to the transport lane when the delivery item stored in the storage facility is ready to be delivered to the delivery item storage area located at the recipient's residence. The delivery system according to claim 8.

10. The control unit determines whether the delivery can be stored in the storage facility before dispatching the delivery from the logistics base outside the building to a dwelling unit inside the building, and dispatches the delivery from the logistics base if it determines that the delivery can be stored in the storage facility. The delivery system according to claim 8.

11. Before dispatching a delivery from a logistics hub outside the building to a dwelling unit inside the building, the control unit determines whether the delivery can be placed in the delivery storage area provided at the destination dwelling unit. If it determines that the delivery can be stored in the delivery storage area, it dispatches the delivery from the logistics hub. The delivery system according to claim 1.

12. Before dispatching a delivery from the logistics hub to a dwelling unit within the building, the control unit determines, based on the delivery status of other deliveries addressed to the same dwelling unit, whether or not the delivery can be placed in the delivery storage area. The delivery system according to claim 11.

13. Before dispatching a delivery from the logistics hub to a dwelling unit within the building, the control unit determines, based on the delivery status of other deliveries addressed to the dwelling unit and the size of the delivery storage area, whether or not the delivery can be placed in the delivery storage area. The delivery system according to claim 12.

14. The control unit further determines whether the delivery can be held in the transport lane before dispatching the delivery from the logistics base outside the building to the dwelling unit inside the building, The control unit, when it determines that the delivery item can be held in the transport lane, will dispatch the delivery item from the logistics center. The delivery system according to claim 1.

15. Before dispatching a predetermined type of delivery from a logistics hub outside the building to a dwelling unit in the building, the control unit inquires with the resident of the dwelling unit whether or not they want the delivery to be made, and if it receives a delivery instruction from the resident, it dispatches the delivery from the logistics hub. The delivery system according to claim 1.

16. When an item is to be shipped from the dwelling unit, the control unit moves the item, which is placed in the delivery area, from the delivery area to the transport lane. The delivery system according to claim 1.

17. A delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, The transport lane and A building equipped with [a specific feature / equipment].

18. The aforementioned building has multiple floors, The transport lane includes an elevator lane for moving deliveries between different floors of the building. The building according to claim 17.

19. A delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, A server that manages the transportation of goods by autonomous vehicles from the logistics base outside the building to the building. A delivery system equipped with these features.

Images