Delivery Management System

Abstract

To provide a method for managing a delivery box capable of properly replacing the delivery box.SOLUTION: A delivery box 20 includes a plurality of storage parts that can store packages, and a key part that can lock and unlock the storage parts. A method for managing the delivery box 20 installed at a predetermined reception base PL includes the following (a) and (b): (a) causing a control device 40 to determine whether or not a replacement condition that the number RN of packages stored in the delivery box 20 installed at the reception base PL is a predetermined number N1 or less is established; and (b) when the replacement condition is established, causing the control device 40 to instruct a terminal 12 of an operator to replace the delivery box 20 installed at the reception base PL with a new delivery box 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Delivery Management System .

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a self-propelled delivery box that can travel between a delivery base for delivering packages and a receiving base for receiving packages. The delivery box has an authentication unit that can open the door of a storage unit capable of storing packages. A customer goes to the receiving base, opens the door of the delivery box, and receives the package addressed to them.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When setting the above-mentioned receiving base, a service of replacing the delivery box installed at the receiving base with another delivery box at an appropriate timing is conceivable, but no consideration has been given to an appropriate management method for the delivery box in this case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems will be described. To solve the above problems The delivery management system comprises a delivery box set up at a predetermined receiving location, and a delivery management server capable of communicating with the delivery box. The delivery box comprises a plurality of storage compartments capable of accommodating packages, a key unit capable of locking and unlocking the storage compartments, and a sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of packages in the storage compartments. The control device provided in the delivery management server performs the following processes: when a package addressed to a user is stored in one of the storage compartments, it transmits a package pickup request and key information to the user's user terminal; and, based on the detection result of the sensor, it determines whether the exchange condition that the number of packages stored in the storage compartments is less than or equal to a predetermined number is met. If the condition is met, the following processes are executed: sending an exchange instruction to the worker's terminal to replace the delivery box installed at the receiving base with a new delivery box having the same number or more empty storage compartments as the predetermined number; receiving repacking information from the worker's terminal regarding the storage compartments where the repacked packages are stored when the packages remaining in the old delivery box are repacked into the storage compartments of the new delivery box when replacing it with the new delivery box; and sending a new package pickup request and key information based on the repacking information to the user terminals of users who have not come to pick up their packages by the time the delivery box is replaced with the new delivery box.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the replacement of the delivery box can be appropriately performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the delivery management system in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing a delivery box. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the storage compartment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the delivery management system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process related to the management of delivery boxes. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process related to the delivery box management method in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (First Embodiment) The method for managing the delivery boxes in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <Basic configuration of a delivery management system> First, the configuration of the delivery management system will be explained with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the delivery management system 10 comprises a delivery box 20 and a delivery management server 11. The delivery management server 11 is connected to user terminals 13 via a network such as the Internet. The delivery management server 11 stores the email addresses of users registered from user terminals 13 in memory 43 (see Figure 4). When there is a package addressed to a user, the delivery management server 11 sends an email to the corresponding user terminal 13 containing information that there is a package. User terminals 13 are communication devices owned by individuals. Examples of user terminals 13 include smartphones, tablet devices, and personal computers.

[0010] In the delivery box management method of this embodiment, a delivery box 20 containing a package addressed to user U is installed at a receiving point PL near user U's home. When user U's user terminal 13 receives an email containing information that a package is waiting, user U goes to the delivery box 20 installed at the receiving point PL near their home to pick up the package addressed to them.

[0011] Users U who receive this delivery box pickup service register their contact information in advance, including their address, name, and email address. The delivery management server 11, for example, is installed at a delivery center, and when there is a package addressed to a user, it notifies the user of the information that a package is waiting. The method of contacting the customer is not limited to email; any method that can notify the user personally is acceptable, such as telephone, LINE (registered trademark), or SMS (Short Message Service).

[0012] The distribution center is located in the distribution hub database (DB). The distribution hub database contains the locations of transport vehicles, such as trucks, that move the delivery boxes 20 to regional pickup locations (PL). This distribution hub database also serves as the collection point for packages. Packages belonging to users U who are registered for the delivery box pickup service are placed in the delivery boxes 20 according to their pickup location (PL). Workers, such as employees of the delivery company or a contractor for delivery box transportation, move the delivery boxes 20 from the distribution hub database to the pickup locations (PL) using transport vehicles. Users U then go to the designated pickup location (PL) near their home to pick up their packages within the designated pickup period. The information indicating the presence of a package includes information about the pickup period.

[0013] Incidentally, the delivery boxes 20 are replaced periodically or irregularly. The reasons for replacing the delivery boxes 20 may include delivering new packages 15 to the receiving point PL, picking up packages 15 belonging to user U that did not come to pick up within the receiving period, or maintenance of the delivery boxes 20. For example, if there are many packages 15 to be delivered on the same day or the next day, it may be necessary to have multiple workers at the distribution center (distribution point DB) place the packages 15 into the delivery boxes 20 in advance, and then deliver the delivery boxes 20 together to the receiving point PL. The replacement of delivery boxes 20 is carried out by moving the new delivery boxes 20 from the distribution point DB to the receiving point PL, and moving the old delivery boxes 20 from the receiving point PL to the distribution point DB. In the example shown in Figure 1, for example, worker RW performs the delivery and replacement of the delivery boxes 20.

[0014] <Configuration of Delivery Box 20> Next, the configuration of the delivery box 20 will be described with reference to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the delivery box 20 may be, for example, a mobile type. A mobile delivery box 20 has a main body 21 and wheels 22. The delivery box 20 has a main body 21 equipped with a plurality of storage compartments 23 capable of accommodating luggage. An example of a storage compartment 23 is a locker. The plurality of storage compartments 23 may be of multiple sizes with different storage volumes depending on the size of the luggage that can be stored. The plurality of storage compartments 23 may include, for example, a first storage compartment 231 with a volume capable of accommodating large luggage, a second storage compartment 232 with a volume capable of accommodating medium-sized luggage, and a third storage compartment 233 with a volume capable of accommodating small luggage. There may also be storage compartments with volumes capable of accommodating luggage of other sizes. Furthermore, the plurality of storage compartments 23 may not only have different volumes but also different shapes. The plurality of storage compartments 23 may include a storage compartment capable of accommodating long, narrow luggage.

[0015] In addition, when the delivery box 20 is of the traveling type shown in FIG. 2, it may be self-propelled or towed. In the case of a towed type, the delivery box 20 is towed by a transport vehicle and moves. On the other hand, in the case of a self-propelled type, the delivery box 20 may have a driver's seat. Note that the delivery box 20 may be a mounted type that does not include wheels 22. The mounted delivery box 20 is, for example, placed on the loading platform of a transport vehicle by an operator and moved.

[0016] <Configuration of the storage unit 23> Next, the configuration of the storage unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 23 includes a storage chamber 24 capable of storing the luggage 15, and a door portion 25 capable of opening and closing the storage chamber 24. The door portion 25 has a knob 26 that can be gripped by the user U. In addition, the delivery box 20 includes a key portion 27 capable of locking and unlocking the storage unit 23. The key portion 27 is, for example, a method of inputting a password or a PIN number by a key operation. The password or PIN number may be set by the user U, who is a customer, at the time of service registration or the like, or may be individually set for each piece of luggage as one of the information included in the luggage information sent from the delivery management server 11.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the door portion 25 is provided with an input operation unit 28 that is operated when the user U inputs a password or a PIN number, and a display unit 29 that displays the input password or PIN number and the like. Various messages such as an operation method may be displayed on the display unit 29 in addition to the input content. The input operation unit 28 may have a configuration including a plurality of mechanical operation buttons, or may be a touch panel type operation button that is displayed as an image on a touch panel and can be input by a touch operation by the user U.

[0018] In addition, the storage unit 23 shown in FIG. 3 includes a sensor 30 capable of detecting the presence or absence of the luggage 15 in the storage chamber 24. The sensor 30 is used to determine whether the luggage 15 has been taken out of the storage unit 23. The sensor 30 detects the presence or absence of the luggage 15 in the storage unit 23 in a non-contact manner. The detection result of the sensor 30 is transmitted to the delivery management server 11 in the delivery base DB (delivery center) by wireless communication.

[0019] <Electrical Configuration of Distribution Management System 10> Next, the electrical configuration of the distribution management system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the distribution box 20 includes a control unit 32. An example of the control unit 32 is an electronic control device. A key unit 27, an input operation unit 28, a display unit 29, a sensor 30, and a communication unit 31 are electrically connected to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 displays the key information input by the user U operating the input operation unit 28 on the display unit 29. When the control unit 32 receives the key information, it performs an authentication process. When the key information is authenticated, the control unit 32 unlocks the electric key unit 27.

[0020] The sensor 30 determines whether or not the package 15 has been taken out from the storage unit 23. The detection result of the sensor 30 is transmitted to the distribution management server 11 via the communication unit 31 and the network NW. The distribution management server 11 can grasp the receipt status of the package 15 in the distribution box 20 based on the detection result information of the sensor 30.

[0021] In addition, a contractor terminal 12, which is an example of a worker's terminal, is connected to the network NW in a communicable state. The contractor terminal 12 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone that is possessed by a worker who delivers and exchanges the distribution box 20. The distribution management server 11 gives instructions for moving and exchanging the distribution box 20 to the worker via the contractor terminal 12.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the delivery management server 11 includes a control device 40. The control device 40 includes a computer 41. The computer 41 includes a CPU 42 (central processing unit) and memory 43. The memory 43 stores a program for delivery management (not shown). By executing the delivery management program, the computer 41 performs delivery instruction control and management of the packages 15 inside the delivery box 20, which are necessary to move the delivery box 20 to the receiving base PL and the delivery base DB. The delivery management server 11 includes a communication unit 44. The delivery management server 11 communicates with the delivery box 20, the carrier terminal 12 and the user terminal 13 via the network NW through the communication unit 44.

[0023] The control device 40 is not limited to performing software processing for all of the processes it executes. For example, the control device 40 may include dedicated hardware circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits: ASICs) that perform hardware processing for at least some of the processes it executes. That is, the control device 40 can be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0024] Next, the control device 40 will be described as managing the delivery boxes 20 installed at a predetermined receiving point PL. The control device 40's management method for the delivery boxes 20 includes the following (a) and (b).

[0025] (a) The control device 40 is instructed to determine whether the exchange condition has been met, which is when the number RN of packages 15 contained in the delivery box 20 installed at the receiving point PL is less than or equal to a predetermined number N1.

[0026] (b) If the exchange conditions are met, the operator's terminal (contractor terminal 12) is instructed by the control device 40 to replace the delivery box 20 installed at the receiving base PL with a new delivery box 20.

[0027] Here, the new delivery box 20 has a number of empty storage compartments 23 equal to or greater than a predetermined number N1. The value of the predetermined number N1 is determined assuming that the packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be transferred to the new delivery box 20. As shown in Figure 2, the delivery box 20 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple types (for example, three types) of storage compartments 23 with different storage volumes. In order to transfer the packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 to the new delivery box 20, it is necessary to secure storage compartments 23 in the new delivery box 20 with a volume that can accommodate the transfer according to the size of the packages 15 still stored inside. Therefore, in the example of the delivery box 20 shown in Figure 2, the control device 40 determines whether the remaining number RN of packages 15 still stored in the old delivery box 20 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N1, according to the size of the packages. For example, suppose the new delivery box 20 has N11 large first storage compartments 231, N12 medium second storage compartments 232, and N13 small third storage compartments 233 as empty storage compartments 23. The control device 40 determines, as a condition for replacement, the remaining number of packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 as follows: The control device 40 determines, as a condition for replacement, whether the remaining number RN1 in the first storage section 231 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N11, the remaining number RN2 in the second storage section 232 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N12, and the remaining number RN3 in the third storage section 233 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N13.

[0028] The delivery box 20 is configured such that the lock unit 27 is unlocked by authentication of key information. Therefore, the method for managing the delivery box may further include (c) below. (c) The control device 40 temporarily provides the key information of the old delivery box 20 to the worker who replaces the old delivery box 20 with a new delivery box 20.

[0029] <Operation of the First Embodiment> Next, with reference to Figures 1 to 5, the operation of the management method for the delivery box 20 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] In the first embodiment, when replacing the delivery box 20, the remaining packages 15 in the old delivery box 20 are transferred to the new delivery box 20. Therefore, the control device 40 performs a determination process to determine whether there is enough empty storage space to transfer all of the remaining packages 15.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the processing flow between the delivery management server 11 (control device 40), the delivery box 20, the carrier terminal 12, and the user terminal 13 in the management method of the delivery box 20. In Figure 5, the user terminal 13 of user U who received the package 15 within the receiving period is denoted as "user terminal 13A," and the user terminal 13 of user U who did not receive the package 15 within the receiving period is denoted as "user terminal 13B."

[0032] First, at the distribution center (distribution hub DB), packages are sorted into those for delivery boxes and those for home delivery. Packages 15 for delivery boxes are sorted by receiving hub PL. Packages 15 addressed to users are placed in delivery boxes 20 for each receiving hub PL.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the control device 40 transmits a package pickup request and, if necessary, key information to the user terminal 13 (step S11). The package pickup request includes package information for the package addressed to the user. Package information includes the pickup location PL, pickup period, delivery box number, storage unit number, package identification number, package sender information, destination information, etc. If the key information is a password or PIN registered in advance by user U, it is not necessary to transmit the key information. For example, if key information is set for each package, the key information is transmitted to the user.

[0034] The control device 40 sends a delivery instruction to the vendor terminal 12 (step S12). When the worker RW (see Figure 1) receives the delivery instruction via the vendor terminal 12, he / she delivers the delivery box 20 to the receiving base PL (step S13). In other words, the worker RW moves the delivery box 20 from the delivery base DB to the receiving base PL. The worker RW transports the delivery box 20 to the receiving base PL, for example, by loading it onto a transport vehicle. The delivery of the delivery box 20 may be done by towing the mobile delivery box 20 with a transport vehicle, or the worker RW may drive the mobile delivery box 20 from the driver's seat.

[0035] Thus, the delivery box 20 is installed at the receiving point PL by the start time of the receiving period. User U goes to the delivery box 20 installed at the nearest receiving point PL at a time convenient during the receiving period to pick up the package 15 addressed to them (step S14). For example, User U operates the input operation unit 28 at the storage unit 23 with the designated storage unit number and enters key information (password or PIN). The control unit 32 of the delivery box 20 performs the necessary handover process to ensure that the recipient user U correctly receives the package 15 (step S15). Specifically, the control unit 32 performs authentication processing of the entered key information. When the key information is authenticated, the control unit 32 unlocks the lock unit 27 of the storage unit 23 with the authenticated storage unit number. User U opens the door unit 25 and takes out the package 15 from the storage compartment 24. After that, User U closes the door unit 25. When the door unit 25 is closed, the control unit 32 locks the lock unit 27. When the package 15 in the storage compartment 24 is gone, the sensor 30 switches from a detection state to a non-detection state. In this way, the detection of the opening and closing of the door 25 and the detection of the presence or absence of the package by the sensor 30 determine that the destination user U has received the package 15. The control unit 32 sends a package receipt notification to the delivery management server 11 (step S16).

[0036] Each time the control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 receives a package receipt notification, it determines whether the exchange condition is met, which is when the remaining number RN of packages 15 stored in the delivery box 20 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N1 (step S17). In this way, each time the control device 40 receives a package receipt notification from user U, who has received a package 15 addressed to them from the storage section 23 of the delivery box 20, it determines whether the exchange condition is met. Then, when the exchange condition (RN ≤ N1) is met, the control device 40 sends a delivery box exchange instruction along with key information to the carrier terminal 12 (step S18).

[0037] Upon receiving a delivery box exchange instruction via the vendor terminal 12, worker RW exchanges the delivery box 20 (step S19). First, worker RW moves the new delivery box 20 from the delivery base DB to the receiving base PL. Next, worker RW repacks the remaining packages 15 contained in the old delivery box 20 into the new delivery box 20. At this time, worker RW unlocks the lock section 27 of the storage section 23 by operating the input operation unit 28 and entering key information. The predetermined number N1 that determines the exchange conditions is set to a value less than or equal to the number of empty storage sections 23 in the new delivery box 20. Therefore, all the packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be repacked into the storage section 23 of the new delivery box 20. After repacking the packages 15, worker RW moves the old delivery box 20 from the receiving base PL to the delivery base DB. In this way, worker RW exchanges the old delivery box 20 with the new delivery box 20. Furthermore, the worker RW transmits repacking information, including the destination of the repacked package 15, the delivery box number and storage unit number of the repacked package, from the vendor terminal 12 to the delivery management server 11.

[0038] The control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 sends (resends) a package pickup request and key information to the user terminal 13B addressed to user U who did not come to pick up the package (step S20). The user U in question is identified, for example, from the repackaging information. Key information may be sent only if key information is set for each package 15. In this case, the key information may be changed before and after repackaging of package 15. User U, who receives the package pickup request at the user terminal 13B, goes to the pickup location PL and picks up the package 15 addressed to them from the delivery box 20 (step S21). The control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 confirms that user U has received the package 15 by receiving a package pickup notification from the control unit 32 of the delivery box 20. The control device 40 also similarly determines whether the exchange conditions have been met for the new delivery box 20.

[0039] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) The delivery box 20 comprises a plurality of storage compartments 23 capable of accommodating packages 15, and a key section 27 that can lock and unlock the storage compartments 23. The management method for the delivery boxes 20 installed at a designated receiving base PL includes the following (a) and (b): (a) Having the control device 40 determine whether the replacement condition has been met, which is when the number of packages 15 stored in the delivery box 20 installed at the receiving base PL is less than or equal to a predetermined number N1. (b) If the replacement condition has been met, having the control device 40 instruct the worker's terminal 12 to replace the delivery box 20 installed at the receiving base PL with a new delivery box 20. Thus, the replacement of the delivery boxes 20 is carried out appropriately.

[0040] (1-2) In the method of managing the delivery boxes 20, the new delivery box 20 has an equal or greater number of empty storage compartments 23 than the predetermined number N1. Therefore, the packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be transferred to the new delivery box 20.

[0041] (1-3) The lock unit 27 is configured to be unlocked by authentication of key information. The management method of the delivery box 20 includes the following (c): (c) The control device 40 temporarily assigns the key information of the old delivery box 20 to the replacement company that replaces the old delivery box 20 with a new delivery box 20. Thus, the packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 can be unlocked and transferred to the new delivery box 20.

[0042] (Second Embodiment) Next, the method for managing the delivery box 20 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. In the first embodiment, the remaining packages 15 were repacked into a new delivery box 20, but in this second embodiment, the packages 15 remaining in the old delivery box 20 are not repacked, and are taken back to the delivery base DB along with the old delivery box 20. The configuration of the delivery box 20 is the same as in the first embodiment, but the delivery control content by the delivery management server 11 differs from that of the first embodiment. Also, in Figure 6, the user terminal 13 of user U who received the packages 15 within the receiving period is indicated as "user terminal 13A", and the user terminal 13 of user U who did not receive the packages 15 within the receiving period is indicated as "user terminal 13C".

[0043] The method for managing the delivery box 20 in the second embodiment includes (d) and (e) below. (d) The operator's terminal 12 instructs the control device 40 to move the old delivery box 20 from the receiving base PL to the delivery base DB.

[0044] (e) The control device 40 notifies the recipient of the package 15, which is still stored in the old delivery box 20, that the package 15 is in the delivery center DB. In Figure 6, the processes in steps S31 to S37 are the same as those in steps S11 to S17 in Figure 5.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, in step S37, the control device 40 of the delivery management server 11 determines whether the exchange condition has been met, where the remaining number RN of packages 15 is less than or equal to a predetermined number N1. If the exchange condition (RN ≤ N1) is met, the control device 40 sends a delivery box exchange instruction to the carrier terminal 12 (step S38). Key information may also be sent at this time. In the second embodiment, since the packages 15 are not repacked in principle, key information does not need to be sent. The predetermined number N1 corresponds to the number of packages 15 that user U has not received that are picked up from the receiving base PL to the delivery base DB, so it is preferable to set a value as small as possible. The predetermined number N1 is preferably 30% or less of the total number of storage compartments 23 in the delivery box 20, and more preferably 20% or less of the total number.

[0046] The exchange condition in the second embodiment may include a time condition. For example, the exchange condition may not be met during the receiving period, which is the period during which user U can receive package 15 from delivery box 20. The exchange condition may be met when the receiving period has elapsed or when a predetermined grace period has elapsed after the receiving period has elapsed, provided that the condition RN ≤ N1 is met. This prevents package 15 from being moved to the delivery base DB even if it is within the receiving period.

[0047] When worker RW receives a delivery box exchange instruction via the vendor terminal 12, he / she exchanges the delivery box 20 (step S39). In other words, worker RW exchanges the old delivery box 20 for the new delivery box 20. Then, worker RW moves the old delivery box 20 along with the remaining packages 15 to the delivery base DB. If the delivery box 20 contains a mix of packages 15 that are within the acceptance period and packages 15 that are past the acceptance period, the packages 15 that are within the acceptance period may be repacked into the new delivery box 20, while the packages 15 that are past the acceptance period may be moved to the delivery base DB along with the old delivery box 20.

[0048] The delivery management server 11 sends a package pickup request to the delivery hub DB via the user terminal 13C to user U who did not come to pick up package 15 from the delivery box 20 (step S40). User U, who receives the package pickup request on the user terminal 13C, goes to the delivery hub DB and picks up package 15 addressed to them (step S40). Once the pickup of package 15 is complete, a package pickup notification is sent from the carrier terminal 12 to the delivery management server 11. The delivery management server 11 confirms that user U has received package 15 by receiving the package pickup notification from the carrier terminal 12.

[0049] <Effects of the second embodiment> As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects equivalent to those of the first embodiment (1-1), the following effects can be obtained.

[0050] (2-1) The management method for the delivery box 20 includes the following (d) and (e): (d) The operator's terminal 12 instructs the control device 40 to move the old delivery box 20 from the receiving base PL to the delivery base DB. (e) The control device 40 notifies the recipient of the package 15 still contained in the old delivery box 20 that the package 15 is in the delivery base DB. Thus, the recipient of the package 15 contained in the old delivery box 20 can go to the delivery base DB and pick up the package 15.

[0051] (Example of change) The above-described embodiments are not limited to those described above and may be modified into the following embodiments. In the first embodiment, the predetermined number N1 may vary according to the number of empty storage compartments 23 in the new delivery box 20, or it may be a constant value.

[0052] The control unit 32 of the delivery box 20 may function as an example of a control device. For example, the control unit 32 receives a predetermined number N1 of information from the delivery management server 11. The control unit 32 also counts the remaining number RN of packages 15 that have not yet been picked up by user U based on the detection results of the sensor 30. The control unit 32 then determines whether the exchange condition RN ≤ N1 is met. If the exchange condition is met, the control unit 32 may send an instruction to the worker's terminal 12 to exchange the delivery box 20, or the control device 40 of the delivery management server 11, which has received information from the control unit 32 that the exchange condition has been met, may send an instruction to the worker's terminal 12 to exchange the delivery box 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10...Delivery management system, 11...Delivery management server, 12...Vendor terminal as an example of a worker's terminal, 13...User terminal, 15...Package, 20...Delivery box, 21...Main body, 22...Wheels, 23...Storage section, 24...Storage room, 25...Door section, 26...Knob, 27...Key section, 28...Input operation section, 29...Display section, 30...Sensor, 31...Communication section, 40...Control device, 41...Computer, 42...CPU, 43...Memory, 44...Communication section, 231...First storage section, 232...Second storage section, 233...Third storage section, NW...Network, PL...Receiving point, DB...Delivery point (delivery center), U...User (recipient), RW...Worker, RN...Number of packages (remaining number), N1...Specified number.

Claims

[Claim 1] A delivery box set up at a predetermined receiving location, and a delivery management server capable of communicating with the delivery box, The delivery box comprises a plurality of storage compartments capable of accommodating packages, a key mechanism for locking and unlocking the storage compartments, and a sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of packages in the storage compartments. The control device provided by the aforementioned delivery management server When a package addressed to a user is stored in the storage unit, the process involves sending a package pickup request and key information to the user's user terminal. Based on the detection results of the aforementioned sensor, a process is performed to determine whether the exchange condition that the number of packages stored in the storage unit is less than or equal to a predetermined number is met. If the aforementioned exchange conditions are met, the process involves sending an exchange instruction to the worker's terminal to replace the delivery box installed at the receiving base with a new delivery box having the same number or more empty storage compartments as the predetermined number, When replacing the old delivery box with the new delivery box, if the remaining items in the old delivery box are transferred to the storage compartment of the new delivery box, the process of receiving transfer information regarding the storage compartment in which the transferred items are stored is performed from the worker's terminal. The process involves sending a new package pickup request and key information based on the repackaging information to the user terminal of a user who did not come to pick up their package before the replacement with the new delivery box. Execute Delivery management system.

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