Method and system for providing delivery service using robot

Abstract

The present invention relates to a robot-friendly building, and a method and a system for controlling a robot traveling in a building. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for providing a delivery service using a robot. The present invention may comprise the steps of: receiving order information regarding an article from an order system; on the basis of receiving the order information, specifying a specific robot to deliver the article; associating the order information with identification information regarding the specific robot and storing the associated order information and identification information in a database; moving the specific robot to a pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location to load the article; and on the basis that a departure command for the specific robot is received from an input means provided in the specific robot, moving the specific robot to a reception location for the article specified from the order information.

Description

Method and system for providing delivery service using robots

[0001] The present invention relates to a robot-friendly building and a control method and system for a robot navigating within the building. More specifically, the present invention relates to a robot control method and system that enable robots and humans to coexist in the same space and provide useful services to humans.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a delivery method and system capable of delivering goods in conjunction with an ordering system.

[0003] As technology advances, various service devices are emerging, and in particular, technological development for robots that perform various tasks or services is actively underway.

[0004] Furthermore, recent advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud technologies have made it possible to control robots with greater precision and safety, leading to a gradual increase in their utility. In particular, technological advancements have enabled robots to safely coexist with humans in indoor spaces.

[0005] Accordingly, robots are recently replacing human tasks or operations, and various methods for robots to directly provide services to people, especially in indoor spaces, are being actively researched.

[0006] For example, robots provide navigation services in public spaces like airports, train stations, and department stores, and serve customers in restaurants. Furthermore, robots provide delivery services, delivering mail and packages in offices, shared living spaces, and other spaces. Furthermore, robots provide a variety of services, including cleaning, security, and logistics. The types and scope of services provided by robots are expected to grow exponentially in the future, and the level of service provided is also expected to continue to evolve.

[0007] These robots provide various services not only in outdoor spaces but also in indoor spaces of buildings (or premises) such as offices, apartments, department stores, schools, hospitals, and amusement facilities. In this case, the robots are controlled to move around the indoor spaces of the buildings and provide various services.

[0008] Meanwhile, as technology advances, electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablet PCs, automated devices, etc.) have become more widespread, and our dependence on electronic devices in many aspects of our daily lives is gradually increasing.

[0009] Furthermore, the popularization of electronic devices has promoted the development of Internet-based services, and through this, consumption patterns that were previously highly dependent on offline channels are gradually shifting to online channels.

[0010] In line with these changing trends, industries that rely on offline services, such as product sales, are also increasingly employing various online marketing strategies to attract customers.

[0011] Accordingly, delivery services that deliver items ordered online have recently been launched, and their use is also increasing. Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0175668 relates to a delivery intermediary server and its method, including the provision of delivery services by riders.

[0012] However, these delivery services are focused on delivery services performed by people, and there is a need for delivery services using robots.

[0013] The present invention provides a method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot.

[0014] More specifically, the present invention provides a control method and system for a robot that delivers goods in conjunction with an ordering system.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention provides a control method and system for a robot capable of delivering irregularly shaped items.

[0016] More specifically, the present invention provides a robot control method and system capable of controlling a robot according to various delivery scenarios.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides a charging method and system capable of charging a fee for robot delivery.

[0018] In order to achieve the above-described object, a method for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention may include a step of receiving order information about a product from an ordering system, a step of specifying a specific robot to deliver the product based on receiving the order information, a step of linking the order information and identification information of the specific robot and storing them in a database, a step of moving the specific robot to a pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location for loading the product, and a step of moving the specific robot to a pickup location for the product specified from the order information based on receiving a departure command of the specific robot from an input means provided in the specific robot.

[0019] Furthermore, a delivery providing system using a robot according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives order information about a product from an ordering system, and a control unit that specifies a specific robot to deliver the product based on receiving the order information, wherein the control unit links the order information and identification information of the specific robot and stores them in a database, moves the specific robot to a pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location for loading the product, and moves the specific robot to a receiving location of the product specified from the order information based on receiving a departure command of the specific robot from an input means provided in the specific robot.

[0020] Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is a program stored in a computer-readable recording medium and executed by one or more processes in an electronic device, and may include instructions for performing the steps of: receiving order information about a product from an ordering system; specifying a specific robot to deliver the product based on receiving the order information; storing the order information and identification information of the specific robot in a database; moving the specific robot to a pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location for loading the product; and moving the specific robot to a receiving location of the product specified from the order information based on receiving a departure command of the specific robot from an input means provided in the specific robot.

[0021] Meanwhile, a robot performing a delivery service according to the present invention may perform a delivery service including a step of receiving a request for product delivery from a server, a step of moving to a pickup location to load the product based on the product delivery request, a step of displaying at least a portion of order information corresponding to the product delivery request on the display location based on the location at the pickup location, a step of opening the pickup location in response to a request for product loading received through an input means provided in the robot so as to enable loading the product into the pickup location, and a step of moving to a receiving location of a recipient included in the order information in response to a delivery request received through the input means so as to deliver the product loaded into the pickup location.

[0022] As discussed above, the method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention can identify a specific robot to deliver an item based on receiving order information about the item from the ordering system. This allows the present invention to provide a delivery service that delivers ordered items via a robot in conjunction with the ordering system.

[0023] Furthermore, the method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention can store the order information and the identification information of the specific robot in a database, and move the specific robot to the pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned there to load the item. Through this, the present invention can flexibly respond to various scenarios that arise depending on the method of loading the item, through interaction with the user loading the item at the pickup location.

[0024] Furthermore, the robot-friendly building according to the present invention utilizes technological convergence, where robots, autonomous driving, AI, and cloud technologies are integrated and connected, and can provide a new space where these technologies, robots, and facility infrastructure within the building are organically combined.

[0025] Furthermore, the robot-friendly building according to the present invention utilizes a cloud server that interfaces with multiple robots, allowing for the systematic management of the robots' operations, enabling them to provide services more systematically by organically controlling multiple robots and equipment infrastructure. This allows the robot-friendly building according to the present invention to provide a variety of services to people more safely, quickly, and accurately.

[0026] Figures 1, 2 and 3 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a robot-friendly building according to the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a system for controlling a robot that drives a robot-friendly building and various facilities provided in the robot-friendly building according to the present invention.

[0028] Figures 7 and 8 are conceptual diagrams for explaining the facility infrastructure provided in a robot-friendly building according to the present invention.

[0029] Figures 9 to 11 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method for estimating the position of a robot driving a robot-friendly building according to the present invention.

[0030] Figures 12a and 12b are conceptual diagrams for explaining a delivery service provision system using a robot according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a robot that performs a delivery service according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 14 is a flowchart for explaining the linking process between the ordering system, the robot system, and the robot.

[0033] Figures 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method of ordering items to be delivered.

[0034] Figure 16 is a flowchart for explaining a method for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 17 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a database according to the present invention.

[0036] Figures 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 20a and 20b are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method for providing a delivery service according to an item loading scenario.

[0037] Figures 21a and 21b are conceptual diagrams for explaining information provided to a user according to the progress of a delivery service using a robot.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0040] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0041] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0042] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0043] The present invention relates to a robot-friendly building, and proposes a robot-friendly building in which people and robots can safely coexist and, further, robots can provide useful services within the building.

[0044] More specifically, the present invention provides a method for providing useful services to people using robots, robot-friendly infrastructure, and various systems for controlling them. In a building according to the present invention, people and multiple robots can coexist, and various infrastructures (or facility infrastructures) can be provided that allow multiple robots to move freely within the building.

[0045] In the present invention, a building is a structure constructed for continuous residence, living, work, etc., and may take various forms, such as a commercial building, an industrial building, an institutional building, or a residential building. Furthermore, the building may be a multi-story building with multiple floors, or a single-story building, as opposed to a multi-story building. However, for convenience of explanation, the present invention will be described as an example of infrastructure or facility infrastructure applicable to a multi-story building.

[0046] In the present invention, infrastructure or facility infrastructure refers to facilities installed in a building for the purpose of providing services, moving robots, maintaining their functions, maintaining cleanliness, etc., and their types and forms may vary greatly. For example, infrastructure installed in a building may include various types of moving equipment (e.g., robot passageways, elevators, escalators, etc.), charging equipment, communication equipment, cleaning equipment, structures (e.g., stairs, etc.), etc. In this specification, these facilities are referred to as facilities, infrastructure, facility infrastructure, or facility infrastructure, and in some cases, the terms may be used interchangeably.

[0047] Furthermore, in a building according to the present invention, at least one of the building, various facility infrastructures provided in the building, and a robot are controlled in conjunction with each other, so that the robot can safely and accurately provide various services within the building.

[0048] The present invention proposes a building equipped with various facility infrastructures that enable multiple robots to move within the building, provide services according to their tasks (or work), and support standby or charging functions, as well as repair and cleaning functions for the robots as needed. Such a building provides an integrated solution (or system) for robots, and the building according to the present invention can be designated by various modifiers. For example, the building according to the present invention can be expressed in various ways, such as i) a building equipped with infrastructure utilized by robots, ii) a building equipped with robot-friendly infrastructure, iii) a robot-friendly building, iv) a building where robots and people live together, and v) a building that provides various services utilizing robots.

[0049] Meanwhile, the meaning of "robot-friendly" in the present invention refers to a building where robots coexist. More specifically, it can mean that the building allows robots to operate, provides services to robots, has facility infrastructure available to robots, or has facility infrastructure providing functions necessary for robots (e.g., charging, repair, cleaning, etc.). In this case, "robot-friendly" in the present invention can be used to mean that the building has an integrated solution for the coexistence of robots and humans.

[0050] Below, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0051] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a robot-friendly building according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a system for controlling a robot that moves around a robot-friendly building according to the present invention and various facilities provided in the robot-friendly building. Furthermore, FIGS. 7 and 8 are conceptual diagrams for explaining facility infrastructure provided in a robot-friendly building according to the present invention. Furthermore, FIGS. 9 to 11 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method for estimating the location of a robot that moves around a robot-friendly building according to the present invention.

[0052] First, for convenience of explanation, we will define representative drawing symbols.

[0053] In the present invention, a building is given the drawing code “1000”, and a space (indoor space or indoor area) of the building (1000) is given the drawing code “10” (see Fig. 8). Furthermore, indoor spaces corresponding to a plurality of floors constituting the indoor space of the building (1000) are given drawing codes 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. (see Fig. 8). In the present invention, the indoor space or indoor area means the interior of a building protected by an exterior wall, as opposed to the exterior of the building, and is not limited to meaning a space.

[0054] Furthermore, in the present invention, the robot is given a drawing symbol “R”, and even if a drawing symbol is not indicated for the robot in the drawing or specification, it can all be understood as a robot (R).

[0055] Furthermore, in the present invention, a person or human is given the drawing symbol “U,” and a person or human can be designated as a dynamic object. In this case, the dynamic object does not necessarily mean only a person, but can be understood to include an animal such as a dog or cat, or at least one other robot (e.g., a user’s personal robot, a robot providing other services, etc.), a drone, a vacuum cleaner (e.g., a robot vacuum cleaner), or other objects capable of movement.

[0056] Meanwhile, the building (building, structure, edifice, 1000) described in the present invention is not limited to a specific type, and may mean a structure built for people to live in, work in, raise animals, or store objects.

[0057] For example, the building (1000) may be an office, an officetel, an apartment, a mixed-use apartment, a house, a school, a hospital, a restaurant, a government office, etc., and the present invention may be applied to these various types of buildings.

[0058] As illustrated in Fig. 1, in a building (1000) according to the present invention, a robot can move and provide various services.

[0059] One or more different types of multiple robots may be located within the building (1000), and these robots may, under the control of the server (20), move within the building (1000), provide services, and utilize various facility infrastructures provided in the building (1000).

[0060] In the present invention, the location of the server (20) may vary. For example, the server (20) may be located at least within the building (1000) and outside the building (1000). That is, at least a portion of the server (20) may be located within the building (1000), and the remaining portion may be located outside the building (1000). Alternatively, the server (20) may be located entirely within the building (1000), or only outside the building (1000). Accordingly, the present invention does not impose any particular limitations on the specific location of the server (20).

[0061] Furthermore, in the present invention, the server (20) may be configured to utilize at least one of a cloud computing-based server (cloud server, 21) and an edge computing-based server (edge ​​server, 22). Furthermore, in addition to the cloud computing or edge computing methods, the server (20) may be applied to the present invention as long as it is capable of controlling a robot.

[0062] Meanwhile, the server (20) according to the present invention may, in some cases, perform control of at least one of the robot and the facility infrastructure provided in the building (1000) by combining the server (21) of the cloud computing method and the edge computing method.

[0063] Meanwhile, the robot (R) can be driven according to control commands. For example, the robot (R) can move its position or change its posture by changing its movements, and can perform software updates.

[0064] In the present invention, for convenience of explanation, the server (20) is uniformly named as a “cloud server” and is assigned the drawing symbol “20.” Meanwhile, it goes without saying that the cloud server (20) can also be replaced with the term “edge server (22)” of edge computing.

[0065] Furthermore, the term “cloud server” can be variously changed to terms such as cloud robot system, cloud system, cloud robot control system, and cloud control system.

[0066] Meanwhile, the cloud server (20) according to the present invention can perform integrated control on a plurality of robots running in a building (1000). That is, the cloud server (20) can i) monitor a plurality of robots (R) located in the building (1000), ii) assign tasks (or work) to the plurality of robots, iii) directly control the facility infrastructure provided in the building (1000) so that the plurality of robots (R) successfully perform the tasks, or iv) control the facility infrastructure through communication with a control system that controls the facility infrastructure.

[0067] Furthermore, the cloud server (20) can check the status information of robots located in the building and provide (or support) various functions required by the robots. These various functions may include a charging function for the robots, a cleaning function for contaminated robots, and a standby function for robots whose missions have been completed.

[0068] The cloud server (20) can control the robots so that they can utilize various facility infrastructures provided in the building (1000) to provide various functions to the robots. Furthermore, the cloud server can directly control the facility infrastructures provided in the building (1000) or control the facility infrastructures through communication with a control system that controls the facility infrastructures to provide various functions to the robots.

[0069] In this way, robots controlled by the cloud server (20) can move around the building (1000) and provide various services.

[0070] Meanwhile, the cloud server (20) can perform various controls based on information stored in the database. The present invention does not impose any particular limitations on the type and location of the database. The term "database" may be freely modified and used to refer to any means of storing information, such as memory, storage, repository, cloud storage, external storage, or external server. The term "database" will be used hereafter for explanation.

[0071] Meanwhile, the cloud server (20) according to the present invention can perform distributed control of robots based on various criteria such as the type of service provided by the robots, the type of control for the robots, etc. In this case, the cloud server (20) may have sub-servers of lower concept.

[0072] Furthermore, the cloud server (20) according to the present invention can control a robot moving through a building (1000) based on various artificial intelligence algorithms.

[0073] Furthermore, the cloud server (20) performs artificial intelligence-based learning by utilizing data collected during the process of controlling the robot as learning data, and by utilizing this for robot control, the more control is achieved over the robot, the more accurately and efficiently the robot can be operated. In other words, the cloud server (20) can be configured to perform deep learning or machine learning. In addition, the cloud server (20) can perform deep learning or machine learning through simulations or the like, and control the robot using the artificial intelligence model constructed as a result.

[0074] Meanwhile, the building (1000) may be equipped with various facility infrastructures for robot driving, robot function provision, robot function maintenance, robot mission performance, or coexistence of robots and humans.

[0075] For example, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 1, various facility infrastructures (1, 2) capable of supporting the driving (or movement) of a robot (R) may be provided within a building (1000). These facility infrastructures (1, 2) may support horizontal movement of the robot (R) within a floor of the building (1000), or may support vertical movement of the robot (R) between different floors of the building (1000). In this way, the facility infrastructures (1, 2) may be provided with a transportation system that supports the movement of the robot. The cloud server (20) may control the robot (R) to utilize these various facility infrastructures (1, 2), so that the robot (R) may move within the building (1000) to provide a service, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 1.

[0076] Meanwhile, the robots according to the present invention can be controlled based on at least one of a cloud server (20) and a control unit provided in the robot itself, so as to drive within a building (1000) or provide a service corresponding to an assigned task.

[0077] Furthermore, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 1, a building according to the present invention is a building in which robots and people coexist, and the robots are configured to avoid obstacles such as people (U), objects used by people (e.g., baby strollers, carts, etc.), and animals while driving, and in some cases, may be configured to output notification information (3) related to the driving of the robot. Such driving of the robot may be performed to avoid obstacles based on at least one of a cloud server (20) and a control unit equipped in the robot. The cloud server (20) may control the robot so that the robot avoids obstacles and moves within the building (1000) based on information received through various sensors equipped in the robot (e.g., a camera (image sensor), a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, etc.).

[0078] In addition, a robot that moves inside a building through the processes of (a) to (c) of FIG. 1 can be configured to provide a service to a person or target object existing inside the building, as shown in (d) of FIG. 1.

[0079] The types of services provided by robots can vary from robot to robot. In other words, robots can exist in various types for different purposes, have different structures for each purpose, and can be equipped with programs appropriate for each purpose.

[0080] For example, a building (1000) may be equipped with robots that provide at least one of the following services: delivery, logistics, guidance, interpretation, parking assistance, security, crime prevention, guarding, public order, cleaning, quarantine, disinfection, laundry, beverage preparation, food preparation, serving, fire suppression, medical assistance, and entertainment. The services provided by the robots may vary in addition to the examples listed above.

[0081] Meanwhile, the cloud server (20) can assign appropriate tasks to the robots by considering the purpose of each robot and control the robots so that the assigned tasks are performed.

[0082] At least some of the robots described in the present invention can drive or perform tasks under the control of a cloud server (20). In this case, the amount of data processed by the robot itself for driving or performing tasks can be minimized. In the present invention, such robots can be referred to as brainless robots. Such brainless robots can rely on the control of the cloud server (20) for at least a portion of their control when performing actions such as driving, performing tasks, charging, waiting, and cleaning within a building (1000).

[0083] However, in this specification, brainless robots are not named separately, but are all referred to as “robots.”

[0084] Meanwhile, the present invention proposes a method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot to deliver goods. More specifically, the present invention can provide a control method and system for a robot that performs the delivery service of ordered goods in conjunction with an ordering system that provides an ordering service.

[0085] Items provided through the ordering service may be atypical items, such as items purchased or used in everyday life (e.g., bottled water, snacks, earphones, gum, etc.), with varying shapes, sizes, volumes, and masses. For atypical items, various loading scenarios can occur, with the total loading volume varying depending on how the items are loaded. These loading scenarios are determined at the loading site and vary greatly depending on the combination of delivered items and loading methods, making them extremely difficult to predict in advance.

[0086] The present invention provides a delivery service that can flexibly respond to various loading scenarios through interaction with a robot at the loading site. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a delivery service that charges a delivery fee (or charge) based on the loading scenario. Below, a method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Figures 12a and 12b are conceptual diagrams illustrating a delivery service system using a robot according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a robot performing a delivery service according to the present invention, FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a process of linking an ordering system, a robot system, and a robot, FIGS. 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method of ordering an item to be delivered, FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a method of providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention, FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a database according to the present invention, FIGS. 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 20a, and 20b are conceptual diagrams showing a method of providing a delivery service according to an item loading scenario, and FIGS. 21a and 21b are conceptual diagrams for explaining information provided to a user according to the progress of a delivery service using a robot.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 12A, the present invention can provide a delivery service for delivering items ordered by a user by linking a robot system (1200), an ordering system (1300), and a robot (R). The delivery service can be provided by a delivery system, and the delivery system can include at least one of the robot system (1200), the ordering system (1300), and the robot (R).

[0088] The robot system (1200) may be configured to deliver products corresponding to the order information to the recipient's receiving location (or delivery location) using a robot (R) based on receiving order information from the ordering system (1300). This robot system (1200) is configured to assign delivery tasks to the robot (R) and control the delivery of the robot (R), and may correspond to a portion of the server (20) that controls the robot (R) in the present invention. Accordingly, the robot system (1200) may also be referred to as a server (20) in the present invention.

[0089] The ordering system (1300) may also be referred to as an order brokerage system, and may serve as an intermediary between a business operator and a customer to enable orders and payments for services provided by the business operator (e.g., product provision services).

[0090] In the present invention, the "service" provided by a business entity may refer to materials or labor provided by the business entity to users for the production of material goods. This service may vary depending on the business entity's specific business. For example, if the business entity operates a "convenience store," the service type may relate to "selling goods." For convenience of explanation, the present invention will collectively refer to a place where a business entity sells goods (e.g., a convenience store) as a "store."

[0091] The present invention provides a delivery service that delivers items ordered by a customer using a robot (R), and the delivery service can be provided based on the organic linkage between a robot system (1200) and an ordering system (1300). However, the distinction between the robot system (1200) and the ordering system (1300) is for convenience of explanation, and the ordering service can be provided by the robot system (1200), or the robot (R) can be controlled by the ordering system (1300).

[0092] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 12a, the robot system (1200) may include at least one of a communication unit (1201), a storage unit (1202), and a control unit (1203).

[0093] The communication unit (1201) of the robot system may be configured to communicate with at least one of the ordering system (1300) and the robot (R). When communication occurs between the ordering system (1300) and the communication unit (1201) of the robot system, the robot system (1200) may receive order information received by the ordering system (1300) through the communication unit (1201). In addition, when communication occurs between the robot (R) and the communication unit (1201) of the robot system, the robot system (1200) may transmit a product delivery request corresponding to the order information to the robot (R) through the communication unit (1201).

[0094] The communication unit (1201) of the robot system can support various communication methods depending on the communication standards of the communicating device.

[0095] For example, the communication unit (110) may be configured to communicate with a device (including a cloud server) located inside or outside the space (20) using at least one of the following technologies: WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), 5G (5th Generation Mobile Telecommunication), Bluetooth (Bluetooth™), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra-Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus).

[0096] Furthermore, the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200) may be configured to store various information related to the present invention. In the present invention, the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200) may be provided in the robot system (1200) itself. Alternatively, at least a portion of the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200) may refer to at least one of a cloud server (20a) and a database (DB, 20b). That is, the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200) may be sufficient as long as it is a space where information necessary for robot control according to the present invention is stored, and it may be understood that there are no restrictions on physical space. Accordingly, hereinafter, the storage unit (1200), the cloud server (20a), and the database (20b) will not be separately distinguished, and will all be referred to as the storage unit (1202). In this case, the cloud server (20a) may refer to a “cloud storage.”

[0097] In the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200), information about the robot (R) can be stored.

[0098] Information about the robot (R) can be very diverse, and as examples, there may be i) identification information for identifying the robot (R) placed in the space (10) (e.g., serial number, TAG information, QR code information, etc.), ii) mission information assigned to the robot (R) (e.g., type of mission, operation according to the mission, target user information for the mission, mission performance location, mission performance scheduled time, etc.), iii) driving path information set for the robot (R), iv) location information of the robot (R), v) status information of the robot (R) (e.g., power status, breakdown status, battery status, etc.), vi) image information received from a camera equipped in the robot (R), vii) motion information related to the operation of the robot (R), etc.

[0099] Next, a “user DB” containing information related to a user can be stored in the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200).

[0100] In the present invention, the term "user" may refer to at least one of: i) a "customer" who orders a product; ii) a "recipient (or recipient)" who receives the product; and iii) a "business operator" who sends the product. If the customer is the recipient of the product, the customer and recipient may be the same person. Furthermore, the business operator may be understood as a person who loads the product onto the robot (R) and provides services at the location (e.g., a store) where the product is sent.

[0101] Information related to a user may include at least one of the user's name, date of birth, address, phone number, employee number, ID, facial image, biometric information (fingerprint information, iris information, etc.), identification information of the user's terminal, information related to the user's life within the space (10), and information related to the user's schedule.

[0102] Furthermore, information related to services provided by the business operator can be stored in the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200).

[0103] In the present invention, the "service" provided by a business entity may refer to materials provided by the business entity to users for the production of material goods. In the present invention, "service" may have various types depending on the business entity's operation. For example, if a business entity operates a "convenience store," the type of service may be related to "selling goods."

[0104] In the present invention, for the convenience of explanation, a place where goods are sold is collectively referred to as a “store.”

[0105] Information related to a store may include at least one of the following: store name, store location, store operating hours, information about items sold at the store, the business operating the store, and employees providing services at the store.

[0106] Furthermore, the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200) may store order information received from the order system (1300). The order information may include at least one of an order identification number, an order sequence, an orderer, a recipient (or a receiving location), a store (pickup location), and a type of product.

[0107] The storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200) may contain matching information (1700) that matches order information with robot information of a robot (R) that will deliver the goods corresponding to the order information (see FIG. 17). The present invention utilizes the matching information (1700) to provide a product delivery service according to various product scenarios. Further details will be provided below.

[0108] Next, a map (or map information) for a space (10) may be stored in the storage unit (1202) of the robot system (1200). Here, the map may be composed of at least one of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map. The map for the space (10) may refer to a map that can be used to identify the current location of the robot (R) or the user, set a driving path of the robot (R), or for driving the robot (R). At this time, the map for the space (10) may be a map created in advance based on SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) by at least one robot moving in the space (10).

[0109] Meanwhile, in addition to the types of information listed above, various information can be stored in the storage unit (120).

[0110] Furthermore, the control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) may be configured to control the overall operation of the delivery service related to the present invention. The control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) may process signals, data, information, etc. received from the ordering system (1300) and the robot (R), thereby providing or processing information or functions necessary for the delivery service using the robot (R).

[0111] The control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) may be configured to, based on receiving order information from the order system (1300), specify a robot (R) to deliver goods corresponding to the order information and assign a delivery task to the specified robot (R). The control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) may transmit a control command related to the delivery task to the robot (R). This control command may include a control command for causing the robot (R) to perform the delivery task.

[0112] The control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) can perform control related to the movement of the robot (R) so that the robot (R) moves to a specific location (e.g., a product pickup location or a receiving location) matched with order information. The control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) can control the robot (R) to move to a specific location matched with the delivery mission by transmitting a control command corresponding to the delivery mission to the robot (R).

[0113] At this time, the control command corresponding to the task assigned to the robot (R) may include information related to the task. As previously discussed, the information related to the task may include at least one of the following: the type of task, the actions corresponding to the task, information on the target user for the task, the location where the task is performed (or a specific location matched to the task), and the scheduled time for the task.

[0114] Furthermore, the control unit (1203) of the robot system (1200) can perform various controls to control the robot (R) placed in the space (10). To this end, the control unit (160) can recognize the robot (R) placed in the space (10) in various ways, thereby determining the current location of the robot (R) or controlling the operation of the robot. Furthermore, the control unit (160) can manage the tasks assigned to the robot by recognizing the robot (R) placed in the space (10) in various ways.

[0115] Meanwhile, as illustrated in Figure 12b, the ordering system (1300) may act as an intermediary between customers and businesses, facilitating orders for services provided by the businesses. In the present invention, the ordering system (1300) may also be referred to as an order brokerage system. This ordering system (1300) may include at least one of a communication unit (1301), a storage unit (1302), and a control unit (1303).

[0116] The communication unit (1301) of the ordering system (1300) may be configured to communicate with at least one of the customer's user terminal (30) and the business operator's user terminal (or business operator terminal (40). More specifically, the communication unit (1301) of the ordering system (1300) may provide an order page (1500) to the customer's user terminal (30). The order page (1500) may be provided through a dedicated application or web page (or homepage) for ordering goods. The communication unit (1301) of the ordering system (1300) may transmit order information to the business operator's user terminal (40) based on an order being received through the order page (1500).

[0117] The business user terminal (or business terminal, 40) may be a terminal equipped with a POS (Point of Sales) system (Point of Sale Information Management System). Such a business terminal (40) may be a terminal equipped with a POS system specifically for processing orders (or service request information) for the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention. As another example, the business terminal (40) may be a terminal equipped with a POS system for processing not only orders (or service request information) received from the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention, but also orders (or service request information) received from at least one other route. In this case, a program for receiving orders from the order brokerage system (100) according to the present invention may be additionally installed in the POS system applied to the conventional business terminal (300). Furthermore, the business terminal (40) may be a terminal capable of receiving robot information (ex: robot location, movement path, delivery status, robot identification number, etc.) about a robot (R) assigned a delivery mission from a robot system (1200).

[0118] Meanwhile, the business terminal (40) according to the present invention may be a terminal equipped with an application (or program) for processing orders (or service request information) received from the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention. In this case, there is no limitation on the type of business terminal (40), and any electronic device capable of installing an application (or program) is acceptable.

[0119] Furthermore, the business terminal (40) according to the present invention may be a terminal capable of accessing a web page for processing orders (or service request information) received from the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention. In this case, there is no limitation on the type of business terminal (40), and any electronic device capable of communication and accessing the Internet is acceptable.

[0120] In this way, in the present invention, a user's order can be received and delivered through at least one of: i) a dedicated POS system of the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention, ii) a POS system capable of processing order information other than the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention, iii) an application (or program) for processing orders (or service request information) received from the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention, iv) a webpage for processing orders (or service request information) received from the ordering system (1300) according to the present invention, and v) an electronic device capable of processing information about a robot (R) for delivering ordered goods. Accordingly, the business terminal (40) may be an electronic device to which any one of the methods i) to iv) described above is applied.

[0121] Order information can be transmitted to and shared with the robot system (1200). The communication unit (1301) of the order system (1300) can support various communication methods depending on the communication standards of the communicating device.

[0122] The storage unit (1302) of the ordering system (1300) may include various information related to order brokerage. For example, it may include at least one of information on the inventory quantity of items sold at a specific store, price information, and customer order information.

[0123] The control unit (1303) of the ordering system (1300) can generate order information including at least one of order sequence information, an order identification number, store information (or pickup location information), and reception location information based on an order being received through the ordering page (1500). In addition, the storage unit (1302) of the ordering system (1300) can transmit the order information to the robot system (1200) through the communication unit (1301).

[0124] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the robot (R) may be configured to perform a delivery mission of picking up an item ordered by a customer from a store and delivering it to a receiving location based on being assigned a delivery mission of an item corresponding to order information from a robot system (1200).

[0125] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the robot (R) may be configured to include at least one of a communication unit (1401), a storage unit (1402), a display unit (1404), an input unit (1404), a receiving unit (1405), a sensing unit (1406), and a control unit (1407).

[0126] The communication unit (1401) of the robot (R) can receive a control command corresponding to a delivery task from the robot system (1200). More specifically, the communication unit (1401) of the robot (R) can receive order information including at least one of order sequence information, an order identification number, store information (or pickup location information), and reception location information from the robot system (1200). In addition, the communication unit (1401) of the robot (R) can receive a control command instructing movement to a pickup location. The communication unit (1401) of the robot (R) can support various communication methods depending on the communication standards of the communicating device.

[0127] Next, various information for delivering goods may be stored in the storage unit (1402) of the robot (R). Specifically, a map (or map information) for a space (10) may be stored in the storage unit (1402) of the robot (R). Here, the map may be composed of at least one of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map. The map for the space (10) may refer to a map that can be used to identify the current location of the robot (R) or the user, set a driving path for the robot (R), or for driving the robot (R).

[0128] The display unit (1403) of the robot (R) may be provided to output information related to the delivery service. The display unit (1403) of the robot (R) may be provided at a location corresponding to the user's line of sight so that the user can recognize the information.

[0129] At least one of order information corresponding to a delivery task assigned to the robot (R) (ex: order number “112912065900308”, 1411), status information of the robot (R), and graphic objects (1412, 1422) linked to the control function of the robot (R) can be output on the display unit (1403) of the robot (R).

[0130] Next, the input unit (1404) of the robot (R) is for inputting information input from a user, and the input unit (1404) of the robot (R) can serve as an intermediary between the user and the robot (R). More specifically, the input unit (1404) of the robot (R) can mean an input means for receiving a control command for controlling the robot (R) from the user.

[0131] There is no particular limitation on the type of input unit (1404) of the robot (R), and the display unit (1403) of the robot (R) may include at least one of a mechanical input means (or a mechanical key, for example, a mouse, a joy stick, a physical button, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.) and a touch input means. As an example, the touch input means may be formed of a virtual key, a soft key, or a visual key displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or may be formed of a touch key placed on a part other than the touch screen. Meanwhile, the virtual key or visual key may have various forms and be displayed on the touch screen, and may be formed of, for example, a graphic, a text, an icon, a video, or a combination thereof. At this time, if the input unit (1404) of the robot (R) includes a touch screen, the display unit (1403) of the robot (R) may be formed as a touch screen. In this case, the display unit (1403) of the robot (R) may perform both the role of outputting information and the role of receiving information.

[0132] Next, the receiving unit (1405) of the robot (R) may include a plurality of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) configured to load items. The plurality of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) may be variously provided on at least a portion of the robot (R). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the plurality of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) may be stacked one above the other. In the present invention, for the convenience of explanation, the receiving bin located on the upper layer among the plurality of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) may be named an upper receiving bin (Ra), and the receiving bin located on the lower layer may be named a lower receiving bin (Rb). However, this is an embodiment for the convenience of explanation, and the plurality of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) may be named a first receiving bin, a second receiving bin, etc.

[0133] The sensing unit (1406) of the robot (R) may be configured to sense various information related to the delivery of goods by the robot (R). For example, the sensing unit (1406) of the robot (R) may sense the status of the receiving bins (Ra, Rb) (e.g., whether goods are loaded into the receiving bins, or the weight, volume, etc. of the goods loaded into the receiving bins). This sensing unit (1406) may be composed of various sensor modules, such as a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, and an infrared sensor.

[0134] Furthermore, the control unit (1407) of the robot (R) may be configured to control the overall operation related to the delivery service of the robot (R). The control unit (1407) of the robot (R) may control at least one of the driving of the robot (R), the output of information to the display unit (1403), and the status control of the receiving box (Ra, Rb) based on a control command received from the robot system (1200).

[0135] Meanwhile, as previously described, in the present invention, the robot (R) can be controlled by the ordering system (1300). Accordingly, the robot (R) control described in the present invention with the robot system (1200) as the main body can also be understood as being performed by the ordering system (1300).

[0136] Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the delivery service will be described with the “robot system (or server, 1200)” as the main component, without distinguishing between the components of the robot system (1200), the ordering system (1300), and the robot (R). In this case, the function described with the robot system (or server, 1200) as the main component may be performed by the ordering system (1300) and the robot (R). For example, the function described with the “control unit (1203)” as the main component indicates the drawing symbol “1203” assigned to the control unit of the robot system (1200), but may also be understood to be performed with the control unit (1303) of the ordering system (1300) or the control unit (1407) of the robot (R) as the main component.

[0137] In the present invention, a process of receiving an order for an item to be delivered by a robot can be performed by an ordering system (1300) (S1410, see FIG. 14).

[0138] As illustrated in FIG. 15a, the ordering system (1300) may provide a graphic object (1501) linked to the “robot delivery order” service in one area of ​​at least one of a plurality of service pages (hereinafter referred to as the order page, 1500).

[0139] The ordering system (1300) may provide a store list (1502) including store items corresponding to at least one store on the ordering page (1500), as illustrated in FIG. 15B, based on the selection of the graphic object (1501). The ordering system (1300) may configure the list (1502) with store items corresponding to stores existing in the building where the customer is located. For example, based on the customer being located in building name “1784,” the store list (1502) may be configured and provided with store items of at least one store located in building name “1784.”

[0140] The ordering system (1300) may provide an order page (1500) matching a specific store to a user terminal, as illustrated in FIG. 15c, based on the selection of a store item (e.g., “Quick Mart NeXX 1784 Branch)” corresponding to a specific store. The order page (1500) matching a specific store may include information on items sold at the specific store. A customer may select at least one item from the order page (1500) matching a specific store and place an order.

[0141] As illustrated in FIG. 15d, the ordering system (1300) can receive orderer information (or recipient information, 1503, 1504) through the ordering page (1500). Here, the orderer information (or recipient information) can include at least one of location information (1503) and contact information (1504) regarding a location to receive the goods (also referred to as “recipient location,” “pickup location,” or “delivery location”). In this case, the location to receive the goods can be specified as a specific space (10) in a building where a specific store is located. For example, the location to receive the goods can be specified as an office (or the orderer’s seat) where the orderer (or recipient) works, a conference room, a receiving location within the building, etc. In addition, the ordering system (1300) can receive a password (1505) for a receiving bin (Ra, Rb) of a robot (R) on which goods are loaded through the ordering page (1500).

[0142] Meanwhile, although not shown, the ordering system (1300) may provide a delivery method selection area in one area of ​​the ordering page (1500) where a loading scenario can be selected. The delivery method selection area may include "bundled delivery," which is a method of delivering items corresponding to multiple order information by a single specific robot (R). The ordering system (1300) may generate order information based on the delivery method selected in the delivery method selection area.

[0143] In the present invention, based on an order being received in the order system (1300), a process of transmitting order information from the order system (1300) to the robot system (server, 1200) may be performed (S1420, see FIG. 14).

[0144] The ordering system (1300) can generate order information based on the order being received. The order information may include at least one of order sequence information, order identification information, store information (or pickup location information), and password information.

[0145] Furthermore, in the present invention, a process of specifying a robot (R) to deliver goods corresponding to order information may be performed by a robot system (server, 1200) (S1430, see FIG. 14). In addition, in the present invention, a process of assigning a delivery task of goods corresponding to order information to a specific robot (R) may be performed from the robot system (server, 1200) (S1440, see FIG. 14).

[0146] The robot system (1200) can assign a delivery task corresponding to specific order information to a specific robot (R). In conjunction with the delivery task assignment, the robot system (R) can transmit a control command to the specific robot (R) along with the order information, commanding movement to a pickup location.

[0147] In the present invention, a process may be performed in which a specific robot (R) assigned with a delivery mission moves to a pickup location (or store) corresponding to order information to load goods into a receiving box (Ra, Rb) (S1450, see FIG. 14).

[0148] The robot (R) can generate a movement path from the current location to the pickup location based on the map information stored in the storage unit (1202). In this case, the movement path can be generated by the robot (R), by the robot system (server, 1200), or by the robot (R) and the robot system (server, 1200) in conjunction with each other.

[0149] At a pickup location, at least one of a plurality of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) equipped on the robot (R) may be loaded with an ordered item corresponding to the order information. In the present invention, based on the loading of the item into the receiving bin (Ra, Rb), a process of receiving a departure command from a business operator (or sender) may be performed (S1460, see FIG. 14). Based on the input of the departure command, the robot (R) may move to a receiving location (or delivery location) to deliver the item loaded into the receiving bin (Ra, Rb) (S1470, see FIG. 14).

[0150] In the present invention, the items to be delivered by the robot (R) may vary. For example, if an item is ordered at a convenience store, the item may be any item sold at the convenience store, such as cup ramen, ice cream, beverages, or snacks. Furthermore, these items may be irregularly shaped items with various shapes.

[0151] In particular, items delivered from a specific space within a building (e.g., a store) to another space (e.g., the recipient's office space) are mostly not packaged using standard packaging materials such as boxes, and the total volume of items delivered can vary depending on the way the items are loaded into the receiving containers (Ra, Rb), the quantity of items, and the shape of the items.

[0152] In addition, the loading scenario in which items are loaded into the receiving box (Ra, Rb) of the robot (R) can be developed in various ways depending on the type and quantity of the items to be loaded, as well as the loading method by which the user loads the items into the receiving box.

[0153] Accordingly, before the goods are loaded into the receiving bins (Ra, Rb) of the robot (R) at the pickup location, it is very difficult to specify the number of receiving bins (Ra, Rb) and the number of robots (R) required for goods delivery, and a method that can flexibly respond to the goods loading scenario at the pickup location is required.

[0154] Below, we will explain in detail how to use the robot (R) for various item loading scenarios through interaction between the user loading the item at the pickup location and the robot (R).

[0155] In the present invention, a process of receiving order information for a product from an ordering system can be performed (S1610, see FIG. 16).

[0156] The ordering system (1300) can generate order information based on an order for goods received from a customer terminal (20). The generated order information can then be transmitted to and shared with the robot system (1200). The robot system (1200) can receive order information from the ordering system (1300).

[0157] In the present invention, order information shared with the robot system (1200) is information about an order to be delivered by the robot, and may include at least one of order order information in which the order was received (or received), order identification information identifying the order, delivery address information to which the product will be delivered, and password information.

[0158] As previously explained, a customer can select “robot delivery,” and the ordering system (1300) can share order information of an order subject to robot delivery with the robot system (1200).

[0159] In the present invention, a process of specifying a specific robot to deliver the goods can be performed based on receiving the above order information (S1620, see FIG. 16).

[0160] The robot system (1200) can, based on receiving order information from the order system (1300), specify a specific robot (R) that drives in the same building as the pickup location corresponding to the order information as the robot (R) to deliver the goods. In other words, the robot (R) can specify the robot (R) to perform the delivery mission.

[0161] There may be various ways in which the robot system (1200) specifies the robot (R) to perform the delivery mission.

[0162] For example, the robot system (1200) can specify a robot (R) capable of loading items into a container among multiple robots (R) moving around a building, and a robot (R) to perform a delivery mission. As another example, the robot system (1200) can specify a robot (R) closest to a pickup location corresponding to order information as the robot (R) to perform a delivery mission.

[0163] Furthermore, in the present invention, a process of linking order information and identification information of a specific robot and storing them in a database may be performed (S1630, see FIG. 16).

[0164] The robot system (1200) can store order information and identification information of a specific robot (R) as matching information (1700) in a database based on the robot (R) that will deliver the goods being specified.

[0165] As illustrated in FIG. 17, matching information (1700) may exist by matching order information (1710) received from the order system (1300), identification information (1720) of a robot (R) assigned a delivery task corresponding to the order information, and status information (1730) of the robot (R).

[0166] Here, the status information (1730) of the robot (R) can be understood as the loading status of items in the plurality of containers (Ra, Rb) provided in the robot (R). For example, the status information of the robot (R) can correspond to at least one of a state in which no items are loaded in either the upper container (Ra) or the lower container (Rb) (first loading state), a state in which items are loaded in the upper container (Ra) among the plurality of containers (Ra, Rb) (second loading state), a state in which items are loaded in the lower container (Rb) (third loading state), and a state in which items are loaded in both the upper container (Ra) and the lower container (Rb) (fourth loading state).

[0167] This status information can be sensed through the sensing unit (1406) of the robot (R). The robot system (1200) can receive the sensing information sensed by the sensing unit (1406) of the robot (R) and determine the status information of the robot (R).

[0168] The robot system (1200) can update matching information based on at least one of: the robot (R) being assigned a delivery task for a specific order; the robot (R) completing a delivery task for a specific order; and the status information of the robot (R) being changed.

[0169] Furthermore, in the present invention, a process of moving a specific robot to a pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location for loading goods may be performed (S1640, see FIG. 16).

[0170] The robot system (1200) can request a specific robot (R) to deliver an item. More specifically, the robot system (1200) can transmit order information (1710) matched to the specific robot (R) and a control command instructing the robot to perform a delivery task corresponding to the order information.

[0171] In this case, the robot system (1200) can request the robot (R) to deliver the goods based on the status information of the ordered goods being “pickup request.”

[0172] Here, the “Pickup Request” status of an item can be understood as a status in which the packaging of the ordered item is complete.

[0173] Once the packaging of the ordered item is complete, the business (or sender) can request a pickup of the item through the ordering system (1300). The ordering system (1300) can share the status information of the ordered item as "Pickup Request" based on receiving a pickup request from the business (business terminal or business account).

[0174] The robot (R) can move to a pickup location to load the goods based on receiving a request for delivery of goods corresponding to a specific order from the robot system (1200) (or the status information of the ordered goods is a “pickup request”).

[0175] Here, the “pickup location” can be understood as a location where goods are loaded into the receiving box (Ra, Rb) of the robot (R), for example, a store where goods are sold.

[0176] The robot (R) may display at least a portion of order information corresponding to the product delivery request on the display unit (1403) of the robot (R) based on the robot (R) being located at (or arriving at) the pickup location.

[0177] For example, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 18A, the robot (R) can display order identification information (or order number, “112912065900308”, 1811) on the display unit (1403). The business operator can check the order identification information (1811) and request the robot (R) to load goods in order to load goods corresponding to the order identification information (1811) into the robot’s (R) storage compartment. The request to load goods can be received through an input means provided in the robot (R). For example, if the display unit (1403) of the robot (R) is formed of a touch screen, a graphic object matching the loading of goods (e.g., “Add product”, 1812) can be displayed on the display unit (1403), and the robot (R) can receive a request to load goods based on a user input for the graphic object (1811).

[0178] When the robot (R) receives a request to load goods while specific order identification information (1811) is displayed on the display unit (1403), it can process the request as a request to load goods corresponding to the specific order identification information (1811).

[0179] The robot (R) can open the receiving bin (Ra, Rb) in response to a request to load goods, so that the receiving bin (Ra, Rb) can be loaded with goods.

[0180] In this case, the robot (R) can open only one of the plurality of containers (Ra, Rb) so that the items are sequentially loaded into the plurality of containers (Ra, Rb). Specifically, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 18a, when the items are not loaded into all of the plurality of containers (Ra, Rb) (first loading state), the robot (R) can control the first container (Ra) to be opened so that the items are loaded into the first container (upper container, Ra) first. The robot (R) can display information corresponding to the container opening state (ex: “top open”) and guide information guiding the loading of items (ex: “Please put the items in and close the drawer”) on the display unit (1403) in conjunction with the opening of the first container (Ra).

[0181] A user can load items into a first receiving box (upper receiving box, Ra) and close the first receiving box (Ra). In addition, the user can request the robot (R) to control the first receiving box (Ra) so that the first receiving box (Ra) is in a closed state. For example, the robot (R) can provide a graphic object corresponding to the control request of the first receiving box (Ra) so that the first receiving box (Ra) is in a closed state on the display unit (1403) in conjunction with the first receiving box (Ra) being in an open state, and can control the first receiving box to be in a closed state based on a user input for the graphic object.

[0182] The robot (R) can sense whether an item is loaded in the first receiving box (upper receiving box, Ra). As described above, the robot (R) includes a sensing unit (1406), and the sensing unit (1406) can sense the loading status of the item. For example, the robot (R) may be equipped with a sensing module inside the receiving box, and may sense whether an item is loaded in the receiving box or the loading status through the equipped sensing module. As another example, the robot (R) may be equipped with a camera, and may sense whether an item is loaded in the receiving box from an image received from the camera. As another example, the robot (R) may receive an image from a camera (e.g., CCTV) located around the robot (R) that can determine whether an item is loaded in the receiving box, and may determine whether an item is loaded from the image.

[0183] The robot (R) can monitor the receipt of either a departure command (or delivery request) or a second container control request based on the completion of loading items into the first container (Ra). More specifically, the robot (R) can monitor the receipt of either a departure command (or delivery request) or a second container control request based on the closure of the first container (Ra) loaded with items.

[0184] As illustrated in (c) of FIG. 18a, based on the completion of loading of goods into the first receiving box (upper receiving box, Ra), the robot (R) may include, on the display unit (1403), at least one of a graphic object (“Departure”, 1813) matching a departure command (or delivery request), a graphic object (“Open Top”, 1814) linked to the first receiving box (Ra) open (or control) function, and a graphic object (“Open Bottom”, 1815) linked to the second receiving box (Rb) open function. The robot (R) may receive a departure command (or delivery request) based on a user input for the graphic object (“Departure”, 1813) matching the departure command (or delivery request).

[0185] The robot (R) can move to the receiving location of the items loaded in the first receiving container (Ra) and deliver them based on a departure command (or delivery request) received from the user, while only the first receiving container (Ra) is loaded with items. In this case, the robot (R) can transmit information to the robot system (1200) indicating that the items loaded in the first receiving container (Ra) are to be moved to the receiving location of the items.

[0186] In the robot system (1200), based on information received from the robot (R), loading location information (e.g., the first receiving box (Ra) of a specific robot (R)) indicating the loading location of the corresponding item can be matched with order information corresponding to the corresponding item and stored as matching information.

[0187] The robot system (1200) can determine a fee for product delivery using a robot (R) based on at least one of the number of robots (R) used for product delivery, the loading location of the product, the distance from the pickup location to the receiving location, the loading scenario, the delivery time, and whether the recipient has received the product. Details regarding the fee determination will be described later.

[0188] Furthermore, as illustrated in (d) of FIG. 18a, the robot (R) may display departure guidance information (e.g., “Delivery will begin in 5 seconds”) on the display unit (1403) in response to a departure command (or delivery request), and may move to the receiving location based on the passage of a preset time (e.g., “5 seconds”) from the receipt of the departure command (or delivery request). In this case, the robot (R) may restrict movement to the receiving location based on receiving a departure cancellation command (or delivery cancellation request) via an input means while the departure guidance information is being displayed on the display unit (1403).

[0189] Meanwhile, if there are multiple items corresponding to the order information, the user can load some of the multiple items corresponding to the order information into the first receiving box (upper receiving box, Ra) and load the remaining some into the second receiving box (lower receiving box, Rb) depending on the quantity, shape, volume, mass, etc. of the items.

[0190] As explained above, the robot (R) can determine the next action of the robot (R) through interaction with the user based on the completion of loading the goods into the first receiving box (Ra).

[0191] As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 18b, the robot (R) may receive user interaction input by providing at least one of a graphic object corresponding to a departure command (or delivery request) (e.g., “departure”, 1813), a graphic object corresponding to a first receiving box (Ra) control request (“open top”, 1814), and a graphic object corresponding to a second receiving box (Rb) control request (“open bottom”, 1815) to the display unit (1403). When the loading of goods into the first receiving box (Ra) is completed, the robot (R) may receive user input for a graphic object corresponding to the second receiving box (Rb) control (“open bottom”, 1815), not for a graphic object corresponding to the departure command (1813). And, the robot (R) can specify the next action of the robot (R) as controlling the second receiving box (Rb) for additional loading of items into the second receiving box (Rb), rather than moving to the receiving location.

[0192] As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 18b, the robot (R) can open the second container (Rb) in response to a user input for a graphic object (“Bottom Open”, 1815) corresponding to a control request for the second container (Rb), so that the remaining items can be additionally loaded into the second container (Rb). In addition, the robot (R) can display, on the display unit (1403), information corresponding to the container opening state (e.g., “Bottom Open”) and guide information guiding the loading of items (e.g., “Please put the items in and close the drawer”) in conjunction with the opening of the second container (Rb).

[0193] Furthermore, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 18a, the robot (R) may provide, on the display unit (1403), at least one of a graphic object corresponding to a departure command (“departure”, 1816), a graphic object corresponding to an additional robot call (“additional robot call”, 1817), and a graphic object corresponding to a delivery cancellation (“delivery cancellation”, 1818), based on the completion of loading goods into both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb).

[0194] The robot (R) can, when both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb) are loaded with items, specify the next action of the robot (R) corresponding to the user input based on a user input for any one of the plurality of graphic objects (1816, 1817, 1818).

[0195] More specifically, with items loaded in both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb), the robot (R) can receive a departure command (or delivery request) based on a user input for a graphic object (“departure”, 1816) matching the departure command (or delivery request).

[0196] Upon receiving a departure command (or delivery) request, the robot (R) can move to the receiving location of the items loaded in the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb) and deliver the items. In this case, the robot (R) can transmit information to the robot system (1200) indicating that the items loaded in the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box are to be moved to the receiving location of the items.

[0197] In the robot system (1200), based on information received from the robot (R), loading location information (e.g., the first receiving bin (Ra) and the second receiving bin (Rb) of a specific robot) indicating the loading location of the corresponding item can be matched with order information corresponding to the corresponding item and stored as matching information.

[0198] Furthermore, as illustrated in (d) of FIG. 18, the robot (R) displays departure guidance information (e.g., “Delivery will start in 5 seconds”) on the display unit (1403) in response to a departure command (or delivery request), and can move to the receiving location based on the passage of a preset time (e.g., “5 seconds”) from the receipt of the departure command (or delivery request). In this case, the robot (R) can restrict movement to the receiving location based on receiving a departure cancellation command (or delivery cancellation request) through an input means while the departure guidance information is being displayed on the display unit (1403).

[0199] As described above, the present invention has described a scenario (“1 robot 1 order delivery scenario” or “1st loading scenario”) in which goods corresponding to one specific order information are loaded and delivered by one specific robot (R). In the present invention, when it is difficult to deliver all goods corresponding to one specific order information by one specific robot (R), goods corresponding to one specific order information can be loaded and delivered by multiple robots (R). That is, in the present invention, at least some of the goods corresponding to the specific order information are loaded into the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb) of the first robot (R1), and the remaining some are loaded into the receiving box of the second robot (R2) different from the first robot (R1) to provide a delivery service. This can also be referred to as the “N robot 1 order delivery scenario” or the “second loading scenario” in the present invention, and the “N robot 1 order delivery scenario” will be described below.

[0200] In the present invention, based on the completion of loading of goods into both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb) of a specific robot (R1), the reception of either a departure command or an additional robot call of the specific robot (R1) can be monitored.

[0201] As described above, when the robot (R) completes loading items into both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb), the robot (R) can provide a plurality of graphic objects to the display unit (1403) so that the next action of the robot (R) can be determined through interaction with the user. More specifically, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 19A, a specific robot (R1) can provide at least one of a graphic object corresponding to a departure function (“departure” 1816) and a graphic object corresponding to an additional robot call (“additional robot call” 1817) to the display unit (1403) based on the completion of loading items into both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb).

[0202] Here, calling an additional robot can be understood as calling another robot (R2) to the pickup location to perform the same task as the delivery task assigned to the specific robot (2R), in addition to the specific robot (R1) located at the pickup location.

[0203] The robot (R) may not provide a graphic object corresponding to an additional robot call when only the first receiving box (Ra) is completed with the goods, and may provide a graphic object corresponding to an additional robot call only when the goods are completed in both the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb). In addition, as will be described in detail later, the robot (R) may not provide a graphic object corresponding to an additional robot call when goods corresponding to different order information are loaded in the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb). In other words, the robot (R) may provide a graphic object corresponding to an additional robot call on the display unit (1403) only when goods corresponding to the same specific order information are loaded in the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb).

[0204] In the present invention, the function of a graphic object provided to the display unit (1403) may be predefined and present in the storage unit (1202) of the robot (R) or the robot system (1200) according to the loading status of the robot (R) (e.g., which of a plurality of containers has an item loaded in it, whether the order information of the loaded item is the same, etc.). In the present invention, based on the loading status of the item at the pickup location where the item is picked up and the predefined function information, loading scenarios corresponding to various loading states can be provided through interaction with the user. Furthermore, in the present invention, a delivery fee (or charge) using the robot (R) can be differently specified and charged depending on the loading scenario.

[0205] Meanwhile, a specific robot (R1) may transmit an additional robot call to the robot system (1200) in response to a user input for a graphic object (1817) corresponding to the additional robot call. In this case, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 19a, the specific robot (R1) may provide confirmation information for confirming the additional robot call (e.g., “Shall we call one more robot with order number 112912065900308?”) in response to the graphic object (1817) corresponding to the additional robot call.

[0206] The robot system (1200) can additionally specify another robot (R2) to deliver items corresponding to order information based on receiving an additional robot call from a specific robot (R1). That is, the robot system (1200) can additionally assign the task of delivering items corresponding to a specific order to a robot (R2) other than the specific robot (R).

[0207] And, the robot system (1200) can move another robot (R2) to the pickup location where a specific robot (R) is located so that another robot (R) can be located at the pickup location to load goods.

[0208] In this case, the robot system (1200) can update matching information by linking order information linked to the identification information of a specific robot (R) with the identification information of another robot (R2). In this case, the matching information may include both the identification information of a specific robot (R1) and the identification information of another robot (R2) that is additionally specified, matching the specific order information. The robot system (1200) can refer to the matching information to confirm that a specific robot (R1) and another robot (R2) were used to deliver goods corresponding to the specific order information, and can specify the corresponding fee.

[0209] Meanwhile, a specific robot (R1) may provide guidance information (1911) guiding the additional robot call and a graphic object (1912) corresponding to a departure command to the display unit (1403), as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 19a, based on the additional call of another robot (R2). The specific robot (R1) may move to the receiving location of the item in response to a user input for the graphic object (1912).

[0210] As illustrated in (a) of Fig. 19b, a specific robot (R1) responds to a departure command (or delivery request) by displaying departure guidance information (e.g., “Delivery will begin in 5 seconds”) on the display unit (1403) and, based on the elapse of a preset time (e.g., “5 seconds”) from the receipt of the departure command (or delivery request), may move to the pickup location. In addition, a robot (R2) different from the specific robot (R1) may arrive at the pickup location.

[0211] And, at the pickup location, another robot (R2) additionally called may arrive to load and deliver the remaining items corresponding to the specific order. As illustrated in (b) of Fig. 19b, the other robot (R2) may display at least a portion of the order information corresponding to the item delivery request (e.g., order identification information, “112912065900308”) on the display unit (1403) of the other robot (R2) based on its location (or arrival). The user may check the order information displayed on the display unit (1403) of the other robot (R2) and additionally load the remaining items that have been loaded into the first receiving bin (Ra) and the second receiving bin of the specific robot (R) onto the additional robot (R).

[0212] Meanwhile, in the present invention, a specific robot (R) loads goods corresponding to first order information into a first receiving box (Ra) and loads goods corresponding to second order information into a second receiving box (Rb), so that multiple pieces of order information can be processed through a single specific robot (R). The specific robot (R) can move to multiple receiving locations corresponding to each of the first and second order information and deliver the goods. In the present invention, this can be referred to as a “1 robot N delivery order scenario,” a “third loading scenario,” and a “bundled delivery (bundled delivery),” and the “1 robot N order scenario” will be described below.

[0213] As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 20a, when the first receiving box (Ra) is fully loaded with goods and the second receiving box (Rb) is not loaded with goods, a user input for a graphic object (“Departure”, 1813) matching a departure command (or delivery request) can be received.

[0214] A specific robot (R) can, based on receiving a departure command (or delivery request) when the loading of goods has been completed only in the first receiving container (Ra), confirm the existence of other order information through communication with the robot system (1200). For convenience of explanation, the order information previously assigned to a specific robot (R) will be referred to as “first order information,” and order information different from the first order information will be referred to as “second order information.”

[0215] The robot system (1200) can, based on the input of a departure command (or delivery request) while only the first receiving box (Ra) of the robot (R) is loaded with goods, identify second order information among the plurality of order information received from the order system (1300) to which a robot (R) to perform a delivery mission has not been assigned. If second order information exists, the robot system (1200) can provide the second order information to a specific robot (R).

[0216] In this case, the robot system (1200) can specify the second order information in various ways. For example, the robot system (1200) can specify the second order information based on the first order information and the pickup location being the same. As another example, the robot system (1200) can specify order information for which the customer has selected the "bundled delivery" option as the second order information. In other words, the robot system (1200) can preferentially assign (or allocate) order information for which the customer has selected the "bundled delivery" option as the second order information.

[0217] When a specific robot (R) receives second order information from a robot system (1200), as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 20a, it may provide guidance information (e.g., “There is another order waiting for delivery”, 2001) guiding the second order information and at least a part of the second order information (e.g., “Order number 135912065345811”, 2002) to the display unit (1403). In addition, the specific robot (R) may provide a graphic object (e.g., “Skip”, 2003) corresponding to refusal to load an item corresponding to the second order information and a graphic object (e.g., “Put product in cart”, 2004) corresponding to acceptance to load the item.

[0218] The user can recognize that a second order, different from the first order, exists and what items the second order is for, through guidance information (2001) indicating second order information and at least a portion of the second order information (2002). The user can determine at the pickup location whether the items corresponding to the second order can be loaded into the second storage bin (Rb), and can reject or accept additional loading of the items corresponding to the second order information.

[0219] More specifically, when a specific robot (R) receives a user input for a graphic object (“skip”, 2003) corresponding to refusing to load goods corresponding to the second order information, it may transmit information to the robot system (1200) to refuse delivery of goods corresponding to the second order information (or to refuse delivery to multiple destinations).

[0220] The robot system (1200) can control a specific robot (R) to move to a receiving location of goods corresponding to the first order information and perform a delivery service based on the rejection of loading goods corresponding to the second order information.

[0221] A specific robot (R) can move to the receiving location of the item corresponding to the first order information while loading the item only in the first receiving box (Ra).

[0222] Alternatively, when a specific robot (R) receives a user input for a graphic object (“Putting Product Into Cart”, 2004) corresponding to accepting the loading of goods corresponding to the second order information, it may transmit information to the robot system (1200) to accept delivery of goods corresponding to the second order information (or to accept delivery to multiple destinations).

[0223] In the robot system (1200), when receiving a delivery acceptance for an item corresponding to the second order information, the delivery task of the item corresponding to the second order information can be assigned to a specific robot (R). Specifically, the robot system (1200) can store the second order information in a database by linking it to the specific robot (R). That is, the robot system (1200) can update the matching information so that both the first order information and the second order number are linked to the identification number of the specific robot (R). In this case, the robot system (1200) can configure the matching information so that the loading location information of the item corresponding to the first order information and the item corresponding to the second order information are included in the matching information. The loading location of the item corresponding to the first order information may correspond to the first receiving box of the specific robot (R), and the loading location of the item corresponding to the second order information may correspond to the second receiving box of the specific robot (R).

[0224] A specific robot (R) can open a second receiving box (Rb) in response to a user input for a graphic object (“Put product in the drawer”, 2004) corresponding to the acceptance of loading of goods corresponding to the second order information so that goods can be loaded into the second receiving box (Rb). In addition, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 20a, the specific robot (R) can display, on the display unit (1403), information corresponding to the opening status of the receiving box (ex: “Bottom open”) and guide information guiding the loading of goods (ex: “Please put the goods in and close the drawer”) in conjunction with the opening of the second receiving box (Rb).

[0225] Furthermore, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 20b, a specific robot (R) may provide, on the display unit (1403), at least one of a graphic object corresponding to cancellation of acceptance of loading of goods corresponding to the second order (ex: “Over capacity, send next”, 2005) and a graphic object corresponding to a departure command (“Departure”, 2006), based on the fact that loading of goods corresponding to the first order information is completed in the first receiving box (Ra) and the fact that loading of goods corresponding to the second order information is completed in the second receiving box (Rb).

[0226] Here, “cancellation of acceptance of loading of goods corresponding to the second order information” can be understood as cancellation of acceptance of the second order information when it is determined that not all goods corresponding to the second order information are loaded into the second receiving box (Rb) of a specific robot (R).

[0227] In the present invention, when the first receiving box (Ra) of a specific robot (R) is loaded with items corresponding to the first order information, and the second receiving box is loaded with items corresponding to the second order information, the additional robot call function may not be provided. This allows, at the site where items are loaded, to allow delivery to multiple destinations by a single specific robot (R), but only for small-quantity deliveries.

[0228] A specific robot (R) may, in response to a user input for a graphic object (“Skip”, 2005) corresponding to cancellation of acceptance of loading of goods corresponding to the second order information, transmit information to the robot system (1200) to cancel acceptance of acceptance of goods corresponding to the second order information. In addition, the specific robot (R) may open the second receiving box (Rb) so that goods loaded in the second receiving box may be removed. If the user determines that loading goods corresponding to the second order into the second receiving box (Rb) is difficult, the user may cancel acceptance of delivery of goods corresponding to the second order information.

[0229] In the robot system (1200), upon receiving a cancellation of acceptance of loading of goods corresponding to the second order information, matching information can be updated so that the link between the identification information of a specific robot (R) and the second order information is released (or deleted). Based on the update of the matching information, only the first order information can be matched to the identification information of the specific robot (R).

[0230] Furthermore, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 20, the robot (R) can move to a receiving location for the goods corresponding to the first order information and the second order information, respectively, based on receiving a user input for a graphic object (2006) corresponding to a departure command (or delivery request) while the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb) are each loaded with goods corresponding to different order information.

[0231] In this case, the robot (R) can determine a movement path based on the order sequence (or order reception sequence) of the first order information and the second order information. For example, based on the fact that the order sequence of the first order information is earlier than the order sequence of the second order information, the robot (R) can generate a movement path with the receiving location of the goods corresponding to the first order information as the first destination and the receiving location of the goods corresponding to the second order information as the second destination. In addition, the robot (R) can drive within the building to deliver the goods along the movement path.

[0232] Furthermore, although not shown, in the present invention, upon completion of loading of goods into the first receiving compartment (Ra) of a specific robot (R), a graphic object (e.g., “Additional Order Added”) corresponding to a request for loading goods corresponding to the second order information may be provided to the display unit (1403). The robot system (1200) may assign the second order information to the specific robot (R) in response to a user input for the “Additional Order Added” graphic object. That is, in the present invention, bundled delivery may be performed at the user’s request.

[0233] Meanwhile, the robot system (1200) may provide delivery status information to the customer (or recipient) based on the robot (R)'s performance of its delivery mission. In this case, the robot system (1200) may provide the delivery status information to the ordering system (1300), thereby allowing the ordering system (1300) to provide the delivery status information to the customer's user terminal. In addition, the robot (R) system may provide the delivery status information to the customer's (or recipient's) user terminal. For convenience of explanation, the robot system (1200) will be described below as providing the delivery status information to the customer. However, the robot system (1200) may provide the delivery status information to the ordering system (1300) in order to provide the delivery status information to the customer, and may be referred to as a "delivery system."

[0234] The robot system (1200) can receive information from the robot (R) regarding at least one of the following: the loading status of the goods (whether the goods are loaded into a container, which container they are loaded into, etc.), the current location, and whether the customer (or recipient) has received the goods. Based on the information received from the robot (R), the robot system (1200) can provide the customer (or recipient) with different delivery status information for each delivery process.

[0235] More specifically, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 21a, when the robot (R) is in a state of moving to a receiving location with goods loaded in a receiving box (i.e., “delivery departure state” or “delivery in progress state”), the robot system (1200) can provide the user terminal of the customer (or recipient) with goods receipt guide information (2111) including the expected arrival time information of the robot (R) (ex: “2:05 PM”).

[0236] Furthermore, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 21A, based on the robot (R) being located at the receiving location of the product (i.e., “delivery arrival status”), product receipt guide information (2112) including the waiting time information of the robot (R) (e.g., “I’ll wait until 2:10 PM!”) may be provided to the customer’s user terminal. In this case, the product receipt guide information (2112) may include product return guidance information due to non-receipt of the product within the waiting time (e.g., “If not received within 10 minutes, it will be returned and refunded”). In addition, the robot system (1200) may provide a graphic object (“Open robot door”, 2113) corresponding to a product receipt request in an area of ​​the customer’s (or recipient’s) user terminal so that the customer (or recipient) can receive (or pick up) the product. The robot system (1200) can transmit a control command to a specific robot (R) to open a receiving box in response to a customer's (or recipient's) request to receive an item.

[0237] Furthermore, the robot (R) may wait for the customer (or recipient) to receive the product for a preset waiting time (e.g., “10 minutes”) at the product receiving location. If the product is not received (i.e., product receipt is delayed) after a portion (e.g., “7 minutes”) of the preset waiting time (e.g., “10 minutes”) has elapsed, the robot system (1200) may provide product receipt guide information (e.g., “Please pick up the product before the robot returns,” 2114) due to the delayed receipt to the user terminal of the customer (or recipient), as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 21b.

[0238] Meanwhile, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 21b, if goods corresponding to a specific order are loaded in each of the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb), and only the goods loaded in one of the first receiving box (Ra) and the second receiving box (Rb) have been received, the robot (R) can provide the customer (or recipient) user terminal with goods receipt guide information (ex: There are unreceived goods, please check the drawer below, 2115) that guides the receipt of goods loaded in the other receiving box.

[0239] Furthermore, if the product is not received within a certain period of time (e.g., “3 minutes”) of a preset waiting time (e.g., “10 minutes”), the robot system (1200) may move the robot (R) so that the robot (R) re-locates to the pickup location (e.g., store) where the product was picked up. In addition, the robot (R) may provide product return and refund guidance information due to non-receipt of the product (e.g., “The robot (R) returns because the product was not received. The returned order has been automatically canceled and refunded”, 2116).

[0240] Furthermore, although not shown, the robot system (1200) may provide guidance information (ex: “3 robots are delivering”) to the customer’s user terminal to inform the customer that the product corresponding to a specific order is delivered by multiple robots (R) (“N robots 1 order delivery scenario” or “2nd loading scenario”).

[0241] In addition, the robot system (1200) can provide delivery status information of the remaining robots (R) based on whether the customer (or recipient) receives an item loaded on one of the plurality of robots (R). For example, let's assume that three robots (R) deliver an item corresponding to a single order. Based on whether the customer (or recipient) receives an item from the first robot, the robot system (1200) can inform the remaining robots (R) to continue delivering the remaining items, such as, "There are items left to be delivered. Another robot will arrive soon" or "Two more robots will deliver the items."

[0242] Meanwhile, the delivery status information provided to the customer (or recipient) may be provided through at least one of the display unit (1403) of the robot (R) and the user terminal (30) of the customer (or recipient).

[0243] Meanwhile, in the present invention, a fee for providing a product delivery service can be charged to at least one of a customer and a business operator.

[0244] The present invention may specify a fee in various ways. For example, the fee may be determined based on the distance from the pickup location to the delivery location. For another example, the present invention may specify a pre-determined base fee, and the fee may be determined by deducting (discounting) the base fee or adding additional fees based on various options encountered during the delivery process. For convenience of explanation, the following description assumes a fixed "base fee."

[0245] Meanwhile, the process of specifying and charging a fee may be performed by at least one of the robot system (1200) and the ordering system (1300). For convenience of explanation, the process is described below as being performed by the robot system (1200), but the process may also be described as being performed by the ordering system (1300) or by a delivery system including at least one of the robot system (1200) and the ordering system (1300).

[0246] The robot system (1200) can specify a fee for using the delivery service based on at least one of the delivery order scenario described above, the number of robots (R) used to provide the delivery service, whether the customer (or recipient) has received the item, and the delivery time and waiting time of the robot (R).

[0247] The robot system (1200) may charge a predetermined basic fee to at least one of a customer and a business operator when a delivery service of goods corresponding to one specific order information is provided by one specific robot (R) (“one robot, one order delivery scenario” or “first loading scenario”).

[0248] Furthermore, when a product delivery service corresponding to a specific order information (“N-robot 1-order delivery scenario” or “2nd loading scenario”) is provided by a plurality of robots (R1, R2), the robot system (1200) may charge an additional fee calculated based on additional fee information in addition to the basic fee.

[0249] Additional fee information can be set in various ways. For example, each time an additional robot (R) is assigned (or allocated), an additional fee corresponding to a certain percentage (e.g., "50%) of the base fee may be added.

[0250] In this case, the robot system (or ordering system) can control the additional fee to be paid post-payment. During the ordering process, if the basic fee has been paid, the additional fee can be automatically charged to the user (at least one of the customer or business) based on the delivery service provided by the additional robot (R). For example, the additional fee can be paid using the payment information used in the basic fee process or using payment information in the user's account.

[0251] Furthermore, when a product delivery service corresponding to multiple order information ("1 Robot N Delivery Order Scenario", "Third Loading Scenario", "Bundled Delivery (Bundled Delivery)") is provided by a single specific robot (R), the robot system (1200) can charge a discounted rate calculated based on discounted rate information by deducting it from the basic rate. That is, in the present invention, when bundled delivery is performed, the delivery fee can be discounted.

[0252] This "bundled shipping" option can be selected by customers ordering items. Although not shown, the present invention may provide a "bundled shipping" option on the order page (1500).

[0253] The robotic system (or ordering system) may discount the fee based on whether "Bundled Shipping" is selected on the order page (1500) or whether bundled shipments are delivered at the pickup location. During the ordering process, if the base fee has been paid and bundled shipments are delivered at the pickup location, the robotic system (or ordering system) may initiate a refund process to refund the user an amount equivalent to the discounted fee.

[0254] Meanwhile, the robot system (1200) can determine a fee based on the waiting time required for the robot (R) to receive the item at the receiving location. As previously described, in the present invention, the robot's waiting time at the receiving location (e.g., "10 minutes") can be predetermined, and information about the robot's waiting time can be provided to the customer's (or recipient's) terminal.

[0255] As the waiting time of the robot (R) increases, the time that a specific order occupies the robot (R) also increases. Therefore, in the present invention, an additional fee can be calculated and charged based on the extended waiting time of the robot (R). For example, the robot system (1200) can charge an additional fee for the extended waiting time based on receiving a request from a customer (or recipient) to extend the waiting time (e.g., request to extend from 10 minutes to 15 minutes). In another example, the robot system (1200) can charge an additional fee based on the time that the robot (R) is occupied until the time of receiving the goods, based on the time that the customer (or recipient) specifies for receiving the goods.

[0256] As discussed above, the method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention can identify a specific robot to deliver an item based on receiving order information about the item from the ordering system. This allows the present invention to provide a delivery service that delivers ordered items via a robot in conjunction with the ordering system.

[0257] Furthermore, the method and system for providing a delivery service using a robot according to the present invention can store the order information and the identification information of the specific robot in a database, and move the specific robot to the pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned there to load the item. Through this, the present invention can flexibly respond to various scenarios that arise depending on the method of loading the item, through interaction with the user loading the item at the pickup location.

[0258] Furthermore, the robot-friendly building according to the present invention utilizes technological convergence, where robots, autonomous driving, AI, and cloud technologies are integrated and connected, and can provide a new space where these technologies, robots, and facility infrastructure within the building are organically combined.

[0259] Furthermore, the robot-friendly building according to the present invention utilizes a cloud server that interfaces with multiple robots, allowing for the systematic management of the robots' operations, enabling them to provide services more systematically by organically controlling multiple robots and equipment infrastructure. This allows the robot-friendly building according to the present invention to provide a variety of services to people more safely, quickly, and accurately.

[0260] Meanwhile, the present invention discussed above can be implemented as a program that is executed by one or more processes on a computer and can be stored on a medium that can be read by the computer.

[0261] Furthermore, the present invention discussed above can be implemented as computer-readable code or instructions on a program-recorded medium. That is, the various control methods according to the present invention can be provided in the form of programs, either integrated or individually.

[0262] Meanwhile, computer-readable media include all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state disk drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), ROMs, RAMs, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices.

[0263] Furthermore, the computer-readable medium may include a storage device and may be a server or cloud storage device accessible via communication. In this case, the computer may download the program according to the present invention from the server or cloud storage device via wired or wireless communication.

[0264] Furthermore, in the present invention, the computer described above is an electronic device equipped with a processor, i.e., a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and there is no particular limitation on its type.

[0265] Meanwhile, the detailed description above should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A step of receiving order information for goods from the ordering system; A step of specifying a specific robot to deliver the goods based on receiving the above order information; A step of linking the above order information and the identification information of the specific robot and storing them in a database; A step of moving the specific robot to the pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location to load the goods; and A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, comprising a step of moving the specific robot to a receiving location of the product specified from the order information based on receiving a departure command of the specific robot from an input means provided in the specific robot.

2. In paragraph 2, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that at least a portion of the order information is displayed on the display unit of the specific robot based on the specific robot being located at the pickup location.

3. In paragraph 2, The above specific robot is equipped with a storage container capable of loading the above items, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the receiving box is opened based on a request for loading goods from the input means while at least a part of the order information is displayed on the display unit.

4. In paragraph 3, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that, in conjunction with the opening of the above-mentioned receiving box, the display unit provides guide information for guiding the receiving box opening status and loading of goods.

5. In paragraph 4, The above-mentioned container includes a first container and a second container, A step of receiving either a departure command of the specific robot or a control request of the second container based on at least a portion of the goods being loaded into the first container; and A delivery service providing method, characterized in that it comprises a step of opening the second container so that the remaining part of the goods can be loaded based on receiving a control request of the second container.

6. In paragraph 5, A step of monitoring the reception of either a departure command of the specific robot or an additional robot call based on the loading of the goods into both the first receiving box and the second receiving box; and A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that it further comprises the step of moving an additional robot to the pickup location in response to the additional robot call to deliver the remaining items not loaded in the first container and the second container.

7. In paragraph 6, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the database is updated so that the order information, the identification information of the specific robot, and the identification information of the other robot are linked to each other.

8. In paragraph 7, The above display unit is composed of a touch screen having the above input means, In the above monitoring step, In the above display section, a plurality of graphic objects corresponding to the departure command of the specific robot and the call of the additional robot are provided, respectively. A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the additional robot call is monitored based on the selection of a specific graphic object corresponding to the additional robot call among the plurality of graphic objects.

9. In paragraph 5, A step of confirming the existence of second order information different from the first order information corresponding to the goods loaded in the first receiving box, based on receiving a departure command of the specific robot while at least a portion of the goods are loaded in the first receiving box; A step of displaying at least a part of the second order information on the display unit based on the existence of the second order information; and A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that, while the second order information is displayed, either acceptance or rejection of delivery of a product corresponding to the second order information is received through the input means.

10. In paragraph 9, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that, in response to acceptance of delivery of goods corresponding to second order information, a second receiving box of the specific robot is opened so that goods corresponding to the second order information are loaded into the second receiving box.

11. In paragraph 10, The above database is, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the identification number of the specific robot linked to the specific order information is updated so that the other order information is further linked.

12. In paragraph 11, In the step of moving the above specific robot, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the specific robot specifies a movement path along which the robot moves to both a receiving location corresponding to the first order information and receiving information corresponding to the second order information.

13. In paragraph 12, The above movement path is, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the specific robot is specified to move from a receiving location corresponding to order information having a faster order sequence among the first order information and the second order information.

14. In paragraph 1, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the specific robot moves back to the pickup location to return the item if the item is not received at the receiving location after the waiting time has elapsed.

15. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a step of specifying a delivery fee for the delivery service of the above goods; The above delivery fee is, A method for providing a delivery service using a robot, characterized in that the delivery service is specified based on at least one of the number of the specific robots that delivered the goods and the number of the order information linked to the specific robot.

16. A communication unit that receives order information for goods from the ordering system; and A control unit for specifying a specific robot to deliver the goods based on receiving the order information, The above control unit, The above order information and the identification information of the specific robot are linked and stored in a database, Move the specific robot to the pickup location so that the specific robot is positioned at the pickup location to load the goods, A delivery system using a robot, characterized in that the robot is moved to a receiving location of the product specified from the order information based on a departure command of the specific robot being received from an input means provided in the specific robot.

17. In a robot having a receiving box and a display unit, A step of receiving a request for delivery of goods from a server; A step of moving to a pickup location to load the goods based on the above goods delivery request; A step of displaying at least a portion of order information corresponding to the product delivery request on the display unit based on the location at the pickup location; A step of opening the receiving box so that the item can be loaded into the receiving box in response to a request for loading the item received through an input means provided in the robot; and A robot that performs a delivery service, including a step of moving to a receiving location of a recipient included in the order information to deliver the goods loaded in the container in response to a delivery request received through the input means.

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