Information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing system capable of reducing a redelivery rate in a delivery area.SOLUTION: In the information processing system, a data center 200 and user terminals owned by a plurality of users 100 of a delivery service are connected through a communication network. The data center 200 groups the users 100 of the delivery service by each delivery area. The data center 200 transmits information about a campaign to the user terminal before the start of a campaign period to notify the users 100 in the delivery area. The campaign provides an incentive to the users 100 in the delivery area if a redelivery rate in the delivery area becomes a predetermined value or below during the campaign period. The data center 200 tabulates the redelivery rate of the delivery area during the campaign period and provides the incentive to the users 100 in the delivery area if the redelivery rate becomes the predetermined value or below.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system. This information processing system compares the redelivery cost required for redelivering a package to the destination with the agency delivery cost required for delivering the package to the destination via a candidate for a substitute recipient. The information processing system selects a candidate for a substitute recipient whose agency delivery cost is less than the redelivery cost as the substitute recipient, and notifies the selected substitute recipient of a request for agency delivery of the package.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above information processing system can reduce the cost required for delivery, but cannot reduce the redelivery itself.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described. The information processing system for solving the above problems is an information processing system in which a data center equipped with a processing device and a communication device is connected via a communication network to user terminals owned by each of several users of the delivery service. In this information processing system, the processing device groups the several users of the delivery service by delivery area. The processing device notifies users in the delivery area by transmitting information about a campaign that will provide an incentive to users in the delivery area if the redelivery rate for that delivery area falls below a predetermined value during the campaign period, to the user terminals before the start of the campaign period. The processing device aggregates the redelivery rate for the delivery area during the campaign period. The processing device provides the incentive to users in the delivery area if the redelivery rate for that delivery area during the campaign period falls below the predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This information processing system can help reduce the redelivery rate in delivery areas. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of information displayed on a user terminal in the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the data center for the user in the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the data center in the information processing system of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] An embodiment of the information processing system will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. <Configuration of Information Processing System 10> As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 10 consists of a plurality of user terminals 110 and a data center 200. The plurality of user terminals 110 are terminals owned by each of the users 100 of the delivery service. Each user terminal 110 is equipped with a communication device and a display. The data center 200 is connected to the user terminals 110 owned by each of the plurality of users 100 via a communication network 300 so as to be able to communicate.

[0009] The data center 200 is equipped with a communication device 230. The communication device 230 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof. The communication device 230 is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via the communication network 300. The data center 200 may be composed of multiple computers. For example, the data center 200 may be composed of multiple server devices.

[0010] The data center 200 comprises a processing unit 210 that executes programs and performs various processes, and a storage device 220 in which the programs are stored. The processing unit 210 includes a processor.

[0011] The storage device 220 of the data center 200 stores various information about multiple users 100 of the delivery service. This information includes the address, name, and points held by each of the users 100.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the area where the delivery service is provided has multiple delivery areas, such as Delivery Area 1 to Delivery Area 3. The delivery area is not limited to three areas; it may also have two, four, or more areas. A delivery area is an area demarcated by a certain size, for example, an area where multiple delivery vehicles assigned to that area deliver goods. Alternatively, a delivery area may be the area where each delivery vehicle delivers goods, as defined for each vehicle.

[0013] The information processing system 10 notifies multiple users 100 of the delivery service of information about a campaign to reduce the redelivery rate in a delivery area that will be implemented over a specific period of time. Furthermore, the information processing system 10 provides incentives to the users 100 in the delivery area covered by the campaign, based on the redelivery rate in that area during the campaign period.

[0014] More specifically, in the information processing system 10, the data center 200 notifies users 100 in a delivery area of ​​information about a campaign that provides incentives to users 100 in that delivery area if the redelivery rate in that delivery area falls below a predetermined value. The data center 200 notifies users 100 in the delivery area covered by the campaign by sending the campaign information to user terminals 110 before the start of the campaign period. After the end of the campaign period, the data center 200 compiles the redelivery rates for the delivery areas covered by the campaign during that campaign period. If the redelivery rate for the delivery areas covered by the campaign during the campaign period falls below a predetermined value, the data center 200 provides incentives to all users 100 in that delivery area.

[0015] Figure 2 shows an example of campaign information displayed on the user terminal 110 held by a user 100 within the delivery area when the user 100 is notified of the campaign from the data center 200. As shown in Figure 2, the campaign information includes information indicating that the campaign will be held and information indicating the period during which the campaign will be implemented. Furthermore, the campaign information includes information indicating the conditions under which incentives will be awarded and information indicating the content of the incentives.

[0016] <Transmission of information in information processing system 10> Next, the transmission of information from the data center 200 to the user 100 will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the data center 200 notifies users 100 of the campaign information by transmitting campaign information to user terminals 110 held by users 100 within the delivery area targeted by the campaign aimed at reducing redeliveries. At this time, the data center 200 groups multiple users 100 of the delivery service by delivery area. Before the start of the campaign period, the data center 200 transmits the campaign information to user terminals 110 held by users 100 within the delivery area targeted by the campaign among the grouped users 100. The data center 200 may also transmit the campaign information to user terminals 110 held by users 100 within the delivery area targeted by the campaign during the campaign period.

[0018] After the end of the campaign period, the data center 200 aggregates the redelivery rate in the delivery area targeted by the campaign. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the aggregated redelivery rate is below a predetermined value, the data center 200 gives an incentive to all users 100 within the delivery area. The data center 200 transmits incentive information to the user terminals 110 held by the users 100 who are the targets of the incentive. For example, the incentive may be points given to a credit card or the like held by the target user 100. For example, the incentive is not limited to points and may be a prize or a discount coupon given to the target user 100. The incentive information is information that can identify that an incentive has been given to the user 100 who is the target of the incentive. For example, when points are given to the user 100 who is the target of the incentive, the user terminal 110 held by the user 100 that has received the incentive information may display a string "Points have been given" on the display.

[0019] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, the flow of the process executed in the data center 200 will be described more specifically. <Processes Executed by Data Center 200> FIG. 4 shows the flow of the processes executed by the data center 200 from before the start of the campaign period to during the campaign period. This series of processes is executed by the processing device 210 of the data center 200. This series of processes corresponds to the processes of the data center 200 shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, when starting this series of processes, the processing device 210 first transmits campaign information to the user terminal 110 before the start of the campaign period in the process of step S100. After executing the process of step S100 and transmitting the campaign information, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0021] In step S110, the processing unit 210 updates the delivery history for the delivery area covered by the campaign during the campaign period. The delivery history for the delivery area covered by the campaign is stored in the storage device 220 of the data center 200. The processing unit 210 stores in the storage device 220 the total number of deliveries in the delivery area covered by the campaign, and the total number of redeliveries among the deliveries in that delivery area, as the delivery history. Information that can identify the number of deliveries in a delivery area and information that can identify the number of redeliveries may be provided to the data center 200 by, for example, the drivers of the delivery vehicles in the delivery area. After executing the process in step S110 and updating the delivery history, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0022] Next, in step S120, the processing unit 210 determines whether the campaign period has ended. It is advisable for the processing unit 210 to pre-store information that can identify the campaign period in the storage device 220. Then, in step S120, the processing unit 210 determines whether the campaign period has ended by referring to the information that can identify the campaign period pre-stored in the storage device 220. If the processing unit 210 determines that the campaign period has ended (step S120: YES), the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the processing unit 210 does not determine that the campaign period has ended (step S120: NO), the process returns to step S110. In other words, in step S120, the processing unit 210 repeatedly executes steps S110 and S120 until the processing unit 210 determines that the campaign period has ended.

[0023] In step S130, the processing unit 210 aggregates the redelivery rate in the delivery area. Specifically, the processing unit 210 calculates the redelivery rate as the ratio of the number of redeliveries to the total number of deliveries in the delivery area by referring to the delivery history updated in step S110. After executing the process in step S130 and aggregating the redelivery rate, the process proceeds to step S140.

[0024] Next, in step S140, the processing unit 210 determines whether the redelivery rate for the delivery area, which was aggregated in step S130, is below a predetermined value. The default value is a predetermined numerical value that serves as the criterion for the conditions under which incentives are given to users 100 within the delivery area. If the processing unit 210 determines that the redelivery rate is below the predetermined value (step S140: YES), the process proceeds to step S150.

[0025] Next, in step S150, the processing unit 210 grants incentives to all users 100 within the delivery area. Specifically, the processing unit 210 updates the point information held by the users 100 who are eligible to receive incentives, which is stored in the storage device 220, to reflect the state in which incentives have been granted.

[0026] Next, in step S160, the processing unit 210 transmits incentive information that identifies the granting of an incentive to the user terminal 110 held by the user 100 who is to be granted the incentive.

[0027] Once the incentive information is transmitted to the user terminal 110 through the processing in step S160, the processing unit 210 terminates this series of processes. In step S140, if the processing unit 210 does not determine that the redelivery rate is below a predetermined value (step S140: NO), the processing unit 210 terminates this series of processes without executing the processes in step S150 and step S160. In other words, if the redelivery rate in the delivery area is not below a predetermined value, the processing unit 210 terminates this series of processes without providing incentives to the users 100 in that delivery area.

[0028] <Operation of the Embodiment> In the information processing system 10, the processing unit 210 of the data center 200 groups multiple users 100 of the delivery service by delivery area through the process described with reference to Figure 3.

[0029] The processing unit 210 then transmits campaign information to the user terminal 110 and notifies users 100 within the delivery area through the processing described with reference to Figure 3 and the processing in step S100 of the series of processes described with reference to Figure 4. The campaign provides an incentive to users 100 within the delivery area if the redelivery rate in the delivery area during the campaign period falls below a predetermined value. The processing unit 210 notifies users 100 within the delivery area covered by the campaign of the campaign information before the start of the campaign period.

[0030] Then, the processing unit 210 aggregates the redelivery rate for the delivery area during the campaign period through the processing of step S130 in the series of processes described with reference to Figure 4. Then, through the processing steps S140 and S150 in the series of processes described with reference to Figure 4, the processing device 210 provides an incentive to users 100 in the delivery area if the redelivery rate in the delivery area during the campaign period falls below a predetermined value.

[0031] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The information processing system 10 described above can make users 100 within the delivery area aware of the need to be at home during the campaign period to avoid redelivery. Furthermore, by adding a game-like element in which users aim to reduce the redelivery rate in the delivery area to below a predetermined value, the system can entertain users 100 while simultaneously reducing the redelivery rate in the delivery area. In addition, by reducing the redelivery rate, it is possible to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted from delivery vehicles.

[0032] (2) The delivery area is an area demarcated to a certain size, where multiple delivery vehicles deliver packages. Therefore, by reducing the redelivery rate in the delivery area, the burden on drivers of the multiple delivery vehicles that deliver packages to the delivery area to be reduced.

[0033] <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.

[0034] The delivery area may be defined for each delivery vehicle that delivers packages. This would reduce the redelivery rate within the delivery area, thereby reducing the burden on drivers of specific delivery vehicles to redelive packages.

[0035] The delivery area may be defined by prefectures. Alternatively, the delivery area may be defined by cities, towns, and villages. The processing unit 210 may notify only users 100 of the delivery service who have registered for the service that notifies them of campaign information. This prevents users 100 who are not interested in the campaign from feeling annoyed by receiving campaign information.

[0036] The processing unit 210 may also notify users 100 within the delivery area of ​​campaign information during the campaign period. This allows users 100 to be reminded that the campaign is ongoing, even during the campaign period.

[0037] Campaign information is notified to users 100 of the delivery service from the data center 200 via a communication network. In addition, campaign information may also be notified to users 100 in the delivery area through direct mail, print advertisements, etc.

[0038] The processing unit 210 may provide an incentive to users 100 who received their packages without requesting redelivery if the redelivery rate in the delivery area during the campaign period falls below a predetermined value.

[0039] The processing unit 210 may, if the redelivery rate in the delivery area during the campaign period falls below a predetermined value, provide an incentive to all 100 users in the delivery area who received their packages without requesting redelivery.

[0040] The processing unit 210 does not need to send incentive information to the user terminal when it has given an incentive to a user 100 within the delivery area. The processing unit 210 may, when the campaign period ends, notify users 100 within the delivery area of ​​a numerical value indicating the redelivery rate in that area.

[0041] Figure 2 shows an example where the campaign period is several days. The campaign period may also be limited to the days on which the campaign information is notified to the 100 users of the delivery service. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10... Information processing system, 100... User, 110... User terminal, 200... Data center, 210... Processing unit, 220... Memory device, 230... Communication device, 300... Communication network

Claims

1. A data center equipped with a processing unit and a communication device, Each of the multiple users of the delivery service possesses their own user terminal, It is an information processing system connected via a communication network. The aforementioned processing apparatus The above-mentioned delivery service group the multiple users by delivery area, To notify users in the delivery area of ​​a campaign that provides an incentive to users in the delivery area if the redelivery rate in that delivery area falls below a predetermined value during the campaign period, by sending information about the campaign to the user terminal before the start of the campaign period, To compile the aforementioned redelivery rate for the delivery area during the aforementioned campaign period, If the redelivery rate in the delivery area during the campaign period falls below the predetermined value, the incentive will be given to the user in the delivery area. Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned delivery area is an area demarcated to a certain size, where multiple delivery vehicles deliver goods. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned delivery area is an area defined for each delivery vehicle that delivers goods. The information processing system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned processing apparatus Of the multiple users of the aforementioned delivery service, the campaign information will be notified only to the users who have registered for the service that notifies users of the campaign information. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned processing apparatus The campaign information will be notified to the users within the delivery area during the campaign period. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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